Full Day Hansard Transcript (Legislative Assembly, 3 July 2003, Corrected Copy)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Thursday 3 July 2003
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The Acting-Speaker (Mr John Charles Price) took the chair at 10.00 a.m.

The Acting-Speaker offered the Prayer.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Routine of Business: Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders

Mr SCULLY (Smithfield—Minister for Roads, and Minister for Housing) [10.00 a.m.]: I move:

That, at this sitting, standing and sessional orders be suspended to provide:

(1) General Business Notices of Motions (for Bills) be considered between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.

(2) items of Government business may be called on at any time.

(3) any interrupted business shall be resumed from the point of interruption, after the Government business is considered.

(4) the automatic adjournment of the House after private members' statement not apply.

Mr TINK (Epping) [10.02 a.m.]: This motion is a way to bring Government business before the House whilst preserving interrupted private members' business, which normally takes precedence, at least before lunchtime, on this day. As this is the last sitting day before the spring session, I have no objection to the motion.

Motion agreed to.

YOUNG OFFENDERS AMENDMENT (REFORM OF CAUTIONING AND WARNING) BILL

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Second Reading

Mr STONER (Oxley—Leader of the National Party) [10.03 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Young Offenders Amendment (Reform of Cautioning and Warning) Bill, which was originally introduced in late 2001. However, due to the Government's control of the legislative agenda to the detriment of private members, this important bill still has not been properly debated. The bill has a number of objects. The first object is to amend the Young Offenders Act 1997 to provide that young offenders who have been previously convicted or found guilty of an offence by a court, or who have been previously dealt with under the Act, ought not be warned or cautioned under the Act. The second object of the bill is to require that a parent of a young offender be given notice when the offender is warned or cautioned under the Act.

The third object of the bill is to provide for a more expeditious application of the scheme established by the Act. The bill would provide for a more expeditious application of the scheme in four ways. First, it would require that a warning, caution, or conference be given or held as close as possible to the date when the offence to which it relates was committed. Second, it would deprive the child of the opportunity to delay the matter by refusing to choose an adult to be present at the time of admission, caution, giving of explanation, or conference. Third, it would give investigating officials the power to appoint a respected member of the community to be present if the child refuses to choose an adult. Fourth, it would remove the discretion of conference administrators and others to overturn referrals for conferences in favour of cautions.

Juvenile crime is a huge issue in rural New South Wales and throughout the State. Just two weeks ago a delegation of community representatives from Dubbo visited State Parliament and presented to me, which I, in turn, presented to the Parliament, a series of petitions containing 11,000 signatures, which is significant when we are talking about a population of 39,000 people. Mr Leo de Kroo, a radio announcer, and Tom Watkinson, a small business proprietor whose business was almost ruined by juvenile offenders, were amongst that delegation. Those petitions highlighted the seriousness of juvenile crime in Dubbo and the extent of concern in that community about lawlessness, young people roaming the streets at night, and a lack of parental responsibility. I was proud to have been able to assist by presenting those petitions to the Parliament.

Time and again I have been approached in my electorate of Oxley by residents, business people, victims of crime, community groups and even police officers who are concerned about seemingly unabated juvenile crime. I know that other honourable members share this experience. These repeat young offenders are holding our towns and suburbs to ransom. The message that we, as parliamentary representatives, are getting is that a core group of young offenders is repeatedly committing mainly nuisance crime with no fear of the consequences. Current legislation governing such crimes committed by young people, the Young Offenders Act 1997, was intended to give young people who had made a mistake by breaking the law, a second chance, that is, they would receive a warning or caution or, in other circumstances, participate in a youth justice conference without the opprobrium of a court appearance or a police record hanging over their heads in future years.

Whilst this is an admirable objective, the Young Offenders Act as it stands is full of loopholes in relation to young recidivist offenders who are making life hell for many law-abiding citizens in our communities. The reality of this legislation almost six years since its implementation is that hardened juvenile criminals are receiving multiple warnings, often for similar crimes, because there is nothing in the Act to prevent that. Similarly, many young offenders are receiving repeated cautions which, although slightly more formal than a warning, can convey many rights to the young person, including the right to determine who is present. There is no requirement for parents to be told that the child has been apprehended for committing a crime for which he or she received a warning. So we have the ludicrous situation in which some hardened young thugs repeatedly commit crimes in the knowledge that they are likely to get off virtually scot-free without their parents ever knowing.

The Act also gives young offenders enormous rights, for example, to choose which adult or adults are to be present when making an admission or receiving an explanation in relation to an offence and to give consent to the giving of a caution. These rights, aside from representing significant red tape for investigating police, effectively enable those in the know to manipulate the outcome, which usually results in a warning rather than a caution or youth justice conference. So again we have a situation in which these repeat young offenders well know their rights, which they can use to manipulate the system without ever being forced to acknowledge their responsibilities to the community. The Act also places time restrictions on the giving of cautions. Of most concern is that under section 26 the caution must be at least 10 days after a notice of caution is given.

In this time many of the problem offenders we are talking about have committed a string of other crimes. Surely commonsense dictates that the caution ought to take place as soon as possible after the commission of the offence and apprehension by police in order to provide a stronger link between the undesirable behaviour and the consequences of a formal caution. By the time they receive the caution some of these kids have forgotten which offence they have committed. One feature of the current Act that I support is the provision for youth justice conferences, which involve the offender and the victim or representatives of the victim and usually result in some type of restorative justice such as repairs to damaged property and an apology. However, youth justice conferences occur too infrequently as young offenders who know their rights under the Act are able to avoid them. Additionally, conference conveners currently have the power to refer cases back for cautions or warnings against the wishes of investigating police, and this often occurs.

In the almost six years since the Carr Labor Government introduced the young offenders legislation, juvenile crime has skyrocketed. The Attorney General reviewed the operation of the Act and made some minor and inconsequential amendments only last year. He did not go far enough in terms of restricting the numbers of warnings and cautions that can be given to young people. We have had six long years of people suffering bag snatching, house break-ins, vandalism, property theft and standover tactics.

In country communities such as Dubbo, Taree, Kempsey, Coonabarabran, Macksville and Narrandera, people have had a gutful of lawlessness that sees citizens, especially the elderly, living in fear. People are afraid to leave their homes in the knowledge that they are likely to be the victim of break and enter or assault. Today's Daily Telegraph contains a report about Tahmoor, near Picton, with the headline, "Town where youths rule the streets". The article refers to a lady having been forced to confront delinquents—all local boys and girls. During a standoff outside her home in March she used a garden rake to fend off youths assaulting her husband. She has been assaulted and her grandson has been subjected to death threats because of the family's campaign. The article states:

... she decided to set up her own posse because she believed she could turn the local hooligans away from violence using skills she learned in a youth counselling course.

Among incidents plaguing the township are window breaking, graffiti, verbal and physical intimidation and drunkenness. Another article in today's Daily Telegraph refers to "Bob's big gun told to clean up Maroubra". It refers to the enlistment of former Superintendent Clive Small to tackle roving gangs of youths who congregate near the Lexington Place shopping centre less than one kilometre from the Premier's Maroubra house. The article states:

Residents living around this 13-shop centre, in the middle of a public housing estate, are afraid of groups of local youths aged 10-18 who are involved in underage drinking, vandalism, shoplifting and assault.

This problem affects communities throughout the State. I wonder if communities other than Maroubra are able to attract the attention that the Premier can attract for his electorate. If they are, we might go a long way to resolving these issues. However, while the young offenders legislation remains in its current form, these issues will arise again and again. We can put more police on the streets and the problem will subside, but it will be back because the legislation does not provide sufficient consequences for young offenders to be deterred from a life of crime. I have received petitions from thousands of people from the country towns I mentioned who are disgusted with the system that has allowed young criminals to wreak havoc and to walk away with nothing more than a weak slap on the wrist.

The system can also be demoralising for police, who put a great deal of effort into apprehending juvenile offenders only to be effectively laughed at by the young criminals who get off with yet another warning or caution. Another outcome is that non-juvenile criminals may be getting younger friends or siblings to take the rap in the knowledge that they will get off with a weak slap on the wrist. That was certainly the case for a friend of mine in Kempsey—a dear lady who has had her bag snatched twice. In the first instance, an adult offender took her bag, but his 14-year-old relative admitted the offence when police found the perpetrator. Of course, the 14-year-old was let off with a warning or caution.

We must not forget that during the recent bushfire crisis many of the fires were deliberately lit by juveniles. While grandstanding during the crisis the Premier intervened to ensure that young people apprehended for lighting fires would not receive a warning or a caution. That is precisely what had been happening. The amendment to the Young Offenders Regulation 1997, introduced by the Government following the Premier's tough talk, does very little to address the fundamental problems with the Act. It simply requires that youth justice conference outcome plans arising from arson or bushfire offences include visits to burns units and victims and payment of some reparation for the offence. That was the probable outcome under the Act without the amended regulations. On 4 January last year the Director of Public Prosecutions stated:

The mechanism already exists for that to be done. There's no need for any change to the law to enable that to happen. It can happen now.

It is clear that the Premier's statements and the subsequent amended regulation were nothing more than spin and rhetoric. It was an attempt to jump on the bandwagon of public opinion, which was running high following the bushfire crisis. Of even more concern is the fact that the amendments did nothing about juvenile arsonists being able to get away with a mere warning or a caution, never getting anywhere near a youth justice conference. In fact, they could be warned or cautioned on multiple occasions. The Premier's tough talk and the Government's legislative response were nothing more than window dressing and a cynical attempt to manipulate public opinion. I will relate the experience of some of the many people who want something done about juvenile crime. I received a letter last year from a man from Kempsey, who states:

That family was forced to leave their neighbourhood; they have moved away from the problem to get on with their lives. Who can blame them? I also received a letter from a lady in Sydney about the experience she has had with her young daughter. She wrote:

There is a pattern here. Young repeat offenders are committing the majority of crimes in our towns because the system is essentially a revolving door: They are picked up, they get a slap on the wrist, they commit another crime, and so it continues. There is nothing to break the cycle of criminal behaviour. My bill, by limiting the number of warnings and cautions and the powers and rights available to these children, seeks to put us in a better position to intervene early in the process and to direct young offenders towards behaviour-changing programs. The youth justice conferences are just one example of a program that tends to break the pattern of offending behaviour and change it to help young people move on with their lives. But while ever young offenders go through the revolving door there is no incentive for them to change their behaviour because they are not forced to confront the consequences of their actions.

The experiences that I related of two of the many people who have contacted me illustrate the consequences of the Carr Government's lax stance on juvenile crime. Where has the Government been in the past six years—out to lunch? Last year the Government attempted to pinch some of the policies enshrined in this bill and in other Coalition law and order policies. However, the Government's Young Offenders Amendment Act did not go nearly far enough. It restricted the number of cautions to three but still allowed unlimited warnings and failed to address the other weaknesses inherent in the Young Offenders Act. Under the Government's amended Act, young repeat offenders can still get away with warning after warning, with no requirement for notification to parents or guardians. They must commit four cautionable offences before they are dealt with in a more serious manner. The system is still a revolving door for repeat juvenile offenders. There is still no early intervention aimed at breaking the cycle of offending behaviour and engaging these young people in behaviour-changing programs, such as youth justice conferences or the Coalition's proposed second chance camps, which would involve effective community organisations such as the Salvation Army, Youth off the Streets or Youth Insearch running camps for young offenders, away from the environments in which they became habitual offenders.

I turn to the specific amendments that will tighten the Young Offenders Act to ensure that young criminals, particularly repeat offenders, are dealt with properly. Items [3], [4], [6], [7] and [8] of schedule 1 will amend the Act to preclude a child from being given a warning or caution if the child has been previously convicted or found guilty of an offence by a court or dealt with under the Act. This amendment gives effect to the intention to remove the option of warning or caution for young repeat offenders. Hence, young offenders will be dealt with by a conference or by a court. Subsection (2A) of section 6 would allow some discretion for investigating officers to give one warning, then one caution in certain circumstances when a conference would not be appropriate for the second offence. In essence, in certain circumstances a young person could get two chances: a warning escalating to a caution. This is in line with community expectations that, with the third strike or subsequent strikes, a conference should be held to reinforce the young person's responsibilities to society. This is certainly the view of victims groups with which I have consulted about this legislation, such as Enough is Enough. I cannot speak too highly of Ken Marslew, who is doing groundbreaking work with offenders to get them to acknowledge their actions and to change their behaviour.

Item [16] of schedule 1 provides that a child is entitled to be dealt with by conference if the offence is one for which neither a warning nor a caution may be given. Items [5], [11] and [15] require that parents be notified in the event of a warning or a caution. Items [1] and [12] require that warnings, cautions and conferences occur as close as possible to the commission of the offence and, in the case of a caution, occur no more than seven days after the offence. At present police are unable to give a caution until at least 10 days, and up to 21 days, after the offence. Some repeat juvenile offenders would have committed several other offences during this time and might not even remember the offence for which the caution is given.

Items [2], [9], [13], [14], [19] and [24] allow admissions, explanations and cautions to be administered in the presence of a respected member of the community. This will limit the ability of young offenders to stall matters by refusing to choose an adult to be present. This reduction in red tape will be welcomed by police and will provide for valuable community involvement in the process of managing juvenile crime, for example, by involving an Aboriginal community elder. Items [17], [18], [20], [21] and [22] remove the discretion of specialist youth officers, conference administrators and the Director of Public Prosecutions to overturn referrals for conferences in favour of cautions. This has been a major source of frustration for both police and victims of crime. Items [24], [25] and [26] contain savings and transitional provisions. I sincerely hope that the Government will not play politics with this important issue, and will support the long-overdue changes in this bill. Last year in an address to the New South Wales Press Forum the former Minister for Police Michael Costa said:

_ Frontline police believe youth justice conferencing works. It is not a soft option. Making young offenders confront their victims in the presence of families and police is both tough and effective. And making young offenders perform work for the community such as graffiti removal makes them take responsibility for their actions. What police are concerned with is the numbers of cautions young offenders are receiving prior to conferencing.

_ That's why the Government is drafting plans to limit the number of cautions that can be granted before conferencing.

_ Once the limit is reached that young offender has to be conferenced or dealt with by the courts.

_ We will also ensure the actual arresting officer has a role in deciding if a youth justice conference is appropriate.

_ Changing the Act in this way will entrench the sensible and tough option of youth justice conferencing as a way of dealing with non violent, non serious offenders.

_ It means habitual young offenders face the consequences of their actions.

On the record, Minister Costa seems to agree with my proposition that the Young Offenders Act needs to be substantially overhauled, particularly in the areas of warnings and cautions. Therefore, I expect the Government to support my bill. In summary, this bill seeks to make long-overdue changes to laws dealing with young offenders in this State. Because of the Government's laxity, many hardened juvenile criminals have been getting away with a slap on the wrist while victims of crime have suffered loss, fear and distress caused by young thugs who commit crimes in the knowledge that the consequences will be trifling if they are caught. This bill will restore the balance to policing crime that the law-abiding citizens of this State want so desperately. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Newell.

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE AMENDMENT (QUARANTINE STATION) BILL

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Second Reading

Mr BARR (Manly) [10.27 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

On 6 June this year the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning announced approval of the Mawland proposal for the conservation and adaptive reuse of the quarantine station, subject to 240 conditions. That was not the final nail in the coffin of the hopes of many in the community that the quarantine station would remain in public hands, but it is close to it. The National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Quarantine Station) Bill aims to ensure that the quarantine station site is preserved for future incorporation into a sanctuary encompassing the whole of North Head. The bill proposes to achieve this by extinguishing any current lease enabling the adaptive reuse of an existing building or structure on the land and by preventing the Minister from granting any new lease or licence in respect of the land for two years. In other words, the bill puts on hold any lease arrangement for the quarantine station until the sanctuary issue is resolved.

The quarantine station issue, the tendering process and everything that has happened since 1987 seemed to lead inexorably to this position, and I have always been bewildered as to why the State Government would choose to go down this path. Throughout this process the community has been calling for an integrated planning approach to all of North Head, including the School of Artillery site, the quarantine station, and other sites. Instead, although the Government would deny it, we are now seeing a piecemeal approach. North Head should be regarded as a total entity, at the entry to a magnificent harbour. We should not begin the process of siphoning off bits and pieces of it for various uses without putting in place an overarching plan or scheme to deal with this magnificent site.

In May I asked the Premier whether the Government accepted the sanctuary concept for North Head. He responded affirmatively, saying, "North Head is a site of extraordinary natural beauty in the heart of a magnificent harbour." The concept of "sanctuary" conjures up different images and uses in the minds of different people, but common to them all are notions of wildlife management for conservation outcomes, generally within natural habitats; biodiversity conservation; and opportunities for controlled human experience of wildlife in its natural habitat, with a view to increasing people's understanding.

As the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust—which is a very fine body; the people involved in it have a true commitment to conservation principles—has identified in its draft plan and subsequent work, North Head's relative peace and solitude, to be found on the doorstep of our largest city, is an important aspect of its sanctuary value. North Head should, as the trust proposes, become a retreat, a place of contemplation and reflection; a place where the public would be able to enjoy a natural, built environment, on the doorstep of our magnificent city, not much more than a stone's throw from the central business district [CBD]. Very few cities can boast such a facility so close to a CBD. The trust went on to identify the opportunity for "A sanctuary to protect the flora and fauna and provide restricted access to enable visitors to study and appreciate the geo-diversity and scenic beauty of the area …" The sanctuary concept is consistent with the World Conservation Union's definition of a national park, which is:

I emphasise point (b) of the above definition. I have long argued that I believe the leasing of the quarantine station site with a 21-year head lease with options for a further 15 years, then 9 years—in essence, 45 years—amounts to de facto privatisation of the site, but, further, that it is inconsistent with the sanctuary concept. A company with shareholders should not be allowed to operate a prime site such as this, with any revenue flow being returned to the shareholders. It is a unique heritage site, a site that in the past decade or so we have come to value more than we had in the past. I think it has been something of a sleeper in the heritage stakes, and we have only recently come to appreciate its true heritage value.

In my view, leasing the site to a private company for 45 years, when we do not know what will happen in 5, 10 or 15 years, amounts to a dereliction of the Government's duty to preserve such a heritage site for the benefit of the public. I am not aware of examples of other countries doing this sort of thing. I certainly know of countries in which economic activity has been conducted to bring in a revenue flow for the conservation of a site, but that revenue flow has been undertaken via organisations whose sole interest is the conservation and management of a sensitive site. The Ellis Island Foundation is a good example.

That foundation, which has not received a cent in United States Government funding, either State or Federal, undertakes economic initiatives so that it can further conserve and preserve the island—which was the point of disembarkation in New York for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of European migrants. Indeed, I think the foundation is even beginning the construction of a hotel near the sensitive area—but not on it—and any revenue flow to come from that is for the benefit of the island, not the shareholders. The fundamental threshold issue in this debate is the transfer of ownership of a unique heritage site to a private hotel operator for the benefit of shareholders—a threshold that the Government has been prepared to cross, and in so doing it has shown a lack of foresight and accounting perspective.

The operator may well have in mind a scheme that the Government likes and thinks will preserve the site and enhance the conservation activities there. However, the fundamental philosophical issue is why the Government does not in the first place retain the site in the care and control of a public body. The events of the past few years have been overtaken by the concept of sanctuary. In July 2002 the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and the National Parks and Wildlife Service co-hosted a North Head sanctuary forum, at which there were strong endorsements for the sanctuary concept. Since then the trust has commissioned a business and strategic planning consultant and Karori Sanctuary founder, Mr Jim Lynch, to prepare plans for North Head sanctuary. Stakeholder workshops were held in February and May. I attended one of those workshops, at which I met Mr Lynch. The trust is now furthering the sanctuary concept for North Head. In the meantime, however, the Government is going ahead with its leasing proposal for the quarantine station.

I strongly argue that the Government should reconsider the proposal. It should join ranks with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to come up with an integrated scheme that incorporates both the old School of Artillery site and the quarantine station site; otherwise a piece of North Head will be excised from the overall planning context, which would be a great shame. The Government has a golden opportunity to do something really special at North Head by putting in place an integrated plan of management so that all citizens of Australia can benefit from such a magnificent site. The implementation of such an integrated plan of management would create the potential for the reintroduction of some of the smaller marsupials, it would allow for interpretive tours of the School of Artillery and the quarantine station, and it would also create opportunities for the public to enjoy the sites. Such a plan of management would also allow for revenue-raising activities to be conducted at both sites.

The convention centre at the quarantine station has been functioning successfully for a number of years and brings in a revenue stream. There is no reason it cannot be expanded and managed properly. It could be leased to restaurants, kiosks or whatever, within the framework of a body that is in public hands, not in the hands of a private hotel operator. That is the crucial difference. The role of the National Parks and Wildlife Service as a co-proponent of the leasing process is, in my view, a total conflict of interest: It cannot be a co-proponent of such a scheme and at the same time manage and look after both the natural and built heritage on the site. The problem all along has been how to deal with the buildings on the site and, as a result, they have been neglected.

Classic examples of that neglect are the two fires that occurred within the space of six months. On 23 October 2001 the P-22 building, which was a magnificent old timber third-class accommodation quarters built in 1883, was totally destroyed by fire. Only a few months later the H1 hospital building, also built in 1883, was also totally destroyed by fire. When the fire brigade attended that fire there were no water hydrants from which to pump water so they had to pump from the harbour. That delayed the whole process and meant that more of the building burned. It was nothing short of a scandal. The destruction of two buildings in six months highlighted that this site had not been looked after properly and had suffered neglect.

A minimal amount of money was spent on bandaid touch-ups to various buildings, but nothing of any real substance was done to protect them from fire or vandalism. It is believed that the fire to the first building was deliberately set, but that is still to be determined. The second fire occurred after some wiring work had been carried out and it appears as though it was an electrical fault, but that also is still to be determined. In relation to the history of the quarantine station, in 1984 the 57-hectare site plus approximately 80 buildings were transferred from the Commonwealth to the State Government. In 1986 the conference centre was established and, as a result, the site gradually became self-supporting.

In 1987 the National Parks and Wildlife Service called for expressions of interest to lease the site. It prepared a draft conservation plan, which subsequently proved to be defective and was redrafted. In 1993—the beginning of this modern phase—expressions of interest were called for the lease of the quarantine station. This process began under a Coalition government and was taken over by the Labor Government. On 31 May 1998 Mawland Development Pty Ltd was selected as the preferred tenderer. In 1999 the Australian Heritage Commission listed the quarantine station as an endangered site. In January 2000 the Minister for the Environment announced the conditional agreement to lease with Mawland Hotel Management.

On 8 October 2001 the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning announced a commission of inquiry into the adaptive re-use of the quarantine station. The commission's terms of reference were strictly confined to environmental aspects and did not extend to economic returns from the proposal. The economic return from the proposal is one of the sore points in this issue. What will the Government and the people of New South Wales get in return for handing over such an incredible site to Mawlands? The answer is: Not very much at all. In fact, for the first five years there will be no return, and Mawlands will not put very much into the site either. The figures, which have been difficult to obtain from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, have not thrown any real light on the true financial position of the quarantine station, but it suspiciously appears that with appropriate management it could be self-funding.

In July 2002 the report of the commission of inquiry was handed down. Recommendations included the need for a fresh appraisal of the cost benefit of the proposal. On 28 October 2002 a preferred activity statement was released by the co-proponents, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Mawland, who proposed a direct negation of the recommendations of the commission of inquiry. In December 2002 the Minister for the Environment declared critical habitat for the endangered population of little penguins at Manly. Their habitat overlaps with the Mawland proposal. One of the problems that the community had with the preferred activity statement was the co-proponents' opposition to a dusk curfew on ferry services to the wharf at the quarantine station because of the need to protect the little penguins. The co-proponents argued that it would be better to have more ferry services after dusk because of the risk to the endangered colony of long-nosed bandicoots from vehicle traffic.

In essence, it was a trade-off between long-nosed bandicoots and little penguins, and that was quite unacceptable. It was quite outrageous for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to be involved in such a trade-off. Dr Peter Banks from the University of New South Wales estimated the colony of long-nosed bandicoots on the whole of North Head to be 97. Dr Banks put down 250 traps and caught 97 bandicoots, which means that the number of breeding females was about 27. Dr Banks said at the sanctuary forum that even an 85 per cent loss in habitat will endanger that colony of long-nosed bandicoots. The proposal before the Government will certainly affect the habitat of the long-nosed bandicoots. If it goes ahead it is likely to result in a decline in their population and put them at risk of extinction. This is happening at the same time as the Government has endorsed the sanctuary concepts for North Head. That is a clear and inconsistent approach to the management of the natural environment of that area.

On 30 January 2003 the Heritage Council Approvals Committee held a special meeting to consider the Mawland proposal for the adaptive re-use of the quarantine station. On 5 February the committee gave conditional approval to the proposal, subject to 240 conditions. On 6 June the Minister for Planning announced the approval for the adaptive re-use of the quarantine station, subject to those 240 conditions. The issue is: Where do we go from here, and what is possible? The final nail has not been put in the coffin yet, but it is getting very close. This has been such a long and convoluted process that it has been hard to keep track of everything. Assuming the Minister for the Environment and the Waterways Authority give final approval, once the steps have been completed it will go on public exhibition for consideration of amendments to the Sydney Harbour National Park plan of management, which will close in August.

After the amendments to the plan of the management have been considered, ministerial approval has to be given for the advertisement of an intent to enter into a lease, and Mawland has to provide financial information to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the contractors who will conduct the economic review of the proposal. That is a big step still to be taken. Following that step, negotiations are carried out between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Mawland, the co-proponents, on the final terms and wording of the final lease agreement. There is an outrageous conflict in all of this.

I make a plea to the Government to let this bill pass through the House and put the process on hold for two years while the sanctuary concept is worked through. That would then integrate the quarantine station with the other sites at North Head so that we achieve an optimum outcome for the people of New South Wales rather than a bits-and-pieces outcome. That is really what the Government has to consider. It still does not have to cross the threshold of handing such a valuable heritage site over to a hotel operator. The Americans did not do it to Ellis Island, and the Europeans do not do it, so why should we do it?

When the returns to the public of New South Wales are so small, why do we have this urge to have a group of historic buildings taken off the books of a government department? This exercise is all about taking the expenses off the books of the Government. The Government should be much more proactive: it should be seeking to do something special for what is a unique heritage site. The site is not just unique in Australia; there are very few comparable sites anywhere in the world. We should be doing all we can to make sure that something really special is done at the site for future generations; not just for the convenience of Treasury or the accountants, but for the benefit of us all. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Newell.

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL ASSETS REGISTER BILL

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Second Reading

Mrs SKINNER (North Shore) [10.52 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This bill requires the Director-General of the Department of Education and Training to keep a register of government school assets. The bill defines assets as all buildings, including demountables. The register is to comprise reports on the status of the capital assets of government schools, to be known as school status reports, and three-yearly plans on building and maintenance work in those schools, to be known as school building plans. School status reports and school building plans are to be prepared by the director-general, included in each of the annual reports of the Department of Education and Training , and made available for inspection, free of charge, on the web site of the department. I will outline details of these two components of the register in due course, but first I will explain why the Coalition has introduced this legislation. By necessity, I will be brief because I have only five minutes before this debate will be adjourned. However, I will return to it at a later time.

This legislation is necessary because Professor Tony Vinson—who conducted the inquiry into the provision of public education in New South Wales—states at the beginning of his report in explaining the reason for his examination of buildings and amenities:

The Vinson report suggests that "maintenance and refurbishment of the education estate has been neglected and fitfully managed", and it refers to "substandard conditions in which teaching and learning are being attempted". During the course of the inquiry, Professor Vinson and members of the inquiry team visited 140 schools. Of those visits the report states:

a sample of which is included in the report—

The report accepts that the Department of Education and Training uses building standards for new and extensively refurbished schools that are consistent with international standards. It notes that the presumption of the authorities:

The report continues:

The report notes that the measure of unmet needs would be possible using existing data. It states:

Before providing some examples of conditions found by members of the inquiry team, the run-down state of schools highlighted in the media in recent weeks, and my own personal observation of schools badly in need of repair, renovation or replacement, I draw attention to several points made in earlier chapters of the Vinson report. They include the observation that teaching and learning can be enhanced or retarded by the presence or absence of appropriate physical conditions; the school community's spirits can be uplifted or depressed by the presence or absence of well-designed and well-maintained buildings; good building quality and maintenance are associated with improved academic results; the quality of physical space affects self-esteem, peer and student-teacher interactions, parental involvement, discipline, attention, motivation and interpersonal relations; and the quality of school buildings and their surrounds can also be a potent symbol of the regard, or otherwise, in which public education is believed to be held by governments and the community.

Much media attention has been given recently to the run-down state of public schools. A quick glance at recent media reports of the poor shape of our schools tells the story. I am only going to highlight them now; I will come back to details of these when this debate resumes after the winter break. Ashtonfield Public School was promised a new school this year, but that has not been provided. At the special education unit of William Stimson Public School at Wetherill Park the toilets are dangerous, and teachers have to wash children's toileting aids in the hand basin. Waniora Public School is termite infested and leaky. North Newtown public school has a leaking roof that has caused a number of problems, including a flooded after-school care area and rotting doorways.

I could go on, but I know that this debate is about to be adjourned and I would prefer to return to these very important matters following the winter break. In the meantime, I ask members of the community and members of Parliament to go out and gather information about the state of their local schools so that the Government can understand the real importance of this legislation. If members of the public are made aware of the details of the state of our schools there will be strong bipartisan support for this legislation. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr West.

GOVERNMENT (OPEN MARKET COMPETITION) BILL

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 22 May.

Mr WEST (Campbelltown—Parliamentary Secretary) [11.00 a.m.]: I move:

The honourable member for Bligh has the carriage in this House of the Government (Open Market Competition) Bill, which is about accountability of government contracts. I know the honourable member for Bligh has a keen interest in this issue, developed over many years, and would like a full investigation of the effects of any changes to existing legislation and the benefits and problems that presents. It is for that reason that the Government proposes to refer the bill to the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament, under the stewardship of the honourable member for Kiama as chair, for detailed consideration. The bill raises many complex issues with implications for government, the private sector and public accountability, and I know the honourable member appreciates that. If honourable members support my amendment to refer the bill to the Public Accounts Committee they will ensure a full investigation of these issues and a report to the House.

Mr HARTCHER (Gosford) [11.01 a.m.]: The Coalition's view on transparency in government was expressed by the Leader of the Opposition during the recent State election campaign. It ill behoves the Government to adopt the tactic of delaying this bill, which has been before the Parliament for some time. It was debated in the Legislative Council, where it was not opposed by the Government. This amendment was not moved in that place by the Government. Now that the bill is before this House the Government's response is simply to try to refer it to a committee. It should be borne in mind that over the past eight years the Opposition and some crossbenchers have made many requests to refer some government bills to committees for the purpose of public consultation. On not one occasion has such a request been accepted by the Government. For eight years the Government has demanded that its legislation simply proceed.

Now that the House has before it a bill brought to the House by the honourable member for Bligh, and not opposed by the Government in the Legislative Council, suddenly that bill is to be deferred at the Government's behest to the Public Accounts Committee. The Public Accounts Committee was not set up as an inquiry committee; it was established to examine the accounts of government. The Public Accounts Committee's role is to scrutinise government operations; it is not to scrutinise legislation. Even the Government must be aware that there is an enormous difference between scrutinising the operation and administration of government and scrutinising legislation that puts the operation of government into place. The amendment proposes a misuse of the role of the Public Accounts Committee. The deferral motion is a device to end all discussion on what is an important bill—a bill designed to ensure transparency in the operation of government in New South Wales. A media release issued on 18 February 2003 under the name of the Leader of the Opposition stated:

• Making the Ombudsman responsible for Freedom of Information requests;
• Appointing a Minister to be the Regulator-General of the Government to remove regulatory bodies from Government pressure;
• Undertaking an audit of all information currently available within Government to assist citizens in seeking information from Government;
• Overhauling all Government websites to ensure they all publish accurate, timely and reliable data; and
• Cleaning up and simplifying the complaints process available to citizens.

1. The Police Service can't tell us how many media staff it has;
2. The Health Department demanded $10,000 for information on a switchboard which might have caused the death of a patient; and
3. The Department of Education and Training refused to provide information on hazardous material in the State's schools.

The Coalition lived up to its own high standards of accountability and transparency in releasing to the community a full and detailed account of its financial planning for the 2003 election and beyond. The Coalition issued a KPMG audit of 20 March 2003, which stated:

All of those details were contained in a 53-page document. Those details were on accounting, financing and detail. The detail was far more comprehensive than Treasurer Egan has ever set out before this House. The Coalition, under Mrs Kerry Chikarovski, introduced freedom of information legislation. It was an amendment to the original freedom of information legislation, which had to wait for the election of the Nick Greiner Government in 1988. It was promised on no fewer than three occasions by Neville Wran when he was Premier, yet was never enacted by him. Because of the inertia of the public service and the fears of the Australian Labor Party, freedom of information had to wait for the election of the Greiner Government in 1988.

In Victoria the Bracks Government has set in place a contracts web site that publishes contract summaries for all contracts over $100,000 and publishes the actual contracts for all contracts over $10 million. I acknowledge that was an initiative of the Bracks Labor Government. The Australian Council for Infrastructure Development has stated that, first, it has maintained longstanding support for publishing contracts. It said the view of the private sector is that it has nothing to hide on these contracts, so there is no reason not to publish them. In other words, there is no reason for the Government to hide behind the commercial in confidence principle, which it presently hides behind. Second, the Australian Council for Infrastructure Development has stated that it advocates contract summaries as well as contracts to facilitate ease of reading by the public. Third, it has stated that if there is an important issue of commercial in confidence this should be dealt with by an independent party, such as the Auditor-General.

The bill brought to the House by the honourable member for Bligh stipulates the Ombudsman. We have no problem with that. But there are some matters that, clearly, the Auditor-General is better equipped to assess through his financial staff—matters of commercial in confidence being one of them. Currently, the Government's contract disclosure is covered by the Premier's memorandum No. 11 of 2000 which, in effect, states that contracts do not have to be published. Contract summaries are required to be published for all contracts over $100,000. For contracts over $5 million involving private sector financing, land swaps or asset transfer provisions, the contract must be disclosed, but not the whole contract.

The New South Wales Coalition is committed in Opposition and in government, upon election, to ensuring greater transparency in the whole process of government. Governments have nothing to hide by taking the people of the State into their confidence. They are the servants of the people, and they should act as the servants of the people. As is well known, it was the Coalition Government under Nick Greiner that reformed the entire accounting system of this State. It was the Coalition Government under Nick Greiner that enacted freedom of information legislation. The whole principle of transparency and accountability has long been strongly argued by the Coalition, and we will continue to argue it. For the Government at this late hour to seek to refer the bill to a committee that is not set up or equipped to examine legislation, but rather the operation and administration of the Government's accounting system is a delaying tactic, to obviate making a decision on the merits of the bill.

The Government was frightened to vote against the bill in the Legislative Council and the Government is now frightened to vote against it in the Legislative Assembly. The Government seeks by this tactic to kill it off. This is one example of the Government's transparency. The only example we ever get of transparency from the Government is when it is trying to hide something. The New South Wales Coalition has nothing to hide. It will continue to support open government in our community. The views of the Coalition were set out in a speech given on 18 February by the Leader of the Coalition, John Brogden, to the Institute of Public Administration. The theme of the speech was the critical issues of transparency and accountability in government. Mr Brogden said:

We have seen that repeatedly. For example, the people have been the losers as a result of cover-ups that have been exposed in the rail transport system of this State. People have been the losers as a result of cover-ups in the health system of this State—unfortunately, people such as the woman treated at Penrith hospital for meningococcal have died. In education, the Government was caught up in the tragic Cecil Hills incident and tried to cover up its maladministration. In the police service the Government has been caught out in cover-up after cover-up of its maladministration. Only evil likes darkness. Light shines on good, and evil seeks the dark. Although that is a theological concept, the honourable member for Bligh would be well acquainted with it, as would the honourable member for Liverpool, who is in the chair, from his education. Although he may have walked away from his foundations, he remembers them. Notwithstanding that the principle is theological, it is also important that it be established in the political process: only good can come out of honesty and only good administration can come out of transparency. The Leader of the Opposition, in his address to the institute, went on to say:

The Leader of the Opposition then went on to give page after page of detailed examples of the failure of the Carr Government to uphold transparency to ensure that it retains public trust. The Coalition supports the principle underlying the legislation. The Coalition is opposed to the Government's dodgy tactic of trying to kill the bill in silence

Mr BROWN (Kiama) [11.15 a.m.]: I thank the honourable member for Campbelltown for moving a motion to refer the Government (Open Market) Competition Bill to the Public Accounts Committee for inquiry. The bill was introduced in the other place by the Hon. Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans then, after amendment, it was introduced into this House by the honourable member for Bligh last year. The bill has two major aims. It requires increased public information about Government contracts and tendering processes. It also proposes a significant increase to the powers of the Auditor-General by enabling him to audit any organisation receiving public money. Since the late 1970s the Parliament has recognised the need for an effective Public Accounts Committee. It has delivered three reports from references from the Legislative Assembly during this time. This would be the fourth. I commend the motion to the House.

Ms HODGKINSON (Burrinjuck) [11.16 a.m.]: It is absolutely outrageous that the honourable member for Campbelltown moved an amendment to refer to the Public Accounts Committee [PAC] the bill introduced by the honourable member for Bligh relating to the principles of accountability and honesty, and transparency in Government. The bill deserves a proper and full debate. For the Government to park it in the PAC, which is a toothless tiger that studies the accounts of Government and its agencies, not legislation, is an arrogant admission that it wants to kill it off—zero accountability and maximum corruption at any cost. Everyone should strive for transparency and openness by the Government in New South Wales. It is a key platform of the Coalition. We must ensure the highest standards of performance and practice in Government. Transparency, openness and accountability are just a part of that.

A current example in my electorate, the sale of the Kenmore Hospital, is of great concern to the community and has received a lot of media publicity. The Government will sell this substantial community asset by tender. Nothing has raised the ire of local people more than the way in which the hospital sale has been conducted. The first buildings of the lunatic asylum, known as Kenmore, were completed in 1894, and the site was gazetted as a hospital for the insane under the Lunacy Act 1878. It is a 75-hectare site, located between the Taralga road and the Wollondilly River. It contains about 40 buildings of both Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and it is of significant heritage value. It also has a cricket oval, bowling green, large stable complex, halls, church, clock tower and extensive parks.

Currently, some 30 patients remain in the Southern Area Health Service facilities at the site, as well as a linen distribution service, cook-chill kitchens and some administrative offices. Kenmore was declared surplus to requirements in 2000 and the Department of Public Works and Services called for tenders in March 2001. I will outline some facts highlighted in our local media, concerns that have already been expressed to me by other people. The two major tenderers for the sale of the hospital site were Terrance Read and Associates, and Rowant Gardens Pty Ltd. A nine-member assessment panel, which included the Mayor of Goulburn, Max Hadlow, a member of the Australian Labor Party, selected Rowant Gardens, now known as Longreach Capital, as the preferred tenderer in February.

The other eight members of the selection panel have not been named. I listed a question on the notice paper about that. The contracts of sale were exchanged in mid-April. During the election campaign the Premier announced that the broad outline of the plan would include four precincts—education, recreation, health and residential—and that the project would be staged over seven years. The information I have outlined is all that has been formally released by the New South Wales Government. There has been a call for a detailed proposal to purchase from the asset management service of the Department of Public Works and Services [DPWS]:

AMS and Health are committed to ensuring that the highest levels of Probity, Openness and Equity are exercised throughout the selective invitation, assessment of proposals and any subsequent processes. Should any person seek to gain advantage for a particular submission by way of lobbying either with Government, an officer of the Government including any officer of AMS, Health, SAHS or any Minister of the Crown [they] risk disqualification for the submission of the Assessment Panel.

On 27 September 2002 a Labor councillor of the Goulburn City Council, Councillor R. Lucas, was quoted in the Goulburn Post as having met John Benjamin "almost 18 months ago", during the early stages of the tendering process. That same article stated that he referred Mr Benjamin to Mr R. M. Cavalier, a former Labor Minister for Education who lost his seat in 1988. On 16 May 2003 the local newspaper reported that at the council meeting held on 30 May Councillor Susan Harris repeatedly questioned Councillor Lucas on how he knew the details of the Kenmore sale, which had not been released. Mayor Hadlow ruled the question out of order three times and refused to allow Councillor Lucas to answer.

Unconfirmed information circulating in the local community indicates that a certain councillor had been actively lobbying against the Terrance Read and Associates proposal; that a councillor, who was not on the selection committee, had been talking to the Special Minister of State, the Hon. John Della Bosca, about the Kenmore proposal; that the husband of a local Labor Senator had been involved in the process; and that a former Labor Minister, who is now living in Victoria, was heavily involved in the sale. On 23 April 2003 the Goulburn Post reported that credible sources had put the sale price of the Kenmore complex to Longreach Capital at $3 million. The Government has continuously refused to reveal the price that was paid for the site or the official valuation of the site by the State's valuation office. Terrance Read and Associates stated that its proposal was for a sale price in the region of $6 million.

Local real estate agents have separately valued the site at a conservative $5 million, which was the estimate from Broadhead Estate Agents, and $6 million, which was the estimate from Platt-Hepworth and Associates, as reported. The land value alone of the Kenmore site, if subdivided into 1,200 square metre residential blocks, is estimated to be between $10 million and $12 million. Allegations of corruption have been made. Anonymous allegations have been made that a certain councillor has said that he is "on a commission of a Monaro and a condo overlooking the golf course" because of the support for the Longreach bid that he has raised among Labor contacts. Of course, I referred that matter to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. This situation has been very ugly—unnecessarily ugly. Throughout the whole process, over the past 12 months, I have called for transparency and openness. However, the brick wall of secrecy and the lack of accountability by this Government has forced these allegations to circulate in the local community, and for what?

If the Government has nothing to hide, it should come out and say so. If the secrecy is kept in place we have no alternative but to accept the worst—that corruption has been a part of the sale and that the tendering process has been fundamentally flawed. I call on the Government to give us some information on the Kenmore site. What has been going on? Let us get it out in the open. Why hide? I asked the Premier a question about this last week, but he has not come back to the House with an answer. Why? If the people of Burrinjuck were confident that the tendering process had been conducted properly and fairly the rumours would stop. If that does not happen, I inform the Government that this is on the nose and will remain so in my electorate. I find it astounding that the Government would amend the bill and prevent honourable members from debating the impact it will have.

Ms MOORE (Bligh) [11.23 a.m.], in reply: I support the amendment moved by the Government. This bill will make government and private sector contracts available under the Freedom of Information Act. The aim of the bill is to show where government money goes—it is public money—and I think it is appropriate that the Public Accounts Committee take submissions and report back to the Legislative Assembly. I note that when this bill was debated in the upper House there was no division—it received Government and Opposition support. A number of Opposition members—notably the Hon. James Samios and the Hon. Greg Pearce—stated their support for the bill, but also said that they thought the bill could go further. The Public Accounts Committee is a bipartisan committee and it will provide the opportunity for the Opposition to make submissions to amend and improve the legislation. I welcome that process.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion as amended agreed to.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT (GRAFFITI) BILL

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 29 May.

Ms MOORE (Bligh) [11.25 a.m.]: I spoke previously during debate on the Local Government Amendment (Graffiti) Bill. I restate my support for the bill, the objectives of which are to recover from a public authority expenses incurred by the council for removal of graffiti from property owned or occupied by the public authority and to order removal of graffiti from property owned or occupied by the public authority. The bill is a logical extension of Government legislation. I referred to submissions I made to the Attorney General about the subject of this bill and I also referred to his response. His response showed that the Government would be sympathetic to this bill. When I expressed concern about State authorities not removing graffiti the Attorney General responded by saying that the Government is concerned about the issue and that it is committed to removing graffiti.

The Government is also committed to taking steps to attack the graffiti problem. The Attorney General also referred to a number of solutions that the Government has devised, including the Beat Graffiti and Graffiti Traineeship Program, the Graffiti Clean-up Community Orders Scheme and the Graffiti Blasters Program, as a result of which several councils have received high-powered cleaning machines. Noting the shortness of the time available for the conclusion of debate on the bill, I point out that, given the commitment that has been made by the Government in previous legislation and the commitment made by the Attorney General specifically about the issue of government authorities removing graffiti on government property, I hope that the Government will support this worthwhile bill that has been introduced by the honourable member for Hornsby.

Mr CANSDELL (Clarence) [11.27 a.m.]: The objects of the Local Government Amendment (Graffiti) Bill are to recover from a public authority expenses incurred by the council in the removal of graffiti from property owned or occupied by the public authority, and to order removal of graffiti from property owned or occupied by a public authority. I commend the honourable member for Hornsby for her initiative in proposing this amending bill, which will improve aspects of local council areas and bring back some credence into the Tidy Towns Program. One has only to travel along the Sydney rail network and notice the graffiti along the rail corridor to appreciate the worth of this bill. However, I am not here to speak about city concerns; I am here to represent my electorate and support positive legislation that will enhance country and coastal New South Wales.

Graffiti is like a cancer: if it is not treated straightaway, it spreads and control of it is lost. The longer graffiti is left untouched and on public view, the longer people accept it—and this does nothing to deter or discourage copycat behaviour. The State Rail Authority is not structured for regular and prompt remedial action to remove graffiti from government infrastructure in country areas, at least not at an affordable or acceptable cost. I am told that the New South Wales Government spends $60 million annually in graffiti maintenance along rail corridors and in trains alone. A partnership with local government will be a cost saving for the State Government, and that is what I believe this amending bill will achieve, while keeping vandalism to a minimum.

Local councils are there, on the spot, and have equipment and trained staff on hand to remove graffiti virtually as it occurs. That makes the job easier and, as a previous speaker said, it discourages copycat behaviour. For example, Grafton City Council has a maintenance team for general cleaning duties. When any graffiti needs to be removed from its property—such as barbecues, public toilets, footpaths, buildings or pergolas—within days a crew with a high-pressure steam cleaner and paint- removing solvents is on the site and the graffiti is removed well before it is accepted as an obscene landmark by locals or as a badge of honour by those responsible for it. The amendments in the bill are commonsense. They are not intended to penalise the State Government, but to enable councils to work with the Government in achieving a positive and sensible outcome for State and local government and our local communities. I urge the Chamber to support the bill.

Pursuant to sessional orders business interrupted.

THE SPIT BRIDGE WIDENING

Mrs SKINNER (North Shore) [11.30 a.m.]: I move:

Mosman Daily

I quoted the words of the editorial when I said "blinkered by an urge to cosy up to the … government". I will quote the entire editorial because it represents a view widely held by the people of the North Shore.

Mr Barr: Political journalism.

Mrs SKINNER: The honourable member for Manly suggests that this is political journalism.

Mr Barr: It is blinkered.

Mrs SKINNER: Yesterday the honourable member suggested that it is a plot by the Liberals. I am pleased that he thinks that all of the 6,254 signatures on the petition are those of members of the Liberal Party, that the 2,000 people who attended the rally at The Spit Reserve two Saturdays ago were all members of the Liberal Party, that the editor of the Mosman Daily is a member of the Liberal Party, that the journalists who wrote the articles in the Mosman Daily are stooge Liberals, and that the constituents from his electorate who attended the rally are members of the Liberal Party. It will be of particular interest to Government members to know that the Labor candidate for Manly attended the rally protesting against the widening of The Spit Bridge. How ironic! Does that not prove that this proposal is just a sop to the Independent member for Manly to try to get him re-elected? The Labor candidate protested against Labor's plans to widen The Spit Bridge.

The reason there is such public unrest and outrage about this $35 million proposal is that it makes a bad traffic problem worse. It will do nothing to alleviate the problems of gridlocked roads up Spit hill and along Spit Road and Military Road. It will do nothing to prevent traffic rat-running through the residential streets of Mosman. It will do nothing for the people of Manly and the northern peninsula who want a better route through the electorate of North Shore as they drive to their destinations. Widening the bridge will only create a bigger block of traffic further up Spit hill. The lanes up Spit hill and on The Spit Bridge are narrower than the national safety standard and they are unsafe. Spit hill has a high accident rate and there have been tragic deaths there—a matter that is totally ignored by the honourable member for Manly.

The honourable member for Manly also ignores the fact that the road is used not only by people from my electorate and, indeed, his electorate, it is also used by people from all over Sydney and the State who want to enjoy the great pleasure of the northern beaches. People use the road on the weekends perhaps even more than they do during the week and during peak traffic times. Traffic on the weekends is bumper to bumper, as it was two weekends ago when the rally was held. People also travel along the road to attend sporting activities.

Mr Barr: That is why the bridge should be widened.

Mrs SKINNER: The honourable member for Manly interjects, "That is why you need another bridge." He should watch the television tonight: he will see that members of the Sensible Traffic Action Group [STAG] delivered petitions to me at 11.00 a.m. today. The petitions were signed by more than 6,000 residents, some of whom are in the gallery. I welcome them to the House today. The petitions were delivered by horse and buggy, a mediaeval method of transporting petitions. They were accompanied by a town crier, who is also in the gallery. That mediaeval method of delivering petitions delivers a mediaeval solution to a modern problem. That is what the Government and the honourable member for Manly are all about: they are old-fashioned and cannot think of a modern solution to a real problem.

I predict that the honourable member for Manly will say, "We have already had a referendum on this, and I was re-elected." I remind him that I was re-elected, the honourable member for Willoughby was elected, the honourable member for Wakehurst was re-elected, and the Leader of the Opposition, who represents the Pittwater electorate, was re-elected. We all supported a long-term solution to this problem—a tunnel to bypass the gridlocked roads that will allow express buses to travel from the northern beaches to the city and other destinations.

Mr Barr: But that puts all the traffic through Manly.

Mrs SKINNER: The honourable member for Manly can burble away as much as he likes. The editor of the Mosman Daily is not a member of the Liberal Party. His editorial is totally independent, a word that the honourable member for Manly would like. The entire editorial in the Mosman Daily stated:

The Mosman Daily is a well-respected newspaper that consistently wins the award for the best newspaper of the year. That newspaper is a member of the Cumberland Group.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for East Hills will come to order.

Mrs SKINNER: I am happy to show honourable members what the newspaper looks like. It is read not only by the residents of my electorate but by those beyond.

Mr Ashton: Point of order: Loath as I am to take a point of order during the member's speech, the Mosman Daily may well be a reverential paper, but it is a prop and should not be used in such a hallowed place as the New South Wales Parliament.

Mrs SKINNER: To the point of order: My motion is all about the editorial in the Mosman Daily. It is entirely appropriate for me to refer to that newspaper since its editorial is the basis of my motion.

Mr J. H. Turner: To the point of order: Speaker Murray clearly ruled that honourable members can refer to headlines in newspapers; I read that ruling only 30 seconds ago. If you are to rule on the use of props, I suggest you take notice of yesterday's precedent in relation to a T-shirt being waved around. That T-shirt was a prop—and I wonder where it came from! This document is a factual statement.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! I did not interrupt the honourable member for North Shore because, as she has pointed out, the newspaper is the subject of the motion. She was probably provoked into displaying the newspaper by the interjections of the member for East Hills. She has now made her point and will not need to use it further.

Mrs SKINNER: I have made my point. I thank the honourable member for East Hills for drawing to the attention of everyone in the gallery and others what a wonderful paper the Mosman Daily is. I am proud to hold it up in this hallowed Chamber of Parliament for everyone to see. Obviously, people in the gallery and others know that Government members are taking points of order to try to prevent me from speaking against their close friend and ally the honourable member for Manly—an Independent in disguise who is closely associated with the Labor Party and who was re-elected to this Parliament with the support of that party. I might add that the honourable member for Manly is the person behind that scurrilous dirt sheet—

Mr Barr: Point of order: The honourable member for North Shore is straying from the motion.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The Opposition benches will come to order. The honourable member for Wakehurst will restrain himself. The honourable member for North Shore has the call.

Mrs SKINNER: I rest my case. [Time expired.]

Mr BARR (Manly) [11.41 p.m.]: I move:

The puerile motion moved by the honourable member for North Shore contains one word that exemplifies what the Opposition is about. That word is "impotent"—or, to be more precise, "politically impotent". The Opposition, which is the most ineffective Opposition we have had for many years, is a threat to our democracy. Opposition members should not be attacking me. Rather, they should be attacking the Government on substantive issues. The honourable member for North Shore has moved a puerile motion that attacks me.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Lismore will come to order.

Mr BARR: The honourable member for North Shore has not been able, in any way, shape or form, to justify why The Spit Bridge proposal should be rejected.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will come to order.

[Interruption]

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! I call the honourable member for Wakehurst to order.

Mr BARR: The consultant's report on this issue states that this proposal will improve safety, the contra-peak hour flow, the movement of traffic outside peak hours, and the bus flow. The traffic engineer said that there was no traffic engineering reason to refuse this development application. The honourable member for North Shore referred earlier to lane widths. The Hallam traffic report states:

The assertion was repeatedly made to both public meetings [that were held] that the proposed lane widths of 3.2-3.5 m are 700mm less than "National standards". We have no idea what "National standards" they are talking about.... the proposed lane widths will be very satisfactory and in line with the RTA's Road Design Guide. We can only assume that WAG is mis-understanding something they have read.

Many lies have been peddled about this proposal. Some of the lies include the claim that The Spit Bridge will be less safe, when the engineer's report states that it will be safer. It has also been claimed that trees will be cut down and there will be no entry into Battle Boulevard. Many lies have been peddled, but no alternatives have been suggested. Transport on the northern beaches is an ongoing issue. In the 1990s a section 22 committee looked at a number of options. When I questioned the consultant who wrote this report he said that he had not read the section 22 committee report. In the report he basically states that everything is fine. However, a political recommendation at the end of that report requests the Minister to withdraw the proposal because of a lack of public support.

Last year I wrote to every constituent in my electorate. Attached to each letter was a piece of blue paper with two boxes on it and a space for general comment. The wording in the first box was, "I support the widening of the Spit Bridge" and the wording in the second box was, "I support fewer openings of the Spit Bridge." I received more than 2,200 responses from constituents, who were required to put that piece of paper into an envelope, put a stamp on the envelope and post it.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! Members on the Opposition benches will cease interjecting.

Mr BARR: If that is not public support, I do not know what is. Furthermore, at the last State election the Opposition, for the fourth time in a row, lost the State seat of Manly to an Independent— and that really got up their nostrils! They are doing everything they can to try to stop any progress on the Manly side of The Spit Bridge because they do not want it. The one thing that irritates members of the Liberal Party more than an Independent holding the seat of Manly is an Independent who is getting things done for his electorate.

[Interruption]

If I were impotent, the honourable member for North Shore would not have moved this motion. The motion confirms that, for a little over a year, I have been effective as a member of Parliament in getting this proposal under way. I am achieving outcomes for my electorate that Opposition members are unable to achieve. Opposition members went to the last election with a proposal to build a 6.5 kilometre tunnel under the deepest part of the harbour where there is sediment and all sorts of issues relating to gradients. They told the electorate that that project would cost $950 million. The 2.1-kilometre Cross-City Tunnel, which is one-third the length of the Opposition's proposed tunnel and which is not under water, will cost $680 million. Opposition members wanted to build a tunnel that is three times the length of the Cross-City Tunnel. That is absolute nonsense.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will restrain himself.

Mr BARR: Opposition members, who are extremely ineffective, do not prepare proper plans. They offer back-of-the-envelope solutions to the public at the time of an election, which they do not win. Opposition members could not convince the public that the tunnel scheme was feasible. They promoted the tunnel theme for the whole of the election campaign, but, on the day of the election, not one word was spoken about it because research showed that the public did not want a tunnel. Opposition members might have wanted to build a tunnel to Mosman, but what would have happened at the Manly end? It is most likely that residents would have been subjected to a ventilation stack like the 58-metre high stack that is located at Artarmon.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst is testing the patience of the Chair.

Mr BARR: What have Opposition members done for their electorates? The impotence and ineffectiveness of Opposition members is an insult to democracy. They are unable to pin down the Government in relation to any issue. They do not do their homework or research. They come up with a back-of-the-envelope proposal for a 6.5 kilometre tunnel. They think they are going to sell the proposal to the electorate, and they lose the election. Opposition members are now involved in a campaign to try to stop progress on The Spit Bridge, the first work that has been done on that bridge for almost 50 years. The proposal is to create two additional lanes on the western side of the bridge. At present there are four lanes on the bridge.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! I call the honourable member for Wakehurst to order.

Mr BARR: It will mean that traffic coming from the Manly side of the bridge will no longer have to be channelled into one lane; it will be able to use three lanes. At present people travelling from Mosman in the morning are funnelled into one lane. Under this proposal, they will be able to use three lanes. The notion that Opposition members should seek to stop this bridge widening is an absolute nonsense. It is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Manly. Who on the Manly side opposes this proposal? It is Liberal Party hacks. They are trying to prevent this proposal from going ahead. They are attempting to fight the last election, but they will not win on this issue.

The Manly electorate has been represented by Independents for 12 years, and it will soon be 16 years. I will make it 20 years after that—and doesn't that get up Opposition members' nostrils! Manly wharf is to be refurbished, the senior high school has been built, and $4.5 million is being spent on Harbord Public School. An unprecedented number of public works have started, or will start, in the Manly electorate. What does the honourable member for Wakehurst do? He hangs around my electorate office all the time. He is an absolute snoop. [Time expired.]

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! I call the honourable member for Wakehurst to order for the second time.

Ms BEREJIKLIAN (Willoughby) [11.51 a.m.]: I am extremely pleased to support the motion moved by the honourable member for North Shore. The widening of The Spit Bridge would have a detrimental impact on the residents of not only Manly and the North Shore but my electorate of Willoughby. I extremely disappointed in the honourable member for Manly for being sucked into supporting an extremely myopic and inadequate solution. Moreover, I regret the honourable member's apparent contempt for the residents of not only his electorate but the entire North Shore. The honourable member is letting the Government off the hook with this proposal: It is a bandaid measure that will not help residents and will save the Government's having to find a long-term, viable solution.

We cannot even accuse the honourable member for Manly of taking the not-in-my-backyard approach on this issue because this proposal is not even supported by Manly Council. We heard today that the Labor candidate for Manly in the recent State election does not support the proposal. The honourable member for Manly is a member of an increasingly small group that continues to promulgate the Australian Labor Party [ALP] position that will fail residents, and ultimately the honourable member.

Let us consider the detrimental impact on my constituents of the proposal supported by the honourable member for Manly and the ALP. There is no doubt that the proposal will not mitigate but exacerbate traffic congestion on Military Road, which forms the boundary between my electorate and that of the honourable member for North Shore. I refer honourable members to some information provided by the Sensible Traffic Action Group [STAG]. According to the group, even the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] has acknowledged that traffic flows will increase by as much as 20 per cent. The RTA has acknowledged that widening The Spit Bridge will not alleviate bottlenecks at either end of the bridge, which is where the majority of problems occur. Widening The Spit Bridge will simply allow traffic to bottleneck faster. The new lanes will be equal to, or less than, the width of the existing lanes, which are 700 millimetres less than the national safety standard.

Mr Barr: Point of order: The honourable member for Willoughby is misleading the House. She claims that traffic flows will increase by 20 per cent. That is totally untrue.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! There is no point of order. The honourable member for Willoughby has the call.

Ms BEREJIKLIAN: In addition to the increased traffic flows highlighted by STAG, the residents of Cammeray and North Cremorne in my electorate would have to put up with an increasing volume of traffic on residential streets as rat runs are caused by more cars using Spit and Military roads. I am concerned about the amenity of those residents. Not a day passes without my constituents expressing concern about the volume of traffic on Military Road. This proposal will exacerbate that problem. Safety is also a concern not only on the bends of Spit Road—to which the honourable member for North Shore referred—but further along Military Road.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Murray-Darling will come to order.

Ms BEREJIKLIAN: At the end of last year the honourable member for North Shore and I visited Bougainvillea Bay Club Resort Retirement Village, which is situated on Military Road, when one of its residents perished while trying to cross that road. The proposed change to existing traffic conditions will only exacerbate safety concerns and increase the propensity for heavy vehicles to travel along Military Road. What does this proposal mean for the constituents of Manly, who will simply have to negotiate bottlenecks further up the road? Shifting the problem a few kilometres up the road will not help the constituents of Manly, and it certainly will not help constituents in the North Shore and Willoughby electorates.

I also highlight the potential detrimental impact of noise pollution on Middle Harbour. For instance, Northbridge residents already suffer noise pollution from traffic on the bridge, and that problem will be exacerbated by this proposal. The impact on the public waterways of Middle Harbour has not been considered adequately. Members of the Sydney boating community have raised several concerns with me in that regard. The honourable member for Manly should do the right thing and admit that he is wrong on this occasion. It is not too late: he can turn this issue around. He must show some respect for the residents of the lower North Shore, for whom this proposal will cause problems, and unblinker his view about what is best—

Mr Orkopoulos: What do you propose?

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Swansea and the honourable member for North Shore will cease discussing the issue across the Chamber.

Ms BEREJIKLIAN: We have put our proposal on the record. The honourable member for Manly should not let the Government get away with this half-hearted solution, which allows it to ignore what is needed: a long-term viable tunnel solution such as that supported by honourable members on this side of the House. [Time expired.]

Mr SCULLY (Smithfield—Minister for Roads, and Minister for Housing) [11.56 a.m.]: What a bizarre performance by those characters opposite! This motion is about one thing, and one thing only: those opposite are absolutely obsessed with the honourable member for Manly. He has got under their skin. The peninsular Liberals are particularly obsessed with him. It is not National Party members or Liberal members representing non-peninsular electorates but the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the honourable member for North Shore and the honourable member for Wakehurst who are obsessed with the honourable member for Manly. I think that reflects well on the honourable member: He has got under their skin.

This motion is an insult to the will of the people of Manly, who voted for the honourable member. The honourable member for Manly put this issue to the electorate during the election campaign. He said, "I want The Spit Bridge widened," and the people of Manly voted for him. So he is still in this place. It is absolutely insulting for Opposition members to pretend that the people of Manly did not vote on that issue. This is a con. Opposition members go to public meetings, rallies and Liberal Party branch meetings and say, "If this widening occurs, you will miss out on the tunnel." I have been roads Minister for about 6 ½ years.

Mrs Skinner: Point of order—

Mr SCULLY: You do not want to hear it, you arrogant woman.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The Minister for Roads will resume his seat.

Mr O'Farrell: You have the nerve to talk about—

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.

Mr O'Farrell: You control the Minister and the House and we will respect your chairmanship. The Minister should not lecture me when people are—

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will not cast aspersions on the Chair. I call him to order. He will resume his seat. The honourable member for North Shore has the call.

Mrs Skinner: Given that the Minister for Roads, and Minister for Housing and his staff attended a meeting at Spit Hill after the death of a person from the northern region, he has a nerve to suggest that we do not understand.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! There is no point of order. The honourable member for North Shore will resume her seat. The Minister for Roads has the call.

Mr SCULLY: It is astonishing. A widening of 80 metres—let us say, 100 metres—is proposed, from four lanes to six lanes. Throughout the road network chunks of road are widened. But in this case Opposition members say, "You can't do that; you can't widen it by 100 metres. We will miss out on our $1.2 billion tunnel if you do that. My goodness, Carl Scully, stop! Hold everything! Don't widen the bridge. We are going to get our six-kilometre super tunnel, costing $1.2 billion, if you don't widen it." What a load of codswallop! How dare Opposition members raise that expectation. They are good people in the gallery, and the Opposition is conning them.

There would be a shortfall of at least $500 million, after a toll. Will Tony Abbott and the Leader of the Opposition in this Chamber tell me where the $500 million will come from? Not once has the Government said that this is a panacea for all the ills on Military Road. Yes, the Spit bends, The Spit Bridge and Spit Junction all need more work eventually. I have never told the good residents of the local community that this is the panacea for all the difficulties they face living on the peninsula. It would be fine if I could wave a magic wand and fix all the problems on the road at once, but that is not how it happens.

The Opposition will never find out that government is challenging and government is about incremental improvement. Government plans over years, not overnight, how to improve people's lives. Government is a tough challenge, and we will continue to enjoy the challenge during the next 20-odd years. I advise the people of Manly that we will proceed with the program of widening The Spit Bridge, subject to planning approval. If planning approval is not forthcoming, $35 million will not be spent in the electorate of the honourable member for Manly; it will be spent in other parts of New South Wales.

[Interruption]

I will spend the money elsewhere. The honourable member for Manly said, "No, keep the money in Manly." I will follow that response. [Time expired.]

Mr HAZZARD (Wakehurst) [12.01 p.m.]: In 1994-95 the honourable member for North Shore, the former member for Manly, Dr Peter Macdonald, and I were members of a section 22 committee. We put in the hard yards to try to solve a major problem for the residents of the northern beaches. Since that time a number of people have died on the S-bends of the Spit hill.

[Interruption]

The honourable member for Manly can interject, but he should listen to what people are saying for a change, and put aside his political juvenile behaviour. Two years ago—after the committee had done all that earnest work to try to come up with a solution, after recognising a problem that went back almost a decade, after a number of lives had been lost—

Mr Barr: What did you do?

Mr HAZZARD: The honourable member for Manly may not know this because he was not a member of this House at the time. After Labor's election to government in May 1995 the next meeting of the section 22 committee was not held until the September. I frequently asked for a meeting to be held, and when one was finally held the Chair looked at us and said that the committee was finished. As soon as Labor came to government it tossed out any serious intention of fixing the problem. The Government wonders why we are passionate about this issue, but Lucy Singleton was the last one to die on the S-bends of the Spit hill—

Mr Barr: We are talking about—

Mr HAZZARD: Shut up, David!

Mr Barr: What about the S-bends?

Mr HAZZARD: Lucy Singleton died when a four-wheel drive vehicle crossed those S-bends and went straight into her small car. This is a serious matter for every resident of the northern beaches, including Manly.

Ms Judge: Point of order—

Mr HAZZARD: Sit down, Vinny, you are out of your depth. The problem is that the honourable member for Manly is a liar. He lied his head off during the campaign and spent most of his time being an apologist for the Australian Labor Party.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! Does the honourable member for Strathfield seek to take a point of order?

Mr HAZZARD: The honourable member for Manly should have the guts to join the Labor Party and stand as a Labor member in Manly and do what he does best: behave like a Labor member.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will resume his seat.

Ms Judge: I believe that the use of bad language in this Chamber is totally inappropriate. It is demeaning of this Chamber. Calling a woman stupid is not becoming of parliamentary—

[Interruption]
In fact, your leader was vocal about having a code of conduct. I would suggest that members of the Opposition at least observe decorum in this Chamber.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! When taking a point of order the honourable member for Strathfield should direct her remarks through the Chair. I remind the honourable member for Wakehurst of the protocols of the House relating to the way in which members refer to each other.

Mr HAZZARD: The issue of The Spit Bridge is fairly simple. The Government could promise a lot of wonderful solutions, as it has with many things, but if The Spit Bridge had 10 extra lanes and the drawbridge was raised, it would still be blocked.

Mr Barr: Two.

Mr HAZZARD: Yes, the honourable member is right. But even if there were 10 or 20 lanes, as the people in the public gallery have said, we would still have a medieval solution. There is no other drawbridge anywhere in Sydney. We live in a twenty-first century city and we deserve a fair dinkum response from this Government. Contrary to the lies of the honourable member for Manly, who ran around before the last election saying that there would be stacks in every suburb, and toll gates right across—

Mr Barr: I didn't say every suburb.

Mr HAZZARD: Sit down, David.

Mr Barr: Point of order—

Mr HAZZARD: You would do anything to shut me up, wouldn't you? You are a lettuce leaf. You have done nothing for your electorate.

Mr Barr: I have done more than you have.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will resume his seat. Does the honourable member for Manly wish to take a point of order?

Mr HAZZARD: What have you brought to fruition? Did we get anything for the hospital? The Government promised more money for the hospital but we got nothing.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will resume his seat. I place him on three calls to order.

Mr HAZZARD: You promised a solution and we did not get that. You promised more police and we did not get that. What have you promised that has actually come to fruition?

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will resume his seat or I will direct that he be removed from the Chamber.

Mr Barr: My point of order is that the honourable member is misleading the House about my statements at the election.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! There is no point of order.

Mr HAZZARD: The short answer is that the honourable member for Manly is a liar. He has lied his head off in this place and to the people of Manly. His promised solution is no solution at all. [Time expired.]

Mr TORBAY (Northern Tablelands) [12.06 p.m.]: I am pleased to support the honourable member for Manly. That shameful display has a great deal less to do with The Spit Bridge than it has to do with the election of the honourable member for Manly. I am disappointed that the level of interjection in this place has reached a new low.

Mr Constance: Point of order: I am at a loss, like most honourable members, as to why the honourable member for Northern Tablelands is speaking to this motion.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! The honourable member for Bega will direct his remarks through the Chair.

Mr Constance: He is not even addressing this motion.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! There is no point of order. The honourable member for Bega will resume his seat.

Mr TORBAY: It does the members of the Opposition no good to conduct themselves in this fashion in this place. If these issues are as serious as some honourable members have pointed out in a very minor part of their speech then it would be appropriate for them—

Mr Hazzard: Point of order: I assume I will get two minutes like the honourable member for Strathfield on her point of order. The debate has to be within the leave of the motion. At the moment the honourable member for Northern Tablelands is right outside the leave of the motion.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! There is no point of order. The honourable member for Wakehurst will resume his seat.

Mr TORBAY: The honourable member for Manly has represented his community. He was duly elected the member for Manly, and I congratulate him. It is inappropriate for Opposition members to conduct themselves in this fashion. If they really wanted to adopt a constructive approach on this issue, they would not put forward such a motion.

Mr George: Point of order—

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! Before I hear another point of order, I remind members that they should not waste the time of the House.

Mr George: My point of order relates to relevance. The honourable member for Northern Tablelands criticised Opposition members and said that the level of interjections in this Chamber lowers the quality of the debate. I remind the House of the nature of his interjections and the way in which the Independents performed last week during a debate.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! There is no point of order.

Mr TORBAY: It is clear that the Independents are making a strong impact in this place. I congratulate my Independent colleagues. The honourable member for Willoughby interjects. I understand her sensitivities with a few Independents out her away. The honourable member for Manly is entitled to represent his electorate and put forward constructive contributions on matters of interest or concern to his constituents. He should not be subjected to inappropriate conduct by Opposition members when he makes contributions which are issues-based and which seek solutions for his electorate. I congratulate the honourable member for Manly on his independence and on seeking solutions.

Mr Hazzard: Point of order—

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! I remind the honourable member for Wakehurst, before he speaks to the point of order, of my earlier warning that members should not waste the time of the House. If the honourable member for Wakehurst does so, I will direct that he be removed from the House.

Mr Hazzard: Madam Acting-Speaker, you have taken up 12 seconds of the time of the House while I have been waiting to make my point of order. I give up! If you will not listen to it, I will not make it.

Mr TORBAY: "I give up!" Those are key words for the honourable member for Wakehurst. In conclusion, can I say—

[Interruption]

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! I ask the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms to remove the honourable member for Wakehurst.

[The honourable member for Wakehurst left the Chamber, accompanied by the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms.]
Mr TORBAY: It is embarrassing that honourable members conduct themselves in this way. It is not in the interests of their constituencies. [Time expired.]

Mrs SKINNER (North Shore) [12.11 p.m.], in reply: What a farce! The Independent member for Northern Tablelands has made it quite clear that the Independents are not independent but are members of a group who work together, caucus together and work with the Labor Party—some not as much as others, but the honourable member for Manly and the honourable member for Northern Tablelands certainly do. How many votes did they get from the Labor Party? How many votes did they get to get over the line?

Mr Torbay: Point of order: The honourable member is misleading the House. She asked how many preferences I required. I remind her that I got almost 72 per cent of the primary vote.

Madam ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Saliba): Order! There is no point of order.

Mrs SKINNER: He's a sensitive little vegemite!

Mr Black: You don't have to be sensitive if you get 72 per cent!

Mrs SKINNER: The colourful member for Murray-Darling! The Independents should have listened to the debate. My comments were based on an editorial in the Mosman Daily. Those were not my words, but the words of the independent press. The honourable member for Manly used to work on the Manly Daily, so the editor knows his modus operandi. The editor knows that the people of Manly have been betrayed by their member. The honourable member does not even have the support of the Manly council, which did not accept the development application. As for the Minister, who spoke in this debate, what a farce! He spoke about the development application as though some kind of democratic approval process had been allowed by the council. The Minister knows well that both Manly and Mosman councils rejected this development application, but that the councils will be overridden by the Minister in order to bring about a solution that suits him and the honourable member.

In all of the proposals that have come before the people of the north shore, over the bridge into Manly and into suburbs represented by my colleague the honourable member for Willoughby, I have never come across an issue that has so activated the community. The community is so angry that members of the Sensible Traffic Action Group [STAG] have taken time out of their working lives to organise, and come to this place to deliver, a petition that has more than 6,000 signatures. The honourable member said he had a petition with 2,000 signatures. Where is it? Are those signatures genuine? Has the petition been tabled? I do not think so! STAG's petition contains 6,000 signatures, with names, addresses and contact details. Those people object to this absolutely stupid proposal.

I will be sending every one of those 6,500 people a copy of the Hansard record of this debate, hopefully with all the interjections and other comments noting the foul behaviour of the Minister, who called me an arrogant woman. I can put up with that because I know he was desperate to say something to defend such a stupid proposal. I will be sending them a copy of this debate, the amendment and the responses of the Independents and the Minister to the motion. They will know that the honourable member for Manly would foist on them this stupid proposal for a drawbridge as a solution to a problem confronting the people of Mosman and Manly. This proposal will not provide a solution; it will make matters worse. Even Roads and Traffic Authority officials agree that it will exacerbate the problems.

The honourable member for Manly said the Coalition did not have a solution. Indeed we did. As he knows, a survey and investigation were undertaken by the Commonwealth Government. That process resulted in the optimum long-term solution for this area: a long tunnel north of Sydney Road through to the expressway, bypassing the seat of North Shore, and costed at $950 million. The Coalition committed, from memory, about $320 million for that project, with the rest to be funded by the private sector. I can tell the House, from rallies and contacts with my constituents, the people in the area would be happy to pay a toll if there were private sector involvement in a public-private partnership. Get real! The honourable member should be condemned for supporting this proposal. I congratulate the honourable member for Willoughby and the honourable member for Wakehurst on their fine contributions to this very important debate. [Time expired.]

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

The House divided.

Ayes, 51

Mr Amery
Mr Barr
Mr Bartlett
Ms Beamer
Mr Black
Mr Brown
Ms Burney
Miss Burton
Mr Campbell
Mr Corrigan
Mr Crittenden
Ms D'Amore
Mr Debus
Mr Draper
Ms Gadiel
Mr Gibson
Mr Greene
Ms Hay

Mr Hickey
Mr Hunter
Mr Iemma
Ms Judge
Ms Keneally
Mr Knowles
Mr Lynch
Mr McBride
Mr McGrane
Mr McLeay
Ms Meagher
Ms Megarrity
Ms Moore
Mr Morris
Mr Newell
Ms Nori
Mr Oakeshott
Mr Orkopoulos

Mr Pearce
Mrs Perry
Dr Refshauge
Ms Saliba
Mr Sartor
Mr Scully
Mr Shearan
Mr Stewart
Mr Torbay
Mr Tripodi
Mr West
Mr Whan
Mr Yeadon

Tellers,
Mr Ashton
Mr Martin

Noes, 27

Mr Aplin
Ms Berejiklian
Mr Cansdell
Mr Constance
Mr Debnam
Mr Fraser
Mrs Hancock
Mr Hartcher
Ms Hodgkinson
Mrs Hopwood

Mr Humpherson
Mr Kerr
Mr Merton
Mr O'Farrell
Mr Page
Mr Piccoli
Mr Pringle
Mr Richardson
Mr Roberts
Ms Seaton

Mrs Skinner
Mr Souris
Mr Tink
Mr J. H. Turner
Mr R. W. Turner

Tellers,
Mr George
Mr Maguire

Pairs

Ms Allan	Mr Armstrong
Ms Andrews	Mr Brogden
Mr Aquilina	Mr Slack-Smith
Mr Mills	Mr Stoner

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Amendment agreed to.

Question—That the motion as amended be agreed to—put.

The House divided.

Ayes, 51

Mr Amery
Mr Barr
Mr Bartlett
Ms Beamer
Mr Black
Mr Brown
Ms Burney
Miss Burton
Mr Campbell
Mr Corrigan
Mr Crittenden
Ms D'Amore
Mr Debus
Mr Draper
Ms Gadiel
Mr Gibson
Mr Greene
Ms Hay

Mr Hickey
Mr Hunter
Mr Iemma
Ms Judge
Ms Keneally
Mr Knowles
Mr Lynch
Mr McBride
Mr McGrane
Mr McLeay
Ms Meagher
Ms Megarrity
Ms Moore
Mr Morris
Mr Newell
Ms Nori
Mr Oakeshott
Mr Orkopoulos

Mr Pearce
Mrs Perry
Dr Refshauge
Ms Saliba
Mr Sartor
Mr Scully
Mr Shearan
Mr Stewart
Mr Torbay
Mr Tripodi
Mr West
Mr Whan
Mr Yeadon

Tellers,
Mr Ashton
Mr Martin

Noes, 27

Mr Aplin
Ms Berejiklian
Mr Cansdell
Mr Constance
Mr Debnam
Mr Fraser
Mrs Hancock
Mr Hartcher
Ms Hodgkinson
Mrs Hopwood

Mr Humpherson
Mr Kerr
Mr Merton
Mr O'Farrell
Mr Page
Mr Piccoli
Mr Pringle
Mr Richardson
Mr Roberts
Ms Seaton

Mrs Skinner
Mr Souris
Mr Tink
Mr J. H. Turner
Mr R. W. Turner

Tellers
Mr George
Mr Maguire

Pairs

Ms Allan	Mr Armstrong
Ms Andrews	Mr Brogden
Mr Aquilina	Mr Slack-Smith
Mr Mills	Mr Stoner

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion as amended agreed to.

SERJEANT-AT-ARMS

Privilege

Mr O'FARRELL (Ku-ring-gai—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [12.29 p.m.]: Under Standing Order 288, I raise a matter of privilege arising from the previous debate. During the previous debate, the honourable member for Wakehurst was ejected from the House. Standing Order 288 requires the ejection to be carried out by the Serjeant-at-Arms, who was not in the Chamber at the time. Therefore, the ejection was not performed by the Serjeant-at-Arms. I seek advice for the House, following the changes to the position and responsibilities of the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, on the legality of Mr Kelly, rather than the Serjeant-at-Arms, escorting members from the House.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! Members will be aware that the Serjeant-at-Arms is also the Clerk-Assistant (Procedure), who has duties at the table. The Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms acts under the delegation of the Serjeant-at-Arms. Accordingly, the Chair requested the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms to escort the honourable member for Wakehurst from the House.

DIVERSITY HEALTH INSTITUTE

Mrs PERRY (Auburn) [12.31 p.m.]: I move:

I am mindful of and, indeed, grateful for the opportunity to be part of a State Labor Government that is renowned for its innovation and commitment to the needs and aspirations of its diverse people. No better example of this can be found in the pages of Labor's citizenship policy—Promoting Harmony, Valuing Diversity—which sets out the numerous initiatives planned by the Carr Government to address the complexities of governing a multicultural society into the future. The policy is robust, intelligent and visionary and, perhaps most significantly, it is underpinned by principles that stand, as never before in the history of any State, enshrined in law.

The Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act recognises the existence and beauty that cultural diversity holds for modern society. It is an affirmation of humanity, for not only does it provide a framework for self-expression and social integration but it also firmly supports the notion that we are all of equal value. Such an understanding, remarkably absent as it is from history, is today one that is championed by the Carr Labor Government. One of the undertakings provided by the Government in Labor's citizenship policy is the allocation, as announced by the Premier, of $1.17 million for the establishment of a revolutionary new specialist unit in Auburn hospital. This commitment was made in recognition of the unique needs of the Auburn local government area and in line with the spirited determination of the State Government to provide quality and excellence in the care of all people.

The Diversity Health Institute is the first of its kind in the country and is, for the purposes of research, ideally nestled in the heart of an area in which no less than 60 per cent of the inhabitants were born overseas. The institute will serve as a centre for world-leading research into the area of new medicine that is concerned with examining the effects of particular pharmaceuticals on different migrant groups. This will be done as a collaborative effort involving academics, medical institutions, non-government organisations, carers, pharmaceutical companies and local health service consumers. A range of existing statewide and national services will be consolidated under the auspices of the institute, further enhancing the resources and knowledge at its disposal. The outcome of that will provide clinical diagnosis and assessment practices that will lead to reductions in hospital stays and the development of effective means of treating patients, based on an understanding of their genetic make-up.

The net result will deliver significant savings to the health budget in addition to making available valuable findings to the rest of the country and the international community. As part of that strategy, demonstration models in a variety of health care situations will be developed and implemented in the service of excellence section of the institute, and they will be exported throughout the world. The benefits of the institute to the Auburn local government area and to the electorate are of inestimable value and importance because, in addition to undertaking invaluable research involving local participants, it will provide services that are offered by Transcultural Mental Health Centre, New South Wales Multicultural Problem Gambling, New South Wales Education Program on Female Genital Mutilation, Women's Health at Work Program, Multicultural Mental Health Australia and the 24-hour Crisis Line.

The Auburn local government area is home to perhaps one of the most diverse communities in this State. Within its borders, there are people from more than 120 countries. At the last count, 60 per cent of its population was listed as having been born overseas. I note that Auburn is a major site of settlement for refugees, with 42 per cent of migrants settling there as humanitarian entrants to Australia. In more recent times there has been a significant influx of immigrants from war-torn and devastated countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. I am able to say on the basis of first-hand experience that many of those people need specialised care to help them overcome the brutalities and horrors of their past lives. This has also been the case with new immigrants from other parts of the world, such as the former Yugoslavia and Lebanon.

The institute's research unit will seek to develop culturally validated psychometric assessment tools in areas such as depression that will help ease the psychological afflictions of such entrants. Further to this, it will construct a framework for mental health promotion and illness prevention activities, based on an analysis of important factors such as cultural traditions, beliefs, values and practices in shaping the psychological condition of any given individual. I have developed a working relationship with a number of community groups and organisations in my electorate, including the Bhanin Association, Meryatah Charitable Association, the Turkish Welfare Association, the Australian Alevi Cultural Centre, the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors [STARTTS] and Auburn Migrant Resources, to name a few.

All those organisations work tirelessly to better the lives of people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Their work, based on intimate cultural understandings, a sense of compassion and affinity for their clients, will be complemented by the services that are offered by the institute and will allow them to operate more effectively in meeting the great demand with which they are constantly faced. I am grateful for the generosity of time and effort afforded by these local organisations whose contributions have done much to help the State Government fill the gap that unfortunately has been left by the Federal Government. I am also grateful for the dedication, work and thought that is put into the Diversity Health Institute by the director, Abd Malek, and the chief executive officer of the Western Sydney Area Health Service, Stephen Boyages, and their incredible team.

As the parliamentary representative for Auburn, I am frequently in contact with people whose lives have been scarred by the ill-effects of war, poverty, deprivation and the lack of education to which they have been subjected in their home countries, yet I see hope and much enthusiasm to begin new lives, to work, to learn and to mak--e new friends. They need help to make this happen; it is simply not good enough to grant them visas and expect them to make it on their own. An important first step is to provide basic necessities such as quality health care to address not only illness of the body but, equally importantly, mental health.

The Diversity Health Institute is representative of a new, more intelligent approach to meeting the health needs of our burgeoning multicultural society. By more effectively addressing the ailments of new migrants and others from culturally diverse backgrounds, the findings and work of the institute will greatly enhance their transition to normality and health, and assist in providing the chance of a better life to many. And yet, as I have already indicated, the benefits will spread way beyond this to the state of our Health budget and the lives of those across our country and the international community. I commend the Premier, the former Minister for Health, the Department of Health and the chief executive of the Western Sydney Area Health Service for their foresight and commitment to excellence in the area of health care, particularly in the Western Sydney region. I commend the motion to the House.

Mr O'FARRELL (Ku-ring-gai—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [12.40 p.m.]: The Opposition supports the motion. I congratulate the honourable member for Auburn on bringing this forward and on putting an incredibly persuasive case in advance of the motion. Health care should always be beyond and above politics. The provision of quality health care to those who come to our communities from culturally diverse backgrounds should be one of the prime aims of both Federal and State governments. In support of the motion, I agree that we should always be looking for innovation in these areas. As the honourable member for Auburn indicated, those who come to this country as migrants more recently have to make a number of adaptations to their new community, new society, new arrangements offered to them by State and Federal governments. Many migrants come from countries in which those services are not provided, and the concept of going to government for assistance with one's health care and one's health ailments, as opposed to staying out of the spotlight of governments in a number of oppressive countries that seek to damage its citizens, is a difficult hurdle.

Establishing a confidence between them and federally provided health services is a key issue that we must continue to work with. Sometimes things are done more by accident than by good planning, but the moving of the motion at this time of conflict in many parts of the world, particularly the Middle East, is a timely reminder of a fundamental purpose of this Parliament. That purpose is to provide good health services to all the peoples of New South Wales, whether they have been here for 40,000 years, in the case of our indigenous citizens, 200 years in the case of those who can trace their ancestry back to the earlier settlers, or those who have come in more recent times as assisted migrants or under more deplorable circumstances. The Opposition commends the honourable member for Auburn for the motion. I commend her for her argument and her passion in this area. The Opposition supports the motion.

Mr STEWART (Bankstown—Parliamentary Secretary) [12.43 p.m.]: I strongly support the motion and commend the honourable member for Auburn for bringing this important matter to the attention of the House. All honourable members need to take on board how they interface with their multicultural communities. The establishment of the Diversity Health Institute, based at Auburn hospital, is a demonstration of what can be done in partnership with the community. The State Government, through its State representatives, can interface effectively with the community and work with local representative groups to achieve an end result to meet everyone's needs. I commend the honourable member for Auburn also for her great work on multicultural diversity and community harmony. I am lucky to share an electorate boundary with her at Bankstown; we have similar electorate profiles. In that regard, we spend time together at various functions.

We enjoy the multicultural diversity of our local areas. My seat of Bankstown has more than 130 different nationalities; the seat of Auburn has a similar mix. In celebrations such as Australia Day we can demonstrate to the world how our multicultural diversity can be a model for community harmony. We do not have the sorts of tensions and divides experienced overseas. Yet, different nationalities, different religions, different creeds, different ideals, different beliefs, live side by side as neighbours, friends, brothers and sisters—in total community harmony. The Diversity Health Institute at Auburn hospital consolidates that approach. As the honourable member for Auburn told the House, the institute will concentrate on providing opportunities for much-needed research facilities for the very diverse community of Auburn and the surrounding region.

There is still much to be done for our multicultural communities in recognition of their particular health needs, instead of the previous general health focus. Mental health is an area we often do not want to talk about, but it is an area we need to confront. Mental health is an area of growing concern, one that needs proper attention. The honourable member for Auburn reported to the House that the Diversity Health Institute concentrates fundamentally on mental health. A lot of attention has been given to problem gambling via community outlets and the media. Although problem gambling relates to only a small section of our community, about 3 per cent, it needs to be tackled effectively. That is particularly the case in ethnic communities where problem gambling sometimes goes unrecognised and without the focus it deserves.

The Diversity Health Institute will concentrate on problem gambling and introduce programs and opportunities to bring people together to harness that problem and deal with it effectively at the coalface. Women's health is a fundamental focus of the institute, and needs particular attention in some of our diverse communities. In the past it has not received the attention it deserves. Importantly, the women from multicultural communities are beginning to recognise that there are opportunities for them to have their health needs considered more than they were in the past. That recognition has helped to empower women to have their health matters dealt with on par with others in their community. They now recognise their responsibility to report matters that need to be reported, particularly with domestic violence.

I commend the motion to the House. The honourable member for Auburn has been extremely diligent in effectively representing the electorate. I totally agree with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, as I usually do, who put a very rational perspective to the House on this issue today. The honourable member for Auburn has highlighted an issue that we all need to be made fully aware of, and that is the beauty of multicultural diversity, and how to harness and deal with it effectively through the health care opportunities that the Government is providing in this great State of New South Wales.

Mr ASHTON (East Hills) [12.48 p.m.]: I congratulate the honourable member for Auburn on bringing this matter to the attention of the House. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his support for the motion. Clearly, we recognise that one of the very obvious facts about Sydney, and Australia generally, is its very diverse economic, social and ethnic background that has made this country what it is today. What unites people will always be much greater than what separates people. One of the most important things that unites people from all cultural backgrounds is the need for good health. Without good health, it does not matter much whether one is a millionaire or a billionaire. Without good health, one's other advantages in life may not count for much.

Honourable members from the electorates of Auburn, Bankstown and East Hills—which cover approximately two-thirds of the Bankstown municipality—recognise the need to improve the health of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. When my father was young he was one of the bricklayers who helped to build Bankstown hospital. In those days the hospital was used to deliver, in the main, white Anglo-Saxon babies in the baby boom period after the Second World War. Things have changed a great deal since that time. Many migrants from diverse ethnic backgrounds who came to Australia after the Second World War were employed as labourers in difficult jobs. One of the great disadvantages for those who are employed to perform hard labour is that it limits their lifestyle and opportunities for education, and it makes them more vulnerable to a number of illnesses and diseases. It is common in second and third generations. The father of the Federal member for Banks, Daryl Melham, who is of Lebanese descent, died when Daryl was only 14. Daryl's father, who was in his early fifties, left a family of 10 boys and girls to be brought up by their mother, with the help of a number of cousins and friends. Life in that period was difficult.

Mr George: The Lebanese community sticks together.

Mr ASHTON: It certainly does. In those days people from ethnic backgrounds were not aware of the health problems with which they might be faced. Daryl's father worked hard to bring up a big family. He built the family home and grew tomatoes on his property—all the sorts of things that make life much harder. When men are asked how they are, generally they are not inclined to be as honest as women about their health. Women, to their credit, tend to talk to their women friends when they are not feeling very well.

Mr George: We are sooks.

Mr ASHTON: We are sooks. However, we appreciate attention when we are sick. Women seem better able to cope with pain. The Carr Government and the Federal Government, to its credit, are aware of the need for a more diverse approach to health than the approach that has been followed. The honourable member for Bankstown would be aware of a unit that has been established in his electorate that specifically targets women's health. People from diverse ethnic backgrounds often need the assistance of an interpreter to identify their health problems. When one thinks of psychiatry one tends to think of white Anglo-Saxon males. Members of the community with mental health problems need to be able to go to an institute such as the one that is located at Auburn hospital. They need to be able to tell their problems to someone who speaks and understands their language. I thank Opposition members for their support for the motion. I commend the honourable member for Auburn for moving the motion and I commend the honourable member for Bankstown for supporting it.

Ms JUDGE (Strathfield) [12.53 p.m.] I support the motion moved by the honourable member for Auburn, which states:

That this House notes the allocation of funding by the Carr Government for a Diversity Health Institute to be set up at Auburn hospital and further that this House recognises the importance of providing such service.

This motion not only shows how progressive the Government is, it shows that the honourable member for Auburn has taken up the cause. There is a need for this sort of service in her area. The honourable member for Auburn must be involved in and in tune with her local community to know that this service is needed in her community. The Carr Government has injected $30 million into the fantastic hospital at Auburn. One of my daughters had to have an operation at Auburn hospital. It was unfortunate that she had to have an operation, but it was fortunate that she was able to have it at Auburn hospital—a fantastic hospital in the Auburn electorate, with wonderfully dedicated doctors, nurses and back-up staff. Even though Auburn hospital is not a specialised children's hospital, staff at that hospital were sensitive to the needs of my daughter, who was nine at that time. They did fantastic job to make her feel comfortable.

The Carr Government has provided $1.17 million for this much-needed facility. My husband has a medical practice in John Street, Auburn, that he shares with two other doctors—one is an associate and the other works with him in the practice. Auburn is a wonderfully diverse community. Many of my husband's patients are from a non-English speaking background, for example, Turkish people, members of the Asian community and many Vietnamese people. They need services that are tailored to and cater for people from a non-English speaking background. It is difficult for people from those backgrounds to explain to members of the medical profession what is ailing them.

Many of the words used by people in the Polynesian community are taboo and cannot be used to describe what is physically wrong with them. If it had not been for the hard work of the honourable member for Auburn people in that electorate might not have been given this facility. The honourable member for Auburn has been working for them, listening to them and taking up their cause. Forty-one per cent of people in the Strathfield electorate—the electorate that I represent—were born overseas and many of them do not have English as their first language. I commend the motion and I commend the honourable member for Auburn for her initiative, her foresight and her hard work.

Mrs PERRY (Auburn) [12.57 p.m.], in reply: I thank all honourable members who participated in debate on this motion. In particular, I thank the honourable member for Ku-ring-gai for his bipartisan support. I thank my colleagues the honourable member for Bankstown, the honourable member for East Hills and the honourable member for Strathfield, whose electorates border the Auburn electorate. There is a need not only in Auburn for an institution such as this. This institute, which will be located in Auburn, will be accessible to everyone in New South Wales. The wonderful thing about this institute is that it is unique. I have been told by some departmental officers that this institute is unique not only in Australia but probably in the world. Its uniqueness is supported by the fact that, for the first time, a number of different fields are coming together in one area—a holistic approach to this type of medicine.

Given the cultural diversity in New South Wales, the medical profession recognises that medicine does not necessarily suit the genetic make-up of people from different backgrounds. Someone might go to the doctor and be given penicillin to treat a certain ailment but that treatment might not be suitable for a person from a different cultural background who has a different genetic make-up. That, in itself, is unique. New South Wales is leading the charge in research in this area. I am certain that New South Wales will be applauded internationally for leading the world in this area. I could not be more excited about the fact that this is happening in Auburn.

One thing that is already working at the Diversity Health Institute is the service of excellence team. A number of good hard-working people in that team are now putting together various programs and bringing together the different areas to which I referred earlier. We will work with doctors not only in Auburn but throughout New South Wales to promote the institute. I hope that in the near future doctors will begin to send various patients to the institute for follow-up treatment and study. I am pleased to report that many local doctors to whom I have spoken have said that the institute is a great innovation and that they will utilise its services. Many doctors in my area come from non-English speaking backgrounds so they understand the importance of this institute.

The Diversity Health Institute is representative of a new, more intelligent approach to meeting the health needs of our multicultural society. As I said earlier, it will have a beneficial impact on the State health budget and eventually generate savings and cost reductions. I commend all honourable members who participated in this debate and considered this motion in the spirit of bipartisanship. It proved to me that members in this House value our diverse ethnic communities just as they value the wider New South Wales community. As a person from a non-English speaking background, I am grateful for that. I note that my Australian-Lebanese colleague, the honourable member for Lismore, is in the Chamber, and I am heartened that he was present for this debate. I commend the motion to the House.

Motion agreed to.

[Madam Acting-Speaker (Ms Saliba) left the chair at 1.02 p.m. The House resumed at 2.15 p.m.]

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

The ACTING-SPEAKER: I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Nick Griffiths, Minister for Racing and Gaming in the Western Australian Government. He is accompanied by Mr Sargeant and Mr Catchpole. I also acknowledge the presence of Tony Windsor, a former member of the House. I welcome them all.

DRINK-SPIKING TEST KITS

Ministerial Statement

Mr McBRIDE (The Entrance—Minister for Gaming and Racing) [2.18 p.m.]: I wish to make a ministerial statement about an important community issue. I am concerned about the increasing number of drink-spiking cases in New South Wales, and I commend the team at the University of Wollongong for raising awareness of this trend. The team is trialling a new drink-spiking test that can detect the presence of a range of dangerous drugs. It is basically a simple litmus test: One places a few drops of one's drink on a card and if a certain drug is present the card will change colour. The test was introduced following recent reports that 15 university students in the Wollongong area were victims of drink spiking. In some cases the women were hospitalised. Sadly, this trend on the South Coast is mirrored in other parts of the State, especially in and around university towns where young men and women congregate. There is no doubt that they are vulnerable as they are living apart from their families, often for the first time.

This week I asked inspectors from the Department of Gaming and Racing to meet local licensees and those involved in the South Coast trial from Wollongong university. The inspectors recommended that the trial be promoted through the existing liquor accord, which addresses alcohol-related issues in the area. I eagerly await the results of the South Coast trial and, if it is successful, I would like the drink-spiking test kits to be used widely across the State. I am concerned about the increasing number of drink-spiking incidents in nightspots throughout New South Wales. It is horrifying that young people are taken advantage of in this way. I issue a warning to everyone in the community to be aware of the drink-spiking trend and to take steps to protect themselves.

Mr SOURIS (Upper Hunter) [2.19 p.m.]: On behalf of the Opposition, I endorse the comments of the Minister for Gaming and Racing about the trial under way in the Illawarra. I agree that drink spiking is a growing trend. That is a concern for all in society but especially for parents as young people are often the victims of this predatory practice. The drink-spiking trend is certainly not confined to one region of New South Wales and I hope that the Alcohol Summit, to be held later this year, will consider this issue. I thoroughly endorse the work of the University of Wollongong.

VARIATIONS OF PAYMENTS ESTIMATES 2002-03

Mr Knowles tabled, by leave, variations of the receipts and payments estimates and appropriations for 2002-03, in terms of section 26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, arising from the provision by the Commonwealth of specific purpose payments in excess of the amounts included in the State's receipts and payments estimates (Department of Education and Training).

Mr Knowles tabled, by leave, variations of the receipts and payments estimates and appropriations for 2002-03, in terms of section 26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, arising from the provision by the Commonwealth of specific purpose payments in excess of the amounts included in the State's receipts and payments estimates (Department of Health).

PETITIONS

Mount Austin High School

Petition requesting funding for the installation of airconditioning in all learning spaces at Mount Austin High School, received from Mr Maguire.

National Accident Scheme

Petition praying that a national accident scheme be established to cover all injured patients, received from Mr Barr.

Gan Gan Army Camp Site Sale

Petition opposing the sale of land from 216 Gan Gan Road to Boat Harbour, received from Mr Bartlett.

Bushfires and Hazard Reduction

Petition requesting an inquiry into the causes of bush fires and their relationship to the lack of hazard reduction, received from Ms Hodgkinson.

Rotary Athletics Field, Lane Cove

Petition objecting to the Roads and Traffic Authority using the car park at Rotary Athletics Field, Mowbray Road, Lane cove, as a construction storage site, received from Ms Berejiklian.

Jingellic to Holbrook Road Upgrading

Petition requesting funding for the upgrading of the Jingellic to Holbrook road, received from Mr Maguire.

Windsor Road Traffic Arrangements

Petitions requesting a right turn bay on Windsor Road at Acres Road, received from Mr Merton and Mr Richardson.

Spit Bridge Traffic Arrangements

Petition opposing the proposal to add a two-lane drawbridge next to the Spit Bridge, and calling for a responsible and holistic solution to the transport, traffic, and freight needs of the area, received from Mrs Skinner.

Mental Health Act

Petition requesting that carers be included in the Mental Health Act, received from Mr Barr.

Northern Beaches Mental Health Services

Petition requesting increased funding, and no reduction in clinical staff, for mental health services in the northern beaches area, received from Mr Barr.

Bus Route 146

Petition requesting retention of bus route 146, received from Mr Barr.

Castle Cove Bus Services

Petition requesting a regular daily bus service between east Castle Cove and Wynyard, received from Ms Berejiklian.

Cudgen Creek Seaway

Petitions requesting that the Cudgen Creek seaway at Kingscliff be cleared of silt, received from Mr Cansdell, Mr Fraser and Mr R. W. Turner.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

_________

SMARTPOLES CONTRACT

Mr BROGDEN: My question without notice is to the Minister for Energy and Utilities. As Lord Mayor of Sydney, did the Minister attend any lunches, dinners, functions or meetings with Eddie Obeid? Is he satisfied that the awarding of the contract for the supply and licensing of smartpoles to the City of Sydney to a company controlled by Mr Obeid's sons was open and fair?

Mr SARTOR: I have had many interjections from the Opposition suggesting I should leave the town hall behind. Here they are bringing it up again! I can assure the House that in my time as Lord Mayor, which was 11½ years, I dealt with all the key participants in Sydney. People would come to see me from both sides of politics. The awarding of smartpole contracts has a long history. We had a company to which we awarded smartpole contracts that were later terminated for failure to perform. We subsequently went to further tender processes and awarded a contract to two companies, and subsequently the Streetscape company prevailed as being by far the most reliable and gave the city the best value for money. I am entirely relaxed about all those processes. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to refer them to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, I would be only too happy.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Ms BURNEY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Education and Training. What is the latest information on curriculum for years 7 to 10?

Dr REFSHAUGE: I thank the honourable member for her question and her continuing interest in education. Our education system is world class. Today I am pleased to inform the House about the new secondary school curricula for years 7 to 10. Thirty-nine new syllabuses will be introduced to our schools. This represents the most extensive overhaul of the years 7 to 10 curricula in 30 years. These are the crucial middle years of a child 's schooling. In a world where people are more likely to have several careers over a lifetime, the new curricula will give our young people the best possible start. The new curricula are the final link in the Government's plan to develop a clear and comprehensive set of learning standards for New South Wales students from kindergarten to year 12. But it is also about modernising the subjects our students study so that they are equipped to meet the challenges of our increasingly complex world—e-commerce, the Anzac tradition, education against drugs, mandatory information technology studies and the great classics—while still focussing on what it means to be Australian.

The core subject of English will be strengthened with the introduction of compulsory studies in Australian literature and in Shakespeare. Previously, those areas were optional. Shakespeare's plays including Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet are the most likely literature to be studied. Shakespeare will be compulsory, as will Australian literature like the Australian favourites A Fortunate Life by Albert Facey, Looking for Alibrandi by Melinda Marchetta, For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clark, I Can Jump Puddles by Alan Marshall, My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin, My Brother Jack by George Johnston and Summer of the Seventeenth Doll by Ray Lawler. Importantly, the writings of Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson will enjoy their rightful place in our students' homes.

This new English syllabus will be introduced next year, along with the new mathematics syllabus. Teachers received the new English syllabus in 2002, and they have had over a year to prepare for its introduction. To make the English syllabus more contemporary, the study of film will be compulsory for the first time, with landmark Australian films such as Breaker Morant, Careful, He Might Hear You, Gallipoli and Picnic At Hanging Rock now able to be used to further enhance the teaching of these works.

I am pleased to inform the House that the study of Australian history will continue to be compulsory, and has been further enhanced. Students are already required to study the Anzac tradition, including Australia's involvement in World War I, the Gallipoli campaign and conscription. Students will now be required to examine the way we commemorate World War I, especially Anzac Day, and what it means to our contemporary society. Another new part of the history syllabus is the study of the Australian men and women who served their country in World War II, and the impact of the war on the home front. This includes their struggle to defend Australia from Japanese attack, the legendary soldiers who fought on the Kokoda track, our prisoners of war and the role of Australian nurses. Under the new syllabus students must study at least one Australian Prime Minister.

[Interruption]

Gough Whitlam would be a very good choice as would be Bob Hawke and Paul Keating and I would think, in future, Simon Crean. The introduction of a new mandatory technology course for years seven to eight will equip students with the most up-to-date knowledge of new and emerging technologies in areas such as information technology, including the use of the Internet, electronics, textiles, graphics and metals. The new commerce syllabus will help students to develop financial management skills. They will learn about budgeting, saving, borrowing, investing, e-commerce, global links and consumer protection. They will also learn about the consequences of over commitment and mismanagement of credit. A new work education course will provide students with more opportunities to develop work readiness, knowledge and skills.

Students will learn about the work environment, develop an understanding of employer expectations, and have access to work experience. Students will also learn the ins and outs of running a business. This will include a class project, and any profits will be donated to charity. The personal development, health and physical education syllabus has been updated to include a stronger focus on drug education, mental health, sexual health and road safety. This course will teach our young people about self-esteem and resilience. They will be taught about the dangers of drugs in our society, and how to recognise the symptoms of depression and where to get help. We know that a student's school experience is enriched by the study of languages. A new syllabus has been developed for Arabic, Chinese, classical Greek, French, German, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, modern Greek, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

I am also pleased to inform the House that the Aboriginal study syllabus has been updated, and a new Aboriginal language syllabus will be introduced. These subjects are available for all students who wish to gain an understanding of Aboriginal people, their history and their contribution to our society. Schools will be able to choose from 70 Aboriginal languages that are the most relevant to their community. The new syllabuses will be released now to give schools and teachers time to prepare for their introduction in 2005. They will be accompanied by detailed support material, which is being developed for each of the new syllabuses, as well as a professional program for teachers. The new syllabus will equip students with a broad and comprehensive education and engage them with more interesting and more relevant courses to ensure that they get the best opportunities for the future.

REGISTERED CLUBS TAX

Mr STONER: My question is directed to the Minister for Gaming and Racing. Will he come clean and admit, as his Treasurer has, that the tax hike on registered clubs will mean that every single club in New South Wales, including the smaller clubs such as Ivanhoe RSL Club and Longworth Golf Club at Tamworth, will pay more tax when the Government discontinues the GST rebate next July, thus causing job losses, withdrawal of community benefits and the possible closure of some clubs?

Mr McBRIDE: This is the second question about poker machine taxes directed to me. The tax regime has been put in place. The Treasurer is the Minister responsible for the tax rate—

Mr Armstrong: Point of order. I suggest that you give the Minister sufficient time to finish his meal before he answers the question.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order.

[Interruption]

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! If members of the Opposition are concerned about the quality of the Minister's answer they should at least extend him the courtesy of listening to it.

Mr McBRIDE: The tax regime and the tax rates are clearly the responsibility of the Treasurer.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will come to order.

Mr Stoner: Point of order: The point is relevance. The question refers to the possible closure of clubs, which is definitely the Minister's portfolio.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order. The Minister for Gaming and Racing has the call.

Mr McBRIDE: As I pointed out, the tax rates are clearly the responsibility of the Treasurer. The Leader of the National Party acknowledged that in his question when he referred to individual clubs—

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of the National Party to order.

Mr McBRIDE: What I can say is this—

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order.

Mr McBRIDE: The Treasurer has acknowledged the GST issue and he will consider it. As to smaller clubs, the club industry and my responsibility to my portfolio, I am in constant dialogue with Clubs New South Wales. I have met with chief executive officers and I have met with directors. I can assure honourable members of my commitment to the maintenance and prosperity of the club industry in New South Wales.

YOUNG DRIVERS ROAD SAFETY

Ms GADIEL: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Roads. What is the latest information on efforts to improve road safety for young drivers?

Mr SCULLY: Honourable members would be aware that young people are consistently the most at-risk group of Australian drivers. Drivers aged between 17 and 25 account for 16 per cent of drivers, but 29 per cent of casualties and crashes. Obviously, this demands detailed attention from anyone involved in road safety initiatives. As I have informed the House on previous occasions, every day I receive a sheet known as the fatality tally sheet that lists the details of those who were killed on our roads the previous day. Every fatality is disturbing. Every day young drivers are injured or killed on our roads. This week marks an important milestone in our graduated licensing scheme, which was introduced in July 2000. Honourable members may recall that under the old scheme people got their learners permit [L], they did their driving test and were given a provisional licence [P] for 12 months and then they were released into the driving community on an unrestricted licence.

Three years ago, the Government introduced the graduated licensing scheme that provides for 50 hours of competency-based training either from parents or driving instructors prior to learner drivers becoming eligible for a provisional one [P1] licence. After a period the driver then became eligible to sit for a hazard perception test, which then made that person eligible to achieve the higher level of proficiency, a provisional two [P2] licence. Honourable numbers may recall that people could have an unrestricted licence at 18, but that is now not available until they are 20. Early this week the first batch of young people—1,600—who started the program in 2000 became eligible to undertake that additional test to gain a full unrestricted licence. We wish them well. Over the next few months, several thousand people will become eligible for a full unrestricted licence.

I am hopeful, in fact I am reasonably confident, the program will make a difference to the safety and longevity of our young people when they get their full licence and enter the driving community. But it will take some time before we have statistics to compare the effectiveness of the program against the previous regime. Many parents have expressed their higher degree of confidence in the competency-based process provided through the learner program. A number of colleagues from both sides of the house—mums and dads—have told me of their concern about their kids going through the learner-driver process. The new system provides a much high degree of supervision than would have occurred previously.

I believe that more needs to be done, as I said in the House the earlier this week. We need to do much more for road safety and we intend to do it. Recently I announced two decisions—one concerning the strengthening of the prohibition on passengers travelling in the boots of vehicles, and another concerning a restriction on the number of passengers that learners or P1 or P2 licence holders could carry relative to the number of available seatbelts. Those restrictions will commence on 11 July, and I think they are important initiatives.

Further restrictions on learners and P1 and P2 licence holders are being considered seriously. I have received comments from a number of honourable members and parents of younger drivers expressing their concern about the need to take into account the impact of younger passengers on novice drivers. We are considering whether it is appropriate to implement further restrictions. Today I announce two further initiatives of road safety for young Australians. One is a road safety education initiative involving schools across New South Wales and featuring some of this State's most successful sportsmen, and the other is a modern magazine that has been developed by the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] and is aimed at providing road safety and related information to young people in a new and innovative way, along with the State's first road safety advertising campaign that is aimed solely at young drivers.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Upper Hunter to order.

Mr SCULLY: Again I confirm that speed remains the biggest killer on Australian roads. In fact, it is the biggest threat to young drivers. Many honourable members would be aware that the New South Wales cricket team is now known as the SpeedBlitz Blues following an important and significant sponsorship arrangement with the RTA, which is aimed at raising awareness that speed is appropriate on the cricket field but is inappropriate on the roads. The SpeedBlitz Blues will embark on a program across approximately 70 schools around New South Wales over the next two years. This is being done in conjunction with NSW Police and the Department of Education and Training. It will give older students, young drivers and potential young drivers the opportunity to meet some of their heroes in an environment where those heroes can convey an important road safety message.

The program will commence in Newcastle later this month. Michael Clarke, who is the rising batting star of Australian cricket, and the SpeedBlitz Blues wicket-keeper, Brad Haddin, will be part of the group that will be visiting schools. I know that the honourable member for Newcastle will welcome that as a great opportunity for young Novocastrians to meet a couple of cricket heroes and also get the message on speed. Speeding kills over 100 of our young drivers every year. This is a great opportunity for our State cricketers to convey that message. The magazine is also an innovative way of sending road safety messages.

It is well known that Australians consume magazines like they consume milkshakes. This is a good way to link into younger drivers and to give them the message in an interesting and innovative way. The magazine will target approximately 170,000 young drivers. I congratulate the RTA on developing this initiative. Although I said earlier that it is too early to determine the effectiveness of the graduated licensing program, I am pleased to inform the House that for the first two quarters of 2002, there was a demonstrable decrease in casualty crashes among 16 to 18-year-olds. That is pleasing news, but it is early days yet. A lot of work still needs to be done. Over the next two years we will continue to do all we can to keep the road toll as low as possible.

BUS SERVICES

Ms BEREJIKLIAN: My question without notice is directed to the Premier. How can he justify the mismanagement of bus services, given that after eight years of his Government, the Minister for Transport Services yesterday was forced to admit that, in relation to buses, "Nobody can tell me precisely what we're getting for the $540 million we're spending."

Mr CARR: Bus services are generally very good, but yesterday the Government said that they can be improved, hence the inquiry. For many people, the quality of transport provided by Government buses is better than people would get from a bus service in any other city of the world. But we have identified areas within the service that can be improved and brought up to an acceptable standard. Yesterday we said that, across the system, public and private providers ought to be held accountable for their level of service and put under pressure to deliver that service. There is no public transport system in the world that at peak hour does not have people standing. That is a fact of life. I repeat that: There is no public transport system in the entire world that does not have people standing in peak hour. That is a fact of life.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.

Mr CARR: Nominate the one that does!

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst has been removed from the Chamber once today. If his present behaviour continues, he will be removed again.

Mr CARR: The system provides 345 million passenger journeys each year. We subsidise these journeys with over $540 million a year and we want to ensure that taxpayers are getting value for money. The review is the first of its kind since Sydney trams finally gave way in 1961. There have been 300 individual contracts in the period since then. The system is overly complex and we need to review the effect of the complexity on the delivery of services. I think that the Minister's statement yesterday about the inquiry into bus services would carry general public support.

BUILDING DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESS

Ms MEGARRITY: My question without notice is directed to the Minister Assisting the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning (Planning Administration). How is the Government improving and streamlining the building development approval process?

Ms BEAMER: Recently my colleague the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Natural Resources informed the House of a series of reviews of planning policies. We want to cut through the red tape to get the planning and approvals process working more efficiently and more smoothly, thereby saving time and money for users, such as councils, planners, developers, builders, and ultimately mums and dads—home owners. We are reviewing State environmental planning policy [SEPP] 71 and SEPP 5, and we are streamlining PlanFIRST. We have begun the process of getting systems and planning working a whole lot better. Today I am pleased to inform the House of the next step—a total review and overhaul of the building development approvals [DAs]. This Government is determined to introduce faster, simpler and more efficient DA processes. The current DA process can be cumbersome, costly and mind numbingly tedious.

Ms Seaton: Point of order: The Minister is outlining Government policy. Mr Acting-Speaker, I ask you to direct her to make a ministerial statement so the Opposition has a chance to rebut her claims about the planning system.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is answering a question; she is not making a ministerial statement.

Ms BEAMER: In many cases, delays cause frustration to the applicants who can be big developers, builders or mums and dads who want to put another bedroom on the back of their house. These delays and these inefficiencies cost money. In the long run, they mean higher prices.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Baulkham Hills to order.

Ms BEAMER: In some cases housing applications are taking up to 80 days to process. Recently I was informed of a case when a council debated for 40 minutes the approval of a 1.2 metre high fence—a fence that is shorter than I am. At the completion of the debate, the resolution was that the council would carry out a site inspection to assess the impact of that 1.2 metre fence. My colleague highlighted to the House the number of applications that have come before PlanningNSW under SEPP 71 where councils were dealing with barbecues. Why should a council have to deal with a barbecue, or with a 1.2 metre fence? Why should they have to work through cumbersome processes to look after swimming pools? The review of development applications will investigate the whole DA process under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

The review will look at the way each council processes its development applications; it will look for the good points; it will look at councils that efficiently process DA applications. The review will decide whether those good processes can be applied to all councils. We want this practice and we want to cut red tape. The review will assess the impact that government and non-government agencies have on the DA process. Throughout the review the Government will consult with all parties including builders, developers, planners, councils and, most importantly, the consumers. Today I inform the House that I will establish a regulation review task force to conduct that review. The task force will be headed by the respected industry figure, Mr Neil Bird. Other members of the task force will include Bruce McDonald, from Penrith Council; Elizabeth Couch, from the Housing Industry Association; Peter Williams, from the University of New South Wales; and Robert Barnaby, from Masterton Homes.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Coffs Harbour to order.

Ms BEAMER: We can draw on their expertise and target where the biggest differences can be made. We can cut red tape, time and costs.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Davidson to order.

Ms BEAMER: I want this task force to get to work immediately. It will have a short working period in which to report back—I recommend October. I look forward to receiving solid, constructive recommendations on making the development approval system quicker, simpler and more efficient.

CLASS SIZE REDUCTION UNIT

Ms MOORE: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Education and Training. Has the class size reduction unit been established? If so, what resources does it have?

Dr REFSHAUGE: Yes, the unit has been established. It has the resources it needs to run it. It is a program that goes over four years and will be delivered on time, as we committed.

DISTANCE NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM

Mr WHAN: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Health. What is the latest information on initiatives to improve the training of nurses in the Greater Murray River and Riverina regions?

Mr IEMMA: Nurses are the cornerstone of our health system. They are members of a highly skilled profession that provides care to millions of patients in our public hospitals every year. The Government wants as many nurses as it can get. To achieve this we have increased the pay for nurses and we are determined to support new and innovative ways to train registered nurses. An excellent example of our commitment is the Distance Nursing Education Program initiated in the Greater Murray area under the auspices of the Charles Sturt University. This initiative is a partnership comprising the area health service, the Government, the local communities and the university. The course supports enrolled nurses to become registered nurses. The aim is to increase the skills of our enrolled nurses so that they can become registered nurses.

About 30 per cent of our nursing staff are enrolled nurses and we want to take advantage of this great resource to provide them with additional skills, additional training, so that they can become registered nurses. The Government is investing $100,000 for this pilot program in the Greater Murray area to enable enrolled nurses to become registered nurses. The program will provide scholarship grants of $4,000 to each of 25 students enrolled in the Charles Sturt University distance education program. Local communities, the university and the State Government will make up that excellent partnership that will provide scholarships. There are 25 enrolled nurses, already living and working in rural areas and rural communities, who will participate in this scholarship program. For example, there will be five scholarships in Griffith, five in Narrandera, three in Leeton, one in Batlow, one in Holbrook, one in Finley, two in Albury, three in Wagga Wagga, one in Cootamundra, and two in Deniliquin.

Over four years the enrolled nurses will learn and train in local hospitals. The local hospitals will benefit from their enhanced skills as they proceed through the course. When they complete the course the enrolled nurses will emerge as qualified registered nurses. Distance education will involve local residential sessions to cover the course work of the nurses and they will be assisted in taking leave from the hospital that they work at for those residential sessions. To ensure that their training is well co-ordinated, the Greater Murray Health Service will provide a clinical education co-ordinator. The nurses are enthusiastic and committed to becoming registered nurses. They are already hard at work in rural communities, often in hospitals that are crying out for more registered nurses.

There is no shortage of young people wanting to become nurses. Evidence of that was in the figures provided by Charles Sturt University following the intake. The university, one of our leading educational institutions for the training of nurses, received 2,000 applications this year, but the Commonwealth Government funded only 200 places. Those 2,000 young people wanted to become nurses, to serve patients in rural hospitals across the State, but the Commonwealth Government funded only 200 places. What an indictment of the Commonwealth Government's policy of producing more nurses for our public hospital system.

In short, our universities have to turn away people who want to become nurses. The Commonwealth has placed barriers in their way instead of funding an adequate number of places, instead of supporting innovative programs such as this scholarship program. The Commonwealth's budget commitment for funding across the country is for a total of 200 nurses over four years—that is 50 places a year, across the country. That is a miserable commitment to addressing some work force problems that confront our public hospital system. The Commonwealth has demonstrated its complete and utter disinterest in trying to meet the demands of young people attempting to study nursing and take up the nursing profession.

We will continue to support innovative programs that train existing nurses and provide them with more skills. We will continue to back innovative community partnership programs that seek to resolve some of the work force problems affecting public hospitals across this State. The Greater Murray Area Health Service, in partnership with its local communities, is backing 25 young enrolled nurses who will become registered nurses and increase their skills so that they can serve their local communities. This Government is backing that pilot program and will continue to do so.

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS STAFFING

Mr TINK: My question without notice is directed to the Attorney General. How does the Attorney General justify cutting back, by at least 14, staff in the prosecution service of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP] when that office expects the number of serious criminal prosecutions to be dealt with this year to increase by 800?

Mr DEBUS: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which is being funded at record levels, continues to provide high levels of service to the people of this State. It is true that changes to the criminal law have put new demands on the prosecution. As a result, in February this year I instigated a thorough review of the budget of the DPP involving senior officers from the office of the DPP, from Treasury and from my department. A fortnight ago that working party produced a report that puts forward a number of funding options as well as administrative and managerial options and options for further strengthening the existing board of management of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

No doubt honourable members would recall that that board of management was created last year to include some independent financial and managerial representatives. It is functioning well to improve the management of the office of the DPP. The report of the working party has been sent to the Treasurer. Preliminary discussions have been held with the Treasurer's office. Once the Treasurer has cast off the distractions of the budget and its aftermath with his usual effortless grace, he will hold a meeting with me and we will seek an agreement on changes to the base funding of the Director of Public Prosecutions that flow out of that review. The Government will continue to ensure that the office of the DPP is well funded and it will continue to ensure that its independence is respected.

Mr TINK: I ask a supplementary question. Did the working party that the Minister just referred to in his answer recommend the staff cuts in the office of the DPP that now appear on page 4-77 of Budget Paper No. 3, Volume 1? Did the working party he referred to in his answer recommend those staff cuts—yes or no?

Mr DEBUS: No.

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

Mrs PERRY: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Science and Medical Research. What is the latest information on the Government's biomedical research strategy and related matters?

Mr SARTOR: The honourable member for Auburn, who is so interested in and supportive of medical research, was the driving force behind the establishment of the Diversity Health Institute—something on which she should be congratulated. The New South Wales Government is justifiably proud of the support that it gives to this State's biomedical research sector. New South Wales is home to more than 5,000 medical researchers who are working at the cutting edge of discovery. Let me remind honourable members of a few of the Government's initiatives. At Westmead, the New South Wales Government is investing $8 million on the capital development of stage two of the Millennium Institute. It is investing a further $20 million over five years to bring together the Garvan Institute, the Victor Chang Institute and research groups at St Vincent's Hospital into a single, united biotechnology precinct.

This Government recently committed $50 million over the next three years in medical research infrastructure grants to pre-eminent medical research groups to support their work in cracking the codes that will bring us closer to breakthrough therapies for illnesses such as cancer, asthma, diabetes and spinal cord injuries. Last month the Premier joined his counterparts from Victoria and Queensland to create an Australian Biotech Alliance. This new alliance aims to ensure that the three States work together to build Australia's global leading biotech industry.

One of this Government's most exciting initiatives is the BioFirst awards. Too often our best and brightest researchers are understandably tempted by research opportunities overseas. The reputations of international institutions are powerful. The lure of working alongside international experts is strong and the salaries are attractive. We understand that our brilliant young scientists will want to stretch their minds on the international stage, but we want them back. We are getting them back through our BioFirst awards. This is the brain gain program for New South Wales. An amount of $100,000 will be allocated each year for three years to top up the salaries of world-class researchers who wish to come to New South Wales and continue their work here. An amount of $6 million all up will be allocated over the course of the five-year program.

That program is bearing fruit. Last year we brought Dr Peter Curri back to the Victor Chang Cardiac Institute, Dr Colin Dunstan to the Anzac Research Institute and Dr Bryce Vissel to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. All those doctors are doing great work. We have now taken the next step. Today I inform honourable members that two scientists have been chosen as recipients of the latest round of BioFirst awards. The first recipient is Professor Izuru Matsumoto, who will work at the University of Sydney. Professor Matsumoto is regarded as a world-class researcher in neuropharmacology. The neuroscience revolution enables us to detect and measure structural changes, genes, proteins and chemicals in the brain that were not even imagined 10 years ago.

Professor Matsumoto has previously worked in the United States of America and at the University of Queensland. He played a key role in the development of Japan's best-regarded brain bank and worked extensively in the study of neuro-psychiatric disorders. Moreover, Professor Matsumoto had a number of post-graduate students in Japan, several of whom hope to complete their studies and work with him in Sydney during the next 12 months. The New South Wales BioFirst Grant will assist Professor Matsumoto to establish his research laboratories at the University of Sydney. His appointment will promote the development of the New South Wales brain bank into a facility that is unique in the world. His aim is to develop donor programs specifically focused on schizophrenia and alcohol-related disorders so that we might better understand the causes of neurological illnesses and find a pathway to cures. It is obvious that Opposition members are not interested in curing neurological disorders.

Professor Matsumoto's expertise will result in the New South Wales Tissue Research Centre becoming one of the best and most comprehensive tissue banks of its kind in the world. The second recipient of this year's BioFirst award is Associate Professor Jane Grey, an internationally regarded researcher in the field of molecular and biochemical basis of type one and type two diabetes. Professor Grey will be working to develop a genetically engineered therapy for these diseases. Medical research is a painstaking process. Progress is more often measured in years than in months, and it is expensive.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Lachlan will restrain himself.

Mr SARTOR: One of the most important sources of medical research funding is the National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC]. Every year the National Health and Medical Research Council allocates more than $360 million in funding for research projects across the country. Two weeks ago the National Health and Medical Research Council announced its program grants for 2004. Those grants will support teams of researchers for the next five years. I congratulate Professor Rob Sutherland and his team from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Professor Richard Bryant and his team from the University of New South Wales. They have been allocated program grants of $4.7 million each for groundbreaking research on breast cancer and post-traumatic mental health.

Only yesterday the NHMRC announced that two teams at the University of Sydney have won major grants intended to provide national capacity in population health research and to foster opportunities for young Australian medical scientists. I congratulate Professor Paul Mitchell and his team, who were awarded $2.2 million to investigate the causes, impacts and treatment of loss of sight and hearing. I also congratulate Professor Bruce Armstrong and his team, who will receive $2.5 million to build a network of researchers who will develop innovative methods to evaluate cancer and perinatal services.

Their success reflects the strength and diversity of the medical effort in New South Wales. However, I think New South Wales research can do even better. In fact, New South Wales received only 13 per cent of the available program grants in the current round, and only two out of seven New South Wales applications were successful. Since I am not here to cry over spilt milk I intend to view these funding allocations as a call to arms. New South Wales is home to more than 40 per cent of Australia's pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. However, New South Wales must do better. We must work smarter and fight harder for a bigger share of the research funding cake.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber.

Mr SARTOR: I have already announced the formation of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Medical Research, whose members will provide top-level advice to the Government on how to enhance our research effort. With that in mind, I inform the House that the Government is about to embark upon a wide-ranging review of our medical research strategy. The goal is to build bridges between the various elements of our research effort, such as the BioFirst Strategy, our infrastructure grants program, BioHubs and the dozens of research institutions around the State. The review will be rigorous: It will not shirk from asking the hard questions. We must identify what New South Wales does well and what we can do better. In the course of the next few weeks I will announce the chair of the review of New South Wales medical research and its terms of reference. The Government is doing all it can to create a platform and framework for success that will foster discovery and ease human suffering. These initiatives will put us on the path to success—no thanks to the Opposition.

PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF UNATTACHED LIST

Mr SCULLY: I wish to provide a supplementary answer on behalf of the Premier to a question without notice asked of him yesterday by the Leader of the Opposition. I am advised that the Government has reduced senior executive service numbers by more than 400 positions since its election in 1995, from 1,434 to 976. Since the last State election the New South Wales Government has embarked upon further restructuring of the public service. Major changes include: first, the creation of the Department of Commerce, which incorporates the former Department of Public Works and Services, the Department of Industrial Relations, the Office of Information Technology and the Department of Fair Trading; and, secondly, the creation of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, which incorporates the former Department of Planning, the Department of Land and Water Conservation, the Infrastructure Co-ordination Unit and transport planning.

The establishment of these new agencies will result in a further reduction in chief executive and senior executive service positions. The provisions of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act provide for chief executive service and senior executive service officers to be unattached officers if their former positions are deleted. Five chief executive service officers are unattached at present. These officers are assisting, and undertaking projects for, the Director-General of the Premier's Department. I am advised that one of the five chief executive officers will depart the service on 26 July 2003. The other four officers will continue to assist the Director-General of the Premier's Department and will either be appointed to new positions or depart the public service when their current duties are concluded.

BERRIMA CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FUNDRAISING MONEY

Mr DEBUS: As Minister representing the Minister for Justice, I wish to provide a supplementary answer to a question without notice asked yesterday by the honourable member for Davidson of the Premier regarding the theft of cash from Berrima prison. I am informed by the Minister for Justice that this matter was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption. The Department of Corrective Services has referred the matter to officers of NSW Police within the Corrective Services Investigation Unit for criminal investigation. Further, the department has commissioned a full audit of cash-handling procedures at Berrima Correctional Centre.

Questions without notice concluded.

MANAGED FUNDS INDUSTRY

Ministerial Statement

Mr CAMPBELL (Keira—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Illawarra, and Minister for Small Business) [3.23 p.m.]: I wish to make a ministerial statement on behalf of the Minister for State Development. We often hear reports of New South Wales being a global destination and a regional financial capital. The Carr Government is responsible for many of those reports, and I am delighted to advise the House that they are not exaggerated. I refer honourable members to recent investments in the financial services sector in Sydney. UBS Warburg Asia Pacific has established its new information technology [IT] technical support centre in the city. This consolidates its existing IT support operations in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. I am also reminded of Sir Richard Branson's financial services joint venture, Virgin Money, which launched its credit card business in Sydney last month. ING Direct recently invested $8 million in a call centre at Tuggerah on the Central Coast that will create 150 jobs.

But that is just a prelude. Today I want to talk about the managed funds market. In the past five years Australia's managed funds market has become the fifth largest in the world—in fact, it is the largest in Asia. The market has a pool of funds worth $550 billion—or half a trillion dollars—that is expected to quadruple within a decade. I am pleased to report that New South Wales has the lion's share of that market, and Sydney—this great international city—is home to nine of the nation's top 10 funds management groups. These groups control 65 per cent of the market and their funds are worth $410 billion, which is equal to at least half of Australia's annual gross domestic product. That is a great tribute to the growing importance of New South Wales as a global finance centre.

With that in mind, my eyes were drawn to the headline "Australasia Seen As Investment Sanctuary" in the Australian Financial Review of 10 June. The accompanying article points out that Australia and New Zealand have become popular as investment havens, sheltering investors from a "tempestuous world economy". The article notes that both countries are stable democracies. I could not agree more. On 22 March the people of this State opted for stability, prudence and responsibility. They endorsed Labor's sound economic management and they endorsed our moderate spending plans, capped at $800 million over four years. They rejected the excesses of the Opposition's $7-billion spending spree and they rejected the callous, cynical plan to strip child protection workers from the Department of Community Services.

But I digress: We are talking about Sydney's pre-eminent role in funds management not just in Australia but in the Asia-Pacific region. The fact is that Sydney is increasingly becoming the preferred Asia-Pacific base for funds management operations. Credit Suisse Asset Management has established its Asia-Pacific headquarters here. It previously managed operations for this region from London and New York. Other top funds managers that have chosen Sydney include Deutsche Asset Management Australia, State Street Global Advisers, ING, Barclays Global Investors, and UBS Warburg. Add to that the prestigious Australian firms Westpac, Challenger and Perpetual, and we get a clear picture of the global financial capital that Sydney has become. These firms come here because of our assets: modern infrastructure, talented management, highly skilled multilingual staff, global cost competitiveness and low staff turnover. It is no wonder that New South Wales is now a global financial centre. It is no coincidence that this growth has occurred in the eight years since the people first put their trust in the good economic management of the Carr Government.

Mr STONER (Oxley—Leader of the National Party) [3.28 p.m.]: The Opposition welcomes this investment in our State, and in so doing notes the contribution of the Federal Government and Prime Minister John Howard in creating an economic environment in Australia that is the envy of other countries around the world and that attracts funds management firms to this country. I note also the great work of the Minister for Trade, the Hon. Mark Vaile, who has done a superb job selling the advantages of Australia to the world.

ANGEL RING LIFEBUOYS

Ministerial Statement

Mr CAMPBELL (Keira—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Illawarra, and Minister for Small Business) [3.28 p.m.]: In the past two weeks the New South Wales coastline has been hammered by massive swells. The North Coast has experienced an unusual weather incident known as a "water bomb". This phenomenon creates dangerous conditions, particularly for surfing and for a recreational activity that is already classed as high risk: rock fishing. About 60,000 anglers fish from rock platforms along our coastline every year, despite the fact that rock fishing is considered to be one of the most dangerous sports in New South Wales, with 74 deaths in the past 10 years. According to the Drowning Report 2002, last year 11 people died while rock fishing. That is almost double the average annual toll in this State. Well-known dangerous locations include the Royal National Park, Avoca, Cape Banks, Jervis Bay, Manly, Little Bay, and Port Kembla.

Most rock fishing accidents occur when anglers are swept into the water by freak waves. In a bid to reduce rock-fishing deaths the Australian National Sports Fishing Association founded the Angel Rings project in 1994. Angel rings are ship-style lifebuoys placed on a stand at rock fishing danger spots. Last year the State Government provided $60,000 to the Australian Sports Fishing Association to help the association install angel rings at danger spots. The installation, inspection and maintenance of the devices is carried out by volunteers from local fishing clubs affiliated with the Australian National Sports Fishing Association.

There are now 49 angel rings installed at popular fishing locations along the coast. Government funding is assisting in the installation of another 40 angel rings. The funding will also be used to buy 20 spare lifebuoys and purchase rock corking equipment so that angel rings can be installed in locations clear of heavy seas. Angel rings are not foolproof. Tragically, deaths will continue to occur despite the presence of angel rings. However, the New South Wales Branch of the Australian National Sports Fishing Association reports anecdotally that, to date, 13 lives have been saved as a result of the Angel Ring project.

Every life counts to families and loved ones. I hope fishing groups continue to work in partnership with the Government to help create a safer environment for all anglers. We are helping to spread the message about rock fishing safety. That is why this Government now has detailed brochures providing basic safety tips. These include: never fish by yourself, tell someone what you are doing, wear light clothing, carry safety gear and wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest, and ask for advice from locals. I again reinforce the message that rock fishing is a highly dangerous activity that puts lives at risk. These lives include innocent bystanders and emergency services workers who are often thrust into highly dangerous rescue situations. On behalf of all rock anglers, I send a message to those fools who vandalise this lifesaving apparatus: Think about what you are doing. Think about the lives you are putting at risk. And pull your heads in!

Mr STONER (Oxley—Leader of the National Party) [3.32 p.m.]: As a keen surfer I am only too aware of the dangers that high seas and heavy swells bring, and certainly that has been the case recently on the North Coast. Rock fishing is an extremely dangerous recreation. I note the 74 deaths in this State in the past 10 years as a result of the dangers of rock fishing. Indeed, tragic accidents have occurred this year at Crescent Head and Port Macquarie and can occur right up and down the coast, particularly when freak waves abound and rock fishers are taken unawares by high seas. The Angel Wings project is certainly very welcome and has effectively saved 13 lives to date. It is only right that the State Government assist the project to save the lives of recreational fishers. I note that angel rings are not foolproof, especially after idiots vandalise them.

It is important to educate rock and boat fishermen and those who fish on the bars on the rivers along the coast, who frequently attempt to take on these high seas across the bars, often with tragic results. I urge the Government to pursue that strategy. I congratulate those volunteers in our community who, in the event of an accident on a headland or the coastline, try to save lives. They belong to the Volunteer Rescue Association, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and the State Emergency Service. They do a great job in preventing tragedy and saving lives on the coast.

DAIRY INDUSTRY DEREGULATION

Personal Explanation

Mr STONER, by leave: Yesterday during debate on a matter of public importance concerning the dairy industry in New South Wales, the honourable member for Kiama misled the House and made two statements concerning votes I had taken in the past in this place. I said that the Government had introduced the legislation to deregulate the industry—

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the National Party will be heard in silence.

Mr STONER: The honourable member for Bathurst is correct: it was an urgent motion. I said that three years ago the Government had introduced legislation to deregulate the industry. The honourable member for Kiama claimed that I voted for that legislation. I rebutted him and said I did not vote for that legislation. That is a truthful statement of fact that can be shown by reference to Hansard. Later in reply the honourable member for Kiama said:

Let me state clearly on the record that the Leader of the National Party today told a few porkies in this Chamber. He said that he voted against dairy deregulation …

At no stage did I tell any lies, or porkies, as referred to by the honourable member for Kiama. Therefore, his scurrilous accusations are demonstrably false, as Hansard will show. I ask that you direct that Hansard be corrected by deleting those words.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The Chair cannot direct the Hansard staff to do anything. The personal explanation of the Leader of the National Party is now part of the Hansard record.

Mr STONER: I ask that you direct the honourable member for Kiama to withdraw the statement:

Let me state clearly on the record that the Leader of the National Party today told a few porkies in this Chamber. He said that he voted against dairy deregulation …

That is a falsehood, and he misled the House.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the National Party has strayed a little from the leave of Standing Order 70. However, I will ensure that the honourable member for Kiama is advised of his concerns.

PARLIAMENTARY PRESS GALLERY DRESS STANDARDS

Mr O'Farrell: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 304. I seek your advice, and the advice of Mr Speaker, during the coming break, in relation to dress standards for those using the galleries in and around this Chamber. I do so following an incident yesterday—the free Paul Murray incident—in which a member of the press was excluded from the gallery for not wearing a tie. I seek rulings and advice from you, and, through you, from Mr Speaker, as to what the dress standards are. There are two issues here. The first is that we seek to encourage members of the public to come into the public galleries. Are dress codes now going to be applied to those people? Secondly, what standards are going to be applied to the press?

It is important that the proceedings of this Chamber are broadcast to the public. It can be argued that what happened to Mr Murray is an attempt to curtail our freedom of speech, our freedom of expression and our hope that the media will actually report what is said in this Chamber. I hope we do not have to get into debates about double windsor knots, half windsor knots or, in the case of the Leader of the House, four-in-hand knots or pratt knots. But it is important for this Chamber to ensure that there is access to both public galleries and the press gallery, and it is also important that visitors to this Chamber reflect community standards, which has seen an increasing reduction in the wearing of ties. I do not suggest that that should apply to members of this Chamber—

[Interruption.]

I am not suggesting it should apply in this Chamber; the other Chamber can make its own rules. Ties have been around since the terracotta warriors in 221 B.C. They were invented by Louis XIV. I think it is about time that we got more modern and more—

Mr Scully: To the point of order: Surprisingly, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, being the dapper and elegant dresser that he is known to be, expressed concern about how people are attired. I suggest the Chair consider the comments made by the honourable member and refer the matter to Mr Speaker. I understand the rules provide that members of the press gallery and members of Parliament are expected to dress appropriately. How that is interpreted is a matter to be determined case by case.

Mr O'Farrell: Further to the point of order: The standing order to which I referred gives the Chair generally, but also gives this House, power to exclude members of the media. Yesterday a member of the media was excluded from the gallery without reference to this House, as prescribed by the standing orders.

The ACTING-SPEAKER: Order! At this stage I will not rule on the point of order. I will take up the matter with Mr Speaker on his return. I am confident he will make an appropriate ruling for transmission to the press gallery.

RADIO STATION MAX-FM

Personal Explanation

Mr J. H. TURNER, by leave: I wish to make a personal explanation. Yesterday the Deputy Premier alleged that I did not know where Max-FM was. He said:

In fact, the day before I referred to Max-FM and said that I knew where it was, that I had actually made a statement on radio 2RE. I record also the fact that the Deputy Premier has issued a press release that is totally wrong, not only as to the facts that I have just mentioned, but he should have his press secretary learn how to spell Bulahdelah. I refute his claim that I do not know where Max-FM is. I have advertised on Max-FM and I have appeared on Max-FM. On one occasion I was supposed to play basketball on Max-FM with the honourable member for Port Macquarie, who I think might have produced a certain item yesterday to use as a prop in this place. But, of course, as usual, the honourable member for Port Macquarie did not turn up.

CONSIDERATION OF URGENT MOTIONS

Table Grapes Importation

Mr BLACK (Murray-Darling) [3.42 p.m.]: The subject of my motion—a proposal to allow Chilean table grapes into this country—is urgent because once again the Federal National Party is ratting on the bush. This matter is urgent because my electorate produces approximately 20 per cent of the total table grape product of Australia. The matter is urgent because last week the National Party ratted on Telstra. I take the advice of the Acting-Speaker given when welcoming Tony Windsor, a former member of this House. What a great member he has been federally—a true Independent standing up for the bush, and against the National Party, on the Telstra issue. This week the National Party is again ratting on the bush in relation to table grapes. Reluctantly this House, through the Department of Agriculture, agreed with provisions to allow Californian table grapes into Australia—subject to conditions regarding disease and similar—in 2002.

This matter is urgent because the Federal National Party is not only talking about allowing Chilean grapes into Australia, in competition with our grapes, in the year 2004; it is also considering allowing Korean grapes into Australia in 2004-05, Japanese grapes into Australia in the same year, Italian grapes into Australia in the same year, and table grapes from Mexico into Australia in 2005-06. The matter is urgent because the Federal National Party is awaiting applications from India, China and South Africa to bring table grapes into this country. The matter is urgent because the cost of producing table grapes in Chile is 28¢ a kilogram, compared with the Australian production cost of 58¢ a kilogram. What this wretched body called the Federal National Party is proposing is effectively allowing the dumping of table grapes into Australia. National Party members of this House would have admired, in the first week of December when they come to Sydney, the Menindee seedless grape. They would also have admired the red globe from Bourke, which usually comes to Sydney in the second week of December.

The Federal National Party is proposing bringing in Chilean grapes. Californian grapes do not present a conflict with Australian grapes because they are imported in a different season; they are imported in winter. The matter is urgent because the Federal National Party knowingly is proposing to allow the importation of Chilean table grapes, which grow in the same season as Australian table grapes. The Federal Government has not conducted a study on the impact of introducing such table grapes into the Australian market. No consideration has been given to the farmers suffering as a result of drought. The Federal Government and the Federal National Party will have the blood of the New South Wales table grape industry on their hands if they allow Chilean grapes to flood our market. The matter is urgent because almost 4,000 jobs are being put at stake by the wretched Federal National Party.

Those 4,000 jobs hang in the balance on this decision. Despite that, the Federal Government has not even taken steps to provide information about where growers are located, how they have been affected by drought and how they would be affected by the decision to allow Chilean table grapes into Australia. The only organisations that seem to care about this issue are the New South Wales Department of Agriculture and Country Labor. Did I hear earlier something about the National Party ratting last week on the privatisation of Telstra? Did I hear somebody say that the New South Wales National Party may be having a second think about this issue? We want members of the State National Party to tell their Federal colleagues where to go with this wretched proposal. Instead of bringing Chilean grapes to Australia, why not send Anderson, Truss and John Cobb to Chile? [Time expired.]

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Staffing

Mr TINK (Epping) [3.46 p.m.]: My motion is urgent because an unprecedented crisis faces the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It seems extraordinary that prosecutors would be picketing our courts. I understand that the Director of Public Prosecutions is returning to police some prosecution files relating to complex fraud cases, explaining, "We have not got the people or the time to prosecute these matters." Police prosecutors thus end up with complex fraud briefs being returned to them, when they alone do not have the expertise to prosecute those matters. Because the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions does not have adequate resources, serious fraudsters are walking the streets without any expectation of being brought before the courts, having their matters prosecuted in the court system to a proper conclusion according to law and, where appropriate, incurring a proper penalty.

The number of vital prosecution personnel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is being cut back by at least 14, according to the budget papers. This is a very small office, with a small group of people who deal with serious prosecutions. Their number cannot afford to be cut back at all, let alone by the figure I mentioned. The best estimate is that the number needs to be increased by about 50 to enable them to prosecute matters efficiently and effectively. The Government makes all sorts of extravagant announcements about the number of police on our streets, but they count for nothing if at the end of the day the people they arrest and want to put before the courts cannot competently be put before the courts or competently prosecuted according to law because there are insufficient prosecutors to cope with the workload.

In my experience, prosecutors are, to a person, honourable and professional people who just want to get on with doing their jobs efficiently and effectively. It is a measure of the frustrations that they face that they have been picketing courts and putting themselves at significant personal risk of being held in contempt of court in order to make their point. All this was before the tabling of the latest budget papers, which show that the number of prosecutors is about to be further cut. It is completely nonsensical false economy to cut back on prosecutors when there is an increase in the caseload of, again according to the budget papers, not less than 800 matters in a particular year.

The only people who are laughing are the criminals, the people who should be locked up but who will not be locked up because of the Premier's personal jihad against the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. As a result of that jihad, the Director of Public Prosecutions and his office are being severely marked down. The big losers are the public of New South Wales and the people who are now writing cheques in good faith that will be intercepted and fraudulently altered at significant cost. The amount of mail-related fraud, when cheques are intercepted and fraudulently misappropriated, is reaching epidemic proportions. If that sort of organised crime is not stamped out it will become a problem across the State.

The matter is urgent because it is precisely that type of crime, which is difficult to prove, that requires a great deal of effort by specialised police and specialised prosecutors. If they are not available to do the job then the outcome, as a result of the Government's cutbacks in this area, is to decriminalise whole areas of criminal activity. It is not good enough. It totally destroys the emphasis on public safety policy, whether it be police, Corrective Services, special operations on trains or anywhere else if, ultimately, people are not available to carry out prosecutions. They deserve better. They should get better. They will not get it until the Government appreciates that it has to move beyond the Premier's personal antipathy towards the Director of Public Prosecutions and continue to enhance funding of that office and the professional officers who work from it to put criminals behind bars.

Question—That the motion for urgent consideration of the honourable member for Murray-Darling be proceeded with—agreed to.

TABLE GRAPES IMPORTATION

Urgent Motion

Mr BLACK (Murray-Darling) [3.52 p.m.]: I move:

I have, through Country Labor, been in contact with the Australian Table Grape Association [ATGA], specifically Mr Bernie Brady, the Northern Territory delegate, and Mr David Hunt-Sharman, the chief executive officer. The Australian Table Grape Association is the national peak industry representative body for the Australian table grape industry and represents 1,116 table grape growers across Australia. As I said earlier, approximately 20 per cent of the total Australian production of table grapes comes from the Murray-Darling. I refer specifically to the Menindee seedless and the red globe from Bourke, but I should also refer to the many other varieties of table grapes grown in Sunraysia in the southern portion of my electorate. From time to time the figure varies. For example, last year production was down because of the effect of the drought. Water was not being put on the vines, so we have some problems with variation. Comments on the proposal from the table grape growers are as follows:

My advice from Sunraysia is that approximately 350 blocks are up for sale. Grapes might start off as table grapes but then they might end up as wine grapes or, down the end of the line, dried fruit, as the honourable member for Murrumbidgee would know. An organisation called Southcorp, a major winery that was the biggest in the southern hemisphere until it built a bigger one in the Riverland, has a policy of developing an import of its own of 46 per cent. The problem in Sunraysia is that the policy has resulted in the price of blocks crashing from $10,000 per acre to between $4,000 and $5,000 per acre. Unless growers have a contract with Southcorp they do not want the grapes. If they have a contract with Southcorp this year their income will be down because last season the price of a wide range of grape varieties dropped by approximately $40 per tonne.

Earlier I referred to how many tonnes of grapes are produced in Australia and elsewhere by ratio. The leading country for the importation of table grapes is Italy, which is on the Federal National Party list. Italy produces 27 per cent in total of all table grapes grown in the world. Chile produces 23 per cent. Earlier I referred to a cost of 58¢ per kilogram to produce table grapes in Australia. That figure is made up of 23¢ for the growing and pruning labour, 22¢ for harvesting labour, 3¢ for chemicals, 1¢ for water charges—thanks to the amazing efficiency of our industry—and 9¢ for equipment and operating costs. By comparison, the cost to produce table grapes in Chile is 28¢. Let us face it, in Australia 78 per cent of the cost of producing table grapes is associated labour costs. I do not want to criticise workers in other countries, but one must acknowledge that the workers in Chile work for much lower wages than workers in Australia. The Californian price is 46¢ per kilogram and in South Africa it is 45¢ per kilogram.

Countries such as Chile and South Africa overlap the Australian grape-producing season: they produce grapes at the same time. But if we were to import from Italy, America and Mexico, as proposed, the economic damage would not be as severe in Australia because they produce grapes in our off-season. The most recent figures available—those for 2000—show that Chile produced 860,000 tonnes of table grapes, whereas Australia produced 14,155 tonnes. Australia is a very small but significant player in the international market. I repeat: 4,000 jobs are at stake but the Federal National Party does not want to know about it.

For the information of honourable members, I point out that the breakdown of total table grape production figures for Australia shows that 65 per cent of production comes from the Victorian section of Sunraysia; approximately 20 per cent comes from New South Wales; only 2 per cent comes from the Northern Territory, although it is an increasingly important component; 6 per cent comes from Western Australia; 4 per cent comes from South Australia, which is surprising considering lots of wine grapes are grown there; and 6 per cent comes from Queensland.

During the first year of production, 1997, total production for Australia exceeded 60,000 tonnes. In 1998 production was more than 60,000 tonnes. In 1999, which was a good year because water was available, production was 70,000 tonnes. For each of the past two years production has been more than 60,000 tonnes. Again, I make the point that 4,000 jobs are at stake. My concern is that the industry estimates that 80 per cent of table grape growers will be under threat from the marketplace if imported Chilean table grapes are allowed into this country. Again, I repeat that I cannot understand why the Federal National Party has not stood up for growers on this issue. It has run away. It is ratting on its constituencies, just as it ratted on them in relation to Telstra.

I hope that the members of the New South Wales National Party will do a bit of a somersault, as they did when the Federal National Party ratted on their constituents over Telstra, and apprise their Federal colleagues of how out of touch they are. In surveys conducted in the western districts, 98 per cent of people indicated that they are not satisfied with the existing standards of Telstra services. I am confident that the number of disaffected table grape growers will be 100 per cent over the decision to import Chilean grapes into Australia at Australia's peak marketing period. In conclusion, I reiterate my plea to the New South Wales National Party to put pressure on its Federal colleagues regarding this matter.

Mr PICCOLI (Murrumbidgee) [4.02 p.m.]: It is with some pleasure that I take this opportunity to speak to the urgent motion moved by the honourable member for Murray-Darling. Contrary to what was said during the past 10 minutes by the honourable member, I believe that the process undertaken by the Federal Government is absolutely responsible. The Federal Government is doing exactly the right thing. The address given by the honourable member for Murray-Darling was fascinating because he was suggesting that somehow the Federal Coalition Government had requested that Chilean table grapes be introduced, but that is not right—not by any stretch of the imagination—and he knows that.

An application has been made by the Chilean Government for table grapes to be exported to Australia. The Federal Government has responded in the way it has responded to requests in the past—namely, by considering the application. That is exactly what the Federal Government is doing, and it has done so before. I am sure that it will do the same for future requests. What the Federal Government is doing is 100 per cent responsible. The Federal Government has issued a draft import risk assessment for the importation of table grapes and submissions are due by 12 August, which gives people 60 days in which to comment. I am sure that the table grape industry, other organisations and individuals will be making submissions. In terms of good government, that is exactly what should happen. For the sake of the future of Australian agriculture, Australia has to be a world player. Australia has to be involved in international trade

If it is suggested that Australia should turn the clock back 40 years and adopt the approach suggested by the honourable member for Murray-Darling by just rejecting any application out of hand and prohibiting importation of products, that might work for a little while but we will soon find that a similar response will be made when Australian producers make applications to other countries. Over the past 10 years, in particular, Australian agriculture has been driven by a huge boost in exports. For example, the honourable member for Murray-Darling referred to Sunraysia in the Riverland district. The wine industry topped the $2 billion mark for exports, which represents an increase from $30 million approximately 15 years ago. That industry has been driven by exportation. If Australia wants to be truly involved in international trade, we have to act responsibly.

The Federal Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, and his predecessor, Tim Fischer, have asked for fair trade around the world. The Coalition knows that that will not necessarily happen and that subsidies will continue to exist throughout the world. We also know that we will never be able to compete by introducing subsidies of our own: Australia simply does not have the money. I am sure that most Australians would prefer the Federal Government to provide sufficient funding for essential services throughout Australia. Australia does not have the funds to subsidise agriculture, but we are competitive because we have world-class farmers who are able to compete successfully against highly subsidised and highly regulated products. The rice industry is a classic example because 85 per cent of production is exported.

Australia needs to be an active and fair participant in what is essentially an unfair international trading marketplace. That is why I say that what the Federal Governments has done is exactly right. The Federal Government has received the application and will assess it, in the same way the application for the importation of apples from New Zealand was assessed and the importation of chicken from Malaysia was assessed. The Federal Government has responded absolutely appropriately on every single occasion.

Mr Black: That was how we got Newcastle disease.

Mr PICCOLI: The Federal Government is 100 per cent concerned about quarantine in Australia. I am sure that all of the submissions received in response to the draft import risk assessment will be assessed. The process adopted by the Federal Government is highly advanced compared to the process adopted by the previous Federal Labor Government.

Mr Black: We did not market table grapes in those days.

Mr PICCOLI: That is right; we were probably not exporting table grapes. While Bob Hawke and Paul Keating were in government they did nothing for Australian agricultural trade. Interest rates went through the roof. While Labor was in government it was the darkest period for agriculture in Australia's history. Interest rates were up to 27 per cent for Australian farmers.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! Government members will restrain themselves.

Mr PICCOLI: The Australian dollar was not particularly competitive either. However, since the current Federal Government has been in power it has managed the economy and made Australian agriculture competitive. There is ample evidence of the expansion in exportation of Australian agriculture.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Murray-Darling will resume his seat.

Mr PICCOLI: The biggest threat to the table grape industry is something that could be prevented by the useless members on the Government side of this Chamber, but instead they roll out the usual suspects during debates on urgent motions and stick it up the Federal Government. I understand that because we all know how hopeless the Federal Labor Party is. Simon Crean and his cohorts are absolutely hopeless and they need a little bit of help from the New South Wales Government. I understand that. According to a recent poll, 65 per cent of Australians recognise that the Federal Labor Party is hopeless. However, there is a greater threat to the table grape industry.

Mr Martin: Point of order: My point of order relates to relevance. I ask you to bring the honourable member for Murrumbidgee back to the motion before the House. The important issue under discussion is the threat to the Australian table grape industry. The honourable member is trawling through his rewriting of recent Federal parliamentary history.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! It is fair to point out that the Federal parliamentary Labor Party is not relevant to this debate.

Mr PICCOLI: Then why are we debating something that refers specifically to the Federal Government's plan? If my reference to the Federal Labor Party is not relevant, I do not know what is. The greatest risk to the table grape industry in my electorate and the Murray-Darling electorate is water reform. Simon Crean publicly endorsed the 1,500 gigalitre option for the Murray. I want to know whether the honourable member for Murray-Darling supports his Federal leader. That option will have a great impact. I have attended meetings where the honourable member for Murray-Darling pooh-poohed the whole idea of environmental flows. I would like to hear him say that publicly. When he is in Moama he can say it and get away with it. While he was there he even supported diverting the Clarence.

Mr Black: I still do.

Mr PICCOLI: He still does. It is interesting that the Labor Party supports the diverting of the Clarence. I am sure that the few North Coast members of the Labor Party will be fascinated when I send them a copy of today's Hansard.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! The honourable member for Murray-Darling will remain silent.

Mr PICCOLI: The water reform process is the greatest threat to agriculture in southern and south-western New South Wales. The 1,500 gigalitre option will severely curtail irrigation and development in western New South Wales. I have heard the honourable member for Murray-Darling say that the future for western New South Wales is irrigation and tourism. The Labor Party is doing a good job of destroying one of those features. The honourable member for Murray-Darling referred to profitability and the impact on jobs that the importation of Chilean table grapes will have. It has taken me 8½ minutes to say that I do not support the importation of Chilean grapes into Australia, but the point is that the Federal Government is undertaking an absolutely responsible process. If the honourable member for Murray-Darling wants to talk about threats to employment in the table grape industry—or any industry, not only the ones in our electorates—he should talk about the biggest threat: workers compensation premiums and the taxes imposed by the State Government.

Instead of talking about Federal issues, matters about which essentially we can do nothing and about which his Federal colleagues can do nothing, let us get on to State issues such as water reform. The honourable member for Murray-Darling should put his views on water reform on the record; we already have his views on diverting the Clarence. We should be talking about the impact of workers compensation, water reform, and taxes. New South Wales is the highest taxed State in Australia. Bearing in mind the impact of those taxes, the honourable member for Murray-Darling has plenty of work to do.

Mr MARTIN (Bathurst) [4.12 p.m.]: I am delighted to support the motion moved by the honourable member for Murray-Darling. After listening to 10 minutes of drivel from the other side, we can now get the debate back on track. A simple question to the disappearing honourable member for Murrumbidgee is: Do you support New South Wales growers or Chilean growers? It took him 8½ minutes to make his point, and then he stumbled over it. Over the past four years the Government has raised major issues, including Philippine bananas, New Zealand apples and Californian grapes. Members on this side of the House have moved urgent motions imploring the other side to use its influence with the Federal Government to get a sensible outcome, but members of the National Party had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the lectern to talk about them.

Today we saw another example of that. There is a great diversity of opinion between the National Party and the Liberal Party. The National Party at the State and Federal levels demonstrates time and again that it has no influence in Coalition governments. A living example of that is Alby Schultz, who would be known to most members of this House: he served here and then went to the Federal Parliament as a Liberal. He holds the seat of Hume, which is centred on Cootamundra. In this past week he has spoken out against the privatisation of Telstra. All he got for his trouble—

Mr Maguire: Point of order: Recently you ruled on relevance in this debate. The honourable member for Bathurst is straying outside the motion. I ask you to draw him back to it.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! I am sure that the honourable member for Bathurst will keep his remarks within the leave of the motion.

Mr MARTIN: For the edification of my good friend the honourable member for Wagga Wagga, this point is crucial to the debate. We want the National Party to use its influence with the Liberal-dominated Federal Government. When Alby Schultz stood up against the privatisation of Telstra, against his Government, the honourable member for Burrinjuck reprimanded him. In that regard, an AAP Newswire by Linda McSweeny stated:

The best part is to come. The newswire continued:

He will not do that; he does not have a death wish. That is that sort of division in the Coalition that is central to the problems we now have. There is no co-operation in the Coalition on this matter. The Government wants the Coalition to use its influence with its Liberal Party and National Party colleagues in Canberra, Mark Vaile and Warren Truss, and tell them this is a nonsense. Let us stick up for the grape growers in Australia, not those in Chile. Let us get a level playing field before we give the Chileans a free kick. Week after week the Government raises these types of matter, but we do so in a spirit of political bipartisanship. We are noted for that on this side of the House.

We want to embrace our brothers opposite and ask them to join us in defending the grape industry, the wine industry, the apple industry and the banana industry. It is timely that members opposite, especially the National Party members, use what little influence they have. They should stiffen their tails and try to wag the dog. It is as simple as that. John Anderson harangued them about deregulation of the dairy industry, but they had no influence in relation to that and now the industry is in a mess. Country Labor is still battling for the dairy farmers, and examples of that have been given in the past couple of days. Despite what the honourable member for Wagga Wagga said, the use of political influence is central to this debate. We in Country Labor would be happy to accompany our colleagues opposite on a deputation to Canberra and put the case for the grape growers, to stop the rort of Chilean grapes coming into this country and costing us jobs and income. We already know what deregulation has done to the dairy industry. I challenge members opposite to join us on a deputation to Canberra to turn this around.

Mr ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Lynch): Order! It being after 4.15 p.m. business is interrupted for the taking of private members' statements.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

_________

DEATH OF MRS JOY CUMMINGS

Mr GAUDRY (Newcastle—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.18 p.m.]: My Hunter Labor parliamentary colleagues and I were saddened yesterday to hear the news of the death of our friend, colleague, and much loved former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Joy Cummings. It is my privilege as the honourable member for Newcastle to honour her memory today and celebrate the great legacy of her years of leadership as Lord Mayor of our city. On behalf of my colleagues I extended condolences to Margaret, Helen, Cathy, Ray and the extended Cummings family clan who shared Joy with us during her public career and cared for her lovingly in the period since the stroke that took her from public office in 1984. Joy Cummings was a trailblazer in local government in Newcastle and Australia, being the first woman in Australia to be elected as Lord Mayor. She was elected in 1974, after six years as the lone female alderman on Newcastle City Council, following her election as the Labor councillor for the east ward in 1968.

Joy Cummings entered politics as an environmental campaigner. The great row of Moreton Bay figs that border Islington Park on Maitland Road, Islington, are a reminder of Joy's initial campaign to enter local government. In 1973 Joy was involved in community action to try to save Birdwood Park, Newcastle, in the face of the proposed extension of Kings Street. Joy strongly believed that council failed the local community when that project went ahead. The 1974 elections saw a strong response from the community to council's decision and Joy Cummings was elected as Lord Mayor. She was returned the following year and was then popularly elected by the Newcastle community for three successive terms, which clearly demonstrated the love the community had for Joy Cummings.

Joy had a vision for the city of Newcastle. She knew that Newcastle was able to be transformed into a green and people-friendly city. Joy also had a fantastic capacity to communicate with people at all levels. She understood that local communities wanted to be involved in council's decision-making process. Under her great leadership the areas of Cooks Hill and Newcastle East were not transformed into a succession of high-rise buildings but retained their heritage value and now form a notable part of the heritage city of Newcastle. Joy also promoted the community group movement and was involved with the Cooks Hill resident group, the Hill resident group, the Merewether resident group, the Civic Association and burgeoning environmental movements in the area. I refer in particular to the former northern parks and playground movement, which is now called the parks and playground movement, under the leadership of Doug Lithgow.

Joy was aware of the need to draw the community together—one of her great achievements as Lord Mayor. As I said earlier, Joy was returned as Lord Mayor in three successive elections until she left office in 1984 as a result of a tragic and severe stroke. Joy Cummings left our city with a tremendous legacy—Blackbutt Reserve and its extension into Richley Reserve, the saving of Civic Park, the Newcastle East plan and, in particular, the Harbour Foreshore Park, which is a tribute to Joy. Joy was a member of the Bicentenary Advisory Committee. Her drive and the work of Allan Morris resulted in the foreshore competition and the preservation of the wonderful harbour foreshore. Joy Cummings, a great leader and someone who was able to communicate with all levels of society, will be sadly missed. We honour her and applaud her for the impact that she had on the city of Newcastle.

Ms MEGARRITY (Menai) [4.23 p.m.]: I am sure all honourable members will join the honourable member for Newcastle in mourning the passing of Joy Cummings, a courageous and determined woman. It could be said of Joy that she was ahead of her time in many respects. Her involvement in civic affairs and her concern for the environment were unusual for that time. We can only wonder what she might have gone on to achieve if she had not had a tragic and severe stroke in 1984. The community of Newcastle and Newcastle civic affairs will be the sadder for her loss. However, we are glad that she was able to contribute so much in the time that she was with us.

HORNSBY AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Mrs HOPWOOD (Hornsby) [4.24 p.m.]: This afternoon I speak proudly about the achievements of Hornsby and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry [HDCCI]. I am a member of that chamber—I have been a member since my election—and I recognise the important role that it plays in the Hornsby electorate. Greg Bepper, President of the Hornsby and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has worked tirelessly and energetically to promote the aims of businesses and individuals that belong to the chamber and that are a relevant part of the wider community. Greg has a great team to assist him, including his secretary, Michael Crouch. The group, which has a social conscience, works hard on many projects. The web page of the HDCCI is something to behold. Greg Bepper established and manages that web page. I am amazed at the amount of information to be found there.

A number of members have recently been honoured with centenary medals. Denis Jenkins received a medal for service to applied cognitive research for learning, rehabilitation and corporate compliance, Wendy Escott, OAM, received a medal for service to the community through the disabled, Sue Byatt received a medal for service to people with disabilities and Kathie Comb received a medal for service to the community through journalism. Brooke, who works with Studio Arts, which is managed by Wendy Escott and Sue Byatt, does a fantastic job as its representative on the chamber of commerce. I refer to the sad passing of Brian Milligan, one of the valued members of the chamber. Brian, who was born in 1938, died suddenly in 2003. He is sadly missed. He was not only a member of the chamber of commerce; he was principal of the local Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community College, an important college in my local area..

Many people have participated in the courses that are available at that college. I am also a board member of the community college. Regular chamber networking meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month. For many years those meetings were held at the Blue Gum Hotel in Waitara but they are now held at the Asquith Rugby League Club in the Shamrock Inn, a brand new Irish bar. Regular business after-hours social gatherings are also held. Recently the chamber was honoured with the 2003 State Chamber of Commerce award: the Best Chamber Initiatives—Business Education Award. That fantastic project, which is spearheaded by Greg and his team, comprises a weekly session on 2HHH FM, our local community radio station. A number of people participate in that lively and varied program. The first session is broadcast on Tuesday and it is repeated on Thursday at 12 noon. The chamber is also involved in other projects. Last year, the Pollies for Small Business program was hosted by the chamber, a program in which I participated and in which I was involved for three days. Other projects include the Look for the Signs campaign, the HDCCI 2003 member of the year and Women in Business Networking, a new innovation that holds regular monthly meetings for female business owners, employees and executives. I will be speaking at its next meeting. The chamber also hosts a program entitled Community Business Awards. I have the honour of judging those awards this year. Our local newspaper, the Hornsby Advocate, is also involved in that project.

Another fantastic project in which the chamber is involved is the Junior Chamber of Commerce, which is being revamped in the Hornsby area. The Vice-President of the International Junior Chamber, Nassar Khan from Bangladesh, and the Australian Junior Chamber national development officer, Karen Smythe, recently visited our Chamber of Commerce. In the 1950s the Hornsby chamber of commerce was instrumental in the formation of most of the junior chambers in the Sydney region. The Hornsby chamber is also involved with other local groups such as Rotary clubs and the local police and community youth club. The chamber also played a sponsorship role in the 2002 Hornsby cycle grand prix, which had Sean Eadie as its ambassador. The Hornsby chamber of commerce also hosts networking functions such as business breakfasts. Mr Ken Lee, chairman of the Bing Lee organisation, recently presented a fridge to Mr Denis Jenkins of 2HHH FM. The chamber also has available many products ranging from cups with the chamber's logo to computer and boardroom hire.

EAST TIMORESE COMMUNITY EVENTS

Mr LYNCH (Liverpool) [4.29 p.m.]: I wish to report to the House recent and forthcoming events in the East Timorese community. The East Timorese community in south-west Sydney is a significant community both numerically and in terms of its presence. That is particularly true of the community in Liverpool. In fact, in 1999 Liverpool was one of only two places in New South Wales where Timorese people could vote in the independence referendum held at that time. Before 1999 Liverpool was a base for two people who are now Ministers in the Government of the Democratic Republic of East Timor: Estanislau Da Silva and Jose Ramos-Horta. Liverpool continues to be home to many East Timorese, such as Carlos Da Costa and Andre Monteiro.

A number of events important to the community have occurred recently. One was the launch by the Premier in this place of a book by James Dunn entitled East Timor: A Rough Passage to Independence. It is an important book and Dunn has been a knowledgeable advocate for the East Timorese for a lengthy period. That event was particularly important because the Premier declared his support for Timorese asylum seekers and their campaign to remain in Australia. I raised that issue in this place on 21 May this year and I am delighted to advise the House that two of those whom I mentioned in my speech, Afonso Cham and his family and Ana Paula Mok, have been informed by the Federal authorities that they will be allowed to remain in Australia.

Another significant event was the East Timor Independence Celebration Committee dinner held on 23 May in Fairfield to celebrate the first anniversary of East Timorese independence. The event was supported by a large number of community groups, including the Timorese Australia Council, Timorese Active Seniors Group, Timorese Chinese Association, Timorese Chinese Middle Age Association and Sydney Alliance Sports Club. The master of ceremonies on the night was Carlos Pereira, and the East Timor ambassador designate to Australia, Jorge Da Conceicao Teme, delivered a speech. He comes from the Oecussi Enclave and was elected to the National Assembly as a member of Fretilin from that enclave, with a vote in excess of 90 per cent. His mother, a Fretilin militant, was killed by the Indonesians in the mid-1970s. Andrew McNaughton also spoke at the event as a representative of Australian-based solidarity movements. Others present at the dinner included my friends Victor Lay and Eusebio Sam; Sister Josephine Mitchell—to whom I refer irreverently as Comrade Sister—from the Mary MacKillop Institute of East Timorese Studies; Filomena Whitcher from the Timorese Australia Council; and Natalina Ramos-Horta, known as Dona Natalina, who is Jose's mother.

Another event of significance to the Timorese community occurred on 8 June to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Timorese Chinese Association of New South Wales. That association was established by Timorese Chinese who fled Timor when the Indonesians invaded. I was invited to the event by the association's president, Tony Von. Some important visitors from Timor attended the event, including Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, a member of Fretilin and of the Timorese Parliament. He is the President of the Economics and Finance Commission. Another extraordinary guest at the event was Francisco Xavier Do Amaral, the first President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor in November 1975. He turned up without warning at an event in Fairfield in June this year. He has had an extraordinary life.

He joined the resistance forces after the invasion in 1975, eventually fell into the hands of the Indonesians and was held prisoner—he was effectively forced to be a servant for an Indonesian military commander in Bali and Jakarta—for several decades. He then re-emerged at a political level after independence and sought and gained election to the National Assembly. He then ran as the alternative candidate to Xanana in the election in April last year at which Xanana was elected. It is fascinating that someone of Francisco's significance could endure what he did and emerge as a presidential candidate 30 years later. The ambassador and the Consul-General were also present at the event.

On 9 July, next week, there is another event of particular significance to the East Timorese community: the official opening of the Consulate-General of Timor-Leste in Sydney. In a sense, the establishment of separate diplomatic representation in cities such as Sydney crowns the proclamation of East Timor's independence. I will certainly attend that event, and I look forward to it. It is an extraordinary testament to the courage of the East Timorese people that they have maintained their desire for independence through three decades of oppression and occupation. They withstood the events of 1999 and are now in the process of establishing themselves as an independent nation. It gives me great pleasure that so many of their supporters are also my constituents.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.34 p.m.]: The East Timorese community in the Liverpool area is proud and vibrant. The East Timorese people have suffered extraordinary hardship and turmoil in their homeland, and I am also pleased to acknowledge in this place the first anniversary of their independence. The honourable member for Liverpool has been a tireless advocate of East Timorese independence, which he has referred to many times in this place. I congratulate the honourable member on his hard work and determination in assisting the East Timorese people both in their homeland and in his electorate of Liverpool.

ROAD CYCLING EVENTS

Mr ARMSTRONG (Lachlan) [4.34 p.m.]: There has been much comment lately—I know that the Minister for Police has addressed this matter—about cycle races held on public roads. I believe it is important to add to the discussion on the cusp of the winter parliamentary recess because in the next few months many organisations will face the dilemma of whether to plan their regular cycle races. Section 40 of the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999 clearly states that the only member of the New South Wales Police Force who is able to approve a pushbike race, as defined in section 40, is the Commissioner of Police. Under delegated authority, the only other officer able to give this approval is a region commander. Assistant Commissioner Collins is commander in the southern region, of which the Cootamundra Local Area Command in my electorate is part.

The period of eight weeks was stated initially to allow clubs sufficient time to prepare and submit the relevant traffic management plans to the appropriate bodies so that any observations and subsequent approval could be gained prior to the event being held. The "Process of Application" clearly sets out the chain of command that is to be followed to ensure the success of an application. As the subsequent application is forwarded to Wollongong for inspection and approval by Commander Collins, one must expect a reasonable amount of time to be provided to process the file and return it to the relevant command for dissemination to the appropriate authorities. The "Process of Application" requires pushbike organisations to be more vigilant in pre-planning their yearly calendar of events and to adopt the principles of traffic management.

The basis of traffic management is ensuring that a minimum standard of traffic control is adopted to ensure the safety of event participants and of the general public. With the appropriate pre-planning, the cycle organisation can reduce significantly the eight-week approval period, depending on the quality of traffic management plans. Any vehicle that traverses a public road must abide by the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act. When a group of cyclists is racing it is not uncommon for them to bump into one another, and if an accident occurs on a public road it attracts exactly the same penalty considerations as an accident involving two motor vehicles. For instance, if I bumped into another car while driving my car both drivers could be fined and our vehicle insurance would undoubtedly be affected to some extent. It is the same for cyclists.

However, under the Act on any public road in New South Wales—except for those that have been gazetted temporarily or permanently as not being able to be traversed by bicycles or ridden animals such as horses—unregistered bicycle riders have right of way. That is a contradiction and the Police Force is in an invidious position. It is clearly compromised to some extent by the conflict in the Act and both its historical administration and modern interpretation. The police position is made more difficult by the consequences of public liability insurance. Thus police in Lake Cargelligo have demanded a $50-million public liability insurance policy to allow a street parade, let alone a bicycle race, on a public road.

I draw particular attention to the annual bicycle ride from Cootamundra to Springvale and back. It has been held for 40-odd years and traverses public country roads where many property owners have the right of ingress and egress. It is all very well to close a road for an event but we cannot legally stop a person from entering or leaving his or her property. That right is enshrined in our land title. Ownership of Crown land confers the right of free and unencumbered ingress and egress. I call upon the Government to move urgently during the recess—I am confident that the Minister is addressing this issue—to garner the necessary support and resolve this impasse. The law in this case is moving far slower than society.

I ask that immediate action be taken and that legislative interpretations be clarified. Responsibilities must also be defined clearly. The police, who are public servants, should not have to be the ultimate arbitrators and administer an Act that is clearly outdated.

ST MARYS HOUSE, CAMPSIE, TENTH ANNIVERSARY

Ms BURNEY (Canterbury) [4.39 p.m.]: Last week I attended the tenth anniversary celebrations of St Mary's House, Campsie. It was an occasion of great celebration and humility. I am lucky to have this vital organisation in my electorate. I acknowledge that I was granted leave from this House to attend the function. The members of St Mary's House have made mercy their life's mission. The people at the celebration warmly welcomed Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales. The Governor spoke beautifully about loving one another and looking after one another. One of the great treasures of my first day in this House, which I hold dear, is a photograph of the Governor with the honourable member for Heathcote and me.

St Mary's House is a centre of hospitality and outreach. It offers community service by the Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta. Sister Mary McInerney, who headed the organisation from 1993, is an institution in Parramatta and also in Campsie, and has almost reached sainthood status. I remember I was told by the city council when I first started in Canterbury that she is one of those people to whom one cannot say "no". St Mary's House is now under the leadership of Sister Josephine, who took the reins in 2002. Sister Josephine is assisted by Sister Judy and Sister Christine and a devoted volunteer army of 62, many of whom have been there for several years. That emphasises how special St Mary's House is. St Mary's House produces a newsletter with a circulation of approximately 400. It provides approximately 135 meals per week and assists approximately 78 people per week. The organisation also provides support, low-cost housing for five families who receive a visit by the sisters once a week, and makes approximately 80 pastoral contacts a month.

As far as I am aware the organisation does not receive any government funding but relies on the generosity of individuals, groups and agencies within the community. The services offered by St Mary's House are diverse, far-reaching and tangible, and financial support is essential and, thankfully, forthcoming from the generous local community to ensure St Mary's House continues to provide its services. Other services provided by St Mary's House are advocacy, court support, spiritual development, visitation and pastoral support. They assist clients to fill in forms, conduct type-quick computer sessions, and offer students workplace experience and community service placements. English conversation classes are also conducted, and playgroup and craft classes are in place for leisure and pleasure.

St Mary's House has raised money by working at the Earlwood Fair, holding street stalls in Campsie, organising fashion parades, holding a dinner dance and producing and selling the 2003 St Mary's Outback calendar. Ten years is not a long time in the scheme of things, but St Mary's House has had a huge impact in the electorate of Canterbury and is well known and highly respected. It enjoys the support of everyone for the compassion and care extended to all who call on it for help. Its capacity to provide so much is motivating to families and the whole community. As the member for Canterbury, I extend to St Mary's House my support and best wishes for the future.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.44 p.m.]: It is an honour for me to congratulate St Mary's House on its tenth anniversary. I pay special tribute to Sister Mary McInerney, Sister Josephine, Sister Judy and Sister Christine for their hard work and dedication. There is always a gap between the community services and care that government provides, and what individual communities often require. I have the honour of serving the St George area, and I know that the electorates of St George and Canterbury have strong and vibrant community support organisations. They have many volunteers who look after the special needs of their community. St Mary's House provides meals, low-cost housing and community care on money it raises. I am happy to represent an electorate that is a neighbour of the Canterbury electorate. The honourable member for Canterbury is a hard-working representative who is dedicated to the provision of community services in her area. I congratulate her on her hard work.

ALBURY GANG SHOW

Mr APLIN (Albury) [4.46 p.m.]: Last Friday night I attended a most exciting and exuberant stage production, the Albury Gang Show. Gang shows are an Australian phenomenon of English origin dating back some 70 years. A performance was staged by a Scout troop. Someone commented that the whole gang was there, and the name stuck. The production is a variety concert presented by Scouts and Guides—a professional production performed by kids rather than adults. This is the thirty-eighth year that the Albury Gang Show has been held. The first show was staged back in 1965. No other stage production has run for so long in Albury. The first director was Laurie Haberfield, a dedicated and inspirational leader who has been involved as director every year since 1965, but at this year's show he announced his retirement. I pay tribute to the magnificent efforts of Laurie Haberfield and his team. He has led more than 2,400 members of the Scouts and Guides movements in an annual show that has delighted thousands of people in the Albury region.

Mr Ian Elworthy has long been a member of the management team. He now takes on the role of director, which is no small responsibility. There are approximately 70 cast members and a further 60 who help backstage with costumes, scenery, props, makeup, music and direction. Rehearsals begin some six months before the production date. There is skit writing, musical preparation, costuming, and, of course, the props, before they move into the Albury Performing Arts Centre to rehearse on stage before a hoped-for crowd of some 800 people, as it was in the old days. Mr Ian Elworthy said that the reasons for running the Gang Show are:

Unlike some of us!

Gang Show

Mr Elworthy said that the show also had the positive spin-off of bringing together Scouts and Guides from the area, who may not have had the chance to meet if it were not for the show. Many friendships are formed through the show each year, and a lot of the kids keep coming back. Some of the adults actually take the week off work before the show because there is so much to do. The Scouts and Guides come from Albury, Howlong, Corowa and across the border from Wodonga, Beechworth—in fact, the whole region. Next year it is hoped that we can encourage the Wagga Wagga Scouts and Guides to be part of the Gang Show. But there is cause for concern—the Gang Show may not survive the ever-increasing costs of staging such a production. It is becoming harder and harder to fill the theatre.

The Gang Show is a not-for-profit organisation. No-one is paid a wage or receives any form of payment or remuneration. I am told that they are actually losing money. Expenses are up, and income is down. They are trying their best to keep the show going for the benefit of youth members. If they break even this year, then there will be another Gang Show next year. If they post a loss, they say, the Albury Gang Show sadly will close. They have used up all of the previous funds accumulated from their heydays. In this year's show there were 16 musicians of all ages, led by musical director Sam McDade. He was the partner of the lively Mim, who performed in almost every single skit I saw last Friday night. His assistant was Alex Barry, but most of the leaders performed several duties. Alex, for example, also wrote a few of the skits and performed in one of them. He did the program design and the photography, and was on the production team as well as playing in the band. Sam had an equally long list of roles.

This is a truly family affair. It is very common to see the parents and children in a family all work and play together in the show, either in front of the audience or backstage. That is the strength of community events like the Gang Show. Funds are raised through a combination of sponsorship—perhaps by local radio and television stations—and through businesses in Corowa, Wodonga and Albury. Naturally, tickets are sold, but not nearly as many as there were in the old days. And there are, of course, donations. Several of the children made short statements in the program about their feelings about the Gang Show. They talked about making friends, having fun and getting used to being on stage in front of lots of people. But one stands out. Amanda Harrison, 14, is a participant who loves the singing and the dancing. She says, "I feel confident now after my first time on stage." Amanda is deaf. Long live the Gang Show.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.51 p.m.]: I thank the honourable member for Albury for bringing to the attention of the House the Albury Gang Show. It is fantastic that a community is so supportive of its young people and encourages them to become involved in the arts. The Premier is renowned for his support of the arts and of the pursuits of young people in those areas. As the honourable member for Albury said, the show encourages young people and gives them confidence, which is most beneficial not only now but when they grow up. It is an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The performers and the people who attend the shows gain a great sense of community. I too pay tribute to Amanda Harrison for the fine example she set. We wish her well in the future. I commend Laurie Haberfield and all in the community for their commitment to youth in the area. I congratulate the Albury Gang Show on its first 38 years and wish them many more.

WILD DOG CONTROL

Mr WHAN (Monaro) [4.52 p.m.]: I would speak about an important Carr Government initiative in working with local rural lands protection boards in Cooma and national parks to tackle the problem of wild dogs in the Monaro. Over many years Monaro farmers have had problems with wild dogs taking stock. I am pleased to say that more recent efforts are proving successful. For the past two years the Cooma Rural Lands Protection Board has been working with stakeholders to develop plans based on the Brindabella methodology to tackle the wild dogs problem. This process accepts that wild dogs and other feral pests do not recognise borders. They cross the borders of national parks into private lands, so that all land tenures need to be covered by the one strategy. So far, that strategy is having an excellent impact. Figures recently released by the Cooma Rural Lands Protection Board show that in its area the number of sheep killed in 2001 was 950, and in 2002 it had dropped to 432. On figures so far available, it appears that the number will drop again this year.

It is interesting to contrast this very successful result with the rather ridiculous headline in today's Daily Telegraph. This would have to be termed an exaggerated article. It is headed "Marauding superdogs rule in the mountains". Obviously it is in the interests of the Daily Telegraph to have such dramatic and wild headlines. But if that newspaper were to look seriously at the progress being made in the area, it would know that landowners are working well with rural lands protection boards to tackle the problem. That sort of headline is an insult to the efforts of people in rural lands protection boards who are out there recruiting trappers to ensure the problem is dealt with.

I am pleased to say that the budget delivered last week by the Government put up an additional $800,000 for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to combat wild dogs and other feral pest species. That $800,000, the bulk of which is going to the Monaro area, is the first part of a $6.7 million increase in funds over the next four years to combat wild dogs and other feral pest species in the Monaro and the rest of New South Wales. It is a very important commitment and one which, when announced prior to the election, was welcomed almost universally by people in the Monaro region. It will see the recruitment of many additional trappers, and plans for 16 different areas to tack this wild dog problem. The feedback I have been getting in my region from those who know what they are talking about is that they expect the plan, when put into place, to dramatically reduce sheep kills by wild dogs. They expect that plan to be extremely successful. I am very pleased with the co-operation on this plan by various organisations in the region, led by the rural lands protection boards and their committees.

Interestingly, that $6.7 million increase over the next four years brings the amount that the Government is spending around the State to a total that is 16 times more than the amount spent in the last four years of the previous Coalition Government. So it is fair to say that what we are seeing in the Monaro is the best ever effort to eradicate wild dogs and other feral pest species from our region. I am proud of that commitment and I am pleased that I will have the opportunity over the next four years to work with the people of the Monaro to ensure the money is spent in the right places, and that there is effective co-operation between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the rural lands protection boards and the landowners to enable this important problem to be tackled, so that landowners and farmers in the region do not suffer the economic loss caused by wild dogs killing their stock.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.56 p.m.]: I thank the honourable member for Monaro for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. I am advised that the project is working well not just in Cooma but in other areas, such as Wee Jasper, Brindabella and Tumbarumba. This is a great example of the Government, the rural lands protection boards, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, landowners and the community coming together and working co-operatively to try to resolve a problem that has been having a devastating effect on rural areas.

As for the headline in the Daily Telegraph, all honourable members know that usually the media is all about getting a headline. In many instances the media go to extraordinary lengths to get a headline, often misreporting and exaggerating information it is given. In the instant case, it can be quite devastating and irresponsible to run such an article. I think this has been a very unwise move by the Daily Telegraph. As the honourable member for Monaro said, this project is working. I look forward to the expansion of the program so that we might finally get on top of the wild dogs and feral animals issue. I take this opportunity to commend the honourable member for Monaro on his hard work and dedication to his community and being a driving force behind this issue.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND OFFICE OF THE PROTECTIVE COMMISSIONER

Mr STONER (Oxley—Leader of the National Party) [4.58 p.m.]: Today I wish to bring to the attention of the House serious concerns that have been raised with me by a number of constituents, in my electorate of Oxley. A range of serious complaints have been made against the Office of the Public Guardian and the Office of the Protective Commissioner by a large number of people. The people making the complaints have relatives whose affairs are under the control of the Public Guardian and the Protective Commissioner. I note the New South Wales Government web site states:

The Office of the Public Guardian exists to promote the rights and interests of people with disabilities through the practice of guardianship, advocacy and education.

In relation to the Protective Commissioner the web site states:

Unfortunately, the people who have approached me certainly would not support these descriptions of the roles of the Office of the Public Guardian [OPG] and the Office of the Protective Commissioner [OPC]. They have variously described to me their experiences as harrowing, disturbing, non-consultative and downright arrogant. The people this office is dealing with and representing are the vulnerable and socially isolated; they certainly are not used to dealing with a major and secretive bureaucracy. This is despite an October 2001 report of the Parliament's Public Bodies Review Committee entitled "Personal Effects: a Review of the Offices of the Public Guardian and the Protective Commissioner". This report followed a performance audit into the OPC and OPG complaints and review processes conducted by the New South Wales Audit Office in 1999. I note that in 2001 the Sunday program investigated this body, an agency of the Attorney General's Department, and concluded on its web site with the following remarks:

Since our story went to air, the Parliamentary committee finally released its report—a report essentially sidelined by the NSW Government. There were small victories—like the main recommendation to separate the OPC/OPG from the Supreme Court.

During that report the Chair of the committee, the honourable member for Swansea, put it this way:

Although I understand that this Government has accepted most of the recommendations of the report, I wonder just how much has changed on a day-to-day basis for those most affected by the actions of the Office of the Public Guardian and the Office of the Protective Commissioner. I will turn to some of the specific complaints I have received, while respecting the privacy of those who have made them. In one case the daughter of an elderly lady in a nursing home at Tamworth claims that she has been denied access to her mother. She has told me that her mother has been administered medication against her will. She has listed many breaches that have deeply distressed her. On Monday this week she attempted to take her mother out of the home, but she was denied access for this purpose.

Among the complaints she has made are: inappropriately administered medication, failure to properly revise medication, failure to appropriately supervise, and failure to properly diagnose. Another constituent in the Ballina electorate, whose wife is under the care of the Office of the Public Guardian and the Office of the Protective Commissioner, has been deeply distressed by their predicament. He has told me that the Guardianship Tribunal has all of her property and assets under its control, and that she has had no income for two years. In another case, a North Coast constituent has told me that the Northern Rivers Aged Care Assessment Team has applied to the Guardianship Tribunal to have him removed as his mother's power of attorney and enduring guardian, despite her wishes to the contrary.

He has been deeply disturbed by their attempt to place her in an aged care hostel because his mother would be forced to sell her home to pay the $93,000 bond. The Office of the Public Guardian and the Office of the Protective Commissioner still seem unaccountable for their actions, as attested to by the many complaints that I and other honourable members have received. Although the problems with these offices seem to have been exposed, it would appear that much work still needs to be done to increase their transparency and communication with those on whom their activities impact. I urge the Government to revisit the operation of the OPG and OPC, in particular their wide powers and lack of accountability. The many distressed family members throughout the State deserve far better than the short shrift they are getting from the system. They deserve a comprehensive and serious response from this Government.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.03 p.m.]: I take the honourable member's comments on board. These organisations exist to assist people in the community with disabilities. They should not cause them any sort of distress. If the honourable member wants to pass on his complaints I would be happy to pass them on to the Minister.

BROTHER JOHN CURRY JUBILEE

Mrs PERRY (Auburn) [5.04 p.m.]: I draw the attention of the House to the jubilee celebrations of the Sydney province of the Marist Brothers this Sunday. Marist Brothers from all over Australia and their families will celebrate the life-long commitment—jubilee—of Marist Brothers. Among this group is one brother to whom I wish to pay tribute and acknowledge. I wish to read the name of Brother John Curry onto the record of the New South Wales Parliament. I acknowledge his presence in the gallery today, as I do the presence of Brother Paul Bailey, who is also celebrating his jubilee and is a friend and classmate of Brother John Curry, and Brother Julian Hakumin, who is here from Bougainville for the celebrations.

Brother John was born and educated in Newcastle. After completing the Higher School Certificate, John Curry made the unselfish choice of a lifetime religious vocation. His vocation followed the charisma and teachings of St Marcellin Champagnat. As a young brother at the novitiate at Mittagong, the discipline of prayer, service and teaching was instilled and developed. After graduating from the Australian Catholic University at Strathfield, John was stationed at Parramatta Marist High School, the oldest Catholic high school in Australia. The transfer to Chanel College in Gladstone, Queensland, was a time of formation and advancement of his teaching skills. In 1987 John was moved to St Gregory's College, Campbelltown, where the current member for Campbelltown, Graham West, was in his year 8 history class.

After 1987, in the true spirit of the evangelists, John completed two years at St Francis Xavier High School in Kairiru, New Guinea. He returned to Sydney in 1990 after a short time at Marist College, Pearce. John returned to Kairiru, and then spent 12 months on the island of Bougainville at the conclusion of the civil war. While he was in Bougainville he contributed to the rebuilding of the school and the education of a generation who knew the tactics of war as opposed to acquiring knowledge, numeracy and literacy. Boys would literally walk out of the jungle, drop their guns and resume school. I also recall one evening at home John telling us how he was shot at in a helicopter. A chill ran through my body. I am glad that we still have John with us. John also made key contributions to the formation of the religious education curriculum for New Guinea.

When John returned to Sydney in 1997 he spent his time at Parramatta Marist High School. Once again, he has made a major contribution to the education of young students in Western Sydney. There is no doubt that any boys who have been taught by Brother John Curry were not only instructed in the curriculum but were influenced by his virtues of humility, simplicity, modesty and social justice. John will always make sure that each individual student is afforded the same opportunities as the other students. I join with Brother Patrick Howlett, Principal of Parramatta Marist High School, the brothers of the Lavalla community at Westmead, and the staff and students at Parramatta Marist to congratulate Brother John on his silver jubilee of vocation to the Marist Brothers.

To his mother, Mrs Joyce Curry, brother, Ian, sister-in-law, Lana, and nephews Liam, Eli and Jed, many thanks for the support and sacrifices you made to support John in his noble vocation. Finally, my personal thanks and congratulations to John—friend, confidant and loyal campaign worker. The next 25 years are just beginning. Good health, safe journey and blessings as you continue your religious studies in Rome and the United States of America in 2004. New South Wales and the Marist Brothers eagerly await your return to the Marist schools of the Sydney province. I also congratulate the Marist Brothers on the great contribution made by their religious community to the education of the youth of New South Wales since 1872. The noble Marist schools of New South Wales are testament to the vision of the founder, Marcellin Champagnat. To all the brothers who celebrate their jubilees, congratulations and thank you for your dedication.

Mr WEST (Campbelltown—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.09 p.m.]: As one of Brother John Curry's former year 8 history students I join the honourable member for Auburn in congratulating him on his silver jubilee. The study of year 8 history was probably one of my more memorable times, and it has served me well. John was instrumental in that instruction. I congratulate him and the other members of the Marist community on their fine work serving the youth of Australia and internationally. I wish him much more success in the future.

SYDNEY NORTH-WEST LIONS CLUB

Mr TINK (Epping) [5.09 p.m.]: I add my congratulations to the Marist College, Eastwood, which is a fine teaching institution in my electorate. Recently the charter of the Sydney North-West Lions Club was conferred in Carlingford, which is in my electorate. I note the presence in the Chamber of the honourable member for Parramatta, who sent a congratulatory note to the club on 24 May, the club's charter night. As the honourable member well knows, a significant resurgence has occurred in the Lions Club movement. A great deal of that resurgence is the result of various ethnic groups becoming involved in club activity, which is a fantastic development. The Sydney North-West Lions Club represents the Chinese community in north-western Sydney.

The charter evening was astonishing in the sense that there were no fewer than 54 charter members who are members of the Chinese community in attendance. I pay tribute to those who sponsored the club and helped get it off the ground. In that context, I mention the Carlingford-Dundas Lions Club, the club's president, Jack McDonald, and Clem Cawley and Brian Curran, who were of great assistance in enabling the Sydney North-West Lions Club to become established. The charter officers of the club are the president, Solo So, the first vice-president, Philip Chan, the second vice-president, Michael Guan, the third vice-president, May Leung, the secretary, James Ng, the treasurer, Carol Guan, and the director of fundraising, Simon Tam.

The charter evening was held at a restaurant in Carlingford that is co-owned by Solo So. The function was extraordinary. One of the things that most impressed me was the tremendous support given by Lions Clubs right throughout Sydney, especially by Lions Clubs in the north-western areas of Sydney. The function was part of the revitalisation of the Lions Club movement. At the end of the day, all those clubs are working in the interests of the community. During the function, an auction was conducted and the astonishing amount of $9,000 was raised on the spot. As all honourable members know, members of the Chinese community are extraordinarily generous at auctions and fundraising events, and this event was no exception.

I hope I will not be misunderstood when I say that sometimes there is a reluctance on the part of the members of the Chinese community to fully participate in the activities of the more traditional Anglo-Celtic communities, such as school events at a community or parents and citizens association level. What pleased me enormously about this event was that this group has really begun to move into charity and volunteer work for the broader community. I cannot say often enough how pleased I am with that development. The members of the club are taking a keen interest in some local charities that deserve to be supported, and they are adopting an expansive and broad-based view of being involved in a whole range of activities, not just activities that are restricted to the Chinese community. That is a significant turn of events in north-western Sydney. I do not know of any similar occurrence in the greater metropolitan area of Sydney. It is a development that is greatly welcomed.

The club's president, Solo So, is providing extraordinary leadership. It is the nature of these clubs that the members are friends, relatives, and to some extent business partners. Some business partners are involved in this club, but it is a network of friends within the community who have gathered together to put the club into gear and get it going. I congratulate them. I particularly congratulate the president, Solo So, all the office-bearers and members of the Carlingford-Dundas Lions Club for making it possible for the charter to be conferred. The club has a bright future. Community efforts of this type are the key to the future for north-western Sydney because they widen the fabric of the community by participation of a whole range of ethnic groups, and that is most welcome.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.14 p.m.]: I am pleased to endorse the remarks of the honourable member for Epping, who referred to the charter function for the Sydney North-West Lions Club. I thank all the sponsors involved, particularly the Carlingford-Dundas Lions Club. I pay a special tribute to the members of the club for raising $9,000 at the function. In the Kogarah electorate I have vibrant Rotary and Lions clubs, which offer great support and assistance to the community. For example, there is a big renal dialysis unit in my electorate. A bus was purchased for the patients who use the unit. Rotary and the Lions Club raised the money to pay for a full-time driver and to meet its maintenance and recurrent costs. The bus gives a great deal of assistance to local dialysis patients.

I also support the comments made by the honourable member for Epping in relation to the Chinese community. Approximately 12 per cent of my constituents are from mainland China, and they are a vibrant part of my electorate. They have huge community groups, but they tend to keep to themselves. However, I have noticed that members of the Chinese community are becoming involved in mainstream community activities in my electorate, and that is really encouraging. I wish the Sydney North-West Lions Club the best of luck for the future. I look forward to hearing more reports of its success in the future in this House.

ANZAC COVE WORLD HERITAGE LISTING

Ms GADIEL (Parramatta) [5.16 p.m.]: I place on record the support of my communities for the Turkish Government's initiative to try to have Anzac Cove secured as a World Heritage listing. Since the announcement last weekend, my office has received numerous phone calls welcoming the announcement. To think that the land of Anzac Cove in Gallipoli—all those years ago, a bloodstained reminder of the horrors of war—could now become a symbol of peace for generations of children who have not even been born yet is truly remarkable. I am not the great-granddaughter of an Anzac; none of my relatives fought at Anzac Cove. However, I am a proud daughter of Australia, and that is why I am proud. I am proud of our Anzacs and of the Anzac tradition. It is fitting that Anzacs be remembered with the respect that they so richly deserve. I refer to the superb words uttered by Turkish President Kemal Ataturk in 1935:

You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from faraway countries
Wipe away your tears
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well.

Those words are truly powerful and beautiful. Indeed, it is arguable that they made it possible for the Turkish Government to commence this initiative. However, actions speak louder than words, and now we are seeing the commitment of the Turkish people and their Government to the sentiments spoken so powerfully by Kemal Ataturk. I remember being a little girl in third grade at primary school. We learned to sing many songs, but the song I will never forget is The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Those words, "But as year follows year, more old men disappear, Someday no one will march there at all", even at the age of nine made me horrified to think that when the last Anzac died no-one would march any more.

This year was the first Anzac Day that we have celebrated with no Anzac alive. The passing of Alec Campbell was indeed a very sad day for all Australians. However, it is clear that even with his passing we will continue to remember them. Who could ever forget the image of Alec Campbell's 16-year-old great-granddaughter, Angie Claridge, sitting at dawn on the beach of the cove in Gallipoli on Anzac Day? Alec Campbell had been just 16 when he went off to war. This year Anzac Day services around the country were well attended by generations of Australians, and they all solemnly said:

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
we will remember them.

And we will remember them. The first official function I attended as the member for Parramatta was as a special guest to Parramatta North primary school's Anzac Day commemorations. More than 80 per cent of the children attending that school are from non-English speaking backgrounds. The children had been doing Anzac Day projects for weeks. Already, at the ages of 5 through to 12, I could see their pride and astonishment at what sacrifices Anzacs had made for our country. I have to say that as a newly elected member of the Carr Labor Government I was humbled by what I saw. It is fantastic to know that as a Government we are committed to ensuring that our generations of young people continue to learn about our Anzacs.

In 1999 the Carr Labor Government announced the compulsory study of World War I in schools. It has ensured that in years 7 to 10, 100 hours are devoted to twentieth century Australian history, including the history of Gallipoli and the Anzacs. In addition, the Carr Government made $10,000 scholarships available to New South Wales teachers to undertake study tours related to Australia's military history. I know that as a government we are doing our bit to ensure that the future generations of our children know and understand what the Anzacs did for us. It is magnificent that the Turkish Government is now trying to contribute so greatly as well. It means that our future generations will not only be able to remember our fallen Anzacs but will also be able to visit their resting place.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.20 p.m.]: I endorse the remarks made by the honourable member for Parramatta and I support the Turkish Government's efforts to secure World Heritage listing for Anzac Cove. I am the great-granddaughter of a colonel in the Light Horse Brigade and the granddaughter of a returned soldier. My grandfather was proud to have served in the war. As a result of my schooling and my family, I have a good understanding of the sacrifices that were made and how important Anzac Cove is. I am sure that the honourable member for Parramatta will relate to my wish to go to Anzac Cove one day. I hope to be able to take my children there one day, and I am sure that the honourable member would like to take her children there one day also. I acknowledge the comments of the honourable member about the efforts made by the Carr Labor Government to ensure that the legend of the Anzacs does not die. The Government has made sure that students are being taught about the Anzac legend in our schools, and that teachers are being given scholarships to enable them to gain a better understanding of the Anzacs and to experience Australian military history first hand.

RUSSELL CROWE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Mr FRASER (Coffs Harbour) [5.21 p.m.]: I inform the House of some good works done in my community of Coffs Harbour and in the adjoining community of Clarence. Oftentimes people in public office and those with a high profile are denigrated, probably because of the tall poppy syndrome. The good works I will refer to were carried out by a person who is not one of my constituents—he lives slightly outside my electorate. However, he does a tremendous amount of good work in my electorate and the surrounding areas. That person is one Russell Crowe, who is well known in Australia for his acting. In fact, to some extent he has put Coffs Harbour on the map. The general public is not aware of his work in the community. The school at Nana Glen, the village closest to his home, has needed a swimming pool for many years. This need was highlighted during the recent drought. Russell received permission from the Department of Education and Training and paid for a swimming pool to be constructed at the school. Out of his own pocket, he gave the children at the school and those in the district a swimming pool, saving them the 25-minute trip to the nearest beach or the town pool.

Russell, his father, Alex, Mrs Crowe and his brother Terry take an active interest in all community affairs. If a community meeting is held to discuss rural land planning, highway deviations or other matters often Alex, Terry and Mrs Crowe will be in the audience. They participate in a genuine, proactive and productive manner. Russell has been supportive of the Orara Valley Axemen, the local league team. He is often seen sitting among the crowd in the stand, supporting that team. He is as supportive of that team as he is of South Sydney Leagues Club. Through his connections at South Sydney, that team visited my electorate and held some training sessions for the local team and the local schoolchildren at Coranba Oval. Russell likes to have a beer at the Coranba pub—he is one of its few community members.

Of late, Russell has been supportive of the Ulong Ex-Services Club, which tragically lost its clubhouse by fire a few weeks ago. I thank the Government for allowing the club to transfer its licence to the local town hall and village green in order for it to continue trading. The club is the only focal point for residents of the town. Russell has paid for the establishment of a community scheme called Heart Start in the isolated towns of Glenreagh and Coranba. Under that scheme local people can be telephoned when someone has a heart problem or other serious medical emergency. Local community members are trained to lend assistance until such time as trained medical help arrives by way of ambulance or doctor.

I have given examples of some things that Russell and his family have done for the community. I was prompted to raise this matter by recent media comments about Russell and a little problem at the Coffs Harbour hotel quite a long while ago. I suppose it is easy for people to have a go at popular people, but it is rare that they get thanked for the good work they do behind the scenes. To Russell and his family I say thank you very much for the great job you do on behalf of the community, not only in the projects I have mentioned but in the dozens of other things you have done. I know that Russell always has his hand in his pocket for something for the community. I wish Russell and Danielle all the best for the future. It is as though they live in a goldfish bowl on their lovely property west of Nana Glen. I place my thanks and the community's thanks on the record for a great job well done. It is greatly appreciated by the community.

Miss BURTON (Kogarah—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.26 p.m.]: I support the comments of the honourable member for Coffs Harbour. On the weekend that Russell Crowe was married, my brother was also married in Coffs Harbour. I remember getting off the plane with all the paparazzi and I said to my brother, "Gee, you're popular up here!" Russell has contributed a lot to the community. I agree with the comment that high-profile people do not get the thanks they deserve for their community work. As noted earlier today, the media is intent on scandal and stories that sell newspapers and magazines. The media thinks that people are not interested in good stories about the nice things that people do or in recognising good things that people do. It is fitting that the honourable member for Coffs Harbour acknowledged on the parliamentary record the commitment of Russell Crowe and his family to the community. On behalf of the Government, I pass on our congratulations to him and his family on their support of the local community. That has not gone unnoticed, particularly by local residents.

DEATH OF MR FRASER SHANNON

Mr CORRIGAN (Camden) [5.28 p.m.]: Last Friday I was honoured to represent the Government and the Camden community at the funeral of Fraser Shannon, a Telstra Child Flight pilot. Fraser was killed when a helicopter he was flying on 20 June crashed at about 9.00 a.m. at Bents Basin, near Warragamba. Camden has a large aviation community and it turned out in force for the celebration service for Fraser at the Camden Civic Centre. Fraser was a popular resident of Tahmoor. He was only 42 years old. Although I did not know him personally, he was held in the highest regard in our aviation community. Fraser's boss, the chief pilot of Telstra Child Flight, Terry Mortimer, in an article in our local paper, stated:

Fraser left behind his wife, Priscilla, his sons, Cameron and Oliver, and his mother, Melvie. At the service we learned about Fraser's love for flying and his love for his family. Reverend Brian Stewart did a wonderful job on this sad occasion. As he said, it might be a harsh way to put things, but it was somewhat comforting that Fraser died doing something that he loved. I was impressed by the guard of honour that was formed by Fraser's flying colleagues, which included representatives from Telstra Child Flight, NRMA Careflight and the Westpac helicopter rescue service. I take this opportunity to read onto the parliamentary record the words of Dr John Morris, AO, chairman of the Telstra Child Flight board. Doctor Morris prepared the following handout for people who attended the service:

With Spirit and Courage

Fraser Shannon Lounge

I congratulate the pilots and medicos associated not only with Telstra Child Flight but also with NRMA Careflight and the Westpac helicopter rescue service. The work that they do is outstanding. I offer my commiserations to the family and friends of Fraser Shannon, who was taken from us as at too young an age. As the program said, he has "Gone Flying".

Miss BURTON (Kogarah) [5.32 p.m.]: I join with the honourable member for Camden in extending condolences to the family of Fraser Shannon.

SYDNEY BUSHFIRES

Mr RICHARDSON (The Hills) [5.33 p.m.]: All honourable members would recall the bushfires that struck Sydney in early December last year. On 5 December I drove back from Wellington, where I had been inspecting the proposed new gaol site. I drove through Kurrajong and as soon as I reached the top of the escarpment I could see out across The Hills electorate—and I saw a wall of smoke thousands of feet high. By the time I got to Windsor Road that wall of white smoke changed to black smoke. People's houses were exploding in puffs of black smoke. Many people died on that tragic occasion—a time when all of us gave thanks for the heroism of those who were prepared to fight those fires. In the Daily Telegraph of 6 December, the day after, Phil Koperburg described the fires as being unstoppable. Sydney was ringed by more than 80 fires, 40 of which were described by the Rural Fire Service as being of major concern. There were 3,005 firefighters fighting those fires, two helitankers and 67 other water bombing aircraft, and hundreds of fire trucks were sent to the fire front. In the Sunday Telegraph of 8 December the Premier wrote an article entitled "We give thanks to the bushfires' blackened heroes", in which he said:

I am sure that all honourable members would agree with those sentiments. That is why I am extremely disturbed—in fact, very angry—at the actions of a certain police officer or police officers on 5 December who saw fit to book one of my constituents who was not fighting fires but repairing electrical services and providing electricity to homes that had been blacked out by the extreme heat and by the fireballs. Articles in the media on 5 and 6 December stated:

… there were "rapid and frequent dips in supply, and neither TransGrid nor Energy Australia—

or, for that matter, Integral Energy—

would rule out a power outage for the entire city [of Sydney]...

The Opera House and the Entertainment Centre decided to cancel performances because of the uneven power supply.

CityRail services were disrupted and there was no guarantee that the trains could continue running. Some 800 customers at Wiseman's Ferry, beyond the fires to which I have just referred, lost power due to bushfire damage. In these circumstances I think honourable members would agree that a glove and barrier live linesman, working for Integral Energy 13 hours a day for more than 10 days, deserves some commendation. Instead, my constituent Mr Andrew Bisco of Glenhaven, was called out to a priority one defect—repairing a broken high voltage cross arm in South Street, Rydalemere. He got out of his vehicle and looked at one of the poles in the street to see whether he could open an isolation point. As he could not do so, he got back into his vehicle and drove about 100 metres down the road. He was pulled over by the police for not wearing a seat belt, he was fined $230 and he will lose three points from his driver's licence.

I do not think there is any real argument that Mr Bisco broke the law. However, in my view, it was very much a technical breach of the law. At a time of great emergency, of great tragedy, when the whole city was being disturbed and needed to have its basic services repaired, it is absolutely outrageous that the police had nothing better to do with their time than to follow Mr Bisco down South Street, Rydalmere—he was doing his job trying to repair that broken electricity line—pull him over and book him for not wearing a seat belt. Surely in these circumstances members of the New South Wales constabulary had better things to do with their time. I have written on two occasions to the Minister for Police about this matter. I ask him to exercise a degree of leniency in this case.

BUNDEENA CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Mr McLEAY (Heathcote) [5.38 p.m.]: I inform the House of a fantastic event that takes place in my hometown of Bundeena: the Bundeena Classic Car Show. The classic car show is organised by one of our residents, Mr Bob Twine. Bundeena is a small village located in the Royal National Park. One of the cornerstones of the community is the local Rural Fire Service—the Bundeena Bush Fire Brigade. I am proud to advise honourable members that I am the secretary of that brigade. I was re-elected to that position last month at the brigade's annual general meeting. Sutherland Shire Council offers the brigade generous support and the State Government has given it new equipment. However, many of the brigade's day-to-day operations are funded by donations from the local community.

The Bundeena Classic Car Show is a successful fundraising event. Last year the show was held on an extremely wet day—the weir was closed—but it still attracted many patrons and raised $6,500, all of which was donated to Bundeena Bush Fire Brigade. The classic car show was held again last month due to the efforts of Mr Bob Twine. More than 60 vehicles from throughout Sydney were displayed, and my particular thanks go to the Pontiac Car Club and the Camaro-Firebird Car Club. Donations were received from local businesses, including Wheels the Tyre People from Kirrawee, Tynan Motors, McGrath Holden, and Sylvania BMW and Mini Centre, to name just a few. More than $3,000 was raised.

Maggie McKinney, the President of Bundeena Bush Fire Brigade, made a special guest appearance. She had been critically ill for a number of months and in only her first week out of hospital she attended the car show, to much applause from the local community. I am sure that honourable members wish her the best of luck and hope she gets well soon. The car show was won by a beautifully restored 1955 De Soto Sportsman coupe owned by Mr Glenn Jenkins, to whom I offer my congratulations. I was tasked with judging the show but I deferred to my two-year-old daughter, Holly, who chose the spearmint green De Soto Sportsman. I asked the organiser, Bob Twine, whether he intended to organise the event again next year and he said that he would if he was asked. Therefore, on behalf of Bundeena Bush Fire Brigade and the local community, I ask Bob to do it again next year. We hope to see him at the 2004 classic car show, which I am sure will be just as successful as this year's event—if not more so.

FREEMAN HOUSE, ARMIDALE, FUNDING

Mr TORBAY (Northern Tablelands) [5.43 p.m.]: I draw the attention of the House to a shortfall in funding for Freeman House in Armidale, which the St Vincent de Paul Society established in 1979. It was intended initially to be a refuge for homeless men but has extended its services through assistance from government and community organisations to include counselling and rehabilitation services for people addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling. The facility is staffed seven days a week, 24 hours a day. It provides housing for up to 28 residents and services for many others who require the facility's support. I acknowledge the funding support received from the Department of Health through the New England Area Health Service and the Department of Community Services, which funds counsellors.

Since 1997 the Department of Gaming and Racing has provided funding for a full-time counsellor through the Casino Community Benefit Fund. I played host to the former Minister for Gaming and Racing, Richard Face, who visited Freeman House several times during his term in office to inspect the facilities and to meet staff. He described the facility as a truly remarkable operation. Freeman House has also received funding support from the St Vincent de Paul Society and community organisations such as the Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club and the Armidale City Bowling Club. The services it offers are so well regarded that Freeman House won a community service award this year from Armidale-Dumaresq Council. The facility has attracted a strong, experienced and well-qualified management committee whose members contribute many hours of their time voluntarily to ensure that it is well run and that the excellent relationships with the police and other welfare organisations in town are maintained. The dedication of manager Kathy McMahon and her staff is the key to the success of Freeman House and the good reputation it enjoys in the community.

However, despite all the accolades from the former Minister and others for the gambling counselling service that has helped many hundreds of families since it began six years ago, the support from the Casino Community Benefit Fund was cut suddenly this year. Freeman House was told that applications exceeded the funding available for the region, and that its application was not successful. It was also suggested that existing clients should be transferred to Tamworth, which is more than 100 kilometres away. There is no suggestion that Freeman House personnel or the management committee are anything but delighted that new services have been established in Tamworth to assist in rehabilitating problem gamblers. However, they are at a loss to understand why the facility, which has a proven track record and is situated in the Northern Tablelands where services are required, has not attracted funding for the next three years.

The gambling counsellor at Freeman House sees six to eight clients a week, holds group sessions, gives telephone counselling and spends a great deal of her time participating in prevention programs. She is regarded as a valuable referral resource by doctors, hospitals, employers and the community, and provides services to a wide range of clients from the north and north-west as well as Newcastle, Sydney and other parts of the State. In real terms, the lack of funding this year would mean the loss of this experienced counsellor and a severe curtailment of the services offered at Freeman House. Funding of about $50,000 per year is required to maintain the counsellor's position.

I urge the Government to reconsider its allocation from the Casino Community Benefit Fund and at least provide funding for this service at Freeman House for the next 12 months. This will allow the management committee to continue to offer services to existing clients and also give it an opportunity to apply for the next round of funding from the Casino Community Benefit Fund. I have raised this matter with the Minister for Gaming and Racing, whom I am delighted to see in the Chamber. I have a copy of the correspondence that the Minister has forwarded to the chairperson of the Casino Community Benefit Fund, , Reverend Harry Herbert, making representations on behalf of Freeman House and responding to my inquiries. I thank the Minister for his support. It is important that we continue to try to achieve a satisfactory outcome for this worthwhile service.

Mr McBRIDE (The Entrance—Minister for Gaming and Racing) [5.48 p.m.]: I congratulate the honourable member for Northern Tablelands on his convincing win in the State election. He increased his primary vote by 22 per cent so I assume that, like other Independent members who represent country areas, he is providing an excellent service to his constituents. That is demonstrated by the only poll that counts: the one on election day.

The allocation for the New England and north-west region for the provision of treatment and support services for problem gamblers and their families has trebled from $45,110 per annum to $150,278 per annum. A further $80,000 has been provided to the New England and north-west region—the announcement was made this week—under the Community Projects Funding Program to address the flow-on effects of problem gambling for 12 months. Of this money, Freeman House was awarded $31,222 for a program focused on reducing the impact of gambling on the families of gamblers. A strategic approach to service provision has been adopted to ensure service coverage across the New England and north-west region using the available resources.

While the two services being funded have Tamworth mailing addresses, each will be establishing services in other parts of the region as well. For example, the Anglican Counselling Service, Diocese of Armidale, will provides services, including outreach services, from a number of satellite locations within several local government areas in the New England and north-west region. Armidale will be one of the satellite locations. Centacare will also establish a service in the Armidale local government area. Following representations from the honourable member for Northern Tablelands, I have written to the trustees of the Casino Community Benefit Fund raising those issues. I assure every honourable member that funding for programs that address problem gambling has been allocated in the best interests of the community through an independent organisation that is expert in such matters.

EDUCATION SYSTEM REVIEW

Mr OAKESHOTT (Port Macquarie) [5.50 p.m.]: The Lifelong Learning package is causing a great deal of concern in the electorate of Port Macquarie and on the mid North Coast and the North Coast of New South Wales. Staff at the North Coast Institute of TAFE are particularly concerned about the obvious potential for job losses, a loss of command to the New England area—the current proposal is based around Tamworth—and an accompanying loss of community interest on the mid North Coast. The North Coast Institute of TAFE is almost a victim of its own success. It has been an excellent contributor to education on the mid North Coast and the North Coast and has met all the benchmarks and standards that have been set by the Government in recent years.

The North Coast Institute of TAFE has had excellent success through things such as its business development program, which is run by the program manager, Peter Newman, who has done an excellent job in expanding the work done, in a commercial sense, by the North Coast Institute of TAFE to help meet the benchmarks and standards set by the Government. It seems that the Government regards that success as presenting a good opportunity to rape and pillage the structure and seek further gains from the education sector. In a sense the community colleges are also victims of their own success. One in five adults in Port Macquarie are doing an education course of some sort at the Port Macquarie Community College.

I would have thought a lifelong learning package would have been a goal sought by the Government. The Government again regards the success of the college as a reason for further change, even though it is setting standards and meeting benchmarks that have not been met in other areas. I have talked to various people involved in the education sector on the mid North Coast and the North Coast, and we want to put an alternate model to the Minister. I asked those involved to put to me a cost-neutral approach. If the Minister's decision is based on economics any changes obviously have to be cost neutral.

The proposed alternate model creates 10 school regions with boundaries aligning to 10 TAFE institutes, which in regional and rural New South Wales reflect widely accepted social and economic regional communities of interest. In our region, that means the coast stays with the coast and west of the mountains, which is the country area of New England, goes with the country area in the northern New South Wales model. Importantly, the alternate model achieves co-ordination of schools and TAFE services through the establishment of Department of Education and Training [DET] regional councils, comprising industry and community representatives as well as the respective institute director and regional director (schools). In other words, it is a collective meeting of the minds of educators, not a takeover by one sector over the other. It is an inclusive rather than exclusive process.

This alternate model could operate alongside any of the other models being considered to achieve the objective of shared corporate services. The alternate model would be cost neutral through reconfiguring the senior management positions proposed for the eight proposed combined DET-TAFE regions, thereby removing one whole layer of bureaucracy. I know the Minister is very much minded to have fewer bureaucrats. Surely, therefore, this alternate model achieves a better outcome for the Minister than the model he has already proposed.

For example, the proposed assistant directors-general (regions), along with the proposed school education directors and directors educational support positions in the current proposed model, could be reconfigured to create the regional directors (schools) positions and the necessary leadership and co-ordination positions for educational support for schools in the regions. So at least two, possibly three, positions could be rolled into one locally based position of leadership. As well as being cost neutral, and creating much less disruption in transition, this model more strongly links teaching and learning support to communities of practice. I know that is very much the aim of the links to learning principle. The model builds stronger regional responsiveness and accountability through the regional councils. It links school leadership with educational support services, and most importantly of all, it is less bureaucratic and hierarchical than the current model.

Mr STEWART (Bankstown—Parliamentary Secretary) [5.54 p.m.]: The honourable member for Port Macquarie is a little harsh and unfair in his criticism of the Government. The proposed restructure is an opportunity to bring TAFE and schools together to work co-operatively towards a common objective and to ensure that communities like Port Macquarie, the North Coast and the mid North Coast get the best possible educational opportunities and outcomes. To describe that as raping and pillaging the system is unfair. I will provide the Minister with the idiosyncratic concerns put forward by the honourable member in relation to the education restructure in his area. The Minister is flexible and will look at all options. The end result is to ensure that educational outcomes are achieved with best practice. That is what the Government is about. I am sure a more conciliatory approach to the Government will achieve that.

[The Acting-Speaker left the chair at 5.55 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.]

BUDGET ESTIMATES AND RELATED PAPERS

Financial Year 2003-04

Debate resumed from 2 July.

Ms JUDGE (Strathfield) [7.30 p.m.]: Since I was elected to this House the Carr Government has committed $250,000 for traffic signals in the Strathfield electorate. On 12 June a new set of traffic signals began operating at the intersection of Homebush Road and High Street, Strathfield. Homebush Road is an extremely busy route, connecting the Hume Highway with Homebush railway station, while Highway Street connects to other residential streets in Strathfield, making this intersection incredibly busy. It is crossed regularly by students from one of our wonderful local primary schools, Strathfield South Primary School, which has about 800 students. This new safety measure has been welcomed by the Strathfield South Primary School community and the school council. It has great support from the principal and deputy principals, as well as the whole school community and parents. State Government funding for these lights will make a huge difference to the safety of streets in the area.

Earlier in June another set of lights was switched on where Mitchell Street intersects with Burwood Road. The new signals, which include audio-tactile buttons for pedestrians, will significantly improve safety for people travelling to or from the Royal Blind Society in Mitchell Street. I was invited to the opening of another set of traffic lights at the corner of Arthur Street and Henley Road in the Homebush-Flemington area, yet another busy road and intersection. Those traffic lights will mean much easier access to the thriving local shops in the Flemington area and will be of great benefit to all residents in the vicinity. On Monday I attended the opening of a new $2.3 million pedestrian bridge over The Boulevard, Strathfield, making the crossing much easier and safer for local residents and school students from Santa Sabina College and Santa Maria Del Monte.

Many treasured seniors who live in Marion Court Hostel and Villa also need to get across The Boulevard, because many of them do their shopping at Earlwood Plaza. Anyone who knows The Boulevard will know exactly what I mean when I say it is an incredibly busy road and thoroughfare through the Strathfield electorate. The bridge has glass lifts, making it much easier for the elderly, people with disabilities and parents with prams and young children to use. On behalf of the residents of the electorate of Strathfield I thank the Minister for Roads, the Hon. Carl Scully, for his ongoing commitment to road safety. These little measures might not seem much, but they make the huge difference in community safety. [Extension of time agreed to.]

Another matter that concerns all honourable members is community safety—one of my priorities. NSW Police community safety expenses will total $1,816 million in the coming year, an increase of $143 million, or 9 per cent, on last year's budget. The Government's commitment to increasing police numbers by 1,000 has been met ahead of schedule. Additional funding of $93 million over four years is also being allocated to meet specific election commitments, including $15 million to continue the high-visibility Operation Vikings, $8 million for a more functional police uniform, $4 million to attract officers to serve in remote locations, and $24 million for additional crime scene investigators. Of course, all benefit from those measures.

From the 2003-04 budget $21 million is also being allocated for new works with an estimated total cost of $49 million, including the Forensic Research and Investigative Science Centre, additional in-car video units to improve officer safety, prisoner modules and screens for police vehicles, and upgraded educational facilities, including the Police College at Goulburn. More than $9 million has also been allocated in 2002-03 and 2003-4 for counter-terrorism equipment. The community's safety depends not only on protection from crime but also from fires, floods and other natural disasters.

I am thrilled that in the next few months the Burwood fire station and its hard-working fire officers will receive a new fire engine. I believe it will cost about $500,000. If someone is unfortunate enough to experience a fire—whether in a residential flat, freestanding home or shop—the additional fire engine will make a huge difference. I am thrilled that the Strathfield electorate has received the new fire engine. New South Wales is superbly served by our emergency service personnel, both full-time and volunteer. Of course, Strathfield has wonderful emergency services personnel—I call them our orange angels. They do a tremendous job. This budget provides $440 million for New South Wales Fire Brigades, $144 million for the Rural Fire Service and $33 million for the State Emergency Service. That demonstrates the Government is prepared to put its money where its policies are.

It is with great pleasure that I commend the Government on yet another balanced budget that provides additional funding where it is most needed, at the same time placing New South Wales in a strong fiscal position. The budget allows for the eighth successive underlying cash surplus. This coming year we plan on a modest cash surplus of $48 million, but it has allowed the Government to reduce debt—with general government net debt now standing at just $4 billion, or just 1.5 per cent of gross State product, down from 7.4 per cent of gross State product in 1995. The cash surplus is planned to grow to $932 million by 2006-07. That is fiscally responsible in these times of uncertainty.

Total spending over four years will be $29 billion. Approximately $2 billion in new spending includes $700 million in 2004 to create more jobs for the people of New South Wales. We have also been socially responsible. Community Services spending has increased by 25 per cent, with $1.2 billion for child protection. Health spending is up 11 per cent with $205 million to establish the Cancer Institute. Spending on Police is up by 9 per cent. We will deliver a reduction in school class sizes. A further $150 million will be spent on CityRail and CountryLink services. This is a responsible budget that will put New South Wales in a solid position to move forward and grow socially, culturally and economically. It has my full support.

Ms BEREJIKLIAN (Willoughby) [7.40 p.m.]: I refer to Treasurer Egan's remark about the Labor Party's budget keeping faith with the residents of New South Wales, but nothing could be further from the truth. The property boom delivered an extra $830 million above last year's forecast in stamp duties to New South Wales, yet there has been no attempt to relieve the tax burden on residents in Australia's most highly taxed State. This is hardly keeping faith. The Labor Government's revenue take received a major boost with more than 1,000 State Government fees and charges increasing from midnight on 1 July. Services continue to be below the standard that residents of New South Wales deserve. The impact of the budget on the electorate of Willoughby is a case in point. The hard-working taxpayers in the electorate of Willoughby have been short-changed by this Government.

First I refer to the Chatswood-Epping link. Regrettably, much uncertainty continues about when the Chatswood transport interchange will be revamped. Under the heading of the Parramatta Rail Link Project in the budget papers specific mention is made of the Parramatta transport interchange, but no such separate mention is made of the Chatswood interchange. I have yet to be briefed about the Government's so-called master plan for Chatswood, but I cannot stress enough to the House and the community the need for a new transport interchange for what is one of Sydney's busiest railway stations. It would seem logical that part of the $420 million that has been allocated to the Epping to Chatswood link in this year would be dedicated, at least in part, to the overhaul of the Chatswood transport interchange. But, regrettably, no specific mention is made of it in the budget papers. I have yet to confirm that is the case.

I will continue to seek confirmation from the Government as to its plans in this regard. I note that the entire Chatswood to Epping project is due for completion in 2008. However, my residents in the Willoughby electorate want to know what this means in the interim for disabled and elderly access. People getting off the train at Chatswood railway station have to negotiate a very steep set of stairs. There are no lifts and there are no escalators. I put this to the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning in the House. He suggested that I refer to a press release that was supposed to outline the details of the Government's interim measures. I have been searching high and low for the press release, but it does not seem to exist. The residents in the Willoughby electorate have a right to know what the Government's plans are.

If the Chatswood interchange overhaul will not be completed until 2008, what will the Government do in the intervening five years? How much, if any, of the $420 million that has been allocated to the Epping to Chatswood link is dedicated to the Chatswood interchange? The people of my electorate deserve an answer to these legitimate community concerns. A bustling regional centre the size and scale of Chatswood desperately needs a state-of-the-art transport interchange. I will do everything I can, as the local member, to fight to ensure that the Government's proposal for a new interchange does not impose unacceptable burdens on the Chatswood community.

I will continue to work with my local community to ensure the timely delivery of this much-needed project. I urge the Government to be more open and transparent about the process and its plans to provide the community with this vitally important service. It is not just for the betterment and benefit of Chatswood or the wider Willoughby electorate but also for Sydney and New South Wales. As a booming regional centre, it is absolutely integral to a city the size of Chatswood within the broader electorate and the burgeoning metropolis of Sydney to have a transport interchange that complies with disability standards, ensures that all transport links are co-ordinated appropriately and delivers much-needed services. When I examined transport infrastructure generally within the Willoughby electorate following my election, I was concerned to note that a whole-of-government approach was lacking. We desperately need much better bus routes.

I am concerned that, when the Government has a plan for the Willoughby electorate, it is an ad hoc approach to transport and transport infrastructure. For example, anyone who catches a bus in my electorate, whether it is at Naremburn, Willoughby, Cammeray or North Cremorne, faces excessively long queues. Often in the mornings and evenings commuters have to wait much longer for buses than they should have to. My constituents in Castlecrag and Castle Cove are justifiably concerned about their bus services, yet nothing in the budget papers indicates that these problems will be addressed in the electorate of Willoughby. I have placed questions on notice about services in and around the Willoughby bus depot. Unfortunately, the Government has not answered all the questions in the detail I asked for. I will certainly pursue it to ensure that the Willoughby electorate gets its fair share of transport infrastructure.

Although the transport interchange at Chatswood needs upgrading, we also need better co-ordination of services across the electorate, from harbour-side suburbs to Chatswood. It is understandable that the Chatswood to city link provides a reasonable service, although not as frequent as some would like. However, cross-electorate services are lacking. Many older people who reside in harbour-side suburbs need certainty that they will be able to at least utilise the public transport system when they need it. I have already outlined my concerns in great detail about the Chatswood master plan. Clearly, any proposal to increase the population in Chatswood cannot be sustained on the existing infrastructure. Yet I have seen no evidence of the Government's plans to deal with this very important matter. As a local member I will not settle for ad hoc solutions that do not adequately consider the impact on the community, especially overdevelopment.

Chatswood High School, as this House is aware, is important to me and to the community: it is the only co-educational comprehensive high school in my electorate. I attended such a high school, and I am absolutely committed to ensuring that sufficient services are dedicated to Chatswood High School. I am concerned that the high school is due for an upgrade estimated to cost $5 million. However, in year one the Government has committed only $200,000 to the upgrade. There are concerns that the $5 million estimate is not sufficient because the master plan for the upgrade of the high school does not seem to include the intensive English centre, which desperately needs to be incorporated into the plans.

The intensive English centre serves students from a large catchment. Students from the Central Coast attend, as do local students. Students whose first language is not English rely on that service and on the centre to help them overcome language problems so that they can participate in mainstream education. I am concerned that current plans do not provide for the intensive English centre. I will be vigilant to ensure that the estimate of $5 million includes the provision of everything that the high school will need. There is no point in throwing an arbitrary amount at the problem if doing so does not achieve all the necessary objectives and capital works upgrades. The school community and the broader community need to be confident that the upgrade will be delivered on time.

As I have said, when the plans are finalised, it may be the case that $5 million is insufficient. If that is the case, I will be calling on the Government to increase the budgetary allocation in ensuing years to ensure that the upgrade is delivered on time and that it incorporates the intensive English centre as well as other major buildings within the project. I inform the House that I have visited a number of primary schools and I have found that many of them have a fantastic school community. However, many schools will need capital works upgrades in future years. I will make representations on their behalf. I certainly hope that addressing the needs of those schools will also allow for sufficient attention to be given to the Chatswood High School in the near future.

I now turn to discuss the Chatswood police station. The redevelopment of the police station is long overdue. I take this opportunity to commend the Willoughby community on its continuing efforts in demanding a new police station from this Government. The community has worked hard and has waited a long time for a new police station. Just after the election, the Government promised to fund $3 million in the first year out of the estimated total cost of $8.3 million. The budget papers indicate that $2.2 million has been allocated, not $3 million. I will remain vigilant about this issue to ensure that by 2005, as indicated, the police station will be built and completed on time, and that ongoing funding in future years will materialise. When the station is built, obviously the local police, who do a fantastic job in extremely difficult circumstances, will breathe a huge sigh of relief. Some of the problems are caused by the station not being large enough to enable all the police officers to co-locate at the one time, and by the roof leaking during wet weather. Obviously, a new station is long overdue. The police will be moved to temporary accommodation during construction, and I will be vigilant to ensure that the new station is completed on time.

The Lane Cove tunnel project impacts on part of my electorate. I support the public comments made by my colleague the honourable member for Lane Cove in calling for the installation of in-tunnel filtration, which is currently not part of the Government's plan. The issue of filtration, or the lack thereof, is understandably causing a great deal of angst in the Lane Cove and Willoughby electorates. The Government must do the right thing by allaying the legitimate concerns of residents. As part of the project, the Government has decided to use the compound of an athletics field for the construction of the tunnel, and that is having a huge adverse impact on members of the community who use that field. I have made numerous representations to the Minister for Roads on that matter, and I am hoping for an outcome that is satisfactory and acceptable to the community. Such decisions cannot be made in isolation from the enormous impact that they have on the community. I call on the Minister to do the right thing by ensuring that sufficient car parking spaces are made available to facilitate continued community use of the oval.

The budget allocates a mere $4.7 million for stage two of the upgrading of the Royal North Shore Hospital, which will cost a total of $407 million. The project will not be completed until 2010. Together with the honourable member for Lane Cove and the honourable member for North Shore, I remain concerned at the amount that has been allocated to stage two, given the entire cost of the project. I will be making representations to ensure that the project moves ahead. Another very important issue that affects my electorate is the impact of the increase in gaming taxes on poker machines. The State Government's increase in taxes on poker machines and the implications of that for the club industry in New South Wales are far reaching, contrary to the comments made by the Minister for Gaming and Racing in Parliament this week. I am extremely concerned that he specifically made reference to me and to my electorate.

The Minister said that the clubs in my electorate will not be affected, but I point out to the House that the clubs in the Willoughby electorate are affected adversely. Representatives of the clubs are extremely concerned about their future viability. I have received strong representations from the Chatswood Club, the Chatswood RSL, the Chatswood Golf Club and the Gordon Social and Recreation Club. All those clubs operate within my electorate. I thank their representatives for contacting me about their legitimate concerns. The Chatswood Club provides a meeting place where several community groups, including Rotary, the Chatswood Chamber of Commerce, Probus, the Chatswood War Widows, to name a few, are able to get together. It also provides recreation facilities for residents and workers in the Chatswood area. It provides rooms free of charge and subsidises catering for these groups. If clubs such as the Chatswood Club do not do this, who will? Currently the club is losing money.

The burden of increasing tax will further increase the Chatswood Club's losses. The Chatswood Club will not remain in existence if the losses continue. When the taxes materialise, the club will have to consider increasing charges to community groups for which it provides services and to reducing staff levels in the club. The Chatswood RSL is in a similar situation. Like the Chatswood Club, the Chatswood RSL subsidises many community activities. It is the mainstay for many local community organisations. As I have already mentioned, I have also received representations from the Chatswood Golf Club, which has outlined the pressure that the tax increase places on its existing services. The Gordon Social and Recreation Club has advised me that the tax will also significantly impact adversely upon its operations. The club provides employment, entertainment and recreation services to the community and contributes funding through various programs to many local organisations. The gaming tax will seriously affect the levels of contribution of the club as well as the club's survival.

Clubs are highly labour and cost intensive operations. They are the third biggest employer in this State, employing 39,600 people. The Treasurer's assertion that two-thirds of all clubs will be unaffected or better off is a furphy. Even the smallest clubs will have to pay more tax on gaming revenue under the new regime. The Treasurer promised to consult the club community before increasing the clubs industry tax rates. The Treasurer also made a commitment to conduct an open review of gaming machine duty rates before any changes would be made. This is another example of a loss of faith on the part of this Government. The Government must listen to many community concerns and revoke this tax increase because clubs in my electorate are extremely concerned. Quite a few of them have contacted me to express concerns about their survival. I now turn briefly to discuss the car parking levy, which was increased from $400 to $420 for Chatswood. I am advised that in the Chatswood CBD, there are 6,000 spaces, and that means that there will be an increase of $120,000 per year in revenue for the Government in Chatswood alone, making a total tax revenue receipt of $2.5 million. [Extension of time agreed to.]

An issue that I will pursue in greater detail on another occasion is that the State Government has established regional centres, and Chatswood is one of them, but there is no commensurate funding to support the provision of adequate transport and infrastructure needs. I will address that issue in greater detail at a later date. I also draw to the attention of the Government and the House to a number of community groups in my electorate that currently do not receive funding. They should be considered for future government funding. The Noahs Ark Toy Library, which provides a library for the use of parents of children who have development and mental disabilities, is one of those organisations. Another is Streetwork, which supports kids on the streets in my electorate. I commend local churches, the Lions Clubs and Rotary clubs who currently help to support these community organisations. However, I think that there is also room for State Government funding.

I strongly believe that efficient management of the economy allows governments to provide equality of opportunity for its residents. The people we represent in this Parliament will have access to equality of opportunity only if they are provided with adequate essential services such as education, health, public transport, safety and security. In order to provide those services we need fiscally responsible governments and sound economic management. A well-managed economy means that adequate services are provided where they are needed. Therefore, it is frustrating to see with this budget that Labor is not only missing opportunities to make our State more attractive to investment but also is failing to deliver better services and standards of living to the people of New South Wales.

Despite record State Government revenues and budget over-spending, services in New South Wales are deficient. Furthermore, the Labor Government has failed to create a climate conducive to business growth—a topic dear to my heart. The result is that the average taxpayer is now left bearing the burden of funding this Government's inefficient economic management. Whereas the Federal Government made the tough but necessary decision to address taxation reform by introducing the GST and allowing the abolition of several state taxes, the State Labor Party has tried to sweep the issue of taxation reform under the carpet. It is indeed a great shame that New South Wales is the highest taxing State in Australia. The 2003-04 budget has not foreshadowed any tax relief for the coming four years. In fact, the measures in the budget will increase the tax take by almost $450 million over the next four years.

I remind honourable members that when the Labor Party came to power in 1995 it stated there would be no new taxes and no tax increases. Since that time, Labor has introduced the insurance protection tax, the owner occupied land tax, the parking space levy, and tax on fishing licences. It has also increased land tax on investment properties, registration on motor vehicles, payroll tax, tax on gaming, extended payroll tax to share options and employee share schemes, increased car parking levies in Sydney's commercial districts and the removal of workers compensation concessions for trainees. Between 1994-95 and 2003-4 it is projected that payroll tax revenue will increase by 63 per cent, land tax revenue will increase by 145 per cent and stamp duty on property transfers will increase by more than 200 per cent.

Alongside those taxes, by Treasury's own estimates, the Government's cost overruns over the past four years have amounted to more than $5.5 billion, including cost overruns of $1.44 billion during 2002-03 alone. It is of great concern that against that backdrop of rising State Government revenue streams, increasing taxation—and add to that the successive budget spending overruns—the people of New South Wales have inadequate return on their hard-earned tax dollar. Waiting lists continue to blow out, our transport infrastructure is at breaking point, our classes are too large and the list goes on. My constituents in Willoughby have every right to demand to know why the elderly and disabled cannot have escalators at Chatswood railway station, why they have had to wait so long for a new police station or why residents have to pay land tax on the family home they have owned and lived in for 30-odd years.

But again the question beckons: if those additional revenue sources are not fixing the many problems we have in the delivery of essential services, or if they are not being used to ease the tax burden on the people of New South Wales, where is the money going? For the sake of the hard-working taxpayers in Willoughby and across New South Wales the Government must urgently address these legitimate questions. In stark contrast to the Labor Government's grab for more tax dollars in the wake of diminishing services, the Leader of the Opposition, who represents the electorate of Pittwater, has already presented to Parliament a plan to improve housing affordability, cutting stamp duty by $880 million while preserving the budget surplus. For instance, since 1995 in the Willoughby electorate the median stamp duty payable on a house in Cammeray has increased by 160 per cent, by 214 per cent in Artarmon, by 161 per cent in Willoughby, by 161 per cent in Chatswood and by 157 per cent in Northbridge. Clearly the Government's failure to address that is, again, a loss of faith.

The Government has yet to report on the $4.5 billion of spending in a number of government departments and agencies. We eagerly await the Government's compliance with the Public Finance and Audit Act in giving the Opposition disclosure of those items. The Willoughby electorate is a great place in which to live, but there is much to do and much to protect. But for the residents of the Willoughby electorate this budget has failed to provide certainty and has fallen short in a number of key areas. Many issues affecting the electorate of Willoughby, namely Transport, Transport Services, Police, Health, Education, and Community Services need to be addressed. I look forward to raising those issues in ensuing weeks.

Mr ASHTON (East Hills) [8.03 p.m.]: This is the fifth New South Wales budget that I have had the privilege to speak about, and is the eighth balanced budget introduced by the Carr Labor Government. A total $29 billion of capital works over the next four years is the highlight of the budget's forward estimates, and that is a 22 per cent increase on the previous four years. The budget also delivers strong spending across all areas including schools, hospitals, child protection and other services. The Government is getting on with the job of securing the future for New South Wales. In the financial year 2003-04 the budget result is a $43 million surplus with a surplus predicted in each of the following three years. Keeping the budget in the black means that the Government can plan for the time when it may have to allow for what is called a rainy day. More money will then be available for commitment to schools, hospitals and other services.

There is nothing wrong with having a surplus, because occasionally one has to dip into that surplus rather than borrow. The Government has a good record of not borrowing, and of living within its means. The $29 billion I mentioned earlier is a record amount that will be spent on capital works over the next four years. That is up $5.3 billion, or 22 per cent. That $29 billion investment guarantees the long-term viability of many jobs and many of the essential structures of a civilised society. This year capital works will total $7.138 billion, a $788 million increase on last year's total of $6.35 million. These are big numbers and this is real money. In addition in 2003-04 it is estimated that the private sector will spend $1.1 billion for major public-private partnership projects such as the cross-city tunnel and the Western Sydney Orbital, which is an increase of $28 million. However, the Government will need to look closely at what private partners it chooses for various projects.

Companies the Government chooses to deal with in private partnerships must be prepared to guarantee the paying out of workers entitlements and unsecured creditors. If a problem develops with a company chosen by the Government to enter into a partnership, and that company folds, the workers and unsecured creditors rights will be protected. The Government has my wholehearted support in private partnerships, as that seems to be a quick way to get the desired result. People are prepared to pay a degree of private costs including tolls on roads and other costs to get the project up and running rather than waiting 50 years. However, it is very important that the Government give close attention to choosing partner companies.

An amount of $990 million is allocated for new and upgraded rail lines, bridges, railway carriages and stations; $330 million is allocated for new and upgraded schools; $457 million is allocated to build and improve hospitals; and $2,220 million is allocated for capital works and maintenance. My re-election to the seat of East Hills depended not on my great ability to represent the electorate, which is well known, but on the Government's ability, over the past four years, to deliver so many services to schools and hospitals—Bankstown hospital is just one street out of my electorate—and the environment, work on the Georges River, and the increase in police in the Bankstown Local Area Command. All costs were met from Government revenue.

The Government continues record spending on essential services. In 2003-04 the recurrent capital works spending on Health is $9.275 million, on Education it is another record $8.691 million, on Police it is $2.073 million, on Community Services it is $818 million, on Ageing and Disability it is $1,290 million and on Public Transport it is $2.626 million. These figures are accurately costed and they are sound figures. They are evidence of the fiscal responsibility of this Government. Some of the tax changes in the budget will increase revenue by $32 million in 2003-04 and $80 million in the next financial year. Tax changes this year, together with those introduced in the preceding four years, resulted in the annual tax revenue been about $1.4 billion lower this financial year than it would have been without those measures.

At times the Opposition talks about tax windfalls and the money rolling in. It should recognise that over eight years of this Labor Government we have wound back so many State taxes and charges that there has been no windfall. If this Government had abolished some of the services that are bringing in money now, and kept the services that are not, we would not have achieved the same result that we have achieved through sound economic management in our State. Tax changes in the budget include a crackdown on avoidance practices through amendments to the Duties Act. Termination payments and share option plans made to non-executive directors will be included in the payroll tax base. The honourable member for Willoughby referred earlier to the parking space levy, which will be increased from 1 July this year and, thereafter, indexed annually to the increase in the Sydney consumer price index.

Mr George: She was going crook about it.

Mr ASHTON: She did. That levy is hypothecated to public transport infrastructure. In addition, this budget sets out changes to duty rates or gaming devices in clubs and hotels. Those changes, which will come into effect next year, will be phased in over the next seven years. I, like the honourable member for Willoughby, have been approached by clubs in my area. The clubs in my electorate—and there are many large and small clubs—believe that the figures in the budget are not accurate. They believe at this stage that the Government has underestimated the impact of these charges. I hope that the Government listens to their concerns. Clubs should not just be a source of tax revenue for the Government. It is important that we recognise what clubs do for the wider community.

I am sure that all honourable members are aware that some form of taxation has to apply to the revenue that is derived from gaming machines. If these clubs believe that their figures are different from figures that are reflected in the budget papers, I am sure the Government is prepared to listen to them. One of the Carr Government's greatest achievements relates to the lowering of debt. In 1995 general government debt in New South Wales was $12.2 billion—a figure much higher than the debt incurred by the Federal Government a decade ago. General government debt in New South Wales is now $4 billion. Every government incurs some form of debt. Governments buy or borrow in the full knowledge that they will receive revenue in the future. It is important for honourable members to note that, in the time of this Government, the Treasurer wiped out $8 billion worth of debt.

Running surplus budgets in good times means that we can cut back on debt and interest costs. However, it also means that much more money is available to spend on schools, hospitals and police. The New South Wales Government delivered the largest State Health budget this year. It will spend an all-time record $9.3 billion on Health. The Minister for Health, the honourable member for Bankstown and I visited Bankstown hospital on Monday to observe the new triage procedures and to establish how the rapid emergency assessment teams are operating. While we were there we were informed that there had been a car accident at Greenacre. Three or four ambulances brought three adults and four children, who fortunately were not seriously injured, into the hospital. We were able to observe first-hand its triage procedures.

I am sure that even the honourable member for Lismore would be aware that there is always a photograph opportunity somewhere, but on this occasion it was not set up. Those who were wounded had to be assessed by the emergency assessment teams and they were consigned to beds. For a while the hospital went into code red mode for those life-threatening cases. There was no chaos, we were able to move around and see what the doctors and nurses were doing, and we were kept informed of what was happening. We also had an opportunity to talk to one of the patients who was featured this week in an article in the Torch in Bankstown. He said that he was happy with the treatment he received at Bankstown hospital and his wife said that she was happy with the new car parking facilities at the hospital.

Hospitals do not only supply drugs and medical services. Elderly and infirm people need easy access to our hospitals. They do not want to park their cars in a nearby suburb and walk half a mile in order to obtain the treatment that they require. The Government has allocated an amount of $5 million for the establishment of the New South Wales Cancer Institute. I am appreciative of the fact that Opposition members supported that legislation when it was introduced in this House by the new Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer), the Hon. Frank Sartor, who should be congratulated on the role that he played in this matter. The Government has made provision in this year's budget to improve acute and community mental health facilities and services—an area in which I have an interest.

Siegfried Sassoon, one of the war poets, once said that it was quite respectable for soldiers to come home from World War I with broken arms, or only one leg. For some time after the war those soldiers were treated as real heroes. However, many of the soldiers who returned from World War I were mentally destroyed for the rest of their lives. Mental health has been a silent killer in Australia for 200 years or so, ever since white man set foot on this island. There is some degree of concern about the number of young people in society who suffer mental illness. I assure honourable members after having been a schoolteacher for 20 years that it is not just because children are being naughty that doctors are interested only in prescribing pills or that psychiatrists have taken over medical practices in society. The Government recognised that fact.

In 2003-04, $715 million will be spent on the provision of mental health services—an increase of $90 million, or 14 per cent, on last year's figures. Given that inflation is running at nearly 7 per cent, that increase of 14 per cent represents real money. The budget for mental health has increased by 101 per cent since this Government first came into office in 1995. Percentages often do not reveal the truth. The budget for mental health might have increased by 100 per cent but the base figure might have been quite low. If, for example, we were spending $2 million on mental health in New South Wales and that figure was increased by 500 per cent to $5 million or $10 million, it would not be a big percentage increase. However, this Government has doubled expenditure on the mental health budget, so it is really doing something worthwhile in that area. I urge the Government to continue increasing the mental health budget.

Honourable members would be aware of constituents in their electorates who might not just be waiting for priority housing or some other assistance. Many constituents in our electorates who suffer from mental health problems turn to us as a last resort. Constituents might need a pension or welfare from social security, or they might be struggling to cope with some debt that they cannot afford. Money affords greater access to most things in society but it can leave people vulnerable to health crises. We must do everything we can in this area of mental health. The Government has allocated more money for services in rural areas, but it needs to spend more. It has allocated $150,000 to support, supervise and train rural general practitioners in mental health. I am sure that all honourable members, including my colleague the honourable member for Newcastle, would like the Government to provide additional funding.

Mr George: More is required.

Mr ASHTON: More is required. Rodney Cavalier, a former Minister in this place and a colleague of mine, used to say, "Demands are infinite and resources are finite."

Mr George: Was he a mate of yours?

Mr ASHTON: He was. The funding cake might be large, but every year the demands increase. No matter how much funding this Government allocates, people will always want more. General practitioners are struggling at the moment in country areas. I will not conduct a Federal bashing exercise, which I am quite capable of doing, and blame the Federal Government for that. General practitioners who are working alone in country areas such as Lismore or Broken Hill tend not to have much experience in the mental health area. Much more needs to be spent on providing mental health services. However, funding for those services will probably have to be taken from other services. We need to expand the size of the funding cake that is available for the provision of these services. I was proud to announce in the past 18 months that the Bankstown local area command had received a substantial increase in police numbers. It is the largest police command in New South Wales. I do not know the exact figures but police numbers in Bankstown have swelled with each attestation from the Goulburn police academy and now total about 270 or 280 officers.

Mr Gaudry: It's a big command.

Mr ASHTON: Yes, it is the biggest in New South Wales. The police are shortly to move from five separate locations to new premises in a single building that housed the Bankstown tax office until the Howard Government closed it. The budget funds many election commitments in the policing area. It provides an extra $1.4 million to implement licensing and enforcement changes in the security industry. I met a fellow who had applied for a security licence but did not tell the whole truth. Police officers tell me anecdotally that the security industry must be regulated more closely. Too many people don a black uniform, arm themselves with a baton and declare themselves to be security officers. Fairly strict codes now govern the security industry and the issuing of licences. I am sure that all honourable members support the Government's policies in that regard. Some $8.5 million will be spent over two years to install video cameras in police highway patrol vehicles. Those cameras are necessary not to produce footage for blooper shows on prime-time television but to record vital video evidence. [Extension of time agreed to.]

I congratulate the Government on the record Education funding in this budget. Education and Training will receive a record $8.7 billion this year, which is a 7 per cent increase on last year. We are not going backwards: Education funding increases are well ahead of inflation. I will not list all those areas where money will be spent. However, money has been spent on school security fencing in my electorate in the past year or two and I have made donations on behalf of the Government for covered outdoor learning areas and other school facilities. I know that the transport allowance is to be reviewed. It was a wonderful initiative when it was introduced several years ago but its costs have blown out since then. However, I will not have any input in that change.

The Government is delivering better roads for New South Wales. Anyone who has travelled extensively on our roads knows that they could do with some attention. We must remember that this is not Germany, Austria or Great Britain. Australia is a large country with a small population. Drivers on our roads might hit the odd pothole—if they are anything like the honourable member for Murray-Darling they might deliberately hit a kangaroo or koala; the honourable member will not be offended by that comment—

Mr George: What about the koala?

Mr ASHTON: The honourable member for Murray-Darling would use it in a recipe. I think our roads are very good given the size of this country. Australia is big like the United States of America but our population is almost 20 million and theirs is 275 million—it has a much bigger tax base. Any expenditure on New South Wales roads is a great effort. I have mentioned the cross-city tunnel. I can travel to Parliament House on the M5 and the M5 East—and, more importantly, get home at night—in about 25 minutes without breaking the speed limit. I used to have to negotiate about 30 sets of traffic lights in Bexley and Beverly Hills. We know that rail bridges will have to be constructed. It will cost $30 million to replace the Menangle bridge—about which much has been said in this place—and many of our older bridges are bound to need work.

The Government is spending $375 million on the Environment. I thank the Government and the Minister for the Environment for the work that has been done in Georges River National Park, including Fitzpatrick Park in my electorate, where new roads, barriers and seawalls are being replaced. The grass is mowed regularly and kids are returning to the area. I think it costs only about $7 to access the park, with free access for most classes of pensioners—which is a real bonus. The budget allocates 9.3 per cent more money to the area of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, and I thank the Minister for Community Services, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Youth for her efforts in that regard. I also record my appreciation for the allocation of $800,000 to rebuild a preschool that would have been forced to close at the end of the year when a church removed its support.

It is incredible that although the Government has allocated millions of dollars for Housing in East Hills, that will buy only about 16 units. The cost of housing is so incredible that the Government's attempts to build public housing and reduce waiting lists—which remain far too long—will be unsuccessful in the short term. Everyone in public life should make that honest admission. Children and families win in this budget. The Treasurer described it as a true Labor budget. I know that it has been criticised by some local newspapers and the media based on the so-called stamp duty bonus. Money is undoubtedly coming into State coffers as a result of the overheated housing market.

However, I have talked to those in the know who say that the bubble must burst—and very soon. The only thing that is obvious about interest rates is that high rates must eventually fall and low rates must eventually rise. That is part of the economic cycle. Housing in New South Wales—which is almost unaffordable at present—is delivering money to the Government to pay for schools, hospitals, police and the ageing and disability services that we need. The Treasurer has made provision for future demand when the economy is not so good. I congratulate the Government on this budget and thank honourable members for their attention.

Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [8.27 p.m.]: It is with great pleasure—although that might not be obvious from my speech—that I speak in the take-note debate on the budget estimates and related papers. At the beginning of his speech the Treasurer announced $29 billion over four years for massive new public works and investment. Sadly, not much of that money will be spent in my electorate of Lismore. I will place on record some of the concerns in my electorate and, where appropriate, recognise what has been achieved.

Improvements have been made to Casino hospital. The budget finally allocates money to fully fund the Kyogle multipurpose service [MPS] and the Nimbin MPS is close to commencement. Yesterday the Deputy Leader of the National Party raised as a matter of public importance problems at Lismore Base Hospital. The Lismore Base Hospital clinical services plan will be discussed in the next couple of months. The Minister for Health has indicated that he will visit Lismore to listen to our concerns and to hear about the good things in our area.

Critical care services need upgrading. Those services include emergency services at Lismore Base Hospital, patient triage, intensive care and coronary care services, women and children's health services, obstetrics and gynaecology, child health services, acute medicine, chronic and complex care, intensive care unit, renal services, aged care rehabilitation, mental health services, surgical services and clinical support services. I will work closely with the Northern Rivers Area Health Service [NRAHS] and clinicians in an attempt to achieve that upgrade. I thank the Minister for the allocation to Richmond Clinic of approximately $100,000 for planning for its $20 million project. It will be up to me, as the local member, to continue to pursue that project. The Richmond Clinic provides important mental health services to our region.

I also place on record the radiotherapy needs of the North Coast. The aged comprise a large proportion of the Northern Rivers population, but everyone should have access to radiation therapy services. A Current Affair tonight highlighted a concern to which I referred in debate on the Cancer Institute (NSW) Bill. That concern related to radiation services in Queensland. According to the program, many people are resigning from the system. That is of great concern to the Northern Rivers Area Health Service because statistics show that our area has the greatest need for radiation services. We will continue to push for a radiotherapy unit based at Lismore. Currently the rehabilitation unit for the NRAHS is based at St Vincent's Hospital, Lismore. Stroke victims and victims of motor vehicle and other accidents require an updated rehabilitation unit.

I am sure that all honourable members have received complaints about dental health services in this State, and whenever that matter is raised the Federal Government is blamed. However, in this case it is the responsibility of the State Government. I encourage the Minister to consider additional funding for dental health services in my area. There is a need in my electorate and in the NRAHS for an upgrade of early intervention services, such as speech therapy, psychology for the young, physiotherapy and occupational therapies. If those services are provided to those in the 0-14 age group, millions of dollars will be saved when they are older.

I place on record my thanks for the support of the NRAHS in solving the problem of the lack of doctors in Nimbin. The NRAHS, Lismore City Council, Northern Rivers Division of General Practice, and the Rural Doctors Network have created a separate entity to take care of the lack of doctors at Nimbin. I also encourage the Government to introduce an extensive campaign to raise awareness of organ donation.

I am concerned about the restructure of regional district offices throughout the State. The Minister for Education and Training has announced a blueprint for the new structure of public education and—as I told the Minister—I will be disappointed if jobs are lost in Lismore. In the past Lismore has received good support for schools. I have not yet seen the break-up for individual schools in this budget. I have written to the Minister in relation to Casino Public School, which requires a fenced play and activity area for students who take part in gross motor or sensory activities. I hope that will be provided. For quite a while Casino West Public School has asked for a new school hall but, unfortunately, that has not been forthcoming. The school received a letter from the department stating that it would be included in a forward capital works program, but as far as I can ascertain it has not been included in this budget.

Prior to the last election Kadina High School was promised a fence and airconditioning, and I hope that is included in this year's budget. Lismore High School needs a covered assembly area. I support the teachers, who are the backbone of the public education system. I received a fax today from Casino West Public School stating that it missed out on a class today because of the unavailability of casual teachers. Learning for classes K-1E was disrupted. I appreciate the very good support that some schools have received during the past 12 months. I have registered my concern about bus bay areas at schools. Country schools, in particular small country schools, are becoming more and more popular, and all the schools in my area have complained that parents arrive at the school at the same time as the school bus.

Approximately 2,000 children use the major public transport interchange at Trinity School, Lismore. I thank the Minister for sending Carol Boden, Manager, Passenger Safety, Roads and Traffic Authority to a meeting in relation to this matter. The mayor and the general manager of Lismore City Council were there, together with Barry Halsley, Superintendent, Richmond Area Command and Tony Macarthur, from the Catholic Education Commission, Sydney. The problem is that the interchange is in limbo. No-one seems to own it. That no-one accepts responsibility for it creates a major problem in the determination of rules for the area. That matter, which I have already registered with the Minister, needs to be sorted out.

There is a lack of public transport between smaller country towns in my electorate. Bus transport is badly needed. It is non-existent. For the main hub from Summerland Way to coastal towns such as Lismore, Bangalow, Byron Bay and Murwillumbah the perfect solution would be a deb set. The Minister for Transport might be able to find a way to provide this means of transport by which the people of the Tweed can get to university, TAFE colleges and so on. School students are well and truly catered for with bus transport, but public transport is not available for TAFE students.

Regarding our east-west link, the Bruxner Highway, I have correspondence from a number of councils and the Northern Co-operative Meat Company, whose customers and members are major users of the Bruxner Highway between Casino and Tenterfield. There are only two passing lanes on 100 kilometres of that roadway, what is almost all hilly country. That matter needs attention. I am pleased that the Alstonville bypass, at the start of the Bruxner Highway, is under way. The Woodenbong to Legume road is the Darling Downs to Northern Rivers connecting road, an east-west link, are again overlooked in this budget. I will continue to make overtures in respect of those matters. Regarding the Summerland Way, I have a list of about $36 million worth of works that need to be done. State and Federal funding has been received over the past 10 years, but we will be making further representations to Ministers regarding the Summerland Way, which is a very important road that requires further substantial funding.

I turn now to the budget for Police and law and order. Finally, we have a full complement of police. It took a long time and a lot of representations to get that full complement, but I acknowledge that police numbers are at full strength—even though many officers are just out of the academy and cannot work on their own. However, they have to get their experience somewhere. I want to talk now about rural crime investigators. I call on the Minister for Police to ensure they are properly resourced. They are now very important to the rural community. This is a matter that I have been pursuing since I was elected a member of Parliament. At the moment, these investigators are not properly resourced. Some rural crime investigators are driving cars that are little more than useless off made roads. I ask the Minister to give thought to allowing rural crime investigators from different area commands to work with each other, because these investigators cannot do the job on their own. At times they need outside support as well.

The Lismore police station is a high priority. The Minister has already been to Lismore. I am honoured that the Minister will revisit the electorate on 23 July. On that visit he will unveil the first police memorial in country and regional New South Wales. The Minister's office was good enough to support that initiative. The Minister will be there for the unveiling and, while there, I am sure he will have another look at the Lismore police station. Casino station certainly needs additional work. The cells were updated as part of a very good project, but the station needs much more work. I look forward to taking the Minister to Nimbin. If he accepts my invitation, we might have a look out there. [Extension of time agreed to.]

Regarding environmental and natural resource issues, the Minister is fully aware that I have been making certain representations. However, the Minister must continue to listen to what people on the land are saying to him. I have faxes about a number of different problems. One fax is from a Kyogle operator who has a problem with the disposal of effluent from septic tanks. He had been disposing of that effluent into the Kyogle sewerage system, but because of new Environment Protection Authority guidelines he is no longer able to do so because of lack of certain approvals. As a result he must transport the effluent to the Lismore sewage treatment works, which charges $90 a tonne for this waste product. Obviously, it was cheaper to dispose of this waste at Kyogle. Other such problems are being created throughout the area.

I have a note from Andrew Heap, Executive Officer of the Australian Macadamia Society, in which he says that the Lismore City Council, as the compliance agent for the Environment Protection Authority, is not getting helpful direction or guidance from the authority on noise and spray drift guidelines for the macadamia industry. He said that his society is discussing this issue with the council, which he hopes will assist the industry to overcome some difficulties. This is a major industry. However, rules and requirements being imposed on macadamia growers at the moment are causing headaches.

On Monday I received a fax from Colin L. Godfrey of the Manning Veterinary Hospital. He has a property at Ellangowan, just outside Casino. He had been clearing tea-tree regrowth, he said, in compliance with restraints imposed by the Native Vegetation Act. But a complaint was made by a member of the public. He says that the main concern appeared to be the clearing of tea-tree scrub regrowth. Mr Godfrey says he had been careful to preserve native vegetation regrowth more than 10 years old. He notes in his fax that it was suggested that it would be in his "best interests to halt the work while the complaint was being investigated." Here are people who genuinely believe they are operating within guidelines, but a Land and Water inspector from the Alstonville office asks them to halt operations until investigation of the complaint is completed.

The drought is still affecting my electorate, despite what may be said about areas east of Casino. The area between Kyogle and Casino has received quite a bit of rain, but west of that area the drought is still taking its toll on many farmers and producers. Again I place on record my concern about what will happen to abattoirs in this State when the drought is over. It is not much use waiting until it rains and the drought breaks to think about what will happen, because the day it rains there will be big problems for the meat industry in this State. The Government needs to be aware of that. I have continually highlighted the problem. I trust the Minister for Agriculture will take on board my concerns and keep in touch with the industry. If it is adversely affected, there will be ramifications for the State.

Bovine Johne's disease is still a problem for the Lismore-Tweed Rural Lands Protection Board as well as for the Casino Rural Lands Protection Board. We have the same problems regarding restrictions on trading. I know this matter is being looked at now. I encourage the working out of some system that will help the affected farmers. I will continue to say that we have a major problem with the tick control program. I note that the Minister has saved $12.5 million, and he had one tick in his pocket! I extend to the Minister for Agriculture an invitation to accompany me on a visit to the tick quarantine area to give it the big tick. We will see what can be done about the problem.

I refer to the Emergency Services portfolio. The Minister has allocated $50,000 to the Lismore SES, which I know will not be enough. The Lismore depot is hopeful of moving out of a flood area and onto higher ground. I will continue to make representations to the Minister in that regard. We appreciate the new fire truck that was delivered recently to Lismore. We look forward to the delivery of the new truck for Casino, which I understand will be called Tommy the tank engine. Communication between emergency services in the north of the electorate has been a problem. Sadly, we could not communicate via mobile phones because we were not permitted to build a tower. Now that Minister Debus has resolved that matter we can build a tower and, hopefully, communicate successfully via mobile phone. We have been trying to raise funds to operate a 24-hour fire station in Lismore. The council has included funds in its budget, but I have not been able to find any funds in the Government's budget. However, I am hopeful that we will be able to finalise it.

I will continue to reinforce the problems faced by small businesses and industries in my area as a result of payroll tax, workers compensation, stamp duty, fire service levy and general insurance. Different rates of payroll tax and workers compensation along the border areas—the Victorian border, the Queensland border, the South Australian border or the Australian Capital Territory border—make it very difficult for businesses to compete against interstate opposition. I know we keep talking about it. Last night the workers compensation legislation had bipartisan support. Not one business in this State is without a workers compensation problem. Not one business in this State has failed to adopt occupational health and safety principles to improve safety in the workplace. But I guarantee that businesses are paying more for workers compensation premiums today than they were five years ago. The State is losing $2.5 million a day, which is not good for anyone—the Government, the Opposition or businesses.

In seven weeks we will have an Alcohol Summit. Why will we not have a workers compensation summit? We need the experts to tell us how to deal with this problem. I hope that the Parliamentary Secretary at the table, the honourable member for Newcastle, will convince the Cabinet that we need a workers compensation summit. For the past 12 to 18 months I have highlighted the problems of the Northern Co-operative Meat Company. I will continue to use this company as an example because it continues to supply me with information. Insurance expenses for the company—not workers compensation but fire insurance—increased from $453,000 in 2002 to $2,648,000 in 2003. The stamp duty component alone increased by $200,000 and the fire service levy by $500,000. The directors and the chairman of the company have said that rather than paying more insurance they may be better off to buy a new fire truck every year and place it on the property.

When I looked at the newspaper today I saw a headline "Green tax angers abattoir. Do you care, Bob Carr?" Jobs will now be lost because of a new environmental tax. The meat company has ploughed almost $300,000 into an environmental project because it was good for the meat company and the environment but now it has to pay a a levy on its power bill—it is not the fault of Country Energy—that includes a green tax component, which they have to pay as well as the $300,000 to help the environment. Only today we heard about the plight of small clubs. Everyone is saying that the figures are wrong, but I can assure honourable members that every club in my electorate has already been in contact with me. As soon as I get back to the electorate they will want to see me. Local clubs continue to support many small communities in my area. I can assure honourable members that if these community organisations lose the support of the clubs they will have nowhere else to turn.

Last night I registered my concerns about the amalgamation that resulted in the formation of the Richmond Valley Council. Each local government in my electorate is struggling financially because of insurance payments, road maintenance, bridge maintenance, et cetera. Kyogle shire has something like 300 bridges to maintain. Each year local governments look for more money in their budgets but, sadly, it did not materialise this year. I can guarantee the Government that I will continue to make representations on behalf of the Lismore electorate. I have listed only 10 per cent of the problems in my area, but I will continue to pursue the Government to rectify them. Anyone reading Hansard will get the impression that my electorate is full of problems. I can assure honourable members that it is a good place to live, and I am very proud to represent it. I will continue to promote the positives.

Mr GAUDRY (Newcastle—Parliamentary Secretary) [8.56 p.m.]: I am proud to represent the people of Newcastle in this place. The Government has brought down another positive budget that keeps our compact with the people of New South Wales by, in the words of the Treasurer, strengthening the State's social fabric and financial position; allocating substantial additional resources for our schools, hospitals, transport, community safety and community services; and investing strongly in the modernisation and renewal of the State's social and economic infrastructure. Some $34,912 million will be spent during 2003-04. Major components include $8,159 million for the Department of Education and Training, an increase of $542 million over last year's budget; $9,267 million for the Department of Health, an increase of $920 million and a record Health budget; and $803 million for the Department of Community Services, an increase of $162 million.

Other major components include $1,276 million for the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, an increase of $109 million and a recognition by the Government in the two Community Services areas of the needs to be addressed by the Government, particularly through the expansion of child protection programs; and $1,816 million for New South Wales Police, an increase of $143 million, to keep the promises we made in the last term and leading up to the election to provide record numbers of police to service the community of New South Wales. One of the really significant determinations in the budget is the recent establishment of the new Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, a landmark reform in environmental and natural resources management. It is the result of a stream of important decisions by this Government in its first two terms to reform legislation dealing with coastal protection, water, vegetation, forests and conservation, environmental planning and protection, and the entire planning structure in New South Wales.

The department's establishment is viewed as an important reform, if I may use that term. Under the responsibility of one Minister, it will draw together the administration of the important factors of natural resources and planning, including transport planning. That is an example of pivotal policy making by this Government. The creation of that ministry has been much needed, and it takes into account the pressures of increasing population and changing climate on this great land of ours. Those two major factors will be taken into account and integrated in the administration of the portfolio by the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Natural Resources, Craig Knowles. I am pleased that he has responsibility for that portfolio because a very important issue in the Hunter region is the need for a comprehensive approach to integrate land planning and transport planning. In that context, I particularly mention rail, road and container freight movements, and the importance to the Newcastle and Hunter region of the development by the Newcastle Port Corporation of the multipurpose shipping terminal on the former BHP site.

There is a glaring need for an integrated transport plan for the Lower Hunter to cater for heavy vehicle transportation, but more particularly public transport. Passenger transport by rail, bus and ferry should be embedded in the transport system so that it serves the needs of people who live in suburbs that are developing in the Hunter region. Preparatory planning should incorporate public transport routes into the development of new suburbs. New suburbs are being developed in the south-western, western and north-western areas of the Newcastle and Lower Hunter region, in the burgeoning Lake Macquarie areas, the Minmi corridor, Raymond Terrace, and at Maitland, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock. Effective planning is needed for the future development of the area.

I cite statistics to illustrate the point I am making. In 1996 the Lower Hunter had a population of 455,000 people but it is estimated that by 2021 the area's population will be between 650,000 and 730,000—an increase of between 35 per cent and 50 per cent. Large numbers of people are moving into the developing areas I have mentioned. I have to be critical of planning decisions that have been made to date because they have not included effective links from population areas to existing public transport systems or planning for future public transport use in those areas. I have to say that the system currently is a non-integrated system. In that context, obviously the combination of infrastructure planning and natural resources under the administration of the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Natural Resources is very important.

The new ministry will provide an opportunity to examine proposals for future development against the background of pressures and problems in Sydney's current transport planning. Forward planning generally takes problems and pressures into consideration. A transport working group is currently taking submissions for the Minister for Transport Services on the section of rail line between Woodville Junction and Newcastle East in my electorate. I make it clear to the House that I am a strong advocate for the retention of that rail line. Clearly, it is currently an underutilised rail line but it is linked to a large potential market of public transport users in the northern and western areas of Newcastle and southwards in the Lake Macquarie and Central Coast areas. Planning for those areas needs to be approached comprehensively.

The transport working group is headed by Mr Bill Dunbar of the infrastructure ministry and includes Gary Kennedy, the Trades Hall Council secretary; John Tate, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle; and Glen Thornton, of the Newcastle and Hunter Chamber of Commerce. It is important for people who intend to make submissions to that inquiry to clearly state their views on public transport. However, I believe that a much more comprehensive examination should be made of the transport needs of my electorate than the working group can currently provide. I refer to some interesting statistics relating to the use of public transport in Newcastle and the Lower Hunter. Very low usage has come about as a result of a combination of factors. For example, developments in the city—such as the John Hunter Hospital and the university—were built away from the existing public transport network.

During the past couple of years a review of Newcastle bus services has been undertaken with a view to better integrating public transport in areas that were not well served by the current bus network but were nevertheless areas where people work and shop. It was found that the use of bus transport had not increased greatly. Current statistics on the use of public transport for trips to work in the Lower Hunter indicate that only 4 per cent of the population travels to work by bus or by bus and train, and that the majority of people in the area travel by private car. Public transport services are used mostly by young people, elderly people, low income earners and householders who either do not have a vehicle or have one vehicle. The public transport system in Newcastle and the Lower Hunter is an incredibly important social justice issue. Why do so few people use public transport in that area? I think it is a combination of the dispersed nature of industry in the Lower Hunter and Newcastle areas and because car ownership can be achieved at a low cost. People can currently buy a new car for as little as $14,000.

There is also a lack of integration in the public transport system, and there are very clear examples of that. There is poor integration between bus and train services, and there is no integrated ticketing system. I know that the Government is working towards the introduction of an integrated ticketing system, and it will be a positive outcome if people are able to purchase one ticket that can be used on trains, buses and ferries. Very cheap parking is available in Newcastle, and it obviously also has an impact on whether people choose to travel by public transport or by private vehicle. I am pleased that a review of transport, particularly bus transport, is being undertaken. Currently there is no contractor obligation on bus operators to better integrate their services with other services, and there is no obligation on them to integrate into nodal centres. The Passenger Transport Act certainly is in need of review.

If there is to be better integration—whether in Newcastle, the Lower Hunter, or any area of the State—we need a system in which individual contractors contribute to the integration system and do not act separately from it. The Newcastle and Lower Hunter areas benefit from the public transport system; I believe Newcastle is the only regional city in Australia to have such a service. However, we need to work at Federal, State and local government level to improve the service. The Newcastle City Council has an urban strategy, Lake Macquarie has an urban strategy called Lifestyle 2020 and the State has a policy called Action for Transport 2010. Those strategies each have positive procedures and steps to improve transport, but they are not integrated. The relevant bodies are not working together to plan for land use and transport services. Now that Minister Knowles has taken charge of the relevant portfolios I am sure that integration will be achieved.

Mark Latham commented, in his former shadow portfolio, about the positive benefits from the Building Better Cities Program, which focuses on the inner core of cities around Australia. He said that he would regard a second tranche of funding as a positive step towards a program that looked at cities in western areas. A combination of Federal, State and local government funding for integrated transport and social infrastructure would be a positive outcome. Another matter that would benefit from a more co-ordinated approach is transport planning, particularly as it relates to container transport. Members would be aware of the proposal to increase container traffic through Port Botany. A strongly supported plan has been put forward for the development of a multipurpose terminal in Newcastle.

A similar terminal is planned for Wollongong. Container transport into Australia will undoubtedly increase, and it is clear that Port Botany will soon reach its maximum potential. There is a tremendous window of opportunity in Newcastle for a multipurpose terminal to go ahead. Expressions of interest for that terminal have been called for, and the Newcastle Port Corporation is working hard to secure the terminal for its port. The terminal at Newcastle would need to be backed up by future development of port and inland areas, particularly in Sydney, which would receive and break down the cargo from the container terminals. I have worked with the Newcastle Port Corporation and that positive project is ready to go. [Extension of time agreed to.]

The project has been given serious consideration by the shipping industry, but it wants a sense of certainty about the project. It is important that the industry is given that assurance, and I hope that in the near future that certainty will be demonstrated by the construction of the multipurpose terminal in Newcastle. The budget has a positive outcome for Transport in the Hunter. Some $10 million is needed for 30 wheelchair-accessible easy-access buses. The budget has allocated $3 million towards that project and the buses should be in operation in Newcastle by September. Some $16.2 million has been allocated towards the $236 million upgrade of the Belmont, John Hunter and Newcastle Mater Misericordiae hospitals and the establishment of the new Newcastle polyclinic.

Those upgrades are important public health investments in our city. They are made even more important because of the continual retreat by general practitioners. In a recent debate in this House I heard that 23 general practice surgeries had closed in the Lower Hunter in the past four years. At the moment some 30 medical practitioners are being sought for the hospital system in the Hunter. The Government will spend $234 million on capital work in my area to completely rejuvenate our health services. Earlier the honourable member for South Coast discussed funding for fire engines; $600,000 has been allocated for state-of-the-art engines for the Stockton and Merewether fire stations. They will be warmly welcomed by the community.

The multipurpose performance space at the Hunter Performing Arts High School is to proceed. The community has been looking forward to that facility for some time. When completed the $4.9 million facility will deliver state-of-the-art technology for students at that excellent high school in my electorate. This year some $200,000 has been spent on planning and preparing that project. The new Children's Court, which will replace the outdated Worimi Children's Court, will receive $2.5 million for development. The new court will be a state-of-the-art facility for Newcastle children. The sum of $1.1 million has been allocated to house the Department of Juvenile Justice, which had been accommodated at the previous Worimi Detention Centre. That centre will be demolished to make way for the new project.

The Hunter Water Corporation will spend $12 million on its new state-of-the-art head office. This year some $10.3 million will be spent to continue building the 14 Hunter railcars. Those railcars will rejuvenate the rail services to Scone and Dungog in the Hunter. They will link Scone and Dungog to Newcastle's central business district and enable people from those areas to travel to the regional capital of the Hunter. They will also link to Sydney train services. The building of the intra-urban carriages is to be undertaken by Goninans.

The Government has an ongoing commitment to the Newcastle electorate. It recognises the need to provide additional health, education and community services for the people of New South Wales. There is still much to be done, particularly in the provision of mental health services. The Government is aware that it has to provide funding in this year's budget and in future budgets for the provision of mental health services in my electorate. I refer, as other speakers have, to the high cost of providing accommodation. This year $754,000 will be spent on the continuation of work on eight units of accommodation for the Department of Housing in New Lambton. The total cost of that project, which is $831,000, reflects the high cost of providing accommodation for those in our electorates who are dependent on public housing.

This year's injection of funds into the Department of Community Services will deliver social justice to many families and children in need of housing or support services. I referred earlier to the $1.2 billion that will be spent over five years to boost family services. That figure includes $260 million for an additional 875 caseworkers and associated managers and an additional $186 million for new systems and support for front-line workers in the department. Every day front-line workers endure some form of stress when resolving critical issues between individuals and families. An additional $156 million has been allocated for early intervention services and $580 million for out-of-home care. Many people in our community, particularly young families, need assistance now. Assistance that is given early often leads to more stable families, less likelihood of children going off the rails, and a better and more positive community.

The Treasurer said that this budget concentrates on strengthening the State's social fabric and its financial position. The budget has delivered on the Government's election promises. However, there is still much that has to be done, a statement with which I am sure all honourable members will concur, to improve services in our community. I commend the budget to the House.

Mrs HANCOCK (South Coast) [9.25 p.m.]: As the details of the Carr Labor Government budget are disseminated to the people of the South Coast I am sure they will have many mixed feelings, as I do, about the budget. I am sure that there will be some sense of relief that most of the Government's pre-election promises have at least been partially kept. I congratulate those communities that worked so hard to raise concerns and achieve their goals in the lead-up to the State election. The electorate of South Coast was, and still is, a marginal seat. In my view, many promises were made at the last minute to try to secure this seat for Labor in the future. That did not work. People in South Coast became cynical about the Government's promises. They had been agitating for a long time for the commencement of some of these projects, but many of the promises were made only at the eleventh hour. In fact, one promise was made only two days before the State election.

There are mixed feelings in the electorate of South Coast. I will speak later about specific budget items as they relate to the people of South Coast, but I first need to express my deep concern about the continuing neglect of the Princes Highway in both the South Coast electorate and the Bega electorate. For many years community members who travel on the Princes Highway have expressed in the strongest terms their concern about that stretch of highway. Some years ago a group of concerned individuals presented a petition from 10,000 individuals calling on the Carr Government to commit greater funding to improve some of the more dangerous sections of that road. For reasons best known to him, the former Labor member did not present that petition to the Parliament; he claimed it had been passed on to the Minister for Roads. The Minister for Roads at that time should have been well aware of the strength of community feeling in the electorate of South Coast about the Princes Highway, but those concerns have been ignored.

The impetus for the petition was the death of a young man, Aryan Rumantir, on a notoriously dangerous section of the highway called Heggos Corner. That was not the first fatality in the area. That stretch of the highway is littered with crosses and flowers that have been placed there by families, loved ones and friends of those who have lost their lives at that location and at other locations on the Princes Highway. Somehow it was the death of Aryan, a young 20-year-old man, that enraged the South Coast community. That young man, a bright student, was extremely talented in drama and singing. He was a former student of Ulladulla High School—he had been a former student of mine—who was returning home from Sydney to Ulladulla for his birthday celebrations. He had been rehearsing for the Johnny O'Keefe show, which just goes to show how talented he was. Tragically, he was killed on Heggos Corner.

His tragic death touched the lives of everybody who knew him, and everybody who knew of him. The local media began a campaign called the Highway of Hell campaign, which attracted tremendous support. A local newspaper outlet asked members of the community to turn up to a public meeting to express their views about the Princes Highway, which they did. Young people, relatives of those who had lost their lives or who had been injured on the Princes Highway over the years and other members of the community expressed their views. The unanimous view was, of course, that the Princes Highway needed additional funding to make it safer for all users.

Apart from the chokepoint south of Nowra and tourists being held up for hours and hours, the safety issues and the death of young people like Aryan Rumantir provided the impetus for action groups and the Coalition to make certain promises in relation to the Princes Highway. It took us some time to devise a solution that we thought was appropriate, at least for the dangerous sections of the Princes Highway. We gave a substantial promise that if the Coalition were elected we would do something about the condition of the Princes Highway. It was a sensible plan that could have been funded. However, the budget contains nothing—not one red cent—for the Princes Highway south of Nowra. The people of the South Coast should feel betrayed.

Since the budget announcement I have received several representations about stamp duty. It is not appropriate for the Carr Government to respond to criticism about this issue by saying that we need exorbitant stamp duties to fund our schools, our roads and our hospitals. Perhaps the Treasurer should have been a better economic manager. Perhaps he should have reduced expenditure in areas such as self-promotion through advertising or reassessed his staffing costs. They are just a few of the ways in which Mr Egan could have offered some hope that people will get out of the rental market and own their own homes.

According to the representations I am receiving, the high levels of stamp duty are making home ownership a distant dream for many on the South Coast, especially the young. It seems that the Premier and the Treasurer will continue to reach into the pockets of the battlers of New South Wales—the ordinary people—without a second thought or a wave of their bony, greedy little fingers. It is no wonder this State's unemployment figures are high and its growth rates are low compared with the other States. The Government appears to have no vision. There is no incentive for people to stay in New South Wales when this increasingly arrogant Government treats ordinary people with contempt.

Another issue that came to the fore during the election campaign was the plight of self-funded retirees. The Federal Government made a 60:40 funding offer designed to return some concessions to self-funded retirees, many of whom live in my electorate. But what did the Premier do? He remained silent about the Federal Government's generous offer. I spoke to many groups of self-funded retirees before the election and I have spoken to them since, expressing my absolute disgust and disappointment that the Carr Government has failed to help them. People would have received only small concessions, but at least it would have been something. Some self-funded retirees in my electorate are struggling to survive.

On a lighter and brighter note, the community of Sussex Inlet will get its ambulance station—not because the Carr Government approached the issue with any integrity but because I raised the matter with the Coalition, which recognised the strategic importance of having an ambulance station at Sussex Inlet. The Sussex Inlet community had called for this station for at least 10 years. Sussex Inlet is 40 minutes away from Nowra hospital by ambulance and the community is home to a number of retirees, many of whom suffered heart attacks but miraculously survived despite the long wait for an ambulance. I convinced the Coalition that we needed an ambulance station at Sussex Inlet. We made the promise and costed it.

Weeks went by and guess what happened? Yes, the Labor Government matched our promise. However, I suspect that if we had not made that commitment the Government would have done nothing to provide an ambulance station at Sussex Inlet. I am extremely pleased about this project, and perhaps the retirees will feel a little safer with an ambulance station in their community. I thank all those community members who have worked hard to achieve this goal and I express my regret that one of the main movers and shakers for the Sussex Inlet ambulance station, Ron Holder, died only months ago and will never see his dream become a reality.

In a similar vein, pre-election promises regarding the Milton school and hospital are honoured in the budget. However, the promises to provide these long-overdue facilities were made only after similar Coalition promises and/or considerable community pressure. Work on both facilities will be staged and funding will continue into the next financial year. I trust that the full amounts promised will be delivered. As a teacher, I have been absolutely appalled, especially in the past few years, by the contempt that the Carr Government has shown for teachers. It has undervalued their work and seemed unable to communicate with teachers on a number of issues. I am even more appalled by the hypocrisy of this Labor Government reflected in this budget by fee increases and the removal of course exemptions for TAFE students.

The Government's response to the justifiable criticism of its stance is that it will not affect everybody. However, it will affect an enormous number of people who may find the costs simply too great and, as a consequence, will not pursue their education, training or career development. This miserly budget provision even contravenes Labor Party policy regarding the abolition of TAFE fees. Labor members must feel ashamed of their leaders as they struggle to justify this decision to their constituents. On Monday this week the Nowra branch of the TAFE Teachers Association met and resolved the following:

I would have thought a Labor Government would stand up for access and equity, but this Government apparently does not. The resolution continued:

Many potential students will be excluded from access to education, training and career development.

That measure is unacceptable and an example of hypocrisy of the worst kind. I received a letter from the Nowra branch of the TAFE Teachers Association just today. The letter states:

The Government has said much about supporting public education in New South Wales but this is the response from TAFE teachers in Nowra and the New South Wales Teachers Federation. I am sure that some Labor members will hang their heads in shame at that result. The bushfires that raged through the towns and village up and down the coast almost two years ago affected almost everyone on the South Coast in one way or another. At the inquiries conducted last year it was found that hazard reduction burning in national parks had been inadequate and that strategic fire trails had been allowed to close. I can attest to that first hand as I am chairman of the Rural Fire Service Strategic Planning Committee and we met on several occasions to discuss those issues.

I became aware during my visits to the fire control centre during the bushfires that bulldozers were being sent out every night to open strategic national park fire trails that had been allowed to close over. Our volunteers' lives were put at risk by that shameful action on the part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The communities of the South Coast love their national parks but I implore the Carr Government to ensure that strategic fire trails are kept open at all times. In relation to the Rural Fire Service budget, $5 million has been put aside for the relocation of the rural fire centre in Homebush. There are some 37 local bushfire brigades and their volunteers are concerned that $5 million will be spent on the relocation of that centre into a city area. After all, it is a Rural Fire Service brigade. For a long time the Shoalhaven Fire Control Centre has been located in Nowra—the centre of recent huge bushfires—and housed in a small, inadequate facility which was formerly a hospital and at one stage a small hotel.

Mr Newell: We have upgraded it.

Mrs HANCOCK: For years we made submissions to upgrade and build a new emergency operation centre in Nowra. The Carr Government did absolutely nothing, so the volunteers in the Rural Fire Service implored the council to ask the ratepayers of the Shoalhaven whether they would agree to a special levy. In fact, only two people in the Shoalhaven objected to such a levy. The centre will be funded by the Shoalhaven City Council and the ratepayers of Shoalhaven—not one cent from the Carr Government! So much for the contributions of the Carr Government to an emergency operation centre!

We have a number of volunteer coastal patrols in our area at Sussex Inlet. There is one at the Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Association and another at Ulladulla. Many city members would not know that those voluntary organisations have to raise their own funds and provide their own boats and vessels to rescue people at sea or those who get into trouble on our waterways. This Government needs to look seriously at providing funds for the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol organisations in the future or they will fold. For years they have had to raise money through lamington drives and raffles. They are in serious trouble because they do not have police boats or vessels; they only have volunteers. Their problems must be addressed.

The Minister for Roads visited the electorate of South Coast with the former member for South Coast and, two days before the election, finally conceded that something needed to be done about the huge traffic problems on Nowra bridges. There are two Nowra bridges: one was built in 1860 and was designed for the volume of traffic at that time, which would not have been high. It is now ageing, and we do not know how much longer it will be able to take the heavy vehicular traffic. [Extension of time agreed to.]

The community waged a war in the media and asked what the Carr Government would do about this long-term problem. If we do not do something now we will have very serious problems in 10 years. The budget has allocated $100,000 for a feasibility study. The people of the South Coast will watch to ensure that the study is not put in a bottom drawer and forgotten. If that happens there will be serious traffic congestion in the area. Indeed, there is a lot to be achieved in all of our electorates. There are many problems, and I have no doubt that no budget will please everybody. I have been a member of Shoalhaven council for almost 16 years and chairman of its works and finance committee, and I know for a fact that it is almost impossible to please everybody. But it seems that the people of the South Coast have missed out in many ways. They have fought hard to achieve whatever they have got for themselves.

I am appalled that promises were made just prior to the election, rather than as a result of a strategic vision to supply facilities, which would have been more appropriate. Works are proceeding on the Shoalhaven hospital, but today I was told that there is low morale at the hospital and there is talk of industrial action because of nurse shortages in the area. If we do not address the problems seriously, rather than just use this empty rhetoric that I hear so often from the Carr Government, we will have serious problems at both Milton and Shoalhaven hospitals. I look forward to the next four years. I would like this Government to address the problems of the battlers, students, self-funded retirees, pensioners, TAFE and school students and young people who are trying to get out of the rental market. Let us try to help the people who the Labor Government should be supporting. I thought that was what it stood for. Clearly, in this budget it does not stand up for those people at all.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Morris.

BILLS RETURNED

FAIR TRADING AMENDMENT BILL

Bill returned from the Legislative Council with amendments.

In Committee

Consideration of the Legislative Council's amendments.

Schedule of amendments referred to in message of 3 July

No. 1 Pages 15 and 16, Schedule 1, line 35 on page 15 to line 7 on page 16. Omit all words on those lines. Insert instead:

(a) the consumer must immediately:

(i) return to the supplier any goods received from the supplier under the contract, or

(ii) notify the supplier of the place where the supplier may collect the goods, and

(b) the supplier must, after receiving the goods or any such notice, immediately return or refund to the consumer any consideration (or the value of any consideration) given by the consumer under the contract or a related contract or instrument.

No. 2 Page 16, Schedule 1, line 10. Omit "(b)". Insert instead "(a)".

No. 3 Page 17, Schedule 1, line 27. After "consumer", insert "for the purpose of negotiating a direct commerce contract (or for an incidental or related purpose)".

No. 4 Page 18, Schedule 1, line 31. Omit "cancelled." Insert instead:

cancelled, or

(c) the bringing of, or the asserting of an intention to bring, legal proceedings as referred to in section 40F (4).

Legislative Council's amendments agreed to on motion by Mr Newell.

Resolution reported from Committee and report adopted.

Message sent to the Legislative Council advising it of the resolution.

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE AMENDMENT (TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES) BILL

In Committee

Consideration of the Legislative Council's amendments.

Schedule of amendments referred to in message of 2 July

No. 1 Page 3, Schedule 1. Insert after line 2:

[1] Section 151D Register of certain interests to be publicly available

Insert ", licences granted under section 153D" after "leases granted under this Act" in section 151D (1).

[2] Section 151D (2) (a)–(e)

Insert "licence," after "lease," wherever occurring.

No. 2 Page 3, Schedule 1. Insert before line 3:

[1] Section 153A Leases etc relating to wilderness areas

Insert at the end of section 153A (b):

, or

(c) grant a lease, licence, easement or right of way under section 153D,

No. 3 Page 3, Schedule 1, proposed section 153D (4). Insert after line 20:

(b) the site of any proposed above ground telecommunications facility covers the minimum area possible, and

No. 4 Page 3, Schedule 1, proposed section 153D (4). Insert after line 20:

(b) the proposed telecommunications facility is to be designed and constructed in such a manner as to minimise risk of damage to the facility from bushfires, and

No. 5 Page 3, Schedule 1, proposed section 153D (4). Insert after line 20:

(b) the site and construction of the proposed telecommunications facility have been selected, as far as is practicable, to minimise the visual impact of the facility, and

No. 6 Page 3, Schedule 1, proposed section 153D (4). Insert after line 20:

(b) if feasible, an existing means of access to the proposed site of the lease, licence, easement or right of way is to be used, and

No. 7 Pages 3 and 4, Schedule 1, proposed section 153D (4) (e), line 33 on page 3 to line 3 on page 4. Omit all words on those lines. Insert instead:

(e) the proposed telecommunications facility is, if feasible, to be co-located with an existing structure or located at a site that is already disturbed by an existing lease, licence, easement or right of way on the land concerned.

No. 8 Page 4, Schedule 1, proposed section 153D. Insert after line 3:

(5) The Minister must not grant a lease, licence, easement or right of way under this section in respect of land that is within an area designated as a remote natural area in a plan of management or an Aboriginal area.

Legislative Council's amendments agreed to on motion by Mr Newell.

Resolution reported from Committee and report adopted.

Message forwarded to the Legislative Council advising it of the resolution.

BILLS RETURNED

The following bills were returned from the Legislative Council without amendment:

PRINTING OF PAPERS

Motion by Mr Scully agreed to:

Final report of the review, under section 73 of the Food Production (Safety) Act 1998, entitled "Integration of the NSW Food Safety System", dated November 2002
Report of the Animal Research Review Panel for the year ended 30 June 2003
Report of the Department of Fair Trading entitled "Report on the National Competition Policy Review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996"
Report of the Review of the Parliamentary Precincts Act 1997, dated June 2003
Report on the five-year review of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995, by the Attorney General's Department
Treasurer's Determination under section 24 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 for Variations of the Payments Estimates and Appropriations for 2002-03 arising from the Transfer of Responsibilities of Various Agencies
Variations of the Receipts and Payments Estimates and Appropriations for 2002-03, in terms of section 26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, arising from the provision by the Commonwealth of Specific Purpose Payments in excess of the amounts included in the State's Receipts and Payments Estimates (Department of Education and Training)
Variations of the Receipts and Payments Estimates and Appropriations for 2002-03, under section 26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, arising from the provision by the Commonwealth of Specific Purpose Payments in excess of the amounts included in the State's Receipts and Payments Estimates (Department of Housing)
Variations of the Receipts and Payments Estimates and Appropriations for 2002-03, in terms of section 26 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, arising from the provision by the Commonwealth of Specific Purpose Payments in excess of the amounts included in the State's Receipts and Payments Estimates (Department of Health)

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

Mr SCULLY (Smithfield—Minister for Roads, and Minister for Housing) [9.54 p.m.]: I move:

I take this opportunity to remind honourable members that the Alcohol Summit will be held at Parliament House during the preceding week. All members have been invited to attend, as parliamentary delegates, to fully participate in all proceedings of the Alcohol Summit.

Motion agreed to.

The House adjourned at 9.54 p.m. until Tuesday 2 September 2003, at 2.15 p.m.
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