Resolutions Debated at the State Conference of The Nationals Queensland held at the Mercure Hotel Brisbane, North Quay, Brisbane from Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 July 2005

2 Aug 2005

"Feedback"
feed...@opposition.qld.gov.au
www.Springborg.com.au

Telstra

Hon Bruce Scott MP

"That this Conference of The Nationals - Queensland continues to oppose the further sale of Telstra until there is agreement that all Australians including those living in regional, rural and remote areas are protected from telecommunications market failure which may prevent the provision of parity of technology, service and price into the future between metropolitan and regional areas. Towards this goal, The Nationals - Queensland call for the implementation of the following "Five Pillar Policy":

1. The establishment of a permanent and significant trust fund with the earnings used to provide future technology and infrastructure upgrades at parity price and service with metropolitan services in cases of market failure (utilising a competitive tender process that considers providers with a permanent presence in regional Australia);

2. The establishment of a separate body under the Australian Communications and Media Authority with:

* responsibility to monitor and report annually, and review every three years, on the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia;

* authority to investigate any inadequacies in mobile telephone and broadband services in urban areas; and

* authority to remedy any inadequacies

3. The requirement by law that Telstra Country-Wide maintains a physical presence in regional, rural and remote Australia as a condition of licence;

4. The maintenance of the price averaging basis for the cost of all new telecommunications and satellite Internet connections to ensure all Australians are charged the same basic price for maintenance and new connections;

5. The retention of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and the maintenance of the existing price parity for local untimed calls."

Explanation:

The Queensland Nationals recognise that for regional, remote and very remote parts of Australia*:

Market based criteria have not always provided new telecommunications technologies, requiring government intervention regardless of Telstra ownership;

The Nationals' initiatives, including the Besley and Estens inquiries into telecommunications have directly led to major improvements in communication technologies, services and pricing; and

The Page Research Centre paper Future-Proofing Telecommunications in Non-Metropolitan Australia (Chair Senator Nash, Deputy Chair Senator Joyce) placed the Nationals at the heart of the Telstra privatisation debate and while not opposing the sale, identified the two core elements to be put in place prior to the sale of Telstra as:

The achievement and maintenance of price and service parity between metropolitan and non-metropolitan communities guaranteed through a blend of regulation and competition; and

The introduction of regulatory measures to create greater competition to address the monopolistic characteristics of Telstra.

The necessity for a commitment, as a fundamental principle, a platform capable of delivering high speed broadband and by extension 3G services to rural and regional Australia.

(* as indicated in the Remote and Very Remote Index Map)

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Voluntary Student Unionism - Young Nationals

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland:-

* declares its full and unequivocal support for the concept of voluntary student unionism.

* notes the concerns of the Federal Government with regard to wastage of funds by university student unions;

* requests the Federal Government ensures an alternate funding mechanism with comparable levels of funding to existing fees is provided to maintain the level of services and the provision of facilities on university campuses.

* calls on the federal government to introduce and enforce good governance guidelines and a clear framework for what purposes funds are able to be used for. "

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

1 Child Sex Offenders Ashgrove/Stafford Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland sponsor a State-wide petition calling for legislation to redress the current shortfall in custodial sentencing for convicted child sex offenders."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

2 Racial Segregation Southern Downs Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland requests the State Opposition and the Federal Coalition Government to consider restructuring departments and ministries with a view to removing racial segregation."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS LOST

3 Electorate First Initiative Young Nationals

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland reaffirm it's commitment to The Nationals Electorate First policy from the 2001 election."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

4 Illegal Drugs Southern Downs Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland does not support Federal or State financial or judicial aid to any Australian Citizen with illegal drugs found to be deliberately strapped, taped, inserted, or in some way bound to their body whilst overseas."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

5 TV & Radio Reception Hinchinbrook Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on the Federal Coalition Government to reinstate the Television and Radio Blackspots Program to assist rural and regional areas with topographical features that prevent a signal from reaching residential dwellings."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

7 Workplace Reform The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland supports award simplification and opposes moves by the union movement to impose gender based conditions in the workplace."

THE RESOLUTION WAS WITHDRAWN

8 Sole Parent Support The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland supports the policy of encouraging but not compelling sole parents in receipt of benefits to enter or re-enter the workforce and an increase in appropriate child care places to support these parents."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

9 Compulsory use of Non-electric Hot Water Systems Keppel Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland oppose proposed legislation to be introduced by the Beattie Labor Government which would require the compulsory installation of non-electric hot water systems into new homes."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

10 Mining in Central Queensland Charters Towers Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland condemns the lack of vision by the State Government to provide adequate water supply to cope with the expansion of mining, agriculture and other infrastructure in Central Queensland."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

11 National Parks The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on a Nationals-led State Government to permit recreational pursuits such as horse riding in the State Forestry areas and other areas that have been converted to National Parks since 2004."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

12 Harvesting of Humpback Whales Hervey Bay Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland strongly condemns the international harvesting of humpback whales for so-called scientific purposes'; congratulates the Federal Government for its recent success in preventing increased harvesting at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting; and urges the Federal Government to continue to vigorously campaign for humpback whale conservation in the international arena."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

13 Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme Beaudesert & Toowoomba North Electorate Councils

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland:-

* notes the discriminatory nature of the Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme between those pensioners in a leasehold retirement village arrangement (as opposed to those in a freehold retirement village); and

* calls on the Beattie Labor Government to support the Private Members' Bill developed by Shadow Minister for Fair Trading, Hon Kev Lingard, which will allow those living in a Leasehold Retirement Village to receive the Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

14 Chief Health Officer Cunningham Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on The Nationals in Government to reinstate the responsibilities and powers of the Chief Health Officer by:-

* reinstating the statutory powers of the Chief Health Officer;

* enhancing the role of the Office of the Chief Health Officer by establishing the Office independent of the Department of Health which will provide a truly independent monitoring role of the provision and maintenance of health care quality and standards within the public and private health sectors;

* requiring the Chief Health Officer to report to the Parliament through the Minister for Health on at least an annual basis."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

15 Undergraduate Medical Degree Toowoomba South Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland:-

* recognises the loss of Doctor working years caused by the Post Graduate Medical Course at the University of Queensland; and

* calls on the State Government to lobby the University of Queensland to reinstate the undergraduate medical degree course."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

16 Health Rights Commission Cunningham Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on The Nationals in Government to:-

* enhance the Health Rights Commission to provide an independent and impartial avenue for resolving health care complaints;

* provide an independent review of services provided by the public and private health sectors;

* establish the Health Rights Commission (under the Health Rights Commission Act 1991) independent of the Government and accountable to the Legislative Assembly as a whole; and

* retain administrative responsibility of the Health Rights Commission under the Administrative Arrangements Orders the Minister for Health."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

17 Reduction of Administrative Infrastructure Toowoomba South Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland purpose itself to reduce the administrative infrastructure of Queensland Health by a target of up to 25% and transfer this saving to 'front-line' services, and further, that the administrative processes be reviewed and reduced to allow this reform."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

18 Recruitment of Overseas Health Professionals Hervey Bay Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland requests the Commonwealth Government to oversee the recruitment of overseas trained health professionals and that the Australian Medical Council be asked to standardise their clinical assessment of overseas trained doctors who are accredited to practice in Australia."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

19 Health Nicklin & Nudgee/Sandgate Electorate Councils & Ryan Divisional Council

"That this Conference of the Queensland Nationals calls on the State Government to ensure new health services are planned to be complementary to and collaborate with existing services, and that equity and access for all population groups is provided as described in Mutual Obligations of the Public Health Outcome Funding Agreement 2004-05 to 2008-09."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

20 Rural Diabetic Agencies Hervey Bay Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls for Commonwealth Government financial support for Rural Diabetic Agencies assistance for the training of Pharmacy staff in diabetic education."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

21 Provider Numbers for Midwives The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland recognises the important role that midwives play in providing crucial care and support to both women and families in the childbirth process and calls upon the Federal Government to allocate Medicare provider numbers to midwives"

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

22 Water Storage Beaudesert Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland urges the State Government to support all sustainable development of water storage facilities so that Queensland's future economic and social expansion is guaranteed."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

23 WATER Southern Downs Electorate /Lilley Divisional Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland ask the Federal Government to use a portion of the huge financial surplus to commission an urgent and in depth study into desalination, grey water use and future storage requirements so that the nation's future is guaranteed.

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

24 Recycled Water Project Toowoomba South Electorate Council

"That this Conference of the Nationals Queensland:-

* requests that the Queensland Government lists the recycled water project from Brisbane to the Lockyer and the Darling Downs as a state priority for the National Water Initiative; and

* that the Federal Government funds its share of this important infrastructure."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

25 Crown Land Weed Control Darling Downs Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland support Local Government in their fight to persuade the State Government to be financially responsible for the control of declared weeds and pests on Crown Land."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

26 Control & Eradication of Pest Species Glass House Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls for adequate funding to control introduced pest species (ie feral pigs, feral cats, feral dogs, foxes, cane toads, Indian mynah birds, fire and crazy ants)."

HELD OVER

27 Integrated Planning & Environmental Management Keppel & Gregory & Mudgeeraba Electorate Councils

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on a Nationals-led State Government to review the following legislation so as to uphold the rights of property owners, develop a compensation regime which is acceptable to all stakeholders as well as reduce or eliminate adverse environmental and economic outcomes:-

* the Integrated Planning Act 1997;

* the Vegetation Management Act 1999;

* the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995; and

* the Wild Rivers legislation;

* the South East Queensland regional plan 2005-2026."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

28 Drought Policy Mansfield/Mt Gravatt Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland noting the Beattie Labor Government's abysmal record in delivering effective on-the-ground support to drought-declared regions of the State, congratulates the Federal Nationals Parliamentary Team for pursuing reforms to the current support arrangements provided by the Federal Coalition Government."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

29 Truth in Science Hinchinbrook Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on both Federal and State Governments to:-

ensure that accurate scientific data forms the basis for government decisions which have the potential to adversely affect rural industry; and

take a greater level of responsibility for the accuracy of scientific data presented by their respective agencies."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

30 Country of Origin Labelling Hinchinbrook & Nudgee/Sandgate Electorate Councils

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on the relevant regulatory bodies to:-

* strengthen and rigorously enforce existing Country of Origin labelling requirements for all packaged and unpackaged foods to ensure domestic producers are not disadvantaged and Australian consumers are not misled as to the origins of the food they purchase;

* specifically extend current requirements to include clear origin labelling for unpackaged meat products, such as ham and smallgoods (eg. "Made from imported pork").

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

31 Citrus Canker Gregory Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on the State and Federal Governments and the Citrus Industry to provide a fair and adequate compensation package to citrus growers in the Central Highlands area of Queensland, who have been financially devastated by the Citrus Canker Quarantine Zone."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

32 Farmbis Charters Towers Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on the State and Federal Agriculture Ministers to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the AAA FarmBis program to meet the demand from primary producers in Queensland into the future; that the program is widely promoted in Queensland to ensure producers know it is still available; and that the Queensland Labor Government does not follow the lead its NSW counterpart which has refused to agree to fund the AAA FarmBis program."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

33 Apiary Industry Glass House Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland condemn the Beattie Labor Government for phasing out honey bee access to state forestry, changing conservation areas and wet tropic areas by 2024 and this Conference:-

* rejects the 2024 ban as it will have a significant effect on the horticultural industry as it has done in California where bees are currently exported from Australia to meet horticultural industry demands; and

* recognizes that the honey industry is a major Australian exporter, and that honey bees are essential for the operation of Queensland's $1.47 billion horticultural industry through pollination both paid and incidental."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED AS AMENDED

34 Carp Eradication The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland actively campaign for all the State and Local Government Agencies to support programmes to eradicate the pest fish 'carp' from all Queensland waterways and support native fish restocking programmes."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

35 Infrastructure Advisory Board Maroochydore Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls for The Nationals in Government to:-

* establish a State Infrastructure Advisory Board to provide strategic advice to the State Government in relation to infrastructure planning, delivery and funding for Queensland.

* assist and oversee the Private-Public Partnership process thereby ensuring that these partnerships are applied where socially and fiscally appropriate and that the process for identifying and approving such partnerships are streamlined to improve private investment in new public infrastructure."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

36 Regional Infrastructure Councils Maroochydore Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls for The Nationals in Government to:-

* establish Regional Infrastructure Councils throughout Queensland to identify and prioritise specific infrastructure projects in each of Queensland's regions; and

* ensure that these councils are responsible for negotiating twenty year plans with agreements between State, Local and Federal Governments together with the additional involvement of private enterprise."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

37 QIC Mansfield/Mt Gravatt Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls for The Nationals in Government to change the objectives of the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to include investing in infrastructure, manufacturing and processing projects that would enhance our economies such as biofuels, ethanol, plastics and other energy conversion production facilities from the use of Queensland's agricultural and natural resources."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS LOST

38 Second Range Crossing Toowoomba South Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on the Federal Coalition Government to fast track the funding of the second range crossing at Toowoomba as a matter of urgency."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

39 Overtaking Lanes Hinchinbrook Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on the Federal Coalition Government to fast track a detailed analysis of Australia's major highways with a view to constructing additional strategic overtaking lanes to assist the flow and safety of vehicles on key commercial and tourism routes."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

40 Bruce Highway Nicklin Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland request the South East Queensland Regional Plan be amended to utilise urban accommodations where the North Coast Railway and Bruce Highway infrastructure already exists."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

41 School Zones Maroochydore Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland calls on The Nationals in Government to introduce a pilot program for flashing lights in school zones during the hours of their operation to alert drivers to the dangers of children crossing in the area and the need to lower their speed."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

42 North Coast Rail Line Nicklin Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland supports the North Coast railway line duplication being extended to Gympie and upgraded to enable high speed service (200kmp)."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

43 Abolition of State Payroll Tax & Insurance Premiums Stamp Duty Hinkler Divisional Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland supports both the abolition of Payroll Tax as well as the elimination of Stamp Duty on all Insurance Premiums."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

44 Tax Free Threshold Indooroopilly/Mt Coot-tha Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland requests that the minimum threshold for the Tax Free Threshold be increased to $12,500.00."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

45 Public Holidays Gregory Electorate Council

"That this Conference of The Nationals Queensland commits in Government to examine the number of public holidays in the first six months of the year as compared to the second six months."

THE RESOLUTION WAS WITHDRAWN

Urgency Resolutions

1 Policy Standing Committee

"That noting the chronic and ongoing failings of the Beattie Government and the provision of basic services to which Queenslanders are entitled, this Conference of The Nationals - Queensland commits The Nationals - Queensland in government to restoring Queenslanders rights to:-

* Quality and timely healthcare;

* Feel secure in their home, workplace and community;

* Reliable and affordable essential services such as water, electricity and roads;

* A taxation and regulatory environment that rewards individual achievement, initiative, innovation and promotes economic development; and

* Honesty and transparency in government and Ministerial accountability;

* Inalienable property rights.

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

3 Post Weaning Multi-Systemic Wasting Syndrome
DARLING DOWNS ELECTORATE COUNCIL

"That this conference of the Nationals calls on the federal coalition government to revoke all permits from countries affected by Post Weaning Multi-Systemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) disallowing the importation of pork from these countries and safeguarding our world class pork industry."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

4 Glass House Electorate Council

"That this Conference of the Nationals calls on all members of the Federal Parliamentary Team to immediately act to protect our Australian fruit and vegetable industries from grossly unfair competition from cheap often subsidized imported produce being offered for sale in food outlets in Australia."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

5 Gold Coast Spit The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of the Nationals strongly objects to the Beattie Government proposal to allow a private development company access to public open space or Crown Land on the western side of The Spit, Gold Coast, north of Nara Resort to the Seaway, Wave Break Island and the National Park land of South Stradbroke Island. We urgently request that The Nationals Parliamentary Wing support the gazettal of this precious land and protect out water and land based public open space forever and that they have actively promote the purpose of Reserve 2729, at the northern tip of The Spit, see attached map, inclusive of Doug Jennings Park and the Marine Stadium, be amended to Park and Recreation, to better reflect the current community use of this land and protect this area from development for future generations."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

6 The Nationals Queensland Women

"That this Conference of The Nationals requests that adult stem cell research be financially supported by Federal and State Governments, commensurate with their proven successes."

THE RESOLUTION WAS PUT AND WAS CARRIED

The Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House,
Alice Street,
Brisbane
QLD 4000
Australia

www.springborg.com
Phone: (07) 3406 7997 | Fax: (07) 3221 1496

(c) 2004 authorised by L. Springborg, Parliament House, Alice St, Brisbane QLD 4000