Transcript - Media Conference - Caboolture, Qld

MARK RYAN: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to part of the Caboolture region. My electorate, the Morayfield state electorate, is just on the other side of the highway. So there’s a lot of local people who are very happy to see this project complete. In fact, I was reflecting on the journey of upgrades of these roads, and, you know, before I had grey hair and wrinkles, 15 years ago I officially opened stage three of the Bruce Highway upgrade. So down at the BP service station down there there’s a rock somewhere with my name on a plaque.

It's amazing to see the upgrade and progress that’s gone on. But it’s Labor governments that gets these things done. So these projects delivered by a state Labor government, supported by a federal Labor government, get things done to improve things for the community and improve safety. This upgrade project delivers more lanes, wider lanes, extra safety and flood mitigation. Who could believe that before this project was done that when you had heavy rain the Bruce Highway in suburbia would be flooded and people would have to be rescued from this road by emergency services? This upgrade project improves flood mitigation and ensures people are safe, that this road is robust in all weather conditions.

It’s a great project. It’s great to have Minister King here – who is a strong supporter of not only road investment but also Queensland – our Premier and also Transport Minister who have also advocated strongly for these projects and ongoing projects. This is a great project. It improves safety. Great investment in road infrastructure, accommodates growth in the future and, once again, delivered by Labor Governments. 

STEVEN MILES: The Bruce Highway is the artery of our state, and that connection from Brisbane through Moreton Bay to the Sunshine Coast is absolutely critical to the south east Queensland region. That’s why the Queensland and Australian Governments have partnered together to continue these upgrades to the Bruce Highway. It’s important not just for traffic and congestion and travel times but also for safety and flood mitigation and also to unlock more new estates for housing. 

Just west of here we have the massive Caboolture West new estate and, of course, we know how much population growth we’ve seen throughout Moreton Bay and on the Sunshine Coast and south east Queensland regional plan anticipates that growth to continue. In order to facilitate those homes, we need to upgrade the infrastructure, including this major highway. And, as I say, it’s a proud partnership with the Australian Government, and it’s great to have Catherine King in town. 

CATHERINE KING: Thanks, Premier. It’s terrific to be here with the Premier, with Bart Mellish, my counterpart here in the state of Queensland, and also Mark, the local member, who’s really championed this project for a long period of time. 

The project that we’re opening today is part of the Australian Government’s $10 billion commitment to upgrade the Bruce Highway. It’s a partnership we undertake very seriously with the Queensland Government, and to see these improvements first hand is great to see. This project, a $530 million contribution from the Australian Government, has increased the lanes, but more importantly it’s actually building resilience into our freight network, making sure people can get to work safely but also making sure our freight can move not around – just around this state but the connectivity it has to other states as well as part of our national highway network. 

I’m really delighted to see that the project has been delivered and that this is very much part of our commitment here in the state of Queensland. We’re partnering with the – the Australian Government is partnering with the Queensland Government on over 100 projects here in this state and around about $22 billion worth of funding that’s coming into the state for infrastructure projects. On top of that, of course, there is the commitment of $3.5 billion to the Olympics, and on top of that we’re also funding as an Australian Government with all of the local councils across this state $2.5 billion for local roads, which are really important. And I’m going to go and visit one of those [indistinct] projects in Brisbane shortly after this. 

This is an important partnership. We know how important the Bruce Highway is, as I said, not just to Queensland but also to the country as part of our freight network. So it’s a great day to be here, and I really want to thank particularly all of the workers who have been involved in the construction of this project. We don’t do this work without the fantastic workforce we have. Building these projects, it can be dangerous, difficult work, particularly in wet weather conditions. We’re really proud in the work that our construction industry does in building some of this amazing infrastructure that we all drive on. Thanks very much. 

Happy to take questions, unless Bart wants to say something.

BART MELLISH: Thanks, Minister. Look, it’s fantastic to be here to today, another terrific traffic-busting Bruce Highway project. So this project, I was here to check on progress in my first week as Minister. It’s really great to come here for the formal commissioning of these extra lanes on the Bruce Highway – one extra lane south and one extra lane north. But as Minister Mark Ryan pointed out, one of the real benefits of this project is the flood immunity benefits, of course. In February 2022 this went under and, of course, the impacts of that on the local community and the impacts on emergency services on what is the Bruce Highway, which is a major highway, really are something that we needed to sort out. So it’s fantastic that working with the federal Labor government we can get projects like this done. 

And projects like this are the ones that are at risk under an LNP state opposition. When the LNP were in power they cut funding to the Bruce Highway, they cut funding to transport projects and they cut funding to transport jobs. So projects like this would not happen under the LNP. But it’s fantastic to be here for the formal commissioning of this project. It’s a great project. It’s [indistinct] north of Brisbane. I’m really keen to work with the federal government to see what else we can do around this part of the world. 

This one came in under budget. It’s a fantastic project. Well done to our lead contractors, [indistinct] and Fulton Hogan, for the work they have done here. Well done to the department and it’s great to be here today with the federal Minister Catherine King, with the Premier and with Minister Mark Ryan talking about a fantastic Labor project. 

CATHERINE KING: Happy to take questions. Questions to the Premier?

JOURNALIST: I have a question for Minister King.

CATHERINE KING: Yes, of course. 

JOURNALIST: It’s about the Olympics. Does the federal government agree to moving Brisbane Arena to the other site [indistinct] street parklands and under the new funding agreement that’s being [indistinct] through will planning still be capped at $3.5 million? 

CATHERINE KING: Yeah, so the funding of $3.5 billion is a capped funding agreement. We’re working through – obviously we recognise a review has been undertaken and accept that the Queensland Government has accepted the review and that we’ll continue working with them. Obviously we’ve got the commitment to Brisbane Arena and we want to see that built, and we’re just working our way through the business case for that, which includes moving of it from Roma Street Station as well. 

JOURNALIST: So any cost overruns on that project would have to be covered by the state government? 

CATHERINE KING: Well, at this stage we’re going through the business case, but our contribution of $3.5 million, which is a significant 50-50 contribution – first time an Australian Government has done that. When we came into office there was no money at all committed from the Morrison Government to the Olympics at all. There was a letter saying that they would contribute, but no money. I had to find the money for that $3.5 billion is guaranteed from the federal government on a 50-50 contribution basis. 

JOURNALIST: Will the federal government match funding for the Sunshine Coast railway. 

CATHERINE KING: So we’re working our way through the request of the Queensland Government in the upcoming budget, and Infrastructure Australia is assessing the best case for Sunshine Coast direct rail. Of course we already have $1.6 billion on the table for Sunshine Coast rail, but I’m not going to pre-empt budget decisions today. 

JOURNALIST: Would you agree the Coomera Connector is currently under funded at Stage one? 

CATHERINE KING: Again, there’s been a request from the Queensland Government as part of the budget process to make sure that we get the Coomera Connection right and that we get the funding to be able to deliver that project fully. And they are part of the Australian Government’s budget deliberations. 

JOURNALIST: Can we ask the Premier just about the BPIC that we’ve seen in the headlines there? Do you think those terms and conditions are fair or are they taking the you-know-what? 

STEVEN MILES: Well, the terms and conditions included in the BPIC’s represent the prevailing EBA rates and the industry. So the department takes what EBAs, the unions and companies are negotiating in the industry and incorporates into those into the BPIC’s. 

JOURNALIST: Double pay for working in the rain, $100 allowance for using your mobile phone? Is that going a bit far, do you think? 

STEVEN MILES: These are all prevailing conditions in the industry. I know that our construction workers work very hard often under difficult circumstances, and it’s important that there are conditions related to wet weather and to heat. 

JOURNALIST: What about an allowance, though? What about an allowance up to a thousand dollars a week working 50 kilometres or more away from [indistinct]. A thousand dollars a week, is that allowance [indistinct]?

STEVEN MILES: These are the prevailing EBA conditions in the industry, and they’re designed to ensure that when companies tender for government work that they aren’t competing on wages, that they’re competing on quality and [indistinct]. 

JOURNALIST: Do you accept this will push up the prices of not only government contracts but also building – private builders and renovating private homes? 

STEVEN MILES: Well, as I’ve indicated, the BPIC conditions are the prevailing EBA conditions in the industry, and I think it’s appropriate that government on government jobs ensures that workers aren’t competing with each other on wages, that they are good, safe jobs where we are training apprentices and the tradies of the future, where there are opportunities for women and First Nations people. 

JOURNALIST: How much extra will these conditions add to the budget? 

STEVEN MILES: These conditions have been in place for some time, so there’s nothing particularly new here. 

JOURNALIST: What about the thousand dollars? I mean, [indistinct]? 

STEVEN MILES: The conditions included in the BPICs are the prevailing EBA conditions. As to each individual clause, I’m not across that level of detail. I’m happy to get a response from you. 

JOURNALIST: So if someone works in Brisbane and the job is in Caboolture they get a thousand dollars extra [indistinct]? 

STEVEN MILES: I think Brisbane to Caboolture is less than 50 kilometres, isn’t it? 

JOURNALIST: It’s 44 kilometres [indistinct]. 

STEVEN MILES: That’s less than 50. 

JOURNALIST: Okay, well, a bit further up the road. 

STEVEN MILES: [Indistinct]. 

JOURNALIST: It’s a 6-kilometre difference; it’s just an example. So, but it’s still reasonably close and [indistinct] a thousand dollars [indistinct]. You can see that it doesn’t bode well with families who are struggling with the cost of living, if working 50 kilometres from your home you get an extra thousand bucks in their pay packet. 

STEVEN MILES: Well, these are real people, too, and people with families and people who deserve a decent wage, deserve to be able to provide for their families, deserve to be able to come home safe from work. I know there are people out there criticising the wages and conditions of working people, but I won’t be one of them because I know that there are two sides to cost of living. There’s what it costs to buy things and then what you earn for going to work. And both [indistinct]. 

JOURNALIST: [Indistinct] work for the government should be the best job in the state. Do you think frontline emergency workers agree with that when they look at the conditions being given to construction workers? 

STEVEN MILES: Well, I think if they look at their conditions compared with the conditions of similar workers in every other state and territory, they’ll acknowledge that we have some of the best wages and conditions for all of our frontline staff. I mean, I’ve had the police union president describe our Queensland Police EBA as not just the best in the country but possibly the best in the world. And I’m sure Minister Ryan would be happy to back that in. Our nurses, our teachers, our ambos, they have amongst the best conditions in the country. That’s not something that we’re ashamed of; it’s something we’re very proud of. 

JOURNALIST: Is it these conditions contributing to cost blowouts on some projects? 

STEVEN MILES: Well, these conditions have been in place for some time – in fact, the best part of the time that we have been in government. I am not – I am not going to apologise for ensuring that we fund projects sufficiently so that workers are paid decent wages, prevailing EBA conditions and what they are safe at work. 

JOURNALIST: But are they contributing to cost blowouts is the question. 

STEVEN MILES: Well, no, they’re based on the prevailing EBA rates, and so they ensure that when companies tender for our work they aren’t competing on wages. They’re not competing to push down wages. 

JOURNALIST: But the private market has said that they are struggling to pay [indistinct] projects because of all these perks [indistinct] projects worth over a hundred million – 

STEVEN MILES: Well, they may also be struggling to compete with EBA jobs because the rates that are in our BPICs represent the rates on EBA jobs. 

JOURNALIST: Are you saying that they’re the prevailing conditions, but are they conditions that have been artificially created by the government, though? These conditions? 

STEVEN MILES: No. 

JOURNALIST: On the Olympics, the federal minister said the funding will be [indistinct] cover any costs [indistinct] Brisbane Arena? 

STEVEN MILES: That’s always been in the arrangement within the inter-governmental agreement. That’s why we’re absolutely determined to stick to that total budget envelope. It’s another reason why we couldn’t justify building a new $3.5 billion stadium, as some have demanded we do. 

JOURNALIST: Premier, on [indistinct], have you spoken to [indistinct] victim, and is there any scope to look at adult [indistinct] to jail time applying to young offenders? 

STEVEN MILES: I’m always happy to talk to any victims of crime, including to the White family. As you know, I met with them and I’ve since spoken to Cindy. They have my phone number, and I’m happy to take a call from them at any time. Happy to meet with them at any time. Happy to discuss any proposals that they want us to consider. When it comes to sentencing there is already the capacity for judges and magistrates to apply up to life sentences in cases where that’s appropriate. 

JOURNALIST: I guess, though, there’s the feeling that it’s not meeting community expectations around. Is there scope, though, to narrowing the gap between [indistinct] that apply to adults versus younger offenders? 

STEVEN MILES: The law already provides that capacity to the courts. I’ve encouraged them to ensure that they use the full force of the law to keep the community safe. 

JOURNALIST: Do you think that there would be any – anything to come out of, say, the youth justice select committee that [indistinct] family as well? 

STEVEN MILES: Look, I really hope so. A lot of time and effort has been invested into that select committee. The whole idea of it was to see if there were bipartisan initiatives that everyone could agree to and sign up to. And I’ve said, consistently said, that we will seriously consider any recommendations that are made. 

JOURNALIST: Why haven’t you proclaimed [indistinct] legislation yet? 

STEVEN MILES: I understand that that process is progressing according to the time frame that was intended and that the proclamation will follow the appointment of the commissioners. 

JOURNALIST: But it’s not as intended because the appointments were supposed to be done at the end of last year and they still haven’t been done yet, and the legislation still hasn’t even been – 

STEVEN MILES: I understand the appointments are well advanced. 

JOURNALIST: The CCC wants laws governing proceeds of crime to be expanded to include the seizure of cryptocurrency and other digital assets. Will you consider this? 

STEVEN MILES: That’s the first I’ve heard on that suggestion. But it makes a lot of sense to me. We want to make sure that our law enforcement authorities have all of the powers that they need to seize proceeds of crime whether they’re digital or otherwise. 

JOURNALIST: And home schooling families are strongly criticising the proposed changes [indistinct] home schooling saying they go too far, and one researcher says it could drive families underground. What’s your reaction to that? 

STEVEN MILES: Look, we’ll take into account those contributions. I’ve certainly spoken to home schooling families who share those concerns. At the end of the day, what we’ve proposed is that when home schooling a child they should be schooled in the Australian curriculum. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable thing to expect. But if there are other measures that people are concerned about, we’re always happy to consider that. 

JOURNALIST: How do you explain the delay in the treaty process? 

STEVEN MILES: Well, I don’t accept that there has been a delay, that this is progressing along the time frame that we intended. 

JOURNALIST: The laws were passed almost a year ago and the laws still haven’t been proclaimed. How is that not a delay? 

STEVEN MILES: They’ll be proclaimed quite shortly. 

JOURNALIST: Will the hearings actually get underway, though, before the election? 

STEVEN MILES: Absolutely. 

JOURNALIST: So you have no justification as to why it’s taken over a year to even set up a treaty institute [indistinct]? 

STEVEN MILES: It’s complicated work, and the minister has been working through the details of it. 

JOURNALIST: What’s complicated about this work? I mean, you’ve passed legislation in May last year. 

STEVEN MILES: It’s very complicated stakeholder engagement. You know, First Nations people don’t necessarily all speak with one voice. We need to ensure that you are bringing that entire community along with you, and that’s what the minister has been doing. 

JOURNALIST: [Indistinct] this process was meant to be done [indistinct]. So how do you explain the delay? 

STEVEN MILES: I’m very comfortable that it’s very close to - those appointments being done. 

JOURNALIST: The criticism is that you stepped back or the government stepped back [indistinct] after the referendum, sensing the mood of the voters. Is there any truth to that? 

STEVEN MILES: No, there’s no truth to that. Clearly the path became a lot more difficult when David Crisafulli shifted the LNP’s position and shamefully abandoned First Nations people. That means that it’s going to be very, very difficult to achieve a treaty while he’s the leader of the LNP. 

JOURNALIST: Premier, where do you stand on the west – alternative western Bruce Highway route that could go through Elimbah There’s been a lot of local unrest about it, Ali King has apparently told people to stop walking home [indistinct] public transport plans, but she wouldn’t speak to our cameras. And then there’s also been pushback from the LNP. How do you view that project and that proposal? 

STEVEN MILES: As to the specific corridor, those planning and consultation works will need to continue. But what I do know is that we absolutely need Bruce Highway duplication capacity. If we’re going to provide the number of homes that we expect to provide in places like Caboolture West and Elimbah, then we will need upgraded highway connections as well as a parallel highway capacity. 

JOURNALIST: Do you think it should be moved [indistinct]? 

STEVEN MILES: That’s the purpose of that planning work and that consultation. But what I would underline is just the importance of having that additional highway capacity. 

JOURNALIST: Premier, just back on [indistinct] law, are you satisfied at the moment with how the [indistinct] dealing with serious, violent young offenders? 

STEVEN MILES: I’m satisfied that the laws themselves provide the police and the courts with the tools that they need to keep the community safe. How they are applied, well, they’re questions for other entities. 

JOURNALIST: [Indistinct]. 

STEVEN MILES: So I spoke this morning with Reece and Juliette, Molly’s carers, and indicated to them that we have identified a pathway for them to secure an appropriate permit so that Molly can be returned home. I know that that will come as good news to the thousands of people who comment on my Facebook page every day calling on me to free Molly. 

JOURNALIST: Just a quick one to Minister King if that’s okay. There’s been a lot of anger and frustration from some of Australia’s most high profile athletes about the state government’s decision to rejuvenate the QSAC option for athletics here in Brisbane. Does the federal government have concerns that Brisbane will be an embarrassment on the world stage, as some news outlets have said? 

CATHERINE KING: The Olympics coming to Brisbane is fantastic for Queensland and fantastic for the nation. And I know that they will be the best games ever. I am very confident that the partnership we have with the Queensland Government is the right one, that the infrastructure that is being delivered is not only being delivered to provide a great Brisbane Olympics but it will leave a lasting legacy here in Queensland for young people to participate in sport right across the spectrums of sports that are in the Olympics. 

I am very proud that we are partnering with the Queensland state government, and I know that those infrastructure investments that we’re making as a federal government in partnership with the Queensland state government will not only lead to terrific Olympic Games but leave a lasting legacy here. 

BART MELLISH: Last question. 

JOURNALIST: Allegedly the funding agreement was meant to be a 50-50 split. 

CATHERINE KING: Yeah. 

JOURNALIST: That was redone so that the federal government took control [indistinct] agreement and the state government took control of the other. What sort of concerns have you raised with the state government about the Gabba redevelopment at the time that those negotiations were underway? 

CATHERINE KING: So we’ve got an intergovernmental agreement with the Queensland state government to provide the 50 per cent funding for infrastructure investment to the Olympics. That agreement was negotiated at the time. We’re re-looking at that to see whether it does need to have any changes made to that as part of the review that’s been undertaken. But what I would say really clearly is that the Brisbane Olympics will be fantastic for Queensland. And they will be something that every single Queenslander can be proud of. 

You’ll have the world watching you, and we are very proud to be partnering with the Queensland Government on that investment as we work our way through, as we should, as taxpayers would expect us to do, to make sure that we’ve got the business cases, we make sure that [indistinct] the right investment. And that’s what we’re doing in partnership with the Queensland state government. It's what we do every day. It’s what we do on infrastructure projects like the Bruce Highway behind us. And it’s what we’ll be doing and my department is doing every day with the Queensland department as well. Thanks, everybody. 

JOURNALIST: Can I ask the Transport Minister one question about these new speeding cameras that haven’t issued a single fine in 18 months since they were meant to be set up. 

BART MELLISH: [Indistinct]. 

JOURNALIST: So the new speeding cameras that are meant to be set up at roadwork sites 18 months ago a, haven’t issued a single fine. 

BART MELLISH: Sure. I’m happy to come back to you on that. I haven’t [indistinct]. 

JOURNALIST: Thank you. 

CATHERINE KING: Thanks, everyone. 

JOURNALIST: [Indistinct] questions in? 

CATHERINE KING: Yes, sure, of course. Just hang on a sec. 

JOURNALIST: The light rail to the Gold Coast airport and the extra 13 kilometres of track, do you think that’s a good idea? 

CATHERINE KING: Well, the first thing is the Australian Government has obviously invested in light rail already, and we’ve put a substantial amount of investment in it. Of course, the way in which this works is that Infrastructure Australia will need to assess the business case and provide advice to the federal government about whether the project is ready for investment. And that process hasn’t occurred yet. 

JOURNALIST: That will take a long time, and things are only going to get more expensive. Are you concerned about that? 

CATHERINE KING: Well, I think, again, it’s important that we make investments on the basis of business cases, making sure that we’ve got a clear idea about what the cost benefit is of a project. And that process now is something that we’ve put in place as an incoming government to make sure we do have surety of cost when we’re making really significant investments of taxpayer money in important infrastructure. 

JOURNALIST: Broadly this project has been around, though, for three, four years. Do you think stage four is a good idea? 

CATHERINE KING: Again, I will await the advice of Infrastructure Australia, whose job it is to provide advice to the federal government on infrastructure investment of taxpayers’ money. 

JOURNALIST: So you’re not sold on the idea by the sounds of it? 

CATHERINE KING: Again – again, the process is that a business case needs to go to Infrastructure Australia and they will provide the Commonwealth advice as part of our budget processes for investment. That is the way infrastructure investment should work. Gone are the days where we have press releases announcing money for projects that we do not know how much they’re going to cost. That’s why you get some of the problems that we see certainly in other states where there are cost pressures with projects because the Liberal Party decided to announce funding for projects before they even had a business case without doing – 

JOURNALIST: We’ve had press releases here with the incorrect figures on the project, now revealing cost blowouts. Do you think more than $7 billion is worth it for light rail [indistinct]? 

CATHERINE KING: Again, I’ll await Infrastructure Australia’s advice on the business case on light rail. 

JOURNALIST: But broadly speaking you can’t even say you think it’s a good idea. It sounds like you’re backing away. You’re not confident at all? 

CATHERINE KING: The Commonwealth has invested significantly in the stages of light rail. It’s been an important project for Queensland. And, again, the way in which this works is that the business case goes to Infrastructure Australia, and when I am making decisions about substantial amounts of money to be invested in infrastructure projects, I rely on their and my department’s advice. And that process is underway.