2016 Queensland Parliament Estimates Hearings

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/Estimates

The estimates process aids the Parliament in its scrutiny of the Government's proposed expenditure. Since 1994, committees of the parliament have undertaken the estimates process, by examining and reporting on the proposed expenditures contained in the Appropriation Bill and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill.

In 2016 the examination of the Appropriation Bill and the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill will be carried out by the seven portfolio committees.

During the estimates process (from 19 to 28 July 2016) each portfolio committee will hold a public hearing at which the Speaker and Ministers (and certain senior public servants and officers) are questioned regarding the proposed expenditures for the relevant portfolio areas. Other Members of the Legislative Assembly who are not members of the committee may also ask questions, with the leave of the committee.

The dates of portfolio committee hearings are set out below.

Information on the 2016 budget process is available on each committee's Estimates inquiry page by clicking on the Consideration of 2016/17 portfolio budget estimates inquiry details links below. The hearing schedules for each committee can be accessed by clicking on the relevant date below and also on the individual committee's Estimates inquiry page.

When the committee's hearings are completed, the committee members meet, discuss the information gained and compile a final report for tabling in Parliament. Reports are to be tabled by 12 August 2016. The reports are then debated by the Parliament as part of its consideration of the Appropriation Bills.

================

Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee 20 Jul 2016

    Deputy Premier, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade and Investment
    Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
    Minister for Housing and Public Works

Consideration of 2016/2017 portfolio budget estimates inquiry details »

================

Transportation and Utilities Committee  28 Jul 2016

    Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
    Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply

Consideration of 2016/2017 portfolio budget estimates inquiry details »

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Jo-Ann Miller set to grill ministers during estimates hearing

JO-ANN Miller appears to have gone rogue, with the Labor MP looking to grill her former Cabinet colleagues during this year's estimates hearings.

In a highly unusual move, the former police minister has requested to participate in every session and have the ability to question all ministers over the next fortnight.

Estimates hearings are typically centrally controlled on both sides, with Government MPs given specific instructions to follow.

The questions are used to either give ministers a breather between Opposition attacks or push out negative stories about former governments.

Ms Miller's move is understood to have left some ministerial offices nervous about the potential prospect of her going off the script and asking uncomfortable questions.

Asked about her requests, Ms Miller yesterday said she was simply acting in line with parliamentary Standing Orders.

It is understood Ms Miller — who usually sends out copies of her Budget week speech to constituents — hopes to use any questions and answers she's involved with to compile a newsletter or pamphlet to distribute to Bundamba voters.

Meanwhile, Treasurer Curtis Pitt is firmly in the LNP's crosshairs, with Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls yesterday saying he would be a key target.

"Obviously, Curtis Pitt's smash-and-grab raid on the superannuation fund ... that is a matter that I know the shadow treasurer Scott Emerson will be focusing on," he said.

Mr Nicholls said the Government's controversial Cross River Rail business case would also come under the microscope.

[#Metro]

Is the business case still secret? The election was over 2 weeks ago! Plenty of time to read it!

They should release the full business case now. Ridiculous to go to Parliamentary Estimates on the basis of "the summary".

[ozbob]

No, appears not  > http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/projects/cross-river-rail/

I think it is extremely unlikely that the full business will be made available before IA has completed their evaluation etc. 
Even then it might be touch and go.

I think it would be better for the project and everyone if it was made available prior to estimates though.

[ozbob]

Opposition to zero in on government 'inaction' > https://t.co/jCUQbnjb4a via @brisbanetimes #qldpol #qldestimates

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) July 18, 2016

[ozbob]

Estimates can be viewed live via > https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/

[ozbob]

The Premier has announced this during estimates this morning:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-budget-estimates-july-19-2016-20160718-gq8k3y.html

Real Time Donation Disclosure Coming to Queensland

The Premier has just announced the Government will implement real time political donations by the end of the year.

That will apply for both state and local elections - and means that donations to political parties will be put up in real time.  It's something that independent MP Peter Wellington has been calling for - and the government promised to investigate upon coming to power in 2015.  A year and a half, and a local government election later, and the government has announced it.

Ms Palaszczuk says she believes Queensland will be one of the first jurisdictions to implement it.  Will it bring change?  Well, it means that voters will be able to see who is donating to what political party or candidate before and during the election - and how much - instead of after.

[aldonius]

Huzzah!

[ozbob]

Voters will know who is donating and how much - real time > https://t.co/CpZRaGvtUe via @brisbanetimes #qldpol > #auspol #nswpol #springst

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) July 19, 2016

[ozbob]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/queensland-parliament-estimates-hearing/news-story/3b0e47f71ff8a5bd6adcd6ee65e5aa91

... LABOR MP Jo-Ann Miller will refer former health minister Lawrence Springborg to police over allegations he lied to an estimates hearing about the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre.

The centre, which was the only facility providing long-term inpatient treatment for young people with complex mental illnesses, was controversially shut down in January 2014 under the former Liberal National Party government. ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Miller to refer Springborg to police over mental health closure 'untruths'

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Jo-Ann Miller proves government's biggest adversary

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/committees/IPNRC/2016/Estimates2016/Est-pro-20Jul2016.pdf

Estimates Hearing Schedule

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Deputy Premier, Minister for Infrastructure,
Local Government and Planning and Minister
for Trade and Investment

9:00am – 11:00am
Break 11:00am – 11:30am
11:30am – 1:30pm

[ozbob]

.@jackietrad also wants to know how @DebFrecklington got her hands on a cabinet-in-confidence cross river rail document. #qldpol

— Jamie McKinnell (@jamie86) July 19, 2016

[ozbob]

During this session this morning, the LNP have confirmed why they are irrelevant in the end.

They simply do not want to see progress, they are more concerned with crass polyticks.

[ozbob]

.@jackietrad expects commuters to walk through the cross river rail tunnel. #qldpol #CrossRiverFail pic.twitter.com/BrRXDbxiLx

— Tim Nicholls MP (@TimNichollsMP) July 20, 2016

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 39m

. @TimNichollsMP @jackietrad err plenty of trains, present GC trains + NGR will be used. Do some more ' homework ' Tim ... #qldpol


^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 37m

. @TimNichollsMP @jackietrad Floodplain? Brisbane is a flood plain Tim. They build rail tunnels under oceans . crazy scare mongering #qldpol


^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 37m

. @TimNichollsMP @jackietrad secret taxes? You need to brush up on @TurnbullMalcolm vision and IA rules Tim. Haven't learned. #qldpol

[ozbob]

If you weren't sure before.  Bet you are convinced now that Queensland is pretty much rooted!

You're welcome ..   

[SurfRail]

Is he the opposition leader or a potato?

[ozbob]

LOL

It is amazing.  Mrs Miller, MP for Bundamba, is doing a better job than the opposition in terms of sensible questioning along estimate lines.

[kram0]

Is he the opposition leader or a potato?

Sack them all. Useless. We need leaders that will lead and stop playing politics with the future of this great city.

[ozbob]

. @JoAnnMillerMP and @jackietrad having some interesting exchanges today at #qldestimates pic.twitter.com/GxBbAiygB1

— Steven Wardill (@stevenwardill) July 20, 2016

[#Metro]

Is he the opposition leader or a potato?

Potato. Sit in the cupboard, maybe sprout from time to time.

Sack them all. Useless. We need leaders that will lead and stop playing politics with the future of this great city.

Anyone want to run for public office? Just need to grab the balance of power in the Parliament and then hold up the entire legislative agenda until CRR, Sunshine Coast etc is funded.

As for Tim Nicholls, well nobody knows what the LNP policy is. Is there a policy?

As for secret taxes - why should taxpayers throw funds at private landholders to boost their property value?

[Stillwater]

The political posturing in Budget Estimates was breathtaking.  All point-scoring, very little focus on practical ways forward.  But how to dis-entangle the politics from transport and infrastructure in Queensland?  Politicians from both sides won't allow an 'independent' authority, preferring that a minister holds a tight rein.  It would be interesting to see the behind-the-scenes control of Building Queensland and its evaluation processes.

We must assume that CRR is dead in the water for the time being, which means looking at other practical infrastructure projects that cost less and are more easily achieved -- such as Springfield line extension to RP and SCL duplication.

[#Metro]

Political Posturing and Policy Process in Queensland Government 

Sofie Dossi: Teen Balancer and Contortionist Shoots a Bow With Her Feet
America's Got Talent 2016

[verbatim9]

Jackie Trad - "Cross River Rail 'a must' by 2021"

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st July 2016

LNPQLD where are your transport policies?

Greetings,

Tim Nicholls (LNP), leader of the State Opposition, has criticised the Cross River Rail project as being "station in floodplain", "forgot to order trains" and "secret taxes for Queenslanders".

Apart from the obvious facts that most of Brisbane is built in a flood plain by design, existing and new NGR trains will use CRR, and taxes cannot be secret since to pay a tax the person being taxed needs to be sent a bill with the amount on it, Tim Nicholls has not explained what his party's policies actually are. Albert St station will have flood protection.

Will Tim Nicholls build Cross River Rail? Some other rail project to unlock capacity instead? Nothing??

Why does the LNP appear to support giving private landholders taxpayer funds gratis when a taxpayer funded project nearby increases their private property values? Value capture and value share is required as part of the business case for all major projects for Infrastructure Australia assessment.

How will the LNP pay for Cross River Rail or its equivalent? We need a detailed point by point explanation on this one. We want to see numbers.

What is Tim Nicholls' policy on zones and fares across the TransLink network? Is there a fare reform policy?  Or is it just too hard like last time.

What is Tim Nicholls' policy on Brisbane City Council's continued poor and expensive operation of the Brisbane Bus Network? BCC is failing to meet basic bus on time mandatory standards.

What is Tim Nicholls' policy on Brisbane City Council Bus Network Reform? Clearly needed as entire suburbs such as Bulimba, Yeronga, the Centenary suburbs and Albany Creek are without basic decent frequency bus routes.

What is Tim Nicholls' policy on the Sunshine Coast Railway line, extension of the rail from Springfield Central, and Perth style 15-minute train frequency within South East Queensland?

Tim Nicholls and LNPQLD, where are your transport policies?  Queensland needs more than Segways!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Reference:
Cross River FAIL, Tim Nicholl's Twitter Feed
https://twitter.com/TimNichollsMP/status/755557325465804800/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

[ozbob]

Latest media: @LNPQLD where are your transport policies?
> https://t.co/lzFK8ZrE15#qldpol #auspol@TimNichollsMP pic.twitter.com/dGEwxzzrTe

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) July 20, 2016

[ozbob]

Fast forward to ~2min 45seconds.  Enjoy!  Reminds of puppets on George St ... 

[ozbob]

The political posturing in Budget Estimates was breathtaking.  All point-scoring, very little focus on practical ways forward.  But how to dis-entangle the politics from transport and infrastructure in Queensland?  Politicians from both sides won't allow an 'independent' authority, preferring that a minister holds a tight rein.  It would be interesting to see the behind-the-scenes control of Building Queensland and its evaluation processes.

We must assume that CRR is dead in the water for the time being, which means looking at other practical infrastructure projects that cost less and are more easily achieved -- such as Springfield line extension to RP and SCL duplication.

Yes, CRR is dead dead dead.  DP Trad did try to explain later in estimates why new trains are not included in the business case costings (no need at all) but the Brisbane media, as usual, largely fell for the bullsh%t pedalled by the LNP.  Brisbane media is part of the reason why Brisbane and SEQ generally will never really progress as a modern city - it will be a city/region characterised by transport failure and chronic gridlock.

The LNP have not learned a thing from their Government meltdown.  Alarmingly, they seem to be actually worse!

[ozbob]

So what happens now?

ETCS L2 will go ahead.  ' Sweating the assets '  is all that the incompetent ALP and LNP could possibly achieve now at a state level.

I have had some social media correspondence with Cr Schrinner.  He seems to agree now with my proposition that a metro needs to be automatic and achieve at least 30,000 pphpd for real.  This is encouraging.  If the LNP should get back in power, clearly after yesterday, there is no way they will support CRR.  So possibly the last resort will be a true automatic metro. The quack metro is dead!

[#Metro]

Yes, CRR is dead dead dead.

Big statement.

[ozbob]

The slim chance for CRR is that IA tick, Feds allocate some $$ and ALP remain in State Government.

If those 3 things don't occur it is deader than a dodo IMHO.

[Stillwater]

The State Government plan seems to be to hold back on submitting business cases for other major transport infrastructure projects so that the only business case before IA from Queensland is CRR.  (This seems to be behind the statements from government spokespersons that CRR is the No.1 priority and all other projects hang off that).  So long as CRR business case is before IA, with no others being forwarded for a further year at least, the game plan would appear to be to deny IA an opportunity to compare one transport infrastructure project in Queensland with another, even if the other has a higher benefit-cost ratio.  It is dangerous tactics, because IA may recommend another project in another state, ahead of CRR.  In those circumstances, would Qld just continue to hold back on presenting further business cases so that CRR is continually before IA?

[ozbob]

Building Queensland - Pipeline Proposals are here > http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/proposals/

Does this make everyone feel better?

[ Asking for a friend ..  ]

[ozbob]

Meanwhile,  the Member for Bundamba continues to shine ... 

@JoAnnMillerMP blocked from attending Police Minister's Estimates hearing. Clerk ruled "not prudent" as Miller is ex-police minister #qldpol

— Sarah Elks (@sarahelks) July 21, 2016

[#Metro]

An interesting question is whether new trains should be added to the cost of CRR.

When CRR opens, existing trains will use it, saving about 10 mins of travel time. All good. No extra costs there.

But the full benefit of CRR will be from service expansion during peak hour. Expanded services not only save around 10 mins

of travel time, but the increased train frequency also causes waiting time at the platform to drop in peak hour, which

generates a benefit, which in turn is counted as a benefit in the CRR calculations.  Without the tunnel, those additional

trains cannot be physically added to the network because there is no room. It seems strange to count the benefits generated

from having new trains, but not count the costs of getting the train in the first place.


If we are going to be even-handed, then where we count a benefit we should also count the cost of generating that said

benefit. We cannot include all the cost of new trains ordered because many are simply replacing end-of-life trainsets

already on the network. Rather, we should count the costs of the additional trains that are able to be added to the

timetable during the peak hour (service expansion) that CRR enables and that would be impossible to physically add without

that infrastructure.


And there is a precedent for this too - the Kippa-Ring railway line was rejected by the Queensland Government initially

because although the consultants calculated a large benefit they also "forgot" to add in the costs of operating the line so that

passengers could use it. The Queensland Government (under red team at the time)  argued that once taking into account the

operating costs of trains to be put on the line, the project was unworthwhile, and instead pursued bus upgrades on Anzac Ave.




Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_Bay_Rail_Link

In June 2004, Queensland Transport released an assessment of the Petrie to Kippa-Ring Public Transport Corridor Study's Impact Assessment Study. This assessment claimed that the Impact Assessment Study only looked at costs of the Petrie to Kippa-Ring corridor, and did not take into account commercial-in-confidence costs involved with operating the trains, integrating the services with the rest of the Citytrain network, higher maintenance costs, and the costs of increasing capacity between the Brisbane central business district and Petrie. Based on these higher costs, Queensland Transport deemed the construction of the railway by 2007 could not be justified. The report also said possible savings with a public-private partnership were small and would not provide value for money.

[ozbob]

To do that, you need to properly account for the massive benefits.

Good luck with all of that.

With respect to MBRL.  The final proper analysis showed clearly that rail was much cheaper to operate although dearer to construct.

Rail has a very long benefit period.

My own view is that CRR is dead as a dodo sadly.  The way the ALP has mismanaged the whole drama, recently and since 2008 has virtually guaranteed its failure.

The best you are going to get, if you are really lucky, is improved signalling on the existing network. 

Transport failure in Brisbane and SEQ is guaranteed!  LNP won't fix it either. 

[Stillwater]

It is a difficult one to explore.  I understand Auditor-General's advice to government departments and local government is that, if they contemplate a new piece of infrastructure, they should factor into their budgets the cost of operating those assets, maintaining them and also the depreciation costs.  It would be possible to, at the same time, calculate a budget for building something while also setting aside in a separate 'asset management fund' extra money to manage that asset, together will all other assets on the books.  As the trains likely to run on the CRR section of the network will be running elsewhere on the network as well, the apportionment of those costs possibly could be along the lines of 5km worth of damage/costs/wear and tear/depreciation associated with these things in a 200km journey from the Gold Coast to Nambour, for instance -- but only allocated against the CRR for that part of the train travel between its portals.  On balance, it would seem the purchase of next generation trains would be a separate budget item, based on network-wide costs and benefits gained from their purchase and operations, including efficiency gains across the network as a whole.

[ozbob]

What might have been hey?   

[#Metro]

The controversy is centered around whether or not it was right to exclude the cost of purchasing trains to run after the project.


My finding is that not all of the cost should go forward, but only the costs for the number of trains that represent a service

expansion made possible by the project.


The main benefits from this project are the time savings (ca 10 min) each train makes when it uses the tunnel and the drop

in waiting time at platforms from the extra services added during peak hour. These tend to be the dominating benefits in any

large transport project like this. Of course releasing the full business case for public review would actually tell us how and

what, but they refuse to do that, at least at this stage.


I am still very interested to know from the relevant ministers what changes they made to the CRR project that saw ca $1BN

of benefits evaporate between CRR 1 and CRR 3. The CRR 1 project remains superior on all measurements by a large margin.