Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (12.42 PM): In rising to make comment on this bill, I extend my thanks to my colleagues on the Transport and Resources Committee, the committee staff, the officials at the Department of Energy and Public Works who assisted us and the submitters who shared their knowledge and suggestions with us.

This bill represents the first legislative steps towards providing the regulatory framework required to support the development of a hydrogen export industry in Queensland. Regardless of one's views about green energy, there is already a strong global demand for hydrogen.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (7.25 PM) :   I am so glad that the Minister for Education is here to hear this. On behalf of the parents and the students of Gregory schools, I speak briefly to raise two issues causing considerable concern.

The North West Queensland School Sport District is currently under review—and has been for some time—but there is yet to be any meaningful consultation with the school P&Cs about the proposed changes.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (6.50 PM): I rise to make a brief contribution to this bill, particularly as it relates in a couple of aspects to the interests of the people of Gregory.

I move first to the amendments that allow for the disclosure of the identity of adults charged with a prescribed sexual offence prior to the finalisation of committal proceedings.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (12.13 PM):  I rise to make a contribution to this bill, which will amend and modernise the Water Act 2000.

When it comes to the Labor Party and managing water, I do not have trust. Nearly 22 years ago, in a first interaction between the Labor Party and irrigators from the Central Highlands—without consultation, without a letter to us or anything—the Labor Party of the Beattie era put a moratorium on overland flow in the Fitzroy Basin. That was absolutely devastating.

I rise to express the outrage felt by my constituents at the continuing lack of renal dialysis services in Gregory. The situation is rightly viewed as scandalous.

It has a devastating impact on people's lives as they require this treatment to sustain their life and they are required to have dialysis multiple times each week. This means that they either leave their communities for good or are forced to lock up their homes and businesses and 'temporarily relocate' to receive treatment in centres such as Mackay, Rockhampton or Brisbane.

It is with great sadness that I rise to pay tribute to Alan Acton, who tragically passed away on 4 April at age 65. His loss will be felt by many.

I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Jennifer; children, Daniel, James and Jessica, and their partners and children; sister, Elizabeth; and brothers, Robert and Evan.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (3.16 PM):  The Gregory electorate covers nine local government areas and part of a 10th shire as well. In many ways, it is the level of government that my constituents have the most dealings with and it is fundamental to sustaining our quality of life in rural and regional Queensland.

In other words, it is a big deal.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (9.58 AM): I never thought I would be in this place giving a condolence motion for a man who was, simply, a mentor and a friend.

There is a great monument to Vaughan Johnson OAM, the member for Gregory for 25 years, at the Boulia Diamantina Shire Council boundaries, not far from the Northern Territory-Queensland boundary. It is called the Vaughan Johnson Lookout. It is a lookout on a jump-up that has an amazing and beautiful view of the vastness of the Channel Country.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (3.28 PM):  In December, the Queensland Labor government publicly promised that violent juvenile car thieves will face 14 years jail. Now in the bill before us we see that the maximum penalties are half of what they promised.

The sentencing maximum is seven years. Under the sentencing principles contained in the Youth Justice Act, the maximum sentence that juvenile offenders can be sentenced to is still five years.

Mr MILLAR (Gregory—LNP) (12.28 PM): 

Thank you for those kind words, Chair.

Stock routes are very important to Queensland. They play a significant role in animal welfare and also in increasing our agricultural abilities through tough times and drought.

 Before addressing the contents of this omnibus bill, I want to draw the attention of the House to the concerns of the Transport and Resources Committee with the explanatory notes. As deputy chair of that committee, I share the concerns of all committee members with the poor quality of these explanatory notes.