Mr HARDGRAVE (9:55 AM) —I rise today to highlight and praise the work of a journalist—and I think that should be noted on the record. The particular journalist is Mr Bob Howarth who, as well as many other things, is the editorial technology manager for Queensland Newspapers in Brisbane and the editor of the Braille Mail. Mr Howarth's different roles extend to involvement in the Commonwealth Press Union and visiting East Timor on five occasions—most recently in April—where he has assisted in the re-establishment of the print media in that fledging democracy. Queensland Newspapers have put forward some $600,000, donated by Pacific Magazines, in the form of a 40-tonne printing press.

Mr Howarth's role as the editor of the Braille Mail, which provides news and information in a timely way to people who are not fully sighted—and there are a significance number of them in the community—should also be applauded in this place. The following groups can be found in my electorate: the Braille Writers Association, a voluntary organisation headed by Mrs Yvonne Herbert, which has been bringing volunteers together to translate books and magazines into braille and Moon text for 103 years; Aid for the Blind; and the Queensland Blind Association. They raise funds and provide services for people without full sight.

Mr Howarth's efforts as the editor of the Braille Mail mean that many people who may not have been able to find out things through print and have the enjoyment of reading are able to do so. Mr Howarth's efforts within the Commonwealth Press Union have also taken him to the Republic of The Gambia in West Africa, where a young African editor saw his business card and wanted to know about learning braille—this was a full-sighted African lad. As a result of that conversation, Mr Howarth has ensured that a braille edition of local news in Africa has been printed for the first time. While only 10 copies have been made available, the fact that the first African edition of a braille newspaper has been printed in Hong Kong at a cost to Queensland Newspapers, couriered and sent to just 40 braille readers in The Gambia, shows the sense of charity and commitment that this man has to his fellow men.

The efforts of people like Bob Howarth should be identified in this place because they support the efforts of people like Darel Green and Stella Haralampou, who are involved with the Queensland Blind Association in a professional and organisational capacity. I commend their work and I encourage them to keep it up, because so many people in my electorate rely on the efforts they have provided to date.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl)—In accordance with standing order 275A, the time for members' statements has expired. The Main Committee will now consider government business.