Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1960

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

1344 Auctioneers, Real Estate, &c., Bill [ASSEMBLY] Questions

THURSDAY, 10 NOVEMBER, 1960

Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) took the chair at 11 a.m.

QUESTIONS INCREASES IN BRISBANE MEAT PRICES Mr. LLOYD (Kedron) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry- "(!) Has his attention been drawn to what is apparently a deliberately misleading opinion in the 'Telegraph' of Tuesday, November 8, which attempts to place the responsibility for the seven pence increase in meat prices in Brisbane on the control over the supply of meat in the metropolitan area by the Brisbane Abattoir?" "(2) Is it not a fact that the Cannon Hill Saleyards are merely a facility placed at the disposal of the buyers and sellers of cattle and the Queensland Meat Industry Board has nothing to do with the prices paid for the cattle sold at the Saleyards?" "(3) Would it not be true to state that the only affect that the operations of the Brisbane Abattoir have on the price of meat to the Brisbane housewife is the charge per head imposed on the slaugh­ tering of cattle owned by meat companies and individual buyers?" "(4) For the correct information of the Brisbane public, will he outline the charges made for the slaughtering of cattle at the Brisbane Abattoir?" "(5) How do these charges compare with those imposed by other abattoirs?" Questions [10 NOVEMBER] Questions 1345

"(6) Has there been any recent increase Cannon Hill have had no influence on in the slaughtering charges levied at the recent rises in meat prices. This fact is Brisbane Abattoir which could affect the well known to the Telegraph Newspaper Brisbane meat prices?" Co. and therefore it does the paper no credit in deliberately misrepresenting the Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied- position to an uninformed public. Its "(1) This statement has been noted and efforts to masquerade as antagonists of many others of a similar nature over the monopolism is just as deceptive; m fact the past twelve months which I can only Telegraph's proposal could do no other regard as humbug and for the purpose of than thrust the Brisbane meat trade into deceiving readers of the paper and Bris­ the hands of monoplism." bane meat consumers." "(2) Yes. The Cannon Hili saleyards SALE BY GOVERNMENT OF CONDEMNED are a facility provided for the sale by MOTOR VEHICLES auction of cattle in the Metropolitan Area. They are administered by the Mr. LLOYD (Kedron) asked the Premier- Queensland Meat Industry Board and cer­ "(1) How many Government vehicles, tain yardage fees are claimed where applic­ which have previously been condemned by able. These charges are considered reason­ an Inspector of Machinery, have been sold able and comparable with similar charges during the past twelve months through the in private yards elsewhere. In fact they are generally lower. Other than in respect State Stores Board?" to these very small charges, the Queens­ "(2) In view of legislation covering the land Meat Industry Board has no influence sale of used cars and trucks, is it the inten­ on the price paid for cattle through the tion of the Government to discontinl'le the yards which is influenced by the fluctua­ practice of selling condemned vehicles?" tions of supply and demand. The scale of charges is-Cattle, ls. 3d. per head; Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) calves (under 8 months), 4d. per head; replied- sheep, 3d. per head." " As I am advised, there has been no "(3) Yes. Cattle are killed at the Bris­ sale through the State Stores Board over bane Abattoir purely on operators' account the last twelve months of any vehiclt;, as with preference being given to those for a vehicle, which has been previously con­ local supply. Cattle are not in any way demned by the Inspector of Machinery. purchased by the Queensland Meat However, there have been occasions when Industry Board and the only charge made vehicles were sold in an unroadworthy is for slaughtering and dressing." condition for spare parts and other such "(4) The following are current charges uses under conditions which have been for slaughtering, washing, dressing, chill­ accepted by the prospective purchasers." ing and placing in the Meat Hall for delivery-Cattle, £1 7s. 6d. (inclusive of LIFT DRIVERS, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA State inspection fee of 1s.); calves, from HOSPITAL 8s. 3d. to 19s., depending on weight. These are, I understand, the lowest fees Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) asked the of this type charged at any public abattoir Minister for Health and Home Affairs- in Australia." "(1) In view of his reply to my question "(5) Charges imposed on cattle slaugh­ directed to him on November 8 that he tered at the principal abattoir, Homebush will not sanction the re-employment of -the main Sydney source of supply for wardsmen to drive lifts at the Princess cattle-are 56s. 6d. per head, which Alexandra Hospital during the day time, is includes a very recent increase of 3s. per head. Charges at public abattoirs in this because of lack of finance?" Victoria and South Australia are in excess "(2) If not, will he, because of appeals of Queensland Meat Industry Board for employment for physically handicapped charges. Slaughtering charges for cattle people, give consideration to employing at other Queensland abattoirs where the such handicapped people in the driving of charges are made public vary from £1 10s. lifts at the Princess Alexandra Hospital?" to £2 Ss. per head. The saving to the Brisbane consumer when comparing Hon. H. W. NOBLE (Yeronga) replied- Queensland Meat Industry Board charges "(!) No. The Hospital Administration and Homebush charges represent £176,000 in the twelve months ended is of the opinion that it is unnecessary to June 30, 1960." continue with a wardsman or anyone else on duty as lift driver during the day time "(6) There has been an increase of six­ other than busy visiting hours." pence per head in cattle at Brisbane Abattoir recently. In addition, certain credits for "(2) The Hospitai Administration . 1s fats previously allowed and amounting to conscious of the desirability of employmg some 3s. per head have now been dis­ physically handicapped persons in suitable continued. It must be obvious to all fair­ positions and has recently employed one as thinking peopl~ that the operations of a clerk-typist:' 1346 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

MAINTENANCE STAFF, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA meat prices, does he not consider it now HOSPITAL desirable that the Government should appoint a committee to enquire into the Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) asked the industry, and advise the Government and Minister for Health and Home Affairs- the graziers on the proper functioning of "(1) Is it the Government's intention the grazing industry in the interests of the now or in the immediate future to reduce people and the State?" maintenance staff at the Princess Alex­ andra Hospital which has ensured the high Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) efficiency requirements for medical facili­ replied- ties under the control of the South Bris­ "! am afraid the Honourable Member bane Hospitals Board?" is not aware of what is happening in the "(2) If any dismissals are contemplated, grazing areas of the State. Despite the fact what departments will be affected and that Queensland has and is experiencing when will those dismissals become one of the most widespread droughts on effective?" record, stock losses have been lighter than in previous lesser droughts. This has been "(3) If the answers to (1) and (2) are in due to the progressive policy being the affirmative, which I sincerely hope will followed by the majority of graziers of not be so, in what way can dismissals, con­ water and fodder conservation, pasture templated or actual, be eo-related to his improvement and improved husbandry protestations that the high and efficient methods. Careful enquiries made by standard of public services in Queensland officers of the Department of Agriculture Hospitals will not suffer under his Govern­ and Stock have indicated that despite the ment?" serious drought adequate supplies of stock Hon. H. W. NOBLE (Yeronga) replied- fodder, including stored fodder, are avail­ able at a reasonable price. As with many "! am advised that the Administration other foodstuffs the price of meat is con­ of the Princess Alexander Hospital has no trolled by supply and demand and retail present intention of dismissing maintenance prices are only altered on an accepted workers.' formula in conformity with wholesale prices paid at public auction. It is not INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC LIGHT, MT. SUR­ considered that conditions are so unusual PRISE AND GILBERT RIVER POLICE STATIONS that a committee of enquiry is necessary Mr. ARMSTRONG (Mulgrave), for Mr. nor is it considered that the present price GILMORE (Tablelands), asked the Minister of meat is out of line with retail prices for Public Works and Local Government- in other States; in fact it is cheaper." "Further to my approach in connection with the possibility of the installation of REDUCTION IN STAFF, BRISBANE GENERAL electric light at both the Mt. Surprise and HosPITAL Gilbert River Police Stations and my desire Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) asked the to have this very necessary amenity Minister for Health and Home Affairs- installed with as little delay as possible, has he given any further consideration to "(1) Is it a fact that officers of his my requests?" Department are at the present time carry­ ing out a survey of the staff required at Hon. L. H. S. ROBERTS (Whitsunday) the Brisbane General Hospital with a view replied- to reducing its numbers to a level danger­ "Following on the Honourable Member's ous to the efficient operation of the hos­ several approaches to me on these two pital?" matters I instructed my Department to "(2) Is the investigation being directed expedite work on these projects. I am now particularly at the maintenance staff?" pleased to advise that both projects are "(3) Have any dismissals been carried almost completed." out or are any contemplated as a result of the investigations up to this date?" INQUIRY INTO GRAZING INDUSTRY "(4) Can any dismissals be justified in Mr. MELLOY (Nudgee) asked the the interest of efficient operation of the Premier- institution and in view also of the increased "As this is not the first occasion on allocation for hospitals in the recent which Queensland has experienced severe budget?" drought conditions, and in view of the Hon. H. W. NOBLE (Yeronga) replied- often expressed claim by graziers of their specialised skill and expert knowledge of "(1) No survey has been made for the th~ir industry, and as they have apparently purpose mentioned by the Honourable failed to take advantage of their experience Member. Neither the Hospital Authorities by taking such measures as would offset nor the Department would tolerate a reduc­ the effects of drought conditions, and in tion of staff to a level dangerous to the view of the Premier's statement in the press efficient operation of the Hospital." on November 9 that the State Government "(2), (3) and (4) No dismissals have been cottld not take acti<:m on the present high carri.ed out, nor are any contemplated." Questions [10 NOVEMBER) Questions 1347

SALE OF CROWN LAND, ROWES BAY, forestry purposes and what lands should TOWNSVILLE be held for grazing purposes and for Mr. TUCKER (Townsvil!e North) asked agricultural purposes?" the Minister for Public Lands and Irri­ Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied- gation- "(1) Is it the intention of the Lands "The Honourable the Minister for Public Department to open up further land at Lands and myself, as Minister for Agricul­ Rowes Bay, Townsville, in the very near ture and Forestry have collaborated very future?" closely in regard to the development of Crown Lands in the North. In view of "(2) Will these allotments be sold on a past experience any scheme involving freehold basis to the highest bidder irre­ extensive clearing of rain forest in spective of how much land or property North Queensland should be approached that bidder might already own?" cautiously and thoroughly examined before "(3) If so, will he not agree that this decision is reached. We considered that encourages speculation and that in the face the formation of a Committee representing of this method the average person has the Department of Lands, Agriculture and little hope of acquiring land on which to Forestry to investigate the use of the build at other than exorbitant prices?" Northern lands was the best method of approach to this question. Our approach Hon. A. R. FLETCHER (Cunningham) replied- to this matter received wholehearted Government support. Regarding the "( I) There is not at present any reason­ specific questions the answers are:­ able area of land suitable for sale as (1) The Committee has already com­ residential allotments." menced work preliminary to field inspec­ "(2 and 3.) For the information of the tions. (2) Field inspections will commence Honourable Member, I have to state that in the South of the area, near Townsville arrangements are in hand for the calling of and extend Northwards. (3)The Committee applications under "The Crown Land will submit recommendations on the correct Development Act of 1959" for the develop­ permanent use of the subject areas. The ment for residential usage of a substantial Honourable Member may rest assured that area of land at Rowes Bay, Townsville, it is the Government's keen desire to have as soon as advice is received from the these lands used for the purpose to which Townsville City Council as to its require­ they are best suited." ments in the scheme of development and also information as to the site to which the Council's Depot is to be shifted from ISSUE OF CROWN LEASES, TULLY AREA its existing position." Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) asked the Minister for Public Lands and Irrigation- DRILLING OPERATIONS, WEST MORETON "(!) Is it a fact that a man named Dinan COALFIELD of Tully, and a man named Mackly of Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East) asked the lngham recently were successful in the Acting Minister for Development, Mines, ballot for the two blocks of land thrown Main Roads and Electricity- open in the Tully area for cattle-fattening purposes, but that no official approval for "Is it the intention of the Department the granting of the leases has yet been to dispense with the service of those made." employees engaged in drilling operations on the West Moreton Coalfield and "(2) If so, is he aware that, at this time stationed at Redbank?" of the year, the delay of a few weeks in the granting of the leases may mean a Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied­ year's delay in preparing the land for "No." pasture-sowing and in view of this fact will he expedite the granting of the leases?" INVESTIGATION INTO UsE OF TROPICAL CROWN LANDS Hon. A. R. FLETCHER (Cunningham) Mr. ARMSTRONG (Mulgrave) asked the replied- Minister for Agriculture and Forestry- "(1) The ballot for the two blocks in "In view of a statement published in question was held at lnnisfail on October 6. 'The Courier-Mail' of November 1 con­ The names of the two successful applica­ cerning a committee to examine the cor­ tions were forwarded to Brisbane, checked rect permanent use of tropical Crown as to the ability in law of the applicants lands,- to hold the land and subsequently were (!) When will the committee com­ approved by the Land Court on mence its investigation? October 26. The local Land Commissioner was advised of this approval on the follow­ (2) What areas will be investigated first? ing day and the formal notices of approval of application to select the lands in (3) Is it the purpose of the committee question were forwarded by him to the to define what lands should be held for successful applicants on the 7th instant." 1348 Questio s ASSEMBLY] Questions

"(2) To enable the issue of the instru­ There is more to that quotation but I think ments of lease, the successful applicants what I have read should be sufficient to give will be required to enter into bona fide hon. members an idea of how to frame their personal residence on the holdings and questions. enclose the leased lands with a stock proof fence. Meanwhile the lands are held by Mr. AIKENS: Now I will ask the Minister the "pplicants under License to Occupy my question. I know that there is no need which entitles the licensees to possession, to ask him for his opinion about drunken and enables them to proceed with the killers of little kids. He thinks that the' work of timber treatment and pasture should be rewarded-that they should be improvement.'' honoured. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member RELEASE OF S. R. EBERLE BY PAROLE BOARD will please ask his question. Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South): Mr. Mr. AIKENS then asked the following Speaker, before I ask the Minister for question:- Justice Question No. 13 standing in my name, "( I) Who is the judge under whose I should like to draw your attention to the chah·manship the Parole Board released fact that paragraph 6 has been deleted. Stevan Ross Eberle under a parole order Although I know it was very embarrassing made on October 21, 1960, after Eberle to the Minister, I should like to have your had served only 10 months' imprisonment assurance that that was not why you deleted for manslaughter?" it. "(2) When and how was this decision Mr. SPEAKER: The hon. member for of the Parole Board made public, prior Townsville South should be well aware that to a question on the matter being asked questions seeking an expression of opinion or by me in Parliament?" giving an expression of opinion are not per­ "(3) Again I ask on what grounds or for missible under the Standing Orders. 1 would what reasons was Eberle released by the also draw attention to the fact that the original paragraph 3 was deleted from the Parole Board?" question, mainly because it was asking the "(4) Were the views of the Trial Judge Minister, not to give an expression of sought by the Parole Board before it opinion, but whether he had any knowledge reached its decision and, if not, why not?" of a private family, and the history of a private family, which I think is entirely "(5) Is he aware that many prisoners, out of order. still in gaol, have served more than 10 months for stealing?" I think, for the information of all hon. members, I could well draw attention to a Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong): As the ruling on questions that has been quoted hon. member for Townsville South, in the on a number of occasions in this House and veamble to his question, made a personal of which all older hon. members are well reference to the Minister for Justice, I should aware. This is the ruling- just like to say that there was nothing in "The purpose of a Question is to obtain any part of his question that has been excluded information, and not to supply it to the that was in any way embarrassing to me. House. It should relate to public affairs Mr. Aikens: I want you to tell the House with which a Minister is officially con­ what you really think about drunken killers nected, to proceedings pending in Parlia­ of little kiddies. ment, or to any matter of administration for which the Minister is responsible. An Mr. SPEAKER: Order! If the hon. mem­ explanation may be sought regarding the l,er continues to interrupt I wiJ: have to deal intentions of the Government, but not an with him under Standing Order 123A. expression of opinion upon matters of policy. Questions should not contain state­ Mr. MUNRO: But I do feel that the terms ments of facts, unless they be necessary to that were excluded were such that they should make the Question intelligible, and can be b,, very, very embarrassing to the hon. mem­ authenticated; nor should a Question con­ ber who sought to ask the question. tain arguments, inferences, imputations, epithets, or ironical expressions. Mr. Aikens: I am on the side of the kids. "A Question should not be in effect a Mr. MUNRO: Proceeding now to the short speech or convey a particular point of view to which members who hold differ­ answer- ent views have no opportunity of replying. "(1) In terms of the Offenders Proba­ The expression of an opinion cannot be tion and Parole Act of 1959, the Chairman sought for by a Question; nor is it in order of the Parole Board is a Judge of the to ask whether certain things, such as state­ Supreme Court of Queensland nominated ments made in a newspaper are true, but by the Chief Justice and appointed by the attention may be drawn to such statements Governor in Council. The Honourable if the Member who puts the Question makes Mr. Justice Hanger is the Chairman of the himself responsible for their accuracy." Board." Questions [10 NoVEMBER] Questions 1349

"(2 and 3) The Offenders Probation and Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong) replied- Parole Act of 1959, does not reqmre that "As these two questions cover decisions of the Parole Board be made substantially the same subject matter it public or that the reasons for such is convenient to avoid repetition by decisions be given. To any clear thinking answering the two questions together. In person with a knowledge of these matters the first place it is necessary to remove it is quite evident that it would not be any possible misunderstanding by stating in the public interest for the names of that the document referred to in the persons released on parole to be publicised questions is not a Bill within the meaning or for reasons to be given publicly for of the Standing Orders of the Queensland Legislative Assembly nor is it a Bill or decisions in particular cases." even a draft Bill proposed to be intro­ ''(4) The question of whether or not the duced in this Parliament. This is made Parole Board seeks an expression of the clear in the opening paragraph of my views of the Trial Judge in any case is covering memorandum of November 7, entirely a matter for the Board. I under­ 1960, addressed to certain organisations stand that it is not the practice of the in which it is stated-'Forwarded herewith Board to obtain the views of the Trial is a copy of a draft of a Model Companies Bill which has been prepared following Judge unless there are special reasons for conferences of State and Commonwealth so doing." Ministers, who have met from time to time "(5) I am advised by the Comptroller­ with the objective of attaining the greatest General of Prisons that there are only practicable measure of uniformity in Com­ a very few prisoners in gaol who have pany Law throughout the Australian served more than ten months for stealing." Commonwealth and Territories. It is particularly to be noted that the Bill is still in the draft stage and has not been DISTRIBUTION OF DRAFT MODEL COMPANIES finally considered by the Ministers, who BILL are desirous of having available the views and comments of interested organisations Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) asked the Minis­ affected by the Bill before making final ter for Justice- decisions.' The distinction between this "(1) Did he distribute copies of the 417- Australia-wide Model Companies Bill and paged draft Companies Bill to various the proposed Queensland Bill is further Queensland organisations on Monday, emphasised in the final paragraph of the ~ovember 7, together with an accompany­ covering memorandum from which I Ing letter, as a report in 'The Courier-Mail' quote-'I am sure that you will look indicated?" at both the Model Bill and the Queens­ land Bill (when it is available) with broad "(2) If so, why then did he not make and tolerant understanding of the content, available copies to Parliamentarians for without unduly emphasising (though of their information and perusal or does he course not excluding) your particular consider those people, charged with the interests and having regard to the basic responsibility of the protection of the public requirements of simplification, clarity and and the duty of debating and dissecting the attainment of the greatest practicable legislation, did not warrant a copy?" measure of uniformity throughout Australia.' It will be apparent from the Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong) replied- foregoing that the reasons why copies of the document referred to in the "As this question and the question by the questions have not been sent to members hon. member for Baroona deal with the of the Queensland Parliament are:­ same subject matter, I propose to give a 'Firstly, that the document referred to in corn bined answer to the two questions." the questions is not a Bill to be introduced in this Parliament but merely a draft of Mr. HANLON (Baroona) asked the Minis­ a Model Bill still under consideration in ter .i'or Justice- the course of the work of the Interstate "(1) With reference to the wide distribu­ Conferences of Ministers and Officers; and tion by him of copies of the draft Com­ Secondly, that the proposed Queensland panies Bill, how many Parliamentary Companies Bill has not yet been prepared and printed and therefore is not yet Members of the Country-Liberal Party available for distribution.' In addition to have received a copy from him?" this it may be mentioned that it is not "(2) How many members of the Opposi­ the practice of Parliament to circulate tion apart from the Leader of the Opposi­ copies of Parliamentary Bills before the tion and the Leader of the Queensland passing of the customary motions for intro­ Labour Party received individual copies duction and printing. To complete the from him?" answer to these questions I may mention that the draft Model Bill was printed by "(3) How many copies were issued all the Government Printer in Sydney and told by him?" limited supplies only have been forwarded 1350 Papers [ASSEMBLY] Auctioneers, Real Estate, &c., Bill

to each State. Approximately forty copies AUCTIONEERS, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, have been circulated in Queensland, these DEBT COLLECTORS AND MOTOR being allocated in the main to those DEALERS ACTS AMENDMENT BILL organisations and persons who would be in a position to give an informed opinion INITIATION IN COMMITTEE-RESUMPTION OF on any matters requiring further considera­ DEBATE tion in the finalisation of the draft and its adaptation to Queensland conditions. (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Taylor, As regards Country-Liberal Parliamentary Clayfield, in the chair) Members circulation has been limited to Ministers and to six Parliamentary Mem­ Debate resumed from 9 November, (see bers who are members of the Justice p. 1344) on Mr. Munro's motion- Department Legislation Committee. In "That it is desirable that a Bill be intro­ add~tion, purely as a matter of courtesy, duced to amend the Auctioneers and Com­ copies have been supplied to the Leader mission Agents Acts, 1922 to 1953, in of the Opposition, the Leader of the certain particulars." Queensland Labour Party and to one Australian Labour Party Member who had Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ evinced a particular interest in Company Leader of the Opposition) (11.35 a.m.): I Law and had specially requested a copy do not propose to take up a great deal of to enable him to study it during the time in discussing the Bill at this stage. coming week-end. A copy has also been I prefer to have the Bill circulated so that supplied to the Parliamentary Library." hon. members may study its provisions. Mr. Aikens interjected. The Minister outlined the chief principles of the Bill. He said that it was intended Mr. SPEAKER Order! to have four types of licenses; that it was also intended to tighten up the section of Mr. Aikens: --like a mangy dog. the Act covering the lodging of fidelity Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I have already bonds, that the amounts of the bonds would warned the hon. member for Townsville be increased and that it was intended to South that if he continued to be grossly dis­ tighten up the requirements for the granting orderly I would deal with him under Section of such licenses. 123A of the Standing Orders, and I now It will be generally agreed that public ask him to retire from the Chamber for opinion is receptive to the idea that there being grossly disorderly. should be some amendment of the Mr. Aikens: I just want to repeat that the Auctioneers and Commission Agents Acts. Minister treats me like a mangy dog. At present the Act conveys a false impression; unquestionably some who have been per­ (The hon. member for Townsville South mitted to operate under it have offended in withdrew from the Chamber.) some respects. There is justification for Government intervention in a tightening up Mr. MUNRO: The answer continues- of the law, in the interests of reputable real "Finally, I may say that I hope to be estate agents, and, more importantly, in the in a position to introduce the proposed interests of the general public. Queensland Bill at a later stage during The increase in the amount of the fidelity the present Sittings and Honourable bonds is desirable. Although the amounts Members may be assured that if intro­ were increased some time ago, the value of duced, the Bill will be available in good money has declined and it is necessary to time for them to study it during the provide for an upward movement in the Christmas recess and well before its final amounts. That will be done under the enactment which is planned for March or Bill. April, 1961." I am not quite clear from the Minister's PAPERS introductory speech as to the precise pro­ cedure to be followed for the registration of The following paper was laid on the table, these people. The Minister said five character and ordered to be printed:- references will be required and that a board Report of the Commissioner of Irrigation will review the applications. Is it to be ·,construed that there will be virtually a and Water Supply for the year registration of these people, that is, that 1959-1960. the number will be restricted to a given The following papers were !_aid on the number, or is it that the board will not table:- limit the number, as long as the applicants satisfy the board as to their general qualifi­ Orders in Council under the Southern cations and fitness to discharge their Electric Authority of Queensland Acts, responsibilities? 1952 to 1958. I think it is desirable that there should be Sixtieth Annual Report of the Bureau of an increase in the number of character Sugar Experiment Stations. references. At the same time I think it is Auctioneers, Real Estate Agents, [10 NoVEMBER] Debt Collectors, &c., Bill 1351 fair to point out that many people in public probably as reluctant as previous Govern­ life are called upon from time to time to ments to accord registration unless they furnish character references. I sometimes believed there was very good public justifica· have to stretch my conscience a little to twn for it. This has been so, firstly, because indicate that I know a person sufficiently well in a free enterprise cummunity there should to give him a reference that will command be the opportunity, as far as possible, for a great measure of respect by those to whom people to use their talents in whatever direc­ it is tendered. A person in public life tion they think they may best be exploited or will know that certain people live in his area. used, and secondly, because the Government As far as he knows, they are quite reputable think it is undesirable to erect fences around and desirable citizens, but in actual fact he a particular occupation unles~ there are very does not know a great deal about their strong professional or other reasons for doing business operations or other features of their so. private life which may be of importance to those who need to know such things. For Of course, the Real Estate Institute-in instance, they would need to know definitely the sense perhaps of some of the other pro­ whether a person has any alcoholic inclina­ fessions-so far has not laid down any par­ tions, whether he is lazy or intemperate, or ticular standards of qualification for entrance whether he has a great deal of trouble in to the profession. The chief requirement getting on with other people. very often is a capacity to sell, and if a person is a good salesman and has a good There would always be a great degree of sales record, invariably the real estate people disinclination on the part of a public rep­ are anxious to offer him a position. It is true resentative to tell a person that he cannot that some of them qualify as valuers, and furnish him with a reference because he does have to study real estate matters very closely. not deserve it. Few of us would have the It is true also that some of the members of, moral courage to say that to a person seek­ or partners in, leading firms undergo special ing a reference. My point is that the examinations and possess diplomas or certifi­ giving of references becomes more or less cates showing that they have made a very a routine procedure. The practice is some­ close study of real estate generally. thing that should be examined closely and the giving of references perhaps restricted to I support the Bill on the basis that there those who know the person very well. I i~ need for a measure of protection to be hope I have not involved myself or other given to members of the public against some hon. members in making that statement. of the snide practices that have crept in. I Hon. members are approached from time to hope the Minister is not going to make a time by persons seeking character references. close preserve for the people presently in the We sometimes know the parents of the profession. I do not think that is quite the applicant or members of his family; we may intention as I did not gain that impression even know the individual, and generally we from the Minister's remarks, but I should state that to the best of our knowledge like an assurance from him that that is not he is a person of good character. I so-l do not think it is desirable at this stage. feel that character references should If at a later stage the members of the Real be furnished by someone who has had Estate Institute can convince the Minister that intimate business dealings with the applicant, that is a step that should be taken, he may such as a banker. I think a banker could be prepared to take it and we can look into be a person who might be regarded if not the matter then. as a mandatory person, at least as a very desirable person, to give a reference, and Unfortunately there are a number of people there should be provision for some such in the profession who, in my opinion, do not person to furnish a reference. I am not conform to the high standards of the Real saying, of course, that I think members of Estate Institute. I have had a long and happy Parliament should be excluded from the association with the members of the Real privilege of furnishing references for these Estate Institute in Queensland. I have been to all their annual functions. They have people, but it is desirable in a general way­ and these submissions may perhaps bear offered me the courtesy of inviting me to examination-that people who have had a attend their official functions, and have asked number of intimate dealings with the appli­ me on many occasions to be guest speaker. cants should give references. I have a very lively and warm appreciation of that courtesy from the leading members of Of course, there have been very strong the institute in both this city and Too­ moves by people engaged in industry gener­ woomba, and I have a very high regard for ally to make for themselves a close preserve. the men who constitute its executive. I know We have seen that in many directions. I they are motivated by the very best intentions know that the Government have been asked, in wanting to improve the operating con­ from time to time, to examine submissions ditions of their profession. I have only the from people who want registration on the highest praise for those people because on grounds that there is need to improve the several occasions they have brought to my ethical standards of the profession or business notice some of the malpractices that have in which they are engaged, and they have occurred in the profession. The Minister c,ffered supporting reasons for believing that indicated one or two specific examples of that this protection should be afforded them. I and he is putting a "plug" into certain prac· believe the present Government have been tices that have apparently beF-n operating in 1960-2w 1352 Auctioneers, Real Estate Agents, [ASSEMBLY] Debt Collectors, &c., Bill

Brisbane. I know these things are going on, The Bill is a step in the right direction. because only as recently as Sunday night my There are many aspects of the matter that attention was drawn to the very thing that we may elaborate more on the second read­ the Minister proposes to remedy-the listing ing but we do not want to introduce extran­ of sales. eous matters into this debate. We could The Bill may help to give new Australians open it up for the purpose of making in particular confidence in any transactions interesting discussion, but I will confine myself or dealings they may have with members at this stage to the general considerations that of the Real Estate Institute. I have on my caused the Minister to introduce the Bill. file details of a case of flagrant misrepresen­ Because of the protection it affords we think tation in which the court upheld the appeal. it desirable that some action should be taken New Australians come, in the main, from countries that have been war-torn for cen­ along the lines indicated. However, I should turies; they have seen their land ravaged and like to have some clarification and some destroyed, and the first thing they want to assurance from the Minister about the pro­ do when they come to Australia is to acquire posed provision for examining particular appli­ their own home on their own block of land. cations for licences. If the Minister wi11 At times they are gulled into a sense of false take us into his confidence on that, we shall security by the very glowing inducements more confidently support the Bill. made. Responsible members of the Real Estate Institute would be the first to join Generally the Bill seems to be a desirable with public men generally in trying to estab­ one. No doubt many hon. members could lish a bond of confidence between that cite example after example of unethical Institute and new Australians in particular. practices in the profession and steps should It applies, of course, to everybody in Aus­ be taken to overcome them. I have indicated tralia, but more so to new Australians because, in a general way that it has come to our with their language difficulties and their notice that they have occurred in the past inexperience, they are not always as conver­ and that as far as possible action should sant with procedures and practices as perhaps be taken either by the Real Estate Institute the native-born Australian. I hope there will in disciplining its members or by the depart­ be an improvement in this direction. ment in laying down a general code. The matter is becoming increasingly important as Whether there can be some curb on extrava­ land values increase. In many instances the gant claims about land I do not know. Some purchase price of land has risen to astronomi­ cases concern land that is below flood levels. cal proportions. Some people expect that I do not know what action the Minister can there will be an increasing tendency to go take about that. People buy land in good in for home units because it will sooner or faith and subsequently discover that it is later be beyond the capacity of the ordinary subject to flooding. Somewhere along the married worker to buy land except at a very line they should be afforded protection, either high price. His earning capacity and saving by the Institute or by the Department, against ;apacity are such that he cannot pay these misrepresentation. high prices. Consequently, he has to go out :Mr. Hughes: Don't you think it should be some miles from the centre of the city, and noted as an encumbrance on the title deed? this adds to his transport costs. :Mr. DUGGAN: Yes, that is quite a good If we have these high land values, which suggestion. Many people could easily be the Minister no doubt will say are occasioned misled in the Oxley area, for instance. I by supply and demand, I think we should go out that way every week-end. The ordinary see that the person seeking a title to the land person seeing the hundreds of houses in the is made aware of the advantages and disad­ vicinity would naturally assume that the area vantages. If he is not, and the disadvantages was a good one for home-building. It is are sufficient to disqualify it, a heavy penalty only after a sudden heavy precipitation of should be imposed on the vendor on the basis water in the storm season of the year that of general misrepresentation. one sees some of those homes under two or three feet of water. I do not mind that if it :Mr. Hughes: Most land is sold on low happens only in exceptional circumstances, deposit. but it is different when it is part of the general conditions in the area. So it might Mr. DUGGAN That is another matter for be an excellent suggestion to have the fact debate. I am not going to canvass it in noted on the title deed. this particular debate. :Mr. Hugbes: Many people do not know that the Council has proclaimed problem In general, I think I can say that the Bill drainage areas. is desirable. The members of the Real Estate Institute in Queensland are men of :Mr. DUGGAN: That is right. The Council very high business principles and personal from time to time promulgates those areas integrity, and I know it is their wish to see but the ordinary purchaser of land does not that some improvements are made. Provided always know that it is necessary or desirable there is no undue fencing-in in this regard, ~o along and seek the particulars from I am prepared to co-operate with the Minister Council. in improving the standards in this State. Auctioneers, Real Estate, &c., Bill [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1353

Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) (11.52 a.m.): is finalised and the mistake can be rectified. I wish to draw the Minister's attention to It is better to take every precaution to ensure what I believe is a fault common to that the money goes into the correct trust auctioneers and commission agents and other account in the first place. I have no quarrel people who keep trust accounts. with the Bill but I make that suggestion to the Minister, for what it is worth, in the hope In examining trust accounts, I have often that he will be able to prevent a recurrence noticed this fault, an innocent one to a of this type of mistake. degree. It is in banking money to the wrong account. The mistake occurs firstly In the short time available I draw the because the trust account and the business Minister's attention to the disparity between account of the principal are kept at the one the commissions charged by various auc­ bank, and secondly because the principal does tioneers. On the sales of stock at Cannon not exercise the supervision that he should. Hill they charge 3-! Jer cent., but in most He usually delegates authority to a girl in country towns they charge 5 per cent. Some his office or a junior employee to make up agents give their clients what they call a the deposits. A carbon bank-deposit book rebate on the commission. The rate of com­ is used for the trust account that is identical mission is set out in the Act, but with the with the carbon bank-deposit book used for high price being received for livestock today the general account. I think all hon. mem­ it would appear that agents could well afford bers are familiar with the procedure. If one to work on lower commissions. wants a bank-deposit book, one goes to the bank and blank forms are supplied. The Progress reported. name of the account is then either written in At 12 noon, in accordance with Standing the space available or put in by means of a Order No. 30t, the House went into Com­ rubber stamp. The principal of the firm, mittee of Supply. or the auctioneer or commission agent, thinks he has discharged his responsibility by telling the girl to put the stamp marked "Trust SUPPLY Account" on each page of the book. Some­ RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-ESTIMATES­ times she might turn over two pages at once, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH ALLOTTED DAYS or in some other way she might not carry out his instructions implicitly. As a result, (Chairman of Committees, Mr. Taylor, money is deposited to the wrong account. Clayfield, in the chair)

This could be overcome quite easily by ESTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1960-1961 an amendment of the Regulations or the Act. The Minister for Justice could insist on the DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND LOCAL trust accounts being kept at a different bank GOVERNMENT from the one at which the general account CHIEF OFFICE is kept. If that suggestion does not com­ mend itself to him, he could insist that the Hon. L. H. S. ROBERTS (Whitsunday­ Government Printer be required to provide Minister for Public Works and Local Govern­ a special trust account bank-deposit book, ment): I move- on every page of which the words "Trust "That £233,243 be granted for 'Depart­ Account" would be conspicuously printed ment of Public Works and Local Govern­ and not placed on it by means of a rubber ment-Chief Office'." stamp, which is the method used at present. The Minister could prohibit the practice of It will be noted that the total amount appro­ delegating authority for the signing of deposit priated under "Chief Office" for the financial slips and insist that only the principal should year 1960-1961, £233,243, is £32,694 in sign. The principal then would not be able excess of the amount so appropriated for the to say that it was the honest mistake of a financial year 1959-1960, which was £200,549, junior employee who did not know any and £40,909 in excess of that expended in better. We realise that a principal is respon­ the past year. This increase is occasioned sible for the actions of his servants, but what mainly by the fact that additional provision I suggest would be very safe and would save has been made to meet increased expenditure a lot of bother. In 99.9 per cent. of cases for salaries due to an increase in the number the mistake is discovered immediately and of officers being paid from Consolidated an adjustment is made by the bank, but what Revenue and also award and basic wage is exercising my mind is the difficulty that increases granted by the Industrial Court. arises should a trustee either become bank­ Increased provision is also required for rupt or die. If the trust money had been the Contingencies Vote-travelling expenses, paid into the wrong account it would be postages, and incidentals, and fares, freights, shown as part of the trustee's assets. The printing and stationery. whole purpose of trusteeship could be defeated. The money is lost once it goes Before I review last year's Vote I should into his general account. It is all very well like to make special reference to my pre­ to say that the principal could be sued, but decessor, Hon. J. A. Heading, who took over what happens if he is either bankrupt or this portfolio at a very ripe age and is now dead? Once the money has gone into his living in retirement. I sincerely trust that estate it may take a long time before the estate he will be blessed with good health to enrich 1354 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply the hours and days of his retirement, which £1,470,000. In the Brisbane area we have I think every hon. member in this Chamber to complete the Coorparoo Infants' State will agree he so richly deserves. Therefore, School, on which £20,000 was expended last when today I refer to what happened during year and on which £7,000 has been spent the last financial year I take no personal this year. The estimated cost of the new credit at all, because that was the year of Inala West school is £30,000, and we expect my predecessor. But if there are any brick­ to spend that sum in the present financial bats to be thrown they can be thrown at me. year. A small amount will be used to finish I can assure hon. members I will be able the new school at Seven Hills and a sum to handle them very well and account for slightly in excess of £6,000 should bring to anything that they think may not be up to completion the Stafford infants' school. We scratch. estimate spending about £15,000 or £16,000 for school accommodation on the new site In submitting these Estimates, it is appro­ at The Gap. That should allow completion priate that I should review the work of the of the project. department for the past financial year. The total expenditure on buildings, £6,516,917, In the country, work will be undertaken during the year was the highest on record on a number of primary schools. Unfortu­ being over £1,000,000 greater than the pre: nately we cannot complete each school in vious highest, which was for the previous a single financial year. In an effort to dis­ financial year, 1958,1959, when the figure tribute the finances and get the various was £5,499,123. That is indicative of the projects under way, some money is allocated heavy programme of building construction for each. For instance, for a £24,000 or undertaken throughout the State by my £30,000 project the estimate of expenditure department. this year will probably be £10,000 or a little more. In most of these cases work will The activities of my department are con­ start in the early part of the year, say, about cerned with public buildings and extend to March or April, and by the time the amount the construction of new buildings and addi­ allotted has been expended a new financial tions and improvements to existing build­ year will have started and we will thus be ings, together with the maintenance of those able to complete the projects. buildings. Once again, due to the large increase in enrolments at both primary and There are more reasons than one for doing secondary schools the emphasis on spending things that way. Hon. members will realise in the past financial year has been on the that we desire to conserve our staff also. provision of accommodation to meet educa­ We have a particularly heavy period for tional requirements. Secondary-school enrol­ school construction from September-October ments, now at 26,000, have doubled in the to the end of January, and maybe up to the past three years and it is expected that by end of February, putting finishing touches February next year they will have soared to on tbe buildings. Anybody who gives the 32,000. It is also expected that next year matter a little thought will realise that it will see the peak of high-school enrolments would be impossible to have a complete resulting from the high birthrate that fol­ splurge of spending during those five months, lowed the war years. After next year high­ and then dismiss completely our work force school enrolments will increase, but not, it for four or five months. is expected, at anything like the rate in recent No doubt hon. members will remember years. Owing to the increase it has been that questions were asked in this Chamber necessary to give high priority to the provi­ as to why a number of building workers sion of secondary-school accommodation in were put off round about March this year. the various centres. A comparison of the That is nothing new; it has gone on every expenditure on secondary-school buildings in year because of the circumstances I have 1951-1952 and 1959-1960 indicates clearly outlined. There is a heavy building pro­ the rising cost of secondary-school accom­ gramme over the period I mentioned. It is modation in recent years. In 1951-1952 £153,000 was spent from the Loan Fund on going on now. secondary schools, whereas in the financial In the past two or three months we have year to 30 June, 1960, the amount was been consistently building up our work force £1,500,000. That is something of an achieve­ to cater for the heavy building programme ment. Eight years ago only £153,000 was we have on hand. spent on secondary schools, but for the last financial year the expenditure was 10 times I have here a chart that I instituted on that amount. taking over the office, and I have a regular fortnightly statement of the employment To meet expected requirements over the return for construction employees. It com­ next two years it will be necessary to under­ mences from the end of August. I have the pro­ take a record school-construction programme, gressive figures for 15 September, 30 Septem­ both in the current financial year and in the ber, 15 October and 31 October. During that following year. At this stage I think it would period the grand total of employees increased be fitting to deal with some of the projects from 2,319 to 2,631. It is interesting to note that will be commenced or completed during the distribution of this work force. The the current financial year. On primary Brisbane area includes Ipswich and the North schools we estimate the expenditure will be and South Coast districts, so it will be seen Supply [10 NoVEMBEit] Supply 1355

that it is not just the Greater Brisbane area; Mr. Thackeray: I hope you are not going it could almost be referred to as the South­ to deviate from the present policy. eastern Queensland area. In the central district we had 186 employees in August and Mr. ROBERTS: As a matter of fact, we now we have 279; in the northern area there have enlarged on the policy, as the hon. were 607; that figure has risen to 617. In member must realise, and what happens will the southern area there were 616, and the depend entirely on the people themselves. number has increased to 702. Of course, As long as the work force can continue to there is always a certain number of absences do the job it is doing, I see no reason what­ due to annual leave, sickness, workers' com­ ever for any alteration. But if conditions pensation, and so on. In August there was were different, we would not hesitate to fol­ a total of 114; this number dropped to 78, low in the footsteps of the Labour Govern­ then to 59, then it increased to 84, and at ment of New South Wales and do this work the present time it is 102. by contract, if necessary. In the Bundaberg area , which includes I have already dealt with primary schools centres such as Biggenden, Childers, Eids­ in the city areas, but I have details of a vold, Gayndah, Gin Gin and Mundubbera, number of schools in country areas that I the figures have remained fairly steady. In should like to include in "Hansard" for the August the work force numbered 50; it rose information of people in those areas. First, to 53 and at present it is 49. there is the Cairns Central School. A third section of the brick school is estimated to In the Cairns area, which includes cost £35,000, of which £10,000 will be Atherton, Babinda, Cooktown, Gordonvale, expended in the present financial year. At Innisfail, Mareeba and Tully, the figure has Canungra there is a new school on a new risen from 108 to 122. site. We estimated that it will cost £18,000, and it is expected to be completed in this In the Mackay area, which includes financial year. Bowen, Collinsville, Mirani, Proserpine and Sarina, the work force has jumped from 64 Mr. Thackeray: Did you start all these. or to 110. did the former Minister? In the Maryborough area, which includes Mr. ROBERTS: If the hon. member only Cooroy, Gympie, Kingaroy, Murgon, had a little bit of brain in that egg-shell Nanango, Proston and Woodford, the work blond skull of his, he would realise that I force has jumped from 80 to 82. said earlier that I took no credit for any­ In Rockhampton, which covers centres thing that happened in the past 12 months. such as Alpha, Biloela, Barcaldine, Emerald, I know it is difficult for the hon. member Clermont, Gladstone, Longreach, Mount to absorb that, but if we leave him here till Morgan and Winton, the figure has risen about 9 o'clock tonight, he will suddenly from 114 to 137. wake up. In the Toowoomba zone, which covers At Currumbin we estimate that school areas such as Charleville, Crow's Nest, accommodation on a new site will cost Cunnamulla, Dirranbandi, Goondiwindi, £30,000, of which £10,000 will be spent in Jondaryan, Oakey, Pittsworth, Roma, Stan­ the present financial year. At Dalby the thorpe and Warwick, the work force has first section of a new school is estimated to risen from 189 in August to 230 at present. cost £40,000, of which £10,000 is expected to be spent this financial year. At Dinmore In the Townsville area, which includes school accommodation on a new site is Burketown, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, expected to cost £25,000, and £10,000 will Hughenden, Mount Isa, Richmond and be spent on it this financial year. At Glennie Ingham, the work force has increased from Heights the school is almost completed, most 191 to 201. of the work being done last year. The same applies in the case of Gympie Central So we have a total work force of 1,700 Infants' School, where £31,000 was spent in in the southern area and 931 in the country the last financial year and only a few thous­ areas. The Queensland Department of and pounds is need to complete it. At Public Works at present has perhaps the Gympie South a new school is estimated to largest building work force in the southern cost £30,000 and it is expected to be com­ hemisphere. Recently, I had the opportunity pleted this financial year, also. The estimated of discussing public works with the cost of the Hermit Park Infants' School, Ministers and senior officers of the depart­ Townsville, was £34,000, of which £8,900 ments in other States, particularly New South was spent last year and about £25,000 is to Wales and Victoria, and, although in both be spent in this financial year. The esti­ New South Wales and Victoria the depart­ mated cost of the Ipswich Central School ment has many projects tied in with it, was £83,000. An amount of £66,000 was together they do not have a building work spent last year, and a further £17,000 is force as large as ours. Almost all the work allowed this year for the completion of the on New South Wales schools is done by con­ project. tract. In Queesland the reverse is the posi­ tion; very rarely is a school erected by Mr. Houghton: You will have to build contract. another new one at Sandgate, too. 1356 Supply (ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. ROBERTS: Yes, it will be the third which will be spent this year. There is one one that we have had to build at Sandgate. at Charleville to cost £150,000, £50,000 of It is interesting to note that the fires at Sand­ which will be spent this year. At Childers gate have cost the Government between there is a £100,000 project of which £25,000 £60,000 and £100,000. The rebuilding of the was spent last year; £35,000 will be spent school is a matter of urgency, and it means this year and possibly the balance in the that somebody else has to go without. It following year. is a great pity that the fires occurred. It is expected that £10,000 will be spent this year Then we have £120,000 for the Gatton on the new school at Lowood to cost £25,000. High School, £55,000 of which will be spent The new Nambour infants' school is about this year. The Mackay High School is to ~ompleted. I had the pleasure of inspecting cost £150,000, of which £50,000 was spent It a month or two ago when very little work last year and £65,000 is being spent this remained to be done. On this school £10,000 year. Undoubtedly the balance will be spent was spent last year and about £15,000 will in the following year. be spent on it this financial year. The new At Malanda £100,000 is to be spent on school at Red Hill, Kingaroy, to cost £20,000 a high school; it is expected that we will should be completed this year. Half of the spend £50,000 this year. Mareeba has a £30,000 project at Southport will be com­ £95,000 project on which half that sum was pleted this year. The Warwick Central school, spent last year. It is expected that a further costing £21,900, is expected to be completed £25,000 will be spent this year. Another this year. In Townsville £10,000 will be beautiful school in a country area of which spent this year on the new Wulguru school I have made an inspection is the new high which is expected to cost £24,000. school at Pimlico opposite the Townsville I think all hon. members will agree that University. This school is estimated to cost that is a fair programme for primary-school £140,000; £75,000 was spent last year and construction, totalling £1,470,000. The figure £55,000 is being spent this year. It is almost is much higher for high-school construction. completed. I had a look at that also when The estimated expenditure this financial year Cabinet met in Townsville recently. on high schools totals £2,011,000. The schools are being constructed throughout the Then there is the Redcliffe school, which State. There are several big projects both is also almost completed. Rockhampton has in the metropolitan area and in country a new high school to cost £190,000 of which areas. Many were commenced last year. £75,000 was spent last year and £50,000 I refer first of all to the new high school at is being spent this year. The Stanthorpe Stafford estimated to cost £150,000, of which High School is a £100,000 project on which £65,000 will be spent this year. The first £50,000 is being spent in the current financial one on the list in the country is the new high year. school at Atherton, on which £78,000 was Mr. Sullivan: That is progress. spent last year and on which a further £30,000 will be spent this year to complete it. I Mr. ROBERTS: It certainly is. £150,000 inspected it a few months ago, and I should is to be spent on a high school at Mt. Lofty. say that from both the point of view of £66,000 was spent last year and a further appearance and general facilities it compares £60,000-odd will be spent this year. Of a more than favourably with any other high total cost of £150,000 for the new high school in Queensland. It is in a beautiful school at Trinity Bay, West Cairns, £45,000 situation. has been spent last year and £70,000 is being spent this year. Mr. Ramsden: It is probably the best in the State. I know that listening to figures becomes boring but my idea in quoting them is to Mr. ROBERTS: There is no doubt about show that these moneys are being spent that. At long last a new high school is over a very wide area and are not being being built at Bowen, at an estimated cost confined to isolated spots. Of course, hon. of £90,000. Work has commenced. Follow­ members will realise that my department is ing the early closing down of the Merinda essentially a constructing department so far meatworks the hon. member for Bowen as the Public Works portion of its under­ approached me on behalf of 12 carpenters takings is concerned and therefore we are employed there. We were able to use them the constructing authority for very many to expedite the start on the new high school. other branches of the Government. So it is They have been given employment and con­ essential, to my mind, when bringing forward struction of the school is going ahead. We the Estimates for a department like this, to had a little difficulty in getting bricklayers quote figures in this manner. It is almost but we were able to send some from the unavoidable. south to work on the foundations. Hon. members will realise that with the present It is interesting also to note that we have type of construction virtually the whole of had considerable difficulty during the past the brickwork is in the foundations. few months in securing sufficient tradesmen to carry out the works that we have in hand. Of course, Bremer has been more or less This state of affairs is not peculiar to completed. At Caboolture there is a new Queensland; my inquiries reveal that similar high school to cost £120,000, £60,000 of difficulties exist in the South. Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1357

The majority of employees in the Depart­ a bricklayer, three builder's labourers and ment of Public Works enjoy continuity of one plaster were interviewed and engaged. employment to a far greater extent than Hon. members will be able to see that the employees of private enterprise. A firm that net result of the labour call was the engage­ is defeated consistently in tendering cannot ment of nine tradesmen in the categories provide continuous work for its normal of seven carpenters, one bricklayer, one employees. plasterer, and four builder's labourers. I have read advertisements in Townsville An Opposition Member: When was that? and other places for building workers, in which they are offered work for nine hours Mr. ROBERTS: That was on 8 October. a day, six days a week. Many tradesmen By way of interest, hon. members may are anxious to work overtime and thus get remember that two weeks or so earlier, a bigger pay cheque. I personally know quite a big story was run when building many tradesmen--carpenters and plumbers­ tradesmen were dismissed from railway who do private work at week-ends and earn projects, and I had great hopes that we would as much as £10 a day. have no difficulty in filling our requirements But a State organisation must have regard of labour on that occasion. Hon. members to estimate and price and cannot pay above may see the total result from our advertise­ award rates. It therefore has difficulty in ment. competing for labour with firms that offer the inducement of an extra day every week A further call for labour was made a and an extra hour every day, both at over­ fortnight later in "The Courier-Mail" of 22 October. We did much better on that time rates. Some employees, however, do occasion because we engaged 28 carpenters, not forsake the substance for the shadow and one bricklayer, one joiner, two painters, one seek employment of a permanent nature in plumber and eight labourers, making a total the Department of Public Works. of 41 building workers. The department has While on the subject of inducements to maintained an open call for labour with the employees, I should mention the Townsville Commonwealth service offices at Creek Street, University, where we had to adopt much Brisbane, Fortitude Valley and South the same practice as that followed by private Brisbane. At present all the labour require­ employers. On Saturday the site is a hive of ments are more or less met. However, with industry, and employees of the department the projects that have still to be pushed secure a day's overtime. That project is further ahead, it is quite likely that in some progressing very well. Without doubt it of the areas we may require more staff. will be one of the best day-labour jobs ever New high schools are being built progres­ undertaken. Although the administrative si-vely, beginning with sub-Junior accommoda­ block is slightly behind schedule, the tion to cope with the immediate intake of remainder of the building is four weeks students, and of the total expenditure of ahead of schedule. £6,516,917 on buildings during the past financial year, an amount of £3,905,765, or To give hon. members an idea of the 59.9 per cent. was spent on educational difficulty in getting labour, on 8 October establishments. As the allocation of funds my Under Secretary asked my permission to my department for this purpose amounted to advertise for tradesmen. Of course, we to only £3,771,776, it is clear how well we had applications in with the several social have met the accommodation requirements service departments in the city and in other of the Department of Education. areas, but we could not pick up tradesmen from those sources. I granted permission to While of necessity priority has been given advertise for tradesmen. If my memory to both primary and secondary-school serves me rightly, we advertised for 25 or accommodation, the requirements of other 40 carpenters-! am not sure which-and departments, particularly Government hos­ 12 bricklayers for Brisbane, and 12 carpenters pitals and asylums and public and adminis­ for Toowoomba. I had an officer in attend­ trative buildings generally, have not been ance on Saturday morning, and we paid him overlooked. overtime. I did that because, generally To carry out the building programme of speaking, Saturday morning is a particularly the department, a proper balance of con­ good time to interview people who may be struction work by both contract and day considering changing their jobs. A person labour was preserved. The maintenance and who is unemployed may come at any time, repair of existing Government buildings but Saturday morning is the best time to continued to receive the closest attention of interview a person who is thinking of the department, limited only by the avail­ changing his employment. There was a large ability of revenue funds for the purpose. advertisement in the paper, three colums wide, that could not have been missed by Owing to the urgent need of many anybody who was interested enough to read departments for additional accommodation, the "Positions Vacant" column. On the it has been necessary to construct a large Saturday morning, with the office open from proportion of buildings, particularly school 10 till 12, there were eight applications for buildings, in timber frame. This increases employment, and six carpenters and one the amount of maintenance work each yea1 builder's labourer were engaged. On the for their preservation, particularly in tropical following Monday morning another carpenter, and sub-tropical areas, where regular repairs 1358 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply and painting must be carried out. Expendi­ A primary school is now in course of ture on the maintenance and repair of erection at The Gap, and Coorparoo infants' Government buildings for the past financial school is almost finished. I have seen the year totalled £879,014 against £764,446 in school at Nambour, and it has more or the preceding year, 1958-1959. less been completed, as also has the Hermit Park infants' school. A new opportunity The capital works carried out from loan funds require prior preparation of plans. In school was provided at Toowoomba. this regard my department is still hampered The first sections of new high schools in carrying out its programme of works by were erected at Mt. Gravatt, Yeronga, the shortage of technical staffs for the plan­ Corinda, Mt. Lofty (Toowoomba), ning of new projects. In discussing this Mareeba, Mackay, and Trinity Bay. Accom­ matter with the New South Wales Minister modation for secondary departments was pro­ and his senior officers I learned that that vided at Clermont, Crow's Nest, Hughenden, department paid over £300,000 to outside Jandowae, Miles, Oakey, and Theodore. architects for the year. We, too, are often compelled to use outside architects but our It is interesting to note that there is now a figure would not be anywhere near that. high school at Hughenden, which is in the The difficulty has been overcome to a certain old Flinders electorate. I travelled quite extent by eo-opting the services of architects, extensively in that area some years ago, and engineers and quantity surveyors in private there was not one secondary school in that practice, an action which is not peculiar to electorate, even though it had been repre­ the Queensland Department of Public Works. sented by Labour members for very many years. All credit must go to the present I have noted with interest in the 1959 hon. member for Flinders for the new high Annual Report of the New South Wales school at Hughenden. Unfortunately Mr. Department of Public Works that it was Lonergan is rather ill in hospital at the pre­ necessary to utilise the services of approxi­ sent time, having undergone a serious opera­ mately 100 private architects and engineering tion. I visited him last night and I should consultants in the preparation of working say that he is well and truly on the mend. drawings to enable the work of design to I hope we shall see him back in the be kept up-to-date. With our own work Chamber in the very new future. force, we have been unable to proceed beyond a certain stage without completed Extensive additions, including accommo­ plans, particularly on some projects. Hon. dation for vocational training, were provided members will realise, of course, that when at high schools at Atherton, Bremer, Dalby, tenders are called for a job, all the plans Gympie, Indooroopilly, Kedron, Kingaroy, and specifications must be available to enable Maryborough Boys', Pimlico, Rockhampton, a firm to tender. If they were not, there Salisbury, Sandgate, Warwick and Wave!!. would be a great deal of trouble in store Government Members interjected. for anybody associated with that job. With our own day-labour force, we can sometimes Mr. ROBERTS: As a matter of fact, we proceed with the work even though the have reached the stage where we almost plans have not been fully completed. need an adding machine to ascertain the number of classrooms and other projects I should like now to outline briefly some that are being attended to daily, monthly, of the things that have been done in the past and annually by the Government. year and make reference to some of the very important works that are proposed for Mr. Wallace: Could you tell me what is 1960-1961. to be done about the new workshop building in Cairns? It will be noted from the figures that I quoted that, of a total expenditure of Mr. ROBERTS: I shall come to that a £6,516,917 on buildings, £3,905,765 was little later. spent on educational establishments-in round figures, a total of £4,000,000. Nine­ Many projects are going ahead at the pre­ teen new primary schools were completed sent time. Tenders are usually called for or under construction during the year, and the construction of workshops. During the additional classroom accommodation was last month alone there were no fewer than provided at 81 other primary schools. A 20 tenders for that purpose throughout the total of 265 primary classrooms was pro­ State, perhaps more. The total number of vided in that year, which is a very large classrooms provided at new high schools number. and/ or existing high schools was 196. A new technical college workshop to house New schools, the construction of which motor mechanics and sheet-metal workers was commenced or authorised in the previous was erected at Mackay, and the equipment financial year, were completed at Humpy­ of the building is in hand. New engineering bong, Serviceton, Nashville, and Ritchie and electrical laboratories were completed at Road. In addition, new schools were erected Rockhampton. A two-storey workshop to at Seven Hills, Marshall Road, and Kippa­ provide instruction in heat engines, wood­ Ring on the Redcliffe peninsula. I had the work and electricity is being erected at pleasure of opening the school at Kippa­ Toowoomba. Ring as one of my first jobs in my minis­ terial capacity. The school at Glennie The increase in the number of students at J-Ieights, Warwick, was also completed. secondary schools is expected to reach its Supply [18 NOVEMBER] Supply 1359 peak next year when the provision of accom­ Drive. Additions are being made to the modation for them will present the depart­ building and extensive remodelling is being ment's greatest challenge. With the funds carried out. The new court house at Winton available for educational works my depart­ has been completed, and extensive additions ment, in collaboration with the Department to the court house at Mt. Isa have also been of Education, has framed a programme of completed. A start has been made with the construction to meet requirements for the erection of new court house buildings at 1961 school year. Coolangatta and Sarina. Work is proceeding An amount of £2,039,000 has been allo­ on the erection of the new police offices and cated during the current year for high barracks at Longreach, and it is also expected schools and technical colleges. In addition that in the near future a start will be made to the primary and secondary-school pro­ on the erection of the main superstructure jects of which I have spoken, further key of the court house at Longreach. A new projects in the Department of Education's cell block is being erected at the Cairns programme include the £166,000 Townsville Police Station and new police stations at University centre, and the £252,000 Teachers' Inala and Magnetic Island were completed College at Kedron. under contract. I mentioned earlier what a great job is In Brisbane the conversion of the ola being done on the Townsville University railway building to provide District Court centre. All hon. members no doubt know facilities and judges' chambers has been com­ that this is only a temporary project, and pleted, and approval has now been given for that negotiations are already in hand for the erection of additions to this building. securing a considerable area of land at a It is proposed during the current year particularly good site overlooking the weir to erect new police stations at several centres at Townsville where the permanent Univer­ and also new buildings at other centres and sity will be built. When that is done the the erection of a new court house for Bri~bane present University building, which will open is receiving consideration. The present in the 1961 school year, will be used as a Supreme Court building opposite Lennons Teachers College in Townsville. It is also Hotel faces North Quay, and we are investi­ expected that the Teachers' College at Kedron gating the possibility of a building of six or -a £252,000 project, as I have mentioned­ even seven storeys, facing George Street ana will be opened within the next year. Lennons Hotel. A building of that size My department has completed, or has would meet requirements in the foreseeable under construction, residences for 11 teachers, future. It will not be undertaken today or and in addition a residence was erected for tomorrow. It is more in the nature of a the district inspector of schools at Roma. long-range proposal, but I thought I should Residences were also purchased for the let the Committee know that matters such Regional Directors of Education at Roma as that are receiving consideration. and Maryborough and for principals of high Mr. Lloyd: That always happens. You schools at Kingaroy and Nambour. In the must have a long-range plan. Estimates for this year will be seen an allo­ cation of £75,000 for teachers' residences Mr. ROBERTS: That is so. Of course, a few years ago that sum would have provided for many more residences than Mr. Melloy: Are you building a new police it will today; it will now provide for between station at Banyo? 15 and 20 residences. Mr. ROBERTS: At the moment I am giving In pursuance of our policy of giving the general picture; I am not picking out priority, to the full extent of the finance individual projects. available, to the provision of educational To relieve over-crowding in departments establishments and sewerage or septic instal­ in the Treasury Building, approval has been lation where there is a permanent water given for the erection of an annexe in the supply and a satisfactory means of effluent main courtyard. The Contractor has the disposal, 72 such installations were com­ work in hand and it is not expected that it pleted, or were under construction, during will take very long to complete. That should 1959-1960. Expenditure on these works at relieve the congestion to some extent. As State primary schools was approximately hon. members know, for many years depart­ £135,000, compared with the allocation of ments of the Public Service have been over­ £125,000, and for the current financial year crowded, and there was need for action to a further £125,000 is being provided. Works overcome this difficulty. For instance, at to the value of approximately £135,000 had Harris Court extensive alterations have been been committed against this allocation to undertaken and already one or two offices 31 October, 1960. are accommodated in that building. In addition to providing the buildings Completion of the food-preservation necessary to meet educational requirements laboratory at Hamilton, at a cost of throughout the State, provision has also £130,000, will open new horizons for our been made to meet urgent requirements of major horticultural crops. other client departments. New police head­ quarters will be provided in a building that The new Institute of Forensic Pathology was acquired for the purpose in Coronation is nearing completion. Plans are being drawn 1360 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

up for the provision of a medium-security year and for the period I have been in control. prison at Wacol and for the establishment I have had the opportunity of making many of a medium-security area at Her Majesty's visits but not as many as I should have Prison, Townsville. This type of building is liked to make. After all, time passeS quickly less costly, and affords a more positive pro­ and I have had the portfolio only for the last gramme of rehabilitation, than normal prisons. five months. While I have seen many of the projects and visited many of the people who The provision of new accommodation and come under my control directly and indirectly, improvements to existing accommodation at I have not seen as much or as many as I mental hospitals throughout the State was should have liked to. also undertaken, and the expenditure on this during 1959-1960 was £345,939. The con­ The Department of Local Government struction of a ward building for females at also comes under my control. It is divided the Ipswich Mental Hospital will be one of into two broad branches-a general adminis­ the outstanding advances made by my depart­ trative branch and a town water supply and ment. Some few months ago I had the sewerage branch. opportunity of inspecting this building, and in my capacity as Minister for Public Works The main function of the general adminis­ I handed it over to the Minister for Health trative branch is the administration of local and Home Affairs. This project was under­ government law. In Australia local govern­ taken by day labour at a cost slightly in ment is the third arm of government, the excess of £250,000, and even though we had three tiers of government being Federal, various increases in wages and so on during State and local. The department's function the course of construction, which took is to tender general advice to local authori­ approximately two years, we were able to ties and to exercise a general oversight over absorb most of the increased costs. The them to ensure that the law is observed. The department and its officers and employees department does not attempt to dictate the can be justifiably proud of this job. In the policy of local government. That, of course, annual report of the department there are a is the function of the representatives elected number of photographs just after the com­ by the people to control the local govern­ mencement of the pictorial section, from ment of an area. The department also which it will be seen that there is a lounge, exercises supervision over the finances a hairdressing salon and other amenities in of local government. It advises the the building. Even though it is a State under­ Co-ordinator-General of Public Works on taking, the people of Queensland should be the financial ability of local authorities to extremely proud that we are looking after undertake loan-subsidy works submitted in the unfortunate inmates in such an able the annual programme of capital works, acts manner. as adviser to the Treasury on questions of local government finance, and recommends Alterations are being carried out at the the payment to local authorities of subsidies Windsor Rehabilitation Hospital, formerly the granted for capital water supply, sewerage, Ophthalmic Hospital, which will provide storm water drainage and swimming pool accommodation for delinquent children. projects. The department also exercises the A contract has been let for the erection general reserve and over-riding power of the of three residences for chaplains at the Bris­ local government law. It is responsible fm bane Mental Hospital. Plans are being drawn the issue of proclamations, Orders in Council, up for the erection of a neuro-psychiatric and other instruments under the Local hospital at Chermside, and tenders have been Government Act and the approval of by-laws invited for the erection of a ward for T.B. made by local authorities. Another patients in the grounds of the Toowoomba important function is the examination and Mental Hospital. approval of town-planning schemes made by local authorities. There are also certain The work on the erection of a new matern­ miscellaneous functions, the more important ity block at the Nambour Hospital has been being the examination and certification of completed, and this is something else that local government clerks, engineers, and we may be justifiably proud of. I had the overseers. Examination boards are set up opportunity of going through this centre too, under the local government law to examine and after inspecting the building, which is and certify candidates seeking certificates of in the electorate of the hon. member for competency as local government clerks, Cooroora, I was indeed surprised when he engineers, and overseers. advocated recently bringing boatloads of baby migrants to Queensland. With such a beauti­ Then we have the Picture Theatre and ful maternity hospital in his area, I would Films Commission, the primary function of have thought that perhaps they might be able which is to prevent the over-supply of to export a few babies from that electorate. picture theatres in any locality thus leading to undue competition and economic waste. Before dealing with the sub-departments, I The Commission is required to investigate should like to congratulate and thank my and determine all applications for new or Under Secretary, Mr. Longland and his additional picture theatres. If a favourable officers, and all the department's workmen,' determination is made, the applicant must nght down to the labourers on the job, for satisfy the provisions of the local govern­ their excellent work during the preceding ment law and the local authority by-laws Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1361 as to the standard of building and the safe­ and also guarantees all loan ra1smgs. The guarding of matters of public health and Treasury depends on the Department of safety in the use of buildings before the Local Government to ensure- premises may be used as a picture theatre. 1. That each water supply, sewerage, Today some of these things are working in stormwater drainage, and swimming reverse. We read that 85,000 television sets have been sold in Queensland, and at present pool scheme is sound from an engineer­ they are confined to an area within a reason­ ing viewpoint; able radius of the capital city. Without 2. That the scheme is economically one doubt, that has had quite a serious effect on within the financial ability of the local attendances at picture theatres in this area, authority; and as it has in other parts of Australia, and in other parts of the world, for that matter, 3. That it is constructed in accordance where television has been introduced. In with the design approved by the depart­ some cases, suburban theatres were showing ment. on, say, Wednesday night and Saturday night Let me give the Committee an indication prior to the introduction of television, and of the extent to which local authorities have at their request I have granted them per­ exercised their function in respect of water mission to show only one night a week. supply and sewerage. The total number of As the number of television sets increases, persons in the State, excluding the city of I suppose the position will deteriorate still Brisbane, who are presently served by water further. supply is 520,000, or 65 per cent. of the The Plumbers, Drainers, and Gasfitters' total population of the State. When hon. Examination and Licensing Board also members compare Queensland with the other Australian States they will agree that that comes under the control of my department. is a very big percentage. At present 22 This Board functions under the Sewerage, cities and towns outside of Brisbane are Water Supply and Gas Fitting Acts, 1949 to served by sewerage, the total population so 1951, and is charged with the examination served being 174,000, or 20 per cent. of the and licensing of plumbers and drainers. The State's population. In addition, a further Act provides standard water supply and 11 sewerage schemes are in course of con­ sewerage by-laws for the State. struction. Approved loan subsidy provision made available to local authorities for water A fourth section under the control of my supply and sewerage (excluding Brisbane) department is the Joint Committee. This during the last five years has been as committee was appointed under the pro­ follows:- visions of by-law 7 (a) of the Standard Sewerage By-laws. The committee com­ Water Supply Sewerage prises representatives of the Brisbane City Year £ £ Council Health Department and the Local 1955-1956 1,660,000 727,000 Government Department, the chairman of 1956-1957 1,806,000 852,000 the committee being the engineer in charge 1957-1958 2,564,000 1,171,000 of the Department of Local Government. 1958-1959 2,931,000 1,559,000 Its primary function is to examine the design of all fixtures and fittings for use in water 1959-1960 2,721,000 2,061,000 supply and sewerage. No fixture or fitting I am not attempting in any way to make any may be installed by a local authority unless comparison with what was done by a previous it has been submitted to and approved by Government. I am merely taking a five-year the joint committee. period. Over that period we see a rise in The main function of the Town Water the prov!Slon for water supply from Supply and Sewerage Branch is the exercise £1,660,000 in 1955-1956 to £2,721,000 in of general oversight over local authorities 1959-1960. The provision for sewerage has in connection with water supply, sewerage, risen from roughly £750,000 in 1955-1956 to stormwater drainage, and the provision of £2,061,000 in 1959-1960. I am sure that swimming pools. Under local government all hon. members, irrespective of their poli­ law the local authority is the authority tical colour, will agree that the State has made cha~ged with these functions, and the depart­ good progress in the provision of water ment, with its technical staff, acts in an supply and sewerage over that period. advisory and supervisory capacity. In The amount of subsidies paid to local certain cases, generally in the more remote authorities, again excluding Brisbane, in the areas where the services of an engineer are past five years has been as follows:- not available to the local authority, the department also acts as consulting engineer Water Supply Sewerage Year £ £ to the local authority. 1955-1956 649,000 389,000 Whilst the provision of water supply, 1956-1957 713,000 465,000 sewerage, stormwater drainage, and swim­ 1957-1958 774,000 525,000 ming pools, is a function of local gove~n­ ment, the central Government pays a subsidy 1958-1959 1,027,000 634,000 towards the capital cost of all such schemes 1959-1960 932,000 852,000 1362 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Details of major water supply and sewerage being prepared by the department. The schemes at present under construction are as cost of the North Mackay sewerage scheme, follows:- inclusive of the £84,000 to be contributed £ to the Mackay City Council, is £367,000. City of Gold Coast, sewerage Major augmentations proposed to existing pump and pipe line augmen- water-supply schemes presently under design tation 4,278,000 and investigation will involve a further expen­ Town of Dalby, improved water diture of £6,150,000. These schemes include supply and treatment plant 425,000 major augmentations to the water supplies Shire of Mareeba, treatment of the cities of Townsville, Toowoomba and plant Mareeba water supply 80,000 Rockhampton. Similarly, further large-scale Shire of Maroochy, Nambour expenditure will be incurred in providing and Coast towns 1,500,000 new sewerage schemes in many towns where Shire of Pine Rivers at Petrie, preliminary investigations are at present being Kallangur and Strathpine 1,316,400 carried out or have been completed. So far as sewerage schemes are concerned, These are the technical officers of the I mention the following:- department:- £ 19 Engineers City of Cairns, catering for 2 Engineering surveyors Cairns, at an estimated cost of 1,433,000 4 Works supervisors City of Redcliffe Council, cater- 1 Engineering assistant ing for Redcliffe 1,250,000 12 Draftsmen and assistant draftsmen Town of Roma, catering for 6 Cadet draftsmen Roma 594,000 10 Materials inspectors Shire of Balonne, catering for The organisation as a whole 1s doing a very St. George 284,000 fine job. Shire of Bowen, catering for In addition, the department has awarded Bowen 484,000 six engineering scholarships. Two scholarship­ Shire of Cloncurry, catering for holders are in their final year and should Mt. Isa 142,500 graduate and become Division HI engineers Shire of Gatton, catering for in January, 1961. Gatton 421,000 The senior officers of the department are Shire of Longreach, catering for the Director of Local Government, Mr. Longreach 500,000 Sewell, the Deputy Director of Local Govern­ Shire of Richmond, catering for ment, Mr. Martin McNamara, the Engineer­ Richmond 144,400 in-Charge, Mr. R. D. King-Scott, and the Shire of Winton, catering for Senior Engineer, Mr. E. L. James. There Winton 248,000 are also four branch engineers who are responsible for the water supply, sewerage In addition to the foregoing major pro­ construction, and design sections. grammes, extensions are being carried out in all the larger cities already served by I desire to mention that on 17 September, water supply and sewerage. As a further 1960, I had the privilege of opening three indication of the volume of water-supply water-supply schemes in the local-authority and sewerage activity by local authorities, I area of Wambo. I was accompanied by the mention that new water-supply schemes for hon. member for Condamine. The areas which working drawings have been prepared we visited were Bell, Jandowae and Warra. and approved, and for which construction The schemes were individual schemes. is about to commence, involve an expendi­ History was created by the Wambo Shire ture of £1,373,000. Council in that it was able to complete these three individual schemes and have them Major works included in such new schemes opened on the same day. The Bell scheme are water supplies for Caloundra, Rosewood, cost £47,112, on which a subsidy of £23,523 Marburg and Millmerran, and sewerage was paid; the Jandowae scheme cost £90,014, schemes for which plans have been approved on which a subsidy of £44,934 was paid; and and for which construction is about to com­ the Warra scheme cost £40,501, on which a mence include those at Gordonvale, Mitchell, subsidy of £20,201 was paid. The Bell and Biloe!a, Wondai and North Mackay. Those Warra schemes are damming schemes, but schemes are estimated to cost £1,354,000. the Jandowae project is a system of spears, with very expensive electrical equipment The North Mackay sewerage scheme is located at the spears. dependent upon the construction of a treat­ ment plant by the Mackay City Council, Mr. J. A. Sewell was appointed Acting which plant is to be used to treat the Director of Local Government in 1948 and sewage from both Mackay and North Mackay. a year later was appointed Director of Local Government. During the past 12 years Mr. The Pioneer Shire Council is to contribute Sewell has built up a solid reputation as a £84,000 towards the estimated cost of the very able administrator, with a highly common treatment plant, which is estimated specialised knowledge of local government at £205,000. Plans for the latter plant are and its problems. Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1363

The editor of "Town Planning and Local The branch was fortunate in the selection of Government Guide" had this to say of him- the late Mr. A. F. Sharp, a prominent "Queensland is particularly fortunate in hydraulic engineer, as the first engineer in having as Director of Local Government charge. He had the responsibility of build­ J. A. Sewell, one of the most advanced ing up this branch of the department during authorities on local government in Austra­ the difficult period of the last war and lia and a top-ranking administrator who immediately thereafter, and it is now recog­ has taken the trouble to think out the basic nised as a key engineering department in the principles of local government and town planning from a Queensland viewpoint." Public Service. We have an excellent team now, with Mr. R. D. King-Scott as engineer I am confident that the opinions expressed in charge and Mr. E. L. J ames as senior by the editor of that publication are endorsed engineer. They both have a very high by all people undertaking the task of local standing in their profession; they have the government in Queensland. confidence of local authorities and local­ On 1 March, 1960, Mr. Sewell was government engineering staffs, and the large appointed Under Treasurer and Under volume of work being attended to speaks Secretary of the Treasury Department. He volumes for their ability. I am quite sure has retained his appointment as Director of that all the 131 local authorities throughout Local Government, and Mr. Martin the State appreciate their work. I had thr; McNamara has been appointed to the newly­ opportunity of meeting representatives c,f created position of Deputy Director of Local most local authorities at the recent local Government. It will be appreciated that government annual conference, and each of the duties of Under Treasurer and Under them spoke very highly of the Department Secretary of the Treasury Department are of Local Government. of vast importance and very extensive. Another department that comes under my Naturally enough, Mr. Sewell has been able control is the Department of the Valuer­ to devote only a limited time to matters General. It has a vast job to do throughout concerning the Department of Local Govern­ the State and it is doing exceptionally good ment. But, as I say this, I should also like work with the limited staff at its disposal. to say that never on any occasion has it It has been functioning only since about 1948 been difficult to obtain his advice when but a very fine and very efficient staff has I have needed it. During the few months been built up, so much so that often the I have occupied this portfolio, Mr. Sewell Federal Government and other authorities has done an exceptionally good job. He has take members away from us at greatly had a new Minister to coach, and both he increased salaries. The cadets that have been and Mr. McNamara have done a good actually trained by the department have job. I know Mr. Sewell and Mr. McNamara turned out to be very good and very respon­ have worked in close harmony, with the sible valuers. result that the Department of Local Govern­ ment has continued to give excellent service. It has been pointed out in the Chamber and through the Press that while some areas This arrangement has resulted in Mr. have been valued two or three times others McNamara accepting and undertaking have not been valued at all. Unfortunately responsibilities and duties which, under other that is true, but it is mainly because of the circumstances, would be those of the Director shortage of staff, but the day when every of Local Government. As all hon. members part of the State will have been valued at no doubt would expect, it is proposed in least once is very close. the near future to review the existing arrange­ ments, and the staffing position in the My officers have prepared a list of the Department of Local Government will be local authority areas that have been valued. reviewed at the same time. The first list sets out those 17 cities, towns and shires that have been valued three times- I pay tribute to the very high standard Dalby Gatton set by Mr. McNamara in accepting his new duties and responsibilities. I have availed Toowoomba Rosalie myself of his services on numerous deputa­ Gold Coast Millmerran tions to me during my period of office and Thursday Island Chinchilla I can speak very highly of the job he has Clifton Wambo done. The community is fortunate to have Cambooya Taroom an officer of his calibre to undertake these Pittsworth Albert duties, particularly following such an Crow's Nest Kolan excellent officer as Mr. Sewell. Jondaryan The town water supply and sewerage Many of them were first valued in 1948, a branch of the department is composed of few in 1949 and 1950, whilst most of them a team of skilled engineers who have had their last valuations in 1958, 1959 and specialised in water supply and sewerage. 1960. 1364 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

A number of local authority areas have A number of local authority areas are being been valued twice. valued, or we hope to value them during the They are- current financial year. Cities and towns­ They are- Brisbane Maryborough Bundaberg Redcliffe District Shire Number of Goondiwindi Rockhampton Valuations Cairns Ipswich South Western Bulloo 65 Gladstone Murweh .. 1 004 Charleville 1,406• } 2410' Shires-- Central Western . . Barcoo 310 Tambo 365 Mt. Morgan Gayndah Townsville . . Bowen 3,380 Murilla Calliope Ayr 4,535 Mirani .. 1,870 Tara Fitzroy North-Western . . Cloncurry .. 3,780 Redland Maroochy Cairns and Northern Cook 720 Beaudesert Monto Kilkivan Mundubbera Total 17,435 Kilcoy Murgon Perry Nanango We have every hope of completing those Gooburrum Woongarra valuations during this financial year. The Caboolture Lands borough only one about which I am slightly doubtful Kingaroy Mulgrave is the shire of Cloncurry, and I can assure Pine Rivers Widgee hon. members that no stone will be left Moreton Wondai unturned to have it completed, also. Eidsvold Noosa Mr. Hanlon: When do you expect that the A number of cities and towns and shires have appeals from the Gold Coast will be heard? been valued only once. The list of those You have about 5,000 of them, haven't reads- you? Cities and towns­ Mr. ROBERTS: The number of appeals on Gympie Townsville the Gold Coast has already appeared in the Warwick Charters Towers Press, but the number is 3,000, not 5,000. Roma Mackay Mr. Hanlon: They are still coming in. Shires­ Boonah Bauhinia Mr. ROBERTS: It is expected that the Is is Emerald 3,000 appeals on the Gold Coast will be Laidley Balonne heard immediately after the school year com­ Livingstone Hinchinbrook mences, possibly about the first week in Miriam Vale Herberton February. Tiaro Aramac All ora Bendemere Mr. Hanlon: How long will it be before Biggenden Blackall they get their decision? Burrum Bungil Mr. ROBERTS: I do not think it will take Douglas Etheridge any great length of time because I expect Glengallan Ilfracombe very many of the objections to be withdrawn. Peak Downs Mareeba There appeared to be quite a panic at the Banana Paroo time; spurred on by certain people and cer­ Woocoo Proserpine tain organisations. Whether there was any Rosenthal Sarina justification for it is none of my business. Esk Barcaldine At the time some reference was made to the Duaringa Booringa land tax that people would have to pay, Nebo Carpentaria but since the introduction of the Land Tax Johnstone Croydon (Adjustment) Bill many of them are satisfied Broadsound Isisford that they will not be affected at all. Atherton Jericho StantJ:torpe Pioneer Mr. Bennett: Is that why you introduced Inglewood Qui!pie the Bill? Belyando Waggamba Each am Warroo Mr. ROBERTS: If a man with the so-called Cardwell intelligence of the hon. member cannot work it out for himself or cannot understand what A summary as at June 30, 1960, shows- is said by a responsible Minister like the Treasurer when he introduces legislation, it Cities Total would be complete waste of my time to try - and Shires Local to tell him something now. It would be like Towns Authori- pouring water on a duck's back. Whatever I ties said would go in one ear and out the other. Valued once .. 6 51 57 Valued Twice 9 28 37 If we succeed in the current financial year Valued three times : : 4 13 17 in completing the 17 ,000-odd valuations Total .. ' .. .. 111 covering the areas mentioned-as I am sure we will-very few will be left to be valued. Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1365

The following local authority areas remain owners of the land in that shire. But we find to be valued:- -and it is usually done quietly, which probably accounts for the stigma that is District Shire Number of attac.hed to t~e Valuer-General's Department Valuations and Its valuatwns-that some local authorities South-Western .. Nil are actually collecting more in rates than they were before being valued by the depart­ Central-Western Diamentina 80 Longreach 1,520 ment. Winton .. 615 It is only simple arithmetic that if a local Townsville Dalrymple 1,680 authority was collecting £50,000 a year in Thuringowa 1,380 rates on a rate of ls. in the £1 and the North-Western .. Barkly Tableland 130 valuation of the shire is doubled, the rate Boulia 205 Burke .. 107 could be reduced to 6d. in the £1 and exactly Flinders 1,245 the same aggregate rate collected as was Mackinlay · 600 collected previously. If the valuation was Richmond 620 increased by 400 per cent., exactly the same Cairns and Nor- result could be obtained if the local authority thern Nil reduced the :~te to 3d. in the £1. But many 8,182 local authont1es have not been doing that, With the result that they have been benefiting greatly from the gross amount of rates that At the end of the current financial year they col!ect. It might look aTI right on their only 8,182 properties remain to be valued. rate notices to show a reduction in the rate When all the valuations are completed from 1s. 6d. in the £1 to 81-d. in the £1 but 490,000 will have been made. Those yet to t~e fact re:nains that they are enjoying a con­ be made represents under 2 per cent. of the siderable mcrease in the gross amount of State. Naturally we should like to see all rates. areas valued at the same time, but that is a physical impossibility. Mr Bennett: The C.M.O. administration did that in Brisbane. Mr. Hanlon: Just before an election would be a good time. Mr. ROBERTS: I can point to the action Mr. ROBERTS: That would be an excellent of other administrations. As an example I time! It would be a physical impossibility to shall give one that is not C.M.O., but one value them all at the one time. It would of the same kidney as the hon. member­ not be humanly possible to do it because all the Ipswich City Council. The old valuation of the Ipswich local authority area was t~e valuers would be engaged in valuing one b1g area. For instance, in a big place like £3,839,167, the general rate being lld. in the city of Brisbane it takes two years to com­ the £1. Receipts were £158,881. The new plete the valuation. All the valuers would be valuation is £6,459,529. The general rate has employed for one year and would then have been reduced to 8d. in the £1, but the amount to be sacked or "parked" somewhere for collected is now £194,473, or approximately another two, or three or five years until a £40,000 more than previously. That is not shire's turn for revaluation came round again. an isolated case. I did not intend to introduce Any reasonable thinking person should realise politics, but in view of the statement by the that this staff of valuable men-and they are hon. member for South Brisbane I could not hard to retain-must be used systematically resist hitting back. so as to keep them constantly employed. Take the position on the Gold Coast. The I cannot let the opportunity pass without former general rate was ls. in the £1 the making a final observation. There has been amount collected being £291,107. The' new considerable discussion in different quarters yaluation is £27,729,140, having been and articles in the daily Press reacting against mcreased from £6,570,007. The council valuations by the Valuer-General's Depart­ reduced the rate from 1s. in the £1 to 3td. ment. The introduction of the Land Tax but the total receipts jumped from £291,000 Amendment Bill convinced hon. members to £380,000, an increase of £90,000. The that very few of the smaller land-owners will Valuer-General cannot be blamed for the be affected by land tax. It is our intention as a pos!tion on the Gold Coast, or in Ipswich, Government to reduce land tax progressively. or m many other local-authority areas. The At present we are unable to do any more ~ame thing, to a lesser degree, has happened than has been done, but since we have been m Mackay. The rate was 1s. 9d. in the £1 the Government we have reduced con­ when the valuation was £756,315. The siderably the number of people paying land revenue was £64,255. The new valuation tax. I stress that point. came into effect as from 30 June. It is now £4,785,393. The council reduced the rate It does not matter what the individual's from 1s. 9d. to 4d. in the £1 which meant valuation is as long as he is not affected by an increase in revenue from £64,255 to land tax or rates. The Valuer-General's £76,635. I have a list here. The same thing Department endeavours to get equity between applies more or less to every local authority. property and property so that the rates for a I am not tying the can onto any particular particular shire are spread equitably over the tail. 1366 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. Be1mett: If, as you say, the purpose how valuers in 100 years, 200 years or 500 of revaluation is to make comparative values years will be able to visualise the improve­ just, why did they have to increase so enor­ ments that have been made, and the gullies, mously the overall valuation? or anything like that which were on the property originally. Mr. ROBERTS: Increase the overall valua­ tion? Mr. Houston: Can you tell me one thing? What in your opinion is the reason for the Mr. Bennett: You say the purpose of the Land Court's seeing fit to reduce valuations revaluation was to make comparative values by so much? What factor would constitute in a shire just and fair. If that was the the difference between the two? only reason, why did they increase the overall valuation so enormously? Mr. ROBERTS: After all is said and done, in the Land Court, or any court for that Mr. ROBERTS: I should have thought the matter, it is one person's word or opinion hon. member would understand the principles against another's. We have seen on very and practice of valuation, which have been many occasions that the opinion put forward laid down more or less from time immemor­ by one party is, in the opinion of others, iul. Irrespective of the location of a property, given more credence than it warrants. That there is only one way of arriving at its value. is almost the same as saying, "Why does Officers of the Valuer-General's Department one court convict a man of a crime and do not decide the value; values are decided another court let him go?'' It is a very by the people outside. difficult matter. Mr. Lloyd: But the speculators should not Mr. Houston: You will see variations of decide the value. as much as 40 per cent. Mr. ROBERTS: If all hon. members were Mr. ROBERTS: That happens, too. It valuers and they were taken out to Long­ could be that personally I do not agree with reach, Winton, Hughenden, Julia Creek or some of the court's judgments, and it may be elsewhere and asked to value a property­ that if we appealed against them we could say, a residential property-they would have have corrections made. It has never been to proceed according to the principles. The the practice of my department to drag people same principles would apply in the valuation round the country from one court to another. of any property. We could get out of the We have a job to do and that is to determine aeroplane and go round with a tape measure values. If some higher authority places or a rule and measure up a building and another value on the land, we cannot help it. decide that it had a floor space of 1,200 square feet and immediately say, "We are Mr. Houston: What I was getting at was 2t Hughenden, 300 to 400 miles from the this: is there a different set of fundamental coast. To build this place in Cairns or values used to determine valuations? Townsville it might cost"-just picking a figure out of the air-"£350 a square; here Mr. ROBERTS: It is very difficult. I in this area we could not build it under know from my years of valuing that two £400 a square." It is then a simple matter valuers can go onto a property with different of multiplying £400 by the 12 squares in the ideas. I had one case recently that I had building, giving a total of £4,800. We then to attend to. Needless to say, since I learn that the building has been erected for assumed Ministerial responsibilities, I have about 25 years and that it is badly in need ceased to engage in private business, but of repair and painting, for which we allow there are still one or two problems that I 25 per cent., that is, £1,200, thus reducing have to clean up from time to time. the value of the building to £3,600. As I Mr. Bennett: Were you very often upset said, if all of us were qualified valuers and on appeal? did that we would not be far out. But let us look down at our feet and see the ground Mr. ROBERTS: I have never.had an appeal we are standing on. We would not have yet. But I had an inquiry from the Stamp a "clue"-not one of us-whether the land Duties Office about an allowance I made of was worth £5, £50, £500, or £5,000, until £45 an acre for clearing, etc. I was asked we investigated what people were paying for the present cost of clearing and I told them similar properties in that area. When that it averaged from £35 to £50 an acre. In is done, ridiculous or abnormal sales are not this case I thought £45 was ample; but considered; only normal, average sales are another valuer with equal ability might know adopted as a basis and they define the value of a clearing contractor who would do the of the property at the time. However, mis­ work much more cheaply in the area and takes can be made, particularly at the present he might allow only £35 to £40. So much time when we are asked to get down to is left to conjecture. That is why we always unimproved value. Errors can be made on try to engage valuers conversant with the timber treatment or in the treatment of the conditions in the areas. It cannot always be land itself. Too often those treatments done, much as we should like to do it. It occurred many years ago. would be ridiculous, for instance, to send a metropolitan valuer from Brisbane to value If we continue with the same type of sheep, cattle or sugar-cane areas. A man valuation in the years ahead, I do not know right up to the mark on sugar-cane lands Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1367 might be lost in valuing sheep or cattle not a matter of Government policy, but it lands. No matter who does the valuing, is something that may have to be looked whether in Queensland or elsewhere, you at in the future. have these variations. We are fortunate in that our people have a whole series of Mr. LLOYD (Kedron) (3.39 p.m.): I always appeals. I do not know that that holds for thought that a filibuster was a lengthy speech any other State or under any other Act that made by an hon. member who might wish this Parliament has introduced. If anybody to avoid criticism of his department or who in Queensland feels that he has not been wished to carry on a debate until it could treated properly he may first of all lodge an no longer continue. I know that this is the objection without prejudice. That objection first occasion on which the Minister has is heard by the Valuer-General or his offi­ introduced the Estimates for his department, cers. If then he is not satisfied, he may and hon. members on this side of the House appeal to the Land Court. Again, if he is compliment him on his elevation to the not satisfied, he may appeal to the Land Ministry. But if we look at the clock, we Appeal Court. He has a further right of see that it is now only 20 minutes short of appeal to a judge of the Supreme Court. a full day-- Mr. Roberts: If I had my other lung, I Mr. Hanlon: In how many cases would may have gone longer. the Valuer-General or his officers alter their valuation after a conference? Very rarely! Mr. LLOYD: Unfortunately, we will have little time to express our thoughts on the Mr. ROBERTS: In most cases. I should Department of Public Works, the Department say in 50 per cent. of the cases. The objec­ of Local Government, and the Valuer­ tions are mainly on minor matters. The General's Department, and it is perhaps for­ people concerned know that an area was tunate for hon. members that the Minister once a swamp land or something of that has not got his other lung back. nature, whereas a valuer new to the area could not be expected to know that. I think I have already complimented him. I wish -and this is purely my personal opinion; also to refer briefly to the work done by I am not saying this as a matter of Govern­ the former Minister for Public Works, Mr. ment policy or as Minister in charge of this Jim Heading. I also compliment him on department-that the time will come when the work he did during his three years in we shall have to give further thought, per­ control of this portfolio. I think he was haps, to site valuation. That procedure is a champion of the use of day labour on followed in other parts of the world. public works constructions throughout the State. From what we understand, he had For example, there might be three adjoin­ some very bitter opponents in Cabinet who ing allotments in one street, each a-quarter were endeavouring to ensure that most of of an acre, each one chain by 2} chains, in the school construction work should be handed which there is no apparent variation in any over to private contractors. However, he way. Let us assume that each of them has withstood all those challenges. a market value of £1,000, disregarding any­ thing that may be erected on them. Let us That the present Minister is able to say assume, also, that the centre allotment at that he has in the department the largest one time had a big gully running through it day-labour force in the southern hemisphere that had to be filled, and that the allotment is due not only to the former Mjnister for was then levelled off and made the same as Public Works and Local Government but to the others. It may have had 10 different Labour Ministers who preceded him. owners since the gully was first filled, and Mr. Heading greatly appreciated the fact that the person who originally filled the gully prob­ by day labour he was able to carry out a ably did so at virtually no cost because great deal of work throughout the State prices were so low when he had it done. much cheaper than it could have been done Possibly he got the people of the community under private contract. He took a great to tip their rubbish into the gully for 12 deal of pleasure in telling the Committee on months or two years and then had some one occasion about a contract that had sawdust or soil put on top of it to complete been let to a private contractor in the to filling. I think that allotment must now North. When the work was discontinued by be looked at under present conditions and the contractor the job was carried on by the bearing in mind present prices. Under the department's day-labour force. Employees present system, the end allotment would be were flown to the town, where they were valued at £1,000, the one in the middle at maintained and paid living-away-from-home £700, and the one at the other end at £1,000. allowance. At the completion of the job The man who did the filling has been paid they were flown back again. Even so, the for it, because that would be taken into job was completed for much less than if account in fixing a price when he sold it, the private contractor had finished it. The and although it has been sold several times former Minister held the opinion that the since then, the man now owning it is paying day-labour force of the Department of Public only seven-tenths of the rates that the people Works was one of the finest organisations owning the other allotments are paying. in the State Public Service. I am sure That does not appear to me to be fair or the present Minister will agree with his just. As I said, that is a personal opinion, predecessor. 1368 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

I realise that the Minister has many diffi­ The regionalisation plan has been one of culties. Today he detailed at great length the greatest factors in enabling the Govern­ the work that his department is doing ment to formulate these higher plans in the throughout Queensland in the construction educational sphere. of primary and secondary schools. It is a Mr. Beardmore: In many cases this great compliment to Labour planning in the Government has had to purchase land in past that we have been able to maintain a order to build schools because no provision school-building programme to cope with the was made by the previous Government. increasing number of school children. It is only natural that the Minister and the Gov­ Mr. LLOYD: Exactly. That has happened ernment should endeavour to claim much of not only in the hon. member's electorate, the credit. At least we pay them the tribute but in mine. I have had to search in my that they have maintained Labour's plan so electorate-as no doubt many other hon. that at the present time they have a pro­ members have at some time or another­ gramme of school construction to cope with for land on which a school could be built. the demand. In the past three years the As soon as land was available in my elec­ number of children attending primary schools torate the school building was started. has increased by almost 12,000; in secondary Mr. Houghton: For many years your schools the numbers have alm~t doubled. Government refused to build a high school Mr. Coburn: It is only because they built at Redcliffe. schools in places where they could attend them. Mr. LLOYD: The hon. member would not know. He has been here five minutes Mr. LLOYD: What nonsense! In 1946 and he knows everything! the Labour Government undertook a plan Mr. Houghton: If I did not know as regionalising education in Queensland. The much as you I would not be here. plan envisaged that by 1963 we would reach the peak demand, but that in the intervening Mr. LLOYD: Maybe that is so, but we years there would be a constant demand for have had the proud boast in this State­ additional high schools because of the and I think we are entitled to have it increased number of children graduating from recognised-that at no time since the end primary schools-children born immediately of the war has any child been refused edu­ after the war. What is happening now has cational facilities in Queensland because of not happened overnight. It was all planned. a lack of school accommodation. Undoubtedly there are marvellous high­ school buildings throughout the State. Natur­ Mr. Houghton: You cannot say that of ally the plan had to be designed by somebody, Redcliffe. and it was not designed overnight. Today Mr. LLOYD: Immediately following the the Minister admitted that there has to be war there were occasions when we had to a long-range plan for all building development take over temporary buildings-usually Army in future years. We must make more plans huts-to enable us to cope with accommoda­ now. We shall have to find a location for tion demands, but no child has been refused a new Supreme Court, even though it might educational facilities. Things that have hap­ be years before it can be built. And so pened in other States, particularly Victoria, there had to be a long-range plan for the have not happened here. In Victoria, child­ construction of additional primary and ren were refused educational facilities secondary schools. because there was no accommodation for The Minister has indicated that next them. That has never happened in this year or the year after there will be a State, as I think any hon. member with any maximum expenditure on State primary and degree of common sense will admit. high-school buildings. We shall have to meet The Labour Party has always recognised another challenge when the tailing-off comes. that the high cost of school construction Increased numbers of children will be gradu­ must have a savage impact on the Budget. I ating not only from primary schools to will grant the Minister that point. The cost secondary schools but from secondary schools of Government buildings in the 10-year to universities. period since 1950 has increased by We must plan ahead to ensure that, at the £6,000,000. That includes hospitals, schools time when there is a big intake, or an and all other classes of Government build­ acceleration in intake, into our universities ings. During the same period the total we have adequate university buildings to governmental expenditure on Government enable those children to receive the higher buildings has increased only to the extent of education. It is not a matter of doing it £13,000,000. We can understand the savage overnight. In five years' time we will need impact that the cost of school construction a university not only at Townsville, but also is having on Government expenditure in this at Rockhampton, perhaps, or in some other State. part of the State, to enable us to cope with I have not a great deal of time. The the demand for higher education at that time. Minister spoke for two hours 40 minutes, Things are not as simple as hon. members but members of the Opposition are limited opposite would have us believe. These plans to 25 minutes, and there are one or two were established by the Labour Government. points I should like to make in that time. Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1369

The first is in reply to the Minister's state­ so that they could be examined and a plan ment on the Valuer-General's valuation formulated for a better flow of traffic into throughout the State. I believe that the and out of the city. The plan of the Brisbane embarrassment that has been caused to this City Council would involve the expenditure Government-and there is no doubt that the of from £10,000,000 to £12,000,000. The Government have been embarrassed by origin-and-destination survey is part of the revaluations in various centres-is caused by Town Plan and therefore attracts a Govern­ the Valuer-General's practice of revaluing ment subsidy of 20 per cent. Originally the certain areas time after time whilst appar­ survey was to cost £18,000. My information ently neglecting to value other areas once. is that the work has been extended by the An examination of the figures given by the Brisbane City Council and will cost £60,000. Minister reveals-and these figures confirm It may cost even more, if the work is further those given by the hon. member for South extended. The original idea was that a Coast the other day-that 17 local-authority private company should undertake the survey areas have been valued three times, 37 and then report to the Brisbane City Council have been valued twice, 57 once, and so that the council could plan for the easier 21 not at all. The Government's embar­ flow of traffic into and out of the city, but in rassment arises through the impact of local­ the meantime it had prepared its own plan authority rates or land tax on the people of for the construction of the ring road. It those areas. The difficulty could be over­ has extended the activities through its own come if all local-authority areas were officers and has interfered with the origin­ revalued at the one time and amending legis­ and-destination survey by the private com­ lation introduced for the purpose of lifting pany. It has introduced figures taken out by exemptions or reducing the rate of land tax. Its own officers and adjusted the report simply No complaints could then be made that at to enable it to match its ring-road plan with a time when some local authorities have not the result of the origin-and-destination survey. been valued at all, others have been valued My information is that the report following time and time again. the origin-and-destination survey will show Mr. Armstrong: Take the Gold Coast statistical returns that will add to the con­ with its savage upward trend in values. tention that the ring-road plan is completely satisfactory, yet many of the figures that Mr. LWYD: The same thing will happen have been reported in that survey show that in Brisbane next year. th~r:: is no true indication of where people ongmated or what was their destination. In Mr. Armstrong: That is something you oth::r words, if the plan that is being cannot get around. designed at present by the Brisbane City Mr. LLOYD: I do not know that that is so; Council is completed-at great cost to the there may be good reason for it. But I people of Brisbane, and possibly to the people suggest that better co-ordination between of Queensland-in many ways it will be Government departments would be of benefit. useless. The roads and expressways that The state of affairs to which I have referred will be built will not receive the traffic for is not peculiar to this Government's period which they were originally designed. of office. It existed in the past. If there Mr. Beardmore: It is the general practice was close collaboration between the Valuer­ in America. General's Department and the department dealing with land tax, it would be possible Mr. LLOYD: In America the practice is for to value the State as a whole at the one the local authority not to stand the burden time, . a.nd so overcome the present position. of the full cost of these expressways. A A shdmg scale of land tax may be the separate authority is established to undertake solution. the vast expenditure needed to build the expressways, and to build ring roads such The Minister has said that the city of as the one envisaged for Brisbane. This plan Brisbane takes two years to value, yet next could become the responsibility of all the year a third valuation of the city will be people of Queensland, and not simply the undertaken. Other local-authority areas have ratepayers of Brisbane. Because it will facili­ not been valued once. tate the movement of all traffic into Brisbane The next matter I raise is a serious one. from outside, the rest of Queensland may I have received information about the origin­ be asked to bear some part of the expenditure. and-destination survey that is being under­ The main point of my argument is that taken by the Brisbane City Council. I raise whereas the origin-and-destination survey was the matter because of its possible impact on asked for by the council to give it an idea the people of Brisbane and eventually on the of the flow of traffic into and out of Brisbane, finances of the State. I ask the Minister for it has been distorted by the council adminis­ Local Government to investigate the matter. tration to enable the result of the origin­ Some months ago the Brisbane City Council and-destination survey to coincide with its announced its plan of a ring road to bring already established ring-road plan. In other about easier flow of traffic into and out of the city. The matter has been discussed for words, there has been a manipulation of the some 18 months, but within the last six result of that survey. months the Lord Mayor and his council I am informed that if the final returns announced that they intended to engage a of the origin-and-destination survey were private company to undertake an origin-and­ correct, they would give an entirely different destination survey and compile statistics sd result, and would possibly indicate that many 1370 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply of the ring roads and expressways that are After all, the amount of loan moneys avail­ to be built under the plan, which envisages able is limited by the allocation from the the resumption of large properties and build­ Loan Council and by the ability of the ings in the city, will be redundant. I under­ local authorities to raise those moneys. stand that part of the showgrounds and many other places in the lower parts of the city I am sure the hon. member for South are involved. Brisbane will be able to give figures of water supply and sewerage for the City of Brisbane. If the report that I have received is The Minister spoke of water supply but correct-and I am assured that the complaint we heard nothing from him on this occasion that the council officers or administration ,about the proposed construction of the have manipulated the results of the origin­ Pine River dam, in which we are all rather and-destination surveys to suit themselves is interested. We want to know whether that made on substantial grounds-it is dam will be as valuable as was suggested essential that the Government should act when it was first proposed. If, as the hon. to protect the people of Queensland in this member for Redcliffe and others have said, very serious matter. I believe it is a matter it will not be capable of satisfying the in which the Minister and the Director of demands of Brisbane, Redcliffe and Petrie, Local Government should take a very deep then the Minister should have enlightened interest to ensure that the proposed expendi­ us about it. It is of some importance when ture of large sums of money within the city we consider that water supply is irrevocably area will not be money wasted, and that the linked with the sewering of Brisbane. Without numerous resumptions of property are really an adequate water supply we may never have necessary in the interests of a free flow of enough for sewerage reticulation, so it is traffic into and out of the city. of great importance that we extend our water supply at some time. If the scheme Sometimes the veracity of statements may for the Pine River dam is to be taken away be challenged, but my information comes from Brisbane, we want to know whether from the city council and is of sufficient an alternative proposal has been put forward importance to enable me to think that if this survey is manipulated to coincide with the by the Department of Local Government. ring-road plan that the Council has had on (Time expired.) its books for some 18 months, then it is very necessary for the Minister and the Director Mr. EWAN (Roma) (4.4 p.m.): I want to to take an interest in the matter. pay a tribute to the former Minister, the Hon. James Heading, for his magnificent The only other matter I have time to deal work during his term of office. I think it with is to query some figures the Minister can be truthfully said that he ushered in gave of expenditure on water supply and a new era of co-operation and enthusiasm sewerage in the City of Brisbane. among departmental employees. From the head down they realised that they were to Mr. Roberts: I did not mention the City have justice meted out to them with no of Brisbane. thought of the victimisation that they had known over a period of years, so they gave "Mr. LLOYD: The Minister spoke of all of their utmost and created a new spirit local authority areas? in the department. The present Minister, who succeeded to the portfolio on the Mr. Roberts: Excluding the City of retirement of Mr. Heading, has in the few Brisbane. short months since he took office, given a very good indication of his capabilities and l\11'. LLOYD: I misunderstood him. He of worthily upholding the best traditions had been speaking for so long that it was laid down for him by his predecessor. We rather difficult to follow him. I noticed the on the Government benches have a hon. member for Condamine having quite tremendous admiration for his courage, a number of big yawns. However, the realising, as every one of us does on this Minister did mention that in 1955-1956 side of the Chamber and as perhaps many £1,060,000 had been spent on water supply. hon. members opposite do, that only two­ and-a-half years ago he underwent a very Mr. Roberts: £1,660,000; that is right. serious operation. It is to his credit that today he is restored to health. Only his Mr. LLOYD: And £727,000 on sewerage. inordinate courage has made it possible for him to serve this State with the distinction Mr. Roberts: Excluding Brisbane. that has been in evidence during his short period in office. I am sure that other State Mr. LLOYD: Same difference. The departments must be pleased with the figures for 1959-1960 show a considerable co-operation they are receiving and very increase. That reflects merely the greater availability of money for local authority satisfied with work that is carried out on purposes and loan raisings in Queensland. their behalf by the Department of Public I believe that has occurred during the past Works. few years, so it is only natural that more When hon. members on the Government should be spent in those areas. It is all benches travel throughout the State and see very well to make claims that might be the results of the operations of the Depart· taken to be the result of good government. ment of Public Works, they are very proud Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1371 of them. It makes me wonder why the must be given to this Government and to Deputy Leader of the Opposition spoke for the Department of Public Works for carry­ 25 minutes and refused to give credit where ing out such an extraordinarily successful credit is due. He referred in a somewhat building campaign in such a short time. You derogatory way to the fact that the Minister will remember, Mr. Taylor, that as you had spoken for 2 hours and 25 minutes in travelled throughout the State you saw those introducing his Estimates. The Minister drab-coloured, uninteresting-looking schools. covered at least 90 per cent. of the activities Today they have been beautified with bright, of his department, and hon. members on this interesting and attractive colour schemes side of the Chamber were very interested in which must create a better and calmer atmos­ what he had to say. However, it was phere for primary and secondary school apparent to us that hon. members opposite students. Look at the number of school were quite uninterested. The hon. member residences that the Government have pro­ for Kedron made derogatory reference to vided throughout the State. These attractive, the length of the Minister's speech, but let beautifully painted, well kept residences are me tell hon. members opposite that I listened an incentive to the teachers, and they give to a Minister in a Labour Government speak them more than a reasonable amount of for 2 hours and 45 minutes, and his speech comfort. was not nearly as interesting as the speech From the department's annual report we made by the Minister today. learn that expenditure on education estab­ In dealing with secondary education and lishments for 1959-1960 amounted to the establishment of secondary schools, the £3,905,765 or 59.9 per cent. of the total Deputy Leader of the Opposition seemed to building programme, and that 461 classrooms me to put the cart before the horse. He at 136 schools were completed for either tried to make out that the very big increase primary or secondary purposes. In the 10-year in the number of students in our secondary period 1950-1951 to 1959-1960, 3,354 class­ schools was caused by the increased birth rooms were provided, of which 1,378 have rate at the end of the war. The fact is been completed in the past three years-in that we have more students attending high other words about double the average in the schools and secondary schools today because Labour Government's regime. this Government and the Minister have Let us consider school residences and the provided more schools for them. The young number that have been provided. Let it not people have been encouraged to attend these be thought for one moment that I have been schools. They do not have to live away from particularly favourably treated because the their homes to do so and this, in turn, has Minister has indicated that residences and enabled their parents to live within their school buildings have been built ail over the means. State. I have had three school residences I think the Deputy Leader of the Opposi­ completed in Roma and two in Miles. tion was somewhat embarrassed in dealing with this subject because hon. members on Mr. Davies interjected. this side of the Chamber and many other Mr. EWAN: They were for the Regional people in Queensland have very vivid recol­ Director of Education, the Inspector of lections of the Leader of the Opposition Schools, and headmasters' residences. As a saying at a Labour Convention in schoolmaster the hon. member would under­ Toowoomba some years ago that it was stand what that means! inadvisable to provide secondary schools and so make it easy for people to have a second­ Take the Condamine school at that famous ary education because they would ultimately historical place on the Condamine Highway. be educated away from Labour principles It is only a small school but the Government along snob lines. That is why the Deputy saw fit to install a septic system there. Septic Leader of the Opposition was somewhat systems should be installed in a!I schools embarrassed when he dealt with that subject. throughout the State. At the Miles State School and High School additions costing When one travels throughout Queensland £12,698 were made. At the Roma State and the other States, as I do, one thing School additions amounted to £11,050. I have stands out like a beacon light-the difference already told my friend in the Opposition between the present educational buildings in about the school residences. Apart from the Queensland and those that existed years ago. three police residences provided in the Tt does not apply only in isolated places. previous three years a further six have been One can travel to the farthest inhabited built in Roma. Local members of the Police point in the North, to the western border, Union claim that they are the best catered in fact throughout the State, and find very for residentially of any police anywhere in few schools that have not had something the State. When I made my maiden speech done to them since this Government took from the Opposition benches in 1950 I office. In many instances, slight alterations stressed the importance to the then Govern­ have given schools adequate ventilation and ment of providing residences for senior lighting. In most cases the work has been Government officers who are subject to trans­ carried out by the department. No matter fer from time to time. When the Hon. what one's political affiliations are, if one V. C. Gair came out to Roma on a goodwiii has any understanding of fair play or a tour on one memorable occasion, I was able desire to give credit where credit is due, it to convince him of the necessity to provide Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

a residence for the manager of the State office our plans for sewerage in Roma were Government Insurance Office. When he approved at a total cost of £440,000. That returned to Brisbane he put through an Order comprised an amount of £225,000 from in Council enabling the Insurance Com­ loan funds and a subsidy of £215,000. missioner to buy the residence that we had Today that scheme is virtually completed, shown him. the amount of money expended to date This Government have carried out that being £414,748 including a subsidy of policy in most areas. I know that in my £207,461. We are on the verge of turning own electorate, and in others held by Roma into a modern town because of the Labour members, provision has been made sympathetic understanding shown by this for residences for senior officers in various Government for the particularly important fields of Government activity who are subject problems of country towns. to transfer from time to time. In accordance with that .same policy Mr. Tucker: What about the audit the Bungil Shire Council 1s undertak­ officers? ing the sewering of Injune and so far planning funds of £3,839 and a subsidy Mr. EWAN: That will come in due of £1,865 have been made available. course. A start has to be made somewhere. The total cost of the scheme will be Many people subject to transfer refuse it £35,533, towards which the Government because they have reasonable residences in will provide a subsidy of £17,763. the towns in which they work and they This much-needed amenity will be available know that if they go to another town they to the people at an appropriate time in the might lose their life's savings in the purchase history of the town. I have always thought of another residence. it was wrong to wait until a town had Mr. Tucker: I said that some weeks ago. become large with houses spread widely throughout the area before sewerage work Mr. EWAN: The hon. member for was undertaken. When land is cheap, the Townsville North should remember that his residents want to occupy large allotments. party was in power for 25 years and we could count on the fingers of our hands the Mr. Sherrington: Land hungry. residences then available for these officers. His party did very little in that time, but Mr. EWAN: They are not land hungry. we have done a lot in the short time we I am speaking of residents of the town. They have been on the Treasury benches. will not be getting everything they want for their comfort, but at least they will be I should now like to speak on the main­ getting a measure of justice which they were tenance of Government buildings. In my denied for 25 years until this Government own electorate there are some beautiful old took office. buildings, one in particular being the court house at Roma. It was a beautiful old The stage when sewerage work should be building, in a shocking state of neglect. undertaken is when a town is small, a town the size of Injune. The sewerage mains can Mr. Bennett: Do you go there often? be installed and, when unoccupied land is Mr. EWAN: The hon. member for South built on, they can be extended to that land. Brisbane would no doubt have an eye for its In that way the sewerage installation is in architectural beauty if he had a case in the a compact area, and sewerage can be pro­ court house at Roma. vided at half the amount involved in installing sewerage in place such as Roma and Bris­ Mr. Bennett: I have been there for a week. bane. If the city forefathers of Brisbane had proceeded in that way, Brisbane would Mr. EWAN: Then the hon. member will not have its present sewerage problem. The know that it is a beautiful old building city of Brisbane has been allowed to sprawl spoiled by neglect. In accordance with this outwards. For the reasons I have given, Government's policy of sending officers out I suggest that sewerage schemes should be to inspect these maintenance jobs that were undertaken in small towns so that extensions neglected during the years of Labour when required can be carried out at a low Government, we had a responsible officer cost. out there to inspect that building and they I conclude by saying that we of the Roma are now attempting to restore it to its electorate extend to the Minister and his pristine glory. Those responsible for its officers our deepest thanks for their many erection would have been very dejected had courtesies. We collectively wish the Minister they seen the condition it was in. good health and a long tenure in office to The Minister mentioned the amount of carry on with the good work he has started. money spent outside the metropolitan area on sewerage works. I think I speak for Hon. L. H. S. ROBERTS (Whitsunday­ the majority of people when I say that they Minister for Public Works and Local Govern­ appreciate this Government's administration ment) (4.23 p.m.): It is not my intention to in that respect. For many years under "bob up and down" during this debate, but Labour administration efforts were made to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred have the town of Roma sewered, but to to the proposed ring road for Brisbane, and no avail. When this Government came to his suggestion in essence was that the results Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1373 obtained from the origin-and-destination­ raised has been satisfactory, but the future survey now being conducted by the council will show just how he will handle this very are being distorted to support a case for the important department. ring road. The matter is of such importance that I think I should lay his suggestion by With the retirement eJf the previous the heels as early as possible. Minister, Mr. Jim Heading, we lost a man who was proud of his departme!lt, his officers, Certain allegations were made to my and the day-labour men on the various under­ colleague, the Minister for Labour and takings under his control. He never hesitated Industry, on Monday last in the course of to point out that a previous Speaker of this an interview and a record of this interview Assembly had given great praise to the men was made and referred to the Lord Mayor. for the work they carried out on this The matter is at present the subject of building. It showed that the men employed investigation by the Town Clerk. It is true by the Department of Public Works took that certain errors have crept into the work. a great interest in the job they were doing Indeed, with such a volume of information and turned out tradesmenlike work. being processed, it would be remarkable if it were otherwise. There are, however, a We on this side of the Chamber express number of cross checks and balances which our appreciation to those Building Trades disclose there errors and they are corrected Union workers who did a good job over the as discovered. Let me state that the whole period of time when we were in Government, sampling procedure was very carefully and now, with the present Country-Liberal examined by independent expert staff of the Party Government, are still doing a good University of Sydney and the Queensland job for the State, not only in the metropolitan l!niversity before the contract was let. A area, but in the country areas also. As I ptlot survey was also conducted. The council have said before, I can speak with authority also performs an independent test audit of on this matter because I have seen these men results. Indeed, every precaution has been in what we call "one-horse" towns and in taken to ensure the propriety of the basis some of the larger towns in the western, of the survey and the accuracy of the results. southern, central and north-western areas of I must state that a preliminary investiga­ the State doing the same job as they do in tion does not support the hon. members the provincial cities and the metropolitan allegations. There is a suggestion that the area. contractor's staff has made certain errors The Minister spoke of his recent tours in assigning traffic movement. It is my down south and the checks he made in understanding that assignment of traffic Victoria and New South Wales, and said movement has nothing to do with the con­ he was very concerned as to why the con­ tractor. The council assigns traffic move­ tract system is preferred to day labour. Over ment and it is for the contractor to collate the past three years we have seen a bigger information on the basis of that assignment. proportion of the work in the State being If there is anything invalid in the basis of undertaken by private contractors. I might assignments it must clearly show up in the add that in the main those contracts table of results. It could not be hidden. have been for manual-training schools. The contract price for the work is £27,910. In the manual-training schools that have I am advised that the contractor has been been built, some shocking messes have been paid £16,650 to date. I am advised further made mainly because the contractors, as they that the contractor has lost money on the mostly do, have sub-let a great deal of the contract, and I am also advised that he work. Here in the metropolitan area, in expects his loss on the contract to be between the main, I have seen some shocking messes £2,000 and £3,000. made of the foundations of state buildings. I am advised that the person who inter­ Mr. Hooper: Whereabouts? viewed my colleague had his employment NEWTON: The Balmoral High terminated by the contractor after a series of Mr. warnings, because of the unsatisfactory nature School is one that comes to my mind. of his services. The mess was rectified all right, but it was rectified at the expense of the day-labour I give this preliminary advice to the men on the project. The same applied to Committee to dispel any disquiet that might the building. Some of the building was done arise in the matter. I will make a fuller by the contractor and some by the Public statement at a later date when the present Works Department. The contractor erected investigations have been completed. the frame and then officers of the Public Works Department moved in and put in the Mr. NEWTON (Belmont) (4.27 p.m.): It windows and doors. As a carpenter by trade is obvious from being in the Chamber when and as one who worked for a contractor, the Minister introduced the Estimates for I know that, when I have to keep my head the Department of Public Works that down and go my hardest, I am not very although he has only recently taken over concerned about who follows me; I have this office he has been very active in seeing to get the job done for the contractor. That what makes the department tick. Already is what happened with these contracts. The the Minister's reply to a matter that was men have not been concerned about who 1374 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply followed them. Again, the employees of Mr. NEWTON: In the main, the big the Public Works Department have carried builders today are not interested in these the burden of straightening out the messes. "semi-big" jobs, as we call them in the building industry, and they are done by a Mr. Hooper: Were they supervised by builder who is between what we call the private architects? "humpy" builder and the big builder. He is a man who is inclined to have a go at Mr. NEWTON: No, by officers of the this, that, and everything. These builders face Public Works Department. That is how most the very problem to which the Minister of the messes have been discovered. I am referred. They lose men and they never have sure the hon. member knows as well as I a permanent gang. If they have no per­ do that the Queensland Public Works Depart­ manent foreman, who knows what type of ment has always been regarded as having a work will be turned out? very high standard of work. Members of my own union, the Amalgamated Society of Mr. Hughes: The Labour Party fostered Carpenters and Joiners, preferred to work the cost-plus system during and after the elsewhere than in the Public Works Depart­ war. ment because they knew that their work was regularly inspected by the department's Mr. NEWTON: I am not fully aware of inspectors. The inspectors do a good job that. In the main, my experience of cost-plus in the interests of the Government and of has been on big contracts outside that have the department, and of course they do a been done by Hornibrooks and others, and I very good job in the interests of the people know that they can prove very costly to the by seeing that the money put into the person or the Government for whom the work projects is not wasted. That applies to day­ i5 being done. labour projects as well as to contract work. The Minister also said that it was very Another one that comes to my mind concerns difficult to get labour at certain periods of the the changing over from timber to light steel year. Knowing the building industry, I should structure. The project was the Stafford say that from July to November would be infants' School. The steel structure included one of the most difficult periods in which the columns, the frame of the building and to get building workers, whether carpenters, the roof trusses ready to take the timber painters, bricklayers, or labourers. In the purlins. I understand that this new idea North many building-trade workers leave the of building came from Naco Ltd. It is trade to go cane-cutting, because they can a very sound idea, but unfortunately, as make more money cutting cane than they with most matters, it seems that the Govern­ could working in the building trade for the ment were used as an experiment. I just same period. That also applies when the meat­ cannot recall who erected the buildings, works are in operation. whether it was Naco Ltd. or sub-contractors, but when Public Works Department Mr. Hooper: That is mainly in North employees came to take over their part of Queensland. the building they found that the structure Mr. NEWTON: Yes, but it applies from was out of square, and it took them some Maryborough north. Once one gets into, the time to get it somewhere near square. It big sugar-growing areas such as the Bunda­ was necessary to do a certain amount of berg area, this applies. camouflaging to cover up the effects of being out of square. Mr. Wharton: They would have to work a lot harder for the bigger money. I recall recently the building of our great Public Library with the use of aluminium Mr. NEWTON: The hon. member says window frames. Over 50 per cent. of those that they would have to work harder. If he windows were found by the inspectors of is under the impression that one can the Department of Public Works to be "bludge" in the Department of Public Works, I can assure him that he is on the faulty and had to be replaced by the wrong track. The Government, being a_n contractor. employer, expect a fair day's work from thetr In comparing the contract system and the employees. Since taking over the adm!n!s­ day-labour system, we must look to the tration of this department, the present Mtms­ future. I am sure that anyone who knows ter has written to his employees stating that anything about building will agree that once provided he gets the return he expects from a contract is signed with a contractor, if the the men employed by the department, there plan is altered in any way at all the par­ will be no retrenchment as far as he is ticular job can become a cost-plus job that concerned. While on the subject of could cost the department a very large sum employment in industry, I say that I should of money. I have seen jobs of this type, as like to see a bigger Vote for the Department I am sure other hon. members have, and I of Public Works. That is one way in which have first-hand knowledge of the extra costs more employment could be found for workers that may be involved. when the seasonal work has finished. If more money was made available to the Mr. Windsor: A reputable firm should give department it could utilise the services you a better deal than you could get on a of unemployed workers when the various cost-plus basis. sugar mills and meatworks closed down. Supply [10 NoVEMBER] Supply 1375

In this way it could provide more primary the time when they are out of work it would and secondary schools and residences assist, but they do not. Whatever most for school-teachers and police officers. That workers receive for the week becomes their additional money would be of great assis­ weekly pay and it is on that that they balance tance to any Government, irrespective of its their budget. Experience has proved that composition. As most hon. members are beyond doubt; that is why I advocate on probably aware, the worst part of the year this occasion continuity of work rather than is between November and February. To use working overtime. the Minister's own words, I say that that is when the Department of Public Works will Mr. Pizzey: Do you think your building be having its "big splurge". Irrespective of the workers would be happy to work a 40-hour Minister in charge of the department or the week in Townsville when private industry Government in office, that has been the time nearby is working overtime? of the year when most work has been carried Mr. NEWTON: If they knew the position out by the Department of Public Works in thoroughly, they would. If they knew there an endeavour to have school facilities ready would not be full employment in the industry for the children at the start of the new school they would be very glad to accept a 40-hour year. week. Although some building workers may dis­ Mr. Pizzey: I do not think they would. agree with me, I say quite honestly and openly that I think the Government should Mr. NEWTON: I think they would be glad give a lead to contractors-and all employers to. Anyway, it is our responsibility, and that of labour, for that matter-by indicating that of the unions to give leadership to these it is preferable to work 40 hours a week with people and show them that it is far better to continuity of employment rather than a six­ have continuity of work than to work day week with long lay-offs. I am glad to cvertime and then, in the long run, be see that both the Minister for Education and weeks without employment, thus creating Migration and the Minister for Public Works hardship for themselves and their families? and Local Government are in the Chamber. I know that what I am suggesting will not Mr. Hooper: What happens when they overcome the position for months, but it move on to the meatworks and other seasonal could possibly overcome it for a couple of industries? weeks. In the first half of the year, about Mr. NEWTON: When that happens there Easter-time, it is very difficult for building is a shortage of tradesmen, as the Minister workers to get another job if they are dis­ pointed out this morning. He said he could missed, because of the number of public not get carpenters and bricklayers. That holidays falling in that period. Because is one of the things that must be considered of the Easter holidays, Anzac Day, May in the overall picture. Day and other public holidays, employers­ the Government, too, for that matter­ Mr. Pizzey: It will be a lot easier when would not put anyone on unless they we get to the stage of being a year ahead badly needed him to complete a job. That of ourselves in our work. has been the experience of a number of Mr. NEWTON: That would possibly be of building-trade workers. great advantage, but we will never get to Mr. Windsor: The holidays would not make that position until the Commonwealth any difference if they had the work for them Government grants the States more money to do. to do the work necessary in the field of education. Mr. NEWTON: If they had the work it would be all right. I do not deny that in the I should like to touch on two further last 2t years the Government have made a points and I hope the Minister will give me big splurge. It is true that over the last some indication whether the rumour will Christmas period a great deal of overtime was become the fact. The first relates to the worked. Overtime was worked on the Uni­ replacement of old classrooms at schools versity building at Townsville and on the that in my opinion should be pulled down Seven Hills school. It may have been worked and new ones built in their places. Rumour elsewhere but they are examples that come to has it that there will be no replacement of my mind. Workers were brought in from old schools until all the new classrooms various schools to get the Seven Hills school and schools required are provided. I hope finished in time for its opening in the New that it is not so. I see the Minister for Year. Education shaking his head. Mr. Windsor: I think every workman likes The other matter about which I am con­ a little overtime-except John Egerton. cerned is that it is strongly rumoured that a policy that is adopted now to a certain Mr. NEWTON: I must be a second John extent will in fact be finally adopted. It is Egerton, because I do not favour it. I am that of building classrooms both upstairs an advocate for continuity of work rather and downstairs. At present it seems to be than big splurges of work. I realise that the policy that, if a wing is put onto a school many people like to work a certain amount to provide six classrooms, two of them are of overtime. That is all right; if they put provided downstairs. I suppose it does no aside the money they get in overtime for harm if it does not take the shelter space 1376 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that is required in summer-time and during Government have built a great number of wet weather. It is rumoured that the modern schools, and in turn the people of department is considering building more those districts have been encouraged to build schools with rooms underneath in order to to a similar standard. I compliment the save extra expense. Minister on his work and the work of his department. As hon. members opposite will say, it would probably be a step towards overcom­ Mr. Houston: How long have you had ing the present bad position which, I will glasses? admit, was not so prevalent when this Government came to office, and it would Mr. WHARTON: I do not need glasses. be probably quite all right if the neces­ I will take the hon. member through the sary precautions were taken to make sure country districts and show him what has that it did not encroach on the shelter been done there. Even in the city much area. In modern schools the shelter sheds building work has been undertaken, but that were common in the old days do hon. members opposite would not know what not exist. There are still one or two is happening even in their own electorates. in my electorate. There is one at the Dutton Park State School and another one The expenditure of £6,000,000 this year at Belmont, but there are not many about is a great achievement. I was pleased to today. hear the tribute paid by an Opposition mem­ ber to the previous Minister, Mr. Heading, I hope this matter of upstairs and down­ who had the honour of starting this work. stairs classrooms, if it is to become the policy The Minister for Education must be linked of the Government, will not preclude the in any tribute paid to the previous Minister shelter area, which is necessary to the health for Public Works and the present Minister. and welfare of the children in summer-time A progressive policy in education has gone and in wet weather. hand-in-hand with a progressive policy of building construction. Mr. WHARTON (Burnett) (4.50 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to speak on the Estimates Mr. Houston: When was the Cavendish of the Department of Public Works. I com­ Road High School started? pliment the Minister on his lengthy outline of the work undertaken by the department. Mr. Pizzey: It has to be rebuilt because With a full explanation of activities of the it was so shabbily built by Labour. department, much time is saved in debate Mr. Houston: Have you had a change of and useless repetition is avoided. administration? Mr. Windsor: You would be speaking for Mr. Pizzey: We are rebuilding the job a week if you went through all that was said. you did. Mr. WHARTON: The Minister has done The CHAIRMAN: Order! a good job. I commend him on the time he spent in giving us the whole story. Mr. WHARTON: The expenditure this Mr. Sherrington: You admit he was telling year on schools and other educational stories. establishments was £4,000,000. Four hundred and sixty-one classrooms were com­ Mr. WHARTON: Not the sort of stories pleted. If the future generation is to be you tell. virile and progressive it must be educated, and the educational environment must be The CHAIRMAN: Order! such as to inspire a progressive outlook. Mr. WHARTON: It was a story of great I travel through my electorate quite progress, and an indication that Queensland frequently, although I doubt whether has a progressive Government. It has Opposition members have seen much of their indeed been pleasing in the last three years electorates. since the Government took office to see I am proud of the work of the Depart­ greatly increased building activity through­ ment of Public Works in my electorate. out the country districts. By their work Very fine schools have been constructed at the Government have given encouragement Bargara, Biggenden, Gayndah, Gin Gin and to people to live in those areas. Alloway, and a very fine school-house is Mr. Sherrington: That is why they are to be erected at Alloway. The smaller leaving the State and going down south. schools have been kept in repair and it will be my constant endeavour to advance the Mr. WHARTON: Hon. members opposite standard of the buildings in some of the would not realise the great amount of build­ smaller areas in my electorate. In South ing being undertaken throughout Queensland. Kolan and the Sharon area there is a need I have been in a country district for many for some improvement to bring the schools years, and the great spurt in building work up to the standard that is necessary for since this Government took office has been students in country areas. Staff rooms, very evident to me. Prior to that time it library rooms and such things are necessary was rare to see a new school or a new to improve the lot, not only of the school 'building in country areas. The present teachers, but also of the pupils in those Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1377 areas. I do not wish to criticise the stations, court houses and so on. These go Minister unduly but I think there is a little hand in hand with schooling in bringing about lack of activity-- an uplift in the standard of the community. A good deal of money has been spent on An Opposition Member: You will be out. renovations. That is very necessary. Mr. WHARTON: Hon. members opposite I appreciate the purchase of a house at always talk like that, but we on this side Gin Gin for the clerk of petty sessions. I frequently make constructive suggestions. appreciate, too, the purchase of a house in The architectural branch is sometimes a Gayndah for the agronomist who works on little slack in its work for the smaller schools. Brian Pastures. He lived at Gayndah, but It does an excellent job on the bigger projects, the house he was renting was sold and he but on some of the smaller works, in the was faced with the prospect of having to classrooms and so on in the smaller schools, leave his work. He spent five years at the it seems to be a little behind the times. university and not only did good work at Perhaps the Minister may be able to speed Brian Pastures in the interests of the depart­ up the architectural branch so that the little ment, but loved his work. So I was very schools get the attention they deserve. If glad to note that a house was bought for we give them that attention we will achieve him to keep him in that employment. It something substantial throughout the State. means that we retain a happy departmental officer and a good citizen while the depart­ The expenditure on schools for the future ment has an asset in a very good house. is very essential. There are some schools There is a shortage of homes in Gayndah, that will be closed down because road trans­ but I am pleased to see that the Housing port will make them redundant. However, it Commission has taken the matter in hand will be for the good of the community when and that further houses will be built there. central schools are established. Children can Later I will tell hon. members something receive a better education at the larger schools. about the Brian Pastures research station, Many unused buildings and schools are but I have not time to do so in this debate. empty and idle, and the schools have been I shall close by dealing with the subject closed. I urge that ·these school buildings be of valuations. It is rather a touchy subject sold. When one leaves one's house empty it but I will make one point and I hope the soon deteriorates, and when a school is closed down it deteriorates in the same way. It Minister will study it. would be wise to offer these schools for sale Mr. Sherrington: You seem touchy about when they are at their optimum to those who it. want them. There is a fair demand for school houses for youth projects and clubs Mr. WHARTON: Hon. members opposite and so on, and people buy them to make use make it touchy. of them. It would be wise if the department sold them at the first opportunity, not only We seem to be going along with a lack so that the department will get a higher value, of objectiveness. We have a band of valuers but that they will be of greater value to those to value certain lands, including lands not sold needing them. or not up for sale, and later we amend cer­ tain legislation in accordance with revalua­ The spending of money on the Gatton tions. Similarly local authorities re-assess Agricultural High School and College has a rates so that ratepayers will not have to good effect on the whole of the State. Quite pay more. We seem not to be very objec­ a few young people from my electorate tive about it and I ask the Minister to study attend the college and receive educ&tion, and the matter. I am sure that the spending of £43,000 on Gatton College is in the interests of the Mr. BENNETI (South Brisbane) (5.3 primary producers of the State. Not only p.m.): It rather amuses me to hear some of do the students receive further education, the Government speakers refer to the work but they receive education that will play a that has been done since they took office. vital role in scientific food production in the If they were perfectly honest and fair they State. would agree that most of the work was in the process of being done when they took Then we have the university, where we are office, or, if not, it was at least on the spending large amounts of money. While drafting board. They have merely carried I am on this subject I should like to mention on work that was conceived by the Labour Townsville. Even in the first year £166,000 Government and that would have been com­ has been spent on the university college there. pleted, only in a much better fashion and Mr. Tucker interjected. more efficiently, by a Labour Government. Mr. WHARTON: The hon. member has Mr. Pizzey: Most of your plans were still­ always a lot to say, but it does not achieve born; that was the trouble. a great deal. Mr. BENNETI: I should have thought Apart from the schools all the other build­ that remark would come from the Minister ings, particularly in my own electorate, are for Health and Home Affairs, but apparently a credit to the Minister. There has been he has been coaching the Minister for considerable expenditure on hospitals, police Education, too. While most of the work 1378 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that has been completed was commenced by I have even seen the Chief Justice being a Labour Government, there is still much subjected to the indignity of walking fully­ more crying out to be done. robed across the lawns in the Supreme Court grounds, through the corridors of the old I was heartened at one stage when the railway building and into what is now Minister spoke of the proposed construction referred to as the District Court because no of further Supreme Courts in Brisbane. That court was available in the Supreme Court is a crying necessity. The shortage of accom­ building for him to deal with the litigation modation is interfering with the proper that is at present listed. I think the Minister administration of justice and it prevents should give further consideration to the pro­ judges from fully occupying themselves in posal to build a new Supreme Court, which disposing of litigation in Queensland. Very apparently is being shelved. often they cannot find courts in which to sit. Much has been said from time to time Magistrates courts and courts of petty ses­ about the build-up of listed cases that remain sions throughout the State are sadly in need unheard from year to year. One of the of maintenance, repair, alteration, and, in main reasons for that is that we have not many cases, reconstruction. It is not neces­ enough court rooms for the Supreme Court sary to go to the country centres to prove judges to sit. The position becomes abso­ this. Some of the country magistrates who lutely impossible during the visit of the High are transferred to Brisbane are shocked and Court judges to Brisbane. They occupy amazed at the barbaric conditions under not only the courts, but also the chambers which they have to work in the courts of of the Supreme Court judges and they bring petty sessions and magistrates courts in virtually to a standstill litigation in this Brisbane. These courts are in the old rail­ State. I was rather disappointed when the way building, which was designed to pro­ Minister said that the provision of further vide offices for railway purposes. Supreme Court accommodation was another Turning to country courtrooms, at Kilcoy, long-term project. With many of the desir­ for instance, I wondered why everyone was able schemes he had in mind and referred scratching himself. Then I, too, commenced to, after mentioning them in a salutary to scratch myself, and I had to ask some­ fashion, he disappointed us by saying they body what was the cause of the irritation. were only long-term schemes. In other I was informed that bird lice were falling words, he is going to become a typical from the manhole in the roof of the court­ Minister of this Cabinet by doing the room. Those are the conditions under which Kathleen Mavourneen act-conceiving some justice is dispensed in this State. ideas but never putting them into practice. An Honourable Member: What year was Mr. Windsor: Where there is no vision, this? there is no hope. Mr. BENNEIT: That was within the last Mr. BENNEIT: I am speaking on these two years. Estimates. The legal fraternity and the magistrates The Minister said that it was proposed to in Brisbane are forced to endure the indignity build a new court building behind what is of working in what is virtually a bird cage regarded as the front of the existing Supreme because one person in the last half century Court building. May I remind him that the vaulted over the railings on the veranda traffic noise already makes hearing very diffi­ outside the courts. Incidentally, that was at cult in the second criminal court in the a stage when he was supposed to be in building, and that in extremely hot and custody, although I am not blaming anyone humid weather all doors and windows must for his escape. The Minister immediately be closed in an endeavour to exclude the panicked and had all the verandas enclosed noise made by trams and other traffic travel­ with K-wire. It gives one the impression ling along George Street. Any new building that one is in a bird-cage or concentration erected on the George Street frontage will camp. Certainly it is not conducive to an have to be air-conditioned and sound­ atmosphere of freedom and justice for magis­ proofed. trates, litigants or legal men. Immediately accused persons get into that restricted I have had experience of cases involving atmosphere they must feel that they are sums of money up to £20,000 being heard already in the watchhouse. From my con­ in judges' chambers because no courts were versations with magistrates who use these available. The judge who sits under those courts it is obvious that they regard it as conditions is to be highly commended for an absolute insult to their jurisdiction to be his devotion to duty and for putting up so enclosed. It is as if one is in a prison with the inconvenience and annoyance of compound before sentence is passed. The having in his chambers council, solicitors, building is so antiquated that it cannot have litigants, and any members of the public a lift. Elderly litigants either have to walk who may desire to be present. Justice can­ up stairs, at considerable jeopardy to their not be administered adequately under those health, or be carried up. On some occasions, circumstances, and it is a crying shame that when ambulance cases are brought in the once again the Minister has adopted the pro­ court has to adjourn to an unofficial room crastinating attitude of his predecessor and downstairs for the hearing because the put off the construction of a proposed new building is too old to carry a lift. No doubt Supreme Court building. there was a great deal of justification for Supply [10 NOVEMBER} Supply 1379 parliamentarians to install a lift in this build­ attending school at night-time and I sin­ ing, but there is no possibility of a lift ever cerely hope the Government do not persist being installed at the Magistrates Court in their intention. building. A couple of years ago the Government Brisbane's future traffic problems have been announced their intention of disposing of the increased by the fact that the District Courts South Brisbane State School. That, too, was a have been constructed at the top end of very unwise and impetuous decision and was Adelaide Street, thereby depriving the city for made without giving the matter any serious all time of the possibility of extending thought or consideration. Since that decision Adelaide Street through to any bypass road, was made attendances at the school have access road, or new bridge over the river increased. The head master has made a pains­ to replace the present Victoria Bridge. The taking effort to see that the children are Minister no doubt could give the correct happy, well-trained and well-educated, and he figure but I should guess that about £50,000 has effected a marvellous improvement in the has been spent on the District Courts. To atmosphere and tone of the schooL some extent the renovation has improved the frontage to the old building, but the new The attendances are increasing each year, courts are still only makeshift; they are still or each month, and they are healthy, happy only part of an old decrepit white-ant-eaten children, no doubt enjoying the privilege of building. I was disappointed to learn that attending school in their own suburb, a the Government intend to convert this old school that is readily accessible from any of building further to provide for two more the south-side areas. This school serves a good District Courts, thereby making more per­ purpose and I should say that the standard manent the closure of the top end of Adelaide there is better than that of many other Street. The money already spent on the con­ schools, even on the outskirts of the city. I ve:sion of the old building and presently should say it would be a very sorry thing for bemg spent on the two new courts could the city, and particularly for that area, if that have been used on a brand-new school was abandoned to other purposes. architecturally-at~ractive building, with all th~ necessary amemties for the comfortable In any case, as I said, the proposal was enjoyment of a new building. It is a pinch­ announced some years ago and I sincerely penny attitude for the Government to adopt hope that the Government will clarify the in an endeavour to save a few pounds. position one way or the other so that parents Apparently they have not even saved that will know what their children's future will be, much by converting the old building. and those in the immediate neighbourhood of the school can frame a definite policy in Let me turn to the construction of schools the education of their families. in Queensland, particularly in Brisbane. Most of the work completed in the last three I should like to make brief reference to years was commenced by the Labour Govern­ migration. I know that there is not sufficient ment. I disagree wholeheartedly with the time at my disposal to deal adequately with Government's policy to remove all the inner­ the subject and I know also that migration city schools to the outskirts of the city. It has been removed from the Estimates of will prove to be a great disservice to children the Department of Public Works-rather now living in and near the inner city. In unfortunately, I say, because migration is any case, ~t will be of no advantage to many one of the most important problems con­ people hvmg on the outskirts of Brisbane. fronting this State. It is unfortunate that we will be deprived of the opportunity to refer There has already been a proposal to close to it. the Industrial High School, which is cen­ trally situated and meets the requirements The CHAIRMAN: Order! I remind the of children from many suburbs on both the hon. gentleman that migration cannot be dis­ north side and the south side' of Brisbane. cussed on these Estimates. It is covered by I feel that if it is removed to any par­ the Education Department Estimates. ticular suburb it will cause more expense in Mr. BENNETI: I realise that. I dismiss tram fares, and in many instances will require the matter with the observation that it is longer travelling time and cause greater incon­ most unfortunate that we will be deprived of venience by students having to change trams. the opportunity to discuss it at all because Where it is presently located, West End the Estimates for the Department of children can attend it at reasonable cost by Education are not on the list. simply embarking on one tram there and one One building that this lack-lustre Govern­ home. If it is shifted to any suburb other ment have constructed I refer to very rightly than West End-and, of course, there is no as the annexe in the courtyard of the Treasury suggestion of its being shifted to West End­ Building. The best that can be said of that no matter to what suburb it may be shifted building is that it is an "abortion" of a the West End children will have to pay two building. tram fares and be subjected to the hazardous risk of changing trams in the inner city, or My so-called colleague is still boycotting alternatively to changing trams at night­ me-he gets the sulks like a schoolgirl-but time in the West End area immediately the hon. member for Windsor said that adjacent to the south side of Victoria Government buildings along the George Bridge. That is not desirable for children Street frontage should be reconstructed. With 1380 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that statement, I entirely agree. This six­ By way of interjection during the Minis­ storey building to which I refer-under con­ ter's speech I referred to valuations in Bris­ struction obviously at considerable cost~s bane. I did not ask my question without hidden in the courtyard of the Treasury giving the matter some thought and con­ Building. It is an absolutely outrageous sideration. Since the end of 1956, that is, proposal that could be introduced only by mainly during the period of office of this men who are not fully aware of, or alive to, Government, valuations in Brisbane have their responsibilities in the expenditure of increased from £63,200,000 to £70,128,000, public money. If the taxpayers of Queens­ an increase of approximately 10.89 per cent. land are called on to bear the cost of a build­ The Valuer-General and the Minister should ing of that magnitude for Government pur­ give some reason for such an astronomical poses, they should be provided with a build­ increase. Surely a unit of valuation could ing of architectural beauty, a building that be struck. I agree with the Minister that appe~ls to t.heir aesthetic senses, a building the purpose of revaluation is to make a just that IS readily access1ble and of which they and fair comparison between parcels of land can be proud. in a local-authority area. I cannot see that the purpose of a revaluation is to increase It should be built where it can be easily astronomically the overall valuation in a seen and a~J?ired by the people of Queens­ local-authority area, nor do I see the neces­ land and VISitors to the capital city. In the sity for so doing. I wholeheartedly dis­ courtyard of the Treasury Building it will agree with the Minister's statement that we not be. see~ by anyone; it will merely inter­ have to take the particular land values at fere With hght and ventilation, and the com­ the time. After all, under the Landlords fort of those who work in the Treasury and Tenants Act we do not work on the Building. sale, or marketable, value of the land; we take the artificial valuation that applied in A Government Member: That is where 1948, or some such year. We adopt an they will file their secret reports! artificial valuation, or what may be termed Mr. BENNETT: Perhaps that is where a unit of value. the. Deputy Premier will send the reports to Mr. Roberts: Why not go back to William which he refers in Parliament but will not the Conqueror? table. Mr. BENNETT: The only reason is that The Treasury Building was erected in the we like to be reasonable and sensible, not early days of Queensland. We can show to be ridiculous or reduce arguments to our . gratitude t? the architects responsible absurdity in this Chamber. I sincerely hope ~or Its ~onstructwn by at least ensuring that the Minister does not do that in the adminis­ Its architectural beauty will not be altered tration of his department. that it will remain as a symbol of the er~ I submit that the purpose of a revaluation in which it was built. It is now being is to make a just finding, not to increase mangled merely for the purpose of providing the overall value so that the unit of valua­ more space for Government offices. The tion struck by a local authority has to be Treasury Building is being despoiled by the varied accordingly. 9overnment, with the building of this humpy (Time expired.) m .the courtyard. !h_at is the only way in which the new bmldmg can be described. Mr. SULLIVAN (Condamine) (5.27 p.m.): I hope the Government will get above their I rise very gladly to speak on the Estimates pinch-pennJ: attitude of spending money on for the Department of Public Works and the c?nverswn of existing buildings and con­ Local Government, and I congratulate the structiOn of other buildings behind existing Minister on the manner in which he has structures. presented them. I also congratulate the Opposition on the way they have accepted There is no shortage of land. It could not them. be said that the Government do not own :mfficient land in the city on which to erect The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, a decent building. Why on earth are they the hon. member for Kedron, said that the ruining the architecture of the Treasury Minister spoke at excessive length. It may Building by erecting a monstrosity in the be that was because he had so much to tell. courtyard? Whoever conceived the idea When we realise that he has under his juris­ certainly cannot be proud of himself, and diction the portfolios of Public Works and the Government should be ashamed of them­ Local Government it is obvious he has selves for endorsing it. many things to talk about. The interjection by the hon. member for North Rockhampton Land tax and land valuations have been was quite uncalled for. At the outset, the referred to in the debate. A valuation is Minister outlined to the Chamber that he merely the hypothetical amount a purchaser was not saying that the work had been would pay for a particular block of land. performed in the short space of time he has Officers of the department value large parcels been Minister, but was undertaken under the of land, at times, but not always, using Ministerial leadership of the Hon. James actual sales of land in the area as a basis Heading. I thought he made that very for the hypothetical amount they decide a plain, and I feel therefore that the hon. mem­ purchaser would pay for the land. ber for Rockhampton's interjection that the Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1381

Minister had been blowing his own trumpet high-school top at Jandowae, one of the for the last 20 minutes was quite uncalled main centres in the electorate and very for. centrally situated. Chinchilla, a bigger centre, already had facilities for secondary In congratulating the Minister, although education before this Government took office. he has had the stewardship for only five That is something I very much appreciate, months, I feel-and I think that all hon. of course but Jandowae did not seem to members feel-that by now he has picked be able tb get recognition. However, today up the threads and is performing his job it has a flourishing high-school top. It is with a great amount of vigour. As most of only in its second year and already some his colleagues have said, possibly his greatest 40 children receive secondary education attribute is his capacity for hard work. there. I pay tribute to the Hon. James Heading, During the period that I refer to the who has retired from Parliamentary life. Department of Public Works has expended As the newly-elected member for Condamine £11,000 in providing new buildings .for: high­ I wish to say that we did not see much school accommodation. Because It 1s the Public Works development in our area for a Government's policy to establish high. schools very long time, but after the Hon. James in small country towns and to bnng the Heading assumed control of the department children in by school-transport services, the we saw things get really under way. Public Works Department will be called upon to provide more accommodation at those I am very grateful to the Minister for centres. As the transport services are estab­ the assistance he has given me as a new lished, I hope the department will be in . a member. Naturally I was very keen to find position to accede to any requests made of 1t. out what work was taking place within my electorate and I told him one day that I In years gone by there has been opposition would appreciate it very much if he could to the practice of bringing children to central give me a list of the work being done. schools. I suppose that is natural, because Very soon after that, his very efficient getting away from one-teacher schools would private secretary handed me a list of work to be somewhat revolutionary to some parents. be done in the financial year. I have it But I think most parents in country areas here and, if I want to know what is going now realise the advantages of central schoo_ls on in a certain place, I simply refer to it where children can be better cared for m and can see at a glance. If anyone wants classes, with one teacher to each class, keener to know what is going on in a particular competition in the classes, and _keener co~­ petition in sport. The extension . of this locality, I have it here. Incidentally, the system will call for greater expenditure, of estimated expenditure over the whole of the course and small schools that have served electorate is £43,694. To some hon. members their purpose will be left idle. I am con­ that may sound a great deal of money fident, however, that the Minister and his while to others it may sound very little. I department will be able to meet any demands should like it to be bigger, but I realise that are made on them. that Queensland is a big State with 78 electorates and, though there is room for I should say that within two years the much more spending, if we continue as at whole of the Condamine electorate will have present we will gradually have our require­ secondary-school facilities at area schools or ments fulfilled. central schools. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition claimed that these projects were I do not want to criticise previous speakers, under way before. this G,overnm~nt took and I think it would be much more worth office. Perhaps they were m certam areas, while if I used the time at my disposal in but they were not in my electorate. I do outlining to the Minister our requirements not know the reason for that. This Govern­ and pointing out what has been done in the ment have tackled the problem courageously period under review. and as I said in two years I am confident that these bigger schools will be established. Public works, particularly in country I think it will be a wonderful advantage. electorates, are very closely linked with the Three kiddies are sitting for Scholarship this activities of the Education Department. year at the little school where my children While the Estimates of the Education Depart­ go, and I know that their parents were not ment will not be debated this session, its in a position to give them a secondary activities will become apparent from my education. Now that a high-school top has outline of what is being done by the Public been established in Jandowae these children Works Department in my electorate. Very will receive a secondary education, and I shortly after taking over his portfolio, the think it is most important that our children Minister for Education made a quick survey should receive that education. The children of the area and saw the need for many works of today seem to finish their primary educa­ to be carried out. As a result of that first tion much younger than we did when we survey and of later getting down to the task were at school. Possibly they are smarter of allotting priorities, the two departments, than we were, or possibly it is because they after three years in collaboration, have got start school at a younger age. under way a great deal of work, which will be of colossal advantage to the people in The CHAffiMAN: Order! I ask the hon. my electorate. Possibly the best job they member to deal with school buildings rather have done there is the establishment of a than with education. 1382 Supply (ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. SULLIVAN: I was expecting to be express my congratulations to the shire called to order. I was leading up to point­ council for the job it has done, in collabora­ ing out the extra work that would be thrown tion with the Local Government Department, onto the Department of Public Works as in providing water supplies for the three small schools were closed down and extra small townships of Bell, Jandowae and accommodation was required at the larger Warra. ones. It is sometimes hard for people living in I look forward to the day when we have cities to realise just what value country a new high school at Chinchilla. The land people place on these amenities. A simple is available. I have talked the matter over way to explain their position is that in the with the Minister for Education and recent drought there was no shortage of Migration, and I understand that a high drinking water in those towns, whereas in school to cater for about 150 children would previous droughts of not very long duration cost between £120,000 and £150,000. Since the people had to purchase their water. I have been elected to Parliament the people With only a couple of tanks for drinking of Chinchilla have approached me with water, a family of five or six does not take requests that a high school be made avail­ very long to exhaust the supply. The pro­ able. I hope that if not this year, then at vision of a water supply in each of these least next year the department will have three towns has overcome that difficulty. sufficient finance to proceed with this project. Perhaps one of the things that is most appreciated is the fact that once a water Another responsibility of the department supply is provided in a country town it is that is very important to people throughout possible to give the people one of the the State is the provision of hospitals. For amenities enjoyed by people in cities-the some reason or other the Jandowae people provision of a swimming pool where the were never able to make successful repre­ children can be taught to swim and the sentations to the previous Government for general public can cool off in hot weather. a new hospital. My predecessor, Mr. I maintain that swimming should be taught Sparkes, was very mindful of their need, in our schools. I hope that matter will be and he brought it before the Government taken into consideration and eventually made on many occasions. But we still did not available throughout the State. get a new hospital; we were told that we were close enough to Dalby. With And so I express my appreciation, on the change of Government, and with behalf of the Wambo shire, to the Local Government Department. The dealings I Mr. Heading as the Minister for Public have had with the officers of the department Works, it ~as not very long before the hospital was under way. I congratulate in my short time as a member of Parlia­ departmental officers for the magnificent job ment have always been on a very happy they made of the first wing of the Jandowae note. I have found them very keen to assist hospital. The hon. members for Bowen and me in every way possible. I have three Hinchinbrook recently inspected it, and I shires in my electorate-Chinchilla, Wambo am sure they will agree that it is a splendid and Kingaroy-and I know that my senti­ little hospital. One wing has been com­ ments are shared by those three shire pleted but now we are pressing for the councils and their clerks, that is, that the second. Originally the first wing was Local Government Department are most intended to be a maternity wing, but the helpful in their dealings with them. I feel Department of Health and Home Affairs that, under the guidance of the Minister has decided that it should be used as a for Public Works and Local Government, general hospital, with the maternity wing to that very happy relationship will continue be built in the near future. Since we have and prosper. had the first wing there has been no trouble I should say that the Minister, on his with nursing staff. Previously no-one would visit on the occasion I mentioned, created come to Jandowae to nurse; I do not know a very good impression on the people of why, but possibly it was because of the con­ the Wambo shire. He came out there as ditions under which they had to work. Ever a very new Minister. We were two of a since the new wing was opened we have kind-he was a new Minister and I was a had a full complement of matron, sisters new member-but apparently we blundered and nurses, and they are all working very our way through the job very efficiently. happily. When the request is made for the At least the Minister did, because after­ second wing I hope that the department wards, on numerous occasions, people spoke will have the necessary finance to get on highly of the manner in which he performed with the job without any delay. his duties on that occasion. On behalf of the people of the Wambo shire, I thank the I should now like to make reference to Minister very sincerely for the job he did the Minister's administration of the Local on that occasion. As the representative of Government portfolio. He referred to his the Condamine electorate, I look forward to visit to the Wambo shire, where he created working in close harmony with the Minister history when he opened three water supplies for Public Works. in the one shire on the same day. He congratulated the Wambo shire on its very Mr. INCH (Bourke) (5.50 p.m.): I commend fine achievement and I, too, should like to the Minister on a most comprehensive survey Supply (10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1383 of departmental activities. I express apprecia­ "Dempsey's soak is not quite unreliable tion of the work of the department on the and none of the soaks at present pumped State schools at the Mt. Isa mine and the can cope with the demand put on them by town of Mt. Isa. While I express apprecia­ the pump. tion of that work, I make a plea for the "It is simply that the water in the soaks construction of three extra classrooms at the will no longer flow in at the rate we pump Cloncurry State School. The Minister may it out, Mr. Birtwell said. recall that two of those rooms were taken last year from the primary school for pur­ "It was unfortunate that the soak should fail so suddenly and catch everybody poses of secondary education, and I under­ unprepared. We had to cut off the supply stand a further room is to be taken this year, of water again on Monday night but suf­ so that the primary school will be short of ficient warning was given on this occasion." three rooms. I suppose that, as usual, most of the children in the primary grades will be From that article, hon. members can see for accommodated under very trying conditions themselves that these soaks are rapidly losing in classrooms beneath the school. I referred their supply of water and things are in a to that matter in my maiden speech in this very precarious state at Cloncurry. Chamber. The article continues- The Minister had much to say about the aug­ "There was £12,000 made available on mentation of water supplies in various towns the current year's estimates of the Shire and cities. This matter affects portion of my Council for investigations into the scheme electorate. I draw attention to the dire neces­ for a dam on Slaty Creek, Mr. Birtwell sity of a dam on Slaty Creek, in the Cion­ said. curry shire, to provide an adequate water "It is a costly job to plan and a consider­ supply for the residents of Cloncurry. For able amount of investigation would be a great many years they have had to rely on necessary to find out if sound bedrock soaks in the bed of the Cloncurry River. That is available for the foundations of the wall. state of affairs dates back to 1922, but the Conveyance of the stored water to the supply has gradually worsened from year to town would also be a major financial year. During the past six years the shire consideration apart from the cost of the council has spent thousands of pounds in an dam itself. eflort to augment the town water supply, by "Meanwhile the work to bring in water trying to bring in new soaks-and their efforts from the new soak is proceeding steadily have met with some success-and by carry­ in spite of difficulties in the supply of ing out investigations into the proposal for some materials. the construction of a dam in the Slaty Creek "The need for the dam to be built now area. becomes urgent more than ever because work has begun on the ore-treating plant We have reached the stage when these soaks of Copper Concentrates Limited. can no longer meet the demand for water in Cloncurry. The position is very acute. "The industry consequent on the com­ Recently the soaks failed suddenly and the pletion of this plant will provide much needed employment in the town and also town was without water. require a considerably greater amount of I have with me a copy of the "Mount Isa water than is now available to the town. Mail" of 18 October, 1960, containing an "About 10 men are engaged on the site article on the shortage of water in Cloncurry, of the Great Australia mine constructing and a report by the Cloncurry Shire Council's foundations for the plant." engineer on the construction of the Slaty Creek In a further edition of the "Mount Isa dam. The newspaper article reads- Mail," dated 25 October, 1960, we find this "Cloncurry Without Water When Supply article- Failed " Report Recommends Dam to be Built at "Will Petition State for Money for Dam Slaty Creek "The precarious water supply to Cion­ "Ten Years' Study of 'Curry Water curry brought crisis to the town on Sunday "The Cloncurry Shire Council yesterday when residents were without water for received a report on increased water supply nearly five hours in the evening. for Cloncurry recommending a dam on "The townspeople will petition the State Slaty Creek which will provide water to a Government for money to be made avail­ town with 5,000 population. able as a matter of urgency for the build­ "The report was tabled by the council's ing of the propesed dam on the Cloncurry consulting engineer (Mr. J. A. Mcintyre) River. in a bound booklet that represented a summary of investigations stretching back "Soaks Fail over ten years. "The Shire Clerk (Mr. A. Birtwell) said "Mr. Mcintyre told the council that the today that sudden cessation of the water capacity of the aquifers (soaks) in the bed supply was brought about by the failure of Cloncurry River would never be able to of the soaks in the Cloncurry River from fulfil the water requirements of the town which supplies are pumped. entirely. 1960-2x 1384 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

. "He said the proposed dam would The estimated cost of the dam is £632,000. Impound about 6,000,000,000 gallons of This would necessitate a loan of £316,000 water, which would supply a flow of and would attract a subsidy of £316,000. The 2,500,000 a day. interest and redemption payments would "The dam would cost about £632,000 impose a burden on the people of Cloncurry, and would attract a Government subsidy and to alleviate it I urge the Government of £316,000; the other half would have to make a straight-out grant of £25,000 to to be raised by loans floated by the council. assist the project. I stress the need for straight-out grants of financial assistance to "Irrigation councils in rapidly-expanding areas such as "The Slaty Creek dam site is 15 miles Mt. Isa and Cloncurry. In Mt. Isa especially, from the town. the rapid growth of the town has far out­ "Investigations over a long period have stripped the financial resources of the council, shown that dams could be built on the and when important works such as water Cloncurry River in two places also on reticulation, sewerage, and the reticulation of Fig Tree Creek and Slaty Creek. electricity have to be carried out, the officers "It had been shown by detailed investi­ of the authority have to go cap in hand gations that the dam giving the most water to the financial institutions begging for the for the least outlay of capital was that on necessary funds. Again, the interest and Slaty Creek. redemption payments on the loans impose a "Mr. Mcintyre told the council that his further burden upon the ratepayers, which report envisaged a water supply for Cion­ could be alleviated to some extent by the curry that would cope with population up Government financial assistance I advocate. to a peak of 5,000 and having a major The Minister mentioned rates and land meat mdustry as well as the copper industry valuations. I should like to give hon. mem­ that was at present being revived. bers some idea of the rates that we have "It also allowed for a reasonable develop­ to pay in my electorate. ment of irrigated farming about the frin.f,!e of the town." The CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. mem­ ber may refer to land valuations, but rates "£36,000 a year are not a matter for discussion under this "A dam of this type normally has no Vote. spillway and an outlet for the overflow Mr. INCH: I realise that. I mention it would be necessary at a saddle in the only because we pay £57 a year out there rim of the lake about a mile south of when we live 2 miles outside the town the dam site. of Mt. Isa, which illustrates that loan moneys "A concrete spillway would be con­ are the cause of the heavy rates that the structed at this point. people have to pay. These high costs are "In his address to council, Mr. Mcintyre understandable in some measure when the said the present annual cost of water to costs of major works are taken into con­ Cloncurry was about £22,000. The annual sideration. For example, the approximate cost of the Slaty Creek scheme would be cost of the pipes used to convey water from about £36,000. Mt. Isa Mines reservoir to the town reser­ "Council received the report for further voir at Mt. Isa was £11,000, but the freight consideration. on this material was in the vicinity of £13,000. That emphasises the necessity for "It was also decided to send copies of freight concessions on goods and materials the report to various government depart­ carried to the far north-western towns. To ments to inform them on the urgency and these costs must be added labour costs of extent of Cloncurry's water supply installing the pipes. The figures are approxi­ problem." mate, but they serve to highlight the vast I do not know if the various Government difference between the cost of a project in departments have received copies of the the city in which no freight charges are engineer's report as yet, but I suggest that involved and a similar project in a western the Government, in their deliberations on town. This is only one instance of how the the report and the proposal for the con­ long haulage by rail and high freight costs struction of the dam, take into consideration impose a further strain on the already over­ that, like many of its western counterparts, taxed financial resources of councils through­ the very existence of the town, which is the out the western shires, and here again the centre of a rich and vast grazing, pastoral position could be alleviated by generous and mineral area, is dependent on an adequate freight concessions. water supply. I urge the Government to do I was pleased to receive advice from the everything possible to assist the Cloncurry Treasury on the second of this month that Shire Council to ensure that the dam will be a freight rebate had been granted on materials constructed and so aid the further develop­ for the proposed augmentation of the Cion­ ment of the North-west. In low-rainfall curry water supply. However, more than areas such as this, the construction of a this is necessary. The north-western line storage dam is of vital importance to the has proved profitable and people in that part people and, as a means of further develop­ of Queensland should not have to bear

Costs of chanJ.?.elling, kerbing, roadworks, deal of water to operate its plant as it comes and other essentml services carried out by into full operation. Unless the council IS t~e local al!thority, also impose heavy finan­ given financial assistance for the construc­ cml c?mm1tments on the Cloncurry Shire tion of the dam the town of Cloncurry will Council because of the rapid expansion that stagnate. Without water, western areas can­ has taken place over the past 10 years. A not develop. great deal of work has been done, but a far greater amount must be done before the Mr. RICHTER (Somerset) (7 .28 p.m.): I people in these areas gain the benefit of congratulate the Minister on the introduction seryices to which they are entitled and for of his first Estimates, and for the enthusiasm wh1ch they are contributing so heavily by with which he is approaching his Minis­ the payment of high rates, which are the terial duties. I express my appreciation to result of excessive costs. the officers of the department for the prompt manner in which they have dealt with Added .costs brought about by high freights requests made of them. Their efforts are on matenals, and to some extent by the very greatly appreciated. rocky nature of the terrain throughout the Cloncurry and Mt. Isa areas have seriously The Department of Public Works has had curtailed the amount of wo~k that can be a tremendous amount of work to do in the carried out with the funds available. Con­ last three years to make up the leeway that sequently, there can be no comparison existed when we came into office. Changed between the essential works that can be conditions in the Department of Education carried out by councils in the coastal and brought about by the Government's policy southern areas and those that can be carried on education have increased considerably the out by councils in the western areas on the demand for school buildings. Consequently there has been a huge amount of work to ~nance that is made available to them. That 1s why I suggest that straight-out grants of be done. The department has dealt with financial assistance should be made to coun­ an ever-increasing volume of work in a very efficient way. Expenditure on public build­ cils in th~se rapidly-expanding areas. They ings has almost doubled in the last thr~e are growmg so rapidly that councils are years-from about £3,500,000 to almost unable to undertake all work that has to be £6,500,000. Ttus has entailed a great deal per~ormed by them with the money made of planning by the responsible officers, and available by way of loans and subsidies. The they are to be congratulated on the splendid Government can do their share in the job they have done. development of these areas in the manner I have urged, particularly by making an effec­ It is very pleasing indeed to see that the tive effort to control prices. Public Works Department is adopting modern architecture. By doing this it is providing Finally, I urge that a larger allocation of greatly improved ventilation and lighting in the Main Roads Fund be made available to the western shires to enable them to carry both schools and school-houses. The modern out works of a more permanent nature on schools and school-houses that are now the main roads within the areas controlled being constructed are very well planned. They by them. I would emphasise the fact that are fitted with all modern conveniences and at present the allocations are far too small painted in very attractive colours, and I and allow of only patch-work jobs to b~ should say that this departure from the hide­ perf?rmed. In a sense the money is wasted, bound attitude adopted some years ago, when particularly when repair work is carried out all school buildings conformed to a uniform on creek and river crossings in the western pattern, is very welcome. shires. Because of shortage of funds repair work of a temporary nature only can be A remarkably good job has been done by carried out and, as the creeks and rivers are the department in renovating and remodelling subject to flash floodings, the whole of the school buildings. I mention especially the work is washed away in a matter of minutes, school at Minden, in my own area. It was and many thousands of pounds are wasted an old school building, built many years ago. annually on this type of work. If larger It was of solid construction, but it lacked allocations were made to these shires the ventilation and the lighting was very poor. wastage could be avoided by the construc­ I should say that the timber in the old build­ tion of roads and crossings of a more per­ ing was possibly better than any that could manent nature. be obtained today. It was of expectionally good quality. The department did a great When the report comes to hand from the job remodelling that school. The building consulting engineer of the Cloncurry Shire was raised, the wooden stumps were replaced Council I ask the Minister to give every by concrete pillars in the centre; there is consideration to the construction of the dam a wall around three sides and the under­ in Cloncurry, which is a rapidly expanding neath section today makes a very co.n­ town with the township of Mary Kathleen venient room. The small narrow windows in more or less on its outskirts. With the the old school were taken out and replaced construction of the D.C.A. buildings and by spacious g;lass louvres. The ceilings have additional railway personnel in Cloncurry, been lowereci and the school has been con­ the population is increasing very rapidly. verted into a modern structure with good The mining company will require a great lighting and splendid ventilation. 1386 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

I believe that a considerable amount of In addition, the demand for high-tops in work of a similar nature could be done country areas means that the department throughout the State. There are some very must provide extra accommodation. Enrol­ solid, sound buildings-- ments in secondary departments of country schools have increased tremendously. In one Mr. Sullivan: You are speaking of the case in my electorate the enrolment three Minden school? years ago in the secondary department was Mr. RICHTER: Yes. 24, and it is estimated that it will be 100 next year. Children in country areas are Mr. Sullivan: They did a lovely job. taking full advantage of secondary education. While it is most desirable, quite a number Mr. RICHTER: Yes, beautiful. I believe of these secondary schools are suffering from that that could be done throughout the State. growing pains, and the department is called There are some very solid, sound buildings on to meet a very difficult situation. that could be renovated in exactly the same way. The cost would be comparatively low. I congratulate the department on the splendid arrangements made by it during the I should also like to refer to the new Centenary celebrations. The decorating and school-houses that are being built; they are illuminating of Government buildings were very good indeed. There is a school-house at very well done. The work was a credit Benarkin, near Blackbutt, also in the Somer­ to the officers responsible for it, and they set electorate. It is painted in attractive are to be congratulated on the job they did. colours, the lighting is exceptionally good, and I draw attention, however, to what I think it is modern in every respect. was lack of planning in the improvements to, and painting of, the interior of Parliament Many teachers' wives in country areas House during the recess. The work was make a very big sacrifice. They are trans­ started in very leisurely fashion, with very ferred to country areas and they are very few men on the job, but a few weeks before often denied the amenities that city people the opening of Parliament there were so enjoy. It is only reasonable to expect that many painters in the corridors that they were school teachers and their wives in country falling over one another. I think that was areas should be well housed. I believe that bad planning and that that type of thing houses supplied for all Government employees could be avoided. I realise there was a in country areas should be of a high desperate rush to finish the job in time for standard. the opening of Parliament, but better planning could have obviated that state of affairs. As I suggested before, quite a lot of country school-houses could be modernised I draw the attention of the Minister to and improved. They should be made fit to the two fans at the rear of the Chamber, live in. I know it is a big job and a fairly and suggest that the Public Works Depart­ costly one, but it has been neglected in the ment could provide something better for the past and there is much leeway to be made up. convenience of hon. members. Hon. members on the back benches get a cold blast of air I believe that everything possible should on their necks, which is not very pleasant, be done to attract and encourage a better and the noise of the fans is such that they type of teacher to serve in country areas. The cannot hear the proceedings in the Chamber. least city people with all their amenities can I should think the department would be able do for country people is provide them with to replace these fans with more suitable fans. the best teachers that are available. I know The Minister has dealt at length with the that many teachers resent going to country work of the Valuer-General's Department. areas if the amenities are not there. I am I was very pleased to hear that he expects quite aware that the cost of providing these the valuation of all the shires in the State things is very great, but it is quite unreason­ to be completed in the very near future. It able to expect a teacher's wife who has is very necessary that that job be completed lived in an area supplied with electricity because the aim and objective of the Valuer­ for 10 years or longer to do her cook­ General's Department is to bring about ing on a worn-out wood stove, which is what uniformity in land values. If that is not is happening in a number of country schools. done the purpose in setting up the department This matter requires our immediate will be nullified. We realise the importance attention. of that when we remember that the first valuation by the Valuer-General increased A considerable strain is being placed on the valuations in Mackay by over 300 per the Department of Public Works in the cent. I forget the exact figure. transition period that we are passing through in country areas. In saying it is a period Mr. Roberts: It was 560 per cent. of transition, I mean that many small country schools have been closed and the children Mr. RICHTER: I thought it was 360 are being transported to central, or area, per cent. schools. It follows, of course, that the That just proves the injustice that exists central schools have to be altered and when land tax is applied to those valuations. increased accommodation provided. The Land values have increased progressively and department is under a great strain in coping it must be agreed that those local authorities wirh the extra amenities required in these that have not been valued for 12 or 15 years schools. have had a decided advantage over those that Supply [10 NoVEMBER] Supply 1387 have had their valuations brought up to date, Mr. RICHTER: Most of it does in country sometimes on three occasions during that areas. It may not in the city, but it does in period. Land tax has been assessed on those country areas; the bulk of the burden falls on high values. The exemption figure for land­ the ratepayers in country areas. They are tax purposes has been raised, which has going to recommend that a levy be collected exempted from land tax many properties in from the Federal Government on the same the local-authority areas that have not been basis as social service charges. It will then valued. The Minister gave us some figures. be distributed to local bodies on a formula He said that 17 local authorities had been based on ratable capital value, rates collected, valued three times, 37 twice, 57 once, and and population. I do not know if that is the the remainder not at all. solution. It seems to me to be a rather good A very interesting situation arises in local suggestion. I do know that the ratepayers in authorities such as Gatton, and possibly the country shires are expected to bear the whole Gold Coast, but I refer particularly to burden, which is very unjust. Gatton. I believe that 12 per cent. of the Mr. Davies: Who would be some of the ratepayers in the Gatton shire appealed people in the country areas-say, in your against their valuations. A cross-section of area-who would not be bearing the burden? them were taken as test cases and I under­ Mr. RICHTER: They share it in a very stand they were granted a reduction of small degree. I can see what the hon. approximately 30 per cent. I should like member is getting at. Every person who to ask the Minister-! should like him to pays rent or board shares a little of that answer my question when he replies­ burden but he does not do it to such a great whether this 30 per cent. reduction will apply extent. I refer the hon. member to the to all the properties in respect of which an country people. The primary producer, for appeal was lodged. If it will, does he not think instance, has a big block of land, but that it would be good business for every rate­ payer in the Gatton shire, and every other land represents his tools of trade and he is shire, to appeal, because the 88 per cent. who being taxed on it. He is being taxed on a did not appeal will be at a decided disadvan­ high figure. That is very unjust and I think tage. If the 12 per cent. that appealed get something should be done along the lines the reduction, what about the 88 per cent? suggested. This might not be the solution, but the burden should be made very much Mr. Hilton: That is because they thought easier on the ratepayers in country areas. their values were correct. Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (7.47 Mr. RICHTER: I do not think they thought p.m.): My remarks will be rather brief. As their values were correct. the Minister has been in office only five months, it would not be right for us to This could lead to wholesale appeals by criticise him unduly; but I think he is very all landholders every time there is a valua­ fortunate in having so many capable officers tion. They might as well be in the swim. in his department. I have a great knowledge The Bill passed by the last Parliament made of this subject because as a lad I was first it very much easier to appeal against valua­ appointed to the accounts branch of the tions, and it was much appreciated in country Department of Public Works. Since then, centres. Many country people did not appeal I must say, I have been a great admirer of previously, because if their properties its officers. Many of those I worked with were over a certain valuation they had to at that time now hold high executive posi­ appeal to the Supreme Court. This deterred tions in the department. Especially is this quite a few of them from appealing. so in Townsville, where Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Payne, Mr. Wilson and others are especially I should like to refer briefly to local­ good officers, and are carrying out their government finance. There is a very interest­ duties in a highly efficient manner. ing article in today's "Telegraph" referring to the Local Government Association of However, what I want to speak about Queensland and a resolution that it is sub­ tonight briefly is the amount o£ money that mitting to the Australian Council of Local has been spent in Townsville. I claim that Government Associations in Hobart, which Townsville has not had its proper share of is sitting from 21 November to the department's allocation for the year ended 24 November. The Queensland Association 30 June, 1960, and I propose to prove it will suggest to the Australian Council that by using the figures in the annual report. the burden of local-government expenditure Time and time again Townsville has been held should not be borne only by ratepayers, but up to us as a perfect example of what the that a reasonable proportion should be borne Government have done in the North, what by the general body of citizens. they are doing, and what they intend to do. I intend to expose that claim and to show Mr. Davies: Will you elaborate on that exactly what has not been done for Towns­ point? ville. I have taken the figures from Appen­ dix V. in the report. This entails a certain Mr. RICHTER: Yes. They are urging that amount of addition, but hon. members may the whole burden of financing local govern­ check the accuracy of my calculations later. ment should not fall on ratepayers. I am sure they are quite correct. Last year Mr. Davies: It does not fall on the rate­ 39 primary schools in Brisbane had some­ payers now. thing done to them and £575,000 was spent 1388 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply on that work. In the same period only lagging far behind in the number of class­ three primary schools in Townsville had rooms that could, and should, be built. At something done to them and £51,800 was the Kurrajong State School at Townsville, spent on them. An amount of £660,744 which is in the centre of a mushrooming was spent on high schools and technical suburb in my electorate, they are already colleges in Brisbane, and £84,015 in Towns­ short of three classrooms, and they expect ville. another 100 pupils next year. They really need two or three more classrooms to cope Mr. Ramsden: What proportion of the with this increase. At the beginning of the population of Queensland would be in Towns­ coming school year, instead of being three ville? classrooms down, they will be five down. I asked a question about this, and I was Mr. TUCKER: I will come to that. assured that something would be done. But Mr. Ramsden: I am just asking a ques­ it is now the middle of November and tion. nothing has been done about it. The Christ­ mas holidays are not far away, and the Mr. TUCKER: I will answer it in a school year commences at the en~ of _January moment. with another 100 children commg mto the An amount of £18,895 was spent on the school. university in Brisbane, and in Townsville, It does not matter how much money where the amount is exaggerated on this the Minister says is being spent on schools occasion because the building of the univer­ throughout the State, our problell'l: is a very sity centre has just begun there, £166,000 critical one. It is no use his quotmg figures, was spent. I ask hon. members to note because we still have a critical situation that because that is the one item that inflates in Townsville, particularly when it is realised the amount spent in Townsville. Hon. mem­ that that city is growing at such a fast bers will see the point I am making, I am rate which he will not deny. The figures sure. On courthouses and police buildings, sho;, what could be done if our rightful £438,042 was spent in Brisbane and, accord­ share of the money was spent in the North. ing to this report, nothing was spent in Additional classrooms at the Central State Townsville. An amount of £204,621 was School are almost finished, but that is only spent on Government hospitals and institu­ catching up the Jag. The same difficulty tions in Brisbane, while nothing was spent applies there. Belgian Garde_ns State. School on similar buildings in Townsville. Taking is faced with another SO children this year. other buildings, £1,888,035 was spent in Bris­ The Government have seen fit to erect 96 bane and £12,142 in Townsville. In Bris­ flats in Bundock Street, Belgian Gardens, so bane, up to 30 June, 1960, £3,777,443 was it must be expected that the school will spent, and in Townsville £313,956. Dissect­ have to cope with more children from the ing those figures further, the amount spent flats. Most of them are two-bedroom flats in Brisbane represents 60 per cent. of the designed as family units, so that next year total of £6,516,917 spent by the Department or the year after there will be a tremend_ous of Public Works, and the population of influx of children. Already we are laggmg. Brisbane represents only 39 per cent. of the The State school at Garbutt is faced with population of Queensland. the same difficulties. Young couples move Mr. Ramsden: What does the population out to the fringe areas to try to buy cheaper of Townsville represent? land on which to erect their homes. The schools on the fringe areas are the ones Mr. TUCKER: The amount spent in that will receive the big increases in attend­ Townsville represented only 4 per cent. of ances, but they are already bulging at the the total amount spent by the Department seams. of Public Works. With the predominance of city members in the present Government, A certain amount of money has been one does not have to look very far for an spent on the Pimlico High School. It is explanation of why the money was spent in certainly a very attractive school but much that way. remains to be done to provide it with the normal high-school amenities. I have no As I have mentioned previously, the pri­ argument about that school, although there mary schools in Townsville are bulging at is still a lot of work to be done. My main the seams. Townsville is progressing. Per­ argument lies with the Townsville High haps it is not progressing quite as fast as School, which is badly overcrowded. It has some people would like to make out, but, been mentioned that a third high school in spite of seasonal unemployment and other was to be constructed in Townsville in the difficulties, it is pushing ahead. area known as Monkey Island. It is a peculiar name, and the Mayor of Townsville Mr. Davies: Despite the Government. suggested that it should be called Pizzey Mr. TUCKER: That is so, despite the Park. We do not know how long it will be Government. before that additional high school is erected, but meantime the Townsville High School is Although the headmasters of these primary in the same position as the primary school. schools have been advised of record enrol­ The principal has had to make do with what ments next year, the schools are already he has. Classes are conducted in grossly Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1389 overcrowded rooms. The home science in recent years. I would be the last to classes are held in what are little better than claim that this Government were respon­ sheds. Girls are expected to equip them­ sible for the change in attitude towards the selves for later life and get their inspira­ colour of school buildings; it is a change tion from domestic science rooms, most of that has occurred. But this Government can which are war time sheds. Some of them are certainly lay claim to praise for the amount dangerous because the floors are almost of paint that has been used to make the worn through. It may sound far-fetched buildings look attractive. More paint has but it is true when I say that they have to been used in recent years than for many be careful that they do not fall through the floors. The home science rooms at the years. Pimlico High School are an excellent addition, Apart from the buildings themselves, I but the Townsville High School should should like to make some comments con­ receive similar treatment very quickly. cerning school grounds. At Corinda the At the present time work is being carried Department of Public Works has built a out on the Townsville Police Station. very fine high school and has done a lot Nothing was done last year but I have seen of work on the grounds. That high school the work now in progress. In a fast-growing building is much the same as high city like Townsville a completely new police school buildings elsewhere, but it makes station is warranted. The present one is a particularly pleasing picture because being patched up again. There are a num­ of the trees that the department left ber of additions on the building and I do in the grounds when it was built. If hon. not think it is in keeping with the city. It members would like to see a school with is not the kind of building of which we character right from the start, I suggest they will be proud in a few year's time. Patching look at the Corinda High School. The and adding is perhaps necessary at times character is gained because of the trees that but if a wider view could be taken of the were left standing in the grounds when the matter, someone should make a decision and school was built. say, "On this occasion we will cut our losses, get rid of this building and put up If some of the predecessors of the present a new police station that will be an asset to Public Works people had got hold of that the city of Townsville." ground, they would have run a bull-dozer over it and knocked every tree down. Mr. HERBERT (Sherwood) (8 p.m.): I Unfortunately, that is something that has should like first of all to compliment the taken place generally in Queensland and is Minister on the presentation of his first probably a legacy from the pioneering days Estimates and to express the hope that he of our forefathers who knocked trees down is long spared to present many more. to get the grass growing. Unfortunately for Queensland, too many trees have been I should like to make a few comments knocked over in the past. They can be mainly on the work that the Department of knocked over in a day, but it takes many Public Works does in the school sphere. long years to replace them. At the Corinda There has been a tremendous change in the High School they were not destroyed, and attitude of the Department of Public Works they are now a picture. At the back of the towards school colour-schemes. In the past, annual report of the department there when a Public Works painter had a pot of is a photograph of the Corinda High School. brown paint he was fully equipped. Brown It gives an indication of what the school will paint was used for everything; not only for be like when completed. The plan has been schools, but for every building maintained drawn to allow full use of the trees on the by the Department of Public Works. ground. Today many of our schools are pictures; some of them are even somewhat bright pic­ I should like to suggest that all lands tures. The Surfers Paradise school has a reserved for education purposes that will be colour scheme that fits in with the general eventually handled by the Department of surroundings of the area. We have a gen­ Public Works should now be prepared by erally brighter outlook towards school colour­ planting suitable trees, and that suitable action ing and towards the amount of paint used. be taken within the next few years to clean By that, I mean the number of times our up areas that are being reserved for educa­ schools are painted. tion purposes to turn them into areas that Travelling through the country today one could be used by the local people as recrea­ feels proud of the way in which our schools tion areas prior to their actual use for school are maintained. In the long run, that saves purposes. A number of instances where that money because lack of paint can cause much work could very well be done could be men­ trouble to timber-framed buildings in later years. tioned. I know the hon. member for Salis­ bury will excuse me for referring to the Mr. Davies: These colour schemes were in Sunnybank High School reserve. If the vogue prior to 1957. Department of Public Works cleaned away Mr. HERBERT: I am making no refer­ the small growth, as it will have to do eventu­ ence to dates; I am making general ally, and left the larger trees, the reserve reference to the change that has taken place would be an acquisition to the area. 1390 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The department could draw up schemes of Mr. Houston: Could the council put a septic beautification for other areas now held for system in that park? education purposes. Those schemes will even­ tually have to be instituted, but the trees Mr. HERBERT: The council, I understand, could be planted now. Trees take a long encountered drainage and foundation prob­ time to grow, and if they were planted now lems in Dunlop Park. Drainage would have the ultimate effect in the matter of a few to be into Oxley Creek, and the cost would years would be very different. In many be much greater at that site than at others instances the department has plans for the where stormwater drains are close and could beautification of school grounds. In 20 or be used to take away both the effluent from 30 years the grounds of those schools will the septic system and the normal run-off be a picture, but, if we could get in some from the swimming pool. early work on areas held for schools, and for We have a problem there on which I hope other purposes, the future generation would the council and the Public Works authorities reap the benefit. Such work could be done can co-operate and eventually solve. I do on land held by the Government for other not know whether there is any possibility than school purposes. Beautification of of an extra Government subsidy that would reserves is the work of the Department of allow the pool to be built on its intended Public Works. If the planting of trees was site and, at the same time, solve the serious undertaken now we would be so much further health problem at the Corinda school. There ahead when the land is built on. are not many schools with over 600 pupils I mention now a problem in my electorate in attendance that still rely on pan services. that has recently received quite a deal of A septic system would be a tremendous Press publicity. I refer to the difficulties at the advantage in a school of that size. Corinda State School in the installation of a I should like to make a few remarks about septic system. The Department of Public the department's activities at Goodna. Some Works has direct responsibility for this work. few years ago there was a disastrous fire The Brisbane City Council proposes to build at the Brisbane Mental Hospital at Goodna a swimming pool in the area. The school has that destroyed the store, and a new one an enrolment of 600, but it has not a septic had to be built. However, it is an ill wind system and there is no likelihood of one for that blows nobody any good, because the some time as the ground is unsuitable. If new store at Goodna is a credit to the men a septic system was installed, the department who designed it and those who built it. would have to provide an electric pump to Some of us may think it should have been take the effluent over a hill to the nearest built a little quicker, but now that it is stormwater drain. That would be extremely completed-there is a picture of it in the expensive, and in view of the state of Govern­ report-it will serve Goodna's needs for ment finances the department could not see all time, particularly as it was pointed out its way clear to spend on a septic system at previously that the number of inmates in the Corinda school a sum that would provide Goodna is decreasing and that it is not three times the number of services at schools expected that they will increase in the future. where this problem does not exist. The Department of Public Works has done The council decided to build a swimming a tremendous amount of work in brightening pool in Dunlop Park, directly opposite the up the mental hospital. This has been long Corinda school, and provision was made to overdue. Comfortable accommodation has connect the Corinda school septic system to been provided for the psychiatrists and other the septic system of the swimming pool. We people who have to live in at the hospital. thought the problem had been solved, but In my electorate I have tl!e somewhat when the council engineers looked into the unique experience of having large sums of matter they suggested that the pool be built money spent on places that have no electoral on another site. I have already made repre­ significance. The mental hospital comes into ~entations for the provision of extra funds that category, as also does the new gaol for the council to enable it to build the at Wacol, on which a good deal of money swimming pool on the original site in Dunlop has been spent by the Department of Public Park so that a septic system can be installed Works. The time is fast approaching when at the school; otherwise, the Corinda school there should be a Parliamentary visit to Wacol will have a pan system for many more years. so that hon. members may have a good look The council has not made a firm decision, at what has been done at the new gaol. There but when a sum such as £130,000 is involved has been much discussion about it, but I it naturally has a responsibility to ratepayers doubt if any hon. members have been out to and, if the pool can be built somewhere else look at what has been done. It is a for a much smaller sum, naturally it will magnificent forward step in the prison service decide on the alternative position. Local and I think that any hon. members who see residents collected just under £10,000 for the what is being done will be impressed. There pool on the understanding that it was to be is only one unfortunate aspect to it, and in Dunlop Park. If it was built there, it this harks back to my original comments on would be of benefit to the Department of trees. When the approach road was built, one Public Works as it would overcome the prob­ of the finest stands of gum trees in the Bris­ lem of providing a septic system for the bane area was wiped out. However, that has school. been done and there is no redress. A visit to Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1391

Wacol in the near future would benefit many that he adopts the line, "When you are on hon. members who care to make the trip, and a good thing, stick to it." As a matter of I hope to persuade the Minister for Justice fact, I listened to his speech and it consisted to arrange an inspection at a suitable time. mainly of a lot of backslapping of the Minis­ Normally, in a debate of this nature ter and a lot of praise. He advanced hon. members give lists of the various projects the opinion that it was only because the they should like to see carried out in their Government were bnilding more schools that areas. I have made a few complaints of we had more pupils attending high schools. a minor nature, but on the whole I should Mr. Sullivan: He may be right. Go out to like to compliment the Department of Public the country areas. They could not go to a high Works. school before. I turn now to the general standard of Mr. SHERRINGTON: I have never heard the schools in the Sherwood area. They are such a ridiculous claim in all my life. now better than they have been in my memory, and many residents have com­ Mr. Sullivan: If you went out past Ipswich plimented the department on the general Road you would know. appearance of the schools and the money that has been spent on them. The CHAIRMAN: Order! On two occasions last year the previous Mr. SHERRINGTON: The only thing I Minister, Hon. James Heading, visited can say about the hon. member for Conda­ the Graceville school. With the co-operation mine is that at least in his speech he did not of the department and the school committee refer to the officers of the Department of a full oval was built that should have been Public Works as a lot of loafers, which he built when the school was first started. Now, implied railwaymen were. through the co-operation of the department, To resume my comment about the pro­ the oval has been built at the rear of the vision of more schools, the hon. member Graeeville school, and the school committee knows full well that this Government are flat has expressed its gratitude to the Hon. J ames out to keep pace with the demand for school Heading, and to his departmental officers for accommodation. To say that the Govern­ their co-operation. I have no complaint ment are providing more schools paints a rosy about school buildings and I sincerely hope picture and implies that the Government are that the good work carried out by the Hon. well ahead in their school programme; but in J ames Heading, and being carried on by fact they are not. I am not blaming the the present Minister, will continue. Government for that, and I am not blaming any person in particular. It has been caused Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (8.15 by an influx of children into the schools p.m.): As this is the first occasion on which I over recent years, and the hon. member knows have spoken on a Bill or Estimates intro­ full well that the Government are continually duced by the Minister, I congratulate him on adding to these schools to keep pace with their his election to Cabinet rank. As one of the requirements. previous speakers said, to all intents and purposes he is yet untried and we should not Mr. Windsor: £20,000,000 spent- criticise him unduly. £2,500,000 more than in any other year. He said in his speech that fewer teachers' Mr. SHERRINGTON: The hon. member residences are being built now because of for Ithaca always makes his best speeches by increased costs. That indicates an inflationary way of interjection. trend, which is reflected in the Estimates, as a comparison of the figures for 1958-1959 The hon. member for Roma spent most of with those of 1959-1960 will disclose. In his time praising the Minister. At no stage 1958-1959 a total of £3,451,926 was spent on did he praise the work of the staff of the educational buildings and for that sum the Department of Public Works, and he did not Government were able to provide 483 class­ mention the good work done by the architects. rooms. In 1959-1960 the allocation was Our modern school buildings are a direct increased to £3,905,765. To the casual result of their ideas, and I appreciate their observer it would appear that the State could good work. The Government cannot claim to reasonably expect to get more classrooms for have improved the standard of school design; the extra £500,000. Unfortunately, that is that has been done by the architects. not so. In 1959-1960 only 461 classrooms We heard no word of praise from Govern­ were built despite the increased expenditure. ment members of the working staff who So, although the Government claim they are build the schools. I have 11 primary schools spending more on education, they are not and a high school in my area, and in the making more facilities available. It reflects short time that I have been a member of the increases in prices and the definite this Chamber I have visited many workmen inflationary trend under this Government. who are carrying out alterations or additions Mr. Ewan interjected. to those schools. I have found that the men are really interested in the job they are Mr. SHERRINGTON: I see that I have doing, but they have two complaints. The my friend the hon. member for Roma with first is that in most instances construction is me. Whenever I speak he seems to enjoy the held up because material is not supplied privilege of interjecting. I can only assume and is not readily available to them. Their 1392 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply other complaint is that, because they have no Department of Main Roads-! think his guarantee of permanency of work, there is a name was Rowton-about bitumenising the tendency on their part, not to loaf-I would tennis courts, and I was astounded when he not imply that for one moment-but there told me that they could provide the surface is no incentive for them to put their best into for two tennis courts for approximately it. I think that it is one of the great argu­ £650 or £700. Even with the addition of ments for retaining the day-labour force in the wire fences, schools can obtain tennis the Department of Public Works. courts by this method much cheaper than by farming the work out to the contractors. Mr. Ewan: You think it is better than con­ tract? Mr. Windsor: I received a quote of £400 each from the Department of Main Roads Mr. SHERRINGTON: I think it is far today for two tennis courts. better. I think one gets a far better standard of work from a day-labour force. As the Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am talking about hon. member for Belmont said, where you 6 months ago. No doubt under this Govern­ have Public Works staff under the super­ ment the price would have increased by £50. vision of engineers of the department, the Those in charge of that section of the standard of work is much better than if it is Department of Main Roads are really farmed out to private contractors whose only interested in their job. They are very helpful aim is to make as much profit as they can with their advice and are doing a great out of the job. job not only in carrying out work for the Mr. Windsor: It has to be up to a certain schools, but they are also prepared to help standard. school committees. The Minister can feel very proud that Mr. SHERRINGTON: If I were the hon. the day-labour force in Queensland is the member, I think I would stick to chasing largest in the southern hemisphere. He magpies. should do everything he can to make I believe that my contention is borne out conditions attractive for employees in this by the annual report of the Department of phase of public work. He should endeavour Public Works for 1958-1959, in which it is to give them permanency of employment. stated- I feel they are equally entitled to the same "The erection of six new high schools treatment and the same wage justice as in various parts of the State for the com­ the higher bracket of white-collar workers mencement of the 1959 school year was in the Public Service. entrusted to contractors with disappoint­ Mr. Hodges: Where are all your mates? ing results as in only one instance was the accommodation ready for the re-opening of Mr. SHERRINGTON: That is all right. schools and then in part only." They know I can handle the whole of the There is the positive proof that day labour Government on my own. employed by the Department of Public Works competes more than favourably with con­ Since my election I have received a tract work, both in cost and time. request from a mother whose child is, to a certain extent, sub-normal in that he The men in the day-labour force have a requires psychiatric treatment. Unfortun­ keen interest in their job. If we could ately, because of certain tendencies and the guarantee them permanency of employment lack of facilities for in-patients to rec~ive it would give them an incentive to com­ this treatment, he has been confined to plete a job in keeping with the high standards Westbrook Home. I have spoken to Dr. required by the engineers and architects Phillips on the matter and he is quite satisfied employed by the Department. that, with proper psychiatric treatment, this Although I realise it does not come within child could be rehabilitated. However, he the ambit of the debate, I should like to would recommend his release from West­ refer to a small section that carries out brook only if he was able to obtain treat­ work in conjunction with the Department ment as an in-patient. of Public Works. I pay tribute to the staff I asked a question about when tL; work of the Department of Main Roads who carry of establishing the psychiatric clinic at the out work for State schools in bitumenising old Wilson Ophthalmic Hospital would be parade grounds, constructing stone retaining carried out. As the Minister for Health and walls, and projects of that nature. They are Home Affairs has assured me that this quite happy to assist school committees by work is contemplated, I ask the Minister laying tennis-court surfaces. Here again is for Public Works to give it priority because proof that day labour, properly applied, can I feel there is a need for it in the com­ compete more than favourably with anything munity. It would be of great value in these farmed out to contractors. I am president days of juvenile delinquency. of one of the school committees in my area and we called tenders for the construc­ At this stage I should like to make an tion of two tennis courts. We found that appeal to the Minister on behalf the electors it was going to cost us between £1,250 of Salisbury to provide a police station at ami £1,400. I spoke to an officer in the Coopers Plains. The land for such a station Supply [10 NovEMBER] Supply 1393

has been set aside for many years and I Mr. SMITH (Windsor) (8.37 p.m.): At. t~e was assured by the Minister for Labour outset I add my congratulations to the Mmls­ and Industry on 27 June this year that it ter, not only for the way he has present7d had been provided for in the Estimates for his report but also for the way he has dis­ the coming year. He concluded, however, by charged his duties since accepting th~ port­ saying- folio at the beginning of this Parlmment. Undoubtedly he is vigorous and forthright in "The question of whether this work will his methods and is able to grasp all the be proceeded with in the next financial problems-and they must be many-tl~a! con­ year will depend on the Loan finance made front him and the department he admm1sters. available for the police works programme." It is indeed refreshing to look through the My interest in requesting that priority be annual report and read the many items men­ given to the establishment of this police tioned therein. Money has been expended station is engendered by the fact that in that on many things that are absolutely necessary, area there is a large school of some 600 and on others that are highly desirable, but pupils, 30 per cent. of whom are forced to in all instances it has been spent fo~ . t?e cross the main arterial highway between purpose of improving the various fac1ht1es Ipswich Road and the main South Coast and functions of the department. Road. The volume of traffic has been such It is consoling to me, on looking through and the number of accidents so great that the report, to find references to many m~tters the Minister for Transport has erected boom affecting my electorate and about wh1ch I gates. Unfortunately, he has not yet com­ made representations to the Hon. James Head­ pleted that crossing. I have been asking for ing when he was Minister for Public Wor~s. action for six months. I pause at this stage to express my appre<:m­ tion of the way in which Mr. Headmg The safety of these children depends on received and accepted submissions by hon. adequate supervision when they are crossing members about matters affecting their elec­ the road. I have made repeated requests torates. I express the hope that he is spa~ed to the Police Department to provide a police­ many years to enjoy a very happy retire­ man to see them safely across the road, ment. but I have been told indirectly that I cannot hope to get that service unless a Coming back to the matters referred to in police station is established in the area. the report, there is one matter on page 6 that I wish to mention, and I am sorry that At present the area is served by the the hon. member for Salisbury is not m the Moorooka Police Station, which is a consider­ Chamber at this stage because it touches on able distance away. Apart altogether from something he raised. the safety of children, many benefits flow from a police station in a district-electoral Mr. Nicklin: He has joined our party. He matters, and so on. A drive-in theatre is is sitting at the back of you. near the road to which I have referred. Over Mr. SMITH: He has come onto the right a period of some months many accidents have occurred, and if a police station was side of the Chamber. situated in the area the problem could be The CHAIRMAN: Order! overcome. I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to my suggestion. Mr. Hanlon: He is practising for three years hence. I should like now to give a further "plug" for the Salisbury electorate. Mr. SMITH: I do not know which of the Mr. Wharton: You have been doing pretty Labour people we will take into our r.anks in well. three years' time, but no doubt we wlll have approaches from some of them. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I ask the Minister The hon. member for Salisbury referred to give first priority next year to the building to the rehabilitation hospital for juvenile of the high school at Inala. A high school delinquents which is to be established in .the there would reduce greatly the burden on the old Wilson Ophthalmic Hospital. He CJted Corinda school, which is in the Sherwood a case-one of many-that would be aptly electorate. Inala is one of those suburbs with fitted for admission to that hospital when a great number of young children requiring it is completed, and I hasten to tel.l him education. As the hon. member for Sherwood that it is virtually completed. It 1s not knows, the Department of Public Works is far from being opened, and those sad cases hard pressed to keep pace with the demand such as he has cited will now have somewhere for school accommodation in the district. I to go. I am very happy indeed that he has admit that the Inala West school was a tem­ had the good sense to say what a worth­ porary building, but at the present time 80 while adjunct to our medical service this children are accommodated in a classroom hospital will provide, and in a very short that has provision for only 42 seats. The time it will prove its worth. department is under constant pressure to provide extra accommodation, but I urge the An Opposition Member: It did a marvel­ Minister to give top priority to the building lous job years ago. of the Inala High School and its opening for the 1962 school year. The CHAIRMAN: Order! 1394 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. SMITH: Well, of course, it will be On the other hand, when you turn the used now for the purposes for which it is page and look at the photograph of the Dis­ intended to be used. Years ago it was used trict Court, you find much more limited for a totally different purpose. seating accommodation, no accommodation for a jury-even for a jury of four in a The establishment of that hospital shows civil case-and a very cramped area for the insight of the Minister for Health and counsel conducting a case. There is very Home Affairs. It is a fine building and I little room behind the seats at the Bar table have no doubt it will turn out equally fine for anyone to pass between counsel and the citizens. table at the rear. While those courts are very comfortable in themselves-and they There is, however, one work for which I will be more comfortable when they are air­ looked in vain in the annual report. It is a conditioned as the report presages-the matter of great distress to me that I do not position is that it is a remodelled building, see some provision for expenditure on the and I have long been in opposition to the removal of the school stores from the Wind­ way in which we in this State take an old sor State School grounds. Those stores occupy building and remodel it. Old buildings, par­ a very large portion of the playground. I ticularly of the age that the District Court have mentioned this matter before. Even building was, should be demolished. I some of the relatively new hon. members have in mind of Harris Court on the next will have heard me mention it. I mention corner to Parliament House. I draw it now because I feel it is particularly import­ some solace from the fact that a couple ant. The provision of playgrounds for the of days ago the Leader of the Opposi­ school children at the Windsor school is very tion said that in his opinion the Supreme important. It is the female scholars-the Court building would be an ideal bait young girl students-who are deprived of to attract someone like Hooker Rex their playground. There is a playground for Corporation, or one of those large unit the boys, which contains a cricket pitch and trust organisations, to build a multi-storey a practice wicket, but there is no playground building on that site. He was, of area for the girls. It is a very large school with 'course, in effect restating the suggestion a very large attendance of girls, and we should I made in the Chamber only a couple of make every endeavour in the next financial weeks ago that the Government should con­ year to ensure the removal of these stores. sider very many of the plots of ground it owns around Brisbane and sell them with There are now coming into the possession the idea of congregating all their adminis­ of the Department of Public Works, or into trative buildings in one straight section, be the possession of the Government, various it the section from here to Queen Street or buildings that are being vacated as depart­ a section up and down Alice Street, but ments move into new or modified buildings. somewhere among the less valuable sites. It is my fond hope that, as early as possible, We should sell the valuable sites, although in this financial year, we will see the removal I do not for a moment suggest that we of these stores so that we may give back should sell the Supreme Court. I did sug­ to the Windsor school for a playground this gest that we should sell the Taxation Build­ very large area that rightfully belongs to it. ing when it becomes available. You will be aware of the situation, Mr. Taylor, because the school bounds the A Government Member: That is a good western area of your electorate. You will be idea. familiar with the large buildings that take Mr. SMITH: Unfortunately I could not up this valuable playing field. I sympathise sell the staff in it, but I would be pre­ with the department, because I realise there pared to destroy the records if that would are other demands for schools to meet the help any hon. members. As well as from ever-increasing population of the State. How­ the Leader of the Opposition, I did get ever, this matter is urgent. some support from the bifurcated political gentleman from South Brisbane on the Another matter that I feel constrained matter of the alteration of existing t·J mention is highlighted by the photographs Government buildings. <1t the back of the annual report. In one of the batches of photographs we see the Mr. Davies: Didn't you suggest pulling remodelled District Court and the inside of Parliament House down? one of the courts, and as we turn over two pages we see the interior of the Industrial Mr. SMITH: No. I suggested we build Court. I have said this in this Chamber a new Parliament House, and I still say on previous occasions, and it highlights the we will have to do it. need for a new approach to building by the Mr. Davies: I am pleased you made that State. In the case of the Industrial Court much clearer. we are looking at a new construction in a new building, built and designed for that Mr. SMITH: This building it totally purpose. There is a spacious court with ade­ unsuited to the needs of a modern Parlia­ quate seating accommodation, well lit, and ment. One of these days we will have to with all the necessary space for a Full Bench do something about it. My idea was that and for people to sit and hear the cases, and we should plan. One big defect of the plenty of seating for advocates at the table. annual report is that in looking through it Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1395 and studying the various sections of the carry any more. I suggest that we should Department of Public Works we look in make a survey, see what land we have, see vain for what might be called a planning what land we can dispose of, and bring all branch. We find the architectural branch, our public buildings into the one area. divided into various sections, but it does not I noticed in "The Courier-Mail" one day appear that we have any particular section last week an article on the city of Toledo that makes a full survey of the available in the United States of America pointing land in Brisbane and a full survey of the out what steps were being taken there to needs of the Government in Brisbane, and provide malls and to ban traffic from certain then decides which part of Brisbane the sections of its main thoroughfares. I suggest Government will use to establish their that our town planning committee could various offices. The sooner we get one of well provide for no traffic in the main part those sections the less waste there will be of Queen Street. in the Government's expenditure on build­ ings, such as the money spent on the Mr. Ramsden: Couch grass! District Court building and on Harris Court, and judging from the signs of activity Mr. SMITH: It is not to be derided. If we could achieve such a place in the heart one sees behind the Bellevue Hotel, I take of the city, it would be a wonderful thing it that Government money will be spent on for Brisbane. The potentialities of this city some land there which the Government own. are being stifled because we are doing nothing Unless they use ground to advantage­ to make the city the thing of beauty that unless they build multi-storey buildings it should be. We have a beautiful river thereon-I submit they are wasting the land winding round this part of the city. What and wasting the money being put into have we done with it? We have hidden it buildings on it. from view with a lot of unsightly buildings Mr. Gaven interjected. that were built at the turn of the century, or somewhere about that time, small buildings Mr. SMITH: I thank the hon. member with no architectural grace and of little use. for South Coast for interjecting because it We have in the heart of the city a sand and is the unimproved value of these lands that gravel-crushing plant. should be considered by the Department of Public Works. We do not have to have our Mr. Armstrong: We know it. We hear it buildings in the main street. We can use every night. low-value land, such as you find down here Mr. SMITH: Of course the hon. member near Parliament House and in Margaret knows it. Any Government wishing to make Street or Alice Street. Those low-value the most of their capital city should recognise lands do not attract the speculator. We can the tourist potentialities of this part of the build on them and if we have valuable land river. We know from articles that we have we can sell it to a speculator and make read in 'The Courier-Mail" this week that a money on the transaction. The money made distributor road, or a ring-road, is planned from those transactions could be put to skirt this part of the river and go under towards building an administrative block, Victoria Bridge by an underpass. If that is housing, as far as possible, all branches of so, I suggest that we, as a Government, Government within one steady step--some­ should play our part in beautifying this part thing that I believe is a necessity in this of the city as soon as we possibly can. In State. all cities of the world, those parts devoted To give force to my suggestion, I suggest to administrative and government offices are that we look at a picture in the annual tourist attractions. No-one who goes to report that is a condemnation of our present London fails to see the House of Commons, policy. I refer to the picture of the and a person in any city of the world who Centenary building project, the Public goes to see government buildings or Parlia­ Library. Looking at it from the river, one ment House retains a recollection of that sees a building some three storeys high, and building long after he remembers a little over the top of it an unsightly further storey coffee house or something of that sort. The of an outmoded and outdated building. Government should do all they can to ensure that Brisbane, under the new Town Plan, Mr. Davies: Have you found out who is becomes a city of beauty. responsible for that awful design facing William Street? Mr. Hanlon: Do you think the Government put the morgue in the right place? Mr. SMITH: I am not familiar with the particular awful design to which the hon. Mr. SMITH: I do not think the morgue in member refers. I do see a colourful mosaic any way detracts from the beauty of the at times when I walk that way. river. Buildings of that type have to be put I am speaking of the buildings that obtrude somewhere, and the building that has been themselves over the top of this relatively low erected is quite graceful. There is nothing Public Library building. We have not made ugly about it. the best use of that land. We should build Mr. Davies: The Lord Mayor did not not two- or three-storey buildings but multi­ like it. storey buildings. The District Court also stands condemned on the same grounds. Mr. SMITH: That does not change its It has only two storeys, but that is probably architectural appearance. It is no use just as well because I do not think it would quarrelling about new buildings. What I 1396 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

am quarrelling about ~s old buildings that Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba) (8.59 p.m.): I we do not have to keep. There are a few rise mainly to impress on the Government on the northern bank of the river that could the need to continue the day-labour method be demolished without loss to the city. The of constructing schools and other public build­ accommodation required to house all the ings. I am sure that the Minister agrees officers in them could be made available in that over the many years that the day-labour one multi-storey building. In America the system has been in operation it has proved junior executive is given a 12 ft. by 10 ft. of great benefit to the State, and has had office; the senior executive rates one twice the effect of keeping down the cost of public as big. In rooms of that size American buildings. When a public building is being executives of concerns far bigger than we erected, if any criticism is levelled at it the have here-it is no use kidding ourselves public should be informed of the position. otherwise-do all their work. If they can If the price is acceptable to the public, it do it, surely we can. can be taken as a fair indication that it is Mr. Thackeray: That shows how good we right for that particular type of building. are. Four of us do it in a room 12 x 12. I believe that the price being paid for that building acts as a brake on exorbitant prices Mr. SMITH: I am constrained to say that that may be charged by private contractors maybe the accommodation provided for the for similar jobs. hon. member is in direct ratio to his Some hon. members have spoken of delays executive ability. caused by letting work on contract, particu­ I hope that in the department's next larly for schools, and there has been some annual report we can read about the plan­ criticism of the quality of the work involved. ning branch I have referred to. It need One school-the Balmoral High School­ comprise only one or two men with was mentioned by the hon. member for Bel­ architectural and town-planning ability. mont. He said the brickwork in the manual They would need to be men of vision. We training block was a disgrace to any con­ have people of that type in the Public tracting firm. It was disgraceful to think Service. If we have not, we can go outside that work of that quality on the foundation and get them, because they are not unattain­ should have been the basis of somebody able. When they are allowed to put their else's work. In that case the department plans into operation, if we continue to had to almost demolish a wall and replace publish photographs at the back of the it. My concern is the extra cost involved report, we shall see photographs of buildings in having to re-do work and the fact that rising right up into the sky and utilising to that extra cost could possibly be used against the best advantage the land on which they workers' interests in the future. It could be stand. argued that that building cost so much to erect and in future years, when the history I have seen for myself what is being done, of the job is forgotten, it might be said that but the report refers to the improvements it was a day-labour job that was so expensive. being made to the Longreach police station It is also a disgrace to think that tradesmen and the Longreach courthouse. The police who take a pride in their work should have station is a credit to the Force. It is a very to work on a foundation with which they fine building that was well received by the are not happy. people of Longreach, who are very apprecia­ tive of what is being done for them in that I condemn the method of building under area. I only wish that the hon. member the two systems-day labour and contract­ for Gregory was in the Chamber so that and I think it should cease immediately. It I could pass on to him some of the com­ should be either one system of the other. I mendations that I received on his behalf. have a definite bias against the use of the My concern is about the courthouse build­ contract system, but if it is to prevail let it ing. The foundations of the front section be all contract or all day labour. Let it be are completed, but the rest of the work is one or the other. lagging. If anyone disagrees with the argu­ It is obvious that when a firm is in busi­ ment I have advanced about the District ness working under the contract system its Court building in Brisbane, he should have object is to make a profit. I have no quarrel a look at the courthouse building in Long­ with a profit being returned to investors or reach. those responsible for running a firm-that is only natural-but I believe that the Govern­ Mr. Inch: You should see the one at ment have officers, engineers, tradesmen and Cloncurry. other people on the job, such as clerical Mr. SMITH: It is no worse than the one workers and outside staffs, who are just as I am talking about. It is an old wooden efficient as those employed by contractors. I building. If the plan is to carry right can see no reason why a contractor should through with a new building I whole­ be paid a price higher than the cost for heartedly endorse it, but if it is merely to which the work could be done by these depart­ improve the front and leave the back mental people. portion as it is-the sort of thing we see It is often said that men working for con­ in cheaper cafes with an attractive front­ tractors work harder than they do for the I do not think that we are doing justice to Department of Public Works, but I do not the Department of Public Works. believe that. I have worked with many men Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1397 and on quite a number of jobs, and on every the type of structure. The engineering shop occasion I have found that if men are led then has the job merely of making up the correctly they will work hard for you, irre­ metal work. I believe a departmental spective of who you are. engineering shop could make the articles much cheaper than they are supplied today, Mr. Duggan interjected. and there would be the further advantage Mr. HOUSTON: That is quite true. I of co-ordination with other work, so that could cite many other cases if time per­ the job could proceed smoothly without mitted. I have heard it said on various occa­ stoppages through shortage of supplies. sions that a certain job is not progressing Mr. Windsor: They would have to shift as it should and I have seen men standing around when they could perhaps be working. farther out to get space. In fact, in the period since the war I have Mr. HOUSTON: That is so. I am not often been sitting in a tram and have listened suggesting the present workshops are large to conversations around me and the impres­ enough. On that point, I believe the day is sion I have gained is that everyone is a loafer except those having the discussion. If you not far distant when the department will ask them how they work, and for whom they have to set up workshops away from the work, they will tell you it does not matter, present situation. Factors such as land values that they work conscientiously irrespective and traffic problems may compel the depart­ of whom it is for. ment to build a new assembly establishment and workshop in a different area. The Department of Public Works has a fine body of workers. One has only to look I now want to touch on the work resulting at the schools that are being built and the from the efforts of school committees. It other work being done to see that these men has been said on different occasions that are fine workmen with a pride in their work. the Government subsidise school committees in the provision of amenities and improve­ Whilst on that subject I wish to congratu­ ments. I disagree with the statement. I think late those responsible for the work in my school committees subsidise the Government. own area since I have had the privilege of If hon. members consider the matter logically representing it. We would not be in such they will agree with my contention. Who a happy position in regard to high schoo.ls and primary schools but for the splendtd owns the school? Who owns the article work done by employees of the Department when it is purchased? Who gets the benefit of the work? If a school committee assists of Public Works. in the purchase of something, or in the per­ At times hold-ups occur in completion of formance of certain work, the article and the a job, not through the fault of the .adminis­ work become the property of the Depart­ tration or the foreman on the JOb, but ment of Education. If there were no school because material has not been supplied by committees, the improvements would have an outside firm. I refer particularly to to be effected by the Department of Educa­ steel work. The number of firms handling tion or the Department of Public Works. steel work, such as railings and plates, is Therefore, I am greatly concerned with the small, as there is not a great deal of profit carrying out of this work. Where the in sub-contracts for this work. There is not school committee requires the work to be a great deal of it in each town or city, carried out, and then applies for it, once and therefore the firms doing that work the Department of Education agrees to the are not greatly concerned about making work being performed it should then be punctual deliveries or doing work of passed on to the Department of Public first-class quality. I have given a Works. great deal of thought to this matter and I want to take this opportunity of thanking after a keen and thorough investigation into the Minister for his assistance in a problem the amount of engineering work in public I brought to his notice. I am grateful to buildings and schools I suggest that the him and his staff for the progress of the Department of Public Works should set up work and the way that it has been carried its own engineering shop. The Minister has out. I mention this not as a criticism, but said that the department is the largest as a suggestion that it could be carried even employer of building workers in the southern further. As I have said previously, I believe hemisphere. I think those were his words, the Department of Public Works can do the and he can correct me if I am wrong. If work much cheaper than anyone else. I it is the largest employer of building workers, believe this is quite natural. I do not advo­ I am surprised that it has not its own cate that it should become a close preserve, engineering shop. Any firm of any size because other people will say that if we kill engaged in building construction would have private enterprise entirely, that is so much an engineering shop to construct metal of our work force that we put out of work. railings, frames, and so on. Mr. Windsor: I think there is room for The department would not have to employ them both. a great number in the engineering shop, because the designers of schools and buildings Mr. HOUSTON: That is right; I think there decide what materials should be used and is. 1398 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Where a school committee has the money­ few children attend the school but quite all hon. members know how hard it is to a few ladies work there because a great get, and as time goes on it gets harder deal of work has to be carried out. At and harder-that money has to be spent wisely present the tuck shop has one light point so that the most can be got for it. There and one power point and it is necessary to is another factor concerning particularly our have installed an extra power point. They high schools. The money that has been could get by with a temporary measure raised must be spent quickly so that it may but, for the safety of the women working benefit the children of the parents who helped there, they want the power point installed. to raise the money. It is no good raising Do you know what it is going to cost that money this year and saying, "We will spend school committee on the estimate of the it in four years' time." The children of the Department of Public Works? £44! How parents who helped to raise the money will can anyone expect any school committee like have left school by that time. There must Mayfield, functioning on £2 a week net be a quick raising of money and a quick profit, to pay £44 for one extra power point and effective spending of it. If the Public only six inches away from an existing point? Works come in and do the work we make It has all come about because the Depart­ sure that the best possible return is obtained. ment of Education or the Department of Public Works wants an electricity meter As was mentioned previously, at this time installed. I have no quarrel with that of the year there is plenty of work for requirement-it might be a good idea-but our tradesmen and other workers. In fact, when rules are altered the Department of there are not enough to do all the work that Public Works should be responsible for has to be done. That is why overtime is carrying out the change at no cost to the worked on occasions. This has come about school committees. because the men whom we might get into the Public Works Department are not sure I am taking up a good deal of time on of continuity of employment. Just before this because I think it important. It will put the end of the financial year it was neces­ the school committees in an impossible posi­ sary to pay off a certain number of employees. tion if some action is not taken. It will That has been going on for years. I am affect many schools. If it has not done so not saying that this is the only Government already, it will immediately the school com­ that have ever done it. I believe if we must mitee decides to put in one extra light or one extra power point. I ask the Minister have a rush building programme at a certain to investigate the matter and I suggest to him time of the year, we should then let these that, in the interests of all concerned, he men carry out the school committees' works should have the electricians of his depart­ during the slack period. We would thus give ment carry out the alterations. He can find them continuity of employment and the secur­ out what they are because they have been ity that is so necessary to get them to stay listed by the engineers of the Department of in the industry. Public Works. I will be quite happy-and I Mr. Windsor: It is pretty hard to organise am sure the school committee will be-to that. have it charged for the extra power, but we think that all work that becomes necessary Mr. HOUSTON: I do not think it would for the installation of electricity meters be hard to organise. I have had a little should not be charged to the committee. As experience in that direction as I once organ­ I mentioned to the chairman of the school ised for a private firm. These things can committee the other day, it is just as well be organised. I have a very high regard that the tuck shop happens to be near the for the organising ability of the clerical and main switchboard; if it had been at the other administrative staff of the Department of end, the cost of the job would have been Public Works. well over £100. That is how ridiculous it can become. This leads me to another point. I do not know whether the decision was made by the There is another matter that I have already Education Department or by the Department raised with the Minister. He may not have of Public Works. I have tried to separate it had a chance to study it yet but I mention but the more I have looked into it the more it now because it is very important. It confused I have become, and I have come to concerns the quality of some of the timbers the conclusion that perhaps I should let it sent onto Department of Public Works jobs, "hit the deck" and crave the indulgence of particularly for school buildings. Where the Chairman if I am breaking away on this the trouble is I do not exactly know. That matter. It concerns the decision by either is why I am raising the matter. I believe the Education Department or the Department it is wrong and against the interests of all of Public Works to have electric light meters concerned to have sent out onto a job timber installed in tuck shops to ascertain how much that is not fit to use. I am not talking about electric current is used. Whether that decision the quality of timber in the tree but of sawn is right or wrong I do not intend to debate lengths of 15 or 18 feet with two bows in now-1 believe it is a matter affecting them. They could be used for a bow and education-but the responsibility for installing arrow if one had the strength. There is the meters should not be thrown entirely no sense in it. Other timber sent out for on to school committees. I can cite a case window sills has splits right down its length in point. A small tuck shop at a small and great pieces missing. Timber of that type school averages £2 a week net profit. Very should never leave the mill in the first Supply [10 NoVEMBER] Supply 1399 instance to go to the Department of Public one lung is working at full power, and I Works stores. If it does arrive there, it congratulate him on the effort he is making should never leave the stores to go to a job. and the good job he is doing. I have no fear that the foremen on the We are very satisfied with the wonderful jobs would use it-I have too much faith in progress made on buildings built by the their ability as tradesmen and in their pride Department of Public Works in Toowoomba of workmanship-but it is a waste of time and the work that the workmen have done because the timber has to be loaded, unloaded, on them. stacked, sorted, and put back into the store, and more has to be taken out. Whether it Much has been said about contract work comes from the timber yard or from the and day labour. In my opinion there is Public Works store, it would pay the depart­ room for both systems, because they both ment to have one of its foremen or leading work very well. Very often jobs have to hands on the job to sort the timber, or at be done in a hurry, and they can be done least to supervise the sorting. only by contract. However, the day-labour I make that suggestion because I have force is doing a very good job, and I commend seen the timber. It is something that must them, also. We have heard many complaints be overcome because it adds to the cost of about incompetency, but those difficulties the jobs. The men do not take a pride in have now been overcome and the men are their work when they see this timber. Know­ doing a really good job. A new opportunity ing the men and having worked with them, school was opened in Toowoomba recently, I know that their morale is affected every and the people were amazed at its low time something is allowed to happen to which cost. This excellent job was carried out for they object. I believe that this problem £21,912. At Middle Ridge £1,669 was spent could easily be overcome to the advantage of on the State school, and £5,800 was spent all concerned. on additions to the Newtown State School. A sum of £64,230 was spent on the new The hon. member for Sherwood mentioned high school at Mt. Lofty. Additions to the the installation of a septic system at one of Harristown High School cost £4,174. At the schools in his area. I have mentioned the Willowburn Mental Hospital £21,000 was this problem for the last three years, and I !Gpent. An expenditure of £39,00() was think a solution of it must be found. Two incurred on a new workshop building at the schools in my area are affected. I believe Toowoomba Technical College. These the problem can be overcome at the Murarrie figures are contained in the appendix to the school, which is a small school. I think annual report of the Department of Public intensive tests would show that there is an Works, but they do not tell the full story. area in the school grounds that would be I knew there were other improvements and suitable for the installation of a septic tank, additions carried out in the Toowoomba area, and I would appreciate it greatly if the so I asked the Minister why they were not Minister had an investigation made so that included. He told me that the appendix it could be installed as soon as possible. contains details of only the more important The school at Cannon Hill, which has an jobs. The smaller jobs are not listed because enrolment of 1,200, is the one that worries there would not be enough room for them. me most, because there are many problems The hon. member for Townsville North to be overcome. The suitability of the spoke about what had been done and what ground for the installation of a septic tank had not been done in his area. I would is a major problem, but I am led to believe remind the hon. member that the appendix that ground nearby is suitable. If that is does not tell the full story because many other so, I believe that the Government should jobs have been completed. Most State take the necessary action to obtain some of schools in Toowoomba have had work done this ground. I understand it is council land on them in the last 12 months. Work on hos­ at the moment, but I am not prepared to pital buildings is mainly done by outside argue on that point. Tests would show contract, and again those details are not whether or not it is suitable for the installa­ included. tion of a septic system. Even if the pipes had to run for some distance, I believe some I am very jealous of a photograph in the action should be taken to protect the health back of the report of the new maternal of the children. If one goes to country areas and child welfare centre at Innisfail. That that are being developed as tourist resorts, building would look very attractive in Too­ one sees that a great deal of money and woomba. Plans were drawn up about 10 trouble is taken with the installation of years ago for a centre in Toowoomba, but so septic systems. How much more important far they have not been proceeded with. We it is that the health of young Australians were hoping that the foundation stone would should be cared for by the installation of be laid this year, but unfortunately it has had these systems. to wait-only until next year, I hope. When the Department of Public Works is designing Mr. ANDERSON (Toowoomba East) (9.24 the building for Toowoomba, provision should p.m.): In speaking on these Estimates, I first be made for the welfare and guidance centre of all congratulate the Minister on his eleva­ in the same building. The building in Innis­ tion to the portfolio of Minister for Public fail is on the same type of site as the Too­ Works and Local Government. He said this woomba land-they are both corner blocks. morning that he was a "one-lunger." That The work of welfare and guidance centres 1400 Supply {ASSEMBLY] Supply is coming into greater prominence. A com­ building, which is estimated to cost £200,000. mittee has been formed in Toowoomba and On the 19th he will officially open the new the maternal and child welfare centre would Milne Bay Olympic Pool. be an ideal place to accommodate the welfare We appreciate the work done by former and guidance centre. aldermen of the city of Toowoomba, especially their foresight in planning the tree­ In the last 12 months most of the public lined streets. Many improvements have buildings in Toowoomba have been repainted. been made throughout Queensland by local I commend the department for the many authorities in the different areas. improvements that have been effected in Par­ liament House. I should also like to commend the hon. member for Roma on his suggestion relating Mr. Ramsden: Especially the broom cup­ to the planning of country towns and cities, board. which was that the local authorities inaugurate sewerage schemes very early in Mr. ANDERSON: I am more concerned the piece, and not wait till the town grows, about the Lodge. Much has been said about as has been the case in the past. This lack the needs of Parliament House, but the pro­ of foresight in councillors and aldermen in vision of a new Lodge building is very neces­ Toowoomba was mainly the result of their sary. I have spoken previously about the not believing in doing these works with loan facilities in that very old building. I know money. They tried to run everything in that the Government approve local authority Toowoomba out of revenue and found it by-laws, but the Government themselves do could not be done. We could not sewer our not observe them. I have previously men­ city but, with advanced thinking these days, tioned the inadequate ventilation in the toilet much progress has been made in the last and bathroom. Many minor improvements 10 years. Nevertheless, as a result of this have been made to the Lodge, but I think it lack of foresight, there is always a certain is wasteful to spend a great deal of amount of work dragging. I commend the money on that old wooden building. I sug­ hon. member for his suggestion that all these gest the building of a motel-type Lodge for towns consider the implementation of country members of Parliament. More use sewerage schemes in their early stages, when could be made of Parliament House itself it is much more economical. because many of the bedrooms here could be It is getting late and I know the Minister put to other use and the necessary bedrooJ!l will want to comment on many things. I accommodation provided in the motel. Most commend the department, its officers, fore­ of us arrive in motor-cars, but at the present men of works, and Mr. Longland, the Under time we cannot park them near the Lodge. A Secretary, for the excellent work they are motel-type of building would be the answer, doing, and I trust that the Estimates this rather than spending too much money each year will result in work as successful as year on maintaining the old Lodge building. that in the previous year. If we cannot see our way clear in the near future to do that, let us have some improve­ Mr. HANLON (Baroona) (9.29 p.m.): I ments in our toilet facilities and have wash­ want to speak very briefly in these Estimates basins in the bedrooms. That would be a by referring to the Valuer-General's Depart­ great improvement. I suggest also that ment. I say for a start that I think the power-points be installed for electric razors. Government, in the administration of this Power-points have recently been installed department have been politically dishonest. behind the beds for reading lamps. I com­ I do not think that can be denied. mend the many improvements carried out in Parliament House itself. Mr. Ramsden: What makes you say that? Mr. HANLON: I will tell the hon. mem­ I should like now to congratulate the ber what makes me say it. I refer to the Local Government Department for the fact that prior to the election-and this is excellent liaison that exists between the information I secured from questions Director, the Deputy Director and the addressed to the Minister on 21 September­ various local authorities-town clerks, shire for a period of at least three months and clerks, councillors and aldermen of the maybe longer no valuations were issued by various councils. It is wonderful to have the department for various local authorities. such excellent co-operation between the I asked the Minister about it and he went councils and the Director of Local Govern­ into a long explanation on that day- ment. We are always received cordially 21 September-which can be seen in and everything is done to assist in the many "Hansard." I will not waste time going requests for information concerning local through it now but he pointed out, partic~­ government. larly in relation to the. Gold Coa~t, that. rt This year is the centenary of local govern­ was not practicable to rssue valuatwns pnor ment in Toowoomba. On the 19th of this to that date, which I think was 20 July, month we will be holding a grand parade 1960. My point is that, by some strange in Toowoomba and all hon. members are coincidence, in that period of three months invited to attend. On the 21st His before the election no valuations were issued, Excellency the Governor will be laying the particularly the very "hot potato" valuation foundation stone of the new administrative of the Gold Coast. But in the period Supply [10 NOVEMBER] Supply 1401

between the election and 21 September, are not governing the country; they are only when I addressed questions to the Minister, carrying out the administrative work of the 19 valuations had been issued. Then we Government. find the hon. member for Merthyr asking why I say the Government have been Mr. Smith: You say the Government were politically dishonest in this department. quite alert in Albert? Surely that is an illustration. Mr. HANLON: If the hon. member takes Mr. Ramsden: You are only making wild pride in that type of alertness, and the type statements. of alertness displayed in the offering of a certain portfolio, he is quite welcome to do Mr. HANLON: I go further. On the same so. It is the alertness of a Government that day I asked the Minister to give figures for set themselves up as a Government whom overtime worked in the Valuer-General's the people can trust. Department. That part of my question reads- Mr. Wharton: So they can. "What has been the total cost of over­ Mr. HANLON: Their record, particularly time (including meal allowances applic­ since the last election, has certainly not able), if any, incurred by the Valuer­ proved it. General's Department-(a) for the finan­ The Government cannot deny the charge I cial year ended June 30, 1960 have made, because their action was so blatant. There was a sudden surge of that is, for the full financial year, revaluations after the election. The whole and (b) from July 1, 1960, to matter of valuations under this Government date?" has a very decided political flavour. that is, to 21 September, 1960. The Minis­ We know there has been a great deal of ter in his reply said that overtime and meal controversy in the Gatton area. We know allowances for the financial year up to 30 of the influence brought to bear by the Minis­ ter for Transport in an effort to placate the June, 1960, amounted to £1,633 16s. 6d., and people in that district after their outcry overtime and meal allowances from 30 June about valuations. We find this article in to 21 September amounted to £1,428 17s. 4d. "The Courier-Mail" of 30 September, 1960- Considering the matter even charitably, "Big Gatton Wins over Land Values h~w could anybody say there is not some­ "Sixteen of 18 appeals against valuations thmg very suspicious about the fact that in in Gatton Shire were allowed yesterday the three months prior to the election no by the Land Court President (Mr. P. F. valuations had been issued and that in a Wright). The appeals were test cases and period of a few months after the election the court's decision means that 292 Gatton departmental officers received in overtime farmers will have their valuations lowered nearly as much as the amount of overtime by thousands of pounds. paid in the full financial year to 30 June? "Mr. Wright allowed reductions of up If all this overtime was necessary after the to one-third of the Valuer-General's valua­ election why was it not worked before the tions. election? Why this sudden surge of valua­ tions immediately after the election? Obvi­ "Objections against valuations put on ously in the opinion of the Government the their land by the Valuer-General (Mr. E. perio? after the election was the stage to Smith) came from 292 Gatton land­ hop m and get out all these valuations so holders." that they would be forgotten before the next The biggest reduction was in the case of a election. The Government said to themselves property owned by Mr. Ryan .. The Valuer­ in the three months before the election, "We General placed a value of £11,884 on the could not have any valuations going out now. land. It was a fairly large property compris­ We could not interfere with Mr. Carey's ing 144 acres, and the valuation was reduced chance or Mr. Gaven's chance on the South to £6,950. Coast." I must admit that those two hon. members had a bit up their sleeves, but not­ Mr. Ramsden: Who did that? withstanding the fairly large majorities they obtained I think both would concede that Mr. HANLON: Mr. Wright, the newly­ their position would have been difficult if appointed President of the Land Court, heard Gold Coast valuations had been issued a these appeals. couple of months before the election. For Mr. Ramsden: That was a right of appeal that reason I say the Government were politi­ they did not have under your Government. cally dishonest. This has nothing to do with the officers of the department. I do not say Mr. HANLON: The hon. member knows a they are in any way to blame, because they lot about it, I suppose. I am not going to merely carry out the policy of tne Govern­ waste my time trying to argue with him over ment. If the Government decide that valua­ these matters. According to his speech yester­ tions are not to be issued, naturally the officers day, he is carrying the whole of the Govern­ of the department do as the Government ment on his shoulders. Everything the require them. That is as it shm\ld be. They Government have done in the last three years 1402 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply has been something he has suggested during various parts of the State. You just cannot that period. It is not much good trying to send any valuer out to a pastoral area, or tell him anything about these matters. a sugar-cane area, and so on, but I cannot I say-and I think Mr. Wright said-that for the life of me see why the city of Mackay cbviously the cases for the Valuer-General could not have been valued earlier. and the appellants showed considerable dis­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! When I relieved agreement on the values to be applied to the Temporary Chairman I understood that land and improvements. Particularly with the hon. member for Toowoomba East and Mr. Ryan's property, the variation concerned the hon. member for Baroona would each timber and the value that had been put on speak for ten minutes and allow ~h~ Minister the timber as against the value of the land ten minutes to reply before the s1ttmg ended, itself. so if the hon. member has concluded I will call upon the Minister. Mr. Smith: Don't you think that would be sub judice? Those appeals are only part Mr. HANLON: I did say that I was going heard. to speak for 10 or 15 minutes and I appre­ ciate the Minister's desire to reply to those Mr. HANLON: This is a real cover-up hon. members who have spoken today, but Government, and here is the hon. member for as the Minister spoke for about 2 hours 20 Windsor wanting to cover up more. When are minutes this morning there is no need for we going to get away from these things? The Opposition speakers to be pulled up. I did idea that because somebody takes an action say I would endeavour to confine my remarks somewhere Parliament has to wait five years to that time but I understand I can seek tc discuss it is not a very practical applica­ leave to continue. tion of the parliamentary principle. Sixteen of the 18 appeals have been dealt with, and Mr. Roberts: I am quite content to let how on earth I am going to prejudice any­ the hon. member continue. body by reading an article that appeared in 'The Courier-Mail" almost two months ago Mr. HANLON: I have almost concluded. is beyond my comprehension. Even if the I do not want to be unfair to the Minister, but I think that, if we get into a discussion hon. member for Windsor-or the junior on some of these matters, we do not want barrister, as the hon. member for South Bris­ to be pulled up, irrespective of whether. w.e bane refers to him--can see that it may, I had said earlier that we would try to hm1t am afraid I cannot. Mr. Wright said that our speech to 10 minutes. We get onto the cases for the Valuer-General and the these subjects, the discussion goes on, and appellants showed considerable disagreement we have inane interjections from the hon. on the values to be applied to land and member for Merthyr, for which we are given improvements. It seems that either the no accounting in time, which all makes it Valuer-General's Department is operating on hard for us to confine ourselves to 10 minutes. a completely different principle from that considered correct by the President of the In the Treasurer's explanatory notes on the Land Court, or else the President of the Land Tax (Adjustment) Bill, he sets out that Land Court is completely out of step in the the city of Mackay has had its first valuation decisions he arrived at. whereas other areas, such as the Gold Coast, have had three and Brisbane's third is coming I should say that if we from this side of up. Other shires have had three valuatio!fS, the House had a committee to consider the too, but the city of Mackay has just had Its deliberations of Mr. Wright in the Electoral first with an increase in values of 552.72 Boundaries Commission, we would make sub­ per' cent. I cannot see why it could not stantial alterations to his decisions there, just have been valued before. Admittedly it is as he has made them to the Valuer-General's a sugar-producing area, but there would .be decisions. valuers in the district who could have earned out the valuation before other areas had Mr. Ramsden: I'll bet you would. been valued three times. !VIr. HANLON: I'll say we would. Any­ In introducing the Estimates, the Minister body can be wrong. said that any disparities or anomalies in land The CHAIRMAN: Order! tax through long delays in valuations would be cleared up by the amending measure Mr. HANLON: This valuation problem introduced by the Treasurer the other day. is one of the most difficult questions for any That is not necessarily so. I will not go into it now but when we have further oppor­ Government to deal with, particularly in times tunity of debating the Bill we will be able of inflationary land values, and so on, but to show that it does not necessarily clear up I am at a loss to follow the reasons advanced all the anomalies arising from long delays in by the Minister for some of these local autho­ valuations. I think we are entitled to some rities not being valued more than once. He explanation of the failure to value the city sllid it is very difficult to get a valuer to go of Mackay earlier. from Brisbane into the Far West to value those areas. Doubtless it is difficult to get Hon. L. H. S. ROBERTS (Whitsunday­ a man to go from the city into these areas, Minister for Public Works and Local and no doubt it is difficult to get people with Government) (9.49 p.m.): I do not intend to a particular local knowledge of areas in the reply to the hon. member for Baroona Supply [10 NoVEMBER] Supply 1403 tonight. I will deal adequately with the expected that there will be difficulty in get­ matter raised by him on the next day that ting building workers from July to these Estimates are debated. November, that did not prevent the party's claim that dismissals from the Railway In the main, there are not very many Department would bring considerable distress matters for me to refer to arising from the to dismissed employees and their families. various speeches we have heard today. That is why my department stressed at the time the search for labour. There are many The Deputy Leader of the Opposition matters I want to touch upon but I shall referred to the fact that I commented reserve comment on them until the next on the number of employees we had day of sitting. on day labour. He said that, although much credit had to be given to Mr. The CHAIRMAN: Order! Before report­ Heading for that, a considerable amount ing progress, I should like to state to the of credit had to be given to former Ministers Committee that when I resumed the chair in Labour administrations. I should like to from the Temporary Chairman, Mr. Dewar, for Toowoomba East. Under the provisions I was informed that an agreement had been of Standing Order No. 307-- reached by the hon. member for Toowoomba Year Employees East and the hon. member for Baroona 1953 1,218 that they would speak for ten minutes and allow the Minister to come in. The 1954 1,704 hon. member for Toowoomba East resumed 1955 1,938 his seat at the expiration of ten minutes. 1956 2,030 Had I known that the hon. member 1957 1,742 for Baroona did not intend to resume I draw your attention, Mr. Taylor, to the his seat at the expiration of ten minutes drop of 300 in 1957. You will no doubt I would not have called him, thereby not remember that only a few months ago there curtailing the speech of the hon. member was a howl and a whinge from hon. mem­ for Toowoomba East. Under the provisions bers opposite when there was a reduction of Standing Order No. 307-- in the number, and I explained this morn­ Mr. LLOYD: I rise to a point of order. ing how that came about. But today the figure is at an all-time high-2,605. I do not know if there was any necessity for an announcement about a breach of any He also mentioned that 17 shires had been agreement. This, I believe, is most irregular valued three times. That is a matter to in this way, that if any hon. member-- which the hon. member for Baroona also referred, so I shall deal with it later. The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no point of order. When the hon. member for Roma was speaking, an Opposition member queried the Mr. LLOYD: I have asked permission to number of school residences provided by the speak. Government. In 1957-1958 the Government provided 18 residences, in 1958-1959 it pro­ The CHAIRMAN: There is no point of vided 34, and in 1959-1960 it provided 16, order. making a total of 68. The hon. member for Salisbury said in his speech that I stated Mr. HANLON: I rise to a point of order. that there were fewer teachers' residences In so far as you suggested, Mr. Taylor, that today because of the increased costs. I said I continued to speak contrary to an arrange­ nothing of the sort. I commented on the ment with the Opposition Whip, I want to fact that £75,000 had been allotted this year say that the arrangement was that the hon. for teachers' residences and that, because of member for Toowoomba East would increased costs, possibly 15 to 20, or there­ speak for 10 minutes and that I would abouts, would be built. Let me remind the follow him, and I said I would endeavour to Committee that in 1955-1956 a previous confine my speech to 10 or 15 minutes if Labour Government provided 17 residences, there were no interjections, which there were, which was almost an all-time record for and I understood that the hon. member for them. In the year prior to our taking over, Cook was going to speak after me. I was in 1956-1957, they provided the grand total informed later by the hon. member for of three residences in the State! Septic Maryborough that the hon. member for Cook systems and sewerage installations were had withdrawn and accordingly, if I wanted referred to by the hon. member for Roma. to, I could continue for 25 minutes. In 1957-1958 we installed 49; in 1958-1959, 66; in 1959-1960, 72-a total of 187. Mr. DAVIES: I rise to a point of order. The hon. member for Belmont stated that The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no a greater proportion of work was going out point of order. to contractors. That is not so. It is rela­ Mr. DAVIES: I protest that there was no tive only to increased costs, and the depart­ breach of any agreement at all. ment still reserves the right to use either con­ tract or day labour, whichever gives the bet­ Progress reported. ter work progress for the finance provided. Even if the hon. member says that it is The House adjourned at 9.58 p.m.