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.