Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 2 MARCH 1967 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 2430 Radioactive Substances Act, &c.,Bill [ASSEMBLY] Questions THURSDAY, 2 MARCH, 1967 Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. QUESTIONS AVAILABILITY OF COPIES OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACTS Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked The Treasurer,- Are "The Workers' Compensation Acts, 1916 to 1965" being consolidated and printed? If so, when is it expected that copies will be available for public purchase and what provision has been made to satisfy the needs of people who require copies at present? Answer:- "Conso!idation of the Workers' Com­ pensation Acts has been completed. The Regulations under the Acts, including recent amendments of Regulations, are being included in the publication to make it as up to date as possible. I am advised that every possible effort is being made with the printing and issue of the consoli­ dated publication so that it will be available as early as possible. Although copies of the Acts are not at present available, an excellent booklet obtainable from the State Government Insurance Office free of cost sets out concise, up-to-date information concerning a worker's entitlement to compensation. I am assured by the general manager of the State Government Insurance Office that he will be only too pleased to furnish any further details concerning the Acts, should any Honourable Member so request." SCIENCE BLOCK FOR BALMORAL HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Houston. pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Education,- When is it proposed to erect a science block at Balmoral State High School? Answer:- "lt is anticipated that a Commonwealth science block will be erected at the Balmoral High School during the 1968-71 triennium." Questions (2 MARCH] Questions 2431 DENTISTRY STUDENT DEPRIVED OF (2) "It is proposed that the buildings COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP on Fulham Road, when vacated by the University College, will be used for other Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked educational purposes." The Minister for Education,- Concerning the report of a University student being deprived of both the second­ APPEAL BY CROWN AGAINST DECISION year dentistry course and a Commonwealth TOWNSVILLE STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE Scholarship, what action has he taken to Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The have the scholarship continued as the Minister for Justice,- student concerned is in no way responsible for the position in which he finds himself Does he propose to lodge an appeal and his only "crime" is that he wants to be against the decision of a Townsville a dentist? Stipendiary Magistrate for declining to commit for trial E. G. Billam on a charge of dangerous driving causing the death Answer:- of a youth named Dinsmore at Townsville "This matter has been referred to the late last year and, if not, why not? Commonwealth Department of Education and Science, Canberra, for urgent Answer:- consideration." "There is no right of appeal against the decision of the magistrate. The Crown could present an ex officio indictment INSURANCE COMPANIES against Billam but in the opinion of the Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Crown Law Office there is not sufficient Treasurer,- evidence to prove a case against Billam beyond a reasonable doubt." ( 1) How many insurance companies are operating in Queensland? LAND FOR TEACHERS' COLLEGES IN (2) What is the total amount of PROVINCIAL CITIES premiums received? Mr. P. Wood, pursuant to notice, asked ( 3) What is the total amount of assets The Minister for Education,- held? Further to his Answer to my Question ( 4) What is the total number of on March 1 relevant to sites for teachers' employees of all such insurance companies? colleges, will he give details of the appro­ priate action taken? Answers:- Answer:- (1 and 2) "I refer the Honourable "No. I cannot give any information Member to the Annual Report of the until these matters are completed because Insurance Commissioner." it might prejtulice Departmental action in obtaining the necessary land." (3 and 4) "The information is not avail­ able in Departmental records." QUOTA SYSTEM FOR DENTISTRY STUDENTS ToWNSVILLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked The Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- Minister for Education,- In view of the general shortage of ( 1) On what date is it estimated that dentists in Queensland and in particular all students will be attending the Towns­ the inability of the Government to obtain ville University on the southern bank of dentists for country dental clinics, will he Ross River? use his influence as Premier of the State to have the quota system on the Faculty of (2) What is proposed to be then done Dentistry removed? with the buildings on Fulham Road which are now in use as the Townsville University Answer:- College? "Quotas were introduced as a tem­ porary measure because of the increased demand on clinical teaching facilities Answers:- arising out of the extension of the course ( 1) "The State and Commonwealth to five years. The Australian Universities Governments are supporting, as far as Commission recommended a grant of funds permit, a capital works programme $1,000,000 for the construction of clinical on the Ross River site up to $3,536,000 facilities for dentistry on the Turbot Street during the 1967-69 triennium. How­ site in the 1967-69 triennium and plans ever, it is not possible, at this stage, to are at present being prepared. The decision predict when the transfer will be to impose a temporary limitation on the completed." number of students admitted •o 2432 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions Dentistry II from the beginning of 1967 (2) What has been the maximum and was made in December, 1965, and the minimum period of employment of the students concerned were advised of this dismissed employees? change at the beginning of 1966. They were therefore given twelve months' Answers:- notice. It is true that there is a shortage ( 1) "Eighty additional employees have of dentists in a number of country areas. been discharged. Forty-seven are car­ However, it is worth pointing out that in penters, three are bricklayers, twenty-nine the period 1960-66 when the population are labourers and one is a scaffolder." of the State increased by 12 per cent. the number of dentists registered m (2) "The maximum and mm1mJm Queensland increased by 19 per cent. periods of employment of the discharged It has long been evident that the employees are five years and two months Queensland University has been producing respectively." dentists for other States and in recent years for the United Kingdom. The table below indicates that Queensland has more DELAY IN COMPLETION OF SCIENCE than played its part. Graduates produced BLOCKS AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE during four years, 1962-65-Sydney BUILDINGS 183, Melbourne 116, Queensland 160, Mr. Sherrington, pursuant to notice, asked Adelaide 50, Western Australia 32; total, The Minister for Works,- 541. Thus, with approximately 14 per cent. of Australia's population, Queensland ( 1) What is the number of science has been providing 30 per cent. of the blocks and technical college buildings graduates during the above period. This being financed from Commonwealth funds, is further brought out by the fact that, whose completion is being delayed because during the four-year period 1960 to 1963, the allocation from this fund has been of the total number of 167 graduates expended? qualifying in Queensland 101 were regis­ (2) Where are they located? tered in Queensland at the end of 1964. This means that 66 or almost 40 per cent. Answer:- had gone elsewhere. The position will be (! and 2) "The funds allocated by the reviewed as additional clinical teachL1g Commonwealth Government for expendi­ facilities become available with a view to ture in the year 1966-67 for the provision removing the necessity for quotas and of science blocks has not been fully increasing the numbers of dentists avail­ expended. The completion of no science able to meet the State's needs." block is being delayed. Because the amount allocated by the Commonwealth Government for expenditure in the year COMPENSATION FOR EROSION DAMAGE 1966-67 for the provision of technical TO CRIBB ISLAND PROPERTIES colleges has been fully expended the cqm­ Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked The pletion of one technical college is being Treasurer,- delayed. This technical college is located In line with the Government's policy of at Yeronga." providing assistance to those whose property has been affected by the elements, such as ADDITIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL AT grazing properties affected by drought, will MT. GRAVATT he. consider the grant of some form of Mr. Davies for Mr. Newton, pursuant to compensation to those residents of Cribb notice, asked The Minister for Education,- Island whose sea-front property was badly affected by erosion during the recent In view of the accelerating growth in the cyclone Dinah? Mt. Gravatt East and Broadwater Road area by way of housing, which has taxed Answer:- the Mt. Gravatt East State School to its capacity, is his Department watching the " It is not the practice to approve appli­ position with a view of providing a further cations of this nature. Subsidy is, of primary school in this area? If so, has course, payable to Local Authorities for the primary school site in Ham Road been approved erosion prevention works." by-passed altogether by the Department? Answer:- WoRKS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES "Departmental officers are well aware DISMISSED of the housing growth in the Mt. Mr. Sherrington, pursuant to notice, asked Gravatt East and Broadwater Road area The Minister for Works,- and they have also noted that classroom ( 1 ) Further to his Answer to my Ques­ accommodation at the Mt.