Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST 1960

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Queensland Parliamentary Debates 'J!.egislattve Rssembl\?

FIRST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH PARLIAMENT

Appointed to meet AT BRISBANE ON THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF AUGUST, IN THE NINTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH 11., IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1960.

TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST, 1960 Reuben Nicklin, the Hon. Kenneth James Morris, and the Hon. Jack Charles Allan Pizzey, or any of them, to administer to all OPENING OF PARLIAMENT or any members or member of the House the oath or affirmation of allegiance to Her Pursuant to the proclamation by the Deputy Majesty the Queen, which Commission was Governor, dated 21 July, 1960, appointing then read to the House by the Clerk. Parliament to meet this day for the dispatch of business, the House met at 12 o'clock noon in the Legislative Assembly Chamber. RETURN OF WRITS The Clerk of Parliament read the procla­ The Clerk informed the House that the mation. writs for the various electoral districts had been returned to him severally endorsed as COMMISSION TO OPEN PARLIAMENT follows:- Aibert-Cecil Charles Carey. The Clerk acquainted the House that His Excellency the Governor, not being able con­ Ashgrove-Seymour Douglas Tooth. veniently to be present in person this day, Aspley-Frederick Alexander Campbell. had been pleased to cause a Commission to Aubigny-Leslie Frank Diplock. be issued under the public seal of the State, Balonne-Edwin James Beardmore. appointing the Hon. George Francis Reuben Barambah-Johannes Bjelke-Petersen. Nicklin, the Hon. Kenneth James Morris, and the Hon. Jack Charles Allan Pizzey, Com­ Barcoo-Edward William Davis. missioners in order to the opening and hold­ Baroona-Patrick Joseph Hanlon. ing of the present session of Parliament. Belmont-Harold Francis Newton. The Commissioners so appointed being Bowen-Peter Roylance Delamothe. seated on the dais, and the Clerk having Brisbane-John Henry Mann. read the Commission- Bulimba-John William Houston. The SENIOR COMMISSIONER (Hon. Bundaberg-Edward Joseph Walsh. G. F. R. Nicklin-Landsborough) said: Burdekin-Arthur Coburn. Honourable Members, we have it in command Burke-Alexander James Inch. from His Excellency the Governor to let you Burnett-Ciaude Alfred Wharton. know that as soon as the Members of the Cairns-George Waiter Gordon Wallace. Legislative Assembly have been sworn, the causes of this Parliament being called together Callide-Vincent Edward Jones. will be declared to you; And it being neces­ Carnarvon-Paul Jerome Remigius sary that a Speaker be first chosen, it is His Hilt on. Excellency's pleasure that you proceed to the Chatsworth-Thomas Alfred Hiley. election of one of your number to be your Clayfield-Harold Bourne Taylor. Speaker, and that you present such person so Condamine-Victor Bruce Sullivan. chosen to His Excellency the Governor, at such time and place as His Excellency shall Cook-Herbert Arthur Adair. appoint. Cooroora-David Alan Low. The Premier thereupon produced a Cunningham-Alan Roy Fletcher. Commission under the public seal of the State Fassifern-Adolf Gustave Muller. empowering him, the Hon. George Francis Flinders-William Horace Lonergan. ]960-B 2 Return of Writs [ASSEMBLY] Members Sworn

Greenslopes-Keith William Hooper. ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF MULGRAVE Gregory-Wallace Alexander Ramsay ISSUE OF NEW WRIT; RETURN OF WRIT Rae. Gympie-Allen Maxwell Hodges. The Clerk informed the House that owing to the death of one of the candidates the Hawthorne-William Edward Baxter. writ for the election of a member to serve Hinchinbrook-John Alfred Row. in the Legislative Assembly for the electoral Ipswich East-James Donald. district of Mulgrave was vacated and a new Ipswich West-Ivor Marsden. writ was issued on 19 April, and that the Isis-J ack Charles Allan Pizzey. writ had been returned with certificate endorsed thereon of the election on 23 July, Ithaca-Robert Levi Windsor. 1960, of Roy Alexander Armstrong. Kedron-Eric Gayford Lloyd. Kurilpa-Clive Melwyn Hughes. MEMBERS SWORN Landsborough-George Francis Reuben Nicklin. The Commissioners, who with other mem­ Lockyer-Gordon William Wesley bers of the Ministry, had been sworn in before His Excellency the Governor on 11 Chalk. August, 1960, and 22 August, 1960, and Logan-Robert Leslie Harrison. subcribed the roll, then administered the Mackay-Frederick Dickson Graham. oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Mackenzie-Neville Thomas Eric following other members, who thereupon also Hewitt. subscribed the roll- Maryborough-Horace J ason Davies. Adair, Herbert Arthur, Esquire. Merthyr-Samuel Raymond Ramsden. Aikens, Thomas, Esquire. Mirani-Ernest Evans. Anderson, Mervyn John Reginald, Esquire. Mount Coot-tha-Kenneth James Morri3. Armstrong, Roy Alexander, Esquire. Mount Gravatt-Graham Lloyd Hart. Baxter, William Edward, Esquire. Mourilyan-Peter Byrne. Beardmore, Edwin James, Esquire. Murrumba-David Eric Nicholson. Bennett, Colin J ames, Esquire. Norman-Fred Phillip Bromley. Bjelke-Petersen, Johannes, Esquire. Bromley, Fred Phillip, Esquire. Nudgee-John Melloy. Byrne, Peter, Esquire. Nundah-William Edward Knox. Campbell, Frederick Alexander. Esquire. Port Curtis-James Burrows. Carey, Cecil Charles, Esquire. Redcliffe-James Edward Hiram Coburn, Arthur, Esquire. Bought on. Davies, Horace J ason, Esquire. Rockhampton North-Mervyn Herbert Davis, Edward William, Esquire. Thackeray. Dean, Harold, Esquire. Delamothe, Peter Roylance, Esquire. Rockhampton South-Reginald Byron Dewar, Alexander Tattenhall, Esquire. Jarvis Pilbeam. Diplock, Leslie Frank, Esquire. Roma-William Manson Ewan. Donald, J ames, Esquire. Salisbury-Douglas John Sherrington. Dufficy, John Joseph, Esquire. Sandgate-Harold Dean. Duggan, John Edmund, Esquire. Ewan, William Manson, Esquire. Sherwood-John Desmond Herbert. Gaven, Eric John, Esquire. Somerset-Harold Richter. Gilmore, Thomas Vernon, Esquire. South Brisbane-Colin James Bennett. Graham, Frederick Dickson, Esquire. South Coast-Eric John Gaven. Gunn, William Morrison, Esquire. Tablelands-Thomas Vernon Gilmore. Hanlon, Patrick Joseph, Esquire. Harrison, Robert Leslie, Esquire. Toowong-Alan Whiteside Munro. Hart, Graham Lloyd, Esquire. Toowoomba East-Mervyn John Herbert, John Desmond, Esquire. Reginald Anderson. Hewitt, Neville Thomas Eric, Esquire. Toowoomba West-John Edmund Hilton, The Honourable Paul Jerome Duggan. Remigius Townsville North-Percy John Robert Hodges, Alien Maxwell, Esquire. Tucker. Hooper, Keith William, Esquire. Houghton. James Edward Hiram, Townsville South-Thomas Aikens. Esquire. Warrego-John Joseph Dufficy. Houston, John William, Esquire. Warwick-Otto Ottosen Madsen. Hughes, Clive Melwyn, Esquire. Wavell-Alexander Tattenhall Dewar. Inch, Alexander J ames, Esquire. Whitsunday-Lloyd Henry Scurfield Jones, Vincent Edward, Esquire. Roberts. Knox, William Edward, Esquire. Lloyd, Eric Gayford, Esquire Windsor-Percy Raymund Smith. Lonergan, William Horace, Esquire. Wynnum-William Morrison Gunn. Low, David Alan, Esquire. Yeronga-Henry Winston Noble. Mann, John Henry, Esquire. Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 3

Marsden, Ivor, Esquire. debates. He does not come to this important Melloy, John, Esquire. position without a considerable amount of Miiller, Adolf Gustave, Esquire. experience. Newton, Harold Francis, Esquire. Nicholson, David Eric, Esquire. He is a man of irreproachable character, Pi! beam, Reginald Byron J arvis, Esquire. quick decision, and steady nerve. Any of you Rae, Wallace Alexander Ramsay. who knew him in his younger days would Esquire. agree with that. He is also tolerant and has Ramsden, Samuel Raymond, Esquire. a good sense of humour. Above all, I believe Richter, Harold, Esquire. that he has what Australians always look Row, John Alfred, Esquire. for: a high degree of the sense of fair play Sherrington, Douglas John, Esquire. and impartiality in dealing with all hon. Smith, Percy Raymund, Esquire. members. Sullivan, Victor Bruce, Esquire. Tradition and custom have conferred on Taylor, Harold Bourne, Esquire. Mr. Speaker a position of great importance, Thackeray, Mervyn Herbert, Esquire. great dignity, and great authority. Tooth, Seymour Douglas, Esquire. Tucker, Percy John Robert, Esquire. I do not intend today to go into any his­ Wallace, George Waiter Gm·don, torical details of the development of this Esquire. position, but we do know that he is the Walsh, Edward Joseph, Esquire. guardian of the rights of Parliament, not Wharton, Claude Alfred, Esquire. only against encroachment by the Crown, Windsor, Robert Levi, Esquire. which today does not occur, but against encroachment by the Executive. ELECTION OF SPEAKER In this House we are all members, equal in status in the eyes of the Speaker. His Hon. J. C. A. PIZZEY (Isis-Minister for main function of course, is to preside over Education and Migration) (12.25 p.m.): Now the House in 'full assembly, but that is not that all hon. members have signed the roll his only responsibility; he has to maintain the House has the important duty of elect­ order, and I have no doubt that every mem­ ing a Speaker. It is a great privilege and ber who has just been sworn in will realise pleasure for me to nominate Mr. David Eric his responsibilities fully and give the Speaker Nicholson to take the chair of the House as every support in maintaining order and main­ Speaker. I move-- taining the high prestige and dignity of this "That Mr. David Eric Nicholson do take House of ours. He has to protect the rights the chair of the House as Speaker." of minorities. Since I have been in the House, that is, since Mr. Aikens: That will be a novelty. 1950, we have been fortunate in our selec­ tion of Speakers. I served as a private mem­ Mr. PIZZEY: Well, minorities have had ber under the Speakership of the late Mr. their rights. They have been very well Sam Brassington, who was followed by Mr. protected. John Mann, and, in the recent Parliament, by Mr. Alan Fletcher. I think all hon. mem­ Mr. Aikens: I haven't had any rights. bers will agree that those three Speakers Mr. PIZZEY: I do not think that any hon. upheld in every way the high traditions of their important office. We may not all have member can claim that he has not had more agreed with them on every occasion, but I than a fair go from the various Speakers believe they did what they thought was right over the last 10 years. As a matter of fact, in carrying out their duties. We were parti­ it seems to me that most Speakers have cularly fortunate in the last Parliament in stretched a point to give extra concessions to having a very capable and able Speaker in those who are not representative of any major Alan Fletcher. I am quite confident that my political party. Anyway, Speakers in the past nominee today, David Nicholson, will con­ have looked after-as no doubt David tinue to uphold the prestige of this office Nicholson, the Speaker-elect, will do-the and will maintain the decorum and dignity interests of members of a minority party or of the House. He has had considerable independents in this House. experience as Chairman of Committees. Those who have seen him in action in that The Speaker also has to control the affairs position know that he has all the attributes of Parliament itself. During the last few necessary to qualify him for the office of weeks, however, there has been a hiatus in Speaker. the office of Speaker due to the appointment of Mr. Fletcher to Cabinet rank. During Mr. Walsh: When was he Chairman of that time I think that not only members on Committees? this side of the House, but all members who know of his control of Parliament, will Mr. PIZZEY: Temporary Chairman of acknowledge that the choosing of David Committees. He has acted as Chairman of Nicholson as Speaker was a wise move Committees, and on those occasions I think indeed, and I am sure we will give him all hon. members were very impressed with the pur support. I have much .pleasure in capable way in which he controlled the nominating him to take the chair as Speaker. 4 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

Mr. SMITH (Windsor) (12.33 p.m.): I office of Speaker is vacant, as it has been in have very much pleasure in seconding the the past few months, in my opinion Parlia­ nomination by the Minister for Education ment should be convened without delay in and Migration of David Nicholson as Speaker order that a nomination can be submitted. of this House. The hon. gentleman said that The affairs of the House would then be to a large extent Mr. Nicholson was untried, controlled by the person who is entitled to the which is correct, but, to a degree, it is also post by right as well as by any other way. I incorrect in that we have seen, throughout sincerely hope that in similar circumstances the life of the last Parliament, Mr. in future we shall not have to wait for weeks Nicholson acting as Temporary Chairman of after the elections before we assemble to Committees. Since the beginning of this new choose a Speaker. Parliament he has been acting as Speaker I endorse the sentiments that have been and he has discharged the duties with skill expressed and trust that all hon. members and attention. Quite apart from the domestic will elect the hon. member for Murrumba to chores that the Speakership entails, which I the high post of Speaker without demur. have no doubt. hon. members will acknow­ ledge have been performed so effectively by Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) (12.33 Mr. Nicholson, I am sure he will perform p.m.): I have some remarks to direct in very his duties in this House with ability equal to serious vein to the Speaker-elect a21d hon. that which he has already displayed over the members. past weeks. This Assembly has inherited from the It was remarked by way of interjection House of Commons many good practices and from the hon. member who formerly repre­ customs. It has also inherited many practices sented the seat of Mundingburra-- and customs that are a travesty of democracy. For instance, it is a travesty of true demo­ Mr. Aikens: Don't stick your neck out or cracy that this is the only time I can make l will cut your head right off. the remarks I am about to make, that is, Mr. SMITH: I remind the House of some before we have a Speaker in the chair. If of the historical features of this high office. I were to make them after the Speaker had been elected to the chair, he would, in Mr. Aikens: I at least come along to the accordance with the customs, privileges and House to attend to my business. You will precedents of this Parliam~nt, rule me out of not find me up at the Supreme Court when order." I draw the attention of the House [ should be here. to the fact that one of the customs that Mr. SMITH: In a democracy today it is we inherited from the House of Commons interesting, in passing to recall how, in times was to preserve the so-called sanctity of the past, the position of Speaker was not highly judiciary. No hon. member. of this P.a_rl!a­ regarded and the life of the nominee was ment either in or out of 1t, can cnt1c1se the j~diciary or express any dissatisfaction at usually in jeopardy. all with their actions or with the sentences We had an instance of that in the reign they inflict. If he does so during the course of King Charles at the time of the Long of a debate, the Speaker will rule him out Parliament. In 1640, at the commencement of order on the ground that his remarks of that Parliament, King Charles appointed constitute a reflection on the judiciary, and he William Lenthall to the office of Speaker. will tell the hon. member, as I have been He had an almost uninterrupted reign until told frequently by the hon. member for 1662. On 4 January, 1642, two (2) years after Brisbane, the hon. member for Cunningham the appointment of Lenthall as Speaker, the and the late Mr. Brassington when they King came to Parliament to seize five mem­ occupied the office of Speaker, that the only bers whose speeches had displeased him. way in which hon. members can. d!s~uss The hon. member for Townsville South, who the actions of a member of the JUdicrary has just interjected, can be thankful is to move a substantive motion. But if an indeed that times have changed, because hon. member does move a substantive I am sure many of his speeches would motion as I" did last year, it will be placed have roused the Crown to ire long by the 'Premier at the bottom of the business before 1960, and if times had not changed sheet and will never be debated or even his head would have fallen and rolled in the noted upon. In saying that I am not making gutter a long time ago. Although Lenthall, a political attack on the present Premier, the Speaker at that time, was a nominee of the because any Premier would do the same thing. King, he refused to name the five hon. mem­ The motion would never be dealt with, and bers I have referred to. He showed the would be automatically wiped out at the end courage that is required of the occupant of of the session. this high position. One thing that is agitating the minds of A Speaker has to cope with unruly hon. the people of Queensland more than any­ memb~rs as well as deal with all other thing else today is the dreadful toll of the problems, and in this Parliament we are not road and the death and destruction caused by without unruly hon. members. drunken drivers. I have no hesitation in endorsing the I want to assure hon. members that I nomination, but I am moved to comment on have no intention of taking undue advantage the events of the last few months. If the of the position in which I find myself by Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 5

launching a personal attack on any member only by a strict enforcement of the law by of the judiciary. If I did so in the present everyone, except the judges of the Court of circumstances, I should be both cowardly Criminal Appeal. and churlish, and I am too old to become either. I really think, Mr. Nicholson, and I address my remarks to you, as you are the Speaker­ Mr. Walsh: Nevertheless you are doing it. elect-- Mr. AIKENS: No, I am not going to Mr. Walsh: Mr. Dunlop, you mean. Mr. launch an attack on any member of the Nicholson is not the Speaker yet. judiciary. I am going to address my remarks particularly to the Press and the people of Mr. AIKENS: He will be. The Govern­ Queensland to show just where this Parlia­ ment have had their Caucus meeting just as ment fails in its very essence in claiming that the hon. member's party had its. I want it is a democratic institution. you, Mr. Nicholson, to ponder on what I have to say to you. You will be the Spea!'er Recently, in Northern Queensland, two of this House for three years, and I thmk drunken drivers in separate towns, one in one of your first duties shou!d be to see to Townsville and one in Cairns, ran down and it that hon. members are gtven an oppor­ killed-while they were hopelessly drunk­ tunity-once a year will be enough-to tell innocent people. A man named John Mat­ the members of the judiciary just what the thew Watson of Cairns ran down and killed people of Queensland think of their actions, a little boy while he, Watson, was hopelessly and paJiicular!y of their sentences for drunk. He ran him down and killed him on drunken driving. a straight road in broad daylight in shocking circumstances; so much so, that Mr. Walsh: The Speaker cannot lay that the jury in Cairns had no hesitation down. in finding him guilty of manslaughter. Mr. Justice J effriess, I think, erred a little Mr. AIKENS: Just listen to me! The hon. on the side of leniency when he sentenced member for Bundaberg, who managed to get Watson to five years' imprisonment. into Parliament just by the skin of his nose, interjects that Mr. Speaker cannot lay that Prior to Watson's case, a man named down. I will tell him what Mr. Speaker can Eberle, in Townsville, howling drunk, driving do and I will tell him what Mr. Speaker can, on a straight road, brilliantly lit, on a bright and will, I hope, make one of his first jobs­ moonlight night, came up at terrific speed namely, the convening of a conference rep~e­ behind two youths, pedalling home from sentative of all parties in this House to devise A.T.C., with bright tail-lights on their cycles, some means of altering the Standing Orders and ran them down and killed them both. to give hon. members of this A~sembly the He dragged the bicycle of one young boy 600 opportunity--one day a year wtll . be. ~uffi­ feet under the bumper bar of his car, and cient-to tell the members of the JUdtcmry, probably would not have stopped but for the in restrained and decent debate, just what the noise and the sparks that were occasioned by people of Queensland are thinkin_g a_bout their the bicycle being under the bumper bar. He, actions and the sentences they mfhct. too, was found guilty of manslaughter by a Townsville jury; he, too, was sentenced to Mr. Cobum: Hear, hear! five years' imprisonment by Mr. Justice Mr. AIKENS: I am glad to have a remark Jeffriess. He did not appeal within the legal time limit. Watson, however, did of commendation at any rate from one appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal, of the free members of this Assembly, which was constituted by Mr. Justice the hon. member for Burdekin. I Wanstall, Mr. Justice Mack and Mr. Justice think it is about time that we, as the elected representatives of the people Stable. In their judgment delivered on of Queensland, told the judges what t_he J 2 April this year, they found that the sent­ people think. I have no doubt about. the sm­ ence, despite the shocking circumstances, cerity of the judges; I am not attack_mg that. despite the fact that the killer was drunk, I believe Mr. Justice Wanstall was mistakenly despite the fact that he was driving danger­ sincere when he made that outrageously ously-to use their words-was "manifestly either sarcastic or hypocritical statement. I excessive," and it was reduced from five years believe he thought he was saying and doing to 18 months. Mr. Justice Wanstall, attempt­ the right thing. I believe that Mr. Justice ing to be either facetious or ponderously sar­ Mack and Mr. Justice Stable thought they castic, said that a strict enforcement of the were doing the right thing in letting a Jaw was a more effective deterrent to road drunken murderer off with an 18-month sen­ negligence than heavy court sentences in the tence. Eberle's sentence was also later rare cases of convictions for manslaughter. reduced. So much so that in Queensland To put it in plain words, so that the people of today, no matter how drunk a man gets, no Queensland will understand, the Court of matter how fast he drives, and in no matter Criminal Appeal, through these three judges, what terrible circumstances he kills an inno­ said two things: firstly, that innocent human cent pedestrian, or an innocent cyclist, or an life in Queensland is cheap today, as long as innocent motorist, he can be sentenced to the instrument of death is a car driven by a only 18 months' gaol. drunk, and secondly, that they believe that the ghastly toll of the road can be reduced Mr. Bennett: That is rot. 6 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

Mr. AIKENS: It is not rot. It is a ruling Speaker, but also any other matter that may, by the Court of Criminal Appeal. The other as he has indicated, be brought before hon. day in a drunken brawl in Townsville one members prior to the election of the Speaker. man bit a small piece out of the ear of another man and he was sent to gaol for two Mr. Aikens: And that cannot be debated years for it. I have no quarrel with the ver­ at any other time after the Speaker is elected. dict and I have no quarrel with the sentence, but, if the assailant had taken his victim out Mr. W ALSH: We realise that. And the into the middle of Flinders Street and run hon. member, I would say quite calmly, has him down with a car and killed him, in dealt with one of his pet subjects-his accordance with the decision of the Court of references to the judiciary. He has not even Criminal Appeal he could have been sen­ gone as far as he might have done, compared tenced only to a maximum of 18 months' with previous criticism in the House when he gaol. actually attacked certain judges. Mr. Bennett: Rubbish! Far be it from me to attack a judge in his position as judge; but once he goes outside lVIr. AIKENS: I will debate the issue with that position, or before he is appointed to it, the legal know-all from South Brisbane in I think I can claim the right to make remarks plenty of time. If he wants to lock horns about him. The previous Speaker did in with me he is as welcome as the flowers fact rule out portion of a notice of motion in May. I am talking on a very serious sub­ that was given here by the former Leader ject. I am talking of the innocent pedestrian of the Queensland Labour Party, the then who while crossing the road is run down hon. member for South Brisbane, who I and killed by a drunken or speeding motorist. think will be missed in this House and whose I am talking of little boys who are going defeat was, I think, poor recompense for the home fr?m school or from A.T.C. training service he gave to democracy and to Parlia­ or yra.cl!ce or from anywhere else, riding ment. The Speaker may have been under their bicycles, and are run down from behind the impression that he was entitled to give and killed by drunken, speeding motorists such a ruling, but if Mr. Nicholson, Mr. and I am talking of judges who mouth th~ Gaven, Mr. Taylor, or even Mr. Aikens belief that everyone else except themselves becomes Speaker here-- sho~ld enforce the law. I want the oppor­ tumty, at any rate, as the representative of a Mr. Aikens: I would be better than Johnno very important section of the people of Mann. I would make up the Standing Orders Queensland, to tell the judges what the people as I went along. of Q~eensland .are thinking and saying about the flippant attitude that is being adopted by Mr. W AL§H: If the hon. member wants to far too many of them towards the ghastly make the headlines, I might even nominate carnage that is ~JCcurring on our roads today. the hon. member for Brisbane. I hope Mr. Nicholson can convene a con­ The previous Speaker may have felt that ference representative of all the parties in he was justified in ruling in that way, but the House, and evolve or devise some means I hope that future Speakers will have strict by which we can debate the issue once a regard for the Standing Orders of this House year ~n the Chamber without going through as well as the rulings that have been laid the flim-flam and flummery of a substantive down in Erskine May over the years during motion that will never be debated and never which that journal of Parliamentary procedure ~e voted upon. Later I intend to ask a ques­ has been compiled. If the Speaker at that tiOn. You cannot even ask a question about time had only looked at the authorities set the judges, but in a couple of days' time I out in May, he would have seen that it has shall ask a question based on these two shock­ been laid down by the Speaker of the House !ng cases, and, in accordance with the Stand­ of Commons that it is competent to criticise mg Orders and the customs and traditions any member of that House in any capacity of Parliament, Mr. Speaker will of necessity and in any position other than as a member be c~mpelled to rule most, if not all, of my of the House. I remember the hon. member que~t10n out of order and delete it from the for Mirani taking exception here to my refer­ busmess sheet. So are we hamstringed in ring to his position as chairman of directors our att~mr;t to tell the judges what the people of Farleigh mill. If a person was secretary are thmkmg about their flippant attitude of a trade union and also a member of this towards the toll of the road! If Mr. Nicholson House, it would be absurd if you could not c~n convene the conference and if he can refer to his activities as an official of a trade give us, as the elected representatives of the union. Before Lord Beaverbrook became a people, the opportunity to tell the judges member of the House of Lords, he was a what t?e P.eople are thinking, then he will go member of the House of Commons and was down. m history as one of the great Speakers also editor of a paper. He was being of this Assembly. criticised by another member in the House of Commons, and the question was raised as to Mr. WA~~ (Bundauerg) (12.50 p.m.): Mr. the right of that member to so criticise him. Dunlop, this IS an unusual situation where as The Speaker of the House of Commons the hon. member for Townsville South 'has ruled that it was quite proper for the member said, hor:. rr:embe:s are allowed very wide to criticise Lord Beaverbrook in his capacity freedom m d1scussmg not only the election of as editor of a paper. Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 7

My desire at the time was to criticise the be remembered that a barrister, having appointment of Mr. C. G. Wanstall, whose identified himself in the way he did with the appointment was obviously political. I was Foley case, broke all the ethics of his pro­ hostile to it because in my view no member fession by travelling to dig out the evidence of the judiciary is competent to act where to be levelled against this man. Why would he shows either political or religious prejudice I subscribe to that when it was so deeply against any section of the community. political? If no-one else wanted to express Mr. Ramsden: What about Dr. Evatt? his opinion on the appointment I considered that I had to because I do not think anybody Mr. WALSH: Dr. Evatt has sworn allegi­ should carry his religious or political pre­ ance to the Queen and is now a member of judices into public administration, more par­ the judiciary. He will occupy the position ticularly the judiciary. with distinction, as he did every other judicial If I am asked to qualify my attitude position that he held. What he did in politics towards Mr. C. G. Wanstall-and I am not is another matter. obliged to-I can remember what happened Mr. Chalk: You are trying to wriggle out when we were sitting on the other side of the of it. Chamber. And there will be a day when those who subscribe to the Queensland Mr. W ALSH: I am not wriggling out of it. Labour Party principles will be sitting there. The views I am now expressing are no differ­ Perhaps I might make a suggestion at this ent from those that I have always expressed. stage. I know that the Premier has an I never at any stage identified myself with appointment at 7.15 p.m., and no doubt the charge that Dr. Evatt was a Communist, and if Australia can produce more men of his others will have the same appointment. But legal capacity to give service similar to that I want to exercise my rights and if it is going to inconvenience the House the given by hilT! in the international sphere, it Premier might suggest that the House will be better for Australia and for the adjourn until the normal resumption time at world. 2.15 p.m. Let us be fair in these things. Mr. Aikens: He can't. Mr. Hiley: On your line of argument you would have opposed the appointment of Mr. Mr. WALSH: Let us be fair about this. Justice Brennan. If the Premier wants to go on until we all finish-- Mr. WALSH: At the moment I am making the speech; the hon. gentleman can make his 1\fr. Aikens: No Rafferty rules while I am later. I have the right to discuss the position here. of a judge when he identifies himself with Mr. Nicklin: Carry on. controversial political matters as a witness in a court. Mr. WALSH: I should like everybody to understand that if I sit down now this is not Mr. Aikens interjected. my last say by any means. I have a lot to 1\fr. WALSH: We heard the hon. member say. In case anyone is under any misappre­ in silence. hension on the rights of my colleagues, Messrs. Hilton, Diplock and Adair, I suggest Mr. Aikens: Will you admit that you could that they study Standing Orders and the not say these things once Mr. Speaker Rules of Practice. occupies the chair? Mr. Mann: We know all about that. Mr. WALSH: I have already admitted that. There are many other things that I Mr. W ALSH: That is all right, as long as intend to say later on. the hon. member knows it, but there are a lot of new members who do not. Mr. Aikens: Are you going to support me My attitude towards Mr. Wanstall when for a day of open debate on the judiciary? he was a member of this House, despite all 1\fr. WALSH: I know that the hon. mem­ the criticism levelled at him from hon. mem­ ber for Townsville South-I have to remem­ bers who sat on the same side of the Cham­ ber the new name for his electorate-will at ber as I, was that I never under-estimated his least pay me the tribute that I know some­ ability and his capacity as a legal man. thing about the procedure here. We would I would say during my time in Parliament not be looking to Mr. Speaker or to the he had one of the keenest analytical minds i>n Premier to rule the subject matter out of this House and he caused the Government of order; it goes much further than that. The the day, of which I was a member, more judges are protected in other ways outside anxiety because of his capacity to analyse the Chamber altogether, and rightly so, so the controversial aspects of a measure more do not let us be humbugging on that matter effectively than any other member in the either. House. So let us be fair about it; I admire I am taking advantage now of the situa­ his capacity, but I should hate to think that tion which would have arisen by disagreeing any member of the judiciary could be with Mr. Speaker's ruling. Naturally I would appointed merely because of his political or have to give the reasons. In that case it will other affiliations. 8 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

Mr. Ramsden: You would not have his the Speaker. We have the display of the affiliations prevent his being appointed, would Minister for Education and Migration moving you? the election of a senior member of the Country Party as Speaker, and a member Mr. WALSH: Not as long as he did not of the Liberal Party seconding the motion. exhibit his prejudices. Just as .the Speaker of the House of Commons does, he I should have thought that these people, dissociates himself entirely from any and many others in the House who are such organisations, clubs, and similar bodies that sticklers for procedure, and have respect for can be taken as being identified with con­ and recognition of authority, customs and troversial political or similar matters. If practices, would have respected the position Mr. Nicholson is to be the Speaker-and of the hon. member for Clayfield. Appar­ there is no guarantee of that yet-and if ently we have got away from that matter. he is a member of the Queensland Club, I Mr. Aikens: Are you going to nominate hope he will resign from it. him? A Government Member: What is wrong Mr. WALSH: The hon. member will know with the Queensland Club? if he waits a moment. The question that Mr. WALSH: It is a den of iniquity. More arises is who should be the Speaker. The political plots are hatched there than in any matter is dealt with on page 5 of the Stand­ other place in Brisbane, ing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly as printed in 1951 and subsequently Mr. Hiley: All you are sore about is that amended. Standing Order No. 9 deals with he was instrumental in having corruption the procedure to be followed in the event found against your colleague. of a vacancy in the office, No. 10 covers the appointment of a deputy in the unavoid­ Mr. WALSH: The Treasurer has given me able absence of the Speaker, and No. 11 the opening but I will not come at it yet. covers the procedure to be followed However, do not be worried. I have it here. during the temporary absence of the Speaker during a session. Those circumstances Mr. Aikens: If you won't read it, give have arisen in my experience from time it to me and I will. to time. On the death or resignation Mr. WALSH: It is here in my own hand­ of a Speaker a vacancy occurs in the office, writing. I remind the Treasurer, having and in accordance with Standing Order No. regard to the pertinency of the interjections, 9 the Clerk has to report the same to the that Mr. Justice Townley did find that Mr. House and has then to conduct the business Foley did not benefit materially or financially. of the House as he is conducting it today. Mr. Hiley: Did you read the rest of the Standing Order No. 10 sets out the pro­ findings? cedure to be followed in the unavoidable absence of the Speaker. I notice that the Mr. WALSH: I have read them as care­ Chairman of Committees is recognised as fully as, and probably more carefully than, the person who should take the chair in the Treasurer. There are members of this that event. The temporary absence of the House, including the spies who gave the Speaker during a sitting is covered by Stand­ information to Mr. Wanstal, as he was ing Order No. 11, and again the Chairman when he was appearing before the Royal of Committees is authorised to take the Commission, who knew my attitude long chair. Not only is the right of the Chair­ before that Royal Commission was appointed. man of Committees protected in the Stand­ I .investigated ·the matters that were ing Orders but it is also protected in the raised and, on the judge's findings, convinced Constitution Act, which clearly recognises myself that Mr. Foley had not benefited that the Chairman of Committees is the financially or materially. So why should I likely successor to the Speaker in the event or any other member of this House "pick of the death of the Speaker or his unavoid­ him"? able or temporary absence. Who did benefit? That is •the point. And If it is usual to depend on custom and if he had corrupted his office, there are precedent, the obvious nominee on this occa­ simple deeds done that likewise could be sion would be the hon. member for Clay­ interpreted as being corrupt. I have never field. I have some suggestions to make to accepted the argument, on the legal defin]tion the Premier on matters pertaining to the juris­ of the word "corrupt," that others have not diction of the Speaker, and I hope that my corrupted their offices just as much. suggestions will be treated seriously. The Mr. Hooper: Why did you kick him out? duties of the Speaker cover not only control of the proceedings of the House and things l\1r. WALSH: We did not kick him out. that occur within the precincts of the House, but also extend to what might be described Mr. Hooper: You took him back only as the administrative functions of the House. when the split occurred. The position was envisaged by the hon. mem­ Mr. W ALSH: ]jt would appear that uruty ber for Windsor, if that is his electorate. tickets circulate not only cin the trade"union Mr. Aikens: He does not know what he movement but also here in the election of is. Election of Speaker [23 AuausT] Election of Speaker 9

Mr. W ALSH: I know he is a Liberal, and not only to members of this House, but to I do not like his politics. everybody who subscribes to the democra­ tic way of life. If I have to say a little bit Mr. Dewar: You do not like yourself. about myself, it will be very brief. I can Mr. WALSH: That may be true, but there say I am here in spite of a full-scale blast to are over 5,000 people in Bundaberg who oust me. I know that politics is a hard game, apparently like me. and a tough game, and there are times when you have to play it hard. I have had a feel­ The suggestions I am going to make merit ing over the past three years, having regard to serious consideration. The period between the assault on me by the A.L.P. and the the dissolution and reassembly of Parlia­ Liberal Party, that I have been a little too ment is a lengthy one, and I cannot find any­ friendly. where in the Standing Orders a rule that gives a Speaker-elect authority to administer Mr. Aikens: Why don't you be like me the functions of the House. and turn the other cheek? I cannot find that. I know we have accepted Mr. WALSH: To bring about my defeat­ it as a custom over the years. I am not com­ and not without some underground associa­ plaining about that. If I have any com­ tion with the Opposition-they selected as plaint at all-- the A.L.P. candidate a man who, to my knowledge, had never been in the A.L.P. Mr. Aikens: You have been just as lax. prior to last September. Mr. WALSH: Well, if the. Governments Mr. Lloyd: Are you squealing? of the past have been just as lax, what does Mr. W ALSH: If the hon. member for that matter? The hon. member from Kedron has ever known me to squeal in this South Townsville does not expect me to House-- admit it, does he? I think consideration could be given, in circumstances such as Mr. Davies: If that is true, what would exist in this particular instance, to the have been the result if he had been in there appointment of an authority-call it what longer? you like-to administer the functions of the House in the event of there being no Speaker, Mr. W ALSH: On my left is the hon. or no accepted Speaker-elect. If it will help member for Maryborough, who knows the I make this suggestion without prejudice, truth of the statement I am making. This I should say that the Premier of the man's application for membership to the day would be one of the authorities, the A.L.P. was submitted last August. Leader of the Opposition might be another, Mr. Davies: I did not say the ALP. and the Clerk of the Parliament might be the other. Mr. WALSH: I am saying it. The hon. Mr. Aikens: What if they are both defeated member cannot deny it, though I would not at the poll? expect him to admit it. Nominations closed on 28 November and, owing to the arrange­ Mr. WALSH: We can overcome that. If ment that was made, no other person quali­ the hon. member consults the Standing fied under the rules of the A.L.P. would be Orders, he will find that there are certain nominated and the Q.C.E. would endorse committees that function from session to ses­ this man. sion. Their positions do not become vacant until the next session, and the Premier then I go further and look at my genial friend gives notice of the appointment of a new sitting on the Government front bench, the committee. So far as I can see from the hon. member for Isis. He knows that the Standing Orders-I have not consulted the same man was a member of his party; in hon. member for Mt. Gravatt on this-- fact, he joined the party after I became the hon. member for Bundaberg. Mr. Aikens: You will be worse off if you Mr. Aikens: Joined the Country Party? do that. Mr. WALSH: Joined the Country Party Mr. Hiley: The committees of Parliament and was in fact a financial member. go out on the dissolution of Parliament. :Mr. Aikens: What a motley crew they Mr. W ALSH: If the Treasurer has any have become. information to that effect, I shall be glad to hear it. I know specific committees are Mr. WALSH: So wouldn't I have some dealt with in the Standing Orders. I do gratification for having succeeded in repelling not know that they are affected by the dis­ this blast, the biggest one that has ever been solution of Parliament in the same way as a put on me in my political history? Even member of Parliament. It may be that they Johnno went up there in 1957 and did his are. It is something that may be given best to defeat me, but he realised what a consideration. hopeless task it was. Before I proceed to argue on the election I have not finished my story yet. I am of Speakers, there are a few things I think we not damning this man as a citizen-not at should look at that should be of concern all. And I know that he was approached 10 Election of Speaku [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker by the other side to stand for them, but there were put in. One or two of them have since are men sitting on the Government front died of old age, and the name of one of bench-- them had been on the roll, I think, since 1895. Worse still, the person concerned in Mr. Ai.kens: You could say all this in association with another party had accepted the Address-in-Reply debate, you know. appointment as a justice of the peace. Mr. W ALSH: Oh, yes, but I will have a Mr. Ai.kens: What person, and what party? lot of other things to say in that debate and Come on, don't be vague about it. If you my speech in it will be limited to 40 minutes. want to tip the tin, tip it. No doubt later the Premier will complain about me, and other hon. members opposite l'¥1r. WALSH: I have never allowed the may join in the complaint. But I am mer~ly hon. member for Townsville South to make exercising my right as a member of Parlia­ my speech for me. I am saying it in my own ment; I am not even abusing it. I have way. I am not going to name the party and made the statement. There it is. The man I do not want at this stage to identify the was never a member of the Australian person who is a justice of the peace. Labour Party. He was a member of the Mr. Aikens: I would tag him if he did it Country Party. In his time he had been a member of the union that the hon. member to me. for Ipswich East led so successfully for many l'¥1r. W ALSH: The hon. member may not years, and I know he is still a strong sup­ have as much decency in him as I have. porter of it-the Queensland Colliery Employees' Union. In that case he worked, Mr. .Aikens: You are completely unscrupu­ of course, and paid his union affiliation fees, lous in the political game. You could give just as Liberals, Communists, members of me 10 yards in 100 and beat me. the Country Party and people of all other Mr. WALSH: In this case, where the let­ political beliefs have to pay their affiliation ters "J.P." had been inserted on the outside fees. That is in accordance with rules pro­ of the envelope and the elderly, sick people perly determined and it is no good com­ said they had voted for Mr. Walsh, they did plaining about it. But, in addition to that, not proceed with the rest of the signature. they peddled that great monster, sectarianism. Not once to me did they raise it in the House, l'¥1r. Bennett: You want to ask Brian Mul­ but I have become sick and tired of those lins what he did. people who, underground, go round damning Mr. W ALSH: I am not concerned with the Q.L.P. as a Catholic party. I could just what the hon. member did. He had better as easily damn the A.L.P. as a Catholic party, keep his bib out of this for the time being. but where would that get us? And why should it be done in politics? If anybody l'¥1r. Bennett: People living in glass houses wants to take me on on that one let him do so. should not throw stones. In every Q.L.P. electorate in the last fort­ l'¥1r. WALSH: I am not living in a glass night of the election campaign this thing house. The hon. member can have his say was heavily "vetted" underground. for three years, and perhaps we might be Mr. .Aikens: You don't know what a filthy pushing up the daisies by then. We have campaign is! Come up and hear the A.L.P. little say in how much time we spend on this on me in my area and then you will have earth. something to talk about. They get right I got my scrutineer to compare the writing down in the cesspit. on the envelope to which I have referred Mr. Mann: We will start on you next with that on envelopes containing other time. absentee votes, and there was no doubt in his mind who the party was. I have since had Mr. Aikens: You have been saying that it confirmed by a friend of the wife of one for many, many years. I will be here when of the men who collected the ballot you are dead, and you will die unwept, papers. Apart from what I have said unhonoured, and unsung. Not even the boys about other matters, it will be realised from Spring Hill will go to your funeral. that they have left no stone unturned to unseat Walsh, the hon. member for Bunda­ l'¥1r. WALSH: I should like the Minister berg. The last candidate they stood against for Justice to look into another matter. I me was a man named Green. That was his do not know what he can do about it, but if I make the statements here, at least the name, but not his colour! I do not know onus is on him to do something. where he is now; he is probably a member of the Country Party. There may be others, I know that many low things can be done even in this House at the present time. But in politics-! only know of them: I have there is one thing I can do: if anyone likes never been identified with them-but when to challenge me I can bring in my first union it comes to the stage that canvassers for a ticket which was issued in 1911 when I was political party have to invalidate the votes of well under 21 years of age, and my first aged and sick people, I do not think anything W.P.O. ticket, again issued when I was could be lower. I asked the scrutineer who well under 21 years of age, at a time when acted on my behalf to take the names on at there was no Labour Government and no lt:ast three postal votes of old people that conscript unionism. Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 11

Because of my remarks I suppose I shall my path on this question, I point out that be branded as a supporter of Santamaria, he was probably a member of the 1956 Catholic Action, or something else, but I make Mackay Convention. A number of members no apologies to anybody for my fight against here were delegates to 'that convention and Communists and Communism in this State as such refused admitrt:ance to one Frank over the years that I have been in Parlia­ Waters, even as a visitor. But today what do ment, as well as on the public p)atform. we find? It was not only the Walshes or the If there is any doubt in the minds of the Gairs, or the other supporters of the Queens­ latecomers into the fight against Communism land Labour Party who took up that attitude. about my attitude I ask them to look at my They did it after questions were raised contributions to the debates in this House by ,the late Mr. Joe Bukowski and statements in 1944 and 1945 when Russia was still an were made by the President of the Con­ ally fighting with Great Britian. 1 made it vention, the late Mr. Harry Boland. No clear then that, as I saw the future, as the better Labour man ever walked than Harry great claw of the Russian bear was thrust Boland. out, more and more territory would be claimed and Russia would become the Today, like many others, you find the greatest imperialist nation in history. I still same Mr. Waters as a member of the subscribe to the attitude I adopted in those Queensland Central Executive. Is there not years although I was not supported by some reason for anybody who subscribes to the members of my own party. principles of the Labour movement to have fears for its future? Mr. Aikens: Which ones? An A.L.P. Member: Rubbish! 1\Z:T. W ALSH: I had better not bring tbe Mr. WALSH: The hon. member can say it hon. member into it. He will remember when is rubbish. If he treats it as lightly as that, he was on the Communist ticket at the I trea;t it seriously, and always have. Townsville City Council elections. Mr. Mann: What is your view on the Mr. Aikens: That is about as silly as all Petrov Commission? the rest of the things you are saying. The Communist ticket is the A.L.P. ticket in Jllir. WALSH: There are many views about Townsvi!le. the Petrov Commission. The hon. member can read my remarks in ,this House on the Mr. WALSH: I am talking about some matter, given when others did not have the years ago. "guts" to speak. I 'labelled the Petrov Mr. Aikens: Oh, the blacks were bad! Commission as a political stunt. Why did not the Leader of the House do that at the Mr. WALSH: Because of the infiltration of time? Why leave it to a junior like I was Communists, not only into the A.L.P. but to do? I was attacked in an editorial in also into many other phases of community a paper that circulates in my own area life, the whole parliamentary system of the because of the attitude I adopted in this State and country is threatened. House on the Petrov Commission. Mr. Mann: What nonsense! Mr. Lloyd:. Wha;t do you think about the Mr. WALSH: If I can get the hon. member National Civic Council? for Brisbane, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. WALSH: vhe hon. member for and other members of the A.L.P. en bloc Kedron has asked me my attitude towards to denounce Communism publicly in the the National Civic Council. Aga~n in my House and give their pledge to the Queens­ own time I will tell him what I think about land people that they are prepared to take it. 1t is here. What I want to get at now~ the platform to engage actively in the fight in the sequence of my notes, are unity tickets against Communism then I shall-- ami A.C.T.U. policy. Mr. W_allace: We did it many years before All my life I have been identified with you came into it. organisations associated with the Labour Mr. WALSH: Mr. Du11lop has heard me. movement and I think I have attended more Far be it from me to say that I was the conferences, both Federal and State, than first. I can remember the time when they had any other member of this House and have the hon. member for Cairns tabbed, not that taken an active part, even though not a voting I ever tabbed him. One of the things I had part in discussions, so I think I am qualified to resist was that element in the Labour to make these remarks. I have always been Party that wanted to brand every militant taught ,to believe that the Communists were unionist as a Communist. I always objected directly opposed to the Labour Party. to that just as I have objected to any political Mr. Aikens: Will you answer one question? party organising the trade-union movement on a political basis. Mr. W ALSH: I am not answering any Those are not new remarks. They have questions. been made at Labour conventions and they Mr. Aikens: I will ask you just the same. have been made in this House. I am not In view of the fact that you can say all these introducing something that is new, and, if things after we elect the Speaker, will you the hon. member for Cairns wants to cross tell us why you are saying them now? 12 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

Mr. WALSH: Because I want more time, to organise on a political basis, although this is not necessarily my last but that the Labour Party should not. reference to the subject. It is my complaint today that the Labour Party has prevented Labour members from Mr. Dewar interjected. organising as part of the A.L.P. Mr. WALSH: The hon. member knows Mr. Smith: Is it safe to go for lunch? that on occasions I have spoken for three hours. If some hon. members walk out of Mr. WALSH: The hon. member can go for the Chamber and the Clerk puts the vote-- lunch, but I am going on talking. Mr. Aikens: I will be Speaker. For the enlightenment of the hon. mem­ ber for Kedron, I say that I believe it is Mr. W ALSH: I will nominate the hon. the responsibility not only of the National member for South Coast. Civic Council to undertake these duties but Unity tickets are not being dealt wit)l also of every other organisation and every seriously by those who control what 1s individual in this State who subscribes to described today as the Australian Labour our way of life to band together and fight Party, and, worse still, the A.C.T.U .. has this threat and menace of Communism. It decided to levy all members of affiliated is no good saying it is a bogy. Look at the unions in order to cover the expenses of map today; take it and put it on the wall union officials from Communist countries and see what has happened since 1945. when they visit Australia in the capa~ity of I make a plea at this stage to the returned spies, or come here to learn somethmg . of soldiers' organisations to enter the field on the good conditions enjoyed by Austrahan a wider scale than they have in the past workers. These matters taken in conjunction and carry their activities into the workshops lay the foundation for a Communist and into every phase of industry. onslaught on this country. Anyone who has Mr. Bcnnett: They are not political. followed the trend during the past few years must agree that it is similar to that of 1947, Mr. W ALSH: They are not asked to be 1948 and 1949. I remind some of those political; they are asked to combat Com­ who conveniently want to forget it that we munism, and, in fact they are anti-Com­ have reached a stage similar to that when munist. The hon. member for South Brisbane a o-reat Labour man like Ben Chifiey was should know it. He should know that is for~ed to put troops into coal mines to win part of the constitution of the R.S.S.A.I.LA. coal so that industry could continue in spite of the Communist threat, and it must not be Mr. Bennett: I have a badge. forgotten that the present Federal leader of l'lfr. W ALSH: As the hon. member has a the Australian Labour Party and other badge, he should know the League's rules; Labour men decided to go to the coalfields they do not admit Communists. Why don't and fight this threat or challenge from the they admit them? If that is the League's Communist Party. policy, what is the hon. member doing about As the once great A.LP. is now sitting it? He is doing nothing about it. l can down and doing nothing about this threat, I remember back in 1948-- and others are justified in the attitude we adopt. Mr. Aikens: I can remember in 1948 when you turned the "coppers" on the strikers. To satisfy the hon. member for Kedron-­ Don't talk about 1948. I can remember the Mr. Aikens: Did you say "To scarify big railway strike, and what you did, and him"? what I did. If you want to bring up 1948, let us have it. Mr. WALSH: No. I would not do that to him. Mr. WALSH: I will put the hon. member for Townsville South right again. I did not If the activities of the National Civic Coun­ know I exercised a great influence over the cil are directed against Communists within Government, because I was not a member of the trade-union movement, it, and any other this Parliament then. body having a similar policy, will receive my full support. But if the National Civic Mr. Aikens: You were an organiser for Council, or any similar body, enters the field the A.L.P. You were the power behind the of politics, I shall at once dissociate myself throne. from its activities. In giving that answer to the hon. member for Kedron, I give my Mr. WALSH: At least, the A.L.P. was personal opinion. doing something about it. It was the Gov­ ernment who were going to bring in the l'vlr. Lloyd interjected "coppers". At least I can say they were Mr. WALSH: The hon. member for doing something about it. Kedron is a novice in these things. I have In Bundaberg, the local branch of the said over and over again that I object to Returned Soldiers' Leauge sponsored an anti­ any political party organising the trade­ Communist party. They endevoured to do union movement on a political basis. I have everything possible, in publicity campaigns, never subscribed to the view that every meetings, and propaganda. Surely no mem­ other political party should be allowed ber of this House is going to object to any Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker section of society taking a stand in this State draw only one inference, but I am not going against Communism and the threat that into that. I am dealing with rbhe point that obviously exists because of Communistic these things arise, and the characters of activities. members of Parliament are involved. Even If I might condescend, in my humble if the suggestion is that the hon. member way I make a plea again at this stage to for Fassifern had :to vacate his office because the anti-Communist unions to link them­ of some taxation report, knowing him as I selves against the threat of Communists do I say that it could have been an honest in industry generally. No Labour sup­ mi!:ltake on his part. I suppose if a lot of porter can be satisfied with the future other taxation reports were investigated of the A.L.P. until that party publicly properly they would reveal things, too. But declares, its opposition to Communism in I have no doubt that the hon. member for a way that will convince the public. Fassifern has courage enough, and is man In other words, there has to be more aotiv1ty enough, ,to justify whatever action and what­ on the part of members of the organisation ever stand he has taken. I want to know itself before it can expect to convince the whether the Liberal influence has been at people. Nor will any Labour supporter be work here, wanting to hound a Country Party satisfied until such time as there is a clear Minister. and unqualified statement of policy thaJt all Mr. Mann: They wanted to direct him. parties in this House subscribe 'to the principle of opposition to outside influences Mr. WALSH: That may be, and they have directing hon. members of the Parliament. directed him. They have got him out. While on tha:t, let me refer to a cable The o,ther suggestion is that the big that

Mr. W ALSH: I do not have a midday meal. authority to administer the affairs of the My wife saw to it ,that I got a good breakfast House during that interval between the dis­ this morning. solution and the reassembly of Parliament. Mr. Aikens: It is no trouble. I think it is a matter worth looking into because I am not at all in agreement with Mr. W ALSH: As the hon. member can what has happened in the present instance, see, I am always properly fit. and I say that here publicly. I do not wish to question the Minister's Another suggestion I have to make is in right in this matter. He has as much right keeping with the authority and the rights of to buy land for himself in Cooktown as any­ Parliament. I am not blaming the Govern­ body else. However, I would question the ment on this occasion because I cannot. wisdom of taking aeroplane trips up there Factual evidence could be produced in if they are associated with the development rebuttal of 1).ny charge I might make. As of any property with which he may be directly hon. members know, it has been the custom or indirectly concerned. over a long period for members of the Executive Council to be sworn in as mem­ Mr. Morris: You do try to be nasty, don't bers of Parliament in the Executive Build­ you! ing. From memory that practice goes back Mr. W ALSH: I do not. I could never be over 40 years. as nasty as the Minister was when he was Mr. Nicklin: The end of the SO's. sitting in Opposition. I am not saying to me, but to my colleague... Mr. W ALSH: If the Premier has looked it up I will not dispute it but my recollection Mr. Morris: You are so filled with venom is that it was started in the term of the yourself that it is poisoning you. Ryan Government. In the limited time avail­ Mr. W ALSH: Do not expect me to sit in able to me for research my inquiries reveal this House dumb and then go round the that this is the only Parliament in Australia State and listen to everybody including the where such a practice exists. I suggest that Minister, kicking me apart. the practice in the House of Commons and in other Australian Parliaments should be fol­ Mr. Morris: You are making a goat of lowed and that hon. members should be yourself. sworn as members of Parliament in this House. We must protect the authority of this M:r. WALSH: I do not care. I am only institution rather than bit by bit have this one exercising my rights. If this is the first and that one sworn in here and there. It has occasion I have made a goat of myself it always been accepted that the right place to must be remembered that the Minister has be sworn in is in Parliament itself. made a goat of himself so frequently that it is becoming commonplace. If the Treas­ Mr. Nicklin: May I interrupt you for a urer wants to raise the matter concerning moment, please? I should just like to inform the findings of Mr. Justice Townley, I raise you that if you have not read the business the matter of the propriety of the Minister's sheet the House has an appointment at 2.30 accepting gratis travel trips from travel p.m. with His Excellency the Governor tc agencies. After all, they come under his present the new Speaker. jurisdiction. I think in courtesy to His Excellency it is Mr. Morris: We shall debate that one at our function to advise 'him whether we will the proper time. keep that appointment. Can you tell me whether you will be finished speaking in time Mr. WALSH: The hon. gentleman has or shall we postpone the appointment? openly and publicly stated that they were pay­ ing his expenses, so he is not hiding anything Mr. W ALSH: I think you should let him from the public. All I am doing is question­ know, because we have not elected the ing the propriety of such actions. Speaker. Mr. Morris: We shall debate that at the Mr. Nicklin: I wanted to know because proper time. ~t is a custom that has come down over the years, and if we are unable to meet His Mr. WALSH: The Minister should not for­ Excellency I shall inform him that we will get that he has to make the contracts and the attend on him later. transactions between these agencies in some way. Everybody knows what has happened Mr. W ALSH: Thank you, Mr. Premier; to Ministers and Cabinets in the House of that again emphasises what I saJid earlier, that Commons in the Parliament of Great Britain. Parliament is the Parliament and we do not The hon. gentleman would not give me any surrender our rights as a Parliament to any­ credit if I went around street corners talking body. That is not being discourteous to His about it. Excellency because I think he knows well Mr. Morris: There will be every oppor­ enough that not only myself but thousands tunity to debate it. of others in this State respect him as much as, if not more than they !fespected Mr. W ALSH: I think the Premier should others who in the past have occup

I shall give hon. members a hint now. the Standing Orders to give the House an I intend ~o nominate the hon. member for opportunity of discussing the matter, because, Clayfield, hut, before I do, I want to say when the House adjourned late in the after­ a few things about the position of Speaker. noon, even the usual valedictory speeches It is a pity I cannot say something on many were overlooked. Certain hon. members had other matters. given notice of their intention not to con­ test the election, which in effect meant that I can truthfully and sincerely say-not that they would retire at the end of the session. I have to do it to ease my own conscience­ They included a Cabinet Minister, Hon. J. A. th"'t there is tiD arrangement between 'the Heading, who had given long and honourable hon. member for Clayfield and me that I service in both Government and Opposition should nominate him. while representing Murgon and other Mr. Taylor: Thank you. electorates that had been renamed from time to time, Hon. Arthur Jones, a member of Mr. W ALSH: Nor is there any arrange­ the Queensland Labour Party who had served ment between me and any other hon. in Labour Cabinets over a lengthy period, member that I might subsequently nominate and two other members of the Australian him. Labour Party. Not a word was said about Mr. Smith: Are you going to have 76 their services to this House and Parliament. other tries? There is now no record of the work of those hon. members as Ministers and private mem­ Mr. W ALSH: It has been stated by the bers and of their service to ·the community. hon. member for Windsor that the Speaker If the Government were responsible--and I of the House is supposed to be the guardian should hate to think the Premier would be of its rights and those of its members, and a party to it-they were guilty of a small, he went on to say, of course, that he is miserable, mean attitude. there also to protect the rights of minorities. I know that some person blamed me Now, the name in itself indicates that even because I had seen fit to exercise my right if he is not, he should be spokesman for to move !Jhe adjournment in order to discuss this House and not merely for the Govern­ a matter of public importance. No doubt ment. He was so in Britain in the days when I shall have something further to say about there was considerable conflict between the parliamentary institution and the ruling it later. monarch, and quite frequently ~he Speaker In considering the election of Speaker, had to watch his moves because he might there are a few matters that must be ,taken earn the displeasure of the ruling monarch. imo account. In the first place, what If I am to accept the actions of the Govern­ qualifications are required? _The mover of ment over the past three years as an indica­ the motion spoke of his experien~ in this tion of what might happen in the future, the House over the past 10 years. I could Speaker, whoever he might be, also runs the refer to Speakers over the past 25 years, and risk of incurring the displeasure of the the best Speaker under whom I have served present Government unless he submits to their was George· Pollock. I do not think any dictates. other Speaker has been his equal in any respect. In some ways I may not have liked Mr. Dewar: You do not think that, do him, but as Speaker he has not been equalled you? in my experience, and I should say it will Mr. WALSH: I will give the hon. member be a long time before we have a Speaker a bit of evidence later. with similar ability. He had the required qualifications. A Speaker must have some Mr. Dewar: Someone is pulling your leg. understanding of the Standing Orders, rules, practices and customs of the House. All Mr. WALSH: I should only be emphasis­ too frequently, despite the fact that they ing the obvious if I said that the traditions have been associated with the House over a of the office of Speaker are high and the long period, some hon. members display position is a great one. Not only is he little or no knowledge of Standing Orders. ceremonial head, but he is No. 1 membe.r of That applies to the Temporary Chairmen of this Parliament, and, as such, he should resist Committees, too. A£ter all, it is not good any attempts to whittle away hon. members' enough to be resting on the shoulders of the rights and privileges. In that regard I Clerk, or his assistants, all the time. There remind hon. members of ,the notice of motion are many documents and publications in given by me on the day the House adjourned the Library and in this Chamber that will in March last. I sought permission to move be very helpful to hon. members if they the adjournment of the House in order to peruse them. Hon. members can glean from discuss a matter of urgent public importance. them many interesting phases on procedure I complied with Standing Orders by giving in Parliament. There is much to learn, and the Speaker the requisite notice before although I have learned a few things, I have 10 o'clock that morning. I produced to still much to learn. the Speaker the letter setting out the grounds on which I sought to move the adjournment. Anybody who occupies the position o'l I think the Government were very unhappy Speaker should have the capacity to make because the Speaker exercised his right under decisions and stick to them! The Speaker 16 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker should not allow himself to be pushed around think it is important. If I had been looking and bullied into a position where he may be for headlines, I could have made the head­ browbeaten by the Government, or other lines by getting up on the dais to make my influences, including the Press. speech today, and somebody would look a bit silly, Mr. Premier, if I nominated some­ Mr. Smith: You do not suggest he should body to occupy the Speaker's room in the stick to decisions that are pointed out to him interim when there was no Speaker. as wrong, do you? My predecessor in Bundaberg pointed out Mr. WALSH: I say that if the Speaker has some of the weaknesses in the law regarding made a decision on proper grounds in the these matters. first place, there is no need for anybody to point out to him that he is wrong. If, where Mr. Hiley: You are wearing his mantle the contingency is not provided for in the in every way. Standing Orders, he is going to be guided by the decisions in the House of Commons, let Mr. WALSH: Frank Barnes at least knew him give those decisions based on the rulings how to play his cards. He did much good in the House of Commons, and not some­ for many humble people. If the Treasurer thing that immediately fits the position as it can make the same claim and can show that suits the Government. Speakers come and he has helped as many people as Frank go, and we cannot have these eternal rulings. Barnes did, that will be to his credit, too. If a Speaker is called upon to give a ruling There is a need for the Speaker, whoever on a specific matter that has not previously he may be, to have some understanding of arisen in the House, he should give it serious the difference between relevancy and irrelev­ consideration before committing it to writing. ancy. I say he should not be browbeaten by the Government and the Press. Mr. Hiley: I wish you would demonstrate some. Although I am going to nominate the hon. member for Clayfield, I can point to one Mr. WALSH: I give the Treasurer credit instance where my remarks may be directed for being capable of being relevant when he to his failure to comply strictly with his wants to be relevant, but this is a s!tuation position as Chairman of Committees. I can that allows of irrelevancy. remember the Press reporting-! think it was on Melbourne Cup day-that the former Mr. Hiley: It doesn't call for it. Leader of the Queensland Labour Party, the then hon. member for South Brisbane, who Mr. W ALSH: That is the hon. gentleman's will again find his way into one of the parlia­ point of view. That is only because he is mentary institutions of Australia-- sitting on the other side as a member of the Government. Naturally he would object to Mr. Bennett: But not through South Bris­ all the things hon. members on this side of bane. the House might want to do. I hop.;: the Government will not use this as the occasion Mr. WALSH: South Brisbane is only a to strangle these rights in the future. There small part of Queensland. The statement I is a danger in that. make is that Vince Gair will be back as part of this institution one day, and not with the I say there is a necessity for some under­ assistance of the A.L.P. or the Liberals. standing of the difference between relevancy Mr. Bennett: The only way he ever got and irrelevancy but I point out that there in was through the A.L.P. have been some good Chairmen in this Assembly, too. The Premier knows that. I Mr. WALSH: It may be that that source think he is the Father of the House now­ will eventually put the hon. member out. the longest here-since 1932. He will agree that there have been some good Chairmen. I Mr. Bennett: They nearly put you out this can name two very capable Chairmen in my time. time-Vince Gair and Paul Hilton. While I Mr. WALSH: Yes, but I am here. J was was out of Parliament I had the opportunity going to say that the Press mentioned that to look up some of Mr. Hilton's rulings and the then hon. member for South Brisbane some of his handling of the debates while had in his possession in the Chamber a small he was Temporary Chairman of Committees. radio set. If the Chairman of Committees I am sure the Treasurer will not disagree or the Speaker could not act on the day on with me when I say that, on this subject of which the incident occurred, neither the an understanding of the difference between Speaker nor the Chairman of Committees relevancy and irrelevancy, very often the had any right to base his decision or any occupant of the chair, either the Speaker or ruling on what appeared in the Press the the Chairman of Committees, is embarrassed day after. by the lead given by a Minister on the floor. Mr. Hooper: Do you think he was right If the Minister wants to wander into a field to bring a radio into the House? that is quite irrelevant to the matter being debated, it is very difficult for the Govern­ Mr. WALSH: I am not asked to answer ment's own nominee to pull him up. So I that. If I am asked to answer it, I do not would very emphatically advise whoever may Election of Speaker (23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 17 be the occupant of the position not to allow Communists, might consider what the same himself to be led off the track, even by Peter Lalor said in the Ballarat "Star" in Ministers. those days when he was being attacked for Last but not least, the Chairman should be voting for an amendment of the electoral law a strictly impartial servant of the House. to provide for voting on a property qualifica­ And in this respect I want to raise the ques­ tion. This great revolutionary hero, who is tion of what is known as the roster. Over cited so extensively by the Communists and a period of years a practice has grown up in others, did not approve of the adult franchise. this House whereby an arrangement is made He had this to say in replying to his critics- between the Whips of the various parties on "! would ask these gentlemen what they which hon. member shall speak next. I mean by the term 'democracy.' Do they have never subscribed to that, even while mean Chartism or Communism or I was a member of the Government, and Republicanism? If so, I never was, I am I do not intend to subscribe to it in the not now, nor do I ever intend to be, a future. If I want to exercise my right to democrat." speak on a matter, I expect the Speaker or Mr. Aikens: Who said that? the Chairman to catch my eye. If he does not do so on the first occasion, he will have Mr. WALSH: Peter Lalor. to take notice of me when I persist in rising to indicate that I want to speak, and the Mr. Aikens: The bloke from the Eureka same goes for any other hon. member. That Stockade? is important. I know that the arrangement Mr. W ALSH: He went on- made between the Whips is supposed to be for the more orderly conduct of the House. " But if a democrat means opposition to The Premier, with his long experience here. tyrannical press, a tyrannical people, or a knows that sometimes an hon. member who tyrannical government, then I have ever had not intended to speak feels obliged to been, I am stilL and will ever remain, a do so in the face of statements that have democrat." been made during the debate. It could hap­ Mr. Aikens: When are you going to pen that an hon. member of this House, draw the £5 prizes? I have had my dinner. whether a member of the A.L.P., Q.L.P .. Country Party, or Liberal Party, was away Mr. WALSH: The hon. member for in his electorate, and he could come back and Townsville South thinks that he himself find that all the time had been taken up. might be proposed and elected as Speaker. Mr. Hanlon: He should not expect to walk Mr. Aikens: I want to be surgical registrar in and claim precedence over people who or auditor at Townsville. That will do me. have been in the House all the time waiting to speak. Mr. W ALSH: The Speaker of the House of Commons dissociates himself entirely from Mr. YfALSH: The hon. member may have the political parties in the House of Com­ somethmg there. However, I shall not go into mons, and from all clubs and all organisa­ that because I am fairly regular in my tions-- attendance here. Anyhow, I am not going to Mr. Bennett: You said all this before. abuse anybody for not being here unless he starts abusing me. Mr. WALSH: I am saying it again, and There may be another qualification too the hon. member for South Brisbane will find though not necessarily my own. The "Corns'; that he will be one of the parties who will be want to follow the banner of Peter Lalor pulled up here by the Speaker or the Chair­ and it would be interesting to hear what h~ man of Committees for tedious repetition. sai~ should be the qualifications for Speaker. Mr. Bennett: You are lucky you have not Incidentally he was a Speaker for eight years, a Speaker here now. from 1880 to 1888. He said- "The first duty of a Speaker is to be a Mr. WALSH: We have not got one; that tyrant." is it. Mr. Aikens: A tyrant? He resigns from clubs and organisations that are in any way tainted with controversial Mr. WALSH: Yes. political matters. The hon. member for Mr. Aikens: Johnno Mann must have read Townsville South has just indicated that he that. has been out dining. Mr. Aikens: And what a lovely luncheon Mr. WALSH: He continued- it was! What is more, I paid for it! "Remove him if you like, but while he is in the Chair, obey him. The Speaker is Mr. WALSH: I take it that the hon. mem­ the embodiment of the corporate honour ber feels that he is inclined towards one of of the House. He is above party." the traditions of the House of Commons, I think we would agree with the last three that is that the Speaker of the House of Com­ sentences; the other one might be question­ mons even dines alone. able; but those were the ideas of Peter Lalor. Mr. Aikens: Why? Has he got bad table Those who parade his name, particularly the manners? 18 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

Mr. WALSH: Even if he has he would I would not be taking up this attitude, Mr. not be as bad as the hon. member for Premier, had it not been for the fact that Townsville South. following the election, when you had your various party meetings, the Country Party So then I come to the point where I nom- nominated the previous Speaker, Mr. inate the hon. member for Clayfield. Fletcher, as their nominee for the position Mr. Aikens: You had better do it by name. of Speaker in this Parliament. That was fair enough; that was following the procedure Mr. WALSH: Mr. Taylor. of all parties over a long period of years, Mr. Aikens: His full name. but, a vacancy having occurred in the Cabinet due to the resignation of the hon. Mr. W ALSH: The Clerk is running this member for Fassifern, it became necessary affair and if the hon. member is trying to for the Country Party to have another meet­ tell me what are the Standing Orders covering ing. If that custom or precedent was on any this matter let me tell him that I could nom­ other basis, the member for Clayfield had a inate myself. right to this position; that is when I say his right became operative. Mr. Smith interjected. I do not say that the Premier is obliged Mr. WALSH: If I were nominated I should to do these things, but I do not like to see decline because it would mean I would this high office dragged around like a stinking have to be quiet then. I nominate the hon. carcass, as it were, by one who, after the member for Clayfield even though I do not election in 1957, actually brought into this like his politics. House a so-called Bill of Rights. Why would Mr. Dewar: He does not like yours, either. not the custom of the past be followed after Mr. Fletcher's appointment to Cabinet? If Mr. WALSH: That might be so. Outside the Country Party and the Liberal Party of any Communist who may or may not be want to fight over these things in that way in the House I put the Liberals' name next it shows that they have no respect for the on the list of those whom I do not like. authority of the position. The hon. member In all my experience of Parliament the for Clayfield, having proved himself as pos­ person who has acted as Chairman of Corn· sessing all the qualifications and the necessary mittees has succeeded to the office of Speaker bearing for this position, probably as a result when a vacancy has occurred. There have of his war service-Mr. Nicholson might been two instances in my period in the have war service; I do not know-- House of Chairmen of Committees sub­ sequently becoming_ Cabinet Ministers. The Mr. Aikens: He was not in the Sudan Chairman of Committees is recognised, not campaign with Mr. Taylor. only in Standing Orders but also under the Constitution Act, as being the logical occup­ Mr. WALSI-I: If he was not and Mr. ant of the Speaker's chair in the absence of Taylor was, I ask what the Government are the Speaker or when a vacancy occurs doing about preference to returned soldiers. because of death or resignation. In any case, I content myself with nominat­ ing Mr. Taylor, the hon. member for Clay­ During the period he has been Chairman of Committees Mr. Taylor has carried out field, for the office of Speaker of this his duties in a very dignified manner. I do Parliament. not know whether it amounts to a unity ticket I move- or not, or whether, if he fails on this first round, he will be given the second plum of "That Mr. Harold Bourne Taylor do Chairman of Committees. During his term take the chair of the House as Speaker." of office he has shown himself to be very tolerant. If any complaint could be made Mr. ADAIR (Cook) (2.33 p.m.): I second against him perhaps it would be that he was the nomination by the hon. member for over-tolerant in some instances. Bundaberg of Harold Bourne Taylor as Speaker of this House. In so doing, I Mr. Aikens: What about when Johnno believe Mr. Taylor has done an excellent job Mann was Chairman of Committees and you as a member of working committees and as were trying to put Hilton in the Speaker's Chairman of Committees. He was fair in chair over his head? all decisions that he had to make, and I am confident that, as Speaker of this House, he Mr. WALSH: I do not remember that. If will carry out the functions with the necessary I did not remember it and it actually hap­ dignity. pened, I would admit that I did remember it, but as it never occurred I will say nothing. Mr. TAYLOR (Clayfield) (2.34 p.m.): The As I say, the hon. member for Clayfield car­ obligation is now upon me to say whether or ried out his duties as Chairman of Com­ not I decline the nomination. I have heard mittees with satisfaction to this House. As a great deal of the situation that prevails a matter of _fact, I know the Premier him­ in the House at this time when there is no self has pubhcly stated that Mr. Taylor gave Speaker or Chairman. Any member can rise great service in his capacity as Chairman of and say what he likes and can continue for Committees. as long as he likes, and jump up again for Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 19 a second or a third time. I listened atten­ accept nomination and in doing so has exer­ tively to the mover. He did not say very cised his right under the Standing Orders. much about me other than to praise me for In the course of his speech he said that he which I thank him. ' had consulted someone in the Labour ranks. I should like the hon. member for Mr. Taylor: I did not say "in the Labour Murrumba, the Government nominee, to ranks." take note of the fact that the hon. member for Bundaberg admitted that I had made no Mr. WALSH: Well, a Labour man. approach to him and that there was no Mr. Taylor: A man with Labour arrangement between us that he would experience. nominate me. Mr. WALSH: He then said that this per­ I have not asked any hon. member to son described the nominator of a second nominate me and I have not sought a vote Government member as a rat. fro~ any hon .. member, but I have sought adv1ce as I beheve that points of view· other Mr. Taylor: Not the nominator. I would than those held personally by a person should be the rat if I accepted nomination in such be considered. I asked for the advice of a circumstances. man who has close association with the Labour movement. I told him of the situa­ Mr. WALSH: I misunderstood the hon. tion in which I found myself as I saw it. member. There was not much I could say, but I said t

the mover and seconder to the chair. Speak­ question was resolved at that hour by the ing from the dais, he said: I thank you for action of a gentleman in declining to accept the privilege of electing me to this very high nomination for the office. office. I have been in this Assembly for more than Honotl;able Members: Hear, hear! 20 years and I do not recall a situation similar to that which confronted us today, Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough­ inasmuch as, preceding the convening of Premier) (2.43 p.m.): It is with great pleasure this meeting in the Chamber this afternoon, that I offer you my congratulations on behalf the Press was full of reports that there had of the Government and myself on your been a grave disruption in the Government election to the high office of Speaker. There parties because of their inability to resolve is no doubt that you will discharge the very many problems, in particular that of selecting onerous duties associated with the Speaker­ a nominee for the Speakership. Considerable ship with credit to yourself and justice to all credence was given to that Press speculation members, and to the satisfaction of all mem­ by reason of the fact that not one, not two, bers during the session of this House. I have not three. but at least half a dozen people been in this House for quite a number of from both sections of the Government parties years and I have seen a number of Speakers saw fit to contact hon. members on this side elected. I have never been more pleased, in of the House as to their reactions if certain all my life, to see a Speaker elected, not­ alternative action were taken for the nomi­ withstanding the rather tortuous proceedings nee as Speaker. to get you into the chair today. I could well understand the Premier's relief when he rose to offer his congratulations to I appreciate, as was said by your nomina­ you and his saying that for him a period of tor, that you have the capabilities and the anxiety had ended and that in his Ion)! qualifications to be a Speaker fit to follow in association with Parliament he could not the very high traditions set in this House by recall any previous announcement of the the successive Speakers occupying that high election of a Speaker that he could receive office over the years. You have a great with more relief than today. Knowing the responsibility. It is your responsibility to background, I can appreciate his anxiety and maintain the dignity of this Parliament and his disquiet. see that the name of this Parliament is held highly by the people of the State. It is our And I want to compliment the hon. mem­ responsibility as members of this Chamber to ber for Clayfield on the manner in which ensure that we assist you in your endeavours he declined nomination. He made no bones to maintain dignity and decorum in the about it that he had fought a losing fight. Chamber. He said that he had fought this fight to the point of a secret ballot in the Caucuses We realise that Parliamentary government of the Government parties. is being challenged today and the best way to Remember, too, that the present Premier, undermine the prestige of Parliament and par­ at one stage in the life of the previous liamentary government is to fail to conduct Parliament, sought to introduce a Bill ourselves in a manner in keeping with the of Rights and, when this and other allied high traditions of a British Parliament. I internal problems of the Government parties am sure that, with your lead, all hon. mem­ came up and they were asked to exercise a bers will do their best to maintain the tradi­ secret vote in the Caucus, he refused to tions of Parliament and to see that when this exercise the privilege in his capacity of Parliament comes to its end, as it will do President of that Caucus. under the Constitution of the State, it will go down as one that has done nothing to So this has been an extremely complex undermine the high traditions of parliamen­ occasion. Very many complex problems have tary government in Queensland. been resolved here today. It is the first time in my personal experience as a parlia­ This is not a time to make long speeches, mentarian that there has not been unanimity but, on behalf of the Government and on in the choice of a prospective Speaker. We my own behalf, I heartily congratulate you have heard a lot of discussion-and academic on your election. I know I speak for all discussion-on the great obligations of hon. members when I say I am certain that Speaker that you are now called upon to everyone will do his best to assist you in the assume. We have had from the hon. member onerous duties you will be called upon to per­ for Windsor an historical survey of the form. great traditions of the office and mention has been made of the reluctance of hon. members Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ to come forward and assume the obligations Leader of the Opposition) (2.47 p.m.): Mr. of Speakership, and when one thinks of all Speaker, I suppose you would regard 2.45 this academic claptrap and associates it with p.m. on 23 August, 1960, as being the manoeuvrings that have gone on behind the culminating time of the tensest and the scenes, one must express a great dis­ most frustrating and nervous periods of appointment that we cannot say that you your political career, because until that came here, like so many of your predecessors time you did not know whether or not on the unanimous vote and with the good you would be Speaker of this Assembly. The will of everybody. Election of Speaker (23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 21

I shall have something to say on the per­ rules relating to procedure. Notwithstanding sonal level later on, if you will not take that, he then nominated him for the office exception to it. I am dealing now with not of Chairman of Committees, which to me merely the person of Nicholson but the seemed to be a rather unusual way-- nominee for the office of Speaker. I want Mr. Walsh: Don't misconstrue what I to go further on this occasion and say that said. I have long been a strong defender of the privileges of Parliament and the privileges Mr. DUGGAN: The hon. member said of Parliamentarians. I have in the past risen he did not like his politics, and then he said in this Assembly to defend members of the politics did not matter very much. I have then Opposition because in one or two some difficulty in understanding those argu­ instances questions of their own personal ments. He said he was not concerned about Parliamentary privilege were involved. politics, yet he then nominated the hon. Wherever I have been, I have always been member for Southport. a strong defender of the rights of people to Mr. Walsh interjected. express themselves in a proper constitutional way. There is no doubt that strong pressure Mr. DUGGAN: If the hon. member was was exercised on this occasion, and I go so half as wise as I am, he would not have far as to say that the pressure was so strong made the silly damn speech he made today. that Mr. Taylor was told that if he chose to For my part, it is all right if he makes more fight the decision his endorsement for appoint­ of them. A majority of 17 is very slender, ment as Chairman of Committees would be and with speeches of that type there would be withdrawn. I say quite definitely and no need for us to accept the suggestion of the emphatically that that threat was made to hon. member for Brisbane about going to Mr. Taylor. Something was said about Bundaberg in great force, because those power politics. I know of no occasion where speeches will do more to undermine that they have been used more ruthlessly or more majority than anything that will be said from scientifically than they have on this occasion this side of the House. by members of the Government parties. In my own personal experience-in a pri­ 1\'lr. Dewar: Pure rot! vate capacity, in a military capacity, and in a parliamentary capacity-! have been in a Mr. DUGGAN: The hon. member is a position to enjoy sometimes minor, sometimes good judge of that sort of thing. major, privileges. I hope I have used those Then we had the extraordinary spectacle privileges intelligently and fairly. On every occasion that I have seen the withdrawal of presented by the hon. member for Townsville a privilege it has been invariably because of South. To us. of course. it was not unusual its abuse. In New South Wales there was a for him to seek this opportunity of using time when members of Parliament were per­ the right, which is his as a member of this mitted to attend theatres upon presentation Assemblv on an occasion such as this, to of their gold passes. I do not know whether unburden himself of some views on subjects that practice has ever existed in Queensland. in which he is closely interested. Considering I spoke to the manager of the Theatrical his propensity for speaking on every possible Guild in New South Wales and he told me occasion and his interest in this matter, I that the privilege had been withdrawn think that todav he exercised more restraint because some members of Parliament had than is customarY for him, and I think we tried to make themselves popular with their can say in all fairness, perhaps, that he did constituents by inviting people to attend not have an opportunity of dealing with this six or seven theatres in Sydney on the one matter under other appropriate headings of evening. In every case I know of where a the Standing Orders. I have no quarrel with democratic practice operates any withdrawal the hon. member for Townsville South. He of privilege is because there has been an was brief, logical, and succinct; he made his abuse of it. The hon. member for Bunda­ point and sat down. berg knows better than anyone else that Mr. Aikens: I had to say it then or I could executive or administrative actions taken by not say it during the rest of the life of this the previous Government were used on many Parliament. occasions to impose probably harsh penal­ ties on people who had not committed any Mr. DUGGAN: I acknowledged that. breach at all merely because some person Then we had the extraordinary spectacle had abused some privilege. of the hon. member for Bundaberg engaging The hon. member spoke about the menace in a marathon speech extending over almost of Communism. On behalf of myself, and on two hours. Again I say that I have no quarrel behalf of everybody behind me, I point out with the hon. member for Bundaberg exer­ that we take second place to no-one in our cising his right to address us on this occasion, loyalty to the Crown and the Queen, and in but his subjects embraced everything from our repugnance to Communism. We are the fact that he did not like the politics of aware of the menace of Communism in Aus­ the hon. member for Clayfield to the fact that tralia. Half of the people who talk about he did not even like him as Chairman this menace are doing the very thing that they because on one occasion he rebuked a former accuse others of doing. If they were sincere member of this House for transgressing the Labour people they could do more to defeat 22 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

Communism by remaining loyal to the A.L.P. to realise that you must exercise some than by trying to create disunity and bring temperate feelings and that when you exer­ about division in the ranks of people outside. cise your powers of authority in due course That is the device the Fascists and Com­ you will do so not only with that experience munists have used. They divide gradually. behind you but with the knowledge that you Naturaily if you are a divided force it makes are upholding the high traditions and dignity it much easier for those who are opposed to of this office. you. While I am Leader of the Australian Labour Party we shaii have nothing to be I thmk the office of Speaker should be ashamed of in our stand against Communism. long preserved in this country. I hope all We are opposed to it-utterly opposed to it. democratic inst~tutions will be long preserved and that all of us who .are honoured to I say here and now, when it is proper remain members of this Assembly will be that you, Mr. Speaker, as custodian of our conscious of our obligations to the people rights and privileges, should be told that in and to the nation. If we concentrate on those this Opposition you will find an Opposition obligations, we can always revere and respect loyal to you and your office as Queen's the office of Speaker in Parliament. representative, and we shaH do all we can to defend this democratic system of Hon. K • .J. MORRIS (Mt. Coot-tha-Minis­ Government. ter for Labour and Industry) (3.2 p.m.): I take the opportunity as Leader of the Liberal Party If I were Premier I should be tempted to and as a partner-a happy partner-in the curb the abuses that were obvious this morn­ coalition Government to congratulate you, ing. With the possible exception of the Mr. Nicholson, on your elevation to the high reference to Mr. Justice Wanstall, every office of Speaker. I hope you will have a subject matter could have been covered in very happy occupancy of the office. I know the Budget debate or the debate on the it is never an easy one but I feel sure you motion for the adoption of the Address-in­ will carry out your task with your usual Reply. People who talk about the need to retain these democratic privileges should ability. remember that it is hard to retain them I do deplore one or two aspects of this when they are abused, and I think they were debate. I refer first of ail to a statement abused today. I have no personal quarrel by the Leader of the Opposition when he with the hon. member for Bundaberg. We chose-I hope innocently-to misrepresent were colleagues for a period and in many a comment that was made by the Premier. ways I regret the severance of personal rela­ No doubt, the Premier did say that this was tions. But I have been the subject of cam­ an election he was pleased to have concluded. paigns that have been stronger and more The purpose of it, of course, was that it is violent than those complained of by other not often that we have been so unhappily victims and I do not forget and forgive the situated as to listen to so much irrelevant things done to me personaily. But when we nonsence from a senior member so far as hear such references to the withdrawal of a years of service are concerned. man from this Assembly, a man who made a contribution to the Government of the State, I think all of us are pleased to see and who had a reputation for having a keen that the normal procedures of Parliament, analytical mind, I am not able to under­ under which advantage cannot be taken of stand it. unusual circtm1stances, have been !!'esumed Let me get back to remarks of a more per­ and that from this time onward debates will sonal nature. Now that the conflict between be controlled in the normal manner. That your own parties has been resolved, we offer was the reason for the Premier's pleasure, you, Mr. Speaker, our best wishes for a and I can assure him that all hon. members happy and successful period of office. We on this side of ,the House join with him in heard a great deal about the rights of hon. his pleasure that that unpleasant incident has members. Your nominator said that the been concluded. most junior member has the same rights as If the Leader of the Opposition can see the most senior member. I hope it will be something sinister in the fact that, when your desire as far as reasonably possible to there is an opportunity for promotion, see that that procedure and policy are fol­ several people are interested in the possibility lowed on all occasions. You have an exact­ of promotion, it seems to be quite ridiculous. ing task. Certainly, you do not bring to the office of Speaker long years of experience in He has served in a Government for many the chair, but you are a person who is I years, and no doubt he has participated on many occasions in scuffles for office and think, a quick thinker. You are a per~on who has been in more than your fair share good luck to him; I do not blame him in of affray and political battle in your own the least for that. No doubt he knows, as party before you got to this controversial post well as we all do, that when there is oppor­ of Speaker. tunity for promotion, especially acceptable promotion, it is natural that more than one I think you know that all sovts of problems person should be interested. If a man will arise but I feel sure that, although you has :JJny ambition at all, it comes to ,the have not had any experience in the chair, surface with this type of promotion. It can you have had enough experience in Caucus be seen in this sphere, in t,he army and Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 23 everywhere else. It is something tJha,t human As the Speaker is the symbol of Parlia­ nacture is heir to, and I think it is a good ment, some thought should be given to adopt­ thing that it is. · ing the practice in the Mother of Parliaments. I think it would be of advantage. It would I compliment the hon. member for Clay­ ensure to a greater degree the strict impar­ field on his very excellent comments when tiality that we expect from a person holding telling us quite freely and frankly where he the exalted office of Speaker. stood. Although I think we should adopt that The hon. member for Bundaberg in his practice, I realise that it will not come about long diatribe--mo~tly uninteresting--chose to in my time. I will not be a starter for the make some personal reference to several position of Speaker. Nevertheless it should hon. members on this side, to me among be considered and I think it could be adopted others. I shall answer those statements at a with advantage. more appropriate time and I look forward to The manoeuvrings that have occurred the opportunity of doing so. When I give throw light on the rights and privileges and, the facts, perhaps the hon. member for shall I say, the peculiarities of the Parlia­ Bundaberg will be gracious enough to apolo­ mentary system. Each has a purpose. We gise. I hope he is man enough to do so. cherish those things, although at time some The other matter is a much more serious hon. members may be irked by Parliamentary one. He chose to say some things that were procedures that may be followed, perhaps completely untrue, completely unfair, and not frequently but in the unusual circum­ completely out of character for most hon. stances as they exist today. Every member is entitled to exercise his personal rights. I members of Parliament. He made insinua­ think it is a good thing in some respects. tions against a judge of the Supreme Court of At least it relieves the monotony that is some­ Queensland. I think he said that this member times associated with rigid party politics. of the judiciary had corrupted his office. I For that reason I like to see a member may be speaking quietly, but I am speaking exhibit a little individuality and pursue his with a great deal of sincerity. I know the r'ights when the occa$on presents itself. gentleman to whom the hon. member for However. as the Premier mentioned, it is Bundaberg has referred. There is no finer not the time for long speeches. or more upright gentleman in Queensland than the judge whose character has been Matters of a topical nature have been attacked by a person who is infinitely his mentioned in this debate. I do not propose junior in capacity and all the decencies of to touch on them on this occasion, but J life. I resent the hon. member's remarks. certainly propose to have something to say, I do not intend to -prolong the debate, but objectively, when the proper time arises. I I must register my very deep resentment. congratulate you again, Mr. Speaker, and I wish you very sincerely a happy term in On behalf of the hon. members of my your exalted office. party, I sincerely congratulate you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to serving many Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) (3.12 years under you in this Chamber. p.m.) : As leader of the only "dinkum" and undivided Labour Party in Queensland and as Hon. P. J. R. HILTON (Carnarvon) (3.6 a member of this House who received more p.m.): On behalf of the Queensland Labour votes than any other member, with the pos­ Party I extend to you, Mr. Speaker, very sible exception of Mr. Donald, who now sincere congratulations on election to your occupies one of the Ipswich seats, I should high office. I am confident that you will like to say something about your well-merited acquit yourself in a very creditable manner. elevation to the Speakership. I heard quite a lot from the Leader of the Opposition and It cannot be denied that a great deal of the hon. member for Bundaberg about party manoeuvring took place on the election manoeuvrings, back-scratching, and coat­ of Speaker on this occasion. In this and tail-pulling prior to your selection. I see other Parliaments of Australia the Speaker­ nothing wrong with it. If you belong to a ship is aligned with the Party system, and so party, as the hon. member for Carnarvon we can always expect manoeuvring both so truthfully pointed out, every member of within the Government Party or coalition of that party has a right to aspire to office, parties. It will always be so unless the Par­ and each party has its own method of selec­ liaments of Australia adopt the system that tion of those who are going to be political is recognised and, I think, highly cherished leaders. It happens in the Labour Party. by all political parties in England where the Anyone listening to the Leader of the Speaker is entirely apart from the party­ Opposition would think this never happened political sphere, and is not opposed in election in the Labour Party. When there was a to office. Unless that system is adopted, we vacancy in the Labour Party, there was can always expect party fights and party always intrigue. There was much intrigue manoeuvrings. If the parties in this House in the Labour Party after the last election ever decide to adopt the sound policy of the for the humble office of Whip, when the hon. Mother of Parliaments, the tussle for the member for Maryborough was successful in job will be much greater than on this putting the skids under Billy Baxter. I have occasion. nothing to say about that, because that is 24 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker

the party system. We know there is much are applicable to every other hon. member manoeuvring and touching one another on and that there would be a room at the Lodge the shoulder and saying, "Are you going to for me if I wanted it. I told the late Mr. vote for me, or aren't you?" Cooper that, as I had already told the Speaker that he could put the room at the I interjected when the hon. member for Bundaberg was speaking and said that in the Lodge where the workhouse foreman was told to put the Christmas pudding, I would past the Chairman of Committees has auto­ remain at Marr's. and I have been there matically gone up into the Speakership. I will repeat my interjection in case the ever since. "Hansard" writers did not get it. I can well When you hear talk of the protection of remember that when the hon. member for political minorities in the Chamber, Mr. Brisbane was Chairman of Committees­ Speaker, bear in mind that, when I came after the 1947 elections. I think-there was into Parliament in 1944. it was to see the a determined move bv the Walsh faction-he last six vears of the shocking persecution was not even in the party; he had been of the late Frank Barnes, and I myself suf­ defeated for Mirani-to supplant the hon. fered, in this Chamber and out of it, much member for Brisbane as Chairman of of that persecution. And if I enjoy any Committees with the late George Devries, privileges in this Chamber, and if I am now and the hon. member for Brisbane iust made treated on an equal basis with every other the grade by 18 votes to 17. - hon. member, as I am entitled to be, then ir is because I refused to be browbeaten and Later on, when the hon. member for Bris­ persecuted by Speakers in the past. bane was still Chairman of Committees and the hon. member for Bundaberg had returned Mr. Chalk: Who gave you a broom to this Assembly, the hon. member for cupboard? Bundaberg was the mainspring in a con­ spiracy in the event of the death of the then Mr. AIKENS: There was an instance! The ailing Speaker, the late Mr. Brassington, to put hon. member for Brisbane, when he was the hon. member for Carnarvon right over the Speaker, put me out of a room that I occu­ head of the hon. member for Brisbane, pied downstairs and, in my absence and with­ straight into the Speaker's chair, leaving the out my authority or consent, shifted all my hon. member for Brisbane as the Chairman belongings into a room down at the bottom of Committees. end of the George Street corridor. The first thing I had to remove from that room was a I have mentioned those cases merely to box of sawdust and the next was a sign, show that this manoeuvring goes on in all '·Please adjust your dress before leaving." political parties. Hon. members are all That is the sort of treatment I got. tarred with the one brush so far as I can see, and no hon. member has the right to I will say this for the former Speaker, Mr. cry "Stinking fish" at another. Fletcher-that he decided to shift me, the hon. member for Burdekin and another hon. We heard the hon. member for Windsor, member into another room that was pre­ one of our legal luminaries in the Chamber­ viously occupied by Mr. Richter and Mr. probably the dimmest-speak about the Ewan, but before he removed any belong­ Speaker of this Parliament protecting the ings he wired me for my permission to do so. rights of the political minority. I can speak He sent me a prepaid telegram, probably with a lot of feeling on that subject because knowing that if he had not I would have when I came into this Assembly in 1944 no sent the reply collect. I gave him my rights were given to me. gracious permission to shift my belongings Mr. Mann: I looked after you. from the broom cupboard to the new room and I suggested that he also shift the elec­ Mr. AIKENS: The hon. member for Bris­ tricity point, the radiator, and the fan, which bane was not even in the hunt. He was only he did. the Chairman of Committees. Believe it or not, I was even refused the main traditional Mr. Mann: I gave you all those. privilege of all country members; I was Mr. AIKENS: The hon. member did not refused accommodation at the Parliamentary give us all those at all. He gave us nothing. Lodge. I was told that the Lodge was fully In fact, he gave us the other room and, as occupied. The Labour Speaker told me it I said at the time, he gave the messenger was full up-full up of Tories representing certain instructions. If necessary we can country electorates, full up of Labour men bring the messenger to the Bar of the House representing country electorates, but there was to tell us about those instructions. They no room for me. Consequently, I had to go were to put Aikens and Coburn in the room and seek accommodation at Marr's Guest at the end of the corridor, and the mes­ House, where I have stayed in the 16 years senger, in all good faith and decency, put that I have been a member of this House. us in the room at the end of the George In all fairness to the then Premier, the Street corridor, whereas what the hon. late Frank Cooper, about six weeks later he member for Brisbane meant was to give us heard of what had happened to me and came the room at the end of the Alice Street and told me that, while I was a member of corridor. That is where he tried to put us. this Assembly, I would have made available You have been in the House for 10 years, to me all the privileges and concessions that Mr. Speaker, and you have seen how I have Election of Speaker [23 AUGUST] Election of Speaker 25 had to fight to retain for myself even the Mr. W ALSH: It does not matter. There meagre rights and privileges that were grudg­ is procedure to be followed. If the Chair­ ingly granted to me by a succession of man did not hear it, he should resist an Speakers, and by others, and I will continue attempt by any hon. member to influence him. to fight. I do not think I will have to fight Mr. Windsor: How could he stop it if he very hard against you any more than I had did not hear it? to against Mr. Fletcher, because you have an innate sense of decency and honesty and Mr. WALSH: The hon. member does not fairness. But I want to remind you that, if know much about it. The Speaker or the you care to try to do what some of the Chairman of Committees must hear the hon. previous Speakers have done-if you think member before he can take action against that you can persecute and intimidate me­ him. In this case the Chairman of Com­ you are 1velcome to have a go. mittees admitted that he had knowledge of it and that he acted 24 hours later. All I want from this House are the same The statement was made by the Minister rights and the same privileges as every other for Labour and Industry that I had charged hon. member who has been elected to serve a judge with corrupting his office. I made no in this Assembly. I shall be honest. The such statement. hon. member for Brisbane used to give me a fair deal from the Chair once in a while. Mr. Morris: Yes, you did. That was until the then bosses of the A.L.P., led by the hon. member for Bundaberg, and Mr. WALSH: The Minister can have it others, made him put the screw on me. It is his way. I said that the judge broke all the all very well for him to pose as a knight in ethics of his profession prior to his appoint­ shining armour. Like hell he is! The moment ment to the bench by travelling to Boonah in "Big Ted," as he called him, used to put the the way in which he did. The hon. gentle­ screw on him and say, "Clamp down on man has the capacity for distorting, but he Aikens," he had to do it. I will let the dead is not going to get away with that statement. past bury its dead. As far as I am concerned, I have risen in my place because I have the I will seek no more than any other member opportunity to combat it now. gets. That is all I ask-no more, but no less. Now that you have been appointed, Mr. Speaker, you have all the obligations of I think, Mr. Speaker, that you and I are administering the functions of this House. going to get along all right, but as I said in Let us get back to where they used to be, par­ my first speech in the House-a good thing ticularly the strict supervision over the prop­ will bear repetition-"! came here to fight erty of this House. I can remember when anybody and everybody. My hand is against the dining-room had in it some of the finest every man. Every man's hand is against cedar tables in this House. I could not tell me. I ask no quarter and I will give none. you where they are now, nor do I know I am prepared to fight you under Marquis whether anybody else can. There are of Queensbury rules, but if you like to fight many other instances where property under Rafferty's rules, you can have it any has been removed from the House. way you like." I know it is a bit late to be talking about it now because it probably did not occur in this Government's time, but I am pointing out the Mr. WALSH (Bundaberg) (3.23 p.m.): I need for stricter supervision. probably should have allowed the opportunity to pass by saying that I endorsed the remarks Do not let the architects ruin this building. of the hon. member for Carnarvon in his con­ Whoever concocted the plan to install the lift gratulations to you on your election to the in its present position? I do not know how high office of Speaker but for the fact that any Government or any Speaker could allow I object to people distorting what I say. It the Department of Public Works to get away seems that we still have some freedom and with it. Parliament House, together with the democracy since the election of a Speaker, Treasury and Executive Buildings, is one of because the discussion has been fairly wide the architectural monuments of the State. since then. I wish to say to the Leader of Apparently it was thought desirable to the Opposition that I did not take exception spend a few thousand pounds on a lift in to the hon. member for Clayfield acting in Parliament House-for whom, I do not know. his position as Chairman of Committees in I realise that the staff on the upper floor connection with a matter raised by the hon. need a lift, but why employ a full-time lift member for South Brisbane. I objected to attendant who does almost nothing all day? his having acted on a Press report instead of acting on the day the incident occurred. I Mr. Aikens: Where would you have put think my statement on that matter will be the lift? accepted by every sensible hon. member. If a Speaker or a Chairman of Committees Mr. WALSH: At the end of the ground level can act immediately and spontaneously to where the ministerial cars pull up. I realise deal with a matter. there is no reason why it that the expenditure on the roof had to be should be raised 24 hours hence or 12 months considered, but Parliament House is a build­ hence. ing to be architecturally preserved. While so much money is being spent in the interior of Mr. Windsor: He did not hear it that day. the building somebody should have a look to 26 Election of Speaker [ASSEMBLY] Election of Speaker see what is required for the protection of its whole, will be the first to back any movement exterior. It looks to me as if the Liberal that has for its object the defeat of this influence became evident in the choice of the menace to our democracy. blue carpet on the dais and the dull-looking I eJCtend my congratulations to you in carpet on the floor of the Chamber. It was your new position. I hope you have a dull enough before; it is much duller now. successful term. If there are occasions when By the extreme red colour selected for the old we have to object to your rulings, I per­ Legislative Council Chamber it looks as if sonally shall exercise my right qt all times they are getting ready for the takeover. It to object to any ruling that I think is not seems strange to me that a carpet that was in accordance with the Standing Orders. or good enough to be used when entertaining practices and procedure of the Mother of royalty-Her Majesty the Queen and the Parliaments, or in any attempt by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954 and the Queen Government to bulldoze you into going their Mother later-should have to be replaced way. I shall take every opportunity to now at considerable expense. All this money resist that, too. is being spent on Parliament House when people outside are begging for finance to Mr. SPEAKER: I thank hon. members for build schools, houses, police stations, etc. the kindly words and expressions that they Surely the Government could have suffered have used in congratulating me on my the previous interior colours a little longer. elevation to this very high and honourable At the same time I agree that it is desirable position. I have taken due note of the that some money should be spent on Parlia­ suggestions put forward, both prior to and ment House. since my election. While on this subject, I express the hope During the course of this discussion or that the Building Committee, as appointed by debate, as it may be termed, history has this Parliament, will not have its functions been delved into somewhat and I think it is taken entirely out of its hands. Very strict worthy of note that the election of Speaker action on your part is necessary if you are in 1912 was the only other previous occasion, to make yourself felt about the place and to I am led to believe, when a similar situation ensure that the traditions and privileges of arose. It centred on Mr. Forsyth, who was Parliament are maintained as they should be. then the hon. member for Murrumba. That is worthy of note, gentlemen. I have no desire to go into the other I am deeply conscious of the duties matters raised by the Leader of the Opposi­ entailed in this high office and of those tion. I exercised my right to speak about illustrious men who have held it. Two of Communism. All I asked him to do, as I them are still hon. members of this have asked everybody else to do, was to give Parliament. I will. no doubt. feel that I some definite evidence of a real fight against have the critical eye of both of those gentle­ Communism. It is no good saying what men on me while I am carrying out my somebody else is doing, or talking about the duties, but I do pray that I shall be given the damage caused by anti-Communism. I know wisdom and strength to carry out the duties many people who have never identified them­ of this office according to the established selves with an attack on Communism. I do customs of democratic Parliament. not want the Leader of the Opposition to say that there is a sincere drive against Commun­ I am not unmindful of the fact that to ism within the Labour movement when we err is human. If I err and am not correct have such evidence as Frank Waters getting in my judgment I shall be the first to recog­ back on the Q.C.E. and the decision made at nise my fault; I shall not try to bluster or the Federal conference that prevents members bluff my way through, simply because I of the A.L.P. from organising as a group of occupy an office of authority. It has been Labour men in the fight against Communism proved in the past that authority can be within trade unions. That is my complaint. abused. The hon. member for Townsville [f the Leader of the Opposition wishes to South has thrown the gauntlet into the ring, take a lead in this matter apart from his so I say this: If he is prepared to abide by political affiliations, I am quite happy to the Rules and the Standing Orders of this associate with him or anybody else. I Parliament he has nothing to fear from the remember in the days when I was organising Chair. the Groups here on a different basis from Mr. Aikens: I am right. the other States people objected because a trade unionist, as a member of the Protestant Mr. SPEAKER: I shall carry out my Labour Party, had identified himself with a duties to the utmost of my ability and I group in a fight against Communism. I told shall endeavour to discharge them with strict them I was not concerned about his religion impartiality. Being conscious of my imper­ or his politics. All I was concerned about fections, I look forward to the co-operation was that he was, firstly, anti-Communist, and of hon. members in carrying out our secondly, a bona fide trade unionist. We Parliamentary duties, yours and mine. With cannot fight Communism on a sectional basis. your assistance and my endeavours I am sure That is why I make the plea to you, Mr. that Parliament and the high and honourable Speaker. I know that you, in your position position that I now occupy will lose none of which has the authority of Parliament as a their former lustre. I thank you all. Governor's Opening Speech [24 AUGUST] Governor's Opening Speech 27

PRESENTATION OF MR. SPEAKER Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough­ Premier): I desire to inform hon. members that His Excellency the Governor will receive the House for the purpose of presenting Mr. Speaker to His Excellency at Govern­ ment House this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Such hon. members as care to do so are invited to accompany Mr. Speaker to Government House.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough­ Premier): I move- "That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until 11.57 a.m. tomorrow." Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 3.38 p.m.