Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1970

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Ministerial Statement (8 SEPTEMBER] Ministerial Statement 517

TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 1970 Today we are confronted with a situation where subversive elements in our midst, who owe allegiance to other ideologies and countries, are trying to force their views on Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, freedom-loving men, women and children. Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair We have a position where children and at 11 a.m. grandchildren of men who fought and died to preserve our democratic way of life in PAPERS Australia, and the things that we hold dear, are being denied these rights by a small The following paper was laid on the table, group of anarchists. and ordered to be printed:- Unfortunately, some people are led into Report of the Acting Chief Inspector of supporting their undemocratic activities Factories and Shops for the year through ignorance of the true position. Those 1969-70. who are organising the moratorium and those The following papers were laid on the who participate in it will, in fact, be engaged table:- in a blatant sabotage not only of the sacrifices being made by Australian troops in Vietnam Orders in Council under­ but of the principles and ideals that most Water Act 1926--1968. Australians hold dear. The Irrigation Acts, 1922 to 1965. It is the declared intention of these Com­ The Harbours Acts, 1955 to 1968. munist-inspired activities to halt business and City of Brisbane Act 1924-1969. cause chaos in our community. While there are provisions for reasonable and lawful Regulation under the Irrigation Acts, means of expressing disagreement, the Gov­ 1922 to 1965. ernment will not condone breaches of the law By-law under the Dental Acts, 1902 to and acts that deprive other citizens of their 1961. lawful rights. Recommendations formulated by the Law Let me emphasise also that the Com­ Reform Commission in relation to-- missioner of Police and his officers have the full support of my Government in the stand (a) Amendments to the Criminal Code they will take to carry out their instructions concerning abolition of the distinction to uphold law and order. It is rather strange between wilful murder and murder; that the moratorium organisers not onty (b) Amendments to the Common Law want to demonstrate publicly but want, at Practice Acts, 1876 to 1964 concerning the same time, to obstruct and deprive other illegitimate children. citizens of their democratic rights and freedoms. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The intentions of the organisers and those participating in the moratorium are clear. UNIVERSITY AND VIETNAM MORATORIUM They are not planning to protest publicly DEMONSTRATIONS against the blatant acts of international crime such as the invasion of Cambodia or the Hon. J, BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah murder of thousands of people by the Viet -Premier) (11.4 a.m.), by leave: Because a Cong and their supporters in South Vietnam situation of some gravity, arousing con­ and the countries that surround it. They considerable public concern, has emerged in do not protest against the Viet Cong's slayings the past few days, it is my intention this of unprotected orphan children, of which morning to inform the House of the Govern­ the world learnt with horror only last month. ment's firm attitude to lawless incidents which Do these murderous activities of the Com­ occurred on the university campus last week munist Viet Cong have the support of the and to the moratorium activity set down moratorium organisers, whose insidious for 18 September. One of the campus methods and propaganda are really aimed incidents resulted in violence being used by at the people and Governments of this State some so-called radical students and their and nation? Their attitude in this regard non-university associates against the repre­ stands condemned. It is not only deplorable sentatives of law and order. but quite unacceptable that the citizens of Right at the outset, I say firmly and this great democratic community of Australia unequivocally that any repetition of this type should be subjected to the dictates of of violent activity will not be tolerated, and dedicated supporters of Communist doctrines. the full provisions of the law will be invoked where they apply. The great majority of the people in this State expect the Government to uphold the I remind hon. members that this Parlia­ law on this issue, and here and now I urge ment, our democratic institutions and our all those who do not fully appreciate and personal freedoms and liberties can only be understand the deep subversive activities safeguarded by the observance and main­ underlying the organising of this moratorium tenan~I repeat, the observance and to hesitate and reconsider before lending maintenance--of law and order. their support. These activities will have 518 Questions Upon Notice (8 SEPTEMBER] Questions Upon Notice wide repercussions, threatening the very Answer:- foundations of our democratic way of life ( I to 3) "At the request of the Manage­ if they are allowed to go unchecked. ment of the Meatworks conducted by Recently I drew attention to the presence Thomas Borthwick and Sons (A'sia) Ltd. of certain Communists in trade unions at Merinda via Bowen, the bags of some affiliated with the Australian Labour Party, employees of the meatworks were searched and today Communists are actively working in by two police from the Bowen Police association with the Queensland Trades and Station on the afternoon of August 3, Labour Council in organising moratorium I970, as it was suspected by the manage­ demonstrations in Queensland to further their ment that employees had stolen meat from own anti-Austra!ian philosophy. That is why the meatworks. I have been informed I said last week that no loyal Australian that the employees voluntarily and readily should be associated with, or participate in, opened their bags and in fact were quite this moratorium. jovial about the matter. Those carrying Mr. Aikens: It is the official policy of the large handbags inside of their large A.L.P. carrying bags opened up these bags quite willingly when requested to do so. About Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That is correct. half the number who had their bags I reiterate that this Government will stand searched were female employees of the firm and is determined to protect the rights of meatworks. There is nothing to indicate the people of this State and, at the same time, that these persons were embarrassed by maintain law and order within our State. the search. The names of the persons concerned were written in the note books of the police so that it would be known PRECEDENCE OF GOVERNMENT who had their bags searched, by whom BUSINESS ON THURSDAYS and with what result. This was not done for any reason detrimental to the persons Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah concerned. No stolen property was found -Premier): I move- in the bags of the persons searched but "That, unless otherwise ordered, Gov­ about five pounds of meat were found in ernment business do take precedence on the freezer section of the meatworks where Thursday in each week." it had obviously been discarded by some Motion agreed to. person after the search had commenced. The Commissioner of Police is issuing instructions to ensure that police exercise MARGINAL DAIRY FARMS RECON­ their power of search only on those occa­ STRUCTION SCHEME AGREEMENT sions when definite suspicion is attached BILL to a particular person or persons and that LNITIATION the customary procedure is followed when it is necessary to search females. By this Hon. V. B. SULLIVAN (Condamine­ I mean that no female should be searched Minister for Lands): I move- unless the search is carried out by another "That the House will, at its present female." sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider introducing a Bill to ratify and approve an agreement between ENFORCEMENT OF SPEED LIMITS ON the Commonwealth and the State of BRISBANE RIVER Queensland in relation to a marginal dairy Mr. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The farms reconstruction scheme." Minister for Conservation,- Motion agreed to. ( I ) Has his attention been drawn to a letter in The Courier-Mail of August 3I headed "Damage on River", wherein it QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE was stated that fast cruising speeds of PoLICE SEARCH OF EMPLOYEES' BAGS, heavy-draught vessels on the Brisbane MERINDA MEATWORKS River must be stopped? Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked The (2) Has action been taken against boat Minister for Works,- skippers who have exceeded speed limits (1) For what reason were employees of in the river and, if so, how many have Borthwicks Merinda Meatworks subject to been prosecuted in the last twelve months? police interception and search of their bags Answers:- and purses when leaving the works approxi­ (1) "Yes." mate to 4 p.m. on August 3? (2) "Warnings have been given follow­ (2) Was the name of each person ing reports of commercial river craft recorded in police officers' books, despite exceeding the speed limits close to moored nothing incriminating having been found? craft. No prosecutions have been made If so, for what reason? during the last I2 months. However, three (3) Were female employees subjected to prosecutions are pending with respect to embarrassing search by male police on this careless navigation by this type of craft occasion? If so, for what reason? on the Brisbane River." Questions Upon Notice [8 SEPTEMBER) Questions Upon Notice 519

OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL, WARWICK any compelling reason for such a move in Mr. Cory, pursuant to notice, asked The Queensland, though it has apparently, Minister for Education,- perhaps because of the relatively small area of the Australian Capital Territory, ( 1) When will the two-classroom oppor­ been found desirable there." tunity school now being built in Warwick be ready for classes? OIL SUPPLIES, TOWNSVILLE HosPITAL (2) When will a final survey be made AND PRISON to ascertain what children would be expected to attend this school? Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Health,- (3) How will the survey be conducted? ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to an ( 4) From which areas will children be article in The Townsville Daily Bulletin of permitted to attend this school? August 22, wherein it was stated that, from Answers:- time to time, water and sludge had been delivered by the oil company's tanker to the ( 1) "It is anticipated the classes will Townsville Hospital, with resultant selious begin operation from the beginning of trouble and delay to hospital activities and, 1971." if so, what action is proposed to avoid a (2) "The week October 26-30, 1970." recurrence? (3 and 4) "Four officers of the Guid­ (2) As similar trouble occurs with ance and Special Education Branch will sludge-impregnated oil delivered to the test children referred by all plimary laundry at Stuart Prison, will he confer schools, State and non-State, within an with the Minister for Justice and other approximate twenty-mile radius of War­ Ministers affected so that this selious wick. The parents of those children found problem may be dealt with at Cabinet suitable for opportunity schooling will be level? interviewed and arrangements will be made for their admission." Answers:- ( 1) "My attention has been drawn to CONTROL OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS the article referred to by the Honourable Member. The Secretary of the Towns­ Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The ville Hospitals Board has advised that this Minister for Justice,- matter has been pursued with the Oil Has his attention been drawn to an Company concerned who have recently article in The Australian of August 14, inspected the facilities at the Townsville wherein some details are given of a new Hospital and made enquilies into the com­ law gazetted by the Commonwealth plaint lodged by the Hospitals Board. The Government, instituting a stlicter conduct Board is presently awaiting further advice code for lawyers for the protection of the from the Oil Company." public and, if so, will he take similar action (2) "I would suggest that the Honour­ to protect the public of Queensland and able Member refer this matter to my also institute a single form of admission colleague, the Honourable the Minister to practice both as barrister and solicitor? for Justice." Answer:- "Yes. I have not yet been able to study SALARIES OF FOREMEN AND CLERKS, the provisions in detail but they appear to RAILWAY DEPARTMENT cover three main matters, viz.-( 1) Dis­ Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The ciplinary control of legal practitioners. Minister for Transport,- (2) A Fidelity Fund to protect clients What salary is at present received by in the event of defalcations; and (a) second-grade foremen in the railway ( 3) An amalgamation of the pro­ workshops and (b) fifth-class clerks, and fession so that all practitioners are initially what were the relative salaries in 1954? admitted as both barristers and solicitors. Queensland has always had disciplinary Answer:- control of legal practitioners though it has not the one specific body such as is "Present Salary-(a) $4,717-$4,792 apparently being set up in Canberra. I will per annum; (b) $4,340-$4,710 per annum. examine this further. Again the Common­ Salary in 1954-(a) $2,065-$2,119 per wealth proposals for a Fidelity Fund annum; (b) $1,719-$1,813 per annum." appear to be almost identical with the provisions we have had since 1927 as RoBBERY OFFENCES added to by provisions of the Legal Assist­ ance Act in relation to interest on trust Mr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked funds. There are sound arguments both The Minister for Works,- for and against the amalgamation of the How many daylight robberies were profession. Victolia has such an amalga­ reported duling the twelve month5 ended mation, but New South Wales has not. August 31 and of these how many have There does not appear at present to be been solved? 520 Questions Upon Notice [8 SEPTEMBER] Questions Upon Notice

Answer:- Answer:- "The following information is supplied "My Department has no control over in respect of undermentioned offences the use of an aerial ambulance by any committed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. ambulance centre for transportation of during the period September 1, 1969, and patients. Where the medical superin­ August 31, 1970, inclusive. tendent of a public hospital considers the condition of a patient is such that urgency Number Number is attached to his transfer to another public Reported Cleared Up hospital for specialist treatment the ------1------I Director-General of Health and Medical (1) Breaking, entering and 1,522 323 Services or his deputy may immediately stealing from dwelling houses, flats and resi­ authorise the use of the aerial ambulance dentials, and also the if he is satisfied that the patient's condition stealing from the afore­ warrants transfer by air. If the patient mentioned premises is not a contributor to an ambulance (2) Breaking, entering and 237 132 brigade and his financial circumstances stealing from premises other than dwellings. indicate assistance is necessary, this Depart­ These include shops, ment meets the costs involved." service stations, ware­ houses, factories, &c.

(3) Stealing from motor 1,079 190" NEW BLOCK, TOOWOOMBA BASE HOSPITAL vehicles Mr. Bousen, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Health,- DRINK-DRIVING OFFENCES (1) Did he see an article in The Chronicle, Toowoomba, of August 27, :Mr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked stating that a new $2 million block would The Minister for Works,- be built at the Toowoomba Base Hospital ( 1) How many motorists were arrested for the treatment of medical, pediatric, on drink-driving charges in each of the psychiatric and geriatric patients? years 1967-68, 1968-69 and 1969 to the latest available date? (2) How many beds will be made avail­ able for each type of patient and when (2) Of those arrested, how many were will building commence? found guilty and punished? (3) What was the total amount of fines Answers:­ imposed on these motorists in each of the (1) "Yes." above years? (2) "The number of beds and the type of patient to be accommodated in the pro­ Answers:- posed medical block are at present under (!) "The number of motorists charged consideration. Date of commencement of under section 16 of the Traffic Acts with building will be dependent on the time being in charge of or driving a motor involved in the preparation of necessary vehicle whilst under the influence of liquor plans and specifications and on the avail­ or a drug in each of the years 1967-68, ability of finance." 1968-69, 1969-70 were:--1967-68, 2,079; 1968-69, 3,575; 1969-70, 3,976." (2) "Of these so charged the number FIREMEN, RoCKHAMPTON FIRE BRIGADE convicted and punished were:-1967-68, Mr. Bousen, pursuant to notice, asked The 1,908; 1968-69, 3,456; 1969-70, 3,856." Minister for Labour and Tourism,- (3) "The total amount of fines imposed ( 1) How many firemen are presently on motorists charged with the above­ employed at the Rockhampton Fire Station mentioned offences in each of the years and what are their daily hours of duty? referred to is as follows:-1967-68, $380,000; 1968-69, $687,820; 1969-70, (2) Do these hours exceed the normal $785,280." rostered hours usually worked by fire­ men and, if so, how can they be expected to adequately fight a fire after so many AERIAL AMBULANCE hours of duty, particularly if the fire is Mr. Wharton, pursuant to notice, asked a major one? The Minister for Health,- In view of a need for the speediest Answers:- possible ambulance service, will he stream­ ( 1) "Apparently the honourable member line procedures in his Department so that is of the opinion that his two Australian any ambulance centre requiring an aerial Labour Party colleagues representing Rock­ ambulance for a patient may receive the hampton North and Rockhampton South necessary authority with a minimum of are not competent to look after their departmental contact? electorates. Questions Upon Notice (8 SEPTEMBER] Questions Upon Notice 521

Mr. BOUSEN: I rise to a point of order. (3) "All kindergartens maintain contact I am getting sick and tired of these facetious with the association and are aware of references by the Minister. I ask for a the requirements for affiliation. It would reasonable answer to my question. not occur that a kindergarten would apply year after year and have its application Mr. SPEAKER: Order! There is no point for affiliation rejected." of order. Answers ( contd.) :- ENROLMENTS AND TEACHERS, BRISBANE "Thirty-three firemen are employed at STATE HIGH SCHOOL the Rock.hampton Fire Station, eleven of whom are either on leave or under Mr. Baldwin, pursuant to notice, asked The training. Some firemen are working up Minister for Education,- to 61 hours per week although not all Regarding the Brisbane State High men are working overtime. Despite School- the long weekly 'on duty' period of some ( 1) What was the enrolment and the firemen, much time is spent at rest at the number of teaching staff, exclusive of station. During the last week, the firemen supply teachers, as at August 1? held their normal daily demonstration during Capricana Week and two firemen (2) At the same date, what were the worked outside the area for ten hours enrolments and teachers for each of Grades without desiring relief. In addition the 8, 10 and 12? brigade has 18 officers who work a pre­ (3) How many of the teaching staff scribed award period of 56 hours per have degrees? week." ( 4) As at August 1, how many of the (2) "I am assured by the chairman of teaching staff were (a) under 25 years and the Rockhampton Fire Brigade Board that (b) over 55 years? the firemen under the present situation can (5) At the same date, how many classes adequately and competently fight fires of had 40 or more pupils in Grades 8, 10 all types and that the duly registered and 12? industrial union, the Australian Workers' ( 6) Is his Department having difficulty Union has no objection to the present in holding teaching staff at this school? conditions of employment. Finally I am informed that Mr. Bleney, the Rock­ Answers:- hampton Branch Secretary of the unrecog­ nised Firefighters Union who was on leave ( I) "Total enrolment-August 1, 1,961; at the time of the industrial dispute has total number of full-time teachers exclud­ been employed by the Rockhampton Fire ing principal and deputy principal and Brigade since his return from leave and supply teachers, 86." has not refused to work overtime." (2) "Grade 8, 415; Grade 10, 407; Grade 12, 395; teachers are not appointed to teach specific grades." CHILD-MINDING CENTRES (3) "Number of staff with degrees, 45." Mr. Baldwin, pursuant to notice, asked The (4) "(a) Number of staff under 25 Minister for Education,- years, 11; (b) number of staff over 55 ( 1) How many child-minding centres years, 14." have made application to become official (5) "Grade 8, 2 (40 each); Grade 10, creche and kindergartens? 4 (3 of 40, 1 of 41); Grade 12, nil." (2) How many of these are expected (6) "No." to qualify by the end of this year? (3) How many of those whose applica­ PORT PHILLIP DEMOLITION ORGANISATION tions are extant have had their applica­ AND C.I.A. tions in for three years or more and what are their names? Mr. Baldwin, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- Answers:- ( 1) Will he consider having his special ( 1) "The Creche and Kindergarten squad investigate the activities and mem­ Association grants affiliation to kinder­ bers of the Port Phillip Demolition Organ­ gartens which meet its full standards. isation and the C.I.A. in Queensland? Neither the Creche and Kindergarten (2) If it is found that they are, to Association nor the Department of Educa­ any extent, the same organisation with tion are concerned with child-minding the same membership, will he give the centres." details? (2) "It is anticipated that the number Answer:- of kindergartens granted affiliation with the Creche and Kindergarten Association (! and 2) "The Honourable Member will increase from 99 in 1969-70 to 110 evidently has more knowledge than I of the in 1970-71." activities of the Port Phillip Demolition 522 Questions Upon Notice (8 SEPTEMBER] Questions Upon Notice

Organisation as my information is identical Answers:- with that provided the House last week by (1) "The operation of suburban services the Minister for Labour and Tourism. How­ is regularly reviewed and schedule ever, I have already informed the House adjustments made where necessary and this morning of the Government's views practicable." on illegal activities on and off the Uni­ versity Campus, and any further comment (2) "Yes." would be redundant."

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS, RAILWAY SMALL-BOAT HARBOUR, CAIRNS PLATFORMS AND TRAINS Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Conservation,- The Minister for Transport,- Following Cabinet's announcement in (!) As many instances have occurred August, 1969, what is the present position where people farewelling passengers on concerning the provision of a small-boat an air-conditioned train have been still on harbour at Cairns and what are the latest the train when it commenced its journey, developments and progress? has he considered any means of preventing this and possible consequential accidents Answer:- by the use of public address systems on the trains and all important platforms? "I refer the Honourable Member to my Answer to his Question on March 11, (2) Will he have those who do use 1970. Final planning of the Cairns Boat existing P.A. systems receive instruction Harbour is still in progress. At the in the correct use of a microphone? present time studies are in hand reviewing the possibility of incorporating within the Answers:- boat harbour development a preliminary ( 1) "I am unaware that there have been reclamation scheme able to be extended in many such instances. Warnings of the the long term to a major reclamation impending departure of air-conditioned scheme for tourism and real estate pur­ trains from principal stations are issued poses." and repeated by means of a public address system. It is also the responsibility of conductors to proceed through the train RAIL SERVICES TO BRISBANE EXHIBITION five minutes prior to the time of departure Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked announcing departure and requesting all The Minister for Transport,- non-passengers to leave the train." ( 1) How many passengers were carried (2) "I understand that this is the to the Brisbane Exhibition by rail in practice." 1968, 1969 and 1970? (2) How many trains were run and what amount was taken in ticket sales COMALCO AGREEMENT for the same years? Mr. Davies for Mr. Lloyd, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Mines,- Answer:- In view of the provisions of the 1957 (1 and 2)- Comalco Agreement covering the feasi­ bility of the company constructing an "Year No. of No. of Approximate aluminium smelter in Queensland and the I Trains Passengers Revenue restriction of the export of raw bauxite- $ ( 1) What were the circumstances which 1968 1,057 318,735 30,300 influenced Government approval of the 1969 1,213 275,831 24,600 company's original contract with Japanese 1970 1,280 330,640 30,600" interests to supply raw bauxite from the Weipa deposits? (2) What circumstances influenced the Government's decision to meet the cost SUBURBAN RAIL SERVICES involved in constructing the township and Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked harbour at Weipa, at a time when the company was exporting raw bauxite and The Minister for Transport,- had taken no action in the seven years ( 1) When new time-tables are being of the Agreement to commence construc­ considered this year, will he give atten­ tion of an alumina refinery in Queensland, tion to the possibility of running more but had negotiated with a consortium of frequent suburban services both during companies to accept the obligation of the and outside peak hours? company in this regard? ( 2) Will he consider the use of more (3) What are the details of Government 2000-class rail motors on suburban runs approval or otherwise of the proposal of where practicable? Comalco Industries Pty. Ltd. to export Questions Upon Notice [8 SEPTEMBER] Questions Upon Notice 523

1,200,000 tons of bauxite per annum to tons and have an output twice as large a new alumina plant on the island of as any other alumina plant in the world. Sardinia, for which Comalco Industries By persuading a number of leading world Pty. Ltd. has set up a shipping company, producers of aluminium to join together Sardanavi Societea Di Navigazione in the Gladstone Consortium (between Maritima, to transport the bauxite, with them they account for something like 35- specific reference to the rate of royalty 40 per cent. of world aluminium pro­ to be received by the Government and duction) Comalco achieved a permanent the present progress of negotiations with part for processed Queensland bauxite in the company in regard to the establish­ the world pattern of alumina consumption. ment of an aluminium smelter in Queens­ Planning for this consortium was pro­ land? ceeding in the early 1960s at a time when the Government fully endorsed the ( 4) Is Comalco Industries Pty. Ltd. a company's enterprise in catering for both partner in the Sardinia Alumina Refinery? bauxite and alumina markets and was (5) Will the proposed new alumina happy to contribute to the financing of refinery at Weipa be constructed by Com­ certain housing and harbour facilities­ alco Industries Pty. Ltd. or does the the whole cost of which is being recouped company intend to assign its rights to from the company. The policy that this this work to another company already Government has pursued has produced formed or about to be formed? developments for the State of Queensland beyond anyone's wildest expectations." Answers:- (3) "Queensland now has a reasonable (1) "The Government fully supports share of world alumina production facili­ the view that a reasonable proportion of ties. It is understood that Comalco has bauxite production should be exported, tried to persuade aluminium producers along with a reasonable balance of pro­ within the European Common Market to cessing of alumina and of primary metal. take Australian alumina but there are It does not accept the extreme view that severe limits on this because of a 9 per all mine production should be fully pro­ cent. tariff within the European economic cessed in Australia, or that companies community. There are special problems should be compelled to undertake pro­ if Australia is to secure a footing among cessing if it is not economic to do so. aluminum producers in that area. How­ On the one hand, there will always be ever, there is no tariff on bauxite and countries which need to import bauxite this has led Comalco successfully to form for their own processing plants and if a consortium with a number of Common Australia abdicates this market there are Market companies to build an Alumina other bauxite producing areas which would Refinery in Sardinia. The benefits for be delighted to fill the gap. On the Australia will be twofold: All of the other hand, it has recently been pointed participants have undertaken to purchase out that, to convert to metal, all of last their bauxite from Weipa and Comalco, year's bauxite output in Australia, would as an Australian company, will have at require another 2,400 million dollars to its disposal initially about 100,000 tons be spent on alumina refineries and smelters of alumina for placement within the Com­ alone. In addition, it would require mon Market. Any restrictive view, aimed the installation of power generating facili­ at limiting raw bauxite exports and insist­ ties equal to another two Snowy Mountains ing on alumina exports, would have made Schemes. It may be mentioned in passing the Sardinian venture impossible and that the biggest single customer for Weipa achieved nothing in its place. Similar bauxite continues to be the Gladstone ventures would undoubtedly have been Alumina Refinery and approximately 50 developed, based on bauxite from areas per cent. of output of Weipa bauxite is other than Australia. The decision of being processed in Australia." Comalco to take a share in the Shipping (2) "The Government regards the estab­ Company mentioned is an attempt to get lishment of the Alumina Refinery at Glad­ for Australia some part of the shipping stone as a complete and more than full that will be needed-which otherwise discharge of the requirements under the would go to other countries. Negotiations 1957 Lease Agreement to establish an in regard to establishment of an aluminium Alumina Refinery within the State of smelter in Queensland are proceeding." Queensland. Nobody ever expected that ( 4) "Yes-except that the company's an Alumina Refinery of such size would correct name is Comalco Limited." be set up within Queensland. From con­ templating originally a 240,000 long tons ( 5) "It is too early to say whether the per annum output, Comalco managed by proposed second Alumina Refinery in setting up a consortium of significant world Queensland will be constructed at Weipa users of alumina to start off initially at or at another location but, if the company 600,000 tons per annum. It was hoped follows the previous successful methods that a first expansion might be achieved which have already led to alumina pro­ by 1970 but in fact by 1972 the plant duction on a remarkable scale, it will have will have an installed capacity of 2 million the fnll support of the Government." 524 Questions Without Notice (8 SEPTEMBER] Questions Without Notice

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE order. We have also made it quite clear that the Commissioner of Police and his APPOINTMENT OF MATRON AT "EVENTIDE", officers have the full support and backing ROCKHAMPTON of the Government. It is, of course the Mr. V. E. JONFS: I wish to ask two Superintendent of Traffic who receive; all questions without notice. I direct the first applications of this type and makes decisions one to the Minister for Health- on them, and I am quite sure that in coming to a decision in this case he will have due (1) Has a new matron been appointed regard to all the necessary factors. at "Eventide", Rockhampton? (2) If so, what is the name of the ENTRY OF POLICE TO UNIVERSITIES successful applicant? (3) If not, when is it expected that the Mr. AIKENS: I should like to ask the position will be filled? Minister for Works and Housing a question without notice. Notwithstanding the proposed Mr. TOOTH: The appointment has not yet inquiry, or any other odorous red herring, will been made. I expect that it will be made the Minister give the House an unqualified within the next fortnight. assurance that the police will, of their own EXPORT MEAT RAILED TO BRISBANE FROM volition when they consider the circumstances CENTRAL QUEENSLAND warrant it, enter and enforce the law at the two Queensland universities, as they unhesi­ M~. V. ~· JONES: I direct the following tatingly do in all other places within the State? quest~on without notice to the Minister for Transport- Mr. HODGES: The answer is "Yes". ( I) Have meat products from Central Queensland been railed to Brisbane for PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CHOLERA export in recent times? Mr. R. E. MOORE: I should like to ask the (2) At whose request were these con­ Minister for Health a question without notice. signments arranged and what were the Will the Minister inform the House what pre­ freight rates? cautions the Government has taken against an outbreak of cholera in this State? Is suffi­ Mr. KNOX: The question refers no cient serum available to immunise the public doubt, to the railing of meat products 'from in the event of a major outbreak, and are the the C.Q.M.E. Company to Brisbane. It was present food regulations adequate to exercise the C.Q.M.E. Company which requested control of an actual outbreak? that the rail service be provided. It also req.uested a reduction in the freight rate, Mr. TOOTH: Cholera is a "quarantinable" which was granted. I am not prepared to disease-if I may coin a word-and the reveal the actual freight rate. responsibility for enforcing quarantine pro­ visions rests with the Commonwealth Depart­ VIETNAM MORATORIUM MARCH ment of Health. I understand that anybody coming from an area where cholera is either M~. Mc~ECHNIE: I direct the following endemic or pandemic must either possess a questwr: Without notice to the Premier: As valid vaccination certificate or undergo the the VIetnam Moratorium Committee is requisite period in quarantine. reported to be bargaining with Cabinet in an end~avour to obtain approval to hold a W·ith regarcd to serum, the Commonwealth march m Queen Street on Friday 18 Sep­ Serum Laboratories are responsible for pro­ tember, is Cabinet naive enough 'to accept ducing the serum or vaccine that is used in an as~urance of orderly behaviour from this Australia, and I am sure that they will have c.ommittee or any other Communist organisa­ sufficient in stock. twn? I understand that the hon. member is also desirous of knowing whether the various Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I did see in a regulations are in force to prevent the sp!'ead Press .report t~is J?Ornin.g that a representative of cholera in the event of its becoming of this orgamsatwn said that if they could a problem or ·a danger in Australia. People get a permit to march down Queen Street become afflicted by cholera through .the the.re would be no sitting down, or any mouth and the alimentary canal, usually from actwns of that type. My Cabinet colleagues polluted water or food. The provisions under and I are not prepared to accept that assur­ the public health Acts and the public health ance b_ecause those giving it have neither the administration in Australia are very rigid authonty nor the ability to give such an in respect of that matter, and I think that ur:dertaking, particularly when one has in the hon. member can rest assured that every mmd. what happened when Brian Laver took precaution is taken. part m one of the Labour Day processions. As hon. members will remember, he was PERMITS FOR MARCHES IN INNER-ciTY uncontrollable. STREETS .All I. want t? say is, as I have already said this mornmg, that Cabinet has given Mr. HUGHES: I ask the Premier: In view full and careful consideration to this request of the alarming trend to lawlessness by dissi­ and we are determined to uphold law and dent malcontents and members of ·the Labour Questions Without Notice [8 SEPTEMBER] Form of Question 525

Party in the conduct of demonstrations and hundreds of sick aged patients be housed if marohes will the Premier give an under­ the Blue Nursing Service has to cease taking that the Government will not gi~re functioning? permits for such marches to take place m Mr. TOOTH: The inquiries have not yet inner..ci.ty streets but provide permits for been completed. I regard the hon. member's marches to take place in streets other than second question as hypothetical, as I do not city streets and in areas in which the public think that such a situation is likely to arise. will be least inconvenienced? Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I believe that the APPOINTMENT OF ACTING JUDGES question has already been answered, but I Mr. BENNETT: I wish to ask the Minis·ter sha.!l leave it .to the Premier. for Justice a question without notice- Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: As you indi­ (1) Is he aware of a drcular dated 24 cated, Mr. Speaker, the question has largely August, 1970, sent by 10 members of the been answered. It is one that the Cabinet Queensland Bar Association, claiming, by has looked at very carefully. The Super­ way of notice of a special meeting of the intendent of Traffic will issue the permit, Bar Association- and I am quite sme th&t he will take into (i) That the view of the associa·tion account all aspects not only of this projected is that when a judge of the Supreme march but also of future marches. Court or District Court is, because of his appointment as Administrator, his PAID AGITATORS AT QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY absence on lea¥e, the sittings of special Mr. MELLOY: I wish to direct a question tri·bunals, or for any other reas·on what­ without notice to the Premier. Will he soever, likely to be unable to participate investigate the possubility that paid agitators in the ordinacry sittings of the court of have been planted at the Queensland which he is a member for a pePiod of University to foment disruption of law and four weeks or more, an acting judge order, and that these agitators are employed should be appointed to that court for by the Federal Government? ,that period. (ii) That the view of the association Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That is the sort is that there is no obligation of any of question one would expect from the hon. kind whatsoever on the Government to member. Had he asked me a question appoint as a judge of the Supreme Court relating ·to the "treason •room" at the Tmdes or District Court any person who has Hall, I would have been able to give him a been an acting judge of the court in very clear and concise answer. question. BY-LAws To CoNTROL SuRF-BOARD RIDERs (iii) That the committee take all necessary steps to bring the view of the Mr. PORTER: I direct a question without association expressed in (i) and (ii) notice to the Minister for Local Government above to the attention of the Attorney­ and Electricity. As large crowds at all surfing General as soon as possible. beaches last week-end suggest that this (2) In view of this feeling expressed by summer there could be a threat of severe several members of the Bar Association, acc·ident or even death to an ever-increasing what does he propose to do in regard to number of bathers, especially children, from the appointment of acting judges? the actions of selfish and oafish board dders, knowing the Minister's concern in this matter, Dr. DELAMOTHE: I am unaware of the can he assure the House of the early drafting existence of such a circular. of model control ·by-laws, which have been long awaited by concerned surfside local LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF authorities? QUESTIONS Mr. RAE: I appreciate the question from the hon. member for Toowong. It is a very Mr. BENNEIT: I desire to place my last good one. However, to permit of my acting question on notice. in accordance with his wishes, I should be Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The Minister did pleased to receive from him a written sub­ not ask for it to be placed on notice. The mission on which I can take appropriate question has already been posed, and an action associated with the introduction of answer given. If the hon. member wishes to legislation to comply with his wishes. place the question on notice he will have to BLUE NURSING SERVICE wait until tomorrow morning. He has asked three questions, one of which has been Dr. CRAWFORD: Following the answers answered. of the Minister for Health to a question that I asked a fortnight ago about the Blue FORM OF QUESTION Nursing Service, I now ask him: Has the Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton South) investigation into the finances of the Blue having given notice of a question- Nursing Service now been completed? If so, could he give the House the information? Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The question is If the necessary finance for sick aged out of order. It will have to be rephrased beds is not to be provided, where can the before it is acceptable. 526 Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

ADDRESS IN REPLY Mr. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha) (12 noon): On this the occasion of the Address-in-Reply RESUMPTION OF DEBATE­ debate, 'I have pleasure in joining with t~e EIGHTH ALLOTTED DAY citizens of the electorate of Mt. Coot-tha m pledging our loyalty to Her Sovereign Debate resumed from 3 September (see Majesty and in thanking His Exce~lency the p. 516) on Mr. Heatle~'s motion for !he Governor, Sir Alan Mansfield, for hrs devoted adoption of the Address m Reply, on whrch service to this State. Mr. Houston had moved the following amendment:- I congratulate my colleague the hon. mem­ ber for Albert, Mr. Heatley, on so ably " Add to the Address the following moving the motion for the adoption of the words:- Address in Reply, and the hon. member for 'However, it is the opinion of this Burdekin, Mr. Bird, on seconding the motion. Legislature that your advisers have, by their actions, shown themselves unworthy One merely notes, with passing interest, the political acrobatics of the Leader of the of the high office they now hold and, as Opposition and his cohorts in relation to the a result, they no longer hold the confi­ amendment moved to the motion. I dismiss dence of the people and this House. it forthwith for the cheap political gimmick 'For the following, and other, reasons that it is. they show they are unworthy of their The previous speaker in this debate, the high offices:- hon. member for Logan, delivered his usual Acceptance by some Ministers of a type of speech-a type of speech for which preferential share offer by Comalco; he is becoming noted in this place. He expressed satisfaction by the Premier devoted some time to the subject of educa­ of the Commonwealth's treatment of tion and then, as usual, soon lapsed from any Queensland at the last Loan Council semblance of logical thought and wound him­ and Premiers' Conference in the face self up into what appeared to be some sort of the fact that there is a grave need of uncontrolled frenzy as he issued tirade for more money for housing, develop­ after tirade of words which did little credit ment of electrical power, _water con­ to him, wasted the time of the House, and I servation, drought relief, flood miti­ believe, must have been of acute embarrass­ gation, provision of adequate hospital ment to his colleagues. and dental services, provision of more normal and special schools and Mr. BALDWIN: I rise to a point of order. kindergartens and modern teaching I find those personal remarks objectionable. aids; their failure to bring industrial I think they are irrelevant, and I ask for harmony to our State; their failure to their withdrawal. take active steps to halt the sharply rising costs of living and exploitation Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The ban. member of consumers; failure of Ministers to for Mt. Coot-tha has cast a personal reflection obtain for this State a just return for on the hon. member for Logan, and I ask the State's natural resources and allow­ him to withdraw it. ing exploitation and destruction of Mr. LICKISS: If the words are offensive, I many of our natural assets, such as certainly withdraw them. But I shall go the Cooloola Sands Mass and sur­ ahead and prove that what I said is true. rounding areas; their failure to curb Let him be the judge of his own activity and rising costs and take practical steps to reflect on his own contribution during this find payable markets for our primary debate. Surely his performances in this place products; their failure to take in advocating the causes of education, teacher effective steps to stop pollution of service and other matters do him little credit. our air, water and land; their failure One can be forgiven for wondering what the to resolve the question of freight teaching profession generally thinks of his discrepancies throughout the State and representation as a former teacher, and of to implement a system of encouraging his advocacy. One presumes that he would decentralised development; failure of consider himself an expert in this and other your advisers to provide security for fields of Government activity, and that his all Aborigines and Torres Strait utterances would stem from years of educa­ Islanders and to recognise them as tional training and research and thus be based fellow Queenslanders; their failure to on proper concepts; an example, as it were, deal with the intolerable situation of education at its best. which has developed within the Police Force under their administration; their What are the aims of education? Surely failure to conduct a full public inquiry one would not be incorrect if one understood to allay public disquiet over the opera­ that education involves the training of the tions of the T.A.B. and its invest­ mind in an orderly manner so that it can ments; failure to legislate to give long establish the faculty to research, to record, service leave conditions to all workers to report, to draw conclusions and concepts, in industry, irrespective of their and to think on important issues; in other employer or calling.' " words, to seek the truth. Certainly one would Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 527

hope that it would aim at ensuring that one standing between them and families are giant did not go off half cocked, as it were, and blockages in the form of monopolies and thus carelessly and needlessly mislead. boards which he referred to as "artificial Surely these must be at least some of the bottle-necks" and "price boosters". Interesting aims of education. Yet here we have the indeed-but let us tum to the facts. Brisbane self-professed advocate of proper education­ consumers, and those in the hon. member's and I plac'e the word "proper" in inverted electorate, enjoy the cheapest milk of any commas-in my view breaking the very basic capital city in Australia, and have the highest rules which one would expect him, of all per-capita consumption rate. I have already people in this place, to uphold and follow. mentioned that, and it has been shown by If the hon. gentleman wishes to take me to research. In addition, dairy farmers supplying task, let me refer to some of the points which the Brisbane milk district receive payments he made relative to milk supplies in com­ for their milk that are among the highest menting on certain changes proposed by the paid in Australia. Government. His utterances on this issue Also of particular interest for the hon. obviously stem from lack of knowledge and member for Logan is the fact that the research. margin between the price paid to the producer and the price paid by the consumer in the Mr. BALDWIN: I rise to a point of order. Brisbane milk market is the lowest in I did not mention any proposal by the Australia. What does he say to that? In Government. My remarks related to infor­ his crazed hatl'ed of wha:t he terms a mation that I had received from milk monopoly, he has foolishly chosen a situation producers. that was created by a former Labour Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Government. He has singled out for criticism one large Queensland company that not only Mr. LICKISS: The Government has already finances the whole of the milk-supply made a statement in relation to these matters, opemtions in Brisbane but co-operates to such so I take i.t that the hon. member is not a degree that it allows itself to be part of abreast of the times. a completely controlled system of price In his confusion, the hon. member referred arrangement. to a price decrease by competition being Mr. BALDWIN: I rise to a point of order. offset by increased delivery and handling I did not single out any company by name, charges. On that point, he is near the or mention any private company as being kernel of the matter, and I find myself specifically involved. The hon. member must somewhat in agreement with him. However, have a guilty conscience. in the nex,t breath he virtually leaves the figural!ive mils and says that the people of Mr. LICKISS: I am talking about what Brisbane want more and cheaper milk, and the hon. member referred to as a monopoly­ in fact not more brands, deliveries and and he was referring to Brisbane. "preservatised gut-rot." When compared with the position in the rest Let us pause and relate that profound of Australia, the efficiency of the operation statement to the area of education-that is, of this organisation speaks for itself. In facts and truth. It is a fact that milk in relation to the point's of order taken by the Brisbane is cheaper than it is in any other hon. member for Logan on things that may capital city in Australia, and of unsurpassed seem to him to be offensive, let me say that quality. If ,the hon. member had undertaken the truth speaks for itself, and I withdraw any researoh he could have ascertained those nothing of what I have said. facts for himself. Research would also I could go on shooting the hon. mem­ demonstrate to the hon. member that the ber's statements down in flames, but I shall per-capita consumption of milk in this city refer to only one other statement that he is higher than it is in any other capital city made-without any research, I suggest­ in Australia. Where, then, is the basis of wherein he referred to the Government his cry for cheaper milk and more milk, toadying to milk monopolies for poEtical and where does he find justification for his gain, and suggested that, under the guise term "preservatised gut-rot"? What rubbish! of bringing cheap milk to the housewife, If the hon. member for Logan is serious many small vendors and processors will go in what he has said, I should like the ,to the wall. What a stupid statement! Has Minister for Prima,ry Industries, as a matter the hon. member asked himself: where are of public interest, to make a ministerial these small processors? For his informa­ statement on the quality of milk that the tion, they do not exist. They went to the people of Queensland, particularly those in wall years ago in the interests of the econo­ the Brisbane area, consume. Has the hon. mics of the dairying industry and the supply member, for ins,tance, drawn any serious of quality milk to the people. So much for comparison between milk and artificial soft­ the hon. member for Logan putting into drinks for which, on the basis of quantity, practice the end result of an expert on the people pay higher prices? education and its progress. The hon. member went on to refer to dairy Whilst on the milk issue, I noted with farmers on the outskirts of Brisbane who interest three measures proposed by the are yearning for markets, and he implied that Government: firstly, the establishment of a 528 Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

quota committee; secondly, the appointment may appear, which could, and would, have of the president of the Q.D.O. to the Milk benefited from the deliberations of a properly Board; and, thirdly, the varhtion of the constituted planning authority. For instance, Brisbane milk district. The first two pro­ I look to the reports of Wilbur Smith and posals I believe to be a move in the right Associates, firs.tly relative to transportation direction. However, I think

Government stand on this vital issue of the various levels to local government from the capital city of Queensland, without planners State Government will be necessary, and this and research facilities to advise him? involvement will increase as time goes by. In my view, we are floundering. It is The day when planning can be determined at almost a case of the blind leading the blind local-government level alone has long passed. in planning in this State. The solution must We should acknowledge and accept this. finally come from a competent body to advise Indeed, at this very moment in Brisbane we government. At the moment, no such body are witnessing this situation. Planning needs exists and thus the Minister must be pres­ to be in partnership at the very least. sured by advice of various competence and In broad terms of planning, what can be without the capacity to determine the Queensland look forward to? The answer is issue on a proper basis. However, a decision interesting. The State has a coastal belt with has to be made and it has to be made soon. an assured rainfall, which is the prime Another example that one could quote is requisite for supporting the State's future Cooloola. A planning authority should and population. Therefore, we can envisage the coastal belt sustaining large centres of popula­ would cater in advance for such matters. I tion. Next, we have the matter of resource sincerely trust that at this moment we are development, which must be correctly orien­ looking at similar situations that could arise and are designating well in advance areas that tated for maximum benefit to the economy and also to the people who will live in and will be required to be set aside for national parks and reserves for the common good. around these centres. This, too, will be the All that development entails, such as land responsibility of properly constituted planning authorities. All this spells planning in usage, transport, services generally, conserva­ advance. Brisbane must not be allowed to tion, pollution protection and, in fact, every­ develop, as Sydney has, into a costly sprawl. thing under normal circumstances that affects man's environment, involves planning at one We can learn from the mistakes made in other stage or another. We cannot escape from places. that fact. What are the signals to be recognised? First, the post-war trend towards urbanisa­ To be successful, planning must be adapted tion is accelerating on a world-wide basis. to an accepted and proven policy. It must In the 1950's and 1960's urban problems assume unlimited growth. We cannot plan became an issue. In the 1970's something now for a period and then plan from that will have to be done to resolve the issue. To period to another. ignore the present needs of proper planning How planning is to be catered for is a in relation to man's environment and ultimate matter for policy determinations and a study survival would be as foolhardy as trying to of trend patterns here and elsewhere. circumnavigate the world on a 44-gallon oil Decisions taken this day could have a drum. Any political party that does not read profound bearing on future genemtions. Thus the signs and grasp the nettle by instituting the year 2000 is merely a spark in time and proper planning methods, and still hopes to means little in real terms. We tend to think meet with success, in my opinion is more of the future in terms of the present and optimistic than a ducky hen sitting on a often of the past, but a projection into the china door-knob-and the results would be future of history in planning man's future just as successful. environment must surely be largely a wasted I make a plea for the early implementa­ exercise. We must project into •the future. tion of a town and regional planning This is part of the task of competent planners authority. I trust that it will not be long and it is what Queensland needs right now. before we see the implementation of the In the past planners have tended to get Government's policy relative to regional plan­ the kicks, mainly because of intrusion by ning, as was adopted in our policy speech. inexperienced politicians and the immediate I stress that proper planning is no luxury. pressures exerted by big business to move Indeed, we can no longer afford the luxury ahead. I would suggest that neither is of not planning man's future environment. acceptable. Within the scope of responsibility All round us we can see the results of Government, values must be correctly of lack of planning. If we turn to established in relation to planning. In the light Los Angeles and other cities similarly of the anticipated population growth it is the situated, we can see the problems they now task of planners to expand and adapt existing face. Surely a common-sense approach would cities and to plan new centres. Planners be to avoid what has happened elsewhere must look forward beyond today's needs. which has been to the disadvantage of man and his environment. We have a very What are some of the problems of cities direct responsibility to generations unborn at the moment? Owing to the trend towards to pass on this country in at least as good urbanisation, the problems must of necessity a state, if not a better state, than that shift gradually from the shoulders of local which we have enjoyed during our lifetime. government to the shoulders of the sovereign Government. This is an inescapable fact. Mr. DAVIES (Maryborough) (12.27 p.m.): As presently constituted, local government will In opening my speech in this debate, I join find it increasingly difficult to cater for its with other hon. members in recording my own needs and development. Assistance at loyalty to the Crown and my respect for 530 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

the Governor of this State, whom I thank record it has in work done in the Common­ for the service he is rendering to Queensland. wealth sphere by the Governments led by However, one cannot use the word "loyalty" Mr. Curtin and Mr. Chifley during the second or express one's loyalty to the State, the world war. If the A.L.P. had any desire to Crown, and Australia as a whole, without engage in treasonable activities or to be desiring to register a protest against the disloyal to the country, what a wonderful scurrilous, muck-raking attacks levelled by opportunity it had then. This has been the Government members against members of form of attack on the A.L.P. throughout the the Australian Labour Party and top officials years. The Australian Labour Party was not of that party, and to express disgust that responsible for the actions of directors of a major political party-the combined companies which ordered dummy bolts to be Liberal-Country Party-should stoop to such put into ships built during war-time. It was methods in an effort to cover up an inglorious not responsible for the companies which had record of administration in this State. On rotten leather placed in soldiers' boots, result­ the evidence that is available, members of ing in the Government of the day having to the A.L.P. take second place to none on step in. Neither the A.L.P. nor its official the Government side in their work in the organisation was responsible for the unmerci­ community in Queensland, Australia and ful profiteering that went on in this country overseas. During the war years particularly, during both world wars. A.LP. members took second place to no When the Labour Party was being estab­ Government member. lished and there were strikes in the 1890's, It should be remembered that the orders went out from a Tory Government to Labour Governments in both State and use Gatling guns on the strikers and to fire Commonwealth spheres built a magnificent low and aim straight. As the result of some record by introducin.g monumental legislation of those strikes, many union leaders in the which has been of great benefit to this western areas were imprisoned for long country in its developing years. We look periods. to a Labour Government for legislation such as that promulgated by the Common­ Then came the Boer War, and the A.L.P. wealth Labour Government in its early days was branded as being pro-Boer. when it placed on the Statute Book the Then the first Labour Government, led by Commonwealth banking legislation, the note Andrew Fisher, came to office. It was claimed issue legislation, legislation relative to the that the Labour Party would introduce free establishment of the Australian fleet and love and destroy religion. When the note legislation providing forms of military issue was made for the Commonwealth Bank, training for young people. advertisements appeared in the Press, and In the State sphere, we hope that the statements were made, that "Fisher's flimsies" present Government will follow the grand could be bought on the street corner for a years of legislation in the interests of rural song. industry in Queensland on which the Labour Then came the first world war and we were Party can look back with pride. Any pro­ accused of being pro-Kaiser. Then came gress that the Government can claim to what the Tory Party in this State considered have made in this State can be attributed to be a blessing, namely, the Russian Revolu­ only to the investment of money from tion. We were attacked as being pro­ overseas. This Government did not place Bolshevik and I.W.W., and this sort of thing in the ground the oil that was discovered. has continued throughout the years. Work was being done by the Australian Labour Party in this direction when it was I believe that the people who do the greatest in power. The bauxite agreement was disservice to this country are those who almost ready for signing; it certainly would endeavour to smear either of the two major have been much tighter under a Labour political parties in this State as being guilty Government, and would have ensured the of treason or other actions subversive to the establishment in this State of an aluminium interests of the country. After all, there are refinery, and not simply an alumina works. certain principles basic to the development and safety of this country on which there In supporting the Leader of the Opposi­ must be agreement. tion's amendment, I point out that each item in his amendment is sufficiently important to Mr. Murray: Let us not confuse smearing be used as the basis for a motion for the with legitimate criticism. adjournment of the House or for moving a Mr. DAVIES: That is the way it has vote of no confidence in the Government. It always been regarded. I advise the hon. has not often happened in the past that there member to study the politica,l history of this have been so many issues that could be country. The problem of today is one that included in an amendment of this type. It is has arisen before. When legislation to set because of this that the loyalty of the up the first Council of Agriculture was Australian Labour Party and its political before the House, the Labour Pa,rty was machine is being questioned. accused of endeavouring to "Sovietise" rural It was the Australian Labour Party that industries, and of following in the steps of gave its service in Government to this coun­ Rmsia. Those remarks are recorded in try during both world wars. What a grand "Hansard". Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 531

That •attHude will persist whilst there is Mr. DAVIES: It is surprising that, when­ in office. a Government such as the present ever the Govemment is faced with something one, which endeavours to cover up its that is embarrassing to it, it looks back into ineptitude and failure to legislate satisfac­ the record of former Governments and says, torily in the interests of the State. It must "You did that." The a:rgument is that it be remembered that the present State must be all right because somebody else did Government has been in power for 13 years it, which is rathe.r a stupid argument. I notice and the Commonwealth Government for 20 that the hon. member for Windsor has not years, so the Labour Party cannot be blamed denied the truth of what I am saying, and for any failure to maintain order. Govern­ the people of Queensland will watch with ments make laws, so, if there are signs of great interest the Gove·rnment's endeavours treason, let them prove their capacity to con­ to rearrange the boundaries to suit both trol such activities in this country and see Government parties and keep the Labour that nothing is done to the detriment of Party out of office. I remind the house Australia as ·a whole. Governments must that at the last election A.LP. candidates accept full responsibility for that task. secured more votes than did the candidates The present State Government has been of both Government parties combined. guilty of many actions that have not been in Mr. Jensen: Do you think they will alter the interests of the State as a whole. It is the boundaries to keep the hon. member for a Government that is squabbling internally, Windsor in? I do not think that is very and lacking in stability. Recently Cabinet, probable. meeting at Longreach, considered the reduc­ tion of the voting age to 18 years. I do not Mr. DAVIES: The people will take care know what happened there, or what of that, no matter what the boundaries are influenced their judgment-! do not know for the next election, and the hon. member whether they drank too much goat's milk­ will not be returned. but they decided that 18-year-olds should There is one matter on which I wish to have the vote. touch briefly before dealing with the treatment of the Blue Nursing Service in this State, Mr. Row: It was at Hughenden. which is a very embarrassing problem for Mr. DAVIES: Hughenden-that is so. the Government. I remind hon. members that the Government is led by a Premier On Cabinet's return to Brisbane, caucus who claims to have certain principles relative voted against that decision. A report was to gambling, drink and many other matters. supposed to have been produced. Over the One would have thought that, with the years Cabinet, through Government depart­ introduction of certain legislation, he would ments, has been in a position to make have resigned rather than remain as Premier inquiries into the wisdom of reducing the of the State. Evidently the honour and glory age of voting, and information on that sub­ of his position mean more to him than his ject was available from all countries. Surely principles. members of Cabinet would at all times have When the hon. gentleman was sitting on consulted with their caucus and given them the Opposition benches, he frequently stood all the information they had. It was cer­ up and stated his views upon these questions; tainly a blow to the Government to have to yet when he is Premier of the State he admit to the people of this State, particu­ supports everything that is brought forward larly the young people, after all -the a·rticles relative to them. The activities of the that had appeared in the Press and the dis­ T.A.B. make that obvious. I do not intend cussions that had taken place among groups to deal with those activities from the same of young people, that the decision had been angle as that argued by the hon. member reve.rsed. There have been other instances for Baroona, but I do point out that the of reversed decisions, too. Premier must hold himself responsible for Then there is the gerrymandering of elec­ the expans,ion of opportunities for gambling toral boundaries that took place when they in Queensland. were last re-a-rranged, and is no doubt taking The Government changed from an S.P. pJ.ace now. I always thought that a judge betting system to a T.A.B. system-! shall not or a commission would be appointed to look argue the merits of that change at this stage­ into this matter, but it appears that the and it is now endeavouring to establish a Government is doing all the searching and T.A.B. agency wherever possible. Even at endeavouring to arrange a compromise the big Woolworths centre at Southport there between the parties. If such a commission is a T.A.B. agency round the corner in the is to be independent and able to make deci­ building. The Government cannot claim that sions without Government influence, why it is not endeavouring to exploit the people all this behind-the-scenes intrigue? It is of this State by encouraging gambling. Not quite evident that the Government is going only are people encouraged to gamble on to appoint a commission that will do as it the T.A.B. on Saturdays, and to some extent is told. It will be handed the rearrangement on Wednesdays; there is no doubt that the of the boundaries on a platter and told that Government is encouraging a big build-up that is what they must be. of interest in racing at many centres through­ Mr. R. E. Moore: You are looking at out Australia to increase gambling on the Labour's past record. T.A.B. 532 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

Turning to the Blue Nursing Service, I would not have been built. But, approxi­ believe that the council of that service is mately three months after it was opened on now engaged in a struggle for its existence 16 October, the subsidy was withdrawn. against the Country-Liberal Government in Mr. Houston: That would be done. deliber­ this State, and I shaH proceed to prove my point. Never in the political history of ately. Queensland has a Government .revealed a Mr. DAVIES: I would say it was done similarly callous attitude towards a Christian deliberately. The Government deliberately organisation such as ~he Blue Nursing Service. deceived the committee. of the Blue Nursing All members of the Government, including Service which built the "Nazarene" home. Cabinet, should be fully aware of the position. Or is the Minister for Health In support of my argument I refer to failing in his duty to draw the attention of some of the statements made by the hon. Government members and Mi:niste,rs to what member for Mirani in this debate. I took is happening? Is he in error in the allocation particular note of them and I think I copied of funds? Actually, the Premier of the State them down correctly. He sa.id- must accept full responsibility for this because "I have often wondered why the Gov­ he has been aware of the situation, if not ernment withdrew that subsidy? I believe prior to 1970, at least from the beginning it was because the Government claimed of this year. He realises the full implications that the payment of the subsidy was no of the withdrawal of the $1.50 subsidy from longer necessary in view of the increased hospitals, not only hospitals mn by the Blue Commonwealth subsidy of $5 a day." Nursing organisation but others run by In January 1969, it was raised from $2 charitable and church organisations, which to $5. The hon. member continued­ provide intensive nursing care. "To me my Government adopted a short- Whatever the reason for the withdrawal, sighted policy." the Government must accept full responsi­ I might add, led by a short-sighted Premier. bility for this neglect of the aged. Speaking I should like to know how this neglect fits in the Address-in-Reply debate, one Govern­ in with the moral code this Government ment member-the hon. member for Mirani claims to have. The hon. member for --expressed regret at the Government's Mirani also said- neglect, but as a member of the Government "Although it is my Government, I am he must accept his share of the blame. not prevented from criticising the action that it took. It is evident that an investiga­ Instead of indulging in a tirade of abuse tion was not made before action was taken against the Australian Labour Party, which, to withdraw the subsidy of $1.50 per bed as I said before, is one of the two great per day." political groups in this country, and false What is the Premier doing about matters accusations and wicked insinuations, the hon. such as this? What is the Minister for Health members for Yeronga and Redcliffe, the doing? Is it any wonder that a prominent Minister for Main Roads, and the Premier medical man in this House rises and draws would have been better occupied in placing attention to the weaknesses in the administra­ before the House problems associated with tion of the present Minister? financing the great work of this grand Mr. Houston: The Liberal Party fully sup­ Christian order, the Blue Nursing Service, ported the Government's action of withdraw­ and in pointing out the horrible financial ing the subsidy. future facing the hospitals for sick aged and other departments run by this service. Mr. DAVIES: So did the hon. member for Windsor. He yells inane interjections across The hon. member for Redcliffe spent his the Chamber, but not once has he raised his full time in the debate, as he did a number voice on matters like the plight of this State's of years ago, in labelling innocent people rural industries or the Goverment's neglect in the Labour organisation in the State as of the Blue Nursing Service, which I am Communists, which they are not. His time exposing now. By the time I have concluded would have been better spent in protesting my speech perhaps he will want to keep very against the Government's neglect of the hos­ quiet. pital for sick aged in his own electorate. The hon. member for Mirani continued- I will have to do this on his behalf. The hon. member for Mirani mentioned that a 'That increased cost (that is, wages), home for the sick aged, known as Nazarene, together with the loss of the State subsidy was built at Redcliffe last year. The hospital of $1.50 a bed a day, or $10.50 a week, committee was assured by this Government will be disastrous to the Blue Nursing that the subsidy of $1.50 would remain. Service if it cannot be given some relief." As a member of the State council of the He said that it was very difficult for the Blue Nursing Service, and as one who heard N azarene hospital to carry on. It is situated the arguments and discussion on the neces­ in the electorate of the hon. member for sity for, and the wisdom of, building this Redcliffe, but even he has not raised his voice hospital, I am quite confident that had this on the matter. The Blue Nursing Service has guarantee not been received the hospital appealed to hon. members for assistance, and, Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 533

as it has been neglected by Government until now, intense negotiations have been members, I have been asked by our A.L.P under way between the Blue Nursing Service Opposition to raise the matter in parliament. and the Minister in an attempt to overcome The hon. member for Mirani said that the the problem. When they found that they Nazarene hospital had been let down badly. were up against a brick wall, they decided that they had to bring the matter under the Mr. Melloy: Who said this? public gaze. Five hospitals in the Blue Nursing organisation are affected, as are Mr. DAVIES: The hon. member for other hospitals associated with different Mirani. I said that on 1 January, 1969, the organisations. I shall have some comments Commonwealth Government raised its to make later about Greenhaven, at South­ subsidy for intensive-nursing patients from port, which is in a very serious plight. I hope $2 a bed to $5 a bed. It was not until one the Premier is in the House when I make year later that this Government saw fit to them. take away the $1.50, and at a time when it knew that large increases would be granted Mr. Jensen: The Pioneer Home :has been in nurses' wages, and justifiably so. The hit. Government must have expected those wage increases, yet it withdrew the subsidy at that Mr. DAVIES: The Pioneer Home in Bun­ time. I should like the Minister to tell us the da:berg has been hit hard. Lauris·ton at reasons for that delay. Was the Government Ipswich, Kewarra at Coolangatta, the Good conducting negotiations with other hospitals, Samaritan at Cairns, and Nazarene ·!!Jt Red­ which led it to continue with its deceit for cliffe have all been affected. These five hos­ 12 months? I suspect that it was, and perhaps pitals were given only one day's notice of it was justified in doing so, but the Govern­ the cessation of the subsidy payment of ment was dishonest about the Blue Nursing $1.50. That was a callous, inhuman act, Service and other church organisations that because it affected people in a despevate were maintaining intensive nursing beds. plight. All people associated with these hospitals that care for the sick aged, includ­ Let me look at the desperate situation in ing those belonging to the organisation, and which the Nazarene hospital is placed. those who visit homes for the sick, were Mr. L~nergan: You are in a bit of a staggered by the Government's action. desperate situation yourself, the way you are The "Gold Coast Bulletin" of ~uesday, floundering. 25 August, contained vhis statement by Mr. Mr. DAVIES: Despite the endeavour by Rod Blair, manager of the Southport­ the hon. member for Flinders to ridicule the Surfers Paradise Blue Nursing Serv.ice, about Opposition's case, we will continue to fight Greenhaven, the Blue Nursing Service hos­ the injustice perpetrated on the Blue Nursing pital for the chronically-ill aged- Service by the Government. "Mr. Blair said the subsidy affected Mr. R. E. Moore: Why haven't you men­ about nine non-profit making church or tioned it before? chal'itable organisation hospitals through­ out the State, five of them Blue Nursing Mr. DAVIES: As even the hon. member Service hospitals, two of them ... on the for Windsor, with his dull mind, could Gold Coast. understand, I am the foundation patron of "The $1.50 State Government SJUbsidy the service in my electorate and also on the had been withdrawn in a letter from the State Council, so I should know a little more Department of Health dated December 29, than the ignoramus fro.m Windsor. 1969 ... The Nazarene hospital for the sick aged "Withdrawal of the subsidy, which at Redcliffe is in a sad financial plight. Of amounted to $27,000 a year, was effective the 40 patients, 39 are pensioners. At June, from January 1, 1970 ..." 1970, six months after the removal of the They had exactly one day's notice to find subsidy and following increases in costs a sum of money that they had already bud­ generally, the hospital faced a deficit of geted for, and that they had to wipe off $8,000. Its budget for 1970-71 has been drawn their budget. Mr. Blair is then repopted up, and it reveals that the increased wages as saying- and removal of the subsidy have resulted in " ... because for weeks intensive an anticipated deficit on operational expenses negotiations of $31,000. In addition to that, the hospital has a capital debt of $120,000. The hospital I know that to be true. The statement charges pensioners $14 or $15 a week, and continues- in order to make ends meet it would have to " ... was going on between the board, the increase that charge by $10. Whether or not Department of Health and the Minister, the hospital will be forced into making tliat in the hopes of reinstating the $1.50 decision is on the head of this Government. subsidy." The hon. member for Windsor asked, No drive was made to put pressure on the "Why wasn't this brought up in the House Government in this regard. The Premier before?" I point out that under this Govern­ played a very inglorious part in the hap­ ment a long time passes between sittings of penings 8Jt this centre, because it was he who Parliament. From the beginning of the year saw committee members of the Greenhaven 534 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

Nursing Home just before the Albert worked together in extremely close liaison, by-election and pleaded with them to keep certainly over the past three years during the matter quiet because he knew there my stay at this hospital and presumably would ·be public reaction that would affect for many years before. 'ihe by-election result. No doubt it would "'We tend to work together as a unit have, too, as the voting was very close. rather than two separate units, and they How does that fit in with the moral code have taken a large percentage of our that the Premier and Government members geriatric and invalid cases which require claim to practise? They attack the Labour heavy and continued nursing care. This, Party on various issues, yet the Premier of course, has given us freedom of beds delibe.rately deceived the people in that area and of nursing staff. by telling the committee, which was depend­ " 'On many occasions over the past years, ing on Government help, to rebuild the top I have spoken with senior members of floor at Greenhaven, which had been the Health Department, expressing our declared unsafe as a fire hazard. Of course, gratitude towards Rev. Moore and his his statement would amount to a command­ colleagues at Laurison and, with the con­ "Keep this quiet; keep it from the public tinued activity at this centre, we have not that we are taking the $1.50 from you." required a geriatric unit at this hospital. Mr. Blair was reported as saying- " 'Should this institution close through lack of funds, there would be no pos­ "~he Premier said to me he would sibility of this hospital having sufficient appreciate it if no news release concern­ room to handle the 80 or so patients ing the withdrawal of State subsidy were requiring maximum nursing care, who made for the time being." should suddenly appear on our doorstep. [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] Mr. DAVIES: The article continues- " 'I think it is incumbent upon this hospital and this Hospital Board to call " ' ... Mr. R. Ashton ... asked him if upon the Health Department to help in he realised how such a news release would all possible ways. Without a shadow of embarrass the Government.' doubt, should they not be able to carry 'The Premier replied, "I realise that." ' on, the hospital would be forced to build The Premier said that 'something would a geriatric block running into hundreds have to be done' about rebuilding Green­ of thousands of dollars and, of course, haven." these blocks are not built overnight. I do The fact that the :Premier wanted this not know what we would do in the mean­ information withheld from the public just time. We could either become a geriatric prior to a by-election speaks very little for centre with no beds and transfer all acute the Government's moral standards. cases to Brisbane (really unthinkable for a hospital draining a population of Mr. Blair also said- 100,000) or financial assistance be made " 'Since absolutely nothing has been available to this organisation. done by the State Government, the Blue "'We have eight patients at present Nursing Service is wondering whether the awaiting transfer to Lauriston who have Premier's concern was for Greenhaven or nowhere else to go.' " for the -by-election.'" In the same newspaper, the following state­ In the "Gold Coast Bulletin" dated 25 August, ment appears:- 1970, the editorial reads- "The Premier, Dr. Udy went on, had "Crux of the problem is withdrawal of said, 'Having regard to all the circum­ the $1.50 a day State Government subsidy. stances it is considered that the additional . . . it is scandalous that the needy aged Commonwealth benefit will more than should be confronted with a situation which compensate for the loss of State subsidy adds to the worry of their struggle." and I do not feel there is any justification I shall now draw attention to another hos­ for reintroducing the payment of the State pital for the sick aged, namely, Lauriston daily maintenance subsidy.'" Home. In "The Queensland Times" dated say that is just a lot of rubbish, and that 26 August, 1970, the following article the Premier is misguided and ill-informed. appears:- "A letter from the Ipswich General I now pass quickly to some particulars of Hospital Medical Superintendent (Dr. Lauriston. There are 111 people in this Michae.l O'Rourke) regarding the Blue home for the aged, 104 of whom are Nursing Service's Lauriston Home was pensioners. Ninety per cent. of them are read at yesterday's meeting of the Ipswich incontinent, which means that they have Hospitals Board. lost control of bowels or bladder. Almost all have to be assisted with feeding, and are "Dr. O'Rourke's letter stated: 'The bed patients. Some cannot eat at all without Ipswich General Hospital has been extremely dependent upon the Blue Nurs­ assistance. ing Service at Lauriston for the care of When the hospital was in receipt of $3.50 a large percentage of geriatric patients. for each bed, $2 from the Commonwealth Both the hospital and Lauriston have and $1.50 from the State, the cost a week for Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 535

the maintenance of each bed was $20. It is volunteers, who receive no wages or allow­ now $56. How can the Minister expect the ances, give their services at Lauriston; they hospital to maintain its service on only $5 go into the hospital and help feed the a week from the Commonwealth? There are patients, many of whom cannot feed them­ 79 heavy intensive cases in the hospital, and selves. 32 light cases. No subsidy is received from Wages for nursing staff present a big the State for the light-nursing beds. problem. We do not dispute recent increases I pass now to another rather serious granted to nurses; we believe their wages to matter. Some time ago 14 patients were dis­ be fully justified. For a full-time sister, the charged from Lauriston by direction of the increase granted was $12 a week, bringing Department of Health. The word had gone her wage from $41.14 to $53 a week. around that, as a result of loving Christian The council of the Blue Nursing Service is care by the nurses in blue, some patients asking for an increase of $500 in subsidy had shown marked improvement. The from the State for each sister, and that would Government therefore decided on a blitz and be met $1 for $1 by the Commonwealth. In 14 patients were declared by the Department fact, the Commonwealth Government is of Health to be well enough to be dis­ willing to go far beyond a $500 increase on charged. The health of those patients had $1,100, but if 'the Government of Queensland improved, and the fact that the Department would grant an increase of even $400 or $500 of Health ordered their discharge, which for each sister, that would be matched by means that they would receive no further the Commonwealth and would relieve the subsidy, indicates that the Government is situation considerably. The door-knock devoid of human feeling for the frail aged. appeals that the organisation holds simply go towards meeting the cost of wages. It is generally recognised by those who understand geriatrics that there is an improve­ In addition to its homes for the sick aged, ment in the general well-being of many the Blue Nursing Service has homes for the patients as a result of devoted, dedicated and aged-Pleasantville, at Wynnum; Gold loving care. The Blue Nursing programme Coast Garden Settlement, at Southport; is, naturally, patient centred, and aimed at "Salvin Park", at Carina-and there is no giving efficient nursing care to patients and subsidy for these. It did have other plans relief to relatives, and to provide an atmos­ for development, but these, of course, will phere of "home" where love, compassion have to be put aside until it receives more and understanding bring joy, peace and con­ sympathetic treatment from the Government. tentment to our aged friends. It seems To quickly give hon. members some idea beyond the understanding of the Govern­ of the tremendous development that has ment, particularly the Minister for Health, taken place in the Blue Nursing Service in that patients who appear to be so improved this State, I point out that in 1966-67 the will deteriorate once they are removed from number of calls, 317,338, was 10 per cent. that special care. The Minister said, "No higher than that in 1965-66. In 1967-68 more subsidy for them." This amounted to the increase was 10.7 per cent., and in saying, "They can be passed out into the 1968-69 it was 14.3 per cent. I am informed street as far as we are concerned." ~hat the increase in 1969-70 WlliS similar 'to that in 1968-69. In 1958-59, 10 years earlier, The committee of the Blue Nursing Service the number of calls was 85,758; in 1968-69 built an annexe into which, after homes were it was 400,632-an increase of 367 per cent. found for three of the patients, the remainder in 10 years. were taken. Not one cent has been received in subsidy from the Commonwealth or State Taking the number of mi1es covered, in Governments for that annexe, and not one 1966-67 there was a 4 per cent. increase over cent is received in subsidy for the beds that the previous year, an increase of 8.9 per those patients still occupy. cent. in 1967-68, and an increase of 6.4 per cent. in 1968-69. Again, I am informed that (Time, on motion of Mr. Thackeray, the increase in 1969-70 was approximately extended.) the same as ,that in 1968-69. Fmm the Mr. DAVIES: I thank the House; I shall commencement of ~the service to the end of not take up much more time. the last financial year, the .total mileage covered by cars of the Blue Nursing Service At present Lauriston is losing $10 a week from the 19 centres in the State-from Cairns for every patient receiving intensive nursing, in the north to Coolangatta in the south, and $800 a week for all patients. On the out to Mt. Isa, and in ~the many centres light-nursing annexe, $300 a week is being along the coast-was 5,370,953, or 2,685 lost. The 1970-71 budget provides for a times the mileage from Cape York to Wilson's deficit of $45,000. Lauriston is charging Promontory. That indicates the tremendous patients less than the pension, and the board growth in and need for such a service in is determined not to go beyond that amount. the State. It indicates also the load that One of the reasons why Lauriston can would be placed upon Queensland's hospital keep costs down is the work done by volun­ system but for the Blue Nursing Se,rvice. teers who make their services available as a It must be remembered that the Blue result of the splendid image that has been Nursing Service is a ~home service, established created in the community mind. Some 100 especially, but not exclusively, for the sick 536 Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

aged. It is a seven-day-a-week service during not in keeping with what one might expect the day, and it is available to all members not only from a Premier but also from any of the community, irrespective of class, member of Parliament canvassing an elec­ colour, or creed. It is a ministry of healing tion. When asked during the campaign to offered in the name of the Christian church help finance the improvements to Green­ to people of all denominations, and it is haven, the Premier pleaded that the fact that free of charge. I point out that it is staffed the $1.50 subsidy was being taken away be by fully trained sisters. Those who have kept secret. I hope that the manager of the experience of their work know that there home in Southport will not be victimised in is something special about these cheery the same way as the Premier has victimised sisters. As a result of their work with the members of the Press. It is well known that Blue Nursing Service, their dedication to he has placed a black ban on reporters of their job and their cheerful approach to it, "The Australian" and also the television they seem to bring with them a ray of series, "This Day Tonight". I have every sunshine. The people whom they visit reason to believe that this is correct. If it certainly derive tremendous comfort from is, it savours of dictatorial ideas and them. principles. I am sadly disappointed at the attitude of I regret that this matter has had to be some doctors and some matrons in this State. brought into the political arena, but the It is quite evident that these people, though council of the Blue Nursing Service has been small in number, are having an influence patient for several months and it is time that on the Minister for Health. It is known publicity was given to this matter and the that some matrons say that the Blue Nursing Government exposed for its inhumanity and Service should have nursing aides instead of lack of sympathy with the problems of aged fully qualified sisters in the various hospitals people who are unable to care for themselves. for the sick aged and doing the work that On behalf of those people who work so hard the Blue Nurses do in visiting so many on women's auxiliaries and in other ways to patients each day. That is an attitude which raise funds, I make this protest on I find difficult to understand, and I hope that behalf of the Opposition against the the Blue Nursing Service will never depart Government's neglect and plead with it to from the principal that they must be fully reconsider the whole position and to realise trained sisters. Of course, many of them-as that the Blue Nursing Service, just as is the many as the council can arrange for-have Pioneer home in Bundaberg and many other special training in geriatric work. I think that homes run by religious bodies and other the few medical men who pull back on the organisations, is saving the Government traces and do not encourage the service are tremendous sums of money. The Govern­ afraid that their incomes will be affected by ment would not be able to face up to the the fact that they will receive fewer calls situation if it was confronted with the closure from the people who are assisted by the Blue of these various homes. Nurses. I regret having to place that view I leave the matter at that and hope that on record. this publicity will so shame the Government Mr. Jensen: You would not consider that that it will respond to the appeal of the the Government is thinking of legalising Opposition to increase the present subsidy from $1,100 to $1,500 or $1,600, an increase euthanasia to avoid paying out this money? of $400 or $500 which will be met $1 for $1 Mr. DAVIES: I am so shocked by the by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth actions of the Government that I am-- Government has stated that it is willing to go beyond that. It is simply a matter of the Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Frankly, such a State deciding on a figure. With the increase foolish remark as that emanating from the in wages, which we say is justified-and hon. member for Bundaberg adds little to the which we are pleased to see-because these lustre of this Chamber. His remark imputes sisters are doing such a magnificent job, we improper motives to the Government, and plead for an increased subsidy and also for I ask him to withdraw it. the restoration of the $1.50 a head for patients receiving intensive nursing care, not Mr. Jensen: Mr. Speaker, I must with­ draw-- only in the five Blue Nursing Service homes but in any other home in the State that is Mr. SPEAKER: Order! It is not a matter doing similar work. of must; I am asking the hon. member to Mr. DIPLOCK (Aubigny) (2.34 p.m.): withdraw. I do not want any comment in Until the Treasurer, on Thursday last, replied the matter. to a question without notice by the hon. Mr. Jensen: I withdraw. member for Toowong, I did not intend to speak on this motion. The hon. member for Mr. DAVIES: I did not hear what the Toowong asked the Treasurer- hon. member said. "In view of the attitude attributed by the I was saying that I was shocked at the Press to Senator Gair, which casts some Government's approach to this problem, and considerable doubt, I would think, on particularly at the actions of the Premier eventual Federal Government passage of during the Albert by-election. They were the receipt-duty legislation, is the Treasurer Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 537

in a position to indicate what effect this The Treasurer continued- doubt will have on his budgetary con­ "The situation now is that South siderations?" Australia has included •receipt duty in its have no fault to find with that question. budget; New South Wales and Victoria In fact, if I were in the seat occupied by have also included It; and I have taken the hon. member for Toowong probably I H into consideration ..." would ask a similar question. He did not say that those States had included The Treasurer replied- it with the full knowledge that it would be "I have no knowledge of what was said validated only until 1 October. But the last evening by Senator Frank McManus Commonwealth Government-the Pl'ime other than what appeared in the Press Minister-knew this, and I feel quite sure this morning. The report indicates that, that, despite the overtures that were made after consultation with Senator Gair, ·the to the D.L.P., no State had any doubt about D.L.P. has decided to oppose the receipt­ the D.L.P.'s stand on the proposed tax. duty legislation in the Senate. Based on that opposition, no doubt it is expec•ted The Treasurer knows as well as I do that, by the D.L.P. and others that the receipt­ when the High Court ruled that the States du.ty legislation will be defeated. did not have the power .to collect this tax, the tax collected by certain States was five "I cannot quite understand the attitude times as great as that lev·ied in this State. adopted by Senator Gair in this matter. It was in his power prior to ·the High Court's Un?ou~tedly ~he defeat of the receipt-duty ruling to increase the Queensland tax to the legtslatwn w1ll cause chaos not only in the finances of this State but also in those level of the similar tax in other States. Why of other States. In all other States this didn't he do it? He was not prepared to do tax is already being paid at the rate that it for fear of political repercussions. is desired by the Commonwealth, at the request-let me emphasise this-of all The Treasurer is well aware, too, that if States. The situation now is that South the Federal Government were given the Australia has included receipt duty in its authority it seeks it would have to impose budget; New South Wales and Victoria the tax uniformly in all States. If the tax have also included it; and I have taken it were imposed in Queensland at the same into consideration in preparing Queens­ level as in some States before the High land's budget. Court ruling-and this would mean an "All I can say to the hon. member is increase in this branch of taxation of 400 that I propose .to proceed on the assump­ per cent.-it would be a particularly grievous tion that receipt duty will come into burden in rural areas because of the size operation. If it does not, the matter will of our State and the consequent freight have to be discussed between the Com­ rates to country centres. monwealth and the States as chaos will be caused in ·the finances of all the States The Treasurer claimed that the revenue of Australia." from this tax is indispensable, but this did not seem to concern him when he had I take objection to the Treasurer's answer to accept the political odium for levying because in it he gave a wrong impression such extra taxation. Now that the Federal of the D.L.P.'s attitude towards the Common­ Government will bear the odium and he wealth Government's endeavour to validate will get the benefits, he finds that this the receipt-duty tax. T:he Treasurer said that revenue is most necessary. It was interest­ Mr. Gair made up his mind on this matter ing to read a day or two ago that his after a discussion with Senator McManus. colleague the New South Wales Premier, Everyone knows that that is not true. This Mr. Askin, was reported as being much matter came before the Federal Parliament more frank. He publicly condemned the previously, and the D.L.P. made its position tax by saying that he did not think it was very clear. Its attitude has been cons•tant fair. I feel personally that there is surely and has not changed at any time. a way by which equivalent revenue can be found from Federal revenue. The Treasurer said that he could not qui·te understand the attitude adopted by Senator I conclude my thoughts on this matter by Gair in this matter, and added that his saying that the D.L.P. is not alone in its attitude would cause chaos in the State's opposition to this proposed legislation. If finances. The States were well awrare that it were alone the legislation would be the legislation would not be passed and that, passed. I am sure that all members would if they introduced their own legislation in .the have received a copy of a letter which I belief that the D.L.P. was bluffing or would received a few days ago from the Taxpayers' not stand with the A.L.P. in the matter, Association of Queensland, a reputable body they would not have the right to blame the whose council consists of men who have D.L.P. for the chaotic state of their finances. proven themselves in business, men who are T·he States knew very well that the D.L.P. as well qualified to express an opinion on had not changed its attitude. this matter as anyone in this House. What 538 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply did they have to say in this letter which This association of, I should say, big busi­ they sent to all Federal Parliamentarians nessmen and leaders of business and industry, prior to the Budget? They said- ended by saying- "This Association is deeply concerned "We urgently implore you to oppose any at the suggestion from many quarters that increase in imposts on trade production and in an endeavour to combat the inflationary commerce and particularly as regard3 Turnover Tax." tendencies there will be an increase in taxation in the current Federal Budget. Like many previous speakers in this debate, I must say that, viewed realistically, the "We deplore this illogical reasoning. Budget presented by the Federal Treasurer "Any taxation which increases costs of was most disappointing and did practically those engaged in production, distribution nothing to relieve the conditions of pen­ or rende:r:ing service in any way must sioners and large families whose bread­ have an adverse effect on the charges to winners are in the lower-income bracket. be made and therefore must encourage The 50c increase in pensions was particularly rather than inhibit incipient inflation." disappointing and, I feel sure, caused the Government to lose the respect of all who Later this statement appears in the letter- are sincerely interested in the welfare of our "Earlier this year this Association and senior citizens. the Queensland Chamber of Manufactures What the 50c will purchase is, to my mounted a strong campaign against the mind, of little account. The gesture-and action of the Commonwealth Government that is what it was-is akin to that of a miser in its endeavour to validate the obnoxious who hands a meatless bone to his faithful old State Receipts Duty and we again take dog. It is an insult to our old folk, many of the opportunity of stressing our vehement whom have rendered valuable service to this opposition to such a tax. State and the community generally and whose "We submit that Receipu Duty which present financial position is in no way due to will be nothing more or less than a their own actions or way of life. The cost of Turnover Tax is basically wrong in con­ living is increasing continuously, and surely cept, costly to administer and extremely if it is found just and necessary to increase inefficient. the salaries and wages of those who are "It has to be paid irrespective of whether presently living in comparative luxury, it is the payer makes a profit on his deal. at least equally necessary to increase the "It is cumulative in its effect because pension for the same reason. each time goods in process of manufacture There will always be criticism of the or distribution change hand, tax is Budget. I do not intend to join those who attracted." cry for more funds for this purpose or for I ask hon. members to visualise how receipt that purpose. The revenue will be allocated according to the policy of the Government duty would mount up by the time some­ of the day and that Government must stand thing produced in southern Queensland was or fall on the wisdom of its allocation. It sold to a distributor, then to a wholesaler, is obvious that the Government cannot allo­ thereafter to a retailer, and then to a man cate more funds than it has, and if outside on the land at Burketown. The letter bodies pressure the Government into granting continues- income tax reductions to the tune of "Every person in any form of business $228,000,000 in one year, then expenditure will have to submit returns which will must be cut in many directions, and, because have to be checked and recorded by the of this colossal cut, the most vulnerable department. people-the pensioners-inevitably suffer to "The amount expected to be raised in the greatest extent. I believe that the D.L.P. the next three years is greater than the policy of taking the pension out o.f politics income tax Mr. Gorton hopes to remit and creating an independent tribunal of to middle and lower income earners­ experts to review and determine the pension yet these people will eventually have to rates from time to time is obviously the only bear the burden of turnover tax. just solution. "The Commonwealth already has ade­ The effects of drought are, I think, quate revenue for its purposes as has apparent to more people now than at any been demonstrated by the great surpluses time during the past 50 years. Perhaps the it has enjoyed for many years. If the only section of the community which does States need to be compensated for the not understand how the economy of the inability to levy receipts duty, the Com­ State has been affected comprises many of monwealth can find the funds without those-1 do not say all-in the metro­ additional tax. politan area who have not suffered financially in any way. They have no appreciation of "The average cost to each Australian the hardship and ruin suffered by many family (say 3,000,000 plus) will be over primary producers, or of the anxiety of many 50 cents a week if the revenue is as of their counterparts in rural areas who have estimated by the Federal Treasurer (in the thought of retrenchment ever in their the vicinity of $90,000,000 a year)." minds. Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 539

Apart from financial assistance there seems The cost of transporting grain from little that can be done now for those engaged Victoria to any processing company is in the breeding of sheep and cattle in a large approximately $30 a ton. With the 75 per area of the State, and one wonders how many cent. rebate allowable under the drought­ years it will take for those people to recover relief scheme, that grain could be brought in from the losses they have sustained. I have at a freight rate of $7.50 a ton. Obviously, always been of the opinion that sufficient if the feed companies have to pay the full importance has never been placed upon the freight, this amount must be added to the necessity to prepare for drought by all means present price paid by the farmer, and $30 possible. Surely it would be wiser, and more extra a ton will certainly mean that many of in the interests of the economy of the State, the farmers will not be able to continue. for the Government to assist producers in Many of them are on the bread-line now. every possible way, so that they will be able I consider that now is the time to ensure at least to minimise drought losses, rather that these two industries are preserved, and than wait till drought strikes, when the I suggest very strongly that, because of the cattle and sheep have reached a weakened feed position for next year, pig and poultry condition, before coming forth with aid. In farmers become eligible immediately for most instances aid when given is too late. drought-relief freight concessions to enable The cattle and sheep die, and all that the the processing companies to purchase grain primary producer has achieved is a bigger bank overdraft. now. Before concluding, I urge the Government As yet pig and poultry farmers do not to do something of a practical nature to qualify for drought relief, and I have been prove that it really means to foster and requested to bring under the notice of the encourage decentralisation as promised in its Government the situation in which these election policy. Country towns are mainly producers will be placed unless something service centres for the districts in which they is done to assist them. Both these industries are situated, and depend almost 100 per cent. are important, and play their part in stabilis­ on the business that they do with people in ing the economy of the State. their particular areas. During the year ended 30 June, 1970, Obviously, when there is a severe drought in a grain or dairying area, business is at a 798,000 pigs were slaughtered in Queensland. very low ebb in the town. It is most The approximate average weight was 115 lb. disheartening, and certainly not very encour­ a pig. Based on an average price of 25 cents aging for those who are in business in .thes.e a lb., these pigs returned revenue of drought-stricken areas and who are findmg 1t $23,000,000. Based on the Lane Fox most difficult to carry on without retrench­ Commission's conclusions, those pigs would ment of staff, to learn, when there is a large have consumed feed to the value of Government project under way in the town, $16,500,000. That gives an idea of the extent that the whole of the material required is to which this industry has grown. being brought from Brisbane. I refer to work being carried out by the Department of In No. 5 division of poultry farmers in Works at Dalby. There are businesses repre­ Queensland, which embraces the Downs and sented in the town which I know can buy just adjoining areas, there are 374 growers regis­ as well as Brisbane merchants can, and I tered with the Egg Marketing Board. These strongly suggest that on all future occasions growers own 902,200 pullets and layers, and the Government give the businesses concerned the approximate earnings from them for the the opportunity to at least tender for supplies. year ended 30 June, 1969, were $4,600,000, The little extra business could stave off That number of birds consumed feed to an retrenchment for at least a short period. estimated value of $2,500,000. These figures That is one way in which the Government relate to one division only, and do not take could prove it is sincere in its plea for into account income from broilers, etc. decentralisation. The feed position for the coming year looks Mr. LONERGAN (Flinders) (2.56 p.m.): grim. There is not going to be any wheat I say at the outset that I am opposed to the or barley of any consequence harvested on amendment moved by the Leader of the the Downs this year-I do not think anyone Opposition. will argue with that-and indications are that Mr. Davis: Why? there will be no grain of any consequence harvested in New South Wales north of the Mr. LONERGAN: That amendment has Riverina. For that reason, grain will have been well canvassed on both sides of the to be brought from Victoria and South House, and I do not propose to weary hon. Australia. members with tedious repetition. I say merely that some of the subjects mentioned Under present conditions, pig and poultry by the hon. gentleman have been debated farmers cannot claim concessional freight rates during the present session and that generally under drought relief, nor can the feed-pro­ the amendment has been well dealt with by cessing companies upon whom the majority of hon. members on this side of the House. I farmers depend, because individual farmers do not propose to single out any hon. mem­ are not equipped to mix their own feeds. ber in particular, because all those whom I 540 Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply heard did a very good job. In saying "those although if they do come, they will be whom I heard", I agree with a Minister i.n welcome. After all, I am only one indi­ the Federal House who said that it would vidual. I merely represent the people. drive him up the wall to sit in the House all Ministers do not come to see me personally. day and listen to all the speeches and all the I feel that it should be part and parcel of various points of view expressed by hon. every Minister's job to travel the length and members. breadth of the State-and not by air, either. It is the duty of the Leader of the Opposi­ They should travel in rail coaches, just as tion to try to pin-point the shortcomings of Ministers did when we first became the the Government-and there are shortcomings. Government. At that time Ministers were There are in every Government; no Govern­ possibly a little younger and more active and ment is perfect. On the other hand, the hon. eager than they are today; nevertheless, gentleman's amendment mentioned other Ministers should get to know the people and matters that I think he was obliged to put in their problems. In those days we had plenty and that were not based on fact. However, of problems, many of which, with the passage one cannot expect a Leader of the Opposition of time, have been eliminated. However, always to be factual. for some of the things that have happened, I do not propose to go over any of the to a certain extent, I blame the Cabinet as a ground traversed by other hon. members. whole. I propose to confine my remarks to my own I refer in particular to several sawmills area and to a few small matters. Some hon. in my electorate which were closed with members may say that these matters are the resultant loss of employment for 25 men. indeed small and that the time of the House The Minister for Transport has stated in a should not be wasted in bringing them here, letter that they will be absorbed into the but that is purely a matter of opinion. In maintenance section of the Railway Depart­ particular, one concerns the livelihood of ment. Where? Hundreds of miles from their about 25 men, and I think all hon. members homes. If timber to keep these mills going will agree with me when I say that is some­ was not available, I would go along with the thing that cannot be overlooked. Minister and say, "Providence decrees that As a back-bencher, one of the things that you shall close them and I will defend you." troubles me is that I do not believe that Unfortunately, on this occasion the first I back-benchers are shown the consideration knew of the closure of a mill was on 13 that they deserve. They are not consulted on January, when I was given the following matters of importance in the areas that they reasons by letter, portion of which I will represent. They should be, because they are read-and I ask the Minister to take particu­ conversant with them. lar note of this- "The decision to take this action has Mr. HoUISton: Are you referring to the become necessary because of the lack of Ministers, or to the public? adequate and suitable timbers for cutting Mr. WNERGAN: Without a doubt, to into sleepers in the respective areas." the Ministers. I say also that Ministers I approached the Minister on the matter and should show similar courtesy to members of he decided to hold his hand for a while. the Opposition in matters that are of any He then contacted the Minis.ter for Lands, importance. and that worthy gentleman consulted his Conservator of Forests and sought his opinion Mr. Casey: That is right. They are very as to whether there was sufficient timber in discourteous. the various areas to keep these mills going. Mr. LONERGAN: No. They are 1,000 Once again, I will not quote the Minister's per cent. better than Ministers in former letter, dated 8 March, in fuH but only those Labour Governments. They were tyrannical. parts that apply to my case. This itS what he said- I might be said to be an idealist-possibly "The matter has been discussed ... " I am-but I strongly resent it when matters I emphasise the word "discussed"- of impo·rtance happen in my area and the first intimation I have of them is the re<:eipt " ... with the Conservator of Forests of a letter from a Minister. I am not con­ and the position is that departmental demning all Ministers, but a couple of them officers consider that Crown areas within are bad offenders in this respect. 80 miles of Pentland have been cut out of sleepers." Mr. Houston interjected. I also emphasise the word "consider". The Mr. WNERGAN: He is a thorough officers merely consider. The Minister did gentleman-and a scholar, too. not say that any survey had been carried out. No survey was carried out, and I Turning now to another point, I do not challenge either the Minister for Lands or know whether Ministers observe such a the Minister for Transport to produce a letter thing as protocol. I do not know whether to that effect. we are obliged to send ornate invitations to Mr. Houston: Was the matter discussed them to visit our electorates. If we have to, I am afraid several of them will never come with you? into Flinders while I represent the electonte, Mr. LONERGAN: Not at all. Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 541

Going a little further, to bolster his case Mr• .Jensen: They were taking timber from the Minister for Lands said- Bundaberg down to Ipswich. "Harvesting is understood to have been LONERGAN: It was State-wide, I generally by part-time operators who have Mr. held other jobs. These operators have believe. not used snigging equipment, have loaded The hon. member for Gregory would prob­ blocks by hand, and have used light ably know that this matter was raised in vehicles for haulage. In these circum­ Cabinet. I feel that I should have been stances, the handling of blocks containing called into Cabinet and asked for my opinion more than three sleepers is impracticable, on the matter. and there would be a quantity of such larger blocks on the areas cut over." Mr. .Jensen: You should be in Cabinet. That is deliberate misrepresentation, and I Mr. LONERGAN: Thank you. The hon. say that quite. advisedly. member is a fine gentleman, although I am Mr. Houston: What? By a Minister? not going to say I agree with him. I feel that I should have been invited Mr. LONERGAN: In a sense. He says to the Cabinet meeting, although I know it that these men have had other jobs, which is rarely that anyone gets inside the doors is quite true, but they have other jobs of Cabinet. Cabinet could have said to simply because they could not get sufficient me, "State your case," but instead, unfortun­ orders from the Railway Department store­ ately, Cabinet heard the case put forward keeper to keep them employed continually. by the Minister for Transport, who had The Minister said that the operators have made up his mind, I feel, months before not used snigging equipment. How many to close the mill, irrespective of any evidence would need it for sleeper-blocks? Anyone that I might bring forward to warrant a who knows anything about sleeper-blocks continuation of its operations. Matters like realises that snigging equipment would not this irritate me. be needed. Mr. Houston: Why didn't you ask the Mr. R. Jones: That is how much they "hon. member for Nundah"? He presents know about it. a better case than the Minister for Transport. Mr. LONERGAN: We agree on one thing, anyway. Mr. LONERGAN: I've never heard of him! The Minister said that the blocks were loaded by hand. Many of the operators A Mr. Shepherd, who owns a large pro­ have cranes erected on their trucks, as perty in the Pentland district, has assured decrepit as the trucks themselves are. They me that there is plenty of timber growing could not ask their bank managers for over­ on his property, and he has also assured drafts to purchase new trucks. If they did the Premier to the same effect. Experienced the bank managers would ask, "What con­ timber-cutters have told me that the district tracts have you with the Railway Depart­ has enough timber to supply the State for ment?", and the operators would have to 10 years. reply, "A lousy 400 blocks." That is the Mr. R. Jornes: How does the timber hold way those operators have been treated for out around Torrens Creek? years. The Minister said that any log with more Mr. LONERGAN: I would not know. than three blocks could not be handled. This is nothing but a dastardly outrage. Anyone who knows anything at all about When I hear hon. members on this side of handling timber-! have handled a little­ the House speak about decentralisation, I knows that if a man cannot use skids to believe that some favour it. However, I think load a block with half a dozen sleepers that the Minister for Transport's idea of onto a vehicle he should not be in the decentralisation is elimination-wipe them bush. out! I regret having to say that, because the In spite of the fact that the letter of hon. gentleman is not present. But if he were 13 January says that there is a lack of here it would make no difference; I would suitable timber for sleeper-blocks, the Minister say it just the same. for Lands said- I had several interviews with the Minister, "It is believed that the Railway Depart­ who assured me that the position would be ment is prepared to offer orders for bush­ reviewed. In all sincerity, I went back and sawn sleepers to persons who were supply­ said to the men cutting the blocks, "I feel ing blocks to the mill at the time of that your jobs are safe." Little did I know closure." that whilst I was speaking to them the mill In one letter the Minister for Transport machinery was being loaded onto railway says that the timber is unsuitable, yet eight wagons. As hon. members know, it takes weeks later he is prepared to offer contracts quite a lot to upset me, but I was very to the operators, provided they cut the annoyed on that occasion because I regarded sleepers themselves. If that is not incon­ it as an act of disloyalty and a caiious sistency, I would like to know what it. disregard for the livelihood of these men, ail 542 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply of whom are battlers. My feelings-! "kid" called Powlathanga. I do not know how to no-one-and my sympathies are with the many times I wrote to the Minister asking battler. that it be shifted to Homestead or Pentland, I repeat that, irrespective of any facts that where men were living in bondwood huts. I might have presented to the Minister, it Finally, after half the cottage had been was a foregone conclusion that this mill stolen-almos•t all the louvres had gone, would be closed. In my opinion, there is a the windows were broken, and I think certain element in the Railway Department the doors had been taken-it was that is anti-country areas. In particular, I decided to shift it. But that is only one. say that such an element exists in the There are still many others. Is it any wonder Northern Division. As a result of the clos­ that I get steamed up and become a little ure of this mill, the Railway Department is critical of Ministers? Possibly, in that regard, having considerable difficulty in getting Opposition members are envious of me, sleepers. because they cannot criticise their bosses. Mr. Hanson: Th·ey won't pay the men who Opposition Members interjected. produce them a good price, either. Mr. LONERGAN: That is a very true Mr. LONERGAN: The hon. member is statement. Opposition members should not quite right. become alarmed, because I do not intend to deal with the "treason room", or anything The Railway Department advertised in like that. We know it is "fair dinkum", but every leading newspaper in Australia and, I I do not like flogging it nor do I like believe, overseas as well. Although the embarrassing Opposition members. Minister did not mention the overseas adver­ tising, he did say that he appreciated the This is only a small matter, but it indi­ co-operation of the hon. member for Conda­ cates the insignificant part played by those mine and the hon. member for Aspley, who of us who think we are somebody in this assisted him in getting all the sleepers the Parliament. Railway Department needed. It is most Mr. Wright: Do you agree with the amend­ unusual that members have to go around ment? canvassing contractors to get them to tender for sleeper-blocks. Mr. LONERGAN: I have made it quite Many people overlook the fact that the plain that I do not agree with the amend­ sleepers now have to be carried 1,200 miles. ment. The hon. member was asleep at that There will be no freight charge; the invoices time. He is excused. will be marked "Free". However, while a Unfortunately, the Minister for Transport train is carrying 200 tons of sleepers it will has visited my area by rail coach only once. haul 200 tons less of paying freight. On that occasion he did a very good job, Mr. Hauston: This would be gross despite the fact that he was on the verge of inefficiency, wouldn't it? hepatitis. I am obliged to refer to him as the Minister for Transport, but I think it Mr. LONERGAN: I would say so without would be more appropriate to refer to him a doubt; inefficiency of the highest' order. as the Minister for Air, because if he wants to go only a few miles he, hops into a charter I do not know whether the Minister is aircraft. Quite recently he flew to Coora­ advised by his departmental officers. But bulka, Springvale, Marion Downs and Mon­ my point is that, as the elected representative kira, in the Channel Country. of the people, I should have been consulted. Despite the fact that we had several dis­ Mr. Houston: What for? cussions on this matter, he did nothing about it, and today the Railway Department is Mr. LONERGAN: For what reas·on, I do paying twice as much for sleepers as it used not know. There is no railway there. I have to. I challenge anyone to deny that assertion. heard around the corridors of Parliament House that some good may come of it, At least the prompt action of the depart­ because one of the historic stations in that ment on this occasion dispelled the thought area could have its name changed in honour that there are only two speeds in the Railway of his visit. It has been suggested, I under­ Department, namely, slow and stopped. Of stand, that it be named "Fort Knox". I do course, I do not agree with that. The mill not kno•w whether that matter has yet been had hardly stopped working when the raised in Cabinet. The hon. member for machinery was shifted, and the following Gregory may know something about it. week the buildings were advertised for sale. Whether what I have heard is ·right or Those responsible were afraid the mill might wrong, I do not know. However, it would open again, which would cause them to lose be more appropriate, and of more help to face. the people of North Queensland .and the I shall quote a classic example of delay area in which I live, if the Minister got into and procrastination by the Railway Depart­ his rail coach and went out there ·to see t

when the report on frei~hts will be pro­ Minister on several occasions, he has never duced. If those preparing it are being paid ¥isited a hospital in my area. Being the on the basis of time spent on it, this State busy man that undoubtedly he is, he has will be bankrupt for the next 20 years. not found the ;time. However, I am sure Mr. Houston: When do you expect the that he will get round to it one of these days. report? Have you any idea? I do not see the hon. member for Burke in the Chamber. I do not know whether Mr. LONERGAN: The Minister for he is in a position similar to mine, but I Works and Housing will answer that ques­ know that most members representing western tion. I see ·that the Minister is now in ·the electorates are faced with the serious House. He need not wor·ry, because I am problem of a grave shortage of denrtists. In not going to "have a go" at him. I say the days of our late lamented friend Dr. quite sincerely that he is one of the Ministers Noble, there was a wonderful dental system. who have gone to my area without being There was an excellent travelling dental car invited, and he is quite welcome there. and the hospitals were well staffed. Today Indeed all Ministers are welcome in my the position is exactly the reverse. Admittedly, area, becau5e, although .some of them are rthe situation is similar in other Australian more concerned about travelling in1erstate, I States, but there is an answer to vhe problem. feel ·that many of them have much to learn about Western Queensland. If there is a party Mr. Houston: May I ask you a question? to be held in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney or Mel­ Mr. LONERGAN: I do not want any bourne, a battalion of commandos would be assistance from the hon. gentleman. I ask needed to keep them away. However, if we him to allow me to proceed with my say, "Come to Western Queensland," they speech. are not very inte·rested. Between Townsville and Julia Creek, a The Railway Department as a department distance of over 400 miles, there is nOli: one of inconsistency. On the one hand it wastes Government dentist. There are hospitals at money, yet, on the other hand, when a Charters Towers, Richmond, Julia Creek and battler puts up a good proposal it goes down Hughenden, each of which has a dental clinic to Townsville, where Charlie Hutchison will but no dentist. The last visit from a dental have a look at it and then pass it on to car was in June, 1969; the next visit will be Jock Lettuce. It is then passed on to the in the next school year, 1971. By my traffic inspector, and someone will be sent standards, that is not good enough. out west on an investigation costing about $200 into instaUing •an electric kettle some­ As hon. members well know, Queensland where. That sort of thing happens. I shall trains more dentists than any other Australian give a cJ.assic example of inefficiency in State. But immediately they complete their the Railway Department. The railway wagon bond, away they go. There are, of course, shop at Hughenden has been ·there for 50 reasons for this, and I suggest that they are, or 60 years, and the floor is so heavily firsotly, conditions and, secondly, salary. Even covered with grease from drippings from if 'there were 100 dentists and the Government hot-boxes that the men cannot work there gave them an additional $1,000 each per as their clothes become too soiled. Recently annum, that would be only $100,000. That I applied to the Minister for Transport .to is "peanuts" today. Is it not better to spend have a small portion of the floor concreted, money in protecting the health of young and he wrote back saying that the depart­ people and adults than to see trained dentists ment could not see its way clear .to do that go intel'&tate? because all the work there was done out in It is quite easy to rise in this Chamber the sun. It is done in the sun only because and criticise the Government, as many hon. ·the men cannot work under shelter as it members opposite have; but at least I am is too dirty .there. That is the only reason suggesting a remedy. These are matters that why they do not work there. A cleaner at trouble me. Nonda (anyone who has been there knows Mr. Bemwtt: Wally Rae nea,rJy went how dusty and diJ;ty it is, especially when interstate, and we almost lost a jackaroo. a southerly blows) applied for a vacuum cleaner. And what did the department do? Mr. LONERGAN: We will not lose the They "knocked her back". One thing in hon. gentleman. He is our brightest Minister. which the department is consistent is I am dealing with matters that affect the inconsistency. ordinary man, who is the one who counts I would be failing in my duty to the wUh me. electors if I did not say a few words on The people of the West are getting a ·the subject of health. I am sorry that my raw deal in the field of dental treatment. old friend the Minister for Health is not in When I raise the problem with the Minister, the House. At the outset, I may say wha

be surprised if they receive it. Quite recently be given publicity. They are important as I asked a question in .the House of the they affect the people. I am very happy to Minister for Health as to 1he cost of his have had the opportunity of making my vie~s overseas visit. He evaded the question. His public and letting the people !'~~w what IS answer sounded rather weak and I did oot going on in the No~thern _D!VlsiOn of the bother reading it. I was very disappointed Railway Department m particular. when he said that he had been unable 'to recruit dentists and doctors in England. Mr. B. WOOD (Cook) (3.34 p.m.): I am What was the purpose of his going? He pleased to suoport the amendment moved was away for three or four months. It by the Leader of the Opposition and seconded has been said tJhl!Jt it might have been the by the hon. member for Nudgee. It expresses "golden handshake". I do not think it was, a lack of confidence in the Government. It because he is ~too good a man to lose. is not simply an expression of the. opinion of this Opposition; it is an. e::cpresswn of t~e However this is a matter that requires opinion of the great ma]onty of people m a:ttention, a'nd I hope that when the Minist~r Queensland who are dissatisfied and disgusted reads my speech in "Hansard", or when h1s with the actions of the Government. friends tell him about it, he will have a conscience and realise that amenities such as Mr. Tucker: Especially the hon. member these are needed in western Queensland. At who has just resumed his seat. least I hope to see him travel through my Mr. B. WOOD: That is right. The hon. electorate by rail-car. He wiii be very member for Flinders was severely critical of welcome and I am sure that his visit will his own Government. I do not know how be very 'illuminating for him. he will vote, but in his heart he supports the Another matter that I feel I should men­ amendment that has been moved. tion concerns the rather large base hospital This is the last day of the debate. I have in Charters Towers. I forget just how many listened with interest as it has proceeded beds it has, but at present-and this has and almost all of the Government members been so for some years-it only has the who have spoken have avoided the very services of a second-year doctor without any difficult task that was set them. They have assistance. Unfortunately the hon. member avoided defending their Government. They for Nudgee is not in the Chamber, but I will have obviously been embarrassed by the quote figures showing .the average nu~ber of actions of their leaders and have not come in-patients and out-patients treated dunng the to their defence. Instead, they adopted months of May, June and July. The number tactics similar to those adopted by a notorious of in-patients averaged 19.09 for May, 23.33 American lawyer who said, "When I wish to for June and 25.66 for July. Although out­ win a case I set about abusing the opposing patients were seen on only four days a week, lawyer and then trying to confuse the minds I do not know whether the figures I have are of the jury by dragging in as many irrelevant based on four days a week or seven days, things as I can. Above all, I avoid the real but the average for May was 37.33, for June issues." The tactics of that American lawyer 41.88 and for July 44.66. are those of this Government. I think everyone must agree that no man should be called upon to work the hours Mr. R. Jones: A very pertinent point. entailed in looking after so many patients, Mr. B. WOOD: It is, and those tactics and, in addition, this young doctor has to have been adopted at election after election look after 200 patients at Mossman Hall. He for as long as I have been interested .in is only a young fellow. He is doing a good politics since my early teens. The tactics job, but I think he is being imposed upon. of members on the opposite side of the When I raised this matter with the Minister, Chamber, whether in Government or in he again told me that it was the board's Opposition, have always been to abuse the responsibility to find a doctor. Australian Labour Party. I had intended to touch on a Trades Hall statement to the effect that Mount Isa Mines I will pay Gove~nm~nt memb::rs t)lis Ltd. should be nationalised. However, as tribute: they are workmg m a field ·~n wh~ch my time is running out, that will have to they are particularly competent and m which keep. I am rather disappointed that I have they have shown an interest for many years. not the time to deal with it at some length, It is a field in which they have displayed because I have some knowledge of Mount Isa considerable natural ability. In fact, it in the very early days. is about the only ability they have. They have displayed their ability in distort!on, I hope that what I have said has not fallen deceit slander, smear, untruths and evasiOn. on deaf ears. Before I resume my seat, I This is what they have indulged in in this repeat that I take a very dim view of the debate, and I acknowledge their expertise i.n action of the Minister for Transport and also those fields. Obviously the Government IS of Cabinet's failure to seek my opinion in in trouble. That fact is revealed when its this very important matter. It resulted in 23 members bring these tactics to the fore. men who were employed directly by the Railway Department losing their jobs, as During this session the word "Communism" well as I would not know how many cutters has been mentioned once again. Govern­ and carters. These are matters that should ment members try to evade the. real issues Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 545

by bringing that one forward. It is significant secretaries. Of approx.ima:tely 1,600 minor that on the day after the Premier made positions, 13 were held by Communists. In a speech in this House the Deputy Leader a membership of approximately 150,000 of the Country Party made his speech, and there were approximately 14 other Com­ on that same day the "Telegraph" carried munists whom he mentioned. The Premier the headline "Premier Faces Revolt". On has shown nothing other than the complete that day the Deputy Leader of the County ineffectiveness and complete lack of power Party, who seems to be setting himself up of the Communist Party. It has no power as the Country Party's strong man, made at all and there is no strength in the a vicious attack on the Labour Party, and Premier's argument. since then a great number of other Govern­ As I said earlier, his deputy made some ment members have continued with that remarks about complete co-operation and attack. collusion. What nonsense! He referred to The Minister for Mines and Main Roads the strength of the Communist Panty. Aga:in, spoke about complete co-operation and col­ what nonsense! The Leader of the Country lusion between the Labour Party and the Party and the Deputy Leader made fools Communist Party and said that the Labour of each other by ·their statements, but that Party was coming to the defence of the would not ·be very hard to do. Communist Party. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I think this is Mr. R. Jones: Shocking! becoming tedious repetition. Attacks on members' personalities are not permissible. '\Ir. B. WOOD: The statement is also very Att-acks on parties can be condoned but inaccurate. The Minister also mentioned attacks on members, irrespective of whether the complete dominance of a once-great they are Cabinet Ministers, the Premier, the political party. The Labour Party is not a Leader of the Opposition, or any member of once-great _party; it has always been great, Parliament, cannot be condoned, and I ask and in this State it is as great and effective the hon. member to please desist from such today as it has ever been. references and to withdraw the remarks. In response to a challenge by the Leader of the Opposition, the Premier read out Mr. B. WOOD: I withdraw the remarks, a list of 31 names of alleged Communists but I am re·butting remarks emanat·ing from who were infiltrating the Labour Party or the Government benches. exercising some sort of influence over the Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. mem· Labour Party. Like many of the Govern­ ber has cast disparaging rema·rks about mem­ ment's allegations, the list was quite inac­ bers of the House. I ask him not to persist curate. If the Premier knew anything about in that strain, otherwise I will have to ask pure politics he would realise that by reading him to resume his seat. the list he was defeating his own propaganda and arguments. Perhaps the Premier has Mr. B. WOOD: Because of the actions acquired some sort of knowledge of adminis­ of the La·bour Party, which is the greatest tration and parliamentary procedure, but he defence against Communism in Queensland is quite ignorant in purely political matters. and Australia, the strength of the Com­ After mixing with the present leaders of munis·t Party is now less than it has ever the Government, Dame Zara described been. It has always be·en the Labour Party Queensland as a hillbilly State. Bearing in and the Labour movement that provides the mind the people with whom she mixed I best defence in any country. suggest that she was quite right. Mr. Campbell: By nourishing Communists. Mr. Davis: It is a hillbilly Government, Mr. B. WOOD: The Minister made an too. incorrect interjection. The Labour Party does not nourish Communists. As I Mr. B. WOOD: That is so. Early in was saying before the Minister entered the this session the Premier said a good deal Chamber, the Labour Par.ty is the party that about Communists in the Trades Hall who rids the unions and o•ther movements of are supposed in some way to exert an Communists. Wherever there is a strong, influence on the Labour Party. When chal­ united and effective Labour movement, the lenged by our Leader, he cited 31 names. Communis-t Party remains weak. In However, he did not expect that challenge European countries where the Communist and it was found that there was no strength Party is st-rongest, the Labour movement is at all in his argument. we,ak and disorganised. In Australia, where I want to examine the situation to show we have a strong Labour movement, the how ineffective the Communist Party is in Communist Party remains ineffective. Queensland. I repeat that the Premier cited Mr. Houston interjected. 31 names. Of those people one was the president of a union and three were secTe­ Mr. B. WOOD: That is right. It is very taries of unions. The remainder occupied interesting to note, in answer to that inter­ various positions, most of them ·relatively jection, that the present Minister for Justice minor and unpaid. Of the 50 unions men­ is elected to this Parliament on the votes of tioned by the Premier, one had a Com­ the same people who once voted in a Com­ munist president and three had Communist munist candidate. The Communist Party 19 546 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply remains weak because of the La:bour Pa!'ty. we need a Special Branch in this State. In the It is the Labour Party which effectively Federal sphere the Australian Security Intel­ represents the aspirations of the workers. ligence Organisation has certain limited The Premier's inaccurate list of 31 names powers. I do not see any need for a similar demonstrates clearly the ineffectiveness of body in the State. the Communists in this State, and their influence is naturally much less than their Mr. Murray interjected. numbers. Mr. B. WOOD: Obviously the hon. Mr. Porter: Can you explain what is hap­ member does not mind if there are spies pening in Victoria at this very moment? and pimps in our midst. Mr. B. WOOD: The hon. member for Mr. Miller: Are you calling members Toowong sometimes stands up in this House of the Special Branch spies and pimps? and tries to give the impression of delivering a learned speech. But he remains essentially Mr. B. WOOD: They certainly rely on a party secretary and is still bamboozled by them. The fact is that there is a Special the propaganda that he used to disseminate. Branch in Queensland. I hope that when Unfortunately, the Premier was too the Labour Party comes to power the Special ignorant of political matters to see the mis­ Branch will be seen as unnecessary. However, take he was making. I do not know whether while we have it, there are, in the interests he did not know or did not want to know. of democracy, certain things that we should know about it. Obviously, if it is to be Government members who are busily inter­ kept in existence, certain things that it jecting claim to be authorities on the Labour Party. Like the hon. member for Toowong, does must be rather confidential, but there they are bamboozled by their own propaganda are a number of things about it that disseminated over the years. They set up for Parliament should know. the Labour Party a policy and an organisation We should know, for example, how much that they want to see. However, it is totally money is allocated to it each year. We false, because what they see is not what is should know its staffing, but not necessarily actually there. They have fallen into the the names of all staff members. trap of believing their own propaganda. Mr. Dean: All the crooks know who In fact, it is the Country-Liberal coalition they are. which does most to advance Communism in this State. By its attacks on unions, the con­ Mr. B. WOOD: That is right. They mix tempt in which it holds unions, and its efforts with them. to reduce the strength and authority of We should know from where they are unions, it is encouraging the Communist recruited, and what training they undergo. Party. It is significant that, in this session, We should know the general purpose of the Government members, while attacking the Special Branch. We should know, in general, Labour Party on alleged influence from the its fields of activity. We should know if it Communist Party-totally wrong though it investigates political matters and industrial is-have themselves been adopting the matters, without going into further detail. methods used by the Communist Party, and I shall refer to one of them. Mr. Murray: What utter nonsense! There exists, in this State, a Special Branch Mr. B. WOOD: The hon. member for of the Police Force. I cannot say very much Clayfield may think so. He, with his whole about the organisation of the Special Branch background, may think it necessary to have because I do not know much about its spies in our midst. organisation. Mr. Murray: It would certainly be a Mr. Miller interjected. "special" branch if their activities were published. Mr. B. WOOD: I am totally opposed to it myself. Mr. B. WOOD: The hon. member is being quite foolish about this. Mr. Porter: If you do not know what it is, how do you oppose it? Mr. Murray: I am not. Mr. B. WOOD: I said I do not know a Mr. B. WOOD: If we must have a Special great deal about its organisation. I have Branch, obviously some of the work that some knowledge, insufficient though it is, of it does would necessarily be secret, but we what it is doing. should know generally where it works. I asked a question about this last year and Mr. Miller: Where it works, and how I was told to mind my own business. The many there are in it? Leader of the Opposition asked a question Mr. B. WOOD: No. We should know, recently and he was told to mind his own for instance, if the Special Branch is being business. We are told that we are not to used to compile dossiers on members of know anything about the Special Branch. I this Parliament. think that this should concern Government back-bench members. I do not know that Mr. Houston: Of course it is. Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 547

Mr. B. WOOD: Of course it is, and also Mr. Baldwin: Spiro Agnew did the same of other members of Parliament in this thing. State. I do know that that is being done. I maintain that that is not a field of Mr. B. WOOD: Of course he did. A activity for the Special Branch. former King of England did the same thing. Recently the Minister for Labour and It has. no purpose in spying on members Tourism had something to say about Federal of Parliament-and not only Opposition members of Parliament who did not take members, I might say. I do not think that there should be any spying on the life of the oath on the Bible but made an affirma­ a member of Parliament. We have seen the tion, as if to say that by doing that they Treasurer stand up in this House and wave were unworthy men. I do not think hon. a sheet of paper containing information pre­ members want such racial and religious pared by the Special Branch. He was attacks in this House. They are unwarranted. referring to a Federal member of Parliament. I make one thing clear: when I am elected Members of the Special Branch have no right at the next election, I am going to make to spy ~n members, and they do it only to an affirmation up there, rather than take try to stir up some mud to throw at members an oath. on this side or the other side of the House. Mr. Miller: That would not surprise us. Mr. Miller: We cannot put ourselves above Mr. B. WOOD: The hon. member has an everybody else. attitude similar to the Treasurer's. Mr. B. WOOD: In the last day or two These attacks have caused considerable the Minister for Justice has been proclaiming concern to the Opposition because the attacks loudly and piously in the Press that he is on hon. members on this side of the Chamber going to introduce legislation to stop the have been of a very personal nature. The bugging of telephones, and the use of other Premier was sitting on the front bench similar devices. recently muttering about loyalty. Hon. mem­ bers on this side of the House are no less Mr. Houston: He encourages it. loyal than hon. members opposite. They have served their country and their State Mr. B. WOOD: Of course he does. It is as well as anyone else. I should say after all right ~o tell oth~r people to stop spying, associating with members on this ·side of but he 1s not gomg to do anything to the Chamber, that they have served their prevent the Government from spying. In fact, he. used the words, I think, "pimps" State better than any other band of men and "sp1es". Yet he is encouraging his own that I can imagine. Government to spy. There is a special word Mr. Miller interjected. to describe that type of attitude. There is no place in this State for spies and pimps, Mr. B. WOOD: The trouble with the hon. and I hope that the Government will take member for Ithaca is that he was born with certain steps to let us know, within the a most unfortunate affliction. He has an bounds that I have stated, what the Special automatic switching device in his head. When Branch is doing. he opens his mouth, he switches off his brain, and he talks all day and snores all Recently an hon. member-! think it was night. the hon. member for Chatsworth or the hon. member for Mt. Gravatt-quoted from Last Wednesday an hon. member opposite a letter written by a Czechoslovakian woman stated that Australia is a prosperous country. I agree with him. Australia is a prosperous who ~aid what a great country Australia is, that m Czechoslovakia demonstrations are country. It has good resources that have been not allowed. The hon. member said that used, though not always to the best advantage, Australia is a great country, yet in the over many years and that have resulted in same speech he was very critical of any Australia's reaching a degree of prosperity. demonstrations that might be held. He was However, let us be quite clear on this point. as critical of demonstrations by church people I agree that Australia is a prosperous country. as he was of the moratorium. The only In making his statement, the hon. member criterion that he and other Government mem­ opposite probably had some different things bers have is: if it suits their warped ideas in mind. No doubt he is doing quite it is all right; if it does not it is to be weli-I think it was the hon. member for condemned. Mt. Coot-tha-and his friends are doing quite well in this country; big companies are The attacks by members of the Govern­ doing quite well. But the majority of ment have been very poor form, and not the people in this country are not doing the least of those attacks have been certain as y;ell as they should. The pensioners, the remarks by the Treasurer and by the Minister basic-wage earners, those on low incomes for Labour and Tourism. The Treasurer and those with large families would not was severely critical of a man because he describe Australians as prosperous. It is Anglicised his name. He adopted what was ridiculous to suggest that everybody in Aus­ in effect, a racial attitude to some peopl~ tralia is experiencing any sort of prosperity. an_d scorned many thousands of migrants in The statement made by the hon. member th1s State who have done precisely the same was an indication of his lack of concern, thing. his sheer lack of interest, at what is 548 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply happening in this country. He showed The State should provide day-care centres. what a Parliamentarian should not be. The A suggestion has been made in the past that people have suffered under members such schools could be better utilised for this as that for far too long. purpose, and I think there is some merit in providing nurses or child-care assistanrts in Mr. Miller: Have you lost your place? the case of l&rge families if the mother ·is Mr. B. WOOD: No. I notice that the working. A mother could then go out to hon. member reads his speeches. I do not work and have someone at home, paid or read mine. I use only brief notes. subsidised by the State, to crure for the children. Recently in America women were Many Australians are suffering agonies to talking of depriving their men of certain keep abreast of their fellows. I want to privileges. I do not •think the same thing make one thing quite clear. Ideally, I want should happen here, but seriously, if the to see no great differences between Aus­ women ·in Australia were to go on strike tralians. We all say that we should have from their work, the economic repercussions equal opportunities and should be as nearly would be quite serious. It is time that the equal as possible, but, at the moment, this people who are Tesponsible for running the is not so. The policy of the Country and country paid portion of the debt rthat is owed to women. Liberal Parties is for the big to get bigger and the small, or poor, to fall further Mr. Chinchen: You can pay your wife a behind. wage if you want to. The people in Australia are not prosperous. Mr. B. WOOD: No, I cannot. She works Some of them can drive big motor-cars; they for me at home, she answers the phone can build big homes; they can go for trips while I am away for the week, and she overseas and they can buy facilities for their answers it while I am away for three weeks homes without any particular financial touring my electorate, yet I cannot pay her difficuLty, but the majority of the people in a wage and claim it as a tax deduction. Australia have to make tremendous sacrifices She works for this Parliament and gets to try to keep up with the wealthier ones. nothing for it. In order to do this they have to pay e~tor­ In the time left to me I want to refer tionate hire-purchase charges and in many to a number of matters that affect my cases have to send their wives out to work. electorate. The hon. member for Flinders It is strange to think that because wives expressed discontent about certain things are working Australia is a very prosperous that the Government has done in his country. Wmking wives in Australia have electorate. I wish to complain about its deficiencies in my electorate. The hon. helped to create its prosperity, yet they do member for Flinders referred to the Minister not get anything out of it. Families in for Health and the Government's attitude which the wife has to work make some on decentralisation. The town of Mt. gains, but very often they a·re illusionary. Molloy, which is in my electorate, has a They work for others who make great profits small hospital, with a trained sister in charge. but they themselves benefit very little. They The town has seen better days and once had still cannot reach the standard of living they a bigger population than it has now, but desire because, when a wife is working, it is starting to come alive again. However, income is lost in other ways. Often the its hospital needs certain repairs, and the wife's wage is poor and she has to pay Health Department is about to look at it. out additional fares; she has to buy additional The residents of Mt. Molloy and I fear that clothing; the husband loses tax concessions the hospital might be closed. and, of course, they have none of the tax lurks that acre open to so many of the wealthy Mr. Wallis-Smith: This Government took people in this country. A wife often has the railway line away first, and now it to pay for child care, and this is one point will take the hospital. I particularly wish to raise. Mr. B. WOOD: That is right. If the Mothers who have done so much for this Government has its way there will be nothing country and who get so little out of it, left at Mt. Molloy. So much for its policy who are required to work because of their of decentralisation! As I said, the population standards at home, should receive from the of the town is growing, and tourists pass State something of the prosperity they give through it on the way to Cooktown. The to it. Firs•t of all, I believe that they should town's sawmill has reopened on a small scale, have available public facilities for the care and, as well, cattle-raising is on the increase. of their children, not just to make it easier If the Government closed the hospital it would be taking a retrograde step. Nothing for them, although they certainly deserve it, could be gained from the hospital's closure. but because of their contribution to .the economy. This work-force is essential to I turn now to the town of Weipa. To my our economy. We cannot do without it, knowledge, no doctor has practised in that and we should do something to assist these town. It is growing rapidly, and its popu_la­ people. Some of the prosperity that has been tion, including the Aborigines at We1pa created should be shared by those who have South, is approximately 1,700, with another helped to create it. 600 to 700 people only 25 minutes away by Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 549 air. Once a fortnight a doctor from Cook­ I support, which the Opposition supports, town visits Weipa for a few hours. Weipa and which the majority of the people in is an industrial centre and, consequently, Queensland support. contains more hazards than most towns. A number of accidents have occurred there, Mr. DAVIS (Brisbane) (4.12 p.m.): I sup­ and victims of serious accidents have to be port the amendment so ably, capably and flown to Cairns either by the flying doctor's competently moved by the Leader of the aircraft or by the company's plane. That Opposition, and I take this opportunity to flight takes several hours. associate the citizens of the electorate of Brisbane with the pledge of loyalty to Her Recently a man in Weipa spoke to me Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. about his boy aged 10 or 11 years, who fell from a water tower and broke his arm I will now deal with some of the state­ and suffered shock. The boy died on the ments about the Opposition and challenges way to Cairns. If medical attention had been issued in this House in the last couple of available on the spot he would probably weeks by Government members. I have be alive today. been a member of an industrial union for the greater part of my working life, and On many occasions the hon. member for I am proud of it. I was an official of Toowoomba East has expressed anxiety about the health of the Aborigines. A great the Transport Workers' Union fOT five years advantage could be gained from stationing prior to entering this House, and the office a doctor at Weipa to attend to the needs of that union is located in the Trades Hall. of almost 1,000 Aborigines who live nearby. On Wednesday, 5 August, when making his Of course, as the hon. member for Flinders speech, the hon. member for Yeronga read pointed out, the Minister for Health passes out the names of certain people employed the buck to the hospital board and will at the Trades Hall and by the Trades and do nothing on his own account to try to Labour Council and stated that they were improve the situation. Communists. When he did that, he was also able to supply their work classifications. I wish to refer now to a matter that I That seemed rather sinister to me. The first have raised previously, namely, the pro­ thought that came to my mind was, "Where vision of a helicopter service or an efficient would someone like the hon. member for emergency service in Torres Strait. The Yeronga, who is a well-known anti-unionist Islanders want it and the other people who -as a matter of fact, he was a rather reside in the area want it. The provision poor employer-get that sort of informa­ of this amenity is not beyond the Govern­ tion?" He had obviously had the information ment's capability, but no interest has been only for a short time because, as hon. shown in it. members will recall, he had some difficulty I wish to refer now to a conservation and mispronounced several of the names he matter. Earlier this year the "Oceanic read out. Grandeur" struck an uncharted rock-the This brings me to the realisation that vessel's name was rather ill-chosen consider­ there is a secret organisation in this State. ing what happened to it-and Queensland I was glad that the hon. member for Cook was extremely fortunate to escape major referred to this matter. As a democrat, pollution as a result of this accident. How­ and as one who believes in democracy, I ever, that cannot be attributed to prompt am loath to think that a political and action by the Government under an alleged secret organisation, which is obviously pre-emergency plan that the Premier spoke approved and applauded by the Government, of. We were saved only by the kindly should invade the privacy of John Citizen intervention of nature in that the sea was in this State. It was obvious from the unusually calm for an unusually lengthy hon. member's remarks that a file is kept period. The Government did not know what on everyone employed at the Trades Hall, to do, but the sea saved the day. irrespective of his political beliefs. Appar­ The Premier referred to a pre-arranged ently there is a file on me. Like the hon. emergency plan, but the Queensland Littoral member for Cook, I want to know something Society said that the only visible sign of about this Special Branch. the Queensland Government's plan was the When I was first employed as a union rapidity with which politicians and public official, I was informed by other union servants arrived at Thursday Island-and it officials at the Trades Hall that they believed was right. I hope the Government has their telephones were tapped. I have always learnt a lesson from this incident; I hope believed that we had a democratic system of it has learnt that nothing is achieved by Government, and when I heard these claims pretentious statements; I hope that it is of telephone tapping and bugging devices I now preparing preventive measures in case was cynical and thought that the people who of another unfortunate similar occurrence. made the claims had been watching too many One day the Government may learn that second-rate spy dramas on television. I did words are no substitute for action. The not believe that such things could occur in Government's lack of ability to do anything a democracy. However, I must admit that constructive, its sheer incompetence, has whenever there was an industrial dispute I brought about the state of affairs that is heard unusual sounds like clicking noises on condemned in my leader's amendment, which my telephone. This left me with the belief 550 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

that union officials' telephones, not only in other members on this side of the House, the Trades Hall but also at their homes, were ask what the Government is doing about it. tapped. By the definition that I have just read, it Mr. Bromley: I'll bet a million dollars mine would seem that the public relations officers is tapped. of the Liberal and Country Parties are using the same methods as were used by Herr Mr. DAVIS: For sure. Goebbels, who was propaganda chief of a I have had only one encounter with the now-defunct regime. Special Branch, and that was during the 1966 Trades and Labour Council campaign for an The centre that has been established at increase in the basic wage which, I am happy the Trades Hall is purely and simply an to say, was successful. office at which persons eligible for National Service are notified of their legal rights if Mr. Bennett: No doubt due to your they wish to object to service under the advocacy. infamous N a.tional Service Act. One may wonder why the ~rades and Labour Council Mr. DAVIS: I did assist. I must admit has gone to the trouble to set up such an that, quite modestly. office, and also why the policy of the A meeting was held in Queen's Gardens, A.C.T.U. is against conscription, as is also and the then Premier, Sir Francis Nicklin, the policy of a section of the Wor1d Council looked out of his window in the Executive of Churches. I believe that the unions are Building and saw what was happening. He fed up with seeing workers' sons conscripted. promptly got the Special Branch on the job. They are always in the majority among those The unionists assembled there were told to called up. It is a well-known fact that when get out of the park, and those who did not the sons or relatives of members of the leave were thrown out bodily. It was decided Country Party and Liberal Party come to have a meeting in the Botanic Gardens. within the age group for conscription, they However, anyone who tried to speak there immediately rush to Federal members ,and had his name taken and was booked. senators to find where the s,trings can be pulled to ensure that their young people are Mr. Ahern: Did you have a permit? not affected. They do this so that they can Mr. DAVIS: No. That brings be to another claim to the whole world that they are all point. Did D.L.P. Senator Condon Byrne for National Service, conscription, and and the Liberal member have a permit to involvement in Vietnam-as long as it does hold a political rally in the Botanic Gardens not affect them or their kin. on two public rostrums erected by the A.L.P. Has this not been the situation in Australia civic administration? We did not have them when the C.M.O. was in power. I have seen for a number of years? Was not the Prime members of the Special Branch near these Minister who introduced the National Service rostrums in Centenary Park and at Roma Act in the last 10 years, namely, Sir Robert Street, where a new one has been provided Menzies, a well-known military man and, as by the A.L.P. Brisbane City Council. Eddie Ward st,ated in Federal Parliament on many occasions, a person who had a We talk about free speech. Are the people brilliant career that was interfered with by who speak at these gatherings interrogated by the police? I call on the Premier, who is now war? He was a well-known stay-at-home. in the Chamber, and the Minister for Works Let us now come a little closer to home. and Housing to inform the people of Queens­ In "The Australian" on Friday, 28 August, land what is so special about the Special 1970, under the heading, "Premier was draft Branch, how many members it has, if it is objector", this appears- allowed to use tapping or bugging devices, "The Queensland Premier, Mr. Bjelke­ how much it can intrude into the privacy of Queenslanders, and what protection private Petersen, revealed last night that during citizens have against such intrusion. World War II he had successfully objected to being called up for military service. My stand against Communism is well "Speaking outside Parliament, Mr. known. Anybody who does not know it can Bjelke-Petersen was answering a challenge get the Premier to check with the Special made earlier in the Legislative Assembly Branch. I won my position as a trade-union by Mr. F. P. Bromley (A.L.P. Norman). official against a Communist-and I won handsomely, too. I have never believed in "Mr. Bjelke-Petersen s,aid he had been resorting to Gestapo or Russian police called up and had applied for exemption methods as this Government has done and from service on the grounds that he was is continuing to do. a farmer and the only person able to run the property. We have heard the word "treason" men­ tioned frequently during the past few weeks. "He said he had not been previously I went to the trouble of checking the meaning declared exempt as being in a reserved of "treason", and the definition that I found occupation~that of a farmer. is, "Violation by subject of allegiance to "The Premier said he could not quite sovereign or to chief authority of State." If remember the exact year of his call-up, there has been any violation, I, like so many but it was towards the end of the war. Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 551

" 'I must say that I did not volunteer, I cannot let this opportunity pass without but at that time of the war you couldn't offering my views on the inflationary trends get into the Army if you wanted to', he that are apparent throughout the country. said. There have been some amusing contributions from the Government side relative to trade "Mr. Bjelke-Petersen said at the time unionists and what they are doing. I see he was a farmer and contractor, country that the people who ask for curbs on wages areas were seriously depleted in man­ are always members of Parliament, Cabinet power." Ministers, chairmen of chambers of manu­ Government Members interjected. factures, and managers of big combines. They ask industrial unions to show some restraint Mr. DAVIS: It hurts hon. members oppo­ in their wage demands. It is amusing to note site a little to know that their leader objected that the people who ask for the control of to National Service. wages are almost always in the $7,000-$8,000 to $20,000 wage bracket. It is very easy to On the same date, 28th August, the say to a person in the $2,000 a year wage Premier also said in "The Courier-Mail", bracket, a person who receives about $45 a obviously in reply to another reporter, "My week, "Let us have a bit of restraint in wage age group was not called up until well into claims. If we do not, I will not be able to the war." The Premier, who, according to have my wage increased, because it will this newspaper, will be 60 years of age next interfere with the firm's profit." January, would have been 28 when war There is one way of stopping inflation. broke out in 1939, and he would have been If hon. members opposite will listen, I will 34 at the end of the war. tell them from a practical point of view the way to stop inflation. Allied with Industrial Mr. Lickiss: What were you doing about Commissions, there should be a price control the time of the Korean war? section and a research bureau. When a union approached the Industrial Commission for an Mr. DAVIS: This is the person who said increase in wages, the research bureau would that his age group was not called up and be able to ascertain the profitability of the that he would have been too old to go to industry and its ability to pay. I think that the war. What a lot of rubbish! I am not most unions would subscribe to that idea, but denying the Premier the right to stay out of it would mean, of course, a complete revision the war. He had his own reasons for doing of the Government's thinking. so. But nothing makes me sicker than hear­ ing such remarks from righteous people like The free-enterprise, competitive sy~tem, the former Prime Minister and the Premier. has completely and utterly broken down. The hon. member for Landsborough is the One of my colleagues in this House always youngest member of the House. If he sup­ refers to a particular member opposite as p~rts the war in Vietnam, why does he not "Mr. Free Enterprise". We are told that JO!ll up and go over there? competition brings prices down but other hon. members on this side have convincingly Has there ever been a Government more proved how farcical this claim is. I will two-faced than the present Government that cite one instance of how free enterprise has been forced upon the people by devious works in regard to spiralling prices that are means? On the one hand it applauds the blamed, of course, on increases in wages. involvement against Communist forces over­ seas; on the other the Leader of the Country T11e bread manufacturers agreed with the Party in the Federal Parliament McEwen Transport Workers' Union to an increase banquets with Russians. It sells 'wheat and of $2 a week in the wages of the carting wo?l to wh_at it calls its enemy, Communist trade section of the industry. One firm, Chma, but Jt calls trade unionists who imple­ which employed 70 bread carters, as a result mented a black ban on the export of merino of this increase, had its payroll for carters rams to Russia Communist-inspired agitators. increased by $140 a week. In their usual It is rather difficult to follow, but that seems competitive manner, the bread manufacturers to be the logic of the present Government. then met and agreed to increase the price of all varieties of bread by le a loaf. As A Government Member interjected. always, the justification advanced for this was the increase in carters' wages. The Mr. DAVIS: The hon. member for Griffith firm that had to pay an extra $140 a week is another one who is good at that. forgot to mention the fact that its turnover was 70,000 loaves a week. A simple arith­ I will answer an interjection that was made a short time ago. An hon. member opposite metical calculation would disclose that the asked where I was when the Korean war increase, ostensibly to cover carters' wages, began. Our family is quite proud of its war meant an additional profit for this firm service, and in 1951, at the age of 17 years, I alone of $560 a week. Is it any wonder joined the forces to serve in Korea. It seems that such companies do not mind agreeing a shame that one has to spend so much time to wage increases for workers. in this House discussing Federal matters I have here a newspaper article which when there are so many vital State issues to throws some light on why Country Party be discussed. members are anti-union. Since I have been 552 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply in this House, I do not think I have ever When asked if he thought seven days a heard from the other side one word favour­ week was a bit much to expect, he replied that able to a union, particularly from Country he did not think so. He said- Party members. I shall read parts of this "I have always worked seven days a article that throw some light on Country week, and work does not hurt anybody." Party policy. A number of hon. members have said that Mr. Murray interjected. work does not hurt anybody and that they would like to see the hours of work Mr. DAVIS: The hon. member who inter­ increased. Farmer Mclntosh continued, jects is always rubbishing the Country Party, "Anyway, I would take him whenever we so this might help him. go to the dance." Did Farmer Mclntosh think that a wage of $10 a week was enough? Mr. Murray: Never. He certainly did. He said, "We live on the best here. I always have good tucker, Mr. DAVIS: We all know that the hon. and there is always bacon and eggs for member for Clayfield has been a member breakfast." Asked, "How about the two days of two or three different parties. off at Christmas?", he replied, "He would get Christmas Day and Christmas Eve and I do not know how true this article i~. Boxing day, but he would still have to do but the person responsible for it is a member the pigs." of the Country Party in the Treasurer's electorate. It is he,aded, "A 'superboy' I refer to that article to acquaint hon. members with the attitude adopted by the wanted for farm work", and reads- Country Party. " 'Kids today don't want to work, that's their trouble,' said Forest Hill farmer Honourable Members interjected. Lauric Mcintosh. Mr. Mcintosh is th~ Mr. DAVIS: I would not try to "rubbish" farmer who advertised in 'The Courier­ anybody, but I am led to believe that he Mail' bst week, 'Boy, 1 5-16, wanted, start is one of the persons seeking the position of work 3.30 a.m., 7 days week, 2 days secretary of the Country Party. off at Xmas, $10 week and keep.'" (Laughter.) I wish to refer now to a question tbat I asked the Minister for Health. I was led This might seem comical, but only last year to believe that an hon. member who asks in a reply to a question I asked the Minister a Minister a question can expect a truthful for Labour and Tourism about industrial answer. On 28 July of this year I asked inspectors doing their job, he referred to the Minister for Health- me as a tool of my Communist-prone masters. "(!) Is he aware that unwrapped bread I want to know why his department does is being delivered on Sundays by vehicles not investigate this sort of person. which do not comply with 'The Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations of 1957'? Mr. Bromley: Is this Farmer Petersen? "(2) How many prosecutions were under­ Mr. DAVIS: No, this is Farmer Mclntosh. taken by the Health Department in relation We have been told how busy Farmer Peter­ to this matter for the six months ended sen was during the war. Anyway, Farmer June 30, 1970? Mcintosh, when the reporter asked him if "(3) As bread is being carted in the rear he was kidding, said- and boot sections of cars and also in the "It does not bother me what city folk company of household pets, if no prosecu­ think. I don't want any city slickers up tions have been undertaken what is the here. I've always got up at 3.45 a.m. myself reason?" and I'd want the lad up first to stoke The Minister replied­ the boilers. It sounds a bit hard but my "(!) 'No.' bite isn't as big as my bark-I wouldn't drive a man." "(2) 'Nil.' "(3) 'I would appreciate the Honourable The article continues- Member making available full details of "Farmer Mclntosh, a stocky grey-haired the alleged breaches.' " man with a pronounced stockman's walk comes from 'out Windorah way' and Two days later I asked him- bought the 80-acre farm four months ago. "Further to his Answer to my Question He runs a few cows and 45 pigs, and on July 28 in which he requested full grows barley and lucerne." details of alleged breaches of 'The Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations of 1957', as He said- such details were forwarded to his "I would expect the lad to concentrate Department by the Transport Workers' on the pigs, drive the tractor and a utility. Union on March 20 and June 12 and the I wouldn't let him drive the crawler. But letters were acknowledged by his Depart­ I would not expect him to work long days. ment on June 16, what action did his There would be an hour or so when he Department take to investigate these could just sit around and read the paper." matters?" Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 553

The Minister replied- bread has existed, yet I did not get a decent "The correspondence referred to contains or sensible reply from the Minister. That is no reference to unwrapped bread. The shocking. other matters raised are being attended to." Mr. R. Jones: He is trying to cover up. This matter is very important to the health of the community, and is not treated lightly Mr. DAVIS: I think he is. by the union of which I am a member. Before I finish my speech I think I should On 20 March, 1970, this letter was written acquaint the House with a little story I to Mr. C. J. Murray, Chief Inspector of heard the other day concerning Billy Hughes, Foods, Health Department, Brisbane- a former Prime Minister of Australia and a "Dear Mr. Murray, former member of the Australian Labour Party, who was expelled from it because of "I am reliably informed that bread is being transported from Hauslers Bakery at his conscription beliefs. Capalaba in vehicles that do not comply A Government Member: A correction; he with the requirements of The Health (Food walked out. Hygiene) Regulations. "The offences against the Regulations are Mr. DAVIS: In any case, I ask the hon. said to occur regularly between daybreak member to listen to this: he then became and 9.00 a.m. on Sundays. a member of the Nationalist Party, and from "I am instructed to request that investi­ the Nationalist Party went to the United gations be made as a matter of urgency Australia Party, and from the fragments of and that if the allegations are found to the United Australia Party he went to the be correct that appropriate action be taken Liberal Party. In each party his membership to end these unhygienic practices." ended in a "blue". While he was in the Liberal Party he had a "blue" with the Mr. Tucker: Who wrote that letter? then Leader of the Liberal Party, who is Mr. DAVIS: The secretary of the Trans­ now Sir Robert Menzies, and it seemed as port Workers' Union. The practices referred if he would have to leave the Liberal Party to are those followed by storekeepers, who or be expelled from it. At this time, a arrive at the bakery in their private sedans friend of his approached him and said to or station-wagons and load unwrapped bread him, "Mr. Hughes, there is only one party into them. The bread shares the company left that you can join and that is the Country of either the pet Alsatian or cat or would Party." Billy Hughes, who was only a little be placed in the greasy boot of the car. fellow, jumped, ranted, raved and said, The complaint is a legitimate one. "Join the Country Party! What do you take me for, a rat?" On 12 June, 1970, a letter was sent to the Under-Sceretary of the Health Depart­ Mr. Porter: The Country Party was not ment, reading- formed until 1920. "On two occasions recently, officials of this union have observed unwrapped Mr. DAVIS: Rubbish! bread"- Mr. BENNETT (South Brisbane) (4.42 I emphasise the word "unwrapped"- p.m): Like other hon. members on this side ". . . being carted in vehicles which of the House who have spoken, I certainly did not comply with the Health and support and endorse the amendment moved Hygiene Regulations. The breaches of the by my leader and seconded by the hon. regulations occurred on a Sunday morning member for Nudgee. I am sure that if at the premises of Hauslers Bakery," there are any honest members on the Govern­ ment benches they will support the amend­ and so on. Later on, it refers to unwrapped ment when a vote is taken. bread. I have here the reply, dated 16 June, from the Department of Health, signed by The technique has been made manifestly the Acting Under-Secretary. It reads- clear during the conduct of this debate. The issues raised by my leader have been " Dear Sir, evaded and avoided in the prevarications of "I have to acknowledge your letter of the various Government members and in the 12th instant concerning the cartage of their desire to avoid the real truth and unwrapped bread from certain bakeries. necessity to deal wi,th the inefficiencies of "The matters mentioned have been the Government and its lack of control of refeHed to the Director-General of Medical the fundamental affairs of State. Services." Virtually, we have heard only one honest That was signed by the Acting Under­ speaker from the Government benches. That Secretary, but the Minister made a big was the hon. member for Flinders. who said "galah" of him in this House by saying this afternoon that the Government has in he had not heard of it. Either the Minister its ranks a couple of dishonest Cabinet does not know anything about his department Ministers. He certainly was not exaggerat­ or someone in it is not giving him the right ing, and I suppose other Government mem­ idea. Since March this year, when it was bers could tell us some more of the truth lodged, this serious complaint against about what is going on in the coalition unhygienic and unwholesome carting of parties. 554 Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

In spite of what has been said-and some "treason room" are so much poppycock. It rugged, unfair and dishonest accusations is a room where people receive certain legal have been made against A.L.P. members, advice on existing legislation. both inside and outside the House-and in spite of the cloud, the smear and the dis­ It would be equally fair to say that we honest innuendoes that have been levelled are entitled to comment on or criticise the against us, I do not think it is necessary policy that is contained in particular legisla­ for me or any of my colleagues to under­ tion, which I do. Are we to be charged with line our loyalty to Her Majesty. She treason because of that conduct? We are realises that what Government members still upholding the rich traditions of our have been saying is a lot of hog-wash and democratic instrumentalities that have been balderdash. Her deputy in this State, the built up over the years by the loyalty of Governor of Queensland, is known to me A.L.P. members. We are entitled to object­ as a former Chief Justice and a man who I say this as a proud father whose son will has practised the Jaw. He knows when his voluntarily join the R.A.A.F. on Friday-to Cabinet advisers are engaging in dishonesty; the lottery basis on which men are called up he kno'>'s only too well that they have not simply because their marble happens to roll the evidence to support their erroneous out. And I am not satisfied that it always allegations; and he would consider the rolls out in a fair fashion, either. Because remarks made by Ministers and back-bench I hold that opinion and because I want to Government members about the loyalty of and do make comment on it both here and the A.L.P. as a Jot of drivel. I do not elsewhere, are the charges and allegations of propose to waste too much time trying to Government members justified? If National assert what is a fundamental truth, namely, Service is essential, there should be no differ­ that we can hold our heads proud and entiation under any circumstances or high for what we have achieved politically, conditions between youths of a given age. industrially, and internationally in our service Whether we agree or disagree with the in two world wars. service that is being provided at the Trades I listened with interest to the allegations Hall, we must concede that it is being and charges being trumped up by Govern­ provided at the expense of the union ment members about the "treason room" at membership who voted in support of provid­ the Trades Hall. I suppose Government ing it. On the other hand, this Government members would like to accuse me of the self­ refuses to maintain standards and traditions same treason because, as a legal man, a that would preserve our democratic instru­ politician, and a parliamentarian, I am pre­ mentalities, and I refer in particular to the pared to advise people of their rights. I do University of Queensland. Government that regularly each afternoon. However, my members have been side-stepping and shilly­ shallying in their obligations and responsi­ job is becoming too difficult because of the bilities, and they do not speak about what number who attend, and I would welcome the they should be doing in regard to university assistance of anybody else who is prepared activities. They do not charge certain people to make his services available to help citizens with treason as a result of nefarious practices who perhaps do not understand their legal and activities, and we are more entitled to rights. deal with that aspect because the university One is entitled to advise people on any is an instrumentality supported by public law or legislation and to tell them their rights, moneys. It is a vehicle into which large for instance, under the National Service Act, sums of the taxpayers' money are directed Not only have I done that, but I have also each year, and we, as representatives of the appeared for various people who have been taxpayers, have an obligation to see that brought in, sometimes by fathers who had their money is spent wisely and fairly. distinguished records in the second world war, I have raised this issue previously. I who were known to me personally, who in believe it important that when Parliament some instances were decorated, but who, has certain obligations, Parliament should for various reasons which are valid under the shoulder them. I realise that, for political National Service Act, wanted certain applica­ purposes, it is easy to criticise and castigate tions made to our recognised courts for the trade union movement, because the Gov­ exemption from or deferment of service for ernment knows that it will never get any their sons, and I have been successful on a support from decent, well-meaning and number of occasions in keeping within the honest trade uni0ns. If I may refer to N ationai Service Act and the provisions preservation of democratic standards, the thereunder. Government seems to conceal the corrupt Are we to be charged with treason because practices of some of its Cabinet Ministers in obtaining secret profits from Cabinet negotia­ we exercise our rights under Commonwealth tions and contacts. That type of conduct and State legislation? Are we to be charged undermines people's respect for democracy with dishonesty because we tell our constitu­ much more than some of the hare-brained, ents and supporters what they are entitled wild-cat demonstrations that take place from to under existing legislation? These allega­ time to time. Cabinet members, of course, tiOns and charges relative to the so-called are not necessarily corrupt, but if people Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 555 believe that some of them are, that under­ roll ea]] is a large one and that the vast mines and white-ants the people's respect for majority of decent students are interested democracy. only in obtaining a good education and equip­ I can assure the House that there are ping themselves for their professions so that many people in Queensland today who are they can become the leaders of socie-ty for not satisfied that we have an honest Cabinet; future generations, and we have a tremen­ they believe that some Cabinet members are dous obligation to these students. using their office for the purpose of obtaining I do not believe in being sectarian or personal profit. partisan, nor do I believe that there should Mr. Hinze: What do you think? be any differentia-tion or distinction between sections of the community. I realise that the Mr. BENNETI: I share their opinion. I craftsman, the apprentice, the man working like to be objective and not give my personal with a pick and shovel, is doing just as much opinions, as I am here as a representative of for his country as the man who acquires the people and try to express what they education, largely at ·the expense of the tax­ believe. However, if I am asked for my payers, at the Queensland University. There personal opinion, I am prepared to give it. should not ·be any differentiation between people in any of these categories. But I As a graduate of the Queensland Uni­ certainly believe that the person who is versity, I suppose I have some nostalgic receiving an education is perhaps acquiring feelings for an institution at which I received a weapon that can either be of tremendous some of my learning, and, in observing its value to the State or, alternatively, a source development over the years, I have been of destruction to the State, because ordinary, rather pained and disappointed, sometimes genuine, decent men in the community who alarmed, at the Government's fear of inter­ have not had the privilege and advantage of fering in any way in university activities. By a higher education are prepared to respect adopting this attitude, the Government is men of education and, usually, to accept what doing a great disservice to the State. they do and what they say on matters in I say that it is for two reasons that the which the ordinary man is unskilled. Government has failed to interfere. One is Equally, of course, a professional man will that it is fearful of interference, and the accept what a craftsman tells him about his second is that it likes to see some demon­ work. It would be a foolish man who strations by a very small minority of so-called would tamper with electricity if he had not university students. Not all who demonstrate served his apprenticeship in that field and at the university are university students. The did not understand it fully. So each man, Government likes to see demonstrations so naturally, must and should respect the other that they can make use of them at election in his particular field of learning and train­ time by claiming that there is some affilia­ ing, and we should insist that those who are tion between the demonstrators and the Aus­ to lead us in the educational world-and we tralian Labour Party. are moving into a scientific and technolocrical era-have high professional standards. o That is, of course, far from the truth. The A.L.P. has proved both this year and One hears talk about the generation gap last year that it has the guts and the goodwill and the age gap. That is a lot of hooey too to get rid of subversive elements who flout in my opinion. There has always be~n ~ the law. The Government is not prepared to difference in age groups, throughout history. do anything about them. Two co_nflicting However, I agree that, with the ad\ ancing reports have been made by two senior and years, when progress is made and greater allegedly responsible Cabinet Ministers, skill and knowledge obtained, people are namely, the Premier and the Minister in entitled to discuss and express their opinions charge of the Police Force. Certainly the volubly, if they see fit, and by way of con~ public is in a state of disquiet because, having duct, provided they do not flout the law, on read carefully the public pronouncements of the morality of conscription, the morality of those two Ministers, they are still not clear conscientious objection. They are entitled on the Government's attitude to these to meet and say what they think about police matters. treatment of suspects. They are entitled to demonstrate, provided they demonstrate I have been the victim of the sort of without flouting the law and interfering with business that occurred a-t the Queensland the liberty of others. University last Friday, and as a graduate of the Queensland Universi-ty, I resent it In recent years there has been a tendency bitterly. towards what might be termed autocratic government. I have made my views fully Mr. W. D. Hewitt: You resent the fact and widely known in this Parliament at the that you were not allowed to speak freely? university, and in other places, about people Mr. BENNETI: Sometimes I have who deliberately flout the law. I think I said on one occasion-nothing has since hap­ :esen~ed not being allowed to speak freely m this Chamber, too. pened to change my view-that university stlfdents in particular could get much farther I realise that episodes such as these relate With the matters on which they wish to con­ to a very small minority of university vince the university by using their brains students, because I well understand that the rather than their boots and rather than by 556 Address in Reply (8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply

becoming violent. On the other hand, I do state or system that gives us the opportunity not agree that a Government should be auto­ of building up the community of man, and cratic, and I think that some of the state­ although, because of the wrong impression ments made by the Premier this morning are some people have of me, hon. members unfortunate. He is inviting and provoking might think this strange coming from me, trouble that may not arise. I am sorry the greatest single factor guaranteeing free­ that the Premier did not leave this matter to the Minister in charge of police, whose dom is a good, clean, decent Police Force. duty it is to see that the Traffic Act and I am satisfied that last Friday the Police other laws of this State are policed by the Force was done a great disservice by some­ Queensland Police Force. The Premier body. It was probably the Government, but obviously is provoking trouble and, inci­ a lot of shilly-shallying is going on about dentally, making the task of the Queensland it. Members of the Police Force, under Police Force much more difficult. I have their oath of office, have an obligation to no doubt that Mr. Whitrod would like to go where they are needed and to be on send a telegram to the Premier, or to get duty where they are directed. It would him on the telephone, and say, "Why don't seem that it was necessary for them to you shut your big mouth?" I know that visit the university on Friday, whoever called Mr. Whitrod could not say that, but that is them there. Quite frankly, perhaps not no doubt what he is thinking. solely from the point of view of my own A Press article that I have here reads- personal preservation, on the night when "When the Premier was asked what I was attacked at the university I had my action would be taken if the demonstrators wife with me and the situation was ugly. decided to defy the Government and I do not like people thumping on the attempt to march along Queen Street, he hood of my car and standing around. My said, 'They will be met with the full temper might become frayed and I might strength of the Police Force.' " get out and do things that later I would regret. Obviously, at times it is as necessary What a stupid, tactless remark for any to use the services of the P'olice Force Premier to make! I can only say, without at the university as it is at any other public being personal or disparaging, that it could place. only come from a man who has not mixed with men or who has not been in uniform. How ridiculous it would be if the water­ His comment was most unfortunate and side workers said, "We will police the could create quite an unnecessary and ugly wharves ourselves. If we suspect any of situation. I, with the president of the Queens­ our members of doing a bit of pilfering or land Police Union, certainly do not believe lifting of cargo, we will police it. We do that the police should be made punching not want the police coming onto the wharves bags on occasions such as this. I believe and searching our bags." What a ridiculous th;t violence should be overcome or avoided situation that would be. Yet a number of where possible, and I do not think that Government members and people at uni­ inflammatory remarks should be made by versity level believe that the police have people in high authority. no right whatsoever to go onto the campus at the university. Mr. Tucker: It looks as if he is itching for a confrontation. I cannot see why the university should enjoy asylum or be sacrosanct. Of course, Mr. BENNETT: As my deputy leader the university has its regulations and laws says, it looks as if the Premier is itching which are approved by Cabinet, but they are for a confrontation. He obviously thinks weak and ineffective and have led to a that, because of his lack of capacity as farcical situation. a Premier and the Cabinet's reputation in share dealings, publicity should be given to The police were called in. That aspect is some other matter to attract it away from important. If a constable refused to go to Cabinet activities. the university he would be dismissed from the Police Force. He has no choice. If There appears to be a lack of consultation he was on duty in the city and was directed in decision making. I believe that the to the university he could not say to his dignity of the individual should be para­ superior officers, "I won't go there." If he mount. It is the individual, not the crowd said that, he would be dismissed. In keeping or mob, who must be guaranteed the right with their oath the police went to the of self-d~termination and, in the policing of university, and what happened? They were our laws-indeed, in the making of them told, "Get out, pigs." -we should insist on retaining the dignity of the individual and the individual's self­ It is shocking that an extreme minority respect. I do not believe in any mob or in this society will tolerate that sort of group activities, and I think that the freedom conduct. The police should not be expected that is bandied around so much these days to put up with such derision and insult. If is not an end in itself. Freedom is only the police are called to the university to help of value when it affords an opportunity to an hon. member or a leader in the com­ get things done. Freedom from restraint munity leave it, are they to be called pigs? fs a negative thing. True freedom is the I certainly do not think so. Address in Reply [8 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 557

A photograph appeared in the Press of he must have received a Government instruc­ an injured detective, and, although I think tion to call off the police, and force them the look of anguish on his face was slightly to suffer the terrible embarrassment of having exaggerated, apparently his ribs were broken to run away like dingoes. I am not suggest­ and he had suffered bodily harm. It is a ing that they were dingoes, but they were shocking indictment of the Government if called off, and this grubby mob jeered at the person who did bodily harm to a member them while they left. That is one of the of the Queensland Police Force, and whose most scandalous happenings in our com­ identity is known, goes scot-free. Over the munity since I became a lawyer. years r have had a good deal to say about When criminals are on trial in our courts policemen, and I believe that some members judges often say to juries, "Now, you are of the Police Force, particularly detectives, dealing with a policeman, a respectable mem­ are dishonest. But they are in the minority, ber of the community." Yet, the Government and I hope they will be weeded out in the is now undermining their morale and well­ near future. being by calling them off in such a situation. Mr. Hodges: Has he gone scot-free? I am not attacking Professor Zelman Cowen, who is new in his position and has Mr. BENNETT: Perhaps the Minister to operate under the laws prevailing at the knows better than I do whether he has. On university, but we now have the spectacle of the day of the incident he certainly went a shocking farce in the form of an investiga­ scot-free. I point out that if I walked over tion. I would be in the watch-house by now to the Bellevue Hotel and thumped a police­ if I had taken part in the demonstration last man in the ribs I would be in the watch­ Friday, as would any ordinary citizen such house within 10 minutes. As a matter of as a waterside worker. But what is happen­ fact, I have been on a charge of ing? Before anything can be done the that nature after I was provoked sufficiently University is to conduct a tedious investiga­ to retaliate. I received no asylum or pro­ tion that may extend over three or four days tection from the law, so why should a or a fortnight. It will then be decided university student be given protection? More whether or not someone should be charged. particularly, why should a scruffy university student be given protection? Up till now Mr. Hanlon: One of the terms of reference the student involved has gone scot-.free. relates to who called the police and why Certainly he has not appeared in court. Under members of the Special Branch arrived. In the law and the Criminal Code the police effect, that committee is inquiring into the have the right to arrest him and charge him Police Department, which is ridicul

I should like to refer to an article that SUPPLY I read recently which dealt with the so-called generation gap, and in which CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE George Orwell was quoted as saying- Hon. :J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah "Each generation imagines itself to be -Premier): I move- more intelligent than the one that went "That the House will, at its next sitting, before it, and wiser than the one which resolve itself into a Committee of the comes after it. This is an illusion . . . Whole to consider the Supply to be granted but one ought to stick to one's own to Her Majesty." world-view, even at the price of seeming Motion agreed to. old-fashioned: for that world-view springs out of experiences that the younger generation has not had, and to abandon WAYS AND MEANS it is to kill one's intellectual roots." CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE Mr. Murray: You are quite a philosopher. Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah Mr. BENNEIT: I have always been a -Premier): I move- philosopher, because hon. members opposite 'That the House will, at its next sitting, intrigue me. I am also a psychiatrist trying resolve itself into a Committee of the to find out how their minds work. Whole to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to Her (Time expired.) Majesty." Motion agreed to. Question-That the words proposed to The House adjourned at 5.31 p.m. be added to the Address (Mr. Houston's amendment) be so added-put; and the House divided-

AYES, 28 Baldwin Jones, R. Bennett Jordan Blake Marginson Bousen Melloy Bromley Newton Casey O'Donnell Davies Sherrington Davis Thackeray Dean Tucker Hanlon Wallis-Smith Hanson Wood, B. Harris Houston Tellers: Inch Wood. P. Jensen Wright

NoEs, 41 Bird Kaus Bjelke-Petersen Knox Camm Lee Camp bell Lickiss Chalk Lonergan Chinchen McKechnie Cory Miller Crawford Moore, R. E. Delamothe Muller Diplock Murray Fietcher Newbery Heatley Rae Herbert Ramsden Hewitt. N. T. E. Row Hewitt, W. D. Sullivan Hinze Tooth Hodges Wharton Hoop er Houghton Tellers: Hughes Hungerford Ahern Jones, V. E. Porter

PAIR Moore, F. P. Armstrong Resolved in the negative.

Motion-That the Address in Reply be adopted (Mr. Heatley)-agreed to.