Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1977

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

498 Papers [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Valuation of Land Act, &c., Bill

Secretary, Queensland La:w Society Incorporated, under the Legal Assist­ ance Act 1965-1975, for the year 1976-77.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY; MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Hon. J. BJELKE·PETERSEN (Barambah -Premier) (11.5 a.m.): I desire to inform the House that in connection with the overseas visit of the Minister for Primary Industries, the Deputy Governor, for and on behalf of His Excellency the Governor, by virtue of the provisions of the Officials in Parliament Act 1896--1975, authorised and empowered the Honourable Kooneth Burgoyne Tomkins, M.L.A., Minister for llmds, Forestry, Nat­ ional Parks and Wtldlife Service, to perform and exercise all or any of the duties, powers and authorities imposed or conferred upon the Minister for Primary Industries by any TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1977 Act, rule, practice or ordinance on and from 9 September 1977, and until the return to Queensland of the Honourable Victor Bruce Sullivan, M.L.A. Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, I lay upon the table of the House a copy Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. of the Queensland Government Gazette of 10 September 1977 notifying this arrange­ ment. PAPERS Whereupon the honourable gentleman The following papers were laid on the laid the Queensland Government Gazette on table, and ordered to be printed:- the table. Reports- Commissioner of Land Tax, for the year 1976-77. PETITION Nominal Defendant (Queensland), for the year 1976-77. ALLEVIATION OF AIR POLLUllnN, DA!tRA Licensing Commission, for the year AREA 1976-77. Mr. MARGINSON (Wolston) presented a Literature Board of Review, for the petition from 1,002 electors of south-western year 1976-77. areas of Brisbane praying that the Parliament The following papers were laid on the of Queensland wm take urgent action to table:- alleviate the serious pollution problems and health hazards created by the fall-out and Proclamation under the Electoral Districts odour from the Darra Cement and Lime Act 1971-1977. Company's plant at Darra and from other Orders in Council under- industrial sources. Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1971. Petition read and received. Audit Acts Amendment Act 1926-1971. State and Regional Planning and Development, Public Works Organiza­ tion and Environmental Control Act VALUATION OF LAND ACT AMEND­ 1971-1974 and the Local Bodies' MENT BILL Loans Guarantee Act 1923-1975. INmATION Harhours Act 1955-1976. Hon. J. W. GREENWOOD (Ashgrove­ Co-operative Housing Societies Act Minister for Survey and Valuation): I move- 1958-1974. "That the House wi11, at its present Judges' Salaries and Pensions Act 1967- sitting, resolve itself into a Committee o.f 1973. the Whole to consider introducing a Bill Reports- to amend the Valuation of Land Act Pyramid Selling Schemes Elimination 1944-1977 in centain particulars." Committee, for the year 1976-77. Motion agreed to. Questions Upon Notice (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice 499

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE of $3,000 in 1972 and subsequent main­ tenance grants to 30 June 1977 amount to USE OF ARSENIC IN TANNERIES $21,500. \Ir. Marginson for Mr. Burns, pursuant to ( 2 and 3) In view of the differing notice, asked the Minister for Health- philosophies of these two organisations, the Government has pursued a policy ( 1) Has arsenic been used by tanneries allowing both freedom of movement to in Queensland and, if so, has it been used determine their own programmes and in big quantities? methods of operations within the objects ( 2) Where tanneries bury in shallow of their constitutions. pits the waste associated with this arsenic treatment, can the area be reused for housing development and, if so, is there any danger to home gardeners and those 3. COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE, who work or grow vegetables in this soil? TOWNSVILLE (3) Are any checks made on existing Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant to notice, asked tanneries or tanneries that have closed to the Minister for Health- see that areas that have been used for ( 1) How many persons are employed arsenic dumps are shown on maps, so >that in the Community Health Service, people are aware before they purchase land Townsville? of the possible problems associated with the dumping of arsenic wastes? (2) What is the total salary cost of this service? Answer:- ( 3 ) What are the classifications of the (l to 3) I have had representations from personnel employed and how many are the honourable member for Belmont (Mr. in each classification? Byrne) about a similar matter recently and ( 4) How many vehicles are used by the my answer to him was as follows:- staff, and what is the cost of running and "Arsenical preparations were used by maintaining them? tanneries to a greater extent in the past than at present. During recent years Answers:- those tanneries still operating are using {1) Forty staff were employed as at 30 alternative preparations and arsenic use June 1977. is confined to specific sections of the industry. (2) Salary costs for 1976-77 were $394,490.97. "The only question that comes under my jurisdiction is that which relates to (3) Staff as at 30 June 1977 comprised­ a possible hazard to health. I am advised ! medical officer in charge of the that there is a certain amount of leaching centre; out of the arsenic and the risk to the 1 regional psychiatrist; health of home gardeners is negligible." I regional geriatric physician; l medical officer, school health; 1 psychologist; FAMILY PLANNING 3 social workers; Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant to notice, asked physiotherapist; the Minister for Health- speech therapist; ( 1) How much money has been funded 13 community health nurses; by this Government in family-planning 4 community health aides; clinics? 1 health education officer; (2) What guide-lines are laid down for 3 health inspectors; the spending of the money? 1 organiser, home helps; ( 3) Is there an age provision written 2 clerks; into the guide-lines to prevent minors 5 typists; and from receiving advice on contraception 1 switchboard operator. techniques, so leading to an increase in (4) Nineteen vehicles. Running costs in promiscuous behaviour? 1976-77 were $19,389.90. Answers:- ( 1) The Family Planning Association of 4. CARDWELL RESTRUCTURE PLAN Queensland was paid an initial establish­ ment grant of $6,000 in May 1972 and Mr. Row, pursuant to notice, asked the subsequent maintenance grants to this Minister for Lands, Forestry, National Parks as~ociation to 30 June 1977 amount to and Wildlife Service- $174,000. What progress has been made by his The Natural Family Planning Clinic department with the Cardwell restructure under the auspices of the Catholic Family plan as submitted by the Cardwell Shire Welfare Bureau was paid an initial grant Council? 500 Questions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice

Answer:- Answers:­ My Department of Forestry set out its (1) Yes. reaction to the structure plan in a letter dated 12 October 1976 to the CardweH (2) The Honourable the Minister for Shire Council. The views of the council Primary Industries, Mr. Sullivan, who is were sought on various matters raised, in constant touch with developments in but the only reply from the councH to the international sugar marketing field, is date has been a formal acknowledgement. in Geneva. In the absence of Mr. Sullivan, I would advise honourable members that the Leader 5. CANTEEN CLUB, PALM ISLAND of the Opposition is reported to be advoca­ ting immediate litigation as the way to Mr. Row, pursuant to notice, asked the solve sugar contract disputes. I would Minister for Aboriginal and Islanders point out, however, that when the Hon­ Advancement and Fisheries- ourable the Premier announced, on 1 ('!) Is he aware of an article in "The September last, that the Queensland Gov­ Townsville Daily Bulletin" of 6 September ernment was instituting arbitration pro­ wherein Senator Keeffe implied that a ceedings in accordance with the relevant decision had been taken to close down clause in the Japanese long-te,rm contract, the canteen at Palm Island, thus resulting it was only after extensive efforts had in sly-grog operations on the island? been made to reach an amicable negotiated settlement and after careful consideration (2) Will he explain >the facts regarding by the sugar industry of the issues involved. the establishment, operation and manage­ The failure of the Japanese buyers to ment of the canteen club on Palm Island? honour the contract or to respond in a responsible way to the proposals put for­ Answers:­ ward by Australia left the Queensland (!) Yes. Government no alternative to le.gal aotion. {2) The Palm Island Club, which includes the liquor facility, is operated and man­ aged by the Palm Island Aboriginal 7. UPGRADING OF SECTION OF OLD CLEVE­ Council, with all of the profits being retained for the community benefit. LAND ROAD, BELMONT The Government does not direct or Mr. Moore for Mr. Kaus, pursuant to control the activities of the [iquor facility notice, asked the Minister for Local Govern­ or the club outside of the general guide­ ment and Main Roads- lines laid down in the appropriate legis­ ( 1) Has he received an allocation of lation, which was determined with the funds to upgrade Old Cleveland Road to advice and guidance of Queens,land's Abor­ a four-lane highway from Creek Road to iginal Advisory Council. Capalaba Road and, if so, how much has The sales of beer ceased for four days he received? by direction of the council for the simple (2) When will this work commence? reason that supplies had run out and fresh supplies had not reached the island. Answers:- (1) As all honourable members know, I have been trying very hard to obtain an 6. COMPLEXITIES OF INTERNATIONAL SUGAR increased allocation of funds for many TRADE projects in Queensland to ensure that pro­ Mr. Row, pursuant to notice, asked the gress on our roads is kept at reasonable Minister for Primary Industries- level. I am confident that my efforts will not be in vain. Included in the works ( 1) Is he aware of an article appearing which I have in mind when additional in "The Townsville Daily Bulletin" of 6 funds beoome available are three projects September wherein ~the Leader of the on Old Cleveland Road-the Main Roads Opposition is quoted as having criticised Department calls it the Cleveland Sub the involvement of this State Government Arterial Road-about whioh the honourable in the current Japanese sugar agreement member has sought information. These controversy? projects cover roadworks from Adelaide (2) Has the Minister any further com­ Street to Bulimba Creek and then to Scrub ments to add to his already lengthy state­ Road and also the dnplication of the ments regarding this matter, and will he recently completed ibridge over Bulimba explain the delicacy of international trade Creek. All in all I envisage an expenditure negotiat1ons related to sugar and the neces­ this financial year of the order of $500,000 sity for political prudence in these matters, on this section of mad. especially in the light of the past action (2) I strongly believe these works should of the former Labor Commonwealth be commenced as soon as practicably Government in forcing up mineral royalties possible to demonstrate the Government's in spite of existing contracts, thereby determination to provide the necessary road creating the precedent for disputation in access to some of the proposed Common­ respect of existing agreements? wealth Games facilities, in spite of the Questions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice 501

diminishing a1location for urban arterial (2) Girraween National Park-$51,574 roads in the Commonwealth roads for construction of visitor facilities. legislation. Carnarvon National Park-$45,999 for I am hopeful that yesterday's announce­ construction of visitor facilities. ment by my colleague the Honourable the Deputy Premier and Treasurer will enable Eubanangee Swamp National Park­ the work to which the honourable member $88,330 for land acquisition. refers to be undertaken at an eaJr.ly date. A further sum of $400,000 made avail­ able for land acquisition has not been 8. PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SOUTII ROCHEDALE finally allocated; it may include extensions to Lamington, Mt. Elliot and Crows Nest Mr. Moore for Mr. Kaus, pursuant to Falls National Parks. notice, asked the Minister for Industrial Dev­ elopment, Labour Relations and Consumer A grant of $500,000 has been made Affairs and Minister for Trransport- available over the four year period ending What arrangements have been made for 30 June 1980 for works on the Fraser public transport in the South Rochedale Island National Park. section of the proposed electorate of (3) See answer to (2). Mansfield? Answer:- 10. PARKING AREAS, NORMAN PARK AND As I understand the honourable member's MORNINGSIDE RAILWAY STATIONS question, he is referring to that area of Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked the RochedaJe between the boundary of the Minister for Industrial Development, Labour city of Brisbane, south to Underwood Road Relations and Consumer Affairs and Minister and east of Rochedale Road to Priest for Transport- Gully (a developing area). When will the parking areas at the I am advised that at the present time Norman Park and Morningside Railway regular bus services operate aJlong Under­ Stations be developed, as it is now some wood Road only as far as Koobil Street. considerable time since the proposal was It is planned to extend these services along last discussed with the department through Underwood Road as far as Kiato Street, the late Minister? then north along Pandeen Street, Glengala Drive, Kala Street, Woodland Drive, Devon Street, Lamorna Street, Wendron Street, Answer:- Davey Street, Valeena Street, north along The Metropolitan Transit Authority is RochedaJe Road to Miles Prlatting Road to progressively providing parking facilities at the Pacific Highway and Mt. Gravatt. suburban railway stations in accordance These proposals are subject to a general with an order of priority based on such reorganisation of the private operator's factors as current demand, projected future routes in the Rochedaie-Springwood 3Jrea, demand, availability of suitable land and which is presently under joint examination finance. by the Department of Transport and the Norman Park station is not high in order Metropolitan Transit Authority. of priority and no work is at present contemplated at this site. Planning has 9. NATIONAL PARKS FUNDING been carried out for a car-parking facility at Morningside and consideration is now Mr. Simpson, pursuant to notice, asked the being given to including this site in the Minister for Lands, Forestry, National Parks programme for 1977-78. and Wildlife Service- (1) Have funds been made available by 11. WORKS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES the Commonwealth Government in the last 18 months to assist national parks in Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked the Queensland and, if so, what amounts are Minister for Works and Housing- involved? How many persons were employed by (2) What national parks received funds the Works Department in each of the trade and whil!t were the amounts? callings at 1 July 1975, 1976, 1977 and (3) For what purpose are the funds at the latest date available? intended? Mr. LEE: I hope the honourable member Answers:- realises how many hundreds of man-hours (1) Yes. Amounts involved are- were involved in preparing the answer to $ his question. I hope, too, he realises that Tourist Development Pro­ there is another side to this question. To jects 97,573 avoid wasting the time of the Parliament, Land Acquisition 488,330 I lay upon the table of the House the Fraser Island Grant 500,000 information sought by him. Mr. Houston: Will it be included in Total amount made avail- "Hansard"? able $1,085,903 Mr. SPEAKER: Yes. 502 QuesJions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice

Answer:- improvements be made available in the 1978-79 financial year, possibly in the WORKS DEPARTMENT E.MPLOYEES Miters programme, in which case the Gold Coast City Council will not be required to make any contribution towards the cost of =- - 11/7/75 1/7/76 ' 1/7/77126/8/77 the works. ------~--~------Foremen . . . [ 180 91 91 91 I used the words "possibly in the Carpenters . . . ·I 728 5!! 546 506 Miters programme" advisedly, because this Apprentice carpenters 450 398 316 301 is one of those areas in which the new­ Joiners . . . ·1 56 48 40 40 Apprentice joiners . . 14 to ll ll found experts sitting in Canberra claim Machinists . . . . 35 31 23 22 to know more about these local problems Apprentice machinists I 7 7 5 5 Bricklayers . . . . 53 31 24 18 than the concerned local member and the 1 experienced road engineers in the Main ~~;.:~,;;ricklay~~sl 4~ 3~ 2~ 2~ Roads Department and the Gold Coast Apprentice stone-~ masons . . . . 3 2 2 2 City Council. The Commonwealth Roads Plasterers . . . . 45 34 32 32 legislation forces me to seek the approval Apprentice plasterers 5 4 2 I Plumbers . . . . 147 148 137 130 of the Commonwealth Minister for Trans­ Apprentice plumbers 94 77 64 63 port in Canberra of our programmes of Drainers . . . . 1 31 28 29 28 work. This is another aspect of Scaffoldera . . . ., 26 20 20 19 Labourers . . . . 320 192 180 166 unwarranted Commonwealth interference Painters . . 381 124 123 121 in our affairs which I find repugnant and Appret:tice painters ll 71 59 39 38 which I will fight to have amended. Stgnwnters . . . . 4 4 3 3 Apprentice sign~ 1 "t I 3 4 Gl:~~~~s : : : : I 16 20 17 17 Apprentice glaziers .. i I I 13. DREDGING OF MOUTH OF LODERS Polishers . . . ·1 9 10 11 CREEK Apprentice polishers 2 2 I Upholsterers .. 2 3 Mr. Moore for Gibbs, pursuant to Apprentice i I~ I Mr. upholsterers . . I I notice, asked the Minister for Tourism and Blacksmith I 2 I I I Electricians . . : : , 68 70 52 50 Marine Services- Apprentice electricians[ 50 49 38 38 ( 1) Does the contract to dredge the Electrical trade assistants . . . . 12 14 12 12 channel in the Southport Broadwater in­ Chainman and porter I 3 2 2 clude the dredging of the mouth of Loders Mechanics . . . . I 5 6 21 21 Creek? Apprentice mechanics , 2 I 12 11 I 1 I (2) If not, would it be possible to in­ PanelWelders beater and fitters ... ·1 6 4 14 15 Apprentice welders clude this in the dredging contract, as the and fitters .. 7 7 Coast Guard has trouble at low tide when called out for rescue work? -·-----~------"·- Answers:­ ] 2. INTERSECTION OF GOLD COAST (1) No. HIGHWAY AND HOLLYWELL RoAD (2) I will give consideration to the dredging of the mouth of Loders Creek Mr. Moore for Mr. Gibbs, pursuant to after a review of the financial implication notice, asked the Minister for Local Govern­ and will advise the honourable member of ment and Main Roads- my decision. ( 1) As many accidents have occurred at the intersection of the Gold Coast High­ way and Hollywell Road, are any plans in 14. COMPULSORY UNIONISM FOR hand to improve this dangerous junction? SoUTHPORT HOSPITAL DENTIST (2) What is the responsibility of the Mr. Moore for Mr. Gibbs, pursuant to Gold Coast City Council regarding this notice, asked the Minister for Health- intersection? ( 1) Is he aware that Mr. W. Ardill, Answer:- President of the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia, is standing (t and 2): I thank the Honourable over the dental staff at the Southport Hos­ member for asking this question. This pital to make them join this union and is one of those situations where the that Mr. John Dill-Macky, a dentist at growth of traffic on one road leading the Southport Hospital, has received a letter to an intersection can create additional from the Gold Coast Hospitals Board hazards which tend to go unnoticed unless inviting him to attend a meeting on 21 we excercise great vigilance. September to discuss his refusal to join The Main Roads Department is currently an industrial union? investigating the problem area where (2) As Mr. Dill-Macky, a well-qualified Hollywell Road meets the Gold Coast dentist who already belongs to the Dental Highway with a view to preparing plans Association, has no intention of joining for improvements to the intersection. It an industrial union, what is the situation is currently intended that funds for such regarding his position at the hospital? Questions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice 503

(3) Is it compulsory for professional (2) Twelve small-boat harboHs are men who work in our public hospitals to usable at all stages of the tide. Two are join an industrial union? unusable at low spring tides, and they (4) Will he take steps to have Mr. Ardill are presently being dredged. investigated to see if his actions are within (3) An amount of some $1,028,000 has the law? been expended at Urangan Boat Harbour to June 1977. Answers:- (4) I presume the honourable member's (1) Altlhough not aware that a repre­ question relates to Urangan Boat Harbour. sentative of the Federated Miscellaneous l have sought funds to the extent of Workers' Union is standing over dental $90,000 for this financial year. I cannot staff at Southport Hospital, I am aware indicate at this stage what funds may be that a person representative of that union available for the next financial year. has been endeavouring to enrol as mem­ bers of his union two dentists employed (5) The return from fees, rentals, etc., is by the Gold Coast Hospitals 'Board at expected to be $12,000 this financial year. Southport Hospital. I am a:ware that Mr. Dill-Ma:cky has 16. ,AERIAL AMBULANCE PROPOSALS been invited to attend a meeting of the board to discuss his refusal to join an Mr. Moore for Mr. Powel!, pursuant to industrial union. notice, asked the Minister for Health- (2) Mr. Dili-Macky is an employee of Further to my question of 16 March and the Gold Coast Hospitals Board, and the associated representations from me, when chairman of that board advises that he will he make a statement with regard to and another dentist have been invited the establishment of a State-wide aerial to attend a meeting on 21 September ambulance or, alternatively, agree to the 1977 with a view to achieving an amicable proposal put forward by the Q.A.T.B., resolution of a contentious situation. l'he Bundaberg? Austraiian Dental Association is not a registered industrial union. Answer:- (3) Government policy-applicable also The matter o£ a State-wide aerial to hospitals boards in this instance­ ambulance service is at present under requires that all employees become mem­ investigation by an ad hoc committee on bers of a registered industrial union at the Rural Health Scheme and the use of the point of engagement. aerial transport. l am sure that the honour­ able member would realise that an investi­ (4) I am confident that the Gold Coast gation of this nature must be thorough Hospitals Board will take appropriate and complete, and as it involves visits action should the need arise. interstate and throughout Queensland, 1 do not expect a report to be available for some time. 15. SMALL-BOAT HARBOURS Mr. Moore for JHr. Powell, pursuant to 17. PARKS HEADQUARTERS ON FRASER notice, asked the Minister for Tourism and ISLAND Marine Services- Mr. Moore for Mr. Powell, pursuant to ( 1) How many small-boat harbours are notice asked the Minister for Lands, For­ in Queensland and where are they situated? estry, 'National Parks and Wildlife Service- (2) How many harbours are usable at ( 1) What work has been done by his all tides and which are unusable at spring department in establishing a parks head­ low tides? quarters on Fraser Island? (3) How much has the Urangan Boat (2) When will the headquarters be ready Harbour cost to develop to its present for use how many officers will be stationed stage? there ;nd what will be their duties? (4) How much money will be spent on it in this and the next financial year? Answers:- (5) What return from fees, rental, etc .. ( I) Work to date has included a prelimin­ can be expected on this capital outlay? ary investigation survey 3;nd reJevant plan­ ning necessary to determme how the park Answers:- can be managed best. The location of the (!) There are 14 small-boat harbours in headquarters depends upon this. Three Queensland situated at Southport, Toon­ caravans have been purchased and installed dah Harbour, Manly, Cabbage Tree Creek, to provide accommodation for staff pend­ Scarborough, Mooloolaba, Tin Can Bay, ing construction of permanent accommoda­ Urangan, Burnett Heads, Gladstone, tion. Initia·l work has involved site pre­ Rosslyn Bay, Bowen, Townsville and Port paration, fencing and fire-hazard reduction. Douglas. In addition, small-craft facilities (2) The temporary headquarters (cara­ have been provided in the harbours of vans) aJI'e ready for use now. Two men Mackay, Mourilyan and Carins. will be stationed there initiaHy, and this 504 Questions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice

number is likely to increase to six men 19. SALMONELLA IN MANUFACTURED during peak construction. A Common­ MILK PRODUCTS wealth grant has been made available for Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked the the perriod up to 30 June 1980. Level of Minister for Health- staffing after that will depend upon avail­ ( 1) In view of the continuing discovery ability of funds, but it is likely to be three of salmonella bacteria in manufactured men. The duties of staff will be the con­ milk products in Victoria, are processers struction and maintenance of staff facili­ of manufactured milk products in Queens­ ties, and the general management and land, who are licensed by the Department supervision of the park. of Primary Industries, subjected to regu­ lar inspections by his department? (2) Are milk products that have been 18. KARUMBA WATER SUPPLY AND manufactured in other States and on sale ACCESS ROAD in Queensland supermarkets subjected to regular inspection and testing by his Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked the department? Premier- (1) Did the Commonwealth Govern­ Answers:- ment in 1973 examine a request from the ( 1) The Health Department is respons­ Queensland Government for financial sup­ ible for the standard of food availHble for port for the provision of a proper water sale to the public and regular ohecks are supply for Karumba and the completion of made of milk and milk products. The the Karumba-Normanton access road? department has regulations specifically relating to premises and plant used in (2) Did the Commonwealth Government the processing and sale of milk and cream subsequently make an offer of assistance to and all such premises and plant must be the Queensland Government of financial approved by the Director-General of support on a package-deal basis for these Health and Medical Services. Such prem­ two projects and, if so, what was the basis ises are regularly inspected. When the of i'ts offer and what was the Queensland first reports were received of the discovery Government's reason for rejecting it? of salmonella in associated products, I gave instructions for departmental officers (3) Since December 1975, has the Com­ to confer with officers from the Depart­ ment of Primary Industries to advi~e monwealth Government made any alterna­ whether further legislation was considered tive offer to support the projects and has advisable. the Queensland Government made any requests for support and, if so, what was (2) Yes. They are treated on the same the result of the requests? basis as all other foods offered for sale in Queensland irrespec.tive of the place of manufacture. Answers:­ (!) Yes. (2) Yes. The offer was in the form of 20. OPERATING THEATRES, TOWNSVJLLE a package comprising: HOSPITAL (a) loan of $2,800,000 for water Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant to notice, asked supply and sewerage; and the Minister for Health- (b) a grant of $1,450,000 for road ( 1) Has he been informed that a crisis constrruction between Karumba and exists in Townsville in relation to oper­ Normanton. ating theatre space and time for both public and private patients? The prawning companies and the Car­ (2) Will he look into the delay in pentaria Shire Council were not able to planning and construction of the proposed service the loan component for water new operating theatre block and take steps supply and, as the Commonwealth to rectify the delay so that the citizens of declined to amend the package offer, both Townsville can obtain a medical service proposals were rejected. which they expect under the Government?

(3) Since December 1975 no alternative Answer:- offer or further request has been made. ('! and 2) The prov!Slon of a complete new operating theatre complex forms part Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I must inform of the major redevelopment of the Towns­ the honourable member that thjs happened ville Hospital. in the Whitlam era. That Government would A project team consisting of hospitals not give any support. We, as a Government, board and departmental officers is revising have spent many millions of dol:lars on the redevelopment of the hospital, which Karumba and will continue to play our part. had previously been approved in principle, Questions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Upon Notice 505

following a decision by the Commonwealth ~2) Did he promise before the reorgani­ Government to defer the establishment of satiOn that Brisbane consumers would not a medical school at the James Cook pay an increase as a direct result of University. the take-over of the Brisbane City Council This project team at its last meeting, Electricity Department? on 21 July 1977, recognised the need to (3) Did the new, reorganised electricity provide some additional operating theatres authority make submissions for a 10 per to be made available prior to the com­ cent rise for Brisbane and a 7 per cent pletion of the major redevelopment. The rise for elsewhere, and does this submission hospitals board was asked to investigate the conflict with his statement in the brochure? provision of temporary theatres and I am ( 4) If, as promised, there will be no advised that a proposal for two additional increases in 1977, what percentage operating theatres in existing hospital increases will apply on 1 January 1978, buildings has now been adopted by the after the election? hospitals board and will be forwarded to the department for consideration. (5) Are there now two domestic tariffs in Brisbane and South-east Queensland­ The honourable member may rest the old B.C.C. tariff and the old S.E.A. assured that on receipt of .this proposal rate-and did the S.E.A. charge higher urgent consideration will be given to it. rates than the council?

Answers:- 21. SAND-MINING ( 1) Yes, but I would expect that the Mr. Marginson, pursuant to notice, asked honourable member would have quoted the Minister for Mines and Energy- the whole of my explanation and not ( 1) How many sand-mining operations merely one facet of it. are presently working in Queensland? (2) Yes. (2) How many such operations have (3) No. reduced either their work-forces or pro­ ( 4) I do not know when a further duction in the last 12 months? increase in tariffs will be required but (3) What were the reasons for the staff as inflation is still running at about 10 reductions or close-downs? per cent per annum, tariff rises will ( 4) How many workers have been inevitably be required to cover costs. affected? (5) Yes. Answers:- ( 1) Three operators are currently 23. BEEF PRICES SCHEME engaged in sand-mining in Queensland. Mr. Moore for Mr. Hartwig, pursuant to (2) Four. notice, asked the Premier- (3) Two operators ceased production on (1} As the leader of the Commonwealth Fraser Island because of the decision of Australian Labor Party, Mr. Whitlam, the Commonwealth Government not to recently toured Queensland making prom­ renew export licences for their products ises as to what a Commonwealth Labor from there. The operations of the other Government would do for our depressed two were affected by the economics of beef industry and in view of the drastic production in terms of mineral prices and A.L.P. policies towards rural industries production costs. when in power, what credibility can be placed on such statements? ( 4) A total of 461 employees were directly affected, while many other workers (2) What action does the Queensland were indirectly affected. Government intend to take to implement a minimum floor price scheme?

22. ELECTRICITY AUTHORITIES Answers:- REORGANISATION; TARIFFS (1) No credibility whatsoever can be Mr. Marginson, pursuant to notice, asked placed in any statement or promise made the Minister for Mines and Energy- by the leader of the Australian Labor Party, Mr. Whitlam, in relation to the ( 1) Did he say in a message in a helping of the depressed beef industry. colour brochure entitled "Queensland's Statements attributed to Mr. Whitlam, in New Electricity Set Up Explained" that fact, are rubbing salt into the wounds of criticism has been levelled at the fact primary producers for it was he, as Prime that this will cost more to consumers Minister of Australia, who dealt the in South-east Queensland, so it is worth greatest blows to primary industry and remembering .that the equalisation process to country people generally. will extend over at least ten years, and increases in tariffs will be of the order of Let me mention but a few­ 1 per cent per year? Elimination of equalisation of petrol; 506 Questions Upon Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Questiom Upon Notice

The withdrawal of free milk for industry organisa,ticn and mctrketin;; auth­ schoolchildren, which hit the dairying ority with powers ove,r such matters as industry; carcass classification, selling methods, con­ Elimination of many of the major sumer identification of meat and the tax concessions that had been gained administration of such pricing and stabilisa­ over many years; tion schemes for livestock and meat as Elimination of air subsidies that kept may be approved. In the implementation reasonable transport costs to the Inland; and operation of pricing and stabilisation and schemes the State authority will necessar­ Several lots of revaluation further ily co-operate with similar organisations depressed the industry. in other States and with the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation. These, together with inflation and high costs which the Labor Party spearheaded, While my Government is most anxious demonstrate that the greatest political to see better returns to the beef producer, enemy of all time so far as many people it recognises the futility of attempting to are concerned, and particularly, those on introduce any regulatory marketing scheme the land, is the A.L.P., both State and independently of other States and the Federal, led by Mr. Burns and Mr. Commonwealth. We are in a position Whitlam. to move forward with a regulatory mark­ eting scheme just as quickly a.5 it is sensible (2) As a member of the beef industry and beneficial to do so. committee, the honourable member would be fully aware that the development and implementation of a regulated marketing system for beef is a very complex matter. 24. EFFECT ON TOURISM OF BAN ON STREET There is at present no classification or MARCHES description of beef whioh could be enforced Mr. Frawlcy, pursuant to notice, asked the legally. Furthermore, the Australian Con­ Minister for Tourism and Marine Services- stitution provides that trade between States shall be absolutely free. For a beef­ (1) Have Queensland Government Tour­ marketing scheme to be effective, we there­ ist Bureau officers in southern capital fore need a national beef classification cities been inundated with inquiries from system and the agreement and co-opera­ potential tourists since it was announced tion of other States and the Common­ that street marches, which could incite wealth, which has the power to make laws violence, will be banned in Queensland? with respect to {rade, commerce, navigation and shipping. (2) Is he aware that many southern tourists have been reluctant to visit Bris­ It is now a year since my Government's bane because they fear violence in the proposal for a beef stabilisation scheme streets_ owing to marches by some radical was taken to the Commonwealth and ot.'ler and militant people designed to cause con­ States for consideration. At that time, frontation with law-enforcement officers1 the problem did not appear to be as urgent in their eyes as we knew it was and it Answers:- has taken considerable time and effort on the part of this Government, through ,the (1) No. Trading activities at intersta1e beef committee under the chairmanship of branches of the Queensland Government the Honourable the Minister for Primary Tourist Bureau continue, however, at a Industries, to achieve the progress which very satisfactory level. thas been made to date. The Common­ (2) No. wealth has now agreed to replace the Aus­ 'tralian Meat Board with an Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation with strong producer representation and wider 25. TEST FOR DRIVING UNDER THE JNFLUENCF" powers to supervise trading. OF MARIJUANA A national automated beef classification Mr. Frawley, pursuant to notice, asked the' system is presently under trial in com­ Minister for Police- mercial conditions in a number of States. (1) With reference to the answer given A.t a recent meeting between Premiers and by the Minister for Health to my question relevant Ministers of this State, New South regarding tests to determine if motorists Wales and Victoria, we agreed on the involved in serious accidents are under the urgent need for the early introduction of influence of marijuana, will his depart­ a national beef classification scheme and ment make use of the gas chromatograph have urged the Commonwealth to fund the and mass spectrometer recently purchased implementa,tion of such a scheme within a by the Government Chemical Laboratory matter of months. and test all drivers involved in fatal or serious accidents to determine if they are My Government is bringing forward leg­ under the influence of marijuana? islation during this session of Parliament to replace the present Queensland Meat (2) Will he consider purchasing machines Industry Authority by a Queensland meat for use in all major cities in Queensland? Questions Without Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Without Notice 507

Answers:- strategic stoppa:ges, which are manipulated (]) From information received by me, I and used for the specific purpose of hindering understand that thi~ equipment will assist the development and the economy of this the Government Chemical Laboratory in nation. Mr. Hawke may wdl boast that analy~ing blood samples in appropriate fewer man-hours are being lost thrr-.ough in­ cases. The equipment is very complex and dustrial disputes, but, in fact, the consequen­ will require a highly qualified person with tial loss of production in the community a univers·ity degree to operate and interpret ,because of a strategicaLly placed industrial findings. The Government Chemical dispute can be quite disastrous. Laboratory tests blood samples forwarded The action of the Electrical Trades Union, by police, and officers at that laboratory which has, for some weeks, refused to main­ would be best qualified as to the methods tain the lifts throughout Australia, including and equipment to be used in making any those here, has of course been ver:y counter­ examination. Police have no say in the productive. Because of this, it is virtually methods used by that laboratory in con­ hampering the whofe of commerce and in­ ducting analyses of blood samples. dustry in our city and in other parts of Australia. · To enable such officers to determine the appropriate tests to be made, police as a Certainly I will make recommendations to gener'aJ rule forward advice with the blood the Federal Minister to do what can be done. sample as to whebher it is believed the The answer to the problem is that those who donor had liquor or drugs taken. If lead these people, instead of manipulating drugs are believed to have been taken, all them into this position, should get them back available information as to the type of to work straight away. drug believed to be involved is also -;upp1kd. APPLICANTS FOR PERMIT FOR ANTI­ (2) No. URANIUM PROTEST STREET MARCH Mr. LANE: In directing a question to the Premier, l draw his attention to Press reports QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE indicating that six persons called at the STR!KE BY LIFT REPAIRMEN Brisbane Traffic Office last week in some f_orm of deputation and submitted an applica­ Mr. LO'i-VES: I ask the Deputy Premier tton to conduct a maroh or procession and Treasurer: (1) Is he aware of the number through Brisbane streets on 22 October 1977 of buildings in the central city area of as an anti-uranium protest. I now ask: Is Brisbane (such as 444 Queen Street, which is he aware that at least two of the persons presently completely without lift services, and engaged in submitting the application, the Comalco build1ng in George Street) namely, Mrs. Eva Bacon and Mr. W. J. which have only restricted lift services owing Harris, have had a long-term association to the long-standing strike by members of with the Communist Party of Australia? the Electrical Trades Union? Can he also inform the House why the Communist Party would be interested in ;(2) Is he aware of the inconvenience and preventing the mining of uranium and its loss to the commercial and business world export from Austra:lia? and, worse, the detrimental effect on the health of those members of the public who Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I certainly require access to such buildings to visit com:rnend the honourable member for medical practitioners caused by such strike Merthyr for seeking to bring to the attention action? of members of this House ver-y vital problems {3) Wi.ll he make representations to the confronting this State and nation. Federal Minister for Employment and Indus­ Opposition Members: Rubbish! trial Relations to have the Federal Govern­ ment intervene so as to end this dispute by Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Opposition the Elect....-.icrul Trades Union? members say that is rubbish. That merely demonstrates how much they are on the Mr. KNOX: Last night I heard the Federal side of Communists and others who advocate president of the AL.P. (Mr. Bob Hawke) violence. in his role as president of the A.C.T.U. ex­ plain to delegates that fewer man-hours were As I warned last week, well-meaning lost throu.g.'l industrial disputes in the past 12 people should be careful with whom they months than in the previous 12 months and, associate, particularly in street demonstrations. therefore, according to his reasoning, the lt is correct that two of the six applicant~ situation in Australia had improved. for a permit to maroh as a protest against uranium-mining are very prominoot Com­ There mav well have been fewer man­ munists. Mrs. Eva Bacon is a well-known hours lost, but the real situati= is that in­ Communist and head of the Communist dustrial disputes are now occurring in this Party's Union of Australian Women. She is country in vital areas of the country's wel­ a well-known demonstration reguiar. Mr. fare in sustaining its prosperity and develop­ Harris is a prominent Communist and ment. These are what might be called another well-known street marcher. 508 Questions Without Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Questions Without Notice

I notice that Mr. Terrance O'Gorman, of Mr. Wright: What about 20 Government the Council for Civil Liberties was another members out of 60? applicant. As I told the Hou'se last week Mr. O'Gorman was prominent in the anti: Mr. SPEAKER: Order: I also warn the uranium vigil on Hamilton Wharf in which honourable member for Rockhampton that if groups of from 6 to 13 well-known Com­ he continues to interject I will deal with him munists took part over the three days of under Standing Order 123A. the vigil. As I have said before, all these protest groups consist of the hard-core Mr. KNOX: The de facto Leader of the activists who hide behind the aullible the Opposition-and I am really not sure which naive and the well-meaning. "' ' is the de facto leader, the one who is here In assessing who will get permits, the all the time or the one who is out in the bush police must take notice of the record of ~i~ .travelling around the countryside com­ those involved, not their promises-which, of plammg about the inadequate numbers he course, are worth nothing. If the Council has in th~ House, and one would expect to of Churches wants to associate with Com­ see 11 vrgorous members opposite on the munists, who denounce God and religion, job all the time under the command of their that is its problem. But no group is going to leader. But they are a leaderless legion as use the streets as a forum to create a media well as being unfortunate enough to have spectacle and to take over the rights of the members they have. This is a situation the majority of the community. which the public ought to know something The street demonstrators and the A.L.P. about. It is all fine and dandy for the have tried to make out that their civil T:e!l-der of the Opposition to get media pub­ liberties are being denied because they cannot licity for what he is doing, but for some continue to promote mob rule in the streets. time he has not been attending to his duties For their benefit, I repeat what I have said in the House. His own members are ashamed before-that there is a right to protest, and to admit it and are greatly embarrassed by there are ample facilities for such protests, the situation. as the unions themselves proved by their meeting ia the Roma Street forum last week. Other places available for such gatherings FIRE LOSSES IN KILCOY AND LAIDLEY SHIRES include the Exhibition Grounds, which are used by the Catholic Church for their annual Mr. GUNN: In asking the Premier a Corpus Christi procession, and Lang Park, question without notice I point out that yesterday a fire burnt out thousands of acres which is used by unions for their endless ~top­ work meetings. They have the right to pro­ ?f pas~ure land in ~he Kilcoy Shire, destroy­ test, but I must draw to the attention of mg mtles of fencmg and many livestock. the public, as the honourable member has This morning graziers and farmers in Kilcoy done again this morning, that the hard core are shooting cattle and horses that were of those who are behind these demonstrations caught in the fire. Total losses have not are all Communi5ts and members of the yet been assessed. In the Laidley Shire, A.L.P. fires are out of control and are likely to cause severe damage before they are brought under control. In view of the disastrous ABSENCE OF LEADER OF OPPOSITION FROM situation in which land-owners in both of CHAMBER these shires now find themselves will he investigate the situation with a' view to Mr. LANE: I draw the attention of the rendering some Government assistance to Deputy Premier and Treasurer to the frequent those people suffering severe losses? absences from this Chamber of the Leader of the Opposition and ask him whether he Mr. B.JELKE-PETERSEN: Yes, there have will take the opportunity of publicly drawing been some very severe fires, not only around the attention of the Leader of the Opposition Brisbane but in certain country areas as out­ to his responsibility to appear in this House lined by the honourable member. It causes to lead an Opposition to this Govemment? us all a great deal of concern that these Mr. KNOX: I know that the ac.ting Leader fires are occurring, why they are taking place of the Opposition is embarrassed by having and why they spring up in so many areas. to-- I am unaware of the problems of the per­ Mr. Houston: I'm not embarrassed at aU· sons mentioned by the honourable member I want Parliament to function. ' that happened only yesterday. I do not know whether any special form of assistance Mr. KNOX: We want Parliament to func­ can be provided. A disaster has to happen tion, too. Where is the Leader of the on a wide scale before we can seek assist­ Opposition? ance from the Commonwealth Government and the State. I will be pleased to hear Mr. Houston: Where are aH your members? any further information the honourable mem­ Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I warn the honour­ ber can supply about what actually hap­ able member for Bulimba that if he does not pened and the losses incurred. behave himself I wHl deal with him under I must warn the people generallv that if Standing Order 123A. they light a fire they do so u;der the Mr. KNOX: Mr. Speaker-- great threat of causing a calamity with Questions Without Notice [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 509 great harm and indeed loss of property and At 12 noon, life. I had the fire protection service people in my office this morning, and they are In accordance with the provisions of Stand­ asking that a state of emergency be declared ing Order No. 17, the House proceeded with throughout the State to combat the pos­ Go1·ernment business. sibility of very serious consequences of fire in the city and other parts of the State. These are matters that are being looked ADDRESS IN REPLY at in the overall situation. I again caution people that they must not light a fire under RESUMPTION OF DEBATE-SEVENTH ALLOTTED any circumstances in the present situation. DAY Debate resumed from 1 September (see p. 368) on Mr. Turner's motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply. Low PRODUCTIVITY OF WATERSIDE WORKERS Mr. DOUMANY: I ask the Deputy Pre­ Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba) (12.1 p.m.): mier and Treasurer: Is he aware that on This motion gives honourable members an a recent current affairs programme the cap­ opportunity on behalf of their constituents tain of a Russian ship stated that a cargo and themselves to once again swear allegiance which took three days to load in Russia to the Crown and, naturally, I do so would take three weeks to load in Australian accordingly. Parliament was opened in the ports, and expressed the view that because customary manner by the Governor when of the strikes and low productivity of the he made his Opening Speech but, on this waterside "orkers it was not worth calling occasion, I am afraid that the Governor's into Australian ports? Is there anything advisers let him down. Perhaps the only that can be done to alter this drastic state plus would be that his Speech was short. of affairs? I note that the Deputy Premier has left the House. It is a pity that he is not here Mr. KNOX: The situation is rather interest­ so that I could give him a few words of ing because more and more Russian ships wisdom on his party's attitude to the Oppos­ are servicing the Australian coast. In fact ition in this Chamber. I remind the Premier, I have had unconfirmed reports that nearly the Deputy Premier and all other members of 50 per cent of the bottoms that now ser­ the coalition Government that, although vice the Australian coast are Russian. there are normally 18 Ministers in Cabinet, Obviously they are in a position to capture just prior to the end of question-time this the trade of Australia because they do not morning, only 10 Ministers were in the House seem to have on their ships or at the -10 Ministers out of the present 17. When ports they normally service the industrial one Minister died recently the Government trouble that we have. I will not go into did not think the appointment of a new the reasons for that. Obviously in a totali­ Minister was warranted. It is obvious that tarian country such as theirs they do not 18 Ministers are too many. My point is that even have the opportunity to take time with 17 active Cabinet Ministers only 10 off for smoko. Our conditions allow Austra­ could be here to answer important questions lian people the privilege of going on strike. asked in this House. It has become a privilege in some quarters whereas once it was a right-a right that Mr. Wrigbt: There were only 20 Govern­ was jealously guarded by those concerned ment members in the Chamber at the time. with industrial reform. But now in this country we can have industrial trouble for Mr. HOUSTON: There were 20 out of capricious reasons without any regard to 61. the consequences to the development of the The Opposition has one official spokesman nation. Js it any wonder that those nations with air fares, amongst other things, who is that have their industrial situation so tightly recognised by the Government, and that is under control that they do not allow a the Leader of the Opposition. He has to right to strike are complaining about the match 18 Ministers. situation in this country? That is a matter of concern. Mr. Lane: Where is he? I saw the interview with the captain of Mr. HOUSTON: Never mind where he the Russian ship. Obviously he is not aware is! He is on official business. of the political issues and will probably get into trouble back home. Nevertheless, he Mr. Lane interjected. was able to alert people quite convincingly Mr. HOUSTON: That is none of the to the fact that the situation in his country honourable member's business. is a lot different from what it is in ours. If there are people in our country who Mr. SPEAKER: Order! take advantage of the freedom that we have to hinder the development of our nation we Mr. HOUSTON: He is certainly not at the will not be able to help anybody in the place that the honourable member frequents world. most, and that is certainly not here. 510 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Address in Reply

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Look what has happened in this House­ and I do not want to go back over it again Mr. Lane interjected. unnecessarily-with question after question from Government members. They were not Mr. HOUSTON: The honourable member has a big voice when it comes to arranging designed for the advancement of the State. with Ministers to ask questions without notice They were an attempt to score some cheap but when it comes to a few facts h~ political advantage. l can assure Government cannot take them. The fact is that the members that there is no political advanta,ge Leader of the Opposition is doing a very great in carrying on as they have l:ieen; the people job for the State and will do a better job of Queensland want action. They are tired when he becomes the Premier of this State. of hearing words.

Mr. Lane: He is doing a political job Let us look at the situation. Unfortunatdy, for the Labor Party. What about his according to the records, nearly 50,000 people responsibility as Leader of the Opposition in are out of work. "The Courier-Mail" the this Parliament? That is what we want to other day gave a figure of 47,923, which it know. said was a drop of 896 from the previous month. There is 1,000 missing somewhere, Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable so I don't know whether the drop from member for Merthyr will refrain from persist­ 49,819, which was the July figure, was 896 ent interjections, or I will have to deal with or 1,896. Anyway, it does not matter par­ him. ticularly. The significant fact is that there was a very, very smaJl drop. The fact is Mr. H.OUSTON: I want the Government, that at .Jeast 5.43 per cent of the Queensland the Parliament and the public to recognise work-force is still out of work-and the that there is one person in the Opposition, Government talks about daiming credit. It namely, the Leader of the Opposition, who says we are in good shape. The State is has to contend with 18 Cabinet Ministers. not in good shape. I have yet to see the day in this Parliament when 18 Cabinet members have been sitting I will look at the situation a tiUle more here to answer questions with or without closely, using the July figures, as they are notice. I urge members of the Government the last accurate ones I have. As I said, for goodness' sake, to grow up and carry out whatever the conrect August figure, there is their responsibilities, and the Opposition will a very small difference, and certainly no carry out its responsibilities as it sees them. improvement at alJ when that figure is com­ pared with the figure for August last year. Let us look at the Governor's speech, In June 1976, 38,586 were out of work. In which is what this debate is all about. One July 1976 the figure had dropped by 240. of the things he said was- However, between June and July 1977 the "My Ministers have informed me that figure increased from 48,582 to 49,819. our State continues to be in a sound fin­ In other words, between June and ancial position. Last financial year ended July this year the figure went up by with a deficit of only $1 million in a total 1,237. In the 12-month period between July budget of more than $1,600 million." last year and July this year the figure rose by 11,473, from 38,346 to 49,819. That To be quite honest about it, for the life of represents an increase of 30 per cent in one me I cannot believe that any Government year-the year in whkh the Government is can be happy at having a balanced budget taiking about things going along great in the when nearly 50,000 peopJe are out of work. State. Of course, it is the Governor's Open­ Nearly 50,000 good Queenslanders are out ing Speech; but that is the advice he received of work; yet the Government talks about from the Government. I am in no way being happy with a deficit of only $1,000,000. criticising him; that is the information he was I would much rather have a deficit of given. $10,000,000 and only 5,000 people out of work. I cannot at all go along with the Those requmng unemployment benefits Government's priorities for the development rose by 748 in that year, to 34,340. Even of the State. Unemployment is a blot of any with the drop last month, there arre still community, and it is certainly a blot on this 33,710 people received unemployment reHef­ State Government. in other words, the dole. At the present time. of those who are registered as being out of Mr. Greenwood: Of course it is, but we work, 70 per cent are on the dole. So it is can't print money. not a case of people registering who want 8 better job or another job. The point is that Mr. HOUSTON: The Government hasn't 70 per cent of those, or 33,710 peopJe, want got to print money. It has to use its avail­ work but are now being paid the dole. In many cases, the persons who are receiving able money correctly by encouraging people unemployment benefits are family men with to do things and encouraging industry to wives and children to keep. They can be develop. It has to stop making excuses. It added to the number, so that well in excess has to start thinking positively. of 50,000 people rely entire.Jy on the dole. Address in Reply (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 511

l kno;v that the honourable member for the State in great financial shape when so South Brisbane is to follow me in this many young people are out of work and debate so 1 have selected the figures from unable to contribute to the State's develop­ the Woolloongabba area. They concern my ment? area and the area represented by the hon­ ourable member, and are factual. The Government now boasts of directing $50,000,000 towards promoting employment In that period, 2,994 people were out of opportunities. Surely that is the greatest lot work, with only 53 job vacancies. That of nonsense that one could hear. The money means one job for every 57 persons. Surely is available, it will be spent and its expendi­ that is nothing to be proud of. The number ture will have to be covered by the Budget. of 2,994 is made up of 1,519 male adults, That is nothing more than a normal process. 536 male youths, 424 women and 515 girls. If the $50,000,000 was put aside in the last That shows that unemployment is spread financial year to be spent in this year, it over the whole range of people. It is is no more than normal Government expen­ tragic that 1,100 young people are still out diture. The great problem is that the of work in the one employment district Government is doing nothing to deal with of Woolloongabba. Vacancies exist for 30 unemployment. The first thing that the men, nine youths, 11 women and three Government has to do is get goods sold. girls. They must be sold from the shelves so that Of the 1,519 males out of work, 241 employment is created. That necessitates are skilled workers in trades or callings (and Government activity and enterprise in this we need them}, 172 are clerical workers, 595 field. are semi-skilled, 379 are unskilled, 127 are suitable for service occupations, one is rural, Reference was made in the Governor's and four are professional. Of the women, Opening Speech to increased population in 215 are clerical and administration, 102 Queensland, and this was attributed largely are semi-skilled, six are unskilled, 94 are to the mining industry. His Excellency said- .-;crvice occupations, four are skilled trades, "The results of the last national census and three are professional. Of the youths, confirm that Queensland leads Australia 227 are semi-skilled, 173 are unskilled, 13 in population growth, and that five of are service occupations, 77 are skilled trades, the top nine regional growth areas in 45 are clerical and administration, and one Australia are located in Queensland. is rural. Of the girls, 356 are clerical, 'To a significant extent, this growth can ilO are semi-skilled, eight are unskilled, 64 be attributed to the expansion which has are service occupations, five are trades, and occurred in our mining industry in the two are professional. last decade." That indicates that the people who are It is, of course, true that mining has created out of work cover virtually the whole spect­ new towns and employment opportunities. rum of our work-force. Our employment The Government has, however, fallen down :>ituation is drastically bad in every section, in its attitude to long-established country no matter which one is looked at. The towns. From my experience in visiting rural people out of work in the country areas, areas l know that country towns are dying. as is natural, tend to be more in the rura:l The people who live there do not want them classifications. Those who do not have to die; they want them to flourish. They to rely on rural work have returned to want them to expand so that it is at least the larger city areas. possible to keep family units together. But I shall now outline the breakdown of the Government is so intent on boasting vacancies in the Woolloongabba district. For about the creation of new mining towns the 1,519 men there were 30 vacancies. A that the old-established towns have been man's chance of getting a job in July was completely ignored. one in 5L As I said, the figure is only a little better now. For the 424 women No wonder the Country Party decided to out of work, there were 11 vacancies. A change its name to National Party. While women's chance of getting a job was one it was known as the Country Party, its in 39. For the 536 boys out of work, members in this House apparently felt that there were nine vacancies. A boy's chance they had an obligation to country people. of getting a job was one in 60. The great But over the last five or six years there tragedy of the whole story is that for the has been such a marked deterioration in 515 girls there were only three vacancies. employment opportunities and amenities pro­ A girl's chance of getting a job was one vided to country people and in their welfare in 172. that those who represent them here are now looking to others to help them. In The same pattern is obvious in the country changing its name to the National Party, centres. Of the 49,819 people out of work the County Party finally admitted that its in Queensland, 28,565 or 57.3 per cent are base was no longer in the country. Mining outside the Brisbane metropolitan district towns are now its first thought. and area. Even if Ipswich is included in the metropolitan area, 52 per cent of the Recently I had an opportunity to visit and people unemployed are outside the metro­ s,pend some time in many country towns. politan area. How could any Government A few years ago such towns contained two boast of a balanced Budget and of having or three hotels, a bakehouse, butcher shops 512 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply and other businesses that produced satis­ question about the number of Works Depart­ factory financial returns. Today only the ment employees. It is very significant that oven stands in what was the bakery, the the number of Works Department employees butcher shop is empty and only one or two has been dropping over the years. Of course, small shops remain in · business. There are the Government says that it is giving work no cafes, no doctors, no dentists and none to private enterprise, but the point is that orf the normal amenities that should be this does not help people in country areas found in country towns. because in country centres where private enterprise is being given jobs it brings It is surely a reflection on the members workers from the city. Instead of local representing those towns that they have people, workers for Wor.ks Department jo_bs allowed this situation to develop. They have in country areas are bemg sent from Ens­ not used this House to bring these problems bane. So no matter from which angle we to light. They would rather go outside and look at the situation, we find that country criticise somebody else. Today the Govern­ areas are being neglected by this Govern­ ment blames someone else for everything ment. that has gone wrong, but those who live in country areas know the true situation. I Why can we not have an investigation to shall be very interested to hear National see whether wool can be sold locaJly instead Party members who will speak after me tell of being brought to the coast to be sold? the House what they have done to overcome The Government has not investigated the some of the great problems confronting possibility of processing meat nearer to the country areas. point of production. How much research has gone into the use of cereal crops for flour The Deputy Premier and Treasurer spoke or breakfast food production? These are about costs. Does he not appreciate that things which should be investigated. he, as Treasurer, increased rail freight rates tremendously over the last couple of years? I mention also the maintenance of public He is the Treasurer, and he has been Mini­ buildings in country areas. If a job of any ster for Railways and Minister for Justice. size is required to be done the people con­ As Treasurer of this State, surely he was cerned come to Brisbane seeking contractors. responsible for suggesting to Cabinet when Recently in Townsville, which is no small increased rail freights should be implemented. place, even the Housing Commission decided He increased rail freights by 40 per cent to use a Brisbane firm to build some homes in one hit and this is having a tremendous instead of using local contractors. These effect on costs in our country areas. are the sor,ts of things which work against rural development. Even the Premier this morning once again mentioned the things he said Whitlam did Of course, once these areas start losing wrong. I am not going to say that every­ population, as has happened in recent years, thing the Whitlam Government did was the stage is reac.hed where people cannot right. Some of the things it did were hard obtain sufficient financial return to ensure to explain, and I ·think if it had reflected their own well-being, and if that occurs we on some of the decisions it made it might cannot expeot people to remain in those not have made them. But I think the sig­ places. Once th.is population drift starts, nificant fact is that in the two years that doctors, dentists, solicitors and entertainers this Federal Government has been in power also tend to leave because there is not suf­ none of these schemes to which the Premier ficient demand for their services. This again referred have been reintroduced, particularly has an even more adverse effect on those free milk for schoolchildren and petrol con­ people who remain and in turn leads to cessions. But rail freights have been even greater unemployment. It is no wonder increased. There has been no finalisation of that people are leaving the country areas. the scheme to abolish road tax. When one looks at the lovely bitumen highway to the It is time the Government stopped blaming Gold Coast and the much improved road to other people and got on with the job. In the North Coast and Nambour and then looks decentralising activities, the Govemment at country roads and sees how this Govern­ should consider whether or not it would be ment has neglected them, how then can the w.ise to pay speoirul allowances to people who Premier, uhe Deputy Premier and National work in country areas. The Federal Labor Party members generally rise in this Cham­ Government tried to do something for these ber and talk about what great things they people by means of taxation concessions. have done in these areas? However, the State Government should also consider what action it can take. I believe it is absolutely necessary-and should have happened years ago-that the Of course, as all honourable members are Government use its talents to investigate aware, problems have increased in the cities, exactly what industries can be established in and I will have more to say about that later. country areas. New South Wales and South The Government has stagnated and become Australia have proved that there are many lazy. Because of the numbers it has in this industries which can be established in Chamber, it has become domineering and country areas. Only the other day the Min­ unable to see that anything is wrong. The ister for Works and Housing was asked a only thing that matters to it is that it has Address in Reply (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 513

the numbers. It lacks incentive, drive and The situation also arises in which a person initiative; so much so that we see fighting who has been renting a house for years and disputes within its own ranks. Members wishes to buy it, and a case of this type came of the Government parties are announcing to my attention recently. The persons con­ their retirement and making statements that cerned had been in the house for just on 25 indicate clearly that they are not satisfied years. As honourable members will know, with the Government's performance or with a house built 25 years ago would be dne of their own progress within the ranks of the the older Housing Commission houses. They Government, and it is not because they are decided they would like to buy the house so not capable of doing the more senior jobs they asked what its value would be. They that they have not been called upon to do. were told $22,800. I wonder what it origin­ ally cost. Because I have not seen the house, There has also been open criticism of I am not disputing its vaiue; but I know that Government Ministers. In one sense, it is a house o:f a similar type, with one bedroom quite refreshing to hear that, because it fewer, was sold for $12,500 three years ago. makes one re,alise that the Liberal and National Parties have many internal pro­ For 25 years those people have been blems. I hope that the public as a whole paying rent. For the first four years the will recognise that and cast aside the Gov­ rent was paid under the rebate system, so ernment's constant blaming of someone else­ 1 will discount that for the moment. For the unions or Canberra, for example-for its 21 years they have been paying the full own shortcomings. When I refer to the rent. When they asked how much they Government's blaming Canberra, let it be would get off the purchase price, they were clearly understood that the Fraser Govern­ told "$L120". In other words, their being ment basically was put into office by Queens­ in that house for 25 years was not worth land electors on the recommendation of the $1 a week in rebate to them. Yet the Premier and of the Liberal and National Government talks about encouraging people Parties. Therefore, although the Fraser to own their own home. It has to alter Government and its Ministers are directly its priorities. and closely associated with the Queensland Government. the Queens.Jand Government Home-ownership is a great thing in itself, would now like to dissociate itse,lf from them. but it is also a great thing for creating work. In all parts of Queensland-the metro­ I propose now to speak on a matter in politan area and everywhere else-there are which I have a great personal interest­ people who urgently require homes. T.he housing. A lack of housing is one of the unemployment statistics I gave earlier greatest problems facing people in Queens­ clearly indicate that there are many trades­ land who wish to own their own home or men and semi-skilled persons who could be who, because of their occupation, wish to employed in the building industry, partic­ rent a home. Of course, the present Govern­ ularly the home-construction industry. If the ment has been able, through the Queensland Government wants to be able to boast about Housing Commission, to look after a few doing things for the people, it certainly people, but the stage has now been reached should look after their welfare by way of when not enough homes are being built. housing. I hope that the Minister for Honourable members and the public gener­ Works and Housing will direct the Hous­ ally are becoming rather Nred of receiving ina Commission to alter its home-purchase the same old reply-it never varies-and a scheme. More importantly, he should make letter that I received recently is a typical stronger representations to the Com­ example. It said- monwealth Government for housing money. "Priority of Mr. So and So's application At the same time he should use some of has been appropriately assessed compara­ the money the State is receiving from min­ tively with seveml thousand other applica­ ing projects to help with housing. If the tions held. State's great wealth in minerals is to mean anything to the State, surely it should be Many of these are longer standing used to provide amenities for the peopl~ .of applications of equal priority or of higher the State, and housing is one of the amemtJes priority and I regret that I am unable to which is very important. indicate at this stage when a house may become av,aUable for offer to Mr. So and In his Opening Speech the Governor said- So." "A 'Buy Queensland Made' campaign That is the type of letter I am receiving; I is currently under way to draw consumer am sure that other honourable members are attention to the need to support local receiving similar letters. The letter indicates industries." that thousands of people are being denied the That is a great theme and a great idea, right to own their own home through the but I wish someone would tell those who Housing Commission, yet I do not hear any control many of the retail outlets in the great complaint from Government members State that we would like the oppor­ in this Chamber. Every time members of tunity to buy Queensland-made goods the Opposition ask the Minister for Works in our own State. Because of this Gov­ and Housing a question about the shortage ernment's lack of initiative over the years, of housing, he gives us the wipe-off. many of Queensland's major retail outlets 514 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

have been taken over by southern companies, If we want Queensland goods on the to such an extent that most of the buying shelves we should talk to the southern people is now being carried out in the southern who have the buyers. In this way the goods capitals. As a result Queensland shops are will come onto the shelves and Queenslanders loaded with products that were made in will buy Queensland-made goods. On asking many other parts of the world. We have for particular brands in shops, knowing that to start by loading Queensland shops with they were Queensland-made, I have been told, Queensland-made goods. Owing to the policy "I am sorry, but we do not stock that brand. or lack of policy of this Government, we You can buy this brand made by a southern have seen clothing manufacturers, shoe manufacturer." More commonly, in recent manufacturers and manufacturers in other months, goods from Taiwan and other East­ fields brought to near financial ruin. ern countries have been on sale.

Mr. Newbery: Who started that? Whitlam The Government has let the people of started that. Queensland down in another way. Many products stocked in shops mnst be kept frozen. The health authorities tell us that Mr. HOUSTON: All our major shops here frozen goods have a limited life. People were taken over well before the Whitlam know how long they keep an item in their days. Let there be no mistake about that. refrigerators and freezers, but they do not The Minister is following the old theme know how long it has been kept in retail or of the Premier. "Blame Whitlam for every­ wholesale establishments. Once again I make thing." Whillam was in power for three years a strong plea to the Government to legislate with a hostile Senate for the whole three so that all perishable goods sold in Queens­ years; he didn't have control of both Houses. land are stamped with the date of manufac­ The present State Government has been ture-not the expiry date for sale purposes. here for 20 years. What about McWhirters, No-one can tell me that it cannot T. C. Beirnes and Overells? I could name be done. It can be done. It is only them one after the other. They have all a matter of the daily production been taken over by southern retail outlets. being stamped by a machine. I agree that Queensland manufacturers also have been 20 years ago this would have been difficult, taken over by southern manufacturers and, because we did not have automatic machines, in some instances, the local firms have been computers and so on. But in today's closed down. technological age when every worthwhile manufacturer has sophisticated machinery, the The Government's excuses concerning date of manufacture should be shown on Whitlam are wearing thin. He was in perishable goods. I do not say that all power for three years but two years have goods should be date-stamped, but perishable elapsed since then. For 20 years before goods requiring refrigeration in one form the Whitlam Government, consecutive Federal or another certainly should be. Liberal-Country Party Governments were in power. That was when most of the major I am concerned about the human element take-overs were effected, and they certainly in retail shops where commodities are put took place during the terms of office of Tory into freezer units, with so many being sold Governments in Queensland. For 20 years in one day and the freezer then being these Governments have been in power and restocked. It is all very well .to say that for 20 years they have been blaming every­ the stock is rotated, but I know what can one but themselves. It is about time that the happen when people are rushed. It is possible State Government took the initiative. It claims for some items to be in a freezer for quite that Queensland is a sovereign State and that some time before being sold. Because the it has the people's welfare at heaJi, Let health and welfare of our people is most it act in a practical »ay instead of blaming important, I urge the Government to intro­ somebody else. duce legislation as early as possible to make it compulsory for all goods sold in Queens­ Every time Opposition members ask about laud-not only those manufactured in better roads somewhere the Minister for Queensland-to be date stamped. Local Government and Main Roads says, "I am trying to get Canberra to give me extra We hear of various diseases that are con­ dollars." I remember that when I first taminating our foods. Luckily, as yet there entered Parliament, under leaders like Sir has been no effect on Queensland people Frank Nicklin and Jack Pizzey-I refer to any great extent, but surely we must heed particularly to Sir Frank Nicklin-there was the warning. It is not good enough to say no whingeing or excuses. It was very hard that it was contamination at the point of in an Address-in-Reply speech to make really manufacture and that tha,t is a matter for constructive speeches against the Government other health authorities to sort out. I because, as the State Government, it was hope that our health authorities are watching fighting well for the people of the State. But our own manufacturing areas, and I imagine the situation today is entirely different. The they would be. That is one aspect, but it large number of Government members has is the aspect that makes one realise how made the Government lazy, and it blames many other facets of our health have to be everybody else. It has no initiative. borne in mind. Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 515

With carcasses, 1t 1s not easy to mark all Queensland) and that is a man \Vhom I parts; but I think one stamp on a carcass regarded as a friend long before I came would be sufficient to indica:te what it was. into this Parliament and a man whom I It is not that type of food-fresh food­ respect very much-Sir Zelman Cowen. Sir that I am worlied about. I am worried more Zelman is a man of great integlity, a man of about processed and packaged food. I high intelligence and a man with a most believe that appropriate legislation should be impressive academic record, especially in introduced. I am sure that that could be the field of constitutional law. AI; Governor­ arranged so that a possible serious health General that will stand him in good stead. problem could be prevented. It makes me feel very confident that some­ one as qualified as Sir Zelman Cowen and In reply to the Governor's statement about someone with his integlity will be holding the trade union movement, let me say that that position. the trade union movement is a very respons­ ible organisation, and the only regret I have Sir Zelman's record at the university has -and it is a great regret-is that this State been very good. True, we have had some minor Government is not prepared to talk to unions disturbances on that campus since Sir Zelman and the union leaders as it is prepared to arrived there. Most of them, however, were in talk to leaders of employer organisations. J,t the first year. The way that he has been able should get on with the job of talking to to work with the students, rt.he staff, the unions and union leaders. professorial board and the police since that (Time expired.) time has done him great credit. The Uni­ versity of Queensland has been the quietest campus in Australia in recent years. Some Mr. LAMONT (South Brisbane) (12.42 of the students might not be proud of that, p.m.): I enter this debate today with some but most of the staff, most of the students degree of pride--pride that I belong to a Government that has had such a fine record and I think most of the community are proud of it. I wish to pay tlibute to Sir Zelman over the past three years. for the way he has handled his Vice-Chan­ !VIr. Moore: What about your pledge of cellorship and I am sure he wiH conduct loyalty? himself with equal eminence in the role of Governor-General. Mr. LAMONT: I think the honourable member for Windsor just said, "What about I am also not a little proud to see that your loyalty?" There have been times when Sir Zelman described himself as a little I have felt that I had to criticise Gov­ "!" liberal. I know what I mean by a ernment decisions. If a member of Par­ "little '!' liberal". I do not presume to say liament cannot disagree and reserve the right what I think Sir Zelman means, although I to say, "I am in this team. I am part of do think I know. :this Government and proud to be helping to provide stable government, but I don't But, in my experience, a "little ']' liberal" always agree 100 per cent with what is often confused with a person who wants happens.", then he is not much chop. Of to .Jegalise marijuana make homosexuality course, in the Labor Party a person has to compulsory and so forth. That is not true. sign a pledge that he will never speak out I regard a "little '1' liberal" as best defined and think for himself. Gilbert and Sullivan as a person who is tolerant of those who had a wonderful Jine- dissent from his own view and is prepared to extend that tolerance into law to guarantee "He always rallied to the party's call, the rights of individuals. He never thought of thinking for himself at all." So I come to review some of the decisions I have taken since become a member of That is the Labor Party-unthinking yes­ Parliament, partioular.ly during the past men keeping the seat warm. Lt is with 12 months. I have taken a stand in great pride that I rise as a Liberal, because favour of safeguarding civil liberties. I do as a Liberal I am able to think for myself and not say that I am the only one who has have the right to express my own opinions. done this but I am proud that I have I support the Government on most issues; been one of them. At the same time, as a but, if I feel fundamentally that my con­ former police officer, I know that we have science is aggrieved at certain decisions, then to stand four-square behind the police. The I dissent. My party accepts this light and police have the right to know that the that is what the word ''liberal" means. public and the Parliament will stand by Before I move on to matters to which I them in the decisions that they take. But have directed my attention over the pa!'lt in return we have a right to ask that the three years, and I believe that this debate, police become the most law-abiding group coming near an election, should be a time in our society so that we can respect them. when we review some of our decisions and We have to remember, and the police have actions, I would like to pay tribute to a to remember, that the meanest member of man who I believe is a great Queenslander our society is entitled to his rights. Unless (I am calling him a Queenslander, although the meanest member of our society is I understand he was born in the south, entitled to respect under the law, none of but then we say the best people come to us has rights. 516 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

The commissioner of the Victorian police to result in violence, have to be stopped. said recently that the noblest causes are We do not want violence in the streets. We often fought in the names of the most have to beware of the small handful of unworthy individuals. We must not allow agitators who pop up at every demonstration, our judgments of individuals to cloud the pop up at union demonstrations, pop up principles that are often involved. We some­ at the Q.C.E., where they get their instruc­ times come in danger of reaching the stage tions, and pop up at the campus every now of the old joke where the hoary reactionary and again, because they want in fact to pro­ says, "We must stamp out homosexuals, voke a reaction among us and they can, intellectuals and Communists, to name but if we are not careful, provoke us to the one category." point of leading us into curtailing liberties that should be preserved. I am net on the side of the demonstrators. I have seerr demonstrations such as few An interesting development in politics in others in Australia have seen. In Aden and in this country and in this State in recent Calcutta I was witness to violence, and in months has been the formation of a new Hong Kong I was actually involved in the centre party known as the Australian Demo­ police side of containing very serious demon­ crats. Honourable members will recall that strations. Fifty thousand Chinese Communists several years ago the Australia Party was were in the streets confronting a thin blue formed as another centre party. It taught line of loyal people, who won the respect the Liberal Party something of a lesson. of the remaining 5,000,000 people of Hong It reminded us that there is a middle ground Kong, all of them Chinese, in spite of the that deserted us in the Federal elections in worry of 700,000,000 Communists over the 1972. I believe that centre parties do make border 20 miles away. The Hong Kong a contribution to the political situation. They police, on that occasion, stood out as the warn conservative parties not to drift too most respected and law-abiding group in far from the middle ground, just as the the community. If the Queensland police Australia Party warned them in 1972. A will guarantee such behaviour, we will never centre party warned the Liberal Party and have any qualms about giving them our 100 the Country Party, as it then was, not to per cent support. I am sure that the Minister, drift too far from the middle ground, or who sits here today, would agree with me we would lose office. on that, as would the new Commissioner Centre parties have a moderating influence, of Police (Mr. Lewis). just as the D.L.P. attempted to have a moderating influence on the Calwell and I agree that civil liberties can and some­ Whitlam leadership of the Laoor Party, times must be curtailed when the liberties which was drifting far to the Left in the of others are endangered. I instance an argu­ 1960s. Whitlam learned a lesson from the ment that I have had with some members D.L.P. because in 1972 he dressed up his of the extreme Left in this State over such party as the best dressed of a couple of the instances as demonstrations against the middle~of-the-road parties. That is a lesson Springbok Rugby players. I happen to that we should remember. We must never enjoy a game of Rugby. I believed that drift so far from the middle ground that politics must be kept out of sport. I said we give up that enormous body of voters to a gentleman who, incidentally, is a second­ who simply want the peaceful life but are ary school teacher who apparently puts his well aware when their rights are being views a little bit forcefully in the class-room, infringed. "You weren't demonstrating just to make your point. You were demonstrating to In the last three years I have taken a stop me and others from attending a foot­ considerable interest in the handicapped, ball match and to break up that match so particularly children who are handicapped we couldn't enjoy it to the end. If we gave by deafness and blindness. As president of you Lang Park to demonstrate in and pro­ the Australian Deafness Council I have vided all the publicity you wanted, would called on the Minister for Health to assist you be happy to let me go to the Spring­ our programme of vaccination of every bok match and watch the game to the young girl against maternal rnbeHa. I wish end?" Of course, he would not have been to advise the House now that it is the happy with that at all. He wanted to considered opinion of medical authorities exercise his rights at the expense of mine. that rubella vaccination is 98 per cent effective. In fact, I think it is the most effective vaccination known to the medical I wonder whether the students last world. We believe it is possible to eradicate Wednesday were satisfied with the 40 per cent of the cases of children born publicity they received. Many of them, deaf or blind and 90 per cent of the the moderates in particular, pulled out of incidence of cases of children born with the the march in respect for the law. But many double tragedy. of them were determined to try to continue not. I feel, in support of the principle which I believe it appropriate that the State was already taken care of in the proper Health Department and the Minister for place, namely, here, but because they wanted Health should not only support this pro­ to provoke the police. Those sorts of gramme but should ensure that the Division provocative demonstrations, which are likely of School Health Services is sufficiently Address in Reply (l3 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 517 expanded to vaccinate all girls in their final mptured by the use of cotton buds and primary school year against maternal rubella. who have suffered traumatic deafness that If they are vaccinated once, we believe, the will remain for life. These people did this effect-iveness of the vaccine will remain with by probing their ears or those of their them for life. There is no need to return chHdren with cotton buds and other every 12 months for a booster. Rubella materials. The fact that cotton buds may have vaccination is more effective, for example, flexible stems with cotton wool on the end than vaccination against tetanus or cholera. It matters not a jot. One should put nothing remains for life. I believe that we must smaller than an elbow in one's ear, unless it throw our full support behind a form of happens to be a piece of wet cotton wool, protection that can reduce the chances of a which will do the job of cleaning as mother giving birth to a deaf, blind or adequately as is required. multiple"handicapped child. I would like to raise, perhaps for the I am also concerned that deafness in first time in this Parliament, the question children be detected at the earliest possible of providing in the courts adequate inter­ time. I have heard of some doctors preter services for deaf people. I hope that who believe that it does not matter if deaf­ the Minister for Police will ensure that police ness in a child is not detected until the cadets and, indeed, police officers are made child reaches school age. But by that time, a aware of the problems of deaf people because child has to develop speech. It is possible we have had cases of people arrested who do to detect deafness and partial deafness in not know why they have been arrested and babies at the age of two months and it is do not respond to the arrest, and, of course, possible to fit them with hearing aids at the police officer quite rightly thinks that the age of four months. Then they are the person is not responding prope11ly to his able to hear the sounds around them and requirements. There have been cases in court they will learn to speak, whereas a child with where a solicitor has said he can use and an undetected hearing defect will not develop understand "sign language" and therefore he proper speech. will interpret for the deaf person-and that A case of deafness in schoolchildren is not good enough. If justice is to be between the ages of five and 17 is detected extended to all, adequate court interpreter every second day. That means that over 150 services for deaf people must be made avail­ cases of deafness are being detected in able. Queensland every year. Those children are There is also the problem of hearing-children going through their school years with partial of deaf parents. I am proud to say that the deafness and are being regarded as mental1ly Minister for Community and Welfare Services retarded because they do not respond to in this State is the first Minister to provide teaching. They are not retarded or naturally special money for the Queensland Deaf inattentive; they are just not hearing what Society. Hitherto this society has been run is going on. on voluntary donations and has not been I might refer to a case in the electorate attracting subsidies. The Minister is putting that I am seeking to represent after the an end to that sorry state. next election. I shall not name the school as I do not want to embarrass the principal I come now to the subject that has been and staff, who are not at fault. At that occupying a great deal of my time as a school not so long ago several cases of member of Parliament-education. Let me children with visual and hearing handicaps say first of all that there has been a bit were discovered by the School Health of a flurry today with respect to education. Services. That school had not been visited by I debated the subject with the Deputy the School Health Services for three years. Director-General of Education on a radio station earlier and he made some quite It cannot be said, either, that it is the outlandish claims. I am concerned that fault of the School Health Services. They public servants are running away with are very dedicated people and they are decision-making in education in this State. doing their level best. I hope the Treasurer I am concerned, for example, that will be able to provide more money for the when I criticised the Deputy Director­ expansion of the School Health Services General of Education for a policy because they are doing a wonderful job. It of his just recently, I was hit is, however, a job that a local general with the threat of a law suit. His solicitor practitioner could assist with greatly when wrote to me and said, "If you criticise him some woman in his care has a baby. If again by name we are going to sue you deafness can be detected at two or three months and a hearing aid is fitted at that for libel." I did not bother to answer it. age, the educational, psychological and social I thought I would answer it on the floor of Parliament and in a private letter to the development of the child \Vill be vastly improved. Premier. A public servant had written back in the name of the Minister-as far as I raise, too, the issue of cotton buds, which I know without consulting the Minister- and are currently sold at chain stores as well I learned of his reply and criticised it. as in chemist shops. They are very dangerous. Cases have been reported to the I will tell you what happened, Mr. Deputy Australian Deafness Council of children and Speaker. A charitable organisation had asked adults who have had their ear-drums the Minister for Education~! am glad to 12 518 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

see he is present in the Chamber today-to Mr. LAMONT: The Minister has had his present a set of Encyclopaedia Britannica to go. the school that raised the most money for its cause. Mr. Hamilton wrote back and said Mr. Bird: Now you are saying you haven't that the Minister would not do so. He said seen it. words to the effect that the development of the competitive spirit is bad for the social and Mr. LAMONT: I have had its contents psychological development of the child. I read out to me. denounced that as socialist, egalitarian [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] nonsense. Mr. Bird: Why don't you be truthful and Mr. LAMONT: I concluded on rather an produce the letter? interesting note before the recess for lunch. I was expressing my concern that certain pub­ Mr. LAMONT: The Minister knows very lic servants in the Education Department well that that letter exists. seem to have a sense of values that I think is in conflict with the sense of Mr. Bird: I know it exists. values of most of the community-parents, Mr. LAMONT: I am not really worried empJoyees, members of Parliament. ab?l!t wh~ wrote the letter (I know the The Minister has agreed to table a certain Mm1~ter d1d n?t sign it), but what I am letter that I think reveals something of the worned about 1s that when I criticised it­ attitudes of some of his bureaucrats. It will whether I am right or wrong and whether be interesting to see the letter, because there competition is good or bad for children-! are copies of it in existence outside the was hit with the threat of a law suit which Education Department, and I hope that the constituted an attempt by a public servant copy which is tabled is the same as the other to gag a l!lember ?f Parliament doing his copies that exist. duty. I thmk that IS an atrocious situation The point at issue is whether or not the and if I had been the Minister he woulrl competitive spirit ought to be encouraged or have been disciplined. whether in fact it is to the social and I_ am looking forward to the Minister psychological detriment of the development tellmg the principal of the Brisbane State of the child. I believe that there are a number High School that he must not put up a of public servants who contribute and sub­ football team against Brisbane Grammar scribe to the view that the class-room ought Nudgee or Terrace next year because th~ to be, and can be, converted into a social­ development of the competitive spirit is bad engineering laboratory to remake society in for their social ~e':elopm~nt. I know very some ideal image of their own. yvell what the pnnc1pal Will tell the Minister We have many examples of this, Mr. 1f he has the temerity to make such a silly Deputy Speaker. We have seen reading, statement. writing and arithmetic making way con­ Mr. Bird interjected. stantly in the syJla,bus for social-engineering subjects. But one thing that the clever Mr. LAMONT: What would you like to bureaucrats have not yet discovered is a say, Mr. Minister? I will give you half a means of fitting more than six hours minute. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For every new I am sorry-the Minister remains silent. social-engineering course that goes into the schools, something has to come out. It will Mr. Bird: I am not silent I said "Why not be last year's fads; it wiJl, naturally, be don't you be honest about ~11 this?' Why the old traditional subjects that constantly don't you produce the letter?" · suffer. Mr. ~AMONT: I will produce the letter I was quoted in the newspaper this morning by askmg the Minister to table it. After as attacking "Man: A Course of Study", which all, he has a copy in his departmental files. is currently in use in 15 schools in this State. I challenge the Minister to table the letter "Man: A Course of Study" is not a study th_at was sent to the Red Cross so that we of western civilised man; it is a study of Will all know whether he believes that the primitive sociological man. And I regard this competitive spirit is a danger to the social incessant and increasing demand upon chi.ld­ development of a child. ren at an ever-increasingly early age to come to grips with the problems of society Mr. Bird: <;an I table the letter that you as being a vast assault on childhood. Let wrote in wh1ch you misinterpreted that children have their innocence. My child is letter? 12 weeks oJd today, and I want him to have 12 years of happiness and carefree living Mr. LAMONT: The Minister can table before he has to come to grips with the rotten anything I have written to him. I am wor,ld that we adults, unfortunately, have not ashamed of anything I have written. I been able to produce. could not get a copy of that letter out of the Education Department, but if it is tabled, Why should children, at the age of nine, so much the better. have to come to grips with the bomb, popula­ tion explosion, pollution, racism? "Man: A Mr. Bird: You referred to the letter. Course of Study" seems to have a hang,up Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 519

about wife swapping, incest and cannibalism. of Education consulting with the president of Surely we can let children study the history the Teachers' Union, and that is not only of the development of western civilisation not consulting the profession; it is barely a without having to go into the horrors of it. meeting of two minds. We have to get away Let me give an example. I can teach nation­ from this situation. One of the ways, of alism to chi,ldren of tender years by trulking course, is to build up the teaching profession. about Australian nationalism and the brighter There should be a better selection of teach­ and better aspects of nationalism, or I can ers for training. Instead of just taking them teach nationalism by talking about Hitler, the on their T.E. scores from school, let them concentration camps and the bones and the be interviewed to see if they are voca,tionally bodies of victims of the gas chambers. It is motivated. Let them be interviewed again just the way you go about it, and "Man: A at the end of the teachers' course. We have Course of Study" seems to dwell upon the repeatedly asked for this, but the Minister's more morbid aspects of the history of man. advisers have repeatedly told him, "We can't It is the bureaucrats who introduced this have it." Why, I don't know. If I were con­ course without any meaningful consultation sidering employing someone I would check with teachers. When I visit p. and c. meetings his character, his aptitude, and his motivation, or address public meetings, I say to the not just look at his T.E. score. Yet for some­ employers and the parents, "Don't blame the thing as vital as teacher-training we go on teachers for the dissatisfaction you have with academic results alone. The public servant the education system, because teachers are simply won't be told. Here is another matter. usually as much the victims of poor educa­ Not enough money is spent on in-service tional planning as are the students." I tell training. We won $2,000,000 for in-service them that teachers are the only rea,J experts training a few years ago, but what happened? in education, but they are seldom consulted It built the Bardon Professional Development adequately. Centre. Tihe money was put into public works. There are class-rooms in the col­ A handful of idealistic bureaucrats in this leges of advanced education with staff at State are in control of education. They jet­ those colleges going begging for something set their way around the wodd, pick up a to do. They could be employed in in-service few ideas in vogue in England or America training, and the $2,000,000 could have been and bring them back here with woolly impres­ spent in lifting teachers out of schools for sions of their success rate, and implement three-month courses on full pay. Thwt would them in every school along the way. They have been a contribution to the profession. do not consult teachers as to whether they What about teachers who want to return to want the changes. They do not give adequate jobs after leaving the profession for five or in-service training to the teachers. Conse­ six years? Now if they have only one year's quently, the real experts, the ones at the coal training behind them at a college, they have face who are doing the work, are not con­ to go back to college. At the age of what­ sulted. forty? What about a woman who leaves One Director of Education-in fact, the the profession to bring up her children and Director of Primary Education-said to me, then wants to come back to the profession? "No matter what you people in Pa,rliament She has to go to a college of advanced do, you won't change the way I want to run education. What for, I don't know. If she my schools." Quite frankly, that appals me, has 10 years' teaching experience behind her, because he is, after a!J, a public servant, or for example, she should be credited with two is supposed to be. These bureaucrats have years' additional training because she could been too long away from the class-room. The probably teach the pants off young teachers Deputy Director of Education, who was straight out of a college. That, too, has been debating with me on radio station 4IP this rejected as a proposal. morning, has not been in a class-worn as a teacher since the 1950's-over 17 years­ I now wish to leave the subject of educa­ yet he is dictating to practising teachers as to tion because I think my views on this mat­ what they shouJd do. ter are pretty well known throughout the State, and certainly in this Parliament. I There is a great gap in communication want to devote the remaining half of my between the teaching profession and the speech to problems I find in my own policy makers. It could be remedied very electorate that I represent at present and easily; but, unfortunately, the ri,ght attitude also in the electorate of Woodridge and does not prevail at the top. I say that those Springwood that I am reasonably confident bureaucrats have an arrogant disregard of I will represent in the next Parliament. One our opinions in this PaPliament, the opinions of the things facing all of us, particularly of parents and, most of all, the opinion of young couples with families who are buying teachers, who are the only real experts in homes (but builders and tenants as well), are education. So I say that parents should not the high interest rates. Interest rates have blame teachers. When they are dissatisfied to come down. When people say to me, with what they see, they should apply pres­ "But your Government hasn't brought them sure upon the department or come to mem­ down", I say, "Yes, but remember this: In be,rs for advice. At the moment consulting 1972 the Labor Government came into power the profession really boils down to a few promising to lower interest rates. They bureaucrats like the Deputy Director-General doubled them and doubled them again. 520 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

Interest rates went to four times the base I am proud to say that the housing com­ rate of 1972 under Labor simply because mittee of ;this Parliament brought forward when we handed over to them there were a scheme that the Minister has introduced hundreds of millions of dollars in credit in which vir.tually says .to Housing Commission Australia, and when they handed it back to tena!11ts, "We want you to have an oppor­ us we were thousands of millions of dollars tunity to buy your own homes." The homes in debt." There was a massive overseas they are in at the moment, on which ~hey debt to such an ex·tent that the Prime are paying rent to the Government, can be Minister had to conspire with three of his converted to their ownership by .the pay­ senior Ministers to sell Australi'a to the Arab ment of a small deposit. Their rent pay­ consortium for millions of doHars for 20 ments are then regarded as interest repay­ years, which he dressed up as a "temporary" ments on 'the montgage at the low rate of ioan. 7 per cent compared with the overall rate payable .to building societies and banks. We Why the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, have assi~>ted Housing Commission tenants­ has stopped that lawsuit investigating the people who are receiving welfare assistance former Prime Minister's motives I shall in housing~to convert from being rent-pay­ never know, because it was quite obvious ing tenants to mortgage-repaying owners. that Wh~tlam, to circumvent the Constitution, That will stand us in good stead in Housing to circumvent the will of the people, was Commission areas when i.t sinks in fully to prepared to sell the people out to the Arabs. the people that they can at last own the roof His is the party that taJks about multi­ over their heads. The Labor Party would nationals owning our country. prefer that the people did not own the roof over 'their heads, knowing full well that Because of the massive overseas debt, people who do not own 1the roof over their because of the bankruptcy the Labor heads depend on .the Government and thus Government ran us into, there became an are more susceptible to socialist policies enormous pressure on the money market. because, after all, they are on welfare hand­ When there is that kind of pressure on outs. That is the way Labor treats its follow­ the money market, then interest rates will ers. It wants to keep them dependen~ on rise. That is what Labor did to Australia. the Government. So all of us who are paying off homes or Only last week we announced the release paying rents to landlords who are themselves of a further $10,000,000 into the building paying off premises, had to pay massive industry so that people who cannot afford interest rates to the building societies and to borrow $26,000 or $27,000 for a new the banks. Gratefully the Fraser Govern­ home can get $18,000 in Government money ment has taken a responsible attitude towards at 7 per cent interest, rather than 10 per the economy. But we have had to tighten cent, and can borrow i!he remainder from a our belts. It has meant more to some of us building society. Once a person has $18,000 than to others. This has meant that now, approved by the Government, it is much this October, it is probable that interest easier to borrow from a building society. rates will go down a half to 1 per cent, This is assisting people again-particularly and I would predict that by May next young couples-to buy their own homes, and year they will come down a further 1 to 2 this is applicable to people buying their first per cent. That is real cash back in the home who usually have young families. I pocket to people to whom $2 or $3 a week am very proud to be associated w1th both means a lot in their net income for their of these policies that help people to achieve families. It is good for buyers; it is good private ownership of ·the roofs over their for builders; it is good for the real esta,te heads. I am only sorry that the 1973 Whit­ industry. Indeed, it is good for the economy lam Government forced us to reserve cer.tain generally. This will happen and the first homes built under its scheme so that we move will come before our State election. cannot hand them over 'to the people l!o No doubt the Government will get some achieve home-ownership. response from the electorate, which will be happy about it. In

but nevertheless were very effective policies) unemployed workers in the State of Queens­ of the Fraser Government, is going to mean land. He outlined what he thought were more jobs for school-leavers, and that is very some grand things that the Government important to all of us. intended to do but I would say that he should help the people who are out of At the opening of my speech I am afraid work in the Warrego area. I find, from the I misunderstood an interjection by my col­ particulars I have at my disposal now, that league the member for Windsor. He men­ as many as 347 people are unemployed in rtioned the word "loyalty" and I thought he the Charleville area-the area that he repre­ was talking about loyalty to the Govern­ sents-yet he was not prepared to speak ment. He was in fact talking about loyalty up on their behalf and point out that they rto the Queen. Of course, in my reference require work. The honourable member for to Sir Zelman Cowen and the tribute that Belmont also side-stepped the question. I hope I paid to him, I perhaps should have added, because I certainly feel it, that I The tragedy of unemployment in Australia believe very strongly that a constitutional and particularly in Queensland today is monarchy provides the greatest amount of something that we cannot afford to over­ stability that any Government can provide. look. We have 333,000 people out of work There is an ongoing person we can look to in Australia. That does not mean that only who provides a personification of the Con­ 333,000 people are affected by unemploy­ stitution that we know provides the sort ment in the nation. That figure is something of democratic, free and respectable way of like 1,000,000 people. We have to include life that we in Australia want. Therefore, the wives of male workers, the husbands of I am very happy to affirm-perhaps later in the ladies who are unemployed and the my speech than it deserves-my utmost children of those families. They are affected loyalty to the Crown and my firm belief by the non-income-earning of their husbands rthat the constitutional monarchy should and and fathers, and we have a Government that will continue as the way of life that will is endeavouring to overlook it. I want to guide all Australians to a better way of life. say quite distinctly that the Governrr:cnt has made no attempt to consider this question Mr. MARGINSON (Wolston) (2.35 p.m.): of unemployment. It has brought down We have had something like 40 speakers some grandiose schemes that were mentioned in this Address in Reply debate, which has by the instant expert who spoke before now proceeded for a number of days. Because me and who said how proud he was to of my past actions and attitude I have no be a member of the Government of this need to pledge by loyalty to Her Majesty State. He alone of Government members the Queen. I am supporting the motion, spoke of unemployment; but he, too, reverted which does incorporate a pledge of loyalty to the same old catchcry of the last 18 by the House to the Crown. I join with months of blaming the Whitlam Labor that expression both for the people of Wol­ Government. ston and for myself personally. The present Prime Minister, who is a I congratulate Sir James Ramsay on his Liberal, and his Government promised in appointment as Governor of our State. It 1975 that they would overcome the problem has been my good fortune to meet him of unemployment. They have done nothing on a number of occasions, particularly at about it. Their counte11parts in the Govern­ functions in the city of Ipswich, and I extend ment of this State should hang their heads to him and Lady Ramsay every good wish in shame when they allow unemployment in the tasks that they are undertaking. to exist in Queensland today. Mr. Frawley: How hypocritical can you Mr. Lindsay: Who wrote this for you? get? You would get rid of him if you had a chance. Your mob would throw him Mr. Frawley: He's never written a speech out. in his life. They are all handed to him as briefs from the Trades Hall. Mr. MARGINSON: I will make reference to that member later on. I will have some­ Mr. MARGINSON: The member who so thing to say about his conduct in this House, rudely interjected shou.ld know that I ~m I hope, if I am allowed. not reading. I am speakmg off the cuff, wh1ch is something he cannot do. The mover and seconder of the motion now under debate disappointed me because Mr. Frawley: You're speaking from the I believe they deliberately avoided the great heart, are you? problem that Queensland is facing today. They brought many matters to the attention of Mr MARGINSON: I have more heart honourable members in their speeches to than ·the honourable member, particularly the House, but the great matter of unem­ in my concern for the unemployed in this ployment was deliberately side-stepped by State. This is a problem that has to be them. I was particularly disappointed with solved by the Government. During the com­ the honourable member for Warrego when ing State election campaign, the Government he avoided this question, because his area will be particularly anxious not to refer to is one that has the greatest number of unemployment. Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 523

The Premier, who won an election on the The article continued- issue of law and order, will not admit to "The stinging attack on the Govern­ the people of Queensland that he acquiesced ment members was launched by Mr. Scott in the invasion of East Timor by Indonesia. Prasser, vke-president of the Young Lib­ The President of Indonesia came to Queens­ erals' policy committee." land and met the Premier. The Premier admitted that he told the President that he I do not think Government members have was not opposed to Indonesia's invasion of heard this before. This article was written East Timor. He shares responsibility for last January. It quoted Mr. Prasser as the mass slaughter that has gone on in saying- East Timor and apparently is continuing "I can only recoil with increasing regret today. This unchristian gentleman to whom at the low standard of government in Doug Anthony referred has made it quite Queensland." clear that he has some blood on his hands fo11owing the invasion of East Timor by Mr. Frawley: Give us a photostat. Indonesia. The Premier has come out as Mr. Fraser's Mr. MARGINSON: The honourable mem­ Foreign Affairs Minister. As Premier of the ber would not be able to read 1t if I gave State, he has dabbled in the foreign affairs him one. Honourllble members opposite of this country, which is the province of know what is coming, and they are smarting. the Federal Government. I ask the people of Queensland to realise just what he is. Mr. Porter: How old is Mr. Scott Prasser? I have with me an extract from the "Sunday Sun" of 20 January which I wish Mr. MARGINSON: He is 22. He said to refer to the House. A young chap named further- Scott Prasser from Ipswich-- "The Government, under the control of the Liberal and National Parties, displays Mr. Frawley: He's bad news; I can tell all ·the long-quoted faults of State gov­ you that now. ernments-ineptness, lack of co-operation with the Federal Government and general Mr. MARGINSON: He is bad news because he happens to be the research stagnation." officer for Mr. Hodges, the Liberal member What a very good description of this Gov­ for Petrie. That is why he is bad news to ernment he has given to the people of the honourable member for Murrumba. Queensland-"ineptness, lack of co-operation Mr. Greenwood: We believe in free with the Federal Government and general speech in our party, you see. There's a hit of stagnation". The article continues- a difference in your neck of the woods. "Fortunately one or two of the older back benchers" (this does not include the Mr. MARGINSON: The Minister is wrong honourable member for Toowong) "and there. He says he believes in free speech some of the 'new' Liberal members but he objects when we speak about what elected in 1974" (that would include the he was doing before he joined the Ministry. Minister for Survey and Valuation) "have I have here an article about what Mr. shown courage in their willingness to stand Scott Prasser had to say, and I agree with up for Liberal principles ..." him. The article reads- That is what the honourable member for "The Queensland Government's faults Wavell spoke about not so long ago in the were compounded by the obvious incom­ Press after he had tendered his resignation petence of many of the State's Ministers -that the Liberal Party is not standing up and back benchers both Liberal and for its principles or bringing down new National ..." policies. That is why the Minister for Survey and Valuation is objecting to this. This article Mr. Porter: Is that so? was written at about the time he was elevated-prematurely-to the Ministry of Mr. MARGINSON: That is what he says. this State. I am only quoting one of your own members. Mr. Porter: Don't you think he might be prejudiced by working for a Federal Mr. Porter: Which one? member? Mr. MARGINSON: The honourable mem­ Mr. MARGINSON: I will go on with this ber for Wavell. first. The honourable member should listen to what he has to say about Government Mr. Porter: What did he specify? back-benchers. The article quotes Mr. Prasser as having said- Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. "At be~t they can only be kindly des­ Hewitt): Order! I think the honourable cribed as second raters and careerists of member for Wolston should proceed with the worst kind." his speech. 524 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

Mr. MARGINSON: I am sorry if I am So I join with Mr. Prasser-it is very annoying them, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The strange that I should join with a Liberal in article continues- anything-- "They have shown courage in their wil­ :\Jr. Greenwood: If you join with Mr. lingness to stand up for Liberal prin­ Prasser, it will cost you $10. ciples when necessary and as well appear­ ing to grasp some of the realities of Mr. MARGINSON: If he joins with me, modern day politics. it will cost him much more than that, because "Mr. Prasser said most Government the party to which I belong is much better members were willing to accept Queens­ than his. I think I have dealt adequately land's archaic parliamentary system and with the Liberals, Mr. Deputy Speaker-the the Government's lack of innovating second-rate Liberals, as a member of their style. The Liberal Parliamentary wing own party has said. which has had its ranks swelled by the In the St years that I have been in this charisma of Bjelke-Petersen in 1974 Chamber-and what I am about to say is appears oblivious to the fact that because not a reflection on the Chair-I have seen the Liberal Party has no separate identi­ the conduct deteriorate tremendously. In fiable image in the eyes of the public, the earlier years, we did not have here because those from the top down don't people such as the honourable member for believe there is a difference, it will also Murrumba and the honourable member for suffer when the inevitable anti-Petersen Merthyr. We did not have displays such swing begins." as we have had in the last few days from Mr. Byrne: Do you realise he has as much the Minister for Police. But the deterioration support for those ideas in the Young Lib­ in conduct is not solely the result of their eral movement as the A.L.P. has support in presence in the Chamber. In my opinion, this Parliament-virtually nil? it arose about the time of the introduction of questions without notice. Mr. MARGINSON: Is the honourable The Premier and his Ministers are answer­ member going to tell a member of his own ing not only genuine questions without notice party that he does not support him? but also questions without notice that I suspect they have given to back-bench mem­ Mr. Porter: Of course! bers of the Government parties to ask at Mr. MARGINSON: What is the honour­ question-time. This enables them to attack able member butting in for? those who oppose them in this Parliament. I find it difficult to believe that anything Mr. Porter: I just want to help you. of that type can take place in a democratic Parliament, but I have seen Ministers hand Mr. MARGINSON: I am not looking at to members questions without notice that the honourable member; I am looking at will enable them to attack people. the honourable member for Redlands, who is not in his seat. Unfortunately, when I protest-and I am speaking only for myself-about the ques­ tions and the answers to them and I am Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The attacked by one Minister in particular, I honourable member for Redlands is entitled have to cease my attack because I am to sit where he likes while he is not speaking warned under a certain standing order; yet or interjecting. the Minister can continue to attack me. In circumstances such as those, a member Mr. MARGINSON: He is interjecting. is unable to retaliate or even to deny the truth of what a Minister is saying. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: If he wishes to interject, he must first make his way I reiterate that in the St years that I to his own seat, and he knows that. have been a member of this Assembly the I suggest that the honourable member for conduct of the House has slipped tremen­ Wolston direct his comments to the Chair. dously. I am not slighting the Chair when I say that. Mr. MARGINSON: I shall have something Mr. Lowes: You're like a tomcat; you want to say about the conduct of the House very to have it and yowl about it at the same time. shortly, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am sorry if I have hurt Liberal members Mr. MARGINSON: The interjector is of this Assembly by quoting Mr. Scott Pras­ sour now because he didn't get a job as a ser's condemnation of them, but I intend Justice. That was the story that went a@und. to quote a little further from what he said. He said that he would get there before the He went on to say- present Minister for Survey and Valuation. "The Queensland Parliamentary Liberal The Minister for Survey and Valuation has .Pa11ty displays a!J of the characteristics of beaten him into the Ministry, but he is still its Federal counterpart in 1972-aloofness adamant that he is going to be on the Bench. from the organisations wing and forgetting Government Members interjected. what the first principles of liberalism are all about." Mr. K. J. Hooper: Mr. Marginson. Address in Reply (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 525

Mr. MARGINSON: I will listen to the member during the debate oppose this pro­ honourable member for Archerfield. posal of the subcommittee to bring in a high­ ranking public servant from outside. I have Mr. K. J. Hooper: Do you reckon the no doubt that it will be tried again. The Minister for maps was elected to the Ministry Government has tried it once. There is no on ability or-- reason why those on the staff of this House who are capable of carrying out those duties Mr. MARGINSON: I would say that most should be overlooked. of the Ministers have been elected on patron­ age. I ,have seen one stdking example of In commenting on whait: has taken place such an appointment to the Ministry while I I must say how sorry I am that we are lto have been here. The honourable member for Jose our Clerk of Parliament. I thank the Yeronga is looking guilty. staff of the House for 1he assistance that they have given to me in ,the 8t years Mr. Frawley interjected. I have been here. I ,thank not only the s1aff in the offices-- Mr. MARGINSON: There's the dog-kicker at it again. Mr. Byrne: Are you retiring, Mr. Margin­ son? Are you making your valedictory Government Members interjected. speech? Mr. MARGINSON: Not at all, but I Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. know itha1 the honourable (lllember for Hewitt): Order! I would be pleased if the Belmont will be retiring. honoumbJe member for Wolston would pro­ ceed with his speech. Mr. Byrne: That is where you are far from the tmth. Mr. MARGINSON: I don't want to stir them up. Mr. Frawley: Don't forget, when you were secretary of the Ipswich Hospitals Mr. Jones: Isn't it true that the honourable Board there was a lot of funny business. member for Warwick said that they were blackmailers and crawlers? Mr. MARGINSON: Yes; at ,that time you came up to try to fix our lifts, but you Mr. MARGINSON: The honouraole mem­ couldn',t do J,t, We made more complaints ber for Caims has reminded me of what Mr. about you to the firm than about anyone Cory said here. I was here the day he said else. it. Faces were very r~ when he said one Mr. Frawley: I have some good informa­ had to be a crawler to get into the Ministry. tion on you. That is the point I have been trying to prove. We in this House are finding it very difficult Mr. MARGINSON: When you came up to carry out our duties. we had complaints because the Hits were not Mr. Byrne: You haven't even tried. working properly. You were a very poor tradesman. Mr. MARGINSON: There's the evil friar Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. again. Hewitt): Order! I ask the honourable mem­ It was not long ago that I heard that a ber once again to direot his comments to committee had been set up to appoint a suc­ the Chair and I ask him to continue with cessor to the present Clerk of Parliament, his speech. who I am sorry to know is retiring. What a shabby dea,l it was to appoint a person not Mr. Lane: It could hardly be called a even on the staff, and not even au fait with speech. what goes on in the Legislative Assembly. What else will the Government do? Mr. MARGINSON: Hello, the mug from Merthyr is here. Mr. Greenwood: A very distinguished pub­ lic servant. You shouldn't say things like Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The that about him. honourable member will withdraw thalt: com­ ment. Mr. l\tARGINSON: There has been worse said about the honourable gentleman and his Mr. MARGINSON: I withdraw it. fiddling around. Mr. Lane: Have you got anything to say or are you just going to stand ,there? Mr. Greenwood: You are a sensible man and people take notice of you. Mr. MARGINSON: I am looking for a little bit of protection from you, Mr. Mr. MARGINSON: Thank you very much. Deputy Speaker. I am taking notice of this. I believe that if a public servant is working in a department Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I am and gaining knowledge of the work of a trying to give the honourable member pro­ higher office, he is entitled to the promotion he tection by asking him to proceed wj,th his deserves. I have not heard one Government speech. I again ask him to do so. 526 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

Mr. Lane: He has nothing to say. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. Hewitt): Order! That comment is offensive, Mr. MARGINSON: Well, I hope I can too, and I ask the honourable member to get it. withdraw it. An Honourable Member: You had better sit down. Mr. MARGINSON: I withdraw it, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member has asked for my pro­ Mr. JENSEN (Bundaberg) (3.5 p.m.): First tection so thart he can complete his speech. I wish to affirm the loyalty of the citizens of I will give him my protection. I ask the Bundaberg to Her Majesty the Queen and also House to hear him in silence, and I ask to our new Governor, Sir James Ramsay, and the honourable member to proceed and com­ Lady Ramsay. One of the first duties of our plete his speech. new Governor was to open a new port facility Mr. Jones: Tell them about the black­ at the bulk terminal in Bundaberg. He mailers now; you have touched on the acquitted himself very well. The people crawlers. loved him from the start, and he enjoyed the spirit of Bundaberg. When anybody Mr. MARGINSON: My colleague wants enjoys the spirit of Bundaberg, that means me to deal with the blackmailers, having something. So I hope Sir J ames carries on touched on the crawlers. well in his role as Governor of Queensland. I want to continue with my speech con­ Let me pass to a few important points. cerning rthe proposed appointment of the First, I thank the Government for the release next Clerk of Parliament by a subcommittee, of $2,500,000 for the irrigation scheme in which, I heard, consisted of the Premier, my area. Everybody knows that if this Mr. Speaker and one other person, who was drought continues in Bundaberg, the sugar not the Minister for Works and Housing. industry could lose $50,000,000 in one year. The $2,500,000 will at least employ a few An Opposition Member: J,t was Mr. Knox. men to complete some parts of the scheme, seeing that the Federal Government did not Mr. MARGINSON: Yes, Mr. Knox. It come good with its promised money. was not the second-rate Minister I referred to earlier in my speech. I wish to refer to an editorial which took up I hope ,that similar action will not be taken half the front page of the Bundaberg "News­ again but that the Government will ensure Mail" on 1 September under the heading that conscientious, loyal employees of rthe "Stop this political bickering". This editor House are given the promotion they deserve in Bundaberg-and I suppose he is one and that a member of ilhe Public Service of the brightest in Queensland-always writes outside the ranks of rthe officers of the common sense. He is not afraid to attack Parliament is not introduced to step over either the Government or the Opposition those loyal officers and take a position to about any of their political comments. He which one of ,their number is entitled. I am says in this editorial- very sorry rthat the Premier on this occasion "The trouble is that so much of the saw fit to introduce an unknown to take on party political propaganda which pours out the job of Clerk of Parliament in 1this House. at such times is distorted and misleading; Apparently, as the honourable member for some of it is deliberate misrepresentation. Ashgrove said, he was a top-rating public Seldom is achieved what should be the servant, but he found that the job was far basic objective to create an informed too great for him and he has since left us to debate on major issues so that electors go back where he came from. may cast a responsible vote." I am very sorry that it has been necessary for me to ruffle so many Government mem­ That is quite right. bers, particularly the Liberals. As I said, He went on to refer to our former Prime I believe that conduct in the House has Minister, Mr. Whitlam. A few weeks ago deteriorated. I am pleased to see the honour­ Mr. Whitlam came to Bundaberg on his tour able member for Merthyr here; he was not up the coast. He made one big blue in here when I last spoke on 'this subject. Bundaberg. He forgot to say that Bundaberg is one of the six leading cities in Mr. Lane: What subject? Australia; all he could say was that we had the worst unemployment in Australia. The Mr. MARGINSON: Conduct in the House, editor of the Bundaberg paper got into him which the honourable member would not about his claim. The editorial said- know a thing about. " ... the number of unemployed persons Mr. Lane: While I have been here, you registered for the Bundaberg region rose have only put blank pages into "Hansard". from 746 in November, 1975, to 1,260 in July this year. Why pick November 1975? Mr. MARGINSON: You can't count. You The figure for December, 1975, around the are as good at that as you are at rolling time the Fraser Government was elected, drunks and crooks. was 1,111, and in December the previous Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 527

year-seven months after the Whitlam "Mr. Hawke and many of his colleagues Government was elected a second time­ do not understand-or at any rate are it was 1,125." not prepared to concede-that an economy such as Australia's, in which nearly three­ This is what happens when there is political quarters of all jobs are provided by bickering, as he calls it. priva1e enterprise, will simply not function When I entered Parliament in 1969, I effectively unless there is a prospect of made speeches in which I quoted statistics for healthy profits. It is profits that induce Bundaberg that were taken out by Harris of investments; it is investment that provides the university. At that time we had the jobs;"- worst unemployment in Queensland. It was that is right, too- three times the State average. The average "it is investment that makes possible was 1.5 per cent and we had 4.5 per cent. higher productivity; and it is higher pro­ Today our unemployment is about 2 per cent ductivity, and only higher productivity, over the average for the State-but we were that provides the basis for higher real then three times the State average. wages and better social services." Everybody today has been talking about The author mentioned the savings of the unemployment, but nobody talks about the people; they are the little people. cure. Some people say that the Government has to put money in for unemployment I have carried two cuttings in my wallet relief but we know quite well that the (not my wallet, my little notebook), one for money has to be found somewhere. I will the past three months and the other for rthe now quote from the April/June issue of the past six months. I.P.A .. I hope all honourable members read Mr. Frawley: You haven't opened your the I.P.A.. That issue deals with a critical wallet. point. I am concerned about inflation. It concerns me, as it should concern anybody Mr. JENSEN: No. I said "my little who looks after workers. The small person pocketbook"; I am sorry. is the one who is hit hardest. He is the We are told that we are not getting enough person who puts his money into savings wages. An article from "The Courier-Mail" banks, and inflation erodes his savings. He of 2 April 1977 reads- does not invest in building societies at 10 per cent or in Government securities. He "Australians continued to deposit funds invests in the savings banks. heavily in their savings bank accounts during February. The I.P.A. article reads- "Figures issued yesterday by the Sta­ "When interest rates start to fall, there tistics Bureau showed that savings bank will be a resurgence of confidence among deposits rose by $245 million during the businessmen and investors, and among the month to a peak of $16,090 million." consuming public. Projects which at present are not viable will become feasible That is $16,090 million in savings banks and the people will be more disposed to alone. The article continues- spend their hoarded-up savings, particu­ "Total savings bank deposits are now larly on housing and consumer durables." $1,860 million higher than they were a yeat ago." And they do have hoarded-up savings, as I Tha't means that the working man is saving shall point out in a minute. The article at least $2,000 million a year. In the past continues- two years savings bank deposits have gone "The crux of the Hawke argument is up from $13,000 million to $16,000 million. that a revival of consumer spending, which Who puts money into savings accounts­ is necessary to economic recovery and a only the working man. The businessman reduction in unemployment, will not occur invests in finance companies. Others invest unless 1he level of real wages is main­ in building societies because they can get tained." 9! or 10 per cent; but the only people who invest in savings bank accoun~s are the Mr. Hawke said that. The article continues- workers, and their savings are being eroded "This argument is fallacious in two by inflation. And that is known. respects. People have ample funds in An article dated 20 July 1977 reads- savings accounts and elsewhere which they can spend if they wish. They are refraining "Annual bank deposits up. Deposits from doing so because of their fear of in major trading banks in June this year continued inflation." totalled $17,198 million. "Figures issued in Canberra yesterday That is quite correct. The article continues- by the Statistics Bureau show that this "The more important second flaw in was $203 million less ~han the previous rthe argument is that businesses cannot month but $1,813 million more than in afford to employ more labour while wage June last year." costs continue to rise. (In the last few It is going up nearly $2,000 million a year weeks they have been faced with an and Hawke says that nothing can be done addition of nearly $10 a week in average about it because the people will not spend wages). unless they get real wages. 528 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

Mr. Frnwley: Where do you invest your single man or woman is $36 a week. What money? is a lad of 15 or 16 good for? It is no surprise that the honourable member for Mr. JENSEN: I will tell the honourable Sandgate S!peaks about drinking by kids of 15 member about that later. and 16 years of age. Of course they can afford to drink, because they are getting In uhis same journaJl there is an article, $60 to $70 a week. They pay $20 a week in "A Basic First Lesson in Economics". I board, $20 a week for a car, and they are hope some members read it. It reads in still left with $20 to $30 to spend on part- booze. They are seen mainly in clubs rather than hotels. It is no good saying that they "In no sphere of economic activity can are being ruined by pubs; just go to the more be given than can be afforded with­ clubs and see them there. out facing inevitable bankruptcy. The benefits achieved through deficit financing are short-lived simply because the con­ No business can afford these costs. When sequent inflation reduces monetary values. I was unemployed as a lad of 17 or 18 Perhaps the most alarming effect of such I received 13s. a week, which was equivalent irresponsible government activity has been to the wage af an apprentice. Nowadays to create a generation of people who have an apprentice of 15 receives twice as much grown up to believe that governments are as an unemployed person has to live on. caJpable of giving away such benefits with­ And we expect industry to go ahead in out due regard to the costs." the face of these figures! This is most important. I quote a little Let us look at some of the costs that more of this article- industry has to meet. First there is pay-roll "It would now take a brave government tax. Then there are 10 public holidays a to reverse the trend but there are hopeful year, which is more than there are in any signs. The recent economic summit meet­ other country. In America there are four ing in London attended by President or five. In addition, there are a few specials Carter issued a joint communique which such as the butchers' holiday, the bakers' said, in part:- holiday and somebody else's holiday. There 'Inflation i£ not a remedy to unemploy- is then four weeks' annual leave, with a 17t per cent loading. Then there is sick ment but one of its major causes.' " leave and now incremental payments. Long Now let us see what was said recently by the service leave has been introduced for people British Prime Minister. The article also in industry who have done a good job. The states- next racket is incremental pay. "In Britain there is a Labour Prime Minister who, pe11haps too late, expressed The unions once believed in equal pay for his disillusionment with Keynesian equal work. But they have gone back on economics when he said recently:- all their principles and continue to go back on them while they introduce all these 'We used to think that you could rackets. I can employ a good fitter and just spend your way out of a recession turner, one of the best in the world, and he and increase employment by cutting will be paid less than someone who has been taxes and boosting government &pend­ there four, six or eight years. He would ing. I tell you in all candour that that probably be getting more under a sensible option no longer exists and that insofar system of employment. The original cry as it ever did exist, it worked by inject­ was "equal pay for equal work", but that ing inflation into the economy.' " no longer applies. It was good to see Callaghan, the British Prime Minister, on television the other night Then we had claims for site allowances. telling British unions, "You just cannot get When these aJ,lowances were introduced, the these wages. The economy just cannot stand C.O.D. plant was closed down. Then we it." Callaghan knows that and Hawke knows saw claims for allowances for clothing and it, yet he goes on talking about the value petrol. Then we saw the introduction of a of wages at a time when savings accounts prosperity loading in the sugar industry. are increasing by $2,000 million a year. If Workers in the sugar industry were receiving the people were not receiving enough, they $50 more than any other worker, but today would be withdrawing money from their when the sugar industry is in a depressed savings accounts, not putting $2,000 million state the loading is not dropped. a year into them. That does not take into account, either, the money being deposited vVe expect firms to employ as many appren­ with building societies, ~nance companies, share markets and other mvestments. tices as they used to, but with the wages apprentices receive these days firms can It is private industry that employs 75 afford only one, and sometimes not even one. per cent of the people and private employers And let us remember that apprentices in are expected to take on lads of 15 and 16 their first year are useless. But today they years of age and pay them $60 to $70 a are paid so much that they can afford to get week when the unemployment benefit for a around in cars and drink. Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 529

The honourable member for Cooroora throughout the whole community. There referred to the percentage of wages spent on must be a community will to combat food today. He said that years ago we used inflation'. to spend 24 per cent of wages on food, but that this figure had now dropped to about 14 "If the Australian Labor Party really per cent. Last week I watched a television want to promote 'a community will to documentary on Peru and I learned that the combat inflation' then they must be poli­ poor people of Peru spend 87 per cent of tica!lly honest in admitting the disaster of their wages on food, and they receive only their own Keynesian economic policies­ about $5 a week. They cannot afford to buy and persuade the A.C.T.U. to do likewise." cars and drink beer in pubs. But we receive That is quite true but Opposition members so much money that we can gamble and drink will not admit that they are wrong. They as much as we like. Our economy is so want the Government to provide money, good that last year in New South Wales which wiJ.l create inflation and do no good $600,000,000 was put through poker whatsoever. Unions will continue to press machines. Just look at what is spent on for increases of $40 or $50 a week and then racing in Queensland, on the T.A.B. and with squeal because there is more unemployment. bookmakers, and on raff-les. I know that Even my own son-in-law is going to have to thousands of dollars are collected every week­ put off a man next week because of today's end from sporting raffles in every hotel and costs. Let the unions try to employ people. club in my city. Then we have problems in the lift industry, Mr. Gunn: Would you say we are an or at least it is referred to as the lift induSitry. affluent society? I think the lift mechanics want another $40 or $50 a week. What industry is that? What Mr. JENSEN: A very affluent society. does it produce that is of benefit to this There are already enough gambling rackets, country? It is an industry-- and I do not want to see poker machines in Queensland, especially when we realise that Mr. Li11.dsay: Neal Kane's industry. $600,000,000 was spent on them last year in New South Wales. Mr. JENSEN: Neal Kane's industry- the same Neal Kane who runs the Q.C.E. The other day I was returning from a visit He should have been sacked. The A.L.P. to my brother at Stones Corner and I saw a would have won the election in 1972 but sign on a fence which read, "The workers for Neal Kane and those like him, and buHt the factories, the workers should own everybody in this Chamber knows that. He them. Sack the boss." The workers were paid was the bloke who said, "We will cut 10 to build the factories; why do they not invest of their heads off, not three or four. Ten in them? All I see in the newspapers are will go." squeals that the mining companies make mil­ lions. The workers never seem to squeal when Mr. Frawley: Pat Hanlon, Hughie a factory goes to the wall. O'Donnell-- The workers are making so much money Mr. JENSEN: I was No. 1 for a while that the A.C.T.U. and Mr. Hawke should buy but I lost my jersey. I went from full back into some of these mining projects that the to centre-threequarters; then I went to Minister for Mines and Energy has men­ breakaway, and right through to rake. Casey tioned in this House. They should not squeal got a jersey at the convention and he had about them all the time. If they have the not even had one before. That is how money, they should buy into them. Let the serious it was. workers build and own them. But they do not want to build and own them; they want Even after the debacle when the Q.C.E. somebody else to put up the money and then cruelled Jack Houston, at least Jack Houston they whinge and cry and say they should had the guts to come down here and try to own them. But they will not put money into stop the rubbish that was going on when the them. Let them put money into these firms South African Rugby Union team visited and try to run a business They would not Queensland. He left the conference in know how to run a business. They do not Mackay and came ·to Brisbane to try to stop know what it is to pay men. the demonstrations. Jack Egerton stayed up there to look at the football and sent Mr. Frawley: What about Bob Hawke's new Jack Houston down to do the dirty work. L.T.D. with a cocktail cabinet? Of course, they would not take any notice of Jack Houston. Mr. JENSEN: I would not know about When I told the people in Bundaberg to get that. back to work, they cheered me. Those who sponsored the demonstration wrote to the The I.P.A. artiole continues- Q.C.E. and said, "He smashed the meeting " 'It is not possible to provide more and in half a minute.", and told the Q.C.E. to more Government services without ulti­ cut my head off. I smashed the meeting in mateJy having to pay for them via increased half a minute, and it deserved to be smashed. taxes. Restraint needs to be shared I have no regrets about that. I supported 530 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Address in Reply

Jack Houston in what he was doing. It America, Germany and other countries every was nothing to do with trade unions; it day of the week, as a result of <;Jovernment was a political matter. borrowings. The Queensland rmlways have As I said, that was the reason why the been paying themselves off for the last 100 A.L.P. did not come to Government in 1972. years, and they are still $100,000,00? in I have no worries about it now. I have debt. So people who talk about pnvate seen what goes on in the Q.C.E. I thought industry paying money overseas should make I could do something by being on the Q.C.E., sure of the facts. If they do not, they only that I could change some things, but I could talk rubbish. That is all we hear from some see that it was futile while one had to vote union officials-knocking Australia in every to a union ticket. People like Neal Kane way possible, instead of trying to h.elp th.e were running it. How could we expect the country and understand the economic posi­ honest, good citizen, who tries to do some­ tion. thing to protect the worker, to get a_nywhere in a set-up like that? All they want Is. power Mr. NEAL (Balonne) (3.30 p.m.): It gives unionism. The power is in this Parliament. me a great deal of pleasure to support the They do not want to come into Parliament; motion for the adoption of the Address in they want the power to be outside. Reply. In doing so I take the opportunity to pledge my loyalty and that of the con­ Mr. Hawke will be standing up at the stituents of the electorate of Balonne to A.C.T.U. convention this week and telling the Throne and the Person of Her Most us about real wages, uranium, and all the Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I rest of it. What is going to cruel the Labor congratulate the new Governor and his good Party is the fighting of members amongst lady. I am sure they will ably carry. out themselves They are not fighting for Austra­ their duties in this State. I pay tnbute lia; they are fighting for political power. to the former Governor, Sir Co!in Hannah, They killed the Labor Party in Queen~land and Lady Hannah for the magnificent con­ in 1972, under Jack Houston, and they npped tribution they made to the State. it right apart in 1974. I have made these few points to try to In his Opening Speech His Excellency out­ get people to read some of these articles and lined a n ·rnber of measures which the Gov­ understand what is being done. Private ernment is to introduce. It is pleasing to industry employs people, but private industry note that th;s State is being governed well cannot afford to employ people at the and that it is in a sound financial position, moment. Who is going to invest his money indeed that it has the strongest economy in private industry if he cannot get 10 per of all' the States. It gives me a great cent profit, when he can invest it in a deal of pleasure to be told by New South building society and get 9t or 10 per cent? Welshmen that they would like us to shift the border south to incorporate part of Mr. Gunn: "Profit" is a dirty word. New South Wales in this great State of Queensland. Quite a number of people liv­ Mr. JENSEN: The unions will invest their ing along the Queensland/New South Wales money in building societies, but they will not border cannot help but compare the lower invest it in business. They say, "Let some­ Government charges of this State with the body else put it in business and then try higher charges in New South W_ales. It to send them to the wall. If you can't is only natural that they would wish to be and they make a profit, .then abuse hell out part of this State. of them for making a $200,000,000 profit." Mr. Houston: Can you give us some The unions do not look at the amount of examples? money in the business, and the newspapers do not show that-not a bit of it! There Mr. NEAL: Yes, I can. I will later. is a big squeal about the $200,000,000 that the business makes. MIM's profit has His Excellency touched on perhaps tbe dropped from $50,000,000 to $20,000,000, three major factors which, if not overcome, but nobody cares two hoots about that. will completely wreck the nation, namely When the dividends go to the people who inflation, industrial disputes and unemploy­ invest, nobody cares about that. ment. Before lunch we heard the Deputy Leader of the Opposition talking about the Money has to go overseas to pay for the high level of unemployment and the other capital that has been borrowed, jus.t as the problems that beset the State. _We must Government has to pay for the capital that get things in their correct perspective before it has borrowed. Governments borrow from we can make an analysis of the situation. Germany or from the U.S.A. That money has to be returned to the people from whom Government is like any other business; it it was borrowed. In business, the money has must be based on sound principles and to be returned to the people from whom it it must provide sound economic man~gement. was borrowed-the parent company-- Any deviation from sound economic man­ agement will be reflected in the short ten~. Mr. Gunn: Or the investors. Any major deviation from sound economic management will be reflected in the long Mr. JENSEN: Yes. It is no good squeal­ term. Unemployment, inflation and indus­ ing because the money has gone back to trial disputation feed off each other. . I America, because it is going back to England, know that Opposition members are not gomg Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 531 to like having this tossed up at them again Mr. NEAL: Any private-enterprise Gov­ but I must refer to what took place when ernment-- their colleagues were in Government in Can­ berra. There was mismanagement during Mr. Houston: That is not private enter­ those years, and we are paying for it now. prise. Five short years ago this country enjoyed a stable economy-- Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): Order! Mr. Houston: That is not true, and you know it. Mr. NEAL: No private-enterprise Govern­ Mr. NEAL: We enjoyed a stable economy, ment would be able to clean up in a hurry nearly full employment and a low rate of the mess they left. Labor created a political inflation-4.5 per cent inflation and less than dro~ght. The Leader of the Opposition 2 per cent unemployment. The Deputy rece1ved the sho11t shrift he deserved with Leader of the Opposition knows that as well the amendment he moved, his crocodile tears as anybody else. At that time the Federal for the unemployed, his great schemes and Government was run on sound economic his criticism of the alleged negligence of lines. the Government in rendering assistance. Mr. Houston interjected. This afternoon the Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the population drift Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): from country towns. He said that bakers Order! Persistent interjections will not be and butchers had closed their shops. I agree tolerated. with him, but I remind him that the popu­ lation drift has been on for many years. Mr. NEAL: Since then this country has Even when Labor was in office it was in been brought to its knees. The Labor experi­ progress. Machine's and chemimls have ment was seemingly conducted by inexperi­ taken over jobs previously done by men. enced men. Of course it was said that those men had not been in Government and The Deputy Leader of the Opposition therefore they didn't quite know what they took us to task for the 40 per cent increase were doing. But they knew exactly what in freight rates, but he conveniently omitted they were doing. It was they who caused to say that operating costs and wages have the galloping inflation. increased, and he conveniently forgot the nine-year moratorium on freight rates. In Mr. Moore: They thought there was a that time wages and costs increased by about money tree. 150 per cent. He also omitted to ack­ nowledge the continual drift from rural areas Mr. NEAL: Of course they did. They caused by progress-by machines taking over increased Government spending in two years from men with axes. He conveniently for­ by 80 per cent. got the primary producers who depend on Mr. Houston interjected. overseas markets, and who have not been able to keep pace with the inflation caused Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The hon­ by his Canberra Labor colleagues. He con­ ourable member for Bulimba has had his veniently forgot to say that, because of opportunity to speak. I ask him to allow inflation, falling prices and excessive wage the honourable member for Balonne to demands, many people who would fill the speak. country towns can no longer be employed there. He conveniently omitted that the Mr. NEAL: In the face of massive unem­ decrea6e in wool prices forced a great num­ ployment they did nothing to stop the ber o.f graziers into cattle, and cattle require extravagant demands by their militant union nothing like the number of men required to friends and comrades, but rather encouraged look after sheep. We all know of the them. They knew what they were doing. dedine in cattle prices. They intended to wreck the private-enterprise I remind the Deputy Leader of the Oppo­ system that accounted for 80 per cent of jobs. sition that the areas to which he referred They were not inexperienced men. They are mainly sheep areas. If he cares to knew exactly what they were doing, where examine the statistics he will see that in they were heading and .taking the country. the pas,t 10 years the sheep poputation of The only mistake they made was in their Queensland fell from 24,000,000 to assessment of the Governor-General. 13,000,000. If he does not know what that They intended to make such a mess of adds up to, I will tell him. It means that the economy of the country that it would sheep numbers fell by about half, that about take a long time for any private-enterprise half the munber of shearers, shed hands and Government to bring it back into order. That station hands are required to look after the is exactly the situation we are faced with smaHer number of sheep. That is the reason now. for the population drift from the country areas. Mr. Houston: You are not a private-enter­ prise Government; you are a socialist Gov­ Mr. Houston: You blamed Whitlam ernment. Look at the Bills you put through. before. You can't have it both ways. 532 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply

Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The hon­ I believe that, as a result of the Budget that ourable member for Bulimba has made his has just been brought down, in the next 12 speech. I want to hear the honourable mem­ months we will see a further easing in the ber for Balonne. inflation rate. I am concerned also about the loss of pro­ An Opposition Member: He is not worth duction caused by some of the radical eJe­ hearing. ments in our unions. One has only to men­ Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! tion something about unions to be accused of union-bashing. However, in a nation such Mr. NEAL: Thank you, Mr. Deputy as Australia, which is so richly endowed with Speaker. natural resources, with a stable Government employment should be a basic right of all The Deputy Leader of the Opposition does citizens who have a desire to work. If we not like the truth when it is doled out to accept that we have a right to work and him. that we are entitled to a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, we must accept the Mr. Houston: I don't mind the truth, but responsibility of safeguarding that right. We don't like what you are saying. are not entitled to abuse it and to continue reapring the benefits that come from it. Un­ Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have fortunately, some of our militant union lead­ been very tolerant with the honourab1e mem­ ers have priced the labour of their members ber for Bulimba. I now warn him under out of the market, and they have also priced Standing Order 1 23A. I will not tolerate our products out of world markets. Our costs persistent interject,ions. He has persisted for today are among the highest in the world, the past 7 minutes. I ask him to observe the while our production is well down the list. decorum of the House. Associated with unemployment is the pro­ blem of dole bludgers. Many people who are Mr. NEAL: I thank you, Mr. Deputy unemployed have a genuine desire to work Speaker, for your protection. Of course, I but others have no intention at all of getting do not need protection from the Deputy a job. The people who concern me, of Leader of the Opposition; but he needs pro­ course, are those who wish to get a job but tection from his own colleagues, especially cannot. An unemployed person who is the shadow Treasurer, \Vho is sitting behind gennine will take almost any job, and right•ly him. so. We hear a lot of talk about job satisfac­ The Leader of the Opposition and his tion. However, when we are faced with the deputy have been shedding crocodile tears in current position of high unemployment, I this debate. They talk about what should be believe that job satisfaction could more pro­ done and what should not be done. They perly be construed as the satisfaction of hav­ remind me of the situation in grazing areas ing a job. when we have gone through years of drought. Just as there are dole bludgers and people I would like them to understand what a who are guilty of not doing a day's work for drought is really like, when a man is spend­ a day's pay-and quite a number of people ing as much money as is at his command, are ripping money off their employers in to the limit of his resources, but still sees his that way-a number of people in the busi­ stock weaken and die. All the time that is ness community are engaged in the ripping­ ,going on the crows are sitting on the fence off process themselves. To my mind they are cawing. That is exactly what the Leader of just as gui•lty as the person who does not do the Opposition and his deputy remind me of. a day's work for a day's pay. Some part of They are like crows, sitting on the fence the millions of dollars that are going into cawing about the situation and awaiting a the pockets of these people who are on the demise. dole could well be directed towards creating employment in some of our country towns. The problem of unemployment is of con­ This could be done, for instance, by paying cern to me, just as it is to other Government for local authority jobs. Rather than have members. However, unemployment can be the money paid out to people to sit down and overcome. As I said earlier, inflation is one do nothing, it could be put to some use and of our major problems. The Fraser Govern­ I believe that it should be put to some use. ment has taken measures to reduce the rate of inflation. It is well to recall that the The Leader of the Opposition and other Fraser Government was unable to manage members of the Opposi,tion have a job to do our finances in its own right for the first and I think that they should start convincing nine months that it was in power because it some of their militant colleagues to abandon was saddled with a sociaJistic Budget-a their extortion and ex.travagant demands and Budget brought do·wn by Whitlam and Hay­ their blackmailing and ransoming of the den. Of course, no changes could be effected public so that the nation can get back to in monetary policy untU the coalition could work and restore within the community the introduce a Budget of its own, which it was confidence so badly needed. able to do only a little over 12 months ago. I shall now turn to a few of the problems We have now seen the second coaiition Bud­ that concern me in my electorate. One of get. We have seen an easing of inflation and the major problems we are faced with is Address in Reply (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Address in Reply 533

connected with the road system. We have a With the completion of the Barwon High­ tremendous length of bitumen road and quite way south of the Moonie Highway to the a good road system through my electorrute junction with the Carnarvon Highway, there but in numerous areas the roads are not all wiH be another all-weather road from St. that good. In times of wet weather and George east, eventually reaching Brisbane. flooding, people cannot get out and they The completion of the Barwon Highway as cannot get their produce out. In rthe main, early as possible is important because it inland roads are 'the arteries that carry the will relieve much of the pressure that is lifeblood of those communi,ties. now on the Moonie Highway. The Moonie Highway, of which approximately 190 miles One of the old perennials is the township needs attention, is a very important road. of Dirranbandi. A couple of times over the It provides direct access from St. George past few years it has been cut off by flood­ to Dalby and then on to Brisbane. waters. Lt has been cut off by both road The Government has released money for and rail for up to six weeks at a time. the eastern end of the Surat-Tara-Dalby road Dirranbandi does not have an all-weather outlet. I would like ,to think that the Minis­ on which the Tara Shire Council is now ter for Main Roads could give consideration working. 11he completion of this section, to the release of funds for works on that the Barwon Highway and the Carnarvon section, or for a speeding up of works. I extension to Surat wi11 have a very beneficial know that surveys for ,the realignment of the effect in reducing the traffic on the Moonie section from Noondoo to St. George are Highway. being carried out but I would like to ,think Bearing in mind the length of the Moonie 'that 'there could be a speeding up in the Highway and its present state, a very great laying of bitumen surfacing on the missing amount of money will be needed to upgrade link between Dirranbandi and Noondoo. From it to anything near the standard required there on, the road traverses fairly hard ridges for the amount of traffic that uses it. I and, in the main, without very much attention realise that its upgrading to a full width it could be considered to be an all-weather of bitumen is out of the question for a section. long time. However, I believe it is most important that work be carried out on the Another problem

The schools and pre-schools in my elector­ could jump over the car in front, one ate are indeed sights to behold. The would. I oJiten think ,tha,t if I were game libraries that have been built in some schools enough I would toot my horn, but that is would equal the better libraries in this State. such bad manners. But really and .truly, We also have senior citizens' centres, a those drivers are so irri,ta,ting. If they want community health centre (which includes 'to drive at 50 km/h, ·they should travel a Maternal and Child Welfare Centre), a along Ipswich Road or some other 'thorough­ 24-hour police service in Woodridge, and fare that takes them ,to their de~tination, not parking lots at various railway stations. the freeway. Housing Commission houses have been refurbished and repainted, and r am sure What we need is freeway education as is that they had not had anything done to given in Europe. When a person goes to a them in the past 20 years. In fact, they driving school in Europe, he learns how ~to look so good now that one can hardly drive on freeways. It is a completely identify them as Housing Commission houses, different manner of driving. A person learns and that is indeed a change for the better. that if he wants rto over.take he should use A Police Youth Club is now under construc­ the right-hand lane, but if he wants to tion in Woodridge, and finance has been made dawdle along M 40 or 60 km/h, he should available to all manner of sporting bodies. remain on the left-hand side of ·the road. This finance is of great advantage to the The bad manners of some Brisbane drivers many sporting bodies in Queensland, but I never cease to shock and appwl me, as they hope that a close scrutiny is made of the do many other people. books of the various clubs that apply for Unfor1!unately I have in my electomte a subsidy. The list could go on and on, and crossing called Compton Road. It is a very the benefits of a well-managed Govern­ difficult under-bridge crossing to negotia;te. ment have indeed flowed on to the electorate At that crossing we see the very worst in of Salisbury. driving manners. There is a "Give Way,. sign on one side of Compton Road, but It is always encouraging to see people help­ nothing on ·the other side. I guarantee ~that ing themselves without Government assist­ only one in 10 drivers knows that "Give ance and I should like to mention particularly Way" means tha,t the driver should halt his a group of active senior citizens calling them­ car and wait to see if there are any oncom­ selves the Senior Citizens' Club of Woodridge. ing vehicles. The others push their way They have bought an old house for about across. I have seen so many near accidents $22,000 and are doing it up, and they do because of sheer bad manners at that under­ not want any Government subsidy, because pass that I never cease ,to wonder about they believe that restrictions would be people's bad driving habits. imposed upon them if they accepted it. They have saved about $7,000 towards the cost One of the departments with the greatest of the house and are now paying it off. innovations in this State is the Health Those old people, without the help of any Depar.tment. I have chosen the Heal,th service clubs, are remodelling that house. Department to speak about today mainly The men who are working on it range from because I think it is time to pay tribute ,to 69 years to 78 years of age. I think it is some of ·the new ideas. When I was in a pretty good feat. hospital this year, I learnt many things about the Hea}th DepaDtment. When one is lying The new freeway has been a boon to 'the there for such a long time, one comes 1!0 electorate of Salisbury. Many of the people know intimately various things tha,t go on from rthat electorate who ~travel ,to ~own use within the workings of a hospital. I cer­ the freeway. However there is need for tainly would not complain abourt any of the some sort of freeway educa,tion. Wha;t par­ services or facilities in the Princess Alexandra: ticularly worries me is .the practice of many Hospirtal. I must say that ,(he staff made my drivers of remaining in the right-hand lane extended s~tay there as comfortable as .they on the freeway when they are not actually possibly could. However, what I would overtaking, as against the correct procedure comment on is the noise in that hospi,tal. of moving to the right lane, overtaking a The noise is appalling. In ,the first week I vehicle and then moving back to 'the left was ·in hospital I was so distressed-! was lane. This is a big worry to many drivers. quite ill-that I had to ask to be It is very irrita,ting, and it happens ~to me moved upstairs to another ward. The noise every day. One uses the freeway to get into just numbs the brain and increases the pain. fa&t-moving traffic. I am irrita;ted by the When one is in a lot of pain, noise can be number of drivers who do 40-60 km/h on a frightening thing. the freeway. I suppose the blame goes back many years to the planners who sited ~hat hospital on They ought to be out on Ipswich Road if such a major arterial road as Ipswich Road. they want to dawdle along. Indeed, it is ,the I feel extremely sorry for ·the nurses in their "dawdle-alongers"-as I like to think of quar,ters. They work long shifts and return them-who cause many accidents because to rthe nurses' quarters at irregular hours drivers behind them become irritable. In compared with what would be considered fact when caught behind one of them I feel normal working hours. Of,ten they have to like using my car as an aeroplane. If one try to sleep in the middle of the day when 536 Address in Reply [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Address in Reply traffic is roaring past. It is no wonder that In our State we have a community health the nurses were constantly complaining 1to me programme. The Division of Community about ~the noise in the nurses' quarters. They Health is under the stewardship of Dr. often find it ~impossible to sleep wi,thout Cheong. It provides and co-ordinates many some form of medication. I personally support services within the community. believe that it is extremely unhealthy to have Some of the services provided are so excel­ to ,take a sleeping pill-a Mogadon___,to go lent and innovative that we should all be to sleep in the middle of the day just helping them as much as we can. The because noise is so loud. What is the benefits of the home care service are very solution? important to the elderly in the community.

I believe that the noise is even worse at The Children's Services Department has seen some innovations. I hope that it may ~he Royal Brisbane Hospital. Patients and staff there have the speedway to contend with. see a few more. Some of the ideas pro­ Of course, the Royal Brisbane Hospital pounded by the Children's Services Depart­ ment are very important because they affect complex is now getting so big ~that 1t would be an impossible task to resi.te it

It is very interesting to read that Marx WAYS AND MEANS believed in humanity but agreed that human­ ity would only come into its own when men CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEE ceased to think of themselves as individuals Hon. T. G. NEWBERY (Mirani-Leader and made themselves subject to the State. No­ of the House): I move- one in Queensland is subject to the State. "That the House will, at its next sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of the It is also interesting to learn that the Whole to consider of Ways and Means for Soviet Union, in its Constitution of 1936 with mising the Supply to be granted to Her amendments to 1965, formulated the rights Majesty." of its cdtizens on the model of the U.S.A., Motion agreed to. France and other nations. Article 125 pro­ vided for (a) Freedom of speech; (b) Freedom of Press; (c) Freedom of Assembly, including ACTS INTERPRETATION ACT the holding of mass meetings (although they AMENDMENT BILL se,em to be held in the Red Square only on Stalin's birthday, or the date of Lenin's burial SECOND READING service); and (d) Freedom of street procession Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot,tha­ and demonstration. Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (5 p.m.): I move- Recently in this State we had consider­ "That the Bill be now read a second able disturbances of our economy or attempts time." at disturbances of our economy and our mining industries by people who quoted the The main object of ,this Bill is to correct an anomaly relating to the exercise of statutory International Covenant on Civil and Political powers between 'the passing and commence­ Rights. Article 21 has been mentioned very ment of an Act. The anomaly came to light briefly by some of those people. So that when the Victorian counterpart of section 17 the House will realise that a lot of these of ,the Queensland Act was considered by Acts Interpretation Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 543 the Full Court of Victoria. The intention The Act embodies rules and matters which, of ,this Bill is to ensure thM seotion 17 will generally speaking, are oommon 'to all apply to all amending Acts as well as

I make a plea on behalf of the Opposition, I see real problems here. I am questioning and, I believe, on behalf of many other whether or not the requirement on the members of Parliament, that we come down department ,to lay those regulations before to some simplicity in the law that we bring the Chamber within the 14 days will still before this Assembly. I think that the be enforced, or hasn't it got to worry any Minister, the present incumbent of the port­ more? At the moment the Act says very folio, would accept that need. How is he clearly- going to do it? I realise that he has no magic wand. I realise, too, that it is "(2) If any regulations are not laid not a problem that pertains only to Queens­ before the Legislative Assembly pursuant land; it is one with which every Legislature to paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this in this nation is afflicted. Surely it is section they shall be void and of no time that we rid ourselves of the legal jar­ effect." gon that is involved in every clause, every I am questioning now whether or not this part, every section of every piece of legis­ new subclause is going to overcome that lation and brought down legislation that is provision that they shall be void and shall simply understood. have no effect. Will it be that it "shall not I will raise another matter when we come alter the effect of the doing, suffering or to the Committee stage. In general, the omission of anything done, suffered or Opposition supports the intention of the omitted under, in accordance with or for Minister in this legislation. the purpose of such regulations, prior to Motion (Mr. Lickiss) agreed to. such failure or disallowance"? There seems to be need for some clarity here. That is what the Act is all about­ COMMITTEE that we have clarity in the statutes before (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. this Assembly. It is not clear to me. There Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the chair) may be a very simple answer, but I would Clauses 1 to 3, both inclusive, as read, like to hear it. agreed to. Clause 4-Amendment of s.28A; Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha­ Regulations- Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) (5.17 p.m.): The honourable member for Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton) (5.14 p.m.): Rockhampton quoted section 28A dealing Section 28A of the Act refers to the regula­ with regulations, of which subsection 1 (d) tions. It States very clearly that departments states- or anyone bringing down regulations are "( d) be laid before the Legislative required to lay them before the Legislative Assembly within fourteen sitting days after Assembly, as I said before, within 14 sit­ publication in the Gazette if the Legislative ting days after publication in the Gazette Assembly is in session, but if not then if the Assembly is in session; and if not, within fourteen sitting days after the com­ then within 14 sitting days after the com­ mencement of its next session." mencement of its next session. I refer honourable members to clause 4 Subsection (2) provides- (d), which says- "(2) If any regulations are not laid before "(6) A failure to lay regulations before the Legislative Assembly pursuant to para­ the Legislative Assembly in accordance graph (d) of subsection (1) of this section with paragraph (d) of subsection (1) or they shall be void and of no effect." a disallowance of regulations shall not alter the effect of the doing, suffering The honourable member for Rockhampton or omM>sion of anything done, suffered or raised a query about the proposed new sub­ omitted under, in accordance with or for section (6) in section 28A. I have had the purposes of such regulations, prior discussions with the Parliamentary Counsel, to such failure or disallowance." and he and I are both satisfied that the It could be that that simply means that, clause is in order. The purpose of the new regardless of whether or not the department proposed subsection (6) is to protect anything fails to lay the regula~tions before this done under a regulation prior to its dis­ Assembly, the effect of them is going to a!Iowance or prior 'to a failure to lay the be valid. n~gulations before the Legislative Assembly. The honourable member's query was directed Mr. Moore: It will be unlawful. to the apparent conflict between the new proposed subsection (6) and the existing sub­ Mr. WRIGHT: No, it is going to be sections (1) and (2), which require regula­ lawful. tions to be laid before the House within 14 sitting days or they become void. He Mr. MoOI'e: But unlawful from then on. thought that a department so minded could deliberately fail to lay the regulations before Mr. WRIGHT: Well, that seems to be the House, and thereafter act under them, the problem. I am having a private conver­ thus ignoring paragraph (d) of subsection sation with the Acting Whip. 28A subsection (1) and section 28A sub- 546 Religious Educ. and Charitable [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Institutions Act, &c., Bill section (2). I understand rhat the Parlia­ This Bill provides that different provisions mentary Counsel has explained the position of the Bill may commence at different times. to the honourable member, who I thought It is proposed that the parts of the Bill was quite satisfied with the explanation. allowing the simplified change of name be proclaimed to commence at an early date so It may be helpful to the honourable that the Queensland Branch of the Returned member for Rockhampton to look at sub­ Services League of Australia and other clause (6), which protects only those things ·done prior to the failure to lay the regula­ bodies incoroporated under the Religious tions before the House. Such failure arises Educational and Charitable Institutions Act on the expiration of 14 sitting days if the may avail themselves of these new provisions regulations have not been laid before the at their earliest convenience. House. Upon the expiration of the fourteenth sitting day, the regulations are void under sec­ Once the Queensland Branch of t?e tion 28A subsection (2) and thereafter no Returned Services League has changed Its department would dare to act under the reg­ name in accordance with the new :proc~dure, ulations because it would have no protection. then the remaining parts of the Bill will be Subalause (6) is directed towards the occasion proclaimed to come into operation. These when some action must be authorised by two remaining parts amend the Return~d regulation and carried out quickly, for Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Impenal example, health measures to prevent an epidemic. I hope that explanation is League of Australia, Queensland Branch, Act satisfactory. and the Returned Serv.icemen's Badges Act so that references to the old name of the Mr. Wright: You are saying therefore that league are changed to those of the new name. within those first 14 days the regulations made shall have effect, but that if they have Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampto~) .(5.24 p.m.): not been laid upon the table by the expira­ Whilst it could be said that ~hts IS re~lly the tion of the 14 days, they shall have no "R.S.L. Bill", I think what IS really Import­ effect from there on? ant is that we are simplifying the procedure to be followed in changing the name. ~f a Mr. LICKISS: That is right. corporation incorporated under t?e .Religious Clause 4, as read, agreed to. Educational and Charitable InstitutiOns Act. This move must be supported by all honour­ Clauses 5 and 6, as read, agreed to. able members. I am pleased to ~ote t~at the Act is designed to overcome t~e ~Ifficulties Bill reported, without amendment. experienced with costs tha~ institUtiOns may face if they wish to provide for a . change in name when all sorts of properties an.d RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL AND assets are involved. We have looked at th:s CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS ACT proposal. We cannot see any reason why It AND OTHER ACTS AMENDMENT BILL should be opposed. It is the sort of measure SECOND READING the Assembly should support, and the Opposition does support it. Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha-­ Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha­ (5.22 p.m.): I move- Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) "That the Bill be now read a (5.25 p.m.), in reply: I thank the honour~ble second time." member for his comments. He went nght The primary purpose of this Bill is to enable to the nub of the matter. Whilst it is the various charitable and other worthy primarily designed at this stage to. ass.ist the bodies incorporated under the Religious R.S.L. in achieving the purpose It set out Education and Charitable Institutions Act to aohieve, as the honourable member has to change their names more easily, more pointed out, it also simplifies the procedures quickly and less expensively than at present. for the future. Under the Bill, the Governor in Council Motion (Mr. Lickiss) agreed to. may change the name of a body incorporated under the Religious Educational and Charit­ able Institutions Act by the issue of letters patent. CoMMITTEE IThe Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. When the Governor in Council declares a ' Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the ohair) new name and style for a corporation, the Bill provides for registers containing records Clauses 1 to 16, both inclusive, as read, of property interests to be appropriately agreed to. changed without payment of any fee to record the new name. Bill reported, without amerrdment. Fruit-growing Reconstruction [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Supplemental Agreements Bill 547

SUCCESSION ACT AMENDMENT BILL At the introductory stage there did not appear to be any disagreement w1th the pro­ SECOND READING visions of the Bill. The honourable member Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha­ for Mackay was concerned that it had taken Minister for Justice and Attorney-General) my Government five years to ratify the agree­ (5.27 p.m.): I move- ment between the Commonwealth and this State. This is not so. 'That the Bill be now read a second time." The principal agreement was made on 2 As I explained at the introductory stage, November 1972 and was ratified by the the purpose of this Bill is to overcome an Farmers' Assistance Act (Amendment) and unforeseen problem which has arisen as a Reconstruction Agreements (Ratification) Act consequence of the abolition of death duties 1974. This Act was assented to on 18 April in this State. Under some provisions in 1974. Not only did ·the Act ratify the prin­ wills, dispositions of property are dependent cipal fruit-growing reconstruction agreement; upon death duty valuation of the property. it also extended the principal agreements to With the abolition of death duties in Queens­ 30 June 1974 and brought the canning land, provisions of this type have been apricot industry within the scheme. Average rendered of no effect unless all those who rates of assistance per acre of trees removed might be affected can agree on the course for both fresh fruit and canning varieties were to be followed. also increased. The Bill seeks to give effect to the The Commonwealth Government recog­ testator's intentions in this regard by pro­ nised the continuing difficulties chiefly in the viding that the personal representative of the deceased person- canning peach and canning pear industries and af,ter consultation with the States agreed (a) Obtain a valuation; or to further extend the scheme and provide an (b) Elect to take any assessment made additional allocation of $1,000,000. for Commonwealth death duty purposes as the valuation. The Bill now before the House merely formalises .the extensions to 31 December As a safeguard, provision is also made in 1976 for receipt of applications with removal the Bill for an application to be made to of trees by 31 August 1977. the court by the personal representative or beneficiary or other person with an interest I wish to thank the member for Carnarvon to vary the provisions in the will. for his comments on ,the Bill. I know that he has taken a very keen interest in this. Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton) (5.29 p.m.): scheme and has been anxious to see a relax­ The abolition of succession duties was wel­ ation in the means test to enable a greater comed by all members of this Chamber. I number of applicants to be assisted. think it goes without saying that, if any problems have arisen-and the Minister has Following representa,tions by the States, the outlined some of them caused by the aboli­ Commonwealth did agree to liberalise con­ tion of duties (as well as succession duties ditions so that the net assets a grower could there was also probate duty, which was have after clear-fell tree-pull were doubled abolished in 1973)-we ought to remove and this enabled the Rural Reconstruction those a_no?'lalies. The .Minister has explained Board to assist a further 14 orchardists who that this IS what he mtends to do and his would not otherwise have been eligible for actions have the Opposition's suppo'rt. assistance. Motion (Mr. Lickiss) agreed to. I believe the fruit-growing reconstruction scheme has been a useful measure of assist­ ance to those fruit growers in Queensland CoMMITTEE who were in necessitous circumstances, enabling them to adjus.t their enterprises to (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. changed market conditions. Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the chair) Clauses 1 and 2, as read, agreed to. I commend the Bill to the House. Bill reported, without amendment. Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (5.33 p.m.): As indicated at the introductory stage, we feel that .there are no problems connected with FRUIT-GROWING RECONSTRUCTION the ratification of the agreement. It is rather SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS BILL a shame in this day and age that action has to be taken .to destroy food, but it is probably SECOND READING a sign of the times. It is most unfortunate. Hon. K. B. TOMKINS (Roma-Minister None the less i,t has helped to bring about for Lands, Forestry, National Parks and viability again in some sectors of the rural Wildlife Service) (5.30 p.m.): I move- industry. The Opposition supports the measure. "That the Bill be now read a second time." Motion (Mr. Tomkins) agreed to. 548 Dairy Adjustment Program [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Agreement Bill

COMMITTEE of uneconomic dairy farms and rehabilita­ tion; purchase of build-up land for existing (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. dairies; improvements to dairy structures and Hewitt, ChatswoDth, in the chair) plant; other farm improvements; stock and Clauses 1 to 3, both inclusive, and schedule, plant (including irrigation equipment); as read, agreed to. diversification of production; household sup­ port pending a firm decision to leave the Bill reported, without amendment. industry; adjustment of uneconomic partner­ ship or estate ownerships; and adjustment of family ownerships between parents and sons DAIRY ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM where parents are at retiring age. AGREEMENT BILL Since November 1970 approximately SECOND READING $20,850,000 has been approved for dairy industry reconstruction assistance. This Hon. K. B. TOMKINS (Roma-Minister amount, made up of $17,400,000 from for Lands, Forestry, National Parks and Commonwealth funds and $3,450,000 from Wildlife Service) (5.35 p.m.): I move- State funds, comprises: purchase of "That the Bill be now read a second uneconomic farms, $11,670,000; farm build­ time." up, $2,450,000; bulk milk conversion (interest free), $1,290,000; dairy upgrading The main intent of the amended and con­ and farm improvement, $3,480,000; dairy wlidated agreement to be ratified and factory assistance, $1,930,000; and carry-on approved by this Bill was to provide urgently finance, $30,000. needed interim assistance to the dairy industry by a short-term extension and The honourable member for Mackay also modification of the Dairy Adjustment Pro­ referred to the delay in ratifying the agree­ gram from June to December 1976. The ment. In measures of this nature, time is Rmal Adjustment Agreement from 1 January often of the essence of the contract and 1977 ensures availability of furnher dairy QEeensland dairy farmers would have been reconstruction assistance for a four to five­ placed at a considerable disadvantage by year period. The Bill to ratify and approve any delay in implementing assistance pro­ this agreement has since been introduced. vided by the agreement. The Commonwealth itself encountered delays in preparing the Honourable members have now had the agreement but in view of the industry crisis opportunity to study both agreements and requested that the States innplement all will probably agree that at this stage the measures. Whilst the Bill has been prepared dairy industry does not appear to be dis­ for some time, pressure of other legislation advantaged by the merger of the rural recon­ has unfortunately precluded presentation struction measures. Queensland's announced before this session. allocation of $6,400,000 for 1977-78 under the Rural Adjustment Scheme includes I agree with the honourable member that $1,100,000 proposed for dairy industry considerable finance will be required in the assistance. future to help people in the dairy sector in The honourable member for Mackay Queensland. As mentioned in my introduc­ referred to the report of the committee of tion, the State is augmenting reconstruction inquiry into the dairy industry. This report, funds by approximately $1,000,000 per of course, comes within the province of annum by reinvesting amounts accruing in the Minister for Primary Industries and respect of repayments of advances for dairy ample opportunity has been given by the industry assistance. Whilst this amount can­ introduction of the Milk Supply Bill for not hope to meet total industry requirements, members to debate that issue. at least it is of some help. There are still many uneconomic dairy I also mentioned in my introduction that farms which would qualify for disposal and in so far as assistance to the dairy industry there is ample scope for farm build-up and was concerned, the measures provided in the amalgamation. Whilst there is continuing Rural Adjustment Agreement will be admini­ interest in these measures, it is somewhat stered by my Dairy Farm Reconstruction limited. The problems relating to farm dis­ Section, which has operated since August posal and amalgamation appear to be many: 1970. for instance, lack of suitable build-up land within a reasonable distance; high prices; The committee and the officers administer­ uncertainty regarding ability to service a ing the scheme are well versed in the large debt; poor prospects of sales in some industry's problems and have the confidence areas and a preference to retire on the farm of all sections of the industry. I take this rather than uproot and endeavour to opportunity of acknowledging the capable re-establish in a city, town or other area, assistance and co-operation given by Dr. which is often a costly move. Graham Alexander, Chief Advisory Officer, Department of Primary Industries, in the The Commonwealth and State schemes administration of the Commonwealth and between them provide a fairly comprehensive State schemes. I am pleased to say that range of reconstruction assistance in relation Dr. Alexander, who has been the representa­ to the dairy industry, including: disposal tive of my colleague the Honourable the Dairy Adjt Program, &c., Bill [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Rural Adjustment Agmt. Bill 549

rvii~ister for Primary Industries on the Dairy COMMITIEE AdJUstment Commtttee since the original :>cheme comm.enced in 1970, is continuing (The Chairman of Committees, M!'. W. D. m that capactty. I should like to mention Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the chair) that Dr. Alexander and Mr. George Parker Clauses 1 and 2, and schedule, as read, of my department have co-operated agreed to. extremely well in the administration of this scheme. Bill reported, without amendment.

Honoumble members may rest assured ~hat the committee and the adminstration have sympathetically considered all applications RURAL ADJUSTMENT AGREEMENT for assistance and will continue to do so. BILL l commend the Bill to the House. SECOND READING Hon. K. B. TOMKINS (Roma-Minister Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (5.40 p.m.): As I for Lands, Forestry, National Parks and indicated in the introductory debate, and the Wildlife Service) (5.44 p.m.): I move- Minister has again indicated, this measure "That the Bill now be read a second i5 a ratification of an agreement that has time." already been completed. My main query Honourable members have now had the ts about the legal author1ty for actions taken opportunity to consider the agreement to be before the agreement was ratified. ratified,. The hon~:mrable member for Mackay recogmses the Importance of the Bill to I agree with the point the Minister has future adjustment in rural industries. made about the need for speed to get admin­ istrative actions under way, but, as we all ~hen consid~ring the que&tion of whether know, things can foul up and when we have adJustment asststance should be provided a measure such as this, which has no legal to the rural sector after expiry of the Rural backin~, .Problems can <:rise. I accept that Reconstruction Scheme the Industries Assist­ the Mtmster was speakmg with tongue in ance Commission found a number of issues cheek when he made certain excuses but were. relevant. These included the pressures none the less we will forgive him. 'It is creatmg the need to adjust, the capaci·ty of Important to recognise that when these sep­ the sector to adjust to change, and the arate programmes w~re introduced they were role of Government in facilitating structural mtroduced as the difficulties arose and it is change. for

The honourable member for Mackay drew are under the direct control of this Govern­ attention to what he considered was a reduc­ ment. The waiving of road transport charge> tion in assistance available for 1977-78. As does not have a great deal of effect on honourable members are aware, Government people out in the Far North-west of Queens­ funds are provided on a financial-year basis. land, as most of their goods must be carried In 1976-77 a total of $5,100,000 was alloca­ by rail. For several months of the year ted for the general component of the scheme, their properties are completely inaccessible that is, debt reconstruction farm build up, by road. farm improvement and rehabilitation assis­ tance, whereas in 1977-78 $6,400,000 has This is a very severe proolem that been provided for the same purposes. the State Government has ~o look at. There has to be a readjustment of the freights The honourable member for Mackay is schedule. It is so easy for manufaoturers in also concerned that the scheme will not be Brisbane to obtain concessional rates from reviewed for sometime. A maim review will the Government so that they can manufac­ in fact be carried out in four years' time, ture here and send their products throughout but the agreement does provide for reviews .the length and breadth of the State on a from time to time as considered appropriate special contract rate basis. Primary pro­ by the Commonwealth and the State in the ducers do not get quite the same advantages. light of experience. Some of the finance made available under I should like to add that the Ministers, at what is proposed wHl have to be used by many their meeting earlier this year, decided that if persons in rural industry to meet their local the funds provided for this year appeared authority rates. Here a.gain we run into a to be insufficient Jior the year's operations, a similar situation. We are taking money from meeting would be held in February next to the Commonwealth and State coffers to pro­ review ·che ramifications of the scheme and vide finance, particularly for persons engaged that, if necessary, further funds would be in the pastoral industry, so that they can made available. keep their heads above water. One of the The agreement also provides for meetings major debt problems that many of them of Ministers and officials at least once in have is the meeting of local authority rates. each year to exchange information and Members representing rural areas would well negotiate allocations for the following finan­ know this problem, particular,Jy in western cial year. and north-western Queensland. What is really happening is that we are taking money out I commend the Bill to the House. of one pocket and placing it in the pocket of the pastoralist, the cat!oleman or the wool­ Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (5.48 p.m.): The grower. He takes it from there and pays problems of rural readjustment covered by it to the local authority so that he can the Bill have been with us in Queensland for meet his rates, and he is paying interest on qui.te a number of years. In such a great that money. primary-producing nation as Australia, it is rather sad that it is necessary to bring down Mr. Tomkins: Four per cent. legislation providing for adjustment to the rural sector. Mr. CASEY: I accept it that it is low There has been a very severe decrease interest, which is quite good in these times. in population and a very severe decline in Just the same, 4 per cent provides a further industry and commerce in the rural sector. indebtedness in this climate. At present, many This measure and the two Bills that have of them cannot afford to make any interest preceded it today, together with many other payments at all. We need some sort of measures that have been before the House system whereby we can help the local authori­ in the last five to seven years, could be ties on a more direct basis, rather than by termed stopgap measures, and I think it is this indjrect way through the rmal pro­ about time we began looking for some realis­ ducer's pocket. The rural producer is meet­ tic way in which to stem the rural decline ing his indebtedness, but he is still paying throughout Australia and in Queensland in interest on the money. This is another area particular. in which Governments have to come up with positive answers rather than this stopgap type It is all very well for honourable members of arrangement. to say in this House •that Governments are doing their bit and playing their pant by Even within the Lands Department itself introducing measures the implementation of we have a number of problems. I recognise which is helpful. In fact, most of ·these that the department is waiving the payment measures are putting the rural sector further of rentals in certain circumstances in some in debt. That is the tmth of the matter. In areas. The brigalow areas are one example. recent months I have spoken to primary But in many cases persons are still debited producers Jn virtually every area of Queens­ with arrears. I realise that the department land, from right out in the Far North-west has obligations that it has to meet under the on the Nmthern Territory border to Coolan­ financial arangements for such thi!l;gs as the gatta. One of the day-to-day problems affect­ brigalow development scheme, but at the same ing them most is the burden of freight, and time this means added cost to the rural pro­ freight rates, particularly rail freight rates, ducer. Here again we are loading on charges Rural Adjustment [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Agreement Bill 551

m this ad hoc type of arrangement. In many It could be said that amounts allocated ..:ases it is a little like shutting the gate after throughout the Commonwealth under this the horse has gone. measure are minor compared with the funds allocated by the Commonwealth to aid over­ One aspect we should look at is speeding seas countries. It should not be thought up the processing of applications. The Min­ that I am knocking overseas aid; in fact, ister wiil recognise that in many cases there I favour it very strongly. Despite the situ­ has been cDnsiderable delay. Certainly this ation in Queensland today, I have not seen has been reduced, but many rum! producers the type of poverty that I have seen in have had difficulty in getting some sort of some overseas countries. We have an accep­ positive answer from the board. table standard of living that we are trying to maintain for all Queenslanders and Dr. LOCKWOOD: I rise to a point of Australians. It behoves this Parliament and order. The clock is not working. The hon­ the Government to ensure that the living ourable member has been talking for 10 standards of Queenslanders are maintained. minutes already and perhaps he will keep Under no circumstances do we want our speaking for another 40 minutes. standards to decline, but many people in the rural sector are on ~he minimum income. Mr. SPEAKER: I thank the honourable member. It is a good job that somebody is I referred earlier to my concern that not awake. enouah was being done on a long-term basis Mr. CASEY: As a matter of fact, Mr. about the problems facing our rural indus­ Speaker, I had noticed that the clock was tries. The State could help the rural indus­ not working, but I didn't want to indicate to tries by establishing overseas trade offices. you earJier that there were problems. The manufactured milk sector of the dairy industry is the worst hit. In recent months Mr. SPEAKER: The honourable member the Murray-Goulburn Co-operative in Vic­ has 90 minutes in any case. toria negotiated a major market in South America for about $40,000,000 worth of Mr. CASE\': That is quite correct. The whole-milk powder. The Australian Dairy honourable member for Toowoomba North is Corporation had stated that the Australian fa,irly new in the Chamber, and he won't be dairy industry faced a severe oversupply of here much longer, and I don't suppose he has milk-powder, but the co-operative thought that got around to reading Standing Orders yet. the corporation was not doing enough and negotiated this sale by trading outside the I am concerned about the four-year period Commonwealth sphere. before there will be a major review of the legislation. Under the schedUJle there is Queensland beef and dairy producers rely provision for minor reviews as the scheme heavily on exports. It is well to keep in goes on. That will be essential. Queens­ mind that 75 per cent of our beef pro­ land faces a disastrous year of drought duction has to be exported, and therefore and fire, which are much worse than other we in Queensland should have our repre­ natural disasters for the rural sector. When a fire goes through a property, it destroys sentatives overseas looking for export out­ .feed and kills animals, and reduces con­ lets for this beef. siderably the possibility of the property owner again becoming viable. He is placed Returning to the subject of milk-powders­ in a worse financial plight. I forecast that just yesterday I noted that the New Zealand very real problems will arise in Queens­ Dairy Corporation had beaten the Australian land in a matter of months, and that as Dairy Corporation in securing a contract for the ravages of fire and drought take their the supply of milk-powders to the Middle toll we will have a tremendous increase in East. the number of applications under this scheme . . \t this stage there is no sign of general [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] rain. Other areas of production could well be Mr. CASE\': Just before the dinner recess affected. hJ recent years some people who I was speaking about the problems of rural had been concentrating on pastoral activities adjustment and the need to spend so much diversified into grain production, which of these finances to keep our rural community helped them to remain viable primary pro­ viable. As the Minister said in his opening ducers. Because of the severe curtailment remarks, some of the major problems faced of grain production in some areas, partic­ by rural industries in Australia today are with ularly in the area represented by the hon­ export markets. Problems with our export ourable member for Balonne, those who have markets have brought about the need for invested additional capital in order to diver­ adjustment in our rural community and for sify wiH be in worse trouble. Those who major sums of money to be expended to hoped to get out of trouble by diversifying keep some sectors of the rural community could well lose much more. The situation alive. Earlier I mentioned that I felt most is worsening. Queensland is more sorely of the measures taken to date have been affected tha~n other States. 'vVe face big stopgap, and I have been outlining some problems. of the things that have been done in other 552 Rural Adjustment [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Agreement Bill

States and in other nations to avoid the need overseas trade ofikes. This is very import­ to spend money on rural adjustment and ant. We would then have experts on the instead spend money on measures to help spot. We have any number of agricultural the rural community become viable and to scientists and agricultural economists who obtain export markets. have specialised knowledge in this field and I have drawn the attention of the House are looking for this type of employmen1. to ~he ~urray-Goulburn Valley Co-operative, They should be engaged to seek out potential wh1ch 1s the major milk-manufacturing markets for Queensland's specialised products. co~pany in Australia, and to the way in In addition they could send back to us wh1ch that co-operative recently secured marketing expertise on what is likely to markets in South America. The New Zealand happen in the future. This would ensure that Dairy Corporation has again outdistanced the the money the people in the rural industries Australian Dairy Corporation, which are receiving under this readjustment scheme announced several months ago that it had will be spent wisely, and not as it was in high hopes of selling milk-powder to the the cases I mentioned a short while ago of Middle East. However, we have been producers who went into grain. beaten to the punch by New Zealand. Grains looked a good prospect 12 months All of this leads me to the point that ago. But even 12 months ago it was known queensland is not getting as good a deal as from reports coming back mainly through It should from our Australian trade offices the Queensland Graingrowers Council-an overseas in securing primary production out­ extremely efficient body doing an excellent lets .. The only way we will get a good job in this respect-that there would be ~eal 1~ by establishing properly, particularly trouble in our grain markets by 1977. A'll m. AsJa, tra4e offices that specifically deal of these things tie in with the fact that it is with our pnmary industries. This is one of little use the Premier's standing in this way_ we can try to do something about House or in any other place and making ge_ttmg exr;ort outlets for Queensland organis­ grand statements based on some publicity atiOns, wh1ch can negotiate through our own arrangement that he has in hand, or trying trade offices to secure markets in countries to make some sort of public relations project such as Japan, China, other eastern and out of it. South-eastern countries, and even the Middle Initially, we must have men on the job in East. Asia, I suggest, and also in the United The other day in this House I drew States, particularly for beef outlets. One to the Premier's attention a statement he of the major sectors that will be supported made in London on 17 June last year that, by the Rural Adjustment Agreement is our as a result of a visit by him to Iran, there beef industry. We need a man in America would be a trementdous increase in Queens­ and one in Brussels. With all due respect land exports to Iran. The Premier specifi­ to our former coJleague Sir Wallace Rae, cally stressed sugar and meat. With the who is a great fellow and a great Queens­ assistance ~f the Parliamentry Library, I lander and is doing a good job perhaps as have gone mto this matter and found that Agent-General in London, the job of Agent­ now our trade with Iran in sugar is exactly General is no longer the old grace-and-favour the same as it was five years ago-and that job of many years ago. We mus.t get down is nil. to the nitty-gritty of trade as the main The Minister for Police, who is in the involvement of our overseas offices, The, House and who comes from a sugar-producing office of the Agent-General in London should area, would know that this is because Iran be transferred to Brussels, which is the head­ does not have the facilities to import bulk quarters of the E.E.C. That is where we sugar. We can't afford to go back to a have to break down trade barriers because bagging operation so that we might send it is the trade barriers in the E.E.C., in the them bagged sugar. How ridiculous to say United States, in Japan and in so many other that we are going to increase trade with countries that work against the export of our Iran when there is no possible chance of its rural commodities. happening! This Bill is helping to treat effects, not Exactly the same applies to the Premier's to treat causes. That is what Governments in statement that beef exports from Queensland Australia must get down to. It becomes the to Iran would increase significantly. Again basic essential for the Queensland Govern­ the figures available to us show that exports ment. It has to try to sort out ways of of beef from Queens1and to Iran at present bringing in legislative programmes that will are virtually nil. So what is the good of overcome the real causes of the decline in the Premier's standing up in London, in this our rural community, the real causes of the House and elsewhere in the State and making drop in income of our farm sector, and the grand remarks about what are merely hal­ real causes of the need for farm build-up lucinations in his own mind? We have to programmes, for programmes of debt recon­ get down to a factual basis of doing some­ struction in our rural communities and for thing. programmes of rehabilitation of our farms. We will not be able to improve the export In this way we will not need household outlets for primary products from our rural support provisions such as are in this Bill areas until we have established our own to ensure that the men on the land Rural Adjustment (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Agreement Bill 553

are able to put their hands out for some The schedule in the Bill shows the various sort of pittance to keep them and their forms of assistance that will be forthcom­ families. We must have realistic programmes ing to those who apply for them. This is that will be effective in the long term and where the meat of the legislation will be that will help this great State of Queensland found. to get back again to being a viable, primary­ producing State providing food outlets for There are a couple of further points that the remainder of the world, as it has been I should like to make. It seems strange to in the past. me that under the Rural Reconstruction Scheme family concerns should be debarred Mr. NEAL (Balonne) (7.25 p.m.): I should from bor.rowing for farm buildup. I refer like to make a few comments that I did specifically to situations in which a father not get the opportunity to make at the and sons may be running a property and introductory stage of the Bill. have blocks of land in each other's names. The sons are probably young and the father I believe that the Rural Reconstruction is probably getting on in years. There Board has done a great deal of good over are other situations in which a couple of the years. I listened with interest to the brothers may be on blocks of land side honourable member for Mackay, who said by side, neither of which is viable on its that it has not got down to treating the own. One may wish to build up his pro­ cause of the present situation. That may perty by buying out either his father or be so, but if he can tell us how export brother. Under the terms of the Rural prices of beef, wool and other commodities Reconstruction Scheme, this cannot be done. can be increased he will have solved the To me, that does not seem right. I know problem. What we are talking about is of cases of family involvement with pro­ keeping people on the land untH export prices perties in which one member of the family improve. was in possession. The members of the family did not hold all the land in their As I have already said, the Rural Recon­ own names and, because other members of struction Board has done a particularly good the family wanted their money out, the job over the years. The honourable mem­ one who was in working operation of the ber for Mackay referred to the board. I property was unable to borrow through the direct his attention to the time when the Rural Reconstruction Board to buy the rest wool industry went through the doldrums of the property. To me this is no dif­ for a number of years. Its problems were ferent from farm buildup. As far as I am compounded by drought and a decrease in concerned, it is no different from the chap wool prices. One of the problems now who wants to buy his neighbour out and besetting the beef industry is a result of I do not see why this should not be the fall in wool prices, which led many included-- of those in the wool industry to move into beef production. I inform the honourable Mr. Gunn: In other words, a bther could member for Mackay that prior to the 1972 not sell to his son but could sell to an increase in wool prices a great many appli­ outsider? cations from wooJ producers were coming before the Rural Reconstruction Board. For a Mr. NEAL: That is entirely correct. If a short period in that year there was a consider­ father wanted to get out he would not be able increase in wool prices and applications able to sell to his son to build up the son's by wool growers dried up overnight. The area ~o a viable proposition, but he would reason was obvious; they were again viable be able to sell to a complete outsider. I in their own enterprise. tllink this is forcing some families off the land. I believe that is wrong, because those Mr. Casey: Will you accept that the real people already on the land are the ones who trouble in the wool industry came about have the experience. After all, it has prob­ because of an increase in the production ably been a family property, and what more of artificial fibres? would we want than for a family to continue to farm land which they have probably Mr. NEAL: I cannot hear what the hon­ pioneered? ourable member for Mackay is saying. I appreciate the work that the Rural Reconstruction Board has done over the Mr. Casey: Will you accept that the prob­ years since its implementation. This Bill ·lems of the wool industry came about because merely ratifies the new agreements already the_re . was an incr.ease in the production of in operation. I whole-heartedly support the ar!Ificml fibres which caused a drop in wool Bill. pnces? Hon. K. .B. TOMKINS (Roma-Minister Mr. NEAL: One can speculate as long for Lands, Forestry, National Parks and as one likes on that point. What I want Wildlife Service) (7.31 p.m.), in reply: I to say is that this scheme has proved to thank the honourable members for Mackay be of great assistance to those who because and Balonne for their contributions 'to this of lo~ prices and various other fa~tors. got debate. Of course, I would have to say mto difficulties. that the honourable member for Balonne 554 Rural Adjustment [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Agreement Bill

effectively answered many of the propns1tions endeavour to boost overseas markets. I say put forward by the honourable member for again that the expanded powers will help the Mackay. authority in Queensland to co-operate with the new Meat and Livestock Corporation, [ would like to comment on some of the which has been set up by the Federal Gov­ points mbed by the honourable member for ernment, in introducing with the co-operation Mackay because he did go into a fair bit of of the States a scheme which it is hoped will depth in relation to some of the problems work along the lines of, say, the wool facing rural industry, and that is to his industry scheme, which was a reserve price credit. plan. The honourable member admits that our Government has helped people but claims The problems of the beef industry are that we are treating the problem and not quite different from those of the wool the cause. I suppose that is easy enough to industry or, indeed, the sugar industry, and say; but in view of many of these export they are more difficult to handle. It has markets, I do not know how the Govern­ always been said, "If the cattle producers ment can help to treat 'the cause. can do what the sugar producers do, it will be their salvation." All I can say is that !Vfr. Casey: The Goulburn Valley Dairy once beef is sent to market and a reserve Co-operative has just showed the way on this; price is fixed for it, it has to be killed and there is no question about ,it. storage facilities have to be provided, which costs a lot of money. The beef industry Mr. TOMKINS: Lt can be done in certain is quite unlike the wool and sugar industries, cases. That is why I want to get back to the and that is the big problem that we face. wool industry. I thought my colleague from Balonne covered it well. I support part of what the honourable The wool industry was in real strife in the member for Mackay said. I should like to period prior to about 1970-71. As the think that the new Queensland Meat Industry honourable member quite rightly pointed out, Authority would interest itself in overseas our Government made money available to markets, because I believe that on the the wool industry at 2 per cent. This enabled domestic market in this State there are it to carry on at a time when the situation no problems caused by competition. The real was absolutely desperate. In 1971, thanks to problems arise because the overseas market the McMahon Federal Government, the is depressed. Because meat is sold on the reserve price scheme was introduced. That domestic market and also on the overseas was the first time I have seen one of these market, one is affecting the other. schemes work effectively. It gave a lot of stability to the market, and many of rthe Mr. Casey: Except that we are not measures we had undertaken prior to its getting quality in some sections of the introduction were then ,taken up to such domestic market. That is why special good effect that wool prices rose. That in rumps, and so on, are being brought turn enabled a lot of growers to get out of in from New Zealand and Victoria. trouble. I believe that the McMahon Gov­ ernment's decision was the right one. The Mr. TOMKINS: I would not agree with scheme has been carried on since, and I the honourable member on that. Generally believe the wool industry has benefited speaking, the best quality beef brings the thereby. best prices on the domestic market. I will As to the present situation-! find that the agree that some good meat goes to the Rural Adjustment Scheme is not actually United States of America and perhaps to helping wool growers a great deal, but this Japan. The point I am trying to make is is simply because they were helped by the that the marketing of meat on the domestic earlier measure. market in Queensland is good because of competition. On the other hand, our big The honourable member for Mackay spoke problem is the overseas market. I hope about the scheme as it applies to caJttle and that the extended powers to be given to the the position of the beef industry. But as Queensland Meat Industry Authority will he has said himself, 75 per cent of meat pro­ enable that authority to dovetail its scheme duced in Queensland goes overseas. Con­ in with the scheme of the Meat and Live­ sequently we have to contend with a market stock Corporation, which eventually will do over which we as a Government have no some good. control whatever. Despl,te the fact that a lot of people claim we can introduce a reserve I know that there are problems on the price plan for beef in three or four years, Japanese market, and that there are problems nobody has yet come up with such a plan in getting access to the European Economic and said, "You can do this and that." It Community, but I think that these can be would be jolly good if anybody could come overcome. The honourable member for up with a worthwhile plan. As a matter of Mackay mentioned the meat market in Iran fact, in a few days on behalf of the Minister and said nothing much has been done yet. for Primary Industries I shall be introducing At least we have tried, and I am hopeful that, a Bill expanding ,the powers of the present in due course, this move will lead us Queensland Meat Industry Authority in an somewhere. Rural Adjustment (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Agreemclll Bill 555

The honourable member for Mackay said Mr. K. J. Hooper: You must agree that that the Agent-General should be shifted to the Laidlev council is a very moderate Brussels because of the in11uence of the National Party council. E.E.C. I think that the Agent-General is doing a terrific job where he is. Mr. TOMKINS: The Laidley council doesn't ask for any more assistance than Mr. Casey: l did not say that he was anyone else. It has done a good job. As not. a Government we have helped all councils in Queensland to survive. The honourable Mr. TOMKINS: No; I am saying that he member talks about Whitlam's grants to is. I do not think that he should be shifted local authorities. Let him look at the present at this stage. He visits Brussels regularly and grants being given by the State Government. knows exactly what is going on in the E.E.C., Where Whitlam used to give them $5,000 and in reports to the Government he has we would probably give $105,000. indicated certain trends. I believe that Sir Wallace Rae is doing a tremendous job for We have deferred rents and freeholding Queensland; indeed, I have heard nothing payments, with an interest rate of 5 per cent. but glowing reports of what he has been I don't think any Government could do much doing over a long period. more than that. The honourable member for Mackay said Mr. Casey interjected. also that the Government has not done a great deal for producers and mentioned Mr. TOMKINS: I ask the honourable cattle freights. Cattle freights in Queens­ member to listen. I want to educate him a land now are the lowest in Australia. They bit. He does a good job in some ways. He have been running about 28 per cent-- spoke about speeding up applications. There is no real delay. As a matter of fact at Mr. Casey: So they should be, too, the present time applications are not coming because beef is the basis of so much of our in as fast as they used to as people are not economy. trying to borrow so much because they have already gone so far. Mr. TOMKINS: Give credit where credit is due; they are the lowest. In the freight Mr. K. J. Hooper: Do you know that increases announced in the Budget last year, people are getting sick of the National Party the Government saw fit not to raise cattle Government? freights. Mr. TOMKINS: I don't know what he Mr. Casey: That was because you put means by that. I am saying that there is no them up 40 per cent the year before. delay in applications. What else did the honourable member for Mr. TOMKINS: Then we dropped them Mackay say that I did not like? I noticed 28 per cent, and I repeat that they are still the that he supported the Premier in his attitude lowest freights in Australia. towards overseas aid. The honourable member mentioned local Mr. Casey: Far from it. I didn't support authority rates, which are paid by the Rural the way he is going about it. Reconstruction Board at 4 per cent interest. I challenge the honourable member to say Mr. TOMKINS: The honourable member how we can do any better than that. There supported the curtailing of it. It helps some is no other way of doing it. Unfortunately, of our people. we cannot wave a magic wand and say, "Cattle prices will be doubled." If we could Mr. Casey: Oh, no. do that, we would fix everything. I think that the honourable member is being a bit Mr. TOMKINS: That is the way I took unfair when he says that, despite all the it. help we have given to the industry, we Sure this year we got $6,400,000 from the must do a little better. I should like to Federal Government under the Rural Adjust­ think that we could do better, but I do ment Scheme, which includes the dairy not know how we would go about it. At scheme, the R.R.B., household support and least we are trying, and in making money so on. This State has joined with the available to local authorities we are keeping Federal Government in providing a further councils in business, and I think that is $7,000,000 for what I call "cattle carry-on"­ absolutely essential. As the former chairman $3,500,000 each. Considerable funds are of the Laidley Shire Council knows, if we available ·there. didn't help the local authorities there would be none. Mr. K. J. Hooper: Is that quote of yours "cattle carry-on" an original quote? Mr. Casey: You were going crook about Gough Whitlam. Gough Whitlam was the Mr. TOMKINS: I am glad the honour­ first bloke who ever gave direot grants to able member asks a question or two. I local authorities in Queensland. thought he knew all these answers. In all these schemes there has to be carry-on. I Mr. TOMKINS: Fair enough, but on the call it "cattle carry-on" because •that is other hand-- exactly what it is. 1t has been an effort to 556 Rural Adjustment [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Agreement Bill keep the industry afloat. In the years to accepted that when wool is used in con­ come the honourable member will find that junction with certain artificial fibres a far this Government saved ·the cattle industry. better cloth can be produced than the My colleague the honourable member for material made of pure wool or artificial Balonne covered the wool industry because fibre alone. he knows a bit about it. He has been assoc­ At that time the industry had its head in iated with it all his life. He mentioned the the sand. In Queensland, which is virtually unfortunate situation presently facing grain a tropical State, it is almost impossible to producers. buy a light-weight wooHen cloth, but in Mr. Casey: He didn't mention that, I Singapore, Hong Kong and other Eastern did. countries with large populations light-weight woollen cloth is available. Perhaps it is Mr. TOMKINS: He commented on what spun in the English woollen mills but in the honourable member said. How unlucky those areas one can get a light-weight we as a Government can be in this business! woollen suit made up. In tropical Queensland We have ·those people who have worked we have to take the heavy woollen cloths extremely hard. They have to pay their spun in the South. That caused much of the way just the same as everybody else. Now trouble in the wool industry. they find that they can be defeated by The sohedule provides for farm buildup drought. I am only hoping that the crop and debt reconstruction. The general prin­ can be saved by rain even at this late stage. ciples in the schedule eX!plain why finance is I think I have covered the points raised to be made available. One of the problems by both speakers. I thank them for their referred to by the Minister relates to the contribution. If we look like running out sale of beef. He asked how we could sell of money for these schemes the matter will more beef. We cannot do that unless we be reviewed next February by a sympathetic do something about it. Federal Government and a sympathetic State Government, and we will get the money we In 1974 the honourable member for want. Balonne and I visited a meat factory in Japan. Before we left Australia we received Motion (Mr. Tomkins) agreed to. information from the Australian Meat Board that while sales to Japan had been on the downturn they were coming up again, but COMMITTEE men who operated the factory in Japan told (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. us clearly that they would stop buying Aus­ Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the chair) tralian beef for 12 months. That is what happened. The information coming from Clauses 1 and 2, as read, agreed to. Australian Meat Board officials in Japan Schedule- was completely erroneous; it was way off beam. As a result, beef producers in Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (7.46 p.m.): The Australia who had changed from wool to schedule provides the basis for the whole beef production by using finance made avail­ Bill. The clauses are merely introductory. able under the rural adjustment scheme were In most of my comments at the second­ floating on air and, sure enough, the crash reading stage addressed to the Minister I came in 1974. When Japan stopped buying was trying to put forward some constructive beef we finished up with many problems. ways in which the rural sector could be helped. I believe exactly the same thing wiLl happen with our sugar sales in Japan. It could weU The honoumble memiber for Baionne be that unless aH the problems are sorted out spoke about the wool industry. Certainly the earlier legislation did a good job to the schedule we are now ta1king about assist people in the wool-growing industry, wU! have to make provision in the future but the schedule under this Bill and others for finance to be made availa:ble for the will treat only effects, not causes. sugar industry. I sincerely hope that the Minister for Pnimary Industries is successful Many honourable members, including the in negotiating a new international agreement honourable member for Toowoomba South, in Geneva, where he is at present. No matter know a little about the wool industry. They what happens with our Japanese sugar agree­ recognise that .the main problem confronting ment, which is presently in dispute, as soon the wool industry in the late 1960s and early as it has run its term the Japanese will stop 1970s was the competition from artificial buying Australian sugar for 12 months to tibres, which caused depressed wool prices make us pay for putting them in their present and returns to producers, and necessitated position. But it is their fault, not ours. In a rural debt readjustment scheme. For a good faith and in aH honesty we entered into number of years the real cause of the trouble a trade deal through the Queensland Sugar in the wool industry vvas the unwillingness of Board. the Australian Wool Board to accept that artificial fibres were competing with wool. Once again I am looking at causes rather Since that body accepted woollen blends than effects that have resulted in the prin­ in the late 1960s or the early 1970s, the ciples as set out in this schedule. If we have wool industry has progressed. It has been to extend these principles into the sugar Rural Adjustment [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Agreement Bill 557 industry as well, we wil,l find a very serious Mr. Casey: Don't you think that if we problem indeed. Consequently, part of the had a fellow established over there he might treatment of the causes entails getting out be able to find out the reasons for it? If he and chasing deals in China and other coun­ had his finger on the pulse he could do that. tries-really going all out to sell our sugar in other areas. Mr. TOMKINS: I think I know the reasons already, but I am not prepared to debate Finally, I wish to reply to the comments them here. This is a matter that l think is of the Minister that we in Queensland cannot purely the responsibility of the Federal Gov­ sell our beef. In actual fact, we do. Some ernment. But what I do say is that the of the major exporters from this State are Japanese, through their Livestock Industry the people who are negotiating the meat Promotion Corporation, operate under a sales. Those deals are ratified by the Aus­ system whereby, no matter what pnice they pay for meat out here-and Australian meat tral!ian Meat Board. Take the Borthwick's would be the cheapest in the WO!'ld at the sale to Russia. moment-the price is lifted from the low Australian level up to the Japanese high Mr. Tomkins: The Australian Meat Board level, which would be 30 to 40 times the does the licensing for the sale. price. They do this and they do it under their own set-up. My point is that we have Mr. CASEY: Yes, but it simply writes out no say in what they do. I am one who a piece of paper authorising something that believes that Australia should trade with has been done quite often. Certainly tlfe Japan on a single authority basis. We should Australian Meat Board initiates some of the sell from one authority to the Japanese sales. However, what helped get rid of some Government in an effort to circumvent the of Queensland's surplus beef in the last 12 L.I.P.C. because we, as a trading nation, are months was the major sale to Russia, which losing by it. I make the point again that the was initially negotiated by Borthwick. A new meat marketing authority which will number of other companies are to enter into be set up shortly should be able to co-operate that agreement with it. When it had it all with the Federal people in having a look teed up, the Australian Meat Board rartified at some of these things. the licence. There was no reason why the The other point raised by the honourable proposed Queensland meat industry authority member was the establishment of trade cannot cover that situation. I feel that that offices in Japan and in Brussels. Fair has to happen. One positive way in which enough. I think that is all ri~ht. I would the Queensland Government can ensure that like to think that, in due course, we can do it does is the establishment of overseas trade some of these things because not all of the offices. I pledge that if this Government is problems in Australia today are caused by not prepared to do it, a Labor Government Governments. Our Government operates in wm do it for the primary producers in this a free-enterprise spirit. We do not have State. much say in what other countries do, and we could get trapped on these overseas jobs. Hon. K. B. TOMKINS (Roma-Minister Indeed if Labor gained office-and that is for Lands, Forestry, National Parks and Wild­ what the honourable member was talking life Service) (7.53 p.m.): I was interested in about although he does not think it will the remarks of the honourable member for happen-it would not do any better and he Mackay about marketing. I made the point knows it. It would not have any more before and I make it again that, as a State expertise in this field-- Government, we have very little control in the export field, whether it be for meat, sugar Mr. Gunn: It would put an export tax on or wheat. As to sugar~this is a de.Jicate it. a_rrangement at the moment. It is not par­ t:tcularl);' my c:IP. of _tea, although I might be Mr. TOMKINS: The honourable member responsible mmrrstenally for it. I am not for Somerset is right. It would, if it wa'> prepared to say what is going to happen in any good, and it would transfer the money to that field, because it is a dispute between some other field. A Labor Government would not act in a responsible manner. Governments. I do not propose to come into it. which is one thing our Government always does; it is always very responsible in this field. Turning to the meat side of it-the Japan­ ese meat market is very hard to follow. And I think that I have answered any criticism. I mean that in exactly that way. We have The rural adjustment scheme and the no control over what the Japanese do. Their schedule have stood the test of time. They history has been one of stop, go. AJl of a ha~e b~en in _since the beginning of this year. Thrs Brll ral!fies the scheme and is helping sudden the market opens up, it gets extremely no end of people in this great State of good, and then, for no reason we are aware Queensland, and will continue to do so. of out here, they say, "We will not take any more meat." That has been the history over Schedule, as read, agreed to. the last four or five years. Bill reported, without amendment. 558 Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill

V ALUATJON OF LAND ACT AMEND­ Town-planning policies are of,ten affected MENT BILL by a change of by-law or ordinance, or by a policy decision of a council which affects INITIATION IN COMMITTEE the use or development of land. As the Act presently stands, the Valuer-General can (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. alter a valuation because of changes due to Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the chair) the town plan stricto sensu but cannot alter a valuation where the change was caused Hon. J. W. GREENWOOD (Ashgrove­ by by-laws, ordinances, policy decisions and Minister for Survey and Valuation) (7.58 the like. p.m.): I move- For example, since the 1974 flood in the "That a Bill be introduced to amend city of Ipswich and the shire of Moreton, the Valuation of Land Act 1944-1977 in the councils of these areas have prevented certain particulars." land-owners from building on certain sub­ divided lands below stipulated flood levels. This is the second Bill which I have brought The prohibition of building has severely before the Assembly this year to amend the affected the values of these lands but the Valuation of Land Act. Honourable mem­ Valuer-General does not have the power to bers will recall that when introducing the alter the valuations until the time of the previous Bill on 24 March this year I next general revaluation of these local auth­ infoJ,med them that my colleague the Minister ority areas, because the actions of these for Local Government and Main Roads and councils were not taken under a town plan. l were undertaking a fundamental review of problems associated with the financing of Such anomalies in ,the Act must be cor­ local authorities and particularly the use of rected as the owners of these lands continue land-ownership when measured by the unim­ to pay rates on values assessed on a resi­ proved value of such holdings as a method dential basis when the lands cannot be built of apportioning rate payments within the upon. The Bill therefore extends the pro­ community. This review has not yet been visions of section 13 (2) (i) to give the completed. However, as it progresses, var­ Valuer-General power ,to alter valuations ious anomalies are becoming obvious; anom­ between general revaluations when, in his alies which restrict the efficient functioning opinion, those valuations are altered by the of the Valuer-General's Department, and in application of an ordinance or by-law, or some instances impose an inequitable rating by any other action or decision of a local burden on ceJCtain land owners. Some of authority which affects the use or develop­ these anomalies are such that they can and ment of land. should be corrected now, without waiting for Another provision requiring amendment is the completion of our review. section 14, but the actual problem will be dealt with by an amendment to part of The first problem arises out of the impend­ section 13. The problem, however, is in ing introduction of the proposed modified section 14. This section of the Act allows Brisbane Town Plan. If it is adopted in its the Valuer-General to include in one valu­ present form, many properties will be affected ation several parcels of land which adjoin in a way that will drastically reduce their and which are in common ownership. How­ value. The owners of this land have com­ ever, the present Act only allows such an pensation rights to reimburse them for their amalgamation at the time of a general capital loss but, in addition to this, there is revaluation and not between revaluations, the problem of rates. It would be quite unless they should have been amalgamated unjust for a man whose property value was at the time of the general revaluation but, reduced from $30,000 to $10,000 to continue through an error, this action was not taken. to pay rates on $30,000, yet this is what will happen unless the Valuer-General is Frequently between general revaluations able to carry out a revaluation. a person buys two adjoining but separately valued properties or a land-owner buys an The problem arises because there are quite adjoining property. Despite the fact that stringent limitations on the Valuer-General's the properties are then in common owner­ ship, the valuations cannot be amalgamated ability to revalue between area valuations. until the time of the next revaluation. The only provision that allows him to do this is section 13 (2). The relevant pro­ This often results in such land-owners pay­ vision is section 13 (2) (i) which allows ing additional rates for several reasons, one the Valuer-General to amend a valuation of which is the power local authorities between general revaluations if he is of the have to fix quite substantial minima for opinion that it is altered by reason of imple­ general rates and to levy those minima mentation of, or alteration in zoning under, in respect of individual valuations. This or amendment of, a town plan. However, occurs when one or more of the valuations considered separately is below the amount the term "lown plan" is fairly narrow. Nowa­ which attracts the minimum general rate, days it is often not the town plan but some­ whereas the sum of the valuations considered thing outside the plan that achieves the together would attract total rates at a lesser result. figure. Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 559

In addition, the concession in value pro­ it might not have bud;!eted. Eight months vided for in the reforms introduced by was regarded as a necessary period to allow the amendment Act earlier this year in rela­ these objection procedures to be completed. tion to land which has been subdivided by survey, and which is used exclusively for For practical reasons, however, this scheme purposes of a single dwelling-house, can only did not work as planned, and in 1971 a be granted in those cases where the lands provision was inserted into the Act whereby, are contained in one valuation. This con­ if outstanding objections or appeals amounted cession is therefore denied to such land­ to more than 10 per cent-a provision owners until the amalgamation occurs at which was amended in 1974 to 15 per cent­ the time of the next general revaluation. of the valuation of that local authority, the This should be corrected, and the Bill there­ date of effect of that new valuation must fore provides that the Valuer-General be be postponed. This provision has the desired given the power to amalgamate and amend effect of preventing a local authority from valuations on lands which adjoin and which being financially embarrassed by being become the subject of common ownership called upon to make substantial refunds of in the period between revaluations. rates. ln order to explain additional amendments It is therefore considered that it is now in this Bill, it is necessary for me briefly unnecessary that the eight-month requirement to set out the history of some sections be retained, and the Bill proposes to shorten of the present Act with respect to valuations the period to three months. The more and the time when they come into effect. lengthy period is serving no good purpose When the Valuer-General undertakes the and is merely imposing an unnecessary bur­ revaluation of a local authority, he must den upon the Valuer-General and his staff make an estimate as to when that revaluation and interfering with a sensible distribution of will be complete. He has to do this in the work-load. order to determine when the valuation notices In dealing with this group of provisions, I would be ready to issue to landowners and have referred to the section of the Act which the copies of valuation rolls forwarded to prevents 'the valuation of a local authority the local authority concerned and the Com­ area from coming into effect if the amount of missioner of Land Tax. These valuations undetermined objections or appeals exceeds will then usually have force and effect from 15 per cent of the amount of the valuation the 30 June next following issue of notices of the local authority area. In general, this to owners and supply of rolls to the local provision has worked well and no longer authority. are local authorities embarrassed by having The Act prescribes certain time limits to make substantial unexpected rate refunds. for 1hese actions to be undertaken. In However, the Act was not drawn having in the first place, the Governor in Council mind the fact that a local authority might is required to fix the date of effect for wish to have the valuation come into force any valuation made by the Valuer-General. de>pite some attendant inconvenience. The Act requires that the Governor in Coun­ One example is ,(he Shire of Kolan. The cil proclaim this date in the Government date of effect has been postponed from 30 Gazette at least 12 months prior to the June 1976 to 30 June 1977 and, because the date of effect. There seems to be no reason amount of undetermined appeals is 24 per for such a long period. Six months is cent of the new valuation, further postponed adequate notice and may have the effect to 30 June 1978. This has also happened in of enabling an additional shire valuation, some other shires, and the result is that when perhaps for a small shire, to be brought into the new valuation finally does come into the programme if the resources become avail­ force and effect, it is almost out of date able within the department to carry out an itself and the local authority presses for a additional valuation. revaluation almost immediately. Another requirement that should be I believe that many local authorities in changed is the requirement that valuation such circumstances would prefer that a new notices issue and rolls be supplied at ,least valuation come into force and effect notwith­ eight months prior to the date of effect. standing that the amount of undetermined The eight-mon;h requirement was enacted objections or appeals exceeds 15 per cent. at a time when new local authority valu­ Being aware of the disputed valuations, they ations ordinarily came into effect on the would be able to make provision in their 30 Jnne following the issue of valuations. budgets for possible rate refunds. In the They came into force automatically unless case of Kolan, if the new valuation bad come there was a special decision of the Executive into force and effect. the cattle lands would Couw:il to postpone. ln circumstances where have received relief from the new valnation, the valuation came into force automatically, while cane lands would have received an it was obviously desirable to have a lengthy increase, as that valuation has taken account period between issue of valuations and date of the fluctuations in these industries as of effect to enable objections, and possibly against one another. appeals, to be finalised, otherwise the local authority concerned could find itself having Nevertheless, I do not considc:r that the to make very substantial rate refunds to suc­ local authority or the Valuer-General should cessfu

valuation, where the amount of undetermined (1) areas where there are predominantly objections or appeals exceeds 15 per cent, urban valuations; should come into force and effect. The Bill (2) areas where there are predominantly provides that where a local authority makes rural valuations; application that a valuation should come into (3) areas where there is a close mixture force and effect in those circumstances, and of urban and rural valuations. the Minister so recommends, the Governor in Council may determine that the prohibition Of course, spiralling inflation is skyrocket­ preventing the valuation from coming into ing the price of land. In 1975 under the force and effect shall not apply. The Bill last revaluation Brisbane land increased in also provides that any application in this value by 81.88 per cent. The effect of the regard made by a local authority will not be revaluation is supposed to be redistribution considered unless it is made not later than of the rate burden among all landholders the 7th June '(or if that is not a working day, equitably. However, this outrageous system the next working day thereafter) preceding of valuation means that in Queensland rate­ the 30th June, being the date from which payers in areas of slow growth benefit and the local authority wishes the valuation to those in areas where valuations are rising take effect. This, of course, is to allow the fast pay a larger proportion of rates. That Minister time to make the necessary recom­ is just another cold, hard fact of life in mendation and for the Governor in Council Queensland. to take the necessary action before the 30th The great discrepancies in valuation defy June. logic and reason. In short, for ratepayers The proposals contained in the Bill, which it is a case of valuation roulette. Last year l have just outlined, are reforms that are in valuations soared by many hundreds per urgent need of implementation. My Cabinet cent. As far north as Port Douglas land­ colleague the Minister for Local Government owners suffered an increase of 3,100 per and Main Roads and I are continuing to cent. One ratepayer's land increased in valua­ undertake a review of the present valuation tion from $1,120 to $24,500 overnight. That and rating system. It is our earnest hope may seem incredible, but I make it quite that we will be able to improve on this clear that what I am saying is spot on and system, and the present Bill goes some way 100 per cent correct. to achieving this end. I therefore commend the Bill to the Committee. Mr. Tenni: Are you talking about Port Douglas in my electorate now? Mr. K. J. HOOPER (Archerfield) (8.14 p.m.): Let me say on behalf of the Opposi­ Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am talking about tion that any amendment to this antiquated Port Douglas in the electorate of the honour­ and totally inadequate Act is welcome. In able member for Barron River. Of course, all fairness, I must say that the present he does not know where it is. He has never Minister has had the responsibility for look­ been there. ing after this portfolio for only the past 12 months. Mr. Tenni: Why don't you keep out of my The Minister extended to me the courtesy electorate? of providing me with a copy of his speech notes before he rose to speak. When one Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I would be quite gets the speech notes only an hour or an prepared to keep out of his electorate if I hour and a half before the Bill is due to were quite certain that he was looking after be introduced, it is a little difficult to absorb it effectively, which of course he is not. them. Nevertheless, he extended the courtesy, Mr. Jones: He won't have much and I thank him for it. opportunity. Under this Government's inept admini­ stration the land valuation system is a Mr. K. J. HOOPER: As a matter of fact matte: of great controversy and crippling he won't have much more opportunity. Pro­ InJUStice for a good number of land-owners bably the interjections he is making tonight in this State. The land valuation system in are his valedictory interjections. It is quite Queensland is completely outmoded, obvious that in the next Parliament one of obsolete and a public scandal. I am sure the faces missing will be his. that most honourable members on the Government side would agree with me. A Mossman ratepayer wrote to me com­ plaining about an increase in the valuation Mr. Frawley: Rubbish! of his property by 800 per cent. In the south of the State we saw values in the Mr. K. J. HOOPER: It is not rubbish at Moreton area-we all know that the More­ all. What I am saying is cold, hard fact. ton area is probably the largest growth area It rather surprises me that the honourable in Queensland-go up by almost 3,000 per member for Murrumba should make such cent. In a letter a ratepayer complained to an inane interjection. me that he had no sewerage and no town The Bill should alleviate the position to a water on his property yet its value went up small degree, although I \vould like to see from $380 to $15,000. That sounds incred­ more teeth in it. Valuation in Queensland ible, but it is true. r know the Minister is falls into three broad categories: not going to deny this when he replies. Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 561

Mr. Frawley; Who wrote that? far be it from me to speak of him disparag­ ingly-is certainly not regarded as the cham­ Mr. K. J. HOOPim: My old friend from pion of .the little man. Nevertheless, in Murmmba once again interjects. I just said fairness to him, he saw fit to make these who wrote the letter. As a matter of fact remarks and this Minister should take cogni­ the person who wrote the letter is a paid-up sance of them. member of the National Party. He was so dissatisfie.d ,,, ith the representation he was People are being rated off their properties. getting from the local member, the honour­ Valuations-which are extraordinarily inac­ CLble member from Redlands, that he wrote curate-are bringing ratepayers all over .the to me. He k.,,ew that if he wrote to me he State to boiling point. Bombshell valuations would receive some satisfaction. Of course. of a virtually unprecedented range of fluctua­ he has received it. The rates in his case were tion make it almost impossible for local virtually for the right to breathe air. The authorities to strike an equitable rate in method of rate calculation bore no rhyme terms of an increasing number of people or reason. meeting the increased costs. Property valuations on the Sun~hine Coast After the 2,000 per cent to 4,000 per and Gold Coast have soared up to 20 times cent increases even one of the States' most greater than the previous valuation. In the experienced valuers called for clifferential Noosa and Burrum Shires the average valua­ rating in Queensland. Mr. V. L. Brett, who tion increased by more than 600 per cent. spent more than five yea.rs in Ghana and On the Gold Coast the increases are astro­ New York with the United Nations as a nomica1. The Gold Coast residential valua­ technical adviser on valuations, supported tion was based on rates of 1900 vacant calls for a revision. blocks of land behveen 1974 and early 197 6. As a matter of fact, I know that the Mr. Lowes: He did the valuation for honourable member for Murrumba owns Mason Dixon, if I remember correctly. ~everal blocks of land there and was seriously embarrassed by the sudden, savage valuation Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I did not know increase. Masons had any valuations. It was his brother? I am sonry. Mr. FR.4c WLEY: I rise to a point of Mr. Brett suggested that possibly a top­ order. I should like that remark to be level expert committee, established by State withdrawn. I find it offensive. I own no Cabinet, should investigate the unimproved land on .the Gold Coast. I own 60 perches valuation system. That makes good sense and at Caboolture. it is certainly worth the Minister's consider­ ation. I ask him to take it into con­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask the hon­ sideration. ourable member to accept that explanation. Mr. Elliott interjected. Mr. K. .J. HOOPER: Of course I accept the expian!ation. Perish the thought that Mr. K. J. HOOPER: It is rather odd to I would think otherwise. hear that interjection from probably the most junior and lightest of light-weights in In other words, the absurd criterion was State Parliament. He is rather a pleasant based on the market values of slightly more fellow but so far as ability, drive and verve than 5 per cent of the 32,000 assessments are concerned, he is probably the most in the area. That provided the basis for inept. It is just as well he represents a safe determining the unimproved capital value of National Party seat. If he did not he the land. would probably have to spend more time It is quite clear to me that this system looking after his business of providing trail­ needs urgent overhauling. Why should such ers or something for farmers in his area. a small number have such a potent effect How does one assess inner-city properties, on values? I shall be very interested to hear the Minister's reply to that at the end such as Queen Street propel'ties, and other of the debate. commercial sectors in the inner-city area? For a typical property auction on a Satur­ It is quite obvious that a large number of day morning it may be fine to assess the people, including retired couples who wish value where there are many allotments, but to spend their last years in peace, are being where the unimproved value is clouded by plagued and hounded by this bombshell other factors and where there are few sales valuation for rating based on modern sale of vacant land to use as a yardstick valuing prices. is extremely difficult. Even the Minister for Local Government Mr. Brett spoke of the need to combine and Mains Roads, as reported in the "Gold the unimproved-value system with the Coast Bultletin" of Saturday 18 December differential-rate usage. This, unlike the 1976, acknowledged the anomaly in having present single rate levy of so many cents in the unimproved capital value of the large the dollar of the property valuation, would number of blocks in the area governed by vary from property to property depending on the sale of a very small number of blocks. its use or potential use. Thus in Brisbane, or The Minister for Local Government-and even in the electorate of Ipswich I should 562 Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill

imagine, this could be linked with the exist­ cerned citizens at the Senior Citizens Hall at ing town plan zoning system. The Minister Palm B~ach, said 1hat the valu

ducd f six months. I feel that he should give say, "You cannot build a high-rise building 564 Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill on a 16-perch block." A person in this long, long time; he was Leader of the position therefore has to pay enormous rates Opposition for years, and if he does not know for a block of land that can have nothing the answer to the question that he has asked. but a single-storey cottage constructed on it. I am not goong to tell him. He oan find out for himself. I know the answer because I I have spoken about this matter to the do my job. He should get the fellow who Minister and he has assured me that the writes the little notes on toilet paper to send proposed provision will overcome this pro­ some to him, just as he sends them to the blem. If it does, it wiJl mean great savings honourable member for AroherfieJd. That is to the people concerned. I could name a the best thing he could do. pensioner in my electorate who, because his land is in a high-rise area, is paying rates of Mr. Frawley: That's why he's not the $880 a year on a 16-perch block. That is Leader of the Opposition. quite unreal. I therefore again congratulate the Minister on this move. Mr. TENNI: He is not now. No wonder they got rid of him. Anyway, the one they However, I stress the point that the present have got is not much better. He has toilet Act is not worth two bob. The Bill will help paper notes, also. but the only way to overcome the present situation is to change the system completely. The fact is that the valuation system has I do not profess to be an expert in this field to be completely changed. 1 have spoken to and I do not know how the Minister should the Minister on numerous occasions about go about making the change. But he has a this and he is looking into it. For the sake department with officers who are supposed of the people of this State I sincerely hope to be experts and it is about time that they that the Minister's officers sitting in the got to work and framed an Act that would background get to it quickly before it affects suit the people whom the Government sup­ more people as it has affected the people of ports. I suggest that the Minister give a the Douglas Shire and many other shires. direction to his departmental officers to do People living on 24-perch blocks in the something about the complete Act. The Douglas Shire are paying enormous rates whole thing is anomalous and talk,ing about yet we have farms of 100-odd acres paying the Valuation of Land Act is, for me, like very little more. That is just not right. waving a red rag at a bull. Mr. Houston: That is a matter for the I turn now to what the honourable mem­ council, and you know it. ber for Archerfield tried to say. He is a funny guy. He reminds me of a record player; when it has a record on it and it is Mr. TENNI: The honourable member plugged in and switched on it will play for does not know what he is talking about. ever. Provided he is standing up and has his We do not have divisions in that council. We little pieces of toilet paper with notes written strike a rate in the dollar in the Douglas on them by someone else, the honourable Shire Council. member for Archerfield can keep talking for l\1r. Houston: You want to do something ever. But he must have those little bits of about that. toilet paper with the notes on them. Of course, they are not worth two bob and he Mr. TENNI: Thank you very much. I does not know what he is talking about but will let the people of Mossman know that that is the sort of comment that he makes. the former Leader of the Labor Party is The honourable member said that I did suggesting that the Douglas Shire be faced not know what was going on in the Douglas with increased costs because he-these are Share. Let it be known, seeing that he does the sort of people who are supposed to be not know, that I am fully aware of what representing Queensland-says that the coun­ took place concerning new valuations in the cil should do something which will increase Douglas Shire. I am completely aware of costs which in .turn will have to be paid the situation because I happen to be a land­ by the ratepayers of the Douglas Shire. 1 owner in that shire. Perhaps I can afford thank the honourable member very much. what happened to me but there are many Next week-end when the Minister for Works pensioners in the shire who cannot afford it. and Housing is in Mossman opening a brand­ The Valuation of Land Act as it stands at new wing of the Mossman High School all the moment has made things very sad and the people will be there and I will make a sorry for many people in the Douglas Shire, point of telling them that the former Leader particuJarly in Port Douglas and the Mass­ of the Labor Party, Mr. Houston, says we man/Newel! Beach area. should burden the ratepayers of the Douglas Shire with increased costs by having different Mr. Houston: Doesn't the shire council rates in the dollar for different divisions. give rebates? Mr. Frawley: More inflation. Mr. TENNI: I have an interjeotion from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Which Mr. TENNI: That is right, more inflation, electorate does he represent? I cannot say, just like we got from his friend Whitlam. and apparently he does not even know him­ He backed Whitlam, so did Tom Burns. self. He has been in this Parliament for a They backed him all the way ·to create the Valuation of Land Act (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 565 inflation we have at present. I am pleased of them have, under the Valuation of Land to hear that and I will make certain that Act-would have been prepared to accept ' let the people know-- the valuation of the Valuer-General as the market value of the land. There was a time lVir. Greenwood: The Labor Party under­ some years ago when the valuation was stands multiplication better than it under­ substantially below market price; but in recent &tands division. years the valuation as fixed by the depart­ ment has become a very realistic figure. Mr. TENNI: The Minister is dead right. Realistic as it is, I still cannot remember Mr. Warner: You can bank on Burns an occasion when the valuation of the depart­ but they don't know what to do with him. ment has exceeded the market price, and I think that is a tribute to the officers of the Mr. TENNI: That is right. It is also Minister's department. said, "See Queensland before Tom burns it." The honourable member for Archerfield went on further and showed that he prob­ I have stressed that I do not like the ably suffers from a lack of understanding present Act. I am certainly not interested in of the principles of the Act and the purposes what the honourable members for Archerfield for which £t is on the statute-book. He and Bulimba tried to say~they do not know showed a complete misunderstanding of the what they are talking about-but the people purpose of valuation when he referred to will be interested to know what they have rating, and this, I am afraid, is a rather said just the same, because what they are popular misconception that the honourable suggesting will be detrimental to them. As member shares with many members of the the honourable member for Archerfield did public. It is regrettable, but it is none the say, the Minister has introduced two amend­ less mistaken. Whatever a ratepayer may ments to the Act in the last six or eight have to pay for general rates has only a months. I believe he will come up with a correlated connection with the Valuation of completely new Act, something that is not Land Act. detrimental to the people of Queensland. It should be something like what the Act I think it was the honourable member for was many years ago before inflation took Barron River who made some reference to the linchpin of it, which is the rating estab­ effect. ~t ~as a good Act then. I certainly hope this Is attended to very quickly. lished by the local authority. I believe that all honourable members would be aware . Mr. L.OWES (Brisbane) (8.44 p.m.): When of that and would not attempt to confuse mtroducmg the Bill the Minister said that any constituent or landholder into thinking this is the second time within the year

grown up ie believe that the Federal Govern­ The vall!ation of land in Queensland is ment is the tax collector. Again, based upon unimproved value-land in its nothing could be fmther from the truth. The natura! state. The Minister referred to the fact that .it may have been a matter of way valuations of land can vary in accord­ wartime expediency does not make it any ance with the use being made of the land. more correct now. I have no doubt what;ver that the courts, valuers, indeed all of us, have come to I certainly would be opposed to any sug­ accept that when valuing land not only gestion that local governments should be should we take its unimproved value into funded by <: central Government in Can­ consideration but also we should take into berra. 'Ne must never lose sight of the consideration the use to which ,that land is fact that the States have a sovereign right. being put and the use to which it may be The Fedeml UoYernment is a creature of put. So there are further considerations the States, and so, too, are local govern­ which must affect the valuer, and there are ments. \Ve created them; we made them. further possibilities that the Minister and Although there may be some misconception his officers might well entertain at a 1ater as to the sollrce of the money and to whom date when amending this Act, and con­ it belongs, I suggest that we should always sider whether the old established system of go back ar:d see what the situation was valuing land in its natural state, and fixing prior to 194L The States virtually own an unimproved value, should give way to the money. They have the right to the some other form of valuation. money and they are therefore entitled to direct the central Government as to how I remember a former Minister referring to it should be disbursed. If the local author­ site valuation and factors such as the ities are to be funded by another Gov­ improved condition of the land, that is, land ernment, suTely that Government must be as it is, fully developed, w1ith kerbing and the State Government. channelling and houses or other buildings on Then comL's the question of how the it-buildings that can produce income. Per­ State Government is to raise the funds. haps the income-producing potential of the !t might be by way of land tax. Land tax land may well be a factor in fixing valuation. is not a very popular tax. No taxes are. What is the situation when a person owning Land tax at the present time-both State land w1ith great potenti·al is not utiJising it and Federal-does not bring in a great deal to its fullest? Perhaps the ultimate use of of income, The revenue from land tax is the land could well be a consideration. Use minimal, but it may be another way to fund of land was referred to by the Minister. That local authorities. must always be taken into consideration in addition to the value of land in its natural It is unforlunate that so often the rate­ state. payer comes to believe that his rates are the direct result of what the Valuation of The Minister referred to the prospect of Land Act prescribes. The Valuation of landholders being entitled to compensation Land Act has a very worthwhile and import­ following the introduction of the modified ant f~:nction. The principles of the valu­ town plan for the Brisbane area. He cited the ation of land are principles which are fre­ case of a landholder's property being reduced quently ~nr!er review. I believe that at from $30,000 to $10,000 and said that the the present time we are in a state of flux. landholder would be entitled to compensation. There have heen quite violent fluctuations The Minister should not let this opportunity in the vah;a:ion of land right through the pass without bringing to the attention of all State. Some of the instances referred to landholders what their rights wi.Jl be when by the honourable member for Archerfield the modified town plan becomes law. Land­ may well have been the result of different holders will have rights to compensation. They demands that are being made for land in should look to their rights and follow up various places. every opportunity to obtain adequate com­ pensation for any loss suffered. Parts of Queensland are still being dis­ covered or rediscovered. The demand for choice blocks of land in areas which were The honourable member for Archerfield previously virtually uninhabited has resulted is just about to suggest to me that whilst one in higher prices being paid. People who person may suffer a loss others may derive have money available to buy particular sites a benefit through increases in the valuation are prepared to pay what may be in the of their land because its best use changes. minds of others unreal prices. The prices That would give an improved income-e-arning paid should not become the basis for valu­ potential. It is not possible to imagine that if ing adjoining land. When land is being someone enjoys an enhanced land value-­ valued J know that the valuer goes out to reverse the Minister's figure, a block of and inspects the property and then he returns land valued at $10,000 could increase in to his office and has searches made for value to $30,000---'he should pay $20,000 into comparative land sales in the area. So some fund to compensate another. In fact often is the comparative sale the basis of the landholder pays for the enhanced land his valuation, supported only by an inspec­ value by way of increased rates and land tion of the land. taxes. Valuation of Land Act (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 567

I am assured bv the Minister that when it The thing that interested c! greatly in comes to amending valuations between gen­ the Minister's speech was his last statement. eral valuations the Valuer-General wHl be in which he said that he and the M1rus1er entitled to make a change in valuation when­ for Local Government- ever application is made. Again, all land­ "are continuing to undertake a review of holders should be made aware o£ this. When the present valuation and rating system, an amalgamation takes place landholders which l have previously referred to as the should apply forthwith to the Vruluer­ best of a bad lot." General to amend the valuation. In that way they would gain the benefit intended by this Although I go along with mo~t obane because it was quiet and peaceful. member for Barron River. I asked the They might even have had a quarter of an honourruble gentleman a simple question acre or more of land. Overnight some land about whether or not the Port Douglas local developer comes in, buys up the land, cuts authority gave rebates to pensioners. He went it into parcels of land-usually of 24 or 32 into a tirade of abuse and virtually said that perches-and sells it. Because of the I did not know what I was talking about. development o£ the land, it is now seen in Perhaps I do not know as much as the its cleared form as quite acceptable for experts in the department-! do not profess building blocks. Houses are built and land to know that much-but I certainly know a prices skyrocket. The poor devil who bought lot more than the honoumble member for a large area some years ago because he Barron River. The facts are that Queensland wanted peace and quietness or to run a cow has 131 local authorities, some of which or a couple of hens finds himself with a are controlled by administrators. In the very high land valuation and rates far in main, each has its own way of handling the excess of his ability to pay. That is the position of pensioners-people about whom type of person the honourable member for '"e are all concerned. Some local authorities Barron River is not interested in at all. He give greater rebates than others. All I was is not interested in helping those who find interested in was whether or not that parti­ themselves caught up in this t)!lpe of valua­ cular local authority at the moment gives a tion. But I am concerned anJ I have no concession to pensioners. doubt that the Minister, through his advisers, is also well aware of this problem. 1\'Ir. Tenni: Don't you get too-- Whether we like it or not. !and valuation lHr. HOUSTON: I don't want to hear the has a tremendous influence ·on the welfare honourable member now. He had his and lives of the people in our community. opportunity and has shown his ignorance. It Some shires have divisions. They can sep­ does not matter from now on. ar;>.te land valuations became of land use. 568 Valuation of Land Act (13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill particularly between rural and home allot­ had trees, shrubs, water-holes and every­ ments. The Government does not have to thing else on it. l suggest that the Minister do very much to achieve that situation else­ look for a more realistic basis. where. All it needs is an amendment by this Government, which has been in power I do not think it will alter to any extent for 20 years. It should amend the Local the relative value of lands owned by differ­ Government Act to allow this to take place, ent land-owners. I do not think it will without increasing the number of councillors affect the relative value of town lots, pastoral or other persons. Divisions are there as a lands and land used for primary and second­ guide. When it comes to the welfare of our ary industry. It will not alter the relative people, the Local Government Act or any va'lue of any lands, provided the I:Jase is other Act mus.t be brought into line with the common to the lot. The Federal Govern­ situations that prevail. Action has to be ment, in its valuation for taxation purposes, taken when rural values are out of step with will have to fall into line with our ideas home•lot va,lues. The two can be divorced and not worry about whethe~ we make any and one can be used to assist the other. alterations. Another aspect of land valuation that has When succession duties were abandoned worried me for some considerable time is the by the Government with the support of the use of land and the value .that is put on that Opposition, land valuations were not import­ use. So far I have not had a ministerial ant as the basis of assessment for llhat form explanation that satisfies me of the extent of taxation. However, they are still import­ to which productivity capacity, and the ant to the Federal Government. No doubt .financial return from that capacity, is ·taken the Federal authorities, when they are look­ into account when land, particularly that ing fo~r their succession duties, take those used for primary production, is valued. I values as being of great importance. It has know that experts can look at land and say been found by experience over the years how much it is capable of producing from that the V!aluer-General's valuation of land either livestock or cererus. But do valuers has a fairly direct relationship to the sale •then ·take into account the return from that value of the land, provided the time of val­ production? If they do, a span of more than uation was no.t too long before. two or rthree years would have to be taken. It would have ·to be over a period of five or I think it is true to say that the valua­ more years. tion of land by the Va;luer-General's Depart­ ment has three functions associated with it. Unfortunately in built-up areas there are It is associated with land tax, but it is now secondary industries that are very close gradually being reduced and eliminated. Even to household land. Another new problem for then it is only the higher valuation brackets metropolitan land-owners is the development that are involved. Another is rates. I of freeways. I suggest to ,the Minister tha,t completely agree with the Minister that it is when a freeway is built through an area it this aspect that the average person comes in should not be necessary to wait the full contact with. One of the problems with period of time before that land is revalued. previous valuRivers on the need to be aware of chased as building blocks? I know that this the difference between-- is a ticklish problem. The househooJder with this type of land should not be disadvant­ Mr. Tenni: Barron River. aged compared with a householder whose land valuation has increased over the years Mr. HOUSTON: The honourable member because of the activities of local authorities. is getting very agitated. It is getting a little The use of unimproved value results in late so I will excuse his outbursts. He would anomalies. serve his electorate and the State better if he devoted his time ·to attempting to improve I have spoken to people associated with the Act rather than simply condemning the land valuation. They all agree that in whole legislation. He would do better tto rea!i.ty it is impossible to go back to the make constructive suggestions to help local completely unimproved state when the land authorities do what I know they want to do. Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 569

They have to get money but they do not time under the Act if the undetermined want to overcharge any section of the com­ objections for appeals exceeded 10 per cent, nmnity, nor do they want to make any then that valuation could not be implemented section carry a burden thM is unjust. If the and thus the valuation was postponed to honourable member does that, he will be a June 1973 and acrain till June 1974. In the better member of this Assembly. intervening years "I copped a flogging from everybody in that area who felt he kn~w Mr. FRAWLEY (Murrumba) (9.14 p.m.): something about valuations and, funmly I think this is a genuine attempt by the enough, not all from people who thoug~t Minister to amend an Act that has caused their valuations were incorrect. As I satd a great deal of hardship and has created before this came about because the Act many problems, especially in the shire of stated 'that if there were 10 per cent objections Caboolture, which is part of my electorate. the valuation could not be implemented, and Before I became the mernbeJ" for Murrumba, fortunately or unfortunately, whichever way the shire of Caboolture was va1ued as at 31 we look at it, Australian Paper Mills own December 1970 and notices of valuat~on were 11 per cent of the shire of C?aboolture ~nd issued on 29 October 1971. The new valua­ their objections held up the tmplementatw_n tions increased the rateable ¥alue from of the valuations. But in 197 4 when thts $9,156,380 to $22,174,780, which was an Parliament increased the figure from 10 per increase of 142.17 per cent. cent to 15 per cent, the new valuations Mr. K. J. Hooper: It was a bit steep. came into force on 30 June 1974. Mr. K. J. Hooper: Did that affect your Mr. FRAWLEY: It was not unreasonable, shares in Australian Paper Mills? but unfortunately some properties were valued far in excess of comparable properties Mr. FRAWLEY: I do not own a single either next dhor. any other part of the world, so anyon~ w~o tries to lay it on me that I am dealmg m Mr. K. J. Hooper: Why did you run land is not telling the truth. away from the electorate and stand for Caboolutre? Mr. K. J. Hooper: Don't you think it could be a prominent member of the Liberal Mr. FRAWLEY: I will have to digress Party? slightly, Mr. Hewitt. Almost five-sevenths A Government Member interjected. of the proposed new seat of Caboolture is one half of Murrumba at the present time. The CHAIRlVIAN: Order! ! know this is over the head of the honour­ able member for Archerfield, but I will try to Mr. FRAWLEY: I am not going to be explain it very simply. I am trying to distracted any more by Opposition or Govern­ represent that portion of the seat which I now ment members, because I have a very import­ represent. ant submission to make here tonight. As I said, many people in the shire of Cabool­ Mr. K. J. Hooper: You would agree, ture objected to their valuations. Unfortun­ though, that Murrumba is a marginal seat and ately a lot of people did not object and those one that is likely to be won by the A.L.P. who did not object were genuinely under the impression that they did not have a leg The CHAIRMAN: Order! We are not to stand on and it was a waste of time discussing electoral boundaires. objecting. Of course, since then they have found out otherwise. Mr. FRAWLEY: No, I do not think so. l think if my brother gets the nomination for Mr. K. J. Hooper: That is what I said the National Party he will win Murrumba in in my speech. You are only pirating my a lay-down misere. I was side-tracked, Mr. speech. Hewitt, but getting back to this important Bill-the new valuation for the shire of Mr. FRAWLEY: I am not pirating the Caboolture was scheduled to come into honourable member's speech at all. Eventually force on 30 June 1972, but, because at that all the objections were heard and 570 Valuation ofLand Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendnn'nl Bill nearly all the objections by Australian Paper and W

,tt Morayfield who owned a fair-sized parcel The Isis Shire was recently revalued, nf land and who got permission to cut off following which there were a tremendous et COLipk of 0-acre blocks. He came to me number of objections, particularly from the .:omplaining bitterly about his valuation. Well, Woodgate area. All I wish to raise tonight 1 found out that he had recently sold one is the problem that occurs in a shire where of the 10-acre blocks for much more than a coastal area that has become very popular the figure at which the remainder of his contains only a very small amount of land land w·as valued. Good heavens! In a case which is given an extremely high valuation. such as that, he could not be genuine in Some blocks of land in the Woodgate area complairuing about his va}uation when only are given valuations above those of large recently he had sold a portion of the land acreages. The problem is how to rate them for a hell of a lot more money. so that people on small residential blocks on the sea side of the town of Woodgate Many genuine people do have a right to do not have to pay astronomical rates. appeal against their valuation; but certainly quite a number of people try to get in on We must acknowledge the fact that many the act and have their valuation reduced. people who live in coastal townships like Another person in Caboolture complained Woodgate, Hervey Bay, Burrum Heads and bitterly about his land being almost worth­ Toogoom in my electorate and others adjacent less and had his valuation reduced. By to Bundaberg have gone there to retire on what I regard as poenic justice the council very limited, fixed incomes. There they resumed his land. He was then in a quan­ wish to spend the rest of their lives in as dary as to hDw he could claim fairly big much comfort as ·they can. Then along comes compensation for the land. He had already a revaluation, and because of the popularity !.old the Valuer-General's Department how of the area the valuation of the land they crook that land was. In fact he couldn't do own rises astronomically. The council then a thing about it, so he tried to stop the strikes a rate, and the rate charged on the .:ouncil resuming the land. Fortunately the popular coastal areas seems to be out of council won the day. 11hose are examples proportion to that charged on other areas in of what happens with valuations. other small towns in the local authority area. So those on fixed incomes are once again The Minister has pointed out that this caught between the devil and the deep blue is the second amendment to the Valuation sea. They have found the place they wish of Land Act he has introduced since he took to retire to, but because of land valuations over the portfolio. He is making a genuine they cannot afford to stay there. attempt to do something. There are many I know that the Minister is looking at anomalies in the Valuation of Land Act, this, and I know that .the local authorities particularly in respect of land held by prim­ recognise the problem that occurs in this ary producers. Land should never be valued area. I just hope that as the Minister looks for future use. Land that is presently being to further amendments to the Act he will used for primary industry should not be be able to find some way by which we can revalued on its potential. I have always felt overcome ·this problem confronting people that the land held by a farmer who has a on fixed incomes who live in small coastal milk quota i~ certainly valued with an eye areas so that the rates they are charged will t? the pDtential value ·that the milk quota not be out of proportion .to those in the pves to the land. I feel that a milk quota rest of the local authority area in which has a very definite effect on the valuation of they live. a farmer's land. It is written into the Act that any sugar-cane land makes a difference. A problem in rural communities arises if I am qui.te certain that the land held by a the person making the valuation values a person who has a tobacco quota is valued piece of land on its potential for production in accordance with that quota. I have heard in an industry which at the time of valuation claims 1o the contrary, but I don't believe is very buoyant. Within six or seven years­ them. I believe all those people have their between .two valuations---the buoyancy of ~and valued on its potential for raising an the industry may change. The beef cattle mcome. industry provides a prime example of that. The valuation is then out of kilter with I am sure that the Minister will take a valuations in the rest of the shire. That further look at the Act. I am confident is the problem facing us and the Minister. that this will not be the last amendment I compliment him and his officers once again to this Act that we will see the present on the excellent way in which they deal with Minister or other Ministers submitting. people who have to face these problems. Mr. POWELL (lsis) (9.27 p.m.): I con­ Mr. HALES (Ipswich West) (9.31 p.m.): gratulate the Minister on introducing this It is a pity that the Deputy Leader of amendment to the Act, which causes a great the Opposition is not in the Chamber. What deal of consternation and problems to people he stated so very eloquently is close to when a shire is revalued. I compliment the what I would like to have said. It is Minister on his attitude, and I compliment not often that I agree whole-heartedly with his officers for the way in which in the area a member of the Opposition, but on this r serve they have been able to assist people occasion I certainly do. His references to in a very friendly and courteous manner. pensioners and so on were absolutely true. 572 Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill

The crux of the problem relates to the paying high rates. When a revaluation takes funding of local government. Somehow place, the high rate will be alleviated to some or other the people in government, whether degree. it be State, Federal or local government, I had quite a deal of argument with the have to come to a different arrangement to Moreton Shire Council over its attitude fund local government. I believe wholly following the 1974 flood. It had an erron­ and solely that either local government or eous attitude for quite some time-probably the ratepayers will go bankrupt. It is beyond 18 months or two years. It .took the view my comprehension how many people on that the lOO-year flood level should be fixed or low incomes can afford to pay adopted, even though subdivision had been the rates levied these days. allowed years beforehand in that area. Developers had subdivided the property and I sometimes think that many of us who sold it. M'any young owners not only from own our own homes are really renting here but also from overseas-more particu­ them from the councils. I have had num­ larly those from New Guinea who wanted to erous conversations with the honourable settle around the Brisbane area-were member for Surfers Paradise, who is quite stymied for 18 months or two years in their eminent in the local authority field. We efforts to build on those properties because have formulated four or five ideas on how the Moreton Shire Council would not grant to overcome the problem. One concerns approval. For about two years those young the imposition of a poll tax. This method property owners were seriously disadvant­ should be investigated because it would be aged. And, incidentally, the cost of building one way of funding local government. homes escalated dramatically in that time. Another method would be to get more funds from Canberra. In my view the Moreton Shire Council should have been taken to task more than Like the honourable member for Mm­ it ever was. Fortunately, common sense pre­ rumba, I wonder whether the minimum· rate vailed and now those young owners can was a good idea. In many instances the build on their properties. The Moreton minimum rate struck is not the right one. Shire Council should have adopted the 20-year I am sure that when a minimum rate of, flood level, because its decision caused tre­ say, $140 is struck, many landholders feel mendous economic burdens for those young that they should let the council resume the property owners. That should never have land for arrears of rates. happened. I congratulate the Minister on that amendment to the Act. My main reason for speaking tonight was A further amendment is the provision that to refer to the effect of the 197 4 floods will alleviate the rate burden on a person in Ipswich and surrounding areas, particularly who buys a property next door to his own, the Moreton Shire Council area. Many for some reason best known to himself. We of my friends had problems with the Valuer­ have a real and a tremendous problem with General's valuations after the 1974 flood. the rates that are levied by councils today. The Ipswich City Council's decision not to I pay $400 rates a half year. I publicly adopt the lOO-year flood level but the 20-year say to the member for Mt. Isa, who com­ flood level was right and proper. Any plains about the rates in Mt. !sa, that I would land in Ipswich under the lOO-year flood like him to come and live in Ipswich. lt level is virtually worthless because people is probably a weil-managed city, but we will not buy such vacant land at the moment. have very high rates. In 20 years' time they may have forgotten what happened. One very good friend of Mr. Casey: Surely you don',t have to pay mine at one stage of the game was in $400 a year for a drink of water, like they the very fortunate position of owning three do in Mt. Isa? homes quite close to the river. They were rented and paying for themselves. He was Mr. HALES: They have problems there. making a little profit, which was paying I am just illustrating the problem that we the rates and so on, but when the floods have in Ipswich. The honourable member came the three homes went down the river. for Mackay might have problems in his This unfortunate gentleman and his wife area. I am just saying that I wonder how now have three vacant blocks of land and people on fixed incomes in my area can three mortgages that he has to meet. Because afford the rates charged by the Ipswich his assets were above a certain figure, he City Council. I have no ready answer, but received no assistance from the Government. I hope that this Government, the Federal Government or anybody who is brought in Mr. Casey: With this Government? on this committee of the Minister for Valua­ tion and the Minister for Main Roads will Mr. HALES: The State Government and come up with some better idea for fundin? the Federal Government, which was the local councils, because that is absolutely Whitlam Government. It happened with both necessary. As far as I am concerned, it Governments, I will agree. is vital that that happen very, very soon. Once again, I thank the Minister for What h::JJppened .there was that he could bringing in these amendments to the Act. not get any monetary alleviation whatsoever; They will be a great help to many peop·le so he is still paying off the mortgage and in the Ipswich and West Moreton areas. Valuation of Land Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendment Bill 573

!Vir. SIMPSON (Cooroora) (9.40 p.m.): I undetermined objections exceeds 15 per cent commend the Minister on the introduction of the valuation of the local authority area of another Bill to amend the Valua·tion of is a wise one because local authorities. in Land Act and on bringing it down at a this high inflation period, could find them­ more respectable hour than a quarter to 6 selves in an embarrassing financial position if in the morning, as was the case with the they did not keep abreast of costs. They previous Bill. need this option and this ability to use the valuation or make an assessment of what The amendments give the Minister more they want to do. scope to overcome the existing valuation anomalies. The proposal in connection with Perhaps we should reduce it to 10 per cent by-laws and certain town-planning regula­ and give the same option as local government tions that have disadvantaged properties is had before. That might be more worth important. If people think that they are while, as some councils might prefer not going to receive an overnight cure and a to proceed. We could return to a stable sudden change, they are in for a rude awaken­ situation where we do not have high inflation ing because in actual fact valuations are and it might be an option that would be arrived at from sales. Sales do not reflect more in line with the requirements of the changes made in town plans for some time; local authority in those circumstances. in some cases years. That is where many The other matter of concern is that people anomalies arise. whose land is valued expect to be dealt with I cite the latest valuation in the Maroochy fairly by the Government in that valua•tion. Shire where a new town plan has come into I have found that the majority of people operation. lt provides that land cannot now think that as the valuation was made by a be subdivided into five-acre blocks. How­ Government department, and as it is not ever, the valuers came along and said, "This the Government's job to have a go at them, parcel is 25 acres of land. Therefore it will the valuation must be correct. But it does not be valued at five times the sale price of five always work out that way. When many acres." In some cases the valuer valued objections are made to valuations, I believe 30 or 40 acres of land at $30,000 to it is incumbent on the Government to see $40,000 whereas in actual fact it could not that no mistakes have been made in the be sold for any more than half that amount. valuations. That is all very easy to say, of i am pleased that the Minister did look at course, but the whole business of land valua­ some of •these valuations and have them tion is an extremely difficuJt estimate and drastically slashed. often valuers have to substantiate their va[ues in court. There are other by-laws and things that I think the whole timing of valuations, disadvantage the valuation of land. At sales and by-law changes will have to be Munna Point, flooding was caused in my looked at closely by the Valuer-General. opinion by the building of the new Noosa Sound. It altered the hydraulics and the Mr. Greenwood: I just hope that the level of water there. The result was that M aroochy Shire Council does not change any property was flooded. Many people say of its by-laws or ordinances in the immedillite that :flooding is a natural phenomenon. But future. when 30 and 40-year-old trees die, even the trees think it is a hard deal, too. There Mr. SIMPSON: There are many problems again, that can be disguised over a number there now without any more changes to of years if we go back to the criterion by-laws. of the sale price of land. When a person Many by-laws, like some of ,those of the is involved with rising values of land, it Maroochy Shire Council, are brought in might depress ithem for a little while. In because councils see good rural land cut fact, in a situation like that, sales no longer into small allotments. They say, "We can't take place so that the valuer does not have have this 2-acre business. We'll make it a them as a basis. He has to wait until there 5-acre minimum." Land then star.ts to go are some sales or use sales that have occurred off in parcels of five acres. The coundl then in the nearest location. So that we have a says, "We must stop this. We'll make it a masking of the effect of what might be 10-acre minimum." Then land goes off in taking place, and when people forget, as 10-acre blocks. The council then looks to was instanced by the honourable member for the Valuer-General and says, "Will you Ipswich West when he referred to what could blokes help us here by clobbering a few of happen following the flooding in Brisbane and these people with high valuations? That will Ipswich, sales will occur again. bring them into gear." I am sure that most The other amendments covering the valua­ councils would not seriously think of doing tion of more than one block and giving the that but at times it does make one wonder. Valuer-General scope to make valuations The abiHty to pay rates is behind much of between the normal times are commend­ the concern over land valuations. We find able, as are those relating to computers and an easy way out of the situation by saying, to the time for applying the valuation for "Let us finance local authorities by local government use. The amendment having a larger percentage of personal covering the period before which the valua­ income tax returned to them." AHhough tions cannot be used if the amount of I have advocated this, I believe this is an 574 Valuation ofLand Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977] Amendmnzt Bill over-simplification of the problem. If we if that is not agreed to that is just bad spread taxation over a number of areas, we luck. In other ViOrds, people do not have can be fairer to the whole community. In the normal right of appeal even if through other words, personal income tax, with some no fault of their own they do not receive form of pay-as-you-go consumer tax and their valuation notice. Those are just a fe" some form of property tax, places on the of the problems people have to face in community a more average system of taxa­ connection wi:h the Valuation of Land Act. tion. Of course, another obvious problem crops But when taxation gets out of all reason up in land development. If a person develops, and beyond ability to pay, to the point where say, 20 urban blocks in a de?elopment, he a pensioner, for example, finds himself con­ is required by the local authority to install fronted with a situa:tion that virtually worries sewerage, power and water and build roads him or her to death, it is quite wrong and we and so forth. The valuer then comes along as a Government should look hard for ways of and values within the property pegs. The easing the problem. In some such situations blocks might sell for, say, $10,000, but we could lessen the worry of concerned the cost to the developer might baNe been people, because they have in their property $7,000 and therefore the unimproved value probably sufficient equity to pay their rates should be something more like $3,000 a for the rest of their days. But it is the block. But instead it is $10,000 less some­ thought of suddenly having to pay high rates thing, say, $9,500, that then becomes the that erther forces them to sell or worries unimproved value on which that person pays them so much that it affects their health. rates for the services which are normally pro­ Unfortunately, when these old people ask vided such as roads, kerbing and channe11ing. a valuer, "What am I going to do? On a So in that situation they are being dispropor­ pension I can't pay ,the high rates that will tionately rated. I know there are problems come from this high valuation", the valuer associated with this and some occur because often says, "You can always sell out and go the Valuer-General is trying to stick to a rigid somewhere else." I do not think remarks like formula that runs very close to sale prices. that are in the best interests of those old people. In my opinion the present unimproved values operated far better when valuers took Then we have the case of people who into account that sales in a very large provide an essential service. There is pro­ number of cases are to blind pumhasers and vision in the Act for farmers in rural areas under special circumstances that are not an to have their properties valued according to indication of the across-the,board value of the sale of similar primary-producing land. properties. In the past they used to say, In other words, we have some consideration "Right, we will take three-quarters ~! the of ability to pay, and I say "some" because sale price and put that across the board , and even in that situation councils still need most property owners were happy to acc~pl revenue to run their shires and if we con­ that valuation. The va~luers are usuaHy qmck tinue with the same funding situation land­ to come back and say "Oh, but you wouldn't owners could well find themselves priced accept that if it were a case of resumption." off their properties because of high rates. In my opinion, I would say "Yes, I will I believe we as the Government must accept that. That is fair enough. But you look at a new type of agreement whereby must also see that you pay for disturbance the land-owner and the local authority, with and, beyond doubt, give adequate compensa­ the Government as a validating partner in tion." So in fact the situation would be the agreement, arrive at a set amount that covered up to what might be the highest price that property will contribute to that local that could be found for that land, and that is authority. I believe in that way we could an argument which I think can be better met. look to the future with some security for We would end up with a valuation that those primary producers who are, at the was acceptable to more people. moment, fearful of being pushed off their properties or not being able to hand them I will give an example for the benefit down to their sons and daughters. If that of those who may think that the present happens expertise will be lost to the industry system is perfect and that human error and productive properties will be lost. Then does not come into it. A person in the we will end up much worse off in the pro­ Noosa Shire received a valuation about duction of essential food and other primary which he was very concerned. He appealed products. against it, but because he did not lodge his appeal in time it was not allowed and he I might also bring to the attention of the was told, "No, you have been properly Minister something which he might consider valued." In the next shire he has a piece in future amendments to this Act, and that of land some of which was resumed for is a provision which allows a right of appeal road purposes, and he has been offered half to a court to people who, for reasons out­ the price that the Valuer-General has in side their control, have not had a valuation fact put on the remainder of the land. That notice delivered to them. As I understand shows that the sys1em is not perfect and it, at the moment people have no such right that people have some right to expect that under the Act and the Minister can in fact they should be dealt with more fairly by only ensure that a valuation is made, and Governments. If we adopted a !TI.ore humane Valuation ofLmu! Act [13 SEPTEMBER 1977) Amendment Bill 575

:t~titude and looked at the situation more ·"::n·ants to investigate over and over again. conservatively, we would in fact be dealina but instead we ask all interested people more fairly with land-owners. "' in this State, from the academics to those I commend the Minister for bringing for­ involved in local authorities and the ordinary ward these very worthwhile amendments to ratepayer-the consumer in this field-to the Act. They will give the Valuer-General put forward suggestions as to how this age­ far more scope to act fairly and overcome old problem might be overcome. anomalies that arise between valuations. I believe that we ought to start with a :\1r. WRIGHT (Rockhampton) (9.58 p.m.): system of taxing based on land usage. I would advocate that there should be a base I have liste~ed very intently to speakers I rm;n both sides of the Chamber, and I rate for the residential block, with a right begin to wonder what we are doing here, of challenge or a right of concession because Mr. Hewitt. Regardless of the amendments of the multi-problem nature of an area or that this Assembly makes to the Valuation because of the incapacity of the land-owner of Land Act, there will always be the to pay. This would be very simple. If a anomalies that the Minister is trying to base rate were set and the person who owned overcome. Regardless of the efforts that he the land or lived on the property were a makes and the efforts that the Minister pensioner, that person could apply for a for Local Government and Main Roads concession. This happens at the moment in makes, the problems of loca·l authorities will that a pensioner can apply for the 25 per not be resolved by revaluation of land in cent or the 30 per cent concession, or in this State. Jlt has been shown in every other some cases up to the 50 per cent concession, /\ustralian State and every other country and that concession can be granted by the tha~ raisiEg local authority revenue by simply local authority. hasmg a tax on the value of land is not An Honourable Member: Some don't give the answer. Perhaps I should say "the t:nimproved value of land", or "land as Cap­ any. tain Cook saw it". which really is a joke. Mr. WRIGHT: Some don't give any, and Although the Minister is endeavouring to that is probably one of the greatest prob­ overcome difiiculties that have arisen since lems. the amendments were made in March this year, again it is quite obvious that further After all, it is not the unimproved value amendments wi.JI have to be made in a which is determined. The valuation is based very short time unless the system is changed. on what the next block sold for last week J ask: why should local authority taxes or the year before. It is based on the going be based in the main on land values assessed price of land, which breaks down the whole by a central authority? Surely the time principle of the original Act. If we used has come for the Queensland Parliament to this base rate for a residential block, and rethink its approach to revenue-raising for built from there, maybe we could get some­ local authorities in this State. The anomalies where. We could follow on to a special :tre self-perpetuating, and they always will be accommodation-type classification so that all ''hile we use the present system of reasses­ those houses that are used for rental, for smg the value of land in particular areas. flats or for multi-units could have a higher They will be self-perpetuating as long as taxing system than that applied to people 1ncal authorities have the right to review who Jive in their own homes. There ought their by-laws and their town plans, and so to be a business and industry tax applied it will go on and on and on. to those pieces of land that are used to earn income. i ··;t to you, 1\1r. Hewitt-and I think honouwble members will agree- Mr. Gygar: Are you going to put up that a riditclous and unfair situaiion arises taxes again? You want to increase tax on " h '2!1 an

Mr. WRIGHT: It is not an academic Mr. Wright: I acknowledged what you are theory. We know how the honourable mem­ doing. ber has fiddled some books before today. It would be a sad day if he ever become the Treasurer; but that is by the way. Mr. GREENWOOD: I assure the hon­ ourable member that this fundamental ques­ If this system were used, and we had a tioning to which he referred is very much tax based on the residential nature of a under way. We do not hesitate to obtain as piece of bnd, or on the productivi.ty of a much advice and assistance as we can from piece of land, then the land-usage question other parts of AustraHa and other parts of would certainly be considered. When it the world. But at present I am tota,Ily comes to units and fiats more people would be using the facilities tha:t the local authority unconvinced that the interests of the people supplies. If businesses are using a certain of Queensland would be advanced one iota area they benefit by the services supplied by by the trouble, expense and delay of any sort the local authority, and also they have a of a royal commission, committee of inquiry greater capacity to pay. This ought to be or any other expensive and long-winded considered. We could go on and on amend­ method of arriving at conclusions Which are ing the Valuation of Land Act; we could do quite capable of being arrived at by the com­ it year in and year out without resolving bined expertise of our PubJ,ic Service and the the problem. This has been said not only members of this Assembly. by me but also by the Minister in charge of this legislation and by many Government and Opposition members. The time has come Ordinarily I would deal with the contri­ for a change and I suggest it will take a butions made by the various honourable courageous person to effect the change. members tonight. Many of their contribu­ tions were very substantial However, in At the moment the States are anxious view of the lateness of the hour I think about what Fraser federalism means-that is, there is some merit in the last not orrly they carry out their responsibi-lities and tax being first but also last. I propose to de a I according to their responsibilities. If we were with the contributions made by other hon­ to make a similar suggestion to local authori­ ourable members in the course of my pre­ ties we would virtually be saying, "You will liminary remarks at the second-reading have to impose the taxes. If we give you a stage. system of income based on resudential blocks, or an accommodation tax on fiats or units Motion (Mr. Greenwood) agreed to. or a business and industry tax, you will have to consider some sort of tourist or vehicle Resolution reported. registration tax." Let us at least consider these matters, because our present system is creating a self-perpetuating problem. Some­ FIRST READIKG thing must be done about it. I urge the Minister to seek advice from other people Bill presented and, on motion of Mr involved in this area, that is, those associated Greenwood, read a first time. with local authorities and the ratepayers gen­ erally. The House adjourned at 10.11 p.m.