9 April 1975

656 (ASSEMBLY.]

2. SEWERAGE Swan View Mr MOILER, to the Minister for Water Wednesday, the 9th April, 1975 Supplies: (1) Is It Intended to extend the sewer- The SPEAKER (Mr Hutchinson) took age system at present installed the Chair at 4.30 p.m., and read prayers. in Swan View, into the areas of Kingsfield Avenue, Chartwell BILLS (8): MESSAGES Way, Churchill Drive and Bladon Appropriations Way, in the near future? (2) If "Yes" would he outline the Messages from the Governor received proposed works and timetabling and read recommending appropriations for for the work? the Purposes of the following Bills- (3) If "No" to (1) will he study the 1. Wesply (Dardanup) Agreement Auth- need for sewerage installation in orization Bill. the areas mentioned, and indicate 2. Fruit-growing Reconstruction Scheme when such work may be antici- Act Amendment Bill. pated? 3. Registration of Identity of Persons Mr O'NEIL replied: Bill. (1) No. 4. Education Act Amendment Bill. (2) Not applicable. 5. Factories and Shops Act Amendment (3) Yes. No firm date can be given Bill, for construction of this work as 6. Parliamentary Salaries and Allow- It will be controlled by availability ances Act Amendment Bill. of funds and the priorities of Messages from the Lieutenant-Governor other works. and Administrator received and read recommending appropriations for the pur- 3. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT poses of the following Bills- Export of Hardwood 7. Superannation and Family Benefits Mr FLETCHER, to the Minister for Act Amendment Bill. Industrial Development: 8. Salaries and Allowances Tribunal Bill (1) Is he aware of comment on page (2nd). 109 of the 21st March, 1975, Issue of Overseas Trading journal. QUESTIONS (83): ON NOTICE which makes reference to "Italian Furniture Industry seeks addi- 1. EDUCATION tional Hardwood Supplies"? Transport of School Children: Subsidy (2) Is he further aware that the demand for timber will continue? Mr T. D. EVANS. to the Treasurer: (3) Does this State export any indi- (1) Under the Treasury Department genous hardwood to Italy for the scheme for subsidising the bus purpose mentioned? fares of school children utilising MTT services, what is the maxi- (4) If not, will he have his depart- mumn fare payable by a child for ment explore Prospects of export- a single ing any variety of our hardwoods journey from home to to Italy to satisfy the demand school? mentioned? (2) Does the Treasury Department subsidise public transport services Mr ONell (for Mr MENSAROS) rein any country centres In the plied: case of children travelling be- (1) to (3) No. tween home and school and re- (4) Yes. turn? (3) If "Yes" to (2) above. in what 4. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT centres? Exports to Ecuador and Venezuela (4) If "No" to (2) above, why? Mr FLETCHER, to the Minister for- (5) Again if "Yes" to (2) above, what Industrial Development: is the maximum fare payable by (1) Is he aware of comment on pages a child for a single journey? 105 and 110 of the 21st March, Sir CHARLES COURT replied: 1975, issue of Overseas Trading (1) 5c. journal wherein reference is made to the import needs of (2) Yes. Ecuador and Venezuela? (3) Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Albany and (2) Is he also aware- Busselton. (a) that tenders are called in (4) Answered by (2). national papers for goods (5) 50. and services; and [Wednesday, 9 Apr11, 1975)

(b) that tractors, agricultural explain how, in the absence of machinery, cattle and sheep information on the origin of the are mentioned among Items traffic coming onto the Kwinana required? Freeway, the Main Roads Depart- (3) Is advantage being taken by the ment has been able to predict the Minister's department of this po- reduction in traffic volumes tential export market through through residential streets in any agent in the States men- Melville and Manning, and the tioned? traffic flow on the southern (4) If not, will early action bc taken extension to the Swinana Free- to this end? way? (2) With reference to question 48 Mr 014e11 (for Mr MENBAROS) re- part (3) on the 26th March, 1975, plied:- what is the capacity (I) in ve- (1) and (2) No. hicles per hour. and (11) in ve- (3) Not at this time. hicles per day, bearing In mind the usual distribution of traffic (4) inquiries will be made through between peak and off-peak hours, appropriate Australian Trade and the inequality in north- Commissioners. bound and southbound flows at peak hours of the interchange be- 5. SALINITY PROBLEMS tween the Kwinana 'Freeway and Engagement of Specialist the Mitchell Freeway? (3) What is the capacity in vehicles Mr A. R. TONKIN, to the Premier:. per hour of the proposed Inter- (1) Is the Government currently ad- change between the southern vertising for a specialist in water extension to the lKwinana Free- salinity problems? way and Leach Highway? (2) If so, for which department is (4) What is the expected peak traffic he required, and upon what par- flow in vehicles per hour in 1980 at ticular projects will hie be em- the interchange referred to In ployed? (3), and how was this calculated, Sir CHARLES COURT replied: In the light of the answer to (1) and (2) The Department of En- question 44 part (2) on the 26th vironmental Protection recently March, 1975? advertised for a research officer (5) What is the capacity in vehicles whose duties would fall in this per hour of the Proposed inter- category, although not specifically change between the on and off referred to as such. ramps at Cranford Avenue on The successful applicant will the proposed southern extension work with a ]Forests Department to the Ftwinana Freeway? research team with the prime oh- (6) What is the expected peak traf- jective of ndinimising possible fic flow In vehicles per hour in adverse influences in surface and 1980 at the on ramp referred to ground water hydrology. In (3) and how was this calculated in the light of the answer This would be part of an existing to question 9 on the 27th March, and continuing programme. 1975? In more recent years, a commit- (7) What is the capacity in vehicles tee, under the Chairmanship of per hour of the road which al- Mr H. E. Hunt, Chief Engineer, lows traffic moving south on the Metropolitan Water Board, was Kwinana. Freeway to turn east formed and comprised representa- onto Canning Highway In the tives of the University, C.S.L.R.O.. proposed Interchange between Public Works, Forests, Agriculture, the Kwinana Freeway and the Mines and Industrial. Develop- Canning Highway? ment Departments. This commit- (8) What Is the capacity in vehicles tee has been examining the whole per hour on the road which al- matter in detail and has included lows traffic moving South on the field work in its activities. Swinana Freeway to turn west onto Canning Highway in the 6. KWINAJNA FREEWAY EXTENSION interchange referred to in (7)? Vehicles from Southern Suburbs, and (9) Why is it not possible to use Traffic Flow grade separation for the connect- Mr A. Rl. TONKIN, to the Minister ing roads described in (7) and for Transport: (8) ? (1) With reference to the answers to (10) How has it been predicted that the questions 44 part (2) on the only 900 vehicles per day extra 26th March, 1975, and 9 on the would travel on the major north- 27th March, 1915, would he south spine as a consequence 058 [ASSE!LY.J of the southern extension to the Mr O'Neil (for Mr MENSAROS) re- Kwinana Freeway, given figures plied: 2.2 and 8.1 of the Main Roads (1) Yes. Department booklet on the proposed southern extension dated (2) No. May, 1974, which shows that the (3) There is excellent co-operation tote? traffic in 1979 on Manning between the relevant departments Road, Canning Highway just and instrumentalities of the Gov- west of the Swinana Freeway, ernment of Western Australia and and the proposed southern exten- other groups conducting or having sion would only be 900 per day Interests in solar research. Fre- more than on Manning Road and quent contact is maintained. A Canning Highway (west) if the recent report on domestic solar hot southern extension were not con- water heaters prepared by the structed? Fuel and Power Commission has (11) With reference to the figures been made available to the described in the previous ques- CSIP.O. Further work Is continu- tion, the traffic forecast for the ing. Kwlnana Freeway is 6 900 vehicles per day less when the 9. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION southern extension is completed, and as the traffic originating COUNCIL from or destined to the south will Filling of Vacancies increase by 900 vehicles per day the 6 900 vehicles per day reduc- Mr A. R. TONKIN, to the Minister tion must arise from elimination for Conservation and Environment: of the ,Bickley Street/Kwinana (1) When is it expected that the two Freeway interchange, why was vacancies on the Environmental the lKwinana Freeway/Canning Protection Council will be filled? Highway Interchange not de- (2) What steps will be taken by him signed to permit the movement to ensure that new members will of this traffic onto the freeway? be acceptable to the environ- (12) Why does the benefit cost analy- mental Interests In Western Aus- sis for the proposed southern tralia? extension not include a debit for Mr STEPHENS replied: the increased travel time and higher accident exposure rate (1) At the earliest possible date, after for the 6 900 vehicles per day re- all factors have been considered ferred to in (11)? In depth, (2) The opinions of the present En- Mr O'CONNOR repied: vironmental Protection Council The information required by the members will be taken into Member will take some time to account at its meeting on 10th collate. April. I will forward this Information when It Is available. 10. KWINANA FREEWAY EXTENSION Alternative Proposals: MRPA Report 7. This question was post poned. Mr A. R. TONKIN to the Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning:, 8. SOLAR ENERGY With reference to question 57 Exchange of Information part (2) on 27th March, 1075, why were those who provided de- Mr A. R, TONKIN, to the Minister tailed submissions on alternative for Fuel and Energy: proposals to the Main Roads De- (1) Is he aware of a recently signed partment Preferred Plan not pro- international agreement which vided with copies of the reports will arrange for Australia to on their proposals in time to exchange information on solar comment to the MRPA before energy systems with other coun- the reports were tabled in Par- tries? liament? (2) Has the Government been ap- Mr RUSHTON replied: proached by the Australian Gov- Discussions were held by the Main ernment or by CSIRO, for its co- Roads Departmnent with the ob- operation In the project? jectors who submitted detailed (3) What resources and/or Informa- proposals. The events leading to tion does the State have which the tabling of the Report in Par- would be of value to the CEIRO liament were i-n accordance with In implementing the agreement? the provisions of the legislation. [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975] 659

11. KWINANA FREEWAY concrete structures on soil foun- EXTENSION dations, is often less than that to similar structures on rock Select Committee Report on Road Safety foundations? (4) floes the Minister agree with the Mr A. R. TONKIN, to the Mlinster Snowy Mountains Engineering for Transport: Corporation that combating risks (1) Is the Main Roads Department in a tunnel construction would aware of the recommendations of be very difficult and very costly? the House of Representatives (5) If the answer to (4) is in the af- Select Committee on Road firmative, how does the Minister Safety's report on Roads and reconcile the fact that the Lim- their Environment? fjord Tunnel in Denmark only (2) Is the Main Roads Department costs marginally more than the substantially in agreement with estimate for an equivalent bridge these recommendations? upon a base which is essentially similar to the base underlying (3) If the answer to (2) Is "No" would the proposed Canning tunnel? he please detail which of the recommendations are considered Mr O'CONNOR replied: to be Invalid and why? (1) Paragraph 8.4 refers to one Of the (4) If the answer to (2) is "Yes". environmental effects which would he please explain why th would require further study; it is relevant recommendations are not not a quantified result relating to considered in the various docu- a particular design. ments supporting the case for a (2) Not necessarily, as more detailed southern extension to the EwIn- study would be required. How- ana. Freeway? ever, I believe the Snowy Moun- tains Engineering Corporation Mr O'CONNOR replied: has presented a responsible re- (1) Yes. port for the level of investigation (2) to (4) The recommendations of undertaken. the committee cover a wide range (3) Refer to question 50, 26th March, of activities. However, the Part (2). recommendations do not intro- (4) See (2). duce any new aspects that have (5) The Ijmfiord situation is not not already been taken into ac- comparable with the situation re- count in the freeway proposal be- Ported in appendix III of the fore this Parliament. MRPA report.

12. KWINANA FREEWAY 13. LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXTENSION RED Scheme: Commonwealth Tunnel Design Funds Mr A. Rt. TONK{IN, to the Minister Mr HARMAN, to the Minister for for Transport: Local Government: (1) With reference to question 5 on (1) Would he list the local authori- 27th March, 1975 and paragraph ties in the metropolitan area that 8.4 of the Main Roads Depart- have received grants from the ment document "Possible Use of Australian Government for RED Tunnel", if the answer to ques- scheme projects? tion 5 is unknown, how has the (2) Would he also list the number of Main Roads Department been projects per authority and the able to make the assertion in amounts of each project? paragraph 8.4? (2) Does he agree with the Snowy Mr RUJSHTON replied: Mountains Engineering Corpora- (1) and (2) This information will tion when It states that It Is take some time to compile and technically desirable to replace I will make it available to the soil foundations with rockfill for Member as soon as possible. a reinforced concrete tunnel and dewatering costs for a tunnel for 14. COMMISSIONER FOR the proposed extension of the CONSUMER AFFAIRS Kwinana Freeway? Appointment (3) If the answer to (2) is in the affirmative, how does he reconcile Mr HARMAN, to the Minister for this answer with reports by the Consumer Affairs: Architectural Institute of Japan (1) Has the Government appointed that In earthquakes of moderate a new Commissioner for Con- Intensity, damage to reinforced sumer Affairs? [ASSEMBLY.]

(2) If so, when will the new ap- hospital funds promised by the pointee commence duties? Australian Government as a (3) If not, when will the appoint- maj or condition of joining Medi- ment be made? bank? (2) Is it true as reported that "The Mr GRAYDEN replied: need for more funds would be (1) Not yet. one of the main points in nego- tiations on Medibank" when State (2) Answered by (1). Ministers and the Australian (3) The appointment is close to fin- Minister for Social Security meet alisation. in Sydney this week? 15. RETAIL TRADE ADVISORY (3) Is it true as reported that the four non-Labor States would AN]) CONTROL COMMITTEE raise eight main points that were Membershtip and Meetings vital? Mr HARMAN, to the Minister for (4) If this Is so will he state what Labour and Industry: these eight main points are? (1) Who are the present members of (5) If the demand for more funds the Retail Trade Advisory and is one of the main points being Control Committee? put forward by Western Austra- lia in conjunction with the other (2) H-ow many meetings has this non-Labor States as a condition committee held since the 1st does this not show up the hollow- April, 1974? ness of his statement in relation (3) When was the representative of to Medibank that, "There are the consumers appointed, and times when other matters, in- when did that person first at- cluding the vital principles of tend a meeting? personal freedom of choice trans- (4) Did the committee examine the cend dollars and cents"? question of shops trading at night on the 24th April, or any other Sir CHARLES COURT replied: night near that date, and clos- (1) Yes. Ing on Saturday, the 26th April? (2) Yes--but I emphasise it Is only (5) if so, what recommendation did one amongst other main points the committee make to the Mini- of great importance. ister? (3) Yes. There are also many detailed (6) What action does he propose administrative points to be re- against shops that closed on solved if the main issues are Easter Saturday last? agreed upon. Mr GRAYDEN replied: (4) Not at this stage of discussions. (1) Mr H. A. Jones, Under Secretary of the Department of Labour and (5) No. industry-Chairman, Mr E. C. Benness-to represent the occu- 17. This question was postpjoned until piers of shops, Mrs P. Silver-to Tuesday, the 15th April. represent the purchasers of goods from shops. 18. ALLENDALE SCHOOL (2) Six. Class rooms (3) Appointed in Executive Council 12th December. 1974. attended Mr CARR, to the Minister represent- first meeting on 12th February, ing the Minister for Education: 1975. With reference to question 711 of (4) No. The committee was not ap- Thursday, 27th March, and as proached to consider the matter. the answer to part (5) appears (5) Answered by (4). to be in conflict with the answer (6) None, Shops other than service to part (2), will the Minister stations on roster are not required Please clarify how many of the by law to remain open. prefabs are being used as classrooms at Allendale school? 16. MEDIBANK HEALTH Mr GRAYDEN replied: SCHEME The school is at present using all Points o! Disagreement three Bristol classrooms. One of these is used for the special class Mr J. T. TONKIN, to the Premier: comprising 14 students. The (1) Is Western Australia one of the other two are being used as class- three non-Labor States reported rooms but need not be so. if in last Saturday's The West Auts- the school were staffed with its tralian which will demand an in- normal entitlement there would crease of at least $190 million In be no classes for these rooms. The [Wednesday, 9 April. 1975) 6616

school has been given two addi- expense where necessary. Such tional teachers and has elected installations in primary school to organise the school with two canteens will be subsidised on a more classes rather than use the $ for $ basis in accordance with additional staff on a withdrawal policy. type of school organisation. 22. CONSUJMER PROTECTION 19. TRAFFIC Goods. Marking of Quantity, School Crosswalk Attendants Mr CARE, to the Minister for Con- Ur CARR, to the Minister for Traffic: sumer Affairs: What is the body at present re- (1.) Does his department have the sponsible for appointment and power to require the quantity of administration of school cross- contents to be marked on, for ing attendants- example, a packet of soap? (a) in the metropolitan area; (2) if yes- (b) in country areas? (is he aware that a number Mr O'CONNOR replied: of products give no written indication of the quantity (a) Commissioner of Police. of contents, and also are (b) (1) Appointment - Commis- often packaged in a mislead- sioner of Police. Ing manner: 0Ii) Administration - local (b) what action is contemplated? authority or Conmmis- (3) if "No" to (1), has he considered sioner of Police accord- or will he consider amendments ing to who exercises traf- to strengthen his department's fic control. bandP 20. EDlUCATION Mr ORAYDEN replied: Dental Clinics (1) Provisions under the Weights and Measures Act require a state- Mr CARE, to the Minister represent- ment of net weight, measure or ing the Minister for Health: number to be marked on pre- Which schools are equipped with packed articles. dental Clinics-- (2) A number of articles are exempt (a) In the metropolitan area; from the above provisions. The (b) in the country areas? -matter of deeptive packaging is currently under consideration by Mr O'CONNOR replied: all States. (a) Anzac Terrace primary (3) Answered by (1). school. Balga primary school. B~rentwood primary school. 23. MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSES Camboon primary school. Concessions Kewdale primary school. Mannion primary school. Mr CARR, to the Minister for Traffic: Newborough primary school. (1) Will he detail provisions relating Nollamara primary school. to free or part concessions for Palmyra primary school. motor vehicle licenses? Willetton primary .ichool. (2) What currently Is the figure re- Yokine primary school. ferred to as the basic wage (b) Newman primary school. against which Income Is compared? (3) When was this figure last re- 21. SCHOOL CANTEENS viewed? Parts (4) When will it next be reviewed? Mr CARR, to the Minister representing the Minister for Education: Mr O'CONNOR replied: Will the Minister advise Whe- (1) Section 1.1 of the Traffic Act out- ther departmental funds are lines the Provisions generally but available to install cooler fans to Itemise these provisions would or exhaust fans in school Can- be a very lengthy procedure. teen buildings? If the Member wishes some specific information, I would be Mr GRAYDEN replied: pleased to Supply same. However, Departmental funds are not If the full detailed Provisions are available for providing cooler required, It would be preferable fans in school canteens. Exhaust that same be submitted to the fans will be installed In high Member by way of correspond- school canteens at departmental ence. 662 [ASSEMBLY.]

(2) $48.50 per week. (2) (a) Two-bedroom family ap- (3) may 31, 1974. Proved 8/4/75. (4) Currently under review. (b) Three-bedroom family approved 2/4/15. 24. SERVICE STATIONS (3) No. Night Service Fee Mr CARR, to the Minister for Labour 27. HOUSING and Industry: Geraldton (1) Are service stations which oPer- Mr CARR, to the Minister for Hous- ate on major highways on a 24 ing: hour basis permitted to charge Further to his answer to part (4) an extra fee for being awakened Of question 70 of Thursday, the during the night? 27th March, 1975, in which he (2) If "Yes", will the Minister please said that subject to local auth- provide details? ority approvals, construction can Mr GRAYDEN replied: be arranged for 12 single de- (1) There is no legislation in this tached dwellings for Aboriginal State which controls the prices families in Oeraldton- of requisites or fees for services (a) is it correct to interpret this which are normally available as meaning that the Com- from service stations. mission is going to proceed to build these houses if local (2) Answered by (1).- authority approval is forthcoming; and 25. QERAIJDTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL (b) if so, what is the projected Tenders time schedule for this work? Mr CARR, to the Minister represent- Mr O'NEIL replied: ing the Minister for 'Education: (a) Yes. (1) When is it anticipated that ten- (b) Commencement Is expected ders *will be called for the con- before 30th June, 1975. structian of the Geraldton technical school? (2) When is it anticipated the school 23. TEACHERS will be in operation? Recruits fram America Mr GRAYDEN replied: Mr CARR, to the Minister repre- (1) December 1975. senting the Minister for Education: (1) How many American secondary (2) May 1977l. teachers have been brought to Western Australia in recent 26. HOUSING years? Geraldian (2) Will he provide a breakdown of Mr CARR, to the Minister for Hous- how many were brought out each ing; Year? (1) How many of the applications (3) How many are presently employed listed in each category of State by the Education Department? Housing Commission accommnodation in Gcraldton have been ap- Mr GRAYDEN replied: proved for emergency housing? (1) 78 teachers. (2) What is the length of waiting (2) 1974-70 teachers. time in each case since it was ap- 1975--8 teachers. proved as being an emergency? (3) 71 teachers. (3) Is it a fact that some cases which under normal circum- 29. stances of supply and demand TOWN PLANNING would be approved for emergency Geraldton Region Planning Committee housing are being declined because of the pressure for those Mr CARR, to the Minister for Urban houses available? Development and Town Planning:, (1) When was the Geraldton Region Mr O'NETL replied:, Planning Committee established? (1) There arc currently two families (2) What are the responsibilities with emergency priority and charged to the committee? awaiting housing assistance listed (3) What is the basis on which its in the following classification- membership is comprisedV (a) one two-bedroom family; (4) Who are the persons presently (b) one three-bedroom family. serving on the committee? [Wednesday, 9 Apr11, 1975163 663

Mr RUSHTON replied: Is community based and un- (1) A committee which became able to raise alternative known as the Geraldton District finance by self -help and Regional Planning Committee other means. was established in March 1963. Secondly, through prof es- (2) The committee was charged with sional services available from the preparation of town planning the newly established early proposals covering the Town of childhood development unit Geraldton and surrounding of the Department for Com- areas. munity Welfare. )Membership comprises representatives of local authorities and In addition, help is available Government departments in- through the State Consultative volved in planning of urban Committee of the Interim Com- growth In and around the Town of mittee of the Children's Comnins- Geraldton. Sion. (41 Persons serving on the committee at the time of its most recent meeting were: 32. SEWERAGE Messrs C. Mildwaters (chair- Country Towns man),* J. Trevaskis, P. Cooper, D. Shepherd, representing Geraldton Mr JAMIESON, to the Minister for Town. Water Supplies: Messrs E. Sewell, G, Garratt, K. (1) What country towns are served Foskew, D. Lowe, representing by sewerage schemes? Greenough Shire. (2) Which of these come under the Messrs J. Batten, 0. Reynolds, control of the Public Works De- L. Shervington, representing partment? Chapmazz Valley Shire, (3) What are the respective rate Messrs J. Fitzhardinge, J. Pick- charges for each scheme under ering, representing Irwin Shire. PWD control? Mr D. Smith, representing De- partment of Lands and Surveys. Mr O'NEIL replied: Messrs G. Burvill, G. Gorham, K. Lyrnch, representing Public (1) and (2). Works Department. Administered by Public Works De- Mr J. Moore, representing Main partment: Roads Department. Albany Mr D. Martin, representing Bunbury State Electricity Commission. Collie Mr C. Pearson, representing Corrlgin Railways Administrator. Denmark Mr R. Neesham, representing Eneabba Department of industrial De- Exmouth velopment. Qeraldton Mr J. Griffiths, representing Onowangerup Department. Karratha Town Planning Katanning Mr P. Kent, representing Kellerberrin PMG Department. Kojonup Kununurra, 30. This qusestion was postponed. Laverton Mandurab 31. CHILD CARE CENTRES Meckering Merrediri Assistance to Play-group Type Mount Barker Mr CARR, to the Treasurer: Narrogin Will he please provide details of Northam any assistance available to Pingelly groups operating a play-group PinJarra type of child care centre? Port Hedland Roebourne Sir CHARLES COURT replied: Three Springs The Department for Community Wagin Welfare Is able to offer assistance Wickham in two ways:- Wongan Hills Firstly, limited financial Wundowle assistance to meet establish- Wyalkatchem ment casts where the group Wyndham bb% ~L A35EDMY.JI Administered by local authority- O'NUfl replied:9 Boulder and (2) Yet. Cunderdin (3) In the main the matters whit Dumbleyung were to be discussed were stot Kalgoorlie within the jurisdiction of the Man Iimup Harbour and Light DepartmenL or Morgantown Swan River conservation Bcard, Nyabing namely road congestion, noise and Rottnest Public misbehaviour. private enter- Administered by However, the Harbour and Aght prise: Department did by letter to the Damapier Canning Town Council dateC 19th Flnucane Island March, 1975, decline the invita- Goldsworthy tion to attend the public meeting Kambalda of ratepayers but offered lo dis- Koolyanobbing cuss any matter concerning water Mount Newman ski areas with council either be- Pannawonica fore or after the meeting. There Paraburdoo was no response from the council Shay Gap regarding the offer by the depart- Tom Price ment. (3) Bunbury-14t in the dollar on (4) and (5) No. estimated net annual value. Geraldton-6.5c in the dollar on (6) Yes. estinmated net annual value. Northam-Ilei n the dollar on 34. INDlUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT estimated net annual value. Particle Board Project, flardsnup All other schemes-Thec in the dollar on estimated net annual Mr MAY, to the Minister for Industrial value. Development: In connection with the proposed particle board project at Dar- WATER SKIING danup- Public Meeting (a) has be received any advice Mr MAY, to the Minister for Works: from the State Electricity (1) Is he aware that on Wednesday, Commission of possible re- the 2nd April, 1975 a public strictions in the supply of meeting was held by the Town electricity to this project; of Canning to discuss water ski (b) if so, would he advis~e the activities In the Canning River extent of the restrictions and and proposals for the location whether they will have any and development of facilities? adverse effect on the estab- (2) is he further aware that Invi- lishment of this industry? tations were extended to the Har- bour and Light Department and Mr O'Neil (for Mr MENSAROS) re- the Swan River Conservation plied: Board? (a) No. (3) As no representatives from these Government Instrumentalities (b) Not applicable. attended this important meeting, can he Indicate the reason for non-attendance? 35. WILLETTON SCHOOL (4) Is he aware of the concern of New Structure and Classrooms residents living close to the fore- shore of the Canning River in re- Mr BATEMAN, to the Minister repre- gard to water ski-lug? senting the Minister for Education: (5) Although many breaches of the (1) Is the Minister aware of the conditions governing water ski- urgency for a new school for the Ing have been reported to the de- Willet ton area to be ready for the partment, Is he aware that no beginning of the 1975 school year? action has been taken against the (2) Will the Minister confirm that a people concerned? new school will be built? (6) In view of the increased water ski-ing activity in the Canning (3) If (2) is "No", is the Minister River, will he ensure that there aware that an estimated six de- is an increase in the patrolling mountables would be required for of these areas by the Harbour Willetton primary school in Fob- and Light Department? muary 1976? (Wednesday, 9 April, 19751 865

(4) if six demountables are required, 37. MUION ANP BEEF is the Minister aware that this represents one complete cluster Exports which surely should be built as Mr BATEMAN. to the Minister for the beginning of the South Agriculture: Willetton primary school? (1) Are we exporting mutton and (5) As the Willetton primary school heel to south-east Asian coun- is In Its 6th year and has bad a tries? continued history of using de- (2) If "Yes", to what countries and mountable classrooms, will the by whom? Minister agree that a new school (3) If 'No", what export capacity should have the highest priority? have we In Western Australia to (6) Is the Minister aware that the export beef and mutton? development of Burrendah Estate is not proceeding in the vicinity Mr McPHARLIN replied: of the Portcullis Drive site at (1) Yes. present? (2) During the period 1st July, 1974 to (7) Is the Minister aware of the urgent 28th February, 1975, exports were need for the purchase of the com- made to- bined primary/secondary school Malaysia site In Burrendah Boulevard to Singapore relieve the over-crowding at Japan (a) Willetton primary school. and Hong Kong (b) Rossinoyne Senior High India School? Indonesia Taiwan. Mr GRAYDEN replied: Information concerning the ex- (I) Porters involved is not available Yes. to my department. (2) and (3) The new South Willet- ton primary school has been (3) Not applicable. listed on the 1975/76 School Building Programme. 38. POULTRY FARMING (4) Yes, see (2). Legislattan Governing industry (5) The new school has been listed at Mr BATEMAN, to the Minister for a high priority. Agriculture: (1) In view of the increased numbers (6) The planning branch of the of broiler poultry growers in Education Department is kept Western Australia is he con- Informed of developments. templating legislation to protect (7) Yes, but a subdivisional plan for the industry? this area has not been finalised (2) If 'Yes', when will the legisla- and approved by the Town tion be introduced? Planning Board and until this has been done the site cannot readily Mr McPHARLIN replied- be acquired. (1) and (2) The number of broiler growers in Western Australia has decreased from an estimated 53 36. EAST MADDINGiTON SCHOOL In 1973 to 48 in 1975. Extension The need for legislation in the general interests of the broiler Mr BATEMAN, to the Minister repre- Industry is currently under con- senting the Minister for Education:. sideration. (1) Is he aware that the East Mad- In this respect the broiler Indus- dlngton primary school enrol- try legislation which is proposed muents are continuing to Increase In South Australia.. and a Bill now at an extremely high rate? before the Victorian Parliament, are being examined. (2) If "Yes", will he advise when the third cluster at the East Mad- 39. POLICE dington primary school Will be built? Gosnella: Breakinug and Entering, and Vandalism Mr GRAYDEN replied: Mr BATEMAN, to the Minister for (1) Yes. Police: (2) It Is, not possible at this stage to (1) Will he advise, indicate when the third cluster (a) the number of homes broken will be built. Into, [ASSEMEBLY.)

(b) the number of arrests for 41. WEST COAST HIGHWAY homes broken into, Swanbourne: Planning (c) the number of reported inci- Mr DAVIES, to the Minister for Urban dents of vandalism. Development and Town Planning: for the Past six months in the What is the present position re- Gosnells municipality? garding planning for the West (2) Will he give full details of what Coast Highway in the Swan- action his department is taking to bourne area? safeguard the interest and pro- Mr RUSHTON replied: perty of that area? Arrangements are being finalised Mr O'CONNOR replied: for consultants to commence an environmental and planning study. (1) (a) 145. (b) 25. 42. NOLLAMARA POLICE STATION (c) 104. Residence of Sergeant NOTE: These figures do not include arrests carried out in. other Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for districts or charges still pending. Police: Is the residence previously occu- A total of 38 charges were laid pied in Nollamara Avenue by the against the 25 persons arrested. former Sergeant in charge of the (2) Patrols are tarried out by the Nollamara police station, to be Criminal Investigation Branch used by the newly created traffic and uniformed Police within the authority? district. Mr O'CONNOR replied: No. 40. COMMUNITY WELFARE 43. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL Senior Citizen Centres: Subsidy Repairs and Renovations Mr DAVIES, to the Minister repre- Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister senting the Minister for Community representing the Minister for Educa- Welfare: tion: (1) Is It now Government policy not When will repairs and renovations to pay an annual subsidy to senior be carried out at the Westminster citizen centres unless they run primary school? "meals on wheels"? Mr ORAYIDEN replied: (2) if so, does such a policy apply if A contract has been let and work separate "meals on wheels" or- should commence within a few ganisation and senior citizens' days. centre already exist In a town or district? 44. TOWN PLANNING (3) Have any senior citizens' organi- Rural Holdings: Subdivision sations been advised their subsidy Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for will be conditional on running a Urban Development and Town Plan- "meals on wheels" organisation. ning: or on taking over an existing (1) Has the Government any plans to organisation? after the regulations governing (4) 'What is the reason for any the subdivision of rural lots into change in general policy or par- farmlets? ticular Instance if such change (2) Has the Government received any exists? representations requesting changes O'CONINOR replied: In the law to enable rural hold- Mr ings within 100 miles of Perth to (1) There is no change in policy. be split Into farmlets? Eligibility for a subsidy does not depend on the supply of a meals Mr RUSHTON replied: on wheels service, but the ser- (1) The Government has with the vice of a hot meal at the centre Town Planning Board investi- on five days per week is actively gated the policies of the board In encouraged. relation to rural subdivision. As a result of those investigations (2) Answered by (1). the board has proposed that the (3) No. outer metropolitan local councils should look at their rural zones (4) Answered by (1). with a view to selecting certain [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975] 6678

areas which would in their opin- the admittance of migrants be- ion be suitable not only for farm- cause of economic conditions, no lets but for other semi-rural further actions on the nomina- activities. Having selected the tions could be taken at the pres- areas, councils were requested to ent time. submit amendments to their Town Planning Schemes to create special rural zones. 46. This question was postponed. (2) Local councils outside the Metro- politan Region have also been asked to look at areas suitable for 47. HOUSING farinlets. There is no need for Separated, Divorced, and any change in the law for this Widowed Females to be done. Be-examination of Mr B. T. BURKE, the board's policies in relation to to the Minister for rural subdivision was prompted Housing: by the Goverrnent as well as (1) Is it true that the State Housing representations received f romn Commission has advanced as a local councils and land owners. reason for refusing certain types of housing to separated, divorced and widowed women, the belief IMM4IGRATION that these women would be unable Miss M. G. Danker to maintain the grounds? Mr B. T1. BURKE, to the Minister for (2) Does the Minister have any in- Imnmigration: formation supporting the belief that separated, divorced or (1) Was a Miss M. G. flanker nomin- widowed men are better able to ated to enter Australia from maintain the rounds of homes Malaysia during 1974 under the allocated to them? department's "Bring out a Friend" scheme? (3) If so, what infornation has the Minister? (2) On what date did the department receive a completed newspaper Mr O'NEIL replied: coupon in favour of Miss flanker? (1) and (2) No. (3) On what date were the necessary (3) Answered by (2). papers forwarded to Miss flanker's sponsor or nominator for comple- 48, HOUSING (4) When were the completed papers Balga: Single-parent Families received by the department? (5) When were the completed papers Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for forwarded to the Commonwealth Housing: Department of Immnigration? How many State Housing Com- mission apartments in Balga are (6) When was a final decision reached occupied by single parent fami- in this case? lies? Mr GRAYDEN replied: Mr ONE1IJ replied: (1) Miss M. G. Danker was nominated but not under the "Bring This information Is not available out a Friend" Invitation. Miss from the records maintained by Lorna Danker was nominated the commission. under the invitation scheme. (2) 9th July, 1974 for Miss M. G. 49. HOUSING Danker. A coupon was received on behalf of Miss Loins flanker Single Unit Accommodation: in December, 1973. Applicants (3) July 1974 for Miss M_ G. Danker. Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for January 1974 for Miss Lorns Housing: Danker. (1) How many applicants are pres- (4) and (5) July 1074 for Miss M. G. ently seeking single unit assist- Dankcer. February, 1974 for Miss ance north of the river? Lorna Danker. (2) What was the corresponding figure in (6) The nominator of Miss M. G. April 1974 and April Danker was advised on loth Dec- 1973? ember, 1974 and on 15th Febru- Mr O'NEIL replied: ary, 1975 on behalf of Miss Loa Danker to the effect that due to (1) 381. temporary restrictions by the (2) Apr1 1974-357. Commnonwealth Government on April 1973-C(estimated) 325. (ASSEM&BLY.]

HOUSING 53, HOUSING Prediction of Needs Balga and NoZlamara; Maintenance Mr B. T, BURKE, to the Minister for Mr B. T, BURKE, to the Minister for Housing: Housing: (1) Does the SHC maintain informa- (1) Does the Minister agree that tion showing the average time accurate and up-to-date informs- taken to attend to maintenance in is essential in predicting and problems for any given period of satisfying housing problems? time? (2) Does the SHC maintain any comn- (2) If "Yes", what Is the average time pilatton system whereby the aver- taken to attend to those main- age time taken to satisfy appli- tenance problems reported during cants placed In the- the first three months Of 1975 by (a) needs; residents living in the mainten- (b) emergency, ance zone that Includes Balga and categories can be ascertained? Nollamara? (3) If not, why not? Mr O'NEIL replied: (4) If "Yes" to (2), what Is the average time referred to for each (1) No. category In the past six months? (2) Answered by (1). Mr 0'NEa replied: (1) Yes. 51. HOUSING (2) No. Septic Toilets: Repairs (3) Waiting lists are regarded to be a sufficient guide to current demand Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for situation. Housing: (4) Answered by (2). (1) Has any SEC tenant waited for more than one week from the 54. HOUSING date of first report to have a Flats: Resistance malfunctioning septic toilet sys- temn repaired? Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for (2) If "Yes" what were the detail/s of Housing: the case/s? (1) floes he concede that there is an Increasing resistance to flat life (3) What is the SHC's general policy evident In the attitudes expressed with regard to the type of main- by applicants offered fiats by the tenance referred to in (1) above? SHC? Mr O'NEIL replied: (2) Does he believe Government policy should be altered to allow for this (2) to (3) The Member should appre- "increased resistance"? ciate that to undertake the considerable research required to Mr O'NEIL replied answer this question Is unwar- (1) and (2) No. ranted. 55. HOUSING If he has a particular case in mind I suggest he bring It to my atten- Flats: Reiection by Applicants tion by way of correspondence. Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for Housing: (1) How many applicants, classed as 52. H4OUSING emergency by the State Housing Balga and Nolamara: Black Australian Commission, have been offered Families flats by the Commission and have rejected them in the past 12 Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for months? Housing: (2) Of that number, how many (1) How many black Australian fami- applicants were made a second lies are accommodated by the BHC offer? in Balga and Nollamnara? (3) In each case, what was the time (2) About how many of these fami- which lapsed between the rejec- lies have complaints been received tion and the second offer being from white Australian families? made? Mr OWNEIL replied: Mr O'NEIt replied: (1) 216. (1) Balga 37, Nollainara 20. Total 57. (2) This information is not available. (2) Balga 8. Noilamara B. Total 14. (3) Answered by (2). [Wednesday, 9 April, 19751

HOUSING Mr OrNEIL replied: Balga: Mrs P. Woods (1) Yes, but in fewer numbers than undertaken by the previous Gov- Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for ernment both for families and Housing: pensioner applicants. (1) is it true that the State Housing (2) As many as appear to be war- Commission notified the Member ranted by the demand upon the for Balga by letter on the 210th State Housing Commission. March, 1975, that an applicant for rental assistance, Mrs P. Woods (3) Where appropriate. of 27 Wardlow Way, Balga, had been classed as a 'needs' case and 59. BUILDING BLOCKS that it was impassible to indicate State Housing Commission Holdings when she would be assisted? Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for (2) Is it also true that In late Febru- Housing: ary or early March, many days before the letter referred to In (1) (1) How many serviced residential above was written, Mrs Woods borne sites does the State Housing had been telegrarmned by the Commission now hold? State Housing Commission to the (2) Where are these lots? effect that she could collect the (3) How did the stock of serviced lots keys to her new home? vary in each month since Janu- (3) If "Yes" to (2), how did this ary 1974 to the present time? happen? Mr O'NEIL replied; Mr O'NEIL replied: (1) and (2) North West (above the (1) and (2) Yes. 26th parallel) -approximately 450 sites. (3) The occurrence is regretted. Country areas-approximately HOUSING 1 200 sites. Ealga: Vacant Unit Metropolitan area-approximately 2 100 sites. Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for Housing; (3) This information Is not available. (1) Is it true that a single detached rental property owned by the 60. BUILDING BLOCKS State Housing Commission, at State Housing Commis-sion Holdings Daliington Crescent in Balga, Mr B. T, BURKE, to the Minister for stood empty for several months Housing: during 1973? (1) How many acres of land are now (2) Is it also true that the State held by the State Housing Com- Housing Commission was unaware mission and earmarked for future that the house was empty until residential use? notified by a member of Parliat- ment? (2) What was the stock of land outlined in (1) above in each year (3) If "Yes" why was the State Hous- from 1959 to 1972 inclusive? Ing Commission unaware of the fact that the property had been (3) What percentage of the commis- vacated? sion's budget was allocated to the purchase of land (as described Mr O'NEIL replied: in (1) above) in each year re- (1) Yes. ferred to in (2) above? (2) The State Housing Commission Mr 07'4EIL replied: advises that there is no record of this fact. (1) Approximately 3 396 hectares. (2) A detailed break-up is not avail- (3) See answer to (2). able. HOUSING (3) Generally 5% per annum, Flats: Policy on Construction 61. HOUSING Mr B. T, BURKE, to the Minister for Housing: Balga and Nollamara: Rental Un-its (1) is it true that the State Housing Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for Commission's policy is to continue Housing: the construction of fiats? (1) How many- (2) If "Yes" how many flats will be (a) single detached 2 bedroom built by the Commission in the homes next two years? (b) single detached 3 bedroom (3) Where will they be located? homes (ASSEMhBLY.]

(c) single detached 4 bedroom Some delays have been due to homes inadequate performance by a (d) town houses maintenance contractor and (e) terrace houses remedial action is in train. (f) 2 bedroom flats (5) This information is not available. (g) 3 bedroom flats (h) 2 bedroom duplexes 62. HOUSING (i) 3 bedroom duplexes Mirrabooka Town Centre are rented by the State Housing Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for Commission to residents in the Housing: suburbs of Balga and Nollamara? (1) At what stage are the State (2) How many, in each category, are Housing Commission's plans to at present vacant? construct the Mirrabooka town (3) For how long has each been centre? vacant? (2) When was the proposed centre (4) What is the reason for the first mooted? vacancy in each instance? (3) Is it true that since the Proposal (5) How many requests for transfer was first considered, the develop- have been received from tenants ment of major shopping facilities in each category referred to In in flianella, Balga (Northlands) (1) above? and Warwick have seriously in- hibited the viability of the pro- Mr O'NEIL replied: Posed Mirrabooka centre? (1) (a) to (i)- (4) Is the State Housing Commission Reiga Nollama Single detachd- considering abandoning the pro- 2 1/r 46 ject or significantly reducing it in S B/r.. .. 346 268 size? 4 B/r .. .. . 61 Mr O'NEIL replied: 5BE/r ...... 7 (1) Approval to proceed with the Town Houses planning of the centre has been 3 Bft/r. 210 given by the Metropolitan Re- Apartments- gional Planning Authority and Single Unit ... .. 87 the City of Stirling. I B/r ...... 6 (2) 1952. 2B]1/r ...... 244 3 / ...... 72 (3) Not substantially. Duplex and Quadruplex- (4) No decision has been made to Single Unit ... .. 12 abandon the project. IB/r ...... 118 78 2 13r 130 20 S B/r ... .. so 6 63. HOUSING 1 381 423 Flats: Policy on Tenancy The above figures exclude 255 Mr B. T. BURKE, to the Minister for units for armed services at Balga, Housing: and 81 units at Nollamara. (1) Is it true that the State Housing Commission's policy provides for (2) to (4)- flats to be considered as suitable Number Days vacant vaan Permanent accommodation for (under some tenants? maintenance) Halga- (2) What factors are taken into Single detached house 1 a account when deciding which Duplex- family units are suited to for ever 2 B/r...... 1 19 living in a flat? S B/r...... 1 4 3 B/r...... 1 61 (3) Has the SHO considered using flats as a transitional home for Town House- those applicants who are seeking 3SB/r...... 1 20 2 B/r.... 33 Purchase as well as rental assist- 2 B,...... 20 ance? 2 B/r.... 50 (4) Would he concede that a policy Apartments-- as set out in (3) above would 2 B/r. 2 B/r...... 1 13 ensure that the duration of ten- 3 B/r...... 1 13 ancy in flats would be restricted in time and in amnbit only to those Duple,- people possessing the promise of 2B/r.... 1 64 1B/r...... a home of their own? [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975] 871

Mr O'NEIL replied: (e) Applicants must be Austra- (1) The Housing Commission's view lian citizens or else prove is that its rental accommodation ,their intention to remain provides an initial but not neces- permanently in Australia. sarily final solution of an appli- (f) Applicants must intend to cant's housing need. remain in W.A. until tihe by (1). adoption order is granted un- (2) Answered less their employment de- (3) It is a fact that many tenants in mands that they move within all types of accommodation will Australia. also be purchase applicants who will be satisfied in the ordinary Each application will be consid- turn" policy. ered on its merits and the above "wait criteria may be varied in excep- (4) This question is supposititious. tional circumstances. All other criteria normally applied to pros- 64. WEST COAST HIGHWAY pective adoptive parents will be enforced, however provision has Swanbourne: Environmental Study been made to expedite certain of Mr DAVIES, to the Minister for Con- the procedures in the light of the servation and Environment: urgency of the current situation. What Progress has been made Earlier this State indicated that regarding the environmental study it would be able to take approxi- of a route for the West Coast mately 150 children. Recent in- Highway through the Swanbourne formation indicates that a much area? smaller number of children is likely to come to W.A. and my de- Mr STEPHENS replied: partment is confident it will have Arrangements are being made for sufficient prospective adaptive consultants to commence the Parents for the number of child- study. ren for adoption.

65. CHILD WELFARE Point of Order Vietnamese Orphans: Adoption Mr DAVIES, to the Minister repre- Mr A. Rt. TONKIN: on a Point of Order, Mr Speaker, the Minister senting the Minister for Community seems to be racing through the Welfare: answer so quickly and, as he is (1) Will Vietnamese waifs/orphans mumbling so much, it Is difficult coming to this State be available to hear the reply. for legal adoption? Mr O'Neil: Can't You read? (2) Is there likely to be any impedi- Mr A. Rt. TONKIN: Certainly I can ment to necessary legal formali- read, but If we are to accept that ties? we could dispose of the answers (3) Will he list the criteria for adop- being read out to the House. tion as far as applicants are concerned? The SPEAKER: Order! If the answers to Questions are to be read and Mr O'CONNOR replied: not handed in, they should be (1) Yes. It is the stated intention read so that members cam hear of the Vietnam Government that and understand them. However, I war orphans should not be expat- found no Problem in this Instance. riated to other countries unless It The Minister may have been is to families approved for adop- speaking a little too quickly, but tion. he could have handed the answer in. (2) No. Provided sufficient documentation is available. Mr O'CONNOR: In the future I will (3) (a) Husband and wife must be do that with answers of a similar under 40 years of age. length. (b) Applicants must be married Questions on Notice Resumed for two Years at the time of application. 66. POLICE (c) Applicants must have at least Allegation of one other child, preferably Aboriginal Girl: where a minimum of 15 Beating months exists between the Mr DAVIES, to the Minister repre- child to be adopted and child- senting the Minister for Justice: ren already in the home. (1) Has any Inquiry been made as to (d) Applicants will be accepted whether the recent reporting of if they have been resident in the Kalgoorlie court case relating Australia for two Years. to the strapping of an Aboriginal [ASSEMBLY.]

girl broke the law relating to Mr M. T. Locke-Representing newspaper reporting of Juvenile Meat & Allied Trades Federa- cases? tion. (2) if so, what action is proposed? Mr C. Malsey-Representing W.A. Livestock Salesmen's Associa- Mr O'NEIL replied: tion. The matter is one which comes under the jurisdiction of the Min- Mr R. Trevaskis-Represenrshig ister for Community Welfare, and the proprietors of privately- he has advised that his depart- owned abattoirs. ment is currently seeking legal Mr E. T. Russell-Acting in the advice regarding the matter re- office Of Commissioner for Con- ferred to, and will take appro- sumner Protection. priate action on receipt of such (2) Yes. advice. (3) Mr J. E. Gardiner-Albany, 23rd February; Boyanup, 25th March. 6'7. MIDLAND JUNCTION ABATTOIR I am advised by the chairman of Cattle: Sales under Minimum Price the committee that, since the in- Scheme ception of the scheme, an adjudicator acting for the commnittee Mr H. D. EVANS, to the Minister for attends all Midland sales and nn- Agriculture: other adjudicator attends all (1) What Is the number of cattle sold country sales. Reports from at Midland since the Initiation of these adjudicators are discussed the voluntary minimum price at committee meetings. scheme which have been sold for the minimum price or above? (2) What is the total number of cattle 69. MR. LEONARD CASLEY yarded for sale at Midland in that Citizenship Status same period? Mr YOUNG, to the Premier:, Mr McPHARLIN replied: (1) Does he consider that the State (1) and (2) I am informed by the Government has normal jurisdic- Chairman of the Beef Industry tion over the property occupied Committee that 45 25? cattle were by a Mr Leonard Casley and his yarded for sale at Midland be- family at or near Northampton? tween 6th January and 4th Apr11, 1975. (2) If "Yes" to (1) is there any special right, privilege or title accorded 6736 (14.9%) of these were by the State to Mr Casley and his classified as eligible under the family that would not be accorded categories of cattle to which the any other citizen of Western Aus- scheme applies. Of this number, 8 626 (98.4%) were sold at or in tralia? excess of the reserve price. (3) Within the jurisdiction of the Government, do Mr Casley and 68. BEEF his family have any status whatsoever differing from that of any Minimum Price Scheme: Country other citizen of Western Aus- Sales tralia? Mr H. D. EVANS. to the Minister for (4) (a) Does he agree that the con- Agriculture: tinued use of assumed royal (1) Who are the members of the titles by Mr Casley and the voluntary minimum beef price Inability of the Government scheme committee and what to lawfully prevent such organisations does each one abuses could lead to a situa- represent? tion where the public at large (2) Have any of these members and overseas visitors accept examined operations at country the absurdity that Mr Casley sales since the formation of the is the head of a "royal committee? family"; and (3) If "Yes" to (2) will he Indicate (hi has any action been con- the names of the committeemen sidered to prevent a continu- and the dates of visits? ation of the Casley type of misrepresentation? Mr McPHARLIN replied: (1) Mr C. C. Bennett (Chairman) Sir CHARLES COURT replied: -Appointed by the Minister. (1) Yes. The State's jurisdiction Is Mr J. E. Gardiner, Mr M. A. J. beyond question, and Mr Casley's Cameron-Representing beef pretension to the contrary is mani- producers. Test nonsense. [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975] 673

(2) No, the State accords no special (4) The question of restriction of right, privilege or title to Mr clearing is a complex one. The Casley. or any member of his Environmental Protection Auth- family. ority is currently collating information necessary to enable a (3) No, Mr Casley and his family are decision to be made as to whether all ordinary citizens of Western a restriction of clearing offers the Australia In every sense. They best Possible solution. have no special status of any kind. (5) There is evidence that yield re- (4) (a) I think some people are mis- duction has occurred on some led. Whilst the average citi- pasture in some areas. Good rains zen of this State would be last winter reduced the salinity of fully aware of the stupidity of the water at least for the time Mr Casley's claims, people in, being. It Is believed that on the and from other places have whole salinity would tend to in- less cause to realise that they crease for some period even 11 are being duped. clearing is completely halted now. (b) As certain elements of the (6) Because of the complexities of media seem intent on sus- ground water movements accur- taining this hoax, it may be- ate Predictions of salinity income necessary to consider crease are not possible at this what special action can be stage. However, preliminary pre- taken, if only to save visitors dictions indicate that if all the to this State, and people in alienated land Is cleared the sal- other places, from being mis- inity would be above the recog- led and commercially ex- nised limits for domestic use. ploited. 72. COSTS IN COUNTRY AREAS '70. This question was Postponed. Inquiry Mr CARR, to the Premier: 11. WELLINGTON DAM (1) Has he received representations Catchment Area and Salinity Level seeking a Government inquiry Mr H. D. EVANS, to the Minister for into costs in country areas? Conservation and Environment: (2) If "Yes", whom have representa- (1) What is the total area of the tions been received from? catchment of the Wellington (3) Will he agree to conduct such an Dam? inquiry, especially as a survey (2) Of the total catchment area of conducted by the ABC programme the Wellington Dam what area Is TDT and discussed on last Pri- held as freehold land? day's edition, appears to suggest that unfair mark-ups or other (3) What area of land in the Welling- unfair practices may be occurr- ton Dam catchment area has been ing? cleared for agricultural and other purposes? Sir CHARLES COURT replied: (4) Is it proposed to curtail or restrict (1) No representations were received clearing of land in the Welling- seeking a Government inquiry in- ton Dam catchmnent area, and if to the costs In country areas so, at what stage is it proposed other than for the Pilbara, and to do so? Kimberley regions. The Pilbara report has already (5) Has the salinity level of waters been released. from the Wellington Dam reached The report on a survey into fac- a stage where it Is damaging to tors affecting the cost of living in some pastures, and will this level the Kimberley is in the final increase further even if clearing Is stages of preparation by the Com- halted now? missioner for Consumer Protec- (6) What percentage of the Welling- tion. ton Dam catchment area will (2) Answered by (1). need to be cleared before the (3) The Commissioner for Consumer waters of the dam are unsuitable Protection has no statutory for domestic use? power to examine prices. How- ever, preliminary research of Mr STEPHENS replied: available statistics on the retail (1) 2830 square kilometres. price of food in country areas indicates that a similar inquiry to (2) 1 000 square kilometres. those carried out in the Pilbara (3) 580 square kilometres as at 1973. and Kimberley, is not justified. [ASSEMBLY.1

The matter will be kept under 75. POULTRY FARMING review. Hen Licenses, and Quotas If the Hon. Member has specific cases that he feels call for study, Mr BARNETT, to the Minister for he should advise details to the Agriculture: Minister for Consumer Affairs. (1) How many poultry farmers hold licenses for- 73. RECREATION (a) 0-5 thousand birds; Geraldton Facilities: SurveY (b) 5-10 thousand birds; Mr CARR, to the Minister for Recrea- (c) 10-15 thousand birds; tion: (d) 15-20 thousand birds; With reference to an examination (e) 20-30 thousand birds? of the need for community (2) (a) How many purchases of recreation facilities in the Range- quotas have been made in the way area of Geraldton, which was last 12 months; and conducted during the time of the Tonkin Government, will the (b) what number of birds does Minister please table a copy of this involve? the report? Mr MePHARLIN replied: Mr STEPHENS replied: (1) The Western Australian Egg Yes. Copy of report referred to, Marketing Board has advised as tabled herewith. follows:- (a) 250. Copy of the report was tabled (see (b) 56. paper No. 138). (a) 14. '74. COURTS OF PETTY SESSIONS (d) 3. Cautions for Minor Offences (e) 5. Mr HARTREY, to the Minister repre- 328 senting the Minister for Justice: (1) Has he read the decision of the (2) (a) During the 12 months March, Full Court of the Supreme Court 1974 to February, 1975, 45 of Western Australia, delivered transfers of licenses were at Perth on 3rd April, 1975, that approved by the board. the practice of Courts of Petty (b) 128 975 fowls, based on 1974- Sessions (in cases of minor offences committed in mitigating 75 licenses. circumstances) administering a caution In place of imposing a 76. POULTRY FARMING pecuniary or other penalty, not authorised by Statute wasor Egg Board Charges, and Quotas common law, and was therefore Mr BARNETT, to the Minister for ultra vires? Agriculture: (2) If "Yes" to (1), has he also noted (1) Is it true that poultry farmers the opinion expressed by the Full have had a recent increase In egg Court that to follow such a course board charges of 41%? "'may well be a very sensible and (2) Is it true that many of the State's just thing to do in appropriate poultry farmers are in financial cases"? difficulty? (3) If "Yes" to (1) and (2), will he as (3) Will not this Increase in fees tend soon as possible take all necessary to aggravate the problem? steps to have the Justices Act i902-1973 amended so as to legal- (4) Is legislation proposed for this ise this time-honoured session designed to allow for practice? quota cuts to be made at alternat- (4) If "No" to any of the above ques- ive times during the year than are tions, why not? currently allowed? Mr O'NEI1L replied: (5) If "Yes" will he give consideration (1) and (2) to introducing this legislation as Yes. soon as possible in an endeavour (3) The law is currently being exam- to have quota cuts made before ined to finally determine the need July of this year? for discretionary provisions to enable the courts to impose no Mr MePHARLIN replied: penalty, and the form such pro- (1) The Western Australian Egg visions should take. Marketing Board has advised that (4) Answered by (3). charges covering the handling, [Wednesday. 9 April. 1975] 675

candling, grading and selling of 18. TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTRE eggs and also administration costs Kwinana were last changed on 26th August, 1974, from lie to 13c per Mr TAYLOR, to the Minister repre- dozen. senting the Minister for Education: However, a special Pool scheme With respect to his answers to charge of 6c Per dozen to offset question 19 of Thursday, the 27th losses on the export surplus due March, 1975, is he able to answer to current over-production was either "Yes" or "No" to the ques- imposed on Producers on 23rd tion as to whether the Govern- December, 1974. This charge was ment intends to proceed with the raised by 2c on 27th January, by construction of a technical edu- 4c on 24th February, and by a cation centre at Kwinana, during further Sc-the 41% to which the the next, say, three years? Member apparently refers-on Mr GRAYDEN replied: 31st March. A technical education centre will (2) Yes, to varying degrees. be built at Kwlnana in the next three years if the finance Is avail- (3) Yes, but the increase was in- able. evitable in the present circumstances. 79. HILLMAN SCHOOL (4) and (5) Yes. Electricity Connection, and Reticulation Bare LAND EROSION Mr BARNETT, to the Minister for Works: Kimberley, (1) Is he aware that whilst Hilman Mr H. D. EVANS, to the Minister for school has been occupied since Lands: the beginning of the school year, there is still no electricity con- (1) Furthier to his reply of the 19th nected? November, 1974, in which he in- (2) When can the children and dicated that a decision regarding teaching staff expect the elec- the Government action to be taken on the report of the Pastoral tricity to be connected? Appraisement Board on the river (3) Is he aware that the reticulation catchmnents of the West Kim- bore that was Promised some berley region would be taken months ago has still not been shortly, will he indicate action sunk? the Government proposes to take? (4) Is he able to provide a date when (2) What are the details regarding this will be supplied? soil erosion in this area to which Mr O'NEUL replied: the report makes reference? (1) Yes. However, essential lighting (3) Will he table a copy of the report? has been arranged by installing a portable generator pending com- Mr O'Connor (for Mr RIDGE) re- pletion of the electrical contract. p11ccd: (2) Within three weeks. (1) Following submissions and recom- (3) Yes. mendations made to me by the (4) As soon as funds are available in Pastoral Appraisement Board, I the 1975-76 financial year. propose to communicate with the executive of the Pastoralists and 80. ELECTION PROMISES Graziers' Association with a view Implementation to joint discussions and the ulti- mate formation of an examining Mr BRYCE, to the Premier: committee for each station Prior Following his statement in the to any firm remedial measures Daily News of the 8th April, 1975, being adopted. Page 16, that his Government has (2) and (3) The report has indicated implemented 112 of the 275 elec- the existence of areas subject to tion promises he made will he severe erosion as compared with list for the benefit of this House the areas In fair and good range the 112 Promises so implemented? condition. Sir CHARLES COURT replied: It is not intended to release the Yes. report, or statistics contained In For easy reference, I am arrang- the report, until each station has ing for a copy of the Liberal been examined by the Inspection Policy document published for the committee. 30th March, 1974 State General [ASSEMBtLY.)

Election, to be appropriately QUESTIONS (5): WITHOUT NOTICE marked to Identify the items. it should be practicable to table this 1. UNEMPLOYMENT early next week, and I hope the Member finds It interesting. Kwinana and Rocki~ngham Areas 81. SCHOOL OF THE AIR Mr BARNUMI' to the Minister for Service to Pre-PrimaryChildren Labour and Industry: Mr LAURANCE, to the Minister (1) Will he please indicate the representing the Minister for Educa- number of people registered as tion: unemployed In the Kwinana. area Can he advise of any develop- on March. 1974, and March, 1915'? merits which will benefit pre- (2) Will he please advise if figures Primary students in remote areas are available for Rockingham for served by the School of the Air? the same dates and, If so, what they are? Mr CIRAYDEN replied: The Interim Children's Commis- Mr GRAYDEN replied: sion Is currently considering an (1) Registered unemployed-Icwlnana application from the Education Department which seeks funds to unemployment district: establish a Pre-Primary Centre at End of March, 1974: 441 persons South Kalgoorlie primary school. End of March, 1975: 842 persons From this centre it Is proposed to (2) Registered unemployed-Rocking- establish on a pilot basis, via the ham Shire: Eastern Goldfields School of the Air, a pre-school service for iso- End of March, 1974: not avail- lated children. If successful, when able more funds become available, a End of March, 1975: 327 persons similar service will be extended to It should be noted that the RoDck- other isolated regions. ingham Shire figure of 327 persons is included in the Ewinana 82. ROCKINGHAM HIGHR SCHOOL district unemployment figure of Science Facilities 842 persons. Mr BARNETT, to the Minister representing the Minister for Education: 2. STATE ELECTRICITY (1) What science facilities are cur- COMMISSION rently available at the Rocking- ham high school? Management Structure: Report (2) How do these compare with Mr MAY, to the Premier: facilities in schools with similar In view of the fact that I have circumstances? received no acknowledgement or (3) Are the available facilities suffi- reply to my letter dated the 21st cient for current needs? February, 1975, together with the fact that the matter was raised (4) If "No" to (3) what is the pro- in Parliament on Wednesday, the gramme for provision of these 26th March, 1975, regarding a re- facilities, and what are the details quest to make available a copy Of of these facilities? the study conducted into the State Mr GRAYDEN replied: Electricity Commission by Cresap, (1) Five science laboratories were McCormick and Paget, will he- provided the year the school (a) advise whether the letter was opened and two additional tem- received; porary science laboratories were set up this year and fitted nut (b) advise when a copy of the with appropriate facilities. report will be made avail- (2) Normally the five science facili- able: and ties which are provided the year (c) if not, will he indicate the the school opens are sufficient for reason for declining the re- the needs of the school and no quest? further science facilities are required. The enrolment at Rock- Sir CHARLES COURT replied:- ingham and the demand for (a) to (c) I cannot be expected to science has brought with it the give an answer to the honour- need for the two additional able member's question off the science rooms. cuff. I will have the matter (3) Yes. researched; and if the hon- (4) Not applicable. ourable member likes to renew the question tomorrow I will 83. This question was withdrawn. be pleased to answer It. [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975] 677

3. HEALTH small businesses were being forced Contamination to close down because they could Fish: Heavy Metals not make a profit? Mr A. R. TONKIN, to the Minister (2) floes he recall the answer to a representing the Minister for Health: question on notice I asked him With reference to part (3) of my yesterday which indicated that his Question without notice of the 8th department maintains that the April- occupiers of factories, shops, and (1) When were the results of warehouses are not required to tests on Western Australian disclose the reasons for the closure fish tabled; where was the of businesses? paper tabled and what is the (3) Can the Minister inform the House number? the source from which he obtained (2) Was the report referred to the information that businesses in (1) above made public in in Western Australia are closing any other way than by tabl- down every day because they can- ing in the Parliament? not make a profit? (3) Did the said paper indicate Mr GRAYDEN replied: the amount of mercury in the (1) to (3) I refer the honourable mem- fish tested? ber to The Bulletin of the 26th (4) When will the results not in- October, 1974. On the front page cluded in the report referred the following appears-- to in (1) above be tabled as Small Business indicated in part (3) of the question without notice of the The forgotten people in the 8th April? big squeeze it deals with the situation, for Mr O'CONNOR replied: instance, in New South Wales. In (1) Today. Not tabled Yesterday the body of the magazine the fol- as indicated In error. lowing appears- (2) No. But in these times small (3) Yes. businesses make up a fair Pro- (4) Today. portion of the rising number of bankruptcies. In the year The Piaper was tabled (see paper No. 139). ended June 30, in New South Wales alone, the number of 4. SCHOOL AT MANDURAH company failures rose by 27 per Additional Structure cent to 1091. And to the end Mr SHIDERS, to the Minister re- of September, the rate of com- presenting the Minister for Educa- pany failures increased further: tion: 287 closed down. The situation that obtains in New In view of an article in the edition of the Western Teacher South Wales also obtains in West- dated the 3rd April, 1975, regard- ern Australia. ing consideration being given by The reply to the question referred the Government to an immediate to by the honourable member start of works required for 1976, indicated that the reason for will the Minister advise whether- closure is not designated when the Companies Office is notified. If (a) tenders have been called for the honourable member is in doubt the construction of another that small businesses throughout primary school in Mandurah; Western Australia are In a dire (b) If not, when will tenders for position as a consequence of the this building be called? economic policies of the Common- Mr GRAYDEN replied: wealth Government, I suggest he consult some of the people con- (a) and (b) Documentation is cerned. If he does that he will Proceeding and every end- be able to ascertain the facts. eavour is being made to achieve the high priority ac- Mr J. T. Tonkin: The Premier said in corded to this Project. his election promises that he would put things right! 5. SMALL BUSINESSES Closure BILLS (2): INTRODUCTION AND Mr HIARMAN, to the Minister for FIRST READING Labour and Industry: 1. Marketing of Eggs Act Amendment (1) Does the Minister recall that on Bill. the 26th March a Press report Bill introduced, on motion by Mr attributed to him a statement to MePharlin (Minister for Agricul- the effect that each day many ture), and read a first time. 678 [ASSEMBLY.]

2. pyramid Sales Schemes Act Amend- That Is Precisely the statement which we ment Bill. on this side of the House made during the Bill introduced, on motion by Mr passage of the Bill in question. The report Grayden (Minister for Consumer continues-- Affairs), and read a first time. Legislation setting up the Highway Patrol, promised during the elections ADDRESS-rn-REPLY: NINTH DAY not to be Part of the pollee force, has Provisions which smack of being Motion palliatives to gamner Country Party Debate resumed, from the 8th April, on support. the following motion by Mr Old- I believe the meaning of the word "pal- That the following Address-in-Reply liate" is "to soothe or gloss over". That to His Excellency's Speech be agrced Is precisely what has happened. to- MAY it Please Your Excellency: The Liberal Party went to the people We, the Legislative Assembly of with a policy that it would establish a the Parliament of the State of highway patrol, separate from the Polle Western Australia in Parliament Department. We now know the consequen- assembled, beg to express loyalty ces; the control of that authority will come to our Most Gracious Sovereign, under the Police Department. To continue and to thank Your Excellency for with the reprt- the Speech You have been pleased Motives behind the government's to address to Parliament. amendments to death duties legislation re-introducing provisions for gov- MR T. B. JONES (Collie) 15.25 p.m.]: erning director shares in family com- I take this opportunity in the debate on panies are still suspect in some the Address-in-Reply motion to deal with quarters. several matters to which I wish to draw attention. It will be recalled that the The report contains several other refer- State has experienced just over 12 months ences, the most important being the fol- of office of the present Liberal-Country lowing- Party Government. No doubt, many of us While the coalition policies are also recall that the Government came to divergent on the Highway Patrol and office on the slogan, "Let's put things education, It has been the Lamb Mar- right". However, the average person in keting Board where there is most evid- Western Australia will realise that things ence of open disagreement have not been put right by the Govern- The Country Party-with a strong ment. lobby from the Farmers' Union-has In the brief time that is available to me stated plainly it wants the board's it is my intention to spell out clearly the powers extended to cover mutton and impositions and the additional tax burdens hogget, that the Government has Placed on the People of Western Australia; this is the The Liberals have stated just as action of the "Put right" Court-MePharlin plainly they don't. Government. That part of the newspaper report spells In The Sunday Times of the 6th April out to some degree the situation regarding appeared a report under the heading- the highway Patrol, and the extension of Slow moving first Year for Court's the powers of the Lamb Marketing Board coalition to cover mutton and hogget. It indicates that all Is not well in the coalition Gov- The report referred to the fact that not ernment. This is what members on this side Only State Governments, but the Federal and the people generally in Western Aus- Government and municipal councils ex- tralia are saying. perienced difficult times in the last 12 months. It is quite clear that the Leaders of the More importantly, the report set out a Liberal Party and the Country Party have number of specific Items which I shall deal been concerned, because the Premier him- with. Further on in the report the follow- self went down to the south-west recently. Ing appears- I understand he took his trumpet along, and as usual he blamed the Australian Even those things the government Government for the position in which the claims as Its most notable achievements State Government now finds itself. Not come under some shadow of doubt. to be outdone, within a very short time Biggest of these, the Emergency the Leader of the Country Party conducted Fuel Act Powers was claimed by the a similar exercise. government and its supporters as a major breakthrough. Sir Charles Court: Why should he not? However, It was not Passed without Mr T. H. JONES: The Country Party major controversy which threatened was concerned and had to try to get its to divide the community . .. and could story over because the image of the Gov- still do so If the Powers are ever used. ernment was rapidly declining. Every Press [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975) 6797

report I see blames the Australian Gov- Sir Charles Court: I was told I was on ermnent. on the Leslie Anderson show yes- the right track. terday the Premier again blamed the Aus- tralian Government. I have a copy of his Mr T. H. JONES: The article which remarks and on every page there Is mention appeared in The Age said that the visit of blame being attachable to the Australian by Sir Charles Court and Mr Ejelke- Government. People are getting sick and Petersen was a complete waste of time tired of this sort of thing. It Is wearing and the same object could have been thin and it is now a achieved had the two Premiers stayed in question of how long their own States. As I have already said, Can the Government continue and how Sir Charles Court was interviewed on the long will the people of Western Australia Leslie Anderson show yesterday, I have accept the blame being placed on the Aus- a copy of the questions asked and the tralian Government? Premier's remarks, and I have noted that An article appeared in The Sunday Times on each page-and there are 10 pages-- In which Sir Charles Court claimed that the Premier blames the Australian Gov- we were a success State. He said the Gov- ernment had achieved 112 of the promises ernment for the present situation. made. The Premier spent taxpayers' money Sir Charles Court: Tell mue of one in- on a trip overseas and a very good state- stance where the statement was, wrong. ment appeared in The Age on Friday, the Mr T. H. JONES; This has been the 31st January, 1975, criticising the visit to role adopted by the Premier all along the United Kingdom by the Western Aus- and in answer to a question from Leslie tralian Premier (Sir Charles Court) and Anderson he said that Canberra. was re- the Queensland Premier (Mr Ejelke-Peter- sponsible for inflation and unemployment. sen). I will quote briefly from the article, When our leader was Premier of this State as follows-- the present Premier challenged him end As Mr. Wilson has been occupied said he would overcome unemployment with more important affairs (it would within three months, be difficult. to think of anything less Important), the two Premiers had to Sir Charles Court: Six months. be content with lodging their protests Mr T, H. JONES: On that occasion the with the fourth-ranking Minister at present Premier said unemployment was the Foreign arid Commonwealth Office, a State matter. However, on the Leslie who, being a peer, nobly obliged. Anderson show he blamed the Australian And so It goes on. The protests were lodged Government for the unemployment situa- with the fourth-ranking Minister and Lord tion in this State. Why should the Pre- cioronwy-Roberts politely told them what mier not accept the responsibility? it is they could have discovered quiLe simply no good Claiming, while sitting on this without leaving Australia. side of the House, that unemployment is The article points out that the visit was a State matter and then, on taking over a waste of taxpayers' money, and the the Government the present Premier States would have been better served had changing his Swan song and saying it is the Premiers stayed at home. The Pre- not a State matter but has become the ier of Western Australia and the Pre- responsibility of the Australian Govern- mier of Queensland were politely told ment. they could have obtained all the informa- Sir Charles Court: Mr Cameron took tion they required without leaving Aus- full responsibility for the position on be- tralia. half of the Government. Sir Charles Court: That was not said Mr Jamieson: Just pass the buck onto at all. anybody. Mr T. H. JONES: That is what was Sir Charles Court: He volunteered the said in England. information on behalf of the Australian Sir Charles Court: The Deputy Premier Government. did a good job while he was away. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mr may: Who made the statement? Collie. Mr T. H. JONES: Lord Goronwy- Mr May: The Premier volunteered the Roberts. Information about putting the position Sir Charles Court: He did not say that right. at all. Sir Charles Court: We will, too. Mem- Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier went bers Opposite are afraid that we will. to Japan and made certain statements but Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier made when he returned to Australia he denied the statement I have referred to and he making those statements. cannot deny it. He made it from this side Sir Charles Court: What did I deny? of the House. I did not deny that statement. Sir Charles Court: Which statement is Mr T. H. JONES: That is the role that? adopted by the Government in this Par- Mr T. H. JONES: That unemployment liament. was a State responsibility. (ASSEUMLY.I

Sir Charles Court: I did not deny mak- things right when in Government. I ask: ing that statement at aDl. What has been put right for the pensioners, the low wage earners, and the Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier made average citizens In Western Australia? the statement and it is no good denying No-one can tell me of one piece of legis- it. lation introduced by the present Govern- Sir Charles Court: ]If we received some ment that has assisted the average person help from Canberra it would be of some in Western Australia. The contrary Is the help to us. situation. Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier said he We are aware of the additional burdens would fix everything overnight. which the Government has placed on the Sir Charles Court: Send the Federal people of Western Australia in the short Government away for six months, and we time It has been in office, I will list them, will fix everything. and they cannot be denied. Some of the impositions placed on the people, gener- Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier said ally, are: Increased fares and freight that the tourist field is moving strongly. charges, 30 per cent; cartage rates, 34.9 I do not know where the strength Is and per cent; water rates, 11.1 per cent; sew- I feel sure the Tourist Bureau would like erage rates, 25.8 per cent; interstate rail to know. fares, 13.5 per cent; gun licenses Increased Sir Charles Court: It Is moving strongly, from $2 to $3, 50 per cent; increased State as the Minister will tell You. Housing Commission rents from between Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier claims $1 and $3.45 per week; electricity charges, that great progress is being made in the 42 per cent; gas charges, up 10 per cent; industrial field. Can he give me one manufactured gas, 17 per cent: pay-roll Instance of something having been done tax up from 4.5 per cent to 5 per cent, to assist the trade unionists in the indus- which will provide additional revenue trial sector of Western Australia? amounting to $4.5 million; motor vehicle insurance premiums, 25 per cent; drivers' Sir Charles Court; mhe Minister and I licenses, increased from $3 to $5; vehicle will tell the honourable member of a license fees increased on an average of whole host of things. 65 per cent, the license for the Fairlane Mr Jamieson: Just tell us one. being the highest went up 113 per cent. Sir Charles Court: How about the We argued from this side of the House for Machinery Safety Act? some consideration to be given to pen- Mr T. H. JONES: I know of no moves sioners. by the Minister for labour and Industry, Mr Orayden: What do you think is or by the Government, that have been of happening in South Australia and Tas- benefit to unionists, except the opening mania? of a labour office In Port Hedland. What Mr T. H. JONES: Other increases in- is there to support this contention by the clude stamp duty on cheques, a rise of Premier? 331 per cent; liquor licenses for hotels and Sir Charles Court; What about the licensed clubs up by 27.3 per cent; tavern additional conciliation commissioner, and and store licenses up 6.7 per cent; and the assistance given to apprentices? water rates have been Increased. We also know that the State Electricity Commis- Mr T. H. JONES: They are machinery sion, the Metropolitan Water Board, and matters. Judges have to be appointed and the Fremantle Port Authority will have the Government cannot take credit for to pay 3 per cent of their gross revenue that. It is necessary to appoint additional into the Treasury. The Rural and Indus- judges to the courts. tries Bank will have to pay 50 per cent of Mr May: I hope that was not one of its net profit to Government sources. the 112 promises. Abattoir slaughtering fees have been In- Mr T. H. JONES: The Premier referred creased considerably, but I will not go Into to the Fraser episode and said- that aspect at this stage because I do not I am happy want to weary the House. I am pointing that It has been re- out the huge taxation burden which has solved because I think it has been been applied by this so-called, "put right" brewing for a long time ... Government which the people voted into It has been more than brewing. We have power last year. Hospital charges have observed the disposal of Mr Gorton, Mr been increased by 50 per cent; meat in- McMahon, Mr Snedden, and now we ask spection fees have increased, rail freights how long it will be before we see the dis- have increased, and so I could go on. This posal of Mr Fraser. is the Government which the people of Mr May: It must be effluent disposal. Western Australia were waiting for to put things right! I wonder what the average Sir Charles Court: Tell us about the citizen and the average pensioner now betrayal of Mr Crean and Mr Barnard. thinks about the Government. Mr TI. H. JONES: It is obvious that the When the impositions were placed on wounds of the Government have been the people we argued and asked for some- opened. The Premier said he would put thing to be done for the pensioners but (Wednesday, 9th Apri1, 1975.] 881 the Government answered that it intended the heading, "Two O.P. men say: 'Libs out to appoint another committee to look into to kill party'". That statement was re- the problems associated with pensioners. I ported in the Press and accompanying the wonder when we will see some action be- article in the Daily News was a picture of cause the pensioners in Western Austra- the Leader of the Country Party sporting lia are finding it very difficult to live at his new moustache to which we have be- a reasonable standard in the present eco- come accustomed since Parliament has nomic situation. been in session. Of course, it is possible that more in- An article appeared in The West Ats- creases are to come. We have had only the tralian of Thursday, the 18th January, first session of this Parliament. When Sir 1975. under the heading, "OP ready to take Charles Court introduced the Budget last on Libs". The article. in part, stated- year he was reported in The West Aus- The Country Party in WA Is pre- tralian of Friday, the 4th October. 1974. paring for a major showdown with the under the heading, "More taxes ahead, Liberal Party over its role in the Gov- Sir Charles hints". I am wondering what erment coalition. Increased taxes will be included In the forthcoming Budget and what it will mean So, what can the people of Western Aus- to the people of Western Australia. tralia expect? Far from having put things right, the Mr Harman: They went to water. Government has placed many people in Mr T. H. JONES: I have indicated quite financial difficulties, particularly the pen- clearly the taxing measures that have been sioners and the people on low incomes' it introduced, and we look forward to seeing is time the Government took some initi- what the future holds In regard to the ative and introduced measures to aid those relationship between the Country Party to whom I have referred. and the Liberal Party. All that the Government has done since I was surprised to read last Thursday it has been in office is to criticise the Aus- week that the Premier announced an in- tralian Government at every opportunlt . quiry would be set up into the Laverton This line has also been adopted by the fiasco. All requests in this House for such present Government's counterparts in an inquiry fell on deaf ears. I do not eastern Australia. know why the Premier made the announ- I will quote from an article which ap- cement-I thought it should have been peared in the Daily News of Thursday. made by the Minister for Police. However. the 27th February, 1975, under the head- suddenly from nowhere we see that the ing, "Steele Hall hits at Opposition'. The Government Is Prepared to support a Royal article, In part, reads- Commission into the Laverton dispute. I The Liberal Movement leader, Sena- wonder why the State Government changed tor Steele Hall, last night accused the its attitude. Was it because the Australian Opposition of defeating Bills merely Government moved in and said It would because they were introduced by a Initiate a Royal Commission, and the State Labor Government. Government saw itself out on a limb? It has certainly changed its policy on this That is precisely the role adopted by the matter. Opposition in the Australian Parliament. or the Federal Parliament. I wonder about Unfortunately the Minister for Police is the relationship between the Country not in the Chamber at the moment. I Party and the Liberal Party. We know would like to know the true facts about that the situation has not been too happy the recruiting of Policemen. If the new in the party rooms or in the Cabinet room. Road Traffic Authority is to operate effici- ently, we must find more policemen. It Sir Charles Court: Who said that? would like to ask the Minister whether he Mr T. H. JONES: We know it to be a was correctly reported In The West Auis- fact, from Information available to us. tralian of the 13th March. The article The Liberal Party was forced to accept states that the Minister said the recruiting pressure applied by the Country Party in of police would stop because no finance respect of the new traffic authority. No- was available and that the officials of the body can deny that. Police Department were concerned about Sir Charles Court: Do not talk such the number of officers required to man the nonsense. new traffic authority when it comes Into operation. Mr T. H. JONES: We are aware of the I wonder about the delay in the setting fate of the Lamb Marketing Board. The up of this new authority. The legislation Liberal Party had to look after big busi- was introduced into this House as a matter ness. If the activities of the Lamb Mar- of urgency last year. and yet we see that keting Board could have been expanded. the new authority will not be in operation it should have been into the handling of until the 1st June, 1975. 1 would like to hogget and mutton. know the reason for the delay. If It is The Country Party leaders themselves the Intention of the coalition Government have said that the coalition is not a~ll that to take over traffic control In this State. happy. An article appeared In the Daily why is it waiting until June of this year News of the 18th January, 1975, under when it had the approval of Parliament 42B) 882 [ASSEMLY.]I to do so last Year? Legislation was passed when the recent referendum was held to to provide for the setting up of this Inde- determine the question of daylight saving. pendent traffic authority in Western Aus- I do not know who was responsible for tralia. this decision, but I do know that 12 booths Mr Harman: They cannot get anyone In the Collie electorate were each manned to accept the payments for the registra- by one individual. To say the least, this tion of cars. practice may lead to corruption. Mr T. H. JONES: I do not know the Mr Sibson: Collie People are not like reason for the delay, or the reason for the that. discontinuance of the intake of recruits. Mr T. H. JONES: Here again we have Perhaps it is that no decision can be the Bunbury wonder! reached on the colour of the uniforms for I am aware that such a practice could the officers. not be followed for elections under the Mr O'Connor: By the way, the Minister provisions of the Electoral Act, but surely has been here for most of your speech. we do not go along with this principle. Mr T. H. JONES: I did not make my Many of my constituents rang me or wrote comment in critical vein. I said it was to me about this matter. I hope this prac- a pity that the Minister for Police was tice will not be adopted when other refer- not here. I am aware that the Minister endums are held. must answer the telephone or attend to Mr Nanovich: Have you figures to show other tasks. However, I would like to It had any bearing on the result? know the position in regard to the recruit- Mr T. H. JONES: Surely the honourable ment of trainees following the statement member with his experience In local gov- which apneared in The West Australian ernment would not suggest that to have one of the 13th March. Concern was exaressed person manning a polling booth Is, a good by police omfcials regarding the availability practice. Would the honourable member of officers who wish to transfer to the go along with such a proposition when authority, and I said I would like to know councillors are being elected? what is the position. Ur Nanovich: No. I was rather concerned about the attitude Mr T. H. JONES: Of course he would adopted by the Minister for Police in regard not go along with it. to amendments to regulations. I fall to understand why he does not make such Sir Charles Court: How many booths amendments public. I refer to the mnatter did you say were manned by one person of demerit points which have been in- only? creased for the offence of exceeding the Mr T. H. JONES: There were 12 such speed limit. On Thursday, the 27th March. polling booths in the Collie area, and from I asked him whether the public had been my inquiries, I understand it was general notified of the Government's intention, as policy. set out in the Government Gazette of the I wish to draw the attention of the Min- 14th March, to increase the demerit points ister for Transport to the urgency for a for this offence. Trhe Minister replied that decision In regard to passenger services to the public had not been informed because Geraldton, Bunbury, and Albany. further amendments were being considered. As the Minister knows, I have written I do not believe this is good enough. The to him, and he has also been contacted motorists in Western Australia should be by the Railway Employees Union on quite advised of any alteration In regard to the a number of occasions. The last report I loss of points for driving offences. The had from the Minister was that the mat- Minister has made numerous statements ter is being Investigated. The problem is about Moora, Laverton. and other matters. exercising the minds of the people of Surely in the interests of the motoring Albany, Bunbury, and Oeraldton. I hope public of Western Australia, when regula- that on this occasion the member for Bun- tions are altered the Minister should carry bury will agree with me, although he out a similar Process and advise motorists. usually disagrees with everything I say. I I raise this question In the hope that some- have also made a submission to the Min- thing similar will not happen again.' Not ister on behalf of the Railway officers Union all motorists have access to the of Western Australia, suggesting that Government Gazette, but they should be a service similar to that of the Prospector aware of the requirements of the regula- service operating between Perth and Kal- tions regarding demerit points. goorlie should be provided. The Prospector Mr Harman: Secret government! is providing an efficient service. I hope the Mr T. H. JONES: I want to turn now Minister will give this matter some priority to the manning of Polling booths when because it is of concern to the people in the recent referendum was held. Apparent- these particular areas. ly the State Government decided to reduce I am also concerned about the road the number of staff In the polling booths, transport industry In Western Australia. but I believe it is a very bad practice to I do not think the Minister for Transport have a Polling booth manned by one per- will disagree with me when I say that the son alone. This is Precisely what happened Industry Is sick. Operators are undercutting [Wednesday. 9th April, 1975.168 683 each other, indulging In questionable tac- Is outside the reach of the union-the tics, and many of them are being bank- union cannot overcome the annual deficit rupted. I realise that the State Govern- in the operations of the Railways Depart- mient is not to blamne for this set of ment. I a~m more concerned about the circumstances, but It does call for some number of derailments. We have been very firm action and the drawing up of guide- lucky so far because only goods trains lines. At the moment the Industry is chao- have been involved, but- the time will tic; the owner-drivers do not know where come when a passenger train Is derailed. they are going, and the commission does That would be a tragic event In the history not know how to guide the industry. of the WAGR. and our railway operations The opinion is held that the number generally. of operators entering the industry should Recently I asked the Minister a question be limited so that there Is no overloading. about the number of derailments since this When we have too many operators, price Government has been in office. The answer cutting occurs with the inevitable result- was that there have been over 60 derail- ant bankruptcy for some of the operators. ments in that 12-month period. The Min- So there is an urgent need for the Gov- ister gave speed and the length of the ernment to try to limit the number of trains as the causes of the derailments. people entering the Industry. It should also These factors may account for some of endeavour to stabilise the rates applicabie. the derailments, but since the bal1lasbing Most other industries operate on a general operations or track maintenance has been rate. If the undercutting ceases, the owner- taken over by contractors, the standard drivers will remain solvent and the Indus- has fallen. I know all about the snake try will become more viable. Some of the charmers and fettlers on the railways, but companies which have gone Into liquida- I am sure the Minister will agree that tion may be able to re-enter the business. since we Introduced the new hydraulic The union has asked me to bring this mat- system of track installation and mainten- ter to the attention of the Minister. ance, the standard has declined. I appeal On Wednesday, the 19th March, 1975, to the Minister to initiate a topline Inquiry 1 asked the Minister what the Government to see whether something can be done to intended to do in regard to the require- reduce the number of derailments. This ments for operators In Western Australia. problem must be exercising the mind of He replied that the matter was receiving the Minister-I am sure he does not like attention. This Is an urgent matter, and to have to stand up In Parliament to tell the Minister knows as well as I do that us that there have been 60 derailments in every week more owner-drivers are bank- Western Australia in one year. I hope the rupted. Unless some positive action Is Minitster will take somne positive auction in taken to limit the number of new operators regard to this situation. In the Industry, Parliament Is not carry- ing out its duty to the people. The member for fluxbury was very vocal the week before last when he spoke to the Mr O'Connor: I think most people would Address-In-Reply after I had spoken on agree that some sort of limit on the num- the amendment which dealt with the ber in the industry Is desirable. State Electricity Commission. His remarks Mr T. H. JONES: Could the Minister are reported in Hansard of Thursday, indicate whether the Government intends the 27th March. He said that when I was to do anything about it? I do not intend Secretary of the Collie coalminers' union to be critical, and I am sure the Minister I supported the Liberal Government. The agrees that some action Is overdue. Premier knows that this is not true-I had many conferences with himi when I was Mr O'Connor: There are submissions be- secretary of the union. In fact, he was fore the Government now, and the matter sick of the sight of the executive in his will be considered in the near future. office. I think the same comment would Mr T. H. JONES: Can we then expect apply to his colleague, the present Presi- some action in the near future? dent of the Legislative Council. r cannot remember supporting the Liberal Govern- Mr O'Connor: The background work has ment in 1960 when It put 600 men out of already been done. work. Mr T. H. JONES: I am also concerned Mr Sibson: it was earlier than that, about the number of train derailments In Western Australia. Recently the Minister Mr T. H. JONES: The member for Bun- addressed the Railway Employees Union bury went on to say that when the cost- when he opened its annual conference. He plus system was discontinued, the coal- called on the union for support to over- mining Industry got on Its feet. He come the problems within the Western forgot to tell us who had Introduced the Australian railway system. His comments cost-plus system. If he had done his Job, were reported in The West Australian the he would have found that the cost-pius next day. Of course, it does not matter system was Introduced by the Liberal what the union members do or what the McLarty-Watts Government and not by a officials of the union do. Certainly co- Labor Government. We strongly opposed operation will help, but the real problem the cost-plus system. (ASSEMBLY.)

As a result of that legislation, coalmin- conditions in the year 1975. The Govern- ing companies in Collie were allowing men ment should give these additions top to work on Sundays and paying them priority. double time, rather than working them Mr Sibson: It was in a similar condition on Saturdays, when the penalties were in 1971, 1912, and 1973, when your Govern- less. I could say a lot about the cost-plus ment was in office. system. Machinery was traded between Mr O'Connor: There are several other one company and the other company, all police stations in a similar condition, and at the expense of the industry and the we must allocate our priorities as we see people of this State. them. May I remind the member for Bunbury Mr T. H. JONES: I raise the following that a cost-plus system was introduced matter on behalf of Donnybrook residents by a Government of the same colour as to try to get some action. I refer to the the one he now supports. I am pleased to proposed widening of the Donnybrook- see that he agrees with the doing away of Mumballup Road, a matter which has been that system. under consideration for a number of years. It is all very well for the honourable I admit that the previous Labor Govern- member to be critical of me, but I point ment did not go ahead with this Proposal, out to the House that his own town council and I do not criticise this Government. supported me when I addressed it on be- However, one has only to travel along the half of the coalminers' union In opposition road to see the traffic hazards experienced to extending the Kwinana power house. there. Trucks hauling logs and stock pose The council did not go along with the a constant danger and it is only luck that views expressed by the member for Bun- has Prevented serious accidents from oc- bury. curring. Rather than criticise me for raising The SPEAKER: The honourable member what he calls the "Swan song"-of course has six minutes remaining. it is a swan song, because I have tried to Mr T. H. JONES: Thank You, Mr make it so on behalf of the coal industry Speaker. I appeal to the Minister to give at Collie-he should support the coalmin- this matter top priority with a view to ing industry. This Parliament Is the proper widening this very important section of place to raise such matters, and if the road. matter had not been raised here, I doubt whether anything would have been done. In the short time available to me, I The member for Bunbury would have have clearly outlined the activities of this served his electorate better had he sup- "put right" Government. I wonder when ported me in my efforts to have the Bun- the people of Western Australia will wake bury power house upgraded. up to this Government. The strategy of The member for Sunbury has not raised blaming the Australian Government on these issues; however, I have raised them every occasion is getting thinner and at every opportunity. Members will recall thinner. People are getting sick and tired the figures relating to the total coal burn of hearing the Premier say, "Due to the at the Sunbury power house. At one stage Australian Government, we find ourselves it was running at 100 000 tons a year, but In this position.", I suggest to the Premier it Is expected to burn 400 000 tonnes this and his Government that they take some year. Had the member for Bunbury sup- positive action. He talks about doing ported me in my submissions relating to something for the workers. What has this the upgrading of the power house, his elec- Government done for the workers since It torate would have been better served. has been in office? Sir Charles Court: How do You get on I appeal to the Minister for Police to if your friends in Canberra refuse us the rectify a situation which I have discussed right to do something? What would you with him previously. I refer to the condi- do if they refused you the right to carry tion of the courthouse, police station and out your own developmental Programmes? sergeant's quarters at Donnybrook. This be screaming at them, not us. matter has been of concern to the Associa- You should tion of Justices of Western Australia, which Mr T. H. JONES: This Government has has raised the matter with the Minister. done nothing about sick leave or workers' Recently. I directed a question to the compensation legislatIon-legislatIon, which Minister seeking to ascertain when the is quite within its power to Implement. Government Intended to construct the new How much workers' legislation has this buildings and I was told that the matter Government introduced? Not one piece! would be considered in the next Estimates, Mr Nanovich: Who are the workers? subject to finance. These premises are in a shocking condition. The cells are riddled Mr T. H. JONES: The member for with white ants. When the magistrate Too dyay certainly is not one of them: he wants to consider his decision, everyone has made no more than three speeches must leave the court and sit out in the since he has been here. open. The floor in the sergeant's quarters Mr Nanovich: I probably worked harder undulates so much that he cannot lay a when I was 10 years old than You did carpet. Surely we should not tolerate these when you were 30. [Wednesday, Mt April, 1976.1 Mr Jamieson: Self praise! Sir Charles Court:, Do not try too hard. Mr Nanovich: I would not expect any It is better to say what you say, and praise in any direction from the member nicely, than to say nothing like he does for Welshpool. He would not give a bit of In a loud voice. praise to anyone. Mrs CRAIG; It is a privilege to be able Mr T. H. JONES: I have never heard to speak on behalf of the people in one's such rubbish. The member for Toodyay Is electorate during the Address-in -Reply always on this tack, but I think we all debate. However, conscious of the clock know the true situation. I worked Just as to my right, before I start to discuss hard as the honourable member did. At one problems in my electorate I should like to stage, I was a coalminer working under- bring three significant matters to the ground on contract. I do not know whether attention of members. he knows anything about that. He should Firstly, I refer to International Women's not cast aspersions at me: I used to work Year. As the year 1975 has been desig- in the mines. nated by the United Nations as the year Mr Coyne: I thought you were a union in which women will be recognised, I felt secretary. I might be forgiven on this occasion for being not just a member but a woman Mr T. H. JONES: I started my working member of this House. I hope members life as a call boy on the railways, at 3s. 8d. all know that the theme of this year Is a day. I did not inherit what many mem- peace, equality and development. Whilst bers opposite inherited. I have been a it seems to be causing some amusement on worker all my life and I am proud to have the Opposition benches, I am quite sure come from the coalmines to this House if we could concentrate a little more on of Parliament. peace, equality and development we would Mr Coyne: How long were you the sec- probably have a far better world In which retary of the union? to live, Mr T. H. JONES: As usual, we hear Mr Jamieson: You will never have peace back-benchers opposite making their In this world while you have a Premier speeches sitting down, Very rarely do we like the present Premier sitting in front see them standing to make a speech to of you. the benefit of Western Australia. Mrs CRAIG. A lot of men are afraid Mr Nanovich: I cannot see what con- that once International Women's Year is tibution you have made over the last announced, women will rise up in a band, half hour or so. become militant and demand their rights. Mr T. H. JONES: Wll members opposite M r Skidmore: I must admit that it had be as silent when they sit on this side of the House? Only time will tell. Perhaps me a little wordied. they will not be directed to keep silent Mrs CRAIG: That Is not the Idea at by their leader. all, Women want only the chance to Mr Sibson: I did say I supported the be equal. member for Collie in his previous state- Mr T. J. Burke: You are more than ment. equal. Mr Jamnieson: Whatever his previous Mrs CRAIG: Women do not want to statement was. be dependent. I believe I have been given Mr O'Connor: That he was a call boy rather a wonderful opportunity. I have on the railways. been allowed to enter this House and I Mr T. H. JONES:. Members opposite hope that not too many years pass before can say what they like: it Is the Collie others of my sex are sitting here to show electors who determine my destiny, not- that we can in fact make a greater con- thank God-members opposite. tribution to the State which heretofore we have not been given the chance to do. I have brought several matters to the Whilst coping with the problems mem- attention of Government Ministers and I bers encounter concerning people, one par- hope I have brought some important issues ticular matter has come to my attention. to the attention of the people of Western We are all in politics because we are in- Australia. This "put right" Government terested in people, yet we have existing has certainly put things right-right up!I today in Government departments officers It has imposed taxes on the People of who are dealing with many people under Western Australia, Including the pen- stress. It is not the officers' fault that sioners in our community. I am interested they deal with these people in a fairly un- to see the report on what It intends to do feeling and impersonal way; such people to assist pensioners in Western Australia. are churning through their offices one MRS CRAIG (Wellington) [0.08 pa..: after the other, every day. This is the second time I have spoken in However, this treatment causes distress an Address-In-Reply debate in this House; to the people concerned. I am quite I wrish I could do so with as much gusto sure that every member in this House has as the member for Collie, and look as re- had people come to him upset by some- laxed about It as he does. thing that has been said to them by a [ASS TDL.I person in the Department of Social Secur- Mr CRAIG: A matter of great import- ity, the Department for Community Wel- ance in my electorate is that of market fare or the Repatriation Department. milk, and I think it may be of interest to Mr Taylor: Could you mention State the House to know just how much milk is departments as well as departments of Produced in this State. For the year ended the Australian Government? the 30th June, 1974, the total production of market milk was 53 049 000 gallons of Mr CRAIG: I did mention the Depart- which 25 281 000 gallons of contract milk ment for Community Welfare. was supplied by licensed producers who Mr Jamieson. You must remember that also supplied 14 487 000 gallons of surplus these people are only human. milk used for mnanufacture. This means Mr CRAIG: I am not singling out any that suppliers of market milk are produc- department or person for criticism. All ing 39 768 000 gallons or 15 per cent of the members probably have had forwarded to total production of milk in Western Aus- them letters received from these depart- tralia today. mnents by people under stress. An ex- How many suppliers produce this milk? ample of this sort of letter was the one In April of this year there were 565 people received by the next of kin of a Person 'who producing market milk and there were died only the previous day saying, "Please 307 manufacturing milk producers apart return the little red card in your posses- from which 196 producers were supplying sion. If you do not know what it Is like, cream. This comprises at total of 1 068 It Is two inches by five inches. We would suppliers who are very well looked after appreciate your getting it Into the mall as by the Department of Agriculture, because there Is slightly better than one officer soon as possible." employed in the dairy division of the De- This means nothing unless one Is In a partment of Agriculture to every 10 sup- stress situation. Surely more thought pliers. could be put into writing these letters. This situation has been brought about They could even be roneoed instead of largely because when the Dairy Industry being written individually; at least them Authority came into being the Department we would be sure that people would not of Agriculture absorbed some of the em- receive the sort of letter which would upset ployees of the Milk Board of Western Aus- them. tralia. Another case, again dealing with a re- It would be difficult to enter into a dis- patriation patient, concerns a woman who cussion on milk without mentioning the travelled all the way to Perth to find out solids-not-fat content of milk. For those what the situation 'was on the death of members who may not be aware of what her husband, who had been in receipt of this is I would point out that It comprises a service pension. She was told that his the protein, milk, sugars, minerals, and death was not due to war causes and that most of the vitamins in the milk. The she would go on receiving the pension she term "solids-not-fat" seems to have gained had been receiving previously, an amount increasing prominence in the last few of some $51.50 a week. years. due to the fact that there has been I do not doubt that the officer told her an Introduction of incentive and penalty she was entitled to apply to the Depart- payments to producers. The Incentive payment of Social Security in order to receive ments for milk with a solids-not-fat con- a widow's pension and that the pension tent above 8.6 per cent supplied between would be higher than the one she was December and April range from O.5c per then receiving. However, for eight weeks gallon to 2.5c per gallon, according to the after that meeting she continued to receive test. her pension at the old rate. She came to Penalty payments operate throughout me and said, "When will I hear from the the whole year when milk falls below 8.5 Department of Social Security that I am per cent. A test above 8.4 per cent and going to get this increased pension?" I below 8.5 per cent is penalised at the rate said, "Have you applied for it?" and she of 5c per gallon. One above 8.3 per cent replied, "No, I do not have to. The Repat- and below 8.4 per cent is penalised at iC riation Department will do it for me." per gallon, and below 8.3 per cent at manu- obviously, there Is a breakdown In commu- facturing milk prices. nication which is causing an enormous Members may immediately ask 'why is amount of confusion In the community 8.5 per cent the standard set for solids-not- today. fat. I asked the same question and I The difficulty In citing many cases decided to seek my information from the is that privacy must be protected. I have Department of Agriculture. When I asked noticed that It is fashionable to bring Into why this standard was insisted upon the this Chamber a sheaf of Papers and letters Department of Agriculture said it had received from people within one's electorate nothing to do with the matter: It was and quote from them and from the replies something that was enforced by the Public sent to those people. However, I do not Health Department and, accordingly, I intend to bore the House with that sort thought It would be a good idea to ask of thing tonight. this question of the Public Health Depart- Sifting suspended from 6.15 to 7.30 P.m. ment. I did so and I was told that the [Wednesday, 9th April, 1975.] 687

standard had nothing to do with that requirements to produce milk of a set stan- department-it merely enforced it; It was dard. I continue to quote from the paper a standard adopted by the Food Standards to which I have just referred to show Committee, and the department suggested that- that I contact the Secretary of the Food Shades have been found beneficial Standards Committee in Canberra. When and Russoff et al found that sprinkling I contacted the secretary he said. "We did Plus shade was correlated with greater not set the standard; I wonder whether milk production than was observed you are discussing the Paper that is at under shade alone. The production present circulating in Canberra suggesting of Holstein cows with shade plus that the solids-not-fat requirement be sprinkling ranged from .4 to 2.6 kg/ raised to 8.7 per cent." I assured him that day more than with shade only. I was not, and I returned to my original All sorts of experiments have been con- source, which was the Public Health De- ducted on feeding cows and also on im- partment. proving the conditions under which they I asked that department whether it could are milked, but the problem still persists. Produce a Paper which would show why We were all told when the producers in 8.6 per cent was the standard we found It Albany began to produce market milk that necessary to adopt. The department in- because of the climate there they would formed me that this was done to protect not encounter this situation; but this, of the consumer, to which I replied. "Do you course, has not been so. believe that every consumer who swallows a glass of milk believes it is doing him From this I hope It Is clear that there good because it has a solids-not-fat con- is a case for a critical examination of the tent of 8.5 Per cent; and would it make any requirement for an 8.5 per cent solids-not- difference if we adopted the 11.7 total fat content at present imposed on farmers. solids which is applied In New Zealand and The rural economics and marketing in the United Kingdom?" The Public section of the Department of Agriculture Health Department merely reiterated what has been conducting a survey Into the It had said in the first place. I have not costs and income structure of the dairy been able to get a copy of the Paper In Industry in Western Australia. This survey question-and I am sure officers have is a complete study of one year's physical delved in the archives-nor could any rea- and financial results; but by the time these son be advanced for accepting the standard results are collated many changes will of 8.5 per cent solids-not-fat. Why is It have taken place. At this point I would that farmers should produce a solids-not- like to refer to the change in the price of fat content of 8.5 per cent from Cows that super alone. To analyse these costs In are milked over a full year and milked relation to super we find that in a survey during the Incentive Payment months in conducted of 13 farms producing quota a stress situation? when this happens year milk the average usage of super/potash after year we get a drop in standards. is 91.41 tonnes which costs $2 726: and Environment and temperature play a 5.20 tonnes of nitrogen which costs $421. large Part, and to prove this I would like making a total of $3 147. The current to read a few extracts from a Paper Put market price for the same usage of super/ out by the Department of Agriculture. The potash and nitrogen Is $6 939 which gives paper entitled, "Temperature and Com- a total Increase of 120.5 per cent. Position of Milk-Environmnental Tem- This Increase alone has the effect on perature and the Composition and Yield quota milk of raising the cost of Produc- of Milk of Jersey Cows" and it dates back tion by 4.23c a gallon of quota. 1938. 1 quote- to No discussion on market milk could ex- Espe (1946) states that during 1941 clude some comments on the negotiability at Iowa Experimental Station, the of quotas. It is no secret that debate on total Production of the herd dropped this aspect has been raging for some time. 23% when the external temperature If members would look at the Dairy In- changed from 29' to 37' C. At another dustry Act, they would find that section time Production dropped 34% for tem- 30 (4) states- perature Increase from 27' to 34' C. (4) Any Person who holds a quota There were no changes in feeding and may apply in writing to the Authority management. In a form approved by the Authority- Then In 1954 Hancock reports on high (a) for the approval of the Au- temperatures as follows-- thority to the transfer of the At temperatures above 21' 0, milk whole or part of that quota to yield of European cattle decreases another Person specified in slowly at first, but after 27 0 C there is the application; a sudden drop. (b) for the consent of the Au- Management, of course, also enters Into thority for the surrender to it this, but when one is trying to manage a of the whole or part of that large herd of cows in the middle of a quota subject to the payment heatwave it Is difficult to Provide optimum by the Authority to him of an 688 [ASSEMBLY.]

amount of compensation to be to selling their quotas. Accordingly I hope agreed between the Authority this question of negotiability can be settled and him. at an early date. Surely this is tantamount to saying there Much has been heard of the plight of will be negotiability! I think there is little the beef producer, and I do not wish to argument about this;, however the Dairy reiterate Previous remarks that have been Industry Authority has experienced con- made except to say that beef does have a siderable difficulty in framing the condi- serious side effect for people who are pro- tions under which negotiability of quotas ducing market milk. They are getting a will operate; or rather in framing con- minimal price for their cows and nothing ditions which are within the terms of for the calves they sell: indeed the whole the Act. For this reason progress has been structure on which they were able to pur- slow and considerable hardship is being chase their farms has been eroded. experienced by many people. There are For those people and for others who are some market milk producers who have in total beef enterprises It Is Impera- been hanging on, producing their quota tive that somehow or other this beef of milk, and waiting for the day on which scheme reduce the iniquitous interest rate they could negotiate their quotas, I have of 11.5 per cent to something which is an actual case of an old couple In my reasonable for people in trouble. They electorate-the man is aged 68 years and must be allowed a forgiveness of the pay- the woman 84 years-who are milking ment for a period of at least two years. their cows every day until such time as and the requirement that 85 per cent of they can sell their quota. The sale of the the Income be derived from beef must be Quota would enable them to stay on their removed. Unless this Is done there will be farm and finish their days there. They no hope for the farmer. will probably graze a few beef cattle in I would like now to move on to the sub- the hope that they may derive some small ject of the rise in the rate of salinity in income. I see no reason why these people the Wellington Dam, it was perhaps per- should be denied this privilege when they tinent that tonight the member for Warren have put a lifetime of work into their asked yet another question on this topic. small property. Firstly I thought I would like to quote Also considerable discussion has been from a paper of The Australian Water raging about amalgamation. This was a Resources Council. It is technical paper requirement I read of in the Press, and my No. 7 and Indicates the effect salinity has Information has come from the Press, that on plants. It reads as follows- In the event of a producer of market milk The salinity or total soluble salt Con- deciding to buy a farm next door, or if centration of an irrigation water is an he wants to amalgamate, it would be extremely important water quality con- necessary for the milk to be produced in sideration, An increase In the water two separate dairies. salinity causes an increase In the os- motic pressure of the sofl solution re- Surely this Is absolute nonsense! If one sulting In a reduced availability of this is going to get bigger and expand from water for consumption by the plant. a 60-gallon quota by taking in a 60-gallon Consequently plant growth may be quota next door one would not milk the severely retarded. 60-gallon quota In the one dairy and then scurry across and do the same in the dairy The Wellington Dam was constructed In next door, and possibly also employ labour 1933 primarily to enable farmers in the for this purpose. Brunswick, Waterloo and Dardanup districts to produce perennial pastures so that I am pleased to say that at a meeting milk might be produced all the Year round. of farmers held in Harvey last week the chairman of the authority assured the I hope members will forgive me for not producers he would review the situation. having converted the figures I have here I hope the authority does eventually to metric. If anyone is sufficiently in- review the situation, because what exists terested I can supply a table for this at the moment is a retrograde step and purpose. It is taking us back at least 10 years. The safe draw of the Wellington Dam There are some people who argue that equals 75 000 acre feet. Of this, irrigation a quota should not have a value. It Is true accounts for 55 000 acre feet, country that initially certain people were given water supplies, 6 000 acre feet, and In- quotas. If I had milked cows twice a day dustry, 14 000 acre feet. However, in reply for 25 years with no time-and-a-half on to a question asked by the member for Saturdays and double time on Sundays, I Warren in this House in September last would Jolly well think I had earned myself year, we were told it is no longer con- an asset, and this negotiability question sidered necessary to reserve any specific should be settled as quickly as possible. quantity of Wellington Dam water for There are many people in the butterfat In- these purposes. The Public Works Depart- dustry who are looking forward to being ment has agreed with the Bunbury Town able to buy quotas, and there are others In Council to keep the Bunbury Water the market areas who are looking forward Board's needs under review. [Wednesday. 9th April, 1975.] The 55 000 acre feet for Irrigation is salts reach 500 mg per litre, and we know designed to irrigate one-third of each farm that water Is one of the most vital re- with three-acre feet of water per rated sources In Australia. acre, and 12 200 acres is the maximum area We are aware that very few areas can which can be irrigated. From the early be irrigated successfully. This Is due to 1940s there has been apparent a long- soil types, rainfall, and a lack of suitable ternm trend for the salt content of the area for catchment, However, what we dam to rise by 4.3 mg per litre total soluble do not know is how soon some action is salts per annum. By the late 1960s it likely to be forthcoming to halt the rise was in the 400s and in 1973 It had reached in salinity levels in the Wellington Darn, a peak of 630 mg per litre total soluble and what recommendations have been salts. made by various authorities to overcome On the 1st August last year in this the Problem before the farmers in the House I asked what level of salinity would area are forced to change their farming make agriculture of the type presently methods with a consequent reduction in being pursued in the area unsuitable. The productivity, reply was-- There may have to be a total ban on Irrigation pastures are likely to clearing or a reforestation programme em- suffer some yield reduction when barked upon. There may have to be a irrigated with water containing more system where the most saline waters are than 500 mg per litre total dissolved piped perhaps separately to sea or to a salts. dam below the present one. I hope I Will be a member of the Government Yet we realise that we have already when some such plan is announced and reached a peak of 630 mag per litre total Implemented. soluble salts. The question Is not Just Whatever the scheme decided upon, as simple as the leakage Into the dam of there will be an uproar. There will cer- water with Increased soluble salts. tainly be an uproar in my electorate and Many departments have been working in other electorates, too. However, failure on this problem and the oSIRo was asked to take action will seriously reduce the in May, 1974. If it would comment on productivity of our State and we cannot some of the problems occurring In the afford to let that occur. Wellington Dam catchment area. It said- All parties which are studying this prob- For areas where the average rain- lem should hasten to correlate their find- fall exceeds 40 inches (1 000 mm) per ings and announce a plan to reduce the year, the quantity of salt in the soil escalation of salinity In the Wellington is about 70 tons per acre (170 tonnes Dam. I do not consider that we can be per hectare). However, for areas re- dependent for a solution on the vagaries ceiving less than 30 inches (800 mm) of the weather. We do know that, In thb per year, the soil salt is about 350 tons wet winters, the salinity drops and when per acre (880 tonnes per hectare). we have a low rainfall winter, we are faced These quantities of salt are held in with a higher salinity level at the begin- soil which has an average depth of 70 ning of the Irrigation season. feet (21 metres) to bedrock. This shows that there is a huge reservoir MR T. D. EVANS (Kalgoorlie) [7.53 of salt in the soils of the Darling p 'm.]:1 We have been agreeably reminded, Range irrespective of whether it Is if this is necessary, that this is Interna- forested or farmed. tional Women's Year, by the comments of Further on. the osmRo stated- the member who has Just resumed her seat. I say "agreeably" because I was personally The most Important Issue being quite impressed with her degree of human faced at the moment is related to the compassion in some of those Instances continuation of clearing, Solutions to where she knows things are not right and, the salinity problem need research indeed, have not been put right. I hope which takes time to be carried out. that her concern for human values and "Time to be carried out." We already relations will rub off on the Premier and know that these investigations have been his team as time goes by in the remain- In progress since 1940. Ing two years of the life of this Govern- Another point to be considered when ment. we are talking about the increasing salinity Mr Harnman: You are hoping for a bit content of the Wellington Dam is the too much. number of town supplied with water from Mr T. D. EVANS: I have here a copy the dam. There are some 25 towns which of yesterday's Daily, News in which it is embrace a wide area and if this water indicated that the Premier has paused becomes too saline for the stock to drink from his frequent long-playing and, indeed, and unsuitable for household purposes we constant and tedious exercise of maligning will have a problem of enormous magni- the Australian Government. This pause tude. We know that the salinity is in- would be noted widely. It is not a pause creasing. We know that some pasture from getting on with the Job and making species are affected once the total soluble 'Western Australia a greater and better 690 690ASSEMBLY,] place In which its citizens can live, but Is Mdr Sodeman: Did you do everything you a pause from that other exercise in wich promised In the first 12 months? he Indulges and which Is becoming quite a humbug to the people of Western Aus- Mr T. D. EVANS: The member for PJ1- tralsa. The article is headed, "We're a suc- bara can get up and make his own speech. cess, says Sir Charles". No doubt he means, The Government has not only failed to "We have put things right", because that honour some of its undertakings but It has was the slogan used to launch the election betrayed the people of Western Australia campaign of the Liberal Party section of by taking certain actions which it did the Government. He claims that they are a not have the intestinal fortitude to success, so no doubt he has put things announce at the hustings It would do right. If it were returned to office. I1 refer to I was amazed this afternoon to find In some of the charges and Increased tax- answer to a question asked by the member ation which have become a burden an the for Ascot that the Premier has accepted a people of Western Australia. I will content challenge. I regret he was not able to myself by referring to one, anid one only, deliver the bacon this afternoon when of these; that is, Increased water charges answering a question. Nevertheless he has in country districts. accepted a challenge to itemise the 112 We all recall that when announcing the promises which have so far been honoured 1974-75 State Budget the Premier alluded out of a total of 275. to increased charges to country water con- The newspaper quoted the Premier as sumers, and also to an Increase In the rate saying that this constituted a 72 per cent by restoring the rate which existed from achievement. The Premier indicated that early 1960 till 1972 when It was reduced some promises had been canied out and by the Labor Government, I do not want others were being done. One could be ex- to speak about the rate; I concern myself cused for believing that perhaps the Premn- only with the increased charges. ier was confusing people with promises. We on this side of the House strongly We know who is being done, and many of criticised the Government in the debate the people have been done. which followed the Introduction of the The article went on, in referring to the Budget, and we drew attention to this state Premier's assessment of his alleged suc- of affairs. We did not hear one comment cess, to say that he had achieved a 72 per from any country member supporting the cent success, and it was stated that the Government side at that time, but as the Premier had had a background in account- weeks went by and the sad news filtered ancy. No doubt he has also become familiar through to the people no doubt they were with mystics and the fantasy world or he prodded into some form of action, because would not have made such a claim and the Premier announced that due to rep- thus proclaimed himself as being some sort resentations from his own supporters he of Wizard of Odds. would conduct a review into the impact of I look forward to seeing the marked copy the charges on country residents: and he of the Liberal Party manifesto In which did so. he intends to indicate the 112 undertakings in March The West Australian an- he has honoured out of a total of 275 nounced for him, "Reduction in water rate which he made to the People. for country residents". The headline was The article went on to state that the confusing because it referred to the water Government has demonstrated that it rate, not to water charges. However, after places a high Priority on people. Already this misleading heading the article went one of his own supporters-and I refer to on to say that country residents, generally, the member f or Wellington-has indicated could expect a reduction, although it was that things have not been put right in her only a small reduction, which would electorate and that some of the people apply to residents north of the 26th paral- there have been given a very low priority lel of latitude. by this Government. This announcement had a very hollow Sir Charles Court: They have not. A lot ring for those residents living south of has been done for them, as the honourable the 26th parallel of latitude, and we do member herself would acknowledge. That not need to be reminded that the majority is one thing of country residents in Western Australia we are trying to put right.* live south of the 26th parallel. Not only Mr T. D. EVANS: The Premier had south of that latitude but everywhere in better have a talk with the member for Western Australia beyond the metropoli- Wellington. tan area where the country areas water I make the Point that already in this supply scheme operates, domestic consum- debate evidence has been produced by ers, non-Government schools, local author- members on this side of the House to ities, and industrial and commercial con- show that in fact the Government has sumers face greatly increased charges this failed-and failed dismally-to carry out year. same of the undertakings It made. It will I remind members that the review stop- be enlightening to see the policy booklet ped short of commercial and industrial and to ascertain the undertakings which consumption of water. There was no reduc- have not been honoured. tion, either north or south of the 26th (Wednesday, 9th April, 1975.1 parallel, In those two categories, The Im- tract and hold residents In country dis- pact on decentralised industry must there- tricts. Be that as It may. the argument fore be frightening. about decentralisation did not seem to hold I will give an example from my own much water as far as the Minister was con- electorate but what I state as being ap- cerned, and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race posite to Kalgoorlie would be apposite right Club now faces an impost of a 293 per cent throughout the country districts of West- increase in water charges this year. ern Australia where water Is drawn from The same Budget which heralded those the scheme. in Kalgoorlie the average an- savage increase gave the Premier an op- nual consumption of water for industrial portunity-and no doubt he will claim purposes is 3 268 ki. Applying the charges credit for this-to introduce his much pub- which existed prior to the introduction of licised refund of pay-roll tax to a very the last State Budget, the annual charge few of those decentralised Industries. for that quantity of water would have been Forms have already gone out to decentral- $287.58. Applying the charges now prevail- ised industries, and I Imagine the number ing under the new scale, the same con- of claims received Is causing some embar- sumption of water will cost $618.97, an rassment to the Government because it Increase of 110 per cent on that volume Provided the sum of $50 000 only to service alone. If that volume is exceeded the in- all the country districts of Western Aus- crease Is proportionately greater In terms tralia. However, one does not need to have of percentage. recourse to a calculator or even to a slide The result Is even more staggering for rule to realise that any benefits which users who are classified as commercial. might have been expected to flow from Again I give a local example. The average this refund of pay-roll tax would be more than eroded by the savage Increase in the annual consumption in Kalgoorlie mercial use is 394 RI. Applying thefor com-new cost of Industrial water-which I men- scale of charges the cost for this volume tioned, using the example from my own will increase from $18.64 to $43.34, a per- electorate, was an increase of 110 per cent, centage increase of 130. So for the Premier to claim this as one of his achievements means nothing, and It Mr Sodeman: When was the last in- is derogated into the class of a gimmick. crease? I do not think it was intended to be a Mr T. D. EVANS: The position of the gimmick but the savage Increases in water Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race Club is Interest- charges have made It so. ing, and I would think this example would Domestic consumers in country areas be representative of all country districts south of the 26th parallel, who constitute which have a grassed racecourse. The Kal- the majority of country residents in Wes- goorlie-Boulder Race Club, which has eight tern Australia, face an Increase of 45 per hectares of grassed land, was previously cent on their previous charges, allowing categorised as a general purpose consumer, that consumption remains consistent with in the same category as non-Government that of last year or any other base year. schools, local authorities, and other recog- In the general purposes category, to nised non-profit organisations. With the which I referred earlier when I mentioned introduction of the last Budget, the race the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race Club, we find club found Itself classed as a commercial non-Government schools and local author- enterprise, and as aLresult, if it consumes ities which have the responsibility to this year the same quantity of water as it Provide and maintain swimming pools, consumed in recent years. It Is expected parks, and gardens for their citizens. How that the cost of water to the race club do they fare? Previously the charge was a will be 293 per cent higher. fiat 5.5c per kl. Under the new scale the Mr Blalkie: Do You think the charges charges are 7c a kI for the first 450 kI-or should be the same as in the city? 100 000 gallons uinder the old Imperial Mr T. D. EVANS: The Secretary of the measures-l ie a k1 for the next 1 819 ki. Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race Club complained and 22c a ki thereafter. One does not to the Minister. I might add that for need a great deal of imagination to realise many years the secretary of the club was that the local authorities which maintain the Chief Clerk of the Water Supply De- swimming pools and adequate parks and partment In Kalgoorlie, and he knew what gardens for their citizens will be seriously he was writing about. The Minister asked disadvantaged by these savage increases. him whether the club could exercise better which amount to a hike in charges of 30 water management. He indicated that the per cent on a minimum consumption. The club had been exercising proper and ade- Government is playing this down. At the quate water management for many years same time It Is Increasing the local gov- and pointed out to the Minister that the ernment assistance fund which the Tonkin action in transposing the club from the Government established. It will have to general purposes category to the commer- increase the fund because many more cflal Category was a serious blow to decen- claims will be generated by the savage tralisation If the same thing occurred in increases In water charges. other parts of the State, because country Because I think It is apposite, I will racecourses provide very favourable amen- link up with this the procrastination of ities for country people which help to at- the Government In making up its mind 692 ,AbtSEMBLY.]

whether to Join the Medibank scheme as which might become apparent. I asked cer- far as the hospitalisation section of the tain questions of the Minister In respect scheme is concerned. It has been said of this agency. On Wednesday. the 19th that the country areas water supply scheme March, I asked the following question- stood to lose approximately $15 million this (1) Is the Totalisator Agency Board year. so this was put forward as justifica- the registered proprietor of tion for the savage increases to country premises formerly used as a T-A.B. residents. But we have also been told by agency (No. 104) in Boulder Road, the Treasurer of the Australian Govern- Kalgoorlie? ment-and no-one has challenged it- The Minister answered. "No." So we have Mr Blaikie: Which one? established that the Totalisator Agency Board does not own this new building. I Mr T. D. EVANS: Dr Cairns is the then asked- Treasurer. I would have said "the former (2) If not, did the board rent or lease Teasurer" had I been referring to anybody the said premises? else. The answer was. "Yes." The next part of Mr Blalkle: There is a bit of confusion. my question was as follows-- Mr T. D. EVANS: There is no confusion (3) Is the board still paying a rental at all. The Liberal Party might have con- or lease fee, and If so. how much fusion in Its leadership stakes. We have per given period of time? no confusion at all. The Minister replied that the board is Dr Cairns has indicated that Western paying $250 Per annum rental. My next Australia would be deprived of some $20 question was- million if It did not enter the scheme this (4) For what period of time is the year. Here is the Government procrastin- board committed to Pay such a ating about $20 million but it has no hesi- fee for the said premises, notwith- tation at all in trying to recoup $15 mil- standing that such Premises are lion by Imposing savage increases on not being used? country consumers of water, and at the same time it raises its flag and mounts a I found the board is committed to Pay this crusade or masquerade, alleging It Is the rental for 25 Years from the signing of the Government to sponsor decentralisation. lease. I believe the lease was signed only last year, so the board must continue to Sir Charles Court: When in Govern- pay the rental of $250 a year for the next ment, did You not try to get a better deal 24 years. for your State? You r Deputy Leader of Mr Coyne: They would not miss $250 the Opposition tough tlike fury to try to get a better deal on road funds. Why a year. should we not try to get a better deal on Mr O'Connor: They are saving by keep- health? ing the agency closed. Mr T. D. EVANS: The next part of my Mr T. D. EVANS: I wish to cover sev- question was-- eral matters and I do not intend to lose time by listening to Interjections. (5) How does the board justify paying such lease or rental fee and main- I refer to the undertaking the Premier taining the building on a non- gave to the people of Western Australia: remunerative "We will give people a high priority,' Let basis? me give a very mundane example. Teanswer of the Minister was- Early in December last, two TAB agen- (5) As a result of the sudden termi- cies in Kalgoorie were closed as a result of nation of their contracts by 3 a strike by agents in that centre. When I agents in Kalgoorlie and Boul- say they were closed after the strike, I der a review was carried out. mean the Totalisator Agency Hoard refused to open two of the agencies and they That Is how the board justifies that clos- have remained closed ever since. ure. I suppose we can assume that the review indicated that It is not an econo- In the case of one agency a petition was mical Proposition to continue the shop in taken up. I think it included in excess of operation. Let us assume that is correct. 380 names, but I am relying on memory The next part of my question was as fol- because I gave the petition to the Minister for Police on the morning of Christmas lows-- Eve. The Petition asked that the agency (6) Uf the answer to (5) Is of the be reopened. However, It still remains essence that the operation of a closed. T.A.B. agency at the said Premises at the present time cannot be I would like to deal with the other economically Justified, agency, which is situated in Boulder Road, has the Kalgoorlie. I would think the TAB shop operation of an agency at the said nearest to the agency In question would be Premises ever been Justified? something like 1* or 1j miles away. The Bear in mind that the board has in fact member for Murchison would know the paid for the building and is still paying agency to which I refer. It is next door rent on It. I Point out that the building to a certain hotel, but I do not wish to cost $22 393.66, and It was opened on the mention the name of the hotel for reasons 9th September. 1974. At present the board [Wednesday. 9th April. 1975.] 693 owns the improvements, but under the Mr Coyne: The freeholder has a pretty term~s of the lease the improvements be- good investment, hasn't he? come the property of the freeholder at the end of the lease period in 24 years Mr T. D. EVANS: Perhaps the Minister time; and, furthermore, under the terms of for Transport-if he likes to put on his the lease the premises cannot be wsed for other hat now-will be glad to hear that any purpose other than a TAB agency. I have only one more comment to make In respect of him, and then I will pass to We now have the situation where People other Ministers. Following complaints I in Kalgoorlie who live South of the Manl- received In Kalgoorlie from patrons and tans, Street bridge have only one TAB their friends who travelled on the Prospec- shop, situated in Hannan Street. Heaven tor fronm Perth to Kalgoorie on Good knows, the TAB seems to be operating Friday, I asked the Minister- nearly every day of the week in recent times. There is one other agency in Kal- Would he please advise the nature goorlie which operates on a weekly basis of the main course of meals served on in Lower Hannan Street, but there is only Prospector rail car services between one agency to service the bulk of the town Perth and Kalgoorlie and Kalgoorlie during the whole of the week. and Perth on Good Friday (28th I advise the Minister that patrons are March last), a day traditionally ob- complaining because they must queue up served by many people as a "non now for five or 10 minutes, even on week meat" day? days on some occasions, to be served at I point out that there were two trains each the sole agency operating south of the way on that day. The Minister informed Maritana Street bridge. I have asked the me that breakfast was served on both Minister if he would ask the Totalisator trains, and It consisted of leg ham with Agency Board to review its decision, and scrambled egg and tomato. The main he replied that he would. I would hope course in the evening meal consisted of the board will meet soon and that its roast lamb or veal cutlets. The answer of review will prove to be favourable. the Minister went on to Indicate that fish At present I think It is a scandalous was deleted from the menu in December, situation that the board has spent over 1974, after tests disclosed that it was not $22 000 on the improvements, and it is reconstituting satisfactorily. He said that paying $250 a year rental for the premises. when the menus for Good Friday were It is committed to Pay that rental for being Prepared fish was considered, but in another 24 years, and under the terms of the light of past experience was not in- the lease the premises cannot be used cluded. for any purpose other than a TAB I fail to see why those who prepared the agency. The premises may be retained on answers for the Minister should equate the the basis of not being used at all; that exclusion of meat with the substitution of would not offend the lease. However, I fish. That was not what I asked at all. But feel it is scandalous that money is being even If that were what I asked, I feel the spent in that manner when obviously the main course of the evening meal could premises must have been justified last have offered something other than meat. year for the TAB to spend such a great I realise that two varieties of meat were amount of money on the building and to offered, but there could have been another operate the agency. option for those who traditionally regard I asked a final question of the Minister. Good Friday as a nonmeat day. Then It was to the effect that if the two agen- there is the other side of the question: cies to which I referred are not justified Perhaps the freezing equipment on the now, were they ever justified? The Min- Prospector needs to be examined if fish ister replied that they were justified cannot be cardied for 400 miles in such a during the time they were operating. If manner that it can be reconstituted when they were justified in the past, then they called for. are justified now because Kalgoorlie is more buoyant today than it has been for Heavens above, the Commonwealth Rail- many years. The situation is simply ridi- ways for years and years have been providing meals on the trains across the Nul- culous. I hope the Minister will have other look at his answers and give an-the larbor-even in the era when it took days people some priority. to make a journey that we now make in interests of one day; and it has always served fish. Sir Charles Court: What is the rent? Here we have a train built in the late 20th Mr T. D. EVANS: It is $250 per annum. century to be used Into the 21st century Sir Charles Court: Oh, I thought you which Is not able to serve fish for the meant it was $250 a week. satisfaction of patrons. This may be a little thing, but if we concern ourselves Mr T. fl. EVANS: The TAB built the with improvements, costing over $22 000, but pjeople we find that People are con- these must Pass to the freeholder at the cerned with little things, too. expiration of the lease. I repeat that under Mr Speaker, how much time have I. the terms of the lease the building cannot please? be used for any Purpose other than a TrAB agency. The SPEAE: You have until 8.37 p.m. (ASSEM:BLY.]

Mr Tr D. EVANS: Thank you. Sir: I confidentiality of the meeting to which he must speed along. was referring. I1feel it Is unfortunate that In 1973 the present Minister far Labour the Minister should single out a member and Industry raised the subject of a gold of the board and leave that member un- find in the Paterson Range. I am sure named, thereby casting a general aspersion the member for Pilbara will be interested on all members of the board. in what I have to say on this matter. I But what is wrong with the pre-school take the opportunity, in the absence of the and the pre-primary centre world as we Minister for Mines, to indicate ! that I know it? When two Bills camne before this intend to pursue this matter further. How- Parliament last year to implement the ever, as time is running out I do not in- Government's pre-primiary centre scheme tend to go deeply Into it tonight. I believe -one to amend the Education Act, and the there Is sufficient evidence to indicate-I other to amend the Ne-School Education refer to the masses of information collected Act-Opposition members Indicated that by one prospector, Jean-Paul Turcaud, and they saw the pre-primnary concept as one answers to questions I have asked In this which would expedite the day when all House-that perhaps all is not well in the children aged five years, whose parents State of Denmark in the matter of re- desired it, would receive a free education sources of the Crown having been alienated and on that basis we supported the pas- not In the lifetime of the present Govern- sage of those two measures. However, we ment, but in the lifetime of our Govern- did not believe the Government, by Its ac- ment. However, this evidence has come to tion in the mouths that have since passed, light In the lifetime of the present Gov- would show a deliberate bias In favour of ernment and it strongly suggests that the pre-primary scheme. In saying this I perhaps all is not well. would point out that it Is only In the I sound a warning-It is not a threat- infant stage because there are only a few to the Minister for Mines that I Intend pre-primary centres operating at the mo- to Pursue this matter, On two occasions ment, with others being planned, but a I have asked whether the Government will deliberate bias is being shown by the Gov- consider holding anl Inquiry into the mat- ernment in that, obviously, the pre-primn- ter. I would have been satisfied had the ary centres have an advantage over the Government said, "Produce some evidence orthodox pre-school centres. So we find and we will give the matter every con- that all is not well in this field. sideration"; but on both occasions I was I have before me a letter which was forgiven a flat, "No." I suggest again that all warded to a colleague of mine in another Is not well In the State of Denmark, and I place. This honourable member, In his own intend to pursue this matter. I regret that province, has made himself well known In the Minister for Mines Is not present at the kindergarten world. The letter is from the moment, but I will take the opportun- the North Perth Kindergaten and is dated ity to refer to the matter on another the l8th March, 1975. it Indicates the dis- occasion. Quiet that Is being expressed in the com- I think members might be disappointed munity generally, because It reads-- if I did not have something to say about We thank you for your correspond- the situation that seems to be prevailing ence dated Jan. 15th, 1975 re the con- in the pre-primary and pre-school centre flicting policies of the previous Tonkin world. In recent times we have seen head- Labor government and the present ings such as that in The Sunday Times of government concerning pre-school the 23rd March, 1975, which stated, "Pre- education In this State. school trouble-Money wrangle irks min- We, the members of the North Perth ister". I refer to other headlines such as Kindergarten Association wish to reg- that in the Daily News of the 18th March, ister a strong protest against the esta- "Board to decide schools move"; that in blishment of the new Pre-Primary The West Australian of the 19th March, "Kindergarten talk wrong-MacKinnon"; centres. and that in the Daily News of the 19th Here let me make the point that the Op- March. "Pre-School Board sit tight". To Position does not Join in any condemna- cap It all off, in the Weekend News of the tion of the pre-prinmary centres, as we 22nd March reference Is made to the Presi- believe, and as we originally believed, that dent of the Country Party In Western these centres could have a salutary effect Australia (Mr Reld)-a former member of in expediting the time when all five-year- this House. The headline Is, "Reid in row olds will have access to kindergarten-type over school board role". He was in a row education, but we do not support any dis- with the Minister. crimination being practised in favour of 'Prior to that statement appearing in the one to the disadvantage of the other. I Weekend News the Minister for Education am referring to the pre-school concept. made a statement in another place on the The letter I was quoting to the House 18th March. I regret very much that he continues as follows- said-and I am referring to page 2 of the The reasons for our opposition to printed notes that were made available to these centres being: me-he was surprised that a member (1) the Inequalities created be- of the board has appvarently broken the tween the children paying for (Wednhsday,-9th April, 19715.] 6959 the privilege of attending the Mr WATT: I do not know, but It sounds old pre-school centre, and good!Fit struck me as passing strange that those attending the new In the first few days of the first session centres free of charge. of this Parliament many experienced members came up to me and other new mem- There is another form of discrimination;, bers and asked, "Have you been suitably that is, that children who attend a pre- disillusioned?" It struck me as being odd primary centre in the metropolitan area that If experienced members could see will enjoy- that there was reason for a new member The SPEAKER: The honourable mem- to be disillusioned the solution should be In their hands and they should do some- ber has four minutes. thing about It. Mr T. D, EVANS: Thank You, Mr Speaker. Children who attend a pre-prim- The standard of behaviour in this Par- ary centre will enjoy the same travel liament, I think, leaves a great deal to be concessions as children attending any desired. I want to make It clear at this other school, whereas children attending point that I am not aiming my broadsides an orthodox kindergarten will not enjoy at the Opposition, but to those who think any travel concessions. In the country the cap fits-they can wear It. districts where a regular school bus run Mr Jamieson: How many other Parlia- operates, pre-school children have been ments have you observed in session? accommodated if there has been room for them. I believe this practice is to continue, Mr WAIT: I saw a joint sitting of but in places where Pre-prinmary centres the Pederal Parliament on TV and I have will operate in country districts and the listened to radio broadcasts of the same children attending will require to travel, Parliament. they will have transport provided for Mr Jamieson: You would be an author- them; not only If there Is room on the bus ity, mani f or them. Mr WATT: The honourable member may Here we have obvious examples of dis- be one of those who Is wearing the cap crimination being displayed by the Gov- If he thinks it fits; he may be one of ernment, so is it any wonder that we hear those to whom I was referring. of unrest among the parents over the sys- Mr Jamieson: At least I have a little tern now, without giving any consideration experience and background. as to what will happen In the future? Here Mr WATT: The charge I am making ap- the Government has a golden opportunity Plies to members on both sides of the to put right those things which the Gov- House if they think the cap fits. ernment itself has made wrong. Things were right before it entered this field, but Mr Jamieson: Another conceited conser- now they are in an unholy mess. vative! I conclude by drawing the attention of Mr WAIT: I do not think one needs a the Premier to the words of an early Am- great deal of experience in observing how erican Governor. I would remind the Prem- other Parliaments behave to have some ier, as he now enters his second, and understanding of the sort of respect that his second last, year as Premier of the should be shown towards the dignity of State, that he would do well to ponder the H-ouse, the auth-ority of the Speaker, upon these words. When this Governor was and the institution of the Parliament itself. asked about his failure to honour his un- Whilst I have not become diilusioned, dertakings made during his election cam- because I had a fair idea of what it would paign, he said- be like to be a member of Parliament, I have, nevertheless, been quite disappointed. Those promises I can keep I will keep, and those I cannot I will renew. Mr Bertram: You have been disappointed? Mr Young: The member for Boulder- Dundas has said that about your Govern- Mr WAIT: Yes, disappointed about ment. situations that arise during sessions of Parliament. MR WATT (Albany) (8.36 p.m.]: I Mr Bertram: Could You give us some neither wish to be drawn Into a contro- particulars? versy nor to enter it willingly, but having Mr Jamieson: You ought to see the been a member of this Parliament for 12 South Australian Parliament. months I would like to make a brief corn- ment on the remarks made by the mem- Mr WAIT: Two wrongs do not make ber for Avon last night and the member a right. for Gascoyne. In saying this I am refer- Mr Jamieson: You are trying to tell us ring to a number of Parliaments and not that this Parliament is the worst. just one. If I may be permitted to use Mr WAIT: I did not say that at all. a cliche which is heard quite often In this If the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Chamber, it struck me as passing strange- puts that interpretation on my remarks Mr. A. R. Tonkin: What does It mean? that is up to him. IASSEMBELY.] The SPEAKER: Order! The member for sensible arrangement that we had with the Albany. Commonwealth Previously the better it will Mr WATT: Anyway, I would like to be for all parties. suggest that those members who wish to Mr Bertram: We do not want to return interject-and as you. Mr Speaker, have to the old system; we would go bankrupt. observed from tine to time, interjections Mr WAT:; I now wish to make a few have some value In debate-should show comments about my own electorate, which a lot more intelligence in their interjec- is the town of Albany. For some years tions. I can recall on one occasion when now Albany's growth and progress has been I was endeavouring to ask the member for somewhat slow as compared with other Kalgoorlie what, in my opinion, was towns such as Bunbury, Esperance, Gerald- a legitimate question, and that hon- ton, Kalgoorlie, and the north-west towns. ourable member turned on me quite I believe the reason for this has been its savagely and told me to get back inability to attract Industry of any real In my cage. He may have thought consequence. For an industry to establish that his reply was smart or funny but I itself in any area it must be able to use was not impressed and I think It was un- the natural advantages that are available called for. However, it is Just one of so that they will be of benefit to it. A those remarks that some people can make Government Just cannot tell an industry during a debate. I admit that an inter- where to go. The best it can hope to do jection can be used or misused; It can be is to Point out the natural advantages very effective or very ineffective; It can in any Particular area which Could be be constructive or destructive. In mak- enjoyed by an industry that wished to Ing that remark, however, I admit that establish itself In that area and encourage it is not beyond the realms of possibility It to do so by offering various inducements that I could be guilty of the same thing and incentives. in the future. However, I hope not. Sunbury has progressed at a faster rate The performances of the Federal Gov- than Albany largely because it is closer ernment that have been broadcast for to Perth, and because of the mineral acti- many years have probably given the people vity in the near vicinity. It has also en- some idea of the disarray into which Par- joyed stimulus from a number of other iament gets on occasions, and the televis- activities such as the timber industry and ig of the joint sitting of that Parlia- associated industries which have required ment following the double dissolution did further port development. little to improve the situation. The Kalgoorlie region has prospered There Is another brief comment I want markedly in recent years due largely to the to make on that question. It is in relation nickel boom a few years ago and, more to the frequent references made by mem- recently, to the increase in the price of bers of the Opposition to the Australian gold. I think this has given the gold- mining industry a new lease of life. The Government, as they call it. or Federal pastoral areas, too, which surround the Government. as I prefer to call it, making Kalgoorlie region are of some benefit to grants to Western Australia for various It, and the fact that the town of Kalgoorlie projects. is on the main east-west road and rail Mr B. T. Burke: Don't tell us you are links would also bring to it a number of going to talk about the strings that are advantages which would stimulate the attached!I growth of that centre. Mr WATT': That is precisely the point. The town of Geraldton has also benefited For many years we have been receiving from mineral activity in the surrounding Grants from the Federal Government areas both in regard to port development and, generally speaking, all the and the development of associated indus- State Parliaments have had the right, with- tries which, in turn, have created further in certain bounds, to decide how those employment opportunities. The addition of grants shall be spent. However, the States all these new Projects to the existing indus- now find themselves in a situation where tries at Geraldton, such as crayfishing and most of the money that is allocated to so on, constitutes a great factor In the them has strings attached, so this State growth of the Oeraldton centre. Further, is not in any position to show any discre- the fact that Geraldton is on the main tion in directing money to be spent on road to the north-west must be of some more urgent projects benefit to it. This would accelerate where It is required its growth rate, because there Is a from time to time. tremendous amount of tourist traffic Whether or not Opposition members passing through Geraldton to the agree with me, the fact remains that the north. It is only reasonable to as- money that is granted by the Federal Gov- sume that Geraldton must get a fair ernment is rightfully ours, because It has amount of spin-off from tourist traffic that been contributed by the people of this is passing through on its way to north-west State in the form of taxation, both direct towns which, in recent years, have ex- and indirect, and it is our entitlement to perienced tremendous growth due almost spend the money in the manner we think entirely to mining activity and perhaps. fit. Therefore the sooner we return to the to a lesser extent, to tourism. [Wednesday. 9th April, 19715.1

By contrast, Albany has not enjoyed serious setbacks was caused by an Indus- benefits from mineral development, and trial problem which lasted nearly three as a consequence It has not experienced months. The workers at the abattoir in the same rate of growth as some of the Albany wanted to work, but because they towns I have mentioned. Any growth must belonged to a Federal union, and because be designed to benefit from the natural the majority of its members were in the advantages In the region. Albany has been Eastern States and wanted to go out on a service Centre to an extremely productive strike, the workers at Albany had no choice rural hinterland. It produces mainly beef, but to go out on strike also. of course, the wool, fat lambs, and grain. With low wool firm has been affected by other problems prices and disastrous beef prices the farm- which affected other abattoirs also, and ers of the Albany region are passing these were brought about by international through extremely difficult times, and that conditions and the need to obtain satis- has had an effect on the employment situ- factory markets for their products. ation In the town and the region. Albany Woolstores have also ex- The member for Ascot, who is not In the perienced some problems, and the situa- Chamber at the moment, recently made tion is a little uncertain. They are reference to unemployment figures for the not receiving as much support from the town of Albany. What he was actually re- farmers and woolgrowers in the region as ferring to were the unemployment figures I would like to see. I think the difficulties for the Albany unemployment district arise mainly from the private selling of which is much larger in area than the wool by farmers. I do not blame the town, and takes In four local government farmers for selling wool privately, because districts including centres like Katanning, I know their reason for so doing. Never- Wagin, and considerable areas east and theless their action affects. the Albany west of the great southern line. The figures Woolstores and the town of Albany. A mentioned by the honourable member do chain reaction results, as all wool privately not reflect the true position In the town sold is sent to Fremantle. None of It goes of Albany. through Albany. This causes Albany to lose the opportunity to handle, sell, and ship It is interesting to make some compari- the wool. sons, because the member for Ascot was endeavouring to show how much the em- The Albany Superphosphate Company Is ployment situation in Albany had de- racing a very uncertain future. The price teriorated since the present State Govern- of superphosphate has approximately ment assumed office. At the end of Febru- doubled since last season. When we take any, 1974. the unemployment rate for the into account the fact that farm Incomes town of Albany represented 49 per cent have been reduced dramatically in that of the district figure, but 12 months later perlod, we realise that the farmers can-not the rate was reduced to 45 Per cent: so, now afford to purchase superphosphate the employment position improved for their land. I personally know a num- slightly. ber of farmers who previously were quite liberal users of superphosphate, but this The comparison is made more interest- year they have not applied any to their ing when we take into account the unem- land. Anyone who knows the region will ployment figures for Western Australia be aware that this is the type of country and the nation as a whole. During the per- which requires superphosphate, but the iod I mentioned the Albany unemployment farmers have not been able to afford it. figure deteriorated by 173 per cent; the Western Australian figure deteriorated No doubt the lack of superpbosph ate on by 199 per cent; and the national the land will affect Productivity, and in figure deteriorated by 205 per cent. future it will mean a reduction in the in- Whilst I find no real joy in the fact that comes of farmers, and as a consequence there Is any unemployment at all in All- there will be less employment at the super- bany, It can be seen that the unemploy- phosph ate works. ment situation in Albany is not as bad as The Port of Albany, like most regional It is In some other regions. Ports, continues its battle for survival. It In a report which appeared in the Press battles for cargoes in imports and exports. on the 7th April, figures of unemployment I think all regional Ports are experiencing up to the end of March were included. the same problem. The Albany Port Auth- These revealed a drop of 20 per cent in the ority, the promotion committee, the town unemployment figure, and the num- council, the zone development committee, ber of 723 unemployed people in the the industrial advisory committee, the district fell by 146 to 577. Prom Waterside Workers' Federation, and a that we can see that in the last number of other community groups have 12 months the unemployment position combined and are co-operating very well worsened by only 149 per cent, and that to pursue every opportunity to increase figure. trade through the Port of Albany. How- Is a long way below the national ever, they have been frustrated, mainly by Some of the Industries at Albany which the shipowners who dictate policy. The have been affected include Thomas Borth- shipowners are centralising cargoes in the wick and Sons. This firm has experienced major ports, and this is achieved largely its ups and downs, and one of its most at the expense of regional ports. (ASSEMB3LY.] An interesting event took place to Al- I was extremely pleased recently to bany in January when the roil-on roll-off receive a reply from the Minister for vessel, Earranduna. tailed at the port. It Transport who advised that a little over loaded a cargo comprising 110000 bales of $500 000D had been allocated for the main- wool and 107 bales of sheep skins in the tenance and upgrading of the Norseman- net time of 15 hours: yet the vessel was Esperance section of Highway No. 1. Whilst in part for only 25 hours. This is a record. some people may say that should be of no real concern to me, the upgrading of the The Albany waterside workers can be road does in fact play a very big p'art in justifiably proud of their performance; It increasing tourist traffic to Albany, I hope was a mast creditable one. We in Albany the Government will continue to spend hope that more of this type of shipping money in increasing amounts on that very can be attracted to the port, as the water- vital road. In the Past that section of side workers have shown that they are road has caused many problems to motor- quite capable of handling cargoes and ists, especially in broken windscreens. I matching the performance of their count- hope that once this stretch of road Is erparts in other ports. completed it will turn out to be very One topic which I have not mentioned serviceable. It would then be open for concerns tourism. It appears that this is tourists to travel via the Leeuwin way and the industry through which Albany Is most back through Kalgoorlie; or in the reverse likely to expand and develop. Albany has direction. a magnificent climate, and unlimited scenic attractions within a radius of 100 In my view the tourist bureau in the kilonmetres. A great deal of local enthusi- southern part of the State have done an asm and energy Is being applied to provide excellent lob In promoting the Leuwvin an extension of all tourist facilities. The way tourist route. Undoubtedly this has tourist season Is definitely being extended been Instrumental in Increasing the amount as a result of the significant increase in of traffic using that section of road. It has tourist traffic, particularly tourist buses, become Imperative for the road between which now pass thraugh the region in Norseman and Esperance to he upgraded what used to be the off season. Where ance to a higher standard. the accommodation business used to talk of One problem which confronts the tour- a six-month off period, it is now only a two ist industry is caused by financial diffi- to three-month off period. This Is largely culties. Outside of the metropolitan area. brought about by the fact that tourist Albany has the largest tourist bureau. It buses are bringing vast numbers of provides a first-class service and does an visitors mainly from the Eastern States to excellent Job, but it is hampered by limited the region. finance. It Is not possible for that bureau The Federal Government's decision to to remain open to provide a service after withdraw support for the operation of the normal business hours, except perhaps small airports has proved to be a bitter at Easter or at long weekends when special blow not only to Albany but to other air- features are held and many people are ports and towns. An opportunity exists to attracted to the town. Exorbitant over- induce many thousands of visitors, who heads, such as time-and-a-half for overcome to Western Australia, to include time wages after normnal working hours, Albany in their Itinerary. This can be represent a heavy burden. Very often the achieved by introducing a method of services of a tourist bureau are needed transport to fly some visitors from Perth most after normal business hours. I appeal to Albany, and to return by bus; and for to the Treasurer who, I regret, Is not in the another group to be taken to Albany by Chamber at the moment to find some way bus and to return by air. However, what to assist to a greater degree tourist the Federal Government has done in res- bureaux which are trying to help them- pect of the small airports has yet to be selves. resolved. I have obtained some figures from the If the airport at Albany Is required to Tourist Development Authority and they be closed It will be a very bitter blow to present an intersting picture. Tourist the region, as the airport is a very vital bureaus receive a base grant of $500: they link not only In promoting tourism, but receive a dollar-for-dollar subsidy on in providing a quick means of transport. donations made by local authorities, with a The decision of the Federal Government limit of $3 500: and they also receive a to withdraw support Is very much regretted dollar-for-two- dollars subsidy on other in- by the people. come, up to a maximum subsidy of $1 500. With the sealing of most of Eyre High- If a tourist bureau qualifies for the mnaxi- way, the number of vehicles from the mum grant it receives $5 500. Eastern States-especially tourist buses and caravans--has increased dramatically In the last financial year the amount In the last couple of years. When the high- raised by the Albany Tourist Bureau was way Is sealed completely the number of $19 489, for which it received an additional vehicles from the Eastern States can be subsidy of $5 500. The subsidy in the ease expected to increase even more dramatic- of Albany amounts to nearly 28 per cent ally. of the money it raised, [Wednesday, 9th April, 1975.]1 699

If we take Bunbury. we find that the In this House I have come to realise that tourist bureau raised $14 884, and It re- Western Australia is governied by depart- ceived a grant of $5 500. This represented ments and not by this Chamber. I have 37 per cent of the amount it raised. learnt in the last four years that the The Esperance Tourist Bureau raised boast by heads of departments that Min- $13 160, but it received only $4 800 in isters make statements but heads of depart- grants, and this represented 36 per cent ments make decisions is true. This may of the amount It raised. In this case the not be so bad in the short term, if the grants were lower because the local auth- departments are competent and dedicated ority 'was a little mean in contributing only to the well-being of the public of Western $2 800, which was $700 short of the Australia. However, in the case of a depart- amount required to attract the maximum ment which Is Incompetent, and in which subsidy. the greatest motivating force Is the concern for the well-being of those employed Geraldton raised a total of $10 857 and in the department, the Minister concerned attracted an additional $5 500 in grants. and the Government needs to be particu- representing 51 per cent. Mandurah raised larly wary. 56 959 and attracted an additional $3 750, representing 54 per cent. Exniouth raised In my dealings with the Department of $5 818 and attracted an additional $5 159 Agriculture-and I can only speak from in grants, which represented 89 per cent, my own experience-I have found that it it can be seen that the bureaus which Is an Incompetent department and falls are most active are, in fact, penalised by Into the category where its officers are the present system. The present method more concerned about building their own of subsidy penalises them to the extent empire than doing the Job for which they to which they endeavour to help them- were engaged. selves and I believe the minimum should Mr Bertram: Hear, hear!£ be raised to a realistic level, or the method Mr MOILER: I suggest to members that of subsidising should be revised to remove the recent submission by the Department the limit so that all bureaus in addition of Agriculture to the Meat Industry Ad- to the base grant of $500, will receive a visory Committee was an Instance of in- subsidy on all Income which they derive competence. The department was more for themselves. concerned In absorbing additional author- Albany benefits very little from the Wes- ity by way of controlling meat Inspection tern Australian Government Tourist Bureau within this State than getting on with Its or, as it Is now called, the Western Aus- job. tralian Travel Centre where all wages and Mr McPharlin: That applies In every running costs are paid by the Government. other State of Australia. Mvore support Is required for ts mast worth-while industry. I believe it is re- Mr MOILER: What Is that? garded as the largest industry in the world. Mr McPharlin: The Department of Agri- As; I have already said, I think it is culture controls meat inspection. Albany's greatest economic hope in the foreseeable future and It is imperative the Mr MOILER: I Propose to spend some Industry receives as much encouragement time on this Issue. I agree that the State from the Government as possible. Departments of Agriculture control meat inspection in every other State of Austra- There are a number of other matters lia, and that Is exactly the argument I which I could canvass during this debate will use tonight. but I think, perhaps, they could be left for another occasion. I will make brief I believe that many Ministers for Agri- reference to the future of the Albany rail culture, who have preceded the present passenger service. I was pleased indeed to Minister, have been provided with false learn recently from the booking clerk In and inaccurate information by the depart- the Albany office that since what he des- ment. Anything I say tonight is not criti- cribed as a certain amount of free publicity cal of the present Minister. To be critical was given to the Albany passenger rail of a Minister one has to know that the service the patronage has increased quite Minister has been provided with adequate dramatically. I believe that with a little and correct Information to do his Job, I more publicity, and some assistance from merely point out to members, and the Min- the Railways Department by Improving ister concerned, I believe it is necessary to facilities, the service provided by the train have a close look at the department to could become an economic proposition. As which I am referring. I have said publicly In Albany, and In this When I speak of incompetency, I be- place previously, the withdrawal of the lieve we will have an opportunity to show rervlce would have a serious and detrimen- where the Department of Agriculture has tal effect on Albany. I hope that never been incompetent when the Minister intro- happens. With those remarks I support the duces his Bill to cover some sections of the motion. poultry industry. MR, MOILER (Mundaring) [ 9.04 p.m.]: Tonight, however, I want to speak about ]in the four years that I have had the the meat Industry and the attempts made pleasure of representing my constitutents by the Department of Agriculture, over a 700 700LASSEMBLY.] period of many years, to wrest control of Mr MOILER: Yes, and I will make many this industry in regard to meat inspection more simillar statements which I hope the from the Public Health Department. Minister will take the trouble to check Mr MoPharlin: Has the member for out. Those members who took the trouble Mundaring ever taken advantage of an to read the submission made by the De- opportunity to talk to the officers wham partment of Agriculture to the Meat In- he is ready to criticise? dustry Advisory Committee, which carried out an Inquiry into the meat Industry, Mr MOILER: I have not only talked will observe It continues to provide the to them, but I have challenged them, and half truths which have been prodided to I will do so again, With regard to any- Ministers year after year for the very pur- thing I say tonight I would be only too pose of wresting control from the Public happy to meet with any officer concerned, Health Department. with the Minister present, so that the The Department of Agriculture cannot officer can have an opportunity to point claim that the Public Health Department out where I am wrong. has been inefficient because It has, in fact, It is remarkable that at every change done an excellent job in this State. The of Government and, I would imagine, at Department of Agriculture has not been every change of Minister, the Department able to Indicate one area where the Pub- of Agriculture has moved in an attempt lic Health Department has been inefficient. to take over meat inspection services with- and it has not been able to advance any in Western Australia. evidence to support the argument regarding the other States. I want to explain what is entailed in meat inspection within this State. It could There is not an abattoir in Australia to- not be better explained than by quoting day which could surpass the Midland from a policy statement agreed to by the Junction Abattoir. There would be no Chief Veterinary Officers of Queensland, abattoir outside of Western Australia New South Wales. Victoria. and Western which could surpass the Katanning abat- Australia. The Chief Veterinary Officers toir. No abattoir in the Southern Hemis- considered meat inspection to entail- phere could claim to be a better abattoir than either of those I have mentioned. In any State the functions of the Yesterday I asked a question without no- Meat Inspection Service may include tice part (3) of which was as follows-- a wide range of activities such as, 11- censing and inspection of abattoirs, (3 How many abattoirs operating at slaughterhouses, meat depots, boning present do not have meat inspec- out rooms, smallgoods factories, retail tion carried out on the premises butcher shops, knackeries and pet of the abattoirs? food wholesale establishments; meat The answer stated that there are only 19 inspection training and examination abattoirs within Western Australia which for certificates of competency; main- do not have meat inspection carried out on tenance of construction and hygiene the Premises-only 19 In this vast State standards in the various licensed of Western Australia. Almost every one of premises and vehicles transporting those 19 would be a small abattoir owned meat and branding or marking of meat and operated by a local butcher, where the In accordance with the requirements butcher would slaughter his own stack. of State laws. Usually it would be in a small outback So it can be seen that meat Inspection area, and it would be very insignificant. covers a vast area between the production However, there are only 19 such abattoirs of the animal on the farm right through to in the State. the time the meat is sold to the consumer. In South Australia, where the abattoirs It is into this field that over the years the are controlled by the State Department of Department of Agriculture has attempted Agriculture jointly with the Australian De- to crawl. This Is an area where the State partment of Agriculture, there are no Public Health Department has been able fewer than 180 abattoirs which do not to achieve a high standard of meat in- have meat inspection carried out on their spection. It has the highest standard of premises. In Queensland, where the De- any State in Australia and I think it is partment of Agriculture of that State has worth repeating what the Minister has been in control of meat inspection since already said: it is the only State where the turn of the century-1898 to be precise meat inspection is controlled by the Pub- -there are at least 180 abattoirs which do lie Health Department. All the other not have meat inspection carried out on States of Australia trail behind Western the premises. Australia in meat inspection and the con- There are two or three examples of the duct of abattoirs. I think the Minister comparison between some of the other made a very good point earlier. States which are controlled by their Mr McPharlin: Can the honourable Departments of Agriculture and our State member verify that? which is controlled by the Public Health Department. One of the reasons that Dr Mr MOILER: Yes. MA. R. Gardiner. the chief of the animal Mr MePharlin: You can prove the state- division of the Department of Agriculture, ment you Just made? has Put forward a 30-page report to the [Wednesday, 9th April, 19175.1 '701 inquiry to control meat Inspection is the It is fair enough that America wishes to surplus of veterinary officers within the remain free of the disease, and so the Department of Agriculture. It would be American Government has set a standard great to absorb these officers into the meat in relation to carcases. it may happen that industry, disregarding the additional cost for political reasons the American Gov- to the industry, with absolutely no bene- ernment does not want our meat and it fit to the State. He puts forward sets a standard that any carcase with, say, an emotional submission, and 11 his con- three CLA lesions, must be condemned- clusions are true, the result would be no thrown down the chute for fertiliser. We different whether or not a veterinary of- see wholesome carcases condemned be- ficer was in charge of meat inspection. cause of this American standard. Dr Gardiner included statements wlich In the Midland abattoir, the Rtobb Jetty anyone could read in the most elementary abattoir, and the major abattoirs in West- handbook on meat inspection. He then ern Australia where export inspection is adds to these statements and says that if carried out by the Australian Department veterinary officers were In control of meat of Agriculture, the whole throughput is inspection, all Its ills would be overcome. subject to the conditions set by the He makes his claims without any substan- American regulations. So meat for local tiation. consumption at those abattoirs must meet In the light of this submission, I intend the standard set by the American Gov- to spend same little time tonight going ernment. Wholesome carcases are con- through the recommendations made by this demned at the abattoirs which are sub- committee, and also looking at the effect ject to export inspection. the recommendations would have on the This may not sound too bad until we State of Western Australia. I do not hesit- consider the numbers involved. I will re- ate to say that the submission made by turn to my example of the South Austra- the Department of Agriculture fell on very lian abattoir where 1.6 million sheep are receptive ears; the composition of the com- slaughtered each Year. In 1964, when the mittee was most suitable for the reception Australian Department of Agriculture took of a submission of this type. The first over the complete control of export and recommendation reads as follows-- local inspection in South Australia, 120 All inspection at export abattoirs whole carcsses were condemned because being carried out by the Australian of CIA. In 1973-nine years later-14 000 Department of Agriculture. sheep carcases were condemned. Perhaps It Is worth looking at this recommenda- members can visualise the waste involved tion because it is time the people of West- -anL increase from 120 carcases In 1964 to ern Australia were told just how much it more than 14 000 in 1973. is costing us to have export abattoirs oper- 1 cannot gIve the total figure of sheep ating in conjunction with local meat in- condemned at the Midland abattoir because spection. of the difficulty of obtaining them from To illustrate my point, and starting with the Australian Department of Agriculture, South Australia again, I will refer to the but in 1965, 564 386 sheep were slaughtered Gepps Cross abattoir which has slaughter- there for the local market. Of this num- ed an average of 1.6 million sheep per year ber, 18 carcases were condemned for this over the last 10 years. The annual through- condition of CLA. In 1973-eight years put has ranged between 1.5 million and 1.7 later-413 355 sheep were slaughtered: million-a fairly consistent figure and that Is. 150 000 fewer than in 1965. How- therefore a perfect example to make my ever, In that year. 14 202 sheep were con- point. demned because of CIA, as compared with Meat Inspection at this abattoir is under 18 in 1965. These figures sound unbe- the control of the Australian Department lievable, but such Is the case. of Agriculture which naturally has to work In 1965 a ratio of one in 25 000 sheep at the standard set by the importing were Condemned for CIA. Because of the country, In this case America. A standard Australian Department of Agriculture con- was set in relation to a disease known as trol-which this committee recommends-- CLA, which is ubiquitous in Australia, al- the ratio in 1973 was one in 29. In fact, in though it is not seen in America or Japan. the previous year, 1972, the ratio was one Naturally enough, these countries wish to In 22 sheep carcases thrown down the remain free of it. The disease is not trans- chute. With the excision of one or two missible to man, and It causes no harm- lesions, probably the sheep were com- ful effect to humans If ingested. The pletely wholesome. Members can see just lesions can be excised from a carcase how much it Is costing Western Australia and the public will suffer no harmful ef- for the honour of exporting our meat. It is fect from the meat. Hundreds of tons of fair enough if we decide to accept this loss this meat are put on the market each for the benefits of exporting, but I do not year, and this is a logical course to take. believe we should tolerate this terrific The disease is prevalent throughout Aus- waste. I point out that the local through- tralia, and I challenge the Department of put at Midland would probably be about Agriculture to state that it could ever rid one-fifth of the total throughput for the Western Australia, let alone Australia, of abattoir, so the figure of wasted carcases CLA. should be multiplied by five to obtain the 702 [ASSEIAELYtI true figure. Country Party members and If the Australian Department of Agricul- other members who represent country elec- hire were doing Its Job properly, It would torates should be aware of these figures be doing this already. Possibly then we and they must have regard for this wast- would not have had the outbreak of foot- age when it is suggested that the Austra- rot which recently occurred in some areas lian Department of Agriculture should take where sheep with the disease were brought over complete control of meat inspection. In from another State. The Australian De- I will read the first recommendation partment of Agriculture should be watch- again- ing this type of thing rather than trying All inspection at export abattoirs to expand its empire. In abattoirs where being carried out by the Australian a full inspection is carried out by a pub- Department of Agriculture. lc health inspector, an ante-mortem inspection does form Part of the examin- As well as the money that would be lost ation. I can assure members that a meat through the implementation of this recom- Inspector who has worked for some years mendation, we must consider what would in an abattoir is very knowledgeable and happen if the Australian Department of can pick up the presence of a disease by Agriculture Inspectors go on strike. This ante-mortem Inspection of sheep which has already occurred In this State, and come in to be slaughtered. if these inspectors had complete control, and a strike took place, the amount of Clauses 4 and 5 state- meat available to consumers in the metro- A uniform Inspection fee being de- politan area would be greatly reduced. ternmined and applied in relation to During a recent strike by the Australian meat inspected at non-export abattoirs. Department of Agriculture inspectors, the The A.D.A. Inspection brand being local public health inspectors continued to approved by the State inspection auth- inspect meat for the local market so this ority as evidence that the meat is fit State was not affected. The second recom- for human consumption and need not mendation reads as follows-- be "reinspected" on an additional fee All inspection at non-export abat- basis. toirs being carried out by a single I should like to clear up this point for State authority. members. Up till the time of the election I believe I am correct in saying that thene of this very fine Australian Government, would be no argument about this recom- the ADA used to carry out inspection of mendation. Already throughout the State meat for export free of charge. The tax- Inspections are carried out by one body: Payer used to cover the cost of the meat that Is, the Public Health Department. In Inspection fees. the areas where the local authority em- ploys a health surveyor/meat Inspector or When the Australian Labor Government a meat inspector full time, he Is paid by took office the system was changed and the local authority but he Is under the con- ic a pound was charged for the inspection trol of the Commissioner of Public Health. of meat for export. At present in Western so he is operating under a single authority. Australia no more than 10 per cent of working particularly well, meat inspected for export is actually ex- That system is Ported. Even during the peak periods of especially when It is compared with the export a few years ago, only a little more systems In the other States of Australia. than one-third of meat Inspected for ex- The qualifications of meat inspectors in port actually left our shores. this State are the highest required In Aus- tralia. A meat inspector Is trained as a What Is happening now is that the big health surveyor and meat Inspection Is wheeler-dealers-the wholesalers who are Part of this course. Any meat inspector involved in exports as well as the local trained under the Western Australian sys- market-are having their meat Inspected tem is accepted by the Australian Depart- free of charge. If they export It, it costs ment of Agriculture. If one wishes to en- them ic a Pound. However, the vast bulk of gage in meat inspection under the public the meat finds Its way back to the local health system, it is necessary to under- market. take a three-year full-time, or five-year The big wheeler-dealers, who have such part-time diploma course at the Western influence in the Liberal Party, are com- Australian Institute of Technology. Com- plaining that when this meat comes back pare this with the three-month course onto the local market the Public Health which is necessary for engagement under Department and the local authorities con- the Australian Department of Agriculture cerned insist on Inspecting the meat again as a meat inspector. For a short time the and branding It for the local market and three-month training system was operating charging them accordingly. here. The third recommendation reads as There are several ways of considering follows-- meat Inspection charges. If meat inspec- Veterinary ante-mortem inspection tion Is carried out free of charge, every- being progressively Introduced at ncn- body pays for it. However, if the Gov- export abattoirs to ensure that animals ernment feels that such people as vege- are clinically healthy and are not af- tarians, or people who cannot afford to fected by an exotic animal disease. buy more than one Pound of meat a week [Wednesday. 9th April, 1975.1 703 are being unfairly treated the meat in- a Pound charge on all meat inspected for spection fee must be applied and would be export, regardless of whether it Is exported. passed on to the consumer, who would pay We would then find the Public Health according to the amount of meat he pur- Department gaining a terrific number of chased. It Is up to the Government to friends overnight because the charge for decide whether or not it wants a branding meat inspection by the State authority is fee Imposed. less. There would be a terrific increase in However, while we have a meat inspec- the quantity of meat going through local tion fee it is only right that those who authority and State inspection services for try to dodge around the legislation should distribution on the local market. The rea- be caught and required to pay the fee. As son wholesalers are classifying their meat I said, there is still a huge quantity of as "export" is to- meat supposedly for export which returns Mr Blaik le: Do not say "dodge" because to the local market and which Is subject the markets just are not there. to a second branding. Mr MOILER: If the market is not there, Mr Blaikie: Can you explain why that too much meat is being inspected for ex- is? Port. The People who benefit are not the Mr MOILER: Why it gets back onto the consumers but the wholesalers. local market? I was hoping to have completed these Mr Blaikie: Yes, after It has gone remarks by now: however. in the remain- through the export inspection. ing time at my disposal I want to spend a Mr MOILER: I have just explained this little time on the so-called dual inspection to the honourable member, but perhaps system, because obviously it has been mis- he was not in the Chamber. The meat is construed. There is no such thing as dual not for export, but comes back onto the Inspection at export abattoirs. The export local market. inspectors and the local Inspectors work side by side Inspecting both 3xport and Mr Blalkle: All meat going through the local market meat. Only on a few occa- export works for export purposes is the sions has there been any conflict, where responsibility of the Commonwealth. perhaps the chief veterinary officer in Mr MOILER: Yes, and that authority charge of export has decided that a car- brands the meat. It places one brand on case is not fit for export, but can go onto the neck of the carcase, but if that neck the local market. The public health In- is cut off and the carcase goes to a butcher spector In charge at that abattoir on a few shop, there Is no way of knowing whether occasions has replied, "No, you can have or not It has been inspected. it for export but if you do not want It, put State inspectors brand the meat in a it down the chute bcuewe arc not number of Places and when the carcase is putting it on the local market." broken down, one can still see that it has On every occasion that such a disagree- been inspected. That is one reason for the ment has occurred and Pathological tests rebranding. Another reason for the Public and Investigations have taken place, the Health Department insisting on double public health officer has been 100 per cent branding when meat comes back onto the correct on the stand he took. I concede local market is that people who genuinely that this has happened on only a few supply the local market In the first Place occasions; however, it is quite ,easonable and have their meat inspected by State that a person in charge of the quality of Inspectors are required to Pay a branding meat should have such powers. fee. As I mentioned, only 10 per cent of meat Clause 6 states- inspected for export is actually exported, The cessation of the present out- and there is no Commonwealth branding moded system of "inspecting" the car- fee for the other 90 per cent; however, the cases of stock at metropolitan meat benefit of the saving of the branding fee is markets; this would be a positive step not passed on to the consumer but is re- In the interests of consumer protec- tained as Profit by the wholesaler. If the tion. member for Vasse agrees with that, fair This is the first time the consumer has enough; but surely it would be better for been mentioned. I agree wholeheartedly this Government to abolish meat branding with this proposal. For those members who fees altogether. do not understand the situation, I should Either the Government should provide like to explain the operations of the metro- the facility tree of charge, or It should politan meat markets, which are situated make everyone pay it. in Perth and Fremnantle. Mr Blaikie: Including all the meat for Farmers and other people operating export. What you are suggesting is that abattoirs where there is no Inspection ser- export meat must be branded, as well as vice available send stock-it might be 20 ordinary meat. sheep, a vealer which a farmer has killed in Mr MOILER: Only if It comes back onto the bush or anything of that nature-to the the local market. What the Commonwealth metropolitan meat markets for inspection Government should do Is to impose a ic and sale. The shocking position is that the [ASSEMhBLY.]

Inspection could take place 24 hours or Mr MOU.r : The member does not even 36 hours after the actual slaughter know what he is talking about. Inspection of the animal. is carried out at the meat markets, and we Mr Blale: In whose opinion Is it a say it Is completely wrong; It should be shocking situation? carried out at the Place of slaughter. Mr MOILER: It Is a shocking situation Mr Blaikie: Which department carries In the opinion of any reasonable or quai- out the Inspection? fled person. I concede that such an ex- Mr MOILER: The Perth City Council. pression does not include farmers, because The Influence of some councillors on the they are Interested only if there is a quid Perth City Council and members on the in it, regardless of the consequences. other side of the House has contributed to Mr Blalkie: Why have not the metro- the situation. Clause 7 states- politan markets been closed down years ago? The evidence available Indicates that the single State Authority ad- Mr MOILER: The honourable member ministering meat Inspection should be will get all the answers to his questions; I the Department of Agriculture and do not have much time remaining. People not the Department of Health ... are In complete agreement that the metropolitan markets should not accept meat The Department of Agriculture might have which has not already been inspected at been able to arrive at that decision, but the place of slaughter. this House has not made a similar decision The Public Health Department has been because yesterday I asked a question re- working on this for some years and the garding the number of departments which only reason the situation has been allowed had put in late submissions. I did not to continue is political. Because of the mention the Public Health Department, influence the Country Party and members but the committee must have had a bit representing country areas have been able of a conscience because I received the fol- to exercise, this facility has been per- lowing answer- mitted to continue to operate so that a The Public Health Department pro- few farmers can gain some benefit. It vided useful Information to the en- might interest members to know that only quiry, particularly in the area of 1 per cent of meat now passing through non-export abattoirs. The Department the metropolitan markets has not been indicated however In a letter of inspected before it gets to the markets, as January 6 to the Committee that it a result of the efforts of the Public Health did not propose to make a sub- Department to improve the situation. mission on meat inspection. I guarantee the member for Vasse that I should imagine that there would be within six months or 12 months, all meat some reason for a department so vitally passing through the markets will have concerned In this issue not making a6 been inspected previously. submission. The answer continued- Mr Laurance: You seem as though you Two papers on meat inspection hate the farmers even more than you hate were received from the Health De- local government. partment on February 21 and Feb- ruary 24, but were not accompanied Mr MOILER: The interjections of the by a covering letter indicating that honourable member are too stupid to they were to be regarded as a late and answer. formal submission. Mr Blaikie: Are you suggesting mal- Good heavens! Did they think the sub- practice in the metropolitan markets In mission was sent down to be put into a the past? Father Christmas stocking, or something Mr MOILER: I did not say that; I am of that nature? Of course it was not. suggesting that for years politicians have When the Department of Agriculture used whatever influence they have to allow controlled the abattoir at Kalgoorlie it was the metropolitan markets to continue to placed in the very position that Is now receive meat that has not been inspected recommended by the Meat Industry Ad- at the place of slaughter. Even though the visory Committee. When the abattoir at Public Health Department and local Kalgoorlie was under the control of the authorities have tried to correct the Department of Agriculture it was allowed situation, it is the politicians who have to deteriorate to a most deplorable condi- created the situation. The Public Health tion, and when it was so run down the Department has Improved the position Department of Agriculture decided to get only by continually working at it. rid of it. The department called In experts Mr Blalkie: You are quite wrong in in the Public Health Department for what you are saying. The only authority assistance to prepare a works schedule which is responsible for inspecting meat aimed at bringing the works up to a is the Perth City Council, because only standard to enable them to be sold. That that body has been Prepared to carry out Is the sort of thing that happens when the inspection service. management and inspection are placed (Wednesday, 9th April, 1975.1 705 under one control, which would be the case doctor. By accepting such treatment the if the Department of Agriculture con- patient declares his confidence in the trolled meat inspection. doctor. The Kalgoorlie abattoir was sold, but Mr Hartrey: If the doctor has no con- subsequently the Public Health Depart- Oidence he will make the patient pay in ment had to take steps to compel the new advance! owners to bring it up to standard. They Dr DAflOUR: Thirdly, all transactions received no assistance from the Depart- remain at the doctor-patient level. A con- ment of Agriculture. It has been proved tract Is established under which the time and time again that the Department doctor is responsible to his patient, and of Agriculture is not capable of working the patient becomes financially respon- in the best interests of the State in regard sible to the doctor. That is a fairly basic to meat Inspection where management procedure, and it is easy to understand. and inspection are carried out by the same authority, as was the case with the Kal- Mr Skidmore: Do you agree that people goorlie abattoir. seek medical treatment- Meat passing from the abattoirs to the Dr DADOtIR: I know what the member consumers should be covered by health for Swan wants to say, and I shall deal regulations; It Is not a matter for the with that later. At the moment I am deal- Department of Agriculture. I repeat that ing with what pertains. Medical attention in respect of meat Inspection Western is available to the Australian public in Australia leads the rest of Australia; Whe three different ways. Firstly, it is avail- fact that Western Australia is out of step able through home care, where the doctor in that meat inspection is controlled by visits the patient at his home and treats public health authorities emphasises the him there; secondly, the doctor may see need for this method to be retained, and the patient In the doctor's consulting room; the other States should do away with the and, thirdly, the doctor may attend the jurisdiction of their Departments of Agri- patient in one of the hospitals. culture. It is very pertinent for me to point out that each day approximately 500 000 The SPEAKER: The honourable mem- patients are attended by doctors, either ber's time has expired. in the home or in the consulting room. That Is a great number of patients. Fur- DR DADOUR (Subiaco) [9.41 P.m.]: In thermore, each day another 100 000 my contribution to the Address-in-Reply patients are attended to in all categories debate I want to deal with the proposed of hospitals. So, about 80 per cent of national health schemc which now seems the medical services is received outside to be a fat accompli. I want to outline of hospitals. what takes place in respect of the doctor- It Is important to note that under the patient relationship, and what might hap- existing system, treatment and medical pen as a result of the so-called free health attention are available to everyone, re- scheme. It is supposed to be a free scheme, gardless of his ability to pay. I shall but in fact it is not a free one and it will come back to this point at a later stage. be financed from taxes. What are the objectives of the national health scheme? They are divided into two The present high standard of medical distinct areas. Firstly, there is the Medi- attention is based on the doctor-patient bank health scheme. This is the Com- relationship. The patient has confidence monwealth Government's medical scheme in his doctor, and the doctor is responsible under which It proposes to pay 85 per to the patient. Under the traditional cent of the medical fees, provided such methods of medical practice which are fees conform with the prescribed schedule persisting today and have persisted for of fees. This is the prescribed schedule many years, firstly the patient and his of fees Put out by the Commonwealth family decide when the patient should Government. It is not a method of pay- receive medical attention. If they think ment for medical attention, yet the cen- the patient needs medical attention they tral Government has consistently and seek a doctor in whom they have con- persistently suggested that the medical fidence, either by repute or from past profession should bulk bill the patients. experience. No matter how we regard the The Medibank health scheme can accept question, the doctor-patient relationship only 85 per cent of the fees. comes about through the needs of the The patient pays nothing but his patient. The doctor does not look for the taxes. I might mention that I intend patient; the patient goes to the doctor be- to get my stor: rover in the sequence cause he needs medical attention. that I desire. Secondly, once that relationship comes Mr Skidmore: I was only trying to be Into existence, a personal contact is made helpful. between the Patient and the doctor under Dr DADOUR: Thank you. The Govern- which Whe patient voluntarily submits to ment has made It clear that it Prefers the line of treatment recommended by the bulk billing and if this is accepted by the 706 (ASSEMBLY.) doctors the patient pays nothing but his Mr J. T'. Tonkin: What sort of a Judge taxes. The doctors will be paid directly by are you? Will Western Australia join the the Government and then they will be scheme? nationalised by default. Whatever way one looks at it the doctors will become public Dr DADOIJR: If the Leader' of the servants. What will be the inevitable con- Opposition had heard my comments on sequences? We have seen the consequences whether or not the State of Western Aus- of a similar scheme introduced in other tralia would accept the scheme at the countries. I am not so much concerned time he moved his amendment to the as to what will happen on the 1st July, Address-in-Reply, he would have Doted but what will happen subsequently. It may that I said it Is inevitable that we must take one year or several years but con- join, but we need to ensure that we get sequences similar to what has happened In the best deal for the People of Western other countries must follow. Australia. That is what the Premier and his Cabinet are trying to do. They are Mr Skidmore: The general Practitioners trying to obtain the best deal for the do not object to Government policy on People of Western Australia. We keep workers' compensation cases. They have worrying about the fact that the private not complained about that. practice of a general practitioner will be- Dr DADOUR: Some of the unions have come defunct. The next thing that will so much faith in the proposed national occur following doctors accepting bulk health scheme that they are contemplating billing, is the nationalisation of the medi- building their own hospital in which work- cal Profession. The third thing that will ers' compensation cases can be looked after happen will be the degradation of the and enjoy the treatment they are getting Australian medical standards. At the mo- today instead of the treatment they will ment these standards are regarded as get if they become patients in standard- being among the best In the world. No- ised public wards. However, the request of one will refute that. the unions to put that scheme Into operation was refused by the Central Govern- It Is important to note that if the ment. medical practitioner's fees exceed the Gov- ernment schedule of fees, insurance to Mr Skidmore: Your facts are incorrect. cover the difference between the doctor's Dr DADOtIR: The inevitable consequence fees and the scheduled fees is forbidden. of doctors accepting bulk billing is that So one cannot take out Insurance for there will be a steep increase In the public medical assistance because It is forbidden. demand for medical attention. Members of the medical profession will be disinclined I have dealt with Medibank, so if any to exert themselves once they become Person is ignorant about Medibank it is public servants. I can assure the members his own fault. The second objective of the of this House that those doctors who have central Government is that it demands been in private practice, once they become standard ward accommodation. There salaried officers, will not Perform the same are two parts of the national health amount of work they did previously. In scheme. Firstly, there is Medtbank where, private practice a surgeon would perform under the medical scheme the doctors are 16 or more operations a day. However, once recouped for their services. The second he enters the national health scheme he part Is that the central Government de- will perform only four or five operations mands standard ward accommodation, in- a day, because it will take away from him cluding medical services which will be the Incentive to work for himself. provided free to the patients. Sir Charles Court: And the demand for If the State Government agrees to the medical attention will increase immedi- national health scheme the central Gov- ately by 12 per cent. ernment will pay 50 per cent of the running costs of any hospital. There is no Dr DADOTIR: Yes. There will be a.sharp confusion on that point. Permission can decline in medical standards. This has been also be obtained by a Person to be hos- instanced In Great Britain. Medibank may pitalised In a public or private hospital, appear very attractive at first, but In the but the cost of such accommodation is long ternm the result will be a destruction only partially met by the national health of the personalised doctor-Patient relation- scheme. A patient who wishes to enter ship. This will not happen Immediately on a private hospital will have to take out the 1st July. for example, I will not alter additional Insurance to meet the differ- my ways as a general practitioner because ence in costs. This is permissible. A I have learnt to practise in a certain way, person will and this is 'the way I wish to continue to be able to have private hospital practise. In the present circumstances I accommodation if he so desires. have a very personalised doctor-patient At Present both State-owned and relationship. This is borne out by the fact privately-owned institutions provide hos- that I am holding a seat that would norm- pital beds for the acutely Ill. If the States ally be held by a member of the Labor accept the new scheme, anyone, regardless Party, the reason being that my patients of his financial position, will receive free have confidence In me. standard ward accommodation. At the (Wednesday, 9th April, 1975.] 70?

same time medical treatment in that hos- Dr DADOUR: it Is obvious that when pital will be free. In other words the hospi- the Intermediate and private accommoda- tal accommodation and the medical fees tion disappears, waiting lists will result. will all be met by the Government. This will be inevitable. Mr Harman: A wonderful scheme!I All medical attention will be free In the standard ward beds which will mean that Dr DADOUR: Another point is that when admitted to Public hospitals, patients most people will cease to belong to any will not get the doctor of their choice. voluntary hospital insurance and will With the vagaries of the system to be gravitate to the standard ward accommo- Introduced this will be the situation. dation. As a result two things will occur. The first Is that the patients who were Mr Skidmore: Why won't they get the insured and will no longer be insured will. doctor of their choice? as I said, gravitate to the public hospitals. Dr DADOUR: I am predicting events of This will result in a shortage of public the future. What has happened in Great hospital beds, because there will be a Britain and Scandinavia. and what is greater demand for them. occurring In Canada? These are the courn- tries where the system has been in opera- Mr Harman: You are only surmising. tion. Dr DADOUR: For the first time we will The all-important factor and the real have waiting lists. crux of the matter concerns the cost. All Mr Skidmore: Why do you say people I can say is that the Minister for Social will stop paying Private Insurance? Security must be paranoic because he is hell-bent on self-destruction. Let us con- Dr DAflOUR: I will talk about that sider the costs which will be enormous, later. have no doubt about that. These costs must Mr Skidmore: That Is about the fifth be added to the other social services of thing you are going to deal with later. dubious wisdom and will make a further on to them eventually. financial drain on the country because we I hope you get will be living beyond our capacity. Dr DADOUR: At Present there are We must remember that the money to virtually no waiting lists at our hospitals. Pay for the scheme will come from the However, the Minister for Social Security taxpayer and If the costs escalate as I has Indicated that a 12 Per cent Increase predict they will-and I will prove this in will occur in usage. a moment-Government expenditure will The second consequence will further increase with a resultant Increase in taxa- aggravate the first for the simple reason tion. that as there will not be so many privately Mr Hartrey: Doctors' fees go up. too. Insured patients, private hospitals will be Dr DADOUR: The only alternative is deprived of patients and will no longer that the money will be diverted from other remain viable; so they will be forced to essential areas such as education. The close down. This situation will apply parti- Trreasurer already has a deficit of nearly cularly to the religious institutions as they $4 000 million. When the cost of the Medi- are basically nonprofit-making hospitals. bank scheme is added next Year the deficit Mr Harman: They will have the altern- will be something like $10 000 nillion. ative of providing standard ward care. Mr Skidmore: I t is good to see the honourable member showing concern about Dr DADOUR: I will come to that later, the Australian Government. too. We have only to consider the position In South Australia to answer that Dr DADOUR: I do not care about the interjection. Australian Government. I care about Western Australia first, and Australia Mr Skidmore: I will move for an exten - overall. What happens to Australia worries sion of time for You. me and this Is why I am making this The SPEAKER: Order! The honourable speech tonight. member is entitled to make his own speech. If the patient pays some benefit contribution, plus a little out of his own pocket, Dr DADOtIR: In time both intermediate he protects himself and his family and at and private accommodation will disappear. the same time he retains the right to a Mr H. D. Evans: What Is the Position in choice of doctor and hospital. Queensland? Mr Skidmore: He will retain that under Dr DADOUR: We are not talking about the new scheme. Queensland. That is something different Dr DADOUR: Under the scheme to be again. Introduced he will lose this in the long Several members interjected. ternm. Let us have a look at the costs of run- The SPEAKER: Order! The member for ning some of our hospitals. The costs of Sublaco. running two major Perth hospitals-one '708 [ASSEMBLY.] for adults and one for children-rose from Dr DADOIIR: Why should I? I will be $25.5 million in 1973 to $33.5 million in a public servant and I will work the usual 1974, which represents an overall rise of 35 hours Per week. 30 per cent. Mr Harman: How? These hospitals combined received from patients' fees $8.5 million in 1973 and $7 Dr DADOUR I Will become a civil ser- million in 1974 which represents a 30 per vant and I will be paid by the Govern- cent and 20 per cent contribution to the ment.' running of the hospitals. Admittedly this Mr T. D). Evans: You are paid by the was paid by the hospital benefit funds and Government now. the Government. Dr DADOUR: I sense sour rapes from With the introduction of a national the member for Kalgoorlie. health scheme this will not be the situa- Mr T. D. Evans: NO, not at all. You tion because everything will be free. It have not explained why. will be paid by the Taxation Department. With the overutilisation of the facilities Dr DADOUR: I do not think I need to the costs will escalate. say any more. I see many People in my practice and I send some of them away for In Australia there are about 85 000 an X-ray, a blood test, or a pathology acute hospital beds which cost well over test. When they come back I explain $50 per day to maintain, but we will say what Is wrong with them and what the it Is $50. When the free scheme is In tests show. I make one charge for both operation the cost will be paid from taxa- consultations, but does the member tion, some from the State, but most from opposite think I will let the Government the Commonwealth. This will represent get away with that? I do not charge for $4.25 million per day just for our acute repeat prescriptions. beds. Mr Skidmore: But some doctors do. As I have said, 500 000 patients attend medical Practitioners per day, but this Dr DADOUR: I do not care what some number will increase considerably when doctors do, I am saying what I do and I the new scheme is in operation. When think I represent most doctors. Do mem- we break this number down into groups bers opposite think I will sit down and who attend general Practitioners and con- write prescriptions all day for no return? sultants, and those who receive X-ray Of course I will charge. treatment and have other pathological Mr Hayden has stated that we will have tests, the average will be $10 Per attend- to play the game but if the Incentive is ance. That involves 500 000 per day. taken away we cannot play the game. A surgeon who moves from a private prac- An amount of $10 Per person per con- tice to a hospital situation will have his sultation runs out at $5 million per day. workload halved but his pay will not be If we add to that another $500 000 doubled. approximately, for outpatient running Mr Barnett: costs in the Public hospitals-and the Your taxation will go up. figure will probably be in excess of that- Dr DADOUR: I do not mind. Why do we and add to that the cost of surgery and have to follow other countries which have consultations, we arrive at a figure of $10 made this blunder? We do not know million per day. If we multiply $10 mil- whether the present situation will be re- lion by 365 we get a grand total of $3 650 trievable, and this is most important. I million in the first Year which represents suggest that most people stay In a private $300 per man, woman, and child in Aus- scheme until we see exactly what will tralia per year-a total of $300 per head happen. I have no doubt that the Premier of the total population per year. With and the Cabinet will accept Medibank In inflation and overuse that figure will escal- some form or other- ate year by year as happened in Great Mr Harman: Of course they will. Britain. Dr DADOUR: -otherwise the People of When the scheme was introduced Western Australia will be disadvantaged. in Great Britain the estimate for the first Why should we Pay taxes to support year was exceeded twofold or threefold. people in other States? It has escalated each year since it was introduced by the amount It was estimated Mr Harman: Tell the Premier. to cost during the first year. That will Dr DADOUR: The Premier Is aware of happen here. the situation and is trying to get a better Mr T.XD. Evans: Can you explain why deal and a better understanding. What about the private hospital sector? Mem- that should happen? bers opposite do not worry about the pri- Dr DADOUR: The scheme will be over- vate sector, but it does worry us. The used. I ask the member for Kalgoorlie: private sector and the private hospitals Does he think I will work for 65 hours a make a great contribution to Western week? Australia. Mr Barnett: Why should You not? Mr Harmnan: And they will still make it. [Wednesday. 9th April. 1975.] 709

Dr DADOUR: I ain rather doubtful Mr May: They are not rubbish. about that. We have to bargain, and that Dr DADOUR: I am talking about a par- is what the Premier is trying to do. ticular 5 Per cent. Mr Bertram: There is nothing wrong Mr May: You said they were rubbish. with that. Dr DADOUR: Those I am referring to Dr DADOUR: Then why go crook at are. the Premier. Mr May: They are not at all. Sir Charles Court: If we do not win our argument it will be the end of private Dr DADOUR: I regard them as misfits. hospitals. Without doubt many of those who are not covered do not want to be covered. Some Mr J. T. Tonkin: The Premier is after of them can afford It but they decide they more money. will not get sick and they do not want to Dr DADOUR: That is how it should be. pay anything. Mr T. D. Evans: He said he was not Then there is the group who cannot af- worried about dollars and cents. ford to Pay and they are automatically Mr J. T. Tonkin: That makes a mockery covered if they apply for assistance. There of what the Premier has said. are some in the middle and this is where the scheme breaks down. This is where Sir Charles Court: The main Issue is the deficiencies In the Present scheme can not money; it is more important than be overcome. that. Let us have a look at the hospital bene- Several members interjected. fits contributions. Contributions have in- The SPEAKER: Order! The member for creased markedly over the last few years Subiaco has the floor. not only because of inflation but because Sir Charles Court: Does the Leader of the Commonwealth has been reluctant to the Opposition want us to sell out because increase Its contribution. The Common- wealth has made the hospital benefit the Commonwealth dictates to us? scheme appear to be unattractive so that Dr DADOUB: An article appeared in The Medibank will appear attractive. West Australian of the 8th April, 1975, In which the Secretary of the Western I still do not understand why the Com- Australian Branch of the Australian monwealth Government wants to intro- Medical Association (Mr R. G. Hayward) duce it. it cannot be 'aid that the Com- criticised Federal Government advertising monwealth is worried about the few peo- of Medibank. Mr Hayward stated the ple who are not covered. There must be Federal Governmient advertising was un- another reason and that reason seems to true in relation to the number of people be that the Commonwealth wants social- who were not covered by any form of ism. medical or hospital insurance. The ad- Mr Skidmonre: It wants to provide a good vertisement which Mr Hayward was medical scheme for Australia. criticising is very emotional and states that over one million Australians do not Dr DAPOUR: We already have the best have health insurance. Let me say that scheme in the world. People come here from all over the world to study it. The any person who has to go into hospital, English People are most envious of our and who does not have any hospital in- scheme because their own costs so much. surance, can have the debt wiped off. Great Britain cannot cope with the cost There was a time when such a person had of it, scheme and the same blunder will to pay the bill, but that has not applied occur here. for a number of years. 1, as a member of Parliament, had only to pick up the tele- If a patient has to pay a small part of phone and make a call, to have a debt the cost of treatment out of his own poc- wiped off. ket he will show some restraint; other- sri e he will show no restraint. Adver- Mr Harman: That is not very good busi- tisements for Medibank have appeared In ness for the hospitals. the Press on almost every day for the last Dr DADOUR: Well, no-one Is deprived month. of treatment. Mr Watt: It cost only $1.5 million! Mr Harman: In any event, such a person should be covered by the Common- Dr DADOUR: The advertisement wealth scheme. states-- Dr DADOUR: If a person is too ignor- Medibank starts on July 1 because ant, are we supposed to lead him to water? among other reasons, there are at The 5 per cent of the population who are Present over one million Australians not covered include the rubbish who cause not insured against the high cost of all the trouble. Those people do not care; sickness or injury. they do not want to belong; they are Not insured because they cannot nonconformists. They, Probably vote for afford to Insure themselve-. So they members oppocite. simply cannot afford to become ill. 710 'nOASSEMBLY.]

An investigation which was carried out There is another good reason for the revealed that half that number of people Commonwealth Government's instituting were not insured. this scheme. Why Is It hell-bent on con- Mr May: The Premier said he did Dot trolling the doctors? I did not intend to believe In newspaper reports. bring politics Into this matter but I cannot avoid doing so because I am sure it Dr DADOUR: The Secretary of the Aus- is political. The most antI-soctalistIc influ- tralian Medical Association stated an In- ential group in the community is, without vestigation showed that to be true. a doubt, the medical profession. Mr Barnett: That would be the most Mr Skidmore: Do you have authority to biased source you could find. speak for all doctors? I can mention one Dr DADOtIR: I would believe him before who does not share your ideas. I would believe a man like Mr Hayden, Dr DADOUR: Another point Is that we who lives in a world of fantasy. The ad- are also very privileged members of the vertisement also states-- community. I am permitted, without any Even for those people who are In- hesitation and without any rebuff, to put sured, the rising cost of health fund my finger In the most tender private spot contributions Is a real and continuing of a patient, and I get away with it. What worry. is more, he pays me and very often he The Commonwealth Government is respon- thanks me. I do not know why this scheme sible for that. It has made sure that Is being Introduced. contributions have increased so much that The SPEAKER: The honourable mem- people cannot afford them. The Common- wealth Government did not increase Its ber has six minutes. share as much as it should have, so the Dr DADOUR: I will reiterate what I greater amount of the contributions is have said previously in this House. It is coming from the pockets of the people. the quality of patient care that Is in Further on the advertisement says-- jeopardy. That Involves, firstly, the choice of one's own doctor; secondly, if a patient YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN DOCTOR is not satisfied with his first doctor he Is Although Medlbank will change entitled to a second opinion from another many things, It will not change in doctor; thirdly, he should be able to any way whatsoever the existing choose the hospital, the doctor who will relationship between you and your look after him In that hospital, and the doctor. time at which he will have an operation That will be the case between me and my if one is necessary; fourthly. he should patients, because that is the way I am. have the basic right of total privacy in What about the young chaps Comning up consultation, accommodation, and the who know they have to get through 30 documentation of his Illness. I believe to 50 patients In a surgery? They will be these rights will be In jeopardy under the overworked and will never achieve this Medibank scheme, and that one of the doctor-patient relationship because they best medical schemes in the world will will not have time. That was proven in deteriorate into one of the worst. Great Britain. I say in five or 10 years Mr Barnett: You do not really believe we will have very little personal doctor- that. patient attention. Dr DADOUR: I believe that will happen Mr Barnett: How long do you spend on In the long run. each consultation now? Under the Medibank scheme, what are Dr DADOUR: Somewhere between 10 the chances for speclalisation of the young and 15 minutes. doctors coming Into the hospitals from the universities? After they have com- Mr Barnett: Will It make any difference pleted their six-year medical course and later on with Medibank? one year at a hospital. I have a feeling Dr DADOUR: It will not make any they will be told where to go. difference to me. Uf I have a. surgery full Mr May: What about the people? of people and I must see them alt, a quick consultation will take a spit second and Dr DADOt.R: They will be directed, so a long consultation 10 seconds. That is their chances for specialisatlon will not the only way we will be able to get through be very great. Even if they do specialise. them. I will be ordering X-rays for every- with the public ward system they will be one so that I can get a bit of breathing great-grandfathers before they become space; and when they come back with consultants. They will be junior registrars their X-rays there will be another con- f or many years, and by the time they sultation, so one cannot moan. become grandfathers they will reach con- sultant status- Mr Skidmore: And if they come in with Mr Skidnmore: Are you suggesting that a headache you will send them for an after coming out of university and com- X-ray. pleting 12 months In a hospital a GP will Dr DADOUR: No: I will send them to a be directed where to go because of Bedi- psycho. bank? [Wednesday, 9th April, 1975.]

Dr DADOUR: He will be directed; the Mr CARR: I suggest that the position system will demand It. The Goverrnent in Geraldton is somewhat different from will turn around and say. "We have given that in Bunbury where several trains per you the privilege of studying medicine", week operate between the two centres, and and 'we will end up with a bonding sys- there may be a case f or reducing same a! tern like that which applies to school the services and substituting buses. Ger- teachers. They will be given a choice of aldton Is in the position that one passenger going to one or two places. train operates weekly between Perth and Gerald ton. This is an overnight train I should explain what I meant by the leaving Perth Friday evening and arriving "S per cent rubbish". The people I was in Geraidlon Saturday morning, On the referring to are those who upset everybody return journey it leaves Oeraldton on Sun- -they are the misfits in our community. day evening and arrives in Perth on Mon- We must accept the fact that they exist, day morning. In view of this most of the and to my mind the Medibank scheme Is WAGE passenger customers are already being Implemented mainly because of those using the bus. I argue that the one remain- people. It is for that reason that r referred ing train service to Oeraldton should be to them as "rubbish". I probably should have said they were the misfits. retained as a community welfare service. This facility Is a very valuable one to MR CARE (Oeraldton) 010.29 p.m.]: I the aged perons and the pensioners in rise in this debate to mention a number of the area. These people and others who matters concerning my electorate which are sick may wish to travel to Perth for are all within the province of the State specialist or medical treatment. I accept Government and for which the Govern- the point made by the member for Gas- coyne that not a large number of people is ment deserves criticism. involved. The first of these matters is the pro- Mr Laurance: They could be accommo- jected closure of the passenger train services to Oeraldton, Bunbury, and Albany. dated by bus. I think it Is common knowledge that a Mr CARR: That is the point I want to submission has been forwarded by the make; many people who are sick or aged Commissioner of Railways to the Minister find that bus travel is fairly uncomfort- advocating that these services be discon- able. They must sit in the one position tinued. for the whole journey, whereas an over- Mr night sleeper service by train is a much O'Connor: I have stated tha~t has more comfortable proposition. Economics been recieved. have forced this service to be cut to one Mr CARR: that is right. It is also com- train per week, but please let us keep monly understood that the basis of the that one train on community welfare submission is one of economics: a certain grounds. loss has occurred and this is the reason for A second suggestion to overcome the the cancellation of the services. It is argu- problem was put forward at the WAASRE able that the financial position can Conference. Members of that union said be improved upon. One constructive that It would be feasible to add a passen- suggestion has been put forward by a ger carriage to a goods train. Remember- number of people, particularly the mem- ing that only a relatively small number ber for Collie, the Labor Party shadow of passengers is Involved, and that an Minister for Transport. He advocated the overnight goods train travels from Perth upgrading of the services to something to Geraldton six nights a week, it seems comparable with' the Prosvpector service quite practical to add a passenger car- using comfortable -air-conditioned diesel riage to the train. rail cars. Such a service could attract cus- torn, and possibly Improve its economics. Mr Watt: That system already operates Mr Laurance: Are the Geraldton people to Albany. using the service? Mr CARE: It already operates to Al- Mr CARE: I will come to the service as bany? It is operating In my time. However, I feel Mr Watt: Yes, and It has done for some the main objection to the service should years. not be an objection based on economics. I agree here with the remarks made by the Mr CARR: I hope the Minister will see member for Bunbury the other night when fit to consider that precedent and Intro- he said that a decision about these rail duce It on the Geraldton run. I repeat that this should not be an economic deci- services should not be based on economics. sion;, it should be a sociological decision Mr O'Connor: They should be taken into with regard for more than mere profits. account. The second point I wish to raise during Mr Sibson: I did not say that, I said this debate is In regard to State Housing It should be one of the aspects. Commisslafi accommodation in Oeraldton. Mr May: You did say It. A while ago the member for Albany [ASSEM&BLY.] mentioned that his electorate was niot I would like to quote these figures to doing as well economically as Geraldton, the House. The best figures are for single which is booming. The honourable unit accommodation, and these show a member implied that there were more deterioration from 29 listings to 31 list- problems in Albany than in Geraldton. ings--not too bad. Applications for one- We have a quite different economic bedroom accommodation deteriorated climate in Geraldton, but we also have from 17 to 25 listings. The problem problems associated with the booming becomes much greater as we come to activity and rapid growth. the larger houses. Last November, 34 A principal problem in Cleraldton applicants were listed for two-bedroom is that of State Housing Commis- accommodation, and 69 are listed in sion accommodation, and we have March. For three-bedroom accommoda- very long waiting lists for this type of action, 85 applicants were listed in Novem- commodation. I recently obtained some ber and 128 applicants are listed now. The figures from the Minister for Housing, applicants for four-bedroom accommo- and they illustrate my point. in March of dation have Increased from 11 to 17. this year, the longest wait for domestic There were no applicants for five-bed- single unit accommodation was 21 room accommodation in November, and months. Members will see that the appli- now there are two. cants are divided into domestic and Aboriginal. An. Aboriginal can expect a The figures I have given are for rental wait of 36 months for single unit accommodation only. The total rental accommnodation. figures reveal 176 applicants in November at March. The wait for one-bedroom accommo- and 270 rental applications as dation Is 24 months for domestic and 23 this year-in that 4*-month period an months for Aboriginal. The figures for increase In applicants of 53 per cent. two-bedroom accommodation are 20 A similar position applies in respect of months and 17 months. For three-bed- people registered for purchase homes. In room accommodation the longest waiting November, 1974, there were 59 applicants, period is nine months for domestic and "rid there are now 76. This gives a total 35 months for Aboriginal; and for four- of all applicants registered as 235 in bedroom accommodation the waiting November, 1074, and 346 as of March this periods are 13 months and 10 months. year-an increase of 111 applicants In Practically every day my office is visited 4k, months. This Is a total deterioration by an applicant for State Housing Com- in the situation of 47 per cent. mission accommodation. Several of these people are living in dreadful circum- The question must be asked: What Is stances. Some large families are living in being done to solve the problem? Not caravans. enough Is being done In general terms. I will deal with the single unit accommo- Mr Laurance: You should change your dation first. Applicants for this type of office site. accommodation Increased from 29 to 31. Mr CAR: Yes, it is quite close to the Six units are under construction and 24 State Housing Commission office. units are under tender, and therefore the single unit position is reasonably satis- Mr Laurance: So I have heard. factory. However, when we turn to the Mr CARR: Some applicants are living posit~on of single detached homes, the In condemned houses. in one room of piclure Is very different. Ten three-bed- someone else's house, and I have known of room homes are under construction and eases where families are living In motor- tenders are expected to be called by June cars. I admit I have plagued the life of for 12 single detached homes for Abo- the local Stste Housing Commission rigines. regional officer In Geraldton trying to get assistance for as many people as This will obviously not go anywhere possible. I would like to take this oppor- near to clearing the backlog. In fact, the tunity to comment on the fine job he is backlog has gained round much more doing under very difficult circumstances. nuickly than the steps taken to remedy The position is very serious, and it Is it. As I solid. it has increased by rapidly becoming worse. To substantiate nvor 100 applications In 41 months. I am my statement I will quote two sets of aware there Is a problem of limited figures which the Minister gave in this resources. The Federal Government is House. concerned to provide more low-cost hous- Ing. and the State Government should On the 13th November, 1974, I asked co-operate to the utmost to get as much for the number of people on the waiting as possible Instead of abusing the Federal list In each category. The Minister's Government. answer showed the position to be quite serious. I asked a similar auestion on the I hope the Government realises that 27th March-almost exactly 40 months Geraldton Is experiencing a boom and later, and the answer revealed a massive that housing resources are stretched to the deterioration in the situation. limit not only in the public sector but also [Wednesday, 9 April, 1975171 713 the private sector, which is also experi- Mr CARR: I accept the point that the encing a shortage of homes. I call on the blame is not so much with the depart- Minister to do all within his power to in- ment as with the architects. crease the building operations of the State Mr O'Nell: You said it was against Housing Conmnission in Geraldton. PWD policy, and it is not. You read the The thfrd electorate matter to which answer to the question. I wish to refer concerns school buildings. Mr CARR: Be that as it may, the The position at nearly all of the schools architects working in these circumstances in CGeraldton is most unsatisfactory. In made three drafts of the extensions. I fact, there is not one school in Geraldton will explain the reason for this. The first which could be described as being in a draft was unsatisfactory because three comfortable position. Three new building classrooms were put on the end of two projects were under way before the begin- wings, and extended over a 20-foot drop. ning of the present school year, and all Apparently the plans the architects were late. worked on did not show the ground slope. The Premier advised me on the 20th The second draft blocked the access March that he had continued the policy between the school and its oval, and con- of starting projects before allocating struction of the building in that position funds;, and he said he would advise me would have meant that students and of the reasons for the delays in the three teachers would have to follow a circuitous cases to which I refer. I am looking for- route around an extremely long wing to ward to receiving that information. reach the oval. Obviously that was unsatisfactory. Both drafts were corrected I will take the schools one by one. by the headmaster. This sort of error Firstly I refer to the new John Wilicock could well have been eliminated If High School. Stage 1 of that high school arrangements had been made for~ the has been contracted out in two parts. The architects to visit the site. first part is the administration building With regard to the Allendale School the and classrooms, and was due to be com- project was to complete the second half pleted prior to the beginning of the cur- of the cluster to, replace prefabricated rent school year. At this stage it is two classrooms which had been there for months late and this is obviously causing many years. Again, the work was not great inconvenience to students, staff, completed until at least a month after parents, and all others associated with school commenced. The work was financed the school. by the Schools Commission programme of I think it is a fair comment to say that the Federal Government to replace old most people in Geraldton knew when the buildings--a very worthy project using tenders were called that the buildings Karmel funds;, and in my opinion it was would not be finished on time, because abused by the State Government. The they were started too late. The second prefabricated buildings were not removed part of stage 1 Is due to be completed but moved to another position and are by the 25th May. It consists of buildings still being used as classrooms. That Is for home economics, manual arts, a can- certainly not my idea of replacement. teen, and a hall-gymnasium. My predic- The other schools in the Geraldton tion-and it is also the prediction of area are not well off, either. The Gerald- many people in the area-is that there ton Senior High School has 12 temporary is no chance on this earth of the build- classrooms which date back to 1952 and ings being anywhere near ready by that are in a dilapidated state. On two occa- time. My last comment on the John Will- sions this year fibreboard panels have cock High School is that I hope when fallen from the ceiling onto students in stage 2 is being constructed for com- the class below. That has been confirmed pletion In February, 1977, that earlier by an answer given in this House by action is taken to ensure that the present the Minister. I think we would all agree situation Is not repeated. that is a most unsatisfactory situation. I refer secondly to the Bluff Point In answer to questions 1 have asked In School. In this case a contract was let the present and last sessions of Parlia- for three new classrooms and an Aus- ment the Minister has Justified the non- tralian Government library-resource replacement of these classrooms on the centre. I understand that two classrooms round that numbers at the school will were due to be ready for the commence- fall considerably following the opening of ment of tis school year, but of course the John Wilicock High School. they were not. There are a couple of I suggest in reality this is simply not associated problems in respect of these being borne out. This year the John Wiln- buildings which are worth mentioning. cock High School has 160 students, and The architects responsible for the exten- the numbers at the Geraldton Senior sions did not inspect the site because it High School fell by 80 when compared with is against PWD Policy to do so. the enrolments for February last year. in Mr O'NeiI: They didn't request permnis- fact, there are more students at the sion. school now than there were in December 714 '714ASSEMBLY.)

-last year. The prediction of staff and I have since discovered that It was not others-which I agree with-is that the and I will apologise to the Premier an( population of Geraldton Senior High explain what I am talking about. My crit. School will never fall below 1 100 icism in fact should have been directed a' students. I know it is difficult to estimate the Deputy Premier and Leader of thi the capacity of the permanent buildings Country Party, I am only sorry he is no' at the school because of the varying use present in the Chamber to hear what of the buildings; but I suggest that an have to say. However, I am sure my re- estimate of somewhere between Boo or marks will be Passed on to him. 900 would probably be fair. Therefore I I have long been critical of the County: would suggest there is obviously a need Party for not really representing a] for sufficient permanent classrooms to country people, as it claims. I hay, cater for another 200 or 300 students. watched the falling vote and loss of seat, The Beachlands Primary School also of the Country Party and have been ver: has an interesting problem. It started the pleased that people have come to see th year in not too bad a position with eight Country Party preoccupation with vestei rooms for eight classes. It had the prob- interests and the large farmers, to th lem of accommodating its library resources detriment of the majority of people livinj and Its library aide, but it was considered in country areas and, in particular, o the school could have managed in that small farmers. situation until the new Federal library- I was quite amused that the Feders resource centre was built, and until new Country Party member, Mr Katter, sami classrooms were constructed. But since in Geraldton during a recent visit tha then problems have occurred. Firstly Geraldton should be a Country Part doubt has now been cast on whether the stronghold, because he obviously failed t new classrooms will be built and, secondly. appreciate the lack of Performance an a demountable room has been taken away leadership of the Country Party In thi so that now the school has seven rooms for State in appealing to country people. eight classes, including a special class; However, I have now been shown tha and it has no place for the library. so I over-estimated the Country Party an we have a situation where the special Its leader. I am not talking about It class-which I think we would all agree campaign to return to political signifi probably needs the most assistance but canoe by getting its leader to change hi always receives the least-is sharing moustache; I am not talking about th corrridors and storerooms with the effort of the member for Moore last nigh library books and library aide. to return Australia to its war-mnongerini The Cieraldton Primary School is very racist past; nor am I talking about th old, as most members would realist- Its Deputy Premier's statement in the Hous buildings include three or four very old on the 19th March that the reason h Pavilions, which were old wrecks when I bowed to the Liberal majority on th attended the school as a grade 1 student lamb marketing issue was that, "If on in 1950. They are now at the stage where does not do that, one does not rein they should be replaced before they fall memnber of a Cabinet:" I am not eve: down. talking about his explanation of contra dictory comments that, "Naturally on The one remaining State school in the area Is the Rangeway School, which is endeavours to answer in a manner tha probably better off than the other schools satisfies the questioner." mainly because it is classified as a disad- I am referring to the issue of a full vantaged school. It has done well from scale inquiry into costs in country area the disadvantaged schools programme of Members will recall that in July last yea the Australian Government; but It is also the Parliamentary Country Party issue crowded and has classes in places which a Press release saying that it had aske are not meant to be classrooms-such as its leader, the Deputy Premier, to mal music rooms. representations to the Premier to hay To conclude my remarks on this aspect undertaken a full-scale inquiry Iit of my speech I would appeal 'to the country costs. Government to give a great deal more I raised this issue in my maiden speec attention to the school building pro- and supported the proposal in generz gramme in Geraldton. I can assure the terms. I raised it again during the Budge House that the people of Geraldton are debate, expressing disappointment at tU not convinced that things are being put lack of action. But that Is where I mad right in that town. my mistake, for which I apologise. Before I sit down I would like to make guessed where the fault lay, and accuse a couple of other comments. I want to the Premier of falling to act. In fact, explain an error I made during the was wrong, as I found out today. Budget debate last year and to apologise to the Premier for an accusation I made I asked a question of the Premier toda against him in that debate. I thought the spurred by the ABC programme "TDI accusation was Justified at the time, but which conducted a survey which tende [Wednesday, 9 AprMl 1975171 715 to show that much was not well In some Sir Charles Court: Read It out to the areas of country costs. I asked the H-ouse. We have caught up with your Premier question 72 on todavy's notice technique. paper, intending to call on him to act Mr GARB: There seems to be a sug- on the Country Party suggestion. The gestion that I anm covering up, so I will first part of my question stated- read It. The answer to part (1) of my Has he received representations question continues-- seeking -a Government inquiry into The Pilbara report has already been costs in country areas? released. The report on a survey into I thought the Premier would obviously factors affecting the cost of living in say, "Yes, I have received representations" the imlberley, is in the final stages and r would then have said, "Why the of preparation by the Commissioner devil have you not done something about for Consumer Protection. It?" But the answer stated- There is nothing in that to contradict No representations were received what I said. Part (2) of may question seeking a Government inquiry into states-- the costs in country areas other than if "Yes", who have representations for the Pilbara and Kimuberley been received from? regions. The answer states- So, I am sorry. However, I do not excuse Answered by (1). the Premier completely because he knew Mr Harman: Not by the Country Party! there were people who wanted this sort Mr CARB: I expected the answer that of inquiry conducted; in fact, I could the Country Party made the represent- claim that it should have been conducted ations, but that is where I was wrong. I long before now. had over-estimated the working strength Sir Charles Court: Read the whole of the Country Party and Its leader. answer. Question (3) asked- Mr CARR: But what about the Leader (3) Will he agree to conduct such of the Country Party? Where does he an inquiry, especially as a sur- stand? What a disgraceful performance vey conducted by the ABC pro- this is. I see the Leader of the Country gramme TOT and discussed on Party is now in the Chamber. Alter last Friday's edition, appears to nine months of waiting, he has not even suggest that unfair mark-ups or produced a representation. What a job other unfair practises may be he is doing for the country people! He occurring? cannpt even produce a representation which he was asked to produce by his I really do not know why I am reading own parliamentary members. What a this out. shambles! It is no wonder the country Mr Laurance: You are enjoying it. people of this State are turning away from the Country Party. if they do not Sir Charles Court: Read the answer! It get a better Performance than that, the shows that work has already been done. Country Party will lose even more seats. Mr GARR: The Premier is talking I Suggest to the House that the Country about the Pilbara and the Kinmberley: I Party should correct its mistake and get accept that point. But what about other on to its leader and tell him he has not country areas? done the job he was asked to do nine Sir Charles Court: Read the answer to months ago. He should use the strength question (3). the newspapers at the weekend said he had In the Cabinet to Instigate an inquiry Mr GARR: I will read the answer. Into country costs. Sir Charles Court: Read the whole Sir Charles Court: Read the rest of the answer! answer to the House. Mr CARR: Does not the Premier want to hear it? The answer States- Mr CARR: I will. The Commissioner for Consumer Sir Charles Court: Read it out tonight Protection has no statutory power to to the House!1 examine prices. Mr CARR: The Premier is going to That is one part of the answer. However, suggest that the Commissioner for Con- there is a lot more. The Mfinister con- sinner Protection has no statutory power tinued- to inquire into or examine prices. However, preliminary research of Sir Charles Court: Read the rest of the available statistics on the retail price inswer. of food in country areas indicates that a similar inquiry to those car- Mr CARR: There is no need to read fled out in the pilbara, and Kimber- ;he rest of the answer. lcy, is not Justified. 718 rCoUNCnIJ The matter will be kept under review. Mr Bryce: Under review! Iiinfinluttut (Iuntrtl Thursday, the 10th April, 1975 Mr CARR*: That Is something we have heard many times before; that is not a proper answer. The PRESIDENT (the Hon. A. F. Griffith) took the Chair at 2.30 p.m., and Mr Bryce: Under review!I What a Joke!I read prayers. Mr CARR.: The answer concludes- If the Honourable Member has speci- QUESTION WITH3OUT NOTICE fie cases he feels call for study, he POLICE should advise details to the Minister for Consumer Affairs. John Martin Best: Assault Charge Sir Charles Court: I hope that gets The H-on. D. W. COOLEY, to the Min- printed in Hansard correctly instead of in ister for Justice: the mumbling way you read it out to the In view of the advice conveyed tc House to try to avoid the issue. the House when I spoke to the adjournment motion on Wednes- The ACIND'G SPEAKER (Mr Blalkie): day, the 9th April, will the Min- Order!I ister- Mr Grayden: You realise that when Institute proceedings to appeal we get the statistics In a couple of weeks against- you will be very surprised, They cut right (a) Magistrate C. A. PMshern across the argument. decision in the case thE The ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Police Department v Johr Martin Best of J. M. Besi Mr Grayden: You will get those statist- Holdings Pty. Ltd., in whict ics soon. he found the defendant nol Sir Charles Court: I hope the answer guilty after he had admittec to Question (3) gets into Mansard. the offence, The ACTING SPEAKER: Order! I (b) the awarding of costa would appreciate it if the honourable amounting to $150 againsi member was able to continue his speech the Pollee Department? without interruption. The PRESIDENT: I am inclined t4 think the question is not in ordei Aft CARP.: Actually, Mr Acting and I therefore rule it out 01 Speaker, I was about to conclude by say- order. ing that the Premier has not done the Job. Instead he has used his old excuse The Hon. Dl. W. COOLEY: May I asd of "under review". The Deputy Premier on what grounds you, Mr Presi. is particularly at fault here. He dent, rule the auestion out o: has not even made a representation which order? his own party asked him to make nine The PRESIDENT: If the questiox months ago. Does the Deputy Premier asked by the honourable membei and Leader of the Country Party deny refers to proceedings before that? court-and let me say I am no Mr McPharlJin: what Particular issue sure whether that is so, because are you talking about? I was not present when the dis. cussion took place last night- Mr CARR: Mr Acting Speaker. I am then I think the question cofl speechless! I leave It at that. be sub judice. Mr Bryce: This is the man who The Hon. D. W. COOLEY: With re emerges as the strong man in the pect. I am not asking for an: Cabinet! opinion in respect of the Proceed Mr McPharlln: Oh, you Idiot! I have ings. before a court. I am simpi: not been in the Chamber to hear the asking whether the Minister wouli speech; I have only Just entered the be prepared to institute an appea Chamber and cannot be expected to know on behalf of the Police Depart what preceded my entry. ment against the decision handei down by the magistrate. Debate adjourned, on motion by Mr Young. The Hion. N. MeNEU.L replied: in reply to the question asked ,, House adjourned at 10.59 p.m. Mr Cooley, and in deference bi your advice, Mr President, it 1 my understanding the prosecutini was taken by the Police Depart meat. It is therefore up to tha