Queensland
Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]
Legislative Assembly
TUESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1974
Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy
Papers [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Question Upon Notice 813
TUESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1974 (A) Proposal by the Governor in Council to revoke the setting apart and declar ation as a State Forest of all that piece or part of State Forest 302, parishes of Athlone, Ballon, Bembil, Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. W. H. Lonergan, Brownlie, Buchan, Burraburri, Cooaga, Flinders) read prayers and took the chair at Coondarra, Delger, Goldsmith, Hooks 11 a.m. wood, MacDonald, Malcolm, Nudley, Pelham, Quandong, Warranna and Wongongera, described as Area "A" in DISTINGUISHED VISITOR the parish of Warranna, as shown on MR. VAOVASAMANAIA R. P. PHILLIPS, M.L.A. plan FTY.651 made and prepared by the Surveyor-General and deposited (WESTERN SAMOA) in the office of the Conservator of Mr. SPEAKER: Honourable members: I Forests and containing an area of have much pleasure in extending a welcome 187 hectares-under the Forestry Act to Mr. Vaovasamanaia R. P. Phillips, member 1959-1974. of the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa (B) A brief explanation of the proposal. and an Australasian Regional Representative of the General Council of the Commonwealth QUESTION UPON NOTICE Parliamentary Association. lWASAKI PROJECT, YEPPOON AREA Honourable Members: Hear, hear! Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Lands,- :\! INISTERIAL EXPENSES ( 1) Concerning the proposed Iwasaki project near Yeppoon, as he has indicated RETURN TO ORDER that Iwasaki Sangyo Pty. Ltd. is not qualified to hold tenures on leasehold lands The following paper was laid on the in Grazing Farm No. 8815 and Perpetual table:- Lease Selection No. 8666, was the company Return to an Order made by the House on notified of this at the time the plans were l August last, on the motion of Mr. submitted and, if not, why were Govern Miller, of expenses of Ministers for the ment departments involved in unnecessary period 1 July 1973 to 30 June 1974, preparation and expense on a plan which inclusive, showing each separately and could not be implemented? in detail. (2) Why has the Co-ordinator-General's Department called for submissions and planned a public enquiry on a plan which PAPERS cannot become operational under present The following paper was laid on the land tenure? table and ordered to be printed:- (3) As a significant area of the leases should be maintained as a buffer zone to Report of the Agent-General for Queens protect the Corio Bay Habitat Reserve, land for the year 1973-74. has the company been given any indication The following papers were laid on the that a developmental lease could be table:- declared on any of the land? Orders in Council under ( 4) As the vacant Crown land on Sandy District Courts Act 1967-1972. Point is a narrow and fragile strip of coastal dunes lying in front of an estuary The Magistrates Courts Acts 1921 to declared a marine habitat reserve, will he 1964. consider declaring this land as a reserve The Supreme Court Act of 1921. protected from development? Collections Act 1966-1973. (5) Is it intended to maintain Public Water Act 1926-1973. Landing Reserve 11 on Fishing Creek and Harbours Act 1955-1972. the present surveyed public access road, Queensland Marine Act 1958-1972. for use by the general public? Forestry Act 1959-1974. Answers:- City of Brisbane Act 1924-1973. (1 and 2) "Although in terms of the Regulations under- Land Act a company or corporation, as such, cannot hold a Grazing Selection or Public Service Act 1922-1973. a Perpetual Lease Selection, it does not Queensland Marine Act 1958-1972. necessarily follow that the scheme advanced Rules and Regulations under the Cemetery by Iwasaki Sangyo Co. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. Act 1865. could not be implemented. The company was made aware of the provisions of the Report of the Queensland Coal Board of Land Act in early discussions. The special its financial accounts for the year inter-Departmental Committee convened by 1973-1974. the Co-ordinator-General at the direction 27 814 Questions Without Notice [17 SEPTEMBER 1974) Questions Without Notice
of Cabinet, has already heard public sub THREATENED BLACK BAN ON YABULU NICKEL missions and its examination in effect is TREATMENT PLANT of the whole conceptual scheme advanced by the company. I understand that the Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: I ask the Premier: Committee is endeavouring to make a Is he aware of a threat by the Townsville report to Cabinet within the next \5ix to Trades and Labor Council to impose a black eight weeks. The scheme area covers a ban on the Y ahulu nickel treatment plant if variety of land tenure including freehold an effluent pipeline is laid to Halifax Bay? and reserved and vacant land. The fact Is he also aware that the Townsville Trades that some of the lands involved cannot and Labor Council is claiming that the presently be held by a company is con Greenvale nickel project gained exemption sidered at this stage to be incidental only from the provisions of the Clean Waters to the whole proposal." Act? Further, is he aware that a campaign of sabotage is being carried out at Yabulu ( 3 and 4) "I am not clear as to what to back up the demands of the militant the Honourable the Leader of the Opposi element at the project and in the Trades tion means in his reference to the declara and Labor Council? tion of a development lease on any of the land but nothing has been indicated Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes, I have to the company as to any possible require seen reports that the Trades and Labor ments or result in respect of its proposal. Council, with whom the Leader of the I feel sure the investigating Committee Opposition is in close assoc1atwn, has threatened to impose a black ban on the wil! have full regard to any effect the Yabulu nickel treatment plant if a pipeline Scheme might have on Corio Bay and is laid to Halifax Bay. Sandy Point, and the need for any pro tection of those areas." Let me say at the outset that there is a deliberate campaign of sabotage under way (5) "The conceptual plan would indi at the plant to try to enforce the demands of cate that Landing Reserve R.l1 will be the militant element on the project. These retained but the maintenance of public are the people Mr. Egerton was talking about access to Corio Bay would be an important when he referred to union anarchy. They consideration in any scheme which might follow the principles of Mr. Jack Mundey, eventuate." the Communist Party leader, in trying to seize so-called worker control of the Yabulu plant, not in any campaign to improve wages QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE or conditions, but purely for political pur poses. ALLOCATION OF PETROL TAX UNDER PROPOSED COMMONWEALTH ROADS ACT What we are seeing is a power struggle within the Townsville Trades and Labor Mr. NEWBERY: I ask the Minister for Council. This militant element has claimed Mines and Main Roads: Is he aware that that the Yabulu plant was exempted from the under the proposed Commonwealth Roads provisions of the Clean Waters Act. This is Act the allocation paid to the States which not true. The Greenvale Agreement Act con at one time under the old Act was ~pproxi tained no such exemption and the companies mately 70 per cent of the petrol tax, will be in the project, as we know, were required reduced to less than 50 per cent? to have carried out an environmental impact study. That study was made by a firm Further, will he advise the House what approved by the Water Qualhy Control effect financially this reduction will have on Council, namely, Water and Trade Wastes the States and how he anticipates the Federal Pty. Ltd. After considering its repon, the Government will dispense with the balance \Vater Quality Control Council issued a of the fuel tax it retains? licence for the pipeline. In addition, the Mr. CAMM: It is true that under the Queensland Government made a grant of proposed Commonwealth Act the allocation $60,000 to the James Cook University in of the petrol tax will be reduced to less than Townsville for a study of the effects of metal 50 per cent of the amount collected by the wastes in tropical waters. Commonwealth. Following the imposition of This is a very serious matter. I appreciate an extra 5c a gallon, the amount collected that the honourable member representing the IS, of course, far in excess of what was area has seen fit to have these matters previously collected and the 50 per cent will brought to the surface so that everybody in constitute a larger sum than we have Townsville will know what is happening there. previ~msly received; but if one applies an mflatwnary trend of at least 15 per cent a In an effort to back up the demands by year over the three-year period, one can see the militant elements, there has been a that the amount that will be received will deliberate campaign of sabotage at Yabulu. be less in value than the allocations in the Sea-water has been put into machinery previous three years. Consequently, the new sumps, sand has been put into bearings, lift formula will have a very adverse effect on wiring has been torn out and cut and lubrica the financing of the Queensland roads pro tion lines have been punctured in hundreds gramme during the next three years. of places with a hammer and nails. Members Questions Without Notice [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Questions Without Notice 815 of the 'nilitant element should remember that is it in keeping with the mismanage they are jeopardising the 800 jobs that the ment of Australia's economic affairs in that Greenvale project is providing for miners, an amount of some $400,000 could be made railwaymen and other workers. At a time available for night Goursing? when unemployment is becoming serious, they should think carefully, because it is their Sir GORDON CHA!LK: I have no know fellow workers who will suffer if the project ledge of $400,000 being made available by closes. the Commonwealth Government for night coursing in this State, nor do I know of any approach relative thereto. It is a fact that A.L.P. ATIITUDE TO ARRIVAL OF NAZIS IN there has been some speculation in the BRISBANE Ipswich area about the establishment of a Mr. HOUGHTON: I ask the Minister for night coursing track at Redbank, and I know Justice: Has his attention been drawn to an that the Federal Minister for Health is him article, accompanied by photographs, which self interested in that undertaking. I point out appeared in "The Courier-Mail" of Saturday to the House that a provisional licence was 14 September, dealing with, and depicting, granted to a club that was formed in Nazis arriving in Brisbane? If so, in view of Ipswich, to operate at the Ipswich show the;r policy of violence and armed destruction ground. Ultimately it was found that that of the Australian way of life, can he inform club could not raise sufficient finance to the House if the Leader of the Opposition or ensure the establishment of that track and any member of the A.L.P. has made repre consequent>ly the provisional licence was sentations to him on the matter, or made any withdrawn. critical >tatement to the media? Following that withdrawal, a number of businessmen in Ipswich, supported by Mr. !\Ir. K~OX: I am not aware that, over the Hayden, made representations to the. Com week-end, A.L.P. members were interested in monwealth Government to have portion of the Nazis. and I certainly received no repre the old rifle range at Redbank made avail sentations from them. Probably they were able for the establishment of a coursing more concerned about warding off the blows track. The Gabba Greyhound Racing Clnb being Ievelled at them by their president. was, I believe, to sponsor that project. Beyond those moves, I know of no similar NEW R\lL TERMINAL AT ACACIA RIDGE activity at Ipswich. On the other hand, it is true that an application has been received Mr. R. JONES: I ask the Minister for from the Southport club for the establish Transport: With reference to his statement ment of a night coursing track at the South ro the House last Thursday claiming that port trotting grounds and that application is the Federal Minister for Transport had not now being considered by the board. I indicate advised him in advance of an announcement to the House that I believe that the South about an Australian Government initiative port club will be the next to receive a licence for the multi-million dollar rail terminal at in this State, and I regard Southport as a Acacia Ridge, as a letter outlining the more suitable place for night coursing than details of the proposal was delivered to a Redbank. If a licence were granted for Red senior officer of his department before the bank, there would be two night coursing announcement and as his office received a tracks in close proximity to the metropolitan copy of :lie letter by telex message to area. Brisbane ,:t 12.30 p.m. on the day of the Press conference at which the announcement ATTITUDE oF YouNG LABOR AssociATION was made at 3.15 p.m., will he withdraw TO LEGALISATION OF MARIJUANA hjs incoaect statement that the Federal Minister i:\1r. Jones) was discourteous in Mr. FRAWLEY: I ask the Minister for not ad;ising him of the proposal? Health: Will he inform the House whether any approaches have been made to him by Mr. K. W. HOOPER: I most certainly the Queensland branch of the Young Labor will not withdraw my statement, because Association to have the drug marijuana the information I gave to the House was produced and marketed by the State Govern entirely correct. ment? Is he aware that certarrn members of the A.L.P. have advocated that school PROPOSAL FOR NIGHT COURSING, REDBANK children should be given the opportunity of sampling marijuana 'and other drugs? Mr. Hif"ZE: I ask the Treasurer, the Minister in charge of racing: Has his atten Mr. TOOTH: The Young Labor Associa tion been drawn to a reported statement by tion has not approached me on any matter at the Fede:·:tl Minister for Social Security all. Why, I don't know, but I suppose it has (Mr. Hayden) that land at Redbank will be nothing worth while to approach me about. made available to the Gabba Greyhound As to the request for the legalisation of Racing Club for the purpose of conducting marijuana, it is merely seeking an indication night coursing and also that he would of the Government's attitude, and of course support an approach to the Commonwealth the Government is very strongly opposed Government for an amount of approxi to any suggestion of the legalisation of this mately $400,000? If the report is accurate, very dangerous drug. 816 Order in Chamber, &c., Time [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Limitation of Actions Bill
REBUILDING OF DELANEY RIVER RAILWAY Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable BRIDGE member for Murrumba will cease interjecting or I shall deal with him. Mr. W ALLIS-SMITH: In directing a ques tion to the Premier I remind him that I Mr. Frawley: I have been provoked. asked several questions seeking the reopening Mr. SPEAKER: And he will be sent out of the Einasleigh-Forsayth section of the if he persists. Etheridge railway line and also successfully approached Dr. Rex Patterson for financial assistance to rebuild the Delaney River bridge. SEWERAGE, WATER SUPPLY AND In addition to these efforts I made a plea GASFITTING ACT AMENDMENT in my Address-in-Reply speech and also BILL sought to direct attention, in the debate on INITIATION Matters of Public Interest, to the need to save this line. I now ask the Premier: Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon When was it decided to agree to rebuild Minister for Local Government and Electric the bridge, and was it a Cabinet decision? ity): I move- Will any funds from the Australian Govern "That the House will, at its present sit ment be used for this work and, if so, to ting, resolve itself into a Committee of the what extent? Whole to consider introducing a Bill to amend the Sewerage, Water Supply and Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The decision Gasfitting Act of 1949 as subsequently was made by the Government and me and I amended in certain particulars." announced it to the people up there the Motion agreed to. other day. Mr. Wallis-Smith: But not to me. SOMERSET DAM CATCHMENT AREA DECLARATORY BILL Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No, not to the honourable member. I deal directly with INITIATION the people. I went up there to see these Hon. H. A. McKEClli'IIE (Carnarvon people, on what the Leader of the Opposition Minister for Local Government and Electric described as a junket. I told the people up ity): I move- there what the Labor Party thought of my "That the House will, at its present sit efforts on their behalf. The matter of the Commonwealth contribution is being dealt ting, resolve itself into a Committee of the with. Whole to consider introducing a Bill to provide with respect to the payment of rates made and levied in respect of cer FORM OF QUESTION tain lands within the Somerset Dam catch ment area and with respect to the liability Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) having of holders of such lands in connection with given notice of three questions- such rates." Motion agreed to. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! In relation to the second question directed by the honourable member to the "relevant Minister", to use CONTRACTORS' TRUST ACCOUNTS his words, I inform him that it is not the BIIJL responsibility of the clerks at the table to INITIATION direct questions to the appropriate Ministers. The onus [s on the honourable member who Hon. W. E. KNOX (Nundah-Minister for asks a question to ascertain the Minister to Justice): I move- whom he should direct it. "That the House will, at its present sit ting, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider introducing a Bill to vRDER IN CHAMBER DURING make provision for the establishment and QUESTION TIME management of trust accounts by contract Mr. FRAWLEY (Murrumba) having given ors and matters connected therewith." notice of a question- Motion agreed to.
Mr. Wright interjected. LIMITATION OF ACTIONS BILL M,-. Fmwley: Why don't you shut up, you INITIATION Communist. You ask your filthy questions, but you don't like it when we do it. Keep Hon. W. E. KNOX (Nundah-Minister your mouth shut for a change. for Justice): I move- "That the House will, at its present sit Mr. SPEAKER: Order! ting, resolve itself into a C:ommit~ee of the Whole to consider introducmg a B1ll to con Mr. Wright: This man should not be solidate and amend the law relating to abusing other members. the limitation of actions." Mr. Frawley interjected. Motion agreed to. Greenvale Agreement Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 817
WINE INDUSTRY ACT AMENDMENT The Leader of the Opposition raised the BILL question of pollution in Cleveland Bay. This matter has been the subject of consideration THIRD READING by officers from various State Departments Bill, on motion of Mr. Sullivan, read a and the Water Quality Control Council, third time. which has laid down the criteria which must be met by the companies in the discharge of PRIMARY PRODUCERS' CO~OPERATIVE effluent to the sea. ASSOCIATIONS ACf AMENDMENT Presumably the Leader of the Opposition, BILL in mentioning the report on the possible pol lution of the sea, was referring to a report THIRD READING prepared for the companies by their own Bill, on motion of Mr. Sullivan, read consultants, the release of which would have a third time. to be by the companies themselves. He can be assured that particular attention has been LAND SURVEYORS ACf AMENDMENT paid to this matter and studies are continuing BILL (No. 2) with a view to ensuring that any possible long-term effects will not be overlooked. THIRD READING The honourable member for Lytton men Bill, on motion of Mr. Rae, read a tioned the issue of air pollution control third time. at Yabulu, but what the Government is doing there by way of phasing in require AGE OF MAJORITY BtLL ments over a short period in this isolated area was explained by the Treasurer. THIRD READING The Treasury closely examined the pro Bill, on motion of Mr. Knox, read a ject's financial situation before recommend third time. ing that the guarantee commitment for the companies be extended by $20,000,000 to COMMONWEALTH PLACES (ADMINIS $70,000,000. The guaranteed lenders will TRATION OF LAWS) ACf hold securities which are very well backed by AMENDMENT BILL assets provided not only by the funds which they have advanced but by funds which are THIRD READING supported by subordinate securities or pro Bill, on motion of Mr. Knox, read a third vided as equity capital. The State will receive time. free of cost a railway and rolling-stock approximating the value of the guarantees. GREENVALE AGREEMENT ACT As I mentioned in introducing the Bill, AMENDMENT BILL it is necessary to overcome a legal doubt regarding the power of the Treasurer, on SECOND READING behalf of the Government, to guarantee a further $20,000,000 of borrowing by the Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah -Premier) (12.8 p.m.): I move- companies. "That the Bill be now read a second Members on both sides of the House time." desire to see this important addition to Queensland's development completed and in The issue contained in this Bill is not con production as soon as possible, and I com tentious. The principal Act provides for mend the Bill to the House. perhaps the most important single develop ment in North Queensland in recent years. Mr. TUCKER (Townsville West-Leader The Greenvale nickel mining and treatment of the Opposition) (12.12 p.m.): As I project will provide a large number of jobs indicated at the introductory stage, the for miners and railway employees and those Opposition has no objection to the Bill, which, engaged in nickel processing and administra as the Premier stated, has been made neces tion. In addition, a significant level of new sary by increases in capital costs that to employment will be generated in Queensland some extent are the result of inflation. industries servicing the nickel mining and I think it is a pity that the Premier treatment operation. did not use the opportunity offering today The Government sees the completion of to answer what I said at the introductory this development as a major milestone of stage instead of trying to gain some political achievement under its policy of decentral advantage or to besmirch me when replying isation. The economic conditions which have to a "Dorothy Dix" question asked this given rise to the heavy capital cost increase morning. In my opinion, this is a very and the adverse movements in exchange rates important matter, and I tried to adopt a have, of course, been outside the control of reasonable attitude to pollution. I say to the the State Government and the companies. Premier through you, Mr. Speaker, that at no time have I done anything to try to halt The Leader of the Opposition has stated the Greenvale project, which I think is very that the Bill is not being opposed. Certain necessary for the area that I represent. comments were made, however, on related issues which need answering. Mr. R. E. Moore: Have you tried to assist? 818 Greenvale Agreement, &c., Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Pay-roll Tax Act, &c., Bill
Mr. TUCKER: I will leave it to those run allowing me that latitude. I think it was ning the Greenvale project to reply to that necessary that I should put this explanation question. If the honourable member asks them, forward today. If the Premier and his officers he will learn the answer. I would rather he would make some straight-forward statement. did that than ask me. I certainly have done they would probably assist. everything possible to assist. Mr. R. E. Moore: Did you get it cleared However, I believe that people have a right with Jack Mundey? to ask questions about the possible effects of pollution and they should not be beaten down Mr. TUCKER: The call-girl on the Gov every time they say, "What will happen ernment side interjects once again. Whatever here with pollution?" In my opinion, they he says is of no interest to me, anyway. are entitled to a responsible reply. The Opposition is in agreement with the Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: They should not be Bill and will allow it to move forward to entitled to sabotage the project. the Committee stage. Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to. Mr. TUCKER: If there is in fact sabotage, If it can be dealt with under the law. the COMMITTEE Premier implies that I am in agreement with sabotage, that is simply not true and it (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Lickiss, would be quite wrong for him to suggest it. Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) I believe that people have a right to ask Clauses 1 to 6, both inclusive, and proper questions on both the pollution of schedule, as read, agreed to. waters and the pollution of air. If there Bill reported, without amendment. will not be any pollution, a properly pre pared statement by officers of the Water Quality Control Council would probably allay PAY-ROLL TAX ACT AMENDMENT some of the fears that presently exist in the areas concerned. BILL Mr. R. E. Moore: There is bound to be SECOND READING minimal pollution. It could not be cut out Hon. Sir GORDON CHALK (Lockyer completely. Treasurer) (12.20 p.m.): I move- Mr. TUCKER: It is claimed that in a "That the Bill be now read a second democracy the minorities should have the time." same rights as the majorities. If the fisher At the introductory stage of the Bill I gave men in the Cleveland Bay area are worried a full account of what was involved and about pollution, surely they have the right I have nothing further to add. to ask the company to state what might happen if effluent flows into Cleveland Bay Mr. TUCKER (Townsville West-Leader or the waters of the Barrier Reef. Because of the Opposition) (12.21 p.m.): Like the they ask such questions they are regarded as Treasurer, my ideas were well c~nvassed saboteurs by the Premier and certain Govern at the introductory stage. As I said then, ment members. That is the kind of thing it is a sectional tax with which we are not that is being put forward today. It is wrong. in agreement but we well understand that If that attitude is pursued, many conserva it has now become part and parcel of the tionist and others who are worried about the State's Budget. Therefore we will allow the ecology of the area will be classed as second reading of the Bill. saboteurs. They are certainly not that, and should have the right to ask these questions. Mr. WHARTON (Burnett) (12.22 p.m.): If the Premier and Government members As I did not hear the introduction, for which have nothing to fear, let them make a clear I apologise, I would like to join. the debate. statement. I want to make one or two pomts. Mr. Sherrington: Don't you think that The Bill raises some problems. I feel that in a matter as important as this the report we should have increased certain exemptions should be presented to Parliament? in line with the increased rate of tax. I realise that this tax has been put on our Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has plate, if I may use that expression, by the replied to a question the Leader of the Commonwealth Government; but the fact Opposition asked at the introductory stage. is that the tax is being increased and I feel There is nothing in the Bill about the that we should increase the exemptions as pollution of waters. I have allowed the hon ourable gentleman some latitude. He has well. already replied to the Premier rather fully, We must recognise that pay-roll tax is so I think we will let it go at that. applicable to a business whether or not that business makes a profit. This is a further Mr. TUCKER: In reply to the honourable point I canvass. member for Salisbury I would say "Yes", and in reply to you, Mr. Speaker, I would say Mr. Tucker: You are reiterating what I that I quite agree. Thank you very much for said at the introductory stage. Mining Royalties Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974) Mining Royalties Bill 819
Mr. WHARTON: I did not rise to reiterate In the past-in the immediate past, I what was said by the Leader of the Opposi might add, during the past 15 years or so tion. I want to make my own points. Pay the Queensland Government has done all it roll tax, as a method of taxing people, is can to promote investment in this State. I not quite as equitable as some other forms know I speak for the Government, Mr. of taxation. Speaker, when I say that we make no Those are the only comments I want to apology for encouraging this investment, for make. It is unfortunate that the Federal without it this State today would be in a very Government has inflicted this tax upon us. serious economic position. The benefits are It is true that we have to raise funds and everywhere to see, and even honourable mem I do not blame the Queensland Government bers opposite would be blind, dumb and for this tax. However, I reiterate that if we ignorant if they could not see for themselves are going to follow the pattern that has been the advantages that we as a State and a set we should at least make its imposition nation have gained through such fore more equitable. sightedness. But let me also remind the House that by Hon. Sir GOR.DON CHALK (Lockyer following these policies everyone has Treasurer) (12.23 p.m.), in reply: I am sorry benefited-the people, the workers and of that the honourable member was not here course the mining companies. No-one, I'm during the introductory stage. I believe that sure, would deny that a company investing the points canvassed by him were fully hundreds of millions of dollars in a mining explained at that stage and I do not think project, which many have done, is not there is any need to take up further time entitled to earn a profit. In the earlier days of the House in explaining them again. of our major mining operations this profit Motion (Sir Gordon Chalk) agreed to. was extremely small, and in fact for several years many of the companies showed no COMMITTEE return at all. (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Lickiss, Now, fortunately, that situation has Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) changed and it is time to re-assess the mining companies' contributions to the ,~tate i,~ Clauses 1 to 3, both inclusive, as read, terms of actual money. I say money , agreed to. because the other benefits are already there. Bill reported, without amendment. The royalty rates are being substantially increased for the profitable mining companies, MINING ROYALTIES BILL and at the same time we are ensuring that we don't price the operators on marginal profits SECOND READING out of business. The livelihood of many thous Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Miuister ands of Queenslanders depends on the smaller for Mines and Main Roads) (12.24 p.m.): mining operations and the rates that we pro I move-- pose for them will ensure that this situation continues. As I mentioned in my introduction "That the Bill be now read a second time." of the Mining Royalties Bill last week, the royalty rates for what are termed "minor" In moving the second reading of the Mining minerals have been at least doubled. Royalties Bill, I would now like to outline in general details of the regulations assuci For example, royalties for silica, rutile. ateJ with the Bill. zircon and ilmenite will now be at the rate of 2 per cent of the value of the mineral As I informed honourable members when with a minimum rate per tonne of 25c for introduci?g th~ Bill last week, it is only silica, $3 for rutile, $1.50 for zircon and an enablmg B1ll. The actual royalties to be 25c for ilmenite. The previous minimum p~i~ on individ~al minerals or by individual rates per ton were 5c for silica, $1.50 for mmmg compames and miners will be con rutile, 25c for zircon and 1 Oc for ilmenite. tained in the regulations which will come In some cases the royalties proposed are five into force at an early date. times the previous rate. I now propose to give honourable members In the case of coal, whereas the royalty a summary of these regulations, but first was a fiat 5c a ton, this rate per tonne will of all I wish to make clear a few points apply only to coal which is mined for use in on the Go_vernment's policies regarding the th(s State. The royalty rate for coal mined for new royalties and our mining industry. export and interstate trade has been increased The minerals on which royalties are pay substantially. There is also a slight variation able are the property of the people of this in the royalty applying to the type of methgd State and as such must be used to benefit the used in mining, with open-cut coal having people of Queensland and the State's over-all a 5 per cent royalty and coal won by under economy. One often heard the accusation in ground mining paying 4 per cent. the pas~ that, in allowing the large mining The basis for this is that underground compames to develop our mineral wealth we operations are more costly and less econom were selling the farm. But, as any pri~ary ical than open-cut mining, and a 1 per cent pro?ucer could tell us, an unproductive farm reduction in the royalty was granted because Is virtually useless. of this. 820 Mining Royalties Bill (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill
A heavy increase in royalty has been The effect of this measure is of great levied on bauxite, another of this State's magnitude. According to the Treasurer's major minerals. The rate of 5c a ton on statement in July-two months ago-it will bauxite used in the refinery at Gladstone mean additional royalty payments of approx has been increased to a minimum of 50c imately $25,000,000 a year-an additional a tonne, while the 10c a ton royalty $175,000,000 over a period of seven years. on bauxite exported has been increased to a minimum of $1 a tonne. I would add that We applaud the increases in royalties, but these are minimum rates which will now we do not like having them effected by way apply, as the new rates will vary according of regulation. to the world price for aluminium. They could well be embraced in a schedule The previous royalty rates for Mount Isa to the Bill. I know that the reply will be Mines were payable on profits made by the that Parliament would then be required to company, with a maximum of 5 per cent of meet to change royalty payments. That is the profits after tax. The new rates will be determined on the quantity of ore mined by so. But we believe that royalty payments Mount Isa Mines, with a basic rate of $2 are so important that they should be handled a tonne. This rate will vary according to in this way. A regulation promulgated while the fluctuation of the value of the minerals P;lrliament is not sitting has full effect in contained in the ore, but the minimum rate law and Parliament could not express its of royalty will be $1 a tonne of ore mined. views about the royalty rates prescribed in The precise formula for this royalty has it until it was tabled. I appreciate that, been detailed in the regulations. according to the Bill, the rates to be imposed The present royalty payable on gem will be retrospective to 1 August last. The stones is 1Oc per ton. This is another regulation could be in existence for six or area where a drastic amendment was needed seven months before Parliament had an to bring the royalty in line with current opportunity to discuss the rates set out in its prices. The new rll!te will be 5 per cent of schedule. That, we believe, is very important. the value of the minerals won over and above $30,000 This $30,000 minimum exemption In addition, the time limit for a speech is not unreasonable, as the expenses incurred in a debate on the disallowance of a regula by small-scale miners could be relatively tion is 10 minutes, and the total time for high. In view of the isolation and hardships the debate is limited. For this reason the associated with the mining of gemstones, the Opposition suggests that the Bill be deferred Queensland Government does not wish and hopes that the Government will attach to penalise the hard-working prospectors in this industry. schedules to the Bill. On all other minerals, excluding phos Let me make it quite clear that we are phates, the minor minerals I mentioned not in any way opposing the increase of earlier and the nickel-ore from Greenvale, royalties. Our main objection is to the method the royalty rate will be 2 per cent of the of assessing and introducing them. We sug sales in excess of $30,000 or 5 per cent of the gest that it should be by legislation, not by profits in excess of $30,000 whichever is the regulation. lesser amount. The same reasons for apply Mr. W. D. Hewiti: Is !hat the only reason ing this $30,000 minimum limit apply to the small-scale mineral miner as to the gem you want to delay it? miner. Mr. MARGINSON: No, it is not the The royalty on nickel-ore from the new only reason. There is another. Perhaps the Greenvale operations will be 10c a tonne member for Chatsworth has really stuck his while the royalty on phosphate will be 10 neck out on this. How is the regulation per cent of its value. I would add here promulgated? The onus is on the Minister that, if benefits of the production of phosphate for Mines. Of course, we are told that it from the areas in North-west Queensland flow is approved by the Governor in Council, on to the State, this rate could be varied but we all know that that means the Cabinet. in accordance with my previous remarks. The groundwork for the determination of Mr. MARGINSON (Wolston) (12.31 p.m.): these rates is under the control of the The Opposition has examined the Bill care Minister for Mines. fully. With only seven clauses it is a very short one, but nevertheless a very important Opposition members are very concerned measure. -and they have been for many years about Ministers having an interest in any It gives us considerable satisfaction to matter coming before Cabinet. Some notable note that royalty payments are to be figures of the same political ilk as the increased. Once again the Government has honourable member for Chatsworth have adopted the Labor Party's point of view but shared our concern. I refer particularly it has taken it many years to acknowledge to Sir Robert Menzies, who strictly laid that we were right and the delay has meant it down that his Ministers were not to have a considerable economic loss to Queensland an interest in any matter being discussed by and its people. Cabinet. Mining Royalties Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill 821
It is public knowledge that many Queens there is, of course, constant criticism, justi land Cabinet Ministers have an interest in fiable at times, that in our dealings with mining companies with operations in Queens mining enterprises we are selling the farm land. They may be only shareholders, but and not obtaining enough for our natural I am not prepared to guess the size of their resources. This, incidentally, has been the shareholdings. basis of the Opposition's argument on royal ties for a great many years. Honourable Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable members know full well the recent history member must restrict himself to the principles of royalties, and the arguments advanced by of the Bill. the Government when Opposition members Mr. MARGINSON: I am dealing with have made their criticisms of the Govern the provision that the regulations will be ment's actions. promulgated by the Governor in Council, Utah Development Company, for instance, which in effect is upon the advice of the has undertaken considerable expenditure in Cabinet, Mr. Speaker. I make this point: the winning of coal from the Bowen Basin, are we to countenance Ministers with fairly but there is quite naturally disquiet among substantial shareholdings in these huge mining the people when it is known that the great companies-although they might be small in majority of shares in this organisation are comparison with the total shareholding of foreign owned. As a palliative to Australian the company-sitting in judgment on the national sentiment, a part-ownership of 10 rate of royalty that the companies will pay per cent \vas offered to Australian share to the Government? If the matter is raised holders. lt is any wonder that people ask with Ministers who are not shareholders why royalties are not higher? Is it any in the company-- wonder that they ask how the Government can justify the miserable rate of 5c a Mr. SPEAKEH: Order! I have asked the ton that has applied for a considerable period? honourable member to return to the prin The profits of the company that I have ciples of the Bill, which relates to royalties. mentioned, from 1969 to 1973, were I ask the honourable member to apply himself $106,000,000, yet its income tax payment in to that subject. 1973 was only $5,600,000. The payments Mr. MARGINSON: I believe I have cov for its exports were made directly to San ered the ground. The Opposition is strongly Francisco bankers. It is only natural there opposed to the setting of the rates by fore that we on this side of the House say regulation and to the method of their formu that an increase in royalty rates is very lation. I strongly believe that the Government necessary. is very sensitive on this subject and well As a further bonus, the State Govern it might be when. even on the Treasurer's ment extended the coal-mining leases of this admission, the Bill will increase the return company to an area containing an estimated to Queensland over seven years by 2,000 million tons of coal. When mined $175,000,000. at the site, the value of coal from this lf the Government does not want a area will be in excess of $3,000 million. schedule, if it does not accept our good It is no wonder that the Government is advice on the matter, at least when the slowly but surely accepting the policies regulations are formulated an independent espoused by the Australian Labor Party. person with a knowledge of economics should I heartily agree with the shadow Minister be made responsible for setting the amounts, for Mines (Mr. Marginson) when, in moving and it should be to that independent person his amendment, he spoke of the tremendous that the companies would be required to go responsibilities that will be placed upon the to have their royalties assessed. shoulders of the Minister for Mines. It The Opposition has made it quite clear will be noted that clause 3 of the Bill that it does not oppose the increase in provides- royalties. It opposes the way in which they "The Governor in Council, by regula are to be assessed and applied. It suggests tions made pursuant to section 106, may that the Government defer the second reading prescribe that royalty payable to the Crown of the Bill until it has had an opportunity in respect of mineral, whether the obliga to look at our proposals. In view of that, tion to pay such royalty arises under I move the following amendment:- this Act or under any agreement made "Omit the word- with the State of Queensland or under 'now, any undertaking given by any person, shall and add the words be calculated at such rate or rates, in such manner and on such basis or bases 'on Tuesday next.'" as he, in his unfettered discretion, thinks Mr. HANSON (Port Curtis) (12.40 p.m.): I fit ..." have very much pleasure in seconding the This is the real crux of the argument advanced amendment moved by the honourable mem by the Opposition. Royalty rates are to be ber for Wolston. In these modern times, prescribed by regulation rather than deter it is not surprising that there is a great mined in accordance with a schedule con upsurge of national sentiment in Australia, tained in the Bill, which would mean that especially among the younger generation, and they would be open to scrutiny by the 822 Mining Royalties Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill
House. I do not think there has been any and people may be pricing themselves out greater critic in the whole of Australia than of the business. I hope that the Government the Premier when he, with his Ministers, of this State-- constantly decries the Australian Govern ment and talks about its centralist policies. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the honour able member to return to the principles of the Such criticism constantly emanates from the Bill. He is wandering, and I have given him Government benches. But is it not cen tralism when only the Premier and the some latitude. Government sit in judgment in the matter Mr. HANSON: I hope that the Govern of royalties, and, in prescribing them by ment, in the argument on royalties, will not regulation, provide only a very limited time under any circumstances overstep the thin for their examination after the relevant docu line between resources diplomacy and ments are laid on the table of the House? resources blackmail. Certainly that is very wrong, and I say The Opposition objects very strongly to to the National-Liberal Government, which the prescribing of royalities by regulation. makes plain its antagonism towards cen as provided for in clause 3 of the Bill. tralism, "People in glass houses should not Similar arguments can be advanced against throw stones." 1t is definitely doing that much of the legislation that comes before at the moment. this Assembly. Unfortunately, under om In this instance the Premier could be modern system of government, there is a likened to a man who takes unto himself a growing and an alarming tendency towards bride with a dowry of about $35,000,000 and Executive government. As a member of then covers up and refuses to account for Parliament, I certainly wish to voice my any expenditure. I suggest that that is what protest against the increased activity in this he is doing relative to the moneys that will direction. Executive government has many accrue from the royalties now to be charged, imperfections and, of course, there are many and his actions are not in accordance with resultant disadvantages. the best legislative practice. In considering the introduction of regu· I draw the attention of the House to a lations, one must concede that a great number statement by Mr. R. T. Madigan, a man of regulations must be introduced to control. well known in the mining industry, about the often in extensive detail, vast areas of relationship that should exist between industry activity. If the whole of the legislative pro and the Government. He said that industry gramme had to be carried out by the Legis tends to emphasise the economic optima, and lature itself, no doubt society would be in that conversely-and rightly-the Govern· turmoil. However, the making of thousands ment gives greater weight to the other aspects of minor rules and regulations with the force of the national strategy. He also said that of law is a responsibility that should belona there is no harm in this if it leads to to the Executive. Important matters lik~ dialogue between industry and government, this, which invoive many millions of dollars. and he went on to speak about how much should be the responsibility of the elected can be achieved by dialogue. representatives of the people, who in this Chamber can voice their arguments and seek One of my criticisms of the legislation now information in a much wider debate than before the House is that the Government. would be allowed on a motion to disallow in its approaches to the various companies: c~rtain regulations that had been tabled. showed little inclination to have dialogue; in fact, it engaged in confrontation. I should The modern idea of delegated legislation have loYed to be a fly on the wall at Cabinet was originally derived from specific parliamen meetings to hear the arguments that were tary authority. While the very delegation advanced. Knowing the Minister for Mines could be justified on the ground of the as I do, I am certain that, looking into the demands of practical government I do not future, he would have abhorred the great think anyone could argue with the'submission responsibility now being placed on his that the growing pressure of legislative acti shoulders !through this legislation. vities has rendered its supervision increas ingly difficult. Whilst its operation is limited Mr. Madigan went further and spoke about ~Y the authority concerned, and the par the democratic system providing for hearing liamentary control over that authority, dele advice and for consultation as necessary to gated legislation is now growing more power ensure that, by the time policy is decided, ful, and meriting for itself a state of de facto everybody understands its derivation and their independence. individual places in it. If the Bill becomes law, once the parlia He added- mentary session ends, come hell or high . "Howeve_r this is not working effectively water, members will never see, let alone have m Australia today and urgent attention the chance to debate, the whys and where needs to be given to developing new pro fores of the individual royalty charges the cedures to get a balanced, efficient result Go-:ernment will impose on the mining com by consulation, understanding and feed pames. Successive Parliaments will have back." limited time to question ministerial and I mentioned in an earlier debate the sad storv Executive decisions. Honourable members of what is now occurring in Jamaica, where are all aware of the present practice. They many charges have become really excessive knov the motions that are gone through Mining Royalties Bill (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill 823 when regulations are tabled. At the start by Parliament; they would not depend on of a session the appropriate Minister will any previous parliamentary approval other table, say, 28 regulations under the Marine than the enabling Act. Act; then the Treasurer will table, say, 20 Under this piece of legislation the authority papers in respect of the legislation he adminis of this Parliament is being eroded, not in ters. And so on it goes, to the confusion small chunks or misemble little heaps, but of the elected representatives of the people. to the tune of the $35,000,000 a year that ln this particular instance the practice will ac,rue in royalties from it. will smother many of the aims of the Gov The Government must realise that on it ernment. It could lead to the situation and on it alone rests not only the determina that future Ministers could be subject to tion of these royalties but also the account grave error. As I said before, the Minister ability for its blatant decisions, both now and for Mines and Main Roads has a huge respon in the future. Is that not centmlism at its sibility in this matter. Let us not forget worst? The Premier assumes the mantle of that he occupies his present position only Louis of Fra-nce and in effect says, "L'etat, because he is persona grata with the Premier. c·est moi," or "! am the State." That is That applies to every Minister in the coali totally wrong. tion, and it will apply to every future It is accepted practice in every Parliament Minister. One man in this State will con within the Commonwealth of Nations that trol the Minister who will bring down the delegated authority is acceptable only in regulations. exceptional circumstances such as to relieve pressure on parliamentary time, to deal with Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the honour matters too technical for effective handling able member to confine himself to the Bill. in Parliament, where legislat,ion is experi mental or for the local application of large, Mr. HANSON: I am dealing with clause general schemes. 3 of the Bill which relates to the making of regulations. Prescribing of the royalty charges that will apply here will certainly not put any Is it not a form of centralism in itself great pressure on this Parliament. Similarly, that one man will be able to determine who land tax is amended virtually year after should be the Minister charged with the vear. There is no great technical detail in responsibility of bringing down the regula ihese royalty lharges-every member of this tions referred to in clause 3? Assembly can add up, some a bit better than others-and the legislation is certainly not No doubt certain limitations could be experimental; of course, that is the specious imposed. But let us cast our minds back argument that had been advanced by the to a famous case in 1931 under the Trans Minister. port Workers' Act, namely, the Victorian The regulations will lead to considerable Stevedoring Company v. Dignan. argument and confusion. While we want the people of this State to receive the benefit Mr. SPEAKER: Order! What has that accruing from the mining of its minerals, got to do with the Bill? I fail to see how we do not want it to be at the behest that has anything to do with the Bill. I of some future Minister who might not carry ask the honourable member to confine him out his ministerial trust as well as he should. self to the principles of the Bill. The House is debating royalties at the present time. Question-That the word proposed to be omitted (Mr. Marginson's amendment) stand Mr. HANSON: With due respect, Mr. part of the question-put; and the House Speaker, I am speaking to the amendment divided- to the Act. Provision is made in the Bill for "The Governor in Council, by regulations AYES, 41 made pursuant ..." Ahern Hughes Aikens Knox Alison Lane Mr. SPEAKER: Order! There is nothing Armstrong Lee in the Bill about Transport Acts or any Bird Lickiss Bjelke-Petersen McKechnie thing like that. The honourable member Camm Miller will confine himself to the Bill or resume Camp bell Neal his seat. Chalk Newbery Chinchen Porter Cory Rae Mr. HANSON: With due respect, Mr. Edwards Row Speaker, a famous legal precedent on Execu Fletcher Scott-Young Fraw!ey Small tive decisions was the case of the Victorian Gunn Sullivan Stevedoring Company v. Dignan, in which Herbert Tooth Hewitt, N. T. E. Wharton it was held that, subject to the Acts Inter Hewitt, W. D. pretation Act, various regulations that had Hinze Tellers: Hodges to be laid on the table of the House had Hooper, K. W. Moore, R. E. the force of law until they were disallowed Houghton Muller 824 Mining Royalties Bill (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill
NOES, 30 leader, has consistently berated this Govern Aiken Melloy ment and asked it to legislate in the interests Baldwin Moore, F. P. of the Queensland people by providing for Blake Newton Bousen O'Donnell more equitable mineral royalties. However, Bromley Sherrington the Government has failed to respond, and Burns Tucker has been forced into its present position by D'Arcy Wallis-Smith its gross economic mismanagement. The Davis Wood, B. Dean Wood, P. Treasurer, in his last desperate bid to become Hanlon Wrigh1 Premier of this State, has resorted to obtain Hanson Yewdale Harvey ing additional revenue by increasing mining Hooper, K. J. royalties so that when he retires from office, Jensen Tellers: and perhaps takes up the position of racing Jones, R. commissioner, he will not have the entire Jordan Inch Marginson Leese blame for the state of the economy on his shoulders. PAIRS: Mr. Ahern: Pause for applause. Hartwig Houston Kaus Jones, N. F. Low Harris Mr. K. J. HOOPER: Yes, pause for Resolved in the affirmative. applause. [Sitting suspended from 1.4 to 2.15 p.m.] As the Opposition has pointed out for years, mining royalties have been far too Mr. K. J. HOOPER (Archerfield) (2.15 low. However, neither the Premier nor the p.m.): In rising to speak to the Bill I voice Treasurer would take heed. Instead they my total opposition to the principle of proceeded to allow the big multi-national setting mining royalties by regulation. There mining companies to make Queensland the is far too much rule by regulation. Parlia laughing-stock. As I have said previously, ment is the only place in which a matter it was not until the present Australian Labor as important as mining royalties should be Government was elected in Canberra that debated. Royalties are of too much importance we saw any change in the previous ridiculous to the State's economy to be fixed by state of affairs. regulation. The Australian Minister for Minerals and The Bill gives the Minister or, to be Energy (Mr. Rex Connor), speaking in July technically correct, the Governor in Counc1l of last year on the first steps taken by enormous powers in the setting of royalty any Australian Government in the formula payments. The stage is being set for all tion of a national minerals policy relative forms of patronage and favouritism. There to exports, said- is also the very real possibility of graft 'The first industry to feel the impact and corruption. I am not suggesting for a of these controls was the Queensland coal moment that the present Minister for Mines industry. The black coal industry in and Main Roads would be a party to such Queensland, under the benign guidance conduct; nevertheless it is a fact of life of the Bjelke-Petersen Government, had in many overseas countries th:
raise royalty payments is proof positive that Mr. SHERRINGTON: Of course, Govern the Opposition's poLcy has been consistent, ment members do not mention the good responsible and right. things that come their way-anyway, not in the campaign that they conduct. Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (2.24 p.m.): I join with other Opposition speakers Mr. W. D. Hcwitt: It's not a Go·vernment in discussing this legislation designed to decision. enable the Government to determine royalties by regulation. I do not wish to recanvass Mr. SHERRINGTON: Of course it's not the arguments used by honourable members a Government decision. on this side of the House over the years Mr. W. D. Hewitt: It's a Grants Commis but I point out that it is refreshing indeed sion decision. to see that, in contrast with its earlier out right der:sion of the policy and attitude Mr. SHERRINGTON: Yes, of course it advanced by honourable members on this went before the Grants Commission. I am side of the House, the Government has sure the honourable member for Chatsworth finally seen the sense in our arguments. At will concede that, if we had been charging this belated stage it sees fit to introduce adequate royalties some years ago, ;t might the principle of increased royalties. not have been necessary to approach the Grants Commission. That is my point. I recall saying five or six years ago when I was the shadow Minister for Mines that, Why is the alteration being made to the if the Gowrnment decided on a royalty of so royalty rate this year? Strangely, it coin many cents per ton, surely the safeguard cides with the last financial statement of this should have been inserted that it be Se a Government before a State election. Already ton or a percentage of the world price, the Treasurer is worried that. if he cannot whichever was the greater. But the handle the unemployment situatJOn that Opposition was not thanked for its troubles might develop next year, his party could lose on that occasion. its position on the Treasury benches. I repeat that the legislation is so belated that It is passing strange that almost on the it gives rise to suspicion as to the timing of eve of introducing a Budget in which the its introduction. Treasurer has obviously been hard pressed to manage the State's finances, legislation is Mr. Lee interjected. enacted to net him an additional $35,000,000 to get him out of his troubles. We might well Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not wish to ask whether that is the only reason for argue with the honourable member for increa,ing our royalty charges on mining Yeronga. I do not claim to be as great an activities. We might well ask why this year? economist as he. However, I do not remem Why wasn't it introduced last year or the ber much of a performance by the Honour year before. when we had the spectacle of able Billy Snedden as Treasurer. :\s a mat the State's humbling itself before the Grants ter of fact, his last Budget was one of the Commission? reasons for his party's defeat. McMahon, before him, turned in a poor performance. A Government Member: What rot! Honourable members may go back as far as they like in analysing the performances Mr. SHERRINGTON: It's not rot at all. of previous coalition Governments in Can The Grants Commission was critical of the berra. They used to have the five-year itch. Government's performance in not obtaining There was a recession every five years from an adequate return from the activities of the the time Sir Robert Menzies was unfort mining companies in this State. unately elected as Prime Minister. Immed iately the Australian Labor Party inherits Mr. R. E. Moo!'e: You've got a fertile a problem such as the present one-- imagination. Government Members interjected. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I thank the honour Mr. SHERRINGTON: There was 6 per able member for the compliment. I would cent inflation when Snedden was leader of hate to be as infertile as he is. Year after the Government, and a horror Budget was year the Treasurer is in financial troubles. I introduced in 1972. do not know whether being knighted was too much for him to bear, for he has never Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable balanced a Budget since. Year after year member will please confine his remarks to he trots off to the Grants Commission for the Bill. special grants. Suddenly, he finds that he Mr. SHERRINGTON: I would not impose has mil~ed the Canberra cow dry, and we on your tolerance, Mr. Speaker. have th1s belated attempt to get adequate royalty returns from the mineral exploitation Mr. SPEAKER: I realise that. in Queensland. Mr. SHERRINGTON: The Bill highlights Mr. F. P. Moore: Why didn't he give us the Government's failure over the years to credit for the $24,000,000 that came from obtain the best return from the State's the Federal Government the other day? mineral resources. Mining Royalties Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill 827
I take the matter a little further. I listened Speaker, let me say that I believe that this morning to the Minister saying how Parliament should be told why it was thought unprofitable mining can be, and how some that there would not be any pollutant effects companie~ showed no return at all. from the operations at Greenvale. Mr. Camm: Some small operators. Secondly, my colleague the shadow Minister for Mines moved an amendment to the Mr. SHERRINGTON: Yes. The Minister motion and called for royalties to be part then ~aid that he made no apology for of the schedule to the Bill. That was very encouraging investment to this State. significant, and I think it is relevant to this debate. If royalties are to be determined Mr. Carum: That is right. by Order in Council or by regulation, Parlia Mr. SHERRINGTON: I was not able to ment will not have an opportunity until \\rite down all the Minister's words. As August next year to object to whatever is I do not want to misquote him, I shall decided. give onl; the substance of what he said. A Government Member: You wanted them He said that even Opposition members would increased. be blind or ignorant if they did not recog ni .e the ·,-a]ue of exploiting the State's mineral Mr. SHERRINGTON: We might think resourcei. If I am not completely correct, that royalties have not increased sufficiently. that at lea>t is the gist of what the Minister What I am suggesting is that the legislation said. now before the House will give the Governor I no·· canvass some of the Minister's sug or the Minister for Mines, or whoever it gestions. What does the exploitation of might be, the right to determine what royalty mineral resources actually mean? To him it payments will be made, but Parliament will me:ms digg;ng large holes, extracting raw have no opportunity to discuss them until material, and exporting it overseas to be August next year. manufactured into articles. Queensland is Mr. Lee: You will not be here then. missing out on the cream of resources deve lotlment, which is the conversion of raw Mr. SHERRINGTON: I will not be here m~teriab to manufactured articles. Queens next year, but I will be sadly missed in lar:d exports bauxite, coking coal, and, with this Chamber. At least I will go out arguing oher parts of Australia, iron-ore. The costly the case for the people of Queensland. processing of bauxite to alumina, in which Unlike honourable members opposite who there i:' no profit, is carried out here, but enjoy the fruits of luxury, I will not be apparently there is no insistence on an accom happy to see everybody in the community panying manufacturing process within the paying additional taxes when the burden boundaries of this State. of mining royalties should be borne by those best able to bear it. The honourable !Vk SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member is quite content to agree to any member has made his point. I now ask him type of tax as long as it is imposed on to 1 cturn to the subject of royalties. the public generally. Mr. SHERRINGTON: Surely what I am As I said, because an election is to be held next year and the Parliament will not s~ying is bound up with royalties. As a tax payer, and also the most capable member sit in January or February-the Government, in this House, I have a right to know why o_f . cour~e, will not want a parliamentary I pay State taxes each year while the State's s1ttmgs JUst before the State election-and mineral resources are given away year after because the Government will therefore not year at bargain-basement rates. I have a table. an Order in Council or a regulation right to protest, and I believe that my pro relatmg to royalty payments in this Chamber test is pertinent to the subject of royalty until it assembles in July or August next year, Parliament will not be able to contest payments. action taken under such an Order in Council Government Members interjected. or regulation till after that. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask honourable Mr. Le,e: The only reason why you are members on my right to cease interjecting. grizzling is that you know that the people will keep the A.L.P. out of office next Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not think they year. are as entertaining as the zoological gardens, anyway, Mr. Speaker. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am not grizzling. I have served my time honourably in this In the Chamber today we witnessed two Chamber. incidents that I think are very pertinent to my argument. The first occurred when a Government Members interjected. question was asked by the Leader of the Opposition about operations connected with Mr. SHERRINGTON: I will probably the refining of nickel from Greenvale. Surely embarrass myself if I continue talking about when legislation on a matter as important all my good points. as that is passing through the House, any I think it is very bad indeed for the relevant report should be part of that legis State that people should see this disgustino lation. Vv'ithout transgressing too far, Mr. spectacle of legislation being rushed through 828 Mining Royalties Bill (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill the House a week before the Budget is priority list for housing. The agreements brought down, merely because the Treasurer entered into should have required the com has not managed the finances of the State panies to provide housing for their employees. as he ought to have done. That is what it Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I have been very amounts to. tolerant with the honourable member and Mr. Frawley: What a lot of rot! given him latitude. I have just about run out of patience with him. Housing does not Mr. SHERRINGTON: The only reason come into this. I ask the honourable mem why the royalty is being changed now is ber to get back to the principles of the Bill. that the Treasurer cannot balance the Budget. He has taxed the beer-drinker; he has taxed Mr. SHERRINGTON: Everything I have the racegoer; he has taxed everybody in the said has been relevant. I do not want to community. dispute your-- Government Members interjected. Mr. SPEAKER: That is debatable. There will be no argument on that. I ask the Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am quite con honourable member to get back to the fident about what will happen tonight. principles of the Bill. Over the years the people in the com munity have been sacrificed because the Gov Mr. SHERRINGTON: If we had been get ernment failed to take this aciion in the ting adequate royalty returns for our min agreements it negotiated for the exploitation erals, we would not have had to divert this of the State's mineral resources. What has money for housing. I have vivid recollec this meant, not only in terms of taxation? tions of Mr. Justice Gal!agher's criticism of It has meant that money for housing has the primitive facilities that were supplied by had to be diverted. I can well recall the mining companies that exploited our mineral late J. J. Dedman introducing housing legis resources. lation to provide for low-cost homes and Mr. Newton: At Moura. for slum clearance. It was never intended to be used to provide houses for the Mr. SHERRINGTON: Yes. It was not employees of mining companies. I see the until the Government adopted the policy Minister scribbling. I know that he wants of diverting this money that people in other to blast my argument, but he will come back communities had to go without houses. with the same old cliche. He will say, "Surely Surely I have a right to protest on their these men are entitled to good homes the behalf. same as the city dweller." Yes, they are, but it was never intended that Common Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable wealth funds should be diverted to help member will get back to the principles of the wealthy mining companies get established. Bill or he will be asked to resume his seat. Their budgets would make the State Budget look like spending-money for a dwarf. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I welcome the move to increase royalties because, after all, Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Housing does not we have been calling for it for years. We come into this. were regarded as being almost un-Australian when we spoke in terms of increasing royal Mr. SHERRINGTON: Yes it does. ties, but I am very pleased that before my retirement from Parliament next year, our Mr. SPEAKER: I differ with the honour arguments will have borne fruit. able member. He will not argue with the Chair, and that is all there is to it. What I query is the reason behind the Bill. Is it introduced for the benefit of Queensland Mr. SHERRINGTON: I wouldn't do that. or just to enable the Treasurer to balance his Budget? Mr. SPEAKER: I hope not. Again I question the levying of these royalties on the world price of coal. Appar Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am the easiest ently we are content still to look at our coal person in the House to get on with. You as something to be shipped overseas to never have to send me out. I am not like be used in the manufacture of steel and so some people. I am saying that it is relevant. on or to be used for steaming purposes. Let us not weep tears of blood for the min Every other coal-producing country in the ing companies and say that we have to give world is moving towards finding new uses the coal away so that they can get established, for its coal. Something like 73 different and charge them royalties only when they articles can be produced from coal, ranging were established. They are able to raise from paint and various insecticides through money internationally at a faster rate than to motor spirit. I query the idea of basing the Treasurer ever realises. Their budgets royalty on the selling price of coal or any make our State Budgets look like the pocket other mineral. money for a dwarf. It could well be that within five years we These facilities should have been pro will see significant changes in the use of vided by the companies, not by the people coal. We may well be looking not only at of the State. We need not have had a what we can manufacture from these products Mining Royalties Bill (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill 829 in our State but also at what method we is exactly what happened at Greenvale; the can use to gain the greatest advantage from companies invested $20,000,000 even before royalty payments. I think we would be a feasibility study had been conducted. foolish at this stage to close the door on Members of the Opposition should think mineral royalties and later see a repeat per about that. Would Mr. Crean or Mr. formance by the Treasurer of travellinf Cameron cough up $20,000,000 to have a around the world asking the companies to feasibility study carried out? Have honour review their attitude towards the agree able members opposite forgotten the millions ments that have been made. This is one of of dollars that were poured into the Bass the mistakes already made in the exploitation Strait project before the companies obtained of our minerals over the years. any return for their investment? With those few pertinent remarks I join The so-called multi-national companies, with members of the Opposi,tion in welcom who are criticised so often by the Labor ing the legislation, but as I say, the circum Party, are helping this country a good deal. stances under which it had to be introduced At least they have brought about the are passing strange. development of our natural resources as well as some of our provincial cities and Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG (Townsville) (2.48 towns. Take Townsville, for example. Its p.m.): In speaking to the Mining Royalties population is now approximately 80,000, and Bill, I must say that I am rather amazed this is the result of the activities of a so at the attitude of the O~position, which called multi-national company. Opposition appears to be engaged in a filibuster as if it members simply do not understand the mean did not really want this measure 10 go ing of the term. They refer to Mount Isa through on time. I am intrigued at the Mines as a multi-national company. attitude of honourable members opposite. Mr. K. J. Hooper: So it is. ~s to mining, there is an old Biblical saymg-- Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: It certainly is not; Mr. K. J. Hooper: You know as much the company is 51 per cent owned by Aus about mining as you do about medicine. tralian shareholders. To review its history the project was started by the English, who Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: My forebears failed to make it a success; next the Russians mined gold and silver in 'this State with their --the mates of Opposition members-had a bare hands, which is a damned sight more go, but they proved to be failures; and than any of your relatives did. finally the Americans made it a success with their business acumen and financial jiggling. There is an old Biblical saying that supports They became masters of the situation. As the notion that control of a dormant resource I say, Australians now own 51 per cent of profits nobody anything. It is still very true the shares. today. If a resource is left in the ground and not used, what use is it to any country? This Mr. Marginson: You did all right out is the basis of mining. of it. What is 1he basis for seeking royalties Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: I wish to God I and on what basis are these royalties fixed? did own some shares in Mount Isa Mines. There are two basic ways of fixing royalties: I have already said that my forebears were one is on the profit made from the product engaged in mining. They made no money mined and the other is on the value of the whatever from it so I don't invest in shares. mineral mined. I know that royahy under Mining is hard work for those who put this legislation has been classified as 10 per money into it and for those who are engaged cent of the value of the product, which is in it. The only profit to be gained from quite a sensible way of approaching the mining is the flow-on to the State through problem, because if a mining business is decentralisation. Members of the Opposition inefficient and has an inefficient post-mining, are too dumb to realise this. How do they prefabrication set-up, the profHs will be nil think Mt. Isa started? How do they think or less than they should be and royalties Townsville gained its prosperity? This was based on the profits of the organisation will achieved by decentralisation and investment be correspondingly nil or less than they in mining. The same can be said of should be. If the royalty is set on the value Wollongong, which owes its prosperity to of 1he mineral we cannot go far wrong. B.H.P. What is the probiem that seems to be Mr. K. J. Hooper: Is it true that you are facing the Opposition in its constant fear the company doctor? and denigration of so-called multi-nationals? Dr. SCOTI-YOUNG: I wish I were; I Mr. K. J. Hooper: They are raping our would not then have to be trying to beat country. some sense into the honourable member's Dr. SCOTI-YOUNG: Certainly not. We head. have a dormant resoruce, and how are we In what way have the multi-national com going to develop it? Can anyone here panies benefited Australia? The answer is. imagine this State Government or the Fed of course, by the payment of their royalties eral Government putting $20,000,000 into as well as the creation of a sound infra Greenvale before getting any return? That structure, which depends not only on the 830 Mining Royalties Bi!! (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Biff mining companies themselves but also on of this Bill. The delaying tactics of Opposi the taxes paid by the employees. lt is the tion members will gain them nothing. The money spent by the average worker on food State has been well managed, especially in and clothing as well as on other items that its mining industries. has led to the prosperity of this nation and, more particularly, to this State. Queensland Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Minis is not dependent on hand-outs. Unlike other ter for Mines and Main Roads) (2.57 p.m.), States, such as Victoria, Queensland is almost in reply: I was quite interested in the con a free State, one that does not depend for tributions made by honourable members hand-outs from the likes of Gough Whitlam. opposite. Each of them complained that However, if we are not careful we will find the royalty to be levied will be set by an excise duty imposed by the Common regulation. Some went so far as to say that wealth Government on our minerals. If regulations could be promulgated and that the State Government does not get its there would be no opportunity to discuss rake-off first, it will find that what otherwise them until next August. I make it perfectly would be its income is swallowed up by clear that the regulations have been drafted. Federal excise duties. As soon as the Bill is proclaimed, which I Let us look at the companies that pay anticipate will be before the end of the royalties. Firstly, B.H.P. and multi-subsidiary week, the regulations will be tabled in this organisations pay royalties; Comalco pays House and honourable members opposite will royalties on its operations at Weipa; the have an opportunity of opposing their adop comp:mies engaged in the production of oil tion if they so desire. in B:::s~ Strait pay royalties; Mount !sa Mines Opposition members claim that regulations pays royalties; and the companies that will give Cabinet loo much power. Who should be engaged in operations at Greenvale and have power to introduce measures to govern Yabulu are to pay royalties. And they all this State? The Cabinet which is elected pay their way. by the governing parties of the State. Cabinet In addition to royalties they pay freight is the medium through which all legislation charges. Dozens of times I have heard is introduced to Parliament. As such, Cabinet members of the Opposition talk about the is responsible for making regulations that loss sustained by our railways. l remind implement the legislation that has been intro them that the railways do not run at an duced. over-all loss because any loss that is incurred One Opposition member-I think it was in one sector of operations is balanced by the honourable member for Wolston-said profits gained on the cartage of minerals. that because a small shareholding happened The Queensland Government has adopted to be divided among several Cabinet Minis a balanced approach to mining, with the ters some undue pressure could be exerted result that it has not been forced to go on them if they had to make a decision cap in hand to the Federal Government for about a certain company. That is ridiculous, assistance. However, the Federal Govern but it is t pica! of the thinking of some ment's attitude and inflationary policies are people who feel that because a man has beginning to instil into the minds of Aus the industry, initiative or temerity to invest tralian people for the first time in history in a mining enterprise he is up to some a desire not to work. The Australian public skullduggery or malpractice. have caught this disease. which has eman In one breath Opposition members ask ated from the Fabian socialism espoused that multi-nationals be excluded from the by the Labor Party. The average person country and that encouragement be given in Queensland and other States simply does to the private investor in Australia, and in not want to work. As a result productivity the next breath, when someone has the has decreased. initiative and courage to risk capital in a With inflation, we need more money. mining enterprise, they criticise him and And the State needs more money to run say that he is up to no good. Notice of its essential services. It is reasonable that a question about this matter was given this the Minister for Mines and the Treasurer morning. When I answer it tomorrow should get together with the people who morning I will have something to say about run the mines and say, "These are the facts; the attitude displayed by honourable mem these are the basic problems facing us. The bers opposite. State can be run well if royalties are increased." The arrangement of royalties Reference was made to Cabinet altering according to the value of minerals is a royalty by regulation. A situation could reasonable one. There has been reasonable arise while the House was in recess that discussion and, as a result, we are to gain required the royalty paid by a mining com S34,000,000. This will allow the State to pany to be increased, or even decreased to carry on. save a company from going into liquidation. In such circumstances don't honourable Our housekeeping and costs have been members opposite think it better that Cabinet aJjusted and our Budget has been formulated should effect amendments to the regulations on that bc:sis. There is nothing wrong with -in some cases to advantage the Govern that. I can see no reason why the Opposi ment and in others to save a company from tion should des:re to prevent the passage going into liquidation? Mining Royalties Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill 831
Dr. Crawford: The point to be made in of the shareholding was to be held by regard to Mount Isa Mines Limited is that Australians. Many Australian companies the shareholders received no dividends for large companies-were requested-almost a quarter of a century while the mine was coerced-to invest in the enterprise. However, being developed. sufficient capital could not be found in Austra lia to meet the Government's request of Mr. CAMM: Yes. I am coming to that. majority Australian shareholding. Eventually, The member for Archerfield, as usual, had a Swiss company took up the balance of a prepared brief, which he read rather badly. shares forfeited by Australian investors. The Sometimes I could not even understand simple reason was that a feasibility study what he was saying. I hope he gave a copy revealed that the project would return no to the Hansard reporters so that they could more than 7 per cent. That has been proved understand what he meant to say. He claimed to be correct since the project became that the Opposition has forced the hands of operational. the Government. If the Opposition has I realise, Mr. Speaker, that I have taken altruistic ideas about royalties, why did the a fair amount of liberty in answering the Labor Party not introduce those provisions accusations by the Opposition and that my years ago when it had the power to do so? remarks have strayed from the provisions While it was in power in this State for of the Bill. Again and again Opposition 20-odd years, did we see any development members queried the profits earned by our of any consequence in the mining industry? railways in the cartage of minerals. How Government Members: No! ever, it is an established fact. Any econo mist worth his salt can peruse the records of Mr. CAMM: No-one with a desire to the Queensland railways over the last 30 years invest money in Australia came to Queens and find that since this Government has been land. Investors went to a State with a private in power-a period of 17 years-rail freights enterprise Government, such as South have been increased twice and reduced once. Australia, where tremendous development On the other hand, in the last nine years took place as a result of investment by the of Labor administration in Queensland rail very multi-nationals whom the Opposition freights were increased 10 times. The prin appears to hate. cipal reason is that, since we have been As I was reminded by the honourable mem the Government, the earnings from the trans ber for Wavell, Mount Isa M!nes, one of port of minerals have been sufficient to absorb the biggest multi-nationals to operate in this the increasing cost of operating our railways. country, developed the mine for 23 years An Opposition spokesman claimed that before the shareholders received one penny freight rates had not been increased as costs by way of dividend; yet today 51 per cent rose. In that statement he was quite wrong. of the shareholding in Mount Isa Mines because in the conditions applying to the is in Australian hands. The same can be railage of coal from Central Queensland said of Broken Hill Pty. Ltd. When it rail freight rates are governed by escalation began, 85 per cent of the shareholding was clauses, which in turn are calculated on a held by overseas interests. Exactly the formula based on increases in wages, reverse applies today, with 80 per cent of increases in the price of dieselene and that company's shareholding in Australian increases in the price of steel. As those three hands. costs increase, so does the rail freight on This trend is common all over the world. the cartage of coal. It increases at a per Multi-nationals, by virtue of the fact that centage of the rail freight, and embodied in they have tremendous amounts of risk capi that rate when it was first negotiated was a tal, can enter any country and create deve profitability factor that enables the security lopment through the utilisation of natural deposit to be refunded over a given number resources. However, after a number of years, of years. The escalation applies not only when the projects become economic in the to the actual cost of running the railways, sense that they are returning profits, the con but also to the profit factor incorporated trol gradually passes to the indigenous in the rail freight. This is a matter that I population. well remember arguing for some time with the companies concerned. I clearly recall The ALP. habitually quotes company pro arguing whether the increased costs should fits. Opposition members say that such-and apply only to the cost of running the rail such a company has declared a profit of ways, and not to the profits to which we "X" million dollars. They pay no regard felt we were entitled. to the amount of capital investment on which the profits are earned. Let any one of them There are times when Opposition members invest his money in the big mining ven compare the return to the Government from tures in Australia today and see if he believes the mining industry in Queensland with that that he receives a just return on his obtained from the same source in other investment. States. I do not intend to compare Queens land with other States. All I will say is The development of the bauxite deposit at that throughout all the negotiations that Gove provides a classic example of this. I have had with mining companies, it has At the time of that development, the Gov been clear that they would have preferred ernment of the day insisted that a majority to own the railway lines, as is the situation 832 Mining Royalties Bill (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill in Western Australia. Although the State The recommendation of the Grants Com could then have obtained a higher royalty mission goes to the Commonwealth Govern return, it would not have had control of ment, and invariably the Government of the the railways, as it has had over the last 15 day, irrespective of its political colour, accepts years since they were constructed or rehabili the recommendation of the Commission. tated with money supplied by multi-national States never humble themselves by approach companies that are so hated by Opposition ing the Grants Commission. The Treasurer members. and his officers realised that Queensland was The honourable member for Salisbury entided to that money by reason of the spoke about royalties based solely on profits. additional expenditure involved in gaining export earnings for Australia. I should say Mr. Sherrington: I did not. that the A.L.P., when it was in Government, had no need to go to the Grants Commission, Mr. CAMM: The honourable member did because its policies retarded development in say that. I can hear and write, and that Queensland not only in the mining industry is what he said. A royalty based on profits but also in manufacturing industries. In fact, would have returned to the State far less every industry stagnated as a result of the than has been received by it during the last policy of the A.L.P. few years. The honourable member for Salisbury Mr. SHERRINGTON: I rise to a point criticised the Government for not encouraging of order. I never said anything about the establishment of secondary induSitries royalties based on profits. based on the State's mineral resources. I invite him to go and look at the alumina Mr. CAMM: The impression I gained was plant at Gladstone, and I should like him to that the honourable member for Salisbury look also at the aluminium processing plants was talking about royalties based on profits. that have been established in Australia. It Mr. Sherrington: Never mind about your should be borne in mind that the processing impression. I never said that. or refining of the State's minerals cannot be confined solely to Queensland. It must also Mr. CAMM: The honourable member said be done further afield. that there were two ways in which royalties could be levied, namely, one based on profits Mr. SHERRINGTON: I rise to a point of and one based on the value of the minerals. order. I object to being misquoted. The Minister has mentioned only refining, which Mr. Sberrington: I never said that at all. is not manufacturing. I do not like being misquoted. The Minister cannot point to Mr. CAMM: If a system of royalties based one manufacturing industry in Queensland on profits had been introduced, the State based on the production of minerals. would not have collected as much as it has. For many years, Thiess Peabody Mitsui made Mr. SPEAKER: Order! There is no point very little profit in mining operations at of order. Moura. It is years and years before many of the large mining enterprises become profit Mr. CAMM: I should say that for most able ventures, if their capital expenditure is of the aluminium articles used within Aus taken into consideration in the assessment of tralia-the framing for windows, and so on profits. the processing of aluminium is done in Aus tralia, and some of it is being done in Queens The honourable member for Salisbury was land. also very critical of the way in which, he said, the State humbled itself by going to Mr. Sherrington: No. We only refine the Grants Commission. bauxite; we do not manufacture aluminium. Mr. Sherrington: So it did. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Salisbury has already had ample Mr. CAMM: The honourable member opportunity to make a speech. obviously has little knowledge of the pro cedures of the Grants Commission. It is Mr. CAMM: I am amazed that the hon not a Government instrumentality. It was ourable member, in all the years he has been established in the 1930's to assist States that in Parliament, has not absorbed sufficient had to meet particular increased expenditure knowledge to be aware that there are compared with the base States of New South aluminium refineries in New South \Vales Wales and Victoria. 0¥er the last 10 or and at Bell Bay. 15 years, by virtue of the tremendous development that has taken place in this Mr. Sberrington interjected. State, Queensland has, by its exports of Mr. CAMM: The honourable member minerals and primary products such as beef, implied that I was referring only to bauxite sugar and wool, become one of the major and alumina. I am referring also to export-earning States of Australia, and this aluminium. f::-,ct was taken into consideration by the Mr. Sherrington interjected. Grants Comm'ssion. Following the com mission's consideration, presumably it was Mr. SPEAKER: Order! When the honour decided that Queensland was entitled to a able member for Salisbury was speaking, I grant from the Commonwealth Government. noticed that the Minister heard him virtually Mining Royalties Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Mining Royalties Bill 833 in silence. I now ask the honourable mem gazetted and tabled in the House within a ber to cease interjecting. If he does not, I few days of the Bill being proclaimed. No shal: have to deal with him. Government ever holds up the regulations associated with a Bill. They will be tabled Mr. SHERRINGTON: I rise to a point of within 10 days. order. Surely I have the right to protest wben the Minister distorts what I said. Mr. Wright: Provided the House is still Refining is not manufacturing. sitting.
~k. SPEAKER: Order! Mr. CAMM: The honourable member will sti1l be here in 10 days. :Hr. Aiken~'! You don't know what you The honourable member for Salisbury said said. he would not have an opportunity to discuss Mr. S!Jeuington: Oh, shut your big mouth! them. Once they are tabled he can move, if he so desires, for the disallowance of Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable those regulations, at which time he will have member for Townsville South has just walked the regulations in front of him so that he into the Chamber. If he continues to interject, will know what he is speaking about, and he will be walking out again very quickly. he can have a full-scale discussion on them. Mr. CAMM: I will leave the honourable The honourable member got on to the member for Salisbury. He does not seem to old bogy about the State spending money understand the difference between refining and for the multi-nationals. The money is spent smelting. Bauxite is refined at Gladstone; it not for the benefit of the companies, but is smehed into aluminium metal in New for the benefit of the workers employed by South Wales and at Bell Bay and Bluff. them. There are always conditions which require the companies themselves to shoulder Mr. SJ~enington interjected. the major responsibility for the financing of Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I now warn the housing and water and electricity supplies. honourable member for Salisbury under Mr. Newton interjected. Standing Order 123A. Mr. CAMM: The metal itself is processed Mr. CAMM: The honourable member for into various articles that are used in Aus Belmont does not like to hear this, but it tralia. I should say that very few manufac is true. It is something he has failed to tured aluminium articles are imported into recognise over the years. Because we are this country. Much the same can be said of building houses at Blackwater, Moranbah, copper products. Copper refined at Towns Gladstone and other places he says that we ville, together with copper from Mt. Lyell in are doing it for the multi-nationals when, Tasmania, supplies most of Australia's copper in fact, we are doing it for the workers of needs. In addition, a nickel refinery is now Queensland. being established at Townsville. What further I was pleased to hear the honourable processing does the honourable member sug member for Townsville pay tribute to the gest should be done in an industry that is mining industry and other industries in really only in its infancy? The mining of Queensland. At least he appreciates that bauxite at Weipa began only about 15 years the royalties the Government collects are ago. not the all-important factor. What is impor The Government has gone to great pains tant is the flow-on of money that results to encourage companies from overseas and from the companies spending such huge companies within Australia to conduct a amounts of money. Industries in Cairns feasibility study of Queensland's coal resources depend on the success of the operations in the Galillee basin and in south-eastern in the Mackay region at Hay Point. Indus Queensland and test them for hydrogenation, tries in Brisbane depend on the successful and also to explore the possibility of estab operation of the coal projects in Central lishing petrochemical industries so that some Queensland. The benefits accrue not only secondary industries can be based on coal. to the mining company and to the men who I inform honourable members opposite that are actively engaged in .the mining, but to such a study will not be completed-in all the people within the State. fact, it will not even be started-unless we Motion (Mr. Camm) agreed to. are prepared to encourage multi-national companies, with their huge capital and their COMMITTEE technical know-how, to come here and con duct it. To my knowledge, no company in (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Lickiss, Australia would be prepared to do this with Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) out the assistance and expertise of the multi Clauses 1 to 7, both inclusive, as read, nationals. agreed to. The honourable member for Salisbury said Bill reported, without amendment. that he would not have an opportunity to discuss the royalty provisions that are going THIRD READING to be included in regulations. Again he showed his complete lack of knowledge of parlia Bill, on motion of Mr. Camm, by leave, mentary procedure. The regulations will be read a third time. 834 State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill
STATE AND REGIONAL PLANNING By the end of 1972 the senior planning AND DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC and co-ordination positions had been filled WORKS ORGANIZATION AND and detailed investigations of regional bound ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ACT aries were well in hand. In addition, in AMENDMENT BILL preparation for the appointment of regional co-ordination councils, the provisions of the SECOND READING legislation received detailed examination and Hon. J. BJE!LKE-PETERSEN (Barambah their application in a practical sense was -Prt:mier) (3.21 p.m.): I move- investigated. Regulations were also prepared. "That the Bill be now read a second As a result, the amendments I presented last tin1e." year ensured that the principles of the original legislation could be pursued with In introducing this Bill, I stated that it more certainty and clarity with respect to was proposed to give legislative effect to the establishment and operation of regions, what in fact has been the operation of the regional co-ordination councils, State develop legislation to date and further stressed that ment areas and project boards. These amend the amendments were of a minimal nature ments were enacted on 19 April 1973, and only. were followed by the making of regulations Honourable members opposite complained on 5 July 1973. of lack of detail of the operation of the Concurrently with this legislative activity, Act to date and consequently of the lack of the Co-ordinator-General held discussions detail of the Co-ordinator-General's Depart with State Government departments, local ment. I am sure that, should members authorities, harbour boards, electricity opposite wish to obtain this information, they boards and other relevant bodies in order to will find it in the ample reports of the finalise the delineation of regional boundaries. activities of this important Government Following this, in June 1973, the :--1orthern department over the wide spectrum of Region was declared and in October 1973 responsibility encompassed by it. However, nin'e regions were declared for the remainder within the limitations imposed on me in of the State. The boundaries of these speaking to this motion. I will detail for regions correspond to the boundaries of the information of the House a brief out local government areas, and discussions with line of results of this legislation to date. the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and This legislation, introduced in December Statistics indicate that the regiom "I ill be 1971, changed considerably the role of the adopted as statistical divisions. Co-ordinator-General's Department from that With the declaration of regions the Co of a constructing authority to a top-level ordinator-General requested all local management and co-ordination department authorities to nominate representatives to be providing for State and regional development, appointed to regional co-ordination councils. environmental control and public works pro and on 8 November 1973 the in:mgural gramming. Honourable members should meeting of the Northern Regional Co appreciate the immensity and complexity of ordination Council was held in Townsville. a major departmental reorganization such as Since then, regional councils for the other this, which deals with top-level expertise. At nine regions have been appointed and have the inception, this meant the transfer of held at least one meeting. personnel primarily involved in construction back to appropriate constructing departments Apart from establishing regional co and the determination of disciplines neces ordination councils and administering their sary to operate the department in its revised activities, the Co-ordinator-General's Depart form. The task was then to obtain personnel ment has other functions. One role of the having a very high degree of expertise and Co-ordinator-General that often goes un efficiency. It is a credit to the Co-ordin noticed is the task of ensuring that there is ator-General that the reorganisation went no overlapping or duplica1tion of activities smoothly, and that Queensland now has most and services of State departments. This is a of the expertise necessary to carry out the continuing function, and one which has implementation of the legislation. Sir resulted in substantial savings of resources. Charles Barton, one of Queensland's most Another function of the department is to capable administrators and respected public provide a think-tank for the Government. servants, has always taken a keen interest It will keep abreast of new ideas and con in rationalising his organisation. cepts relating to planning and development My department therefore is very conscious and ways in which the activities of govern of the need for decentralisation and already ment and industry can be effectively as part of the reorganisation has established integrated. an office in Townsville and is in the process A very important function of the depart of establishing an office in Rockhampton. As ment is public works programming, which it the chairmen of the regional co-ordination has been involved in since its inception. councils are officers of the Co-ordinator General's Department, with the delegated The honourable member for Salisbury authority of the Co-ordinator-General, there raised the important question of the availa is a constant feedback and exchange of views bility of technical evidence on which regional between the department and local authorities. planning decisions are based. The department State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill 835
has bee;; involved in a number of major councils ,and, where appropriate, co-ordinate investigations and for the information of the their activities in the field of environmental HoLLse, ! will indicate some- control. Southern Queensland The existing section 40 is to be repealed Morewn Region- and replaced by three new sections. The Natural Environment; new section 40 specifies the areas for which Man Made Environment; a regional co-ordination council can be estab Water Supply; lisheJ and makes provision for the termina R~creation. tion of councils. The proposed new section 40A clarifies the class of persons eligible for Ccr-tul Queensland membership on regional co-ordination coun Gbcbtone Infrastructure; cils. In particular, the amendment specifies :'v!.:.·~'-ay Regional Study. that local authorities be represented on reg ional co-ordination councils. The proposed Nonhern Queensland section 40B indicates the manner in which Burdekin Reappraisal Study; members of a regional co-ordination council Northern Region-Basic Investigation of are appointed. Prospects and Problems; The amendment to section 41 is proposed Cairns Region Waste Disposal. in order to ensure that the term of appoint General ment of a member to a regional co-ordination Population Projections-Queensland council does not extend beyond the term 1971-2000; for which the council is constituted at the Housing Projections-Queensland 1971- time of his appointment. 2000; Amendment of section 42 allows a local .!mer-regional Trade Flows. authority not satisfied with the performance of its representative to make a replacement. The Moreton studies will be used as back The Government believes that the representa ground m terial to the over-all strategic tive of a local authority should at all times study for Moreton, which I announced retain the confidence of that local authority. recc:nt!y. This amendment makes provision for a local authority, if it so desires, to change its Let me now turn my attention to the member on the regional co-ordination council matter of regional co-ordination councils. Afrer discussion and investigations, it was by resolution, if it is not satisfied with him. felt that Queensland could be suitably Situations may arise wherein an appointed divided into 10 regions. This proposal was member of a regional co-ordination council discussed with the local government authority cannot attend a meeting. A new section in the areas and, while time-consuming, the 42A is therefore proposed in order to pro results have indicated the wisdom of vide for delegate members. Under the pro involving the department in dialogue with posed system, an appointed member would local authorities. The regional co-ordination himself appoint in writing a delegate. councils have all met and one of the first It issu~s raised was to seek the advice of the is proposed to amend section 43. This members of the regional co-ordination amendment makes proviSiion for a local auth councils on the legislation under which they ority to nominate a person for membership were constituted. The results of their where a vacancy has occurred in the office deliberations are now the basis for this legis of a member nominated by that local auth lation. I would think that reasonable people ority. will realise that a new system such as this, To provide for the case where a chairman affording local government the opportunity of a regional co-ordination council is absent, to play a greater role in the region and to it is proposed to amend section 44 so that discuss common matters of interest in relation a regional co-ordination council may appoint to the development and management of the a person to preside at a meeting. region, will not produce spectacular results overnight. What this Government is doing is The proposed amendment to section 70 providing the democratic linkage to ensure makes provision for the Minister to appoint that decisions made and works performed a chairman to a project board rather than will be the result of co-operation and co for the Co-ordinator-General to make the ordination of effont with the appropriate appointment. participation and decision-making carried out On the advice of the Parliamentary Coun at the :tppropriate levels. sel, an amendment to section 72 provides for no more than a redesignation of the Mr. Speaker, no doubt honourable mem existing provisions. bers will have studied the Bill in detail, and just to clarify the position for them, briefly, In conformity with the proposals relating [ will summarise the sections to be amended. to section 70, it is intended to amend section 73 in order to provide for the The proposed amendment to section 32 is appointment of a chairman of a project intended to make provision for the Environ board when 'a vacancy occurs in that office. mental Control Council to develop and Also, in relation to the chairman of a maintain liaison with regional co-ordination project board, the proposed amendment to 836 State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill
section 74 makes provision for the board to I agree with the amendments that have appoint a person to preside at a meeting when been brought down in this matter and I will the chairman is absent. not argue against them. However, I believe Finally, a new section 77 A is proposed that the membership of the regional councils in order to make provision for the accounts could be further expanded. The aims of of a project board to be audited by the the legislation and the establishment of Auditor-General. regional councils are so important-and I agree with the Premier on this-that we It is clear that all these amendments are should be looking to a wider representation of a minor nature. Their ,importance lies on them then we presently have. I believe in their ability to ensure the smooth function that we could well add to the knowledge ing and administration of regional co-ordina and experience already on these councils and tion councils 'and project boards. we could increase the enthusiasm and interest Mr. Bromley: Why can't they elect their presently available to them. I believe that own chairman instead of having him that is desirable from the point of view appointed? of the Government and the councils. Throughout the debate on the introduction Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That is set out of this legislation some years ago and a in the Bill, as I have outlined in the details subsequent amendment to it, fear was I have presented. I again commend the Bill expres<>eJ that another tier of government was to the House. being established. As I heard the debates Mr. B. WOOD (Barron River) (3.35 p.m.): at that time, the opinion was expressed The Premier has just said that this Bill that it was not desirable for all sorts of contains a number of relatively minor amend people to be imposing their will per medium ments. I suppose the most important or of these regional councils. I completely the most notable of those so-called minor agree that local authorities should dominate amendments relates to the constitution of the regional councils; I would not argue the regional councils. However, I would not against that at all. As has been said in agree that that is a minor amendment. It previous debates. the councils are purely relates to a very important factor-the mem advisory; so there cannot possibly be any bership of the regional councils. fear of their constituting an additional tier of government. I believe we could well Mr. Brornley: The regional council mirrors add other people to the regional councils, the thoughts of local government. and I would hope to see future legislation in which it is spelt out that certain other Mr. B. WOOD: That is correct. It will people are entitled to membership on the be found in due course that some of the regional councils. regional councils will work more effectively, In my speech at the introductory stage, I more efficiently and more competently than said that I thought it would be desirable to others. That will be due in the main to the appoint members of State Parliament to reg calibre of their members. Because of their ional councils. I suppose most members, backgrounds, abilities and training, perhaps certainly those in country districts, repre.;ent the members of some councils will be of areas that embrace one, two, three or more a higher quality than others. The quality councils. All members are fairly deeply and the make-up of the membership of involved in what is happening in their reg those councils will be a major factor in ions, and they could play a useful part as their future well-being. Therefore, the mem members of regional councils. I hope to see bership is of considerable concern to the in the future legislation to include such a Parliament, and I would not agree that the provision in the Act. amendment is of only minimal importance. I think it is of some consequence. Mr. Newton: We are getting their minutes at present. At the moment the membership of regional councils is restricted exclusively to repre Mr. B. WOOD: I am pleased to hear sentatives of local authorities. They are that mentioned by the honourable member. I Government nominees in a couple of cases would not like it to pass unnoticed. in the far northern zone, where there is no I appreciate receiving the minutes that I am local authority, such as in the shires of given, and I assure those concerned that I Cook and Torres. Evidently the regional am taking a particular interest in them. In councils, comprised as they are of local fact, we all are; we all want to be involved authority representatives, have indicated to in this work. the Government that that is their desire. Mr. Bromley: I think the Moreton Regional Certainly, I know they were anxious that Council should send its minutes to aldermen their own representation be firmly established. of the city council. We now see that each shire in the area is entitled to one delegate. The Government Mr. B. WOOD: I suggest that the honour has taken notice of what these delegates have able member for South Brisbane make such said, but I suggest, as a note of caution or an approach to that council. by way of further comment, that this is not Regionalism is becoming far more estab necessarily the most desirable constitution lished, and groups throughout Queensland are of the councils. setting up regional bodies. The Department State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill 837
of Cultural Activities, for example, is encour Again, there would be gaps throughout aging artistic and cultural groups in large the State. One could not go to each of areas to combine for their own benefit and the 10 regions and find a board working. for the benefit of the State. This trend still However, where a board such as that exists, has some way to go before it becomes well and where its activities are fairly extensive established, but it has made considerable and cover a wide area of the region, it progress. I should like to see one delegate should be entitled to one representative on from such cultural and artistic groups elected the regional council. to each of the 10 regional councils throughout the State. I think that one representative I thought that the aim of the measure from such a range of activities could play a before us was basically to allow statutory useful role on a regional council. He would bodies such as harbour boards and electricity probably have ideas to contribute, and authorities representation on regional coun knowledge to give, that few aldermanic or cils. Of course, that will have to come council delegates would have, because of about, and I have no argument against it. his exclusive interest in one sphere. But if that is its only aim, I think it is In various centres of the State, sporting far too restrictive and not sufficiently wide groups want to combine for their mutual ranging. Over all, I think it will be found benefit. I will admit that in Queensland at that many people from other groups who the present time this idea has not gone very have something of great benefit to contribute far. However, why not have a represent will be willing to do so, and I think that ative of sporting organisations on each reg would be of advantage to the councils. ional council? This is in fact a very big Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: Don't you think they field in this State. A considerable amount would become too unwieldy if there were of money, work and activity is channelled so many? into. SIJ?rt, and those with this type of special mterest and knowledge would have Mr. B. WOOD: No. I do not think so. something to contribute to regional councils. That is a point to be considered, but I have Mr. Casey: How do you suggest they mentioned only about six different groups. would be chosen in the sporting field? At present some regional councils have 10 or a dozen members; some perhaps one or Mr. B. WOOD: I shall come to that later. two fewer. I do not think that up to 20
"What are the attitudes and goals of I said, we should not be concerning our citizens and public officials in regard to selves merely with the fields of land use their neighbourhood, their community and and major construction work. That was the region itself? ' recognised by the honourable member for "How can the development of the region Barron River. be guided in accordance with these values? Mr. Casey: The Act never restricted it "What role should mass transit facilities to those fields. The original Act was a very play in a regional transportation system? broad one, if you examine its sections. "How much will it cost to provide various levels of transportation service? What will Mr. LANE: Yes. I am aware of that; be the cost of deficient transportation but most of the debate in this Chamber has service?" been restricted to the topic of land use and Later, the report set out, the planning for associated matters. That is why I wish to mula-Firstly, the function of data collection; discuss the effect that these amendments secondly, analysis of the information collected· will have on social welfare grants once thirdly, plan formulation and testing; the Australian Assistance Plan is imple fourthly, pl~n review and adoption; and mented. fifthly, plan Implementation. The documents that have been compiled The legislation before us creates the powers outlining the plan in broad terms show to be conferred on this authority. They will that already over $2,000,000 has been allocated ensure that it will be not only a committee by the Commonwealth Government to that will meet and make decisions, but also regional councils for social development a committee that will be able to implement throughout the nation. In fact, already in its decisions, which will effect over-all Queensland an allocation of $114,000 has ~evelopn;ent in the way of land use, support been made to interim regional councils. As mg services, technical advisory committees each council is established under the plan, and inter-government and community it qualifies for a seeding grant of $20,000 relations. All these facets are vital to the to finance a secretariat, which would include State's development. a manager and typing assistance. In addi tion, each region will have allocated to it I often think of the British Isles which directly by the Commonwealth Government has a population that could be fitted into the assistance of social planners. Queensland twice over. Australia faces a big problem caused by sparsity of popula Mr. W. D. Hewitt: There are plenty of tion and extensive lines of communication. chiefs. If we are to achieve our ultimate objective, we .must l?n.surl? that we create not only Mr. LANE: Yes, there are. However, pubhc participatiOn, but also the legislative one would hope that at some stage there powers and economic machinery to imple will be Indians to do the work, because there ment the requirements necessary to develop is a tendency in social welfare work to this country properly. engage more in planning than in works of compassion. Little actually reaches the I am particularly pleased with the amend stage of helping people. We can finish up ing provisions. I am also very pleased to with endless planning. That expresses some receive, from time to time, the minutes of the of the reservations I have about the Bill. bodv that has been set up. They prove that the committee has nothing to hide and that Mr. Davis: It's got nothing to do with the the action being taken by it is in the best Bill at all. interest of the State. I commend the pro posals outlined by the Premier. Mr. LANE: It is quite obvious !hat the honourable member for Brisbane knows Mr. LANE (Merthyr) (4.9 p.m.): The nothing about the contribution I am making ~mendments to the Act will have application to the debate. If he did, he would realise m areas other than land use. At the intro that what I say is closely related to the du~tory stage I pointed out how this legis legislation. He is quite dull and his lack latiOn could affect social welfare in Queens of perception is not surprising. land. I said that a master plan has been When the Australian Assistance Plan was compiled in Canberra known as the Aus first introduced in the Commonwealth Par tralian Assistance Plan. I was pleased to liament, the Liberal Party spokesman (Mr. hear the honourable member for Barron Don Chipp, M.P.) had these comments- River refer to it. That plan seeks to establish ~ fl:ew system of grants for welfare organ "Here is one of the most important IsatiOns m the community through what is social documents laid down in this Parlia known as regional councils for social ment for 20 years. I should like to development. They are bodies that will be compliment the Commission"- set up on a regional basis throughout the State and the nation. It is interesting to note that is, the Social Welfare Commission that the Social Welfare Commission has "for an outstanding document and I adopted the boundaries as laid down under extend my appreciation to the Minister the legislation we are presently debating. As for embracing it and its philosophies." State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill 841
I noticed in the debates in the House of The commission came up with the Aus Representatives on 18 July this year, after tralian Assistance Plan. Whilst we are pre some regional councils had been set up and pared to give it a go, I think we are justified part of the plan had been implemented, in feeling a little cautious about possible inter Mr. Chipp said- ference with State constitutional responsibili "We are saying that the way in which ties. It seeks to encourage local community the Minister is administering the Australian groups to establish themselves as regional Assistance Plan is now beginning to councils based on regions set out in the border on a national scandal. The point current legislation, the Commonwealth Gov we are making is that it is pork barrelling ernment to fund their activities direct to political patronage." regional councils. In the long term, it may well be found that this contravenes section That was his second comment, almost 12 96 of the Australian Constitution. months after the first. In the implementation of the plan in the In Queensland we have not reached that Greater Brisbane area, a recommendation has stage of development of the Australian been made to the Social Welfare Commis Assistance Plan where we are able to judge sion and to Mr. Hayden. whether Mr. Chipp's latter remarks apply here. Quite frankly, I should like to give Mr. SPEAKER: Order! How does the hon it a trial at this stage to see how it works, oura'ble member tie the Social Welfare Com because I am aware of the financial defic mission in with the Bill? I find it very difficult iences in the social welfare ·field. I am to see the connection. I ask him to return grateful for any means by which finance can to the principles of the Bill. be made available to worthy welfare organ isations in the community. Mr. LANE: The State and Regional Plan ning and Development, Public Works Organ Mr. B. Wood: Has this got good local isation and Environmental Control Act, the support? subject of this debate, divides the State into regions for the purpose of planning. Those Mr. LANE: It has support among people people within the community, and the mem who are aware of what is proposed. bers of this House, who are simple-minded Although people are a little reluctant to think that it relates only to the planning embrace such a radical new scheme, generally of public works, and to expenditure by the speaking I think they take the attitude that I Government on a regional basis for land-use have adopted; they are prepared to give it a planning. In fact, it has direct application to trial and see what happens. social-welfare planning since the implemen Mr. Davis interjected. tation by the Australian Government of the Australian Assistance Plan. I think we should Mr. LANE: The horrible cackle of the all be concerned about social welfare, and honoumble member for Brisbane does not how grants are to be made to community do anything to help this cause. He sees organisations. everything as a Trades Hall exercise. There is no good will in him, either here or at Mr. SPEAKER: Order! A short while ago local level. He is not interested in the people the honourable member read out one of in the community, so it is not surprising that the principles of the Bill, and that is one he carries on with this nonsense here. matter on which he and I are completely When this plan to handle social welfare in accord. However, I ask him now to come grants on a regional basis, in accordance back to the principles of the Bill. It would with current legislation, was implemented, it appear that there is a difference of inter was on a recommendation of the Social pretation between the honourable member and Welfare Commission. I think that people in me. all States, including members on both sides of this House, were entitiled to be a little Mr. Wright: Go off the cuff. disappointed that the Federal Minister for Social Security (Mr. Bill Hayden) rejected Mr. LANE: I am going off the cuff now, the offer of State Governments to partici despite the remarks of the creepy member for pate in consultation with the Social Welfare Rockhampton. Commission to formulate this plan. Mr. Hayden chose not to involve the States in the Mr. Wright interjected. deliberations of the Social Welfare Com mission. There is among public servants and Mr. LANE: You just leave your girlfriend members of this House a great deal of at home when you are down here in Brisbane. knowledge and experience in social welfare matters, and I think we were all entitled to Mr. SPEAKER: Order! be a little disappointed that people with these qualifications were not involved in the Mr. LANE: Go home to your wife and work of the commission. In fact, Mr. Hay family and behave yourself as a respectable den rejected outright the request by the States young man should. for representation on the Social Welfare Commission. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! 842 State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill
Mr. LANE: The Casanova of the campus; the Commonwealth Government into the that is \vhat he is known as-chasing every regions as laid down under the legislation little tart-- now before the House. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable Mr. SPEAKER: In that case, the honour member for Merthyr. When I rise to my able member is definitely out of order. On feet, you will take heed. Furthermore, you page 2 the Bill says, "to co-ordinate the are not obliged to take notice of interjections. work of departments of the Government of the State, local authorities, regional co Mr. LANE: I am concerned about social ordination councils ...". As far as I can see, welfare grants on the basis of the regions the Bill does not mention what the honour laid down under the Bill. able member is referring to, and I ask him Another aspect about which I think hon to come back to the principles of the Bill. ourable members should also be concerned Mr. LANE: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am sorry is the monitoring role of the regional coun that I cannot continue to discuss the welfare cils set up under the Australian Assistance needs of the regions of the State under Plan. Two documents have been compiled by the Australian Assistance Plan. I will make the Australian Government on this matter. my speech at another time when I am The first is known as Discussion Paper No. permitted to do so. 1, and in chapter 2 it says that one of the duties of the regional councils shall be "to Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah continually evaluate and monitor the social Premier) (4.25 p.m.), in reply: I thank the needs of the region and to report on these honourable members who have spoken on to the State and the Australian Govern this very important Bill and how it affects ments". I take it that is the region referred the State generally. I appreciate all the to under the Bill. contributions that have been made, partic ularly that by the honourable member for I was quite pleased this morning to hear Mt. Coot-tha, who for a long time has put the honourable member for Maryborough, a lot of work into this whole area of State who is very close to his electorate and aware responsibility and activity. His help and of what is going on in it, ask a question advice have been of great benefit to me and of the Premier about that particular point the Government. I appreciate his efforts very in the Australian Assistance Plan. He sought much indeed. information in which I, too, am interested, I commend the Bill to the House. that is, as to how these regional councils will monitor the needs of their region Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to. ! understand that one or two have been set up in Queensland-and whether they have COMMITTEE yet made any reports to the State Govern (Mr. Wharton, Burnett, in the chair) ments on the needs of their region as laid down under the legislation at present being Clauses 1 to 3, both inclusive, as read, debated. agreed to. Clause 4-New s. 40A; Constitution of Mr. Davis: What regional councils are you talking about-the N.A.C., or the other Regional Co-ordination Councils- ones? Mr. B. WOOD (Barron River) (4.26 p.m.): I desire very briefly to restate my view that Mr. SPEAKER: Order! it is desirable that, whatever class the regional Mr. LANE: For the benefit of the honour council may wish, the local group should able member for Brisbane-- nominate its own delegate. Clause 4 gives this right to the Minister; the council may Mr. DaYis interjected. decide what class it wants to invite onto the council, but the Minister makes the Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I now warn the actual appointment. I do not think this honourable member for Brisbane under Stand is desirable, and I ask the Premier to indicate ing Order 123A. I have already warned him several times today. that an amendment might be made at some future time to allow the local group to Mr. LANE: They are in a mess, Mr. make that nomination. Speaker, and that is the point I am trying Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (4.27 p.m.): I do to make. not see the same danger as the honourable Another duty of the regional councils member for Barron River sees on this, is to devise plans for welfare service pro because I think it is similar to the pro vision to meet the needs of the region. vision that now applies to the appointment of members to all statutory boards and semi Mr. SPEAKER: Order! What is the hon governmental authorities under the control ourable member quoting from? I ask him of the Government. The appointment is to inform me. actually made by the Minister as the person in law who makes the recommendation to Mr. LAJ'I.'E: I am quoting from Discussion the Executive Council. I think there nave Paper No. 1 under the Australian Assistance been very few occasions in Queensland when Plan, which ties social-welfare grants from a group's recommendation to the Minister State and Regional Planning, [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] &c., Act Amendment Bill 843 has not in fact been accepted. Nevertheless, government where there is no elected repre taking the point made by the honourable sentation-such as the Shire of Torres and member for Barron River, it could happen. the Cook Shire-and provision is now being One other aspect of clause 4 concerns made for the Premier to appoint a persen me more. I refer to subsection (2) of new to be a member of the regional advisory section 40A at lines 18 and 19 on page council. 3 of the Bill, where it states- If we go back to the various stages of ". . . recommend to the Minister that the legislation, particularly at its inception, a person or persons of a class or classes we had all sorts of ideas as to who should specified by it should be appointed . . ." comprise the membership of regional advis ory councils. We considered members of Unfortunately the Bill does not specifically harbour boards, members of regional elect define "class". I should like the Premier ricity authorities, and I could go on ad to expound just a little more on what he infinitum. The question of who was to envisages by "class". That word could per draw the line was a matter that had to be haps cover the points made at the second reading stage by the honourable member for discussed. Barron River when he suggested the various The honourable member for Mackay groupings in the community that may be referred to the question of classes as, I interested in participating in the work of think, did the honourable member for Brarron regional councils. It might even cover those River. The word "class" is the Parliamentary the honourable member for Merthyr referred Counsel's terminology, in this concept to to. I think the definition of "class" should refer to other than local government. I feel be spelt out a little more clearly so that sure that honourable members will realise honourable members will know just how that we have to be guided by the Parlia far the Government intends to go in extend mentary Counsel in drafting the legislation. ing the work of regional councils in the If the Bill is to pursue the original concept various groups in the community. of 'achieving co-operation and co-ordination I point out that the term is also incor between the Government and local govern porated in clause 8, which refers to a repre ment, I think it necessarily follows that any sentative of a specified class. That is fairly additions to the regional advisory councils broad. How far down do we go~ It could should be done with the good wishes of the be extended to all sections of the com present membership of the regional advisory munity-to the marbles association or some council, which is local government representa thing like that if we really wanted to get tion. down to classes in the community. In its turn, local government appoints its The other point I wish to make is that representatives to the regional advisory much work has been devoted to having council and, under this legislation, looal these appointments made for a specific period. government can dismiss those representatives, The Bill sets out that the term of office replace them, and so on. We also say that of anybody being appointed to a regional the regional advisory council, by its own council shall cease at the end of the term motion, can ask that a member of a regional of that council. I should like the Govern electricity board or a harbour board or a ment to take cognisance of the fact that representative of some other body be it is most necessary that the term of appointed. They make the recommendation regional councils be co-ordinated with the and the Premier, at his discretion, then makes term of the local authority. The whole a recommendation for the appointment basis of appointment, for the majority of by Order in Council. I do not think there mef!!bers anyhow, is through local authorities, is anything sinister in this. It is merely so m the actual operation of the legislation upholding the original concept of the legis it will be absolutely essential that the period lation, which, I repeat, was on the basis of of appointment of regional councils be closely co-operation and co-ordination of effort as tied to the actual date of local authority between the State Government on the one elections on a three-year basis. hand and local government on the other. Clause 4, as read, agreed to. Mr. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha) (4.32 p.m.): think we ought to go back to the original Clauses 5 to 7, both inclusive, as read, concept of the legislation, which was to agreed to. promote co-operation and co-ordination Clause 8-New s. 42A; Delegate between local government on the one hand members- and the State Government on the other. Experience showed that local government Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (4.35 p.m.): I do representation on the regional advisory not wish to labour the point on this matter councils was the wish of local government of class, and I am grateful to the honourable generally. Through exper,ience we have member for Mt. Coot-tha for having given found that, in terms of local government a part 'explanation of rthe intention of the there are regions, comprised of local govern Bill. Legislation, however, must be specific. ment areas, where the members of the local so I merely ask that at a later stage a straight government are elected by popular franchise. forward definition of the term "class" be But there is one other category of local given. 844 Sale of Human Blood Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Sale of Human Blood Bill
I point out that other amendment pro Human blood is a very precious product, visions in the Bill contain wording that has but unfortunately whole blood can only be been altered. In fact, clause 2 refers to "all used for transfusion for a period of three persons and associations that concern them weeks after donation. The process of selves in activity directed towards control of fractionation is therefore very important. It the environment," and so on. We all know is used to process the plasma from outdated that one of the associations making the blood to isolate various components which last most noise on environmental matters is the much longer than whole blood itself and Communist Party. Surely we would not which can be used separately. In some envisage giving that organisation direct rep medical conditions red cells alone are used. resentation on a regional council. Perhaps In others the various proteins derived from I am using an extreme example, but I am the plasma are administered. Apart from only trying to make my point. After all, the those blood products available for emergency dictionary definition of "class" refers to a treatment by transfusion, many other sub group of persons. The Government must stances useful in other ways may also be give consideration to defining specifically the isolated from blood. Some of these are class of organisations that it believes should available for special immunisation against have the opportunity to participate in the such diseases as tetanus. The plasma also activities of the regional councils. yields agents which are used to produce clotting of the blood in certain haemorrhagic Mr. 'LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha) (4.37 p.m.): conditions. All the products already men We must have confidence, as I am sure we tioned would be covered by the definition have, in the personnel who are appointed to of blood in the Bill, which refers to any the regional advisory councils. I do not think substance derived from blood. we should be too restrictive if they, in their wisdom, feel that anyone from any walk of In my introductory speech I mentioned that life and representing any discipline or organ at one time a local firm was interested in isation should be either debarred or included. joining with a United States company in This matter should be left fairly wide open commercial trading in blood. The reason for and to the good sense of the regional advisory the inquiries was related to the purchase of council, because the appointment of a person placentae from maternity hospitals. From recommended for appointment must be these organs can be derived a clotting agent carried on the motion of the majority of members of the council. I have every con and other blood products. Other organs fidence in local government representation could be used for the production of blood on these councils, and I am sure that other products. It is for these reasons that the honourable members share my sentiments. definition of blood must include those organs from which it is possible to derive a con The next matter is that the Minister has a discretion, so I think we ought to lean stituent of blood for therapeutic use or for towards the regional advisory councils, who, the preparation of a substance for therapeutic I am sure, will achieve the best results. I use. do not think any further amendment is The process of fractionation by which necessary in relation to the term "class". individual blood components are made was Clause 8, as read,. agreed to. developed in America during the last World Clauses 9 to 15, both inclusive, as read, War by a team of scientists at Harvard agreed to. Medical School. It commenced in Australia Bill reported, without amendment. in 1952 at the Commonwealth Serum Labor atories. The work is carried out in close co-operation with the Red Cross Blood SALE OF HUMAN BLOOD BILL Transfusion Service. Blood and other pro SECOND READING ducts derived in this way are available free of cost through the blood transfusion services. Hon. S. D. TOOTH (Ashgrove-Minister I emphasise that, in addition to those sub for Health) (4.40 p.m.): I move- stances distributed in this way, those blood "That the Bill be now read a second products used in special immunisation pro time." cedures are supplied free of cost to private In my introductory speech I advised hon practitioners through the various branches of ourable members that the Bill was brief and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. easy to follow and I feel sure that now there I emphasise those points because, during has been an opportunity to study the pro the introductory debate, the honourable posed legislation they will agree with me. member for Albert referred to some There are, however, one or two points which notations on hospital accounts which, he may bear further elucidation. said, indicated that patients were charged I am advised that blood consists of a fluid for blood. That is an error. Blood is pro portion called the plasma in which blood vided absolutely free of cost by the Red Cross cells are suspended. The plasma contains Blood Transfusion Service. It is probable many important substances which have that what the honourable member was re various special qualities. These various ferring to was the service by professional substances can be separated from whole people in the transfusion that was received; blood by a process called fractionation. certainly there was no charge for the blood. Sale of Human Blood Bill [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Sale of Human Blood Bill 845
That brings me to a point raised by the human blood. Steps to be taken in the event honourable member for Port Curtis in the of an offence against this Act are also set introductory debate when he referred to the out. The provisions in the Bill are based on possibility of Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG (Townsville) (4.52 pick up a telephone, ring the Red Cross p.m.): The honourable member for Mourilyan Blood Transfustion Service, and the blood stated that the Opposition agrees with the needed will be on the next plane out of legislation. I can understand that statement, Brisbane. Even some of the rarest groups of because the Bill is based on sound principles. blood are provided in that way. In a great It surprised me that the honourable member, emergency, I have telephoned the transfusion who is the Opposition's shadow Minister for service and blood has been rushed to Towns Health, offered no constructive suggestions. ville by plane within 'a few hours. All he did was criticise statements made about Opposition members. Dr. Edwards: And there is no charge. The aim of the Bill is of great importance Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: As the honourable not only to this State but to the nation, member for Ipswich said, there is no charge, because it sets out to put in correct per which is very commendable. spective the unlimited supply of disease-free blood. It applies not only to whole blood, In America, for many years blood was which even under the most ideal conditions sold. It was taken by all and sundry ai of refrigeration lasts approximately three different hospitals and in different services. weeks only, but also to blood components. As a matter of fact, as a crew member All these components of blood are most of a ship just after World War H, ] essential, especially in a State in which actually sold my blood in America. They emergencies are likely to arise. A large did not care whether one had malaria. proportion of this State's income is derived syphillis or anything else. They just took the from mining, and a mining disaster c To give honourable members an idea of The Bill has everything to commend it. !he number of people involved in the Red I am pleased that the Opposition could find Cross Blood Transfusion service in this State, no fault with this extremely worth-while I mention that there are 130 centres with a piece of legislation. I do not think anyone total of 346 doctors and 1,252 supplementary could. staff-trained nurses, attendants and voluntary Motion (Mr. Tooth) agreed to. drivers. That is a fairly large number of dedicated people giving their services. They are well trained and understand fully the CoMMITTEE problems associated with a blood transfusion (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Lickiss, ~ervice, and they are providing a wonderful Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) '>ervice for the community. The result is Clauses 1 to 6, both inclusive, as read, that Queensland has a service that is virtually agreed to. free from any risk and able to meet any calls made upon it. Bill reported, without amendment. It provides not only whole blood but also what are known as fractions of blood. Blood VALUERS REGISTRATION ACT that is not used within three weeks, or any AMENDMENT BILL that looks at all odd or haemolysed, is INITIATION IN COMMITTEE immediately returned to the central trans (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Lickiss, fusion service in Brisbane. Special facilities Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) Jre provided for air transport to Brisbane. These waste or so-called unused donations Hon. H. A. McKEC.HNIE (Carnarvon ~re fractionated at the laboratories that Minister for Local Government and Elec have been set up by the transfusion tricity) (5.5 p.m.): I move- ~ervice. Those laboratories are staffed by "That a Bill be introduced to amend the ,killed bio-chemists and haematologists and Valuers Registration Act 1965-1971 in highly trained specialist technicians. The certain particulars." laboratories fractionate the unused blood This Act was passed in 1965 to provide a with the result that we have a great measure of protection in the public interest quantity of gamma globulin and various by ensuring that all persons who are engaged other by-products which are so essential in the practice of valuing land will be in preserving the health of the community. registered in accordance with the provisions of the Act. As with most other professional Mr. Hughes: Wouldn't you say that Dr. and technical groups in the community, it Shaw and his staff have brought a lot of was considered desirable that certain standards credit to Queensland? be achieved by persons to qualify them to practise in this field and to regulate their Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: As I said previously, conduct thereafter. Dr. Shaw is probably the most outstanding Under the Act the Valuers Registration man in his field in the world. He is a Board was established and this body has most knowledgeable man. He is always ready the powers and functions to administer the to give of his energy and knowledge to Act with regard to the registration and to anyone in trouble. the standards of conduct of valuers. This board comprises three members-firstly, the To give honourable members an idea of Valuer-General who is ex officio a member the growth of transfusion services in Queens and chairman; secondly, a person appointed land, in 1969-70 102,000 donations were by the Governor in Council upon the recom collected. A donation is between 300 and mendation of the Minister from persons 430 cc. In 1973-74 the figure increased nominated in a panel of names supplied by to 120,000 donations. The population the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers; and, increased by 2 per cent, but the donations thirdly, a person similarly appointed from a increased by considerably more than that. similar panel of names supplied by the Real The service is being used more and more Estate Institute of Queensland. Amongst because blood is readily available. the qualifications for eligibility for appoint The idea behind preventing people from ment to the board is the requirement that such person be a registered valuer. The two selling blood is to make blood more readily last-mentioned members of the board are available throughout the State. When a appointed for a term of three years but shall commodity is sold, the ability to obtain it be eligible for reappointment. is very often confined to the larger cities where more money is available, with the The Bill provides that the requirement whereby one member is appointed to the result that outlying areas are starved for board from persons nominated by the Real that commodity. The law of supply and Estate Institute of Queensland, and whose demand comes into it. The logistics of it names are included in a panel of names sup all come down to a very fine point. When plied by such institute, should be deleted from money comes into it some areas could very the Act and replaced by a provision whereby easily be starved for blood supplies. the third member of ~the board be a person 848 Valuers Registration Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill who is a registered valuer appointed by Until 1973 the approved examinations in the Governor in Council upon the recommen Queensland consisted of part-time certificate dation of the Minister. courses, now of 5 years' duration, conducted The Valuers Division of the Real Estate by the Technical College and the Technical Institute of Queensland has recently amal Correspondence School. At the beginning of gamated with the Commonwealth Institute 1973 a three-year full-time diploma of of Valuers, which latter body is already repre business {valuation) course commenced at the sented by one member on the Valuers Regis Queensland Agricultural College, Lawes, and tration Board. It is not considered desir this course has a higher standing than the able that two members of the one organi part-time certificate courses and includes ation on a board of three should be the some practical content. statutory requirement, but that the Minister This Bill has a provision designed to should retain the discretion to appoint a prevent those students who undertake the registered valuer to become a member of full-time course at the Queensland Agricul the board. tural College from being disadvantaged by The present board member representing having to wait for a minimum of seven years the Real Estate Institute of Queensland is (three years at the college followed by at Mr. D. J. Bingham, F.C.I.V., A.A.S.A., least four years' practical experience) before A.C.I.S., the managing director of Sharp and registration, whereas many of the students Musgrave Pty. Ltd. He has been a member who undertake the part-time courses are of the board since its inception and was being registered in five years as they obtain last appointed to the board on 2 March substantial practical experience while study 1972 for •t period of three years. This ing. Bill provitles that a person appointed in The Act states that the board shall such a 'Yay as was Mr. Bingham may determine the classification of an applicant c«;mtmue m office until the expiration of according to his competence as a rural hi~ .term, and being a registered valuer, be valuer or an urban valuer or as both a rural eligible for reappointment. and urban valuer. It further provides that the practice of an unregistered valuer is The Valuers Registration Act provides for prohibited, but does not state that a registered the appointment of a secretary to the board valuer classified as a rural valuer should and defines the term "secretary" to include value only rural land and that a registered a person temporarily discharging the duties valuer classified as an urban valuer should the secreta;y, but the Act is silent regard ?f value only u!'ban land. ~ng the appomtment of an acting secretary m ~h.e absence of the secretary or while Mr. Burns: Will it be a requirement in awa1tmg the permanent appointment of a new future that they must do that? secretary. Mr. McKECHNIE: No. They can register The Bill provides that the board may, with either as a rural valuer and value only rural the approval of the Minister, appoint a person land, or as an urban valuer and value only to act temporarily as secretary in the event urban land. However, if they qualify in both of a vacancy in that office or during the they can value both. absence of the secretary. As with the perman~nt appointment of a secretary, if that While it is a desirable aim that a registered person IS a member of the Public Service he valuer should be capable of valuing all types will be able to hold such appointment in of land, rmal and urban, the practicaHties addition to the position he holds in the Public of an individual's inclination and experience Service. have to be considered. I have only to refer to the approaches to be adopted in valuing From the inception of the Valuers the grazing areas in the Par West compared Registration Act until 14 February 1970 an. with those adopted in valuing the intensively applicant was eligible for full registratio~ if developed commercial areas of Brisbane. he ful,filled one of two alternative sets of The Bill provides that a registered valuer requirements. Firstly, if he was of or above classified singly as either rural valuer or the age of 25 years at 14 February 1966, was urban valuer shall not value land other than of good .fame and. character, and possessed in accordance with his classification. A the reqtmed practical experience qualifica valuer who is classified as both can of course tions, he was eligible. However since 14 continue to value all types of land. February 1970 the second alternative became the sole requirement for eligibility that is The provisions in this Bill are designed to that an applicant must be of or ~bove th~ update the present Valuers Registration Acl age of 22 years, be of good fame and and to ensure its continued efficient character, and either hold a certificate of administration. competence recognised by the board or have I commend the motion to the Committee. passed an approved examination. He must also satisfy the board that he has Mr. BALDWIN (Redlands) (5.14 p.m.): "sufficient practical experience in or in From the Minister's introductory speech it connection with valuing land for at least four appears that, generally speaking, the amend years within the 10 years last preceding the ments envisaged by the Bill are, if not date of his application for registration". overdue, then at least necessary. The Bill Valuers Registration Act [17 SEPTEMBER 19741 Amendment Bill 849 obviously ,takes cognisance of changing cir and his readiness to listen to sensible sugges cumstances around us on a national basis. tions-! would not say the same of the Minis The Minister referred to an anomaly caused ter's Government. But that is something for by the amalgamation of the two bodies at the Minister himself to decide in his own con the State and Commonwealth levels. We science. I am making no request on behalf appreciate the need to effect a change. of the Opposition. It is merely a reflection of attitude or philosophy of political parties. I have a few general remarks to make I would not request any member of the Gov about the Act and the amending provisions ernment to change his philosophy. It would in this measure as they refer to the com be tantamount to asking him to change his position of the board. Although the Minister party and to sit on this side of the Chamber. and his advisers have seen fit-and rightly That is a decision he makes based on his own so-to attempt to update the provisions in beliefs. the Act to meet the changes outlined by the Minister, I point out on behalf of the However, returning more specifically to the Opposition that we see this measure as Minister's proposals to the Committee, I am retaining the traditional protection of the sure that all members on this side agree with establishment as orovided in the Act. I the provisions for an acting secretary to be refer to the continuance of appointees. I appointed in the absence of the permanent see no reason whatsoever for continuing secretary. I have no real objection to the this artificial, outmoded protection of the acting secretary's being a public servant. establishment. The Bill contains requirements However, it seems rather strange that a public upgrading the professional standard of per servant appointed in an acting capacity could sons who are to be registered. People who still be called upon to carry out his normal are to be elected or selected by these institutes duties in the Public Service. That seems to are men of experience, education and me to be tantamount to admitting that there integrity. That is proven by the fact that are supernumeraries in the Public Service, the organisations have nominated or elected and I am sure that no public servant would them. I therefore see no reason why they want it to be thought that he could be taken cannot become members of the board without from his onerous task to fill another position, any artificial protection. and not be missed or replaced. I am sure that that would be a blow to his self-respect and I view this legislation as a kind of vote ego. It certainly would be to mine. How of no confidence in their efforts to update ever the Minister might be able to tell us and upgrade the system. It is somewhat that that is covered elsewhere and that the belittling and demonstrates a fear that is person appointed as acting secretary would no longer valid. I could see a basis for not be required to carry out his normal it in the days of the wild bushrangers Public Service duties. He, in turn, might when squatters were pegging out unlimited be replaced by an acting appointment, or areas and placing bogus values on them he might be compensated by provisions for and getting them through the Lands Depart the payment of overtime. I think this is ment or some other department for sale, important, because it could affect his normal taxation or other purposes. Today, with working and his health. Undue physical, our vast network of communication and mental and nervous strain could be placed upgraded standards, it is no longer necessary upon a' public servant by such an appointment. to preserve an unnecessary, expensive super I believe I have some justification at least for structure of tradition. I make that observation bringing this problem to the attention of the in passing believing that I am bound to Committee. As I said, the Minister might make it on behalf of the Opposition. We already have this covered. If he has, I have made that point frequently and I am shall be very pleased to hear it in his reply. sure from my experience that it is a right We must concede the necessity for the and proper attitude to adopt in this modern reduction from 25 years to 22 years in the age. age of an appointee, provided he is qualified Mr. McKechnie: I can't quite determine by certificates of competency and the other what you would like eliminated. I assume requirements of good name and good char that you want something removed. acter, as the Minister said, to be accepted for registration by the board. Mr. BALDWIN: I did say that I was Indicative of the continuing rise in stand making a general observation on the Act ards of education is the proposal to recognise and the proposed amending provisions, which the new diploma course conducted at the are carrying on a tradition. My remarks Gatton College, as the Minister mentioned. apply equally to all of the boards and I do not know whether there will be uni to the Government's method of continuing versal agreement with what I am about to to preserve something that I have described say, or even agreement on this side of the as unnecessary and expensive. Chamber, but I agree that an updated full Mr. McKechnie: You have no specific time course of three years' duration, con request that I remove anything? ducted no doubt by trained, skilled and experienced lecturers, should be recognised. Mr. BA!LDWIN: No. No matter how gen Any student can learn quite well from others uine the Minister himself may be-and I do if he has a receptive mind and realises that not doubt his sincerity, having observed him those who are conducting the course are 850 Valuers Registration Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill compressing their experience and practical Mr. LICK.ISS (Mt. Coot-tha) (5.31 p.m.): skill into a more formalised process of I hope that the honourable member who has imparting their knowledge. Such students just resumed his seat will not mind my have the advantage of obtaining at least saying that I found it very difficult to follow some of their practical experience with him. greater ease. Mr. Davis: It does not surprise me that I do not want those remarks to be inter you find it difficult to follow him. preted by any member as meaning that I do not accept the value of practical experi Mr. LICKISS: That may be so; it might ence in the field. Far from it. I am myself be difficult for me to follow you also. more a practical man than a man of theory, Having recently relinquished the State although as far as possible I try to combine presidency of the Commonwealth Institute !he two. I see in the Minister's proposal an of Valuers and being familiar with the amal mtelligent combination of theory and practice gamation that took place between the Valuers that can only benefit the profession of valuing Division of the Real Estate Institute of and protect entry into the profession for Queensland and the Commonwealth Institute those who have not been so fortunate as of Valuers, I am aware that, as the Minister to undertake the full-time professional course. explained, there is an Australia-wide trend for all qualified valuers to come under the The last point that the Mini~ter put one professional institute. The valuing dis before the Committee seems in slight con cipline in Australia has assumed an import tradiction to everything that went before. ance in many aspects of planning and develop On the one hand, students undertaking the three-year course are recognised as doing ment that it did not have before, and I a much upgraded course, and we are led to think that is very desirable. believe that a modern course takes co<> On the understanding that the V.1luers nisance of the fact that urban valuing a;d Division of the Real Estate Institute of rural valuing are becoming more integrated Queensland was dissolved permanently, the t~an ever before and the aim is at integra Commonwealth Institute of Valuers under tiOn rather: than treating them as entirely took to take over as corporate members separate sktlls. Even though urban and rural valuers in the Valuers Division of the Real va!ui~g differ in some aspects, the general Estate Institute of Queensland. That has now pnnc1ples underlying them have, so far as taken place, and that is the reason for the I can see, many common elements so I have first amendment mentioned by the Minister. praised the three-year course as' necessary The Real Estate Institute of Queensland is ~nd good for the profession. It seems strange, no longer mentioned, because it now has no !nen, to perpetuate an outmoded dichotomy professional valuers, as an institute. m the practice of valuing after students have been through this course of training. I Mr. Burns: Could there be professional gather that they may be registered to value valuers who are not members of the new in either field or in both fields, which pre amalgamated body? supposes that some of them will do more in Mr. LICKISS: The honourable member for the course than those who become only Lytton makes the point that there are many rural valuers. That seems to follow from registered valuers who are not corporate what the Minister said. If it is an integrated members of the Commonwealth Institute of course, I cannot see any reason why all Valuers. That is one of the problems facing who qualify should not be registered for both. the Minister and the Registration Board. in terms of professional qualifications. More importantly, because of the other When registration begins, there will be a matters that I have brought to the atten number of people who were practising valuers tion of honourable members-much more but who were not appropriately qualified to widespread knowledge and better communi practice in all fields of valuation. For cations within the State and within the example, a person practising in Western Commonwealth-! cannot see any reason why Queensland might have been a competent they_ should not be both. If their quali rural valuer, but he would know very little ficatiOns are good enough for rural valuing, indeed about urban valuation; conversely, they should be good enough for urban valu people practising in the precincts of the capital ing. I ~o not _think that a dichotomy city or in suburbia may have been quite should ex1st. I belJeve there is a much closer competent to make urban valuations but relationship between urban and rural valuing would not be competent-and they would than appears from what the Minister has know this themselves-to make rural valu said and what is proposed in the Bill. ations. Of course, when a person makes an urban valuation or a rural valuation, there Mr. McKechnie: I agree with you, but is a twilight zone in which he cannot decide there are reasons that I will outline later. whether he is making a rural valuation or That might save the honourable member an urban valuation. It has components of time now. both. The honourable member for Redlands said Mr. BALDWIN: That being so, I will that he would like to see all valuers com resume my seat. petent in both rural and urban valuation. Valuers Registration Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 851 I expect that valuers qualifying now academi valuers who have shown the way to some cally and with experience would be registered of the developing nations. I refer to persons as both rural and urban valuers. In any like Mr. Vince Brett and Mr. Trevor Jones, professional institute, the idea is to lift the brother of the honourable member the standard of the discipline. for Cairns. I pay tribute to them for the way in which they have carried the Over the years the Commonwealth Institute flag for the profession not only in of Valuers, firstly by initiating its own course Queensland and Australia but also over of study, upgraded the academic standards seas. I also pay tribute to the often of valuers. The Commonwealth Institute of maligned Valuer-General's Department and Valuers in Queensland had a great deal of its officers, to Mr. Neville Cook, the Valuer co-operation from the education authorities, General, and to Mr. Bill Harland, the and now the present five-year part-time Deputy Valuer-General, the past Federal course at the technical college, plus the president of the Commonwealth Institute of experience gained during that course of Valuers and a past State president of the studies, turns out a valuer who is competent institute. to value. The course at Lawes is a tertiary course, and, as it is a fuil-time course, the Although those people are on occasions students gain a great deal of experience maligned in their professional capacity, it is during their studies. This is now taken as interesting to recall the very high standard part of their experience in their final quali they have attained and the contribution they fication before they are admitted to corporate have made not only to the profession but also membership of the Commonwealth Institute to the administration of this State. We ought of Valuers. to be mindful of the role they play in the rather thankless job they carry out. No-one I agree that all practising valuers, particu likes to think that the valuation of his larly the era of valuers coming up now, property is on the increase, particularly from need to be thoroughly trained in all aspects the rating and taxing point of view. of rural and urban valuation. They need to I commend the provisions of the legis have a sound knowledge of the discipline, lation. I feel that the Valuers Registration so that their discipline together with other disciplines, goes into a multi-discipline Board has now come of age in terms of the activity in relation to the functioning of recommendations and appointments that it government and the functioning of private has made in the registration of valuers. enterprise. Queensland is setting an example and I think that the other States will benefit by this It has always been the aim of professional legislation, which again is rather innovatory institutes that successive generations of in terms of registration of valuers and membership should have enhanced educa inauguration of a system which is now being tional and professional standing in the com copied by all the States of the Common munity. wealth. r should like to pay a tribute to the Mr. BURNS (Lytton) {5.41 p.m.): I could Valuers Registration Board. Its membership not agree more that it is of great value to the since its inception has always been the chair State to have registered people operating in man, the Valuer-General as chairman this very important field which affects all of (presently Mr. Neville Cook, who is sitting us, particularly in the valuing of our in the lobby), Mr. Frank Isles, as a repre residential land and thus in the rates and sentative of the Commonwealth Institute of tax we pay. Valuers and a Fellow of that institute, and Mr. Doug Bingham, a Life Fellow of the Mr. Hughes interjected. Commonwealth Institute of Valuers, as a Mr. BURNS: I do not know what will be nominee of the Real Estate Institute of happening to the honourable member now Queensland. Now that the Minister in his that he is going to leave the Parliament. He wisdom has deleted from the legislation the will not be able to get up to some of the reference to the Real Estate Institute of lurks he has practised in the past. Maybe Queensland, I hope that he will see fit to the rest of us will still be able to continue reappoint Mr. Doug Bingham to his position. living fairly good lives and doing the right Those men have served the State very we!! thing. by starting from scratch and working out a registration system which has proved success The point I wanted to make in relation to ful in the registration of valuers. this question of registration of valuers and the amendments proposed in this Bill arose I would hope that all professional dis as a result of the Minister's remark that in ciplines will take it as an obligation on their the past the board has comprised the Valuer part to constantly review courses, review General, one nominee from the Common experience, and update the standard of their wealth Institute of Valuers and one from the members. This is what the Commonwealth R.E.I.Q .. He said that the reason we are Institute of Valners has done throughout changing this provision is that the R.E.I.Q. Australia. At a time like this it is appro and the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers priate to recognise persons in this and other have amalgamated so the Government does States who have made a contribution in this not really oppose amalgamations. It might particular discipline. In Queensland we have oppose the amalgamation of unions, but not been singularly fortunate that we have had the amalgamation of professional bodies. 852 Valuers Registration Act [17 SEPTEMBER 19741 Amendment Bill Mr. Lickiss: It is not really an amalgama agents who had ''R.E.I.Q." after their names. tion; it is simply ·that the Valuers Division In the old days it used to be the Real Estate of the R.KLQ. has gone over to the Institute; it did not have the "Q" at the end. Commonwealth Institute of Valuers. Mr. Lickiss interjected. Mr. BURNS: That is so; the people who Mr. BURNS: I am only going on what are valuers and who joined the R.E.I.Q. as the Minister has said. He spoke of the valuers will now have membership of the R.E.I.Q. I should not imagine that Mr. Commonwealth Institute of Valuers. It Postle and some others would have given seems to me that great numbers of real estate away the right of nomination to some sub agents are in the Q.L.R.E.A., the other committee of their organisation. I base that large organisation which covers real estate comment on the way Mr. Postle has been agents in this State, and they should have a running his organisation and dominating tfle .right to some say in an appointment to this scene on the multiple-listing side. It seems board. to me that a lot of people will remain uncov In the past the R.E.I.Q., as a body, ered by the one group that is the result of represented real estate a:gents who were the amalgamation, and they should have the valuers and it had a say by recommending a right of nomination through some panel. The panel of names to the Minister, who then point I was making prior to the interjections selected someone from the panel to act on was that it could be the Q.L.R.E.A. or some the board. Now, because valuers are covered, other organisation. Surely an organisation not by the R.E.I.Q. but by the Common other than this one group should have 'a wealth Institute of Valuers, we are leaving a say. void and instead of filling the void from the Mr. Chinchen: Which group do you sug other real estate agents organisations, we are gest? altering the Act to provide that the Minister should make another selection. To me, this Mr. BURNS: The Q.L.R.E.A. is a continuing slight on small agents. Mr. Lickiss: This .is the only group or The Q.L.R.E.A. members are not the big institute or professional valuers in Queens money boys of the real estate profession; they land. are not the Ray Whites or the Postles and Mr. BURNS: In reply to an interjection others who have been wheeling and dealing, earlier today, the honourable member for Mt. selling hotels and operating in high-rise Coot-tha said that quite obviously a l:arge buildings and the development of land. The number of registered valuers were not mem Q.L.R.E.A. is composed of the small agents bers of the Commonwealth Institute of around the suburbs, including people Valuers? Where are they? Some of them situated in Cannon Hill, IMorningside, could be members of the Q.L.R.E.A. I 'Wynnum and other areas in my electora:te. I know personally one valuer who is, and feel that these people .are entitled to there are probably others. The membership representation. They should be able to make of that body tis large, and it seems to. me, representations to the Minister that one of therefore, that it should have the same nghts their valuer members should be appointed as those given in the past to the R.E.I.Q. to the board. They should be able to put up a panel of names and say to the Minister, Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon "All right, select one of ours." Minister for Local Government and Electric I cannot see any reason why the Minister ity) (5.47 p.m.), in reply: Both the honourable should object to this. Their organis&tion is member for Redlands and the honourable registered in the courts. They are accepted member for Mt. Coot-tha paid tribute to in the State. We allow them to operate. We the men on the board. I appreciate their give them accreditation through our various remarks. The honourable member for Red State Government organisations, so clearly lands said they were men of integrity, we have nothing against them. If we have experience and ability; the honourable mem nothing against them, there is no reason why ber for Mt. Coot-tha went further and we should not put in their representative expressed his appreciation to the three men, when we drop the R.E.I.Q. out. whom he named, for the wonderful job they do on behalf of valuers generally and the Other people, :too, might be involved. I people of Queensland. cite the Q.L.R.E.A. because I know of the The honoumble member for Redlands argument and disputation that has continued suggested that a more simple approach could over multiple-listing. be adopted. I have taken a note of what. he said but he did not nominate any alternative. Mr. Lickiss: They do not claim to be At the moment I cannot see any provision representatives of valuers; they are real on the appointment of valuers that could with estate agents. advantage be excluded. However, I shall look Mr. BURNS: The R.E.·l.Q. never claimed at it in due course. that its members were all valuers. Speaking Both he and the honourable member for about the R.E.I.Q., I sold real estate around Mt. Coot-tha claimed that valuers should be the town and was involved with real estate registered for and capable of valuing both City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 853 urban and rural lands. As I said by way of taken to prevent similar development occur interjection while the honourable member for ing on the islands in Moreton Bay which Redlands was on his feet, this is desirable. are not presently included in a local authority However, at a time when we are endeav area. ouring to obtain valuers and are unable It should be pointed out, however, that to .fulfil our commitments, we are pre the five islands mentioned in the Bill as pared under the present exigencies to being included in the city of Brisbane are accept men who are qualified only for in a different category to the islands recently one or the other. I go along with the included in the Shire of Redland. The islands suggestion put forward for the long proposed to be included in the city of term. Brisbane consist solely of Crown lands, The honourable member for Lytton whereas the islands included in the Shire expressed concern at the fact that there of Redland consisted of freehold land. is some group of valuers that did not In the case of Crown land outside a have the opportunity of being represented local authority area, the future use and on the Valuers Registration Board. The development of the land would be subject Bill gives any individual the opportunity, to a degree of control by the Crown as because, as I said in my introductory speech, the owner of the land. In the case of free there will be the Valuer-General ex officio, hold land outside a local authority area, no a representative of the Commonwealth controls existed and this was the chief cause Institute of Valuers, which now incorporates of the problems that arose over the develop the R.E.I.Q., and a member (a registered ment of Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra and valuer) nominated by the Minister. Any group Russell islands prior to their inclusion in or individual is quite welcome to make sug the Shire of Redland. gestions to the Minister, who will decide which person nominated is the suitable one. I think all honourable members agree with the honourable member for Sandgate Mr. Burns: Thank you very much. that the islands of Moreton Bay and the Mr. McKECHNIE: I assure the honour other islands off the Queensland coast are part of our heritage and should be preserved able member-I heard his comment-that an for the benefit of the people. Many of the opportunity will be given to all to make islands are already included in local authority representations. areas and the inclusion of the other islands The Bill has not met with any opposition. will mean that control can be exercised over I feel that I have replied to those members their development. The bringing of the who have suggested that [mprovements could islands under local government control will be made. mean that the local authority can exercise Motion (Mr. McKechnie) agreed to. town planning powers, and powers in relation to health and the erection of buildings. In Resolution reported. my opinion these are very necessary powers if we are to prevent undesirable development FIRST READING occurring. Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. A number of honourable members raised McKechnie, read a first time. the question of the expenditure required to be incurred by the Brisbane City Council when the islands are included in the city CITY OF BRISBANE ACT AMENDMENT of Brisbane. As I stated at the introductorv BILL stage, the five islands mentioned in the Bill are largely undeveloped and I do not SECOND READING envisage that great costs will be entailed Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon for the Brisbane City Council at this stage. Minister for Local Government and Elec Any future development on the islands will tricity) (5.50 p.m.): I move- be subject to control by the local authority and bv the Crown as owner. It would seem "That the Bill be now read a second to me· that any development which is allowed tin1e.~' to take place on the islands could be made I think there was general agreement at the conditional upon the developer's making a introductory stage of this Bill that Mud, substantial contribution towards the cost of Green, Bishop, Fisherman and St. Helena providing facilities in relation to his develop islands should be included in the city of ment. Brisbane so as to enable control to be The honourable members for Redlands exercised over the future use and develop and Salisbury suggested that a special ment of such islands. authority should be esta:blished to administer During the course of the debate, mention the islands in Moreton Bay. I do not think was made of Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra that this is necessary. I think that local and Russell islands, which were included in government is the proper authority to admin the Shire of RedlanJ recently. All honourable ister the controls necessary and that an ad members are aware of the uncontrolled hoc authority should not be created for that development which took place on these four purpose. As I said earlier in my speech, islands, and it is e&~ential that action be many islands off the coast are presently in 854 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill local authority areas and the local authorities I concede that we did not oppose the concerned are successfully exercising control Bill outright. During my own contribution over development on those islands. I do not to the debate I gave our reasons for that think that local authorities would be favour stand. I recall that I quite clearly expressed ably disposed towards the creation of an my opinion and desire that there should ad hoc authority of the type suggested by the be some integration of the islands because honourable members. of the common elements of environmental conditions and because of what I consider The major issue at the introductory stage to be the necessity of preserving these for seemed to be whether Moreton Island should the preservation of the general marine life be included in the city of Brisbane or in and also the ecology of the river mouth. the city of Redcliffe. I have given a con the bay, and the nearby coastal regions. siderable amount of thought to this matter Those general opinions were enlarged upon since that debate and have communicated and supported by honourable members on with the Brisbane City Council thereon. I this side of the Chamber and by at least understand that the council is opposed to one member on the Government side. At that the inclusion of the island in the city, time, all of us, with perhaps the exception although, as I pointed out at the introductory of the Minister, were groping for some stage, two aldermen of the council were means by which our desires could be achieved. reported in the Press as stating that in their None seemed to be very clear on what should opinion the island should be included in be done. the city. It appears the council considers [Sitting suspended from 6.1 to 7.15 p.m.] that the unalienated part of the island should be reserved for public purposes under the Mr. BALDWIN: Before the dinner recess, Land Act or declared a national park. I was outlining to the House the reasons As I have previously stated in the House, for the Opposition's decision to oppose the I consider that all islands off the coast of st>cond reading of the Bill. I had reached Queensland should be included in local the point that inquiries led us to believe that the continued fragmentation of the authority areas so that control may be islands among three or four local authorities exercised over the use of land and the was not in the best over-all interests of erection of buildings on the islands and so the coastal, river-mouth and bay islands. that health requirements can be adequately enforced. I feel that these matters are vVe concede, to a point, as we conceded functions of local government and that at the introductory stage, that the islands accordingly all off-shore islands should be should come under an authority; but we included in local authority areas. doubt whether their fragmentation among several authorities, with widely differing ideas With this end in view I believe that More on planning for the islands, is the best solu ton Island should be included in the city of tion to the problem. Brisbane, and I foreshadow an appropriate The thinking of the Opposition is that amendment of the Bill at the Committee it is necessary to bring all islands under local stage. The inclusion of the island in the city authority control somewhere, somehow. This of Brisbane would not inhibit the creation of has been done, of course, in the case of Crown reserves or declaration of a national Bribie Island and North Stradbroke Island, park thereon if the Government so decides. and we must look now at what has happened As honourable members are aware, the great on those islands. In other words, there majority of Crown reserves and national has been time for the results of local authority parks are included in local authority areas control to be manifest in the development without detriment to their administration. In of the islands. When one looks at those fact, many Crown reserves are placed under islands over all, one sees an excellent the trusteeship of the local authorities in example of the result of the imposition upon which they are situated. them of a mainland m.:ntality. By frag I commend the Bill to honourable mem menting them among m<-tinland local author bers. itie-;, the way is opened for their utter destruction. Overcrowding has already Mr. BALDWIN (Redlands) (5.58 p.m.): occurred. The planned industrialisation, the Since the Opposition Local Government Com denudation and the fragmentation that have mittee received the Bill. it has had time taken place so far in the environment and to study it and to make inquiries about ecology of the islands should not be allowed many aspects of it. Honourable members to proceed any further merely for the sake will recall that at the introductory stage of convenience, or for the benefits expected the Opposition reserved its final decision until from development of some kind. it had an opportunity to study the Bill. The The Minister said quite clearly in his opinions expressed by us during the intro second-reading speech, "The Moreton Bay ductory debate most clearly were directed islands are part of our heritage and should towards a determination that the matter of be preserved." And the Opposition whole greatest important was the preservation of heartedly agrees with that. But he went on the essential environmental character of the to say that they should be developed, that bay and coastal islands. developers should be made to contribute to City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 855 them, and so on. We all know what hap purposes. From what I have heard, I believe pens when developers contribute. They want that the bringing of the five river-mouth a big slice back (and how!) with their islands into 1the city of Brisbane is in measly half-chain roads, 24-perch allotments, preparation for the construction of the deep and total disregard of the natural environ water port at the mouth of the river and ment and what the very soil character will that the city of Brisbane will be loaded with bear. To do this on Moreton Island, Strad expenses of various kinds that I am sure broke Island and islands in Redland Bay honourable members on >this side of the would be to allow houses to slip from the House will outline later in the debate. Per hills into the bay in their own slime, because haps it is not necessary to outline them. I the effluent, the detergents and other organic acids that flow down dissolve completely am sure that honourable members on both the calcareous or ferruginous cements that sides of the Chamber know what a tre hold the grains in the compacted dunes mendous cost the city of Brisbane will have together-not to mention, of course, the to meet if the port complex goes down there matrix of the deep root formation that is and these islands are included in the city further denuded every time a house is built. of Brisbane. In fine, I expect that the city The concentration of houses on these islands of Brisbane will be called upon to pay the has a very low limit indeed. I cannot see major part of the cost of developing this developers even being conscious that such area for the port of Brisbane, which will a low limit of density should be observed, benefit the whole of South-east Queensland let alone being willing to agree to it. and perhaps even the far south-west of the However, the whole plan goes much deeper State and northern areas of New South than that, from what I have been able to dig Wales. If that is what is envisaged, 1t 1s an out so far. Again I cannot reconcile the unfair, unjust imposition on the city of Minister's acceptable statement that our Brisbane. heritage on these islands should be preserved Government Members interjected. with another statement he made that Moreton Island should be included in the city of Mr. BALDWIN: As usual I get the Brisbane so as not >to inhibit development cachinnations and the gaggles of the geese and then he added "and provision of national on the other side who try to interpret what parks". Taking that at its face value, I I have said as opposition to a deepwater accept the Minister's statement. However, port. Honourable members on this side one does not need specialised knowledge to have far better memories than honourable know-and in fact it is widely known to all members opposite. They know I have been honourable members in this Chamber- that a protagonist for the construction of a deep with greater provision of recreation areas, vvater terminal for south-e:1st Queensland and national parks and open spaces of any kind, north-east New South Wales. But that does whether for schools or for any other public not mean that we have to sacrifice the city purposes, instantly comes an ever-increasing of Brisbane. Nor does it mean that we geometric factor of progression relative to have to sacrifice five bay islands, the environ the cost of bringing services to any people ment, the marine ecology, the professio~al or any undertaking in that area. Tha1t would fishing industry or the amateur pleasure fishmg apply particularly to islands such as those of the bay and the river mouth. It is well mentioned in the Bill. Who will bear the known-the dogs are barking it~that the pro cost of providing these services? In this posed plan, which I am sure will be adopted case, perhaps it will be the city of Brisbane. by the Government, will entirely obliterate The Minister has spoken of the inclusion the river-mouth islands. They will no longer of these islands in the local authority areas remain in existence as islands. The most and has foreshadowed the inclusion of important fresh/salt-water barrier for the Moreton Island in the provisions of commencement of the marine-life food chain the Bill. I remind him that at the intro -~he very basis of the fishing industry in ductory stage I asked him what the decision Moreton B'1y, which is the b:ggest fish pro of Cabinet was and what the decision of the ducer in the State--will be irrecoverably Brisbane City Council was. I asked him ruined if those islands are obliterated, as whether these were going to be impositions, the port plan indicates they will be. or whether they would be negotiated inclusions with assistance or compensation I appe tl to all honourable members of of some kind. So far, the Minister has not good will who care about the future of the answered any of my questions. I hope that bay environment to oppose the Bill because he will reply to them one way or the other it is not in the best interests of the environ when he closes this debate. I think that ment of the bay islands. answers are necessary if honourable members Mr. R. E. Moore: What is the alternative? on both sides of the House are to make correct and informed decisions. Mr. BALDWIN: I will answer one of I am deeply concerned that there are the few sensible questions ever posed by purposes in the Bill thrut might not be clear the honourable member for 'Vindsor when at first sight, and activities in the House over I have been making a speech. the last few months give me deep cause for very grave concern about underlying Mr. Bromley interjected. 856 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Mr. BALDWIN: The honourable member a year. It will not be determined by any for South Brisbane, who has a very good self-seeking group whatever and the 21 miles memory, says that he believes that it is the of dangerous, shallow-dredged channel, as only one. it now goes up through the western passage, There is an alternative. We can have the can be and will be removed, with a better bay islands and river-mouth islands left complex bringing far lower handling costs and unimpaired in the areas covered by man a much quicker turn-round to the port of grove growth and available for fish food Brisbane. This will benefit the whole of the production. We can have the port of Brisbane south-east zone in every way. complex without having the islands brought Mr. R. E. Moore: It will benefit Mr. into the city of Brisbane if we change the Kennedy, too. proposed plan for port development. Mr. R. E. Moore: Where would you put Mr. BALDWIN: Mr. Kennedy's activities and investments on Moreton Island were it? mentioned at the introductory stage and now Mr. BALDWIN: In a better place where they have come up again by way of inter it would not be silted by river floods, and jection. I have no doubt that the fore where it would not mean the removal of shadowed amendment to include Moreton the very important cyclone tidal barrier on Island took fully into account his activities the north-east. If the barrier provided by there and perhaps other activities as well. those islands is removed by deepening the river as part of the port development scheme, However, what I want to impress on the the tidal flats and the houses on them right House is that I see a link between the up to Petrie Bight, if not to West End, Order in Council concerning Moreton Island, could be wiped off. As a cyclone drove .tabled by the Minister for Lands this morning, the tide up the river, the water would spew the port development survey and proposed up the toilets in the residences on the flats. deep-water-port complex, and this Bill before That has happened to some extent already. us for the inclusion of river-mouth islands Once the river channel is opened and deep in the city of Brisbane. I see a very clear ened for .the proposed port develoment, and and plain relationship-very necessary, of the cyclone barrier is removed, an intolerable course, for the plans of the Government financial burden will be placed on the estab and those people and organisations it wishes lishments in the tidal barrier areas. to assist. It comes in handy as a further endeavour to bring the city of Brisbane Mr. Chinchen: What is the alternative? into disrepute and debt. When these islands Mr. BALDWIN: To answer the honourable are brought under the city of Brisbane member's question-a plan has been drawn authority and then destroyed, the Labor up by marine engineers and port experts Council of the city of Brisbane will be who have done a hydrographic and hydro forced .to bear the brunt of public criticism logical survey of the whole area. I had for this diabolical plan of destruction of the pleasure of going down with them and the islands at the mouth of the Brisbane looking at it. The port should be built not River. I see it also as a deliberate plan in the mouth of the river but to the south to bring the Brisbane City Council into of the islands out of the siltation zone disrepute by loading onto the people of and in the free tidal-swept zone that exists Brisbane the cost of development of Moreton now, that has existed for millions of years Island. and that will continue to exist without heavy 'I have no doubt that, unless the ecologists, dredging cost to the import-export consumers the preservationists, the conservationists and and producers of the south-eastern zone of the fishermen band together, as they did Queensland. over the Cooloola issue, the proposed I do not know just how much pressure, development of the new deep-water port and if any, has been put on the Brisbane City the obliteration of the islands will proceed. Council to accept these islands. I do not I have noted with interest the re:::ommenda even really know whether the council wants tiPns put forward by the officer who con them, but I do know-and I will reiterate ducted the inquiry into the Fraser Island what was said at the introductory stage controversy. He urged the establishment of that all the coastal, bay and river-mouth a separate development and preservation i~lands should be under a single island authority for the island. This recommenda development authority. It should be an tion was put forward by a top man, who environmental authority conscious of pre had heard submissions from the best brains. servation and tourist development. as it were, on such a matter. Mr. R. E. Moore: Federal or State? Mr. Rae: Who was that man? Mr. BALDWIN: It does not matter because the authority will determine. with the best Mr. BALDWIN: I cannot recall his name, resources at its command, what is best for but it was published in the Press. I would those i5lands. It will not be determined by not make the comment if I had not read it. a mob of greedy industrialists wanting Because of the sympathy that the Opposi monopoly over wharf-side space. It will not tion has with those submissions made by the be determined by a mob of greedy mud people who want to preserve the islands, and dredgers wanting a perpetual job at $7,500,000 because of the great importance that we City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 857 attach to the preservation of our environ I blame the Government for allowing the ment and marine ecology, I am forced to Brisbane City Council to get away for years declare our opposition to the amendment and years with pollution of Moreton Bay. I foreshadowed by the Minister. am quite sure that honourable members would readily agree with me that, in this With the full backing of the Labor Party .field, the requirements placed on the city of caucus, I urge all honourable members to be Redcliffe are much harsher than those awake to the dangers that confront us and to imposed on the city of Brisbane. The Brisbane propose that a full inquiry be held at top City Council has not been forced to shoulder level into the merits of the proposal. I ask its responsibilities. It has stressed the fact that all honourable members who intend to speak sewerage rates are low and so on. I know to this measure to urge the Minister to defer that the honourable member for Salisbury, further action on the Bill until the report of being a conservationist, would agree with my the Department of Harbours and Marine submissions. I admire his stand. is made public. I am of the opinion-and if the Minister can prove otherwise I will be Mr. Sherrington: That's the end of it; that's very pleased-that it is wrong and danger the kiss of death. ous to proceed with this cover-up Bill before Mr. HOUGHTON: I am not giving the such a report on the proposed deep-water honourable member the kiss of death, but he port is made public. knows as well as I do---- Mr. HOUGHTON (Redcliffe) (7.38 p.m.): Mr. Jensen interjected. I rise to support the Minister. The Bill is Mr. HOUGHTON: The honourable of paramount importance to the city of Bris member will not be here much longer. He bane and its environs. I am quite sure that should be quiet; he is history. the decision to establish the new deep-water As the honourable member for Redlands port near the mouth of the Brisbane River is said, contml over the islands is necessary the right one. With the establishment of such because of the development that has taken a port will come the development of Fisher place and the failure by some developers to man Island, Bishop Island, Green Island observe certain requirements. There are good and St. Helena. I am quite sure that and bad developers, but I firmly believe that sufficient investigation and research have been control has been prompted by the problems carried out into the location of the new port. in the Redland Bay area. The Government Honourable members will recall the con is quite right in exercising control. I am troversy that arose over the establishment of sure that no development, other than a second oil refinery in the metropolitan area. industrial development, will take place on At that time I voiced strong opposition to Mud Island. Anybody with any knowledge the establishment of such a refinery near of the bay knows that Green Island and the mouth of the Brisbane River. I was King Island will never be developed. There firmly of the opinion that for safety reasons may be tourist development on St. Helena, and other factors it should have been esta:b which is somewhat limited at the moment. lished in the Toorbul area. Another sound The only island with potential for tourist reason for establishing it there was the development is Moreton Island. I congratu proximity of an adequate water supply at late the Minister and the Government on the Somerset Dam. A refinery in that area wisdom displayed ,in the foreshadowed would also have minimised traffic and trans inclusion of Moreton Island under the port congestion, and at the same time it legislation. would have serviced the northern part of the In view of the population growth of city of Brisbane and areas further to the Brisbane and Redcliffe respectively, Moreton north. Island should be attached to Brisbane. It has This evening there has been a considerable a greater number of people to service and controversy about environmental control. develop the island. With due respect to honourable members on Mr. Bromley interjected. both sides of the House I ask what has been done about removing the sewer outfall from Mr. HOUGHTON: It will be entirely up Luggage Point. If Opposition members were to the local authority whether it is developed 'incere about environmental control, they or not. The honourable member implies that would have done something about it before odium will flow to the Labor council. now. Mr. Bromley: Not me. Mr. Bromley: We do not know where to Mr. HOUGHTON: An Opposition put it. member referred to that. No-one can convince me that Brisbane will be served by Mr. HOUGHTON: If Opposition members a Labor Council for the next century or two. were sincere about control of the environ I should give up if I thought that would be ment, pollution and so on, they would have the case, but there is no way in the world done something about them ages ago. When that could be so. There will be changes. As confronted with this problem they put Governments come and go, different views their heads in the sand and say that it does and submissions will be put forward. As I not exist. But it certainly exists. have said on other occasions, the sooner 858 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Opposition membe·rs realise that we should who have been in the Department of Har govern for the benefit of the people and not bours and Marine and the IrrigatJion and for that of political parties, the better off we Water Supply Commission through the years will all be. must surely have gleaned the necessary rele Mr. Bromley: You talk with tongue in vant data and information. If that has not cheek. been done, previous Governments have been at fault. This is a matter that concerns us Mr. HOUGHTON: Not at all. The all. If the Commonwealth Government under honourable member for South Brisbane the Budget to be handed down tonight were would not even know where Breakfast Creek to say, "Here is $10,000,000 for the Minister is, let alone Moreton Island. for Main Roads and here is $10,000,000 for The Government has been the only one the Minister in charge of the Department of that has benefited at all from any development Harbours and Marine.", each of those Min· on Moreton Island. It has gained from the isters should have a plan readily available sale of allotments over there, but there has for the development to be undertaken with not been any major development. Honour that money. Even if the amount were. able members will recall that I made a $100 000,000, a plan should be ready. There submission to the Minister for Primary should be no waiting for surveys, studies or Industries that Moreton Island should be anything else. declared a national park. I would like to The fishing industry in Moreton Bay is see tit established as a wildlife sanctuary, another matter that should be taken cog· with kangaroos, native birds and so on being nisance of. I am firmly of the opinion that put over there. The Labor Party has already fish in Moreton Bay are just as plentiful decided to protect brown snakes, death now as they have ever been. I used to adders, goannas, and everything else about subscribe to the idea that the bay was being the place. fished out. However, because of the investiga Dr. Crawford: And cane toads. tion and research undertaken by the C.S.I.R.O., I am now firmly convinced that, Mr. HOUGHTON: Yes, and cane toads, in spite of the number of boats fishing in but I have not seen any of those over there. Moreton Bay, the prawn and fish catches are I mention, however, that cane toads exist on Fraser Isl,and. just as prolific. Moreton Island has the potential to be Mr. Sherrington: Where? a tourist mecca. With the large number of small craft on the water and the launching Mr. HOUGHTON: In the bay waters. facilities that have been provided, many I wiil admit that round the foreshore~ people are now able to scoot across the of the Redcliffe peninsula there are prob bay. As a result, Moreton Island will develop. lems on account of the kerosene taint. The With the growth of population in Brisbane C.S.I.R.O. claims it has not been able to and the increasing pollution of the environ discover the reason for it. I am firmly of ment on the mainland, Moreton Island with the opinion that it stems from pollution by its natural water resources will become more detergents of the streams where the mullet and more a recreational venue for people at breed. the week-end. Mr. Kennedy's name has been mentioned. There is an abundance of fish to be taken As I said before, in my opinion he has done at Moreton Island. It has been reported in something for the island that no-one else the Press that there are now more fish to could do. He has had communicattions estab be caught at Moreton Island than there lished. have ever been. More people are taking .them now. I suppose that this is attributable An Opposition Member interjected. to the development of the areas closer to Mr. HOUGHTON: He has it. Good luck Brisbane, which do not have nearly as many to him. All honourable members can benefit fish as they did years ago. More people from it. Although in my opinion the cost are trying to catch them in those areas would be astronomical, nevertheless he has and they have moved out. But further away been successful in securing it, to the advant from Redcliffe, in the Bribie Passage and age of everybody. around Moreton Island where anglers do not go in such large numbers, .there is an For the benefit of those who do not know abundance of fish. anything about bay waters, I mention that Moreton Bay can from ttime to time be very Mr. Bromley: You have to give some treacherous. Because of the problems of credit to the patrol officers, too. rough weather, fast and modern transport is necessary. I believe that we will all live fo Mr. HOUGHTON: I quite agree. I am see the day when hovercraft will be plying a firm believer in the control of fishing. between the city of Redcliffe and all of these Anyone who goes fishing with me will never islands. see me take home a ginny mudcrab, as honourable members opposite do. To the people who have said in this debate that we do not know where we are Mr. Wrigbt: You sold me two, and I going, I would simply say that the people gave them back. City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974) Amendment Bill 859 Mr. HOUGHTON: The honourable mem asked me to place before the House our ber would not even pay for a crab. I give views on the way in which this area should full marks to patrol officers for enforcing be administered. the rules governing the taking of fish. I am Mr. Lickiss: For whom are you speaking? a firm believer in obeying the rules. If prawners, or any others who go into fish Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am speaking for nurseries, transgress, they should be prose the Labor Party, as I always do. I am not cuted with the utmost rigour of the law. The one who obtains endorsement from a political ,ame remarks apply to those who drive party and then turns round and says, "To cars whilst under the influence of alcohol. hell with convention decisions. I am not 'f f a person wants to drink, he should not going to take any notice of party policy." drive. Any time that I rise in this Chamber, I I am very pleased that the Minister and speak on behalf of the Labor Party. his departmental officers have given serious Mr. Rae: You said that you were speaking -::onsideration to the inclusion of Moreton for an authority. Island in the provisions of the Bill. I am quite sure that progress associations, the Mr. SHERRINGTON: I said that the council, and other organisations on the Red shadow Minister for Local Government (Mr. cliffe Peninsula are in favour of what the Baldwin) authorised me to say what I am Bill proposes. going to say. If the Minister will only keep quiet, I shall tell him what I was Mr. K. J. Hooper interjected. authorised to say. If he had been present Mr. HOUGHTON: As a matter of fact, during my speech at the introductory stage, even they were in favour of it. But, of he would know what I am going to say. -:ourse, a person is not allowed to speak At that time I said I did not think the his mind over there; he has to whisper in Government realised the importance of the the corridors. Otherwise he will get a bay islands. Possibly they are second only bowler hat. to the Great Barrier Reef as a complete ecosystem. Mr. K. J. Hooper: What's a bowler hat? As I said, the honourable member for Mr. HOUGHTON: What the honourable Redcliffe could not be happier to have member will have after the next election. Moreton Island unloaded onto some local All the organisations that I have mentioned authority other than the Redcliffe City Coun are firmly of the opinion that Moreton cil, because whoever accepts responsibility T5land should be attached to the city of for the island will have a liability on its Brisbane. I compliment the Minister on the plate. legislation, which I am quite sure is a move Mr. Rae: Who is the authority? •:n the right direction. I am sure that Mr. Kennedy, and all the others on the island, Mr. S.HERRINGTON: I ask the Minister will approve of the legislation. There will to be patient and listen. I do not intend to have my thoughts distracted. I shall present be only a small number of ratepayers, or my case as I want to present it. Crown rentpayers, on the island, and they will welcome the attachment of the island Mr. R. E. Moore: Put your finger on to the city of Brisbane instead of the city the place. of Redcliffe. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not have to I commend the Minister on the introduc put my finger on the place. Unlike members tion of this legislation. of the Liberal Party and the National Party, I do not come into the Chamber with a Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (7.53 prepared brief. p.m.): One could almost hear the audible sigh of relief from the honourable member Mr. Frawley: You are one of the few on for Redcliffe when he found that Moreton your side who do not. Island was to be loaded onto the Brisbane Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not have to City Council rather than the Redcliffe City go to party headquarters every morning for Council. All his pleasantries about how he my hand-out, as do some Liberal members admires my views and sentiments on con opposite. servation are not going to stop me from '>aying what I intend to say. Mr. Wright: Some honourable members opposite have made only one speech in the I am totally opposed to the incorporation last 15 months. of any of the bay islands in any local authority. My colleague the honourable Mr. SHERRINGTON: That is right. In member for Redlands, who is the Opposition the years to come, anything that is done >pokesman on local authority matters, has now will be greatly resented by the people already called on the Minister to delay of this part of Queensland who are aware implementation of the provisions of the that a Government has carved up a com Bill until the report by the Department plex of bay islands representing a complete of Harbours and Marine is finalised. He has ecosystem and handed them out to any authorised me to say that we have had local authority onto which it can dump them. considerable discussion on this matter and, Mr. R. E. Moore: How can they change because I am a good conservationist, he anything? 860 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Mr. SHERRINGTON: If the honourable Mr. SHERRINGTON: Mr. Deput;, member is patient, I will tell him. Take Speaker-- Lamb, Garden and Karragarra Islands. Any one who can make a quid out of subdivision Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The honourable has gone in there and land has been sold member will withdraw it without qualifica- as if there is no day of reckoning. tion. Let us see what has happened, Mr. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I won't withdraw Speaker. I questioned in this Chamber the it without qualification. Minister in charge of the Bill. I asked him what survey had been made into the possible Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: OTder! pollution of the bay area with the great aggregation of houses that will develop, and Mr. SHERRINGTON: Mr. Speaker what safeguards had been implemented to allowed him to talk about it. control sewage effluent from the development Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! When in future years. His answer was that no I am on my feet the honourable member survey had been made, and he waffled on will remain silent. That was a reflection on and said local authorities would take the the Chair. The honourable member has necessary steps. He has not even a clue again reflected on the Chair. Now he has about what will happen in regard to the disregarded the authority of the Chair. He pollution of the bay area. will withdraw his remark and apologise to I asked the Minister for Primary Indus the Chair or I will name him. tries whether any study had been made into the effect of the intrusion of dwellings on Mr. SHERRINGTON: I will withdraw it, the bay islands. Again, no survey; no but merely because I want to finish this information. All the Government wants to speech. do is dump the problem onto somebody Mr. DE,PUTY SPEAKER: Order! else who will have to answer in the long run for what will happen in the bay area. Mr. SHERRINGTON: In his speech the Let me again state why I place so much honourable member for Redcliffe dealt with importance on the bay area. I reiterate that pollution of the bay from Luggage Point. it is second only to the Great Barrier Reef Nobody in his right mind would want to in complexity, and it is very necessary that disagree with that. If the Minister allows the bay islands should be used. I have the Bill to go through, he is making i1 never been a preservationist-no-one can possible for the same sort of thing to happen accuse me of that-and I say that these all over the bay. Every local authority will islands must be used as an outlet for this seek to turn this land into rateable land. great metropolis, this concrete jungle in which we live. In doing that, we must ensure Mr. Rae: Would you not agree that we that the question never arises of somebody have acted most responsibly so far a~ with money going onto these islands simply Moreton Island is concerned? to make a quick quid out of them. If willy nilly development of that type is allowed, it Mr. SHERRINGTON: No, I don't. If the will spell the doom of the bay area as an Minister listens he will hear why. outlet for amusement, fishing, and so on, If the Minister for Local Governmenl for the Brisbane area. allows this legislation to go through, he is I say very seriously to honourable mem paving the way in years to come for what bers opposite that the bay will become is happening at Luggage Point to happen on polluted. While the honourable member for every island in the bay. Redcliffe might seek to gain political capital Mr. Rae: No, we don't do that. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Lickiss): Mr. SHERRINGTON: Just be quiet! You Order! I remind the honourable member that will be off to England shnrtly, and you we are in the second-reading stage of the won't be worried. Bill and referring to the inclusion of Moreton Island in the city of Brisbane. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKE,R: Order! The honourable member will address the Chair. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I was saying that-- Mr. SHERRINGTON: By passing legislation to place various parts of the bay Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: And we are not in local authority areas, the Government will dealing with pollution of the bay. multiply what is happening now at Luggage Mr. SHERRINGTON: Mr. Speaker Point. Every island in the bay will be heavily allowed the honourable member for Redcliffe developed because local authorities will want to deal with it. What sort of favouritism is to recoup their expenses. The developmenl this? will create problems because of the discharge of effluent from a great aggregation of Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! That is houses. The Minister knows how much of a reflection on the Chair. The honourable the various bay islands have already come member will withdraw it. under subdivision. City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 861 Mr. Rae: We have turned most of it into complex is under the Caboolture Shire Coun park now, as you know. Be fair! I am talking cil, the Redcliffe Shire Council, the Brisbane about Moreton Island. We have been very City council, the Redland Shire Council, the generous. Albert Shire Council and the Gold Coast City Council. That is the sort of hotch-potch way Mr. SHERRINGTON: No. the Government is managing a very important Mr. Rae: We have been very generous. ecological system that is vital to the people of the area. This is the sort of area that Mr. SHERRINGTON: It is no good the needs proper management. Minister saying that the Government has declared most o.f Moreton Island as a Mr. Houghton: What island will Cabool national park. If it had done that, why ture control? would it then want to put it into the Brisbane local authority area? There would be no need Mr. SHERRINGTON: Bribie Island. for it. Mr. Houghton: That is under the Lands Mr. Rae interjected. borough Shire Council. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I ask the Minister Mr. SHERR!NGTON: Then that's another to let me make my submission. one to add to the list. I thank the hon Mr. Rae: The Labor Government gave ourable member for his correction. The them this privilege, not us. That is true. point is that this area is very important to the boating enthusiast, the person who Mr. SHERRINGTON: I suppose the wants to get away for the week-end, the Labor Government gave them kerosene fisherman, the bait industry, the fishing lamps 50 years ago. Surely the Minister is tackle industry, the motor-boat industry and not going to start holding this generation so on, and if it is not properly managed responsible for what happened then. Surely as a complete ecosystem its doom will be he is not going to start applying theories of sealed beyond any doubt, because local 50 years ago in the face of present-day authorities will want to turn this unpro ecological discoveries. fitable asset into rateable land. It is as I am very much opposed to this carve-up simple as that. I claim that this would of the bay islands. If we want to use this be a retrograde and pernicious step in man complex sensibly and in the best interests aging this complex. As I believe and have of people not only in south-east Queens said year in and year out, the Barrier Reef land but in various parts of Australia, the should be simply managed as a complex and islands should not be put willy-nilly into a by a single authority. number of local authorities, but should be A committee such as I suggested should set up under a sensibly devised committee of be charged with the authority to properly experts. Thinking very quickly, I should develop the bay islands, and not let the say that that committee should consist of exploiter in to make a quick quid. We representatives of the Departments of Har should make sure that any intrusion by human bours and Marine, Lands, Local Govern beings into the bay islands is properly man ment and Primary Industries. All o.f these aged in the interest of future generations. have a stake in the assets of our bay islands. I cannot stress too much my message to I would add to the committee two repre this Parliament. Unless this area is pro sentatives of people living on the islands, perly managed, there is no doubt whatever two ecologists and a marine biologist, a in my mind that its ecosystem will be des representative of the boating clubs that use troyed. What will this mean? For a start, the bay and most certainly I would include it will mean the loss of a fishing industry. a representative of the tourist industry. It will mean the loss of recreational fishing, Mr. Rae: You would never handle it. the loss of the boating industry, and loss of all other things associated with the area. Mr. SHERRINGTON: The reason the Minister says that is that he has never Mr. Rae: Don't you cast a slight upon tried it. He has never gone anywhere else the qualifications of a good shire? and looked into how places are run. He Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not cast a does not want this State to progress. It was slight on anybody. I am saying that local probably a Country Party supporter who said, authorities are not able to have these lands when electric light was turned on, "'It will lying idle and not producing money. The never work." That is exactly what the Minister Minister knows that. for Lands is saying now. I am saying that this area is too import Mr. McKechnie: I do not accept it. A ant to be simply parcelled out in the way number of local authorities do accept the it is being done under this legislation. responsibility. Mr. Row: What you are saying is a vote Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am not saying of no confidence in the Brisbane City that they do not accept their responsibilities. Council. I am saying that they do not want non rateable land in their shires. That is not Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am not talking criticism. about confidence in the city council. At the present time the whole of this bay Mr. McKechnie: They like some of it. 862 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Mr. SHERRINGTON: I could name some islands will be a disaster. And this will not very enlightened local authorities, and it is be averted by placing the islands under the no criticism of them at all. control of different local authorities. Mr. Burns: The Redcliffe City Council did ·Mr. McKechnie: I have enough confidence not want Moreton Island. in them to believe a disaster will be averted. Mr. SHERRINGTON: There is a good Mr. SHERRINGTON: I have never implied example. There is no doubt that the only any lack of confidence in local authorities. reason for introducing this legislation to cover Mud, Bishop and other islands is to have Mr. McKechnie: You've made a fair effort. someone responsible for the provision of Mr. SHERRINGTON: All I am saying is services to the new port. that it is time we looked at the proper way Mr. McKechnie: You would not like to see of doing these things. a recurrence of what occurred on Macleay Island, where there was to have been a Mr. McKechnie: l believe that is by local pop festival? authorities. Mr. SHERRINGTON: No; I am not saying Mr. SHERRINGTON: That is probably that at all. why the Minister and I disagree. I do not have any taxi-drivers whom I can consult. Mr. McKedmie: I am glad to have your I cannot stress too heavily the importance assurance. of Moreton Bay to South-east Queensland. I do not believe for one moment that we Mr. SHERRINGTON: Nor do I want to should leave the control of the area to see a recurrence of what is happening on separate local authorities, and in saying that the other bay islands, where every inch of I am not criticising local authorities. land is being sold for residential development. Mr. McKeclmie: ''Was" being sold; we Mr. McKechnie: I find that hard to believe. stepped in and it is under control now. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I can understand Mr. SHERRINGTON: How is it under their problems, because I have gone out control? Will the Government be able to among them. For example, the Douglas Shire stop all the people who bought land on the Council controls an area of which 25 per islands from erecting huts there? cent is national park. No local authority wants to be saddled with that sort of non Mr. McKeclmie: You said it had been rateable land in its area. sold. Dr. Scott-Young: Why not? Mr. SHERRINGTON: How will the Gov ernment stop them? Mr. SHERRINGTON: The shire is isolated, Mr. McKechnie: It is now under the up in the Mossman area, away from the main control of the Redland Shire Council. stream of tourist traffic. It has no hope at this stage of obtaining revenue from the Mr. SHERRINGTON: But how will the national parks in the area. The shire Government stop the people who bought council does not want to be burdened with this land from erecting huts? this area that does not produce revenue. Mr. McKechnie: They can't cut it up I am claiming that the Moreton Bay willy-nilly now. islands should be properly managed so that the intrusion of people into the area will not Mr. SHERRINGTON: It has already been react to its detriment. It cannot be properly cut up. managed under the control of different local Mr. McKechnie: Not all of it-there is authorities. This legislation is a tragedy still some left. and highlights the Government's unenlight ened thinking. Fortunately, however, it is not Mr. SHERIUNGTON: We always hear too late to have another look at this matter. "There is still some left." I say that th~ Mr. Rae: You would have to agree that, Government has already allowed it to go too even with the local authorities making certain far, and I have been saying this for years. determinations and expres,ing individual Mr. McKechnie: I agree. It should have desires, the whole thing still has to come been done 30 years ago. back to the Lands Department? Mr. SHERRINGTON: Fair enough. I Mr. SHERRINGTON: No, I would not would not quarrel with the Minister on agree with that at all. If the Minister wishes that. All I am saying is that, in the light to involve the Lands Department, I point o~ our knowledge of the ecology and in out that I criticised Government policy, not View of the tremendous importance of Lands Department officers. The Government Moreton Bay to both the commercial and the has been getting $30,000 a bid for land amateur fishing industries, any measure that on the bay islands. I believe that at one does not provide for the proper manage auction the man who bid $30,000 for Crown ment of the resources of the Moreton Bay land was clapped. City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 863 Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I have given the As water would have to be carried to the honourable member some latitude. I now islands one of the main difficulties would ask him to apply himself to the Bill. be sewage pollution, but that is not an overwhelming problem. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not think I departed too far from it. The honourable member for Redlands referred to a single island-development Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable authority. That smacks of a move by ·the member has departed far enough. Federal authorities to embody all the islands off the coast of Australia in one authority. Mr. SHERRINGTON: Mr. Speaker, I It would be interesting to carry that theme believed that you were very interested in to its logical conclusion. What do honourable what I had to say. If you had not thought members opposite think about another State it was vital, you would not have given me of islands with its representatives? Like the any latitude. A.C.T. and the Northern Territory, the islands I express my disgust and dismay at the could have two senators, members in the provisions in this legislation. It represents Legislative Assembly, and local government a backward step. members. That is a natural development. Mr. Rae: How would you solve this Mr. Wright: You are a strange person. problem? Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: I am not strange. Mr. SHERRINGTON: If the honourable I have two eyes, which, admittedly, have gentleman comes to my office, I will write become a little dim lately; but at least I can it out for him. foresee what lies ahead of a socialist-oriented Government. Mr. Rae: You have not told us yet. We should not allow ourselves to become Mr. SHERRINGTON: I have suggested .engrossed in the ecosystem and damage the committee that should be charged with to the bay. That is a lot of hogwash and the sensible and proper development of the has been raised to cloud the issue. This bay islands. is good legislation, however it is viewed down the sewer or across the water. The Mr. Rae: That would not operate. legislation brings the islands under an auth Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am sure it was ority. One minute honourable members the Country Party that said a fountain pen opposite claim that Clem Jones is the God would not write. That type of thinking is Almighty of local government, yet the next quite common among its members. minute they object to his running the islands. Isn't he good enough? Isn't the Brisbane It is obvious that my only hope is that, City Council good enough to run them? Do in future, someone will read in "Hansard" honourable members opposite want to put what I have said tonight and realise that Moreton Island under the control of the in the light of all the muddled thinking on Redcliffe City Council? the part of the Government it was left to an Opposition speaker to point to the sig Opposition Members interjected. nificance of this area. Such legislation as this is completely off the beam in modern Dr. SCOTI-YOUNG: It is a simple exer thinking on land management and competing cise as to what honourable members opposite land usage. want. If the Brisbane City Council is not good enough to run these islands, it is not Dr. SCOTI-YOUNG (Townsville) (8.18 good enough to run the city and it should p.m.): I am rather intrigued at the turn be dispensed with; it should be dissolved by of .this debate. In talking about the eco Order in Council and a substitute arrange system the honourable member for Salisbury ment made. delivered his speech in the same emotional style as that adopted by the socialist people Mr. Aikens: They want to sell them to who started the campaign in 1972. It would Labor Investments. seem that the ecosystem is everything in Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: That is right, and the world-the beginning and the end of run them as tourist resorts. everything-but it is not. Much has been said about the development The word "pollution" was used in con of these islands as tourist resorts. We have nection with various islands. The only island magnificent islands right along our coastline. Opposition members seem to think worth Magnetic Island, a magnificent settlement, is worrying about is Moreton Island. Irrespec right opposite Townsville. The islands in the tive of size, so far as I know, the Moreton Palm group are further up the coast. All Bay group of islands are similar to other sorts of problems are associated with them islands off the coast in that 99 per cent many more than occur at Mud Island or of them have no water supply of their own. Moreton Island. Not one or two people but All water would have to be carried there. thousands live on the Palm group-a small Mr. D'Arcy: Moreton has miles of it. ethnic community with a desire to live nor mally, like ordinary Australians. However, Dr. §COTT-YOUNG: I said that 99 per I did not hear anything about that raised cent had no water. by the Opposition. All I heard tonight was 864 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill talk about ecosystems, fish, prawns, and establishments that were there origtinally when waterways. What about the people who want some islands were sold and development to live on these islands? They will live on was minimal. They had no reticulated water. them and enjoy island life. It is, after all, Some were not surveyed correctly. Under a pleasant way of living. If the State Gov local authority control, all development will ernment can arrange under the Bill for these be controlled. All allotments will be sur islands to be inhabited by Australians in veyed and given correct titles. comfort, leisure and pleasure so that they I commend the Bill as an excellent piece may live a good, free, open lJfe, then it is of legislation. commendable legislation and nothing should be said against it. Mr. BURNS (Lytton) (8.25 p.m.): After I continue in my belief that the islands hearing the speech of the honourable mem should be under a local government author ber for Townsville, I wonder how a person ity. They should be under the authority of with such a mental attitude could be allowed the State-not under a central island auth to use a knife on a patient lying on a ority, which could easily be taken over by table under anaesthetic. He has a Jekyll-and Federal legislation. Hyde personality. Even if he is a good surgeon, he has not carried out much research A Government Member interjected. into the average working man's attitude to life as shown by his words tonight, or Dr. SCOTI-YOUNG: Yes, socialist legisla should I say those in the brief that was tion could be introduced, and that would handed to him? be the end of it. Six islands are mentioned in the Bill, The general rates in most municipal auth not just Moreton Island. The Minister said orities have been increased. In Townsville in the first few words of his speech at the rates have risen by 31 per cent, a the introductory stage that the prime pur colossal jump. How can these islands be pose of the legislation was to include Mud, developed unless they are placed under a St. Helena and Green Islands in the city local government? of Brisbane. Moreton Island has been included Mr. Burns: Why do they have to be only tonight when the Minister circulated developed? a list of amendments that is longer than the Bill itself. Let it be noted that the prime Dr. SCOTI-YOUNG: The honourable purpose of the Bill was to include those three member for Lytton just 'asked why they had islands within the control of the city of to be developed. The honourable member for Brisbane. Salisbury asked what was the use of bringing Shortly after, the Minister went on to undeveloped areas under a shire council. He say as an afterthought that there was some said that no shire wants the land undeveloped. doubt about the status of Fisherman and Those honourable members do not even agree Bishop Islands, so they had been included with each other. They do not think along to put the matter beyond doubt. Now the same lines. They are not on the same five islands are under consideration. wavelength. If people wish to live in these areas, why shouldn't they? Why shouldn't Finally, as the Minister was concluding they be able to enjoy all the facilities and his speech at the introductory stage, he made amenities of life enjoyed by a person tin a this point- high-rise building or along the bank of the "It is my intention to consider before Brisbane River? Why shouldn't they be able the second reading of the Bill whether to earn their living in some other place? Moreton Island should be included in the Why should I be dictated to because of an city of Brisbane or the city of Redcliffe." ecosystem or pollution or because someone We find tonight that it is to be included might "poo'' in the water? If honourable in the city of Brisbane. We are therefore members oppo5>ite only thought about it, finally made aware that the Bill covers six sewage is an asset in the country. If money islands, not just one. is ~pent on its processing and distribution, Looking at the first three islands men it can be u-ed to the national advantage, tioned by the Minister, namely, Mud, St. Take Japan; sewage can be bought or sold, Helena and Green. it is clear, as the Mini~ter depending on one's business. pointed out at the introductory stage, that I oannot see any problems associated with they are not part of the city. In fact, they the transfer of islands to a local authority, have never been part of it. He also made whether they are in the immediate vicinity of the point that the Brisbane City Council Brisbane or further along the Queensland welcomes their inclusion within the city boun coast, even as far as the top of Cape York dary. I ask: what benefit can St. Helena, Peninsula. The islands in the Palm group, for example, gain from local authority con Magnetic Island, Hinchinbrook-they can all trol? The island is 500 acres in size, and be brought into a local authority protection all of it is leased to a canvas goods manu and development scheme. I am quite cer facturer, who announced in December 1973 tain that neither the citizens of Townsville that he would develoo a tourist resort to nor the citizens of Brisbane would mind devel promote the island ~nd the 108-year-old oping islands to balance the development of ruins of the penal settlement established there the coastline and progress from the primitive in 1866. City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 865 Some time ago, the tourist promoter was present, and it depends for its existence on seeking a new 30-year lease to replace the its right to exploit the whole of the More current lease, which, to my knowledge, has ton Bay coral. Have we really given the another nine years to run. The decision on city council planners anything to plan on St. Helena therefore has already been made. Mud Island? Can they really plan it other The Government has already decided the than as an extractive-industry zone once a zoning for planning purposes by issuing the long lease has been granted to the cement lease. It is a tourist lease, and the decision company? has been made. The only time that council Let us look at the other two islands--the planning will be important in the future will ones that the Minister added as after by if the Government proposes to convert thoughts, the ones that are in my electorate. the lease to freehold. Council zoning will Bishop is the first. It contains a tourist then be most important. To rezone now would business, and it is a popular terminal for destroy the lease and the owner's plans. down-river tourist trips. It is one of the Let us hope that freeholding of St. Helena largest man-made islands in Australia. never occurs. It was once known as the Alcatraz of Moreton Bay. It is part of Mr. R. E. Moore: Built by dredging. our history, and it should be preserved for posterity. Mr. BURNS: Yes; that is right. It was created from millions of tons of mud, sand Over the years vandals have made and rubbish when the channel for shipping grave attacks on St. Helena, and I am hop was cut between 1909 and 191!2. ing that, by bringing the island under the control of some authority, it might be pos ·Man created Bishop Island, and man now sible to do something to help the many plans to destroy it. The strategic plan for service clubs who have been to St. Helena Brisbane's new port makes it quite clear that and tried to do something in the past to Bishop Island will disappear as a tourist help preserve the church, the cemetery, and resort and as a separate entity. Wharves will some of the old gaol buildings that are join Bishop Island to Fisherman Island. wondeliul parts of the history of the island I see the Minister for Conservation, for all to see. Marine and Aboriginal Affairs skulking Now let us look at Green Island. Queens around in the lobby. Let him come into the land Cement and Lime, the company own House. I will read to him from the report ing the Darra cement works, holds a dredg that he will not table in the House, and I ing lease to high-water mark on the island. will begin to tell honourable members why The supply manager of that company has we have this Bill before us, why we are indicated that the coral deposits are regarded handing the control of these islands over to as reserves. While test drilling has taken the Brisbane City CounciL The people of place in the area to determine the value of Brisbane are going to pay for the develop the deposits, no major development is ment of the wacter, electricity, sewerage, the expected in the near future. The plans include roads-in fact, for all the services for the dredging for the coral and construction of $90,000,000 port that is to be built at the a boat channel to allow easy access right mouth of the river. These low-lying flats to the heart of the island. were never considered to be of any value. The trustees of Green Island are the Apex They were useless land until the decision was Club of Wynnum-Manly. The club holds a made in the early part of this year that this lease over 4 acres of dry ground from the was to be the new port area. The decision Queensland State Government. This local we are asked to make here tonight is to hand service club received the trusteeship in 1960. them to the Brisbane City Council and make The Apex Club, which maintains a mown the citizens of Brisbane pay for the provision park in the area, has the only piece of dry of services. land there, and the rest is zoned. And does Why plan for Bishop Island as a separate the House know what it is to be? It is entity and bring it into the city of Brisbane zoned for extractive industries. The Gov when it is already planned to join it to ernment has made that decision and it has Fisherman Island and make it part of the given the lease to Queensland Cement and mainland? That is a fact of life. If Lime. What control therefore will the Bris honourable members opposite do not believe bane City Council, or any other local that, let them come down to my office. I will authority, have over zoning? The decision show them a copy of the secret port report has been made. and they can read it there. Let us now look at Mud Island, an Dr. Scott-Young: The port is not under the ~island that should have been named Coral control of the local government. Island. The percentage of mud to coral under this island is small indeed. I am told that Mr. BURNS: The port is going to be on surveys have shown that 50,000,000 tons of these two islands, and they will be under the coralline material are available for cheap, control of the Brisbane City Council. I economic dredging on the island's foreshores. really worry about the honourable member. Anyone who has been in the bay lately I should hate to be on a table under will have seen the dredges working there anaesthetic while he had a knife in his now. Our city has only one cement plant at hand. If he had to take my tonsils out, I 866 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill would probably have a squeaky voice fo•r the says. It makes some pertinent remarks. The rest of my life because he had cut in the report itself will not give the city council wrong place. Mud Island is the place where any authority to control the two islands. Even the honourable member should go. He has though we are going to place them in its lost his ability to see clearly. area, it is not going to have any authority to The report shows that the tourist resort on contwl them. The report states- Bishop Island will be eliminated by the final "That the development of new port port development. "Eliminated" is what the facilities at the Fisherman Islands at a report says. cost of $35.5 million proceed forthwith. This site meets the requirements for over Mr. R. E. Moore: What's wrong with seas shipping operations without any real that? restrictions and is proved to be a viable project and the most economical for Mr. BURNS: What is the use of including development of all the sites examined. it here? Why are we bringing it into the Brisbane City Council area when it is to be "The limits of the Port of Brisbane joined to the mainland? It will then be part be redefined .to include those parts of of the mainland, not an island. Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River neces sary for efficient, commercial port opera The report says tha:t the main feature of tions." development with respect to boating is that the boat passage will close, thus forcing the Here is the nigger in the woodpile- smaller boats into a more exposed journey "Special legislation be introduced vesting around Fisherman Island when proceeding the management of the port in a Board from the river towards Manly. The safety of seven (7) Commissioners selected by of such craft in the future will be ensured the Government and having experience in by the provision of a storm haven at the commerce, finance and industry." southern end of the boat passage. At the It goes on to make these points- northern end of the boat passage there is to "Many objective studies of port adminis be a tug harbour, and across the centre of the tration come to the conclusion that autono boat passage there is going to be a causeway. mous port trusts ..." So Fisherman Island will be part of the main land, and it will not be necessary to make Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable any decision about it as an island once it member is getting away from the principles has become part of the mainland. It will then of the Bill. be under the control of the Brisbane Oity Council; it will be part and parcel of the Mr. BURNS: I am talking about Fisher Brisbane City Council area. Why are we man and Bishop Islands, which are to come putting it in? Why, as an afterthought, was under the authority referred to in the Bill. it included with the other three islands? Why, If we are going to talk about the future as another afterthought, was an additional of these islaruis and how they are going island included? to be run, we should clearly spell out the fact that at the very time the Government What I have tried to get across to some is bringing this decision about the two islands of the people who have spoken about the bay before us, it has a report produced by its and who really know nothing about it is that experts which clearly says that we should the greater part of Fisherman Island is have an autonomous body, an independent below spring high-water mark. Apart from authority, to run .these islands. That report areas along the river frontage where dredging says that the authority should be independent by the Department of Harbours and Marine of the day-to-day Government decisions so has raised levels by about 20 feet, the area is that it may bring the best techniques of extremely flat. It goes under water with the private management to ·the operations of tides. Anyone who has had any problems a self-supporting or revenue-producing public with a boat and tried to stand on Fisherman enterprise. It also says- Island before the dredging took place knows that he had to stand up to his knees in "Under the present Queensland legislu water and mud. - tion, Board members at Queensland ports other than Brisbane are appointed as repre Above high-water mark the vegetation is sentatives of Local Authority interests. Each mostly groundsel, and below high-water mark Local Authority within Harbour Board it is predominantly mangroves. Districts appoints one or two members to The port report makes it clear that Bishop the Board. Whilst this cun be regarded Island ani Fisherman Island as separate as democratic in that the members repre islands will disappear. I can show honourable sent the community they serve within the members the map. It is available for anyone Harbour Board Districts, it does not ensure to see. So why are they being included in that the men appointed to the management the local authority area? I can tell of the Authority are necessarily qualified honourable members why. The citizens of by their experience to manage such an Brisbane are going to pay for the services important public undertaking." provided there. That decision will be stuffed The type of management that is envisaged down our throats, and clearly we will have would require a change in the Harbour Board to pay. Let me read what the port report Act. What we are going to do is to bring City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 867 Bishop Island and Fisherman Islands under that area and electing people in that area. the control of the Brisbane City Council, Surely that comes with the authority the and then take that control away from it Council is being given over the island. Such and give it to an independent authority a responsibility should bring with it certain an autonomous body. We are going to set rights. One of those should be the right of up this body separate from the day-to-day objection to any proposed mining venture demands of Government operation and that would destroy the possible enjoyment of separate from local authority control. We the area for the residents who make up the ;tre not going to have a harbour board with local authorit: ·" citizens. local authority representation. Then we will The Government is adding the island to our ~ay to this port authority, "Operate that area. That is part of our piaygrouncl area port. Run it as a business enterprise. The now. If we want to keep lit as a national citizens of Brisbane and their representatives park, if we do not want to develop it, if can go jump in the lake." That is the message we do not want high-rise development, if we here. do not want to make it another Magnetic We now come to the last of our six Island, we do not have to. If we do want islands. The Minister said tonight, "Well, to make it another South Molle Island, we I have made up my mind. Redcliffe doesn't can. If we want to make it another Magnetic want Moreton Island so Brisbane can have Island, we can. If we want to it whether the council likes it or not." keep it as an unspoiled area to What does that mean to the citizens of which 800,000 or 900,000 people live Brisbane? in close proximity, where they can take I love Moreton Island. I have fished it all their children and show them what the bush my life. I knocked around there as a lad. used to be like years ago, we should be able to. We can show them beautiful sand Mr. R. E. Moore interjected. dunes, the highest sand mountain in the Mr. BURNS: I knew that as soon as I worid, beautiful blue lakes and the freshest, -;tarted to talk about Moreton Island the bitterly cold running water on any island honourable member would talk about Jim around this coast. One has only to put a Kennedy. Jim Kennecly is a mate of mine. spear clown anywhere on the island to get I have fished and worked Moreton Island the most beautiful, fresh, clear, clean water with him. I lived opposite him on the Gold than one has ever tasted. And when one Coast. I have spent many enjoyable times dPives along the beach after a bit of a with Jim fishing in and around the bay. fresh, one will find time after time, new I will tell the honourable member in a streams of fresh water running clown. moment what I would do with Tangalooma. Few animals can be seen in the area. It It is something that Jim would not~ do with is one of the best fishing beaches one can Tangalooma, but I will give the honourable imagine. One has only to read the news member my personal view on that. papers to see where the champion fishermen Tonight when the Minister for Lands was have caught the most fish during the fishing in the Chamber and he was talking about competitions. Moreton Island, he said something that shows Are we going to destroy that? Are we he is not aware of what has been happening going to put the land under high-rise build in relation to one of the islands under his ings? Are we going to give it to the devel control. In August 1970 Cabinet set up a opers like the honourable member for Towns committee that produced a report in March ville, who, when I asked why we needed 1972 called "Major Islands in Moreton Bay." to develop it, said "That is what we are That report is available in the Parliamentary going to do, develop it"? Library. It listed mining authorities or leases over approximately 27,000 of Moreton As for Jim Kennedy's resort on Moreton Island's 38,000 acres of vacant Crown land. Island, if I were the State Government I Once again the new local authority-whether would take it over; I would buy it back from it is Brisbane. Redcliffe or Redland-will him. He has done a marvellous job on that be confronted with a fait accompli. Three resort but I would develop it as an Outward quarters of the vacant land will be mined, Bound type of resort owned by the tourist and the council will have nothing to say industry in this State, developed for the about it. What will this mean to the local benefit of the people in the area. I would authority? It will have to supply council allow all the freehold blocks on the island -;ervices to rhe miners. now to pass on to sons and daughters of Will the citizens have the right to object the future, but I would not allow any specu to any of the leases or authorities to pros lation in relation to them. As soon as spec pect already granted? I am a citizen of ulators wanted to buy in I would buy the Brisbane. Do I now get some backdated land back. right to say, "I object to the mining of I would reserve that island as a playground these areas in my city. They were not in my of the future for the people of Brisbane. city before"7 Remember that our deoisions Anyone who has never been there, driven here tonight will make this a council respon around it and seen its natural beauty, will not sibility, and will give me some rights as realise what we are possibly destroying. I .a citizen living in that area, paying rates in am sure that is not Jim Kennecly's idea. He 868 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill would be unhappy 1at the idea of the State a shanty town-I think they will admit that Government taking over Tangalooma, but it it is an established area that was there before seems to me that that is what we need. we came along and decided we would hand The Government should develop it over. It's not really developing any more. Tangalooma as the city's island resort. At It's not a new town. No new blocks of various times during the year some of the land are being sold by the Government richer schools in this city take their pupils through the Lands Department. What will out to the islands for a week-end. Why can't happen to those people? Will they in the future be placed under the gun because a children from the State schv~:s have State camps on Moreton Island? Why can't we health inspector or a building inspector from have reserves set aside for Scouts and others the Brisbane City Council, or whichever coun to go over there and have a get-away-from cil it is-I am not arguing the case of the it-all holiday? councils, because I have just said I am against putting the island under local authority Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable control-- member is getting away from the principles of the Bill. Mr. McKechnie: I have confidence that the Brisbane City Council would act in a Mr. BURNS: I am talking about Moreton responsible and reasonable manner. Island. Mr. BURNS: Following up the same Mr. SPEAKER: Order! You are getting point-if we are going to give an island away from the Bill. of this size-and it is a large island-to a Mr. BURNS: Very well, to get back to council such as this, will the Government Moreton Island-the Minister for Lands said make a financial grant to help develop it, that all the national park areas have been or are we going to say to the council, "Get taken up as national parks. The report of whatever money you need from the rates."? the Cabinet-appointed committee on the There are a few people living at Bulwer, major islands of Moreton Bay had this to a few at Cowan Cowan, a few at Day's say in March 1972- Gutter, and one resort. The council will not "There has been considerable debate get enough money from the rates paid by over national park proposals on the island those people to cover the cost of air fares since 1951." to and from the island for those people who will be sent over. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I am not going to allow the honourable member to develop If we are giving this responsibility away anything on that. we should also give a substantial sum of money, perhaps by way of subsidy, because Mr. BURNS: Then let me develop this it is no good saying to the Brisbane City idea: I am saying that the Government tis Council, "You made $5,000,000" or giving the city council control over the "$1,000,000 on your electricity operation, so island, but the Minister said tonight, "We have take it out of that." This will be an additional made all the decisions 1about parks." I say unplanned charge. that there are available here in a book recommendations to the Government about Moreton Island needs certain facilities. J Moreton Island, the island we are do not know that it needs bitumen roads, debating tonight. Those recommenda but most certainly one problem that calls tions are to the effect that large for control, whether by a local authority sections of nattional park should be extended. or someone else, is the dumping by campers It says that the national park should be of tin cans, bits of paper and other rubbish. extended to the beach. What rights is the In many instances the people who use the Government giving the council to control island are the ones who abuse it. It is that island when it already has recommenda now left to the resorts to clean up. tions from its own people? When the Min As you have ruled, Mr. Speaker, that i ister says tonight, "We have done it.", l am not able to speak about certain matters think what he means is, "We are going to in relation to the island, my final point do it." These things are going to be done has got to be this: what will happen to after the council gets control of the island. the people on these bay islands will be what As citizens of Brisbane, what control are happened on 10 January 1973, when the we getting? What are we saying to residents first thing that the Redland Shire Cou;~cil of Day's Gutter, people who have lived there did after it took over certain other bay for years and have built shacks and camps? islands was revalue them so that it could Will the Minister, in his reply, state whether levy rates on the landowners. The first thing those people will be required to submit to done by that council was not something for the building by-laws and ordinances that the good of the people on the islands. The now apply in the city of Brisbane? I will first thing Mr. Wood, who used to repre tell the Government what is going to happen. sent the Country Party in this Chamber, did A small fishing village at the other end of was ask t.o have the lands revalued and then the island will be wiped out. They built charge rates on them. He said, "We might a settlement, and although it is a bit of be lucky in that some people will walk off City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 869 their blocks and we will get them that way." Mr. FRAWLEY: That is so. That was its attitude to the development of When the Brisbane City Council takes over the islands. control of Moreton Island, it should take Mr. Marginson: Shocking! immediate action to prepare a town plan for the island. Heaven knows it is badly needed. Mr. BURNS: It was shocking. The point The island should be under the control of a [ make finally is that in relation to every local authority. Problems in practical plan one of these islands the decisions have ning are already large in such an undevel already been made. Mud and Green Islands o~d area. Extensive areas are covered will be used for extractive industries; the by mining leases, a great length of coastline long-term tourist lease on St. Helena, is, is subject to wind and sea erosion and poorly [ believe, to be extended, but I do not planned development has taken place in the know whether the present lessee has obtained three existing townshops. The council should the extra 30 years; and Bishop and Fisher decide the extent to which urbanisation will be man Islands are to be part of the main permitted in future. That may allay the land, whether we like it or not. fears of the honourable member for Lytton. In my opinion Moreton Island would best 1 cannot see why we are rushing in tonight be kept as a recreation and tourist facility and making a decision to pass the islands under the control of the Brisbane City Coun over in this way when we could have cil. If further urbanisation takes place, sat back and closely studied some of the the council would have to provide services. reports that obviously have not been acted upon. At a time when the Premier is The extent of dedicated roads on Moreton announcing the implementation of a major Island is very hard to determine. Within the study in the Moreton coastal region and townships of Bulwer, Cowan Cowan and investigations of the Moreton Bay area so Kooringal, there are approximately 395 that the future of the whole area can be chains, or roughly five miles, of roads. None determined, we are contemplating handing of these roads are constructed. They can be over the islands to a local authority so that described only as sand tracks. All existing they will be under its separate control. It lots are not accessible hy motor vehicle. In just doesn't make sense to me. some cases major drainage problems will have to be overcome to provide vehicular Mr. FRAWLEY (Murrumba) (8.49 p.m.): access. If existing town lots are to remain, We have certainly heard some great con properly constructed roads to service them tributions to this debate. Certain honour will be required. able members have tried to cloud the issue Existing dedicated roads on the island by talking a lot of tripe about ecology total 23 miles in length. A three-chain road and the environment. One could not be traverses the island from the resort, through blamed for thinking that the honourable the national park to the east coast. A search member for Redlands was carrying a brief of the Lands Department and Survey Office for Jack Mundey. It has been claimed that has failed to reveal any evidence of dedicated by including Mud, St. Helena, Green, Bishop roads on Moreton Island outside the town and Fisherman Islands in the area adminis ships. It is therefore reasonable to assume tered by the Brisbane City Council we are that all the existing tracks are located on going to force it into debt. I do not believe vacant Crown land. that is so, nor do I believe that the inclusion of Moreton Island in the city of Brisbane Motor traffic on the island uses the ocean area is anything other than a wise decision. beach from Kooringal to Cape Moreton and the bayside beach from Bulwer to the sand Honourable members have spoken about hills. A cleared, formed and lightly grav the environment and the ecology. Surely elled road extends approximately seven miles they are aware that for years the Brisbane from Cape Moreton to Bulwer and a cleared City Council has been discharging raw, and formed road of approximately three untreated sewage into Moreton Bay and miles runs from Tangalooma to the ocean polluting its waters. It does not give two beach. If the island is placed under the hoots about the environment and the ecology. control of the Brisbane City Council, the Tn Dayboro, moveover, the Brisbane City council will be expected to maintain these Council has done an about-face in delaying existing roads. There are declared roads the development of land within two miles under the Main Roads Act on both Bribie of the high-water mark. It is knocking back and North Stradbroke Islands, but there applications to subdivide even though they appears to he little prospect of having any have been approved by the Pine Rivers Shire roads declared on Moreton Island. Council. A problem associated with roads on More I shall concentrate on Moreton Island ton Island is the extent to which motor because I live fairly close to it. It should vehicles are used. To my knowledge no certainly be placed under the control of the motor vehicle count has been carried out, city of Brisbane, which has the facilities to but the problem is known to be increasing. Jevelop it and look after it in a much better The problem is caused by the illegal use of way than any other local authority. dedicated roads by unregistered vehicles and the damage they ~ause, particularly in the Mr. Gunn: It is quite willing to do that. dunal area. There are many abandoned 870 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill motor vehicles on Moreton Island and those the foreshores goes the responsibility for in use lack roadworthiness. Two fatal acci litter and debris removal. There could also dents have occurred on Moreton Island in be instances of oil-spill clean-up. recent times. The solution to these problems will probably involve co-ordinated action by There are no public reserves on the island. the Brisbane City Council, the Police The areas of land between the foreshore and Department and the Main Roads Depart the allotments at Bulwer and Kooringal and ment. between the foreshore and the Tangalooma lease are dedicated esplanades. Elsewhere The council will also have to provide the areas adjacent to the foreshore are sanitary and garbage services, because there Crown land and are generally subject to are none on the island at present. In view mining leases. of the extensive underground water supplies on the island-! agree with the comments Both of the existing jetties located a! of the honourable member for Lytton on this Tangalooma are privately owned and there -a fairly careful investigation will be is no public landing facility on the island. required before any night-soil or garbage Although it is a local authority function disposal area is selected. All existing build to provide jetties and landing places, financial ings need inspection for dangerous and assistance should be available through the neglected conditions. I do not advocate that Department of Harbours and Marine for people living there should be forced to move small-boat facilities, depending upon the out, but existing buildings should be upgraded. priority of the project and the availability Water and waste-water installations will have of funds. to be investigated. There are several water There are two aerodromes on the island. bores on the island and the pollution potential both of which are privately owned. An is high if septic tanks are installed. authorised landing ground is in service Groundsel is prevalent on Moreton Island. between Tangalooma and Cowan Cowan and This problem should be looked into. another is under construction. If there is any future development of the island, il Mr. Houston: There is plenty of ground could be necessary for at least one airstrip se! in your electorate, but nothing has to be in public ownership. been done. The present demand for electricity would Mr. FRAWLEY: Plenty has been done not justify the high capital expenditure of about it in my electorate. The Redcliffe City bringing a supply across from North Strad Council, the Pine Rivers Shire Council and broke Island. It is unlikely that a supply the Caboolture Shire Council are all doing will become available unless the demand their best to control groundsel. associated with any venture on the island justifies the expenditure. Mr. Houston: The councils are doing their best but the State is not making money After considering all of the facts, I am available. of the opinion that the Brisbane City Council is the best suited of all local authorities to Mr. FRAWLEY: The honourable member control Moreton Island. It could well be for Bulimba does not even know about the that in the future the Redcliffe City Council groundsel beetle that has been introduced may regret its decision not to insist that by the Alan Fletcher Research Station. It it take Moreton under its control. However. is already in the Caboolture Shire and is the consensus of opinion in Redcliffe at slowly destroying the groundsel. present in that control of Moreton Island is not desired. As the Minister suggested. Mr. Houston: Slowly. it would be in the best interests of all that it be placed with the other bay islands under Mr. FRAWLEY: Yes, very slowly, but it the control of the one authority, which is doing its job. It will be as successful I believe should be the Brisbane City Council. as the cactoblastis was with prickly-pear. One would think that the previous Leader of the Opposition was groundsel, the way Mr. D'ARCY (Albert) (8.58 p.m.): It was he was shifted by the groundsel beetles on evident that the honourable member for the other side of the Chamber. Murrumba knew little of what he was taking about. Of course, as we have come to expect. Mr. Houston: There is no need to get he shows scant knowledge even of his own personal. electorate. As usual, he wandered all round the subject of the Bill. However, one thing Mr. FRAWLEY: The inclusion of Moreton he did was rubbish .the Opposition for Island in the city of Brisbane places only defending the ecology of this area. I have that part of the island above high-water mark seen areas in his electorate, for which he under local authority control. The foreshore, has no interest at all, that are affected. which is the area between the high-water I speak of the Bribie Passage area, which, and low-water marks, is considered to be unfortunately for the people living there. vacant Crown land. However, it should be he represents. placed under the control of the Brisbane City Council, because with the control of Mr. Frawley: It is not in my electorate. City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 871 Mr. D'ARCY: Bribie Passage is. I realise central area, and the islands now mentioned that Bribie Island is in the electorate of are to come under the control of the the honourable member for Landsborough. Brisbane City Council. But he has not It is in the Caboolture Shire. I correct the pointed out that for many years most of the member for Redcliffe on .that. He claimed islands in my electorate have been under the that it was not. It is in the Caboolture control of the Gold Coast City Council or Shire, not the Landsborough Shire, although the Albert Shire Council. The islands further as a result of the State Government's gerry north have also been under the control of mander it comes within the electorate of local authorities for some time. Bribie Landsborough. Island, for example, has been under the The previous speaker showed little knowl control of the Caboolture and Landsborough edge of the ecology of these areas and little Shire Councils. knowledge of the ecology of his own elec Let us now look at what has happened in torate, the foreshores of which are similar the over-all concept. Many of the islands are to the foreshores on the islands we are subject to leases for mining, or the extraction discussing tonight. of material such as coral. We have been Mr. McKedmie: Which shire did you say here long enough to know that under State Bribie was in? law the local authority is always the meat in the sandwich. In an area that is being Mr. D'ARCY: Caboolture. developed, the Minister for Lands may lVfr. McKedmie: I don't think the member decide that he will take a lease over some of for Landsborough agrees with you. the land for a specific purpose. We know what happens when the need for the land Mr. D'ARCY: The southern area-where arises. The wishes of the local authority are the township and the development are-is always subordinate to those of the Lands in the Caboolture Shire: I did say that the Department. When the matter comes before i-;lan::l itself is in the Landsborough electorate. the Land Court, who wins? Is it the local T know it a little bit better, perhaps, than authority, which is in effect part of one the member for Redcliffe. Certainly the small Government department, or is it the township and the development are in Cabool Government that controls local authorities? ture Shire. I am sure the member for Of course, it is the Government that wins. Landsborough knows the area quite well. This has happened time and again on islands Unlike the member for Murrumba, he visits where development has taken place. it and would know it well. It is interesting to note that the members The Government has paid very little who have spoken on this Bill tonight repre attention to the development of the bay sent areas along the coastal fringe that are islands. It has made previous reference to affected. The honourable member for Mm the central bay islands that are so important rumba showed little knowledge of the prob to the ecology of the area. It is well known lem, and the honourable member for Lands that these islands will be subjected to borough has not yet spoken. considerable pressure from the population of Brisbane. Perhaps this is why the Minister The honourable members for Lytton and wants the central and largest islands under Redlands and I, representing electorates on the control of the Brisbane City Council so the southern side, share very much the that v,·hen there are sewerage and pollution ;ame view. Vv'e ask why the Minister problems, the people cannot complain. That introduced the Bill. What value has it to the is how it appears to me. local authorities concerned? We have heard a great deal about local authorities and their In the bay area, there is at present a control, and we have been told that these reasonably well-controlled ecology. We heard islands should be under local authority the honourable member for Redcliffe talking control. But the Minister has not explained about fishing and the general ecology of the why. Perhaps it is because, as the honourable area. The mangroves around all these islands members for Murrumba and Redcliffe have are most important in their ecology. I quote ;aid, Moreton Island is not wanted by the from a document that I have in my hand- Redcliffe City Council. One possible "Mangrove swamps are now seen to interference is that the Redcliffe City Council play an essential part in the balance of ~ould not afford the administration of nature in that vital zone where land and Moreton Island. However, I think the sea run into each other." honourable membe,r for Salisbury was more correct when he said that the bay islands That is a statement by Prince Philip, and are being broken up in order to be destroyed. honourable members opposite are keen to quote in this Chamber what he says. He is I think the concept of an islands authority, president of the Australian Conservation as was mentioned by the honourable Foundation. members for Lytton and Redlands, is the most admirable solution to the problem. The Let us look at the fringe areas of the island question that must continue to be asked is that the Government is so intent on passing this: why is the Minister introducing this to local authorities. 'It is not the value to the legislation? The Minister said that we have ratepayer that is of such importance at seen what has happened to the islands in the present. A good theory has been advanced 872 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill from this side of the House that the rate The honourable member for Redcliffe payers will not be able to afford to maintain referred to the possible destruction by islands such as these. How can the small pollutants of fishing in the area. He had number of ratepayers living on these islands little conception of the over-all value of possibly afford the cost of the upkeep? How what he said. He tried to tell the House can they withstand the pressure of big that, on the one hand, the Redcliffe City business and the developers and preserve the Council did not want the area because it islands as they are today, that is, as a could not afford it and that, on the other, the tourist attraction, and prevent their pollution? Brisbane City Council should have it One very good argument comes from the because it could afford it. That was the basis head of a Queensland Government depart of his ll!rgument. Then he changed the ment. He said- direction of his argument and told us that the area had not declined over the years. He "On this basis it will be seen that it is failed to bring out the fact that the great to the advantage of the community to destroyer of the fishing industry had been the preserve such lands in their natural state Government itself. Those Government as far as possible." members who unde,rstand what their The article that I have here goes on to say- Government has been doing to that area-! "Mr G. G. T. Harrison, Director of the presume that most of them don't-must be Fisheries Branch of the Queensland worried that their Government will be Department of Primary Industries, made a looked upon by future generations as a rough estimate in 1968 of the value in Government that lacked imagination and that cash and kind arising out of the completely and utterly destroyed the future exploitation of fish resources dependent of that area. upon the mangrove swamps of Moreton Honourable members opposite have been Bay. His figure was of the order of $30(} hypocrites in the way they have doled out per acre per year which compares closely land to developers. Now that the councils with the American estimate." are taking over they will be stuck with lease I am looking at the value of this land to the hold arrangem~nts, whether they like it or people of the whole area. In 1968 the not. The Government will overrule the coun Director of Fisheries said that it was worth cils if they try to object. That has been $300 per acre per year. Yet the Minister for proved with so many of the island lea~es Lands, who left the Chamber after making granted in the past. The local authonty some inane interjections (it is fortunate he has no real power before the Land Court is going to London), allowed the Government to make any changes. and his department to sell land in this area The islands which already demonstrate so as freehold for $10 an acre. It has gone for many of the past follies of this Government, all time. As I said, the statement by the such as lack of national parks and lack Director of Fisheries was made in 1968. of a centralised authority to control them, What would the area be worth at the turn are being subjugated into council areas. The of the century or to future generations, if Mr. leases already existing, such as those on Harrison's estimate is anywhere near cor>ect? Fisherman and St. Helena Islands mentioned The Minister is not only having it sold for by the honourable member for Lytton, will $10 an acre and subdivided; he is having stand. They will stand against the challenge every form of wildlife and every section of of the Brisbane City Council or any other the ecology on the island destroyed for all local authority that tries to do anything time. about them. That is probably the major argument We must condemn the Minister for the against the proposal. It is certainly the Bill and his attempt to fool the Parliament argument that worries members of the by introducing such a piece of legislation. Opposition. We have seen what councils There must be many sinister things behind have been able to do to these islands in the it. He has been fooled before by the Premier. past. Therefore, we must be worried about Possibly some members of the Cabinet the Government's underhandedly giving know exactly what is being done under control of them to the Brisbane City Council. this piece of legislation. They may be fooling some of the yes-men on their side of the I do not know whether the Minister House, but they are not fooling the Opposi thought that the Brisbane City Council tion with this piece of legislation, which would welcome the handing over of these so subjugates those islands that the councils' islands, which must impose an additional powers will be completely controlled by a burden on it. It is another of the ecological Government that has already sold out to blunders of the Government. The Govern the developers and is intent on the destruction ment has failed abjectly to develop this area. of this area for future generations. It has been the greatest rapist of the Moreton Bay area, and has shown no Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon concern whatever. Now, by subjugating Minister for Local Government and Elec these islands to various local authorities, it is tricity) (9.13 p.m.), in reply: The Opposition committing an even greater rape and, in has very successfully supported my claim addition, shedding the financial burdens that that the protection of local authorities is must come from the area in the future. essential to the preservation of these islands. City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 873 The Opposition has attacked local govern had we not stepped in. It would have caused ment as being inefficient, irresponsible and the residents of that island to live in fear incapable of accepting its responsibilities and and terror of perhaps 5,000 visitors because of acting in a manner that would not be they did not then have the protection of a beneficial to the islands. I regard local local authority. authorities as being very capable bodies. The honourable member went on to say I refute the claim of the honourable member that the mainland mentality of local author for Albert ·that they are inefficient and not ities and people generally means the utter capable of handling their own affairs. destruction of the bay islands. I do not Mr. D'ARCY: I rise .to a point of order. think that the Brisbane City Council would I ask the honourable gentleman to withdraw set out to create utter destruction. that remark because it is offensive to me. At the introductory stage the honourable I did not say that the local authorities member for Sandgate said that he believed were inefficient. I said .the Government was that these islands were the heritage of the inefficient. people of Brisbane and, by implication, he Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Minister welcomed their inclusion within the city of to accept the honourable member's denial. Brisbane so that Brisbane people would have access to them and so that protection would Mr. McKECHNIE: I accept the honourable be given to the ecology of this part of the member's denial, but he and other members State. of the Opposition demonstrated by their The honourable member for Redlands attitude, that this is what they believe. It questioned whether the port of Brisbane was very clear to me tonight that this was would be a cost to the city. No, it would an attack on local authorities and on the not. It would be a matter for the harbour Brisbane City Council in particular. H was board and would not be any cost to the city rammed home that the Brisbane City Council in this way at all. was thieving from people, and that it wanted every piece of land under its control to be He talked about the development of rate-returning. these islands. This is one of the main reasons for including them in local authority areas. Mr. D'Arcy: You have been asleep. Local authorities will be able to town-plan Mr. McKECHNIE: I have been wide the areas. Town plans have to be advertised awake. I listened very carefully to a con and this gives people the opportunity to centrated attack on local government, par record their approval or disapproval. Under ticularly the Brisbane City Council, by hon the City of Brisbane Town Planning Act, the ourable members opposite. Brisbane City Council has to prepare a new town plan for the city and place it on exhib The honourable member for Salisbury ition by February next year. In its prepara stressed that he wanted a type of bureaucratic tion, the council will be able to properly control by some nebulous board with no plan the development of these islands. responsibility in preference to control by the elected representatives of the local Diverting for a moment, I should like to authorities throughout Queensland. He refer to the statement of the honourable mem thought that it would do a better job than ber for Lytton that local authorities could do local authorities and that it was inadvisable all sorts of things. He was concerned to entrust local authorities with the ecology that the existing houses would be classed as of this area. I believe that local authorities substandard and could be condemned. I are looking after our ecology and, contrary inform him that it is common policy in to the thoughts of Opposition members, I local authorities, while they might not approve have confidence that local authorities will of similar buildings being built in the future, continue to do so and adopt a responsible to allow existing buildings to remain as long attitude to it. I deny that they want every as they are in a safe condition and do not piece of land within their control to be endanger health. I am confident that any local rate-bearing and that they are grasping after authority-in this case the Brisbane City money all the time. Some of the most Council-would abide by this general beautiful parks in this city and in local attitude. authorities elsewhere in Queensland are the The honourable member for Redlands brainchild of the local authorities and have spoke as a prophet of doom about the devel been paid for by them. I refute the implica opment of the port of Brisbane-the diabol tion that they act in the manner claimed. ical plot that will destroy the ecology. I am Let me return to contributions by individual confident that the whole set-up will help to members. First of all the honourable member protect these islands and I am sure that for Redlands said that the ecology would be the honourable member for Sandgate would endangered by the fragmentation of Moreton applaud our attempt to preserve our Bay islands among various local authorities. heritage and the ecology of this area. 'I am The position is just the opposite, we are sure that he would be prepared to entrust bringing these islands within the protection this to the city of Brisbane, as were two of local authorities. We are going to stop members of the Brisbane City Council (Ald. the holding of pop festivals such as the one Shaw who represents Waterloo Bay and Aid. that would have destroyed Macleay Island Ryan who represents The Gap) who went into 874 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill print in "The Courier-Mail" with a plea that years the Brisbane River has improved the islands be included within the city of tremendously. It needs further improvement, Brisbane, I had discussions with the Lord however, and ,the Water Quality Council, Mayor on the matter and he said, "If you under my jurisdiction, is doing its utmost to push the islands into our local authority, we improve its quality as well as that of all are prepared to accept them." In effect I waters in Queensland. can say that he reluctantly agreed. This week the council held a meeting and, whilst Mr. Burns: What research have you done I have not been officially advised of the in Moreton Bay? You haven't done much outcome, I understand that generally speak there. ing the council is not keen to welcome Moreton Island into its area, although many Mr. McKECHNIE: We are working with of the aldermen are anxious to have the the Brisbane City Council to eliminate the opportunity of developing and preserving Luggage Point outfall. I believe that between the island to a degree. the Brisbane City Council and the Water Mr. Bums: Wha,t about a bit of financial Quality Council a solution will eventually be assistance? There will be a lot of extra work. evolved. I am sure that those people who term themselves Brisbanites and also other Mr. McKECHNIE: The honourable Queenslanders are concerned at the situation member raised this matter in his speech. The that exists at Luggage Point. I am sure all subsidies that are provided by the State honourable members will agree with me that Government will be applicable once the the Water Quality Council must do all in islands come under the control of a local its power to assist the city of Brisbane to authority. Naturally the Brisbane City overcome this pollution problem. Council will receive a flow-on through the State Government's present subsidy scheme. The honourable member for Salisbury which, over the whole year, provided a total made it very clear that he is opposed to the of $21,000,000 to local authorities. inclusion of Moreton Bay in any local authority area. In my language he is there Mr. Baldwi.n: Did the Brisbane City fore opposed to the preservation of the Council as a body pass a motion accepting Moreton Bay islands. I know, of course, all of this? that he does not see it that way. However Mr. McKECHNIE: No, it did not. How I believe that the inclusion of Moreton Bay ever, certain aldermen-! have named two within a local authority area will be of great of them--expressed their views. Whilst I benefit to it. have not been officially advised, I understand The honourable member claimed that that the attitude of the Brisbane City Council Moreton Island would be a liability to any is that it would rather not have Momton local authority. I cannot accept such a Island in its area. I also understand-! may contention because, as I said earlier, I be wrong-that it is prepared to accept the believe it will be a wonderful playground for other islands. I have been given this advice this city. He also said that if we ~!low eve_ry over the telephone. local authority to do what the Bnsbane City I believe that the city of Brisbane has a Council is doing at Luggage Point the bay wonderful opportunity in gaining Moreton will be destroyed. To a certain extent I agree Island. In the future I am sure it will be with him and for this reason a situation regarded as a jewel belonging to the city. such as Luggage Point should never again It will be similar to what Long Island is to be allowed to occur. New York-a wonderful breathing space for its people. As the Minister for Lands has Mr. SHERRINGTON: I rise to a point of said, quite a large portion of Moreton order. I did not say that at alL Island has been set aside as a national park. Here is an opportunity for Brisbane, and Mr. Hinze; Of course you did. some aldermen are wise enough to see it as such and to try to seize this opportunity of Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not mind gaining for the people of Brisbane a play the Minister having a go at me, but he ground which will be under the control of is not to misconstrue what I said. He ought the city of Brisbane. Through boat trans to get the wax out of his ears. port there is a community of interest between Brisbane and Moreton Island. Mr. McKECHNIE: The honourable mem The second speaker was the honorurable ber apparently believes my rem~rk to J:le member for Redcliffe, who expressed support offensive and I am prepared to Withdraw It. for the inclusion of Moreton Island in the city of Brisbane. In relation to his remarks Mr. SHERRINGTON: Don't tell lies! I point out that the Water Quality Council is working in co-operatioo with the Brisbane Mr. SPEAKER: Order! City Council and other local authorities to improve the quality not only of our rivers Mr. McKECHNIE: I am confident about but also of our ocean waters. It is now what I said, but in deference to the honour common knowledge that over the past two able member I withdraw it. City of Brisbane Act (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 875 I made a note that if other local authorities The honourable member for Murrumba were allowed to act as at Luggage Point, supported handing over control of Moreton the bay could be destroyed. I assure the Island to the Brisbane City Council and House that the Water Quality Council is drew attention 1to the fact that it would working with all local authorities to prevent control the litter that is accumulating on further occurrences of this nature. the island and that it would protect the beach front. There is a peculiarity here The honourable member for Townsville that the honourable member is not aware said "The A.L.P. claims that Clem of. All local authorities, except the city of J ones is the God Almighty of local govern Brisbane and other local authorities in special ment, but not fit to look after the bay circumstances, control the land to high-water islands." He may have summed up accurately mark. The position is somewhat different the context of what honourable members in the city of Brisbane. The Brisbane City opposite were saying. He said that the hon Council has control of land to the high ourable member for Salisbury would deny water mark within the Brisbane River and urban facilities to people in these relatively its tributaries. However, under the City of remote areas-that is, if Moreton Island Brisbane Act, the city of Brisbane has could be called remote. He summed up control of the land on the bayside down to low-water mark. I do not know why the situation and was guided not so much that distinction was made many years ago, by the words that were said as by the but that is the situation under the Act. implications in each case. Consequently, on the ocean side as distinct from the river side, the Brisbane City Mr. Sherrington interjected. Council would control the land down .to the low-water mark. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member also directed . Mr. Sherrington: Surely you will not allow attention to the misuse of the island beaches hun to quote implications. by motor vehicles and hoped that it could be brought under control by the local Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I will not allow authorities. He said that the island had the honourable member to continue his much groundsel, which required control. persistent interjecting. The honourable member for Albert made Mr. McKECHNIE: The honourable mem quite a song about the islands being broken ber for Lytton asked what benefit St. Helena up to destroy them. I have reiterated would receive from inclusion in the Brisbane several times that it is the control of local City Council boundary. For a start the authority that will protect them. To leave people there, though few in number ~ould them without the protection of local govern be placed in the unenviable positi~n that ment would be to destroy them. He continued the residents of Macleay faced but for the to make the quite amazing statement that ~ction ?f t~is Government. They could be everybody is aware of what happened after m a SituatiOn where they were terrorised the Redland Shire Council assumed respon by an uncontrolled mob. sibility for the Moreton Bay islands. Mr. Burns: But St. Helena is leased com However, what happened there occurred plet.ely by one family so there's no com before the Redland Shire Council took them panson. over. That is why we stepped in and gave them to Redland. Mr. McKECHNIE: That could have hap I readily concede that there was ill-advised, pened ':m Macleay, though, were it not for the act10ns of this Government. I give the unwanted, and misrepresented development. honourable member for Redlands credit for Subdivisions took place on Macleay, working .with me. I qo not say that he Karragarra and other islands in that area. As brought it tc; my notice, but we worked I agreed with the honourable member for together on 1t and I give him credit for Salisbury when he was speaking, this should that. have been cleared up 30 years ago. Whether it was the A.L.P. or this Government does I made it clear earlier to the honourable not matter. It should have been done long member for Lytton that I believe the local ago. The fact that it was not done makes it authority would allow substandard dwellings more necessary and urgent that it should be to remain provided they were not in a done as quickly as possible. When one finds dangerous condition and were not a hazard something wrong, one does not sit bemoaning to health. He said that if he were in control the fact that it should have been done ye•ars of the State Government he would take ago. One regrets it, yes; but one moves to Tangalooma back from Jim Kennedy. I do do something about it. That is precisely not wish to comment on that because I have what this Bill is designed to do. not been a guest of Jim Kennedy's at Tangalooma. I presume it is a well-run Consequently, Mr. Speaker, I support it resort, and I will leave it at that. with full confidence. 876 City of Brisbane Act (17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Question-That the Bill be now read a the Chamber. I think it shows also its second time (Mr. McKechnie's motion) uncertainty and timidity in dealing with put; and the House divided- problems of real importance. AYEs, 41 I should say that obviously the Minister Ahern Lane has been engaging in the dangerous practice Alison Lee Armstrong Lickiss of going through unofficial channels, because Bird McKechnie in answer to my question in the debate Bjelke-Petersen Moore, R. E. at the introductory stage, he admitted that Camm Muller Campbell Ne a! the Brisbane City Council, as a council, ChincheP Newbery had not made any decision on any of these Cory Porter questions. Crawford Rae Edwards Row Mr. McKECHNIE: I rise to a point of Fletcher Scott-Young Frawley Small order. The statement of the honourable Gunn Sullivan member for Redlands is not quite correct, Herbert Tomkins and I take objection to it. If he wishes me Hewitt, N. T. E. Tooth Hewitt, W. D. Wharton to do so, I will elaborate on the matter later Hodges in the debate. Hooper, K. W. Tellers: Houghton The CHAIRMAN: Order! I trust that the Hughes Miller Knox Hinze honourable member for Redlands will accept the statement of the honourable gentleman. NOES, 29 Aiken Melloy Mr. BALDWIN: I accept the Minister's Baldwin Moore, F. P. Blake Newton denial. I was merely stating that I had Bousen O'Donnell asked him whether the Brisbane City Council, Bromley Sherrington as a council, had made a decision on the Burns Tucker D'Arcy Wallis-Smith matter. Davis Wood, B. Hanlon Wood,P. Mr. McKECHNIE: It has made a decision, Hooper, K. J. Wright but I have not been advised of it in writ Houston Yewdale Inch ing; I have been advised only by telephone. Jones, R. Tellers: Jordan Mr. BALDWIN: That is information Leese Jensen Marginson additional to that given in the answer to Hanson the question, and I accept it in the cir PAIRS cumstances. Nevertheless, the Minister's own Chalk Harvey Hartwig Jones, N. F. admission makes it obvious that the major Kaus Harris part of my contention is valid, that is, Low Dean that the whole escapade was embarked upon Resolved in the affirmative. before the matter had been submitted to the Brisbane City Council and before it had made CoMMITTEE a decision. (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Lickiss, I think it is obvious that, no matter what Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) the Brisbane City Council decided, the Clause 1, as read, agreed to. Minister was going to use his power under the Local Government Act and the City of Clause 2-Amendment of s.4; City of Brisbane Act to foist these islands, includ Brisbane- ing Moreton Island (once he received the Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon decision of the Redcliffe City Council), onto Minister for Local Government and Elec the city of Brisbane. On that basis, I believe tricity) (9.38 p.m.): I move the following that the Opposition is justified in opposing amendment- the proposed amendment, as it would be "On page 1, line 13, after the word justified in opposing the whole of clause 2. 'Green,' I will not be able to verify much of insert the word- what I am saying, any more than the 'Moreton,'." Minister can verify it officially, till I see it in black and white in the council minutes The purpose of the amendment is to include or receive a copy of electorate advice from Moreton Island with the other islands being the council. The Minister is operating under included in the City of Brisbane. the authority of a telephone call; I have not Mr. BALDWIN (Redlands) (9.39 p.m.): even that knowledge. Until the Opposition The stand taken by the Opposition obviously receives advice in black and white, which demands, for consistency, that we also is the only legally acceptable form as far oppose clause 2. as I am concerned, it has no alternative to declaring its opposition to the proposed In the first place, the amendment that amendment. proposes the insertion of the word "More ton" at this late hour is indicative not only Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (9.44 of the attitude of the Government but also p.m.): I join with the honourable member of its methods in bringing legislation before for Redlands in opposing the inclusion of City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974} Amendment Bill 877 Moreton Island in the clause, particularly of the honourable member for Salisbury in the circumstances in which it has been about the attitude of the Redcliffe City Coun included. cil. I say without any hesitation that this is It is obvious that, when preparations were the end of Moreton Island as we know it being made for the introduction of the today. With all due respect to the Brisbane legislation, a survey had not been carried 'City Council, it has no hope of out to establish the most desirable area doing the right thing by way of protecting in which Moreton Island could be included. this wonderful asset in Moreton Bay. It One would have thought that the Minister, has not the financial resources. It has not when he belatedly introduced this proposed had sufficient resources to look after Cribb amendment to the Bill because he had not lsland, let alone Moreton Island. I put been able to make up his mind at the intro it in blunt terms when I speak from past ductory stage, would have given some valid experience. reason for including Moreton Island in the I am very disappointed. At the introduction city of Brisbane. of the Bill I thought that something was Previously the Minister has largely based going to be done for the preservation of council wards on the geography of the city Moreton Island. I share the fears and disap of Brisbane, yet we suddenly find that a pointment of the honourable member for Jar.e;e portion of the electorate of Redcliffe, Salisbury. He knows Moreton Island as well which includes Moreton Island, is now to as I do. If it was not good enough for the become part of the Brisbane City Council's Redcliffe City Council to take over Moreton area. I question why this is being done. Island, why should it be unloaded onto the If the argument is advanced that local auth Brisbane City Council? ority control and administration of the islands is the only sure and sensible way of I am not doubting the sincerity of the preserving them, why should the Minister Minister but I do doubt some of the suddenly reverse the electoral processes and negotiations that may have taken place include Moreton Island in the electorate of between the city council and the Minister's Reddiffe within the Brisbane City Council department. I am not casting any reflection C~rez!'! If it can be argued that local authority on the Minister but I would like to see administration will guarantee the preservation in black and white, as the shadow Minister of the islands, why is the Redcliffe City was saying as I walked into the Chamber Coun.::il not given that responsibility? tonight, some tangible proof or other evidence The reason we see this queer, distorted sort to show that the Brisbane City Council of administration emerging is that the honour is willing to take over this asset in Moreton able member for Redcliffe, at the request of Bay. I repeat that I am very disappointed the Redcliffe City Council, opposed the because I know what is going to happen. inclusion of Moreton Island in that local auth As a matter of fact at the present time the ity area. It bears out what I said at the island is not receiving the protection it second-reading stage. should receive. It is being run over by every vandal who can get down there in The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is too his beach buggy or any other contraption much audible conversation in the Chamber. he can use to destroy not only the sand hills of the island but also the natural Mr. SHERRINGTON: Apparently it is not a matter of legislating in this Parliament fauna of the island. Their actions endanger in the best interests of the area but a matter the people who use the resort for fishing of shoving the isiand onto whatever local purposes. authority the Government cares to give it That is all I have to say at this stage to. l notice that the honourable member for but I must express my disappointment and Redcliffe is strangely silent. He does not deny disgust at this action to foist responsibility that he made representations, and that there onto the Brisbane City Council. I reiterate would have been open revolt in the Cabinet that I would like to see some tangible if Moreton Island had been included in the evidence that the council is willing to take Redcliffe City Council area. As a matter of over the island. There is something wrong fact, hi' very benign smile confirms what with the proposal or some motive behind I am saying. If that is the way the Govern it. ment of the day decides the fate of resources, it confirms the suspicions I have Mr. LANE (Merthyr) (9.51 p.m.): I think had all along that it was a case of carving it is indeed regrettable that, in order to up the bay islands and giving them to get some sort of orderly supervision by whatever local authority the Government local authorities over off-shore islands, this could load them onto. Certainly the Bill beautiful island of Moreton should be placed is not designed in the best interests of the under the very heavy and ruthless hand use of !his area for future generations. of the Brisbane City Council-an adminis tration holding an overwhelming majority Mr. DEAN (Sandgate) (9.48 p.m.): I feel of 20 ruthless socialists with only one Liberal impelled to rise to support honourable mem in opposition. I do not think these people bers on this side in their objection to the are cclpable of showing any real compassion amendment to the Bill, particularly as it or of understanding the need for conservation affects Moreton Island. I support the remarks of this island. 29 878 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Mr. Sherrington: Are you going to vote for the first time we are asked to consider against it? the inclusion of Moreton Island within the city of Brisbane. Mr. LANE: The honourable member for I support the honourable member for Salisbury is a well-known loud-mouth in Salisbury. Between the introductory and this place and I think we can ignore any second-reading stages I cut the following contribution he may wish to make. extract from an issue of "The Redcliffe Mr. Sherrington: Are you going to vote Herald"- against it? Why don't you answer? You are "Both Mr. Houghton, M.L.A. for Red all wind. cliffe, and Mr. Frawley, M.L.A. for Murrumba have notified the newly-formed Mr. LANE: The honourable member will Kippa-Ring-Rothwell Progress Association have to wait and see. It seems a great pity that they are not in favour of the State to me-and I should like to place it on Government's proposal that Redcliffe City record-that this beautiful island is to be Council take over Moreton Island." placed under such a ruthless administration. I have visited the place and I think a lot Mr. FRAWLEY: I rise to a point of order. The honourable member for Lytton is mis of work needs to be done on that island by the local authority to preserve the fore leading the Committee. shores and the sand masses for generations The CHAIRMAN: Order! The honour to come. able member will state his point of order. I am interested in the conservation of this area as well as that of all the natural Mr. FRAWLEY: The honourable member resources throughout the State and I do not for Lytton stated that the article appeared think the administration of the Brisbane in the paper after the introductory stage. That is not true; it appeared before the City Co_uncil has any real feeling for this. introductory stage. The honourable member The Bnsbane City Council finds it very should get it right. di!fic_ult to understand the needs of people Withm a couple of miles of the City Hall The CHAIRMAN: Order! The honour let alone areas right across the bay. It able member for Lytton will accept the would not be concerned about this tract denial of the honourable member for of land. Its exploitation made of the land Murrumba. ~ass it cur~ently controls has not brought It an:y cred1t. I can only see the present Mr. BURNS: I accept his denial. I don't council administration looking at Moreton intend to argue about dates; I shall just read Island and saying, "How can we make a what he said. buck out of this?" It will not have any real concern for the ecology or environment The article continues- of the area. "The progress association asked its secretary, Mr. Peter Morris, to write to I can see the dilemma in which the both Members, pointing out that there was M!ni~ter has been placed in trying to place still much work to be done on the Penin this Island _under some responsible authority. sula with strained finances, so that taking The Redchffe City Council, of course has over Moreton Island would be an added not the facilities to handle it and 'it is burden to Peninsula ratepayers." being placed in the hands of this great bureaucracy centred at City Hall, which I make the point that the State Govern spends m_ost of it~ money within 100 yards ment's proposal, as reported in this article, of the C1ty Hall Itself. The Minister has no is that the Redcliffe City Council take over alternative to the action he is proposing Moreton Island. Tonight, however, the I would just like to place on record my Minister proposes that the Brisbane City alarm and concern about this aspect. Council take it over. Mr. BURNS (Lytton) (9.54 p.m.): In the To continue- Minister's introductory speech he said that "Mr. Houghton's view Is m accord with betw_een the introductory stage and the second that of the progress association. He has readmg he would make up his mind about asked the State Government to make More Moreton Island and, at that stage, he informed ton and Fraser Islands into National Parks us that the Redcliffe City Council had and in so doing to carry the cost of any ?eclared that it did not want it. Its opposition servicing which may be necessary. IS one of the reasons for tonight's amendment. "If this was not done, Mr. Houghton I think the Minister will agree that this said, Moreton Island would become is _an unsatisfactory way to introduce legis another Thursday Island which had only latiOn. If a provision is included in a 32 ratepayers to meet the added responsi Bill when it is read for the first time the bilities of local government. Parliament is given the opportunity of d~bat "Mr. Frawley's views are much the same iJ?g that provision _on two subsequent occa as Mr. Houghton's and he has already siOns. However tomght we are given a copy written to the Minister for Local Govern of the Minister's proposed amendments at ment, Mr. McKechnie, pointing out that the second-reading stage of this Bill, and Kippa-Ring and Clontarf in particular, City of Brisbane Act (17 SEPTEMBER 1974) Amendment Bill 879 need large sums of money spending on Island-he will vote in favour of the Bris them to enclose open drains and provide bane City Council taking control of the kerbing and channelling, sealed roads, etc. island. It is being brought within Brisbane. "He said there was insufficient money The State Government originally told the available for fully developing and servic Redcliffe City Council that it wanted More ing the Peninsula without taking over ton Island to be included in that local Moreton Island. Such would be an imposi authority's area. The Government has now tion on Peninsula ratepayers." twisted to such a degree that it is giving l agree that that is the sort of submission Moreton Island to the people it hates. Some that the honourable member should put for fights and arguments must have taken place ward on behalf of his ratepayers. But if in the Government joint-party meetings. The his ratepayers would be disadvantaged if article states- they took over Moreton Island, so would any other ratepayers who took it over. "The Redcliffe City Council is opposed to taking over the island and lodged an I come back to my point that the Govern appeal against the proposal." ment has decided that Moreton Island will be included in the city of Brisbane. It has Obviously the proposal went a long way if declared that 80 per cent of the island will the Redcliffe City Council lodged an appeal. be mined and that other areas will be set The article went on- aside for use as national parks. It has "Some aldermen believe that on a long also decided upon the establishment of cer term basis acquisition could be an advan tain little villages. It is going to say to tage but not if money had to be spent the Brisbane City Council, "You take over on the island at an early date. The more the ratepaying problems. You try to levy general view is that a national park would the few people who are over there or alter be the best solution." natively charge the people of Brisbane a few more dollars so that you can provide We have the honourable member for Red facilities on the island." My argument is cliffe believing in a national park, a Press no different from that put forward by the article saying that the member for Murrumba honourable members for Redcliffe and Mm held the same belief, and now we find the rumba. I do not believe this is the way Redcliffe City Council expressing the same to protect Moreton Island. This is simply view. We also have the three of them passing the buck again to somebody else. saying that they do not want it in Red cliffe. When the Minister introduced the Mr. Houston: The Country Party hates legislation he said, "I have not yet made Brisbane. up my mind, but Redcliffe is against it." Mr. .BURNS: That's true. In many ways Tonight, in the second-reading stage, we it conducts a "hate Brisbane" campaign. The were told that Moreton Island is to go to honourable member for Merthyr has just Brisbane. It will be given to the people poured a little bit of hatred onto the Bris that Government members hate. I am bane City Council. We have been told by amazed. the Liberal members in this Chamber that A Government Member interjected. they did not want the area or the responsi bility of the Brisbane City Council extended Mr. BURNS: I have said at all times at all. Yet tonight, after years of that sort that I support the proposal that this island of talk from the back corner on the other ought to be a tourist island-an area for side of the Chamber, we discover these are tourist development under a trust. I agree the very members who are going to give to with the submissions made by the honour the Brisbane City Council the responsibility able members for Murrumba and Redcliffe of saving the islands in the bay. that we should have national parks on the Mr. Miller interjected. island. I support the two National Party mem bers who say this is what they want. That Mr• .BURNS: The honourable member for is what they told their electors, but they Ithaca has risen in this Chamber on several may be telling us something different here occasions in defence of a piece of parkland tonight. I support their submission that it at Bardon, the trees along the riverbank, should be a national park. and other things. Although he believes the Brisbane City Council will destroy them, Mr. FRAWLEY (Murrumba) (10.2 p.m.): tonight he will vote to allow the Brisbane I agree that Moreton Island should be City Council to protect Moreton Island. The included in the city of Brisbane and I have honourable member should make up his mind. not said otherwise. I agree with the state Day in and day out he has been attacking ments made by the honourable member for the Brisbane City Council and claiming it Lytton. I did not make them. The chair has no sense of responsibility towards the man of the Kippa-Ring Progress Association ecology, conservation, trees and parks. Now, or somebody else wrote to me and asked however, because a couple of members on me if I agreed and I said that I did. I the Redcliffe Peninsula do not want Moreton am not frightened to say that I agreed with Island-remember that the electoral bound what is contained in that report. aries set by this Government extend the Redcliffe electorate right over to Moreton Mr. Houston: Why foist it on to Brisbane? 880 City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill Mr. FRAWLEY: Because the Brisbane in the future, a jewel similar to Long Island City Council has a bigger vote than Tas opposite New York. They asked me through mania. There are more people in the Bris the Press why I slighted Brisbane by not bane City Council, better facilities and more including this very desirable island within money to control the bay islands. The the council area. As a consequence of that city of Redcliife has only 40,000 people and article I had discussions with Aldermen Shaw could not possibly do it. during which he expressed the wish that I should include it within the area Mr. Wright: You are passing the buck. of Brisbane. I had discussions with the Lord Mr. FRAWLEY: Not at all. The Bris Mayor, who, as I said earlier in this debate, bane City Council is in a far better position said that he was prepared to accept the five to provide the services required on Moreton islands of Mud, Green, St. Helena, Fisherman Island. and Bishop into the city of Brisbane. Mr. Wright: You are always criticising its I told the Lord Mayor at the same time services. that I would be placing Moreton Island under the control of either the Redcliffe City Mr. FRA WLEY: I have not criticised Council or the Brisbane City Council. As I them. I am one of the best friends of the had total opposition from the aldermen of Lord Mayor. He recently wrote me a letter Redcliffe and as some Brisbane aldermen inviting me to lunch at Dayboro to discuss the only ones who had approached me--tmid the settlement of land compensation payments that it should be included in Br~bane-- for the dam. Mr. Houston: Did they go to you? Did It is interesting to note that the possible those two aldermen personally speak you? inclusion of Moreton Island within the Bris w bane City Council has been opposed by Mr. Mr. McKECHl'liE: Yes. In faimess, I Jim Kennedy. He has the resort on the spoke to Alderman Shaw, who said he was island and he said that he had objected ;,peaking on beha1f of Aid. Ryan also. to the Local Government Department about the proposaL He said that the inclusion of First of all, they castigated me in the Moreton Island within the Brisbane City Press for not including Moreton Island Council would destroy the island's uniqueness. within Brisbane. As a result of the ensnin!! He said he was happy with the island's pre discussions, Ald. Shaw told me that he and sent administration by the Lands Commis Ald. Ryan-and there could be others; he sion and does not want the island to come hP.d not had a chance to discuss it wi.th them under the control of any local authority. -supported, welcomed, ·and desired the inclusion of these islands in the city of I commend the Minister on having the Brisbane. As a consequence, I quite openly foresight and intestinal fortitude-in other told the Parliament that I had nOit made up words guts-to include this amendment so my mind at the time of the introduction of that the island goes into the area of the the Bill but that I was keeping my options city of Brisbane. open to see which council mo5i desired Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon M At this stage, I am more than ever con when the council is aware of the great respon vinced that the Opposittion has acted correctly sibility that will be placed on it to endeavour in opposing the proposed amendment. to preserve the island and use it as it should be used for the benefit of future generations. Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (10.16 p.m.): The Committee has seen an extraord I repeat that I have seldom heard in inary set of circumstances in the debate this Chamber such Baron Munchausen-type tonight. Certainly it has been proved that thinking as I have heard from the Govern the Opposition was correct in saying that, ment benches tonight. instead of planning for the sensible admin Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon istration of these islands, it has been a case Minister for Local Government and Elec of, "Parcel them out to whoever we can." tricity) (10.20 p.m.): The honourable member The Minister admitted a few moments ago for Redlands said that he felt my statement that the great majority of the members of vindicated his argument. the Brisbane City Council opposed the pro posal, but he said that a large minority Mr. Baldwin: My opposition. of aldermen were in favour of it. In fact, he Mr. McKECHNIE: His opposition. While sa:id that he had had a telephone conversation he said very clearly that he went along with two aldermen, one of whom, appar with the responsibility and authority of loc!ll ently, acted as interpreter for the other. He authorities, Opposition members generally dtd was then able to decide what was in the not express that in their contributions. best interests of Moreton Island and its future administration. I can only say that state The honourable member for Salisbury ments such as these can be paralleled only asked, "When Moreton Island is in the by the statement of Billy Snedden after the electorate of Redcliffe, what is the justifica last Federal election, when he said "Although tion for including it in the Brisbane City we lost the election we were not defeated." Council area?" No more justification than for Palm Island, which is in the electorate If ever I have seen a game of Russian of Hinchinbrook, being included in the area roulette played with the resources of this of the Townsville City Council, which has Sta:e, 1 have seen ,jt as the story unfolded welcomed it. That answers his question. tonight. I ask the Minister this question: If Moreton Island lies within the State elect The honourable member denigrated two oral boundary of Redcliffe, and if the Red aldermen of the Brisbane City Council by cliffe City Council is totally opposed to saying that one was the messenger boy for its inclusion in its local authority area, by the other. He virtually implied that I should what mathematical calculation has the Min not have discussions with local authorities ister, confronted with a similar attitude on or their members on these matters. the part of the Brisbane City Council, been Mr. Sherrington: I said that one alderman able to reach a conclusion on the telephonic spoke for the other. advice of an alderman acting as interpreter for another alderman of the Brisbane City Mr. McKECHNIE: Yes, but the honourable Council? I ask the Minister to tell me on member denigrated him by the way he what occasion legislation has ever been intro presented his argument. I believe in having duced in this Chamber when two members of discussions on these matters at every oppor the Government were in favour of it and tunity. I had discussions with the Lord everybody else was aga,inst it. That is vir Mayor, too. At the time of our discussions tually what is being done tonight. he did not commit himself on the inclusion By the amendment already proposed, you of Moreton Island. That is precisely why are saying-- I wrote to him. One month is a fair period to allow a Bill to lie on the table of The CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable the House while I am waiting for a reply member will address the Chair. from the Brisbane City Council. I waited Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am addressing the one whole month. Surely I would be lacking Chair. in my duty at that stage if I did not ring up and make inquiries. I have still not The CHAIRMAN: Well, the Chair is not received the Lord Mayor's reply. I have involved. communicated that information frankly to the House tonight. Mr. SHERRINGTON: You are saying- The Opposition talks about not including The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Chair is Moreton Island in the Brisbane City Council not saying anything. Will the honourable area. The thousand-odd islands along the member please address the Chair. coastline need the protection of a local authority. Honourable members opposite Mr. SHERRINGTON: I am speaking to talk about putting the islands under the the Minister through you, Mr. Lickiss. control of some nebulous bureaucratically The Minister is saying that, on the advice controlled board, contrary to the desires of of two people, he is introducing legislation most people in Queensland who wish to that will decide the future of tlllis wonderful be under the control of a democratically tourist asset. I question the 'advisability of elected local authority. The Opposition would including it in the Brisbane City Council area have a bureaucratic board of control that City of Brisbane Act [17 SEPTEMBER 1974] Amendment Bill 883 would tell the people on the islands, "You Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon will do this, and you have no right to Minister for Local Government and Electri vote for this body." Consequently I think city) (10.32 p.m.): I move the following the Government is doing the correct thing further amendment- in ensuring that every island is placed "On page 1, line 14, after the word under the control of a local authority elected 'in' insert the words- by the people, so that the people on those 'or adjacent to'." islands also have the right to take part in the election of their representatives. The reason for this amendment is to indicate that Moreton Island is an island adjacent to Mr. Sberrington interjected. Moreton Bay. The other islands, namely, Bishop, Fisherman, Green, Mud and St. The CHAIRMAN: Order! If I have to Helena, which are being included in the city, warn the honourable member for Salisbury are situated in Moreton Bay itself. again, I will do so under the provisions Amendment (Mr. McKechnie) agreed to. of Standing Order 123A. Clause 2, as amended, agreed to. Mr. Sberrington: I will lose a night's sleep over that. Clame 3-Amendment of s. 14P; Proc lamation of electoral wards- The CHAIRMAN: Order! I now warn Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon the honourable member under the provisions Minister for Local Government and Electri of Standing Order 123A. city) (10.33 p.m.): I move the following amendment- Question-That the word proposed to be inserted in clause 2 (Mr. McKechnie's "On page 2, line 1, after the figure '4' insert the words- amendment) be so inserted-put; and the Committee divided- '(other than Moreton Island as so specified)'." AYES, 39 The reason for this amendment is that More ton Island is excluded from inclusion in Ahern Lane Alison McKechnie the electoral ward of Waterloo Bay. The Bjelke-I'etersen Miller other islands being included in the city by Camm Moore, R. E. the Bill are to be included in that electoral Campbell Muller Chinchen Neal ward. Cory Newbery Crawford Porter Amendment (Mr. McKechnie) agreed to. Edwards Rae Fletcher Row Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon Frawley Scott-Young Minrister for Local Government and Electric Gunn Small Herbert Sullivan ity) (10.35 p.m.): I move the following further Hewitt, N. T. E. Tomkins amendment- Hewitt, W. D. Tooth Hinze Wharton "On page 2, after line 3, insert the Hodges following subsection- Hooper, K. W. Tellers: Hough ton '(7) The electoral ward of Bramble Huglies Bird Bay as constituted immediately before Knox Lee the commencement of the City of Bris bane Act Amendment Act 1974 NOES, 30 includes, on and from such commence ment but subject to any complete or Aiken Margin son Bald win Melloy partial redistribution made under this Blake Moore, F. I'. Act, Moreton Island as specified in Bousen Newton subsection (3) of section 4 and the Bromley O'Donnell D'Arcy Tucker electoral roll for that electoral ward Davis Wallis-Smith shall, as the circumstances may require, Dean Wood, B. be amended accordingly.' " Hanlon Wood, P. Hanson Wright The purpose of this amendment is to provide Hooper, K. J. Yewdale Houston that Moreton Island is included in the Inch electoral ward of Bramble Bay on and from Jensen Tellers: .!'ones, R. the commencement of the amending Act and Jordan Burns future electoral rolls for the electoral ward Lee se Sherrington will have to make provrision accordingly. PAIRS: Mr. BURNS (Lytton) (10.36 p.m.): I wonder why, after the Minister has had Chalk Harvey Kaus Jones, N. F. discussions with Alderman Shaw, he did not Hartwig Harris place Moreton in Alderman Shaw's ward. Alderman Shaw happens to be a colleague Resolved in the affirmative. of mine and works hard in our area. I 884 City of Brisbane, &c., Bill [18 SEPTEMBER 1974] Ministerial Statement know he is very enthusiastic about achieving something for the Moreton Bay islands. He co-operates fully with those people associated Wlith them. Why should a special move be made to include Moreton Island in Sandgate, which is part of Bramble Bay under the control of the alderman representing that ward, when an alderman in the city is interested in having it included in the city? If all the other islands are coming into Eric Shaw's area, why not have Moreton Island in the ward of Waterloo Bay? Why should the Minister pick on Bramble Bay and move an additional amendment when it is not really necessary? Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon Minister for Local Government and Electric ity) (10.37 p.m.): As one proceeds down the Brisbane River, the Waterloo Bay ward is on the right bank of the Brisbane River and adjacent thereto are Bishop, Fisherman, Mud, Green, and St. Helena Islands. As one goes outside the Brisbane River into the bay, the most north-easterly ward is Bramble Bay. which is adjacent to Moreton Island. Geo graphically, the Bramble Bay ward is the closest ward to Moreton Island and that is why the island was so placed. Amendment (Mr. McKechnie) agreed to. Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon Minister for Local Government and Elec tricity) (10.38 p.m.): I move the following further amendment- "On page 2, after line 24, insert the following paragraph- '(c) the office of the a·lderman of the Council (as constituted immediately before the commencement of the City of Brisbane Act Amendment Act 1974) representing the electoral ward of Bramble Bay, and that alderman shall hold and continue to hold office as the alderman rep.resenting the electoral ward of Bramble Bay in all respects as if he had been duly elected at an election for that electoral ward as constituted on the commencement of this Act until he dies, resigns his office or his office as alder man is otherwise vacated, or the triennial election of aldermen next held after the said commencement is concluded whichever first occurs.' " The purpose of this amendment is to provide that the office of alderman of the council presently representing the electoral ward of Bramble Bay will not be affected by the inclusion of Moreton Island in that electoral ward. The alderman concerned will hold, and continue to hold, office as the alderman representing that electoral ward until his office becomes vacant or until the next triennial election of aldermen. Amendment (Mr. McKechnie) agreed to. Clause 3, as amended, agreed to. Bill reported, with amendments. The House adjourned at 10.41 p.m.