Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

WEDNESDAY, 21 AUGUST 1968

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

10 Death of Hon. J. C. A. Pizzey [ASSEMBLY] Papers

WEDNESDAY, 21 AUGUST, 1968

MR. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:- Reports- Report of the Police Superannuation Board for the year 1967-68. Report of the Commissioner of Land Tax for the year 1967-68. Report of the Manager, Golden Casket Art Union, for the year 1967-68. Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Shops for the year 1967-68. Eighty-third Report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies. Papers [21 AuousT] Form of Questions 11

The following papers were laid on the The State Transport Acts, 1960 to table:- 1965. Proclamations under- The Industrial Development Acts, 1963 The Public Works Land Resumption to 1964. Acts, 1906 to 1955. The State Housing Acts, 1945 to 1966. The State Development and Public The State Housing Acts, 1945 to 1966, Works Organisation Acts, 1938 to and The Local Bodies' Loans Guar­ 1964. antee Acts, 1923 to 1957. The Beach Protection Act of 1968. Regulations under- The Queensland Marine Acts, 1958 The Public Service Acts, 1922 to 1965. to 1967. The Public Accountants Registration The Stamp Acts Amendment Act of Acts, 1946 to 1968. 1968. The Fisheries Acts, 1957 to 1962. The Forestry Acts, 1959 to 1964. The Harbours Acts, 1955 to 1968. The Sugar Acquisition Act of 1915. The Insurance Acts, 1960 to 1968. The Stock Acts, 1915 to 1965. The Motor Vehicles Insurance Acts, The Weights and Measures Acts Amend­ 1936 to 1968. ment Act of 1967. The Stamp Acts, 1894 to 1968. The Traffic Acts, 1949 to 1968. The Workers' Compensation Acts, 1916 to 1966. Orders in Council under- The Education Act of 1964. The Co-ordination of Rural Advances The Local Government Acts. 1936 to and Agricultural Bank Acts, 1938 to 1967. 1965. The Water Acts, 1926 to 1967. The Fisheries Acts, 1957 to 1962. The Brands Acts, 1915 to 1965. The Harbours Acts, 1955 to 1968. The Fruit Marketing Organisation Acts, The Racing and Betting Acts, 1954 to 1923 to 1964. 1966. The Meat Industry Act of 1965. The Racing and Betting Acts, 1954 to The Primary Producers' Organisation 1967. and Marketing Acts, 1926 to 1966. The Rural Training Schools Act of The Stock Acts, 1915 to 1965. 1965. The Hospitals Acts, 1936 to 1%7. The Libraries Acts, 1943 to 1949. The Nurses Act of 1964. The Grammar Schools Acts, 1860 to The Health Acts, 1937 to 1968. 1962. The Radioactive Substances Acts, 1958 The Acts Interpretation Acts, 1954 to to 1967. 1962. The Children's Services Act of 1965. The City of Brisbane Acts, 1924 to 1967. The Apprenticeship Act of 1964. The Water Acts, 1926 to 1967. The State Transport Acts, 1960 to 1965. The Irrigation Acts, 1922 to 1965. The Traffic Acts, 1949 to 1968. The River Improvement Trust Acts, The Land Acts, 1962 to 1968. 1940 to 1965. Statutes under The University of Queens­ The Forestry Acts, 1959 to 1964. land Act of 1965. The Banana Industry Protection Acts, By-laws under- 1929 to 1937. The Harbours Acts, 1955 to 1968. The Fauna Conservation Act of 1952. The Dental Acts, 1902 to 1961. The Meat Industry Act of 1965. By"laws Nos. 970, 971, 972, 973 and 974 The Milk Supply Acts, 1952 to 1961. under The Railways Acts, 1914 to The Primary Producers' Organisation 1965. and Marketing Acts, 1926 to 1966. Declaration under- The Regulation of Sugar Cane Prices The Mental Health Acts, 1962 to 1964. Acts, 1962 to 1966. Schedule of particulars relating to the The Stock Acts, 1915 to 1965. Mortgage of Cromwell College Land The Sugar Experiment Stations Acts, within the University of Queensland to the 1900 to 1965. Australia and New Zealand Bank Limited. The Wheat Pool Acts, 1920 to 1957. The Veterinary Surgeons Acts, 1936 to FORM OF QUESTIONS 1964. Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) having The Explosives Acts, 1952 to 1963. given notice of three questions- The Health Acts, 1937 to 1968. The Medical Acts, 1939 to 1966. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I advise the hon. member for Townsville South that I shall The Ambulance Services Act of 1967. have a very close look at his first two The Apprenticeship Act of 1964. questions. 12 Death of Hon. Sir [ASSEMBLY] Alan Whiteside Munro, K.B.E.

Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) proceeding to Less than two years ago, on the rising of give notice of a question- the Thirty-seventh Parliament, the late Sir Alan Munro, in responding to a tribute from Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I think it would all sides of the Chamber, said that although be better if the hon. member used his material in the Address-in-Reply debate. parliamentary life was something of a battle he was sure that, in spite of political The question is far too long. I ask the hon. member to condense it. differences, Parliamentarians could look upon the great majority of their fellows as friends. Mr. BROMLEY: It contains only 42 These sentiments, uttered as he prepared to questions. leave politics, epitomised the whole manner of Sir Alan's approach to his parliamentary Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The question is duties. At all times he refrained from out of order; it is far too long. I ask the personalities, and in debate he preferred logic hon. member to reframe it in a much briefer and reason in resolving the issues at hand. manner and present it again. He was a tremendously dedicated person and Mr. BROMLEY: I have already given contributed the very best of his outstanding notice of some of the questions. Will it be ability in promoting the advancement of all right if I give notice of the others on Queensland and its people. As a Cabinet subsequent days? They are all tied up with Minister he insisted on accuracy in the the one subject. minutest detail, demanding clarity and logic, and was averse under any circumstances to Mr. SPEAKER: Have you another embellishing the truth. question that you wish to ask? Sir Alan Munro entered this Parliament in Mr. BROMLEY: No. 1950 as the elected representative for Toowong. He was appointed to Cabinet rank Mr. SPEAKER: Reframe your question, in 1957 as Minister for Justice and Attorney­ and we will look at it later. General. In this office he distinguished him­ self as an administrator, and by the diligence NOTICE OF MOTION he applied to law reform over a wide and varied field. Mr. AlKENS (Townsville South) having given notice of a motion- The important legislation that Sir Alan Munro introduced included Bills for the Mr. SPEAKER: Order! inauguration of District Courts and the more effective control of prisons, liquor and hire­ Mr. AIKENS: Now will five of you stand purchase. He also supervised arrangements up? How many other honest men are there for the consolidation and reprinting of the in the Chamber? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Queensland Statutes. for standing up. He succeeded Mr. K. J. (now Sir Kenneth) Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Are there any Morris as Parliamentary Liberal Party Leader, supporters of the motion? and in 1963 accepted the portfolio of Minister for Industrial Development, as head of the Two hon. members rising in their places­ new department created by the Government to co-ordinate the promotion of industrial Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The notice of growth in our State, particularly factory motion does not comply with Standing industries. In this role he laid the foundation Orders and therefore cannot appear on the of an important new function of government Business Paper. which has been of inestimable value in promoting the expansion of private industry. DEATH OF HON. SIR ALAN WHITESIDE While unshakably loyal to Liberal Party MUNRO, K.B.E. principles, he worked always as Parliamenta~y Party Leader to cement the strong partnership MOTION OF CONDOLENCE of the joint-party Government. The Cabinet and the two Government parties missed him Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah­ greatly when he relinquished ministerial Premier) (11.54 a.m.), by leave, without rank in January, 1965, as a prelude to com­ notice: I move- plete departure from the political scene. His " 1. That this House desires to place on reason for retirement-to allow younger men record its appreciation of the services to take the reins-was consistent with that rendered to this State by the late Hon. sincerity of purpose for which he was Sir Alan Whiteside Munro, K.B.E., a respected among hon. members, including former member of the Parliament of those whose politics differed from his own. Queensland and Minister of the Crown. His elevation to knighthood by Her Majesty "2. That Mr. Speaker be requested to the Queen, in June, 1965, graciously acknow­ convey to Lady Munro and family the ledged his outstanding services to this State. above resolution, together with an expres­ I know that all hon. members will join with sion of the sympathy and sorrow of the me in expressing to Lady Munro and her members of the Parliament of Queensland family the sincere sympathy of this Parlia­ in the loss they have sustained." ment in the grievous loss they have sustained. Death of Hon. Sir [21 AUGUST] Alan Whiteside Munro, K.B.E. 13

Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer­ worked energetically for, and dedicated his Treasurer) (11.58 a.m.): It is with very sincere considera:ble talents to, the advancement of regret that I rise to support the motion of Queensland and the welfare of its people, sympathy moved by the Premier in the death and when these services were rightly recog­ of the late Sir Alan Munro. nised by his Sovereign, the Queen, I know Within a few short weeks this State lost that he was tremendously proud of the two of the ablest men ever to have held distinction that had been accorded to him. ministerial office in any of its Governments: one, the late Jack Pizzey, a newly appointed Although he had retired from active Premier engaged in the all-important and political service, Alan Munrro still had a lot onerous duties and responsibilities that such to offer Queensland in his quiet, efficient way, a post entails; the other, the late Sir Alan and I say very sincerely that we a!fe indeed Munro, a man who, having made an out­ the poorer for his passing. standing contribution to Queensland's political To his widow, to his son, and to their life, had barely begun to enjoy the quiet and loved ones, I express on behalf of my Liberal pleasant years of retirement to which, I Party colleagues-as I know I do also on believe each hon. member here would sub­ behalf of all members of this House, both scribe, he was justly entitled. past and present--<>ur deepest sympathy. May As the Premier has said, the late Sir Alan they have comfort in knowing that the late Munro entered this House in 1950, and as Sir Alan has left behind memories that will one of my predecessors in office as Deputy never grow old. Premier and Leader of the State Liberal Party I had the privilege, both in Opposition and It is with the warmest !Tespect to his in Government, of working with him as a memory and with deep personal sincerity that party colleague. He became a Minister with I support the motion put forward by the me in the first Nicklin-Morris Government in Premier. August, 1957, and, as the Premier has said, Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba-Leader of the he was Deputy Premier and Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party from 1962 until Opposition) (12.5 p.m.): On behalf of the 1965. Opposition I join with the Premier and the Deputy Premier in this message of condolence All of us who knew him, all of us who and sympathy to Lady Munro and her son. worked with him in Government, had a What has been said by the two previous tremendous admiration not only for his speakers with regard to Sir Alan and his ability but also for his great spirit of dedica­ career is, of course, well known to them. tion and self-sacrifice to the things in which From the Opposition's point of view, because he believed so strongly and for which he of his ministerial portfolio, I do not think it worked so assiduously. could be said that we knew him as well as We all had a great regard for his keen we know other Ministers. As Attorney­ brain and, can I say, his disciplined mind­ General, and later as Minister for Industrial facets of his nature that perhaps might have Development, the average member of the obscured to those who did not know him House had little occasion to approach Sir well his outstanding qualities of kindness and Alan, whereas we are in rather closer contact generosity of spirit. These he displayed to with Ministers such as the Minister for me personally many a time, and in full Housing and others with similar portfolios measure. who are in charge of more practical Govern­ Many of us in this House will always ment departments. I therefore could not say recall this sincere, Christian man, to whom, with truth much about Sir Alan's carrying as Attorney-General, fell the responsibility out his ministerial duties. However, we did of bringing down this Government's first know him as a person and as one who club licensing Bill, which extended the liquor debated on behalf of the Gove;rnment the tmding hours in this State. Yet throughout legislation that came before this House. I that debate he carried out his responsibilities can support the Treasurer's remarks about sincerely-possibly not his own personal his handling of earlier legislation covering wishes, but they were his Government's clubs and liquor. I have no doubt that his wishes, and he unflinchingly, I know, carried personal view may have been that he did not out those responsibilities without any bitter­ support an extension of trading hours, but, ness towards his colleagues. being a Minister of the Crown, he carried out his duties on behalf of the Government and He was very often, as well as a friend, a we in the Opposition appreciated that point great guide to me, and I shall always of view. remember with gratitude the aldvice and help he gave to me as a member of his party I can say that Sir Alan Munro was a very on many occasions that called for the appli­ sincere man. We felt, in talking to him, and cation of a calmer temperament than perhaps in debate, that whether or not he agreed with I possess. our point of view he always considered it. He was a very sincere and loyal parrty man. We from the Opposition join with other He was a firm believer in the system of hon. members in expressing to Lady Munro parliaJ?en!arry democracy and its principles, our sympathy in her loss. I feel that, no and d1sdamful of anything that might tend to matter what the loss may be to the State bring that system into disrepute. Alan Munro through anyone's passing on, the State still 14 Death ofLate Member [ASSEMBLY] Governor's Opening Speech goes on. There are others to take the place I got to know Alan Munro very early in of those who retire or die. But to the loved my parliamentary life, not having known him ones, particularly the wife who has had the before, because in those days we sat at the company of her husband for a long period same. table in the Parliamentary Refreshment of years, as they grow older, the loss is Rooms day after day. It so happened that certainly great. As I say, it is felt very Alan Munro, Winston Noble, Tom Kerr and personally by the widow, and I join in I sat at the same table for some six years expressing to her our sympathy and trust until Tom Kerr retired from Parliament. After eating with the same three fellows that the years ahead will be kind to her. three or four days a week, over a period of Mr. PORTER (Toowong) (12.8 p.m.): It is six years, there is not a great deal that you always a melancholy matter paying tribute to do not know about them. So it was with political comrades who have passed on. It is Alan Munro. melancholy, but it is also proper because I The hon. member for Toowong has think it is a sad aspect of public life that pointed out very clearly the various facets of all too often while we are alive we receive more brickbats than bouquets. However, I this man. Alan Munro was a very sincere doubt whether this really was the case with man, he was a kindly man and, much like Alan Munro, my predecessor in the seat of Jack Pizzey, a simple type of man. But it Toowong, because he was a man who gained was in this very simplicity that his great a very real reputation as someone who tried strength lay, as is the case with so many to see both sides of an argument; as someone big-minded people. :vho was always extremely generous in his I argued a good deal with Alan Munro, JUdgments. I think he was never bitter with which was natural because of the distinct an~ oppon.ent. Because of these qualities, differences in our personalities. I did not ~h1ch I t.hmk are rare in anybody in public always agree with him. But, as the hon. life-particularly rare in one who rises to member for Toowong has said, no-one has the eminence of being a party leader and a ever had a disagreement or an argument with Deputy Premier-! think that Alan Munro Alan M unro and left his presence was perhaps one of the most universally liked feeling unhappy about the man himself. In men to come into this House. One miaht argue with him on his beliefs-and I h~ve this lay the man's great strength. done this on occasions-but one could never What I believe I admired most about Alan come away from any argument with Alan Munro as a man was his keen sense of Munro feeling in any sense aggrieved. My loyalty. A leader sets the standard of the own association with him went back over 30 loyalty that he himself receives by giving years. Because of a close association with loyalty, and Alan Munro had no peer in this the late !3ruce Pie, I recall, with Bruce, regard. He gave the utmost of himself as endeavounng to persuade Alan Munro to Leader of the Liberal Party, of which I was enter public life. This he eventually did, with then a member, and because he gave to his a ~reat deal . of reluctance, and as I say, colleagues the utmost in loyalty, he in turn achieved considerable eminence in his parlia­ received a full measure of loyalty. So, while mentary career. he often confided to me the problems associ­ I then continued an association which ated with this task, in many respects he was, reached the stage where I was able to work as Leader of the Liberal Party in this State, w!th Sir Alan as general secretary of the receiving loyalty and was a happy man in Liberal Party when he was parliamentary that aspect of his task. leader, leading our party in a State election campaign. So this association went through As we go through life and grow older, we are more inclined to cherish memories of the the whole period of Alan Munro's public life. past. That is a natural thing that happens . _It i~ with a very real sense of loss that I to all of us, and one of the things that I shall J?lll m :;upporting this motion to pay a cherish during the rest of my time is the smcere tnbute to a very good and an honour­ fact that at one phase of my life I came able man and to express, on behalf of the across such a man as Alan Munro, whom I people of Toowong, my sincerest sympathy to respected very much. Lady Munro and to her family. Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to, ~r. DEWAR (Wavell) (12.12 p.m.): I hon. members standing in silence. desm~ t? say

ADDRESS IN REPLY certainly strongly commend the efforts of Mr. PILBEAM (Rockhampton South) the Deputy Premier and Treasurer in seeking (12.17 p.m.), who was received with Govern­ to secure capital outside Australia for this ment "Hear, hears!", said: I move- project. It does not matter where this "That the following Address be presented massive power station is set up in Central to the Governor in reply to the Speech Queensland; what does matter is that its delivered by His Excellency in opening cheap and abundant power may be made this, the third session of the Thirty-eighth available to all parts of the State. Parliament of Queensland:- We have witnessed the operation of very 'May it please Your Excellency,-We, great undertakings in the electrical field, and Her Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects, these prompt me to say that the construction the Members of the Legislature of Queensland, in Parliament assembled, of this massive power station in Central desire to assure Your Excellency of our Queensland can be fully justified. Already continued loyalty and affection towards the electrical load in the area has multiplied the Throne and Person of Our Most 16 times in the past 16 years, and the rate of Gracious Sovereign, and to tender our development is ever-increasing. Phenomenal thanks to Your Excellency for the development like this is unknown outside Speech with which you have been Central Queensland at the moment, and I pleased to open the present session. am pleased to say that Central Queensland The various measures to which Your has accepted the challenge and, to date, has Excellency has referred, and all other financed it from its own resources in its own matters that may be brought before us, area. will receive our most careful considera­ tion, and it shall be our earnest We have witnessed the operation of the endeavour so to deal with them that our world's largest dragline operating in Central labours may tend to the advancement Queensland on a relatively small system­ and prosperity of the State.' " evidence that the people of Central Queens­ I regret that I have to move this motion in land have certainly the initiative to tackle an atmosphere of sadness and loss. I look with success the toughest of technical jobs. in vain at the ministerial benches for the Of such technical interest is this development face and figure of the former parliamentary that it has been the subject of a paper to be leader, Mr. Jack Pizzey, whose death Pl'esented to an international conference of brought to a sudden end a task that had electricity supply a:uthorities in Paris. This been shouldered with much responsibility and means that it is creating interest throughout talent. We shall all feel his loss for many, the world. We see overtures being made by many days to come. still larger industries to be established in the I congratulate his successor, the Honourable area, and they have only two real require­ Joe Bjelke-Petersen, and wish him a long, ments--cheap power, and cheap water. Give happy and prosperous term in office. He and I them these, and the achievements of the past have had a long friendship, and I trust that in the industrial field will pale into this harmonious relationship will not be insignificance. prejudiced by any decisions that he may Now, how can cheaper power be obtained? make in response to my future representa­ Let us look at the fundamental costing of tions. poweT production. Capital charges in the I also extend my best wishes to the newest present generating set-up in Central Queens­ Minister, the Honourable Max Hodges, and land are roughly twice the fuel charges, and to the newest Parliamentarian, our young so, to achieve the greatest reduction in cost, colleague the member for Landsborough, who we must tackle the capital charges by looking will be seconding this motion. to the economies of scale. I listened to His Excellency's speech with The present Callide power station costs great interest, and I was gratified to hear him $200 per kilowatt, give or take a dollar or speak of many things that testify to the very two. If we double the set size, we can reduce real advancement now being made on all this to $160. We can double it again to get fronts by this State. There is no doubt that $130, and double it yet again to get $100 a Queensland is facing an industrial revolution. kilowatt. Operating costs are reduced in the We see today evidence that this revolution same manner, if not so markedly, and there is being concentrated in Central Queensland, is certainly a saving in fuel costs, too. and we ask the reason for it. Not much research is necessary to discover the answer. Is generation on a large scale like this 1t is the presence of large deposits of easily­ feasible? Yes, it is, provided there is a big won coal of all types, and the largest enough base load. The total Queensland base remaining harvestable quantities of water load now approaches 1,000 megawatts and, if adjacent to the established centres of integrated, could stand set sizes of 250 mega­ population. These present a challenge to all watts now. So, throw in a large aluminium Central Queenslanders to capitalise on this smelter and natural load growth, integrate the happy state of affairs. This we can do by system, and by the time plant could be establishing a large facility for power genera­ insta.Jled, 500 megawatt sets are within the tion in the heart of this potential, and I bounds of possibility. 16 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

If we integrate our systems now to achieve I am aware of the priorities for large water these economies of scale, capital costs conservation schemes in other parts of the admittedly appear high--of the order of State, but I am sure the other important $50,000,000-but they rure still less than half projects in the Fitzroy Basin-notably the N a than Gorge scheme, above Theodore, and the cost of the first stage of the Queensland ultimately the biggest one of all, the Gap Alumina Limited plant at Gladstone. And scheme, above Yaamba-will not be lost the cost of these inter-connecting transmission sight of. systems is not all true cost; the saving in However, it is in the field of mineral capital investment per kilowatt of generating development that the most dramatic and plant, and the much bigger saving in fuel exciting events are taking place. Cast your cost, compared with present generation, will eyes on the major coal development at be an important offset. Moura, with the world's largest dragline; the copybook project at Blackwater by Utah We are faced with power station costs; they Development! What a magnificent set-up is are inevitable. But the $50,000,000 for trans­ in evidence there, with a new township of mission inter-connectors will allow us to 200 houses springing up, a modern water reduce over-all costs and so set this State tower and first-class amenities provided by on the path to the top in .the industrial world. the company, even to the extent of its financ­ We face strong competition from other States, ing completely a $15,000 to $20,000 tele­ particularly New South Wales, with its major vision translator for the benefit of its power station at Liddell and its 500 megawatt employees. sets. Mr. N. T. E. Hewitt: $40,000. Central Queensland has everything to make Mr. PILBEAM: I think $15,000 to $20,000 it the Newcastle of Queensland, so let Central was the initial offer. Queensland be the main beneficiary of the national resources of cheap fuel that will Look nearby at Clutha's enterprise at South unleash undreamed-of productivity in the Blackwater, where a 3,000-ft. inclined drive area. Central Queensland has shown it can has been completed for the removal of bulk carry the cost of this development. Let each ·samples of high-grade coking coal. area of the State buy its power from a large B.H.P. also has a nearby lease, and Thiess Central Queensland generating station. We Bros. announced this week that they are have the world's largest dragline, the world's shipping a trial order of 70,000 tons of coal largest alumina refinery, and the world's from this area to Japan. I congratulate most largest and cheapest deposits of coal. Let us warmly all these companies, including our now strive to get also, in addition to these, own Queensland company of Thiess Bros. an aluminium refinery, steelworks, and allied Whilst on the subject of companies, a chemical works. continuous objection has been made to the It is gratifying to be told of this Govern­ provision of capital in these fields by over­ ment's policy of continuing to develop the seas companies. I cannot agree. that this is water resources of this State, of continuing a bad thing. As the Minister for Customs, to investigate and promote the major schemes Senator Scott, said in Rockhampton recently, with their major benefits-a departure from "How can we complain of overseas com­ the old policy of concentrating on the small panies which invest massive amounts of farm projects. All Central Queenslanders capital in mineral and oil exploration on the must have been thrilled to see at last the basis that if they are unsuccessful they con­ waters of the grand old Fitzroy River tain all the losses themselves, and if successful harnessed for the benefit of the State. The they return 50 per cent. of their gains to barrage at Rockhampton is progressing splen­ Australia?" The young Australian engineer didly and will give three times the city's water in charge of the Clutha undertaking said to requirements by the year 2000, plus the me recently, "If we did not get this massive cheapest industrial water in the Common­ overseas investment in our mineral resources, wealth and an adequate surplus for irrigating these valuable minerals would still remain in lands along 50 miles of its banks. the ground." What grand news was released by the I congratulate the Treasurer, the Minister Government during the past year, to the for Mines, and the city of Mackay, on effect that construction of the $28,000,000 acquiring the $100,000,000 coal development, Maraboon Dam, on the Nogoa River near which includes a new railway from Goonyella Emerald, was to proceed. Already we see to Mackay or nearby Hay Point. Details will come later, but by all accounts this evidence of design work by the Snowy Moun­ Government has made a wonderful deal. tains Authority. Tenders have been called Congratulations, Mackay! This is a most out­ and accepted for over $500,000 worth of standing development. housing, and the contract for the main embankment will be let next year. Other exciting developments in the mineral field include the I.C.I.A.N.Z. salt complex Other Central Queensland water projects at Port Alma, the nickel discoveries at include a 12,500-acre-ft. weir near Black­ Marlborough, the $4,500,000 expansion pro­ water, costing $1,700,000. All concrete work gramme at Mt. Morgan by Peko Wallsend for this scheme will be in place before Ltd., Murphyores mineral sand development, Christmas, so it is proceeding apace. and several other smaller developments. 17 Address in Reply [2l.AUGUST] Address in Reply

Whilst the tremendous upsurge in mineral beef, despite the quality of the American development has been spectacular-that is, it beef. Of course, this agitation ensured that has made the headlines-there is a tendency the United States inspection regulations were to overlook one of our most stable industries, enforced to the full. one that has contributed much to the develop­ This brought about tremendous changes in ment of Central Queensland during the last our Queensland meatworks. Whilst millions 100 years. I refer to our beef industry, of of dollars had to be spent on up-dating plant which we in Central Queensland are justly for hygiene reasons, it was also apparent that proud. The beef industry has been and will the opportunity should be taken to improve be the mainstay of Central Queensland's the efficiency of plants to reduce the cost of economy for many years, and meat is one processing in order to pay for these hygiene of the few pastoral products that do not costs, and also to make us more competitive receive the direct Government support that the grain and sugar industries attract. This overseas. industry, from ~he properties, through to the I am very proud to be able to say that processing works, and finally to the export mY own area of Central Queensland has been markets, stands on its own feet and has to well to the fore. in meeting these extra withstand fluctuations in price on the world demands on the industry. It was inevitable market. that under rapidly changing economic condi­ tions there would be some casualties, and I I am sure that hon. members will not refer in particular to the closure of Swifts object to my dwelling upon this particular meatworks at Gladstone, which has now been subject. Central Queensland is renowned not replaced by the tremendous undertaking of only for the biggest concentration of beef Queensland Alumina Ltd. cattle in Australia but also for the quality of its beef, and, what is more important, for The loss of the long-established meatworks its potential for future development. Those at Gladstone was offset by the construction who have followed the fortunes of the grazing of a modem abattoir by T. A. Field Pty. and beef industry will recall the days when Ltd. at Nerimbera, while the world-renowned our surplus beef could be sold to only one Lakes Creek meatworks, which has been in market: the United Kingdom. Whilst this operation since 1871, has been completely market was fostered, to the benefit of all transformed into one of the most modem concerned, it was realised only too well how abattoirs and processing works in the industry. vulnerable the industry was by its depen­ The development of the Biloela abattoir dence on one outlet, and more so by the by Amagraze Ltd. has also made its impact changing conditions in the United Kingdom on the economy of the beef industry in the and Europe and the growing competition Dawson and Callide Valleys. These three from other meat-exporting countries. works are now geared to handle the growing cattle turn-off from Central Queensland, and In the middle 1950's Britain released Aus­ to meet the demands placed on them by the tralia from certain provisions of the 15-year exacting buyers of meat from different parts agreement, which had some time to run, and of the world. At present nearly 70 per cent. this enabled our industry to penetrate the of our beef exports go to the United States American market with low-fat-content beef, of America, with less than 20 per cent. to which the United States market desired for the United Kingdom and Europe. The the supply of hamburgers and prepared remainder goes to Eastern countries, includ­ sausages. This move was attractive as far ing Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It is as prices were concerned, and it also pre­ ironic to note that in the case of Japan and sented an alternative market to the existing Hong Kong the meat goes principally to the one, the United Kingdom market. However, first-class tourist hotels, where Australians go the change brought about a revolution in a long way from home to eat their own beef. the processing side of the industry, in that In the case of Singapore, the principal user, the American import regulations were more of course, would be the Army. exacting than those to which Australia had been used, and they necessitated the expen­ I mention these things because the motivat­ diture of millions of dollars in providing ing force in this up-dating and development has been due to private initiative and enter­ hygienic processing safeguards to meet the prise, and I must commend the Government requirements of the meat inspection for providing the right climate for this to authorities of the United States. This was take place. not altogether an unmixed blessing in Rock­ hampton, because previously the two meat At this stage I must recall the time when companies there used unfiltered water from there was a vociferous and strong agitation their own supplies, and the Rockhampton by certain elements of the grazing com­ City Council was able to sell them $35,000 munity, and others, for the building of a worth of unfiltered water each year; so the public abattoir in Rockhampton. The graziers American export restrictions and the United made no bones about the fact that they Kingdom export restrictions have not been wanted a service abattoir to be available altogether unkind to the city of Rockhampton. for tho'3e who might wish to kill in competi­ tion with existing works. They did not make We are well aware of the agitation any offer to contribute towards the cost of from the American cattle-man, who could the district abattoir, nor was it explained see some threat to the price he received for how losses would be absorbed, but it was his high-cost, feed-lot beef from our imported inferred that the ratepayers and purchasers 18 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply of meat would subsidise the losses by paying were invited to apply for quotas within tb.e higher prices. The Government in its wisdom 20 per cent. of the killing accommodation sought an agreement with the two Rock­ at C.Q.M.E. and Fields, and while six hampton works whereby, for the privilege of companies had nominal quotas during 1968 having a franchise for local trade killing, only four exercised them, and one of these operators other than the two works would supplies the Sydney market. Some have not be provided with a certain amount of space performed at all, while others have been in -namely, 20 per cent.-for the killing of and out like yo-yos and, as was to be stock for the export and local markets. expected, they buy cattle in the area only Agreement was reached and the city's refusal when it suits them and when prices are right. to finance the abattoir on the conditions laid They have no responsibilities such as have down was completely vindicated, as subse­ the owners of meatworks. As events have quent events have proved. proved, apart from the need to provide We all know the sorry position in which hygienic killing facilities for the local trade, the Mackay Abattoir Board finds itself. This the handling of our beef industry can be abattoir was built as a local killing works, left safely to the meat companies whose but owing to severe pressure the Government competition with one another today is pro­ was induced to extend the facility to provide viding the graziers with prices that are highly for the handling of export carcasses. During competitive. To me, these private works its last year of operations the Mackay know how to manage their affairs. My Abattoir Board incurred a loss of $256,000, arguments clearly support the view that it which must be added to the previous accumu­ is the strong and well-managed private­ lated losses. The losses on export operations industry works that can serve our industry were guaranteed by the Government for a best. period of five years. That is the only thing I must say that private industry also has that has saved the people of those areas. There is no possible shadow of doubt that a responsibility to the graziers and the com­ in those five years the accumulated losses of munity. There is no doubt about that. There the Mackay abattoir will total more than has been no better feeling or understanding $!,000,000. of one another's problems as that which now Let me say that the killing charge imposed exists between all sections of the industry on local butchers by the Mackay Abattoir and has existed since the Rockhampton Board is $6 a head whereas in Rockhampton, Abattoir controversy was settled. I myself where the private works make a profit, it is have many friends in the grazing industry, $4.35 a head. The export quota from the including my friend from the West. I may Mackay abattoir is negligible. Later on I have lost some temporarily in my opposition shall give the export figure through Port to their abattoir platform. But I know that Alma from the private works at Rockhamp­ many graziers who are honest in their ton, and the difference will be seen. opinions now feel that my opposition was It must be admitted, and I am quite fair correct and in their best interests. enough to say, that the commencement of the Mackay abattoir export operations I should like to congratulate the Govern­ coincided with subnormal seasonal conditions, ment and the Minister who is now in the and a cattle population which had not House on the setting up of the Meat Industry increased for these reasons. Nevertheless, Authority as an indirect way of supervising the future economics of the Mackay abattoir, possible extremes in capital utilisation in the even with a larger cattle population, must meat industry. This authority keeps the cause a great deal of concern. Government informed of requirements and provides opportunities for the industry to If I had not taken the strongest possible rationalise itself in a broad sense, and to stand in Rockhampton, that city would have ensure that meat is hygienically killed for the been faced with a similar position; and bear local population and that where private in mind that we were given no Government enterprise is not prepared to do this at exist­ guarantee that the first five years' losses ing works some means will be found whereby would be met. We would have had to pay a local abattoir is constructed for this over $1,000,000 and I do not know where purpose only, and I repeat, "For this purpose we could have found that sort of money. only." The gradual change from the protected The money that we have been able to Government abattoirs, which stifles initiative save in avoiding this disastrous facility has and enterprise, is already showing results and been diverted to worth-while projects on I suggest-and I think history will bear me which the city can build its foundations for out-that eventually the export trade in future industrial development. I refer to the Queensland will be handled by private­ up-dating of the wharves at Port Alma and enterprise works and that the building of the barrage scheme on the Fitzroy River for abattoirs will be confined to local killing only the supply of tremendous quantities of fresh and not even this if suitable private-enterprise water for industry. works can be found to do the job as we are doing it in Rockhampton. As a member of the Rockhampton Abattoir Board and as further proof supporting the As I have said, I am a member of the stand taken in regard to the abattoir at Rockhampton Abattoir Board, and I have Rockhampton, I can say that under the never been associated with a board which agreement mentioned, the meat companies had so little to do with supervising the Address in Reply [21 AuousT] Address in Reply 19 abattoir operations and had so little over­ A remarkable transformation has taken head in conducting its affairs. The works at place in the development of Queensland Lake's Creek and those of T. A. Field Pty. ports under this Government. Gladstone's Ltd. are our agents; the co-operation that port has had a staggering expansion, and we receive is good, and the city derives benefit in not having to spend money on ports such as Townsville and Mackay have wasteful projects. progressed well. Turning to Port Alma, I should like to thank my Government for With regard to development in Central Queensland generally, the Government is to authorising the necessary loans for the com­ be commended on the inauguration of briga­ pletion of our new wharf installations. We low scheme No. 3, and we know that the all know the difficulties that faced the City problems associated with the initial develop­ of Rockhampton in its choice of a suitable ment of Nos. 1 and 2 areas are being taken overseas port down the years since it became into account so that bona fide settlers who apparent that the Fitzroy River would not are keen to develop their land have the best continue to provide a commercial waterway oppmtunities to do so within their capa­ in this modern age of large ships. bilities and financial resources. We are now in sight of realising the com­ Apart from the. Government-assisted plete rebuilding of the port which, while settlement schemes, tribute must be paid to the descendants of the pioneers of the having a long history dating back to 1884, grazing industry for the work they are doing, was never given the chance to re2Jise its often unheralded and unseen, in the develop­ full potential because of lack of decision ment of their holdings by way of improved in the City of Rockhampton, pressures from breeding, pasture improvement, tick control, different interests for different sites, and water supplies, and many other facets of opponents of the development of a second their important industry. large port in Central Queensland. In 1955 The strides that have been made are the Harbour Board, with which I am asso­ tremendous and significant. Thirty years ciated, realised that unless it had a positive ago it was regarded as unusual if the seasonal policy it was in danger of not having a port kill at the local meatworks extended beyond at all, and, as events have since proved, the six months. Graziers turned their cattle off lack of an overseas deep-water port would after the wet season and did not market have retarded the development of Rock­ again until the following year. Meatworks hampton and Central Queensland, both closed down. There was a definite close­ pastorally and industrially. I must there­ down at the end of the export season result­ fore commend the Government for approving ing in high unemployment, which was a feature of Rockhampton's economy. the cases we have put up to it supporting the economical development of this Port That has all changed. The present owners Alma project. of the Lake's Creek meatworks were the first to keep the works open all the year I well recall the period when the port and round in the hope of buying cattle to main­ the old wharves were connected by rail only tain continuity and to fill orders for their and the agitation that existed for the building meat on a regular basis. This met with of a road to service the port, and also the varying success, but with the knowledge that opposition of certain interests which could graziers could market their cattle all the see the road as a threat to rail traffic. Despite year round and the tendency for higher prices serious sectional opposition, the Rockhamp­ to be paid during the off season, there was a ton City Council accepted my view that the move to market cattle in increasing numbers only way we could convince the Government outside the usual seasonal pattern. of our serious intentions to rehabilitate the This has accelerated as a result of ,the port was to back it financially, and, with the improvements mentioned, including crop­ help of private industry and the ratepayers fattening and the more intense competition of the City of Rockhampton, the road to which has been introduced into the industry Port Alma was completed and a new concrete resulting from the erection of new works in wharf put into operation in 1964. Rockhampton and southern Queensland. The The completion of the road immediately sealing of roads, better transport facilities, and brought business to us. Mr. W. G. Walkley, the cutting-up of properties have also con­ the former managing director of Ampol, tributed to this desirable change. Whereas announced his company's plans to build an meatworks used to kill mobs of 200 to 300 oil terminal. Another meatworks was built head from one owner, they now kill float in Rockhampton-the one of T. A. Field to lots of 20 to 30 head which are brought in which I have referred already-and the com­ at regular intervals when the cattle are ready bined output of both works soon put pressure for marketing. on the harbour board to build more than The two works in Rockhampton now work the one wharf to cater for the increasing all the year round. This is a wonderful trans­ traffic. Both meatworks constructed modern formation that is taking place in this industry cold stores adjacent to the breast wharf, and in Rockhampton, and the prospects of obtain­ the stores, together, can hold 4,000 tons of ing greater continuity and higher killing beef awaiting shipment. These cold stores figures are very bright indeed, again indicat­ are most modern and are designed for hold­ ing the strength and solidarity of the beef ing meat in pallet form and for the use of industry in Central Queensland. fork-lift trucks. Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

The investment by private enterprise to berths, all built since 1964---and incidentally, this stage alone was over $1,000,000, and all have been constructed by M. R. Horni­ this would not have been possible, I repeat, brook Pty. Ltd., the well-known bridge had not the Rockhampton City Council construction people. guaranteed and made a substantial contribu­ The total investment is just on $4,000,000, tion to the construction of the road and for the breast wharf, breast wharf extension, given guarantees against loss for the wharf dolphin berth, dredge, conveyor, etc., and rail construction. approach, but it does not include the Port The city's faith in the harbour board's Alma road. This capital expenditure for a plans to rehabilitate the port for the handling port carrying three berths is small by most of modern sea transport has been further standards. In fact, it is a most economic vindicated by the announcement by I.C.I., in development, mainly because the berths are conjunction with Central Queensland Salt situated on one of the deepest natural Industries, that they intend to construct and sheltered channels in Queensland, where develop salt fields adjacent to the port, dredging will not be required in the using underground brines. Probably not approaches for vessels of up to 35,000 tons. many hon. members know that other salt No maintenance dredging is required, and a projects in Australia use sea water and that very small staff is needed to administer and what makes this development at Port Alma operate the wharf. so important is that the brine is pumped up The port will be capable of handling con­ from under the ground and has three times ventional cargoes, containerised cargoes, unit the saline content of sea water. It is a very cargoes, and bulk cargoes of products which valuable development and could be the fore­ are compatible, such as salt and grains. This runner of further industries. investment, which has been made without The I.C.I. investment alone triggered off Government subsidy, has been made possible, the construction of a special dolphin-type I repeat, by the support given by the people berth, which will be capable of handling of Rockhampton. We think the Government vessels of up to 35,000 tons at this stage. should recognise this and go some of the way In association with the dolphin berth, a towards assisting people of a city who help modern high-speed conveyor has been con­ themselves. How would the beef industry in structed for the purpose of loading salt from Central Queensland fare if these facilities at the 75,000-ton stockpile which will be behind Port Alma had not been provided? For the berth. With the agreement of I.C.I., the example, in 1939, 38,744 tons of beef and conveyor has been designed to handle grain meatworks products were shipped from Port as well as salt, and all the associated planning Alma. In those days the beef was bone-in. of this area of the port has been with this In 1947, after the war, the trend towards in mind. This conveyor has a potential out­ boneless beef started and the quantity shipped put of over 3,000,000 tons per annum if dropped to 31,785 tons. To get the compari­ worked continuously. This figure is theoretical son, it would be necessary to multiply that --one would not expect to see a bulk-loader figure by two, because when the bone is worked continuously-but it does indicate taken out of the carcass it is approximately quite clearly the potential it will have for half the weight. It was bad business for the handling a maximum of 450,000 ton~ of salt harbour board as we were getting harbour per annum, for which the salt fields are dues on only half the previous weight; the designed at present, and the grain output exporters were getting twice the quantity out from Central Queensland, which at present for the same dues. does not exceed 200,000 tons per annum. (Time, on motion of Mr. V. E. Jones, I must repeat again that the development extended). of works at Rockhampton and Port Alma Mr. PILBEAM: However, by 1968, with would not have been possible if the council two meatworks operating in Rockhampton, and the people of Rockhampton had not got 48,108 tons passed over the wharves at Port behind the harbour board and guaranteed the Alma, practically all of it being in boneless losses during the transition periorl. I make form. The value of that export was no anolo!:'v for saying that, and I am very $38,000,000, none of which would have been proud of the Citv of Rockhampton for !!iving possible if the City of Rockhampton had not that support, which was quite extraordinary. supported this port development. In addition to these ventures, the Australian What I have said provides some idea of Nation a! Line, which has been trading with the increase in beef production that has taken Rockhampton for a number of years, sees in place in the Rockhampton district. We feel Port Alma the ideal place for the discharge that the Government should bear in mind and loading of containerised and unit cargo that two pliable, healthy ports in Central in the future for the Central Queensland Queensland are better than one into which area, and, like I.C.I., it has underwritten a all industry is crowded, thus creating the substantial part of the 450-ft. extension, congestion and inefficiency that have plagued 25-ton crane and ancillary equipment to the many ports in the past. present wharf. The trend is very evident that two, and I remind hon. members that with the possibly three, efficient ports serving the demolition of the old jetty wharf, built in industrial and pastoral interests of Central 1884, the board will now have three new Queensland must be promoted, and we think Address in Reply [21 AuGUST] Address in Reply 21 that the efforts of the Rockhampton City Cunnamulla (Moonie-Balonne Highway), Council and the Rockhampton Harbour which has 100 miles; from Rockhampton to Board are worthy of significant attention by Barcaldine (Capricorn Highway), which has the Government. It must recognise the 160 miles; and from Townsville to the rewards that are due to people who get up Northern Territory border (Flinders and and overcome their own difficulties rather Barkly Highway), which has 225 miles of than rely on the Government to provide unsealed road. If we recognise that 610 hand-outs. miles remain to be constructed and we work it out on an average cost of $50,000 a mile, One matter to which I must refer is the that means that it would require a loan of immediate provision, if possible, of first­ $30,000,000 to construct those highways class highways throughout the State of immediately. I would say that it would be Queensland. necessary to add to that an equivalent num­ [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] ber of other highways, such as the one through the Dawson and Callide Valleys in Central Queensland and other highways in Mr. PILBEAM: Before lunch I was stress­ North Queensland and South Queensland, ing the. necessity for a first-class system of and to allow for a reasonable degree of all-weather highways throughout the State. upgrading of these highways to reach a figure In doing so, I wish to make it quite clear that I am casting no reflection on my friend of somewhere near $100,000,000 that would the Minister for Main Roads, or the Com­ have to be raised by way of loan. missioner, or any of his staff. I recognise We could service a loan like that for about that with the limited funds available they $10,000,000 a year, and I refuse to admit are. doing a first-class job and are to be that this could not be serviced out of the thoroughly commended for it. But what funds now available. For the year 1968-69 they are endeavouring to carry out is, in my we have estimated that the income of the opinion, beyond them. I do not consider it Main Roads Department from motor vehicle possible that a system of bitumen highways registrations will be $22,000,000 and we will could be constructed throughout this State receive a Commonwealth road allocation out of revenue, especially with the growing grant of $31,000,000, so that I refusf to demands for better-class highways becoming admit that the interest and redemption ca11not more and more apparent each day. In my be provided for a loan such as this. opinion, there is only one way in which we I recognise that $43,000,000 will be can construct our highways, and that is by doing what is being done in other countries; expended in Brisbane in the next six years that is, to get a major loan to construct under the Wilbur Smith plan. I commend highways and pay for them later. By doing the Government for that. It is justified; it this we project the development for 20 years has to be provided; I do not query it at all. into the future; we would be using the roads Nor do I query-in fact, I applaud-the con­ whilst we are paying for them; and, from the templated expenditure on beef roads of economic angle, with the. cost of roads going $59,000,000. But surely, if these special roads up every day, the cost of work going up are important, the highway system of the every day, and wages going up every day, State is just as important. That is the point the sooner we build the roads the less they I make. If we are to adopt a decentralised will cost us. plan of development for the whole State we must, as soon as possible, provide a first­ There are plenty of parallels to this class system of highways and, in my book, throughout every-day life. We have the we cannot do it out of income any more example . of the householder. How would than local government can carry out its the ordinary householder or the ordinary ambitious projects out of income. young man starting off in married life buy a home and all the other adjuncts to com­ Under the Commonwealth-State road fortable living if he had to provide them agreement, which comes up for renewal next out of income? In the local-government year, there are certain restrictions on what scheme, how would we provide the money we can do with Commonwealth aid. If that for massive sewerage projects or water con­ agreement is to be re-written, surely we can servation projects? We could not do it out get some other proposals written into it. My of revenue, and, in my opinion, somebody­ proposal does not really involve the Com­ some Government-some day will have to monwealth's taking control of our road do just what I am advocating now, and the system. I think the States can do it. If sooner the better. anybody queries that statement, I ask him to I turn to the 46th Annual Report of the cast his eyes at the expressway from New­ Commissioner of Main Roads, for the year castle to Sydney, which was financed by 1966-67, to convince hon. members just what overseas loans. If it can be done in New a task is entailed. That report discloses that South Wales it can be done here, and in my the five major highways of Queensland have book that is the only way it can be done. between them a total of 610 miles of unsealed The sooner we do it the sooner we will have road. an adequate system of highways throughout The highways I refer to are those from the State. Brisbane to Cairns, which has lOO miles; I will conclude my speech with some from Ipswich to Charleville (Warrego High­ observations on Rockhampton's financial way), which has 25 miles; from Dalby to position. We have been attacked in a few 22 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply quarters; we have been told that we have does any other provincial city in Queensland, empty shops and that Rockhampton is a and has since the war. Even the two principal city faced with doom, and so on. I will tell life assurance companies say that their hon. members what sort of a doom Rock­ Rockhampton figures are the best. hampton is facing, based on figures and facts We have. established a cement works, a that I have here for anyone's inspection. It second meatworks, two fabricated steel has been said that Rockhampton is not in a works, a tile works, a carton works and prosperous position. I think the first thing the I.C.I.A.N.Z. salt complex at Port Alma, we have to consider is employment. The and we have had inquiries from Roach figures supplied by the Commonwealth regarding a massive industry based on Employment Service for the past three years barrage water, which could be a very big show the City of Rockhampton as having development indeed. We have established the lowest unemployment figures in the State. two flour mills in Rockhampton, and this is When I look at last month's figures I see that something that amuses me a little because Rockhampton is not even on the board. It before the Queensland co-operative mill was has not even 100 unemployed. On the established in the city, its establishment was previous month's figures Rockhampton did violently attacked in this House by members not even have 100 unemployed. on both sides of the Chamber who claimed The figures supplied by the city council that it was doomed to failure and that the relative to new dwellings erected in Rock­ company had no right, because of its precar­ hampton show that, in the year 1958-59, 190 ious financial position, to embark on this new dwellings were erected at a cost of disastrous project and establish a mill in Rockhampton. £461,000. In the year 1967-68, 308 new dwellings, at a cost of $2,783,158, were I have the complete answer to this in the erected. In the year 1958-59, 31 commercial Annual Report and Balance Sheet of the buildings, at a cost of £264,000, were erected Queensiand Co-operative Milling Association and, in the year 1967-68, 49 buildings, at a Ltd., which shows that 1966 and 1967 were the best years in the company's history and cost of $2,306,228, were erected. I ask hon. that the Rockhampton venture was the most members not to forget that those figures do profitable it had ever undertaken. It shows not include council or Government buildings. that the company made a record profit. I.et We have been told that factories and shops me read it. It Says- in Rockhampton are being closed down. I "Profit. The Profit, after providing for will give hon. members the facts as supplied the Expenses of Management, Marketing, by the Government department concerned. Manufacturing, etc., allowance for In 1960 there were 350 registered factories Depreciation, Provision for Bad and in Rockhampton. In 1968 there are 460. Doubtful Debts, amounts to $549,823. In 1960 there were 650 shops in Rockhamp­ Tax Provision for 1967 is $235,349, ton. In 1968 there are 880. In March, 1955, reducing the Profit to $314,473." according to the figures supplied to me by The shareholders were paid a dividend of the Main Roads Department, there were n per cent. and the balance of $147,673 8,100 registered motor vehicles in Rockhamp­ profit was transferred to general reserve. ton. In June 1967 there were 18,800. There could not be a more prosperous I must mention the work-force in Rock­ report than that one, and I say that it was hampton because people say to me, "You just as well for this Parliament that the have less unemployment because you have company did not listen to the people who fewer jobs." The work-force in Rockhampton endeavoured to stop this flour mill from in 1958-59 totalled 10,000. In 1967 it going to Rockhampton. totalled 12,500. All these facts bring me to Mr. Davies: Who suggested stopping it" the inescapable conclusion that we are "condemned" to continued prosperity and full Mr. PILBEAM: The hon. member for employment in Rockhampton, which is not South Brisbane was one of the leaders. a bad state of affairs. The meatworks in Rockhampton recognise that they have had Mr. Davies: Check the full story on that. the best two seasons they have ever had. Mr. PILBEAM: I will show it to the hon. The building trade is having a record year. member in chapter and verse in "Hansard" The waterside workers at Port Alma have if his memory is so bad. had two record years. It is true that in the railway scene, there is some redundan~y. That If that were not enough, another flour is in accordance with trends that are estab­ mill was set up in Rockhampton, by North lishing themselves. But the work-force as a Queensland Flour Mills Pty. Ltd. Mr. Tom whole going up and unemployment coming O'Brien, the manager, wrote to me and said- down tells only one story-a story of con­ "The mill commenced production in tinuing prosperity. June, 1967, and since that time has been All the principal stores record record working 'Full Time', that is, three. shifts business, the three principal banks in Rock­ per day, five days a week." hampton have the best figures of any provin­ That is another prosperous mill, so how far cial city in the. State, and Rockhampton can people be wrong when they endeavour to contributes more to Rockhampton loans than stop a project like this going to Rockhamp- Address in Reply [21 AUGUST] Address in Reply 23

ton? I run glad to say that I supported it I must take a little exception to a state­ and that my confidence has been fully borne ment appearing on the front page of this out by its success. morning's "Courier-Mail", referring to I. shall now relat_e some of the building sewerage and attributed to Mr. Whitlam. I project;; that are gomg on in Rockhampton. do not see how any responsible public figure They mclude a new hospital block costing could make the statement that sewerage in $2,000,000, a new railway station costing $1,250,000, Woolworths Supermarket costing any way concerns the Commonwealth Gov­ $1,500,0!}.(), Waiter Reid's store costing ernment. It is undoubtedly a local government $350,000, Hume Pipe extensions, A.M.P. responsibility. Most 'local authorities in this Building, M.L.C. Building, State Government State have been progressive, and even some Insurance Office Building, various banks small towns such as Blackall, Longreach and aero_drome extensions, Fitzroy River barrag~ Emerald have been completely sewered. costmg $6,000,000, Port Alma costing $3,900,000, the Department of Primary Mr. O'Donnell: Emerald is not sewered at In~ustries building costing $250,000 (for all. whtch I thank the Minister) modern motels e_xpansion of the tourist trade, at the present Mr. PILBEAM: I meant to say "Clermont". ttme $500,000 is being spent on the Keppel There are several that have been completely Island resort alone, and many school sewered. I could give many examples­ improvements, including the Institute of Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi, for instance. Technology being constructed at a cost of I can understand Emerald's not being up to $14,000,000 in the first nine years, a sewered because it is in the electorate new college has been constructed by St. of the hon. member for Barcoo! He Joseph's School, the Range College is making believes that 1he Commonwealth Govern­ substantial additions, two new Catholic ment should pay for it; I say that it colleges have been added to the school scene. is definitely a local government responsibility. the high school is undergoing substantial If the people of some cities provide for extensions, and both the Boys' and the Girls' sewerage in their rates, I cannot see any Grammar Schools are undertaking extensive justice in asking them to provide for sewerage rebuilding programmes. in capital cities by means of extra taxation. The Rockhampton City Council has been I would fight that proposition to the death, able to present a budget which shows the because I believe it to be completely unjust lowest rates in Queensland. That again and wrong. I appreciate that money is being makes me 1augh, because I was told by spent on roads in the cities, which is neces­ various people in this House and outside sary, and I also appreciate that harbour it that I was putting a noose round the necks boards in Queensland have to maintain them­ of the Rockhampton ratepayers. We have selves whilst the Port of Brisbane is main­ been able to provide the finance for almost tained by the Government. I appreciate the half the barrage project without increasing fact that the Southern and Northern Divisions rates at all. We have been able to meet our of the Railway Department make profits full commitments at Port Alma without which are applied to the carrying of pas­ increasing rates. sengers in Brisbane. I do not cavil at that, either. But I do draw the line at asking I would say that the Rockhampton City people who have been progressive enough Council has presented this year a budget that to provide sewerage in their own areas to could well be a pattern for the rest of the contribute 1o the costs of sewering capital State. In it we show record work beino­ cities. carried out from revenue and assistance give~ to sporting and other bodies, and we have After all, the larger local authorities have been able to do that only by paying the the same means of income as the smaller closest of attention to the outgoings side of ones. If the problem becomes too great in the ledger. the large areas, there is only one answer to it-chop them up. I strongly believe in that, That is one thing that I recommend to all too. I instance what has happened at Red­ local authorities. In days when all efforts cliffe. It is completely sewered because it seem to be concentrated on asking for more was cut off from Brisbane and a separate money, it is a very rewarding exercise to sewerage scheme was carried out. Whether look at the expenditure side of the ledger. In it be Mr. Whitlam or any other person who the matter of sewerage, Rockhampton would puts up ,the proposition to which I have just be about the only large dty in the State in referred, I am against him, and against any which sewerage is taken right into the home suggestion to make fish of one and fowl of -right to the pedestal and cistern-without the other in local government work. any contribution at all from householders. The general practice in Queensland is to There is no way in the world in which stop it at the fence alignment and let the Rockhampton and Central Queensland are householder take over from there at a cost not on the forward march. Rockhampton of about $300 to $400. We are' not doing and Central Queensland are served well by that in Rockhampton. It is certainly a nice loyal citizens who support me fully in old state of doom that Rockhampton is expressing confidence in his Excellency the facing, and a nice old noose that I have Governor, Sir Alan Mansfield, and loyalty put round the necks of the ratepayers! To to Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen me it ,looks more like a garland of flowers. Elizabeth II. 24 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

Mr. AHERN: (Landsborough) (2.35 p.m.): that this trend will continue. When I say It is with pleasure that I second the motion that young people are becoming more aware. for the adoption of the Address in Reply so I am not referring particularly to a relatively ably moved by ,the capable and active mem· small band of university students but to ber for Rockhampton South, Mr. Pilbeam. young people in every walk of life-graziers, I should like to thank those responsible for teachers, solicitors, doctors, and so on. I conferring this honour on me as the newest am not suggesting that young people will member of this Assembly and so early in take over th,e Parliament; but young people my parliamentary life. are participating more in our democratic I express my sympathy to the relatives of system, and this means that more will be my late Leader, Mr. Pizzey. I am sure seeking more seats in this legislature in it was a source of regret to many of us that future, and I think this is good. Mr. Pizzey had only one opportunity to lead The Country-Liberal Government has 'his team in an election-the Landsborough been in office for a cons,iderable time---a by-election. I had the honour of repre­ sizeable portion of my life, in fact. Its senting his Government in that election. He main achievement must lie in the outstand­ won it well. ing industrial development it has brought to I also support fully ,the remarks of the the State. It was very necessary that this hon. member for Rockhampton South in should be done to provide over-all stability expressing personal loyalty to the throne and balance to the State's economy. and to our most gracious Sovereign and tendering thanks to His Excellency for the This growth of industry, with its asso­ speech with which he has been pleased to ciated increase in wages and improvement in open the present session of Parliament. standards of living, has imposed increasing cost pressures on the rural sector of the I extend my congratulations to the new economy. The increasing cost burden, Premier, Mr. Bjelke-Petersen, and assure together with the downward trend in pri~ him of my wholehearted support, and I also of many of our commodities, makes a bitter congratulate the member for my neighbour­ squeeze for many of the State's primary ing electorate of Gympie on his promotion indu·stries. It has had a particularly big to the position of Minister for Works and effect on many of the industries that I have Housing. I am sure he will do an excellent the responsibility of representing in _this job and will not forget the needs of his own House. This year we must seek new 110lutions area or the needs of adjacent areas of the to their problems. Sunshine Coast. Mr. O'DonneU: You are supporting my I remember hearing, in my Junior year at high school, the news that Queensland, after motion. many years of Labour administration, had Mr. AHERN: If the hon. member listens elected a new team, and that the team was he will hear some of the solutions, perhaps, to be led by Mr. Frank Nicklin, the member for Landsborough, the electorate in which at a later stage. my family had lived for many years. Mr. My electorate contains many growers of Nicklin's impressive record of leadership is plantation crops who have felt this squeeze now history. For 10 years the Premier of to a very vicious degree. The only answer this State, he gave it honest, positive leader­ to a squeeze of this sort, as seen from the ship during a period in which immense farmer's point of view, is to expand produc­ amounts of private capital just had to be tion but this has proved disastrous for the spent here to bring Queensland up to at pine'apple industry and completely fruitless, least the level of other Australian States. if hon. members will forgive the expression, This was achieved. for the banana industry. It was said that Mr. Nicklin was too In Australia, the banana industry, with honest for the job of Premier of this State. acreage relatively stable over the last 13 Now Queenslanders will tolerate nothing but years, has increased production fro~ 1.4 to honesty in their Premier. He served the 4.8 million bushels but the pnce has committees, associations and people of decreased from $6 to an average of $2 a Landsborough very well indeed. The record case and has remained at an over-all static of his representation is manifest in every value of $9,000,000 for 13 years. corner of the electorate. Today he is Sir Francis Nicklin-an honour that he richly A similar "squeeze" situation existed in the deserved. I am happy that he lives in the pineapple industry, which forced this industry, Landsborough electorate today-my most in desperation, into production control pro­ distinguished constituent. posals this year. I take this opportunity to thank the During the last two years, pineapple electors of Landsborough who sent me to production has increased 50 per cent. but this this House. I will represent them with all has been associated with a decrease in returns my energies. I was elected as a member to growers of 50 per cent. The increased of this Assembly at perhaps an unusually efficiency, manifest in increased production, young age; but with the growth of youth has meant nothing to the industry in political organisations and the growing increased returns. My one hope is that awareness amongst young people of the official approval for pineapple production importance of good legislation, I am sure stabilisation will be announced very shortly. Address in Reply [21 AUGUST] Address in Reply 25

With all plantation crops in Queensland, Research is essentially a very long-term production stabilisation must be a feature project, but in the few years since the effort of the future, however difficult it might be has been made the results have been to get agreement on various proposals for its implementation. extremely significant for the future of this State. Most of the large-scale problems ~e pastoral industries, dairying and beef associated with the growing of improved production in its various forms, cover a sub­ pasture species have been removed, and this stantial portion of my electorate. The Maleny plateau is one of the State's earliest dairying is astounding in view of the short period in areas. It is very attractive country, but which research has been undertaken. As a abnormally expensive. Its farms are often result of it the fertility decline of our too small with returns as they exist today; pastoral soils can now be effectively and it suffers the chronic problem of soil fertility quickly reversed. In a time when many were decline that most of our pastoral areas the cries for immense irrigation projects­ inevitably experience. Those not affected by and these came mainly from the Labour it now will certainly experience it in the Party in the Federal sphere-it was found future unless they take adequate measures that we were not making anywhere near to counteract it. effective use of the natural rainfall that fell It is quite significant that the only worth­ on our country, and the dry-land pastures while soil and pasture research to arrest soil represented an extremely attractive invest­ fertility decline was begun within the last 10 ment. years, in the term of the present Govern­ In my own area on the Maleny Plateau, ment, and it is beginning to bear results. If on the coastal and semi-coastal areas, and it had been commenced at the same time as in the Mary Valley, research results have research in southern States and had kept pace been avidly sought and adopted. On the ~ith t!Jeir research, Queensland's pastoral Maleny Plateau four years ago virtually no mdustnes would not be in the high unit cost fertiliser was used at all. This year thousands bracket in which they are situated today. of tons of superphosphate with molybdenum Research on plants and soils is basic to all and potash will be used. This is a direct the pastoral industries and I commend the result and benefit of C.S.I.R.O. and Depart­ increasing investment in this type of research ment of Primary Industries research. work as being absolutely vital to the future of our beef and dairy industries. An Opposition Member: Do you claim As a result of this lack of a long-term, that, too? large, co-ordinated research effort in the past, Mr. AHERN: Yes. In the Mary Valley Queensland's costs per lb. of butter, for thousands of acres of tropical legumes will instance, were 10 cents higher than those in be planted this year, and on the Sunshine Victoria. This was because Victoria with Coast hinterland many beef holdings are enlightened Governments over the yea;s, had planting improved pastures with species such propagated such species as rye grass, white as siratro, desmodium, lotononis, and nandi clover and subterranean clover. setarias. These species, the Labour Party has Initially, attempts were made to grow never heard about. The C.S.I.R.O. station these species in Queensland, with very little at Conondale, on my family's property there, success except in a few situations. The has provided and will provide. valuable climate differed too greatly. Our soils are information on the growing and management different, too. of these species. When, with perception, this research pro­ Mr. Hanson: Have you heard of a place gramme was begun, entirely within the life called Rodd's Bay? of the Country Party-Liberal Government in Queensland, it was realised that a whole new Mr. AHER..~: I will get to Rodd's Bay in approach to the problem was needed. The a moment. Most of this pasture planting was C.S.I.R.O., under the leadership of Dr. J. spurred on by the State's dairy pasture subsidy Griffith Davies, expanded its activities scheme, which was boldly conceived and will significantly. The Department of Primary be extremely effective. A total of 148,000 Industries also considerably expanded its acres of improved pasture will be subsidised activities in this field. New plants were this year, and an increased amount next imported into this country by the thousand year, at an annual expense of $666,000. Ten from climate situations similar to our own. years ago there were very few acres of Plan.t breeding on our own legume pasture pasture at all in the State. This subsidy species was begun. All this was done in the scheme was well worth while-the right type life of the present Country-Liberal Govern­ of assistance: subsidising effective efficiency ment. All effective work in this field was measures; helping farmers to help them­ begun during the last 10 to 11 years. selves. It has been exceptionally well received in my area, where many farmers Mr. Dayies: You do not know your history. are availing themselves of the subsidy. Mr. AHERN: I know it very well. This Mr. Davies: That happened before your was the worst legacy the Labour Party gave Government came into power. to the rural industries of this State-this lack of imagination and inclination to do some­ Mr. AHERN: Before this Government thing about research into the problems of came into power there was not even a the primary industries in this country. Department of Agricultural Economics in our 26 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply own Department of Primary Industries­ The Wide Bay dairying area rovers the nobody to assess the results of dairy exten­ whole of my electorate. In this area, per sion. This is surely an absolutely basic dairy farm, production has increased 50 per thing for agricultural industries, but it did cent. in five years, whilst over-all production not even exist in the days of Labour administration in this State; it was set up of the area for this period increased by 20 only in the last few years by this Government. per cent. Surely this is efficiency in an industry which smooth men in comfortable One of the primary fruits of effective research work by the C.S.I.R.O. is now places refer to as inefficient. This was one appearing in the wallum areas of Lands­ of the fruits of this research. Net profits borough. The wallum soil is one of the. more of 80 per cent. return to capital invested on inherently infertile soils of the world, being this type of work have been .proven in my second only to the soils of some of the bogs area. The economic branch of the D.P .I.-­ of Ireland-although no doubt there are which, amazingly, did not exist under Labour some in Scotland, too! Today research work -estimates profits of $16 an acre on dry­ at the Beerwah C.S.I.R.O. station has shown land pasture of this sort to be the minimum. that this country can fatten one beast per This is not irrigated pasture; it is dry-land acre. Beef production is already as high as 400 lb. per acre, and this is increasing. In pasture. In the broader State sphere, and its native state it would carry and produce over State borders, relatively small amounts nothing. spent on research will, in the future, I am sure, yield one-hundred-fold. An Opposition Member interjected. Work now carried on with Tmvnsville Mr. AHERN: The hon. member must have lucerne at Rodd's Bay and Landsdown will come off a bit of this wa!lum country. make it possible to increase Queensland's The Caloundra Downs and Tweed Valley cattle population from 6,000,000 to Pastoral Company operations have proved 20,000,000 by the turn of the century. A that this is practicable. These two examples tremendous increase in beef production is now have been the starter for many pastoral possible in our tropical North with its short operations in the wallum areas of my wet, and long dry seasons. Townsville electorate. Wallum land, previously worth­ lucerne will play in beef production in our less, is now bringing $60 an acre uncleared. northern areas the same role as sub­ terranean clover played in wool, meat, and Growth of the pastoral industries in my dairy products in southern Australia. The electorate and throughout Queensland will be difference is that the area suitable for Towns­ a prominent feature of the future. I should ville lucerne is two to three times the area like to make a strong plea at this stage for suitable in the South for subterranean clover. more funds, both Commonwealth and State, for this type of work, not only in my C.S.I.R.O. officers involved in the pro­ electorate but throughout the State of Queens­ gramme estimate that in QueenslanG. we have land as a whole. I believe that money spent about 150,000,000 acres of c::mntry with on agricultural research, including plant, soil enough rainfall for cropping and improved and economic research, represents a very pasture. Only 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 acres attractive and necessary investment today. are under crop and better pastures today. Most of this is under crop. Seventy million An Opposition Member: Who told you acres could be made to grow Townsville that? lucerne-most of it north of the tropic. There Mr. AHERN: I write my own speeches­ is more over-40-inch rainfall country in every bit of them. Cape York Peninsula alone-if we use it properly-than in the whole of Victoria. A recently published survey-and these are unfortunately the only figures I have been Annual beef-per-acre turn-off normally able to obtain; similar figures have not been increases three times with the establishment produced in Australia-showed the average of Townsville lucerne and the use of super­ gross returns per extra dollar invested in phosphate and, as well as this, calving per­ various agricultural inputs to be as follows centages can be doubled. This is where for U.S. agriculture in 1959- tremendous benefit has been provided for the Profit per cost of research work. With the Australian extra dollar export situation as it is, the Commonwealth Input expended and State should, I think, find some more $ funds for this type of work and so profit Land & Buildings 0.7 also by providing more incentives to Machinery 0.2 encourage plantings. Labour 0.2 One of the fetters around the feet of Feed and Seed 0.2 pasture expansion, particularly iu the North Fertiliser 1. 7 of this country, is the high cost of super­ Education 0.3 phosphate. The profitable propagation of Townsville lucerne calls for the application Research and extension 9.0 of at least 1 cwt. of phosphate an acre I submit that the Australian situation is each year. In our northern areas, particularly more profitable than the American situation. the northern, inland and Gulf areas where Address in Reply [21 AUGUST] Address in Reply 27

Townsville lucerne will be grown in future, floor for many years, and I say to the Labour the cost varies from $40 to $60 above the Party that that is a direct result of what Brisbane price or the price at points of the Queensland pastoral industry inherited manufacture. because of the Labour Party's lack of The provision of superphosphate at a price imagination and its disinclination 1o sponsor somewhere near the Brisbane price would be more research into this field in the. past. the best incentive for pasture expansion that Research has shown that, contrary to popular could be provided to develop our North. belief, Queensland has distinct climatic advantages over the southern States. That is Mr. SPEAKER: Order! There is far too something that we did not know, and were much audible conversation in the Chamber. not able to take advantage of, for years. Mr. Hanson: Throw them out. An Opposition Member: Where did you learn it? Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member for Port Curt is will be the first to go. Mr. AHERN: At university, where. I studied these problems for four years, and Mr. AHERN: He should be 'the one I have been studying them since. Annual listening to this. As a matter of fact, as pastoral production is much greater here superphosphate is so vital to the future of because of our longer growing season. The all our primary export industries, I should head of C.S.LR.O. has said that many times, like to see the State and Federal Govern­ as hon. members opposite would know if ments negotiate a uniform superphosphate they had taken the trouble to study his price in Australia. This could be negotiated comments. along the same lines as the uniform petrol Now that this fabric of information is price scheme at present in operation. By being provided, we have a basis on which to raising the price a little throughout Australia act along the lines of the other States in -this might not even be necessary-close to terms of general agricultural policy. I should the points of manufacture and by getting like to devote some time to one aspect of some Federal subsidy, a roughly uniform this today, as I feel that if Queensland does superphosphate price could be provided. This not move more quickly in this direction we would be the best possible stimulus for the will be left behind the other States. development of our northern cattle industry. The main matter to which I wish to refer In 1966-67 Queensland used 46,709 tons is that of farm management. This is a strong of superphosphate. In that year Australia feature on the Australian agricultural scene used 3,610,464 tons. Queensland's share today. Farm management consulting is not represented 1.3 per cent. of the national new in Australia. Approximately 2! per cent. tonnage. Today Queensland uses roughly 2 of the farmers of Australia today employ the per cent of Australia's superphosphate at a service of a farm-management consultant. In relatively high cost compared to that in other Western Australia, 15 per cent. of farmers States. H Federal agreement is to be reached employ a consultant, and it has been a on this, it would best be proposed soon. feature of the agricultural scene in the before our percentage of national use southern States for many years. increases too much. In Queensland the practice is very new, but Historically, all soils are very phosphate consultants have for some time now been deficient in this country. Phosphate is the operational on the Darling Downs. I am key to growing all our crops and pastures. happy to say that at least two consultants The nation has much to benefit from a have decided to establish practices in the uniform phosphate price, and I commend it general area of my electorate at my request. to the House. Whilst I cannot recommend a particular The increase in bounty on superphosphate person, I am vitally interested in the prin­ announced in the last Federal Budget shows ciole of farm-management consulting as it the Federal Government's interest in pro­ r~fers to the Australian pastoral industry. moting its use, but only 2 per cent. of the This work would just not be possible without total amount will be paid to Queensland's the pasture work that has been done in the primary producers. last few years. With a uniform superphosphate price. The approach used by farm consultants is Queensland's share of the national use would called the whole-farm approach to agricul­ show a dramatic increase. This would be one tural extension, and is well acknowledged as of the most effective contributions our the mo·st effective advice available. This Government could make towards the develop­ whole-farm approach to agricultural exten­ ment of our beef industry in Queensland and sion has been widely proven in primary towards over-all northern development. industry in the United Kingdom, the United Much has been achieved in this direction with States, and particularly in New Zealand. pasture works in a few years, and with a Technical agricultural extension and farm­ relatively small investment. If we are to plan management advice are not the same. Agri­ our land use sensibly we must know what it cultural extension is the process of informing can do in the future. farmers of advances in agricultural science and technology, and helping them to incor­ This research effort I have spoken about porate these results in the management of is not the end-all to these industries. But their farms. This is at present a major the lack of it has had our feet nailed to the activity of our Department of Primary 28 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

Industries and the technical staffs of inter­ Industries can give relative to soil analysis, ested private companies. Farm-management advice, and so on. In saying that, I am advice includes, but is not confined to, these not criticising the officers of the department, because they have not as yet had a call on technical agricultural advances. It is directly them for these services, but it will increase concerned with the management of the farm in the future. Farm management advice is as a business, taking into account the present a service that the Department of Primary state of knowledge, the weather, prices Industries can never hope to provide (it received, prices paid, and so on. requires one extension worker for each 40 In a nutshell, the adviser helps the farmer farmers) but valuable assistance can be given to optimise his business arrangements. To to the ~onsultants and this will help our advise farmers in this requires long discus­ pastoral industries. sions with them individually. It also requires I suggest also that the . Minister f?r much calculation and is facilitated by the Primary Industries closely consider the regi_s­ use of farm-management records and budgets, tration of farm management consultants m and mostly with the aid of a computer Queensland. This would be a simple opera­ service. Perhaps hon. members read recently tion at the moment; it could create many in "Queensland Country Life" that in farm problems later. At _the mo~e?t, if regis!ra­ management we in Queensland are now in the tion were on the basis of a mm!ffium requiTe­ computer age, and it is to that trend that I ment of a degree of agricultural science it am referring. would keep a lot of back-yard operators out One consultant can normally handle only of the field and would be to the over-all 30 to 40 clients. He sells his advice. It must benefit of pastoralists employing farm man­ be sound profit-making advice or it will not agement consultants. As I have said, I continue to sell, and his advice stands a have encouraged at least two operators to better chance of adoption because it is come into my own area. I believe that the bought. The practice of hiring consultants practice has much to offer Queensland to measure the economic efficiency of a pastoral industries in particular, and I com­ business is well established in secondary mend it to the House. I was very pleased industry. We live in the 20th century in to see that the Rural Youth Organisation which farming is a business, and it must had this year adopted "Farm Management" continue to be a business. The pressures on as a State-wide project. The employment the farming sector are going to become of new management skills has much to offer greater, and the employment of better Queensland. business principles in farming becomes more I represent in this House the key electora~e important every day. The consultant examines of the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. This the various alternatives open to a farmer is one of Queensland's fastest-gro~in,g from a profit point of view, and he incor­ tourist areas. Projected growth figures mdJ­ porates them into the most profitable farm cate that in 10 years the Maroochy Shire plan. will have a population increase equal to Most important-and this is the one point Nambour's present population-7,000-and that I want to make to this House-is that this increase will occur principally in the general Australian experience in this field is Maroochydore and Mooloolaba sections of that farm-management consulting usually the Landsborough electorate. In Caloundra, doubles profits. Tnis is a time when we the Landsborough Shire Council has must seek new solutions to serious cost-price. announced the granting of building permits problems. I should like the hon. member for to the value of $309,000 in the last fortnight, Barcoo to listen to this; I understand he will and that is being repeated often throughout be moving a motion dealing with this subject the area. The growth is tremendous and is on private members' day. I will provide this assured in the future. for the hon. member in writing so that he I congratulate the Government upon will have it. building the $1,900,000 boat harbour that The solutions must be substantial, and was opened recently at Mooloolaba, and I here is one solution. I am not suggesting thank it for providing tourist facilities asso­ that farm management consulting will double ciated with the boat harbour. The Govern­ profits in every case; but experience gener­ ment could well have built merely a harbour ally throughout Australia has shown-the for pilot boats. It did not do that; it pro­ system is widely used now and generally vided facilities for tourists and made adequate accepted in Western Australia-that net provision for the development of the fishing profit has doubled wherever farm manage­ industry in the area. I am sure that such ment consultants have gone in. It is an development will take place, because I effective solution. know that many people are interested in As a Government, we can help the farm putting the fishing industry at Mooloolaba management consultant to do his job more on a stronger footing. effectively. Firstly, we can provide him with In addition, a great deal of developmental access to results of research, particularly work is being carried out by land develop" economic research (there is not a lot of ment companies. I refer particularly to the this yet because the Economics Branch has Kawana Estates and Bundilla Lake projects, not been in existence very long), and, which are bringing significant amounts of secondly, we can provide him with all the investment capital to the area. Pastoral help that the Department of Primary development is taking place handy to the Special Adjournment [22 AUGUST] Questions 29

Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore areas, and an ·immense amount of private capital is being invested in the growth of the Sunshine Coast. This growth, although assured, will mean some special problems for the Sunshine Coast, firstly in the provision of school facilities, which will result in an increasing cost burden on this State Government in the future. With the dramatically increasing population in these areas we now have two excellent new high schools, but the facilities at the primary schools in the area are already being strained. I refer particularly to Maroochydore. As the tourist industry surges ahead we will need more policemen in the area to cater for the increasing number of tourists who flock into the area at holiday time. We also require increased local authority spend­ ing, just as, I suppose, every tourist area will. I was very disturbed this morning to hear comment made in a question posed to the Minister for Main Roads concerning main roads in my electorate. Notice of the question was given by the hon. member for Sandgate, who hinted that the Labour Party was opposed to the four-lane highway that has been constructed in my electorate. He sought from the Main Roads Department figures relative to the traffic that this road carries. The four-lane section between Woombye and Nambour carries 7,500 vehicles a day, which certainly warrants a four-lane highway. With the announced traffic flow of 6,000 vehicles a day on this road between Beerburrum and Landsborough, according to figures shown to me by the Maroochy Shire Council, we certainly need the road improvements that are going on. We will need more four-lane sections in this area and an increasing investment in main roads in the future. I condemn any thought by the Labour Party, sponsored by the hon. member for Sandgate this morning, that this development was not warranted, or that it got ahead of priority. There is traffic of 7,500 vehicles a day in this area and the work is completely warranted. In seconding the Address in Reply, may I assure His Excellency, on behalf of all hon. members, that we will apply ourselves to the various measures he has referred to us. We will seek new solutions to the pro­ blems that confront our industries and our people with only one criterion in mind, namely, what is best for the greatest number of people in the State of Queensland. (Debate, on motion of Mr. Houston, adjourned.)

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. J. B.JELKE-PETERSEN (Barrambah -Premier): I move- 'That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until 11 a.m. tomorrow." Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 3.14 p.m.