Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 1974

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

QUEENSLAND

Parliamentary Debates [HANSARD]

SECOND SESSION Of THE FORnETH PARLIAMENT (Second Period)

TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 1974 Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill; Fire Brigades Act Amendment Bill Under the provisions of the motion for (No. 2); special adjournment agreed to by the House Currumbin Minerals Pty. Ltd. (Transfer of on 12 December 1973, the House met at Treatment Plant) Bill; 11 a.m. Liquor Act Amendment Bill; Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. W. H. Lonergan, Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Flinders) read prayers and took the chair. Bill; Local Government Act and Another Act Amendment Bill; ASSENT TO BILLS Townsville City Council (Sale of Land) Assent to the following Bills reported by Bill; Mr. :Speaker- Censorship of Films Act Amendment Bill; Gift Duty Act Amendment Bill; Veterinary Surgeons Act Amendment Bill; Stamp Act and Another Act Amendment Pyramid Selling Schemes (Elimination) Bill; Bill; Local Bodies' Loans Guarantee Act Criminal Code and the Justices Act and Amendment Bill; Another Act (Stock Offences) Amend­ Land Tax Act Amendment Bill; ment Bill; Succession and Probate Duties Acts Real Property Acts Amendment Bill; Amendment Bill; Dental Act Amendment Bill. Commonwealth and State Housing Agree­ ment Bill; ELECTIONS TRIBUNAL Coal and Oil Shale Mine Workers JUDGE FOR 1974 (Pensions) Act Amendment Bill; Mr. SPEAKER announced the receipt of a Special Gem Claims (Evidence of Payment letter from the Honourable the Chief Justice of Rates) Bill; intimating that the Honourable Mr. Justice W. B. Campbell would be the judge to preside Police Act Amendment Bill; at the sittings of the Elections Tribunal for Art Union Regulation Act Amendment 1974. Bill; PAPERS Court Funds Bill; The following papers were laid on the University of Queensland Act Amendment table:- Bill; Proclamations under- Educational Memorial Funds Disposal Bill; Irrigation Aot 1922-1973, the Water Act 1926-1973 and the Irrigation Public Service Act Amendment Bill; Areas (Land Settlement) Act 1962- Factories and Shops Act Amendment BiiT 1972. (No. 2); Factories and Shops Act 1960-1973. 84 2622 Questions Upon Notice [5 MARCH 1974] Questions Upon Notice

Orders in Council under- his daughter and Ministers take the.ir Workers' Compensation Act 1916-1973. famHies on trips M the ·taxpayers: e:xipense, Racing and Betting Act 1954-1972. all without a word of criticism or com­ The Commonwealth Aluminium Cor- plaint from this OppositiOill Leader or his poration Pty. Limited Agreement Aot offsiders, then I brand their carping about of 1957. the use of the Queensland GO'Vemment air­ Water Act 1926-1973 and the Irrigation craf,t as hypoci'isy. I intend to treat all Act 1922-1973. ·their future que&tions exactly the same Water Act 1926-1973. way." Irrigation Act 1922-1973. River Improvement Trust Act 1940- 1971. SECURITY IN RAIL CARRIAGE OF MAIL Harbours Act 1955-1973. AND VALUABLES Queensland Marine Act 1958-1972. Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked Beach Protection Act 1968-1972. The Mini&ter for Transpol't,- Factories and Shops Act 1960-1973. ( 1) Is he satisfied with the existing Co-operative Housing Societies Act security arrangements within the Railway 1958-1973. Department in relation to the carriage of cash, Her Majesty's mail and other Regulations under- valuables by train and, if so, have the Public Service Act 1922-1968. travelling public and railway employees Workers' Compensation Act 1916-1973. adequate protection? Madn Roads Act 1920-1972. (2) If not, will he have the matter fully Water Act 1926-1973. investigated with a view to revising the Irrigation Act 1922-1973. existing system? Harbours Act 1955-1973. Queensland Marine Act 1958-1972. Answer:- Apprenticeship Act 1964-1972. (1 and 2) "The securrty arrangements Construction Safety Act 1971-1973. are considered adequate." Factories and Shops Act 1960-1973. State Housing Act 1945-1973. RAILWAY CARRIAGE-CLEANING STAFF, The State Transport Acts, 1960 to MAYNE 1965. Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked By-laws under Harbours Act 1955-1973. The Minister for Transport,- By-laws Nos. 1041 to 1044 runder the ( 1) Is he aware of any selective recruit­ Railways Act 1914-1972. ment of the carriage-cleaning staff within Notification under the Tow-truck Act 1973. the Railway Department at Mayne? (2) Is there an acute shortage of staff QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE in this section but applicants are told that no vacancies exist? OFFICIAL AEROPLANE, FLIGHTS TO (3) Is preference granted to male or KINGAROY to female applicants? Mr. H~uston, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- ( 4) Are female staff threatened with night work or shift work when they seek Of the flight numbers listed in the return improved working conditions or lodge of flying hours and miles logged by the other complaints concerning their duties? official aeroplane, which of these numbers represent flights to or from Kingaroy? (5) Are staff who leave given favour­ able re-employment opportunities in Answer:- preference to others applying and, if so, "As Premier, I am not accountable to the do records disclose the maximum number Leader of the Opposition for my movements. of any individual's re-engagements? I regard the continuing a:ttack on the purchase a:nd use of the Government air­ Answer:- craft as &heer hypocrisy by ,the Oppos~tion ( 1 to 5) "Males are preferred for this Leader and his pa:rty. When I see h{)IW the work, and ·there is no shortage of carriage A.L.P. ·in Canberra uses V.I.P. jets as taxi­ cle:a:ners at pre&ent. 'Jlhe mte of pay for a cabs although 1t owns T.A.A.; how it female carriage cleaner ·is the same as for charters Boe,ing 707's at a cost of hundreds a male carriage cleaner, being based on of thousa:nds of doUars, when it owns an equa·l pay for equal work, which involves ·internaMonal airline, QANTAS; how the shift and ruight work. Any employee who Prime Minister and Ministers take up to leaves the Department and makes applica­ foDty of their pe.rsonal staff and advisers tion for re-employment has ;his a:pplication with them; how the Pr:ime Minister takes considered on its merits." Questions Without Notice [5 MARCH 1974] Questions Without Notice 2623

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE INCREASED CHARGES BY QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB SHORTAGE OF RAILWAY REFRIGERATED WAGONS Mr. TUCKER: I ask the Treasurer: In view of 'the decision of the Queensland Turf Mr. CASEY: I ask the Minister for Trans­ Club to increase the fielding charges levied port: Is there a shortage in Queensland of on bookmakers, and also to increase various railway wagons known as "cool cars", which other charges, and again in view of the are used for the transportation of perishable special assistance granted to this and other foodstuffs? Is it true that because of this clubs by special grants for increased prize shortage perishable foodstuffs are not being money, will he ensure that the punting public accepted by the Railway Department for con­ obtains some benefit from these proposed signment to Mackay and other northern increases-for example, by insisting that rthe Queensland Turf Club provide a covered areas? As the immediate waiving of road betting ring? transport fees is of no assistance because the Bruce Highway is cut by floods on both sides Sir GORDON CHALK: It has not been of Mackay, will he arrange a reorganisation the practice in southern Queensland to pro­ of priorities for the use of "cool cars" so that vide a covered betting ring. the supply of perishable commodities to North As to the charges proposed by the Queens­ Queensland can be maintained? land Turf Club, I will be meeting representa­ tives of the club and the bookmakers' Mr. K. W. HOOPER: There has been a co-operative on Thursday afternoon. It is shortage of refrigerated wagons, caused prin­ true that there has been an increase in costs, cipally by delays in the return of these both in the operations of bookmakers and of wagons as a result of flooding. For that racing generally. I have some very interest­ reason the department has been obliged to ing figures to produce to this deputation give priority to the carriage of perishables indicating what have been the holds of book­ such as fruit, vegetables and smallgoods. makers over the past 'three months compared However, it is proposed from tomorrow to with the same months in 1971 and 1972. I accept consignments of Easter eggs for have other very interesting figures as to the northern areas. holds by the T.A.B. in the same periods. It is true that costs have risen; it is equally COMPREHENSIVE HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE true that this dispute should never have POLICY, STATE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE arisen but should have been a matter of OFFICE discussion between the Queensland Turf Club and the bookmakers without prior announce­ Mr. TUCKER: I ask the Treasurer: In ment of it. view of the way in which State Government Insurance Office profits are being amassed PREMIER'S INSPECTIONS DURING FLOODS and invested in the private and business st!ctor of the community, in contrast to the Mr. BROMLEY: I ask the Premier: In his original concept of the role that this office trip by aeroplane around Queensland during should play in the community, why cannot the floods, which main cities and townships these investments and assets be marshalled did he see and at which places did he land? and liquidated by it with the object of Did he use the official aeroplane on all offering to the general public, at a reasonable sections? If not, whose aircraft did he use premium, a comprehensive household policy and who picked up the tab for that portion covering all contingencies and by such a of the trip? lead forcing other companies to follow suit? Mr. B.JELKE-PETERSEN: As I under­ . Sir GO~J?ON CHALK: The question is, stand it, the honourable member has asked m my op1mon, based on a false premise. a question in relation to the use of aircraft First of all, the funds of the State Govern­ during the flood period. Is that correct? ment Insurance Office are an accumulation ?f policyholders' money, and they are Mr. BROMLEY: Would you like it again? mvested for the purpose of appreciation in Will I repeat the question? value in the years to come. To say that Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No, but I do the State Government Insurance Office is not know the purpose of the question. I flew making a profit is not entirely correct. In considerable distances in the official aero­ the field of workers' compensation alone, the plane to all flood areas of the State-to the State Gove~nment Insurance Office last year North-west, the South-west, the central area, lost approximately $5,000,000. In its general the Gold Coast, and Ipswich. Other than operations it gives a return by way of bonus this, I flew in an R.A.A.F. helicopter on where there is profitability. several occasions in the immediate area. I do It is not a question of utilising funds in not know of any other reason the honourable the manner indicated by the honourable member has for asking his question. I cannot gentleman because, if one did that, one would recall using any other aircraft. As Premier. be placing those funds in a risk position I acknowledged my responsibility for seeing which I believe would not be in the best where help was necessary and for making it interests of the policyholders of the State available. I am sure the honourable member Government Insurance Office. for Mt. Isa will agree that this was worth 2624 Questions Without Notice [5 MARCH 1974] Death of Mr. E. J. Gaven while, for in his electorate a lot of interest Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I do not know and activity was initiated in the cartage of what that noise was, but I know that it food and other supplies and the transporta­ came from the other side of the Chamber. tion of people. Of course, other Ministers travelled around the State at the time of the Of course, over the years the traditional flood. way of raising funds has been for local authorities-including the Brisbane City A Government Member: Did you see Council-and other bodies wishing to make Gough? appeals, to enter the field and appeal to Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I did not see the public for donations. That has largely Mr. Whitlam. been the Government's attitude and policy over the years, and it is a very satisfactory Mr. BROMLEY: The Premier did not way of raising funds. Here I wish to pay answer my question. a tribute to the very many people who responded so generously to the Lord Mayor's Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has appeal, the appeal chaired by Sir Thomas answered the question. Hiley for flood victims throughout the State as a whole, and appeals by many other PREMIER's INSPECTIONS DURING FLOODS organisations. We, of course, appealed to Mr. BROMLEY: I direct a further ques­ the Commonwealth for assistance. tion to the Premier: As the devastation due Mr. K. J. Hooper: You got it, too. to the flood was so dreadful-as he has already intimated-why did he not land his Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes. As I have plane at Karumba and Normanton? Was this said many times, the Commonwealth Go¥ern­ because he was too scared? I remind him ment followed a pattern exactly similar to that reporters from the Australian Broadcast­ that set by the Federal Liberal-Country Party ing Commission and other television channels Government some years ago in Tasmania. went up there. We are very appreciative of that fact, and so are the public of this State. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Of course, the honourable member lives in Brisbane and PETITION FROM CAIRNS REGIONAL ELEC­ would not be aware of the situation that TRICITY BoARD AcTION CoMMITTEE existed in very many areas throughout the State. I point out to him that it was a Mr. R. JONES: I ask the Premier: Has tremendous flood which covered a substantial he received a petition circulated, and for­ portion of this State and extended for hun­ warded to him, by the Cairns Regional Elec­ dreds of miles into the South-west. tricity Board Action Committee and con­ taining 11,132 signatures of citizens seeking I went there while the worst weather of retention of the regional electricity authority the cyclone was being experienced, when centred in Cairns? If so, has an acknowledg­ torrential rains of 1 0 to 11 inches fell every ment been forwarded to that committee? night. We flew through weather of this type for hundreds of miles with floodwater like a Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The letter and sea beneath us. Apparently the honourable the petition could be in my office, but they member is not aware of the fact that ours is have not yet come to my attention. I know a land plane which cannot land on water. that the committee has wri.tten to me, and The people to whom he referred went there various members have been in touch with long after we did, when weather conditions me on this issue from time to time since my were suitable, even ideal, for aircraft landing. visit to Cairns and discussions with them, and also following the visit of Mr. NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR FLOOD-RELIEF McKechnie, the Minister for Local Govern­ FUNDS ment and Electricity. However, I have not seen the details of the petition to which the Mr. N. F. JONES: I ask the Premier: On 27 January it was alleged that the Press honourable member refers. in Queensland and other States asked the Premier to head a national campaign appeal­ DEATH OF MR. E. J. GAVEN ing for funds throughout the Commonwealth MOTION OF CoNDOLENCE of Australia for flood victims in Queens­ land. We have been informed that the Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah Premier's answer was, "No", because of the -Premier) {12.10 p.m.), by leave, without problems that were associated with the appeal notice: I move- following the Killarney disaster. Will the Premier deny or confirm these allegations? "1. That this House desires to place on record its appreciation of the services Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The honour­ rendered to this State by the late Eric able member speaks of allegations. No John Gaven, Esquire, a former member allegations are entailed; a clear-cut situation of the Parliament of Queensland. exists. The Government has certain respon­ "2. That Mr. Speaker be requested to sibilities that it faces up to in helping people. convey to the widow and family of the Mr. Davis: Ha, ha! deceased gentleman the above resolution, Death of Mr. E. J. Gaven [5 MARCH 1974] Death of Mr. E. J. Gaven 2625

together with an expression of the sym­ this House after an absence is a mortion of pathy and sorrow of the members of the condolence to the relatives of a deceased Parliament of Queensland in the loss they member or former member. have sustained." It is with deep regret that I move this On this occasion the Premier has paid motion of condolence following the death of tribute to the late Eric Gaven. I want to Eric John Gaven. The late Mr. Gaven died, associate members of the Liberal Party and after a short illness, in Southport on 18 myself personally with the Premier's expres­ January 1974 at the age of 68. He was sions of sympathy. Eric Gaven's death came active in public life for some 32 years as a tremendous shock to me because I had before his retirement in 1966 as Country been in his company, at Sir Reginald Party member for South Coast. Swartz's residence, only two nights before Mr. Gaven was a councillor of the he passed away. I well recall some of the former Nerang Shire in 1935 and was elected conversation he had with me that evening first chairman of the newly constituted Albert about things he proposed to do, which, I Shire Council in 1949. As many people believe, would have been for the benefit of would know, he played a very prominent the community in which he lived. I cannot part not only in his local authority but help feeling that Eric Gaven had no thought also in the Local Government Association or realisation then of how close his end of Queensland. In 1950 he retired as chair­ might be. man of the Albert Shire Council to contest the former State electomte of Southport, and It is true, as the Premier said, that during thus began a career in this Parliament which the period he served in this Parliament and lasted for some 17 years. The name of his in local government he was prepared to electorate was changed from Southport to express himself in a forthright manner and South Coast prior to the May 1960 general to back his remarks with action. It was elections, and in .this seat the late Mr. Gaven because of this that he earned the high retained the support of the people of the esteem in which he was held by the com­ area until his retirement in 1966. munity in which he lived. Because he was unable to do some of the things that I know Mr. Gaven was a former Temporary he wanted to do, his passing, in addition Chairman in this Legislative Assembly and to being regretted by many people, will be for a time in the early 1960's, acted a~ a great loss to the community generally. Chairman. When parliament rewmed after the May 1960 election, Mr. Gaven was He left this House of his own free will, nominated for the Speakership but deferred believing that he would be able to enjoy in favour of David-now Sir David­ his retirement. And he was a man who Nicholson, who retained that honoured enjoyed life. No matter where he went, position for a record term before he retired but particularly at sporting functions, he as Speaker of this Parliament in 1972. entered into the true spirit of the activity in which he engaged. I join with the Premier The late Mr. Gaven was an outs.poken opponent of increases in land valuations on in expressing sympathy to his widow and the Gold Coast in the 1960's, pointing out family. on one occasion that the increases there were Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba-Leader of the nearly nine times that approved for Bris­ Opposition) (12.16 p.m.): On behalf of the bane. This probably demonstrated the value Opposition, I join with the Premier and the of the Gold Coast as a tourist area. Deputy Premier in this motion of condolence I am sure his passing will be mourned by to the widow and family of the late Eric all members in this Chamber who knew him Gaven. Many honourable members had the during his 17 years as a State member, and privilege of knowing Eric, who, I think it also by the very wide circle of friends he would be true to say, was highly respected made not only in the South Coast electorate and well liked by members on both sides but in many other parts of Queensland. It of the House. He had the happy knack was because of his interest in the develop­ of fitting in anywhere, and he became one ment of the Gold Coast that the bypass road of the main stars at social functions and linking the Pacific Highway with Nerang and football gatherings as well as in serious dis­ B~oadbeach w~s. 1?-amed the "Gaven Way". cussion. His name, activities and interests are per­ petuated in this way. I think it would be true to say that Eric Gaven was not given the opportunity of On my own behalf and on behalf of the fully displaying his talents. Many people Government and all members of Parliament believe that at some stage he should have I extend sincere sympathy to Mrs. Gaven: been appointed to Cabinet. However, that her two daughters and their families. matter was not in our hands. As both the Premier and the Deputy Premier have Hon. Sir GORDON CHALK (Lockyer­ said, he was a very forthright man and Treasurer) {12.13 p.m.): As I have said on one who fought for what he believed. The many occasions in .this Chamber, it is Opposition joins with the Government in regrettable that generally one of the first expressing regret and sorrow to his widow matters that come before us on returning to and family. 2626 Proposed Motion for Adjournment [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

Mr. HINZE (South Coast) (12.18 p.m.): of this procedure. I again commend the I wish to join with the Premier, the Deputy proposed action by the Leader of the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition Opposition. in this motion of condolence to the widow and family of my predecessor in the South Coast electorate, the late Eric Gaven. He QUEENSLAND FLOOD was very well known to me for many years. Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah As the Premier has said, he involved him­ -Premier) (12.22 p.m.), by leave, without self in both local government affairs and notice: I move- State politics for a period of 32 years, which "(1) That this House places on record is a long time in anyone's life. its deepest sympathy to the families and I remember Eric as a very close personal relatives of those Queenslanders who died friend. He was directly responsible for the in the flood from December 1973 to lifting of the building restrictions that were January 1974; and its sincerest gratitude imposed in the Gold Coast area during the to the Police, the Armed Services, the years of World War II. Since the restric­ Civil Defence Force, the Royal Flying tions were lifted tremendous development Doctor Service, the Red Cross, the com­ has taken place on the Gold Coast. He munity and voluntary services, and the was also responsible for the building of the thousands of volunteers who did so much, first hospital on the Gold Coast, which has often at the risk of their own lives, to become a landmark in the area. help other Queenslanders. The Premier has referred to the Gaven "(2) That this House expresses its thanks Way. As members pass through this Parlia­ to the people and Governments in Australia ment, all they leave behind them is a and overseas who sent messages of memory. Those of us who have the pri­ sympathy and who donated, so generously, vilege of driving along the Gaven Way money and materials to help Queenslanders thereby are given the opportunity of remem­ in distress due to the flood." bering Eric. I have moved this motion both to give I join with the previous speakers in offer­ thanks where they are due, and to enable each ing condolences to Belle Gaven and her honourable member, if he desires, to voice daughters in the passing of their husband constructive criticism and make suggestions and father, who was a great Queenslander, for the improvement of the Queensland a great "Gold Coaster" and, to me, a great Emergency Service. personal friend. As honourable members are aware, follow­ Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to, ing the flood, a number of reviews were honourable members standing in silence. set under way, but the Government feels that it is proper that the opinions of the PROPOSED MOTION FOR House be heard. I give an assurance they ADJOURNMENT will be recorded and given serious considera­ tion. QUEENSLAND FLOOD; STATEMENT BY I hold here in my hand a police file. It MR. SPEAKER is marked, simply, "Cyclone Wanda, Brisbane, Mr. SPEAKER: Honourable members, I January 24 to January 31, 1974." With it have to report that the Leader of the is another file. This one is marked, "Cyclone Opposition informed me this morning that Una-running sheet for the period from he was going to move for the adjournment December 18, 1973, to January 21, 1974". of the HoUrSe under Standing Order No. The sub-title tells the story- 137. I should also like to inform honourable "A summary of operations embracing members that the Premier spoke to me at the Rockhampton-Wowan area; Sarina about 7.45 a.m. and told me that he intended area; Thargomindah-Quilpie area; St. to seek ITeave of the House to move a George-Thallon-Dirranbandi areas and the motion without notice, relative to the flood commencement of operations in the Long­ in Queensland-a motion similar to that reach area; Hughenden-Richmond area and of the Leader of the Opposition, for which the Normanton area." I commend the honourable gentleman. These files are set down in message form as I hope that honourable members will agree the events they cover happened. They are to the procedure I propose to adopt. The terse; they make inquiries; they demand Premier's proposed substantive motion would answers; they call for help and they record give more members an opportunity to speak. the help that was sent. Both files were Under Standing Order No. 137, members compiled by men whose main concern was other than the mover and the Minister can the great and continuing emergency they, speak for only 10 minutes, and because and all of us, were facing. I urge every of the limi,tation of time for such a honourable member to read them-and I debate very few speakers could take part in shall seek leave to table them to enable it. Under the Premier's motion honourable honourable members to do so--because, hour members would have more time to debate by hour, these files record in its most graphic the matter. I think that is desirable and I am form the heroism; the courage; the tragedy; quite sure honourable members will approve the self-sacrifice; the shortcomings; and the Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974} Queensland Flood 2627 human weaknesses; but, above all, the mag­ the future. However, I believe also in giv­ nificent will of the people of Queensland ing thanks where thanks are due. I have in what will go down in history as the done so to date and will restate them in "Great Flood". this House to go on the record. The Acting No area of Queensland escaped, and no Prime Minister (Mr. Barnard), the Federal Queenslaruier will escape either the direct Treasurer (Mr. Crean), Dr. Patterson, and effect of the flood or its aftermath. Some other Commonwealth Ministers and their areas today are still experiencing floods and, departments have not hesitated, and their ironically, one of them is the Sarina­ help has been generous. Marlborough area where it all began in I saw the report of a remark the other December. day that the Federal Government was only I had intended to outline the story of doing what other Federal Governments have the flood in detail but this would, I believe, done in the past. I think that that is a take up too much of the time of the House. grudging attitude and I again express thanks Instead, I propose to table two reports com­ on behalf of the Queensland people and their piled by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Whit­ Government for both the financial assistance rod, for the Co-ordinator-General and head and the spirit of co-operation displayed by of the Disaster Relief Organisation, Mr. C. all levels of Government involved. N. Barton. These reports are exceptional It is perhaps unfair to mention particular documents providing a comprehensive record groups or individuals, but I should like to of the flood and to make them as widely name some as a tribute to all the other available as possible I will seek leave to table acts of bravery, devotion to duty and self­ them. sacrifice that are unknown except to those The main question arising from the flood concerned. I pay a very special tribute to is not the cause (we know the cause) or the Air Force, Army and civilian pilots who what was done (because we know that, also) saved many Jleople from certain death, often but what will be done to meet similar dis­ in flying conditions of the worst kind. As asters in the future. I said to the honourable member across the Chamber in reply to a question, the floods When I opened the 197 4 Flood Disaster in the south-eastern part of the State were Seminar at the Executive Building on 15 tremendous. So indeed were the floods in February last, I said to the assembly of the south-western and central portions and experts- the north and north-western parts of the " It is pointless to try to assign blame. State. They were of a magnitude that I No-one is blameless. Recriminations are regard as indescribable. As I have indicated, useless. Criticism is sterile unless it is many people were rescued by these pilots constructive criticism aimed at evolving a in extremely dangerous weather and flood better system to meet future emergencies." conditions. went on to say- It is an act of courage to commit "In the same spirit, the Queensland oneself in an aircraft with only basic instru­ Government, the Commonwealth Govern­ mentation and navigation aids to flying ment and the Brisbane City Council are through torrential rain and storms knowing agreed that people, not politics, are the that to become lost, or to have the base paramount concern". strip become unavailable for landing, could be fatal. It is in the same spirit that I make this statement. The honourable member for Mt. Coot-tha (Mr. Lickiss), although shocked, burned and Let me at the outset express on behalf of thrown into the water when an amphibious the people and of the Government of Queens­ vehicle came into contact with high-tension land the deepest sympathy to the families and electricity wires, dived back into the water relatives of the Queenslanders who lost their a few moments later to save another man. lives in the flood. In Ipswich, three other members of this We all express sincerest appreciation to House-Mrs. V. Jordan, Dr. Llewellyn the Police, the Armed Services, the Civil Edwards and Mr. Evan Marginson-worked Defence Force, Government departments for those in distress in a manner which (both State and Federal), the Royal Flying many people have brought to my attention. Doctor Service, the Red Cross, the com­ I pay a tribute to them also. munity and voluntary organisations and the At Emergency Service Headquarters, the thousands of volunteers who worked, often Police Commissioner (Mr. Whitrod) and at the risk of their own lives, to help others. Chief Superintendent (H. Lmv) supervised We wish also to express on behalf of operations that saved hundreds of lives and Queenslanders gratitude to the people and worked almost continuously for days on end Governments in Australia and overseas who arranging food and other essentials for Bris­ gave so much in money and materials to bane and other cities and towns throughout Queenslanders in need after the flood. the State. I have criticised the Federal Government Another incident demonstrated how in the past when I have believed it was Queenslanders rose to the crisis. The light­ warranted and undoubtedly I will do so in house vessel "Cape Moreton" was holding 2628 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood by its anchors in the flood-swollen Brisbane example. In the North-west alone, aircraft Ri\cr when a cable became fouled. The involved in rescue and supply work included ;,hip's first mate, Mr. Matthew Carrell, four R.A.A.F helicopters, six private heli­ without hesitation swung on a rope to reach copters, three R.A.A.F. Caribou aircraft, the anchor chain, and then, hanging sus­ two R.A.A.F. Hercules aircraft, one Army pended only inches above the raging river, helicopter, one Army Porter aircraft, and worked to clear the cable. His comment many private aircraft on loan, as well as afterwards was, "The job had to be done". charter aircraft from T.A.A., Ansert Air­ In human and economic terms, the flood lines, Bush Pilot Airways, Lanham Air­ presents a grim picture. A total of 28 ways and Carpentaria Airways. people died-15 in Brisbane and 13 elsewhere The Queensland Emergency Service had in the State. Damage is estimated to exceed its beginnings in the storm that devastated $1 00,000,000. The floods affected some Killarney in 1968. Out of that storm grew 15,000 homes, ranging from minor damage to the organisation ,that faced-and, I believe, total loss. met-the greatest crisis and test any Stock losses, particularly cattle, will run to emergency service could ever be called on to endure. The first real test of the organisa­ thousands of head. One property in the tion came with cyclone Althea, which North-west lost its entire herd of 28,000 prime cattle, and this at a time when supplies wrecked most of Townsville. are already very scarce. Many graziers, The basic system is that of regional already trying to rebuild flocks and herds committees, headed by the police superin­ after years of drought, will find it hard to tendent of the particular district. The ser­ get replacement stocks. vice is co-ordinated through a headquarters in Brisbane. The lessons learnt from cyclone The sugar harvest has been hard hit by the Althea had their own test in the Brisbane prolonged wet weather. The mining industry tornado. has suffered loss of exports. Mount Isa Mines Ltd. has had to stockpile one month's When information was received that production. Several of the Central Queens­ flooding was imminent in certain areas of land open-cut mines were flooded and four Brisbane, the ,emergency operations room set mines on the West 'Moreton field were closed up at Police Headquarters went into action. following flooding. Walkers Limited at Mary­ When it was fully operational, there was a bomugh have closed their shipyard. Hun­ senior officer-either the Commissioner or d:·eds of businesses have lost stock and an Assistant Commissioner-on duty at acll equipment in the floods, adding to existing times, assisted by an inspector and two other shortages of goods and materials. officers who maintained a watch on the situation and were responsible for receiving Damage to Commonwealth and State reports and maintaining situation and Government facilities such as railway,;, roads resources boards. As well, there were a ~md buildings, and to local authority facilities number of police telephonists, including four such as roadways, water supply and sewerage Civil Defence personnel, manning six direct i11stallations, will run into many millions of lines and two extensions. Liaison officers dollars. Restoration of the Mt. Lsa railway for the Press, Civil Defence, the Army and line alone will be a major cost. the Brisbane City Council also were on duty An illustration of the magnitude of the in the operations room. disaster is the amount of aid paid out so far In the room itself was a map of Brisbane hy the Commonwealth and State Govern­ showin~ the flood-prone areas and also maps ments. Since the end of the flood, grants of other parts of the State, and situation Jocalling $4,573,181 have been paid out for boards upon which the situation in various the relief of personal hardship and distress. police divisions was shown. Resources There has been a total of 5,675 applications boards showed the availability of boats and ~ade for aid for repairs and rebuilding, and fuel, road conditions, and available vehicles f ·ants so far total $7,708,882. Another and manpower. ~ii46,350 has been approved in loans for the The emergency operations room is part of rehabilitation of small businesses. the normal police operations centre. This Figures are not yet available for aid for meant that communications also available p: imary producers, but over a very large for the control of operations throughout part of the State they have suffered un­ South-eastern Queensland and the rest of the believeable losses. This disaster following State consisted of three telephone switch­ drought conditions that so many have had boards and six consoles, in addition to four to contend with for so long is indeed a very metropolitan radio channels and one country devastating blow to them, and indeed to the radio channel, plus telex facilities. A economy of the State and the nation. running-sheet was maintained at all times. The amounts I have cited exclude the cost This is the Iog-file to which I have referred to both Governments of caring for flood and which honourable members will have refugees, of transportation of evacuees, and an opportunity to study. of freighting food supplies to many areas. In addition to the main emergency opera­ The full story of this aspect of the crisis tions room at Police Headquarters, a number is outlined in the Police Commissioner's of smaller operations centres were set up at report. However, let me take just one various police stations in the worst-hit areas. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2629

A point has been raised about radios. This Other messages included one from His has already been considered by the Co-ordin­ Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Com­ ator-General and the Government has before monwealth Government, the British Govern­ it a recommendation on the supply of more ment, the House of Commons, the Com­ radio transmitters to police stations. monwealth Parliamentary Association, and the One feature of the flood was good com­ New Zealand, Fijian and Jamaican Govern­ munications throughout. Mr. Brian Hocking ments. of the Royal Flying Doctor Servioe com­ Another message of particular interest to mented on this during the flood seminar in Queenslanders was from our neighbours, these terms- Papua-New Guinea, on the eve of inde­ "A remarkable feature was that Superin­ pendence. It was sent by the Minister for tendent Low at any time was able to pick Defence and Foreign Relations, Mr. Maori up his phone in Brisbane and contact his Kiki, and it read: officers and stations throughout the State "In the absence of the Chief Minister, at any time. This is due to the P.M.G. who I feel certain would have communi­ having replaced land lines with microwave cated with you during these difficult times, relays." I wish on behalf of the people and Gov­ Other radio networks, such as those of ernment of Papua-New Guinea to express the Royal Flying Doctor Service and of the our sympathy to the people of Queens­ Department of Aboriginal and Island Affairs land during the present troubles caused by at Thursday Island, were available and were flooding. We extend to our nearest over­ used. I think it would be duplication to try seas neighbours our sincerest condolences." to put in a similar network; nevertheless, the Mr. Speaker, what Queenslanders want to point about radios has been noted and is know is: in view of these terrible floods being considered as a way of improving access and past disasters such as cyclones Althea to the existing networks. and the Brisbane tornado, what is being done As the flood situation developed in these to meet future disasters? I shall deal briefly areas, the police stations normally under the with the steps being taken. control of a sergeant were placed under an An expert review of the Emergency Ser­ inspector who went to the area and remained vice's operations during the Brisbane floods there to direct operations. By the height of is under way. All organisations involved the floods, the police had an inspector report­ during the emergency attended and their ing on the hour from each centre. The duty recommendations will be put to a similar of these inspectors was to direct the flood conference shortly. I table its first report. emergency operations in each area and to co-ordinate the rescue groups. Civil Defence The Co-ordinator-General, Mr. Barton, is personnel were represented at headquarters conducting a State-wide review of the Emer­ and all suburban centres. gency Service. Comments and suggestions have been invited from interested organisa­ During and after the floods I flew over tions and the public and will be considered Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast to in his report. The findings and proposals assess damage. I flew also to Ipswich for will be made public. talks with the Acting Treasurer, Mr. Hay­ den, just as I went into the south-western, The future role of the Civil Defence Force central, northern and north-western parts is under consideration with particular of the State. emphasis on converting it into an emer­ gency force and updating its training and A Government Member: Very much appre­ equipment. ciated, too. A top-level Flood Rehabilitation Co­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I thank the Ordinating Committee has been set up on honourable gentleman. Other Ministers, both which Dr. Rex Paterson represents the State and Federal, as well as members of Commonwealth; I, as Premier, represent this Parliament and local authorities were Queensland, and the Lord Mayor, Alderman active. Jones, represents Brisbane. Apart from the initial evacuation of flood Committees are in operation to handle: victims, it soon became apparent that a applications for relief of personal hardship; huge restoration and rehabilitation task faced aid for repairs and rebuilding; co-ordination Queensland. As well as offers of financial of offers of material help such as clothing and material help, messages of sympathy and furniture for flood victims; and aid for were received from all parts of Australia small businesses and industry to re-establish and overseas. Her Majesty the Queen sent flood-damaged premises and machinery and this message: social problems. "I was very distressed to hear of the Appeals established by the Lord Mayor casualties and damage caused by the of Brisbane, local authorities throughout floods in central and eastern Australia. Queensland, and the State Government so Prince Philip and I send our heartfelt far have received donations from through­ sympathy to all those who have been out Australia and from overseas totalling affected by this disaster". more than $3 million. People have one·~ The Queen and Prince Philip later made a more demonstrated their readiness to heip donation for flood victims in Queensland. others in time of distress. 2630 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

The Agricultural Bank is administering a The third situation is declaration of a scheme for aid to primary producers for disaster area such as in Townsville after restocking and similar purposes. cyclone Althea or in Brisbane after the tornado, when buildings have been flattened The then Acting Prime Minister (Mr. and have to be rebuilt before they can be Barnard), Mr. Crean, Dr. Patterson, the reoccupied. It has been suggested that we Minister for Works and Housing (Mr. could have called a moritorium on hire­ Hodges) and I have visited flood areas purchase companies and building societies. throughout the State to assess problems on Again I explain to honourable members that the spot. Unlike some of our critics, we I have taken certain action in this regard went when the floods were at their height in consultation with some of these people and the weather at its worst; but the criticism and they have readily agreed, q§ announced is understandable when people are in shock in the Press, to give a rest period of some and under stress. six months or more to enable people in Following a conference I chaired with difficulties through the flood to meet their insurance companies' representatives on 7 payments. February last, the State Insurance Com­ Mr. Newton: They ought to, too; they missioner, Mr. Rutherford, is carrying out an investigation into flood insurance through­ only just bumped the repayments up. out Queensland. We initiated this step immedi­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I do not know ately. The situation is not quite as reported whether they put repayments up, or what in the Press this morning which implied that they did; but they have given this under­ it was something that has just been started. taking. Only yesterday I again checked on I am afraid that the editorial was a little this issue and again received the same assur­ astray in that Mr. Rutherford's findings are ance. expected soon. Another criticism has been of the means I feel I 'should make some further com­ test on aid for personal hardship. Many ment about the flood. people confused this with aid for repairs and There has been criticism that a state of rebuilding, although it had been stated and emergency was not declared. As honourable published that aid for rebuilding and repairs members would know, it was completely was a separate issue that would be announced unnecessary. when the terms of Commonwealth assistance were known. Mr. K. J. Hooper: You did it to protect a handful of footballers. Many people thought that because they were ineligible for personal assistance they Mr. B.JELKE-PETERSEN: I will explain were ruled out for repairs. Nothing could that for the honourable member's benefit. be further from the truth. The aim of the He is evidently unaware of the nature of means test was to ensure that the aid went the machinery of these measures. The Com­ to those who needed it most and urgently­ monwealth had made available all required namely, pensioners, families and others on help, financial and through the Armed Ser­ low incomes. vices and Commonwealth departments, as The aid was intended to enable them to far back as the floods at Rockhampton on carry on temporarily by replacing basic essen­ I 8 December. Police and the Emergency tials such as food, clothing, bedding and Service had all the poweDs necessary to cooking utensils. Mr. Barnard and the Fed­ carry out their functions. eral Treasurer (Mr. Crean) endorsed this A state of emergency sounds dramatic but principle but agreed to increase eligibility. it would not have produced one more heli­ The formula applied to aid for repairs copter, one more pound of food or any more and rebuilding also was agreed on during men or materials than we already had and these talks. I feel that it meets the needs were using. Everywhere, people were out of most people. It must be remembered that, to assist us. It was quite different from the unlike homes destroyed by cyclone Althea Springbok tour, when people were trying or by the Brisbane tornado, most of the to hinder us. As the honourable member has homes affected by the flood were still habit­ made this interjection, I think I should remind able after immediate clean-up and repairs. the House of the difference between an emergent state, which enables us to call The idea of a national disaster fund has on the Commonwealth for assistance, and been mooted, and I believe it should be a state of emergency, which is used mainly seriously considered. Australia is prone to in industrial situations such as the Springbok fire, flood and drought. Obviously, a disaster tour, the Mt. Isa strike, and the 1946 strike on the scale of the floods is beyond the by railwaymen, meat workers and waterside resources of any one State. The Common­ workers in the term of the Hanlon Govern- wealth, which commands the nation's finances mffil - and resources, is the body which must supply the funds for aid and rebuilding. This the Mr. F. P. Moore: They handled it better Commonwealth has done, as I said before. than you did. However, I also believe that, as a nation, Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The honourable we must not come to the situation where a member certainly did not do anything to custom develops of "Leave it to the Govern­ help. Rather, he did everything to hinder. ment". Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2631

The principle s·hould remain that a The Premier has detailed the extent of the responsible citizen is expected to look to his flood. Brisbane, Ipswich and ·the Gold Coast own welfare as far as possible, with the State fared badly, and the flood havoc in these assuming responsibility for people such as centres of population increased the risk to pensioners or where a disaster is beyond the human life and property, but we should not capacity of any individual to cope. forget the problems of Karumba and the Forecasting of future disasters is one of inundation of large tracts of our rural areas. the matters examined by the disaster seminar. The Weather Bureau already has This is a time when one can be proud to announced, as outlined in the report that be a Queenslander and an Australian. The I shall table, how it intends to alter its response in terms of assistance rendered by system of flood forecasting. members of the community, many of whom Another claim, and one made this morn­ were themselves directly affected, to their ing by a member of the Opposition, has ·fellows in need of help is legend and will be been that "the Queensland Government tried recorded in the annals of Queensland's to claim credit for all the assistance". history. Attention was drawn to an advertisement 11he response and action by the various setting out where help was available. There authorities and services in the face of this was no intent to claim all credit, and publicly disastrous flood emergency on a scale and repeatedly I have thanked the Common­ unknown to us here in living memory can wealth for its assistance. only be described as magnificent. Over all, I believe that the Queensland Like many honourable members, I saw emergency service functioned efficiently dur­ the proficiency, efficiency and dedication of ing its greatest test. There were shortcomings the Queensland Police Force as it rose to in equipment and methods, but they must be the occasion. I extend thanks to the Civil contrasted to what was achieved. Let us Defence Organisation. Its members went into criticise-but let us also give credit where action immediately the emergency arose. it is more than due. The shortcomings will Under difficult circumstances they performed be rectified as far as is humanly possible. in a splendid manner. AH constructive suggestions will be con­ sidered. The Armed Services, with typical military precision, played a wonderful role of medical ;J am pleased to see that the Common­ and emergency evacuation, and maintained wealth plans to establish a national communications and food-supply lines when emergency authority. I am in favour of all other physical means of communication national training and standardisation of and transportation were cut. Hospital and equipment. ambulance services, service clubs, the Red I believe that Mr. Barnard's approach is Cross, and men and women in the street the correct one-that of each State having its rallied to the call for assistance. All are own emergency service suited to its particular worthy of our heartfelt praise. Peeds, with the Commonwealth backing it up with funds and the facilities of the Armed I believe it will be agreed generally that Services. What form the Queensland emerg­ the Government of Queensland whose State enc:; service takes will depend on the report was devastated in part, the Federal Govern­ of the Co-ordinator General. ment, with its ready assistance when the impact of the disaster was felt, and local However, we must remember that Queens­ government bodies all took vital initiatives land is prone to disasters, particularly which helped to reduce the risk to, and cyclones and floods. Every city between the loss of, life and property. Cooktown and Mackay has been destroyed at least once this century by cyclones. The Local, interstate and overseas contributions 1893 flood and the 1974 flood demonstrate to flood victims are well recorded, and I that no area is proof against disaster. No­ believe we should express our appreciation one could have predicted the 1974 flood nor to those who assisted the Queensland Govern­ how prolonged and widespread it would be. ment in rehabilitation and relief. Queens­ But we can plan to meet a similar disaster landers will thank them all for the assistance in future and to mitigate its effects, and this rendered in their great time of need. is what we are doing. The occurrence of such a disaster, unfor­ If disaster strikes again, we will be ready. tunately, leaves in its wake a tremendous I lay on the table the files previously sense of loss and sadness caused by the referred to. loss of life. Statistically, we can say in Whereupon the honourable gentleman laid retrospect that it was a miracle that the the files on the table. loss of life was comparatively small. We all regret that there was any loss of life Mr. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha) (12.53 p.m.): at all. Some persons lost their lives as a I rise to second the motion. In a flood direct result of accident during the flood disaster that is unparalleled in the history of conditions, and others who would not have this State in terms of extent and effect, it is been physically endangered by the disaster lost little short of a miracle that the loss of Hfe their lives as a direct result of their efforts was comparatively small. to aid victims. 2632 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974} Queensland Flood

May I here place on record the names of certainly have been in a very sorry plight. Captain Ian Kerr, of the Australian Military Those people who advocate secession should Forces, and Corporal Neville Hourigan, of alter their ideas and thoughts. the Citizens' Military Forces, who both volunteered for duty in rescue operations, I pay tribute to the Queensland Police and owing to a tragic accident made the Force. Many police officers worked long supreme sacrifice. We can replace property hours. I do not know the rostering system but not lives-and this is Queensland's that was adopted; but, from my inquiries, l greatest loss. found that some police office·rs were required to work tremendously long hours, and did In seconding the motion moved by the so voluntarily, while others were not called Premier, I extend our deepest sympathy to upon to work for the maximum amount of the relatives and friends of those who have time they were prepared to give. This is lost their lives as a result of the flood one facet that the police admini;;.tration might disaster. And, if I may be permitted, I investigate. I know that the Deputy Leader extend our special thoughts and deepest of the Opposition will have something to sympathy to those who lost loved ones in say about police communications, par­ the service of the community. They shall ticularly in the outlying areas. not be forgotten. The Civil Defence Organisation did a We learn from experience and derive magnificent job, considering the small sum strength from adversity, and the community of money allocated to it in Budgets over the generally will gain new values from what years and the lack of training provided for has happened. While in no way detracting the great bulk of people prepared to give from the emergency and relief operation in their time to civil defence. I repeat that those which Government authorities and people people did a magnifice11t job and no praise from all walks of life rose to greater heights, could be too high for the men and women 1 believe that, through the knowledge we who gave that service. have acquired we will be able to develop techniques, organisation and expertise and The various service organisations, through so handle more efficiently an emergency of their members, were able to rally support this magnitude should one occur by act of not only in terms of man-power but also in God, in the future. Let us hope and pray terms of vehicles, equipment and money. that it will not, although, unfortunately, a Those of us who moved round ,the various projection of history indicates that it will areas noticed Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and occur again. I support the motion moved members of other youth organisations giving by the Honourable the Premier. their support and doing whatever they could to assist. Naturally, the public at large, Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba-Leader of the when asked to help in cleaning up, did so in Oppos.ition) (2.15 p.m.): Naturally, the magnificent fashion. I do not think 'that any­ Opposition supports a motion such as this, one could quibble with their activities. because the loss of life and devastation were certainly felt by all sections of our com­ Certainly this great response was marred munity. I pay tribute to the thousands of a little by the few who saw fit to take Quee.nslanders and people from other places advantage of the situation. I do not think who helped to overcome some of the suffer­ that this type of activity could be stopped ing experienced by many people in our completely, although I believe that steps community. could have been taken to make it easrier for the authorities to act against offenders. Unfortunately, many people built homes in I shall have more to say about that at a areas considered safe from flooding, but time later stage. has shown that this was not so. As a conse­ quence, they lost their homes, furniture and As the Premier said, it is regrettable that personal belongings. Although many of those 28 people lost their lives during the flood. things can be replaced, several lost items, I do not know at this point of time whether particularly those of a personal nature, could all their deaths can be attributed to the not be replaced at all. One heard many floods, but if only one person lost his life stories of personal losses such as wedding through flooding it is very sad and to be photographs and photographs of deceased regretted. The devastation, costing in excess relatives and children. No matter how much of $100,000,000, was certainly the worst that money or sympathy is given, items such as the State has ever known. those can never be replaced. But the disaster does not stop there; it I make special mention of the Armed carries on further. In Ipswich, the closing of Services for the magnificent job they did. I the mines is not only an economic blow think I should make the pertinent point that to those who operate them but a tremendous if proof were needed that we are part of blow to those who rely on min[ng for their Australia and that we should never regard livelihood. Perhaps a bigger loss for the ourselves as a separate entity, it was provided men and women associated with the mining by the operations of the Armed Services. industry will come from consideration of After all, if it had not been for the activities the use of coal in the future and the of the R.A.A.F. in the early stages and the development of a powerhouse and other Army in the latter stages, the State would industrial establishments in the Ipswich area. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2633

In the consideration of employment as a I should Jike now to turn to the dif­ whole, the floods certainly affected a tremen­ ference in attitude once Brisbane was hit. dous number of people. I believe that As a representative of a Brisbane electorate, credit is due to the Commonwealth authori­ I was very pleased to see the activities when ti·es for very quickly making unemploymerlt Brisbane was affected. But the tragedy was, benefits available to those in need of them. of course, that other parts of Queensland The effect of the flood on primary pro­ were affected long before that and no great duction is another great worry to all. activity took place. In fact, it would be Although implements can be replaced in a true to say that never before was so little reasonably short time if they are available, done by so many Cabinet Ministers. Queens­ livestock cannot be replaced overnight. In land now has a record number of Cabinet primary production, therefore, there is not Ministers, but their activities during the only financial loss to the persons concerned floods were rather minor in comparison with but an over-all loss of production. the devastation that took place. The people who live outside Brisbane can be thankful In secondary industry, in addition to the that Brisbane was affected by flood. If it had great loss to the owners of various establish­ not been, they would not have fared any ments, there are the shortages that will better than the victims of the Townsville eventuate. This is one of the problems that cyclone or the cyclone that hit Brisbane will be felt for many months, and perhaps ·late last year. I wonder how those people years, to come. Of course, in many cases felt? They were virtually asked to capitalise shortages bring about excessive prices, and themselves, and they received very little give the unscrupuloos the opportunity to assistance from the State Government after capitalise on them. It is therefore necessary, the cyclones hit. Honourable members who f believe, to make sure that pnimary industry represent them know full well what I am is put back on its feet, and to take action speaking about. to allow secondary industry to become oper­ ative to provide employment and to ensure Let me now move on to the question of that shortages are eliminated. relief. It is true that there was really no talk of flood relief until after Brisbane was The floods did not happen overnight. affected. In fact, the first real activity occurred Although the Premier said that he has tabled on Sunday, 27 January, when Mr. Morrison, a dossier for the records, I think something on behalf of the Federal Government, came should be recorded in simple terms. Let to Queensland, toured the Brisbane area, and it be recalled that the first minor flooding saw what the problems were. As a result, of this series of floods was reported in early he was able to report back to the Federal December. and it affected the far western Government, and action was then taken. rivers. On 11 December, heavy flood rains Other Federal Cabinet Ministers very quickly were reported between Cardwell and Cairns. were on the scene so that the Federal Gov­ Between 17 and 20 December, cyclone Una ernment had first-hand knowledge of exactly crossed the coast south of Townsville, bring­ what was going on. ing local flooding to the North Queensland coast and major flooding to the Central The Government of Queensland did not coast. On 28 December, a monsoonal trough ask for any financial assistance prior to Mr. crossed the State's northern half, bringing Morrison's visit to this State. It suggested major inland flooding. On 5 January, a that there would be flood relief on a dollar­ tongue of the trough moved into the State's for-dollar basis. When Mr. Morrison spoke south-west corner, bringing more flood rains. to the Premier, he pledged, amongst other On 20-21 January cyclone Vera was located things, that the Commonwealth Government in the Coral Sea and brought more showers would meet the cost of flood relief on a to the coast before moving eastwards. dollar-for-dollar ba5is. So, up to 23 January, the major part of However, taking the over-all picture, the State had been affected by monsoonal one found that there was no great activity rains and by cyclones and was in fact in on the part of the State Government relative a very sorry state. Yet there was no great to planning for the future. Many statements activity .at that time. One would read reports were being made. Again I say that at that in the newspapers about flooding, but one point of time there was a lack of real could not find evidence of any great activity leadership from the State Government. In on the part of the State Government. In fact, one could say we were virtually operat­ fact, it was then that one began to notice ing on the generosity and good will of the reports that people in the area,s affected by citizens of this State rather than on a lead floods were to be treated in exactly the from the top. same way as those who had been affected by Moreover, some of the warnings that were earlier floods had been treated-wait till it given to the people about flood levels were was all over, then offer them some minor inaccurate. Certainly they were not related relief. to people's homes. One of the unfortunate However, on 24 January cyclone Wanda situations that developed during this time crossed the coast near Gympie, and on 25 was that radio stations and the news media January Brisbane was deluged before Wanda generally were giving flood levels at the developed into a rain depression. There were Port Office. Account was not taken of floods and gale-force winds. the fact that the average person would not 2634 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

understand exactly what was meant by the really started early in December and pro­ river height at the Port Office. Certainly gressively covered the whole State. By 25 the media reported that floodwaters were January, when Brisbane, Ipswich and other coming down; but the fact is that a river areas were affected, there was a flood situ­ height registered at the Port Office at a cer­ ation in the whole of Queensland. Let there tain time will be reached earlier upstream be no doubt about that. Therefore, I believe and later downstream. I had the misfor­ that a state of emergency should have been tune of seeing people downstream from the declared. Port Office watching the water rise. Once Mr. R. E. Moore: What more could have they were told by the media that the peak had been reached at the Port Office and been done? passed, they felt that everything was all Mr. HOUSTON: I will tell the honour­ right and went away to help others. Of able member now, if he keeps quiet for a course, within an hour the water in their moment. If the Government had declared a area rose an extra four or five inches, flood­ state of emergency it could have immediately ing their carpets and everything else. So taken over all the vacant houses, motel rooms they were misled by the statement. There­ and hotel rooms required to make sure that fore, I would suggest that if this happens people affected by the flood had available to again the Government should make sure them immediately clean beds, washing facili­ that, whenever times of flood heights at ties, toilet facilities, and all the other neces­ the Port Office are given, they are given sities for clean living. Only under a state of as well for areas that are likely to be emergency could the Government go to a affected so that it will be clearly under­ person and say, "We are taking over your stood that an emergency will arise there. vacant furnished home." It could have gone The main point I want to make in my to motel-owners and said, "You have eight speech today is that I firmly believe that vacant motel rooms; we are taking them a state of emergency should have been over." declared in Queensland. But the Premier and his Government were Mr. R. E. Moore: What good would that more interested in letting these people have done? depend on charity. They did not care whether the children of people who had lost Mr. HOUSTON: I will tell the honour­ their homes had anywhere to go; they were able member if he will just keep his big left to rely entirely on friends, relations mouth shut and listen for a while. The and acquaintances. whole attitude of the Government changes On the Saturday after the floods 140 vacant with the circumstances. As has been said furnished houses and flats were advertised on many occasions, when the Springboks in the Brisbane Press. Why not take them came here the Government was very quick over? The owners could be given a fair to bring out the Queensland Government rent, of course--their property should not be Gazette Extraordinary of Wednesday, 14 taken over for nothing-but, had the Gov­ July 1971, to allow them to play football. ernment taken these places over it could Mr. R. E. Moore: We were threatened. have made sure that the people immediately had a clean bed and clean surroundings for Mr. HOUSTON: No-one was threatened. their chiklren. They could have been It was in the Government's imagination. housed there instead of being left to fend for themselves. This would have been That Queensland Government Gazette positive action. Other steps, too, could have Extraordinary stated- been taken. "Whereas by 'The State Transport Acts, There were many complaints over the 1938 to 1943,' it is amongst other things radio about the number of sightseers, but enacted that where at any time it appears the Government pussyfooted around, saying to the Governor in Council that any cir­ to people, "Please don't come down here." cumstances exist or are likely to come Louts in &peedboats were racing around in into existence within the State or within floodwater causing waves to break into any part of the State, whether by fire, homes. Fools in motor vehicles were driving flood, storm, tempest, act of God, or by through areas where water was almost into reason of any other cause or circumstance homes, again causing waves to break into whatsoever whereby the peace, welfare, homes. order, good government, or the public safety of the State or any part thereof is or Had a state of emergency existed, these is likely to be imperilled, the Governor in people could have been dealt with severeJy Council may, by Proclamation published and urgently. But the Government did not in the Gazette, declare that a state of want to do that. Members opposite regard emergency exists in the State or within a visit by a football team as being far such part of the State as may be defined more important than looking after our own in such Proclamation." people. This is reprehensible particularly when the law of the land lays down what can Surely no-one would argue that there was and should be done. I do not make any not a state of flooding throughout the whole apologies for saying that I believe a state of of Queensland. As I said before, the floods emergency should have been declared. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2635

Now let us look at the generous offer of Mr. HOUSTON: Too right it was. There help that the Government made in the first was a carry-over from the Townsville floods, instance when it was depending upon its own and the dollar-for-dollar was a carry-over resources: it put a means test of $140 a week from the Liberal-Country Party Federal Gov­ on people without taking any account at all of ernment. their fixed commitments. This was an I turn now to another aspect of the situa­ arbitrary amount. The Government went into tion. This morning the honourable member a state of panic. It realised that something for Everton asked a question about collections had to be done urgently, and came up with for flood victims. The State Government was not interested in collecting money to assist this scheme of giving aid only to peDple them. earning under $140 gross a week or having less than $1,000 in the bank. No account A Government Member: How do you was taken of the fact that a young person know? would have time to recoup $1,000, but that Mr. HOUSTON: Will you deny it? an old couple who spent the $1,000 they had put aside for the latter days of their lives Mr. K. W. Hooper: The Premier did, would be left with nothing. And what didn't he? chance would they have to recoup their Mr. HOUSTON: No. Does the Premier expenditure? now deny that he told officials of other Mr. R. E. Moore: That was an interim Governments that he did not want their proposal and you know it. money? Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: You are right off the Mr. HOUSTON: It was nDt; it was put track now. into effect. Mr. HOUSTON: Let us get this very clear. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The h

promised so much in the way of relief funds to the shires and councils for dis­ funds there 1s no need for any other form tribution. This was a State disaster, and the of assistance. Premier and other members of the Govern­ I assure you, madam, that my Lord ment said that it was a disaster. Mayor is most grateful to you for your Mr. Neat: You, too, are one. very compassionate suggestion. Mr. HOUSTON: Unldke the honourable Yours sincerely, member, I am at least able to present some (Sgd) G. Ashley-Brown Commander, evidence to this House. Secretary to the Lord Mayor." Mr. Frawley~ Tell us about your dry­ It is apparent that either the Premier of footed federal leader. this State or the Secretary to the Lord Mayor of Melbourne is not telling the com­ Mr. HOUSTON: I will certainly tell the plete story. I do not wish to use unparlia­ honourable member something about him. mentary language. Mr. Frawley: Where was he? Mr. Porter: Are you offering a letter like Mr. HOUSTON: Never mind about where that as evidence? he was; let us look at some of the things Mr. HOUSTON: I certainly am. Why that happened. It is about time we faced woU!ld the secretary to the Lord Mayor of a few of the facts. Melbourne write in those terms if the con­ Mr. Herbert: Where were you? tents of the letter were not true? Mr. HOUSTON: I was chasing the Minis­ Mr. K. w. Hooper: The Premier has ter up, to make sure that he did his job. denied it. The position is that Mr. Whi,tlam had a Mr. HOUSTON. Then he has a quarrel standing commitment with heads of State in with the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, the other nations. We all know that the Federal Deputy Premier of Victoria, and Sir Philip and State Liberal and Country Parties J ones of "The Herald". wanted international trouble. They are not concerned about international peace, inter­ However, in the light of the decision of national trade or international good will. the Premier of Quenesland not to launch While these parties were in power in Canberra a State appeal for flood victims, the Lord they did everything possible to isolate the Mayor of Brisbane stated that he would nation and make it completely dependent do something to assist ,the people of Brisbane, on America for its existence. Australia and he initiated an appeal. Similarly, the became a different nation as soon as the Lord Mayor of Ipswich launched an appeal. Labor Party came to power. Dr. EDWARDS: I rise to a point of Mr. Whitlam had these standing obli¥a­ order. The Mayor of Ipswich did not initiate tions. What could he have done by commg that appeal. It was started by the Ipswich to Brisbane at that point in time? He sent Disaster Fund Committee, not the mayor. up a senior Cabinet Minister, Mr. Morrison. I know of no time after his arrival that the Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Leader Premier, the Deputy Premier or anyone else of the Opposition to accept the honourable told him that Mr. Whitlam should come up. member's point of order. Mr. P. Wood: The Premier at no time Mr. HOUSTON: Of course I will accept it. demonstrated dissatisfaction. Mr. MARGINSON: I rise to a point of Mr. HOUSTON: Not once. Mr. Whitlam order. I ask the honourable member for landed here on his way back to Canberra. Ipswich to retract what he said. The Mayor If the Premier thought that he was wrong, of Ipswich commenced the appeal and chaired why did he go down to the airport to meet the first meeting. him? Dr. Edwards: The meeting was held, but A Government Member interjected. the mayor did not move the motJion initiating Mr. HOUSTON: I and other members of the appeal. It was moved by Mr. Hayden and the Labor Party believe that Mr. Whitlam was seconded by me that the assistance fund be entitled to go overseas. He sent his senior established. men to Queensland. When Mr. Whitlam went Mr. HOUSTON: The Mayor of Ipswich overseas he left behind him his Deputy Prime did something positive, as did the Mayor of Minister who was Acting Prime Minister. Maryborough. I have named the three people Mr. Hodges: Where was he on 26 and who started the initial appeals. The State 27 January? Government then realised it was out on a limb. It realised that only after organisa­ Mr. HOUSTON: He was in Australia. tions and firms came to the party and Where was the Minister? I know where he donated substantial sums. The State Govern­ was. He was not running around the State ment should have initiated an appeal for secing what he could do. He was at his money at the outset, even if it gave the own headquarters, and I am not criticising Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2637 him for that. Mr. Whitlam was at his conditions of the present loans are the most quarters getting ready for his overseas tour. generous that have ever been applied fol­ What did he do? He sent up Mr. Morrison, lowing any national disaster. a senior Cabinet Miillister, as his special Mr. Porter: The scheme is not as good as adviser. When he came here ·the Government told him certain things and he faithfully the Tasmanian one. outlined to Canberra what he had been told. Mr. HOUSTON: Of course it is. It is If the Government had not thought he was better than the Tasmanian one. entitled to know certain things, it would not have told him. It should not be for­ Mr. Porter: There was no means test in gotten that Mr. Uren and Mr. Johnson also Tasmania. came up, and that Mr. Hayden, the Acting Mr. HOUSTON: You introduced the means Treasurer, was in Queensland. test. Let there be no doubt about who The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Barnard) introduced the means test, because you did. and the Treasurer (Mr. Crean) where also here. When they arrived, the whole pat­ Mr. SPEAKER: Order! tern of flood relief changed. From that Mr. HOUSTON: The insurance companies, point of time money became available. The as a whole, have played a shocking role Federal Government will pick up the tab in this matter. They have used every means for nearly $100,000,000. In the circum­ at their disposal-! am not claiming that stances, it is quite happy to do it, and the means were illegal-to make sure that no-one is arguing about it. But I have they do not in many instances, have to pay become sick and tired of the propaganda for the damage. that the Government tried to put out on this matter. When Mr. Barnard and Mr. Many people have storm and tempest Crean visited Queensland, certain arrange­ cover. The relevant clause in State Govern­ ments were made. A full-page advertise­ ment Insurance Office policies reads- ment was inserted in the Press and more "Storm and/ or Tempest-Damage than half of it, instead of telling people caused by or as a direct consequence what they were entitled to, was simply pro­ of Storm and/ or Tempest and/ or by water paganda disseminated by the Queensland or rain entering the Building through an Government. There was not one mention opening in the wall or roof, provided that of the Commonwealth Government. As I such opening was caused by or as a direct said, more thim half of the page was taken consequence of Storm and/or Tempest." up with Queensland Government propaganda. The clause then excludes many things, and It reads- continues- "Queensland Government Flood Relief "Storm and/ or Tempest means 'a violent Brisbane and Ipswich atmospheric disturbance accompanied by Householders: high wind, rain, snow or hail, but does not mean persistent bad weather, nor If you need help or advice following heavy rain, nor persistent rain by itself!" the flood, this is where to get it from the Queensland Government." Because there was persistent rain, everybody who had storm and tempest cover could be Mr. Porter: What is wrong with that? ruled out. Mr. HOUSTON: It was not coming from An Opposition Member: It was an act of the Queensland Government at all. The God. Queensland Government had already spent its $2,000,000 prior to this flood. Mr. HOUSTON: It does not say that. It Mr. Porter: Federal money does not belong virtually does, but not exactly. People only to us? find these things out when they are in trouble. The S.G.I.O. also provides rain­ Mr. HOUSTON: The Queensland Govern­ water cover in these terms- ment is getting far more than it put in. "Damage caused by rainwater entering The Queensland Government and the Queens­ the insured building or entering the build­ land people are getting far more out of ing containing the property insured by it than they put in. The honourable member this policy." thinks that every penny Queensland puts in should come back to Queensland. The Mr. Porter: Did you complain about all cost of looking after Commonwealth ser­ of this last year? vices, such as the Armed Forces, should Mr. HOUSTON: Yes, and I have com­ be paid for out of somebody else's money. plained about it for a long time. In fact, All that is important is that it does not come I have often called in this House for a out of our pocket! complete review of some insurance activities Compare the present aid with the ungener­ in this State, and the State Government is ous amount the Liberal-Country Party Gov­ the body that registers insurance companies ernment paid out following the Towns­ in Queensland. After all, I believe that cyclone and other cyclonic tragedies. It was insurance companies have an obligation to nowhere near as much as the present Labor the community as a whole. I believe that Government is providing. The terms and when this great rl;saster happened, they should 2638 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood have met the claims made upon them wher­ and subsequent floods was quite inaccurate. In ever humanly possible. I mention one case some places, the 1974 flood rose above the to show how niggardly insurance companies 1893 pegs, and in others it was well below are. The house is low set. Previously them. Some people who were granted flood floodwater had been underneath it but never insurance because they were above the 1893 before had it entered the house. pegs subsequently lost everything. Others who were refused flood insurance because they (Time expired.) were below those pegs were not affected. Hon. J. D. HERBERT (Sherwood-Minis­ Either those pegs were put in the wrong ter for Tourism, Sport and Welfare Services) places or the topography and river flow have (2.56 p.m.): When this debate was initiated changed. What has to be done is to make by the Premier, he started it with what I sure that on this occasion the pegs are thought was the tone that the House would placed at the right levels. Already in my follow; that was a non-political analysis of area voluntary organisations are making sure the situation. that the exact limits of the flood at its height are known. Mr. Bousen: How naive can you be! Another thing that must be corrected is Mr. HERBERT: I admit that that might be the silly busines of announcing over radio naive, because one would not expect much stations Port Office water heights. As a more from the Labor Party than we have so matter of fact, relying on that information far received from the Leader of the cost many people in my area their entire Opposition. The incredible thing is the houses and contents. They heeded the Port behaviour of Labor in Government and in Office heights. Anyone with knowledge of opposition. We have listened to the Leader the subject realises that the Port Office of the Opposition saying that the Govern­ heights are recorded subject to tides. In the ment should have requisitioned every upper reaches of the river, the tides had unoccupied house in Queensland, and every very little effect against the roaring flood. A motel room, and put homeless people in Port Office height of 22 feet does not mean them. a thing at Jindalee or Chelmer. Many people found that out when they were told that the Mr. Houston: I said, "enough of them." river level was dropping. It was in fact Mr. HERBERT: In Amberley there were dropping at the Port Office because the tide 50 unoccupied Housing Commission homes. was running out in the lower reaches; but it At the height of the flooding, the Minister was rising farther upstream. People who for Works and Housing asked the Federal started to move stopped when they heard Government to make these homes available the report that the river level was dropping. for homeless people at Ipswich, and the This situation has to be corrected. It is to be Federal Government refused the request. hoped that it never happens· again. But we Those 50 houses at Amberley are still have to make sure that, if it does, readings unoccupied; they are kept for the use of are a'vailable for places that are easHy recog­ the Armed Forces. The Government asked nisable by the majority of the people involved for them to be made available in an -places such as College's Crossing, the emergency, and they were refused. The Jindalee Bridge, the Indooroopilly Bridge, Federal Government had 50 empty homes the mouth of Oxley Creek, the Fig Tree available in Ipswich-an area that was really Pocket bend. People must be told what the hard hit-and they remained empty. They height is at these places and what it is still are empty. expected to reach. So much for what Labor in office would In the general area of Chelmer and do here. Those homes were available, and Graceville, entire suburbs went under. For they remained without a soul in them. those honourable members who know the geography, I point out that between the Today, I want to make a few comments Oxley Methodist Church on Oxley Road about the area that I have the honour to (which is nearly a mile from the river) represent in the House. Unfortunately, it and the river itself, every house went under, contains the areas worst affected by the and that created a tremendous problem. flood. 11his is to be expected, because it However, the mouth of Oxley Creek pre­ follows the river bank from Jindalee to sents a problem in itself. Because of a Chelmer. Two-thirds of the Sherwood police rock bar on the downstream side of the area went under water. H anyone had told mouth, the mouth of that creek actually me that I would see floodwater in my street faces upstream. Flood current running a mile from the river, I would have thought downstream creates a dam, and quite apart him mad. But it happened. What was even from water in the creek, rubbish in par­ more tragic locally was that most of the ticular cannot get out. In the catchment area was cut off for several days. There is area of Oxley Creek are sewage farms, very little pictorial record of what happened B.A.L.M. Paints, scores of industrial but we can see now the damage that was undertakings, the Brisbane Markets, and done. experimental farms-all sorts of undertakings A number of things that have to be that create a tremendous amount of pol­ considered emerged from the floods. Quite lution in the area. None of that pollution obviously the information on the 1893 flood could escape; it all remained in the area Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2639

because of the mouth of the creek and The major problem was that this occurred because the Brisbane City Council had built at night. Heavy rain had fallen in the a very large rubbish dump on the bank area before, and Civil Defence personnel of the creek by Pamphlett Bridge. were going into streets that had never been As I said, it made a very effective flooded before in their history and telling dam and kept tons and tons of sludge people to go out into the rain because their in people's houses. Anyone who has homes were about to be flooded. In many had the unfortunate experience of shovelling cases the people waited till the person warn­ out a house in which there is a foot of ing them had gone and then forgot about sludge covered by a foot of raw sewage it. will know what I am talking about. That Possibly one of the most remarkable is what the people in that area had to put features of the flood was the way people up with. It was a tragedy of the first order came to help. This is supposed to be a because in many instances they are quite materialistic age, but at the Graceville incapable of handling the problem by them­ Methodist Church on the Saturday after the selves. flood 1,200 people called to offer their help One aspect that has not received the to people in trouble whom they had never recognition it should is the part that the met before. This does not include -the church organisations in the area played. thousands who came to help friends, relatives I am not writing down what anyone else and workmates, which might be expected. did, but it was quite obvious in my area People came with their own materials to that church organisations provided the back­ offer help to anyone at all who was in bone of the work-force. The very first repre­ strife. My goodness, that help was needed! sentative of an organisation whom I saw dur­ I might mention that two of those I saw on ing rescue operations-it was at 2 o'clock in that day who were helping were the Hon. the morning-was a Salvation Army officer Fred Campbell and Mr. Bill Hewitt, the driving a truck with tea on board. We have member for Chatsworth. They came from no Salvation Army Corps in the Sherwood their own areas into an area that needed electorate. I do not know where that man help. They will both have a go at me came from, but there he was at 2 o'clock afterwards for mentioning it, but it is a in the morning with tea when it was needed. fact that they were among those who came Subsequently all the churches provided a to help. As a matter of fact-and I am tremendous number of workers, possibly sure he won't mind my saying this-Fred because we were using church halls. is not a young man, yet he shovelled all day. He felt the better for it at the end There was a silly idea of requisitioning of the day, I believe. motels. When people are stuck on an In many ways, we were lucky because the island and cannot get off, they are not Meals on Wheels have a fully equipped likely to go looking for motels. In this kitchen in the Anglican Church at Sherwood instance, what we were looking for was and they were able to meet the immediate somewhere to get people out of the wet, rush of hundreds and hundreds of refugees. and the church halls in the area were the Subsequently the Methodist Church at Grace­ major centres. There were centres at the ville installed a kitchen and we prepared up Methodist Church at Graceville, the Meth­ to 800 meals at a sitting. The problems that odist Church at Ox:ley, the Anglican Church existed in that area were extreme, because at Sherwood and the Catholic Church at it was probably the only area in which Corinda. Possibly one of the reasons why entire suburbs went under. In many other so many people gave assistance was that areas there was always somebody up on a their own churches were involved. Never­ hill or somebody adjacent who could help. theless, they deserve some recognition, and the Rev. Ron Butler-White, who is the An Opposition Member: What about Methodist parson at Sherwood, worked many Rocklea? days and nights without a break, then con­ Mr. HERBERT: Rocklea is in that general tinued on for many more days and nights with area. I am referring to the basin of Oxley only a few hours' sleep until the problems Creek. I would consider that to be the area had more or less resolved themselves. that requires the greatest attention in any Another problem that existed in the area investigation that takes place as a result of -it must be rectified-was non-recognition this flood. Something has to be done about of the Civil Defence uniform. Many people the OXley Creek basin, because that is went round in overalls, particularly at night, where the major pollution took place; it is waking people up to warn them and were where the major disaster occurred. At the chased away by irate householders who Graceville State School 7 5 per cent of the thought they had no right to do so. The children were from flood-affected homes. At position became so bad that it was necessary the Rocklea State School the figure was 90 to send police officers round to do the work per cent. So it was not just a few people -in the circumstances a waste of effort­ on the fringes who went under, as happened because people would not heed warnings in some other suburbs. In the area I am from persons in overalls whom they had speaking of, whole suburbs went under. Some never seen before. Some move must be people had to walk a mile from the back made to educate people to recognise the of Chelmer to get a drink of water while Civil Defence uniform in times of emergency. they were attempting to dean out their 2640 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974} Queensland Flood

houses. Obviously, power, gas and telephones My real sympathy goes to the old people went. At certain stages reticulated water who, even with the complete restoration of went as well. That compounded the problem. their homes available under the present scheme, are unable to face up to the sit­ A lot of peculiar stories appeared in the newspapers during the floods. There must uation. have been one or two people with phones Eventually, when we get rid of all the who fed them through, and I hope the problems associated with human suffering, stories were accepted at face value, because we have to do something about aquatic they were quite ridiculous. Jindalee was one sporting clubs. The Indooroopilly Canoe of the areas that suffered a great deal of mis­ Club, which has produced Olympic champ­ representation. Honourable members would ions, had $40 to pay off its new clubhouse have read a story in the Press about the one when the flood hit. It now has a concrete taxi driver who was Gough Whitlam or was necessary to take food to Mt. Isa, but somebody in the Australian Government­ hundreds of pounds, of tinned corned meat this great "centralist" Government! The lack were taken there when hundredweights of of this sort of criticism in the last few the same commodity were held in ware­ months has been rather refreshing, and one houses in Mt. Isa. does not need to look far to find the reason for it. Again I stress that I am not putting that forward as criticism. I think it is possible Dr. Scott·Yaung: He has made such a that we could all fall into a trap of that mess of the country so far that he could type. However, I think it is a pity that not fail to give us money this time. something like that should happen simply because someone has not thought of ringing Mr. TUCKER: I do not think the Premier the shopkeepers and wholesalers in the area, is taking any risks of not getting this money, who could say, "In a year we carry so and therefore he is keeping quiet. Apparently much of this or that. In wet weather we he can be bought on some matters. He is carry so much of this or that. We need so fully aware of the enormous financial assist­ much of this or that food." ance of the Commonwealth Government, and he knows that his Government could not Mr. Hodges: I agree with your point survive without it at this moment. Restora­ relative to Mt. Isa, but Inspector Chippindall tion of the Gulf area, too, will take place covered areas outside Mt. Isa, too. in the course of the next year. I sha'll deal with that later. Mr. TUCKER: I do not think Inspector Chippindall was involved in this. I do not It could be said that what i.s happening wish to get anyone into trouble. As I said, now is proof of the bigness of the Australian I think I could have fallen into the same Government and its leaders, who have been trap if I had been in charge. so trenchantly criticised by members of the Government. The Premier and his Ministers Although the citizens of Mt. Isa had been are prepared to put their criticism aside without fresh milk for about three weeks when an emergency such as the present one or a month because the road and the railway exists and the Australian Government comes line had been cut, there was no powdered forward saying, "We are prepared to give an milk in the first air-lift of food. Apparently open cheque for the restoration of Queens­ people in Brisbane were not aware that milk land." could not be seut in to Mt. Isa. They did not think that people there had to rely on Mr. Row: So they should. powdered milk. Therefore, the first air-lift 2644 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood into Mt. Isa did not contain any powdered Those transceivers would ensure that the milk, although it was the first thing that was police had their own adequate communica­ needed. The situation was rectified later. tions. I know they had their own landlines, but there were times when some places were If thought were given to matters such as out of communication. I know that radios that, people would not become frustrated. I of the Flying Doctor Service were used. believe that it could be an understandable On occasions radios of the Department of human error. Aboriginal and Island Affairs were also used, Mr. Hodges: Reports that we received and quite effectively. If the pol~ce officers earlier indicated that there were ample sup­ had their own means of communication, they plies of powdered milk at Mt. Isa. could then hook into the others I have men­ tioned, thus making them more effective Mr. TUCKER: That may be so, but the and more efficient. This would avoid the situation changes rapidly when roads are frustration they feel in having to go else­ cut. Although airliners are still moving in where to find oot whether messages had been and out, they can carry only limited quant­ sent. ities of food. I do not believe that at any Mr. Hodges interjected. stage the people of Mt. Isa were completely without powdered milk, but I mentioned Mr. TUCKER: Will trns hook-up be com­ powdered milk only as an exan1ple. pleted very soon? While I was in the Mt. Isa area, and later Mr. Hodges: I hope so, yes. while I was in the Gulf area with the hon­ ourable member for Cook and the honourable Mr. TUCKER: I am very pleased to hear member for Mt. Isa, I was able to speak that, because it is vital to peak efficiency of to many police officers about another police officers, particularly during emergen­ submission I made later. I do not want cies. Some of the leading citizens of Norman­ anyone to think for one moment that I do ton said that during the evacuation of that not believe that the police did a wonderful town they were out of communication and job. They did an outstandingly good job, and were not qcite sure when the next aircraft I think that, without their efforts, many was coming in. People wde waiting up people would have died. However, they had on the aerodrome for the next aircraft of to use all sorts of communications, and I any kind to arrive. mention this matter in the hope that some­ thing will be done about it. Mr. Hodges: I heard a similar complaint in Normanton, but we here knew more When I was in Mt. Isa, I watched Inspector about Normanton than did the people in Chippindall working with only one telephone. Normanton. I know that he also had wireless communi­ cation, but calls from all sorts of places were Mr. TUCKER: That is the point. It is coming through that one telephone in his not very satisfactory for the people con­ office. One moment it would be Rock­ cerned. If one understands people and hampton calling, with someone there wanting man-management, one should be able to tell to argue that flour supplies should have been the people on the spot what ~s going on. bought in the Rockhampton area. The very One of the worst things that can happen to next moment Boulia or some other town people who are herded together in such would be on the line. That phone was conditions is to be out of touch and there­ crammed all the time; nevertheless, it was fore unable to learn exactly what lis hap­ working. pening. I will not go any £urther into Mr. Hodges interjected. that because the honourable member for Cook, no doubt, will talk about it a little Mr. TUCKER: I am not reflecting on later. I have put forward those suggestions him. He is a very good officer. After watch­ because I think we should be able to upgrade ing that operation, I believe that something our communications in that area. I thank should be done to improve communications. the M~nister for his information about the The other point I make is that all police transceivers. stations should have transceivers. Perhaps Let me also suggest to the Minister for a better model may be coming forward; I Mines and Main Roads that he give con­ do not know. There is a very effective unit sideration to the matter of motor vehicle available at the present time, which costs registrati'on fees in the Gulf. In areas around in the vicinity of $1,000. I know it is Karumba and Normanton people who own effective. because people in some areas of motor vehicles obviously will not be driving the Gulf were able to talk to Brisbane direct. anywhere for a long mme. If one flies over Therefore, I believe that the Minister should the Cairns-Georgetown-Normanton road and strive to provide every police officer in an many other roads in that area, one sees the isolated area, particularly in the Gulf, with washouts and the damaged bridges. In that one of those transceivers. He should also area it will not be possible to drive motor be supplied with a battery, although he may vehicles over any distance for a long, long be able to use the battery of the police car. time. The Government should take cognisance He could also be supplied with one of the of this and should say to people who have small Japanese battery chargers. motor vehicles in the area and who will be Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2645 forced to re-register them, "There will be of Craig Mostyn was one man who was pre­ only a nominal fee untJil such time as the pared to move very quickly in an endeavour roads are again trafficable." to restore some communication in the town. I hope that the roads are quickly made This is where I believe we could have helped. trafficable, but, because of the amount of Mr. Mostyn chartered a barge from Cairns money and equipment involved, I am afraid and brought earth-moving equipment from that the work will take a considerable time. Phillips Constructions into Karumba at his I ask the Government to give consideration own expense. The cost of oharteu-ing that to this matter of motor vehicle registration barge was $18,000, which is a large sum of fees. I know that they cannot be waived money. It shows how these people are altogether, but on Magnetic Island, which prepared to help themselves. They are well I used to represent in Townsville North, aware that the prawning season is almost on motorists were charged only half the regis­ them. They have to get their works moving tration fee because there were only about again in order to help themselves. 7 miles of road on the island. I think this I must not forget to mention Dr. R;ex is a matter worth thinking about in relation Patterson who visited the area and spoke w1th to the areas I have mentioned. the local' residents. He was in close com­ Let me again touch on Karumba. The munication with them on the matter of recon­ devastation that could and can be seen there struction. is heartbreaking. The honourable member As I say, the barge was chartered from the for Cook and I spent the best part of two Mason Shipping Company at a cost of days walking around what used to be the $18,000. The usual freight rate on goods roads in Karumba and seeing for ourselves transported into the area by the company just what had happened in that area. is $32 a ton, so it is easy to visualise what the people of Karumba, Normanton and Mr. Hodges: It is terrible; it is like Surfers other Gulf townships will be up against i?­ Paradise. having goods carried to their areas. If It Mr. TUCKER: One cannot credit that was possible for Mr. Bob Mostyn to charter these were once the roads serving the a barge to tmnsport heavy equipment t? buildings in the town. In many cases it Kammba so that quantities of shell gnt would seem that they must have been creeks could be brought in from the pits to help running through the centre of the town restore the centre of the town, it was possible before the flood. But those of us who had for the Government to have done likewise. seen it previously know that this is not so. Mr. Hodges: The Government has agreed The aerodrome on the point has been cut to subsidise any freight beyond the normal off from the town. I do not blame the freight rates. Premier for not landing there. It presents a woeful sight. Mr. TUCKER: I think that is a fine ges­ ture and I hope that the Minister for Trans­ Mr. R. E. Moore: He did not have an port' will subsidise freights to Julia Creek amphibian; that is why he did not land. so that goods can be transported along the beef road from Julia Creek to Normanton. Mr. TUCKER: That remark rather shows After all, that road will be the first one to be that the honourable member has not been in opened. If freight can be landed in Julia that area. One could quite safely land at Creek from Townsville at a cost of $14 a the aerodrome, but it was cut off from ton, the carriers in Normanton could trans­ Karumba as the road was completely washed port it to their town at a cost similar to the ont. To get from the aerodrome to Karumba, figure I have mentioned. I hope that the one has to go to the end of the point and Government will examine the subsidising of take a boat up ·the flooded Norman River, freight rates to ensure that the people who a journey that takes about 30 minutes. It have already suffered will not be required to may not be a dangerous one today, but shoulder an additional heavy burden. some time ago, especially at night-time, which is when we negotiated it, it certainly Mr. Hodges: It will take quite a while to was. At that time the aerodrome was get through to Normanton, won't it? isolated and was not a very effective means Mr. TUCKER: I do not think so. How­ of entering Karumba. One could almost ever, my colleague the honourable member describe the town as being completely cut for Cook will deal with that aspect. off, although this was not quite so. During our visit our attention was drawn If my estimation of quantities is correct, to grave shortages of av-iation and motor fuel. I would say that the fill necessary to restore A vessel named "Dundas" was due to arrive the streets, at between $2 and $3 a yard, with a cargo of fuel, but prior to its arrival will alone cost $1,000,000. one of the vital links in communications in I again pay a tribute to the local people, the North-west was cut. I am referring to who were on the job immediately. While the small private planes and helicopters, we were there, they were not sitting down which did yeoman's service in rendering aid crying. They were back on the job and were to a tremendous number of people. Owing trying to establish some sort of communica­ to the shortage of aviation fuel, they were tion within the town itself. Mr. Bob Mo&tyn grounded. A cargo of 50 44-ga!lon drums 2646 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

of fuel that was brought to Normanton was approximately 15,000 people, were evacuated. condemned because the date beyond which As well as this, our industries were seriously the fuel would deteriorate had eJCpired. affected, with four coal-mines completely Another step that should have been taken flooded and rthereby closed. The losses was an indication to shire councils as to in industry amount to approximately the expenditure that they could incur. With­ $4,000,000, and probably 500 people were out such knowledge, the counoils are com­ left jobless immediately after the flood. pletely inhibited. I say this because on one Many of these people have been able to occasion I sat in at a round-table conference gain employment locally, or in industries and heard the shire councillors claim that in other areas. A quarter of the shopping they did not know what they could spend in and business area of the city of Ipswich Karumba and what sum would be allotted to was inundated, while nearly all of the Goodna them. We were told that the Etheridge shopping area, in the Wolston electorate, Shire Council, which has its headquarters at was damaged. A caravan park in that Georgetown, suffered damage amounting to electorate was washed away completely. I $250,000 to its roads. Under the present am informed that over $1,000,000 was paid arrangement the council will be required to out by the Ipswich Court House in immediate pr~vide $50,090 to repair that damage, and relief after the flood. 11t Is beyond Its financial capabilities to do My city was a devastated, destroyed city, so. without power in most areas for 48 hours, Before I conclude I wish to refer to the while in other areas power was off for setting up of flood-reporting stations on up to seven days. We were completely t~e various. Gulf rivers. On two great isolated from Brisbane, Toowoomba and :rvers, that IS, Gilbert and Einasleigh, there other centres for approximately four days, IS only one flood-reporting station. The except for helicopter entry. It has been su:rounding homesteads, s'tations, small town­ estimated that between $3,000,000 and ~hips and t~e shire council have no earthly $4,000,000 will be required to restore ser­ Idea what IS happening when these rivers vices such as roads and sewerage, and start to flood. My colleague the honourable approximately $10,000,000 will be required member for Cook will no doubt refer to to repair damaged homes and replace those the Norman and Hinders Rivers for which destroyed in the Ipswich area. no real warning was given. The establish­ I am also informed that it will cost n:ent of flood-reporting stations on these $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 to restore nvers should be seriously considered because mining, industrial and other business acti­ a warning is essential so th[llt people may vities within the city. Yet, in the midst know when .to evacuate. The provision of this tragedy, the people of my city of these statwns would negative rumours showed a fine spirit of courage, optimism s~ch as the one that a wall of water 10 ft. and co-operation. It is beyond description. high was rolling down the Norman and I am sure that the honourable members for Flinders Rivers. Ipswich West and Wolston will totally agree Georgetown has an all-weather landino with me on this point about co-operation strip, but the paradox is thM the town i~ and co-ordination. cut off from the landing strip by Sandy The evacuation of some 15,000 people, Creek, a small creek which on this occasion and many business enterprises was under­ flooded continually for mo~ths. A causeway taken with the co-operation of the whole crosses . the creek, but people could not get of the city, in most difficult and dangerous across It to the landing strip. circum~tances, over three days and two (Time expired.) nights. Many folk assisted people in lower areas only to return to their own Dr. EDWARDS (Ipswich) (3.56 p.m.): I homes to find inundation occurring at such have great J?leasure in participating in this an unbelievable rate ·that often complete debate to bnng to the notice of this Parlia­ loss orf furniture, bedding, clothing and me~t and the people of Queensland the personal effects resulted. fortitude, courage and determination of the Therefore, during this debate, it is people of the city of Ipswich which became absolutely essential for me to pay tribute so evident during the recent devastation and firstly to the people of the city of Ipswich­ destruction in the flood that inundated the to those who suffered in the floods, to those city of Ipswich over the Australia Day who opened their homes (and these were week-end. numerous; at every centre we had lists of This flood, which was the worst to hit people who were willing to accept other Ipswich since 1893, rose to a height of people into their homes and most of us had 64 f~et at the David Trumpy Bridge and people in our homes for a number of days), remamed at that level for at least 24 hours. and to those of all ages. who assisted with Some 34 homes, mostly in the electorate the evacuation. I was privileged to have of the honourable member for Ipswich West, with me a group of young people who were washed away, and I am informed worked day and night helping to shift people thM 1,674 homes in the 'Ipswich area had from many areas in my own electorate. water into the living sections. I am informed I believe that the people of Ipswich are also that, within the boundaries of the unique people of rare and unparalleled city of Ipswich, some 3,500 homes, involving value. Without exception, the way Ipswich Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2647 people co-ordinated and co-operated in a to the service clubs in Ipswich, Ipswich Com­ true family spirit was something which has munity AiEl, Red Cross, Scouts, Girl Guides, gained the admiration of every one of us the medical and nursing professions and the who observed what was going on within many other groups who took part in a very my city. This has been of value and we co-ordinated and outstanding manner. are very proud to be part of this great Although I would like to mention many city and numbered among these great others, I give credit to one particular firm­ people. Action Realty. This company lent its I also pay a tribute to the Police Force, fleet of vehicles, radio communication net­ from Inspector McCarthy and Inspector work and staff so that the whole clean-up Gorman down to the newest arrival at the programme could be co-ordinated in a Ipswich Police Station. Their assistance was wonderful manner. of great value and their co-operation was Mr. K. W. Hooper: The Rev. Eric Moore something that had to be seen to be believed. did a very good job. I saw police officers off duty spending all of their time in boats collecting people and Dr. EDWARDS: He was also very active their belongings and shifting them to other and I intended to mention him shortly. centres, and then resuming their eight hours Kerry Fitzgerald stepped in and co­ of duty as police officers within the city of ordinated all of the services. I am sure Ipswich. that the honourable member for Ipswich I pay a tribute to the permanent army West would join me in my feelings for this officers, the R.A.A.F. and the helicopter man. His work was of great value in this units and crews. I express a special word of aspect of co-ordination and co-operation. appreciation for the helicopter people. They The local newspaper, "The Queensland made numerous trips to and from Brisbane Times" played a very important role and and other areas under very difficult con­ my thanks go to it as well. ditions. On a number of occasions these The Minister for Transport mentioned men transferred seriously ill people to Bris­ the Rev. Eric Moore. I do not 'think bane, where they could be given special words can express my gratitude to him treatment. personally for the way in which he took I also say a word of appreciation to the 'Over so many activities. His assistance in Citizens Military Forces which played a co-ordination has been such that words are tremendous role in the operation. I mention inadequate to express the gratitude of the men such as Captain Kerry Brown and Ross City of Ipswich to him. He has worked day Cruice who led the C.M.F. in a tremendous and night. At 3 a.m. on Sunday, when the amount of work during the evacuation and flood was rising at its highest rate, I met the days that followed. the Rev. Eric Moore down at Basin Pocket shifting some people from their h'ome. This The Civil Defence Organisation also is an tindication of the work done by this played an invaluable role in the city of man for the City of Ipswich at this time. Ipswich and I record their efforts under the I feel lit essential also to menti'On the leadership of Fred Thompson, Len Coulson and many other people. gratitude of the City of Ipswich to the council and to the mayor, who played a Operation clean-up was unbelievable. tremendous role in the city. People from all occupations, professions, Mr. Margins(}n: You tried to discredit ages, and walks of life co-ordinated to clean him a while ago. mud from homes and grounds. The assis­ tance of radio station 4IP, Ipswich, was Dr. EDWARDS: I take strong exception deeply appreciated during both the flood to that interjection. I had no intention and operation clean-up. I pay tribute to whatever of discrediting the mayor. I brought the hundreds of Ipswich people and the that matter up because the facts were not outsiders who poured into Ipswich to assist correctly &tated by the Leader of the Opposi­ our people. I instance the 12 Inglewood men, Dion. The facts of the matter were that Mr. who live in the electorate of the Minister Hayden rang me on the Sunday evening, as for Local Government and Electricity, who he rang the honourable member for Wolston came down with their own equipment, and also the honourable member for Ipswich including an end-loader, bulldozer and hand West. He ask,ed me whether I would attend pumps, as well as their own food and a meeting to consider a way of co-ordinating bedding. They camped in the drill hall services and bringing means of assistance in Ipswich and spent a whole week cleaning together for the people of Ipswich. I accepted some of the worst areas in my city. To that invitation, and he told me then that these men we pay tribute. The reason they the mayor would chair the meeting. came was that they, too, had suffered tremen­ At the meeting, many ways in which we dous destruction during the 1956 flood which could assist the people of Ipswich were dis­ affected Inglewood. cussed. One thing discussed was the setting­ I pay tribute to Bob Tait and his group up of a fund to assist the people of Ipswich, of men, and the men from the Apex Club not only in this disaster but in any future who came down and worked so hard in disasters. The mayor chaired the meeting. such an unobtrusive manner. I pay tribute Mr. Hayden and I moved that the Ipswich 2648 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

disaster fund be set up, exactly as it has been also the Minister for Lands and Forestry, set out by the Local Government and Justke the Minister for Works and Housing, and Departments. This fund was set up, and the Minister for Education. I could continue it will be a continuing fund. The mayor of to speak of the co-operation rece~ved from the day was elected as one of the trustees, Ministers of the Government. We were as were the city administrator and the local able to discuss the situation also magistrate of the day. with the Governor, who spent three hours I pay very great tribute to the mayor of in our city. We were able to bring to the the day, Alderman Hastings, and I believe notice of these people at first hand the that we must get the facts straight. I am problems of the Ipswich area. Great co­ placing the facts correctly on record. I chal­ operation was received from officers of t:he lenge the honourable member for Wolston to Premier's Department, the Health Department deny any of the facts as I have presented and other Government departments. I pay them. I have spoken to the dty administrator tribute to them. since the honourable member for Wolston On many occasions during the flood and brought this matter up, and the facts are as I the days that followed, it gave me tremendous have stated them. I challenge the honourable pleasure to ring Dr. Livingtone, who at member to present them in any other way. that time was acting Director-General of I again place on record in this House that Health and Medrcal Services and receive I am not deprecating the work of the mayor advice from him on certain aspects of health of this city. If the honourable member for care that were needed within the City of Wolston takes it that way, he is absolutely Ipswich. incorrect. What I took exception to was I also pay tribute to Mr. Paul O'Gorman, the incorrect statement of the Leader of the who is sitting in the lobby today. His co­ Opposition that the Mayor of Ipswich set operation has been outstanding. He came up the fund. The fund was in fact set rup to Ipswich a week or so ago and spent the by the citizens of the City of Ipswich, and whole afternoon there and gave us a great the mayor of the day is one of the co­ deal of information about the way in which ordinators. I want to make that fact quite his committee is assisting people in the city clear. Again I pay a tribute to the work and throughout the State. We are very done by the mayor. fortunate that Mr. O'Gorman has been able Mr. Marginson: You are splitting straws. to spend so much time with us and to assist us so greatly, and the speedy way in which Dr. ED"Y ARDS: I am not splitting straws; he has answered correspondence and tele­ I am relating the facts. If the honourable phone calls from Ipswich is a tribute to his member would do a little more work and efficiency. get to know the facts, I would not have to tell this story. Similarly, both Mr. Keith Spann and Mr. I want to pay a tribute now to the city Brian Pendrigh of the Premier's Department administrator (Mr. Milton), the city engineer have been very co-operative. (Mr. Abyss), the deputy city administrator The people of Ipswich still face tremend­ (Mr. Smallwood), and the depruty city engineer ous problems. They have shown outstand­ (Mr. Gamble). I also pay tribute to the ing courage. They have tremendously big city health inspector (Mr. Barclay). The hearts, and their lives are slowly returning dedication of these men and their staffs in to normal. However, they be1ieve that many every part of their activities, and even today, people outside the city of Ipswich did not is outstanding, and I hope their efforts will realise, and possibly do not realise to this be appreciated by the city, and by members very day, the extent of the devastation, des­ such as the honourable member for Wolston, truction and suffering that occurred in their who obviously cannot get his facts correct. city. Of course, my opinion of the attitude Despite the devastation, the clean-up and of the Australian GQIVernment in donating the health programme which followed were $250,000 direct to the Brisbane fund almost undertaken, and little or no increase in a week before giving anything to Ipswich disease occurred in this city. I pay tribute and, again, by not including Ipswich in dis­ to these people for this achievement. I cussions when the Prime Minister visited have checked with the hospital and the Brisbane while the mayors of Brisbane and medical officers in my city, and I have round Gold Coast were present, is well known, and that there has been no increase whatever in I do not wish to say anything more about the incidence of disease. This is a tremendous that. tribute to city officers, and I commend them There are lessons to be learnt from this on it. flood, and I hope that every effort will be I should also like to make it known that made to collate all available information. I the people of Ipswich appreciate the visits suggest-I think it has been suggested made by Cabinet Ministers, and also the already-that the Premier continue to obtain lengthy visit by His Excellency the Governor information and details from all the people (Sir Colin Hannah). We were able to affected by the floods throughout the State. discuss the problems fully with these people. I believe that all the facts relative to The Minister for Justice was able to be in problems of evacuation, methods of evacua­ the city three times. The Minister for Trans­ tion and the problems that have faced people port and the Premier were there, as were when they have returned to their homes Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2649 should be collated to provide a very valuable about rebuilding the foundry and for getting record of this tragedy that has affected the the plant to the stage where 36 men can whole State. be employed instead of simply losing their The co-operation of all concerned, from jobs. the Australian and State Governments down A Government Member: It is a very worth­ to the citizens of my city, has been the basis while industry. of our viability and recovery, and I pay trrbute to everybody concerned in it. There Dr. EDWARDS: That is so. It is a very will be much criticism and many questions big industry, and one of which the Minister will be asked relative to the flood, but this is fully aware. I pay a tribute also to other flood had to be seen to be believed. The rate industries such as Hancock Brothers Pty. of rise was almost unbelievable, and some Ltd., who have uost a .tremendous amount. reports have indicated that the flood rose Through the assistance of this Government, by 7 to 8 feet in one hour in Ipswich. In they have been able to resume their opera­ my opinion, all concerned made every pos­ tions and get back into production fairly sible effort. 'Personally, I am still amazed quickly. that only one person lost his life in the I would like to pay a tribute also to Ipswich area. ,the Minister for Transport for his part in I pay tribute to the late Noel Stretton, the operations of Project Help and for his who lost his life during the flood. He was co-operation with the Rev. Eric Moore in the manager of one of the local pharmacies the Ipswich Community Aid. We have been in Ipswich. Desprte the fact that he was on assisted a great deal by this work. holidays, he went to help staff members Another factor I wish to mention relates evacuate the pharmacy. Unfortunately, he to the damage to schools in my electorate. drove into a flooded area and lost his life. Two of them were damaged, one seriously. To his wife and family, I extend my deepest I pay tribute to the Department of Education sympathy and express the tremendous respect and the Works Department for the way I had for this man because of my professional in which they have assisted these schools relationship with him over many years. Our to get back to normal. I know that the city will certainly be the poorer for his honourable member for Ipswich West also passing. has in her electorate schools which have I hope that this devastation will never be suffered damage. However, the way in which repeated. I am proud to represent part of the W arks Department and the Department the great city of Ipswich. of Education have co-operated in bringing these schools back to as normal a condition Mr. Marginson: And always remember that as possible as quickly as possible is something it is only part of the city. for which we must pay tribute. Dr. EDWARDS: If the honourable member So, Mr. Speaker, I have much pleasure for Wolston is not proud to represent the in being associated with the motion before city of Ipswich, or part of it, I am. I pay the House. In this flood we have seen tribute to, and am conscious of, the greatness exhibited by the Ipswich people a tremendous of Ipswich and the people who live there. spirit, a spirit with which I am proud to be associated, and a spirit which I trust The problem that faces Ipswich in the will continue to get these people back to future is the effect on industry within the normal circumstances in the very near future. city. That effect is very widespread. The closure of the coal mines has meant unem­ Mr. DAVIS (Brisbane) (4.17 p.m.): It is ployment in the mining industry, and this has my pleasure today to have the opportunity caused great uncertainty to many people and of speaking on the very important issue that to many families. I believe it is absolutely i:s before the House. In particular, I wish essential that a full survey of the mining to refer to the flooding in the area with which industry be carried out urgently to ascertain I am vitally concerned. Few members in its future. The need for such a survey has this Chamber have spoken about flooding been emphasised by the effects that the flood more than I have over the last five years. has had on the collieries. Most noticeable about this flood has been As I have said on earlier occasions, stable ,the attitude of the Premier. I certainly do long-term contracts are needed, and now is not want to get political in this debate, but the time to underwrite such contracts for I must contrast his stand in 1974 with the Ipswich ama so that new mines can be that in 1972. Cyclones Emily and Diana developed to use the large coal reserves and in 1972 affected the same areas as were replace those affected by the flood. This is flooded in January 1974-that is, Windsor, no mean task and I urge the Government Swan Hill, and Wilston. Of course, Northey to undertake this programme immediately for Street was again badly affected. The only the benefit of the Ipswich area and the difference between the recent flooding and State. that in 1972 was about an extra two feet of water in the houses. A house flooded to I also refer to Scotts' foundry, which is a depth of 10 feet is not much more seriously in my electorate. It has been completely damaged than one flooded to 7 or 8 feet. devastated, and I pay a tribute to those In 1972, the Queensland Government under people for the way in which they have set the leadership of the same Premier, refused 2650 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood pleas for a,ssistance in respect of the damage Mr. DAVIS: I have been trying to get a done by the floods in January and March of flood mitigation scheme implemented there that year. so that that area, including the Albion Park Mr. Hinze: What about Clem Jones? trotting track, can be saved from flooding so that millionaire sportsmen here who race Mr. DAVIS: If the honourable member trotters will not have their entertainment waits, he will hear everything he wants to interfered with. hear about this. In 1972 the situation was Not only Northey Street is affected by much the same as it was in January of these floods as the general public seems to this year. The same areas were covered, but think. In that area of Swan Hill there are perhaps one or two more houses were over 10 streets containing more than 150 flooded this time. houses. Following the creek further up into Mr. Hinze: They are low lying. Wi'lston another 20 to 30 houses are involved and at the back of the creek towards Mayne M:. DAVIS: Yes, they are low lying; railway yards and further on another 100 but It seems strange that between 1930 and houses are involved. So a very considerable 1967 there was no flooding in this area. area is subject to flooding and we are Between 1967 and 1972 there were three concerned about what is going to happen in floods. Now there has been another one this the future. It is all very well for members, year. including the Premier, to stand up and . Let us look at the situation as it applied speak about improvements in the Civil m 1972 and compare it with that in 1974. Defence Organisation, police facilities and As I said, mainly the same houses were other organisations involved in rescue work. involved. In many instances, exactly the same In 1972 in this Parliament I gave some persons were involved. In 1972 they applied examples of what occurred in my area alone for assistance in the same way, except that and it could have been a classic blueprint they went to the Valley Poltice Station, but for future flood activities throughout the they were refused. They were refused any metropolitan area. I have stated before in assistance whatever by this Government. this Chamber that in 1972 there was no When flooding occurred on Friday 25 January organisation for rescue work in this city. th~s year the Premier went to the corner of The arrangements, which have not changed Northey Street and Bowen Bridge Road and for a number of years, were that the inspector was interviewed by a television reporter. I of police would be the person in charge. saw the film later. When asked whose In some instances such a police officer would responsibili~y it was that so much flooding have no more idea of rescue work than I occurred-It was only occurring in Brisbane have of flying. I approached the Premier ~reeks at t?-at time ~nd there was no problem and various Ministers, including the Minister m the Bnsbane River-the Premier, in his for Works and Housing, and I was met usual statesmanlike fashion said "It is the with the usual mucking around between responsibility of the Brisbane dty Council. them. The situation has not changed. The It has nothing whatever to do with us." In Government had the blueprint for a flood­ reply to the same interviewer he said, "Many mitigation organisation that would have meant of these people should be covered by flood something to the area, but it failed to take insurance." Those were his words. He should advantage of the information at its disposal. know, or he should have been advised that no ho:nes in that area can be cover~d by The present system of issuing weather flood Insurance because the insurance com­ and flood warnings leaves a lot to be panies will not insure them. There are 750 desired. After the 1967 flood an engineer of them in that neck of the woods and compiled a report entitled "Hydrology with­ even if the people concerned had the money out Tears", published in 1969. I believe that to insure them against flood they could not the report should be circulated to all Govern­ obtain the cover. ment departments. It highlights the fact that there is no efficient warning system in That was the Premier's attitude on the existence. Anyone who contacts the Weather ~ri~ay. He was going to adopt an attitude Bureau during prolonged periods of heavy similar to the one he had adopted in 1972 rain is told that in the creek areas of Bris­ and try to duck out of assisting anybody. bane slight flooding might occur. In the !hen on the Sunday and Monday the flood recent floods, on the Sunday after the rain mvolved many other areas, which made him had ceased, Civil Defence organisers went completely change his attitude. It was the round and told residents in the areas near fi11st time that people in my area had received Enoggera, Breakfast and Ithaca Creeks that any form of assistance at aH and I should the Brisbane River would reach its peak like to correct a few false impressions about at midnight and that the height at the Port the area. One never reads about anything Office was expected to be 22 feet, with the ~JUt No.rthey Street and everybody gets the result that the water level in the areas near Impression that only Northey Street floods. the creeks was expected to rise by another Mr. Hinze: Is Northey Street in your seven feet. If the rise of seven feet had electorate? occurred on top of the flood peaks reached on the Friday and Saturday, half of the Mr. DAVIS: It is. area occupied by the Royal Brisbane Hos­ Mr. Hinze: What are you doing about it? pital would have been under water. Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2651

The serious flooding that occurs in the sales for a filly by Better Boy. They have Enoggera Creek and Breakfast Creek area only their houses, which have received a has been brought to the attention of the terrible hammering from four floods. They people of Brisbane. What is going to be do not know whether they should sell their done for the local residents? Since 1967, houses to sharp real-estate agents for a four major floods have occurred in the area. third of their value or wait until a flood Is the Government content to wait until mitigation scheme is under way. They are a flood-mitigation scheme is implemented? In the light of the wrangling and political only asking for a fair go. But for !he somersaults we have seen from the Govern­ magnitude of the recent floods which ment in blaming other bodies for flooding prompted the Government to get off its rear, we cannot be blamed for believing that even these people, as in the past, would not if such a scheme is commenced tomorrow have received a brass farthing in it will be at least four or five years before compensation. it comes to fruition. So I ask: what will I say to the Premier, without any politic.al happen to the local inhabitants in the mean­ motive, that I believe that 1these areas w1ll time? Will they be wiped just as they were continue to be flooded. I do not refer wiped by the Premier in 1972? Will the only to my own area but to other creek area be allowed to become depressed so areas. These people have to be looked after. that the real-estate "sharks" can move in There must be planned assistance, not only during the nights after floods and offer by way of flood mitigation, but in other to purchase houses at half their value and forms so that these people do not have later rent them out for as much as $20 to approach the St. Vincent de Pall:! Socie.ty, and $30 a week? I know of one real­ the Salvation Army, or other bodies which estate agent in the Swan Hill area who did a mighty job, and ask for a ha~dout. has purchased more than 40 houses and These people are Queenslanders, and If we rents them to tenants. Whenever a flood say, "We are all for Queensland", let us occurs and the tenants leave he moves in help them out in the future. after the water has subsided, cleans the houses out, and starts all over again. As Mr. HINZE (South Coast) (4.34 p.m.): this area will not be insured by any organi­ It is fit and proper on the first sitting day of sation we should have some sort of insur­ this Parliament after the worst disaster the ance scheme under which assistance can be State has ever known that the Premier should rendered so that arguments will be avoided move the motion which was so ably seconded about Jack getting between $400 and $500, by the honourable member for Mt. Coot-tha, Bill getting $350, and someone else getting and that we should express our gratitude nothing. to those people who did so much work Mr. Hinze: You are talking about a during the disaster period. national insurance scheme. I agree with some of the staJements made by the honourable member for Brisba_ne. Mr. DAVIS: If it is to be an Australian I believe that we should do somethmg insurance scheme I am all for it, but I about getting a national insurance scheme am concerned about what may happen before under way. After every disaster, whether it gets off the ground. If we were to it be flood, bushfire, or drought, we say suffer a flood next week have we the that we should have a national disaster Premier's assurance that these people would scheme. However, after a month or two be assisted in the same way? I am interested sentimentality is forgotten and we c01;npletely in this in the light of the Premier's state­ and conveniently forget all about It. On ment in 1972, in which he said that the this occasion I can only hope that the only reason these people did not receive severity of the recent disaster in Queensland any financial assistance was tha;t it was not will force the Commonwealth, l!he State of a disaster area-because he did not declare Queensland, and all other States to get it one. As he did not declare it a disaster together to knock some sort of compulsory area he could not claim Commonwealth national insurance scheme into shape. assistance for it. It is useless to run away from this I am very pleased that this opportunity problem because it will exist until some­ has been afforded us to debate this disaster. thing is done about it. It is about time The Premier moved the motion. Opposition the Premier came up with a plan for members have entered the debate and it has rendering assistance rather than resorting been kept on a very high plane. I hope it to a hand-me-down, cap-in-hand approach will continue in that fashion. It is not for to charitable institutions. me to criticise the Commonwealth Govern­ ment, and I am pleased that Opposition Mr. Hinze interjected. members have not offered too much criticism of the Queensland Government. Mr. DAVIS: It is all very well for the Had they done so, I would have had to millionaires living on the flash Gold Coa:>t reply but, as they have kept the deb~te on canal estates. These unfortunate people a high plane, I propose to follow smt. are only battlers. They cannot go to the sales and pay $11,000 for a pacer; they Mr. Aikens: Having said that, you have cannot afford to pay $16,000 at the yearling nothing else to say. 2652 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

Mr. HINZE: The honourable member for For many years, the Gold Coast beaches Townsville South will have his opportunity have suffered from erosion. We have con­ later and we will hear what he has to say. sulted experts and studied the Delft Report. ~irstly, I commend the Premier, who vmy We know what we can do. It will cost some quickly went to the four corners of this vast $20,000,000 to correct the problems and State. ensure that we do not receive bad publicity every time there is a bit of a blow, par­ Mr. B. Wood: He sought every ounce of publicity. ticularly at Kirra and Palm Beach. We hate the idea that every time there is a bit Mr. IDNZE: The honourable member of a blow like cyclone Pam, ·television crews charges that the Premier was seeking cheap race down to the coast and photograph me, publicity. He ought to be ashamed of him­ the mayor, or somebody else standing on a self. I am trying to keep the debate on as rock somewhere so that it can be published high a plane as possible, and the honourable in other Sta,tes to indicate the erosion that member alleges that the only reason the is taking place on the Gold Coast beaches. Premier travelled throughout this vast State People in Victoria and other States like was to gain cheap publicity. That is not to play this up. They like to indicate that becoming of the honourable member. Tt is the Gold Coast beaches are gone. This is not his best form. I realise he slipped up. not ast woul~ be looked at. Model tests should be con­ then readily accept the undertakmg of this ducted. Flood-mitigation schemes should be huge task of protecting the beaches, because introduced. Then the people who come to they are a national and State asset. . I Queensland and settle in this area will know am quite sure that there are resr:onsible that this danger does not hang over their Commonwealth ministers who appreciate the heads. position. Senator Ron McAuliffe is an Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2653

A.L.P. senator who lives at Currumbin. He honourable member for South Coast that sees the problem, and he would be pre­ they should confine their remarks to the pared to give support to the local authority motion now being debated. in representations of this type. Mr. HINZE: He upset me. From low-lying areas and the canal estates, 2,000 to 3,000 people were evacuated. It Mr. SPEAKER: I know that the honour­ is distressing, particularly to pensioners and able member is very sensitive, but I ask him other aged persons, to have to evacuate to come back to the motion before the homes during the night. Every half hour House. there is the hope that the rain will stop, Mr. HINZE: Having suffered as a result that the waters will recede, and that it will of the floods that have occurred, the farmers be possible to stick it out. But finally now have to meet the high cost of wages and it has to be accepted that, for the sake salaries and of the commodities they use of safety, houses must be evacuated. in trying to produce food for the people of I give my congratulations to Police Inspec­ Queensland. The Government in Canberra tor Barnett, and to all his officers and Civil has taken away free milk for school-children, Defence personnel in my area. Not one which has cost the dairy industry $12,000,000 life was lost, and this is something to be a year, and it is now taking away the sub­ proud of. sidy on superphosphate. I suppose it will soon threaten to take away something else. We have now passed through this period, It seems to have a hell of a hate for primary and we have to learn lessons from it. The industries in Australia today. Advancetown dam will hold back a huge quantity of water and, by means of a by­ Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the honour­ pass canal through the back of Benowa, able member for South Coast to come back water will be channelled to the Broad­ to the motion. If he does not, he will have water where it will get away quicker. Flood­ to resume his seat. ing will therefore not occur again in some of the recently flooded areas. There are Mr. HINZE: I am pleased that politics many ways of overcoming these problems, have not been brought into the debate, and but the problem is finding the necessary I am very pleased to be able to keep the money. I return to my original thought debate on a high plane. that the Commonwealth Government should I congratulate all those who were assoc­ have another look at this proposal because iated with the work that was undertaken the State has indicated that, if the Com­ during the flood in my area-people such monwealth will meet 40 per cent of the as Meals on Wheels and the police. With cost, it will do likewise, leaving 20 per so many waterways down there, the police cent to be found by the local authority. found themselves without a boat. I wish to make representation from the floor of the In addition to the problems encountered House to ensure-- on the beaches and in the canal estates, the farming community in the Gold Coast hinter­ Mr. D'Arcy: The Minister took it away. land was badly hit. Primary producers suf­ Mr. HINZE: The Minister did not take fered loss of stock, which will put them it away. We have had a very bad disaster in a bad position for the coming year. It on the Gold Coast, and we must learn from can be taken for granted that milk supplies our mistakes. If something is wrong, we will be short. This morning I received must discuss it and advise the various a reminder from a feed merchant inform­ departments concerned. There is nothing in ing me that the price of fodder has increased Australia to compare with the Broadwater, to $90 a ton. The producers of neces­ yet the police have no boat. That is not sary commodities such as milk will find a fair go. that the prices of products necessary for their production will continually rise. It A liquor licence has recently been granted was most upsetting to read in the Press to a tavern on Tippler's Passage, which I the other day that the Federal subsidy on think is in the electorate of my friend and superphosphate was to be withdrawn. colleague the honourable member for Albert. With the granting of that licence some small Mr. K. J. Hooper: Talk about flood problems orobably will arise, and the only relief. way of getting to Tippler's Passage is by boat. I understand that a 12 to 14-foot Mr. HINZE: Never mind what I am talk­ aluminium boat and a 20 h.p. motor have ing about. I am talking about the plight been ordered. That is not good enough. I of farmers in my area. I do not wish hope the Minister will see that something to take exception, but a Commonwealth better is provided-something more in keep­ Government that would take away subsidy ing with the Gold Coast-in which police at this time would not be right in the officers can travel when problems such as head. those to which I have referred arise. I Mr. K. J. Hooper interjected. suppose the boat on order would be all right to use if one wished to go fishing for Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I advise the hon­ bream in a mill pond. However, the trip ourable member for Archerfield and the from Southport to South Stradbroke Island 85 2654 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensiand Flood can be a little rough at times, and I do not other areas and I was really stunned. I wish a situation to arise in which police accept the fact that the oity of Brisbane had officers going into the electorate of my col­ a hell of a dme. I am prepared to commend league the honourable member for Albert Lord Mayor Clem Jones and everybody to pick up someone could get into trouble on else who did so much during the flood period the trip across. I think the Gold Coast is to try to lessen the burden on those flood justly entitled to something better. I suggest victims rwho had to leave their homes. It is a the provision of perhaps a 15-foot boat with terrible thing when a person loses in a flood a couple of 50 h.p. motors. It could skim his life's savings and so many things he holds up and down the Broadwater and save lives, dear. and it should, of course, be fitted with radio so that the police can be in constant touch Mr. K. W. Hooper: The people on the Gold with any problems that arise throughout the Coast were magnificent in their donations area. to Project Help in Brisbane. Earlier in the debate the honourable mem­ Mr. HINZE: I thank the Minister for his ber for Brisbane referred to a national insur­ comment. I know that it actually happened. ance scheme. Why is it, Mr. Speaker, that That sort of thing does happen in times of for a short time after every disaster there disaster. Tasmania was the State that helped is talk of a national disaster relief scheme us most, because it, too, had suffered a but, strangely enough, none is ever put into disaster. effect? I can understand it to the extent that if I am living on top of a hill, I will Mr. Jensen: A good old 'Labor State. not want to pay a premium for flood cover. Mr. HINZE: I do not know whether it is Mr. Jensen: It is just like the national a Labor State in fact. For the time being health scheme. You do not want to put Mr. Reece may be the Premier, but not for that into operation. very long. The honourable member should not refer to it as a Labor State. He should Mr. HINZE: We must let the people know give Tasmanians credit for some intelligence. what is invo}ved. Since the recent disaster, We should be very proud of the fact that people have complained to me that insurance they came to our assistance in the ordeal we companies are not playing the game. I suffered. was somewhat critical of the insurance com­ panies. I said, "They are not playing the Mr. Jensen: Don't you think we should game. They are not pulling their weight." have a national health scheme as well? I do not know of any profitable insurance Mr. HINZE: Where has the honourable company, except perhaps the State Govern­ member been? If there is any disaster in ment Insurance Office, which has workers' the House, it is the honoumble member for compensation business. For most of them,\ Bundaberg. I think I have sa,id enough to I understand, it is just not a proposition. indicate that I am proud of the fact that our Their investments in land, buildings, and the Premier brought this matter to the floor of like keep them in busine:.s. If they relied the Parlia:rnent today. It has given me an solely on insurance, most of them would go opportunity to congratulate and commend the broke. That is why I say there would have people who have assisted by giving so much to be a national insurance scheme, supported of their time voluntarily in my area. As I to some extent by the Commonwealth Gov­ say, I support any national insurance scheme ernment. These disasters do not happen that might be proposed. I have much regularly. Tasmania had its fire disaster pleasure in supporting the motion introduced some five years ago, and nothing since. We by our Premier. have had our flood di'Saster. It would be most unusual if another disaster followed Mr. WALUS-SMITH (Cook) (4.55 p.m.): immediately. That is why I believe there Many words have been used in telling stories would have to be an over-all national insur­ of the big floods in devastated areas and ance scheme. these stories have been eagerly sought by I do not want to waste any more time on many people as their only link with friends this, because much better brains than my and relatives in far distant parts. It was own, of course, will have to give considera­ rather sad to hear the Minister say today tion to it; but I do support the proposal. I that to his knowledge many of these reports hope it is possible to work out a scheme were exaggerated or entirely false. I think acceptable to the States and the Common­ we should ensure in future that authentic wealth. It would need to be based on com­ reports are given once, twice or three times pulsory contributions. In that way every­ a day by people upon whom we can depend body would feel that he had protection from for an accurate and truthful account. It is the effects of disaster. very worrying for people who do not know just what is happening to their loved ones I took the opportunity of travelling through and friends to read in the Press statements the various flood-affected areas of the city which later prove to be exaggerated or, as of Brisbane because I wanted to improve my the Minister said today, entirely false. own knowledge of the devastation. It would have been all right to say, "Yes, I have I do not want to put extra responsibility my own problems in my own electorate", but onto people such as the police. They have I tra:velled around Fairfield, Graceville, and plenty to do already, but I am wondering if Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2655

members on both sides could not be alerted I urge the Minister for Mines and Main daily on what is actually happening in

I want to talk also about the work carried I will never be flooded." I was not flooded, out in Brisbane by the Civil Defence Organi­ of course, but the point is that I could have sation. I hope we have learned the lesson been flooded. that the organisation needs to be upgraded. Mr. K. J. Hooper: If Birdwood Terrace is I certainly do not agree with the police flooded out the whole of Brisbane is gone. taking charge when flooding occurs in the city. The police have a role to play just as Mr. MILLER: If tha,t happens we will the Army has. So has the Civil Defence need the second ark. However, my home at Organisation and in the event of flooding, or Caloundra could have been flooded. As I for that matter, any other disaster, I see its say, I rejected flood insurance. I believe that role as the major one. The Civil Defence the vast majority of people similarly rejected Organisation in Brisbane should be upgraded it. I have not heard of any instance--there at least to the level of its counterpart in New may be some-of a perso-n being under the South Wales. I should like to see it placed impression that he had flood cover. I suggest under ·the control of two heads, one an that most penple knew that they did not have administrator, who at the present time is a flnod cover. public servant and could continue to be a I hope that the insurance companies will public servant, the other a practical man. .take steps to overco-me this problem; but, There is no other way out of it. in fairness to their policy-holders, they cannot The organisation must be upgraded so that be expected to pay out vast sums of money it will assume responsibility not only when on damage that was not covered by insurance flooding occurs but also when the waters policies. recede. The people should be told that as On 7 February the trade unions the fioodwaters go down, while houses are approached the Prime Minister with a view without power and shops are closed or inun­ to having this problem overcome. I have dated, food supplies will be made available not heard the Prjme Minister say one word through the Civil Defence Organisation. It about the responsibility of the insurance is wrong to expect the supply of food and companies. He knows full well that they clothing to be undertaken by the Salvation hacve always spelt out-and it is in quite Army, the churches and the other organisa­ large type on my po1licy-that they are not tions that did such marvellous work during liable for damage from flooding in the area. the floods. The people must know that in the I hope that, in the very near future we may event of another crisis the Civil Defence see the implementation of a national disaster Orga11isation will assume control from plan, or insurance companies prt;pare~ to beginnlng to end. offer compulsory insurance cover w1th h1gher premiums. In a flood the crisis is not p::ssed when the waters recede. I believe that it starts Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) (5.41 when the wMers recede. People become p .. m.): The recent devastating floods proved broken at the sight of their flood-damaged once again that, in times of disaster, we have homes. Furthermore, because shops are inun­ people who give of their best. It brings out dated they cannot buy fond; because the the best in most people, and the worst in a power supply has been cut they are unable few. The recent disaster was no exception. to cook any food that they can obtain. The I do not intend to enumerate the many relief of such people should be brought hundreds of people in all walks of life to solely under the control of the Civil Defence whom we in this Parliament and the citizens Organisation. of Queensland owe an everlasting debt of Without wishing to take away from the gratitude for the magnificent job they did in organlsation any of the credit that is due the recent floods. to it, I urge the Government to upgrade it I have been somewhat disappointed in the so that in the event of another crisis it can debate today. It has come as an anti-climax, play a much more important role than it a damp squib. For weeks we have learnt played during the floo-ds. Certainly we have from the Press, the television and the radio a lot to learn, but I think that we have that the Labor Party, on the first sitting of learned a lot. Parliament, intended to initiate a debate on the Government's ineptitude in handling the I understand that during the floods the recent flood crisis and disaster. The Labor services of ham radio operators were not Party was going to scarify, eviscerate, wipe called upon. After two days, of course, they rhe floor, and do all manner of things with volunteered their services. I hope that never the Government. What have we seen and again will we see ham radio operators heard today, Mr. Speaker? We have seen available but not used for two days. Opposition members crawling around on the I realise ·that most honourable members floor of the Chamber Iike bed-bugs, saying wish to participate in this debate, so I will nothing, and merely making little squeaking not prolong it unduly. However, I wish to noises like mice trying to excuse Mr. refer to the stand that has been adopted by Whit! am. the trades unions against the insurance com­ When Opposition members talk about the panies. I for one rejected flood insurance generosity of the Federal Government I cover. When asked did I wish to take out think of what I wrote to "The Townsville flood insurance cover I replied, "Oh no. Daily Bulletin", namely, that MT. Whitlam Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2661 has announced he intends to give away this for people in Brisbane. They intend to declare year about $1,000 million of the Australian a building black in Brisbane because the taxpayers' money to countries just to the insurance companies will not pay flood dam­ north of Australia. He is not going to give age under a storm and tempest clause. I it away on a dollar"for-dollar basis. Hs is repeat that they did not do that in Townsville not going to demand that the Federal Gov­ after cyclone Althea. ernment control it or exercise strict super­ All that some prominent A.L.P. members vision over its spending. He is going to did in Townsville when the soldiens did a give it to them and they may spend it when magnificent job clearing up the debris after they like, how they like and on whom they cyclone Althea was s.it on the steps of their like. However, when it is a matter of giving homes drinking stubbies of beer calling out money to the States to relieve disasters, dis­ "Scabs" to the soldiers who were cleaning tress, and destitution he intends to exercise up the mess. They claimed, "If you left strict control by sending his Commonwealth that job to us,. we would get triple time for officers into Queensland to see that any doing it." We must be honest in talking money he gives to Queensland is spent as he, about the A.L.P.'s sympathy for the people Mr. Whitlam, thinks it should be spent. So of Queensland. It evinces sympathy and tender far as Mr: Whitlam is concerned, there is passion for the people of Brisbane but not one rule for Queensland and another rule for those in the country areas. for the people in countries just to our north. I did not intend to deal with my next I was sickened by the usual slobbering and subject but I must because, as a representa­ sickening hypocrisy of the A.L.P. members tive of the people of Townsville as well as, when they talked about the flood plight of of course, the other people of North Queens­ the graziers and the people in the back land, I have been sickened of recent weeks country, of the devastation and heartbreak by statements made by the honourable mem­ thev have suffered. I do not wish to ber for Townsville West over the radio and embarrass you, Mr. Speaker, but I know television and in the columns of "The Towns­ that there are other members representing ville Daily Bulletin", including today's edition, north·western electorates. The people in proclaiming that he was coming to Parliament the W<:st in the last 10 years suffered some­ today and would have a debate on the flood thing that wreaked greater havoc on them situation if the Premier had the intestinal than the floods; they suffered 10 years of fortitude to debate the issue with him. incessant drought. That drove people whose As we know, the Premier beat the Opposi­ families had been on stations in the Gulf tion to the punch. Instead of waiting for the country for generations and generations off Opposition to initiate the debate, the Premier their properties even though their kids, to initiated it. Consequently, we all w.tited­ use an old western saying, worked their guts I certainly did-to hear the honourable mem­ out to try to keep their parents on the pro­ ber for Townsville West make good the perties. There are fine graziers stemming many boasts he has been making over the from a long line of graziers in the North­ radio and television and in the columns of west who are now no longer graziers. One the Townsville Press. I waited for him to is now a teacher in a school in your elector­ scarify and eviscerate the Premier, to tear ate, Mr. Speaker. The drought drove him him limb from limb and to wipe the floor off a station in the West on which his fore­ of the Chamber with him. But what did bears had settled and which their descend­ the honourable member for Townsville \Vest ants had built up and worked, generation do? He almost got down on his hands and after generation. There was never any knees and slobberingly almost apologised to thought of the A.L.P. evincing any sympathy the Premier. I have never seen him in a for the graziers and other people in the back more doci'le and nenitent attitude. I repeat ccuntry during those frightful 10 years of that even in today's Townsvil!e Pre'.:S, after drought. They were not interested in them. weeks and weeks of it, he said he would During that period, all that the A.L.P. wanted tear the Chamber apart and stack it in the to do was to deprive them of adequate Botanic Gardens. political representation on the spurious basis I shall relate, because I think it is quite of one vote one value. germane, why the honourable member for As the honourable member for Townsville Townsville West went to the western areas West said, we suffered devastation when of this State. He was in New Zeal:md when cyclone Althea hit Townsville. We did get the floods occurred. He did not break his some small measure of relief for our people, holiday in New Zealand and hurry back. but many people in Townsville and other He came back when it suited his personal areas suffered flood damage apart from convenience to do so. When he reached c; clone and storm and tempest damage from Townsville he discovered that he should cyclone Althea. probably go to Mt. Isa. Consequently, being However, the A.L.P. trade unions did not a man with a little political nous he thought, go on strike in the Townsville area. They "Well, I had better have some excuse for did not declare any buildings black in going to Mt. Isa, so I shall make the Townsville after cyclone Althea because the floods the excuse for going out there." insurance companies would not pay people He made a scathing. scurrilous, defamatory who had suffered flood damage. The A.L.P.'s attack on the Premier. I have no brief for tender sympathy and concern are reserved the Premier. He is big enough and old 2662 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood enough to defend himself. The honourable well fed, well clothed and well housed, and member for Townsviiie West said, "I am he travelled in comfort. He met everybody going out the hard way." I thought he he wanted to meet. Just think of all this intended to carry a swag ~o Mt. Isa. He talk of the honourable member for Townsville said, "The Premier flies around the State in West about going out the hard way and an air-conditioned, pressurised aeroplane." I suffering all these incalculable hardships! We wondered how the honourable member in Townsville used to pick up "The Townsville intended to travel from Townsville to Mt. Daily Bulleliin" and read every second day Isa. I thought that at least he would ride of him out there "amid the stench of death out on Wa:Ily Rae's wall-eyed grey horse. and desolation." He was in fact in the pub But he went out in an air-conditioned, pres­ having a couple of beers, as one would expect surised aeroplane. He went out in a Fokker. of him, and doing it in style, too. As a gesture to him, the captain allowed him to ride in the cockpit so that he could We hear talk about the Federal Govern­ have a look at the floods as the plane ment and what they did. I have here an pa;ssed over them. They are probably the article from the Sydney "Sunday Telegraph" first floods he has even seen. whioh in part reads- Of course, there were no floods in Mt. "During the catastrophic floods in Isa. I will admit that there were certain Queensland, the United States Govern­ food shortages. The Mt. Isa people had ment offered 20 Army helicopters for rescue their pmblems and a damned good member work with only 24 hours' notice. Some­ of ParLiament to look after them. But that body in the Defence Department didn't did not affect the honourable member for think it worth passing the offer on to his Townsville West; he had to go out just Minister. The department merely sent a rhe same. And I will tell the House why 'Don't bother' message to the puzzled he had to go out. I have a report from Ame11icans." the A.L.P. in Mt. Isa about it. There are That shows how much Mr. Whitlam was two A.L.P. branches in Mt. Isa, as there interested in relieving the devastation that always have been. The branch on the occurred as a result of the floods. river's western bank supported Kevin Spanner, a railway guard, who is also supported by the I did not go to the West. I do not have retiring member for Mt. Isa. to go there. I was born there and reared there and I worked there. As a matter of Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I suggest to the fact I was kept in constant touch with the honourable member that he return to the We;t. I have with me a very fine article subject of the motion. about the honourable member for Lytton, Mr. AIKENS: I crave your indulgence, who went to Mt. Isa to deal with the pollu­ Mr. Spealcer, because the honourable member tion problem. On a more appropriate o~a­ for Townsville West has tried to tell the sion, I shall read the report that I receiVed House, the people of North Queensland, and from the A.L.P. in Mt. Isa aboot the hon­ everybody else, that he went to Mt. Isa to ourable member for Lytton. It will not help see the devastation caused by the flood. He to puff him up with personal ego, but it said, "I went out there amid the stench of helps to show how hypocritical these men are. death and desolation. I went out the hard The honourable member for Townsville West way." went out as I said, to referee a political dog-fight between the two A.L.P. branches in Mr. SPEAKER: Order! This is a serious Mt. Isa, and he then thought that he would debate, and I ask the honourable member capitalise on the position by announcing that to be serrous. he was going ,into this area of "death and Mr. AIKENS: It is serious, Mr. Speaker. desolation." In fact, I do not know anything more serious He spoke about going out the hard way. than exposing the slobbering hypocrisy of I must be careful at all times not to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. He embarrass you, Mr. Speaker, because, like went to Mt. Isa as the result of a recent me, you are a westerner and yo~ know that plebiscite which was won by a left-Wiinger what I am saying is true. I did not have named Shepherd against a right-winger named to go out and see the Mt. Isa railway line Spanner. Spanner immediately lodged a wa!>hed away. I saw it washed away several protest in the columns of the Mt. Isa news­ times when I was out there working on it. paper and to the Q.C.E., which was On more than one occasion I worked ballast immediately dismissed. The Deputy Leader trains lin order to restore the Mt. Isa line of the Opposition went out to heal the to a condition fit for locomotives to use. breach between the two branches at Mt. Isa, and he was there five days trying to do it. When the honourable member for Towns­ ville West talks about going out the hard Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable way, let me give him one instance of the member will now get back to the motion; hard wav in which we had to do our work otherwise he will be resuming his seat. in those" days. I was a fireman on a ballast Mr. AIKENS: That is why he went to train firing for the immortal Paddy Cook. Mt. Isa. I have a whole page dealing with We had the VTS wagons empty after we his visit. All the time that he was in Mt. dropped our load with the gall_opers-out and Isa, in the Gulf and in the West, he was the ridqng ganger, and commg back we Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2663 were marooned between the Gilliat channels way of a rescue boat. It seems that and Holy Joe-a place that you would know the police have no absolute power to order very well, Mr. Speaker. We could not people out of the way or to get them move one way or the other, and we were right out of the area. there for three days. There were some I do not know whether there is an Act sheep on a rise underneath a gidyea clump, under which that can be done. Probably but we could not get to them because of the Vagrants, Gaming, and other Offences the boggy nature of the ground. One of Act might be suitable, because it has ,a the gallopers-out shot an old stringy kangaroo number of strings to it. Let us write some­ that was too weak to move. It was skinned thing into an Act under which, in case and gutted, and we lived for three days on of a national disaster such as this, the police pieces of that old kangaroo stuck on the could order people right out of the area end of a pointed stick and grilled in the and say to them, "Look, if you have come firebox of the locomotive, with a bit of here to work, you can stay. If you have salt sprinkled on lit. We had no other food. come here to stickybeak and gawk, get This was the man who went out to the miles away from here and let us get on West, lived on the best-champagne, with our job." chicken, caviar-and said, "I went out the Mr. Lickiss: That story was completely hard way." As he said, the Premier went untrue. There were no sightseers in the out in a pressurised aeroplane, dipped his way of the defence vessels. toe in the water, and ran away somewhere else. Mr. AIKENS: I am only saying what When the honourable member talks about appeared in the Press and what came over the western people, he is talking about my the radio and the television. The report people, because I came from them. Dur­ mentioned the honourable member for Mt. ing the floods and after them my telephone Coot-tha, and it said that the boat had ran hot. In fact, I was a bit sorry that to deviate round some steakybeaking people I had the damned thing put in. I received and that, in the deviation, a fellow fell over­ messages from people as far afield as board and was drowned. I am not say­ Augustus Downs, and they told me all I ing that it is true; I am merely telling wanted to know. One of them said to me, the honourable member what appeared in "Where did you get this galah Tucker from? the northern newspapers and what came over How did he ever get into Parliament?" I the northern commercial radio and television said, "He didn't get into Parliament. He stations. just walked into Parliament." Mr. Lickiss: I hope you will take my Now, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make some assurance that it is not true. suggestions relative to the flood. I hope Mr. AiKENS: I will accept the honour­ that those who are responsible for sending able member's assurance. I think he will reports up to "The Townsville Daily Bul­ agree with me that something must be done letin" will send a fair and unbiased report about people who are stickybeaking and pre­ of the alleged debate today, because the venting men like the honourable member and people of Townsville, like me, will be wait­ others from doing the job that they are ing with ears flapping to hear of the hon­ there to do. ourable member for Townsville West flaying The honourable member for Townsville the Premier and tearing him limb from limb, West has suggested-and it was a pretty good as he has been promising to do for the suggestion-that the police should have two­ last month. His was the weakest and most oleaginous performance I have heard way radios and so on. I always laugh from anyone in this Chamber. when I hear suggestions such as that from members of the A.L.P., because I came from I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, how the that country-so did you, Mr. Speaker­ Army and the Federal Government have and it was not so long ago that the police helped the people of the North. A big in those areas had only a saddle horse and eisteddfod is coming on at Easter and we a pack horse, and if they wanted to send asked the Army to lend us 200 chairs. Mr. an urgent message anywhere they had to Barnard said, "No". However, as I said send an Aborigine with a message stick to earlier, he gives millions and millions of get it from one place to another. So dollars to the Indonesians. the Country-Liberal Government has done In time of flood and distress, when there something to upgrade the communications is a national disaster or even a local dis­ and message systems. aster, something is wrong with our laws As other honourable members have cut because the police are not vested with suf­ their speeches short, I intend to finish now. ficient powers to control what we call the This was to be the most flamboyant, dynamic rubbernecks and the stickybeaks. and electrifying debate that ever took place Civil Defence personnel, the Army, the in this Chamber, but I have never heard a ambulance and others who do a fine job damper squib. This is because of the failure cannot get through because of hordes of of A.L.P. members to live up to their skit­ people who crowd in, and I understand that ing of the last fortnight, three weeks or a an unfortunate soldier was drowned in the month. Jindalee area because a crowd got in the [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] 2664 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

Mr. AIKENS: Mr. Speaker, it will not the receipt of a huge amount of money from take me long to finish if I am not provoked. this compulsory war damage scheme. Every­ I wish to deal with a very important matter body paid into it, but who benefited from that has been raised by many people during it? So when we talk about a compulsory this debate, and raised by honourable mem­ national insurance scheme against disaster bers on both sides of the Chamber. J,t or against anything else, let us remember indicates that they have not given the matter that we cut across the inviolate freedom any thought at all. In a time of national of the individual. A person places a value disaster or distress quite a lot of people on his home, his property and even his are prepared to run around chanting slogans life, and he pays a premium to an insurance and raising ca·tchcries, and it is amazing company that will recompense him for the how many people in high places will repeat loss of his home or his property or his these slogans and catchcries without giving life. If he does not pay that premium, them any examination or thought at all. then he has to throw himself on the mercy, Since the big floods in Brisbane, just as or shall we say on the charity, of the after the bush fires in Tasmania some years Government. What a monstrous thing ago, quite a lot of people who should it would be if we introduced a compulsory have known beNer went around screaming life insurance scheme and everybody had at the tops of their voices, "We have got to pay into it while everybody who died to have a compulsory national insurance received a substantial sum from it whether scheme." l know of no •greater travesty he committed suicide, drank himself to death, of human freedom than that; I know nothing drugged himself to death or in other ways that is a greater negation of democracy. dissipated his life so that he died much In the first place, let us work out who sooner than he should have! Anyone who would pay into the national disaster fund, goes into the question of a compulsory how much and in what proportion. That national disaster scheme will realise just is something that the slogan-chanters have what arrant nonsense he is talking. I know never given a moment's thought. Secondly, it is very popular to scream about it at who would determine what is a national present, but a look into a compulsory disaster? For instance, would it be deter­ national disaster scheme will show on what mined that cyclone Althea in the Townsville shifting sand the arguments are based. area a couple of years ago was a national ,J again ask: what premiums will be disaster? It was a disaster to its victims. charged? Who will pay the premiums? Who Would it be determined that some of these will collect on the policies? In what pro­ willy-willies that run through our western portion will premiums be paid? In what towns, Mr. Speaker, from time to time propor~tion will claims be paid? When one and leave a narrow trail of damage and goes into these ramifications of a compulsory destruction in their wake constitute a national national disaster fund Mr. Speaker, I submit disaster? They are disasters to everyone it becomes apparent that it is perhaps the who has suffered from them, because in silliest statement ever made. When all is their narrow '!rack they can do as much said and done, why should a man who builds damage as any cyclone. an expensive, substantial home on high Let us ask ourselves a very important ground above flood level, makes it as immune question-who would receive the greatest from cyclones as he can and then properly benefit from this compulsory national disaster insures it, also have to pay into a compulsory fund? Never let us forget that during the disaster insurance fund in order to pay a last war we had a compulsory war damage substantial claim to somebody who builds a fund. What a putrid rort and racket that shack in a swamp and is flooded out every turned out to be! My memory could be time we get two or three inches of rain? refreshed on this, but I believe that every I ask the honourable members of this House person in Australia contributed to it. I who are bleating about the need to set up a know I paid into it and my wife paid national disaster insurance scheme on a com­ into it. Every adult paid into it. I 1think pulsory basis, to go into all the ramifications every man. woman and child compulsorily and details of it. Do not talk lv any insur­ paid into it. Yet at the end of the war, ance man about it because he knows the who receind the '.£!reGt bem·fit from that game. Just talk to any ordin:try citizen who war damage fund? The greatest beneficiaries has the intelligence and sufficient knowledge were Burns Philp and Company and the of finance and economics to work it out. So other big companies up in the Pacific. They let us have an end to all this blither and were paid scores of pounds for every coco­ blather-skiting about this national disaster nut tree they said was blown down, whether insurance fund. it was a dead coconut tree or a bearing I leave those thoughts with you, Mr, coconut tree. They pulled out millions of Spe,tker, and thank you very much for your pounds from this compulsory ar damage tolerance. I am sorry I could not read fund with0!1t putting any more into it th:m some of the documents se:>t to me by the did the cv,~rage man in ~he s~r ~et who was A.L.P. branches in Mt. Isa, b 1Jt they c:1n digging ditches for a living and earning 1 wDit; I will get them in in another deb~,te, £5 or £;) l 1 e · •• It v 1<;J a nutr!d, reeking scandaL '·.s a rratter of fact, flurT;s Phil~ 1V3r~ F.. P. IVIOOR.E (7 .23 paid tl ~-+:'.~T:;cring c1iv:ctf'n..1 a coun1e o.f p.m ): I ass: ;::~~tte myself with th~ Premie!·'s years 8.ftct· t!;c \\'ar, p!~rcly ~tnd

At that time Tully was surrounded by water, for more warnings on the weather disturb­ which had risen at the fastest rate for many ances in that area. The Premier said it years. was the fault of the Federal Government During this debate the Australian Govern­ and that he was making representations to ment has been attacked on the basis that that Government. However, under my aus­ it has no sympathy for primary producers. pices, a telex machine has been installed at I wonder how much sympathy there is for Innisfail Police headquarters. the primary producers in these northern cane­ Mr. Bromley interjected. growing areas who could not cut their peak tonnage this year. Thanks to the wet season, Mr. F. P. MOORE: The honourable mem­ a great proportion of the crop was left in ber for South Brisbane did tour with me in the paddocks. This is one of the worst that area in a very bleak period known as seasons cane-growers have experienced. the wet season. He was caught in one of the wettest areas. My car "gave in." Unlike One farmer lost all of his topsorl by most honourable members who have alterna­ sheet erosion. Being a country person, you, tive incomes, I do not own a new car. Mr. Speaker, know what that involves. It is not caused by a river or natural waterwav I can produce evidence that, at 9 a.m., the but simply by the movement of a body of telex machine received a message from the water down a hillside. Apparently the Agri­ Weather Bureau that there was a tropical cultural Bank is not entertaining this damage low-not a cyclone-off the coast from when determining the small loans of $10,000 Tully. The police in Tully were informed at 3! per cent, and the $20,000 loans at immediately, and the Civil Defence Organis­ 6 per cent. That is unfair. If the bank is ation was given the information. The to apply the same rules as those of insurance honourable member for Hinchinbrook and companies, it is not serving its proper pur­ the Premier attempted to make political cap­ pose. I hope that the Government will 1ook ital out of what was known there as a into !his matter. Sheet erosion is caused by normal tropical disturbance-and we have floodmg as a result of rainwater-in this many of them. If they started in Mareeba, case, 10 ins. in two hours. Anyone who where I was born, there would be hail­ saw that water at that time would realise storms and violent blows. How can the how it occurs. Honourable members know Weather Bureau predict a small blow or a that I have been kept away from this House tropical low that is only 20 miles wide when by floodwaters. In flood-time I was even it crosses the coast between Tully and Card­ driven into a creek in a T.A.A. car. well? Nobody could do anything about this. The Weather Bureau did predict a tropical Mr. Wharton interjected. low off the coast from Tully. That informa­ tion was given to the Innisfail police Mr. F. P. MOORE: The honourable mem­ inspector. The message could be shown to ber for Burnett said that perhaps he ought anyone. It is no use trying to make political to move a motion for sympathy for me. capital out of these disturbances. We should I need no sympathy, but apparently he does co-operate whenever there is a nationa[ b~cause people in ~he Burnett area are quite disaster. disturbed about his representation of them in this House. I discovered, by talking to Not all cane-growing areas in North a number of farmers who attended the Queensland were covered with water. But I cane growers' conference the other day that will say that this year's cane crop will be the honourable member for Burnett h~d to one of the lightest for many years because square off to 20 cane farmers by inviting them the previous crop was not fully cut and to Parliament House for a meal. I do not much of the burnt cane is still in wet pad­ have to square off to cane farmers in that docks. It was still raining when I left on fashion. The honourable member for Burnett Monday. should sympathise with himself. I feel that co-operation between all con­ A good deal has been said about warn­ cerned is most important, and that political ing systems. I heard the remarks of the parties should see fit to accept remarks that are made in sincerity and respect construct­ Min~ster for Tourism, Sport and Welfare Services today. I sympathise with Brisbane ive criticism concerning these areas. We have people who are given only the flood height all seen television documentaries vividly at. the. Port Office. I am not completely au depicting the devastation that has occurred in fait with the situation in this area. Where 1he western and far northern parts of the State. There is no doubt that the damaae I co!lle fro~!~, we move if we see water, but possiblJ; Bnsb~ne people were subjected to in Karumba is possibly the worst of all. "'1 s_omethmg qmte unusual, because nothing can appreoiate the situation there because of an experience I had in the little town of like the recent flood has happened since1 1893. Euramo, outside Tully, where I recently had to leave my car because the river was 3ft. Recently, my area has experienced sev­ o·ver the road on each side of the main eral mc;nsoonal troughs and what was refer­ bridge. The main street of Euramo was a red to m the local Press, southern Press and gusher. Actually, it was a river. My the A.B.C. news as a mini-cyclone. I heard daughter walked into it thinking it was that the honourable member for Hinchin­ shallow. She was taken down the stream, brook sent a telegram to the Premier asking and I had to get in and rescue her. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2667

When one sees the main street of Karumba In my electorate, King Ranch Develop­ today, one finds it difficult to realise what ment Company has a property situated on the the people of that area are going through. I Tully River. I am reliably informed that sympathise with them. Unlike the people of the company writes off 1,000 head of cattle Brisbane, they are living in a remote area and in a year. 11hat takes into account cattle­ the work of re-establishing the town of duffing and losses due to ticks and other Karumba will cost much more than similar causes. I point out to honourable members work in Brisbane. I emphasise again that I that the value of 1,000 head of cattle is sympathise with Brisbane residents. How­ about $250,000, and there is something wrong ever, every time we turn on the TV set we !if a business can stand a loss of that size see far too much of Bri&bane and not in one year. I was almost going to say enough of other areas. 11his is possibly the management must be "crook", but I because television stations could not get cannot say that because, as I have said teams into outside places. The Australian before, it must have the necessary expertise Broadcasting Commission finally brought the to have its property in such good condition. position in Karurnba and Normanton before I do not think it is fair to the people of the people of Queensland, and made them Australia or to the people of Queensland to realise that there has been severe flooding allow a company to write off 1,000 head there. I should like the A.B.C. to take a of cattle a year. look now and again at flooding on the The honourable member for South Coast coastal strip of North Queensland. This spoke about the removal of the bounty on does not occur once every 20 or 100 years, superphosphate. It will not affect primary but once or twice, and even three or four producers in my electorate, so I do not wish times, a year. I feel it is my duty to say to become involved in the argument. It that in giving consideration to the allocation might affect graziers; but if King Ranch can of loans that the Premier has announced for write off 1,000 head of cattle a year, one those who have suffered as a result of the can imagine what is being done on other floods, the cane-growing areas that run from properties. If an expert team from the Mackay to the Far North should be included Department of Primary Industries can check as areas devastated by floods. properties and ascertain the true cattl.e num­ I should now like to make some comments bers in Queensland, as can be done m New about cattle numbers in the Far West and Zealand, great advantage will flow to this North Queensland. As I have said before, I State. feel that at times people over-exaggerate, and All in all, I do not think that there has graziers under"estimate their stock numbers. I been any hypocrisy on the part of the think that this gives rise to cattle-duffing. Australian Labor Party, whether in Opposi­ We have all seen photographs of the Norman tion in this State or in Government in the River spreading for miles. Cattle can in Federal House, as stated by the Premier fact blow themselves up and float for a and by the honourable member for Towns­ number of miles. We all know that there has ville South. Members of the A.L.P. have been loss of stock. However, in view of the come to the fore, and I am sure that all the fact that many people have claimed great people of Queensland appreciate their efforts. losses of stock, I think it is about time that I certainly appreciate the efforts of the the Government sent an expert team from Leader and the Deputy Leader of the Opposi­ the Department of Primary Industries to tion and most honourable members on this calculate the number of cattle and other side of the House who saw fit to render types of stock in this State. A comparison assistance during the floods. They were between the calculations of that team dressed in J acky Howe singlets and shorts, and the returns supplied by graziers would not in suits and ties, when they helped people show whether present estimates are correct to rehabilitate themselves. or incorrect. I feel that estimates at present are well below actual numbers. Mr. HARTWIG (Callide) (7.49 p.m.): I wish first to congratulate the Premier for There are in my area a number of graziers allowing the House to debate this important who did not suffer devastation by flooding, as issue. I believe it is important, even though there is a considerable amount of high some of the speeches coming from honour­ ground in the western parts of my electorate. able members opposite are, in my opinion, more a political onslaught than constructive Although I sympathise with people liVling criticism or suggestions to assist flood miti­ at Normanton and on the Norman River, gation. when I hear a person on a television pro­ Let me say at the outset that the Premier gramme mention 40,000 head of stock, I had the full backing of the State Govern­ think it is about time that the Department ment in his flights round Queensland. The of Primary Industries sent an expert team Opposition seems to have conveniently for­ into the cattle areas to ascertain actual stock gotten the absence of the Prime Minister numbers. One could then get a better idea from Brisbane during the floods. of whether or not stock returns presented by I point out that primary producers have graziers have been compiled in good faith. gone through a very difficult period and that In my opinion, they have a moral duty to the whole population of the State, whether do that. in cities, towns, or country areas, has been 2668 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

-.,;!"!~ affected. Therefore, I welcome the opportun­ paths would be a lot easier if the approach ity to say something constructive about to the development bank were not required. flood mitigation. I cannot see that the development bank The primary producer had a two-fold loss is really there to assist in the development from the floods, 'and I will elaborate on that. of the primary-industry sector. I believe At this stage I will refer particularly to the that in this instance the purpose is to rehabi­ flood in the Don River area, in the Callide litate people affected by floods, and a refusal electorate. The primary producers there suf­ by the trading bank with which "hey deal fered an immediate loss almost a month should be sufficient to entitle them to apply before Brisbane was affected by flooding. At for flood relief. this stage I commend the Premier for his It was interesting to bear the honourable prompt aotion in sending a helicopter into the member for Mourilyan speak about appoint­ Callide electorate on 20 December at my ing Department of Primary Industries men request to rescue people. That was very to go around Queensland counting the cattle. much appreciated by the residents in the To cattlemen, that sort of talk is a joke. area of the Don River, which at that time Mr. Frawiey interjected. was three miles wide in places. People were clinging to the rooftops. Mr. HARTWIG: Quite apart from stock The immediate damage was the loss of returns I would say that half the time we existing crops such as cotton, sunflower, would be looking for the men going out pineapples and lucerne, the loss of top­ to count the caale. I have the greatest soil and the loss of fence-posts and valu­ faith in the managers of these properties able wire. The producers suffered long­ but even for them the counting of stock term losses in that the incessant rain from losses is very difficult. We hear nothing mid-December till now has kept many from about the difficult labour situation being cultivating their land. Consequently they experienced by many of these outstation~ have not been able to plant their summer today. No mention is made of the great crops. Therefore, on top of the flood dam­ difficulty involved in getting sufficient and age they have suffered, and will suffer, a suitable labour to muster cattle and do loss of income because of not having grown fencing work. It is very diffict:lt to get grain sorghum, sunflower and crops that they men to go into these areas. normally grow in summer. I also believe that we should interest I have already referred to the long-term ourselves more in the shortages of materials. effect. I know one landholder in the Don I have written to the Treasurer and the River area who lost more than 90 head Premier about the shortage of wire and of young stock. This was the result of I believe that every effort is b~ing made cattle getting back into the flooded area to have shipments sent to Queensland. when the river broke its banks and the Recently some wire has been geEing through calves being washed away and drowned. to Rockhampton-more than we have That loss will not be felt for perhaps two received over the last three months-but or three years. I extend my sympathy to it is still not enough. I do not know how those people who have suffered so severely. we will find suffi.cient wire in Queensland Two families whose lucerne was not so to repair flood damage because on many badly damaged, harvested over 1,500 bales properties neither posts nor wire are left. of hay and, just when that was ready The honourable member for Mourilyan to be brought in, it also got wet. spoke about erosion. lf he had been really I have witnessed the effect of the flood sincere in his professed interest in primary in the suburban areas. I have not been in producers he would have spoken about the the North-west. It is something I would deletion of the tax concessions under section have liked to see, even though it is a 75 of the Income Tax Act. tragedy. However, the people in the cities Mr. Bousen interjected. have suffered greatly. I do not disagree with the policy of the Governments, both Mr. HARTWIG: It has done a }ot. Hon­ State and Federal, in assisting these people ourable members opposite talk about assist­ to rehabilitate themselves in their homes. ing the primary producer. I am trying to indicate to honourable members opposite I do not altogether agree with the Agri­ how they can assist the man on the land. cultural Bank's loans at 3 per cent and 4 They have no concern for him. Over the per cent interest. I feel that the red tape last 18 months they have done everything associated with applications by people on the to destroy him. The revalltafon of the land for loans should be eliminated. They dollar alone cost primary inclmtry $27 must first approach their own banks and, mill on. on meeting with refusal, they must then Mr. K. J. Hooper: You are not doing approach the development bank. They must too badly to pay that price for a :filly and again receive a reply in the negative before you look well fed and watered. qualifying for assistance under the flood relief scheme. This is very complicated and Mr. HARTWIG: I would like to feed frustrating because many people on the land and water somebody not far from here. have neither the time nor the patience to The Commonwealth Government, by its bad follow up applications of this · sort. Their and haphazard administration, has to find Quemsland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2669

revenue from somewhere, so what does it on contouring of land was a tax deduction. do? It takes it from the primary producers However, since the Whitlam Government was because they have neither the numbers nor elected, a farmer who might spend as much the militant outlook to resist stoutly. So, as $5,000 on contour banks receives a such things as subsidies on butter-- mere pittance by way of an income-tax Mr. Bousen: What has that to do with the concession. flood? As I have said, the Federal Gov­ Mr. HARTWIG: It has a lot to do with ernment has eliminated the free-milk scheme it. Subsidies on butter have been taken for schools. The Port Curtis Co-operative away and the free-milk scheme for schools Dairy Association supplies milk to schools has been abolished. This has also affected as far west as Longreach and Blackall. the man on the land. We are now facing However, the association has not been advised the removal of the bounty on superphosphate by the Federal Government of the elimina­ which will have repercussions on the whole tion of the scheme. economy of the country. Mr. K . .J. Hooper: What has that to do Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable with the motion before the House? member for Callide has again wandered away from the subject of the motion. Will Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable he please return to it? member for Callide is wandering away from the subject of the motion. Will he please Mr. HARTWIG: We had to listen to a confine his remarks to it? dissertation on erosion. Mr. HARTWIG: We have heard a lot of Mr. SPEAKER: Nevertheless, I ask the talk about regional and urban development. honourable member to adhere to the subject I suggest that a committee should be set before the House. up to investigate the wisdom of allowing people to return to homes that are situated Mr. HARTWIG: I shall conclude on this in low-lying parts of the city. The Govern­ point: it has been said that we should not ment has been blamed for allowing people att~mpt to gain political capital from this to build hom~s in the low-lying areas. I senous matter. At the present time the point out that before any subdivisional plan country's greatest industry is facing ruination. is approved by the Government, it must be It has been severely devastated firstly by the approved by the respective city council, flood and secondly by the Federal Govern­ provincial town council or shire council. Any ment. The Federal Government is denuding subdivisional plan that is drawn up in Bris­ Australia of all primary production by whit­ bane must first meet with the approval of tling away privileges, concessions, incentives the Brisbane City Council. and subsidies. In my opinion the number A number of people live in low-lying one industry in this country is destined to ;neas and, as surely as night follows day, they face a very torrid time. will be flooded out again. I believe that regional and urban growth should be fully Mr. BALD WIN (Redlands) (8.6 p.m.): The explored with a view to establishing satellite honourable member for Callide started on towns similar to those that have been devel­ a note which I hoped he would develop. oped in other States and in other parts of If he had done so I would have supported the world. him fully. He said, "Let us get down to Instead of providing a person with a some constructive suggestions to help the sum of between $15,000 and $30,000 to flood victims." Then, for 20 minutes, he rehabilitate himself in a flooded area, the presented us with an inventory of losses Government should have applied the money interspersed with irrelevant accusations. He to areas that are flood free. Many people did not make one constructive suggestion. have their homes in areas where 200 years However, he made three wortl::-while critic­ ago Abclfigines would not have pitched camp isms which I will reiterate in case he has because they knew that sooner or later they forgotten them. Perhaps he advanced them would be flooded out. Although in this by accident. Firstly, he seemed to imply modern age we have more scientists and that no interest should be charged on advisers than ever before, we allow people Agricultural Bank loans. If th

The honourable member for Callide said In the heavy hail drop of 23 January that there was too much red tape. I agree 1970, when winds of up to 90 miles an with that lin the light of what I have heard hour drove hail lumps weighing up to 2t about destitute farmers, victims of sheet lb. through roofs, doors, walls and ceilings erosion on alluvial flats who have had their from Woodridge right through Kingston, crops and machi!]lery swept into rivers, who Rochedale, Eight Mile Plains, around to have had to approach private banks and Capalaba and across the inlet to Lota, even hire-purchase companies because the Manly and Wynnum, causing an estimated Government bank has taken 'too long to $6,000,000 worth orf damage, not one cent Iook into their problems. I agree with of Government assistance was forthcoming. what I beHeve the honourable member was Not one lesson was learnt about getting in implying, namely, that there should be long­ amongst it with radio, walkie-talkies and term planning tied in with regional and urban every,thing else to intervene and bring help development and environmental control to to the points that needed it. Not one stop exploitation of faith-and-hope home tittle of a lesson was learnt, and now the builders who get sucked-in by land agents Government is weeping crocodile tears in to build on waterfronts and seashores. If the middle of a flood disaster. that is what the honourable member meant Mr. Rae: Rubbish! I am completely in favour of lit. I take part in this debate on "the great Mr. BALDWIN: If the Minister is flood of Queensland 1973-74", in the hope patient enough, I shall prove in a moment of making some constructive contributions what I have said. aimed at helping the victims of floods in The 23 January 1970 tragedy was accordance with their deserts, whoever and deliberately written down by this Govern­ wherever they are. It is obvlious to all ment as not worthy of notice. Admittedly, honourable members and the public at large that tragedy was nothing like d1e present who have read page 2 of the late extra edition one, which is estimated to cost $150,000,000 of today's "Telegraph" that the Premier to $200,000,000 or more. However, it was moved the motion initiating this belated big enough to be a disaster. debate in an attempt to recoup the support In December last year the residents of lost by himself and his party by their dalliance MacGregor and nearby suburbs were battered and falilure to act properly in the interests by one of the most phenomenal jetstreams of those who suffered in the wake of the I have heard of. It ra.ZJed top floors off terrible tragedy caused by flood. The lack lower floors and lopped huge trees over of proper action does not date from the an area of several acres. Again, millions onset of this terrible flood. What is proper of dollars worth of damage was done and, to be done must be measured by our as with Killarney, Townsville, Woodridge general financial level, our general techno­ and Wynnum, the residents were left fighting logical development and our experience in insurance companies. Some will still be dealing with natural disasters. This is fighting them three years hence, as they experience that is peculiarly lacking in this were in the Woodridge-Kingston disaster, Government's approach and, because it is because this Government failed to take lacking, proper and efficient use of resources courageous, necessary and humane action. does not take place. However, I hope it I mention these lesser disasters-and they will before it is too late. were disasters-as a background to what In introducing rhe debate this morning the I have to say. We have had four major Premier said that Queensland was prone to floods in the Brisbane Valley in 50 years. natural disasters. I assume that he means As honourable members have said, something cyclones, floods, halil, wind, drought and fire. must be done. Do not let us simply say it; Every school geographer knows, and every let us do it. Let us see what we can do person who has lived 30 years or more in tonight. Queensland with his eyes and ears open For a moment I shall delve into some knows, that Queensland is a place of great ancient history which was recorded by early weather extremes. Apparently everyone settlers in the Brisbane Valley. This has knows except the Queensland Government, been mentioned by one or two honourable which had to wait for a national tragedy members before. It relates to the flood­ before it would believe it. The role of warning system used by the Aborigines. They the Government and Cabinet in previous had tree markings and smoke signals all tragedies, suoh as cyclone Althea mentioned down the river valley. They had an effective by the honourable member for Townsville system of flood warning and whole tribes West, and the K>illarney killer tornado of could move into the hills well ahead of 1968, has been referred to previously as floods. What has happened? What has a reason for not donating very quickly appeared from th!s flood tragedy . is that, much money-if any. What happened is with all our radw, telephone, microwave vivid in our memories. Honourable members and other forms of communication, we will recall that in the Killarney affair the have not an effective flood-warning system. first building to be replaced by Government Even so one would only enable us to effort was the T.A.B. Many private residents save lif~; the buildings, wealth, furniture waited for weeks and even months without and equipment would still be abandoned to assistance. the water. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2671

It has been proposed that dams could help. As the Leader of the Opposition said, have saved the valley. I doubt it. In let us give the warnings from the direction this last record rainfall, any dam or series that I mentioned the Aborigines gave them of dams could not even at best be a -not from downstream up but from up­ mitigation. The whole of the Brisbane stream down, because upstream is where River Valley was a huge dam; aerial photo­ floods mainly start. Perhaps the Aborigines graphs show that. A farmer in Fernvale were not as stupid as their white conquerors. told me that the Brisbane River at Wivenhoe With a series of encased floats activating flowed for nearly 20 hours at 5 feet to 10 ultra-high-frequency radio warning signals at feet below what will be the top of the new fixed points down the tributaries, accurate dam barrage at Wivenhoe. In other words, and timely warning can, could, and should the proposed dam would have been filled be given. Even so, residents could not, of several times in 20 hours. course, move their houses, factories and Obviously, dams are built to hold water businesses. for cities and irrigation for rural areas The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Wel­ in dry times. The flood gates cannot fare Services and the honourable member for be opened to release water at the first sign Ithaca both mentioned the filling of flood of a shower during a period when we plains. I feel sure that both those gentlemen are told that there is a possibility of drought. know that flood-plain and tidal-flat filling, Again, the water cannot be released fast euphemistically called reclamation, has been enough to empty the dams in a couple carried out for the last 15 years as an of days or they would defeat their own apparently cheap method of obtaining sports purpose and create a flood. fields and rubbish-disposal areas~not to The whole of the Brisbane River Valley mention unstable building sites. Also I feel and the south coast area of Queensland is sure that neit

Rushing Doodwaters and back-up waters Mr. PORTER (Toowong) (8.30 p.m.): The from flooded rivers do not constitute the Queensland floods of 1974 will, of course, be only devastating floods. During the week-end considered by all as a great disaster. I of the cyclone of 25 to 27 January, as well have no doubt that they will be remembered as the following week-end of the 1\Jing tides as one of the bench-marks by future and the build-up caused by cyclone Pam off chroniclers of our history, by which they the east coast of Australia, the low-lying parts remember events. After a great disaster such near the Brisbane River, particularly at its as this it is very easy and comforting for mouth, the seafront of the southern part people to be wise after the event. Hindsight of the bay, Redland Bay and right along is a wonderful, truly remarkable thing. How to the Gold Coast suffered serious damage oracular and foolish it was for the Leader of and salt-water flooding. Salt water flooded the Opposition to talk so grandly this morn­ houses from Thornside to Victoria Point, ing about what should have been done and and on North Stradbroke Island at Amity to be so scathing about what was not done. Point the erosion was terrible. I ask the It is a matter of record that neither he nor Government, through the Premier, to take any of the other members of the Opposition such case<> into consideration when giving who had so much to say about errms of flood relief. omission and commission said any of these Again, for their sake and the sake of things when the flood was still at its peak, all other victims of the tidal floods, I ask when we were reeling from the shock of ~t that a 40-year plan for seaside development and shaking our heads like a groggy boxer be introduced at once. I ask that lin this trying to recover from the onslaught of plan relocation on grants of land be made catastrophe. by this Government, and that victims of Of course, some things could have been landslides :md erosion also be included in done and done better. We all learned such a scheme of grants. valuable lessons from the experience and we Mr. Porter: What if they do not want all want to be very sure that this experience to go? will not be easily or quickly forgotten. In other words, we want to be quite certain that Mr. BALDWIN: Mr. Deputy Speaker, we can use present miseries to enlarge future again I will stop short of personal sarcasm security. But for anybody in this House to in responding to such a statement, but Slllggest select fiddling little points of criticism is, that the honourable member who has made to use the colloquialism, just so much nit­ such an asinine interjection has not got off picking. It makes this debate a tedious his Toowong terrace and gone down to see and useless gimmi'ck forced on the House by houses hanging over the sea banks at Welling­ an Opposition that was so anxious to exploit ton Point. l ask him to do so. In fact, the flood for political purposes. This has to save him the trouble I will send him been a traumatic experience for all of us, and a photograph. all otf us will learn from it. But the worst As a further measure for consideration of ali outcomes surely would be for parties by this lalle-awake Government, I call on or political people to try to make capital out it from the floor of the House to declare of so much personal grief, loss and heart­ schemes of moratoriums to allow families, break. farmers and businessmen, who have lost so There have been many suggestions that much, time to recover. If it is not possible this Government, and particularly the for this to be done unless a state of emer­ Premier, tried to make political capital out gency exists then let this Parliament declare of the flood. What are the facts on the a state of emergency here tonight and do record? They are that the A.L.P., from the things that have to be done to mend the very start, tried to make very real the broken lives of thousands of our fellow political capital out of the disasters that came Queen slanders. upon us. Mr. Egerton who is the president If the skyscraper-office-building insurance of the Queensland Trades and Labor Council boys will not cough up to buy building -and, if rumour has it correctly, soon to materials, furniture, and stock for farms be president of the Australian A.L.P .-said and businesses, from wherever it is ava•ilable, in "The Financial Review" on 29 January- and if Sl~ch :•ction can be taken only under a state of emergency, then let us dechre that "The nouveau riche" (good words from state of emergency hene tonight. Let the Mr. Egerton) "property developers are the Government put its legislation where its real villains of Queensland's worst flood false lips are. It should stop the face-saving dLaster." shadow-sparring and get on with the job of Then in "The Australian" on 31 January saving good Queenslanders and their families. Mr. Houston said- The Government should be helping the vic­ "Tbe basic qualifications for financial tims i!1 every way now by bringing in the assd.'ncc from the State Government are preventive meDsures that have been suggested so tough few flood victims will qualify." by m~ and by other constrL:ctive honourable members C'·Il this side. At an early stage The result 1° as that Ivfr. Knox, Minister for as rn:{ny •_·a(Tgestions ~s possib1e should be Justice, bd to chide l\1r. Houston publicly mad~ for i•n:rcdiate help now and for later for being the first person to try to make pre'. eEtive \\'(_Jfk. political ~.apital cut of citizens' distress. As 2674 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

Mr. Knox pointed out, until that time the Government's money at all, but money col­ flood crisis had been handled above the level lected by the Federal Government on our of petty party politics. behalf from Queensland taxpayers. It is Mr. Lourigan, the A.L.P. organiser and our money, and there is no reason in the secretary, in the "Telegraph" on the same world why we should go down on our day said- knees and touch our forelocks to Mr. Whit­ "H is disgraceful that a state of lam's so-called Australian Government, which emergency was not caUed a week ago." is a Federal Government, merely because it deigned to give us back some of the money Now we understand why honourable mem­ that is rightfully ours. Of course it is our bers opposite have kept on 'insisting about the money, and, by adopting the attitude that so-called necessity for a state of emergency. they have taken, Opposition members demean This is in line with what their officials have both themselves and this Parliament. been asking for from the time the flood was with us. Of course, nobody has explained Mr. W. D. Hewitt: In any case, the what the state of emergency would do that Commonwealth participation was acknow­ in fact was not done-just where it would ledged. have improved the situation. I suppose that Mr. PORTER: It was acknowledged quite this is in line with the comments made by adequately at all levels. Mr. Lourigan, who was reported in "The Australian" as saying that, in addition to The Leader of the Opposition tried to declaring a state of emergency, the State make great play of his claim that the means Government should ask the Federal Defence test that had to be applied in making grants Department to send a battalion of troops for aid was a State Government invention. to Brisbane. How interesting! What a won­ Again what are the facts? They are that derful mentality! It would be a police State "The Courier-Mail" of 4 February reported right away. He would have us treat the that, while the Premier was waiting to see disaster not with good will, not with com­ Mr. Barnard and Mr. Crean, he indicated mon sense, not with the purpose that a com­ quite clearly that the Queensland Govern­ munity of people develop one towards the ment wanted flood victims to receive grants other, but with troops. I think that under quite free of a means test for repair or those circumstances the members of the rebuilding of homes, and he would ask for A.'L.P. have shown themselves up quite Commonwealth money on the same terms extraordinarily under a very revealing light. as that given for the Tasmanian bush-fire disaster of 1967. We all know that in Mr. P. Wood: You're a bit weak tonight. that instance the money was given without Mr. PORTER: I am trying to point out a means test. that there was a very real attempt made to On the same day the Treasurer (Sir turn this whole matter into a political circus. Gordon Chalk) was reported in 'The Austra­ A matter of major importance was the lian" as saying almost the same thing when statement attributed in "The Telegraph" to he was seeing Mr. Barnard and Mr. Crean. Mr. David Coombe, Federal Secretary of So let us not have any nonsense as to the A.L.P., to the effect that duplicate copies who required a means test to be applied. of all claims for assistance lodged through The State Government wanted money for the Brisbane City Council with the State grants given without a means test; the Fed­ Government would be submitted to the eral Government required that a means test Federal Executive of the A.L.P. His state­ be imposed, and that is a matter of record. ment was made on 5 February, and it is Someone tried to excuse the Prime Minister significant to note that it was not until 12 for not flying to Brisbane to see what was February, exactly one week later, that, under happening when the flood was at its height pressure from Queensland members of the by saying that he was on a very important A.L.P., Mr. Coombe discovered that he had tour-either his eighth or his ninth tour­ been misreported and scuttled backwards as of the outside world. Incidentally, it is fast as he could go. The fact is that a rumoured that one of these days he, with very real attempt has been made to make his entourage, might make a tour of political capital out of something that should Australia. never have been viewed in a political light. Mr. Bromley: That's very funny. A good deal has been said about the advertisements inserted in the Press by the Mr. PORTER: Perhaps it is. Some parts Government in which details were given as of it would certainly make one weep. I to where assistance could be obtained and am sure everyone remembers that when the what telephone numbers could be rung to late Mr. Harold Holt was Prime Minister obtain help here, there and everywhere. I and was on an overseas tour he came back thought that the advertisements were very for this type of disaster because he felt good ones. I know that the organisations that his role was to be there to give in my area found them of inestimable value. people the sustenance, the succour and the Apparently the story is that we should have reassmance that the presence of the head put in that it was the Federal Govern­ of State does give. But Mr. Whitlam could ment's money that was being used. Again not be there. We were told that in lieu I make the point tha1t it is not the Federal of Mr. Whitlam we had Mr. Morrison, a Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2675 very senior Federal Cabinet Minister. I the debate referred to the filling in of the suppose he is senior; he is 28th in a Federal area near Pamphlett Bnidge, and there is the Cabinet of 28. I suppose he is a reason­ filling in of the Long Pocket area. Many able substitute for Mr. Whitlam. areas which once carried water back The whole point is that the flooding was safely into the river have been filled. of tragic proportions in many parts of the The water has to go somewhere so it spreads State. We in this part of the State recognise out at a higher level. It is the greatest that we have a particular problem in the nonsense in the world to suggest that all zone which forms the catchment area for this trouble has been caused by the nouveau the basin of the Brisbane River. We always riche property developers, as they are des­ will have problems here. I think the honour­ cribed by Mr. Egerton. Every local authority able member for Ithaca pointed out that has an absolute right to zone areas for the we have the problem of the flooding of the type of development it wants to see on river and the problem of the flash-flooding them. Every council could have prohibited vf creeks in Brisbane. The creek flooding, buildings of various types in places that were of course, has become progressively worse. below a proper flood level. The Brisbane We now have Northey Street, in Windsor­ City Council has the worst record of any the honourable member for Brisbane was local authority in permitting what it knew crying about it a little while ago-which should not be permitted. It is a reasonable virtually floods if there is a heavy dew. estimate that of the homes that suffered in Without doubt the elimination over a period the recent floods in Brisbane two-thirds have vf years of the flood ponds has contributed been built in the last 10 to 12 years, in enormously to the problem. There has been areas where the most elementary knowledge a great display of crocodile tears by various should have suggested to a city council people. "I cry for them; it would make a which has the responsibility to decide that strong man weak to see them: "Who caused they should not have been built there or, if the problems? F'Or instance, one of the prime they should be, that particular precautions contributing factors to the flooding of should have been taken. Northey Street was the filling in of the old Undoubtedly, the Wivenhoe Dam will Bancroft Park flood plain at Kelvin Grove. provide some sort of assistance. It is sug­ gested by some that it may take six to Mr. Davis: Rubbish! eight feet off the top of a future flood. It Mr. PORTER: The honourable member may. I do not know. If rain falls in the should look at the engineering and topo­ wrong part of the catchment area it will not graphical aspects of this area to find out and that is a certainty. ' something about it. Somerset Dam was built supposedly on The plain fact of the matter is that this the rough basis of two-thirds to prevent area was filled in to a depth of six to flooding in Brisbane and one-third for Bris­ eight feet, with the result that, ever since, bane's water supply. But what in fact Northey Street has been susceptible to flood­ happened? The Water Board ended its con­ ing every three to six months-whenever trol of that dam and handed over to the there is a light fall of rain or a heavy dew. Bris>bane City Council in 1959. A La:bor administration came into power in 1960. Who filled in this area? There was a case From that day on, Somerset Dam has never in the Local Government Court No. 12 of >been emptied prior to a wet season. It has 1968 between a man named Eggar and the been held at almost full level so that the Lord Brisbane City Council, in which Eggar Mayor .can. play petty politics and keep up appealed against the council's refusal to the spnnklmg. But, as a flood preventive rezone the area. He wanted it rezoned from measure it has become virtually useless­ open space to light industrial. The council not only useless but, when a little grand­ indicated that it did not want the land standin!; is done immediately after a flood, rezoned, but he won his appeal. Why did the res1dents of Kilcoy and allied districts he win it? Because he was able to demon­ have to carry the burden. strate that for 12 months prior to his appeal that area had been filled with spoil-with Another aspect has been touched on. I the council's knowledge and consent-from ha,ve had a great many complaints from the excavation of King George Square. In people who have received droplets of money other words, the Lord Mayor's bosom from the 'Lord Mayor's fund. I find very friend, Mr. Stephens, was able to fill in that few people who have received any amount flood plain with the material excavated t?at . extends into three figures. Perhaps I from King George Square while the council llve m fhe wrong area, even though it was knew about it and what it would do. heavily devastated by floods. The fact of the matter is that all of these people have Mr. Davis: Which year was that? to wait an unconscionably long time-four to Mr. PORTER: It was in 1968. six hours is the average-and finish up with something between $70 and $100 or less. We will have no nonsense about who has helped cause flooding in the creek areas of Starting these ad hoc appeals is a very Brisbane. A host of them have been affected. dangerous procedure. Here we have an The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Wel­ appeal-and any appeal would fall in the fare Services, in his excellent contribution to same category-for which moneys are 2676 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

received and from which moneys are dis­ expects all sorts of strange things to be tributed. All of it has to be done on the washed up by a flood, but this must be basis of trust. It is my belief that these one of the strangest ever. This is the funds should be under the direct supervision work of radical union leaders, encouraged of the Auditor-General and most certainly by the A.L.P. Federal Government's own should be susceptible to the Auditor-General's terms of breaking down accepted community audit. This is the least that should be done standards. They have gone berserk. They by a public body dealing with public moneys. are running amuck. They want to challenge There is one other important aspect aris­ responsible elected Government, and they ing out of the flood disaster to which I want to set themselves up as kangaroo courts. shall refer briefly. It is the matter of the Indeed, they have done it. Australia's version alleged lack of insurance cover and union of the Ku Klux Klan, where they determine action that is now being taken as the result the victim and act as judge, jury, and of this. There is no doubt that many executioner. Indeed, what this group of people were distressed to find that their unions is doing to a company that has policies did not cover flood damage. But does anybody claim that he was deliber­ done nothing wrong is extortion. One ately misled? Can any honourable member should remember that the company selected opposite cite one instance of fraud in this for action is a mutual benefit society. It regard? Does anybody say that insurance is not a company carrying the type of companies took money under false pretences? insurance arising from floods or fires. Does anybody suggest that a person who I say that we should immediatelv rescind was seeking flood cover prior to cyclone the prohibition against action for "tort that Wanda's visit did not get it? union~ and union officials currently enjoy The plain fact of the matter is that the m th1s State. lf you or I, "Mr. Speaker, type of insurance a person gets is the type did something that directly intimidated of insurance he wishes to buy. It is a another person, or restricted him in the business proposition. A person gets what he pursuit of his proper legal activicies, we pays for. If anybody had wanted cover for would be guilty at law. I say that every flood damage, he would have got it. I have union, and every union official, who wants no brief for insurance companies. Because to play the heavy hand of the M:"fia" should we have not had this problem for so long, be guilty in exactly the same y, ay. many people either were not worried or Mr. K. J. Hoo)Jer: This is to do with expected that they would have some cover Oood relief, is it? under the storm and tempest clause and did not get it. To the extent that an a;ea of Mr. PORTER: Indeed it is. It is totally uncertainty needs to be cleared up here, let growing out of it. us clear it up. I believe that when unions hold comp~nies But for honourable members opposite or to ransom, thc:y hold the communitv to trade unions to suggest that out of this ransom, and they must not be allowed to arises something in which the insurance com­ do so with impunity. Talk about black panies have been guilty of fraud or sharp bans! It will be a black day for Queensland practice and that this therefore justifies the if ever we permit unions to get away with action the group of unions is now taking this sort of thing. What the budding tr.tdes is not only nonsense; it is dangerous non­ group of unions is doing is exactly what sense. Only a madman or a person so Hitler's SS troops used to do during the fanatically determined to denigrate the pro­ war. They would pick hostages at random cesses of law and parliamentary democracy and execute them, innocent peop:e, as a would be prepared to exploit a disaster such reprisal in order to frighten others. As as the flood and say, "This is the warrant I have said, it is a brutal, crude ;md stupid for what the building trades group of unions procedure. I must ask, growing out of is now proposing to do." It is an action, this great disaster that Queensland has by the way, condoned by the Queensland suffered, just whom do these union bosses Trades and Labor Council. This group of think they are? What are they? Are unions intends to take the A.M.P. Society they swollen, bloated little Caesars who want and make it the victim of industrial terrorism. to take over government from the This group of unions abrogates to itself elected Government? They have no m:mdate stupidly, arrogantly and crudely- -indeed, they would not dare to seek one­ and thev want to llSe union muscle to Mr. K. J. Hoopcr: What has this to do intimidate and destroy. with flood relief? The great flood of January he<; taught us, Mr. PORTER: It has everything to do wi,[h very harsh severity, many things. One with it. This is what unions are going to lesson that this Parliament must learn if do to an insurance company which they our society is to endure is that ambitious claim failed to provide adequate flood relief. and ruthless union leaders must not be That is what the present situation has grown permitted to exercise what has been classically out of. The unions are going to select a termed down through the ages the preroga­ victim, and carrv out a ritual sacrifice. tive of the harlot, and that is power without This is trade ur{ionism gone mad. One responsibility. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2677

Mr. INCH (Mt. Isa) (8.54 p.m.): I join exercise under the circumstances, for it gave with my Leader and Deputy Leader, and no relief or peace of mind at the time to previous speakers from the Opposition side, those unfortunates who had lost their all. in their support of the motion now before As an instance to bear out my conten­ the House. However, I believe also that tion that the Premier, by flying over this it is incumbent on me to support the inland sea at the time, was not able to criticism of the lack of activity by the see or get any idea of the loss or dam­ Government in the early stages of the dis­ age to properties under flood, I use Iffiey aster. It not only created a great deal of Station as an example. Prior to the Pre­ damage in Brisbane and Ipswich, but also mier's arrival in Mt. Isa on his grand tour ravaged and laid waste large portions of the of investigation, Mr. Peter Foster, the man­ North-west and Gulf areas of the State. It ager of Iffiey, had made his own aerial delivered a crushing blow to graziers, big inspection of the property, which was then and smaH, in destruction of property and virtually all submerged. At that time, with equipment and huge losses of stock, and, his personal knowledge of this extensive pro­ in consequence, a loss of earning power for perty and ability to assess to some extent a long time to come until properties are the possible loss sustained, he cautiously restored and herds are res,tocked to their estimated that this would be extremely heavy. pre-fiood numbers. Further, there will be But even he did not know at the time just some repercussions in the meat industry how much devastation had been caused, and because of the enormous losses throughout about six weeks later, when he was able the cattl~ areas from which stock would normally be transported to meatworks on to return to the station by helicopter, he the eastern seaboard. A reduction in the found that the loss was far in excess of supply of cattle from these areas will have anything anticipated. A solid concrete build­ an effect upon these works. The length ing containing $15,000 worth of food and of seasonal employment for employees, and, supplies had been eroded and had collapsed; consequentlc. the economy of some coastal 60 per cent of the fencing on the downs cities, will be adversely affected, as will the country and 30 per cent on the forest country economy of the State. had gone; and of the 26,000 to 28,000 head of cattle the property carried, there are When we give thought to the losses sus­ roughly 4,000 to 5,000 head remaining. The tained by the grazing industry, let us also station homestead itself is uninhabitable­ remember the heartbreak and misery suffered no power or refrigeration-and station by residents of these areas who also had vehicles were down to their tops in large to abandon their homes and possessions and excavations created by floodwaters. It will hurriedly seek asylum in places far removed be many months before this property is back from their usual place of abode. Many to a semblance of working order. of their possessions were personal treasures This is just one example of the devastation for vhich no amount of money could recom­ hidden by floodwaters during the grand aerial pense them, and one can well imagine the tour by the Premier. There were dozens of numbing effect on the minds of young others like it, and what he hoped to prove couples and old people of returning to find or achieve at the time by this "show the their home:> destroyed and prize possessions flag" sortie over an inundated and uninhabited swept away. area, heaven only knows. All his tongue-cluck­ 'While concern and consideration is now ing and sympathetic murmurings were entirely being expressed for the interest and rehabili­ meaningless in the circumstances, as was the tation of these unfortunate people it does promise of a plane-load of food to be sent not mitigate the lack of concern shown by to Mt. Isa to alleviate the food shortage both the Government and the Premier in created by rail dislocation. This promise the earl.y stages when floodwaters were ris­ was made a week prior to his arrival in ing rapidly and it was left till the very Mt. Isa on 30 January 1974, on his way last minute to evacuate these citizens in a to inspect the Gulf areas, and up to that date Dunkirk-like operation-by air to Mt. Isa no plane-load of food had arrived. It and Cairns and by sea to Weipa in an was not until it finally seeped through to over-crowded boat continually lashed by him, as a result of his meeting with civic heavy seas. It was not until five days after and other representatives at Mt. Isa at this episode, when the whole of the Gulf which it was clearly indicated that the time and much of the inland areas were inundated, for promises had long since passed, that that the Premier of this State decided to the Premier and his Government were gal­ make an investigation of the conditions pre­ vanised into action and an uplift of food vailing throughout the area. It was a flying into the city commenced. visit in more ways than one. Unless he The tardiness of the Premier and the is endowed with extra-sensory perceptive Government in recognising the emergency powers, I do not know how he could per­ needs of the city and the surrounding dis­ ceive the extent of loss and damage to tricts cut off by flood was in direct con­ properties, homes, land and stock that lay trast to the immediate action taken by the submerged beneath the floodwaters, for he Minister for Northern Development, Dr. could not land and whatever observation Rex Patterson, when he was directly informed he made would result from an aerial recon­ of the situation existing at the time by naissance from a safe height-a useless members of a deputation which met him at 2678 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood the Mt. Isa airport when he was on his was more continuous and spread over a way to Darwin. It was obvious that he shorter period than is usual, but will it quickly grasped the situation, for within a compare with the 35-inch rainfall of the few hours of his arrival in Darwin arrange­ 1950-51 wet season when the length of time ments had been made for an R.A.A.F. of train hold-ups was negligible compared Hercules aircraft to make an uplift of with that of today? essential food supplies into Mt. Isa three Can there be any substantial denial that times weekly. This was later supplemented colossal engineering blunders on the part of by R.A.A.F. aircraft from Townsville and this firm of consulting engineers are Brisbane, and an R.A.A.F. helicopter was responsible in the main for the destruction made available for flood rescue and relief the line has suffered, not only on this occa­ work. sion when the line went out of operation Had the Premier and his Government intermittently from 9 to 19 January, on reacted sooner and more positively .to the which date it finally closed until 22 Feb­ rapidly developing flood disaster m the ruary-a consecutive period of roughly five north-western and Gulf areas and sought weeks-but also on other occasions when the aid of the Australian Government, with bridges have been destroyed and the road­ all the resources at its command, instead of bed and line severely damaged, with trains playing politics and leaving it to the local being held up for 10 days at a time? This citizenry in their desperation to acquaint the has occurred in normal wet seasons and outside world of their plight, the situation the Government cannot say it was would not have developed to the desperate never warned or questioned about stage it reached. what the eventual outcome would be of this One can only speculate as to how long so-called rehabilitation, which in effect many of these isolated areas would have resulted in the creation of a huge dam with been left to their own devices if the Premier a very restricted capacity for the discharge and his Government had not been shaken of banked-up waters. out of their lethargic and unconcerned atti­ In speaking to the Supply debate in 1968, tude towards the people of the West by the when mention was made of the loan negot­ advent of the disastrous flood which hit the iated for the rehabilitation work, I said, as capital city of Brisbane. It would seem that recorded in Volume 249 of "Hansard" at a disaster had to occur on the Government's page 969- doorstep, so to speak, for it to realise that "At this stage, let me interpose that similar occurrences were in existence, and we still have not a trafficable line during had been in existence, in the western areas a normal wet season. While I cannot of the State for some time prior to the charge the present Treasurer with being Brisb:me flood, and that towns within those the chief architect of the negotiations for f!oodbound areas of the West had been left the loan from the Commonweatlh Govern­ with few supplies of essential food and ment for this project, which the people materials. Travellers had been stranded on of Queensland are paying for so heavily, our roads and railways, roof-top rescues especially the people of North-west were practically an everyday occurrence, Queensland, I do accuse him, as the former industries were restricted to a minimum of Minister for Transport, together with his operations and, as has already been indicated, Cabinet colleagues at the time, of being devastation and ruin had been experienced blinded by their desire to engage, at a throughout the whole area. cost of many thousands of dollars, the In referring to this devastation, one's services of an overseas firm of consulting thoughts readily focus upon the havoc engineers to plan and supervise the rehab­ wrought upon the much-vaunted rehabili­ ilitation of this railroad in preference to tated railway line linking Mt. Isa with the their own railway engineers. coast, which will ever be a monument to "These engineers, with their years of ineptitude and gross inefficiency in railroad experience of railway construction in engineering and construction as well as to Queensland, who are ever-ready to consult the adulatory enslavement of a Government with and take heed of the knowledge and by an overseas firm of consulting engineers experience of maintenance inspectors, who, besides getting a handsome fee of trainmen and gangers, would have had a $600,000 for their services, will now, by the better concept of local conditions over the time the present repairs are effected, have whole length of this line and would have further cost the taxpayers of Queensland made adequate provision to overcome or millions of dollars in excess of the final minimise the problem which could, and figure of $54,000,000, which this Govern­ did, arise from the damming up of water ment was so pleased to hail as being a very in the wet season as the result of the creditable performance on the part of the increased height of the new road-bed above consulting engineers responsible for the the level of the old line. project. For the Premier and his Govern­ "It is now evident that the planning ment there will now be the ready-made and supervision of the project by this excuse of an unprecedented wet season in an overseas firm of consulting engineers went attempt to explain away the destruction of somewhat astray, as during the wet sea­ miles of railroad and a number of bridges. son in the early part of this year a No-one will deny that the 23-inch rainfall number of wash-outs occurred on the Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2679 line and the bridge over Corella Creek, "I ask whether the piles or foundations a short distance from Neila, collapsed, of other bridges would be of sufficient causing a 10-day suspension ·of rail traffic depth to prevent their being scoured out by over the line. flood waters. Apparently the Railway "If this sort of thing occurs in a normal Department is at last awake to the fact wet season, what can we expect in a that they were not of sufficient depth. heavy wet season? Will other bridges col­ "In this article the department's spokes­ lapse because their foundatrons may not man says that the bridge piers will be be of sufficient depth to prevent their driven down to a depth of 40 feet. That being scoured out by flood waters? This indicates how badly some ot!her bridges appears to be what has happened in the have been planned and constructed." case of the Corella Creek bridge. The position is very much the same today "Are long lengths of line and road-bed and tit possibly will continue to be so. to be washed away by waters that have been backed up for miles because of insuf­ Having now acquainted members with ficient draina1;1e, the outcome of what can what might be termed the wet-weather his­ only be regarded as inadequate planning tory of this line, the queries directed to and engineering? There is every likelihood the Government regarding it, and the damage of this occurring in a heavy wet season. it has continued to suffer in wet seasons, It is apparent that the Railway Department unprecedented or otherwise, there should be itself holds some fear tin this regard, if little doubt in their minds that this Gov­ one can judge by an article that appeared ernment, through the agency of a blundering in the "North-West Star" on Wednesday, firm of consulting engineers, is responsible 16 October, 1968. This article is headed, for the hardship and inconvenience suffered 'Crucial Railway Work', and reads- by stranded passengers, shortages ·of essential The Queensland Railways Department food and supplies, loss to major industries is taking steps to ensure the North-West and business interests of all kinds, loss of rail link from Townsville to Mount Isa employment in a number of !instances where will not be broken by flooding in the supplies of raw materials have run out, loss coming Wet. to the economy of the State, and a further impost upon the taxpayers of Queensland 'A Railway Department spokJesman for the repairs to the line and replacement of said yesterday special precautions were bridges. being taken because of the "experience" in the last Wet. It would be most interesting to ascertain 'The "experience" was the collapse of the cost of repairs for previous flood damage the high level railway bridge over to this line, together with an estimate of Cordla Creek, near Nonda, on February what the cost is !1ikely to be ·on this occasion. 20 after heavy flooding. As the Parliament is entitled to this informa­ tion, I call upon the Premier or his Minister 'The railway service to Mount Isa was to supply it to the House. dismpted for more than a week and fresh food trucked and flown to Mount Before proceeding further, I should like Isa following the collapse. to pay tribute to the magnificent effort of 'Safety precautions for the wet s:eason all railwaymen engaged in the restoration include: of this line to a stage where, with certain restrictions, it again became trafficable. Hav­ A new designed concrete bridge over ing regard to 1!he nature and extensiveness Corella Creek. of the damage to the line, it is obvious to Drainage and reinforcement work anyone who has had experience in ratil on the line between Richmond and maintenance under such circumstances that Nonda. these men have performed a Herculean task 'The department spokesman said that under arduous conditions. That they were the work was only the first stage of a able to restore the line to a trafficable con­ programme which would make the line dition in such a short time bears testimony resistent to future flooding.' to the ability of our railway engineers and I put emphasis on the word 'first' because maintenance men, and their achievement is it appears that many more washouts will deserving of the highest praise. It should occur. to some extent dampen the loquaciousness of a certain garrulous Federal member who The article continues- confidently prophesied a lapse of three months 'Work is progressing on the new before the line would be trafficable. $140,000 Corella Creek bridge which should be completed by the end of While paying tribute to the railwaymen for November, he said. their splendid efforts, recognitibn must also be given to the part played by the officers 'The bridge piers will be driven 40 and men of the C.M.F. tin Mt. Isa. Their feet into the creek bed. ready response in an emergent situation 'The Railways Department has called deserves the highest praise and tJhanks. These tenders for flood repair and protection men performed a sterling service in the work on the line between Richmond interests of the local populatiort and that and Nonda.' of the surrounding districts, and it is indeed 2680 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood fortunate that this unit was on hand to Finally, as a trustee of the North-West render such valuable assistance. To this Queensland Flood Relief Fund, which was must be added an acknowledgement and launched by the mayor of Mt. Isa in co­ measure of praise for the services rendered ordination with the city council for the by the Air Force men manning Caribou benefit of flood victims throughout North­ and other R.A.A.F. aircraft ferrying food west Queensland, and on behalf of the board and essential supplies to isolated outlying of trustees and victims of the ficod who will areas. I must also mention the Flying benefit from this fund, I wish to express Doctor Service, the civilian pilots and the heartfelt thanks to the warm-hearted people many people and organisations who rendered who donated so generously to this fund invaluable service in assisting us during this which, to date totals $338,169. Of that sum time. $252,500 has been subscribed by the Queens­ land Flood Victims Committee, the sum of A further tribute must be paid to the $33,500 by the residents of Mackay, which splendid services rendered by Inspector Chip­ was presented by the member for Mackay pindall, his officers and men of the Police Force, who carried out a magnificent job during a recent visit to Mt. Isa, and $52,169 by the residents of Mt. Isa and districts as under great difficulty, where a lack of well as individual subscribers from other adequate communication facilities with the areas. outside centres within the police di>'trict made it most difficult in some instances for This has been a most heart-warming fast rescue operations to be carried out. We response to such an appeal for financial can be most thankful to the Police Force ass1stance, and I hope that those who and the R.A.A.F for their untiring efforts responded so generously and willingly will in very difficult circumstances to prevent loss be justly rewarded in some way for the of life. assistance they gave the unfortunate victims of the north-western and Gulf flccd disaster. That both forces were able to avert fatalities, supply and arrange food drops and Mr. CHINCHEN (Mt. Gravatt) (9.14 p.m.): at the same time carry out rescue operations I wholeheartedly support the motion and under hazardous conditions is a tribute to offer my deep sympathy to those people who their abi1ity, devotion to duty and pride in suffered severely throughout the State. Hav­ their respective service. Their tireless effort ing visited Karumba, Normanton and other is an example that could well be emulated north-western areas, I am very conscious of by all. what must have happened in that part of As the honourable member for Townsville Queensland. Perhaps the people of Brisbane West has mentioned-this is a point that I have been more fortunate than those in the wish to emphasise-there is a lack of police North, because here we were able to fall communication facilities in the far-western back on resources of manpower, materials, and Gulf areas, where many of the far-flung transport and Army units. By contrast, the police stations have to rely upon telephonic people of Karumba returned tc their town communication, which, in many instances, and found nothing. I trust that it will not can frequently be rendered useless by storms be long before they, too, will get back en and other forms of damage, such as the recent an even keel. floods. I wish to take a few moments to com­ In this day and age of sophisticated forms pliment all those people who played such a of wireless and radio-telephone communica­ valiant part in helping to relieve the effects tion, it is difficult to understand the cheese­ of the disaster. It is imposstible to mention paring, parsimonious attitude of the State the numerous people and organisations that Government in deliberately denying these were involved. Their actions show that means of immediate communication to the when things get tough the average Australian isolated areas that I have mentioned. The will hop in and de his bit. Government has failed to provide sufficient funds to the Police Department for the pur­ As has been mentioned, with the benefit chase of these vital forms of communica­ of hindsight we can make a Jot of improve­ tion, and therefore stands condemned for its ments. However, what was done, and the failure in this respect. time in which it was done, was remarkable, and restores one's faith in human nature. I trust that this deficiency in police com­ munications in the Gulf and far-western I wondered whether Somerset Darn played areas has now been recognised by this Gov­ its part on this occasion and if it was being ernment and will be rectified as speedily as used for the purpose for which it was possible. This is a matter that cannot wait. designed. I took the trouble to look at the It must be acted upon immediately if lives are preliminary report to see what people of the to be saved in a repetition of the recent time thought as to the effect of the dam. A disaster that befell the people of the Gulf very high-powered committee was formed and western areas of Queensland. I hope and made a report on 27 April, 1933. It that in the light of recent events the Govern­ consisted of Mr. J. R. Kemp (the then Com­ ment will now face up to its responsibilities missioner of Main Roads), Mr. Fison and not dilly-dally, as it has done in the (Engineer and Nautical Surveyor, Department past. of Harbours and Marine), Mr. Nimmo Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2681

(Design~ng Engineer, Main Roads Commis­ some clearly defined authority, which means sion), Mr. Morris (Superintendent of Tech­ that it should not be under the sole control nical Education), Mr. Salisbury (Officer in of the Brisbane City Council, as it is today. Charge, DepaPtment of Irrigation and Water After reading this report and realising Supply), Mr. Brigden (Director of the Bureau what the dam was designed to achieve, I of Industry), who was the chairman, and wonder why it did not live up to expecta­ Mr. D. C. L. Smith (Bureau of Industry), who tions. I know full well that, on this occas­ was secretary. These officers carried out ion, all the rain did not fall in the Stanley an enormous amount of work, and went into River catchment area. DUI1ing the 1893 the pos,ition very thoroughly. The committee flood only 12.8 per cent of the rain fell in was named, "Special Committee on Brisbane that catchment area. Water Supply and Flood Prevention." It is interesting to note this term of reference- In this report figures were quoted as to the effect the dam should have on river "Preventing or mitigating the damage heights at the Port Office. This was not caused by floods in the Brisbane River, borne out. I am inclined to think that what having regard to the poss,ibility of pre­ has happened is that the Brisbane City cipitations exceeding those recorded in Council is using this dam for water storage 1893." when it was designed for water storage and flood mitigation. The flood mitigation area Even then people realised that the records has gone. I do not know how much water of 1893 could be beaten. The committee was in the dam prior to the heavy rain that had to consider flood control, and the degree led to the flooding, and I would be interested of flood control that would be afforded. to know. Reference was made to flood warnings, river gauging and the proper supply and collection I am convinced that the original intention of information for the opera~ion of a system of the designers of this dam and the com­ of flood control. The committee made a very mittee is not being carried out at this complete report. In its recommendations the moment. If this is the case, I am disturbed. committee found, after its preliminary investi­ What will happen with the Wivenhoe Dam? gations, that certain improvements could be We are talking about flood mitigation. If carried out on the river at Brisbane by that dam is handed over to the Brisbane expenditure not exceeding £500,000, together City Council, it will be used for water storage with either a dam at Little Mount Brisbane, 1so that sprinklers can be used. There will at a certain cost, or a dam at Middle Creek. be no doubt about the supply of water for Little Mount Brisbane is the site of Som­ the city of Ipswich and the ciiy of Bris­ erset Dam. In its final recommendations the bane, but flood mitigation will again committee came to the conclusion that the be forgotten and again we could have dam at Little Mount Brisbane was the one a disaster such as that we have just experi­ that should be built. It said- enced. This report contains an enormous wealth of information. This passage is very "provide for flood mitigation as fol­ interesting- lows:- "The Dam and the Improvements at (i) With a dam at Little Mount Bris­ Brisbane.-The effects of the proposed bane, under average conditions, for the river improvements at Brisbane have been virtual prevention of all floods which discussed. The flood-reducing effects of the would now reach heights of up to 20 dam and these works together would pre­ feet at the Port Office, and for the sub­ vent all minor floods, and reduce others. stantial reduction of higher floods;" A 20-ft. flood would be reduced to about The committee made its recommendation on 14 ft. A 25-ft. flood would be reduced that basis. I point out that Mr. Morris sub­ to about 17t ft., which flood would not be likely to occur more often than once mitted a minority report and favoured the in 100 years." Middle Creek Dam which will become the Wivenhoe Dam that is now under consider­ Now we have had one, and we were still ation. He thought it would be the better one seriously flooded although Somerset Dam because it had greater flood-prevention pos­ exists. sibilities. A booklet I received from the Parlia­ Under the heading, "Constructing and mentary Library, issued in 1950, describes Operating Authority," the committee said in the dam,. its capacity and other features. It its report- reads- "Thus, approximately one-quarter of the "The State may be concerned with the storage capacity is reserved for water dam as a source of imigation supply. supply, and the remaining capacity will Neither in its construction nor in its be avai'lable for flood storage, and this operation will a dam of the size proposed will greatly mitigate the effects of all floods be a mat,~er for the City of Brisbane which may occur." only ... That was the intention, but what has hap­ As my time, by arrangement, is very lim­ pened? It has had almost no effect. I ited, I shall have to restrict my comments thoroughly agree with the original committee on this occasion. The committee said that that a responsible authority should be in the operation-of the dam should be under charge of this dam, should co1lect all the 2682 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood information necessary for the handling of were the responsibility of 'the Brisbane City the dam and should reduce the supply in Council, as was the dissemination of that that dam prior to the wet season so that information. The council is aware of this it would take its capacity and act as a flood responsibility, and carries it out. However, mitigation scheme, which was the origina:l on this occasion somehow or other the intention. information never reached the radio stations. The Minister responsible for an investiga­ This was solely the responsibility of the tion of this nature should find out what Brisbane City Council. This is not fully was the level of the dam. Was three-quarters understood, but the Brisbane City Council of the storage available for flood mitigation? knows it. It is a matter that should be Of course it wasn't. It is being used by the made quite clear. council for water supply and no other reason. In March 1971, the same arrangement I am aware that Brisbane has grown and was again confirmed. The Brisbane City more people live here. Maybe this proportion Council has the responsibility of convel'ting could not be adhered to exactly. But what the readings for other areas, and dissemina­ has been happening in the provision of ting such information. Here again the additional water supply facilities so that the Brisbane City Council let the people of flood mitigation area of that dam is pre­ Brisbane down very badly. served? Brisbane has suffered enormously Another matter that I should like to because of this lack of action on the part refer to in the few minutes remaining to of the Brisbane City Council. me is a s,tatement made by Mr. Morrison. Furthermore, at a time when water from An earlier speaker referred to it casually; the dam had no effect on Brisbane, why I want to go into it in a little more depth. should the Lord Mayor, as an individua'l, When Mr. Morrison was here, I presume say, "I will close those gates. To hell with that he was taken round by, if not the Kilcoy."? lt was a great political gesture. Leader of the Opposition, one of the senior This is the reason a responsible authority members of the Opposition. He must have must handle dams of this nature, which the been very ill-informed, because he said- original committee pointed out. Somehow "Many of the flooded areas have been or other the Lord Mayor has enormous power zoned irresponsibly for housing and and he himself says when the gates will be industrial development. Zoning is a State opened and when they will be closed. This responsibility, and they will have to give is a disgrace. He has a responsibility to local government power to execute res­ this city for what has occurred. ponsible zoning." There has been a good deai of talk today Every member in this Chamber knows what about people upstream not being acquainted has happened in this State. Everyone knows with the flood situation. This goes back to that local authorities produce their own April 1955 when a climatology consultative zoning plans, and they hope the public committee, including the Commonwealth and will go to them with objections. They all States, made original arrangements about then work out what they think should who was responsible for providing this sort be done. It is on their recommendation of data. It was agreed then, and the agree­ that zoning takes place. Local authorities ment was conveyed to the Brisbane City therefore have this power today. Unfor­ Council, that the Bureau of Meteorology tunately it has been badly executed. Irres­ would provide the heights from the Port ponsible zoning has taken place, and the Office, and that the conversion of those city is paying for it now. heights and the dissemination of that informa­ Again, the people get the impression from tion was to be made by the Brisbane City A.L.P. members who do not tell the 'truth Council. That was acknowledged by Mr. that this is the responsibility of the State Brown, a Brisbane City Council engineer Government. It is in fact the responsibility at that time. That was again stated in of the Brisbane City Council. In the November 1966. The same arrangement was zoning of Bellbowrie, which was done by made again. The Brisbane City Council was the Brisbane City Council, I know that to provide the service of converting the Port the Main Roads Department informed the Office readings supplied by the Bureau of Brisbane City Council that this was unwise Meteorology and disseminating this informa­ development. However, that advice was tion. ignored. The civil engineer who worked Furthermore, the Brisbane City Council on road construction there said, "This is was asked on that date for a 24-hour tele­ ridiculous. This is well below the flood phone so that its officers could be contacted area". He was told, "Go ahead and do and given this information at any hour. it." I am speaking now of the developers I understand that that was done. The system of the es,tate. They contacted the Brisbane worked during the flood in June 1967 and City Council and were told, "All right, the flood of 1972. Only last year there go ahead." The civil engineer said, "I will, was a dummy run of the 1893 flood, and but I don't like it." this arrangement was again confirmed. The Main Roads Department advised the Readings from the Port Office, Ipswich and Brisbane City Council that this development Mt. Crosby were supplied by the Bureau was stupid, but the developers have gone of Meteorology. The conversions for the ahead and carried it out. What can be Brisbane River in the City of Brisbane done with a local authority such as that? Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2683

The building up of pending areas; ill-advised behalf of all officialdom in the State of zoning; issuing building permits for areas Queensland; he must shoulder it on behalf where building should not be allowed (or, of all responsible authorities that are in any if it is allowed, different heights should way connected with the administ•ration of the be demanded)-aH these things come back affairs of Queenslanders. I think it is incum­ to the local autho•dty. When a person such as bent upon us, as members of Parliament, to the honourable member for Redlands stands bear equally our share of the load relative to up and says that this is a State responsibility, what should and should not happen in the does he want us to take these powe.rs from future. local authorities and do this job ourselves? At the beginning of the debate the Premier I am inclined to think that that would be a asked for constructive debate and comments, good thing. In the light of the irresponsible and I look forward to the printing of the attitude of the Brisbane City Council, perhaps reports that he tabled so that each one of us this is what should be done. However, that can get a fair picture from the officialdom is the indication of the honourable member of this State of what actually occurred. for Redlands. We are already aware that many lessons have I leave the matter on that note. The to be learnt. Brisbane City Council has enormous res­ As the Premier said, Mackay is one of ponsibilities in this whole matter. It wants the areas in which the big wet began, and to throw those responsibilities onto the even today Mackay is still cut off by road shoulders of someone else, but they must from areas both north and south of it and rest where ·they belong. I repeat that the people are running short of perishable com­ Brisbane City Council has enormous modities. Honourable members heard me responsibilities. ask a question earlier today about the I am pleased to have been associated shortage of "cool cars" for railway trans­ with this motion, and I trust that never portation, which is the only means of trans­ again will we see a flood like the last one port in and out of the city. Roads are com­ in Brisbane. pletely impassable throughout the area of North Queensland in which . th~ wet h~s Mr. CASEY (Mackay) (9.30 p.m.): Since been continuous. At least 1t JS fine m the coming of the wet to Queensland, I Brisbane and the sun has come out. I suggest have been in various areas of the State­ that parts of the North of this State have from north of Cairns to Coolangatta, from seen the sun for no more than eight to 10 Goondiwindi to the Gulf, from Townsville to days since the beginning of last December, the Far West. The only area that I have and that is no exaggeration. If the weather not been in personally is the South-west does become fine and the sun comes out, of the State, and I have been in touch with local authorities attempt to patch the roads people in that area. The observations I and do something constructive and wor~h make in this debate are my own observations while but then the rain comes down agam as a result of discussions on the spot with and 'destroys the maintenance work that people who have been affected by the flood­ they have done. ing in Queensland. As I have moved round other parts of the Last week, before returning to Brisbane State, people who have seen rep,?rts in the for this meeting of Parliament, I visited the ne\\Spapers have said to me, You have north-western and Gulf areas of the Sta·te. problems in your own area." I say to them, With the typical humour of Outback "To us it is just another big wet." I should Queenslanders, the thing that is on the lips say that this is typical of the attitude of of the people of that a•rea of the Sta.te, almost people from the Cairns, Innisfail, Ingham and to a man, is the poem written by Richard Tully areas and honourable members heard Magoffin that has received considerable pub­ from the h~nourable member for Mourilyan licity. I think it is worth putting on record earlier in this debate. North Queenslanders this evening the first verse of that poem, know and understand the problems and which reads- hardships that can be created by floods, and "When the Mitchell grass is growing and they also know and understand the problems the inland rivers flowing, of isolation and remoteness from the seat When they've swollen with the run-off of Government when such problems occur. from the great monsoonal rain; I should like honourable members to know When the Flinder;s grass is seeding and that during the wet season about 2,500 cars the stock are fat and feeding, of holidaymakers caught in the North by the We'll forget about the hardships and heavy floods through the Christm.as period we'll praise this land again." and during January had to be ra1led south Possibly that is the intention of this debate­ from Mackay because people could not that we should move on from the hardship move by road. I have great praise for the and again praise the State of Queensland. railwaymen of the area, and I suggest t? the Minister for T·ransport that, when addi­ As honourable members know, the poem tional holidays are being given to the police contains some comments that are particularly and others who participated in flood-relief hard on the Premier of this State. But I work, he should give more consideration to -think he must shoulder that burden on the railwaymen in certain areas of the State 2684 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood who wo~ked hard under terribly adverse that has to be carefully looked at. The conditions. In my own area, I know that, police can go out and put up barricades, in addition to their ordinary work, railway­ but in law they have no right to do it. men loaded more than 2,000 cars in order it would appear that the district engineer to help people leave the wet North and from the Main Roads Department can have return to the safety and security of Sydney, some say in the matter; but there has to be Melbourne, Adelaide, and even Brisbane, for something serious, such as a bridge washed that matter, away from the problems that away, before they can declare the road they were experiencing up there. To us those no longer trafficable. So legally they are problems were eve·ry-day occurrences, but to tied down, too. All that can happen is them they were something severe and dis­ for a policeman to stand at a barricade ruptive in their ordinary lives. The railway­ and issue a $10 on-the-spot ticket to some­ men in the Mackay district and other body for failing to observe police instruc­ districts-! know they did the same in tions, or some such thing; but that does not Rockhampton, too-got out in the wet and stop the motorist. He can get the ticket, in the cold rain, and all they got for their drive past, and continue on, becoming a work

get from o_ne place to another in a time head office should some problem arise which of flood m this State, the second-last is not clearly and properly set out in the organisation to ask is the R.A.C.Q. and circular, but not so for anyone in Croydon, the last place is a police station. This is Georgetown, Julia Creek or Nonda who only of course, because of our poor communica­ has the circular which had been sent or, in tions set-up. many cases, only a telegram giving instruc­ I think these are some of our main tions. It becomes very difficult for even the requirements along with the warning systems best public servants in those areas to under­ that have already been mentioned. We have stand properly how they should administer heard much talk about the height of the the flood relief scheme. A distinct gap exists. Brisbane River at the Port Office. Surely Staff should be properly trained and the to goodness the people of Brisbane have figures for their use continuously updated. enough common sense to know whether they In fact, we should give further consideration reside uphill or downhill from the Port to backing them up with legislation. Office. Surely they have enough common Much has been said about insurance, sense to gain from the indications given to especially storm-and-tempest cover. I again them some idea as to whether the water raise a very important point on storm and is still rising or falling. tempest. The premiums for storm-and­ My heart goes out to people who stayed tempest cover should be equated throughout on in places like Normanton and Karumba the length and breadth of the State. During during this flood, when the great mass of the earlier sittings in this session this matter water was streaming down the three main was canvassed fully by me and by other rivers-the Gilbert, the Norman and the North Queensland members. On the very Flinders-which had joined in a stream first day of the earlier sittings I raised it, 150 miles wide. No-one knew what height and I know that throughout the session it it would reach or what the rainfall in the was continually referred to by other area had been. There are no river-heights honourable members. recording stations anywhere up there. The As the Insurance Commissioner has been people had to sit it out to see what height asked to examine the definition of "storm the water would reach. It became very and tempest", he should also be asked to dangerous for some of those who stayed look at the administration of storm-and­ in Karumba when they were left with only tempest cover and the way in which prem­ four feet of dry land, and less in some iums are adversely loaded in the northern areas. In one particular spot they had areas of the State. Surely the people of four feet of dry land, the open sea in front Brisbane now realise that they can suffer of them and this massive flood behind them, just as much damage from storm and and they did not know how high the rivers tempest as can those people who live in would rise. Cairns, Cooktown, Georgetown and other Much has been said about civil defence, places in the Far North. Therefore it is and we have heard two different opinions. only fair and honest that all persons who One honourable member said that people are prepared to take out storm-and-tempest would not come out when they were warned, cover should pay equal premiums. and another said that at one stage some came out too soon. I realise that we are attempting to confine the debate in order to give as many members Two Ministers touched on matters of as possible an opportunity to speak. Never­ civil defence but I would say that no fresh theless I should like to refer to a few final comment has been made here today about points. I have heard statements made to the civil defence. Some Ministers in particular effect that quantities of materials were held should take more notice of some of the in Brisbane to ensure that the local residents points raised in debate in this Parliament, could be supplied with timber, corrugated because all the points raised in this debate iron, and so on in order to rebuild or repair on civil defence have been raised previously. their homes. But what about the people in I have raised them and the honourable the remote areas of the State? In Norman­ member for Sandgate and others have raised ton, for example, I witnessed a man and his a considerable number of them. daughter scavenging along the banks of the At last we have a precedent established river in an endeavour to obtain some corru­ for the forms of Government assistance gated iron to replace the roof on part of that are available. I do not want to go their home to make it habitable. The river into them or canvass them here, but I bank was the only place where they could should like to say that every area should be hope to find corrugated iron. I fully realise properly acquainted with this information. the difficulties that are entailed in trans­ Officers of the Justice Department, the staffs porting building materials to places like of the various Clerk of the Court offices Normanton, but in a orisis such as a flood throughout the State and others who will be when we are dealing with people-the citi­ responsible for administering the scheme in zens of Queensland-we should do our ut­ the future, should be properly informed and most to provide immediate assistance not trained in administering it. This has become only to those who live in Brisbane or on the a problem. It is all very well in Brisbane Gold Coast-or for that matter in Mackay where teams can quickly refer back to their or Cairns-but also to those who live in the 86 2686 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood remote areas of the State. After all, there I believe that we should say to all local are not many of them, so that any additional authorities throughout the State, "You must transport costs could easily be borne by look at building conditions in flood areas." everybody in the State. One very important point that the com­ mittee set up by the Federal and State Gov­ In many respects the North and North­ ernments should look into is the purchase of west are on the crook end of the stick. breeders for the beef industry from the Throughout the length and breadth of the Northern Temitory or the North-western North the people have become heartily sick part of Western Australia. We should move of the political rows that have developed in now to purchase breeders before the problem Brisbane. We have seen evidence in this becomes too difficult to overcome. The Gulf Chamber today of such political arguments. country is one of the main cattle-breeding areas in Queensland. Honourable members After the floods in Brisbane, industry was who are conversant with stock know that the back on its feet reasonably quickly. I know problem will not be overcome immediately that some small concerns still have problems, the floods recede. It will be at least three but generally speaking as soon as the flood years before store cattle are turned off waters receded industry was quickly back from these areas. on its feet. In contrast, it will be months I suppose it is an ill wind that does not and months before the cattle industry in blow some good. I feel sorry for the people the North and the North-west will be able of Brisbane who suffered during the flood. to make a proper assessment of losses. It is However it has at least brought an awareness all very well for some honourable members to them 'of the many hardships experienced to talk about the wealthy graziers and the for years by people in other parts of the big grazing companies. What of the ringers, State. Many complaints raised by honour­ the fencers, the handymen on stations, the able members from other areas of the State transport drivers who cart fuel backwards will now be brought to their attention. I and forwards, the fellows who work on the ask the people of Brisbane to lift up their cattle trains, the stockmen, and all the other heads and look at the rest of the State to ordinary people in the Outback who are see the hardships experienced by others. I ask suffering from the floods? They are just as them to learn to carry their own hardships. entitled to be put back on their feet as Ilf we all do this we will all be able to praise anyone else. this land agadn. As recently as last week I met people in Mr. BROMLEY (South Brisbane) (9.53 the North who had not even received their p.m.): I express my sympathy and that of fkst Social Services cheque some five or six Mrs. Bromley to all the people of Queens­ weeks after the flood forced them out of land adversely affeoted by the tragic 1973- work. For two to three weeks no-one was 74 flood. I include people with properties available to take an application form from and people with businesses throughout the them, and when someone was able to accept State, people whose homes '7'ere devastated, the form it had to go by devious means to and people who lost everything. There are Cairns and then to Townsville, whence, young and old people, whose possessions may because of different administrative instruc­ have been small, who lost their all. The tions, a letter had to be sent to the employer traumatic experiences of some of these asking if the claimant had in fact been people were probably such that they may employed and was out of work. Through no never recover fully. Professors and doctors fault of their own, these people had to wait at our uni,versities and hospitals who are as long as five or six weeks. In spite of expert in this field have said that it may take this, they battled on and moreover helped many years for people to recover from their their fellow North Queenslanders back on traumatic experiences. I believe that they their feet. They could not reach their places will certainly remember what they went of employment through the floodwaters, so through. they set about doing something useful without When I spoke to some of the older flood complaint. They did not sit on their back­ victims I found that their reaction was almost sides and "holler" as is happening in so many identical to that of older people who lost other places. their homes as a result of freeway resump­ We must look at the over-all expenditure tions. The majority of old people affected in various areas of the State. People of the by freeway resumptions have not recovered Mackay district and other areas, including from the shock. Townsville, would give anything to have I pay tribute to all the people and organ­ bridges spanning Connors Ri'Ver and Funnel isMions who did a tremendous job in assist­ Creek like those we can see from Parlia­ ing unfortunate flood victims, including ment House. The people of Proserpine and members of the Police Force, the Army and the Tully Plains area would love to have other services the Young Labor Association, built-up roadways to move essential goods B.W.I.U. me~bers and other union members, and maintain essential services instead of and many other people too numerous to hewing them in profusion in Brisbane. They mention. I believe that we should pay tribute have experienced disaster time and time to the various TV channels and radio again. stations, and to all those people who donated Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2687

very generously in many ways. I do not to say that they were almost ruined. Many thing that enough praise can be bestowed businessmen told me that if they did not upon them. Others include the Salvation obtain urgently needed assistance and financial Army and several re1igious and charitable help they would have to close down, dismiss organisations. employees, and look for other jobs. Some Many tragic stories could be told aboQlt of these people employ three or four, and the flood. I do not intend to do that. even up to 12 or 15 people. Naturally we However, I have received many complaints do not want to see any business, small or from people who applied at Government large, fold up. I think I can fairly say relief centres for assistance. Some of the that large businesses have a better chance people who contacted me were householders of rehabilitating themselves than small ones. and small business owners. They were I am concerned with the continued progress refused assistance for various reasons. of them all, as I think are all members in this House. Small businesses have to get One sad case that I think I should cite started immediately, otherw[se they will never concerned a young woman with a child get started again. who was refused financial help. I shall explain the case briefly because I think it There is obviously too much red tape is tragic. Her husband, who was a truck involved. This is evidenced by an article driver, was killed in a motor vehicle accident in the "Express" of 27 February 1974 by last year. Unfortunately, she lost everything the Honourable F. A. Campbell, Minister in the flood. The day before the flood, a for Development and Industrial Affairs, in cheque arrived for $5,000, which was small which he saiid that firms are urged to seek compensation for the loss of her husband. finance. Of course, we have all been She banked the cheque and showed her urging them to do this, and they have bank statement to the official at the centre. been trying to help themselves. But, I She was told that she could not be given repeat, they have not been receiving assis­ help because she had that amount. She tance, and this is pointed out in the article explained that the $5,000 was compensation by Mr. Campbell. I do not know whether, for the loss of her husband. when he released this statement, he knew that they were not getting much assistance I advised her what to do with respect at all. Th·e article is headed, "Hrms are to her claim and asked her to contact me urged to seek finance. Victims of flood". if she did not achieve any success. She has not contacted me so I hope that her It reads- claim has since been viewed sympathetically. " ... Mr. F. Campbell has urged eligible If the cheque, which was small compensation, industries and small businesses affected had arrived a week or two weeks after the by the flood to apply for assistance. flood, she would have been eligible for "To date, his Department of Commercial immediate assistance. The $5,000 sh·ould be and Industrial Development, which lis forgotten in this case because it was com­ administering the scheme, has despatched pensation for her husband's death in an 330 application forms, but only 100 have accident. I sincerely hope that this lady been completed and lodged. has received some financial assistance. "Mr. Campbell said he anticipated appli- What about other people who had slightly cations would reach 1,000." more than the early limit of $1,000? I From what I saw of the devastation, I stress "early" because I know that it has think there will be more than that number. been increased since. What about the unfort­ So far, only 77 of the applicants have been unate people who lost heavily mortgaged ·interviewed. Only 90 instructions to inspect houses? They still have to pay the money premises have been issued, and 54 of the they owe on their mortgages. I could cite inspections have been completed. According many cases but I have not the time available to the article, loans so far approved total and I do not think I should go into them only $42,300. This concerns me, because anyway. I have spoken to so many people who have Several areas in my electorate have suffered said that they will have to fold up if they severely for scores of years and I have do not receive some finance. appealed .in this House and other places on I urge the Premier and the Minister to many occasions for flood mitigation in those cut some of the red tape involved. Mr. areas. Campbell went on to say that the fund was f s!Jall now mention complaints that I not a "give-away". I agree that at is not have received from businessmen and try to a "give-away", but that is a fairly hard­ further their case for assistance. I do not hearted statement to make. He also goes know exactly what the situation is at the on to say that applicants have to provide moment. I know that immediately after suitable security against loans. I do not the flood these businessmen were not getting believe that they should be required to ::my hearing, let alone any finance. Many have suitable security. I believe that they of them telephoned me and came to see me. should be assisted in all ways. We have I advised them the best I could and explained to cut the red tape and review ,the system the situation. I subsequently visited many completely if, as I believe it is, the Govern­ small businesses in West End, South Brisbane, ment is fair dinkum about keeping business Rocklea, among other places, and it is true activities going. I think it is necessary to 2688 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood get firms on their feet and operating, and I shall now quote from a memo to its then investigate claims if necessary. That field staff (excluding Darwin and Papua-New would be a fairly simple thing to do. Guinea) issued by a really big-hearted insur­ ance company, if ever there was one. It I doubt if really searching inquiries need to was issued by the National Mutual Fire be made. I have seen many flood-affected Insurance Company Ltd., and it is headed businesses, and a visit to the place where a "Insurance against Flood". It says- business was conducted ris sufficient to show immediately that it has been ruined. One "As a result of the recent disastrous has only to look here and there to see floods in Queensland, many people will what sort of a business it was. One should suffer serious financial loss as very few then look at the bank acoount of the business, would have been insured against this risk. and any possible or probable in:>urance cover. "All Insurers will receive requests for A loan should be made available immediately, 'flood cover' as soon as the present crisis and the business would be back in operation. is over. That is what needs to be done to get "You will probably receive requests from businesses started. I am very sincere about your policyholders. this, because, if businesses are not helped "We expect most inquiries to come from immediately, they will not start up again, people whose homes or premises have and employment opportunities will be lost. been damaged by this flood. By way of flood compensation, people "Unfortunately, we are not able to give living in War Ser¥ice homes were a little flood cover on these properties. more fortunate than those occupying other "The following notes are offered to help homes. Quite a few people got in touch you explain the reasons for this:- with me and said that they had been in (1) A basic principle of insurance is touch with the War Service Homes Division, that the losses of the few are paid which had said, "Not to worry. You are from the premium contributions of automatically covered." They were told that many. their homes would be renovated completely as new. They were lucky to be covered by Insurable risks therefore must have flood insurance. two main components:- (a) They must be only possibilities I believe that the Queensland Housing (rather than certainties). This main­ Commission should take similar action. It tains a reasonable balance between would not do much harm if it did so. funds paid into the pool and funds It is many years since a flood of such (claims) drawn out. magnitude occurred, and it may be many years before another occurs; on the other (b) They must be possibilities which hand it may not be as long as that. face a large number of people-yet remain as remote for any of them. Let us have a brief look, Mr. Speaker, This creates a need for protection at insurance and the legal jargon and the amongst enough people to create a technical definitions of "storm and tempest" pool of funds sufficiently large to and "rainwater" in insurance policies. This cover the expectedly few claims. is taken from my insurance policy. "Storm (2) Relating these two essential com- and tempest" means a violent atmospheric ponents to the risk of flood:- disturbance accompanied by high wind or (a) Flood is almost a certainty in rain, snow or hail, but does not mean per­ areas where it has occurred before. sistent bad weather or heavy rain or per­ Therefore the first component is not si&tent rain by itself. "Rainwater" means water falling from the sky in the form of present. rain until such time as it reaches the ground (b) 'Flood certainty' exists for only and which falls on the building described in a small percentage of the community the policy. (unlike the risk of Fire-which exists for everyone). For most of the Apart from the definitions of "storm and remainder, it is not even a remote tempest" and "rainwater" in insurance possibility. policies, is there a demarcation line as to Therefore, the second component what constitutes a flood? Rain that falls hits the ground as rainwater, and that is set out is nqt present . . . in the policy. Yet that same rainwater (3) If any scheme (other than a com­ rises, and the damage is caused by rain­ pulsory one) was commenced, only the water which, according to the policies of people in known and doubtful flood insurance companies, mysteriously become a areas would want insurance. flood. To make such a scheme financially I believe that the Premier is looking into practicable, those people would have the matter, and certainly all insurance com­ to pay sufficient premium to pay for panies should look at these clauses in their all flood damage plus the cost of policies and there should be some clarification administering the scheme. of them. I was pleased to read in the In the long term, this could cost Press recently that something is being done them more than the flood damage they along these lines. sustained. Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2689

(4) Government Flood Relief is a I was really worried about the whole situa­ practical means of compensation as this tion as, of course, were the residents. Some is in fact drawn from the contributions of them were so terrified that eventually they of all Australian taxpayers. It is an vacated their houses. available means of spreading the losses It is time that Norman Creek was dredged. from National disasters over the whole It contains huge deposits of silt. It would community. assist greatly if the silt, pollution and rubbish were cleared from it. I know that a great (5) Government and Local Govern­ deal of the trouble is caused by high tides ment authorities should carry some in association with rainwater coming down blame. They could refuse permission for from the catchment areas. However, it the residential or industrial development would at least be a start if the rubbish and of flood prone land. silt could be dredged from the creek. (6) Sadly, there must be some res­ An Honourable Member: It would be a ponsibility carried by the property big help. owner victims of floods. River height and land level records are available in Mr. BROMLEY: Yes. I agree with the most cities and towns for reference by honourable member. He knows a little of the careful property buyers and land flooding, living as he does near Northey developers." Street. In brackets at the end of this confidential It might surprise the House to know that memo is is stated- many years ago Norman Creek was navigable "This note is one which should be by large boats from its mouth right up to used with discretion. It would do nothing Stones Corner. In fact supplies were brought to improve the morale of flood victims." right up the creek at that time. But I very much doubt if one could even get a dinghy Honourable members can gather from that half way up the creek today. As a matter that I do not think very highly of some of fact I know that it could not be done. insurance companies. Fancy the Premier, The honourable member for Greenslopes the Minister for Development and Industrial (the Minister for Transport) agrees with me. Affairs and the honourable member for I think we could do something about this T oowong, who spoke a while ago and who is creek. A woman rang me only tonight to say continually living in the 17th century, wanting that she first learned to swim in Norman to stick up for these companies and defend Creek which, in those days, was a beautiful, them in every possible way, when they put clean expanse of water without any rubbish out confidential memos of that sort and do whatever in it. not want the public to know about them. Another matter which annoys me and The honourable member for Aspley (the residents of the area is the disgraceful habit Minister for Development and Industrial of filling in land to above flood level for Affairs) had advertisements defending them factory sites. I refer particularly to the flood inserted in the newspapers. To me that is plains in the Deshon estate. One area in very upsetting. He should first have read Deshon Street is being built up at the that memorandum. moment. I went down there on the Friday Again I appeal for urgent attention to a before the floods and measured it, and flood mitigation scheme for Norman Creek. at some parts of the building the land had Every time there is a flash flood people been built up 6 ft. above the normal flood living in the Deshon, which is part of plain. Therefore the water has to find another Buranda, Stones Corner and other parts of level, and it does-in people's homes and Buranda are adversely affected. The hon­ yards, in shops and other places. ourable member for Greenslopes (the Min­ We all have problems with flooding and ister for Transport) is well aware of that. we all want to have a flood mitigation In January people in East Brisqane in scheme. Mine is not a purely parochial streets such as Heath Street, Hilton Street, speech about my own area. I am worried Waiter Avenue, Ashfield Street and Claren­ about other areas as wel'l as my own. don Street all suffered. In addition, people Virtually every member of this House has living in Stanley Street East and near the had flood worries in his electorate, and Coorparoo Railway Station were affected. As some have worked extremely hard in assisting usual, people living in Norman Street and people in all sorts of ways. They certainly Longlands Street had a very rough time. receive my approbation and congratulations. The time has long since passed when some­ thing .should have been done for these people. As a result of this long debate I hope On several occasions I have appealed in the that much good will come out of the House on their behalf. To me they seem disastrous flood of 1973-74. I hope that we to be the forgotten people when it comes to will very quickly get on to the building flood-mitigation schemes. of the Wivenhoe Dam and the implementa­ tion of flood mitigation schemes in the I patrolled those areas night and day for OXley area, my electorate and various other the three days of the flood. During the places. I am sure that such projects will worst period of the flood I continued to save the economy of this city and State travel around to see how things were going. many millions of dollars in the future. 2690 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

Mr. FRAWLEY (Murrumba) (10.18 p.m.): I particularly wish to mention the work The Premier is to be congratulated for carried out in the Upper Cedar Creek area giving all members of this House an oppor­ by the Pine Rivers Shire Council, which tunity to debate the implications of the made every effort to reopen roads and recent flood damage, but I must say that crossings as quickly as possible so that I am bitterly disappointed with the attitude the isolated families could once again obtain of some members of the Opposition. Last supplies of necessary commodities and also week some of them, including the Leader of deliver milk to the factory across the creek. the Opposition, were roaring like lions and The Caboolture Shire Council suffered a ranting about what they were going to do. great deal of road damage. In fact, a What have we heard today? Nothing but the sum of approximately $1,000,000 will be mewling of a bunch of tame pussy cats required to repair damaged roads in its or toothless tigers. If the Opposition had area. Fortunately, or unfortunately-which­ a couple of real 1leaders instead of ineffectual ever way we look at it-most of the figureheads, we might have heard something damage was caused to the main roads. The worth while. A party is only as good as D'Aguilar-Mt. Mee highway was badly its leaders and this explains why the people eroded by a landslide, and the Kilcoy­ of Queensland have constantly rejected the Beerwah road was cut off. As well, the A.L.P. over the past 17 years and will con­ small area of Bellthorpe was completely tinue to do so. isolated when the bridge across Running The Premier played no small part in his Creek was washed away. efforts to thoroughly investigate every avenue In the city of Redcliffe most of the of alleviating some of the suffering caused damage occurred to the beaches and roads. by the recent floods, yet today we heard Very Httle damage was done to people's shameful attempts by some Opposition mem­ homes, and the ordinary individual did not bers to belit~le his efforts by asking stupid suffer greatly as a result of the floods. irrelevant questions about the use of the However through the mayor of Redcliffe Government aircraft. The Premier flew many and the Redcliffe Apex Club, in conjunction miks in the Government aircraft in his with Channel 9's telethon, the people of concern for the people of Queensland. By Redcliffe donated approximately $32,000 to his stupid, childish question this morning help the citizens of Brisbane overcome some as to why the Premier did not land at of the difficulties that confronted them. I Normanton or Karumba, the honourable should like to go on record in "Hansard" member for South Brisbane displayed the as congratulating the people of Redcliffe typical attitude and facetiousness of Opposi­ upon their very fine effort. tion members towards this debate and showed what little concern they have for A matter of grave concern to me and, the people of Queensland. When I hear more particularly, to the people of Dayboro questions and statements in this House from is the fact that a threat is posed by ·the North Pine Dam. During the recent floods, Opposition members about the Premier's use water was backed up in the Dayboro district of the Government aircraft, I realise that in such a manner that it could only be they are simply carrying out their orders attributed to the dam. I realise that the which are to attack the man who oppose~ centralism. dam is a necessary part of the Government's water-conservation programme. Nevertheless During the recent floods in this State many every effort must be made to ensure that areas were devastated, particularly some the people of Dayboro are not flooded out suburbs of Brisbane and Ipswich. But in spells of bad weather such as tha-t recen~ly do not let us forget that other parts of experienced. The people of Dayboro reahse Queensland also suffered. For example, in that they can expect little help from the the Murrumba electorate the south-western Brisbane City Council, led by Lord Mayor section, comprising Camp Mountain and Jones, so they look to the Queensland Gov­ Upper Cedar Creek, was affected greatly ernment for protection. and many dairy farmers were forced to Anyone in the catchment area of . the tip out their milk for as long as eight North Pine Dam who has had dealmgs days before they could get their supplies with the Brisbane City Council knows from through to the milk factory. As a result past experience what kind of. a rotten ~eal they suffered severe financial losses. Similar­ he will get from the counciL A typ1cal ly, {he farmers in the Lacey's Creek area example of the Lord Mayor's so-called con­ suffered a great deal of inconvenience. In cern for country people was his order to fact, six families were completely isolated for four days. close the release valves at Somerse.t Dam. He took that action against the advice of In the brief time at my disposal I wish the city council engineers, and his reason to congratulate the Pine Rivers Shire Council for taking it, namely, that it would q_uickly on its efforts in getting the shire back on reduce the flood levels in the Bnsbane its feet. Naturally the shire engineer and River, was completely untrue. As the threat his deputy bore the brunt of the planning, to Brisbane had passed, there was no need and they are to be congratulated on their whatever to keep the dam closed. His efforts. In fact, the whole of the council's action was nothing more than grand-standing work-force used every means at their disposal in an attempt to gain some cheap _political to reopen the roads and get transport moving. mileage from the disaster. He realised that Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2691 he would not win any votes in a country for the declaration of a state of emergency. area, so all he was concerned about was He said that in 1971 the Premier had no looking after the people of Brisbane. He hesitation in declaring a state of emergency did not care one iota for the people of over the Springbok tour. Kilcoy. The chairman of the Kilcoy Shire CDuncil, Councillor McAulay, pleaded with Mr. Bromley: That is true. the Lord Mayor to open the flood release Mr. FRAWLEY: Of course he did because valves before another 40 homes in Kilcoy he was dealing with radicals and Com­ were inundated. As it was, 12 were under munists, with sit-down Senator Georges and water. Eventually the Minister for Works the honouralile member for Everton stirring and Housing was able to persuade the Lord up all the trouble they could. Why wouldn't Mayor to open the valves. the Premier declare a state of emergency Through the local newspaper, I have to stop some of these lawless radicals? advised the people of Kilcoy, as well as Senator Georges recently showed where he those in the Neurum district outside stands by lining up with the Viet Cong. He Woodford, to sue the Brisbane City Council. signed an appeal in "The Australian" for I have received legal advice to the effect recognition of the Viet Cong, as did Senators that, if they sue the council for damage McClelland, O'Byrne and Cameron, and Mr. caused to their properties as a result of Lamb of the House of Representatives. I the closure of the release valves at Somerset challenge anyone in this House to prove how Dam, they will have an excellent chance the declaration of a state of emergency of winning their cases. could have improved flood relief. Every Flooding was accentuated at Neurum, Government department did what it was where the prison has been established, by capable of doing and no declaration of the closure of the valves. Many farmers emergency could have made anything better suffered, power lines were covered and roads than it was. were cut off unnecessarily as a result of Arch Bevis of the Transport Workers' the rotten, unprincipled action taken by Union-the honourable member for Brisbane Brisbane's Lord Mayor. should be concerned about this, because he The Mary Smokes Creek Bridge, which is his stooge in this Parliament-put in is on the D'Augilar Highway and right on his two-cents' worth by saying that the the border between the Kilcoy and Premier's leadership during the flood was Caboolture Shires, was under water and weak and insipid. What a stupid statement remained submerged for a longer period to make! I could be forgiven for thinking than was necessary. As a result, the Kilcoy that Arch Bevis was referring to the inef­ farmers were unable to deliver their milk fectual leadership displayed by the Leader to the Caboolture factory, which, because of the Opposition in this Parliament in the of the flooding of Q.U.F. in Brisbane, was past 18 months. The Premier is to be supplying most of the metropolitan area. congratulated on the part he played in Previously the bridge at Mary Smokes Queensland's crisis. If every political leader Creek has been flooded as a result of the had displayed as much concern as the closure of the release valves at Somerset Premier instead of attempting to make cheap Dam. I urge the Co-ordinator-General's po'litical gain out of the misfortunes that Department to look into this matter with occurred, this State, as a whole, would have a view to preventing further disruption to benefited. farming operations in the Kilcoy area. I suggest that, in future, Mr. Whitlam As a member of this Government I am will be known as "the dry-foot leader". concerned not only with my own electorate, He did not even get his feet wet. He but with the whole of the State of Queens­ arrived in Brisbane a fortnight after the land, a concern which, I might add, is shared floods occurred, after completing his eighth by other Government members. I shall be or ninth overseas trip, taking with him a generous and say that I believe Opposition plane-load of free-loaders. Members care about some of the people The Leader of the Opposition found fault in Queensland. While they do not care with everything the Queensland Government about primary producers, they at least care did during the flood. Nothing suited him. about some of the people. It was easy to see that he was instructed The recent attempt by A.L.P. leaders to by his bosses at the Trades Hall to knock bring politics into the Queensland flood everything worth while being done by the disaster was absolutely disgusting. I am Queensland Government. certain that the people of Queensland will Another staunch Labor supporter, that is, not forget their tactics in a hurry. Many Mike Minehan of Channel 9, aiso played of the statements about looting and profiteer­ his part in attempting to denigrate the ing emanated from the Trades Hall. These Premier. I have it on good authority that people threw a smoke-screen over the situa­ Mike Minehan open'ly boasted at Channel tion in an attempt to urge the Premier 9 on the afternoon of the interview with to declare a state of emergency. What a the Premier that he was going to make lot of rubbish they engaged in! There was his reputation through the interview. He no need to declare a state of emergency. failed miserably, and, by his attitude, left Bart Lourigan, the A.L.P. secretary, called no-one in doubt about his one-side political 2692 Queensland Flood (5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood beliefs. Nobody objects to any TV interviewer getting tired, but in a debate of thi~ nature probing and asking leading questions, but repetition cannot be completely avmded. I that can be done in a courteous manner, have agreed with the Whip to restrict my not in the rude and somewhat uncouth speech to 10 minutes, so I shall condense style adopted on this occasion by Mike my remarks. Minehan. I certainly hope that the powers At the outset, I fully agree with the that be at Channel 9 see that this does not remarks of the Leader of the Opposition and occur again when a political leader is inter­ the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in viewed. I do not care whether an A.L.P., supportincr this very important motion. The D.L.P., Liberal or Country Pavty leader is people ebxpected us to have this debate interviewed; he must be given courteous today. They expected us to do more t~an treatment, not the unprincipled treatment give a resume. They expected us to high­ Mike Minehan gave the Premier of Queens­ light some of the serious aspects of the land. Probably Mike Minehan has been recent flood disaster throughout the State. listening to Melbourne's homosexual Graham We would have been recreant to our duty Kennedy on some of his Friday night attempts if we had not done that. to denigrate the Premier of this State. I was bitterly disappointed that Queens­ Recently some Johnny-come-lately of land was found really wanting in the creation Clontarf, whose name is not even on the of an efficient Civil Defence Organisation. I electoral roll, wrote an article to "The Red­ have made many speeches on this subject cliffe Herald" claiming that the Premier was over the years, following a good deal of "way out" because of his attitude to the research and the receipt of advice from Federal Government. I fully support the overseas interests and advisers on the proper Premier's attitude towards the Federal Gov­ working of a Civil Defence Organisation. ernment. \Ve do not want to be part of a However, my contributions on this subject, great, centralist monopoly. The give-away together with those of other honourable Labor group in Queensland would sell out members have been ignored. The result the whole State to the Federal Government. was evid~nt in the recent flood disaster. We It would give away the Torres Strait islands saw confusion and panic because of lack of and, before long, we would find ourselves channels of communication through which under the domination of the Reds. people could be told what they should do A rumour was spread that even the Horni­ in a state of emergency. We were found brook Highway was closed during the flood, wanting. Unfortunately, people suffered both when, in fact, it was the only means of materially and in health. egress to the north. That was another I sincerely hope that the Government will attempt by the A.L.P. to capitalise on the now give some cognisance to the imp0rtance flood. Its who~e platform is based on untruths. of establishing a proper Civil Defence I take this opportunity to congratulate the Organisation not only in Brisban

Mr. R. E. MOORE (Windsor) (10.42 p.m.): about brick veneer or timber. I am talking Generally speaking, I should say that all about brick houses and concrete houses. There members of Parliament behaved in a very would be some problems with sheeting if responsible manner during the recent floods. the water completely covered the house. Cabinet and the Premier cannot be criticised However, it is reasonable to assume that if for their efforts, and it ill-behoves members a house is elevated the ceiling would not be of the Opposition to try to make a certain covered. If the budlding is in such an area amount of political capital out of those that the ceiling would be covered by floods efforts. it should not have been built there in the Let me turn now to the floods in Brisbane first place. and Ipswich. Queensland has had a rather In due time the Wivenhoe Dam is going to short history, and, of course, the flood that be constructed for flood control purposes. has gone down in history is the one that What will happen when the population of occurred in 1893. However, Aboriginal Brisbane increases and an increased water legends say that floods of far greater mag­ supply is required? Are we going to allow nitude occurred before 1893. There is no the w,ivenhoe Dam to remain one-third full doubt that many big floods occurred before in spite of those increased demands? When that time-there probably have been a we get to the stage when we have not had thousand floods in this area since the last a flood for, say, 10 years, what local authority ice age-and there certainly are more to is going to allow that dam to remain one-third come. full? What will happen is that the dam will When I drove round Brisbane suburbs and be filled to a reasonable capacity when it saw the flood water in the various gullies will be of little use as a means of control and in the tributaries that run into the in a major flood. If we have a rain depres­ main stream of the rrver, I could not help si'on similar to that in January, accompanied saying to myself, "This has happened many, by a cyclonic disturbance, and the cyclone many times." When one sees houses built crosses the coast, we will have another flood. in these areas, one says, "We did not learn We have had them in the past; we will much of a lesson from the 1893 flood." Of have them in the future. Irrespective of any course, the generation born from now on flood control measures, there will be more will not learn any lesson from the 1974 floods in Brisbane at some time or other. flood, either. If a flood does not occur for They might not occur in my lifetime, but another 40 years and there is vacant land they will occur again. in the Brisbane area and people are look­ Because of the Bremer River catchment ing for housing allotments, the Brisbane City area, it is necessary that something be done Council will say, "No, you are not allowed to relieve the situation in the Ipswich area. to build on that because it was flooded 40 years ago." But the pressure will be such If the Government released water from the that the council will have to release the future Wivenhoe Dam or any other dam land. People will say, "It happened 40 years because of a threatened cyclone and that ago. It will not happen again." It will cyclone did not eventuate, what would hap­ happen again, in spite of the dams that are pen if in the next year there was a drought? built in the meantime. These are all situations which are easily met with the benefit of hindsight. Whatever the There was not a great deal of trouble in Government does could turn out to be the my electorate. Only about 50 houses were wrong thing, no matter how good its inten­ inundated by Enoggera Creek and Kedron tions were. Brook, which needs a dragline put through Generally speaking, times of flood and it and some emergency work done on it. cyclone are prosperous times, although indi­ However, we will not prevent people from viduals are gravely affected. Again, generally building on the various flood plains in sub­ speaking, it is the droughts that are the urban areas, and when dams are built that wars of attrition, whereas floods and cyclones reduce flooding, it will be even more difficult are the times of prosperity. With the type to do so. of disaster about which we are speaking, I believe that bhe council should lay down when the flooding is State-wide, a large num­ a certain standard for houses so that they ber of people are affected and the Govern­ are built in either concrete or brick. Timber ment comes to their aid. What happens if houses cannot withstand inundation because a thunderstorm or a tornado crosses a small the timber warps. If a house is built of area and the houses in its path are blown concrete or bnick the only thing affected by away? Nobody oomes to the assistance of the floods, provided the building is not in those people, because not sufficient people an area affected by the stream torrent, is are affected. I do not know what is to the furniture in the house, which can be done about that sort of situation. I probably be insured. To a major extent suppose the houses could be covered by this reduces the loss. storm and tempest insurance. Mr. Davis: What about gyprock walls? One hears about national disaster funds. At first sight, one would imagine that would Mr. R. E. MOORE: Gyprock is not used be the ideal situation. But to some extent it in a cavity-brick house. It might be used is a "Big Brother" attitude, and one wonders in a brick-veneer house, but I am not speaking whether the Government should adopt the Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2695 attitude of saying that everybody should be without regard for accuracy. He should forced to have insurance on his home, as apologise to the Minister for Defence, who applied in wartime, or wherher it should adopt promptly examined the situation, in contrast the attitude that, if the people wish, they to the Premier of this State, who did not. may insure, but they should take the knock I point out that the Australian Govern­ if they are not covered. ment has given unprecedented assistance to In civil defence work generally, I believe flood victims. The Australian Minister for that on this occasion the Armed Services did Housing (Mr. Les Johnson) has publicly a mighty job. But it would be a good idea stated that the Wacol Migrant Hostel is if the Armed Services had a civil defence available to flood victims. role as part of their training. Even in time One of the important aspects that have of war, the Army working in conjunction emerged from the recent disastrous floods is with civilians, would be a very competent the need for a well-trained civil defence body because we would have close co­ organisation. There is no doubt in mY mind ordination between the civilian population and that our Civil Defence Organisation will the Armed Services. have to be enlarged and better trained, and I am condensing my speech from 40 enabled to give strong leadership in both minutes to 5, so honourable members will a physical and a legal sense. The efforts understand that I am skirting around the of well-meaning amateurs can have quite edges of the subject. However, I should like harmful effects. Evidence of this is the to deal with one problem that arises during number of house roofs damaged at Rocklea floods. When great inundation by water by boats going anywhere. Nobody had the occurs, various electric cables and wires are authority to stop them and apparently affected. The average man in the street no-one cared. thinks that, if an electric cable carrying The flood has also proved that there must 10,000 volts or 22,000 volts is inundated, be a national disaster plan and relief fund the fuse will blow and the cable will be dead. and victims must know as soon as possible It has to be realised that aqua pura, pure water, is an insulator and does not conduct what help will be forthcoming and how electricity at all. It is only impure water soon. that conducts electricity. Lt does not follow It is an unfortunate trait of human nature that, because a wire is in water or on the that now, six weeks after the floods, those ground the fuse will blow. It is guineas to persons who were not individually concerned gooseberries that it will be alive. The first are losing interest, and the spirit to help thing that the public generally must be made others is fast fading. This does nothing for the aware of is that an electric cable on the morale of the flood victims. Moreover, the. ground will probably be alive. The resist­ paltry compensation handed out to them is ance is such that it cannot pass the amount unbelievable. of current necessary to blow the fuse. Most One resident of Bale Street, Rocklea, was persons seem to think that the fuse will offered $640 to carry out repairs for which blow. They have to be taught to realise he had received a quote of $6,000. A builder these dangers. suggested that he knock the house over and start again. Mr. K. J. HOOPER (Archerfield) (10.52 p.m.): In entering this debate I should like I know of a family that had $300 in the to take the opportunity to refute a dishonest bank. A month before the floods the husband and misleading statement made by the had surrendered his life assurance policy and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Welfare received $1,500. As a result, his claim for flood relief was rejected. He subsequently Services in this House earlier today. He complained to me and on his behalf I made said that the Australian Government refused representations to the Premier's Department. to make 50 service dwellings at Ipswich To the credit of Mr. O'Gorman, who was available to house flood victims. The the acting head of the flood relief plan, he Minister must have been smoking opium gave the man $800. when he said that. Had he taken the oppor­ tunity to consult the Premier or the hon­ Rocklea is a suburb of battlers and ourable member for Ipswich West, he would pensioners who didn't cry out as loudly as have learned that his statement was false. the residents of, say, Jindalee. Therefore, Any empty R.A.A.F. houses in Ipswich have they were virtually ignored. I certainly did been flood affected and R.A.A.F. families not notice the Army transporting a load of are waiting to return to them. Fifty-one gas or kerosene refrigerators to Rocklea. houses were empty as a result of the flooding. Today the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Twelve have now been re-occupied and 12 Welfare Services shed tears on behalf of more will be re-occupied in the near future. the residents of Rocklea. I state quite The remaining homes will require more time emphatically that the residents of Jindalee for structural and electrical repairs. Homes received favoured and privileged treatment which were empty before the floods were during the flood. occupied by flood-affected R.A.A.F. As to compensation, the insurance com­ families. I repeat that the Minister's panies have lived up to their well-deserved accusations were false. He either knew they reputation of being thieves and fine-print were false or he makes wild statements merchants. All they are interested in is 2696 Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood

making money from high-rise office blocks The Rocklea overpass, which is a massive and sheep stations. Of course, this Tory earth-filled construction, acted as a dam and Government will not criticise its wealthy held back the water, which completely backers. It was not until the Building inundated the homes on the eastern side of Workers' Industrial Union began to talk of Rocklea. Whilst from an engineering point bans on the construction of insurance com­ of view the overpass may be a very good pany office blocks that the Government structure, in the recent floods it proved to decided to act. However, I am not over­ be nothing more than a disaster. The confident of a satisfactory outcome. A mild Nyanda overpass is proposed to be of slap on the wrist will be administered, and similar construction. Will this make the that will be the extent of the Government's suburb of Rocklea a potential lake between displeasure. two giant dam walls? Has the Department of Main Roads considered this? More If an investigation by the Insurance Com­ importantly, do the engineers looking down missioner is warranted now, it was certainly from their ivory tower in Boundary Street warranted some weeks ago. This Tory care? Government makes it appear, rightly or wrongly, that the union's ban has stimulated On behalf of the residents of Rocklea, I the Government into taking action. It is suggest that the sooner the Government typical of the Government to wait for a implements a decent flood-mitigation scheme situation to develop before taking action; it to alleviate the flooding in Rocklea the can never innovate or lead. better. The small businesses, which are vital to Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Baram­ every suburb, were ignored and were expected bah-Premier) (11.1 p.m.), in reply: After to get themselves back onto their feet. listening to the honourable member who has The unfortunate thing about suburbs like resumed his seat I wonder how he ever Rocklea is that instead of raising sheep or got into Parliament. Obviously he does cattle the residents would rather raise not know what is happening; he does not children. Of course, if they had chosen to read the Press; and he is quite unacquainted raise sheep or cattle they would have received with reality. Judging from his speech it a better deal from the Government. would seem that the Government is merely looking at insurance policies and the like The main cause of the floods was a at the moment. cyclone, which at one stage remained almost stationary over the city and its surrounding Mr. K. J. Hooper: Tell us what you have areas. The bank-up of water was caused by the done. inability of local creeks and the Brisbane Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: If the honour­ River to handle the run-off. The bank-up able member were to read the newspapers water had to lie somewhere, and the building and be a little more alert he would know up of the natural flood plain, in some areas that on 7 February-this matter has been to a height of 6 feet, resulted in water being reported in the various news media on many forced into areas that hitherto were not con­ occasions-! met Mr. Rutherford, the Insur­ sidered to be flood prone. ance Commissioner. We had discussions at There is considerable doubt as to the that point of time-a whole month ago­ power to stop the building on or filling in but the honourable member suggested that of flood plains. The Brisbane City Council this should happen now. maintains that it has power to approve or On the whole, I thank honourable mem­ disapprove of the actual building erected on bers for their contribution to the debate on the flood plain, but does not have the power the motion. Over all, they have been very to prevent the developer from building up constructive in their suggestions, which I the flood plain as a base for a building. have appreciated. In an attempt to take the heat off the Government, the Department of Justice The Leader of the Opposition made one contends that this is not so. Of course, the or two suggestions that rather startled me. result is a stalemate. Filling is allowed to He said that we should have invoked a proceed, and the seeds are thereby sown state of emergency. I take it that he would for another major disaster. have done so. He suggested that thereby we could have seized or taken over, homes The greater proportion of the Archerfield belonging to people on holidays, away shop­ electorate escaped the floods. Minor flooding ping, or absent for one reason or another. He occurred at Inala and in The Blunder area, said that, so long as the homes were empty, but, by contrast, the suburb of Rocklea was we should have put people into them. I completely submerged. On a house-for-house take it that that would apply to his own basis the suburb of Rocklea suffered more home if there happened to be no-one in it devastation than any other metropolitan at the time. This is a rather serious issue. suburb. In fact, practically every home in He said that people should have been put Rocklea was devastated. into vacant hotels, motels, or anything of The natural flood plain along Stable that nature. He completely overlooked the Swamp Creek has been filled in to a large fact that these people were put into homes degree from Coopers Plains, through Rocklea or were transferred into shelter areas and and across to the Brisbane Markets. cared for. It is quite unusual for a leader Queensland Flood [5 MARCH 1974] Queensland Flood 2697 of a party to suggest that, in a free society, and Caribou aircraft, and he has the audacity we should commandeer people's homes if and hide to claim that nothing happened, they happen to be empty, or if nobody when he knew what had happened. is there at the time, whether they are fur­ Dr. Rex Patterson, for whom I have nished or unfurnished. very high regard and who works very closely The Leader of the Opposition said that with me, flew through Mt. Isa a few moments I was opposed to the raising of a flood before I landed. He continued on to Darwin. appeal fund. The truth is very much to When he arrived there, he communicated the contrary. I do not know the back­ with me to find out what was happening and ground of th~ letter to which he referred, to lend his support to the whole organisation. a copy of whrch I have here. The Govern­ Considering those matters, it is rather unusual ment took the initiative in raising funds for a supposedly responsible honourable mem­ for the whole of Queensland, not for any ber to speak as the honourable member for particular part of it. A great deal of Mt. Isa did. money has been raised, and a great deal of Inspector Chippindall was in constant com­ money has passed through my department. munication with me about the organising of The Leader of the Opposition made a food supplies and communications. I spoke great song and dance about the stipulations to Inspector Chippindall several times from :elative to $140 a week income, plus $1,000 Brisbane. Things did happen in Mt. Isa, m the bank. He overlooked completely right from the very beginning. The honourable that the Commonwealth officers and, indeed member claimed that nothing happened until Commonwealth Ministers, ultimately endorsed there was a flood in Mt. Isa and I suddenly our action up to that time and agreed that woke up. I had already been in the south­ they would slightly liberalise the conditions western and central parts of Queensland and but only to a very limited extent. I thought around Brisbane long before that. It is the that the Leader of the Opposition was, in honourable member who woke up. He did effect, condemning his own Federal colleagues not once ring me. I do not know what in this matter. Those are some of the he was doing. He certainly did not seem a.spects raised by the Leader of the Opposi­ to do anything for Mt. Isa at any time. tiOn that I thought were perhaps a little A Government Member: He never has. political. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: He never has Apart from thanking other speakers for while I have had anything to do with him. thei~ kind remarks about the Government, I wrsh to refer to two other speeches. The I wanted to oorrect those matters. first was made by the honourable member Wherever I went-Mt. Isa, Mornington for Redlands, who sought to be rather poli­ Island, N ormanton, Cairns, J ul[a Creek and tical on the whole issue, while we tried to Richmond-! spent almost until midnight keep politics out of the debate. The second on the phone to Brisbane and making phone speech, which was made by the honourable calls to each inspector of police organising member for Mt. Isa was completely irrespon­ sible. On this occasion he acted as he has and getting things moving. ~cted on former occasions when he very much An Opposition Member: What did the misrepresented the truth. I am surprised that Minister do? he should be prepared to come to this House and, by means of a prepared docu­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I am the ment. do what he did on former occasions Premier and I was on the spot. The Minister when I tried to help him. Indeed I helped followed me. I worked through the Minister him very considerably, and spoke very and his department in Brisbane. I make it strongly for him in Mt. Isa. I also took clear that I will not accept deliberate untruths him to schools and did very many things such as those spoken by the honourable in his interest. It was despicable of him member for Mt. Isa tonight. It [s regrettable to read a speech in which he condemned that we cannot depend on a man who is the Inspector of Police at Mt. Isa, because supposed to represent people more fully than Inspector Chippindall did a tremendous job. he demonstrated tonight when he could not In addition, the honourable member con­ stick to the truth. demned Inspector Hugh Low, the Police I think I have covered the whole situation. Commisioner and the whole organisation I reiterate my deep thanks to the police at that worked in close touch with Inspector every centre, every organisation, and all Chippindall, the mayor of Mt. Isa and respon­ those people who worked in the wonderful sible businessmen in Mt. Isa to keep the way they did. I thank several honourable lines of communication open and the supply members, including the honourable member of food flowing into Mt. Isa as freely as for Mackay, who made worth-while sug­ possible. gestions to overcome this whole problem The honourable member said that nothing of the possibility of future floods and the happened when I went to Mt. Isa. I was action that might and should be taken. sitting beside him at the dinner table and Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to, I left his side to ring Brisbane and make arrangements for the use of the Hercules The House adjourned at 11.9 p.m.