Questions without Notice 2 November 1984 ASSEMBLY 1781 Friday,2 November 1984 COSTIGAN ROYAL COMMISSION REPORT The SPEAKER (the Hon. C. T. Edmunds) Mr ROSS-EDWARDS (Leader of the took the chair at 10.35 a.m. and read the National Party)-I refer the Premier to the prayer. many recommendations made by Mr Cos­ tigan in his report regarding legislative changes, which are necessary and urgent, QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE and the fact that ready acceptance of those recommendations was reached in principle by the Premier. In the light of those recom­ FEDERAL GOVERNMENT mendations, will the Premier give further PAMPHLET ON SCHOOLS consideration to this Parliament meeting in Mr JONA (Hawthorn)-On my last day's the first fortnight of December to bring sitting in Parliament, I raise with the Min­ about these legislative changes. I refer him ister of Education the 2015th issue I have to four particular areas where the need is raised in this Parliament, over the past 21 obvious: The Lotteries Gaming and Betting years. I ask the Minister whether he is aware Act, the Crimes Act, the Building Societies that the Federal Government pamphlet Act and the Bail Act. entitled "Improving Australian Schools" has Mr CAIN (Premier)-The Government been banned by the Western Australian responded quickly to the recommendations Labor Government for distribution within that were made. As I recollect, some 24 of Government schools in that State on the those recommendations affected Victoria ground that it is mere Federal election solely or in part, and the Government made propaganda, and that there have been moves decisions in respect of some eighteen of to ban the distribution of that booklet in them. As for the remainder of the recom­ other States. Will the Minister ban this mendations, consultation will take place. I highly political and offensive document am not prepared to reconsider the decision from distribution to Government schools that was made in regard to the sitting of this within Victoria? Parliament. I would not believe, even in Mr FORDHAM (Minister of Educa­ those areas where a decision has been made tion)-I thank the honourable member for by the Government with regard to the what I expect to be his final question after recommendations, that the consideration many, many years of service to the Vic­ and consultation as to the detail could prop­ erly be given within the time frame sug­ torian Parliament. I wish him well in his gested by the Leader of the National Party. retirement. I am sure his decision was a wise one. In relation to the matter the The matters dealt with in the recommen­ honourable member raises, I am not famil­ dations are complex in almost all regards. iar with the pamphlet to which he refers, or, The only one which I could say would indeed, with any decision being made by require a simplistic approach is in the area the Western Australian Government. of the penalties for starting-price bookmak­ ing offences. That is the only area in which However, I am conscious of the efforts there could be a seat-of-the-pants judgment being made by Governments throughout should the maximum fine be $5000 or Australia to keep very much in touch with $25 000. As for the remainder of the mat­ their communities to ensure that people are ters, they require proper consultation with aware and informed of initiatives and atti­ the agencies concerned. tudes of Governments so that they are bet­ ter informed when making judgments about Having heard numerous complaints from the present and future. I have no doubt that the opposition parties about supposed lack the document to which the honourable of consultation, if the Government were to member refers, as prepared by the Com­ do what is suggested, the opposition parties monwealth Government, is in that line. would complain about lack of time to con­ However, I shall examine the matter and, if sider the issues involved. I do not intend to there are any difficulties, I shall inform the rush into these matters. honourable member further. Mr Ross-Edwards-Do nothing! 1782 ASSEMBLY 2 November 1984 Questions without Notice Mr CAIN-That is not a fair comment there shortly. This is good news for all Vic­ the Government has moved Quickly to put torians and it is good news for the people at in place a whole range of recommendations Portland. It emphasizes that the Govern­ that have been made already. It has acted ment's policy of moderation, conciliation, Quickly on prosecutions. There have been and following the processes, ensured that a ongoing prosecutions with spectacular suc­ successful conclusion was reached. cess. The Government has acted Quickly to indicate its response to the various and con­ HOSPITALS siderable recommendations that have been Mr LIEBERMAN (Benambra)-In view made. of the deepening industrial crisis in Vic­ toria's public hospitals, including the cur­ EMPLOYMENT rent strike at the Alfred Hospital, bans at Mr MILLER (Prahran)-The Premier other hospitals, a stopwork meeting being has shown himself to be the most outstand­ held this morning at the Royal Women's ing Premier in the history of the State. In Hospital, and the fact that the Premier view of the significant increases in employ­ intends closing down Parliament now, will ment in Victoria recently, will the Premier the Premier detail measures that the Gov­ inform the House of additional steps that ernment proposes to take to restore hospital have been taken to further improve patient services? employment in the State? Specifically, will he proclaim Victorian Mr CAIN (Premier)-I am very pleased hospitals as essential services under the to be able to say, at the end of the sitting of Act if there is nota total return to work by Parliament, that the Government has in its 2 p.m. today? first term Quite successfully turned the Mr CAIN (Premier)-The last day of the economy around from what it was when it session really is desperation day! Honour­ came to office. I acknowledge that the reces­ able members saw that last night when a sion did not bottom out until April 1983 or motion of want of confidence in the Gov­ thereabouts and, since that time, the Gov­ ernment was moved. The Government's life ernment has created 100 500 new jobs. The was on the line. Three Opposition speakers trend appears to be continuing. spoke, and the Opposition ran away from Money has been set aside in the Budget the motion! That is how seriously the specifically to create new jobs in the State. Opposition takes the Government of this State! Last night's performance was the most It is important that there are good signs of disgraceful performance in the history of expansion occurring throughout the private this State. For the Leader of the Opposition sector. The Government has a very impres­ to move a want of confidence motion and sive record on economic achievement. If walk away from it after two and half or members of the Opposition look out their three hours is nothing short of disgraceful. windows they will see the cranes now springing up around the skyline. Not a word that has been said by the Opposition would lead me to believe the l\tlr Kennett-Where? industrial record of the present Govern­ Mr CAIN-A whole range of projects is ment does not distinguish the present Gov­ under way, or approved to be under way. ernment above all its predecessors. The The record of building approvals over the honourable member should well know that past six months in the central business dis- the matter he raises is in hand. It is under trict alone speaks for itself. - consideration by the two Ministers con­ The most significant of those projects cerned-the Minister for Industrial Affairs singly is the Alcoa aluminium smelter at and the Minister of Health. The honourable Portland. I was pleased to learn that this member should also know that the Govern­ morning the Full Bench of the Conciliation ment has the track record in the resolution and Arbitration Commission handed down of industrial disputes. its decision on demarcation of the work for I ask honourable members to consider the smelter. The joint venturers are confi­ just one set of figures-the Government's dent that decision will be accepted without record as compared with that of the pre­ problems and that work will recommence vious Government, and the number of days Questions without Notice 2 November 1984 ASSEMBLY 1783 lost in the present Government's term of COMMONWEALTH-STATE office as compared with the days lost under FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS the former Government. I am confident that Mr ROWE (Essendon)-My question any industrial dispute in this State can and without notice is directed to the most out­ will be resolved in accordance with the standing Treasurer of this State. Can he practices followed by the Government. inform the House what progress is being made in improvin~ Commonwealth-State PROMOTION CAMPAIGN OF ROAD financial relationshIps? CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY Mr JOLLY (Treasurer)-I thank the Mr HANN (Rodney)-Can the Minister honourable member for his question. He of Transport advise the House who author­ takes an active interest in economic matters ized the television promotion campaign by and is an asset to the Government. As honourable members are aware, Victoria has the Road Construction Authority? long been discriminated against in tax-shar­ Honourable members interjecting. ing arran~ements, as has been recognized The SPEAKER-Order! The House will by both LIberal and Labor Governments in come to order. I ask the honourable mem­ this State.