Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1965

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

1576 Stamp Acts Amendment Bill [ASSEMBLY] Questions

TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER, 1965

Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m.

QUESTIONS

GOVERNMENT EXAMINATION OF TowNsviLLE ToWN PLAN l\1r. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- ( 1) Did the Government set up a com­ mittee to examine and report on the impact of the Brisbane Town Plan and its ordinances on the rights of the citizens and ratepayers? (2) Has his attention been drawn to an article in The Courier-Mail of November 11, wherein he was reported as saying, inter alia "The Government had tried to be fair, not narrowly to the Council, but to the citizen and ratepayer as well"? ( 3 ) If so, will a similar committee be appointed and similar assurances given with regard to the Townsville Town Plan, and, if not, why not? Answers:­ (!) "Yes." (2) "Yes." (3) "As the occasion demands, so the decision will be made."

PAYMENTS BY S.G.I.O. TO DocTORS FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION CASES Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Treasurer,- For the last twelve months for which figures are readily available, (a) what was the total amount paid by the State Govern­ ment Insurance Office to doctors in respect of workers' compensation, (b) how many doctors received payment, (c) what was the average amount paid to each doctor, and (d) what was the highest amount paid to any doctor? Answer:- "The information requested under headings (a) to (c) is not readily avail­ able and would require a deal of research and dissection which I do not feel is justified. However, for the year ended June 30, 1965, the total amount paid to doctors and physiotherapists and chemists either directly or by way of refunds to claimants for amounts paid directly by them, was £344,105 16s. 2d. The highest amount paid to any doctor was £7,866 17s. Might I add that I am deeply touched by the Honourable Gentleman's tender solicitude concerning my health, which I can happily assure him is quite needless. Indeed, I am advised that my only risk of ever contracting Questions [16 NOVEMBER] Questions 1577

an ulcer lies in my occasional fears vacation of premises, on the Form of that he himself might suffer an aphasia, Vacation Notice furnished to the something that on balance I would Department." infinitely regret." (3) "There are twelve (12) companies included in the twenty-seven (27) bake­ houses mentioned in the Answer to BREAD MANUFACTURE IN BRISBANE Question No. (1). It is not the policy Mr. Sherrington, pursuant to notice, asked of the Department to make public detailed The MiniQueensland the Factories and Shops Acts do not University for the first time in each of the require the reason to be shown for the years from 1957 to 1964, inclusive? Answers:- ( 1) "The requested information relating to the Scholarship, Junior and Senior Examinations is-

Scholarship Junior Senior Year Number Number Number Number Number Number Sat Passed Sat Passed* Sat Passed*

1956 ...... 15,123 11,081 7,938 7,726 2,212 2,038 1957 ...... 17,703 12,375 9,597 9,332 2,984 2,710 1958 ...... 20,831 16,439 9,869 9,632 3,244 2,950 1959 ...... 25,753 20,393 11,809 1!,477 3,876 3,:578 1960 ...... 29,311 23,430 14,184 •• 3,618 3.336 1961 ...... 26,511 22,211 19,003 •• 4,203 3,849 1962 ...... 27,338 24,019 22,363 18,350 5,ll2 4,688 1963 ...... 21,861 20,472 6,586 6,057 1964 ...... 21,107 20,444 7,643 7,281

*Numbers passing in one or more subjects. ** Figures not available." (2) "The requested information relat­ AVAILABILITY OF THEATRE IN BRISBANE ing to University undergraduate enrol­ FOR ELIZABETHAN THEATRE TRUST ments is- Mr. Murray, pursuant tu notice, asked The Premier,- Year Enrolment In view of the current controversy and public concern caused by the announce­ 1957 1,578* ment that Her Majesty's Theatre will 1958 2,017* shortly commence to show films and that 1959 2,066 1960 2,553 the Elizabethan Theatre Trust will now 1961 2,694 exclude Brisbane from its short term plan­ 1962 2,821 ning, will he consider initiating consulta­ 1963 2,978 1964 3,320 tions with the Lord Mayor or perhaps representatives of the Trust in order that Brisbane and Queensland can, at an early *These are total new students enrolled date, regain the opportunity to enjoy and include some who were not under­ cultural equality with other States in the graduates. More detailed information is fields sponsored and encouraged by the not available." Trust? 1578 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

Answer:- the ratio of Australian/Overseas investment "Yes. In fact, discussions on this par­ equities as being the general pattern ticular matter are already under way with applying to financial arrangements operat­ ing in this State. I view the overall scene the Elizabethan Theatre Trust." by taking due cognisance of the oppor­ tunity offering, and of which full advantage is being taken, to the Australian investor in the field of the ancillary AUSTRALIAN EQUITY IN QUEENSLAND development that flows from the major DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS project. These avenues, while involving a Mr. Murray, pursuant to notice, asked The lesser capital appetite, are providing an Premier,- attractive return and I would venture to ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to an say that a critical examination of the article in The Australian of November 11, source of funds employed might provide which stated that the American Company, the indication of an imbalance in favour Utah, could not find an Australian com­ of the Australian sector. I can give every pany to share in investment in the Black­ assurance that my Government will wel­ water coal development project? come to this State all overseas capital invested with the design of assisting in (2) Will he advise whether he is aware Queensland development and participating of any other instance of failure by overseas in the rewards from the progress which interests to attract Australian equity in will result. I am satisfied these benefits developmental projects in this State? will justify my confidence in this State now and for the future." ( 3) In view of this State's vital need for and shortage of developmental capital, will he make a statement on this matter in PURITY OF MT. GARNET WATER SUPPLY order that overseas companies who fail in Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked an endeavour to attract local equity will The Minister for Health,- not be discouraged from investing in Queensland development by the type of As Mt. Garnet residents have been statement emanating from the Opposition? advised to boil all water as a precaution against stomach upsets, as reported in The Courier-Mail of November 12, will he Answer:- have an investigation of Mt. Garnet water made in order to ascertain what steps are "It is my understanding that the basis necessary to ensure that the health of the offered by the Utah Development Com­ people is safeguarded? pany for Australian financial participation in the activities of the company in this country was not an attractive enticement, Answer:- having full regard to the demands and "The statement which appeared in The opportunities presently existing in the Courier-Mail of November 12 advising investment field both in this State and the Mt. Garnet residents to boil all water as a other States of the Commonwealth. How­ .precaution against stomach upsets was ever, it is also my understanding that the investigated by the Department's district company has obtained the full measure of health inspector in Cairns. There had been a finance it sought with the result that it is few cases of mild diarrhoea in the Mt. fully capable of undertaking the business Garnet area and the Medical Officer of operation it seeks. The question of Health suggested all water used by babies Australian equity in development has for should be boiled. This is a routine pre­ some time been the subject of a variety caution when giving water to babies. The of comment and observation and irrespec­ Mt. Garnet ambulance superintendent when tive of the merits and demerits of par­ addressing a meeting of women advised ticular cases that might be quoted, I feel them of the doctor's suggestion but he was that due regard must be had to the overall misunderstood. It is understood that the availability of funds for investment pur­ statement has since been corrected." poses and the tempo that we seek to apply to the development opportunity which is presented by this State of Queensland. Major developmental projects demand tre­ HIGH-LEVEL RAILWAY BRIDGES OVER mendous sums of money and whilst MULGRAVE RIVER AND BEHANNA CREEK my Government is doing everything within Mr. Davies for Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to its financial capacity to assist in this surge notice, asked The Minister for Transport,- forward by the State, I must say that I ( 1) Have estimates been completed for am deeply conscious of the fact that outside the construction of high-level railway funds are necessary to ensure that, in the bridges over Mulgrave River and Behanna commercial sector, the undertakings that Creek? are desirable now, and indeed necessary for the future, are brought to fruition. I (2) If so, when will tenders be called for am not prepared to accept isolated indivi­ the replacement of the existing low-level dual examples of particular imbalances in bridges? QuestioltS [16 NOVEMBER] Ministerial Statement 1579

( 3) If not, will he seek to eliminate dis­ ERROR IN DEPARTMENTAL REPORT ruptions to rail traffic in every wet season in the far North by preliminary planning Mr. SPEAKER: I have to inform the and construction of these high-level House that, an error having been discovered bridges? in the report of the Department of Works which was tabled in the House on 19 October, Answers:­ I have authorised an erratum slip to be issued by the Government Printing Office to all (1) "No." recipients of the report. (2) "See Answer to (1)." PAPERS (3) "Departmental engineers inform me that there are many other major bridges to The following papers were laid on the be planned and constructed in the State table, and ordered to be printed:­ with a higher priority than the two bridges Reports- mentioned by the Honourable Member." State Government Insurance Office (Queensland) for the year 1964-65, MASTER FISHERMAN'S LICENSE IN together with Schedules and Returns CALOUNDRA AREA as at 30 June, 1965. Mr. Bmmley, pursuant to notice, asked Commissioner of Main Roads for the The Treasurer,- year 1964-65. ( 1) Has a special license to net fish The following papers were laid on the north of the boundary in Bribie Passage table:- been granted to a fisherman? If so, why Orders in Council under- was this concession granted in view of The State Development and Public the fact that the netting boundary in the Works Organisation Acts, 1938 to Passage is set one mile south of Bell's 1964. Creek? Section 647 of The Criminal Code. ( 2) Will this license, if it has been granted, affect the sport for line fishermen? Reports- Queensland Coal Board for the year Answers:­ 1964-65. (!) "No." Audit Inspector's-On the Books and Accounts of the Queensland Coal ( 2) "See Answer to Question (1) . A Board for the period from 18 August, master fisherman's license has been granted 1964 to 12 August, 1965. in the Caloundra area conditioned so as to permit the licensee to take only bait fish such as herrings, hardiheads and gar. The MINISTERIAL STATEMENT license does not permit the licensee to use his bait net in waters closed to net OFF-SHORE PETROLEUM LEGISLATION fishing generally." Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Minister for Mines and Main Roads) (11.12 a.m.), by ACTION AGAINST PARENTS OF RAPED leave: I desire to make a statement and CHILD FOR NEGLECT inform hon. members concerning off-shore petroleum legislation. Mr. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The Hon. members will recollect that over the Minister for Education,- past few years there has been considerable Has his attention been drawn to the activity in off-shore petroleum exploration report in the Telegraph of November 11, in Australian waters, and, in particular, that five children had been left in a station adjacent to Queensland's coastline. As sedan outside a beer garden at Nerang Minister for Mines, I have granted a number unprotected by their parents, who were of off-shore authorities to prospect for drinking in the beer garden until 11 p.m., petroleum. However, the legal position in and that one of the children was criminally relation to off-shore petroleum is confused assaulted by a person named Breckenridge? and consequently a series of Commonwealth­ If so, what action has he taken or does State conferences has been held to resolve he intend to take against the parents for the position. their apparent neglect? At the last such ministerial conference, held in Brisbane on 1 and 2 April this year, Answer:- I was able to announce, as chairman, that "! have viewed the article the subject agreement had been reached between the of the Question in the Telegraph news­ States and the Commonwealth on this matter. paper of November 11, 1965, and have It was hoped to introduce legislation in this viewed a report of the circumstances of session to confirm such agreement. However, the case in question, but it is not con­ this has not proved possible. Accordingly, sidered that the actions of the parents it has been agreed that today, in each State concerned on the occasion in question House of Parliament and in the Common­ were such as to amount to a contravention wealth House of Representatives, the respec­ of the law." tive State Mines Ministers and the Minister 1580 Ministerial Statement [ASSEMBLY] Ministerial Statement for National Development will issue a of the agreed arrangements and the basis of, common statement on this matter, and I will and understandings behind, such arrange­ now proceed to read such common ments and evidencing the intention of all statement. parties. The Governments of the Commonwealth The legislation proposed by both the and of the Australian States have reached Commonwealth and the States will include agreement on a system of legislation to provision for the application in off-shore control and safeguard the exploration for, areas of the general body of law in force and exploitation of, the petroleum resources in the adjacent State or Territory. This in Australian off-shore areas, both within will include both State and Commonwealth and beyond territorial limits. laws and will apply in off-shore areas in relation to the exploration for, and exploita­ Interest in exploring the petroleu:n resources has quickened considerably m tion of, petroleum. recent times. However, apart from Territory The legislation will also include a mining ordinances the Commonwealth has at present code devised by the Commonwealth and the no legislation governing this sort of activity. States in co-operation, and providing for a All States, as well as the Northern Territory common set of principles to apply to all and the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, off-shore petroleum operations anywhere have granted exploration permits under their around the Australian Coast, but allowing existing legislation, and the Commonwealth sufficient flexibility to enable the peculiar has granted subsidies for exploration of circumstances and problems off-shore from some of these areas. The discovery of any individual State or Territory to be met. natural gas in the area of Bass Strait is The administration of this legislation will be encouraging, both to the companies concerned in the hands of the States and Territories, and to the country as a whole. It is hoped save only that the States have agreed that the that further exploration will bring fresh Commonwealth will be consulted on all discoveries of both oil and natural gas. aspects which may affect the Common­ wealth's own special responsibilities under A series of conferences, extending over a the Constitution in matters such as defence, period of more than two years, has taken external affairs, health, immigration, customs, place between the Commonwealth Minister navigation, and so on, and that in these for National Development, the 3tate Mines matters the States will give effect to Common­ Ministers and the Commonwealth and State wealth decisions. Attorneys-General. The Minister for Because of the very natural interest in Territories has also been associated with the the principles of the off-shore mining code discussions. The discussions have been on the part of companies currently holding limited to resources of petroleum, whether off-shore tenements or contemplating off­ in gaseous, liquid or solid form. shore exploration, I propose now to give The objectives in the extensive Common­ a brief outline of the basic principles which wealth-State discussions that have been taking will be included in the legislation to be intro­ place have been to work out a scheme duced both by the Commonwealth Govern­ that would give certainty of legal title to ment and by the several State Governments. operators in off-shore areas who undertake These principles have been agreed between the substantial expenditures involved in off­ the respective Governments and will be sub­ shore exploration and exploitation, and, at mitted to the Parliaments. the same time, would enable constitutional The general run of existing State petroleum issues to be put on one side, thus avoiding legislation provides for a three-stage system, constitutional litigation of the kind that has that is, a permit to cover basic exploration, been going on in the United States for many a licence over a much smaller area which years. The several Governments have gives permission to carry out drilling opera­ mutually agreed that without abating any of tions, and a lease to cover the production their constitutional claims-that without stage. The new off-shore legislation will abandoning those claims--they should try to be a two-stage system. A permit will cover arrive at a concerted policy with common all stages of exploration including drilling, administration and with complete agreement and a licence (equivalent to a lease on between them as to what is to happen. This land) will cover production. has been achieved. Under the scheme a permit may be issued That it has been possible to reach this initially for a period up to 10 years, or, agreement is a unique tribute to the strength having been issued initially for a lesser of our Federal institutions, and I think that period, may be extended to a total life of we may take satisfaction in the thought that 10 years. If its duration exceeds two years, statements similar in content are being, or either as an initial grant or because of will be made in all Australian Parliaments­ extension, such duration shall be divided into thus demonstrating the unanimity of purpose successive specified periods and there will be of the several Governments. provision for reduction of the areas of the The scheme agreed to by the Governments permit at the ends of such periods. This will be effected by Commonwealth and State is to encourage companies to concentrate legislation in similar terms which will be their efforts on the most prospective areas presented to the several Parliaments pursuant which they discover but not at the same to a formal agreement between the Common­ time hold large off-shore areas which are wealth and the States, setting out details not being effectively explored. Ministerial Statement [16 NOVEMBER] Ministerial Statement 1581

Companies holding permits will be required of Northern Australia this results in to carry out exploration work in accordance graticular blocks of a little over 30 square with programmes approved by the State miles in size, reducing as one moves south Mines Ministers or by the appropriate until in Bass Strait the blocks are approxi­ authorities in Commonwealth Territories. mately 25 square miles. Reduction in size There will be provisions requiring operations is of course brought about by the fact that to be carried out in such manner as will not minutes of latitude decrease in length interfere unjustifiably with navigation or between the equator and the South Pole. fishing, or with the conservation of the living resources of the sea and the seabed, with Following a discovery of petroleum within underwater cables or pipelines, or with min­ a permit area, the permittee will be asked ing operations for minerals other than to nominate a graticular block which will petroleum. then become the centre of a group of nine graticular blocks which, for purposes of Rental will be payable to the States or simplicity, will be known as a location. Each Territories at an annual rate of 2s. Od. per side of the location will be three blocks in square mile but not exceeding the sum of length. From within this location of nine £1,000 for any permit area. This is a graticular blocks a permittee will be entitled comparatively modest rate, but it is the view to select any four blocks and to be granted of the several Governments that companies a production licence covering such blocks. should be encouraged to spend as much as The permittee will have at least two years possible in actual exploration. Rentals will in which to make his selection, and this be kept by the States. period may be extended to four years if the There will be many other details cus­ State Minister (or the appropriate authority tomarily found in petroleum legislation, such in Commonwealth Territories) considers as a requirement that operations be carried further time is needed for adequate explora­ out in accordance with good oilfield practices, tion and assessment of the area of the that proper safety procedures be observed, location. Those graticular blocks which are that reports be submitted at specified not selected by the permittee will be excised intervals, together with provisions for the from the permit area and may be disposed of voluntary relinquishment of a permit, and by the States or Territories by tender. The also for cancellation if the permittee fails original permittee will have the right of to comply with the terms and conditions first option over any such graticular blocks laid down in his permit. at the top price offered by any other tenderer, provided that if the top price offered is not I deal now with the the granting of pro­ considered satisfactory, allocation may be duction licences. In the event of a permittee deferred and the blocks re-advertised. The discovering payable petroleum, he will have proceeds from the sale of these blocks will a preferential right to a licence for pro­ be retained by the adjacent States. duction. Licences will issue for periods of 21 years, with the licensee having the lt will be noted that this arrangement right of extension, provided he has satis­ will enable the permittee who discovers factorily carried out the conditions and petroleum to secure as of right a licence covenants of his licence, for a further period for production over an area of 100 square of 21 years. During the first 21 years miles or more, according to latitude. This royalty will be payable at the rate of 10 is the normal maximum size of a lease per cent. of value of production at the well­ currently provided for in State legislation. head. The second 21 years will be divided The permittee has the right to nominate into three 7-year periods, during each of the central block of the location so that he which the royalty may be varied by agree­ can have the location established over the ment between the several Governments. area which he thinks will most suitably Further extensions of the licence may be cover the geological structure in which he granted. The effect of this is that an operator is interested. The permittee has a secon.i is assured, provided he carries out his side choice in that he can take his pick of four of the bargain, of holding his licence area, blocks out of the nine constituting the for at least 42 years and that during the location. There will be no limit to the first half of this, the royalty rate will be number of licences that may be granted to fixed at 10 per cent. of value at well-head. any one company. This arrangement, we Royalties will be divided on a 50 : 50 basis be!ie·ve, is fair to the permittee, while at between the Commonwealth and the adjacent the same time taking into account the State. The disposition of royalties in the national sentiment that the Australian people case of the Territories will depend on the as a whole should benefit appropriately from general financial relationship between the the development of our natural resources. Commonwealth and the particular Territory concerned. If the block nominated as the centre of a The method by which areas of a licence location is so positioned that to make it the for production will be determined is of centre of a location of nine graticular blocks interest. The Commonwealth and the States would encroach on areas already included have agreed that there shall be established within other locations or would encroach on over off-shore areas a graticule system of other permit or licence areas, the location block areas, the size of each graticular block pertaining to the discovery and its nomin­ to be 5 minutes of arc of latitude by 5 ated block shall be limited to that number minutes of arc of longitude. In the areas of graticular blocks which are not already 1582 1\finisterial Statement [ASSEMBLY] Death of Mr. T. M. Crow/ey encumbered, and the permittee will be Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I will consider allowed as of right to choose blocks over the hon. member's request and put it to the which he will be granted production licences proper authorities. according to a laid down scale. For instance, if the location is limited to seven blocks, the permittee may be granted licences FORM OF QUESTIONS over four. If the location is limited to four Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) pro­ blocks the permittee may be granted a licence ceeding to give notice of a question- over two, and so on. A permittee who discovers payable Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. mem­ petroleum will also have a preferential right ber's question is along the lines of one of to a pipeline licence for the purpose of which notice has just been given by the bringing his product ashore by a reasonably hon. member for Kedron. direct route. Mr. TUCKER: There are other points in I should like now to deal with the position it, too. of companies holding tenements issued by the States or Territories. Throughout the discus­ Mr. MURRAY (Clayfield): Mr. Speaker, sions between the Commonwealth and the I desire to direct to the Minister for Mines States, the Commonwealth has made clear and Main Roads a question that is of the its intention, wherever possible, to honour same nature as the one the Deputy Leader tenements which have been issued by States of the Opposition asked you. Is it appro­ or Territories and accepted by companies in priate for me to ask it? good faith prior to the passage of Common­ wealth legislation. There will be provisions Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member ir, the legislation relating to the confirmation for Kedron was out of order in asking me of existing tenements for the unexpired the question. Is this a question without period of their life, and to this end, confirma­ notice, or is it to go on the Business tory permits may be issued temporarily with Paper? boundaries that do not conform to the graticular system which I referred to above. Mr. MURRAY: It is a question to go on the Business Paper. Existing tenements are of comparatively short duration. Many will expire in 1966, a Mr. SPEAKER: The hon. member may few in 1967 and 1968, while four run until proceed. 1969. As mentioned earlier, the new legis­ (The hon. member for Clayfield proceeded lation will provide for permits of up to 10 to give notice of a question.) years' duration. Some companies may there­ fore prefer to be issued with a new permit Mr. MELLOY (Nudgee) proceeding to give under the new legislation. Others whose notice of a question- permits have only a comparatively short time to run, may find it more convenient to have Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member's their old permit confirmed for the unexpired question is based on supposition. period of life. This will be a matter for Mr. MELWY: May I finish the question? negotiation between the companies and the State Mines Departments. The Common­ Mr. SPEAKER: The hon. member may wealth and ~he States have agreed together finish the question. I will decide on it later. on the general principles under which con­ firmation should be handled. DEATH OF MR. T. M. CROWLEY This, then, is a summary of the intention of the Commonwealth and the States with MoTION OF CoNDOLENCE regard to off-shore petroleum legislation. I emphasise tchat the proposed system has Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough­ been designed to ensure security of title and Premier) (11.40 a.m.), by leave, without tenure to off-shore operators, to avoid costly notice: I move- and time-consuming litigation, and to estab­ "1. That this House desires to place lish an effective and legally sound adminis­ on record its appreciation of the services trative regime supported co-ope·ratively by rendered to this State by the late Thomas the Commonwealth and the States. Martin Crowley, Esquire, a former member Legislation will be brought down during of the Parliament of Queensland. the next session of Parliament. "2. That Mr. Speaker be requested to convey to the relatives of the deceased Mr. LLOYD: May I ask you a question, gentleman the above resolution, together Mr. Speaker? Apparently in anticipation of with an expression of sympathy and legislation coming forward, the Minister has sorrow of the members of the Parliament made quite a lengthy ministerial statement of Queensland in the loss they have sus­ on a matter that is of great importance. As tained." this Parliament is to be party to an agree­ ment with the Commonwealth Government The late Mr. Crowley was known to quite and other State Governments, I am wonder­ a number of the members of this House ing whether the opportunity will be given to because of their association with him while the Opposition of debating this matter. he was a member, and also as a result Death of Mr. T. M. Crow[ey [16 NoVEMBER] Death of Mr. T. M. Crowley 1583 of his frequent visits here, until a few organisations which were concerned with the months ago, following his retirement from development of North Queensland. With Parliament. During the time he was a his brother Dan, in Cairns, he had a very member of this House as the Labour mem­ long and tremendously dedicated association ber for Cairns, from 3 May, 1947, to 19 with the A.L.P. I remember that when May, 1956, he was a very sincere advocate I first entered Parliament in 1951 Tom for the far northern part of this State. He Crowley was away in, and he asked me retained his interest in the development of to attend to his correspondence and other the Far North right up to his death in business during his absence. He said to me Sydney last month, at the age of 63. at that time that his life seemed to be It must have been a great source of beset with tragedies and frustrations. I satisfaction to Mr. Crowley to know that believe that could have been so. The many of the things for which he strove numerous sorrows he suffered during his during the time he was in this House became life and immediately after entering Parlia­ realities during his lifetime. For example, he ment seemed to affect his health, and possibly was a consistent advocate for the promotion his political career in Queensland. of mining development in the northern part Early in his life, Mr. Crowley was a cane of the State. He sought better road com­ farmer in the South Johnstone district. He munications, closer settlement and decen­ later took on tobacco farming, and later tralisation of industry. Being a native of again he went back to the sugar industry, Innisfail and a cane-farmer in that district this time in Mossman. He married the before entering Parliament, he was also a daughter of the late Percy Pease, a former strong advocate for the expansion of the Deputy Premier of this State, and had a northern sugar industry. As a member of family of seven children. He was a very the Cairns Regional Electricity Board he kindly man, one who was fond of his family. firmly believed in the need for increasing His eldest son, Jim, served with distinction the power-generating capacity of the North in the Air Force in the last war. Unfortu­ by the further development of hydro­ nately, following his discharge from the Air electricity possibilities in the northern part Force, while Mr. Crowley was on his farm of the State. in Mossman, Jim was killed in a tractor For many years he was a member of the accident. The tragedy of his wife's death in Cairns Hospitals Board and was a persistent 1961 alsQ had an adverse effect on Mr. advocate for securing medical specialist ser­ Crowley's health. vices for the Far North. He played a very Mr. Crowley was highly respected in this prominent part in public affairs in North Parliament, as well as in North Queensland. Queensland, being an alderman of the Cairns He knew the value of dedicated work not City Council, Chairman of the North Queens­ only in Parliament, but also outside it. His land Local Authorities Association, member family can rest assured that every member of of the Cairns-Mulgrave Water Authority this Parliament who knew Tom Crowley Board, Deputy Chairman of the Ambulance during the time he was with us respected him Brigade and northern representative of the for his kindly disposition and dedicated spirit Broadcasting Advisory Committee. and knew the great deal he did to assist in Hon. members will also remember his keen the development of this State during his advocacy for reforestation and the fact that period in Parliament. On behalf of the he never lost an opportunity to emphasise Australian Labour Party, I join with the the economic and prestige value of North Premier in offering the late Mr. Crowley's Queensland's fine cabinet woods. family our deepest sympathy. The late Mr. Crowley's loyalty to the Far North was matched only by his loyalty to his Mr. R. JONES (Cairns) (11.47 a.m.): I family-he was the father of three boys desire to associate myself with the motion. and four girls-and to the Australian Labour Thomas Martin Crowley was well known to Party, of which he was a member throughout me in my early association with the Labour his adult life. He was a very loyal and movement and the Australian Labour Party very dedicated member of the State. He in Cairns. As a matter of fact, my first Vote made a worthy contribution to the progress on attaining the age of 21 years was cast in of the State and it is appropriate that this his favour in 1947 when he first entered this fact should be placed on record. Assembly. He represented, from 1947 to 1956, the electorate of Cairns which I now I am sure all hon. members will join represent. with me in expressing to the late Mr. Crowley's relatives our sincere sympathy in Mr. Crowley was a sincere man. We all the great loss they have sustained. know in this House that he was a true humanitarian. He tried, to the best of his Mr. LLOYD (Kedron) (11.44 a.m.): On ability, to serve the Cairns electorate well. behalf of the Australian Labour Party and He was a hyper-sensitive and over-generous. I believe, too, on behalf of Mr. Crowley's He was certainly a most sincere and con­ family, I thank the Premier for moving scientious advocate for North Queensland. this motion of condolence. I join in many As a member of Parliament, he answered the of the comments the Premier has made dictates of his conscience and was always about the late Mr. Crowley. He was very loyal in his support of the Australian Labour actively engaged in all associations and Party. 1584 Death of Mr. T. M. Crowley [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The loss of Mr. Crowley's eldest son, Jim, daughters), to his brother Gerry and all his in a tragic accident on the cane farm in relatives and friends, our expressions of Mossman in 1958, after his retirement from regret at his passing. I feel ve·ry sincerely the political field, affected his health and that his relatives and friends will find in this his health gradually deteriorated. The loss motion of condolence at least some consola­ of his wife in 1961 was a further blow. I tion in the knowledge that the Premier, the was informed that, like his wife, he was Deputy Leader of the Oppos,tion, and all taken suddenly by a heart attack. In his other members of this Assembly have, by case he was simply reaching for a cigarette special resolution, expressed their apprecia­ when he received the call from his Maker. tion of his service to the State. Tom Crowley was the youngest of four Motion (Mr. Nicklin) agreed to, hon. Crowley boys born in Innisfail. Dan and members standing in silence. John predeceased him. The eldest brother, J ames Gerald, better known to all in Cairns 1PARLIAMENTARY CONTRIBUTORY as Gerry, lives in Cairns, and is still in the SUPERANNUATION FUND ACTS brokerage business there. Gerry was a former AMENDMENT BILL member of the Johnstone Shire Council. All four Crowley boys attended the Good THIRD READING Samar1tan Convent in Innisfail. The father carried on a cordial factory business there, Bill, on motion of Mr. Nicklin, read a and later sugar farming in the Goondi and third time. Daradgee areas. When their father died, Tom and Dan moved to Townsville in about LAND TAX ACTS AMENDMENT BILL 1924 and took over the Excelsior Hotel. In those days they were avid supporters of the THIRD READING Rugby League code, and the Crowley Cup was well known in intercity football. Bill, on motion of Mr. Nicklin, read a third time. Mr. Crowley was married in Townsville in 1926 to Miss Kathleen Pease, youngest SUPPLY daughter of Mr. Percy Pease, who was then RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-ESTIMATES­ member for Mourilyan in this Assembly, and EIGHTH AND NINTH ALLOTTED DAYS who later became Minister for Lands and subsequently Deputy Premier. In 1928 Mr. (Mr. Gaven, South Coast, in the chair) and Mrs. Crowley moved to Cairns, where EsTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1965-66 Dan and Tom traded as wholesale wine and DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND HOUSING spirit merchants and grocers on the corner of Aplin and Sheridan Streets, and became well­ CHIEF OFFICE known identities. Tom later conducted a Debate resumed fwm 11 November (see forwarding and produce agency business. p. 1548) on Mr. Bjelke-Petersen's motion- In Cairns, Tom Crowley took an active "That £346,354 be granted for 'Depart­ interest in civic affairs. He served for many ment of Works and Housing-Chief years on the Queensland Ambulance Trans­ Office'." port Brigade Committee, and for 10 years was a member of the Cairns Hospitals Board. Mr. BRO!'t1LEY (Norman) (11.55 a.m.): In He was elected an alderman of the Cairns introducing these Estimates, the Minister City Council in 1938 and served three terms mentioned with some degree of pride the till he was elected to this Assembly in 1947. total expenditure on buildings. I do not He also served as a member of the Cairns know why he did, because if one peruses Regional Electricity Board, and was an active carefully the report of the Department of committee member and supporter of the Far Works for the year ended 30 June, 1965- North Queensland Racing Association and I am sure most hon. members have done Cairns Jockey Club. His interest in Rugby so--one sees that the expenditure has League never waned, and during those years decreased by 3 ·57 per cent., or by £360,692, in Cairns he was vice-president of the compared with that for the financial year Brothers Football Club. He was one of the 1963-64. This is very unfortunate in view three Queensland appointees to the Australian of the following statement relative to repairs Broadcasting Commission in 1947, and was and maintenance of Government buildings vice-president of the Cairns branch of the appearing on page 1 of the report- Australian Labour Party from 1928 till 1947, "This Department is responsible also when he was elected a member of for the repair and maintenance of Govern­ Parliament. He was a good husband and a ment Buildings throughout the State and go-od father to his seven children, all of has pursued its policy of general inspec­ Vvhom, with the exception of his eldest son, tion that every consideration might be Jim, who, as I mentioned earlier, was extended to the priority requirements of accidentally killed when a tractor overturned, proper care of Crown assets in buildings, survived him. etc." On behalf of the people of the Cairns Unfortunately, this has not been done in electorate, I express to Percy and Bob (his the past 12 months, because the report goes sons), to Val, Denise, Deirdre and Sally {his on to say that there has been a decrease Supply [16 NoVEMBER] Supply 1585 of £103,109 on the previous year's expendi­ is interested in them. But nothing has been ture on the repair and maintenance of done. The people in my electorate do not Government buildings. say it is bad representation because very many have said that I at least am trying The report continues- to do what is required for these schools. "It has been necessary to defer other essential projects and this action must Mr. Davies: You are a good member. result in additional costs as further deter­ ioration of buildings will be experienced Mr. BROMLEY: Of course I am a good until funds can be made available for member. I am the first to agree with the these maintenance works." hon. member for Maryborough. In the light of complaints that hon. mem­ At one time I invited the former Minister bers have received from public servants about out to Buranda. He came out and looked the conditions under which they are working at the tennis court. I do not wish to delay I think this is a rather scandalous situation: the Chamber too long on this point, but In fact, less money has been spent not because these are small schools we cannot only on the upkeep of public buildings but raise the money necessary to improve the also on the provision of improved working grounds and the tennis court. The grounds conditions. have been in a shocking condition for many years. It is virtually impossible for teachers Mr. Ramsden: Would you say they are at the Buranda Girls' School to get down any better off now than they were under from the school to the oval. The only way Labour Governments? they can do it is through the grounds of the boys' school and down some steps. Mr. BROMLEY: The hon. member for Merthyr lives in the past. He even wanted I think a flight of steps should be built Evans Deakin's shipyards shifted. He does in this schoolground and it should be the not wish to see progress; I do. responsibility of the department to build it. I cannot see why it should be the respon­ The Minister also mentioned the expen­ sibility of the parents and citizens' association diture on schools and said that the amount to find the money necessary to build steps spent on primary schools in the year ended in school grounds, particularly when they 30 June, 1965, was greater than that spent are absolutely necessary. There has been in the previous financial year. I do not so much erosion of the soil owing to heavy ~eny that; in fact, I am very happy about rain that large gutters have developed, 1t. However, I am not very pleased that making it difficult, if not impossible, for not both the Department of Works and the only the teachers to reach the oval but the Department of Education have consistently pupils as well. refused to spend money on two schools in my electorate---or, at least, to spend very At this stage I wish to pay a tribute to little on them. There may be concern all the employees of the department, includ­ about conditions in primary schools through­ ing the Under Secretary of the Department out the State, but I shall deal specifically of Works, Mr. David Longland, for the with the Buranda Girls and Infants' School excellent work that has been done in other and the Buranda Boys' School. Not one places. I am not denying that some work penny has been spent by the Department has been done. The various reports indicate of Works on either of those schools. that. I pay due tribute for what has been done, even though, as I said earlier, nothing Mr. Ramsden: Probably bad representation. has been done at the schools to which I referred in my electorate. Mr. BROMLEY: It is not bad representa­ tion. If the hon. member for Merthyr says Having said that, I say finally in relation that it is bad representation, he might as to those schools that something should be well blame the Minister for Works or the done by the Minister. He should pay some former Minister. On occasions in the past attention to the matter. Quite recently he, previous Ministers have had the courtesy to the Under Secretary, Mr. David Longland, visit the schools, with departmental officers and other officials of the department visited and . engineers, t? see what work is required, the State high school in my electorate and, par!Jcularly relative to the grounds. Promises much to the pleasure of the principal and have been made that this and that will be others, they were not in any hurry to get done, but the responsibility seems to be away. They spent a considerable time there shuttJing backwards and forwards between looking over what was necessary for com­ the Department of Education and the Depart­ pletion of the school grounds. I express ment of Works. How can the hon. member my gratitude to them for doing that; but for Merthyr say that it is bad representa­ although copious notes were made about tion when the Minister has visited the schools what they could see was required-and once and admitted that the work is required? again promises were given that plans that I could show to the parents and citizens' Naturally, I am very disappointed that association, of which I am president, would the work has not been carried out, because be drawn up--1 have as yet received nothing when promises, either verbal or written, are at all as a result. Some parents are getting made I relay them to the parents and a little impatient. Because the children told citizens' assoc_iation, to the schools con­ them so, they know that the Minister was cerned, to the pupils, and to everyone who out there. To quote quite a few of the 1586 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply children, they reported to their parents, "We in addition to officers in charge of Client were honoured today by a visit from the Departments and Branches of those Minister and his officials." Departments." I do not know whether or not I am From that, it appears to me that without any going to get anything out of this. Some shadow of doubt the Government intends people say that if you attack the Govern­ to do away with the expert day-labour force ment you will get nothing; but if you do which in the past has been, and though deci­ not attack them you get nothing anyway, mated to a great extent, even today is a so I intend to do something about it. I tremendous building force. It understands am not going to follow the pattern set by what is required and what is to be done. It Government members and thank the Minis­ appears to me that this Government is giving ter for the wonderful job he has done, or outside industry more and more work on indulge in the sort of talk that goes on Government buildings that could be done by every time a Government member gets up to day labour. Work is gradually being taken speak. I believe that something should be away from the competent day-labour force done and I intend to hammer the question which was such a feature of A.L.P. adminis­ in this Chamber. tration in the past. Mr. Shenington: Why don't you just The report of the Queensland Housing hammer the Minister? Commission indicates that the profit for 1964-65 was £155,202 16s. 4d. compared with Mr. BROMLEY: I could not do that; he £124,828 14s. 3d. f.or 1963-64. I do not is too much of a gentleman and a scholar, think any Government department concerned and there are not many of us left. with the provision of houses for young The report of the Department of Works people should have any profit motive. Profit refers on page 4, to apprentices. It is should not come into it. If a profit is made revealed that 38 fewe·r apprentices were it should be spent on the upkeep of Govern­ employed within the department this financial ment buildings, but such a department should year. This is a shocking state of affairs at not set out to make profits. a time when we are crying out for tradesmen On page 2 of the same report appears and bringing tradesmen from other countries. a chart giving details of home oonstruction I am not against bringing tradesmen into over the years. This is the sort of thing Australia from other oountries, but we should that annoys me when such a Government be giving the children in our own country department talks about making a profit. A the first opportunity to become tradesmen. perusal of the table headed "House construc­ Instead, many of them are being allowe•d tion" discLoses that in the six-year period to enter dead-end jobs where they have no from 1951-52 to 1956-57, under the Labour future. When I was young, everybody said Party Government, a total of 12,208 houses that a person must have a trade to succeed were built by the Government. In a similar and to enjoy security in life. That still period, from 1959-60 to 1964-65, a total of applies today. 10,622 homes were built. This shows that That there were 38 fewer apprentices this 1,586 fewer houses were built in a com­ financial year is a shocking indictment of parable period by this Government. the Government. A perusal of earlier Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: I will tell you the reports indicates that the position with complete story, of course. apprentices has been getting progressively worse year after year, with the numbers Mr. BROMLEY: The complete story is decreasing in the various trades. there. On page 5 the report states- Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: For that part of it. "The increased amount of building con­ Mr. BROMLEY: The complete story is struction in the hands of general contrac­ there. The house constructions table shows tors and the considerable amount of fabri­ it. If the Minister says that I am not telling cation and supply of building components, the whole story he might as well not have furniture, equipment, etc., by sub­ this report printed, because the figures are contract and quotation has called for a there and I have taken them from the report. high degree of supervision in the Govern­ They do not show the Government up in a ment's interest." very good light. I quite believe that. The employees of the Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: I will explain it to department do a tremendous job in super­ you later on so that you may understand it. vising. Mr. BROMLEY: I can understand it. I The report continues- have read it thoroughly. Unfortunately, "A greater responsibility has also been members have only 25 minutes to speak on placed upon the Administration in its con­ these Estimates and we cannot go through trol of the Department's effort to produce the report word by word. For the Minister's the maximum provision of Departmental information, I have made notes on the report requirements. It has been necessary to and in relation to multiple dwellings, etc. maintain pubHc relations with private I have noted that it is very good. There building contractors and suppliers of a it is for the Minister to see-"V-E-R-Y wide variety of materials and equipment G-0-0-D". However, when we consider the Supply [16 NOV.i!MBER] Supply 1587 marriage explosion among young people He then gives the figures. This is a very resulting from the rapid increase in the interesting article. If I had time I would birth-rate after the war-I suppose some of include it all in "Hansard", but as I have us in the Chamber are partly responsible for not sufficient time I shall content myself by that explosion--it is a shocking state of affairs ·reading this section- that fewer homes were built by this Govern­ "Certainly we do not want dearer houses ment than by Labour_ but we definitely do want more of them. The assembly line requires a continuous In 1964-65, according to the report, 1,744 flow of funds." homes were built by the Housing Commission. These figures cannot be contradicted, because We want more funds for rental homes as they are in the report, yet we still see an well as for home ownership. The percent­ amount of £1,370,972 underspent in 1964-65 age of home owners is quite good, but it should be increased. Rental homes should under the Commonwealth-State Housi~ be made available to those unfortunate people Fund. That is shown in the Treasurer's who cannot afford to buy homes. Financial Statement, so I am not mispresent­ ing the figure. The table shows that there The Minister for Works and Housing has been a continual decrease in home owner­ probably gets twice as much mail as any ship since 1961-62. Are those the figures the other Minister, mostly representations from 1Iinister wanted me to speak about? They other hon. members concerning applications show a continual decrease. for State rental homes. I know that, because I have so many people coming to see me During the year 1964-65, 1,744 homes were about this matter, most of the mail I send completed, and of that number 1,039 were out oonsists of representations to him for for home ownership. I agree with the State rental homes. Minister's comment about the Commonwealth home savings grant when he said in answer Mr. Sherrington: And most of the :refusals to my interjection on Thursday last that it you get come from him. was a pity that houses erected on the Com­ Mr. BROMLEY: Yes, they do; almost mission's land were not subject to this grant. every request is refused. If I get a house Unfortunately, not enough people are aware through the Minister within three months of the position. The Commonwealth Govern­ I am doing well. We can consider ourselves ment makes propaganda out of the £250 fortunate if we get one wi~hin six months; grant, yet when young people apply to pur­ to get one in three months it is necessary chase a home on a package deal through the for the person concerned to have a oourt Housing Commission, unfortunately they can­ eviction order. not claim the £250. I sometimes wonder whether there is not a racket somewhere Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: They must have a relative to this £250. It will also be noticed priority. that since the introduction of this scheme, rather strangely, the cost of homes has Mr. BROMLEY: We know the priority increased by a similar amount in the last system. The solution is to build more rental 12 months. homes at the right price. We know what happens relative to private rental homes or Mr. Davies: It is a strange coincidence. fiats. I hope the Minister will take notice of my recommendations and those of other Mr. BROMLEY: It is more than a hon. members in this regard. strange coincidence. In fact, there has been a I am concerned that there appears to be similar upward trend in land prices; not only no definite plan in Queensland for multi-unit has the price of the house risen by that fiats or dwellings for single aged pensioners, amount, but there has been a similar increase of whom there are a tremendous number in in the price of land. That gives rise to the my electorate. Not only can they not afford thought that it is remarkable. to maintain a home, but they cannot live on their own because they are too ill. If It might be interesting for hon. members they were provided with multi-unit fiats, as to know, if they do not know already, that is the case in other States, this Govern­ the provision of funds for housing was down ment would be doing a tremendous job. a fraction at this year's hand-out at the Loan Council in June. I shall quote now Mr. Ewan: Why don't you hop into it and from an article written by John Eddy in the build them with the £2-for-£1 subsidy? "Telegraph" of 5 June, 1965. It is Mr. BROMLEY: When the Treasurer was headed, "Housing brake disappointing," and Minister for Housing he said to me, "If you reads- can get the land in your electorate I will "The disappointment of this week's build· Housing Commission fiats." Evidently meeting of the State Premiers and the I was to be his agent. With due respect to Loan Council was the static allowance of him, I say that the Minister should send a funds for housing. departmental office·r into Norman to see for himself the number of sites for fiats or multi­ "Far from being increased, the unit dwellings which would be suitable for provision was dsown a fraction." these elderly people. 1588 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

I make a sincere appeal to the Minister Mr. RAMSDEN: No. I ask the hon. mem­ to do something for these elderly people ber to listen for just a moment. I think who now live on their own, so that they that what he suggests is acknowledged, so can live in close proximity to the city and I ask him not to jump to conclusions. I to transport in low-level flats, not in high know that he is very impatient. He would buildings with a number of storeys. be a better member if he were less impatient (Time expired.) and more ready to listen than to chatter. Mr. RAMSDEN (Merthyr) (12.20 p.m.): Because of the heavy demand for homes We have just heard a rather amazing speech following the war, rent control was very from the hon. member for Norman. In strictly enforced in order to protect those the first instance, he told the Minister that who had to seek rental accommodation. In printing the annual report of this depart­ the immediate post-war years the demand ment was a mere waste of time. for materials and labour was such that little could be done to remedy the housing short­ Mr. Bromley: I did not say that. age. People therefore contin_ued to liye in substandard, temporary Housmg Commis­ Mr. RAMSDEN: Yes you did. sion flats in former Army camps. These Mr. Bromley: I said that if the figures were flats were allowed to fall into disrepair not accurate, why print it? because, on the one hand, the Government did not want to waste money on temporary Mr. RAMSDEN: It is not a case of the repairs, and, on the other, it did not _wjsh figures being inaccurate; it is a case of the to perpetuate this monstrous way . of hvmg hon. member's inability to read them when which had been forced on repatnated ser­ he sees them. vicemen in the post-war period. That was I should like to follow up what he said, the position that continued till the S:ountry­ particularly in relation to high rents. I Liberal Government came to office m 1957. believe that he has not pursued the full Mr. Davies: Would there be a worse way process of thought in facing up to this matter under the conditions of today. of living than a "monstrous" way? Mr. Bromley: Have you been able to get Mr. RAMSDEN: Yes. If there was a many rental homes for the people in your "monster" sale on anywhere now, I would electorate? sell the hon. member for Maryborough. Mr. RAMSDEN: I hope the hon. member In 1957 we gave a pledge that if does not want to remain ignorant all his life. we were elected to office we would make If he would be content to listen for a while, a frontal attack on this social blot and wipe he would learn something that would help the housing camps from our midst within him in his future thinking. our first three years. History, of course, records that we did that. This meant a rapid One of the most revolutionary things about change not only in thinking but also in modern life is the method of financing homes. policy. I might say that many officers of From the date of the first world war to the Queensland Housing Commissi.on at that the end of the second world war, housing time found it difficult to accept th1s changed was, for the most part, a private matter. thinking and changed policy; but time has It was financed in the main by insurance proved us correct, and I am sure that each companies, banks, and the newly developed and every one of those officers now accepts War Service Homes Division of the Com­ this change of policy. For instance, it w~s monwealth Government. Since World War II realised that the second world war had m there have been great changes in the housing fact brought about an acceptance of ~he situation, caused, as the hon. member for doctrine that housing was the sole functwn Norman rightly said, by the sudden demand of government. Whereas for many years for homes following the return to civilian life prior to the war housing had, for the most of so manv sailors, soldiers, and airmen part, been the responsibility of priv~t~. enter­ who had married under the urgency of war. prise and very little the responsibility of H"d there been no second world war, no the Government, with the coming of peace doubt the old method of financing homes in 1945 we found the pendulum swinging would have sufficed. With the demobilisa­ to the opposite extremity and private enter­ tion of the armed forces, the country was prise having but an infinitesimal part of the suddenly faced with an urgent demand for responsibility for housing. homes at that point of time, not some time in the distant future. Mr. BromJey: It could not handle it. The Government of the day-I refer Mr. RAMSDEN: No, not under the particularly to the Government of the day impossible conditions facing the Labour in Queensland-was therefore faced with a Government. I will deal with that in a new economic and social problem. To over­ moment. come it. o!O camps of the armed forces were converted to rough-and-readv dwelling It was this concept that had to be chal­ units through the agency of the Queensland lenged and a new and more balanced Housing Commission. approach accepted. So the Country-Liberal Government realised the problem and Mr. Davies: Was there any alternative? preached the doctrine that housing in a Supply [16 NovEMBER] Supply 1589

modern age cannot remain the function of in his electorate. Barely a street in the government alone, and we must accept that. electorate of Merthyr-particularly the New But we must accept, too, that the private Farm area-has not at least one multi-storey sector has its part to play in solving the block constructed, or in the course of con­ housing problem in a State whose population struction, since rent control was lifted. is expanding as rapidly as is Queensland's. Mr. Melloy: Who can afford to rent or buy In the 1954 census the total population those places? of Queensland was 1,318,259, and it had increased to 1,518,828 in the 1961 census. Mr. RAMSDEN: Be patient. It was estimated that by 1964 the population Mr. Melloy: We have been patient for the would have risen to 1,589,011. Although last eight years and we are a bit sick of it. it may be argued that a total population increase of 270,750 is only a minor growth Mr. RAMSDEN: Hon. members opposite over 10 years, for it is only an average were always sick of it. growth of 27,075 per annum, these figures have greater significance when one looks at Now let me say that in many streets a the record of the State's vital statistics for number of these multi-unit buildings are the last eight years-the period in which the going up. In addition, one has only to look Country-Liberal Government has been in at the large number of private subdivisions office-and sees that the number of marriages with houses erected on them, from Mt. in that period are- Gravatt to Mt. Coot-tha and from Aspley Year to Ipswich, to see the result of this wise No. of marriages policy. 1957 10,271 1958 10,255 I should like now to quote from Bureau 1959 10,581 of Census and Statistics Bulletin No. 60 for 1960 10,277 1965, which was laid on the table only this 1961 10,392 morning. It states- 1962 10,642 "Of the total dwelling units approved, 1963 11,431 1,164 were houses, of which 998 were for 1964 11,752 private ownership and 166 for Government For every marriage that takes place a house ownership, while 456 were individual flats, is required ultimately, and the Government etc. (all for private ownership). has applied itself vigorously to this housing "The number of houses approved for problem in two ways, in spite of the private ownership (998) was approximately "knocking" of the Opposition and the 50, or 5 per cent., more than the high incorrect claims made by hon. members number approved in each of the preceding opposite. three months, and was only slightly below the near record total for March, 1965." Opposition Members interjected. I appreciate that many of the buildings of Mr. RAMSDEN: If hon. members oppo~ which I speak, especially the multi-storey site have an answer to this, let them get to units, which cater for the business couple their feet and give it. I am quite certain or the retired couple, do little to house the that they have not an answer. family man; but surely it must be obvious to The Government's first approach to this anybody with a modicum of intelligence that problem was to apply the maximum amount by housing the limited classification of people of money available in each year to housing, that they do, these units release the family not only through the Queensland Housing units for those who cannot be housed in Commission but also through co-operative multi-units. housing societies and the older media that Of course, rents are high. They must be. have always been in the housing field. This If a man invests capital in building a house, meant that the most that could be done at or units, or flats, to house other people, he Government level of responsibility was in is not doing it merely to solve the housing fact being done; but the Government rea­ shortage; he is doing it because, with a lised, as I said, that the private sector had shortage, it is a prudent field to invest in a part to play in the solution of the problem so long as he can earn the same rate of and could play its part if the correct interest as he could get from some other encouragement was given to it. type of investment-in fact, a little higher if he can get it, because he has to allow for So, on a couple of occasions, again in spite depreciation, repairs, maintenance, and, in of the opposition from the benches on the some cases, vandalism. other side of the Chamber, we have pro­ gressively eased up on rent control. It is The hon. member for Norman said, "Let quite true that, as a result of this, rents us build more houses at cheap rentals, rentals rose. At the same time, it had the desired that people can afford." I will go with him effect. It opened the way to those with all the way, but I am afraid we must be investment money available to invest it in realists. We have heard in this debate state­ the building of flats, home units and so on, ments by hon. members condemning rentals and this facet of housing is very noticeable as too high. Let us take a look at some of in my own electorate. The hon. member the interesting figures and see the reason for for Norman mentioned the units going up these high rentals. 1590 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Let us see, if we can, what are the basic is equivalent to 233 per cent. These factors behind the sharp rise in housing rents. additional wages affect not only the cost of I have had some figures taken out for me new constructions but maintenance costs covering a number of points which all have on existing houses as well. a bearing on rising rentals. Firstly, of course, there are construction costs. According to the Rentals, of course, must be relative to Queensland Year Book for 1956, in 1949-50 the increased cost of building materials and the average cost per square for brick homes wages. But yet a third factor enters into was £175, for timber homes £134, and for calculations here. I refer to local authority fibro-cernent homes £120. According to rates, which I can illustrate best by referring Bureau of Census and Statistics Bulletin to two actual cases I have obtained from No. 48 of 1965, costs for the quarter ended the records of the Queensland Housing Corn­ June, 1965, had risen to £291 a square for mission. A certain unsewered dwelling in brick homes, £280 a square for timber homes 1950-51 had a rateable valuation of £100, and £261 a square for fibro-cernent hornt:s. and the rates levied at that time were The latest issue of the Bureau of Census £15 9s. 11d. In 1965-66 the same dwelling, and Statistics Bulletin, No. 60 of 1965, still unsewered, has a rateable valuation of states- £495, and the rates now levied are £40 Ss. 2d. The second case is that of an unsewered "The average estimated costs per house dwelling whose rateable valuation in 1950-51 approved in September, 1965, compared was £80, the rates levied at that time being with September, 1964, were as follows:­ £13 16s. 9d. That dwelling has since been Metropo!itan- sewered, and its rateable valuation is £488 £ in 1965-66, and the rates levied amount to 1965 4,154 £48 ls. 4d. 1964 4,074 When we take these factors into account­ Other cities and towns- the cost of building materials, wages and £ local authority rates-and then add the yet 1965 3,790 further cost in the case of new constructions 1964 3,535 of the increased price of land, we must surely All shires- realise that the rise in rents is not in fact £ outrageous, nor is it due to rapacious land­ 1965 3,715 lords. I point out that if the Lord Mayor 1964 3,117 has his way under the Town Plan ordin­ "The following were the average ances, especially those relative to the fiat­ estimated costs per house for the nine rate charges for water and sewerage installa­ months ended 30th September, 1965, corn­ tions on new subdivisions, new construction pared with those for the nine months will have to carry an even greater burden ended 30th September, 1964:- of present-day costs to meet the increased Metropolitan- development requirements of local govern­ £ ment in Brisbane. 1965 4,148 Newspaper advertisements for rental 1964 3,924 accommodation show that the greater pro­ Other cities and towns- portion of the rental accommodation is for £ one bedroom and two-bedroom fiats only, 1965 3,763 which would be unsuitable for families with 1964 3,546 children. Many fiats are furnished and have All shires- wall-to-wall carpets and so on, which of course, means an increase in the rent charged. £ 1965 3,386 Let us now see just how rents have risen 1964 3,265." over the years. I do not want to be mis­ Two factors control construction costs, quoted on the figures I am about to give. I namely, building materials and labour. want to make it quite clear to the Committee Dealing first with building materials, let us that the figures I quote are not actual figures. take the wholesale price·s index for a three­ They represent the average weekly rental year average to 1939 as being equal to 100. for the metropolitan area of Queensland, and On page 294 of the 1951 Queensland Year they are obtained from the relevant census Book we find this index for 1949-50 is the papers. It is, of course, obvious that these equivalent of 225. On page 339 of the rental figures cannot be actual. No-one 1964 Queensland Year Book the index for would imagine he would pay the same rental 1963-64 is shown as the equivalent of 469 for a fiat in New Farm as for one at, say, an increase of 108 · 4 per cent. in the whole: Woodridge. I repeat that the figures I am sale prices of building materials. about to quote have been derived by the How do wages affect building costs? census people from averaging the rents The basic rate. for a carpenter, painter, throughout the metropolitan area as disclosed plumber and dramer at 1 January, 1951, was on the census forms. £10 7s. a week. On 20 September, 1965, it The census disclosed that in 1947 the was £24 a week. The rates I have given are average weekly rental for a private dwelling for South-east Queensland. The increase in was £1 3s. 10d. and for a fiat £1 10s. 7d. the period, amounting to £13 13s. a week, The 1961 census showed that the average Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1591 weekly rental paid for houses of wooden Every member of the Committee, at one construction was £3 6s. lOd.; brick time or another, would have been approached £4 10s. lld.; concrete £3 17s. 9d.; and by constituents wanting Housing Commission fibro-cement £3 9s. 5d. For wooden fiats accommodation for themselves and their the rental was £4 2s. lOd.; brick £5 Ss. 6d.; families. I have had the experience on concrete £4 4s. 7d.; and fibro-cement several occasions of a mother and father £4 5s. 6d. Not unnaturally, the average with up to seven children, with nowhere weekly rental, in view of those figures, can to go, seeking assistance from the Housing be expected to be higher today. Commission. While I have the utmost sympathy for Recently a mother and father with five the hon. member for Norman, who wants children were given notice to vacate, before low-priced housing and low rentals for his Christmas, the very unsatisfactory and constituents, in spite of what the Housing uncongenial accommodation in which they Commission and the private sector of the are now living. They have not sufficient community are doing in the field of housing, money for a deposit and there are no rental with the rising cost of labour, building houses in the area which can be made avail­ materials, land and roads, I just cannot see able to them. That is a difficult position for how we can get lower rentals than those anyone to be in. I realise there are many that exist at present. reasons for people being in such a position. Sometimes it is because of their improvidence, It is sufficient to say that this Govern­ but very often it is because of circumstances ment, because of its changed thinking and over which they have no control. The its policy on housing generally, and by instance I have just quoted falls into the convincing the private sector that it has a second category. The Minister was very part to play in the construction of homes sympathetic and co-operative in this case. for the people, has done a tremendous job He is prepared to accept a lower deposit than to overcome the shortage of houses which is usually required and will do all he can arose as a result of the violent marriage to improve the position and provide these explosion following the second world war. people with a home. Whether they will In spite of the "knocking" by the Opposition, accept those conditions or not, I do not and everything that Opposition members have know. said to the detriment of the Government, I have always been a keen believer in we have proved in our nine years in office home ownership. I have advised everybody that we have done a better job than Labour who has approached me in this regard to ever attempted to do after the war. do his utmost to obtain a home for himself. Rent, like the brook, goes on for ever, and Mr. R. Jones interjected. creates no equity at any time. There is a difference of opinion on whether the deposit Mr. RAMSDEN: Again we have the insular required from a borrower is too high. The outlook. The hon. member knows that I was Minister says that a certain specified sum of in Cairns a few weeks ago and construction money is allocated to his department. If the work is going on all over that city. If the amount made available to individual bor­ hon. member visited his electorate he would rowers is increased, there must be a propor­ know that. tionate decrease in the number of homes that (Time expired.) can be built. Nobody could dispute that statement. The deposit of only 10 per cent. Mr. COBURN (Burdekin) (12.45 p.m.): is nominal. In most circumstances it does The annual report of the Queensland Hous­ not apply. ing Commission gives those who are pre­ Parents who have two children--one boy pared to read it very valuable information and one girl-require a three bedroom on the Commission's activities. On the first house. Today, a wooden house, which is page the report deals with the scope of the cheapest construction, cannot be acquired the Commission. for under £4,200 to £4,500 with deposits of £700 and £1,000 respectively. Few people In my area, where there is no co-operative can pay those amounts, and consequently housing society, we are concerned with the those requiring houses have to delete from aspects of the Queensland Housing Com­ their plans certain things that they regard mission which deal with- as essential or continue to struggle till they Making advances available to borrowers have sufficient money for the required who have their own land and choose their deposit. It is a moot point whether it own design; would be better to increase the amount available to these borrowers or to leave the Commission land being made available position as it is now. I am one who believes to borrowers who choose their own design that, to assist those who today are faced with and will buy the property under a con­ higher prices for houses, consideration could tract of sale; be given to increasing the amount of £3,500 now made available. The provision of rental houses; and Another great difficulty experienced in my Rental houses the tenants of which have area is the refusal of most building con­ sufficient money to purchase them. tractors to tender for Housing Commission .1592 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply homes. In the Ayr district there are some borrowers. A man under 40 years of age who excellent, competent, reliable, and trust­ can get a certificate of good health from worthy building contractors whose work com­ the medical officer and whose income does pares favourably with that of other builders not exceed £1,040 per annum when he makes anywhere in the State. Only one of them, the application for the advance qualifies for however, will submit tenders for Housing free insurance. Therefore, if the owner of Commission homes in the area. This means the house dies before the amount borrowed that there is no competition in prices, as has been repaid in full, the house becomes he knows that there will be no opposition the wife's property free of debt. I under­ from the others. So inundated is he with stand, too, that if the wife is the owner and Housing Commission work that there is a delay of 50 weeks from the time he signs she dies, the husband gets the house free of a contract till he starts to dig the post debt. holes. I have seen the benefit of the scheme I have asked the other building contractors already. A middle-aged man with a family why they refuse to submit tenders for Hous­ of five was killed in a motor-car accident ing Commission houses. Invariably they tell while going to work. The whole of the pro­ me that too much frustration is caused by perty was made available to his wife and the inspectors of the Commission and by family free of cost, which was of great the imposing of unnecessary conditions. They benefit to them. say there is too much interference with what they are doing. When they put in £1,040 per annum is £20 a week, which concrete blocks, for instance. they have to is a fairly high income. However, in sugar­ wait for the inspector to arrive and inspect growing areas in which a big expansion pro­ them. If he does not happen to be on the gramme is being implemented, particularly job or in the district, they have to wait in the mills, certain classes of workers are till he comes or shift their men about, which working an excessive amount of overtime generally disorganises their work and and, consequently, their incomes are abnor­ increases costs. mally high when they apply for free insurance. I submitted one case to the Mr. Ewan: Don't you think that is a carry­ Minister, who adopted a very realistic and on from what went on before 1957? sympathetic attitude. He said that if the overtime was something that would not Mr. COBURN: I do not know. I am last, he would regard the man's ordinary speaking about what is happening now. income as his usual income. Unfortunately for the man on whose behalf I made the They also tell me that they exnerience application, his employer said that the expan­ difficulties in obtaining payment. They say sion would go on for a long time and it was that the Commission is too slow in making expected that his overtime would be fairly pavment to them. They have to pay wages constant. As a result, the man could not and for the materials that they use. and late get the benefit of the free insurance. How­ payments by the Commission sometimes place ever, I explained to him that, through the them in emh:Jrrassing positions. These are State Government Insurance Office, he could things that the builders have told me, and I provide himself with cover similar to that am sure the Minister will be pleased to hear provided by the Housing Commission, and them because he will now be able to check I told him that if he got in touch with the them and perhaps bring about a changed attitude towarrls Housing Commission work. S.G.I.O. it would quote him a premium for The Minister knows the great difficulty that that amount of cover. I suggest to the he and I had in getting contractors to build Minister that in all cases in which borrowers two houses at Giru The first nrices ~uhrnitted from the Housing Commission do not qualify were so unreasonable that they were ridicu­ for free insurance, included in the papers lous. Someone had to be brought in from sent to them should be a circular from the outside the area to build those two houses. State Government Insurance Office outlining the premium they would have to pay to give One of the contractors in A vr told me them a cover equal to that under the free that he would be prepared to build a group insurance scheme. Many of them neglect of Housing Commission houses because he to take out insurance, and a wife with a could then arram~e his work in such a way that there would be no disorganisation to number of children to care for could hinder onerations. Those are the things experience the utmost difficulty in keeping that the builders tell me, and the Minister up payments after her husband died. But if and I know what the position is in that her husband paid insurance premiums, finan­ area. Jt is trne that only one contractor in cial hardship would be avoided. If the Avr will submit tenders for this work. and the Queensland Housing Commission and the one tender that was received for the work State Government Insurance Office co­ at Giru was so outrageous that it could operated, every borrower who did not qualify not even be considered. could have sent to him, when other papef!l Another matter associated with the Hous­ were forwarded to him to sign, an advertise­ ing Commission to which I wish to refer is ment showing just what was available to him the free insurance available to certain if he wanted to take out an insurance policy. Supply [16 NOVEMBER) Supply 1593

All things considered, because of the great Mansions, which are another fine example of amount of work done by the Department of architecture with a history attached to them. Works within the Burdekin electorate, I sup­ One wonders whether the Supreme Court pose I have little to complain about and should not be remodelled also. I think every much to be thankful for. However, the effort should be made to preserve it for people in my electorate have been somewhat posterity because of the tradition associated annoyed and frustrated by the department's with it and its beautiful architecture. refusal to provide small amenities. For instance, when there is an earth closet system, However, my point is that all these things with all its dangers to health, at a school, can be done and all that money spent, yet, and the department says it cannot provide when I asked for a residence for the head a septic system because of shortage of funds, teacher at Millaroo I was told that although it is rather annoying to read in the news­ it was on the list of residences to be con­ papers that the Government intends to spend structed, funds were not available for it this £16,000,000 on new buildings between the financial year. Again, conditions at the Ayr Supreme Court and Parliament House. State School are intolerable. &>me of the rooms are so badly ventilated, so poorly [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] lighted, and become so hot during the summer months that it is almost unbearable Mr. COBURN: As I said previously, we for both teachers and children and it is get tired of being told so frequently that the almost impossible to work in them. little necessary things that would make for Today a schoolroom 24 feet by 24 feet more congenial living f.or school children is considered necessary to accommodate 35 cannot be provided because of lack of funds, children. It is not hard to visualise the while at the same time £16,000,000 is con­ discomfort of teachers and children at the jured up from somewhere to provide palatial Ayr primary school when classrooms of the buildings between the Supreme Court and following size are provided for the number Parliament House. I have no objection to of children as shown:- that proposal-! think those buildings are very desirable and that the proposed park lands between them would have any sensible Number of person's support-but there should be a Room Dimensions Pupils placing of first things first. Ft. When I came into this Parliament in 1950 A 161- X 21 40 Government departments had the same build­ B 18t X 21 43 ings as they have today, and since then have c 18i X 21 31 been added the Taxation Building, Harris D 18t X 21 33 Court, the Mansions, the large building on E 18t X 21 44 the corner of Alice and Edward Streets and F 18t X 21 40 the buildings in South Brisbane that are now G 18f X 21 39 in use. They seemed to house their public H 18f X 21 38 servants in the metropolis at that time with­ out very much difficulty. Unless there has been a great acceleration of Parkinson's law Room A, which is only 16-} ft. x 21 ft. during that period it is hard to believe that caters for 40 pupils, which means that there now that those additional buildings are in use is less than a square yard of floor space it is still necessary to have in Brisbane three to each child, and that does not allow for more buildings, to cost £9,000,000, for office space occupied by desks, seats, presses, tables accommodation for public servants. I have or any other furniture. excluded from that figure the addition of the When we ask for adequate accommodation Health and Welfare Building, which is to be so that conditions will be bearable for the opened very shortly. children while they are being taught, we are In connection with the construction of told that funds are not available. Recently these three proposed buildings, one wonders when asked by somebody on the Opposition whether it is necessary to demolish the exist­ side to provide something the Minister said, ing buildings and replace them with structures "If you can pull the money out of a hat we will do it for you." Some conjuror must of an architecture that is not nearly so attrac­ have magically pulled out £16,000,000 from tive. I have not been able to make a close somewhere for the Government to provide enough examination of the question to argue the proposed buildings in Brisbane. First it one way or the other, but when one looks things should come first. Adequate accom­ at the beautiful building housing the Govern­ modation and ventilation in schoolrooms is ment Printing Office, with its foundations of of the utmost importance so that children enormous granite blocks and the beautiful can work under comfortable conditions. architecture of its superstructure, one wonders whether something ought not to be The Ayr High School is growing very rapidly, done to remodel it and to save its general with 591 pupils at the beginning of last year. design. The building that will replace it will In his annual report the principal remarked not be of the same architectural standard as that accommodation was stretched to the the present building. I do not know utmost last year. He said that the rooms whether it is proposed to demolish the were overcrowded because they were not 1594 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply of the standard size of 24 ft. x 24 ft. All roof. Within 36 hours the department was that we can get to relieve the position are able to marshal material and employees two temporary rooms under the school. A .from Brisbane, 243 miles away, to replace the new wing should have been provided. roof. That exemplifies how the department reacts in a crisis. The building could have I have no objection to the type of accom­ suffered considerable damage had further rain modation provided by the Department of fallen. Works. The school buildings that have been provided by it are excellent; the work­ There has been a duplication of the Stan­ manship is good, as is the ventilation. The thorpe High School. Residences have been rooms at the old Ayr primary school were erected for the two schools at Goondiwindi built many years ago, and nothing has been and the one at Greenup. A completely new done to remodel them to present-day high-top and a new State School have been standards. Although we have asked repeatedly built at Inglewood. There has been an for improvements, we have been told that extension to the Texas State School and high­ nothing can be done because of lack of top and a duplication of the Applethorpe funds. State School. At present the Cottonvale State School is also being duplicated. Those who have asked us to make repre­ sentations become sarcastic about the different Possibly the most important aspect of the replies that are given when representations building programme is the fact that the are made on their behalf. I have a letter department has taken care of the small bush here which says, "I am also enclosing a schools in the form of extensions, plan of the school that is to be remodelled repainting and rejuvenation. A very good 'when funds become available'." The inverted job has been done to make the small schools commas used in the letter are a sarcastic bright places, fit for social gatherings in the reference to the fact that the writer thinks tiny areas where they are situated. A really the words "when funds become available" good example of the type of workmanship are just an excuse for not doing what should carried out by the department is to be found be done. It is a vindication of their thinking in the Granite Belt Horticultural Station, when, after being told that the Government which was opened only last week. Similarly, cannot find a few pounds to install a septic there is the new Stanthorpe Police Station, system or a few thousand pounds to provide which was air conditioned to meet the rigours a new wing to give adequate accommodation of the winter climate. at a school, these people learn that the Government can spend £16,000,000 on build­ In answer to the interjection by the hon. ings in Brisbane. member for Townsville South a little while ago as to what we should be doing in the (Time expired.) country, I should think that, at the same time Mr. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon) (2.25 as we are spending £16,000,000 on buildings p.m.): The wonderful buildings-particularly in Brisbane-! draw attention to the fact that school buildings-which have been springing this £16,000,000 is to be spent over a con­ up throughout the State in the last few siderable period and the expenditure is years are a credit to the department and the necessary for the able and efficient working Minister. of the various departments, and that it is also a matter of prestige for the capital Opposition Members interjected. city of the State-complementary to this building programme we must have a very The CHAIRMAN: Order! heavy works programme in the country areas to balance the expenditure. After all, the Mr. McKECHNIE: I congratulate the country areas carry a larger population than Under Secretary of the Department of Works, does the city of Brisbane. There should be a Mr. Longland, and his staff on the very complementary building programme because, beautiful buildings that have been erected in for instance, the police station at Goondi­ this State over the past few years. We see windi, which was an old building, was shifted instances of them in school buildings, labora­ many years ago from its permanent site tories, public utilities, and many other build­ to a temporary site pending the erection of ings. To cite one in particular, I mention a new station. I am confident that within the beautiful Health and Welfare Building. a year or so a new building will be erected. Mr. Aikens: Don't you think we should I draw attention to the need for the replace­ spend a bit more money in the country? ment of many public buildings, such as Mr. McKECHNIE: These buildings are of C.P.S. offices and police buildings, in some very solid construction and are certainly small centres, in addition to the £16,000,000 a credit to the staff of the department. scheme that will be implemented in Brisbane. I do not criticise the spending of that amount I am very happy to have many of these in Brisbane. But at the same time we must new buildings in my own electorate, and I spend more in order to bring buildings in intend to refer to a few of them. Firstly, country areas up to the standard set in a new high school was erected at Goondi­ Brisbane. I do not know, nor does the Min­ windi and was finished only last year. I ister I presume, over what period the again compliment the department on a really £16,000,000 will be spent. But it will be wonderful rush job. The school had just a considerable period. More must be spent been completed when a cyclone blew off the in country areas where the facilities are much Supply (16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1595 worse than those in the city. We need better Mr. Sherrington: What deposit are they -I emphasise "better"--conditions in the asking for the houses? country to encourage people to go there. There is a more rigorous climate in the Mr. McKECHNIE: As most hon. mem­ country; it is either hotter or colder than bers are aware, the deposit is 10 per cent. in Brisbane; consequently, we shouid pro­ of £3,500, pius the difference between £3,500 vide first-class facilities in our country public and the price of the house. If the house is buildings. to cost £3,500, the deposit is approximately £350. If the house is to cost £4,500, the I am confident that the Minister will keep extra £1,000 is added, and the deposit these matters in mind and that we will have becomes £1,350. I, with other hon. members this complementary building programme in on both sides of the Chamber, would like the country. Most of Queensland's popula­ to see the amounts required for deposits tion is situated in the country and we reduced by increasing the limit of £3,500. must keep it there. With some buildings If the amount of which 10 per cent. has to there is a degree of urgency; with others the be raised could be increased, that would be work can be spread over a period. to the good. If it is at all possible for the I do not want to be pessimistic. But at Minister to do this, I am confident that he the moment I can forsee, in the not too will. I agree that the amount should remain distant future, that we will have to under­ at £3,500 if the retention of this limit means take public works in country areas to tide that a greater number of houses will be built. us over until we have recovered from the But the moment sufficient finance is avail­ effects and rigours of the present drought. able to increase the basic amount, I should The £16,,000,000 building programme in be pleased to see the Minister increase it Brisbane is a move in the right direction. so that it would be easier for people to build It should be extended to country areas, not their own homes. only to improve the appearance and prestige I agree with the hon. member for Salis­ of our public buildings, but also to counter bury that it is desirable to have as many the effects of the drought and give facilities people as possible housed in their own homes. to those country areas where they are so I believe that home ownership creates badly needed. stability and a pride in homes that is most I support the view that home ownership desirable. should be the policy of the Queensland Housing Commission. I do not doubt that Without begrudging development in the there will always need to be some rental city, I again appeal for greater attention to accommodation. With a hi2h percentage housing in country areas. If my memory of home ownership comes stability in the is correct, I think 71 per cent. of Housing community and pride of ownership, which Commission houses are in Brisbane and only in turn lead to progress and are an indica­ 29 per cent. in 104 centres outside the capi­ tion of the prosperity of the State generally. tal city. That is definitely a lack of balance and is something that we should try to cor­ Mr. Davies: Labour had a higher per­ rect. Only 29 per cent. in country areas is centage of home ownership. not enough, especially when there are towns in which people are prepared to buy every Mr. McKECHNIE: Labour had quite a house that is built. Efforts should be made good record. In 1956, home ownership to serve country areas better. Indeed, I accounted for 44 per cent. of all housing. believe that would be the wish of members That was quite good. In 1965, we find a of all parties. Although I have not the exact much better position. In that year home figures before me, I believe that the Govern­ ownership constituted 60 per cent. of dwel­ ment has a better housing record than have lings, the remaining 40 per cent being for Labour Governments, although none has a rental. Whilst I agree with the hon. mem­ sufficiently good record in the provision of ber for Maryborough that his Government houses in country areas. I am confident that did a good job, I think the logical con­ the Minister will keep that suggestion in clusion to draw is that we have done a mind in future building programmes. When much better one, as the ratio of homes owned people in country areas are prepared to buy to homes rented has increased considerably. all the houses that are built there, the need Consequently I support home ownership, is self-evident; there is no need for me to whilst also realising that a percentage of bring evidence to prove my point. houses must be provided for rental purposes. I know that the Housing Commission has In one town in my area houses are being had to contend at times with a shortage of built as quickly as possible. The Minister staff in implementing its building programme, has approved of the construction of many of but I think it would be advantageous if, them, and 18 are now being built in one in future, sites could be selected and pre­ group. There are, however, more people parations for sewerage made farther ahead wanting to buy houses than there are houses of the actual building programme. In the available. I therefore feel that it is essen­ last eight years 15,700 homes have been tial to construct as many homes as possible built-I think that is the correct figure­ for purchase, whilst at the same time pro­ so it is obvious that the Housing Commission viding some for rental. has been very busy; but I think it would be 1596 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply of advantage to the community generally if high priority, and unless they have that, to the Commission could do more long-range use the vernacular, they are not in the race planning for the future. in obtaining ren:tal accommodation from the In addition, I should like to see less block Housing Commission. Tradesmen are development or development of complete beginning to move into the city in anticipation suburbs by the Housing Commission within of the coming of the Army units that are !o;yns a~d cities in this State. In my opinion, to be stationed there and the fact that It IS desirable that, as far as possible, Hous­ possibly £10,000,000 to £15,000,000 will be ing Commission houses should be mixed with spent there in the next few years. These other houses in the community. I know that people are in a similar position in that they it is not always economical to do this and do not always have the necessary deposit that sometimes it increases costs of con­ to buy a home of their own, but they come struction; but towns have a better balance north thinking that they may be able to when Housing Commission houses are built obtain rental a

I spoke about this matter in the Budget I am here to say what I did when the debate and I compared Queensland's effort enabling legislation was passed. The truth in the provision of homes and the amount of my statement is borne out by a comparison that Queensland obtained from the Common­ of the number of houses built in Brisbane wealth Government with the efforts of South last year with the number built in Townsville. Australia and Tasmania. The comparison In round figures there are 750,000 people in was very unfavourable to Queensland. The Brisbane and 50,000 in Townsville; 933 figures in my Budget speech indicate that we houses were built in Brisbane last year, and are far behind the other States when it comes 38 in Townsville. If my arithmetic is to housing. correct, 50,000 goes into 750,000 15 times. If we multiply 38 by 15 we get 570. On a The table on page 7 of the annual report percentage basis, if equivalent numbers of of the Queensland Housing Commission houses were built in Brisbane and Townsville, indicates that only 38 houses were built in only 570 should have been built in Brisbane Townsville during 1964-65. It must be instead of 933. No-one can convince me remembered that Townsville is now the that we are not losing ground in the North. second city in Queensland. Over the same I point out that I did not bring into my period 44 homes were completed in Biloela, calculation a number of people who live 41 in Bunyaville, 97 in Gladstone, 68 in close to Brisbane, at Bunyavi!le and similar Lawnton, 45 in Redcliffe, and 933 in Bris­ places. They were not included. bane. Townsville is seventh on the list of the number of houses built during the last The argument is advanced that Townsville financial year. The argument could be is doing all right on a percentage basis, but advanced that Townsville previously had a we are not doing very well at all. We have large number of houses and flats built, but been very unfavourably treated, especially we cannot look back at what we have had when it is remembered-and I again in the past; we must look forward to what emphasise this point-that an Army battle we are likely to need in the future. What group is coming to Townsville next year. To we in Townsville look at is our needs in the fortify my argument, I have here a copy of immediate future. The fact that we were the 'Telegraph" of today's date, 16 Novem­ only seventh on the list of houses built fills ber, which says- us with a great deal of trepidation. "Multi-million talk in Townsville, It appears that the legislation passed by Gladstone this Parliament a year or so ago which "It is multi-million pound talk now in enabled the Queensland Housing Commission Townsville and Gladstone-the two places to build houses for various companies coming in North Queensland marked for fantastic into Queensland has been detrimental to the growth during the next few years." rest of Queensland. When I spoke on that legislation I said I was not against the I think they were wrong to separate Glad­ principle of the Government, through the stone from South Queensland. Queensland Housing Commission, helping The article continues- these companies, as long as it was not to "The program is well under way at the detriment of other towns and cities. Gladstone. At Townsville it is still in the Apparently it has been to their detriment. planning stage, but giant steps will be Let there be no mistake about it; I have taken as soon as the 'quick march' order no argument against any town in Queensland comes on the Army battle group's project." getting its full share of houses. I like to That is only one article. If I had time I see a pface get all the houses it needs. But could quote any number of articles by people when I see a town like Biloela getting 44 who have gone to Townsville to investigate houses, Gladstone 97, Redcliffe 45, I begin what is about to happen. to wonder what has happened to Townsville. No doubt more houses were needed in Biloela The Government has been unrealistic in because of the development of the Moura its approach to housing in the North. coalfields. The construction of the alumina Although it has known full well that this plant and the development of other industrial project was in the offing it has done nothing enterprises in Gladstone has increased the to cope with it. I keep warning the Govern­ need for houses in that city. But in Towns­ ment that if the Housing Commission and ville, the second city in Queensland, we got associated groups do not get moving shortly only 38. I feel that in helping companies, in Townsville, they will not get moving at which could and should have helped them­ all once the Army installations are under selves, what the Government has done has way. Contracts are being let at present. been detrimental to the other towns and cities When they are let there will be a tremendous in Queensland. scarcity of building tradesmen. They will I would have no argument if a small com­ be lured by the big money offering under pany with only limited capital was being Army contracts. assisted, but it is very wrong for American Now is the time to get moving on housing and other foreign companies, with assets in Townsville. I repeat that if we leave it worth millions of pounds, to be assisted by much longer we will not be able to move at the State Government in the provision of all. If we procrastinate further in the pro­ homes at a time when we in the North are vision of flats and rental accommodation, crying out for them. although the Minister may want to help, 52 1598 Supply [ASSEMBLY} Supply his hands could well be tied because the big high rents in order to get a roof over their contracts will draw away the available trades­ heads. It is a State responsibility to see men in the area. Those who want to come to that these people are decently housed, and Townsville will look first to see if they can the Government should make an effort in get accommodation, and they will find that it that direction. is non-~xistent. I repeat, in all sincerity, that I was under the impression that the somethmg must be done speedily. Government could not do anything to meet I am embarrassed by the number of this situation. We were told that under people who ask me to put in a good word the 1945-56 agreements the Government for them with the Housing Commission. I could do something under the rebate system. know that Mr. Dawson must receive two or but that there was nothing more it could three letters a week seeking consideration do. Looking through the files I found a for these people. If he has not the houses copy of a letter which was forwarded to available, he can do nothing about it. It is the Parliamentary Labour Party Housing embarrassing to him and to me. But I do Committee on 9 May, 1963. It was signed not care about that. I would be happy to by Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury. be embarrassed all day long if I could do and reads- something for those who need housing in "I refer to your letter of 26th April, Townsville at present. The position would 1963, concerning housing for pensioners. be eased to a certain degree if finance was "The 1945 Commonwealth-State Housing available for young people who want to Agreement provides for the granting of a build their own homes. rental rebate to a tenant of limited income. There will always be those who want Consequently, where pensioners are rental accommodation; for instance, those accommodated by the State in houses built who are migatory and do not feel that it is under this Agreement they would be eligible in their interests to buy a home which they to have their rents adjusted in accordance will have to dispose of in one or two years' with the rental rebate formula contained time, possibly at a loss. They prefer rental in the Agreement. The Commonwealth accommodation in order to have their families meets three-fifths of any cash losses decently housed. No matter what else is said incurred by the State in its administration or done about families, first and foremost of housing projects built under the 1945 we must put them into decent rental Agreement. Commonwealth assistance accommodation. under the 1956-61 Housing Agreement takes a different form; advances to the I am disturbed about the position of our States under that Agreement have carried senior citizens throughout the State but interest at a rate equal to 1% less than the particularly those in Townsville. They have long-term bond rate. All tenants includ­ to exist on limited incomes. Some are ing pensioner tenants, benefit from that fortunate enough to be in Housing Com­ interest concession. mission rental accommodation which was built under the 1945-56 Commonwealth "The current Housing Agreement housi_ng agreements. They are able to get expressly provides for the erection of certam rebates and are able to live reason­ dwellings by the State primarily for ably well. I consider the Government has families of low or moderate means." acted harshly in increasing their rents each Here is the paragraph that I think should time there is a rise in the old-age pension. be emphasised- Not long ago I had an instance-unfortun­ "The State may therefore devote ately I have not the letter with me-of a Housing Agreement advances to housing pensioner in my area who, as a result of a pensioners. Whether a State does so is a rent rebate, was paying something like £1 2s. matter solely fur decision by the State a week for a flat. He was about to receive an increase of 10s. in his pension, and his Government. wife, not yet eligible for an old-age pension, "A State, or State Housing Authority, is was to receive £1 in her allowance, and he not eligible for assistance under the Aged received a letter apprising him of the fact Persons Homes Act. Consequently, no that his rental would be increased by 7s. payment could be made under that Act a week. That took nearly the whole of the VO a State for housing pensioners. Grants increase he received. In Townsville at under the Act are limited to religious present many pensioners and deserted wives, and charitable or benevolent organisations. and their families, are forced to accept a low For each £1 they find from private sources standard of living because high rentals are the Commonwealth grants £2 towards the forced upon them. cost of an approved home for aged persons. Specifically excluded from Com­ The Governments of Victoria and New monwealth subsidy are moneys received South Wales are making a determined effort by an organisation from the Government to tackle this problem. I have seen photo­ of the Commonwealth or of a State or graphs of flats erected by those Governments, from a local governing body or other and have spoken to people who have seen authority established by a State Act. those flats. They are good, clean, airy, and cheery. Senior citizens pay only a nominal Yours sincerely, rental for them. It is wrong for our senior Roland Wilson, citizens, with a low income, to have to pay Secretary to the Treasury." Supvly [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1599

Admittedly the State would not receive to discredit, or at least disparage, the wonder­ assistance there, but it is within its province, ful work done by the Government in the as the letter indicates, to build houses for field of works and housing. One hon. member pensioners. That is a matter solely for claimed that the advance made in housing decision by t:he State Government. alone was just something that had to happen and that, given the same chance, the Opposi­ I think the Government is too keen to tion might have equalled, or even improved make everything a paying proposition. I on, the splendid results that have been repeat that it has an obligation to our senior achieved. Perhaps they have not heard citizens. At present it is leaving this problem of the good results that have been achieved to churches and other organisations. In all in Balonne, so I shall relate a few of them. charity, some effort should be made to :emulate the other States. If doing this Recently I had the privilege of showing causes rome loss, let us carry it. Let us the Minister, Mr. Bjelke-Petersen, the wonder­ house senior citizens in a decent way. Let ful advance that has taken place in the town us not force t:hem into shabby back rooms of Tara, where not one Housing Commission that they can get for about £1 10s. a week, house had been erected during the lengthy which is possibly all that they can afford. period that Labour was in office. True, The Government has a moral obligation to one rather substandard worker's dwelling provide for senior citizens and, from the had been erected, but not one Commission letter that I have just quoted, it is possible house. to do so from the money advanced by the Mr. Sberrington: That is just rubbish. Commonwealth. In the matter of public works, obviously Mr. BEARDMORE: No, it is not rubbish. an election is imminent. The Minister said I am stating facts; what I am saying cannot that approximately £16,000,000 is to be spent be disproved. in Brisbane in coming years. Accommoda­ What is the position today, after this tion for the courts is to be provided in Government has been in office for St years? Brisbane, and various other Government Forty-six Housing Commission houses have buildings are to be constructed throughout been provided and, better still, 39 or 40 the length and breadth of the State. of them have been purchased by residents, (Time expired.) mainly working people, who now proudly own their own homes-homes of an attractive Mr. BEARDMORE (Balonne) (3.9 p.m.): design, homes in which anyone would be In rising to speak on the Estimates of the proud to live. Department of Works and the Queensland Again, only 17 houses were erected in Housing Commission, I sincerely commend St. George by Labour Governments during the Minister on the way in which he has their term of office. Today there are 63 presented the Estimates for his two depart­ Housing Commission houses in the town and ments. There can be no doubt that he has tenders have been called for a further two quickly become acquainted with their work­ houses. ings and, in spite vf the limited amount of Opposition Members interjected. money available to him, which always seems to be a problem, he has proved himself to be Mr. BEARDMORE: Hon. members an able and competent administrator. Under opposite do not like to hear that, but that his guidance, his departments have handled is what the record shows. During this many urgent Government projects, which Government's occupancy of the Treasury are a credit to the officers of the depart­ benches, 48 houses have been erected; if ments and to the Minister himself. I con­ fewer had been erected, the requirements gratulate the officers on whom the Minister would not have been met. This building pro­ relies so much for advice. gramme has added to the welfare of the people who live in these towns and, from a The Commissioner of Housing, Mr. civic angle, has underlined a feeling of pride Campbell, and his deputy, Mr. Redwood, that the knowledge of such progress brings. deserve much credit for their practical approach to the requirements of my elec­ Recently, my AL.P. opponent visited torate. Again, Mr. David Longland, Under St. George. To show just how hard up he Secretary of the Department of Works, with was to find anything on which to condemn his great administrative ability and know­ the Government, this is what he was reported ledge, no doubt has been a tower of strength to have said- to the Minister. It is very desirable that "Mr. Ward said that he was particularly the two departments-the Housing Com­ disturbed at the shortage of housing in mission and the Department of Works-go St. George, and he agreed with Branch hand in hand, and much good work has been members that much of the housing avail­ done by both departments as a result of able for rental was of a sub-standard this arrangement. I thank the Minister nature, and in quite a number of cases and his departmental officers for the many were not fit and proper places for human good jobs that have been completed in my habitation." electorate. I wonder that he was so ill advised as to During the debate on these Estimates, we publish such nonsense, especially as the sub­ have heard many Opposition members push­ standard dwellings to which he referred­ ing a barrow uphill, as it were, in an effort which resemble soap boxes in design, lack 1600 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply ordinary amenities, and are certainly very know what moved the Treasurer to make unattractive-were provided by a former that statement, because there was no evidence, Labour Government, the so-called champions even at that time, to suggest that the pro­ of the working people. vision of housing was keeping pace with the Housing is not the only worthy achieve­ increasing population of this State. ment for which the Minister's department can claim credit, because public buildings seem Efforts have been made to compare this to have sprung up like mushrooms over the Government's record with that of Australian length and breadth of my electorate. Labour Party Governments before and up to 1957, but the report of the Commissioner Opposition Members interjected. of Housing for this year bears out our con­ tention that we at all times maintained a Mr. BEARDMORE: You do not like it, housing programme that cannot be equalled do you? by the present Government. One has only The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. to look at this year's report to confirm that Gaven): Order! I ask the hon. member to statement. At no time during its term has address his remarks to the Chair. I also this Government equalled the record of ask hon. members on my left to allow the Australian Labour Party Governments in the hon. member to make his own speech in construction of houses in any 12-months his own time and in his own way. period. In 1952-53, 2,314 housing units were constructed by the Australian Labour Mr. Thackeray: You mean, to read it. Party while in government in this State. The The TEMPORARY CHAffiMAN: Order! nearest the present Government came to I will not allow cross-firing in the Chamber that figure was in 1961-62, when 2,006 when the hon. member is making his speech. units were constructed. Since then, over the years 1962-63, 1963-64, and 1964-65, the Mr. BEARDMORE: Modern brick hospi­ figure has been gradually decreasing. As I tals have been erected in Surat and Tara said, in 1961-62, 2,006 units were con­ and, among other amenities, new fire stations structed; last year the figure was 1,744. have been erected at St. George, Tara, Surat, The Government's record indicates that drop and Meandarra, and plans are in hand for in numbers despite the fact that the popula­ similar buildings at Dirranbandi, Bollon, tion of the State increased over those four and Thallon. years, with a consequent increased demand for housing. The Government has provided Schools have come in for a good deal of fewer houses since 1961-62, and certainly attention. In 1957 there were no secondary many fewer than in 1952-53, the Australian departments in my electorate, but Dirran­ Labour Party Government's record year in bandi, St. George, Surat and Tara all now home construction. have splendidly-equipped secondary depart­ ments, and similar departments at Goondi­ Another undesirable aspect of this Govern­ windi and Mitchell also serve my electorate. ment's policy is that very few houses are Seven new State schools have been estab­ being built for rental. In reply to questions, lished where before there were none. What the Minister says that houses are built pri­ a wonderful achievement in so short a time, marily for purchase and that thooe that are and what encouragement for those who not sold are allocated for rental; but almost choose to live in the Outback! all the houses that are built for purchase are I have only skimmed the good work for sold. I think that the Minister includes in his which the Minister's department has been figures of rental houses the houses that are responsible in Balonne. There is much built for service personnel and industrial more, of course, equally important, and I establishments. Houses built for allocation want to thank the Minister and his officers in this manner should not be included in the once again for the wonderful attention that number of houses built for rental. my electorate has enjoyed and that has helped me in keeping my constituents con­ According to the report of the Queens­ tented and satisfied. The increased Country land Housing Commission, at 30 June, 1957, Party vote at each election gives emphasis 44 per cent. of the houses constructed went to that claim. to home-ownership and 56 per cent. were allocated for rental. At 30 June, 1965, Mr. MELLOY (Nudgee) (3.16 p.m.): I the position was completely reversed. Home­ want to make some remarks on the housing ownership figures totalled 60 per cent., where­ situation in particular and on the Depart­ as rental homes amounted to only 40 per ment of Works in general. First of all, cent. That is an indication of the despite the many assertions of the Govern­ extent to which this Government is making ment regarding its handling of the housing a contribution towards housing the workers situation, all the evidence today points to the of the State. fact that this Government has not in any way Many young families cannot afford the equalled the record of former Labour deposit on a home. Even to purchase through Governments. the Queensland Housing Commission, they The housing problem is as great now as it have to be able to provide approximately ever was, despite the assertions of the £500 deposit. Few workers can do that. Treasurer some two years ago that the hous­ Therefore they have to rent homes. If ing situation was under control. I do not they cannot obtain homes through the Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1601

Queensland Housing Commission, they are Recently, in reply to the hon. member for called upon to pay £6, £7, £8, £9 or £10 Kedron in relation to the building of rental a week to private landlords. If the Govern­ homes in certain towns in Queensland where ment is really concerned about housing the the industry concerned had requested the ordinary people of the State-- construction of houses the Minister stated, 'The fact is that, whether or not we Mr. Graham: It is not. placed a responsibility on these employers to guarantee the rents, we would have had Mr. MELLOY: As the hon. member for the bulk of these employees on our books Mackay interjects, it is not. It is more con­ as rental applicants." cerned with selling the houses it builds because this represents a profit to the Crown. I repeat that that is only an assumption by I have no doubt that the profit-to be earned the Minister. The Government cannot claim from the sale of houses is more important credit for alleviating the housing situation to the Government than the provision of if it has to set aside certain houses specifically rental houses. for certain industries. Apparently these industries make the provision of houses one The report indicates that, apart from the of the inducements held out to prospective general allocation of houses up to 30 June, employees. Probably they say, "If you accept 1965, the Government advanced £39,371 to a position with our firm in this town, we employers. At the same date the amount will provide a house for you." If those outstanding by these borrowers amounted companies wish to do that, the responsibility to £25,251. This is in addition to the should rest on them to provide the houses. rental houses that the Government has They should not expect the Government to erected for industry in various parts of the come to the party and provide them. State. On page 3 of the report, reference In his letter the Minister quoted seve·ral is made to the number of houses allocated manufacturing businesses. He said- to defence personnel. The amounts made available from 1956 to 1965 totalled "This system has encouraged the decen­ £3,076,550 in additional loan moneys pro­ tralisation of industry, e.g., an engineer­ vided by the Commonwealth and £1,423,800 ing manufacturing business on Buderim set aside by the State from loan funds Mountain, another at Dalby." received under the housing agreement. As a matter of fact those industries were The report states that houses for defence in existence before the advent of this Govern­ personnel were provided for persons who ment, and the employees were able to find would otherwise have been additional applic­ suitable accommodation in those centres. If ants for State rental accommodation to the a firm is enabled to put houses at the detriment of other applicants. I do not disposal of its employees in that way, it will know on what basis the department makes throw the points priority system into that assumption-and it is only assumption. jeopardy. Had that points system been There is no guarantee that the service applied to them, those persons would not personnel who were allocated rental houses have obtained Housing Commissjon houses. would have been applicants for Housing There is ample evidence that the points Commission rental houses if they had been priority system is not followed religiously, civilians. It is far more likely that they because, in an answer given by the Minister would have been in some form of industry, during this session, he admitted that 80 and the Commission cannot tell what their houses were allotted to applicants with only state of affluence would have been. It does 40 points. When I have attempted to assist not necessarily follow, or reasonably follow, people to obtain rental houses from the that they would have been applicants for Commission, I have been told that, unless Housing Commission rental homes. In any they hold a court eviction order, they are case, when the Commonwealth Government not in the race. If that is so, how is it wants houses provided for its service that 80 persons with only 40 points were personnel, it should provide them. The allotted houses during the past 12 months? report points out that if houses had not been I should like the Minister to explain that. provided by the Housing Commission, those In addition, people with 60 and 80 points people would have been applicants as were allotted houses over applicants with civilians under the ordinary scheme. That 100 points. The figures at the end of the must mean also that the money spent on year show that there were 209 applicants housing service personnel was taken from with 100 points, 20 with 80 points, and 185 State funds that would otherwise have been with 60 points-all with higher points than available for the construction of houses for the employees who were allocated houses. civilians. I do not believe that the Govern­ ment's policy is making any great contribu­ The hon. member for Merthyr gave the tion towards solving the housing problems number of multi-unit buildings being erected in Queensland. in his electorate and others. The money spent on the construction of those buildings Mr. Ewan: You are referring to Brisbane. must come from available sources of finance that could be used on the construction of Mr. MEILOY: I am referring to Queens­ houses for people on lower incomes. People land because all the figures here relate to living in multi-unit buildings are rarely on the State. the lower incomes. Such places actually 1602 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

make no contribution to solving the housing we do not know the result of that interview problems of ordinary workers. They do not because no assurance has been received that help them to get out of substandard accom­ any of the work required will be done. modation and get a roof of their own over their heads. As my time has almost expired, I shall not embark on any new subjects. Perhaps There are still thousands of people living I will have an opportunity of dealing with in undesirable circumstances. Even when them at a later date. two or three families are living in one house, the Housing Commission is inclined to say, Mr. EWAN (Roma) (3.4U p.m.): In speak­ "These people have a roof over their heads, ing to the Estimates before the Committee, so we cannot give them top priority." No I congratulate the Minister on the splendid thought is given to the squabbles that take way in which he has presented them. Those place when two and even four families live of us who have known him for many years together, with children sleeping two and would expect it of him, because he has three to a bed. Apparently the Commission proved himself to be a very efficient adminis­ considers that those are not undesirable trator and, as my friend and colleague on circumstances. I contend that they are, and my right says, a thorough gentleman. We I think that people in such situations rate sincerely hope that the Minister will serve higher points priorities than they have. I m, for very many years with the efficiency realise that the Government does not have that has characterised the whole of his life. houses to put them into because it has not built houses for rental purposes. I also congratulate Mr. Longland and his officers for the helpfulness and courtesy they I now wish to refer again to a matter have shown to all who have been in touch that I raised earlier in the session. Tenants with them. The hon. member for Balonne of Housing Commission homes are still being referred a short while ago to box-like houses. threatened with notices to quit for being in A few years ago a public servant who was arrears of rent when in fact they are not getting one of these houses made representa­ in arrears at all. I have had brought to tions to me and I took certain suggestions my attention two more cases of people in to Mr. Longland relative to how it cDuld be Zillmere receiving threats that notices to quit impwved. I spoke to him for a few will be issued if rents are not brought up to minutes and he explained why houses were date. On investigation I have found that built to this plan. It was used over the the rents are fully paid. They were paid whole of Queensland so that public servants to the local collecting agent, who followed who were transferred on promotion could the practice of remitting them to head office shift their furniture and floor coverings from almost daily, so that there is no justification place to place with the knDwledge that no for the issuing of any such threats. loss would be occasioned to them. Having heard his explanation of this and many other Whether the book-keeping system of the factors, I agreed with what he said. I took Housing Commission is falling down or the story back to the person concerned, who whether there are insufficient employees to said to me, "Well, at least Mr. Longland keep records up to date, I do not know. knows what he is doing." I think that The fact is that the Commission is not aware describes Mr. Longland to a T. of the position of some tenants' accounts when these notices are issued. I also congratulate Mr. Campbell, the Commissioner of Housing, Mr. Redwood, his I have some other matters to raise, in Deputy, and the Secretary, Mr. Simpson, on connection with the Department of Works. the attention they give and the helpfulness There is a tendency on the part of the they show to hon. members who make Government to spend most money on the representations to them on behalf of their high schools that are currently being erected constituents. It is a pleasure to be associ­ to the detriment of those high schools and ated with them. primary schools that have been built for I have listened to the speeches made by some time. In my area several schools are many hon. members opposite, most of whom urgently in need of certain work but, through are city dwellers and would not have the lack of finance or labour or for some other same practical experience of the difficulties reason, it is not being done. The newer associated with housing in country areas as schools are provided with every amenity would hon. members representing country required. Some have their parade areas electora1Jes. Clerks of the court act as agents bituminised and the areas in front well planned for the Housing Commission in cDuntry and laid out; but no attempt is made to towns, and when I approach the clerk of provide similar treatment for existing high the court in Roma and say, "How many applications for houses have you?" he will schools. say, perhaps, "Thirty-five; but wait a For about five months, attempts have been minute. I have not heard from three or made to obtain an interview with the Minister four, or six or seven, of those, and I send for Education to direct his attention to work out a circular every three months asking required at the Banyo High School. It was whether they still want a house." When one not till about 10 days ago that he met a looks into the number of applications, one deputation on this matter, and even now finds that, although there might be 35 or Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1603

so on the books, some of the applicants worth recording in "Hansard" so that people are not genuine and some have left the town who have not access to the report might and have not left a forwarding address. become aware of it. The report reads- Difficulties of that kind face representatives "The relationship of home ownership of the Housing Commission. to rental at the close of each of the last The statement by the hon. member for nine years is:- Nudgee proved to me that the former Labour Home Rental Government was only a Queen Street 0\\nership Government. Per cent. Per cent. At 30th June, 1957 44 56 Mr. Sherrington: Rubbish! At 30th June, 1958 48·3 51·7 At 30th June, 1959 51·3 48·7 At 30th June, 1960 54 46 Mr. EWAN: When one reads the report, At 30th June, 1961 56 44 one finds that of the total number of houses At 30th June, 1962 57·6 42·4 built, 29 · 1 per cent. went to country areas At 30th June, 1963 58·5 41·5 At 30th June, 1964 59·4 40·6 and 70· 9 per cent. to the metropolitan area. At 30th June, 1965 60 40 It is very interesting to look in the 1965 ______:______:_ ____ ------Year Book and see the population of Queens­ land as shown by the 1961 census. It is That shows how well the policy has worked 1,585,036, composed of 621,550 in the metro­ out and how the people of this State politan area, which absorbs 70·9 per cent. appreciate it. On many occasions it has of the Housing Commission houses, and given me great pleasure to advise young 963,486 in country areas, which absorbs 29·1 couples who have come to me seeking Hous­ per cent. of the Housing Commission houses. ing Commission rental homes to try to "rake Most of the complaints coming from the up" the deposit to buy a home rather than Opposition side deal with housing shortages, get a rental home. yet they are getting a far greater percent­ Mr. Sherrington interjected. age of Housing Commission homes on a population basis than are the parts of Queens­ Mr. EWAN: It is about 10 per cent. land outside the metropolitan area. Mr. Sherrington: You do not know what Let us compare the record of this Govern­ you are talking about. ment since 1957 with that of previous Mr. EWAN: I have met many young Governments. Frequently, in country towns men and women in the country who are with which I have been associated I have becoming engaged. They come to me and seen dozens and dozens of vacant houses say, "We hope to get married in 12 or 18 while people were, figuratively speaking, months' time. We should like you to help us breaking their necks to obtain homes. I get a home." I say, "First, you must save inquired why those homes were not rented the deposit." Until recently it was £250. and the owners promptly told me that they Today it is no more than £300 for a £3,000 would not rent their homes at the rentals home. determined by the Fair Rents Court because In many instances, with a little bit of in many instances the homes were knocked saving these people have been able to lodge about by the occupants and it was impossible deposits, and as a result have had homes to keep up maintenance, pay rates, and so to go into when they married. Many of them on, on the rents determined. And so those have invited me to have a meal with them so homes were for sale and many astute people that they could show me with pride the bought them and subdivided them into flats homes that between us we were able to get -of course, in accordance with local for them. Nobody can tell me that they are authority regulations. They were the con­ not much better citizens than those who are ditions obtaining prior to 1957. When we merely renting houses. did see a few workers' dwellings in the The hon. member for Balonne made a West, they were shockingly maintained, dried very fine, vigorous speech. He compared out, in need of painting and no-one seemed housing in country areas with that in the to care whether they stood up or fell down. metropolitan area. I have already indi­ cated the percentage of houses provided in Now let us consider the change that took the city compared with that in the country place following this Government's occupancy on a pro-rata population basis. of the Treasury benches in 1957. This Let us consider Labour's infamous record Government first of all laid down a policy in country areas, which bears out my con­ of home ownership in preference to rental tention that for many years it proved itself because we believed that it was the inalien­ to be purely a Queen Street Government. I able right of every person to own a home, instance the town of Roma. The Queens­ and that everyone who did own one would land Housing Commission was formed in be a better citizen for having a home he 1945. From that year to 30 June, 1957- could call his very own. How well that a period of 12 years-only 15 Housing Com­ policy panned out will be seen by a reference mission homes were completed in the town to page 2 of this year's annual report of of Roma. the Queensland Housing Commission. I think anything in a report that is good is Mr. Sherrington: Who was the member? 1604 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. EWAN: Roma had a Labour mem­ "The standard residence 'E'- ber for 40 years before I took over. I that is the one Mr. Longland told me was elected in 1950 but I was tossed out on about- my shell pink ear in 1953. However, the "has been well accepted with its pro­ people realised what a mistake they had vision of a floor area of 1,168 sq. ft. made and three years later re-elected me plus laundry and car accommodation under with a record majority. together with the complete fencing of the So that the comparison will not be lost property. The residence provides spacious sight of, I point out that from 1 July, 1957, living area of three bedrooms, lounge­ when this Government took office, to dining room, large kitchen, a well 30 June, 1965-a period of eight equipped bathroom and separate toilet. years-this Country-Liberal Government Each residence is supplied with an electric, completed no fewer than 144 houses gas or slow combustion stove and built-in in Roma, and there are another nine cupboards in kitchen. The residences are under construction. To emphasise it, of timber construction and are generally I point out that 15 homes were built suitable for all climatic conditions by the Labour Government in 12 years and experienced in this State." 144 homes were built by the Country-Liberal That is so, and I congratulate the department Government in eight years, with another nine on the design. We have had residences under construction. That bears out the state­ erected, and others are being erected, through­ ment of the hon. member for Balonne. The out the country areas of the State. At Roma Labour Government tried to look after the two beautiful wings have been added to the metropolitan area, but it forgot all about primary school and repairs and additions have the country areas. been effected to the infants' school. Addi­ tions and repairs have been carried out to I can remember campaigning in the the hospital. Over £20,000 was spent to Gregory electorate for the hon. member who restore the magnificent old court house presently represents that electorate. At that building at Roma. Every person who visits time the Leader of the Opposition was out Roma comments on its aesthetic beauty. of Parliament, just as I was. As I travelled around I could not see any Housing Com­ Turning now to residences provided for mission houses. I spoke at a place called public servants, when the Hon. V. C. Gair Muttaburra, where people were crying out was Premier I pleaded with him while he for houses. A few weeks after Mr. Rae was on a goodwill tour of the area for a was elected this Government approved the house for the magistrate. I even showed construction of two houses at Muttaburra. him a house which I thought was suitable. That is how it has been all over the State. Did we get it? I will tell hon. members Those who travel outside the metropolitan what we have now: we have a residence for area see improvements and development in the magistrate, one for the clerk of the court, housing and public buildings all over the six new police residences, one for the State. manager of the S.G.I.O. (Q.), three residences for Lands Department officers, one for the Without being parochial, let me give the manager of the Agricultural Bank, one for history as it applies to my own electorate. the regional director of education and four It is only one place where there has been a for officers of the Department of Primary great deal of improvement. Hon. members Industries. We have also under construction opposite should not get it into their heads a £50,000 Lands Office and Primary Industries that improvement is taking place only in Department building which will house electorates represented by Government mem­ Government officers at Roma. The old bers; it is taking place in Opposition-held building was falling down over their heads; electorates, although in many instances the it was a disgrace. A few years ago a new members representing them have not even State Insurance building was completed at a asked for the improvement. I refer, for cost of approximately £100,000. We also instance, to the tremendous improvement in have a new fire station. railway accommodation. I have already I turn now to lnjune, where we have a mentioned the construction of Housing Com­ new hospital costing £50,000 and a new mission houses in Roma. In addition, in the court house. I remember how I pleaded with last seven years we have had erected a the responsible Minister between 1950 and beautiful new high school and a residence for 1952 to do something about the police the principal. In Labour's day residences station. The sergeant of police had a room were never built for principals. When a 8 ft. by 10 ft. on the veranda. If he principal was transferred he had to rent or had to take a "drunk" before the C.P.S., buy a home. If he was transferred again he the C.P.S. sat at his table and the sergeant probably lost money when he sold his home. stood in the doorway behind the prisoner. That happened in temperatures of up to Page 3 of the annual report of the Depart­ 105 and 106 degrees. It was a shocking ment of Works says- state of affairs. However, we have rectified "Fifty-three (53) additional residences all that. We have a new high-school were constructed at a cost of £247,564 in secondary department at Injune and additions the Programme of provision of accommo­ to the primary school costing about £59,000. dation for officers of the Public Service We have under construction teachers' units serving in country areas. providing accommodation for four. Supply [16 NoVEMBER] Supply 1605

At Wallumbilla we have a new high-school associated with housing what he termed our secondary department and additions to the "senior citizens". Perhaps his finer feelings primary school which cost about £20,000. prevented him from calling them "pen­ At Dulacca we have a new police station sioners". and residence, and a new school costing about £20,000. At Miles we have had repairs Mr. Bromley: They prefer to be called and additions to the hospital and new "senior citizens". nurses' quarters, which I had the privilege to open, costing £30,000. We also have a Mr. EWAN: The hon. member for Towns­ residence for the hospital secretary. There ville North called them "pensioners" when have also been additions to the high school clarifying his statement. He claimed that and the primary school, with a new residence neither the Commonwealth Government nor for the head teacher. There have been this Government accepted its responsibility in additions to the court house; residences have this regard. That statement is completely been built for the clerk of the court, the incorrect. I say to these city people who police, and other Government officials, and have no knowledge of the sympathy, good­ a new fire station has been constructed. fellowship, and desire to help that permeate the atmosphere in country areas, "Why don't At Wandoan a new secondary and primary you do as we have done in most western school costing about £50,000-which the areas? You should set about collecting a Minister for Education opened about two few pounds and start a homes for the aged years ago--has been constructed. We have scheme." We have a scheme in Roma called units for teachers and residences for Govern­ the Aged Westerners' Scheme. There is ment officials, and a new police station. also one in Mitchell and another in St. At Taroom we have a new hospital which George. cost £50,000, a new secondary department, Mr. Coburn: They are everywhere. and additions to the primary school costing £39,000, residential units for the teaching Mr. EWAN: Yes, they are everywhere. staff, and a new fire station. We collected roughly £3,000, which was subsidised £2 for £1 by the Commonwealth Those are just a few of the projects Government. That gave us in the vicinity brought about under this Government's of £10,000. We are in the process of administration. I am proud as I travel registering letters patent to become a through my electorate and through other country electorates represented by members body corporate authorised to accept the land of the Government as well as Opposition that the local town council is prepared to members. It brings a glow to my heart to know vest in us to provide homes for our senior that I am associated with a Government which citizens. It is our intention to build five has brought about such a tremendous attractive units at £2,000 each. transformation in eight years in office. It Is that the right approach, or is the has been such a transformation that any criticism levelled at this Government and thinking person in Queensland can do nothing the Commonwealth Government, which is but express the hope, desire, and wish that prepared to give us £2 for every £1 to the electors will ensure that this Government carry out this laudable proposal, the right retains its position on the Treasury benches approach? When these units are built, this for many years to come to continue the Government will spend £250 a unit on splendid work it has been carrying out furniture. Is this Government carrying during its eight years of office. out its responsibility? Is the Commonwealth Let me say once again, as I have said Government carrying out its responsibility? three times already, that previous Labour Through you, Mr. Gaven, I say to the hon. member for Townsville North, "Go back to Governments were known as Queen Street Townsville, get amongst your sympathetic Governments; and rightly so. I have a followers and launch a scheme such as the lot of regard for the hon. member for one we have in Roma, and manv of your Townsville North, who the hon. member difficulties wilJ be overcome." We cannot for Townsville South said had some affiliation get away from the fact that every £1 th~t with the Communists. I do not think that this or any other Government spends m would be right. an electorate has to be collected by way of taxation or loan and has to be repaid. Mr. Davies: Then why did you say it? It is taken out of one pocket and put into another. Mr. EWAN: Because I do not think it is right. Mr. R. JONES (Cairns) (4.5 p.m.): Of the total of the moneys at the disposal of Mr. Davies: Then why did you have to the Minister for Housing, I think it is fair bring it up? to criticise the proportion spent in Cairns, particularly after listening to the hon. mem­ Mr. EWAN: The hon. member for Mary­ ber for Roma. It seems to me that it must borough is not my keeper. I am not respon­ be a case of spoils to the victor. As I go sible to him for everything I say. The hon. through my figures of the housing that has member for Townsville North spoke quite been made available in Cairns, I feel that rationally, up to a point, about the difficulties comparisons, though often odious, are 1606 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply necessary here. First let me refute the argu­ I point out, too, that the ordinary home­ ment of the hon. member for Merthyr. In seeker in Cairns has difficulty in purchasing rambling round the State trying to organise a house. The present maximum loan of three-cornered contests he must have con­ £3,500 is not sufficient. With capitalisation fused Cairns with some other area. Only of £250 a unit, Housing Commission charges, five homes were constructed in Cairns during supervision fees, etc., the amount soon 1964-65, and one was already under con­ becomes £4,000, or about £400 a square. struction in June, 1964. In 1963 four were Land costs anything from £500 to £1,000 a built. block, and a young couple will begin to cut I cannot accuse the Minister of ignoring down on internal painting, battening, fencing my representations; as recently as last week and drainage in an endeavour to reduce the --on 10 November-he said that tenders cost. Even when they have done this, they would be called for the construction of five will still need a deposit of £600 to £800 homes in Cairns in the very near future. before they can even consider building or However, I must condemn him for not buying a house in Cairns. This is too much having enough homes built to meet the for a young couple just beginning married demand in Cairns. I realise that he has the life, and ordinary wage-earners are priced problem of having to operate within the out of the field of home ownership. It should bounds of the finance allocated to his depart­ be a basic requirement of our society that a ment by an unsympathetic Government, but young couple begin a new life in a new surely the dire need for housing in Cairns home. is reflected in the figures. The hon. member for Cook, who repre­ The 92 applications for homes in Cairns sents an electorate adjoining Cairns, spoke could reflect the feeling of frustration of of difficulty and the severe shortage of homes those waiting for housing. They become for people who transfer to Cairns from his disillusioned and say, "What's the use of electorate, and during the debate stated that applying? It is hopeless to apply for a the housing shortage in Cairns was serious. home." Nevertheless, the figures show that Although my interjection was not acknow­ there are 92 applicants for homes although ledged at the time, I told him that Cairns was only 29 sites have been set aside in Cairns. well represented and that he should look after In spite of that, only five tenders are to be the housing needs of his electorate because called. I trust that the Minister will realise I was quite capable of looking after those the plight of those waiting for homes in in mine. Cairns, and that those five homes will be The provision of new houses for the only the beginning of building operations, Deputy Public Curator and three other public that shortly there will be an increase in the servants in Cairns is commendable. Housing construction of homes particularly for newly­ for public servants, particularly members of weds and those with young families. Police Force, has been over-looked for a Mr. Bjelke-Petersen: I might mention that long time. Instead of assisting younger 37 are being dealt with at the moment, apart public servants and police officers in the from those five. lower wage brackets, Government depart­ ments have always allocated housing to Mr. R. JONES: In the Minister's letter of members of the Police Force and public 10 November that was not stated. This is servants in higher salary brackets. If the the fi·rst time that I have heard 37 men­ Government were sincere in its efforts to tioned. The file refers to 29 home sites improve accommodation for public servants, available and seven other sites acquired for more houses would be made available filling. The correspondence makes no refer­ for them, particularly the younger ones. ence to 37 homes in Cairns. However, if that figure is correct, it will bring the number The Cairns electorate is appreciative of the of houses allocated to Cairns more into line extensive alterations and improvements that with those made available in other centres. have been made to public buildings in Cairns is the seventh city of Queensland and Cairns. A new double-storey science school the figure of 37 is much more in keeping at the Cairns High School has been provided with the numbe-r of homes required there, with Commonwealth funds. for example, compared with Brisbane. I feel I notice also that the weather-proofed that meeting the demand for housing in access and utility recreation area between the Cairns would go a long way towards Cairns High School buildings is being put equalising the State's obligations in all to good use. It is rather substantial and is centres. proving its worth to the students during However, this represents only one-third of rainy periods. the applications on hand, and I believe that Within the technical college area the new approvals should be based on equity and that accommodation and extensions to the the number of applications should not remain plumbing shops are both warranted and static. There is no doubt that the population overdue. The completely new two-storeyed of Cairns is increasing and, consequently, unit estimated to cost £105,000 will fill a the demand for houses will increase. If 37 long-felt need for apprenticeship training for houses are made available, people who are motor mechanics in the Cairns district. I unsuccessfully looking for houses to understand a new administrative block for rent will have a better chance of getting the new principal will be incorporated. This accommodation. pinpoints an outstanding anomaly in the Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1607 recently applauded separation of the technical In some instances, I should say, it would college from the high school. I believe be untenable. It is not what one expects as that they should be completely separated, a working environment in the tropics in thus eliminating double services, which the 1965. school and college are inconveniently sharing. All this dispersed accommodation should It would also simplify organisational arrange­ be superseded by one centrally located ments. administration block on the standard of the The most wanted addition at this centre newly completed C.R.E.B. building, which is highlighted and accentuated by the barn­ would not only enhance our city but be a like structure that presently houses the worthy ass,et to the Queensland Government. manual training section. A completely new It would be more conducive to efficiency manual training section comprising six rooms and facilitate departmental activities in the should be planned as an extension to the far northern area of the State, as all trans­ northern end of the existing high school actions on one matter could be conducted building. There should be four rooms on under one roof. When considering such a the top floor with staff accommodation, and block, some thought should be given also to two rooms on the ground floor. This would the provision of furniture and office equip­ do away with this barnlike building and ment of modem design and efficiency. link the second unit across that area with As I said in my speech on the Estimates the main buildings. It would also have the effect of eliminating the "temporary" home of the Department of Justice, air-conditioning science rooms that have become permanent in North Queensland is no longer a luxury. features, as well as making provision for It is being provided at such places as the such facilities as a new library and art Commonwealth offices and the out-patients' room. These facilities would then be con­ department at the Cairns Base Hospital. veniently situated and readily accessible to At the present time the Department of both the school and the college. Primary Industries is situated in Grafton While dealing with high schools, I want Street. The Department of the Valuer­ to draw the Committee's attention to a prob­ General is tucked away in Howard Smith's lem confronting the Trinity Bay High School. building. The Department of Lands is These buildings were completed compara­ poked in behind the State Government tively recently and, although of modern Insurance Office. The Forestry Department design, they constitute separate units, which is poked in behind the Public Curator Office. present a hazard to most of the children The Department of Harbours and Marine, who are required to move between the home the Inspector of Machinery and n1e Indus­ science wing and the commercial wing. trial Inspector are in a poky bui!dmg at the Many pupils are required to move between bottom end of Abbott Street. If we went rooms in the course of a day. The existing back into the history of Cairns we should stairways have no cover and in tropical probably find that that building was there downpours the children's clothes become wet at the time of federation. The State Govern­ and they have to remain in their wet clothing ment Insurance Office, the Public Curator for the remainder of the day. I believe Office and the Adult Education Office are all that the Estimates should provide for the very cramped. The office of the Department building of a protective covering over the of Health, which is responsible for the con­ stairways. The lack of it causes much con­ trol of hook-worm in the area, is poked cern to parents and teachers as well as in behind the A.M.P. discomfort to students. A centrally situated office block in Cairns Another matter on which I touched during would better seTve the requirements of the the Budget debate was the need to provide various Government offices dispersed around in Cairns a modern State Government Cairns. At the present time it is very administrative block and offices to accom­ inconvenient for people looking for the various State offices. modate the various departments centrally. This is very necessary and I again stress it. I again draw attention to the need for a Whether the site chosen is on land adjacent new police station in Cairns. Earlier in to the School of Arts or opposite the Oppor­ this speech, I pointed out that police housing tunity School is of no consequence. Plans accommodation should receive a higher and specifications should, I believe, be pro­ priority, A new police department block should be established at the corner of The ceeded with as an urgent measure. Esplanade and Shields Street. I draw atten­ The buildings presently housing State tion to the old residences behind the old departments in Cairns are too dispersed, court house. If a lady walked in stiletto­ inadequate, uncomfortable and climatically heel shoes in them the floor-boards would unsuited for the intensified activities that have be pierced. The stipendiary magistrate and developed since their erection. The lack of one sub-inspector are in old, out-dated space, light and air, and the insufficiency of accommodation, and I understand that the office area to cope with modern requirements other sub-inspector is living in a rented -far in excess of the purpose originally home. intended-should be apparent even to the I make the particular appeal that the most casual observer. The accommodation Department of Education discontinue the use must be very unpleasant for its occupants. of the temporary accommodation at the 1608 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

West Cairns State School. The use of this Mr. CAREY: All members of all parties accommodation was a retrograde step. I realise that fact and are prepared to join make this appeal on behalf of the parents with me in saying, "Mr. Minister, you are and citizens' association, and the children doing an excellent job." His careful hus­ who are forced to play in the open during bandry of the resources available in his two tropical downpours. departments is well recognised by the With the expected growth of industry and majority of us. There are odd people who population in Cairns in the next few years prefer to criticise all and sundry. That is I believe that a new school will soon b~ their life. They like to criticise. But every required in the Bungalow area, and I sug­ now and again each one of us with any gest that Estimates should be prepared in heart, soul, or true Australian sportsmanship anticipation of the requirements of this area. recognises the qualities of the men we have running the affairs of this State. The I wish to draw the attention of the Com­ Minister has done more for Queensland than mittee to the need for a new maternity most people have a right to expect of block and ward accommodation in Cairns. him. With the limited amount of finance I understand that Gatton St. has been available in his two departments, he does resumed. This work must be proceeded an excellent job. with, but we must look to the future for I should like to see more houses built in new hospital accommodation for the grow­ my area. During the Budget debate I ing city. We cannot continue to resume made it clear to the Minister that I would streets; we must look north-eastward to the like to see a block of 10, 15, or 20 Housing sea for reclamation to be carried out, or else Commission homes built in my area for build our hospitals in a different area-away those who are keenly desirous of obtaining from the existing Cairns Base Hospital. I them. do not profess to be an expert in this field but I think that the future development of Mr. Sherrington: Where, on the Isle of the Cairns Base Hospital should be planned Capri? without continuing the trend to resume cross Mr. CAREY: There is nothing too good streets. for my electors, and if the Minister decides I should like also to compliment the to take over an area on the Isle of Capri officers, and those in the workshops, of the for Housing Commission homes I will Public Works Department in Cairns for they welcome it, particularly if he allows those are very conscientious and obliging. In the people to occupy them on the time-payment­ short time I have been a member of this deposit basis. Assembly, I have found that they have An Opposition Member: We will all join always attended carefully to any inquiry together now and sing, "For he's a jolly good or representation I have made. It is one fellow." of the most efficient departments in the State. The Cairns people were loud in their The CHAIRMAN: Order! Hon. members praise of the fittings in the new science on both sides of the Chamber are far too block in the high school. All of them, facetious in their interjections. I am inter­ from door frames to desks, were made in ested in the speech of the hon. member for the department's workshop. The trades­ Albert, and I ask hon. members to hear men and the day-labour force employed by him in silence. the department in Cairns have always been most efficient. I believe that the Trinity Mr. CAREY: I thank you, Mr. Hooper, Bay High School was completed by day for your protection. But I am quite happy labour. It was a very worthy contribution to listen to the interjections from the and it justified the claims of the advocates Opposition because they are not of much of day labour. use. (Time expired.) I congratulate the Under Secretary of the Department of Works, Mr. Dave Longland. Mr. CAREY (Albert) (4.29 p.m.): The During the 5! years that I have been a hon. member who has just resumed his member of this Assembly I have had no cause seat said in his opening remarks he to complain about what Mr. Longland has felt forced to condemn the Minister for done for me. Admittedly he has not done Works and Housing. I inform him that, everything I wanted. If that were so, I like the wallflower after the ladies' choice would consider I was a favoured member. at a dance, he will be on his own, because He is an excellent officer who is 90 per cent. of hon. members in this Chamber doing a wonderful job of work. In addition, realise that the Minister is one of the he is an excellent citizen. Perhaps, Mr. fairest and most capable Ministers, bearing in Hooper, I am getting away from the mind his limited experience in Cabinet. Estimates, but I am "estimating" the qualities of this very distinguished gentleman. I was moved to join this debate because He does a very good job of citizenship and I wanted to congratulate the Minister on is interested in all matters that are for the the excellent work he is doing. betterment of the State. Opposition Members interjected. Mr. Longland's staff must also be corn­ mended for the service they give to the State. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I mention particularly Mr. Hunt, who is Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1609 the supervising officer of the Department Mr. CAREY: So far as I am concerned, of Works on the Gold Coast, including the the Architectural and Construction and electorate of Albert. There are 39 Depart­ Maintenance Branches of the Department of ment of Works tradesmen and assistant Works as it is constituted today are doing tradesmen in my area. I should like to see a wonderful job. All hon. members know 70 or 100 of them there because that would perfectly well that when we went to school mean that more work was being carried we worked in dingy and dark schoolrooms. out in my area. I am here to represent The colours were so drab it was difficult Albert and the people of Albert, and I to see, and, in fact, I think working in dull intend to do my best while I am in Par­ and dismal conditions in schoolrooms was liament. I compliment those workmen on responsible for my wearing glasses today. the wonderful job they are doing in the With pastel shades of paint and excellent construction of public buildings on the lighting, conditions in schools are so good Gold Coast and in the Albert electorate. I today that in the future optometrists will not am sure that Opposition members would be receiving such profitable returns. The have no reason to criticise their workman­ excellent conditions provided at schools by ship. the Government are a great boon to parents and pupils alike. I want to give my thanks to Mr. Campbell, the Commissioner of Housing, because he Mr. Chinchen: And school teachers. also is doing all that he can for my area. He is not, of course, doing quite as much Mr. CAREY: That is so. Teachers as I should like him to do. I should like to see probably receive as much benefit from these at least another 20 houses built, and I know improved conditions as the pupils do, and he will follow the suggestion I made certainly more than parents do. The equip­ during the budget debate to take over ment provided by the Department of immediately the 50 acres now known as Works-desks, seats, and so on-is very much Roryville, previously known as Forestry better than it was when I went to school. Reserve 727, and develop it to provide sites for homes for the workmen coming to my I ask hon. members opposite, too, to cast area to undertake the very important job their minds back to the conditions in this of building on the Gold Coast. Chamber when the Government took office and before Hon. D. E. Nicholson was elected I also wish to place on record my thanks Speaker of this Assembly. We sat on hard, to the secretary of the Queensland Housing uncomfortable benches placed round the walls. Commission, Mr. Simpson, who has been very Today there are beautifully soft, padded helpful in any requests I have put to cushions behind desks at which we can work him. During the Budget debate I suggested while debates are in progress. How different that time-payment terms be made available it is from the drab, uninteresting Chamber to young married couples who desire to of 1957 when hon. members opposite were purchase Housing Commission homes. I in office. thank the Commissioner for bringing to my As hon. members know, the Government notice the next day the fact that the Housing has established canteens in all high-school Commission will give to any young person buildings and provided equipment for them. renting a Housing Comission home the right This is something that hon. members opposite to purchase it on payment of a deposit of would like to have thought of. £25. This is something the Government has done for the working people. Mr. Sherrington: Be truthful about this. The parents and citizens have to equip the Mr. Sherrington: They have to get into schools. the house first. Mr. CAREY: No. There is no doubt that Mr. CAREY: It is not all that may be the conditions at Queensland high schools desired. Nevertheless, if a person occupying are very much better than they were when a rental house makes the effort to save £25, hon. members opposite were attending school. he can pay it as a deposit on the house and become the purchaser. The Government The Minister said in introducing his is to be commended for this, because it is Estimates that the Government has spent a step in the right direction. £61,341,034 on public buildings in the eight years it has been in office. What a Mr. Sherrington: That doesn't help the record! But this record will be broken bloke who hasn't got a home. because the Government follows progressive policies, and the Minister and his Cabinet Mr. CAREY: Hon. members opposite are colleagues will pour more and more money loud in their condemnation of many things. into projects designed to meet the require­ Indeed, it is their business, and their right, ments of the people. I draw the attention of to condemn things they think are not hon. members to the fact-this may shock correct. However, let us stick to things that some hon. members opposite-that in the are truly correct. Hon. members opposite last eight years the Department of Works have endeavoured from time to time to has spent £642,466 in the Albert electorate. condemn the construction of public buildings Opposition Members interjected. such as schools and hospitals. Opposition Members interjected. The CHAIRMAN: Order! 1610 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. CAREY: I shall ignore hon. members Having all this money invested in valuable opposite, because I want recorded in buildings-! should say approximately "Hansard" where this money has been spent. £1,000,000 worth and perhaps more- The Musgrave Hill school, which I had the honour of opening 12 months ago-- Mr. Bromley: Is the hon. member for South Coast on your side? Mr. Sherrington: You have your name on it, haven't you? Mr. CAREY: Yes, he is on my side all the way-and I am on his side. Mr. CAREY: Yes. I am pleased to say All these valuable investments make it that it is the first building on which my name has appeared. It cost £13,200. The necessary for the Department of Works to new school at Benowa cost £16,000. keep State buildings in good repair and I Additions to the Southport primary school, give full credit for the work being done by at which I was educated-the teachers the supervisors. did a good job, I might say--cost £97,632. Mr. Davies: In view of all this, can you Additions to the Labrador school, plus a explain why the Liberals, including the hon. residence and new toilet blocks, cost £55,626, member for Merthyr, want to toss you out and at the State high school-! ask hon. of Parliament? members to note this particularly-£215,348 has been spent. At the present time a Mr. CAREY: I am quite certain that science block to the value of £55,000 is in Liberal members will be very disappointed the course of erection. if anybody succeeds in tossing me out of Parliament. I have many friends in the Mr. Sherrington: Provided by the Liberal Party and, of course, all in the Commonwealth. Country Party are my friends, and we will be retaining the seat. Mr. CAREY: That does not matter. Many trade union members are getting good work Since so much money has been invested from the £55,000, no matter where it comes in buildings on the Gold Coast, I must from, and I know the hon. member corn­ recommend to the Minister and the Under mends the department for it. Secretary of the Department of Works that they appoint a qualified pest exterminator Canungra, which serves both the South to the area. There are white ants and ter­ Coast area and the Albert electorate, has mites in some of the buildings at the South­ received a new school costing £28,000. We port primary school. I think it is very have a new maternity wing on the Southport necessary that the State should be divided Hospital, for which I give full credit to the into zones and that pest exterminators be Labour Government. They built the first appointed to each zone to keep the white maternity hospital but we have continued to ants and termites out of public buildings. supply the requirements of the people in the area. The new maternity wing, with furni­ Opposition Members interjected. ture, will cost £30,000. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask hon. A new court house and single police­ members on my left to cease their disorderly men's quarters valued £100,000 are in the injections. course of construction. A maternal and child welfare clinic, about which I received Mr. CAREY: With your permission, Mr. information from the Minister about two Hooper, I should like to answer the inter­ weeks ago will be built during this financial jection about what I propose to do with the year at an estimated cost of £30,000. The termites that are trying to undermine the Department of Health is building a new wing Country Party. There are white ants and onto the general hospital at a contract price termites in every walk of life, but I assure of roughly £227,000. hon. members opposite that the Country Those are some of the undertakings going Party has been built on solid and sound on in my electorate, and anyone would be foundations. We have solid concrete stumps, justly proud of them. so there will be no white-anting in that direction. Because of its excellent repre­ Mr. Ramsden: Especially when you have sentation of the areas it represents the Coun­ done so much to get them. try Party will retain superiority of numbers in this Chamber. Mr. CAREY: Yes. I worked overtime to convince the various Ministers of the I ask the Minister to recommend the necessity for these amenities. Of course, appointment of a trained pest exterminator they recognise the importance of the who knows his job to carry out the necessary Gold Coast and, in particular, the impor­ work in, say, the Beaudesert, South Coast tance of the electorate of Albert, and they and Albert areas. have seen fit to give these buildings to us. Repair and maintenance work on build­ They realise that people are flocking to our ings in coastal areas is always very heavy. coast. They are leaving the North and the Although I have no criticism of the work West and are coming to the Gold Coast, that has been done by the Department of and this makes it necessary for the Minister Works. I suggest particular attention for Works and Housing to recognise the be paid to one facet of it. The guttering importance of the area. of houses on the coast does not last very Supply [16 NOVEMBER) Supply 1611 long. Painting deteriorates very quickly required for the welfare of the State and when it is subjected to salt spray. Roofs for its future development. We would need painting more frequently on the coast appreciate the activities of the Government if than inland. I give the departmental officers hon. members opposite were fairer in their full credit for doing a good job but from approach to the problems facing Queensland, time to time I receive requests 'for repairs to a home or building which is the depart­ especially in the field of housing, as it con­ ment's responsibility. That should not be cerns not only Brisbane or Country Party necessary. The inspector appointed to deal electorates but the State as a whole. That with termites and white ants could carry is how the Government should approach out the necessary supervision of public these matters. It should not discriminate buildings and houses, and report to the between electors because an electorate is not Minister when work was required. held by the Country Party. The hon. mem­ ber for Albert falls far short of the mark If we had no more complaints to make in claiming credit, as he has, for all that has about Ministers and their departments than happened in the Albert electorate since this we have to make about the Minister for Government took over the Treasury benches. Works and Housing and the departments If my memory serves me correctly, most of under his control we would be a very happy the happenings in the Albert electorate were State. I am confident that we will continue as a result of the representation by the hon. to get bigger and better development in my member for South Coast, Mr. Gaven. He area. However, I again ask the Minister to was the man who encouraged the Govern­ see the Housing Commission always keeps ment to undertake what has been done in its eye on the Albert electorate to ensure that area. The hon. member for Albert did that the workers have homes. a little bit of back-scratching of the Minister (Time expired.) for doing a good job, but that does not fit in with my thinking. Mr. GRAHAM (Mackay) (4.54 p.m.): After listening to the back-scratching s,peeches of I admit that the present Government has the hon. members for Albert and Roma, one spent considerably more money in its seven wonders whether this Committee is joining years of office than the Labour Government in a hallelujah chorus. If those hon. mem­ did. However, we must remember that this bers think we are going to continue to Government had the money to spend; there pat the Minister on the back for all he has been a definite change in Government has done in Country Party electorates they financing in the last seven years. This are making a big mistake. I am not going Government has received much more money to be hesitant about criticising the Minister from the Commonwealth Government for and his department. even though he may housing allocation; it has also received much have a lot of good supporters on the Govern­ more money from the Commonwealth ment side. It is all very well for hon. members opposite to do so much back­ Government in grants for general works scratching. Afterwards they can say, "I programme spending. made a nice speech for you on your Estim­ ates. Having given you all those congratula­ What would we expect the Government to tions, I expect you will do something for do? There is a need for more school build­ my electorate." If one looks through the ings, hospitals and homes, and the Govern­ Housing Commission report, it is evident that ment has a responsibility in these matters. that policy has been followed. The Minister It cannot claim credit for doing these things, has been very careful to look after the because it is responsible for them. Through­ interests of his own party members. There out Australia every Government, irrespective is no doubt about that and, later on, I will of its political outlook, has done exactly try to show the extent to which it has been what the Queensland Government has done. done during this Government's term of office. Every Government has spent more money on It is all e·yewash for a Minister, or mem­ hospitals and schools. The need was there bers of the Government, to say that most of -it was a necessity-and it is useless for this the things that hon. members opposite Government to say, "Look at what we have referred to have happened since the advent done." It has done no more and no less of the Nicklin Government. Queensland's than it should have. In many cases it has housing policy was laid down many years not done as much as it should have, and before the Nicklin Government came to I will endeavour to show by the Minister's office. The Labour Party laid down the figmes just how he has discriminated between policy relative to home ownership, and over electorates. the years whe11 we controlled the Treasury benches we made a better job than the I have here a publication issued by present Government has of providing home Thomas Nationwide Transport showing the ownership for those who desired it. What population of towns and districts throughout is more, we in the Opposition are fairer than Queensland. I have taken from page 7 of Government members in our criticism of the Minister's report the number of homes Government policy. We know what is built in Brisbane and the various country 1612 Supply [ASSEMBLY} Supply

towns. The following are the statistics rela­ The point is that it is virtually impossible tive to Housing Commission homes com­ to get a home in Mackay, so what is the pleted and under construction as at June, use of applying to the Housing Commission 1965- for one? Applications have been lying in the office of the clerk of the court for Houses years simply because the Minister and the Popula­ No. of under Commissioner refuse to build homes in District tion Houses construe~ tion Mackay. Admittedly some have been built in North Mackay. Brisbane 737,000 22,375 933 I am told that there is no land available Cairns 80,000 493 70 in Mackay. Has the Commission made any Townsvill~ · 93,000 1,325 41 Rockhampton 68,000 1,126 !17 effort to obtain any? Why does the Govern­ Maryborough 92,000 337 16 ment retain two areas of land that could be Toowoomba 90,000 1,340 104 used for the erection of houses? The Rail­ Toowoomba i;.,~ I eluding Roma .. 1,484 120 way Department has held land at Paget I Junction for years, and obviously it has no intention of using it. A large area of I do not think that Mackay is any less land is held by the hospital board and in important than Maryborough, Townsville, all probability, because of the policy of the or Cairns, and Mackay's housing problems Government, it will never be used for should not have been neglected. It is a large hospital purposes. I endeavoured to have city with many important industries. Develop­ it made available to the Housing Commis­ ment has been encouraged. Housing is sion. Ample land is available in Mackay if part and parcel of a developmental pro­ the Minister can gain the co-operation of gramme. Yet the Mackay district, which other members of the Ca,binet. includes Proserpine, Sarina, and Mirani, with a population of 57,000, has only 257 Housing What is the effect of the Jack of housing Commission homes, and only two under in Mackay? Time and time again people construction. have come to Mackay with the intention of residing there. Work has been available I have complained bitterly for years about for them, but because they cannot get houses the lack of attention that has been given to they return to the South. Another effect of housing in Mackay. The Minister claims the shortage is that rents have risen to that North Mackay is part of Mackay. More ast·ronomical heights. In Mackay today homes have been built in Whitsunday than people are paying rents that are far too in Mackay. I do not agree that North high simply because there is a shortage of Mackay is Mackay. Statistics show that the houses, and the whole situation has been Pioneer division is not included in the CitY aggravated by the lack of interest on the of Mackay. According to the Minister's part of the Government. The back-scratching figures, homes are under construction in 75 by hon. members opposite does not go down to 80 per cent. of the cities in Queensland. with me. Yet in Mackay not one home is being built, and not one home has been built there for If the people of Mackay are to share in some years. Not one penny of Housing the money made available through the Hous­ Commission money was spent in Mackay ing Commission, land should be found for until in recent months the Commission called the construction of houses in the electorate for tenders for repairs to and maintenance of Mackay. There are many who, for of a number of Mackay homes which were numerous reasons, will not live on the north falling down around the ears of the occupants. side of Mackay in the Pioneer Shire. Those The list for one house has 70 repair items who have the means to build will build in necessary to bring it up to a reasonable living the city, as that is where they wish to live. standard. The housing needs of the Mackay I know that all houses built in North Mackay people have been completely ignored. have been occupied and, because of the present shortage, none in t~ll;t ar~a are now I am not alone in this complaint. Many vacant. However, the pos1t1on IS so acute articles have been published in "The Daily that if 1,000 houses were built in North Mercury", which is the voice of the Mackay Mackay they would be occupied. I cannot people. In November last year there was an for the life of me see why all the available article complaining about the housing short­ money should be spent in the electorate of age. In another, the Pioneer Shire Council Whitsunday whilst Mackay is neglected. complained about the housing shortage. The Mackay City Council also complained about Let me now deal with one other matter the housing shortage. Almost everybody that concerns housing. Some time ago I in Mackay who has a sense of responsibility was approached by Mrs. Corney, of Mackay, has complained about the neglect of Mackay and I mention her case to show the high­ by the Minister and the Commissioner. banded attitude adopted by the Housing Commission inspector. Apparently it was The fact is that there is a shortage of necessary to repair the fence between her homes in Mackay. The Minister will recall property and that of Mr. Petersen, in that when I raised this matter some time ago Mogford Street. The Housing Commission he sought information from the clerk of decided to build a new dividing fence. Mrs. the court at Mackay and made a Press Corney's home is privately owned; Mr. statement that there was no shortage, simply Petersen's is a Housing Commission home. because there was a lack of applications. The Housing Commission went in without Supply [16 NOVEMBER) Supply 1613 authority, and, without approaching Mrs. increased by 6s. 6d. When he protested, Corney or making any request of her, the Housing Commission advised him that knocked down the dividing fence, built the increased charges were to cover rates, another, and then sent Mrs. Corney this repairs and maintenance. If the Commission letter- had carried out a reasonable amount of "Dear Madam, maintenance to rental houses over the years "Recently, new fencing was erected to it would not be burdened with the high costs the side alignment between your property that it has to meet today. For many years and the Commission's property occupied by it neglected rental houses in Mackay; it did Mr. Petersen, as it was considered that not paint them, repair them, or replace such such fencing was necessary." things as gas boilers and stoves. It is now faced with spending many thousands of No approach was made to Mrs. Corney- the pounds and, as a consequence, tenants in Housing Commission was of opinion that it poor circumstances who have been paying was necessary. rent for years are having to meet continually The letter continues- increasing charges. In some instances rent "The cost of such fencing was £74 which is adjusted according to income; but that was the lowest quote received, ... " happens rarely in Mackay, and many tenants are feeling the strain of meeting the high Again Mrs. Corney had no opportunity of rentals that are being charged by the Housing getting someone else to quote for the job. Commission. I do not see why the Govern­ It continues- ment should apply such increases to widows, " . . . and as you are the adjoining for example, when it is making a profit from owner and responsible for half adjoining some of its activities. fencing costs, the Commission looks to There is another matter about which I have you to meet your share of the cost of such reason to complain. On 28 October I fencing. received a letter from the Minister informing "Your half-share would amount to £37, me that a tender of £56,000 from T. F. and it would be appreciated if you would Woolam and Sons Pty. Ltd. had been accepted pay this amount to the Clerk of the for the erection of an electrical trades block Court, Mackay, quoting the reference at the Mackay Technical College. I was 'Adjoining fencing-766G(7)'." very happy to receive the letter, because Mrs. Corney is a widow and is not a position extensions are required at the technical college to pay £3 7 for a fence. Even if she had to provide for the intake of apprentices. The been, the Commission has no right to pull Minister said that the work will be put down a fence and then send a bill for half in hand at an early date. the cost of erecting a new one without This letter was received by me after the approaching her first. work had started. I have noted that it seems to be the policy of this Government I got in touch with the Housing Com­ mission on this matter about six or seven to advise its own members of work to be. weeks ago but I have not yet received a performed in their electorates, but not to reply. I rang the Commissioner, who said advise Lab

My experience of the day-labour gangs actions of the Minister and of the adminis­ employed by the Department of Works in tration, I have always found that the Minister my electorate is that they are a jolly and his officers are very approachable. fine band of fellows. I have met quite There has been conside·rable mention in a few. ~f them, because I represent this Chamber, both today and on Thursday two dJstncts-the Maryborough district and the Brisbane district-and I know last, of the spending of money on housing that they do a very good job. Whenever in Gladstone. I am sure that many hon. I have checked on the cost of the work, members realise that Gladstone's problem I have found that it is exactly what it ought is a special one and requires special attention to be. I have no complaint about the way because overnight there began to grow an they apply themselves to their work, either, industry of very grandiose proportions, which and whenever a request is made that a job necessitated very quick Government action be done by day labour I have no hesitation in the provision of certain services and on a in saying, "Give it to the local men." They scale larger than that handed out to other are interested in the district and many of areas. them are associated with school committees Unfortunately, there is a tremendous and other public bodies. amount of criticism in Gladstone relative to As to the paint colour of schools, I have the houses erected on behalf of the alumina noticed that both dark-green and light-green company. I have mentioned this criticism fade very quickly in the hot sun. The paint in previous debates in this Chamber. Whilst peels and, 12 months or so after a building I adopt a realistic attitude, as I think most has been painted, it looks very shabby. people do, and accept that the employees of the alumina company must be adequately Mr. Ewan: It might be the metal under­ housed, at the same time I, and other mem­ neath. bers on this side, maintain that people who Mr. LOW: Yes, the metal might have have bee·n living and working in the m·ea something to do with it, but both light-green for many years deserve similar treatment and dark-green fade and peel very quickly. from the Government. Perhaps there is an acid underneath the paint Many houses have already bee·n erected­ that causes it to deteriorate. However I I suppose they will total a couple of hundred think an investigation could well be m~de eventually-for the employees of this com­ into this problem. Apart from this I pany, and the rental will be guaranteed by believe that the use of lighter colours ~nd the company. From the point of view of n~w ~mints is certainly a step in the right the Housing Commission that is a very d1rect10n. sound, business-like move, but, as the mem­ Mr. Davies: The paints may be of cheaper ber for the district, I have an obligation to quality today. people who have resided in the district for years. The names of a considerable number Mr. LOW: That may be so. of them appear on the files of the clerk of On some occasions new sheets of roofing the court as applicants for houses, and over iron are provided and not painted. One sees many years, they have been ~rying to obtain that quite frequently in country areas. It justice in the matter of housing. The may happen in the city, too; I do not know. position in Gladstone might well be likened The appearance of the building is spoilt and to that of the Ancient Mariner, who had the roof remains patchy until the whole of "Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to it is repainted. drink". Houses are springing up all over Gladstone, but many people with high Mr. Davies: You can't paint new iron. priority ratings, with large families or Mr. LOW: There might be a difficulty eviction orders, are unable to obtain satisfac­ there, but I wondered whether it would be tion from the Housing Commission. possible to paint some sheets of iron before­ Only recently, six homes were released to hand so that the roof would not be left the public. We were particularly pleased to in a patchy condition, in some instances for obtain them but they were given to people as long as 12 or 18 months. on a home-ownership basis. It is not that {Time expired.) I have any quarrel with home ownership. We believe, and have believed for many Mr. HANSON (Port Curtis) (5.44 p.m.): years, in home ownership. First, I thank the Minister for the courtesies Mr. Murray: You would prefer that, that he has extended to me in replying to correspondence that I have sent to him and would you not? represenations that I have made to him during Mr. HANSON: I have only a limited time. the last 12 months. I extend thanks, too, Although I should like to listen to the inter­ to Mr. Campbell, Mr. Redwood, Mr. Long­ jection of the hon. member for Clayfield, land, and many other officers associated with the departments under the Minister's control. I will let his rema'fks pass till another day. These departments play a very important part He is probably more interested in other fields in the development of the State and, although and other political activities. their responsibilities are very onerous and It is a grave problem to be surrounded, hon. members on this side of the Chamber as it were, by a land of plenty and, at the are very critical from time to time of the same time, to find that ordinary necessities 1618 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply are denied us. It is a terrifying thing, par­ exorbitant rents to those who are able to ticularly so for the person who represents afford them rather than catering for the the electorate. wants of the ordinary working man. I agree with my illustrious brother-in-law A great deal of argument has been sitting on the front bench, the hon. member advanced during the debate about members for B3!roona, who recently suggested that this of the armed forces obtaining houses through Government, while closing the housing the Queensland Housing Commission. The camps by its action in imposing limitations Minister mentioned that the Commonwealth on r~nt control allowed the building of luxurious flats and apartments which are Government and the State Government had included in, and boost, the figures relating participated in the ratio of 68 to 32. I to the number of housing units constructed. realise that the housing of defence personnel poses a great problem, and I agree with This Government has not changed the what has been said about the needs of mem­ state of affairs that existed when people bers of the armed forces. When they come lived in the housing camp in Victoria Park. to Queensland they become Queensland There is still a great unsatisfied demand for citizens. They have to eat and they have housing a demand which some months ago caused 'the Treasurer to remark, "I do not to be accommodated. They spend their know where these people come from." Every money here. The armed services are virtual1y clerk of the court has a similar problem. employers giving employment to their various As I said in my Budget speech, exorbitant service personnel. prices of up to £10 a week, plus £2 a week I want to emphasise one point particularly extra for electricity, are being charged for to the Minister and other Cabinet members. caravans in the area that I represent. The Since the present Federal administration other day I came across a man who was took office, many hundreds of millions of sleeping in a wheelbarrow at the back of pounds have been spent on defence each licensed premises. I might mention, that I am not connected with the premises in question. year. Last year the expenditure exceeded I took pity on this poor fellow and did some­ £300,000,000. While the Commonwealth thing which probably the hon. member for desires the State to participate in meeting Merthyr would not do in similar circum­ the housing requirements of members of stances. I arranged accommodation for him the armed services, I maintain it should be until he could get work and was able to on the basis of a greater defence allocation afford better accommodation. for Queensland than at present. On many occasions I have asked in this Chamber if This morning I heard the hon. member anyone had particulars concerning defence for Merthyr eulogising the Government for expenditure in Queensland. I was told pri­ allowing the private sec.tor to particip~te vately by a member of my own party-a more in the field of housmg, and suggestmg high-ranking member of the party-that only that the private sector was rendering a gre~t public service by investing its money m 3 per cent. of the total defence allocation houses apartments and so on for which it was spent in Queensland, which is the most could 'charge high rentals. I know that the vulnerable State in the Commonwealth. The hon. member is a highly responsible member Commonwealth desires a 32 per cent. par­ of the Government. As a matter of fact, ticipation by the State in housing yet, in he is being referred to in political circles the next breath it is prepared to spend only as the "pea" for the next Cabinet vacancy. 3 ner cent. of the total allocation for defence requirements in Queensland. Surely Only rcently the hon. member said th~t the intelligentsia of the Governl!lent was m. the in orrlinary moral social justice it should Cabinet. Even though he IS such a highly be asked-and should participate-to the extent of 97 per cent. of the housing require­ responsible member of the Gove~nment, I ments of members of the armed services. suggest that he go to any tr~dmg bank that is supposed to finance housmg and try That argument is quite fair and the scheme to get money for a house. He will find that is highly desirable. I do not think the he is up against a brick wall. State should be asked to contribute as much Only recently in Gladstone I was dealing as it does to meet the housing requirements with the case of a young man who was of the armed services. If the State did trying to obtain a house. Even though he not have to provide this amount, much more had £600 or £700 in the bank, and an money would be availablt; to the M!nis!er insurance policy for £1,500, his land and to give the ordinary workmg people JUStice furniture being completely unencumbered, in their housing requirements. he was not able to borrow from any bank sufficient money to erect a house at. a I have one suggestion to make to the contract price of £3,450. After makmg Minister concerning the Department of various representations over many months I Works. Only recently a delegation went was able to have his requirements met. What overseas seeking experienced tr~desmen t.o utter rot it is for a man who is desirous play their part in the expansiOn that :s of becoming a Cabinet Minister to talk taking place in various centres of th1s about the wonderful job the private sector State. is doing! I agree with the hon. memb~r for Baroona that these people are domg. a Mr. Aikens: Is that the group that went wonderful job for themselves by chargmg to Malaya? Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1619

Mr. HANSON: In reply to the hon. mem­ very important adjunct to industrial develop­ ber for Townsville South, it was not. The ment. I do not say that all new houses group comprised a number of businessmen should be provided for every new industry, and a man from the Department of Justice particularly in a•reas where there is quite a who is now attached to the Agent-General's strong housing set-up in existence. If the office in London. I do not know what success department gives new industries approxi­ the delegation achieved. I know that the mately half the houses they require, in the man from the Department of Justice whizzed form of new dwellings, the department is around the State in a lightning 10-day tour, doing all that can be expected of it. and in those 10 days he was supposed to absorb the industrial requirements of certain It is only fair that industry should provide industries in this State. I do not know to some housing for its employees. In many what extent the Department of Works par­ of the areas aTound Rockhampton good ticipated in the delegation. However, I eli:isting houses can be purchased, and it is believe that with the shortage of tradesmen only fair that industry should supply some throughout Queensland it is highly desirable ot its own housing. This has been done in in the future for the Department of Works Rockhampton. Usually we ask new indus­ to look further afield, and, if possible, nomin­ tries to buy half the houses they require for ate tradesmen from overseas so that they the job, in the form of existing dwellings, can work in the department. I know that and not to load the department with several private industries are willing to par­ unreasonable requests for new houses. ticipate and I should not like to see the There has been a big improvement in department miss out. Frequently we hear house designs. There is now a reasonable criticism about the long delay by the depart­ variation in the designs of workers' dwell­ ment in completing Government buildings. ings. In the old days, one could pick Obviously it is due to the shortage of trades­ workers' dwellings because they were all of men, which exists throughout the building the same design. Probably it is to the credit industry. I suggest to the Minister, if he has not already participated in the scheme of the architects today that there is some to get tradesmen for the department, that variation from the rigid adherence to type in he should investigate it and see if it is at workers' dwellings. all possible to bring some of them into Mr. Aikens: Some of the old bungalow his organisation so that they may be able dwellings were good and sound. to assist the department in carrying out its programme. Mr. PILBEAM: That is so. I appreciate [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] the Minister's encouragement of home owner­ ship. In the development of housing Mr. PILBEAM (Rockhampton South) estates nothing is as good as home owner­ ship. It is easy to pick letting houses in {7 .15 p.m.): I congratulate the officers of this department, with which I was associated for a city from those privately owned, and the so many years, on their successful year's worst parts of provincial cities at present work. In those congratulations I include an are those composed of rented houses. It is old workmate of mine in the person of Mr. only human nature for a tenant not to take G. Campbell, who controls this very import­ anything like the interest in his dwelling that ant department. I congratulate the Minister an owner does. The tenant does not tend also on a ve·ry good year. the footpath, the garden, or generally touch up the house in a way that demonstrates to It is very gratifying to see a different out­ outsiders that he is proud of it. look being adopted towards the employees of the department. In the old days when I do not like to see workers' dwellings I worked there, it was regarded as a sort of provided for rental in a group, because '·'Cinderella" department with a poor system invariably there is deterioration in them. of classified positions. The position under The worst parts of my city are those in this Government is entirely different. There which houses are let. I know that some is a very good system of classifications and houses must be provided for letting pur­ quite a good future is assured those who poses, but I do not like to see groups of work in the department. houses let to tenants in one locality. I much prefer the policy that Mr. Campbell I am gratified to see the housing construc­ appears to be adopting of building a number tion that is being undertaken in various parts of houses in an area and selling some and of the State, and the way this very import­ renting the others. In that way the houses ant department is being administered so as are treated reasonably and there is not a to help the industrial development of this general deterioration in one area. State. It is very gratifying to me to see the My electorate is no exception. I thank the treatment meted out to the employees of Minister for giving favourable consideration my council; they have a generally happier to my representations for housing for indus­ outlook; and my main theme this evening tries such as the salt works at Bajool and is the recognition of the work done by the the steel fabrication works and new flour Housing Commission in the very sound mill at Parkhurst. The provision of housing housing projects being undertaken through­ for the employees in those industries is a out the State. 1620 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Another thing that I find pleasing is the buildings in provincial cities. In Rock­ way the Commission is co-operating with hampton there is one of the finest examples local authorities. Too often in the past, the of Government gardens that one could see Commission purchased estates without any anywhere, and it reflects great credit on the regard to drainage problems in the area. head gardener. All local authorities have full records of The only fly in the ointment in Rock­ flood and drainage problems in their locali­ hampton is the site of the old police station. ties, and I think they all make this infor­ The building has been razed to the ground mation available to the public. They ask and I understand that the area is to be people to use the information to check landscaped and placed under the care of the whether the land has any disability before head gardener. I ask the Minister to pro­ development on it is undertaken. ceed with the work as quickly as possible Mr. Aikens: Have you a town plan at because, while the rest of the gardens are Rockhampton? a credit to the city, this corner is a little eyesore. Mr. PILBEAM: Yes. We are putting one I have no reflections to cast on the work in now. of the department and I do not intend to take up the time of the Committee by Let me say that this Commission is referring at length to the work it has done co-operating with my council to the benefit over the years. I again thank the Minister of all. No longer does it buy land and erect and the officers of the departments under houses and then find that they have serious his control for the courteous way in which drainage problems. That is irritating to they have accepted and replied to the various members of the public who have put all requests that I have made to them. their savings into houses. Mr. WALSH (Bundaberg) (7.27 p.m.): I I know that representations are made think housing is the most important part of throughout the years to encourage home the Minister's portfolio. Much could be said ownership by the provision of houses on low about public buildings and improvements in deposits. It is ironical to say that this is the design of public buildings throughout the not necessary, because when I was working State; but, in spite of what might be said in this department there were two schemes about the clamour for improved office in operation. There was the workers' dwel­ accommodation in Brisbane and other cities ling scheme, in which 20 per cent. of the and towns, the most important problem con­ house and land was provided by the appli­ fronting the Minister and his officers is the cant. That meant that he had a 20 per cent. housing of families in Queensland. stake in the property. On the other hand, there was a workers' homes scheme, in So much has been said about the success which applicants did not even own the land. of the Government in the field of housing It was leasehold land, and each applicant that I think it might be a good idea to see had to provide 5 per cent. of the value whether there is any means by which its of the house. efforts to meet the situation can be improved still further. It is idle for any member It is fair enough to say that there was on the Government benches to say that the no comparison at all between the two housing of the people of Queensland is satis­ .schemes. Under the workers' dwelling factory when, in various parts of the State, scheme, the people had a 20 per cent. invest­ married couples are living in caravans and ment in their homes and they looked after paying up to £8 and £10 a week for the them. It was always possible to tell workers' use of part of an allotment and the facilities dwellings from workers' homes. Under the in an adjoining house. The Government workers' homes scheme, there was a very and its supporters cannot say with truth high percentage of unpaid dues. People got that everything in the garden is lovely in the idea that, as they had only a 5 per the field of family housing. cent. investment in the house, all that they I know that there are some limitations, had to do was get in arrears to an amount and I am not unmindful of them in discuss­ equivalent to the 5 per cent. and they could ing this subject. One is finance, another is leave the house without losing anything. the availability of tradesmen in the various callings in the building industry. From time I thoroughly applaud the present system to time statements are made by the Federal and would not like to see it break down. Minister for Housing, and even on behalf of I also recognise the desirability of getting the State Government, that the building rid of some of the old houses, if possible. industry is booming. The amount of finance As I say, I thoroughly applaud the present being made available to the building industry system to extend the deposit and the other as a whole may give some weight to this elements that go with it. claim; but whether or not it is being directed into the proper channels and being used to I thank the Department of Works for overcome the shortage of houses for families the very fine buildings it has erected in is another question. Despite the complaints Rockhampton. I do not think any hon. that have come not only from this State member has referred to the care of Govern­ but from all over Australia, the Federal ment buildings or, in particular, to the pro­ Minister in charge of housing, Mr. Bury, vision of gardens round Government recently made a statement. He said that. Supply (16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1621 despite all the problems conf·ronting families Some time ago the Treasurer circulated a who are in need of homes, the Federal memo setting out the various sources of Government has no intention at this stage of finance. I should like the Liberal Party making further finance available. This means section of the Government to take particular that if the Government is in a position to note of what I am about to say. The make finance available it will probably make memorandum is headed "Finance For Co­ it available towards the end of the financial operative Housing Societies and Co-operative year when it cannot be reflected in the Terminating Societies carrying Government finances for this year. Unless this Govern­ Guarantee." The first of these societies, ment-and the Federal Government in par­ according to the circular, was launched in ticular-through banking institutions or 1958. The circular goes on to record the other lending aulhorities, take some action to number of registered societies from 1959 to channel the finance available for building 30 June, 1965. purposes towards home building, the position of the home dweller will become more and The names of the lenders of moneys for more difficult. housing purposes are very interesting. I noticed that what could be regarded as Of what satisfaction is it to a mother with socialistic institutions-the Commonwealth five or seven children, looking around for Savings Bank of Australia and the Common­ cheap rental accommodation, to see going wealth Trading Bank of Australia-up to up large structures such as are being erected 30 June, 1963, had advanced £4,060,000. in this City? Even in the Civic Square, The A.N.Z. Savings Bank, up to the same buildings that are already accommodating date, had advanced £1,000,000, the A.N.Z. business offices are being pulled down and Trading Bank £50,000, the Bank of New the available finance, building materials and South Wales Savings Bank £260,000, the tradesmen are being used in erecting new buildings in their stead. Surely some C.B.C. Savings Bank £528,000, the E.S. & A. approach could be made to the financial Savings Bank £100,000, the Commercial institutions, by either this Government or Savings Bank £130,000, the State Govern­ the Federal Government, to see that that ment Insurance Office (Queensland)­ state of affairs does not continue. As another socialistic enterprise, according to long as it does, the cruel position of a young the Liberals-£1,300,000, the New Zealand couple raising a large family, living in a Insurance Co. Ltd., £105,000, the Royal tent, a marquee or a caravan, will continue. Insurance Co. Ltd. £50,000, the North What credit does it do this Government British & Mercantile Insurance Co. Ltd. and its supporters that that state of affairs £50,000, the Yorkshire Insurance Co. Ltd. should exist in this State? £50,000, the Netherlands Immigration Board £100,000, and Police Superannuation, which, I know the Government takes the view that it should encourage industry. We all take of course, is Government-supervised, that view, but we do not all agree that the £200,000, making a total of £7,983,000. Government should supersede its obligations In his circular the Treasurer comments- to the local community by giving assistance "From this it will be seen that Insurance to foreign companies that have large amounts Companies generally were not good sup­ of capital and are in a good enough financial porters of the movement. Being anxious position to finance the construction of homes to expand the volume of support, I dis­ required for their employees. Should the cussed with State Insurance the question Government assume responsibility for that of their rendering support, pointing out work to the detriment of other families who that there was a prospect of reciprocal for years have assisted to build industry in insurance business to make the investment this State? more attractive." I suppose, that if one looks down the I want to impress this fact on members of the list, Bundaberg, with 15 houses, got its fair Liberal Party. For the year ended 30 June, share of t•he houses built in the State last 1964, the Commonwealth Savings Bank of year. It is probably a fair share if one Australia provided £650,000, the Common­ disregards particular areas where the pressure wealth Trading Bank of Australia £50,000, is really on, such as Gladstone and Towns­ and the State Government Insurance Office ville in particular. But, in spite of that 15 (Queensland) £350,000. I will not go through is not enough. I have brought several cases the rest of the lenders but the total for that to the Minister's notice. One was that year was £1,655,000. For the year ended of a young mother with seven children 30 June, 1965, the Commonwealth Savings occupying a two-bedroom house. That is Bank of Australia provided £1,100,000 and only one of many cases brought to the the State Government Insurance Office notice of the department, as the Minister (Queensland) £1,367,000, between them a knows. Surely some more serious effort total of £2,467,000 out of the total for that could be made to meet the requirements of financial year of £3,342,000. that type of family. If we allow this sort Despite all the talk about money being of thing to continue without any attempt to available from this source to assist in housing, withhold finance from major building under­ it is well to note that it is just not coming takings, such as multiple-storey offices, in forward from the banks through the this State and elsewhere, what hope is there co-operative societies. I should like to for the family unit? impress upon those who may think otherwise 1622 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that the main supporters of the co-operative that plan? Why not build the homes and society scheme are the Commonwealth offer them to those who are prepared to take Trading Bank and the State Government them? That would satisfy many of the Insurance Office. families who are literally coming cap in Mr. Smith: The Commonwealth Savings hand begging for a roof to be put over their Bank. children's heads. I have seen too much of that. Mr. W ALSH: The Commonwealth Savings When I look at the return submitted by Bank of Australia. the Minister in the Housing Commission Mr. Smith: You said the Commonwealth report I ask myself what necessity there is Trading Bank. for building so many homes in remote parts of the State when we know that there are Mr. W ALSH: And the Commonwealth people who cannot take up their positions Trading Bank. If the hon. member had in industry in the State for lack of proper been here he would have heard me mention accommodation. the figures. The Minister has been good enough to Mr. Aikens: What about the capitalistic consider requests I have made to him to see trading banks? tomorrow a certain person who is waiting Mr. Smith: I have got quite a bit of for a home to be built in Bundaberg. I money from the A.N.Z. Bank. have previously mentioned some details of this case. It is pathetic to think that the Mr. WALSH: Apart from other banks, the contract for the house was accepted on 2 A.N.Z. Bank has made a reasonably sub­ March of this year, yet not one post m stantial contribution. Other banks, not named, one piece of timber has been put in place. that have been circulated are probably The loan has been approved by the Housing directing their finances into channels where Commission. All this humbug has gone buildings are being pulled down and new on with the contractor over that period buildings erected in their place. because he is engaged in several other build­ ing activities; he has taken his building organ­ I do not think that any real effort is isation, carpenters. tradesmen, and so on. being made by this Government or the with him, and left this man in the lurch. Commonwealth Government to ensure that still begging for his home. The depart­ that state of affairs does not continue. As ment should do something about this type I said earlier, unless action is taken to of contractor. If he tenders again for another direct what is to be done we will continue home, irrespective of how low his price may to be faced with the same problem. The be the department should consider his unsatis­ Minister, and the Government generally, factory record in the completion of homes. know that the direction of material and finance should not be difficult because it In contrast I have another case of a was practised here until the early 1950's working cont~actor-a very hard working when even material supplies were controlled and honourable type of contractor, too-who by a Government authority. That was to is in partnership with his wife as a building ensure that during the shortages of the contractor. He works as a carpenter. He immediate post-war period the available put in a claim for £77 lls. under the rise­ material would be directed to the erection and-fall clause in the contract. The Housing of homes. There were big industries in Commission challenged his right to this claim this city which were refused building permits for his labour. I could understand that by the Government of the day. If permits action if this man was supervising a number had been granted they would simply have of contracts. If this practice belongs to the dim past it should be corrected. Why hum­ been competing for tradesmen, material, and bug a man about for £30? He has given so on. I should like the Minister to bring honourable service in the building of homes to the notice of the Government the necessity for the Commission. Why humbug him about to do something about this matter. and argue over a miserable £30 difference The Government may be able to justify between what the Commission is prepared to what it is doing in centres such as Biloela, settle for and the amount claimed? where quite a substantial number of houses Apart from that, I do not know why the are being constructed by the Housing Com­ Commission should be particularly perturbed mission because the coal resources at Moura about it. I have here a document signed are being exploited by the Thiess-Peabody­ by the two purchasers of the home. They Mitsui interests and, likewise, at Gladstone. are quite happy to pay the extra amount. However, I want the Minister and the which I understand is £77 lls. 9d., although department to remember that in other parts it is shown in this document as £77 4s. lOd. of the State we have industries that have The purchasers are happy because, although been established for many years. They are under the contract the house was to be looking for tradesmen to meet the housing completed some time in October, it was problem, but they cannot get them. I know actually completed in August and they were that the Minister will say_, "We offered to able to get into their home and use it two build so many homes if the companies con­ months before it was due for completion. cerned would guarantee the rental for 10 Although the Commission might have been years." Why should we have to follow following a precedent laid down many years Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1623 ago, in these days when it is difficult to get ~roduced by them to realise their capabili­ tradesmen and reasonably priced tenders, tles. Indeed, they have left lasting monu­ surely a miserable little amount like £30 ments in many of the works on which they could be adjusted. have been employed throughout the State. Why does a man have to go to all this I rose tonight to speak on several very trouble when he is working as a carpenter, small matters. In his annual report the not as a supervising contractor, and has put Under Secretary of the Department of Works hours of labour into the job, and then, said- simply because he is registered in partner­ " At the South Brisbane School for the ship with his wife, he cannot get the benefit Blind a new classroom block has been of a rise-and-fall clause? I hope the Minister constructed and a new dormitory block is will look into this practice. That type of action will not help the Commission to in the course of erection." get people to tender for jobs if they can No doubt the Under Secretary is aware get work elsewhere. Why would they tender that that is a typographical error, and I for a Housing Commission job if they are should like to correct it by referring to what to be humbugged about like this? the Minister said when presenting his Estimates. He said- Reverting to the first case to which I referred, the contractor got the job in March. "At the South Brisbane School for the It was supposed to be completed in August, Deaf a new classroom block was com­ and he got an extension of time. It is pleted and a new dormitory block is under now due to be completed by 27 December, construction." and there is not a post in or a board nailed He went on to say- on anywhere. In the second instance the "When I saw what was left to us by contractor completed his job two months the Labour Government I was very ahead of time and the Commission argues anxious to do something for this school. over £30. If the Minister wants to create In many respects it could have been a new precedent, let him get onto this case described as a dangerous building, so this for a start and encourage this man who has given honourable service not only to the work is in progress." home purchaser, but also to the department. How very true that is! Small children have I have all the correspondence that was sub­ to receive their education there, and many mitted to the arbitrators. The Commission have to live there for the greater part of put a quantity officer onto it. He made their school lives. The building was a fire calculations which deny this man not only hazard and was dangerous in many other his 316 hours, but set out to reduce the respects, and I am sure those who have had number of hours claimed for the employment the honour to serve on the committee of of an apprentice carpenter. Owing to the the school thank the Minister and the size of the amount involved it seems to be department for a job well done. As the one. of those irritating Public Service red-tape present president of the school committee, tactics. I give the Minister my thanks, and I know The Commission can argue the principle that my colleague the hon. member for of a contractor being a contractor as distinct Y eronga would endorse my remarks. from a man who is earning wages. I draw I welcome the addition of the classroom that distinction between the supervisor of block, which has been completed and has several contracts and the man who actually now been in use for many months. Those puts in his full time on building a house. who have had the privilege, as I know the I hope that the Minister will give this matter Minister has, of seeing this building since some attention and, in conclusion, I thank its completion realise that this special school him for his courtesy and the way in which for deaf children required more than an he has handled all approaches and repre­ ordinary effort from the officers and work­ sentations that I have made to him. men of the Department of Works. Experts in this field inform me that this classroom Mr. HOOPER (Greenslopes) (7.51 p.m.): block at Dutton Park, if not the best in I join my colleagues on this side of the Australia, is so very close to it that the Chamber in congratulating the Minister and difference does not matter. I thank not only thanking him for his courtesy and assistance the officers of the Department of Works but at all times. Although the contribution of those of the Department of Education, the hon. member for Albert was treated including the staff of the school, for their rather facetiously this afternoon by hon. wonderful work in various aspects of members opposite, I felt that his com­ designing and equipping this building. As I ments were well deserved. He congratulated said earlier, the building is now being used the Minister and thanked him for his courtesy for the very desirable purpose of training and assistance. I sincerely endorse those deaf children by oral methods. remarks, and also pay tribute to the senior The Minister went on to say that a officers of both the Department of Works dormitory block for these children is under and the Queensland Housing Commission, construction. In fact, it is now well under the supervisors, and all employees right down way, and I pay a very high tribute to the to the tradesmen who do the actual work. men who have worked on it. From the time One has only to look at some of the work the foundations were poured, the work has 1624 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply proceeded fairly quickly and the men have Mr. HOOPER: I am sorry that the hon. done a very good job. Both the form-work member saw fit to interject on the subjec1 and the brickwork are of a very high stan­ of under-privileged children. dard, and when the building has been com­ pleted I am sure it will be the equal of the The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! classrooms that the children occupy during Mr. Bennett: You asked me to withdraw. the day. Why won't you have me on the <;:ommit~e:e'.l I was very impressed, too, to hear the It is my electorate. You are playmg po!J!Ics Minister say that the construction of a with it all the time. further dormitory block will be undertaken The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order' to complete the rebuilding of the South Brisbane School for the Deaf. This is very Mr. HOOPER: Mr. Hodges, I am elected good news for the parents of the many deaf to the committee by the parents; I am not children who attend the school and for the a Government representative. That is all l staff and the committee on whose behalf I wish to say on that subject. We should be am speaking. The school buildings cannot very happy if the hon. member for South be replaced too soon. Brisbane, or any other hon. member for For the benefit of hon. members generally, that matte·r, took an interest in the work of I might mention that this school is not in the committee. It is a parents and citizens' my electorate, so I am not being parochial. association committee, and I am sure that the Minister for Works and members of the Mr. Bennett: I thought it was about time committee would be pleased to have the you gave me some credit for the develop­ ideas of any hon. member on anything that ment of South Brisbane since I have been might assist the children in the community its representative. who are not as fortunate as we are. Mr. HOOPER: I should like to answer I believe that the flats built by the Housing that interjection. When the Minister for Commission have been a useful addition to Education opened the beautiful new class­ the houses it has built throughout the State. room block, I insisted that my colleague the I should like to make one comment in this hon. member for South Brisbane be invited. regard. Referring to the fiats at Dutton He accepted the invitation, but we have not Park, when one drives to Parliament House seen him yet. each day one would not have to be highly Mr. Bennett: I rang up and explained. imaginative to think one was back in Singa­ Tell the truth. pore or Hong Kong. The first sight that greets one is clothing on clothes-lines at the Mr. HOOPER: I say that the hon. member front of the building. I know that architects accepted the invitation but did not arrive at have a difficult job to design buildings with the function. I am the chairman of the facilities for the drying of clothes, but I committee, and that is all I know of the suggest that nothing could be more unsightly matter. It does not do him any good to than clothes hoists in front of a magnificent interject when he does not know anything building. They could possibly incorporate about it. Let him stick to the law; I will drying rooms, not on a flat by fiat basJs stick to the building industry, which I know but on a community basis. something about. This matter concerns not only me bul Mr. Bennett: You are using the blind many other people as well. I do not li~e people for political purposes; that is why referring specifically to this matter, but th1s I didn't go along-because of the way you building is adjacent to the Oral Deaf School act. on Gladstone Road. It is a beautiful school in a setting second to none, but the picture Mr. HOOPER: Mr. Hodges, I resent the is certainly spoilt by the clothes-lines on the remark that I am using the blind people for front and side elevations of these Housing political purposes. It is offensive to me Commission fiats right at the entrance to and I ask that the hon. member for South the school. I know the tenants cannot avoid Brisbane withdraw it and apologise. this, but I ask the architects who design these The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. fiats in the future to looks closely at some Hodges): The hon. member for Greenslopes other method of clothes-drying, particularly says that the remark is offensive to him. I on the front elevation of the buildings. ask the hon. member for South Brisbane to This morning my colleague the hon. mem­ withdraw it. ber for Merthyr made a very worth-while Mr. Bennett: I thought the hon. member contribution to the debate. He spoke of would have invited me to be a member of rising costs in the building indu~try, and the committee because the school is in my particularly the effect on the Housmg Com­ electorate, but he has never done so. mission, and indeed, the Department of Works generally. He pointed out that whereas a The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! tradesman's wage in 1951 was just over ~10 The hon. member will withdraw the remark. a week today it is well over £20---I thmk. £24-odd. That is only one aspect of the Mr. Bennett: Very well, I will withdraw rise in building costs. Although hon. it. Why don't you fight-- members opposite find !t con--:enient to c!Ja~ge The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! the Housing CommissiOn With not bmldmg Supply [16 NOVEMBER) Supply 1625 enough houses and the Department of Works is completely renovating the handicraft section with not doing sufficient work, they do not and building a school for the preparation of know they are alive; costs are simply fan­ food adjacent to the old Queen Alexandra tastic. One has only to compare the cost Home. This form of technical training is to of materials and labour when I entered be further extended. Only yesterday I had a Parliament in 1957 with present-day costs to look at the building, the work done and the realise how staggering the increases have type of problems the tradesmen are run­ been. ning into. There are many problems assoc­ I believe that both departments under iated with the job, including the !he Minister's control are doing a magnificent underpinning of old concrete piers. I JOb and are continually improving. thought the hon. member for Belmont would smile at this. I did not think an I am sure the hon. member for Belmont older builder would put his concrete piers would agree with what the hon. member for Merthyr said about home construction by down only a foot in the ground. The private enterprise. He mentioned the relative Department of Works has had a very diffi­ costs per square over the years, of brick, cult job. It had to tom up the building timber and fibro-cement houses. To me, the and the work involved a great deal of use of the term "square" in connection with skill and attention to safety. While the the costing of houses is a complete misnomer work was going on, handicraft classes were from the builder's point of view. It might be continued in the adjacent building. I am all right from the viewpoint of the Housing sure that at the moment work on the school Commission in multiple projects, but there is for food is proceeding at top speed. A no way in the world that a house can be problem is how to get the kilns for the properly priced on the so-much-per-square pottery room into the building. It is old method. As the hon. member for Belmont construction which has been renovated and would know, it is not the size of a house the only way to overcome the problem is or the material that its exterior walls are by the erection of a small annex to house built of that counts, it is what goes into the the kilns for the pottery section. I wish house. The sooner many hon. members to thank the Minister particularly, and the realise that the better. A small builder officers of the Housing Commission and the employing the method he uses for individual Department of Works, for a job well done. homes might find it very difficult to compete with the bigger man who, with group pro­ Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West­ jects, can use the per-square method. Leader of the Opposition) (8.10 p.m.): For various reasons I did not intend to participate Mr. R. Jones: Your own members used in this debate, and many of the important that in their arguments. subjects that had attracted my attention have Mr. HOOPER: Yes, but I do not agree been canvassed very extensively by those with it. I was referring to my colleagues who have spoken. Obviously the emphasis when I said that. It is completely wrong. today, by everybody with a sense of respon­ The sooner we realise that the small builder sibility, is on the supplying of houses. This must, and does, base his price on the cost matter has been dealt with adequately by of the material and the labour content, the all who have contributed to the debate. I sooner we will arrive at the right method may have one or two comments to make of pricing houses and projects. about it in a moment. However, I do not wish the debate on Although lifts would undoubtedly add con­ these Estimates to be closed without my siderably to the cost of building flats or expTessing, on my own behalf and on behalf home units of more than two or three of Opposition members generally, our storeys, they should be provided. Such appreciation to the Minister for his courtesy. buildings are constructed with the idea of I take this opportunity of complimenting him assisting aged and infirm people-pensioners on the presentation of his Estimates. I and the like-who, for many reasons, cannot think all of us appreciate the fact that he look after yards or gardens. And they should dealt with them in a very calm, logical not be required to climb flights of steps. and dispassionate way and did not try to Mr. Newton: At Holland Park pensioners score politically as is sometimes done. He on the third floor get heart attacks from indicated problems that confronted the pre­ climbing steps. vious administration, and I think hon. mem­ bers on this side of the Chamber appreciated Mr. HOOPER: I agree. Even if it meant the way he dealt with their contributions. a slight increase in rentals it would be The pattern he set is commendable, and I worth while to the occupants of these build­ am grateful for it. ings to have a lift. I want to express my thanks to the Under I turn now to what the Department of Secretary for Works, Mr. Longland, and to Works is doing in my electorate at the express appreciation on my own behalf, and present time. This is the first occasion I on behalf of members of the Opposition, to have referred to my own electorate. The Mr. Campbell, Mr. Redwood and Messrs. department is rebuilding or completely renov­ Simpson and Barlow, because they are the ating the old Queen Alexandra Home at Coor­ four officers with whom we deal. Housing is paroo, which has been used as a handicraft a matter that engages our attention more school. At the present time the department than anything else, and everyone knows the 1626 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply frustration, the difficulties and the problems We have evidence of the tremendous rise in confronting people looking for accommoda­ the cost of homes. As recently as 23 tion. While there are infinite variations of October, 1965, the Press claimed that there the stories presented to us for consideration, was a rise in home costs of £259 in 12 they must become rather boring for the months. When I came to Parliament 30 officers concerned. If they had not a pro­ years ago, quite a reasonable home, including per disposition for dealing with these cases, land, could be purchased for £600. I have there would be a natural tendency for them a well-constructed home, which was valued to become somewhat impatient and blase at something like £650 when I married 30 and perhaps become, for the want of a years ago. What concerns everybody is the better term, bureaucratic in their outlook. tremendous increase in costs today. There­ But these officers display unfailing courtesy; fore in measuring these claims, we have nothing is too much trouble for them. to bear in mind the increased cost of providing similar facilities today compared Ordinarily in a debate I do not go into with the costs of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years ago so much detail in my thanks to officers, and the fact that we are living in a State not that they are not deserving of them in with an expanding population, and in an many cases, but I sometimes think that we expanding world. can use our time to better advantage can­ vassing other matters. I do not deny hon. The annual report from the Under members the right to deal with local prob­ Se-cretary mentions that 119 primary-school lems, because, after all, the electorate expects classrooms and 323 secondary-school class­ members to deal with them. But I should rooms, a total of 442 classrooms, were built like my particular thanks to these officers last year. I am glad that the Government to go on record. In my position as Leader i~ discharging its obligation in providing for of the Opposition, many of the detailed the population explosion that has occurred. representations are left to my secretary. I It has been mentioned by members on both have found exactly the same courtesy and sides of the Committee, but particularly by attention given to the matters raised by the Opposition. The pattern reflects itself. them as if they were raised by a senior Go back 1,000 years and you will find that, member of the Government or by any following any cessation of hostilities, with member of Parliament. For those reasons men returning from the war, resuming their I want these facts to go on record. civil occupations, and getting married, there In general, in their desire to promote the has always been a tremendous impetus in the picture outside of intense activity by the birthrate. We have felt the effects of that Government, Government members have impetus over the last 10 yea:rs. The result kept referring with monotonous regularity to has been a great demand for additional class­ the tremendous sums of money spent by room accommodation everywhere in the the Government. We had exaggerations by world, not only in Queensland. I am not hon. members when contrasting conditions criticising the Minister for Works and allegedly existing prior to 1957 with those Housing. I do not care what Government of today. We even heard the hon. member members claim to be their performance in for Albert talk about the dismal colours education. However it is gilded, the per­ possibly being responsible for his defective formance of this Government falls behind vision. That is arrant nonsense. If people that of every other State in the last eight look at the records they would find the years on a per-capita basis. Whatever the pastel shades were introduced in about 1950. disparity with the other State·s was in 1957, I do not say that they were not ahead of it is greater today. their time in 1950. These matters should be put into their correct perspective. The records show that, in the last year Labour was in office, 318 primary-school In the debate last year, the hon. member classrooms were constructed, as against 119 for Mulgrave said that, in 1957, once last year. Labour built 76 high-school people left the precincts of Brisbane on the classrooms, or a total of 389 class"Tooms Bruce Highway for Cairns, they got onto that year. The total of school enrolments bush tracks and gravel roads through was much lower than today. Therefore undulating country. I took the trouble of Labour's performance was not bad. We con­ going to the Parliamentary Library and structed 389 classrooms in 1957, compared taking out the mileages of bitumen roads with 442 built by this Government last year. completed each year. They totalled hundreds It is true that the amount spent was greater. of miles, although not very many. This That is represented largely by increased Government eventually completed the road building costs. programme to Cairns. But these things are progressive in character. Going back further, in 1956 Labour built 298 primary-school classrooms and 71 high­ Then we come to the great emphasis that school classrooms, a total of 369. In 1955 is laid today on education. I wish I had we built 260 primary-school classrooms and more time to go into it. It is true that the 104 secondary-school classrooms, a total of sum being spent on our works programme 364. During the five-year period up to and today is progressively greater than it was in including 1955, we built 1,000 primary-school 1957 and the years prior to that. We expect classrooms for 40,000 pupils, and 218 that with an expanding State, a growing secondary-classrooms for 5,470 pupils. population, and an increase in building costs. Today, secondary-school demands have grown Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1627 to four times what they were then. Con­ a rental home had not much chance of sequently one would expect to see reflected obtaining one because of my influence in in the figures a better result than 323 the interests of employees of Napier Bros. secondary-school classrooms and 119 These rumours are not only untrue but primary-school classmoms last year, a ratio most unfair to the officer in the C.P.S. of roughly 3 to I. Trends everywhere are Office at Dalby who allots Housing Com­ changing. mission homes. If you were to search I could speak for 25 minutes on this mat­ Queensland you could not find a more ter in greater detail, as I think it appro­ conscientious officer." priate to put on record that, although the He then went on to say- amount of money spent by the Government "Personally, the rumours do not worry is certainly greater than that spent by Labour me at all, for I know, the officer concerned Governments, hon. members opposite have knows, the Commission knows, and the no more discharged their obligation to the Minister knows, that at no time have I pupils and teachers at schools in 1965 than made representations for favouritism for we had when we went out of office in 1957. any Napier Bros. employees . . . The organisation concerned reminds me of a Mr. Murray: The primary schools will reptile which, after endeavouring to strike ease off considerably. or vomit its venom on an innocent party. Mr. DUGGAN: I have emphasised that. starts biting itself." The organisation referred to is, I take it Mr. Murray: Exactly, and it will not be the Dalby branch of the Australian Labour long before secondary-school enrolments Party. That branch wrote to me and I will, too. placed the case before the Minister. Theirs was a courteous letter in which they took Mr. DUGGAN: That is true. By about umbrage at the remarks of the hon. member 1970 they will start to decrease. We now for Aubigny and asked me to defend their have problems with the university, too. My attitude. I want it to be understood that, main concern is to place on record refutation in their letter of 4 November, at no time of the statement that we neglected our obli­ did they attack the Minister on this matter, gations in the field of education. I like to nor did they launch any attack on officers listen to a reasoned argument and I do not of the Housing Commission here or on the mind having to face up to any situations clerk of the court at Dalby, for whom they in which the Government may be able to have a high regard. What they wanted to show a better record. After all, if one is know was whether the allocation of homes honest one cannot run away from facts. I in Dalby to employees of Napier Bros. was think it is equally honest, however, to point disproportionate to those allotted to others. out that the Labour Party has nothing to The branch stated that, out of 26 houses ba ashamed of in what it did up to 1957 built in Dalby since 30 June, 1963, 13 compared with what the Government has were allotted to employees of Napier Bros. done to 1965. They pointed out that, valuable as Napier Although I do not like to engage in Bros. was to Dalby, there were at least five parochial matters, I wish to take the oppor­ other smaller firms engaged in the manu­ tunity to say a word or two about a speech facture of farming equipment. made in this Chamber by the hon. member I want to point out that, when I was for Aubigny. Some of us accept the respon­ Minister for Transport, I had the privilege sibility in Opposition of looking after the of giving Napier Bros. orders for the repair interests of neighbouring electorates. One of railway wagons-an undertaking that this of the obligations that I accept is that of Government subsequently revoked when it occasionally assisting the Dalby branch of took these contracts from Napier Bros. the Australian Labour Party. The hon. mem­ ber for Aubigny probably owes his election The Dalby branch also pointed out to me to Parliament as much to three or four that there are five other firms in Dalby members on this side of the Chamber­ engaged in the construction of agricultural principally the hon. member for Warrego implements and work allied to it. Those and me-as to anyone else. I wish to place firms have an aggregate employment not less on record that, prior to the break in the than that of Napier Bros., and the Dalby Australian Labour Party, few people better branch is concerned about the opportunities defended the hon. member from attacks by that these people have for getting Housing Commission accommodation. They are not his colleagues than did the hon. member concerned, as the hon. member for Aubigny is, for Warrego and I. primarily with watching the interests of Napier I mention these things because, in the Bros.; they are concerned with safeguarding Supply debate, the hon. member for the interests of all the workers in Dalby. Aubigny said, amongst other things- If they want to make representations to "Functioning in the town of Dalby the Minister and ask for information about is an organisation that is endeavouring to the basis of allocation of Housing Commis­ discredit the Housing Commission adminis­ sion houses so that they can then examine tration, the Minister and myself by the question, I think it is very proper and spreading malicious and untrue rumours appropriate that they should be given the to the effect that the labourer requiring opportunity to do so. I say on their behalf [628 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that I resent the nature of the attack made Premier of New South Wales, made a state­ by the hon. member for Aubigny on the ment to the Premiers' Conference that an Dalby branch of the A.L.P., and I want authority should be set up to co-ordinate it recorded in "Hansard" that not at any the work of all public housing authorities in time did that organisation reflect on the Australia and that it should have access Minister or his officers, either in Brisbane or to funds that would enable it to make money in Dalby. I should like to spend a little more available to people at low rates of interest time on that matter; unfortunately, it is so that they might own their own homes. not available at this stage. I cannot point the finger at any individual or any Government in this respect; but, if I should like to say just a word or two there is a real desire for the Australian people about housing before I conclude my remarks. generally to be decent, democratic members This subject has been canvassed very of the community, an effort must be made thoroughly indeed by all hon. members; but to make cheap housing available so that they the Opposition believes that, in spite of the will be able to own their own homes. I assistance that has been made available either think that is the greatest contribution we through Commonwealth funds supplemented could make to the prosperity and future of by State funds, or through co-operative build­ this country. ing societies and other bodies, the best investment that the Australian nation can Mr. Murray: That is a great change from make of public funds is in the provision of the Dedman philosophy. easy ownership of houses for its people. Mr. DUGGAN: Mr. Dedman was a The Australian Labour Party is "rubbished" Minister quite some years ago. I am at election time with talk about the growth expressing what I think in 1965-66. of Communism. The most effective way to Before I conclude, I should like to express deal wi~h C?mmunism is to provide every worker m th1s country with an equity in his my appreciation of the policy of illuminating own home. If provision is made for that State buildings during the Christmas period there will not be any need to worry about or during any important events when country the A!Jstralian people following foreign people are in the city. But, with that 1deologtes. Because of the high cost of land illumination, I could not help but be struck it is quite impossible to make this provision: by that architectural monstrosity, the new adjunct to the Public Library. It was not Whatever th~ reason is for these high prices, I do not thmk there is any justification for so noticeable before, but, now that Queen's them. Park has been renovated, it is extremely unfortunate that we have this monstrosity Economically, of course, if a person is dominating it. I have here a newspaper willing to pay £700 or £800 for a block cutting of an article by Clem Lack with a of land, that is proof of its value. The hon. picture of the old Public Library building. member for Bulimba and I were in Sydney It reads- at a trade fair recently and we saw land "The present Public Library in William at Surfers Paradise advertised for sale at Street, Brisbane. In the remodelling, the £7,000 an allotment. I am not very much graceful architectural character of the old concerned about people who can pay £7,000 building, erected in 1897, will be retained." for an allotment or £30,000 or £40,000 for a penthouse; I am not concerned about the And then it goes on to explain that a lecture tremendous amount of finance that is avail­ hall and auditorium to hold 200 people is able for home units selling at from £8,500 to be a feature of the extension, as well as up to £10,000; but I am concerned about storage space for books. Now we have the ordinary, reasonable type of home costing this thing as an extension. It is not that I £3 ,00~ to £4,000 in. which a person can, am against the particular type of building. m smtable surroundmgs, provide for the If it were at another place altogether, isolated, upbringing of his family and know that if or in appropriate surroundings, it would he applies himself to his work and has' an probably be all right; but in this section we opportunity of getting money at low rates have some of the most beautiful buildings of interest, it will be paid for. in the Commonwealth-the Executive Building, the Treasury and the old Library. Incidentally, I believe that rates of interest They make a magnificent triangle, almost for housing projects in Australia are higher a square, and this extension is very much than they are in most industrialised countries out of character and unfortunate. It is no in the Western World. In some countries good crying over spilt milk but the addition loans are available at 3 or 4 per cent. cost over £200,000. interest; but. Mr. Bury stated recently that, even for assrsted homes, the rate of interest Now that there is a £16,000,000 Govern­ is 7 or 8 per cent. How in the name of ment building project for George Street, we goodness can one expect a person to commit should do all that we can to provide for himself to pay off £4,000 with interest at architectural harmony. 7 or 8 per cent.? The interest alone would A purely private organisation made every cost him £4 or £5 a week. People cannot effort, when erecting a new building, to see acquire homes under those conditions. that it was not an eyesore because it was In my opinion, all Australian Govern­ being constructed opposite the Treasury ments should make a concerted effort in the Building. field of housing. Mr. Cahill, who was then Mr. Murray interjected. Supply [16 NOVEMBER) Supply 1629

Mr. DUGGAN: I am drawing attention Mr. SMITH: Whatever it was, it was a to this. I may be wrong and one cannot waste of money, particularly in view of the undo what happened years ago. fact that the scheme I envisaged five years Mr. Murray: You are quite right. ago is apparently coming to fruition now. Mr. DUGGAN: The Minister has a good A little later in the same year, as reported Under Secretary and good officers who do in "Hansard", volume 228, at page 1395, I much of this detailed work and I express the developed this theme a little further. I hope that, with the responsibility for new said- building on him in the future, he will bear "The sooner we get one of those sec­ my comments in mind. He should take tions the less waste there will be in the note of representations that I feel I am Government's expenditure on buildings, voicing not only on my own behalf but on such as the money spent on the District behalf of many citizens in Queensland. Court building and on Harris Court, and judging from the signs of activity one sees l appreciate the opportunity given for a very full debate on this matter and I shall behind the Bellevue Hotel, I take it that conclude my remarks by once again expressing Government money will be spent on some my appreciation of the Minister's attention to land there which the Government own. the speeches of various members on this Unless they use ground to advantage­ occasion. unless they build multi-storey buildings thereon-I submit they are wasting the Mr. SMITH (Windsor) (8.34 p.m.): I JOin land and wasting the money being put into with other hon. members in congratulating the buildings on it." Minister and in applauding the way in which Further on I spoke about selling land in the he has discharged his duties. There seldom city that we did not need and using that would be a Minister more approachable and money to build in the section between more courteous than the Minister in charge Parliament House and Queen Street. I of the Committee at the present time. I am pointed out that the money we could have very happy that we have such a person to obtained from this source could have gone handle the matter of housing, which is very into the building of the modern and useful important, and also the matter of public buildings I was advocating, which I con­ buildings. sidered then, and still consider, to be a I rise primarily on this occasion to remind necessity. As reporte-d at page 1782, I urged the Committee that five years ago I advocated for the provision of car parks between and this very development that is now being underneath the buildings. Commencing at outlined by the Minister. page 1781, I made the following point- Mr. Bennett: It takes a long time to get "My suggestion is that we raise on those your ideas over to the Minister. site-s new buildings that are much taller and of a more useful nature. Mr. SMITH: If the hon. member wants "If my suggestions were to be given con­ his colleague to get into this debate, he sideration, and if we were to u~ilise the should be quiet. If there is much interjection block between Alice Street and Queen I shall take my full time. Street for Government buildings, we could On 20 October, 1960-in "Hansard" well incorporate in the lower part of the Vol. 227, at page 841-I outlined a scheme proposed buildings, and underneath the for demolishing all the old buildings in garden plots around them, such a scheme George Street from Queen Street to Parlia­ as is envisaged for Hyde Park in Sydney." ment House and building in their stead size­ able blocks with spaces between them. What I went on to talk about a car park that was I said was-- being planned for Hyde Park. "We should do it as they have done in It is a shame to have spent money on America with the United Nations Build· Harris Court, which will go, and it is also ing. We should build narrow, long and a shame to have spent money on the tall buildings, leaving spaces between them District Court. But now that we are going for light, air and beauHfication. Then to build the new courts I hope that the anybody who wishes to conduct Govern­ architects who design them will make sure ment business may be able to do it all in that the equipment inside the courts is suit­ George Street." able for court proceedings. We have had At that time, five years ago, the Government the spectacle of courtrooms that cannot house was remodelling the District Courts. I felt juries; we have had the spectacle of court­ constrained to say then that it was a waste rooms in which the witness box is entire·ly of money. I say now, and more forcibly, unsatisfactory for the purpose-witness boxes that it was a waste of money, seeing that we where a witness cannot write or cannot be are going to build a new court block. That seen by the jury. In many cases in lengthy will sound the death knell of the remodelled trials the accused wants to sit down, and is District Courts which at best were a hotch­ allowed to do so by the court, but if he is potch, and an expensive one at that. housed in a dock when he sits down he is completely concealed. Mr. Bennett: It cost about £130,000, didn't it? Mr. Bennett interjected. 53 1630 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. SMITH: Whenever someone advances it was understandable that co-operative hous­ a matter of importance-- ing societies could not advance money for them, but now, with strata titles, a perfectly Mr. Wallis-Smith: Only in your view. good title is given for the unit area of a Mr. SMITH: Not only in my view. It is building. This block, or unit, or dwelling-- not only my view, but it is the correct view Mr. Tucker: Can you suggest what they for anyone to want to see that justice is would cost? properly carried out. A witness in a court needs to be where he can be seen and where Mr. SMITH: It does not matter what they he can write, if necessary. cost. Mr. Bennett: It would make no difference Mr. Tucker: If they cost £10,000, that to your cross-examination. would buy two houses. The CHAIRlVIAN: Order! Mr. SMITH: I am talking about the advance by the housing society to purchase Mr. SMITH: I do not know. So far as them. It does not matter what they cost, I am concerned, I would not mind. I as the maximum advance is £3,500. am thinking of the person in the witness box. I would not be there; the hon. member The Co-operative Housing Societies Act would not go there. contains a peculiar definition which refers to a dwelling house on its own piece of land. Witnesses have to be in a situation where Surely that should not be a deterrent to the jury, the judge and counsel can see them. advancing money for a home unit, which In some of the new courts built around is also standing on its own ground but is not Queensland, counsel would need to be cross­ eyed to observe the jury, the judge. and on a single block. the witness at the one time, because they Mr. Bennett: Don't you think the Housing are widespread. There is a very satisfactory Commission should handle all this money set-up in the old Criminal Court in Brisbane. so that there would be no racketeering? We have the jury, and, between the judge and the jury, the witness box; they are in Mr. SMITH: There is no racketeering at a very convenient situation. I submit that a all. Much of the money for co-operative similar set-up should be followed as much societies comes from banks; that has been as practicable, but we do not see it any more. mentioned already. I submit that, if necessary we should amend Mr. Bcnnett: We have a dock in which the definition of "dwelling house" in the one cannot see the accused. Co-operative Housing Societies Act to finance. Mr. SMITH: I have already mentioned through co-operative housing societies, people that point, but your fellows over there, who desirous of purchasing a unit which has a apparently know a lot more than I do about strata title. I emphasise the strata title for the these matters, drowned my remarks. unit because, with a unit which is part of a corporate body, a person does not get a An Opposition Member: What do you title. mean by "fellows"-hon. members? The main theme I advocate at this juncture Mr. SMITH: I wish I could say that. -and I am mindful of my arrangement with the hon. member for Bulimba, which I am I have one other matter to refer to in prepared to honour so I will be brief-is connection with housing, namely, the matter that as much Government money as possible of channelling Government money into the should be channelled to Government-guar­ building of homes through co-operative hous­ anteed societies. There has been a falling ing societies. The tendency is developing of off-and a decided falling off this year-in investing Government moneys when much the construction of houses, yet the demand more could be diverted to housing societies. for housing is just as great this year as it The State Government Insurance Office is was last vear. Without the necessary money one such instrumentality. It is doing a little it is very difficult to satisfy the need. I more investing in the private sector than am quite in accord with many of the earlier is necessary. It gets much of its money speakers that it is desirable to provi~e .a from compulsory insurance such as workers' worker with his own home; mdeed. It JS compensation and various motor vehicle desirable to provide everyone with his own insurances, not that the latter is a profitable home and the best way to do it at present avenue, but workers' compensation certainly is through societies. The Government should is. That money could well provide greater ensure that money coming into its ha~ds a·ssistance for housing societies rather than finds its way into the hands of housmg being used for the benefit of the private societies. sector of the community. Mr. Tucker: Like H. G. Palmers? There is an important matter which should be investigated now that we have strata Mr. SMITH: I say that there is far titles. It seems to me that co-operative too much speculation in the private sector. housing societies should be entitled to H. G. Palmers is a good example, because advance money for the purchase of one of a lot of that money will not be recouped. If it these units. When we had home-unit blocks had gone into housing societies, every single Supply [16 NOVEMBER] Supply 1631 penny would have been recouped and the electorate, and in Gatton in the Lockyer houses would be there providing much electorate, work was also carried out. They needed assistance to the people. are some I saw when reading quickly through the report. Work was carried out as demand Mr. Lloyd: It was a very poor invest­ required and as money became available. ment by the S.G.I.O.? I do not think anyone should lose sight Mr. SMITH: It was a poor investment. of the fact that, irrespective of the Govern­ I do not think the S.G.I.O. should go in ment in office, the Minister if sensible will for that type of investment. I am glad take notice of his departmental heads. I there is such an accord of thinking in the do not think that there has been any great Chamber. change in the personnel of the Department I come back finally to the proposed build­ of Works since the Government changed ings in George Street. I made a statement in 1957. Criticism of the work carried five years ago which has not been taken out by the Department of Works is tanta­ notice of, namely, that eight storeys are not mount to criticism of departmental heads enough for a modern building. We have who advise the Minister. I do not think seen in Queen Street the erection of a in fairness it can be levelled; hon. members couple of taller buildings. Yet they are opposite agree that those gentlemen have not tall even by Australian standards now. done a wonderful job, and I join them in If we are to build eight-storey buildings in thanking the Under Secretary and other officers for the courtesy and assistance that George Street we are wasting the land on they have given to members in the discharge which they are built. Almost five years later of their duties. to the day I repeat the plea that we use this land and use it well. If we intend to use Some of the buildings that were com­ it for ~n eight-storey building, we should pleted are worth mentioning. According to double It and go up 16 storeys and have the reports, new maternity blocks were pro­ all Government departments in this area. vided at Gordonvale and Ayr; extensive I repeat the plea I made five years ago. I alterations were carried out to the Teacher's hope I do not have to wait five years to see Training College at Kelvin Grove; and it given effect to. the Teachers' Training College at Kedron was past the planning stage and the Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba) (8.47 p.m.): design was well under way before the First, I thank the hon. member for present Government came to power. Windsor for allowing me a few minutes The hon. member for Cooroora condemned to speak during this debate. If I had the public buildings erected in Queensland prior full 25 minutes I would devote some time to 1957. The State Government Insurance to answering some of the charges levelled Officve building was built by a Labour by the hon. member for Cooroora. Every Government, and the extensions of the block time he speaks in the Chamber he claims to Ann Street begun under a Labour Govern­ that while Labour was in office his electorate ment were continued by this Government. and the electorates of other Country Party Many high schools were constructed by members received no consideration at all. Labour Governments. If there are any That is completely untrue and was said for issues on which I am ready to fight with the propaganda purposes only. That can be Government-and there are plenty--one of proved by looking at the annual reports of the most important is the fact that parents the Department of Works and the Housing and citizens' associations have to provide Commission for the years prior to 1957. in schools many things that should be made Those reports contain evidence that in all available from funds of either the Depart­ electorates work was carried out in propor­ ment of Works or the Department of Educa­ tion to the money available to the Govern­ tion. As the Minister knows, the parents ment. In every report there were the words, and citizens' committee of the Balmoral High "Owing to lack of available finance in the School asked for a cover over the area where loan field or from Commonwealth sources." the children stand when waiting to be served The 1957 report of the Department of at the canteen. Each time it rains, the Public Works shows that 20 new primary children get wet, yet the department refused schools were erected, that there were addi­ to assist in the construction of any kind of tions to 153 others, and that 318 class­ shelter. Without being asked to do so, it rooms were erected. The programme was provided a shelter on the other side of the continuing. Secondary schools were being canteen-for what purpose, I do not know. built and planned. High school work was Admittedly it is handy in that there is now carried out in electorates held by the an area under cover where the children can Country Party. At Biloela in the Callide have their lunch. While it was being built, electorate work was carried out on a high the parents and citizens' committee was school top. At Gayndah and Gin Gin in the paying half the cost of placing an awning Burnett electorate and at Kingaroy and on the other side of the wing for the pro­ Murgon in the Minister's electorate, further tection of the children when waiting to be work was undertaken. The hon. member served at the canteen. for Cooroora complained that no work was The attitude of the Department of Works carried out in his electorate. In that year and the Department of Education seems to work proceeded on a high school in be to leave everything to the parents and Nambour. In Warwick in the Warwick citizens' committee. I do not think that 1632 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that is good enough, and I believe it is one built in my electorate since the Country­ aspect of departmental policy that should Liberal Government came to office. The be changed. After all, the provision of Housing Commission has been told of land capital assets of schools should not be the that is available, and I know that people responsibility of parents and citizens. They who own land in the area have offered also have to provide many other things it to the Commission for housing purposes considered necessary as teaching aids and but have had their offers rejected for various extra amenities. Keeping students dry should reasons. be the responsibility of the department. If In my opinion, houses should be built it had not been for a desire not to see close to industry. I say that not because students suffer, I know that the parents and there is a good deal of industry in my citizens' committee would not have had that electorate but because I believe that houses work carried out. should be built to enable people to live close It is also worth recording that there has to their place of employment. After ali­ been in recent times a sacking of many of I have said this before; I will say it again the day-tabour force of the Department of because it is worth repeating--every penny Works. I know that the Minister says that that people have to spend on transport to this is caused by a falling-

That, of course, is one reason why we cannot picture may be clearly represented and do what all hon. members would like in one recorded. In the hon. member's day the day­ particular sphere of governmental activity. labour force, in respect of which the hon. He also spoke about the conditions under member levelled criticism at this Govern­ which many employees of the Government in ment, numbered 1,742. At the moment it this State are working. In many respects, numbers approximately 2,500. we ~aye done _q_uite a deal in this regard by The hon. member spoke of a number of prov1dmg additiOnal accommodation. As things relative to the cost of houses, but he hon. members know, we have made a state­ failed to recognise the reasons for these ment relative to the commencement of new increases. He spoke of the need for old blocks of Government offices, and, in the people's homes. The hon. member for Roma Health and Welfare Building that is to be told us what can be done locally. Hon. opened shortly, we have shown that efforts members opposite have spoken over and are being made to do just what the hon. over again about the tremendous need for member was criticising us for not doing. homes. The other day the Deputy Leader I was somewhat surprised at the hon. of the Opposition made some rather outrage­ member's criticism of me relative to my visit ous statements which hit headlines in the to the high school in his electorate. He is Press, although they did not really tally up. a bit impatient in expecting results. He In spite of what he said, I feel that I must must remember that his is only one of reiterate the figures that I gave on Thursday hundreds of problems throughout the State. last. For the eight years from 1 July, 1949 A State-wide plan takes a deal of time to to 30 June, 1957, 14,451 houses were built prepare, as I am sure he will appreciate. by the previous Government as against As a matter of fact, this morning, I signed 13,907 during the years we have been in a letter for the hon. member setting out some office. Hon. members opposite refuse to of the things that are to be done at this recognise that what really counts is the school. A contract has been let to provide an number of houses provided. access road and other things for which he The Deputy Leader of the Opposition was asking, and we included in the contract forgot to mention the percentage provision the levelling off of the school grounds, and of Commonwealth-State Housing Agn~ement so on. I remind him also that the soil moneys available in the last eight years to from the excavations for the proposed building societies. It represents 3,264 houses. new building in George Street would be This percentage deduction did not apply dumped on the grounds to bring the levels before June, 1956. The hon. gentleman up to what is required. That was recom­ cannot have it every way. To make a true mended to me by my officers as a practical comparison the figures are 14,492 under way of overcoming the problem. Labour's last eight years and 17,171 in the As I say, the hon. member is just a little eight years of this Government. bit impatient relative to the things that he It has been suggested that building societies is anxious to get for his school. in Queensland have been cheated by this Mr. Sherrington: You are not going to Government because they have not received tear the letter up now, are you? a larger share of the housing allocation. That is rather a strange suggestion to come Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No, I am from members of a party which, when in simply giving the hon. member the informa­ Government, refused to foster the building­ tion a little in advance. He will receive society movement in Queensland. Since the letter tomorrow, or in good time. the introduction in 1958 of the legislation The hon. member was a little rash also guaranteeing loans to building societies, funds in his statement that no money had been have been provided by lending institutions spent at the Buranda Boys' School and the under guarantee to enable the purchase or Buranda Girls' School. In fact, this year erection of 4,489 dwellings up to 30 June, £2,009 was spent on the boys' school and 1965. No-one can deny that we have £528 on the girls' school. He must have achieved results by guaranteeing advances to been absent for a period. co-operative societies. The total is now 21,660 in our eight years as compared with The hon. member also spoke at some length 14,500-odd in the previous eight years. about apprentices in the department at present. I must remind him that in his Mr. Newton: It would be more if they criticism he overlooked the fact that in this were not so lazy. department in 1955 there were 294 appren­ tices, in 1956 there were 348, and, in 1957, Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That might be 291 apprentices in the various trades. In the so, too, but it is not always easy to raise last three years of our activity there were the finance. 419, 435 and 396 respectively. Admittedly As to the amount of expenditure, although, there has been a reduction in the number as the Leader of the Opposition says, there of apprentices employed at the moment, but are increased costs today and many other in the last year Labour was in office there things which have to be taken into account, was a reduction of 57 apprentices, a far the figures are very illuminating. In the greater number than the present reduction. eight years to 1956-57 new loans advanced I feel that, for the record, I must give for houses provided by the Government some facts and figures so that the whole totalled £31,691,000, whereas in the eight 1634 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply years to 1964-65 new loans advanced, pro­ need another army of men to keep track vided or guaranteed by this Government of what was what. We would have to amounted to £66,689,000. As I said to the depend largely on people giving a factual Leader of the Opposition a moment ago, account of their position. It is entirely we realise that in connection with this sum impracticable to suggest that we should we must take into account that the cost operate such a scheme. I am sure that the of constructing a dwelling has risen con­ Leader of the Opposition will agme with that siderably over the years. statement. Hon. members must admit that the Mr. Newton: You are already increasing provision of such a large sum of money for rents whenever any small thing is done to a housing is something of which the Govern­ house. ment can be proud. A substantial propor­ tion of those funds, in both cases, has been Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No, we are not. expended in providing home ownership for people on their own land, including the Mr. Sherrington: Even when there is a workers' dwelling scheme. I agree with the change in tenancy. hon. member that it is an excellent scheme. Indeed, it has the full support of the Govern­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Hon. members ment. know very well that there have been several The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said rises over a long period; the overall adjust­ that, in providing £1,200,000 for the Com­ ment has been made right through_ monwealth-State Housing Fund from Mr. Newton: There have been rises when Treasury loans and debenture sources, in tenants move out and when sumps are con­ effect the Government had cheated the nected to stormwatcr drains. And, when a co-operative housing societies of £360,000 in new stove is put in, there is a two-bob 1964-65. If all of this money had been increase. allocated for housing in terms of the Com­ monwealth-States Housing Agreement, 30 per Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: It appears that cent. of it would have gone to housing that is something we could argue for a long societies. If we look at the overall picture time. The formula under which we work on the priorities that apply, the Common­ today is partly the formula introduced when wealth-State Housing Fund obtained Labour was in power in both spheres. The £1,200,000 instead of £840,000. I ask the hon. member showed a true appreciation of Deputy Leader of the Opposition whether the reason for housing societies and their he would prefer the £360,000-which he says problems. should go to building societies-in prefer­ ence to the money spent on hospitals, The hon. member for Burdekin spoke of schools, irrigation works or any other press­ his problems. I appreciate them. We are ing developmental work, or does he mean always prepared to accept and assist people that the £360,000 should have gone to the who come under a contract of sale for homes. building societies and that the allocation The hon. member spoke of the deposit paid to the Housing Commission should have on homes. That is all tied up with the cost of been correspondingly reduced? We just the land, and so on. As much as we would cannot wave a magic wand and find £360,000 like to, we cannot get away from those for building societies within our overall loan factors. The re-tendering in his area has been framework and not reduce the State's work caused by the busy industries in the busy activities generally. In raising this questioH North. We have had to do that in order to the hon. member should give serious con­ get reasonable prices for our homes. The sideration to these works. hon. member stated his case clearly and distinctly. He recognised that there may be The hon. member for Merthyr outlined another side to the picture. I aporeciate the c~early and factually the housing shortage fairness he displayed. nght back to the early days of the com­ mencement of the Housing Commission's The hon. member's general criticism related operations. He spoke of high rents and he to the Press statement about the £16,000,000, gave us some very interesting figures. I which is the estimate of the cost of the think we should place them on record to buildings to be erected in Brisbane. They show that labour costs have risen by 200 per will not be built overnight. It is not cent. and material costs by 100 per cent. as if the £16,000,00 is sitting there to pay The cost of everything has increased-rates, for this work immediately. As hon. mem­ bers know, £50,000 has been allocated to and so on-and all the costs tally up. The those buildings in the next financial year. scheme which the hon. member sugaested That is the provision that has been made. under which the rent should be no"' mor~ As hon. members will agree, if something is than one-fifth of the salary, sounds very well to be done, the first step is to get started. in theory. However, we must face up to In this important issue we have faced up to the fact that we have 101 different worke-rs that responsibility. in different industries, under different awards under different conditions each with We completed the Health and Welf~re changing awards and wages,' and then there Building which has been under constructiOn are those who are unemployed. Goodness for a n~mber of years absorbing a consider­ me, we could never cope with it; we would able amount of money. Supply [16 NOVEMBER} Supply 1635

Mr. Duggan: Would you be equally grate­ specific time with specific circumstances. I ful if £16,000,000 was to be spent in the say that, in the end, this is not detrimental Burdekin electorate? to the State as a whole, nor is it a matter of procrastination. Many towns demand Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I suggest the what the hon. member demands for his. hon. member for Burdekin is quite fair; I know he would have been very happy, but I have the impression that some hon. I feel he did not quite appreciate the over-all members seem to think that building homes problem. is entirely the responsibility of the Housing As to school requirements, the total loan Commission. Whilst it certainly has a large funds of this department are allocated to responsibility in this matter, there are other each and every department that comes within methods of financing the construction of the scope and activity of schools and new houses. schools, and priorities are allocated in that The Leader of the Opposition spoke of the regard. The Government is fully aware need to make loans available at lower rates of the need for works throughout the State of interest. In the 1965-66 programme, 121 to meet the school requirements mentioned houses are to be built in Townsville. From by the hon. member for Burdekin. their criticism, I feel that many hon. mem­ The hon. member for Carnarvon spoke bers do not appreciate what is happening. next. It was pleasing to hear a member Commission sites also are available for home acknowledge what has been done in his ownership. I hope hon. members emphasise electorate. I am not saying that other that in their areas. There is no restriction members did not-to some extent, other hon. on finance in this regard, nor is there any members acknowledged what was done-but restriction under the Workers' Dwelling the hon. member for Carnarvon did this scheme. freely. Every hon. member, if he wished, Mr. Tucker: You realise that the 84 for could have got up and said that quite a the Air Force will not solve any housing good deal had been done in his electorate. problems? l acknowledge that in one way or another certain members did that. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I appreciate that. Homes in addition to those will be I appreciate the remarks of the hon. mem­ built. Following a visit recently by one of ber for Carnarvon about the sum of my officers, 44 acres are to be purchased for £16,000,000. It is true that at the moment the construction of a group of houses. This this sum seems excessive compared with year expenditure from the Home Builders what is spent in the country, but it will be Account has been increased from £67,000 to spent over a long period. I do not think £100,000. Those are some of the things anybody in the Chamber or in any depart­ taking place in the area of the hon. member ment knows when that project will be com­ for Townsville North. pleted. It has been started. In addition, large Commonwealth grants of something Mr. Tucker: Have you announced pre­ like £3,000,000 will be spent in the metro­ viously that these 121 houses are to be politan area this year and £4,000,000 will built? be spent in country areas. Therefore it is not as the hon. member thought it was. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Not actually. Large amounts will also be spent in country Mr. Tucker: Then how was I to know? areas. The Housing Commission has 90 houses at Goondiwindi and has seven under Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I emphasise construction there. that at times hon. members are perhaps a The hon. member for Townsville North little premature in their criticism because they spoke at considerable length on a number are not familiar with what is happening. of important matters. I mentioned to They should know that Housing CommiS"Sion him the other day that 84 houses were to officers are in the continual process of be built for the Air Force. examining the position with respect to addi­ tional houses in all areas. He spoke of the need for flats. We tend to think in terms of homes rather than flats. Mr. Tucker: That's a Dorothy Dixer, if you like! He also spoke of Queensland being a fair way behind other States. I do not know Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The hon. mem­ whether he is correct in that assertion. It ber for Balonne acknowledged what was is necessary to look at this matter from the done in his electorate and expressed apprecia­ angle of the over-all needs of the State. It tion. Much has been done there. In spite is also necessary to concentrate from time of his age, the hon. member is very active to time on places such as Biloela and Glad­ and works hard in his area, and much has stone. There might be development in a been brought to attention and attended to particular town or district for a period of through his efforts. At Tara 46 homes have time, but that is merely a passing phase. been provided, whereas previously there were For those reasons, it is not possible to make virtually none. I admire the people who comparisons between one town or electorate have made this possible, and compliment and another; it is necessary to deal at a them on their efforts. 1636 Supply [ASSEMBLYj Supply

Mr. Newton: What were they built for­ He spoke also of how he had pleaded an industry? with Mr. Gair and others in the past. He is not the only one who has pleaded with Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Just general Mr. Gair and got nothing. I often pleaded expansion. with him and did not get anything. This Mr. Newton: It's not bad when a place Government has provided many houses for with the population of Tara can get 46. public servants, and I do not think any hon. member will deny that the whole situation Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: There was the has changed in this regard. prospect of the discovery of oil. I compliment the people of Roma who have Mr. Newton: That demand was not there contributed to the erection of five units for in 1957. aged people. With Commonwealth assist­ ance, they were erected for £2,000 each. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The discovery It is an interesting illustration of what can of oil had some bearing on it, and probably be done by self-help, and I agree with the the business that followed helped, too. hon. member for Roma that it would be good if we could do something for more Mr. Newton: At least you are being fair, aged people. which the hon. member for Balonne was not. The hon. member for Cairns spoke with­ out a great deal of heat about the difference Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: As the hon. between the work done in Country Party member for Balonne said, much the same and Liberal Party electorates and the work has been done at St. George. I express my done in his electorate. He probably believes appreciation of his interest and his hard that he has some justification for saying work. that, but he knows very well that that principle does not apply. The hon. member for Nudgee said that this Government could not equal Labour's I checked on the 37 houses that he men­ record in housing and he went to consider­ tioned. Actually, 32 applications are being able lengths to develop that theme. I have dealt with at Cairns at present and the Com­ given hon. members the overall picture, mission hopes to purchase more land in the and what the Government has achieved is Cairns area very soon. shown by the number of houses it has pro­ I agree with what the hon. member for vided. I have given the Committee the Cairns said about the work force in the relevant figures; I shall not repeat them. area. I have been up there and met Mr. The hon. member implied that the Govern­ Tolcher and Mr. Norman, both of whom ment had virtually the sole responsibility for have done very good work. We have built building houses. As I indicated earlier, five homes for public servants and called there is a great deal of activity in many tenders for another four in Cairns. Those other spheres. are some of the things we are seeking to do The hon. member for Roma said that the in that electorate. majority of Housing Commission houses in I was interested to be reminded by the the West have been built by this Govern­ hon. member for Albert that 39 men are ment, and that is true. As I mentioned when stationed in his area and that of the hon. [ replied at an earlier stage of the debate. member for South Coast, which is indicative under Labour Governments the majority of of the activity going on in those areas by houses were built in the metropolitan area, the Department of Works. At the moment and the hon. member emphasised that point. we are negotiating with the Department of He reminded the Committee of the position Lands on the purchase of some of the land when rent control was in force. Many more about which the hon. member spoke for the houses have come onto the market for rental very purpose he mentioned, namely, to since the control was lifted. enable homes to be built there in the near future. Mr. Newton: But they will not accept families with children. Mr. Houston: Didn't he know about it? Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: They meet a Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No, he did not. need and provide a good deal of So far as the pest exterminator suggestion accommodation. is concerned, we consider that our works I was very interested to hear of the supervisors are aware of this danger and housing activity in the Roma electorate and are constantly on the alert for it. We also to know that, whereas 15 houses were pro­ consider that they are capable of dealing with vided in the 12 years before the hon. member anything that is drawn to their attention in was elected, 144 houses have been built this regard. Although we appreciate the since. He gave a very spirited address on suggestion, we think it is well covered at what has been done in his electorate, which the moment in the way we operate. is a big one. The hon. member has applied The hon. member for Mackay did not himself with the same spirit to working seem to like me very much, but I suppose for his constituents-there are no two ways that cannot be helped. He was not prepared about that-and I again express my to express any appreciation of any other appreciation to him. member of the department either; he was Supply [16 NovEMBER) Supply !637 rather critical of them also. I feel that that I gave £20 to the committee. Everybody in is unfair to them because they are quite the district gave £5, £10, £15 or £20. That impartial and are anxious to do the right is the sort of thing we had to do to get thing in every way. We are State-wide in things done in those days. We built a our outlook and we do not consider any number of residences throughout the district area in particular. What we have done in in that way. the North we have done in the North-west. Mr. Newton: What year was that? We have built houses at Birdsville, Boulia and Bedourie. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That was in the The hon. member always tries to split years before we became the Gover_!!ment. Mackay into two cities. I can never work That is the sort of thing we were up against him out. We have had land in Mackay for in those days. some years and it is natural and practicable Mr. Houston: You must admit that you that we should use it. At the moment, we still have not built all the homes you would are looking for additional land in the hon. like to build for public servants and teachers. member's area. The hon. member spoke also about Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I have men­ increased rents. Has not everything else tioned 153, which is a pretty good effort. increased in price? One has to take those The hon. member for Cooroora spoke of the things into account and operate efficiently. new look throughout the State generally. At the moment, eight houses are being built Anyone who goes to Nambour will agree in Mackay, and four are under contract. that that is fair comment about the new That is 12 this year. I remind him, and roads, buildings and so on. other hon. members, that for the first time The hon. member for Port Curtis made the Home Builders' Account Fund is making a very good speech. He recognises the huge money available to a co-operative building development that has taken place in his society at Mackay, and the Workers' Dwelling electorate. In reply to his criticism about Scheme is available to people who want to housing for members of the armed services, build their own homes. I point out that we have agreed to make The officers of my department and I are available 5 per cent. of our Commonwealth loan funds for housing for Army personnel. very meticulous in seeing that approval given Up to 5 per cent. the Commonwealth by the Executive Council for certain work is Government matches £1 for £1, but if the immediately made known to the hon. member expenditure exceeds 5 per cent. the Com­ concerned. I sign such letters of advice monwealth pays all that we agree to spend every Thursday morning and they go to to build houses for them. I think that is members later in the day. I checked his a pretty fair gesture, taking everything into statement relative to the contract granted to account. Woolam and Sons Pty. Ltd., and I have In reply to his suggestion about recruiting found that on 28 October the Executive good migrant labour into the department, I Council accepted the tender for the erection point out that we are in very close liaison of an electrical trades block at Mackay and with the Immigration Department, and as that a letter advising the hon. member for the need arises we work that way through Mackay of the acceptance of this tender was the department. forwarded to him on the very same day. I Mr. Newton: That would apply only to the fail to understand his criticism on that score. Department of Works; you do not do that The hon. member for Cooroora brought for the Housing Commission. back many vivid memories of my days on the opposite side of the Chamber, Mr. B.JELKE-PETERSEN: It applies dating back to 1947. In spite of mainly to the Department of Works. what the hon. member for Bulimba said, The hon. member for Rockhampton South they were tough days. We have a drought put the suggestion that in future we should in the State today, but we went through provide half the houses for industry. This a drought when we sat over there. On one occasion I asked the then Minister for Public is a matter we are thinking about at the Works and Local Government the Hon. J. A. present time. It is possible that such a Heading, now Sir James Heading, what was suggestion could be implemented in the spent by the Department of Public Works future. We are doing just what he said in my electorate for a few years before we about selling some houses in group areas were the Government. At the time it was and keeping some for rental. something of the order of £13,000 a year. Mr. Houston: People working for a certain That gives hon. members opposite an indica­ firm would have top priority, and they would tion of some of the problems we were up get the houses. against in trying to get something done for our electorates. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That has The hon. member for Cooroora reminded occurred, of course, in a particular industry. me how we could not get anything done. Naturally, if we are to provide houses for On one occasion when a public appeal was these industries we have to take men who are made for a residence for a school teacher suitable and willing to work in the industries. 1638 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. Houston: What about those who have I believe that a full explanation has been been here for years? given of the matter and I am sure that hon. members appreciate it. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: If they are The hon. member also referred to a con­ prepared to work for the companies at Glad­ tractor who had fallen down on the job. stone, and are able to fit in with the general That is a long story. I could give our side scheme of things, they will be employed. I of it, but I assure hon. members that the am sure that many of them have been position is being examined. engaged. I do not doubt that many of them are at Gladstone today in the houses we have The hon. member mentioned a contractor built. who was working on the job and demanded the rise which had been granted in wages. We co-operate with local authorities. The The rise-and-fall clause is designed only to hon. member recognises that. My officers will recoup employers for extra expenditure. This appreciate it if local authorities generally man did not have to recoup any expenses; will do the same. I am glad that the hon. he was working on the job alone, so we could member appreciates and approves of the not grant him an increase asked for on the policy and methods we adopt. I assure the score of extra expense. It would have meant hon. member for Rockhampton South that it that the purchaser would have to pay the is intended to proceed with the gardens at increase. the Rockhampton police station. The draw­ ings have almost been completed for the The hon. member for Greenslopes is garden beds, pathways, and landscaping chairman of the committee at the Deaf generally. School. I appreciate the interest he takes in this organisation. One of the very first The hon. member for Bundaberg said that inspections I made as a Minister was at we were building for foreign companies which this school. I outlined the other day our have much money to invest. As I said a reasons for doing something at this school. number of years ago, that is only part of the deal in the business of assisting industries. The hon. member suggested that we put Comalco is now at Gladstone; it is a settled lifts in flats. Unless we build a tall, multi­ and assured industry. The hon. member said storey block of flats, a lift is not practicable why not make them build the houses at this or economical. The cost of a lift is too stage. The hon. member will recall that there high for a small block of flats. was a long period of uncertainty and doubt Mr. Newton: What is the difference as to whether it would go there, and whether between a block of flats and Parliament it would start at Weipa. As one company House; we have a lift here and there are after another came in to form the group, only two floors. each contributed to the present financial standing of the firm. However, this agreement Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: That may be was entered into in the days when it was so, but as members of Parliament we part of the deal. At that time the responsible enjoy many other amenities that the com­ Minister and Cabinet discussed all these munity does not enjoy. matters with the representatives of the firms and sought to make the position attractive so I appreciated the generally fair comments as to encourage them in every way, just as of the Leader of the Opposition. He spoke we did with Amoco and Ampol. about the amount per capita that we are spending on educat.ion. Ther~ are mal?-y Mr. Houston: You are not making homes angles to this subJect. I thmk he w!ll available for their workers to live in. agree that tremendous financial strides must be taken relative to the development of other \Ir. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No, but we industries as well as other aspects of our induced the companies to come here, and we State development. It is statistically true offered a different sort of inducement, namely, that Queensland gets more accommodation a Government contract to use their petroleum per £1 than any other State. The Common­ products when they commenced production. wealth Statistician sets out clearly how much That inducement was part of the over-all cheaper are our erection costs in Queensland. deal. \Ve have done what we accused former Hon. members know that that is true. We Governments of not doing, namely, what <>et more per £1 than any other State for Sir Thomas Playford did so often in South housing and Government buildings. Build­ Australia. We suggested at the time that ings in the colder climates in other States the same procedure should be adopted in have tremendous heating costs. Queensland. Mr. Harrison: That would add a couple The hon. member also suggested that we of thousand pounds to a building in Canberra. should divert material to houses. In effect, we would be diverting labour. He pointed out Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Probably more how it was done in the years after the war. than that. It is true that that was done, but I do not think anvone would like to return to those The Leader of the Opposition compared days by following such a suggestion. the 1957 classroom constructions with those in 1965. He said that that does not reflect The hon. member referred to the 10-year a tremendous increase in construction. A guarantee by employers, and he also asked if comparison between 1957 and 1965 do~s we should be making the homes available. not include all factors. Recent trends m Supply [16 NOVEMBER) Supply 1639 school populations have reached a stage The hon. member for Bulimba spoke at where pupils are now passing from secondary some length about the work carried out in schools into technical colleges and univer­ various electorates. There are many things sities. In other words, a true comparison that we would like to do for parents and shows that primary and secondary-school citizens' associations. The hon. member accommodation is now revealed as a con­ was critical of the things that the Depart­ struction problem not a great deal higher than it was in 1957. But tremendous ment of Works does not do. I am sure he increases in construction are being carried will agree that many great advances are out in institutes of technology, universities, being made in the provision of such things and technical colleges, and this tremendous as the tuckshops that are now being built. volume of building represents approximately The department is improving the amenities 40 per cent. of the education building quota. gradually, but I point out to the hon. mem­ That is an answer to the statement of the ber that there is a limit to how far it can go. Leader of the Opposition relative to costs. It can be done only step by step, not all at I agree with the hon. gentleman that high once. costs of construction are a matter of con­ The hon. member mentioned shoddy work cern. I can appreciate his concern for the average working man and his family who by contractors. I assure him that very are buying their own home. That is some­ competent officers of the Department of thing over which it is hard to exercise any Works and of the Housing Commission super­ control. vi·se very carefully any work that is done for those departments. My discussions with I assure the hon. gentleman, and I am sure contractors have convinced me that they that he will agree, that the new Government have been called upon to comply with the buildings will be very pleasant, attractive, plans and specifications to the last detail and practical, and will be something of which and that there is no such thing as shoddy we or any other Government can be justly work. proud. I have seen the models illustrated in the Press; no doubt other hon. members Mr. Houston: I did not say that there was also have seen them. shoddy work. I said it could develop if contracts were let at prices much below the I pay a compliment to Mr. Dave Mercer department's estimate. and the members of his staff for the design work and planning and preparation not only lV!'r. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Apart from of the court buildings but of work through­ that, the contractors have to take the con­ out the State generally. sequences if their prices are too low. The hon. member for Windsor is doing a In conclusion, I again thank hon. members worth-while job for co-operative building for their contributions to the debate and societies. I give all due recognition to him repeat that, where practicable, what they and to the members of his society, who I have said will be considered as opportunity know are doing good work. The Govern­ offers, and no doubt something wili be done ment believes that through co-operative about their requests in time. I again thank societies very much more can be achieved in my officers in the Department of Works this State. That is one of the reasons they and the Housing Commission for their were set up, and I think that they have wonderful spirit of co-operation and the proved conclusively to be of great value since very good work they are doing. they were set up by the Treasurer in 1958-59. They have played an important part in The CHAIRMAN: Order! By agreement, housing, and as time goes by they will have under the provisions of the Sessional Order an ever-increasing value to the State. agreed to by the House on 20 October, I In relation to the comments of the hen. shall now put the questions for the Vote member for Windsor concerning the under consideration and the balance remain­ Supreme Court, I repeat that the new build­ ing unvoted for the Department of \Vorks ing will incorporate all the requirements as and Housing. advised by the expert committee set up to The questions for the following Votes were look into this matter. The committee inves­ put, and agreed to-- tigated similar court buildings and require­ ments in other States and obtained informa­ Department of Works and Housing­ tion from overseas, and was aho advised £ by the Commonwealth. I am sure that the Chief Office 346,354 building will delight the hen. member when Balance of Department, it is finally completed. Consolidated Revenue, The hon. member spoke of the need to Trust and Special construct buildings of many storeys. The Funds and Loan Fund proposed new Government office building in Account 28,031,893 George Street will not be of eight or nine Progress reported. storeys, it will be of at least 15 above ground, with three levels below the ground. The House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.