Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1975

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Ministerial Statement [23 OcTOBER 1975] Health Act Amendment Bill 1415

THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1975 extra money promised may. not b~ forth­ coming. They were fulfillmg th~Ir dut.y, Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, and I have no intention of supplymg their Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair names for Mr. Hayden to vent his spleen at 11 a.m. upon them. When this information was transmitted to me, I contacted the State PAPERS Treasurer Sir Gordon Chalk, and he agreed The following papers were laid on the that Que~nsland would pay the increase in table, and ordered to be printed:- allowance irrespective of the Commonwealth attitude I understand that the Canberra Reports- socialists have now bowed to the Opposition Films Board of Review, for the year demand and put the legislation through for 1974-75. the increase in pensions. Manager, Golden Casket Art Union, for the year 1974-75. This desperate stalling by the s?cialists in Canberra is now being supported m Queens­ Minister for Education and Cultural land by advertisements authorised by the Activities, for the year 1974. Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Tom Burns. The following papers were laid on the This shocking attempt to frighten the old table:- and the sick deserves the complete con­ Orders in Council under- demnation of this House. Mr. Burns knows, The Supreme Court Act of 1921. or should know that the money for pensions is not affected ' by the current situation in Justices Act 1886-1975. Canberra. If his bosses in Canberra con­ Liquor Act 1912-1973. tinue to flout the Constitution by refusing Collections Act 1966-1973. to go to the people, there could ultim~tely Judges' Salaries and Pensions Act 1967- be a situation where the public servants Issu­ 1973. ing the pensions may not be paid. . That Real Property Act 1861-1974. responsibility would have to rest With the Labor Party. All we ask is the opportunity Regulations under­ to boot them out at an election when every Group Titles Act 1973. citizen will have his say. Building Units Titles Act 1965-1972. Local Government Act 1936-1975. As a further example of Mr. Hayden's Jack of responsibility as a Federal Minister, Rules and Regulations under the Cemetery I table a copy of a letter and envelope handed Act 1865. to me by one of his constituents. ~his ~etter Reports- is blatant political propaganda. It IS pnnted Timber Research and Development on Commonwealth paper and is in a Com­ Advisory Council of South and Cen­ monwealth envelope, with postage paid from tral Queensland, for the year 1974-75. Canberra. It would interest the taxpaye_rs of Queensland to know that they are financmg a Timber Research and Development Advisory Council of North Queens­ mammoth postal campaign by the ~ederal land, for the year 1974-75. Treasurer in an effort to bolster up his own flagging political stocks in his electorate. Again, because his vindictive nature is very MINISTERIAL STATEMENT well known, I have blacked out the names and addresses on the envelope. PA,YMENT OF PENSION INCREASES Hon. J. D. HERBERT (Sherwood-Mini­ ster for Community and Welfare Services QUESTION TIME and Minister for Sport) (11.5 a.m.): This morning's "Courier-Mail" carries a report Mr. SPEAKER: Honourable members, from Canberra in which the Federal as questions and answers finish ~t midday, Treasurer, Mr. Hayden, calls for my dis­ it is my intention to proceed _with for?Ial missal from Cabinet, claiming that I have Government business before takmg questwns misled State Parliament. and answers until such time as the Estimates are concluded. I reject this claim categorically. With typical Hayden duplicity, Mr. Hayden has twisted mv words to this House. He claimed that I had stated that the Federal Govern­ HEALTH ACT AMENDMENT BILL ment had ordered the State Welfare Depart­ INITIATION ment not to pay pension increases. Reference to Hansard makes it quite plain that the Hon. L. R. EDWARDS (Ipswich-Minister word I used was "advised", and this is for Health): I move- precisely what happened. "That the House will, at its present After the Federal socialists refused the sittino resolve itself into a Committee Opposition request to pass the pension of th~ Whole to consider introducing a increases through the House, the Federal Bill to amend the Health Act 1937-1974 in public servants in Brisbane-alive to their certain particulars." responsibility-advised my officers that the Motion agreed to. 1416 Questions Upon Notice [23 OCTOBER 1975] Questions Upon Notice

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE experiences an unanticipated demand, repeat 1. INQUIRY INTO BREAD INDUSTRY deliveries are required. When the shop­ lVk Wright, pursuant to notice, asked the keeper finds a surplus of supplies on his Minister for Industrial Development, Labour hands because of lack of customer Relations and Consumer Affairs- demand, he has to bear the loss. Consequently he is cautious in his order­ ( 1) Has he seen the report in "The ing and this in turn creates a problem for Courier-Mail" of 8 August, wherein a the housewife who finds there is no bread Gold Coast Bakery executive urged a State available and loses goodwill for the shop­ inquiry into the bread industry? keeper. It is highly significant that in (2) Are the small to medium-sized pro­ South Austmlia, where rigid price control ducers trading unprofitably and is the exists, the recommended retail shop price local baker becoming a thing of the past? of a 900 g loaf of unwrapped standard (3) As the Government said in the last bread in Adelaide is 4c more than in Bris­ election campaign that it would help the bane and a sliced and wrapped loaf is 2c small businessman, what proposals has he more. The same disparity of 2c is com­ made to help the local bakers in their mon virtually to all lines of bread. fight against the large-group manufac­ Fourthly, it is apparent that the lack of turers of bread? profitability of small bakers in this State is the direct result of the introduction of ( 4) In view of the announcement that the Prices Justification Tribunal. As I said, bread is to rise again for the third time there is no price control operating in this this year, will he delay this increase until State and bakers in normal times are able the recommendations of the Consumer to cover their costs as well as realising a Affairs Council, arising from its previous necessary profit margin. Since the intro­ investigation into the bread industry, are duction of the Prices Justification Tribunal, implemented, especially as they pertain the conglomerates have been obliged to to the shocking waste of bread and over­ seek approval for an increase in their production? prices. Because of product diversification, the big companies are better situated to Answer:- last out the time Jag between application (1 to 4) Problems confronting the bread to pass on increased costs and decision. industry-or any industry affected by The small man has fewer lines and can­ escalating costs flowing, in the main, from not offset this time lag. However, whilst national economic mismanagement-are, he is not subject to such controls and in of course, of deep concern to a Govern­ order to remain competitive, he must ment dedicated to the encouragement of match his prices with those of the con­ free enterprise. The honourable member glomemtes. Finally, for the honourable refers to a report on the bread industry by member to claim we are responsive to the the Consumer Affairs Council in 1973 and, lobby of the multi-nationals, is pure through some devious reasoning, appears political claptrap. to think this document could be the panacea for all the industry's ills. I wish 2. MrLLAQUIN SUGAR CoMPANY LTD. it were all so simple. The report was PROFIT STATEMENTS prepared purely for the Government's infor­ mation. It is normal practice to call for Mr. Wrigb,t, pursuant to notice, asked the a cross-section of opinion which may be Minister for Justice and Attorney-General- useful within the context of a Govern­ ( 1) What were the findings of the Com­ ment's wider consideration of the problem missioner for Corporate Affairs when the as a whole. There is of course no obliga­ Brisbane Stock Exchange referred the tion to publish the contents of reports such matter of the variance in Millaquin Sugar as these. So I propose to answer the Company Ltd. profit statements to the honourable member's question by outlin­ commissioner in September 1974? ing customer habits, production costs, cus­ tomer supply, national conglomerates, (2) Have any steps been taken to ensure small manufacturers and price control. that investors are adequately protected Firstly, ·there are many varieties of from conflicting statements of this nature bread on the market and it is obvious that in the future? a preponderance of people are preparea to pay a commensurate cost for the Answers:- wrapped and sliced types. Secondly, costs (1) The matters referred by the Bris­ of production continue to rise in ~all aspects bane Stock Exchange to the Office of the from the producer of wheat to the deliverv Commissioner for Corporate Affairs in man. Thirdly, there is the problem o'f September 1974 concerning profit state­ over or under-supply to customer outlets ments by the Millaquin Sugar Co. Ltd. and ,that of returns. It is academic non­ were investigated by inspectors from that sense to suggest it is possible to equate office and included direct inquiry and demand with supply. This has been explanations from the executive director attempted in South Australia, where bread and the auditor of that company. Despite returns are prohibited and increased costs the conclusion that the two statements have resulted. When a retail outlet issued "ithin days of each other by the Questions Upon Notice [23 OcTOBER 1975] Questions Upon Notice 1417

company showed a variation in over-all 4. EuROPEAN CARP results in excess of $1 million and that Mr. Neal, pursuant to notice, asked the the directors could have given, or should Minister for Aboriginal and Islanders have been in a position to give, a more Advancement and Fisheries- accurate statement of the estimated profit ( 1) As there have been local reports results of the company in the first instance, to the effect that fish known as "European it was the finding of the Office of the Carp" have been caught in the. Balonne~ Commissioner for Corporate Affairs that a Culgoa River system in the D1rranband1 successful prosecution for an apparent area, has he any knowledge of ~hese reports breach of section 94 of the Securities and, if not, will he check their accuracy? Industry Act 1971 could not be sustained. (2) Do these fish present any danger to the survival of ordinary freshwater (2) The Securities Industry Bill at species in those streams? present before this House has provided ( 3) How did this species of fish get for amendments 1and expansion of the pro­ into Australia and for what reason was visions with respect to false and mislead­ it introduced? ing statements likely to induce a sale or purchase of securities or to have the effect ( 4) Can the flesh of the fish be utilised for human consumption? of raising or lowering the market price' of secuntws. Clause 110 of that Bill pro­ Answers:- vides that, in addition to the circum­ ( 1) In view of the advice received, I stances where a person makes a state­ am having urgent steps taken to ascertain ment or disseminates information and the over-all position and will take whatever knows or ought reasonably to have known remedial measures are possible. that the statement or information is false (2) European carp appear to affect the or misleading in a material particular, survival of Australian native freshwater there shall be a prohibition where such species of fish in those localities where person does not care whether the state­ carp have become established. ment or information is true or false. It is (3) It is understood that Europe~n carp felt that this provision will give greater were bwught into Victoria by a resident of opportunity for adequate steps to be taken that State in the mistaken belief that they in the event of statements being made in would provide a useful source of pond­ cases akin to the subject matter of this cui tured fish. question. ( 4) Carp is an edible species. In fact, the September 1975 issue o.f the jour_nal "Australian Fisheries" contams an article 3. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S EDUCATION setting out ways of preparing this fish for Poucy the table. Mr. Wrigbt, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Education and Cultural 5. TWO-PASSENGER ELECTRIC "CITE-CAR" Activities- Mr. Hanson, pursuant to notice, asked the With reference to the motion carried Minister for Transport- last week-end by the Queensland Student ( 1) Is he aware of a two-passenger car, Teachers' Union, which was in agreement known as a "cite-car", which is noiseless, with the attitude of the Australian Council pollution free and can be plugged into an of State School Organisations, criticising electric power point and, if so, is he aware the education policy of the Commonwealth that a Sydney firm has brought two of Liberal-Country Party Opposition, to the cars to Australia from the U .S.A.? allocate to the parents of primary and (2) As the car is comparatively cheap secondary school students vouchers equiva­ and as it will attract nation-wide interest, lent to the cost of education at a Govern­ has any approach been made to have a ment school as being no more than a demonstration model sent to Queensland disguised form of per-capita grant which for public viewing and departmental assess­ will encourage elitism and entrench pov­ ment? erty, will he clearly state where his Government stands on the issue? Answer:- (1 and 2) I am not specifically aware of Answer:- this particular car and presume the honou!­ The position of the State Government in able member missed the announcement m relation to aid to non-Government schools the news media earlier this week of the demonstration of a unit, similar in descrip­ is clear. We are committed to per-capita tion to the one to which he refers, in support as the most equitable means of Brisbane at the moment. To my knowledge, allocating funds to schools. A voucher this is not the first of such models to be system is a particular variant of that means displayed in Queensland. A comprehensive of support which we have not, to date, report on electric cars has been prepared by considered using. the Bureau of Transport Economics and an 1418 Questions Upon Notice [23 OCTOBER 1975] Questions Upon Notice

office.r of the Queensland Department of (2) The Commonwealth Department of Transport was one of 124 delegates from Labor and Immigration is responsible for throughout Australia at an Electric Car the payment of these subsidies under the Conference held in Canberra earlier this National Apprenticeship Assistance Syste~. year. It is, of course, a matter for the trade However, my officers in the App~enticesh.Ip to present these cars to give the public the Office are responsible for checkmg details opportunity of assessing them. If the hon­ of ,the claims for the subsidies against their ourable member is fortunate enough to test records. I am informed that the claims drive an electric car, I would be pleased to from Mr. Meiers of Meirson Auto Elec­ have the benefit of his observations. trical and Spring Engines for the March and June quarters were only received on 6. GLADSTONE POWER STATION AND 10 September 1975 and were processed for CoMALco PTY. LTD. payment on 10 October 1975. Th~ claim for the September quarter was received on Mr. Hanson, pursuant to notice, asked the 8 October 1975 and was also processed for Minister for Mines and Energy- payment on 10 October 1975. Vouchers ( 1) What is the proposed final capacity have been forwarded to the CommonweaJ,th of the Gladstone Power Station and what Government Treasury Office, Brisbane, for is the proposed commissioning date? payment. I am further infor~ed th~t pay­ ment will be made on all clarms Withm a (2) What is the present commitment of few days. The introduction of these Comalco Pty. Ltd. in regard to this power subsidies some years ago was welcomed by station and has there been any recent employers generally and they have variation in its request for future supply? undoubtedly been of assistance towards (3) Have there been any requests from stabilising the intake of apprentices,_ pa_r­ other industrial concerns for power require­ ticularly in recent months. However, It will ments and, if so, will he supply details? be recalled I recently stated that while the assis.tance given to employers by the pay­ Answers:- ment of the present subsidies in relation to ( 1) The final capacity of the Gladstone first-year apprentices is welcomed by them, Power Station will be 1,650 MW and it is a strong case exists for the extension of _the expected to be fully operational in 1984. subsidy principle in respect of apprentices in view of the unfair burden presently (2) Comalco has exercised its first placed on industry in the training of young option for an 80 MW block of power to be persons ,to become skilled tradesmen. taken not earlier than 1977. That indicates a firm commitment by Comalco to build an 8. WYNNUM POLICE STATION STRENGTH; aluminium smelter at Gladstone. How­ ever, the effects of heavy inflation and TRAFFIC DETACHMENT falling demand for aluminium in overseas Mr. Lamond, pursuant to notice, asked the markets have had to be examined by Minister for Police- Comalco and the Government as they affect Will he consider using some of the the operation of the power option agree­ additional money to be made available to ment. These factors have introduced his department by way of the Budget to uncertainty about the date of actual start-up increase the strength of the Wynnum and rate of subsequent expansion of the Police Station and to transfer a traffic smelter. detachment to this station, as requested ( 3) Yes, there have been inquiries from by me earlier this year? other organisations about locating possible power-intensive industries in Queensland. Answer:- Details of these inquiries are confidential. The matter of stationing additional police at Wynnum will be taken into consideration 7. NoN-PAYMENT AND SHORTAGE OF with the over-all requirements of the State APPRENTICES when additional police are recruited and trained. Mr. Simpson, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Industrial Development, Labour Relations and Consumer Affairs- 9. PORT OF BRISBANE STUDIES ( 1 ) Did he read the article in the 'Tele­ graph" of 21 October relating to the non­ Mr. Lamond, pursuant to notice, ask~d the payment of apprentices and the likelihood Minister for Tourism and Marine Services- of a future shortage of apprentices? ( 1) Have the studies been completed by the consultants employed by the Depart­ (2) Is there any truth in the allegations, ment of Marine Services to investigate and which Government, State or Common­ the proposed port of Brisbane, together wealth, is involved in this complaint? with roads, industry and ot_her factors associated with the port affectmg the sur­ Answers:- rounding areas? ( 1) I read the article referred to by ,the (2) If the studies have not yet been honourable member. completed, when will they be? Questions Upon Notice [23 OcTOBER 1975] Questions Upon Notice 1419

Answers:- 12 and 13. CONDITIONS AT ( 1) The studies are still being carried STUART SCHOOL out. Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Works and Housing- (2) It is anticipated that the studies will be completed in January 1976. ( 1) As the elements over the years have so affected the external walls of the Stuart School that they resemble in appearance 10. RAILWAY STATIONS AND SERVICE an old cattle dog with a bad attack of mange, can something be done to paint WYNNUM, MANLY AND LOTA , the walls? Mr. Lruuond, pursuant to notice, asked the (2) When was the furniture at this Minister for Transport- school manufactured, what cases or timber Will he consider using some of the funds was utilised in the construction of it and allocated in the Budget to his department when will it be brought even somewhere to upgrade the railway st~tions at Wynnum, near the standard of that supplied to other schools? Manly and Lota and Improve the train schedule in accordance with my submis­ (3) When will all the defects, structural sions to him earlier this year? and otherwise, which were reported by the principal several months ago, be considered Answer:- for attention? ( 4) Has he seen reports of the serious I would refer the honourable member movement of the staff room away from the to the reply which I gave him in this House main building and, if so, what steps are on 21 August, and which related to his earlier representations for .the provision of being taken to prevent a serious accident? car-parking facilities at Wynnum, Manly Answers:- and. ~ota. T~e~e has been no change in the position obtammg. Finance allocated to the (1 to 3) The effects of the Canberra­ Railway Department in terms of the recent generated inflation have eroded the funds State Budget is otherwise fully committed. available for the maintenance of this State's ~s the ho~ourable member was also pre­ public buildings, including school buildings. VI

Answers:- to the infamous "loans affair?" How does ( 1) The principal has made applici!Jtion this coincide with Mr. Whitlam's stated for increased library accommodation and policy of open government and is this the this has been noted for future planning. death-knell of ministerial accountability in A programme of up-grading school Australia? libraries throughout the State is proceed­ ing. No indication can be given when Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: This is a very funds can be made available for the work serious development indeed in the Com­ at this school. monwealth Parliament. From time to time the Prime Minister has promised open gov­ (2) I will contact the honourable mem­ ernment and has then broken that promise, ber with a view to arranging a visit to the as he has broken countless other promises, school early next month. and misrepresented the true position. There is no such thing as open government in REDCLIFFE COURT CRIMINAL CASES Canberra. His action today is a further Mr. Frawley asked the Minister for Justice indication of the lengths to which he is and Attorney-General- prepared to go in an endeavour to protect himself and the Government. No doubt ( 1) Will he p.rovide the House with a this is his reason for refusing to answer, list of all cases other than civil heard by because in recent days he has come very the Redcliffe Court during September 1975? close to admitting that he was aware of (2) Will he provide complete details of what took place after 20 May in relation charges laid in each case and, if the list to what is known as the "loans affair". He is comprehensive, will he table it? said, "No doubt I have had conversations (Originally asked on 8 October 1975) from day to day with Mr. Connor about a number of things", partly admitting that Answer:- he had obviously been speaking about this subject, and there is no doubt in the minds ( I and 2) I table a list of all cases other of the people of Australia that as Prime than civil cases heard by the Redcliffe Minister he would have known that con­ Magistrates Court during September 1975, versations were going on and tllat the loan as requested by the honourable member on 8 October last. negotiations were continuing. Whereupon the honourable gentleman It is quite clear that this latest development laid the paper on the table. is one of the methods by which he hopes to stave off the evil day when the truth becomes known that he is just as much QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE implicated as the man he recently sacked, Mr. Connor. I would say that the people WYNNUM WEST SCHOOL TOILETS of Australia believe that the Prime Minister Mr. BURNS: I ask the Minister for knew and that he is just as much implicated Works and Housing: Further to my phone in this deception of Parliament as any of call to his office this morning about the his other Ministers. If he is not, why would possibility of industrial action at the Wynnum he now stifle questions about the matter West School as a result of health problems from the members named by the honourable that have developed in relation to the new member? and old toilets, can he arrange for an urgent inspection of these toilets and action to COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE LEADER OF allay the public concern? THE OPPOSITION AND THE PRIME MINISTER Mr. LEE: As the honourable member well Mr. GYGAR: I ask the Premier: Is he knows, as a result of a deputation to my aware of the statement by the Leader of the colleague the Minister for Police-the former Minister for Works and Housing-he obtained Opposition this morning on the radio pro­ a new toilet block at the school costing gramme "A.M." that he had not been in $32,000. I believe that the children are touch with the Prime Minister during the now using the new toilet block and not current crisis, and that the Prime Minister the old one. However, I will make the had not contacted him? Does this indicate necessary arrangements for an inspection. that Mr. Whitlam considers Mr. Burns to be irrelevant, insignificant and ineffectual, a REFUSAL BY PRIME MINISTER TO ANSWER sentiment shared by the vast majority of QUESTIONS ON THE "LOANS AFFAIR" Queenslanders? Mr. GYGAR: I ask the Premier: Is he Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Obviously aware that this morning in the Common­ neither the Prime Minister nor Mr. Burns wealth Parliament Prime Minister Whitlam would get in touch with the other, because stated that he would refuse to answer any the last time they did so the results were future questions on any subject put to him disastrous. Honourable members can see by Mr. Lynch, the Deputy Leader of the that from the numbers in the Opposition. Federal Opposition, and, further, would I do not blame the honourable member refuse to answer any questions put to him any more than I blame the Prime Minister by Mr. Fraser which were in any way related -they are equally guilty. Questions Witlwut Notice (23 OCTOBER 1975] Questions Without Notice 1421

VISITS OF SCHOOL-CillLDREN TO it would be very difficult to determine how PARUAMENT; COPIES OF "IfANSARD" FOR many copies would be required each day. ScHOOL LIDRARIES However, the honourable member has my Mr. HARTWIG: I draw the attention of assurance that I will discuss the matter with not only the Minister for Education and you, Mr. Speaker. Cultural Activities but also all honourable members to. the fact that i~ the gallery today DELAY IN MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION are 80 pupils from outlymg schools in the Callide electorate-namely, Keppel Sands, Mr. GOLEBY: I ask the Minister for Coowonga, Cawarral, Mt. Chalmers and Local Government and Main Roads: Is he J oskeleigh-who are here with their te~chers, aware of the delay in renewing motor vehicle at a cost of about $2,000, and about 60 of registrations? What is the cause of the delay them have never visited Brisbane before. As and when can we expect conditions to the Minister for Education and Cultural improve to normal to save the present Activities has travelled extensively throughout embarrassing situation? the State of Queensland, will he indicate to Mr. HINZE: I made a public statement !he House the part that education is playing last week when I inspected the new com­ m f~1rthering school-~hildren's knowledge of puter that has been installed in the Main Parliament? Would It be possible for both Roads office. The time Jag has been taken primary and secondary school libraries to up completely. Although there was a delay receive copies of "Hansard"? of something like 15 weeks, it has been Mr. BIRD: I am very pleased that the overcome completely. It is intended in the honourable member has drawn it to my atten­ near future to diversify the office throughout tion that children from schools in the Callide the State and establish issuing offices at electorate are in the gallery of this Chamber places like Toowoomba, Townsville and today. I cannot praise too highly honourable Ipswich. ~e!llbers an~ school-teachers who arrange VISits to Bnsbane and to Parliament for EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL COSTS FROM children from outlying areas. Arrangements CoNSUMER PRICE INDEX ~ave been made for children attending schools m my electorate to see the capital city of the Mr. AKERS: I ask the Minister for Jus­ State and also to see this very important part tice and Attorney-General: Is he aware that of the system of government in Queensland the Prime Minister has just released figures and ~n Australia. It is to be hoped that the for the Consumer Price Index indicating an practice of arranging such visits will continue. inflationary increase of 3.2 per cent? Is it not true that that figure does not include As to having copies of "Hansard" in school medical costs now included under Medi­ libraries-possibly it is a matter for individual bank? Would it therefore be true to say members to arrange for copies of "Hansard" that the Commonwealth Government has to be sent to schools. I should also bring to deliberately excluded medical costs, firstly to the attention of honourable members and to hide their massive escalation since the intro­ those who are now present in the gallery that duction of Medibank and, secondly, to try arrangef!lents are presently being made for to hoodwink the community by attempting the filmmg of the proceedings of Parliament to give the impression that there is only a so that they can be shown to children attend­ slight increase in the inflationary spiral this ing schools in country areas who normally quarter whereas the real inflationary increase would not have the opportunity to see par­ would be about 8 per cent, indicating an liamentary proceedings at first hand and to annual rate of about 24 pe,r cent? ?ecome aware of the way in which business 1s conducted. Mr. KNOX: As was expected, the Prime Minister made a statement today about the AVAILABILITY OF BUSINESS PAPER AND Consumer Price Index. He tried to lean NOTICES OF QUESTIONS IN PUBLIC GALLERY very heavily on the claim that over the last quarter it has increased only slightly, in an Mr. BYRNE: I ask the Minister for endeavour to suggest that we have turned Education and Cultural Activities: In view the corner on inflation. Inflation, as of his expressed concern about school­ described by the Prime Minister in the last children in the public gallery, will he consult 12 months or so, has been a circle, a with Mr. Speaker, or take whatever other rectangle, an octagon and all sorts of other steps are necessary, to ensure that school­ shapes. We have turned so many corners children and other interested visitors in the that we are lost. The fact of the matter is public ?allery are supplied with copies of that the inflation rate in Australia is the the Busmess Paper and Notices of Questions fifth highest of countries with economies for the day? School-children see honourable similar to our own. members rise and say, "Mr. Speaker, question No. so-and-so.", but they have no idea what Mr. Houston: It's reducing. the question is all about. Mr. KNOX: Reducing! The honourable Mr. BIRD: I have often wondered about member for Bulimba cannot convince the the small number of Business Papers dis­ people outside that it is reducing. He can­ tributed in the public gallery. I realise that not convince the housewives and others who 46 1422 Questions Without Notice [23 OCTOBER 1975] Privilege

have to buy day-to-day goods that it is Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The things reducing. For some time a juggling of said by the Leader of the Opposition are figures has taken place, and the latest completely untrue. In so many instances juggling has been to exclude medical costs today the Labor organisation, both Federal from the C.P.I. That does not deceive any­ and State, resorts to telling untruths. For body at all in the community. When the instance, their advertisement today in which housewife each week has to pay ,increased it is said that pensioners will not be paid amounts of money to provide the same is completely untrue, and the Leader of amount of food for her family, she knows the Opposition ought to know that it is what inflation is all about, and the Labor untrue. If he does not know what he is Party can forget all about the figures. talking about in some of his remarks, which In conclusion, it is a fact that inflation in is quite obvious, he should not make them. this country is running at far too high a He should certainly not make them so as Tlate, and nothing has been done to arrest to imply that they carry the weight of the it; but the Government attempts to mislead A.L.P. or his own position. It is completely the people by juggling with figures. untrue that my wife comes to Brisbane in the Government aircraft to shop. .ARCHITECTURAL AWARD TO MEMBER FOR Mr. Burns: I never mentioned your wife's PINE RIVERS name. Mr. DOUMANY: I ask the Minister for Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I do not come Works and Housing: Will he publicly com­ down in the aircraft to shop, and it is mend the honourable member for Pine Rivers completely wrong to imply that any mem­ on his recent achievement in winning the ber of my family uses it in that way. It "Sunday Mail" House of the Week award is also utterly untrue to suggest that I use for architectural design, which is further the aircraft as a toy to take my friends proof of the practical concern of Govern­ on trips. Cabinet has a very strict rule ment members for housing? on travel in the Government aircraft. Mr. LEE: I would have preferred the Opposition Members interjected. question to be placed on notice, because there are possibly quite a number of things that Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I remind honour­ I could then have said that I cannot recall able members on my left of my previous at such short notice. I would, however, warning that any member who persistently like to say publicly that it is good to interjects whilst a Minister is on his feet will see a former Works Department architect, be dealt with under Standing Order 123A. who is now a member of Parliament-- Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: There are many Mr. Aikens: Was he any good? things that I could say about the Leader of the Opposition. I have received reports, for Mr. LEE: Very good indeed. Through instance, of the way in which he uses his his encouragement as a member of my official car. committee, no doubt it will not be long before the Queensland Housing Commission Mr. Knox: They are disgraceful. enters the competition for the House of the Week award, and I am sure that it will win. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: They are dis­ graceful. STATEMENT BY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION What the Leader of the Opposition has ON PREMIER's UsE OF GOVERNMENT said about the Government aircraft is com­ AIRCRAFT pletely and utterly wrong. He has free air Mr. HALES: I ask the Premier: Is he travel wherever he wants to go, and a free aware that the Leader of the Opposition, rail pass. He has no ministerial responsibil­ during an interview last night on the A.B.C.'s ities, so he has plenty of time to get on "P.M." programme, made allegations that planes. What I object to most is his state­ the Premier or his family used the Gov­ ment about the use of the aircraft for post­ ernment aircraft for shopping trips? ing letters. That is typical of what the Leader of the Opposition says from time Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I did not hear to time. There might be an appropriate way the broadcast, but it has been drawn tO> of dealing with the Leader of the Opposition my attention that last night and again this in these matters to pull him into gear. morning the Leader of the Opposition, true to form, told a number of lies, just as he tells lies on other occasions. PRIVILEGE NEWSPAPER REFERENCES TO PARLIAMENTARY Mr. BURNS: I rise to a point of order_ BAR AND REFRESHMENT RooM I thought that "lies" was an unparliamentary term. I ask that it be withdrawn. I da Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) (12 noon): not tell lies. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege. Has your attention been drawn Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the to the frequent Press references, mostly in Opposition objects to the word "lies". I ask. a derogatory or derisory manner, of the the Premier to substitute the worcl prices charged to members of this House "untruths". for food and drink from the Refreshment Privilege [23 OCTOBER 1975] Supply 1423

Room, and, if so, could it be publicised that SUPPLY all Press representatives and those from the RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-EsTIMATES­ media in general, and assorted visitors, also FIRST AND SECOND ALLOTTED DAYS partake of these facilities at the same prices (fhe Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. as those charged to members? In particular, Hewitt, Chatsworth, in the chair) Mr. Speaker, could public mention be made EsTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1975-76 of what appeared to be a Bacchanalian orgy on the balcony yesterday for pressmen RAILWAYS AND TRANSPORT hosted by the Leader of the Opposition and RAILWAYS---GENERAL ESTABLISHMENT paid for at the usual prices? Will the Press The CHAIRMAN: Order! I desire to headline this convivial gathering as a group inform honourable members that, on the of spongers-- Chief Office Vote, I propose to allo~ a full discussion on the whole of the ramifica­ Mr. SPEAKER: Order! tions of a department (Consolidated Revenue, Trust and Special Funds, and Loan Fund Mr. BURNS: I rise to a point of order. Account). I do not mind the honourable member defending the members of this House, but For the information of honourable mem­ bers, I point out that the administrative acts I was not on the balcony yesterday after­ of the department are open to debate, but noon, and I never organise functions such the necessity for legislation ar:d matters as he normally conducts for two pressmen involving legislation cannot be discussed in from the gallery every morning at morning Committee of Supply. tea. Before calling on the Minister for Trans­ port, I advise honourable members that, Mr. AIKENS: He was in such a state following the usual custom,. the T~ansp?rt that he didn't know where he was yesterday. Estimates will be taken m con]unct!On with the Railways Estimates and therefore I Mr. BURNS: I asked for a withdrawal of propose to allow a full discussion on the that. An ex-drunk who laid in the gutters administrative activities of both departments of Townsville and bludged on his mates under the Vote General Establishment­ should never be talking about other people as Railways. far as drink is concerned. Hon. K. w. HOOPER (Greenslopes­ Minister for Transport) (12.5 p.m.): I move­ Mr. AIKENS: I want to finish this-- "That $48,192,400 be granted for Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the honour­ General Establishment-Railways." able member for Townsville South to accept Queensland Governm~nt R~ilway . achieve­ the denial of the Leader of the Opposition. ments in the realm of mcreasmg busmess are most impressive, even spectacular,. b;.tt the Mr. AIKENS: I will accept the denial problems of mounting costs are Slilli.lar to that he hosted a group of pressman on the those experienced in other large b~smesses balcony. Everybody else must be blind, deaf and industries, particularly those hke t~e and dumb, because everybody else saw him, railways where a higl_l labour .content IS and if he said he had to pay extra for it I involved in their operat10ns. I wrll speak at would like to know what the prices were. greater length on both these aspects of. the Queensland Government Railways operatwns. Opposition Members interjected. Honourable members are aware of the change in policy associated with road trans­ Mr. AIKENS: But this is not the point. port some 12 years ago which introduced an We will forget about him for the moment. open road policy and offered a cha!lenge to He is hardly worth our notice, anyway. Will the railways to meet the resultant mc:eased the Press headline this convivial gathering competition from that sector. The rmlways as a group of spongers on the public purse, met this challenge with a programme of as they frequently portray honourable mem­ dieselisation, modernisation of rolling-stock bers who avail themselves of the services of and facilities, and upgrading of t~e permanent the bar and the Refreshment Room? I think wav which has led to the runmng of faster it is about time the public were told that freight trains carrying far heavier loads than the members of the Press who frequently previously. The success of these efforts has complain about us and criticise us are in on been recorded in annual reports of the Com­ it themselves. missioner for Railways for the past 12 years. In each of these years, tonnages of freight Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I advise the hon­ have attained record proportions. ourable member that I shall inquire into There has been an upsurge in passenger the matter he has raised. travel, mostly on the Brisbane suburban system; but in the past two years !_here has Mr. AIKENS: Publish a photograph of been an increase in long-distance tram travel, the Leader of the Opposition getting away thereby arresting a trend for declining long­ from the House afterwards. distance train travel which had continued 1424 Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) for many years and was attributable to Owing to the benefits flowing from diesel­ competiti?n from other forms of transport, isation, improved technologies and various and particularly the privately-owned motor economies in operation, the Railway Depart­ vehicle. ment had until two years ago contained the As will have been observed from a cost increases and returned a working profit perusal of the commissioner's report for the for the 10 years to 1973. With the saturation 1974-~5 financial year, the improvement in point having been attained so far as econo­ the rmlway performance has been maintained. mies through diese!isation are concerned, New records were established, with revenue the department has in the past two years been earnings of $183,686,622 and the haulage of hil by cost increases which have been stag­ 30,208,127 tonnes of goods and livestock. gering in their effect. These figures were $33,843,046 and In the 1973-74 financial year, salaries and 4,807,189 tonnes higher than the previous wages increased by $27,072,207 over the records, which were established a year earlier. previous year, and the increases for the 1974-75 year were even higher at To emphasise the tremendous increase in $52,004,651, and other costs have also risen rail haulages, I contrast the past year's fig­ substantially during this period. While the ures of over 30,000,000 tonnes of freight with revenue earnings by the departlnent for the the haulage of 9,300,000 tonnes just 10 two years under review increased by years ago, in 1964-65. This more than $12,098,981 and $33,843,046 respectively, threefold increase is most gratifying and far they obviously failed to keep pace with the outstrips that of any other Government rail­ way system in Australia. higher costs. As the honourable the Treasurer said in The tonnage handled and the revenue announcing ,increased rail fares and freights earned by the Queensland Government Rail­ in his Budget address: ways is now exceeded only by New South "It is well to note that since the last Wales, and in the former, we should be the rail freight increase in 1966 average undisputed leader next year. weekly earnings, which reflect directly on Much of the increase is attributable to railway costs, have increased by 184 per mineral haulages in Central and North cent". Queensland, and these will continue to It is also worthy of note that the aggregate increase over the next few years at least of basic wage and award increases paid to under existing contracts. If the restraining railway employees during this Government's hand of the recently sacked Federal Minister term of office is $128,364,191. for Minerals and Energy had been lifted earlier, there would have certainly been a There is no question that the policy of new upsurge of mining ventures which would holding rail freight charges at the 1966 level have required rail haulages of many more up until now must have exercised a stabilis­ millions of tonnes a year. ing influence on the general cost structure of many industries, with a consequential bene­ I feel that the Queensland Government ficial flow-on to the public of Queensland Railways can claim some of the credit for generally. the_ success of these giant mining projects, wh1ch are today providing highly paid jobs The Queensland railway system was com­ fer thousands of Queenslanders, as well as pletely dieselised in late 1969, and to cope assisting the State through overseas earnings with the increasing haulages the locomotive and royalties on their products. Efficient fleet has been increased to 489 units. This economic haulage of minerals and mining is still only a little more than half the products to coastal outlets is essential for number of steam locomotives that were for­ these projects to prosper, and the railways merly in traffic, but the diesels are hauling have been able to make an important con­ nearly four times as much freight. tribution in this respect. Since this Government took office, we The foregoing remarks outline a bright have spent more than $87,500,000 on new picture of rail progress in this State, but locomotives. The more powerful diesels unfortunately, in today's era of terrific infla­ now being used are known as "second tionary pressures, we have the anomalous generation" locomotives and have twice the situation of record haulages and revenue power of the early units. These new earnings on the one side and increasing locomotives are used mostly in multiple to deficits on the other. haul long mineral trains, also other heavy freight loads over long distances. This type It is true that similar circumstances are of train openation has the dual advantage being faced by other businesses and indus­ of moving huge quantities of freight and tries, but in all, or nearly all, cases the reducing congestion on the busier sections cost increases are being passed on to the of single-track railway line. public. This has not, until the recent Budget, been the case with the Railway Department, Honourable members will have noted that which has held its freight rates at the 1965 since last April the railways have been level for the past nine years-a period, as running locotrol coal trains on the Goonyella honourable members would know, that has line in Central Queensland, c{'mprising six been marked by terrific cost increases, par­ locomotives and 148 wagons for a gross ticularly in salaries and wages. load of 10,770 tonnes, including ),600 tonnes Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1425

of coal. These are by far the longest trains been provided by the mining companies con­ ever run in this State, and are 'among the cerned. While minerals have a priority on longest being run on a 1.06 metre gauge these new and upgraded lines, the lines are railway system anywhere in the world. Long available, and indeed are being extensively trains are also being run in other areas of used, for the haulage of general goods and the State system. Four locomotives are being used at the head of coal trains running other traffic. from the Blackwater area to Gladstone; While mineral haulages are playing a major three and four locomotives are being used role in railway operations, there has also been on trains hauling nickel ore on the Green­ a strong demand for rail transport from other vale line in North Queensland; three loco­ industries, both primary and secondary, and motive trains are hauling coal from Moura there have been times during seasonal produc­ to Gladstone; and two and three locomotive trains are hauling mineral products from tion peaks when every available wagon has Mt. Isa to Townsville and coal from Collins­ been in use, and more were needed. ville to Mt. Isa. Two locomotive trains are The continuing increase in the haulage being used as required to haul grain, live­ of general merchandise is due to a l~rge stock .and general goods. extent to the running of express freight Paralleling the diesel change-over has been services, using modern louvre<:f wagons the evolution of the railway wagon fleet, equipped with passenger-sJ?eed bogies. These which has resulted in the replacement of trains now run between Bnsbane and northern many small four-wheel wagons built of centres at a rate of 34 a week and between timber by high capacity steel and aluminium Brisbane and Toowoomba and western ~e,ntres bogie wagons equipped with automatic at a rate of 10 a week, with add1t10nal couplers for use in express freight services. services required at times. The sche<:fules My Government's expenditure in this area provide in most cases for next-day dehvery exceeds $83,400,000. These wagons range to of a wide range of general goods; In !he 79 tonnes on the Greenvale line, 71 tonnes opposite direction, these fast services bnng gross on the Goonyella line and to 63 tonnes fruit, vegetables, tobacco and other .l?roducts gross for general freight haulages over much to Brisbane and for forward cons1gnme?t of the State system. to the southern markets. Another fact?r m the increased traffic is doo~-to-door ?ehvery Other facets of the modernisation pro­ of general goods, which 1s made. m ~~n­ gramme have been improved freight-handling junction with forw~rding agents. 'J}lls. facility facilities, power signalling with central traffic is being made avmlable to a steadrly mcreas­ control systems on lines carrying heavy ing number of centres throughout the State. mineral and other traffic, and an extensive building programme. During the past five years, 3,700 new wagons have been placed in traffic t? meet The opening for traffic of 308 kilometres requirements for the haulage of mmer.als, of line during the year ended 30 June last grain, sugar and sugar-cane, meat, wool, live­ has enabled the Queensland system to regain stock and general goods. the distinction of having ·the longest length of track among the Australian Government On the passenger side of rail transpo~t, railway systems. There is now 9,780 kilo­ the trend for increased travel on the Ens­ metres of track open in Queensland, 9,754 bane suburban services has been progressive kilometres in New South W,ales, 6,657 kilo­ for the past 10 years. During this period, metres in Victoria, 6,192 in Western the number of passenger journeys has Australia and 3,884 in South Australia. increased from 22,200,000 a year to Three new lines have been built within 34,800,000 during the past financial year, the past 10 years to meet the requirements which represents an increase of 56 per cent. of the mineral traffic. These are the 180 kilometre Moura short line opened in 1968, I am most confident there will be a further the 200 kilometre GoonyeUa line opened in stimulus to suburban rail travel with the 1971 with subsequent extensions to Peak implementation of the improved public trans­ Downs and Saraji mines, and the 218 kilo­ port system for the Brisbane area, which is metre Greenvale line opened in 1974. now in progress. Electrification and associated projects are now well under way, and tht~ In addition, major rehabilitation projects only problems are those arising from limita­ have been carried out on the 965 kilometre tions on the promised Federal Government Townsville-Mt. Isa line and the 300 kilometre financial assistance. I will deal with these Blackwater-Gladstone line. Currently under programmes later on in my speech. construction is a 68 kilometre branch line, which will link the vast phosphate rock As rapidly as finances permit, improve­ deposits south of Duchess to the Great ments are being made to passenger and Northern Line, enabling direct rail haulage freight-handling facilities throughout the to Townsville. State. New stations have been opened in the past three years at Rockhampton, Black­ Much of the finance for these projects, water, Julia Creek and Baddow in the country, together with the provision of powerful, new and at Brunswick Street, Bowen Hills, North­ locomotives and high-capacity wagons, has gate and Hendra in the Brisbane area. 1426 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

With the completion of the railway centre a further $2 a week increase last year in the as the first stage of the major redevelop­ service incremental payment scheme, which ment project above Central Station, adminis­ applies to all adult male and female wages trative staff in the Brisbane area are housed employees. This now provides for an incre­ in the one building for the first time, making ment of $8, $10 and $12 a week after one, for greater efficiency and direction of the two and three years of service, respectively. State rail services. I advert now to the Department of Trans­ Expansion and improvement of facilities port under the administration of the Com­ for the handling of freight include the con­ missioner for Transport. The amount of struction of new marshalling yards at Nor­ $4,527,920 to be granted for the year 1975- manby, and progress with the new marshal­ 76 is an increase of $1,042,292 over the ling yards at Willowburn, Toowoomba. amount expended last year. This increase Major projects, either recently completed makes provision for financial assistance of or in the course of construction, include a $600,000 to private metropolitan bus services new depot for the handling of interstate as outlined by the Honourable the Treasurer freight at Acacia Ridge-major extensions in his Budget speech, and the employment to the Moolabin Goods yard, improved sid­ of outside consultants to examine urban pas­ ing access at Pinkenba and Hamilton, bulk­ senger services in the Townsville area, estim­ handling facilities at Mt. Isa and new goods ated to cost $50,000, of which $30,000 will sheds at Bundaberg, Richmond, Charleville be required this financial year. The remain­ and Charters Towers. der of the increase is concerned basically with the payment of increased salaries and A continuing programme for the upgrading allowances from award increases. of the permanent way has involved the con­ struction of many major bridges in prestressed The revenue collected by the Department concrete, as well as many smaller concrete of Transport for the year ended 30 June 1975 bridges and pipe culverts to replace timber was $1,352,723 less than the previous year. structures. This was due to $1,116,000 having been received in that year for the issue of addit­ Since 1947, more than 35 per cent of ional taxi licences in the metropolitan area, timber bridging throughout the State system the suspension of permit fees payable on has been eliminated. the transport of cattle and sheep and the suspension of permit fees on several occas­ All bridges on the new Moura, Goonyella ions during the year due to rail dislocations. and Greenvale lines have been built in pre­ stressed concrete. As previously announced, it is the Govern­ ment's intention to phase out the payment Another continuing programme is the re­ of permit fees over a period of three years, laying of the permanent way with heavier and, as the Honourable the Treasurer has rail, together with the provision of improved announced, the first stage in this phasing out signalling. Main lines are being progressively will commence this financial year. It has laid with 41 kg rail welded into 110 metre lengths, while on the lines carrying heavy been determined that the date from which the mineral trains, the heavy duty 53 kg and general reduction of permit fees will be pay­ 47 kg line has been laid. On some sections, able will be 1 November 1975. 110 metre rails have been welded into 440 The revenue collected by the department metre lengths, and on the Goonyella line, stems from various sources under two prin­ 110 metre rails are being welded into con­ cipal Acts, the State Transport Act and the tinuous lengths. Our expenditure in this Roads (Contribution to Maintenance) Act. area since being in office amounts to over The revenue under the State Transport Act $38,700,000. goes to Consolidated Revenue, while that Increasing use is being made of automatic from charges under the Roads (Contribution power signalling on busy sections of line, to Maintenance) Act to a special account in while modern centralised traffic control sig­ the Treasury called the Road Maintenance nalling systems have been installed on the Account. Moneys from this account are Moura and Goonyella lines and are currently applied to the maintenance of public high­ being installed on the very busy section ways as directed by my colleague the Hon­ between Rockhampton and Gladstone. ourable the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads. For the maintenance of the permanent way, mechanised equipment is being used as It will be recalled that the principle of a means of achieving a much faster and more charges under this Act had its genesis in the efficient work-rate than formerly when this 'Problems created in obtaining reasonable extremely heavy work was done manually. contributions for the use of the road from Approximately one-third of the system is vehi:eles used on interstate journeys and now maintained by mechanised methods. attracting the protection of section 92 of the Constitution. To avoid any semblance of dis­ As honourable members are aware, railway crimination, it was necessary that the charges employees receive a wide range of privileges, be paid by both intrastate and interstate and, while I do not intend to enumerate operators. Most operators, both interstate these in detail, I would point out there was and intrastate, honour their obligations under Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1427

this Act. As will be seen from the commis­ The construction and equipment of vehicles sioner's Annual Report, it is necessary for are matters with which the Traffic Act and legal action to be taken from time to time regulations are vitally concerned. The Traffic against those who do not co-operate. Advisory Committee set up under the Act is of invaluable assistance to me and my Resistance to taxation is understandable, parliamentary transport committee in formul­ I suppose, but it is, I feel, appalling to see ating necessary changes to legislation. a scheme for avoidance of charges under this Act publicised in a national journal. The Constant movement of people on interstate heading to an article in the publication journeys requires that we endeavour as far "Highway Transport" for August 1975 read, as possible to maintain national consistency and I quote, "Information on the workings of in our regulations, and in this regard I must a typical Naracoorte scheme for the avoid­ count my membership of the Australian ance of road maintenance charges is pub­ Transport Advisory Council as a most import­ lished". am factor. The Transport Ministers who Departmental Estimates also provide for constitute the Australian Transport Advisory disbursement from the Traffic Engineering Council are assisted by advisory committees Trust Fund, which is created by the alloca­ comprising experts in the particular fields tion to it of moneys derived from the driving concerned, whose primary task is to update fee collected with the annual payment of and revise the national codes for vehicle motor vehicle registration. construction and driver performance. The Transport Department should not be One of these committees-the Publicity regarded merely as a revenue-raising depart­ Advisory Committee on Education and Road ment. It provides numerous-what may be Safety-is of immense significance to our termed-"service" activities. For some time Road Safety Council's activities as it pro­ the department has maintained the central vides the medium for a national standard register of driving licences and is gradually of publicity in this vital field. The Queens­ taking over the issue of drivers' licences from land Road Safety Council functions as an the Police Department. The Transport arm of the Transport Department and it is Department now administers the three driver­ my privilege to be its chairman. In tf1is licence testing stations operating in the metro­ capacity it has been my most rewardmg politan area and plans have been made for experience to attend and deliver two papers the progressive involvement of the depart­ to the Annual National Safety Congress and ment in other centres. Of course it would Exposition held in Chicago recently. not be feasible to dispense with police driver­ licence testing in the smaller centres and The executive arm of our council is Gov­ it may be anticipated that this will continue ernment financed and staffed by Government for some time. employees on a professional basis. The council proper, that is, the council memb_ers, The Commissioner for Transport is re­ is a combination of voluntary representatlves sponsible also for the registration of driving drawn from various sectors of Government schools and the licensing of driving instruc­ and private enterprise, whose advice is of tors, and it is pleasing to record that, with immense value and assistance to me. Apart the co-operation of the schools, either indi­ from this advisory function, the primary role vidually or through their formal association, of the council is education, and our activities considerable improvement has been achieved have been geared to appropriately publicising in the standard of tuition and vehicles used. and educating the public on the dangers of Through the licensing of tow-trucks, a misuse of the road system. similar improvement has come about and Through the defensive-driving courses con­ reasonable order has been brought to what was previously at times a chaotic situation, ducted by the council we are making a major \vhere umcrupulous operators stood over and contribution to traffic-accident prevention by fleeced the unfortunate motorist involved advocating correct driving attitudes. The in an accident. council's officers who conduct the defensive­ driving courses have themselves undergot;~e Transport itself, of course, is movement, intensive practical driving courses both m and the department reflects this movement motor vehicle and motor-cycle control and and change which is symptomatic of the have participated in many other training pro­ industry. Vehicle types and sizes and per­ grammes designed to improve their ability to formance are continually altering and the communicate. At the end of 1974 we had types of vehicle now on the roads in the conducted 1,146 courses, attended by 30,471 shape of modern buses and goods-carrying persons throughout the State. vehicles are vastly different to those which characterised the scene when the State Trans­ Two other activities attracting consider­ port Act was initiated in 1960. There must able public involvement are the safe-driving­ be a constant effort on behalf of all of us av, ard schemes which are designed to give involved with the department to keep abreast recognition to the good driver who by his of the times and be in tune with progress. performance is able to stay out of accidents Regulations must be constantly revised to and be free of traffic violations. In deter­ remove those that are out of step with mining v.hether people nominated should present conditions and yet ensure that the receive safe-driving awards, their records are safety of the public is kept paramount. checked with the central violation records. 1428 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estinwtes)

A scheme for commercial drivers has been journeys involved, are rare but nevertheless in operation for 26 years. In 1972 it was do occur from time to time ud need extended to graduates of the defensive­ investigation. driving course, and persons who have com­ pleted the course may nominate for a con­ In public transport the department, since tinuing defensive-driving award. its creation, has seen many changes. In the immediate post-war period there was a con­ Both types of awards are presented at siderable expansion and usage of bus trans­ public gatherings, and I endeavour to make port, much of which has been offset in recent a special effort to present them myself as years by the growth in the use of the priV1ate I feel that the schemes have a large part car. The expansion of urban services, par­ to play in obtaining a continuing interest ticularly in the Brisbane metropolitan area, from participants in safe driving. We are was related to the preferences extended in presently considering quite a number of new the legislation to a system of acquisition of measures including the expansion of the privately operated services by 1a local defensive-driving course by the use of a authority. voluntary instmctor system •and the intro­ The provisions for acquisition of private duction of a motor-cycle training programme services are still in the current Transport similar to that conducted in Canada. Act and we have had representations from The funds which we are providing for the the bus proprietors' association that ·these Road Safety Council are primarily from should be repealed and the provisions have State sources and it is regrettable .that the been criticised as socialistic thinking. It is Commonwealth grant to States has remained paradoxical that the legislation was originally static for some time. In fairness, however, brought down by an old-style Labor Govern­ I should say that we do derive considerable ment in 1946, and that most adWlntage of benefit from Commonwealth sources in the provisions was taken by Brisbane City respect to the preparation of publicity Council administrations which were certainly materials on a national level and excellent not then Labor-oriented. Many of the bus co-operation exists with the Commonwealth services taken over and replaced by council Department of Transport. At State level, services in those days were in a prarlous too, I must mention that we are assisted by condition and their replacement services a grant from the Liquor Act Tmst Fund were widely welcomed at inception. which is directed specifically towards high­ Both private and municipal bus services lighting the dangers involved in drinking and today have a vital role to play, but their driving. patronage has been seriously eroded by the Public education in safe driving behaviour private car, which has brought to the average involves a complex communication prob­ person a degree of freedom which mass lem and in the preparation of special cam­ transit systems cannot provide. We realise paigns we have had considerable success in that considerable improvement in the the employment of professional 1advertising standard of public transport is desirable and consultants. This has resulted in quite high­ that this requires a measure of assist,ance quality work, particularly where television is from Government sources. The extent to involved. which this system should be at local auth­ ority, State or Commonwealth levels raises I mentioned earlier that movement was a questions on which there will always be vary­ particular chamcteristic of transport and I ing opinions but it would seem that at the stressed the necessity for keeping up to date. present time the day of the "completely" This is particularly so in the spheres of independent priV1ate entrepreneur in urban interest of the Transport Department which transportation has gone. It is in realisation lie in the fields of passenger and goods of the difficulties facing the private sector transport. that we are initiating schemes for their financial assistance, but whether or not this The department is charged with the will be necessary in the future is a matter over-all responsibility for the provision of of conjecture. efficient public transport services by road and air, and this is achieved by a system of As I mentioned earlier, the recent State licensing. The department's interests in the Budget provides $600,000 assistance to field of public transport eJCtend not only to private metropolitan bus services. Necessary bus services, both metropolitan and inter­ legislation in this regard is being drafted, city, but to the 'ancillary types of public and I will cover the three schemes of assist­ transport such as taxis, hire cars and drive­ ance in detail when introducing the legisla­ yourself or rent-a-cars. These ancillary types tion. However, for the benefit of some of public transport ·play an important role honourable members I will outline the in our communities and it is the respon­ assistance programmes. A pensioner con­ sibility of the commissioner and his officers cession will be provided for travel on urban to ensure that proper standards of vehicles private buses to the extent of 50 per cent of performance and service exist. The depart.: the adult fare normally charged. To enable ment plays a particularly useful role here private bus fares to be held down, and at also in providing the public with an avenue the same time help to ensure that the ser­ for invest~gation . of complaints which, per­ vices remain financially viable, the Govern­ centage-vnse, havmg regard to the number of ment will subsidise gross fare revenue of Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1429 urban bus operators. The scheme is designed this system applies both to in~r.astate and to lift the operators' return to a reasonable interstate operations. The c~nd1uons under level with a maximum subsidy of 10 per cent which long-distance bus serv1ces operate at of the gross fare revenues. times present problems and it becomes neces­ sary to balance the requiremen.ts, say to In order to improve the urban bus system intermediate centres on a long-distance bus generally, we will guarantee loans, under route with the routes of shorter-distance certain conditions, for the purchase of new local ' operators who service the particular buses. This Government will also subsidise town. the interest on new loans for new buses to a maximum of 6 per cent, with such assist­ In collaboration with the Gold Coast ance decreasing by one-fifth of the original City Council and the Department of Main subsidy each year over a period of five Roads we have reviewed the situation years. existin'g on the Gold Coast in relation to servicing the coastal strip by local and I know that there are schools of thought through buses. I believe we have come up which suggest that the private car should be with a workable solution which should in some way outlawed. Proposals in this improve travelling time to Brisbane and at regard have to be approached rather the same time ensure an improved level of cautiously as there are many who consider 1ocal service. that possession of a private car and a person's own home makes him a small capitalist and I have found that the necessity to regu­ that if these two things were eradicated the late passenger transport is accepted by the individual would become more amenable public and by the industry, as there is a to a proletarian role in a socialistic system. general recognition that untrammelled com­ To this I do not subscribe and whilst I will petition in the field of urban bus services support every endeavour to provide adequate could eventually result in their being no public transport, I do not favour moves services at all, and a degree of zoning of which are afoot to deprive Australians of operating areas is to be adopted. their basic freedoms. Perhaps the most contentious area, how­ I alluded in my opening remarks to a study ever is goods transport. In the 1960 Act which we propose carrying out in Townsville. we took a very positive step by replacing This is an area which is serviced by several the previous monopoly licences wit!:- the .r:re­ private bus services and where we have been sent permit system. This, too, has Its cnt1cs. receiving increasing public pressure for On the one hand we have those who say that improvements. A formal study will be there should be no requirement to hold a essential so that the decisions that are taken permit or pay fees, and on the other hand here will be practical and in the best interests we have those who are concerned at what of all concerned. they call "substandard operations" by indivi­ I do not propose at this point to dwell at duals who undercut and take dangerous short any length on the action we are taking to cuts to reduce costs and who ruin the trans­ improve public transport facilities in the port image. Brisbane statistical division as a more Since the Act was introduced, we have appropriate opportunity will present itself. I worked progressively to improve the situ­ have alluded to passenger transport in our ation by granting permit-fee exemptions by cities and towns. An important role played areas or by commodities. For instance, as by the department is the authorisation of long ago as 1961 we removed the. permit inter-town and inter-city services and requirements in respect of the carnage of Queensland has for some time been almost livestock in the far-western and northern unique in the network of long and medium areas of the State, and in 1972 took the distance services it has built up. These step of removing the obligation for permits regulated route services are complemented in respect of the carriage of fresh fruit and by high standard tourist services and in vegetables. addition we have the ubiquitous charter operation which has brought pleasure to so In his Budget speech, the Honourable the many. Thus modern passenger coaches Treasurer announced further general con­ range far and wide within the State and, cessions in respect of the rate of permit of course, interstate. fees and we anticipate that ultimately we sho~ld be able to phase out this require­ With the co-operation of my colleague ment completely. I might add that :;tppro­ the honourable Minister for Industrial priate action has now been taken to Imple­ Development, Labour Relations and Con­ ment the Budget proposals by a general sumer Affairs and his Chief Inspector of reduction as from 1 November in the rate Machinery, we have operating in Queensland of permit fees payable for the carriage of an efficient inspection system for commercial goods in Queensland. vehicles and particularly buses. A nationally accepted sticker identification system for Finally, I will deal with the Metropolitan inspections suggested by Queensland was Transit Project Board. Honourable members agreed on some time ago with Queensland will recall that the Metropolitan Transit Pro­ being the first State to implement it-and ject Board was formally constituted by Order 1430 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

in Council on 5 September 1974. However, entails a tremendous amount of work which it did function as a committee immediately is not immediately apparent to the com­ following the 1972 general election. munity in general-for example, the design of the overhead wiring system, and prepara­ The board is constituted under the State tions for the vehicles themselves. Tangible and Regional Planning and Development, evidence of progress, however, is apparent in Public Works Organization and Environ­ the reconstruction of overbridges where work mental Control Act-an Act administered has already commenced, notably in the by the Honourable the Premier. In this Corinda-Darra area. The tunnel from Roma respect I should also mention that the funds Street to the cross-river rail-bridge approaches provided jointly by the State and Com­ is already nearing completion and works on monwealth, appropriated as the Urban Public the bridge itself have commenced. Transport Fund, are administered by the Premier through the Co-ordinator General's To support the railway works themselves, Department. Hence, the annual report of new and better facilities will be provided the board will be presented to Parliament by at the majority of suburban railway stations the Premier. so that rail commuters will have safe, adequate parking facilities. The evidence of The establishment of the Board in formal these facilities is already available on the terms and the appointment of staff by no north side at Enoggera, Mitchelton, Petrie, means constitute the first step taken. Ferny Grove and Strathpine. Designs and cost estimates are in course of preparation Mr. MURRAY: I rise to a point of order. for many other locations. The Minister has now been speaking for some 40 minutes. As honourable members Bus feeder services to railway stations will have only two allotted days in which to also be included in many of the plans, with discuss these Estimates-in other words, the adequate provision for the discharge of debate on them will finish tonight-can hon­ passengers in close proximity to the station ourable members be assured that he will platforms. Bus services will be improved not take much longer to present his Esti­ with the provision of additional new buses. mates and so encourage the full discussion The board also recognises that an expanded that you mentioned earlier, Mr. Hewitt? bus fleet requires adequate support facilities and many improvements are under considera­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no tion. valid point of order. The Minister is not In conjunction with the capital works pro­ limited by Standing Orders in the presentation gramme and the acquisition of public trans­ of his Estimates. port units, the board also is conducting a planning and research programme on a wide Mr. K. W. HOOPER: To allay the fears variety of subjects which will be the means of the honourable member-his point is well of achieving further improvement and closer taken-! indicate that I have almost com­ integration of the various transport modes. pleted my remarks. For example, a study of the Brisbane River as a transport corridor is at present being Mr. Wright: You are not going to do ccnducted and could reveal new avenues of another "Toothie"? transport from residential areas to the cen­ tral business district. Mr. K. W. HOOPER: No. The practicability of express bus services A great deal of preliminary work has been using exclusive bus lanes is also under con­ successfully concluded over a period of sideration, and bus travellers may also find years-the transportation studies commis­ that car-parking facilities at selected points sioned by t~is Government, and more recently on bus routes, or at bus terminals, will be the executiOn of the agreement with the available to them to further improve the Commonwealth and the composition of a desirability of the public transport system p~ogra~me of c'!-pital works designed to pro­ as opposed to use of the private motor vehicle VIde J3nsbane wtth an electrified rail system in congested areas. and Improved bus and ferry services. Finally, I express my appreciation to the The total transport content of the board's Commissioner for Railways, the Commis­ activit.ie~ naturally engage my deepest interest sioner for Transport, the newly appointed as Mm!s~e_r for :rransport. ~t will be my chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Project responstbthty to mtroduce legislation in this :Board, and all their officers for the dedicated session of Parliament to replace the Metro­ work they have undertaken and completed polit~n Transit ~roject Board with a duly since I became Minister for Transport. constituted authonty charged with the import­ I make special mention of the Commis­ a~t task of pr<;widing the metropolitan area sioner for Railways, Mr. Alva Lee. The With an effictent, adequate, co-ordinated report he presented to Parliament through system utilising all forms of transport. Ine a couple of days ago will be his final report. He has served more than 50 years The biggest project in our programme is with the Railway Department as a dedicated the electrification of the suburban network. and loyal servant. I want to pay my respects The rail electrification scheme naturally and that of the Government-and I am sure Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1431

of this Parliament-to Mr. Lee and extend expose on the projected 40 per cent average good wishes to him for a very happy and increase in rail fares and freights; he was healthy retirement. a little fearful of their being dissected. Honourable Members: Hear, hear! Mr. K. W. Hooper: In fairness to the Treasurer I point out that he did not know Mr. K. W. HOOPER: I also extend to of the change until I informed him. Mrs. Lee the best wishes of all of us here in the Queensland Parliament. Mr. JONES: I accept the Minister's Honourable Members: Hear, hear! defence of the Treasurer, but, in view of the increased freights and fares to be Mr. K. W. HOOPER: I also wish to thank gazetted next Friday, it would have been the members of my personal staff for their much better if the Estimates of another loyal and enthusiastic support, which has department had been debated first. That been freely given at all times. would have ensured a broader debate, with honourable members airing their views on the The CHAIRMAN: Order! I remind hon­ increased rates while these Estimates were ourable members again that the administra­ being discussed. That is the logical time for tive acts of the department are open to such comments. Opposition members have debate, but the necessity for legislation and not been hoodwinked but, at the same time" matters involving legislation cannot be dis­ some Government members may not realise cussed in Committee of Supply. what has happened. The increases should I remind honourable members also that have been debated and a detailed analysis Standing Orders and the Sessional Order pro­ placed before us. In some instances the full vide that in the debate in Committee of impact of the 40 per cent increase in rates Supply each member is allowed three speeches could amount to a 90 or 100 per cent comprising 10 minutes, five minutes and five increase. I am sure that is of interest to all minutes, although that option is seldom exer­ honourable members. cised. For the information of honourable members, they will receive a warning bell The Minister told us that last year was after 10 minutes and another at 15 minutes. the first time in 10 years the railways suffered a deficit of revenue compared with working Mr. JONES (Cairns) (12.48 p.m.): The expenditure. Why were not freight charges statement of the Commissioner for Trans­ increased last year when it became apparent port, Mr. K. M. Seeney, in the introduction that for the first time in 10 years there was of his annual report for the last financial a deficit? Although the railway system year that- carried a record tonnage and earned record "The demand for transport services, the revenue, it showed a record deficit. relative importance of the various types and Mr. Burns: Last year was an election their co-ordination in the transport task year. have increasingly required an understand­ ing at the policy and operating level of Mr. JONES: That is so. That is why the the many complex problems that arise in rates were not increased, with the result this sector of economic activity" that we had a boomer deficit this year. Per­ is both pertinent and cogent. I should have haps it would be better described as a record hoped that it would set the tenor for this bloomer this year. In any case, it indicates debate, but, knowing what has happened in how the Government resorts to subterfuge. this Chamber lately, I can foreshadow that it will not. Other factors have precipitated As I said, the Opposition has not been the debate. Every action has a reaction, and hoodwinked by the Government, but the it is fair comment that on the political Government's actions should be brought to scene nothing is as it appears em the surface. the attention of the public while these Esti­ Being a professional politician and, I hope, mates are being discussed. When the results a practical one, I suggest that the sequence of the 1974-75 financial year are being of events of the Minister's arrival back from analysed, due cognisance should be given to the United States last Saturday, the presenta­ that aspect of policy decision by the Minister tion to Parliament of the report of the Com­ and the Government. Resort to subterfuge missioner for Railways last Tuesday, its of this type is certainly not the action of an receipt yesterday by me and other members, honest Government. and the bringing forward of the debate on the Transport Estimates one week calls for The deficit, which includes interest and a little assessment. other costs, has been mounting for some years. This matter should have been brought Mr. K. W. Hooper: You realise that they to the Government's attention by the Minis­ were to be debated a week from now. ter. He should have been trying to influence Mr. JONES: That is my point. the Government to increase the rates much earlier. Freight rates and fares should not The conclusion I draw from this little have been allowed by any Minister for drama is that the Treasurer is lurking in the Transport to remain static from 1966 to wings and that he was a little fearful of an 1975. 1432 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

Since I first led the debate on these western areas of our State. Shocking con­ Estimates, the deficits have increased as ditions are experienced by employees of the follows- Railway Department in the West, and I Amount believe that the Minister should have been Year $million advocating and pursuing a policy of greater 1971-72 25 appropriation for accommodation. 1972-73 30 It seems to me that a Scrooge-like attitude 1973-74 53 has been adopted by the department this 1974-75 89 financial year to accommodation. On new projects lack of planning and lack of con­ Those are hefty deficits to be carried by the sideration are obvious in the provision of State over such a long time. accommodation for employees, who after all are the people on whom our service The Commissioner said that last year was depends. They keep the trains running. A the first occasion in 10 years in which a lack of foresight over a long period and the working profit was not made. This year the adoption of a hotch-potch avtitude to excess of working expenses over revenue was planning for new projects has resulted in $44,000,000 compared with $12,000,000 last the men who run the railways beiNg for­ year. That is a reasonable excuse for gotten. On every new project we seem to increasing rail freights and fares. disregard the requirements of the staff-the The Government has always placed great people who sweat and toil for the railways; emphasis on records. In this field we must the people who work very hard in the trying concede that it has set a record-a record and extreme weather conditions of our State. of deficits. The Treasurer was Minister for I believe that employees' conditions should Transport for eight years before he accrued be examined closely and kept in perspective, a deficit equal to that incurred by the and that in planning new projects, particu­ present Minister in one operating year. I larly facilities for coal mines and develop­ wholeheartedly agree with the words of the ment in the western areas of the State, State Secretary of the A.R.U. who, in a the department should cater properly for its statement that appeared in "The Sunday employees. It is a downright shame that, Mail" of 6 July 1975, said that the rail out of all the finance being allocated to the system would run more efficiently with less Railway Department for the implementation political interference if it were part of a of its policies, very little has been set aside national system. He believes that, in the for accommodation for the ordinary man on interest of achieving standard rail services the job. That has been neglected. and facilities, the Queensland Government [Sitting suspended from I to 2.15 p.m.] should be working with the Federal Govern­ ment towards a take-over of our railway Mr. JONES: It was in 1971 that I first system by the Commonwealth, instead of became the Opposition spokesman on trans­ continuing the stupid argument about the port and led the Opposition debate on these States retaining their identity and operating Estimates. Even before that time I had rail systems of different gauges. drawn the attention of the House to the need for the department to pay closer atten­ Another point that was not delved into tion to future staff establishments. I called by the Minister-and I believe that it should on the Minister to pay more attention to have been-was the amount allotted in staff training and to influence his depart­ 1975-76 for accommodation of employees, mental officers to provide incentives to $1,937,000. It appears that the priority attract, train and retain staff. for air-conditioned quarters for trainmen in Bluff, Winton, Bungalien and Cloncurry will I contend that, over the years, staff result in the construction of other accom­ liaison, conditions and amenities have been modation at such places as Torrens Creek sadly neglected. This is proved by the and Bundaberg being deferred until late 1976. staff shortages at present bemg expenenced That in itself indicates, I believe, that by the department. There has be_en a insufficient funds have been allocated to that gradual decline in staff numbers res~l~mg, I area of the Minister's responsibility. believe, from the retrenchment policies of the department. Restriction was placed on The $25,000 provided for general main­ employment, particularly at junior level. ~e tenance on existing buildings appears meagre, non-induction of lad porters has resulted m and the $500,000 allocation for accommoda­ the absence of properly trained personnel in tion for migratory gangs also appears to be the traffic branch. This applies also to inadequate. There seems to be an over-all juniors on other staffs. In addition, vacancies shortfall in the allocation for accommoda­ caused by resignations and retirements have tion for employees. One would think it not been filled. Today the department is on could be safely assumed that the commis­ the brink of a staff crisis. It appears that sioner would spend every cent possible on the chickens are coming home to roost. accommodation; yet there seems to be a backlog in the provision of employee accom­ The paradox is that this policy is being modation in the Railway Department. That followed at a time of great unemployment. becomes obvious to any rail traveller, par­ Who suffers? The staff, because the employ­ ticularly one who journeys through the ees are required to work excessive overtime Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1433 and they even experience difficulty in getting with the schools that have been conducted­ their annual holidays granted. This causes at my suggestion, I might say-and the other them to be disgruntled. I do not believe avenues of promotion open in the traffic that this type of policy augurs well for a section, only 45 guards will be available to good service or a happy ship. fill these positions. It appears to me that the department is prepared to force men to I am informed that implementation of the work longer hours than the men consider average increase of 40 per cent in fares will affect passengers adversely and will down­ to be a fair day's work in order to keep grade some of the conditions of the railway unemployment figures high. Alternatively, employees. The Minister was at some pains are wages and conditions in the railways to make employees' conditions obvious in service so poor that the department cannot his speech today. attract new staff, or retain the ones that it has had for a number of years? I understand that yearly and half-yearly season tickets are to be abolished under the In the few minutes that remain of my new scheme. I have not heard of the speaking time, I should like to comment on demise of the quarterly season ticket. It an answer to a question that I asked the might survive; perhaps it was overlooked. Minister for Transport. He told me the R~ilway employees, together with the public, other day that if I influenced the relevant Will suffer because of the foolhardiness of unions to accept the decision to fill a specific !he department. A time and motion study vacancy, it would be filled without delay. mto the extra work involved in filling out I therefore suggest, in relation to the position daily privilege tickets instead of seasonal of shunting driver at Cairns, that it be tickets would show this decision to be ridic­ designated as "driver". It appears to me ulous. that the answer to the problem at the Mayne depot is to engage a night roster clerk. In future, employees will not be allowed a There is also the problem of improved rebate on the cost of their seasonal tickets working conditions for employees in the when they are on annual holidays. Con­ Cairns area. I understand that provision has sidering that, in some areas, fares will be been made for the extension of the parcels increased by approximately 90 per cent, this office. The quicker that work is carried out, is a pretty serious imposition on the public the better will be the service that these and the railway employees. railwaymen are able to give to the public. There will also be a more contented staff. Over a period the department, in pursuance of its policy, has directed that nobody in the When the Minister was in Cairns some Railway Department is to engage extra staff. time ago, we went with the District Super­ It would appear that, as a result, present intendent, Mr. C. B. Walton, who is now staff members will not be granted annual the General Manager, to look at the new leave or special leave. Annual leave should site for the railway marshalling yards. It take precedence over other policy matters, was agreed on that occasion that, with the but I believe that it is very difficult to obtain. potential growth of Cairns, those yards Special circumstances must be argued to obtain should be resited in the East Cairns long service leave, even when eligibility is not reclamation area. The Chamber of Com­ disputed. Doctors' certificates are even being merce and various other bodies in Cairns required now before consideration is given are anxious for this to be done. It will to the granting of long service leave. This have to be done at some time in the future, is a sorry pickle, and it is caused by the and the sooner the department gets on with incorrect policies that have been followed that project the better it will be for the by the department for many years. people of the area, and the flow of traffic in Cairns. Clerical staff in the railway service today are at a premium, as such workers are being (Time expired.) syphoned off to more lucrative pursuits out­ side the department. Only service training Mr. POWELL (Isis) (2.24 p.m.): In and technical expertise keep many railway speaking in the recent debate in this Chamber officials in the service today. Perhaps it is on legislation dealing with recreation their dedication and loyalty to the depart­ vehicles, I made the statement that this ment that keep them in their present State was indeed fortunate to have as positions. In the matter of leave generally, Minister for Transport a person who has railwaymen are being less favourably treated taken his responsibilities very much to heart than their counterparts in outside industry, and who is very closely concerned with the and they are beginning to resent it. This running of his department and the admini­ does not make for the most efficient running stration of the Acts under his control. of the department. Altogether there are 17 of these Acts and it would no doubt be competent for me to Running staff at some depots have had speak about any or all of them during the to go on strike to obtain relief from time that is available to me. However, I excessive overtime, and also to obtain leave. would like to speak specifically about the I understand, for example, that at Mayne Railway Department and some aspects of the there are 111 vacancies for guards. Even Traffic Act. 1434 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

The honourable member for Cairns, who way north and Maryborough on the way preceded me in this debate, lamented the south. I have suggested to the Minister that, fact that the discussion of the Estimates has instead of stopping at Maryborough on the been brought forward a week. I also lament way south, it should stop at Hervey Bay. this fact because I was hoping, as obviously Honourable members should not infer that the honourable member for Cairns was, that I have anything against Maryborough. Hervey we would have some indication of the new Bay is in my electorate whereas Maryborough rail fares and freights so that they could be is not. Moreover, Hervey Bay is a tourist discussed at this time. In fact, I rang the area, a place that people would like to see. Railway Department this morning in an As people go up the coast and back, they attempt to find out what the new rail fares see quite a number of towns and it might will be as they affect my electorate, partic­ be said that, once they have seen one town, ularly the fares from Hervey Bay and Bunda­ they have seen them alL Maryborough is berg to Brisbane. I received probably the little different from the other cities along the same answer as most people. In fact, I was coast, and to see something interesting a informed by the clerk who answered the tourist would have to drive 25 or 30 miles telephone that if I wanted to travel by rail to Hervey Bay in a motor vehicle. There from Bundaberg to Brisbane and I bought is already a railway line to Hervey Bay and my ticket before 1 November, I would get adequate accommodation is available there. it at the old price. I said, "Thanks very Certainly the views at Hervey Bay are more much but I am more concerned with the pleasant than town scenes. Therefore I new price." He was not willing to divulge believe that the Railway Department should that information over the telephone to me. use its branch line to Hervey Bay in the way I have suggested. For as long as I can remember, the Rail­ way Department has 'been the butt of many It has come to my notice also that the strange and rude jokes. Unfortunately, I think Railway Department is thinking of phasing that probably many of them have some sub­ out one of the goods services to Hervey stance and they are a very sad reflection on Bay from the main line. I have approached the Railway Department. They are certainly the Minister on the matter because I am not a true reflection on the men who work particularly concerned at the suggestion. It within the department. The department is los­ would seem to me to be a really retrograde ing a tremendous number of passengers and step to eliminate one rail service a week to one gets the impression that it is not in the Hervey Bay from the main line. I say that least interested in them; it is more interested because a service is now being performed. in freight, particularly the more lucrative There is a strong possibility, of course, that forms of freight, and I think this is a very some people in the Railway Department do poor outlook indeed. not believe that that service should be per­ In his opening remarks, the Minister said formed. They would prefer, for some reason something about many people wanting to or other, to reduce the mileage of the rail­ phase out the motor vehicle. It is true that ways, especially on lines serviced by small, some people would like to see the motor short trains such as those that go to Hervey vehicle phased out and eventually removed Bay; but if the Railway Department upgraded from our roads altogether. However, I am the line and the type of rolling-stock used not one of those people, because anybody on it, it would attract more business. who comes from the country or lives in the At the moment-and it is probably not country as I do knows the value of having a the fault of any one person-a horrible lack motor vehicle and the necessity for it. No of initiative is being shown by people doing other form of transport is available to us. desk jobs in the Railway Department, and Those who would do away with motor in fact throughout the railway service. The vehicles are very short-sighted. Certainly in honourable member for Cairns hit the nail the city and near-city areas, the Railway on the head when he mentioned the need Department should be doing a lot more to for incentive and initiative. It is a fairly attract passengers. If the Railway Depart­ common criticism-and a fair one-that ment-! know it is a very big "if"-could people, in large organisations in this State, upgrade its lines and rolling-stock to make like the Railway Department hide behind travel by rail more desirable than it is today the size of the organisation. Consequently, it would receive more custom. ' they lose their initiative and their incentive. Today people travel by rail, by motor vehicle, by bus and by aeroplane. Of course, I do not know the answer to the problem. for most people, the advantages of travelling It is not confined to the Railway Department. by plane far outweigh the disadvantage of As I said earlier, it is common to all large the increased cost; but surely we should be organisations. Throughout the Public Service, making rail transport far more attractive to for example, senior officers show a marked the average man who has some time to spend reluctance to give juni0r public servants any on a holiday. incentive or to allow them to use their initiative. That is a very poor attitude. One rail service that particularly interests Young people come into Government depart­ me is the daylight rail tour conducted from ments-and in this instance I am speaking Brisbane to Cairns and back. I understand particularly about the Railway Department­ the rail motor stops at Bundaberg on the and are not given their heads. They are Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1435 not given a chance to use their initiative; I hope that the Minister will look into they are not offered incentives. I believe the operations of the Railway Department that much more could be done to make and bring about some re-organisation. We do not want to have young people who enter large departments less impersonal and to give the service pushed down and lost through the workers an opportunity to use their initiative shee,r size of that service. I know that the to bring about desirable changes. problems are immense. It must be very The honourable member for Cairns-who, difficult to change the attitude of some of I understand, was a railwayman before he the older employees in the service-and I refer both to those working on the trains entered this Assembly-obviously has some and those in the offices of the department. very sound information about the Railway Department. It is plain to anybody who travels regularly on the railway that if the department is to Mr. Jones: I was upgraded. upgrade itself it has to change many of its Mr. POWELL: The honourable member ideas. thinks he was upgraded when he came here. I hark back to the line down to Hervey I am not sure about that. Bay. I can remember when regular pas­ senger runs were made from Maryborough Mr. K. J. Hooper: In the Railway Depart­ to Hervey Bay. Probably I first saw the ment, he had an avenue of promotion not sea "While travelling on a rail motor from available to all lad porters. Maryborough to Hervey Bay. Now only five trains run each week. The service is so Mr. POWELL: That is correct. It is a slow and disjointed that people are just not pity that promotion is not available to all prepared to use it as a passenger service. pe~ple in every organisation-not only the In view of the cost of petrol, motor vehicle Rmlway Department-who use their initiative parts and ~abour, I wonder if the day is fast and the incentives that are offered to them. approaching when the average citizen will That is the problem at present with the find it financially impossible to own a motor back-up services of the Railway Department vehicle. If that time comes will the rail­ and other Government departments. ways be geared to take over the mass trans­ portation of the public? They may be able The guards in the Bundaberg railway centre to cope in Brisbane and on short r=s from have complained to me that they are over­ Brisbane, but what about long-distance worked. They have not said that they trains? The "Sunlander", the "Capricornian" are underpaid, but they allege that they are and other air-conditioned trains may be very overworked. They say that they have to good, hut the service offered to passengers work long hours of overtime and that this is pretty poor. A person who purchases a is not giving them a fair go. I do not know first-class ticket still has to pay for his meals, what the answer is. Perhaps someone more even when a dining-car is attached to the au fait with the Railway Department knows train. A first-class or economy-class a:ir the answer. Perhaps it is just a case of ticket entitles the holder to mea:ls, and a not having sufficient men employed. I fail passenger is nowhere near as long in an to see why that should be so at a time aeroplane as ,the passenger is on a long­ of rampant unemployment. It would seem distance train. reasonable to presume that we could get enough people mto the Railway Department Mr. Jones: In other places you don't who c~uld work their way up to be guard~ have the trouble getting sleeping berths that and dnvers so that the present guards and you do in Queensland. d.rivers could have a reasonable amount of time off. It seems ludicrous for many hours Mr. POWELL: That is so. ?f overtime to be worked on any one job m the State while others are unemployed. It is important that the Railway Depart­ Perhaps some re-organisation of rostering in ment greatly upgrade its services. It is just several areas in the Railway Department is not good enough and that is why the public needed. are not using the railway system. Probably the number of clerks in the department is A problem in my area~ne that is fairly adequate to cope with the clerical work, but often raised by the honourable member for more guards, stewards and others who actu­ Bundaberg-is the late running of the ally run the trains are needed. :·eapricornian".. Periodically the Minister ~s asked questiOns about it. The problem It has been decided-very sensibly-that 1s compounded by the coal trains running road tax should be phased out over three t~rough to Brisbane which virtually clog the years. Some months ago I wrote to the line north of Bundaberg. They get mixed up Minister about the establishment of a co­ with other coal trains going through to Glad­ ordinated goods service to Childers. No stone. It would seem that the only way out of doubt hGnourable members will recall that the problem would be to construct a double some time ago the Isis branch line was track, or to improve the track that is already torn up. As a result, goods are off-loaded there. I know the department is taking at Isis Junction and transported by road to action of that kind. Childers and therefore the cost of buying 1436 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

goods in Brisbane and transporting them to the Government will behave in a humanit­ Childers is immense. It costs more to trans­ arian manner when it comes to those who port an item from Brisbane to Childers than need assistance. from Brisbane to Bundaberg, which is 35 miles farther north. An anomaly like that An increase in freight rates, however, should not exist, but creeps in fairly quickly could prove to be a blessing for some. of when we do not watch carefully what is the larger provincial cities. If the freight happening. Surely the Transport Department component in the cost of an article is very can do something about organising a sens­ low, industries in the larger cities such as ible co-ordinated freight system to Brisbane can, through economy of scale, pro­ Childers. It is not fair that the people in duce articles at a price that will allow them this relatively small country town should to pay the freight and sell them throughout the State. Brisbane, for instance, could have to pay so much extra for their goods produce bricks, concrete products and various simply because the Government decided to other things for sale in the country; whereas, tear up the branch line. I have asked the if the freight component is increased, places Minister to look into the matter in the such as Townsville, Toowoomba, Mary­ hope that he will see his way clear to borough, Bundaberg, and Mackay could organise a co-ordinated service to carry become more attractive for the establishment goods to Childers at a reasonable cost. I of industry. Goods produced there could cannot see why it should cost more to be more competitive on the local market deliver goods to Childers than to Bundaberg, than goods produced in a major centre. I or even to some places farther north. know that places such as Toowoomba, Mary­ borough and Bundaberg, in which industries The Minister administers the Traffic Act, are established, have welcomed the increased which affects every person in Queensland. It freights. They are not particularly happy is very important that people should know about freight increases on the raw product, what is in this Act. When the Minister but they cannot have it both wayg. introduces amendments to it, he usually says that they are designed to improve safety for It could perhaps be said that the increase.d the majority of people. People criticise freight rates will be passed on. There 1~ severely many provisions in the Act. I find it virtually nothing free under the sun. But hard to understand why it is administered I do not see how primary industry by the Transport Department and enforced can ever pass anything on. Primary pro­ by the Police Department while speed limits ducers are at the end of the rainbow. are a Main Roads Department responsibility. Although they are the producers, they have It is unfortunate that road safety matters are no way of passing on their costs. My heart divided among three departments-the Trans­ goes out to them because they are competing port Department, the Police Department on the overseas market, whereas generally through the Traffic Act, and the Main Roads speaking the rest of the economy is confined Department through the speed limits. The to the Australian market. It is true that difficulty experienced in getting a speed limit some primary produce would be sold on changed is incredible, and the red tape that the local market, but by far the major pro­ has to be gone through to achieve anything portion of it is sold overseas. If a 40 per at all in this field is equally incredible. cent increase were applied across the board, and I am sure it will not be, it would be a I thank the Minister for his very interest­ great impost on primary producers and a ing remarks in introducing this debate and grave disadvantage to them. I look forward to his response to the matters I have mentioned. The previous speaker mentioned rail pas­ senger traffic, and I had intended to comment on that myself. The honourable member Mr. MOORE (Windsor) (2.45 p.m.): When for Isis was completely right in saying that one considers the amount to be expended for some years past it seems to have been this year by the Railway Department and the Government policy or Railway Department Transport Department-over $48,000,000- policy (which I suppose has to be Govern­ one can appreciate the size of the industry ment policy) to discourage the public from they control. One of the controversial aspects travelling on long-distance passenger trains. of the Budget has been the freight increase of When one compares the facilities provided by 40 per cent. The increase will not be applied the airlines with those provided by the rail­ across the board (an average figure has been ways, one can see that virtually nothing taken); consequently in some cases the is done to encourage rail travel. I am not, increase will be greater than 40 per cent of course, talking about suburban passenger while in others it will be much lower. No travel. Government of the calibre of this one would be heartless in its dealings with primary I return to a matter I raised in the 1ast industry and other industries that rely absol­ debate on the Estimates of this Department­ utely on the Railway Department for the the griddle car. The Minister has done movement of stock, the cartage of fodder nothing about it. I hope he takes some for starving stock and transport of all the action in the near future. If there is one other things that are needed in this vast disgraceful thing about the Queensland rail­ State. Even though it is proposed to increase ways it is the service provided in the griddle freight rates by 40 per cent, I am sure that car. It is a damned disgrace. It is about Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1437 time the Minister got off his backside and Mr. Frawley: We do not even have a rail­ did something about it. I have had a bel!yful way service at Redcliffe. of it and I think the public has too. Mr. Frnwley: I am not used to eating Mr. MOORE: I do not know why the eight-course meals. honourable member does not get to his feet and advocate it. If I had been there as long Mr. MOORE: The honourable member as he has, I would have been advocating might be used to eating bread and dripping the construction of a railway line to Redcliffe. but I am not used to that type of fare. Mr. K. J. Hooper: Let me say that you Mr. Frawley: I am used to eating plain, would do a far better job. simple food. Mr. MOORE: I thank the honourable Mr. MOORE: The honourable member member. I have that in mind. I will be was in training at the time and was pre­ Minister for Transport one day. Joking aside pared to live on a sparrow's diet. ~we do not live long enough to do all the Mr. Murray: He ran alongside the train. things that we would like to do, and we cannot always achieve our ambitions. Mr. MOORE: He could do. I will come When the suburban railway system is to the subject of the speed of trains later on. electrified, I only hope that parking areas The electrification of the railway system will be provided at stations. People will not has been in progress for some years. We leave their cars at home and walk to inherited an electrification programme but stations, and they certainly will not catch a did not proceed with it. To some extent it bus and then a train. Irrespective of what is a shame that we didn't, because it would some people may say, we are in no position have cost less then than now. When this to prohibit the use of cars, so now is the Government took office after 40 years of the time to provide parking areas at all stations. dead hand of Labor, it found that everything If a station has three or four old houses was behind the times. Because of the lack nearby, they should be purchased now. of facilities in the education system, the There would be no need to upset tenants. money that would have been spent on the After all, houses will never be bought electrification of the railways had to be cheaper than they can be today. I have made spent on the provision of new high schools. representations to the Minister about park­ This Government had to get its priorities in ing at Wilston, where there is a reasonable the correct order. Electrification is again area of close to half an acre that could be under way. The system will be far superior made available. It is not as large as I would to that which would have been implemented, like, but it would hold a few cars and it so possibly the delay is a blessing in disguise. could be enlarged. If we do not look to the Electrification will not result in the car­ future, we will end up doing nothing at all. riage of one more passenger. Simply because We have to make a start somewhere. I know the motive power is electricity, the wheels that there are one or two parking areas at will still turn at the same speed. The same stations along the Ferny Grove line, but time-table will be used. If a faster time­ there are not nearly enough to be of any table could be set for electric trains, it great benefit. could be set just as easily for diesel-powered Time-tables are also worthy of commeni. locomotives. When I worked in the Railway Department Electrification has one gre:at advantage. I was once crawling around up in the ceiling Trains will be a little faster off the mark of the general manager's office when I came and will be pollution free, although that will upon a time-table for the Sandgate line in not be so at the point of geneTation of about 1880. I thought, "This will be interest­ electricity. Another advantage is that, in ing." I looked at the times, and I found operating the system, we will not be relying that they were just the same in 1880 as they on anything from overseas. We have the were when I found the time-table. I thought, copper, steel and other components as well "That's progress!" Trains travelled in 1880 as the technical know-how. Australia can at about 20 miles an hour, and they still manufacture whatever is required-switch do. As an old railwayman, I know the diffi­ gear, transformers, diodes and so on-and culties of time-table clerks and tbe problems because electricity in Queensland is geneTated presented by the stopping and starting of by the burning of our own coal (and there trains, but if there is to be a rail service is certainly no shortage of it), we will not that people will use it has to be efficient, have to rely on imported diesel oil. fast and reasonably comfortable. Electrification may or may not be of Dr. Lockwood: And clean. advantage. The suburbs of Milton, Auchen­ flower, Taringa and Indooroopilly, which Mr. MOORE: I have not found any real are on the Ipswich line, are very hilly and problem with cleanliness; I think the cleaning people will not walk up hills and down staff are very good. Vandalism is a big dales to catch an electric train if a bus problem. Someone had carved his name on service passes nearby. one of the seats of the brand new carriage 1438 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

in which I travelled to the Exhibition I would like to see a change of attitude recently. When the department provides an towards the closure of railway lines. I fear excellent class of carriage and louts carve that the Brisbane Valley line is about to their names on the seats, it is very hard to get the axe. I hope it does not happen and take. I do not know the answer to this I hope Bill Gunn has enough guts to stand problem. I suppose all one can do is hope up here and throw a few things in the pipe­ that every citizen who sees this sort of line to see that it does not happen. The thing happening will dob the culprit in. Cleveland line should never have been closed; nor should the Southport line, or the line to I come now to railway housing. The Rail­ Samford. way Department has always been to some extent a Cinderella in the allocation of Mr. Hartwig: Go on! You've got too many funds, and railway housing has never been down here now. adequate. The railways were always the Mr. MOORE: The honourable member for last to be given additional finance. Things Callide-- have improved, but not so very much. The Railway Department has a certain Vote, and Mr. Hartwig: Just rubbing you up. it cannot spend more than it is allocated. It is pretty bad when railway workers such Mr. MOORE: You couldn't prop yourself as station-masters, night officers and fettlers up. are allowed only a limited number of power Mr. Hartwig: Couldn't I? points in their houses. That limitation is ridiculous. It still applies, although the Mr. MOORE: If the honourable member number has been increased. In my day it for Callide was half as good for the beef was about three points. If that is not industry as he is with his mouth, it would not ridiculous, what is? There should be no be in its present difficult situation. He should limitation. In a railway house I think it use his advocacy where it will do some would be reasonable to provide at least good. I want to speak about the Ferny three power points in the kitchen, three in Grove-Samford line. I do not know whether the lounge and at least one in every other the department still owns the territory. I room for vacuum-cleaning and so on. In hope it has not sold it, although I know placing a restriction on the number, the there are five-chain curves around the Camp department is going back to the horse-and­ Mountain line. I can see the development buggy days. It is ridiculous in the extreme. that is going on in that area. If we are Nothing is saved except perhaps part of the' fair dinkum about improving urban transport first installation costs. Railway electricians for people in outlying areas, I say there doing that sort of installation would put in is no better method of transport than a steel five points a day, so I do not see that it wheel on a steel track and we should retain would be very costly at all. it. There is nothing cheaper, better or safer. I never like to speak to the Estimates of Because of a short-sighted attitude in the the Railway Department without paying a past we have closed down certain lines. This tribute to the fettlers and the flying gangs, was done because we had the accountants these fellows who work so hard with so little saying that keeping a railway locomotive in recognition. When travelling in trains, I a certain area meant that it had to be costed often hear someone say, "Look at those and charged to that line. The damn thing is fettlers there standing around doing no1h­ going to be idle somewhere at some time ing." What the hell are they supposed to do? whether a line is closed or not. It is Are they supposed to be using the beater on eating fuel somewhere else. The test should the ballast under the train when it is going have been to see how much it really past? If ever there was a bunch of hard­ costs to keep the rails, the points, the signals working people, i1 is the railway fettlers and and a few sleepers there, not the cost of the flying gangs. Their work in an emerg­ the locomotive. If they are not there, they ency in taking out a length of rail damaged will be somewhere else. The other compon­ in an accident-or even doing maintenance ents will be there whether the line is closed -is poetry in motion. They are absolutely or not. superb. The gangs work as if they were a cohesive whole. They are an absolute credit (Time expired.) to the Railway Department. Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton) (3.4 p.m.): Mr. Frawley: What about the Minister? I rise to speak in this debate from a some­ He's a credit to the department, too. what parochial point of view but I make no apology for that. The transport industry Mr. MOORE: I am not going to talk generally and the railway industry specifically about the Minister. are very important to my area. The Minis­ ter's portfolio is vital to the growth and Mr. Frawley: You've given him a bucket; development of industry in this State, espec­ how about giving him a bit of praise? ially in areas outside Brisbane. Directly and indirectly the Acts administered by the Min­ Mr. MOORE: I have not given him a ister influence the quality of life and the bucket; I have been nice to him. general standard of living of people in Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1439

Queensland. So it is important that the many of the policies of the National-Liberal policies adopted by him and by the Govern­ Government, _which I think are only aggra­ ment are so defined as to promote the inter­ vating the situation and increasing the losses. ests of all Queenslanders not simply the sec­ I refer first to the antipassenger policy of tional interests of people in the metropol­ the Railway Department and the Govern­ itan region. ment in Queensland. It is regrettable that the railways in this Table No. 5, on page 20 of the Report State are running at a loss. In introducing of the Commissioner for Railways, sets out the Estimates, the Minister indicated that, that in the Central Division revenue from despite the proposed average increase of coaching traffic fell from $3,697,359 in 40 per cent in freight rates, it is expected 1973-74 to $3,573,024 last year. If one then that there will still be an operating deficiency looks at the number of passengers carried­ of $41,000,000. I do not intend to dwell and this is exclusive of the season-ticket on that. It is highly debatable whether the holders-one sees that the number fell from role of the railways management is simply 104,484 in 1973-74 to only 86,929 in to make a profit. The railways have a far 1974-75. That is an indictment of the greater part to play in the community in Government's policy. It emphasises the need developing industry and in generally develop­ to review the Government's attitude to the ing the State. The contributions that the cardage of passengers. It is obvious, from railway and transport systems have made to what has been said many times before in regional development surely must balance this Chamber, that the Government is out the loss that we are speaking about here inter.ested in carting coal for the large mining and the losses that have been experienced companies but takes little cognisance of the over many years. However, I still oppose desirability of having some type of p-as­ the increase in freight rates because it will senger commuting system. It also stresses disadvantage people outside the Brisbane the need for a public relations programme area-the manufacturers, the retailers, the to encourage people to travel by rail again. distributors and, more importantly, the con. It was virtually the original means of travel. sumers. It will also deter industry from Once everyone had travelled on a train. I moving into country areas. wonder how many young people today have travelled by tmin, or how many parents are Honourable members have heard a great keen to have their children travel by train. deal of talk about developing the State­ The honourable members for Windsor and developing the regions and the provincial Isis and others have pointed out that we cities-but this increase will deter industry are losing tremendous revenue in this field. from going to ·those areas and instead will That siresses the necessity for upgrading the encourage

children up to, say, the age of 10 years, with that is up to him. Let him say so. I don't further special consideration for older child­ think his electors will support him. I believe ren. It would be an encouragement for fami­ we need a totally new approach to the use lies to use the trains. That might have to be of trains. I ask that the Minister consider done for only a few years, but over a period these things. of time we would convince the future gener­ ation of the advantages of train travel. Tourism is the growing industry of this State. It is our coming industry, and we But a different total approach would be have the national assets to make it the needed. We must upgrade the total system. State's greatest industry. Train travel is the I have heard other Opposition members men­ ideal medium for recreation. It is safer; tion this. Some years ago the honourable it is more relaxing; it is the ideal way for member for Cairns spoke about the need families to travel on their holidays. for improving passenger train travel. Rail­ waymen have told me that there is nothing The second point I wish to raise pertains to prevent the installation of piped music to the Government's attitude to private enter­ in carriages and that there is nothing to prise, this time to the railfast freight groups prevent the attachment of special carriages. QRX and F. H. Stephens. I am amazed that One of them could have a film room, where special treatment is given to private enter­ people could watch films and relax. There prise transport groups to the serious detri­ would be nothing wrong with having proper ment of the Railway Department. This is restaurant facilities. There would be nothing threatening the jobs of railwaymen, yet wrong with having a parlour car where Government members are prepared to sit back people could totally relax. Let people make and let it continue. They are prepared to it a holiday. That is what I am talking give special provisions and conditions that are about. We want people to use trains for disadvantageous to the Railway Department travel, for relaxation and recreation. Why and the consumers. I wonder what increase can't we have a special carriage as a play­ has occurred in general goods traffic since room for children-a carriage manned by QRX and other firms entered the game? I a trained kindergarten teacher or nurse? In am sure they are making great inroads into that way parents could thoroughly enjoy the tonnages carried by the Railway Depart­ their holiday and their children could com­ ment. pletely enjoy themselves in that special car­ There are three rates. First is the classifi­ riage: . All this may be radical thinking, cation rate for John Citizen; second is the but 1t IS the only way we will get people contract rate for ordinary businesses and third back on the trains. I suggest that there is the bulk contract rate for QRX and the is every reason why we should do that. We could reintroduce the observation car F. H. Stephens group. and we could improve bar facilities. Is there As at 2 September 1975, the bulk con­ anything to stop us employing coach cap­ tract rates to Rockhampton were: for the tains whose task it would be to explain the first 12 tonnes, $22 a tonne with an additional area being passed through and the various $11.80 a tonne on QLX wagons; for the tourist attractions and facilities? Why can't first 10 tonnes, $22 a tonne with an addi­ that be done? If the Minister makes the tional charge of $11 a tonne for the VLC tr~ins a really great tourist facility people wagons. I shall compare those rates with w1ll get back to using trains. Such trips the classification rates as per by-law 103 8, would be totally educational, recreational and which are as follows: Rockhampton, B class relaxing. They would be ideal for a family $23.75; class 1 $30.70 and class 2 $57.60. for the holidays. How many parents relax The contract rate applying to an ordinary when they travel by car? Mother and father business is $31.50 a tonne. are tense as they worry about accidents. ~o-one enjoys himself until the car journey Mr. Jones: When they are costing the 1s completed. Parents want to relax. They rate to charge the consumer, they always want a chance to throw off their burdens charge the classification rate, not the contract a_nd responsibilities so that they can just rate. sit back and see what is going on. Mr. WRIGHT: That point is well made. Mr. Frawley: You are typical of Labor philosophy. You want to do everything How many consumers benefit from the for everybody. You'd have people waited special contract rate under the bulk system? on hand and foot. Mr. Moore: Everybody does; it is passed on. Mr. WRIGHT: I always thought that the honourable member for Murrumba was in Mr. WRIGHT: No-one does, and the hon­ favour of improving facilities and conditions ourable member knows it. of people. He does not mind if private enterprise does it and in so doing makes People use it only because it is a door­ hundreds of thousands of dollars' profit, but to-door service-a special service. They are the moment I suggest that our own railways not required to get the goods to the rail­ should do it, he is against it. If he wants head and pick them up at the other end. people to sit in dogcarts. and if he wants That is why they use it. The cost advantage people to have the lowest type of conditions, is not passed on. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1441

Special rebates are given on the transport the bulk rates are far cheaper than the of beer. I was told that it amounted to classification rates yet the benefit is not about $8 a tonne on the transport of Fourex being passed on to the ordinary person. beer from Brisbane to Rockhampton. It certainly does a lot for our own brewery to How much consideration is given to the know that it has to compete with something cartage of domestic goods? What does one like that! When goods are railed from the pay to send a suite of furniture from Bris­ metropolitan area to the country, the sender bane to Rockhampton? A massive sum! does all right with freight rates, but anyone But if it is coal to be transported, the who wants to send something from a country freight is something like one-sixth of that -region to Brisbane hasn't a hope in figure. It is time the Government started hell. That is the trouble. The Government thinking about country people and industry has always been pro the metropolitan area in the provincial and rural areas instead of and anti the country regions. It is time allowing private enterprise to monopolise our we did something about it. It is time we facilities to the disadvantage of the people gave the QRX groups a kick in the backside. of this State. They are not passing on benefits to the ordinary people or to the retailers in pro­ I am told that Archer Park Railway Station vincial cities like Rockhampton and country in Rockhampton is used by private enterprise towns like Emerald and Blackwater. The for a very small fee. It has even been situation is ridiculous. It is a wonder that suggested that no fee is charged and that the the honourable member for Belyando has not Railway Deparrment itself has spent many raised it. thousands of dollars upgrading its facilities for private enterprise. That is the people's Mr. Lester: You know I'll be getting up. money. I would be interested to know what revenue the department has gained from the Mr. WRIGHT: The honourable member has been very quiet to date. Archer Park Railway Station. It is time that some priority was given to the people The system is ridiculous. Fuel is trans­ of Queensland and the ordinary consumer. ported from Rockhampton to Emerald and brought back to Blackwater. The extra cost The final point I wish to raise in the few is met by the people of Blackwater. That moments I have left to me is one that comes shows how ridiculous the system is and how from the Annual Report of the Commissioner it disadvantages the ordinary consumer. for Transport. He refers to the legisiation Priority is given to the QRX groups, espec­ covered by the Minister. We know that this ialiy when there is a shortage of wagons. covers rail, road, sea and air transport. The public do not know that many of these The.re is a lot of dissention in the State about firms hold up their wagons for three or four this Government's attitude to A.N.L. and days until they are filled. There is no advant­ how it is discriminating against ports such as age in price, only the convenience of the door­ Port Alma. It is time the Minister for to-door service. Transport took over the responsibility for shipping instead of its coming under the I ask the Minister, through you, Mr. Department of Harbours and Marine, It is Hewitt, why the Railway Department cannot time we repealed the Act introduced in 1960 introduce a similar door-to-door service? Why that transfer.red the huge cost of running can't we compete properly? The Minister Port Alma to the ratepayers of Rockhampton. has said that we should be competing but Something like $700,000 has been committed that we do not want it tied up so that we over the years by the ratepayers to keep Port are the only ones controlling it. The Minister Alma going. Why can't it be involved in the announced relief from certain fees for road intrastate trade? transport operators to encourage true com­ petition. If there is to be true competition, Mr. Aikens: It's not enough. surely the Railway Department has a right to compete, too. New Zealand has its own Mr. WRIGHT: I am pleased to hear the delivery services; it has its own railway honourable member say that. I thought he and ferry services. The Railway Department claimed to support people in the provincial is deeply involved in tourism. It even has centres. Apparently he is a metropolitan its own safari tours. It is totally wrong to hack, too. give these privileges to private enterprise We should be thinking of the waterside when the Railway Department could provide workers. In 1971 there were 150 waterside a better service to the consumers and indust­ workers at Port Alma. Today 66 men in ries in the State. Rockhampton are working on the wharves, If the Government is really interested in averaging something like $214 per month as improving revenue, instead of increasing a guarantee. That is because the port has not been given a fair go. We asked the freight rates why doesn't it expand and Premier to do something about it. He refused improve its services. Let us be a little on the basis that it would disadvantage the innovative. Let us be competitive. The railways. That statement has been refuted present system is discriminating against the by the A.R. U. It has been refuted by every­ rest of the community. As I said before, one else. 1442 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

It is time we had an over-all look at trans­ I read in today's "Telegraph" an article portation in the State. There is no reason that disgusted most of us. It was headed why Port Alma cannot be given a go. It "Drink-driving ease-up call". It was fed has been called a white elephant but it is to the "Telegraph" by the honourable mem­ a millstone round the necks of the Rock­ ber for South Brisbane. I have never made hampton people. I am told that it has been a personal attack on anybody, so I shall not est,imated that next year $147,000 will have make one on him. But, as a politician, he to be paid by the citizens of Rockhampton would appear to be just as supercilious, to meet the debts of Port Alma. That is sarcastic, and perhaps repulsive as the man unjust. That burden has been placed on the he defeated-Fred Bromley. The present people by an Act of Parliament emanating honourable member for South Brisbane advo­ from this Chamber-an Act of Parliament cates that this Parliament ease up on the that should never have been passed. murderers on the road; that we ease up on The Minister for Transport should assume those people who slaughter and maim inno­ responsibility in this field. He should be cent men, women and children. responsible for ports. He should do some­ I would like him, and other Government thing about removing these debts from Port members who were quite vociferous at Alma. He should be doing something to yesterday's party meeting in their support of upgrade the 13 or 14 provincial ports along Queensland's coast, because they are just these drunken killers, to go into their as important as the railways; they are just electorates and tell the people where they as important as road transport. However, it stand. I want them to say to their con­ would seem that no cognisance is taken of stituents, "We are not concerned about you their worth. No cognisance is taken of the decent people. We are concerned only with many families who are suffering because the drunken drivers and with doing all that the ports are dying. It is all very well for we possibly can to protect them from the private enterprise. It is all very well to exigencies of the law." That is a fair enough reduce or abolish road transport fees. What request. about the 66 wharfie families? What about the railwaymen who are directly involved? Mr. Lindsay: They should go to the What a:bout the transport workers, too, work­ casualty ward at the Royal Brisbane Hospital ing between Port Alma and Rockhampton? on any Saturday night. What about giving them some consideration? What about doing something for all of those Mr. AIKENS: They should go to a people in our provincial centre? I accept that casualty ward at any hospital at any time. the Minister has some problems with costs, There they would see the victims of the but I believe he should adopt a different people whom they are doing all they policy in his portfolio. He should expand possibly can to protect. I do not intend to its responsibilities and improve the facilities labour this point. Politics is a matter of for the people of Queensland. majority versus minority. I say without any qualification that 90 per cent of motorists Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) (3.24 are decent, law-abiding citizens. Those p.m.): The honourable member for Rock­ motorists, as well as those who are not hampton has spoken about the alleged neglect motorists-the cyclist and perhaps the of the port of Rockhampton. It has cost mother pushing a pram-want the drink­ the taxpayers of Queensland hundreds of drivers cleaned up. thousands of dollars over the years. For many years I sat in this Chamber and heard But we have men such as the honourable Mr. Jim Burrows, the A.L.P. member for member for South Brisbane and perhaps Port Curtis, express his opinions of Port another half dozen vociferous members of Alma. I suggest that the honourable member the Government who say to the world, for Rockhampton, who is always going to "Never mind about the ordinary, decent, law­ "Hansard" to pinch bits and pieces of my abiding motorists or citizens. We will take speeches to use as his own, go to "Hansard" our stand shoulder to shoulder with the and get some bits and pieces of Jim Burrows' drunken killer." I repeat that I want them speeches about the Rockhampton port and to go out and tell the people what they use them as his own. believe. If ever I go into their electorates I will tell the people-! know the supporters I congratulate and compliment the Minister in the Government parties of the drunken for Transport on his attitude to one of the killers. I think it is a monstrous state of greatest and most pressing problems con­ affairs. fronting us today-the frightful slaughter and toll of the road. I congratulate him on Mr. McKechnie: They are only a very at least saying that it is the duty of a small minority. member of Parliament to protect the lives of the innocent and decent people who use Mr. AIKENS: They are a small minority the roads. To that end, he believes that but the article in the "Telegraph", which there should be adequate penalties for those was fed to it by the honourable member drivers who slaughter and maim innocent for South Brisbane, creates the impression people and adequate safeguards for those that the majority of Government members innocent people. are on the side of the drink-drivers. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975) (Estimates) 1443

It is the avowed policy of the A.L.P. to Mr. A!KENS: Well, whatever you call it stick with the drink-drivers. I said that a -caravan. You couldn't get them onto a long while ago. I also suggested that the train with a bulldozer, and that is all there name of the party should be changed to is to it. If the honourable member for D.D.P.-the Drunken Drivers' Party. There Rockhampton knew anything about people, should be a coalition of the six or 10 he would know that that is true. Government members and the A.L.P., to The honourable member for Windsor made form the D.D.P. Of the 11 A.L.P. members, a few remarks (they were almost incompre­ only four are on the side of the decent, hensible, but we got the gist of them) about law-abiding citizen. the griddle car and a few other things. I travelled from Mt. Isa to Townsville by The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Australian the "Inlander"· only a couple of months ago. Labor Party attitude to this matter has I think that I would know as much as any nothing to do with the Estimates under man here of working conditions in the Rail­ review. way Department. I worked for 27 years in that department under the shocking, deplorable, shall I say Afghan conditions Mr. AIKENS: Thank you, Mr. Hewitt. To to which we were subjected in the days of be quite candid I anticipated your rebuke. an A.L.P. Government. We worked on the I know what an excellent Chairman you old steam locomotives under shocking con­ are. I know that you are a man with a ditions. We camped in apologies for quar­ lot of humanitarianism in you and that you ters. I wonder if the honourable member feel, as I do, for the innocent citizens who for Cairns happened to be in the Railway are slaughtered and maimed on the roads Department when there was a little broken­ each day. I shall not pursue the matter, down tin shed at Innisfail that did service Mr. Hewitt. I know that I cannot embarrass as railway quarters? you when you are in the chair-it is almost impossible to embarrass you anywhere-but Mr. Jones: I was not there when you were I will say this: I feel sure that you are not sacked in the 1931 strike. on side with the eight to 10 members of the National and Liberal Parties who, with Mr. AIKENS: I was not sacked in the the honourable member for South Brisbane, 1931 strike. The Moore Government refused stand shoulder to shoulder, sword, buckler to re-employ me because I was a striker and shield, with the drunken slaughterers on against that Government. I stuck by the the roads in this State. A.L.P., and many men who scabbed on me and my mates in the 1931 strike came into I now want to reply to a few of the this Parliament later as A.L.P. members. I points that the honourable member for Rock­ am surprised that the honourable member hampton tried to make. He spoke about for Cairns mentioned the 1931 strike. boosting the image of the Railway Depart­ ment in passenger travel. I do not know Was the honourable member ever in the how many railwaymen go on holidays every Dajarra quarters in their blooming days, year, but when they do they are given free with the dirt floor, the goats eating rthe soap, and the old canvas stretchers that we first-class railway passes for themselves and had for beds? their families. I am prepared to say that only 10 per cent of them ever use those Mr. Wright: Would you say things have passes. changed? Mr. Wright: Do you want to know why? Mr. AIKENS: They have changed. Any­ one who worked in the Railway Department Mr. AIKENS: I know why. under the A.L.P. knew what work was. As a boy of 17 years I worked on trains when, Mr. Wright: Conditions are shocking. even if we ran to time, we were 1 7 hours 10 minutes on duty. No-one can tell me Mr. AIKENS: "Conditions are shocking" about conditions in the Railway Department nothing! Anyone will tell the honourable in those days. member for Rockhampton (of course, it is impossible to tell him anything) that the I worked, too, for 13 years on the downs, greatest enemy of railway passenger traffic as they are called, from Nonda to Cloncurry, all over the world is the private motor-car. when the line was only a 42 lb. rail on a Il is the greatest economic enemy of the sleeper bed with very little ballast under railway service. I know railwaymen; I mix it. We would run the C16s, and we would with them. I do not live in a little ivory hop and jump along. As a matter of fact, tower in a cloistered atmosphere. I mix with some of the greatest buckjump riders in the the workers every day. I mix particularly "'orld could not have ridden the engines that with railwaymen because I am an old rail­ we worked on the western downs. Some of wayman myself. When their holidays come the conditions we worked under were absol­ round, railwaymen load the family into the utely shocking, so it was a great surprise to car or semi-trailer and away they go. me that my return journey from Mt. Isa tu Townsville on the "Inlander" was a Mr. Bums: Semi-trailer? pleasure. I went to Mt. Isa-I think just 1444 Suppiy [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

after Christmas-to address a couple of meet­ I hurt him. He deserves to be hurt. Any man ings, make a couple of statements and appear who will line up with drunken slaughterers with others on the first colour television and maimers on the roads-- performance in that city. Mr. LAMONT: I rise to a point of order. I think the "Inlander" ran to Townsville I again take exception to those remarks and about seven hours faster than we used to do ask that they be withdrawn. it in the old days of steam. I had a very good sleep all the way from Mt. Isa. As a The CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable matter of fact, I slept from Duchess to member will withdraw that remark. I suggest Prairie, if honourable members know where that he then come back to the Estimates. that is. Then I went back to the griddle car and had what I thought was a very Mr. AIKENS: I withdraw it. I know you satisfactory meal. Comparing the conditions are very fair, Mr. Hewitt. But, as I say, enjoyed by passengers today in the time has always vindicated me. Time will "Inlander", the "Sunlander", the "Midlander" tell. Time will show on whose side the and the "Westlander" with the conditions honourable member is. under which passengers had to travel when the A.L.P. was in power is like comparing Mr. LAMONT: I rise to a point of order. Buckingham Palace with a rag-picker's hut, The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no point so members of the A.L.P. should be the of order. last people-- Mr. LAMONT: That is a qualified retrac­ Mr. Jones: It was Jack Duggan who intro­ tion. I ask for an unqualified withdrawal. duced those trains. Mr. AIKENS: Jack Duggan introduced the The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no fur­ "Inlander", and what happened when he intro­ ther point of order. duced it? Although I was not in the rail­ Mr. AIKENS: I agree with you, Mr. ways at the time, my mates worked that Hewitt· he should confine the rest of his train and they had to put two T17's on it activiti~s to crawling and truckling to the to pull the damned thing. drunken killers. Now, I just want to say-- Mr. Lamont: Before your time runs out, repeat to my face what you said behind my Mr. LAMONT: I rise to a point of order. back. I find that remark offensive and ask that it be withdrawn. Mr. AIKENS: I have no time to talk to you. You go and talk to those drunken The CHAIRMAN: Order! I sustain that killers on the roads. You go and talk to your point of order. political blood brothers. Mr. AIKENS: If it hurt him, as it obviously did, I am pleased to withdraw it. Mr. LAMONT: I rise to a point of order. I take severe umbrage at the comments of The CHAIRMAN: I should be pleased the honourable member for Townsville South if the honourable member would return to and I would like him to prove the statements. the Estimates: The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no onus Mr. AIKENS: I will clarify that point on the honourable member to prove any­ before I am finished. thing. Let us see what has happened in South Mr. AIKENS: I say again with all the Australia and, I understand, in Tasmania, calmness at my command that he should go where the A.L.P. Governments-and Labor and take-- would do it in this State, led by the hon­ ourable member for Lytton-handed over the Mr. LAMONT: A point of order! railways to the Commonwealth Government. As we know, the railways are losing money. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable They are performing a public service and, if member wishes to take a point of order. the Commonwealth Government took over, one of two things, perhaps both, must happen. Mr. LAMONT: I ask the honourable It would have to either increase freights and member to withdraw that remark, which I find offensive to me. fares or cut services. I know how glad members of the Labor The CHAIRMAN: I ask the honourable Party-not only the Federal Labor Party but member to withdraw the remark. the State Labor Party-would be to cut services to the back-country people of this Mr. AIKENS: What remark? State, because we all know how much they The CHAIRMAN: I should imagine the hate the man on the land. They hate the honourable member is taking umbrage at the farmer, they hate the miner, they hate the comment that certain drunks are his blood pastoralists, and they are doing all they brothers. I uphold his point of order. possibly can in the Federal sphere to bank­ rupt everybody who does not live in the Mr. AIKENS: If he takes umbrage to it, capital cities. If we give them control of Mr. Hewitt, I will withdraw it, and I am glad our railways, they will do exactly the same, Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1445 ihey will use the Railway Department as a respect for and look after Government pro­ l}l.udgeon or instrument to further cripple perty. If they do, they will fi~ that in ~ wound the people who live and work in the long run they have less tax to pay because the country-the salt of the earth. Without the maintenance costs of Government depart­ the people who work in the country, without ments will be reduced. I would simply say those who produce things in the country, no that if I find any vandal marking Govern­ nation can survive. ment property, God help him! He knows very well that he should not be doing it. The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is too I should like now to gently remind the much audible conversation in the Chamber. Minister that a new railway station at Duar­ inga would be very much appreciated. Besi~es Mr. AIKENS: I am probably hurting some being a very important change-over pomt of the friends of the drunken drivers. If I in the coal traffic, Duaringa is the centre am, I am happy about that. for the Foleyvale and Woorabinda Aboriginal Having made my point, with the tolerance Communities. Of course, I have a very that I expect from you because of the broad­ soft spot for Duaringa because I began my ness of your vision and your humanitarian career there. I will always remember the attitude, Mr. Hewitt, I am happy now to good and wonderful people in that town. go and catch a plane to my beloved North­ The railway station is very old and plans land. When I get there, I will expose are in hand for the construction of a new every friend in this Parliament of the drunken one. The people of Duaringa and surround­ killer-! know them, the whole nine of ing areas would be very happy if the Minister them; seven members of the Liberal Party, could expedite its construction. two members of the National Party-and I Dingo, which has a large sta6on, is a will name every one of them. centre for railway fettlers, and septic toilets would be very welcome there. As the Mr. LESTER (Belyando) (3.40 p.m.): I Minister 'is aware, very serious accommoda­ preface my remarks by making a few com­ tion problems exist at Bluff. W~ gre3:tly plimentary comments about the Minister for appreciate what the department rs trymg Transport. First, I take the opportunity to do in the provision of more houses and to thank him for coming to my electorate single-men's quarters. Major expenditure on many occasions and doing his best to by the department is necessary in this most try to assist those who work in the Railway important change-over point for the carriage Department in Clermont and other centres. of coal from Blackwater to Gladstone. I His efforts are very much appreciated, and hope that in future some of the problems I assure him that his visits have not gone can be avoided by greater contributions by unnoticed. mining companies towards the cost of pro­ viding facilities for railwaymen employed on I also take the opportunity to say a few the carting of coal. Coppabella is an ex~el­ words of praise to all the railwaymen who lent example of the results of co-ope!'atwn live and work in my electorate, many of between the Railway Department and the whom do a great deal to assist the com­ coal-mining companies in the provision of munity in a great number of ways. Their good accommodation. Of course, when contribution is very valuable, and I am sure that we would all be much worse off Blackwater was first starting up we were more or less still working out the best deal if we did not have their assistance. In the Belyando electorate, people rely heavily possible for railwaymen and the mining com­ on the Railway Department and the rail­ panies. Unfortunately, Blackwater was some­ way system. The railways carry grain, cattle, what of a guinea pig, ,but I am sure we coal and sheep from the area and they will gain from what we learned from that bring into it building materials for houses, exercise. and so on. They also carry people to and I should like to see more amenities pro­ from the area. vided in Blackwater. The accommodation for fettling gangs should be upgraded, and I am very disappointed at the 40 per cent amenity blocks should be provided without increase in rail freights, and I ask the Minister too much delay. I appreciate the fact ,that to take up the matter with a view to having many of the fettlers' huts have had electricity the magnitude of the increase reduced. It connected. All the way from Bluff to Black­ is very difficult for country people to meet water and Comet electricity is progressively such a high increase at present. I can being connected, and this is deeply appre­ easily understand why it has been intro­ ciated by the fettlers. Although there IS a duced, and I remind the Committee that it Jot of criticism about fettlers' conditions, is not nearly as bad as some of the increases much of which I agree with, we should in transport charges introduced by the Federal remember that until the Labor Government Labor Government since it assumed office. went out of office many railway fettlers lived Increases in aviation costs, for example, in tents. In saying that I am not being have been scandalous. critical; I am merely pointing out the fact. I \\ish to comment briefly on vandals­ Admittedly, fettlers' conditions could be people who make their mark on trains and, improved; nevertheless they are a long way indeed, on the property of many Government ahead of what they were when Labor went departments. I appeal to them to show out of office. 1446 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

Eme!'ald is a major town in my electorate. railway line to Moranbah will be appreciated It is the centre point for the branch lines to by the local people. Moranbah is going the West, to Springsure [n the south, and to ahead in leaps and bounds and will grow Clermont and Blair Athol in the north. The into a very large town. I ask the Minister establishment of the maintenance and shunt­ to consider extending the line to Moranbah. ing area is very much appreciated, but theTe That would make things much better for is a very definite need to upgrade the existing everyone concerned, including the honour­ facilities. A lot of the .equipment, sheds able member for Belyando. and so on are very old. I know the depart­ Collinsville has its housing problems. I ment has drawn up plans for necessary thank the Minister for his personal efforts in renovations, and it would be appreciated if helping me solve some of them. I am afraid that work could be done quickly. I do not know how we can overcome all Mr. K. W. Hooper: A very important of them. centre. Mr. Frawley: I hear that you are on Mr. LESTER: I thank the Minister for the New Year's Honours List. reiterating my point. The Minister has Mr. LESTER: When the honourable mem­ inspected all the buildings in Emerald. He ber gets a railway line to Redcliffe, I shall made a very good name for himself when listen to his interjections. he went there. Without doubt, his visit to Emerald helped me to win the seat of The railway line between Collinsville and Belyando. His excellent performance in that Scottville, which is used to carry coal, is town helped me, and I thank him for it. in a very poor state. Unless care is exer­ cised by train crews a derailment could Recently I went through the workshops at well occur. Alpha with some of the railwaymen, and I again inspected the facilities provided for Whilst a lot needs to be done to improve maintaining the locomotives that are used the railway services in the area I represent­ on the Western line. The men there are ! know a lot more is to be done-much doing a particularly good job. We have, has been achieved in it. I again express the however, had a problem with the trucking appreciation of the railway people in my yards. They should be combined with the electorate, who are trying their best to give saleyards to make it easier for cattlemen good service to the community. to sell their cattle and have them railed Mr. Frawley: They all vote for you. away quickly. Inspectors board trains to inspect cattle for ticks and other pests. Mr. LESTER: Many railway people have Jericho now has a new railway station, voted for me. At Bluff, the vote was very so that, with the new one at Blackwater, the close. It is a fact that many railway people Belyando electorate now has two :new have voted for me. However, my speech stations. That is an indication of the pro­ this afternoon is not designed to get any­ gress in that area. body to vote for me. I am only highlighting the good qualities of the railway people in I should like to see a little more work my area and what needs to be done. I am done on houses for the Capella people, telling the Minister about these things. The including the station-master. Although excel­ area's needs are a matter of concern to every lent maintenance work has been done on railway station-master, ganger, guard and the Clermont Railway Station-and this is engine driver who lives there. I am sure appreciated-a new station for Clermont that they support my representations. should be high on the list of priorities. Recently the railway station was repainted. Goods are carried to the Belyando Honoumble members should have seen it electorate by rail, aircraft and McCafferty's before that! Highlander bus service. I know that the Minister has no control over aircraft charges, The railway station at Blair Athol is but since the Federal Labor Government being phased out of service as a station and came to power I have been greatly dis­ will be only a checkpoint for the loading tressed to note that aircraft charges have of coal. been increased dramatically. The Federal I look forward to the day when there is Government believes that the Department of a rail service to the town of Moranbah. Civil Aviation should be totally self­ Goods sent by rail to Moranbah are off­ supporting. While this idea is good in con­ loaded at Coppabella, which is about 30 cept, it does not work well in practice. miles away. This is very awkward for Eventually the cost has to be met by the people in Moranbah, who have to arrange consumer. It b~comes extremely costly for the transport of goods from Coppabella at him to use the service. In my area we are additional cost. At the same time, road faced with very high aircraft freight charges. transport to Moranbah is encouraged. While Passenger fares have also increased. It is a I recognise the value of road transport, I fact that many of the commuter airlines in realise that railwaymen play an important Queensland have been phased out since the part in the communities in which they live. increase made by the Federal Labor Govern­ They put back into these towns some of ment to air navigation charges. A private the money they earn. I am sure that any­ individual who owns a Cessna aircraft has thing I can do by way of pushing for a to meet a cost of $800-odd just to leave the Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975) (Estimates) 1447

aircraft on the ground. That cost is too Mr. LESTER: That is always on. I have high. Some people might consider an air­ become used to that. craft to be a luxury for country people. For many of them, especially those in the The CHAIRMAN: Order! That, too, is more remote areas, it is an absolute necessity. not particularly relevant. And they are the people who, by their pioneering, have made such a valuable con­ Mr. "\

I shall direct most of my remarks to the I was associated at the time that this had a road toll and road safety. These subjects distinct effect on the way in which they should concern all honourable members. drove in the vicinity of those marks. Statistics give a clear indication of the dis­ astrous increase in the toll of the road in Mr. K. W. Hooper: The red diamonds? recent years. It may not be generally known Mr. LANE: Yes, marked on the roadway. by some honourable members that in the They instilled a degree of fear in motorists past 20 years, from 1954 to 1974, the and warned them to be careful when driving number of persons injured on the road has near such spots. The answer apparently increased by 118 per cent, while the number received by the R.A.C.Q. when it made the of persons killed during that same period has request that I have mentioned to the three increased by 90 per cent. All honourable agencies was that the compilation of such members should be deeply concerned about statistics is time-consuming and "will be those two simple figures. The cost of road examined when to hand". One would expect accidents to Australia is estimated at between those agencies to have this information readily $500,000,000 and $1,000 million per annum, available. or about 2 per cent of the Gross National Product of this country. There are some quite notable accident sites in the city. No doubt we all remember The reasons for this dramatic increase the N ormanby Fiveways and the Shafston include an increase in the volume of road A venue-Main Street intersection at Kangaroo traffic. Since 1954, the number of motor Point, where a number of red triangles were vehicles registered in this country has painted on the road. Those places became increased by something like 200 per cent. known, at least by those who were attempting Greater affluence and growth in population to drive carefully and ensure that they did have had a striking effect on motor vehicle not become involved in accidents. usage. In addition, traffic situations encoun­ I think that in recent years the problem tered by motorists have become more com­ plex. of road safety has become so immense that too often short-term and over-simple solu­ The mobility afforded by the motor tions are sought and sometimes applied­ vehicle, particularly the motor-car, has led to on many occasions to suit a political end by new patterns of social behaviour and com­ enabling someone in the area of road safety munication across our State and across this to make a dramatic statement to the Press continent. The motor vehicle has also to offset an accusation made by an equally ?ecome a means of social expression and irresponsible person on the road toll. One Is regarded by many people as being a status of these over-simple solutions has been symbol. Just as the tycoon or company referred to in the Press in recent days. I director has to drive a Mercedes Benz saloon refer to the imposition of unnecessary and the young man about town needs a ne~ excessively harsh penalties on traffic offenders. with-it sports car, the latest and fastest motor­ I am one who believes that the motorist cycle, or a fancy panel van to carry his is already paying enough for the right­ surfboard to the coast. The motor vehicle I believe it is a right these days-to operate also leads to anti-social expression by a few a motor vehicle on the roads. Yet daily people in the community. It has led to he has imposed on him extra taxes, extra increased problems in road safety and has penalties and extra restrictions that I think become a greater menace in recent times. have become excessive. I would rather see Road safety engineers have become almost more time spent on finding a whole set of scientists and the collection of statistics has varied solutions to the problem of bringing become an art that tends to confuse many down the road toll. people. The president of the R.A.C.Q. commented I was interested in some of the criticisms in the same journal on what he referred to that appeared in the October issue of the as a fragmentary approach to the causes of R.A.C.Q. journal, "The Road Ahead". The road accidents, and he was critical of the article-! do not know whether it is to be machinery in Australia for reducing the road believed-criticised the basic information toll. He said that the present approach was which was available to the R.A.C.Q. survey fragmented. All kinds of organisations had team in its recent appraisal of the State's been set up, he said, by the State Govern­ highways. This is the comment made- ment and the Federal Government to research "Neither the Queensland Road Safety these causes, but there are too many of Council, the Police Department or the them. Mr. McCafferty was on an inspection J'4ain Roads Department are able to pro­ tour of R.A.C.Q. facilities in North Queens­ VIde the R.A.C.Q. with a list of accident land, and he made his comments during sites in which fatal accidents occurred in the course of his tour. I know him, and the past 12 months on a particular high­ he is a responsible man. I think he has way being surveyed." made fair comment on the analysis of road statistics. I think that that is rather disappointing. I The trouble is that people tend to look can remember some years ago the intro­ for one simple solution to the problem of duction of the practice of marking on roads reducing the road toll. Perhaps they really the sites of fatal accidents. I know from do not care; they may be merely playing personal experience with people with whom at politics. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1449

Mr. K. W. Hooper: One of the real prob­ to affect their reactions in extreme circum­ lems is that there are so many individual stances. I think that category of people experts in their own right. should be put before the court more _fre­ quently than they are but I do not believe Mr. LANE: Certainly with so many indi­ there is any necessity to throw the book at vidual experts, so many bush lawyers in them, particularly if they are first offenders. the field, that's right. It is a matter that interests everyone as almost everyone drives Mr. Dean: Wait outside the hotels for a motor vehicle or is a pedestrian. I think them to come out. that the problem is a very complex one and we should examine a whole range of Mr. LANE: The honourable member for solutions to bring down the road toll, things Sandgate would like the police to wait out­ that may not in themselves be overly dra­ side the hotels for people to come out. No matic but will be effective. I suggest that doubt they would all have to spend _15 it is results that we want-not drama, not minutes blowing into a bag or a machme grandstanding not publicity, but results­ before they could get into their cars. He because it is a very serious problem. would probably throw them on the ground and take a blood test as well. I do not deny the necessity for having adequate penalties provided under the Act. Mr. Dean: I wouldn't. There should be adequate fines so that it is an imposition to pay them, something Mr. LANE: In fact I know exactly what that people would avoid and, in avoiding the honourable member would do. He would them, perhaps observe the road laws. There close all the hotels. He would also close all should, in the more serious cases of dan­ the licensed restaurants. He would close gerous driving and reckless driving, be pro­ any place that sells alcoholic l!q_u?r at any vision for the imprisonment of the frequent time and bring about total prohibitiOn. That offender, the person who comes back for is the view of the honourable member for more each time. He should be put in Sundgate. In my opin!on it is a ve~y gaol before he perhaps kills someone else. narrow-minded view. I thmk he has a stupid prejudice, but certainly he is entitled to I think the revoking of drivers' licences it. I believe there should be greater enforce­ under the Act is a very good idea, but I ment of the provisions of the Act-more think it is applied in some areas where it prosecutions-as the first plank in a plan is unnecessary. For example, I am opposed to cut down the road toll. to the proposition that points should be marked against a man's licence for the Probably one of the most important steps simple breach of not fastening his seat-belt to improve road safety is to design roads before he drives off. This sort of offence in such a way that people are prevented should be treated in the same manner as from running into one another-for e~ample, illegal parking. A driver should be ,fined divided roads on each part of which all for it. There should be a greater degree motorists travel in the same direction and of enforcement in this respect but I do not only the most foolish will run into the rear think the penalty should extend-- of the vehicle in front. I have referred on other occasions to The CHAIRMAN: Order! I would like the Shafston Avenue-Main Street intersection to remind the honourable member that the at Kangaroo Point. Those honourable mem­ rule of the Committee provides that the bers who had an opportunity to see the necessity for legislation and matters involv­ accident-analysis map in the office of the ing legislation cannot be discussed in Com­ Superintendent of Traffic in Brisbane before mittee of Supply. In other words, Committee discussions must be related to Estimates and the installation of the overpass know that administrative matters only. the map was covered with pins: flags ~nd markings of all sorts at that mtersectwn, indicating that there had been numerous Mr. LANE: Well, an administrative matter deaths and quite a large number. of persons I would like to apply myself to is the enforcement of the Traffic Act, which is injured in the many road accide~lts that one of the Minister's responsibilities. I sug­ occurred there almost weekly. Some Improve­ gest that more attention should be given ments were made to the road and an overpass to the enforcement of the provisions of the was installed. I had a look at the map Traffic Act. I would like to see more drivers again after the work had been dor;e and under the influence of liquor-not drunk, but there was not one pin on the map m that under the influence of liquor-prosecuted and area. That illustrates the great bene~ts that to have a more reasonable penalty so that flow from well-designed roads on which the the provisions of the Act would cover a curves and grades are engineered in such. a wider section of the community. If more way as to ensure that the greatest opportumty people were concerned that they might be is provided for motorists to drive safely. caught after having seven or eight glasses The surface of the road is another import­ of beer and then driving their motor vehicles, ant feature of road design. It should be we would be better off. Those are the textured in such a way as to create more people we are talking about-not people who friction and give better skid resistance to the are dead drunk and fall over on their face tyres on motor vehicles. Road surfaces should but people who have had just sufficient liquor be adequately drained so that rain water 1450 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) can escape readily. This can be done by is a highly qualified and very competent allowing an appropriate degree of slope when public servant. He is proving that as Com­ the road is designed. Simple things such as missioner for Transport. t~ese, which can be done by engineers, save hves on the road. I have always believed that the Trans­ port Department should have its own staff Another feature of road design is what to carry out its own functions. The point ?re referred to as roadside objects. They I make is that the police should not be mclude traffic signals, overhead lighting, trees, called upon to perform many of the duties fences, posts and so on. If they are badly they are now required to carry out in the placed or too stout or too strong, in some implementation of the State Transport Act. instances they may kill a motorist whose Police officers 'Should be allowed to do the vehicle runs off the road. It is quite possible police work they are trained to perform, for any of us to have a tyre blow-out, particularly the prevention of crime and Mr. Gunn, and run off the road. If there the apprehension of offenders. Too often is a tree or a stout steel post at the roadside we see policemen and policewomen doing and our vehicle runs headlong into it, there work on the streets for the Transport is a chance that we will at least be seriously Department. That same work could be injured and possibly be killed as a result done by another type of public servant­ of that accident. It is necessary to take perhaps they could be called "transport that into consideration when roads are being wardens" or some name like that. Police designed. officers should be able to devote their time to the police work for which they have been Road safety can also be improved, of trained. course, by ensuring that proper road signs are provided so that each motorist knows The honourable member for Merthyr where he is going, where to turn off, where 'Spoke about the dangerous condition of to stop, and where dangers lie in his path. highways contributing to road accidents. Roads should be adequately line-marked to That is right. I have in mind some of :the encourage drivers to keep to their correct sharp crests and narrow bitumen strips that side of the carriageway. When I was taught have to be negotiated. Of course, it all to drive, there were no white lines down comes back to the driver of the vehicle. No the middle of the road. I was taught to matter how rough a road is or what the watch the left-hand edge of the bitumen­ conditions are, if the driver is alert and where there was bitumen back in the days of intelligently giving his attention to his driving, Labor's administration-and keep the left he can usually avoid accidents. However, wheel of my vehicle an inch or two from as the honourable member for Merthyr said, the edge of the bitumen. These days drivers the state of some of the roads contributes to tend to aim between the edge of the bitumen road accidents. and the w~ite line in the middle of the road, The State's railway facilities leave a lot and there IS a tendency for them to wander to be desired. I am not placing all the from side to side as the part of the carriage­ blame on the present Minister; it must be way that is available to them narrows or shared by many previous Ministers. Many widens. years ago Queensland's long-distance trains, particularly the "Sunlander", were the pride Mr. Campbell: In those days you had to of the State and the envy of many inter­ be careful of the corrugations, too. state visitors. Unfortunately, the expected improvements over the years have not been Mr. LANE: Yes. Of course, anyone who made. Today I cannot think of anything has driven on some of the roads in the West more uncomfortable to travel on from here in the days of Labor's administration will to the North than the "Sunlander". It know just how little the A.L.P. thought cannot compare with the "Limited Express" about road construction. It had no part in that travels interstate from South Brisbane, the master socialist plan. particularly in the way of facilities and the service offered by the staff. (Time expired.) I do not want my remarks to be miscon­ strued as an attack on the Queensland rail­ Mr. DEAN (Sandgate) (4.20 p.m.): I way staff. Having regard to their working welcome the opportunity to make a contribu­ conditions and the amount of work they tion to this very important debate. First of have to perform in a specified time, I say all I express my gratitude to the Commis­ that they do an excellent job. When I sioner for Transport (Mr. K. M. Seeney) travelled on the "Limited Express" to Sydney and his staff, and the staff of the Minister's I was informed that there was a conductor department, for the very courteous treat­ to each coach. The conductors take pride ment and consideration I have received over in their job and get satisfaction out of it. the last 12 months whenever I have had Unfortunately, on the trains to the North, occasion to write or present a query or there are not enough staff to provide the problem. The response has always been very necessary service. I ask the Minister to good. I ask the Minister to convey to them give serious consideration to this matter. It my words of appreciation. I am sure I is not a pleasure to travel long distances on am echoing the sentiments of every honour­ the Queensland railway system and con­ able member in the Chamber. Mr. Seeney ditions are becoming worse each year. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1451

Some months ago I had the pleasure of calls on the police to restore order. After a rail trip on "The Ghan" from Alice Springs a raid and the apprehension of one or two to Port Pirie, across the Simpson Desert. offenders, conditions quieten down, but only Our service cannot compare with the service for about 24 hours. I suggest to the on it. Although the train is made up of old Minister, through you, Mr. Gunn, that per­ wooden carriages, they are air-conditioned manent railway police be engaged to protect and the service is excellent. The dining railway property and passengers. facilities, too, are first class. We have never really had dining facilities on our northern Mr. K. W. Hooper: We do have a rail­ trains to compare with those on southern way squad; you realise that? trains and the one that crosses the Simpson Desert. If we are to succeed in encouraging Mr. DEAN: I think more men are wanted. people to use our railway services, we must It has to be a 24-hour service. Many of provide good facilities. I am not thinking the culprits are very cunning. They pick only of tourists. In fact I am becoming sick times when police are not on the trains. and tired of hearing about what we should It was pleasing to hear mention by the do for tourists. We should think first of our Minister of the cross-river rail link. That own people. If we provided a better service has been proposed for a long time. We look many more of our own people would forward to the day when Roma Street will patronise the railways. be linked with South Brisbane, with the rail­ :Mr. Houston: Many of our own people ways providing a service to people on both are tourists. sides of the river. It will be of particular benefit to people travelling to and from work. Mr. DEAN: They are. One has only to stand near the approaches In recent years our railway service has to Victoria Bridge in the morning to see the picked up, thanks to dieselisation. Travel thousands of people walking across the bridge in the suburban areas is much more com­ who could otherwise be travelling by public fortable. But a lot more remains to be transport. After the rail link is completed, done, and if we are to relieve the extreme they will be able to travel by train. I hope traffic congestion in the metropolitan area that that project is spurred on by the Minister. a lot more will have to be done. Th~ Road safety was mentioned. That is a Sandgate electorate carries very heavy traffic very important facet of the Minister's depart­ from the Redcliffe Peninsula. I sincerely ment. The defensive-driving course has been hope that it will not be long-and I am sure a great success, but I think it should be that on this I speak for the honourable mandatory for people obtaining a driving member for Redcliffe as well-before there licence. It should be a condition that appli­ is a rail link to the peninsula. That would cants for a driving licence should certainly relieve traffic congestion in the first undertake a defensive-driving course. Sandgate area, which is far worse than it I do not know any people who have should be. taken advantage of the course who have not Parking facilities at Sandgate for people been full of praise for it and glad that their living in the outlying areas who travel by own ability has been improved by the know­ ~a~ to the station are very poor. I hope ledge they have obtained from it. Many It IS not long before the car park is finished of my friends have said to me that they have so that people may leave their vehicles with found themselves in dangerous circumstances safety while they are commuting between in traffic and that, but for the experience, their homes and Brisbane. cautiousness and alertness gained by them at The volume of Redcliffe traffic that passes the course, they could have found themselves through Sandgate makes the area very in serious difficulty. Consideration should be uncomfortable, especially during peak hours. given to making the course mandatory. That Suburban commuters are fairly well catered would cost a little more, but what is cost for at the moment. However, they need compared with injuries and death? I think the ext.ra services after 6 p.m., when very few Minister's committee should consider that trams run. Many young people who drive when it discusses the ramifications of tuition to the city from the Wynnum and Sandaate in the defensive-driving course. area would leave their vehicles at horn~ if The Minister also mentioned taxi services. a good late service were provided. They are He referred to additional revenue obtained forced to use the road and so increase through the issue of new taxi licences. tremendously the traffic hazards. Mr. K. W. Hooper: I was referring to last While on the subject of extra services late year. in . the evening, I shall deal with a very senous problem which arises at night. We Mr. DEAN: Yes. It prompted me to remark are pestered by vandals in parks and other that a little tidying up is required in the taxi public areas at all times of the day, and service. I venture to say that 85 per cent these pests seem to travel to their areas on of taxi drivers are diligent and courteous. I the last trains from the city. People com­ have travelled in taxis from time to time, plain bitterly to me about the trouble they and I think that more could be asked of some cause on the last train to Sandgate and than they are giving at the moment. Many other places. Occasionally the department of the cabs could be a lot cleaner. I know 1452 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) they have their rush times and that during service in outer suburbs. I am not con- peak hours they do not have the opport­ demning the council. With its limited unity to clean the inside of their cabs; resources, it is doing the best it can.. . ~ut but in the off-peak times they could show transport is not a council resp<;msibihty. a little consideration by doing so. It is too big for any local authonty. Some of the drivers are careless about their Mr. Hartwig: Cl em J ones pulled up the habit of smoking in the cabs. If they want tramlines. to smoke, they should do so outside the cab. Mr. Burns: He didn't. He wouldn't allow They should give some consideration to pas­ them on the bridge. sengers who might find the smoke injurious to their health. I am not saying that because I Mr. Hartwig: Boofhead Burns. am a non-smoker. Some people I associate The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. with are asthmatics or have other bronchial Gunn): Order! The honourable. me~ber conditions. One gentleman I know suffered for Callide wi1l refrain from makmg mter­ a lot of inconvenience through a taxi driver's jections such as that. smoking. Because he was afraid that the driver might be insulted, he did not speak to Mr. DEAN: They do not worry me, Mr. him about it. When the driver finished smok­ Gunn, so do not worry about them. ing, he dropped the cigarette butt into the I hope that it will not be long before ashtray without extinguishing it. Smoke con­ a more frequent service is provided in the tinued to come from it and the passenger suburbs. I have received a large number was rather ill by the end of his journey. of complaints from housewives about bus I think that taxi drivers should refrain from services during shopping time. Although smoking while they are transporting pas­ many wives can drive cars, not _all can, sengers. They should also make sure that no and they ask their neighbours to dnve them odour remains in the car, because there is to the city to do their shopping. They would nothing worse than the smell of stale tobacco be much safer using a good, fully co­ smoke. mdinated transport system. I app~al . to the Minister to expedite the co-ordmat10n Mr. Houston: Worse than alcohol. of the transport system that we hav.e been awaiting for so long. I refer particularly Mr. DEAN: The combination is absolutely to a co-ordinated road and rail system. dreadful. These Estimates form a very important I think I have said enough about taxi­ part of the Budget. Many honourable mem­ cabs. I am not casting reflections on all bers feel, as I do, that the Department of drivers. All callings have the good and the Transport requires a great deal of money bad, and some do better jobs than others. and that it should be provided even at the The taxi services in other cities such as expense of some other departments which Sydney, which is the largest city in Aus­ might have to be squeezed a little to make tralia, seem to be better controlled than the extra finance available. I would be those in Brisbane. Perhaps we could speak willino to do all I could to readjust some to the companies or associations and get of th~ finances of the State to provide a them to tell the drivers to smarten them­ good transport system. selves up a little and to take more pride in their calling. (Time expired.) The Minister made brief reference to Mr. HARTWIG (Callide) (4.40 p.m.): I rise co-ordination of the Brisbane transport sys­ to make a few observations on some items tem. It has been mentioned on many occa­ of interest in the Transport Estimates for sions and has been Government policy for 1975-76 introduced by the Minister t~is some time. The sooner one transport auth­ morning. In the first place, I should h~e ority is established for all the transport to say that last year I travelled through Asia f«cilities in the metropolitan area, the better with the Minister, and at all times he show~d tht. service will be. At the moment we have a keen interest in the transport systems m mainly bus transport, which is not very the various countries that we visited. I comfortable. In fact, it is far from being know that he has noted changes and improve­ comfortable. I have always been a great ments required in the Queensland railway supporter of trams, but it is too late to system. worry about them now because they have been dispensed with. Many people find In these Estimates we are dealing not modern buses a very uncomfortable form only with railways but with road transport, of transport. \Ve have them and we have taxis and various other aspects of transport to make do as best we can with them. and communications. The honourable mem­ ber for Sandgate made what was, in my A smaller bus could be used in the city opinion, a very good contribution. . It is a area outside peak hours. This would reduce pity that a few more members of hrs party our traffic problems. Large buses take up could not similarly be a little more reason­ a lot of room in city areas. One of the able and rational and give credit where it Brisbane City Council aldermen was reported is due. in the Press as advocating the use of mini­ buses in the city area in the middle of the Mr. Houston: Tell us where it is due to day. He also advocated a more frequent 1:he Premier. Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1453

Mr. HARTWIG: I will in a moment. We have built the Gladstone to Moura 1\;lr· Ho1_1ston: The worst railways in Aus­ line, the Hay Point-Saraji-Peak Downs­ tralia are m Queensland. Goonyella section and the Greenvale line, which has meant the expenditure of many Mr. HARTWIG: Labor's wonderful Treas­ millions of dollars. We have upgraded the urer Hayden budgeted $46,000,000 to assist Gladstone-Blackwater line at a cost of South Australia in its loss on the railways, $10,000,000. I am very pleased to see that and offered the beef producers of this State $1,200,000 was spent on upgrading the line $10,000,000 at 11 per cent interest. That from Earlsfield to the Callide Power demonstrates his sense of justice. Station, which is in my electorate. It is An Opposition Member interjected. probably the best electorate in Queensland­ certainly the best represented. Mr. HARTWIG: What has he done for I do not envy the Minister his task, Wod9nga and Albury? Nothing but a lot of Last year the Railway Department lost some­ promtses! thing like $87,000,000. However, the gross Providing a service is the main business earnings of the department for the last o.f th.e ra_ilways. Let us then look at the financial year were $183,686,000, an increase sttuatwn m Queensland, and the vast dist­ of $33,800,000 over the previous year. The ances that have to be covered. Let us get receipts from the haulage of coal and other ~u.t of Brisbane fo! a change. Some Oppo­ minerals were $91,300,000. That represented sttlon members thmk that the railway sys­ 55.27 per cent of revenue derived from the tem of Queensland ends at Caboolture. haulage of goods on those sections of line. Mr. Frawley: The honourable member for Last year we had the largest amount of coal Bulimba has never been past Caboolture. ever hauled by the Queensland Railway Department-a total of 19 781 000 tonnes, or Mr. ~ARTWIG: I agree. The distance an increase of 2 700 000 tonnes over the from Bnsbane to Cairns is 1,043 miles. I previous year. haye not gone into kilometres-and I am not We have commenced the construction of gou~g to refer to "ki-lometres", the way a line from Phosphate Hill near Cloncurry. W~ttlam pronounces the word. From We have already shifted some 31 000 tonnes Bnsbane to Quilpie is a distance of 620 miles of phosphate from that area. and it is 604 miles from Brisbane to Cunna: mulla. The honourable member for Bulimba I am concerned about the talk of hauling should say "ki-lometres", because that is how coal from the Callide coal mine to the Gough. says it. F_rom Rockhampton to Long­ super power station in the electorate of Port re'_lch 1s 427 l!ltles, from Rockhampton to Curtis. I am told that, when the Gladstone Wmton 537 m1les and from Townsville to Power Station is in full production, it will Mt. lsa 603 miles. No other State has to consume 4 000 000 tonnes of coal per annum. provide a railway service over such distances. All I can say is that, with due respect to the State Electricity Commission, I believe that J\!Ir. Houston: What about Western Aus­ tralia? this will mean a duplication of the railway line from Gladstone to Blackwater and will Mr. HARTWIG: They're not in the race· cost the State many millions of dollars. I nor does that State have the degree of decent: hope the commission takes that into account ralisation found in Queensland. But, of when it talks about enlarging the power sta­ course, under a Liberal-National Country tion complex. It will also mean the haulage Party Government Western Australia is bound of coal from Callide, where we are now to get decentralisation. They certainly would producing by far the cheapest power in not get it under the A.L.P. Queensland, and the use of it in the genera­ Over the years, some railway lines through­ tion of power at Gladstone. In other words, c:ut Que<:nsland have been closed. That was we are putting all our eggs in one basket and hke pullmg up the tramlines in Brisbane I believe if we do not change that, we will v-:hich was done by the Lord Mayor of thi~ regret it for ever and a day. ~tty. ~e now know the huge cost and Let us look at the variety of livestock mc9r:vemence brought ~bout by that stupid that was carried by the railways in the last dectswn. Queensland sttll has approximately 12 months. There was an increase of 6,000 miles of railway line throughout the 48,634 head of cattle on the number carried State. the previous year-a total of 1,650,000 head. . I now turn to incre'_lsed mineral produc­ Just for the carriage of that stock, graziers tH;m ~nd the part that It has played in con­ and cattlemen paid $7,848,000, so the grazing tn~utmg not only to the revenue of the industry contributes very largely to the ~allway Department but to the decentralisa­ Queensland Railway Department. The num­ tt_on of the State. This Government has pro­ ber of sheep carried was down by over VI~ed new railway lines in the State, some­ 100,000 and I presume that reduction was thmg th_at the A.L.P .. in 20-odd years in caused by an increase in the use of road power d1d r:ot do. . It d1d not build one yard transport. There was also a reduction from of new ratlway ltne-not one yard! Yet 93,000 to only 78,000 in the number of honourable members opposite rose here today pigs carried. and criticised this Government and its Rail­ Last year, the Queensland Railway Depart­ way Department. ment cost the State $227,924,000, an increase 47 1454 Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) of $66,000,000 over the previous year. Per­ Yesterday the station master at Yeppoon sistent wage demands have accounted for received a message that there would be an the greatest part of that increase. The increase of 40 per cent in the freight on purchase of additional rolling-stock was rec­ fruit. In answer to a question asked ommended, and the department now has 489 by the honourable member for Mourilyan, diesel locomotives, of which 404 are diesel the Treasurer said that he did not hold out electrics. The railways carried 1 300 000 any hope of a reduction in the rail freight tonnes of sugar and 3 79 000 tonnes of on cattle. All I can say is, "God help us!" chaff. Primary producers will have to meet the As I said earlier, the gross earnings were cost somehow. $183,000,000. But the Treasurer said in I tell the Committee now that thousands 1his Chamber recently, "I will increase fares of cattle will never reach the market in and freights by an average of 40 per cent." Queensland if the 40 per cent increase in Let us see what will happen if he does that. freights is implemented, and I understand that it is to be introduced on 1 November. Mr. Jensen: It should have been done last year. Already the cost of freight is more than the cost of a beast. I was told yesterday Mr. HARTWIG: The honourable member that a man was charged IOc a lb. by the for Bundaberg-- meatworks to take the hide off a beast. When he wanted to buy it back tanned, Mr. Frawley: He woke up! is cost him $80 for the hide; yet hides are being given away. Mr. HARTWIG: Yes, he woke up. The revenue from the passenger side of the The Treasurer says, "We want an increase railway service was a little over $9,000,000, of 40 per cent on what you produce." With which represents 5 per cent of the gross all due respect to him, Mr. Gunn, I point revenue of the Queensland railways. out that I represent people who will be Revenue from the coal traffic represents penalised very severely by the increase and 49 per cent of gross revenue. Together, treated unjustly. It is no good the honour­ they amount to about 55 per cent. Where able member for Bundaberg shaking his head. did the remainder of the revenue come from? The industry can afford to pay only so It came from the primary industries of the much. State and from people who pay dearly to The pineapple growers in Y eppoon will have merchandise carried over long distances be paying $1,500 a year more as a result on the Government railways. of the 40 per cent increase in freight. Last That shows clearly the contribution that year 89 growers contributed $336,000 in people outside the Brisbane metropolitan freight. Forty per cent of $336,000 is area are making to the railway revenue of about $140,000. If that is divided this State. In fact, 45 per cent of between 90 pineapple growers, it is obvious $85,000,000 was contributed by them. Sir what it is going to cost them. That is the Gordon Chalk said, "I am going to increase sort of displeasure I am forced to express rail fares and freights by an average of here today. I am sorry to have to do it 40 per cent." If one takes 40 per cent of because I agree with many other things in $85,000,000, one finds that people in country the Budget and in the Transport Estimates. areas will be contributing another I turn now to road safety. In my area $42,500,000 to the revenue of the Queens­ land Government Railways. If one takes a lot of farm vehicles are called up for 40 per cent of the $9,000,000 that the safety checks. As I have driven around Brisbane, I have seen cars riddled with rust hundreds of thousands of people in the and about to fall to pieces. They are on suburbs of this city contributed, one finds the road every day in the full view of that it is only about $4,000,000. If fares are members of the Police Force and machinery increased by 40 per cent, revenue will inspectors. The last time I flew to Rock­ increase by only $4,000,000; if freights on hampton, the taxi driver followed one to cattle, pineapples, pigs, sheep, and so on, the airport. It was completely riddled with are increased by 40 per cent, revenue will rust. The man on the land who has been increase by about $42,000,000. 11 is obvious embarrassed by the 50 per cent increase in which will be more valuable to the State. registration has his vehicle called up for That is why I have risen in my place in machinery test. I appeal to the Minister to the Chamber today to express my disgust give him some relief. that rail freights are being increased now_ It is all very well for the Treasurer to say Mr. K. W. Hooper: It doesn't c.ome within that there has not been an increase for my jurisdiction. nine years and that costs have increased by 184 per cent in that time. I tell him Mr. HARTWIG: Road safety does. now that primary producers are taking 200 Mr. K. W. Hooper: But the inspection of per cent less for their product than they motor vehicles doesn't. received seven or eight years ago. I cannot see any argument in favour of the 40 per Mr. HARTWIG: No, but look at the con­ cent increase, and I represent the people dition of those vehicles! If that doesn't who will be paying that 40 per cent. affect road safety, I don't know what does. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1455

Mr. K. W. Hooper: I agree with you but magnitude of the sum involved and the vast­ it does come under another portfolio. ness of the State to which the Estimates relate. When we are critical of transport in Mr. HARTWIG: That is so. The point I Queensland and compare it with that in other am making is that in the full view of all places it is very easy for us to forget how the machinery inspectors and all the Police big Queensland is and how heavily we depend Force, vehicles that are riddled with rust on its transport services, particularly the are allowed to run around Brisbane. Every railways. member would have seen vehicles riddled I believe that the Government has adopted with rust from the tail-pipe through to the a very constructive approach t~ rail":ay front bumper-bar. It is a shocking state of development in the past decade, dunng which affairs that those vehicles are not called up the open-road policy referred to by the for inspection. Minister has been espoused and fostered. I am the first to admit that many deficiencies I still believe that the railway system is exist in the railway freight and passenger the most efficient and durable form of tran­ services, but no-one could deny that a great sport. If we had something like the bullet deal of progress has been made. As well as trains that operate in Japan running between criticising the areas of deficiency, we should Cairns and Brisbane, people would travel by look at the positive advances made, but I am rail. There is no reason why we shouldn't afraid that the temptation to criticise is have trains travelling between 60 and 80 miles an hour. Road construction costs have always paramount. got out of hand. Duplication of the railway When we look at the enormous increase line to the North would involve enormous made in railway traffic over a decade we see capital cost but, in the long run, it would a threefold increase in freights and a two­ be a cheaper means than road construction fold increase in metropolitan passenger of providing an efficient service for people in traffic. An enormous strain has been placed the northern and western areas of the State. on the railways by the expansion of mineral If such a system were operating, they would industries, and the Minister and his depart­ come back to the railways. ment are to be commended on what has been done. I appeal to the Minister to reintroduce a rail-motor service between Rockhampton and One economic aspect of railways manage­ Yeppoon. We do not seem to be able to ment should be emphasised and re-empha­ get anything done to the Rockhampton­ sised. When the 1974 report of the Com­ Yeppoon road. At least let us have a rail­ missioner for Railways is examined it is motor service so that elderly people in par­ seen that on page 3 it contains a graph show­ ticular can get to the coast at the week-end ing that until 1973 the Railways Depart­ and enjoy the sea breezes. ment's earnings were able to keep a little ahead of working expenses. There was a A goods train gets into Biloela on a Friday narrowing of the margin in the years from afternoon. I am making an important point 1970 onwards. After 1973, however, we see here. The Minister can talk to McKechnie the burgeoning of salarieB and wages. That any time afterwards. I would like the Min­ is not a coincidence; as we know, in Decem­ ister to listen to me. I'm not going to shout ber 1972 the Federal Government in Can­ myself hoarse for nothing! He can talk to berra changed. It is quite significant that McKechnie outside or down the road. I the impact of its industrial-relations policies am asking the Minister to introduce a road was felt at that time. The wages-and-salaries service between Biloela and Thangool so that line on the graph shows a steep upward when the train gets into Biloela on a Friday inflexion, indicating that the economic squeeze afternoon the goods can be transported on the railways really intensified. As a result, immediately to Thangool instead of having to the Treasurer, with the Minister, has been be held in Biloela until the following Mon­ forced to increase rail freight rates and fares. day. The railway station at Biloela is a That is a reality that has to be accepted. damned disgrace to the department. For goodness' sake, let the Minister see if he I shall put aside economic issues for the can do something about that! That Central moment to look at a comparison of rail Queensland line is paying, but the Minister's versus sea freights. I think it was the hon­ officers at Biloela are having to put up with ourable member for Rockhampton who, shocking conditions. Over the years I have earlier in the debate, lamented the small been asking for something to be done about quantity of goods passing through Port the Biloela Railway Station. I appeal to Alma. Quite frankly, with the impact of the Minister again to look at it. The station the militant seamen's union on the costs master's office would not even make a good incurred by the domestic shipping operators, chicken coop. it is quite remarkable that in Australia any goods other than bulk commodities are trans­ (Time expired.) ported by sea. Only the carriage of bulk commodities is worth while. Any port Mr. DOUMANY (Kurilpa) 5.1 p.m.): I without bulk-handling facilities is just not rise to commend the Minister on his presen­ in it. So is it any wonder that the railways tation of these Estimates. In doing so I have taken such a large proportion of the remind the Committee of the enormous transport of non~bulk commodities? The 1456 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) railways also carry their share of bulk com­ like to see some of the suburban railway modities along the coastal route from Bris­ stations that handle a large volume of bane as far north as Cairns. The fertiliser passenger traffic developed into shopping and industry, for example, depends to a great office complexes. They are a natural focal extent on the railways except for the cartage point for commercial activity. Such a of bulk supplies imported from overseas. The scheme offers a definite means of improving Railway Department has made a tremendous facilities for passengers and providing the contribution towards assisting an industry most desirable mode of travel. I would such as that. very much like to see full use made of Before I turn to more specific items, I department-owned real estate at stations, shall dwell briefly on the desire of the Com­ particularly at prime stations. This offers monwealth to take over our railway system. a very exciting prospect for the people of It is extremely fortunate for Queensland this city. that our Government and the Minister have Electrification is another area of develop­ stood fast against such a move. As so ment noted by the Minister in his Estimates. much incentive and encouragement have I hope sincerely that over the next two to been given to our mining and other industries five years the necessary Commonwealth by a Government that has underscored the funds are forthcoming to get this very import­ needs of the industrial and mining sectors ant project off the ground. I know that the and done its best to foster the develop­ Minister has been plagued by broken prom­ ment of the State, the transfer of the ises-and broken promises they are. He has railways to the Commonwealth would prob­ alluded to them on previous occasions in ably be one of the most reprehensible steps this Chamber. It is a tragedy that one of that could be contemplated. If the Com­ the most constructive areas of expenditure monwealth were to take over our railways, not only for today but also in the long term among the first casualties would be those has been thoroughly neglected by the Federal industries as well as others that are to be Government. It has been thrown into the established in the future. dust bin. As the Minister indicated, we will Mr. McKechnie: They would close nearly strive to electrify our suburban railway all the lines in Queensland. system because electrification is one of the most important steps to take in improving Mr. DOUMANY: It would be a disaster. and upgrading our railway service. Mr. Lindsay: They would do what they One serious repercussion of a series of did to the common stamp. decisions made in the past three or four years was that of the withdrawal of the metropoli­ Mr. DOUMANY: Absolutely. Freight tan tramway system. We are very heartened at be costs would increased threefold. I think the great plans made and activity undertak~n that fact should be recorded in this debate. by the Minister and the Department of Rail­ I turn now to the Brisbane metropolitan ways, because today we heard ~f the Mi~­ transport situation. There is no denying that ister's offer to the Brisbane C1ty Council it poses a major challenge to the Minister­ of loans for the purchase of additional buses. and he has taken it up. One of the most We are aware of the council's appalling exciting developments at the moment is record in providing Brisbane with a ~us probably the cross-river rail link, which will service-after having burnt the trams, wh1ch connect the lines on the southern side of the was an act of vandalism. river to those on the city side. For southern suburbs serviced by the railways it presents I for one look forward to March next a most exciting prospect. Anyone who visits yea~ when a' Brisbane City Council elec~ion Sydney will see the tremendous moves made will take place. We must put the bus services in public transport by the expansion of the back into the hands of responsible and com­ railway system into the suburbs. It is petent people and integrate those services. with obvious that when the bridge across the the Minister's transport system. There IS no river is built a great number of benefits doubt that dispensing with the tramway sys­ will flow from it. I for one, on behalf of tem was one of the greatest blows to public my electorate, am looking forward very service in the history of this city. much indeed to its completion. As a member whose electorate fronts the I am heartened also by the remark that Brisbane River, I am very excited to learn railway stations will undergo a commen­ that the Minister has initiated a river trans­ surate rate of development. There is no port study. The river provides enormous doubt that the railway system, when com­ potential for transport, which can easily be bined with feeder bus services and adequate integrated into the existing and future rail­ parking facilities at suburban stations, will way and bus systems. It will lift enormously adequately meet the public transport prob­ Brisbane's attractiveness as a city to live in. lem of this city. No other means of trans­ port is available to handle it as efficiently. Mr. Lindsay: Paint a white line up the I suggest to the Minister that we not middle of the river. only improve the parking facilities at our railway stations but also look at their poten­ Mr. DOUMAI'."'Y: If we can do that, let tial as very valuable real estate. I would us do it. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1457

I look forward very much to the develop­ years of meritorious service and hard work. ment of river transport on a very concerted He will leave with my personal thanks for and large-scale basis. The Brisbane River is the kindness that he has shown to me during a beautiful waterway and travelling by water my service as a member of Parli.ament <:nd is very tranquil and peaceful, as the people over the period when he was a h1gh-rankmg of Sydney will testify. In fact, I do not departmental official and I was chairman of think that Sydney Harbour is as tranquil as the Gladstone Harbour Board. He was very the Brisbane River. helpful to me on many occasions. I conclude by referring to road safety I should also like to mention the fine and the defensive-driving courses that the liaison officer of the Railway Department, Minister has so vigorously promoted in Mr. Alan Evans, who constantly answers Queensland. The response from the public my many requests. He is .always very cou~­ has been quite remarkable. Since the incep­ teous and gives good serv1ce to me and, m tion of the defensive-driving programme in turn, the electors of Port Curtis. I thank 1969, 33,000-probably even more by now­ him very much. have gone through this course of instruction. The commissioner's report this year dis­ There is no question that the way to tackle closes that goods freight reached record levels. the problem of the road toll is the positive To 30 June 1975, it was 4 731 000 tonnes, way, not the negative way. Whilst I concede which was an increase of 19 per cent over that there must be penalties and other nega­ the tonnage for the previous year. The earn­ tively slanted approaches to controlling the ings on this freight amounted to so:n:e road toll, let us not fail to appreciate that $157 000 000 which was $30,000,000 m our children, the drivers of tomorrow and the exce~s o'£ e~rnings for the previous year. drivers of today, will respond most of all to a These are very significant figures and alert positive stimulus. It is therefore most hearten­ one to the department's huge v:ol1:1me of ing to see the number of people who have traffic and business. There was a b1g mcrease gone through the course. It is also heartening in coal haulage and, according to the report to know that we have a Minister for Transport submitted to Parliament, nearly 20 000 000 who takes road safety so seriously and is tonnes was carried on the various lines. doing so much to promote it further. The Trust Fund expenditure on new loco­ I end my contribution by again commend­ motives and rolling-stock amounts to 51.8 ing the Minister on the presentation of his per cent of capital expenditure. This is very Estimates and I give him my assurance of significant when one cc_msiders t~at a . great full support in his efforts to develop transport proportion of this rollmg-stock 1s onented services and facilities in this State. towards goods traffic, especially coal !lr:d other minerals. Unfortunately, I must JOlll Mr. HANSON (Port Curtis) (5.17 p.m.): with my colleagues and other speakers v.;ho The opportunity to take part in debate on decried the complete absence of any cap1tal the Estimates of the Transport Department expenditure on passenger coac~es. ;h,.s ~n~ and the Railway Department does not come who travels occasionally on the Capncorma every year. Now that the opportunity is and other trains throughout the State, I here, I am very pleased to see Opposition deplore the lack of fulfilment of the great members taking a keen interest in matters hopes of Jack Duggan in t~e days wh~n the concerning those two departments. Their first service started on the !me from Bnsbane submissions have been very erudite, and to Toowoomba. The coaches were actually naturally they have been made only after acclaimed by the then American consul ~s considerable research and many hours of being of world standard. Of course, such 1s laborious study. not the case now. Very little maintenance On this occasion a considerable number of has been done on these coaches over a long new members are taking part for the first period. time in Estimates debates. I have listened One has only to look at page 5 of the with considerable interest to what they have report to see a vivid photograph of the longer said, and as the debate progresses I hope that cattle wa"ons that have been introduced many more points of interest will be raised. which can"' carry 26 head compared with 16 Many, of course, are points that will no by standard wagons. That reflects the think­ doubt create interest in the Minister's mind, in" of Government members. They want to whilst others will be consigned, as usual, to he~d people in like cattle. That is. all they the waste-paper basket. Nevertheless, I advise are interested in. They are not mterested the new members not to be disappointed, as in the comfort of passengers. That photo­ this is usually what happens. If they are graph reflects Government thinking. Is it lucky enough to remain here after the next any wonder that the commissioner is willing election, they will find that if they raise to retire? After putting up with the present matters constantly some interest in them will administration for 15 years, he has had eventually be taken by the ministerial head enough. He would want to put his feet up of the day. and have a very good rest or get out on the On this occasion I associate myself with beach when he feels like it. the Minister's remarks about the Commis­ We find that from the Trust Fund there sioner for Railways, who will shortly be was large expenditure on C.T.C. equipment leaving the Railway Department after 50 for some of our coal lines, the principal one 1458 Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) being between Blackwater and Gladstone. aggrieved and inconvenienced by the .40 per We find also that money was expended from cent increase that the Government 1s now the Trust Fund for the extension of cross­ imposing on them. river bridges. Unfortunately many of the The whisper is out around the ridges that, older long-type bridges were replaced w1th under the new arrangements, if a person a box-culvert type of construction. We also wishes to send his private car by rail, he find that large banks have been built up in will have to meet a 60 per cent increase in the divisions around Ambrose and Mt. rail freight. I understand that the QRX Larcom. people, Stephens and the ?!hers will have I am not opposed to the Railway Depart­ to meet only a 20 per cent mcrease. I won­ ment getting an easier flow of traffic, but I der whether they will pass the benefit on to am opposed to ,this sort of construction. I the consumer. I very much doubt it. That have warned the department repeatedly about question should exercise the mind of any this. These box culverts have been placed administration. near Yarwun, Mt. Larcom and Byellee. The Within the last 18 months a widely pub­ department is going to be responsible for licised survey was undertaken in the Brisbane flooding the people in these towns out of metropolitan area by the Bureau o! Transport their homes and businesses and creating Economics. It was on the subject that I havoc with road traffic on the Bruce High­ mentioned earlier-the standard of comfort way. What does it care? It doesn't care a on trains. Almost 2,000 Brisbane people hoot. Despite the warnings that I and the took part in that survey, and their answer residents of these areas have given to the simply was that comfortable seat.s were t~e department, we cannot get past first base. first requirement of the travellmg pubhc. The department seems to know everything. Unfortunately, although there has be.en some It knows nothing about local conditions. improvement in the standard of seatmg, pas­ With the wet weather coming on, I do not sengers are not always able to find a seat. want to be responsible for anything that Mr. Burns interjected. happens. l have put up the warning signals for the department. I have told the depart­ Mr. HANSON: As the Leader of the ment repeatedly of the inadequacies of the Opposition says, there are. not en~ugh car­ engineering skill used and the advice it was riages. The Government Is more Interested given about this mat.ter. It should be held in cattle, as one sees from page 5 of the responsible for the enormous losses that will commissioner's report. It wants -t? J:~erd be incurred and for the tremendous damage people in. In my infrequent peregnna~wns that these areas will suffer, as well as for in this city in the morning,. I. have son:etJmes the disruption to road traffic. I want to put found myself in the pos1t1on of v1rtu_ally on record right here and now that in good havin" to use a shoehorn to get people mto times no doubt the flow of coal to Gladstone railw;y carriages at a suburban station. Cog­ will be easily maintained; but at the same nisance should be taken of the results of the time, the department has overlooked one of survey of the Bureau of Transport Econ­ its primary responsibilities, and this will omics. I hope that Government members mean that the people generally will suffer have the courage to advocate the adoptw.n considerable hardships and anxiety. of some of the findings made on the bas1s The Treasurer's Financial Statement, which of the opinions expressed by people in the was very adequately debated by members Brisbane metropolitan area. of the Opposition, contained provision for So much for the Railway Department. I a 40 per cent increase in rail freights. The now turn to the Transport Department, from Minister for Transport has stated that until which I have received a considerable amount 10 years ago the Railway Department had of courtesy and very friendly service. I good working profits. Why has it been nec­ mention particularly Mr. Seeney, Mr. Bennett, essary to increase rail freights so suddenly? Mr. Anderson, and an old school friend of Elections were held in 1969, 1972 and 1974. mine, Mr. John Mackintosh, all of whom ~re That is why there were no increases in very efficient and provide one with qmck those years. The Government parties were answers to questions. The Minister ought to playing politics in a stinking fashion and be very happy to have such fine public trying to ea pture 100 per cent of the rural servants under his administrative control. vote. They would not move to try to relieve some of the anxiety in the minds of the The information I have received from the Commissioner for Railways and his officers, Minister both in letters and in statements who were faced with increasing losses and that he 'has made in this Chamber, indicates greatly increased expenditure. that the Transport Department is gradually taking over from the Police Depaptment the Unfortunately, the stage was reached when issuing of drivers' licences. That IS a matter 80 per cent of the operating costs of the of very great concern to me. Every day Railway Department went in salaries and of the week I receive a complaint in my wages, simply because the Government would electoral office about delays experienced in not face up to its responsibility and see that the issue of driving licences in Gladstone. ordinary, sensible commercial practice was There should be quicker service. That is followed and that people were not aggrieved now the responsibility of the Police Depart­ or inconvenienced. They will certainly be ment. As every honourable member knows, Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1459 the police have enough to do with their own damage caused by heavy vehicles. At the work. Their involvement with rows of people time there was some conjecture and argu­ seeking a driver's licence delays them in ment about interstate vehicles. Certain fees carrying out their prime responsibility, which are now payable both by interstate and is guardianship of the people's safety and intrastate vehicles. No-one has any argu­ interest. It is up to the Transport Depart­ ment against that. From an accountancy ment to accelerate the transition. I hope I point of view, however, the methods of have not to put up much longer with com­ collection and disbursement of the moneys plaints from the Chamber of Commerce and are rather clumsy in that one department other sources in my locality. It is up to is responsible for the collection of this the Minister to get going and see that local money-and it is not shown in its receipts testing centres quickly become a reality. I or expenditure-and there is an immediate have received complaints even from friends transfer of it to another department, which of mine who have come to live in Gladstone. is followed by a further transfer to the Under the 1969 Act the Minister has Local Government Department where it is control of motor vehicle driving schools. finally split up. That seems to be very The revenue from that source for the year higgledy-piggledy. I wish the Minister was $23,445, made up of registration fees \\Ould discuss this matter with the Treasurer and testing charges. I have no doubt that to see if some better accountancy procedure in Brisbane some very fine driving schools could be adopted so that these collections are carrying out a commendable public will not involve considerable working time service, but what about the person in a far­ for those who are responsible for posting flung part of the State? How does the this money in the various books of account. adolescent get tuition in driving a car Like the Minister, I believe that member­ properly? How can he go to a driving ship of the Australian Advisory Transport school? Usually he has to rely on his Council is essential and should be prized. parents. Many have to rely, as my children This afternoon we have heard a great deal did, on someone in a small town who con­ about drink-driving. The large motor com­ ducts a driving school. At such driving panies have a responsibility to produce safer schools learners are taught in their own vehicles. cars. Under the regulations certain fees (Time expired.) are charged and driving schools are required to use dual-control vehicles. All sorts of Mr. FRAWLEY (Murrumba) (5.37 p.m.): onerous conditions are imposed. I do not When the Minister opened the debate, he disagree with that in the metropolitan area. told us that new records had been estab­ but I do disagree with the enforcement of lished, with revenue earnings of more than those regulations in centres of small $183,000,000 and the haulage of over population. 30 000 000 tonnes of goods and livestock. The youngster at Blackwater or at Blackall Anybody who has studied the Estimates is just as entitled to be taught to drive a knows that those figures are higher than the car properly as the youngster who lives record figures of the previous year. Yet next door to a driving school in Brisbane. Opposition members constantly cry about All learners should be given the same tuition the inefficiency of the Queensland railways. and be inculcated with the same driving By controlling mining in Queensland, the responsibility. Cognisance should be taken Federal Government severely restricted of the problems of driving schools in small operations of the Queensland railways. If centres, and onerous conditions should not Opposition members were to get onto some be imposed on them. Within the department of their Federal colleagues and tell them to consideration should be given to the State as give Queensland a fair go, the Queensland a whole. It should apply all the conditions railways would make a lot more money where sophisticated driving schools can exist. from carrying the increased freight for the Because it is not profitable for it to do so, larger mining operations. that sort of driving school will not open The pensioner concession of 50 per cent up in country areas. of the adult fare for travel on urban private I notice that collections under the Roads buses announced by the Minister is excellent. (Contribution to Maintenance) Act 1957- I sincerely trnst that this concession will 1972 for the year totalled over $5,000,000. apply to Caboolture, which is outside the As honourable members know, that money urban area. I sincerely hope that pensioners is credited to the Roads Maintenance living in the areas around Petrie, Deception Account, and is not included in the receipts Bay and Redcliffe will be eligible for that 50 of the Transport Department itself. It per cent concession. b::comes part and parcel of the Roads Main­ Mr. 1\!oore: In which direction do you tenance Fund operated by {be Main Roads propose the line to Redcliffe should go? Department through the local authorities. There have been disbursements over the Mr. FRAWLEY: I shall talk about that years to the Brisbane City Council and other matter very shortly. I am glad that the local authorities. The Transport Department has a very serious responsibility in {he col­ honourable member has reminded me of it. lection of those fees. The Act was brought It is very pleasing to note that the Govern­ do\vn to cover the cost of repairing highway ment is to subsidise interest payments on 1460 Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

loans for new buses. Transport in Queens­ about the number of cars that can be parked laud-which is the most decentralised State in that area, but the dust nuisance is in Australia-certainly needs a Government another matter. boost. This proposal will really help subur­ ban transport operators to improve their Mr. Moore: What about ant bed? services. Mr. FRAWLEY: I don't care what is When referring to transport, it is timely put on it as long as something is done to to remind honourable members that at the alleviate the dust problem. Labor Party Convention held at Southport I shall now talk about the griddle cars. in about 1973 a Western Austmlian branch The honourable member for Windsor com­ submitted a motion that the feasibility of plained bitterly about them. Not often do limiting a family to one car be investigated. I disagree with him, because he and I were If that was not a dirty, rotten, filthy Com­ in the same class at college and I have munist motion, I have never heard one. always found him to be a worthy ass?ciate. Mr. Moore: Who did that? However, I disagree with him on th1s. I like simple food. I do not want four-course or six-course meals in the griddle car. .I Mr. FRAWLEY: The Labor Party at its am quite prepared to eat the ~ood t!Jat IS convention at Southport. What they had in served. I have been to Townsv1lle twice on mind was similar to what they are trying to the "Sunlander" and each time I have. found do with home ownership. They do not want the food to be satisfactory. The service has people to own more than one car and they been good also. do not want them to own their own homes. That is typical of the Communist domination Mr. Moore: What was the food you of the Federal Labor Government, which ordered? extends to its Queensland parliamentary branch-this one-man-short cricket team, if Mr. FRAWLEY: I can't remember that I may so describe it. now. Mr. Casey: In view of the recent registra­ Mr. Casey: Cheese sandwiches. tion and insurance increases, that could well Mr. FRAWLEY: I hate cheese, so it be the case. wouldn't have been that. Mr. FRAWLEY: I do not think it will be. Anyone who wants to make a comp~rison with the service on the Queensland rmlways I congratulate the Minister on the great should travel on the interstate train to service he has done the people of Caboolture Sydney and experience the damned rotte~ in allowing the 1.26 p.m. train from Brisbane, service on it. The passengers have to s1t which normally terminated at Petrie, to carry on stools that are tilted forward. The tea on to Caboolture for a period of three spills over. That is one thing about the months. I take the credit for that. Thanks "Sunlander". Its chairs and little tables are to my representations on more than one a lot more comfortable for eating a meal occasion on behalf of the pensioners of than the stools at the bar on the train to Caboolture, the Minister finally agreed to Sydney. Anybody who complains .about the this proposal. I did not have to twist his dining cars on the Queensland trams shoul~ arm or kick him in the guts to get him to take the rail trip to Sydney. I J?-USt. adm1t do it. I simply wrote him a few nice letters that the train from Sydney to V1ctona and and he agreed to it. Now the people of the Victorian~ South Australian and Western Caboolture will have an extra train from Australian railways are miles ahead of u.s. Brisbane, continuing from Petrie, as well as Their dining cars are well and truly m an extra train from Caboolture to Brisbane; advance of ours. However, I repeat that the it leaves at 2.50 p.m., arriving back in Bris­ griddle car on the "Sunlander" suits me. bane at 3.59 p.m. So they have two extra I am not complaining about it at all. services-one to Caboolture from Petrie and one from Caboolture to Brisbane. The honourable member for Rockhampton carried on about the provision of more facil­ While I am speaking about Caboolture, I ities in trains. He mentioned piped music. have to throw a little brickbat. The parking I am not against piped music, even though I area at the Caboolture Railway Station, hate rock and roll. If they do install piped although adequate in size, is in a shocking music, I hope they play some of the old-time condition, especially in dry weather when a tunes. hell of a lot of dust comes from the station. I have no doubt that, whoever went up from An Honourable Member: What about a Brisbane to look at the area, after I had smokers' car? written suggesting that it be surfaced with bitumen, probably drove up, had a couple Mr. FRAWLEY: I don't care about that. of drinks at the Club Hotel across the road I don't smoke. I don't give a hoot whether from the railway station, looked through the there are smokers' cars or non-smokers' cars, window and said, "Oh, that will do for the as long as people don't smoke near me. hicks up here." The parking area at the The member for Rockhampton suggested Caboolture Railway Station ought to be providing cars where people could leave t~eir bitumen surfaced. We are not complaining children. Too many people today are evadmg Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1461

their responsibilities and dumping their child­ that if the Redcliffe Town Council or any ren in child-minding centres and kinder­ oth;r authority wanted to build its own trans­ gartens. Now it is suggested that they do port system between Sand~ate and Redcli!fe, the same on trains. People can look after consideration would be given to arrangmg their children on trains satisfactorily, and a co-ordinating service similar to the exist­ there is no need to provide kindergarten ing one. carriages. What does he see himself as? A tour conductor? That is the only job he In July 1957, a proposal was put forward will get if he is put out of here. by the Redcliffe Town Council. This was when the Speaker (the honourable mem~er One does not have to be very smart to for Redcliffe) was mayor of the Redchffe realise that the member for Rockhampton Town Council. It had not been declared a spouts out the changing philosophy of the city at that time. The extension of a system Labor Party. It is not what it used to be from Sandgate would involve great expense years ago. It is presently dominated by in land resumptions on both the Sandgate and Left-wingers and Comms. They want to do the Redcliffe sides of the Hornibrook High­ everything for the people and have them way, although the resumptions would not dependent on the Government for every­ be as expensive on the Redcliffe side. There thing. God help us if it ever comes to pass is no doubt that a new bridge over Hayes that the Government is Big Brother to every­ Inlet would be required and a great deal body. People are handed this and handed of expense would be involved in building that by the Government. They should learn that. I am certainly not in favour of extend­ to do something for themselves. We do not ing the railway line from Sandgate. If it want any Big Brother tactics here. Once were extended, areas on the western side of that happens, heaven help us. Redcliffe, such as Rothwell and Kippa-Ring I shall now make a plea for a rail link (where I live) and also Deception Bay in the to Redcliffe. I am serving notice here and Shire of Caboolture would be disadvantaged. now that there had better not be a restora­ tion of the rail link to the Gold Coast before In 1958 the then Transport Minister (Sir we get one to Redcliffe or there will be a Gordon Chalk) replied to representations hell of a fight in this Chamber. I will have made by Mr. David Nicholson (later . Sir Mr. Speaker on my side, too. Different David Nicholson), who made representatwns surveys have suggested various routes for on behalf of the Redcliffe Town Council for a rail link to the Redcliffe Peninsula. Some­ the provision of a railway service to Red­ body put forward the suggestion that a line be cliffe. I might add that the present Speaker put from Dakabin to Redcliffe, which is 15.5 was still the mayor of the Redcliffe Town km. Honourable members will notice that I Council. The reply was that, in all the have converted the mileage into kilometres circumstances and in view of the likelihood for the sake of members of the Opposition of all available finance and all the other rub­ who complained bitterly about one Govern­ bish that we are told when we get knocked ment member giving distances in miles. back, it was considered that the matter of the extension of the rail system to Red­ Other suggestions were for the construction cliffe should remain in abeyance. of these lines: from Petrie to Woody Point, which is 16.5 km; Petrie to Redcliffe, 16 In 1959 the Railway Department informed km; Petrie via the State school, 17.5 km; the Redcliffe Town Council that it would not and Sandgate to the Redcliffe jetty, about 10 require any land and the council wrote to km. I am against any railway line joining the department in reference to its town plan. Sandgate and Redcliffe. I shall have more The reply was that the department desired to say on this subject later and I hope that to inform the council that it would not require the honourable member for Sandgate backs any land in the area of the town of Red­ me up. cliffe as it was not envisaged that a rail­ way would be constructed on the Redcliffe Over the years there has been a great Peninsula. deal of correspondence, but there has been no detailed investigation into the provision Further representations were made point­ of a railway service for Redcliffe since 1921. ing out the increase in population. The then Owing to the considerable development that Minister replied that he was unable to hold has taken place on the Redcliffe Peninsula­ out any hope of a decision being made in the population of the city is now 41,000- favour of the provision of a rail service to a fresh detailed survey should be made to Red cliff e. ascertain the most practicable route for a In 1970, the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber railway line. I can save the Government a of Commerce wrote a letter pointing out that, good deal of money by telling it the best with the development of the industrial estate route. at Narangba and the encouragement of indus­ In April 1957, a report was compiled for trial development there and as Narangba was the Redcliffe Town Council dealing with fairly close to Redcliffe, provision of a rail public transport to the Redcliffe Peninsula. link to that area should be made and thence It proposed the extension of the railway line to Redcliffe. at Sandgate. I have already said that I am In 1973 another appraisal was commis­ opposed to that proposal. It was indicated sioned but still nothing was done. 1462 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975} (Estimates)

All of this was tied up with the Wilbur by saying that they had received a letter on Smith plan. The proposed construction of a this subject, dated 2 July 1973, from the railway to serve residents of Redcliffe Penin­ Commonwealth Minister for Transport. The sula was examined during the course of the Leader of the Opposition is not the only one Wilbur SI_Tiith, South-East Queensland, Bris­ who can obtain copies of other people's bane Regwn, Public Transport Study which correspondence. I have a copy of that letter was undertaken in 1970. The construction of that was sent to the man who opposed me a railway line was not included in the recom­ in Murrumba at the last election to give mendations of the consultants. That bears him ammunition to shoot me down. But out what I said when I was a member of those tactics backfired. the Redcliffe City Council-that Wilbur Smith and Associates were incompetent and did not The A.L.P. claimed that the Common­ know what they were doing when they drew wealth Government stated in this letter up that plan. from Senator Cavanagh, who was at that time the Acting Minister for Transport, that Since I became the member for Murrumba, they would support financially a scheme for I have made many representations to obtain a rail link from Petrie to Redcliffe. There a rail service to Redcliffe through the is in fact nothing in the letter to say that Narangba Industrial Estate, which is 16 km the Commonwealth Government would f:om Redcliffe and only 3.2 km from Decep­ support anything financially. Anyone who twn Bay. That is a township in the Cabool­ says that is not telling the truth, either. ture Shire, which has been sadly neglected The letter in fact stated that consideration over the years. The Minister can bear out would be given to the suggestion of the what I am ~aying. Deception Bay urgently Petrie electoral council of the A.L.P., who needs a public transport system. It is situ­ jumped on the band wagon after I had made ated in the Caboolture Shire and gets its the original suggestion, that a rail link be water from the Pine Rivers Shire, because it provided from Petrie to Redcliffe. Senator allowed its pipeline to be tapped. The Red­ Cavanagh said that consideration would be cliffe <;ity Council takes the sewage from given to such a scheme when the Australian DeceptiOn Bay to the Redcliffe treatment Government undertook studies into urban, works. Deception Bay is something like an inter-urban and regional passenger and orphan township between Redcliffe and freight movements to facilitate long-term Caboolture. Some services were provided by planning. the Redcliffe City Council and others by the Mr. K. W. Hooper: And when we get the council of the shire in which the township is funds. situated. In September 1974, a public meeting was Mr. FRAWLEY: That is right. No one called by the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber is placing any blame on the Minister. We of Commerce to set up a Rail for Redcliffe know that he has done his best to get this Committee. The honourable member for rai1way. Redcliffe and I were members of that com­ Redcliffe desperately needs a rail service. mittee, as was the late Senator Milliner. I Even though the population has increased give him due respect, because he too had to 41,000, the number of passengers using the interests of this area at heart. ' The' hon­ the co-ordinated bus and rail service from ourable member for Redcliffe and I took a Redcliffe to Brisbane has actually decreased. deputation to the Minister for Transport in The Minister was good enough to furnish me 1974. We put the case for a railway to with statistics of tickets issued in the various Redcliffe and we were given a good hearing. years. I shall not mention singles and On 21 February, another deputation waited returns. The number of workers' weekly and on the Minister. This time it included the weekly season tickets sold in 1969-70 was honourable member for Pine Rivers because 47,000. Workers' weekly and weekly season a rail service to that area would b~nefit his tickets were then abolished in favour of constituents. Anyone who says that the multi-trip tickets, and the number of such honourable member for Redcliffe and I have tickets decreased from 4 7,000 in 1969-70 to done nothing to have a rail service to Red­ 30,900 in 1971-72. They increased to 45,000 cliffe provided is a straight-out liar. We have in 1972-73, and decreased to 41,000 in d<;me everything !n our power. I am fed up 1973-74. Monthly season tickets decreased w1th the A.L.P. m my electorate using some from 100 in 1969-70 to 29 in 1973-74. of their dirty, filthy, rotten lying tactics by Quarterly tickets have decreased from 7 in saying that both the honourable member for 1969-70 to 5 in 1973-74. Yearly tickets Redcliffe and I have done nothing to obtain have not decreased greatly in that same a rail service for Redcliffe. I throw the lie period-from 50 to 45. But I must refer back in their teeth. We have done a hell again to return tickets, because they have of a lot to get that service, and anyone decreased from 59,000 in 1969-70 to 51,000 who says that we have not is not only a in 1973-74. liar but a dirty rotten liar. I have been The reason for these decreases is that accused by the A.L.P. of doing nothing. people find travelling by bus from Redcliffe But that, as I have said before, is typical to Sandgate a rotten trip. I have done it of their rotten tactics. In fact, they tried on more than one occasion, and it is indeed to mislead the public before the 1974 election a rotten trip. At times passengers have to Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1463 stand all the way from Sandgate to Brisbane, area of road safety and drink-drivin¥· W,e and in the evenings anyone who does not all know that America led the field m this hit the platform and start running before regard until quite recently, but I had_ the the train stops does not get a seat in the privileae of speaking to these Amencans bus. That is where I got some of my training when they were here and they paid special as a 100 metres runner, and I always finished tribute to the former Minister for Transport in the first three. I had no trouble. and the present Minister for Transport on the work that has been done in this area An Honourable Member interjected. by this Government. The honourable member for Port Curtis Mr. FRAWLEY: I was in front of the says we still have an awful lot of deaths on widows and their dogs. I was never behind our roads caused by drink-driving. I _agr~e them. with him, but what we have to reallse IS Let us look at the population density of that this is not an easy area to control. Our the area that would be served by such a police cannot take action until they see a rail link. Redc!iffe has approximately driver disobeying the rules of the road. We 41,000 people. A transportation study was live in a democratic society and I do not carried out in 1967 at a cost of something think there are too many people who would like $6,000. It was estimated that by 1985 be prepared to go along with the practice of Redcliffe would have a population of 56,000. every person leaving an hotel being tested The parts of the Caboolture Shire which before being allowed to drive, so while this would be serviced by a rail link from goes on surely we must continue to have N arangba to Redcliffe would be Deception accidents associated with drink-driving. To Bay, Burpengary, Morayfield, Narangba highlight the situation I want to quote two itself and Caboolture. There are 9,900 paragraphs from the Minister's address to the people in that area now and the projected seminar, and I commend him on it because figure for 1985 is 51,000. it shows the very serious situation in Aus­ Parts of Kallangur, Petrie, Lawnton and tralia today regarding people who drink and Strathpine are in my electorate. The popula­ drive, and most Australians do drive. The tion of that area is 26,000. The people of Minister said- that area also would be assisted by a rail "During 1972/73, Australians con­ link. It is projected that there will be 43,000 sumed 1 702 443 000 litres of beer; people in that area by 1985. There are also 130 015 000 litres of wine and 16 378 000 people in the Nashville-Brighton area who litres of spirits. This is equivalent to would be well served by a rail link, but we 130.1 litres of beer, 9.9 litres of wine and do not want it to come across from Sandgate. 1.25 litres of spirits per head of popula­ I believe that would be the wrong route. As tion, or, if you like, 654 seven ounce I said before, I think the honourable member glasses of beer, 348 ounces of wine and for Sandgate backs me up on that. I hope he 44 ounces of spirits." does. I want to illustrate the inadequacy of It is rather amazing that Australians can the existing road link via the Hornibrook consume so much liquor. As a matter of Highway. As I said before, Redcliffe has a fact, we lead the English-speaking nations population of 41,000. It is essentiaiiy-I of the world in per-capita consumption. We hate to use the word-a dormitory city of rank in front of America, and I thought Brisbane. But, after all, over 10,000 people America was the home of alcoholics. I in the area work in Brisbane. The number thought that America had all the drink-driv­ of vehicle trips across the Hornibrook High­ ing problems; but when I look at the paper way has reached 160,000 a week. That figure given in America by the Minister for Trans­ does not include ambulances, buses, Govern­ port, I see that Australia is 11th on the list ment vehicles, Redcliffe council vehicles and and America is 17th. motor-cycles. [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] (Time expired.) Mr. MILLER: Before the dinner recess :\1r. l\HLLER (Ithaca) (5.57 p.m.): In the I quoted figures indicating that Australia was few minutes available to me before the sus­ by far the leading English-speaking country pension of the sitting for dinner I want to in the consumption of liquor. While Aus­ pay tribute to the Minister for Transport for tralians continue to consume liquor at that the honour bestowed upon him by the rate-and I am a little bit worried that American people. I understand he is the consumption of liquor might be increasing­ only Australian ever to have been invited to the Government must not renege and allow participate in seminars in America on drink­ a weakening of the laws relating to drink­ driving and road safety. I think it is a credit driving. That is very important. to our Minister that of all the people avail­ able in Australia he should be the one that Mr. McKechnie: It would be far better the Americans saw fit to invite to Chicago if people drank Granite Belt wines in their on 29 September to participate in these own homes. seminars. It could weii be that when the Americans came over here not too many Mr. MILLER: People would be far better years ago they were very impressed with off drinking in their own homes-I could what this Government was doing in the not agree more. 1464 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

The debate on these Estimates is very Mr. MILLER: The A.L.P. was determined wide and varied, but in terms of finance the to keep men shovelling coal over the longest most exciting portion probably would be railway lines in Australia while people in that relating to the transportation of coal. Brisbane enjoyed the benefits of rail electri­ The Queensland Government is making fication. increasing profits on the transport of coal However, the stage has now been r~ached following expansion in the coal-mining when the Government wants to electnfy the industry. railway system in Brisbane. What do we For the city of Brisbane, the most exciting find, Mr. Dean? The Queensland Govern­ portion of the Estimates is that relating to ment wants to spend just over $26,000,000 the co-ordination of transport and the this financial year. What happens? Instead electrification of rail services in South-east of getting $26,000,000 from the Federal Gov­ Queensland. It is very unfortunate that this ernment Queensland gets a lousy $10,600,000 exciting project has to be downgraded. I -and that from the party which believes realise that the Federal Government is in we should have electrification in Brisbane. If financial difficulties and has to make cuts Opposition members really believe that we somewhere. should have electrification, they should con­ l\1r. Tenni: That is because it doesn't know demn the Federal Government for the waste­ how to manage its finances, isn't it? ful expenditure of money in certain areas of art at a time when we are suffering a cut­ Mr. MILLER: That is true; but it concerns back in finance for transportation, particularly me that cuts have to be made in this area, the electrification of railways in Brisbane. which is so important to the people of I remind the Leader of the Opposition that Brisbane. a five-year agreement between the Australian Government and the Queensland Govern­ Mr. Jones: We have only been waiting ment has been signed-an agreement that is 30 years to bring it to fruition. not going to be honoured. Mr. Lindsay: What we want is electric Mr. MILLER: I agree with the honourable member for Cairns that we have been wait­ poles, not "Blue Poles". ing 30 years. However, I am one of those on the Government side who believe that Mr. MILLER: We certainly need electri­ the rail system in Brisbane should not be fication rather than "Blue Poles". electrified until there are sufficient people Even the Opposition must be concerned at to justify its electrification. the cut-back that is going to take place in In 1958 the Government would not have the electrification of rail services in Brisbane. been justified in spending the amount of Although we have planned to have it com­ money needed for rail electrification when pleted in a certain time, I cannot see how so much was needed for education. It is we can possibly do it. very important to remember that. In its last The honourable member for Murrumba year in office, the Labor Government spent mentioned a rail link to Redcliffe. I quite 43 per cent of its Budget on transport and agree that there should be a rail line to only 13 per cent on education. When the Redcliffe, and it should be an electrified line, Country-Liberal Government came to office, but if we cannot get an electrified system it believed that it should spend muoh more in Brisbane within the planned time, I can­ on education. Over a period of years, not see any railway line being built to successive Country-Libeml Governments Redcliffe for many years to come. have increased the expenditure on education until it now leads the field in Budget expendi­ In recent months we have seen a tremend­ ture. As I said, in the days of Labor, ous waste of money under the R.E.D. transport led the field. Members of the scheme. The Federal Government should A.L.P. believed that electrification of the have seen fit to spend that money in areas railway system in Brisbane was far more such as transportation, where it could have important than building schools, training been wisely spent under the supervision of teachers, and bringing children in outback engineers. In Queensland we have civil areas into schools. Honourable members on engineers out of work and roaming the this side of the Chamber believe that educa­ streets, yet we have other workers sitting under tion has a much higher priority. bridges when they are supposed to be clean­ ing drains and creeks. They are doing no Mr. McKechnie: Rather than bring in work whatsoever because they believe what dieselisation, the A.L.P. had men shovelling coal into a hot fire. they are getting from the Federal Govern­ ment under the R.E.D. scheme is a hand­ out. Mr. MILLER: Again the honourable member for Carnarvon has made a very The Leader of the Opposition was very valid point. critical of the Minister for Transport for voicing concern about the reduction in the Honourable Members interjected. Federal Government's allocation. I did not hear the Leader of the Opposition criticise The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. the Australian Government. When we make Dean): Order! There is too much cross-firing. an agreement with that Government, surely it Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1465 should be honoured. The Opposition spokes­ wanted a standard form of rolling-stock man for transport did not even refer to it. throu"hout Australia. The Queensland Gov­ He is the man who, on behalf of the Opposi­ ernm;nt, having its own designs, held back tion, is supposed to be concerned about to see what the Federal Government had to transportation within the whole of Queens­ offer in the way of rolling-stock for the land. whole of Australia. It had a train on show in front of the Brisbane City Hall. We Mr. JONES: I rise to a point of order. waited to see it. Because we waited, because The ruling of the Chair was that no member we were prepared to co-operate with the could refer to proposed legislation. In the Federal Government, we missed out on any Minister's introduction of his Estimates he money for rolling-stock this financial year said that the Metropolitan Transit Project and next financial year. Board was going to be the subject of legis­ Mr. McKeclmie: Did you notice that the lation this session. I ask for your ruling, Leader of the Opposition walked out in Mr. Dean, on whether the honourable mem­ disgust at the attitude of the shadow Min­ ber is out of order, and whether he is in ister for Transport? order in condemning me for not referring to that particular legislation. Mr. MILLER: I could not blame him. Co-ordination of public transport encom­ The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. passes much more than electrification of the ·Dean}: Order! No notice of that rail service in Brisbane. It embraces also legislation has been given by the Minister. new diesel buses and passenger trains. I However, I would ask the honourable mem­ have just dealt with the new electric. pas­ ber for Ithaca to stick to the Estimates before senger trains. Under the agreement s1gned the Chamber. by this Government and the Federal Govern­ ment the Brisbane City Council was to get Mr. MILLER: I point out that I am speak­ enough finance to b_uy 105 buses. We all ing about railways. If railways are not part know the result. It 1s to get 23 buses. The of the Estimates of the Minister for Trans­ A.L.P. council is very embarrassed; but port, I will resume my seat. I also point out because it is the Federal A.L.P. Government that under the agreement with the Common­ that has rejected the money it was supposed wealth Government the electrification of only to get for the buses, it cannot say very much. one full line has been agreed to-the line The council asked for $7,000,000 for 105 from Ferny Grove to Ipswich. buses and was given finance for only 23. Although Brisbane's bus service is ailing, no Mr. JONES: I rise to a point of order. help is forthcoming from the Federal Gov­ The Minister said in his speech- ernment. "Honourable members will recall that the Metropolitan Transit Project Board If we cannot get money from the Federal was formally constituted by Order in Government, we should look to private enter­ Council on 5 September 1974." prise to help us out of our public transport problems. If we cannot get our money after He continued by saying that this matter reaching agreement with the Federal Gov­ would be the subject of legislation in this ernment and if the city council cannot finance session of Parliament. the necessary new buses, we should look to public enterprise to supply the buses. Mr. K. W. HOOPER: I rise to a point of Alderman Thomson, who represents the order. I have not given formal notice to ward of Corinda, said on 24 June this year, the House that legislation will be introduced. "Let Canberra run the transport of Bris­ bane." I do not agree with him. The State Mr. MILLER: I think the honourable Government will do a far better job of member for Cairns is a little embarrassed running transport in Brisbane than the Bris­ by overlooking the most vital area of trans­ bane City Council or the Federal Govern­ port in Queensland today. He is the Oppo­ ment. We have seen the Brisbane City sition spokesman on transport but he did not Council try to run the bus service in Bris­ bother to refer to the electrification of rail bane. It has failed dismally. It even took lines in Brisbane. We have agreement with the trams off the road. It has been proved the Federal Government on one short line world wide that trams are the fastest, in Brisbane, but the Federal Government has cleanest and cheapest method of transport­ said that it will not continue the line from ing people-and what did the Brisbane City Northgate to Brisbane. A monument will be Council do? It burnt the trams. Not satis­ built in Brisbane to the inadequacies of the fied with that, it ripped up the lines. A.L.P. in Canberra. Mr. Jones: What has that to do with the The Federal Government asked the Queens­ Transport Estimates? land Government to co-operate on rolling­ stock. The Queensland Government agreed Mr. MILLER: It has a lot to do with the to do so, but what happened? Because no transport committee, because we are talking agreement was reached prior to this financial about co-ordinated transport. I remind the year, the Federal Government will not par­ honourable member that the Minister referred ticipate in any agreement for rolling-stock in to setting aside corridors on our roads for Queensland. The Federal Government buses. If we intend to go to that expense, 1466 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

I think it would be far better to take the unwieldy and frustrating. Nor is t~ere re~dy next step-the step that many cities in access to any of the major public hospital the world are taking; the step that Sydney facilities, bearing in mind the lengt~ of has already decided to take; and the step time taken on a journey to the hosprtals. that Melbourne decided to carry on with. The distance from Inala is only about Anybody who goes to Melbourne knows that 11 miles, so it is hardly 20th-century travel its transport system is operating very well by any standards. I point out, too, that Inala indeed. is equal in population to the cities of Mackay, (Time expired.) Bundaberg and Mt. Isa. Mr. Lindsay: Why didn't you support me Mr. K. J. HOOPER (Archerfield) (7.31 on redistribution? p.m.): Once again I raise the matter of a rail link to Inala. It is a pertinent issue. Mr. K. J. HOOPER: It is quite obvious I give the Minister and his advisers fair that when the honourable member for warning that I intend to raise the matter Eve{·ton advocates redistribution, he is wor­ as often as necessary until I get the message ried about his political hide. He knows across just how important such a link is that he is a political oncer. He f!uked the to the people of Archerfield and the other seat in 1974. At the next elections in 1977, south-western suburbs of Brisbane. the electors of Everton will pass judgment on him and he will have to return to his former Mr. Alison: That is very good of you. profession of school-teaching. Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am trying very The next aspect I should like to deal with hard. It is most necessary. I say to the is the Acacia Ridge service. Acacia Ridge is Minister that a rail link to Inala is very a twin suburb to Inala, being approximately necessary and certainly justified. 3 miles from it. If anything, the present transportation service there is worse than that Mr. Lindsay: Have you read this speech at Inala. At the moment, people from that through? area have to travel by private bus to Moor­ Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I have. vale and thence by council bus to the city. This journey of approximately eight miles Mr. Lamont: Have you got this one off takes 70 minutes. The time-table offered by by heart? the Sunnybank Bus Service is very poor, to Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I would know as say the least. The last bus leaves Moorvale much about transport as the honourable for Acacia Ridge at 6 p.m. on Mondays to member for South Brisbane knows about Fridays. On Saturdays it still leaves at music. His favourite tune, I believe, is "Love 6 p.m. On Sundays no buses run. Acacia in the Moonlight" in A flat. Ridge is a large dormitory suburb. At week­ ends the residents of Acacia Ridge are virtual Government Members interjected. prisoners in their own suburb unless they have private transport. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. Dean): Order! I am finding it very difficult Mr. Fraw!ey: What are you reading­ to hear the honourable member. another Trades Hall brief? Mr. K. J. HOOPER: The Wilbur Smith Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I do not intend to ~eport points out that new developments take any interjections from the honourable In the area justify the provision of a rail link. member for Murrumba. Mr. Lamont: Are you allowed to ad lib The TEMPORARY CHAIR:\1AN (Mr. like that? Dean): Order! The honourable member is not Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am-and I am obliged to accept interjections. doing very nicely. Mr. K. J. HOOPER: The honourable mem­ The Wilbur Smith report states that these ber for Murrumba knows nothing about the developments will produce a greater need Transport Estimates. He is more conversant for public transportation before 1981. As with kicking old ladies' dogs. the Minister knows-I have spoken to him before on this-the present transport system At the moment Pallara is a sparsely popu­ in Jnala is totally inadequate. The bus lated area between Inala and Acacia Ridge. service at Inala is controlled by private It has no transportation except for a school enterprise, and, along with the dictum of bus that travels once a day from the school the Tory Government and the Tory mem­ to Acacia Ridge and back. bers of this Assembly that private enterprise The main topic of my speech is the pro­ can do no wrong, they put profitability posed rail link for Inala. The term "rail before service. I say quite emphatically link" is a misnomer. I have been advocating that public transport is a Government for some time, and the Minister has agreed responsibility. with me, that the existing railway line should The present method of travel from Inala be extended from the Wacol Industrial Estate to the city is via Oxley and Darra Railway through Inala, Pallara and Acacia Ridge to Stations, which, as we all know, is both link up with Coopers Plains or Salisbury on Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1467

the Beenleigh line. With the linking of the According to the 1971 census-and it is South Brisbane and Roma Street Railway reasonable to assume that the figures would Stations by the construction of the Merivale have increased considerably since then-the Street bridge, the whole of the south-western population of the suburbs I have mentioned suburbs would be linked by rail. During was in the vicinity of 80,000. With the a previous speech I made in this Chamber, rapid development that is taking place in the the Minister, by way of interjection, asked adjacent suburbs of Ellen Grove, Algester, the distance between Wacol and Salisbury. I Ridgewood Heights and Calamvale, it would said it was approximately 10 miles. The serve in the next 10 or 15 years a Minister said he thought I had made a good population of some 100,000 people-approxi­ point, and it is a good point. imately one-eighth of the population of the A Government Member: Mr. Hooper-- metropolitan area. In addition, there are large areas of land on the outskirts of Inala. One area of some 3,000 acres adjacent to l't1r. K. J. HOOPER: I am not going to Inala has a name that rolls nicely off the take any more interjections because most tongue-Doolandella. interjections are frivolous and I do not intend to deal with them. Mr. Lindsay: What about one vote one value? Mr. Lamont: And it is such a serious speech, isn't it? Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I will not take that interjection because it is obvious that all Mr. K. J. HOOPER: It 1s a very serious that the honourable member for Everton is speech. concerned about is preserving his own lousy political hide. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I am having great difficulty in hearing the hon­ Incidentally, in these areas there are very ourable member for Archerfield. many people on a low socio-economic scale. There are many deserted wives and widows Mr. Frawley interjected. who are bringing up families, and high fares and the lack of suitable transport prevent The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: I will them from having outings with their children. not warn the honourable member for Mur­ The attitude of the Government towards rumba again. transport in the last 17 years has been negative, to say the very least. It is very Mr. K. J. HOOPER: When this was advo­ interesting to contrast the Government's cated some years ago, following the advent attitude to freight lines with its attitude to of this Tory Government in 1957, the argu­ passenger lines. A line can be built to a ment was that it was too costly to cross coal mine at the drop of a hat. Ipswich Road. However, once the Wacol Railway Station got under way there was It is interesting to look back and see the no trouble in putting a spur line under closure of the railway line to t!he South Ipswich Road to the Wacol Industrial Estate. Coast as a classic example of the present l say quite emphatically that this Government Government's lack of foresight. That is concerned only with the needs of big busi­ closure was widely condemned in 1964 as ness and that the needs of the people come a short-sighted action. Nevertheless the closure went ahead and, to make doubly last. If the line can be extended from the certain of it, lines were ripped up and land Wacol Railway Station to the Wacol Indus­ was sold. In my opinion, that was done to trial Estate, why can't it be extended through pay off certain transport companies for their the suburbs I have mentioned so that it can financial support of the Government at the serve the needs of the people, who, after all previous election. are far more important. Mr. Lamont: Why don't you get your local Mr. BYRNE: I rise to a point of order. alderman to do something about a bus ser­ I draw attention to the fact that Mr. Speaker vice? ruled a few days ago that honourable mem­ bers were not to read speeches. I point out Mr. K. J. HOOPER: That is a rather inane that for the last few minutes vhe honourable interjection. The Brisbane City Council has member for Archerfield has not raised his no jurisdiction at all over this matter or eyes from his speech. over the bus service at Inala. The present bus proprietor has a franchise which does Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am not reading not expire for some considerable time. my speech, Mr. Dean. It is passing strange that the Minister, when introducing his If this rail link were built through the Estimates, read his speech word for word. suburbs I have mentioned it would, in addi­ I am not reading; I am speaking from copious tion to serving passengers, link the main notes. Ipswich line with the Acacia Ridge freight yards via the Waool Industrial Estate. It The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. would be a financial proposition for the trans­ Dean): Order! The honourable member will portation of both passengers and freight. continue his speech. 1468 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I shall take no Mr. Lamont interjected. notice of the seminarian drop-out-the evil friar from Belmont. Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am not taking any more interjections. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable member will continue with The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! his speech. There is too much noise on my right.

Mr. K. J. HOOPER: The evil friar-or Mr. K. J. HOOPER: If this rail link were perhaps I might say the noisy friar. provided-it is certainly long overdue-it The closure of the South Coast line was would deter use of the motor-car there. I for the specific purpose of paying off large think we all agree that today motor-cars transport companies that supported the are chnking our roads and that we have to Government at the previous election. do something about them. Even in America, where the motor-car has been deified, studies Mr. Burns: The Premier said during the have now been started to see if more railway Albert by-election that they would put that lines can be introduced into the large cities line back. and the use of the motor-car thereby restricted. Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I distinctly recall The thing to do is slow down the use of the Premier making that promise; but, like Ipswich Road, As we know, Ipswich Ro~d all his promises, it has never been honoured. is one of the six busiest roads in Australia, Mr. Burns: They are promising to put the and the only way we can get people to use Cleveland line back, too. public transport and leave their motor-c~rs at home is to give them decent alternative methods of transport, and the best way to Mr. K. J. HOOPER: That is another line do this is through the establishment of a that should not have been pulled up. The rapid and efficient rail service. It can be Cleveland line used to link Lata, I believe, done. We just have to look at the service with Cleveland. Since the line was pulled given during the Brisbane Exhibition. . I up, the Redlands district has been one of the pay the Minister this tribute-that dunng areas of most rapid growth in Queensland. the Exhibition every year the Railway Depart­ What a boon it would be to residents of that ment does an excellent job in transporting district if the rail link were still there! The people from the city to the Show. It is present member for Redlands is only a noticeable that the number of passengers new member. He is not even dry behind using this service grows each year. We also the ears. He is learning, but so far he knows have to extend off-street parking. The Min­ very little. ister has done this at Darra. It was long overdue, but the Minister has now made pro­ The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! vision for extension of the off-street parking The honourable member will proceed with in the area and it will pay dividends. If his speech. this rail link--

Mr. K. J. HOOPER: Getting back to the Mr. Jensen: If you play up to him a rail link through Inala-Ipswioh Road has bit you will get that line. always been the stopper for the provision of a rail passenger service to the suburbs that Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am trying very I have mentioned. But as soon as the Wacol hard. If in his wisdom he can persuade Industrial Estate was established, there was his Cabinet colleagues to agree to provide no problem in putting d1e line under Ipswich this rail link into Inala, he will have to Road. As I have said before, if the Govern­ provide a lot more off-street parking: Inala ment can serve the needs of big business, is a very large suburb. It rs certamly the surely it can serve the needs of people. largest in Brisbane, and irrespective of whe~e the railway stations are located, people will The time to act is now. As a matter of still have to travel to and from them. I fact, I spoke to the Minister privately some think that from point to point Inala is time ago on this subject. I say to his credit approximately three miles long. When the vhat I think he is one of the better Ministers. rail link is introduced, there will have to He is one of the few who are au fait with be covered parking areas. As well, the areas their portfolios. It is notable that, when he where passengers disembark from feeder is asked a question during question time, he buses will need to be covered. has no trouble answering it. He is quite different from many other Ministers who Mr. Jensen: What an original idea. have to arrange to be asked Dorothy Dix questions. I ask the Minister to give con­ Mr. K. J. HOOPER: It is an original sideration to conducting a feasibility study idea. I thank the honourable member for to see whether the rail link that I have Bundaberg. If he learns, we might even get suggested is practicable. I see that the it through to Bundaberg. It is imperative Minister is nodding his head in agreement, that we start now. The longer we leave the and I thank him. commencement of this rail link to Inala, the Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1469 more expensive the land resumptions will be. only to holiday periods, but unless one books When established, the line will be profitable months in advance it is very difficult to get from both freight and passenger use. Com­ a sleeper from anywhere in North Queens­ bined with the new Merivale Street bridge, land to Brisbane during holiday periods. the rail link with the southern and south­ western areas and the maximum use of The Minister might consider reintroducing rolling-stock will certainly help to keep oper­ on trains to the North the equivalent of the ating costs down. I ask the Minister to treat old parlour cars. The trip from the North this as a matter of urgency. still takes two nights and a day, and a parlour car on the train would ease the In conclusion, I agree with what previous congestion in the sitting coaches and give speakers have said. I am only sorry the hon­ passengers somewhere to go when they were ourable member for Murrumba is not here. sick of sitting in their own seat looking at As a rule he does not make a very worth­ the same people. while contribution, but for a change I agree with him. I think Redcliffe, too, has a claim I remind the Minister that a new goods for a rail link. But I think we must get our shed is still needed at Innisfail. When he priorities straight. The rail link to Inala finds the money for its construction, officers should be given first priority and I ask the of his department should first come to Innis­ Minister to give it his fullest consideration. fail and talk to local railwaymen. I make that request sincerely, because it is imperative that they ascertain what the local conditions Mrs. KIPPIN (Mourilyan) (7.49 p.m.): I are before construction of a new building rise to speak in this debate because in my begins. The existing goods shed is built com­ maiden speech I complained that the Innisfail pletely the wrong way round. railway station was in quite a decrepit state and the town urgently needed a new goods Mr. Jensen: It sounds as if you ought shed. I am now pleased to report that the to do something about having the manager railway station has been painted, as have of the Northern Division replaced. the station master's house, the trainmen's quarters and the inspector's quarters. This Mrs. KIPPIN: Oh, no, I get on very well left only the -rental houses, and it looked as with him. if they might miss out. However, the railway painters have turned up and are now painting Mr. Jensen: From the state of things, it these houses-and not before time. It is doesn't sound as if there is a manager there. well over 10 years since those houses were painted. Innisfail has a very severe climate Mrs. KIPPIN: The honourable member with over 120 inches of rain a year. Hon­ probably would know more about that than ourable members can imagine what that does I do. to a house. I am sure the tenants in these homes will be overjoyed today. The existing goods shed was built a long time ago and, as I said earlier, was built the I am disappointed at one aspect of the wrong way round. I want to prevent some­ painting of the railway station. For quite thing similar happening when a new goods a long time we have been trying to get the shed is built. parcels office extended. The station master had requested this, and it was finally The side on which the wagons stand faces approved. Just after the work had been the afternoon sun. In most cases, railway done, along came the painters to paint the men have to unload in the afternoon, which railway station. It would have been a much means that they are working in the afternoon better idea to renovate the whole railway sun. The other side faces directly into the station before painting it. I cannot blame wind and the rain. When the truckies come the Minister for what happened, but surely to pick up the goods, they have a great someone further down the line should deal deal of trouble transferring goods from the with matters such as that. shed to the trucks without getting them wet. These problems would not arise if the goods I have received a number of complaints shed had been built the other way round. from pensioners in Innisfail who have to Railwaymen would have been protected from travel to Cairns for medical treatment. Most the sun and the truckies would have been out of them find it necessary to use the train, and of the rain. there is a gap of about 1 ft. between the surface of the platform and the bottom step Mr. Jones: Why not put the railway line of the railway carriage. Some of these people on the other side? are very old and not very agile and they have difficulty in climbing into the carriage. Mrs. KIPPIN: We will just build the new If one of the railwaymen could place in shed on the other side of the yard. position a block that the pensioners could use as an additional step, it would serve the I congratulate the Minister on the intro­ purpose and cost very little. duction of the Railex programme. Railway workers at the Innisfail station were rather I have also received complaints about the upset when it was first introduced, principally unavailability of sleeping cars on the "Sun­ because they were worried about losing their lander". Admittedly, these complaints relate jobs. However, I suggested that they give 1470 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

the scheme a trial for a few months and From the graph at the beginning of the see how it worked. They are now very report we can see why expenses have over­ pleased with it, because the truckies can taken earnings. In 1974 the increase in take the goods straight from the wagons salaries and wages was double the increase in onto their trucks and there is not the same revenue earnings. In 1975 the increase in flow of goods through the shed. As I said salaries and wages again far outstripped the the goods shed is too small for the quantity increase in earnings. To top it off, other of goods it handles, and the Railex scheme working expenses increased considerably, too. has assisted quite a bit to overcome the The necessity to increase railway charges problem. has come at a most unfortunate time for Another problem in Innisfail is that the northern people. In particular, fruit growers, railway line crosses the main northern route cattlemen and small businessmen have been to Cairns. Railwaymen are required to do severely hit by the present economic chaos. most of the shunting over that crossing, which A Government Member: Brought about by is very close to the station. Often traffic is the Federal socialist Government. held up for long periods. A while ago it was being held up between 8 and 8.30 a.m., which Mrs. KIPPIN: No doubt it has been, but was very inconvenient. The manager of the am afraid there is little we can do about Northern Division in Townsville has helped overcome the problem by ensuring that trains it at the present moment. do not arrive in Innisfail at about that time, Mr. Tenni: Get rid of it. and has changed the shunting hours. That has helped a lot, but it is still very incon­ Mrs. KIPPIN: If we can get rid of it I venient to be held up for any length of hope that northern people will have an time at the crossing. upturn in their businesses. At the moment Another problem in the electorate is the the northern people will feel the increases shortage of train crews during the cane­ sorely. I do hope that when the charges are crushing season. Probably they are not fixed the Treasurer will particularly consider required all the year, but we do need extra the primary producers of North Queensland. crews when the crushing season starts. At the moment they are working at approxi­ Mr. KA'ITER (Flinders) (8 p.m.): I wish mately half the required strength and some to address myself first to the over-all increase crews have to work many overtime shifts. of 40 per cent in rail charges. We all know With the expansion of the sugar industry we that the increase was long overdue. It was need an extension of some of the cane lines. a decision that had to be taken in the light The expansion has extended up into the of the loss of about $90,000,000. In normal hills, and on the range roads it is very hard circumstances the concept that the user in rainy weather to get the cane out with should pay is probably an excellent one. tractors trailing bins. Many residents have I therefore believe that the decision to asked that the lines be extended so that the increase charges by 40 per cent is sound. dangers of loaded tractors on range roads Having said that, I must point out that particularly in the mornings and afternoon~ there is bitter feeling in the North, and when school buses are travelling, can be particularly in the North-west, about the 40 avoided. We did appreciate the extra diesel per cent increase, and the bitterness is not locomotive provided for cane traffic this year. primarily over the 40 per cent. The increase Towards the end of the year it will really be itself is the touchstone of the age-old handy in overcoming the hold-ups in crushing. grievance in the North that the profit being made there is eaten up by losses on the I was surprised at the statistics in Table southern lines. No. 5 in the Report of the Commissioner for Railways. About five or six years ago a very detailed study indicated that the profit made Mr. Jensen: You lost $260,000 last year. in North Queensland was equivalent, roughly, to the loss made in the southern sector. In Mrs. K!PPIN: Yes, but if the honourable those days the accounting for the three areas member checks all the other lines he will see was separate and the figures could be com­ that they are not doing much better than pared very easily, but that cannot be done ours. In our district we had generally today. The profit in the North, I repeat, thought that the tramways were very profit­ was about the same as the loss in the South able to the Government. Most of the cane and, at that stage, the Central Division broke farmers were saying, "We have one of the even. But the trend has moved appallingly most profitable lines in Queensland." That in the direction of further and greater was before the coal lines were opened up. injustice. The Central Division is now When I looked at the table I found that our making far more profit than it did. Of the tramways were profitable until 1973-74, but $90,000,000 over-all loss, the loss in North in that year the working expenses exceeded Queensland was only $3,000,000. We are revenue earnings by $64,000. In 1974-75 still carrying the cost of running the railway expenses exceeded revenue earnings by system throughout Queensland. To say the $260,000. In that table I could see evidence least, we are not at all happy with the to support the 40 per cent increase in rail situation. We will not accept a continuation charges. of this injustice. Supply [23 OcToBER 1975] (Estimates) 1471

While the comparison between the North I switch to another department, that of and the South is odious, one study done Main Roads, which adopts a very decentral­ five or six years ago indicated that the ised system of control. Each district engineer profitability of the western line in the covers a certain area where he is the pleni­ southern sector was 100 per cent better potentiary. To go past him, one has to go than the lack of profitability of the south­ all the way to the commissioner. He is the eastern corner, more specifically the Brisbane ultimate decision-maker in that area. I commuter system. It is a gross, appalling think the Railway Department should look injustice that the people of North Queens­ very seriously at decentralised systems of land, particularly those in North-west control, with one person in charge of a Queensland, have to carry the people who particular facet-call him a station-master or live in relative splendour in Brisbane. The what you will. I realise that there are certain people of North and North-west Queensland problems with the unions-a lot of problems will not accept this situation in the future. -but we must examine decentralised systems of control in the Railway Department if we The problem arises through the cost are to achieve the degree of flexibility that structure and the mechanism by which will enable it to compete in the future. charges are levied for the carriage of goods. The major components in the over-all cost I return to the 40 per cent increase in of carrying goods are those for paperwork rail freights and wish to speak specifically and for the loading and unloading of goods. about the effect it will have on cattlemen. The forwarding of one parcel involves a I think that is very relevant to this discussion. lot of paperwork. As well, it must be The price of beef is now only a quarter of picked up and put on the train. Once it is the price three years ago. In the same period loaded, a train is the most efficient means inflation has increased by nearly 100 per of moving goods from point A to point B. cent, thanks to our Federal Government. So Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of goods cattlemen are in a desperate situation. If can be carried, with only three men doing honourable members think for a moment that the work. Trains are the cheapest and best T am exaggerating, I point out that in the last means of transport. Rail services have been three weeks I have had two families sitting the life-line of industry in all countries in front of me at my desk and the wife throughout the world since the invention on each occasion cried continuously. A of the system in 1840. grown woman crying is not a very pleasant sight. I do not think this Government should l\1r. Jensen: The rail system IS said to be he a party to any action that would continue inefficient. or exacerbate the present hardships of such people. Mr. KATIER: It is not inefficient. One of the heaviest costs faced by cattle­ Nothing is inefficient if there is ability to men, particularly those in western areas, is the control its costs. The charges can be freight charged to get the beasts to market. increased until the venture becomes profit­ With the present huge problem of oversupply, able. However, we are interested in the the idea is to get the beasts to market as pricing structure. This is a Government-run quickly as possible. I plead with the Minister activity, so we can control the price structure to give them special consideration. I should of the commodity. The price structure should say that there will be a revolution in the be based not so much on distance as it West if concessions are not made to beef presently it, as on handling costs and the producers when freights are increased. cost for each item, not each mile. I very strongly urge the Minister to consider a new It is simply not true that the primary pricing arrangement whereby the charge is producer in Queensland is being feather­ based not so much on distance as on the bedded by the Government, if that is the cost of handling each item. thought of anyone. In New South Wales, no matter where a bale of wool is shipped Mr. Jensen: Do you think the transport from, the cost is the same. That is a companies would give you that consideration? brilliant move to foster the principle of Don't be silly! decentralisation. It is a major concession to rural industries that does not apply in Mr. KATIER: I accept the interjection. this State. I think there is an opportunity It is truly amazing that cattle are being for us to give some sort of concession along transported by road in preference to rail. those lines to the beef producer, who is in A lot of inefficiencies are apparent in the a desperate plight. railway system. I spoke to one station-master To those who say the Government is sub­ who said, "If I was given any degree of sidising the beef producer, I say that the flexibility and the opportunity to use my own beef producer is subsidising the rest of the initiative, I could triple and quadruple the State at the present moment. Anyone who throughput of goods, but I am not given that puts his labour on the market and is not being flexibility. I am simply burdened down with paid a fair day's pay is subsidising whoever the knowledge that road transports are carry­ is receiving the benefits of his labour. On ing out of and into this area cattle and that basis, Queensland's beef producers are various other commodities that we should be subsidising every man, woman and child handling." who eats beef. 1472 Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

In conclusion, I applaud the increases in so not been relieved by the construction of the far as they will enable the Minister to pro­ Captain Cook Bridge or the Riverside vide proper facilities for workers in the Expressway. In fact, the confusion has been Railway Department. I cannot plead too added to by them. strongly with the Minister and the department to provide adequate housing facilities in I do not think we would find greater con­ western areas. I believe that the department fusion than that in George Street. At certain is shying a\vay from this problem. times of the day it takes 15 minutes to drive from Parliament House to Adelaide Mr. Glasson: vVe are accused of feather­ Street. It is a slow crawl because of the bedding? volume of traffic that comes across the Captain Cook Bridge and leaves the express­ Mr. KATTER: By the A.L.P., for way at Elizabeth Street. starters. It constantly claims that we are Dr. Lockwood: You could walk up George feather-bedding primary industry. Street faster. I know of seven men who were living in hotels while their families were still living Mr. MELLOY: That is true. I have clone where they were last stationed-in most cases and still do. Brisbane and Townsville. This was breaking up family life. The reason is that there are The congestion is also worsened by traffic simply no houses available in western areas. from Charlotte and Mary Streets. By the In Cloncurry 12 railway houses were bull­ time the traffic reaches Elizabeth Street it is dozed to the ground. That is a shocking almost impossible for it to move. This situa­ reflection on the Government that built them. tion continues down to Turbot Street. Of course it was the Labor Government. Nothing seems to be done about it. The We expected that sort of thing from it. problem is growing every day and, over the past five years at least, no attempt has been We are being just as short-sighted in made to come up with a solution to the building the present type of structure for rail­ problem. way employees. The housing is totally and completely inadequate and is the wrong type Mr. Gygar: That's rubbish. You get stuck of housing for those areas. Houses are into us whenever we want to build a free­ still being constructed of wood, which rots, way. deteriorates in the sun and needs painting every four or five years. If these houses are Mr. MELLOY: That does not contribute not repainted, the same thing will happen to in any way to the alleviation of traffic con­ them in 15 or 20 years' time as happened gestion. At the time when all traffic used to those built 20 years ago. They will be the Victoria Bridge, the confusion was on bulldozed to the ground. the south side of the river and only one lane of traffic came across the bridge. Now, If the 12 houses that were bulldozed to in addition to the line of traffic coming the ground in Cloncurry had been built with across Victoria Bridge from areas such as steel frames, sheeted with fibrolite instead West End, Dutton Park and Hill End, there of wood and roofed with colorbond or gal­ is also a large volume of traffic coming vanised material, they would still be standing over the Captain Cook Bridge. The two and there would be no shortage of housing. lines of traffic converge on the city, and The same can be said of houses in the confusion is added to rather than relieved. Hughenden. With strikes and other ancillary I think the stage is being reached when problems, this shomage of housing will certain types of traffic will have to be banned probably tie up the line for three or four from the inner-city area. years. Mr. Katter: Couldn't we use the river and There is an obvious solution to the build a footpath along it for bicycles? Uni­ problem. I am sure that railway employees versity students would use it no end. would be prepared to pay a higher rental for decent housing. At present there is simply no homing available. Paying $25 Mr. MELLOY: That may be true, but I a week to rent a house is a damned sight doubt whether the expense of a bicycle track better than living in a hotel at enormous along the river would be justified. I do cost and trying to maintain a family in a not know if it would contribute in any way house in Brisbane or Townsville. In the to a solution of the city's traffic problem. interests of preserving family life and of It might please those who use bicycles, but being humane, the department should look. it would not help the traffic flow. at this problem of housing. I plead with it: The stage will be reached where certain to do so. transport will have to be banned from . t?e city at specified hours. In overseas cities Mr. 'HELLOY (Nudgee) (8.13 p.m.): I trucks are queued up for miles from the propose to deal in the main with the traffic outskirts waiting for the time when they are confusion that exists in the city area of allowed to proceed into the city to deliver Brisbane. It is greater than could be or pick up goods. Something like that will expected to be found anywhere else, and has have to be clone here. Trucks move through Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975) (Estimates) 1473 our city delivering and collecting goods at area in which transport terminals for the all hours of the day, and they will have to railways and also the airline companies an~ b" res:ricted in some way or other. bus sen ice could be established. When the rml line is extended across the river to South Consiceration will also have to be given Brisbane the Roma Street area would be an to the use of private motor vehicles. Every ideal location for such a transport-terminal day cars containing only one person are complex. driven into the city, cluttering up the high­ \vays and parking at the side of road~, with­ The improvement of parking ~reas at r~il­ oul any real justification for being there way stations is important. I realise th1;1t With at all. We will have to exercise some dis­ increases in rail fares there perhaps might be cretion in allowing their use, or alternatively a decrease in the number of suburban introduce a system of permits for people who train travellers, nevertheless if suburban ser­ want to drive cars into the city. To obtain vices are maintained, steps should be taken a permit, a person will have to give a good to make it much more convenient for reason for wanting lo drive into the city. motorists to leave their cars at railway stations and travel to and from the city This leads me to a consideration of public by train. As I said earlier, if we. impose tnmsport. If the private motorist is to be restrictions on the entry of cars mto the kept out of the city, there will need to be city, we must provide an alternative method a wide-ranging public transport system and of entry to the city. This can. be do_n~ even the provision of a city-circle railway only by providing ample car-parkmg facili­ through Rorna Street, Normanby, Mayne ties at railway stations so that people can Junction, Bowen Hills, Brunswick Street, leave their cars parked all day and travel Central and back to Roma Street. Such a to and from the city by train. circular line, with parking areas at each station, would relieve the traffic congestion Another matter I want to deal with con­ in the city. At some time very drastic steps cerns driving instructors. Large areas should will have to be taken to relieve the traffic be set aside where driving instructors can problem. teach their clients the basic skill of driving One area on the fringe of the city where before they take them out on the road. If traffic confusion occurs is the Fiveways at we had a large area of about 10 acres at Albion. I am very familiar with it. At some point just outside the city a pupil 3.30 p.m. it is almost impossible for a motor­ could learn to drive there without requiring car to move there, because there is no police an intimate knowledge of the traffic rules officer on duty and traffic is converging from and without posing any danger to pedes­ five directions. trians. The instructors could set the basics of good driving there, and when the pupil had acquired sufficient knowledge of the The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. car and had assumed control over it he could Miller): Order! Is it the honourable mem­ be taken out on the roads. ber's intention to relate his remarks to the co-ordination of transport and roads? At the present time learner drivers are a menace on the roads, particularly in the Mr. MELLOY: I think the Minister is city and inner suburbs, where there . are responsible for the traffic matter that I am many driving schools. Many of the clients referring to, because I approached him about are taken on the roads for their first driving it on several occasions and he dealt with it. lesson. They cause quite a few near accidents But it i' the transport problem that must be because they panic in certain traffic situ­ dealt with so far as the city is concerned. ations. If we were able to provide some It is the Department of Transport that is area where they could first be taught to presently under discussion, and that depart­ control the car, to brake, turn and use their ment controls all aspects of road transporta­ gears, they could later be taken out onto tion, including taxi drivers. the roads without creating a danger to other road-users. Mr. K. W. Hooper: Traffic comes within my jurisdiction, but roads do not. I wish to deal also with tow-trucks. I know that this is a matter for the police, Mr. MELLOY: I am not discussing roads; but there is a tendency for tow-truck opera­ I am discussing the traffic on the roads. tors to race to the scene of an accident. How There is a distinction. they know that an accident has occurred and how they get there in such a short time is Another traffic problem that must be con­ another matter. There are, of course, many sidered is that arising in the Roma Street stories about that. I understand that often goods yards. Conditions are cramped and there are unfortunate scenes involving people are dangerous to truck drivers. There is a who have been in an accident. They are state of constant confusion in that area. virtually besieged by tow-truck drivers. In The time is approaching when the loading many instances, although they are in a state area will have to be moved from Roma of shock, they are embarrassed by tow-truck Street perhaps to Mayne and the marshalling drivers in their efforts to secure the right to yards shifted from Mayne to Zillmere. This take the car away. Something must be done would leave in the Roma Street yards an to prevent that. There should be a regulated 1474 Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) approach to accidents, and perhaps certain After all, they must earn sufficient money areas could be defined in which only certain to enable them to continue, but the more the tow-truck owners could operate. I do not fares go up the more the people are inclined really know what the answer is, but certainly to drive their own cars. action must be taken to assist the victims of accidents and save them from such embar­ On the social scene that is developing rassment. among young people, there is a tendency to go back to the old style of dress for wed­ The drivers of tow-trucks are fairly ruth­ dings and other ceremonies, and to. h?ld less. They are prepared to put their hands in receptions at farm-houses and other similar their pockets to get business. They are even places. Many young couples would like to prepared to bribe the police and, unfor­ hire veteran or vintage cars-"Genevieve" tunately, some police are susceptible to cars-to tone in with their wedding. But bribery. It is a ma:tter that should receive at the present time vintage or veteran c~rs the Minister's urgent consideration. cannot be registered as hire cars. The Mm­ ister should give consideration to the regis­ That brings me to the question of public tration of a certain number of them to be transport in this city. At present, the Bris­ used for that purpose. I am sure some you~g bane City Council, the Railway Department, couples in the community have that romantic hire cars and taxis are involved in providing streak in them. Everything is so practical public transport in the city, and I think it is these days that the romantic streak seems to high time that the Government assumed full be gradually disappearing, but those who responsibility for all public transport. I am have it might like to hire a vintage or vet­ aware that it would involve the Government eran car on their wedding day. in a good deal of expenditure and that the suggestion has already been considered by I do not know whether water transport the Government, but I firmly believe that the comes within the Minister's portfolio. It Government should assume over-all control. could provide a very efficient means of trans­ port in the city. The river runs through The Minister referred in his speech earlier the heart of Brisbane from the western and today to some form of general control of south-western suburbs to the eastern and public transport, and the present situation north-eastern suburbs. I am sure that many cannot be allowed to continue. It is getting people would be prepared to use water beyond the financial capability of the Bris­ transport if it were available and that the bane City Council to provide the public trans­ ferry proprietors would be interested in pro­ port that the city needs, and only the Govern­ viding such a service. ment is in a position to remedy the situation. I suggest to the Minister that he ask the (Time expired.) Government to give greater consideration than it has up to date to assuming full Mrs. KYBURZ (Salisbury) (8.32 p.m.): It control of public transport in Brisbane. is with much pleasure that I rise to make this my first contribution to the Estimates Let me turn now, Mr. Miller, to taxi debate. I am particularly interested in licences. At times, particularly at night, it transport as it affects my electorate g~e~tly. is impossible to hire a taxi in Brisbane, and Some of the initiatives taken by the M1mster the decision of the taxi companies to restrict are very pleasing. Not only is he a forward­ the hours within which female drivers may thinking gentleman but also he is displaying operate taxis could lead to an even greater those qualities in the programmes implemented shortage of taxis at night. within his portfolio, and it is very pleasing I have been in the city at quarter past 11 to see. However, although he deserves to at night and waited at one of the main city have roses thrown at him, some criticism, ranks for over half an hour for a taxi. too, is appropriate. I realise he would be expecting it, particularly from me. Mr. Herbert: You look pretty dangerous, I am most pleased to see at last-at long of course. last-the beginning of the cross-river rail link. It has certainly been a long time Mr. MELLOY: Yes; they might have coming. The people of Queensland have shied clear of me. The point is that been promised it again and again. However, insufficient taxis are available at that time it is under way, and it will make a great of night. I can understand drivers being a change. bit diffident about driving their taxis at night because of the problems of law and order Also we are seeing an electrification pro­ now existing in Brisbane. Many employee gramme, which, of course, is going to cost a drivers are averse to driving taxis at night. great deal of money. In the initial stages, Again the question arises of police surveil­ it will take place on two lines. I wonder lance and co-operation in the inner-city areas. when the Beenleigh line is going to be electrified. I presume that that will take Fare increases are another problem. The probably five to six years. I realise that, as taxi-drivers themselves are concerned. They we need the cross-river rail link to get from fear that there is a possibility that they will the Beenleigh line to the city, in which most price themselves out of business, and that is of my electorate is situated, we will have to a very realistic attitude for them to take. wl\it for that link to be completed. Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1475

I was pleased to learn at the beginning our environment will be far more damaging, of this year that one can in fact make a particularly by the year 2000. A river protest to the Minister to get flexibility in feasibility study is therefore very necessary. services, particularly in suburban bus routes. After being approached by many people in I shall deal now with railway stations, my electorate, some of whom were using particularly those in my electorate. I dealt the Salisbury Railway Station in travelling with this matter in my speech in the Budget to the Griffith University, I asked the debate last week. Some of the stations are Minister whether a bus service could be appallingly ugly; some of them are dark, provided for that special purpose. For­ and some of the toilets are such a hodge­ tunately, it '':a.s. approved quite quickly. podge of paint that in more ways than one People who cntiCise should go to the right it pains one to use them. place and they might not then have cause I have referred to the Kingston Railway for criticism. Station on other occasions but, as it is in I am pleased to note that the Railway the electorate of Salisbury, I feel that I have Department provides excursion tours. How­ a duty to bring it to the Minister's attention ever, they could be pushed a little harder. again. The railway station is approximately It seems that there is a tendency not to half a metre below the level of the trains. advertise them. I know that advertisements Older people, pregnant women and young are inserted in "The Courier-Mail", but women with young families experience great many families are unaware of these tours difficulty in catching trains. When I asked which are usually to very interesting place~ the Minister to look into this matter, he and are extraordinarily cheap. Might I said that with the electrification programme humbly suggest to the Minister that these we would see not only a new platform but tours be more widely advertised, particularly also new railway carriages. I can only in local papers? repeat that we are really looking forward to those days because this is a young, It is fortunate that we are at last seeing growing and thriving community. the construction of a ring-road system in Brisbane. Eventually, it will provide clearly Of course, the need for park-and-ride marked routes around the city area. It will railway stations-or kiss-and-ride, which I provide access corridors for interstate truck think is a very sweet if not altogether accur­ drivers particularly. This is an excellent ate terminology-has been noted and acted system. Anyone who has been to Sydney upon. I hope to see within my electorate realises that it is easy to navigate from quite soon-perhaps even at the Salisbury one side of the city to the other simply by Railway Station-the development of a park­ following the numbers. Brisbane used to be ing area. I have noticed that the majority a hopeless shemozzle. I remember that on of park-and-ride or kiss-and-ride parking t~e first o~casion I had to go through' the areas are on the north side. In fact, they city of Bnsbane, I was lost so many times are at the stations that will benefit from I could not keep count of them. Tourists the electrification programme. find it very difficult to navigate their way through the Valley area particularly. I hope Mr. K. W. Hooper: That is only because that we will see the ring-road system in of the cross-river rail link. even wider use so that people may use the Indooroopi.lly. Bridge to get ~o t~e university Mrs. KYBURZ: I realise that but, for the at St. Lucm mstead of commg mto the city sake of the people I represent, I have to and going down Coronation Drive. urge faster progress. I was very interested in the comments Mr. K. W. Hooper: I am in the same made by the honourable member for Nudgee. boat. I agreed with most of what he said, par­ ticularly his suggestion that we should use Mrs. KYBURZ: I thank the Minister. the river more. I have before me one of the Minister's Press releases. It says that I have a few suggestions to make about hydrofoils will play a large part in river the transport of senior and aged citizens. I transport. I was very pleased to see that feel that, as well as in other fields, we are statement because we are not using the river particularly letting down our elder citizens as much as we should be. The Press release in the field of transport. That appals me. adds- Particularly when I do Meals on Wheels, I encounter many old people who never "The study would examine community leave their home, who are not visited by costs and benefits in the years 1980 and relatives and who do not go to shows or 2000 for three or more ferry services in the theatre. In fact, they rarely get out. terms of financial viability, environmental impact and integration with other trans­ The reasons for that are twofold: firstly, port services." they do not have a car or anyone to trans­ port them and, secondly, the public bus As for that environmental impact study-I service is not within walking distance of their believe that the impact of the automobile on homes. 1476 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

I think that perhaps a mini-bus service The sex that has the majority of charges perhaps even using volunteer drivers, could cannot expect _to be lumped together with play a much-needed role in the community. the other in the fixing of premiums. I feel Within the friendship of my own peer group that perhaps women under 25 years of age, I could perhaps raise 10 or 12 women who if they have a clean record, should have would be most willing to staff a mini-bus their insurance premiums subsidised. service. I am thinking in terms of a voluntary bus service. I listened to your speech, Mr. Miller, in which you said we could not possibly charge Mr. Termi: Have you considered the people when they came out of hotels. I attitude of the unions? agree with your comments. However, I think we should be doing more to lessen the Mrs. KYBURZ: Surely the unions would power of the majority of hoteliers and pub­ adopt a humanitarian approach to this. licans, who are unwilling to instruct their bar staff not to serve people who are Mr. Tenni: They won't, you know. obviously inebriated. I cannot see why that should be allowed. I realise that it is bad Mrs. KYBURZ: I can only try. for business. So what? If it is bad business because of one patron one night, it is good If a senior citizen wished to travel any­ business from another person another night. where and needed transport to get to the The thought of having children killed on train or another bus service, perhaps he the roads and having head-on collisions could call one of the citizen volunteers and because drivers are drunk, irresponsible and be picked up in a mini-bus. Expense is not uneducated is shocking. We must take a a very important consideration. After all, stronger line on this matter. we spend money on rather grandiose schemes I realise that initiatives are being taken in in other fields. I am concerned about the regard to car safety. As I have said before, senior citizens in our community and the the car lobby is too strong and it is getting fact that they are not moving out of their stronger because everybody is in it. Let us homes. This would be one way we could face it: there are votes in motor-cars; but help them. we have to start looking beyond that aspect. I turn now to drink-driving. I know that I do not know whether it has been done the Minister has taken great initiatives in before but I propose a system of graduated this field. So has the Road Safety Council. licences under which a youth or young lady But still I do not think we are doing with a new driver's licence may drive only a enough. We can mouth, but public mouth­ four-cylinder vehicle. I cannot see that this ings by politicians do not count for very would be taking any of their freedoms from much. We must do more than speak; we them; the benefits could quite easily be must act. We must punish the drink-driver pointed out to them. Of course, there are which I believe we are probably doing t~ unscrupulous motor-car firms and unscrupu­ the best of our ability-or to the best of lous manufacturers who are still not meeting the ability of the courts, because there are the standards that should be required. many such offenders. However, I think that My brother's case is no exception to what the solution in the long term, as with is happening all the time. When he obtained most social problems-and this is a social a driver's licence he immediately wanted the problem-lies in education. I refer to the most powerful and beautiful car. He should Minister's speech, in which he said- not have been allowed to have it. For obvious "The funds which we are providing for reasons, he should have been restricted to the Road Safety Council are primarily from a four-cylinder vehicle. State sources and it is regrettable that A particular problem that has worried me the Commonwealth grant to the States has for some time as a lady member of Parlia­ remained static for some time." ment is the worry of travelling on suburban At a later stage he said- trains at night. It is of concern particularly to women. Many women in my electorate "Public education in safe driving have approached me about this matter. behaviour involves a complex communi­ Women who are perhaps night cleaners in cation problem and in the preparation of the city are concerned that they might not special campaigns we have had consider­ reach home safely. They are also concerned able success in the employment of pro­ that they cannot even seek aid from their fessional advertising consultants." fellow travellers. I cannot understand this. I presume we have all seen the results of Mr. Burns: The people who work the those advertising consultants on television. trains, such as guards, have been bashed up. Some of the advertisements are very good. I ask all members to note the sex of Mrs. KYBURZ: I realise that. I have read the majority of offenders in drink-driving through quite a number of Press reports. One charges. Unfortunately, they are nearly all of them contains the following paragraph- of the one sex. That gives rise to my "One guard said yesterday, 'The depart­ submission that perhaps one sex is sub­ ment had better come to the party-or sidising the other in motor-vehicle insurance. else.'" Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1477

I prefer not to offer a solution to this prob­ without any freight increases. That is the lem because I do not know one. Hooliganism difference between this Government and the is widespread in our community-in our A.L.P. schools, on our trains and even on our buses. I do not think that the answer is to arm Mr. Tenni: The people of Cairns will be the guards; probably more plainclothes police interested to hear that. should be on the trains. Mr. McKECHNIE: They certainly will. He lVIr. Burns: You would have to change said that freights should have been put up the law, too, because bus drivers have taken ages ago. passengers to two or three police stations and they have been put back onto the buses. Mr. JONES: I rise to a point of order. The honourable member is misrepresenting Mrs. KYBURZ: I agree. The Minister me. I said no such thing. I think the hon­ has been looking at this problem for some ourable member must have been somewhere time and the Press releases on it are up else. He is completely misrepresenting me. to date. It is a grave problem. Many women are The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. afraid to travel on South Brisbane to Been­ Miller): Order! Is the honourable member for leigh trains, which run through my electorate. Cairns asking for a withdrawal of those The new carriages in the electrification scheme words? will be better lighted, air-conditioned and relatively safer than the box carriages in use Mr. JONES: Yes, I am. at the moment. I suggest that women go pr~pared. Perhaps they could carry some­ The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! thmg such as an umbrella, which is a very I ask the honourable member for Carnarvon good weapon. It hurts when it is jabbed in to accept the denial of the honourable mem­ the right place. Women should be prepared ber for Cairns and to withdraw his remarks. for these things. Employers of women who have to go home late at night should con­ Mr. McKECHNIE: In deference to your sider paying their taxi fares. After all position, Mr. Miller, I withdraw what I getting home safely is more important tha~ said. But I note two things. The first is having dinner or lunch, or even working that readers of "Hansard" will see exactly overtime. A solution has to be found for what the honourable member for Cairns this problem, as well as the problem of said when you were making your speech. female taxi drivers. They are at the moment The second is that perhaps Hansard have an under-privileged class. The male drivers recorded my interjection to the effect that not only wanted to keep them out of driving the Leader of the Opposition walked out after 4 o'clock; they wanted to keep them straight after the shadow Minister for Tran­ out completely in some areas. sport made his shocking interjections. I have some idea what the Leader of the I think I have harangued the Committee Opposition might have thought of them. for long enough. The shadow Minister for Transport also told us how keen he was to have electrifica­ M~.. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon) (8.51 p.m.): In nsmg to speak on these Estimates I tion of the Brisbane suburban railway system compliment the Minister on being a dec'ent carried out many years ago. Let us be clear fellow and on the attentive way in which on this point. The Government had to he listens to the many deputations that wait choose between making a start on electrifying on him. On the other hand, I register my the Brisbane railways and expediting protest at the attitude of the shadow Min­ dieselisation throughout the whole of the ister for Transport. When people read your State. It chose the latter, and dieselisation speech in "Hansard", Mr. Miller, they will proved to be a very great cost-saver to the see interjections by the shadow Minister for railways. Again the attitude of the shadow Transport indicating his narrow-minded atti­ Minister for Transport amazes me. By wishing tude to transport. He is interested in only to delay dieselisation, he shows that he would one area, and all I can say is, "God help rather see railway employees sweating in Queensland if ever by some fluke he became terrific heat over the fire boxes and shov­ Minister for Transport." elling coal into hot furnaces than working in clean diesel locomotives. I know what He claimed that the Government should the railwaymen in my electorate think of this have increased fares years ago. Fair Government for bringing in dieselisation. enough; it might have been somewhat wiser My votes in Wallangarra alone indicate politically to put them up a little each year. just how good they think this Government is.

Mr. Tenni: Fancy him saying that with Mr. JONES: I rise to a point of order. the effect that rises have on the people he The honourable member is misleading the represents. Committee. My point of order is that dieselisation was introduced by the Labor Mr. McKECHNIE: That is right. The Minister for Transport, Mr. Jack Duggan, people of Queensland have had nine years many many years ago. 1478 Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

:fhe TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. same privilege; in relation to travel on recre­ M1ller): Order! I am sorry, but that is not ation leave. This anomaly should be recti­ a valid point of order. fied as well. Mr. lVIcKECHNIE: Thank you, Mr. Miller. Another protest I would lodge relates to I have handed the Minister his bouquets. I tht: granting of Christmas leave for railway am very pleased to see that the Commis­ employees in my electorate. I have checked sioner for Railways and the Commissioner my facts and there is no wav in the world for Transport are in the precincts of the that railwaymen in my electorate get their Chamber listening to this debate. They are fsir share of Christmas leave. I do not true gentlemen and dedicated public serv­ know why this occurs, but I imagine that the ants. But I think the time has come when senior officers they apply to are in either the powers of those commissioners should Brisbane or Toowoomba-I think it varies. be pruned a little. The Government should There is no doubt that a little bit of favoured give the Minister more power than he has. treatment is given to employees in those Too much power is vested in his commission­ cities, and I am not going to stand by much ers, and I hope it will not be very long longer and see railwaymen in my electorate before the Government takes some of their miss out on their fair share of Christmas power away from them and vests it in the leave. I know that at that time the wheat Minister. This is not a personal attack is being shipped and the fruit season is on the men occupying those positions; they coming in, but it should be possible to are two very dedicated public servants transfer men from other areas to see that Nevertheless the Government should gover~ the railwaymen in my electorate get their and the Minister should have more power hir share of leave. They are not receiving than at present to administer his portfolio. If it now, and I do not intend to stand for it he likes to suggest this, I am sure this much longer. Gov~rnment will back him in any move to regam that power. Housing for railwaymen is not as good as it might be. Admittedly, the Government .I . would offer another criticism to the has to make up for years of neglect by Mm1ster. Most constituents come to their former Labor Governments. A start has been member of Parliament because they have made, but a more intense effort must be gone through the ordinary channels and have made not only in the field of railway housing not received sati=faction. Sometimes a mem­ but in the field of housing generally. All ber makes representations to a Minister and housing must be given a high priority in th~ ~ep~rtm~~ts do not get the message. The Government spending. M1mster s lta:son officer, Mr. Evans, is a very good and very attentive officer, but The average increase of 40 per cent in somewhere further down the line the system freight rates is very unpalatable. None of br~aks ?own and it takes too long to get us wanted it, but the Railway Department satisfactiOn. If I come to the Minister as was making heavy losses and I do not a ;nem~er .of. Parliament and do not get think the Government had any alternative ~att.sfacttOn 1t 1s not the Minister's fault, nor to taking the action it has. However, I am 1s 1t the fault of Mr. Evans. But some­ sure that the Government will not be so where the svstem is wrong and it has to be lousy as to increase the freight rates on changed. I see the Minister nodding his the fruit train from Stanthorpe. These rates ~ead and I h<;>pe he will take some steps to have been increased recently, so the situation Improve the s1tuation. is different from that in most other areas. The growers can thank the D.S.G.C., my To return to the railway employees in my father and, more lately, myself for having el~ctorate-I .must say how impressed I am that rise postponed for so long. It was a w1th those With whom I deal. I find them combined effort by various industry leaders m.ost polite, and usually the ones I deal and members of Parliament. Freight rates With are very dedicated to their job. I were eventually increased, and I hope that 7annot heap too much praise on the people the Minister will not impose an additional m my electorate who work in the Railway increase of 40 per cent. I am sure that he Depa~tment. The town of Wallangarra will not. contams a large number of railway e.mpl~yees. There is no doubt in my mind Let me deal now with the 40 per cent tHat It :should b~ <: much bigger change­ increase that the grain industry will have to over pomt than It IS at this moment. I meet. The Treasurer has told the leaders know the department tells the Minister there of the grain industry that the cartage of arc all sorts of reasons why it cannot be grain is profitable. The feeling in my elec­ ~nlarged, but we must decentralise, and that torate is that the grain industry is subsidising Is one of the logical places to do it. suburban passenger services in Brisbane. I should mention also that the men at I notice from the report of the Commis­ yYallangarra have no full passenger-train ser­ sioner for Railways for 1974-75 that in those VIce. If they were living in Toowoomba or years the average fare in Brisbane was only somewhere else and wanted to go on leave 12.64c and that total earnings from sub­ they could go by train; but because the pas~ urban passenger services amounted to senger services have been taken away from. $4,400,000. I will be surprised if it does not the Wallangarra area, they do not have the cost much more than that to operate the Supply [23 OcTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1479

suburban services in Brisbane. I give the desperately need more refrigerated wagons Minister notice that in a few days, or per· and other wagons in the Granite Belt. Fur­ haps in a week, when I have my facts thermore, among the weighbridges that are straight, I will be asking him questions as being closed down all over Queensland, the to just what the loss is on suburban passenger Minister has agreed to close down three in a services, and I am sure he will be good very small area of my electorate. I am sure enough to give me the answers. The com­ he will look into that as he promised me he missioner has been able to supply details wouid. I hope he will keep at least one of of the losses on the lines from Warwick to them open. Wal!angarra and from Warwick to Dirran­ bandi, so I am sure that, if he really puts Finally, whatever else happens, the last his mind to it, he will be able to tell us thing I want to see is the closure of the what the loss is on Brisbane suburban Texas-Inglewood line. The Minister has not services. said that he will close it, but I point out to him that the township of Texas relies on it. I do not think that it will be nearly as No matter how unprofitable it might become, great as some honourable members fear, nor it is a must that the line be kept open. do I think there is any need to cover it up. The loss on the Brisbane section of the Mr. BURNS (Lytton-Leader of the Southern Division is $34,000,000. However. Opposition) (9.7 p.m.): Thank you, Mr. as honourable members are aware, main­ Miller, for the opportunity to spend just a tenance and many other items from other few minutes on these Estimates. The honour­ sections are charged to this section. There­ able member for Carnarvon should have fore, I do not think it will do any harm to checked some of his facts on dieselisation. It give the figures. As the Minister is such was Jack Duggan who, as Minister for a good bloke, I am sure he will give them Transport in the mid-fifties, introduced to us. dieselisation. The scrapping of electrification had nothing at all to do with dieselisation. Wi:h the exception of the mineral lines in Dieselisation was under way years before this Centra[ Queensland and the possible excep­ Government came to power and scrapped tion of the Townsville-Mt. Isa line, losses electrification. Without trying to be political, were made on virtually every line in Queens­ we have to admit that we have now placed land. I ask people to ponder what would ourselves in the position where we are a happen if the State Government was black­ lot more dependent on oil than we should be mailed ir.:o handing over railway lines in in this day and age when the Arab oil Queensla:~d to the Commonwealth Govern­ sheikhs and others control oil prices and ment. A 40 per cent increase would be thus our costs. It may have been a decision peanuts! TI1e Commonwealth Government that will be an expensive one, not only says that the user should pay. It would either because of the buildings and equipment that increase freights by over 100 per cent, in were scrapped and the land that was sold in addition to the increase now being imposed, 1958 after this Government came into office, or close almost every railway line in the State. but also because we will pay by way of oil­ price increases for years and years to come There has been a good deal of talk about rather than being dependent on electrification the efficiency of Queensland railways. To based on our own coal resources. It took 30 June 1975, operating losses were 24 per from 1958, when the Government scrapped cent of revenue earned. In South Australia electrification, until 1972 when a Federal in the year ended 30 June 1974-these are Labor Government was elected, before any­ the latest figures available--operating losses thing was done about it. were 57 per cent, so there is no doubt that Queensland railways are much more efficient Mr. McKECHNIE: I rise to a point of than those in South Australia. order. The Leader of the Opposition is misinterpreting what I said. The implication Let me say how happy we are to see that of what I said was that this Government had the Minister has begun to remove road done something to expedite dieselisation. J permit fees. I will do no more than express ask him to withdraw his remark. the hope that he gets rid of the whole lot very soon. Perhaps in the next Budget he The TEMPORARY CHAJRMAN (Mr. may be able to do a little better than he did Miller): Order! I ask the honourable member in this one. to withdraw the remark.

I want to make a few quick points because Mr. BURNS: Yes, I withdraw it. If he is I know there are other speakers. The first going to write that into his pulls tomorrow. is that not only do the mining companies I withdraw what I said. provide the Gover~me!1t with a good operat­ mg profit on certam hnes, they also provide The same thing applies when Government rolling-stock, and it is time the people of members talk about railway lines. It is Queensland realised that. Secondly, I easy to continue to debate the past. There should like to see the Minister make a are more important things to discuss than special effort to get this year's record wheat the past. We continually hear statements crop moved. I am sure he will. Next, we from the Minister for Local Government and 1480 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

Main Roads that he wants a line built to to control the smog created by the cars. Southport. Labor can say, "Well, you We have only to drive across the Story scrapped it and the Premier promised to Bridge to see how the blue poles on restore it in 1971". The honourable member the side of the bridge become stained by for Redlands wants a new line to Cleveland. pollution from cars. The line was pulled up by his Government and he, like the Minister, wants it back. The Mr. K. W. Hooper interjected. Redcliffe Labor branches want a line to the peninsula. It's time we started talking about Mr. BURNS: The next time the Minister over-all planning of the resources in this crosses the bridge-- city, in this south-east corner of Queensland and the whole of the State. We are making Mr. K. W. Hooper: I thought you were mistakes not moving quickly enough with talking about the Federal Government's the area transport authority covering an "Blue Poles". area from Noosa to the border and out to Toowoomba. We have to co-ordinate trans­ port, planning not just for Brisbane, not just Mr. BURNS: This is another blue-poles for the Gold Coast, not just for Redcliffe, situation. The poles are painted every six and not just for Cleveland, but to cover the to eight months. A man spends most of whole State. We are responsible for the his time painting the poles but immediately transport of people and goods in the whole after'.'ards smog from the cars stains them Sta.te. We have to get to the point of looking brown. And we breathe the same foul air a little further than a member's local interest most of the time! It is not a matter of how and his speeches for local consumption. We much money is wasted; it is a matter of have to look at the whole area and our total planning rationally what we want to do with responsibility. the money we spend. We really need a rapid-traasit system-rail or bus-for the One thing that struck me as passing strange new areas as well as the old areas. Electrifi­ was what Mr. Seeney was reported as saying cation will provide a new service only for on 23 August 1975 when he was a member people who live close to existing rail lines. of a panel of transport experts who spoke It will do nothing for the people at Mt. at the seminar on co-ordinated transport Gravatt Mansfield or other areas that are organised by the Brisbane Development not ser~iced by rail. We should be thinking Association. He suggested that transport and talking about them, too. could be planned only about 15 years ahead. A month before that, we had the first of the On co-ordination, we are in a fairly Premier's TV shows, in which he said that difficult situation with rail passenger vehicles plans had been made for the year 2000. in Queensland. They are in short supply and While the top member of our transport have to be shuffled around. I do not know authority-an officer employed by the how many times I have written to the department-was saying that we should not Minister asking for four carriages instead of plan more than 15 years ahead because of three on trains on the Wynnum line. When changing conditions, the Premier appeared there are only three carriages, people stand on TV with stories about the Mitsubishi up on the way home on the 4.57 p.m. When transport system, mono-rails and so on. four carriages are provided, they can sit down and travel in comfort. We believed in 1958-and we still believe -that the decision to scrap the electrifica­ I know, and the Minister knows, that in tion programme and go ahead with dieselisa­ his answers to me he has admitted that we tion was wrong. It was doubly wrong in have a difficulty with rolling-stock. It is the light of today's oil crisis, but no-one easy to suggest that we should put on buses could foretell in 1958 that an oil crisis to bring people to the trains. If that were would hit us in 1975. I think Mr. Seeney's done for people living on this line and statement about long-term planning was many others, many people would be stand­ correct. ing in the trains. We would be unable to handle them. In my Budget speech I said I am concerned that no-one on the that I was disappointed that the Budget Government side has put forward proposals did not provide for any major order for for new rail lines in the metropolitan area. rolling-stock. That would have been one The Government has been in power for a v. ay of providmg employment and passenger long time but not one new mile of railway comfort at the same time. line has been built in the metropolitan area. It is all very well to talk about existing From time to time the Minister for Mines services and the ones that were pulled up, and Energy has spoken of a free bus service but there are large areas in this city in for Brisbane. Such statements appear in the which new suburbs have exploded in the Press, but nothing is done about them. As past eight or 10 years. Thousands and a result, people say that politicians do not thousands of people live in them. We can keep their promises or stand by what they spend millions of dollars on freeways to say. On more than one occasion, the bring cars into the town, then spend millions Minister for Mines and Energy has referred of dollars on car parks for them, and then to a free bus service in Brisbane. I do find we have to spend millions of dollars not know that very many people will believe Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1481

that he will ever introduce a free bus bridge-an urgent need exists for additional serv!ce. Even if it were introduced, as soon cross-river transport for trucks and cars. Any­ as 1t started to lose money-as it must one who has gone down to catch the ferry because there is no return-somebody wili at the end of Queensport Road will realise argue that a charge should be put on it that. It is a 15-minute trip across the river. and if it is this Government that is i~ Large numbers of trucks queue up and the office, it will be a heavy charge. Then the wait can be much longer than the trip. I scheme will be in trouble. suggest a major Government subsidy or the provision of a couple of Government barges _I rose to speak principally about three or cross-river ferries at that point until such thmgs: the use of the Brisbane River for time as we build the bridge that this Govern­ transportation, safety in charter and tourist ment has been promising for some time. I buses, and the matter of the use of vintage cars for weddings. understand the existing ferry is a paying proposition. All the industries in the area The first time the subject of hire cars would support additional ferries on a short­ was _raised with me, it was raised by a term basis. Anyone who lives in the Vailey constituent who had a set of American cars or along the road leading to the Story that were a little older than the number of Bridge or who has to queue up each day at years laid down by the Act. He tried to Newstead to get across the Breakfast Creek o~tain exemptions to allow him to continue. Bridge would agree with me that it would be H1s case was only one of those that have well worth while providing a ferry as a means drawn my attention to the problem with by which transport could bypass the city hire cars. Another relates to the firm on until a bridge or tunnel is constructed at the Gold Coast with cars such as Murrarie. "Genevieve" and restored cars of a similar I suggest at this stage that we ought to type. People wanted to hire that type of take away from the city council or from the car to go to their wedding. The Transport Department of Harbours and Marine and Department said, "No, you cannot hire that others the responsibility for the installation type of. car. It is not legal for it to operate of pontoons and landing places along the as a h1re car because it is over a certain number of years old." river, because the major block to expansion of river ferry services is the high cost of Mr. Katter: Your wife wants to make installing pontoons. more, does she? Mr. K. W. Hooper: We are looking at it. Mr. BURNS: In this day and age I think we must allow people to have what they want. Mr. BURNS: I thank the Minister. I think it is important. I do not believe that we Mr. Frawley: There is something sinister should place people such as Charlie Mewitt in this. in the situation of wanting to provide an up-and-down-river service but being pre­ Mr. BURNS: The honourable member vented by the high cost of pontoons. If for Mu:rumba. can make something sinister any member wants a beautiful morning's out of 1t. Qmte truthfully, I think this pair trip into town, I advise him to catch the of rat-b~gs are c~rrying on_ a little stupidly ferry from Mowbray Park or one of the other about th1s, Mr. Miller. Wh1lst my wife's car points. It is beautiful, clean and restful. It is old, it's not vintage and it is not for hire. is important that we urgently consider the The . subm~ssion I make is that some people question of river transport because, by pro­ reqmre th1s type of service. Some cars are viding amenities and fast, clean travel we properly restored. In fact, I would think can train a whole new generation to use the that many of the old restored cars would river. pr?bably be a l?t safer than the cars being dnven around w1th roadworthiness certificates My last point concerns the living con­ h~nded out by inspectors at garages at Red­ ditions of people on the Central railway line. chffe and elsewhere. I suggest it is time that Early this year I had the opportunity to we pursued this matter. I can see no reason look at some of their houses. In Black­ why the fellow on the Gold Coast should not water there is a tremendous difference be allowed to make his vehicles available for between the living conditions of employees hire. There seems to me to be a rather of mining companies and those provided for unreaso~able restriction placed on this type Government employees, who live in masonite of veh1cle. A movie was built around huts with cold-water taps out in the yard, "Genevieve". Stories are built around cars showers covered by galvanised iron, very of this type. People want to use them. The poor and cramped facilities and, in some man wants to hire them out. The Govern­ cases, electricity only recently installed. The ment says that it believes in free enterprise large losses on the railway system should not but it won't let him do it. ' be used to justify the conditions these people have to put up with. They should have I turn now to the subject of transport on gone out in 1880. It is time the Minister the Brisbane River. Until we build a cross­ took a very close look at accommodation river bridge at Murrarie-the new gateway at Bluff, Blackwater, Comet and other places 1482 Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) on the Central line. That line must be and more expensive, our expressways will maki~g money today and if it is, the people become playgrounds for the use of skate­ working for the Queensland Government boards. It would be good and sound gov­ should have living conditions no worse than ernmental policy to place a 50c a gallon tax on those enjoyed by employees of the overseas fuel in any city with a smog problem and to countries on the other side of the tracks. increase it quite regularly so that people Dr. LOCKWOOD (Toowoomba North) will use public transport. This is not an (9.22 p.m.): I shall address my remarks idle whim or something to catch the Press; firstly to the question of private versus public it is offered as a serious solution to the transport. About 16 or 18 years ago the problem of congested roads, smog and public Government was sold a pup when it was transport in general. conned into accepting the unchecked expan­ sion of private motoring in the Brisbane Electrification is a very clean means of area at the expense of public transport. In shifting people by train, tram or trolley the past few years this fact has come home bus. I suggest that it might well be a mixture to people of all political beliefs. It is not of the three that would best suit Brisbane. only because of the recent oil shortages that Certainly trolley buses could operate on the people have had to take notice of this roads with only the addition of overhead problem. wires. I seriously commend trolley buses Anybody living on the high hills sur­ to any transport study. rounding Brisbane will see that every morn­ ing the city lies under a tremendous pall Rail routes should also be surveyed now. of smog, consisting of unburnt petrol, unburnt Such a survey should cover not only a circle diesel oil, carbon monoxide and a great deal route but also routes to the South-west, of lead. North-east, and perhaps from the West to the South-east. Such rail links should be Many years ago this State took pride in surveyed and land acquired so that there getting the lead out of paint. The only would be minimal disturbance should they people who were affected were a few children ever come to pass. who licked verandah rails or water tanks. We protected them, and thought we were achiev­ For the haulage of freight there has been ing something great. But now we have no better system in Queensland than the the whole population of Brisbane-young and old-breathing lead every day. The situ­ railways. I have seen great damage done ation is worse on days when there is an to highways by very large trucks. I think inversion followed by smog. all Queenslanders are well aware that many trucks travel overloaded, and the truckers Recently, with other people, I took part have worked out devious ways of getting in a fund-raising venture for charity. We round departmental checks. I have had rode bicycles from Toowoomba to Gatton occasion to attend autopsies on victims of and everybody agreed that each time a accidents involving five-ton trucks that were car passed at about lOO km/h there was licensed to carry 17 tons, or a total of a smell of raw petrol in the air. 22 tons, but had in fact an all-up weight, Mr. Bums: Have you ever cleaned the truck and grain, of 44 tons. Vehicles of this slime off your windscreen after travelling type do untold damage to roads, and if in over the Story Bridge? an emergency they need to stop suddenly there is no way that the braking system can Dr. LOCKWOOD: Special chemicals are enable them to do so. It has only about a required; it is unburnt oil. quarter of the efficiency that it is supposed to have. On two occasions in and around An Honourable Member: Did you ride Toowoomba such trucks have killed people. back to Toowoomba? Trains do not have such shocking accidents Dr. LOCKWOOD: I went back in a when they haul freight. The dedication of vehicle. I had to hurry back to church. train crews to the task in hand should be commended. Rail crews are quite small; This problem has been brought to the notice of the lay public by the shortage of three can shift a considerable quantity of oil. People are wondering what their motor freight. We in Toowoomba see long trains vehicles will be worth in a few years' time. coming in loaded with grain or taking cattle Many of the big cars will be worthless. to the meatworks in Toowoomba or further We have already seen a squeeze in the car down the line to Cannon Hill, and they do market, Governments and business aside. We it safely and with a minimum of inconveni­ have the prospect of a diminishing motor­ ence to the public. ing public. Escalating costs of oil, partic­ ularly imported oil, will force us out of the Certainly, railway workers have an V8s and back to the small 4s, and eventually excellent record for sobriety~which is more back to public transport. There is a danger than can always be said for truckies, who that, as motorists find fuel becoming more are notorious for parking outside or near Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1483

hotels and having a sojourn which might be who live in their areas. However, I am much intended to last only half an hour but is more concerned about the people who live often extended. Some have a nap whilst in the most isolated areas in Queensland. they are at those places, and good luck to They suffer from a lack of transp-ort of any them if they do. But railwaymen have a type. greater sense of responsibility, as they are well aware that the great tonnages they are I believe that we have to be fair and reas­ hauling require men who are keen and alert onable in our contributions to this debate if on the job. we are to be completely honest. While list­ ening to the Budget debate the thought A problem has arisen in Toowoomba struck me that never in my life had I heard recently, which I hope will be alleviated when so many requests from so many different the Willowburn railway yard is fully opera­ areas-most for exemption from the increase tional. I refer to the blockage of Russell in freight rates. Everybody \\ants something Street, the second busiest east"west street in done with the money available, but no-one is Toowoomba, by shunting goods trains. There prepared to pay for it. We have to be com­ are often delays at Bridge Street, and very pletely honest with the people of Queens­ long hold-ups at Willowburn. I know that land. Government and Opposition members a railwayman's leaving his engine or guard's alike have to realise that we have to give if van is virtually equivalent to a captain's we are going to receive. In all fairness it deserting his ship, but I think it would be should be recognised that over the last eight helpful sometimes, particularly at the Willow­ years the Railway Department has absorbed burn crossing, if a message was somehow an increase in costs of 185 per cent, and yet sent to those in waiting cars saying, "Look, people say that the proposed increase should you fellows have no chance of getting across not have been made in one hit but should this road for another half hour." I would have been applied little by little over that appreciate being given such information. I period. I believe we are being dishonest in was tempted to break the law one night, saying that a 40 per cent increase is inev­ and it is just as well that I did not, because itable if we are to balance the budget of the a police car was right behind me. After Railway Department; it will not go anywhere waiting about 20 minutes I turned and near doing that. The Government has made a backed away. A wagon was half across the sincere effort over the years and at least has road, and I could have sneaked through. stalled off the increase until now. However, I turned and went the long way around. As I have said before, the person most distant from the capital city is the most I should like to add my comments to those deprived. Let me relate a few facts about of other members who have spoken about the electorate of Gregory. I will try not to the need to take steps urgently in the pro­ repeat what I said in the debate on the vision of housing for railwaymen. Many Financial Statement. My electorate has a men stationed at Toowoomba are transferred common border with New South Wales, South to other places, such as Bluff and Charleville, Australia and the Northern Territory. It is and they leave their families behind for two the most southerly, south-westerly and west­ three or four months. The Railway Depart~ erly electorate. Perhaps I am wrong in saying ment should look at a system of putting the most westerly, Mt. Isa being as westerly. these men on different shift,s so they can As I said in my speech on the Financial State­ get home more often. As well, there is an ment, people in my electorate face crippling urgent need to upgrade the standard of rail­ freight rates, especially with our industries way housing. I can tell honourable members situated as they are in this State. In that right here and now that no policeman would debate I made a special plea that any live in one of these houses, nor is there any increase in the price of consumer goods in way in the world a school-teacher would my area be held to a minimum. The price live in one. of goods will be affected by the increase in rail freights, but in my area we have a fur­ Mr. GLASSON (Gregory) (9.30 p.m.): I ther problem in that goods have to be rise to speak on the Railways and Tran­ transported from the railhead to the most sport Estimates as my electorate would isolated areas of this State, and this increases probably be one of the hardest hit by the prices even further. increase in freight rates proposed in the Budget. I listened with interest to the con­ Any rise in the price of consumer goods tribution of the honourable member for results in a rise in the cost of living and that Salisbury. She was concerned about the adversely affects the living standard of every transport situation in her electorate. I cannot person in the area. I concede that people in help commenting that every member of the my area are allowed certain tax deductions, Committee, no matter where he or she comes and that is of some benefit, partly because of from, should be concerned for the people the price of consumer goods, but only to 1484 Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates)

those in a position to pay income tax. Fuel morning. An old mate of mine said, "When probably is one of the consumer items that is will you be up?" I said, "I'll be there early most important to people living away from in the morning." When I arrived he said, the railhead, and the Treasurer, recognising "Gee, I didn't think you'd be this early." the effect that increases in the cost of con­ That is by the way. I give the Government sumer goods such as that will have on Crown full credit for what it has done there. employees, has made an allowance of 33} per cent for it. However, I do not give it credit for the dog boxes set up along the central-western Newspapers reported today that the aver­ line in which men are compelled to live. age increase in the cost of living in Aus­ All the buildings between Winton and Long­ tralia in the last quarter was 0.8 per cent. reach have recently been painted. In one That is a lot of hogwash. It might be the gang, six men are living in dog boxes at average in the capital cities, but it is not Chorregon, while just down the line at the average throughout Australia. We should 507 there are very good quarters. These be fair and honest when we quote figures men are not permitted to move into the showing how people in country areas will buildings that have been painted, because be affected. they are married quarters. They are there, with their doors swinging in the breeze, but In my contribution to the debate on the the men cannot use them. I appeal to the Financial Statement, I mentioned the effect Minister to try to improve the conditions that increases in freight rates would have on m:der which these men live. goods coming into my electorate. I remind the Committee that people do not now There is a bridge gang working between market their stock at the railhead. They Winton and Ilfracombe. The ganger has market them at places up to 400 road miles bought a deep freeze and paid for it out from the railhead. I have checked this, of his own pocket to keep his men on and the most distant cattle property in my the job. I applied for a refrigerator at electorate is 400 miles from the railhead. another camp, but have not yet received Consumers will be burdened with the increase an answer to my application. When I went in rail freights plus so much a ton-mile for to that camp, the kerosene refrigerator, for each ton carted from the rail, and the over­ which the men had purchased parts them­ all increase will be astronomically high. That selves, had its burner tank chocked up with v, ill not be through any fault of the pro­ wood to keep the flame burning in the flue. ducers. Freight increases such as these will Problems such as these are easily solved, eventually make the man at the end of the but one rarely receives a favourable reply line insolvent. I am being completely honest to one's representations. I wonder why? in saying that, and it is a factor that every­ It is sometimes said that the useless and one in the community must appreciate. As the unemployable are found in railway gangs. I said earlier, we all want to take everything I do not agree with that statement. How­ we can get, but we do not want to pay. ever, the department is not likely to attract These people I speak of will not be in a the man with a wife and family. He will position to pay. not seek to make his livelihood in the rail­ ways when the accommodation offered is so Let me turn now to the people of my inadequate. electorate and how they are affected. I must begin by giving credit where credit Mr. Hartwig: And without hot water. is due, although my remarks probably will not be as commendatory of the Minister as Mr. GLASSON: No. I could name a those of the honourable member for Bel­ person who puts an immerser in a 12-gallon yando. In fact, I thought I might pay the drum. He holds a certain position in the Minister's fare to the electorate of Gregory railway. He was asked, "How much did that to see whether we could achieve there what cost you?" He said, "It didn't cost me any­ has been achieved in the electorate of thing. Many of the other men are out Belyando. boiling theirs in a 4-gallon drum." There's a bit of a lurk somewhere. We have to try In all fairness, I must say that in the to be reasonable about the allotment to the last few months there has been an improve­ Transport Department. I give full credit for ment in the quarters for railwaymen at what is being done in many areas. I only Winton. And not before time! Anyone who hope that the department can see fit to make has seen them would bear out what I am allowances for people in isolated areas, and saying. I went there at 6 o'clock in the review the 40 per cent increase. Supply [23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) 1485

Hon. K. W. HOOPER (Greenslopes­ particularly in the country areas. That Minister for T~ansport) (9.41 p.m.): particular honourable member also referred In t~e very short t1me allowed me to reply, to the necessity for upgrading amenities for ~ w1sh to prefix my remarks with several railway employees. The amount of money 1mportant comments made necessary because which can be devoted to such improvements of a number of ill-informed statements. must be related to the total loan funds Firstly, several honourable members available, and a priority must be fixed to expre.ssed concern about the apparent high maximise the effective use of such funds. wo~kmg expense for sections of lines in However, I feel that the honourable member the1r electorates compared with the revenue must admit that the Railway Department is ~arned. This points to the necessity to not acting unreasonably in allotting 7.8 per mcrease the railway revenue to offset the cent of available loan funds this year to astronomical increases in wages and other improve accommodation. An amount of as~ocia~ed ~osts. Again, let me highlight $1,038,000 has been provided this year for !h1s pomt: smce the last rail freight increase new quarters for trainmen at Bundaberg, m 1966,. average weekly earnings, which Torrens Creek and Winton, including :eflect dtrectly on railway costs, have $570,000 to commence the Bluff project. mcreased by a staggering 184 per cent. It is estimated that $124,200 will be spent Some honourable members also referred to on new amenities buildings, $275,000 for th~ non-av~ilability of details pertaining to new cottages and improvements to existing rallway fre1ght and fare increases. I will cottages and $500,000 for upgrading accom­ stress for their benefit that it is not a matter modation for migratory gangs. of these details not being released until sa.turday, but rather the bringing forward of Expenditure from funds other than loan th1s . debate by a week meant it was not funds will include $450,000 for the con­ struction of new camp wagons. So that ~oss1ble to have these details available in t1me. exclusive of the money made available by the phosphate developers for housing at As has happened in previous debates the Hughenden, Cloncurry and Bungalien, a co~tribution of the honourable membe; for total of more than $2,300,000 will be spent Ca1rns was most disappointing. He offered this financial year on improved accommoda­ n?thing constructive in the time allotted to tion and amenities for employees. h1m. He expressed disappointment that freight rates were not increased earlier. I thank the honourable member for Isis for his kind remarks. It is most unfortunate Mr . .TONES: I rise to a point of order that the honourable member regrets the num­ T~e _lv[inister has misrepresented my con~ ber of Government departments involved in tnbutwn. What I pointed out was the the Traffic Act. I wish to point out for his ~ypocrisy of t~e timing of the freight benefit that this involvement is necessary if mcreases. That 1s what I highlighted. It is one considers the respective responsibilities understandable that the Government did not of the departments concerned. The honour­ like me exposing that. able member referred to various other aspects particularly in the Railway Department and The TEMPORARY CHAffiMAN (Mr. also in the field of road safety. I am sure Miller): Order! he appreciates that we will examine all his contributions. Mr. K. W. HOOPER: I am quoting The honourable member for Windsor exactly from my notes of what the hon­ believes that electrification of the Brisbane ourable member said. suburban network will not mean more passen­ Apparently he wants a return to the gers, and he wanted to know why land for position which existed under a Labor parking at railway stations was not being Government, when, in the period from May acquired. Taking his first claim, I wish to 1948 to August 1956, on no fewer than inform him that electrification will mean ~ight occasions freights were increased. That faster trains due to quick acceleration and mcludes one period when there were two will undoubtedly attract many additional increases in six months. Since this Govern­ passengers as has been the case in almost ment came into power, there have been every centre where electric trains have been ~mtil now, only two freight increases-one~ introduced. Brisbane's planned electric trains m 1960 and another in 1966. But in the will shorten existing journey times over all same period there have been two reductions and they will also provide a high standard in certain freight rates-in 1968 and in of comfort and convenience. 1972. I can inform the honourable member that I submit that the honourable member for priority is being given to utilising the spare Cairns, instead of castigating the Govern­ railway land at many suburban stations ment for delaying the implementation of because of limited funds from Canberra, but increased freight charges, should commend in the future it may be necessary to purchase !he Government for its policy because there privately owned land at or near stations. 1s no doubt that the "moratorium" in higher I wish to acknowledge the unshakable sup­ c.h~rges has helped to stabilise the cost of port of the honourable member for Towns­ hvmg, so far as rail freights are concerned a , ville South in his dedicated campaign against 1486 Supply (23 OCTOBER 1975] (Estimates) those people in the community who drive responsibl~ only for the line-haul. The under the influence of liquor. I share his operator IS responsible for pick-up, 1oad!ng, concern that there are drivers who wilfully unloading and delivery, and accepts all nsks persist in consuming excessive quantities of of transit. If it were correct that no savings alcohol and then irresponsibly get behind were passed on, then obviously the service the wheel of a motor vehicle, putting the would not be used in preference to the lives of countless innocent road-users and ordinary rail service. pedestrians in acute jeopardy. I was most surprised at the reference made The honourable member for Belyando by the honourable member for Callide to a spent much of his time renewing representa­ rnst-ridden taxi. The Transport Department tions he has made seeking new railway makes strenuous efforts to maintain high stations at several centres in his electorate, standards in the taxi industry. He can be along with improved and additional railway assured that, if he can produce eviden_ce housing. What I sa,id earlier will cover most substantiating what he put before the_ Parl~a­ of that field. I can assure him that his ment tonight, we will most certainly mvestig­ requests will not be pigeon-holed, and I ate it immediately. thank him for his kind remarks. Finally, I am pleased he raised the question of Com­ The honourable member for Kurilpa monwealth aircraft charges, because I have referred to the cross-river rail link. He been concerned by the Federal Government's also referred to the broken promises of callous attitude in this regard and its lack the Federal Government. Like the honour­ of concern for inland residents. By con­ able member for Ithaca, he pointed out what trast, this Government, very early in office, the Canberra-based socialists had done in took action to remove the substantial State breaking their promises to supply the finance licence fees for air services imposed by a necessary for that undertaking. State Labor Government. I have noted the comments of the hon­ I also thank the honourable member for ourable member for Port Curtis about driving Merthyr for his kind remarks. I appreciate licensing and instruction as applied to country the interest that the honourable member has areas, and particularly the Gladstone area. shown in road safety and endorse his advo­ He referred to revenue received under the cacy of greater enforcement to bring about Roads (Contribution to Maintenance) Act, the certainty of punishment as a deterrent. and obviously he is not aware of the way As far as accident-site data is concerned, he in which that fund is administered. can be assured that there is an efficient sys­ tem of reporting these sites to the appropriate The honourable member for Murrumba, traffic authority and for their assessment with as I have just said, advocated a rail con­ a view to improvement. nection to Redcliffe. The honourable member for Sandgate, as As usual the honourable member for always, made an excellent contribution. I Ithaca spent considerable time and effort in thank him particularly for his comments researching material for this debate. It is about the rail link to Redcliffe. However, most refreshing to hear from an honourable as the honourable member for Murrumba member who checks his facts and figures. I indicated, there are varying views on this appreciated his remarks about my recent matter. I am certainly interested and will attendance at the National Safety Council's continue to push for this facility. The honour­ Congress and Exposition in Chicago. _It was able member for Sandgate is also looking a very informative visit, and I can mform forward to improved car-parking facilities. honourable members that there was a bene­ He knows quite well-and I am sure that ficial exchange of road safety schemes and he appreciates this-that new car-parking ideas. and railway facilities are being made avail­ able in his electorate. I was surprised-in fact, even delighted­ Work on the Brisbane River rail link has at the soft line taken by the honourable been in progress since August and will be member for Archerfield, who spoke at con­ completed and opened for traffic as quickly siderable length about the need for a rail as possible. I know that the honourable link to Inala. He has my assurance that member is aware of that. The honourable his proposal will be seriously examined. member also referred to the possible intro­ The member for Nudgee spoke about ban­ duction of traffic wardens. It is not generally ning goods-carrying vehicles from the city realised that we have already accomplished centre. It must be remembered that the a great deal in relieving police officers of matter of night deliveries is allied to indus­ civilian-type duties. trial problems created by the necessity to I can inform the honourable member for employ staff in buildings outside normal ho~rs Rockhampton that door-to-door services were to receive the goods and merchandise introduced by this Government in 1970 delivered. Brisbane is a busy port, too. and and followed the pattern of similar services it would not be feasible to ban trucks from operating in other States and overseas. For the city as that would delay the servicing the honourable member's benefit, the rates of wharves, container terminals and so on. to the bulk-loading operator are less than However, as the honourable member has those normally applicable but are for mini­ brought this to my notice, I am prepared mum truckloads, and the department is to consider the matter. Supply [24 OcTOBER 1975] Questions Upon Notice 1487

Credit should be given where credit is to know that this matter is being investigated due. Were it not for this Government's in a research project that is being undertaken initiative in embarking on studies and physical at the moment. works, there would have been no new Vic­ At 9.55 p.m., toria Bridge, no Riverside Expressway and no improvements at Kemp Place and Shaf­ The CHAlRMAN: Order! Under the ston Avenue. Of course, the honourable provisions of the Sessional Order agreed to member is right off beam when he talks by the House on 22 October, I shall now about the traffic coming into the city centre. put the questions for the Vote under con­ I thank the honourable member for Mouril­ sideration and the balance remaining unvoted yan for her contribution. I can assure her for Railways and Transport. that the request she has made for her elec­ The questions for the following Votes were torate will be seriously and speedily con­ put, and agreed to- sidered. Railways- $ The honourable member for Flinders is General Establishment 48,192,400 well aware of the work that has been car­ ried out in his electorate. I know his wor­ Railways and Transport- ries and concern about railway housing. The Balance of Votes, Con­ matter will be looked at in conjunction solidated Revenue, Trust and Special Funds and with the special committee that has been Loan Fund Account 298,942,730. set up by the Government into all Govern­ ment housing. r Progress reported. I compliment the honourable member for The House adjourned at 9.57 p.m. Salisbury on her well-presented address, which traversed many aspects of transport, driving and social problems. She advocated graduated driving licences. That is a sub­ ject that has to be approached on a national level because of the mobility of our people in travelling from State to State. It is being considered principally in respect of motor­ cycles. The honourable member for Carnarvon complimented me, and for that I thank him very much. He is concerned about Christmas leave for railway workers. I inform him that I will be only too happy to consider the matter as one of urgency. He is con­ cerned also about the work carried out in the Wallangarra area. This is very difficult. One naturally has to hasten very slowly with any alterations. However, I respect the honourable member's representations. He is not happy with the 40 per cent increase in freights but is big enought to admit that it just had to come. The Leader of the Opposition explained that dieselisation was introduced when Mr. Duggan was the Minister for Transport, but I believe he was a little off beam when he said it had nothing to do with this Gov­ ernment's shelving the idea of electrification. It certainly did. The Government at that time decided to dieselise the whole of the State and not to spend the maximum amount on electrification in the metropolitan area. In other words, we wanted to spend the money over the entire State. He also expressed concern at what he said was not an over-all planning scheme for an area extending from Noosa to the Gold Coast. I think that was the area he mentioned. I am prepared to have a look at that matter. He also mentioned rail as being rapid transit. I think that, like me, he was in a heck of a hurry. We all realise there are many other modes of travel. He later men­ tioned the Brisbane River. He will be pleased