Queensland
Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]
Legislative Assembly
TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1965
Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy
Questions [26 OCTOBER] Questions 1075
TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 1965 (2) If so, how many such operators were (a) owner-drivers and (b) employee drivers? Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair (3) What was the maximum term of at 11 a.m. imprisonment imposed? ADDRESS IN REPLY Answers:- HER MAJESTY's ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF (1 and 2) "Upon conviction by a Court AssURANCES OF LOYALTY. for a breach of "The State Transport Mr. SPEAKER: I have to inform the Facilities Acts, 1946 to 1959," or "The House that I have received the following State Transport Act of 1960," the pro letter from the Deputy Governor cedure for recovery of the amounts imposed by way of penalty, or in the "Government House, event of non-payment, for the issue of a "Brisbane, October 25, 1965. warrant for the imprisonment of the _"Sir, . offender if default imprisonment has been "I have the honour to mform you that ordered by the Court is one for the Clerk the Message of Loyalty from the Legis of the Court where the case was heard, lative Assembly of Queensland, dated as provided by the Justices Acts. I am September 7, 1965, has been laid before aware of only two transport operators The Queen. having been jailed for offences under the "I have it in command from The Queen above Acts in the last twelve ( 12) months. to convey to the Members of the Legis Both these operators were owner drivers. lative Assembly an expression of Her It is not the policy of the Transport Majesty's sincere thanks for their loyal Department to prosecute employee drivers greetings. except in exceptional circumstances." "I have the honour to be, (3) "I have no knowledge of this. If "Sir, the Honourable Member desires more "Your most obedient Servant, detailed information it would be a matter "ALA:N J. MANSFIELD, for the Honourable the Minister for "Deputy Governor. Justice and, assuming that staff was avail "The Honourable able, sufficient time would be required to "The Speaker of the Legislative check the records of the Clerks of the Assembly, Courts throughout Queensland wherever "Parliament of Queensland, prosecution under the above Acts have "Brisbane." been determined."
QUESTIONS MORATORIUM FOR PRIMARY PRODUCERS IN UsE OF FuEL OIL AT TowNsVILLE PowER DROUGHT-AFFECTED AREAS STATION Mr. Rae, pursuant to notice, asked The Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- Minister for Industrial Development,- In view of the crippling effect of the ( 1) Does the Northern Electric present drought on the finances of many Authority propose to follow the lead estab primary producers in Queensland, will the lished by other big industrial undertakings Government declare a moratorium to pro in Townsville and use fuel oil instead of tect any producer so affected from fore coal for steam generation at its powerhouse closure by banks and/ or other financial on Murder Island, Townsville? institutions? (2) If so, will adequate precautionary measures be taken to ensure that houses Answer:- and buildings in the area are not bespat "I appreciate the Honourable Member's tered and befouled by the emission of oil concern over the difficulties which flow soot from the chimneys? from the effects of drought. The Govern ment's view is that the declaration of a Answer:- moratorium would, whilst easing the (1 and 2) "I am informed that there problems of some, in the total do a deep are no plans for the conversion of boiler injury to primary producers as a whole. plant at the Townsville Power Station to These are days when primary production oil firing." has steadily become more capital demand ing. Clearing costs, high priced equip IMPRISONMENT OF OPERATORS FOR TRANS ment, water facilities, all mount a con PORT BREACHES siderable total. The price of quality stock Mr. Duggan, pursuant to notice, asked is also high. The result is that to equip a The Minister for Transport,- new property or to acquire an existing ( 1) During the twelve months ended property involves a lot of money. Support September 30, 1965, have any transport from banks and financial institutions is operators served terms of imprisonment thus more necessary than ever. The arising out of breaches of the State declaration of a moratorium would bring Transport Facilities Acts or the State primary development to a halt and my Transport Act of 1960? Government does not propose to make any 1076 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions
such declaration. But having said that, City Council for improvements to the the plight of some settlers cannot and southern approaches to the Indooroopilly should not be ignored. Banks and pastoral Bridge? houses are facing up to a tremendous drain (2) If so, why has the Reddiffe City on resources that, in the case of banks, Council not received the samt considera are confined within the limits and policies tion to meet the cost of th0 approaches set by the Reserve Bank. My Government to the Hornibrook Highway from the will always be open to receive evidence of Redcliffe end? difficulty and will be prepared to make submissions to the Reserve Bank with Answers: a view to relief. It is one of the sad com (1) "Yes." mentaries of our times that, even in a boom year, there is still a number of (2) "When the contract has been fully commercial failures. In consequence, it performed and the toll franchise granted would be too much to expect that there the Company controlling the Hornibrook would be no case of difficulty in a drought Highway expires, and should the structure year. However, I feel that the resources pass into the hands of the Redcliffe City of the banking system, with sympathetic Council, consideration can then be given easing by the Reserve Bank, should meet to any approach by the Redcliffe City the great bulk of worthy cases. I repeat Council on the question of a special sub that I will be ,prepared to assist with sidy on any works required to be carried appropriate representations if cases of out in connection with the bridge by that difficulty are put before me." Local Authority."
TAXI-CAB LICENCES ELECTRICITY TARIFF, REDCLIFFE AREA Mr. Davies for Mr. Sherrington, pursuant Mr. Houghton, pursuant to notice, asked to notice, asked The Minister for Transport,- The Minister for Industrial Development,- Do consumers of electric power supplied ( 1) What is the current number of taxi by the Southern Electric Authority of licenses and how many are held by (a) Queensland, pay in the Redcliffe area the owner-drivers and (b) persons who are not same rates of tariff as people in the metro owner-drivers? politan area? If not, why is such a (2) What is the number of licensed taxi discrimination made? drivers, apart from owner-drivers? Answer:- (3) Of the number of current taxi licenses, how many licensees own (a) one "Electricity consumers in the Redcliffe cab and (b) two or more cabs? area pay tariffs applicable to all con sumers in the area of sup,ply of the ( 4) Are licenses held by persons who Southern Electric Authority of Queens have interests other than cab-ownership land. Electricity consumers in the City of and, if so, what is the number and how Brisbane are supplied by the Brisbane City many cabs are involved? Council and pay tariffs applicable through Answers:- out the Brisbane City Council's area of supply. As the respective consumers are (1) "(a) 2,185, (b) 33; total, 2,218." supplied by separate undertakings under (2) "1,681." separate tariffs determined on the basis (3) "(a) 1,715, (b) 215." of each undertaking's cost of supply, the question of discrimination does not arise." (4) "Yes. 108 licensees involving 141 taxi cabs in the metropolitan area and the provincial cities are permitted, with the PATIENTS REFUSED ADMISSION TO REDCLIFFE consent of the Commissioner for Trans HOSPITAL port, to engage or be employed in a Mr. MeHoy, pursuant to notice, asked The business, trade or occupation other than as Minister for Health,- operators of their licensed taxi cabs. These Have any residents of the Redcliffe statistics are not kept for taxi cabs Hospital area, who have sought admission operating in country towns or other areas. to that hospital, been refused for any In addition, licensees may receive interest reason and referred to other hospitals? or other income from capital investments which they are not required to disclose Answer:- to the Transport Department." "The Redcliffe Hospitals Board has advised that no patient has been refused admission to that hospital. Within the SUBSIDY TO REDCLIFFE CITY COUNCIL, first six weeks of the opening of the hos HORNIBROOK HIGHWAY APPROACHES pital complicated cases were referred to Mr. Houghton, pursuant to notice, asked the Brisbane base hospitals for specialist The Premier,- treatment or because of shortage of ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to a medical staff. Following an increase in statement in The Courier-Mail of October the medical strength only those cases which 22, that the Government had made a grant required specialist treatment not available and subsidy of £75,000 each to Brisbane at Redcliffe Hospital are referred to the Ministerial Statement [26 OCTOBER] Ministerial Statement 1077
Brisbane base hospitals. During the Honourable Alex Dewar, the Lord Mayor, absence of one of the medical officers it Alderman Clem J ones, and himself with a has been necessary on occasions to refer view to trying to come to some workable emergent cases to the Brisbane base arrangement which would ensure that not hospitals for attention." only the Government, which has State-wide commitments, but also the Brisbane City Council would participate financially and .AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AND FANS IN practicably in a manner befitting such an STATE SCHOOLS instrumentality. Mr. Davies for Mr. Bromley, pursuant to My department's files record that notice, asked The Minister for Education,- Mr. Dewar had informed the chairman of ( 1) Are air-conditioning systems or fans the Festival Committee's finance committee, installed in schools at the expense of the Sir Douglas Forbes, that, as a result of this Government? If not, is the purchase of conference, it had been agreed that the them subject to subsidy? Government would allocate £2,000 a year as (2) If they are not subject to subsidy, a contribution to Warana and, in addition, will he consider having arrangements made it would provide a further £2,000 towards the whereby parents' and citizens' associations salary of a full-time secretary, on the con will not have to meet the cost of these fans dition that the Brisbane City Council agreed or air-conditioning systems? to make a total contribution of £2,000, which could be either by way of a grant for that Answers:- amount or a grant of £1,000 and the pro ( 1) "Neither air-conditioning systems vision of major services to the value of nor fans are installed in schools as a full £1,000. The Lord Mayor undertook to dis State responsibility. Furthermore, the cuss this with his colleagues. installation of an air-conditioning system In a letter dated 1 March, 1965, the is not eligible for a Departmental subsidy. Acting Lord Mayor, Alderman Buchan, Because of conditions during the summer informed me as follows:- months, the present Government, has, "! refer to discussions the Right Honour however, approved that the cost of instal able the Lord Mayor had with the Honour lation of ceiling fans in schools in the able the Premier and your predecessor North-west Education Region attract a concerning the amount of the Council's 50 per cent. subsidy." contribution to the Warana Festival, and (2) "Available funds will not permit have pleasure in advising that it has been the alteration of present policy." agreed to contribute an amount of £2,000 for the financial year 1965-66. It is hoped PAPERS that the increased payment will assist the Committee in its worthy objective." The following paper was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:- In a letter dated 8 March, 1965, addressed Report of the Department of Primary to the chairman of the Warana Festival Committee, which was brought to my notice, Industries for the year 1964-65. the Town Clerk, Mr. Slaughter, stated, among The following papers were laid on the other things- table:- "The Council, as you know, has agreed Reports- to increase its contribution to £2,000, and Queensland Meat Industry Board for whilst this is a 100 per cent. increase on the year 1964-65. what was allotted for the last festival, it is Bundaberg, Gympie, Ipswich, Mackay, in my opinion entirely insufficient to Rockhampton, Toowoomba and present this Festival befitting this State." Townsville District Abattoir Boards In view of the advice in these two letters for the year 1964-65. from the Acting Lord Mayor and the Town Proposal to revoke declaration of lands Clerk, the Warana Festival Committee as scenic area and State forest. definitely believed that the Brisbane City Council was going to make a cash contribu MINISTERIAL STATEMENT tion of £2,000, and I submit that a careful examination of both the letter from the FINANCING OF WARANA FESTIVAL Acting Lord Mayor and the extract of the Hon. J. D. HERBERT (Sherwood letter from Mr. Slaughter leaves one with Minister for Labour and Industry) (11.12 no other impression than this. Therefore, a.m.), by leave: I wish to inform hon. mem this amount was included in the funds avail bers of the serious situation which has able to the committee when it committed developed over the financing of the itself to expenditure for the recent festival. annual Warana Festival and the con Hon. members can appreciate how dumb cern at the part played by the Brisbane founded I was when, on 19 October last, I City Council in this matter. The con was informed by letter from the Acting Lord venors of Warana became so con Mayor, Alderman Buchan, who also is a cerned at the lack of practical and financial member of the Warana Festival Board, that co-operation in staging the festival that the there was an amount of £339 5s. 9d. owing Premier convened a conference on 28 Janu to the Brisbane City Council for the 1964 ary this year between my predecessor, the festival. 1078 Ministerial Statement [ASSEMBLY] Supply
My amazement in this regard could be as alleged are true. I think that before the understood further in view of the fact that ail courtesy of the House is extended, action accounts received by the festival committee should be taken by the appropriate Minister from the city council for last year's festival to see that all the facts are disclosed instead had been paid in fuii and no indication of making suppositions, which the Minister had been received from the council for acknowledges. I think it is correct that a months that there was any other amount ministerial statement should be made, but in owing. this case the Minister should have extended In addition, Alderman Buchan informed the normal courtesies to the Brisbane City me that the cost of services rendered by the Council. council for this year's festival totalled £1,880 Mr. SPEAKER: I ask the Leader of the and this amount, plus the £339 5s. 9d. Opposition to withdraw his previous remark. allegedly owing from the previous year, meant the council had incurred, in effect, Mr. Duggan: Yes, I do so. unrecouped expenditure of, and I quote, Mr. SPEAKER: It is my opinion that the "£2,119 5s. 9d.". These figures must be Warana Festival is a matter of so much suspect because they add up to £2,219 5s. 9d. pUJblic interest and a tourist attraction for Alderman Buchan felt that the £2,000 sub Queensland as a whole, it is quite competent sidy, which the council had agreed to con for the Minister in charge of the tourist tribute, should be offset against this amount. industry in this State to make such a In other words, the council would not be ministerial statement on the financing of that making any cash contrrbution. festival. It is also very important to have Having acted, and understandably so, on the public apprised of such matters, as the the assumption that £2,000 in cash would be Government also pays a subsidy to the received from the council, the committee Warana Festival. Therefore, I believe it is now is in the position of not being able to a matter of importance both to this Parlia meet its commitments or the salary in fuii ment and to the public. of its full-time secretary. The additional £2,000, which was made available by the SUPPLY Government on the condition that a similar COMMITTEE-FINANCIAL STATEMENT amount would be provided by the council, RESUMPTION OF DEBATE now has been used in part to meet general expenditure. Commitments which were (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hoo;per, entered into in good faith cannot be met Greenslopes, in the chair) without the council's expected cash contri Debate resumed from 21 October (see bution. p. 1044) on Mr. Hiley's motion- Many Government departments, numerous "That there be granted to Her sections of the business community and Majesty, for the service of the year others incurred considerwble expenditure, 1965-66, a sum not exceeding £1,809 to directly and indirectly, but have borne it defray the salary of Aide-de-Camp to His willingly in the promotion of this festival, Excellency the Governor." which, we hope, eventually will at least equal Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) (11.28 a.m.): those in other capital cities. The debate on the Financial Statement gives These facts must make it obvious to all hon. members an opportunity of speaking on hon. members that the Warana Festival many subjects. Of course, some subjects are Committee is justly entitled to a cash contri more important than others, and I propose bution of £2,000 from the council with a to refer first to education. reasonable itemised bill for council services, I thank Mr. Speaker for his courtesy in not greater than that received for the previous allowing hon. members to invite school year. children to Parliament House. In my I feel that it is essential for this House opinion, such a visit is a useful adjunct to to be informed of the facts of this matter, education, because as one travels round-at and I appeal to the Brisbane City Council least some hon. members travel round the to reconsider its attitude on this question. State-one finds that children, and indeed Mr. Duggau: Why didn't you do that, some adults, have no real knowledge of what instead of making a ministerial statement takes place in Parliament House. As hon. in a form which amounts to a dishonounuble members know, we are allowed to invite 400 device? school children here in one day-200 in the morning and 200 in the afternoon. Although Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Leader the system presents some difficulties and I of the Opposition to withdraw his statement think it could be altered with advantage, that the Minister is carrying out a dishonest I pay a tribute to the children for their device. That is a highly improper statement behaviour while they are visiting Parliament to make. House. As I said earlier, I do appreciate Mr. Duggan: On a matter of privilege, Mr. Speaker's courtesy in allowing us to leave to make a ministerial statement is bring the children here. given by courtesy of the House and I think Hon. members know that children see that in those circumstances it is a very grave things in a different light from that in which and important matter which reflects very adults see them and absorb information in greatly on those concerned, even if the facts a very different way. Therefore, when Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1079 children visit Parliament House at my invita "The books there range from Nursery tion and see Parliament in session, I suggest Rhymes to encyclopaediae. Also there, that they write essays-for which, of course, by a window from which you could obtain ii provide prizes-showing how they view a good view of the Botanical Gardens, Parliament House. I intend now to read to was a barometer, a thermometer, and a the Committee two such essays. Although chart showing the height of the river in I have been reading "Hansard" for about 25 flood times. I found this chart very years, this is the first time, to my knowledge, interesting. that children's essays on Parliament House have been included in "Hansard". I want "We then paid a visit to the Legislative to pay a special tribute to those children who Assembly (from the galleries); here the write the essays. First of all, I shall read colour of the carpet and upholstery was one written by a boy from Villanova College. green. When we had settled down a I have another one written by a young lady policeman told us what we were to do, from Buranda Girls' State School. and what we were not to do. It was all very frightening. I didn't want to spend The essay by the boy from Villanova three years in gaol for disturbing College is headed, "Our Visit to Parliament". Parliament. I read these essays to demonstrate how the children see us. We all know the statistics "A bell rang. After two minutes it relating to Parliament House but I think all stopped. Five minutes passed; the hon. members will be interested to hear the atmosphere was tense. The bell rang impression the children get of us. This again for two minutes. By this time most essay reads- of the members had arrived. From the "As we assembled in the grounds of galleries we gazed down on them, while Parliament House, we were met by Mr. some of them returned our gaze; then all Bromley M.L.A., who, after introductions of a sudden somebody said, 'Gentlemen, were over, led us round the end of the Mr. Speaker.' main building-this area was shaded by a "We all stood, and after Mr. Speaker number of large trees--on to a well kept had entePed and recited a prayer, we all lawn at the rear of the building. This sat. The atmosphere was still tense. lawn, I am told, is the scene of official garden parties on special occasions. "Then commenced the work of the day (That is, the talk of the day). One "To our left was a wooden building member star.ted off with a personal request known as the 'Stables', where horses and to explain something about him that had coaches were kept in the Good Old Days, appeared in the paper. but which is now used for the storage of irreplaceable books and data (very "Interjections became common, and so inflammable). To our right was the main did Mr. Speaker's 'Order, ORDER!' Then building in the middle of which was the a Mr. Chairman took over the task of huge curved mansard roof above the calling out names and sayting, 'Order, 1ibmry and grand staircase, and ahead of ORDER!' us were the lodges for country members. "After a while·, just as things were "After Mr. Bromley had quoted some getting hot over North Queensland (we statistics (costs, dates, names, places, etc.), could even hear what they said!) we had we were led into the main building and to leave. And so ended our vis£t to up a steep, narrow, tiring, winding stair Parliament." case (I wish there was a lift there). I think that essay is well worth recording. Above the staircase was a valuable stained After all, the children of today are the adults glass window portraying Queen Victoria. of tomorrow. Then we were led along a corridor to the Legislative Council Chambers; the colour With your permission, Mr. Hooper, I will of the carpet and upholstery here was red. read an essay from one of the young ladies "At the far end of this room was a at the Buranda Girls' State School. She chair, known as the 'Throne Chair' (It was writes- very comfortable!) in wrnch the King, " Our Visit to Parliament House" Queen or Governor would sit. This ''This morning we enjoyed a delightful room is still used during the reading of lesson when, accompanied by one of our the speech from the throne at the State teachers, we left all our text books in our opening of Parliament each year. class room and set out for a visit to Parliament House. "When we had seen ~his room, we were taken back along the corridor to the "This educational treat we owe to library where copies of newspapers, sub Mr. Bromley, M.L.A. who was our host urban or country, daily or weekly, are and whose 'lesson' has completely changed kept before being sent to the 'Stables'. my ideas about Parliament. I used to These newspapers are helpful to the mem think Parliament House was just a large bers as they help them keep in touch with imposing Building of Offices presided over the affairs of their dis.tdct. In a glass by a number of men referred to as Mem case, on a t!!!ble, was a large book bers of Parliament who, in turn, are ,presented by Queen Victoria in memory of appointed to these positions during Elec her husband, Prince Albert. tions when all people over 21 must vote 1080 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
according to their choice. NOIW Mr. A.L.P ., we believe in doing the right thing Bromley has given me a much clearer for all people. We do not do as the hon. picture of this organisation. member for Clayfield does. We do not ask "For instance I know now that in 1864 people their politics or how they vote if they a prize of £200 was offered to the Architect come to us with a request. We help them submitting the best design for Parliament and we help them successfully. I do not wish House. Mr. Charles Tiffin was the to be sidetracked, but unfortunately, in successful designer and our stately, digni relation to housing and other matters, we fied building of 92 rooms costing £62,435 are not successful in our efforts because the to erect and £3,718 to furnish, was the Government is not interested in assisting result. Although the western wing facing the people. Alice Street was not completed until June, I turn now to school subsidies, which are 1891, Parliament did meet for the first very important. I have referred to this time in the new building on 4th August matter on several occasions. However, as 1868. Today it is surrounded by a carpet I understand that the Estimates for the of lawn which makes an ideal setting Department of Education are not to be for receptions given by our Premier, discussed this year this will be my only Mr. Nicklin, for visiting V.I.P.s or other opportunity to raise the subject. In my important social occasions. A building Address-in-Reply speech, and on other at the rear which once housed horses and occasions, I referred to schools. Unfortu coaches now stores some 200,000 books nately, my time expired during the Address and magazines. in-Reply debate before I concluded my "In the Legislative Chamber we were remarks. I had referred to large and small actually allowed to sit on the chair on schools in relation to numerical attendance which our Queen sat when she visited us or strength, and I had said that schools with and then in the library we were shown her small enrolments were my main concern. Of signature on a book displayed in a glass course, I did not mean that I was not con case. I liked this gesture, it has made cerned with the others, because I am naturally interested in all schools, but in my Parliament and all ~t means much less impersonal to me. What a treasure of electorate there are schools with relatively books there is in that library and how I few children in attendance. This is only envy Mr. Gunthorpe, the librarian, his natural, because as Brisbane expands young job! He has a wealth of knowledge and married people leave the inner city for the information at his command and how outer suburban areas. As a result, when lovely to have all those books so readily there are but few students there are small available. From the library Mr. Bromley parents and citizens' associations. took us to the gallery where we could I recently asked the Minister for Education look down on the Legislative Chamber a question about how much money had and attend this morning's Parliamentary been spent on the East Brisbane School, sitting. Alas! All good things come to the Buranda Girls' School and the Buranda an end and all too soon we were saying Boys' School, but he replied that the infor 'Good-bye' to Mr. Bromley to whom we mation was not available. Unfortunately the are very grateful for his kindness, and I'm Minister is not present. I suggest that if sure we'll all remember him when we he had answered "Nil" he would have been are 21 and are able to vote for him." very close to the mark, because to my I did not pick the prize-winners; I am too knowledge not one penny was spent on any cunning for that. If I picked the winners I of those state schools in my electorate during might win one or two friends, but at the the financial year 1964-65. same time I would be likely to Jose many Mr. Windsor: The sum of £23,000,000 more. was spent on education. You must have I thought that that last paragraph was well been unlucky. worth recording, particularly in view of the coming elections. I have no doubt that I Mr. BROMLEY: I now wish to refer will be successful next year when the Aus to the Narbethong School which, for the tralian Labour Party is returned as the information of hon. members, particularly Government, particularly in view of the the hon. member for Ithaca, means "a squabbles between the coalition parties. I cheerful place". On appearances, one would often wonder whether the Country Party will think he had never seen a cheerful place. As take this challenge to its authority lying we have often said, if the hon. member down. Is it going to be a nonenity in the for Ithaca contributed something worth while future? Unfortunately, during question time now and again we would listen to him we are not allowed to ask these questions and perhaps respect him a little more. of the Premier or Mr. Speaker. Nevertheless, Mr. Tucker: He once made a speech about one does have these thoughts, and I pose a magpie. those questions to the Committee. Mr. BROMLEY: That was one of his Mr. Murray: Do you adopt the right most intelligent speeches. It was rather a wing or the left wing in your party? good one. Mr. BROMLEY: We believe in governing I thank the Minister for Education for for the good of all people, irrespective of allowing us to call the school for the blind their political outlook. As members of the "Narbethong". In my opinion, the name Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1081 takes away some of the stigma which affairs were it not for the wonderful assist might attach to the unfortunate visually ance of parents and citizens' associations in handicapped children as it seems that a providing complete-! say "complete" stigma is associated with the word "blind". advisedly-education. In my opinion the new name is more euphemistic than School for the Blind. Mr. Windsor: The Government gives a 50 per cent. subsidy. It seems to me that the Government believes that parents and citizens' associations Mr. BROMLEY: I know. B\llt parents exist wholly and solely to raise funds to and citizens' associations at small schools supply the essential requirements for the cannot raise the mone'Y, so how can they pupils' education and welfare. This conten get the subsidy? .tion is strongly supported by prominent people in all walks of life. It is my Mr. Sullivan: What size do you call a opinion, and the opinion of many others, "small" school? including many prominent people at the BROMLEY: A school with an enrol university, that money for education should Mr. be supplied solely by the Government. All ment of 100 to 150. How can the associa the money should be supplied by the tion at such a school raise the finance Government if only to support the Govern necessary to keep the grounds in order ment's contention-the hon. member for that work should be done by the Govern Ithaca interjected that so much money had ment-to keep the swimming pool in good been spent on schools-that education in order and condition, and to provide all the Queensland is completely free. other necessary ameniiies? So-called free education in Queensland is Mr. Sullivan: I have had experience with an erroneous misconception and is com much smaller enrolments than that, and they pletely fallacious. Parents know the seem to be able to do it successfully. They astronomical amount it costs to send must be different people. children to school each year. Too much Mr. BROMLEY: I wish to return to the financial responsibility is placed on parents subject of "Narbethong" and not to in this regard. UnfortunaJtely parents and be sidetracke·d. This school caters for the citizens' associations do not have enough visually-handicapped and blind children say with the department in the running of throughout the State, and has an enrolment schools, or on education generally; they at present of 78. It is a State in&trumentality, are ignored by the Government, and are and the committee has to raise £2,000 a treated as money-making bands of good year to provide amen~ties that should be hearted people who give time, effort and p..-ovided by the Government. There is the money to assist the Government to provide answer to the question of the hon. member education. who interjected. Mr. Houston: They are slapped down at every opportunity. I wrote some time ago to the Minister for Education and asked him to grant a Mr. BROMLEY: Yes, the'Y are. lt subsidy on the purchase of a school bus or, behoves every hon. member to JOlll a to give it its trade name, parlour car. It parents and citizens' association and take took the Minister eight or nine weeks even an active interest in its work. Quite a to acknowledge the letter, and then he number of us, particularly Opposition refused the subsidy. I appeal to the Govern members, are members of such an associa ment-and I would appeal to the Premier, tion. Not long ago the hon. member for too, if he were here-at least to make a Kurilpa claimed that these associations had grant to assist these unfortunate children a lot of say with the department in teacher who need more than do children who are training and education generally. But their able to see and hear. hands are tied. The hon. member for Incidentally, I thank the Press for their Bulimba, who knows what he is talking assistance in publicising our badge day to about because he is president of a high be held on 29 October. It is rather poor school association, said that very often their ·when a school has to have such a day mouths are gagged by the Government. throughout Queensland to raise money to What would happen to the children if it provide necessities to which the children are were not for the arduous and dedicated entitled. Unfortunately not enough assist work of these associations? How would ance has yet been obtained for Friday, when they get full education, spoDt:ing gear and it is hoped to raise at least £2,500 to go other facilities for playing sport, improved towards the purchase of not only a bus but grounds, television and all the other things other things as well. A Thermoform which are necessary adjuncts to education? duplicating machine, for instance, costs Certainly not from the Government! approximately £450 imported, and it has to Erecting a school in itself does not mean a be supplied by the parents and citizens' thing, because anybody can erect a building. association. I am sorry that the Minister The amenities must be supplied before the for Education is not in the Chamber. From children can be given a proper education. the way he receives these requests, it seems Schools throughout Queensland would be that if he were a ghost he would be too in the doldrums and in a sorry state of lousy to give anyone a fright. 1082 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
Mr. Pilbeam: What did the previous Admittedly, it is unlike him to do such a Government do? thing, but the action he took was in very bad taste. Mr. BROMLEY: I am dealing now with Mr. Sullivan: Don't you think it is bad Narbethong. taste on your part to use a school for these Wonderful co-operation has been received unfortunate children as a political football? from the Department of Education, whose officers have assisted us tremendously. What Mr. BROMLEY: I resent that remark. I the Minister does not seem to realise is am genuine in my attempts to gain some benefits for all children, and I am certainly that when these blind children proceed to not using this school as a political football. the Cavendish Road State High School The interjector, the hon. member for we still provide them with Braille typewriters Condamine, should be ashamed of himself, and other special equipment needed to because I can remember the time when he further their education. said in this Chamber that all railwaymen I appeal to the Government to make all were bludgers. .these aids available without any question of Mr. SULLIVAN: I rise to a point af order. subsidy, because the amount of money I am not surprised at the outburst by the .needed cannot be raised by parents when hon. member for Norman, but I have never the enrolment is only 78. The prindpal, in this Chamber referred to all railwaymen Mr. Eric Searle, and the teachers are as bludgers. That statement is offensive to ell.ceedingly dedicated and they do a wonder me and I ask him to withdraw it, and to ful job. They do more work than perhaps be man enough to do so without reservation. most teachers do, and more of it beyond the ordinary call of duty. The president The CHAIRMAN: Order! the hon member of the association, Mr. Merv. M·acarthur, for Condamine has taken a point af order. •works day and night in the interests of the I ask the hon. member for Norman to accept .children. He is at the school early in the the statement made by the hon. member for mornings and in the afternoons, and he Condamine and to withdraw his remark. •and all committee members give their ser .vices in an honorary capacity. Mr. BROMLEY: I withdraw the word "bludgers". If these unfortunate children had the use of a parlour car they would be able to Mr. Sullivan: Now stick to the truth. go round and at least feel things. I have Mr. BROMLEY: The hon. member said had them at Parliament House, and it is that they were loafers, and "Hansard" shows heartbreaking to see them moving about that he said they were loafers. feeling things. I have had them in the Chamber and indicated to them the Speaker's Mr. SULLIVAN: I rise to a point af order. chair, and various other things here and in I did not say that at any time. I challenge the Library. It breaks one's heart to see the hon. member for Norman to go through ·the poor children having to feel the objects "Hansard". If he can find anywhere that I that one has described to them, and further referred to all railwaymen as loafers, I will action should be taken to assist them. I walk to Bourke. I ask him to withdraw the emphasise that these are my own thoughts statement. on the subject; I have not been prompted Mr. BROMLEY: Proceeding with my 1by the head teacher or the other teachers. speech-- I am very disappointed by the Minister's Mr. SULLIVAN: I rise to a further point refusal to make a grant or give a subsidy, and of order. I insist on the hon. member for I am very disappointed, too, that when the Norman's withdrawing the remark that I Government decided to appoint two Govern referred to all railwaymen as loafers, and ment representatives on the executive of the I ask him to apologise. parents and citizens' Association, the Minister did not have the courtesy to The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask the hon. approach the principal .or myself, as the member for Norman to accept the explana elected representative of the area and a vice tion given by the hon. member for Conda president of the association, first and ask mine and to withdraw the remark relative whom we would like appointed. We had to railwaymen being loafers. people in mind who would really work and make sacrifices for the good of the school; Mr. BROMLEY: Mr. Hooper, the hon. but the Minister appointed a member of the member said that he insists. He is dictating Liberal Party from another area-inci to you. I accept that he did not say they dentally, he has attended only one meeting were all loafers, but he said that most of since he was appointed, at which he stayed, them were loafers and that two or three out to be exact, 28 minutes-and a political of five were loafers. He cannot deny that. aspirant, who has attended only two meetings. The CHAffiMAN: Order! Is the hon. Although, as I said, we could have suggested member withdrawing the allegation? appointees who would have worked in the interests of the school, the Minister refused Mr. BROMLEY: I withdraw the allegation even to consult us. In my opinion, he that the hon. member said all of them were showed gross ignorance in not doing so. loafers. If it does not appear in "Hansard" Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1083 he must have taken it out next morning, These sporting personalities leave Queens because I was in the Chamber when he said land in the main, for two reasons. The it. first 'is this Government and the second is that they have a better future in most fields Mr. SULLIVAN: I rise to a further point of sport in other States and overseas. Any of order. I am not at all surprised at the person who is genuinely int~rested in our outburst of the hon. member for Norman. sporting reputation must be disturbed to see He has now made the statement that I this migration of sporting talent to other said two or three out of every five railwaymen States. I think every right-thinking member were loafers. That statement is objectionable of this Committee must be disturbed and to me. I did not make it and I ask him will agree with me that . unless someth~ng to withdraw it. definite is done to halt this state of affarrs, The CHAffiMAN: Order! I ask the hon. sport in Queensland will continue on its member for Norman to withdraw the toboggan to disaster. statement to which the hon. member for The Government is all for establishing Condamine refers. and encouraging enterprise in this State where Mr. BROMLEY: In deference to you, it can see the possibility of "rf~:king ill: a Mr. Hooper, I will withdraw it but I intend quid". That is evidenc~d. by !he mstallation to prove at a later date that the hon. of the Totalisator AdmmistratJon Board, the member did say it. He cannot deny it. extension of liquor licences, and that sort He is only trying to waste my time. As of thing. In this dignified Chamber perhaps a matter of fact, he said it in 1960 and one should not use the phrase "raking in he got such a hammering from everybody a quid", nevertheless that is what it amou_nts that he was not game to open his mouth to. I refer to the T.A.B. and art umon for quite some time afterwards. raffle permits. I have asked a question in the House about the amount that comes Mr. AIKENS: I rise to a point of order. to the Government in revenue from art union As one who is deeply concerned with the and raffle permits. It amounts to a preservation of dignity in this Chamber, tremendous sum. Mr. Hooper, I draw your attention to the fact that the hon. member for Norman The Government would be well advised said that the hon. member for Condamine to do something reaUy public-spirited by cut something out of "Hansard". That is spending some money in an investment that a reflection on yourself, or the Speaker, or would pay handsome divide-?-d.s in many the Chief "Hansard" Reporter. No "Hansard" directions--certainly better dividends than item can be emasculated or altered without the T.A.B. pays. It is well to rememb~r the authority of the Chief "Hansard" that in 1964-65 there were £48,000 m Reporter, Mr. Speaker, or yourself, and it unclaimed T.A:B. dividends. Actually, I is up to you to protect those gentlemen. believe the figure to be in excess of that about £60,000. I suggest that the amount The CHAmMAN: Order! I took it that of money represented by unclaim~d the hon. member for Norman was referring dividends should be set aside for a specral to the corrected proof. purpose. Althoug~ this suggeos~ion. ~s Mr. BROMLEY: I know that you, Mr. possibly not new m other countnes It IS Hooper, with your usual fairness and decency, probably new to Queensland and Australia. will protect me as you would anybody else. What I am suggesting would be a. really I have much more to say about education, progressive step. I suggest the settmg up but at this stage I wish to break into my of a specialist department to he1p Queensland remarks to deal with a matter which I sport through assistance. i~ admiD:i~t!ation a-?-d consider to be most important to the welfare coaching and by providmg facilities to. lr~t not only of the youth of this State but sport in this State out of the depths rt IS of the people generally. Because I am gradually sinking into because of the exodus patron or vice-president of many sporting of our players. Such a specialist depart organisations and take an active interest ment could be known as the Ministry of in the various committees that are assisting, Sport. The money for this departme_n~ could controlling, and building up Queensland's come from unclaimed T.A.B. dividends, sporting reputation, it worries me to see the ·which presently are paid into Consolidated loss of sporting talent from virtually every Revenue. That money belongs to people field of sport to other States and to overseas who have invested on the T.A.B. but who, countries. It does not matter what sport .for one reason or another, have not collected one mentions it suffers this loss of talent their winnings. Perhaps they have lost their to other States or overseas countries. tickets. The unclaimed money is there. It I suggest for the consideration of the could be used in a worth-while manner by Committee, the Government and everybody setting up a Ministry of Sport which :vou!d interested in sport-including the Press, which encourage young sportsmen to remam m gives much publicity to sport-some ways Australia. The money could be &pent wisely and means of inducing our topline athletes ·and well in the provision of better facilities and sporting personalities to remain in .for present and future sporting stars. Queensland for the good of the State and also so that younger players may get better For its size Australia is the leading nation tuition and have a brighter future in the ·in all sports, but we are losing many of our field of sport in which they participate. top sportsmen overseas because of the better 1084 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply opportunities that eX"ist there. The perform anyone who cares to read them. It is gener ance of Australian athletes in all spheres ally agreed that in primary schools the ideal is remarkable, more so in view of the fact class size is between 30 and 35 pupils. they they receive so little Government help. The Minister said that there were no clear Imagine how the performance of our athletes cut ideas on the subject, yet not one organi would skyrocket if money was set aside for sation in Australia connected with education such a purpose! It would mean that we does not agree that that is the ideal size. would be able to keep our own athletes Only recently I attended a conference in here, and we would be able to provide Hobart, and I made inquiries in one or two coaches for younger players so that they schools. In my opinion Tasmania is further could forge ahead in .their various avenues advanced in the field of education than any of sport. other State in Australia. It is further When we were debating the Children's advanced in thinking and progressive teach Services Bill there was much talk of this ing than the other States, and I pay the so-called juvenile delinquency. I do not authorities there that compliment. believe that juvenile delinquency exists to There are many schools in Queensland the extent that has been suggested. The in fact, too many-with well over the desir children I come into contact with at primary able class numbers. Unfortunately, I can and secondary schools seem to be a pretty not challenge the Minister to disprove my decent bunch of people. However, this statement. If he cares to carry out investi idea of mine will assist tremendously in gations he will see that I am correct; he curbing the so-called juvenile delinquency. cannot prove otherwise because I have made ·I offer the suggestion for what it is worth. wide inquiries. I repeat that more teachers ilt is food for thought. In all modesty I and more classrooms are urgently needed think it is a very good suggestion. We in Queensland. would not be depriving anybody of any money. The money would come from the I now intend to raise the matter of over :rake-off received by the Government in crowding in various schools, particularly unclaimed dividends. I am sure that this on the south side of Brisbane, because of the scheme would meet with the approval of closure of other schools in the vicinity. I all clear-thinking people. originally raised this matter in good faith because of the many complaints I had I now turn to the matter of the number of received. Many citizens and organisations children in classes and to the need to increase contacted me and when, in good faith, I the number of teachers. Recently the Queens queried the Minister, he stooped to make land Teachers' Union said that there should cheap political propaganda out of the matter. be an immediate increase of about 500 in That is not like him. He said I was making the number of teachers. I will refer to that a statement-in fact I was asking a ques statement later. I directed a question to tion-which amounted to a serious reflection the Minister for Education concerning the upon the professional competence and size of classes and as to what would be integrity of the schools that were receiving regarded as an ideal size, and the Minister pupils from the Kangaroo Point school, replied that there was no fixed thinking on which was closed down because of its small ideal sizes by any authority or body in enrolment. Australia. Again I wish the Minister was here because I could point out to him that In reply to the Minister's statement he is not present so I shall have to write he is completely wrong in his thinking. him a letter-!, like him, have confidence Mr. Mann: He is never here when we in the head teacher and the staff of the want him. East Brisbane State School. I did not mention the name of any school; the Mr. BROMLEY: He is probably up at Minister inferred that that was the school the T.A.B. As the hon. member said, the I reft
Mr. Walsh: What about finance? Mr. HEWITT: As I said, if I am wrong, there have been Labour Governments in Mr. HEWITT: They receive finance under both spheres simultaneously since then; for the best terms ever made available. Most instance, when the Scullin, Curtin and of them are making good use of their Chifley Governments were in office in finance. Canberra. During all that time Labour had the opportunity to do something about build I am interested in the need to supply ing the Nathan Gorge dam. But it was only further money for water conservation in when we became the Government that inves Queensland. Year by year adequate water tigations into the suitability of constructing supplies are becoming a major problem and, the Nathan Gorge dam were completed. as time goes by, they will be even more The then Minister for Lands and Irrigation, important. The hon. member for Fassifern Mr. Muller, ordered that those investiga spoke strongly a:bout what was needed in the tions be completed. Labour put out its way of irrigation facilities. He has had vast little blue booklet in 1926 about 364 farms experience in the industry and knows full of 13 acres each, claiming that a good living well what is required. could be made from each farm with 15 Mr. Hanson: Do you agree with all of his or 20 cows and one or two acres of lucerne. speech? Heaven knows where the produce was to go. I did not think the hon. member for Mr. HEWITT: I should say that if hon. Bundaberg would buy into this matter. members opposite were as practical as the hon. member, the A.L.P. would be a much Mr. Walsh: You are a long way out with better party. your facts. We must first ensure that we protect those Mr. HEWITT: I can produce the blue who already have supplies of water. At booklet. The investigation was not com present, in the Dawson Valley area water pleted until some 30 years later, when we supplies are becoming very low and there became the Government. wm be trouble if some tributaries of the Members representing Central Queens Dawson River are not dammed to provide land often complain about what happened adequate water supplies for the area; farmers under Labour Governments. This Govern will be completely out of water. I had hoped ment has produced a report on the Nogoa that some hon. member opposite would River scheme, the possibilities of which interject, "What about the Nathan Gorge were fully investigated. The Federal Govern scheme?" I might say that this scheme goes ment is not interested in forging ahead and back to 1923. From time to time many helping the State with this scheme. State Governments have had an opportunity to do something about it, but apparently Mr. Davies: Why? they have all thought it was too big for the State's capabilities. Unless the Common Mr. HEWITT: I have told the hon. wealth Government enters dnto the scheme member what Labour did. If we had a I believe it will never be built by the State change of government tomorrow I do not because there is just not enough money know what would happen. Judging by available. As a State Government, we Labour's record, the position would be worse. must investiga·te the feasibility of damming However, that is only getting off the track. tributaries of the Dawson River to ensure Let us stick to irrigation, because that is that these people will have further what we are interested in. The Nogoa River protection. dam-site is in the Emerald district. It is not in my electorate. Members of the Oppo Mr. Davies: Would you say that we have sition should be wholeheartedly behind this to wait until a Labour Government takes scheme as it is in the Barcoo electorate. As over the Commonwea1th? the member for Mackenzie-the Nathan Gorge site is in my electorate-! am big Mr. HEWITT: I said earlier that 1923 was enough to support the Nogoa River scheme the year in which the Nathan Gorge scheme and say that we should try to get Common was first mooted, and in 1926 the A.L.P. wealth finance to put it into effect. It has published the "perfect" little blue book with great possibilities and would bring many 364 farms, each of 13 acres-and there was benefits to that area The Commonwealth then a Labour Government in both the Government looked only at the cost per Sta•te and Federal spheres. acre-foot, not at the increased revenue that Mr. Walsh: You are wrong. would be derived from the scheme. Mr. HEWITT: If I am wrong about the At a meeting in Rockhampton convened time, there has been a La:bour Government in yesterday by the Rockhampton Research power at the same time, in both spheres, Information Bureau, the hon. members for since then. Callide and Rockhampton South and I joined with the hon. member for Barcoo and others Mr. Walsh: There was no labour Govern in a unanimous decision to approach the ment in the Federal sphere in 1923. State Government with the suggestion that it again raise this matter with the Common Mr. HEWITT: In 1926. wealth Government with a stronger recom Mr. Walsh: Or 1926, either. mendation because such a scheme means so Supply (26 OCTOBER] Supply 1089
much to Central Queensland. I hope that country ones are unable to get staff at all. it will be the pilot scheme for other irri The same procedure could be adopted for gation schemes in Queensland, especially in matrons as for clerks of the court, magis Central Queensland. trates and so on. For example,. they would start in smaller hospitals and gradually Mr. Davies: They will probably dump it, move up the scale till they were eligible just as they did the Burdekin scheme. for positions in large base hospitals. Those Mr. HEWITT: I have told the hon. nurses who remained in the profession till member how Labour dumped us so he they retired could have supe•rannuation should not keep on talking about dumping benefits to retire on instead of having to anyone. Labour dumped the people I repre ·rely on their savings or receive .the old-age sent, and now the A.L.P. has endorsed a pension. Gayndah chemist to stand against me in the 'It is my considered opinion that more next election. That is enough on the score girls of the right calibre would be attracted of irrigation. to, and kept in, the nursing service if they Tremendous hospital advantages have been were assured of the same status as school given to country people. The people in my teachers and other members of the Public electorate are fortunate in having one of the Service. Those who wish to nurse in first three new hospitals erected in country private hospitals or homes could do so out centres for many years. The new hospital side the Public Service. There has been at Theodore was denied to my district for so much trouble recently in Queensland in years by Labour Governments. I recall Mr. trying to staff country hospitals that I think Reg. Connolly, a member of the hospital at least some thought should be given to board and then a good Labour supporter (I my suggestion. am doubtful whether he is today), saying to Mr. Muller: I think it is an excellent me, "We are entitled to a hospital, but idea. there is no way I can do anything about getting it." All I can say is that the Govern Mr. HEWITT: I am pleased that the bon. ment has, through the efforts of the late Dr. member for Fassifern agrees with me. He Noble, now corrected that position. In addi probably knows, as I do, the difficulties that tion, a new maternity section is to be added hospital boards in outlying places have in to the hospital. obtaining staff. It would be beneficial ro the Mr. Duggan: Seeing that you are dealing State to investigate any steps that could be with Central Queensland, bow about taken in the direction I have indicated. The spending a couple of minutes on Port Alma? views I have put forward also have the back ing of some country doctors. Mr. HEWITT: I shall leave that in the There are other aspects of Government capable hands of the member representing that I should like to speak a!bou1, but I shall that area; I am more interested in what leave them till the relevant Estimates are i'S being done for my constituents. under discussion. However, in the few In addition to the new maternity section minutes still available to me in this debate that is to be provided at the hospital, the I shall make a few observations about the nurses' quarters are to be enlarged. Main Roads Department. In recent weeks the Minister for Health No hon. member was a greater admirer of has informed me that the hospital at the late Ernie Evans than I was during the Eidsvold, which was built before the turn years that he was Minister for Main Roads. of the century, it to be completely renewed. Wherever one drives over the vast distances The 16cbed hospital that will then be pro of Queensland, one sees monuments to him vided will be a great boost to the town. and to the Main Roads Department. Bridges Whilst on the subject of health, I have a were widened and other improvements were suggestion to make concerning the nursing effected, and Queensland was provided whh staffs of country hospitals. Whether it be roads that will be good for the next 30 to right or wrong, I know that some other 50 years. That is where planning has fallen hon. members feel as I do on this matter. down in the past. Because the electorate that I represent has many areas that are only To overcome the all-too-frequent severe sparsely populated, it has raised many shortage of trained nurses, particularly in problems for the Main Roads Department. country hospitals, I suggest that trained Fortunately, the Dawson and Callide Valleys nurses be give·n full Public Service status are no longer sparsely populated. One has and actually become members of the Queens only to travel through those valleys today to land Public Service. As such, they would see the development that is taking place in be liable for transfer to any hospital as agriculture and as a result of ·the implementa directed by the· Director-General of Health tion of the brigalow lands development or his deputy. scheme. In addition, the Moura-Kianga This would enable the spread of available coalfield has brought many people to the nurses over all the public hospitals of the area, and the populations of Biloela and State, and would alleviate the staff position M-aura have increased following the con of some hospitals. For example, the large struction of the Callide Dam and the popular hospitals in coastal areas would not Calcap power station. This part of the be overstaffed whilst some of the smaller State is responsible for much of the 1090 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
revenue that flows into the Treasury. roads, primary and secondary schools, In fact, I should say that it produces more universities, hospitals and a number of other revenue than does any other area of Queens public utilities. And, of course, great play land of a comparable size. If that assertion is made of the expansion of established is not correct, I am sure I am correct in industries, together with the introduction and saying that it is the fastest growing area in encouragement into the State of further new the State. industries. Mr. Muller: There ds the development of All of this, of course, is attributed to the cotton growing, too. so-called wise and effective administration of this Government. Nothing could be Mr. HEWITI: Yes. It will take place further from the truth. Necessity demanded more quickly if more water is provided. that these changes take place. Necessity H the Nogoa Gap scheme is implemented, knows no barriers or any master and cotton growing can be expanded in the therefore is not subjected to the whims area and a larger acreage of lucerne or vagaries of changing governments in can. be grown. Large quantites of States or nations. In fact, the position is lucerne being grown in the Emerald District quite the reverse because almost all State would give a boost to the grazing areas and national decisions are governed by the round Emerald, and I believe tha:t serious necessity to cope with the changing world consideration should be given to providing and there can be no doubt as to the vast an irrigation scheme for this purpose. world-wide changes that have taken place since 1945. Mr. Newton: Is lucerne irrigated in that area? Here in Queensland we have experienced what might be termed a population explosion Mr. HEWITI: Yes, on private properties. which has been brought about by several Sommerlads have a very good stand on their factors, including natural increase in popu property not far from Comet, and there lation following the cessation of hostilities, are two or three other private areas of the intake of migrants from overseas and, lucerne. They are showing what could be of course, some influx of migratory workers done i:f a large weir was provided in the area. from other States who have since settled here. The natural consequence of this Mr. Rae: Are they irrigating from water increase in population has been an increased holes adjacent to thedr properties? demand for schools, hospitals, housing and Mr. HEWITI: They are pumping privately other facilities, and irrespective of what from the Nogoa River. government was in office today, be it Tory or Labour, these demands would have to With further development of the brigalow be met. lands development scheme and good roads into the area, the population will increase So let us not be misled by any of this still further. However, in a desire to provide propaganda to the effect that this is a bene amenities for the new settlers, the settlers ficent government and that it is only due to who have been in the area for years should their thoughts and actions that these increases not be forgotten. Those of us who have in facilities have eventuated. Sheer necessity been there for years were the pioneers; we is the motivating concern behind their actions, showed the way. An effort must be made to and nothing more, for, as I have said, balance the development and to ensure that necessity dictates the actions of any both the old and the new settlers get a fair government. deal. At least the new network of roads There is a great need for further and allows the settlers to market their cattle at better educational facilities from primary Gracemere or at Wandoan, and they are schools right through to university level. grateful for this. In this age of automation, electronics and As I said earlier, let us not be carried away nuclear power, every facility and encourage by the idea that the western road is the ment must be provided for our students to only road needed in Central Queensland. It enable them to acquire the technical know is needed badly, heaven knows, but the ledge and skill that will assist them to production from the Dawson and Cal!ide keep abreast of the changes that are taking Valleys should be taken into consideration place, and we can ill afford to Jag behind when roads are being built. other countries in this respect for the student of today will be the scientist of tomorrow. [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] If we are to take our place in this changing Mr. INCH (Burke) (2.15 p.m.): In his world these facilities will have to be usual inimitable style the Treasurer has provided for the students. once again presented to Parliament another Mention has also been made in the Finan documented masterpiece of financial wizardry cial Statement of the mineral development which paints a glowing picture of what is that is taking place in Queensland, but little purported to be a remarkable upsurge in is said of the ever-increasing exploitation the economic stability of this State, of the State's national resources to the supposedly brought about by the effective benefit of foreign investors. The lack of administration of this Tory Government. natural resources in other countries, such A great deal of political propaganda is as high-grade coking coal, which is in interwoven throughout the statement regarding heavy demand by the Japanese steel the expenditure on and construction of beef industry-here again we have an example Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1091 of necessity, in this instance the necessity State out of the goodness of their hearts. for the expanding Japanese steel industry The Prime Minister and his Government to be supplied with coal from an outside were seeking ways and means to placate the source-has led to the increased develop people of Queensland, who so solidly ment of our coal resources and to the rebuffed them in the 1961 Federal election, extension of our coal exports overseas. and to improve the national overseas balance Can this Government rightly claim that it of trade. has been responsible for the increased development and production of this com An increase in the export of prime beef modity? Of course it cannot. Had the coal was considered to be one of the major not contained all the right components neces solutions to their problem, and the only way sary for the production of steel-bear in mind to achieve this would be to provide a means that those components are the product of for the quick transport of prime young nature and are not infused by Governments beef cattle for slaughter and the eventual or mankind-and had the price not been ex,port of this beef to overseas markets. suitable to the Japanese, there is no way Those are the reasons for the Federal in the world that our coal would have been Government's participation in the beef roads acceptable for use by these people. scheme. If any gratitude is to be expresse·d Again, it is necessity which has caused the at all it should be expressed by the Federal stepping up of the exploration for, and the Government for the splendid work done by subsequent discovery of, oil in this State the people who are developing the beef cattle and other parts of Australia. Like all our industry in isolated parts of the State, for natural resources, it has been in this con the wealth they are producing, and for their tinent for millions of years. It is not the contribution towards the overseas balance product of some creative act on the part of trade. of this Government, although by its propa ganda it would dearly love the people to I am well awa:re that any criticism of the believe that that is so and that it is respon beef roads scheme always draws a storm sible for the reservoirs of oil that have been of protest from members of the Governme·nt discovered. and that those who dare to criticise it are It is the uncertain trend of affairs in the deemed to be "knockers". At the risk of oil-producing countries throughout the world being included in this category, I intend to in which American and other foreign capital raise one or two matters in regard to the is heavily invested, and the necessity to beef roads scheme. Before doing this, how ensure an adequate and safe supply of oil ever, I make it perfectly clear that I welcome and its allied products to Australia in the the advent of the beef roads in the western event of another world conflict, that has and isolated areas of the State, because not brought about this re-awakened interest in only do they provide a quick means of trans our potential. When it is proved-as no port of stock to railheads in good or bad doubt it will be-that oil does exist in seasons, but they also fulfil the need for Queensland in large quantities, this State reasonable trafficable roads in those areas. will provide a happy hunting ground for However, I query the location and construc foreign investment, just as other oil-bearing tion of one of these roads in particular, countries throughout the world have been. namely, the road from Julia Creek to It will be up to the Government of the day Normanton. to ensure that this State benefits in full In my opinion, the construction of a beef measure from the exploitation of its natural mad from Cloncurry to Normanton should source of wealth, and not content itself with have taken precedence over the Julia Creek the acceptance of niggardly royalties such as road for several reasons. Firstly, I believe those that at present are being received for that a road from Cloncurry would have our coal and bauxite. served a far larger number of beef cattle The Government has also seized upon the properties with greater numbers of beef construction of beef roads throughout the cattle being produced on the individual State as a medium for further political propa prope·rties, tha:n those on the Julia Creek ganda. Recently, during the debate on the road. Secondly, a considerably lesser motion instigated by the hon. member for mileage of road would have had to be con Gregory, we witnessed the sickening structed. It would have traversed an area spectacle of Government members rising to which contained long se·ctions of country their feet to pay homage to their so-called with a good rock foundation. Gravel and friends and mentors in the Federal sphere other aggregate suitable for road construc for the assistance received from the Federal tion is available and reasonably accessible. Government in the implementation of this All told, it would have meant a considerable scheme. I see no reason for this adulation saving to the Government in road constmc on the part of Government members, for tion costs. Such a road would also be· well the allocation of finance by the Federal up out of the flood areas compared with the Government towards the construction of Julia Creek road, which is inundated in these roads was made for business and poli places by flood waters, even during a light tical reasons only, and not because of any wet season, with resultant damage to the worth-while desire on the part of the Prime road surface and weakening of its Minister and his henchmen to assist this foundations. 1092 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
In my opinion, the construction of that shutdown of mining operations at Mt. Isa. road leaves much to be desired as it would We warned the Government then of the appear that permanency of construction has consequences that could be expected from been sacrificed for distance. Even during that legislation and of the possrbility of con the short term that this road has been in tinued industrJal unrest at Mt. Isa as long as use, maintenance work and resealing of that Act remained in force. Again, as he did sections have had to be carried out on the in 1962, the Treasurer bemoaned the adverse J ulia Creek end. Even as late as September effects suffered by the State in this regard. ot this year tenders were being invited for He screamed about these industrial disputes the resealing of 47 miles of this road. This and the effect they had on the economy and i> evide·nced by the following advertisement the finances of the State. But again I remind which appeared in the "Mount Isa Mail" of him that, whatever loss has been suffered Tuesday, 14 September, 1965- by the State, it is the end resu1t of a sectional piece of legislation enacted by his "Main Roads Department Government against the employees engaged "Quotations are invited for the re-sealing in this industry. It must be remembered that of approximately 47 miles of the Julia the employees suffered severe financial losses Creek-Normanton Road (McKinlay Shire), also, in •their claim to redeem that measure Job 79/679/7. Quotations endorsed of wage justice which had been denied them 'Quotation CY23' addressed to the District by this Act and, as long as it remains Engineer, Main Roads Department, unchanged, there wiH always be the possi Cloncurry will be received up till noon biLity of recurrent disputes in this industry on Friday, 24th September, 1965. w1th accompanying financial loss to all Quotation forms obtainable from MRD concerned. Office, Cloncurry." The calling of tenders for the resealing of this If the Government wants to prevent future portion of the road substantiates the remarks losses through industrial action, it will repeal and criticism I have expressed on the con this obnoxious amendment to the Act and struction of this section of the beef roads not repeat the mistake of introducing the scheme. No doubt it will be discounted by type of legislation and regulation that Government members because they hate to brought discredit to the Government and the admit that a mistake has been made, and State. The introduction of such regulations are extremely sensitive io any criticism of is a method of approach to industrial their pet projects. The present Minister for problems that one would expect in a police Mines and Main Roads is no exception, for State. The Government should take warn when the Leader of the Opposition touched ing and learn from the serious blunders it briefly on the subject of beef roads con has committed in the past. struction, the Minister was qlllick to interject that Labour had no plans for beef roads. He One matter contained in the Financial was met with the apt and stinging retort Statement must cause grave concern to from the Leader of the Opposition to the local authorities throughout the State, effect that what LaJbour plans, it plans well, especially those in the far western area who and that some of these roads were ]J'lanned are plagued with the problem of obtaining and constructed for political expediency. I sufficient funds to finance the construction thoroughly agree with the Leader of the of water storage facilities or, alternatively, Opposition; in my opinion, the Julia Creek carrying out extensive drilling programmes in Normanton Road was built for pol~tical an endeavour to locate adequate underground expediency. supplies of water fit for human consump tion to serve the needs of those within their In his opening remarks in the Financial areas. The Treasurer said- Statement the Treasurer said that the most significant reasons for the decline in the "! feel I should state a note of warning finances of the State were the industrial on debenture raising for this year. For dispute at Mt. Isa and the prolonged drought the past eight years the Government has which still continues to take its toll of cattl~ had the happy record of seeing raised 100 and sheep in stricken areas. He said that per cent. of the State's debenture alloca any continuing loss of this livestock must tion. I believe that, with tightening necessarily have its impact on the finances of liquidity and competition for funds from this State in the coming year. The loss of other sources, this is a year in which we revenue to the State because of the drought might well be hard pressed to repeat this is unavoidable, and no-one can be blamed raising performance." for it. A drought is not caused by any Later in the Financial Statement the human agency. Treasurer goes on to say that it is becom But it is an entirely different matter when ing more apparent that the public sector the finances of the State are affected will be forced in future to shed more of its adversely by a prolonged industrial dispute present load onto the shoulders of private which could have been avoided had this capital, and that one such means will be Government taken heed of what was said to insist on a greater degree of pre by Opposition members, not only during the development of industrial and domestic sites, last dispute, but also in 1961 when the thus relieving local authorities of some of amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and the burden of heavy capital needs for water Arbitration Act precipitated an eight weeks' and sewerage. Supply [26 OCTOBER) Supply 1093
Unfortunately for some of the towns in over a long period and they are common western shires in which industries could be to both sides of the administration of the established, there can be no pre-development Brisbane City Council. of industrial sites because, no matter what The comments that I made created quite industrial or other potential may exist in a ripple on the surface of the waters of their areas, the lack of an assured water the administration of the city and, as a supply precludes its development. The town result, I was asked to compile a list of the of Cloncurry, which is in my electorate, is people who bad been placed at a disadvantage labouring under this handicap, as it is because of their treatment by the Brisbane entirely dependent upon bores and river City Council or frustrated in any way by soaks for its supplies of water. As it is in a it. Naturally, it was obvious to those who low-rainfall area and there are prolonged asked me to do this that it would be periods each year in which no rainfall virtually impossible because, in the main, occurs, the supply of water from these people who made complaints to me or to sources is rapidly depleted, and consequently my department wished to remain anonymous. stringent restrictions are imposed by the shire council in order to conserve the As I think most hon. members know, supply. a campaign was conducted against me, principally by the Lord Mayor. He adopted Unless this council has open to it avenues an attitude similar to that of Tarzan beating to obtain the necessary financial assistance his chest and said be was proud that be and also straight-out grants from both State had made these demands on big developers. and Federal Governments for the construc The whole of the campaign, allegedly in tion of water storage facilities, it will have rebuttal of what I bad said, was carried on no chance of providing sufficient water to in this atmosphere, with the Lord Mayor attract those industries that could be saying, "It was fair to do this to these big established in Cloncurry. developers." Much has been said in both the State Mr. Lloyd: May I ask you a question? and the Federal spheres about the need for development and closer settlement of the Mr. DEWAR: Later. The hon. member northern and western areas of the State. has already destroyed my chain of thought Here is a further opportunity for both the once. Federal Government and the State Govern Mr. Melloy: You have only one, anyhow. ment to put their words into action and thereby assist these people in their efforts Mr. DEWAR: At least I have the advan· to develop this portion of the north-west tage of the bon. member; be has none. of the State. I urge the Government to do I am not really concerned about the Lord all in its power to assist local authorities, Mayor's claim as to what he does to big by loans and grants, to obtain the water developers. I recognise, of course, that storage facilities that are so necessary if whatever imposition is placed on a big industries are to be attracted to their areas. developer does not hurt him very much, In conclusion, I join with other hon. mem that it is the little man who buys a block bers in extending to the Treasurer and Mrs. of land from the big developer who bears Hiley very best wishes for a long and happy all the cost. What does concern me is retirement. what is being done, and what has been done, to those interested in industrial pursuits and Hon. A. T. DEWAR (Wavell-Minister to the little people of Queensland. for Industrial Development) (2.40 p.m.): My belief in this regard was fortified by I wish to say a few words in this debate a number of letters that I received, following because it is the last opportunity that I the publicity given to my comments, from shall have to say anything during the life people who had been placed at a disadvantage. of this Parliament. For example, a letter that I received from Mr. Davies: We did not expect you to Intertherm Heating and Cooling Pty. Ltd. go out. said- "When we first commenced this building Mr. DEWAR: The Estimates for my project in June, 1963, we approached the department will not be coming before the Brisbane City Council regarding water and Committee and I have no further legislation electricity supplies and were told by an to introduce during this session. Conse officer of that Council that if we wished quently, as I said, this will be my last water and power supplies in the area, we opportunity of joining in a debate. would- During the Address-in-Reply debate I made ( a) have to supply our own water some comments of a general nature, and supply main from Kingsford Smith for about three or four minutes I dealt Drive near Ampol Petroleum to the with the Brisbane City Council's treatment site of our building, the full length of people who made applications to it of this section of Curtin Ave., a relative to industrial matters. I made it distance of some 450 yards. clear at the time that I was not making (b) We were similarly informed by ... a political attack, because the attitudes that the Electricity Department that similar exist at the City Hall are not peculiar to arrangements would have to be made the present municipal regime. They go back for electricity." 1094 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
Because of the intervention of my Depart Brisbane Town Plan proclaimed because it ment and the co-operation of Sir James Holt suited them to use the interim orde·r under this plant was able to proceed with its indus which they could at will, impose all sorts trialisation. The point I wish to make is of condJtions on people. tha:t it is a shock:.ing indictment of an The second aspect that caused me a great allegedly democratic system that so many deal of concern in regard to this matter lay people who have been disadvantaged in their in the fact that on every hand one sees relationships with the Brisbane City Council and hears evidence that people who are not are absolut~ly fearful of the possible vin prepared to accept the dictates or impositions dictiveness of further treatment that may be placed upon them in respect of the develop meted out to them. ment of some land, whether for the purpose I have also a letter from a man at St. of subdividing it into household blocks or Luoia, dated 8 September, in which he says- for some industrial pursuit, and who are "We wish to express our full support of prepared to argue the point, are invariaJbly your vJews as expressed recently in the told by the council, "If you take us to court Press relating to the activities of the and appeal against our decision, you will Brisbane City Council in frustrating beat us." Time out of number, to their own attempts by investors in Brisbane. frustration and the dislocation of their activities, people have been forced to go on "We have suffered considerable financial appeal to the court set up by the Minister loss and personal hardship as a result of for Local Government only to find that the what we consider to be both ineptness and Brisbane City Council has not even appeared vindictiveness on the part of the BrJsbane to fight its case. In other words, applicants City Council." have been forced to go to the expense and He concludes by saying- delay of hltigation only to find that the "Because, however, we fear that further City Hall was not prepared to back up its vindictiveness on the part of the Brisbane own arguments. That situation has been City Council could resu~t. we would prefer rampant for one or two years. That is the this communication to remain as confiden type of industrial blackmail to which people tial as possible." have been subjected. I suppose it would be fair and reasonaible Mr. Lloyd: It has been going on for to say that of the 20 or 30 cases that have eight years. been brought to my notke since January, when I assumed responsiibility for this port Mr. DEWAR: It has manifested itself to folio, approximately 90 per cent. of them the present degree of obnoxiousness only stressed, "Please do not use our names to in the last couple of years. I believe that the the council. We intend to have further Brisbane City Council has never wanted the contact with them in the future and we are Town Plan proclaimed. It has wanted to afraid that if you take any steps to cause blackmail industry at will. More recently, them to be upset in any way we will be since I became Minister for Industrial jeopardised in our dealings with them." Development, I have had four or five cases 'lt is a shocking indictment thrut in a put to me of people who desire to set up democratic age there are people in this an industry in a part of Brisbane which community who are fearful of officialdom to obviously is suited only for industrial pur the point of being afraid to fight for their poses. One case concerns a block of land rights lest they be disadvantaged to a greater at Lytton, adjacent to the Ampol refinery. degree at some future point of time. When I took this matter up with the Minister for Local Government my colleague The type of treatment I referred to in the told me without equivocation that the past, and again refer to, is that which came Brisbane City Council had t:he power to as the result of the BriSJbane Qty Council alter the zones on the Town Plan if it so using its interim development order instead desired. The Minister for Local Govern of getting on w]th the job of drafting ment had something like 11 cases of people ordinances which would have enabled the who are seeking to have land zoned as Town Plan to be implemented. Those industrial land and who are waiting for the ordinances would have come to the Minister proclamation of the Town Plan simply for Local Government and, in turn, to the Governor in Council. The Town Plan, which because the Brisbane City Council refuses to was drafted some years ago and in respect of take action it already has power to take. which a Bill was passed in this Parliament Where does my concern come in this? Iast year, could then have been implemented. It is true that a lot of people come to me. AU that has been awaited is the supplying I well recall the case of a man who came to of the ordinances so that the Governor in see me about three months ago. He was Council could authorise them and the people the manager of a big organisation in this of this city would know where they were city-a long-established, reputable firm with going. People who wished to invest in some 80 years' experience in the field of industry or development would know where merchandising and hardware. He sought they were goJng. But, instead of that, those assistance to have a block of land on the who were responsible chose to carry on 'south side rezoned for warehouse and under the interim order. I say without fear factory purposes. At present this land is of contradiction that the Brisbane City surrounded by other industrial activities, but Council did not want the ordinances for the he was unable to get the permission of the Supply [26 OCTOBER) Supply 1095
Brisbane City Council. Although the land This is what Mr. Vincent Doyle said- is on the highway to Ip:>wich and is sur "Your Government was left with a rounded by industry the council says it is legacy of over 30 years of anti residential land. I asked this man, "What entrepreneur administration tempered by do you want me to do?" He said, "I failures of socialist ventures and have come to see if you can help me." I exhaustion of funds." said, "We can help by making representa How true. tions and endeavouring to point out the farce of this situation." He then said, The letter continues- "Please do not use my name." I replied, "Your Government is wholly to blame, "Good heavens! How can you expect me not those who are administering the Act. to take a case up for you if I cannot quote Jones has worsened things with his policy your name?" He said, "I can't let you of forcing appeals but your Government mention my name." This is not a figment has condoned it for some years now." of my imagination. Over the past few I am honest enough to quote from this months I have heard this type of story letter although it is criticising us. The letter fairly regularly. establishes beyond doubt that there are people Mr. Lloyd: I made such a speech as this in other States of Australia who are con seven years ago. cerned with the policy followed by the Brisbane City Hall. Mr. DEWAR: Yes, and two years ago the hon. member said that the council should In respect of the claim that I made here get on with the job of getting industry estab previously, I intend to cite now the case lished. More power to the hon. member of a man whom we were able to help get a for doing so. He was honest. realistic approach by the Brisbane City Council. I saw him yesterday and I said, I am going to cite a few cases. They "I am going to quote your case in Parlia concern not big men, but little men. The ment tomorrow." He said, "Good," and he details have been made available to me by walked away. But he came straight back. Sir Leon Trout, a leading solicitor in this I know him well. He said, "Listen, Alex, it city. First of all, I refer to a letter may not be a good idea. I may have to received from a man in Sydney. I could not approach the council again." I said, "All reply to him because he has given no address right, I will not use your name." other than Sydney. His name is Vincent Doyle. He does not relieve the Govern Mr. Houston: How do we know it is ment of responsibility. He virtually says, factual? "It is no use your complaining about what Mr. DEWAR: The hon. member can read the Brisbane City Council is doing, because the file. I will accept his word that he you are doing nothing to stop it." What he will not divulge the name. does not understand is that this is the only city in Australia that has an octopus such Mr. Houston: No. What is it worth if as the Brisbane City Council in control. he will not disclose his name? Every other city in Australia is made up of the small type of local authority such as Mr. DEWAR: These people are afraid the borough councils we had in the good of the hon. member's mate at the City old days 30 or 40 years ago. Hall. Mr. Houston: Why don't you take some Mr. Houston: Don't talk rubbish. steps to-- Mr. DEWAR: It is a fact. Mr. DEWAR: I should like to take some steps to unscramble the egg, but how does Mr. Houston: Why don't you do some one unscramble an egg? thing about it? Mr. Houston: You are the Government. Mr. DEWAR: It is a damnable thing in a democratic era that people should be Mr. DEWAR: There is no way it can be afraid of officialdom. A Jot of men lost done, but as long as I stay in this Parlia their lives fighting against this sort of thing ment I will bend all my efforts to whittling 20 years ago-not to preserve it for those away some of the power of this incubus that who stayed at home and made profits. we have in Adelaide Street. We should take from it control over water, sewerage ser This man's application to erect a building vices, transport and electricity and set those almost in the centre of the city was refused services up as entirely separate entities. The unless he set it back 20 feet from the align council is too big in its ramifications. ment. On 2 April the company appealed to the Minister for Local Government and Mr. Houston: You have been in office the matter was heard by Mr. Lukin. The for eight years but you have done nothing case for the council was based on a policy along those lines. of the council to have all new buildings Mr. DEWAR: And we will be here for set back 12 to 20 feet. They ask for the another 18 years at least, and I am pre building to be set back 20 feet and if they pared to bet that we will still be cannot get it they say, "What about 18 unscrambling some of the mess left by feet? What about 12 feet? What about Labour. anything?" That is the approach. 1096 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
The Minister's delegate pointed out that Mr. DEWAR: Who else would put up such the council's policy was not supported by a sign? .anything in the report of the new Town Mr. Newton: You are in my electorate Plan and was contrary to the rights of the now, and I want to know what goes on there. ·owner and had not been confirmed by an enforceable ordinance. He would not accept Mr. DEWAR: I will quote some cases. the council's ground for refusal of permis sion and in a judgment dated 25 May, 1965, The CHAIRMAN: Order! he granted the permission sought to build up Mr. DEWAR: These are not big to the alignment. Plans were submitted to developers, as was claimed by the Lord the council for the proposed structures and Mayor; they are all little people. This is a on 27 July, 1965, the council advised him typical example of how a very small citizen that certain amendments were required and has been persecuted by the Bdsbane City pointed out, "This is advance information Council. Sir Lean Trout gave me this case. awaiting finalisation of your site applica He said that if every s'olicitor in Brisbane tion". This was after the man had won his was authorised to use cases of a similar appeal. The amendments were complied nature affecting their clients hundreds of with but the council still refused to give the examples would be cited. But again, people necessary approval in spite of repeated are afraid of this official blackmail. requests. The premises in this case are owned by a The company then came to the Depart Mr. and Mrs. Steele, and are situated at ment of Industrial Development, and on 152 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, right in investigation it was ascertained that the the heart of an industrial area. They consist council was endeavouring to fix a 12-foot of an old residence on the front of the re-alignment in respect of the western side property, with a shed at the back. For the of the street in question on which the site first 20 years they were used as a garage, is situated. Had this been finalised it would which used lathes, and for the neJCt 20 years have meant that the company could not by a carrier as a storeroom for furniture. build up to the alignment as agreed by the For the last two years they have been used Local Government Appeal Court. It was by Mr. Steele, who substituted a smaH obvious that the council was attempting to machine to use in his business as a small circumvent the court's decision by fixing a demolition contractor. He actually used it re-alignment for road-widening purposes as a small stripping machine to make when, in fact, the court had been informed mbuldings. that there was no question of widening the In August 1964 a dty council inspector street in question. saw the owner and told him that he had That is the type of thing that is going on. made a check and found that technically the Despite the fact that people win appeals in premises had not been zoned for industrial court, the council is using surreptitious purposes. The inspector said he could carry devices to defeat the court's decisions. I have on his business; he advised him to apply to here a perfect example of that. I can release the coundl for approval, and told him he the name in this instance. It concerns saw no reason why approval should not be Messrs. D. & R. Dunworth. This letter, granted. The ratepayer accepted the addressed ro Sir Lean Trout, reads- inspector's advice, and on 31 August 1964 "We have a subdivision at Koree Street, applied to the council for site approval to off Zahel Street, Carina. We won an erect a building on the site and to carry on appeal against the laying of a water main business there as a demolition contractor in Koree Street. with storage for timber and a workshop. "Last Saturday a local lad called my Two months later the owner received a attention to a notice erected on the park letter asking him to go in to the council and or footpath (we are not certain of which) discuss the matter with Mr. Heath, the chief direc'l'ly opposite the entrance ro Koree planner. He immediately went in to see Street. Mr. Heath, who was not available, and he 'Notice' (in red lettering) saw Mr. Hewison. Mr. Hewison said, "Everything is O.K. as long as you give us a No town wa:ter is available in Koree letter to say that you will set the building Street. (in black lettering) back 20 feet. We will then grant you site "The sign is on a white background approval and will give you approval to carry mounted on a 4" x 4" post also painted on your business." The ratepayer told Mr. white. The sign is a 'tradesman' job. Hewison that 20 feet was unreasomuble "We have written to the Town Clerk because all the nearby buildings were built requesting information ..." up to their alignments and did not have to In other words, after this man had won an go back 20 feet. Mr. Hewison, said, "How appeal for the provision of water in that about giving us 12 feet?" It is all done under street, the council erected a sign virtually a bargaining system. If they can't get 20 feet informing all and sundry, "It is no use buying they will take 12 feet. a block of land in this street because we will Mr. Houston: Don't you believe in not put water into it." bargaining? Mr. Newton: Has that sign got "Erected Mr. DEWAR: There is no legislative pro by the Brisbane CHy CouncH" on it? vision for anything. Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1097
The ratepayer then said, "Will you put The hearing of these summonses took place this in writing?", and Mr. Hewison said, on 19 July, 1965, only three months ago. The "No. It is not the administration's policy appeal by the ratepayer to the Local Govern to put it in writing. We are not prepared to ment Appeal Court was heard on 18 May, put anything in writing. It is up to you to 1965, two months before, and the court put It in writing first and everything will be upheld the ratepayer's application to erect a all right." The ratepayer then said, "If you brick shop and carry on his business as want parking space, I will give it to you at promised by the inspector, and rejected the the back of the premises. What is the 20 ft. council's demand to set the building back for? Is it because of street widening?" 20 feet. In spite of the Local Government Mr. Hewison would not say. He said, "It is Appeal Court's decision in favour of the rate the administration's policy to get 20 ft. from payer on every count, which allowed him to the owners." The ratepayer then said, "All use his machine and the land for industrial the other bui'ldings round me are being used purposes, the city council proceeded with the for industrial purposes and they are all prosecutions against him. Am I unjustified in built on their alignment. The Forbes paint calling this viciousness of the worst order? ;people had no difficulty, and the Coupon Mr. Newton: How much are you getting Furniture Company have built their new for each of these briefs? building right up to the alignment, as many others have done." Mr. DEWAR: This is what is being done The new Town Plan does not provide by the hon. member's colleagues at the City for road widening in this area. Notice of Hall. It was a vicious persecution of the rate appeal against the council's decision was payer because he dared to exercise his legal lodged by the ratepayer's solicitors, Messrs. right to approach the court instead of accept Trout Bernays & Tingle, on 27 January 1965. ing the council's commercial blackmail. The file is available for inspection. Now comes the most vicious part of the whole transaction. Not being successful in Why were the following adjacent owners browbeating the small landowner into virtu given permission to build right up to the ally giving the council 20 ft. of land and vic alignment, and only recently- timising him, on the one hand, by granting D.P. Hardware Pty. Ltd; approvals to larger companies in the same Scott Bonnar Aust. Pty. Ltd.; area to build up to the street alignment, as R. J. W. Forbes (Qld) Pty. Ltd.; soon as the ratepayer lodged a notice of Owners of all the shops opposite Princess appeal from its decision the council issued Alexandra Hospital; two summonses against him while the matter Owners of new shops on the corner of was sub judice, as the date of the hearing of Ipswich Road and Juliette Street; and the appeal before the representative of the Coupon Furniture Co. Pty. Ltd.? Local Government Department had not been Why were Mr. Steele and his wife singled out fixed. The summonses were for using the for victimisation and not allowed the same premises for storing furniture without rights as those whom I have just mentioned? approval, and for using the site as an indus trial site. This was despite the fact that it Mr. Steele's case was similar to the Little had had similar use for 40 years. Edward Street scandal. Why were Astor The summonses were issued on 6 April Electronics Pty. Ltd. singled out for victimisa 1965, and the council was asked to adjour~ tion and refused permission to build up to the them till after the hearing of the ratepayer's alignment when the council had previously appeal. This request was rejected by the given them permission to do so? Why did council. The council was told of its own the council give to the owners of every other inspector's advice to the ratepayer and his building in Little Edward Street the right to promise that the premises could be used for build up to their alignments? Why did it put industrial purposes, as they had been for the through a special ordinance to prevent Astor last 30 to 40 years, but the council dis Electronics Pty. Ltd. from exercising the honoured its own inspector's promise. same right as its neighbours? This ordinance had the further effect of Under the existing law the council used a preventing the owners of buildings who had legal technicality to prosecute-! should say been given the right to build up to their "persecute"-the ratepayer because he was alignment, and had done so, from erecting prepared to exercise the legal right given to any further storeys on top of their buildings all citizens of appealing to the court appoin unless those storeys were pushed back 25 ted by the Minister for Local Government. feet, which would have ruined the existing Under the Greater Brisbane Town Planning buildings and served no useful purpose, Act, if the ratepayer had continued to use the site as a garage, with a lathe and all garage with the possible exception of giving more machinery, he could not have been prose air to the pigeons. cuted, but, because he used a woodworking The second case relates to a block of land machine instead of a lathe, the court found owned by Mr. George Mocatta. He intended that he had committed a technical breach and to build a home on the river bank near he was fined on each summons and ordered Chelmer. Mr. Mocatta searched the Town to pay costs of court, witnesses' expenses, and Plan before he purchased his property on the council's professional costs. In default the river bank. He then wrote to the council of payment within 14 days, he was ordered and got a written reply to the effect that to be imprisoned for seven days. there would not be any building impediment 1098 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
to the land site. When he applied for site would take the drain through the properties approval, the council insisted that he should at a cost of £2,000 to one owner and £2,500 set his house back 66 feet from the river to the other owner, provided that they each so that a road could be built. The Lord agreed to sign a bill of encumbrance that Mayor, Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Barlow would be registered on both deeds, which inspected the site owned by Mr. Mocatta, meant that if the land was sold or sub and the Lord Mayor then increased the 66 divided they would then have to pay the feet to 172 feet from low-water mark to his council £2,000 in one case and £2,500 in alignment. the other-the total costs of the council's own drains. Both owners rightly refused. Mr. Mocatta then threatened to issue a writ. He said that if he did not get a reply The council then threatened that if the wit·hin two hours he would issue a writ owners did not agree it would not do any of mandamus. The Lord Mayor then said thing, and it has in fact allowed this serious he would buy the land back or would health hazard to continue. Almost daily resume it. Mr. Mocatta told the Lord Mayor several children from the district play in he had no such power and said that if he these disease-ridden pools of water-at least, did not have unqualified approval in two they did up till a month ago. hours he would issue the writ. He was then One of the owners recently bought some given unqualified written approval within filling to improve his property. An employee 1t hours. The roadway would have ruined Mr. Mocatta's site completely. of the council told him to proceed with the filling so that it would completely block up The Brisbane City Council was beaten on the drain and the council would be com that occasion only because Mr. Mocatta pelled to build a drain to take the water understood his rights and understood the away. Another employee told him that he law. would be prosecuted if he did this. Which The next two cases concern two owners one of the employees is he to believe? In of land at Felsted Street, Everton Park. The view of Steele's case, will the council honour first owner earns his livelihood by dressing the advice given by its inspector, and, if so, poultry and works long hours for a modest which one? income. He owns about three acres of land One of the council employe-es even said on which is a small residence, and he has that in his opinion the owners of both owned it for about 20 years. His name is properties should sell them and get jobs Eddie Stone. The owner of the adjoining somewhere else. It was pointed out that land is also in very modest circumstances the land may be only worth £1,000 an acre, and is a very elderly man. His name is and that one owner would receive only Mick Downer. As a matter of fact, I know about £3,000 and would then have to give· him, and one would not meet a nicer bloke the council £2,500, which would mean that anywhere. He is well known to Mr. Lloyd, he would receive only a net £500. The the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and other owner would have to lose his land other members of the A.L.P. and his livelihood also in orde-r to pay for the council's own drain. Some months ago the council put kerbing and channelling in Felsted Street. The This council employee even went further effluent from baths, septic tanks and kitchen and said that legislation should be intro wastes from residences on the high side of duced to allow the council to register bills the road all flowed into the new kerbing of e-ncumbrance on both owners' deeds; that and channelling, then onto the properties that was his opinion and also the opinion of owned by these two people on the other the present administration. side of the road, causing bog pools. Large pools of filthy water were left on the street, Nothing could be more vindictive, vicious and a month ago they still remained there and discriminatory against the small citizen for children to play in. who is singled out by the council administra tion because he o.wns certain land. These The council then requested the owners of people own a few acres of land which these two properties to put an open drain they bought about 40 years ago and have through their land, in order to drain this paid rates and land tax on it ever since. waste and effluent from the council's road onto their private property. Both owners In spite of several requests to the council rightly objected. They said that an open the blocked-up drains have not bee-n cleared. drain would be a disease trap, that they Part of the council's footpath has been were not prepared to have other people's eroded and has lain neglected for months, waste lying on their property, and that the and the council apparently could not care council should put a covered drain from the less. road through their property to connect up H the council is permitted to blackmail with the council's drain, or, at least, to lpe-ople commercially and extract moneys also kerb and channel outside their proper from owners of property such as land, then ties. They also stated that as they did not on the same principle it has every right to want the drain and the council did, and it attack the other assets of private citizens, was a public drain, the council should pay including money in the bank, shares, city for it out of its own funds. The council council loans and every other asset owned rejected these requests and said that they by a private citizen. This, of course, is Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1099
public confiscation of private property and Mr. DEWAR: I am a fair-minded man. cannot be tolerated in any truly democratic country. Mr. Melloy: Tell us both sides of the story. The setting back of buildings 20 ft. or Mr. DEWAR: There was a side to the more is a condition generally imposed on story given by Mr. Jones in relation to big every application for site approval. I have development-- knowledge of quite a number of ratepayers who have refused to agree to the demand, Mr. Melloy: Give us the truth. and the council has then withdrawn it. Why The CHAIRMAN: Order! I do not intend is the council withdrawing demands for some to permit these persistent interjections from owners of land and not others? It has hon. members on my 1left. If they continue withdrawn its demands for big owners, but to interject I will have no hesitation in not for small owners. The people who dealing with them. have been terrified by the council and who have agreed to the setting back of their Mr. Newton interjected. alignment by 20 ft. or more are now The CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. mem enraged to find that other people in similar ber for Belmont is persisting with his inter areas have not been compelled to do the jections. I warn him for the first time. same. Those are the facts that I was challenged Mr. DEWAR: The hon. member for to produce. They are facts supplied to me Mackay went on with a lot of diatribe the by two or three men in this city who have other day. I should like to refer to some of the intestinal fortitude to say their piece his criticism of a recent publication by the and to agree with comments I have made in Department of Industrial Development, this Chamber about the vicious victimisation namely, "Industrial Opportunity in Queens that has been going on in this city for land". His criticism is that Mackay does not too long and which, in my opinion has done get sufficient mention. As the headings of the more than any other single activity I can pulblication show, it is concerned with the think of to chase industry away from attraction of industrial interests to Queens Brisbane. land. It features such things as the economy, the scope for development and the climate for The very fact that people come to my investment. Its purpose was not to draw department and make these complaints leads attention to any particular area but to the to concern about two things. The first is the State as a whole. It has received widespread attitude of the man who comes to us with approval. Indeed, I have had a considerable a complaint and to seek our assistance, but number of letters from overseas and inter who dare not have his name used. This state which speak highly of the publication. concerns me because when some people There has been only one discordant note, and have not done that and where we could that is the one introduced by the hon. handle the whole case, we have often member for Mackay. He is the only person obtained a reversal of the decision. If we, who has expressed any criticism about this as a department, can get a realistic approach publkation. Like a rookie recruit, apparently to these things, and a realis1ic decision, why he is the only one in step. It is one of two should that decision not have been given in major publications issued by the department the first place? Why should people in alternate years. One is complementary have to come to the Department of to the other. The second one, "Investment Industrial Development to get what they are in Queensland", was issued last year. In this entitled to in the first place? publication Mackay is mentioned in detail The second point that concerns me is the as one of the State's major ports. Fmther number of people who come from another information on Mackay is included under State and have run into this vindictiveness the heading of "Regional Investment Areas". and vicious application of an undemocratic It is also mentioned as a sugar centre in principle and who do not then come to the connection with expenditure on bulk ter Department of Industrial Development but minals, and it is mentioned in connection simply get straight out of the State and say with electricity servkes. It will receive due what I quoted was told to me by a very prominence again when this publication is prominent man in Adelaide about a month issued next year. ago, namely, "We love your Brisbane City Earlier this year the department published Council. It has sent more industries to us a survey which was completed with the than any other single factor." Since we co-operation of the regional advisory com have been able to get justice for some of mittee, the cost of the survey being borne those people who came to us, why could by the department. This document, like not the justice have been given in the first others prepared for nine regional areas, place? forms part of the published material issued Mr. Melloy: Are you going to tell the city to prospective investors in the State by the council's side of the story? Department of Industrial Development. I assure the hon. member for Mackay Mr. DEWAR: I told the city council's that the department has a full appreciation side of the story-a story of blackmaiL of the value of the work done by the Maclmy Mr. MeUoy: You call yourself a fair Regional Advisory Committee and also by minded man. the local District Development Bureau. The 1100 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
hon. member must be better informed than 40,000 less. The serious factor of this under I am on the fates of these two organisations, estimation of population was a loss to Queens since he has told the Committee that one of land of a considerable amount of money them is to disband. under the taxation reimbursement formula. The Director of Industrial Development, I am pleased to say that the substantially Sir David Muir, visited Maclmy recently, increased number of migrants who have and because of the valuable work these two arrived in Queensland since 1961, together organisations have been doing for the area, with arrivals from other States in Australia, he took the opportunity of conferring with leave no doubt in my mind that the next them. His suggestion that in order to avoid census (probably 1968) figures will again duplication they might consider some form reveal that Queensland has a greater actual of amalgamation was well received. Our population than the estimate. hope is that far from one organisation going out of business, the individual efforts of both Mr. Newton: What would you do with the will be combined, thus making the best use Transport portfolio if they let you play with of the experience and ability of the members the trains? of the respective committees who are giving Mr. DEWAR: It is a fact, but hon. mem so much of their voluntary labour in the bers opposite do not like facts. The cold interests of Mackay and district. facts of the matter are that the hon. member The Deputy Leader of the Opposition made is without a story at all, and the story told comments on migration figures, and in doing by the hon. member for Kedron is without so endeavoured to build up a story based facts. on wrong premises. The figures published from time to time relating to net migration I now draw attention to some of the com cannot be regarded as a yardstick for com ments about the alleged lack of industrial parison as it has been proved that, at the progress in Queensland, and the comments best, they are only estimates. In confirmation of the hon. member for Kedron and others of my remarks I refer to the official figures that we are not making the progress that of the last census (196.1) held in the we claim has been made. I believe it is Commonwealth of Australia. reasonable to suppose that a measure of the industrial development taking place can be The Queensland Year Book says gauged in at least two ways: firstly, the "During the intercensal period 1954 to number of personnel employed in industry, 1961, the population of Queensland and, secondly, the great growth in electrifica increased by 15 · 2 per cent." tion, much of which is required for power The percentage increase in the various States generation purposes for industrial pursuits. was as follows:- Data compiled by the Bureau of Census Per cent. and Statistics disclose that on 30 June, 1951, South Australia 21· 6 the actual number of persons employed in Victoria 19 · 5 manufacturing pursuits was 95,500. That Queensland 15 · 2 figure remained much the same in 1952. In Western Australia 15 ·1 1953 it dropped to 93,800. For 1954, 1955 New South Wales 14·4 and 1956 the figures are respectively 100,000, Tasmania 13 · 5 102,000 and 101,000. In 1957 the number It will be remembered that prior to the was 102,000. It stayed the same for 1958. census, figures were consistently published In 1959 it rose to 103,400. In 1960 it was which showed Queensland in a very bad light. 104,000. It dropped back in 1961 to 101,000, Estimates of a small net migration decrease the same figure as for 1956. Then it increased often reduced the estimated population gain to 103,000, 107,000 and 113,000 until June for Queensland to below the figure for this year, when the figure reached an all-time, natural increase. The 1961 census high quite glamorous high of 120,000. lighted the fact that these figures were only Those figures show that from 1951 to 1957, estimates. It was found that Queensland had which is the year when this Government came approximately 40,000 more people than esti to power, the increase in the number mated. This meant that for the seven-year employed in manufacturing pursuits in the period 1954-61 Queensland had an additional State was from 95,000 to 102,000, represent average net migration gain of 6,000 and not ing only 7,000, and that in the period of this a deficit, as was so frequently estimated. Government it has jumped from 102,000 to It is appreciated that it is very difficult 120,000, an increase of 18,000. to make an accurate estimate of population Evidence is there to be seen by everyone movements by motor transport in and out of -other than the possessor of a jaundiced the State. It is also extremely difficult to eye-that there has been great and sub maintain accurate records of interstate move stantial growth in the number of persons ments by sea, rail and air, and this, coupled employed in manufacturing industry. Yet we with the fact that many migrants are initially hear inane comments from Opposition mem accommodated in the South, makes the task bers that Queensland is not making industrial even more difficult. progress. While Queensland was proved to have In conclusion, I shall deal with the gener approximately 40,000 more people than the ating of power for domestic, industrial and estimate, Victoria was proved to have about rural use. Output has jumped from 238 Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1101 megawatts 10 years ago to well over 700 Mr. THACKERAY: If the hon. member megawatts today. By 1972 the output will is getting a bit thin-skinned, let him wait for be 1,400 megawatts. If discussions I had about half an hour till he hears a little more this week are successful, another new of what I am going to say about him. industry will be established here many years before we thought we would get it and, There are things that have created a great as a result, we will need to increase electrical deal of discussion in Rockhampton. I say output in one particular area so that by quite openly that the hon. member for Rock 1975 the figure will reach 1,800 megawatts, hampton South, who is the Mayor of Rock compared with 238 megawatts when we hampton, has shown great arrogance and a took office. complete disregard for the views and thoughts of the North Rockhampton Progress Asso In spite of all this, Opposition mem ciation, the electors of Rockhampton North, bers claim that Queensland is not making and various other people in Rockhampton. industrial progress. I do not know what we At the 1964 council election his party won have to do to convince them. Do we have the 10 seats and he was given a mandate to spell it out so that they can see it? by the people, and since then the Rockhamp I think it is a matter of how one looks at ton City Hall has been like the Kremlin; something. What one sees depends on the there is only one dictator, only one who calls way one looks at it. Opposition members the tune-the Mayor. are not prepared to admit what is obvious, He openly ridiculed the Rockhampton that is, that the State is making industrial North Progress Association for writing to the progress. They have not sufficient honesty council and asking for details of the pro in their systems to admit that this is so, posed North Roskhampton swimming pool. lest by doing so they are giving credit to In 1963 he attended a meeting of the North a Government which is already getting credit Rockhampton Progress Association at which from the people of the State. It really he promised that a swimming pool would be matters little whether the Opposition gives built in Rockhampton North during the us credit, because the people know what 1965-66 loan programme. When the progress is going on. association asked about the swimming pool, the Mayor told some fairy tale about the Mr. THACKERAY (Rockhampton North), people of North Rockhampton being against (3.33 p.m.): Next Tuesday the Melbourne the proposal. In "The Morning Bulletin" Cup will be run. It has been quite interest of 29 June, 1965, he said that members ing for the last half hour listening to the of the North Rockhampton Progress Asso Minister for Industrial Development doing ciation should be ashamed of themselves. his pre-election gallop for leadership of the He said that they opposed the Fitzroy River Liberal Party in this Assembly. In racing barrage and the road to Mt. Archer. He terminology, he is shin-sore and is not said he failed to understand why the council responding to treatment as he should and continued to receive complaints from the therefore is not galloping as well as he north side. He went on to say much more, should be. which I shall deal with later. He also A meeting very important to the develop asked for a public apology from this asso ment of the cotton industry in Central ciation, which is composed of people of Queensland was held in Rockhampton yester all political beliefs, because they asked him day. Present were local authority repre to make a statement on when the swimming sentatives from the Barcoo area, the hon. pool would be built. He referred to loan members for Callide, Mackenzie and Barcoo, money, and, of course, everyone knows the general manager of the Cotton Marketing that works can be put on loan programmes Board, and representatives of other inter without necessarily being carried out, and ested organisations. I was present and an that situation can go on and on. He said apology was received from the hon. member that there was criticism of the barrage. for Rockhampton South. The success of Most likely there are many people who this industry depends on the development criticise it. of the Nogoa Gap scheme, which should He said, too, that all the money from the receive No. 1 priority on the national level. Commonwealth Aid grant was spent in North RDckhampton on the goat track up Mr. PILBEAM: I rise to a point of the mountain, now named after the hon. order. Members of the Opposition get pretty member for Rockhampton South. low at times. The only reason I was absent from that meeting yesterday was a fatality Recently a meeting was held in Rock in my family. I take a strong exception to hampton to consider the sewering of Park their trying to make capital out of that. Avenue land in North Rockhampton. That public meeting to discuss the position was Mr. THACKERAY: I said that an attended by 120, and I say quite openly that an apology was received from the hon. that attendance would not have been member. obtained unless people were very interested in the sewering of this land. They were very The CHAmMAN: Order! The hon. critical of the Rockhampton City Council member for Rockhampton South is referring and the way in which it has been sewering to another remark, not made by the hon. large areas of land that have now been sub member for Rockhampton North. divided into building allotments. I quite 1102 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
agree with the thoughts expressed by those paying rates on a valuation fixed by the at the meeting last Wednesday, 20 October, Valuer-General's Department. They are now that they have a right to know why these receiving sewerage, kerbing and channelling, large areas of land that have been sub and bitumen roads, and the whole of the city divided have been sewered when a number must bear the cost. It is quite unfai.r to of blocks in Park Avenue have been without suggest that valuations should be increased sewerage for years. The hon. member for by 100 per cent. in North Rockhampton Rockhampton South said in reply that the because of the amount of money spent in meeting was inspired only by budding that area. politicians and budding aldermen. The hon. member for Rockhampton South Mr. Pilbeam: So it was. is only giving a sop to the business com munity on the south side when he says that Mr. THACKERAY: If that is correct, let rateable values in East Street are too high. me tell the hon. member that he is certainly He is just shilly-shallying and doing a bit of going downhill fast in the estimation of the kite-flying for the East Street commandos. residents of Rockhampton North. When They are very good at ducking the increases men such as Doug. Beasley, Tim Brock and and passing them on to the basic-wage Vie Tucker-men of high repute in business earners. I do not see many businesses circles-criticise him quite openly and say running at a loss. If their rates go up by that they have no reason for apologising to 75 per cent., the businessmen simply add him, his star is setting in Rockhampton, and that additional cost to the prices that the it will not be long before it finally sets. customers pay. As I said, it is only a The hon. member for Rockhampton South political sop to the East Street commandos. made another attack on the people of North That is the position, as I see it, relative Rockhampton in "The Morning Bulletin" of to rates in Rockhampton. 26 October, when he criticised the valuations In North Rockhampton we will stand on that had been released for Rockhampton. As our feet and continue to agitate in the Mayor of Rockhampton and member for interests of these worthy organisations. We Rockhampton South, he described the new are wholeheartedly behind the North valuations for North Rockhampton as Rockhampton Progress Association. Since ridiculous. the hon. member for Rockhampton South Mr. Pilbeam: Yes, I did. became mayor, and particularly for the past two years, he has done North Rockhampton Mr. THACKERAY: The hon. member a great disservice and the people are sick enlarged on that statement a little further, and tired of it. and then he said that south-side residents I want to make it quite clear that the were paying twice as much in rates as Australian Labour Party is wholeheartedly residents on the north side. in favour of a river barrage in Rockhampton. Mr. Pilbeam: Three times as much. We fully realise the industrial and grazing development such a scheme could bring. Mr. THACKERAY: The hon. member Mr. Hewitt: Was the A.L.P. candidate for said that the ratepayers on the south side Rockhampton South against it. were carrying the burden of the north side. He said that he hoped a realistic valuation Mr. THACKERAY: No, the A.L.P. would take place, and he added that an candidate for Rockhampton South, Ken increase of 100 per cent. would be realistic Charles, wrote a letter to "The Morning for North Rockhampton. Bulletin" dated 31 August, 1965, asking Mr. Pilbeam: That is right. about the cost of this scheme and quoting certain figures. Mr. THACKERAY: On the average, Mr. Pilbeam: Knocking it. valuations rose by 54 per cent. in Rock hampton. In East Street, which is the com Mr. THACKERAY: He did not knock it. mercial heart of the city, valuations We are wholeheartedly in favour of the increased by 75 per cent., while in othe'f scheme but we want to know what it will sections of the south side the increase was cost just as everyone else in Rockhampton only 30 per cent. However, in North Rock does. hampton valuations increased by over 50 Let us have a look at the proposed scheme per cent. and at exactly what will happen. For the The hon. member then referred to the year 1964, £16,667 plus £8,332 subsidy, amount of money that has been spent on making a total of £24,999, was allocated for North Rockhampton. Expansion must take various planning works on the barrage place in the city, and amenities must be scheme. For the 1965 year £145,000 provided if residential and industrial was allocated for road works, plus £72,000 development is to take place. If one looks subsidy, making a total of £217,000 for at the municipality of Rockhampton on a the year. The hon. member for Rock geographical basis, one sees that develop hampton South has made statements me·nt must take place in North Rockhamp about what the scheme will cost but ton because land is not available in South t;he Treasurer has already issued warnings Rockhampton. People who have been Jiving about loan raisings on the loan market this in North Rockhampton for years have been year. This scheme is estimated to cost Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1103
£3,000,000, of which the Rockhampton local 1965, the loan indebtedness of the Mackay authority has to raise £2,000,000. The longer board was £748,000 and that the total loan the scheme takes to finalise, the higher the requirement is presently envisaged to involve cost will be. No-one can deny that. a further commitment by the board Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the amounting to more than £100,000. It points estimated cost of £3,000,000 is correct. If out that assistance by way of interest and the scheme takes six, seven or even eight redemption subsidy in relation to loans years to reach fruition, the extra rate raised by the board to meet operating losses mentioned by the hon. member for Rock may be made available by the Department hampton South will be much higher than of Primary Industries. I cannot see how he says even if one takes into consideration those works will operate successfully, and the development that will take place and the any losses will have to be met by the consequent increase in population, about Department of Primary Industries. At the which I shall have something to say later. present time they are killing only about 60 or 70 head a day, and it is mostly cracker It is said that this scheme could be beef. They are having industrial strife; they completed in three years but, if we were granted £500,000 to complete it in four are working under two awards .. years, with capitalisation of the interest Mr. Hewitt: The plain fact of the matter alone for that four-year period the increased is that the cattle are just not there. cost would be £150,000-odd. Assuming that the estimated cost of £3,000,000 Mr. THACKERAY: That is true. Two is correct, what will capitalisation of interest or three weeks ago, the hon. member for on that be, and what will be the increased Rockhampton South said that private cost to the ratepayers of Rockhampton? If operators should be operating in Rockhamp I am not correct in my estimate of the ton. The C.Q.M.E. Company are already additional cost I should like the hon. member there, and Fields will have their for Rockhampton South to show me where official opening next week. About a fort I am wrong. night ago he said that he envisaged another four or five meatworks in I want it to be clearly understood that Central Queensland. On the Government we support the scheme but I should like side, the hon. members for Mackenzie and the hon. member for Rockhampton South Callide are the only two who have spoken to tell me, and the people of Rockhampton, out for public abattoirs in Central Queens exactly what the scheme will cost instead land. The hon. member for Mackenzie was of talking this hogwash about its costing outstanding in his advocacy. The Govern £6 a year extra. For how many years ment has sold Central Queensland out to have they got to pay £6 a year increase certain interests. "The Morning Bulletin" of before they receive any water from the 14 October contains the following article- scheme? "Most of C.Q.'s cattle to South I should like to say a few words about the meatworks position in Central Queensland. "An estimated 90 per cent. of cattle I have just had a look at the reports tabled sold in Central Queensland in the last this morning by the Minister for Primary three months were sent to Southern Industries. I find that the Townsville meat abattoirs. works showed a profit for this year, as "More than 101,000 cattle passed did the meatworks in Bundaberg, Ipswich, through saleyards in Central Queensland and Toowoomba. The Mackay meatworks during the period. showed a loss in its first year of operations. "A spokesman for a stock firm said Mr. Hewitt: You do not suggest that yesterday that in one week 3,000 of the Mackay was the right place for an abattoir? 7,000 cattle sold in the region went to the Oakey Abattoir." Mr. THACKERAY: Definitely not. The The cattle are taken right down by rail to hon. member for Rockhampton South should Oakey. If we had a service works in Rock hang his head in shame for what he has hampton, we could do something about it. said about abattoirs. He suggested that we The article continues- should not have a public abattoir in Central Queensland; he believes that private enter "He said that the supply of cattle in prise should be the constructing authority. Central Queensland had now slackened. He said that three or four years ago when 'A fortnight ago 4,000 cattle were yarded we were debating legislation on the subject. at Gracemere compared with 1,800 last After all, we have over two-fifths of Monday,' he said. Australia's cattle population in Central 'Next week they will be lucky to get Queensland. I have never heard of anything 1,000 in the yards'." so silly as building the Mackay Abattoir in a cane-growing area. The construction of Mr. Hewitt: About 70,000 passed through that abattoir was a political sop to the there in 12 weeks. C.Q.M.E. Company. Nowhere else has the industry been so denied as it has been in Mr. THACKERAY: About 101,000 went Central Queensland. If we had a public through there in the last three months. abattoir operating there now we would be The Minister for Primary Industries tried able to extend the seasons. The Auditor to push onto us a bogus agreement between General's report shows that at 11 June, the board in Rockhampton, Fields, and the 1104 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
Government. There seems to be a lot of petition to ask the city coucil to conduct a secrecy about it. When we ask about the ballot on whether we should pay those outside operators who are to have their cattle those interest and redemption charges or treated at the works, we are told, "This is not. Unfortunately there were insufficient top secret. You cannot be told." An exami signatures on the petition, and it was nation of the killing facilities of the two rejected. I was one of those who signed it. companies-C.Q.M.E. and Fields-discloses that the cattle slaughtered at Lakes Creek A good deal of criticism has been made, will number 850 a day and for the Fitzroy and will be made about Port Alma. The meatworks 600 a day. It must be remem Treasurer, when introducing the 1959-60 bered that these two companies are to be the legislation, said that he would advance loan very good friends of the other operators and moneys to Port Alma only with the agree to allow them 20 per cent. of their killing ment of the Rockhampton City Council facilities. In the flush of the season the 850 because he felt that Port Alma would not a day will be reduced by 170 for the outside be able to meet the interest and redemption operators which means their tally will go charges unless it had as guarantor some down to 680. The same position would obtain substantial body. The hon. member for with Fields. With the 20 per cent. reduction, Rockhampton South, being Deputy Chair their total of 600 will become 480. I cannot man of the Rockhampton Harbour Board, understand why these companies are willing came along with his friend, Mr. Hinchliff, to do this. In the flush of the season, the and said, "That is a good idea. This will growers send the cattle to the saleyards. tie it up", and they did tie it up. I have There is keen competition for top-grade watched the interests of the harbour board cattle. I have tried to reason why the com closely. I inform those on the board that panies have allowed the operators 20 per I possibly know more about the matter than cent. of their facilities. I do not think the some of them, because they go there and go system will come into being. I think this is to sleep and do not wake up. just a little soft soap until time passes and another meatworks is established and there I have here a fine brochure brought out will be no more agreement. For the 170 by the Rockhampton Harbour Board. On cattle to be treated at Lakes Creek in the the back page it deals with the great develop flush of the season, storage space and ment taking place in Central Queensland refrigeration will have to be provided. The and speaks of Central Queensland as "the terms of the agreement are being worked out; growing giant". A person reading this I understand that there is only one legal would exclaim, "Good God, we must go to point to be decided. Port Alma". Let us have a look at this growing giant of Central Queensland and at With the development of the brigalow the figures to see just how far Central scheme, there will be an increased turnoff of Queensland is going ahead. cattle. We hope that eventually the Nogoa Gap scheme will increase production. Even Mr. Pilbeam: You are a knocker. without an increase in beef production in Central Queensland, we have two-fifths of the Mr. THACKERAY: Let me say to my cattle in Australia, yet we do not have our fine-feathered friend, the hon. membe·r for own service works. It is obvious that the Rockhampton South, that if there is a Government is falling down shockingly on knocker in this area it is he. I am not going the job. to cop this stuff much longer from him, so Mr. Hewitt: Labour had its chance. let him take note. The 30 June issue of the Bureau of Mr. THACKERAY: They did not do very Census and Statistics Bulletin deals with the much about it, but the A.L.P. policy on this development that has taken place in Central was approved by the Townsville Labour-in Queensland and the overall development in Politics Convention. It was agreed to estab the major provincial cities. The bulletin lish a service works in Central Queensland. was released quite recently. For the period I will really be on the Leader of the Opposi tion's back on this one. 1 July, 1963, to 30 June, 1964, it shows that Townsville's population increased by 1,200 Mr. Pilbeam: You are on his back now. to over 55,200, Toowoomba's population by 900 to over 52,900, and Ipswich's Mr. THACKERAY: If I am, he carries population increased by 1,000 to weight very well. 52,000, while Rockhampton's increased by I have a few remarks to make about the only 150. Yet this brochure speaks of "the Rockhampton Harbour Board. This matter growing giant." Why don't these people has interested me for a long time. tell the truth about what is happening in There has been a good deal of dis Rockhampton? cussion about the harbour board. In Mr. Duggan: Have you seen the report in 1959-60 the Treasurer introduced legislation today's "Telegraph" expressing concern about to allow the Rockhampton City Council to insufficient money at Port Alma for pay the interest and redemption charges on mechanical loading of wheat and saying any losses incurred at Port Alma and on it is to go to Gladstone? the city wharves, which are now closed and revert back to Port Alma. At that time Mr. THACKERAY: Yes, and I intend to the trade-union movement circulated a talk about wheat in a minute. Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1105
Representatives of various shires have Instead, the bald statement is made, "City 'been quite outspoken about the great can expect reduced price for petrol." This development that is to take place. There sort of thing is going on all the time. is only one council fDoting the bill for The next extract that I have is headed, the loss on this port, and the board has on "Port Alma looking ahead." Let us see it representatives of other shires__jMr. how it is looking ahead. This is the leader ·smith, of Mt. Morgan; Mr. Tennant of from "The Morning Bulletin" of 19 July- Fitzroy and Livingstone; Mr. Jeppe·sen, of "Despite the natural disappointment felt the Near Western Group; and Mr. Luck, over the decision of the Utah Development Df the Far Western Group. All are on the Corporation to export coal through Glad board and say that Port Alma is to go ahead, stone rather than Port Alma, the Rock yet not one is prepared to state his faith hampton Harbour Board is pressing on in Central Queensland. The Rockhampton with plans for greater development of its ·City Council is once again the old sucker. deep-sea port. It is a sound course, for Representatives of all the other areas sit export tmde from the whole Central ·on the board and, when Hinchliff's hand Queensland area, even apart from the huge goes up, up gD theirs. If he is not there, potential output of the Moura and Black the hon. member for Rockhampton South water coal-fields, is growing rapidly, and takes his place. They are nothing but a the need for two good ports is daily lot of yes-men. None of them ·have declared becoming more evident. that their shires would give financial support "Port Alma had retained a hope until and assist the Rockhampton City Council to the last moment that it might win a share carry the losses at Port Alma. in the massive coal trade, but Gladstone Let us look a little farther. I have here had all the advantages in that sphere :an article that appeared in "The Morning of activity, including the experience gained Bulletin" of 17 July, 1965. It is headed, through handling the entire Moura output." "City can expect reduced price for petrol" It then goes on to deal with deficits. and it reads- Mr. Hewitt: Do you think the deficits will "The ratepayers of Rockhampton who, become greater when the Moura-Gladstone thmugh the city council, were guaranteeing line goes on? the Rockhampton Harbour Board in its port development, could expect to benefit Mr. THACKERAY: The only answer that from reduced petrol prices as a result o:f I can give to that interjection is that at the exemption of the Port Alma road from present I cannot see any great industrial transport fees. . . development at Port Alma to lower the interest and redemption cost. "Mr. Hinchliff said the mayor (Ald. R. B. J. Pilbeam, M.L.A.), who is also The heading on 19 July was, "Port Alma deputy chairman O'f the board, had handled looking ahead," and next day it was, "Port the matter well and had apprised the benefits outweigh deficit bill, councH told." authorities of the hurdle which the board The article goes on- had to get over. The board owed a great "The probability that the City Council deal to his efforts in gaining a free access would have to meet Rockhampton Harbour road between Rockhampton and its port. Board deficits for several years was countered at yesterday's meeting of the "One effect would be a reduction in the council with a statement that the benefits price of petrol in Rockhampton. Estab from the port would greatly outweigh any lishment of the oil terminal at Port Alma sacrifice. had brought the price of petrol down by "Aldermen confirmed the council's 2d. a gallon. Now there would be a support for the Harbour Board in the .further reduction." development of Port Alma." That is not quite true. There was a reduc Under that agreement the council had the tion at the time in the freight rate .from right to reject any plans for development if Gladstone to Rockhampton. The article they so desired, and to my knowledge they goes on- have not rejected any. It continues- "Lifting of the tax already had meant "The board had advised the council that greater activity in road transportation O'f the anticipated budget deficit for the cur oil and petrol from the port and this rent financial year, 1965-66, was £13,000; would increase." for 1966-67, £12,000; 1967-68, £10,000; 1968-69 (taking into consideration the It was said that there would be a reduction. extension of the breast wharf) £25,000; and I checked at the week-end with three petrol that the maximum anticipated deficit in the stations in Rockhampton and not one had following years would be £25,000." received any reduction in the wholesale price of petrol. Who, then, is getting the rakeoff? Evidently it remains at that figure until the The oil companies, of course, and who expiration of the 40 years. That is why I supports the Government? Again the oil want to know what is really going to happen companies. I could go on and on. What is at Port Alma. the Commissioner of Pr.ices doing? Has any I asked a question in the Chamber recently investigation been made since the tax of 3d. about the shipment of Blackwater coal a ton mile was lifted? No, of course not. through Port Alma. In his reply, the 1106 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
Treasurer said that, although the harbour As far as I am aware, the Treasurer has not board had made representations, no repre granted money to any harbour board in sentations had been made for loan assistance. Queensland. Loans have been made avail He said- able and must be repaid. In effect, the "It would call for the construction of a board is saying that it has lost the grain stockpile area, a railway marshalling loop, trade through Port Alma. It says that it a new berth and loading plant, all on an could lose the meat industry, too. I do not area which would have some foundation think that is correct, but similar statements problems." have been made by other members of the Hon. members on the Government side have board. Mr. Luck, one member, says, told us during this debate what a magnificent ''Unfortunately, we are just 10 years behind job the Treasurer has done for the harbours the times. We are in the early stages of of Queensland, and I give him credit for development." doing a very good job. Therefore, when the In other words, Gladstone has beaten Port Treasurer said that it would have some foun Alma to the punch over a period of time. dation problems, I think he was speaking from the heart. He further said- Getting on to the cost of a grain loading terminal-on 29 July, 1963, the Deputy "Such development, whilst possible, Chairman of the Rockhampton Harbour would be neither easy nor cheap." Board, who is the hon. member for Rock What happened after I asked that question? hampton South, went to Emerald and pre In "The Morning Bulletin" of 18 September, sided over a meeting of the harbour board 1965, Mr. Hinchliff said that what Mr. Hiley considering an £800,000 grain terminal for said was correct, but there was an implication Port Alma. At that meeting he had much to that the harbour board had not tried to do say and I quote a report in "The Morning something to secure the Utah trade for Port Bulletin" of that date, 29 July, 1963, which Alma. I want to know whether or not any reads- thing has been done, because the Rockhamp "The rehabilitation of Port Alma had ton Harbour Board is a secret society. The been brought about by the fact that if report continued- Central Queensland was going to develop· "Alderman Pilbeam said it was ironical as it should it would need two ports. that the questions had been asked by one who had been opposed to development of "We can see a tremendous congestion Port Alma and whose signature appeared if all exports from this vast district went among those who sought to stop the city through one port." agreeing to support the rehabilitation of I should say that that would be true-there Port Alma." would be congestion-but, if this harbour I asked only that the people should vote on board were given a loan to build a grain the issue. The hon. member for Rockhamp terminal and outbuildings, what would the ton South does not believe in that; he believes cost be? The cost has to be taken into con in a dictatorship. sideration because it determines the economics Mr. Hinchliff is then reported as saying of the whole scheme and the grain-growers that he had interests in the meat industry, have to meet interest and redemption on the but the board must consider all cargoes. The cost of such facilities. On that point I quote report continued- from "Hansard," Volume 235, at page 821, where there is recorded a statement by the "Councillor C. M. Tennant said he felt chairman of the Grain Sorghum Marketing that Mr. Hiley had given sound advice and Board read from "The Morning Bulletin," that Mr. Thackeray, having Mr. Hiley's Rockhampton, of 17 September, 1963. It reply, would be better informed." reads- Mr. Hewitt: He is a good Labour man, "! feel that some reply should be made isn't he? to the comments of Alderman Pilbeam regarding a statement made by myself on Mr. THACKERAY: I do not know. I the question of a proposed grain terminal think he has one leg in and one leg out. He in Central Queensland for the Grain may soon be in the party to which the hon. Sorghum Marketing Board." member for Rockhampton South belongs. I think his interests are represented by a cash He went on to say- register down at the beach. "My board would not be doing its job In "The Morning Bulletin" of 23 October, by loading the growers with large interest 1965, under the heading "Rockhampton hits and-redemption costs, and it would be diffi back over wheat handling decision", appeared cult to imagine building a large, co·atly and what was tantamount to an attack on Mr. unwarranted terminal that would result in Hiley, the State Treasurer. The report said- an unprofitable return to the grower." "Rockhampton Harbour Board members He said that in 1963, and if that is true claimed that pressure had been brought to for the grain sorghum growers it is also bear on the Wheat Board and that there true for wheat-growers. These men do not had been hints from high places that make such statements lightly. The interest Government money would not be available and-redemption payments demanded by the to Rockhampton for grain-handling facili Treasurer are £5 15s. per cent. Therefore, ties." on an £800,000 terminal, the repayments Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1107
would be £60,000 a year and, if we exported electorate. He said that 100 homes had 60,000 tons of grain· over the port, the cost been built, all the schools had been sewered, would be £1 a ton in harbour dues alone and so on. On the other hand, the hon. without taking other storage facilities int~ member for Flinders has told us that he account. got nothing done for his electorate. The. hon. member for Rockhampton South Let us turn to Rockhampton to see what knew m 1963 that we could not have these has been done by the Queensland Housincr grain-loading facilities unless the Treasurer Commission there. Since the Government was prepared to put additional costs on the took office, only 10 houses have been built ratepayers of Rockhampton. The Treasurer for rental at Rockhampton. From 1957 to 1965 192 houses were sold. In the knows. quit~ well the costs already borne by them m th1s regard and the loss experienced same period 178 house·s were completed. by Port Alma and he is not prepared to At the present time people with low put any further lassos round their necks. For priority are unable to obtain houses. political purposes, the hon. member for In reply to a question recently, the Minister Rockhampton South is prepared to put any for Works and Housing pointed out that the thing around their necks. average waiting time for a person with top priority is 22t months. What a shocking Mr. Pilbeam: I should like to put some state of affairs! thing around your neck. I. will refer to a case that came to my Mr. mACKERAY: That may be so, but not1ce over the week-end. It concerns the the hon. member is kidding the people of tie-up between the Queensland Housing Rockhampton about these things. Reports Commission and various business interests of these schemes come out on the front page in this instance Amagraze at Biloela. As of the paper but it is merely soft soap. This we know, the meatworks season is tapering particular report has a slight dig at the off. Meatworkers obtain Housing Commis Treasurer. They know he is going out at sioJ? homes and pay ~heir rent to Amagraze, Christmas time and they say, "Good old Car whtch guarantees the1r rent to the Housing nation Tom; we have used him all we can. Commission. Because of the poor season, We will now get into the next sucker." They some of the workers are working only two are now trying to soften up the Minister for or three days a week. I know one meat worker with 10 children who should get Industrial Development. Stati'stics prove that a helping hand, for certainly he has helped it is not economically feasible to operate Port to increase the population. What did Alma on present production figures in Cen Amagraze do to him? They said, "You tral Queensland. Even on the basis of 60,000 are working only two or three days a week." tons a year, it means £1 a ton to put it over He said, "I do not intend to stay here. the wharf. I cannot keep my wife and 10 kiddies on Mr. Pilbeam interjected. three days a week. I want to go out to the Moura coalfields and get a job which . ~· ~HACKERAY: What a stupid, inane will bring me £20 a week. When the season mtef)ectwn! Why have I been talking for starts, I will come back." The company the last 20 minutes? I want to know what said, "No you don't; out on the street; they are going to do at Port Alma. I want you are no longer an employee of Amagraze" to untie this rope round the necks of the and they want to toss him out into the people of Rockhampton. I do not want to street. see them being sucked in all the time. I want to see the port pay for itself. How What is the Government doing about is the hon. member going to balance his this sort of thing? By allowing this to budget? I have here the report of the happen they are blotting their copy"book. Rockhampton Harbour Board, which shows This man is still a member of the union; he the general cargoes that are being handled i~ coming back to the· industry next year; every year. It mentions preserved and he has been forced to leave Amagraze frozen meats, tallow, hides and skins, a because he had only three days' work a small amount of wool, sundry animal week. He got a job at Moura at £20 a products and copper. Thank God we have week to support his wife and children, yet the total export of the blister copper from the company said to him, "Get out of the Mt. Morgan, or the port would be going house." I ask the Minister to investigate backwards. The hon. member for Rock this matter to see what can be done. hampton South says that he is a great I will conclude by referring to what I believer in private enterprise, yet this report might call the "community chest" business. shows that it cannot stand on its own feet. People in Brisbane, Rockhampton, and else It says that we have lost the grain; but where in Queensland are sick and tired of we have never had the grain. being pestere-d every Sunday by those on Mr. Pilbeam: Do you think we should door-knocking appeals. The situation is close it down? becoming intolerable. Some of the larger organisations, and smaller organisations must Mr. THACKERAY: They will close the pull their socks up and come together and hon. member down before long. on a united basis say, "We intend to make I was astounded last week to hear the quarterly door knocking appeals." I believe hon. member for Gregory telling us what that a united front must be presented by a magnificent job he has done for ·his both the larger and smaller organisations. 1108 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply
In this way they could cut down on adver protein at present to supply half the needs of tising expenses and overhead. It seems the expected population of the world in evident that the large staffs of all the 1980. organisations will not be needed and it seems evident, too, that the larger the organisa I refer to that article as a word of warning tion the greater the number of staff. Charity which every budget must heed in the amount organisations must investigate the advis of money we are prepared to spend on ability of a combined drive for a com primary industries and in research into munity chest-a community effort so that breeding and the packaging and marketing door-knocking will not take place each of primary produce. If we do not accept Sunday morning just when Mum is cooking this responsibility and channel more of our the breakfast and Dad is getting out of bed. State's resources into research in these direc When Mum answers the door, she is told, tions, we could well find ourselves in the "We are collecting for so-and-so." She asks, same position as the wool industry, which is "Where are your credentials?" and they are faced with strong competition from shown to her. synthetic products. No synthetic has yet been produced which will compare favour In Rockhampton, secondary-school ably with wool, but it must be admitted that students are becoming sick and tired of it. large quantities of competitively priced The organisers say, "We want to canvass synthetics can be substituted for wool Rockhampton North and Rockhampton although they do not possess all of its. South; get in the Boy Scouts and the students qualities. from the high schools." The pupils want to relax after five days' hard study at We should start thinking now of giving school. They want to concentrate on their greater consideration to our own protein homework, or go swimming or relax on producing industries and of allowing more the beaches. They do not want to be can finance for their expansion. They are our vassing the houses every Sunday. It is food-producing industries, the very back about time these organisations investigated bone of our economy. We should spend the community chest proposition because more money on research into breeding and the people are getting jack of them. I know production in those industries, whether grain, one person who says to the collector for livestock, or dairying. the Red Cross, "I am sorry; I support the We should also conduct a good deal of spastics." When the spastics call she says, research into storing, packaging, and "l am sorry; I support the Red Cross." She marketing the products. We should investi said to me, "I am finished with them; I am gate the marketing of dehydrated or dry jack of them all." forms of these products which can be trans ported at moderate costs to all parts of the Mr. CORY (Warwick) (4.29 p.m.): I have world and be completely serviceable when pleasure in joining in this debate and con they reach their destination. That is the sort gratulating the Treasurer on the presenta of thing the synthetic industries are likely to tion of his ninth Budget and on the able, be able to produce. I feel that future methodical and clear manner in which he Budgets should express more realistically has expressed the State's finances. In the the importance of those industries to the extremely difficult circumstances this year, State and should recognise the threats that the Treasurer has done a good job to pre synthetics can make within a matter of one sent the Budget he has. or two years. We should not wait until the threat is made; we should tackle the I must admit that I am disappointed at situation now. the allocations for the Department of Primary Industries and the Department of I am very pleased that a committee is to Irrigation and Water Supply. Hon. mem be set up to inquire into the valuing of bers have spoken on those two subjects land. Never was it more important to have already so I will not elaborate on them in Queensland a valuing authority able to except to say that the significance of give just, correct, and prompt decisions on primary industries to the State's economy is the value of the lands of the State, which not given as much recognition in the Budget ali must admit are its greatest asset and as it should be. the foundation of the greatest production that we have, and are likely to have, for In regard to overseas experiments, I men a considerable numbe·r of years. lt is vital tion a newspaper cutting headed, "Synthetic that such an inquiry be held at this stage. foods are on the move". Dr. Alfred Any criticism that I have in this matter Champagnat, a French scientist, and two is not so much of the valuing authority as other scientists made the statement. The of the anomalies that have crept in, which, report, published in the Queensland Press, I say without fear of contradiction, have originated from Atlantic City, New Jersey, caused people in many parts of the State, says that experiments are well on the way and even the Crown itself, to lose confidence in the United States of America to make in present valuing methods. protein from bacteria and fungi or from by-products of the petroleum industry. The Mr. Bromley: Are you advocating the article also says that the petroleum industry abolition of the Valuer-General's Depart alone is capable of producing sufficient ment? Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1109
Mr. CORY: I am not advocating the Mr. CORY: That is it exactly. Surely that abolition of anything. An inquiry is to be is not good enough for the Crown. The held into this matter, and the hon. member value of the State's lands should be based will be able to make any submissions he on what they are worth to the State and wishes at it. The problem arises not so what they can produce for it. much from the valuing authority as from Of course, it has been said that many local the formula used. I do not think that authorities would be interested in doing correct decisions can be reached if the their own valuing for rating purposes, and formula used includes a study of compar such a system could work. In spite of this, able sales. I do not believe thai a valuation I believe that the Crown must still have an made on the basis of comparable sales shoula authority to value the land in the State in have to be accepted, because anomalies can its entirety, not when it is cut up into local come into comparable sales and result in authority areas. There should be only one valuations that are far from correct. State authority; it should not be a taxing Mr. Bromley: You might think differently authority. if you were selling your property. While I am dealing with valuations Mr. CORY: But that would not be a and valuing authorities, I wish to mention valuation. briefly the situation of lessees who have applied to freehold land. When legislation Mr. Bromley: It gives an indication of the relating to freeholding was brought down selling price. in the Chamber last year, hon. members were given an assurance that the procedure Mr. CORY: I am not criticising anyone would be streamlined to enable applications for paying prices higher or lower than what to be dealt with more speedily. From my may be considered true values. What I am own observations, I should say that they saying is that people who are, without any are not being dealt with more speedily and shadow of a doubt, prudent purchasers that delays of up to two and three years often buy land but do not use it as an are occurring in some instances. This is economic unit in the success of their enter not very encouraging to the landholder. He prise. In such cases, it is usually purchased earns his living and rears his family on the to be used in conjunction with other land. land, and when he makes a decision he When a landholder purchases an adjoining likes to see some progress made and some property, he does not have to buy additional action taken within a reasonable time. It is machinery and equipment to run it. He very distressing for him to make financial knows that, if he does not purchase the arrangements that he believes he can carry land when it becomes available, it could well out and then find that, because of the neg be bought by someone else and he may never lect of one or two individuals, delays occur again have an opportunity to obtain it. in dealing with his application. This almost Under those circumstances, he would quite inevitably occurs under the present rather likely be willing to pay a little more to awkward system, with a lack of liaison make sure of acquiring it. between departments. Mr. Walsh: You are quite right there, and, Mr. Walsh: In other words, you think like a lot of wool and wheat growers, he there should be a shake-up in the department? would buy the land and finish up going to Surfers Paradise. Mr. CORY: In the department and in the method. I do not think one should have Mr. CORY: If a man in the West works to go through all this rigmarole to convert hard and makes a few pounds and then land to freehold. wishes to go to live at Surfers Paradise, Mr. Cobum: Mr. Bell levels that criticism I do not criticise him. A man can pay at the department, too . .any price he wishes to pay for a piece of land, although it may not be its correct Mr. CORY: Well, it is to be hoped that value for the production obtainable from there will be an improvement. it in the district. Use of comparable sales I have heard criticism in this Chamber of as a valuing method certainly works out the present high price of meat; . I have read reasonably well in some cases, but in many the criticism that has appeared m the Press. others it does not. An eminent doctor may It is very regrettable that prices are so high, wish to buy a piece of land. No-one could but I do not think any section of the industry say that he is not a prudent person and is happy about the position. However, ~ .am quite wide awake in his dealings. The land a little bit disturbed by the type of cntrcrsm that he buys, however, is not to be used that is being directed at the meat industry as an enterprise to provide his livelihood. I because one gets the impression that many feel that a valuing authority must deter of the statements are made by people who mine· values on the production of the land, have a complete lack of knowledge of the particularly in rural areas. Urban land pressures that are operating within the indus comes into a different category, and I do try. Neither the producer nor the processer not know so much about it. wishes to see meat at such high prices. Mr. Coburn: He is taking someone else's because it completely upsets the orderly value of the land instead of his own. marketing of meat, prevents the industry 1110 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply from holding markets, and prevents con the hon. member for Rockhampton North sumption from increasing. Now is not the commented about the Central Queensland time to level criticism at the producer and cattle going to Keongs on the Downs the processer. As I said, everyone dislikes Central Queensland cattle have been going high meat prices, and, to my knowledge, to Warwick and to coastal areas around every producer is handling meat and passing Brisbane, too. Most of the works around it on to the consumer as cheaply as he can. Brisbane have been killing a fair percentage of Central Queensland cattle and, if cattle Mr. Graham: Who is getting the rake-off? are brought from tick country into clean Mr. CORY: What rake-·off? country, considerable cost is incurred. I should say that this is not a time to Mr. Graham: From the high price of meat. criticise the meat industry. The extra price meat is bringing in Brisbane is very smaU Mr. CORY: I am not saying there would indeed compared with the losses the cattle not be very sound grounds for criticism in industry has incurred and is still incurring times of plenty, but there are no sound throughout Queensland. To those who are grounds for it at this stage. producing meat the cost of feed is high, and Mr. Graham: The graziers are fattening any extra price that is received for cattle on the shortage of cattle. is completely absorbed by the cost of feed. If the cattle are being fed straight off grass Mr. CORY: The fact that at Cannon and cost of feed is not involved, the extra Hill-in the whole of Queensland for that return is more than counte!Cbalanced by the matter-they have sold more cattle this year catastrophic losses in herds. I think we does not alter the fact that they have not should be fair enough to realise that in sold as much meat. times like these we have to share a little of the responsibi.Jity for the success of Mr. Bromley: They have sold as many cattle this year as they have in the last industry in the State. 10 years. Mr. Graham: Why should the consumer have to pay all the time? Mr. CORY: They have sold 41,000 more cattle but they have got less meat. Only Mr. CORY: What about the producer? a very small percentage of the cattle sold in He is not getting it. Queensland in the last six months have been Mr. Graham: Who is getting it? Someone of the type whose meat can be sold on the paid £400 for four bullocks from your area Brisbane market. The average beast dropped the other day. in weight from 480 to 460 lb. and, although 41,000 more have been sold, less meat has Mr. CORY: I'll bet they were good been obtained from them. The majority of bullocks too. It cost a lot to get them that the beasts being sold in Queensland at way. Anybody who is prepared to make a present are only suitable for the boning and political issue of the financial hardships of hamburger trade. the industry could well be regarded as a Mr. Houston: That ds not what the report sadist. The amount of money lost in stock says. losses is no joke. Mr. Houston: It is no joke to the consumer Mr. CORY: The report only goes up to who cannot afford to pay the high prices for the end of June. meat. Mr. Houston: That is only recent, isn't it? Mr. CORY: The consumer never worries Mr. CORY: Many cattle have been sold about the producer in times of plenty. When since then. Many young cattle, as well as the producer is being kicked by getting only steers, which used to sell at £9 to £10 a £8 or £9 a hundred for a beast, the consumer hundred, are now selling at £13 to £14. does not ask that he be given more. If Admittedly, up till a couple of weeks ago the producer looks like breaking even, the a large percentage of this meat was going to consumer complains. southern markets because of the abso·lute Mr. Houston: Who provided the money lack of production in those areas. Since then for the drought relief fund? there has been considerable relief from southern sources in regard to mutton and Mr. CORY: Everybody. lamb especially, but there has also been a Mr. Houston: They are consumers, aren't reduction in our local price within the last they? couple of weeks. Mr. Houston: Who are you kidding? Mr. CORY: It has been freely said that the promises about the entry of country Mr. Ewan: That is so; they are down about killed meat to the metropolitan market have £2 a head. never come to fruition. All the talk about Mr. Houston: Not to the consumer. no drop in prices and the lack of better quality meat is proof of what I have said. Mr. CORY: The most important feature Under these conditions, only a small amount about the price of meat at the present time is of outside-killed meat is likely to enter the that the percentage of cattle that can go onto metropolitan market. The scheme has not our loca.J market is very small indeed. Even yet got completely under way. Under these Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1111
Mr. Houston: He has not made a state to be met. He certainly has inspired a lot of ment, so we must take it that he supports confidence with his obvious knowledge of his, the Federal attitude. subject and the fairness of his administration. Mr. CORY: Not necessarily. Nobody is I congratulate him on the capable way in competent to make an authoritative state which he has presented and explained the State's finances during his term of office_ ment at this early stage. Unless a person Even if one did not agree entirely with the has particular experience in international Budget presented, one could not criticise his. trade and knows its eccentricities, the matter clear and concise presentation of it and the would be beyond him. way he explained its various parts. Parlia We will have to rely on the price-fixing ment, the Government, and the State of authorities in the different countries. We Queensland will miss his personal and hope there will be sufficient elasticity to administrative presence. If he feels, having allow action to be taken to remedy a problem done such a good job for the last nine years,. as soon as it arises. Our experts are confi that he would now like to withdraw, all we dent that the safeguards are sufficient. We can do is wish him the very best of luck and must be vigilant at all times because those a long and happy retirement. in the pig industry and the dairying Mr. CHINCHEN (Mt. Gravatt) (5.8 p.m.): industry-particularly in the dairying indus As I did not have the opportunity to speak try-are affected most. In those two in the Address-in-Reply debate, I should like industries we have the least margins to work now to reaffirm my loyalty and that of the on. We cannot afford set-backs in the people of the electorate of Mt. Gravatt to· marketing structure. More than ever action Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. is necessary to prevent market failures or the overloading of markets if the agreement The Financial Statement presented by the is to be of any real service to those indus Treasurer is extremely important to the State tries. We must accept the assurances we and all in it. I think the lack of criticism of have been given and be vigilant as soon it from the Opposition indicates that it is. as the agreement comes into effect next generally accepted, and the impression gained year. by all who read it is of stability and progress. The Treasurer has indicated that in the last That brings up an interesting point, financial year there have been difficulties, namely, that there appears to have been a caused mainly by the Mt. Isa industrial dis lack of liaison between the negotiators of pute and the drought, the effects of which this scheme and representatives of the will be with us for some considerable time. industries concerned. Obviously those In spite of that, the financial position is industries were consulted at some level and something of which to be proud. the matter was discussed. However, the There was some criticism-! thought it vast majority of those engaged in the dairy was very weak indeed-of a few things. In ing and pig industries were completely in his usual manner, the Leader of the Opposi the dark as to the terms of the likely reper tion indicated to the Committee that things cussions of this agreement. It was only were not as good as the Government painted because of lack of liaison among the them. He then had "two bob each way" by negotiators, the Federal Ministry, and saying, "If they are as good as the Govern representatives of the industry, that more ment claims, that is typical of the whole of State leaders were not included in the the Commonwealth." I say to him that the negotiations. figures belie what he has said. There is no There are two reasons why this liaison is question that at this stage development is necessary. In the first place, as leaders in the increasing much more rapidly in many areas industry they are entitled to have these prob in Queensland than it is in the Common lems discussed with them. In the second wealth as a whole. place, it is only human nature to be frightened Mr. Hanlon: Certainly the cost of living when we do not know the facts. The more is rising faster than it is in other States. people know about things, the more con versant they become with them and the more Mr. CHINCHEN: I shall deal with that competent they are to offer constructive point a little later. criticism. I feel that the present situation is The Deputy Leader of the Opposition tried not the fault of the industry but the to tell hon. members that Queensland is result of lack of liaison. There is not enough missing out industrially and is not getting getting together of the administration and as large a proportion of industrial develop industries on matters of concern to them. ment in Australia as it should. What is the I conclude by congratulating the Treasurer position? As almost everyone knows, the on the presentation of his Budget and thank position is very satisfactory in this State. ing him for the confidence that he has engen Total civilian employment rose by 4 · 7 per dered in all those he has had contact with. cent. in the 12 months to the end of March, People who have come to Brisbane on depu 1965. In manufacturing, the growth in tations to meet him, irrespective of the suc employment was even more pronounced cess or failure of those missions, have been and by the same date it had reached a very pleased indeed with the way they have levei more than 8 per cent. higher than a been received and the manner in which he year earlier. We should all be proud of has explained the position and the problems these figures. Anyone who looks at the Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1113 employment graph will see that the line Chamber and every article that one ?u:J:S showing the number of people employed is has a very big labour content, so 1t 1s going higher and higher and the line show only natural that price·s will increase when ing the number of people unemployed is ever wages increase. going lower and lower. In fact, unemploy If one wishes to make a comparison, one ment in Queensland is almost non-existent. must look at what has happened to wages Mr. Walsh: I hope it stays that way. on the one hand and prices on the other. On page 379 of the "Queensland Year Mr. CHINCHEN: I am sure we all hope Book" hon. members will see a graph show it does. That graph shows stability. ing the Consumer Price Index and another Admittedly, drought will have a very serious graph showing the State male basic wage. effect on the economy of the State, but The Chief Government Statistician assures it will not be so serious if there is a back me that, although the graphs are based on ground of industrial development. Money entirely different values, the lines can be will be coming from the cities to soften the read togethe·r to show trends. blow, and what has been done in the last three or four years will help greatly to Mr. Houston: What is the year of that mitigate the effects of the drought. Year Book? •In his report on production, the Director Mr. CHINCHEN: This page happens to. of Industrial Development says- be in 1965. "In keeping with the rising level of industrial activity, production rose Mr. Houston: To what year does it apply?· significantly over a wide field of industry. Mr. CHINCHEN: It says it is for 1964, In 1963-64 the net value of factory pro but it has been extended by the Chief Statis duction was £221 million, an increase tician to September, 1965. This graph has of 16 per cent. compared with a figure been extended a little beyond the normal of 9 per cent in the previous year." line and shows September, 1965, and if Those figures are accurate and I am amazed one looks at those lines there is a slow con that any hon. m.omber should claim that vergance. In other words, wages are going Queensland is not developing industrially. up at a slightly higher rate than prices. Look at the city buildings. What are Mr. Houston: Rubbish! they being built for? People who invest their money in this city and other cities in Mr. CHINCHEN: The hon. member should the State are not fools. Queensland is take up his fight with the Chief Statistician, moving forward industrially at a very fast not with me. It is rather remarkable that, rate. When Sir John Wedgwood appeared starting in 1957, there has been a slight reduc on "Meet the Press", he said that this was tion in the gap between the State basic wage his third visit to Australia and he had seen and the Consumer Price Index, and that has development in all Australian States, but continued until September, 1965. We must particularly in Queensland, and this was agree that at times there are odd commodities, evident to anyone visiting Australia. such as meat at the moment, which are very highly priced, but does anyone wish to tell' Mr. Walsh: Although we are getting big me that, at a time when producers are having buildings in the cities, we are not getting great difficulties and when the law of supply homes for the workers. and demand is operating, we should deny Mr. CHINCHEN: The State is looking for these people the high price for the few prime· development, and priva1e capital is being beasts they have? attracted to Queensland for the first time Mr. Hanlon: They are not getting it. because people know that here there is stable government and a stable economic Mr. CHINCHEN: I represent an electorate situation. Because of the policy being where there are a number of growers. These adonted by the Government, Queensland people face the same difficulties. We seem is becoming a State in its own right instead to have got used to low food costs in Aus of a branch State in the field of industry tralia. I think the hon. member for Belmont and commerce. Hon. members should be will agree with me that the growers in our very proud of this, although it is only a respective districts are very hard-working. start. In the final analysis, what the State people; not only the man, but his whole really needs is more people. family as well work a 40-hour week and more The hon. member for Baroona referred to earn the equivalent of the basic wage, to rising costs. I assume that one can use but it is a way of life that they like and that the Consumer Price Index to ascertain what they intend to pursue. the real position is at the moment. It Mr. Houston: They are not cattle-producers. appears to me that hon. members opposite are almost completely ignorant of economics Mr. CHINCHEN: I am now referring to generally. What causes costs to rise? growers in my electorate. What happens, Almost anything one cares to name is based of course, is that they produce year after fundamentally on labour. When wages year and the only time they get a good increase, undoubtedly costs also must price is when they grow a crop out of season. increase. Almost every article in this In doing that they take enormous risks and 1114 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply are never assured of a crop. When they do the financial assistance that has been forth get one and the cost of the commodity goes coming for this purpose. That is under higher-as potatoes did this year-everybody standable, but here again there is only so squeals like mad. The year before last, much cake to cut up. As I have been asked when potatoes went down to £12 a ton, to place before the Committee the thoughts nobody except the producers worried about of a typical kindergarten, I seek the indul it. The only reason for high prices is that gence of hon. members while I read a letter there is a shortage of supply and a demand from the Sunnybank Kindergarten Associa for the commodity. tion. Possibly it will indicate the thinking of all kindergarten associations. This letter The point I was making is that when one is addressed to me and says- checks prices and wages one finds a gradual "Dear Sir, lessening of the gap, indicating that prices "On behalf of the Sunnybank Kinder are not getting away from wages in this State. garten Association we would like to bring The hon. member for Rockhampton North, to your notice the fact that we feel, as by way of interjection, a day or two ago does our parent body, the Queensland indicated that we are a low-wage State Creche and Kindergarten Association, the again showing his ignorance. I said, "We annual financial grant to the Creche and are the second highest State," and he said, Kindergarten Association is worthy of "The second lowest". I am sorry he is not more consideration for a substantial in the Chamber at the present time because increase. We realise that the grant has I should like him to hear this. At the present been substantially enlarged since the time the basic wage in Queensland is £15 14s.; present government came to office in 1957, in New South Wales it is £15 15s.; in Victoria however, by comparison with other States £15 7s.; in South Australia £15 3s.; and in we feel that Queensland's spending on pre Western Australia £15 7s. 10d. I should school education leaves a lot to be desired. like him to know that we are 1s. behind "We feel that the value of service given New South Wales in the State basic wage and to the community by kindergartens is not that this is not a low-wage State, although fully appreciated by Parliament, and we hon. members opposite take pleasure in indi would like to take this opportunity of cating that it is. bringing a few facets of our work to your notice so that you may support and per One important matter that I wish to haps instigate moves which would lead mention in connection with the Budget is to greater financial assistance for our education. I feel that if money is tight the parent body. one segment in which there can be no ''The potential abilities and powers of economies is in the field of education. We leadership inherent in our children are know full well that we have only a certain good reasons for us to use all our amonnt of money to spend. Naturally, every resources to help them develop these Minister always endeavours to get as much fully. In pre-school years when the foun as he can for his department. The Treasurer dations of adult life are being laid, what has mentioned in his Financial Statement the ever we do to encourage attitudes of difficulty in allocating money in times such co-operation, initiative, and a sense of as these. That is understandable, but in my responsibility will eventually affect our opinion education is one area where me must national strength. not compromise. We can get along without "Secondly, every community shares a few miles of bitumen road and a few other with parents the responsibility for the wel things, but it is too big a sacrifice to make fare of children. A kindergarten helps the to deny any student the full benefits of local community to meet this responsi education which are his right. bility by providing safe and interesting I was very glad to see that more money places to play, and helps parents to satisfy is being allocated for education this year, children's needs for energetic and exciting the allocation for buildings having been physical activity, besides teaching children increased from £7,000,000 to £9,358,000. to understand each other. Also, because it is a co-operative enterprise, the respon This proves that a lot is being done for sibility for maintaining building and education in this field. The Minister for equipment forms a team which is a lively Industrial Development said that in his force in the community, encouraging opinion the developments of most import co-operation and shared effort. ance to the State were electricity and, as he called it, irrigation. But to my mind educa "Thirdly, kindergarten gives children tion is a "must", and should always be a greater degree of confidence by having regarded as such. experience outside the family circle, and because independence and initiative are In urging the need to provide money for encouraged they will be more able to care education I am happy to start with the for their own possessions and physical kindergartens, which I regard as of extreme needs. Mixing with adults and children importance. Thousands of people in Queens apart from their own families will have land are applying themselves, with the helped them discover that most people are State's help, to the provision of kinder friendly and helpful and can be trusted gartens. Most people are not happy about to care for them. This will help them feel Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1115 secure in a new situation such as starting in forming a new kindergarten because of school. What the kindergarten offers is a the financial responsibility which faces them rich assortment of play materials and should they commit themselves. They know, widening experience in which to develop too, that by the time the kindergarten is natural abilities. ready for use their kiddies will probably "A few figures will help you to under be too old to attend it. After a certain stand what costs go in to the running of sum has been raised I believe that some our kindergarten.- thought should be given to providing money £ in the form of an interest-free loan. This Director's fees for the year would mean that the kindergartens could approx. . . 1,100 be built earlier and thus succeeding Director's Assistant 400 generations would take care of the debt. General equipment, paints, books, Such a scheme would be very helpful. replacement of toys, etc. . . 250 Mr. Houston: Of course, you realise that Running expenses 200 the appropriation for this year is £40,000 Maintenance to building and lower than for last year. grounds 100 Mr. CHINCHEN: The point I am making £2,050 is that whatever can be done will be done in the light of other commitments, and there "Added to this is the probable construc are heavy commitments, of which everyone tion of a complete new building in the in this Chamber is aware, to be met by the future to accommodate the large increase Education budget. in population in our district in the next The main field of expenditure is in ten years. secondary education. Of course, we all know "Our annual turnover for the year is of the enormous expenditure per pupil in over £2,000 and of this we receive a grant the technical field. This is absorbing large of £450 from the State Government. As sums of money. It is very good to see that you can see this does not even pay half the Commonwealth Government is helping. the director's salary. This will stimulate technical education. Of course, it is badly needed in Queensla_nd "We would greatly appreciate it there because of the industrial development whtch fore, if you would help to promote this is being prompted and promoted by this cause in the House by giving it your Government. These things are happening support and personal interest. and developing at this moment. We now We remain, have a new concept in rural schools. To Yours faithfully, my knowledge this is the first time in the Sunnybank Kindergarten Association." history of the Commonwealth that such a scheme has been attempted. It is an The letter is signed on behalf of the excellent one and will fill a gap in the Sunnybank Kindergarten Association by Mr. community. These things are happening. Mitchell, the president, the senior vice Education development is proceeding well, president, the junior vice-president, the within our limited means. It may be that secretary, the treasurer, and six committee our educational problems will be with us members. for some time to come, but the movement I feel that I am not now breaking any and development are there. It must be new ground from the point of view of the remembered that in 1957 things were a little average member of this Chamber, but I grim in that there were comparatively few am bringing before this Parliament, in this high schools. The position today is really very well expressed letter, the situation facing outstanding in that since 1957 there has been the people in our community who are trying a jump in the number of high-school students to do this work, which is invaluable. Of from 14,000 to about 80,000. That is an course, I am fully aware that only recently indication of the magnificent job that is the Minister for Education announced that being done. from the beginning of 1966 the Government's I was pleased to hear the contribution of annual grant to the association would be the hon. member for Salisbury, who spoke at increased from £13,900 to £15,950. In great length about botanical gardens. It is an addition, the Government will also pay a excellent idea, but I do not think it deserves £1-for-£1 subsidy, up to a maximum of £150 the emphasis he placed on it. If it comes to a year, on donations towards the cost of fruition, well and good; it will serve a useful purchasing text and reference books for the purpose. Kindergarten Teachers' College Library. Again this will operate from the start of I am very proud that a university site has 1966. been chosen in my electorate. We have an excellent site, and we know that the univers We know these are small benefits, but ity will be well staffed and will have good the big problem facing us is the provision buildings. From reading what is happening of new kindergartens in a few years. This in the United States of America I am con is a very real problem in an electorate such cerned about the provision of a library. We as mine, and those of the hon. members for are similar to America, and if we want to Belmont and Salisbury. It is very difficult see where we will be 20 or 30 years hence, to get newly-married people to take an interest let us look at America today and study its 1116 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply problems. We should not start at the ground The article continues- and work up; we should look at what is "For specialized libraries in particular, happening there, learn from what is happen the only answer to suffocation by paper is ing there, and move on from that point. Let automation." us make the first step the right step. I feel that this is a matter for study by A recent survey in the United States of experts so that the University of Queensland America unearthed some startling facts about will remain in the forefront in this field. Let libraries and what is called the "information us not be satisfied with second best. explosion" brought about by a great stimulus in education, and a greater search for higher Farther on, the article continues- education and an expansion in population "A leader in the field is the National itself. Investigations showed that libraries are Library of Health in Bethesda, Md., in a chaotic state. United States colleges which tries to acquire every publication have more than doubled their annual library relating to medicine. Librarians feed building outlay, from 21,000,000 dollars to selected references from articles in 2,400 58,000,000 dollars, in a period of five years, periodicals into two Honeywell computers. and have spent a total of 211,000,000 dollars. Then, by the use of key words, the com In the six-year period from 1963 to 1968 puters each year arrange 150,000 citations they will treble that amount to 650,000,000 alphabetically. This list is printed by a dollars, and even with that expansion they computer-driven phototypesetter, and the will be getting nowhere. That is because of result is a book, the Index Medicus, which the problem of dealing in books. This article goes to 7,000 libraries around the world. contains the interesting statement that eventu A researcher in London, for example, can ally libraries will not be in book form. They leaf through the Index, find the citation he are thinking right now of bookless libraries. wants, and request it of his local librarian, An article from "Time" of 3 September, or, if necessary, seek a copy from 1965, says- Bethesda. Chemists benefit from a similar "And, despite all the expansion, Allan service in Columbus, Ohio, where articles Cartter, vice president of the American on their specialty are abstracted and Council on Education, reckons that only indexed by computer; the 'express indexes' 17 per cent. of the nation's college libraries are sold by subscription. meet the 100,000-volume standard that is "Bookless Colleges. The next step after considered minimum for good under bibliographical control is retrieval of graduate instruction. Only 25 graduate information itself. Computers cannot yet schools, moreover, can boast the 1 · 5 mil actually 'read' documents and pull out the lion volumes considered minimal by the relevant parts. They can, however, select council. In all, says Cartter, only two copies of entire documents. The most dozen academic libraries are 'really ade advanced example of this technique is the quate.' Among the best: Harvard's libraries CIA's 'Walnut' system, by which an 8-in. (7,245,000 volumes), followed by those of by 14-in. page of information is reduced Yale (4,703,000)"- to a microscopic image; any one of and so on, down to U.C.L.A., which has 990,000 images can be plucked out of the 2,007,000. He points out that those schools CIA's computers within five seconds, after are exceptions. The big problem is to store which it can either be projected on a screen the books, to have an adequate reference or reproduced on paper." system so that they can be found, and to That is the type of equipment being installed know the information that is available. in libraries in universities in the United States, purely as a matter of necessity. It is Later, the article continues- impossible to provide the area required for "Unless even the best schools find ways books and cards and produce the information of keeping current with new information, required promptly. The article goes on to they too will run into incalculable trouble. say that we can look forward to the time Last year alone, 20,542 new books and when students, knowing what they want, 7,909 new editions of older books were will go into a room and use the computer published in the U.S.-nearly twice the and have the information that they want number that came out in 1960. In addi flashed on a screen. This magazine shows tion, 22,262 periodicals and 80,000 tech where that is being done now. nical reports rained off the presses. In many cases, it would have been merciful I mention this matter because I feel that to save good paper. At the same time, serious thought should be given to it. We there is no question that a lot of worthy do not want to settle for what was being material will go wasted and unread. done yesterday or what is being done today. "Yet who knows what is being missed? Let us get ahead by adopting the best method About 90 per cent. of all scientists who available. ever lived are now at work-and it seems, I was a little disappointed at the assertion most are publishing their findings." by the hon. member for Salisbury that the The writer goes on to say that if Yale con siting of the technical school at Y eronga tinued to use the obsolete system of card was for political purposes. I do not think cataloguing by the year 2040 eight acres of he can take very much credit for that state :floor space would be needed for the cards ment. All hon. members know that political alone. considerations do not enter into decisions Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1117 made by the Department of Education. The when I said the area is not developed suffi only things considered are the education needs ciently to justify the establishment of a high in all parts of the State. I am wondering school. what prompted an article in what is called "Southside News" that is very similar to the What has happened in this instance is statement made by the hon. member for that the Government, which has adopted a Salisbury. I am quite sure that it was not far-sighted policy, purchased that land prompted by the hon. member for Belmont because it was suitable for school purposes. because he knows full well that the site It bought it by the acre; in a few years' mentioned does not justify a school. time it would not have been able to buy it by the allotment. Mr. Newton: I don't patronise that paper, for good reasons. Mr. Newton: There is a primary school site adjoining it, too. Mr. CHINCHEN: This article is one of the terrible things that one can read in news Mr. CHINCHEN: Yes. That is why it papers today~ It starts by saying- has not been developed at this stage. I know "More than £50,000 is to be spent on that the hon. member for Belmont would additions for one of the Southside's newest not have provided this information. He High Schools and preparations for a new knows his electorate too well to do that. technical college." Mr. §herrington: I give you my assurance Mention is made of extensions to the Sunny that I did not have anything to do with it. bank High School, which are necessary because some students at that school are Mr. CHINCHEN: It is just a coinci accommodated in temporary buildings, and dence that a similar statement was made this is the conclusion of the present stage of in this paper. the school. This is natural development. I am sure hon. members will be interested In addition, a certain amount of money in the following figures that the Minister has been allocated for the Yeronga Technical for Education has given to me covering College and the article continues- expenditure between 1957 and June, 1964, "It is interesting to note that this expen on school buildings in the Labour-held diture is to be carried out in electorates electorates of Belmont and Salisbury and the held by Government party members. Liberal-held electorates of Mt. Gravatt and "But it would be even more interesting Yeronga- to know what has happened to the pro Belmont Salisbury Mt. Gravatt Yeronga posal to build a State High School on £524,360 £853,669 £829,616 £430,831 Broadwater Road, Mt. Gravatt, in the Total, Labour electorates: £1,378,029. Belmont electorate which is not held by Total, Liberal electorates: £1,260,447. a Liberal member. "Many months ago the State Govern It is unfortunate that the situation has had ment announced it intended to build a to be investigated, but I believed that the State High School in the Broadwater Road record should be put straight. area.'' Mr. Sherrington: To make the compari Mr. P~zzey: It was never announced. son fair, one should know the number of children in the various electorates. Mr. CHINCHEN: It was never announced. Mr. CHINCHEN: The Minister sees that The article continues- schools are established where they are "Land for the High School was needed. resumed and the then landholders Mr. Hanlon: High schools seem to follow evacuated from their premises. new Ministers round like black-trackers. "This caused great inconvenience to the people concerned but they had no option Mr. CHINCHEN: Schools are not estab they were outed and that was that lished for political purposes. That statement despite the inconvenience and heart is not worthy of the hon. member. break the resumption caused." Mr. Bromley interjected. Further on, it says- The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. "Why, after all this time, hasn't the projected Broadwater Road High School Hedges): Order! scheme been commenced? Mr. Bromley interjected. "Surely it cannot be that the proposed High School is in an electorate held by an The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! A.LP. member." I have called the hon. member for Norman to order twice. I ask him to cease Mr. New1on: The area is not sufficiently interjecting. developed to warrant it at this juncture. Mr. CHINCHEN: Land resumptions have Mr. CHINCHEN: That is the point I received quite a lot of publicity. I do not made a moment ago. I knew that the hon. think the question should be re-hashed to member for Belmont would agree with me any great extent, but I am interested in it 37 1118 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply because civil liberties are involved and I about this and I am assured by the Minister believe, as many other people do, that they that it will not take place. I wish to announce are gradually being eroded. that now because there are many of these I want to refer to a resumption at Sunny areas in my electorate and it would be bank; it happened to one man there, and alarming to think that any authority could it could happen in other areas. Land was come in, take this land over and set itself taken from three properties by the Brisbane up as the only subdividing authority in the City Council and the first intimation the city. That to me is a horrifying thought owners had was a notification in the news and I am pleased to know that it is not the paper on 28 November. That in itself was a intention of this Government to allow such shock to them. One was a farmer who had a thing to happen. I raised the matter been born on the property. He had been on because this man first of all lost part of his it all his life except for the years he spent in land for road-widening purposes. That did the Middle East. He now has a young not worry him. Then he lost 7t acres for family and he wishes to go on farming the park lands. Then he discovered that a property. He accepted that 7t acres was to school was to be put in the middle of his be taken from his farm property for park farm, and finally he found two people on purposes. Had he been approached earlier, the property with a plan of subdivision. he could have found land of equal value to This matter is worrying many people. We the Brisbane City Council but less incon all appreciate that, in this day and age, venient to himself, but there was no contact living is much more complex than it has ever at all. been mainly because authorities are given Imagine his surprise when, after losing 7 t very wide powers-and, they need wide acres, he found two men on his property with powers. They need power so that, in the a map showing the centre of his property case of the· occasional obstructionist, they can as a school site of 10 acres, the land in front take the necessary action in the interests of of the school site subdivided, the back of it the people. But there is a way of doing these up to the resumed land subdivided, and the things; there is a may of preserving the properties adjoining him all subdivided. dignity of man. Do not let us have indi viduals sacrificed for the State or the He had no knowledge of this at all. When authority, as has been happening. I do not he asked the two men why they were there, think this is peculiar to the Brisbane City they said, "We are just here to see if this Council. It is possible for any Government, school site is suitable to us." It appears or any department, to tend to look at every that the Education Depar.tment was advised by the Brisbane City Council to inspect the thing from the point of view of its own site. When they got the plan from the interests rather than the interests of the Brisbane City Council, they immediately individual. presumed that that was a subdivision and If I am wrong I will apologise but it that it was perhaps a suita!ble area for a would appear that the following, which school site. appeared in the Press, is a quotation from The advice came from the Brisbane City the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Alderman Council to the Education Department but Clem Jones- none of the people whose land appeared on "We in this city have not yet realised the plan as subdivided blocks had sold their that the demands of modern living will property or intended to do so. require many sacrifices by individuals if I ask: how could a subdivisional plan be the needs of the majority are to be made of properties owned by people who served." have no w.ish to subdivide? Does the Brisbane I do not think that is true. I shoul~ say City Council today feel that under the City that there is going to be inconvemence, of Brisbane (Town Plan) Act it has the right but I do not think anybody should have to take over people's property and become to make sacrifices in the interests of the the only subdividing authority in the city? majority. It does not happen in other We know the council has the right to countries: I do not see why it should happen purchase or take over land for development here. or re-development purposes with the Governor in Council's consent. Perhaps it It is interesting to note that Jefferson said presumes that this will be granted but I am in 1788- very pleased to tell hon. members that, when "The inalienable liberties of men must I mentioned it to the Minister for Local be preserved; and since the natural pro Government and Conservation, he assured gress of things is for liberty to yield and me that that was not the intention. The government to gain ground everything provision is made to allow slum clearance. possible must be done that will protect It is not our intention tQ allow the Brisbane liberty and restrict government." City Council to take acres of farms, to shift I agree that there is a natural inclination the owners, and to subdivide the land. at all times when moving forward to put This plan shows a number of properties of people in strait-jackets and to apply more which many acres have been taken over and regimentation, but we must resist this. How at the bottom is the name of the Department can it happen? Any department that is of Works. I have seen only the portion tha,t dealing with the people-and most of the shows the school site. I am very worried departments do-can very easily say in its Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1119 own interests, "We could do it this way, growers were not considered, but that their but it would be easier for us to do it that representatives were in agreement. The way", and probably the second way means board is now up there and is trying to find more control for the department by the some way of making a permit system work. application of more strait-jackets on the The article says- people. That makes it easier for the depart "The system allows growers to sell to ment. That sort of thing can happen with local suppliers as long as the price is not regulations. It is not necessarily done by below the minimum fixed by the Central intention but possibly by lack of attention. Queensland Grain Sorghum Marketing One of our main reasons for existence as Board. a Government is to protect the liberties of "Growers also must supply the name of the people. This is very important. I do the person buying the grain and the price not think we are doing our job in this being paid. direction, and for that reason I should like "Growers will be able to apply to the to see the establishment of a special com board for exemption of their grain for their mittee to study subordinate legislation. Who own use, and will be liable to penalties io watching to see whether the people them for false or undisclosed information." selves are being inconvenienced by regula The grower has to apply to the board to use tions? We all know how regulations come his own grain, and this, to me, is amazing. streaming in. Regulations are always being laid on the table but none are taken off. Mr. HmiSton: This is your Bill. From time to time some are altered, but new ones keep coming. Mr. CHINCHEN: It has nothing to do with the Bill. The civil liberties of poople include many things that cannot be written down-things Mr. Houston: It has. that are taken for granted. I have people Mr. CHINCHEN: It has nothing to do continually coming onto my property. One with the Bill. The board has the growers day I have men walking in to check on under its control. This is a scheme it is P.M.G. Department poles; the next day a advancing, which interferes with civil man comes in looking for noxious weeds; liberties. It is a typical example of what I the following day somebody else is checking have been denouncing. In this case a man on the electricity or something else. These grows the grain and, before he may use it, people never report to my home to tell he must apply to the board. It is crazy. me what they are doing. They have power to do what they are doing, but they should I have here another article, which states tell the householder who they are and what that the first move to make the Queensland they are doing. These little things are so Grain Growers' Association a statutory important. We are losing our rights as organisation was carried overwhelmingly at citizens and becoming merely subjects. That the association's annual conference. It states is very depressing to me. that a resolution seeking the statutory change was carried by 124 votes to 17. This is what Mr. Walsh: You still have a right to has occurred: the association will have 7,000 disallow any of these regulations. members who are forced to join. Mr. C:HINCHEN: The hon. member for Mr. Sullivan: It gives the growers a Bundaberg knows as well as I do that it referendum. is almost impossible for one person to go through them all. Mr. CHINCHEN: Yes, but that is the intention. Why should they have to do this? Mr. Walsh: You can appoint your We are all being forced into situations that committee. are not of our own choice although there Mr. CHINCHEN: I thoroughly agree. may be some reason for it. It appals me to realise that our liberties are being eroded The Ministers and the heads of their by regulation and proclamation. It is happen departments should always keep in mind ing. It is our responsibility to prevent it. that one transgression by one person can No-one else can do it. We must take result in regulations and put everybody in cognisance of it, watch it, and analyse it to a strait-jacket. There is a natural inclination ensure that departments are shown that for this sort of thing to happen and for Parliament believes in the rights of the everybody to be required to jump to some citizens so that they may remain citizens and authority's bidding. not subjects. I have here an article that stag [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] gered me. I know very little about sorghum growing in Central Queensland. I was amazed Mr. CAREY (Albert) (7.15 p.m.): There to read this article for surely what it con are several reasons why I have chosen to take tains means that the civil liberties of the part in this debate. I shall touch briefly on growers are being taken away. Apparently the Departments of Main Roads, Education, the board has moved up there. It is alleged Lands, and Housing. that the growers were asked whether they Before dealing with any of them, I were in agreement with the new board being desire on behalf of the people of Albert, established. I have since learned that the and for that matter on behalf of the 1120 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply majority of the people of Queensland, for all time in "Hansard" my appreciation to thank the Treasurer, Hon. T. A. firstly of what my colleague the hon. member Hiley, now Acting Premier, for the excel for South Coast, Mr. E. J. Gaven, did for lent job of work he has done for Queensland. me in assisting me to become elected to He has played his part in the development Parliament and, secondly, of the worth-while of this State, and when the history of this job he did in representing the people in the State is written his name will go down as one area that I now represent. I say with con of our leading statesmen. fidence that the South Coast has benefited This is his ninth Budget. He created a in many ways from the hard work done, and record with the presentation of his eighth the service rendered by, the present member Budget last year. I am happy to say the for South Coast. majority of Opposition members are fair and Mr. Aikens: Can you tell us why he reasonable citizens; they are Queenslanders resigned from the Country Party? with a feeling of loyalty to the State and of recognition for a good job done in the devel Mr. CAREY: He did not resign from the opment of the State. This is a good Budget Country Party. He obtained the largest considering it covers a difficult period in our percentage of votes in any electorate in the State. We had the Mt. Isa strike, a frightful State, which proves that he has a greater and unnecessary event, which produced a following than any other member in the problem for any Government to contend Chamber. He has to his credit improve with. Then we had the disastrous drought, ments that have been made in the State as a which struck the major portion of this State whole as well as in his own area. I am sure and in turn took away from the Treasury that some of the older members-! do not quite an amount of money which would have say old in years but in years of service-- normally come to it from the primary pro ducers. Mr. Aikens: Old in experience and wisdom. Presenting a record Budget in his service to the State is an achievement. But it cannot Mr. CAREY: I am sure some hon. mem be compared with the good the Treasurer has bers old in experience and wisdom, as the done towards the progress and development hon. member for Townsville South suggests, of the State. When we look at the achieve will remember his fight as an Opposition ments of the Country-Liberal Government we member for the removal of the iniquitous must agree that Queensland has progressed building controls which for 10 years pre and prospered, and is continuing to progress, vented the area that he represented, and even in the face of adversity. It is well that I represent today, from progressing. known, and is definitely accepted, that the No-one then could drive a nail into a fence Treasurer is one of Queensland's most cap or paint a building without first obtaining able and efficient accountants, and has been approval from an inspector. It might have for many years. When he retires, this State been all right during the war, but surely the and thi.s Assembly will lose the excellent restrictions should have been removed when services of this hon. gentleman. He will be the war ended. missed also for his ability to keep Opposition members firmly under control. The hon. member for South Coast con Like the hon. member for Mackenzie, I tinued making representations to former wish to use some of my time in conveying Labour Governments and particularly to the my thanks to members on both sides of the present Country-Liberal Government that Chamber for the friendship displayed to landholders should be given some relief from me in the short time I have been a member land tax, and eventually he succeeded to of this august Assembly. I should like to some extent. He convinced the Treasurer say "Thank you" to Sir Alan Munro for his and the joint Government parties that many acts of kindness to me during the time exemption from land tax should be increased he was Deputy Premier and Minister for progressively, and this will stand to his Industrial Development. What I am saying credit for all time. will, of course, shock members of the Opposi As we know, the hon. member was tion because they are not prone to give instrumental in having the first school trans thanks to many people. The only ones to port service allocated to his electorate. He whom they give any thanks are the electors who, for some unknown reason, vote for has fought in season and out of season on them. Being elected was the greatest shock land valuations; he is still fighting fur the they have ever had. introduction for a more equitable method of valuing land. In addition, he played a I give my thanks to the hon. member major part in the amendment of the law for Ipswich West, Mr. Ivor Marsden. He relating to the trading of cafes and night is a wonderful gentleman and a wonderful clubs at Surfers Paradise and on the Gold friend, and the first person with whom I Coast. He also took a great interest in paired when I joined this Assembly. I am ,primary pmduction, and in many other well aware that that will not make history, subjects far too numerous to mention. nevertheless it was a very friendly act. I say the same of the hon. member for Wynnum, Finally, so that it will be recorded in Mr. Bill Gunn; the hon. member for Ithaca, "Hansard", I say "Thank you" to the hon. Mr. Bob Windsor; and, last but by no means member for South Coast for what he did least, I want to have permanently recorded on my behalf in enabling me to present a Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1121 very strong case to people in the electorate railway line, so my conscience is perfectly of Albert and to come through with flying clear. It was a Government decision. On colours. behalf of the people of the South Coast, I did my best to change that decision, but like any Mr. Hanlon: He gave you the Isle of other hon. member, I am only one voice in Capri at the last election, didn't he? this Chamber and I was not successful. I had Mr. CAREY: That is completely untrue, the support of the hon. member for South Coast, but together we were not successful of course, and the hon. member for Baroona and I think time will prove that it was a sad knows it is untrue. day and that it is essential to have some Having eulogised Government and form of rail transport between the capital Opposition members who have announced City and Southport. It may be a modern mono that they are retiring of their own free will rail, but we cannot •afford to be without a rail and therefore will not be in this Chamber transport service until there is a four-lane after the next election, and having wished highway. In sayting that, I reach the point them a long and happy life in which to where I ask the Minister to continue to pour enjoy the comforts they have helped to money into that section of road between provide during their term as members of Brisbane and the border, because until the this Assembly, I should now like, because four-lane highway extends the whole distance this may be-- from Brisbane to the South Coast the traffic snarls that now occur will continue and even Mr. Bromley: Your last speech. grow worse. Mr. CAREY:--my last speech in this Mr. Lloyd: Already tmffic on the South Parliament. The hon. member should not Coast road is chaotic. try to forecast what I am going to say; he should let me say it. This may be the Mr. CAREY: I have heard hon. members last speech that I make during this session, opposite and my colleagues of the Liberal and I wish to sympathise with those hon. Party complaining bitterly about the snarls members who may not be here after the that occur in the city, but the snarls at the next election. Nmmanby and on Victoria Bridge are as nothing compared with those that occur Opposition Members interjected. between Brisbane and the Gold Coast on Mr. CAREY: I am not fee·ling a bit every important week-end or public holiday. sorry for myself. I am sympathising only Even while the Royal National Association with those hon. members who, because of Show is in full swing, when one might expect their foolish interjections during a very Brisbane people to attend their own show intelligent spee'Ch, may have their remarks I do not say they should, because I believe in freedom of choice-they do not do so; read by their electors and possibly lose some they flock to the Gold Coast, and even on support as a result. that day traffic snarls occur. I turn now to main roads. I congratulate the Minister for Mines and Main Roads, Let us be fair a:bout this. I put it to the my friend Ron Camm, for the wonderful Minister that not only the area between the job of work he is doing on the Pacific Gold Coast and Brisbane, but any part of Highway between Brisbane and the New the State from which a railway service has South Wales border, which is known as been taken and in which the people are Highway No. 1. The department's employees entirely dependent on road transport, deserves are working like bees. Anywhere along the improved road facilities, and it behoves the South Coast one can see a hive of industry Minister for Main Roads to put more money in the further development of a four-lane into road construction in those areas than highway. On this road there are under in other areas. construction four-lane sections, new bridges, I ask the Minister for Main Roads to con under-passes and over-passes. I do not tinue with all haste the construction of the doubt that some criticism is being levelled four-lane highway to the Gold Coast so that at the Minister for spending so much money motorists can travel down and back again on this very important road, but let us without having to park at the roadside to be fair about this. The area known as the avoid being caught up in traffic congestion. Gold Coast demands that this money be spent. Some of them even boil the billy and have Its popularity warrants recognition. tea at the roadside to avoid having to join a queue of stationary or slow-moving Mr. Brom!ey: It rs just a synthetic America. vehicles with their motors over-heating. Mr. Bromley interjected. Mr. CAREY: Anyone who criticises the Minister talks utter rot. One must remember Mr. CAREY: If the hon. member for that we now have no railway line. Norman wants to set up a roadside service, Mr. Aikens: I did not think you would perhaps he might be able to apply to the ever mention it. Minister for permission to have caravans at 100-yard intervals along the road so that he Mr. CAREY: I am quite prepared to men can sell hot pies and tea. His request would tion it. I did everything in my power to be considered because we are a very helpful prevent the Government from pulling up the Government. I am afraid the hon. member 1122 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply would go broke because, like so many hon. auctioned, but they were subsequently members opposite, he is not a businessman. sold at the upset price, on a 10-year That is why we are so concerned about plan, to anyone over the age of 18 losing the Treasurer's services. years. Perhaps some hon. members may like It will be remembered that in my Address to get one for their sons and daughters. They in-Reply speech I asked the Minister for are the best buy in the State on 10 per cent. Main Roads whether it would be possible to down and the balance over 10 years at reduc indicate to motorists that they were entering ing interest. As those blocks are now virtu a 35-mile-an-hour zone by using a paint of ally all sold-- a different colour to mark the centre of Mr. Chlnchen: What percentage are you the road. I was surprised that more hon. getting? members did not support me in my sug gestion. I do not think motorists have time Mr. CAREY: The hon. member should not to read every road sign, because there are come into this, or I may put one on him that thousands of them. Even though I presented he will not like. a very strong case my idea was turned It is about time the Minister for Lands down by the Minister. I told him I was decided to plan and develop another block of disappointed but certainly not defeated. I 100 or 150 allotments so that our people may do not intend to quote the Minister's letter get the benefit of these excellent purchases. word for word because Ministers have a I now come to the meat of my speech, a way of writing letters difficult to follow, matter which is very dear to my heart. I will but he indicated that under the exist refuse to reply to interjections which are not ing regulations only two colours can completely relevant. be used in marking roads-white and yellow. I have to agree that until the regu Mr. Tucker: Who will decide that they are lation is changed I cannot ask that a red sensible? line or a blue line be painted on the road Mr. CAREY: I will. surface. Nevertheless, the difficulty can quite easily be overcome. I suggest that at I commend the Minister for Works and the entrance to a 35-mile-an-hour zone a Housing and his departmental officers for the big "35" should be painted on the road excellent job they are doing. The co-opera tive housing societies are also doing a won way, and at the entrance to a 40-mile-an derful job, as are other Government depart hour zone a big "40" be painted, and so on. ments such as the War Service Homes Divi After 40 years' driving I have received sion and Commonwealth service departments, my first ticket. It has made me very in facets of house building. In my opinion, nervous. When I am without my glasses next in line to having a comfortable feeling I look carefully at every man in a uniform after consuming sufficient good food, full to see whether he is a policeman or a employment with a regular weekly salary serviceman. The only one I can readily coming in, is suitable housing for one's recognise is a sailor. When I got the ticket family. Many young people are still looking I paid the only £5 I had left on that for homes and are still desirous of getting a occasion. I assure hon. members it would home through the Housing Commission or not have happened had it been marked on one of the building societies. the road that I was entering a 45-mile-an hour zone, then a 40-mile-an-hour zone, Mr. Sherrington interjected. and lastly a 35-mile-an-hour zone. Mr. CAREY: I will come to that if the The hon. member for Brisbane complained hon. member will wait a while. That is the bitterly about this very matter. I back his very matter I want to deal with. remarks to the letter. I do not believe On the Gold Coast we have formed what that people wish to break the law; rather do is known as the Gold Coast Homes for the they want to obey it. They certainly do not Aged Fund Raising Committee. This com wish to throw their money down the drain by mittee does not intend to build homes for paying it to the Government to put into Con the aged but we hope to have a charity chest, solidated Revenue. I could have given the treasure chest, call it what we may-- £5 I had to pay for my ticket to some very worthy charity in my electorate. I look for Mr. Aikens: Do the aged intend to build ward to some assistance on this matter from homes for the committee? the intelligentsia on the other side of the Chamber. Mr. CAREY: We hope to have a charity chest from which funds will be dispersed to I should now like to address a few remarks charitable organisations that are prepared to to the Minister for Lands. build homes for aged persons. I am not now Mr. Aikens: Will they be in the spirit, or speaking of the sick aged, who are being well the letter? catered for in the hospitals in my area. It might shock the hon. member for Townsville Mr. CAREY: These remarks will be in a South to learn that although we have not yet letter to the Minister. His department per been registered and are not really trying to formed a wonderful service for the electorate collect funds, we received donations within of Albert in cutting up, planning and develop three weeks of the first piece of Press publicity ing a substantial number of blocks in to the extent of over £500, and that money Roryville. They were not bought when is now in trust in the Commonwealth Bank. Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1123 In addition, there is the £2-for-£1 Common Mr. CAREY: All I want is homes for wealth subsidy and approximately £250 per young couples; what hon. members opposite unit from the State. Therefore, once we get do with their preferences is entirely up to the right to go ahead, the £500 will be worth them. I am being quite serious when I approximately £2,000 and should build at say that to give young people the opportunity least two very comfortable homes for the of becoming home-owners it is necessary to aged. dispense with the need to find deposits of £350 to £500. When a young couple want Through you, Mr. Hodges, I thank the a home the Housing Commission, having Minister for Works and Housing for assur satisfied itself that the husband and wife are ing me, since my Address-in-Reply speech, of good character and capable of paying the that he will give me two more Housing weekly amount required, should build them Commission homes in my area in the coming a home. Let us assume that the average year. Having now practically exhausted all rent of a home is £4 10s. a week. I think the available allotments in the original the Housing Commission should allow the Housing Commission area, I ask the Minister young couple to move into the home and to set about developing as a Housing Com say to them, "This home is yours immediately mission estate, the 50 acres which has been you find the extra money for the deposit," earmarked on the area we know as Roryville·. and increase the rent by, say £1 or £2 a week depending on the capacity of the tenants I ask the Minister to subdivide that 50 to pay. If £4 10s. a week is the upshot acres so that it will be ready for the develop rental, they will be asked to pay £6 1Os. a ment that will come to pass after this address week till the deposit has been fully met. of mine is considered and I get the full sup port of other hon. members. Mr. Hughes: Do you know that in New Zealand the Government capitalises child My main concern has always been for endowment to help obtain deposits on homes, young married couples. Except for those and people get homes without any deposit? who are very fortunate, I cannot understand Do you think we should put that to the how young people can save approximately Federal Government? £1,000 for furniture and a deposit on a home. We have all been young; we did Mr. CAREY: Anything at all that will not get the idea of saving until we suddenly help to put young married people in homes became engaged, and on becoming engaged is worth considering. we set about-both the boy and the girl Mr. Shenington: Have you put that saving furiously to get enough money to build suggestion to the Minister yet? our own nest for when we married. It is a very difficult task to find £1,000. Mr. CAREY: I am putting it up now. The Commonwealth Government has I have spoken to the Minister about it and realised the necessity for helping these people he will answer me in good time. After all, and is prepared to give £250 to any young that does not really matter. This is a couple who have saved £750. I do not know Chamber in which we are all free to speak. whether hon. members have seen the booklet I do not have sticking plaster over my lips issued by the Federal Minister for Housing, to keep me from saying things I want to say in the interests of those who need Mr. Bury, who said in the Press assistance, and I believe that young married last night that all young people, couples definitely need help. The method married or single should secure a I suggested would mean that it would not copy of it. It is entitled, "A Grant for Your be more than three years before the deposit Home". Thrs booklet will make them au fait on a home was fully paid and they would with the requirements of the scheme, and will then revert to the weekly payment of £4 Ws. not let them lose the opportunity of gaining for themselves this gift from the Common I come now to my most important line wealth Government. of thought. I said at the outset that when Mr. Hanlon: It is unfortunate that the a person is well fed, is fully employed, average cost of a house has gone up £250 and has money coming in each week, in the last 12 months. the next most important thing for him is home-ownership. As long as people own Mr. CAREY: Yes; I want to deal with their homes and the standard of living of that. I have here a document showing that this country is maintained, there need be the average cost of houses increased by no worry about the infiltration of from £259 to £272 in the cities and towns, Communism. and by £186 in shires, where probably the Mr. Bromley: You could sum that all requirements of local authorities are not so severe. I think it is important to bring this up in one word-security. suggestion clearly before the Minister. I Mr. CAREY: Security is the in1portant believe the time has passed when young thing. At present young couples save their married couples should be asked to find £350 to £500 to put down as a deposit, 10 per cent. of the purchase price of a home. and they then have to start saving again I think homes should be made available or perhaps furnish their homes with £500 on a no-deposit basis, with one proviso .. to £800 worth of furniture obtained by hire Mr. Houston: Do you want our preferences? purchase. 1124 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply Mr. Sb.errington: They can't get much for The Treasurer has made a very good start £500 now. in endeavouring to assist young people. At Mr. CAREY: I think they can. The hon. page 10 of his Financial Statement he says- member is speaking of Brisbane; I am speak "On the other hand, we propose to ing of the Gold Coast. I am confident that abolish mortgage duty on the matrimonial hon. members agree wholeheartedly with this home with certain upper limits. This con scheme because they have acclaimed it. ces-sion should cost £58,000 this financial We should not forget, Mr. Campbell, that year and £100,000 in a full year." there has been a great improvement in the This is a very important concession, because housing of the pe·ople of Queensland since our Government came to office. when my son-in-law bought a house recently it cost him almost £200 in stamp duties, Mr. Hnghes: Better than the old housing solicitors' fees, and so on, before he could camps. hand over the £2,500 and enter into his con tract with the previous owner. Mr. CAREY: Yes, certainly better than the camps; and better than tents and caravans, too. Mr. Aikeus: That deals only with stamp duty on the mortgage. An article appeared in the Press yester day under the heading "Men put off by Mr. CAREY: I realise that, but they still builders as house sales fall in Brisbane". I had to pay stamp duty on the mortgage. It think it is a shame that 12 brand-new houses is one burden of which young people are in Brisbane are unoccupied because young beinu relieved. I am convinced that hon. couples cannot get the finance they need to men~bers will eventually see this come into buy them. Without being biased, I do operation during the lifetime of the present not think they should be sold to old persons Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. like us: I think money should be made avail Johannes Bjelke-Petersen. able to enable young people to buy them. Mr. Aikens: Hire-purchase companies have :Mr. Sullivan interjected. plenty of finance available for things that really do not matter. Mr. CAREY: It will come quicker than we think. I know more finance will be Mr. CAREY: That is very true. It is only required but only 1,744 Housing Commis a matter of £5,000-odd per home. sion homes were built in 1964-65 and a If capable carpenters and carpenters' quick calculation will reveal that this is labourers are being dismissed in Brisbane, not a fantastic sum of money if each and I suggest to them that they make their way every home purchased had a deposit of to the Gold Coast, where it is virtually impos £300. sible to get tradesmen because of the large Mr. Sullivan: £51,000. number of buildings under construction there. A friend of mine recently called tenders for Mr. CAREY: There are profits from other the building of a house; he did not get one branches of Government that could be reply. furrowed into this type of work. Mr. Houston: Where will these building workers live down there? I should now like to addre'Ss a remark to the Minister for Education. I was Mr. CAREY: That is a fairly relevant astounded this morning to hear-- point, but I am sure the hon. member for Bulimba knows that at times one can rent Mr. Sullivan: Shocked. houses that are usually let as a holiday homes, and it would not really be necessary Mr. CAREY: "Shocked" is a better word for tradesmen to be there building houses in than "astounded". peak holiday periods. I was shocked this morning to hear hon. Mr. Houston: Where could they go then? members opposite claiming that we had Mr. CAREY: They could go into these neglected education. I know that this is so-called holiday homes at a rent of £5, £6 a fantastic statement because I was brought or £7 a week. up and educated in a time of Labour Governments and we had to sit on stools Mr. Houston: Where could they go then? from which we got a splinter every time we slid along them. As a matter of fact, !VIr. CAREY: Back to their own homes. that was one way we could get out of The hon. member cannot tell me that car the room and shirk our school education penters would not own their own homes. responsibilities. Today, 90 per cent. of our Mr. Aikens: There is plenty of work for children are housed in very sound, solid and carpenters on commercial buildings. worthwhile school buildings. Mr. CAREY: Particularly on the Gold I notice in a newspaper cutting I have Coast where buildings worth £8,000,000 here that the colleague of the Minister for have 'been approved by the council. Education, the Acting Premier, stated that Supply (26 OCTOBER] Supply 1125 a south-side site has been selected for a not rope me in, just as they rope the hon. new teacher's training college. The article membe'f for Norman into the parents and reads- citizens' association. " A third teacher-training college 'now Mr. Bromley: I go voluntarily. in the pipeline' almost certainly would be built on the south-side of Brisbane, Mr. CAREY: Perhaps I should not have the Acting Premier (Mr. Hiley) said last said that they will "rope" me in. I will night." always be pleased to assist them. I have Knowing full well that this Government been fighting for a new building for them believes in decentralisation, I ask the iu Southport ever since I entered Parliament. Minister to give consideration to building Mothers with babies in their arms or in this teacher's training college in Southport. prams have had to climb up two flights One could not find anywhere in the Com of slippery marble steps. I am very grateful monwealth, a healthier or more interesting to both Ministers for this new centre that 1place than Southport, or better climatic is to be built in the heart of Southport. conditions for such a college. There is plenty I extend my thanks also to the Minister of room for physical exercise, swimming and for Primary Industries. When he was a surfing, and plenty of entertainment during back-bencher we had some wonderful times the week-end. together at the Lodge. He told a better Mr. Sbenington: Is it to be a holiday story than any other man in the Lodge and camp? we miss his company. I know that we will never see him back there as a private Mr. CAREY: The hon. member knows member because from now on he will go that young people work much better during on to greater things. He has the primary the week if they have plenty of relaxation, producers behind him, particularly the dairy just as he does. farmers since he has decided to allow the I want the Minister to build this new payment of 4d. on each gallon of milk to teachers' training college in Southport. It is remain forever. most important that he should do so. At One of my Liberal ~~lleagues has Kedron Park there are 699 teachers in expressed a lit de opposition to the training; there are 1,424 at Kelvin Grove. Treasurer's increasing the stamp duty on Hon. members know perfectfy well that cheques to 6d. many young people travel thousands of miles to reach those colleges, so there is nothing Mr. Bmmley: Who was it? to prevent one from being built in my area. Mr. CAREY: I did not name him. Mr. Aikens: Many of them are from the I am of the opinion that the 6d. will not North, so what is wrong with building the impose any hardship on most people. college there? Mr. Bromley: They have no cheques to use. Mr. CAREY: It is my duty to speak for my own area, and as I thought of it first Mr. CAREY: That is true. The majority r think I will get one down there before of working people have savings bank the hon. member gets one in the North. We accounts. They do not need a cheque book. could have 699 young teachers in training at It is envisaged that in a full financial year a teachers' training college in Southport and, £704,000 will be obtained in revenue from as the hon. member for Condamine says, this tax. It is purely a State ta,'{. I know we the roads from Brisbane would not be so all need cheque books at Parliament House, cluttered at week-ends because they would and I do not think any conscientious, thought ful Queenslander will worry about having to be living there. pay 3d. extra for each cheque he uses, as the Opposition Members interjected. 3d. will go into the State Treasury for State use. Probably if this tax was not imposed by Mr. CAREY: Hon. members opposite the State-and we thus did not get it-the talk about the three-cornered contests. We £704,000 would go into the coffers at Can know that in a triangle there is an apex berra and the Prime Minister or his Treasurer and a base. My two opponents will not would say, "We will give you back what we get to first base, because I will be the think you are worth." At least we have apex. anticipated what we will receive from this I extend my thanks to the Minister for tax. I can see little harm in a tax of 6d. on Health and the Minister for Works and cheques, because, by and large, it is paid by Housing for the new maternal and child people in the higher income bracket who can welfare centre that is to be constructed at well afford it. Southport. Mr. Ailrens: On that argument, are you Mr. Bromley: Are you going to support suggesting it should be ls.? the maternal section? Mr. CAREY: No. I would never suggest that any tax should go up. I do not like to Mr. CAREY: Of course I am. The see taxes increased. maternal and child welfare centre does a wonderful job. There is no way in the An Opposition Member: You have said world that the ladies on the auxiliary will that you support it. 1126 Supp~>' [ASSEMBLY] Supply Mr. CAREY: Yes, I would support it if the Liberal Party, Mr. Ken Morris, now that £704,000 could be used to give young Senator Morris representing North Queens people homes without deposits. This would land. That is the real reason for the trouble be another avenue for raising revenue. We at Mt. Isa. must get money from somewhere to give young people homes without deposits. Let me say, in support of the remarks of my colleague the hon. member for Belmont Mr. BENNETT (South Brisbane) (8.13 about judgments that are received under that p.m.): I was rather intrigued at most of the legislation from time to time that I am whole remarks of the previous speaker, particularly heartedly in accord with the submission he in the latter part of his speech when he tried has made. Mr. Commissioner Taylor was to defend the charge of 6d. for people to well regarded in legal circles during his long have the privilege of borrowing money on years as a magistrate and as industrial magis their bank overdraft. It is really ludicrous trate in many places throughout the length to suggest that this will enable banks to allow and breadth of Queensland; he was truly young people to build homes, or buy homes, regarded as one of our leading magistrates; without deposit. No such scheme is involved. he is gifted with a judicial mind; he has a The banks have no such policy and, if I sound knowledge of the law that he is called understand the operations of the banks, I upon to enforce. It is rather disquieting, know that they never will have so long as I am sure, for the trade-union movement to they remain private companies. For that see, because of the uncertainty of this new matter, I do not know of any person, body Act, judgments delivered by a man of his or organisation that is prepared to allow calibre and quality readily upset by another people to buy homes without deposit. legal man occupying the chair of presidency of the Industrial Court. Obviously the reason Mr. CAR:EY: I rise to a point of order. for that confusion and the reason trade I did not say that I was in favour of the unionists generally are losing their respect 6d. going to the banks. In my opinion this for the manner in which the industrial law 1s is a sixpenny Government tax, which goes to implemented lies in the 1961 legislation. the Government. It is not a tax that goes to Even the President of the Industrial Court, the banks. If the Government will use it frn Mr. Justice Hanger, had to reverse his own home-building, I will be in favour of it. decision after giving further consideration Mr. E>ENNETf: The hon. member had an to a ruling he had given under this Act. hour to put the arguments that he wanted to Mr. Hughes: You know that the Trades advance and he was most unconvincing. He is Hall wants to destroy the arbitration system, in favour of charging people 6d. every time and that is the real kernel of the problem. they operate on their bank overdraft. I do not know that that is desirable. I certainly Mr. BENNETT: It is not the Trades do not think it is. He says that in this way Hall. The Government has made a farce people will have an opportunity, through the of conciliation and arbitration. It has ring home-builders' organisations, to buy homes barked the arbitration court almost com and purchase property without any deposit. pletely. It has set out to implement what an I do not know of any bank or other organisa erstwhile State Attorney-General said the tion that has such a proposal, and I do not Government would do if given the oppor think the Treasurer remotely suggested that tunity. With the assistance of Mr. Ken that was the purpose of the scheme when he Morris, then Acting Premier and Liberal introduced it. Obviously the only real reason Party leader, the Government ringbarked the for its introduction is to swell the coffers of arbitration court and succeeded in carrying this Government because at the present out the announced policy of the Liberal Party moment it is starving for funds. because it detests the worker. I say that in Mr. Hughes: Mt. Isa had a lot to do with answer to the comment of the hon. member this situation, you know. for Kurilpa. I have been somewhat, but certainly, Mr. E>ENNETT: We have heard so much sickened by the sycophantic ravings and about Mt. Isa that it is becoming rather rantings of many members of the Country disquieting. This Government and its mem Liberal Government about the departure of bers are obviously deceiving the people of the Treasurer, Mr. Hiley. It is passing Queensland and Australia, and for that strange that many of those who are making matter, of the world, about the real reason these commendations and are dashing out for the Mt. Isa dispute. They are not pre encomiums were severe and ardent critics of pared to face up to their responsibilties and his during the whole period of his Treasure take the blame. The shocking industrial ship. I cannot understand why they have legislation that was introduced in 1961 was politically and officially changed their attitude, responsible for the Mt. Isa strike. Even if indeed they have. Alternatively, are they Mr. Peter Connolly, Q.C., who was respon making these superficial comments believing sible for drafting the legislation, and who that they may escape three-cornered contests? incidentally then became counsel for Mount Isa Mines Ltd.-I suppose it was purely There is no doubt that, as a man, the coincidental-does say, I understand, that one Treasurer has personal qualities well above or two obvious iniquitous clauses in that Act the average. There is no doubting his pro were included, against his wishes and against fessional capacity. I suppose that can be his recommendation, by the then leader of readily understood because he spent most Supply (26 OCTOBER] Supply 1127 of his earlier years in West End and South that he is relieving the people of certain Brisbane! However, no Treasurer of Queens financial burdens in the field of stamp duty land has ever had an easier task. During his when in fact he has been loading them with administration, at least up till the present new burdens. In the year before he took year, the economy of most nations, not office receipts from stamp duty were only Australia, has been comparatively £2,854,161; under the same heading he is buoyant, and the Treasurer was particularly now taking £7,023,000. Talk about being fortunate in the financial climate that he met a successful Treasurer! If he grabs all this when he assumed office-a climate largely money from the people, he must have some brought about by Australian Labour Party money to spend somewhere, and he has been Treasurers. grabbing it. From the totalisator and betting tax, £293,993 was taken in the year before Mr. Campbell: That is not what you said he took office; he is now taking about in 1961. £1,800,000 under that heading. From charges Mr. BENNETT: What did I say in 1961? under the State Transport Facilities Act £1,047,283 was taken in the year before Mr. Campbell: You said just the reverse. he took office; he is now taking £2,550,000 under that heading. Mr. BENNETT: The hon. member does not even know what I said in 1961. In any So his record as Treasurer is not really case, I am sure that I did not say anything marvellous when one examines the actual that conflicts with what I am saying now. business results. As I said, I hate to think If I did, what I say in 1965 need not neces what he would have done if he had not sarily be what I said in 1961. That was received handouts from the Federal Govern four years ago, and I do not deal in ment in other fields of financial activity. antiquities; I adapt my observations to the Wherever he has had an opportunity, he times. has trebled, or at least doubled, the revenue. I have said that in personal qualities the That is the result he has obtained as Treasurer is well above average. If I liked Treasurer. to get on the bandwagon, I could say that Now, as Acting Premier of the State, he Sir Alan Munro could be placed in a similar must shoulder the responsibility for the category. I say with utmost confidence and financial state of the sugar industry, which all the sincerity at my command that when is slowly but surely being plunged into they have departed there will be no brains bankruptcy. Any sugar farmer will admit left in the Liberal Party in this Chamber. I that the industry is in an unhealthy state, think that after Christmas the party will be and the hon. member for Mulgrave proved bankrupt of mental capacity. Mr. Charles that it is in his contribution to the debate. Porter will be a very second-rate substitute, I can say with authority that the sugar who, if he wins his seat, will stir up all industry in North Queensland is refusing sorts of animosity and intrigue and certainly to take on any extra labour in the pre will endeavour to remove the supremacy of Christmas period. the Premier and the Minister for Education. He will try to put them in the back ranks Mr. Murray: Surely you are not going to of Cabinet, if they are still in Cabinet. blame Mr. Hiley for that? Let us examine the record of the Mr. BENNETI: I am blaming Mr. Hiley Treasurer's stewardship. As a tax-gatherer, for that, as the Treasurer and the Leade1 he has matched the Liberal Treasurer of of the Government. He accepted the Gibbs the Commonwealth in his rapacious attitude report and said it was an outstandingly to the people of Queensland. Admittedly, intelligent report. No doubt it was thank heavens, he has been somewhat circum intelligent-- scribed in his right to impose taxes because Queensland is now what might be termed a Mr. Row: You would not know anything mendicant State and the Commonwealth about the sugar industry. Government has the real power of taxation. But give the Treasurer a chance in his limited lVIr. BENNETT: The Minister says that field and he charges like a scrub bull. I would not know anything about the sugar The year before he assumed office, the industry. As a youth and a young man, annual income from taxation received from I was perhaps more closely connected with the liquor trade was £799,099. Now, under the sugar industry than the Minister. I the Treasurer's administration, the figure is lived for 20 years amongst the sugar cane, £1,900,000. Immediately before he assumed and my father earned his livelihood from office, the annual income from land tax, the sugar industry. which he glibly claims from time to time Mr. Row: I know you did. to have alleviated (although the only relief given has been to the larger land-holders), Mr. BENNETI: So the Minister should was £1,386,451, whereas now he is taking not suggest that I do not know anything £2,025,000 from the public purse by this about the sugar industry. My father was means. secretary of the Kalamia Mill Suppliers' From time to time the Treasurer has Committee. introduced legislation and claimed, with a style and technique typical of an accountant, Mr. Row: I know all about your father. 1128 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply Mr. BENNETT: I presume the Minister jurisdiction over youth welfare in the lemis means by that that he was a solid figure in the lation he introduces. Even the Minister for sugar world and that he did much, as a Industrial Development endeavours to con secretary and growers' representative, to cern himself in the field of youth welfare. improve the industry, in co-operation with a Government that was sympathetic to sugar So, because of the observations that may be heard from time to time, because of the farmers. ranting and raving of the hon. member for Mr. Armstrong: That would be an anti Townsville South, with the universal backing Labour Government, I take it? of the Country and Liberal Parties, about how they should be browbeaten, horse Mr. BENNETT: There was no such thing whipped and thumped, because the Govern as an anti-Labour Government in Queensland ment adopt the proposals he puts forward, in those days. I marvel at such statements and because of the consternation expressed when I think of the people who appear by members of the Opposition and respon before the-se commissions and the Sugar sible members of the community, is it not Cane Prices Board. The Government briefs time that we devoted a special and important people who have never been out of Queen portfolio to youth welfare? None of us can Street in Brisbane. That is why the results afford-- of some of these inquiries have proved to be anything but satisfactory. The meat Mr. AIKENS: I rise to a point of order. industry, at the moment, is in a dangerous Never at any time have I suggested the position; the wool industry is far from maltreatment of children or youths as such. healthy, and, of course, as I mentioned earlier, widespread industrial unrest has been The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask the hon. precipitated by this Government. member for South Brisbane to accept the explanation of the hon. member for Towns So, at this stage, instead of doing a lot ville South. of back-slapping, let us be properly seized of the situation and make our comments Mr. BENNETT: A reading in "Hansard" according to what is factual and not of the hon. member's speech last Thursday according to what we would like it to be. would prove that his denial is most However. I do not intend to engage in unconvincing. parochial activities or work the parish pump Mr. AIKENS: I rise to a point of order. as so many members of the Country Party I advocated, and will continue to advocate, and the Liberal Party have done to a dis the flogging and castration of criminals who quieting degree during this debMe. I propose commit sexual offences against children but to make some submissions that I think are I have never advocated the flogging and important enough to warmnt imperative con horsewhipping of children and young men sideration by this Government. just because they are young men. Mr. Smith: Have you anything on any hotels this time? Mr. BENNEIT: We cannot afford to be onlookers or to stand on the sidelines in this Mr. JBENNETT: I could tell about the matter. We are going through a very difficult case of Thomas and Snow in which the hon. period. I feel that, although they say a lot, member appeared for the Crown and made responsible people are not doing anything such a mess of it that, although normally to secure a pmper future for youth, who are entitled to costs, the Crown was not allowed now given more periods of relaxation, which them. are not properly employed because they cannot find suitable ways to employ them. What I was about to say was that, because Dante once said that the hottest places in of the constructive comments made by mem Hell are reserved for those who, in times of bers of the Opposition and the destructive great moral crisis, maintain their neutraHty. comments made by certain members of the I am sure that I am only echoing the remarks Government, there should be a special port made in recent times by many hon. members folio allocated to youth welfare in this State. when I say that this is a time of great moral Unfortunately, ,the welfare and future of crisis for our youth. I feel that the Govern youth depend upon three Ministers and are ment is not measuring up to its responsi probably bandied around like traffic and other bilities in this crisis. police matters, shared by Ministers most of whom are ill fitted for the responsibility. Although each speaker is allotted only an hour in this debate, much of the time of hon. The Minister for Education, as Minister members opposite has been wasted in pleas in charge of Police, has certain responsi antries, backslapping and expressing an atti bilities in regard to youth, but he does not tude of self-satisfied mediocrity. If the al'Mays hold that portfolio. It is handed Government persists in that attitude, it will back to him each time some other Minister serve this State badly. Even the Acting gets into strife with it. I do not know Premier himself has derided Parliament for whether he improves the position but he can the lack of enthusiasm and attendance of bluff his way through better than others. Government members. We have seen the So, as Minister for Police, he has some hon. member for Townsville South plunge to responsibility towards youth. The Minister the depths of indecency with hopelessly and for Health has some responsibility, and the deliberately inaccurate claims in relation to Minister for Labour and Industry has some fact and comment, which was condoned by Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1129 many members of the Government. I do not Mr. Smith: What do you think about subscribe to the theory that we must have a Beatlemania? full houst? all the time for parliamentarians and Parliament to carry out their duties Mr. BENNETT: I have no fixed conclu properly. I do not want to embarrass hon. sions o~ Beatlemania. As a matter of fact, members on the Government benches but I I sometimes look at the hon. member's efforts should say that one or two of them who and think, "Well, now, if he had been born perhaps have the best record for attendance about 20 years ago he could have been one have served Parliament the least over a of the first Beatles," so he should not deride period of years because they sit here, if not them. m a completely sleepy condition, in a semi somnolent state enjoying the atmosphere of . I t~ink that the people in this State, the Chamber, to have a quiet rest, to keep mcludmg the youth, are more interested in away from their responsibilities at the corres the higher things in life, in the honour of pondence table, to avoid deputations from parliamentarians and Parliament; they are their constituents, and to avoid doing the more ambitious for their equality and free necessary research to enable them to make dom-and that includes the trade-union valuable contributions to the debates. movement-than they are for mere bread and butter. Hon. gentlemen like the Acting Premier and, for that matter, the newspapers in their During the Treasurer's term of office, a leading editorials and articles should hesitate flow of uncontrolled capitalism has been before deriding and scoffing the efforts of introduced into the State, which has been Parliament until they know exactly what hon. gaining control of the wealth and potential members are doing and what contributions of Australia, because the Treasurer and they are making instead of sitting here for this Government have followed the pattern hours on end without the right to say any set down by their counterparts in the Federal thing. Admittedly there should be a healthy sphere. attendance-the Australian Labour Party Mr. Hughes: Do you object to the provides most of the quorums-but I do not alumina refinery at Gladstone? subscribe to the claim that, because a mem ber happens to be out of the Chamber he is Mr. BENNETT: I do not object to any lazy or is doing nothing for the com~unity. stable industrial development in this State. Mr. Duggan: Is there any truth in the In fact I should say that I consider it highly desirable and that it should be encouraged. rumour that a round robin was being circu At the same time, our desperate need of lated by members of the Government parties industrial development is no reason for in censure of the Treasurer? allowing overseas interests to strangle our finance and gain an unjust share of our Mr. BENNETT: I did hear a rumour to capital. that effect. Many back-bench members oppo site are taking strong exception to the Acting Mr. Hugbes: You should choose your Premier's claim that they were not doino words carefully and try to entice capital their work, that they were lazy, and that th~ here for development rather than chase it Government was faced with imminent defeat. away; you should provide an incentive. I have heard-I will not say from whom, Mr. BENNETI: Queenslanders own the because I do not want to embarrass anybody country and it is their birthright to share in on that side-that a certain attack is to be its natural products. Unless arrangements made on their leader at the Caucus meeting are made with that in mind, it is rather idle tomorrow. to say that we are getting wholesale develop Public life, I might say, is the crown of a ment, especially if Queenslanders are not career. To me it is a worthy ambition. profiting by it. Politics is a most honourable adventure. Mr. Lee: As a Queenslander how much People like the hon. member for Townsville have you personally invested in these South, and others who endeavour to brin o industries? dishonour to a parliamentary career by thei~ untruthful remarks, unfair comments and Mr. BENNETT: That question is very derisive tactics, are not serving their com simple to answer. I have no money invested munity well. We know-and politicians and in anything, nor have I ever invested in any parliamentarians should remember this-that undertaking in Queensland. My only invest it is fashionable to look down on politicians ment is a wife and a large family. and those in Parliament. I believe it is wrong for parliamentarians to encourage these com Opposition Members: Hear, hear! ments unnecessarily. Mr. BENNETT: I put all my money into Reverting to my suggestion that there their education and welfare. That is the should be a special portfolio for youth wel only investment I possess and I am very fare, I might say that, if we are not encour proud of it. aging youth to respect officialdom in this State or to admire our standard, what can we Mr. lfughes: Don't you think that every expect of them? Youth is not entirely a time Queenslander benefits from the injection of of life; it is a state of mind. overseas capital to develop the State? 1130 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply Mr. BENNETT: Provided it is suitably knowledge of the land except that he altered controlled. If it is introduced with unquali the electoral boundaries of this State to pre fied abandon, it becomes extremely serve the political hide of this Government. dangerous. The power of the Police Force has been I point out that we should not embark increased considerably. For obvious reasons, upon this backslapping campaign that has I do not propose to deal in great detail with been indulged in by Government members. the Police Department at this stage, because There are many weaknesses and anomalies the top echelon of the Police Force is in a as a result of this Government's eight years state of flux, in a transient period of its in office. I will point out a few of them. administration, and it would not be fair to It is obvious that this Government is no make comment. I intended earlier to make longer insisting on compulsory unionism. a good deal of detailed comment, but I do The fundamental right that was enjoyed for not propose to do so this evening as it would years of trial by jury in all compensation be inappropriate. From the rumours I have claims has been abandoned during the term heard and the information I have received, it of this Government. The onus of proof in would be fair and accurate to say that in the damages cases for industrial workers has immediate future changes will be made in the been shifted onto the worker where it erst top echelon of the Police Force. I will pass while resided on the employer and the other reference to these changes and quote management. It is difficult for a widow to from a judgment of our Full Court, portion prove that her husband was killed as a result of which was delivered by Mr. Justice Lucas, of negligence and the system of work con in a case dealing with a policeman. It was trolled by the management of a particular reported in 1964 Queensland State Reports industrial undertaking. at page 226. I refer only to a short passage in His Honour's judgment which reflects the We have had introduced on-the-spot fines, decision of the Full Court of Queensland and which condition the public mind to avoid which reflects what every other decent man the courts. The Minister for Justice is would say about the standard of our Police anxious for the public to avoid the courts Force. At page 234 he said, dealing with a because he cannot provide enough courts at particular policeman, whose name it is not the moment and ha·s not the mechanical necessary to mention- recording devices he has been bragging about for some two years. The rooms that were "Such conduct on the part of a police made available for their reception are still officer, who had sworn to see and cause coldly vacant. Her Majesty's peace to be kept and pre served was, in my opinion, deserving of There has been the introduction and severe punishment. encouragement of the T.A.B. and the foster ing of the liquor trade. I am not for one "It was urged on the appellant's behalf moment antagonistic to either avocation, but that he was off duty at the time, but it is I say that this Government has been com clear that the highest standards of conduct pletely hypocritical in its attitude over the are to be expected from policemen at all years since it was in Opposition; then it times, whether on duty or off duty, whether severely castigated the A.L.P. Government for in uniform or in plainclothes. I am unable the moneys it received from liquor and betting to say that the sentence is manifestly interests. The members of the previous excessive." A.L.P. Government were babes in the wood The point I make is that the highest standard in the light of the professional techniques is expected of a policeman at all times, adopted by this Government. whether on duty or off duty, whether in There has been the removal of the right uniform or in plain clothes, and I hope that the Minister in charge of the Police Force to apply for an increase in the Mt. Isa lead and the Government will keep that judgment bonus but the retention of the management's in mind when dealing with future appoint right to apply for a reduction. ments. Those words apply to all policemen, so they should certainly apply to the top There has been a gerrymandering of the echelon. electoral boundaries and the prize has been given to the best gerrymanderer by appointing The Government has paid some slight heed him President of the Land Court. to some suggestions but, so far as I know, it has not taken up serious and constructive The Minister asked me what qualifications suggestions dealing with improvements to I had to speak about the sugar industry. I legal procedures. Apparently it is not pre was reared amongst sugar-cane and I studied pared to appoint a law reform commission, it carefully, but the Minister still did not and it has not to date put on the Business consider I had the necessary qualifications to Paper legislation to provide legal aid in make appropriate comments on the sugar Queensland. For a long time I have advo industry, yet he was party to his Govern cated a full and proper system of legal aid ment's proposal to award the prize of top in Queensland. From time to time the hon. position in the Land Court, on a salary equal member for Windsor has, in a rather echoing to that of a Supreme Court judge, to a bar fashion, endorsed my claims; but to date rister of raw junior years who had no real nothing has materialised. Supply [26 OCTOBER] Supply 1131 I feel that, unless the Government amends Mr. BENNETI: The hon. member for its industrial legislation to end the present Yeronga says, "We have a lot of con farcical procedures through the Industrial stituents." That is a selfish, mundane Commission and the Industrial Court, and attitude to adopt. He will never be a states unless legislation is produced that will bring man-that is perfectly obvious. about a feeling of confidence and mutuality between industrial, political, and managerial North Queensland and its ports could interests, there will be a lot more political properly be described as the northern gate and industrial unrest. Much has to be done. way to Australia, and I believe that more wheat, wool and sugar would be exported if In spite of the many visits overseas by proper shipping and port facilities were the Minister for Industrial Development and provided. Regional cities with suitable har the prating of the Minister for Labour and bours should be developed; there should not Industry, I feel that nothing worthwhile has be this unusual concentration on Brisbane. been done to attract tourists to this State. My Leader pointed out on one occasion that As the member for South Brisbane, I advertisements being used were antiquated believe that my constituents are far-seeing and archaic, and he produced concrete enough to appreciate my claim and would evidence to show that what he said was readily realise that the capital city would correct. It must readily be conceded that automatically become financially and indus the best way to bring tourists to the State trially stronger as a result of the development is by ship, yet, so far as I know, not one of the State as a whole. Hon. members passenger ship reaches Australia through the should be thinking of how they can carve northern ports of Queensland. I am satis up the State industrially and improve inter fied that the Government has done nothing sta.te and overseas trade by provciding ports to have overseas shipping companies amend and other facilities, not thinking of carving their itineraries. Queensland is not receiving up political parties as members of the Liberal its fair percentage of migrants because they Party and the Country Party are doing at invariably arrive at Fremantle, and by the present. We hear much of matters concerning time the ships reach Brisbane, if they ever Brisbane; but I do not know what right the do, the migrants have had enough of the Liberal Party has to be the dominant politi sea and have left. If a voyage terminates cal party in this Chamber, because its think at other capital cities, tourists are not likely ing never goes outside Brisbane. to leave it and find their way to Brisbane by other means of transport. As the question of penalty and punishment was raised during this debate, I think I Most tourists going overseas from Queens should make some reference to it. I do not land cannot board a ship at any port in propose to deal with it at any great length Queensland. Invariably they have to fly to because, in the first place, I do not think the Sydney to board ships leaving Australia Minister for Justice and other Cabinet from that port. If the Government wished Ministers have any intention of introducing to do anything really practical to attract mutilation as a punishment and a deterrent. tourists and the necessary percentage of migrants to Queensland, it would arrange for The Chief Justice of Pakistan was present a delegation to go overseas and approach at an international law convention in Sydney international shipping agents in an endeavour during the year, and he was the first person to get them to make full use of the ports of for many years to advocate that that type of Cairns, Townsville, Bowen, Port Alma, punishment, which was used in the dim, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and Maryborough. dark ages and which was completely unsatis factory and certainly did not act as a As I said earlier, I do not intend to work deterrent, should be re-introduced. I believe the parish pump. I think an occasion such that no human agency has the right, except as this is far too important for the discussion for medicinal purposes, to interfere with the of parochial issues. Members of the Liberal human body. Party have done so much whingeing about I feel that punishment can be suitably the Brisbane Town Plan that I think it is adjusted without mutilation. In any case, time that we, as parliamentarians, considered mutilation carried to its ultimate extent a plan for the State and let the Brisbane means, for serious crime, the death penalty, Oity Council work out its own town which in most civilised countries of the planning development. world was abolished years ago. It is certainly not a policy of the Australian Mr. Lee: If we leave it to them we will Labour Party to introduce the death penalty, have no Brisbane left. and I feel that it is not the ambition or the desire of the Country-Liberal Govern Mr. BENNETI: As p.arliamentarians, we ment to do such a thing, either. have an obligation to the State. We should not be devoted, as are members of the I have noted that no man of average Liberal Party through their Queen Street mentality and physical endurance can with organisation, to the City of Brisbane. stand a period in gaol of lon!ler than ten years without physical and mental deteriora Mr. L-ee: We have a lot of constituents, tion, and no civilised society should imnose haven't we? penalties that do not act as a deterrent or 1132 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply are in the nature of the old Shylock Mr. Hughes: Don't you think it sometimes principle of pound for pound or tooth for appears that in rape cases and other cases tooth. of a like nature the court sentences are unrealistic and too light? The Chief Justice of Pakistan horrified, without exception, every member at the Mr. BENNETI: No. Knowing the full legal convention. There were present dis facts of the cases, to my way of thinking tinguished lawyers from overseas-from court sentences have always been adequate. the British Commonwealth of Nations and If anything, they have been a little on the severe side. For a full-blooded, genuine rape other countries-and without exception he an offender gets 12 years' imprisonment with horrified them all. After the matter hard labour, and 12 years is a long time was suitably dealt with by me in this in gaol. If there is some encouragement Chamber I did not think it would again from the girl or some provocation, this rear its ugly head. But of course it had should be taken into consideration. The to be raised by an ugly-minded member. late Sir Roslyn Philp, the Senior Puisne Judge who was knighted by this Government, The Chief Justice of Pakistan certainly a man who as a judge had my utmost did not represent the views of the enlight respect and of whose ability and integrity ened sections in Asia. He was out of step, I have a healthy memory, said from the and to my way of thinking, like the hon. bench that there should be a law to protect member for Townsville South, was only young boys from some young girls. As a man endeavouring to obtain some cheap super who has been around the courts a lot, even ficial publicity while in Australia. as the father of five daughters, I say that the boys are not always to blame. In some In advancing his theory the hon. member cases they are, but nevertheless there is for Townsville South dealt with a case in no protection for a young lad who is led Townsville. I must concede t·hat I am not astray by a loose-living girl. I should hate personally acquainted with the facts of that to see young boys spend 12 years in gaol case, but I do say that I would be just as because of the provocative conduct of girls competent to comment on it as he is, because who had waylaid them. I have never yet known the hon. memoer for The hon. member for Towsville South Townsville South to report to this Parlia referred to the Townsville case. Perhaps me·nt truthfully the facts of any case to I can be pardoned for dealing with this which he has referred. As a matter of matter, as an attack was made on me. I fact, he is regarded by many people through had intended to devote most of my speech out the State as a master of mendacity. As to what might be regarded as using the the Treasurer said-it is one of his remarks binoculars to look into the future and that I think will go down in history-he encourage this Government to do something is noted for his untruthfulness. That was better for the youth, the industrialists and the Treasurer's comment and I endorse it the workers of this State, but because of wholeheartedly. the comments that have been made it becomes necessary to depart from that subject. Every practising legal man in Queensland, However, rather than use the binoculars including the judiciary, is shocked and I am prepared to use the microscope and ashamed to think that Parliament can be examine the gyrations of an insignificant so deceived by an irresponsible, unsub microbe, an insect, even though he might stantial and untruthful individual who come from Townsville. deliberately distorts the facts of cases that It was claimed that although an offence come before our courts from time to time much more serious than rape was committed in order to suitably impress Ministers in an on a girl the case was dealt with by the endeavour to get har&her penalties imposed Northern Distrist Court judge. If the offence on individuals who already are suffering was more serious than rape, and if the as far as any court would require them to Crown charged the boys concerned with that suffer. I do not know why the hon. member particular offence, the charge would have for Townsville South takes such a sadistic been completely outside the jurisdiction of delight in seeing people punished, the District Court judge, Judge Ralph imprisoned, and penalised for offences which Cormack, for whom the hon. member for no doubt would pale into insignificance Townsville South has an undying hatred compared with what he did when he was for what reason I do not know. It would a young man. have been dealt with by a Supreme Court judge. Mr. AIKENS: I rise to a point of order. I ask the hon. member for South Brisbane I for one do not believe for a moment that the Crown authorities would be so if he has ever seen a child who was raped, corrupt as to reduce a charge to a minor mutilated and murdered by a sex maniac. one if they had the necessary evidence, as was suggested by the hon. member for The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask the hon. Townsville South, to support a more serious member for Townsville South to contain charge. As the Crown Law authorities himself and obey the command of the initiated and launched their prosecution in Chair. the District Court in Townsville, I can Supply (27 OCTOBER] Questions 1133 only conclude that they had evidence only of a minor offence. It is damnable and disgusting to hear our judges, our courts and this Parliament subjected to the untruthful claims of the hon. member for Townsville South. Mr. AIKENS: I rise to a point of order. I said that these men were charged under section 350, that they were found guilty, and that the District Court judge gave them the maximum penalty allowed under that section. Mr. BENNETT: If the offence was as serious as the hon. member would have us believe, they would have been prosecuted under section 208 of the Criminal Code and dealt with by the Supreme Court. Mr. Al!KENS: I rise to a point of order. Let us get this straight-- Mr. BENNETT: The hon. member is trying to take up my time. Mr. AIKENS: I may be afraid of many things, but I am not afraid of the hon. member. Section 208 provides that there must be sexual intercourse. Mr. BENNETT: I know the hon. member is frightened now. He is like Murphy's dog; he can give it but he can't take it. Mr. Aikens: That is an old one. I have used it myself. Mr. BENNETT: In any case, the late Minister for Health, Dr. Noble, is known to have said during his time as a medical practitioner, no doubt with a great degree of authenticity and knowledge, that mutila tion does not achieve any purpose whatever. It is a pity that some hon. members die! not take more notice of him in his profes sional capacity. In the interests of developmental projects, the Queensland Government should do its best to bring from the Snowy Mountains scheme the world's outstanding brains on water engineering so that they may benefit Queensland now that the Snowy Mountains scheme is nearing completion. They could do so much for the rivers of North Queensland and Central Queensland that the achievements on the Snowy scheme would pale into insignificance; they would resemble a small lake. When the Bradfield scheme was originally proposed, it did not have the backing of southern interests. Now that more than £5,000,000 has been spent in that way in the southern States, surely this Government would be supported in any approach to the Federal Government to bring all these world-renowned engineers to Queensland before we lose their services to overseas countries. (rime expired.) Progress reported. The House adjourned at 9.13 p.m.