Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 1979

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Papers [28 AUGUST 1979] Papers 89

TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 1979 'Pwclamation under Adoption of Children Act Amendment Act 1979.

Orders in Council under- Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. S. J. Muller, State Development and Public Works Fassifern) read prayers and took the chair Organization Act 1971-1979 and the at 11 a.m. Local Bodies' Loans Guarantee Act 1923-1979. APPROPRIATION BILL (No.l) Racing and Betting Act 1954-1978. Financial Administration and Audit Act Assent reported by Mr. Speaker. 1977-1978. Police Act 1937-1978. Electricity Act 1976-1979. ORDER IN CHAMBER Workers' Compensation Act 1916-1979.

STATEMENT BY MR. SPEAKER Stock Routes and Rural Lands Protec- tion Act 1944-1978. Mr. SPEAKER: Honour.abh~ members, it Harbours Act 1955-1979. shall be my purpose. to ensure that all honour­ able members have an opportunity to par­ State Housing Act 1945-1979. ticipate in the debates in 1his Chamber. State Housing Acts and Another Act Amendment Act 1957-1979. This right may be assured only if members' responses conform to Standing Orders. City of Brisbane Act 1924-1977. District Courts Act 1967-1978. I draw your particular attention to Stand­ ing Order 119 "Offensive Words against Magistrates Courts Act 1921-1976. Member", which reads- The Supreme Court Act of 1921. " A Member shall not use unbecoming or Metropolitan Transit Authority Act offensive words in reference to another 1976-1979. Member of the House." and Standing Order 120 "Digressions, Ref­ Regulations under- erence to Previous Debate, Personal Reflec­ Land Tax Act 1915-1978. tions, Etc." which reads- "A Member shall not digress from the Construction Safety Act 1971-1975. subject-matter under discussion, or com­ Factories and Shops Act 1960-1975. men1 upon expressions used by another Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Member in a previous Debate of the same Act 1961-1976. Session; and all imputations of improper motives, and all personal reactions, shall Weights and Measures Act 1951-1978. be deemed highly disorderly." Inspection of Machinery Act 1951-1974. Canals Act 1958-1979. Building Act 1975-1978. ELECTORAL DISTRICTS OF REDCL:IFFE Building Societies Act 1886-1976. AND GYMPIE Business Names Act 1962-1976. BY-ELECTION DATES Status of Children Act 1978. Mr. SPEAKER: I inform the House that Traffic Act 1949-1977. the dates in connection with the issue of writs Adoption of Children Act 1964-1979. for the election of members to serve in this House for the electoral districts of By-laws under- Redcliffe and Gympie are as follows- Water Act 1926-1979. Issue of writ-10 August 1979; Railways Act 1914-1978. Date of nomination-16 August 1979; Rules under the Industrial Conciliation and Polling day-1 September 1979; Arbitration Act 1961-1976. Return of writ-5 October 1979. Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account as at 28 February 1979 of the Union-Fidelity Trustee Company of PAPERS Australia Limited. The following papers were laid on the Repod of the State Electricity Commis­ table:- sion of Queensland for 1979. Proclamation notifying the date that the Queensland Marine Act Amend­ Report under Legal Assistance Act 1965- ment Act 1979 shall come into 1979 by the Secretary, Queensland Law operation. Society Incorporated. 78622-5 90 Ministerial Statements [28 AUGUST 1979] Ministerial Statements

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Mr. LICKISS: I seek to have the letter and enclosure tabled incorporated in CHANGES IN MINISTRY "Hansard". Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah (Leave granted.) -Premier) (11.12 a.m.): I desire to inform the House that on 21 August 1979 the Deputy "Queensland Permanent Building Society Governor, for and on behalf of His "Cl- Hungerfords Excellency the Governor- "19th Floor (a) accepted the resignation tendered by:- "T & G. Building The Honourable Thomas Guy Newbery, "Cnr. Queen and Albert Streets, as a Member of the Executive Council of "Brisbane Queensland; effective from midnight on "4 June 1979 21 August 1979; "Mr D B McKirdy (b) accepted the resignation tendered by:- "Deputy Registrar of Building Societies The Honourable Thomas Guy Newbery, "Office of the Commissioner for as Minister for Culture, National Parks Corporate Affairs and Recreation of Queensland; effective "231 Turbot Street from midnight on 21 August 1979. "Brisbane Q 4000 I also desire to inform the House that "Dear Sir on 24 August 1979 His Excellency the "I refer to your letter of 20 April 1979 Governor- and to subsequent conversations relating to (a) appointed:- loans to directors. Maxwell David Hooper and Ivan James "As previously advised, on the receipt Gibbs to be Members of the Executive of your letter I wrote to the Chairman, Council of Queensland; SGIO Building Society requesting infor­ (b) appointed:- mation relating to loans to persons named The Honourable Maxwell David Hooper, on the Annexure "A" to your letter of to be Minister for Maritime Services and 20 April 1979 which were current at Tourism of Queensland; and the time of transfer of engagements. The The Honourable Ivan James Gibbs, to Chairman of the SGIO Building Society be Minister for Culture, National Parks replied, advising that an examination of and Recreation of Queensland. his Society's records revealed that Mr J R R Frost was the only person named in I lay upon the table of the House copies the annexure who had a loan transferred of the Queensland Government Gazettes (2) to his Society. The loan was still current of 25 August 1979 containing the relevant notifications. with that Society. I engaged a former employee of this Society who had the Whereupon the honourable gentleman laid responsibility of moving voluminous recor~s the Queensland Government Gazettes on the from buildings previously owned by this table. Society and now owned by the ~GIO Building Society to a warehouse at Fa1rfield LEADER OF THE HOUSE and who had spent considerable time in Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah sorting those records into order to make -Premier) (11.13 a.m.): I also desire to the searching of those records as easy. as inform the House that arrangements have possible. After several days of searchmg been made, and the Honourable the Speaker through records, loan files of some persons notified accordingly, for the Honourable C. named on the annexure were located. A. Wharton, Minister for Works and Hous­ ing, to be Leader of the House. "The minute books of Societies which were absorbed by or amalgamated with this Society were also located and perused. LOANS TO DIRECTORS, QUEENSLAND The perusal of the minute books did PERMANENT BUILDING SOCIETY not add anything to the information con­ Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha-Min­ tained in the loan files previously men­ ister for Justice and Attorney-General) (11.14 tioned nor were the names of other persons a.m.): On Tuesday, 24 April 1979, when contained in the annexure A sighted in answering a question in this House asked the minutes during the perusal which may by the honourable member for Archerfield, have indicated that loans were made to I said that I would advise the honourable those other persons although loan files member when further information had been were not located in the Society's records. received from the administrator of Queens­ "Attached is a schedule which sets out land Permanent Building Society in respect loans relating to four persons contained of loans to directors of the society. on the annexure A namely J R R Frost, I now lay upon the table of the House J V Hodgkinson, B H Knowles and P copy of letter received by the Deputy Reg­ P Finnimore. istrar of Building Societies from the Admin­ istrator of Queensland Permanent Building "Because of the volume of files to be Society enclosing details of such loans. searched and the fact that loan files may not have been stored in strict alpha­ Whereupon the honourable gentleman laid betical order or completed loan files may the letter on the table. not have found their way into the storage Sitting Days [28 AUGUST 1979] Fees paid by Crown, &c. 91

area, I cannot guarantee of course, that the thousands of pages of computer print­ no other loans were made to the persons outs to see if a loan was recorded at some mentioned in the attached schedule or time during the period mentioned in your to other persons named in your annexure. annexure or to peruse the millions of However, I have no reason to believe at entries through the cash receipt registers this time, that other loans were made. to establish if a person named in the "Indeed, I do not believe that it would annexure had made a payment on a loan be possible to ever guarantee that no which is not represented by a file already other loans were made even if a detailed located. Unfortunately, if all this work search of all the records of the Society were to be carried out, it would still not was carried out, which would involve a be conclusive. As time permits, I will great deal of time and a great deal of arrange for the hundreds of pages of cost. If you believe a thorough search minute books to be perused again to con­ needs to be made, I would guess it would firm that names were not overlooked. involve up to three months of time to "Yours faithfully look at the thousands of loan files held in storage to be sure that one was not "RH Peldan, filed in incorrect order or to search through "Administrator.

ScHEDULE

Name Amount of Loan Term Repayment Purpose Date

Mr. J. R. and Mrs. J. D. $26,065 25 years 2000 Residence at Aspley Frost My understanding is that Mr. Frost received a loan from this Socrety pnor to becommg a drrector and whrlst a staff member at rates then applicable to staff borrowings, which increased to 12·25% on being transferred to S.G.I.O. Building Society. . . J. V. and A. H. Hodgkinson I $29,500 Dec., 1972 I 30 years 1 2002 I Purchase resrdence at Mermard Beach + $ 5,000 Mar., 1974 Interest Rates: 11,}%, 10~%. 11%, 11~%. 12t%. . . . "d · The loan was obtained from the Gold Coast Permanent Investment and Buildmg Socrety and was par out m full on 8 June, 1977. B. H. and N. K. Knowles I $40,000 I 20 years I 1993 I Purchase vacant land at Southport and + $10,000 July, 1974 construct a resrdence thereon Interest Rates: 11i!:%, 13%...... The loan was obtained from the Gold Coast Permanent Investment and Burldmg Socrety and was pard out m full in February, 1977. . P. P. and E. S. Finnimore I $14,000 I 25 years 1993 1 Purchase land and resrdence at + $ 4,000 Mar., 1973 Greenslopes Interest Rates: 7i%, 7i%. . . . . · · The loan was obtained from the South Brisbane Permanent Bmldmg Socrety and was pard out m full m August, 1973. "

PETITION MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS SESSIONAL ORDER TRANSPORTED BY QUEENSLAND RAILWAYS AND RoAD TRANSPORT Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah­ Premier): I move- Mr. BURNS (Lytton) presented a petition "That during this session, unless other­ from 449 electors of Queensland praying wise ordered, and notwithstanding the pro­ that the Parliament of Queensland will take visions of Standing Order No. 17, on each the necessary steps to amend the relevant sitting Wednesday a period shall be allotted legislation to ensure that animals trans­ until 1 o'clock p.m. for discussion of ported by Queensland Railways and by road matters of public interest on which any transport are not forced to suffer intoler­ member may address the House for ten able pain and suffering due to neglect, lack minutes. If the discussion is still proceeding of water and lack of concern. at 1 o'clock p.m., it shall be terminated Petition read and received. by Mr. Speaker." Motion agreed to. SITTING DAYS SESSIONAL ORDER FEES PAID BY GROWN TO BARRISTERS Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah­ AND SOLICITORS Premier): I move- ORDER FOR RETURN "That during this session, unless other­ wise ordered, the House will meet for the Mr. GYGAR (Stafford): I move- dispatch of business at 11 o'clock a.m. "That there be laid upon the table of on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the House a return showing all payments each week, and that on Tuesdays and made by the Government to barristers and Thursdays, and after 1 o'clock p.m. on solicitors during the 1978-79 financial year, Wednesdays, Government business shall stating the names of the recipients and the take precedence of all other business." amounts received separately." Motion agreed to. Motion agreed to. 92 Fees paid by Crown, &c. [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice

MINISTERIAL EXPENSES OVERTIME 1PA:ID IN GOVERNMENT

Question put; and the House divided- GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AYES, 49 ORDER FOR RETURN Akers Knox Armstrong Kyburz Mr. SCOTT (Cook): I move- Austin Lane "That there be laid upon 'the table of Bertoni Lee Bird Lester the House a return, in the usual form, Bishop Lickiss showing the number of Government Bjelke-Petersen Lockwood employees as 1at 30 June 1979 (all depart­ Booth McKechnie Camm Miller ments) paid from Consolidated Revenue, Campbell Moore Trust Funds and the Loan Fund Doumany Neal respectively." Edwards Newbery Elliott Porter Motion agreed to. Frawley Powell Gibbs, I. J. Row Goleby Scassola RINGING OF BELLS FOR DIVISIONS Greenwood Simpson Gunn Tenni AND QUORUMS Gygar Tomkins Hartwig Turner SESSIONAL ORDER Hewitt, N. T. E. Wharton Hewitt, W. D. Hon. .J. B.JELKE-PETERSEN (Bammbah Hinze Tellers: -Premier), by leave, without notice: I Hooper, M. D. move- Innes Kaus Kippin Ahern "That during the remainder of this session, unless otherwise ordered, and not­ NoES, 23 withstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders, when a division is Burns Scott demanded or a quorum is required to be Casey Shaw Davis Underwood formed, the division bells shall be rung Fouras Vaughan for a period of four minutes: Provided Gibbs, R. J. Warburton that for consequent divisions or after the Hansen Wilson Hooper, K. J. Wright first division in Committee on the clauses Houston Yewdale of a Bill, the Chair may order the bells Jones to be rung for two minutes only." Kruger Mackenroth Tellers: Motion agreed io. Milliner D'Arcy Prest B!ake QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Resolved in the affirmative. 1. INCOME TAX PROFESSIONALS Mr. Bertoni, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Justice and Attorney­ FEES PAID BY CROWN TO PUBLIC General- RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING (1) Who are the directors of a company AGENCIES known as Income Tax Professionals and what are their qualifications? ORDER FOR RETURN (2) Where is their registered office in Mr. AUSTIN (Wavell): I move- Queensland? (3) Are they a Queensland-based "That there be laid upon the table company? of the House a return showing all pay­ ments made by the Government to rpublic Answer:- relations agencies or consultants and adver­ (1 to 3) Records held in the public tising agencies or consultants during the register of ~he Office of the Commissioner 1978-1979 financial year, stating the names for Corporate Affairs reveal that there is of the recipients and the amounts received no company registered or incorporated in separately." Queensland known as "Income Tax Pro­ fessionals". A business name, "I.T.P. The Motion ,agreed to. Income Tax Professionals" was registered Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice 93

in Queensland on 11 November 1974. A (2) Will he make a complete investiga­ statement was received indioating that ~hat tion into this matter? business ceased to be carried on in Queens­ land under that business name as fr()New South Wales. The seen at Burketown by a private medical resident agent in Queensland was Warren practi·tioner. The patient was referred to Milton Stokes, 310 Logan Road, Stones the Mt. Isa Hospital by the private medical Corner. The principal place of business in practitioner and, as such, the arrangements Queensland was 306 Logan Road, Stones approved by the Government in respect of Corner. the transfer of public patients from one On 24 May 1979, a notice pursuant public hospital to another public hospital, to the Companies Act 1961-1978 concern­ where required for medical care or atten­ ing a company called I.T.P. "The Income tion, would not apply. Tax Professionals" Pty. Ltd. which had been incorporated in Victori1a was received. Under the Interstate Cotporate Affairs 3. EFFECT OF QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT'S Agreement, this company is a recognised POLICIES ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES company in Queensland and it is indicated on the public register documents lodged Mr. McKechnie, pursuant to notice, ·asked at the Office of the Commissioner for the Minister for !Labour Relations- Corporate Affairs that the principal office of the company in Queensland is 310 Has employment in Queensland increased Logan Road, Stones Corner. at double the Australian average in recent times and is this proof that other State The Victori,an Commissioner for Corpor­ Governments should follow the progressive ate Affairs has advised the Queensland policies of the Queensland Government? Commissioner for CorporaJte Affairs of the following particulars concerning the com­ pany I.T.P. "The Income Tax Profes­ Answer:- sionals" Pty. Ltd.- The following figures are extracted from Date of Incorporation: 6th March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics data- 1979; Increases (Decreases) in Civilian Employment Registered Office: 516 Malvern Road, in Queensland compared with Australia Prahran, 3181; Directors: Waiter John Bailey, 4 Lar­ Six Monthly Comparison Since May 1978 ken Avenue, Baulkham Hills, N.S.W., ('000) Accountant, Appointed 9th March, 1979; Frederick Joseph Harrison, 60 PeacMree Qld. over Australia over Avenue, Wentworthville, N.S.W., period Accountant, Appointed 9th March, 1979; period I.T.P. Pty. Ltd., Suite 704, Westfield Office Tower, 175 Church Street, Parra­ May78 621·8 4,719·9 matta, N.S.W., Tax Agent, Appointed Nov. 78 625·5 ·59 4,742·7 ·48 13th March, 1979. May79 636·6 1·77 4,783·9 ·86 Secretaries: Robin D. McLaren, 6 %increase Montie Court, Glen Waverley, Victoria, 1·35 Manager, Appointed 9th March, 1979; sinceMay78 2·38 Douglas C. Rosser, 6 Henry St·reet, earl­ ton, N.S.W., Engineer, Appointed 9th Monthly Movements since December 1978 March, 1979. ('000) Shareholders: W. J. Bailey-1 ordinary share; F. J. Harrison-1 ordinary share. M~e- ment ~r~~- -- Qld. since Australia since previous previous 2. TRANSPORT OF ABORIGINAL PATIENT, month month MT. IsA HosPITAL Mr. Bertoni, pursuant to notice asked the December .. 625·5 .. 4,742·4 .. Minister for Health- ' January .. 622·1 (·54) 4,721·4 (·44) (1) Is he aware of a claim by Dr. February .. 624·8 ·43 4,75H ·67 Howard Saddler of the Inland Medical Services, Mt. Isa, that owing to an emer­ March .. 630·3 ·88 4,772-7 ·41 gency an Aboriginal patient from Burke­ April .. 633·5 ·51 4,773·7 ·02 town had to be flown to the Mt. Isa May .. 636·6 ·49 4,783·9 ·21 Hospital and then, after treatment, was I left for 14 days in Mt. Isa because the Government would not pay for his Source ABS Bulletin Civilian Employees return fare to Burketown? May 1979 Cat. No. 6213.0 94 Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice

An examination of the level of civilian products following a strengthening of the employment in Queensland vis-a-vis the economy, unnecessary stockpiling and a national figures shows a higher rate of shortage of imported crude oils, the Gov­ increase in the last few months. The fact ernment is keeping in continuous contact that the Queensland growth is ahead of with both the Federal Government and the national average does indicate that the oil companies. In this, it is not only we are capitalising on our natural pointing out the need to ensure that addi­ resources to develop a sound economic base tional crude oil supplies are obtained but and are attracting investment. Govern­ to see that distribution of petroleum pro­ ment policy of special release of funds ducts throughout the State is carried out to encourage capital works has also been in an efficient and equitable way. partly responsible for this growth. :Such a positive movement in a vital 5. CONTROL OF FERAL PIGS economic indicator is to be applauded, since the building of a broader work-force Mr. McKechnie, pursuant to notice, asked stimulates demand and reduces unemploy­ the Premier- ment. Growth such as this reflects a con­ In the interest of helping farmers and fidence by private enterprise in Queens­ local authorities to control the problem of land, which is widely viewed as having feral pigs in Queensland, will he have an environment favourable for large discussions with the Federal Minister for investment projects in a low-tax-base State. Primary Industry in an effort to have Government policies, developments now export game regulations promulgated so taking place and others pending are certain that feral pigs can be harvested in increas­ guarante,es of continued improvement in ing numbers, especially as the project has the employment situation. the support of the Queensland Grain­ growers' Association and the United Most important in this context is that jobs are being created in Queensland, and Graziers' Association? this is recognised by people from other :States who consistently move here seeking Answer:- opporttmities. Evidence of this is con­ y es. I would certainly be prepared to tained in the latest figures on internal arrange discussions with the Commonwealth migration published by the Australian Minister for Primary Industry to see if Bureau of Statistics. These show the fol­ a satisfactory means can be arrived at lowing movements for people who left and whereby the harvesting of feral pigs can arrived in each State for the 12 months become a commercial industry and at the ended September 1978- same time help alleviate the pest prob­ lem now facing primary producers. I am aware that the honourable mem­ State Departures Arrivals ber has been in touch with both the Deputy Prime Minister and the Federal New South Wales 5!,000 50,900 Minister for Primary Industry in connection with this matter and his efforts to find an Victoria .. 44,300 33,900 answer have my full support. Queensland 35,300 41,600 South Australia 18,500 16,700 6. MIXING OF "1080" DINGO BAITS Western Australia !7,900 22,000 Mr. Turner, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water Tasmania 8,200 6,!00 Resources-- In view of proposals to commence aerial These figures speak for themselves. baiting of dingoes in the Booringa Shire, and the concern of many graziers at the 4. GoVERNMENT ACTION TO OVERCOME effect of baits injected with "1080", instead FUEL SHORTAGES of the prev1ous method of mixing the meat with "1080" in mixes that gave better Mr. McKechnie, pursuant to notice, asked results, will he decide if the old method the Premier- of mixing can be used in this campaign (1) Has his Government prepared a list and, if not, what is the reason? of essential services and industries in Queensland so that fuel can be diverted Answer:- ,to these industries and servkes when emergencies arise? The current procedure for "1080" bait­ ing of dingoes is that in sparsely settled (2) What other steps is his Government areas the method of impregnating the taking to overcome the general fuel poison in meat baits may be by injection problem? or mixing according to the wishes of the landholder. A sparsely settled area is Answer:- defined for that purpose as a property, (1 & 2) While the current petroleum or contiguous properties under the one fuel supply shortages are a result of a ownership, having a total area of not less general increase in demand for petroleum than 5 000 ha. Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice 95

For dingo batting of more closely settled Answer:- areas, it is desirable that advantage be The board's architects have advised that taken of the target selectivity attributes site surveys are nearing completion and of "1080" poison. Injection of meat for sketch plans are expected to be finalised such situations will ensure a precise and efficacious concentration of poison in each eaTly in September for the nursing home bait. unit and outpatients centre at the Herber­ ton Hospital.

7. HOSPITAL WORKS, CUNNAMULLA AND CHARLEVILLE 10. DIFFICULTIES OF COUNTRY BAKERS Mr. Turner, pursuant to notice, asked the Mr. Lester, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Health- Minister for Primary Industries- What is the latest progress in rdation (1) Is he aware that two meetings to the construction of the proposed new of bread manufacturers, one in Brisbane hospital at Cunnarr:ulla and the modernisa­ on 7 August comprising 35 country manu­ tion of the Charleville Hospital, and will facturers, and one in Bundaberg on the these schemes be delayed or affected by night of 8 August, voted unanimously for Federal cut-backs in funding? the introduction of area bread zoning and a ban on returning unused bread? Answer:- (2) Is he aware that m.;ny country Working drawings and specifications for bakers are still facing unfair competition the new 20-bed hospital at Cunnamulla from city-based operators who do not have been received by the department and bake the bread locally or employ local are currently under review. people? The board's architects are currently pre­ paring working drawings and specifications (3) What measures are available to the for modernisation of the Charleville Hos­ new committee to overcome the situation pital. of unnecessary distress to country bakers? My department will take every possible measure to avoid any delay in start of con­ Answers:­ struction through financial problems. (1) Yes. (2) I am aware that substantial compe­ tition between locally baked 'and city manu­ 8. RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION OF factured bread is continuing in some ELECTRICITY TARIFF INCREASES country areas. Mr. Y ewdale, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- (3) The main measures available to the Bread Industry Committee to deal In view of the present practice of the with the situation include- Government and the power supply boards throughout Queensland in respect of (a) the development of a code of electricity charges based on increases being fair trading practices for 'the whole of applied for power used prior to application the bread industry; of new rates, is it the intention of the (b) the development of a range of Government to make a retrospective approved discounts which may be given refund to consumers to wipe out the by bread manufacturers to bread retrospective charges that were imposed retailers; and on consumers and, if not, what is the (c) the recommendwtion of maximum reason? rates of return of unsold bread by retailerg to manufacturers. Answer:- The Bread Industry Committee is cur­ No. It would be unlawful for the elec­ rently examining each of these aspects as tricity boards to adjust electricity accounts a matter of urgency. retrospectively, as the charges made are in accordance with the State Electricity Com­ mission of Queensland's tariff determina­ tions, which are iegally binding on the 11. IsAAcs RIVER BRIDGE, PEAK DowNs boards. HIGHWAY Mr. Lester, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Local Government and Main 9. GERIATRIC ANNEXE, HERBERTON HOSPITAL Roads- Mrs. Kippin, pursuant to notice, asked the (1) Will he make money available to Minister for Health- build a high-level bridge over the Isaacs River on the Peak Downs Highway linking What progress has been made in Mackay and hinterland mining towns? planning for the rebuilding of the Herberton Hospital to provide a geriatric (2) Will plans and estimates be drawn annexe? up on this important project? 96 Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice

Answer:- (2) Programmes are not finalised, so I (1 & 2) There are projects that are will write to the honourable member in considered to be of higher priority both detail when final financing is known. How­ on this road and elsewhere. For example, ever, it is expected that numbers will be work is under way on the high-level substantially higher. bridge over Nebo Creek, which is con­ sidered to be the major hold-up on this 14 & 15. SECURITY PERMANENT highway. Again, widening of the Gregory BUILDING SociETY Highway between Emerald and Clermont is a project of higher priority. That Mr. K. J. Hooper, pursuant to notice, there is a need for the work sought by asked the Minister for Justice and Attorney­ the honourable member is undeniable; General- however, under the circumstances and (1) Under what provisions of the Build­ with the limited funds available, the pre­ ing Society Act did the Bank of Queens­ paration of plans and estimates for a laud-promoted Security Permanent Building bridge over the Isaacs River h 1s not yet Society and five other building societies commenced. receive approval to offer a trading bank cheque facility to their shareholders? (2) What management or other fees, 12. UNlDENTIF1ED AIRcRAFT, NoRTII such as those for staff and premises, are QUEENSLAND paid to the Bank of Queensland by Security Mr. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked the Permanent Building Society? Minister for Transport- (3) How many members of Security Has he received any report from the Permanent Building Society are also Commonwealth Government or other employed by the Bank of Queensland? sources in regard to the unidentified DC3 (4) Is Security Check a service offered aircraft reported 200 km north of directly by Security Permanent Building Cooktown twice in three weeks early in Society or is it operated solely by Bank July and, if so, will he have the detail of of Queensland cheque? this incident made available to this (5) What payment is made by Security Parliament? Perm ment Building Society to the Bank of Queensland for the use of Security Answer:- Check? No. Surveillance to detect unauthorised (6) What payment is made by the other flights is the responsibility of the Com­ building societies who have agreed to pro­ monwealth Department of Transport and vide Security Check facilities to their there is no requirement for the Common­ shareholders? wealth Minister for Transport to inform me of his department's activities in this (7) Have the shareholders of Security regard. Permanent Building Society, and the other societies involved, been advised or consulted Mr. Jones: Don't you care what is on the costs incurred with Security Check? going on up there? Answers:- Mr. TOMKINS: Oh, yes! (1) The Registrar of Building Societies has obtained the advice of senior counsel with respect to the matter of the security 13. HOUSING COMMISSION CONSTRUCTION check facility being offered by the Bank of STATISTICS Queensland to members of Security Per­ manent Building Society. Counsel has Mr. K. J. Hooper, pursuant to notice, advised that the method of operation of asked the Minister for Works and Housing- this facility, as advised by Security Per­ (!) How many housing units were com­ manent Building Sodety to the registrar, pleted by the Queensland Housing Com­ does not breach the provisions of the mission in 1978-79 under the following Building Societies Act 1886-1976. categories: (a) State rental houses, (b) With respect to the matter of the use ownership houses, (c) pensioner un!its of security check by members of five other and (d) financed through co-operative building societies in this State, the registrar societies? has advised me that the matter of his approving advertisements by the societies (2) How many houses does the Queens­ concerned of this arrangement is depend­ land Housing Commission expect that it ent upon his being satisfied that the method will complete under the same categories in of operation to be adopted by them 1979-80? accords with the advice given by senior counsel. Answers:- (2) I do not believe it is proper to ( I) (a) 901--(includes 32 pensioner type disclose confidential information of the units for single occupants of family internal financial operations of any busi­ housing); (b) 879; (c) 95; (d) 173. ness enterprise. Information concerning Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice 97

fees and other expenses incurred in the (3) Sir Ernest Savage is the chairman management of the society are contained of the Housing and Building Societies in the audited accounts presented to the Advisory Committee. annual general meeting and it would be open to any member of the society to seek further and better particulars concerning 16. SHOPPING COMPLEXES; PROLIFERATION matters contained in those accounts from AND lNQUffiY the directors at the time of the annual general meeting. Mr. Bishop, pursuant to notice, asked the MiniSJter for Looal Government and Main (3) This information is not available Roads- from the records held in the Office of the Registrar of Building Societies. (I) Is he aware if the Victorian Gov­ ernment has launched an inquiry into (4) It is a service offered solely by the the system of rezoning in that State and Bank of Queensland. particularly into the matter of the pro­ (5 & 6) See answer to (2). liferation of shopping complexes? (7) This is an internal domestic matter (2) Has that State, pending the results and is not known to the Registrar of of its inquiry, issued a State-wide mora­ Building Societies. Members under the torium against such shopping complexes? rules may query the action of the directors at a general meeting or a specially (3) Does he see similar dangers arising requisitioned meeting. in this State, particularly in the Gold Coast City Council and Albert Shire Council areas and, if so, will he institute Mr. K. J. Hooper, pursuant to notice, asked such an inquiry in this State? the Minister for Justice and Attorney­ General- Answers:- (1) What are the names, occupations, ( I) I am aware that the Victorian Gov­ and addresses of the directors of Security ernment instigated ·an inquiry to determine Permanent Building Society? the "need for a review of retail develop­ (2) Are they the same as the directors ment policies" in that State. A Retail of the Bank of Queensland? Technical Advisory Committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of 1Planning, (3) Is the chairman of Security Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works, Permanent Building Society, the recently Town and Country Planning Board, retail­ knighted Sir Ernest Savage, al~o chairman ing groups and trade unions was appointed of the State Government's Building Society ·to examine the matter. I am advised that Committee? recommendations of the committee are cmrently being considered by the Minister Answers:- for Planning. ( I) The public register held in the Office (2) I am advised that no moratorium of the Registrar of Building Societies dis­ has been applied in Victoria against the closes that the names, occupations and erection of new shopping complexes. How­ addresses of the directors of Security ever, action was taken to tighten up exist­ Permanent Building Society are as ing town planning procedures to the extent follows:- that, before land can be used for the erec­ tion of a new shopping centre, a rezoning Name Address Occupation of the land must be effected in lieu of merely obtaining town planning consent. Ernest Waiter 12 Mt. Ommaney Chartered Savage Drive, Jindalee, accountant This procedure is similar in many respects 4074 to the requirements currently operating in Queensland, where, in most cases, a rezon­ Waiter Raymond 25 Watson Street, Chartered Hartland Wilston Heights accountant ing of land is a prerequisite to the estab­ Iishment of major shopping centres. Donald Fraser 201 Dewar Terrace, Company Knowlman Corinda, 4075 director (3) As 'the establishment of shopping Anthony James Estate agent centres in Queensland usually requires the Love prior rezoning of the lands concerned and All an Norman 17 Gleneagle Street, General since all rezonings are subject to approval Murrell Kenmore, 4069 manager by the Governor in Council after adver­ tisement for objections, I can assure the honourable member that the queSJtion of (2) The public register held in the Office over-provision of shopping centres is taken of the Commissioner for Corporate Affairs into consideration when applications for discloses that the names of the directors the rezoning of lands for that purpose are of Bank of Queensland Ltd. are as follows:- being dealt with. Ernest Walter Savage, George Owen With regard to the matter of instituting Cowlishaw, Waiter Raymond Hartland, an inquiry into retailing in this State, I Bertpm Thomas Tunley and John Reeve have to advise that, in my view, the holding Nosworthy. of such an inquiry would serve no useful 98 Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice

purpose because of the high variability in (4) Has the scheme been costed and need and demands that apply throughout how will it be funded and by whom? the State. (5) What is the expected date of completion? 17. FIRES IN RESIDENTIAL MULTI-UNIT ( 6) What detailed f~asibilit~ stu~lies BUILDINGS have been carried out mto this proJeCt Mr. Bishop, pursuant to notice, asked the over the past five years, and by whom, and Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- what were the results of the investigations? (1) What methods of recording fires Answer:- in residential multi-unit buildings in Queensland are being used at present? (1 to 6) A feasibility study rece~tly completed by consultants is presently bemg (2) What detail is available to record assessed by Government officers. However, such information as (a) the number of let me assure the honourable member buildings affected, (b) the methods by that in due course a rail link to the Gold which fires in such buildings are extin­ Coast will be required to meet the public guished, (c) the number of lives lost and transportation needs of this rapidly grow­ the number of serious injuries in buildings protected by various types of equipment, ing area. (d) the cost of fire damage t? such _build­ I hope that the honourable m.e~?er ings and (e) the number of tJmes bngades will change his stand from one of cntlcism have been called out on false alarms due and condemnation to one of support. to a fault occurring in the electronic hydraulic fire protection systems? 19. SPEECH THERAPISTS, REIMBURSEMENT Answer:- OF TRANSPORT CoSTS (1 & 2) The only statistics received by Mr. Lane, pursuant to notice, asked the the State Fire Services Council from fire Minister for Education- brigade boards relate to the annual num­ (1) Does he recognise that it is often bers of oalls involving monetary loss and necessary for speech therapists employed other calls including rubbish and grass fires. Statistics are supplied as to the by his department to visit handicapped numbers of calls in various monetary loss children in their homes by way of follow-up categories in relation to "Buildings" and services? "Others". No statistics are supplied regard­ (2) In such circumstances are the ing the types of buildings involved in speech therapists reimbursed for the use fires. of their own transport and, if not, why At present the Standards Association of are speech therapists so discriminated AustraHa has an inter-State committee against? considering a draf1t standard report form on national fire statistics. It is possible Answers:- that individual fire brigade boards may be able to supply some information sought by (1) Speech therapists employed by the the honourable member. Department of Educatio~ who are. pro­ viding services to hand1~apped ch!ld~en The State Fire Services Council has in the four Early EducatiOn Intervention recently undeDtaken to forward to fire Programs may visit homes on the invitation brigade boards report forms to be supplied of the parents. However, it haiS not been ~to the Australian Fire Protection Associa­ practicable for therapists to visi~ the tion on fires of special interest, including homes of individual school-age children. fires involving loos ·Of life or serious bum Rather, parents are encouraged t? meet injury, and showing estimate of damage with the speech therapist along With the and similar details. child at therapy sessions. (2) It is not true that there is no reim­ 18. GOLD COAST RAIL LINK bursement of travelling expenses for Mr. Bishop, pursuant to notice, asked the speech therapists employed by the Educa­ Premier- tion Department. At present, speech therapists have varying e?titlements f?r (1) With reference to the "Gold Coast reimbursements. These mclude public Bulletin" of 25 July, in which he is transport fares, petrol and oil costs or reported as saying that the State Govern­ mileage allowances. The particular type of ment is committed to this rail link project reimbursement depends upon the nature and that there will be no turning back, of the service being provided and local what is the expected date of commence­ circumstances. ment of the programme, which has been so eagerly sought by me and other Gold If the honourable member is aware of Coast residents over the years? any particular instances of discrimination or hardship that exist, I invite him to (2) Has the route been decided upon? submit these to me and I will undertake (3) What land will have to be resumed? to have them investigated. Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice 99

20. STATE GOVERNMENT SECURITY AND The current charges for 250 kilowatt­ WATCHING SERVICE hours per month of domestic light and Mr. Vaughan, pursuant to notice, asked power and 250 kilowatt-hours per month the Premier- of continuous water heating in the follow­ ing places are as follows:- (1) With reference to the recently (a) Brisbane $20.67. created State Government Security and (b) Pine Rivers Shire $20.67. Watching Service, which ministerial port­ (c) Toowoomba $20.67. folio has responsibility for this body? (d) Rockhampton $27.15. (2) How many persons are employed by (e) Townsville $26.82. this body? (f) Dalby $25.55. (3) What training, if any, is given to persons employed by this body? 23. PRE-SCHOOLS (4) What funds have been appropriated Mr. Akers, pursuant to notice, asked the for this body for 1979-80? Minister for Education- (5) How many vehicles have been (!) How many pre-school units have assigned to this body and for what purpose been constructed in Queensland since the will those vehicles be used? introduction of this excellent programme? Answers:- (2) What is the present position regard­ ing the provision of a pre-school centre at (!) Department of Works. Samford? (2) 166, covering eight-hour shifts, seven days per week. Answers:- {1) 509 State pre-school units have been (3) Specialised in-service training courses, established at 338 different locations in together with on-the-job training by Queensland since 1973. In addition, 93 experienced supervisory staff. early education classes have been com­ (4) The Budget for the 1979-80 finan­ menced to cater for groups of pre-school cial year has not yet been determined. children in small rural schools and the (5) Five vehicles, which are used for State pre-school correspondence pro-­ mobile night patrols covering 46 Govern­ gramme presently caters for 800 children ment buildings. The vehicles are available in even more remote locations. for other duties during the day. (2) Plans for a State pre-school centre at Samford have been prepared, and it is 21. FIRE BRIGADE EMPLOYEES provisionally planned to commence con­ SuPERANNUATION ScHEME struction later this year. Mr. Vanghan, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police-- 24. MEAT EXTENDERS IN MANUFACTURE OF MINCE AND SAUSAGES Under what section of the Fire Brigades Act are employees of the State Fire Mr. Akers, pursuant to notice, asked the Services Council eligible to become mem­ Minister for Primary Industries- bers and contributors to the Fire Brigade (!) Has his department any control Employees Superannuation Scheme? over the quantity or proportion of meat extender and water used by retail butchers Answer:- in the manufacture of mince and sausages? Section 24 (4). (2) Have extenders, such as one of soy­ bean base, to be combined with water in 22. ELECTRICITY TARIFFS the proportion of three kilograms of water to one kilogram of solid? Mr. Akers, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- (3) In view of the seriousness of accusa­ tions being made publicly, will he under­ What would have been the current elec­ take to have this matter inv.estigated? tricity charges in the following places if the Electricity Bill had not been passed by Answers:- this Parliament and what are the actual (!) No. current charges: (a) Brisbane, (b) the (2 & 3) The matter is one controlled Pine Rivers Shire, (c) Toowoomba, (d) by the Department of Health under the Food Rockhampton, (e) Townsville and (f) and Drug Regulations, and the question Dalby? should be referred to the Honourable the Minister for Health. Answer:- The first part of the question is hypo­ 25. PRroRmEs REVIEW CoMMITTEE thetical and is not possible to answer. As the honourable member knows the elec­ Mr. Ahern for Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant tricity supply industry in Quee~sland was 1o notice, asked the Deputy Premier and vastly reorganised on 1 July 1977 by virtue Treasurer- of the enactment of the Electricity Act (!) What is the function of the 1976. Priorities Review Committee? 100 Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice

(2) When was it formed and at whose This convention outlaws discrimination request? in employment and occupation on seven grounds-race, colour, sex, religion, pol­ (3) Who are the members of the com­ itical opinion, national extraction and mittee? social origin. Discrimination in employ­ (4) Does it usurp the role of the Deputy ment refers 'tO such things as selection for Premier and Treasurer and/or Parliament? a job, entry to any occupation, pay or other conditions, access to vocational train­ Answer:- ing, including apprenticeship, promotion and dismissal on grounds other than those (1 to 4) In accordance with a decision directly related to the job. of Cabinet, the Priorities Review Com­ mittee was discontinued and a Co-ordinat­ In answer to the honourable member's ing and Review Committee was constituted specific question- on 28 June 1977. This commilttee is com­ (1) The functions of the State Committee prised of the Co-ordinator General, the on Discrimination in Employment and Chairman of the Public Service Board, the Occupation are: Under Treasurer and the Secretary, Prem­ To receive complaints on discrimina­ ier's Department. tion; The committee does not interfere in To investigate such complaints and matters ,affecting ihe internal administra­ to make decisions regarding them; tion of any department, nor does it usurp To endeavour by persuasion and con­ any of the responsibilities to the Co­ ciliation to arrive at a resolution; and ordinator-General's Department, the Pub­ To carry out the policy of the National lic Service Board, the Premier's Depant­ Committee on Discrimination in Employ­ ment, the Treasury Department, my role ment and Occupation. as Treasurer or that of Parliament. Membership of the State committee The members of the committee meet comprises representatives of the State and regularly to co-ordinate the functions of Federal Governments, and representatives their four important departments in order of employees and employers. It has an to ensure more effective planning and independent chairman. improved overall management. This top level committee also eX:amines impartially (2) The office of the committee is situ­ such ma~tters as are referred to it by the ated on the 5th level, Commonwealth Premier, myself or Cabinet. Courts Building, 294 Adelaide Street, Bris­ bane.

26. COMMITTEE ON DISCRIMINATION IN (3) There are two permanent staff ser­ EMPLOYMENT AND OcCUPATION vicing the needs of the committee. Mr. Ahem for Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant (4) The committee has no powers but to notice, asked the Minister for Labour achieves success through conciliation and Relations-- persuasion. (!) What is the function of the State (5) The committee is funded by the Committee on Discrimination in Employ­ Federal Government through the Depart­ ment and Occupation? ment of Employment and Youth Affairs. (2) Where are the offices situated? (6) The State committee does not have (3) How many people are employed a budget as such, but the national com­ therein? mittee receives funds and then allocates moneys to the State committees as (4) What powers has it in the State required. of Queensland? (5) Who funds the office? 27. MINISTER's ATTITUDE TO BULK (6) What is its annual budget? STORAGE OF FUEL Answers:- Mr. Hansen, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Industry and Administrative At the outset I should like to acquaint Services- the honourable member with some back­ ground to the establishment of the State (1) When did he change his mind about Committee on Discrimination in Employ­ urging primary producers and users of ment and Occupation. petrol and distillate to stock up on fuel to avoid shortages? The national committee and the six State committees were set up in mid-1973 (2) Why does he now condemn these by the Whitlam Government. Their estab­ people, who accepted his advice and the lishment followed the ratification by Aus­ advice of grower organisations to invest tralia of the International Labour Organ­ in additional bulk storage, as now being isation Convention No. Ill-Discrimina­ hoarders and responsible for causing false tion (Employment and Occupation) 1958. shortages of fuel? Questions Upon Notice [28 AUGUST 1979] Questions Upon Notice 101

Answer:- (4) Has his department approved sub­ (! & 2) This question is typical of the sidy to help any Queensland bus proprietor low level the Opposition will stoop to in purchase J.A.C.A.B. buses and, if so, its eagerness to distort the facts. At no will he have those buses inspected as a time have I urged primary producers or matter of some urgency? anyone else to stock up on fuel to avoid shortages. It should be obvious even to Answers:- someone of limited intelligence that this is (1) So far as can be ascertained from the very way to create a shortage. In available records, no J.A.C.A.B. bus has the last three months I have issued more been approved under the State Transport than 18 Press releases on the fuel situation Act as a passenger-carrying omnibus dur­ and, as the media could verify, every one ing the past 12 months. of these included a warning against hoard­ ing fuel. Hoarding has created shortages (2) All omnibuses must meet the require­ and resulted in inequality of supplies to ments of the Inspection of Machinery Act some, and has even caused hardship to and a certificate issued thereunder must those whose supplies have been cut. be produced to the Department of Trans­ port before an omnibus is authorised under If the honourable member has deliberately the State Transport Act to carry fare­ misconstrued these warnings he is guilty paying passengers. of scurrilous political practice which will bring his party into even further disrepute. (3) If the honourable member has definite But I will take the charitable view that information relating to the safety of any he simply lacks the understanding to heed bus built by this firm and purchased by a warnings when these are given. In either Commonwealth Government Department, event, he has focused more attention on it could be brought to the notice of the the Opposition's numerous shortcomings, Commonwealth Minister for Transport. and I hope the voters in his electorate However, I understand that the defence note this fact. forces in particular have very strict standards for vehicle operation and safety requirements when making their purchases. 28. HousiNG CoMMISSION HousE INSURANCE (4) No. Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Works and Housing- 30. MARINE HULL AND LIABILITY Does the Queensland Housing Com­ INSURANCE Co. PTY. LTD. mission insure commission houses against fire in towns where there are (a) no fire Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked services, (b) volunteer fire services and the Minister for Labour Relations- (c) full time fire services and, if so, are (1) Has the Consumer Affairs Bureau the premiums subject to fire service levies? of Queensland received a complaint that Marine Hull and Liability Insurance Co. Answer:- Pty. Ltd., Sydney, has denied liability for The Queensland Housing Commission an insured boat that was stolen and does not insure its own houses and carries damaged? its own risk. (2) Is the Consumer Affairs Bureau investigating the matter? 29. BusES BUILT BY J.A.C.A.B. (3) Has the Consumer Affa,jrs Bureau INDUSTRIES investigated any other complaints against Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked Marine Hull and Liability Insurance Co. the Minister for Transport- Pty. Ltd., Sydney? (1) Have any buses built by J.A.C.A.B. (4) If so, how many were investigated Industries of Tamworth, New South Wales, and what was the nature of the complaints? been approved for use as omnibuses in Queensland and, if so, how many? Answers:­ (2) Could J.A.C.A.B. buses be registered ( I) Yes. and approved in this State if they were manufactured with floors of %" ordinary (2) This complaint has been investigated ply instead of i" marine ply, and floors by the Consumer Affairs Bureau, but there were only pop riveted instead of being does not appear to be any evidence of a screwed or bolted to the framework? breach of legislation administered by the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs. The (3) Will he liaise with his counterparts bureau has suggested to the complainant in New South Wales, Victoria and the that he be guided by his legal adviser as Commonwealth Government who may have to any civil legal action he might take. purchased 14 of these or similar J.A.C.A.B. buses for transporting Navy personnel, to (3 & 4) The Consumer Affairs Bureau have all safety aspects of these buses has not received any other complaints reviewed? against this insurance company. 102 Questions Upon Notice [28 AuGusT 1979] Address in Reply

31. LAND ACQUISITION FOR NATIONAL At 12 noon, PARKS AND FAUNA RESERVES In accordance with the provmons of Mr. Row, pursuant to notice, asked the Standing Order No. 17, the House proceeded Minister for Culture, National Parks and with Government business. Recreation- Will he advise all units of the Depart­ ADDRESS IN REPLY ment of National Parks and Wildlife Service of his recent advice to me by RESUMPTION OF DEBATE-FIRST ALLOTTED letter that in future no areas of land DAY in Queensland will be acquired for Debate resumed from 9 August (see p. national parks or fauna reserve purposes 64) on Mr. Hartwig's motion for the adop­ without prior consultation with shire councils or local authorities and the State tion of the Address in Reply. members of Parliament whose electorates Mr. CASEY (Mackay-Leader of the are involved? Opposition) (12.1 p.m.): I am pleased to associate the Australian Labor Party Answer:- Opposition with this traditional expression of It is a fact that my predecessor in Queensland parliamentary loyalty to Her office had decided that local authorities Majesty the Queen. In doing so after yester­ and the members of Parliament concerned day's new threat by the Federal Treasurer would be consulted prior to the acquisition to rob Queenslanders of their holiday pay of land for national park and related pur­ loading, I am even more fearful than before poses and this procedure is being observed of how this horrible financial mess created by the National Parks and Wildlife Ser­ by the Liberal and National parties will vice. It should also be borne in mind that finally end. the acquisition procedure is only completed I believe Queenslanders are deeply worried when Governor in Council approval is about their future and are looking to this obtained to the gazettal of land as national Parliament for a sign that reasonable con­ park and, naturally, this process is not set sensus, common sense and consultation can in train without full regard having been again enter into parliamentary decision­ had by the service to the interests and making. Unfortunately that kind of political responsibilities of all parties concerned. rationality is impossible while our Treasury benches stay filled with yesterday's politicians who are selfishly and violently immersed in their hates of the past. 32. FUEL RATIONING Last Tuesday's Federal Budget removed Mr. Row, pursuant to notice, asked the any lingering doubts of the real motive Minister for Industry and Administrative behind the Fraser flirtation. No matter how Services- they decorate or disguise their poliCies for In view of the apparent failure of oil the by-elections on Saturday, the economic companies to rationalise fuel supplies in strategy of the Liberal and National parties Queensland, will he recommend statutory here and in Canberra is one of double income implementation of fuel rationing in taxes and a savage lowering of the living Queensland? standards of the Australian population. In Redcliffe and Gympie, Queenslanders Answer:- have the chance to begin the fight back Owing to the reduction in crude oil pro­ against such alien financial philosophies. For duction by the OPEC members, par­ the first time since World War II, full employ­ ticularly Iran, there has been a shortage ment is dropped publicly as the objective of of imported crude to Australian petroleum economic planning in Australia. refineries. This, with a general increase in The Liberal and National parties without demand for petroleum products due to a twinge of shame calculate their Budget improved rural conditions and increased revenue estimates on the basis of higher tax output in the manufacturing, mining and from the higher charges arising from their service industries, together with consumer higher Government-produced inflation. As stockpiling, has resulted in a run-down of this State edges uncertainly nearer the 1980s, bulk storage and a tight supply situation. it is urgently important for Queenslanders However, provided there are no further to understand the extent to which real living cuts in world crude oil supplies, there values have declined. should be sufficient supplies of most fuels Four years of broken promises, bad to enable oil companies to provide supplies decisions, policy collapses, lies and mis­ equal to customers' average usage over the representations-this is the real record of last year. Longer term supplies of Avgas the Liberal and National parties that today and fuel oil are areas of concern, but every shakes the confidence of the community and endeavour is being made to obtain addi­ saps its incentive. This is the real record tional quantities of these and other pro­ of failure and betrayal that the National and ducts, such as diesel distillate, from over­ Liberal parties ask Queenslanders cynically seas. to carry with them from the '70s into the Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 103

'80s. No longer can Queensland afford third­ In one of these advertisements on 25 Sep­ class government from political opportunists tember 1975, he declared after his first who, when it suits them, are prepared to glimpse of the federalism policy- run away from both their own leaders and "The new federal policy agreed to by their own policies. No longer can this State the majority of the States will put our afford tired, out-of-date government by nation back on its feet." manipulators who are activated by the thought of jobs for the boys rather than They were Mr. Bjelke-Petersen's words, jobs for the people. expressing his view of Fraser federalism in 1975. Again in February 1976, following the No matter what the Premier and his original Premiers' Conference with Malcolm deputy pretend for the benefit of the by-elec­ Fraser, his praise was undimmed, and tions, the Liberal and National Parties for at another paid advertisement proclaimed- least the next 12 months stand for higher "The highlight of the conference was unemployment, higher taxes and inflation, the new financial proposal. No more beg­ higher interest charges, higher domestic air ging Canberra for a fair deal-we will fares and higher prices for petrol, which know exactly how much money we are to have already risen 10 times--by over 70 receive." per cent-in only two years. Over the last four years the price has more than doubled. Again, I ask honourable members to com­ pare that statemenrt with the current realities. I ask the House this morning to recall for a moment the words used by Malcolm Now as the Premier twists desperately to Fraser on 27 November 1975-he was then save his political hide in the State of the leader of the Federal coalition Govern­ Queensland, which he sold out and deceived, ment in Australia-when he promised to we discover him telling the voters of Redcliffe turn on the lights of Australia. He said- that he supports Prime Minister Fraser but not his policies. What a change! There is "Let us all as Australians determine to not a thought for the wrecking of young restore proscperity, defeat inflation and pro~ careers, the lives ruined for ever or the vide jobs for all." experienced workers now on the scrap-heap Those were some of the words he used in when they should be enjoying job security. his promise to "turn on the lights". He added-and how these words ring painfully Since this Premier and the Liberal­ in our ears today- National Parties delivered Queensland into the clutches of ,the Fraser experiment, "Only under a Liberal-National Party unemployment is up 60.1 per cent on the level Government will there be jobs for all who that they attacked as too high in 1975. The want to work." extra Queenslanders now in the dole queues That is Malcolm Fraser in November 1975 because of the reckless failures of the Frasers, -the Leader of the Liberal and National Anthonys, the Petersens and the Edwardses Party coalition in Australia. would fill Lang Park ·to overflowing for next month's Rugby League grand final. These In the same campaign, the Nal!ional Party promising politicians have given this State a leader, Anthony, not to be overshadowed in grand final crowd of new unemployment, and deception, declared- month by month the situation deteriorates "We can't afford to destroy the hopes still further. of our youth by educating them, then deny­ ing them expression: by failing to give On the latest figures, 34 Queenslanders them the chance of worthwhile satisfying compete for every job vacancy, compared work, of useful, fulfilling lives." with the Australian average of 25 to 1. For juniors in Queensland the ratio tragically is Those were the heady days of the now as high as 50 to 1. That is the average. In shabby federalism, with glittering promises places such as Redcliffe it is as high as 90 and brash projections reeling like Christmas juniors unemployed for every job vacancy. gifts from the policy planners of .the National Truly Queensland is the worst affected State and Liberal Parties, just four years ago. How under Fraser. It is the worst because it is empty they sound today as Fraser federalism the only State that has a Liberal-National surfaces for all to see in its •true, monstrous Party coalition, in exactly the same manner form, with the careers of young Queens­ as we have a Liberal-National Party coalition landers dangling like hunting scalps from its in Canberra; yet today the adaptable economic belt. Premier finds curious satisfaction in unem­ In Queensland during those times before ployment totals two-thirds worse ·than those the 1975 election, the Premier and the that aroused his anger in 1975. Liberal-National Parties were slavish in their Dr. Edwards interjected. adulation of the new federalism, scoffing sarcastically at the warnings ·that were Mr. CASEY: The Treasurer, who is trying sounded. The Premier even misappropriated to bleat, nodding his head in his usual hundreds of thousands of dollars from the manner,~ supports the Federal Budget public purse for paid political advertise­ measures that will now aggravate ,the prob­ ments to echo his admiration for Mr. Fraser lem. He openly called it a responsible and his policies around the countryside at Budget. I do not think Mr. Risstrom in the taxpayers' expense-the Queensland tax­ Melbourne, another very strong anti-Labor payers' expense. person, would agree with that interpretation 104 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply of the Budget. But that is what our Treasurer agony of unemployment. In only three called it: a responsible Budget; a very good months this "lost city" of Queensland unem­ one. ployed will be joined by another 27,000 school-leavers. These are the sons and Dr. EDWARDS: I rise to a point of daughters of good, decent Queenslanders order. I draw the attention of the Leader who have made sacrifices for their education. of the Opposition-- But what chance do they have when the National and Liberal Parties that have sold Mr. CASEY: Is this a point of order, Mr. them out have now thrown in the towel? Speaker? The 27,000 newcomers enter a job market Mr. SPEAKER: Yes. in which there are already 52 per cent more junior males unable to find work in mid- Mr. CASEY: It does not sound like it. 1979 than there were before the time of Dr. EDWARDS: The Leader of the Oppos- Malcolm Fraser and his political adherents, ition should sit down while I tell him what such as Dr. Edwards, in mid-1975. Let the it is. I draw to his attention the fact that Deputy Premier deny those figures. In this the unemployment figures in the last month same 4-year period, junior female unemploy­ have been reduced by 2,764. ment is up 78.8 per cent and grows worse month by month as new technology sweeps Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Leader into the offices like a tropical cyclone. Again, of the Opposition to accept the Deputy let the Deputy Premier deny those figures. Premier's statement. Latest figures show many Queenslanders Mr. CASEY: The unemployment registra­ available to work are either dropping out tions, without the thousands either leaving of the job market or, in the case of school­ the work-force or reluctant to enter it, are leavers, deferring their entry into it. Between closely equivalent to the population of Too­ February 1978 and the same month this woomba. Let the Treasurer deny that. year, the participation rate of eligible work­ ers fell from 60.7 per cent to 60 per cent The registrations outnumber the popula­ (a sobering drop of .7 per cent in actual tion of Maryborough almost three times, employment numbers in just one year in the Bundaberg twice, and they are more than overall employment factor). In that same half the population of Townsville. Let the 12 months the participation rate of married Treasurer deny that. Those are the real women in jobs tumbled from 41.7 per cent unemployment figures. When the people are to 38 per cent (a reduction of 3.7 per cent, shown such comparative figures, they can again in just one year). recognise and understand them. That is the On 30 June 1978, for example, the number real, terrible story of Liberal and National Party economic treachery-a "lost city" of employed in actual jobs within the mining Queenslanders who want a job and cannot industry was as low as 15,009. find one. This Government's own figures must show in the year to February that the average I ask the voters in this week-end's by-elec­ duration of unemployment grew from 15.2 tions to consider for just a second that the to 24.7 weeks. We have young Queenslanders, number unable to find work is approximately better educated than ever before, spending equal to one-and-a-half times the entire almost six months on the dole (twice the population of the Redcliffe Peninsula from present long service leave provisions) before the Clontarf tip of the Houghton Highway, they find a job, and even then the position through Woody Point, Redcliffe itself, Sut­ ton's Beach to Scarborough, or the total is often an unsatisfactory compromise. population of Redcliffe and Gympie com­ It is a chronic, long-term problem, with bined. That is the true unemployment figure a permanent base of unemployment already in this State, and the one the people of the built into the community. Apart from the Redcliffe area should keep in mind when "lost city" of visible unemployment to which they are looking at the problems of their I referred, there is this invisible component fellow man this Saturday. I believe that is numbering thousands that forms a further the type of figure they will consider when backlog on the fringe of the work-force. they go to the polls. I am amazed and appalled at the failure of the National and Liberal Parties to com­ Mr. Campbell: How many are there in prehend the extent of this huge social prob­ New South Wales? lem that already confronts the Queensland Mr. CASEY: The Minister for Labour community. Relations is very noisy. He was not quite so In mining, which Government members noisy when the Premier was instigating the still quote as the No. 1 job growth example, take-over of his portfolio. There was not figures for 1977-78 show that while the value an Ampol-Ansett row then; it was a mild of mineral production went up $76,700,000 submission by the Minister for Labour Rela­ to $1,441.4 million, the average number of tions in an attempt to prevent this take­ jobs over the year was down by 465 to over occurring. 15,123. In this State, so rich in potential and At a time when so many want to work natural assets, there is not a single street in and cannot, the only jobs that excite the any town or community untouched by the National and Liberal Parties are Cabinet Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 105

reshuffles and diplomatic holiday swaps. I increase still further the too high unemploy­ can imagine no way in which any Govern­ ment that is the sad by-product of his ment can fail its electorate more economics. The illogicality of his political treacherously than in its indifference towards biases exposes him. job creation for the young and job security In 1975 he pretended outrage at unemploy­ for the experienced workers. At both ends ment levels 60 per cent lower than those of the job age ladder, this Government that now satisfy him under the Fraser sees Queenslanders as a dispensable commod­ Government. Here again in the industrial ity. The Premier's sole response to this administration he inconsistently exhibits condensing job market is employment dis­ alarm for electoral purposes over an indus­ crimination and victimisation through his trial record 25 per cent better than the one proposed new essential services legislation. he saw as acceptable a year ago. As a member in this Parliament, this lt is the inequalities, discriminations and Premier opposed the 40-hour week, long broken promises of the Premier excused service leave, workers' compensation and by the National and Liberal Parties-and superannuation. No parliamentarian in any by all of the back-benchers of those parties State (I doubt in our entire history) has as well-that are shaming the reputation a worse record of industrial prejudice and of this Parliament as a whole in the eyes obstruction. Even now in 1979 he refuses of the Queensland public. to honour his Government's 1974 election In 1976 the then Industrial Development promise to extend long service leave to all Minister (he is now the Industrial Reiations workers, even though legislation for this Minister), who wants no part of the Pr~mier's purpose in the building industry has been new laws introduced amendments wh1ch he accepted by all concerned since 1976. This described' as a new dimension in industrial stubborn anti-union bigot is stopping more legislation. If we are now. to believe the than 70,000 Queenslanders, many of them Premier, those Jaws after JUSt three years outside the comforts of the city working have either failed or are too tame and in small country centres, from enjoying their conciliatory for his disruptive intentions. long service leave entitlements. From the broken promises, economic rever­ Now, this same Premier with such an sals and industrial prejudices of this Govern­ inglorious, one-eyed approach to industrial ment I turn to the very important subject issues wants his own legal package in times of r~ad development and maintenance. of excessive unemployment to decide who No decision of the Canberra conservatives can and who cannot work. I cannot think damages Queensland more as the most decen­ of any situation more dangerous-any situa­ tralised State than the present high-tax fuel­ tion more calculated tn hrimr industrial !'";,., r()licy of the National and Liberal upheaval to the work-force of this State. Parties. This inflationary policy was con­ ceived by the Federal Leader of the National Labor believes Queenslanders are fed up Party, Mr. Anthony, and was eagerly grasped with the constant war that persists between by both coalition partners as a means of anti-Labor Governments and the trade union containing the Budget deficit through this movement, and I believe the people are hidden travel levy on Australian motorists. unsympathetic towards unnecessary stoppages, no matter who incites them. But the Under this policy, Queensland road users Premier's motives in such matters are highly will contribute between $250,000,000 and ~usp~ct. In the first four months of this year, $300,000,000 to Canberra in 1979-80 without m Circumstances he declares critical indus­ any guarantee of a fixed percentage return trial stoppages in Queensland, accor'ding to for the State's own road-development require­ the statistics produced here in Queensland, ments. In just two years, this Federal rake­ totalled 58, involving 18,100 employees (either off from the Arrthony fuel policy has directly or indirectly) for a loss of 40,800 exploded from $400,000,000 overall to an manhours. Last year in that same period, expected $2,030 million, and a recent report when he showed no interest in the same indicated that that figure was being revised industrial scene and voiced no complaints and increased by a further $300,000,000 since against union activity, stoppages numbered Mr. Howard introduced the Federal Budget. 81 (25 more), with 28,000 workers involved In the present financial year, Australian (9,900 more), and hours lost 51,400 (10,500 motorists will contribute over $40,000,000 a more). week to the Federal Government. I am If the Premier is unable to whip up astounded that such a policy could be put enough strikes through normal channels to forward by a National Party that pretends to satis.fy his strange industrial tastes, obviously represent the country dweller; I am more he IS prepared to defame the laws of this astounded by the meek obedience that mem­ Parliament to create them where they are bers of the National Party display towards not wanted. At a time when there are it; and I am even more astounded by the so many unemployed youngsters and so many meek support of Liberal Party members. really worried parents, this Premier tries The last two years have seen 10 petrol to harass our industries with bad and price rises totalling 70 per cent, the main unworkable laws. His tactics, which seem income benefits of which have gone direct to enjoy the blessing of the National Party from the service station bowsers into the and most of the weak Liberals, can only Federal Treasury. I am advised that in a 106 Address in Reply [28 AuGUST 1979] Address in Reply

community such as Redcliffe, heavily reliant has been treated and in the condition of the on motor transport, the added cost to an roads in this State, and I shall come to that average family would be around $8 a week. in a moment. Just as important for Queensland is what Every year the Main Roads Minister, who, I have found to be the frightening, expensive of course, has declared himself to be the incompetence of the National Party Minis­ Premier's heir apparent, grandstands behind ters for Transport and Main Roads. For criticisms of Federal road funds. He makes a some time I have suspected their ability to great noise about what Queensland is not adequately represent the complex road prob­ getting from Canberra. He is not making the lems of Queensland in their submissions to submissions to Canberra so that Queensland Canberra. Proof of the accuracy of my fears can get the necessary finance. If this episode has arrived from the recent survey of the is a refl.ection of his general lack of interest Bureau of Transport Economics into the and that of the Transport Minister, it is no Australian roads system. I am forced to wonder we are missing out-in fact it is a report that the extent to which Queensland miracle that we finish with anything at all. is suffering in road development through For the first half of the '80s these two ministerial incompetency or negligence is Ministers have managed to accumulate less even worse than I imagined. than eight pages of vague ideas and com­ plaints for the road improvements of the Last year the bureau approached State most decentralised State in Australia. Transport Ministers and Main Roads Depart­ Early last year the same two Ministers ments for road-use projections to assist in were in New Zealand for a combined five determining Federal grants for road develop­ weeks at the height of the Tasman racing ment and transport. The reply from the carnivals for a roads conference that lasted Transport Minister in New South Wales cov­ just over an afternoon. In that financial year ered 22 pages, Victoria 19, tiny Tasmania (1977-78) they were Cabinet's biggest lt, and Queensland, with the most extensive spenders, jotting up an expenses bill of road network of all States, a miserable seven almost $60,000 between them, and next paragraphs (less than three-quarters of a month the Main Roads Minister is off to page). Europe and America for five weeks to attend Of these seven paragraphs, the first a technical roads conference lasting five days. referred to the bureau's correspondence, the I believe it is time the Government second mentioned competition between road demanded either higher standards of per­ and rail transport, and the final one regretted formance from its Ministers or that they the inability to comment on development step down if they are unequal to the job. strategy-in other words, the Government Clearly from the incident with the Bureau of really does not know where it is going. The Transport Economics to which I have bureau must have been left believing that the referred, which must cost Queenslanders question of road-planning in Queensland was dearly in the '80s, both Mr. Hinze and Mr. some kind of giant secret not to be shared Tomkins see their portfolios as travel with Canberra or other States, even if it agencies, and lack the ability normally meant missing out on Federal money. required for ministerial responsibility. Now to the reply from the Main Roads Labor, as the alternative Government, Department. Queensland's reply spread over believes there must be a thorough reassess­ seven pages, compared with South Australia's ment of the type of submissions Queensland 22 and Western Australia's 11. forwards to Canberra for road assistance. The bureau, in its own research material, The Treasurer would be very interested to prepared independently of the two State know that the Local Government Association Ministers, shows just how badly Queensland of Queensland was able to contribute 19 is being disadvantaged under the roads policy pages (12 more than the State Government). of the Liberal-National Parties in Canberra The local authorities of this State displayed and this State. a great deal more interest in road problems and future development of roads in this Before the Treasurer leaves the Chamber, State than did the State Government. I might suggest to him that he study the reports of the Bureau of Transport The Brisbane City Council, which was not Economics. If he does he will not be laughing invited to make a submission, tendered a quite so much as he is now. Even the road 28-page submission on the needs of the to his own city of Ipswich is 100 per cent capital city alone, but there was no sub­ below the desired standard, as has been mission from the State Government. Here indicated by the Bureau of Transport is a situation in which the Brisbane City Economics. Council, on behalf of one city, can present It must be remembered that road develop­ a submission on road needs more than three ment has been the responsibility of the times larger than two Cabinet ministers are National-Liberal Parties State-wide in able to submit for the whole State. Queensland for 22 continuous years, and Dr. Edwards interjected. federally for 19 of those same years. First of all I refer to the New England Highway Mr. CASEY: The Treasurer should be 212 km from the New South Wales border hanging his head in shame. The proof is to to Ipswich-a seat which is badly represented be found in the way in which Queensland by the Treasurer. That is obvious from the Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 107 attitude he has displayed here this morning. I suggest that the Liberal and National That stretch, studied in two sections, is found Party back-bench members go to Camooweal by the bureau to be 100 per cent deficient, and drive the additional 15 to 20 km to the with the road length between the border and Northern Territory border. There they will Warwick being 9 per cent less adequate than see a great comparison between the Northern it was five years ago. In other words, we Territory's road system and ours. A shor·t are going backwards with our roads system time ago the member for Cairns and I did in Queensland, and we are going backwards that and we were totally alarmed by the at a very fast rate. lack of interest shown in our roads by I turn now to the Brisbane-Cairns link of National Party Ministers. the Bruce Highway, involving 1 716 km. The Of the 2 441 km of Queensland roads road from Brisbane to Nambour (101 km) examined by the bureau on the Warrego, is 95 per cent deficient, 3 per cent worse than Landsborough and Barkly Highways, 2 322 it was in 1974; the road from Nambour to km, or 95 per cent, was found to be deficient Gympie (68 km) is 100 per cent deficient. I in either length or width or both. In the am sure that the Premier and the Treasurer case of the Cairns-Brisbane Bruce Highway, are not telling the people of Gympie that I 592 km of a total of I 726 km was classified just before the by-election while they are deficient. In other words, 95 per cent of the stomping around the countryside. The gross highway was classified deficient, and that inadequacy of the roads is indicated quite represents an improvement of only 4 per clearly by the Bureau of Transport cent since 1974. Furthermore, most of the Economics, a department which is admini­ improvement has occurred only in the city stered by persons of their own political ilk areas. in Canberra. The road from Rockhampton Almost every section of these main high­ to Marlborough (101 km) is 98 per cent ways studied by the bureau is more than 90 deficient; the road from Sarina to Townsville per cent deficient, yet the two Cabinet Minis­ ( 422 km) is 95 per cent deficient. ters who are responsible for them could not Only a single section (206 km) of our No. between them even rustle up eight pages of 1 highway linking the North and South is complaint and comment for submission to viewed by the bureau after more than 20 Canberra. years of National and Liberal Party admini­ When we look at the road spending on a stration as being less than 90 per cent per-vehicle basis, based on 1976-77 money deficient. It comes down to 85 per cent. The values, we find the situation is ju9t as bad important point is that none of it is of a in comparison with other States. The figures proper standard. Not one kilometre of the compiled by the bureau show that Queens­ Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns is land's performance is the worst of all States. considered by the bureau to be up to During the period under review (1974-75 to standard. 1978-79) our average annual growth rate in road development activity fell by 2.38 per I turn now to the Warrego Highway. The cent, with the contribution from the Federal Gatton to Toowoomba section (31 km) is 100 Liberal-National Country _Party Government per cent deficient; the Miles to Morven down by 5.17 per cent. section (319 km) is IOO per cent deficient, I per cent worse than it was in 1974. 1ls it any wonder that as I travel around Throughout Western Queensland we are Queensland the people constantly complain going backwards. to me about our road system? Is it any wonder that they say that we have gone Next I refer to the Landsborough High­ backwards in the I970s? Of course we have way. From Morven to Tambo (214 km) the gone backwards, and we have gone back­ road is 100 per cent deficient. The stretches wards because of the inability, inefficiency from Blackall to Barcaldine (I06 km) and and inconsistency of National Party Cabinet Barcaldine to Longreach (also 106 km) are Ministers and also because of their total lack both 100 per cent deficient. Recently I of interest. travelled over them and I recognise the very As I have stated before, the two State valid points that have been made by the Cabinet Ministers who are re;;;ponsible for Bureau of Transport Economics in Canberra. our roads and highways could muster up But what does the Queensland Government between them only n pages of comment to do? Nothing! It pretends that everything is correct this disastrous situation. Of course, O.K. It simply sits back and hopes for the one of those Ministers sees himself as the best. Both the stretches of this highway next Premier and the other is being tipped between Tambo and Blackall (101 km) and as an alternative. between Win ton and Cloncurry (346 km) are declared by the bureau as being 99 per cent I proceed to the bureau's projections of deficient. road expenditure for the period from 1979- 80 to 1983-84, which is almost the first half On the Barkly Highway-another national of the 1980s. The outlook for Queensland highway-the stretch between Cloncurry and in that period is even worse. Based on Mt. Isa (119 km) is declared as being 100 I976-77 prices, the average annual gro.wth per cent deficient, and the stretch from the rate of road spending in Queensland over State border to the Tableland Highway the next five-year period is expected by the junction (258 km) is also declared as being bureau to decline by 0.63 per cent. Queens­ IOO per cent deficient. land is the only State in which a fall is 108 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply expected. That, in spite of the fact that study; that the land for the rail corridor Queensland has the greatest need, has the is still to be resumed and purchased; that greatest length of roads, is the one that is no contracts have been considered, let alone the most decentralised and is the one whose awarded; and that the scheme has not even population most uses the roads. been submitted to Canberra for Federal aid. Despite the high tax revenue that Queens­ As Queensland approaches the '80s, I land motorists will pay under the National­ believe that this State can no longer afford the Liberal Parties' fuel policy, the contribution indulgence of yesterday's politicians whose from Canberra is predicted to drop by 3.95 incapacity to lead us into the new challenges per cent. This State, under its present minis­ we face is shown in their failures of the terial mismanagement, is going backwards past. Queenslanders have become sceptical rather than forwards in terms of catching of promising politicians. They are disil­ up the serious mad-works backlog that the lusioned with the dishonouring of promises by Main Roads Department, in its tiny sub­ the National and Liberal parties. While mission to Canberra, at least admits exists. Fraser and Anthony in Canberra ha'Ce been If there is one area of administration that the leaders in this role, the Bjelke-Peter­ can be singled out on its own as command­ sens and the Edwardses of Queensland are ing an immediate and unarguable case for a trying to outdo them. The people of Queens­ change of Government, it is transport and land are disillusioned at the complete road development. inability of these political leaders to restore confidence--confidence even in their own I warn the voters of Redcliffe and Gympie communities-at a time when our State so to be wary of the pie-in-the-sky transport pro­ sadly needs it. jects that this Government discovers so often on the eve of elections but forgets soon after­ In Redcliffe and Gympie on Saturday, it wards. On this occasion, the bait is the long­ is time for judgment against those who have overdue Redcliffe to Petrie rail link, which either betrayed this State or failed it. It is estimated to cost between $16,000,000 and is time to say to the Liberal and National $20,000,000. Party wreckers of the Queensland economy­ Nine years age, in a similar by-election the wreckers of so many of our young in the Gold Coast seat of Albert, when careers-that enough is enough. It is time defeat stared the National Party in the face, to say to those who are indifferent to our youth and irresponsible to our aged that the Premier's sudden promise was restoration the old Queensland spirit of fighting back of the Gold Coast railway line, which his against our aggressors is well and truly alive National-Liberal Government had recklessly and that this State will stay patient and ripped apart at a time when the Gold Coast quiet no longer. And I am experiencing was the fastest-growing area of Queensland. this feeling in places other than Redcliffe It is a fact of history in 1979 that after and Gympie. It is coming through to me the by-election was over the Premier's from people in all walks of life throughout scheme was soon forgotten. the State. Mr. Bishop interjected. Since I became leader of this great and famous political party, which has governed Mr. CASEY: And he gave the honourable Queensland far longer than any other poli­ member a nice backhander about it this tical party, I have been to all corners of morning. The Gold Coast rail link remains the State. The message is coming through a white elephant so far as the Premier quite loud and clear from people in all is concerned. walks of life, from those who are aged to In 1974 the Government's transport pro­ those who are very young, namely, that there mise was to peg rail freights and fares. is a great need for change; that we are Since then both have risen by an average indeed going along the wrong path. of 97 per cent and, in the case of suburban As I said earlier, Redcliffe and Gympie fares, by as much as 200 per cent in are the places where the way back can some instances. commence. These cross-sections of the Again in 1977, before the State election, people of Queensland can clearly show what the promise was electrified rail to Redcliffe, their needs and requirements are and what Rockhampton and Toowoomba. In April their desires are. They can show their last year, the Transport Minister told Parlia­ realisation that in the Queensland Govern­ ment that the Redcliffe rail project was ment we have a group of tired, weary Minis­ not included in the Queensland submission ters; Ministers who are completely wor­ to Canberra in 1978-79 for Federal financial shipped by their back-benchers, who do noth­ assistance. In November he said the link ing whatsoever to disturb government by could not be constructed until the year 2000 Executive. They have followed it and are at the earliest. Now, just a few days from fo'lowing it. They do nothing whatsoever the Redcliffe by-election, where his National to attempt-- Party faces a bitter electoral set-back, the Mr. Innes interjected. Premier, who only a fortnight ago said the scheme was reliant on Federal funding, Mr. CASEY: The honourable member emerge'l with a plan for almost immediate will get his opportunity tomorrow afternoon construction. He does not mention that when the joint parties consider the most the rail project is still subject to a design regressive legislative step that the State has Address in Reply [28 AuousT 1979] Address in Reply 109 looked at for a long time. He will get I note that included in the Governor's his opportunity when the Premier presents Opening Speech was a proposal that members the draft legislation. We are led to believe would be asked to consider a Bill with respect that the Premier will present it because to the safety of motor vehicles. Over a the Minister for Industrial Relations has period of time I have expressed some interest bowed right out of the scene. He has sur­ in matters related to road safety and I will rendered whole-heartedly to the Premier on take this opportunity to express further views industrial relations. The honourable member on that subject. will get his opportunity to stand up to Big business likes to say that it supplies to the 18 members of Cabinet, who are foisting the public what the public wants. Small this shocking legislation on the people of business must supply to the public what it Queensland. I would like to see how he wants; otherwise it will not survive. But big stands up to them tomorrow. Let us see business supplies what i,t wishes to supply. how the opportunity is grasped by the back­ Quite simply, small businessmen and con­ benchers of the Liberal and National Parties, sumers are at the receiving end of the boot who have supported those policies for so of big business. The consumer is misrepre­ long, who have helped to contribute towards sented, under-represented, lied to, hood­ the shocking state of affairs in Queensland winked, cheated, stonewalled, oversold, at present and have been parties to allow­ excessively charged and charged for the ing Ministers to float around the country­ privilege of being charged. Very often small side without properly doing their work, business has to fire the bullets for big busi­ without putting up proper submissions to ness, with threats of big business cut-offs, Canberra and without applying for the things product w1thdrawal and the threat of com­ that the people of Queensland really need. petition being set up nearby. In other words, The party room is where they will get their big business uses the threat, "If you don't opportunity to take a stand. They have carry out our directions, we will get some­ allowed themselves to be completely sub­ one who will." jugated by the Ministers. They are not pre­ pared to stand up and protest. Let me quote an example. Following the recent publicity given to some inferior brands I believe, however, that the people of of steel-belted radial tyres, ,the manufacturers Redcliffe and Gympie this Sa:turday will or their agents in this country merely stand up and protest. They will follow the launched a massive national advertising cam­ example that was set several weeks ago by paign making unbelievable claims about the the people of Tasmania, who loudly and performance of their products. In fact, tyre clearly said to Malcolm Fraser, Doug retailers-the small businessmen-are at the Anthony and ,their types in the Liberal and mercy of the supplier /manufacturer, who National Parties, "Not good enough." They may refuse to recognise claims for faulty did it in a proper way through the ballot-box. tyres or products. The consumer is at the They benefited from it; their voice was mercy of that retailer. The only one who immediately heard in Canberra. The fear of cannot lose in this exercise is the big manu­ losing power in Canberra suddenly fell upon facturer. the Liberal and National Parties, and the Budget had a great basket of goodies for the Big business has waged an impressive people of Tasmania. Good luck to them; I campaign to discourage the consumer move­ only wish we had half their luck. They ment. Phantom letters are written to editors. were prepared to stand up and be counted. Ghost articles appear in newspapers and The people of Queensland must learn the magazines, repeatedly implying that those same lesson to stand up and fight for looking to the interests of the consumer are Queensland. The people of Redcliffe and either do-gooders, numbskulls or people Gympie, I believe, will exhibit .their reactions ignorant of the facts. in the proper way through the ballot-box on Let me quote an example from a public­ Saturday. ation "How Good are Steels" produced by Dunlop Australia, dated 20 February 1979. Mr. AUSTIN (Wavell) (12.41 p.m.): I join It stated- with the peonle of the Wave!! electorate in "As usual, most of the current allega­ again pledging my loyalty to Her Majesty the tions seem to be based on interpreting too Queen and her representative in this State, little information with inadequate tech­ His Excellency Sir James Ramsay. I also nical knowledge." commend Lady Ramsay on the fine work she That was a deliberate aspersion cast at me, is doing in association with her husband. the only member of Parliament who, at that stage, was speaking out against these radial I publicly congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, tyres. I have seen a number of other pub­ on your election to your high office. I lications and letters to the editor written associate myself with the previous congratu­ in this vein by phantom writers on behalf latory remarks that have been addressed to of the tyre companies and tyre dealers. This you by other members. is not good enough. As I said previously, big business says I congratulate the mover and seconder of it makes it possible for people to buy what the motion for the adoption of the Address they demand. In fact, that is not true. in Reply on their contributions. We learn of the existence of products 110 Address in Reply [28 Auousr 1979] Address in Reply

through massive advertising campaigns cost­ How would you, Mr. Speaker, like to ing millions of dollars designed to make have been one of the 8,174 Torana or us aware of the existence of products which Holden HX owners whose vehicles suffered "someone" has decided to market, to con­ from a faulty throttle-return spring that vince us that we are in need of these caused an uncontrolled increase in accelera­ products and that they are available to us tion? Alternatively, Mr. Speaker, your new at a fair and reasonable price. Holden Commodore may have been fitted with a defective steering component, and Advertising determines what kind of motor you would have been notified of this on vehicle most people drive, where we live, 4 December 1978. what we wear, the soaps we use, the medica­ tions we take and many other products we Each time it is suggested that motor buy. Why does a young man buy a V8 vehicles ought to be better engineered, better panel van for $10,000? To get to work? checked and better safety equipped we are To pick up the groceries? To take his told that, firstly, the price barrier has been family to the beach? Not likely! He wants reached; secondly, that sales resistance will a van because he has been sold on the idea destroy the industry; and, thirdly, that that such a vehicle is culture's latest symbol this would cause massive unemployment. of manhood and that if he has such a Obviously these warnings all come from the powerful, handsome vehicle then he, too, motor vehicle manufacturers. I suggest must be big, powerful and handsome. that it is a load of rubbish. With one or two exceptions, motor-vehicle manufacturers Mr. R. J. Gibbs: You were young once, have never introduced a safety feature unless weren't you? Use your imagination! they have been forced to do so by legislation. Let us say that I want to buy a basic Mr. AUSTIN: It took millions of dollars model family sedan. The basic price is in advertising to get this idea across $7,000. I will add automatic transmission (obviously the honourable member for for $500, air-conditioning for $750, an AM/ Wolston listened to the advertising) and now FM stereo for $200 and a few other extras, young men all over Australia are exercising such as an automatic boot-lifting device their so-called free choice, buying these and a sunshield, for $200. Sales people status vehicles at ridiculous prices and then and manufacturers are willing to sell a paying a fortune to insure and run them. vehicle with $1,650 worth of extras, which the consumer may not need but which will The motor vehicle industry is an excellent make the car more comfortable. Yet the example of the power that advertising has manufacturers have the hide to say that over the public in misrepresenting products a few hundred dollars worth of safety features or concealing defects in them. As far as incorporated in a motor vehicle will stop motor vehicles are concerned, the consumer people from buying vehicles. In fact, safety is in real trouble. On 11 September 1978, features would not create a competitive dis­ I might have been one of the 100,000 owners advantage. All makes would have to comply of Ford XC Falcons, TE Cortinas or TD with any regulation or legislation, so I do Cortinas who were notified, by public not believe that there would be any buyer advertisement only, that Ford would replace resistance. the existing accelerator control cable because excessive flexing of it could eventually cause Mr. Speaker, did you know that approx­ it to break through fatigue. I might have imately 550,000 vehicles were recalled in been one of the 17,500 Toyota Corolla Australia for a safety-related factor between owners who were notified by public advertise­ October 1974 and March 1979? For the ment that the seat-belt assembly in their information of honourable members, later vehicles could fail unless serviced. On I will table a copy of details of vehicle recalls 9 December 1976, about 1,000 Mercedes in Australia between October 1974 and owners were notified that, after prolonged March 1979. I hope that some honourable periods and under certain operating con­ members in this Chamber will take the ditions, their vehicles could be subject to opportunity to read this document. It com­ damage to the front longitudinal chassis prises 13 foolscap pages and sets out model member which could, in extreme cases result by model and car by car details of the in deterioration of steering accuracy.' recall campaigns that have taken place in Australia. If I had owned a 1975-76 Ford Escort and crashed and been killed prior to 2 July Mr. Speaker, on a more serious note again, 1976, I wonder if it would have been any if you can imagine a small child falling from satisfaction to my widow to know that 23,219 the top of a 3-storey building then you can Escorts were recalled on that date because picture an unrestrained child in a car involved of the possibility of loss of control resulting in a head-on crash at 50 km/h. The end from the disengagement of the lower control results are about the same. arm assembly from the stabiliser bar. Seat belts can truly be said to have given Australia a special place in the world in Mr. R. J. Gibbs interjected. road safety. Prior to their uqe bei'"lg made compulsory in the State of Victoria in Mr. AUSTIN: This is a very serious sub­ December 1970, Australia'q road fatality ject, and if the honourable member is not record, when compared with comparable interested he should leave the Chamber. motorised countries, was very poor indeed. Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 111

By 1970 the traffic accident mortality rate encourage parents to utilise existing restraints had shown a rising trend to about 30 per for children whenever they are seated in the 100,000 of population. Our rate was about vehicle. It was also decided to define an the third or fourth highest in the world. adult seat belt as being suitable for a child By 1975, after the introduction of seat belts, aged one year or more. the rate had fallen to just over 27 per The New South Wales legislation allows 100,000 of population. parents or drivers some discretion in the The availability and use of restraining choice of how a child should be carried in devices for young vehicle occupants did not a car. The clause in the New South Wales come under any legislation until December law states- 1975, when the Victorian Government intro­ "A person is not guilty of an offence duced legislation prohibiting unrestrained for contravention if that contravention is children from travelling in the front com­ necessary for the safety or well being of partment of motor cars. In January 1977, a child or any other occupant of the motor the New South Wales Government followed car.'' suit, with legislation that not only prohibited children under eight years from riding Under the New South Wales law, where a unrestrained in the front compartment but front seat is the only restraint available, a extended the law, making mandatory the young child must ride in the front restrained use of available restraints within the vehicle. by an adult belt. In effect, the New South The legal problem of a child under eight Wales law is saying that it is safer for a years of age being able to be held responsible young child to travel restrained in the front for his actions-often this has been the seat of a motor vehicle than to travel unre­ excuse used by this Government for not strained in the rear seat, and I believe that introducing legislation to cover this question that is correct. -was overcome by placing the responsibility Recent research seems to support the New for compliance on the driver. This Govern­ South Wales approach. Studies of crashes ment has introduced a number of pieces of both here and overseas have shown that legislation recently in which responsibility adult seat belts, provided they are properly for compliance has been put on the driver. adjusted, can offer satisfactory protection to There is no reason why legislation to cover even very small children, and are to be children riding in the front compartment preferred to having the child ride unre­ of motor vehicles could not be introduced strained. A recent United States study of into this House almost immediately. crashes involving nearly 27,000 children less Any measure adopted to increase occupant than 15 years of age demonstrated that risk protection for young children must be of injury is higher when the child is unre­ diverted towards the following objectives: strained in the rear than when he is firstly, increasing the availability and use of restrained in the front compartment. There­ approved child restraints for children under fore, any law that discourages the use of the age of eight years; secondly, increasing adult seat belts for young children, favour­ the use of correctly adjusted seat belts when ing their riding unrestrained, is not desimble. they are the only restraints available; thirdly, Achieving a situation where all children discouraging the use of unapproved child are restrained at all times is a goal to work restraints; and, fourthly, discouraging unsafe towards, but it is perhaps extreme to suggest methods of transporting the unrestrained the prohibition of the carriage of unrestrained child. I set out these measures because it children in any seating _li)osition. has been the Victorian experience that, after the legislation was introduced making it an Mr. K. J. Hooper: Who gave you the brief? offence for children to travel in the front compartment of a car unless restrained, there Mr. AUSTIN: I wrO

It is clear from the survey results on have on the residents of Maryborough, adults since the introduction of the legislation Ipswich and the southern suburbs of Bris­ making the wearing of seat belts mandatory bane? In Maryborough Walkers are actively that there has been a dramatic increase in engaged in construction of railway rolling­ the usage of belts. Mr. Speaker, I suggest stock, as are Scotts in Brisbane and Com­ that, as far as children are concerned, we monwealth Engineering at Rocklea. I wonder must start somewhere and we could provide what all those workers would have to say an immediate measure of increased protection about such a proposal. if a law similar to that introduced in New South Wales were enacted in this State. Mr. Moore: You have Bradford Kendall on the South Coast, too. Before I began speaking, the Leader o.f the Opposition spoke for 40 minutes and did Mr. AUSTIN: That is right. What will nothing but complain and knock. Not once the employees think when they hear the during those 40 minutes did we hear from stated A.L.P. policy to nationalise the him a constructive proposal-not one. What industry in which they work? The A.L.P. he said in the House today he has said a would centralise that industry in Brisbane. number of times before. Time and time That would mean the loss of jobs to many again he repeats the same comments. We workers in Maryborough and Ipswich, and are still waiting to hear constructive pro­ perhaps the loss of some jobs in Brisbane. posals relating to what he would do if he The A.L.P.'s policy further states- had the reins of Government. It is obvious "Carry out a detailed investigation as that the people of Redcliffe and Gympie to the desirability of rail extensions and would be aware that he has no proposals cross-connections where warranted." and no policies. The record of the present Government is there for everyone to see, but I refer honourable members to an article that the Leader of the Opposition is not game to appeared in "The Courier-Mail" on 11 Jt._Lly put forward any poHoies. this year dealing with the A.L.P.'s promise of rail links to Inala and Redcliffe. I have Probably I should take this opportunity not heard of any feasibility study being car­ to comment briefly on a document issued ried out by the A.L.P. on such a project. recently and about which a number of One can only assume that the A.L.P. is up questions have been asked in the House. I to its usual tactics of stating a policy, without refer to the A.L.P. policy document, and the necessary background information, just I have here a couple of copies of the section because a by-election is in the offing. The dealing with transport. It has a nice photo­ Premier and the Deputy Premier have been graph of the honourable member for Brisbane accused of political grandstanding. They Central (Mr. Davis) on the top left-hand have both had available to them a report corner, and the first section, which deals prepared by consultants. As I understand with a transpo,rt commission, simply says- it, that report has not been made public. "The Commission shall make use of all However, as I also understand it, the A.L.P. systems of public transport such as buses, has never carried out any investigation into trains, rapid transit and ferries and will the feasibility of rail links to Inala and Red­ also investigate other forms of transport." cliffe. I would suggest that Edmund Casey That is a very interesting proposal. What has hopped on the political bandwagon and it really says is that if the Labor Party tried to take advantage of some of the Gov­ ever came to power in this State, it would ernment's forward planning. It is quite clear take over all forms of public transport. that the decision about the construction of There are approximately 1,200 private bus a rail link has been based on a report. It operators in this State, and those small free­ is also quite clear that the Australian Labor enterprise businessmen would virtually be Party has no report. taken over by a Labor Government. Referring specifically to the proposed Red­ The South Australian Labor Government cliffe rail link, I am not altogether con­ instigated a similar scheme. The public trans­ vinced that the people of Redcliffe want port losses in that State are enormous, and that link. When such a proposal is made, have grown at a far greater rate than in I understand that it is customary to carry any other State. out a survey within the area concerned to determine what the residents require. If The A.L.P.'s policy on railways staies- such a survey were carried out, one might "Modernise railway workshops to enable find that the people of Redcliffe would rather the manufacture of locomotives, rail­ have the Hornibrook Viaduct duplicated, motors and rolling stock." with improved facilities at Sandgate Railway [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] Station, than a rail link to Kippa-Ring. From this morning's newspaper report it would Mr. AUSTIN: Before the luncheon appear that the proposed rail link would recess I was addressing myself to the terminate at Kippa-Ring. That would mean stated A.L.P. policy on transport mat,ters. that the residents of Redcliffe would still That part of its policy on railways to which have to travel by bus m mator car to the I referred indicates that the A.L.P. intends rail terminal. I suggest that the people of to set up its own railway construction work­ Redcliffe might consider it more desirable to shops. In addition, it plans to do massive have an additional bridge constructed. The maintenance work. What effect would that electorate generally might consider that more Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 113 desirable than a rail link. I suggest that I have explained quite clearly the A.L.P .'s the residents of Redcliffe ought to be given attitude to transport in this State. If by the opportunity to express their wishes. some chance the A.L.P. is ever elected to govern this State, it will be a sorry day Opposition Members interjected. for the people of Queensland and will bring Mr. AUSTIN: I hear inane rumblings about their ruination. coming from my right. Obviously the A.L.P. The Leader of the Opposition has criticised does not know, either. The member for the level of unemployment, but he has not Murrumba certainly would not know. put forward one solution to the problem. I suggest that if A.L.P. policies are adopted As I was saying, the people of Redcliffe there will be massive unemployment in ought to be given an opportunity to decide the motor-body-building and train-construc­ what they want. Redcliffe is not a very tion industries. I am sure the people of big area, so it would not be difficult to Maryborough will be interested to know that conduct such a survey in it. I believe that the A.L.P. plans to close the workshops in the people of Redcliffe would opt for a their town and centralise that industry in new bridge. They have established travel Brisbane. patterns to Sandgate, and the time taken to travel from Sandgate to Brisbane is Mr. ROW (Hinchinbrook) (2.24 p.m.): In shorter than that from Kippa-Ring to Bris­ rising to participate in this debate, I con­ bane. At the risk of repeating myself, I say gratulate His Excellency the Governor on that I am firmly convinced that the people his Opening Speech, and also the mover of Redcliffe would opt for a duplication of and seconder of the motion for the adoption the bridges. of the Address in Reply. His Excellency's remarks reflect the stability of this State and The stated A.L.P. policy on transport in also his personal popularity in filling the particular in relation to the Metropolitan very high office that is so important to the Transit Authority, refers to the- Westminster system of government. I add "Provision of workshop facilities for my affirmation of loyalty and that of my construction and maintenance of transport constituents to Her Majesty the Queen and vehicles." the Westminster system under which we so satisfactorily enjoy democratic government. That .means that the A.L.P. is proposing the establishment of construction facilities not It is clear from the Governor's Opening only for locomotives but also for buses. I Speech and other factors which are very recall that recently the Leader of the evident that Queensland is the most stable Opposition espoused the philosophy of free State in the Commonwealth both politically or private enterprise. In fact, it was widely and in the area of industrial development. reported that he stated he supported the In saying that, I do not mean to imply that principle of free enterprise. In view of that we are without fault. I would be very naive how can he justify the A.L.P.'s policy, which if I suggested that, whilst being a stable is nationalisation of the motor-body con­ State, we do not suffer from the vagaries of struction industry? inflation and all those things attendant on our current modern economy. In Brisbane there is a company known I noted that the Leader of the Opposition as Domino Hedges Pty. Ltd., which is one referred to unemployment. It is a big issue of the largest motor-body-building organisa­ from which he attempted to make a great tions in Australia. The implementation of deal of capital. We must look at the the A.L.P.'s policy would mean that Domino unemployment situation objectively rather Hedges would be out of business. It is as than subjectively, which appears to be the simple as that. The A.L.P. would build a method adopted by so many members of the massive bureaucracy. Opposition. I know that their role is to Mr. Hansen: You're a funny fellow. criticise the Government. I understand that and I do not blame them for it, but I do Mr. AUSTIN: The honourable member blame them for at times painting a picture may laugh. The A.L.P. has tried it before. that is not truly representative of the situa­ It is there in black and white. The Labor tion. The only way to create employment is Party would nationalise the motor-body­ to encourage productivity. The only way to building industry and the train-construction do that is to attract capital investment. industry. It is all very well to suggest that Govern­ Mr. Hansen: Do you say that? ments, including the Federal Government, are responsible for generating funds that will Mr. AUSTIN: Yes, I have said it. create employment, but what funds should we be thinking about? It is all very well to The A.L.P. policy also suggests that A.L.P. create fictitious funds by allowing inflation members who do not comply with it can be to take charge of the financial affairs of the expelled. That means that the Leader of the country and thus produce a lot of money that Opposition, who has espoused the free-enter­ means nothing. We can create menial types prise policy, can be expelled. The A.L.P.'s of employment for people who are prepared policy sets out nothing in relation to free to stand in work gangs building channelling enterprise. and kerbing, but what real incentive does 114 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply that give anyone to become a productiv~, Commonwealth Government quite a bit of creative unit in the nation's structure? It IS blame for the lack of funds for road con­ very convenient to overlook the fact that the struction, in that it has refused to all~ate job market is limited by factors beyond the an adequate proportion of revenue received direct control of government. from sources such as fuel taxes and so on. I have already suggested that we should be I am disappointed par~icularly a~ut the trying to encourage investment capit.al to the state of the national highway, which runs State, and we have done that m many down the whole east coast of Australia. It practical ways through legislation. We h<:tve does appear to be much better in the southern also taken appropriate steps by abolishmg areas than it is once one passes north of death duties. At the same time, we have the immediate precincts of Brisbane. I presented opportunities for investment. urge the Minister for Main Roads to con­ tinue to give attention to this. He recently Foreign investors have shown . a great de~l of interest in mineral industnes and basic attended a seminar in Townsville at which heavy industries. However, I believe that I was present, and he agreed to respon~ to investors are discouraged at times by the the representations brought to that semmar instability in our work-force, which is pro­ by the people of North Queensland a~out some major improvements to the coastal high­ moted largely by union disturbances. Th~y are a prime source of concern to people m way. Without wishing to be paroc?-ial, I Queensland. I believe that the people of suggest that a fair bit more attentlon. be Queensland and, indeed, the people of Aus­ directed to arterial roads than has been g1ven tralia have just about had a bellyful of to them in recent times. delib~rately promoted industrial strife that is On the credit side, it is pleasing to see retarding the development of our State and that agricultural industries in particular are overseas markets and all the things that go enjoying some measure of improvement from with development. the depressed state in which they have been If the Leader of the Opposition and his for a number of years. The most marked, supporters want to do some.thin.g construc­ of course, is the grazing industry. As a tive, they should support leg1slatwn such as result, people working in the rural ar~as that which the Government proposes to again are making greater use of artenal bring to the House shortly guaranteeing roads. I suggest that the Executive should people the right to work. When the hono!-lr­ respond to this trend, following an improve­ able member for Callide moved the motiOn ment in pastoral conditions, by making sure for the adoption of the Address-in-Reply, that the State is provided with the facilities the focal point of his speech was the nght required for development and rehabilitation. of people to work. I am sure that everyone I use the word "rehabilitation" because we in Queensland agrees that people have a have slipped back quite a bit in some areas right to work provided we c.an create work as a result of the recession in the grazing opportunities in a constructive, useful and industry. If droughts and so on are to long-lasting way. be coped with, a lot of support from this Government is required in rural areas. I I shall now refer to my own electorate, counsel the Government not to overlook which is in the tropical area of North these facts. Queensland. I take this opportunity to thank the Ministers, their departmental I have been a little disturbed of late to heads and indeed the regional officers and hear members on both sides of the House their staffs and anyone else who is involved levelling some criticism ~t what has popul~rly been terme-d "Qangoes"-statutory organiS!!­ in public work in this State for the ~erv~ce I have received in my electorate of Hmchm­ tions and boards that have been set up m brook over the past financial year. I look order to give some responsibility of self­ government to the people, to the . c?m­ forward to similar service by the Govern­ munities. One does not have to be bnlhant ment in the present year. We have a to realise that the development of this State responsible Government. We will receive is very largely dependent on the solidarity all the services that could possibly be pro­ and community of interest of settlements vided in a regulated and responsible manner. with small populations scattered throughout 1 must say that my constituents do not go the remote areas of Queensland rather. than short of very much in the way of Govern­ on those contained in the verdant stnp of ment services. I have a very good pro­ country that is more or less confined to gramme of public works in my electorate, the eastern coast and eastern highlands of with schools, hospital-augmentation pro­ this State This creates quite a lot of grammes, bridges and other public facilities. administrative difficulties, and in these Mr. Turner: Of course, they have a good circumstances self-determination. comes very member. much into focus. I do not thmk that v.:e can anticipate very much of a change m Mr. ROW: I accept that compliment. this situation in the near future. However in common with other members This State is largely composed of what who raise 'this subject, I am not so biased could be regarded as remote area~, and these towards the Government that I do not admit areas will suffer disadvantages If they are that we could do with better roads. In not allowed to retain a sufficient degr~e this respect we must sheet home to the of self-determination and to operate m Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 115 harmony with the normal type of Gover~­ on Australian Government administration. It ment administration in the State. This is a report of a royal commission, and it was situation has existed for some time, and presented in August 1976. .I shal}, quote a it disturbs me a good deal to realise that section of the report entitled Statutory it is now being criticised, in many cases Bodies-Definition and Major Features". It by members of the Government. There reads- is no question that the control and regulation " Statutory bodies are an alternative of production and markets has been a major organisational form to departments for factor in the retention of many of our rural achieving the purposes of gove:nment. In industries and, indeed, their continued build­ their functions, statutory bodies form a ing up. If we take away these controls­ continuum with departments, for while the ! use the word "control" for want of a two types of organisation are functionally better word, although it may not appeal to distinguishable at the extremes, there are some people-and this self-regulatory many intermediate cases. ':"here th~y carry privilege, we then leave these industries and out similar types of activity, and m some communities rather exposed to competition of these it is difficult to ascertain precisely with which they cannot cope. why the statutory form has been chosen." This brings me to the point of suggesting I think that we should take care to ensure that there must be developing in the minds that we do ascertain precisely why the of some people, particularly those in the statutory form has been chosen. We ~hould political arena, a degree of suspicion that reconcile ourselves to the fact that It has something is wrong with this system. I been a very successful method of adminis­ believe that the system has suffered from tration of public affairs in this State for a some degree of overcontrol, not by the long time, and it will continue to be so. local people who make up the organisations, boards, bodies, Qangoes-whatever you want Another section of ,the report reads- to call them-but by departmental officers "Statutory bodies have other features and their ministerial controllers. Perhaps which reflect their separate existence, but Ministers have not understood the problems are not essential or universal characteris­ as well as they ought. I believe that tics. Many of them have a governing body, some serious consideration must be given and one of the reasons for creating a by Ministers to understand them. For statutory authority may be precisely to instance, I certainly would not like to see provide for governance by more than one the abolition of the fire brigade boards person or to introduce at the corporate in this State, as has been suggested in this management level persons and skills from House for various reasons. That might sound outside the departmental service." all right in Queen Street, but we do not want to go back to Queen Street government I think that that is absolutely vital. That is in this State. We cannot afford that. It a very per,tinent quotation from the report. would be the end of democratic government, We should use the ability of local people which is why I sound a note of caution who know the conditions in their area of the in regard to this situation. State. A person sitting in an office in Queen Street cannot possibly understand the It is frequently said that these Qangoes, local situation in an area far removed. for want of a better word, are costing Local situations should be controlled by us too much, that they are too diverse in people with local knowledge and with interest their administration and that there are too in the particular community. If this does not many exceptions being allowed in what happen we will run into a lot more trouble should be a uniform situation. I do not than the trouble that some members might accept that concept, because I believe that think they are in at the moment because of the conditions are different. In this State statutory organisations. there are communities whose conditions are quite different from those in communities I quote another pertinent section of the some 4 000 or 5 000 km away. This differ­ report dealing with the creation of statutory ence needs to be acknowledged. Indeed, bodies- it needs to become part of the system. "The independence may be required: It is for that reason that I raise this (a) to avoid political control of full matter today. We cannot afford to dispense political accountability as when the with these boards and organisations that function is quasi-judicial, regulatory, have helped in the development of this State. involves grants or subsidies, or entails They have allowed the settlement of com­ higher educational opinion-forming or munities in this State for many generations. research activities; or We cannot suddenly turn around and say (b) to avoid departmental procedures that we cannot have them any more or controls, for example when per­ because they are not working. I believe that formance of commercial activities is they are working, and doing so very well. required, particularly in competition with We have to ensure that they continue ,to private enterprise, or when a separate work. We have to understand them, not channel of advice or separate evaluat­ condemn them. tion of policy is desired; or I have had the opportunity to look at (c) to relieve Ministers of responsibiJi,ty some documents dealing with this subject. for day-to-day administration of detailed One is a Commonwealth Parliamentary paper and self-contained tasks." 116 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

The reference to relieving Ministers of day­ There are many arguments for and against to-day administration is extremely important. dams, but I do not intend to get involved We all realise that if there is not a chain in any of them this afternoon. All I wish of command it is humanly impossible for to say is that I support the Burdekin Dam any individual a,t ministerial level to handle scheme because ultimately it will be of great all the daily requirements. That is exactly advantage to this State. However, I do not what I am getting at. People come to me as know which type of proposal would be best. a member of Parliament and say, "Why An important river in my electorate, the can't you get that Minister or this Minister Herbert River, has a common watershed to do that for me?" They are amazed when with the Burdekin River, and I would prefer I say, "Well, it doesn't work like that. You to see the promotion of the old Bradfield start from this end. Let us have a look at scheme. Many years ago an eminent engineer it here, on the local scene, before we go to proposed that some of the headwaters of the a Minister. Maybe we don't have to go to two major river systems, the Burdekin and a Minister and ask him to do something that the Herbert, should be diverted back into it quite unrealistic." That is why I defend the arid areas adjacent to the ranges in the the use of statutory organisations. region. That would not only have created I wish to mention one or two other matters some flood mitigation; it also would have that have been very important to the regulated the supply of water between the development of this State and to refer in two rivers and provided a much bigger area particular to the provision for the control of benefit than I believe will be forthcoming of water resources, which has been a from the Burdekin Dam scheme as it is now favourite subject of mine for many years. envisaged. It is pleasing to see that the Minister in Another important factor is that big dams charge of the relevant portfolio is now in provide a great deal of water that runs into the Chamber, and I thank him for the service the sea and I have in mind the Tinaroo that he has rendered in his administration Dam f~rther north in Queensland, on the of the Water Resources Commission, which Barr~n River. It is a very big dam. If it former!y .was the Irrigation and Water Supply were being built today, the cost would be CommissiOn. exorbitant. I am not convinced that more There is still a drastic need for augmenta­ than 3 or 4 per cent of the water is pro~ t!on of such services in Queensland, par­ moting any productivity in North Queens­ ticularly through two avenues. First in the land· most of it runs into the sea. Perhaps arid parts of Queensland such as th~ central a sc'heme that would provide a better dis­ coastal district around Bundaberg and Isis, persal of the available water run-off in which I understand is experiencing yet North Queensland would be more advantage­ another drought, augmentation of irrigation ous than big dams. I do not want to knock schemes is required. The Commonwealth the Burdekin scheme, but I believe that it Government is always tardy in providing should be looked at in a very broad concept. funds for such projects. The whole of the river system up there should be taken into consideration if we are going Mr. K. .J. Hooper: Not a Labor Govern­ to obtain any long-lasting benefit and encour­ ment; only a Tory Government. age population into the area. We certainly need to encourage rural population. Mr. ROW: I have not seen very much for which we could thank a Labor Govern­ Mr. K • .J. Hooper: Not the rural population ment in that regard, either. As a matter of again. fact, I do not think that there was a dam anywhere in Queensland until the National­ Mr. ROW: The honourable member knows Liberal Government came to office. as well as I do that we need to encourage people to go back on the land in Western Mr. Gunn: They didn't give a damn. Queensland. If we can't get them out into Mr. ROW: One cannot get dams from a the desert, at least we can get them over Government that does not give a damn, as the range where they can be provided with my colleague from Somerset said. His com­ some amenities. Water is one essential. ment was very pertinent. Livestock just cannot be turned out on the range. People could go broke in the first Mr. K . .J. Hooper: The only thing that you year in the event of a drought. There must and Mr. Gunn have in common is that both be some means of concentrating production, of you were in for the position of Speaker. and that cannot be done without water. A Burdekin Dam that provides water for only Mr. ROW: That is an interesting subject the industries in Townsville will not help for another occasion. anybody over the range. Of course, the augmentation of drainage As to drainage schemes-we are still pres­ schemes is more pertinent to my electorate, sing for an increase in the subsidies that are but I should not overlook mentioning the paid by the State Government out of Com­ Burdekin Dam. It is a project that has been monwealth funds to local drainage boards. promoted for many years, and undoubtedly I return to my favourite subject of bo·ards. it will create a major industrial boom in They can be of great public, commercial and North Queensland at some stage after it has industrial benefit in rural areas. I am happy been completed. to say that while I have been in Parliament Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 117

I have seen the formation of a number of He has stated that he will try to uphold the very beneficial boards in my area. Such wishes of the Government. I trust that he boards have the benefit of the knowledge of will be successful in bringing some decorum local, practical people. Very often they take into the House, and I remind him that he over the control of rudimentary drainage will have to start on the Government side. systems that were commenced by the pioneers In view of some of the slanderous remarks of the area. However, the boards need more made by Cabinet Ministers in an attempt money. We need to increase the present 20 to belittle Her Majesty's Opposition, I sug­ per cent subsidy to something like 40 per gest that that side of the House is a good cent. place for him to start. If he can achieve some results on that side of the House, At the moment the initiation of the we will all be pleased. schemes is a heavy burden on the partici­ pants. In many instances a comparatively Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. small number of landholders are in a basin Hewitt): Order! I am quite sure that Mr. of a district where they have to suffer all Speaker will discharge his obligations with­ the disadvantages of water lodgment. They oi.Jt requiring advice of that type. are doing their best to become productive units in the community, but unless we can Mr. KRUGER: I shaii now pass on to help them to maintain their own local drain­ His Excellency's Opening Speech. Early in age scheme ia an efficient manner, they are his speech he said- not going to achieve enough success to get "Following the severe drought during them out of trouble. the 1977-78 summer, came a period of recovery for most affected areas. Not only There is still a great deal of financial tight­ did the rains bring long-awaited grasses ness in the development and expansion of and crops, but the cattle market began most of our major industries in this State. to improve, as did the sheep industry and It disturbs me to hear arguments like the grain production." <;me put up in many quarters, particularly m consumer-protected areas. The improvement in cattle prices was not brought about by the actions of this Gov­ We get the same sort of thing in this ernment and the Federal Government. House. Some people base their political Because of severe drought, stock numbers views on consumerism. I remind the con­ were reduced and many cattle were slaught­ sumers of the State that their local products ered under the programme implemented by are probably the best and, in a sense, the Mr. Anthony. cheapest products that they can obtain. There is a tendency for the public and industry to Mr. Katter: The opening of the Japanese want to import cheap commodities from Asia. market by the Premier did improve things, This is a very short-sighted policy. I sup­ though, didn't it? port the major industries of this State. I Mr. KRUGER: In fact, overseas markets ask that the Queensland Government con­ did improve. However, while that occurred, tinue to negotiate with the Commonwealth local prices rose to an excessive level, and and continue to represent our marketing it is quite obvious that beef is now an item boards and producer organisations in an that local people will not be able to afford attempt to gain a better understanding of much longer. I would like to see some and demand for our local products. I ask evening of prices introduced by Governments the Government to promote their sale so in Australia so that our industries, such as that our industries can be developed on a our beef and sugar industries, can be stabil­ sound basis. I ask the Government further ised. Even though they are in some trouble, to secure overseas markets so that we can they should be stabilised in some way. continue to compete in the world's market­ places and remain a leading export nation. Later, His Excellency said- "The year 1979-80 looms as one which I sanction the action of the Queensland will need the careful husbanding of State Government in relation to the recent case funds to ensure that services for the concerning the domestic price of sugar. That Queensland public are maintained." case had a protracted course through the Federal Parliament and all types of stringent At the same time as the Governor was conditions were applied to the Queensland making his speech the Premier was talking sugar industry. Because of political pressures about cutting taxes in Queensland. If the and the numerical strength of the consumers Premier intends to cut taxes, and Mr. Fraser in the south-eastern capitals of this nation cuts taxes, how will we be able to do the the rural industries of this State are not work that we want to do in Queensland given the support that they should receive. with reduced revenue? Somewhere along Charity begins at home, so let us make sure the line the money has to be available or that it begins in Queensland. I commend the work done must be reduced. We cannot His Excellency's Opening Speech to hon­ have it both ways. In the light of the ourable members. forthcoming Redcliffe by-election, I should be pleased to have a statement from the Mr. KRUGER (Murrumba) (2.57 p.m.): Premier as to what he had in mind, and In participating in this debate, I congratulate how his propositions would react against Mr. Speaker on his election to his high post. that part of the Governor's speech. 118 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

Later in his Opening Speech the Governor particularly in the south-east corner of said- Queensland and certain inland areas that "Tbis year will be noteworthy in the are growing quickly. field of urban public transport for The Governor referred to the Burdekin Brisbane." Dam, as did the honourable member for The Governor then referred to the rail Hinchinbrook. However, I believe that the electrification scheme. I should imagine Government should be making a positive that Jack Duggan was very interested in statement about what is to happen with his comments because he was deeply con­ the Burdekin Dam. I venture to suggest cerned with rail electrification, as some hon­ that if there were to be a by-election in ourable members will recall. No doubt that area in the near future this project Jack will be saying to himself, "They are would come well to the fore. about 23 years too late. The programme The Governor said- could have been undertaken much earlier." "In provincial and country areas, the In my opinion that is indicative of the lack Government will provide additional rental of progress made by the Government since housing accommodation ..." the days of the Labor Party. The delay The Government has been playing around has cost the State quite a deal of money. in this field. I hope that it has a definite The additional cost could amount to policy relative to those areas in which people $200,000,000, which is not a sum to be need housing. While I have been in scoffed at. Parliament I have found that housing is I was very interested in this statement the major problem confronting people. I in the Governor's Opening Speech- realise that in certain areas people who have complained to me about housing are "Steaming coal reserves throughout the those who need it least. However, there State total more than 9 000 million tonnes, are many legitimate cases of people badly sufficient to meet the State's needs for in need of housing. I trust that the Gov­ the next 200 years." ernment will continue to try to expand its In my view 200 years is not very long. At housing programme. a later stage the Governor referred to the I have some comments to make about the development of coal exports. If we are Premier's attitude in recent times to taxa­ to export our steaming coal, we will not tion, particularly in the light of the forth­ have a 200-year supply. If we sell half coming Redcliffe by-election. He has been of it we will have only 100 years' supply. sounding off quite a deal about outing Fraser I trust that the Government is watching if he does not come to the party by cutting the situation closely, keeping in mind what income tax and making other similar con­ we will use when we run out of coal in cessions. That is possibly the right attitude, 200 years. I trust anything that is done but there has to be some sound basis for about exporting coal will be watched care­ making such statements. There have to be fully so that the people of Queensland do some means by which the Premier can say, not suffer by an overseas sell-out. "You cut them back and we will be able to make this State work in some other way." While I must say that the Governor's However, at the time he made those state­ Opening Speech was well prepared, it is ments he would have been thinking to him­ evident that there is conflict between what self that, as Mr. Fraser was coming into an the Governor said and what the Premier election in the federal field with his stocks has been proposing. so low, he would be taking a soft-line approach in the Budget. However, he did A little later in his Opening Speech, the not take as soft a line as ,the Premier would Governor said- have been thinking at that time. As Mr. "My Government will not deviate from Fraser has been a little tougher than he its policy of providing the most effective thought, the Premier cannot say now, "I opportunities for education at pre-school, told you so. The Prime Minister has taken primary, secondary and tertiary levels. notice of what I said." As a consequence, it will meet the The worst problems accompanying the need for those additional educational recent Federal Budget will be high inflation, facilities precipitated by shifts in increased unemployment and hidden costs population ..." in the fuel levy and some other measures. It would seem, from the Premier's statement, In broad terms, I hope that we receive a that he is contemplating a Budget that will just share of the taxation imposed by the not be very harsh on the people of Queens­ Federal Government. As the Federal Gov­ land; a Budget that will not mean a great ernment will be receiving a lot of money, I increase in expenditure and no great increase hope this Sta,te gets its share of it. in revenue. I hope that some of the state­ Before I proceed to the next part of my ments concerning education are put into speech, I make the point that this Queens­ effect. I am very interested in the technical land Government has proved itself to be college at Kippa-Ring. I trust that there tired, out of date and out of touch, with a will be no cut-backs in spending at that grandfather Premier who is continually con­ school. Education is one of the major demning the fatherly members of his responsibilities of the State Government, Cabinet. Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 119

Possibly the major point of my speech Australia's Indigenous Petroleum Resources", this afternoon has to do with the Redcliffe by the New South Wales Institute of Public by-election and the rail link to Redcliffe. Affairs- Irrespective of the hog-wash of the last few "Total petroleum consumption today in weeks about the need for it and who insti­ Australia is about 90 000 tonnes per day, gated it-whether it was part of Labor's of which roughly half is used in trans­ policy, Liberals' idea or how much work the portation and the re~ainder in in~ustry, National Party might have done in recent domestic and commercial. Of the estimated times to try to spur this on-a rail link is 45 000 tonnes used daily in transportation sorely needed. This issue has come at an approximately half is used in private appropriate time for ,the coalition parties. vehicle operation." Mr. Blake: And it is part of Labor's That shows the amount of fuel that is used policy. on the Redcliffe Peninsula alone, when 63 per cent of the working population there Mr. KRUGER: It has been part of moves to Brisbane and other areas to work. Labor's policy. Nobody can deny that, although there might be an attempt to put Mr. Frawley: What point do you think a smoke-screen around it. the line should run from? Mr. Frawley: If you read "The Redcliffe Herald" a fortnight ago, you would have got Mr. KRUGER: I will talk about where the the true story of who pushed for the rail to line should run shortly. Red cliff e. Considering such a massive movement of people, we have to loo.k ~t saving fuel: .The Mr. KRUGER: I saw the hole in the amazing part about this IS that the Mm1ster wall that the member for Caboolture was for Transport said in April that the year standing in. However, the hole was not 2000 would be an appropriate time to build quite as big as he is. a rail link but it would not be economic Mr. Frawley: If anybody gets the credit before that time. I have had that article for it, it should be me, Houghton and the in my office now for two or more years. Yet Rail for Redcliffe Committee, and nobody when he was asked a question last night else. about his attitude to a railway line being built in the year 2000, the Minister for Mr. KRUGER: I would like to compli­ Transport said, "Things have changed ment the Rail for Redcliffe Committee on its between April and now, as there is now . a efforts. Its members have done an excep­ shortage of fuel that we didn't know about m tionally good job. Possibly the only other April." In April, the Minister obviously had person who was not mentioned in the article not woken up to the fact that there would referred to by the honourable member for be a shortage of fuel, although any other Caboolture is the member for Murrumba. Minister for Transport would have been well I, too, have been active since the time I aware of that fact. became involved with those people. I had quite a bit to do with them before I was Mr. Frawley: Have you seen this plan elected to Parliament. That was left out of of the rail for Redcliffe, the one I have here? the report, of course. Do you want a copy? Mr. Frawley: You didn't go to one meet­ Mr. KRUGER: I have plenty of copies. ing before you got in. I went to them and you were never there. Apart from the shortage of fuel, its ever­ increasing cost makes it obvious that there Mr. KRUGER: The member for Cabool­ should be a railway line to Redcliffe. I am ture has not been there since. backing those people in Redcliffe who have Mr. Frawley: The member for Sandgate worked so long and so hard for such a didn't go. link and who have been to the Minister on many deputations about it. I have been a Mr. KRUGER: If the member for Cabool­ member of all but two of these deputations ture is going to persist in interjecting, I will on this subject. I was otherwise engaged tell a little story about him. Before the last when one of the deputations waited on the State election he came to me and said, "Joe, Minister, and I did not even know about the I have moved to Caboolture. People are get­ second one. I was misled about the second ting to know about that. I did that because deputation and snubbed by members of this I can't possibly hold the seat of Murrumba, Parliament in their efforts to make political the way it is cut up, with your popularity. propaganda out of the issue. However, I would sooner you did not tell anyone else." I have kept that to myself In looking realistically at the question of until now. As events unfold, his prediction the railway for Redcliffe, we quote the cost will prove to be more and more correct. of car transport and the amount of fuel that is used as reasons justifying the building of The reason that has been posed most a rail link. But what is generally forgotten recently for building the rail to Redcliffe is is the necessity to upgrade the roads to the shortage of fuel. I quote from an article cope with increased private transport and headed "The Effect of the Exhaustion of then to maintain them. 120 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

PreviO'Us speakers have mentioned the need many years, we will have disorderly develop­ for another bridge to Redcliffe. The bridge ment in the area and we will find that trains which is being built at present will cost just will not be able to travel as fast as they on $10,000,000. Another would cost ought because they will have to run on a $15,000,000 or $20,000,000, because of the line that twists through housing develop­ way in which this Government and the Fed­ ments. The obvious thing is to design and eral Government are allowing inflation to build that railway line now while there is run riot. an open route right through to Kippa-Ring. Mr. Vaugban: How long did it take to build this new one? A previous speaker said that Kippa-Ring was some distance from Redcliffe city. If Mr. KRUGER: This one has been built members look at the railway line from fairly quickly. I think the actual construc­ Petrie to Brisbane they will see that there tion time was 18 months or two years. is a great expanse of territory on each side of the line, much more than there would Mr. Vaughan interjected. be on either side of a line running through Mr. KRUGER: The road was promised Redcliffe. We all know that a railway line many, many years ago. cannot be built to every suburb, but if the line was built with a terminus at Kippa-Ring Mr. Frawley: How much did you say it at least we would have a service for the was costing? people of Redcliffe. The only other thing we would be looking for would be a good Mr. KRUGER: I think the last figure was parking area. It would need to be large, approximately $10,000,000. because there are many pensioners in Red­ Mr. Frawley: $6,400,000 is the right figure. cliffe who would drive their cars to the station and then take the train to Brisbane. Mr. KRUGER: That is not the figure that These people no longer drive into Brisbane some of your leading hands have been quot­ because they are frightened of the traffic. ing. That may be the honourable member's figure, but Cabinet members have given the Mr. Frawley: Don't you agree that the figure that ought to be correct. If your line should come from Narangba through figures are correct and theirs are not, I Deception Bay? would want to know why we have not been given the correct figures. Mr. KRUGER: It is quite understandable that the honourable member would be advo­ Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. cating a line to Narangba. He is trying to Hewitt): Order! The honoumble gentleman shortcut me because I mentioned to him that will direct his comments through the Chair. I would be telling him more about these Mr. KRUGER: I had intended to do that other proposals. If he is a little patient, I but the honourable member keeps provoking will tell him all about it. me. Back in 1977 the Premier promised a rail I point out another reason why this railway link to Redcliffe. He said, "We will have line should go ahead right now. The cost that in in our next term of Parliament." of land resumptions in the area at present Of course 1977 was an election year. Then would be the lowest for some 15 or 20 years the propo;al died. Now there is a by-elect!on and possibly as low as it will be for the next in Redcliffe, and the people of Redchffe 15 or 20 years. We all know that as soon are concerned that after next Saturday the as there is talk of a line going through that Premier may again just forget about a rail area, land values will increase. In a study link to Redcliffe. People want some guarantee that was carried out, mention was made of that the rail link will go ahead, irrespective quite a large area of land in Petrie that of what happens next Saturday. We can would have to be reserved for the railway guarantee that it will go ahead. If the line that was in fact in A.P.M. country and Premier does not go ahead with it, the was zoned industrial. Let me tell honourable people of Queensland will not put up with members that the industrial land mentioned his failure to do so. The Labor Party, when is only a buffer zone, and in fact can never it is elected to Government, will build the be developed as industrial land. It is used rail link that it has promised. as a buffer 1o keep people away from the smell of both the paper mill and the sewage To back up this point, I refer to a letter ponds at the back of Kallangur. This buffer that the Metropolitan Transit Authority is being used to prevent people from knowing wrote to the Pine Rivers Shire Council and anything about what is going on in the area. the Redcliffe City Council on 27 January However, to get back to the railway line­ 1979. It reads- the resumption cost mentioned for the "Further to my Chairman's letter of industrial land was far higher than it should 15 November 1978, discussions have taken have been. As I said, all the other land is place with the Minister for Transport, the much cheaper. If I could take honourable Honourable K. B. Tomkins, the Honour­ members down to the area, I could show able the Speaker, Mr. J. E. Houghton them a route which would require the shift­ MLA, Mr. R. C. Kruger MLA (Member ing of only one house. If we delay for too for Marumba), Mr. R. Frawley, Mayor of Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979) Address in Reply 121

Redcliffe, Messrs Black, Murray, Squires to use in the Redcliffe by-election but that and Wilkinson from Rails for Redcliffe he would not use it because he said it was Committee .... too nasty. ''At this meeting the recommendations Mr. Vaughan: But he used it in "The Sun­ of the report were accepted and endorsed. day Mail" though. Essentially the report suggests a rail link connection Redcliffe to Petrie in the long Mr. KRUGER: That is right. He used it term. another way. "The Minister has asked me to investigate I would like to refer again to the deputa­ the preliminary rail alignment with a view tions that have come forward on this matter towards quietly assessing the land that in recent times. I joined the members of the would be required for such a rail link Rail for Redcliffe Committee in their depu­ and the current ownership of such lands. tation because I thought it was appropriate "Could you please nominate a senior to do so. The proposed rail link will be officer with whom we could discuss this built entirely within the electorate of Mur­ matter further?" rumba, and I think that I have a duty to That was back in January. Last night I the people of Redcliffe. I point out also asked a question of the Minister and he said, that one-third of the city of Redcliffe is "Well, things have changed now, and we in my electorate, and it is quite appropriate didn't go to the local authorities." The that I should be involved in this matter. local authority in that fast-developing shire Another Press article states- wants to know about the development and "Rail for Redcliffe Committee vice where the line will go. Because a by-election chairman (Mr. L. H. Wilkinson) said that is pending, there has been a shortcut and Mr. Tomkins said at a private meeting in actual fact the local authority has not with committee members last Thursday been approached at all. night that the line would run from Petrie .... Mr. Fouras: Are you concerned about the Premier's style of blackmail? "National Party candidate for Saturday's Redcliffe by-election (Mr. John Houghton), Mr. KRUGER: His statement on television who also attended the meeting, said the last night implied just that. I might just add line would end at Kippa-Ring." that it was very similar to what happened It was a private meeting, yet Mr. John in Mt. Isa before the last State election. Houghton was in attendance. The local mem­ He told the people of Mt. Isa that if they ber, through whose electorate the .lin~ will did not vote for his candidate he would not run, is not even told that the meetmg IS on. go ahead with the proposal for a water supply. The article goes on to say, "Redcliffe rail link details public today', and it mentions I bring to the notice of honourable mem­ the meeting to be held, which turned out to bers an article in the "Record" newspaper be nothing but a National Party conference. of 15 August 1979. Under the heading I went to that meeting and it was in fact "Premier Opens Redcliffe Campaign-Rail­ only a conference. way Project Action Outlined", it states- "The Metropolitan Transit Authority is On a number of occasions questions have currently studying the question of right­ been thrown at me in relation to the Decep­ of-way alignments ...." tion Bay area. The last proposal put forward by the Rail for Redcliffe Committee was The authority is not studying that matter presented to the Minister for Transport and with the local authorities concerned. The the Premier, who took it to Mr. Fraser to newspaper article continues- see whether they could get Federal Govern­ "The Lands Minister, Mr. N. Hewitt ment financial support for it. Details of the has also been asked to initiate action and areas to be served by the Redcliffe rail link to co-ordinate with the local authorities are- in regard to land resumptions." "Redcliffe City: Present population That matter may be in the melting pot, yet 42 000 which, with the development of a definite laid-out plan was delivered last ne:.V a'reas (Rothwell and Newport), will night, appropriately just prior to a by-elec­ by 1985 have a population of 65,000. tion. I have quite a bit underlined in this "Deception Bay: A fast-developing r~si­ article but time is against me. I have used dential area along the shores of Deception up half of my time now and I am just getting Bay. The present population is in the started. The article also states- region of 6,000 and by 1985 is expected "National Party candidate Mr. John to be in excess of 9,000." Houghton presented his election speech As the honourable member for Caboolture and his father, Jim, the former State knows it is not very far from Deception Speaker and member for Redcliffe also Bay t~ Rothwell, and it would be quite con­ spoke." venient for people to go from there to I am just wondering who wrote the speech Rothwell station. I should point out at this for Mr. John Houghton, because honourable stage, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that, quite con­ members may remember a report recently veniently, it is planned that the railway that a speech was written for Terry White station at Rothwell will be almost behind 78622-6 122 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply the Lutheran college that is to be built there Mr. RRUGER: They would not print the in the near future. I do not think that would honourable member's article. He must have be an accident; nevertheless, it is an paid them to print it. appropriate place for it. I think I have pointed out how much Mr. R • .J. Gibbs: Could one say that it is land is involved, and I believe that Redcliffe an act of God? is an area that should and must develop. It Mr. RRUGER: It possibly could be. is close to Brisbane and has great potential for tourism and for relaxation, and it has Then there is Kallangur East and Kal­ most of the amenities that people want. One langur West. I know a fair bit about the thing it does not have, Mr. Deputy Speaker, area, but I checked with the staff of the is surf, even though the Minister for Primary council. The estimated population there is Industries said, when opening the Redcliffe 80,000, and that is taking into account only Show, how nice it was flying in over the the good, high land and excluding all the surf that morning. Although there was no other land that may be developed laoter. surf, I give him credit for noticing that there It seems good sense to put the line through was water there. now. I have with me numerous reports on the rail for Redcliffe. One says, "Rail report I think I should now move off the subject slated". It goes on to say- of a railway for Redcliffe, because I think I have just about put down the sleepers this "The findings of the feasibility study afternoon, and turn to a matter that has into Redcliffe's transport needs has been been very important in my life. In "The attacked by the two State Members, Mr. J. Courier-Mail" of 24 August 1979 it is Houghton (Redcliffe) and Mr. J. Kruger reported that food prices have increased by (Murrumba)." 1.9 per cent. The article points out that That was at the stage at which the report food prices increased last month by .the came out and Mr. Tomkins said, "No go largest amount in 12 years. At the same time till at least the year 2000." as that Press release came out, the "National Then, in "The Redcliffe Herald" of 29 Farmer" contained an article headed "Vegie November 1978, the Minister for Transport Incomes Hit 20 Year Low". Retail prices denied that a promise had been made on the go up but vegetable prices to the farmer go link. The article said- down. The article stated- "The Minister for Transport, Mr. K. "Several of Australia's key vegetable Tomkins, told State Parliament last week and fruit industries are experiencing one that he was prepared to discuss a report on of the toughest years of low incomes they a rail link to Redcliffe with the Rail For have had for two decades." Redcliffe Committee. I would like honourable members to take "He was replying to a question from the note of that article. Unfortunately I have Labor Member for Murrumba, Mr. Joe not the time to read it all. Kruger, who had said, 'Did he promise the Rail for Redcliffe Committee that he I refer now to some prices that were pub­ would discuss the report on the study with lished in the "Telegraph" of 22 August the committee before any decision was 1979. The Wholesale Chamber of Fruit and made?'" Vegetables reported various market prices It then mentioned other questions that I had for 21 August. Carrots were $1.50 to $3 asked. I had good reasons for asking them a bag, with one line at $4 a b.ag-a bag and I certainly was active, in spite of what contains 30 kg. The farmers received 10c a other people might say. kiloaram as the top wholesale price. The On 29 November 1978 a newspaper hou~eholder paid 15 to 30c a kilogram. article said, "No Cabinet decision on rail­ Cauliflowers were 15 to 50c, with a few at way". Now the decision has been made 60c with the usual range at 40c, a 60c top because it is convenient to make it. wh~.Jesale price and a $1.40 top retail pri~e. In actual fact the growers got a top pnce A recent newspaper article seemed to miss of 60c, after growing the commodity for all the important points, so I issued a Press 14 weeks. The retailer received 80 per cent release. It showed just how political the profit for one day. Tomatoes were selling matter had become, and it seems that the for from $2 to $3.50 a 10 kg case. The newspapers did not want to publish it farmers received 35c a kilogram, whereas because they thought it was an electioneering the householder was paying 75c a kilogram. gimmick. It was quite well prepared and Cabbages were selling at lOc to 20c, and the spelt out clearly the problems that have householder was paying 40c for them. arisen. In the Press this morning I got a Potatoes were sold at $10 to $11 for a little touch saying that I had made some 50 kg bag. The farmer was getting 20c a contacts about it, but I point out that Mr. kilogram, whereas the householder was pay­ Terry White, the Liberal candidate for Red­ ing 30 to 40c a kilogram. I mention these cliffe, got quite a mention. It seems to me prices because of the Government's attitude. that it has been deemed to be the appropriate On 18 April in this House I asked the time for the National Party and Liberal Premier- Party to propose the rail link. That is not "(1) Is he prepared to undertake to have the intention. an inquiry into the marketing and distribu­ Mr. Frawley interjected. tion of fruit and vegetables in Queensland? Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 123

"(2) Is he prepared to investigate some staff at the Petrie Police Station comprise form of profit control on retailers of fruit a senior sergeant, who is in control, 18 and vegetables?" uniformed policemen, four plainclothes officers, and two stenographers as well as The Premier replied- one Public Service clerk, who is on duty "(1) I am not aware of any reasons which three days a week. The area of the police would support the need for such an inquiry station is about half that of an ordinary into the marketing and distribution of fruit house. The senior sergeant shares a room and vegetables throughout Queensland. I with two other men and has no privacy am informed by the Honourable the Minis­ whatever when he is talking to people or ter for Primary Industries that officers o.f when he is on the phone. Whatever he his department are currently involved with says, his junior staff know about it. a review of the legislation covering the operations of farm produce agents in order Investigations show that the residence that to meet modern day marketing practices at he has used in Petrie is to be used for new this level. offices. Approximately $27,000 is to be spent on that old house. This means that "(2) I have been further informed by the the senior sergeant will have to travel from Honourable the Minister for Primary Indus­ his home in Redcliffe to Petrie every day. tries that information on retail prices is Further partitions are to be erected in the collected by officers of the Department of existing building. Primary Lndustries and is also monitored by officers under the control of the Honour­ I point out that, if the police officers able the Minister for Labour Relations. at Petrie wish to put a criminal in the cell, This informatiDn, and studies over the last they have to run him up a ramp that is too 10 years, indicate that the spirit of free­ steep even for a rat to climb or alternatively enterprise competition has operated to the take him down 20 stairs or so, through general overall satisfaction of growers, the police station and into the cell. T~at operators and consumers. is a most prehistoric method of lockmg anyone up. "Trading in fruit and vegetables is a clear example of the principles of free enterprise Alternative accommodation is available in in operation. Any intervention by the Petrie. I refer to the court-house, which Government to control profits would there­ adjoins the police station. It would be fore be quite unacceptable." quite convenient to use the court-house as the police station so that the of?cers could That points out exactly the stance the Pre­ be provided with decent worklng accom­ mier has taken in most fields of government modation. The number of cases heard at in Queensland over the last few years. the Petrie Court House is such as to warrant Farmers are receiving the lowest prices for the construction of a new court-house at 20 years, yet householders are paying the another location. As the court-house conducts highest prices for the last 12 years. There what is, in effect, a money-raising operation, is a great discrepancy between wholesale funds for the construction of a new court­ prices and retail prices, yet the Premier says, house would not be any problem. Any "That's the good side of private enterprise." revenue that is collected would go into the If that is the way he believes private enter­ coffers. As I say, the police station is an prise should work, then it is time he backed utter disgrace. out and left it to somebody who would be prepared to act differently. The people Mr. Vaughan: Have you seen the shocking of Queensland are not going to put up with conditions in the Redcliffe Police Station? this sort of thing any longer. That will be proved next Saturday at Redcliffe when Mr. KRUGER: Indeed, I have. However, I have very little time left in which to the Labor candidate will be elected. talk about the many Government buildings Mr. Frawley: How much do you want to in my electorate that have been neglected, put on him? so I do not have time to deal at any length with Redcliffe. I do take the point, how­ Mr. KRUGER: I wouldn't put very much ever, because police stations throughout on the honourable member at the next elec­ South-east Queensland have been neglected. tion, particularly after the things I have It is time that the Government looked at heard about him. the situation. Police officers, who are Mr. Casey: I believe the National Party supposed to uphold the law and strengthen wouldn't have anything to do with the the morale of the people of Queensland, are Frawleys down there at Redcliffe. Is that forced to work in shocking conditions. I right? would not raise pigs in some of the buildings that some police officers are forced to w~rk Mr. KRUGER: Yes. I mentioned that in. We on this side believe that P<_Jhce earlier. officers, like all other employees, are entitled to a fair go. I would like to draw attention to the shocking conditions that are being Delays occur in the hearing of cases in experienced at the Petrie Police Station. the Redcliffe Magistrates Court, and these Recently an old man came up to me and arise because of the lack of another magis­ said, "How those poor guys work in a trate. I have received many complaints place like that, I do not know.'' The from people who have been placed on 124 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

remand for several months. Honourable Government might purchase that land, that members might ask why I am talking about was not acceptable to the Government Redcliffe. Over the past three or four years departments. I have done a lot of work for the people of Redcliffe because Mr. Houghton was Mr. Frawley: They should call that new too busy in his role as Speaker. The people sports ground after you; you could run the of Redcliffe looked to me for guidance and first 100 metres on it. they will continue to look to me for guidance Mr. KRUGER: There would be no prob­ until Saturday, when the A.L.P. will have lem about running 100 metres. its representative elected to look after their interests. The school very badly needs a sports Another magistrate is needed in Redcliffe ground. I trust that the land has been so that people can have their cases heard obtained, or that it will be in the near quickly, whether they are sent to gaol or future. I can only hope that in this day acquitted as a result. The fact is that and age the children at Dakabin are not they are entitled to speedy hearings. I left without a sports ground. By 1980, 551 note that the Minister for Works and students are expected to attend the school. Housing is listening. I hope that his Works As the school started with 180 children, it Department will look at this problem. I can be seen that the attendance is increasing am not condemning the Government; I realise quickly. That is mainly because the people that the money has to go around. I am of Queensland are flocking into the electorate trying to impress upon the Minister the of Murrumba. They know that they have a need to make sure that money is available good member, and they know where they for these jobs. can get results. That is why the population has increased by about 6,000 since the last The Petrie Railway Station is another election. As time goes by, this school and run-down monstrosity. I have been told many others in the area will need a lot of in this House that it will be looked at in attention. The big problem for any Gov­ conjunction with electrification. I remind ernment to sort out is just which are the the Ministers who will be concerned of the most important growth areas. need to do something with the building. With electrification the station should be (Time expired.) either upgraded or rebuilt, even though the line will terminate not at Petrie but at Mr. INNES (Sherwood) (3.37 p.m.): On Kippa-Ring, where we believe the terminus behalf of my electorate, I pledge loyalty of the line from Brisbane should be. to the Crown and join in the expressions of congratulation to His Excellency the I have noticed that the painting of some Governor and Lady Ramsay on the work schools, particularly the Clontarf school, has they have done. It is probably worthy of been neglected. I have written to the Minis­ comment, on the day on which Lord Louis ter for Works and Housing about it. He Mountbatten was assassinated, that people has called tenders and it is now just a matter who hold office under the Crown or act on of finance becoming available for this work. behalf of the Crown have many and varied I hope it will be forthcoming in the Budget. responsibilities and, on some occasions, Although it is perhaps not the fault of the those responsibilities can clearly be over­ Minister or the Government, it is disgraceful whelming. that children and teachers should have to work in some of the dirty, dreary class­ I do not propose to join at length in the rooms at that school. I told the Minister that discussion on the proposed Redcliffe railway, if he was not satisfied with my description, which appears to have excited a lot of com­ he should look at this school himself. I ment. With the pace of development of that hope that when the opportunity presents issue in recent times, I should have thought itself he will do that. The painting is mouldy that one could fairly confidently predict the and the school is generally dilapidated. It is Premier's declaration of the opening of that not fair to ask children to study and teachers railway before the end of the week. to teach in such surroundings. It is not that a lot of money is needed, and I believe that But seriously, I turn to matters .that are of we should be looking seriously at what has importance to all Queenslanders. The area to be done. I represent is a magnificent electorate. In recent times the Dakabin High School Mr. K. J. Hooper: It is a silvertail elec­ sports ground has received quite a bit of torate, too. publicity. I have raised this matter on many occasions. I have written several letters Mr. INNES: It is a magnificent electorate. about it and the p. and c. association has written to the Works Department. The Mr. K. J. Hooper: It must be good; it Works Department has talked to the Lands returned you. Department, and the Departments of Map­ ping and Surveying and the Valuer-General Mr. INNES: It is good to see the honour­ are also involved. It is quite a mix-up. The able member riding shotgun again. It is a p. and c. rented a nice, level area of ground matter of some pride that the honourable across the road on which the children could member should be after me rather than play sport. When I suggested that the somebody else. Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 125

I speak for the whole of my electorate necessary to convert those roads to the when I say that our interests are not con­ standards that the Commonwealth apparently fined to our area but are related to those of suggests should apply. all Queenslanders in their concern for the The Leader of the Opposition adopted destiny of our State. We have absolute con­ interesting logic in assessing the performance fidence in the future of Queensland, par­ of the Queensland Government in its rela­ ticularly in the hands of a Government of tions with the Commonwealth on road-fund­ vision, intelligence, tolerance and breadth ing. He used a quantitative approach, which of experience. led to this conclusion: as Queensland had Mr. K. .J. Hooper: You have just con­ put in the fewest pages of submission, demned your own argument. Queensland was the most inefficient. The Leader of the Opposition stands totally con­ Mr. INNES: The honourable member can demned by his own logic if we accept that interpret that in any way he cares. extraordinary facile basis of assessment. Queensland requires a Government and If we turn to the .recently published plat­ parties that have vision to take it into the form and policy of the Australian Labor 21st Century. This is the State of the 21st Party, we find this about the number of Century, and the Government should have pages--and this is the approach Mr. Casey the vision to see at least that far, not just used in assessing performance-- as far as the next election. We have a Pages breadth of natural resources-of vegetation, Shadow Ministry climatic types, foreshore and ocean-which Aboriginal and Island Affairs 4 is among the greatest in the world. Sheer Culture, National Parks and Recrea- acreage alone requires that we apply a tion 5 breadth of vision and imagination to the Deputy Premier and Treasurer 4 development of this State that is beyond the Education 11 norm. Among the matters in which I have 5 an interest and about which I would offer a Health few comments are the lands of this State, Industry and Administrative Services 3 the preservation of its national parks and Justice and Attorney-General 13 the system of justice under which this State Labour Relations and Consumer will develop. Affairs 10 However, in general terms, anybody who Lands, Forestry and Water Res- has the interests of this State at heart must ources 5 view the performance of the Leader of the Local Government and Main Roads 4 Opposition with absolute dismay. Mines, Energy and Police .. 8 Mr. Elliott: Utter dismay; that would be Premier 2 right. Mr. K. .J. Hooper: Only two pages? Mr. INNES: Yes. Prior to lunch we were Mr. INNES: Two pages only. That in treated to 40 minutes of barren rhetoric. sheer quantitative terms would . sugge_st that Mr. Moo·re: It was a diatribe. Mr. Casey is among the most meffic1ent of the shadow Ministers in this House. He Mr. INNES: Yes, a diatribe. ranks with Survey and Valuation and Mari­ time Services and Tourism in the total n_um­ The Leader of the Opposition referred to ber of pages. If one takes the analysis a the tired old men of the Government and little further, one finds that lt pages of the to people running away from their leaders. two pages submitted by th~ I?retender. to The performance of the Leader of the Oppo­ the throne, Mr. Casey, contam mtroductiOn. sition would cause a state of fatigue and At least the content contributed by the depression that would bring old age to a shadow Minister for Survey and Valuation one-year-old. Its complete lack of construc­ consists of only two lines of preamble, with tive thought and its complete lack of intelli­ the rest devoted to specific proposals. There gible propositions must appal any Queens­ are two pages of specific proposals about lander who looks to the Opposition for any Maritime Services and Tourism. comfort at all. Mr• .Jones: Very precise. The only factual things contained in the 40-minute address of the Leader of the Mr. INNES: Yes, very precise. Opposition related to a "Gregory's" guide If we accept that the Leader of the to some main roads of this State-a guide Opposition's methodology, shall we say-- suggesting that there are main roads in this State that, according to a Commonwealth Mr. K. .J. Hooper: That's a good word. study, deserve more works. One would not You must have a tertiary background to use cavil at that general proposition. It would that word. probably be true to say that one could never foresee a time when all the roads of this Mr. INNES: Indeed. State would be up to ideal standards. How­ If we accept that the basis of the honour­ ever, there was not a single suggestion by able gentleman's assessment of anybody's him of what should be done about the finance performance is totally fallacious and we go 126 Address in Reply [28 AuGusT 1979] Address in Reply to quality, the document is even more inter­ Mackenroth, the member for arsenic and esting, and I would invite anybody in this lack of grace. There is not a single concrete House who thinks that Mr. Casey can ever proposal on what practices are to be updated lead this State to study that document and, or what practices are to be reviewed. It in particular, to study his proposals in rela­ goes on- tion to his shadow Ministers. It is a shallow "The parliamentary party will undertake and shoddy performance, and it starts in a review ..." this fashion- "Introduction- Another review! "Labor will bring Queensland a State Mr. K . .J. Hooper: What policy is this? Government that will put Queensland­ ers first and not back away from or Mr. INNES: The honourable member dodge around the very difficult decisions might well be forgiven for asking that we will be called upon to make in the question. I am referring to pages 87 and SO's." 88 of the 1979 edition of his party's policy One could be excused for thinking that we and platform, to which he is committed and are about to get to the nitty-gritty, that we bound by the terms of the Labo·r Party's are about to hear what these difficult decis­ Constitution. If he wants to assess the per­ ions are, but Mr. Casey veers back from formance of his acting O'f temporary leader, the brink of commitment. It is very interest­ he should look at his performance as shown ing to note that the Leader of the Opposi­ in this document. It goes on- tion, unlike his colleagues who are prepared "The Parliamentary Party will undertake to put their specific proposals in print, says a complete review o.f all Parliamentary nothing of significance in two pages. All travel arrangements." options open, gentlemen, with maximum room to move! No statement as to what that stems from, why it is there or what it proposes. He goes He goes on then to talk about wanting on- to see management, trade unions and Gov­ "A State Labor Government will under­ ernments planning together-common-sense take to restore proper Parliamentary consultation. Platitude upon platitude! The Government to Queensland by a com­ Leader of the Opposition is the Mr. Bland of plete"- the Queensland Parliament. He goes on to say that Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and wait for the word again- centralism has developed federally and that "review of standing orders and a broader this has placed new strains on Common­ use of the committee system." wealth-State relations. He then says- "A State Labor Government will seek No guts, no specifics, no commitments! It such recognition and co-operation through is as hollow as the rhetoric that the Leader mutual understanding, in Federal negotia­ of the Opposition used earlier in addressing tions rather than senseless confrontation this House in this debate. or deadlock. We will make our objections Let us turn to the Public Service. Of known in the bluntest possible terms and all the things that one could talk about in not give an 'inch of ground' to Canberra the Public Service-its size, its responsibilities, or anyone else if we believe Queensland's the ethical obligations of a public servant, interests are damaged or threatened." superannuation, matters of controversy, Platitude upon platitude! Then on page 2 matters of significance-what do we get? we come to specific proposals. This is the The editor's note says- shadow Premier talking, and all of us in "These documents were sent to shadow this Parliament are aware of the responsibili­ Ministers for correction." ties of the Premier's Depal'tment. There are two proposals on electoral reform, four Just listen to this- relating to the Public Service, two relating "Public Service. Conviction of a minor to Parliament, one caHed "Regions" and offence will not be the only barrier to another called "Border". The two on elec­ consider for re-employment by the State toral reform say- Public Service." "Electoral justice will be established in the drawing of boundaries of State and So, apparently, the policy of the Labor Local Authority electorates." Party, as declared in this document, is to use a conviction for minor offences as a Not a single further elaboration of the basis barrier to re-employment and to use other upon which those boundaries will be drawn. criteria that it is not prepared to outline. Options maximum, commitment zero, con­ tent zero! The Leader of the Opposition Mr. K. .J. Hooper: You are making your then goes on to parliamentary refo.rm- speech. Why don't you do your own work "The procedures and forms of Parlia­ instead of reading our policy? ment will be reviewed to eliminate out­ dated modes of address and practice." Mr. INNES: I am prepared to deal with the specifics of policies at any time. If I One could be forgiven for thinking that the want to learn something about massage word "address" is probably a typographical parlours and building societies, I w_ill see error for "dress", with due respect to Mr. the honourable member on the quiet. Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 127

This is the most specific thing that is Mr. INNES: Gentlemen of the Opposition, said in the whole of the shadow Premier's it is a pleasure to have all of you inter­ document- jecting at once. "The Queensland Labor Government will return workers compensation to the Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): S.G.I.O. and the S.G.I.O. will be permitted Order! to compete in all forms of insurance in private companies." Mr. INNES: I am sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. K. J. Hooper: This is the best publicity we have had for ages. Mr. White: I reckon that is the most humorous thing we have heard today. Mr. INNES: This is publicity that the Labor Party can do without. Anybody who Mr. INNES: We must keep up our reads this policy, in balance and in context, standards. will realise the calibre of the man with whom he is dealing. That is not the only matter in this docu­ ment outlining the Labor Party's platform After that rush of blood, we come back and policy that warrants comment. to the blandness that characterises the rest of the document. We then find that three Mr. Vaughan interjected. out of five paragraphs dealing with the Public Service are entirely devoted to what Mr. INNES: Yes, there will be more to will happen to Labor candidates or any come. The people of this State will be candidates from the Public Service who fascinated to learn the other contents of this stand for political office. That is seen document and some of the revolutionary by the Labor Party as three-fifths of its proposals that it contains. People on the land policy on the Public Service. One paragraph will be fascinated to see that it advocates reads- the investigation of all land being on lease­ "public servants who are candidates ... hold rather than freehold. They will be fas­ will be guaranteed . . . re-employment." cinated to learn that the Labor Party is going to act against what it considers to be, There are two other paragraphs to similar with no standard defined, excessive aggrega­ effect. tions of land. Then I come to the last two specific proposals. The first is entitled "Regions". The lawyers of this State, on behalf of This is the proposed policy- clients both large and small, will be fascinated to see some of the contents of the "Provinces be decided on to decentralise contributions of Mr. Yewdale and Mr. Government administration." Wright on labour relations and justice. On A region is to be a province, an area. There the way to Mr. Yewdale's specific proposals is to be a new substructure. We have in relation to consumer affairs in his labour local government and a State Government, relations document, this little gem appears- and above us all is the Commonwealth Gov­ ernment. Intruded into this is to be a new "An A.L.P. Government will introduce creature called provinces, with provincial legislation designed to develop the capacity decentralised government administration. Of of unions and their members to carry out course, there are no specifics, but it is a intervention in all aspects of managerial statement that should worry any sane prerogatives." Queenslander. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): Then there is something relating to the Order! There is too much audible conversa­ border. It reads- tion on my left. "No change will be made to the Aus­ tralian-New Guinea border that does not Mr. INNES: The bland, hypocritical meet the approval of the people of Torres plaudits given to free enterprise by a party Strait." whose policy, to which honourable members opposite are bound, contains such a There is not a single statement in that sentence-". . . will introduce legislation shadow Premier's policy relating to matters designed to develop the capacity of unions about which he has bleated for so long, and their members to carry out intervention such as the State Government aircraft. There in all aspects of managerial prerogatives!" is no policy on the State Government air­ I stress that "intervention" is the word used. craft. There is no statement relating to the State Public Relations Bureau. There Mr. K. J. Hooper interjected. is no mention whatsoever of the Co-ordinator­ General's Department, which is one of the Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I warn most important departments in the State. the honourable member for Archerfield There is nothing on State and regional under Standing Order 123A. planning, and nothing at all about the nitty­ gritty, the conditions, the size and other Mr. INNES: The people of this State, who relevant matters concerning the Public Ser­ have, without question, prospered under a vice. It is shallow and shoddy. free-enterprise administration, are going to be fascinated to read such gems from the Opposition Members interjected. Opposition's most recent policy. 128 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

I now refer to consumer affairs, and the Mr. INNES: It is not a hypothetical case. honourable member for Rockhampton North It is a case that truly can be anticipated has at least done his homework; in fact, we in terms of the A.L.P.'s policy. A person get down to specifics with almost everybody will sue to try to get his money if payment other than the Leader of the Opposition. is stopped or the contract is breached, and In the section on consumer affairs appears the consumer, so-called in this document, this statement- will go to court and say, "Ah, I have fallen "A State Labor Government will give on hard times. I am out of work. You will the courts power to alter, amend or sus­ have to extend the contract." That is not pend consumer contracts where the con­ right. That cuts across the basis of the entire tract is harsh or unconscionable; or there fabric of our society. It is a different ques­ is an inability to pay due to circumstances tion with extortionate interest rates; it is unforeseen by and without fault on the a different question with fraudulent dealings; part of the consumer; or where misleading it is a different question with unconscionable warranties or guarantees have been given contracts. But so far as simple, fair con­ or made." tracts are concerned, that is just one of the risks of 1ife one has to run. I will not embark on the "harsh or uncon­ scionable" because some law exists already Under the Labor policy the whole fabric in relation to the control of such contracts. of society would be endangered. Who is As to warranties and guarantees-again, the going to enter into a transaction, and who law already operates to give compensation is going to allow a person credit if he can or remedy to people so affected. But the avoid the contract by pleading that he has part to which I draw attention is that sug­ fallen upon hard times? However justifiable gesting an inability to pay ''due to cir­ the circumstances, nobody will be prepared cumstances unforeseen by and without fault to extend credit. Why should the prudent on the part of the consumer". That is a person who has taken out insurance be at revolutionary proposition in relation to the a disadvantage compared to the person who law that we have inherited and hitherto says, "I fell upon hard times and didn't have adopted and used and that has become a an insurance policy"? This is fanciful non­ basis of our society. sense. I have made such submissions before in this House. In fact, in practice many of the institutions that provide finance or sell goods in this While one is sympathetic towards the State or this country do themselves practise people who are taken down and many of an approach of tolerance and reasonableness the people about whom the honourable towards some of their consumers. I am not member for Lytton has spoken frequently saying that this always applies; but many in this Chamber, surely what we need is an of the more reputable companies do allow education programme-a simplification of pro­ leeway and do allow indulgence to persons cedures and an education which starts in the committed to payments to them who fall schools, something which makes people aware upon hard times. However, any legislation of their obligations and their rights and the that says it will be a right on the part of limitations of any customary legal situation consumers cuts entirely across the whole into which they enter. House purchase and contractual basis on which our society consumer credit are an everyday part of operates. everybody's life. Some significant education courses in schools should go towards pre­ The Opposition's policy means that a con­ paring people for the benefits and the pit­ tract is no longer a contract. A person is no falls of this type of society based upon longer bound by his word. And it is not extensive credit, particularly relating to land, just a question of the little person. What houses and consumer goods. about the two little people? What about the small businessman who enters into a $3,000 Why should the person who is prepared contract with somebody who falls on hard to save and buy be disadvantaged as against times. Suppose that person falls out of work the person who is not prepared to do that, and he seeks to enforce in the courts his but wants to preserve all his options and right to the payment of the balance of the call upon Parliaments to enact laws to pro­ debt, or possibly the resumption of some tect everybody from his own foolhardiness property. Are not his rights equal? Should and to protect him as against the interests not his rights be considered superior to those of a person who financially and economically of the person who went to him and asked can be no better off? I refer to the small for the credit to buy the goods in the first businessman who extends credit to somebody place? who later claims immunity or extension of Supposing it extends to the building-society contract in these circumstances. Who goes situation. Is not the A.L.P. proposing to take to the wall? The small businessman for doing away the entitlement and the right of the absolutely nothing wrong or the person whose small persons, the depositors in the building own personal circumstances have changed? societies? It is too simplistic to say "big Those are the types of things we hear from and small". Supposing a factory in an area the bleeding-heart thinkers--the unrealistic goes out of business-- thinkers. That is the sort of bleeding-heart, unthought-out proposition one finds through­ Mr. Davis: Is this a hypothetical case? out this document covering the Labor Party's Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 129

:f?latform. and policy, .":ithout any construc­ the High Court might be seduced by our tive, realistic and positive suggestions about clement winter weather to come to Queens­ what can be done to rectify the situation. land, but that suggestion has not yet been While talking about legal matters, I wish confirmed. to make reference to some points of con- Apart from the sheer cost of the exercise, cern. the shift to' Canberra is a further example Mr. Jones: What about the justice section of the removal of the dispensing of justice of the policy? and the people who dispense it away from the communities that they service. It will Opposition Members interjected. bring with it added cost to the community Mr. INNES: They will all get their just and, some people fear, an added sense of deserts in due course. isolation from the judges who sit in judg­ ment on the people. It is a retrograde step. This building, which has become known as the Taj Mahal, has been somewhat dis­ I suggest that any tendency to remove or placed in recent times by a building in Can­ divide the responsibility of courts or to set berra which some people have called Gar's up new courts is detrimental generally to M.ahal. That $40,000,000 building for the the administration of justice. In former High Court of Australia is nearing com­ times, a person could go to one court to pletion. I do not wish to embark upon an have all his legal problems ,rectified. We argument about the cost, although now have some specialisation, and this is $5,000,000 or more a judge seems to be a necessary, but with the creation of new little excessive. I suppose we can build Commonwealth courts litigants in this State pyramids to the Pharaohs of our times. What have to wait for a judge from Adelaide, I do wish to raise is a matter that is more Melbourne or Sydney to fly to Brisbane for important because it touches the lives of a day or two to dispense a bit of isolated people in this State. justice before returning to his contacts and acquaintances in the South. Except in the For 80 years the High Court of Australia ultimate appeal situation, this does not lead like other courts in Australia, has travelled to a desirable state of affairs with regard to throughout the places where its writ runs. contact with the community that the court It has made annual visits to the States and serves. remained in them for at least two or three weeks dispensing justice. It has had a per­ There is a strong tradition of courts going manent residence in Melbourne and has held out to the people. Notwithstanding the sim­ frequent sittings in Sydney, where most of plicity of methods of travel in the early days, the litigation starts. There is now a totally the High Court of Australia has travelled unrealistic and artificial move of the seat of the length and breadth of this nation for the High Court to Canberra. 80 years. In Queensland, the Supreme Court and the District Court have been going on What does this do in practical terms? It circuit since the days when judges rode on has led to statements by the Chief Justice horseback to do so. In a State as vast as and other judges of the court to the effect Queensland and in a country as vast as that they will discontinue the time-honoured Australia, any attempt to centralise justice tradition of travelling to the various States in one place is retrograde. Quite often there includi!lg ~estern Australia and Queensland: is criticism that lawyers generally and and Will sit permanently in Canberra. For judges in particular remove themselves and a start, that will add to the cost of litigation become isolated from the community which involving anyone who has to appeal to they serve. Queensland is fortunate in that the H1g~ Court of Australia. Certainly there are Supreme Court and District Court there Will be an increase in the cost judges living in Townsville and Rockhampton of air fares to and from Canberra. Unless as well as in Brisbane, even though their a sp~cial Bar for High Court work grows positions might lead them to deal at times up m Canberra, it will mean increased with a limited group of persons. Their lives costs in sending counsel from Queensland to are concerned with hearing cases. Judges Canberr~. Until now, many litigants have ge~erally are in contact with the community. been quite happy to let their cases wait until '!hi~ State does a fair job in taking its the annual attendance of the High Court of JUStice out to the community. We should be Australia in this city in May. The High looking. fo:r an extension of that system, not Court. has provided a service to the people a restnct1on and centralisation of it. At ?f th1~ State and justice has been dispensed all times we should attempt to preserve the m this State without the need to send greatest number of powers in any single counsel and solicitors to the court. court so that people can go to a specific Th~ mo':e. to Canberra it a totally unjusti­ court and get as many as possible of their fied imposition on the people of Australia actions solved in one place'. We had an and a rearrange.ment to suit some misplaced unfortunate case last year when somebody sense of. convemence or propriety. The High was caught between the Family Court and Court WI!l now be located far from its for­ the Supreme Court because of the law con­ mer ma}or centres of operation namely cerning illegitimate children. That state of Sydney a~d Melbourne, and even fu;ther fro~ affairs should not exist. The wit of man the outlymg States, which it serviced on an should be used to prevent those circumstances annual basis. There is some suggestion that from arising. 130 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

Courts, in fact, unfortunately, are central mentioned that the National Parks and Wild­ to every system of government. One of the life Service estimates that more than 2,000,000 primary traditional functions of government people go through the national parks of is t? m.aintain a respected and proper system Queensland each year and approximately of JUstice, and that has always involved a 1,250,000 go through the four small national system of courts. Courts must be accessible parks near the Gold Coast alone. National to people. I believe that, increasingly, people parks are a facility enjoyed by the equivalent tend to look upon litigation, particularly for of the entire Queensland population every smaller amounts of money, as a costly and year. protracted proceeding. That deters them from pursuing the rights that they have and National parks do not manage themselves. should be able to pursue in courts. Fees They have to be managed, and that costs have to be watched constantly so that some money. I believe that the time has litigants are not priced out of the market. come when a charging system-not for Other benefits of such a policy, of course, entry, so that people are deterred from going are that more work would go through the -ought to be investigated for some of the mill and, with court costs as low as possible, facilities provided in parks so that to some people would be able to go to court if they extent they can begin to fund themselves. wish. The legal situation should be under Any funds so created ought to be reserved constant review to allow people access to for the use of the National Parks and the courts. That is a primary right that Wildlife Service. they should enjoy and a primary function Lastly, I would like to renew the call that Governments have always been expected I made in the last session of this Parliament to provide. for the Government to review its policy In respect of lands generally, and national on the rich arable lands of this State. I parks in particular, in recent years in call on it to define and delineate those Queensland, according to the Governor's important tracts of land so that practical Opening Speech and Government proposals policies can be implemented to restrict or for the future, we have seen an exciting deter the spread of alien uses, such as the expansion of our national parks system par­ urban sprawl, to land that will be increasingly ticularly in Cape York. I understand' that valuable to this State, as its population Cairns will be the centre of the Second increases will be maintained. The future of Queensland is limitless, and it depends upon ~orld. Wilderness Co~ference next year. It w1ll g1ve a world-w1de platform for dis­ the decisions we take in this generation. seminating information on the incredible Mr. Vaughan: Aren't you going to talk diversity of park flora and fauna available about electricity in Queensland? in the . new nationa.l parks of Cape York that w!Il be accessible from Cairns. The Mr. INNES: I am not going to talk init}ati~e and momentum created should be about electricity on this occasion. Unlike mamtamed. some members of the Opposition, one should More parks, whether of environmental have more than one arrow in one's quiver or national park status, are needed closer or more than one string to one's bow. to the main urban populations so that people can enjoy their recreation within Mr. KATTER (Flinders) (4.17 p.m.): I handy distances of where they live and take this opportunity to pledge the support so that they can follow the pursuits that and loyalty of the people of Flinders to the they like to enjoy in natural surrounds. Crown and the concept of the rule of law. Sufficient money must be given to main· I now make a few remarks that are tain the facilities offered by the National very relevant to what we now call the mid­ west of North Queensland-that area of Parks and ~ildl!fe Service, so that the parks ma);' be mamtamed, managed and policed. land stretching roughly from Townsville It 1s very easy for politicians generally­ across to Mt. Isa. In that area we have both of Cabinet rank and back-bench status seen great buoyancy, economic growth and -to forget what the average Queenslander economic vitality as a result of the return to prosperity of the beef industry throughout does for his recreation. I hazard a guess that the State of Queensland and, indeed, the recr~ation. pursuits followed by Queens­ landers m natlonal parks-whether it be at throughout the entire nation. The profound picnic spots or in major national parks­ effect of present beef prices is seen in the fact that in some of the mid-western towns ~utnumber those things that most politicians many homes that were for sale three years hke to do when they relax, such as going ago for $2,000 are now being sold for to the races. between $10,000 and $12,000. For the first The national parks of Queensland provide time in six years, one town has every build­ a major recreational facility that has been ing occupied. In another town, the motel completely underestimated. Yesterday at the occupancy rates are up 50 per cent this opening of the Brisbane Forest Park the year compared with last year. On the last statement was made that a million Brisbane four occasions I have visited that town, every people a year go through the Slaughter Falls available motel unit has been occupied. At Park at Mt. Coot-tha. The former Minister present we are enjoying an era of unpre­ for Culture, National Parks and Recreation cedented prosperity. Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 131

At the beginning of 1975, the price of beef industry in Australia were receiving twice crashed to 25 per cent of its price at the as much as the men in the middle in the start of 1974 and some 780 jobs were lost United St&tes industry. Yet the Prices in a total mid-western population of between Justification Tribunal made the extraordinary 16,000 to 20,000. If that loss is multiplied statement that there is nothing wrong with across the total area of Queensland, one beef marketing arrangements in Australia. gains some idea of where the unemployment The tribunal did make two or three demur­ in a very prosperous State such as Queensland rers, little nit-picking things that really had was coming from. I suggest that the rosy nothing whatsDever to do with beef market­ look in the employment figures over the last ing. year or so has resulted from the return Mr. Vaughan: What are you going to do of good beef prices. Very few people about it? realise the profound importance of the beef industry, which is far and away the biggest, Mr. KATTER: I want to prove my case richest and most all-pervading in the nation first before I say what we should be doing of Australia. I say that because the annual about the pmblem. turnover of the industry is some $4,000 million, and I know of no other industry An Opposition Member: You're going to that can come close to rivalling that figure. go on about the minimum price. The reason for this is that beef is our Mr. KATTER: That is exactly what I am staple diet, just as rice is the staple diet going to go on about. in the Asian nations. We in this country use beef as our staple diet-- The beef market in Australia follows the United States import market. The first Mr. Davis: Not now. fluctuation that triggers off any change in Mr. KATTER: I take that comment from Australian beef production is that which the honourable member for Brisbane Central. occurs in the United States market. From That is why I am about to bring to the 1973 to 1975, the price paid for Australian attention of the House the situation in the beef in the United States dropped from 79c beef industry at present. Recently the Prices a lb. to 45c. So presumably-it is not Justification Tribunal made a statement that unrealistic or unfair to think so~there WDuld there was nothing wrong with beef market­ be a drop of 34c a lb. in the amount ing in this nation. Surely that must stand received by the Australian producer for his above all the phrases I have heard in the product. But he did not drop 34c at all; he five or six years I have been a member of dropped 5lc. this House, or have read in any magazine It is quite reasonable to expect that the or report, as one of the most outrageously 51c drop in the price per lb. of Australian stupid statements I have ever encountered. beef would have been passed on to the con­ Surely the men who sit on that tribunal sumer. The processors were paying 51c less must have (a) not studied the industry at to the producer, so presumably they should all; (b) absolutely no working knowledge of have been charging the consumer 5lc less. the industry; or (c) some nefarious purpose But the price to the consumer dropped only in making such an extraordinary statement. 20c, not 50c. So the man in the middle, who makes money out of the fluctuation of Let me give honourable members the facts the American market, then made another as contained on page 36 of the report of windfall pmfit out of the fluctuation of the the Congressional Beef Hearings chaired by Australian market when the price went down. Mr. Poage, who later became famous for introducing the counter-cyclical legislation Now let us look at the situation when the into the United States Congress. He quoted price goes up. Between 1977 and 1978, the the farm spread figures for the United States. price in the United States rose from 66c to The farm spread figures are the percentages lOOc per lb. Presumably, then, the price in of the consumer dollar that go back to the Australia should have risen by 34c, but it farmer as compared with the percentages did not. In fact, the price paid to the that go to the processers, the retailers and producer in Australia rose by only 18c. So the wholesalers. In 1972, the average beef again the fluctuation favoured the man in producer in New South Wales was getting the middle at the expense of the pwducer. close to 50 per cent of the consumer dollar. The monthly figures from then on-I will At the same time, in the United States the not go into them-reflect similar trends. average farmer was getting 75 per cent. The I have here a graph from "Queensland following were the figures for later years- Country Life" showing retail beef prices. U.S.A. N.S.W. The line showing the price of beef rises percent per cent almost vertically. On the other hand, the 1974 62 line showing the prices paid in America is 28 roughly horizontal. The line showing the 1976 54 35 prices paid to the producer rises very gradu­ 1977 60 30 ally. ·In every instance the United States beef Returning to the particular fluctuation producer was receiving twice the percentage that I have been talking about, we should of the consumer dollar that the beef pro­ say that only 18c should have been passed ducer in Australia was receiving. In other on to the consumer. After all, the buyer words, the' men in the middle in the beef was paying only 18c more for his beef, so 132 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply there should have been only an 18c rise Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Persist­ for the consumer. This is the point that the ent interjections will not be tolerated. I Opposition member made to me, and he warn the honourable member for Wolston was quite correct. The price to the con­ under Standing Order 123A. sumer did not rise by 18c; it rose by 34c. I am mentioning a lot of figures, but the Mr. KATTER: There are technical reasons net result of all those beef prices and farm why it is a closed industry. One of those spread figures during the last six years is reasons is that if a meatworks wants to that there has been an advantage to the export or to sell to a big city, a full-time person in the middle. It has been very much inspector is required in the meatworks. In to the disadvantage of the consumer, on order to employ a full-time inspector a veter­ the one hand, and the producer, on the inarian and so on, a meatworks must have other. Let it not be said that I am crying a kill of at least 100 beasts a day. That tears of blood at this stage for the pro­ means that approximately $2,000,000 would ducers. They are getting very generous prices have to be spent to build a meatworks. So for their cattle, but they have received those the entry fee to the industry would be prices for only one year. For the last four $2,000,000, which is a fairly high entry fee years they have worked for below cost of to any industry. Worse still, a ne~ meat­ production. works in its first year of operatiOn, can export to marginal export markets, but it Mr. R . .J. Gibbs: With all of this genius, cannot export to the United States or . to why aren't you sitting over there where Mr. Japan which are the two really lucrative Hooper is sitting? export markets for Australia. In its. first vear of operation, a new meatworks IS not Mr. KATTER: I think it would be very allowed to export any beef whatsoever to unbecoming of me to answer that inter­ those markets. So the high-profit section of jection. the operation cannot work for the first year. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): It is almost impossible to work at a profit Order! in the first year. I have listed four reasons that I think Mr. KATTER: A wider situation has explain adequately why meat proce~sin~ is arisen. People who push my particular line a closed industry. The fact that It IS a that there needs to be a rethink in the closed industry is the reason why the con­ marketing of beef constantly are met with sumers of Australia are paying such enor­ the shibboleth about free enterprise. I say mously high prices, and. quite unjus!ified to those people, "Do not tell that to us prices, for beef. That IS very sad m a on the producer side of the industry. Tell country in which prime bullocks can be pro­ it to the people on the processing side, duced fairly comfortably for about 40c a lb. because they enjoy a closed industry." If one adds to that a killing fee of about Why do they enjoy a closed industry? I 15c a lb., which would be the highest pos­ will give the facts. In the last four years, sible fee, one comes up with a figure of there have been record profits in every 60c a lb. for beef in the shops. People are processing company in Queensland, yet not paying very much higher prices than that. one new abattoir has been opened in Queens­ Of course, it should be remembered that land in that time. Somebody might mention that cost of production is offset by. the price Mareeba. In that case an existing abattoir of hides, tallow, meatmeal and vanous other was upgraded. Somebody might mention Mt. by-products. One meat processor whose Isa. Again, an existing abattoir was upgraded operations I am fairly familiar with makes there. I defy anybody to name one new enough money out of the sale of meatmeal, meatworks that has been established in which is just blood, tiny little pieces of Queensland during this period of unpre­ meat that happen to fall on the floor and are cedented prosperity for meat processors. not worth picking up and crushed bones, to There has been none, and the reason is pay all the wages in the entire meat-pro­ that it is a closed industry. cessing operation. There are probably fairly good reasons The very sad situation is that people on why it is a closed industry. The processers the producing side of the industry have say, "If we put $4,000,000 into building a worked extremely hard-and these are figures big abattoir and if some other idiot built a from the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, $12,000,000 abattoir beside us, we would not my figures-and at a loss for four years both go broke." Also, if there are too many straight. Windfall profits have come too late meat-processing establishments, an unneces­ for very many people in the industry. In sary cost burden is added to the industry. one shire in my electorate it is estimated I am not pushing the line that we should that one-quarter of the stations are being run open the door on that particular side of the by people who have come there in the last industry. All I am saying is that there is two years. For the people who were there a closed industry. The meat-processing before them, the present high price has come industry is effectively a closed industry. too late to be of assistance. There are technical reasons also for that situation. Let me swing now to some of the possible solutions to the problem of giving the Aus­ l\'lr. R • .J. Gibbs interjected. tralian consumer meat at a reasonable price Address in Reply (28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 133 and g1vmg the beef producer some sort of Mr. KATTER: What I have said is pro­ long-term security, if I may use that expres­ bablv almost identical with the philosophy sion. The first thing that I would advocate and 'rationale of the Cattlemen's Union, and for my area-perhaps this argument applies the reasons for its very existence. Many in North Queensland and does not apply so people assume that members of the Cattle­ much in other areas-where continuously for men's Union are the only persons who think the last five years producers have been along these lines. What it has done is noth­ receiving about $100 a head less than pro­ ducers in other parts of Australia, is the ing less than historic. History will judge it establishment of an independent abattoir as probably one of the most important where beef can be killed for the export factors in the coming of prosperity to the market or for movement to southern States. industry in the long term. There have not been sufficiently high profits When anyone praises the Cattlemen's in the beef industry to enable producers to Union that seems to be automatically con­ undertake such an operation themselves, but strued as a condemnation of the United such an abattoir is needed desperately. Graziers' Association. That is far from the For a number of reasons I think we should truth. I have been along to meetings of look at what was done in New South Wales, branches in my own area. They were the where the Government took decentralisation harbingers or forerunners who talked in very seriously and built five very large decen­ terms of some sort of controlled marketing tralised meatworks. One was the Gunnedah and some sort of minimum pricing in the works, which I understand was an extremely beef industry. I will not mention names of successful operation till two or three years prominent personalities who are still active ago when I last checked. Another abattoir in the U.G.A. and believe very profoundly owned by a board, not privately owned, is in that sort of approach. It is probably a the Casino works, and again, when I checked superior method of attacking the probl~m, two or three years ago, it was the biggest rather than opening up the meat-processmg works in Australia and extremely successful. side of the industry completely. That would The chairman of the board is at present the be a very difficult thing to do and, all things president of the Australian National Cattle­ taken into- consideration, would probably men's Council. not be very desirable. Mr. Blake: You are knocking private We need another small killing facility in enterprise and advocating socialism-is that the North. I strongly stress that that killing right? facility should be placed in the inland areas Mr. KATTER: No. I believe that a small at the point of production. In the U.S.A. section of the industry could do with some­ the idea of placing meat-pwcessing plants thing along these lines. "Yes" is the short at the ports and terminals in the big cities answer to the honourable member's question. has long since vanished. The operative. prices quoted in Australia are those applymg ~~ Of course, the critics and the knockers Cannon Hill in Brisbane and Homebush m will say that three of those five works in Sydney. In the U.S.A. indicative prices ~re New South Wales were failures, and they those applying in Omaha and Kansas City, were. I would not advocate the establish­ two inland mid-western cities. Again I would ment of such massive plants as were estab­ strongly urge the placing of ano_ther sm~ll, lished in New South Wales. I am speaking independent abattoirs somewhere m the mid­ about one very small works, costing perhaps western areas between Townsville and Mt. $1,000,000, strategically placed in an area Isa. The tremendous success of inland works that is traditionally getting nearly $100 a has been proved by Tancred's operations. beast less than other areas of Australia. Much of that success must be attributed to Of course, I would also advocate, as I Geoff T ancred himself. While I am praising have already advocated many times in this him here I most certainly have locked Chamber, some form of minimum pricing or horns with him on many occasions. I give stabilised pricing in the beef industry. I credit for his personal capacity and ability did not think that stabilisation was necessary to work in harmony with his employees. At but, with the skyrocketing prices to con­ the same time, the very positioning of those sumers that have occurred in the last year works in inland centres has had a great deal or two years, I now realise that probably to do with the very successful operations of something needs to be done on that side of that Queensland company of which we are the industry. We already have it in the all proud. field of milk, which is probably one of our I could not speak about the beef industry most basic commodities. We have it in the without commenting on the massive pur­ field of wheat and flour production. We are chases of land in North Queensland by meat­ even doing something now with bread manu­ processing interests, including multinational facturing. Those other two very basic com­ and foreign-controlled compames. All of modities are very much controlled. The them with one exception, are at least simple facts and figures as I have given them southern-controlled if not foreign-controlled. indicate the need for some sort of interven­ I have not the figures at my fingertips but tion to put the industry into its proper state. the 200,000 or 300,000 cattle purchased by An Opposition Member: What are the them over the last two or three years, plus views of the Cattlemen's Union on this? the stations to go with them, might not be 134 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

regarded by some people as being very signifi­ God help this Government, which will have cant seeing that we have about 3,000,000 head presided over the development of that state of cattle in North Queensland. However, the of affairs in North Queensland. fact is that they already own 500,000 cattle, plus the land. I sincerely hope that the Government will not continue to stand aside without moving These processers can provide themselves in the field of minimum pricing and stabilisa­ with 18 or 20 per cent of the throughput tion. I hope that it will provide finance needed at their works and that puts them for those people who want to go on their in a very powerful position. To some degree, own stations. In saying that, I mean big it explains the reason why North Queensland finance-finance for everything except for has constantly been lagging $100 a head approximately $25,000, which is the maximum behind the beef industry in the rest of that one person can build up after starting Australia. If that is not the explanation, from scratch. If a person cannot build I wonder what is. I have not heard any himself up from being an employee on a other explanation given. It is silly to claim beef station to a position in 10 or 20 years' that because we live in North Queensland time of having sufficient money to buy a it takes a long time for our cattle to get spread of his own, we do not have free to Brisbane. After all, at the very outside enterprise; >Ye will be in a society in which it costs only $20 to $30 a head to bring the wealthy grow wealthier and the poor cattle to Brisbane. Thanks to the very have no ability to grow wealthy at all. That generous concessions given by the Govern­ is the substance of revolutions. ment in rail freights, that figure was, until Occasionally we get very large aggregations very recently, cut by half. So distance is of properties. Some persons work very definitely not the reason; we must look hard and very successfully in the industry elsewhere for it. over a lengthy period and build themselves Mr. Davis: In other words, we people up to a very sound position. Some of down here have been subsidising you. those people have placed their stations on the market. Two or three have been Mr. KATTER: The honourable member taken off the market again, but in some is claiming that people in Brisbane have instances the stations regrettably are left on been subsidising us. The beef producers the market. The only buyers of stations were working below cost of production, so in the $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 range are obviously they must have been subsidising corporate giants. Generally, they are also others for four years. If they had been meat processers. So we have a situation paid the right price, that would have been in which the only buyers for these huge passed on to the consumer, plus a 100 per aggregations comprising six, seven or eight cent profit. That is the history of fluctuation properties are the huge companies. Owners in the industry. Probably it was a very of vast aggregations can do nothing but cheap way for the Government to provide sell them as aggregations. Because of cheap beef in this State. separate brands, fencing, stamp duty, legal and negotiating problems and so on, they I suggest that the Government should cannot sell individual blocks. The proof provide some form of financing for the of the pudding is in the eating. Each of people who work in the beef industry. A these people sold the properties as aggrega­ good friend of mine who had worked all tions, not as individual properties. his life in the beef industry and probably In this situation we should intervene, in would have been one of the most competent exactly the same way as the Saskatchewan station managers and beefmen in North Land Bank does in the Dominion of Canada. Queensland left the industry completely to We should enter the market-place, put up go mining at Dysart. That is a very sad the money to purchase these runs, cut them reflection indeed on the beef industry. He had worked all his life to try to get enough up and resell them to people who, typically, money together to buy a small spread and are neighbours who want properties for a small mob of cattle. In spite of his their sons so that they may be nearby to ability and financial success in other areas, help them run the home station. That is he was unable to do so. The reason for what we should be trying to achieve in that was lack of finance. The banks will Government. not lend money to an industry such as the Those are the problems facing the beef beef industry that has wild and unpredictable industry. They are problems not just for fluctuations. No-one could blame the banks the people producing beef; they are very for adopting that attitude. big problems for the Australian consumers. If the industry does not have stabilisation, For that reason, if for no other, the Gov­ finance must be provided for these people ernment should be looking at this matter to continue in it. It is important for all very seriously. honourable members to appreciate that, if I am very proud to say that the Queens­ present trends continue, within 10 years land Government was the first to draw up 90 per cent of the area held in North a mm1mum pricing plan, which was put to Queensland will be occupied by people work­ the Agricultural Council. It was rejected ing for some southern landlord. If that but I believe that we should be hanging is achievement, God help this House and in there with enthusiasm, trying to achieve Address in Reply [28 AuousT 1979] Address in Reply 135 some stabilisation to ensure that the Aus­ has lost even further support. The people tralian consumers are not forced to pay of this great State are swinging back to the ridiculously high prices that they are Labor because they want what Labor paying at the moment, and also to ensure offers-moderation, commonsense govern­ that a quarter of the people living in one ment and a positive and constructive of our western shires do not go broke and approach to such vital areas as employment, have to sell up their properties, which, unfor­ housing, education, prices, State taxes, health, tunately, they may have to do·. transport and roads, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, decentralisation and the environ­ Mr. UNDERWOOD (Ipswich West) (4.47 ment. Queensland is returning to the down­ p.m.): This afternoon I express my loyalty to-earth policies of Labor under Casey. to the 17 ,000-odd people who are eligible to be electors in Ipswich West. Sadly, we live In every detail the Federal and State in a world that is short on loyalty. Is it Budgets are and will be (as promised) Bud­ any wonder when the people see the betrayal gets of unemployment and high tax. "Fight by elected Governments of the people who inflation first" was the catchcry. It remains put them where they are? The Queensland the catchcry, even though these two Gov­ and Federal Governments were elected by ernments admit that inflation will continue the people with handsome majorities to serve to increase in the next 12 months. The the interests of the people. In return, these policies of those two Governments have two Governments turned on the people and set off a renewed surge of inflation; yet shovelled the wealth of our country into the those Governments use higher inflation as bank accounts of their masters, the super an excuse for even more attacks on jobs powers of the corporate world. While the and living standards. mining corporations, the supermarket chains In Ipswich, unemployment is at a record meat-processing companies and so on hav~ post-war high for this time of year. The reaped record profits, the wage and salary latest figures available from the Common­ earners, the corner store owners and the wealth Employment Service show that the small businessmen are suffering gigantic number of unemployed in the Ipswich dis­ traumas, both financial and social. trict has jumped by nearly 30 per cent The Bjelke-Petersen/Edwards State Gov­ from 2,703 in June 1977 to 3,364 in June ernment and .the FraserI Anthony Federal 1979. Government are bringing hardship, unem­ Mr. R. J. Gibbs: Would you say it is ployment and suffering to thousands of fam­ significant that Dr. Edwards never makes ilies through their budgetary measures. Their any statement in the local newspaper up policies are creating higher unemployment, there about unemployment? higher taxes and higher inflation and a fur­ ther major contraction in the living stand­ Mr. UNDERWOOD: He always seems ards of ordinary Queenslanders. The Federal to dodge the issue and talks about new Government's Budget will cut into the living shopping complexes being the cure for standards of the average single-income fam­ unemployment, whereas in fact the opposite ily of four by some $7.90 a week over the is the case. next year. The coming State Budget will Those are figures for a typically quiet deliver further body-blows to families. The time of year for unemployment. There is Treasurer has already promised further cut­ no comfort in the current pol(cies of those backs in Government goods and services Governments. In fact, they promise that coupled with increased Government charges unemployment will get worse, not better. and taxes. What that means is that they are prepared The people of Queensland are turning to to wreck more lives, more careers and more the Australian Labor Party led by Ed Casey, families, and to sow the seeds of the des­ (the next Premier of Queensland) and Bill truction of the way of life we have known Hayden, (the next Prime Minister of Aus­ and enjoyed. They are, by creating division, tralia). The next State election will see the distrust, confrontation and hate in our com­ Bjelke-Petersen/Edwards Government de­ munity, desperately attempting to divert the feated. The corner-stone of that defeat attention of the people away from the real will be laid on Saturday by the electors of problems and what should be the tasks Redcliffe and Gympie as they turn their backs of government. They are bankrupt. They on the National-Liberal coalition parties and have run out of their mandates. vote for the leadership and policies of the Remember the great lie-the catchcry­ Australian Labor Party. For the first time "Turn on the lights". I wonder how many since 1975, the Australian Labor Party in millions of dollars it cost to work that Queensland is leading the bankrupt conser­ out. It is costing the people of Queens­ vative forces of Queensland in the public land and of Australia millions upon millions opinion polls. of dollars, not only economically but also The last poll on Queensland politks to socially. The Nationals and Liberf!ls are be published was taken three months ago. responsible for the greatest political decep­ The Australian Labor Party scored 48 per tion in living memory. cent while the National and Liberal Parties Remember September 1975, when the scored only 43 per cent. Since that time Premier, on behalf of the National and the Bjelke-Petersen/Edwards Government Liberal Parties in Queensland, embraced the 136 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply

Fraser I Anthony Government's federalism low-tax, tax-abolishing Government. The in its economic entirety. There were no sectional tax cuts approved by the National­ reservations, no qualifications, no hesitations. Liberal Government, often to their favourites It is in the context of this discredited such as road transport operators, have been federalism, with its already demonstrated subsidised in all cases by heavier State tax inconsistencies, inequalities and failures, that burdens on the general Queensland com­ the current protestations of the Nationals and the acquiescence of the Liberals are munity. hyprocrisy at its lowest. No matter what The Queensland Government Gazettes are the State Government says now, this is the littered with increases in State charges that economic policy of the Bjelke-Petersenl are deceitfully omitted by the National and Edwards conservatives in Queensland as Liberal Parties from their annual Budget much as it is the policy of the Fraserl document. Rail freights, not to mention Anthony Government in Canberra. passenger fares, have been increased by a This so-called federalism was supported by combined 97 per cent since the Government the Queensland National-Liberal Government promised to peg them during the election in 1975 with taxpayers' money used dis­ campaign in 1974. The last two of these honestly in advertisements throughout the increases occurred during the course of the State to promote it. This was the Queens­ year, without any reference to them in the land Government's policy again in 1977. It Budgets that preceded them. remains the Queensland Government's policy for the elections due next year. This type of economic trickery is occur­ ring all the time, and I challenge the The Premier, his deputy and the National Treasurer to detail, one by one, and give and Liberal Parties are partners with the the extent of, every increase in State taxes Fraser I Anthony Federal Government in the and charges since the Budget last September. broken promises to all sections of the com­ I do not think that he would be game to do munity. They are partners in 'the cruel betrayal it because it would expose the economic of pensioners. It is no wonder that pensioners tactics of this Government. feel so bitter. They are partners in dis­ honouring tax indexation. Remember that From the way the economic estimates are advertisement on television when Mr. balanced, it is obvious that these increases, Howard said, "Ring this number to find in many instances, are planned at the time out what your tax cut will be"? They are the Budget is presented but are sneakily partners in dismantling Medibank. It should hidden from the Queensland people till a no longer be called Medibank. It looks later date. There are pages and pages of nothing like the Medibank that was intro­ increases that are silently imposed upon the duced. It is now like a bank robbery, Queensland people by the secrecy of Cabinet, with money being stolen from the people by this Government that dishonestly pretends to pay the high costs of doctors and specia­ that it is a tax reducer. lists, who feed one another. Pay-roll tax, which was condemned by the The shame of Federal payments to the Minister for Health, Sir William Knox, when States, slashed to ribbons in real money he was Treasurer, has been doubled from terms with worse on the way, sits squarely 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent in less than 8 on their shoulders, with this State being years by this Government that condemns it hustled closer towards the ultimate aim of but at the same time collects it. Far from Fraser federalism, which is double income dropping or reducing taxes as it claims, the taxes. National-Liberal Government is increasing It is these preliminary results of economic charges with a regularity that beats even its mismanagement that must be brought to the promise-breaking partners in Canberra. notice of the suffering Queensland com­ munity. Inflation is up and rising, not down This Queensland Government is a high­ and falling as promised by not only Messrs. taxing Government that promotes a dis­ Fraser and Anthony but also the Bjelke­ honest low-tax profile. It limps along handi­ Petersen/Edwards Government. Unemploy­ capped by jet-setting Cabinet Ministers-of ment is up again and rising, not down and whom the Treasurer is one of the highest falling, again as promised by the same people. spenders-who are too old, too out of date The same story applies to interest charges, or straight-out incompetent. income tax rates, indirect taxes, medical The great Australian dream of owning costs and petrol prices, to name but a few one's own home has never been more dis­ examples of the Liberal and National tant for thousands of people than it is now. economic treachery in Canberra and George Current cut-backs in Government spending Street, Queensland. There is a delusion on housing are likely to result in reduced spread by the National and Liberal Parties public housing stock, restricted access to in Queensland that this is a low-tax, tax­ home-ownership, a further decline in building reducing State Government, something that industry employment, higher rents and a I plan to expose in the few moments avail­ growing shortage of emergency accommoda­ able to me. tion. The type and location of accommoda­ The State Government continues its tion will increasingly reflect status differences. deceitful budgeting strategy which is designed Lower and middle income earners will be to create the false impression that it is a more disadvantaged. Address in Reply [28 AuGusT 1979] Address in Reply 137

The Fraser and Bjelke-Petersen/Edwards There are tentative signs of more housing Governments are reducing the role of public loan approvals, but they are increasingly housing. Housing funds have been cut in the spent on renovations. Renovations may latest Federal Budget from 3.9 per cent of bring some employment growth to the the total Budget outlays in 1974 to 1.1 per industry, though it is largely on a subcon­ cent in 1979-80. They now make up less than one-third of the 1974-75 spending. tracted basis. Since May 1975, 71,000 build­ Funds for housing this vear will fall by 13.4 ing workers have lost their jobs. The unem­ per cent in real terms ·over last year. It is ployment is causing skilled workers to leave estimated that there are at least 150,000 the industry. The general fall-off in new homeless in Australia. That is a very rough apprenticeship indentures will also contribute figure; it is very difficult to ascertain the to a future shortage of skilled labour. correct figure. Also, it is estimated that there are 250,000 people living permanently Petrol prices are a concern to the ordin­ in caravan parks. The number of unlet ary motorist as well as to industry and houses is declining while rents are soaring. employment. In recent times we have seen What chance do these people have? In fact, how the petrol companies have been ripping wh~t chance do most people have of obtaining the people off. Not only have the p-etrol their own home at a reasonable price? companies been ripping the peop-le off; the Government also has been ripping the p-eople Turning to the home savings grant--two off. It has reasserted its grossly inflationary years ago $35,000,000 was allocated for policy of setting the price of Australian oil home savings grants. The figure was cut at ruling world prices. Of course, we must to $20,000,000 last year. This year an alloca­ remember that this is National Party policy, tion of $75,000,000 has been made. The to which the acquiescence of the Liberal money is p-rovided to assist to reduce the Party was readily given. This effectively backlog of applicants on the nine-month establishes a p-etrol tax which this year will waiting-list. take a minimum of $2,023 million from the The Real Estate Institute says that the pockets of the Austritlian motorists. average prices of established homes in the capital cities in June were $58,900 in Syd­ Revenue is calculated on the basis of ney, $47,500 in Melbourne, $33,000 in Bris­ 1 July oil prices. Any further international bane, $32,400 in Adelaide, $41,300 in Perth price increases will be fed into the Austral­ and $37,200 in Canberra. Very few homes ian oil prices and increase the Government were available in the $35,000 bracket, which rip-off of motorists. Petrol revenue of is the maximum grant level. So what chance $2,023 million is $834,000,000 more than do people have? was coliected last year, an increase of 70 per cent. Two years ago, petrol excise totalled An income of around $220 a week is only $400,000,000. What is happening is that needed to secure a $25,000 loan over 25 the Fraser-Anthony Government is taxing years at an interest rate of 9.5 per cent. motorists to the hilt and blaming the Arab On this basis, it would take the average oil producers. But Australia is 90 per cent single-income family of four at least four self-sufficient in motor spirit. The Govern­ years to save the necessary dep-osit to buy ment sets the price of petrol from Australian a $35,000 home, by which time it would oil in Bass Strait. Fraser is simply using cost $45,000. What chance do people have? world prices as an excuse to exploit motor­ ists and increase Government revenue. Dr. Bromilow of the C.S.I.R.O. has esti­ Revenue from the crude oil levy, that is, the mated that, 10 years ago, nine out of 10 petrol tax, and excise on refined petroleum peop-le could afford to buy an average­ products represents 11 per cent of all Fed­ priced house. Today, only two out of 10 eral tax receipts this year. people can do so. That indicates what chance p-eople have of buying their own While it is acknowledged that because of home-a 20 per cent chance. the world price and· supply position it is The 14-month waiting-list is still likelv desirable that Australia should be as· self­ to stay for Defence Service homes. An sufficient as possible, it is also desirable that amount of $78,400,000 will be available for we use our available supplies as efficiently lending for this p-urpose this year. That is as possible. What has the Government done up $1,000,000 on last year. So in real terms since 1973, when oil prices commenced to there has been a decrease in this area of escalate, to become more self-sufficient, to housing. Not only in the area of defence reduce the demand for liquid fuels, and to housing have defence p-ersonnel been introduce alternatives? I say that it has done attacked. Also, defence staff ceilings this virtually nothing. year will be reduced by a further 400. The Of course, the Federal Government has continuing cuts in research and development appear to need an explanation, to say the introduced import-parity pricing for domestic least. Significant cuts have taken place in oil production. Although this measure was maintenance, service and accommodation supposed to make people aware of the real and related areas. So in the housing area cost of liquid fuel and induce them to curb we see a further decline in real spending their consumption, the fact is that demand power, and a likely rise in interest rates is as high as ever, the price of oil has wiH further depress the housing industry. increased by approximately 9c a litre, the 138 Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply oil companies are making huge windfall pro­ Ministers admitting that there is no real tax fits, and Federal Government revenue has cut. So, too, the few Budget concessions for increased by over $1,000 million over the pensioners and supporting parents do not last three years. become effective till I December, two months Australia's record in the area of oil after the higher health costs come into exploration is, to say the least, feeble. effect. Although 115 wells were drilled in Australia One unsung area of health is community in 1970, only 2I wells were drilled in 1977 health. Funds for community health pro­ and 52 in 1978. By comparison, Canada grammes have been increased by $6,000,000 drilled 3,000 wells in I978. In this State, four to $60,200,000, which is $14,000,000 down wells were drilled in 1975, 17 in 1976, none on the spending two years ago, and well in 1977, and 20 last year. Since the oil­ below the level of spending, in real terms, producing companies, which, by the way, in Labor's last Budget. Community health will have windfall profits in excess of programmes are vital to the community, $300,000,000 this financial year, are appa­ particularly with the increase in social pro­ rently not very interested at present in oil blems, which are a reflection of the increase search (other than on the Barrier Reef, that in unemployment. is), if Australia is to ever hope to become self-sufficient in oil production, the initiative Another area which is not often spoken must come from Government. of but to which I wish to draw the attention of the House is that of pharmaceutical Other than increasing petrol prices, very benefits. The cost of so-called free prescrip­ little positive action has been taken to try tions will increase from $2.50 to $2.75 from to reduce demand. As I pointed out earlier, 1 September. This is a severe blow to when one studies the increase in oil prices, persons with young families and middle-aged one sees that there has been a dramatic rip­ persons who suffer from the usual middle­ off by the Government in revenue collections. age ailments, and particularly to soc.ial Despite the fact that road transport uses security beneficiaries, who do not receive approximately 40 per cent of Australia's free pharmaceutical fringe benefits. It ..yill oil consumption, one sees more and more particularly affect the unemployed, the sick huge road transports on our highways-and and the low-income earners. The increase there will be even more now that road main­ will reduce Government spending by tenance tax has been abolished and no other $5,000,000 in !979-80 and by $7,000,000 in tax imposed so that road-users pay for the a full year. The proposed removal, for use of the roads-and more and more motor economic reasons, of many drugs and vehicles cluttering up already congested medicines from the pharmaceutical ben~fits roads. list has been announced. The Pharmaceutical As this State has an abundance of steam­ Benefits Advisory Committee has been asked ing coal, one way to reduce the consumption to remove items to save the Government of liquid fuel is to revert to rail transport $20,000,000. Drugs and medicines on t~e and step up the electrification of our railway free prescription list will be fewer and will system, which is long overdue. We must cost more. complete the electrification of our suburban As to pensioner benefits-the ~udget raises passenger system as quickly as possible. the basic income test for pensioner health Electric train services should be extended to benefit card entitlement. The rates have new suburbs and existing cities and towns not been altered since I973. They will in South-east Queensland-for example, to now go up from $33 to $40 a week for Rosewood, to Redcliffe, as promised by the a single pensioner and from $57.50 to $68 Australian Labor Party, and also to places a week for a married couple. The new such as the Gold Coast and Caboolture. limits are effective as from I November. Obviously, housing development should be However, if these limits had been indexed encouraged round railway stations. People to inflation, thev would now stand at $62.10 must be attracted away from the use of and $108.I5 "a week respectively. An fuel-consuming motor vehicles as much as estimated additional 25,000 pensioners plus possible, particularly in their daily travel to 5,000 dependants will qualify for these P.H.B. and from work in the city area. cards. I mentioned earlier astronomical cost In the education sphere it is fashionable increases and the destruction of Medibank. these days to grumble about lack of facilities As to health costs and what Governments and shortage of teachers, but I wish to be have done about them-the higher health positive this afternoon. I am concerned costs affecting all families become effective about the cut-backs in real financial terms on I September, as announced recently. in educational expenditure over the past These include higher health insurance rates few years in Queensland. Education's share and a higher cost of so-called free prescrip­ of Queensland's Consolidated Revenue has tions. Doctors' fees increase on 1 November. been dropping in recent years, with the These higher charges will mean a pay-out result that primary and secondary education for an average family of another $4 a week. have suffered severe constraints. For For most families this will wipe out the tax example, the amount of money availabl.e cut on 1 December. In fact, families will for individual schools for library books this be paying much more before they get the year can only be described as pathetic. In illusory tax cut. Already we have Federal many schools with high student enrolments Address in Reply [28 AUGUST 1979] Address in Reply 139 this has meant the loss of thousands and Capital expenditure per student for Govern­ thousands of dollars. Of course, the p. and ment schools shows that this State trails c. associations are once again expected to behind all others. The figures for the past pick up the tab. Many of them cannot 10 years are shown in the following table- afford to fill that huge gap in the school Capital Expenditure Per Student, Government budget. Schools How unprepared teachers are able to cope Year Qld NSW Vie SA WA TAS with some of the composite classes, I do $ $ $ $ $ $ not know. It is all verv well to talk about 1969 113 152 149 130 152 145 one-teacher schools wher~ some teachers cope 1978 87 127 150 126 128 210 very well and do an excellent job. The (estimate) majority of those teachers want to teach The figures for 1979 are not yet available. in one-teacher schools and have been trans­ ferred there on promotion. However, many Anyone who analyses the figures will see ordinarv class-room teachers are not capable quite easily that Queensland is spending the of doi~g that job, and consequently the lowest amount per capita on students. An analysis also shows that in the Whitlam years education of the children suffers. The from 1973 to 1975 there was a tremendous Queensland Teachers' Union recently gave boost in all of the six States in the money examples of unsatisfactory class sizes, such spent per student. With the advent of the as 33 pupils in one school (six year 5 and Liberal-National Country Party Government 27 year 6} and a class of 25 year 9 remedial in Canberra, supported by this State Govern­ English students in another. I believe that ment, came a dramatic decrease in the it is quite reasonabl2 to quote those figures. money spent on our children's education. There are some further facts published by We are in a period of quite rapid change the union that are also reasonable ones to in education. Teachers are expected to be consider. able to cope with students of wide ability. Queensland has the worst pupil-to-teacher School-based assessment demands skills that ratio in Australia and Queensland teachers are new to many teachers. Students with have amongst the heaviest teaching loads some form of hearing, sight or physical dis­ in Australia, although those in New South ability have to be catered for. On top of Wales and Western Australia are reputed to this, teachers must continuously keep their be worse. The Queensland Teachers' Union knowledge and skills up to date, and that estimates that 16,000 Queensland students are demands being released from teaching duties not receiving the remedial number help that and funds for professional development. If they need and that approximately 21,000 we are to maintain, Jet alone improve, are not receiving the remedial reading help standards and if we are to enjoy quality that they need. Almost three-quarters of education in Queensland, then a fair pro­ our secondary students who need remedial portion of the Budget must be devoted to help are missing out on it. According to education. union estimates, in 1978 40 per cent of I have referred to the teachers' side of metropolitan primary classes had more than education, but I must also cite the ever­ 30 pupils and almost 56 per cent of secondary increasing burden placed on p. and c. associa­ classes had over 25 students. tions. Generally, they comprise a small body of people who devote a great deal of time In its 1978 report the Schools Commission to raising money for the schools and the suggested resource standards for schools. In children. In the Ipswich area they are trying Queensland, we fall short of these standards. to raise money to build shelters so that There is a simple explanation-lack of funds the children may be out of the sun in the for education. Since the setting up of the hot weather and out of the rain in wet Schools Commission, funds have been siph­ weather. Such expenditure should be met oned off from students who needed those by the State Government. Funds should be funds into the State Government's pet pro­ provided for schools such as Amber!ey, where jects. The State Education Department a new school was promised in 1977. Despite claims that it would dearly like to make promises from the Treasurer and the Minister the necessary improvements. One only has for Works and Housing, they have received to look at its past record of siphoning off no word of the new school. The Brassall, money to see how sincere it is in its claims. Leichhardt, Blair and West Ipswich Oppor­ The departmental officers are, of course, tunity Schools are in desperate need of acting under instructions. Most if not all proper facilities and accommodation. They of them are sincere and dedicated men and sorely lack proper school accommodation women who are operating under severe stress and playground facilities. Much has been and political strain imposed by this Govern­ said on these topics previously, and as my ment. time is drawing to a close I thank honourable members for their attention. In the 1975 Schools Commission report this statement appeared- Debate, on motion of Mr. Wharton, "Queensland has considerable upgrading adjourned. requirements of the most basic kind." The House adjourned at 5.22 p.m.