2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 23

LEGISY.ATIVE ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 2nd July, 1991

FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTTIETH PARLIAMENT The House met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to the proclamation of His Excellency the Governor. The Clerk read the proclamation. The Clerk announced that he had received a list, certified by His Excellency the Governor, of the names of the members to serve in this Parliament, together with the writs on which they bad been returned; with His Excellency's certification that the writs had been returned prior to the day by which they were by law returnable.

OPENING OF SESSION The Usher of the Black Rod, being admitted; delivered a message from the Commissioners requesting the immediate attendance of this honourable House in the Legislative Council Chamber to hear the Commission for the opening of Parliament read. The House went, and members having returned,

OATH OR AFFIRMATION OF ALLEGIANCE The Clerk informed the House that His Excellency the Governor had issued a Commission authorising the Hon. Nicholas Frank Greiner, the Hon. Wallace Telford John Murray and the Hon. Peter Edward James Collies to administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen required by law to 6e taken or made by members of the Assembly. The Clerk read the Commission.

MEMBERS SWORN All members, with the exception of Ms No I'I; took and subscribed the oath or affirmation of allegiance, and signed the roll.

ELECTION OF SPEAKER Mr KERB (Cronulla) [11.19] : I move: That Kevin Richard Rozzoli do take the chair of this House as Speaker. The office of Speaker is an ancient and honourable one. . It dates from 1377, when Sir Thomas Hungerford became the first in a continuing line of identifiable Speakers. The importance of the office,of Speaker bas attained greater, rather than less, 24 . ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 importance in modem times. The institution of Parliament, which we all serve, is greater than political parties. The one sure sign of a healthy democracy is a vigilant, intelligent and self-disciplined legislature: Democracy is at bottom an agreement to hold civilised discussion on issues that-count, and those who cherish it must find and cultivate the techniques of reason. Kevin's life has fitted him for this high office. Kevin Roaoli ~has lived all. his life in his electorate of Hawkesbury. He completed all his schooling at .Richmond; he was, school captain and dux of Richmond High School in 1955. ,On leaving school he entered the family business and trained under his father as an apprentice watchmaker. He distinguished himself in the trade by winning the bronze medallion as the top apprentice in watchmaking in New South Wales in 1960. On 17th February, 1973, Kevin Rozzoli was elected to this House. Since then he has built up a record majority in his electorate . A few months after his election to this House he stated in a speech that, since entering Parliament, he had become conscious of the traditions which make up part of the fabric of the Parliament of New South Wales. Perhaps the: best evidence of Kevin Rozloli's impartiality and fairness is that during his term as Speaker he has occasioned criticism from both sides of the House. , I believe he has proved himself to be a worthy custodian of the rights and privileges of all members of this House. I implore all other members to express their confidence in Kevin Richard Roaoli in supporting his nomination to the highest office in this Parliament-as custodian of the ancient rights and .privileges of all members on both sides of this House. . Mr.TINK (Eastwood) [11.21]: It is a great privilege to second the honourable member for Gonulla in nominating the Hon: Kevin Richard Rozzoli for the position of Speaker. It has occurred to me that the position of Speaker has at least one thing in common with the office of- Premier and the office of Leader of the Opposition. Though very few people hold the office .of Premier, ~ Leader of the Opposition or Speaker at. any time or over any period, a great number of people will always express an opinion on how those jobs are being carried out. Those opinions vary greatly. It is appropriate at this: point-the-Hon. Kevin Richard Rozzoli having held the office of Speaker for three years-to: reflect on the way in which he has carried out his duties in that high office and the reasons why I think he is the most suitable person in this Parliament, bar none, for that high role. In, my view Mr Roaoli has been an impartial holder of that office: There have been times when he has been criticised by members of the Government . I believe that is healthy. It is also healthy for him to be criticised from time to time by members of the Opposition., If-any-group in this Parliament is not prone to criticise the Speaker from time to time there is something wrong. I will mention comments made by some people in this Chamber who are in a position to refer to the role of the Hon. Kevin Rozzoli and to the way in which be bas conducted himself in the past three years. I begin, with, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition who, in referring to impartiality and upholding the standing orders and procedures of this House, said: We appreciate how you have done this and the leniency you have shown to some ofourmore recalcitrant members=-on:both sides. You have brought an order and discipline without restricting debate so there can:be free flow of ideas, and sometimes some . of the more jocular aspects have been enjoyed by all honourable members. Mr Whelan: Name them. Mr TINK: The honourable member for Ashfield asks me to name them. Perhaps he can ask the Deputy Leader of the Opposition outright. To illustrate 2nd !July, 1991 . ASSEMBLY- 25

another point that I have been frying to make it is fair~to quote something said.by the Premier about the Hon. Kevin Rozzoli: , ' You have tried exceptionally hard to bring a new spirit'to the position of Speakei. While no doubt the way yon impartially carry out your task in not always appreciated .by my colleagues, or indeed myself, it is a very creditable change from some ofyour predecessors. Reference should be made to the comments, made by the honourable member for Riverstone after some tune spent .as Leader- of 'the House for the Opposition-a person well positioned to make comments on behalf of the Apposition in relation-to how the Speaker bas carried out his duties. . The honourable member for Riverstone,, at the time the honourable member for Blacktown, !had this to say: Though I felt the effects of your wrath on one occasion this year, I have appreciated the way in which you have dealt with matters-as I thank the Serjeant-at-Arms, who promptly escorted me from the building . Nonetheless, we acknowledge the fairness of . your decisions and your striving to restore respect for this 'Chamber. Those last words are critical. I believe it is the view of all members of this House who have had the privilege of sitting in the Forty-ninth Parliament-and certainly those who came from the Forty-eighth Parliament-that the Hon. Kevin Rozzoli has . striven mightily to ensure . that the procedures and reputation of the House have been enhanced under his stewardship. From speaking to the honourable member for South' Coast on many occasions I know that Mr Rozzoli-has his confidence which, in my . opinion, is no small or unimportant matter. I have always appreciated the courtesy Mr Roaoli has shown me and I have no doubt that of all members present the Hon. Kevin Roaoli is the most suitable person to-fill this position. It is a great honour . foc me to second Mr Rozzoli's nomination for this high office. I do so in full confidence that, if he is elected, he ,will carry out those duties in an exemplary manner. Mr ROZZOLI (Hawkesbury) [11 .27]: - I accept the nomination,' and submit myself to the will of-the House: , . Mr HATTON (South. Coast) [11.27] : I support the nomination of Mr Rozzoli as Speaker. I have been. in .this, House .for' 18 years and I have. seen Speakers . come and go. Mr Rozzoli is the fairest, and most impartial Speaker that I have seen in this House: The role of Speaker is. crucial to how members . of. Parliament perceive themselves;'how they perceive their role as members `of Parliament; and how they perceive their Parliament: This House is known as~the bear pit. The job of Speaker is . most difficult and the Speaker deserves the unanimous and full support of members of this Parliament. . , That can happen only if membersbelieve that the Speaker is truly impartial and recognises the rights of every member in this House. It :depends also on the Premier, as the head of the -Executive Government, and on the Government recognising that the House belongs to the people of New South Wales,and~to each of the members representing those people . 'The House does not belong to :the Executive Government .. 'J lookforward to dramatic changes in the procedures. of.this House. Given those changes-I,hope one of them will be the method of the election of Speaker-the Speaker will be in a .much, more ,powerful position and be'ableto,give even .more of himself, through, the procedures of the House, . to . the members involved. 'This Parliament belongs .to every man and woman in it,. It is critically, important. that our party machines or the Executive, Government do ;not taint that feeling. This is our Parliament and it deserves to . be -tun by us-in , my opinion, by a, board ; of directors-and to be supported and honoured by all. Mr Rozzoli has done. his bit; in 26 ASSEMBLY . 2nd July,, '1991 carrying out some- of those higher principles, to leave his mark on this Chamber. .'I . congratulate him on his nomination . I fully support him. . . ., . -. , ` Question-That Kevin Richard 'Rozzoli do take. the chair of this House as . Speaker-put. . Motion agreed to. Kevin Richard Rozzoli was then taken out of his place',byMr Kerr and Mr. Tink, and conducted to the chair.

Mr Speaker, standing on the upper step, said: I thank you for the honour of conferring upon me the speakership of this honourable House. ' Those . who participated in the :Forty-ninth Parliament will know the standards I endeavoured to set during that period. I pledge myself to continue those endeavours; and I seek the co-operation and support of all in the Chamber. Continuing members will recall that from time to time I have deplored the conduct of members on perhaps a particularly volatile day. Both those who are continuing and those who are commencing their parliamentary careers should bear in mind that members of Parliament have a collective reputation with the public which is not as high as it should be, bearing in mind that we are leaders in our community. We have only ourselves to blame for such a situation. Conversely, it is in our hands to improve our image. Much has been said in recent months about parliamentary reform . This Parliament is historic in that it is the Fiftieth Parliament. Perhaps a sense of history will inspire us to effect good and significant reforms which will enhance the processes of parliamentary democracy in New South Wales. The constitution of the number of members in the House will further ensure that this parliamentary term does not pass without interest. I realise that my task may lie more difficult. ' However, I assure honourable members that- I will be both the' master and the servant of the House in accordance with the tone-honoured traditions of fairness and impartiality and that the . . . maintenance of dignity and decorum in all proceedings will be my guide. Fortunately , for present-day Speakers there is ample precedent for those inevitable :tiines when T. may be called upon to accept the responsibility of determining questions and making decisions. If is probably ,sufficient to recall the words of one of my predecessors, Speaker Lambs who found himself in a'similar situation in 1950. He said: Iwill accept that responsibility fearlessly, honestly and conscientiously, and shall be guided by the, circumstances of the occasion. I am positive, however, that whatever,may be the action that my conscience dictates on such occasions, it will have ample precedent. lam sure it is the unanimous wish of all Honourable Members that I shall never exercise'my rightful authority to frustrate the will of the people . I might add . that those ample precedents were followed with equal success by my immediate predecessor, Speaker Kelly. Again I express my deepest thanks to the House for once more conferring upon me the great honour of being its Speaker. ;- Mr Speaker took the chair. Mr GREINER (Ku-ring-gal), . Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Ethnic. Affairs [11.33]: Mr Speaker, my colleagues and I warmly congratulate you on''your election to the high office of Speaker: . You have made it quite clear that you have recognised that in carrying, out your duties you are the custodian of the ancient rights and privileges of all members ori'both sides of the House. You may be assured that your rulings in this Chamber will have the support, and co-operation of the Government parties. Now that you have been democratically elected, I am sure that, ', 20 July,, 1991: ASSEMBLY 27

support will be given. also by honourable, members, opposite. I certainty know-and it is clear from the remarks of the honourable member for South Coast-that the continuing Independent members respect both the position that you 'again . hold' and your personal efforts in the- previous Parliament, and that they will extend their, support to you and,to your position . . Mr'Speaker, I have no doubt that you will acquit yourself with dignity and distinction in the best traditions of the speakership._ On the; subject of the reforms of the House, to which you just referred and which the honourable member ~. for South Coast mentioned, ~ the Government is seriously looking at reform of the . procedures of the Parliament; to improve its effective functioning. Obviously the Government will discuss those matters with honourable members opposite, certainly in co-operation with you and the Clerks. I am hopeful that we will be able to do what you suggested, that is, in the course of this historic Parliament, to improve the way in which the Parliament carries out its responsibilities to the people. Again, Mr Speaker, I congratulate you and wish you well for the future. . liar CARlEi (IvTaroubra), Leader of the Opposition [11.35]: Mr Speaker, on . behalf of my colleagues it is my pleasure to congratulate you upon your election . This is the second occasion upon which your election has proceeded. unopposed by the ', Opposition. . Such a rare union ticket in this place could begin to; . earn you, the suspicion of your colleagues. I note.that we have been able to avoid the famous scenes that occurred in the Parliament of 1913 when the McGowen Government, the first ' Labor Government in the Parliament's history;: lost its majority as a ;result. of a by- election and had to appoint a Speaker from the ranks of the conservative Opposition. As you would know, the scenes that followed that . appointment were absolutely unprecedented for their disorder in the robust history, of this place: In a~ comparably tight- and tense;Parliament,we have at least avoided that situation. I acknowledge the virtues'that you bring to the position of Speaker. There'is no doubt about your deep interest,, in the traditions of Westminster parliamentary systems, and there is no doubt that you'. have a deep -interest in the traditions of the speakership itself. ~ Though ,we have vigorously disagreed with your rulings from time to time; we recognise your commitment to all that is admirable in, the-Westminster traditions . I acknowledge , also, that from ' time to time you. have . displayed a real courage in some, of the decisions you have made.' This Parliament has an historic opportunity -to .reform : the way . .in , which this, important institution, the oldest' . . Parliament in Australia, works; an opportunity, for us working together, members of all parties and of no party`, to reform the rules that govern how.' Parliament functions. The, Opposition welcomes', that opportunity, though .we realise that some of, the ' changes that we will support will make things tougher for :us in the future-,as, a government. . Nonetheless, . we are committed to ~ this process, and the beneficiaries should be the people of New South' Wales and our- parliamentary tradition. Mr Speaker, I offer .congratulations from the Opposition.- We are engaged with you on the great task of consolidating and enhancing the parliamentary democracy that,exists for the benefit of the people of New South Wales and Australia. ' Mr WHlEl[.A1V (Ashfield) [11.38] : I join the Leader of the Opposition and the Premier in congratulating you, Mr Speaker, on once again attaining the high office of Speaker,of this Parliament. In ,my opinion; yourrole'as Speaker will be somewhat , ,more difficult than it was in the previous Parliament-because of the way the dice- fell' at the election on 25th May. The Premier, is correct when he suggests that the ., standing- orders and sessional orders of this Parliament must be looked at closely and,

. 28 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 indeed, changed. The Leader of the House has already indicated that he hopes there will be three meetings about that matter before the'Parliament resumes in mid-August .. On behalf of,the Opposition I say that we will proffer constructive criticism to any proposed amendments to the sessional or standing orders. We have an obligation to remember that you, as the Speaker, have forgone your right to look after the constituency that you have represented for so many years, the electorate of Hawkesbury. I am sure that that would have been a considerable weight on your mind when you were deciding whether you should accept the august position of Speaker of the Parliament. During the previous Parliament a major controversy raged in your electorate, which I am sure caused you a great deal of discomfort. I heard what you said about impartiality, and what you said about the rulings of Speaker Kelly. You, Mr Speaker, and I were members of this House when Speaker Kelly exercised impartiality, when the numbers were 50 to 49, so that the Government of the day could rule. We expect that the same will apply during this Parliament, that precedent having been established. There must be a precedent whereby a deadlock may be broken. However, we would ask you, when considering how to vote, to weigh the needs of the people of New South Wales. That should be the sole detemunant of how you vote-not the fact that you were elected as the Liberal Party member for the electorate' of Hawkesbury-retying at all times on the fact that traditionally the Speaker's role has been one of impartiality. Mr Speaker, as you know, I am somewhat of an expert on Standing Order 393. I was pleased when the Premier announced the election because if I had been suspended .again, I would have been out for eight days. I am happy to be given a ticket- of leave to be back starting from square one. Standing Order 393 is one of the many standing orders that must be examined . As I have said -on other occasions, we must ensure that a member's constituents are not disadvantaged. I note that the new members' list. shows that' quite a number of new and former members' have their electorate offices 'in Parliament House. Should those members be .expelled from the Parliament they cannot look after their constituents. We should adopt the practice of the Commonwealth and every other eastern State of Australia and define the Chamber, so that a member who is suspended is excluded only from the Chamber and its immediate precincts. Several other, matters have caused great concern. In view of the delicate balance, I hope there may be improvement in the expansion of permissible debating rules; in other words, that the sub judice rule is not used on repeated occasions to suppress debate in the Parliament. It is hoped that the ruthlessness exhibited by former Chairmen of Committees in this Parliament is not revisited. The Opposition supports you, Mr Speaker: We note what you have said. I wish to remind honourable members opposite of a ruling by a former Speaker, Speaker Ellis, not a member of the Australian Labor Party, who was acknowledged by all in the Parliament as one of the great Speakers. Speaker Ellis said, "It is not proper to involve the Speaker in political controversy". The Opposition hopes that might be a rule upon which the Government relies so that the impartiality which you, Mr Speaker, have exhibited during the Forty- ninth Parliament will be clearly exhibited in this, the Fiftieth Parliament . We look forward to supporting you in your deh~ierations and considerations. We look forward also to members of the Standing Orders Committee meeting as a matter of urgency to deal with long outstanding matters. With great respect I suggest that now might be the time for the Standing Orders Committee to meet on a regular basis. 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 29

Mr BECKROGE (Broken Hill) [11.43]: ..: Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you. Members have already drawn attention to all, your .good points and fhe way you have carried out your duties in this Parliament and the Chamber. I should like to draw the attention of the House to the work that you do when you are not wearing your wig and robe. You endeavour to ensure that members of Parliament are able properly to . , represent their constituents . . . On behalf of members of the Australian Labor Party I thank you,-for your co-operation in the allocation of rooms, services, photocopying machines and also for resolving all the . nitty-gritty and often difficult problems that Presiding Officers deal with. Many people are unaware of those responsibilities. On behalf . of the rowers that I represent as headrower, we are grateful for your understanding, Mr Speaker. ' I should not like this. opportunity to. pass without recording that your- co-operation in. assisting honourable members to represent their constituents is second to none. Mr SPEAKER: I thank the, Premier; the Leader of the Opposition,' the honourable member for Ashfield and the honourable member for Broken Hill for their, comments. The honourable member for Broken Hill touched on a matter not often understood by the general public. The public concentrates on the role of the - , Speaker in .the Chamber. The running of today's Parliament is anc unmense administrative task. I thank honourable .members ;for their co-operation in the many difficult decisions I have to make. . Iii the past three years we worked reasonably well as . a team. I should like to acknowledge the support, in particular of the .Premier in enabling members of Parliament to deliver a good level of service .to an ever increasingly demanding constituency:, I assure the honourable member for Ashfield that. my elevation again, to the speakership will not mean ,that the electorate of ,Hawkesbury will be in any way neglected: It ,will be as vigorously and positively, represented in the future -as it has been in the past. He touched also on the question of the Speaker becoming involved in political controversy. It has always been my great endeavour to divorce myself as much`as possible from being drawn into that sort of debate. Without canvassing the matter any further, I assure him and the House that that will be very much a guiding principle in the way I conduct myself during this Parliament. I thank the Premier and 'the Leader of the Opposition for their gracious words; support and co-operation. With that support and co-operation this Parliament will serve the people of New South Wales very well. , .

PRESENTATION OF Mr~SPEAKER . . Mr ~. GREIIVER ; (Ku-ring-gar),; Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs [11:46]:., I wish to inform the House that I have ascertained that His Excellency the Governor will receive our Speaker at Government House. . at 2.30 p.m. this day. . [Mr Speaker left the-chair at 11.47 a.m. The House resumed at 2.20p.m.] The Houseproceeded to Government House and having returned at 4p.m., Mr SPEAKER: I have .to report that the'~Assembly has been to Government House where I informed the Governor, that, immediately after the opening of Parliament today, ,the Legislative Assembly, in the exercise of its undoubted. right, had proceeded to the election of its Speaker, that the .choice had fallen ~on me,. and that I had to present myself to His Excellency as its Speaker, whereupon His Excellency was pleased to offer me his congratulations. I then, on behalf of the House, laid claim to . 30 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 all its undoubted rights and, privileges; particularly to freedom of speech in debate, to free access to His Excellncy when,occasion should require, and that the most favourable construction should,, on all occasions, be put upon its language and proceedings; to all of which His Excellency readily assented. Once again°T-thank the members of this House for the great honour they. have conferred upon me::'

MINISTRY Mr GREINER: I wish to' inform` the House that on 6th .3une, 1991, I submitted to.-His Excellency the Governor my resignation as Premier, Treasuier .and Minister~for, Ethnic Affairs, and as a .member of the Executive Council, an action,that involved ~ the resignation of all Ministers from their offices and as members .of, the Executive Council: His Excellency then recommissioned me to form a new ministry . On: the same day f was sworn in as Premier; Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs and-'8 a member of the Executive Council, and .the following persons were appointed by His Excellency as: members of -the Executive Council and to the offices indicated., the Hon. Wallace Telford John Murray;. M.R., Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister- for Roads; the Hon. Peter Edward' James Collies, M.P:; Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts; the Hon. Ian Morton Armstrong, M-.P.,-Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs; the Hon.,Joseph John Schipp, M.P.,Minister for Housing;. the Hon., Timothy John Moore; M.P., Minister for the Environment; 'the Hon. Garry.Bruce 'West, M.P., Minister` for Conservation and Land Management; the Hon. Edward Phillip Pickering, `M.L.C., Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Vice-President of the Executive Council; the Hon. Virginia Anne Chadwick, M.L.C.,- Minister for School Education and Youth ,Affairs ; the Hon. Bruce George . Baird; M.R., Minister for Transport; . the Hon: Gerald Beresford Ponsonby Peacocke, M.P.,,Minister for Local Government and Minister for Cooperatives; the'Hon. Jotin Joseph Eahey, M.P.,, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Further Education; Training, and Employment; the . Hon. Ian Raymond Causley, M.P:, .Minister for Natural Resources;. the Hon. Michael Robert Yabsley, M:P:, Minister for State Development ~and Minister for Tourism; the Hon. Robert James Webster, M.L:C., Minister for Planning and Minister for Energy; the Hon.;John Planta, ,Hannaford, M:L.C., Minister for Health; and Community, Services; the Hon. Ronald :Anthony Phillips, M.P., Minister for Hospital Management; the `Hon. Terence Allan Griffiths, M.P., Minister for Courts Administration, and Corrective Services; the Hon. George Souris, M.P., Minister for _Sport, Recreatin and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier; and the Hon. Anne Margaret Cohen, M.P:, Chief Secretary and Minister for. Administrative Services . Also, I :wish 'to inform the House of the appointment of Phillip Murray Smiles, ' M.P., as Assistant Minister; Paul John Zammit, , M.P.; as Assistant Minister; Donald Loftus Page, M.E.; as Assistant Minister; Terry Allan Metherell, M.P., as Parliamentary Secretary; James:, Miltiadis_Samios, : M.L:C., . as Parliamentary Secretary; and Richard Thomas Marshall Bull, M.L.C., as Parliamentary Secretary. I wish also to inform the House, that on 26th June, 1991, the Hon. ' Ronald Anthony~, Phillips, M.P., resigned as Minister for Hospital Management and was appointed Minister for Health Services Management; and that on 28th June, '1991; the. Hon. Terence Allan Griffiths,' M.P.; resigned" as Minister for Courts,Administration and Corrective Services, and was appointed Minister for Justice. .. i .,

2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY -31

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services will lie represented in this House, by the Attorney General, Minister for Consumer.Affairs and Minister for Arts., The Minister for School Education and Youth' Affairs will be represented by the Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister' ford Further Education, Training and Employment. The Minister for Planning and Mitvster, for Energy' will be represented by the Minister for the Environment. The .Minister for Health and Community Services will be represented by the Minister for Health' Services Management. ~ . . . . ~ ' LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT ANDi GOVERNMENT WHIP Mr GREINER: I desire to inform the House that the Hon. Timothy John Moore, M.P., will be the Leader of, the Government in this. House, and that the honourable member for Gosford, Mr Hartcher, ~ has been appointed . Government Whip. . , i

." LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, OPPOSITION WHIP, DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP AND LEADER OF . THE HOUSE FOR THE OPPOSITION Mr CARR: One hundred years ago this month the first Labor members were elected to this Chamber and as a result, `in this our centenary year as a party, it gives me- i i Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition; incorrectly, was called ahead of the Deputy Premier. The task of the Leader of the Opposition is to make his official announcements, and that is all. Mr CARR: .~ In our centenary year it gives me a great deal of pride to record that I have been re-elected Leader of the Opposition. My deputy is the honourable member for Marrickville, the Opposition Whip isthe, honourable member for Broken Hill, the Deputy Opposition Whip is the,.honourable member for Lakemba, and the Leader of the House for the Opposition is the honourable'member for Ashfield. ~ i LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE NATIONAL PARTY - AND DEPUTY GOVERNMENT WHIP Mr W. T. J. `MURRAY: ,I wish to inform 'the House of my re-election as Leader of the National Party, 'the, e-election of the Hon. Ian Morton 'Armstrong 'As Deputy Leader of the National Party, and the rejelection of Donald Frederick' Charles Beck as-Deputy Government Whip.

PHOTOGRAPH OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Mr Speaker announced that photographs Would-be taken of members of the ~ . Legislative Assembly, to commemorate the first day. of the Fiftieth Parliament.

1 32 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

ASSENT TO BILLS Royal assent to the following bills ofthe previous session reported:

Constitution (Referendum) Bill Courts Legislation (Civil Procedure) Amendment Bill Election Funding (Amendment) Bill Federation ofParents and Citizens Associations ofNew South Wales Incorporation (Amendment) Bill Grain Marketing Bill Industrial Arbitration (Unfair Dismissal) Amendment Bill Local Government (Elections) Amendment Bill Parliamentary Electorates and Elections (Amendment) Bill .Police Service (Police Board) Amendment Bill Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

LAW OF EVIDENCE BILL (pro fornra) Bill read a first time.

MESSAGE FROM THE COMNIISSIONERS Mr SPEAKER: I have to report that the House this day attended the Commissioners in the Legislative Council Chamber, where a Commission for the opening of Parliament was read, and the following message to the Assembly was delivered: . Honourable members of the Legislative Council and members of the Legislative' Assembly- We have it in command from His Excellency the . Governor to acquaint you that His Excellency desires that you take into your earnest consideration such matters as may be submitted to you. Members of the Legislative Assembly- It being necessary that a Speaker ofthe Legislative Assembly be first chosen, it is His Excellency's pleasure that you, members of the Legislative Assembly, repair to your Chamber, and there, after members shall have been sworn, proceed to the election of one of your number to be your Speaker. We are further commanded to acquaint you that His Excellency desires that such measures be taken by you as may be,deemed expedient to provide for the public services of the State.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES Mr D. L PAGE (Ballina) [4.14]:'l move: That Wendy Susan Machin be Chairman of Committees ofthe Whole House. I have much pleasure in nominating Miss Wendy Machin, the honourable member for Port Macquarie, for the position of Chairman of Committees, in this House. The honourable,member for Port Macquarie is ideally suited to fill this position, both because of her outstanding, personal qualities and her experience in this role during the period of the previous Parliament. This morning reference was made to the 2nd July;: 1991 ASSEMBLY 33

importance of the office of the Speaker in protecting the reputation of the House, the democratic process and the orderly functioning ,of the- business of this Chamber. Similarly, the office of Chairman of Committees carries with it a heavy responsibility to . ensure that the democratic process functions as, it sliould, where, a right to free speech in an orderly environment is protected. I.believe Wendy Machin's previous experience as Chairman of Committees would contribute greatly,to.the smooth operations of the House during the life of this, Parliament. ;Furthermore; I'am surethat the honourable . member for Port Macquarie enjoys the confidence.of all members of this, House. Wendy Machin was elected to .this Parliament-'on 12th October, 1985, as the member for Gloucester following the resignation of the Hon..'Leon Punch,, former, leader of the National Party and .former Chairman of Committees. Wendy-Machin'. comes from a 'pioneering fatuity on the mid Northl Coast with strong involvement in the timber and grazing industries : She was educated-at .Wingham High School and the'. University of New 'South Wales Institute of Technology-*where she took'a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in, communications, an entirely appropriate qualification, -I would . have thought, for someone. who was going to be Chairman of Committees. Prior to entering airs House she was an independent alderman on the North, Sydney .council. ' She ran a consulting business"in Sydney, but always maintained strong connections with her home town of Wingham on the mid North Coast. Following her election to this Parliament in October 1985, she quickly established a reputation for being able to handle herself on the floor of the Parliament. While in Opposition, she took a keen interest in the policy areas of education, health, community services and the environment. Concurrent with her parliamentary duties in this place, Wendy Machin has diligently served her electorate, now having been elected on three separate occasions to represent her constituents . - - In March 1988 the first Greiner Government was elected. Almost 12 months . later, -on 21st February, 1989, Wendy Machin was elected as the Chairman of Committees, the first woman Chairman of Committees in the 135-year history of this Chamber. Since her election she has given conscientious, intelligent and impartial service in that role. She quickly acquired a first-class knowledge of the standing orders and of parliamentary procedure, and her impartial approach should give all honourable members confidence as we enter what will obviously be a keenly contested period in the life of this historic Chamber. Her experience as Chairman of Committees in the Forty=ninth Parliament makes her the natural choice for this important position in this the Fiftieth Parliament of New South Wales. I urge all honourable members to support her nomination . Mr S.OURIS (Upper Hunter), Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier [4.18]: I have great pleasure in seconding the nomination of the honourable member for Port Macquarie for the position of Chairman of Committees. Miss Machin has had a fine parliamentary career since 1985 and is enjoying record levels of electoral support. She has been the vice- chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of !New South Wales and has been Chairman of Committees in this House. I, and many other members of this Chamber, _ welcome her fresh, intelligent approach to that office since her appointment. She commands the respect of both sides of the House and has brought great credit to- the office of Deputy-Speaker. : Therefore, I have great pleasure . in .,seconding . the nomination of the honourable . :member for Port Macquarie as Chairman . of Committees of this Fiftieth Parliament. ~~ Motion agreed to. 34 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991,

Miss Machin declared elected. Miss MACHIN (Porf Macquarie) [4.19]: I wish .to thank my friend and colleague the honourable member for Balling for.nominating me to bold once again the position of Chairman of_ Committees . In ' thanking the Minister for Sport, . Recreation and Racing, and Minister Assisting the Premier for seconding the motion,, I, congratulate him on his move:to the frontbench . I thank also my leader,, theHon. Wal Murray, for the confidence he has shown in me and my ability to" do,once again the job of Chairman of Committees' in' this` Chamber: I'-join with. other ;members in congratulating you; Mr._ Speaker, . on.. your ; re-election - .as Speaker of, this Fiftieth Parliament. As the honourable membei~for Easlwood:said in seconding that motion, .it is easy for members to criticise the occupant of the;chair. :There-might- be .9'I very' strident critics in the Chamber at. any one tune.. ; . You dare, not~ oblivious =to such criticism; . neither am I.. Given that such.-criticism-comes .fo us from both sides of the House, . .particularly the: criticism of you, ; Mr Speaker,' that _is :probably the best indication of the, fairness of your rulings. Mr-Speaker figs set a high standard, and .as his deputy I have attempted to follow his example, and to be fair'. This morning the, standing-orders were discussed- briefly when future amendments' to -them were foreshadowed: The support of the Leader of the Opposition for those amendments is vi+elcomed. Some of those changes are relevant to the Parliament and should-be debated: . I consider the Parliament to be dynamic, and in overseeing. it the Temporary Chairmen and. 1, have tried to .apply the standing orders fairly, while having regard to the need-for flexibility. Naturally we make errors, as you have done occasionally also,. on the rare occasion. We are all human and those errors were genuine human mistakes. . When an error has been recognised, we have moved quickly to mend that mistake. I. have done so in the past, and so have you, Mr Speaker, by altering the record. I recommend that all honourable members, especially those who are new to this place, read the-standing orders so that they better understand how this place works. -That may not necessarily make my job as Deputy-Speaker easier, but, it . will give members a better understanding of the Parliament. Parliament is a strange "animal-and I use the' word "animal" advisedly. The analogy I have often used to describe -the place is that it is similar to riding .a frisky horse: at times there is a need to rein it in and hang on to it; at other times it can be allowed to run along and set its own pace. It is the responsibility of all honourable members to uphold the rules of the House and to respect its practices and the history of them. One of the most historic aspects of the Parliament is the Committee stage. For the information of new honourable members, the Committee stage dates back to the sixteenth century in England when it was first established to allow all honourable members the opportunity to participate ,in a Committee debate, as opposed to the more formal stages of parliamentary. debate: . During the Forty-ninth Parliament I tried to encourage more informal debate by;circulating to all of my colleagues information which encouraged them to use the Committee stage to properly examine and debate legislation. Many members took advantage of that opportunity, as did many shadow ministers. I commend all honourable members.to: use that forum for that purpose. In`the Fiftieth Parliament I am conscious of the responsibility placed on me. I shall endeavour to be firm, but fair-not ruthless as someone suggested this morning-and to uphold the standing orders which are the overriding guidelines of the Parliament. If whoever occupies the chair observes the standing orders, that person cannot be accused of bias or unfairness. I trust that honourable members will respect July; 2nd 1991 ASSEMBLY 35 those rules, the authority of the occupant of the ct sir and the job -that person is attempting to perform. I-assume no member wants to )e absent from the Chamber in this Parliament. I look forward to the continuation o; spirited debate and not unruly debate, which I am sure will not come from member: on the Oppositionbenches. I thank the House for its support and look forward to he co-operation of honourable members in this Fiftieth Parliament.

LEAVE OFABSENCE Motion by Mr Beckroge agreed to: That leave of absence for the present session be granted to Sandra Christine Non, member for Port Jackson, on account of illness.

TEMPORARY CHAIRMEN.OF COMMITTEES Mr Speaker ~ nominated the following holourable members to act .as Temporary Chairmen of 'Committees during the present session: Mr Chappell, Mr Merton, Mr Moss, Mr Tink, and Mr Yeadon.

PARLIAMENTARY CONTRIBUTORY SUPERANNUATION FUND Legislative Assembly Trustees Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That in accordance with Section 14(1)(b) of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act, 1971, the following Members of the Legislative Assembly be and are hereby appointed as trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund : Mr Davoren, Mr Longley, Mr Merton, Mr Neilly, the Hon. 6. B. West.

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ~ OLLONGONG Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That Mr Downy, member for Sutherland, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the Council of the University of Wollongong in pursuance of the provisions ofsection 9 of the University of Wollongong Act 1989.

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That the Hon. Kevin Richard Rozzoli, member for Hawkesbury, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the Board of Governors of the University of Western Sydney in pursuance of the provisions of section 9~ of the University of Western Sydney Act 1988 . , 36- ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY,- SYDNEY Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore_agreed to: That Ms Machin, member for Port Macquarie, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the Council- of the University of Technology, Sydney in pursuance of the provisions of section 9-of the University ofTechnology, Sydney Ad 1989.

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That Dr Metherell, member for Davidson, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the Senate- of the University-of Sydney in pursuance of the provisions of section 9 ofthe University of Sydney Ad 1989 :

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That Mr Turner, memtier .for Myall Lakes, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly- on the Council of the University of Newcastle in pursuance of the provisions of section 9 of the University ofNewcastle Act 1989 .

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore weed to: That 'Mr Ken, member for Cronulla, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the Council of the University ofNew South Wales in pursuance of the provisions ofsection 9 of the University of New South Wales Act 1989 .

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND Motion, by leave, 6y Mr Moore agreed to: That Mr Qiappell, member for Northern Tablelands, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the. Board of Governors of the University of New England in pursuance of the provisions ofsection 9 of the University of New England Act 1989.

REPRESENTATIVE OF 1'HE'LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON THE COUNCIL OF MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: . . _ . , - 2nd July, 1991 '. ASSEMBLY 37

That Mr Tink, member for Eastwood, be elected as the representative of the Legislative Assembly on the Council ofMacquarie University in pursuance of the provisions ,_ . . of section 9 ofthe Macquarie University Act 1989.

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY .. ' . ON THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF-CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY ,. ~ . ' Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore-agreed to: That Mr Glachan, member for Albury,`be elected as the representative of the .. Legislative Assembly on the Board of Governors, of CMharles StuntUniversity:in pursuance of the provisions of section 9 ofthe Charles Sturt University Act 1989.

. _ PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMNIITl'EE Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore. agreed to: That in accordance with section 54(3) of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 the following members of the Legislative Assembly, be and are hereby appointed to'serve on the Public Accounts Comrtvttee : Mr Chappell, Mr'Irwin, Mr Longley, Mr Photios ; and Mr Rumble . -

REGULATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That in accordance with section 5(3)(b) of the Regulation Review Act 1987, the _ following members of the Legislative Assembly be and are hereby appointed to serve on the Regulation Review Committee : Mr Cruickshank, Mr lemma, Mr Knowles, Mr Merton, Mr Packard, Mr Rixon, and Mr Yeadon . . Message , Message sent to the Legislative Council informing it of the resolution and requesting the Legislative Council to inform the Legislative Assembly of .the names of _ . the members of the Legislative Council appointed to serve on such committee. .

COMMITTEE ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSI N AGAINST CORRUPTION . Motion, by leave, by Mr Mooce agreed to: That in accordance with section 65(1)(b) ofthe Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988, the following members of the Legislative Assembly be and are hereby appointed to serve on the Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption : Mr Gaudry, Mr Hatton, Mr Ken, Mr Nagle, Mr Tink, and Mr Turner. Message Message sent to the Legislative Council infor niag it of the resolution and requesting the Legislative .Council to inform the Legislative Assembly of the names of . _ the members of the Legislative Council, appointed to serve.on such. committee. 38 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

COMMITTEE ON THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That in accordance with section 31C(1)(b) of the Ombudsman Act 1974, the ,. following members ofthe Legislative Assembly be and are hereby appointed to serve on the Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman: Mr Hatton, Mr'Kerr, Mr Moss, Mr Scully, Mr Tink" and Mr Turner. Message

Message sent to the Legislative Council informing it of the resolution and requesting the Legislative Council to inform the Legislative Assembly of the names of the members of the Legislative Council appointed to serve on such committee.

JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE UPON ROAD SAFETY Motion, by leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: That a Joint Standing Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon road safety in New South Wales with the following Terms of Reference: (1) As an ongoing task, the committee is to- (a) monitor, investigate and report on the road safety situation in New . South Wales; and (b) review and report on counter measures aimed at reducing deaths, injuries and the social and economic costs to the community arising from"road accidents. Without,restricfing the generality of the foregoing ; the following are to be given urgent consideration- . . - , (i) counter measures aimed at traffic accidents associated with alcohol and other drugs; (ii) -traffic law enforcement measures and their effectiveness; (iii) a review ofhuman factors affecting traffic accidents, especially those relating to driver and rider licensing requirements and standards; (iv) the social and economic impact ofdeath and serious and debilitating injuries resulting from traffic accidents; and (y) heavy vehicle safety., (2) That such a wrrvrvttee consist ofseven members of the Legislative Assembly and three members of the Legislative Council and that, notwithstanding anything contained in the . Standing Orders of either House, at any meeting of the committee any five members shall constitute a quorum provided that the committee shall meet as a Joint Committee at a71 times. (3) That Mr Downy, Mr Jeffery; Mr Mills, Mr Newman, Mr Shedden, Mr Small and Mr Smith be appointed -to serve on such committee as the members of the Legislative Assembly. (4) That the committee have leave to sit during the sittings or any adjournment of either or both Houses ; to adjourn from place to place; to make visits ofinspection within the State ofNew South Wales and other States and Territories of Australia . (5) That should either House stand adjourned and the committee agree to any report before the Houses resume sitting; 2nd July, =1991 ASSEMBLY ~ 39

(a) the Committee have leave to send .any such report, minutes and evidence taken before it to the Clerk ofthe House; (b) the documents shall be printed and published and the Clerk shall forthwith take such action as is necessary to give effect to the order of the House; and (c) the documents shall be laid upon the Table of the House at its next sitting. Message _ Message- sent to the Legislative Council informing it of the resolution and requesting it to appoint three of its members to serve upon the committee.

STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE Suspension of Standing Orders Mr. MOORS (Gordon), Minister for the Environment [439] I move: That during the present session, unless otherwise ordered, so much ofthe standing orders be suspended as would preclude the Standing Orders Committee consisting of the Speaker and 10 other members. I have moved this motion as the present provisions for the Standing Orders and Procedure 'Committee provide for a membership of 10. . For many years it has .been the practice in this Chamber that the membership of the committee should comprise Mr. .Speaker, ,eve Government members and four Opposition members. The 'Government considers it desirable that.as part of the co-operative process of reforming and examining the standing and sessional orders .of this Parliament the membership of this committee should be expanded by one member to enable an Independent member to be a member of the Standing Orders and Procedure Committee. Should this suspension motion be granted, passage of the subsequent motion will retain the _ present structure of the committee but include the honourable member for South Coast as the eleventh member of that committee. Mr WHELAN (Ashfield) [4.41]: The Opposition agrees. It is a good sign that the new Leader of the House has moved such a motion. The Opposition thanks him for it. It also views with some concern -the disparity in the number of members but accepts it because it may lead to an improvement in the standing and sessional orders of the Parliament . In his former capacity as Opposition Leader of the House the Leader of the House has had a long history of involvement in the Standing Orders and Procedure Committee and is familiar with the standing orders. He has kindly informed me in writing-and I accept his word-that he will give the matter earnest consideration, as will the Standing Orders and Procedure Committee. As I said this morning, the Leader of the House has told me that the Standing Orders and Procedure Committee will meet on three separate occasions prior to the return of the Parliament. Much work can be done to alleviate the fears that the Opposition has and that all Oppositions would have. The Opposition hopes, therefore, that the Standing Orders and Procedure Committee will meet. It agrees that the sessional orders proposed are an interim measure to enable the Parliament to get through its session today and the first session back, but I reiterate that I am more than hopeful that the new Leader of the House, in the spirit of earnest, valid and real co-operation, will accede to many of the . Opposition's requests. When I say the Opposition, I include all members who sit on the Opposition benches. 40 ASSEMBLY .2nd July, 1991

~Mr HAITON (South Coast) [4.43]:- I thank the ~Govemment: . I take it as a statement . of~ good faith that the Government- .through the Standing Orders and Procedure . Committee, and .with the . co-operation that has been signalled already to the Independents by the Opposition, will bring about substantial and beneficial reforms to the benefit of private members in this House. _ . Motion for suspension of standing orders agreed to. Motion Mr MOORS (Gordon),Minister for the Environment [4.43]: I move: - (1) That the Standing Orders Committee be appointed to inquire into,, and if considered . advisable, make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly, respecting the - standing orders, pile's, usages, customs, practice and procedures ofthe Legislative Assembly. (2) That.- such committee consist of the Speaker, Mr Aquilina, Mr Beck, _ Mr Beckroge, Mr -HarEcher, Mr Hatton, Miss Machin, Mr Phillips, Dr Refshauge, Mr Wtielan and the mover.: -'

(3) That,the.corrunittee have leave to sit during the sittings of the House. Just now and earlier today the honourable member for Ashfield and the honourable member for South Coast adverted to the desire of the Government to address the questions of the standing and sessional orders of the Parliament and the procedure and atmosphere of~ this: Chamber. ~ Indeed, Mr Speaker, in your, own - speech . of acceptance of the high office`to which you have been re-elected today, you made the point that in the public' eye' much of the parliamentary system is judged by, our, behaviour in this. Chamber-the Chamber of Parliament most scrutinised by the public=particularly by schoolchildren who grace our, at times during sitting days when perhaps honourable members less than grace theParliament. In the past fortnight . since the Premier made me an offer in the best Godfather tradition to be the Leader of the House, for the Government I have joked several times that I would aspire, with .my colleagues, to turn the bear pit of the New South Wales Parliament into the teddy-bear pit of the Parliament. Much can be done to enhance the image of the profession of which we are all members by altering the conduct .of the Parliament and by making the activities and the procedures of the Parliament more relevant to *and -participatory for the individual members of 'this Chamber. I have had a long involvement with a number of honourable members, one of whom I am. pleased to see has rejoined us in this, Parliament as the honourable member for Swansea, in writing a~ report on procedues and parliamentary privilege and defamation law. There is- work to be done in that area and ui providing this Parliament with other methods of involvement for its ordinary members, such as an estimates committee in a proper function or fashion; and in tidying up the rules for the suspension- of standing orders and -tfie~ Standing Order 49 debate so that honourable members have a proper debate on~matters of public importance. Also, work is to be done in dealing with a reform of -many .of ,the day-to-day standing orders of the Parliament. Not the least of my desires would be-and I have reflected on this on many occasions since first being.elected more than .l5 years ago-to have the standing orders of this Parliament written in- compreliensible English and to have the index to the standing~orders of this Parliament written in a similar form. As a new member to this Parliament, like :all new members are wont to do, I fancied that I should be able to read and understand relatively easily the rules for the establishment and the running . of the. Parliament. However, I came to an 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY ` 41

- understanding in a temporal sense why the Middle Ages'hierarchy of the Church at that time retained the Mass in Latin. It was because those who controlled-knowledge and understanding of the mysteries and the theology of the place~had control of how it worked. With great respect to the incumbents, I always thought that .the :Clerks of the Chambers of the Parliament retained the obscure language of the parliamentary liturgy. so that that knowledge was cleared unto their own bosoms and denied to the members of the Chamber. : .I have always thought it a lofty and noble ideal that all members should be able to understand, comprehend and use the standing orders of this Parliament; and putting them in plain English is a good, commonsense step towards: doing that. It is the Government's strongly held view that this process can-.only improve the underlying behavioural or attitudinal level in ails Parliament if it involves members of the Opposition and members who do not belong to either the Government or the Opposition. It is for that reason that a number,of discussions have been held with the . Independent members. Several conversations have been held with the honourable member for Ashfield, on behalf of the Opposition. The Government intends to seek responses from individual members as to matters in the standing orders that might be of concern to them. It will endeavour to change a number of standing orders by way of experimental sessional order for the budget session to see whether processes like an estimates committee system and a couple of experiments with legislation committees and the like can be made to work-and, if they can be made to work, to do so in a form that will enable the Government to enshrine them, probably by the end of next , year, in a complete revision of the standing orders of this Parliament. As I have said, I' hope they will be written in English that honourable members can understand so that. secrets are no longer denied to them. , Motion agreed to.

SESSIONAL COMMITTEES House Mr MOORS (Gordon), Minister for the Environment [4.49], by leave:. I move: (1) That the House Committee for the present session consist of The Speaker, Mr Qough, Mr Cochran, Mr Fraser, Mr Graham, Mr Harrison, Mr Hunter, Mr Merton, Mr Morris and Mr Shedden, with the authority to act in matters of mutual concernment with ' any committee appointed for similar purposes by the Legislative Council. (2) That the committee have leave to sit during the sittings of the House. One of the matters of concern to the Government and to Independent members is to . give members of Parliament a greater role in the running of the' Chamber and in'. the affairs and administration of the Parliament, including support services for members. During the next year or so the Government intends to examine; as one of the reform processes possibly to be considered, models that might lead to the establishment of a parliamentary commission on matters of that nature. ,_ Motion agreed to: . . Library Motion, by .leave, by Mr Moore agreed to: 42 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

(1) That the Library Committee .for the present session consist of The Speaker, Mr Bowman, Mrs Chiicarovski, Mr Hazzard, Mrs Lo Po', Mr Rixon, Mr Scully, Mr Small; Mr Sullivan, and Mr Tink, with the authority to act jointly with the library Committee of the .Legislative Council in accordance with the Assembly's resolution of 26 November 1968. (2) That the committee have leave to sit during the sittings of the House. Printing Mr MOORS-(Gordon), Minister for the Environment [4.52], by: leave: . I move: (1) . That the Printing Committee for the present session consist of Mr Blackmore, Mrs Chikarovski, Mr Cochran; Mr Crittenden, Mr Fraser,~ Mr Hazzard, Mr Hunter, Dr Kernohan, Mr Moss, and Mr Ziolkowski, to whom are hereby refereed all papers, except such as the standing orders or the House direct shall be - printed, which may be laid upon the table of the House. It shall be the duty of such corrvnittee to report from time to time which ofthe papers refereed to them ought, in their opinion, to be printed, and whether in full or in abstract ; and it shelf be in the power of the committee to order such papers, or abstracts thereof, to be prepared for press by the clerk in attendance upon such committee, and such papers or abstracts shall be printed unless the House otherwise order. _ (2) That the Clerk of the House shall cause to be printed as a matter of course all reports from the Printing Committee . (3) That the committee have leave to sit during the sittings of the House. Lest honourable members who were sworn in today for the first time think that a great honour has been bestowed upon them by appointing them to the Printing Committee, they will find that the Printing Committee ,is one of the great practical jokes that this Parliament plays upon new members. The abolition of the Printing Committee is one of the reforms that I hope the Standing Orders Committee will consider., Motion agreed to.

- 5ESSIONAL ORDERS Mr MOORS (cordon), Minister for the Environment [4.54'], by leave: I move: That sessional orders in identical terms with those adopted by this House on 17th August, 1988, 22nd February, 1990, and 21st February, 1991, be now adopted in relation to the following subjects : Introduction ofPublic Bills Divisions and Quorums . Private Members' Statements Days and Hours of Sitting Adjournment of the House Notice of Motions to be given in writing Time limit of Speeches Personal Explanation-Debates of same session not to be alluded to Alternative Form of Amendment Divisions-Recording of Pairs Cognate Bills New Clauses and Schedules " ' - 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 43

Preparation of Bills for Assent -, - . Suspension of Standing, Orders. As has been adverted to; these are interim measures to enable the House to sit today and on such- other days as are necessary before these sessional orders have been reviewed. - Motion agreed to.

DEATH OF . . THE HONOURABLE LAURENCE FREDERICK McGINTY, M.B.E., LL.B, , A FORMER MINISTER OF THE CROWN Mr GREIIVER (Ku-ring-gai), Premier, Treasurer *and Minister. for Ethnic Affairs [4.55 : I move: (1) That this House desires to place on record the sense of loss this State has sustained by the death of the Hon. L,aurence Frederick McGinty;_M.B .E ., .LL.B ., a former Minister ofthe Crown. (2) That this House extends to the family the deep sympathy of the members of . the Legislative Assembly in the loss sustained . . It is with deep regret that I move this motion of sympathy to mark the passing of the Hon. Laurence McGinty and, on behalf of the House and the Liberal Party, to offer my deep sympathy to the McGinty family. Laurie McGiuty sensed his State with distinction, holding the seat of Willoughby for a decade from 1968 to 1978, and holding the office of Minister for Housing and Co-operative Societies from 1973 to 1976. Our profession is necessarily competitive and often complex, as honourable members~~will appreciate, and in 1977 and 1978 Mr McGinty and I crossed swords in circumstances that were difficult for all involved. In many ways I think Mr McGinty . did the Attorney General and me a great favour, though I have to confess that at the . time I did not necessarily see it that way. However, in the true spirit of what is~best about our profession, this House, and the free and democratic rights that we 'enjoy, - today I can certainly honour Mr McGinty's memory and his achievements as a member and a Minister, as well as his long service in local government, during which _ he was an alderman on Willoughby council from 1957 to 1968 and mayor from 1960 to 1967. I recall when I first contemplated, with all the youthful enthusiasm I could muster, the notion of challenging Mr McGinty for pre-selection, I was told by a whole range of people in the area: "He is Mr Willoughby . You must be mad". Perhaps in retrospect I was. `, A man who dedicates so much of his life and energies to public service at many levels and in many different roles is indeed worthy of the praise and appreciation of this House and of the people of our State, Mr McGinty was born in 1921 in the town of Orange. He was educated at -Christian Brothers High School, Lewisham, and - at St Joseph's College. He then studied at the University of Sydney, where. in 1944 he obtained a law degree. After working for a time with the Taxation Department he served as a lieutenant in the Royal Australian Nary and then began his law career with .a .private arm, T: S. Skillman and Co. He then worked for the firm Colreavy, O'Leary and McGinty, and later for the 'firm of Shaw, McDonald and Partners. In 1955 Ie~ was admitted as a solicitor and in- 1967 he was honoured with an M.B.E. award for services to the community. . From 1962 until ,1967 he was an executive member of the New South Wales Local Government Association. When in 1973 he 44 ASSEMBLY .2nd July, 1991 was- appointed Minister for Housing he took to the job with great enthusiasm and focused especially on : the housing problems of the underprivileged and- the' aged. Throughout his parliamentary career he undoubtedly maintained a .deep commitment to' the .Parliament and to ~the, high ideals he .believed all members - should uphold. Certainly through his long service in local government and State politics, Laurie McGinty-upheld those ideals, and the House should now show its appreciation and pay him its respects to mark his passing. Mr CARR (Maroubra), Leader of the Opposition [4.58]: On behalf of the Opposition, I extend condolences to the McGinty family and take this opportunity to make reference to the career of service .of the late Laurence Frederick McGinty who; as the Premier said; was ,born in :1921 in the city of Orange: He was educated at Christian~~Brothers High` School; Lewisham, and' St Joseph's College. He served on council.,and, indeed, seined as mayor from 1966 to 1967, a long stint in Wipoughby- -elected.-`to local government. Perusing the details of his career I note that he was Parliament in February 1968. In 1965 Robert Askin was elected as Premier and at the conclusion of his first term was re=elected in a landslide., McGinty was part of .that landslide win in 1'968. .-From 1973 to 1976 he seined as inister for Housing and Co- operative Societies in the Askin and Lewis governments. The Premier has made good- natured reference to the twists and turns in Mr McGinty's career in 1977 and 1978 which had ramifications for him, the former member for Lane Cove and the later member for Willoughby. ~ Looking at. his career, ..we say _ that this man seined his community, he served local government, and he served the people of this State by his participation on the conservative side of politics in this Chamber. . That is something of which his family can be immensely proud; and we extend to them our most sincere

condolences. . y Mr W.. T. I MURRAY (Barwon), Deputy Premier, Minister'for Public Works and Minister for Roads [5:0j: I should like to join with the. Premier and the Leader of the Opposition -in ,expressing sympathy to the McGinty family, on the passing . of Laurence IVIcGinry. I' became a member 'of this, House in 1976, grid I think about seven members from that period are still serving members. Many an enjoyable, night was spent in the little room of the Chamber which was .the office of the honourable Tom Lewis. In that office there was always.a fine red and many yarns of history and politics : Indeed, fbelieve- some of the history of this House was written there. Though I`knew him for only a short time I found him to be a'person whose company I enjoyed; I enjoyed yarning with him. I support' the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in recognising the work of Laurie McGinty. He spent 10 years in Parliament and was a former Minister. He spent many years in local government and represented the people of the Willoughby area extremely well. He should be recognised by his party and. the Parliament for his achievements. Mr COLLINS (Willougbliy);~ Attorney . General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Alts -[5.2]:, I. join with the Premier, Deputy Premier, and Leader of the Opposition in extending . my condolences to the family of Laurie McGinty, who preceded me as the Liberal member for Willoughby, and of course, was at the centre of quite a controversial chapter :in local politics . That has already been referred to. On behalf of the communitywhich I represent it is fair to say that Laurie McGinty embodied every form of local participation. He was an alderman for some years. For many. of those years, eight I think, he served as mayor of- Willoughby. His efforts for Willoughby council during its centenary 26 years ago were well noted. He certainly left his mark, as a strong participant. in the local -government . process: He 2nd July,. 1991 ASSEMBLY 45

went on to become the member for Willoughby and, served in that capacity for .about ten years. ~ During that time he became Minister for Housing. Indeed, I recall an ' ` occasion when I was working as research and public relations manager .for the Liberal Party writing a speech for Laurie -McGinty at a time- when he` was Minister for Housing. : . I did not know him well but it is fair to say that the traumatic events of 1977 _ and 1978 when he lost preselection to. the present Premier certainly left their mark on his supporters . In 1978 it was evident that he had a body of support and one would well understand the strong feelings.and emotions of those who had seen their member . .. beaten for preselection . However, he was beaten -by somebody' who was identified 'in 1977~by :the Sydney MoiningHerald in. a front page article as one of the people in the Liberal Party "with a very big future"-the present Premier. Looking back, it is, fail to say that if Laurie McGinty had to be defeated by anyone it was an honour to-be . ' defeated by someone who would later become Premier of this State. The people of Willoughby note the passing of Laurie McGinty and note, especially following the Premier's remarks, the closing of this chapter in local politics. As the member for Willoughby, I extend my condolences to his family. Mr WHELAN (Ashfield) [5:5]: _ I join with the Premier, the . Leader of the Opposition; `the Deputy Premier; and the Attorney General in expressing condolences and sympathy .to the relatives and family of Laurie McGinty. Prior- to my entering _-' Parliament, I : knew Laurie McGinty as ' a practitioner with the firm of Colreavy, O.'Leary and McGinty, he being the ~McGinty in -that Partnership. . Mr McGinty also achieved the-high office of Minister. for Housing. In 1976 when I was elected to this House as a 'member of a 'government with a majority of one, Mr -IVIcGinty was the shadow moister for housing. He had a distinguished career in this Parliament and in _ , the law. He is one of a number of distinguished and eminent former pupils of Christian Brothers High School, Lewisham, pupils such as the honourable member for Riverstone and the former Attorney General, Mr Sheahan. This year is the centenary year of that school. It has a proud record of a large number of former pupils embarking upon political and religious careers; it has covered both those parts of the spectrum of life. As Minister for Housing, Laurie McGinty was unique in one sense: he recognised the massive problem of trying to allocate housing. In 1976 the Housing Commission was very slow to accommodate people and he introduced a scheme whereby the then Department of Housing, as a matter ofurgency, purchased blocks of units or flats to accommodate those in need. As the Premier has said in a well- meaning way, in more recent years Laurie McGinty was involved in a political scuffle. However, he was a great local representative and the Premier has reminded us that he was referred to as Mr Willoughby. Undoubtedly, his passing will be a great loss to his family, and his record in this Parliament is one of which we should all be proud. Mr SCHIPP (Wagga Wagga), Minister for Housing [5.7]: I wish to contribute briefly to this condolence motion to the relatives and family of the late Laurie McGinty from two perspectives. First, I served with him for a short period of about three years from 1975 to 1978 and, second, as the present Minister for Housing, I wish _ to acknowledge his work as Minister for Housing. I remember him often advocating co-operative housing societies, the other aspect of his portfolio. 1 know that approach has been followed by subsequent Ministers,` of which I am the fourth since that time..,- From messages . I have received I know how pleased, he, has been with the growth o-, . co-operative housing societies, there being 143 in the Sate" of present, and the huge program they-are managing under the HomeFund banner. I- -Simply want to say-to the 46 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

McGinty family that the Parliament regrets Laurie's passing and to commend his role in the evolving of co-operative housing societies to their present status. Mr FACE (Charlestown) [5.8] : 1 should. like to join with other members of the House in paying tribute to the memory of Laurie McGinty, with whom I served in this Parliament. I refer particularly to the period from 1973 to 1976 when he was a Minister. Laurie McGinty's compassion for the area in which he worked was underestimated by many people -in this House. . As the honourable member for Ashfield ~ s said, it is true that many -of -the innovative schemes that were in place when th., - Labor Party attained office . in 1976 were initiated by the . late Laurie McGinty. I refer particularly to the housing schemes- in Western Sydney and the Macquarie Fields area. Ron Mulock took over the housing portfolio at that time. Those schemes made a great ,impact on the serious housing crisis that became apparent in the early 1970s and I remember visiting those areas with Jack Bourke and David Richmond. Laurie McGinty used wisely .money made available by the Whitlam Government, in stark contrast to many others throughout that period in various areas of government admniistration . I place on record the appreciation of my constituents, especially in the :Gateshead and Windale areas, who received a great deal of relief resulting from the actions of Laurie McGinty. He was unlike many Ministers; he_was a hands-on person, .a humble but knockabout type of bloke: I remember one incident when he visited my electorate . A serious problem had. arisen with a land title involving the local Catholic church and he said, "We will see what we can do about it". He did not pull any punches and was. not going to do any favours. If the matter could be remedied, it would be. . That was the ilk of McGinty. Those .who knew him well were aware that at that time his wife was very . sick. 'As well as performing his duties within this Parliament and his electorate, .he handled that situation very well. On behalf_ of my constituents who remember him forhis achievements during those short but positive three . years as Minister for Housing, I place on record .condolences to the McGinty family. Members and officers ofthe House standing in theirplaces, Motion agreed to.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT JAY 1991 Ministerial Statement Mr GREINER: I wish to make a ministerial statement concerning the finances of New South Wales. New South Wales is one of only two AAA rated States in Australia. It has the strongest economy in the nation. It leads in microeconomic and public sector reform and financial management . As a result the people of; New South Wales have been protected from the worst ravages of the recession and we ~ are : in the best position to protect living standards and job opportunities. ' However, the dramatic economic downturn has not left this State unscathed. In the past three years we have faced a real fall of $1.5 billion in current revenues from property taxes and Commonwealth grants alone. In addition, because we have refused to engage in a fire sale, asset sales have fallen some $300 million. 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY . 47

The cumulative impact of. these factors, . all directly the result of Federal economic policy, is the source of our future budget difficulties . Having managed our way out of the mess left. by the State Labor Party we must now manage our way out of a far greater mess created by its Federal colleagues. . ' . My purpose in this statement is to outline the financial strategy necessary to ensure maintenance;of high levels of investor, business and consumer confidence in the State and to achieve the best use of public sector resources. The strategy builds on the achievements of the past three years so as. to minimise the impact of the. cyclical downturn and fix the structural problems of the Budget. This is not a case of pursuing fiscal prudence or good housekeeping for, its own sake. Rather, we are pursuing it. to maintain business and consumer confidence in this State without which we would suffer the same economic fate as Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia; to achieve better use of public sector resources in order . to safeguard the provision of core government. services to the people of New South Wales; and to' build for the future by removing the yoke of debt and providing the ' flexibility to respond to future needs and possible adverse developments . - I turn to the economic climate. To achieve these goals we need to . be cognisant of the changed economic climate facing Australia. Today's problems are not short-term cyclical ones but rather longer term structural ones requiring structural solutions, not just quick fixes. The 1980s was a decade of strong growth in economic activity and employment, moderate inflation in goods and services, rapidly escalating asset and equity prices, and an explosion in our balance of payments deficit and overseas debt. The year 1988-89 marked a watershed between the economic conditions, and trends of the 1980s and the changed fortunes of the 1990s. In that year New South Wales experienced its peak real level of revenue, due largely to the booming conditions in property markets and values, as well as strong growth in economic activity and employment. In that year the State had the . first ever financial surplus in the general government sector. It was, of course, the fast year of this Government. The surplus of $494 million reflected the revenue boom of .the mid to late 1980s and new financial conservatism introduced by this Government after years of Labor profligacy. But those boom conditions have now disappeared and the 1990s have the makings of being significantly different to the 1980s. For a start, the balance of payments will act as a major constraint, setting the upper limit of sustainable economic growth . In turn, fiscal policy and monetary policy will remain tight. Commonwealth fiscal policy is likely to be directed at achieving a surplus for the public sector overall to assist in bearing down on the balance of payments problem. Commonwealth monetary policy will be targeted at maintaining low inflation. 48 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

Overall, national economic .activity is expected to decline in real terms by 0.7 per cent this year and increase only modestly next year. Gross domestic product is. projected to increase by 2.5 per cent new year while national employment-is projected to decline by 0.5 per cent. -Unemployment for . the nation as a whole,is, expected to be above 10 per cent. New South_ Wales has substantially outperformed the rest of Australia over the course of the recession. We propose to ensure this trend continues and that the State leads the nation into-recovery. However, it is clear that this will be the most subdued recovery from recession on record and that recovery in asset prices on which State Budgets heavily depend will be very slow and-weak indeed.- Therefore, the recovery of the State revenue base will-lag considerably behind the general business cycle until the middle of the decade at least. The. financial statement I am tabling -today details the outstanding financial achievements of the Government's first term: To summarise: recurrent expenditure growth has.been constrained to zero in real terms, compared to 3 per cent per annum in Labor's last three years; .the Budget capital program has grown 6y 50 per cent as we started to overcome the Backlog of Labor's neglect of roads, hospitals, courts, prisons and schools; contrary to Labor's big lie propaganda, State taxes have moved from the highest in Australia on the talc'severity index in 1987-88 .t6 below the national average this year. Non-tax charges have fallen in' real temps by 1.8 .per cent since 1988;, and, most important,- debt has beeneffectively contained for the fast time: Debt servicing costs, after growing at an annual average rate of almost 20 per cent in Labor's last five years, have-grown at-less` than inflation in recent years. .The-debt ratio has also declined- dramatically from thepeak under Labor. The section on interstate financial comparisons .reflects these achievements . Only Queensland has a lower financing requirement per capita. .Net debt per capita is one-half of that of Victoria . ,- - . We are still running a current surplus in the, budget sector which helps fund the capital deficit as we renew infrastructure . On its new strategy, Victoria will not achieve a current surplus for a minimum of three years. Overall our State sector can be characterised as small government with low debt and substantial capacity to weather a period of economic and financial adversity. We stand in marked contrast to all the Labor States except Queensland. The current budget position is the product of four developments . First, during the 1980s the Labor Government's current expenditure was ratcheted up in line with strong real growth in revenue. ..-* This phenomenon reflected, the lack of any forward budget strategy and the absence of a top down process of capping forward recurrent estimates for much of the 1980s. It was not until 19$9 that this Government put in place a three year forward estimates system for current expenditure. If current expenditure bad been kept to zero real growth over the four or five years before the Government came to power, there would have been an additional funding capacity of almost $900 million per annum. -~--..

2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 49

Second; property based revenue"-has collapsed -following .the economic and credit squeeze initiated deliberately by.the Commonwealth Government.. ` . Relative to the -peak year of,` '1988-89, revenue from- contracts and conveyancing stamp duty has declined by almost $1,000 million in real terms. While there will be some recovery in 1991-92 and the forward years, it will not regain the previous real peak levels. Accordingly, .this is a permanent reduction in New South Wales' funding capacity . Thirdly, Commonwealth financial assistance grants to the States have borne a substantial part of the burden of Commonwealth financial restraint. Between 1987-88, the last year of a real increase, and thisyear, 1991-92, the latest year for which information is available, the, decline in real ~ terms was more than $500 million. Between the downturn in- property values and takes' and the decline in financial . assistance giants there is a loss to the . State of one .and a half billion dollars: Of .' course, it is necessary for the present system :of fiscal equalisation which has taken the additional $500 million from New South Wales to be reviewed. In co-operation with the Victorian Government we are starting the task of changing fiscal equalisation as it applies in Australia. Finally-this is the only part of the factors which is the responsibility of this Government-inner budget sector capital expenditure increased by almost 24 per cent in real terms in 1987-$8 and 1990-91. A large part of the increase reflected the impact of the 3 x 3 road program and the dedication of nearly all roads revenue to road expenditure. The estimated budget result for 1990-91 is a financial deficit for the budget sector of broadly $900 . million, though a modest Consolidated Fund deficit of some $90 million. It ought to be said that the Consolidated Fund result for the year is _ : preliminarily estimated at some $90 million. This differs from the forecast in September last year only by our refusal to sell surplus assets, notably the State Office block, at unsatisfactory prices. Whilst the Consolidated Fund bas been the traditional measure of State financial outcomes, we accept that the financing requirement or financial deficit for the general government sector is a more complete measure and should be adopted nationally . This figure, a budgeted $635 million, as I said, will be about $900 million-again a creditable performance in the circumstances. If we were to take no corrective action, we would face a financial deficit of between $1.7 billion and $2 billion in 1991-92 and the following two years. This is obviously not on. The deterioration between 1990-91 and 1991-92 reflects many factors. For a start, there is expected to be a real decline in revenue of about $500 million. This reflects a decline in Commonwealth financial assistance funds as cash balances decline, and the impact of various once up revenue items in 1990-91. At the same time, we are expecting a real increase in recurrent expenditure of $365 million, due largely to factors beyond our control . For example, we are facing the first year of funding the runoff of the $1.4 billion common law third party liability .. bequeathed. to us by the previous Labor Government . Then there is the additional , . superaniiuaion funding 'due to the growth of membership of the State Authorities Superannuation Board scheme and demographic-factors.

. _ , . 50 ASSEMBLY 2nd July; 1991

There i§ also the escalation in the cost of the school'student transport scheme and the increase-in the government contribution, to the State Rail Authority because of the recession induced decline in freight revenue. As honourable members can see, the deterioration in~our,financial position is in large part due to external factors beyond' . the control of our Government and substantially due to deliberate policies of the Federal Labor Government.

Although: 'the . deterioration in the budget position is not the work of the Government,, we cannot stand idly by and allow the position to deteriorate further. To do so would, be to waste the hard work that we have done and prejudice the State's future. - . The consequences of inaction,ao.nof bear consideration: Deficits of the, order projected would rapidly increase the level of debt and, hence, 'tfie proportion of the budget revenue absorbed in debt servicing costs:, Such a deterioration could affect our credit rating and further increase debt, costs. Even more significantly, a potential downgrading of the State's credit rating would lead..to a deterioration in the, confidence of the business sector and of consumers. .This would impact on.the level ofinactivity; . investment decisions and, most importantly, employment levels. As we all know, this State's employment levels have been leading Australia. We are absolutely, determined that our State will avoid the vicious circle of lost confidence, falling revenues, and possible financial and economic collapse that Labor's recession and mismanagement have imposed so far on four Labor States. The Government will not resile from the hard decisions necessary to avoid this happening. Hard decisions now will prevent much harder decisions in the future, as the Victorian experience suggests. We are absolutely determined to keep New South Wales a AAA State with the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and the brightest future. The .positive financial program I shall now outline will avert. this State suffering the fate of most other States and prepare New South Wales for sustainable economic recovery. , . In formulating this program,we had two objectives in mind: first, the need to reduce the underlying structural deficit to manageable proportions; and second, the need temporarily to fund the Budget during the cyclical downturn of the property market, when receipts from contracts and conveyancing duty, land tax and asset sales will remain depressed. The key financial target that bas been set is to cap existing general government net debt of broadly $15 billion in real terns and, hopefully, over time reduce it. This is a highly responsible target given the current status of New South Wales as a low debt State. It is a more -rigorous target than the previous one of capping debt as a proportion of gross-State product. Such a target requires . a reduction in net debt relative to the forward projections of between $3 billion

Our objective in framing the statement-and subsequently the Budget=has been to make. them as, people painless as possible but there are clearly no magic soft options, which -Labor likes to pretend there are. The Opposition was close to the mark during the election campaign in identifying the need for $1.2 billion of savings and a 4,700 reduction in the size of the public sector . The problem was that it did not have a clue how to achieve it. A careful search of Labor policy for effective contributions to solve the problem shows deliverable savings of less than $50 million and extra expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars. Overall, the budget strategies I am proposing today will produce a structural re-education in the -budget sector financial deficit of more than $1 billion per annum by 1993-94: I now turn to some details of our plans. Further details are outlined in the statement I will table later. I will deal,first.with structural initiatives . Consistent with our pre-election pledge, the* Government will not rely to any significant extent on increases in taxes to address the underlying deficit. The only talc initiative in the 1991-92 Budget will be an increase in the tobacco tax rate from 35 per cent to 50 per cent, effective from 1st August, 1991. This was foreshadowed earlier in the year and will bring New South Wales into line with the other States, except Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. Compliance activity will be stepped up to deter illegal imports of lower taxed cigarettes from Queensland . The phased abolition of share transfer duty will be deferred -until July .1992 because of delays in the abolition of the United Kingdom share duty. Finally, while not having an impact on the 1991-92 Budget, it is intended, as. announced by the Deputy Premier during the election campaign, -to extend the 3 x 3 petroleum levy for a further three years upon its expiry . in June 1992. In addition, it is intended to index the levy, the petroleum franchise fee and motor vehicle taxation to the consumer price index to ensure maintenance of road funding in real temps. I turn to revenue from Government trading enterprises. Honourable members will be aware that ties has increased by 350 per cent over the past three years. This increase largely reflects the impact of cost reductions on profitability, achieved by improved efficiency and rationalisation rather than increases in real price levels. Indeed, in real terms, the general prices charged by government .trading enterprises are lower now than they were in 1987-88. It is intended to maintain the broad thrust of improved efficiency and real decline in costs which will flow into higher dividend and tax payments to the State Budget. A major restructure of budget sector agencies was announced last month. It is expected that the new structure which separates responsibility for setting .policy on the one hand from delivery services on the other will provide a better service to. the public. Mr Whelan: Mr Speaker, I note the time- Mr SPEAKER: Order! Does the .honourable member wish to take a point of order? 52 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

Mr Whelan: A .point . of assistance. In ..view of the importance of the Premier's speech= _ . Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Ashfield has no right to speak other than on_a point of order. . Mr Whelan: The Premier . is delivering an important ' .speech to the Parliament.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! .If there is; no point of order that the honourable member wishes to take,"he should not seek the call. Mr,Whelan: The Opposition has no objection to an extension being-granted to enable the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition- -- .-' Mr SPEAKER: . Order! . The honourable member for Ashfield is grossly out of order. The procedures of this House enable members, if they so wish, to take the initiative in this regard at the appropriate time. I note that the time is now 5 .30 p.m. and, therefore, pursuant to sessional orders the debate is interrupted.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

EPPING RAILWAY STATION UPGRADING- Mr TINK (Eastwood) [5.30]: . Epping station is pivotal to the northwest sector transport study .program, which is examining the proposals for the F2 Castlereagh freeway and transport alternatives. . Maunsells, the consultants carrying out the environmental impact study; in a second edition of the publication Community Voice particularised a- number of alternative strategies designed -to address the transport needs of the area. . The road-based and public transport-based options have one thing in common : they regard Epping railway station as the centrepiece for any transport strategy. The F2 freeway is predicated on the basis that Epping station will be upgraded significantly. The traffic calming option, which does not involve any road improvements, regards Epping station . as its focal point. Other strategies, which include road widening-to which I am -strongly opposed-regard Epping station as pivotal to improving public transport requirements: -'Accordingly, no matter what is the outcome of the environmental impact, study, it is clear that Epping station will be the centrepiece of whatever option is adopted. . . Late last year Epping railway,station was-nominated for substantial upgrading. Heritage problems arose relating . to the 'retention of the two existing platform buildings. Those matters have been resolved and the buildings will be incorporated in plans to -upgrade the station. This has esulfed, however, in the station's upgrading being postponed to enable the plans :to be altered. With regard to funding, I am mindful of the Premier's recent comments about the budgetary ,position. I understand fully that projects of this type will be scrutinised with regard to funds that are available, and that is as it should .be. Clearly the Maunsell options under review suggest that the upgrading of Epping station' should be high on the list of stations that will be upgraded. Whatever strategy is adopted the pedestrian, commuter and public transport traffic going in and coming out of Epping station will increase dramatically. 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 53

It is important that the .priority given by the Minister . initially for the upgrading of Epping station be maintained. . My concern is based upon the importance that .Epping station has for these strategies . Any funds that are .ayailable during 1991- 92 should be allocated to this project as a matter of,priority. With regard to the many comments that I have heard in this Chamber . in .the past about -the F2 freeway, I reiterate that my personal preference for .the F2 Castlereagh freeway option is as strong as it bas ever been. Three weeks ago at Epping Public School at a meeting attended by approximately 3,000 people I was presented with a petition upon which there were 15,000 signatures that favoured this same option. I have been informed that having regard to the number of signatures on other petitions presented to this House in recent times, this petition has a record number of signatories. I favour the F2 freeway option; however, whatever option is adopted- Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member bas exhausted his time for speaking. Mr BAIRD (Northcott), Minister for Transport [5 .35]: I congratulate the honourable member for Eastwood on his re-election and his fine, strong performance in the electorate of Eastwood. .He is ad excellent member who is concerned about all local issues, particularly public transport. - I assure him that the -work to be carved out at Epping station will be first rate. The station will be renovated having regard to its heritage requirements. Each day 12,000 people use Epping station; it is a key transport hub in the region. The Government is eager to provide. commuters with the best facilities possible . The inquiry into the provision of the F2 freeway has highlighted the importance of Epping station. It will become a major transport interchange. It will be part of the focal point of the freeway. Honourable members would be aware that I, the honourable member for Eastwood, and other members of Parliament in the northwest sector are strongly in favour of the construction of this freeway. Its importance becomes more obvious every day. Traffic jams continue to clog road arteries that serve the area. The Government is interested in the outcome of the study being conducted at present by the consultants Maunsells, and I, as the member for Northcott, support the honourable member for Eastwood in his resolve to have the F2 freeway option adopted. At the station shelters will be provided for commuter transfers between buses and trains at an estimated cost of $400,000. Other proposed works include' the upgrading of overhead booking offices, the provision of new toilets, unproved lighting, a new concourse, and platform paving. The works are estimated to cost more than $1 million and are to commence soon, subject to the allocation of funding. As a result of the conscientiousness of the present acting station master and his staff, recently the station won a garden competition. Their efforts in looking after the station's facilities and the requirements of commuters have been first rate. The honourable member for Eastwood continues to work diligently on behalf of his constituents, and I commend the project.

ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY LITHGOW OFFICE Mr CLODGH (Bathurst) [5.40]: A few minutes ago I listened to the Premier outline the state of finances in New South Wales and the fact that the Government will be considering services to determine what will remain and whatwill go. The Government has already made a decision about a most important aspect of my electorate. Yesterday.I learned that the entire staff of the Roads and Traffic Authority 54 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 at the Lithgow office has been .offered redundancy packages and that the Lithgow office is .to be closed. That will have a traumatic effect upon the economy of the city of Lithgow. The only way that action can be interpreted is as a pay back to the people of Lithgow for having the temerity to return a Labor member to. Parliament at the general election held on 25th May. Although the closure of the Lithgow office by itself would probably have -created a great degree of concern in the district, this concern has been- heightened. by the fact that -in the past six months the Roads and Traffic Authority has spent $600,000 refurbishing its headquarters in Lithgow. What a waste of public money by a Government that has claimed it manages better. There are 64 personnel-involved in the management of the Lithgow office. To my-knowledge the only officer who has been offered any form of continuity of employment is the divisional engineer. He has been offered a transfer to that somewhat outback area of Port Macquarie, a transfer that I think he will be extremely happy to accept. The fact remains that not only have the 64 staff members been advised that their jobs. no longer exist, but next week a review of the Lithgow road staff will be carried out. The authority' employs 120 people in road maintenance and road construction in the Lithgow area. Some of that road construction bas been funded by the New South Wales Government but the majority of construction between Lithgow and Bathurst is the result of a massive injection of Federal Government funds into the road system of my electorate . The future of .the .120-odd road construction staff is in doubt until the survey is completed as well as .the future of contracting firms, such as Collies Bros and other major contractors to the Roads and -Traffic Authority: To compound the situation the former member for Bathurst this morning on radio station 2LT said that this is a sign of the times, that the Labor Party. is to blame for this fiasco, because the district now has ~a Labor Party member. I am at a loss to understand the rationale behind his thinking but what he did convey to the people .of Lithgow this morning is that this is the first of many cutbacks that will result from my re-election. That was an entirely despicable approach to the management of the economy of New South Wales. I very much doubt that the former member bad the authority of the New South Wales Government to make such a statement. I issue this warning to the Government : if it is the Governments intention to withhold services from the people of Lithgow because. they have returned a Labor member of Parliament for the district, it should think again. The Lithgow people will not be bludgeoned into supporting any' particular party purely and simply because threats are levelled at them. The people of Lithgow have shown at previous elections that they can and have changed their vote because governments and members adopted attitudes not .in accordance with their wishes. I know that better than any member of this Chamber. In 1988 they removed me from office because of my attitude to gun laws and the former Labor Government's general approach at that time. I issue a warning to the present New South Wales. Government: do not attempt to bludgeon the Lithgow people into submission by the withdrawal of services. Mr MOORS (Gordon), Minister for the Environment (5.44]: It has been my pleasure to serve with the honourable, member for Bathurst on two occasions and I congratulate him on his second maiden speech. I will draw the temps of his remarks to the attention of the Deputy Premier. 2nd July; 199-1 ASSEMBLY 55

FORSTER POLICE STATION CONSTRUCTION Mr TURNER (Myall Lakes) [5 .45] : Mr Speaker, I formally congratulate you on your position. Regrettably, I must again raise .the matter of Forster police station. In 1988 the Minister for Police. and Emergency Services of his own volition, and without reference to me, announced proposed plans-to build a-new police station at Forster. After I. recovered from the initial shock of not being informed about ,the matter I applauded the .proposal. But this is the second occasion that I have had to speak in-this Chamber about the Minister referring in this way to the police station. The Minister announced that the station would be built in 19$9-90. 'He then deferred its construction to 1991-92 and now I . understand it is to be built in 1993-94. It is not proper or correct for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to make a commitment , and then back off' from that commitment . The people of Forster and police officers who work iirelessty in the area are entitled to expect that commitment to be 'honoured, but regrettably that is not, the case: - In 1985 police officers in Forster moved into temporary accommodation. It would appear on its face that they may well,be in temporary accommodation for 10 years or longer if the project does not go ahead. I have considerable correspondence from the Minister on my file. In a -letter dated 2nd May, 1989, the Minister wrote that the new police. station was included in the draft capital works program and work would .commence in 1990-91 subject to the availability of funds. I accept that proviso, subject to the availability of funds, and I accept one or two deferrals but to continually defer the construction is wrong for the people of my electorate, the people of Forster and the hard=working police in that area. In that period of .time the police strength in Forster has. increased by 100 per cent but they still work out of temporary premises. Their lockrs are in kitchen areas and the holding cells are inadequate: The accommodation is removed from the court house. The new police station is proposed to be constructed next to the court house for ease of prisoner transfer. I ask the Minister far the Environment to tell the Minister for Police and Emergency Services . that he must honour the commitment he made. I did not make the announcement ; he made it of his own volition, without any reference to me. A couple of days after he made the announcement be gave me a schedule of expenditure in which it was stated that in 1989-90 $225,000 would be spent on documentation, tendering, specifications and the like; in 1991 $1,025,000 for actual building expenses; the building should start in about August-September, 1988, scheduled to take 12 months; in 1992-92 $150,000 for final fitout when the building is completed. At present there is a barren piece of land at Forster waiting for the Minister's commitment to be honoured. The other matter about which I wish to speak relates to the police boat at Forster. I have spoken about this matter before in this Chamber and I should have thought the Minister for Police and Emergency Services would have taken note of my comments about the Myall Lakes disaster when there was an unfortunate death because no police boat was available at Tea Gardens. Last week at Forster we had an, accident at sea. The police boat was not available and has not been operable for well over 12 months. The police had to use the fishing inspector's boat to rescue these people . I do not know when the Minister will come to a proper decision about police boats but he should be aware of the considerable dangers on the New South Wales .coast, On many, occasions police are called out to ,rescue people in difficulties of sea. We - cannot . expect them to rely on the good graces of the fishing communities and fishing inspectors and; in some instances, police going out to sea in rubber duckies belonging to surf clubs. On one occasion a police officer and-members of- the local 56 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 surf club had to go out to sea in the dead of night- in a~ rubber ducky, which nearly resulted, in a triple fatality. The Minister ,for Police and Emergency Services must get the police boat operative in the Foister region. Mr MOORS . (Gordon), Minister for, the Environment [5.50]: . I- noted ., carefully the comments of .the : honourable meber. far Myall Lakes . and :I will draw' them to. the attention of the Minister ,for Police and Emergency-Services in the other Chamber.

CHARLESTOWN ELECTORATE ROADWORKS Mr FACE .(.Charlestown) [5.5.1]: ;I raise a matter concerning road funding generally within my electorate, and. In particular for Wamers Bay Road. The reconstruction of that .section of the road between Cadaga Road and the proposed Charlestown bypass is supposedly the subject of funding under the 3 x 3 program. Last week'I was told-that-the project will be. deferred as the proposed route is the subject of an environmental impact study which is. likely to be complicated and may take up to two years to complete to determine whether .the road should follow a straight route or some other direction.' The responsible thing to do is to divert the money that was to be~spent on this road to two other importanvpiojects in the Charlestown electorate. Chronic -traffic problems, have been -experienced in: Warneis Bay as a result of the urban. sprawl;. within the, Hunter. -region; the development of the city of Lake Macyuarie; and"the construction of the western bypass around the lake. It was my understanding, the funding allocation . would be :redirected to roadworks on The Esplanade at Warners Bay between King,Stieet and Bayview Street, and on Hillsborough Road .between Charlestown Road and the .bypass. Lam now told that this will not -occur and that it is likely, following ~ the Premier's' , ministerial statement today, .that the money will not be. diverted to other projects : During election campaigns all candidates issue documents in support .of, their candidature. . Once again Judith Lloyd stood against me: ~, In the past she has not been,~known for, telling the truth, and she certainly, ,was no better on this occasion. She said that the Greiner Government had achieved a, $2.97 million, upgrade, .of Charlestown Road. That has not occurred. I do not know what she is_talking, about. ' As I said; she has never been prone to tell the truth in the past-far . from it-either in regard to me or in regard to anything she does in private or public life. I will go no further into that. I should like the Minister to tell me what will happen to the road funding allocation for Wamers Bay Road. . Judith Lloyd mentioned also the $750,000 upgrade of The Esplanade at Warners Bay: . .I should like to know whether that is the same project that I am talking about. or. .another. allocation of $750,000.. Judith Lloyd said that her commitment was for'_6etter,;oads with the 3'x 3 fuel levy, including the Charlestown bypass. She .promised.:it twice. This project was to commence within weeks of the 1988 election if the' coalition .Government was elected. We know what happened . to that promise:- . _ The : previous Labor Government's priority was to commence the work in 1989-90:` Ttiat wo'rk;was not commenced. The excuse given was .that the money was diverted for flood-related,relief throughout the State. I ask that the Deputy Premier advise me whether the projects to which I have referred, and which were to be funded under the 3 x 3 program, will go ahead in the Gharlestown=aiea and the Hunter region. Where is the $2.97 million for the upgrading of Charlestown Road? Where is the $750,000 for the upgrading of The Esplanade at .' . ., 2nd July-, 1991" ASSEMBLY 57

Warners.Bay,? I want to be able to tell my.constituents what the situation,is. =I-believe the 3 x 3 program is a good program: The' Labor'Party went into the election with a promise to continue that program if-elected to office. ' I want to know what funding is being made available for the Cliarlestown bypass; whether .money allocated for that, project will be diverted to others, and when and if we can expect any action: NSr MOORE (cordon); Minister for the Environment [5:55]: I will draw the remarks of the honourable member for Charlestown to the attention. of the Deputy Premier, Minister for.Public Works, and Minister for Roads.

. . THE ENTRANCE ELECTORATE FUNDING _, ~ - - Mk GRAHAM ('The Enhance), [5.56]: On the occasion of my frst .speech~ to the Fiftieth Parliament I wish to draw to .the attention,of the House, and especially to the attention of Ministers, the needs of my. electorate. As honourable members would 'know, I have spent the past three `and a half years pursuing the needs of ~ my. _ _ constituents and rescuing them from,the gross neglect they suffered at the hands of the Labor Party for 12 years. We all know and understand fully the tight financial situation of the State refereed to earlier by the Premier, which was caused mainly by the recession that the Federal Labor Government said we had to have. But I serve notice now upon Cabinet members that I will not stand idly by if they have any intention of curtailing projects in my electorate that have already started or are about to commence. I urge the Deputy Premier to honour his pre-election promise to bring forward $1 million to keep the Tuggerah Lakes restoration project on target . I also ask him to make sure that funding for the Wyong Road reconstruction is not reduced. Also, I ask the Deputy Premier not to delay the construction of ,three roundabouts at Wyoming, on the intersections of Henry Parry Drive, Renwick Street and Matins Road with the Pacific Highway. The Minister also gave me a commitment for two roundabouts at Wamberal, one at Ocean View Drive and the other at Tumbi . Road where they connect with The Entrance Road. The honourable member for Gosford lives on Tumbi Road and would be keen to have a roundabout constructed at that intersection. The Minister for School Education and Youth Affairs has promised me $250,000 to build a youth centre at Wyoming and the Minister for Transport has promised that the direct trains which run down the North Shore line will be extended past Gosford to cater for the commuters from my electorate. In three and a half years we have achieved much in The Entrance electorate and, because of the neglect of the previous Labor Government over many years, there is still much to be done. The people of The Entrance electorate rely on me to continue to give them the representation they deserve. The Labor Party, with its usual sour grapes attitude of "Give me back my bat, I am going home", is crying, "We were ' . robbed in the election on 25th May". Let me assure members opposite that once again the fine people whom I serve can sleep soundly in the knowledge that their representation in this House is in safe hands. As for my opponents' continual threats to take the election results in The Entrance to the Court of Disputed Returns, I challenge them either to put up or shut up and let me get on with the job for which I was rightfully, elected. . . Mr MOORS (Gordon),.;Minister for the Environment [5.58]: _I .am pleased to respond to the statement of the. honourable member for The .Entrance . Ministers have been harried constantly: by.. the honourable. member on behalf of fiis,constituents , 58 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991'

over the past three years. Ilook forward to having my ear lobes chewed by him about matters of concern to him and to his constituents in the.forthcoming.four-year term of this Parliament and in the terms of this Government beyond that period. One matter raised by the honourable member is of ,particular . concern to . me, that is,. the . restoration project for the Tuggerah. Lakes system: I chair the ministerial committee for its supervision . , Theproject is a significant : commitment by this Government, following years of hollow fhetoric. fiom the former Government and lack "of concern that led to 'the totality'.of the.fmancing of lakes-restoration falling,on the ratepayers of the shire of Wyong, who are, the constituents"of my colleague the honourable member for -The Entrance and of the honourable member for Wyong.opposite. The initiative-of this Government was to. lift the burden-from the ratepayers of Wyong shire and to establish a significant funding commitment that is continuing to be met;' despite the'very 'difficulteconomic times that the State faces. I was pleased to note in the minutes of Wyong shire council; .which I read assiduously to keep abreast of happenings in the shire, ,the adoptionby the shire of a new contract for a further stage of the;Tuggerah-Lakes restoration project, despite the mildly churlish remarks of the shire president, who has triedconsistently .to.politicise the activities of Wyong shire and to: make ~relatioriships'between this . Government and the residents of the shire operate on a hostile basis: Recently I wrote to the shire president indicating that I hope that relationships between the Government and the shire can proceed on a more orderly basis: Perhaps, after the council elections in September, when much of the political -imperative .has passed ; and when councillor Cutler and other responsible members of the slice are returned to office, we will be able to ~ proceed on a co- operative basis to address :the problems of the shire and its -residents, such as the Tuggerah Lakes restoration. project to which this Governnien`t and the honourable member for The Entrance remain steadfastly and solidly committed. Private members' statements noted. [Mr Speaker left the chair at 6.1 p.m. 71ee House resumed at 7.30p.m.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.JULY 1991 Ministerial Statement Debate resumed from an earlier hour. Mr GREINER: Before the dinner break- Mr Rogan: On a point of privilege. The point of privilege involved concerns me as a member of this House and,as .a:,person who represents my constituency . Many people will be affected by the statement the Premier is making in the House today. The Opposition sought to have the-Premier continue delivering his speech before the dinner break, but that procedure was not allowed to be followed. I had to listen to a news broadcast tonight to learn, that l0,0,00 .',public service jobs will be affected as a result of this statement. Many of those-job losses will affect my constituents. Yet, in this new era of co-operation, I as a member of this House have not bad the benefit of being able to learn directly from the Premier ui this House bow those jobs will be . affected and how many of those persons whose jobs will be affected by this statement will be people I represent., I believe it is a breach of the privilege of this House that I am able to learn only by listening to television and radio news broadcasts of the important impact that the financial statement that is being delivered in this House will 2nd-July, 1991 ASSEMBLY . 59 have upon my, electorate and directty,upon me as a member of this House. I believe that is a breach of privilege of this House. ' . ' Mr SPEAKER: Order! Certainly no point of privilege arises. If the member had taken a point of order, I would have ruled that no point of order is involved, because the House is merely following the sessionai orders that were adopted a short . while earlier. The business of the House is being conducted in ,accordance with its decision . Mr GREINER: If the honourable member for East Hills bad gone to the bills and papers office at six= o'clock, he would have been able to read the statement for himself, assuming that he is able to read. . [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. [Interruption] . Mr GREINER: We are on this side; you' are on that side. - . [Interruption] . , Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order. I call the member for East Hills to order: The Premier will continue with his statement. Mr GREINER: One can see the advantage of having this statement delivered after dinner because Opposition members are in a much better mood than they were before dinner. Before the dinner break I was saying that a major restructure of budget sector agencies was announced last month. It is expected that the new structure, which separates responsibility for setting policy on the one hand from delivering services on the other, will provide a better service to the public . In ensuring the best provision of services, departments must concentrate on those areas which they can perform best and contract out those areas that can best be performed by other agencies: Contracting out can achieve, on average, savings of the order of 20 per cent. Based on an Industry Commission analysis, significant current expenditure savings can be achieved in New South Wales by contracting out. Approximately half these savings can be achieved in the health services area, which will be able to be fully retained in the health sector, especially for much needed public works. The other half can potentially be achieved in the rest of the budget sector,. with agreed distribution of savings between individual agencies and the budget to be established. A high level steering committee has been established which will work closely with individual agencies to drive the process of contracting out. The Office of Public Management is undertaking a review of inventory management across the budget and government trading enterprises sectors which will achieve better inventory practices and both once up and ongoing gains. Grants to community organisations, other than those subject to established contractual arrangements, will ,increase by not greater than the. increase, in the Commonwealth financial assistance grants. 60 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, -1991

Advertising costs .will be substantially.. cut; with savings of $8 million per annum achieved,in the, rationalisation of composite job., advertisements and further savings achieved by a ban on all promotional advertising, other than that directly related to revenue generation or community information purposes. [Interruption] - . Mr GREINER: The honourable member says, ,"What about the Tangara?" Who put his face on the front of a Tangara? It was the former honourable member for Rockdale. The Labor Party, absolutely perfected the idea of. political advertising under the guise, of public service advertising: - It is the absolute master of it. Even the Leader of the Opposition wasforced to concede this morning that.perhaps the actions of the previous Government ought to be subject to criticism. He was, a Minister in the previous Government . ' He was one of the Ministers who produced the glossy big lie books about what .a~g"reat job he was doing for the environment., He bas the hide to talk about political advertising. This point ought to be made about advertising: the Labor Party says that it,is -easy to solvesthe financial problems of the State; that what you do is reduce advertising expenditure. .It is possible to save about $15 million a year, but $15 million represents exactly 1 per cent of the size of the financial problem that Paul Keating's recession has imposed on New South Wales. Let us not have any twaddle about advertising. expenditure and consultants' fees being the. . source of the problem. They are absolutely.trivial; they are,absolutety small fry in the context of the financial problems of the State: [Intenuptioiz] . Mr- SPEAKER: Order! There is too-much -audible conversation in the Chamber. I call the honourable member for Ashfield to order: Mr GREINER: I cannot resist the temptation of'quoting from the Illawarra . Mercury of September 1981. The Minister for, the Environment at the time was Bob Carr. The article is headed "Rainforest enticement-plan opens" and reads: The State Government launched a scheme at the weekend to entice more people into national park rainforests by providing better facilities and by television advertising . That shows the, hypocrisy of honourable members opposite. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Drummoyne to order. Mr GREINER: In respect of the Senior Executive Service, let me make clear that the Government is fully committed to aprofessional public sector. -The proposals of the Opposition for across the board, cuts in remuneration and in the numbers of the Senior Executive Service are rejected out of band as being counterproductive and, indeed, stupid. _ ,- In the context of the current difficult labour market, there will be no increase in Senior Executive Service remuneration in 1991-92, simply because that is what the market dictates. Indeed, if.the market suggests that in some areas remuneration levels ought to go down, they will indeed go down. [Interruption] .. . Mr SPEAKER: . Order!' There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber. Members who wish to converse should do so outside the Chamber. 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 61, _

Mr GREINER: Moreover, the rationalisation of head office functions has.-the. potential :for. significant reductions in the level of the Senior Executive Service. This will- occur not -through indiscriminate across the board ,cuts but by the proper assessment of-functions .. : .-_ . . . - . . I turn to the government -trading enterprise sector' where numbers have - ' declined by more than 21,000 over the, past three years. But, as the House will know, there has been virtually no net change in the numbers in the budget sector . There has been .virtually no change, in public sector numbers because, though there have been some savings in the productivity area, in other areas such as police there have been' significant increases in numbers. The rationalisation of the Department of School ' Education, _ the reorganisation of agencies announced last month,- .,the., reductions in the level of corporate head, office functions, as well as the impact of productivity or portfolio savings set out elow will result in staff reductions of .the order of 5,000 by 1993-94 in the budget sector . . . , .' _ . " . Mr J. J..Aquilina: Why not~call it destruction of public education? Mr GREINER: The honourable member -for Riverstone talks about the . destruction of public education. The Victorian Labor' Government has had to'reduce the number of teachers in that State. As a result of'this` financial statement there will be no'changes in the teacher staffing formula, in direct contradiction of the lies of both . Labor Party members and their mates in the Teachers Federation. . [Interruption] . _- Mr SPEAKER: 'Order! I call the honourable member for Sutherland to order: Mr GREINER: ' I shall not tell members opposite about Tasmania, for it would be too embarrassing. In order to facilitate the process of downsizing, the guidelines-for redeployment and retrenchment have been significantly simplified in order to remove the need for ineffective, time-consuming redeployment processes. A circular setting out details of the new arrangements and Government policy will be released after Cabinet consideration next week. Following on the highly successful dob-ajob campaign undertaken by the State Rail Authority, employees in the public sector 'will be invited, at the discretion of individual Ministers and chief executive officers, to nominate their own job or other jobs for consideration for elimination. Where appropriate, redundancy packages will be made available to those wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity to leave the public sector . [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order . for the second time. Mr GREINER: Apparently there is a sign of new behaviour opposite. In addition to these initiatives the Government is undertaking a program that will conservativelyresult in current expenditure savings of the order of $950 million per annum by 1993-94; involving both the across portfolio initiatives outlined earlier and savings' in individual portfolios: Of this amount about $300 million--represents savings in interest. Today Ministers, have been provided with *target- savings-to be, achieved over each of the- next three years together with options, to effect such savings. ' The details of those initiatives will. be finalised in the _1991-92 .B'udget.~ However, a- number j . 62 - ASSEMBLY grid July, 1991, of specific initiatives can be foreshadowed, and they are contained in the published statement I 'have released today. They include action in the. following areas or programs: terminating the strategic economic development program; . upping civil commercial court user charges; ceasing contributions to the: education and training foundation; bringing the energy funds under budgetary discipline; suspending the area assistance scheme and the sport and recreation fund; reforming the school transport scheme; and further downsizing the transport authorities. In addition the Government is. undertaking a number of interim funding initiatives.- While the budget sector capital program has grown strongly in recent years, this growth no longer can be sustained. The coming year's budget sector capital program of $3,392 million is down 8.4 per cent in real terms over 1990-91. However, the total capital works program will increase, in real temps, thanks to an expansion in capital outlays by government trading enterprises. ' As-1 have. indicated for some time, there will be little scope; for starting new projects this year, and deferrals will occur in most areas, although health and roads funding has been substantially maintained. It should be noted that after these changes the budget sector capital program is still greater in real terms than under the previous Labor;Government : I turn to privatisation. Privatisation of government businesses has been accepted around the world, .,and indeed--around Australia, except by 'the troglodytes opposite, as a necessary -part of controlling debt ,and maintaining essential public services. . Given the very-tight situation that has been described, action on this front is absolutely essential in. this State over the next few years. The only alternative is a massive permanent increase in debt and the diversion of hundreds of. millions of dollars from health, education and law and order to funding government businesses. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Swansea to order. Mr GREINER:- . In particular, though New South Wales has been able ,to avoid the financial disasters inflicted on South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia by the actions of their State-owned financial institutions, there is no rationale for continued public ownership. of financial institutions operating in competitive markets. That assumes that the sale proceeds that can be achieved-by privatisation,are in excess of their retention value. Retention in public ownership would require significant capital injections for the.State Back, of the order of $300 million over: the next few years. This obviously is unaffordable. The lack of capital injection will severely restrict the growth and profitability of the bank and opportunities for its staff. Likewise, interstate and overseas expansion of the GIO and its entry, into new markets and products would absorb substantial amounts of capital funds, which should instead be dedicated to high priority social purposes, such as health, education and law and order. The clear indication . for the State Bank is that sale will achieve a substantial excess of sale proceeds over retention value when account is taken of taxation compensation . Unlike the State Bank ,of Victoria, the bank is in a sound financial position and can be sold as a going.concern.'; ` In the case of the GIO, sale should achieve at least the same return as retention value, and probably higher,,provided adequate taxation compensation can be negotiated with the Commonwealth. It is intended to proceed with. the privatisation of the GIO first, and as fins -been announced by the Assistant Minister, a task force has been established - between the board, the management . of the bank ,_ and the Government to pursue , this , matter. Subsequently, subject to suitable market 2nd July, 1991' ASSEMBLY 63

`circumstances, the State Bank will be sold. The proceeds of sale will be applied to reduce debt, which will produce a cash benefit in excess of that achieved from dividend and taxation payments -under continued public sector ownership. ' In conclusion, the strategy outlined today and to be followed up in the-Budget will maintain our AAA rating, will maintain consumer .and business confidence and our= national economic leadership, with the least =possible impact on,services to the public or the. level of taxes and charges. By 1993-94 it will reduce net debt by $2.5 billion in real terms; continue current surpluses due to restraint on expenditure and indeed recurrent expenditure will fall by $950 million per year; reduce budget sector staff levels bysome 5,000 and government trading enterprise staff by 7,500; and reduce the financing requirement by more than $1 billion and keep it contained at well under $1 billion per annum. Incidentally, that is lower than the figure :in the last year of the former Labor Government . Also the strategy will achieve cumulative savings of $6.2 billion over the three years. At the same time New South Wales will continue to lead the national movement to microeconomic reform, both through the special Premiers' Conference and its own State initiatives which will be announced over the next two months. This financial strategy is the necessary foundation for the continuing program of reform that the Government will be pursuing energetically over the next four years. I commend the financial statement to the House. Mr CARR: Tonight New South Wales Inc. goes. into receivership . ' That is the significance of this statement. There has never been since the Great Depression a greater admission of failure from a New South Wales Premier. Percy .Allan, the Secretary of the Treasury, gave the game away: At the press lockup a little while ago Percy Allan was giving a briefing; charts were there, the pie charts and graphs and all the rest. Percy Allan said, "After three years of this Government we have now got the worst set of finances at any time in the history of New South Wales since 1931". 'At that point David Jones, the Premier's press secretary, came dashing in from behind a curtain, waving his hands saying, "It's all off the record". But it is not off the record. We have got him on the record- [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! There, is too much interjection. Mr CARR: The record shows that everything we warned about before the last State election is absolutely true. What this document means is that after the collapse of Skase, after the collapse of Bond, another high flyer of the eighties hits the dust. These are panic measures designed to hold the State's AAA rating . And let it be recorded that that AAA rating was never once under threat during 12 years of Labor Government. Never once. Not once, for 12 long years, including the recession of 1981-82-right through those years-was it ever under threat. After three years of the Premier the financial markets are saying, "We will strip them of their AAA rating". Members know what the markets are saying now. They are unconvinced by this statement. None of them is taking this statement seriously. The Premier will not save the AAA rating because they are looking at his three-year history. And it condemns him. . [Interruption] Mr. CA.RR: . The Premier . says that it ' is all the fault of the Federal Government, no fault of his.' - , [Interruption] . ' . 64 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the. honourable member for Broken Hill to order. - Mr CARR: I happened to be present of- the Premiers Conference as an observer-the first of many I will~attend. representing the people of New South Wales. They did not get a peep out of him: He did not register a protest. There was not an argument from him. There was more said by. the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory-and I have forgotten his or. her name-than there was by him. The Premier says it is, all the fault of the Federal Government . That will not sell. These are desperate measures by'a desperate man-not- to save the State, not to protect the families of New South Wales that~he has done so much to hurt. Look at him there: these are desperate measures designed to save him from the inevitable tap on-the shoulder from Peter Collies or Bruce Baud telling him the entire house of cards is falling down. Let me make a prediction-and it'will be spot on, 'as my predictions on the -blowout on Eastern Creek have been spot on; it . will be as accurate as my predictions about the blowout in the State deficit. My. prediction is this: this Premier will be gone next year. He will be off in Spain- ' [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Ermington to order. Mr CARR: :He will be off in Spain, he will be off in Hong Kong, he might be in Chicago, with that other failed MBA, Warwick -Fairfax. But he will be out of Australia,- a failed figure of the eighties,-a failure of, the eighties: One thing is clear: he' is not a reformer ; he is not a visionary.: He is just another boom_and bust Premier: he rides the booms and the busts wipe' him out. That brings us to the fundamental flaw,- the' fundamental mistake in his approach to ~ economic management . Anyone who knows anything about economic history- [Interruption] _ Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Carlingford to order. Mr CARR: -would know 'that the stock market collapse of late 1987 foreshadowed one thing-a dwindling of State Government revenues . Anyone who knows anything about economic history- would know that what happened on the stock exchanges of the world in 1987 meant that asset prices would dwindle. And indeed . that came to pass. But in the meantime-and this is the essential point-this Premier spent as if the boom conditions would continue. So that all the benefits of the boom in income from State sources were spent up in his fast two Budgets. Look at what happened to the revenue equalisationaccount-$500 million for revenue equalisation to tide the State over when revenues fell. ~ This is an essential point. All of it was squandered by the Premier during: the :boom years, the two boom years that he enjoyed-and no amount of nervous giggling'by, him, no amount of hysterical giggling, will distract attention from this point.', [Interruption] .. Mr SPEAKER: Order! : I call the honourable member for North Shore to . . order. Mr CARR: He spent as if the boom conditions would go on. The boom conditions did not continue. He is now talking about privatisation as the great way 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY : ,65

` out. .What has happened to the value of the assets he is- now talking about privatising? . . For three years he could speculate about the sale value of the State Bank being $1 billion.: That has been at least halved, but it is now that he is talking about selling it off. What kind of economic management is that? This is all' coming from a Premier who told us, as recently. as the election campaign, that he was budgeting for a surplus. .Remember the question that the Deputy Leader . of. the Opposition in .this House - asked, I think on 10th .April: "How big is the deficit?" And the Premier said; "Look, 'I . . am going to be embarrassed by the scale of the surplus" . ` [Interruption]' Mr SPEAKER: ,Order! There is far too much interjection from both sides .of the House and far too much disorder. This is a serious subject and should be treated as such. I ask all members to co-operate . I am not going to give any further warning, but I remind honourable members that there have been a number of `calls to order, and that does not reflect well on this House at this early stage of the sittings . Mr CA.RR: The sackings announced today come. from a Premier who said .during the campaign, "Oh, I won't countenance any sackings during a recession-no sackings during a recession" . The dismissal notices that he is sending out are entitled "Economic Pressures Creating New Opportunities". Those dismissal notices refer to the "once. in a lifetime opportunity" . In the depression not even the most heartless employer:wearing a top hat and a silk waistcoat treated his work, force . like that-at, least in those days a sacking was a sacking, not dressed up in Harvard jargon., I snake a serious point: the working people of this State deserve a bit of dignity. They, have got pride. If you are going to sack them, stand up in an open and honest fashion and announce,that their. jobs are no longer theirs. Do. not put over this offensive nonsense 'about new economic opportunities. Because they do not believe him. He is adding . insult to injury. _ 'What is going to happen to .' the people sacked=like' the people outside the Parliament who were today sacked from, the Department of Education? . The cynicism of this man is apparent in the schme he unveiled in the State election-it -got. the front page of the Daily Telegraph Mirror: His answer to unemployment was a suicide hotline for the unemployed. - Mr Whelan: That is sick. Mr CARR: That scheme unveiled during the campaign by the Premier as his answer to unemployment is .sick, as the honourable member for Ashfield said. And they tell me in any case that from 25th May the line has been clogged with Liberal Party personnel-Greg Daniels ringing up, Robert Maher ringing up, and all the rest _ of them. [Interruption] _- Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Londonderry to* . order. Mr CARR: I think the Premier has got something else to offer the unemployed. He told us, as reported in the Sunday Telegraph-that team over there is' very hard-pressed for weekend press releases-that he had learnt the lesson out of his near defeat-saved by 114 votes. He told us that he was, treating people too harshly, that he had turned ~over a new leaf: he : was going o .set up ~ in. the Premier's Department a bairlers~unit. The Premier can give us the telephone number so that all those people, the 5,000 who.;know today that their. jobs are gone, can-place a few-calls, and get a bit of advice and relief: The one job that could have gone, is still there=--our 66 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

Agent-General; the very model of a modem Agent-General. -He is so good as an Agent-General that he is getting paid before they send him to London. He is. so good as .an Agent-General that they are keeping him in Sydney to work until the job becomes vacant in September. The new approach to diplomacy is: keep them at home; let them do their good work at home. If this Government wants to save money, it should tell Mr Pickard-to unpack his bags and stay in Australia for good. That will sage. $2 million. The people who were rendered unemployed on 25th May are the ones who will get once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and who will be placed in jobs by this Government . David Hay and Mr Pickard have been given the opportunity of a, lifetime. [Interruption] Mr CARR: Phil White-what a tower of administrative genius! He has found a place. in government . Those people have been to the battlers unit and have walked away with good jobs. We are going -to .send everyone who turns, up at our electoral offices-diplomats, archbishops or whatever-to the battlers unit. The jobs are being handed out. During last year's special Premiers Conference, Gary Sturgess, Director- General of the Cabinet Office, and one of the architects of this miserable and despicable document which the Premier has released today, boasted to people from other States that the Greiner Government was a triumph of economic rationalism. He went on to tell the staffers that he provided 90 per cent of the brainpower in the Government. Looking at them; he is right. We read in Saturday's Sydney Morning Herald that the Government has had to lock him out of Cabinet meetings because he argues back and it cannot counter his arguments. Anyway, he is taking the Ministers, one by one, out to dinner. We hope he is paying because his .salary is double that of any of the Ministers. We await details . on the guts of this. document and what it says about dividends. For example, we know that statutory authorities will be squeezed. We know there will be a squeeze on the Water Board that will see it sack staff on a huge scale and force it to increase charges down the track. We know that will follow with every other statutory authority. During the election campaign the Premier pledged that he was going to solve all the State's financial problems by getting special dividends out of those authorities. None of the details are provided in this document . The details will come and they, will have a horrendous effect on employment, and increases in charges will be forced- Mr Greiner: What unmitigated rubbish! Mr CARR: Oh yes, like the State deficit. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Premier to order. Mr CARR: We await details on the -full extent of the sackings . Nothing is more certain; they will go well beyond. ,the figures advanced in this skimpy, hastily prepared document presented to. the House this afternoon. We await the figures on the cuts in services. .They have only been hinted at in this document. The Premier has mentioned the demands he has placed on Ministers to produce additional savings-savings that. will be produced only by taking the knife to government services. He will force authorities deeply into debt. He, will force authorities, as he has done. in the past, to borrow big to meet the dividend obligations -placed on them ~ by the . Government . This document's great virtue is the-final concession in this debate about 2nd July; 1991 ASSEMBLY - 67 the budget deficit. - It vindicates completely everything this ' Opposition and independent observers were saying about the blowout in the New South Wales deficit. Mr Greiner is just another boom and' bust Premier. He is just another big spender in good times but he is wiped out by the busts, and all honourable members opposite know that is true. I will not go through all the budget fiddles; we highlighted those in the lead-up to 25th,May. No one believed the Premier at the last election and no one believes . him now. No one believes him about government charges and no one believes any assurance he gives on . government charges. According to his .own Treasury. briefings the present State consumer price index is 4.7 per cent; water rates have increased by an average of 5.2 per cent; water usage charges are to . rise 9.3 per, cent; electricity bills increased yesterday by 5.2 per cent; and hospital bed charges increased by 5.2 per cent. [Irctemuptiorc] Mr SPEAKER: Order! . I. call the honourable member for Ermington to order for the second time. -. Mr CARR: All these charges have risen above the New South Wales cost of living. Earlier this year the Premier said that electricity would go up by half the inflation rate. It will go up by more than the inflation rate. The Premier has no credibility left: The burden will fall, once again, on families. School transport is to be taken away following the review foreshadowed in this document. How will members of the National Party, who defend country people, cop that? We do not hear a peep out of them. This will be another blow to families. Honourable members opposite know that an issue in the last election campaign was the squeeze on family living standards caused by the remorseless increases in taxes and charges under this Government, making New South Wales the most expensive State. Another huge blow to families has been foreshadowed in this document. As we outlined in the State election campaign, there are alternatives to these measures . We ought . to have a government that protects families. That is why the Opposition stands by its family relief bill, which will force government to live within its means. There ought to be a comprehensive attack on waste and extravagance-the Wall Street fantasies-that for three years this Premier bas built into government. That means starting at the top; it does not mean that the Government should give three of its cohorts new jobs as assistant Ministers with all the perks involved. Paul Zammit sits in the back seat of his LTD with his mobile phone while a Roads and Traffic Authority worker in Lithgow went home to his family last night without a job. How many jobs will go in Bathurst and Lithgow? I ask the Government to give guarantees that these measures will not mean that 250 families in Bathurst and Lithgow alone will be left without breadwinners. That is a shame. Where will they get alternative employment? Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber. Mr CARR: That would be equivalent to an entire street, for example, in the city of Bathurst where every breadwinner would be rendered unemployed. That is the sort of impact that these measures-and this man is inflicting them by responding to his own incompetence-will have on the families of New South Wales: We advocated at the last election comprehensive austerity measures as a fair way out of the. New South Wales financial crisis caused by this Premier's incompetence. These measures are now more urgent than ever. Let us have comprehensive and fair cuts. Of course, it would mean . cutting ' senior executive service pay now; cutting out SES pay rorts, 68 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 including those relating to the heads of the:Premier's Department-and~the Treasury. It would mean taking the knife to that. and'it'would mean cutting more than $8 million from the- $50 million a -year that this Government has'been finding to spend on government advertising. This is the damnable record of a . failed Premier-another boom and bush act. He never plans for . the hard times. He never anticipated . that the stock market collapse, of late 1987 would have implications for State revenue., He has never put._aside 'the proceeds of a boom for the day of a bust. I am speaking for all those- .families 'battling increased -tomes . and charges and now rising unemployment caused by the Premiers measures. -I speak for the public servants who are losing their jobs-by the tens of thousands when, on behalf of my colleagues, I say this: there, ought to be one person in-New South Wales who should- be sacked and whose job should be declared vacant, and that is the Premier.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE Mr- .MOORS (Gordon), Minister for the Environment [8.10]; by leave: I move: That leave be given for the Public Accounts Committee to meet during the sitting- . ofthe House'this day. Mr WHEI:AN~ (Ashfield) [8.11]: The Oppositionagrees ,because I understand that ~the .relevant statutory provision does not provide that leave be given for the Public Accounts Committee to meet during the sitting of .the House this day. I give notice to the Government -that at the first meeting the Opposition members on the committee will move that the . Public Accounts Committee investigate and report on all matters relating to and associated with the Eastern Creek Raceway facility, including land acquisition and rezoning; the State Government's financial commitments; the viability, of the: promoter, Barfield Pty Limited, and the developer, Dovigo .Pty Limited; the implications for further financial commitments by the Government; and that- any reports be made available to, and investigations be conducted by, the Auditor-General. To, that extent, the Opposition is delighted to support the Government . Motion agreed to.,

PETITIONS Casinos Petitions praying that the..Government will take no steps that will legalise casinos and farther expand gambling, and, organised crime in New South Wales, and that the Government will close existing illegal casinos, received from Mr Causley, Mrs Chikarovski, Mr Clough, Mr Cochran, Mr Downy, Mr Griffiths, Mrs Grusovin, Mr Jeffery, Miss Machin, Mr Moore, Mr-D. L. Page and Mr Rogan. Royal Agricultural Society Showground Petition praying that the House will prevent the sale by the Government .of foreshore and public parklands, including the Royal Agricultural Society -Showground, the E: S. Marks Athletic Field and part of Moore Park, and that residents be included on their adnuuistrative bodies, received from Ms Moore. 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 69

Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf- Petition_praying that public money not be wasted demolishing the structurally sound . finger wharf and establishing a walkway on the western side of. Woolloomooloo bay but instead that basic renovations be carried out on the wharf and an integrated . 'multimedia arts centre be established, received from Ms Moore. _ . Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Petition praying that support be given to the continuation without interference of tlie.gay and lesbian mardi gras, received from Ms Moore. Sydney Harbour Foreshores Petition praying that the House stop the sale of publicly owned land on" the foreshores of Port Jackson and its waterways, including that currently leased from the Maritime Services .Board, and retain such land in public ownership; acquire for the public foreshore land whenever the opportunity arises; ' and optimise public access to the foreshore, received from Ms Moore. Rockdale-Banksia Traffic Petition praying that the House reject the proposals of the Roads and Traffic Authority for Rockdale and Banksia, received from Mr Thompson. 1 Guildford Karitane Mothercraft Public Health Clinic Petition praying that the House ensure that the Guildford Karitane Mothercraft_ Public Health Clinic, also known as Truby King, continues to operate and that its funding be maintained, received from Mr J. J. Aquilina. . Crime Victims Charter Petition praying that the proposed "Charter of Victims' Rights" be implemented without delay, received from Mr Whelan. Lismore Flood Protection Petition praying that the Government . seek funds under the Federal water resources program for the purpose of providing flood protection for Lismore, received from Mr Amery. Adoption Information Act Petitions praying that the Government take urgent action to prevent the damage that will be done by the Adoption Information Act becoming effective in its present form, received from Mr J. J. Aquiline, Mr Griffiths and Mr.Langton. Abortion Procedures and Conscientious Objectors Petition praying that the Government legislate to grant doctors and nurses exemption from penalty consequent upon refusal on grounds . of conscience to co-operate in abortion procedures, received from Mr Small. F2 Freeway', - Petition praying that the Parliament proceed with the construction of the F2 Freeway along the various parcels of land already reserved for its construction and that Carlingford Road, Epping, not be widened as portion of such afreeway, received from . Mr ink. 70, ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

Rooty Hill Traffic Petition praying that the_ House take the necessary action to provide a roundabout at the intersection of Sherbrooke Street, Francis Street and Railway Street, Rooty Hill, to ensure the safety of citizens and a reduction in the number-of accidents at that location, received from MrAmery. Newnes and Marrangaroo Prisons Petition praying that the Government rescind its decision to proceed with the construction of two medium security prisons at Newnes~ and Manangaroq received from Mr Gough. Fassifern Railway Station Petition praying that disabled car: parking spaces be provided on the western side of the Fassifern railway. station and that access ramps to the. existing overhead walkway bridge be constructed, received from Mr Hunter. Sewage Treatment Petition praying that the Government proceed immediately with proposals to carry out full secondary treatment of sewage and to pipeline sludge from the North Head, Bondi and Malabar treatment plants to a site outside Sydney and recycle it as agricultural fertiliser, received from Dr Macdonald. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Petition praying that a moratorium of 12 months be imposed on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and that after that period a referendum be held seeking . public approval before the convention .is ratified,. received from Mr Moore. [Notices ofMotion] Mr Whelan: I desire to give notice that tomorrow I shall move that leave be given to bring in a bill for an Act to amend the Constitution Act 1902 and the Parliamentary Electorates, and Elections Act 1912 with respect to electoral redistnbutions, the use of: ticks and crosses on ballot papers, postal voting and the close of the roll and to make consequential amendments to the Election Funding Act 1981. . Mr Moore: On a point of order. It is out of order for-a member other than a Minister to give a notice of motion that encompasses more than one subject, and it is specifically out of order for a private member to purport to give notices of motion for cognate bills. The honourable member for Ashfield has just purported to give notice of three cognate matters. It is not in order for him to do so. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I shall examine the text of the notice of motion moved by the honourable member for Ashfield and rule on it in due course. [Notices ofMotion continued] Mr SPEAKER: Order! For the clarification of members, under Standing Order. 107, no member, except a Minister,' may give more than one notice of motion consecutively. . A member seeking to give'a second notice of motion may seek the call later. Mr Whelan: In accordance with what might be your ruling- 2nd July, ~ 1991 ASSEMBLY ' 71

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Astifield will resume his seat. I ask him to-withdraw unequivocally and unconditionally that reflection on the Chair. Otherwise he will leave the Chamber. Mr Whelan: Of course I withdraw any implication or any expression that might be seen by you or anyone else as a reflection upon the Chair. The Leader of the Opposition indicated that he had rewritten a resolution of which he had already given notice to the House. I thought it appropriate therefore, in view of the fact that you are to rule on a notice I gave earlier, to remove the possibility, the doubt and the decision-making process that you might have to go through, and to move the motion ordinarily ., . ' . . . -- Mr SPEAKER: Order! I ask the honourable member for Ashfield to withdraw .unconditionally, which he has not done: It was not so much that the honourable member for Ashfield sought to follow the procedure which' the Leader of the -Opposition followed that drew concern, but, rather; the words that lie appended, which the Chair found most objectionable. If the honourable member for Ashfield wishes to read his motion again to conform with my ruling, he may do so, and resume his seat. Mr Whelan: I withdraw unconditionally.

AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT Mr Speaker, in accordance with the Public Finance and Audit Act, laid upon the table Volume 1 of the Auditor-General's Report for 1991. .,' Ordered to be printed.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE Reports The Clerk, pursuant to section 57(1) of the Public Finance and Audit Act, 1983, announced receipt of the report of the Public Accounts Committee on Parliamentary Scrutiny of Performance Seminar Papers, dated November 1990; and the report of the Public Accounts Committee on Legal Services Provided to Local Government, dated May 1991.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

ELECTRICITY CHARGES Mr CARR: My question without notice is directed to the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs. Do you recall your'statement to this House on 10th April. that increases in electricity. charges "will be weld' below the consumer, price index"? Why have you.broken this promise? 72 ASSEMBLY 2nd.July, -1991

- Mr. GREIIVER: : The Opposition, and honourable members opposite continue to peddle' the most outrageous set of lies about government charges that one could conceivably imagine: Earlier we had this perennial big lie technique about how the increase has been higher than the. CPI. .As, the increase applies from 1st, July, not surprisingly. it applies .to the CPI increase in the year that has just ended.. The forecast in Treasury documents that were released today is for an inflation~rate for New South Wales of 5.2 per cent. 'That, of course, is the cap that we have applied consistently. It ought ,to be said That compared with every other State of Australia the 'increase in electricity charges in New South Wales in this coming year will be the lowest: Second; it ought to be said that the overall' increase in government trading' enterprise prices during the fast term of this Government fell by 1.8 per cent in real terms. In other words, they did not even keep pace with the rate ,of inflation during the- fast three years of this Government . Finally; the .reaGty is that. the increase in electricity charges for the average family will be. less than the_ inflation rate for the year just ended.

HOMEFUND LOANS Mr MERTON : My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Housing. Has the Minister approved a number.of changes .to the ~HomeFund. loan scheme and, if so, what are they and how will they benefit HomeFund borrowers in New South Wales? Mr SCHIPP: I am pleased to receive this question from the very hard working member for Baulkham,Hills. . [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Londonderry to order. Mr SCHIPP: . He is the dedicated chairman of my housing backbench committee: I am sure he will, also give sterling service to. his additional responsibility for the Water Board and we w71 be hearing many water users saying "Good on you, Joe" as well. However, I will not talk about that. at the moment ; I will. answer the question. One of the hallmarks of the Greiner Government which shows its care and concern for the battlers. of this: world has been the great success of the Australian housing loan provision called HomeFund. . When the coalition parties came to office in March 1988, the crowd opposite were providing a meagre 4,000 loans a year through the co-operative housing society system. The Government is providing in the order of 15,000 to 17,000 loans a year. It bas laid down a program for 1991-92 that will see almost 19,000 loans provided through a system that bas not only become a model for home lending in Australia but has now been adopted throughout the world. That is a credit not only to the Government but also to Premier for his support of the program. The program is a credit also. to .the staff-of the Department of Housing who have worked hard to achieve that level- of loans, as, well as the people in the First Australian National Mortgage CorporaCiori Limited organisation that has built a great credit rating within the secondary mortgage market and has been able to raise funds in tranches of up to 16 years. `That was unheard of before because of some of the doubts about this type of- borrowing. I might add that it is a credit also to the 143 co- operative housing societies throughout New South Wales which have the support and confidence of the people they serve. I give credit to them. The HomeFund 2nd July,. 1991-: ASSEMBLY-' .' . 73

scheme=a generic name-came into -being in, February 1989 And .since then has provided well in excess of 40,000 loans at a cost of about $3.5 million. , - . [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Coogee to order. Mr SCHIPF: :As a consequence of-a consideration of~the loan market and the secondary mortgage market, I am able to announce a~ reduction in the general _, interest rate to 13.6 per cent and in the special interest rate to .13.25 per cent for those people in Department of Housing homes who come under the home owner scheme and those people who buy project homes through the .special deals done with the - State's home -builders. Of course built into those rates are further subsidy. discounts which take some of those loans down to a starting point, of around 8 per cent. The Government has, thereby not only provided support for people on low .and middle incomes but ' has also underpinned the building industry -at a :time of great stress brought on by the long and hard interest rate regime maintained by the former and. . now failed Federal Treasurer. Of course everyone knows what ~thaf regime has done to our society and how it has impacted so far as the recession is concerned. The .other . 'day the honourable member - for Drummoyne made / an announcement that under a Labor'Government he would raise the top: loan level. to, . $110,000. For his edification, it has been at that' level for 14~. to 16 months: :. As . a director of the Central Sydney Co-operative Housing Society; he did, not even know that: The Government already had loans in existence at $115,000 when this great guru of mathematics said he would raise the top loan level to $110,000: How one raises something from $115,000-to $110,000, I do not know. The other important aspect of this new 'arrangement will be that as a consequence of the Federal Governinerit withdrawing the fast home owner scheme, which did not raise one concern or objection from the other side of the House and was replaced by. this Government from State funds, the Government is now raising the income level from $36;000 to $42,000, which will qualify those people to receive the State grant of $1,500. That will assist a - further large number of people to at least get a start with their deposit and their establishment costs. I might add that the Government can provide the maximum loan of $115,000 to people with an income of $35,000. The private sector requires an income of $54,000 to take up that level of loan, . so the Government is well below the level the private sector can offer. Looking through the basket of interest rates to compare the 13.6 per cent general interest rate _ the Government will now be charging, one finds that the average interest rate of the St , George Building Society, the Westpac Bank and the Commonwealth Bank for a five- year loan is 13.8 per cent. The Government will not only be charging below the average market interest rate but has inbuilt safety net support and also the assistance provided by State grants scheme. This move will generate further interest among hard-pressed home buyers because of the horrendous consequences if the policies of the Hawke Government. Members of the Opposition have not done enough to support the Government in obtaining funds from the Commonwealth to assist the home owners of this State. It is a blot on their copybook that they do not do more: So early in. the life of the Fiftieth .Parliament I am proud to announce these adjustments , - to the scheme which come into effect on 15th July. [Intemuption]

b_ 74 . ASSEMBLY - 2nd July, 1991

. Mr SPEAKER: . Order! I call the honourable member for Blacktown to order. Mr SCHIPP: They will be widely applauded by everyone in the community except the lot opposite because 'they do not give a damn about the people this loan structure is designed to seine. They know. they do not, because they do not help in any way.., All they want to. talk about is placing moratoriums on the houses in which the people we are :talking about actually live. They do not want-the houses to be built. [Intemcption] - , Mr SPEAKER: Order! I- call the honourable member for Blacktown to order for the second rime. -

OLYMPIC GAMES MEDIA COMMISSIONER Dr REFSHAUGE: My question without notice is addressed to the Premier, Treasurer and Minister .for Ethnic Affairs. Has the Premier . appointed Mr, Greg Daniels, the head of Clemengers and director of his failed election campaign, as media commissioner for the Olympic bid? Why has he compromised Sydney's Olympic bid with a political appointment? After, his failure with the Liberal election campaign, what qualities will Mr. Daniels bring to'bear on his new task? Mr GREINER: ,I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question. I was expecting the fast ~ question to be about political appointments ; I am grateful that the second question .is., .The answer to the question, which is public knowledge and has been public knowledge for about four or five- ' Mr Baird: He was selected by the Australian Olympic Committee. Mr GREINER: He was selected by the Australian Olympic Committee many months ago. Not surprisingly, the answer to the question is yes. I ask honourable members to imagine the, hypocrisy and stupidity of anyone in the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales daring to stand up and talk about political appointments. The other day the Leader of the Opposition- [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Riverstone to order. Mr GREINER: -told the people of New South Wales, "Well, of course we will have jobs for the boys if we ever get to Government but I give this guarantee: we will not be providing jobs for failed politicians" . So said the Leader of the Labor Party in New South Wales. I have a random list of failed politicians who were given jobs by the Government of which the honourable member for Maroubra, the honourable member for Liverpool and, indeed, the honourable member for Ashfield, were Ministers. The first is the Hon. Michael' Egan: He is a person who is opposed to political appointments . He claims that-n6 one who has been a member of Parliament deserves any sort of job in the Government. Michael Egan lost his seat to the honourable member for Cronulla by a very convincing margin . [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Kogarah to order. 2nd July, 199'1 ASSEMBLY 75

Mr GREINER: Within three weeks he was given a job as senior policy adviser to Barrie Unsworth. At that time his salary was $46,274. In addition, because he had absolutely no qualifications at all, he was put. on the board of the -Maritime Services Board. Obviously he is an example of a politician who was, appointed on merit. . , [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Bulli to order. Mr GREINER: Because they never give jobs to failed politicians in the Carr Labor Party they appointed A1 Grassby. .He was appointed to. the position of special adviser, community relations-one only wonders which community-in the ,Premier's Department with a salary of $47,860. Then there was the honourable member for Wakehurst, Mr Webster, the one before the one before the, last one. Mr Webster lost his seat and what happened to Mr Webster? Immediately before anyone could. say, "Jack Robinson" or "Bob Carr", Mr Webster was appointed to the ministerial advisory unit in the Premier's Department. It is a great place, this ministerial advisory unit in the .Premier's Department, apparently, for failed politicians in the Labor Party. Mr Webster's salary was $46,274. Not surprisingly, guess what date his service was terminated? The 24th March, 1988, was the day his service was terminated and one could only wonder why. Then there was that outstanding Labor politician in the upper House, a Mr Burton. He was a Labor MLG from 1975 to 1984. Because he was such an outstanding person he was appointed ~ to the New South Wales Air Transport Council at its inception . in June 1987. It gets. a lot better and honourable members opposite have the hide to talk about political appointments. , . [Interruption] .

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member , for- Kogarah to order for the second time. Mr GREINER: Honourable members opposite have the hide to talk about Greg DanieLs,, who gets paid precisely nothing for doing his job for the Australian Olympic Committee and the Sidney Olympic bid. He gets paid nothing. [Inteincption] . Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third tithe. Mr GREINER: Let us just see who is fair ciinkum. Mr Speaker, do you remember Alan Stewart? Does anyone remember Alan Stewart? Maybe the new member for Manly remembers Alan Stewart. He used to pay only passing visits to Manly. Alan Stewart was totally qualified to do absolutely nothing at the Land and Environment Court. He was totally disqualified in terms of any experience or qualifications-academic, practical or otherwise. That is what Mr Alan Stewart was qualified for but what happened to him? When he could not find a job after he lost his seat he was appointed an assessor in the Land and Environment Court-someone who had absolutely not an idea about anything and he still does not have an idea. He continued to be reappointed on an acting,basis; then he was given a permanent job for a seven-year term. I can give honourable members one indication of someone who will not have his term extended when -it expires. This bloke, Alan Stewart, the failed member for Manly, who has absolutely no qualifications, currently receives $88,000 in the Land and Environment Court. 76 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, :1991

The list goes on-Eddy Britt. . This- afternoon we were talking about the late . Laurie McGinty. . One of the things Laurie did was to get Eddy -Britt elected. on his , preferences and Eddy lasted exactly one term before be was defeated-by the Attorney General. Eddy Britt- :used to be a clerk in the Lotteries _Office. He is a thoroughly. decent bloke and was probably a thoroughly .good clerk .in .the Lotteries Office. .: So what happened to Eddy Britt? He suddenly got transmogrified into an assessor at the - Consumer .Clauns'Tnbunal, and who appointed him to that job? The honourable member for .Ashfield . did >This -is a case of a failed Minister appointing a failed member to .do a job that .he was totally disqualified ,from doing. I am told that on average referees such as Mr Britt sit twice a week for 48 weeks a year and they receive $32,000 for dealing with 91 items. ; It gets better still. This is one of the outstanding- ones. The Minister for Tourism will remember this bloke, Fred Miller. Now; Fred Miller is a thoroughly decent bloke. I would not pick on him because he is a nice bloke::-He made absolutely no contnbufion in this Parliament and was soundly beaten by the Honourable member-for -Vaucluse: What happened to Fred Miller? Fred Miler was, given a--job as gay liaison police community relations officer. This failed Labor member had a card printed which stated, "Fred Miller, Gay Liaison Officer". The card was taken from him. `Then `there.is Eric Bedford, who we have heard about in the last few ' days. - Kath_ Anderson, the mother of the honourable member for Liverpool, was .not only'given a whole raft of jobs but was reappointed by us because she happens to be a person of some merit. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is far too much interjection from both sides of the House. I note that the-Premier has been continuing his answer for some time. I . ask him to draw his answer to a conclusion . Mr GREINER: Yes, Mr.Speaker, but it was such a particularly good- question from the Deputy Leader of,the .Opposition that it deserves a fulsome response. I shall give only a .few more examples, in deference to your 'request, Mr Speaker. Brian Bannon; the former member for Rockdale, had to be turfed out so they could bring in that great failed Premier, .Barrie Unsworth. What happened to Brian Bannon? He had a job as chairman of a. State sports centre trust, a non-remunerative job. Suddenly he was turfed out4or Barrie and:suddenly the position pays $29,726 per annum. [Interruption] Mr GREINER: No doubt it was plus expenses. I shall not deal with Peter Watkins, John Ducker and a whole, raft of others. One final one the honourable member for Strathfield will remember is Phil O'Neill, who can still be seen wandering around the corridors. Mr Beckroge: A great research officer. Mr GREINER: The reality is that Mr O'Neill was a member of this House from 1978 to 1984 when he was defeated by the present honourable member for Strathfield. . He was appointed immediately, to the staff of the Minister for Local Government and the following year, to the . Western, Area Health Board. On 16th August, 1987, the Cabinet, in which the Leader, of he Opposition, the honourable. member for Ashfield, and the honourable member for Liverpool were serving Ministers, appointed Mr O'Neill-again a person of precisely no qualifications whatsoever-to the position of full-time vice-chairman of the Transport Appeal Board: He would be the only full-time vice-chairman on God's earth. He was appointed for 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 77 five years, effective from 31st August. It gets better because when this Government came to power it immediately decided this position was a complete waste of time- and legislation was introduced to do away with the full-time vice-chairman's job and: allow for the appointment of two part-time vice-chairmen. In the upper House the king of waste; the Hon. Michael Egan, moved an amendment to provide that the occupant of the position should have the question of compensation for loss deternuned by the Salaried Officers Remuneration Tribunal. [Interruption] . Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member . for Ermiugton to order for the third time. Mr GREINER: The amendment was carried because the Labor Party and others had the numbers at that time in the upper House. Mr O'Neill, this totally political appointment; without merit, was given $200,000 as a direct result of the efforts of the Hon. Michael Egan in the upper House. I will not mention Peter Fitzgerald because he never became a failed member of this House. He failed to get preselection so then they had to fix him up, but that is another story. I return to what I guess is the heart of the question asked by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Greg Daniels is indeed the marketing and media co-ordinator or'commissioner of the Olympic bid. He will do an outstanding job., He will not be paid and, unlike all those appointments and others made by-the Labor Party, his is an appointment made on merit and will be seen to be justified as such. .

OPPOSITION TRANSPORT POLICIES Mr GLACHAN: My question is directed to the Minister for Transport: Has any assessment yet been made of the feasibility of some of the Opposition's recent promises on transport? If so, has it been established whether any of them could be fulfilled in a cost effective manner? Mr BAIRD: . I congratulate the honourable member for Albury on his appointment as chairman of the transport committee. I am sure he will continue to do an outstanding job. For the benefit of new members of the . House I state that there is a nickname for the honourable member for Kogarah. Mr Langton: On a point of order. Mr Speaker, much has been said today about the standing orders of this Parliament. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will hear the point of order in silence. Mr Langton: My knowledge of the standing orders includes the fact that the Minister may be asked a question only which directly relates to his administration . Quite clearly there is nothing in a Labor Party policy document or the costing or feasibility thereof which has anything to do with the administration of the Minister. I therefore submit that the question is totally out of.order. Mr SPEAKER: . Order! No point of order is involved. Mr BAIRD: As if to provide an example of what we are talking about;~the , nickname for the honourable member for. Kogarah is loose lips Langton, because he has no credibility. In the past few months the Opposition came out with . many 78 ASSEMBLY 2nd July,. 1991 promises. While the Leader of the Opposition was promising leaner government the honourable member for Kogarah was making spending proposals as if there was a money tree. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I cap the honourable member for Kogarah to order for the third time.

Mr BAUD: A press release from the Opposition stated that there were major problems with the maintenance of the XPT fleet. The honourable member for Kogarah said, "The management of . the State's XPT fleet is causing serious breakdowns and XPTs will be taken off all country routes after this Saturday's election if the Government is returned". The XP"I's are still running and :will continue to run for a long time to come. The press release, in black and white and with a photo on top, was scaremongering . It is an example of the usual approach of the honourable member for Kogarah: the big lie. Another proposal was to save money by amalgamating the State Rail Authority and the State Transit Authority. Not one brass razoo would be saved by combining those two authorities. That .was a total flight of fancy by the honourable member for Kogarah. , Who separated the two authorities in the first place? That was done by his mates in the former Government. Now he wants to recombine the authorities to save money. The honourable member also put .forward the extraordinary proposal to put on 200 extra staff to have all stations staffed 24 hours a day for seven days a week. There is only one problem: the trains do not run after midnight. I am sure the staff would have a great time playing cards or whatever, but at .great cost to the. taxpayer. The honourable member referred to running two-car trains after midnight. But the buses that have replaced the after-hours trains have had a tripling of patronage across the network. Replacing that service would cost $8 million. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Canterbury to order. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Bulli to order for the second time. Mr BAIRD: A good insight into how things would be under Labor was provided by the grand bus plan for Sydney which was put out by the honourable member for Kogarah: He proposed a. huge. fleet of electric golf buggies scurrying to every corner of the metropolis. He said that would save lots of money and save the environment: there was a high level of pollution in the city for a day. The honourable member jumped on the bandwaggon and said that he would save the day. He referred to the example of Dusseldorf. His press release stated that a fleet of 22 electric powered buses, each carrying 90 passengers, was operating, had been operating for years and is still operating today. A check with the major transport institute based in Brussels shows that not one battery powered bus operates commercially anywhere in the world. The one he referred to in his press release as his way of saving the environment stopped in 1987: , For him time stopped in 1987. [Interruption] 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 79

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Wallsend to order. - Mr BAIItD: Such statements are part of the big lie technique. I suggest to the honourable member that it is time he .got his head out of the bunker. He should watch out before the golf buggies run him over.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIAL POLICY UNIT Mr IEMMA: Does the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs recall promising on 8th June that he would set up a 'tattlers' unit? What are the functions of.this unit? Who is staffing it? Will its phone number be made available. to the breadwinners his Government is today sacking? Mr GREINER: I thank the honourable member for Hurstville for his maiden question; I am sure they will improve after that. I never stated that there would be a thing called a 'tattlers' unit. Unlike all the Labor State governments, I am of the view that State governments have a spec responsibility to develop coherent social policies to deal with a whole range of issues that affect disadvantaged people at a State level. It is true that the Minister for Health and Community Services is setting up in his ministry a unit whose specific task is to provide for the very fast time in New South Wales-indeed for the fast time anywhere in Australia-a coherent social policy and to look at the distribution of assistance to people who are disadvantaged, from the very young to the very old, and the question of access. It is interesting that the honourable member for Broken Hill, who represents one of the areas where elderly people and others suffer very real disadvantages compared with people living in the metropolitan area simply because- [Interruption] ' Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Canterbury to order for the second time. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! Question time will be better and more questions will be asked and answered if members desist from sniping interjection which encourages Ministers to respond. That practice delays the answering of questions and therefore deprives members of the opportunity of asking other questions. By the normal standards of the House it is very late to have question time at this hour. I ask all members to behave themselves for the remaining 15 minutes so that as many questions as possible may be asked. Mr GREINER: There are marked discrepancies among people, particularly elderly people, in the whole range of assistance that is provided by governments, the State Government in particular, depending on where people live. This unit will see whether the unfairnesses which are quite clearly there can be reduced. The social policy unit within the administration of the Minister was dubbed by one newspaper as the 'tattlers" unit. I am not sure that I would have chosen that title. The task of that unit is as I have outlined . The Australian Labor Party used to say that it was committed to social justice,, before the present Federal Government was elected. That Government bas done more to, hurt the tattlers of Australia than has any other . government in memory ., One would have thought that the Australian Labor Party would have been supportive of a social policy unit that would bring together the range of factors across a range of government_ departments that unfairly affect the 80 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 disadvantaged. The former boss. of the honourable member for Hurstville tried without success to improve the social security system in Australia. I should have thought that the . honourable memberfor Hurstville and members of the Australian Labor-Party in general would have been desirous of having such a 'unit. It:should have been established many years ago when the *Labor Party was in government in this State- [Intemiption] . : Mr SPEAKER: `Order! I call the honourable member for Illawarra to order. Mr GREINER: -rather than that Government creating the hodgepodge that assisted 'some a 'great deal but others, equally worthy, not at all. I am pleased to inform the honourable member that such a unit exists in the administration of the Hon. J. P. Hannaford. For the first time it will produce a coherent social policy for the people of New South Wales.

ROADWORKS FUNDING Mr BECK: I address a question without notice to the Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Roads. What effect will the significant reduction in Federal Government road funding and the Federal. Government-induced recession have on this State's roads program for the next financial year? Will the Minister guarantee that revenue raised from State feel levies and vehicle registrations will continue to be allocated fully to roadworks? _ . ' . . ' Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: I thank the honourable member for his question and , for his enormous efforts in the development of roads in the far northeast of New South Wales. Highways that extend through Queensland stop at the border of New South Wales because:the former Labor Government failed to use, foods raised from petrol taxes for road construction . - I assure the House and the people of, New South Wales that the Greiner-Murray Government is firmly committed to providing an efficient and safe road and traffic system for New South Wales:. The Government will not be diverted from that commitment . Already a marked improvement in the standard of many of our roads has been realised because of .the Government's record level of expenditure on roads. Capital works funds for roads provided from all State sources in the 1990-91 Budget constituted a 37 per cent increase in real terms compared with the Labor Government's road funding in 1987-88. In fact, funding from all State sources, excluding loans, has been 80 per cent greater in the past three years than in Labor's last three years in office. The Government has honoured its 1988 election promise to direct all State fuel taxes to roadworks. This is the only State government to do so. In Victoria a 2c petrol tax is dedicated to bailing out the failed Pyramid group. Such a situation will not arise in New South Wales. With regard to the second part of the question asked by the honourable member, I inform the House that the Government has no intention to syphon off any of- the State fuel levies to consolidated revenue or any other area, as is done by Labor States throughout Australia and as was done by the former Labor Government in this State. All State fuel taxes will continue to be applied specifically and exclusively to. improving the standard of roads in New South Wales. This is an unequivocal commitment to the .people of this State. Consequently, revenue now raised from the State's 3.53c a litre fuel tax and the 3c a litre special levy will continue to be applied wholly to roads. The 3 x 3 levy is actually administered by a trust, and that further 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY- . 81 guarantees ~ttie full application . of the levy to .roads. Without: the Governments commitment to spend that revenue on roads, our road system would still .be in the same mess it was in when it was handed to us by Labor in 1988! Two significant aspects 'that, influence the State Government's ability, to maintain the level of spending _on roads are .regarded as necessary to achieve the standards requited. One is the failure of the Federal Government to provide adequate funding to the State for roads. The other is the recession, which was brought on by the Federal Government as the recession we had to . have. With 'regard to Federal funding, it would be an understatement to say that New South Wales has not received a fair share of Federal road funds. The most recent review of appropriate State shares of Federal road funds-the Cameron report of 1986-recommended that New South Wales should receive 36.3 per cent of Federal road funds. On that basis New South Wales has been robbed of $509 million in Federal funds since 1983-84 because it simply has not been given its fair share. In 1983-84 the Federal Government funded 41.6 per cent of the New South Wales roads and traffic program. By this financial year that figure had -been whittled down to 30.9 per cent-a figure that reflects the Federal Government's complete abrogation of its responsibility for roads. Not .'only has the Federal Government abrogated its fundamental responsibility for roads, but it has also since 1983 consistently reduced the indexed amount of the Australian bicentennial . road' program and placed it . back into consolidated, revenue. Even the- State Opposition acknowledges that the Federal Labor Government has been unfair to New South.Wales. The Opposition's pie-in-the- sky policy for roads conceded that the Federal Government was gypping New South Wales out of millions of dollars for roads. Fortunately for the people .of New South Wales that policy will never .be implemented. ' It would have depended heavily, on borrowingsjust as the Labor Party did prior to 1988-with the result that every man, woman and child in this State would be burdened with unnecessary government debt. The Opposition should do something constructive for a change and join with the Government to press the Federal Government for a fair and just share of. Federal funds for New South Wales roads. After all, had the Labor Party acted responsibly when it was in government, our roads would not be in the mess they are in today. The recession has bad a significant impact on State revenues and has impacted severely on the Government's forward planning, including its planning for roads. Already the Premier has said that because of a marked downturn in the State's resources as a result of the recession there are unlikely to be any new capital works commenced this financial year. Forward assessments prepared by the Roads and Traffic Authority show a significant reduction in funds available from traditional sources in 1991-92. This refers in the main to the slump in revenue from motor vehicle registrations and fuel levies, which are vital sources of finance for the State's roads program. . The reality of the situation facing us demands that we revise our forward planning and cut our cloth to suit. No other course of action would be responsble. No program for next year may be detailed until the Budget is finalised and brought down by the Premier in September. I am optimistic, however, that next year expenditure on roads will be maintained in dollar terms but there will be little margin to cover inflation. I state categorically. that no new road projects will be started next year. All available funds will be directed towards maintenance and rehabilitation works and to the completion of. current projects. ' It will be~necessary to integrate the works to be carried out from the base program and those performed under the 3 x 3 program. 82 .ASSEMBLY ' 2nd July; 1991

Obviously there will be a flow-on effect to councils, and the most likely situation will be that block grants will be maintained in dollar terms but funding for other programs will be considered together with all. other works to establish the total priority. Such a downturn in activity cannot occur, without a commensurate impact on the demand for labour, and it is likely that as many as 400 Roads and Traffic Authority jobs will become redundant. Though it ,is depressing to speak about cutbacks and job losses, the fact is that New South Wales is better equipped to .withstand the effect of the recession than other States, where essential services are being reduced and unemployment is at record, levels. The' Greiner=Murray Government has achieved much in the past three years in the way of road improvement .through better management and greater efficiencies. It will continue to practise better management and it will outride the recession. When the recovery comes it will 6e New South Wales that will lead the way with a resurgence in job producing activities .

MOTOR CYCLE GRAND PRIX PROMOTER BARFIELD PTY LIMITED Mr WHELAN: My question without notice is directed to the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Ethnic Affairs. Was the Government advised in December 1990 that Barfield Pty Limited, the promoter of the motor cycle grand prix, was insolvent? Why did the Government extend loan guarantees to. Barfield Pty Limited after being informed of its insolvency? Mr GREINER: The honourable member for Ashfield shows that he can read the Auditor-General's Report into Eastern Creek, which is what he bas managed to do in the past 40 minutes. The reality is that had he read the whole of what was described in the report as the consultant's report, he would know it went on to say that the future of Barfield Pty Limited depended on the success of the-Eastern Creek race. It is true that the Labor .Party set -out quite deliberately to sabotage the grand prix at Eastern Creek and, indeed, has set out continually to undermine' the whole of the western Sydney recreation area . project, which- is overwhelmingly popular with the people of western Sydney; as it ought to be. In the fullness of time when the economic report of the Tourism Commission is released-it will show that that particular race has produced already for New South Wales economic benefits . that are well in excess of $12 million, well in excess of the amount that was lost in the guarantee. Of course there was a risk associated in the guarantee but the risk was well worth it. As the Leader of the Opposition said on radio station 2UE, it was a good investment of $7 million to get the race. He was right.

TOTALIZATOR AGENCY BOARD REVENUE Mr GRAHAM: My question without notice is to the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier. Is the Minister aware that the New South Wales Totalizator Agency-Board had a record-breaking revenue year to the end of last month? If so, what benefits flow to New South Wales taxpayers and bow does that record compare with those of other States? Mr SOURIS: I thank the honourable member for The Entrance for his question and I take this opportunity to congratulate a fine working member on his wonderful election win. The Totalizator Agency Board's revenue from punting on all codes of racing and other sports in New South Wales in the 1990-91 financial year totalled $3.2 billion. This represents another record-breaking performance by the New 2nd July, .1991 ASSEMBLY 83

South Wales Totalizator Agency Board, which, is . the biggest off-course betting operation in. the world. Despite the general economic downturn, punters invested $186 million more with the New South Wales TAB than in the previous year, which also happened to be, the fast year it broke. the $3 billion sales mark. Punting was. up by 6.16 per cent, in line,with the board's revised prediction on its .expected revenue figures _ made early last financial .year: However, it is important to note that the general community receives a very, substantial benefit from this revenue. The New South Wales Government will receive commission to the order of $300 millionfrom the Totalizator Agency Board. That money will be used for essential services, such as health, education, welfare, transport and public works. The performance of the New South Wales Totalizator Agency Board far outstrips that of any other State's Totalizator Agency Board and its tax rate. is the lowest. The present formula between 'the New South Wales Government and the Totalizator Agency Board works extremely well, with punters, the racing, industry and the general community in this State all receiving important and essential benefits, highlighting how important a role, the Totalizator Agency Board plays in New South Wales.

BILLS: SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS Mr MOORS (Gordon), Minister for the Environment [9.15]: I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would preclude the consideration of notices of motion given this day for the introduction of the following bills - being dealt with up to and including the Ministers' second reading speeches : Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Bill (No. 2) State Roads and Traffic (Offences and Penalties) Amendment Bill Criminal Procedure (Police Custody ofProperly) Amendment Bill (No . 2) Insurance (Amendment) Bill (No . 2) Partnership (Limited Partnership) Amendment Bill (No. 2) Trade Measurement Administration (Charges) Amendment Bill (No . 2) Stock Diseases (Amendment) Bill (No . 2) Boarding Houses and Lodging Houses Bill (No. 2) Residential Tenancies (Movable Dwellings) Amendment Bill (No. 2) Local Government (Movable Dwellings) Amendment Bill (No . 2) National Parks and Wildlife (Aboriginal Ownership) Amendment Bill (No . 2) Aboriginal Land Rights (Aboriginal Ownership of Parks) Amendment Bill (No . 2) National Parks and Wildlife (Karst Conservation) Amendment Bill (No. 2), ' . Real Property and Conveyancing (Amendment) Bill (No . 2) Petroleum (Onshore) Bill (No. 2) Rivers and Foreshores Improvement (Amendment) Bill (No . 2) Albury-Wodonga Development (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) Periodic Detention of Prisoners (Amendment) Bill (No. Z) Prisons (Escape) Amendment Bill (No. 2) Public Finance and Audit (Auditor-General) Amendment Bill (No . 2) Annual Reports Legislation (Amendment) Bill (No .2) With the excepfion,of the State .Roads (Offences and Penalties) Amendment Bill,_ the measures that I have enumerated . in this motion are merely the reintroduction -of legislation that was before the Parliament at the -time of its, dissolution. The purpose 84 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 of the reintroduction of this legislation-using. a short form of reintroduction-which -has been circulated to the Opposition to formally put the legislation back before the Parliament and, at the same time, refer, honourable members to the date of introduction and the pages in the Hansard where the original second reading debates took place-is to provide sufficiency of legislation for the first two sitting weeks of the Parliament in August, and to provide the Opposition with a propel period of time to consider the legislation and to check any drafting. The only changes are technical drafting changes. .I commend the motion. Motion agreed to.

LAND ACQUISITION (JUST TERMS COMPENSATION) BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced-and read a fast time. ' Second Reading ' Mr W. T. J. MURRAY (Baiwon), Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Roads [9.17]: I move: That this bill be now read a second time . This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Thursday, 11th April. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 1974-1979. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared 'with its form at the-time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election: During the;, intervening time, the Parliamentary Counsel has' checked the terms of the drafting.'-and, apart. from . a refinement which'I,will address shortly, the detail ofthe legislation as reintroduced is- exactly. the -same as existed. at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament. A refinement of the bill lies occurred'as a result of debate on .the legislation in April. ,At that time the Opposition, ,the Australian Democrats and.,groups such as the Environmental Centre claimed that the owner-initiated, provisions of the bill would . destroy environmental_ protection zonings, such as . wetlands, ,littoral rainforests and coastal lands. Their argument was based largely -on, the then section 21(3). As was stated in the House at the time, it was never the Government's intention to enable owner-initiated acquisition in respect of such environmental protection zonings. To make this intention abundantly clear section 21(3) has been refined. Members will recall that the purpose of section 21(3) is to prevent authorities from inserting uses in a section 26(c) zoning in order to circumvent their obligation to acquire. The clause overcomes the decision in Carson's case. In Carson's case a council was able to avoid its statutory. obligation . to acquire land because it bad included in a section 26(c) zoning other purposes. The court found that because the zoning had mare than one purpose-it, therefore was not exclusively reserved. The purpose of section 21(3) is to qualify"the .word._"exclusively". In layman's terms, section 21(3) recognises that land can have multiple uses but enables unreasonable uses to be disregarded when determining whether land,is,in fact reserved exclusively. The effect of the refinement is that the owner-initiated .provisions will not operate unless the environmental planning instrument expressly refers to one of the purposes in section 26(c) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. It will not be possible to imply a section 26(c) purpose: The refinement also requires the objectives of the zoning to be, taken into account in determining what is'a reasonable use of land. This. - ` 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 85 - I_

is a'matter'of~fact in each case. Hence the focus of section 21(3) is on land use, not on' the particular-circumstances of the current landowner. . The matter is dealt with under . the hardship test laid down in section-24. At the end of the day, if necessary, the court will ultimately determine~'what are . reasonable uses of land .in the context ,of an exclusive-reservation under section 21(3).. . I commend the bill. " -. Debate adjourned on motion by. Mr J. H. Murray.

. . . STATE ROADS AND-TRAFFIC (OFFENCES AND '. . ' PENALTIES) AMENDMENT BILL - . . . Bill introduced and read a first time. Second Reading Mr W. T. J. MURRAY (Barwon), Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and,Minister for Roads [9.23]: :I move: ` That this bill be now read a second time . The object of~the, legislation before the House is to amend the State Roads Act and the Traffic Act to, 'improve the effectiveness of enforcing mass limits of heavy motor vehicles. The State's finances are eroded by the ,cost of repairing _roads damaged by overloaded . heavy. vehicles, as was recognised - iri the Collies review of-the State . tax system, and also by , the cost of court prosecutions when offenders are detected: Furthermore, heavy vehicles exceeding their mass limits can become unsafe or difficult- to control: In these circumstances they are unsafe for their occupants and other road users and accidents are likely to occur. Road accidents are costly, in human and financial terms, to the community and divert scarce police and medical resources from other essential services. As to the prosecution of mass limit offences, the Roads and Traffic Authority has a discretion to prosecute either the driver or the owner, or both, for such offences. Although enforcement of mass limits is carried out by all States and Territories, currently there -is little uniformity between them in the application of penalties for mass limit offences. This was recognised at the September 1988 meeting of the, Australian Transport Advisory Council, when transport Ministers endorsed the principle of uniform penalties for mass limit offences. Since then a task force, comprising Federal, State and Territory officials, has held a series of meetings to develop a uniform penalty framework and uniform enforcement procedures. The bill before the House. reflects the relative scale and categories of penalty proposed at the national level, while maintaining existing deterrent levels for overloading offences. Until recent years the RTA primarily prosecuted drivers rather than owners because the driver was the party closest to the offence when detected and could readily be proved to have committed the offence; and the legislation afforded owners a defence if the owner could prove that the contravention was both without the. owner's actual knowledge, and could not have been known of, or prevented, by the owner exercising reasonable diligence. In recent years, the RTA has prosecuted -both the driver and the owner where the owner was seen .to be involved in persistent breaches . _ of the'mass limits. Progressively, the number-of owners prosecuted has increased until _ . at present the-'authority prosecutes all. drivers and almost all owners. This has resulted in considerable industry criticism of "double fining" for what the transport industry. . . ' - regards as one offence: . : , _ . . ' . , 86 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

To .address this criticism, it is proposed that prosecutions for overloading be primarily directed against owners for the following reasons: owners are in the best position to ensure the correct -loading of 'vehicles by a system - of - industry self-regulation; prosecution of owners deters overloading more effectively; and almost 40 per cent of prosecuted drivers are also the owners: Drivers have claimed to the courts and to the RTA that financial advantage from overloading generally benefits the owner and not the driver; that fines imposed on employed drivers are frequently paid by the employer-owner ; and that employed drivers have been coerced into carrying excessive weights by threats of dismissal. Under the Government's proposal drivers would be prosecuted only in those circumstances where for some particular reason a prosecution could not or should not proceed against an owner. Experience by the RTA has shown that the-legislative defence currently available to owners reduces the effectiveness of owner prosecution. The courts have adopted a very broad interpretation of the defence. This has resulted in owners successfully claiming that it applies even where the owner merely gave a general direction to drivers not to overload, without having in place any proper system to ensure the vehicles are not overloaded. The owner defence has been successfully used in a growing number of defended prosecutions. This success has gained wide publicity within the industry and increasing numbers of owners seek to take advantage of it. In the circumstances the existing statutory defence will be amended to give clear guidance to the courts as to what will be required to satisfy . a defendant owner's obligation to show diligence in order to avoid contravention of the Act: The- other key aspect of the bill involves the use of the Police Service's self- enforcing infringement notice system known as SEINS. This system is being used increasingly by public bodies to enforce a wide range of offences because it is economical, efficient and relieves pressure on court resources. A self-enforcing infringement notice system is. already in use in respect of toll evasion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and would also be suitable to deal with mass limit offences. The main features of the proposed'scheme are that it will apply to vehicles with up to four tonnes above the mass limits, and on this basis about 75 per cent of prosecutions for overloading in 1990 could have been handled by this scheme; infringement notice penalties will initially be set at $150 per excess tonne or part thereof, up to a maximum penalty of $600; other offences such as those involving higher excess mass, a refusal to weigh, or habitual overloading offences committed by the same offender will continue to be determined by the court; and it conforms with the uniform enforcement framework proposed by the national task farce referred to earlier. Because of the evidentiary provisions required to successfully prosecute overloading offences, infringement notices will not be issued on the spot. They will be posted to the offender after the report of the enforcement officer has been received . The report will be retained for evidence should the offender elect to have the matter dealt with by a court. This arrangement, will also ensure that the owner of the vehicle is correctly identified from New South Wales or interstate vehicle registers. Offences where mass limits exceed the limit 'of the infringement scheme will continue to be determined by the courts . With a -maximum penalty of $600 for the infringement scheme, court awards should generally exceed $600. Honourable members will be aware that since July 1988 the cancellation of licences or .registrations'has been used as the principal sanction against non-payment of penalties by traffic and parking penalty defaulters. Vehicle mass limit offences are not included in this scheme, and action to recover unpaid penalties . for such offences is 2nd July, . 1991 ASSEMBLY 87 timeconsuming, costly and often unsuccessful . To remedy this, situation it is proposed to allow penalty default action against excess mass limit defaulers. This. action will `be: taken_ following:non-payment of a traffic infringement notice. As with, other funds derivd from "road users, revenue from this scheme w71 similarly be . appropriated to the road system. I am confident that the proposed amendments will enhance the enforcement system for heavy vehicle mass limits, in line with the Government's commitment to road safety. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned on motion by Mr 1" H" Money.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (POLICE CUSTODY OF PROPERTY) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced and read a first time. Second Reading Mr COLLINS (Willoughby), Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts [9.33]: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the Parliament on Thursday, 18th April, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets ' out the issues .associated with the, legislation, appears in . the Hansard of that .date at pages 2522 to 2525. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting, and there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation a$ it existed at the time of the dissolution of . the Parliament. I commend the legislation to the House. Debate adjourned on motion by Mr J. H" Murray.

INSURANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced and read a fast time. Second Reading Mr COLLINS (Willoughby), Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts [9.35] : I move: That this bill be now read a second time . This legislation was introduced in the Parliament on Wednesday, 1st May, 1991. .;The ,second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2914 to 2915. There have been no changes ~ to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election . During -the intervening tune Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting, and there maybe minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in 88 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 the terms . of .the legislation as it existed at the time . of .the -dissolution of the' Parliament. I commend the legislation to the House. . 'Debate adjourned on motion, by Mr J. H. Murray. -

PARTNERSHIP (LIIVIITED .PARTNERSHIP)RMENDMENT BILL (N6.2) - Bill introduced and read a first time. Second Reading Mr_ COLLINS (Willoughby), ~Attorney General, Minister for Consumer' , - , Affairs and Minister for Arts [4.37]: , I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the Parliament .on Tuesday, 9th April; 1991. The second reading speech, which sets= out the issues associated -with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at .pages 1692 to 1695. . There have been no- changes to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting, and there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced but any such changes do not in fact-alter any of the matters.of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as, it existed at the time of .the dissolution of the Parliament. -I commend the legislation to the House. _ . Debate-adjourned on motion by Mr Whelan .

TRADE MEASUREMENT ADMINISTRATION (CHARGES) .AMENDMENT BILL (No.. 2) . till introduced and read a first time. - Second Reading Mr COLLINS (Willoughby), Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts [9.38] : I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the Parliament on Thursday, 18th April, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out -the issues associated with the legislation, appears. in the Hansard of that date at pages 2530 to 2532. There have been no changes to. the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the iParliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting, and there: may be,minor matters of tidying :up.:embodied in the legislation as reintroduced but any. such. changes do not in fact -alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in- the terms . of the legislation as it existed at : the time of the- dissolution of the Parliament.- I commend the legislation to the House. _ Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Whelan: , , " 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 89

. ..' : . STOCK DISEASES {AMENDME1VTj BILL (No. 2) ` ' . Bill introduced and read a fast time. .Second Reading . _ Mr ARMSTRONG (I.achlan), Minister for Agriculture and -Rural Affairs, ,. - [9:40] : I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the last- Parliament on Tuesday; 16th ;April, 1991. The second reading speech, -.which -sets out the issues associated with the legislation, . appears . in the -Hansard of that date at pages 2141 to 2143: There have been' no changes to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was -in at the time of the dissolution of that Parliament for the recent election. During= the intervening -time Parliamentary Counsel. has checked the terms of the drafting,, and, there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of~principle :dealtwith in the -terms of the' legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution. of .the . Parliament. ' I,'commend the legislation to the House. ` ; Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Martin. ,

"BOARDING HOUSES AND LODGING HOUSES BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced and read a first time. . Second Reading . Mr SCHIPP (Wagga Wagga), Minister for Housing [9.42]: I move: - That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Wednesday, 1st May, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2922 to 2925. There have been .no changes . to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the. time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During : the `intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting, and there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the-legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt-with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the . Parliament. I commend the legislation to the House. Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Whelan.

. RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES (MOVABLE DWELLINGS) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) >, - LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MOVABLE DWELLINGS) AMENDMENT BELL (No.'2) Bills introduced and read a -first time. 90 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

Second Reading Mr SCHIPP (Wagga Wagga), Minister for Housing [9.44]: I move: That these bills be now read a second time . This legislation was introduced on Wednesday, 10th April, 1991. The second reading speech ; which sets out the issues associated with the bills, appears in Hansard of that date at pages 1829 to 1834. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it. was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the -terms of the drafting and there are changes to the Local Government (Movable Dwellings) Amendment Bill (No. 2), but these changes are made on the advice of the Parliamentary Counsel and do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle, dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the . Parliament . The Residential Tenancies (Movable Dwellings) Amendment Bill (No. 2)_remains unchanged. e The Local Government (Movable Dwellings) Amendment Bill (No. 2)has been amended to achieve .the following: first; clause (3) of schedule 1 seeks to amend section 289H(9)~ by adding the words "or any land apparently being used in contravention of section 289F: This will ensure the . effectiveness -of the proposed power for the Minister for Local Government or his agent to inspect premises that are licensed as well as those that should be licensed. ,This will cover those' situations where, for some reason, a'licence should be -held-but has either lapsed or-never been obtained. Second, clause (5) of schedule 1 will introduce a' new section 289K to give more complete recognition of this Government's intention to allow for leases of up to 20 years for long-term sites in caravan and relocatable home parks. The amendment will prevent leasing of Crown land reserved-or dedicated for a public purpose under the Crown Lands Act 1989. Third, proposed section 289L will allow councils to approve the subdivision of a caravan or relocatable home park by way of lease, on condition that it will remain for lease purposes only. This will not detract from the intention to allow subdivision by way of community schemes under the Community Land Development Act 1989 and proposed ordinance 71A. But it will ensure that parks that may be subdivided for lease purposes only cannot be changed arbitrarily to freehold lease without the council's consent. Another part of the amendment will recognise that the subdivision plan for lease, purposes is not a current plan for the Registrar General's purposes . The amendment will make specific . provision allowing the land to be disposed of or mortgaged. This technical change is also reflected in an amendment to section 327AA proposed by clause (6) schedule _ 1' . to the Local Government (Movable Dwellings) Amendment Bill (No. 2). The bills are the basis of a comprehensive package of reforms that, together with the proposed compulsory code of practice for the caravan and relocatable home park industry; will address the outstanding issues relating to permanent living in caravan and relocafable home parks. They overcome the lack of action and failures of previous govemmeuts~ -to seriously deal with this important housing alternative. This is a balanced approach to a very difficult and demanding task of ensuring, on the one hand, that the rights of individuals are protected and, on the other hand, affording an incentive for investment, in the development of relocatable home park living. I commend the legislation to the House. Debate adjourned on motion by Mrs Gtvsovin . 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY, . 91

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE (ABORIGINAL OWNERSHIP) AMENDMENT BILL. (No. 2) .

ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS (ABORIGINAL OWNERSHIP OF PARKS) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) . . . Bills introduced and read a first time. Second Reading

Mr MOORS (Gordon), Minister for the Environment [9 .50] : I move: That these bills be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Wednesday, 1st May, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at: pages ~ 2096 to 2909. There have been no. changes to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election . During the - intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting. There may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament., I commend the bills to the House. Debate adjourned on motion by Mr J. H" Murray.

NATIONAL PARKS AND WII.DLIFE'(KARST CONSERVATION) AMENDMENT BILL (No.2) Bill introduced and read a first time. Second Reading .' Mr MOORS (Gordon)~, Minister for the Environment [9.52]: I move: That this bill be now read a second time . This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Wednesday, 1st May, 1991, as two cognate bills but has been consolidated into a single measure for re-presentation. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2909 to 2911. There have been no changes. to the substance of the legislation compared with the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election . During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting . There may be minor changes and minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the bill.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr J~ H~ Murray. 92 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

REAL PROPERTY AND CONVEYANCIIVG (AMENDMEIV1) BILL (No. Z) Bill introduced and read a fast time. Second Reading Mr WEST (Orange), Minister for Conservation and Land Management [9.55]: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Wednesday, 20th March, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date commencing at page 1438. There have been ; no changes to the substance of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the tune of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting . There may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in; the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the, bill. Debatc :adjourned on motion by Mr Martin. . - .,

PETROLEUM (ONSHORE) BILL (No.2)= , Bill introduced and read a first time. . Second. Reading - .

Mr CAUSLEY (Clarence), -Minister. for Natural Resources [9 .57] : I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the last' Parliament on Tuesday, 30th April, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues,associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2705 to 2708. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for-the recent-election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has . checked the terms ;of the drafting. There may be minor matters, of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of , the dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the bill. Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Wlielan.

RIVERS AND FORESHORES"IMPROVEMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced and read a first time. '.,. Second Reading

Mr CAUSLEY (Clarence), Minister for Natural Resources [9.58] : I move : That this ball be now read a second time . 2nd July, . 1991 ASSEMBLY 93

This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Wednesday, 1st May, . 1991. The second reading speech, which. sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2927 to 2930: There have been no changes to: the, substance' of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election . During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel .has checked the terms of the drafting . There maybe minor matters of tidying up involved in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with, in the terms of the legislation as it. existed at the time of the- dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the bill. Debate adjourned on motion, by Mr J~ H" Murray.

ALBURY-WODONGA DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced and read a first time. Second Reading Mr YABSLEY (Vaucluse), Minister for State Development and Minister for Tourism (9.59]: I move: . That this bill be now read a second time. This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Tuesday, 16th April, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated . with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2143 to 2145. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terns of the drafting . There may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not in fact alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the bill. Debate adjourned on motion by Mr J" H. Money.

PERIODIC DETENTION OF PRISONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. 2) Bill introduced and read a fast time. Second Reading Mr GRIFFITHS (Georges River), Minister for Justice [10.0]: 'I move: That this bill be now read a second time . This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Wednesday 1st May, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2940 to 2944. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the time of. the dissolution of the Parliament . £or the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel . has checked the terns of the drafting . and there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes-do .not alter, any. of, the matters of principle dealt with in the terms, of the 94 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991 legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the legislation to the House. -

debate adjourned on motion by Mr Doyle:

PRISONS (ESCAPE) AMENDMENT BELL (No: 2)

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Second Reading

Mr GRiFF1THS (Georges River), Minister for Justice [10.2]: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time .

This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Thursday, 18th April, 1991. The second reading speech, which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages 2532 to 2533. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of. the drafting and there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation as reintroduced, but any such changes do not alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at . the time of the dissolution of, the Parliament. I commend the legislation to the House. . .

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Doyle.

PUBLIC FINANCE AND AUDIT (AUDITOR-GENERAL) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2)

ANNUAL REPORTS LEGISLATION (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. 2)

Bills introduced and read a first time.

Second Reading

Mr SOURIS (Upper. Hunter), Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing and Minister Assisting the Premier [10.5]:'1. move:

That these bills be now read a second time .

This legislation was introduced in the last Parliament on Thursday, 18th April, 1991. The second reading speech; which sets out the issues associated with the legislation, appears in the Hansard of that date at pages '2528 to 2530. There have been no changes to the substance of the legislation compared to the form it was in at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament for the recent election. During the intervening time Parliamentary Counsel has checked the terms of the drafting and there may be minor matters of tidying up embodied in the legislation. as reintroduced, but any such 2nd July, 1991 ASSEMBLY 95 changes do not alter any of the matters of principle dealt with in the terms of the legislation as it existed at the time of the dissolution of the Parliament. I commend the legislation to the House: ; Debate adjourned on motion by Mr J. H. Murray.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT ' .

Mr MOORS (cordon), Minister,for the Environment [10.'7): I move:

That, unless otherwise ordered, this House at its rising this day do adjourn until Tuesday, 20 August, 1991 .

I thank the honourable member for Ashfield for his co-operation in the reintroduction of a large package of legislation that was introduced but which disappeared at the dissolution of.the last Parliament. As I understand it, Parliamentary Counsel has not completed the checking of the drafting of several more bills of a similar nature. I might well seek the concurrence of the honourable member for Ashfield to do the same thing when the Parliament resumes in August to save the time of the House and the not inconsiderable cost of reprinting material that has already been printed in Hansard. I express genuine appreciation at his co-operation in this matter. It has enabled us to introduce formally enough legislation to be dealt with in the first few sitting weeks when we return in August. It has been done in a fashion that will enable the Opposition, Independent members and the community to read the bills, examine their terms and be confident of the fact that any changes that will be made will be of a procedural or drafting nature.

I indicate at this stage that I have had discussions with Parliamentary Counsel. In the future it may be possible to publish, on an indicative basis, a legislative program for a full parliamentary sitting week. On the Friday prior to the commencement of each sitting week it is certainly my intention, if I am able to do so, to make information available to the ,Opposition and to all honourable members. From time to time the honourable member for Ashfield may well try to ambush me and I will try to ambush him. It is part of the legitimate procedures, or chess game, of the Parliament. . There will be no unnecessary impediment of the knowledge flow to ordinary members. . We can undertake many measures which will make life easier for members without interfering with the chess game of Parliament. As I indicated earlier, it might make the Parliament more relevant to the community and thus do a lot for the reputation of our collective vocation. No honourable member benefits from the comparatively low regard in which members of Parliament are held in the community. I commend the motion.

Mr WHELAN (Ashfield) [10.9]: I thank the Minister for .the Environment and Leader of-the House for his frankness and honesty. The Opposition will co- operate at all times. It would be a sad waste of government resources if 18 Ministers were to make the same speeches that were made prior to the dissolution of the last Parliament. It would be a shame if we could not obviate the waste of the time of the Parliament and the reprinting of legislation in Hansard: I am sure the Leader of the House will look at that matter. I understand what he has said about ambush in our political regime. I expect he would know that there are two sides to that story. The Government bas given notice of the Industrial Arbitration (Amendment) Bill. I know 96 ASSEMBLY ' 2nd July, 1991

it is not the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, but that bill is still not available.- : It is believed' that that legislation will be- consolidated with other bite-size pieces of legislation .which did not complete then passage through this Parliament due , to the early election . Completely new aspects -will, include changes to the enterprise agreement system which was introduced only in January. They will split the present Industrial . Commission_~into an industrial . court, and a separate industrial commission . On behalf of all members of the Opposition, members on the crossbenches, employers, employees, .employer organisation's and the union movement, I request the Minister .. for Industrial Relations and Minister for Further Education, Training and Employment and the Government to release publicly this bill and, if necessary, an exposure draft bill.

The Government has so far failed to consult with interested parties in the preparation of the drafting of the bill: -I understand that the Secretary of the Labor Council; Mr Michael Easson, wrote to- the Minister , on 19th June requesting a consultation . The Minister bas yet to reply. Having neglected to consult :during drafting, the Government must-'release, the' bill. . As honourable members know, the release of an exposure `draft would permit informed debate throughout the community and enable all members ` of Parliament to, discover the impact and effect of the legislation during . the, break, permitting informed, debate in August when the Parliament considers. the legislation. Employers and employees will have a chance to understand how the clianges will affect them, especially '.the changes to section 13, enterprise agreements,Twhich has~hardly had a chance-to bed down.,

The Governuient' is not required by the law or the standing orders of this Parliament to make the bill available publicly :until 'the Parliament resumes on 20th August. However; the Government's credentials as an open government must be questioned if the bill is not -made available. The Minister mentioned ambush. Let us have no more legislation ,by ambush or limited, :rushed consideration of legislation. The Government's intention'is riot secret. Let us see its intention as evinced,by the bill in the Parliament, and let us have the exposure draft of'the industrial legislation: We . should ensure that New South Wales is a State that has industrial harmony rather than industrial disputation. Much has been said during the day. I wish to reaffirm what I said earlier today. The remarks I made during notices of motion were not meant to be offensive, and I ask you to accept my apology. There was no intention on my part to show any disrespect for the Chair.

Mr SPEAKER: Apology, accepted.

Mr J~ A. MURRAY (Drummoyne) [10.12]: I express my displeasure at the moving of the special adjournment motion by the Leader of the House. It exposes the true philosophy and intent of this` short-terni Government . At this stage it has lost direction; it is rattled, and it has brought the House together for a one-day sitting at exorbitant cost to the taxpayers. of New. South Wales. The overtime payments, the au . fares, the wages of staff, of ministerial drivers, and other expenditure. incurred in bringing the Parliament together for a- one-day sitting are not cost effective. If is part of the Government's hidden agenda to bring the Parliament together . for one day. This motion is aimed at closing the House to mask any criticism that the Opposition. bas of the Premier, his pitiful -mini-budget statement that he brought.:forward this evening in the House: ;But, more important, the adjournment motion does not enable me 'to discuss the" difficulties that I have encountered in the . past week over the Government's hidden agenda to close Drummoyne Boys High School. Why was it 2nd July; 1991' ASSEMBLY 97 that .only one week- after the election :the Department of School Education applied to sell Druminoyne 'Boys HighSchool when in October 1990 we had ` a commitment : . . , from-

Mr Moore: On a point of order. In past years the Chair, has given rulings that on the special adjournment of the House members may canvass to a limited extent matters that they believe should be allowed to be brought before the House by not adjourning for a period beyond the normal time. In the past, members have not been permitted by your predecessors to enter into an extensive debate on any of the merits of an issue. The honourable member for Drummoyne has already made passing reference to one issue. I suggest that he should .not be allowed to elaborate on. it in detail.

Mr J~ g. Murray-* On the point of order. It is,important that. one talks. to an adjournment motion. If one does that, one must illustrate the' reasons why one is opposed to the motion and upset at an inability to explain to the people : of New South Wales why the Government has gone back on its promise not to sell off Drummoyne Boys High School .

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Drummoyne is seeking by. subterfuge to . debate the matter further. The point made by the Minister for the Environment was well taken. The precedent was established long before I occupied the Chair. The honourable member for Drummoyne in his opening, remarks said that - the debate did not give him the opportunity to discuss difficulties he has encountered but then proceeded to do so. By his own words he has upheld the point of order .taken by the Minister for the Environment. I direct him to return to the motion before the House and to desist from any further reference to the matter he. was . discussing .

Mr J. A. MURRAY: I ask the Minister whether there is a secret deal,to sell off Drummoyne Boys High School.-

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I told the honourable member for Drummoyne to desist from any further mention of that matter. He is flouting my ruling. If he wishes to turn to another subject, he may do so, but he may not continue to discuss Drummoyne Boys High School.

Mr J. H. MURRAY: When the special adjournment motion is before the Chair there is an impediment to members discussing important matters within their electorates. I accept your ruling, but I emphasise that the Government is seen to be running away from the issues by bringing forward the special adjournment motion. Ninety-nine members have been brought to this Chamber from all over the State of New South Wales, at a cost of about $250,000, to hear a pitiful financial statement from the Premier, yet important matters pertaining to the closure of schools in the electorates of certain members and selling off the assets cannot be discussed if the special adjournment motion is passed at this time of the evening. I draw to the : - attention of. the Leader of the House that I, as the member for Drummoyne; whose electorate is seriously disadvantaged by the- actions of the .Government, deplore the . motion being~brought'on . . . '

Mr MOORS (cordon), Minister .for the Environment [10.16],__in reply:. I thank the honourable member for Ashfield for -tiffs contribution to the debate. The 98 ASSEMBLY 2nd July, 1991

honourable member. for Drummoyne obviously has not had the benefit of instruction from the honourable member for Ashfield on the provisions of the Constitution Act of the State of New South Wales, which requires that this sitting take place. The practice bas occurred on many occasions after general elections in this State. It occurred 15 or more years ago when the honourable member for Ashfield and I were first elected. I suggest to the honourable member for Drummoyne that if he wishes to be instructed in' the manner and form of the method of government of this State; he apply his intellect-such as it is-to the provisions of the Constitution Act. I commend the motion. Motion agreed to. House adjourned at 10.18 p.m. until Tuesday, 20th August, at 2.15 p.m.