Legislative Assembly Hansard 1975
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Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly WEDNESDAY, 27 AUGUST 1975 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 194 Ministerial Statement (27 AUGUST 1975) Ministerial Statement Now I will outline briefly a reply on one issue which Alderman Walsh has raised and which was printed in this morning's "Courier Mail", referring to the cancellation of the supply of coking coal from Central Queensland. A conference was held in the Coal Board's office on Monday, 18 November 1974, wi~h representatives of the Southern Electnc Authority in connection with the supply of coking coal from the Central Queensland mines to the Swanbank Power Station. It was requested by the power authority that, in view of the stock position at Swan bank and the improved production from the collieries in the Ipswich field, consideration be given to the termination of the supply of coal from the Central Queensland coalfield provided, however, that, should anything happen in the Ipswich field to affect its production, further supplies could be resumed in the shortest possible time. At this time coal stocks at Swanbank had reached 7.6 weeks, 13 weeks at Tennyson Power Station and 27.1 weeks at Bulimba, or an average over-all of all stations of 8.4 weeks. It was then considered that owing to the WEDNESDAY, 27 AUGUST 1975 increased production, which was in excess of burn, from the Ipswich coalfield, this would increase the stocks over the last five weeks Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, before the Christmas closedown. A recom Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair mendation was made for my consideration at 11 a.m. and approval on 19 November 1974, and supplies were cancelled as from the 20 Nov ember 1974. Letters were sent from the Coal Board, signed by the chairman, to the supply MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ing companies on 22 November 1974, con LORD MAYOR'S ALLEGATIONS ON POWER firming the cancellation and thanking. them CRISIS for their assistance. The supply of this coal was not covered by any contract, but the Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Minister Government has the power, under the con for Mines and Energy) (11.2 a.m.): In view ditions of its special coal-mining leases, to of the statements made by the Lord Mayor direct the companies to supply coal for of Brisbane, Alderman Walsh, that he has internal use when required. documents in his possession which would Before the commencement of supplies from indicate that the responsibility for the neces Central Queensland, prices were fixed plus sity for electricity rationing rests solely with escalation. The price of coal had no bearing the Government, I would like to say that, on the availability of rolling-stock for trans now that the documents are in the hands of port of coal. These arrangements were made a man of the calibre of Alderman Walsh, by the Railway Department to transport the these documents can no longer be considered coal required at that time. confidential. For the last few months of 1974, the mines I have no faith whatsoever in the integrity on the Ipswich field had improved produc of this man and so I challenge him to produce tion. If it had been maintained after the these documents, which I will lay on the commencement of 1975, the stocks held by the table of the House for perusal by members, generating authority would have been greater because I am quite confident that this Govern at this time. Production from West Moreton ment and the various departments have done had increased to 51,000 tons per week, which everything in their power to maintain a supply was in excess of the burn. of coal to the West Moreton power station. All underground mines in the Ipswich field One would think that Alderman Walsh work three shifts, and, when time is available would be more concerned with the possibility on the third shift, coal is produced; but this of massive unemployment being caused in can only follow after completion of mainten South-east Queensland through the necessity ance on mining equipment, after extensions of for electricity rationing. Rather he chooses conveyor belts and movement of transformers, to protect the Communist bosses of the and after extra roof supporting which may Miners' Union, who are dictating the policy be required following the second production which has created this coal shortage. shift. Paper [27 AUGUST 1975] Questions Upon Notice 195 Open-cut operations are restricted to day QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE light hours in most cases, and are not allowed 1. GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARKS 24 hours a day owing to rapid urban develop ment in the Ipswich field. Mr. Cascy, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Lands, Forestry, National Parks The only overtime worked, apart from and Wildlife Service- breakdowns, maintenance on machinery, or ( 1) Is he aware of recent Press reports work required where there are bad roof wherein experienced professional fishermen conditions or major falls, is one hour per day have claimed that sections of the Great on each shift for travelling time in and out of Barrier Reef are being fished out? the mine, which allows reasonable working (2) Is he also aware that the Com time at the coal face. monwealth Government is in the process of setting up a Great Barrier Reef Marine It must be realised that coal that was being Park Authority? supplied from Central Queensland was coking coal. However, the Government has made (3) How many marine parks have been established on the Great Barrier Reef or provision for the steaming coal overlaying the in adjacent waters under Queensland legisla coking coal in the Blackwater mine to be tion, what is their area, when were they made available at a very low price for elec established and what are their locations? tricity generation. ( 4) What protection has been given to Loading facilities were being established at the professional fishing industry in the Blackwater to load this coal for the Gladstone marine park areas? Power Station. On the completion of these (5) Have any provisions been made facilities in May 1975, a decision was made under the Commonwealth legislation for to bring this steaming coal to South-east the protection of the professional fishing Queensland to augment the already falling industry? supply of coal in our stockpile. We endeav ( 6) Is there any provision for Queens oured to bring 10,000 tons per week but, due land representation on the National Great to many causes, this figure was not attained, Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority? and an attempt to bring 20,000 tons per week was made. Answers:- ( 1) I am advised by my colleague the During the second week in June, the miners Minister for Aboriginal and Islanders placed an overtime ban on all coalfields in Advancement and Fisheries that an addi Australia. This meant a drastic reduction in tional scientist is to be based in the north the output from the West Moreton field. in the near future to augment present Following this, the miners indulged in resea·rch on reef ecology. The effect of sporadic strike action, the result being 13 full fishing activities will form part of such studies. days' strike. The resultant production loss through strike action and the overtime ban (2) Yes. would have been in excess of 250,000 tons. (3) Two Marine National Parks were The delivery of this tonnage would have declared under Queensland legislation on obviated the necessity for any rationing the Great Barrier Reef on 16 February whatsoever. 1974. (i) The Heron"Wistari Reefs Marine National Park, situated some 80 kilometres Despite assurances by leaders of the coal north-east of Gladstone encloses both the miners that they would guarantee a delivery Heron Island coral reef and the adjoining of 63,000 tons per week, this tonnage has not Wistari Reef and embraces an area of been forthcoming, and the recent decision to approximately 9,700 hectares. (ii) The Green Island Marine National Park, 27 stop loading coal at Blackwater, with the con kilometres north-east of Cairns, encloses tinuation of the overtime ban, has created a the coral reef surrounding Green Island situation where further rationing will have to and covers an area of approximately 3,000 be introduced. hectares. I will be making a statement this afternoon ( 4) Under Queensland legislation there in which the conditions of rationing will be is no restriction on fishing activities in a marine park area. However, in a marine outlined. na:tional park certain fishing activities can be carried on swbject to permit. (5) No. The intent of the Common PAPER wealth legislation is to regulate the use The following paper was laid on the of marine parks. Protection of commercial fishing within the parks could be secured table:- by regulation if that was the policy of the Regulations under the Main Roads Act Federal Government. 1920-1972. (6) Yes. 196 Questions Upon Notice (27 AUGUST 1975] Questions Upon Notice 2. INVESTIGATIONS INTO POLICE FORCE may be made in a financial year to the Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked the societies from allocations to the State under Minister for Police- the current housing agreement? Cl) How many investigations are at (3) What percentage allocation to present being held into allegations con societies was made in 1974-75 and what cerning the Police Force? percentage of the current allocation of $31,010,000 will be released to nhem? (2) How many officers are involved in the conduct of these investigations and Answers:- how many are under investigation? (1) Yes. Terminating housing societies ( 3) Are any officers currently under have consistently sought early advice each suspension and, if so, how many? year of the volume of Housing Agreement funds which will become available to them.