Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1966

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Questions [1 NovEMBER] Questions 1261

Answers:- ( 1) "I have seen the article referred to, and whilst it is true that the Council had been pressing for construction of the Nathan Street bridge for some time, it had also been pressing for the declaration of this section of Nathan Street under the Main Roads Acts. However, it was feasible that a decision on whether or not the road should be declared could not be given until the report of the Townsville Transportation Survey was finalised. Following the study of an advance copy of this report which was made available to the Main Roads Department, University Road, of which Nathan Street is a part, was declared a Secondary Road by notice appearing in the Government Gazette of October 15, 1966. The plans for the bridge, which had already been prepared by the Council, were promptly examined and approved, and the scheme was released for the calling of tenders on October 27, 1966. The time of completion specified in the documents is twenty months." (2) "This does not, in my opinion, con­ stitute sloth on the part of the Main Roads Department, but rather the reverse."

FLOOR SPACE AND EMPLOYEES IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, BRISBANE Mr. Coburn, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- ( 1) What was the total area of floor space occupied by State public servants in all Government buildings, including offices, in Brisbane as at June 30, 1950, what is it TUESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER, 1966 today and what will it be when Govern­ ment buildings presently under construction are completed? Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, (2) What was the number of all State Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair public servants employed in offices in at ll a.m. Government buildings in Brisbane as at June 30, 1950, and what is the number QUESTIONS today?

CONSTRUCTION OF NATHAN STREET Answer:- BRIDGE, TOWNSVILLE ( 1 and 2) "The particulars sought by Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The the Honourable Member are not readily Minister for Mines,- available and the costs involved in the preparation of such information do not ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to an appear to be justified." article in the Townsville Daily Bulletin of October 22, wherein Alderman G. V. Roberts of the Townsville City Council is reported as saying, inter alia, with regard PROPERTY RESUMPTIONS IN MAIN STREET, KANGAROO POINT to the proposed Nathan Street bridge, "the Council has been pressing for tenders to Mr. Mann for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to be called for a long time", "there has notice, asked The Minister for Mines,- been no delay on the part of the Council ( 1) Is it proposed to acquire further or its consulting engineers on the project" residential properties facing Main Street, and "the bridge will be completed by between the Story Bridge and Shafston mid-1968"? A venue, for traffic design purposes? If so, when is it proposed to effect the necessary (2) If so, are these statements factual acquisition? and, if they are, what was the reason for the sloth of the Main Roads Department (2) When will the people be required to as alleged by Alderman Roberts? vacate their premises? 1262 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

(3) Will the owners be paid fair and COST OF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW marketable prices for their land and homes GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, BRISBANE or will the Department force them to the Mr. Davies for Mr. Lloyd, pursuant to Land Court in the process of acquiring notice, asked The Minister for Works,- these valuable properties at less than their (1) What was the total cost of (a) fair value? construction of new public buildings and (b) additions and improvements to exist­ ing public buildings for the purposes of Answers:- the State Public Service in Brisbane from ( 1) "For the design of the interchange July I, I957, to June 30, 1965? at the Shafston A venue and Main Street (2) What is the estimate of expenditure intersection, it will be necessary to resume on such buildings in Brisbane for the properties on the eastern side between the current financial year? Story Bridge and O'Connell Street. It is proposed to effect the necessary acquisi­ ( 3) What was the level of expenditure tions during the next three months." on such buildings in Brisbane for the period July 1, 1948, to June 30, 1957? (2) "It is envisaged that the construction will commence during the financial year Answers:- I967-68 by which time the properties will ( 1) "The total cost for the purposes of have to be vacated." the State Public Service in Brisbane from July 1, 1957, to June 30, 1965 of (a) con­ (3) "Following service of the Notice of struction of new public buildings and of Resumption, the owners will be invited to (b) additions, improvements, remodelling submit claims for compensation on the and refurnishing to existing public buildings basis of ruling market values and, if was $2,817,082 and $I,502,947 respec­ necessary, these claims will be subject to tively." negotiation with Departmental officers. If (2) "The estimate of expenditure on such agreement cannot be reached, the owners buildings in Brisbane for the current will have the right to have their claims financial year is $290,000 for (a) and for compensation determined by the Land $200,000 for (b)." Court." (3) "The level of expenditure on such buildings in Brisbane for the period from July 1, 1948, to June 30, 1957 was $I,085,804 for (a) and $334,006 for (b)." TEACHERS AND NUMBERS IN CLASSES IN STATE SCHOOLS Mr. Mann for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to TOBACCO GROWING AREAS, DIMBULAH notice, asked The Minister for Education,- AND lNGHAM DISTRICTS ( I) As the Education Department can Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked now draw on prospective school teachers The Minister for Primary Industries,- born in the immediate post-war boom birth Further to his Answer to my Question period, why is there still a shortage of of September I, has the survey into the school teaching staff? area of tobacco production been com­ pleted? If so, is the area planted expected (2) What is the number of classes in to fulfil the Mareeba floor quota? Queensland with attendances of thirty or Answer:- more? "The survey is well advanced but not yet completed. Yields will depend upon ( 3) Are large classes one of the reasons seasonal conditions but present prospects for the present discontent among school are good and the Mareeba floor quota teachers in Queensland? should be met."

Answers:- ( 1) "The new teachers who entered the WEEKLY VISITS BY DOCTOR TO schools this year were born, at the latest, MT. GARNET in 1946. In other words, the increase in Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked births in the post-war period is only now The Minister for Health,- beginning to have its effect." ( I) Have there been weekly doctor's visits to Mt. Garnet since September 15 (2) "5,669." as mentioned by him in his Answer to my Question on September 1? ( 3) "Fewer than one-fifth of the teachers (2) If not, will he consider improve­ have classes numbering more than forty. ments to the medical services at Mt. Some of these teachers may be discon­ Garnet by having a resident matron tented." appointed in the near future to the hospital? Questions [1 NovEMBER] Questions 1263

Answer:- (2) "The amounts allocated to the (1 and 2) "The Atherton Hospitals Board Brisbane City Council from these funds for has advised that visits by a doctor to Mt. expenditure on rural roads in its area were-1963-64, $303,300 (includes Garnet have been made each week $160,300 in Special Grants); 1964-65, since the weekly visits commenced on $143,000; 1965-66, $148,490." September 27." (3) "It is impossible to quote an average cost per mile for any type of road. These EDUCATION OF ASSISTED ABORIGINAL costs depend on such factors as, firstly, CHILDREN IN ISOLATED AREAS type of terrain (that is whether heavy earthworks are involved, whether excava­ Mr. WaUis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked tion is in rock or soft material and the The Minister for Education,- extent of cross drainage required); ( 1) Is it known how many Aboriginal secondly, paving requirements (that is children, whose parents currently work on whether heavy soils requiring thick pastoral properties, are not within reach pavements or sandy loamy soils requiring of primary schools? thinner pavements are involved, the width and type of pavement necessary to carry (2) If not, will he have a survey made? the anticipated volume of traffic and the availability of paving materials in the area); ( 3) What school hostel accommodation and, thirdly, the area of the State in which is available for (a) Aboriginal children the road is located and to some extent the and (b) non-Aboriginal children from time of the year in which the major isolated country areas? portion of the work is carried out."

Answer:- JOINT COAL BOARD'S REPORT ON ( 1 to 3) "Assuming the Honourable COKING COAL SUPPLY Member in his Question refers to assisted Aborigines, I can advise that a recent Mr. Donald, pursuant to notice, asked The enquiry indicated there are 19 children with Premier,- their parents who reside in isolated locali­ ( 1) Has the Queensland Government ties or on pastoral properties and are not been supplied with the Joint Coal Board's within reach of Primary Schools. Although report in which it is asked whether Aus­ adequate hostel accommodation is available tralia has sufficient cheap coking coal to at Church and Government sponsored encourage the growth of the Australian communities to enable these children to iron and steel industry on the scale that the attend Primary Schools, difficulties are market will otherwise permit and, at the being experienced in having parents accept same time, permit unrestricted export? the need for the children to move from their natural habitat for educational (2) If not, will the Government make an purposes, but efforts are continuing in this endeavour to obtain a copy and also direction. As far as is known, no distinc­ assist the board in its request for a tion is made between Aboriginal and non­ comprehensive review covering all present Aboriginal children in the matter of hostel and possible sources of energy demand in accommodation." Australia? Answers:­ COMMONWEALTH Am ROADS GRANTS (1) "Yes." Mr. Sherrington, pursuant to notice, asked (2) "Discussions on this subject have The Minister for Mines,- been taking place between the Joint Coal ( 1) What are the amounts of money Board and the Queensland Department of which have been made available to the Mines for some time." Government from the Commonwealth Aid Roads Granru for the past three years? PROCLAMATION OF MAINTENANCE ACT (2) In the corresponding years what pro­ OF 1965 portion has been made available to the Brisbane City Council? Mr. Mann for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Justice,- ( 3) What is the average cost per mile of ( 1) As "The Maintenance Act of 1965" the various types of road construction? was declared at the time to be urgent and necessary, why, after a period of approxi­ Answers:- mately twelve months, has the Act not been proclaimed so that its provisions can (1) "Queensland's receipts under the be brought into effect? Commonwealth Aid Roads Acts during each of the past three financial years (2) Has the inordinate delay been were-1963-64, $21,069,158; 1964-65, because the necessary regulations there­ $23,669,160; 1965-66, $25,538,393." under still have not been drafted? 1264 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Papers

Answers:- CLOCK ON DISTRICT COURT BUILDING, BRISBANE ( 1) ""The Maintenance Act of 1965" was enacted by this State as a result of Mr. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The inter-State and Commonwealth discussions Minister for Works,- designed to achieve uniformity for the Is he aware of the many public com­ purpose of facilitating the making and plaints concerning the clock on the District enforcement of maintenance orders Court Building at the intersection of George throughout Australia, including the and Adelaide Streets which is very difficult to see in daylight hours and completely enforcement throughout this Common­ useless at night? If so, will he have the wealth of maintenance orders made in hands and numerals of the clock brightly approved overseas countries. Queensland painted with luminous paint so that it may followed Victoria as to times of enactment be seen by day and night? of this legislation which is not yet passed in all the Australian States nor in any Answer:- of the Commonwealth Territories. Conse­ "I am not aware of public complaints quently the enforcement, under this legisla­ concerning the clock on the District Court tion, inter-State of orders made in the Building at the intersection of George and Commonwealth of Australia as well as the Adelaide Streets. It is considered that the enforcement in Australia of overseas orders clock can be seen distinctly from a reason­ cannot yet be implemented. The question able distance. It is not proposed to paint of what countries outside the British the clock with luminous paint." Commonwealth are to be reciprocating countries remains still in the hands of the Commonwealth for determination." BURANDA STATE SCHOOLS Mr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked (2) "The delay in implementing this The Minister for Education,- legislation has been brought about prin­ ( 1) Further to his letter received by me cipally by the matters referred to in my on October 28 concerning Buranda State Answer to Question 1. The Act enables schools, will he supply further information various parts to be brought into operation relating to staff movements at the schools, separately and it has been already decided following or prior to the proposed that, since it is obviously going to take amalgamation? much longer that was originally envisaged (2) Will he also forward to me com­ to obtain the situation where the legislation pleted copies of the new plans and costs can operate fully, the portions of the Act relating to the alterations to be undertaken that affect local maintenance problems will at these schools? be brought into operation separately. To Answers:- this end work on the regulations necessary ( 1) "As is the custom when schools are for the implementation of those portions amalgamated, the teaching staff will transfer of the Act has been put in train and the with the pupils. The positions of head draft of these regulations is almost teacher of the combined school and of complete." Buranda Opportunity School are being advertised." (2) "Estimates of costs are not yet ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS, CAIRNS WEST available. In accordance with normal STATE SCHOOL practice, the Honourable Member will be provided with details concerning this lVIr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked matter by the Honourable the Minister for The Minister for Works,- Works and Housing after the expenditure has been approved." Has any decision been made as to the approximate date of commencement for the building of additional classrooms at the PAPERS Cairns West State primary school? The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:- Reports- Answer:- Queensland Health Education Council "No decision has been made as to the for the year 1965-66. approximate date of commencement for the Operations of the Sub-Departments of building of additional classrooms at the Comptroller-General of Prisons, Cairns West State School. Consideration "Eventide" (Sandgate), "Eventide" will be given to obtaining approval of the (Charters Towers), "Eventide" expenditure involved when plans and (Rockhampton), Rehabilitation Clinic (Wacol), and Queensland Industrial estimates of cost are available. These are Institution for the Blind (South in course of preparation." Brisbane) for the year 1965-66. Supply [l NOVEMBER] Supply 1265

The following papers were laid on the 102. Prior to the change of Government table:- in 1957 this State had one teachers' training Proclamation under the Sugar Acquisition college; now it has two, and two more Act of 1915. are planned. Teacher-training was not Orders in Council under- encouraged by Labour administrations, which The Milk Supply Acts, 1952 to 1961. is the reason why there is now a shortage of teachers. The Primary Producers' Organisation and Marketing Acts, 1926 to 1965. I can go further and give other comparisons The Wheat Pool Acts, 1920 to 1957. that show the laxity of Labour Governments in encouraging education in this State. There The State Electricity Commission Acts, were only 300-odd transport services to 1937 to 1965. primary schools under Labour Governments; Regulations under- today there are over 700. Under Labour The Primary Producers' Organisation and administration there were no secondary­ Marketing Acts, 1926 to 1965. school transport services, whereas today their The Stock Acts, 1915 to 1965. number exceeds 220. Audit Inspectors Report on the Books and Those figures show that Opposition mem­ Accounts of the Queensland Coal bers have no grounds for the criticism that Board for the period from 13 August, they are attempting to level at the Minister 1965, to 25 August, 1966. and his departmental officers for what they claim is a lack of assistance and encourage­ ment in the field of education. The Govern­ CEMETERY TRUSTEES ment has had nine years of fine achievement, (DECLARATORY) BILL and this will continue despite adverse condi­ THIRD READING tions and loss of revenue. This year expenditure incurred on education will be Bill, on motion of Mr. Tooth, read a third a record. It represents 24 · 6 per cent. of time. Government expenditure from revenue and loan funds, and expenditure from revenue SUPPLY will be 14 per cent. higher than it was in RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-ESTIMATES­ 1965. THIRD AND FOURTH ALLOTTED DAYS The Estimates show that $8,900,000 is (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hooper, required for the university f.or the year Greenslopes, in the chair) 1966-67 and, of this, $4,200,000, I think, is EsTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1966-67 provided by the Commonwealth of Australia. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Although that contribution to the Depart­ ment of Education is very acceptable, I CHIEF OFFICE think that the conditions attaching to it are Debate resumed from 27 October (see too restnctlve because they prevent the p. 1230) on Mr. Pizzey's motion- Minister and the department from obtaining "That $784,811 be granted for 'Depart­ for Queensland .a better return for the amount ment of Education-Chief Office'." of money that is invested. In saying that, I am referring particularly to the training of Mr. HODGES (Gympie) (11.25 a.m.): It teachers. If the State did not have to match seems rather ridiculous that the Opposition dollar for dollar the grant made by the seek to gain political capital in this debate Commonwealth, as it is doing now, the when one considers what was done in the Minister could direct more funds to the field of education in the 35 years of Labour training of teachers and to the provision of administration. Anyone who looks at the improved amenities and services. achievements of the Minister for Education and his department during the past nine Although $9,000,000 has been granted by years will appreciate the laxity of past the Commonwealth to the State, it does not administrations in this vital portfolio. In assist the Minister greatly in his attempts 1957 Queensland had only 36 high schools; to overcome the shortage of teachers for in the past nine years that number has been secondary schools. At present, there are increased to 92. Under a Labour Govern­ three schemes for training teachers for sec­ ment we had 33 secondary departments; we ondary schools: firstly, the teacher-fellow­ now have 71. The total expenditure incurred ship scheme; secondly, the graduate-scholar­ on capital works in this field from 1948 ship scheme; thirdly, the special senior-teacher to 1957 was $2,600,000. Under this Govern­ scholarship scheme. There are 233 fellowship­ ment, expenditure on capital works from holders, and there are 146 senior-teacher 1957 to 1966 has exceeded $4,000,000. scholarship-holders in first year at the univer­ The poor record of Labour Governments sity and 82 in second year at the teachers' is reflected in a comparison of the number training colleges. It is seen, therefore, that of kindergartens in Queensland before 1957 a little over 400 are involved in teacher and now. At the end of 35 years of Labour training under the various schemes, and that administration Queensland had 23 kinder­ is a very small number when one takes into gartens. In the nine years under this account the amount invested by the State Government that number has increased to Government in the university. 1266 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Because the Government is spending over avenue by which, together with a reclassifica­ $4,000,000 in making a matching grant to tion of the schools, we could provide teachers the university, I believe that ways and means with considerably improved opportunities for should be found to use some of the services promotion. provided by the university. Lectures could I also think that clerical staffs should be be given at the teachers' training colleges appointed at the larger primary schools,. as by university lecturers. If the service were is done at present in some of the high extended in this way, the State would bene­ schools in the State, and such appointments fit from the training of the teachers at the should depend on enrolment and not on the training colleges. At present, several subjects average attendance, as at present. taught at the teachers' training colleges are Those are one or two improvements that more or less in line with those taught at the I think would go a long \vay to\vards creating university. If they could be taught to more harmony in the teaching service. Such university standard at the teachers' training changes would provide more avenues for colleges, I think it would encourage more promotion and would improve conditions males to enter the teaching service. It would within the service. Teacher-training would enable them to attain the highest classification be more attractive ancl, to attract further in the teaching service without having to trainees to the colleges, allowances should be undertake additional studies, as they do at increased and students living away from the moment. The highest classification is I.l, home should be paid an additional $600 and to attain this, teachers in the State towards meeting the cost of board and Department of Education must have at least lodgings. This would encourage country six units towards a degree and then continue students to enter the colleges. At the moment, their studies externally through the university. a heavy financial burden is placed upon If the scheme that I have suggested was country students who have to come . to introduced into the teacher-training service, I Brisbane and find board and accommodatiOn think the number of teachers available would which costs them anything from $300 to $400 increase fairly rapidly. a year in excess of the living-away-from-home University graduates can be appointed to allowance. I know that if the funds were secondary teaching staffs without any practical available the department would consider training in teaching, whereas graduates from increasing trainees' allowances to attract more the teachers' training colleges must have young people to the service. two years' practical experience. Even after Mr. Pizzey: You must realise that those those two years, they are not recognised as who stay at home have either to pay for being qualified for promotion to the highest their board and lodgings or have them classification within the department. provided by somebody. I feel that if, at teachers' training colleges, Mr. HODGES: I appreciate that, but the we could utilise the services of university burden on them is not as heavy as it is on lecturers, the work done by the trainees could those who have to board away from home. be given recognition to the extent that As quite a number of hon. _member~ wish would allow them to attain the top to speak on this Vote, I Will curtail my classification of the teaching service remarks to those one or two points. Before without any extra study. The two I resume my seat, however, I shou_ld like to years spent at teachers' training colleges, refer briefly to one aspect of th1s matter, which is practical training, must mean some­ namely, technical education. Without reflect­ thing and it should be recognised. I fully ing upon the administration of the depart­ realise that a three-year course at a training ment I think there is some room for stream­ college is the objective of the department; lining in this section. with that three-year course should go some recognition by way of a diploma of teaching, Far too often do we hear complaints from a degree of Bachelor of Education, or some­ apprentices about the late arrival of cor:es­ thing along those lines. This would allow pondence courses. Even though apprentices these teachers, as I say, to attain the top are examined only on the papers they have classification within their profession. received, after all, the Apprenticeship Act has been in operation now for almost two If teachers were given greater recognition years and this department has had time to get in this way I feel sure it would eliminate "on the ball". It should be able to get papers some of the rumbles at present being heard out to students more quickly than it does. within the service. More avenues of promo­ tion must be created. This could be done, Although the next matter does not come firstly, by a reclassification of schools and, within this Minister's jurisdiction, it is tied secondly, by an increase in the number of up with technical education. We ~equire school inspectors. I think this is a very apprentices to qualify themselves m the desirable improvement because inspectors at various trades by completing four- or five­ the moment, particularly inspectors of year courses. We should recognise the com­ primary schools, have to cover areas that pletion of their training. by giving them t~e are far too large and in inspecting the protection of the State m the way of regis­ schools, they cannot devote the time neces­ tration under their trade. sary to gain a complete and proper apprecia­ The Minister has not very much to worry tion of the ability of the teachers whose work about in the administration of his department. they are inspecting. That would be one He has done an exceptionally good job in Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1267 comparison with what was done during the building, staffing has suffered in both primary last 35 years of Labour administration. We and secondary schools. While there is will never achieve the ultimate; we will never something to show as a result of the shift of be able to say, 'That is all that is required emphasis to building, I point out that there for education." However, if the Minister con­ are a number of facets to education-or, to tinues during the next nine years as he has in use other terms, there are a number of cate­ the past nine we will have in this State an gories, or divisions-and I think it is in education system equal to any in the world. those other facets that the Government has Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (11.42 missed out. a.m.): During the Address-in-Reply debate I One facet on which the Government has referred to the fact that although the Com­ concentrated is the places where education monwealth Government seemed prepared to is to be imparted. Hence, we have had a assist in university education, it 3!ppeared to tremendous building programme in Queens­ be entirely uninterested in technical education, laud-and I have no argument with that. secondary education and primary education Quite a number of people who do not probe in this State-in fact, in the whole of deeply are inclined to be taken in by this Australia. I stressed the fact that, to my way facet and are visibly impressed by the great of thinking, there was a big difference building programme in education. I now between university education and tertiary ask, in all sincerity, "What are the other education. I regard tertiary education as facets?" I have written down, in all, four being all-embracing; university education is facets, and there could be more. I have only part of tertiary education. The Com­ just stressed one. My next one is, whom do monwealth Government has shown that it is we teach in education? I think everyone not greatly interested in tertiary education would agree that that is another facet. My because it has displayed no real interest in next one is, who does the teaching in educa­ teacher-training which, in the view of the tion? And, lastly, what is to be taught in Opposition, is a part of tertiary education. our schools? The Government has made a I found some figures in the Annual Reports half-hearted attempt to grapple with the last of the Commonwealth Grants Commission three facets, and I have already agreed that very enlightening. In 1942-43-I think that it has certainly grappled with building. How­ is the first year for which a report was ever, it has not really grappled with the published-the State's expenditure on the others. In both primary and secondary university per head of population was Is. 3d.; schools, class numbers are too high. Even in 1963-64 this expenditure had risen to the Minister will agree with that assertion. 28s. 2d. per head. Over the same years Mr. Pizzey: They are smaller than they expenditure on secondary education rose from have been. 4s. 9d. per head to 86s. 5d. rper head. On primary education over the same period Mr. TUCKER: There has been a little expenditure rose from 25s. 2d. to 144s. Id. subterfuge in this matter, namely, com­ per head of population. In other words, posite classes. Many of us know that com­ expenditure per head on primary education posite classes have been introduced-! think over that period increased six times. On they numbered 108 last year-in an attempt secondary education and university education tD break the numbers down. -in round figures--our expenditure increased I also realise that many other problems, approximately 20 times. I repeat that only in such as one-teacher schools must be con­ university education is the Commonwealth sidered. I know there has been a drop in helping to meet the Bill. It is very obvious numbers, but I do not think enough has been from the statements I have referred to that achieved; it has not been adequate enough. the Commonwealth is well aware of our I am reinforced in that statement by the struggles. attitude of our teachers. This is the first time Another document, titled "The Common­ to my knowledge that teachers have spent wealth Government in Education", lists the $10,000 of their own money in getting their percentage of State revenue devoted to educa­ story across to the mothers and fathers in tion in 1964-65 as over 31 per cent., and this State. So there must be something wrong. 19·4 per cent. of the gross loan expendi­ ture. The point to be taken on all those In both primary and secondary classes figures is that if we are unable to cope with the numbers are too high and some children university expenditure without equal Com­ suffer as a result. Perhaps the very bright monwealth participation, how then are we ones do not suffer much because they absorb supposed to be able to cope with the very material quickly and do not really need a much greater school expenditure-and when great deal of attention from their te·achers. I say "school expenditure" I mean primary But those in the class who need assistance and secondary education-without any from the teachers cannot get it, simply Commonwealth participation? Of course, in because the classes are too large. The result this State, we are not coping in these two is that those children suffer. spheres of education. I am here to be critical; but I shall give I am amongst the first to admit that there credit where it is due. The abolition of the has been an upsurge in the building pro­ Scholarship eJCamination and the raising of gramme for primary and secondary educa­ the school-leaving age to 15 were good moves tion. But with the shift of emphasis to introduced by the Government and the new 1268 Supply [ASSEMBLY} Supply syllabus introduced in Grade 8 in 1964, Mr. TUCKER: H is not short enough for although it may be a little early yet to some teachers, because they are required to decide its value, appears to have been a move teach for the whole day. There are about forward. Scholarships that enable children to eight subjects to be taught, and they have proceed in 1heir education, and that lessen hardly any time off. The main trouble is the financial burden on parents, are also to insufficient staff at schools. Quite often when be commended. ':Ghose were commendable a vacancy occurs no replacement is available, innovations and, in my opinion, a wise spend­ and then the department hopes that some ing of public money, and I hand a bouquet obliging married woman will fill the gap. to the Minister for introducting them. That is what is happening in Townsville, and The next important matter is, who does I say that it is a shocking state of affairs. On the one hand, we exhort parents to have their the teaching? lt is on that rock that the children proceed to higher education. I agree Government's ship seems to founder. entirely with that. On the other hand, how­ Mr. Pizzey: Teachers are now more highly ever, teachers are being overburdened and qualified than ever before. their conditions are deteriorating to such an extent that slowly but surely they are being Mr. TUCKER: I do not agree, in some drained of all enthusiasm. Classes are so fields of education. For instance, in primary large that they are not "getting through" to schools at present there are only 61 many children and are not doing what they graduates. Graduates were combed out of want to do. primary schools and sent to secondary schools. Is there an implication there that That this has a frustrating effect on primary education does not matter? teachers is shown by the fact that they have been talking of taking strike action. I do Mr. Pizzey: What about the doubling not like to hear strike talk or see stri:ke of the· time at the training college? action, but sometimes I understand that it is the only way in which the worker can finally Mr. TUCKER: Let me continue. have his voice heard by those who should Teachers are the basis and nucleus of all hear but seem to be deaf. I realise that education. Our urgent need is more trained teachers see the present situation as an teachers right now. The quality of educa­ emergency that must be brought to the tion in the State depends wholly and solely attention of the general public. on the quality of our teachers. We can spend millions on every other cate-gmy of When teachers are burdened and wearied, education, such as buildings, but if there is inevitably the standard of teaching declines. a weakness in our teachers, all the effort Many teachers will say they are endeavouring goes for nought. If we neglect teacher­ to teach the syllabus but cannot do it as com­ training, it is certain that all the money pletely as they would like to. They will say spent in every other direction is wasted. they are probably able to teach to Junior standard in high schools and will still be able The Minister, Cabinet, or the Government, to produce students who will get eight A's in must convince the Commonwealth Govern­ the Junior examination. But watch what ment that teacher-training should be accepted happens when Senior standard is reached. as a national responsibility; it goes far Many are startled to find students who per­ beyond the State and its resources. I believe formed brilliantly in the Junior grades not that it is a national responsibility and should showing the same capacity at Senior level. come under the control of the Common­ Teachers at high schools say that this happens wealth Government. Surely it is wrong to because they are unable to teach as they want expect teachers not only to educate children to. They are unable to cope with the numbers but also to attempt to complete their own they are asked to teach, especially in high studies whilst labouring under the worst con­ schools. ditions for teachers in the Commonwealth. An attempt must be made to obtain Today our teachers are asked to teach too additional finance that can be used to much, too many, and too often. As a mem­ relieve the burden on teachers. In addi­ ber of the Opposition, I am very conscious tion to training more teachers, attention of the need for time for preparation and should also be given to increasing research. All who sit in this Chamber know the number on ancillary staffs. Some that it is necessary to have time for this time ago I made a submission relative to purpose. If one has not that time, it very Townsville High School. I realised that quickly shows in his speeches in the Chamber. the head teacher was becoming bogged The golden rule is, "Know your subject." down in work that really should not have This apparently does not apply to teachers been done by a highly qualified teacher and because, although there are few occupations that could have been done equally well by that demand such concentration and sheer a member of the clerical staff. Therefore, I knowledge of the subject, correction and claim in a responsible way that an inquiry preparation time has been cut to the very should be instituted to ascertain what work minimum. Why is not more time allowed for can be removed from the shoulders of the this? teachers by the appointment of more clerks, Mr. Pizzey: They have an extra period a more groundsmen, and so on. If that inquiry day. We have the shortest teaching day in is carried out, the Minister may be able to the Commonwealth. allow teachers to take a more active part in Supply (1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1269 the field of education for which they are one must wonder just how much of it trained. In my opinion, the appointment of actually got through to the children. Some additional outside staff would make an say that the loss of ideas was so great important contribution in this direction. that not more than 20 per cent. of the ideas I am alarmed by the way in which private actually got through to the children. industry is attracting teachers and would-be I think seminars could have been held teachers from the department, and it is very for all teachers. As a result of represen­ obvious that salaries must be increased fur­ tations, I understand that a further seminar ther. Although I shall no1 name the young will be held in the first week of the man involved, I saw a very good example Christmas vacation. I feel that it should not long ago of what private industry is have been held long ago, even though it doing. The young man concerned was meant closing the schools for a day or two offered about $400 a year more than he was to allow teachers to attend. We should not drawing in the teaching service, and he was lose sight of the fact that when His Excellency attracted away from the service. Although the Governor visits schools he gives the I think the State lost a very wonderful children a day off; Ministers often do that teacher, one cannot blame him for accepting also, and it would not have hurt anyone to the offer, because he had a wife and family close the schools for a day or two to and the prospects in the industry to which enable teachers to attend the seminar and he was attracted were very good. Some witness the proceedings. people may argue that salaries now being I think also that a major effort could paid to teachers are all right; but if teachers have been made to disseminate information are being induced by private industry to on in-service training per medium of leave the teaching service, it is obvious that television. That might sound a radical further action by the Government is needed. departure, but television could be a There should not be the deterrent of the tremendously important medium of in-service "$160 insult"-that is what I call it-that training, particularly in the extension of was given to graduate teachers some months P.I.M. ago. When one knows how hard teachers (Time expired.) have to work after the normal school day to obtain either passes in six subjects or a Mr. HOUGHTON (Redcliffe) (12.7 p.m.): degree, the judgment that that is worth only I should like to make a few comments in $160 is an insult. Is it any wonder that this debate but first I wish to congratulate graduate teachers resent it? the Minister and his departmental officers, Female teachers are equally resentful of particularly Mr. Murphy and Mr. Guymer, of the treatment they receive. They work for their excellent contributions to education just as hard as male teachers, their contri­ since this Government assumed office nine bution to education in Queensland is every years ago. The Department of Education bit as good, yet they receive only 90 per has enjoyed a very proud record during that cent. of the male rate. I think it is a public time. scandal that that position has been allowed Before speaking particularly about my own to exist for so long. In other States and electorate, I should like to make a few other countries, female teachers are paid observations about the over-all field of salaries equal to those paid to male teachers education in Queensland. Every facet of but in Queensland they are not. As I said' education has been considered by the in my opinion it is a public scandal. ' department since this Government assumed office-primary, secondary, tertiary right I turn now to the need for greater concen­ through to university level, and even the tration on in-service training. This year establishment of pastoral colleges. The many teachers in Queensland faced the intro­ advancement of tertiary education has been duction of new methods of teaching; next astounding. A university has been established year many more teachers will face the same at Townsville; many additions have been problem. Take, for example, the programme made at St. Lucia, and the establishment in mathematics now being introduced. It is of a new university at Mt. Gravatt will be known as "P.LM." In the North-I can commenced in the near future. can speak of the North from my own know­ ledge-inspectors were sent down to Talle­ Mr. Davies: Why is the one at Mt. Gravatt budgera for a week and shown the pro­ to be held up? gramme. They then returned to the North Mr. HOUGHTON: Mt. Gravatt will be and called a two-day seminar for head teach­ delayed for some time, but members of the ers and Class I teachers. They had a two­ A. LP. should be the last to throw stones. day seminar to explain it to those people. The delay under their administration lasted The other teachers had to rely on what they for 40 years. could draw from the head teachers after the The abolition of the Scholarship examina­ latter returned to their respective schools. tion has been of great benefit to education Many teachers are frustrated, and are in Queensland as it has enabled all children actually frightened of the future in this in the State to be educated through Grades 8, respect. There was a loss of ideas in passing 9 and 10. That is only part of the the information from inspectors to head­ contribution the Government has made. We masters, to Grade 1 teachers, to the more must also remember the assistance that has junior teachers, and on to the children, and been given in the erection of science blocks 1270 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supp{y

and as direct aid to denominational schools. Last year I had the opportunity of visiting I am pleased to note that the Opposition the School for Blind and Deaf. It was grati­ has at long last come round to our way fying to see the construction programme, of thinking on the latter subject. which alone is worth $750,000. The methods Opposition l\'1embers interjected. of training and the assistance rendered by the teachers to those at the school are tre­ ~r. HOUGHTON: The truth hurts! mendously important, for they fit the pupils for absorption as normal citizens in the com­ The Minister can be very proud of what munity. The special acoustic aids and other he has done for education in this State. amenities that have been incorporated in the The $15 allowance is but one of this school must impress anyone who has visited Government's contributions to education. it. The $135,000 grant to the Creche and KindeTgarten Association of Queensland is The specialist training given to the young­ another clear indication of the Government's sters is indeed gratifying. The Minister has assistance to education at all levels. extended an invitation to all members to Admittedly we will never have enough money visit the school. If they do, they will get an to spend on education, but when we com­ insight into what is happening and what is pare our effort with what was done by contemplated for the future. One has only the Labour Government we can be very to see the assistance the department is ren­ proud of our record. I point to the assist­ dering through its guidance officers to realise ance we have provided for physically that they are giving yeoman service to these handicapped children. In 1957 the Creche people so that they may play their part in and Kindergarten Association had 23 centres; developing this State. The work being done today there are over 100. I express apprecia­ at the school is of tremendous assistance to tion of the efforts of the Florence Kinder­ the pupils, and is indeed gratifying. garten in Redcliffe and the Anne Shearer pre­ school centre. The latter centre has seen fit From 1948 to 1957 the average amount to make an allowance available by way of spent by the A.L.P. on education was equal bursary to ensure that the services of a to 10· 9 per cent. of the Budget. Under this fully qualified teacher are available. I con­ Government, the percentage has increased to gratulate it on this very wise move. That 16·74. That is typical of the developments centre has received the generous support in the field of education under the Minister of parents as well as assistance from this and his officers. It must be realised that Government. It is a very worthy project. expenditure on education from the Consoli­ After all, specialised teachers are required dated Revenue Fund has increased from 42 for this type of work, and they are avail­ per cent. in 1957 to 51 per cent. today. The able only if you are prepared to pay for Leader of the Opposition, and other hon. them. Additional grants for education can members opposite, are continually saying come only from the taxpayers' purse. that very little has been spent on education. However, I point out that over half the The fact that this Government is spending money the Government has received has more on education than has any other been spent on education, which is a very Government is a clear indication that it is fine record. Never before has any Govern­ fully aware of its responsibilities. It has ment contributed so much to the field of established opportunity schools, which have education. Expenditure in Queensland on been of great benefit. We are very happy education from the Consolidated Revenue about the establishment of an opportunity Fund now equals 52· 8 per cent., and the Aus­ school in Redcliffe so that those children tralian average is 51· 9 per cent. That who are a little backward will have an clearly demonstrates what is being done opportunity to catch up through the specialist when people say that nothing is being done training that is provided. in Queensland for education. The increase I hope that in its wisdom the Department in expenditure on secondary education in the of Education will establish a technical college last five years under this Government is in the city of Redcliffe. Students from equal to 121 per cent, compared with the Sandgate could come across the Hornibrook Australian average of 80 per cent. I know Highway to attend a technical college in that these facts disturb the Leader of the that area. Opposition and other hon. members opposite; they are cold, hard facts, and they cannot I compliment industry for its contribution be denied. to education. It is very pleasing to see large industrial firms making bursaries available I should like to make a few comments on and providing other educational oppor­ the submissions made by the Leader of the tunities. They fully realise that education Opposition on Thursday last. First, he said is of paramount importance in the future that the teaching profession, or the teaching development of the State. Education affects staff of this State, was responsible for everyone. I think all hon. members will delinquency. I have never heard such agree that our standard of living, and indeed twaddle in all my life. I was absolutely all our standards, are based on better educa­ amazed at such a remark coming from the tion, so we can be very proud that the Leader of the Opposition. The blame for Government is doing all within its power delinquency cannot be laid at the door of to improve education. the teaching profession in this State. Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1271

Mr. Tucker: You know he did not say Mr. Houston: We have only one barrister that. on this side of the Chamber. Mr. HOUGHTON: It is the truth that Mr. HOUGHTON: We have a barrister hurts. Hon. members opposite can say over here, too. I named nobody. I did what they like. It all comes back to parental name the Leader of the Opposition as the guidance and care in every family in this person who made the allegation or accusa­ State. The responsibility cannot be passed tion that the teaching profession in this on to the teachers, who have control of State was the cause of delinquency. I have the youngsters for only three or four hours never seen or heard such tommy-rot in all a day. Parents have the care and guidance my life. Some people use their position in of them for the other 20 hours. That is this Chamber as protection to condemn the where the responsibility lies; it does not lie police and other people, and they have the with anybody else. Make no mistake audacity to say, "Yes, that's it." I consider about it. that the Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Mr. Dean: And keep them out of the Commission, the inspectors, and other beer gardens. members of the Police Force in this State are equal to anything in the world. Mr. HOUGHTON: Yes, that is part of the trouble. Many of our delinquents have There are always those who will castigate to run around looking for their parents, who the police. I say that we should be proud are probably somewhere in a beer garden. to live in a democracy like ours under the But blame for that cannot be laid at the protection of our Police Force. It seems to door of the Department of Education. The me rather strange that the moment those who parents are responsible. are constantly squealing about the police get into trouble, the first from whom they seek The provision of subsidies for the estab­ assistance are police officers. As I said lishment of youth centres will assist in the before, the Police Force of Queensland, development of our youth in this State. which is administered by the Minister for Those centres will be very beneficial and Education, is equal to any similar force will give to our younger sets what they elsewhere in the Commonwealth, and the require, namely, leadership. But, as I said, Government can be very proud of it. the fault lies entirely with the' parents. They should know the whereabouts of their Before concluding, I should like to youngsters. I feel extremely sorry for the express my thanks to the Department of youngsters who come from broken homes. Education. Redcliffe, with a population of Some of the blame could also attach to 27,000, could not obtain a high school from television programmes and motor-cars. In a Labour Government. Today it has two fact, I am quite sure of that when I see of the most modern high schools in the some of the rot that is broadcast on State. For years and years, as I have said television. in this Chamber before, the Clerk of Petty The responsibility for delinquency should Sessions, as he was then designated, was not be placed at the door of the teaching instructed by Labour Governments to get a profession. Teachers do their best with the bulldozer out and make some sort of a show youngsters while they have control of them. before elections, and put it away and do Immediately a head master or a policeman nothing more when they were over. Those tries to do his job, there is a hue and cry tactics continued for years and years. Today that some of our freedom is being taken there is an enrolment of 1,800 covering both away. If we keep taking something away high schools, yet hon. members opposite from democracy, and not contributing any­ when in Government had the audacity to say thing towards it, democracy will fail. We that Redcliffe was not entitled to one high have instances of the police being castigated, school. and of larrikin barristers who stand up in In addition, Redcliffe has an opportunity the Chamber and try to usurp the functions school, as well as State schools at Kippa­ of the courts. We saw an instance of that Ring, Humpybong, Clontarf and Scar­ the other day. borough. The percentage of population Mr. HOUSTON: I rise to a point of order. attending school in this area is higher than It is offensive to the Opposition for the it is in many other parts of the State. I hon. member for Redcliffe to refer in such should also like to offer my congratulations terms to any hon. member who happens to Rev. Monsignor Frawley, who has assisted to be a barrister. I ask that he withdraw the cause of education with the establish­ his remark. ment of De La Salle Brothers' College at Scarborough. My prediction is that it will The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. eventually become larger than Nudgee Campbell): There is no point of order. College. Mr. HOUGHTON: Thank you, Mr. I also express thanks and appreciation to Campbell. I did not make any charge the Brigidine Sisters, who operate Soubirous All I say is that if anybody abuses his College. I had the opportunity of attending position in this Chamber, whether he is their speech night recently. It was a joy and on this side or on the other side, it is a delight to see the fine young people who are matter for his own conscience. being turned out as good citizens. They 1272 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supp(y

will be well able to take their place in the The general public appears to be in com­ community, and every Queenslander can be plete agreement that more should be done in proud of them. the field of education, and hon. members, In conclusion, I hope that the Department almost without exception, have echoed that of Education will look closely at the estab­ sentiment during this debate. We are agreed, lishment of a technical college in the Red­ I think, that there should be improved cliffe area, and I also hope that some of the facilities, more and better schools, more minor requests made from time to time will teachers, better equipment, better conditions receive sympathetic consideration during this for teachers, and more comfort for pupils; financial year. therefore, we admit that all these things are essential. Having agreed on the need for Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East) (12.28 material improvements, we must ask if they p.m.): It is a great pity that the hon. mem­ will be enough. Are the existing facilities ber who has just resumed his seat deliber­ fully and equitably employed to provide a ately misinterpreted what the Leader of the a sensible modern education for the children Opposition said. The Leader of the Opposi­ of Queensland? It would be extremely fool­ tion did not say that the teachers of Queens­ ish to think that all the major defects in the land were responsible for juvenile delin­ education system would automatically dis­ quency. What he criticised was the syllabus, appear if the programme of material improve­ and I think he did that in a constructive ment we dream of was completed tomorrow. way. However, I am not going to play politics when Estimates as important as these Formal education can satisfy or starve vital are before the Chamber. personal needs, a sense of achievement, self­ respect, and a sense of being worthy. Does The success of any enterprise, whether it be in industry, commerce, the professions, the process of schooling help the child to feel arts, or education, is determined by the significant and wanted, or does it often have results obtained and the value and benefit the opposite effect? Sensible parents realise that it gives to the community generally. If that their children differ in ability and in that test is applied to education in Queens­ personality, and they attempt to allow for land, no-one in this State has any reason to individual differences. Generally this is be ashamed. When I refer to our system of achieved by setting different standards for education, I do not mean only what has different members of the family and encour­ happened in the last nine years but to all aging each to reach his own standard. The developments since there has been a system parent tries to find some task that the child of education in Queensland. We have every can perform successfully and praises his reason to be proud of our education system, and indeed thankful for it. It has paid rich success. The object is to allow the child to dividends in the many prominent scholars it feel that he has achieved something worth has produced. while, and when he is slow or makes mis­ takes, he is encouraged to continue trying. In introducing his Estimates, the Minister Signs of progress are noted and used to paid a high tribute to the character, work and influence of two Queenslanders who were encourage further effort. In essence, the products of the Queensland education system, parent creates opportunities for success and and he could have multiplied the number provides a sympathetic understanding for many times and included those still with us failure. I should like to add that the success and serving the department, as well as those and failure of the individual is not his alone; who have passed away. Two natives of it is shared in the family circle. Ipswich who had distinguished careers in the It is now generally recognised that both education system of Queensland, the late Sir backwardness and maladjustment require James Blair and the late Lew Edwards, special treatment, but there is a tendency to quickly come to my mind, and I could add the imagine that these are infirmities that have names of quite a number of others. However, afflicted a few unfortunate children. In fact, the success of the education system has not both are merely a matter of degree. Any been confined to turning out prominent edu­ child below the average level of performance cationists; it has also given the State many could be described as backward, and, simi­ prominent citizens in the fields of law, medi­ larly, a large proportion of children have some cine, finance, commerce, engineering, hus­ behaviour problems. The work being done by bandry, and, indeed, in every section of the Mr. Henderson and his staff at the Ipswich community. Opportunity School is magnificent and shows Education, or the lack of education, plays what can be done for these children. If a big part in the success or failure of every time permits I shall go further into that member of the community. A well­ subject later. In referring to Mr. Hen­ educated community is, naturally, an intelli­ derson and his staff, I am not saying, of gent and well-informed community. Such a course, that the Ipswich Opportunity School community should be able to plan its is the only school in Queensland at which economy to prevent recurring booms and wonderful work is being done for slow depressions, to eliminate the sinful and learners. There are other opportunity unpardonable waste of man-power, loss of schools, and I am inclined to believe that production, poverty, suffering, and degrada­ they are just as effective as the one at tion. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Ipswich. Supply [1 NovEMBER] Supply 1273

By such means as these the Department of the activities of one group affect all. Young Education can exercise its responsibility to children can develop a sense of social respon­ develop healthy personalities. Both the sibility. The wise parent gives the child, needs of the individual and those of the while quite young, some small responsibility community require that it accepts that within the limits of his ability, such as responsibility. If a society is to continue cleaning his, or his sister's or his brother's, to exist it must prepare its children for their boots, clearing the table or running message3, adult roles. These children must acquire and such jobs. Schools do help by giving values and techniques from their parents and special responsibilities to individual children. teache·rs, the representatives of society. But If children are to become good democratic if progress is to occur without disturbance citizens, they must be given an opportunity in material techniques, and especially in of practising democratic skills. Civics or social organisation, the training of children mock parliaments are not the answer. The must also prepare them to initiate and accept matter the children have to decide must be change. of importance to them, and the responsibility This is a crucial problem for education in must be real. Children need to learn respect a democracy, for if the society is to permit for the feelings and rights of others and this changes-as it must in order to remain a can be learned not only from the normal democracy-the education system has to pro­ lectures by their teachers, but from their duce individuals who are convinced of the own social experiences and from free dis­ possibility of change by human initiative cussions of actual moral issues with which and co-operative action. Democratic citizens they are faced in their daily lives. must comprehend in the fullest sense the facts of their society, without necessarily Tolerance of differences, whether those of approving them; they must understand pre­ personality or opinion, of race or social class, vailing values, without necessarily accepting can be developed in school if our teachers them. In a sense, no-one is taught are willing to ignore or repress controversial democracy. However, the social and intel­ issues. The issues discussed in school need lectual experiences of a child may be such not be those of the adult world. Any as to promote or hinder the emergence g.roup, if allowed reasonable freedom, soon of a confident personality capable of clear generates differences of opinion. The teacher thought and independent judgment. can use these opportunities to allow children to state a case and to encourage a scientific The teachers who create the situations that attitude towards statements made and the provide these experiences must themselves solution of problems. be unrigid in mind and conscious of their function in society, or the children will When children reproduce prejudicial ideas merely absorb, as received doctrine, the per­ they have absorbed from adults it is necessary sonal values and attitudes of the teachers. for the teacher to take positive action­ Are our s·chools helping to produce not by asserting a contrary view, but by guiding them to the necessary facts, and individuals who will contribute to the further by leading them to question assumptions and development of our social organisation? Do to distinguish facts from opinions. All this they encourage freedom of thought and will be of little use if discussion is not judgment? Do they operate on democratic really free, that is, if the child withholds principles? The teacher today is certainly his questions or his doubts because he fears not the fearsome figure he once was. How­ that the teacher may be shocked or scornful. ever, the emphasis is, in many cases, still on the teacher teaching rather than on the Despite a great increase in our knowledge child learning. The teacher is the authority of human beings and how they develop from whom all wisdom flows, and also all mentally, physically and emotionally, the the rewards and punishments. methods of our schools tend to depend for their justification on older traditional This, unfortunately, has oHen proved to views of the educational process. It seems be a disadvantage to both the teacher and that to challenge assumptions in thinking the child. The school should encourage about education is particularly difficult, the conviction that co-operation is the most perhaps because those assumptions partly natural and successful way to accomplish the determined one's ideas of one's own personal majority of tasks. Individual skills, such as history. reading, spelling and arithmetic, can be Ability to learn depends very largely on developed co-operatively in the sense of the the child's attitude to his school, his teachers more advanced helping the less advanced, and his classmates, and to the work he is whilst in other work, such as that involving asked to do. Education is fundamentally the gathering of information, the project a matter of human relationship, and schools method allows groups of children to are concerned primarily with human beings, co-operate in investigating a topic which is not subjects. part of a larger class project. The fact that a child succeeds in woodwork As the child grows older, he can be while failing at other subjects is to be brought to realise the interdependence of welcomed, not merely because it provides men and communities. Social studies pro­ him with an opportunity for success, but vide the best opportunities for showing the also because it reveals the path by which chiLd how he is dependent upon others, and he can be taught English and other subjects. for illustrating, from his everyday life, how The following of instruction, whether spoken 43 1274 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply by the teacher or obtained by the pupil and its practice leads to the discovery of from a manual, is an activity in English at aesthetic values. Today, it is no longer least as important as struggling with necessary to insist on the need for sport. grammatical exercises. Its importance is manifest in many essential Compulsory attendance at school is developments of our civilisation; but its certainly necessary. This has applied to our educational function must be understood. primary schools for many years. The transfer Perhaps too often the claims of the sports of Grade 8 pupils to our secondary schools ground and those of the classroom are com­ and the raising of the leaving age to 15 years petitive rather than complementary. What have brought a problem to widows and is vital now, both in school and in adult deserted wives with children who have life, is a recognition of the value of thought attained good positions in which they are in developing a fully integrated personality. happy and whose employers are pleased with In many parts of our Commonwealth it has their services. These children have to return been shown that physical exercise and sport to school because they are under 15 years have enabled workers to perform certain tasks of age. The mothers feel that a job in with more precision and less effort. Methods the hand is worth a lot more than a job currently used in centres for the training and to secure in the future. These mothers re-adaption of the physically handicapped are not anxious for their child to leave pupil prove that the value of sport in this school, but economic circumstances force field is generally recognised. them to fear that the prospects of their Those teachers who train and conduct child obtaining another position in four, school choirs and verse-speaking choirs are five or six months' time is too great a rendering a valuable service to the com­ gamble for the child to take. If they were munity and must be thanked, in addition to assured that the child would be placed in being complimented, commended, and con­ a suitable position when he or she reached gratulated. They play a great part and make school-leaving age, it would relieve them great sacrifices in doing their work. of a lot of anxiety, but unfortunately no such assurance can be given in present-day It is a great mistake to feel complacent society. about the standard of our education. While However, the advantages gained from it may be comforting to claim that it is better compulsory and free secondary education than it used to be, it is very obvious that it more than compensate for any disadvantages has to be so. If it were not, the standard the individual may suffer. The community of our education would fall far short of what certainly gains much from it for it has is required. I believe that our teachers given a sharp momentum to the gradual honestly attempt to fulfil the responsibilities development of equal opportunity to all of their important profession as efficiently as children who wish to forge ahead. possible, and that they render a very valuable This forging ahead should not be kept service to the community generally. at only an intellectual level. If it is kept I repeat that the parents and citizens who to the intellectual level alone it is quite serve on the associations are giving a valu­ possible that only a small percentage of able service to the community not only in the pupils will be contented. Under a purely labour, but also in the money they contribute. intellectual process those of lesser ability I often wonder just what the department will not develop to the full. For these would do without them. pupils the school must attempt some programmes to give them opportunities to I should like to make some brief references stimulate their minds and to release other to schools in my electorate, although I cannot potentialities. cover them all in the short time at my dis­ Every child attending school is entitled posal. The school at Goodna is perhaps to the same education and to the same unique in the State. Among the 652 children treatment. However, it must be realised who attend it there are 30 different nationali­ that some will not have the capacity for ties. speaking 16 different languages. If hon. it, nor will they have the same interest. members had been fortunate, as Mrs. Donald and I were, to sit in the audience and listen It will be the duty of the Government to to their annual concert, which was held last see that our schools are adequately staffed Friday, they would have found it wonderful with competent teachers, that they have the to listen to all those children performing, facilities to work with to teach, and that the from those in the tots' class up to the 7th classes are kept to a reasonable size. The Grade, with representatives of 30 different parents also have a responsibility in the nationalities, speaking 16 different languages. education of their children aml, in the main, They had their concert in the recreation hall they accept this responsibility very well, par­ at the Brisbane Special Hospital at Goodna. ticularly those who serve on parents and Last year, in spite of the fact that the Depart­ citizens' associations. ment of Health made available this large hall I must pay a tribute to the teachers and to the school committee, it was not large parents who sacrifice a lot of their leisure enough to accommodate the parents and chil­ in coaching and looking after the interests of dren at a previous fancy-dress ball. The con­ pupils who participate in school sporting cert was very pleasant, as everyone had an activities. I honestly believe that sport can opportunity of listening to the children taking provide an excellent stimulant to culture, part in their own concert. Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1275

I come now to the Bremer High School, Main Roads Department. Five girls were which is one of the high schools recently placed, two in the Redbank Woollen Mill, opened, but not because of the policy of one as a machinist, and two in domestic this Government, as Government members employment. would have us believe. I hate to play politics with education. As legislators we should be The Ipswich Rotary Club donated a Sher far above that. At the Bremer High School Shopmaster drill press, circular saw, lathe 1,430 children are in attendance. A very combination costing £62 15s., and the high-ranking public servant connected with Quota Club donated a sewing machine the Department of Education paid a glowing valued at £68. The school has been assisted tribute to the principal and staff, and to greatly by the service clubs. members of the Bremer High School Parents I ask that the department consider favour­ and Citizens' Association. That was particu­ ably granting the following needs at this larly pleasing to me, because I have known school:- the principal since he was quite a little 1. More classrooms and teachers; fellow and I know many of the members of 2. Vocational teachers, full-time; the staff and of the parents and citizens' association. 3. More playing space; 4. More Works Department help in The sister school, the Silkstone State larger work-tennis courts, provision of School, was the largest primary school in water taps, etc. (Recently the Parents and Queensland before 8th grade was transferred Citizens' Association paid for three lights to the secondary school. In fact, I think it under the school); and still is. It used to have an enrolment of over 1,500 children. 5. Provision of a part-time groundsman to keep the grounds in order. I shall now refer to the Ipswich State (Time expired). Opportunity School, particularly because of what has been said about delinquency. A Mr. W ALSH (Bundaberg) (12.55 p.m.): I paragraph of a document issued by the was not in the Chamber when the Minister school reads- introduced his Estimates, so I have no idea "Over the past nine years only three of the manner in which he presented his case. school-leavers have been led astray by the Undoubtedly he will cover a wider field when criminal element. Fifteen over eighteen replying to the remarks of both Opposition years have been able to purchase cars of and Government members. their own, blocks of land and be in charge There is no doubt about the significance of other employees. Two have been able to journey to New Zealand alone for work­ and importance of this Vote and its impact holidays." on community life and the work-force gener­ ally in this State. But no member of this That is a tribute not only to the teachers at Assembly could discuss intelligently in 25 that school, but also to our education system minutes all departments and subdepartments and to the children themselves. That shows that the Minister controls. This Vote cer­ what the slow learners, and children with tainly comes under a wide heading. other difficulties, can achieve with the expert and careful education that is given by trained Mr. Houston: The Minister only spoke teachers supplied by the Department of Edu­ about education and criticised Labour. cation. It is something we should be proud of. Mr. W ALSH: There are many other things that the Minister did not speak of Empleyment records show that over the but to which hon. members have referred. last eight years the school has placed 46 boys in employment in factories, woollen There has been a very substantial increase mills, timber mills, ply mills, and potteries; in expenditure during the nine years in which five in mines; eight in meatworks, and one in the Government has been in office. Some­ a cordial factory. In the apprenticeship times, however, I think that the presentation field, one has been placed as a hairdresser, of such figures is a mere waste of time. What one as a pastrycook, and one as a painter. is the good of quoting percentages and figures The school has not been quite so successful unless they are related to the increase in with girls. Only 11 have been placed in costs over the years? Apart from that aspect, employment. there has been a considerable increase in An Employment Advisory Committee, this Vote, having regard to the departments under the chairmanship of the District administered by the Minister, compared Employment Officer (Mr. Dan Bolen) with with the position in 1958-59. The amount the head teacher as secretary, and with repre­ has increased from nearly $28,000,000 to sentatives of service clubs, works in the $80,477,000, which is a substantial increase. interests of the pupils at that school and I saw the Minister interviewed on "Meet ensures that they are placed in suitable the Press" and, as one who has been at employment. times one of his carping critics, let me say In addition to those I have already men­ that I think he acquitted himself very well. tioned, this year eight boys have obtained He gave straighforward and intelligent employment, six as wood machinists, one in answers to questions put to him. In this the Redbank Woollen Mill, and one with the Chamber, however, he faces a different panel 1276 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply and is subject to a different type of cross­ call them that, are speeding up and down examination, and he has to stand up to that the main street in the early morning, blowing as his administration proceeds. horns, revving engines, and making a terrific There are a few things in my electorate to amount of noise even in applying their which I should like to r·efer. I do not think brakes. There is no excuse for the attitude the Minister is completely satisfi.ed with displayed by motorists of that type. school buildings in any part of the State, and no doubt he would like to do more with Mr. Hughes: And without exhausts. them if he had more money. Although the Minister may be effecting improvements, he Mr. W ALSH: I am coming to that. Only must acknowledge, as I think he does, that recently in Bundaberg, one could have been there is a lot still to be done. pardoned for thinking that one was listening Some Bundaberg schools are becoming to inspectors of machinery testing the brakes overcrowded, and temporary accommodation of taxis and trucks in George Street, will have to be used early in the 1966-67 Brisbane, as they used to. People would year. I suggest that the Minister give serious hear the screech of brakes and look round consideration to the erection of a new prim­ and say, "Here is another collision." What­ ary school on one of the sites already ever may happen in a particular set of cir­ selected, bearing in mind the extent of resi­ cumstances, I cannot see any justification for dential development, particularly towards allowing such a thing to happen at any hour Elliott Heads. With ever-increasing develop­ in the main street of Bundaberg. I suggest ment, the schools at Walkervale and West to the Minister ·that an examination be made Bundaberg will certainly not be able to of the whole question, day-time and night­ accommodate the increased number of pupils time, because the number of complaints that coming from newly developed areas. I have received from residents of the city Another thing to which I wish to draw indicate that the matter has got out of hand. the Minister's attention is the necessity for the provision as early as possible of a new In my opinion, a police officer should be high school at North Bundaberg. Although given power in some way to put off the road a site has been set aside, I know the limita­ immediately any person who drives his tion on loan funds and I do not want to be vehicle up and down the street in the way unnecessarily asking for these things. I that I have indicated. If the noise of a hope that the Minister wiii give serious con­ vehicle's exhaust is excessive, the vehicle sideration to proceeding with the planning should be put off the road without being for this school, which would cater not only specially examined. If it is creating a for pupils from the Bundaberg electorate but nuisance, the police should have power to also for those from country areas. Students see that it does not continue to do so. would be drawn from along the North Coast It is known that quite frequently Bourbong line and from Fairymead and other districts Street is used as a speed track before vehicles not in my electorate. This school is necessary are taken out onto Childers Road. Some as a result of increased residential develop­ months ago a tragedy occurred when, after ment in North Bundaberg, and it would also having had some practice in the main street, be attended by children from country the drivers decided about midnight that they districts. would go out onto Childers Road. The Whilst on my feet, I want to say a few police cannot charge anyone when a driver words about the Police Department. In is killed under those circumstances. Files Bundaberg some attention has to be given can be noted, and licences can be cancelled to the rowdy youths who drive up and down by the Inspector of Police, of course, but Bourbong Street. If this is allowed to con­ some evidence should be placed before hon. tinue, Bourbong Street will become another members that tighter control is being exer­ speedway for the use of those who want to cised and that people indulging in behaviour "have a burn" and go "hot-rodding". of this type are being brought up with a round turn. Complaints about similar con­ [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] duct in other provincial cities have been made to me even since I began my remarks Mr. W ALSH: Of course, I can speak only before lunch, and I hope that attention wiii of Bundaberg, but comments that have been be given to the problem not only in Bunda­ made to me by other hon. members indicate berg but also in other provincial cities in that the position in other provincial cities is Queensland. similar, and talks I have had with people living in Brisbane suggest that such conduct The Minister went to school; he knows how is not uncommon here in the very early to add. I am confronted with a series of hours of the morning. All this suggests to figures in the Estimates and in the Annual me that there should be a little bit of tighten­ Report of the Commissioner of Police, and ing up in the control of people who speed I am not going to try to dissect them. What about between, say, midnight and 2 o'clock in is the use? I have not all the records before the morning. While a number of people in me. However, according to the Com­ provincial cities are endeavouring to promote missioner's report, the strength approved for the tourist attractions of those cities and 1965-66 was 3,089. The report then goes surrounding areas, "hot-rodders", if I may on to say that the actual strength at 30 June, Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1277

1966, was 2,975. That is 114 below approved the other 89 must be taken into account, strength. This report goes on to say-these but taking these figures from the Estimates are not my words- it is rather a large increase, to $216,664, so "Approved strength of aotual sworn-in let us see how this empire has been built up. male personnel for 1965-66 was 2,879". In 1956-57 there were two in the adminis­ Further on, it says- trative office-the secretary and the account­ "On 30 June, 1966, the strength of ant; today there are four. In 1956-57 there actual members of the Force was 2,847." were 33 clerks; now there are 43. In 1956- If the Minister looks at page 20 of the 57 there were 24 clerk-typists; there are now Estimates he will find that there is a figure 98. There were two messengers; now there of 3,381 provided for under "Police", and are 24-that includes, of course, assistants, at page 27 there is a figure of 3,174. How switchboard attendants and receptionists. is anybody going to dissect these figures? Let Hon. members can see how this empire has us be told what is the aotual strength of been built up from a small staff of 61 to a the Police Force at the end of June and total of 169 not including civilian clerks. what the suggested increase will be for 1967, Let me go down a little further. In 1956- and be done with it. 57 there were 26 inspectors; this year there Mr. Pizzey: I will give you the strength are 34. In 1956-57 there were 32 sub­ as at last week. inspectors; now there ane 41. These Esti­ mates make provision for eight more inspec­ Mr. WALSH: That does not get over my tors and nine more sub-inspectors. The observation, because on page 20 of the report of the Commissioner of Police shows Estimates the Minister will find under 32 inspectors and 41 sub-inspectors. "Police" that the number of approved per­ sonnel for 1966-67 is 3,381. Howe•ver, I The next one is where I want the answer. leave tha:t with the Minister because there In the Estimates for 1956-57, 85 senior ser­ is more discussion to be entered into not geants are listed; in the Estimates now before only on these Estimates but on quite a few the Committee provision is made for 130 others to see whether or not the Estimates senior sergeants; the Commissioner's report are cluttered up with what I used to refer refers to 85 senior sergeants. How are we to in my day as the "swindle sheet". In to unravel these figures? As a matter of other words, in order to get Parliament to fact, the 85 mentioned in the Commissioner's approve of a certain figure for the year, the report is the same as the number of senior Estimates provide for a certain number of sergeants in 1956-57. There were 535 ser­ personnel who will not be employed. geants in 1956-57 whereas these Estimates Mr. Pizzey: There is quite a number of provide for 765, an increase of 230. The Public Service personnel in the Police Commissioner's report gives a total of 647, Department. including the detective staff, of course, as against 765 shown in the current Estimates. Mr. W ALSH: I have only 25 minutes to In 1956-57 constables numbered 1,681, speak, as the Minister knows. I shall come whereas the Estimates before us show 1,925. to that point now in order to let him see Since 1956-57 there has been an over-all that I have not risen and spoken blindly increase of 536 in the Police Force. without going into the matter. The figures I have given are typical of To start, let me take the empire in the what I used to· refer to as the "swindle Commissioner's office. There is no question sheet" when various departments included that since this Gove·rnment came to power technical officer appointments in their Esti­ a small empire certainly has been built up mates. They would budget for them but around the Commissioner's office. In never appoint them. 1956-57 there was a staff of 61 and in 1966-67 the staff was 169, an increase of Mr. Murray: Was this regularly accepted? 108 in nine years. In addition to that, there Mr. W ALSH: I did not attempt to inter­ are 93 civilian clerks-lin the police office, fere with any of the functions of the Public testing for drivers' licences, and so on-a Service Commissioner's Office. If it was total of 262 as against 169 mentioned before, said that that was the staff, that was up to showing an overall increase of 201. the Public Service Commissioner. If the The expenditure in the Commissioner's amount set out related to salaries and wages office has gone from $93,236 in 1956-57 that was a matter for the Industrial Court, to $506,684 required for 1966-67, an increase and nothing could be done about it. The in nine years of $413,448. Hon. members contingencies Vote is what I used to regard will see that from that angle alone the as the real swindle sheet. That is where I increase for police, including civilian clerks, did have some say on behalf of the Govern­ and so on, was from $93,000 to $506,000. ment of which I was a member. Taking the 1965-66 Estimates, civilian From time to time there is a lot of talk clerks were stated to number 89 and expendi­ about the increased number of police that ture $153,590. This year the number has are being appointed. Do the figures reflect increased from 89 to 93-an increase of it? Orver nine years there has been an .four-but the expenditure has increased by increase of only 536. It is true that a large $63,074. True, the increase in wages of proportion of this increase is represented by 1278 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply senior sergeants and sergeants. The rank­ surely to goodness they should be working and-file-members-what we called the "beat" different shifts. What is the reason for their men-do not constitute such a great propor­ working under these conditions? tion of the total of the increase. It is here, (Time expired.) I think, that we need a more realistic approach. If the Minister gets someone Mr. CAMPBELL (Aspley) (2.34 p.m.): One from outside to overhaul the general police could imagine from the local Press campaign administration in this State and gets a report, and from the comments of hon. members that may at least convince the public that opposite that the teaching profession in they are getting the fullest value for the Queensland is in a state of ferment, and that money voted by this Assembly. the administration of the teaching service is at a very low ebb. Of course, those who were In Bundaberg there are 40 to 43 police privileged to hear the Minister's opening officers, including five or six in the C.I. remarks in this debate, and those who will Branch. The five or six C.I.B. men have to have the privilege of reading them in cover the whole of the district, out to Monto "Hansard", will realise that, far from being in a very serious plight, we can be very proud and all the other various places. It is the of our teaching service, for we are fortunate general opinion of the Bundaberg people that we have in our Department of Education that it is difficult to see a policeman about many distinguished educators. They are the streets at any time, day or night. I know bringing their influence to bear and are there are a lot of police in police cars and, keeping abreast of modern teaching if cars are the answer, let us have more of techniques. them if they are necessary for efficiency Scattered throughout the State we have in the Police Force. When I first went to an army of conscientious, capable and Bundaberg a policeman could be seen on forward-looking teachers. This Government night duty until 6 a.m. Things have come to has budgeted to increase the allocation to such a stage that the police organisation and this important field. It can and will be its administration want to regard themselves said, with a certain amount of justification, as a part of the Public Service, with hours that it is not enough. We on this side from 9 to 5, which is of little value to the of the Chamber acknowledge that that is community. I realise that the Minister and so. We will never have enough funds for his officers have to fight these things with the education and other community needs. But union, but the public is entitled to protection 1 do not think we should be apologetic for for the money expended on the police. I the record of the Queensland teaching service. doubt that the public is getting full value for the huge amount that is being expended. If I recall the arrival of Dr. Fred Indorf the police were to get around a little more at in this State. Shortly after he arrived, I night-time much of the hooliganism would had the privilege of listening to him when vanish, although there are other things that he addressed the district conference of the encourage this type to run riot around the Rotary Club at Nambour. This distinguished cities. I do not think that I, or anyone else educationist expressed very caustic criticism in the vicinity, should have to suffer the of the Queensland education system. He filthy language I often hear at 1.30 a.m. in my also said that the Minister had a closed hotel bedroom. If I hear it, many others mind on education. As a matter of fact, must hear it, too. There is, a need for more he had nothing good to say about the police on night duty, which is when most Queensland education system. crimes are committed. Very little crime is I also had the privilege of listening to committed in the day-time. Dr. Indorf shortly before he left the State, when he addressed my club, that is, the The Minister knows that local authorities Chermside Rotary Club. The doctor was in the area have requested him to increase good enough to remove the erroneous the strength of the local Police Force. When impression that he may have left on our I s.ent him the newspaper clippings I posed minds by acknowledging that while the a question as to whether that was the answer; Queensland education system was completely I do not think it is. A different rostering of different from the American concept, it the personnel available up till at least had many good points that were superior 2 o'clock in the morning would ensure that to those operating in the United States. they could provide more control. We should resist the idea that we should ask for more Mention was made during this debate of police every time there is a little trouble. uniformity in the Queensland education We should direct our efforts to ensuring that system. It is uniform in that in Chermside the police are so rostered as to ensure and in Coen the level of efficiency of teachers protection for the public at the right time. is the same. One of the great defects in I have another matter to which I should America is that the communities that can like to draw attention. It seems that we afford to pay high salaries get the cream must have a lot of colonels, captains, and so of the teachers, whereas the others-and on: there are two senior sergeants at Bunda­ they are numerous-have to make do with berg on the 9 to 5 shift, I take it. What second or third-rate educators. That is a justification can there be for that? If it is great deficiency in the American education necessary to appoint two senior sergeants, system. I do not think it is a sin to be Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1279

uniform in that our teachers, whether they The Queensland Teachers' Union has are at Aspley or Augathella, are of the advanced a very strong case for improved same standard. remuneration and conditions of service for Recently, in the company of the Minister its members. I have in my hand a pamphlet for Labour and Tourism and the hon. member that was contained in the September issue for Y eronga, I had occasion to visit Coen, of the Queensland Teachers' Journal. Nobody approximately 1,300 miles from Brisbane. will quarrel with the case advanced by the Coen has one of the most modern schools Queensland Teachers' Union, because in effect in the State, a modern teacher's residence, it supports the case that has been set up by and a very dedicated teacher. I do not the Minister. The Queensland Teachers' suppose there is any other school in Union quite rightly claims that. the m~in Queensland with a greater mixture of races problem in the Queensland teachmg serv.Ice than at Coen. But irrespective of race, today is shortage of money, and even blmd creed, and colour, these kiddies receive the Freddie knows that to be so. benefit and advantage of a first-class No reasonable person can quarrel with the education. arguments and methods used by the Queens­ land Teachers' Union in advancing the cause An opportunity to compare the levels of of its members. After all, it has the responsi­ education is afforded by the Rotary student bility to do this. The Queens.land T~ache_rs' exchange scheme, under which there is an Union has always conducted Its affmrs With exchange of students, a.t various stages in a hiah degree of efficiency, and has always their education, between Australia and been"' very reasonable in its approach to the America. I want to say that Australian problems of its members. In short, the students, who naturally are the pick of Queensland Teachers' Unio~ has conducted those from the areas from which they come, its affairs in a manner befittmg the status of do not suffer by comparison with their its members. However, the high standard American counterparts. American students of conduct displayed by it is not being who come here are quick to acknowledge helped by the exaggerated claims put for­ that there are many good points in the ward by "odd-bod" educational organisations. Queensland system of teaching, which is vastly different from what they are accus­ Mr. Pizzey: With a doubtful background. tomed to. For instance, they find it difficult Mr. CAMPBELL: As the Minister said, to understand at first what they consider to with a doubtful background. One is known be the rigid discipline that obtains in Queens­ as the Association for the Advancement of land schools, but I have yet to meet an State Education. I have before me a copy American student who, having experienced of last week's "Nundah Express", bearing the Queensland system of education for six date 26 October, in which there is a head­ or nine months, does not have a lot of praise line "Education at 'two-bob a go'." The for it. They realise that it has many advan­ under tha:t headline says- tages over the laissez-faire system that arti~Je operates in the United States. "Parents of students at Wavell High School and the rest of Queensland's State We have read a lot in the Press that leads schools were paying for cultural develop­ us to believe that the education system in ment at 'two bob a go', Mr. M. Anderson Queensland is in a state of ferment. Those told a meeting of the Association for the who support and defend extreme measures Advancement of State Education." should beware lest impostors use the educa­ Time does not permit me to read the rest tion issue to advance their own spurious of the article, but is is highly exaggerated causes. Most members are aware of the and does not bear any resemblan~e. to struggle in which the Victorian Teachers' fact. The concluding paragraph puts 1t mto Union is engaged to defeat Communist plans its proper perspective, because it states- to capture it. This problem received com­ ment in last week's issue of "The Bulletin". "Among political candidates who attended the meeting were Mr. Reg. At a recent meeting of the Victorian O'Brien, A.L.P. candidate for P~trie, and Teachers' Union the following motion was Mr. Frank Melit, A.L.P. candidate for carried:- Lilley." "The Victorian Teachers' Union con­ Honourable Members interjected. demns the undeclared members of the Pro­ "ressive Teachers' AssoCiation for their The CHAIRMAN: Order! interference in the internal affairs of the Mr. CAMPBELL: It appears that t~ese Victorian Teachers' Union and resents their two aentlemen were quite happy to assoCiate attempts to disrupt union affairs by the them~elves with the organisation known as introduction of party politics." the Association for the Advancement of It is quite obvious that the state of dissen­ State Education. sion that is being fostered by certain ele­ Mr. P. Wood: Are you attacking that ments in the community is not confined to association? this State but is Australia-wide. Hon. mem­ bers are well aware of the problem confront­ Mr. CAMPBELL: I claim to be in very in" the Victorian Teachers' Union. Thank close touch with the teachers in my elec­ go"'odness it has not reached that stage in this torate but I have not been able to detect State. any r~al evidence of dissatisfaction amongst 1280 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

them. I am sure they would like an Mr. CAMPBELL: The total does not give improvement in their conditions, but they that information. I will not deny that there take the common-se-nse view. They know has been an increase in composite classes. that, in the hands of the Queensland All I am trying to show is that the over-all Teachers' Union, their affairs are in very picture is a far better one than hon. members capable hands indeed. The image of the opposite endeavour to present. teaching profession is being tarnished by the actions of these false prophets in creating There were many other matters I wished misconceptions of the true position. That to deal with to demonstrate the fact that we is why I urge the teaching profession to have nothing to be ashamed of in our shun these false prophets. handling of the Education portfolio, but I know that other hon. members wish to speak Honourable Members interjected. and that the Minister wants to comment on various points raised, so I will defer further The CHAIRMAN: Order! comment until another suitable opportunity. Mr. CAMPBELL: As I was saying when I was so rudely intermpted, that is why l Mr. INCH (Burke) (2.52 p.m.): It is not urge teachers to shun these false prophets my intention to take up the time of this and support the reasoned and responsible Assembly in a repetition or reiteration of the approach of their duly accredited union many and varied, but worth-while, contri­ representatives. butions made by m;r colleagues when speak­ Much has been said in this debate to try ing on the Estimates now before the to distort the position relative to class sizes Committee. They have spoken eloquently and to intimate that overcrowding is alarm­ and well and have covered a wide range of ing. I shall quote an extract from an article subjects pertaining to the educational by Mr. Edward P. Clark, the union's msearch requirements of this State, and I feel that officer, in the "Queensland Teachers' Journal" any attempt on my part to expand upon the of September 1966. Mr. Clark said- subject matters contained in their contribu­ tions would, in essence, only be a rehash of "There is no better way to reduce class what has already been said by them, so I size than to employ more teachers." intend to devote my time to dealing with He then said that contriving combinations those matters of immediate concern in my of classes to keep the average per teacher electorate. to a reasonable number would defeat its obje,ct. The figures given by Mr. Clark First of all, Mr. Hooper, I draw the atten­ indicate that from 1965 to 1966, the number tion of the Minister to the necessity for the of classes with fewer than 36-40 pupils has urgent planning and construction of a new increased and that the number with more primary school in what is commonly known than 36-40 pupils has decreased. The figure'S as the Breakaway Creek area in Mt. Isa. are- Very shortly this area is to be developed by the Housing Commission in conjunction with Effective the shire authority, and I understand that the Enrolment 1965 1966 initial programme is for the construction of 13-20 85 83 50 Housing Commission homes there this 21-25 188 187 financial year. 26-30 421 563 As the population of Mt. Isa increases, as 31-35 1,085 1,329 it undoubtedly will-I, for one, confidently 36-40 1,467 1,584 expect it to increase to at least 25,000-so Then we see above that figure a correspond- too will the demand for this type of home ing reduction­ increase, and it is reasonable to assume that Effective Drafts with these numbers many more homes will be constructed in this Enrolment 1965 1966 area. With an ever-increasing population in 41---45 Mt. Isa, there is no possibility whatsoever 981 946 of the present number of primary schools 46-50 357 207 being able to absorb all the children who 51-55 85 22 can be expected to reside in this area within 56-60 12 4 the near future, and I would suggest to the 61-65 1 Minister that steps be taken immediately to I wish I had time to complete the whole of plan for the construction of this school at a the article. I do not want to do Mr. Clark's very early date. intention a disservice, because he intended to show that class sizes have reduced. He While on the subject of primary schools, also makes the point that there has been an I also bring to the notice of the Minister the increas,e in the number of composite classes, position in relation to accommodation for which is the main point he wishes to bring out. those teachers in charge of two small one­ I quote those figures as a graphic illustration teacher schools in my electorate. I refer to of the Minister's claim that class sizes have the schools at Malbon and Quamby. Neither been reduced. of these schools has teacher accommodation attached to it, and as a result the teachers Mr. Newton: How many composite classes at these centres have had to obtain board were there? and lodging in the small wayside hotels Supply [1 NOVEMBER} Supply 1281

which cater for the needs of fettling gangs representations made to him and the depart­ and those persons resident in the surrounding ment for these facilities to be made avail­ districts, which are chiefly grazing areas. able to the school, also for the assembly hall and the tuck-shop? Although the teachers appreciate the assist­ ance rendered by the hotel licensees in pro­ On the one hand this phrase "to receive viding them with board and lodging, the consideration", as used by the Minister in his position is far from satisfactory in relation letter, could favour these representations on to the facilities and environment in which the other hand, it may amount to nothing they endeavour to pursue their studies to and I, for one, do not want to see the fulfil­ gain further academic degrees. Conditions ment of these requirements placed on a such as these are not conducive to con­ Kathleen Mavourneen basis-it may be now tentedness in teachers who live in isolated and it may be never. places. The fact that just on 60 per cent. of As to the allocation of subsidies and their net salary goes to pay for their board priorities for assembly halls, I read with and lodging would add further to any degree interest this article, which appeared in "The of discontent that they might tend to feel. North Queensland Register". It stated- "Ingham High School Gym.­ When one considers the country allow­ Assembly Hall ances paid to Building Workers' Industrial Ingham, March 24- Union employees as laid down by the Industrial Commission, ranging from "Approval has been secured by the local £2 2s. 6d. a day to £12 12s. a week of member and Minister for Primary Indus­ seven days, it is reasonable to expect that tries, Mr. J. A. Row, for the Education some comparative relief by way of an Department to contribute a subsidy grant increased living allowance could be paid to to $10,000 (£5,000) towards the first stage those teachers who are engaged in isolated of the High School Gymnasium-Assembly country areas where the cost of living is high. Hall project. I realise, however, that this would be a mat­ "This was announced by Mr. Row dur­ ter for negotiation between the Queensland ing his visit to his electorate. Teachers' Union and the Public Service Com­ "Mr. Row has been pursuing the ques­ miSSIOner. It is not my intention to meddle tion of Education Department subsidy in the affairs of this union, but I do stress towards the hall costs with the Minister the need for the provision of living accom­ for Education, Mr. Pizzey. modation at these schools, and request the "He said that Mr. Pizzey had approved Minister to give every consideration to imple­ a subsidy grant of up to $10,000 to cover menting this proposal. half the cost of the first stage of the I turn now to secondary-school facilities assembly hall project." and requirements at the Mt. Isa State High The article then proceeds to outline what School. For quite a long time now repre­ the total cost of the assembly hall will be. sentations have been made by the parents It will be noted that the $10,000 subsidy and citizens' association and myself for the grant to the Ingham High School is to provision of adequate science facilities at cover half the cost of the first stage of this school, an assembly hall, and a tuck­ that project, whereas the Mt. Isa High shop adequate to meet the requirements of School request was for a $12,000 subsidy a vastly increased number of students attend­ to cover the cost of its proposed ing this high school. assembly hall. Incidentally, in connection The present science facilities were designed with this subsidy grant to the Ingham High for an enrolment of 300 students, but today School, it would be interesting to know the school has an enrolment of over 600 the length of time over which representations students. It will therefore be seen that the have been made with regard to that project present facilities are totally inadequate to in comparison with those made on behalf cope with the increased number of students of the Mt. Isa High School. One could be pardoned for suspecting in cases like attending this school. With the larger this that the Government may be applying classes, practical work of any value is ren­ the old maxim, "Spoils to the victor". dered impossible because of the lack of improved accommodation. So far as over-all classroom accommodation is concerned, the Mt. Isa High School is I acknowledge the fact that the Minister in a very difficult position indeed. Over did inform me by letter on 28 April last the past year many classes have had to that the provision of additional science facili­ be taken on seats outside classrooms and ties at this school is to receive consideration many of the rooms were in an over-crowded in connection with projects to be undertaken condition. Even the library had to be from loan funds to be made available for the utilised as a general-purpose classroom forthcoming financial year, but that until the throughout the year and was not available extent of these funds was known a firm for the purpose for which it was intended, decision could not be ·arrived at. namely a true library room. Although two temporary classrooms are to be moved from What I should like to know is: does the the Town View State School to alleviate Minister now know the extent of these funds the present position, unless further accom­ and, if so, is it intended to accede to the modation is provided for the 1967 school 1282 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

year the position will again be as chaotic Minister and his departmental officers took as it is now. I urge the Minister to give action to replace this relic of bygone days immediate attention to these requirements with a building of modern architectural and also to the provision of an assembly design that would be more in keeping with hall and a tuck-shop at this school. those at present being constructed for private As the Minister's portfolio covers the Police and business enterprises in Mount Isa. Department, there are one or two matters The final matter that I raise is the unsafe affecting the Police Force in Mt. Isa that condition of the cell-block and stockade at I wish to bring to his notice. The first the police station. This block consists of item that I raise is the inadequacy and seven cells, which many years ago were trans­ unsuitability of the single men's quarters, ferred to Mount Isa in three sections from not only because of the age of the major other centres. The veranda is enclosed by portion of the present structure and the wire mesh, which takes very little effort cramped conditions under which the men to remove. On 9 September this year two are at present forced to live, but also because persons who were being held on numerous of the paucity and condition of the toilet charges of breaking and entering, and other facilities that are installed in these barracks, charges, broke out of the veranda section. the lack of lounge facilities in which to One of the prisoners escaped over the rear entertain their friends, and the further lack wall of the stockade. He was immediately of proper facilities in which they may study. apprehended by a sergeant and was returned The older portion of this accommodation to the cells. In the meantime, the second was originally used as a residence for the prisoner was endeavouring to escape from senior sergeant, but was converted into the stockade using a blanket which he had barracks some years ago. Sixteen men are thrown over the wall, but he gave up the now quartered in this portion, which contains attempt when his accomplice was arrested by eight rooms of various sizes, only two of the sergeant. which are single rooms. Toilet facilities The front of this stockade has two huge in this section of the barracks consist of wooden gates, which are never opened. a plunge bath in a very old condition, with Entrance to the stockade is gained through a a shower attached, a small shower cubicle, small wooden door, which permits only one one urinal, two septic pedestals and three person at a time to enter or leave the hand-basins. stockade. If a violent prisoner has to be confined there, there is a grave risk to the A new section has been added to this person escorting him through this door. structure in recent years. This section and its facilities are suitable and quite adequate The galvanised-iron sheeting that forms the for the six men who occupy this portion walls of the stockade is nailed onto wooden of the barracks, and by comparison it does upri~hts and cros·s-members, but the timber emphasise the rather squalid conditions under is so old and rotten that it will not hold the which the other 16 men are housed, although nails for any length of time. That is a fact. it subscribes little towards any uplift in the I have inspected the stockade. I walked morale of the other 16 men. The only way this along the wall and, without any effort at all, could be achieved would be for the pulled the nails out. It is easy to pull out department to provide better and more the spring-head nails and throw them away. adequate accommodation for these members Numerous sheets of iron could be removed of the force. without much effort, while the uprights on the northern side of the stockade are so rickety A further matter that I mention-it is they have had to be braced to the wall by connected with the administration of depart­ means of fencing-wire. mental affairs at Mt. Isa-is the edifice that I once described as an architectural Because of the existing unsafe condition monstrosity. I refer to the present police of the cell veranda and the stockade wall, a station, which has now become the head­ determined prisoner could escape from the quarters of the Cloncurry-Mt. Isa Police stockade, so prisoners will now have to be District. This station had a relatively small kept in the cells at all times. Anyone who number of men stationed there when I last has experienced the extremely hot climatic described its size, appearance and construction, conditions that prevail in western areas during but since then the force has been increased the summer months will have some idea of to approximately 40 members and I could how these prisoners will suffer as a result of now add to my previous description of this being confined to small cells that are cut off station. Its interior has become a veritable from any prevailing breeze by a high stockade rabbit-warren in which the officers and men wall. I strongly urge the Minister to do are scrambling over one another in the small, everything in his power to have the whole poky office spaces in which they have to position rectified by the construction of a work and which are cluttered up with records new cell-block and stockade as quickly as and office furniture. possible. Don't let us continue to perpetuate, through the incarceration of prisoners under By and large, this station would be the such conditions as these, this prime example worst police headquarters in Queensland. It of man's inhumanity to man! is a disgrace not only to the department but also to a thriving community and a town Hon. J. C. A. PIZZEY (Isis-Minister for that is destined to become a city in the Education) (3.9 p.m.): I shall endeavour, as very near future. It is high time that the quickly as possible, to reply to some of the Supply [lf..NOVEMBER) Suppn 1283 criticism, particularly that of the Leader of education, I shudder to think of the standard the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the that he ascribes to the education systems of Opposition, and to comments and suggestions other States. of other hon. members. The Leader of the Opposition then com­ May I say firstly that I have never heard mented on the alleged inadequate provision such a pitifully weak criticism of a Govern­ for health education. He probably is ment's record than we heard from the Leader unaware that there is in fact a full programme of the Opposition. of health education in both primary and Government Members: Hear, hear! secondary schools. We have new textbooks for teachers at lower, middle, and upper Mr. PIZZEY: He floundered around for primary-school levels. They have been nearly half an hour and all he could do produced in concert by the Department of was to try to relate a rise in juvenile Education and the Queensland Health delinquency with a fall in the standard of Education Council, and have received favour­ education. It was a subtle and wholly able comment from overseas educationists. unjustified attack on thousands of dedicated The new concept of secondary education has State school-teachers; in fact, it was nothing enabled much greater provision for health but an indictment of the teachers to suggest education than ever before. that because of our teaching standard there has been a marked increase in juvenile Moral education, or education for delinquency. For one thing, social scientists character-building, is not something that can have agreed that delinquency results from be set down, with lists of textbooks, to be multiple causes. One of the most noted taught in either primary or secondary schools. research men in this field is Dr. Kirk, of the Someone has said that moral, or character­ University of ,i1inois. He believes that building, education is something that can be delinquency car be caused by parental and taught only by environment and the example family background, and sometimes brain of teachers, parents, and friends. The damage at birth, but the most common development of a moral attitude to life comes reasons are broken homes, homes where directly from home and church influences, and parents reject their children, do not supervise indirectly from school tone. I am sure that their activities, are too demanding, too the Leader of the Opposition did not mean restrictive, too vacillatin?, or too permissive that teachers are not always inculcating in in their discipline. their day-by-day teaching, through both undertones and overtones, correct moral Mr. Aikens: Some of the worst juvenile attitude. If he did, he is indicting fellow­ delinquents come from good homes. teachers in his own party. Mr. PIZZEY: That is true; they come in There have been many comments from the categories that I have mentioned. If we both sides of the Chamber during the debate are to use juvenile delinquency as the cri­ on the necessity for innovation and flexibility terion for the standard of education, as at both primary and secondary schools. I adopted by the Leader of the Opposition, then think it was the hon. member for Mt. Gravatt Queensland stands high compared with the who spoke about the philosophy of change. other States. If we look at the reports of the I think we have accepted that philosophy. Police Commissioners of the various States, We are prepared to look at what is new, the most recent available being for 1964, 'IAe examine it, and make a decision as to find that in Queensland 1,377 children whether or not it would be advantageous to appeared in children's courts. In South Aus­ introduce it to the school system in Queens­ tralia, which has only two-thirds of the land. Nevertheless, the Leader of the population of Queensland, the number was Opposition said it was wrong to introduce the 3,007. In Western Australia, which has half Cuisenaire method when we did and not to Queensland's population, the number was use it in all schools at once. It has been 2,213, while in Victoria, with double the used in many schools for many years. Surely population of Queensland, it was 5,085. If it is against the spirit of innovation and the criterion of the Leader of the Opposition experimentation to deny these forward-look­ is used, the standard of education in Queens­ ing teachers the opportunity to evaluate new land must be far higher than that of any other methods and new materials. If we were to State. However, only he would use such a wait till all schools were in a position with­ silly standard. out any prior experience to introduce new methods, we would seldom introduce them. The same story is found in an examination of the figures in the United States. In the The Leader of the Opposition spoke also last three or four years there has been a rise about training colleges in country cities and of 79 per cent. in the number of simple towns. Hon. members should be fully assault cases. The same trend is found in aware that there is a limit to the size of a West Germany. Figures supporting that con­ town that will cater for a training college. tention have been obtained from the journal It is not much good putting a training col­ of an international organisation. The Leader lege in a town the size of Gladstone, for of the Opposition cannot have his argument instance. both ways. If the increase in juvenile delin­ quency is an indictment of our system of Mr. R. Jones: How would Cairns be? 1284 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. PIZZEY~ Or the size of Cairns. The are the set periods for each teacher at Pim­ reason is that, if there are several hundred lico High School: 36, 35, 37, 36, 36, 35, students, there have to be practising schools 38, 40 (that is the manual-training teacher), where those students can practise. There 38, 39, 34, 36, 35, 37, 30, 26, 35, 38, 28, has to be a certain number of schools with 36, 36, 36, 35, 35. In nearly every one of experienced teachers to cater for the students. those cases two of the periods were for sport; Generally it is understood that there has to so that on the average they have at least one be a population of at least 40,000, possibly free period a day, with a shorter day than more, before you can provide within that is enjoyed by teachers in other States. school area sufficient practising schools. In At no stage during this debate did I, or all such towns, only a percentage of the any other member of the Government students come from the town itself. If it parties, suggest that we were satisfied that all were Cairns, for example, only about one­ classes were as small as we should like them quarter of the students would come from to be. We all realise that we should aim for Cairns and three-quarters would come from still smaller classes; we should aim immedi­ elsewhere. It is not just a matter of select­ ately at getting classes below 40 in number, ing a town with a good climate and saying, and in high schools, in the senior grades, "We will build a teachers' training college smaller still. But member after member in here." The college has to be built where this Chamber-and I include members of there are sufficient practising schools. the Opposition-was able to show that the I could not find anything more to which situation has improved. The only criticism to reply in the attack on the Government by the Opposition had to make was that it had the Leader of the Opposition. The Deputy not improved quickly enough. I suppose in Leader of the Opposition did not have very every phase we feel we would like to do much to say, either, but in his concluding better more quickly, but to say that similar remarks he referred to the size of classes conditions exist today as existed in previous and said, "This is a terrible thing. The years is just not facing up to the facts that children are not getting a fair deal." He are available to all teachers and parents. I said that he hears complaints all over Towns­ hope teachers will not be misled by a few ville about the class-sizes. Let me select a militants who see in this an opportunity to few of the schools in Townsville at random create some discord amongst teachers in the and give the Committee the class-sizes. Take State, and I hope, too, that we see the names Garbutt, which I think is in the hon. member's of the people who are associating with some electorat<>. of these organisations. Mr. Tucker: Have a look at Belgian Mr. Hanson: Have you got them black­ Gardens. listed already? Mr. PIZZEY: These are the class num­ Mr. PIZZEY: There is no-one named bers at Garbutt: 38, 37, 33, 33, 38, 34, 43, Hanson, thank goodness! There is one chap 32, 34, 30, 30, 30, 42, 40. Another school that who might get onto the band wagon, if he I think is in his electorate is Townsville sees the opportunity, but he is not a relative Central, and there the classes are: 36, 36, of the hon. member. However, the hon. 31, 29, 39, 40, 43, 37, 44, 42, 44, 43, 40, 42. member knows who it is that I am referring In all of those there is only one composite to. class. Take Townsville South, which is I was amazed to think that the hon. mem­ probably not in his electorate: 37, 36, 28, ber for Maryborough was living so much in 29, 33, 40, 36, and one of those is a com­ the past. He said that it was wrong in posite class. Townsville West: 41, 35, 41, principle to close so many one-teacher 43, 42, 34, 43, 31, )8, 38, 37, I am not schools, that we are destroying the life of denying that there are classes of over 40, small rural communities. I think we all but there are many under 35. agree that one-teacher schools had many The hon. member went on to deal with advantages. They had always been the focal high schools and said that teachers have no point of social activity in the community. spare periods and no time to do preparation However, I am satisfied that we are doing the and correction. He may have a look at this right thing. There are also advantages in return if he wishes to do so. It shows the larger centres and the argument used is that size of classes, and I would go through it if small schools belonged to another era. Con­ I had time. There are many classes under ditions of living have changed. Previously 20, many classes under 15, and a few classes when one lived 15 miles from a country over 40. On the question of teachers' periods, town one was isolated but now, with good there are 40 periods in the week. I ask hon. bitumen roads and motor-cars, one is within members to remember that that is a few minutes of these towns and that is less in time than in any other Aus­ where the social activity is. The towns are tralian State at secondary level. Teachers becoming the focal point of social activity in those States have either half an hour or and the councils are realising that and three-quarters of an hour longer in the class­ building swimming pools, social centres and rooms teaching, so that at least gives Queens­ so on. I think that is a good thing. Instead land secondary-school teachers half an hour of having a number of isolated centres we for preparation or correction. Before mak­ are building up in each area one strong ing a comparison with the other States, here country town. Supply (1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1285

Mr. Coburn: In most instances when the re-admissions are permanent re-admis­ schools were closed parents asked for them sions, suc:h as teachers returning to the to be closed. service from overseas trips. If we were not making permanent gains in the strength Mr. PIZZEY: In all instances. of our teaching force, the number of teachers The hon. member for Nudgee used employed could not have gmwn from 6,600 statistics to show that there is a falling-off in 1957 to 10,000 in 1966. Therefore there in numbers at secondary-school level. That cannot be this annual wastage that he talks is far from the truth. It may be true in the about. case of particular schools but it is not true of all. That is far from the position. In The hon. member went on to say that this 1957, 15 per cent. of 12-year-olds five years was all one-way traffic~that teachers are before sat for the Senior examination; today going overseas, that they are going inter­ 26 per cent. of 12-year-olds five years state, that they are going to Canada, that before-they are people who are now 17- they are going into the forces, and that we sit for tl)e Senior. The number in the group never ge•t any back. That is wrong. Every continuing on has increased from 15 per week teachers are coming back from other cent. to 26 per cent., yet the hon. member States, £rom Great Britain, from Canada, tried to mislead the Committee into believing from the U.S.A. and back from service in that more and more are deciding not to the developing countries; so it is two-way go on beyond Junior. traffic. Initially we felt the impact of so many girls being able to afford to go over­ No educationist would argue that all seas, which they could never do previously. students should procee·d beyond the Junior Now that they have been over there one, to the Senior matriculation examination. two or three years, they are trickling back Nobody has ever suggested that. Beyond the again in almost equal numbers to those Junior standard we have our apprenticeship going overseas. system, which offers part-time education. The State Public Service provides oppor­ The hon. member also demonst.rated a tunities for students to continue their studies. surprising lack of knowledge of what goes Gauon College provides an opportunity for on when Senior candidates nominate for students after Junior to proceed further other scholarships. Surely he must know it is than for matriculation. My Government the practice of almost all Senior students has not only given all students a chance to nominate for every scholarship offering. to reach Junior and to study courses much To claim that we are obtaining only 1,033 more suited to their abilities and interests, prospective teachers out of 2,750 applicants but it is also providing for greater educa­ is quite misleading. Certainly they applied, tional opportunities, both part-time and full­ but they applied for half a dozen other time, for those wishing to leave school at things at the same time. All told, with Junior level. primary-teacher scholarships, special scholar­ shops and university fellowships, we are at The hon. member for Nudgee cited the present recruiting almost 20 per cent. of the principal of a high sc:hool who, at his speech available pool, that is, of those sitting for night, is reported to have said that he had five or more Senior subjects. In view of the never seen so much dissatisfaction and dis­ tremendous range of opportunities to content in all matters affecting education. students completing Senior that is not a bad He certainly is not fully appreciative of the figure. That does not mean to say, of attitude of teachers throughout the State. I course., that we do not want to better it. think the hon. member for Barcoo adequately However, there is nothing to be a&ha:med of answered that when he said there had never when 20 per cent. of all those sitting for been a better administrative team in the and passing the five subjects or more enter department. I agree with that assertion. the teaching profession. Hon. members The hon. member is appreciative of the work can well imagine that many opportunities of the departmental heads. There was a are open to them. time, of course, when you could not get to see departmental heads. There was no Mr. P. Wood: You could not have got more opportunity of interviewing them or be•ing than the 1,033 you got last year. interviewed by them. Mr. PIZZEY: No, we could not. We I think we were sur:prised and disappointed gave a teacher scholarship to all who at the lack of mathematical and statistical qualified. clarity displayed in the speech of the hon. member for Toowoomba East, in view of Despite the hon. member's plea to improve his experience as a teacher. He tdes to the professional standard of teachers by give the Committee the impression that we allowing them more initiative in the class­ were suffering a net loss each year of some room, he again demonstrated tha:t he has not 430 teachers because of the difference made a very careful study of the new between resignations and new admissions. primary syllabus in mathematics and science. He completely ignored two facts: (1) that Because it is a big, fat book, he seemed a very high proportion of the resignations to indicate to the Committee that the comprise married women employed tempor­ syllabus was overloaded. It is a much bigger arily; and (2) that almost one quarter of document than is usually the case, but the 1286 Supply [ASSEMBLY} Supply

increase in size is in no way due to volumin­ northern area for attendance at the Towns­ ous and detailed descriptions of what is to be ville seminar. Does it indicate great dis­ taught. It is due solely to the considerably content in the teaching service when 350 increased amount of teacher background and teachers voluntarily give up a week of their material, and suggestions and examples of holidays to increase their professional status activities that are provided to assist the and improve their professional knowledge? teacher to organise his course. That is indicative of a very good spirit among An Opposition Member: If you run true teachers, which is customary in professional to form, there will be a new one next year. men. Mr. PIZZEY: I can see that the hon. An Opposition Member: That would be the member is opposed to the philosophy of first time they have done it. change. Mr. PIZZEY: According to some hon. If there is one word for describing the members opposite, there is great discontent new syllabus, it is flexibility, both in the in the teaching service. teacher and for the pupil. Today, the primary Mr. Sherringtou: There is, too. teacher is given far more scope for initiative and for the provision for individual differences Mr. PIZZEY: Some hon. members opposite than ever before. The Labour Government would like to think there is. always inhibited that scope by the need to pass the Scholarship examination, as the Seven departmental officers, all experienced hon. member for Burdekin well knows. I in their individual fields, will be flown to refer the hon. member to this statement by Townsville to conduct these courses. the Director-General in his report- A four-day residential seminar for district "The new syllabuses being prepared are inspectors covered all aspects of both the as much manuals for the guidance of new mathematics and the new science teachers as prescriptions of the content to syllabuses. It is not correct to say that be undertaken at the various levels. . . teachers have had only one day of such Pervading such comment is the need for instruction. Apart from the seminars flexibility on the part of the teacher in the arranged in 1965, many assistant teachers, selection and treatment of topics in accord­ and almost all head-teachers, have had at ance with the needs, interests and abilities least three separate days of seminars on of his pupils." mathematics and science during 1966. So There is much more I could say, but I do we have been making, and will continue to not wish to take up a lot of time on this make, greater provision for in-service train­ point as many other hon. members must be ing. I say that the spirit and enthusiasm of replied to. I could indicate how wrong the our teachers is pretty good. hon. member was when he spoke about the Mr. Melloy: The inspectors should spend various large groups that we are drawing more time at the schools. upon for our primary and secondary teachers, and the availability of school-teachers from Mr. PIZZEY: If they spent twice as long those groups. He must remember that teachers there, someone else would say that they could are not available for teaching in primary spend more time because we have many schools until some 20 years after they are younger teachers who need assistance. But born, and up to 22 years after for teaching there is a limit to what can be done. in secondary schools. For the next 10 years, because of the recent fall in the birth-rate, Teachers can be assured that departmental school enrolments will not increase at the officers and the Government are fully aware same rapid rate as formerly, but teachers will of the needs of education. There are two be recruited from the 1946-56 births which, great problems, namely, man-power and as I have already pointed out, were very availability of money. Everybody recognises high. Because of this we will have pro­ that more money will have to be found portionately more teachers available for somehow and somewhere, and more is being recruitment, and during that period we will found year by year. have to decide whether or not we should I believe that the great body of teachers catch up, or do without teachers for one year, will not be led by a militant minority into while we increase teacher-training from two strike action, which would achieve absolutely years to three years. That will create many nothing but the loss of a day's pay. It problems foreshadowed by the hon. member would certainly lower the standing of a noble for Gympie. Teacher-college personnel will profession in the eyes of the public and, one have to be looked at in conjunction with any of the worst features, would discourage young extension of the training course. people from entering the profession, which I do not want to let the opportunity pass is the very object its members are setting without referring to in-service training, which out to achieve. Members of the profession has been mentioned several times in this should be doing everything possible to debate and also in my opening remarks. encourage young people to enter the teaching During the coming vacation we are offering profession and to help themselves to solve week-long seminars at both Townsville and their problems, which are peculiar not only Brisbane. To date, almost 350 applications to the Queensland department but to every have been received from teachers in the education department in Australia. Supply [1 NovEMBER] Supply 1287

I shall now deal quickly with some of that the Department of Works should send the other comments. I say to the hon. a team of men to dig sumps for people who members for Ipswich West and Flinders that could do it for themselves. their suggestions will be examined. The hon. member for Flinders mentioned a transceiver Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: I rise to a point of for Charters Towers, and the hon. member order. The Minister is asserting certain things for Condamine spoke about the training of that he thinks I have done and in which I diesel mechanics. The hon. member for have had no part whatever. Toowong indicated the need for training in Mr. PIZZEY: I am not suggesting that the new mathematics and science syllabuses. the hon. member has had any part in them; He and another hon. member suggested I am saying that he ought to give a little that too much emphasis was being placed leadership. By asking questions, he indi­ on seniority for promotion. I advise the cates that he expects the Government to do Committee that no emphasis is placed on all of those things. These people should be seniority for promotion in the Department of taught to be independent and to do a few Education. A 32-year-old could beat a 55- things for themselves. year-old with a degree, if he has a better Opposition Members interjected. service record. In appointing officers to promotional positions-not ordinary trans­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. fers, but positions that are advertised-we member for Rockhampton North knows the act purely on efficiency. It is the one depart­ rule about interjecting from a place in the ment above all where promotion is gained Chamber other than his own, and I am sure by efficiency, not by seniority. that the hon. member for Tablelands can The hon. member said that we exaggerated well deal in some other way with anything the role of memory. That is a fair criticism incorrect that has been said about him. I of the past. But I do not think it is a fair therefore ask him to refrain from interjecting. statement now, with our new approach to Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: I rise to a point of science and mathematics, the abolition of order. I have not spoken on the Estimates the Scholarship, and our new general now before the Committee. I do not know approach at the primary and secondary levels. whether the Minister has some misunder­ The hon. member for Brisbane did not standing. deal with education. Mr. PIZZEY: I did not suggest that the The hon. member for Barcoo praised member had spoken on these Estimates. He departmental officers and was appreciative has, however, asked in the House, by way of of our problems. His was a realistic questions, when the Government is going to approach to this department's Estimates. drill sumps for the Aboriginals. That was He said it was our duty to train asked about six >veeks ago. The hon. some people for the undeveloped countries. member should give a lead to these people. I agree that we will have to do that. At the I am a little disappointed that he has not moment we supply a few every year, but given them some leadership in training them we will have to supply more. We have a to develop a little independence. responsibility to try to encourage more people to join the service so that some of Mr. R. Jones: I think that is up to the them can serve in undeveloped countries. Department of Aboriginal and Island Affairs. The hon. member for Logan raised the Mr. PIZZEY: Oh, yes, let them do every­ difficult problem of the university failure rate. thing! That is a typical Labour attitude. I can assure him that the university is looking into that question at the present time. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I remind hon. members on both sides of the Chamber that The hon. member for Burke dealt with the the Minister is entitled to reply, and if this problems of rapid growth and of building persistent interjecting continues I shall deal in remote places compared with places close with those hon. members who are offending. by. Mr. PIZZEY: I am disappointed that the I pay a tribute to Mr. Killoran, the Director hon. member for South Brisbane is not pres­ of Aboriginal and Island Affairs, for the ent, now that I am about to reply to his efficient way in which he and his officers are remarks. I have no intention of wasting running that department. There have been time answering a long list of questions that vast changes in housing and education in the he has asked me and that he read out. He far-flung corners of the State, and the new was virtually begging the question. He legislation is working smoothly. asked why there has been no action on the I pay a tribute to the hon. member for Cook Martin Report, and why there has been an for his work for Aboriginals and Torres embargo on the employment of married Strait Islanders, and I suggest that the hon. women as teachers. I might as well ask him member for Tablelands give some honest if he has stopped beating his wife, or if he leadership to the Aboriginals instead of is as silly as he looks. That is the type of coming here asking the Government to do question he expects me to answer. It is everything for them. I was ashamed and not allowed by Mr. Speaker and, as he ought shocked to find an hon. member suggesting to know, is also not allowed in court. 1288 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

His attack on the Police Department con­ Mr. PIZZEY: The hon. member wants to tained many half-truths. For instance, he incriminate men before they have been said that never at any time did a Labour brought before the court. Government have to lower the level of Transfers are made at the discretion of the physical fitness, as this Government has done, Commissioner. He is charged with the main­ to obtain recruits for the Police Force. tenance of peace and good order throughout Instead of 5 ft. 9 ins., the required height is the State, and in order to ensure that it is now "approximately 5 ft. 9 ins." If an maintained, he has the responsibility of applicant is 5 ft. 8-t ins. and is bright and making transfers from place to place and intelligent, he is not denied the opportunity from branch to branch. Therefore, I do not of a career in the Police Force because he intend to come into this Chamber and give has not an additional t in. in height. reasons why this man is transferred or why He went on to say, "The Country-Liberal that one is not transferred. Government is prepared to take virtually any­ In reply again to the hon. member for body, regardless of his physical standard, South Brisbane, I point out that members of provided it can get him into a uniform". the Police Force are responsible not only for That is not true. We could get the hon. criminal investigation but also for the enforce­ member for South Brisbane into a uniform all ment of many other facets of the law. They right; but because he is not 5 ft. 9 ins. tall, his are responsible for seeing that the law is level of physical fitness and physical capacity, enforced in all fields-the gaming and betting on his own reasoning, is far too low. I think laws, the laws relating to the supply of intoxi­ that the physical capacity of the hon. mem­ cating liquor, and the traffic laws-and the ber for Port Curtis would qualify him all Commissioner is in frequent consultation with right. The hon. member for Rockhampton all his senior officers, discussing problems, North might even be qualified physically. and ensuring that the best use is made· of the man-power available. The Government has The assertion that the Queensland Police done a tremendous amount to provide a Force cannot be maintained at its approved modern, up-to-date fleet of vehicles, first-class strength is not substantiated by facts, because communications, modern scientific aids, and at 24 October, 1966, the approved strength of almost all the things that can be useful in the Police Force was 2,919, while its actual expeditiously bringing a culprit before the strength was 2,907-a difference of only 12. courts. I point out that at present 65 probationers are in training and will have completed their Mr. Thackeray: What about a riot squad? training by Christmas-time. Therefore, those Mr. PIZZEY: I hope such a squad is 12 will be taken up, leaving 53 to cope with never needed in Queensland. resignations or retirements for age or medical reasons. Mr. Thackeray: I think we should have one. The Police Force in Queensland deserves very great credit for the way in which it Mr. PIZZEY: Dealing with rights of clears up crime, and I think all members of appeal, the hon. member for South Brisbane the public recognise the spectacular success is in the habit of bringing personalities into the force has had in clearing up serious this Chamber; he named individuals and crimes. I do not think any Police Force in said that some of them will get commissioned Australia has a better record. Within 24 rank; that we appointed them to the Appeal hours or 48 hours of the commission of a Board because the Commissioner hoped-this serious crime somebody is arraigned before was the inference-that they would make a the court, and usually that person is found decision favourable to him. Not one of the to be the guilty person. men on the appeal board is able to qualify for commissioned rank. These names are Mr. Lee: Basically, they have the full con­ supplied by the Police Union. They submit fidence of the public. the names of the personnel whom they desire to represent them during the year, and in Mr. PIZZEY: As the hon. member for 1966, in the southern division, which includes Y eronga said, the police have the confidence Brisbane, of the five names submitted three of the public. In almost all of the cases that were actually members of the executive of have come to our attention in recent months, the Police Union-and incidentally, not one quick arrests have. been made as a _result of of those union representatives nominated is information supplied by the public. The eligible or in fact qualified for promotion to police are the first to recognise that their commissioned rank. I do not know where job would be twice as difficult without the the hon. member got his idea that we select co-operation of the public, and the Queens­ particular people and put them on the panel land Police Force has been very fortunate hoping that they will give favourable over the years in receiving the public's decisions and, as a result, get promotion. co-operation. In .relation to serious cri~es, the police are domg a reasonably good JOb I think that all members of this Chamber and have earnt the respect of the people of would agree with me in saying that when this State. the Commissioner's representative and the employees' representative are placed on an Mr. Melloy: Frank Melit gave them the appeal board they lose their identity as either number of the car. That helped. Commissioner's representative or employees' Supply [1 NovEMBER] Supply !289

representative. They should become Someone mentioned the need to obtain members of a board of three persons set up permits to hold protest meetings. The to deal with a particular matter, and they Inspector in charge of traffic has not denied are consequently each charged with the duty any person his right to protest. It is a and obligation of analysing the evidence shocking state of affairs when young people placed before them and, on that evidence, of say, "I don't like this law. Because I don't bringing in a just and equitable decision, like it I am not going to obey it. I am irrespective of the method that has been used am going to carry on irrespective of what in appointing the board. I think these men the law of the land is". It is the duty of are looking at things objectively and getting the Police Force to ensure that the law is a fair assessment of the situation. obeyed. People have been able to get permits. As a matter of fact, we supplied The hon. member then complained about a police escort down to Centenary Park. I costs to certain members of the force. No think people ohould be granted permits to doubt, recently one member was awarded register their protest, as long as they do not costs against certain parties. The hon. mem­ interfere with anyone else while they are ber for South Brisbane says, "What if that doing it. But is it right tha:t they should party cannot pay? If he cannot get his be given a permit to protest on a busy money, what happens then?" He would know corner where thousands of people are waiting that at the finish, if a man cannot recover to catch buses and trams? Is it right that his money, he can still make an application they should be allowed to deny other people to the Commissioner and the case will be freedom of movement? I do not think given consideration on its merits. Surely the so, but hon. members opposite would suggest Government should not have to pay money that because we stop people from holding that should be paid by the guilty person or a demonstration this is a police State the person who the court said should pay the costs. If someone disobeys the police, would hon. members opposite suggest that the police The hon. member for Bundaberg men­ should let him go? I think the police tioned the necessity for police action against should use as much firmness as is required "hot-rodders". It is not an easy matter to to deal with the situation. That is what do something about these people. I have they do. If a person struggles, twists and visited other States and have seen youths kicks, do hon members opposite suggest that driving up and down certain streets. After the police should say, "We cannot handle all, I do not suppose there is any law to stop him. Because he is going to be a bit rough a man from driving up and down provided we will let him go. We will let him break he is within the speed limits and obeying the the law." People have to realise that there regulations. I do not think it is desirable to is one way to change the law, and that is introduce one. to change the Government if they do not like the law. They cannot take the law Mr. Davies: Are they loitering? into their own hands. If the law says that a permit is required before they can Mr. PIZZEY: I do not think they could be march in a procession, then they should brought within the definition of loitering. If apply for a permit. If they do not get it, we do anything, the public generally, and they know that it is denied them only members of Parliament in particular, are very because they would be interfering with some­ quick to lodge a complaint and say, "This is body else's liberty. a police State; you are interfering with a person's liberty". Police must have some Mr. Bromley: Ten shillings a placard is cause for taking action. They just cannot a bit high. say, "I don't like the look of that fellow; Mr. PIZZEY: That might be so; but he is likely to be troublesome. I will put it still is the law, and while it is the law him off the road". it must be obeyed. People can come to Mr. Bromley: If they could, you would me by way of deputation. The matter can have been sent off long ago. be raised in Parliament on Grievance Day, or questions can be asked in the House. Mr. PIZZEY: I suppose I would have a Nobody can countenance lawlessness in our lot of friends, too. community, especially by people of that age. People must learn that the'Y have an obliga­ It is a very difficult job. There has to tion to obey the law. I think I have the be eternal vigilance. These fellows seem to support of all hon. members when I say know where the police are at a particular that. time, and it requires a great deal of vigilance Mr. Bromley: When are you going to on the part of the police to keep them under review the Police superannuation scheme? control. Periodically we send out instruc­ tions to inspectors, telling them to advise Mr. PIZZEY: It is being reviewed at the their staffs of the importance of watching present time. A special committee is for any larrikinism with motor vehicles on examining it because there are some actuarial the road. problems associated with it. Appropriation has been made for the extra concessions that The matter of rostering the Police Force are being considered under the various will be looked at. superannuation schemes. 1290 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

In conclusion I again wish to say to Office, Cloncurry. Also additional funds are young people that never before has there required for grants and loans to prospectors been the chance to enter the teaching pro­ (which include roads and bridges to mining fe·ssion with such opportunities for promotion fields) and for hiring of pumps, compressors, as exist today. There are many fields open etc. to miners for mine development. These to them. By the time they have graduated I consider are most worthy projects. as teachers, within five or six years, it looks In regard to the departmental drilling pro­ quite hopeful that many of the problems gramme, the appropriation for 1965-66 was associated with the rapid extension of $100,200 from revenue funds and $442,000 secondary and tertiary education will have from loan funds. The whole was expended. been overcome. Many of them will be able During 1966-67 the requirement is $105,000 to serve their country by assisting some of from revenue funds and $566,000 from loan the under-developed countries. If we look funds. This increase is vital to permit the to the north of us, and also at some of our forward planning of future thermal power Commonwealth countries and allies, we see stations and the proving of coal reserves. that for the next 30 to 50 years we will have to be helping, not only economically In addition it is worthy of mention that at but in the fields of culture and education. present there is under consideration a pro­ posal for an accelerated programme to prove At 4 p.m., this State's coking coal reserves. If it eventuates it will involve substantial addi­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! Under the pro­ tional expenditure by way of equipment and visions of the Sessional Order agreed to by drilling costs. However, most, if not all, of the House on 20 October, I shall now put this will be recouped by the Commonwealth. the questions for the Vote under consideration and the balance remaining unvoted for the There has also been increased provision Department of Education. mainly from loan funds on account of the Water Resources Investigation Fund. This The questions for the foilowing Votes were will allow increased investigation of the put, and agreed to- State's underground water resources and great Department of Education- benefits to the State have already ensued from $ these activities. Chief Office 784,811 The Government Assay Office at Cloncurry Balance of Department, is a most efficient, well-equipped sampling Consolidated Revenue establishment. It provides a sterling service and T:rust and Special to the mining community in the north-western Funds 92,595,095 area of the State. There is increased provision to maintain this service. DEPART:VfENT OF MINES AND MAIN ROADS For coal miners' pensions $49,008 was appropriated in 1965-66. For 1~66.-67 the CHIEF OFFICE provision sought is $168,154. This mcrease Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Minister envisages additional statutory contribution by for Mines and Main Roads) (4.2 p.m.): I the Governmeut. This Vote provides for move- the salaries and expenses of the staff, and the "That $427,676 be granted for 'Depart­ statutory contribution made by the Govern­ ment of Mines and Main Roads--Chief ment. The actual cost of salaries and expenses Office'.'' is a charge against the pensions fund, from which a refund is made to the Treasury. The Before outlining to hon. members the main payment of pensions is made from a separate points of the endeavours and achievements fund administered by the Pensions Tribunal. of the Department of Mines, I wish to present The Under Secretary for Mines, Mr. E. K. a short summary of the financial position Healy, is chairman of the tribunal, but n.o under the various fund headings. For Chief charge is made against the fund for h1s Office, $387,626 was appropriated for 1965-66 services. and an amount of $427,626 is required for 1966-67. The increase is due, to a large The appropriation under the Gas Act of measure, to salary increments, basic wage 1965 for l965-66 was $41,690. For 1966-67 variations and staff appointments. Also the requirement is $49,034. The increase is increased provision has been made for payroll due mainly to additional staff appointments tax, fees to surveyors, mines rescue station, for inspection of liquefied petroleum ~as publications, etc. installations and fittings, and general eqmp­ ment. Salary increments and basic wage For mining fields, the appropriation for adjustments also require provision. 1965-66 was $1,008,372 and expenditure was $950,027. For 1966-67 the amount required The department has continued to pursue is $1,092,488. In this section also the main a very active policy in assisting mining in the increases are salary increases and basic wage State. This is done in various ways, the variations. However, there is provision for principal ones being- additional technical staff, mainly in geo­ !. Financial assistance for prospecting, logical survey, where recruitment of staff has mine development, installation of mach­ been difficult for some time. Increased provi­ inery, road construction, and the pro_visi.on sion has been necessary for wardens' offices, of compressors, pumping and wmdmg Inspection of Mines and Government Assay plant on a hire basis. Supply (1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1291

2. State-owned customs mills operated 1965. This is a clecrease on the previous at Irvinebank and Charters Towers. year's figure, whi··h decrease in production 3. Drilling of coal and metalliferous can, in the main, be attributed to a drop deposits in various parts of the State. in production by Ravenshoe Tin Dredging Limited. 1ableland Tin Dredging N.L. con­ 4. Technical advice by mining engineers, tinued dreoging in Finches area, and during geologists, and inspectors stationed on the 1965 treated 2,915,100 cubic yards for 896· 25 important mining fields of the State. tons of concentrates. During early 1965, 5. Free identification and assay services blastmg of the overburden had to be under­ for prospectors by the Geological Survey, taken, but later heavy earth-moving equip­ Government Analyst, Brisbane, and Gov­ ment was used for this purpose. ernment Assayer, Cloncurry. Ravenshoe Tin Dredging Limited ceased 6. The granting of authorities to pros­ dredging operations in the Battle Creek area pect to reputable companies which are in February and removed the dredge super­ technically equipped to carry out structure and machinery to Nettle Creek at exploration. which site dredging commenced in November, During the year 1965 the lrvinebank State 1965. The dredge treated 668,000 cubic Treatment Works treated 9,448 tons of ore, yards for a recovery of 153t tons of concen­ an increase of 2,231 tons on the previous trates in 1965, compared with 2,371,000 year's figures, for a yield of 131 tons of tin cubic yards for 621 tons in 1964. concentrates, an increase of 16 tons over the previous year. The industry continues to The Herberton area, which is the centre expand, and an estimated increased mill of the Cairns hinterland tin field, has been throughput of up to 50 per cent. is expected a significant tin producer for nearly 90 years, and in the latter years of the last century for 1966. The new crushing section operated it was one of Australia's principal producing in early 1965 and the long-term project of centres. In more modern times the produc­ plant improvement was continued in 1966. tion of the two dredges in the Mt. Garnet To cope with the increase in ore supplies, area has provided one-third of the Australian continuous milling was commenced in mid­ tin output. September, 1965, and continued during 1966. At present, due to grave water shortage, Throughout its long history this area has operations have had to be restricted. Con­ been an important producer of lode tin, a tinuous operations will resume as soon as goodly part of which has come from small­ possible. scale gauger operations, but company produc­ The Venus State Battery continues to tion, particularly around Herberton, Irvine­ operate under lease to Mr. P. Millican. In bank and Stannary Hills, has been important an endeavour to encourage mining, the mill in the past. With the current and sustaining offers a very attractive tariff for parcels of high price for tin on the world market, ore from new mines, or old mines which numerous syndicates and companies have have been re-opened following closure for taken considerable interest in the tin fields several years. of the Cairns hinterland and, with the aid of new geological studies, they have found During 1965, the Government Assay extensions to old ore bodies and made Office received 2,365 samples, and 3,120 important new discoveries. In all there are assays were completed. Increased mining at present operating in this area some half­ activity with the subsequent increase in the dozen prospecting groups representing Aus­ number of samples received necessitated the tralian, American and Canadian capital. working of overtime by the staff in 1966. Some of the new discoveries, particularly in The value of the State's mineral pro­ the Irvinebank area, appear to be of very duction for 1965 was $113,120,972, an considerable importance. increase of $3,239,866 over the 1964 pro­ At the same time the remaining large duction. This is a notable achievement alluvial areas are being tested by both the when one considers the very severe dis­ location of operations in the early part of two operating production companies and the year by Mount Isa Mines Limited on several other groups, and further considerable account of industrial troubles. production from these extensive alluvial fiats is to be anticipated. Golden Plateau N.L., Cracow, during 1965, treated 34,235 tons of ore for a recov­ At the present stage of prospecting the ery of 13,583 fine oz. of gold and 25,882 oz. limited treatment facilities available at Her­ of silver, valued at $454,570. The com­ berton, Irvinebank. and Emuford are fully bined footage of surface and underground taxed, and, if the continued development of drilling completed during 1965 totalled 9,373 the new lode tin prospects is as successful feet. as anticipated, new treatment facilities will have to be provided by the various interests. In the Cairns hinterland, during 1965-66, a number of major companies continued pro­ The availability of electricity from the grammes of exploratory development and Cairns Regional Electricity Board to the tin evaluation of both lode and alluvial tin mining areas of the Cairns hinterland has deposits. This area is the main source of tin proved of great value. Improvements to production in the State, which amounted to roads in the same area are also a major factor 1,669 tons valued at $3,815,490 for the year in further tin mining developments. 1292 Supply [ASSEMBLY) Supply

At the present time, some $30,000,000 is I am also pleased to report that recently being spent on the port facilities and town­ occurrences of bentonite have been found ship of Weipa. This is to enable an increase in sedimentary rocks near Roma. A in bauxite production from the 1965 produc­ specimen from a 3 feet exposure in the bank tion of 652,000 tons to some 2,250,000 tons of Yuleba Creek, about 40 miles east-north­ per annum. Of this bauxite, some 1,250,000 east of Roma, has been tested and found to tons will be shipped to the Gladstone alumina have properties approaching those of plant, and the balance will be sold overseas, bentonite used for drilling mud. Similar principally to Japan, and to a lesser degree material has been collected from rocks of the in Europe. The development of the port same age north and north-east of Roma, but and township to support some several these have not been tested. The bentonite hundred workmen and their families is a occurred in rocks younger than the bentonite­ major undertaking, and has been a source bearing Black Alley shale in the Bowen of considerable employment and business basin, which was announced on 6 October, activity in North Queensland. 1965. The Bureau of Mineral Resources is continuing geological mapping in this area, The city of Cairns, for example, has bene­ by arrangement with the Queensland Depart­ fited greatly from thi-s work since much of ment of Mines, and a report on the bentonite the materials for buildings and many of the occurrence will be prepared as soon as tradespeople employed have been obtained from Cairns. This has given quite an possible. impetus to the building, shipping and com­ Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd. continues to mercial life of that city. Further, the usual maintain its uranium mine at substantial cost. approaches to Weipa are either by air from The mine stands ready to resume operations Cairns or by sea from Cairns around Cape at short notice. York. Consequently there has been a con­ The mmmg industry generally in siderable increase in transportation to take Queensland is in an extremely healthy state. persons, material and equipment from Cairns I venture to say that never before in our to Weipa. history has there been such widespread This is an interesting example of mining prospecting, testing and proving. Metalli­ development. In North Queensland this is ferous and coal prospecting, testing and particularly significant since it is developing production are virtually at boom levels. a township of some size on the Gulf of Car­ There has been some falling off in petroleum pentaria, and is also giving benefit to Cape activity, but substantial programmes are in York Peninsula. History has shown that the train for 1966. port of Cairns has played a major part in the This great surge is reflected particularly opening up of the Atherton Tableland and in the beach sands branch of the industry. the Chillagoe and Etheridge fields, primarily Our foreshores and islands from the New due to mining activity. In the same way, South Wales border up as far as Gladstone Cairns is now, through mining activity, play­ hold huge reserves of rutile, ilmenite, zircon ing a major part in developing Cape York. and monazite. This year should see a great The recently announced discovery of uplift in production of these highly important apparently extensive occurrences of phos­ and strategic minerals, and huge increases phate rock in North-west Queensland could will follow for many years. well be a milestone in the State's mineral It is appropriate at this stage to draw history. Although it is impossible at this attention to some major projects either under stage to determine the full significance of way or announced-- this discovery, the fact that samples of a (1) Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver. Mount commercial gnde have been taken over a Isa Mines Limited. Expansion of mine very large area indicates that it could be production to 16,000 tons of ore a day. a most important deposit. Obviously there Work includes: major changes under­ are many problems before commercial ground, new ventilation fans, new K57 exploitation can be considered. production shaft, new No. 2 concentrator, The area is remote and far removed from changes in smelters, power station, installa­ the transport and shipping facilities. tion of large computer, and housing. The Phosphate is a low-priced product and very K57 shaft and No. 2 concentrator were large reserves and long-term markets are opened in September. Estimated cost: necessary to assure successful exploitation. $128,000,000. In addition, about At this stage of our knowledge, the glowing $51,000,000 was spent by the Government prospects of the future must be carefully on increasing the capacity of the railway weighed against the immediate problems of from Mt. Isa to Townsville and determining reserves and proving economic Collinsville. feasibility. Nevertheless, as is well known, (2) Alumina. Queensland Alumina Ltd. Australia's agricultural and pastoral wealth Construction of alumina plant at is very dependant upon the application of Gladstone to convert Weipa bauxite to phosphate fertilisers and we must hail this alumina for shipment to Bell Bay discovery as one of national significance. (Tasmania), Newcastle (New South Wales) The company proposes to proceed with the and overseas. This will be the largest utmost despatch to mount a progamme of single-stream alumina plant in the world. intense prospecting and drilling. This will Provision has been made for increasing be watched with very great interest. initial capacity by three times. Initial Supply [1 NOVEMBER} Supply 1293 capacity: 600,000 tons of alumina per In addition, Dow Chemicals Ltd., a very year. Estimated cost: $108,000,000. large chemical manufacturer, has an Expected to commence production by authority to prospect in the area. March, 1967. (9) Mineral Sands. Titanium and Zir­ (3) Coal. Thiess-Peabody-Mitsui Coal conium Industries Pty. Ltd. Expansion of Pty. Ltd. Expansion of open-cut mining at production of rutile, zircon and monazite Moura to produce more coking coal for from dredging of sand deposits on Strad­ export to Japan. Installing the largest broke Island. dragline excavator in the world (bucket capacity, 130 cubic yards) to remove over­ (10) Mineral Sands. Consolidated Rutile burden. The Queensland Government is Ltd. Construction of plant to mine building a new railway line from Moura mineral sands on Stradbroke Island and to Gladstone to transport the coal at the produce rutile, zircon, etc., at a plant rate of 3,000,000 tons of coal a year from near the mouth of the Brisbane River. 1968, with provision for expanding capacity Plant nearing completion and production to 5,000,000 tons a year. Loading facilities has commenced. Expected output: 30,000 for coal at Gladstone are bejng expanded tons rutile, 25,000 tons zircon annually. to a capacity of 2,250 tons of coal per Estimated cost: $5,000,000. hour. Estimated cost: $24,000,000 on (11) Mineral Sands. Associated Min­ mine, $27,000,000 on railway. erals Consolidated Ltd. Construction of (4) Coal. Utah Development Company: plant on South Stradbroke Island to pro­ granted a Special Coal Mining Lease early duce rutile, zircon, etc. from sand deposits. in 1966 over 53 square miles near Black­ Estimated cost: more than $1,500,000. water for the purpose of mining coking Expected to commence production in 1967. coal for export. Coal to be mined open­ (12) Mineral Sands. Queensland Titan­ cut, railed to Gladstone and shipped to ium Pty. Ltd. Completed dry plant at Japan. The company has a contract to Inskip Point to produce rutile, zircon, etc., supply 13,500,000 tons of coking coal to from sand deposits. Dredge under con­ the Japanese steel industry, commencing in struction. Capacity: 15,000 tons rutile, 1968 and reaching a rate of 1,500,000 tons 15,000 tons zircon annually. a year by 1970. Estimated cost: (13) Ilmenite. Murphyores Inc. Pty. $20,000,000. Ltd. Propose to build a plant near Glad­ (5) Coal for Swanbank power stations stone to produce ilmenite from sand near Ipswich. Several mines nearby are deposits. Estimated cost: $4,000,000. being expanded to supply coal to the power (14) Phosphate Rock. Significant dis­ stations at rates increasing to about covery recently by Broken Hill South 1,000,000 tons in 1969 and more than Limited of this tremendously important 2,000,000 tons in 1973. The mines include: mineral in North-west Queensland. A huge Box Flat (Wm. McQueen & Co. Pty. Ltd), prospecting and testing operation will be Southern Cross (Southern Cross Collieries) mounted without delay. and New Hope (New Hope Collieries Pty. Ltd.) Estimated cost: $8,000,000 for mine (15) Petroleum. Production continues expansion, more than $100,000,000 for from Moonie and Alton. This year further power stations. prospecting is estimated to account for some $20,000,000. Altogether this year it (6) Coal for Collinsville power station is expected that some $28,000,000 to which is under construction. It is to com­ $30,000,000 will be spent in Queensland mence operating in early 1968 and will in prospecting for coal, petroleum, and require more than 300,000 tons of coal other minerals. from the two local mines by- about 1973. Modernisation and expansion of the col­ The increase in expenditure on the depart­ lieries is under way. mental drilling programme is to some extent (7) Bauxite. Commonwealth Aluminium necessitated by increases of wages and allow­ Corporation Ltd. Expansion of open-cut ances recently granted but, in the main, is due mining and shipping facilities to Weipa to to the expansion of drilling activities in Central ship bauxite at the rate of 2,500,000 tons a Queensland for the purpose of establishing year by 1967. Estimated cost: more than reserves of steaming coal suitable for open­ $16,000,000. cut mining in connection with planned power-station development. Some provision (8) Salt. Central Queensland Salt Indus­ is also required to accelera:t·e the proving of tries Ltd. and Imperial Chemical Industries the State's c

coal fuel for these power-stations and their and district and in the Roma hospital. planned extensions has been proved by the Negotiations' are presently under way with department's driHing programme. an overseas group of companies for the con­ struction of a fertiliser factory in Brisbane For the industrial growth of the State it using Roma gas. It is hoped that these talks is necessary to supply an increasing quantity will be successful and, if so, a start on the of electrical energy a:t the lowest possible construction of a pipeline to bring the gas cost, and with this in view departmental to Brisbane could be expected almost drilling was recently begun at Theodore and immediately. Blackwater. For the same purpose drilling continues in the Ipswich area, and at both It is expected that once a pipeline is Callide and Collinsville. constructed and a start made in utilising natural gas, certain additional demands will Departmental drilling at Baralaba was follow, including demand for domestic completed last year and the drill is now supplies. Competition with other sources of operating further north on a line towards energy, such as coal and fuel oil, is bou~d Bluff. to result in greater benefits to consumers m At Collinsville and Moura the department the shape of greater efficiency and economy. is still drilling for coking coal, and it is The Government has met with the com­ proposed tha:t the scale and areas of such panies and has encouraged them in their activities should be expanded in order to efforts to reach agreement. Furthermore, the ensure a sufficiency of coking coal to meet passage of the Gas Act of 1965, which future demands, both internal and external. enables control to be exercised over quality Three drills, one of which was commis­ and measurement, and also enables the sioned last year, are engaged in the search granting of franchises, was expected to for metalliferous deposits. One is operating facilitate the establishment of a natural gas at Cracow where the department's efforts industry. However, this has not happened so have I"esulted in an appreciable extension far, although negotiations are continuing. of reserves of the operating gold mine. One Oil and gas exploration in general shows is in the Cairns hinterland testing lode tin, some signs of slackening off due in all copper and silver-lead deposits, and one in probability to the lack of any spectacular the Kilkivan area testing copper and gold results over the past year or so. The establish­ lodes. Drilling for underground water sup­ ment of a sizeable market for natural gas plies and dam sites continues, as does drilling in the State wo-uld no doubt have the effect of for industrial minerals, notably clays. The stimulating the search which at present, is total footage of drilling completed by the largely being undertaken by overseas interests. department last year was 131,153 feet. We are in fact fortunate in that powerful Production from the Moonie field has now overseas companies are committed to the been augmented by crude oil from Alton, search for petroleum since local co-mpanies Bennett and Conloi. Total production from do not have the immense resources required all these fields has averaged some 9,500 for sustained efforts in this field. barrels per day over the past six months, The total number of wells drilled this year Moonie production being about 8,500 barrels to 30 June was 38, the footage being 246,122. per day. This total represents roughly These figures show a trend towards a decrease one-third of Queensland's daily requirements, in drilling in 1966. However, this trend can and it is all being refined in the State's two be partly explained by the move on the part refineries at the mouth of the Brisbane River of explorers to test the deeper parts of the (Amoco and Ampol) in roughly equal pro­ basin, and it may well be that our best land portions. Revenue from roy,alti.es on prospects lie there. The average depth of petroleum is now running at the rate of wells drilled so far this year is 6,500 feet, some $1,000,000 per annum, which is most whereas last year's average depth was 5,200 gratifying. feet. Deeper drilling means slower and more Preparations for the use of a computer costly operations, hence fewer wells, and it for the compilation of statistical informa­ seems that this may partly explain the tion relating to petroleum exploration and apparent fall in drilling ac!ivity. In spite <:>f production are well advanced, and it is this decline, Queensland still leads Australla anticipated that by next year all statistics in drilling activity. The footage figures for re1ating to drilling and production will be the first half of this year disclose that, out of on tape in the Treasury computer. It is a total of some 443,000 feet drilled in the hoped in due course to extend to the Commonwealth, some 252,000 feet (well over petroleum industry facilities for the use of 50 per cent.) were drilled in Queensland, with the computer for obtaining exploration and Western Australia (84,000 feet) next. production data. This development is in During the recent drought some complaints line with modern trends, and Queensland's were received regarding the use of water by lead will probably result in a Commonwealth oil prospectors but, on the other hand, th_e uniform system of petroleum well data conversion to water wells of abandoned 01! processing. wells has been of great and lasting benefit Production of natural gas is still confined to graziers. Together with wells drilled for to the Roma area where it is being used water in connection with oil search, over 90 for the generation of electricity for Roma water wells have resulted from the search for Supply [I NovEMBER) Supply 1295 oil in the State. Most of these have been overseas, and to enable a critical look to be made available for stock watering purposes, taken at our administration of petroleum some at no cost, others for conversion costs matters, the State Mining Engineer was sent only. on a study tour of North America in May­ There is no doubt, however, that the lack June of this year. Valuable discussions were of any spectacular development since Moonie, held with industry and with virtually all the somewhat disappointing results from State and Federal agencies in the United Gilmore, and the lack of success in marketing States of America and Canada on petroleum Roma gas, have all contributed toward the matters. The State Mining Engineer has financial difficulties Australian companies are since submitted a report making various experiencing. The problem of keeping such recommendations which are being studied. companies in the search is causing con­ The Geological Survey continues to be siderable concern. actively engaged in the avenues of coal-field On the survey side, the picture is much investigations, regional mapping, exploration more encouraging, and this augurs well for and assessment of mineral deposits, engin­ the future. It is normal for increased activity eering geology, hydrogeology, and petroleum in surveys to be followed by increased geology, with assistance from specialist activity in drilling, since objectives are research on fossils and rocks. Following disclosed in the surveys for subsequent appointment in 1965 of a highly qualified investigation by the drill. In the first quarter coal petrologist, research on the composition of the year, nine geophysical parties were and utility of Queensland coals is now continuously active in various parts of the proceeding. State. Since June, however, 12 parties have There are still difficulties in maintaining been at work, including two off-shore seismic professional staff at an adequate numerical parties. (Torres Strait area and Swain Reefs leveL In particular, the Coal Section is area). faced with a formidable problem by pro­ It is perhaps off-shore that the best pros­ posed further expansion of coal-field investi­ pects lie, since it appears that geological gations, and the Economic Geology Section conditions could be more favourable off shore is able to devote only limited time to seek­ than on shore. It is likely that our first off­ ing and assembling the basic information on shore well will be drilled next year, and its resources of other minerals of current results will be awaited with great interest. interest for which there 1s a constant demand. As members will recall, discussions have been held with the Commonwealth and other The Coal Section continues to provide States from time to time over the past two geological direction and assessment of years, at officer and ministerial level, with diamond drilling programmes on coal-fields. the object of framing uniform legislation to Currently there are operating programmes govern the search for and recovery of on the Ipswich, Callide, Moura, Theodore, petroleum in the submerged land round our and Bowen River (Collinsville) fields, and coast. Agreement on principles has been another has just been begun in the area to reached on most aspects of this legislation, the north of Blackwater. A similar project at and the principles were made public by the Baralaba was completed in 1965. Total coal States and the Commonwealth in a jo-int footage drilled in 1965 was 103,320 by eight ministerial statement on 16 November. 1965. rigs, again a record. Some modifications have been made since Geological direction is also being main­ then in an effort to meet requests made by tained of diamond drilling programmes on the industry, and a draft Bill is presently metalliferous deposits by three rigs, one at being prepared for submission to the various Cracow, one in North Queensland under Parliaments concerned. It is hoped that both control from the District Geologist's Office, Bill and regulations will be dealt with during and one on selected prospects in the South. the autumn sessions of 1967. On completion of the current programme at Over-all exploration activity, as stated, is Cracow, which has already been successful not as high as could be desired. Undoubtedly in locating further gold ore, it is proposed the best stimulus would be a major dis­ to drill an iron deposit at Hawkwood, where covery, and this assuredly will happen in privately conducted geophysical work has due course. So far, to date fewer than 600 indicated a large and intense magnetic wells in all have been drilled in the State, as anomaly. In the North, a recently concluded compared with, for example, Canada, where experimental programme on selected lode some 40,000 wells have been drilled. This tin deposits, largely financed by the Com­ represents a drilling density of one well per monwealth, has been disappointing, having 1,200 square miles of prospective area in failed to locate extensions of ore formerly Queensland, and one well per 20 square worked at these mines. After a short period miles in Canada, and means that statistic­ on other special assignments, it is expected ally 60 times as many wells will need to be that this rig will resume systematic explora­ drilled before comparable results are tion of fluorspar deposits in the Mungana­ obtained. There is therefore no need for Almaden district. pessimism, but whatever can be done to Also in the economic geology sphere, a stimulate the search must be done. special project of systematic geological With this objective in mind, and in order mapping, study of mineral deposits, and to keep abreast with mining developments geochemical soil-sampling, is in progress on 1296 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

the Kilkivan field, and it is hoped that geologists in correlation of rock sequences other similar projects on selected areas will in oil and water wells and in regional follow. With present staff, only limited time mapping. can be allotted to geological inspections to The department's Core Library at Redbank advise on and to record small-scale mining is now under the full-time care of a pro­ activities. The district office at Charters fessional officer, and, with its attached Towers continues to provide such services laboratory facilities, is being increasingly in the North. referred to by exploration companies. In Joint Commonwealth-State regional map­ fact the recent very significant phosphate find ping on a scale of nearly 4 miles to 1 inch originated from examination of cores at this is being continued. The current season, with excellent core library. a party devoted to the Rockhampton sheet, The free service provided for mineral test­ should see completion of this project in ing and assaying of prospectors' samples con­ East Central Queensland. In the Far North tinues to be well patronised. systematic mapping has this year been extended to the Hann River-Coen section of The publication of technical reports by eastern Cape York Peninsula, and similar officers of the Survey is regarded as an mapping is continuing in the Great Artesian important service to the public. The avenues Basin. available-all of which are being utilised­ are Geological Survey Publication and Report The Geological Survey has continued Series, the Queensland Government Mining detailed mapping in the Townsville hinter­ Journal (for shorter reports), and Geological land. The preliminary edition of the Monto Survey Records (unpublished but on open sheet prepared by the Survey has been file). printed, and a new geological map (in six With wardens' offices established in most sheets) and reports on the geology and centres of the State, Inspectors of Mines and economic geology of the City of Brisbane Electrical Inspectors, Geologists, services have been published. such as prospecting assistance, subsidies for mines and roads, classification and assay of The Engineering Geology Section continues mineral samples, etc., I feel that the depart­ to undertake investigations, including seismic ment gives a great all-round service to the refraction surveys, of bedrock and foundation industry. conditions for public civil engineering pro­ jects in various parts of the State. Major I hear nothing but praise from the public recent or current projects include the Barron and industry of the very good relations Falls Hydro-electric Extension, Collinsville existing between them and my officers. I Thermal Power Station, Copperlode Falls feel we have done a good job; that We Darn Site (Freshwater, Cairns), Moura­ have managed our affairs wisely; and that Gladstone Railway project, Boyne River Weir we have a good story to tell. I feel we are Site (Gladstone) and Tingalpa Creek Darn laying the foundations for a series of even Site. better ones in the future. Hydrogeological investigations have been The Department of Mines, its branches and greatly expanded in implementation of a district offices, have given me and the systematic programme drawn up jointly with Government an efficient and painstaking the Irrigation and Water Supply Commission service. I am deeply conscious of the and financed from Water Resources Investiga­ loyalties of all my staff, and I extend to them tion Trust Funds, to develop the ground my deepest thanks. I feel very proud that water resources of the State. Recent work so much has been achieved by the Mines has been associated with investigations in the Department. Condarnine and Brisbane Valley and North I shall now deal with the Estimates of the Stradbroke Island (still. current) and in the Queensland Coal Board. The moneys Don Delta at Bowen; and field studies based requested during the current financial year-­ on test drilling were recently instituted in the that is, $20,000 towards the general main-­ Gilbert and Staaten Rivers delta north of tenance of the Board, and $10,000 for its. Norrnanton. Investigations are projected for Welfare Fund-represent only a portion of the lower Mary River area. the Board's financial requirements. This is so because the balance is provided by a levy In petroleum geology, progress of com­ made on colliery proprietors pursuant to the pany exploitation is followed closely, and Coal Industry (Control) Acts and recouped processing of current well data is maintained. by the proprietors by means of a special One geologist is now engaged full-time in increment includttd by the Board in the fixed systematic field and office study of the Surat­ selling prices of coal. Furthermore, although Bowen basin. Drill core sampling to provide the sum sought for the Coal Board constitutes technical information on the rock sequences only a small portion of the total estimates in this basin is being continued. These basic of the Department of Mines, the work being studies are essential to keep the department performed by the Board is of great impor­ adequately informed on petroleum prospects. tance and warrants special mention. The Palynology (fossil spore) and As hon. members are aware, the general Palaeontology (fossil fauna and flora) powers and functions of the Queensland Coal Sections continue to give valuable specialist Board are defined in the Coal Industry assistance to both official and company (Control) Acts. Supply [1 NovEMBER] Supply 1297

The activities of the Board are many and Not only did the State's total production varied, and include- last year constitute a record, but the pro­ The allocation from all collieries in the ductions from both the underground and State of coals required by consumers in open-cut groups were also the highest recorded. It is worthy of mention that, their respective grades and types; whereas in 1960-61 Queensland's production The control of selling prices so as to of coal amounted to 2,598,230 tons, the ensure a reasonable return to proprietors production for the year ended 30 June, 1966, while establishing a reasonable price to had increased to 4,579,650 tons, and, with consumers; overseas contracts obtained and the normal Collaborating with the Department of visualised increase in local consumption, a Mines in its drilling programme in an material improvement on this figure may endeavour to locate and assess available be expected in the future. reserves of coal for exploitation to meet anticipated future demands; The figures relating to the export of Queensland coal have shown dramatic Recommending to the Department of changes over recent years. In 1960-61 this Mines the terms under which coal mining State exported 46,926 tons, whereas in the leases and licences shall be granted; year ended 30 June, 1966, exports amounted The control of the opening and closing to 1,713,933 tons. of mines, the regulation of the number of Although in some instances certain con­ operating mines in accordance with estab­ sumers are converting to alternative sources lished reserves and consumer demands to of energy, the State's internal usage of coal ensure that there is a sufficient, but not is increasing annually, and the Coal Board, a surplus, number of producing units; pursuant to its powers, is continuing to exer­ The planning of new mines and remodel­ cise careful control over the distribution of ling and modifying of established mines coal produced and over the quality of the and installations so as to aim at maximum product being supplied to consumers. efficiency; The provision of financial assistance and Officers and members of the Coal Board technical advice to colliery proprietors to regularly visit consumers' premises and col­ provide modern machinery, both under­ lieries to check upon the quality of coal ground and on the surface, with a view to being supplied to consumers, and to investi­ promoting increased efficiency, so enabling gate schemes put forward by colliery pro­ a reduction of prices to enable coal to prietors for the purpose of improving their meet competition from other fuels; efficiency by means of mechanised units pur­ chased with Coal Board loans. The provision of technical assistance to consumers in connection with combustion More than 1,000 samples of coal are taken problems; annually and analysed. Where necessary, appropriate action is taken to ensure that The maintenance of coal markets by coal being produced is beneficiated to the improved quality coal and good consumer best advantage. relationships; The Coal Board has continued its policy The capture of new coal markets in the adopted over the years of assisting colliery face of increasing competition from other proprietors financially with the mechanisa­ fuels; tion of their mines and the installation of The promotion of the welfare of communi­ modern units. During the year ended ties of colliery employees and communities 30 June, 1966, the Board loaned to colliery of persons in coal-mining districts, includ­ proprietors for these purposes the sum of ing the sponsoring of and financial assist­ $426,000, which brings the total amount ance to the education of mining personnel; approved to be advanced since the inception The exercise of rigid control over the of the Board to $3,942,584. quality of coal being supplied to The Board has done much to retain consumers. markets for the industry, to assist colliery These activities of the Coal Board have proprietors in the improvement of their all combined to produce improving results operations, in the re-grading of their pro­ year by year, and the year which ended on duct and in the lessening of the selling prices 30 June, 1966, was a particularly satisfying at which coal is made available to consumers. one for the coal industry of Queensland. The Coal Board has been in existence now Records were achieved in­ for almost 18 years, and the colliery pro­ Production; prietors, the coal users, the colliery employees Internal consumption; and the State as a whole owe much to its Overseas exports; activities. Outputs per man-shift worked; In introducing the Estimates for the Footage of drilling accomplished. Department of Main Roads for 1966-67, I For the first time in Queensland's history want to emphasise the magnitude of the task production in excess of 4,000,000 tons was which confronts us in the endeavour to achieved, and it is believed that this tonnage develop the necessary road communications will be materially exceeded in the years to of this vast State at a rate sufficient to cope come. with the needs of industry. 1298 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

From Cape York Peninsula to the southern In addition, funds for a continuation of road border, and from the eastern seaboard to the works on main roads in the Fitzroy Brigalow boundary with the Northern Territory, there Land Development Scheme will also be is a demand for roads to serve the miner, provided by the Department of Lands. the pastoralist, the farmer, and the manu­ facturer. Rapid growth at places like Towns­ The amount available in the Main Roads ville and G lads tone creates increased traffic Fund increases each year as a result of the volumes which tend to overwhelm the roads, workings of the Commonwealth Aid Roads which were designed for more moderate Act, 1964, and the increased revenue received needs. from motor vehicle registrations and from the increased mileages of vehicles which pay Developments in the sparsely settled areas into a fund created by the Roads (Contribu­ of cattle production call for long lengths tion to Maintenance) Act. of paved road, which are costly because of the long lengths required to create any real I must say that, from the point of view improvement. that it lays down the amount to be available for each year from 1964-65 to the financial So clamorous has been the demand for year 1968-69, the Commonwealth Act is a more and better roads that I feel sure the great help in the planning of our road increased charges for registration of motor programme. Hon. members will realise that, vehicles proposed in the Estimates will be with the increased size of the department's accepted by those concerned. After all, it operations and the growing difficulties as will be spent entirely on roads, and the bene­ the State develops, with right-of-way fits from the extra expenditure will return to acquisition and like problems, the planning the motorist. Its expenditure within our of many works has to be commenced up to midst will provide increased activity through­ five or six years before cons,truction out the State, and the benefits from it will commences. help to increase our productivity. The department has an income which Expenditure by the Main Roads Depart­ can be foreseen with reasonable accuracy, ment from all sources in 1965-66 was and this confers great benefits on those charged $59,493,104 and, in addition, an amount of with the planning operations. In its for­ $8,937,338 was collected on behalf of other ward planning section, the Main Roads bodies and paid to them. Department is looking ahead for many years, Expenditure was as follows:- and, by use of statistics and other methods, $ is endeavouring to foresee needs, and plan Main Roads Fund 47,061,202 for them within the funds likely to become Beef Cattle Roads Fund 4,005,015 available. Other Special Funds 7,349,956 One of our complaints about funds for Traffic Engineering Funds 346,712 roads is that they are inadequate for the Brigalow Lands Development needs of the time. In this factor, of course, Fund 730,219 roads are not alone·, and we are unable to do more than the funds available will Total $59,493,104 allow. Twice now the road authorities of all Collections for other bodies were- the Australian States, acting together as the $ National Association of Australian State Treasury Department­ Road Authorities, have made a survey of Nominal Defendant Fund 485,796 the road needs of the nation. The last one Operators' fees, motor was made for the period from 1964 to 1974, vehicles 858,013 and it showed that, to meet the anticipated Traffic offences 308,793 demand for roads in that period, it would be necessary to spend about 50 per cent. more 1,652,602 than we do at the present rate. Coming Insurance Companies- as they did just prior to the negotiations for Compulsory third-party the present Commonwealth Aid Roads Act, insurance premiums 7,284,736 the findings of this survey probably had something to do with the fact that a pro­ Total $8,937,338 posed distribution to the States over five years of $700,000,000 was increased to Funds required for 1966-67 will amount to $750,000,000. This State will benefit by $69,493,662 as follows:- an amount of $9,000,000 over the five-year $ period as a result of this increase. Main Roads Fund 53,720,943 All the State road authorities, again acting Beef Cattle Roads 4,502,074 toge·ther as the National Association of Other Special Funds (Total) 10,875,000 Australian State Road Authorities, are at Traffic Engineering Funds 395,645 present in the process of making a further needs survey of the nation's roads. This Total $69,493,662 time the survey is being carried out for the Commonwealth Bureau of Roads. Supply (1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1299

The specifications for the survey have been of local authorities to meet the cost of main laid down by this body and it will also roads works was examined, and the costs to check and review the results. A knowledge them were reduced by 50 per cent. In view of the road needs is, of course, a prerequisite of the increasing amounts spent on the to the bureau if it is tp carry out its assign­ gazetted road system, the benefits of this ment. No real differences from the surveys action are considerable and, as a result, the already done is expected, although the over-all amount contributed by local author­ over-all co-ordination will produce the most ities to the gazetted roads programme is now accurate survey yet done, and I sincerely of the order of 4 per cent. for permanent hope that this State, and the nation as a works and 16 per cent. for maintenance. whole, will benefit as a result of it. If the principle of contribution by local The department's Estimates for this year authorities to the State road system is to be include an amount of some $3,225,000 for maintained, they could hardly pay less. the Commonwealth Aid (Local Authority Moreover, the results of the needs survey Roads) Fund. This compares with showed that, in relation to their road needs, $3,200,000 provided last year and $3,000,000 the local authorities in this State are, if any­ provided in 1964-65. These figures do not thing, slightly better off than the State itself, really reveal the true position, since they and the contributions made to local author­ are net amounts made available to local ities are determined with a view to keeping authorities after they have chosen to put the two positions comparable as far as the some of the Commonwealth Aid Funds ratio of road needs to revenue available to available for their use to roads which are meet these needs is concerned. This seems either secondary or developmental roads in to me to be a fair attitude. the gazetted system. I was interested to read in a publication of They include also some amounts provided the National Association of Australian State last year and unspent, which are re-provided Road Authorities called "Australian Roads" in this year. The total amount being pro­ that, in 1962-63, the proportion of total vided this year is $4,104,000, to which is to payments for road construction in the three be add,ed $1,178,000 for matching-grant eastern States was- schemes on secondary roads-in all Per cent. $5,282,000. The,re is ofte·n criticism of the By the State- amount made available by this means, and New South Wales 52 numerous requests are received for Victoria 50 increased amounts to be made available. I Queensland 69 can understand this, but I am unable to By local authorities­ recognise the criticism as valid or to agree New South Wales 43 to the requests. All the funds available Victoria 45 for roads are spent on roads, and, as a whole, Queensland 28 local authorities benefit. The more we These figures do not include loan repay­ make available to local authorities as Com­ ments, but as local authorities in all States monwealth aid, the less there is available have these, it probably shows the approximate to spend on gazetted roads, and the demands position. by local authorities for extra works on their gazetted roads programmes are probably As the present rates applicable to local greater than they are for extra Common­ authorities' repayments for permanent works wealth aid. However, this is not the reason and maintenance on gazetted roads did not for my attitude, though it suggests that it come into effect until 1963-64, the position is correct. of local authorities in Queensland should be even better than that shown in 1962-63. Above all, it is essential to develop a balanced programme of road works. We I give these figures, not to try to play have to build all types of roads, progressively, down the part played by the local authorities, since a good highway is no use if traffic or their contribution towards the financing cannot get to it, nor are good local roads and construction of roads in this State, but of benefit if they collect traffic onto a totally to try to get the matter into its proper per­ inadequate highway. It is a fact, too, that spective. The figures show that, in fact, the the greater the usage of a road, the greater State faces a bigger road construction prob­ the economic benefits to the community by lem than do the local authorities. ensuring its construction to an adequate One of the problems in arranging a road standard. construction programme is the tendency of the authorities in some particular area to Research has shown that the gazetted road feel neglected if the amount spent in the area system carries about 80 per cent. of the is less than for a previous year. With all the vehicle-miles run in the State. Roughly best will in the world, it is impossible to speaking, 20 per cent. of the total road mile­ spend more and more every year in every age carries 80 per cent. of the traffic, and 80 area, nor would this achieve the best result. per cent. of the mileage carries 20 per cent. of the traffic. With a view to getting the As the amount of unconstructed road best results from available resources, the diminishes, it becomes more and more neces­ whole position was examined prior to the sary to examine the benefits which accrue 1963 road plan. At this time, the capacity from given expenditures on roads and to use 1300 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply this information in helping to build up the The complaint I sometimes get, namely, road programme. As a result, some works that a control device is judged necessary but which might seem desirable are deferred in it is not allowable because the warrants are favour of others that will confer greater not met, does not take these special con­ benefits to the community as a whole. It is ditions into account. The warrants are a in this area of decision that the policy of the guide, and are not mandatory. However, it Department of Main Roads conflicts with should be pointed out that, unless the con­ that of local interests. However, it is for ditions of the warrant are approached, any this very reason that we have a Department traffic control device is unlikely to serve its of Main Roads at all. proper purpose and some other treatment Last financial year saw a change-over in may be necessary. the operation of the Traffic Acts dealing with A standard manual for Australian use is traffic engineering and regulated parking. I now being prepared by a committee repre­ do not think there is any doubt that this sentative of all States, and in the course of change was for the better and that it is this work the whole question of warrants working well. Certain steps were taken by for traffic control devices is being scrutinised. the Department of Main Roads to ensure a Whilst the Traffic Acts and Regulations smooth change-over, and traffic engineers of cover many matters, their primary intent is the department are still available to those to lay down rules, enforceable at law, to local authorities who need their assistance. make our roads safe. There is no doubt Expenditure from the Traffic Engineering that, if all road-users complied, in every Trust Fund in this financial year is estimated respect, with the laws designed for their at $379,945. Most of this will be spent by protection, there would be very few road local authorities on signals, signs, road accidents. Nevertheless, we must all exer­ markings, etc. In addition, those areas with cise care, courtesy, common sense, and con­ regulated parking will have available to sideration for other road-users in association them for traffic purposes the net proceeds with our compliance with the laws. derived from this parking. I have no doubt that the most insidious The Traffic Act Amendment Act intro­ factor in this problem of road accidents is duced the concept of regulated parking the belief-indeed, the absolute certainty­ which has found ready acceptance with the in many people's minds, both drivers and local authorities. It provides that regulated pedestrians, that they have some supernatural parking may be in the form of parking immunity from road accidents. None of us is meters, parkatareas, or free-time-limit park­ immune, but the tragedy is that this self­ ing anywhere within a local authority area induced false sense of security, far too often, and the local authority concerned accepts directly involves other innocent people who responsibility for parking enforcement in have no such illusions. these regulated areas. Schemes are being prepared in places such as Dalby and The Government has always been con­ Nambour, and several local authorities with cerned to reduce the number of mishaps existing metered schemes, such as Cairns, are occurring on the roads and, in June this year, modifying their schemes to conform to the it was decided to set up a committee to assist new principles. in the achievement of this aim. The Manual of Traffic Control Devices has The Committee comprises the Commis­ been kept up to date and added to, and fur­ sioner of Main Roads (as Chairman), the ther additions are being prepared. With its Commissioner of Police, and the Com­ use, and their own basic knowledge, all local missioner for Transport, and it is known as government and departmental engineers the Standing Committee for Road Death and should be able to handle most of the prob­ Accident Prevention. Its instructions are to lems they will encounter. investigate all aspects of road safety and One matter which is a subject of frequent report to Cabinet through me. criticism, in this Chamber and elsewhere, Following consideration of reports prepared is the use of the warrants as laid down in the by the Committee, Cabinet decided that there manual. These warrants are not arbitrary should be concentrated enforcement of the figures, but have been fixed as a result of traffic laws, particularly at those locations considerable research and experience. Such where records show its necessity. This action warrants are used in all countries and it is has had positive results since it was com­ found that, where they are ignored and menced in July, and all police districts report, traffic control devices are used in conditions in varying degree, improvements in driver which do not satisfy the warrant, the effect behaviour. In some places it has been quite is to reduce rather than to increase safety. marked, especially in the Mackay, Cairns A study carried out at the locations of some and Innisfail districts, where the reductions traffic control devices ~ustalled in Brisbane in the numbers of accidents, deaths and to satisfy pressures rather than warrants persons injured decreased most significantly indicates that it applies here as well as in in the period from July to September this other places. Instances are found, of course, year compared with the corresponding period where conditions are such that control devices last year. In addition, this year's road death are desirable even where warrants are not figure for the whole State for the same period satisfied. In these cases judgment has to be was lower than last year's. The saturation used. enforcement system will continue unabated. Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1301

Cabinet decided also that Main Roads these offences would be committed by acci­ engineers and traffic police should inspect the dent; any of them would be perpetrated sites of bad accidents on country roads to deliberately by the driver in contravention of make sure there are no existing conditions the traffic laws. which may have been a contributory cause and which are capable of correction. "Show-cause" action is now being com­ menced by the Police Department after fewer As a result of a recommendation by the offences against the traffic laws have been Committee, any motor vehicle found being committed than has been the case previously. driven on a road with defective brakes or defective steering is ordered off the road. Whilst it can be accepted that in future Similar action is taken in relation to any more drivers will be called upon to show vehicle altered so as to have an adverse effect cause than in the past, any driver still has the on its safety, or which is otherwise unsafe right to contest before a court a decision structurally because of rusting or other made by a District Superintendent of Traffic deterioration. Any vehicle that is subject to to cancel his licence or disqualify him for a such an order will not be permitted to be period from driving. used on the roads till the necessary repairs The standing committee will continue to have been effected. meet regularly and make recommendations At the request of Cabinet, the Standing arrived at after the most thorough and Committee made a close study of proposals mature consideration of the proposals placed for the introduction of a system of pro­ before it, and it is at present examining visional licences for newly licensed drivers, the matter of drink-driving. and examined the schemes operating in other I now propose to turn to a few of the States. Consideration was given also to the major projects proposed for this financial recommendations of the Committee on Driver year. Improvement, which is composed of repre­ sentatives of all State Governments. After In the Northern Division, a new high-level receiving the Standing Committee's report, concrete bridge over the Herbert River will Cabinet decided not to institute a system of reduce wet-season interruption on the Bruce provisional licences like those in other States Highway, which is also to be widened on because we felt that the policy in force here narrow sections south of Cardwell. There for some time is more effective. The applica­ will be a lot of activity on the Flinders tion of the "show-cause" provisions of the Highway, including the Burra Range section. Traffic Acts and Regulations means that The new bridge and approaches at the virtually every driver's licence is issued Leichhardt River in Mt. Isa should be provisionally. completed. The development of central records within In the Central Division, there is a big the Police Department makes it possible for an programme of work in the Banana Shire, analysis to be made of the driving behaviour and this year should see the completion of of motorists from the time they first bring bitumen between Emerald and Springsure. themselves to the attention of the Police There will be a good deal of activity on Department. Records are kept of offences the Capricorn Highway, which will include against the Traffic Acts and Regulations, and the construction of new bridges over Medway the legislation provides for the Superintendent and Grasstree Creeks. of Traffic, at his discretion, to call on any driver, whose record is considered to warrant On the Peak Downs Highway, work on such action, to show cause why his driver's Spring Creek and Stockyard Creek and on licence should not be suspended or cancelled. the section from Eton to the Range will be put in hand, as well as work on a section After a driver first gives an indication, by between Bee Creek and Nebo Creek. It coming under notice in relation to the com­ is also proposed to close the last gap in mission of offences, that there is a need for the bitumen between Sarina and Oxford improvement, "show-cause" action follows as Downs. further offences are committed or if no improvement is shown. In the Southern Division, there will be improvements to metropolitan outlets on the The "show-cause" action initiated by the Pacific Highway, the Sandgate Road, and the Police Department is based on what might be Toowoomba Road, where large jobs between termed dangerous-driving offences, such as Rocklea and Oxley and on the Marburg exceeding the speed limit, careless driving, Range should greatly improve conditions for failing to yield right-of-way, disobeying signs, commercial operators as well as motorists. failing to keep left of double lines, improper Completion of the new bridge over the overtaking and passing, following too closely, Nerang River at Southport will mark the major vehicle defects such as steering and end of a major construction work at the brakes, failing to drive as near as practicable Gold Coast. to the left, driving through a safety zone, disobeying traffic lights, offences relating to On the northern road from Brisbane-the pedestrian and school crossings, failing to stop Bruce Highway-a four-mile deviation at railway level crossings, failing to give way commencing at Burpengary Creek and when moving from a parked position, failing including a new bridge over the Caboolture to signal intention to turn or diverge right, River has been completed. This comprises and racing with another vehicle. None of the first section of the proposed Bruce 1302 Supply [ASSEMBLY) Supply

Highway bypass of Caboolture. It is It is further proposed that one-third of expected that this will be extended to the increase in funds resulting from the Beerburrum within less than two years. revised motor vehicle registration fees will be used to assist with urban road facilities This year s· .Juld see the completion of not only in Brisbane but in the other cities. bitumen paving on the Burnett Highway from This step will provide a positive move to its commencement at Yarraman to a point deal with the road transport problem in our some 20 miles north of Monto. city areas. In this year, the gaps in the Warrego and Moonie Highways will be reduced to the Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (5.20 stage where they can be completed within p.m.): One rather gathered that the Minister about two years. On the Mitchell Highway, breathed a very heavy sigh of relief at the two major jobs will be the completion of end of his 1 hour 20 minutes' run. He cer­ a ten-miie deviation on higher country tainly did not finish with the same dash as leading into Augathella, and a five-mile Galilee finished a couple of hours ago. section between Cunnamulla and Barringun. Mr. Sherrington: And he wasn't as inter­ Other fairly large jobs will be the re-construc­ esting, either. tion of 12 miles of the Cunningham Highway near Goondiwindi; a nine-mile section of Mr. TUCKER: I rather gathered that his the Barwon Highway westward from run finished at the half-mile, and from there Goondiwindi; a section of the Leichhardt he just plugged on. Highway north of Taroom; a section of I listened with a great deal of interest to the Diamantina Developmental Road near his comments on the very vital Departments Quilpie; and sections on the Carnarvon of Mines and Main Roads, particularly as Developmental Road between Roma and they affect North Queensland. If it took Injune. 1 hour 20 minutes for the Minister to intro­ Hon. members will realise that it is not duce these Estimates, it is quite obvious that possible to give any real idea of the works in the 25 minutes allotted to me I will not programme in terms of outlining the separate be able to reply to everything; so that my jobs. In general, it is estimated that, as a colleagues, speaking after I do,. will deal result of this year's programme, work will with various aspects of the Estimates put be commenced on some 770 miles of new forward this afternoon. or reconstructed bitumen road and some Let me say, first of all, that I have always 90 new bridge structures. In addition, there found the officers of the Departments of will be a large mileage of pavement widening Mines and Main Roads very efficient and and a certain amount of new work in stage very courteous. I pay tribute to them this construction to gravel standard and in afternoon. Whenever I have had reason to bridge-widening. Maintenance will, of go to them I have always been received course, be carried out on the whole gazetted courteously and I am very grateful to them. system. While the Minister was dealing with the I do not propose to deal with the beef Estimates of the Department of Mines, I roads, because there has already been quite suppose members from the central and a bit of discussion on these in connection northern districts of the State were very with the Bill to ratify the agreement between conscious of the contribution mineral the Commonwealth and the State for this deposits in those districts are making in the financial year. Suffice it to say that the industrial development of our State. Par­ expenditure of some $30,000,000, which, by ticularly am I aware of this in Townsville, the end of this year, will have been made because Mount Isa Mines Ltd. makes a very on beef and brigalow roads since July 1960, big contribution to the economy and in addition to the funds provided in the development of that city. That mine pro­ normal programme, must have a big duces copper, lead, zinc and silver and some influence not only on the beef industry but of these products-copper in particular­ on the general development of the State are treated at the copper refinery at Towns­ as a whole. ville and provide work for many hundreds And now I turn to another problem-that of men in that city. Blister copper and the of the urban areas of this State. Traffic in other concentrates moving over the wharf these areas has increased to th~ problem at Townsville provide further work for stage in Brisbane and the larger cities. those who live in the North. And so I say Following on the transportation survey for we are very conscious of the contribu~ion Brisbane, similar surveys have been done by that minerals make to our economy. I might the Department of Main Roads for mention also that North Australian Cement Toowoomba and Townsville, and others will Ltd. mines limestone not very far distant be done later. A modified stage I of the from Townsville. This also provides employ­ Brisbane Transportation Plan has been ment for a large number of men. So, all in adopted for implementation, and an Urban all, there is a huge contribution from Roads Trust Fund has been set up for which minerals. $3,000,000 is provided for this year in these The Minister mentioned today a new find Estimates. Design work is now in hand, of phosphate rock in the West. I hope that and a policy committee to control the when we ultimately find just what concen­ development has been set up. tration there is of this particular mineral Supply [1 NOVEMBER) Supply 1303 there will not happen to this deposit what The Minister mentioned royalties on has happened in many other instances, such petroleum amounting to $1,000,000, and the as at Weipa and other places, where as fact that natural gas was now being used in soon as a mineral was discovered foreign Roma. He said that negotiations were in interests took over and ultimately shifted the progress for the establishment in Brisbane of a fertiliser works which might use natural product overeas. gas. These are the things that we like to Mr. Hughes: We will not sell out; we hear. He mentioned that a pipeline could be will develop the country. constructed if the fertiliser works became a reality. I should like to see such a pipeline .Mr. TUCKER: I hope we will be able constructed and owned by the Queensland to mine this deposit in our own interests State Government, and not fall into the and use it in the interests of our own hands of outside enterprise. I, and many primary producers. I say that very advisedly, people associated with the petroleum indus­ because I deprecate the fact that many of try, should like to know whether the Govern­ our minerals are mined and taken overseas ment has any concrete plans concerning the for sale and all we have left is a hole in many proposals we have heard about a the ground. Great employment benefits flow natural-gas pipeline to Brisbane from being able to use our own products in In Australia the demand for petroieum our own State. We have seen this with the products is increasing by about 9 per cent. production from Mount Isa Mines. The a year, and each year our import bill for making of copper bars and the drawing of crude oil and other products is about copper wire by the refinery in Townsville $341,000,000. That is a tremendous bill has made a great contribution to our which Australia has to foot. It is obvious economy. to us that it is essential to firmly est

Mr. TUCKER: Maybe the Minister knows Commonwealth Government from motorists something we know nofuing about, but there and transport operators should be returned does not seem to be any lead given any­ to the State. Queensland is to receive where. The Minister said this afternoon $27,442,000 or 18·3 per cent. of the total that if we get a fertiliser factory here a pipe­ allocation. line might be built. I have written overseas to learn something about natural gas. I The Federal Treasurer, when giving found that, in America, natural gas can be details of the amounts to be allocated to economically piped 2,000 miles. each State, said that they were granted on Mr. Lee: There is a bigger population in the condition that the States would have to America. increase their spending, and I think at least 40 per cent. is to be spent on rural roads. Mr. TUCKER: That is so. I understand that population has a lot to do with it. Of the $1,600 million that has been col­ lected in fuel tax, and only in fuel tax, since We seem to have something there but, the Commonwealth Government entered this year afte·r year, it continues to stay there. field, $1,200 million has been diverted. We do not exploit it. We seem to be In other words, this huge amount of money wasting time waiting for someone else to get has been taken by the Commonwealth Gov­ moving. I believe it is in the Government's ernment from motorists, and only a very interest to get cracking in this matter. small percentage of it has been returned. Mr. Campbell: Do you think the Govern­ Why should not the motorist get back in the ment should construct the line? form of good roads what he pays in fuel tax? I can see no reason why all the money taken Mr. TUCKER: Yes, I do. I think the from motorists in fuel tax should not be Government should own it, too. I said that returned to the States, instead of the small this afternoon. Apparently the hon. member amount that is now received by them. It was not listening. seems to me quite wrong that the State has Mr. Hughes: You don't want any develop­ to increase taxation to obtain more money ment unless the Government carries it out in for work on Queensland roads whilst the its own time. Commonwealth Government has virtually pirated this huge sum from motorists. Mr. TUCKER: Surely I can put forward Obviously the State Government needs extra an idea from this side of the Chamber. money and has had to place additional There is a need to look at this industry imposts on the workers to obtain it. I think and try to give it a lead. If the Government that is wrong, and that what is happening has not the money to do it, interest will have should be aired in this Chamber. to be engendered in someone else, for instance, the Commonwealth Government. I understand from articles I have read that We have marked time too long. Many associ­ in the United States 41,000 miles of first­ ated industries will spring up once natural class expressways have just been completed. gas is piped to areas where it can be used Those who have travelled in that country economically. As an instance, liquid tell me that they are in fact first-class roads. petroleum gas has pushed coal gas out of Mr. Lee: They are not toll roads, are the picture. It is transported up the coast, they? taken ashore, and carted to various place in containers and is still delivered economically to householders. Mr. TUCKER: They are not toll roads; they are in another category. The construc­ The Main Roads Department is doing out­ tion of those 41,000 miles has been financed standing work. But that does not mean I solely by the Federal petrol tax. I have will not be critical of our road programme excluded toll roads. and certain other activities in the State. Every effort has been made by the depart­ Mr. Lee: Is that in one year? ment and it has been given good leadership over the last few years. That is evidenced Mr. TUCKER: No. over a period. I do by the continued efforts of the whole staff not think anyone could argue against what to do a good job for Queensland. I am saying about the return to the States Last year the Commonwealth Government of money collected by fuel tax. collected $380,000,000 from vehicle users in fuel tax, sales tax, and customs duty on Obviously the grants now received are motor-cars and motor parts. But, as the inadequate for what the Minister and his Minister said, only $150,000,000, or less than department want to do, and additional money half, is to be given in grants for expenditure should be obtained from the Commonwealth on roads. Apparently the yearly allocation Government. I am sure that all in the to the States is calculated on an arbitrary Chamber agree that money spent on roads total figure. Tasmania gets 5 per cent. of is a very wise investment. the Australian figure and the rest is allocated under a formula based on area, population, Mr. l\1urray: We have just been saying and the number of vehicles in each State. this of education, and we will say it of every­ The whole of the fuel tax collected by the thing else. I wonder where it stops? Supply [1 NOVEMBER) Supply 1305

Mr. TUCKER: Perhaps the hon. member large diversity of mineral resources, and great for Clayfield may be able to tell us all about discoveries have been made in the last two it. I am here to make my speech, and when decades. I think it is fair to say that the he makes his in due course I shall listen greatest of them-perhaps the greatest since carefully to it. After all, if we adopt the Kalgoorlie-are Mt. Isa and Weipa. For attitude suggested by the hon. member, we about half a century prior to this, very little mineral exploration had taken place in Aus­ will sit down and do nothing-not even talk tralia; now the country has entered a new about it-and be satisfied with mediocrity and very exciting era of further discoveries. for the rest of our lives. I do not think that with all that this will mean. Even so, the is the way it should be. If other nations are vast surface of the continent, particularly its able to finance roads in the way I have northern sections, have hardly been scratched mentioned, what is the Commonwealth Gov­ yet, and I am quite sure that, with modern ernment doing with the money received in techniques and scientifically organised petrol tax? On what is it being used? If it exploration, a great deal more natural wealth is being channelled to other purposes, is that will be found in the decades ahead. right? I ask the hon. member to say if he The Minister's recent announcement rela­ thinks diverting it to other purposes is right, tive to the discovery of phosphate rock is as I do not think it is. The provision of roads typical of the pattern that is now evident. should not be regarded as a drain on revenue; I hope that the Minister and his officers are rather should it be regarded as a means to taking rapid steps-! am sure they are-to further prosperity. ensure that the field is proven, because this is an instance in which very substantial over­ Although I pay a tribute to the work of seas capital might be brought in to assist the Main Roads Department, many of our development. Hon. members on this side roads at present are well below world of the Chamber do not share the rather standards. Of course, I am well aware that sullen, suspicious and almost churlish attitude we have not sufficient money to bring them of hon. members opposite to every suggestion to that standard. In 1964, 3 per cent. of all for investment from overseas sources. Before deaths in Australia were caused by road anyone butts in with an interjection and smashes, and 2,966 people were senselessly says, "Selling our birthright", it is as well killed and 70,000 injured, many of them to point out that of the total national pro­ maimed or crippled for life, on the roads. duction of Australia, only 6 per cent. derives Those figures are very frightening indeed. from sources in which foreign capital holds a major share of ownership. I think that Increasing traffic calls for very careful in mining it must be recognised that the planning, and a road system should guide days of easy effort are over, that the gold the heaviest traffic with the greatest safety. bonanzas and the silver-lead booms have I am conscious of the cost of clover-leafs, receded into the romantic past-if indeed overpasses and other aids to traffic safety. it was ever romantic to those who were (Time expired.) engaged in the industry in those days. Mining today is something that requires large-scale Mr. PORTER (Toowong) (5.46 p.m.): I operations and very substantial capital should like to make a couple of brief com­ investment. ments on the very important portfolio con­ The mining industry always has special trolled by the Minister for Mines and Main Roads. I wish to deal particularly with problems-problems of location, because mining and to say something about mineral most mineral discoveries are made in difficult development and what I regard as the almost places, and problems associated with world desperate need to formulate a co-ordinated markets-and therefore is a sector which over-all energy policy, and I hope that what requires much more sympathetic Government I say will be regarded as constructive and consideration than most others. I should not as critical. think that the only real prospect now of settling remote areas of this great virgin I do not think that any hon. member in country of ours comes from mineral develop­ this Chamber can emphasise too strongly the ment. So, if it means populating empty role of mineral discovery and development. places and providing us with economic This is a young country and, as such, it is strength, mineral development requires a struggling for both population and growth, great deal of sympathetic help and aid_ and this is one of the means by which it Without a doubt, the greatest incentive for can achieve them. Australia is a paradox. mineral discovery and development is, I Tt is a young nation; it is also old geologically. think, an assurance of freedom of marketing. It is young in the field of nations that are I know there are times when the marketing reaching out for the type of industrial and of mineral products has to be controlled, economic power that I think will be needed but by and large, if we want people to take to survive in the second half of the 20th on large-scale prospecting, with all the abnor­ century; it is a very old country geologically, mal prospects of failure that might involve and when the Andes, the Himalayas and the individuals in huge expenditure of money, Cordilleras were being thrust up, erosion then we must offer them the induce­ was already beginning to age Australia. The ment of free marketing. Incidentally, I fact that the country is very old geologically think those involved in mineral development has probably made us the heirs to a very over the next couple of decades will have to 44 1306 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

realise that they will probably be selling on I think that a State energy policy would a buyer's market rather than on a seller's consider the role that is to be played by market. gas, by oil and by established coal fields, To date in Queensland and in other States including the worried ones like Rosewood. the pattern of mineral discoveries is that most In this regard, I wonder whether the Coal have been in areas remote from transportation, Board should not be looked at. Dr. Hethering­ power facilities and so on, and so, I say that ton said- the Government that wants mineral develop­ "The system of allocation assignment ment has to accept the position and has to and district fiat pricing by the Coal Board, be prepared to give assistance. Although the which has served its purpose well in the things we should be prepared to do at this past, requires re-vamping in order to permit stage may appear to be extremely generous, coal to compete in present markets. It is it has to be recognised that in our State we believed that the ultimate aim of the Coal have a lag in development which we must Board should be toward freedom of choice urgently make up. If we do not make it up between coal suppliers and coal purchasers in the next two decades, I do not know how carried out over an orderly period of we will do it in the future. Our need is time." urgent and desperate, and we have to do So I think that the functions, the operations, things that, in other circumstances, might and indeed the purpose, of the Coal Board seem to be over generous. might now be subjected to a quite searching I agree with the Deputy Leader of the scrutiny. I think we have to expect that Opposition to the extent that we must there will be very substantial emphasis on encourage the trend to greater refining and the use of natural gas in the future. It has fabricating of mineral products in this State now been found in substantial quantities in but here again we cannot just say, "This Southern and Central Queensland, the north­ shall be so." We cannot have the Govern­ east of South Australia, the south-west corner ment doing everything, at least not in terms of the Northern Territory and, of course, of the philosophy of this side of the Com­ most recently, offshore from Gippsland in mittee. I think a great deal of this type of the south-east of Victoria. development will be dependent on the avail­ Natural gas has a bright future as long ability of power and transportation-particu­ as it competes with the proper advantage of larly transportation at reasonable rates. I competitive prices. In other words, we have say again that the Government has to bend to use its natural advantages in order to over backwards to endeavour to supply these make it properly saleable. It has a higher needs. Power is vital; we all know that calorific value than manufactured gas. Its particularly in terms of northern mineral high methane content makes it suitable for development. I wonder if we should not the manufacture of many chemical products. consider the economics of providing power It provides chemical end-products for a huge for this purpose, not only from our own low­ range of industries: plastics, synthetic rubber, grade coal deposits but also by the utilisation textiles, explosives, solvents, medicines, paints, of hydro-electric power generated in New inks, detergents, and so on. Guinea. I think also that in the relatively Some experts foresee Australia linked by near future we will have to consider the a grid of natural-gas pipelines within the potentialities of small atomic-power factories. next five years, so hon. members can see Having talked about power, let me say how rapid is the development forecast. This that there is an urgent need to formulate a would supply much of the present gas needs coherent energy policy. That is the best word and also much of our over-all energy require­ I can use for this because it is such a wide ments, although I do not know whether five subject. I think such a policy should aim years is a reasonable forecast. But the at preventing energy wastage in every form. prospect certainly is not unreal, because in This should include the maximum extraction America natural gas provides one-third of of coal and the very careful withdrawal of all energy used, and is 99 per cent. of our oil and gas from wells and the sale all gas. In Canada it provides 15 per cent. wherever possible of pass-out steam, even of the total energy, and is 75 per cent. if it complicates power generation; and the of all gas. So natural gas has a great future reduction of transportation costs by in this country, not only for our own uses encouraging suitable industries to group but in terms of liquefying it and making it together at sites; and providing cheap stand­ a substantial export product. by power to those private industries which Our energy market is growing at a rate can generate their own power and heat at close to 7 per cent. a year. At the present cheaper rates than big single power-stations. time, of this total energy market petroleum In terms of the energy that can be derived products provide 43 per cent., black coal 37 from oil, natural gas and coal, the per cent., brown coal 12 per cent., hydro­ Hetherington report is a very valuable docu­ electricity 7 per cent. and firewood 1 per ment. In his report Dr. Hetherington said cent. I am glad that firewood is still there. that "coal must still be regarded as the most The figures disclose that there has been a economic source of fuel for the next major huge swing to petroleum products in recent electric power generating installation (for years, and the move to these fuels will 1971)", but that from 1975 we would need undoubtedly continue. This is in line with to look to natural gas for fuel. other highly industrialised countries. I would Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1307

say that the move to the use of natural gas southern States. I believe that our mineral at advantageous prices is virtually certain resources provide the best prospect of in the future. bridging the gap between our level of [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] industrial development and that of the southern States. I hope that hon. members Mr. PORTER: The necessity to ensure that in the Chamber, particularly those on the we get a useful energy policy and that opposite side, will not be hidebound by we properly use our natural gas advantages ancient prejudices against accepting risk must be obvious to all hon. members in the capital from virtually any source whatever. Chamber. In this latter regard, of course, we are on completely new ground. We had Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East) (7.19 p.m.): no indigenous natural gas industry until I was particularly interested in what the recently, so we have to make up the rules hon. member for Toowong said, and I can for it as we go along. In common with go along with him some of the way, but other States in Australia we must decide not all the way. to what extent the laws, regulations and practices observed in other places shall be I thank the Minister for extending praise observed here. to the Coal Board. Whatever praise he gave to members of the Coal Board is certainly I remind hon. members that this has been warranted, for without the Coal Board our handled very intelligently. The problem industry would not be in the strong position has been tackled well by Premiers, Mines that it is today. The board has so organised Ministers, and senior departmental officers in the various States. Many of them have the industry that it is more efficient than visited North America and Europe to learn it would be if it had remained unorganised, at first hand about the current developments with cut-throat competition that was the in the supply of this particular resource. rule for so many years in the past. The Sir Henry Bolte and Mr. Walsh, the Premiers members of the Coal Board are all efficient of Victoria and South Australia, recently men who know the industry very well. went abroad mainly for that reason, and I They have given, and the board in turn think the Federal Minister for National has given, good service to the community. I Development, Mr. Fairbairn, had talks in shall illustrate that shortly with a quotation Britain about the off-shore drilling processes from the Annual Report of the Department in that country and what they are doing of Mines. Without the Coal Board I do not about the oil-gas situation there. So we know how the industry would have managed. are doing quite well as a State, and also on the national basis. It certainly would not have been in the position it is today. I now make the strongest plea for the development of a long-term energy policy. The Annual Report of the Coal Board I think this should include a survey of our issued today shows what has been accom­ needs, our prospects in the various fidds, and plished. It was formed at the time of the how we in this State fit in with the national Joint Coal Board, an organisation set up by •production and the national market for the New South Wales and Commonwealth coal, oil and gas, and also what we should Governments. The Queensland Government export after our own requirements have been of the day, in its wisdom-and I agree with met. the action it took-thought it would be better to have a Queensland Coal Board rather In formulating such an energy policy I am quite sure that this Government will bear than be amalgamated with New South Wales. in mind the need for a great deal of It has been our sorry experience over the flexibility, because this is a field in which years that the people in the South, because change is enormous and rapid. Perhaps it of their greater voting strength, the larger would be a good plan to set up an advisory number of companies, and the greater amount board comprised of experts from each field of capital involved, have been able to with wide marketing experience who, whilst guard the interests of the South more not possessing any power to formulate effectively than Queensland's interests. I do Government policy, may assist us by pro­ not think the Queensland Government at that viding the wealth of knowledge and the time made a mistake, because the worth and practical experience that the Government work of the Coal Board in the intervening would find difficulty getting in any other years proved the wisdom of the move. way. Finally, I again ask that not only the It is interesting that with fewer men Government, but this Parliament, as a employed in the industry we have been able Parliament, recognise the imperative need to increase output considerably, and I to encourage mineral development and emphasise the word "considerably". In 1956 exploration. We all know that due to the West Moreton produced 1,420,395 tons; in early pattern of settlement in Australia, and 1965 it produced 1,992,353 tons, an increase then the pressures of two world wars, a great of more than 500,000 tons. It is surprising deal of our industry is concentrated in the that it is the only district in Queensland that 1308 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply has had an increase. The tonnages for the developments, whether they take the form other districts dropped considerably, as the of rationalisation, automation, or mechanisa­ following figures will show:- tion. 1956 1965 The Government, through the Coal Board, tonnage tonnage has rendered very valuable assistance to the Darling Downs 150,487 70,990 coal-mining industry. Thousands of dollars Maryborough 159,791 have been spent by colliery companies on 174,696 modernising mines and purchasing modern Callide 182,792 131,452 coal-mining machinery to enable the industry Blair Athol Open-cut 259,571 63,940 to bring many advantages and improvements Bow en 398,392 257,015 to the community generally. For confirma­ 1959 1965 tion of that statement, I turn to the annual tonnage report of the Under Secretary for Mines, tonnage where this passage appears- Moura-Kianga 17,042 1,408,499 "The number of persons employed in Moura-Kianga was not in existence in 1956· Queensland coal mines decreased from a it commenced operations in 1959. The figure~ total 2,730 during 1964 to 2,519 in 1965. for Blair Athol indicate a catastrophic drop, The number employed underground has consid~ring the publicity and the raised hopes, decreased from 1,835 to 1,670. There is from trme to time, for both the employer and no doubt that automation and mechanisa­ the employee. Mount Mulligan went out of tion in coal mines has greatly reduced the production in 1957. labour force. Looking at the consumption figures, one "On the other hand the coal output for cannot help but gain the impression that there the State has increased to 4,242,834 tons is an imbalance in the industry. Queensland and had a value to the State of consumers used 2,749,624 tons, and the £11,855,586. Thus the selling price value remainder was exported. That shows how to Queensland soars higher and closer to the export trade is developing and how, the next best mineral-wise value held by unfortunately, home consumption is decreas­ copper. Once again this year I can draw ing, thus bringing about a serious imbalance notice to the continuing reduction in the with which we cannot be satisfied under any selling price of coal. The average price consideration. at the mine of £2 15s. 10d. is a reduction of two shillings per ton when compared . I COJfld continue quoting from this very with 1964 and as a matter of interest com­ mteres~mg report of the Under Secretary parable with 1958 when coal averaged for Mmes to prove what I have been saying £2 15s. 2d. per ton." and the worth of the Coal Board to the The report then contains something that is State. It also gives food for thought; as very interesting indeed- suggested by the hon. member for Toowong, on the formation of a Coal Utilisation Board "It can be noted that an advertisement in Queensland. appeared in the Courier on 20th July, 1851, whereby coal was available delivered I was very disappointed indeed with the at houses in North Brisbane at the rate answer that I received from the Premier to of 16s. per ton, all charges included." a question that I asked on 10 August last. My question was- The coal-mining industry, by efficient man­ agement and a desire to serve the public well, "Wil! the Government favourably con­ was able to reduce the price of coal not sider compensating in a practical manner only last year but also the year before that. the employers and the employees in the Coal provides the energy necessary for others West Moreton coal mining industry for the to manufacture many articles useful to the loss of revenue and wages which is bound community. Why, then, is it that those who to occur on the successful introduction of have benefited from the efficiency of the coal­ natural gas for industrial and domestic mining industry and are now able to obtain purposes?" a cheaper source of energy for manufacturing The Premier replied- purposes continue to increase the prices of "No. The suggestion is quite impractic­ their articles? able and the honourable member is aware Colliery proprietors have been able to that this is so. Such a situation, although reduce coal prices and give their employees unfortunate, must be considered as a better employment conditions and higher hazard of the business. The West Moreton wages. Why is it that people who are u&ing coal mining industry's future must be the energy pmduced by coal to manufac­ assessed on its ability to out-sell, in both ture other articles have to increase, and price and quality, competitors not only increase continually, the prices of those without but also within the coal industry." articles? That is something worth investi­ I disagree strongly with the Premier's con­ gating. If those who are engaged in the tention that my suggestion was impracticable. coal-mining industry can reduce prices, I Surely the Government has a plan, or the am sure that people in other industries can ability to formulate one, to assist any indus­ do so too. try, or section of any industry, and the Let me return to what I was saying before employers and employees engaged in it. that I digressed. The money advanced by the may become redundant through modern Coal Board has to be repaid, of course, Supply [1 NOVEMBER} Supply 1309 and not a single shareholder in any of the If the Government feels that planning and collieries is objecting to that. It is realised preparation are not necessary, or if it is that there is an obligation to repay to the unwilling or unable to undertake the task, Coal Board the money that has been bor­ it should resign and let a more competent rowed from it, and that obligation will be party govern. I have stressed in this honoured. However, this question does Chamber on a number of occasions that arise: how are the colliery proprietors going Japan is conserving her coal resources while to meet their financial obligations if there is we are supplying her every ) ear with over no longer a demand for their product, or 1,000,000 tons of our best coking coal, if the demand is reduced considerably. The which is approximately one-third of our problem affects both the large and wealthy annual production. companies and the smaller companies; but as the smaller companies have neither the For the information of hon. members I power of resistance nor the ability to shall point out what is happening in the rehabilitate themselves enjoyed by the larger Japanese coal-mining industry, for it is companies, they will suffer most. important that they should know. However, before doing so, for the benefit of hon. Those engaged in the coal-mining industry members I shall quote from a reliable source will not suffer alone. Almost everyone living the figures of coal production throughout in a coal-mining community will suffer, as the world and commend to them a national they did during the depression years. It is fuel policy. In this connection I sincerely a well-known economic fact that one cannot thank the Premier for the answer he gave interfere with one section of the nation's me this morning to a question on that economy without disturbing the whole subject. economy. Mine-workers are good spenders and excellent citizens. They have demon­ These figures are from the United States strated that not only in the West Moreton Bureau of Mines, which published the follow­ district but in every ooalfie1d in the Common­ ing estimates of bituminous and anthracite wealth of Australia. They have the reputa­ coal production. It is in metric tons. In tion of being good and wise men; they also 1965 North America produced 484,900,000 have the reputation, deservedly earnt, of tons which was 24,000,000, tons more than being really good citizens. No-one can dis­ was' produced in 1964. South America was pute that. If there is a reduction in their up from 7,100,000 tons to 7,400,000 tons, capacity to earn, it follows naturally that Europe was down from 598,900,000 tons to their purchasing power will be reduced 584,200,000 tons, a decrease of 14,700,000 drastically, if not entirely eliminated. Let us tons. The Soviet Union went up from hope that wise counsel prevails and that we 416 000 000 tons to 425,700,000 tons, an will not see depressed areas and ghost towns inc;eas~ of about 10,000,000 tons. Asia where thriving communities now exist. went up from 439,600,000 tons to 454 200 000 tons of which 55,500,000 tons At every opportunity the Government was' pr~duced i~ Japan. Africa increased boasts-whether it is entitled to take advan­ from 49,200,000 tons to 53,000,000 tons, 3;n age of some of the opportunities is open increase of 3,800,000 tons, and Australia to doubt-of its policy of decentralisation, went up from 27,802,000 tons to 31,852,000 which it borrowed, stole or copied from the tons, an increase of 4,050,000 tons. Australian Labour Party. It boasts also about its policy of development. If it was It might surprise hon. members to know~ sincere, it would take industries to Rosewood it surprised me-that the continent that and other localities in the West Moreton produced the largest tonnage of coal was district to relieve any unemployment that Europe, followed by North America, then may have occurred and that is bound to Asia, then U.S.S.R., with Africa fifth and increase in the coal-mining industry if and Australia sixth. That is the coal production when coal is replaced by some other fuel throughout the world, and I think that or source of energy in the production of the should give us some thought. power needed to meet the domestic and industrial requirements of Queensland. A very healthy step has been taken Coal may be able to hold its own against in many of the Australian coal-mining the real challenge from other fuels and other districts in demanding a comprehensive sources, but I doubt it, and I am supported review and investigation into the coal in this thought by men who are in a much requirements of Australia and the establish­ better position than I am to judge. For this ment of a national fuel policy to prevent reason, I ask that thought be given to what waste and to see which fuel would be of is likely to happen in the future, so that the greater value to any particular industry in change-over from coal will be accomplished any particular district. with a minimum of economic dislocation I want to quote now from an article which and suffering from loss of trade and employ­ appeared in "The Queensland Times" of ment and so as to prevent the creation of distressed areas, with their attendant misery, 27 August. It reads- that has happened in the past. It is the "The Joint Coal Board today called for duty of the Government to see that the 'a comprehensive review' covering all necessary planning is undertaken to prevent present and possible sources of energy anything of that sort happening. demand in Australia. 1310 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

"The Board's report tabled in Federal "The board hoped that working with Parliament today was critical indirectly of the New South Wales and Queensland present Government policy on exports, and mines departments, it could achieve a its failure to adopt a national fuel policy. drilling rate capable of establishing coking reserves in Eastern Australia.'' "The report raised these questions- Could Australia afford to continue For a number of years now the Coal Board exporting cheap coking coal to Japan, has pursued a very vigorous drilling policy, and at the same time encourage the which could help the mining industry and growth of the Australian iron and steel of course at the same time, the people of industry to meet the growing market? Queensland. Whether the coal industry was getting To continue- a fair deal compared with the oil "In the five years to June 1966, Aus­ exploration industry and the develop­ tralia's exports of coal totalled more than ment of atomic energy? 23,600,000 tons, and the export market "The report, like the report of the was likely to continue rising. Atomic Energy Commission earlier this " 'Whether Australia has sufficient cheap month was critical of Government policy. coking coal to encourage the growth of "It called for much greater precision if the Australian iron and steel industry on Australia's coal resources-small by world the scale that the market will otherwise standards-were to be 'conserved, permit and, at the same time, permit developed, worked and used to the best unrestricted export is a matter which is advantage in the public interest.' " causing the board great concern,' the report said." If Australia's coal resources are small by world standards, so are Queenslar.d's reserves Hon. members will know that on every small by New South Wales or Australian possible occasion I have taken the oppor­ standards. tunity to draw attention to the unwise policy of exporting our good coking coal. The article continues- We have not an abundance of it, and it "But on the brighter side, the report must become dearer to produce as we have said there had been vigorous expansion to go further underground to mine it. in the coal industry in the past few years. Japan conserves her coal, but we are rush­ "Further expansion, but at a slower ing in to supply her with coal, thinking that rate, was expected in the next few years. we are doing something that is very clever. "Annual coal production would need to We are exporting to Japan the cheapest increase by 4,250,000 tons by 1970-71, coal in the world so that she can compete when output was expected to be unfairly with the Australian people. 29,250,000 tons-8,200,000 for export and If time permits I will cite a statement by 19,000,000 for home use. a very prominent member of the Liberal "The home use section would comprise Party who is also a coal-owner. 7,100,000 for power generation, and (Time expired.) 8,900,000 tons for steel production. "But usage for other consumers, under Mr. E. G. W. WOOD (Logan) (7.45 p.m.): the impact of competition from oil and I am well aware that the Minister for natural gas, would probably fall to Mines and Main Roads labours to the same 3,000,000 tons in 1970-71-a fall of degree that we, in the local authority, and 1,600,000 tons on the 1965-66 figure. all Governments, labour in an endeavour to "The board said the Australian iron and make the best possible use of limited steel industry would have great market finance. I am indeed pleased to have an opportunities in the future. assurance from the Minister that the extra funds received from the increase in regis­ "But it would be more likely to attract trations will be used solely for road design capital if deposits of coking coal were and construction. Although the increase in proven. heavy vehicle registration is severe, and "Australia would need 30,000,000 tons unfortunately affects western areas which of coking coal a year by the year 2000- have been sadly depleted and distressed by 34 years' time. the severe drought, nevertheless the Minister "But Japan was coming to regard Aus­ is well aware that the preponderance of road tralia as its main supplier of coking coal. tonnage is carried on coastal and interstate Japan at present was taking 9,000,000 roads. We have only to look at the Cun­ tons of coking coal a year. ningham Highway and the Redlands district, "Japan was buying Australian coking where mineral sands are carted, to see that coal because it was cheap to mine and to that is so. load. Heavy trucks greatly accentuate the need "As coking coal under low cover was for safety precautions on our roads, and the mined, the costs would become higher as great volume of heavy vehicle traffic in the the mines went further underground. coastal region makes necessary very "The report outlined a scheme to heavy expenditure on such roads. I improve knowledge of Australian coal am putting forward these facts in justi­ reserves. The Queensland Government fication of the large increase in regis­ was also co-operating. tration fees for heavy vehicles. I repeat Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1311

that I am indeed sad to see the western congestion could be relieved by the construc­ areas of the State caught up in the general tion of the Rickertt Road Bridge across increase. I know from local authority Logan Creek, which I have mentioned so experience that it costs nearly as much to often before. provide traffic islands at one intersection as The shortcut via Tingalpa is to be ulti­ it does to construct two miles of good bitu­ mately considered as a main road; I was men road. Island complexes are expensive given that assurance some time ago when the to construct but are not the final answer. If Redlands main roads plan was being con­ they were given sufficient money, I have no sidered. It would be much better from the doubt that our engineers could produce safe department's point of view if the local auth­ crossings anywhere, but fly-overs and other orities concerned, namely the Brisbane City safe crossings can be constructed only at Council and the Redland Shire Council, great expense. Traffic islands serve the pur­ undertook the construction of this bridge. pose of slowing down traffic, and provide And the Government would have to pay some degree of safety. only one-third of the cost. We are asking In the electorate of Logan the Minister is the Government to raise its subsidy from one­ fifth to one-third so that this bridge can be facing up to his responsibility to cope with constructed. some of the heaviest traffic flow in the whole of the State. I thank him and his officers Turning now to general matters, I have for the efforts they have made on the Pacific heard arguments in this Chamber for the Highway. If I may mention a minor detail abolition and/or curtailment of the use of day labour on main roads construction and in that work, I thank the Minister particu­ the prevention of the use by local authorities larly for the effort he made to control the of Commonwealth Aids money to purchase dust on unsurfaced roads at Slacks Creek. plant. I agree with this in part as I know I assure him that the families in that area that councils cannot buy very large units appreciate his efforts. and keep them gainfully employed. But private and public works are an integral part The local authorities are expecting more of the shire's economy and in my opinion­ and more from the Main Roads Department. an opinion I have discussed with my They are constantly asking for more roads to engineers on several occasions-any plant be gazetted. I quite agree with the Minister costing up to $30,000, for instance, a D7 that it is useless to declare further main Cat., is the maximum an ordinary shire roads until the main roads presently gazetted would operate. As an example of this I have been constructed or substantially con­ refer to the Upper Mt. Gravatt-Broadwater structed. Road area where the Redland Shire Council undertook with day labour main road con­ As I have pointed out on several occasions, struction estimated to cost $40,000, working I am fortunate in that I represent an electorate under our consultant engineers. We had to that has many types of industries and diverse employ some heavy machinery because we development. I take advantage of this oppor­ did not have machinery of our own to move tunity to bring some of the smaller problems some of the heavy materials. We have just affecting my electorate before the Minister finished that job at 35 · 4 per cent. below the in the hope that they can be solved. A estimate, so we saved the Main Roads specific detail to which I should like to draw Department $10,000. I hope the Minister the Minister's attention is section 19 of the takes particular notice of that and allocates Main Roads Act which provides for the the $10,000 to other works in the Logan allocation of funds for the purpose of con­ electorate. structing urgently needed undeclared develop­ mental roads. I list under this heading the The shire succeeds in getting a good deal very important missing link in Compton of the private work because it keeps costs Road. This road connects Woodridge with down. In no way, directly or indirectly, are the industrial complex at Acacia Ridge. This they subsidised by the ratepayers. All plant, would be a most useful road on which to whether construction or maintenance, is expend these funds. It would open up all costed to Main Roads Department standards. this area and a very useful work force for Councils would be seriously affected if any this important industrial area would come restriction was placed on plant purchase or from the fast-growing urbanised section of day labour for private works. Woodridge in the Logan electorate. I draw attention to the vast difference between the leases granted in open-cut min­ Another section which requires close atten­ ing and in so-called sand mining. One is tion is the Capalaba-Belmont road which restricted to ore bodies in comparatively carries about 6,000 vehicles a day, and is limited areas, while the other is undefined therefore comparable with the Pacific High­ and in some cases extends over thousands of way, although it has not the heavy peak acres. In my area mining leases have been traffic of that highway. The speed limit on granted over thousands of acres. A com­ that road is 35 to 45 miles an hour and in pletely different approach should be made its length of 18 miles to Brisbane there is to the control and direction of these exten­ not one place where cars can overtake in sive operations. There is the further ques­ safety. The road carries the major portion tion of rehabilitation of large areas. Access of the traffic from the Redlands area. The roads also are required and local authorities 1312 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply have to make sure that access roads and all Returning to mining matters, I point out public reserves are available. If this is not that the mitten heaps at Stradbroke Island are provided for in the original lease, the public no longer there. The company operating there are seriously affected. They could be put dredges through them, which to my mind deprived of access to reserves and surf was a ruthless and wanton piece of com­ beaches, and therefore this aspect has to be mercial vandalism. I understand that those watched closely. mitten heaps were fine specimens that had a certain value to naturalists. They showed The Minister can correct me if I am wrong, various geological strata and were of but I understand that in respect of mining scientific interest, but now they have gone. leases there is no provision for resumption for I mention this preparatory to pointing out that public purposes. That is readily understand­ there are similar mitten heaps on Moreton able, as it would not be reasonable to permit Island where sand mining is also envisaged. res1l:mptions from all mining leases, on ore I strongly suggest to the Minister for Lands bodies, but sand mining is in quite that, as the very fine mitten heaps on a different category. The very finality Stradbroke Island are no longer in existence, of it imposes a considerable burden on he should take action through his department the mining warden. In his decision, which to preserve those that are on Moreton Island. is subject to ministerial review, he has to be very sure that the interests of the Mr. R. JONES (Cairns) (8.1 p.m.): It was public have been protected. Although a very gratifying to hear the Minister outline in decision is sometimes delayed for a long some detail the vast amount of wealth that period when a shire objects to the granting of the State derives from mining activities in a lease, I do not think the commencement the hinterland of the port of Cairns. He of mining opera:tions should be allowed before recognised the contribution being made to the decision is known. In other words, I do the economy of the State by minerals from not want local authorities to be presented this area, particularly tin, which is indigen­ with accomplished facts. ous to the district. It was very pleasing, I fully realise the value to the nation of too, to hear the Minister become so effusive these dollar-earning mineral sands. I under­ about the future prospects of Cairns, which stand that one company pays $100,000 a of course are bound up with the present year to the State in royalties, and I know exploration and evaluaJtion of mining fields well the importance to the State of industrial in the area. development. We of the Redland shire are endeavouring to secure the township of In the 1880's, Australia was the world's Glen Ogilvie on the Eighteen-mile beach on largest producer of tin, being responsible Stradbroke Island, together with its access for about 25 per cent. of the overall pro­ road. Although we have not yet succeeded, duction, and the greater part of it came the matter has been taken to the Mining from the fields in North Queensland. I Warden's court but no decision has been listened intently to the Minister when he said given. I hope the department sees fit to watch he estimated that the Irvinebank battery the interests of the public in this matter. would increase its treatment of lode tin by There is a great need for this protection, and 50 per cent. in the next 12 months. Page applications for sand-mining leases should 86 of the Annual Report of the Under receive close scrutiny. Secretary for Mines shows that 9,448 tons of tin-ore were treated at the State Treat­ I should now like to refer to the road ment Works at Irvinebank and that 131 tons crossing Stradbroke Island from Dunwich to of tin concentrates were produced. H is Point Lookout which the Main Roads Depart­ ment was good enough to gazette as a main believed that the potential of tin mining in road three or four years ago. We appreciate North Queensland has only been scratched the concession, because we could not possibly and that the wealth of the country was only maintain it without departmental assistance. tapped as far as people were able to go with I pu11p0sely left my reference to it till after picks and shovels. With the use of modern I had dealt with mining matters, as one methods of eli:ploration, intense development company is using the road for industrial of mining in the area should follow. purposes. Under industrial use it is breaking up quickly, and we are of the opinion that The Minister also foreshadowed that as the some fovmula should be arrived at under present treatment facilities were inadequate which the road will be maintained in part and would not be able to cope with the by the mining company. I realise, of course, increased output, further treatment works that Main Roads Department funds are short. would have to be provided. Since entering This matter has been taken up with the this Chamber, I have continually stressed the Commissioner, and I understand that under need for this, and I hope that my representa­ the Act a difficulty arises in using such funds tions have not fallen on deaf ears. I reiterate on gazetted roads. This matter should be my plea that the refining processes and tin­ further considered in an effort to find a plate manufacturing should be at the port of suitable formula of the type suggested. shipment, Cairns. Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1313

I have here a cutting from the "Telegnuph" create new industrial centres in a deliber­ of 20 October, 1965, which shows what ate effort to achieve a better spread of can happen if we continue to allow tin industry and population." concentrates to be exported interstate. The That is the Federal Country Party Leader art1icle says- advocating decentralisation of production 'Trade in tinplate works, and we should like the Minister to elaborate on what he intends to do with his 'Tokyo, Tuesday (19 October). New new treatment facilities. Zealand may use Japanese tin plate to make cans for New Zealand foodstuffs aimed We think that as we in North Queensland at the Japanese market. are exporting through our port almost 80 per cent. of the tin production of this State, "Studies of this new avenue of two-way and at least 50 per cent. of Australian pro­ trade were announced at a Press conference duction, we deserve to have the facilities for by Mr. J. Wattie, a Director of J. Wattie the treatment of tin or tinplate centred at Canners Ltd. and a member of the New our port. We think that this could quite Zealand Trade Promotion Council." easily be done. It goes on to say-this affects Australia and The Minister went on to mention electricity the Cairns area- and said that this is important to tin-mining "New Zealand's main sources of tin­ development. I concur whole-heartedly in plate are Australia and Britain. what he said. He said it was very important. He also mentioned drilling and mining that "Mr. Wattie, a member of the New is being done in co-operation with the Cairns Zealand Economics and Goodwill Mission City Council at Copperlode Falls Dam and visiting Japan, said he was looking into the prospects and potential of the Behanna the Japanese tinplate project because of Creek scheme. These two schemes could be his firm belief in two-way trade. developed as water conservation and hydro "The same ships could carry Japanese works. In the Behanna Creek scheme we tinplate to New Zealand and canned New have the water necessary for the development Zealand foodstuffs to Japan." of either mining or manufacturing potential. I am pleased to see that the Minister for We could very easily miss the boat if we Local Government and Conservation is in do not also make some overtures to have the Chamber. I am sorry the Minister for tinplate refined at the source of tin production Industrial Development is not here also, and to retain it in Queensland. At the pre­ because no manufacturing undertaking can sent time, all our tin concentrates are being exist without a plentiful supply of water. refined either interstate, at Port Kembla and other places, or overseas. Townsville is in dire straits today because of the shortage of water. Gladstone is Cairns has a mining history. I think the clamouring for a new water supply. We Minister pointed this out during the intro­ naturally believe that the alumina plant duction of his Estimates and said that the should have been established in Cairns. I future of Cairns is tied up in mining. I think that was really the place for it, agree with him, and I believe that we could although I do not take anything away from again build up a very virile town and district the hon. member for Port Curtis for his by placing emphasis on tinplate production representations, which were successful in in our area. When the Minister mentioned getting the alumina plant in Gladstone. We new treatment facilities he did not elaborate have the water resources in North Queens­ on details of the proposal. He did not say land. If both power and water were avail­ what he intended to do or where the facilities able, industry would automatically come to were to go. our area. Mr. Adair: Brisbane. So that there will not be any misunder­ standing about what is contained in the Mr. R. JONES: As the hon. member for Annual Report of the Under Secretary for Cook interjects, no doubt it will be Brisbane. Mines, which points out that there was a I believe that the Country Party, as a decrease in tin production from 2,079t tons, Government, is not carrying out its policy valued at $4,222,496, in 1964 to 1,669 tons, of decentralisation as expounded by the valued at $3,815,490, in 1965, I want to Federal Leader, Mr. McEwen who was place on record that it is quite evident that reported in "The Cairns Post" of 25 June, this drop in production was caused mainly 1964, as follows:- by shifting the tin-dredging plant, which was "The more obvious way for Govern­ originally brought from New Zealand to ments to aid decentralisation was to Battle Creek. The delay in re-assembly of equalise the profit-making opportunities the dredge at Nettle Creek was largely responsible for the decreased production in between country and city areas. One step 1965. It just goes to show the great impor­ was for the Government service in the tance of the tin industry when the stopping country to be consciously carried at a loss, particularly rail freights." and relocating of one plant causes tin pro­ duction to drop so appreciably. That is a very important principle. The alluvial tin won from North Queens­ He went on to say- land fields is very important to the small "The less obvious approach to decen­ tin-producer. Quite a number of "tin­ tralisation is one by which Governments scratchers" as we affectionately term them, 1314 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply get their livelihood from alluvial tin-mining. a ton a year from that area is sufficient to Most of our mineral fields in Queensland meet the gemstone market and keep it were found originally by these tin-scratchers, buoyant for some time. so they have been of great service to the I turn now to main roads matters. Repre­ State and the nation. The report indicates senting a provincial centre as I do, main roads that in the last 12 months alluvial tin in my area are very limited. On 20 October obtained by small producers and sold to ore 1965 I asked the Minister a question con­ buyers totalled 17 tons 18 cwt. 2 qrs. 18 lb. cerning the construction of a four-lane high­ and was valued at £17,890. way in the area of Cairns. On that occasion Representations have been made to me the Minister told me that the works men­ about the buying of the tin. I have not yet tioned were planned in various stages. Stage had time to make overtures to the Minister, 1, the Bruce Highway from Draper Street so I hope he will now listen to my sub­ to Aumuller Street, was planned to com­ missions on behalf of the small producers. mence later in that financial year. Stage 2, The buying of tin is governed by assaying. the Cook Highway from Florence Street to Previously this was done in our area by two Grove Street, was planned to be built in 1966- companies, but now it is done by one com­ 67, and so on. When the plan did not pany which is a buyer. The agents in eventuate I asked the Minister a further ques­ Cairns forward the tin, but the producer has tion, on 1 September this year, and was told to accept the assayer's content. He receives that the delay was due to technical problems. a base payment after about three weeks. The I do not know whether they were technical gross payments are not made until three or problems or financial problems, but no doubt four weeks later, and the delay could be financial problems can be very technical, too. anything up to six months. In this way the small operator is penalised because if his The increased volume of traffic in the payments are delayed he cannot put money Cairns area certainly warrants the building of back into his "show". Unless he has a good this four-lane highway through the heart of "show" he will have to walk off because of Cairns as soon as possible. In conjunction the delay in payment. with the building of the new Saltwater Creek bridge and the Barron River high-level I believe that with the increase in produc­ bridge, this work could easily be expedited. tion, and the increased interest in tin an It has been delayed for too long. assay office should be re-established at Herberton. If an assay office were to be The Main Roads Department offices in established there the officer would be able Cairns should be replaced. They are old to assay the tin and pay the cheque on its Army buildings. I think the Minister should delivery. look to providing his department in Cairns with a new home. Mr. Adair: There used to be three buyers I have another grievance. It relates to there. the appointment to the staff of people with­ Mr. R. JONES: There is only one out qualifications. A dangerous situation agent there now. The Government could be created by appointing as a foreman assayer is out at Cloncurry. The local or supervisor a man who has not the neces­ alluvial tin producer, the small man, sary qualifications. Persons who are respon­ is at a distinct disadvantage. I firmly sible for inspecting plant should have the believe that an assay office should be necessary qualifications, gained after serving re-established at Herberton. I am sure that their time as apprentices and then as I will get support for this proposal from the mechanics. Qualified mechanics and qualified hon. members for Tablelands and Cook. fitters should be given precedence over people who have not the necessary qualifica­ I do not intend to bestow any bouquets or tions. The fact that a person has seniority laurels on the Minister, but the people of should count; but if he is to hold a position North Queensland certainly congratulate him of authority he should also have qualifications, and his departmental officers on the urgency and if he is put into that position of with which he acted in issuing a proclamation authority only on recommendation or favour, to protect Agate Creek, in North Queensland. somebody is falling down in administering These gemstones are unique in North Queens­ the department. land and their production was recently Mr. W. D. HEWITT (Chatsworth) (8.22 threatened by large producers who intended p.m.): A debate on the Estimates of the to come in with heavy machinery, bulldozers Minister for Mines and Main Roads evinces and end-loaders. They were prevented, knowledge of our State's wealth and pro­ thanks to the overtures of the hon. members gress. On the one hand it tells how our vast for Tablelands and Cook and myself, and no natural resources are being exploited to doubt quite a few others. Our representa­ advantage, and on the other hand how a fine tions were heeded, and the necessary protec­ network of roads is providing greater access tion was given to the area. to the farthest points of our vast State. At Mr. Wallis-Smith: But they still got away the same time it provides an opportunity with a f,air quantity. to discuss the mounting road toll. By a strange irony, this Minister accounts not only Mr. R. JONES: I believe they did get away for exciting progress and development but with a fair quantity. I also believe that half also for a shameful situation producing Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1315 death, suffering, and untold grief. The 20th others. What tragedy it is that students see century phenomenon of slaughter on the their ambitions unfulfilled, and trained men road beggars all attempts at solution. are lost before their services are utilised. Who It would be difficult to find another can assess, in hard terms of dollars and cents, period in history when mankind, in the the impact upon the national economy year search of pleasure and leisure, has so wan­ by year as the toll grows? tonly disregarded safety and well-being. What comfort is there for me, as the father Possibly the French could give us a com­ of three young children, to be told by the parable situation when, in one period, Statistician that one of them sooner or later thousands of her young men died in duelling, will rate mention in his figures? It makes a pastime then fashionable. one angry and alarmed beyond mere words. The terrible thing about our accident toll Let us by all means advocate better roads; is the fatalistic attitude of our people. The let us impose higher penalties and more great problem is to get the community stringent tests; let us ponder on car design; incensed; to get it seized with the gravity of and let us study in detail all the contributing the situation; and to get it talking, thinking factors of road accidents. But let us most and acting in the interests of road safety. of all, by strong advocacy, create an alert Until there is a great upsurge of revulsion community attitude to this problem so that against this scourge, the solutions we pose an element of sanity and awareness can be in this place in pious fashion will be of engendered. little avail. If we are at war with the motor-car, let the formal declaration be made and let us How true was the Minister's comment enter the fray. This mad, suicidal course is today, when presenting his Estimates- already of tragic consequence. If it is not "! have no doubt that the most arrested, it will soon constitute a national insidious factor in this problem of road disaster. accidents is the belief-indeed, the abso­ lute certainly-in many people's minds, Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) (8.29 p.m.): In both drivers and pedestrians, that they entering the debate on these Estimates, I wish have some supernatural immunity from to deal mainly with matters of interest to road accidents. None of us is immune, people in the areas affected by the Wilbur but the tragedy is that this self-induced Smith traffic report and to make some sug­ false sense of security far too often gestions to the Government. There are very directly involves other innocent people many people in my electorate who are who have no such illusions." interested in that report because of its rami­ fications. These people are very apprehen­ Whilst some of our citizens act to contain sive. They are wondering where they will the toll, their numbers are few. When in the have to live and whether they will have living memory of any members present this enough money to set up another home. They evening was a petition presented to Parlia­ point out that it will probably cost them a ment praying the Government to act? When great deal of money and take them a great were rallies convened? When were demon­ deal of time to do so. strations organised? When were deputations formed, or spontaneous campaigns waged? I want it clearly understood that I am not None of those things happens because of an opposed to the traffic plan proposed in the overwhelming lack of interest by the general Wilbur Smith Report or to future progress. public. No problem is more demanding of However, I want the Minister to know that public concern; no problem attracts less many people living in the Brisbane metro­ reaction. politan area are very concerned because so many of them will be affected personally. The report of a road accident these days is Much discussion has taken place already, read to learn who is dead; who is injured. and I think there should be further discussion There is a shake of the head, a muttered, in this Chamber on the implementation of "Bad thing this; something should be done," the Wilbur Smith Report and the traffic plan and we turn to the other pages of sport, it contains. The public should be given Exchange news, or social jottings. The figures further information. Every time the Press are cold and remote, and the printed num­ mentions anything associated with the pro­ bers alone produce little evidence of the sum posed traffic plan and the consequent total of human suffering that they represent. resumptions, my telephone runs hot with calls But there is nothing remote about the from people living in the Norman electorate. hopeless, helpless paraplegic. The fatherless They want to know what is happening, and child brings graphic testimony to the awful they ask me for the latest information. I figures. The saddened parents of a slain cannot give it to them, of course, so I youngster give life to cold statistics. The endeavour to find out. Unfortunately, I wards of broken bodies lend pitiful weight cannot get the information. Because of this, to the calculations. The horror of the sense­ I believe it is imperative that I should deal less slaughter and needless suffering is with this particular subject and ask the matched only by the gross indifference of a Minister to give the Committee further infor­ preoccupied community. mation when he replies in this debate. What folly it is that a nation that needs I have studied the report very carefully, every citizen to help in its pulsating progress but the maps supplied are not sufficiently kills 3,000 each year and maims 70,000 detailed to enable one to form an opinion as 1316 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

to the exact nature and route of the freeways. widening of all existing arterial roads, and The Commissioner of Main Roads has very where possible grade separations to avoid kindly offered to give me any assistance that congestion at busy intersections. I think is necessary. I am very appreciative I feel that a competent committee should of his offer, and I have told people living in be appointed to review the effects of such my electorate of it. The Commissioner told work on traffic conditions, and, in the light me that the proposals in the Wilbur Smith of results therefrom, determine whether the plan are really only recommendations and huge, e:xipensive freeways are necessary now general suggestions, and that the freeways or in the immediate future. could be from lOO to 200 yards from the areas shown on the plan. The final siting It is generally agreed by people who have depends upon the foundations, the cost of written to me or telephoned me that the resumptions, and so on. sections of the Wilbur Smith scheme in relation to the North Quay and Circular Quay Questions of this sort concern the people expressways with underpasses at the northern of my electorate, because the Wilbur Smith end of Story Bridge are necessary and should plan is apparently based on the American be given high priority. I agree with this, use of high speeds, which means that roads provided we are not going to cause bottle­ will be constructed as straight as possible with necks at that particular place. curves of an extremely large radius, and this will require very extensive resumptions when Other people interested, mainly drivers of construction is proceeded with. This will vehicles, have told me that the Woolloon­ apply particularly at interchanges. gabba section of the expressway is essential to relieve congestion at Woolloongabba Five­ For distances up to 5 to 10 miles, a speed ways, but that congestion at this point can of 60 miles an hour has no particular be greatly reduced at much less cost by advantage over a speed of 35 miles an hour methods I have previously suggested, namely and increases enormously the costs of roads, grade separation at the intersection of Main the running costs of vehicles, and the risk and Vulture Streets and overpasses over of accidents. The roads set out on the pub­ Stanley Street for outbound Logan Road lished plans, which, as I said, I have studied traffic and over Stanley Street and Logan intensively, give no indication of any serious Road for outbound Ipswich Road traffic. or worth-while attempt to use existing roads These could be located east of existing roads, or to locate new roads in such a way that rejoining them near the railway crossing on resumptions will be kept to a minimum. Logan Road and also near the Police Boys' Club in Ipswich Road. Ultimately there Although you might think that I am harp­ could be additional overpasses for inbound ing on the question of resumptions, Mr. Rae, traffic, but these could be deferred in favour I am putting forward a case on behalf of my of other more urgent works. It is no use constituents because the electorate of Norman considering these things if we are going to will be almost decimated when the plan is have bottle-necks such as occur at certain implemented. In my opinion, the use of other places on the South Coast road. existing roads would keep resumptions to a minimum. Conditions in residential areas On the north side, congestion at the Royal selected as the sites for freeways will become Brisbane Hospital and the Normanby could intolerable to many people because of the be greatly reduced by the construction of a noise and the dust during construction, and new road from Gregory Terrace across the noise of high-speed traffic will make Victoria Park to the junction of Newmarket conditions almost equally intolerable after Road and Kedron Brook Road. Anyone who the roads are completed. has driven along there in peak hours knows what a shocking hold-up occurs near the Conditions will be unbearable if construc­ Royal Brisbane Hospital. tion work is allowed to go on for 24 hours a day. Many people are not convinced that Mr. Dean: You have to be a good driver. the grandiose schemes of Wilbur Smith are Mr. BROMLEY: You have to be a good necessary or that we can find money for this driver and, what is more, you need patience. plan without starving other essential projects. Many motorists do not possess patience I refer particularly to electricity, water supply, when driving in heavy traffic. They become sewerage and other essential services. upset and do things that they would not Mr. Hughes: It is better than having the normally do. Lord Mayor continue with his riverside drive. There are numerous places where the traffic flow could be greatly improved by Mr. BROMLEY: I think all these projects the construction of overpasses. The flow are necessary, but they must take their right­ would be greatly improved by widening all ful places. I do not think anything should existing arterial roads to a minimum uniform receive top priority except where the welfare width, with six and eight lanes where neces­ of the people is concerned. Many motorists sary and, of course, lane markings. The to whom I have spoken agree that top traffic flow is particularly noticeable in Main priority should be given to the construction Street, Kangaroo Point. I do not know of more bridges over the river, outer by-pass whether it is because the Woolloongabba roads around the city for traffic with no Police Station is in the area but there is a business in the inner city or inner suburbs, very orderly flow along Main Street. Once Supply [1 NOVEMBER) Supply 1317 the traffic gets past the 'Gabba and out along 7. Will the Brisbane City Council be Logan Road and Ipswich Road it is a rat­ given a special loan to finance purchase race. The chaos is partly due to trams and of buses or does the money have to be the bottle-necks underneath the railway diverted from other works? overbridges. There are a great many acci­ 8. What amount of loan money will be dents along those two roads. Traffic speeds required to finance the Brisbane City up and then has to suddenly slow down. Council's share of the Wilbur Smith road Pedestrians do not get a fair go. Lane mark­ plan? What will be the interest and ing is almost impossible along those roads redemption on this amount, and what rate because in the narrow sections under the will be required to cover such charges? overhead bridges there is room for only two lanes instead of four. 9. By how much will the cost of the Wilbur Smith plan be altered by the recent People have intimated to me that the increase in wages under the inflationary implementation of the Wilbur Smith Report period through which we are now passing? will not relieve congestion in the inner city. I do not think it will. Congestion will be This will have a very big effect on both caused at the exit and entry points. This is the Government's and the Council's share of inevitable, as high-speed traffic coming into the cost of the Wilbur Smith plan. various points from overpasses and e::'press­ 10. How does the Government propose ways will have to slow down to 35 miles an to finance the cost of the scheme-no hour. It is strongly suspected by many that de'tails have been given about it-and Wilbur Smith's estimates cannot be relied what increases in present fees, taxes and upon. There is considerable risk of little rates will be required to provide the actual benefit being derived from the colossal money required, or for repayment of loan expenditure involved unless we set up a money spent on the scheme? special standing committee to keep a con­ tinual watch on the problem. 11. It has been suggested that Australia I intend to pose to the Government a may change to driving on the right-hand side at some future date. What will be series of questions that have cropped up at the effect of this? meetings, in conversations and debates. I am particularly concerned about. elderly I do not know whether there is anything people who are worried about havmg therr in such a suggestion, but I understand this homes resumed. They fear they will have change has been mooted. I know that to go right out to the outer suburbs. Here recently, while I was interstate, discussions are the questions- were taking place on it. I do not know (!) What is the estimated rateable value whether there is anything definite in it but there is a possibility that it might happen, of properties to be resumed, an~ what proportion is this of the total city and particularly when we are going "all the suburban rateable value (excluding rural way with L.B.J." in other matters. I think areas)? it is important for this point to be considered in future road designs to avoid 2. What will be the estimated loss of the possibility of future expense and revenue to the Brisbane City Council from alterations. resumed properties in- Another question I could ask the Govern­ (a) General rates; ment is- (b) Sewerage rates; 12. How does the Government propose (c) Water rates? to provide housing required to replace the 3. What increases in the various rates thousands of homes to be demolished to would be necessary to make good this loss make way for road works? of revenue? I want to say briefly that it is almost 4. What is the present loan debt on impossible to get a Housing Commission trams and trolley buses and associated home for anyone at present. When these works? homes are resumed, how will the Government provide homes for the people who will be Of course, they have nothing to do with rendered homeless as a result of the resump­ the Government, but nevertheless they are tions under the Wilbur Smith plan? of importance in this case. Resumptions will be largely in the 5. If trams and trolley buses are working-class areas of the various suburbs. scrapped, what will ?e the charge on I do not think anyone can deny that state­ Brisbane City Counc1l funds to m.eet ment because most of our older suburbs will outstanding interest and redemptiOn be affected, and most of them house working charges, and for how long? class people. Many of them will not have 6. If loan n.oney is used to purchase the resources to build new homes when their diesel buses to replace trams and trolley land is resumed. They may get a fair and buses, what will be the interest an~ equitable offer for their home and land, but redemption payable? How much of this will that be sufficient to re-establish them will be met from Transport Department or enable them to borrow on a home in revenue and how much will be a charge another area? We all know that the cost against Brisbane City Council general of homes is nsmg. If persons are offered revenue? $6,000 to $8,000 on the resumption of their 1318 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

property it will be wellnigh impossible for I appeal for the construction of overpasses them to obtain similar accommodation in the at the Cavendish Road and Stanley Street outer suburbs that will not be affected by East railway crossings. They are near the the Wilbur Smith traffic plan. These are new driving license testing centre and traffic the matters to which we must give a great is held up considerably, particularly in peak deal of consideration. Will the Government hours. or the City Council pay compensation to such owner-occupiers and allow them (Time expired.) reasonable time to secure another home Mr. NEWBERY (Mirani) (8.55 p.m.): I before evicting them from their resumed doubt if there is any local authority in homes? Queensland that is not in some kind of Road congestion is due largely to concen­ financial difficulty, and later I shall deal tration of cross-river traffic at the three with some aspects of that problem; but existing central city bridges and the fact that first I refer to the important part the Main there are too few crossings over railway lines Roads Department plays in local-authority and various watercourses. This all causes work, and particularly to the unusual posi­ hold-ups and bottle-necks. I shall not tion which exists in part of the Mirani elec­ develop that point because I have already torate. I refer to the reclassification of main dealt with it. There are seven railway level roads, especially the up-grading of the crossings in my electorate, as well as over­ coastal road from Marlborough to Sarina head crossings. to highway standard (now known as the Bruce Highway), and the down-grading of As the hon. member for Toowong said the old Bruce Highway, which is the inland today, every subject discussed in Parliament road now known as the Marlborough­ affects finance to a great extent, and we Sarina road. must decide to do something about it. Although it is too late to say this, it is The up-grading was most welcome to the unwise to go ahead with replacing Victoria people in my area; and it was necessary Bridge because the existing bridge still has because it was quite beyond the capacity of some use. This is particularly true when it the shires through which the 116 miles of is remembered that the new bridge will have road pass to provide, under ordinary Main the same number of lanes as the existing Roads Department terms, a road to take the one. main traflic stream between the North and South. There are many problems in this Mr. Hugbes: You know that your col­ area. It has a high rainfall, which means league the hon. member for South Brisbane, that along the road there are many rivers when an alderman in the Brisbane City and streams that require bridges. This road Council seven years ago, called for special will shorten by about 40 miles the distance intervention by the Government to pull between Brisbane and Cairns, and, in down that bridge because it was unsafe; and addition, it will serve many communities he has been crying and lamenting ever between Marlborough and Sarina that at since. the moment are served only by rail. How­ ever, it could be 10 to 15 years before it Mr. BROMLEY: That was a speech he is brought to highway standard. made a long while ago. The hon. member for Kurilpa has not enlightened me at all. In the meantime, the inland road between I do not think he was applying his mind to Marlborough and Sarina is carrying very what the hon. member for South Brisbane heavy traffic. Although it is bitumen-sealed said. I shall not give him an answer at the throughout, it has many narrow bridges and moment. But if he interviews me later I culverts, and narrow stretches. It was shall discuss the matter with him. designed 15 to 20 years ago, with narrow bridges and a 12-ft. width of bitumen, and The people of Norman want as much is now completely out of date. The great information on this subject as they can get. increase in the volume of traffic and the If by any mischance some inflammable consequent need for heavy maintenance and material caught fire on the new bridge, or widening projects, especially since 1960, has another city bridge for that matter, it would caused embarrassment to the Main Roads be out of use for some time. So there is Department and the Broadsound Shire no sense in demolishing the present Victoria Council, with its 78-miles interest; the Nebo Bridge, which is giving good service. We Shire Council, with its 22-miles, interest; and must realise the importance of building more the Sarina Shire Council, with its 18 · 5-miles bridges before going ahead with the property interest. The other shire interested is out of resumptions, which may cause people my electorate. unnecessary concern. In addition, after the property is resumed, the overpasses, express­ The inland road carried a daily average of ways, and freeways may not be built for approximately 45 vehicles in 1951. Today some years. We must consider those things. U.'le figure is approximately 800 a day, with We should give priority to the construction a peak of 1,300. Many of these are very of more bridges, approach works to existing heavy vehicles which did not use the road arterial roads, widening to a uniform width, 7 to 10 years ago. The Main Roads Depart­ line-marking on all existing roads, and the ment is making every effort to bring this provision of more access roads across rail­ road to a standard capable of carrying this way lines and watercourses. heavy traffic, and I should like to thank the Supply (1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1319

Minister and his officers on behalf of those Lawrence-the the crossing of and living in the shires affected for the interest approaches to Carmila Creek, where there that they have taken in this problem. For is now a small bridge, and on the Flaggy some time approaches were made to the Rock-Clairview section. I understand that Minister, and he is now giving the area some the work at Carmila Creek will be released relief from the tremendous burden imposed shortly, and the release of the two johs. by the maintenance of this narrow road. would provide safer and much-needed ade­ quate road access for farmers along this Until about 7 years ago we were pleased section of the highway and also provide work to have a narrow road between the South and during the forthcoming slack season for many the North, because it was then Government people in the area who are making strenu­ policy to have a bitumen road through to ous endeavours to recover from the horrors Cairns. With the tremendous increase in the of last year's disastrous drought. It is volume of traffic, the time has arrived for the pleasing to note that tenders will be called road to be improved, and I assure the Com­ early in the new year for the Flaggy Rock­ mittee that that is now being done. The Minister Clairview section of the highway, and I has announced that the old highway from understand that it is the intention of the Main Clermont to the coast, which runs through Roads Department to begin work on the Sarina, will be completely bitumen-sealed Carmila Creek causeway after the wet season. from the Isaacs River to Mackay, via Sarina, within three years, and this includes, of The cattle industry and the abattoirs are course, a widening of the Sarina Range sec­ very important to the Mackay area, and both tion. That road misses Nebo by quite a few are finding it very difficult to operate effi­ miles, and traffic from Nebo using the ciently without first-class roads. bitumen road through Sarina has to travel 25 or 30 miles further to Mackay than it Since 1957 the roads in this area have would on the Eton-Nebo road. been improved considerably. In those days, of course, we did not have a bitumen road The Eton-Nebo Road has now been made north, south or west of Mackay but today a highway and is known as the Peak Downs Highway. It runs directly from Clermont we have good bitumen roads north and south through Nebo to Mackay. Part of the old although we have no bitumen road direct highway from Clermont to the coast, from west to Nebo. Clermont to Oxford Downs, now reverts to I must commend the Government for the the Peak Downs Highway, and there is no tremendous amount of work done on the dissatisfaction about that section. The prob­ roads in this area. I can assure hon. mem­ lem lies in the fact that the department bers that it is appreciated by all the people intends, I understand, to complete the road of the district. from Clermont to the coast via Sarina and that the use of finance for that work could I have a special note here about the retard to some extent the constmction of the Dingo-Mt. Flora road. Work has started on Eton-Nebo section of the Peak Downs High­ this road and it is hoped it will progress at way. The question has been discussed at a fairly fast rate because it will open up a some length by the Nebo Shire Council and very excellent cattle-grazing area. the Main Roads Department, and the Premier has also been involved in the discussions. I The Eton-Nebo road of 44 miles is part urge the Minister to make available the maxi­ of the Peak Downs highway. It has quite a mum possible amount of finance to speed the bit of fairly good gravel but only 1t miles constmction of the section of the highway to of bitumen. I understand that prior to last which I have referred, particularly the Eton year it was on the beef roads priority list. Range section, which is very hazardous. We know now why it was taken off and I will have no more to say about that. It is The Mirani Shire, which is also in my quite satisfactory as a highway but the electorate, is in an unfortunate position. It people in the Nebo area hope that the work reaches out at all angles, and within its needed to make it a standard bitumen road boundaries are the treacherous head-waters can be expedited. of the Pioneer River, Cattle Creek (a tribu­ tary), and many other streams running out As hon. members know, Mackay has no of the heavy-rainfall forests and high jungle­ railway line to its hinterland. And it is clad mountains. Bridges, both road and rail, somewhat different from other cities along are washed away frequently. In fact, during the coast in that it has no bitumen road one period of heavy rainfall in 1958, no to the west. Only in the last six months the fewer than 38 bridges and culverts were Mackay abattoirs has been in short supply washed away, including major structures of cattle on two occasions after rainfall of such as the Mirani high-level railway bridge. 1t and 2 ins. because motor transport could The shire needs very sympathetic treatment, not then move the cattle. Shortage of cattle not only in its main roads programme but naturally reduces the output of the abattoirs. also in subsidies for its ordinary roads I remember another occasion, four or five programme. weeks ago, when the Nebo area had 2t ins. of rain. A rather large cattle sale was in Further urgently needed works on the progress-of the order of 2,500 head-and Bruce Highway-! am referring to the new great difficulty was experienced in moving coastal highway between Sarina and St. the cattle over the dirt roads. 1320 Supply [ASSEMBLY} Supply

With the exception of the Clermont­ Mr. R. Jones: Do you agree with Dr. Sarina road all roads in the Nebo Shire are Patterson? dirt roads. 'The Clermont-Sarina road skirts along the southern boundary of the shire. Mr. NEWBERY: I understand that Dr. The Nebo-Mt. Douglas road which runs due Patterson withdrew the priority of the Nebo­ west of Mackay is, in my opinion, the most Eton road. important road in the shire ot~er than the The development of the area west of Lake Eton-Nebo highway road. This road runs Elphingstone to the Nebo boundary has made right through the centre of the Nebo great progress over the last few years. We Shire and into really good cattle now have in the vicinity of 150,000 acres of country. The Nebo-Mt. Douglas road, ?f brigalow land cleared and under pasture. course, is only partly developed. For a dis­ Approximately one-third of a million acres tance of 33 miles from the Nebo turnoff to have been cleared in the Nebo and surround­ Lake Elphingstone it is a secondary gravel ing shires. I assure the Committee that this road in reasonable condition. Towards the clearing of the brigalow land and. the shire boundary there is 15 miles to gravel improvement of pastures has greatly bmlt up standard, built by Commonwealth grant, plus the turn-off of the area. 30 further miles of winding bush track to the boundary. As I say, this road runs into This Nebo-Mt. Douglas road would provide excellent cattle country. From the Nebo shire access to 14 properties with a carrying boundary to Mt. Douglas, a distance of 5_0 capacity of 30,000 head. That is within the miles there is virtually no road at all. Th1s Nebo Shire itself. Taken through the Nebo rich 'cattle country is traversed by a bush Shire to Mt. Douglas, the road would open up track. The road also serves some of the best a further 1 000 square miles of excellent brigalow land in Queensland. cattle country to the west of the shire. The reasons for the Mt. Douglas beef I have nothing further to say at this stage, road are many, and have been recognised by but I urge the Minister to closely investigate the Commonwealth's northern development this road because I believe that it, with the proposals over many years. Immediately Eton-Nebo road, is a very important road west of Nebo and extending to beyond the in our area. Gregory developmental road, that is, the old Clermont-Charters Towers highway, is an Mr. WALUS-SMITH (Tablelands) (9.15 area in excess of 500,000 acres, mostly p.m.): The Estimates for the De:Partment of undeveloped, with large tracts of pastoral Mines and Main Roads are very Important to land. Transport access would hasten develop­ my area, so important that the hon. member ment in water provision, clearing and for Cairns decided to visit Irvinebank for pasture improvemen~, and ~ould i~crease 10 minutes in his speech, but that still leaves many times the carrymg capacity of this very me plenty to talk about. good cattle land. This area, plus the northern section of Mr. BromJey: That just shows how much Brigalow 3, and the immediate Nebo area, he admires you. with intensified development through the recent exploiting of underground water, would Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: That is right. provide sufficient stock to maintain a satis­ I pay a tribute to the officers of the Depart­ factory killing rate at the Mackay abattoir, ment of Mines, whether in Herberton or the and open this centre for an additional Mines Department office in Brisbane. They are industry. always willing to assist in any way possible. The output of cattle from this natural area When I say "assist" I do not mean by lending of supply would be sufficient to establish money, but by helping to unravel probl~ms Mackay as a satisfactory market that would that occur frequently. One problem ar1ses because of the methods of pegging out claims, attract buyers from elsewhere, a market that which vary greatly between those adopted could be disrupted for short periods only for dredging leases and those used for mineral by economic conditions such as the present or gold-mining leases. When an application State-wide stock shortage. is made for a dredging lease boundary pegs Increased productivity and improved trans­ are provided. This method is quite easy port could be a means of ensuring profitable to follow. However, when a mineral or operations by the Mackay abattoir, with gold-mining lease is applied for only one year-round killing and certainly with datum peg is put in, and it could cover 30 improved throughput of stock during an or 50 acres which could be anywhere at all export season. With the present build-up I in the area. Originally it would have instruc­ am completely confident that this area could tions on it but, as hon. members realise, support the Mackay abattoir. instructions do not last for long out in the bush. Quite often the description on the In opening up this Nebo-Mt. Douglas area datum peg can never be found. It is there we will be opening up some of the finest land only when the datum peg is put in, and is in Queensland. In a report made some time out in the weather. Leases are not surveyed ago on this area it was estimated that it except when a dispute arises. Quite often contained 250,000 acres equal to Darling a person unwittingly oversteps the .boundary Downs country. of an adjoining lease because of this method Supply (1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1321

of pegging. I wonder if the Mines Depart­ tons of ore the previous year. I am wonder­ ment could standardise the method of pegging ing why, with almost twice the tonnage, only claims. There may be reasons that I know 60 tons more was obtained this year. The nothing about, but I think a better method answer could be that it is low-grade ore. But it could also be wastage of tin occasioned by could be devised than the present one. shortage of water. When there is a shortage There is a tremendous lag in the work of of water, the water on the tables is used over the survey team. The Minister indicated in and over again and tin could be getting away answer to a question I asked him the other in the muddy sludge, to the detriment of the day that it may be years before the surveyor miners. can get around to surveying every block. The cost has been reduced from $9.545 Leases are not granted until the survey is to $7.135 a ton. That is very good. But completed and the survey fee is refunded the loss is suffered by the miner, and that is on the surrender of the lease, but not for what I want to clear up. It is not only the forfeiture for reasons such as arrears of rent loss in tin produced, but also loss in produc­ or non-compliance with labour conditions. tion because, as the Minister knows, one shift In the first instance the fee is $1 an acre, has been laid off because of insufficient water. and in the second instance, for gold leases it In addition the whole township is dependent is $2 an acre. on the battery. Ore will be stockpiled at a time when the miners are looking for returns My reason for raising this subject was to from the Christmas crushing, and they will be bring to the Committee's notice once more deprived of them. The rate will be much the backlog in the work of the surveying slower, and a good deal of tin will be lost section of the Department of Mines, which as a result of using heavily polluted water. the Minister outlined in answer to a question In addition the miners will lose because they by me on 18 October. He admitted that have to stockpile their ore until the bin is there is a shortage of survey staff and said ready to receive it. What happens if a that advertisements had been published in storm breaks in the meantime and the ore every State but so far had failed to attract cannot be carted to the battery? Again it is any applications. I wondered if I could find the mine-r who will foot the bill. a reason for that. I have made a few inquiries since then, and on several instances When I get the answer to a question, notice I have been told that the methods used by of which I gave this morning, I hope the the department in paying surveyors are such Minister will say that his inspectors and that no surveyor would entertain the idea of engineers have decided to use the vast quan­ working for the flat rate that the department tities of clear water ever present in the dis­ pays. Irrespective of whether it is open used mines in and around Irvinebank. He country, perpendicular country, sandy coun­ may be able to tell me why it cannot be try, or jungle country, the rate is the same, done, although old miners, and also up-to­ whereas with the private operator a changing date miners, who are using electric pumps rate applies according to the nature of the have told me that they can lower electric country being surveyed. pumps into mines and pump them out to any level. There are millions of gallons The Minister should look at this matter of clean water available, and this and see if he can arrive at a better arrange­ could be used instead of the highly polluted ment of payment to these people. Then we water. The three shifts could then work may be able to attract somebody into the again, and there would be no loss of tin. I surveying section. There could be a type of know that not many working people would scholarship under which surveyors would be like, through no fault of theirs or of the required to serve a number of years, as in industry, to be deprived of their Christmas the medical profession. I am looking for pay. That is indeed a dismal prospect. ways to overcome the big backlog in surveys. The same remarks apply also to the Ibis dam, which is supplying water to the battery. Mr. Camm: There is nothing to stop the It was constructed for the use of the battery, leaseholder from employing a private but there was a sensible and humane under­ surveyor. standing to make water from it available to the people of the town as well. As the Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: That is so, but he manager said, "The dam is there for the use would have to pay exorbitant r!ltes. I realise of the battery." My reply is, "If it were we cannot have it both ways. But surely not for the people, how could the battery there could be a better arrangement so that operate?" If the Minister could have his we would not be short of staff. That could engineers and other officers find some way be one of the reasons for the non-surveying of getting the water from the old disused mines, I am sure it would help considerably of those areas. in easing the position at Irvinebank. The hon. member for Cairns mentioned Another matter to which I wish to refer the State Treatment Works at Irvinebank. is the linking up with the pollution from The Annual Report shows that 177 tons of mining operations. The Minister knows tin was extracted from 13,206 tons of ore this perfectly well what I am referring to, and year, compared with 114 tons from 7,585 I am not going to make any specific 1322 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

references. My remarks include future It is a link between the east coast and operations that may pollute water in a Normanton and uses an entirely different watershed. I sincerely ask that every effort route from that taken by the present road. be made to see that when rains do come It winds in and out of the country and there is no sudden flooding down the stream along the banks of creeks, and I have asked to creeks that are used for irrigation and the Minister to consider surveying it so that household purposes. In the past the people it can be cleared progressively. Money living along the Herbert River have had hard expended and work done would go towards feelings towards the Minister for Primary permanent work. Similar work is necessary Industries. This was the main reason for on all roads in the far Outback, because it the efforts of engineers who eventually found will be a long time before they are actually a way of overcoming the problem, which I formed. think could provide the pattern for similar efforts in any other type of mine. When the Mitchell River Mission was rebuilt, all the materials were carried over I want to mak.o it clear that, particularly the road to which I have referred. It was where the country downstream depends on carried through properties, and the vehicles irrigation for the cultivation of crops, there made big indentations in the soil. When the should be no pollution of water. This is rain came, it produced erosion and little particularly so where the crops grown are creeks. Something similar happened on the seasonal and their sale is seriously affected road to the Edward River Mission. The by staining caused by polluted water. people there are treated as second-class citi­ zens; the Government does not seem to Mr. Carey: Are you having "two bob each bother about them, and according to the way"? Minister for Education I am supposed to Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: If that is the way give them leadership. In my opinion they the hon. member for Albert bets, he will deserve a much better road through the become a rich man. area. I suggest to the Minister that every cent possible should be expended on the Linked with mining is the system of roads permanent line. I do not think that is asking along which ore is carted and on which very much, and I can envisage the depart­ the people of the district have to travel. ment's coming to some sort of agreement I know that on many occasions the people with the Postmaster-General to put a land tried desperately to get the Minister for line along the route. Main Roads to travel over the Irvinebank road, and I know he has now done that. Mr. Carey: Wouldn't it be cheaper to Although it has improved, there is one transport the materials by sea? section of it-the road that runs from Herberton to Irvinebank and on to Emuford Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: Yes. The trouble and Petford-that seems to be a kind of is that Keith Holland is doing the trans­ missing link. It is a road over which much porting now; John Burke has gone. ore is carted, and it includes three or four Mr. Carum: Did you mention the Dim­ bridges with a load limitation of three tons. bulah-Normanton road? Can anyone in the Chamber imagine a loaded ore truck of only three tons gross weight? Mr. W ALLIS-SMITH: The Dimbulah­ Trucks have to make detours round the Normanton road. I have mentioned it many bridges, and the detours will be impassable times before; it is mentioned in the Minister's once heavy rain falls. report. The weight restrictions have been enforced for a number of months, and I went with a Mr. Carey: The modern trend is towards deputation of miners from Irvinebank to the containerisation-to put everything in con­ Mareeba Shire Council. It was suggested tainers. during the discussions that the Minister might be interested in allowing the shire Mr. W ALLIS-SMITH: I wish the hon. council to use some of the matching grant member for Albert was in a container­ provided for secondary roads or work of with the top on! this type. It was suggested also that that an increased rate should be struck, and the The Minister has indicated that more men from Irvinebank thought that people building is to be done at the missions, and would not mind paying a slightly higher there will be a great deal more traffic on rate if the road was improved. The bridges the road when the Government takes over are a hazard at present. In fact, almost after the wet. Therefore, it is important that all that remains of them is the notice saying the road should be improved, and I am that the weight is limited to 3 tons. It is trying to get a link to the bigger dangerous to use them if the vehicle and its towns and the east coast for the people liv­ load weigh more than 3 tons, so trucks have ing in these far-distant areas. I do not think it is asking very much, and my description to use the detours. is not exaggerated. I have travelled on it, I have mentioned the Dimbulah- and to go from Mareeba to Mitchell River, Normanton road once or twice previously with a very excellent driver, and driving all in this Chamber, and it is quite often men­ night, took from 3 o'clock one afternoon tioned in correspondence with the Minister. until 11 o'clock the next morning. Supply [1 NOVEMBER] Supply 1323

Mr. Carey: What type of vehicle? prevails in Cairns I think, as the hon. member for Cairns said, that they deserve much better Mr. WALLIS-SMITH: A 5-ton diesel accommodation. vehicle. I conclude with the Palmerston Highway, This is the road that has to carry all the which is of the utmost importance because goods to and from the mission, particularly of the extra traffic that has used it since the since the shipping service has been disrupted. removal of the Millaa Millaa and Mt. Garnet Once the wet season starts the roads become railway lines. Greatly increased traffic is bogs, so the most has to be made of them flowing over this road from Innisfail to Millaa during the dry period. Similar conditions Millaa, Ravenshoe and Mt. Garnet. Only six exist on the road to Edward River, where months ago a young Bush Brother, just out, who had not even taken up duty at Raven­ the owners of a property refused to allow shoe, was killed on a bend in this road. Hon. the trucks to go through their property. members might say that can happen anywhere, I notice the Minister is looking at the map. but anyone who has driven on the Palmerston There are no roads marked on the map from Highway will know the danger involved in Dimbulah to Mitchell River Mission but this doing so, particularly with the large timber road goes to Dunbar and then south to trucks, milk transports and other large trans­ port vehicles that use it at present. It is no Normanton. use anyone saying that the volume of traffic Mr. Carum: It is on the map. has not increased. It has increased out of all proportion. Even the tin dredge at Mt. Mr. W ALLIS-SMITH: There is no road Garnet uses this road for transport to and on the map from Musgrave to Edward River. from the dredge. The Government gave a contract to a con­ (Time expired.) tractor on condition that he delivered the goods to Edward River. When he went Mr. RAE (Gregory) (9.40 p.m.): Since my through a property with a bulldozer, making Government has been in office doing his own road, the owner of the property a job for all people in all parts of the stopped him and it was only as a result of State, much has been achieved. We owe extreme pressure and because of goodwill much to the present Minister, his predecessor, for the bishop that the owner eventually the late Honourable E. Evans, and their lifted the ban and allowed the contractor departmental officers. I can remember the through. That is an illustration of the time when there were no roads in the West. isolation of these people. An Opposition Member: Only money. Mr. Pizzey: How many millions of pounds would you expect these roads to cost? Mr. RAE: We had naught. The hon. member's Government had many years in Mr. W ALLIS-SMITH: I am merely asking which to do so much, but it was not for a survey of the road so that all future realistic in providing roads for the State. roads can be directed on a permanent line It was not sympathetic. It had little and not wander all over the country causing thought, if any, for people in the Out­ erosion everywhere. As a matter of fact, I back. Todav we can drive on a bitumen am asking the Minister to save millions. I road from Brisbane almost to Longreach. It do not want a four-lane highway, or even a is only a matter of time before we will be bitumen road; I want a survey of the area so able to drive on bitumen roads to Mt. Isa that the road can be marked. and various other towns of great importance to this State. On one occasion the former Minister, the late Mr. Ernest Evans, rang me at night and It would be quite wrong for me not to asked, "What is the road like between recognise the wonderful job done for Western Musgrave and Edward River?" I said, "There Queensland by Mr. Barton, the Commissioner is no road." He said, "Well, I must ask of Main Roads, Mr. Lowe, the Deputy the Cook Shire," but he still got the same Commissioner, and the many officers answer-that there was no road. That is associated with them. the road I am asking should be made. There are 260 people living in the mission. I ask My people have been subject to many the Minister for Education if he would try decisions that have displeased them. We to provide a way out if 260 ordinary have not been in receipt of very much Queenslanders were living in the area. in the way of blessings. Now, we Because these are second-class citizens in his have had another charge thrust upon us, eyes, they are forgotten. or another form of restriction, if I could put it that way. While speaking about highways, I pay tribute to Mr. Doug Morton, the engineer in Mr. R. Jones: What is the charge? Wilful Cairns, and to all his officers. They are neglect? very good officers; they are very courteous, even though they have to work in a sub­ Mr. RAE: The hon. member can make his standard office. In the terrific heat that own speech. 1324 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Within the past few days there has been and planning and in all measures are com­ levied upon the transport hauliers a ruling pletely responsible for decisions we are which indicates very clearly that no longer obliged to accept. can people with lorries enjoy the privilege that was theirs for many years-the right Mr. Davies: Don't you think you are to operate a prime-mover, a trailer, and making a scapegoat of top public servants one "dog", as it is known. and protecting the Minister? This privilege was suddenly denied to Mr. RAE: I am making my speech. The these people and was first brought to their hon. member for Maryborough can make notice by the local police officer. He said, his at a later time. It is a pretty sad thing "No longer can you do this. You are now when the Minister does not know anything permitted to take only one lorry and one about it, the committee knows nothing trailer." This threw the entire western trans­ about it, and the House of Parliament knows port organisation into another state of nothing about it. When I acquainted the bewilderment, frustration and annoyance. Minister of these facts and figures he said When I rang the Minister on Friday after­ he would do something about it, and he did. noon last and acquainted him with this I am grateful to him for having acted so specific problem confronting the hauliers, he promptly, efficiently, and ably in this matter. said, "This is to be held off until I can have a really good, close look at it". Mr. Wallis-Smith: This is retaliation for your section 92. Mr. Davies: Didn't he tell you about this in Caucus? Mr. RAE: I am not concerned about that, because it is not relevant at all. I am Mr. RAE: Pardon me! The hon. member acquainting the Minister of something that is keeps butting in all the time and he has no disturbing the transport organisation of knowledge at all of the subject. Queensland, who are already harassed, humbugged, and in every way persecuted. Mr. Davies interjected. Mr. R. Jones: By this Government, yes. Mr. RAE: I agree with that, but at the right time and place. Mr. RAE: It does not matter whether it is this Government or any other Government. I am drawing attention to these disturbing It is extraordinary that some members of the matters, which indicate government by legisla­ Cabinet should think that we in the West tion, namely, that there are people who have the authority to make declarations that we are enjoying good seasons and returns. people have to "cop", whether we like it I acquaint them of the fact we are or not, irrespective of the fact that it has far from enjoying such a privilege. Many never been brought to Caucus, to the parts of the State are experiencing a Minister's committee, or to the House of tremendous drought and this is another Parliament. It is a shocking state of affairs imposition on these people. This must when the Commissioner for Main Roads and be looked at in the light of facts and the Commissioner for Police can get together figures. ~ a joint organisation and make a ruling. This is bureaucratic control at its worst level. If the extra "dog" is taken off, it costs It is a very unsatisfactory ruling so far 9s. or 10s. a ton-mile. Those in the sheep as we are concerned, yet the Minister industry cannot afford to meet and addi­ knows naught about it; his committee tional costs. Those in the cattle industry may knows naught about it, and not one be able to; that is a blessing that is theirs at man in Parliament knows anything about the moment. The basic issue is that imposing it. That is the point. That is what any added costs on the man on the land I want to get at. It is not right that rules today is completely wrong and could not be and regulations can be introduced when they condoned by me, as the elected representa­ are of such tremendous importance to people, tive of almost a quarter of Queensland. I communities and businesses, especially when wish to register my protest at the very thought neither the Minister nor Parliament knows of this action. anything about it. Increased charges can only add to already Mr. Hanlon: Isn't it the Minister's job to heavy burdens, and I hope that those to know about it? which I have referred will never be imple­ mented. I am not unmindful, of course, Mr. RAE: I should say it is very poor of what the Minister and the Commissioner advice by his officers and a high-handed of Main Roads have done. attitude that is not to be tolerated. At 9.55 p.m., under Standing Order No. In this State of Queensland I often 307 and Sessional Order agreed to by the wonder just where we are going in Parlia­ House on 20 October, progress was reported. ment. I find that most decisions are made by the top public servants who are designing The House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.