Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 20 AUGUST 1974 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy City of Brisbane, &c., Bill [20 AUGUST 1974] Questions Upon Notice 173 TUESDAY, 20 AUGUST 1974 the Whole to consider introducing a Bill to amend the City of Brisbane Act 1924- 1973 in certain particulars." Mr. SPEAKER (Hon W. H. Lonergan, Motion agreed to. Flinders) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. BUILDING BILL PAPERS INITIATION The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:- Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon­ Minister for Local Government and Electri­ Reports-- city): I move- Under Secretary for Mines, for the year "That the House will, at its present 1973. sitting, resolve itself into a Con;mittee ?,f Commissioner of Land Tax, for the year the Whole to consider introducmg a Bill 1973-74. to prescribe standard by-laws for local The following papers were laid on the authorities in respect of the erection of table:- buildings and other structures, to prescribe the powers of local authorities in relation Proclamation under the Traffic Act to certain buildings and other structures, 'Amendment Act 1974. and consequentially to amend the Local Orders in Council under- Government Act 1936-1974 and the City of State and Regional Planning and Brisbane Town Planning Act 1964-1974 Development, Public Works Organiza­ each in certain particulars." tion and Environmental Control Act Motion agreed to. 1971-1973. Racing and Betting Act 1954-1972. QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE City of Brisbane Act 1924-1973. The State Eiectricity Commission Acts, FALSE MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION 1937 to 1965. CERTIFICATES The Northern Electric Authority of Mr. Ahern for Mr. Cory, pursuant to Queensland Acts, 1963 i'o 1964. notice, asked The Minister for Develop­ Regulations under­ ment,- Education Act 1964-1973. (1) How many complaints !rnve been Health Act 1937-1973. received by the Consumer Affarrs Bureau that used motor-vehicle inspection certifi­ Traffic Act 1949-1974. cates have been false? Statute under the Griffith University Act (2) What is the main cause of com­ 1971-1973. plaint? Rules of Court under the Industrial Con­ (3) How many of the complaints ~ave, ciliation and Arbitration Act 1961- on investigation, been found to be either 1974. a deficiency in the system or a false return? LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPE~ANNUA­ ( 4) How many prosecutions have been TION ACT AMENDMENT BILL made because of these investigations and INITIATION how many complaints have been found to be without foundation? Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon­ Minister for Local Government and Electri­ Answers:- city): I move- ( 1) "The Division of O~cupational "That the House will, at its present Safety has received 657 complamts rega:d­ sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of ina certificates of roadworthiness of which the Whole to consider introducing a Bill 590 have been investigated and the to amend the Local Government Super­ remainder are at present under investiga­ annuation Act of 1964, as subsequently tion." amended, in certain particulars." (2) "Wheels and tyres, approximately Motion agreed to. 80 per cent.; braking equipment, approxi­ mately 75 per cent.; steering and s.usp~n­ sion, approximately 77 per cent.; bghtmg CITY OF BRISBANE ACT and equipment, approximately 72 per cent.; AMENDMENT BILL exhaust systems, approximately 67 per INITIATION cent.; and body, chassis and panel rust, approximately 52 per cent." Hon. H. A. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon­ (3 and 4) "I believe ~hat the system is Minister for Local Government and Electri­ operating efficiently and I am tremendously city): I move- encouraged by the effectiveness of the "That the House will, at its present roadworthiness legislation. The committee sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of which initially unanimously recommended 7 174 Questions Upon Notice (20 AUGUST 1974] Questions Upon Notice this Legislation and which reviewed its WoRKERS' COMPENSATION PREMIUMS operation after a period of 6 months, FOR MARRIED FEMALE EMPLOYEES unanimously agreed it was very effective in removing many unsafe vehicles from Mr. Bird, pursuant to notice, asked The the road. It generally has been found, Treasurer,- following investigation of many complaints, (1 ) Are employers of married females that the matters complained of are not required to pay workers' compensation associated with the inspection required for premiums on behalf of those employees? the purpose of issuing a certificate of If so, is the rate payable the same as tba1t roadworthiness. In some few cases it has for male employees? not been possible to obtain sufficient evid­ ence to substantiate a case against the (2) In the event of injury to or the approved inspection station or licensed death of a married female whilst in examiner concerned. Since the introduc­ employment, can compensation be claimed tion of the certificate of roadworthiness by the family of that employee only when Legislation in October 1972, 351,881 it is proved that the family was wholly certificates of roadworthiness have been dependent on her? issued. At the present time there are 1,079 (3) If the premium rate is the same approved inspection stations employing as that paid for male employees and 2,812 licensed examiners. 11,187 vehicles compensation cannot be claimed, will he (or approximately only 3 per cent. of all give consideration to reducing the vehicles presented for inspection) after premiums payable? failing to pass an initial inspection also failed to pass a second inspection or failed to be presented for a second inspection. Answers:- Follow up action was taken by the division (1) "Yes. Married femal~s, if t;ngaged in respect of these vehicles. These figures under a contract of servtce w1thl an are indicative of the effectiveness of the employer are 'workers' within the meaning Legislation. Of the 590 complaints investi­ of the Workers' Compensation Act, and gated regarding the issue of certificates of premiums are payable on th~ir wages or roadworthiness it was found that no further earnings. The rate of premmm payable action was necessary in respect of 357. is the same as that for male employees." Seven successful prosecutions were subse­ (2) "If a married female is killed m quently made and three further prosecu­ injured during the course of her employ­ tions were unsuccessful. The remaining ment or on a journey to or from her place 223 complaints investigated are at present of e~ployment, ·the same conditions would under consideration for further action or apply as in the case of a male employee. further evidence is being obtained for In the case of the death of a worker. prosecution or are in the process of pro­ Section 14 (1) (A) of the Act sets out secution. I would mention that a further the amounts payable, which are related 163 successful prosecutions have been made to the degree of proven dependency on for breaches of the certificate of road­ the 'worker' concerned, with no differentia­ worthiness Legislation as a result of activi­ tion between male and female." ties of the division's inspectors. These breaches in summary were in respect of- (3) "Premium rates are assessed on 126 breaches, involving 57 used car dealers the basis of claims experience. In view for disposal of motor vehicles without cur­ of the foregoing information, the Honour­ rent certificates of roadworthiness; 3 5 able Member will appreciate that there breaches involving four approved inspec­ is no case for consideration of any varia­ tion stations, for-forgery of certificates tion of premium rates for female workers of roadworthiness (28 breaches); issuing as compared with males." false certificates of roadworthiness (3 breaches); not notifying the Chief Inspector of Machinery when licensed examiner EXCESSrvE INTEREST ON LoANs resigned ( 1 breach); using premises not Mr. Wright, pursuant to notice, asked The approved as testing station (1 breach); Minister for Justice,- not completing certificate of roadworthiness correctly ( 1 breach); and disposal of ( 1) With reference to Orders in Council motor vehicles without current certificate tabled on July 31, why was exemption of road~orthi_ness (1 breach); two under the Money Lenders Act 1916-1973 breaches mvolvmg two licensed examiners given to Trans City Holding Ltd., for-(1) not completing a certificate of Trans City Discount Ltd., Trans City road~orthiness correctly; and (2) forgery Securities Ltd., Trans City Co. Ltd., of Signatures of a licensed examiner Union-Fidelity Trustee Co. of Aust. Ltd., Following prosecutory action, one approved Queensland Cancer Fund, . Burns Philp inspection station certificate has been. Hnance Ltd. and Austrahan European surrendered, one certificate of approved Finance Co. Ltd.? inspection station has been cancelled, two (2) Have any of these firms been guilty licences as examiner have been surrend­ of lending money at more than the statu­ ered, one has been cancelled and two tory maximum interest rate of 20 per have been suspended." cent.? Questions Upon Notice [20 AUGUST 1974] Questions Upon Notice 175 (3) Is he aware of the report in The REGISTRATION OF LAND UNDER GROUP Sunday Mail of June 9 that loans in TITLES Queensland totalling millions of dollars are Mr. Wright, pursuant to notice, asked The apparently illegal because they have been Minister for Justice,- made at more than 20 per cent.? ( 1) With regard to the new Regulation ( 4) Have any requests been received by 7 A of the Group Titles Regulations 1974, the State Government to alter the Act to why was it considered