Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 16 MARCH 1971

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH) Questions Upon Notice 2933

TUESDAY, 16 MARCH, 1971 release commercially, it will have to be approved by the Technical Committee on Veterinary Drugs and be registered by Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, The Agricultural Requirements Board of Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair Queensland. All relevant information must at 11 a.m. be made available prior to registration to these bodies. The aspects raised by the QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Honourable Member are taken into full consideration by the respective authorities QUEENSLAND HEALTH EDUCATION COUNCIL in determining whether or not chemicals Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked The are approved for release." Minister for Health,- Who are the members of the Queensland Health Education Counc:il, what office RAIL TRANSPORT OF CATTLE, FORSAYTH does each hold and what salary and/ or AND MuNGANA LINES allowance is each paid? Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Transport,- Answer:- How many cattle were transported by "As requested by the Honourable rail from (a) Forsayth, (b) Einasleigh, Member, the names of Members of the (c) Mount Surprise and (d) Mungana Queensland Health Education Council and for the year ended December 31, 1970? their office are as follows:-Deputy Chairman-Dr. M. H. Gabriel, B.Sc., M.B., Answer:- B.S., (Qld.), D.P.H., (Syd.), A.R.A.C.I. " YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1970 Members-Dr. P. G. Livingstone, M.B., B.S., (Qld.), M.R.C.P., (Edin.), D.P.H., (Syd.), F.A.C.M.A.; Dr. G. M. S. May, Station From No. of Head M.B., B.S., (Melb.); Dr. J. M. Deakin, of Cattle M.B., B.S., (Syd.), M.R.C.P., (Edin.), M.A.C.D.; Mrs. M. F. Wilson; Dr. K. S. Mowatt, M.B., Ch.B., (Edin.), L.R.C.P., Forsayth .. 17,731 L.R.C.S., (Edin.), L.R.F.P. and S., (Glasg.) D.M.R.T., (Edin.), M.C.R.A., Einasleigh 3,811 F.F.R., F.C.R.A., M.B., B.S., (Qld.); Professor D. Gordon, M.B., B.S., (Qld.); Mount Surprise 11,544 Mr. B. T. A. Homan, M.D.Sc.; Professor H. C. Webster, C.M.G., Ph.D. (Camb.), Mungana .. 16,369 D.Sc., (Tas.), F.A.I.P., F.I.E.E.; Mr. 49,455" H. F. B. Tomlinson, B.A., A.Ed.; Mr. C. A. P. Clark, A.A.S.A.; Mr. J. W. McKay; Mrs. M. J. Vol!er; Mrs. W. H. Roberts, O.B.E.; Mrs. I. J. Wilson; Mr. W. L. Rudder, M.B.E.; and Dr. J. F. DETERGENTS FOR OIL-POLLUTION McFarlane, M.B., B.S., (Qld.), M.R.C.P., DISPERSAL (Edin.), F.A.C.M.A. Members of the Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked Council all act in an honorary capacity and The Minister for Conservation,- receive no allowances. Mr. G. Healy, B.A., who had been a Member of the ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to Council for 20 years and its Chairman for an article in The Courier-Mail of March 15 years, has recently resigned and con­ 11 which stated that many detergents used sideration is at present being given to the to disperse oil slicks could cause more filling of the position of chairman damage than the actual oil slick? following his resignation." (2) Are there a number of such deter­ gents and, if so, will he have an investi­ CATTLE-TICK CONTROL CHEMICAL gation made in order to ensure that a Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked type not injurious to other forms of life The Minister for Primary Industries,- will be used at all times? In view of the statement made by Mr. Answers:­ G. Janssen relative to the chemical to overcome all known strains of cattle ticks, (!) "Yes." will he ascertain the contents of this com­ (2) "There has been significant pro­ pound, whether such chemicals are gress in recent times in the development injurious to other forms of life and for of low toxicity oil dispersants. Officers of how long they remain potent? my Department of Harbours and Marine are investigating the availability of these Answer:- dispersants in commercial quantities. If "The chemical referred to is currently they are available and prove to be efficient under development and its exact formula­ in dispersing oil pollution they will be tion is not officially known. Prior to its used by my Department." 2934 Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Upon Notice

ALLEGED SERIOUS OFFENCE, GoLD COAST (2) "Eight teaching spaces were avail­ Mr. Murray, pursuant to notice, asked The able, designed to hold 280 children under Minister for Works,- normal conditions. Over 300 children Further to his Answer to my Question could be accommodated without discom­ concerning a Gold Coast incident wherein fort. It should be pointed out that the he named Alderman Clem Jones as one new primary school buildings allow a of those involved and the subsequent pub­ degree of flexibility regarding the number lished statements of four other persons of pupils and teachers occupying a teaching involved that they were not the identified block." suspect- (3) "Following a delay caused by the ( I) Was Alderman Clem Jones the rail strike, 140 desks and chairs were subject of any police enquiry? delivered on the opening day. Pending (2) Was a decision, made by the Officer­ further deliveries, additional furniture was in-Charge of Police at Southport that the obtained from local schools for both pupils grounds warranted a charge, subsequently and staff. New teachers' furniture, pupils' changed because of advice from his trapezoidal tables and the movable space superior officer? dividers were lacking." ( 3) Which superior officer advised such ( 4) "When it became known that enrol­ caution that, in fact, no charge was made? ments would exceed the estimated number, ( 4) Did the Crown Law Office consider arrangements were made for a demountable the m1l;tt~r prior to such decision and give building complete with furniture to be the oprmon that a charge should be laid? supplied, and this became available for use on February 22. The manufacturers have (5) Can he give this House an absolute been slow in filling orders for furniture, assurance that nothing was done in this but a second delivery of 140 desks and matter that would suggest that there is chairs was made on March 9 and an one law for the influential and one for the ordinary citizen? additional 70 desks and chairs were des­ patched on March 3. Furniture for the Answers:- administration block has been noted for urgent despatch when available. I should ( I) "Yes. Along with the other people involved." like to impress upon the Honourable Member that the estimated enrolment of (2) "No." 200 to 250 children was based upon surveys carried out locally. It is obvious that many (3) "See Answer to (2)." parents changed their minds without (_4 ~ "The matter was considered by the informing my Department. No doubt, they Solicitor-General and the opinion given were influenced by the attractive appear­ that a charge should not be laid." ance of the new school. It is hoped to construct another teaching block in the (5) "Yes." next financial year."

HEATLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL, TOWNSVlLLE RAIL-MOTOR HIRE CHARGES Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Education,- Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Transport,- ( 1) How many children were enrolled at the new Heatley Primary School, Towns­ ( 1) Further to my Question of March ville, at the commencement of the school 12 in regard to hire charges for 2000-class year? rail motors from Townsville to Ayr, Charters Towers, Ingham and Innisfail, how (2) What accommodation was then available and how many pupils was it can the large rises in hire charges be designed to hold in comfort? justified when, on the figures given, wages and fuel charges account for only 50 per (3) What furniture, including seating, cent of the charge? was available for (a) pupils and (b) teaching staff and what was lacking? (2) Is he aware that many sporting bodies in Townsville which cater for the ( 4) How have accommodation and youth of the community have been forced furniture shortages been overcome and can to curtail their away-from-home activities, he state when the next permanent class­ rooms will be built? which children eagerly anticipate, due to these savage rises? Answers:- (3) Why can freight concessions be (!) "336 children were enrolled on th<> granted to wealthy enterprises while the opening day. This has since increased to needs of the youth of the community and 356." those who toil hard for them are ignored? Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Upon Notice 2935

Answers:- Answer:- ( 1) "As was stated in my reply of "The Honourable Member is industrially March 12 there are other charges involved naive in the extreme. There is no doubt including the maintenance of track, that any percentage increase as a result of servicing and maintenance of vehicles, a General Ruling creates considerable Traffic Branch charges, supervision, etc." difficulties in the gazettal of wage rates (2 and 3) "The Railways are very con­ under all Awards and Industrial Agree­ scious of their social resp<:~nsibilities and ments. In respect of the General Ruling provide many concessions--for which there of the State Industrial Commission award­ is no reimbursement sources other than its ing that the 6 per cent. increase be customers--to public bodies as part of their operative from January 4, 1971, all varia­ contribution to the welfare of the com­ tions were gazetted by February 6, 1971. munity. Because of the buoyant nature of This was a tremendous task and I arranged mineral development and the profits which flow to the Railway Department, it is for experienced staff in industrial matters possible to maintain these concessions to to be made available to assist the Industrial public bodies. The charges for the excur­ Registrar. This year the gazettal was sion trains and rail motors hired by accomplished in a record short space of sporting bodies are much lower than would time. The idea of a ready reckoner sounds be the case if the charges were based on attractive but is completely impracticable. the rail fare for the total passenger­ For example I cite one of numerous carrying capacity of the train or rail motor. A wards and wage rates to show the diffi­ For example, the charges for a 2000 class culties involved:- rail motor Townsville to Ayr and return represent a reduction of 48 · 6 per cent." ' 1. Brisbane Abattoir Award (a) Mutton Slaughtering-Solo System -Contract rates Slaughtering and BUILDING SUBSIDIES TO INSTITUTIONS FOR dressing of sheep and of lambs THE BLIND Increase per 100 = Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Health,- Weekly basic wage increase x 100 412 Do any organisations or institutions catering for the needs of blind Queensland (b) Calf Slaughtering-Contract Rates citizens receive any subsidies from the per head Queensland Government, particularly for the erection of buildings for social and Increase per head = other gatherings and, if so, what are the Weekly increase in basic wage' particulars? 165 Answer:- "This of course is only an isolated example but it indicates the degree of "The following subsidies are paid to the complexity in calculations that no ready Queensland Training and Placement Centre reckoner would solve. I lay upon the for the Blind-$1 for $1 on donations and Table of the House a statement containing subscriptions raised for the Centre, $2,000 other examples. I would point out to the per annum towards the salary of an Honourable Member that Queensland is Assistant Director. There is no standing the only State that has at this point fully, approval for the payment of subsidies for and I repeat the word fully, gazetted the the erection of new buildings for social and 6 per cent. increase. In regard to gazettal other gatherings. Special grants from Trust of the 6 per cent. increase under Com­ Funds were paid to the Queensland Braille monwealth Awards there is no provision for Writing Association as follows--1953, this increase to be automatically applied to $6,000, Towards the construction of all Awards. Parties to each Award have Braille House; 1960, $10,000, Towards the to make their own calculations and then cost of extensions to Braille House." apply to the Commission for ratification, a procedure that takes considerable time to READY RECKONER, INDUSTRIAL AWARD complete. On the occasion of the 6 per cent. increase awarded by the State Indus­ JUDGMENTS trial Commission with a view to facilitating l\'lr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked calculations, my Department used a com­ The Minister for Labour and Tourism,- puter print-out from the Main Roads Is he aware that the recent national six Department computer for the first time. per cent. wage increase created some diffi­ Whilst this computer print-out was useful culties for various bodies in assessing it had distinct limitations because of the quickly actual monetary increases as well overall complexity of wage rates in many as creating difficulties and more work in Awards. Under the Queensland Act it is printing awards? If so and because of this, obligatory up<:~n the Industrial Registrar will he arrange to have Government under section 13 (7) to vary every Award Gazettes relating to wage judgments and Industrial Agreement to accord with printed in future with the judgment ready a declaration of a general ruling by the reckoner on the back? Commission." 2936 Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Upon Notice

Paper.-Whereupon Mr. Herbert laid upon aware if the particulars contained in the the Table of the House the Statement brochure are correct, particularly as to the referred to. earning capacity claimed for the full-time or part-time operators. However, I would suggest that any person who considei1il TORBRAL INVESTMENTS PTY. LID. joining the organization should give the Mr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked matter a great deal of thought and avoid The Minister for Justice,- entering into contracts or agreements with ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to a the company unless they have fully studied letter circularised by post to people from and understand the complete ramifications Torbral Investments Pty. Ltd., wherein it of their contractual obligations. It does is stated, inter alia, "No selling is required not appear that any further investigation a.t by you. Earnings: $800-$1200 per month this stage would reveal any additional part time operations ( 4 hours per week) information to what I have supplied." $2000-$3000 per month full time opera­ tions . . . absolutely no risk . . . range of products that have applications to the MINISTERIAL. VISITS TO SUBNORMAL home, industry, commerce, Govt. Depts., CmLDREN's ScHooLs etc."? Mr. P. Wood, pursuant to notice, asked (2) As I have been requested to raise The Minister for Health,- the matter in the House, will he have the (1) Has he, while in office, visited any firm and their claims investigated with a of the schools conducted by the Queensland view to assuring the public whether this Sub-Normal Children's Welfare Association firm has any substantive qualifications or and, if so, which schools were visited and otherwise? when? Answers:-- (2) Are children attending these schools ( 1) "My attention has been drawn to educable and, if not, what authority states the circular letter issued by Torbral that they are not? Investments Pty. Ltd." (3) Has his attention been drawn to (2) "According to records filed in the the report, published in the October issue Office of the Registrar of Companies and of the Australian Medical Association Commercial Acts, this company was Journal, of the Australian Group for the incorporated on June 17, 1969, and has Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency con­ a nominal capital of $10,000 of which ference in Adelaide last year and, if so, $8 has been subscribed. The shareholders will he consider the report in relation to are-Noelene T ornabene, 8 V eivers Street, assistance given to mentally-retarded child­ Mt. Gravatt-2 'A' class shares; Margaret ren in Queensland? Elizabeth Mallon, 19 Benaud Street, Upper Mt. Gravatt-2 'A' class shares; Phillip Alfred Anthony Tornabene, 8 Veivers Answer:- Street, Mt. Gravatt-2 'B' class shares; ( 1 to 3) "The Honourable Member, with and John Michael Anthony Paul Mallon, his background as a teacher, would surely 19 Benaud Street, Upper Mt. Gravatt-2 be aware that this is an area where it is 'B' class shares. It is understood that the difficult to dogmatise and that there is company is a promotional organization considerable difference of opinion amongst working on behalf of Golden Chemical those who may be regarded as experts as Products of Australia Pty. Limited. The to the precise point where intellectual manufacturing company, which was incor­ handicap reaches ineducability. It is cer­ porated in New South Wales and registered tain and obvious that we have in as a foreign company in this State on Challinor Centre many unfortunates at the February 8, 1971, is responsible for the extreme of sub-normality who are ineduc­ preparation of a number of cleaning com­ able. Others can and do benefit from ponents, e.g. floor wax, laundry detergents, training-but the point where an individual car shampoos, which they hope to place moves from the educable to the ineduc­ on the Queensland market. It is claimed able is almost impossible to determine. that the products are non-polluting and This illustrates the difficulty of arriving at that this is an important factor in its selling any conclusions as to the relative responsi­ power. Messrs, Tornabene and Mallon, bilities of the Education Department and with a Mr. K. G. Bridges, were joint the Health Department in this matter. A directors of Paddington Appliances Pty. cut off point has therefore to be deter­ Ltd., now called Webb Imports (Far East) mined somewhat arbitrarily and while the. Pty. Ltd., which company is in the process particular decision may always be open of liquidation and whose methods of to argument it is an administrative nece:Y electrical retailing were the subject of sity but always made in the best interest of numerous complaints to the Department. the individual child. I am advised that the Torbral Investments Pty. Ltd. is the sale staff of the Sub-Normal Children's Welfare proprietor of Electric Land, a business Association determines whether or not the name about which a number of com­ children attending their schools are suitable plaints have also been received. I am not for admission. The Honourable Member Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Upon Notice 2937

may be assured that assistance to mentally ( 6) Will the Government conside.r retarded children in Queensland is con­ declaring St. Helena Island a State park stantly under review." or reserve? Answers:- SURVEY BoARD, BACKWARD PERSONS AcT (1 to 4) "As these are matters coming under the jurisdiction of the Fisheries Acts Mr. P. Wood, pursuant to notice, asked the Honourable Member should direct his The Minister for Health,- Question to my colleague the Honourable· With reference to The Backward Persons the Minister for Primary Industries." Act of 1938- (5 and 6) "The Honourable Member ( 1 ) What were the findings of the survey should direct this Question to my colleague• board constituted under section 4 (i) of the Honourable the Minister for Lands." this Act? (2) Has this board met in the last twenty years and, if so, what recommenda­ POLICE STRENGTH, WYNNUM DISTRICT; tions were submitted by it? PoLICE RESIGNATIONS Mr. Harris, pursuant to notice, asked The (3) When did the board last meet? Minister for Works,- ( 4) What section of the Act was invoked (1) Before his article appeared in The to give assistance to the Queensland Sub­ Courier-Mail of March 11 stating that no Normal Children's Welfare Association, more police officers were to be transferred who made the decision and what were the to the Wvnnum police district at present, reasons for the decision? was he aware that on March 6, March 10 and March 11 three business houses in Answers:- Wynnum were broken and entered and a considerable amount of stock taken? ( 1 to 3) "There are no records avail­ able of any meetings which may have (2) If so, will he reconsider his decision been held of the Survey Board constituted and give further consideration to assisting under The Backward Persons Act of 1938." the already overworked police officers at the Wynnum Police Station by transferring ( 4) "None. Cabinet decided to subsi­ additional staff to the district? dise bona fide collections of the Queens­ land Sub-Normal Children's Welfare ( 3) How many police resignations are Association on a $ for $ basis on at present in the hands of the Police Com­ December 7, 1954." missioner for consideration?

Answers:- CORAL DREDGING, ST. HELENA ISLAND ( 1) "The Press report referred to was Mr. Harris, pursuant to notice, asked The not released by me but is a journalist's Minister for Conservation,- report. I was not personally aware of the number of breaking and entering offences ( 1) Has an exclusive licence been committed in the Wynnum Police Division, granted to Queensland Cement and Lime or for that matter in other divisions Company or any other company to dredge throughout the State in the period referred to high-water mark around St. Helena to, but the Commissioner of Police has Island for dead coral? If so, what pre­ since informed me that four offences took cautions have been taken to see that live place between 6.45 p.m. on March 5, 1971 coral in this area is not disturbed? and 7.00 a.m. on March 12, 1971 in the (2) As the high-water mark contains an Wynnum Police Division." area of approximately 150 acres of man­ (2) "As I have pointed out previously groves which is a fish habitat and breeding the staff situation in the various divisions ground, is this area included in the including Wynnum is constantly under exclusive licence? review. When additional police become (3) As some areas below high water available the requirements of the Wynnum are abundant in oysters and as an Police Division will receive due considera­ exclusive licence prohibits the taking of tion." oysters, are these areas to be set aside? (3) "Nil." ( 4) After dredging takes place to high­ water mark, how is the rapid erosion of large areas going to be avoided? LEAFLET, "FIRST AID FOR FISHERMEN" (5) As this beautiful island with its Mr. Bromley for Mr. Thackeray, pursuant historical background is a playground for to notice, asked The Minister for Con­ small-boat owners and their families, what servation,- does the Government intend to do in regard ( 1 ) Has he seen a leaflet, "First Aid to this island when the present lease For Fishermen", which was inserted in the expires during 1971? February edition of Australian Fisheries? 2938 Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH} Questions Upon Notice

(2) Can a number of the leaflets be (6) "Four of the five hatcheries pro­ obtained or printed and distributed to boat ducing meat-type chickens in the Greater owners on registration or on renewal of Brisbane area hold franchises with major registration and also to fishing clubs? breeding organisations in New South Wales. The development of improved meat-type Answers:- and egg-type chickens is a very costly business and requires the employment of ( I) "Yes." skilled professional people such as geneti­ (2) "I would be pleased to arrange for cists and veterinarians and the establish­ the circulation of the leaflet 'First Aid for ment of elaborate testing facilities. To Fishermen' among Queensland boat owners offset this deve'lopmental cost which is a when advices of registration renewal are continuing one, franchise arrangements are forwarded, if sufficient numbers of the made with interstate hatcheries to produce leaflets can be made available by the and sell these chickens. The hatcheries publishers, the Commonwealth Department in question are continually supplied with of Primary Industry. I will arrange to breeding stock from the main breeding have the matter taken up with the Com­ monwealth Department." centres. Conversely, there is one major breeding organisation in Queensland which now supplies interstate hatcheries under a franchise arrangement. The franchise CHICKEN HATCHERIES, GREATER charge is generally of the order of one BRISBANE AREA cent per chicken." Mr. Davies for Mr. Bennett, pursuant t(; notice, asked The Minister for Primary Industries,- ALLEGED PoLICE MALPRACTICES, MOTOR ( 1) How many chicken hatcheries were VEHICLE DRIVERS' LICENCES there in the Greater Brisbane area prior to Mr. Davies for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to the introduction of the hen levy? notice, asked The Minister for Works,- (2) How many hatcheries are there at (1) Has he read The Courier-Mail of the present time? February 22 wherein the Commissioner of Police advised that he accepted the (3) How many proprietors of chicken resignation of a policeman suspected of hatcheries have become bankrupt since the issuing drivers' licences after being bribed imposition of the levy? by a bomb-car dealer? ( 4) How many hatcheries are still in (2) Have the investigations into this production for the purpose of producing matter been completed? If not, what is egg-laying pullets? the reason for the inordinate delay? (5) How many hatcheries are now in ( 3) Has a deal been made with the existence for the purpose of producing policeman that if he resigned no charges meat chickens? would be preferred? ( 6) Do all the meat-chicken hatcheries ( 4) If it is intended to prefer charges, in Queensland have to subsidise the main chicken hatchery in New South Wales and what will the charges be? what is the levy imposed? (5) Who is the policeman concerned?

Answers:- Answers:- (!) "In 1965, there were 28 hatcheries (1) "No trace can be found of such an registered in the Greater Brisbane area." article appearing in The Courier-Mail of (2) "Nineteen hatcheries have renewed February 22, 1971, but I have seen an their annual registration to date. A further article referring to the matter in The two are expected to renew their registration Courier-Mail of February 3, 1971. This before the end of the financial year­ article contains no reference to a police­ making a total of 21." man being bribed." (3) "One hatchery was taken over by (2) "No. Having in mind the extensive a produce company as settlement of out­ nature of the investigation, the delay is standing feed account." not considered inordinate." ( 4) "Fifteen hatcheries are producing (3) "No." egg-laying pullets. These produce as many if not more, than the 28 hatcheries in ( 4) "This will be considered when the 1965." investigation is complete." (5) "Six hatcheries are producing meat ( 5) "It is considered that it would be chickens. Of these, four hatcheries would improper and could be prejudicial to name also produce egg-type day-old chickens." the ex-police officer involved at this stage." Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Upon Notice 2939

LOCAL AUTHORITY ELECTIONS a two-acre site. Negotiations are in hand with another organisation regarding the Mr. B. Wood, pursuant to notice, asked location of a project on the estate. This The Minister for Local Government,- proposal could involve the erection by the (! ) How many (a) city councils and Department of a factory building for rental (b) shire councils are there in Queensland? to the company concerned. During recent months four other firm enquiries have been (2) How many local authorities do not received by the Department with respect tD elect councillors on a divisional basis and the allocation of sites. Appropriate details which are they? have been furnished and the Department is awaiting further approaches from these ( 3) When was adult franchise in local organisations. In accordance with its usual authority elections introduced and when practice the Department will continue to was this repealed in favour of ratepayer­ publicise the opportunities available for the only franchise? establishment of industries on the Bunda­ berg and other industrial estates in pro­ Answers:- vincial centres at every appropriate (!) "(a) Fifteen city councils; five occasion." town councils. (b) 111 shire councils." (2) "Thirty-two, being the Cities of TRANSPORTATION SURVEY, ROCKHAMPTON Bundaberg, Cairns, Charters Towers, Mr. Davies for Mr. Wright, pursuant to Gympie, Mackay, Maryborough, Redcliffe, notice, asked The Minister for Mines,- Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Townsville, and Warwick; the Towns of Dalby, Glad­ With regard to the transportation survey stone, Goondiwindi, Roma, and Thursday being carried out by Rankine and Hill in Island; and the Shires of Bulloo, Burke, Rockhampton on behalf of the State Diamantina, Douglas, Eidsvold, Hinchin­ Government- brook, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Johnstone, (!) When will this study be completed? Kilcoy, McKinlay, Nebo, Paroo, Peak Downs, Richmond and Woocoo. At the (2) What is the estimated cost of the present time, the affairs of the Town of survey and who is financially responsible Thursday Island and the Shire of Cook for the cost? are each being carried out by an Admini­ ( 3) What are the aims of this stu~y and strator appointed by the Governor in does it incorporate rail and air servrces as Council." well as a road study? (3) "Adult franchise was first introduced ( 4) Is it intended during this survey at Local Authority elections by "The Local to specifically investigate the need for new Authorities Acts Amendment Act of 1920". rail and road bridges over the Fitzroy Prior to that date the franchise was a rate­ River and the advantages of eliminating payer franchise. By "The Local Authorities the need for trains to travel along Denison Acts Amendment Act of 1929", adult Street which is one of the business sec­ franchise was withdrawn in favour of a tions 'of the city? If not, will he ensure ratepayer franchise. Adult franchise was that these matters are given due promi­ re-introduced by "The Local Authorities nence in the survey? Acts Amendment Act of 1932", and is still in force." Answers:- (!) "March 1972." BUNDABERG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (2) "The total estimated cost is $125,000, Mr. Jensen, pursuant to notice, asked The of which it is estimated Main Roads Depart­ Minister for Industrial Development,- ment will be responsible for $97,000 and Rockhampton City Council $28,000." With regard to the industrial estate in Bundaberg- (3) "The aim is to determine road ( 1) What are the details on the present requirements but not rail and air." position in respect to the number of ( 4) "See Answer to (3) ." enquiries in hand for space for manufac­ turing firms and what firms or companies have been allocated sites already? EXTENSIONS, ROCKHAMPTON GENERAL (2) Will he give similar prominence to HOSPITAL this estate in the News Bulletin as was Mr. Davies for Mr. Wright, pursuant to given to the Gympie industrial estate in notice, asked The Minister for Health,- the issue of February, 1971? In view of statements made by him during the laying of the foundation stone Answer:- for the new surgical block at the Rock­ (! and 2) "Spannsteel Engineering Pty. hampton General Hospital that !he future Ltd., which engages in steel fabrication building programme at this hosprtal would and the manufacture of tanks and mechani­ have to be curtailed when is it now cal components, is already established on intended to commence' the construction of 2940 Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Upon Notice

(a) the medical services block, (b) the sympathetically. There is no intention to psychiatric unit, (c) the maternity block take action against any member who states and (d) the medical officer's residence? h~ case for total exemption." Answer:- "The Honourable Member would appear ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL, to have placed his own interpretation on ToowooMBA the remarks I made on the occasion to Mr. Bousen, pursuant to notice, asked The which he refers. I indicated at that time, Minister for Education,- that due to the very large sums required for hospital development generally, it may not Further to my Question of August 6, always be possible to undertake additional 1970, regarding another opportunity school works at the time that we would like. I to be built on land at the corner of Bridge also indicated that the needs of the hospi­ and Gladstone Streets, Toowoomba- tal services at Rockhampton and its sub­ ( 1) How many children are awaiting sidiary hospitals would be undertaken with enrolment at the existing opportunity all possible speed. The Honourable Mem­ school? ber will no doubt realise that it is neces­ sary to undertake detailed planning for (2) When will a second opportunity hospital construction in order to ascertain school be built on this site and, if one is costs and to determine the duration of the not to be built, will he arrange for suitable contract. The date of commencement of accommodation to be made available at any new project by the Rockhampton one of the primary schools in West Hospitals Board would be dependent on Toowoomba to enable these children to the time taken in planning after approval receive appropriate education? had been given for such project, and on the availability of finance at that time." Answers:- ( 1) "Fifty-six."

POLICE SUPERANNUATION SCHEME (2) "As mentioned in my reply of August 6, 1970 it is planned to construct Mr. Davies for Mr. Wright, pursuant to a second opportunity school at Toowoomba notice, asked The Minister for Works,- in due course. No firm date has at yet ( 1) Have members of the Police Force been fixed. The priority of this project over the age of 45, who under the pro­ will be kept under review and the possi­ visions of the Act may elect not to pay bility of opening classes as an interim the three per cent. per annum increase on measure will be investigated." units held under the previous Police Super­ annuation Scheme, been sent a letter sug­ gesting that they should pay the increase HARNESSING OF DDES TO GENERATE on at least half the units held? ELECTRICITY (2) What action is intended against Mr. Aiken, pursuant to notice, asked The those members of the Police Force who Minister for Local Government,- do not accept the suggestion and why was ( 1 ) Has the possibility of the harnessing the letter sent? of the rise and fall of the ocean tides to establish a cheap form of power been Answer:- investigated in North Queensland? (! and 2) "The Police Superannuation (2) Is he aware of the success or Act Amendment Act 1970 provides that otherwise of such a venture in other parts the Police Superannuation Board shall, in of the world? any case in which the circumstances in its opinion warrant, exempt a contributor over the age of 45 years wholly or partly Answers:- from the requirement to pay the 3 per cent. (! ) "The possibility of harnessing the per annum increase on units held under rise and fall of the ocean tides has not the previous Police Superannuation been investigated in detail in North Scheme. The Board recently reviewed the Queensland." applications for total exemption and decided that these applicants be required (2) "With present day techniques, tidal to pay the 3 per cent. increase on half of power cannot compete economically with the units held by them with a limit of 10 power from other sources. Although the per cent. of salary. The Board further source of energy is free in perpetuity and decided that any contributor who considers maintenance costs are comparatively low, he is unable to meet this additional amount capital costs are very high. The only tidal on the grounds of hardship should state power station in operation at the present his case to the Board for consideration. time is the 240 MW installation of the The Board is administering the Scheme in La Ranee scheme in Brittany, France. This the interests of all members of the Force. has demonstrated the practicability but not Should any member submit a case for the economic justification of large-scale total exemption, the Board will view it tidal schemes." Questions Upon Notice [16 MARCH] Questions Without Notice 2941

LEATHER INDUSTRY AND PROTECTION OF REDUCTION IN RAILWAY DEPARTMENT FooTWEAR MANUFACTURERS BUDGET Mr. Aiken, pursuant to notice, asked The Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked Minister for Primary Industries,- The Minister for Transport,- (!) Have the leather boot and shoe Further to his Answer to my Question manufacturers of this State been affected on March 3 concerning the cut-back by by the synthetic and glue imports which $1·1 million in the Railway Department's seem to dominate the sales of footwear in budget estimates, of the announced cut retail stores? in the 23,000 railway workforce by an expected 700 employees as from June 30, (2) Because of the need to contain costs 1971, what will be the number of and protect primary industries and because vacancies caused in the (a) administrative, the leather industry is important to the (b) traffic, (c) locomotive, (d) mainten­ meat trade, is local leather demand ance, (e) workshops, (f) refreshment expanding or contracting and what form rooms and (g) other sections of of protection can be extended to local boot and shoe manufacturers to enable employees? them to compete with artificial imported Answer:- substitutes? "I would refer the Honourable Member to my reply of March 3, 1971, to a similar Answers:- question asked of me by the Honourable (1) "All imports of boots and shoes Member for Toowoomba West." affect the local producer, but imports of synthetic and glue footwear have affected chie,fiy the cheaper types of shoes." MARINE NATIONAL PARKS Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked (2) "The demand for sole leather and The Premier,- linings has decreased but the demand for leather suitable for uppers has expanded. (!) Has he received the report from a The question of tariff protection against committee set up late in 1969 to investi­ imported footwear is a matter for the gate the desirabiltiy of establishing marine Commonwealth Government." national parks along the Queensland coast adjacent to and including the Great Barrier Reef? COAL EXPORTS TO JAPAN (2) Will fishing be permitted in the areas of marine parks and, if so, are Mr. Aiken, pursuant to notice, asked The distinctions to be made between profes­ Treasurer,- sional, amateur, big-game, spear-gun and ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to rod or line fisherman? Press statements concerning the difficulties (3) Will he indicate the areas, condi­ of the steel industries of the United States tions and extent of controls which will of America and Japan? apply in marine parks and thus allay the (2) Will the turning down and slowing fears of sportsmen, tourists and the fish­ up of steel production in Japan result in ing industry in North Queensland? the coal exports from Queensland being contained or reduced? Answer:- (3) Will existing contracts already ( 1 to 3) "As has been previoosly indi­ signed be in danger and are there escape cated, it is the Government's intention to clauses for Japan should its economy show introduce legislation regarding the establish­ signs of weakening? ment of Marine National Parks during the current Session of Parliament." Answers:- ( 1) "Yes. Press reports have indicated QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE a slowing down in the rate of expansion of steel production in the United States and ELECTORAL REDISTRIBUTION LEGISLATION Japan." Mr. TUCKER: I direct a question to the (2) "To date there has been no indica­ Premier. I advert to an article on page tion of any adverse effect upon Queensland 13 of today's "Courier-Mail" headed coal exports." "Premier believes seats pact near", wherein (3) "The Japanese contracts are not he is reported as saying, among other made with the Queensland Government but things, that "he would like some agreement with the exporting companies. The Queens­ by tomorrow. It could then be referred to land Government has contracted to trans­ the joint Government parties tomorrow po!i certain tonnages of coal and is pro­ afternoon." tected against a fall in tonnage by freight In view of that statement, how was he rates which increase as tonnage falls. Such able to give notice some two weeks ago contract agreements also provide for of a Bill providing for electoral redis­ forfeiture of refunds of Security Deposit tribution, and is the Business Paper of this and interest if extra low tonnages are House to be used as a shield against Opposi­ consigned." tion action? 95 2942 Questions Without Notice [16 MARCH] Form of Questions

Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: There is no I regret that, owing to conversation, I purpose in my answering the hon. member's could not hear the third part of the hon. question now. In the very near future member's question. he will have a clear answer in this House on the issue he raises. Mr. SPEAKER: I do not think it is necessary to answer it. I have already said PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS, PREMIER'S that it appears a quarrel is being prosecuted DEPARTMENT AND LEADER OF THE between the hon. member for Nudgee and OPPOSITION the Minister for Health on this matter, so I suggest that the final part of the question Mr. F. P. MOORE: I ask the Premier: Is could well be omitted. the Government planning to employ a jour­ nalist within the Premier's Department to MINISTERIAL VISITS TO SUBNORMAL deal mainly with radio and television CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS stations? What will be the duties of this person, apart from distributing political Mr. P. WOOD: I ask the Minister for propaganda for the Country Party at public Health: As the matter of financial assistance expense? Will the Government now grant to the Queensland Sub-normal Children's permission for the appointment of a Press Welfare Association is his responsibility, and officer on the staff of the Leader of the as he has today indicated that he has not Opposition? visited any of the association's schools, will Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: In due time he make a visit as soon as he can con­ the hon. member will receive the answer to veniently arrange? his first and second questions. The answer to Mr. TOOTH: In reply to the hon. mem­ the third question is "No". ber, I do not think it is any concern of Mr. F. P. MOORE: I address a further his, or of any other hon. member, where question to the Premier. With reference to I go and when I visit schools or any other the proposed appointment by the Government institutions. In short, I ignored the first of a journalist to deal, as I said before, part of his question on notice today because mainly with radio and television stations, is I regarded it as an impertinence, and it is it a fact that, following recent television my invariable practice to ignore impertin­ appearances by the Premier, the Government ences. now plans the appointment of a stand-in as a means of improving his image? FLOOD DAMAGE TO STATE RAILWAY SYSTEM Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The hon. mem­ Mr. R. JONES: I ask the Minister for ber is obviously trying to be facetious. I do Transport: Has he made any representations not intend to satisfy his curiosity on this to the Premier or to Cabinet to have an point, either. approach made to the Commonwealth Gov­ ernment for Federal aid to repair the extreme BAILLIE HENDERSON HOSPITAL and extensive flood damage that has been caused to Queensland's railway system Mr. W. D. HEWITI: I preface a question during the current wet season? without notice to the Minister for Health by drawing his attention to an article in "The Mr. KNOX: I do not know that this is Toowoomba Chronicle" of Saturday, 13 an appropriate question to be answered in March, under the heading "Criticism of hos­ the House. However, in answering the hon. pital investigated", in which it was indicated member's question it might be opportune that the best possible care is given to patients to point out that the flood damage to the at the Baillie Henderson Hospital. I ask the railway system has been extensive, as can Minister: Was the author of this article given be imagined, because of the very welcome complete access to all parts of the hospital? heavy rains that have fallen in Queensland Were any restrictions applied to him? As the this year. Further flooding is still occurring comments of the author are in such violent and, when it is all totted up, the damage conflict with the opinion of the hon. member will no doubt be extensive. for Nudgee, can the Minister give an assur­ ance that the comments are valid and that Cabinet will take some time to correctly relatives of patients have no need to concern assess the flood damage. If the hon. member themselves? desires any further information on this subject, I suggest he direct a question to Mr. TOOTH: The conditions upon which the Premier. a group of journalists were invited to the hospital-or, shall I say, welcomed to the hospital-were that the hospital was open to FORM OF QUESTIONS visitors under normal visiting conditions. The Mr. RAMSDEN (Merthyr) having given conditions were set out in the article itself. notice of two questions- The special writer indicated the conditions that I laid down. They were simple, namely, Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I draw the atten­ that the journalists should see everything and tion of the hon. member for Merthyr to that they should write objectively. I think the fact that two sections of his first question that the journalist concerned has indeed done appear to be somewhat out of order. Firstly, that. he seeks a legal opinion, and secondly, he Stamp Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2943

is seeking an opinion on what appears to As I have already said:, that is the only be a Commonwealth matter. I will have purpose for which the Bill is presented, and a close look at it. I commend it to the Committee. Mr. O'DONNELL (Barcoo) having given Mr. HANLON (Baroona) (11.59 a.m.): The notice of a question- Opposition welcomes the evidence that the Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Some sections of Treasurer gives that the Bill will provide the hon. member's question appear to be for credit-union exemption from stamp duty not quite in order; they are seeking an on credit business. We have been quite vocal opinion on Government policy. in Parliament on this subject for some time Mr. O'Dmmell: It is announced policy. now, extending back through the passage of successive amendments to the Stamp Act, Mr. SPEAKER: Was it announced today? including the recent one in December last, Mr. O'Donnell: Yes. which, of course, did not directly relate to this matter. On every occasion when it has been possible to do so, we have raised STAMP ACT AMENDMENT BILL with the Treasurer the desirability of extend­ INITIATION IN COMMITTEE ing to credit unions exemption from stamp (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hooper, duty. Greenslopes, in the chair) Some time ago, so that it would be Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer-- recorded in "Hansard", I made plain in this Treasurer) (11.55 a.m.): I move- Chamber the very savage impact that an "That a Bill be introduced to amend increase in duty would have when applied the Stamp Act 1894-1970 in a certain to the business of credit unions. The exemp­ tion now proposed is of particular relevance particular." to them because, as their name implies, they The Bill contains only one principle, and are simply unions of people pooling their that is the exemption of credit unions from savings, making loans to themselves, and the stamp duty applying to credit business. operating in a spirit of co-operation. In my Over a period the Government has opinion, credit unions are very desirable received a number of submissions requesting organisations, and as I pointed out in an the exemption of credit unions from the earlier debate-there is no need for me to stamp duty that applies at one per cent. reiterate it at length on this occasion-they of all loans made at an interest rate in are in the habit of absorbing many of the excess of 10 per cent. per annum. For a charges that are passed on to customers by considerable time these submissions were other sources of finance and lending. rejected because it was felt that, whilst In his introductory speech the Treasurer credit unions were deserving of certain con­ said, in effect waving a big stick as George siderations because of their co-operative Moore would wave his whip, "Credit unions nature, their loans were not being made will 'cop' it if I find that the benefit of this at a sufficiently low interest rate to warrant exemption is not passed on to their members." special tax concessions. However, I did I do not deny the Treasurer the right to promise the credit unions that, if other States suggest that the benefit of any exemption saw fit to grant the exemptions that they conferred by him should be passed on to sought, the Government would reconsider the the members of credit unions. However, I matter so as not to treat them more harshly think he could have gone a little further and in this State than the over-all experience in expressed his confidence in credit unions other States. because of the attempts they have made to Over recent months other States that apply absorb charges and the services they have this particular stamp duty have taken action provided. It would be a natural corollary to give exemption to credit unions, and it of their operations that they would not in is now proposed to introduce legislation that any circumstances endeavour to make a will relieve the credit unions from the duty profit at the expense of their members. As in this State. This is the one and only I said, they have always sought to absorb purpose of the Bill. to the limit of their capacity any additional charges that were imposed and to provide a I will, of course, be anxious to see that number of free services to their members. the concession proves an advantage to the For example, a member of a credit union members of credit unions, and that it is may send to the union an account that is not offset by increases in administrative due for payment by him to someone else. expenses. As many hon. members know, I The union will take the matter from there have on occasions in this Chamber criticised and send a cheque with the account. certain credit unions for their high adminis­ trative costs. I will therefore continue to Many other fringe benefits are given by make a study of credit union finances so credit unions over and above the benefit as to ensure that the benefit of the stamp conferred merely by being a depositor or duty exemption that the Government now availing oneself of a loan. The Credit Union extends finds its way into the pockets of League is the spokesman for credit unions members and is not absorbed in higher generally, and I do not think any credit administrative expenses. union associated with the league would be 2944 Stamp Act [16 MARCH} Amendment Bill

desirous of doing other than ensuring that mentioned when he ensures that the benefits the maximum benefit of any concession is of this legislation are passed on to members passed on to its members. of credit unions, as I am sure they will be. Although the Treasurer says he wishes to Mr. WHARTON (Burnett) (12.7 p.m.): I see that the benefit of the proposed exemp­ support the legislation. What is proposed is tion is passed on, I remind the Committee a wise move. It is something we have needed that it should be borne in mind that credit for a long time, but perhaps we did not unions are already absorbing many charges notice the need for it until recent amend­ and giving valuable concessions to their ments were made to the Stamp Act which members. As hon. members know, many provided for the payment of stamp duty by people serve credit unions in an honorary credit unions. capacity. That is a big factor in enabling Credit unions are self-service, co-operative them to keep their costs as moderate as they organisations. are at present, but credit unions are affected to some extent by increases in wages and Mr. HallS{)n: Have you got one among the salaries, which add to their administrative farmers in Gayndah? costs. Because of the inflationary trend in the economy, the costs of credit unions are Mr. WHARTON: That is the sort of ques­ increasing, and they have to meet those tion the hon. member would ask. He lives increases just as the Treasurer and other in Port Curtis, and would not know what we people in the community have to meet them. do in Gayndah. For that matter, he does In fact, they are very concerned about the not know what the people in Port Curtis do, effect of inflation on their programmes and either. administrative costs. However, I am sure The point is that credit unions do render that the Treasurer can accept that credit a service within themselves for themselves. A unions wish to pass on to their members credit union is a type of co-operative and it the benefit of the proposed concession. does not operate on the basis of trying to make a grand profit out of interest charges. There has been a remarkable growth in It is fairly 'easy to set up a credit union. credit unions in recent years, both in cover> Once established, a credit union enables its age and in membership, but they are really members to buy various items at reasonable still in the formative stage in the minds of interest rates. The credit union pays only a those of us who believe that their activities low rate of interest on the money it borrows, should be further extended through the com­ and it then charges only sufficient interest on munity. They still carry a responsibility for the money it lends to cover expenses. I know the promotion of their ideals. This involves that credit unions have helped many people them in further expenditure. in distress. Members who have got into financial difficulties have received assistance Once a credit union is established, it does from their credit union. That in itself is a not confine its activities to its own purely good thing. selfish, narrow interests as a group of mem­ bers. The members see the advantages of We all realise that we are in an era of high belonging to a credit union and, through interest rates. On every hand higher interest organisations such as the Credit Union rates are being charged. It seems to be a League, they endeavour to expand the move­ natural exercise that anyone who has money ment. Expenditure is incurred in passing the to lend wants to make extra money by charg­ word around by lecturers and the distribution ing high interest rates. We are trying to beat of prepared material. This is another matter this trend in the inflationary spiral. I believe that should not be overlooked. that the exemption of credit unions from stamp duty offers some ray of hope to a Credit unions accept this task as more or movement that is trying to keep down interest less an honorary obligation so that people charges, which effect the whole economy. who have not realised the benefits applying to membership of a credit union are encour­ Throughout the Commonwealth, high aged to form themselves into a credit union. interest rates have been one of the causes of The passing on of information is not of any inflation. People have to pay more for the particular advantage to any one credit union, money they use. Higher interest rates affect but members accept this obligation with the inflation, which, in turn, affects everybody in idea of promoting a very desirable activity the community. within the community. I commend the Minister on the introduc­ Suffice it to say that the Opposition wel­ tion of the Bill. I am sure that it will assist comes the exemption that is to be granted to a deserving section of the community and, credit unions. We regard them as a desirable at the same time, perhaps help everyone in form of co-operative activity, probably one of the State. the purest forms of co-operative activity one Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer­ could have. As their activities help to solve Treasurer) (12.10 p.m.), in reply: I did not the difficult problem of finance for many expect that this Bill would meet with any people, the Opposition welcomes the exemp­ opposition. Although I may have expected tion. the hon. member for Baroona to raise the We trust that the Treasurer will have matter he did, generally speaking, very regard to some of the factors I have briefly rarely is there any opposition when the Stamp Act, &c., Bill [16 MARCH] Mining Act, &c., Bill 2945

Government is giving something away. In inside or outside the league, function in this instance we are releasing credit unions accordance with, and carry out, the good from the payment of stamp duty which they purpose for which they were established. have paid in the past; consequently, it will I appreciate the manner in which the mean slightly less revenue to the State. Bill has been received. I indicated in my brief introduction of Motion (Mr. Chalk) agreed to. the Bill the basis on which it was put for­ ward. It was that in my previous discussions Resolution reported. with credit unions I indicated that whilst I perhaps did not entirely see eye to eye with FIRST READING them in some of the arguments they Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. advanced-they were principally on the basis Chalk, read a first time. of the interest return they were getting­ on the other hand, if other States indicated MINING ACT AMENDMENT BILL their readiness to forgo the duty being col­ lected in the form we had been receiving INITIATION IN COMMITTEE it, then this State, in turn, would be pre­ (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hooper, pared to fall into line. This is what we are doing in this legislation. Greenslopes, in the chair) The point raised by the hon. member for Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Minister Baroona related to my concluding remarks in for Mines and Main Roads) (12.18 p.m.): which I said that I would watch with interest I move- just what happened in credit unions relative "That a Bill be introduced to amend the to the possibility of passing this concession Mining Act 1968 in certain particulars." on to their members. I said that deliberately because I am quite aware that some credit In December 1968 the House passed a Bill unions observe certain principles whilst others approving a new Mining Act to come into do not. force on a date to be proclaimed. The The Credit Union League carries out a purpose of the new Act was to update very useful purpose in endeavouring to Queensland's mining laws. As I said at render a service to all credit unions and to the time, many of the provisions of the achieve a high degree of uniformity in old Act were based on a gold-mining philo­ administration and in the purposes for which sophy and were not in accordance with the funds of credit unions are applied. On the modern mining practices, which involve main­ other hand, certain credit unions are not ly base metals. Subsequent to the House members of the Credit Union League. That agreeing to the passage of that Bill it was is their right, but it was suggested to me found that, unless certain amendments were in some quarters that in introducing this Bill made to the Local Government Act, the basis I should make the concession applicable only of rating on mining leases would prove very to credit unions which were members of the confusing. The Local Government Act was league. I indicated that I was not prepared amended in 1969, but it was found that the to do this because I believed that such wording of some sections of the new Mining action would give particular benefits to some Act could be misinterpreted. and tend to force those who are outside the league to come within its ambit. There were two other points I thought should be included in the Act: firstly, the On the other hand, I am not unmindful of right for a person to lodge a caveat over wme actions by a few credit unions relative a mining title (this warns intending purchasers to the application of certain of their funds. of any encumbrances or dealings by the I merely sounded the warning today to owner of the title), and, secondly, I could indicate that I hope that, if possible, this not see why the Mining on Private Land concession is passed on to the members of Acts should not be an integral part of the the various credit unions. It is true, as the Mining Act and simplified. hon. member for Baroona has said, th8t certain promotional expenses apply to the I believe the proposed amendments are advancement of credit unions' ideals and the very desirable, and I would now like to setting up of further unions. I am not summarise them for hon. members. When opposed to this type of promotional expendi­ the new Act comes into force applications ture but, on the other hand, I maintain that for leases under the present Act will become it must be kept in check. If not, it will applications under the new Act. However, be found, as the hon. member for Burnett rental under the new legislation is $2 an has said, that higher rates of interest may acre, compared with $1 under the existing have to be paid to get funds, and this, in Act. It is considered that a person should turn, will mean that a higher rate of return only pay the rent applicable at the date will have to be provided to ensure that the of his application and an application sub­ credit union can work within the ambit of mitted under the present Act and transitioned the finance available to it. to the new Act will still only cost $1 an There was nothing sinister in my indication acre rental. Similarly, if a person holds that I proposed to watch carefully the opera­ a lease under the old Act and converts tions of credit unions. I feel that there is a it to the new Act, the rental will remain at need to ensure that credit unions, whether $1 an acre. 2946 Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

In sections of the Act where the term When a company commits an offence "labour conditions" appeared there could under the Act the members of the board or be some doubt as to whether the term governing bodies of such company will be referred to men employed and the expendi­ liable under the Act. ture of money in lieu of men employed or As I stated previously, the Mining on just men employed. The proposed amend­ Private Land Acts have been repealed and ment should clarify this position. incorporated in the Mining Acts. It is considered that searching for minerals The remaining provisions of the Bill are is an essential part of mining and the procedural or altering words without altering definition of "mining purposes" is being the meaning of the sections. amended accordingly. The Acts will be simplified with little Applications for authorities to prospect departure if any from their present pro­ will in future be made on a prescribed form visions. I consider that these proposed instead of by letter. amendments will greatly improve the admini­ stration of the Act and I commend them to Legal opinion is that while there is pro­ the Committee. vision in the Act to grant an authority to prospect, there is no provision to vary the Mr. HANSON (Port Curtis) (12.24 p.m.): terms and conditions, even with the approval Judging by the Minister's remarks when giv­ of the holder. This will be provided for in ing the Chamber a brief explanation of the the new Bill. Sometimes there can be delays different facets of the legislation, certain on deciding to renew an application for an measures proposed in the Bill will naturally authority to prospect. Until a decision is receive the assent of the Opposition. How­ reached the authority will be considered to ever, it seems that two or three matters be still in existence and, if approved, the merit detailed study. commencing date of the new term back­ Queensland's mining legislation, like that dated to the expiry date of the original of other Australian States (which in recent term. This will apply if the application times have had mining committees of inquiry is made prior to the expiry date of the and have made various amendments to their original term. mining legislation), must keep abreast of the One of the conditions of an authority to considerable activity in the modern mining prospect is that the holder has priority in world. applying for leases in a certain area. How­ The 1968 Mining Act was introduced ever, there was no statutory provision for because it had to be regularised with the this and a provision of the Bill will provide Local Government Act relative ito the rating this power. of certain mining leases. Because of certain The wording of the section dealing with machinery which is required by the legislative trespass on mining leases was obscure. In process, the 1968 Mining Act has not really fact it could even be construed to prevent been put into operation or force. Yet we the lessee from entering his own lease. This are considering amendments to it, so that has now been rectified. this is something of a unique occasion. All security deposits must at present be The Minister mentioned prospecting made in cash. Where a company has a authorities, increasing fees and penalties, the multitude of titles this can involve a heavy acceptance of insurance bonds or bank capital outlay. A bond from an insurance certificates in lieu of security deposits, the company or bank is considered to be as fact that responsibility for any breaches of acceptable as cash and provision has been the Act will lie with the directors or the made for this. nominees of different companies, and the incorporation of the Mining on Private Land I am empowered to grant exemption from Act into the Mining Act. the labour conditions under the Act for On the face of it, there is possibly a good periods up to six months. This is after deal of merit in the Bill. However, I wish the holder applies, advertises his intentions to take advantage of its introduction to pass and the application is heard by the warden. a few remarks relative to the important In many instances short periods of exemption 1968 Mining Act. In this country we are desired, such as for bad weather, mach­ frequently witness the sickening event of new inery breakdown or sickness. The mining mining companies coming onto the market. warden will now be empowered to grant l say "sickening", because many of them immediate exemption up to one month with are stock-exchange oriented and they are one extension. more or less professional traders in titled The position regarding applications for land. These companies, because they are pipeline licences is to be clarified, such as purely speculative, do absolutely nothing for where they are to be lodged, the service the mining industry of Queensland. Rather, of notices, advertising, hearings and other they do irreparable harm because they take aspects. The general penalty where a up huge tracts of land which are really of penalty is not otherwise provided will be no value to the mining industry. increased to $2,000 which is more in accord­ Mr. Hugbes: You must admit that they ance with present-day values. do a good deal of exploration. Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2947

Mr. HANSON: In reply to the inter­ In most cases of this nature the prospect­ jection, one of the greatest examples of ing authority or the exploration licence commercial chicanery was the stock-exchange would not really be affected, because the listing of certain companies-God knows how transfer would not really take place. The they were granted listing-which obtained no-profit rule is certainly a very good one. money from shareholders because they had The application is open only to the transfer leases close to the glamour field of Poseidon. of the exploration licence itself. These companies told prospective share­ holders, "All you have to do is put up This means that profit-making is possible your money and the capital gain within a for the small prospector who could be couple of weeks will be sufficient to make genuine because, if sufficient ore is found in you wealthy." Many of these companies, his area and it is pegged, he will be able to because of their devious and deceitful ways, engage in a mining venture, possibly on a have cheated many shareholders in this way. farm-out basis with some company, and Mr. Hughes: Under the taxation law, involve himself in a reasonably profitable they got the shareholders' money in for activity. mining and exploration and that money has been used to get the wealth from the soil. I admit that in this country in recent years mining legislation has had to be tailored to Mr. HANSON: According to the recent meet the demands of the huge mining com­ reports of the Commissioner of Taxation, he panies that have come to our shores. A vast had to plug many leaks before he could amount of capital is required today for the obtain satisfactory revenue from some of sophisticated machinery required io dig to these "sharks". great depths into the bowels of the earth. To The Mining Industry Council reported appreciate this, one has only to see the recently that certain suggestions have been giant dragline at Moura, and the many other put forward which could preclude this examples of costly machinery in use on many notorious, speculative, nefarious activity, mineral leases. We have had to face up to namely, the imposition of minimum expendi­ that situation and to assist, where possible, ture rates for certain exploration leases or by amending legislation to meet the present authorities to prospect, and their application challenge. only to approved cost headings. As I have said in other debates in this I believe tha:t there is real merit in such Chamber when Bills to amend the Mining a suggestion. Whilst under the Act a mini­ Act have been under discussion, the day of mum .expenditure is required under an the gouger is over. However, I believe authority to prospect and a specified amount that there is a place in the mining industry of work has to be done, I believe that the for the genuine small explorer or prospector. idea of approved cost headings is some­ If he goes about it in the correct way, he thing to which very serious consideration is entitled to endeavour to uncover some of could be given. Such a provision would the minerals existing in this State. It should prevent the "squatting" on land that now be remembered that people of that type were occurs in the hope that a nearby bona-fide responsible originally for many of the great explorer will strike it rich and the "squatters" mineral discoveries in Queensland. Although will themselves become wealthy as the result it has been necessary to introduce leglisla­ of another's effort. This sort of thing would tion to meet the demands of the huge be eliminated if the suggestion of the Mining corporations that have become involved in Industry Council was considered, and possibly mining in this State, protection should be improved. provided for the bona-fide small prospector Numerous provisions of the Mining Act so that he may pursue his task. were framed many years ago. Certainly they The "first-come, first-served" principle is have had to be modernised. Many past a good one, and the priority claim in respect administrations of the political colour of the of leases operated for many years. However, party with which I am affiliated played a very in recent years, because of the coming of the significant part in the formulation of very big companies, huge tracts of land have good mining law in this State. The Queens­ been opened up under exploration licences. land system, initiated many years ago to A number of experienced people are very combat speculative trading in land under concerned about the present position, and exploration title or prospecting title, is a they have forwarded to the Minister and to system that could well be adopted throughout the Department of Mines certain complaints the length and breadth of this country. Pro­ and suggestions, some of which I should like vision is made for the transfer of prospecting now to bring to the attention of hon. authorities or exploration licences, but at no significant profit to the transferer. That is members. very important. The system also assumes These people refer first to the fact that that an applicant for a prospecting authority authority-to-prospect leases are granted over has both the finance to meet at least the very large areas without any prior notice by expenditure commitments laid down, and the the company or firm concerned, such as a genuine intention to search for minerals. It publication in a daily newspaper located is assumed that he is not seeking such title nearest to the area in which the application merely to obtain profits from some form of is to be granted. I believe that the Act land trading. provides that such publication shall be made. 2948 Mining Act (16 MARCH) Amendment Bill

l do not know whether or not that provision second company, perhaps with an identical has been blatantly disregarded, but apparently board of directors, comes along, and so the complaint is genuine. the licence continues on and on. They say also- I was very pleased to hear some of the "In some cases no public notification remarks from mining leaders. I was parti­ whatsoever by the Mines Ministry or cularly pleased that they had the courage Department until after such areas have to suggest that when land is relinquished, been granted, with the inevitable result a proclamation to that effect should be made that some unfortunate prospector after and remain current for a period of 30 days, weeks in the bush having got on to some­ during which time the claims, leases and thing good finds on return to his nearest mining tenements, other than authorities to Wardens Office, that it is futile to apply prospect and exploration licences, could be for a lease as the whole area where he has applied for. During that time the applications been expending his time, effort and years could be received and processed. People of experience, A to P's have been granted could apply for authorities to prospect and to Mr. Joe Blow, of Melbourne, Sydney exploration licences, but these applications or Adelaide." would be held in abeyance until the leases, Mr. Tucker: Sometimes even the local claims and tenements were processed by the mining warden's office does not know. department. When the 30-day period expired, a priority system could be applied and the Mr. HANSON: It is regrettable that they applications for prospecting authorities dealt do not know, and it is a matter that needs with. However, they would be considered in immediate correction. respect of the land available only after The people to whom I refer say also- people had had an opportunity to apply "It is not inconceivable that this gentle­ for appropriate leases. There is a deal man will set about forming a public com­ of merit in such suggestions, and I presume pany to prospect the area, with a premium that in the years ahead the Mines Department on shares, with directors of honesty and will have a very close look at the position. integrity who are dupes and dummies for For a long time from this side of the well known share sharks or persons whose Chamber we have stressed the need for a position will not allow their holdings to be considerable increase in staff in the Mines made public, sit back on fat salaries for Department. I think it is generally recog­ a period of years, with nothing else to nised that a large increase in staff is very show the public shareholders than a 'pro­ necessary. Within recent years there was gress report' and a further call on the a complete breakdown in the Mines Depart­ money market but worst of all the genuine ment in Western Australia when it was prospector is denied the right to expedite in a claim except with the consent or flooded with applications. A committee of benevolence of the A to P Holder." inquiry was set up by the then Liberal administration in that State. I understand They believe that in Queensland no area that many of the recommendations of that greater than 20 miles square, or interlocking committee of inquiry will become part and areas of that size, should be granted to any parcel of legislation to be enacted by the one person, company, syndicate or concern new Labour administration. at any one time, and that the period of time limitation should be four months for (Time expired.) authority-to-prospect investigations on any Mr. PORTER (Toowong) (12.43 p.m.): one area. At the end of that period the The introduction of this Bill provides, as applicant should be asked to specify which the Minister indicated, an opportunity to portion of the area he desires to hold as a look at the philosophy of mining, as it mining lease, and the conditions relative to were; in other words, to take some stock the granting of such lease should entail a of the way in which the attitude towards specified number of hours' work and the mining has altered over the years. Certainly expenditure of a specified sum of money, there has been a change from the early according to the size of the undertaking. days when there was an intense need for These are a few of the matters mentioned development at any cost. Perhaps that is by people of experience, and they obviously not quite so applicable today, in our complex, have genuine cause for complaint. I know, sophisticated, urbanised society. Indeed, in of course, that the Department of Mines, some respects it is quite inapplicable. through the Minister, is not accepting authorities to prospect covering more than Mr. Hughes: It is one thing holding up 100 square miles and that a genuine reduc­ our economy, though. tion has to be made after 12 months. Mr. PORTER: That is a problem. I intend When an area is opened for exploration to talk about the rationalisation of resources. licence, the small prospector feels that he That is my main purpose in commenting can be frozen out by the smart-alec opera­ on the Bill. To the extent to which this tions of a company that relinquishes land is an honest attempt to review the philosophy held under an authority to prospect. As of mining in terms of today's needs to, as soon as the land is forfeited, surrendered it were, take us out of the pick-and-shovel or relinquished, some way or another a days and have regard to the necessities of Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2949 mmmg and the transport requirements of stream of new deposits being discovered, one the modern-day situation, it is excellent. But would imagine that everything in the garden I think the Minister will be the first to agree was lovely, but quite obviously, judging by that, whilst it is a step along the road, the community reaction and the concern of there is a great deal of distance to traverse conservationists and others, everything in yet before we have our mining laws and the garden is not lovely, so I think we have our concept of mining fitting into their to do something to ensure that the situation proper place in the general scheme of things. is, if I may put it this way, regularised in the future. I do not think anybody would disagree that there is urgent need for a proper This can only be done by proper surveys rationalisation of the use of our natural that will provide for adequate rational­ resources so that the role of mining can be isation of all the uses of our natural clearly defined. Without this, we will con­ resources. It must be conceded that the time tinue to go from difficult situation to difficult has long since passed in this State, or perhaps situation. Last week, for instance, there any State in Australia, when land was so appeared in "The Courier-Mail" a letter plentiful that one could use it as one liked from people concerned about Fraser Island. or despoil it as one liked because there was They spoke of the fact that already some always plenty more land around the corner. 23,000 acres were under mineral lease and Those days have gone, and as Pwfessor that two other mining companies have Whitmore says, with the arrival of com­ applied for four separate mineral leases total­ parative prosperity, some of those who are ling another 13,000 acres. The secretary or enjoying the fruits of this prosperity are president of this committee made the point searchingly questioning whether we should that whilst nobody merely wants to oppose permit the development of ·resources­ mining as such-recognising the necessity for particuarly mineral resources-in some parts some mining-nevertheless there is a growing of the State where they might disturb natural feeling in the community that mining should features which are unique in some way and be set against other needs. In other words, should therefore be preserved. Many people in considering the granting of any such lease feel this, but, of course, we cannot be stam­ has adequate provision been made for alter­ peded by emotionalism. There is a proper native land use as national parks and the economic role for mining to play, so the $64 emergence of other industries such as timber question is: at what point should preservation and tourism? Can the community be assured give way to utilisation? To what extent should that the economic return in benefit to the any natural resource, be it land, water or region and the State is as great from mining mineral, be developed for immediate as it could be from the development of these returns, in the light of what might accrue other industries? Can there be satisfactorv from it if it is left in its natural state and guarantees that areas subject to mining wiil developed in smaller degree for other pur­ be properly rehabilitated? poses? Unless the role of mining, in terms of the There is a desperate need to ascertain proper use of natural resources, can be to what extent mining affects the ecology defined in the future, we will move from of a region. Is mining a greater or lesser abrasive situation to abrasive situation, dam­ factor in amending the ecology than, say, aging to any Government as well as to the farming, forestry or some other form of mining industry as such. Of course, all of land use? At the moment none of these us well remember the overtones of the things is adequately assessed, and I am afraid Cooloola affair which perhaps, in some that because of this there is, as Professor respects, is not yet concluded. To the very Whitmore has said, a growing concern among highest degree, this and other future prob­ people that what is regarded as economic lems will grow out of incapacity of the development comes perhaps at too high a mining companies to discern clearly where price. This public concern is unfair to the they can fit effectively into the picture or mining companies, it presents political dif­ what they have to do in certain directions. If, ficulties for a Government and it most under the Mining Acts as they exist, there is certainly does not set the mind of the com­ an area for misunderstanding, or mis­ munity at ease. Without doubt, we must construing the situation, then, of course, reach the stage of providing-whether by there is an area out of which great problems a mining Act or some other means is open can grow. to debate-some kind of charter based on Towards the end of last year, the Professor a thorough ecological, mineral, recreational, of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering at agricultural, economic and settlement survey the University of Queensland, Professor of various areas. I should think that this Whitmore, issued a publication in which he would be done best in conjunction with an drew particular attention to this very pressing effective statutory scheme of town and need, on behalf of the community at large regional planning. and the mining industry itself, to try and define in more precise terms the role of min­ I welcome this opportunity of saying that, ing in the proper rationalised use of our in my view, such action is long overdue. resources. He pointed out that last year As I have said. without it the mining com­ mining production rose 36 per cent. and that panies have suffered; but, unfortunately, over it had already risen 40 per cent. the previous recent years they have not been the best year. This is magnificent, and with a steady advocates of their own cause. They have 2950 Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

attempted to use the heavy hand unneces­ Mr. BALDWIN (Logan) (12.56 p.m.): The sarily and have, in many of their operations, Minister and the hon. member for Toowong been unnecessarily wasteful and greedy. referred to the antediluvian mining laws that Because of this, public attitudes have been the amendments in the Bill are designed to built up, perhaps too strongly, against mining update for the betterment of some sections and the economic benefits that it can confer of the mining industry and therefore, we on the community. hope, for the benefit of the State. At some time in the not too distant I should like to bring to the notice of the future I should like to see the appointment Chamber some aspects of the gold-mining by the Government of a select committee laws on which the Minister said some of of this Parliament, representing both sides our mining laws are based, which should of the Chamber, to inquire into this aspect not be forgotten, especially by hon. members of the effective rationalisation of land use, on this side of the Chamber. with particular reference to the role of The Minister referred to the reduction in mining. Often I have advocated the setting-up the size of areas, as did also the hon. mem­ of select committees and emphasised the ber for Port Curtis, and told us that rentals role that they can play in the operations will be increased. I bring to the notice of of this Parliament. Mining is an area the Committee that in the 19th century the in which such a committee could do a first­ miners-the ordinary small mine-owners and rate job. their workers-banded together to form the huge organisation known as the Australian Mr. Murray: That is wishful thinking for Miners' Association. They succeeded in this ·Parliament. getting through the Legislature a limitation of areas, plus provision for the expenditure Mr. PORTER: I think we may get to it. of £1 an acre per month and the employ­ The hon. member for Port Curtis referred ment of one man per acre. They achieved to the Western Australian committee that what the economists of the day predicted recently concluded its considerations. cou:d not be done, in that, at a time of Although it was not a select committee as great outflow of gold from Australia­ such, its work clearly indicated the role such an outflow that the price of gold on that a similar select committee in this State the world market dropped-their policies, could play in mining. forced on the Government, resulted in an increase in the price of gold. Their motive The Western Australian committee of was conservation of the valuable mineral inquiry into the Mining Act was set up resource-gold-in Australia. specifically to look at the best way of modernising what are recognised, in many I see little of that attitude in today's respects, as rather antediluvian mining Jaws. mining legislation, or in the attitude of the This is what the amendments proposed by companies or the Government. They seem the Minister recognise. The Western Aus­ bent on pouring out our mineral wealth at tralian committee was asked to consider what such a rate that it is devaluing itself on a world market that is clamouring for it. machinery was needed for effective resources Australia supplies such a percentage of the planning compatible with the well-being of world demand for coal, mineral sands and the mining industry and the public will. In other valuable ores that she could control particular, it was asked to consider the prices if the legislation of this and other relationship of mining, especially sand mining, States generally was based more on the to the balanced needs of conservation, the desire to conserve the mineral wealth for ecology, the preservation of the balance of the people of this country, and less on a nature and the natural environment. desire to pander to overseas interests and Such a committee is urgently required in squander the assets of this country in a mad this State. It would be very well received rush to solve economic problems, which by the public and would enable the Minister, their own poor legislation, lack of foresight during the next session of Parliament-or and many other lacks have forced on this even, perhaps, during the one after that, country. because I have no doubt that we will still Mr. Hughes: Do you want to prevent be the Government in that session-to intro­ mining in Queensland? duce another Bill to provide for a larger and more comprehensive review of the [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] effective and rationalised use of our land Mr. Hughes: Before lunch I asked you if resources, with particular reference to the you wanted to prevent mining in Queensland. role that mining can play. It could be given clear guidelines to ensure that it does not Mr. BALDWIN: I am only out to prevent run into situations where a tremendous the kind of mining with the drift of influence amount of public ill will and resentment and wealth that the hon. member obviously is developed against it, with bad results for advocates. the mining companies and often with quite Before the luncheon recess I mentioned difficult political side effects for the Govern­ some of the aspects of conservation that were ment of the day. I make that suggestion contained in the principles laid down by the to the Minister in the hope that it will Australian Miners' Association and that come about in the relatively near future. remained in much of the mining legislation Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2951

introduced by Labour Governments. I am the ill-considered slicing into the basic sand sad that, over the past 13 years, most of structure and the denudation of surface veg­ this legislation has been whittled away. etation that took place up till two or three The hon. member for Toowong mentioned years ago when it was brought before the some aspects of the underlying philosophy of public eye by the efforts and sacrifices of our mining Acts, with particular reference to the groups that I have already mentioned. conservation, rehabilitation and final usage I am pleased to be able to say, from two of mined lands. These elements were for­ trips that I have made through the North merly present. Admittedly they were in a Stradbroke area in the last two years, that rudimentary form, but they were very there are signs of a new approach by the apposite to the requirements of the time, the mineral companies to this problem. I am industry, and the early miners. Therefore, I not, however, going to say that I think take issue with the Minister and the hon. this is enough; all I will say is that it is member for Toowong on the casual way in indicative of something better. which they have swiped aside some sections of the old mining Act as if they had no If this State's mining legislation had con­ application today. tained clauses to safeguard the environment, some of the companies operating on North Mr. Hughes: You don't know what you are Stradbroke today would have been saved talking about. money. As I have said in this Chamber before, the Government has an obligation Mr. BALDWIN: I know what I am talking to safeguard the rights, for the present and about if the history books-produced by the the future, of all sections of the community. hon. member's friends, not mine-are to be That includes the misguided mining com­ believed. Perhaps he should consult more panies who, in the absence of controlling than one textbook. legislation, thought that they were doing quite The Cooloola episode, mentioned by the well in mining by the use of their present hon. member for Toowong, has not yet methods. I know that some of those com­ finished. I agree with him on that point. I panies are now wishing that they had been see, in the proposals, some kind of patch-up. forced to rehabilitate as they went along, With Cooloola, the company assumed that as they now have to repair, at higher cost, because it had an authority to prospect it the damage they have done. also had an automatic right to mine. This could be an interesting point, because the The hon. member for Toowong, in referring Minister said that the Bill will backdate the to the formulation of suitable legislation authority to mine to the commencement of for this purpose, raised the matter of having the authority to prospect. If this had been all-party committees on mining and. I pre­ the case with Cooloola, there would not have sume, other matters. It is transparently been any Cooloola uprising or, if there had clear to one with my long experience as been, the mining companies concerned would an active unionist in industry why the have been backed by the force of legislation. Liberals, and the upper echelon of the Therefore, the possibility of saving Cooloola Country Party, want such committees. \Ve as a recreation and tourist area, with an do not want them; the Labour Party is a ecology and vegetation peculiar in the world, committee in touch all the time with the would have been lost for ever. workers in their various spheres of work. Hon. members opposite are out of touch with The hon. member for Port Curtis pointed them. All that hon. members opposite want out that, without sufficient notice being given, us for is to give them ideas on legislation and if the legislation goes through in its present form, nothing much will be which they can introduce to create the illusion that they are doing something for the benefit accomplished. Members of the Save of the people. Cooloola Committee, conservationists, wild­ life preservationists, and members of other Like most of the legislation that the Gov­ similar grassroot organisations who flocked ernment introduces, this Bill will be super­ to the defence of Cooloola would now, if ficially illusory in the benefits that it will they knew of the significance of sections of provide for the masses of the people. A the proposed legislation, be packing the decision of the 1908 Labour in Politics galleries of the Chamber this afternoon. In Convention made quite clear our policy on their minds, and in my mind and the minds all-party committees and coalitions after the of other members on this side of the terrible drubbing and hypocrisy 'to which Chamber who will be dealing with this aspect they were subjected in the Houses of Parlia­ of mining, will be thoughts of the fate of ment of the Commonwealth. My thoughts Fraser Island, Bribie Island, and other areas on ~he question are exactly similar today. where minerals have now been discovered. I will fight on the floor of this Chamber Rehabilitation of mined areas is one matter or _anywhere eJse again~t using Labour Party that I had hoped to see dealt with at an policy to provide a spnngboard for the anti­ early stage in any proposal to amend the working-class anti-Australian activities of hon. Mining Act. Reference has been made to members opposite. it during this and many other debates in The shadow Minister for Mines, the hon. this Chamber, especially in relation to open­ member for Port Curtis (Mr. Hanson) men­ cut methods of mining. Here we can refer tioned "squatting" on large areas 'and I in detail to North Stradbroke Island and support him wholeheartedly on th~t point. 2952 Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

The Government's move to reduce areas to in the debate, so that they will know some­ 100 square miles is, again, only a super­ thing about the proposed Bill and be able to ficial sop to the public because it is not contribute to the better management of this backed up by suitable amending legislation fair State of ours. to alter the structure of companies. In effect, It has been said by the Minister for Mines all that the present proposal means is that, and Main Roads that the mining industry in instead of one man having 100 square miles, Queensland is at its peak at present, and I four men, no doubt all dummies for the one think that all hon. members will agree with company, will each have 100 square miles. that comment. However, we realise also that I do not know of any legislation to prevent the industry would have been at its peak no that. As was mentioned by the hon. member matter what Government was in office in for Port Curtis, things such as that have a 1971. I do not intend to take from the catastrophic effect on the mining economy. Minister or his Government any of the They serve to destroy public interest in our glamour associated with the mining industry, institutions and to destroy the faith of the but when I look at an illustration with the people in the Government they elect to pro­ caption "Queensland Authorities to Prospect, June 30, 1969" such as I have in my hand, tect their interests in important undertakings and realise the vast areas where mining such as these. projects will be undertaken, I am very proud The hon. member for Toowong, who to be associated with what is to be done, preceded me in the debate, quoted from knowing full well that Queensland and, professor \Vhitmore's figures on the per­ more importantly, the workers of Queensland, centage increase in mining activity over the will prosper. The small amounts coming last two years. I should like to quote from royalties, in other words the crumbs further from a public statement by the from these companies, will in some way Professor in which he spoke of the need benefit the workers of Queensland. to gain more control over the mineral wealth I agree with the Minister when he says of the State. He referred particularly to the that the image of the mining industry must training of mining engineers, geologists, be uplifted. We realise the conditions under metallurgists and ecologists, and said that if which miners worked in the past. Today that very worthy goal is to be achieved-! great machines are used to gouge out the say it is a very worthy goal; I think Pro­ minerals. However, we will have to watch fessor Whitmore meant to say it-10 times very carefully or these great monsters will as many people would have to be trained cause such a depletion in the required work­ as were being trained in 1968 or 1969, when force that many workers in the mining he made that statement. Therein lies a lesson industry will be unemployed. I am quite for us to look at very carefully in the sure that the Minister has not overlooked general change of situation in the mining this portion of the labour-force. industry. I refer to an article in "The Australian" In summing up, I say that none of the which states- desirable elements mentioned by the shadow Minister for Mines (Mr. Hanson) and myself "Australia is entering the minerals boom have been mentioned by the Minister in with a severe shortage of mining experts, introducing the proposed Bill. They should according to a survey released by the be included in it. Anything that the Bill does mining industry in Canberra today." contain will be merely an illusion and will It further points out that by 1972, compared be designed only to act as a sop to trick with 1967, there will have to be an increase the people of Queensland. I see in the pro­ of 40 to 80 per cent. in professional men posal only the faintest semblance of some in the mining industry. By "professional good. men", it means such persons as engineers --civil, electrical and mechanical. The article In conclusion, I say that the real aim of continues- this illusory legislation is to make it easier '\Releasing the survey yesterday, the for the overseas monopolies to ride rough­ director of the council, Mr. ,p, G. ,Phillips, shod over the ,rights of the people of this said: 'By 1972 the companies within this country and to make such an activity more council will need another 400 and possibly palatable. 750 engineers'." Mr. HARRIS (Wynnum) (2.27 p.m.): I We must give serious consideration to the support whole-heartedly the arguments put responsibilities of the huge mining companies forward by the hon. member for Port Curtis, that are exploiting our fair State. Let them the Opposition's shadow Minister for Mines. provide more cadetships from their huge It is regrettable that members of the present profits. Let us train our own people so '"Queen Street" Government have completely that they can become professionals in their ignored the intelligent comments made by own right, instead of bringing professionals members cf the Opposition relative to from overseas. We have the men here if the proposed Bill. I respectfully suggest to the Government is prepared to insist that them that they pay a great deal of attention the companies spend some of their profits to the points that will be raised by other in that direction. The public fully realise members of the Opposition who take part that Australia, Queensland and the workers Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2953 are not deriving the benefits from minerals Bay and has destroyed probably the best to which they are justly entitled as their breeding grounds for fish in the Moreton heritage. Bay area. I am very concerned about the Getting back to the work-force in general, possibilities, so once again I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to the imposition I think the hon. member for Toowong of restrictions on coral dredging in Moreton referred to one aspect of labour conditions. Bay in order to preserve our fishing industry. Listening to what he had to say made me wonder what is going to happen to our Mr. R. JONES (Cairns) (2.40 p.m.): In labour force in the future. I noted the introducing the Bill the Minister said that remarks made by the Minister relative to the proclamation of the new Mining Act, labour conditions. Taking into considera­ which was passed by Parliament in Decem­ tion the existing mineral claims in the State ber, 1968, was delayed by certain legal and the number pending, many thousands of complexities. This has caused confusion additional persons would have to be employed in the minds of the great number of people to comply with the labour conditions. This, who are engaged in Queensland's mining of course, is a ridiculous situation which industry and left them in a state of flux. invites the complete ignoring of labour con­ ditions and, unless we are vigilant, large On 15 December, 1970, on behalf of the tracts of land could be held purely for people who are engaged in mining in the speculative purposes. Cairns hinterland, I asked the Minister As the hon. member for Wynnum, I think whether the Mining Act was out of print it is right and proper that I should state and, if not, where copies of it could be the views of the constituents in my area obtained. In his answer the Minister said who are greatly concerned about what is that copies of the Act could be obtained happening on the Great Barrier Reef. The from the Mines Department at a cost of most southerly point of the reef protrudes $2, plus 20c postage. I wish he had gone from Stradbroke Island and we are con­ further and said what he told us this morning, cerned about the dredging being done not that is, that the new Mining Act would only on the Great Barrier Reef but also on be proclaimed and brought into force only the coral islands which abound in Waterloo after certain amendments were made to Bay and in Moreton Bay. the Local Government Act and various legal complexities were resolved. Apparently the On many occasions in this Chamber I regulations under the Mining Act 1898 to I have spoken about the activities of the 1967 were amended, and the new Mining Queensland Cement & Lime Co. Ltd. As Act was brought before Parliament in 1968. late as last week I asked a question relative to these activities as they affect erosion, the People engaged in the mining industry have fishing industry and the coral reefs generally. experienced difficulty in obtaining precise I now ask the Minister, through you, Mr. information about the provisions of the Act. Ramsden, to give some serious considera­ Of course, amendments to the Act were tion to the dredging that is taking place in not always reprinted; certainly the 1968 these areas. I recently read an article, amendments were not available. attributed to the Minister, flatly rejecting an Quite recently I pursued the matter further application for a lease somewhere off one in a question relative to the difficulties that of the islands around Lindeman. I am con­ are being experienced by people who apply cerned about Moreton Bay and particularly for mining leases and, when it is found that about sand mining on Stradbroke Island. no objections to their applications are lodged, Considering this and the happenings at are granted leases by the warden's court. Cooloola, one can well visualise the devasta­ Before lodging their applications those lessees tion that might occur on Stradbroke Island had gone to considerable expense in survey­ as a result of these sand-mining activities, which have been carried on now for a con­ ing and pegging their claims, but later siderable time. Many launch-owners who they learnt that the areas in which they regularly travel to Stradbroke Island see and had pegged their leases were held under know what is happening there. authorities to prospect. The Minister assured me that the new Mining Act will provide Dredging for oil on the Great Barrier greater control in situations of that kind. Reef has been questioned not only here but The Minister also said that under the new throughout the world and I think it is Act the rental is $2 an acre as from the date generally accepted that pollution by oil is of application, and that the conversion of an ever-present risk, yet this Government leases would be assessed at the rate of $1 continues to grant leases for this purpose. I have mentioned the dredging taking place an acre while the lessee held the lease. on coral reefs along the Queensland coast. The problem that confronts many applicants I think it would be a tragedy if, in con­ for mineral leases can be illustrated by citing centrating our efforts on avoiding pollution the instance of a person who, on 31 July, from oil, we allowed pollution to occur as 1970, in the warden's court at Mareeba, a result of the dredging of these reefs. was granted M.L.A's. 469 and 470, each of Already the pollution from the dredging 39.2 acres. They were recommended for performed by the Queensland Cement & approval, subject to survey. No objections Lime Co. Ltd. has almost completely were lodged. Under Mines Act regulations eradicated the young oyster crops in Moreton work was carried out. Expenditure of about 2954 Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

$1,500 was involved on the lease. Subse­ I should like to know if any authorities quently, because of the work done by the to prospect have been forfeited or withdrawn geologists, other parties became interested over the years. I very much doubt that they and the leases were sold to exploration com­ have. I think these people are simply hold­ panies in North Queensland. ing on to the area. It seems to me that Although the lease was taken up and sold, authorities to prospect should be dealt with on 9 February a letter was received from in a report by the Department of Mines the mining warden's office in Mareeba stating indicating which grid areas have been worked that the Department of Mines had referred over and forfeited. the application to Australian Ores and On 23 November, 1970, an application Minerals Pty. Ltd., which apparently held was lodged for leases 6218 to 6324, but an authority to prospect in the vicinity of they have not been granted yet. The appli­ the leases. Further advice was given that cants in this instance have been informed no mining operations were to be carried that, because of the backlog, the leases out until the views of the holders of the will not be issued for another three months. authority to prospect were known. I asked the Minister if there was a need Whether or not Australian Ores and for more staff or for a readjustment of Minerals Pty. Ltd. still holds the authority procedures, and he assured me that there would be some readjustment of procedures. to prospect is probably known only to the Apparently there is a blacklog of 100 lease Minister. The point is that the leases were applications in the area, so we definitely pegged, no objections were lodged within need more staff there. seven days, certificates of application were issued and were subsequently heard on ,Perhaps an office of the Department of 31 July and approved, and then, six months Mines should be set up in Cairns or some later, advice was received not to proceed. adjacent area. Complaints continually flow The leases were lodged for transfer of regis­ from miners and lessees in the area that tration before the letter was written. insufficient information on mining leases is given by the local mining warden. A fee In my humble opinion, this constitutes a is paid on application and a period of breach of regulation 100. Notwithstanding five or six months elapses before the applica­ that fact, the Minister said that the present tion is granted, or, as is more likely than leaseholder would not be compensated. He not, it is not granted because an authority should have redress at common law but, as to prospect is held over the area. with the Railway Department when a health regulation is breached, the Queen is not The Department of Mines collects a sub­ amenable to her own laws and therefore the stantial amount of money on application leaseholder would have no redress. The by way of rental, and the rental can be money spent in proving the lease is now paid for five or six months before an down the drain, or has been spent to the application is granted. I admit that if it advantage of the people holding the authority is discovered that an authority to prospect to prospect. is held over the lease, that money is refunded. However, it is still an outlay required of As I understand the Act, an authority to a lessee and the money lies dormant for prospect is to be granted only on virgin three to six months. Therefore, the pro­ ground, not on proven ground. That could cesses of administration should be have a bearing on the situation. Mining lease applications 469 and 470 were on the accelerated. Mareeba field, and the applications have Authorities to prospect seem to be a been referred to Australian Ores and bugbear in the Cairns area. Miners take Minerals. That company will be told, umbrage at the fact that the granting of "Someone has spent $1,500 on your authority an authority to prospect is completely in to prospect. Do you want the authority to the hands of the Minister, that they have prospect taken up, or do you want a lease?" no redress, and that they do not know what areas are granted and what rate applies. I understand section 98 to mean that leases The delay of up to six months could be are not granted until they are surveyed. No caused by the conflict of administration, with doubt further problems will confront the the mining warden issuing mining leases and owner. I understand that an authority to the Minister issuing authorities to prospect. prospect is not public information, and that all authorities to prospect are granted at the I am not sure whether the Minister said discretion of the Minister. I understand, that there would be an increase in the too, that they are supposed to operate on a survey fee of $1 payable by a miner on grid system. In effect, as the years pass, pegging out a claim. However, a prospector, a small area is dropped off each area. If miner or lessee is required to pay out someone found a good mineral lode on the approximately $2 an acre. It is claimed south-west corner, for instance, no doubt that prospecting areas are diminishing each that would be the last area to be dropped year, but no maps or diagrams are available from the authority to prospect; certainly and no indication is given as to which areas that area would not be forfeited. The com­ are no longer prospecting areas. A prospector pany directors would say, "I am sorry; we could find a lode at one end of a lease are forfeiting a piece from the north-east and it could be claimed as being part of corner. You are out of luck." another lease. Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2955

The number of leases that a company quarries, but also to mines with managers can take up should be limited. Some com­ of limited experience. Registered quarries panies have no intention of putting plant come within the province of the Mines on some of their leases. They are taken Regulation Act, and unregistered quarries up purely for speculative purposes or resale. operate outside that legislation. Powder Gaugers, or mining prospectors, in my area complain bitterly that the big companies monkeys are not licensed outside the Bris­ have a stranglehold on the industry because bane area, and the local authority of the they hold thousands of acres and are still Brisbane City Council. The Mines Depart­ taking up more without much result or ment dissociates itself from this responsibility. benefit to the area concerned. According No regulations provide for the height of to the regulation, these mining speculators a quarry face, but this is rigidly controlled should mine and/or man the areas. How­ in mining. There is here a potential danger, ever, tl1ey take up land and then apply and I foreshadow somewhere in this State continually for exemptions. a quarry disaster that will eventually befall The Minister has indicated that the exemp­ its operators. tion provisions will be amended. I hope The regulations that cover operating con­ they will tighten up on the endless applica­ tions for exemption being made as a let-out ditions in quarries are not rigidly enforced. for not developing leases and authorities. I refer, for example, to dust, which is men­ The dodge of exemption is, in my opinion, tioned in section 21 on page 49 of the Act. merely a means of speculation. Considera­ Some installations, particularly in mills or tion must be given to the small companies crushing plants, do not comply with the and the miners or gougers who can obtain provisions of the Act, but no such plant a good, healthy living by scratching or has been closed and no operators have been gouging. If that is not done, the smaller prosecuted. towns in the Cairns hinterland will be less prosperous. The present situation is com­ The qualifications for mine managers are pelling even the gouger and the small miner set out in section 30, on page 20 of the to protect their livelihood by taking up Mines Regulation Act. Men are being more ground than they will be able to employed although they do not satisfy these cover adequately. This is a practice that provisions. Men with only two years' basically honest battlers resent. practical mining experience are managing mines, and safety within the mining industry Although the newspapers continue to boost is thereby jeopardised. the mining boom, actually activity in pro­ ducing ores in some areas has decreased. Sewerage comes under this legislation, but The gouger has been edged out, and there storm-water drains, and irrigation and water is less mining going on than there was supply channels, do not. It seems paradoxical previously. The boom is in the acceleration that all parallel tunnelling should not be of applications by the larger companies rather covered. P.M.G. Department cables, and than in the production of ore. I feel that all such underground work, should be instances could be recorded of large over­ covered by the provisions of the regulations. seas companies holding thousands of acres and working for appearance sake only, with These are some of the inadequacies that dummy operators and large expense accounts, indicate that there is at present an "open go". and with caretakers on the leases. Of course, Companies do not care, and no prosecutions forfeiture against such companies is virtually have been launched under these regulations impossible for the small operator to argue for ages. I therefore warn the Minister or contest in court. that safety is being bypassed, and that mining disasters in this State are imminent I now wish to put in a quick plea for the if safety continues to be overlooked. district workers' representatives. They should be granted independent transport facilities Mr. BENNETT (South Brisbane) (2.59 suitable to their work and the areas in p.m.): It is patently obvious to me that which they operate. Public transport is the only people in this Parliament interested of no use in the bush. Although I am in mining and its development, and the laws limited in what I can say on this subject, relating thereto, are the shadow Minister I point out that the district miners' representa­ for Mines (the hon. member for Port Curtis) tive in the Cairns area travels at least and other speakers on this side of the 15,000 miles a year in his own car, without Chamber. taking into account the travelling that he does in company with mining inspectors, Mr. R. E. Moore: That's not true, and you union representatives, and the lifts he receives know it. in company transport. There are also the trips that he makes into the Weipa area. Mr. BENNETT: It is quite obvious that members on the Government benches are While on the subject of mining, I want not interested in mining except for what they to bring to the Minister's attention the can get out of it by the manipulation of potential danger in quarrying operations, authorities to prospect. The interjection of and to sound a warning of disaster in the the hon. member for Windsor indicates that mining industry. This relates not only to he is a true "minor". 2956 Mining Act [16 MARCH} Amendment Bill

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. sincere and bona-fide attempt is being made Ramsden): Order! The hon. member for to develop mineral resources. Queensland's South Brisbane must not cast reflections on coking coal is badly needed by Western another hon. member. Australia, and that State has been very anxious to exchange, by way of a shuttle Mr. BENNETI: While the late Ernie service, its iron-ore for Queensland's coking Evans was Minister for Mines, either as a coal. Again, the tired, lethargic, comatose result of his encouragement or otherwise Government of Queensland has not done B.H.P. spent £750,000-$1,500,000- anything to encourage the negotiations, and exploring for 1ron in the Constance Ranges. I have been reliably informed-! have quite Can the present incumbent of the Mines a deal of reliable authority behind me-that portfolio tell us what has happened there? Western Australia is in the process of turning What has the Government of Queensland to New South Wales for negotiations because done? Has the Minister galvanised himself of the lack-lustre attitude of the Government into action, or has he been too busy fighting of Queensland. with ecologists and conservationists to get down to the business of mining development? The Government can talk all it wants All hon. members know that iron-ore is about development through mining. At one vitally important to the development of a stage the Minister for Mines and Main steel industry. We realise that if Queensland Roads was talking mining development; at does not have a proper steel industry, this another stage the Premier was engaging in State will not be able to compete essentially commercial activities on the share market in and fundamentally with other Australian the mining field. We had others in the States, particularly New South Wales, In Cabinet giving lip-service to conservation and which a steel industry has been developed ecology. Nevertheless, we had the whole with a great degree of expertise. The Cabinet, including the Premier, who was Government has been too lethargic since the leading the team, bitterly castigating and days of Ernie Evans. crying about the then Prime Minister step­ ping in and interfering with the proposed Admittedly, Ernie Evans was greatly inter­ despoliation of the Great Barrier Reef. Of ested in mining. He had some form of busi­ course, that was one of the reasons why ness partnership in that field with the present Mr. Robinson (the State President of the Premier, and I expect that their collaboration Liberal 1Party), other Liberal members in and/ or collusion did not result in their losing this Chamber and the Premier himself, did any money. their utmost to drive home the daggers Mr. Hughes: Had there not been a they sank into Mr. Gorton last week-to Country-Liberal Government, the Weipa files get rid of him because of his attitude to would still have been gathering dust under their proposed development for their own Labour, and you know it. financial gain. Mr. BENNETT: The only interest of the Mr. R. Jones: They should remember hon. member for Kurilpa in mining is on the that the Western Australian Government was share market. He has never seen a pick in brought down on mining issues. That was his life. He would wilt under the strain if one of the contributing factors, anyway. he had to take a pick and dig a trench to take water from a leaking sump under his Mr. EENNETI: As the hon. member for house. However, his activities on the share Cairns points out, the Western Australian market are extensive, and no doubt his share Government was brought down by a party dealings are based on confidential infor­ of integrity, an Opposition of honesty, on mation obtained somewhere through the mining issues. The A.L.~P. won the election ranks of the Cabinet. in that State, just as we will win in Mr. Tuc~er: He thinks manual labour Queensland next year because of the nefarious is a Mexican bandit. practices of this Government in regard to mining. Mr. BENNETT: That is correct. As the hon. member for Townsville North says, the Mr. Hughes: Do you want to take a hon. member for Kurilpa knows the bandits bet? very well. He has joined their brotherhood. Mr. BENNETT: I would take a bet on As I said, iron-ore is a vital element in the development of a steel industry. Queens­ it but not with the hon. member, because land has another essential ingredient for that he welshes every time. development in its large supply of coking Tile TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. coal. What is the Government doing with Ramsden): Order! Any bets will be taken that coking coal, which compares with the outside the Chamber. best in the world? The Government of Western Australia has given a great deal of Mr. BENNETT: I will not be taking attention to mining, mining rules, and the any bets with the hon. member, not even proposed development of mining in that if you, Mr. Ramsden, hold the stakes. He Sta.te. It is leaving the Government of would find some way of thieving them from Queensland for dead in the recommendations you. The hon. member thinks that a mine's it is receiving from committees and the pro­ doJJy-pot is something in which to put visions it is making. In that State, a flowers. Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2957

We have seen the Minister weeping croco­ because the Government was at sixes and dile tears about the development of mining sevens. One would expect that co-operation in this State. Great play has been made and team work within the Government would on coal exports. Both the Minister for be such that complementary legislation Mines and the Premier have told us that would be introduced at the same time so they are doing much to lease out coal mines that the new Bills could be given effect to. in this State for the better financial return It would seem that there was not much that we might get thereby. It is all very purpose in introducing a Bill at that time well for them to put up this facade and this because, although in fundamentals our window-dressing campaign, but it is not much mining legislation has highly desirable prin­ use if they do not attend to the funda­ ciples, as the hon. member for Port Curtis mentals. It is essential to the development pointed out, those principles, if we look of mining in Queensland that we have closely into the Act and review its history, shipping, and wharf and berth facilities. We were written into the legislation during the have to be able to cope with the demand time of an A.L.P. Government. and orders for steaming, coking and anthra­ cite coal. With the 1968 Act and the implementation of the present Government's policies, much Mr. R. E. Moore: "Anthracite"-that's the of the legislation has become outmoded, word; no smoke. ambiguous and vague, and has been gerry­ Mr. BENNETT: Now we have heard the mandered-as electoral boundaries have "minor" again. One of these days he will been, by the Government-by the big mining get up and make a speech. I like to companies to make runs on the stock acknowledge his interjections because that exchange. I think it is deplorable that the is the only way he is reported in "Hansard". Minister has to come in here and make the He is a two-lines-a-day man. strange admission that the 1968 legislation We realise that the shadow Minister for could not be brought into effect because the Mines, the hon. member for Port Curtis, Local Government Department was not has been doing his utmost to inspire further ready to co-operate. developments in the Gladstone area. As a Many improvements are necessary in the result of his exhortations, activities and nego­ labour provisions. I believe that with the tiations, a master plan was prepared for development of mining that should come in extra facilities at Gladstone to cost approxi­ this State, more man-power will be attracted mately $9,200,000. What happened? The to the field. I share the anxiety expressed Minister approached the Treasurer-at least by the hon. member for Cairns about the I presume and hope that he did-but the provisions relating to safe working conditions Treasurer told him where to go. The and standards. Now is the time for a com­ Treasurer said, "We haven't any money." It plete rather than a piecemeal review of the will be interesting to see whether they will Act. The whole of the mining legislation in review those plans and provide the money Queensland should be repealed and replaced now that they have their arch actor with a modern 1971 Act incorporating all in the Federal Parliament controlling the the good provisions and principles of the Treasury purse, in the person of the present previous legislation and all the necessary Prime Minister, Mr. Billy McMahon. Is provisions so urgently desired and required the Minister prepared to ask Mr. McMahon to contain and control mining as we know to make available $9,200,000 for extra facili­ it in the modern-day world. What is the ties at Gladstone, which are so urgently Minister doing about environmental control? needed for the proper development of the State? I believe that this Government's attitude Mr. R. E. Moore: One should never kick towards the right of private ownership and a dead dog, you know. possession of property leaves much to be desired. We have seen it in the Companies Mr. BENNETT: I hope the hon. member Act, in the Health Act-no doubt we will does not want me to carry him out of the get it in the Criminal Code-and it is also Chamber. I undertake not to kick him, but fairly obvious in the mining legislation that I will not carry him out, either. the property owner is not given enough pro­ tection from "trespass", if I may use that The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. term, by mining officials and prospectors Ramsden): Order! Or you will both be out! from companies. We should regard the fundamental principle of ownership of land Mr. BENNETT: It is rather frustrating as it used to be regarded in the early days to learn and realise that the Government of English jurisprudence; that is, an English­ legislated in this field in 1968 and that the man's home is his castle. We should not be Bill we put through Parliament then, after too willing to allow another person to enter serious discussion, has still not come into forcibly onto his property, even for the effect due, according to the Minister, to purpose of mining, without his consent and lack of cohesion with the Minister for approval and unless and until he is justly Local Government. One would anticipate, and adequately compensated. when legislation was being introduced into Parliament in a serious manner, that we Mr. Hinze: Are you saying that he should would be informed if its provisions were be fully compensated before anybody goes not to operate for another three years onto his property? 2958 Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

Mr. BENNETT: Of course he should be. Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (3.20 I would not want the hon. member for p.m.): Several of my colleagues have given South Coast wandering around my place very lucid reasons for the necessity to com­ at night-time prospecting. And when he pletely re-examine the present Mining Act. goes prospecting he is looking for a lot Recent developments, particularly over the of things-not always minerals! In reply last two or three years, make it abundantly seriously to that interjection, I claim any­ obvious that this will have to be done in the body is entitled to compensation if another very near future. Like the hon. member for person trespasses on his property against South Brisbane, I believe the need is his will. becoming more imperative each day. Certain people believe that, even before The emergence in the last decade of com­ they are granted an authority to prospect, peting land-usage patterns is such that we they have the right to snoop round to see will have to completely rethink many of our what might be offering. Of course, that attitudes. It is fair to say that, of all forms is unlawful; but even if it were lawful those of land usage, mining seems to enjoy a people should pay for the right to do that. privileged first place in Government thinking. A person who holds an authority to pros­ That is ,evidenced by provisions in the pect should not be given the right to enter Forestry Act relative to the setting aside of upon another person's land without his con­ national parks under which the Minister for sent and approval, unless the prospector has Mines has the power to virtually veto any first entered into some arrangement about national park proposal in an area in which paying compensation to the landowner. Very minerals are likely to be found or in which often even a genuine prospector causes there is evidence that there are minerals. nuisance, annoyance and inconvenience to In the latter half of the last decade a very a landowner, and, in any case, why should clear pattern of land usage emerged, with he not be required to pay the landowner competition for the use of land for forestry, for the right to gamble in the hope of mining, agricultural ,and pastoral pursuits, making a fortune? tourists development, national parks and so Mr. Hugbes: This is on the premise that on. Of all Government legislation, the the landowner does not own the minerals on Mining Act in its present form appears to be the property; but I agree with you that the greatest stumbling block in resolving he should at least have the courtesy to make controversies that arise over land usage. arrangements to enter and prospect. Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Would you like it to be completely reviewed by a joint parliamentary Mr. BENNETT: It is not only a matter committee? of courtesy but also one of an obligation to pay damages. After all, a prospector Mr. Porter: You have advocated that, you may be entering upon another person's land know. at a time when he is interfering with the landowner's daily activities. A number of Mr. SHERRINGTON: What is the use of people have trespassed on land even without asking for an all-party committee when, in holding a miner's right, which costs only the 12 years in which I have been in this SOc. Surely that cost should be increased. Assembly, no Premier has ever acceded to such a request? The Government has been A person's right to quiet enjoyment of on side with a suggested all-party committee his own premises should be regarded as sacro­ only when it was in trouble about a measure sanct, and if it is interfered with in any and wanted to whitewash something. It way the person who causes that interference would have been happy to have an all­ should be prepared, firstly, to pay the party committee to investigate the Cooloola Government for the right to do so and, issue, because it was in dire trrouble. secondly, to compensate the property-owner. Mr. Porter interjected. The resumption of private property should be limited to those occasions when it is in Mr. SHERRINGTON: I point out to the the public interest to resume and not for hon. member for Toowong that I had some private gain or because some company affinity with his argument this morning until directors and shareholders stand to make he advocated an all-party committee. What a big fortune. Some men who have lived did the hon. member for Clayfield say? He gave on farming properties all their lives are not the hon. member a direct answer, which I am interested in either selling out or being com­ sure in his heart he agrees with, when he pensated for disturbance to the ownership said that we had never had such a committee of their properties, and a resumption of their in this Paorliament. It is completely futile land would be justified only if it was in the for anyone in this Chamber to advocate all­ public interest. party committees. Stricter statutory requirements should be Now that Government members have got imposed to ensure the rehabilitation of land; me on this track, I point out that only a however, I have no doubt that the hon. mem­ fortnight ago I asked the Premier a question ber for Salisbury will deal with this aspect about a matter of great social importance of the matter more fully than I could hope concerning the fate of our Aborigines. to do so. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. (Time expired.) Ramsden): Order! Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2959

Mr. SHERRINGTON: I asked the Premier resources has been conducted by competent about appointing an all-party committee. people such as ecologists, geologists, econo­ mists, botanists and so on. A controversy The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! would not have arisen over Cooloola had Mr. SHERRINGTON; I think you will be this been done there. On no occasion tolerant with me, Mr. Ramsden, and not has a mining warden had the results of such invoke Standing Order 123A against me. I a survey to guide him in making his recom­ have not my bit of poetry with me. mendation. It is passing strange that, during the introduction of the Mining Act in 1968, The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Not the Minister for Labour and Tourism was unless the hon. member recites it. I ask him running around in circles, saying- to address his remarks to the Chair. "An official expert committee will soon make recommendations to the State Gov­ Mr. SHERRINGTON: Government mem­ ernment on its ideas for the future bers have challenged me on the subject of development of Moreton Island." an all-party committee. If the Premier had been in any way the citizen he claims to be Nobody ever saw the findings of that -if he had been interested in the Aborigines committee. -he would have agreed to my suggestion for I wrote to the Premier and suggested that the appointment of all-party committee. But the Fraser Island problem should be investi­ he "wiped" that suggestion, just as every gated by the Environmental Control Council. other similar suggestion in this Chamber has In his reply, which I received this morning, been "wiped". the Premier said---- I thank you, Mr. Ramsden, for your toler­ "I am to point out that at the present ance. I shall now deal with the matter before time two committees are investigating the Committee. Before I was so rudely future land usage on these islands. interrupted by those who obviously support "One committee representing the Depart­ Billy McMahon-this is the sort of thing ments of Lands, Mines, Forestry, Labour that was going on in Canberra last week-I and Tourism, under the chairmanship of was saying that the Mining Act is possibly the Co-ordinator-General, is investigating the greatest stumbling block that exists in areas suitable for the purposes of Mining, resolving the crises that from time to time State Forests and National Parks on the develop over land usage. I do not intend major islands from Jumpinpin north to and to recanvass the Cooloola question. The including Fraser Island, and on mainland Government has enough on its plate with foreshores." the Fraser Island problem, in which there will be a confrontation of all those who The Premier went on to say that a second are interested in agriculture, pasture, tourism, committee, representing a number of depart­ mining and so on. ments and local authorities, is concerned with the future use of land and waters from I do not believe that the Mining Act is the Jumpinpin south to the new Gold Coast vehicle by which these controversies can be Highway bridge. solved. We need a far more enlightened approach than that. It would be totally At the same time, a hearing is listed in unfair to throw the onus of resolving what the Maryborough mining warden's court for, is a major dispute onto the shoulders of a I think, the 27th of this month, to hear mining warden. The Cooloola controversy objections to applications for the mining of raged for almost six years, and the onus of certain leases on Fraser Island. What earthly deciding what should be done was thrown use is it to set down a hearing in the mining onto the shoulders of the mining warden in warden's court when a committee has been Gym pie. set up to consider land usage in these areas? I call on the Government to intervene in Mr. Lee: He gave a fair decision, didn't the Fraser Island controversy, which, like he? cyclone "Lena", is rapidly developing and Mr. SHERRINGTON: That is a matter of descending upon us. opinion. Apparently many people thought Let there be no repetition of the Cooloola otherwise. It is too onerous a task for a episode. I do not know the personnel of person of his standing in the community to the present investigating committee. However, solve such disputes. A mining warden it is no doubt a competent committee, and I would have to be guided by the evidence believe that, until its findings on the resources given by the mining companies and those and possible use of Fraser Island are known, opposing mining, and this sort of litigation I think it is completely futile to proceed is so costly that those opposing mining might with the hearing in the mining warden's not have sufficient money to present their court. case as it should be presented. The time is The people who have spoken on behalf fast approaching when the role of the mining of those interested in conservation have made warden in this State must be changed it abundantly clear that all that they seek drastically, particularly in matters of land is a proper assessment of the resources of usage. Fraser Island, and one that will provide for The Opposition believes that no more national parks and forestry areas. If an mining leases should be granted on Fraser expert committee finds that there are areas Island until a survey into the island's of Fraser Island that can be successfully 2960 Mining Act (16 MARCH) Amendment Bill

mined without too much disturbance to the In summing up, Mr. Ramsden, I point ecology of the area, those areas should be out that Fraser Island provides possibly the mined. I think that has been the basic greatest chance of a breakthrough into enlight­ logic of all who have spoken on the preser­ ened legislation and planning for the use vation of Fraser Island. of the State's resources. The mining com­ I know that there are problems involved. panies have a wonderful opportunity to If a committee decided that certain areas display publicly their good faith by taking should be set aside for national parks, other action along the lines I have suggested. I areas for forestry, and still other areas for do not think it does the Mniister much credit mining, it would be completely unfair to to go to a meeting of representatives of min­ affect adversely mining companies that had ing companies and "rubbish" people in the any leases on Fraser Island in the areas in community who wish only to preserve for which a recommendation against mining had future generations some parts of the environ­ been made. The solution lies in the hands ment in a completely unspoiled state and of the mining companies themselves. to enable them to see part of the State I now want to refer to a recent article as it exists today. in which the Minister for Mines said that Mr. Armstrong: It would be a good thing "mining" was being regarded as a dirty word. if they preserved you. I shall not read the whole of the article. The Minister went on to imply that the Mr. SHERRINGTON: The hon. member Government was taking up the defence of has not designated what I should be. If the mining industry because it had failed we were looking for a preserved mummy, the to answer what he referred to as a "vociferous hon. member would be my nomination as a minority group of conservationists in the candidate. I have not heard him make a community" who made "mining" appear to speech in this Chamber for a long time. I be a dirty word. get up and say what I want to say. His remark is typical of the comments that one I remind the Minister that this "vociferous hears from time to time from hon. members minority group of conservationists" includes opposite. If they have no scientific basis men such as Sir Garfield Barwick. Although some of us might disagree with this gentle­ on which to refute arguments put forward man's political beliefs, we have always by members of the Opposition, they refer respected him for his views on conservation. to hon. members on this side of the Chamber Also included in this minority group are as a bunch of cranks or a vociferous minority. Francis Ratcliffe, and even John Gorton who, Happily, such minorities are growing in in his dying flutter as Prime Minister and strength in Australia today. in a weakened state after being stabbed in I believe, as I said earlier, that the Mining the back by the "dwarf" from Sydney, said Act in Queensland has possibly been the that one thing he was pleased about was springboard for most of the problems now that he had halted the despoliation of the existing and continuing to grow each day. Great Barrier Reef. They are among people Australia is going through crises similar to whom the Minister, to satisfy his own little those that occurred in America in years gone sense of ego, referred to as a "vociferous by, and one of the greatest battles fought by minority group", when he said to the mining conservationists in the United States of companies, "We are defending you from this America related to the despoliation of the vociferous minority group in the community. countryside by open-cut mining. You have not done enough. You have made (Time expired.) 'mining' a dirty word." As far as I am concerned, if "mining" Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (3.39 has become a dirty word, as the Minister p.m.): The shadow Minister for Mines and said, and the mining companies wish to Main Roads (the hon. member for Port redeem their good name, let them say on Curtis) made a very good contribution to the Fraser Island question, "We are prepared the debate, but I wish to put forward some not to proceed with applications for leases submissions relative to mining, particularly until complete ecological and geological mining in the Townsville hinterland. surveys and various other surveys have been The hon. member for Cairns mentioned undertaken. When that has been done, we some of the problems associated with will form ourselves into a consortium of authorities to prospect over certain areas. companies and will be prepared to work On many occasions very annoyed small on a co-operative basis the area recommended operators and prospectors have approached for mining, extract whatever minerals may me in Townsville because of what had hap­ be within that area, and enjoy the profits pened when they had lodged claims in from them." wardens' offices in Charters Towers and other It is only the attitude of mining companies areas of North Queensland. over the years that has given the industry Small operators and prospectors have found such a bad reputation. Hon. members are outcrops which, although not very large in aware, for example, of the threat to sue area, would appear to offer them a very the Government for $40,000,000 over its good living if they were allowed to exploit decision on Cooloola. Of course, the whole them. When they have gone to the warden's question of Cooloola has been delayed by office they have been told to look at the that threat. maps. After seeing that the maps showed Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2961

that the area was free of an authority to may be able to find in these areas. I suppose prospect or anything of that nature, they that this position obtains not only in the have lodged a claim. Many months later Charters Towers-Mt. Spec-Kangaroo Hills­ word has come back that there is an Ingham areas but also in many Tableland authority to prospect over the area. areas of which I am unaware. Possibly I can well understand that possibly an many prospectors could find outcrops and, earlier claim had been lodged in Brisbane if given the opportunity, make a good living and details of it had never got to the warden's from them and also employ eight or 10 men. office, but it is very difficult to tell a person The last occasion on which someone who has lodged a claim in the North that approached me on this matter he had found such a thing can happen. Great damage is an outcrop from which he could not only being done to the Mines Department, and make a good living for himself but could possibly the Government, because of this lack also give employment to eight or 10 men. of liaison between Brisbane and certain However, the authority to prospect com­ wardens' offices. pletely wiped out that possibility and did Many prospectors have said to me, "There not allow him to do anything about it; yet is some skulduggery going on. I was told a miner's right has always been understood there was no authority to prospect over this to allow a miner to go out without hindrance area. I lodged my claim, but somebody and prospect in an area, report on it and has been told about it and he has 'ripped' possibly exploit it. down to Brisbane and applied for an That is not so today. As a result, I authority to prospect." I do not suggest for was pleased to hear the Minister say today one moment that that happens, but it is the that something is to be done about authorities thought in the minds of many local people­ to prospect. I do not know how far he and it is a very damaging thought. will go, but I hope it is further than we The Minister should take prompt steps to expect. The Minister may be able to tell plug the gap that exists. After a prospector me why the whole of the Charters Towers is told by the local warden that there is no goldfield area, which I think comprises some­ authority covering a particular area, it leaves thing like 86 square miles of mining land, a very bad taste in his mouth if, months later, appears at present to be closed to all mining he is advised that he cannot mine a very activities-or at least it was until some weeks interesting outcrop because some large enter­ ago when I last heard of it. It seemed then prise already has an authority to prospect that there was a total closure in the Charters over the area. In the last case I dealt with, Towers goldfield area and that no leasing the company that held the authority to pros­ of small claims was being allowed in the pect was located in South Australia. area. Like many of my colleagues, I resent the The Government must have some reason granting of authorities to prospect over large for taking this action. Although I have not areas to companies, and also to their being seen any warning in the local Press, many able to hold those authorities for a period people have told me that they have been of years merely by spending what could be informed that the area has been closed called "pin money" on them. As long as to mmmg. As I say, no public explanation they spend $2,000 or $3,000-I have for­ has been given or, if it was, it was minimal gotten the actual amount-on the area they and was not given wide publicity. There can hold it with impunity against small must be a valid explanation, and I should operators who have found an outcrop which like the Minister to explain why he has could represent a good living to them. It taken this action on that field and what is like the story of the dog with a bone: the he hopes to gain by it. dog does not want the bone himself, but he I reiterate that many prospectors have does not want any other dog to have it. attributed the closing of this area to the Many small operators, particularly in the fact that some big southern operators, or North, are very resentful about large-scale some other large enterprise, may be ready mining companies who hold large areas of to come in and make a claim on the field. land under authorities to prospect, or other That is the talk that is going on. There is title, so that they are unable to get a small probably a good reason for it, and I give the portion of land on which to earn a good Minister the opportunity today to refute the living. Small outcrops containing gold, lead, current rumours. He can tell us the truth copper, molybdenite and wolfram in the of the matter. Charters Towers area, in that hinterland, I am also told that a current drilling pro­ around Mt. Spec and the Kangaroo Hills gramme, apparently Government operated, area have all been mentioned to me during is being conducted in this area of 86 square the period that I have lived in Townsville, miles, probably to ascertain the extent of but small prospectors have been held out its mineral deposits. The taxpayers' money by the authorities to prospect that blanket is being expended on this drilling, and the the entire area. present debate presents the Minister with This hold by companies such as Mount Isa a golden opportunity to say why the drilling Mines Limited and Broken Hill Proprietary programme is proceeding and what it is Co. Ltd. should be broken up. Some chance hoped to achieve by it. He might also should be given to small operators and pros­ tell us what plant and men are in the area pectors to obtain a living from anything they carrying out the drilling programme. 2962 Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

Certain people have claimed that the Mr. BLAKE (Isis) {3.56 p.m.): I am not Charters Towers field is being held and a member of the Opposition's mining com­ investigated by the Mines Department for mittee but I wish to enter the debate briefly. the sole benefit of some person, syndicate, I make no pretence of being an expert in company or association of companies, as yet mining law or mining. I am not an unnamed, and that these people may be aut~ority on tourism, forestry, fisheries, enjoying a special patronage or may have na~10nal parks, water resources, Aboriginal relics, artefacts, geology, flora and fauna, anonymous protection. That claim has been not· am I an authority on all facets which made to me-and I know that it has been arise in considering a balanced ecology. made to the Minister, too-so I hope he No-one could be an authority on all of will explain why experienced miners are not those aspects, yet all of them are involved allowed to enter this field and take up leases in any proposal to sand-mine Fraser Island­ on it. a proposal that will be considered in the very near future. All these matters should I now wish to refer to the Venus State be considered not after mistakes have been Battery, which is situated very close to perpetrated, but before mining is permitted Charters Towers. Local prospectors, as well on this island, which has such great, long­ as other people, have described it as being term tourist, forestry and fisheries potential. completely obsolete and outdated, even for I am not advocating a hands-off policy, but the recovery of gold. They claim that I believe that moves are afoot, in the interests such a large quantity of silver is lost during of certain parties, to misrepresent that conser­ its operations that many local prospectors vation amounts to a policy of, "Hands off and and miners are loath to entrust their material let time stand still". I make it quite clear that to it for crushing. One person has described neither l nor the Opposition advocate that it as a museum piece. He. claimed that policy. Members of the Opposition are so it is absolutely inefficient and that no miner concerned about ensuring correct land usage can be assured of a high percentage of metal on Fraser Island or any other island that we recovery. The battery has shown a loss as say, "Hands off before a complete survey high as 30 per cent. in a bad concentration. is made, to obviate mistakes that are likely to occur in such an intricate, unique, On behalf of the local miners and pros­ interesting and valuable ecology". The pectors, I ask the Minister to give considera­ danger of short-term despoliation is too tion to providing a modern concentration great and could be too disastrous in the and beneficiation plant in the area. Such long term to permit mining to proceed with­ a plant would enable the hundreds of small out such an inquiry. Responsibility should gold-miners and other miners in the area not be reposed only in a mining warden to to take advantage of it. Many miners are decide on the evidence of a few interested working outcrops of metal, such as lead, persons. copper, gold and silver, that are too small Fraser Island has great commercial poten­ to be worked economically by the big tial. That does not mean that it may not mining companies. These small miners are be, or is not, advisable to sand-mine Fraser providing a good Jiving for themselves, and Island or certain parts of it. As it stand' they rely on the Venus State Battery to the island is so worth while as an asset, handle the material that they extract. In that no such action should be taken without addition to helping the local small miners, a a very comprehensive survey by an effective modern battery would create employment in and representative committee. I am not that area. concerned only with the land mass of Fraser The Government is spending colossal Island-perhaps I should say "sand mass" because it is reputedly the largest sand dune sums of money on the construction of rail­ in the world-but with its interrelated lakes ways and harbours and the provision of and commercial forests, and what I might other facilities for mining companies. Of call natural parkland, national parks and course, I am aware that these companies reserve areas. are making a contribution and that the Government is not bearing the total cost; A Government Member: It is very pretty. nevertheless, it is prepared to spend large sums of money in assisting foreign com­ Mr. BLAKE: It is very pretty. Too few panies to mine our natural resources, so people appreciate it, or have had the chance I do not consider it to be wrong for me to to appreciate it. That is why I am supporting ask it to spend money on the Venus State the concern expressed by the Opposition. Battery so that Australian prospectors and The forestry area is being utilised sensibly miners can work on outcrops and lodes and at present. Some of these applications to have their material handled efficiently by prospect-applications for leases in fact­ it. That would help them, and it would reach right into this commercial forest area. certainly give a worth-while boost to the Without reflecting on the integrity or the Charters Towers field-and Charters Towers ability of the people who might be repre­ can well do with a boost. The small opera­ senting the Department of Mines and the tors do not feel like working the outcrops Department of Forestry, I believe it is because the Venus State Battery is considered natural, because of their training, their to be completely inefficient. vocation and their ability, that they will tend Mining Act [16 MARCH) Amendment Bill 2963 to think along lines suited to their own The hon. member advocated some pro­ interests. This is a human trait. This is VISIOns that have been the subject of sub­ why it is necessary that every facet of the missions by the Australian Mining Industry environment on Fraser Island should be Council to the Australian Minerals Council. analysed and represented by a competent These have been considered by a sub­ authority before any action takes place. committee, and I am sure that they will be dealt with by the Australian Mine;als Apart from the land mass-or, as I said, Council at its meeting to be held some time sand mass-! am greatly concerned about in May. Some of the provisions that acre .t~en the fisheries aspect of Fraser Island. A considered to be of benefit to the mmmg great fishing industry flourished, and still industry will be contained in further amend­ flourishes, in the vicinity of Fraser Island. ments to the Mining Act. A considerable quantity of fish has always come from the Hervey Bay-Maryborough The hon. membecr also mentioned the area. amount of money spent on authorities . to prospect. Whilst the Act makes no sp~cific I wish to touch on the dredging leases provision for this .matter, all expe!l~hture around Fraser Island. I do this advisedly, claimed on exploratiOn under authonties to knowing that I leave myself open to attack prospect is checked by departmental officers because some of these dredging leases were against the reports submitted on such granted by a Labour Government. However, exploration. There are in the department neither the present Government nor the men who are fully competent to assess the Opposition should use the argument that we value of exploration work claimed. State­ have to relate what happened in 1957 or ments claiming the expenditure have to be earlier with every phase of development in lodged, and, if it is felt that a c~mpany's the period between then and now. It is only statement is not true, the company IS called in the past few years that Governments, not on to show where the expenditure was only in this State but throughout the world, have displayed any great concern about incurred. ecology and the environment, so, irrespective The hon. member for Port Curtis, among of who was responsible for granting the others said that he thought it would be dredging leases, we must weigh the benefits desirable to have applications for authorities -the royalties and the employment, be they to prospect advertised. Let ~e .r;nake the large or small-against the long-term effect position quite clear. App!Ic!it!Ons for that dredging has on the extensive fisheries authorities to prospect are submitted to the and breeding grounds in that area. I am not Mines Department. Because of th~ tre!ll~n­ qualified to say what it will be, but that is the dous increase that there has been m mmmg crux of my argument today. activities there is naturally a delay in the office a~d processing such an application No person or small group of persons can might take some months. I might say, from decide the best long-term use of Fraser 'records in the department's possession, that, Island and its environment. What is required in speed of processing such applications, is a balanced committee representing every the Queensland Mines Departme~t is far facet of the environment there. I ask ahead of similar departments m other that the granting of applications for mining States. on Fraser Island be postponed until a An application for a lease takes pre­ balanced committee, representing all inter­ cedence over an application for an authority ests, has made an all-embracing analysis of to prospect. If a company was forced to the area and come up with recommenda­ advertise that it was going to apply for an tions. Let the commendable concept of authority to prospect, some snide operator correct land use, which is coming into force could come in and peg leases all over the and is in force on the mainland, be extended area in respect of which it was proposed to Fraser Island and its area of related to apply for an authority to prospect. As ecology. Let us appoint a committee com­ applications for leases take precedence over prising representatives in keeping with the applications for authorities to prospect, the complex ecology of that particular area. lease applications would have to be granted, Only then will we be able to make a decision in keeping with our responsibilities and the company or the people applying f~r not only to the present generation but also an authority to prospect would have their to future generations. best areas pegged for leases. There are people who observe closely ~hat Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Min­ the larger exploration companies are dm~g. ister for Mines and Main Roads) (4.5 p.m.), When such a company finds an attractive in reply: It has been interesting to sit here area, those who have been observing its listening to the contributions of the v&rious operations anticipate an application for an members who have spoken, particularly those authority to prospect by racing straight to on the other side of the Chamber. I notice the mining warden's office and applying for that the hon. member for Port Curtis always ]eases scattered throughout what they think introduces himself as the shadow Minister is the area to be sought by the prospecting for Mines. As I have indicated on other company. They can then hold the prospect­ occasions, may his shadow never grow less. ing company to ransom in selling the ag~re­ As long as he remains the shadow Minister, gation of the small areas. There was mentwn we on this side of the Chamber will be quite of the size of authorities to prospect. The happy to accommodate him. size of such authorities is now restricted to 2964 Mining Act (16 MARCH] Amendment Bill

100 square miles, so there is not the same The hon. member spoke of the rehabilita­ opportunity as there was to take out tion conditions imposed by the Department authorities to prospect over large areas. of Mines and claimed that they had not been enforced. He then mentioned companies The hon. member referred also to ideas that are being forced by the Department of put forward by people interested in mining. Mines to rehabilitate areas that they have My departmental officers and I are always neglected. In fact, he contradicted himself. pleased to hear the ideas and suggestions of people engaged in the mining industry. During the whole of the time that I have We confer with them at length, and l been interested in the Department of Mines venture to suggest that many of the provisions -and my interest goes back to the time that included in the proposed Bill have come I entered this Chamber-one aim of the from discussions that we have had with department has been to provide job such people. opportunities for the men of Queens­ land so that they can be employed The hon. member for Toowong spoke at under good conditions and be accommodated length on the setting up of a select com­ in good housing. Surely some hon. members mittee and, of course, he was supported in opposite must have travelled round the State his request by hon. members opposite. My when Labour was in power and seen the memory does not go back very far in the conditions under which miners worked and history of this State, but I wonder how many lived, particularly at Collinsvil!e. They will all-party select committees were set up by be able to compare those conditions with the A.L.P., when it was in Government, to the conditions under which men work at investigate any aspect of Government. Moura and Blackwater and in the new town being established on the Goonyella field. Mr. Chlncben: Is that the test? They should hide their heads in shame when they compare Labour's efforts over 30 years Mr. CAMM: No. The idea is good if with what Country-Liberal Governments have the committee can approach its task on a done to improve the conditions of the workers non-political basis; but I am quite sure, fr~m in Queensland. my experience of hon. members oppos1te over the past 10 years, that very distinct The hon. member does not see any desir­ advantage would be taken by hon. members able feature in this Bill. He suggested that opposite who were appointed to a select it only means that we are going to make it committee. The courtesy has been extended easier for overseas combines to come into to hon. members opposite to accompany this State to sell our assets and resources. Ministers on tours round the State, and it He suggests that we are creating competition is the right of those hon. members to take among suppliers. He specifically mentioned advantage of what they see and to elaborate coal and said that the price at which we on it in this Chamber. I believe that a are now selling it is far less than could be similar situation would arise if an all-party obtained for it if we adopted a more vigor­ committee were set up. ous outlook. I remind the Committee that today we are receiving a certain price for The hon. member for Toowong mentioned coal exported through Queensland ports. The also some provisions that will be included importers of our coal are obtaining good in the Western Australian Act. Our Gov­ quality coking coal at $3 a ton less on ernment has included in the Queensland Act ships in South Africa. many of the recommendations of the Western Australian committee. I do not know yet Across the sea from Japan are Communist whether the Government of Western Australia China and Russia. The model of an open­ accepts the report of the committee and cut mine was a centrepiece of Russia's intends to legislate along the lines suggested, exhibit at Expo '70. That nation has some but the Government of Queensland has of the biggest open-cut coal mines and some already fallen into line with many of the of the biggest seams of coal in the world. recommendations. Hon. members opposite criticise the Govern­ ment on what it has been doing and the I cannot quite understand the hon. member companies that have been prepared to spend for Logan. Sometimes he makes a very hundreds of millions of dollars in the devel­ interesting contribution to a debate and then opment of the coal export industry. If they -1 think someone slips a few pages into v. ant to force the cost of production of his speech notes-gives what can only be coal up and up until they price Queensland described as extracts from the writings of coal out of the overseas market. for whom Karl Marx or some of the early advocates are they working? Are they working for the of Socialism. There is a complete change people of Queensland or for the Communi.•t in the tone of his speech as he turns over countries adjacent to Japan that will be his speech notes. One hears many of the the ultimate suppliers of coal to that country same old time-worn phrases-pouring out if they force the price of coal to the point the mineral wealth of the State, devaluing where it becomes uneconomic for the our mineral wealth, and squandering the Japanese steel mills to buy it? They are assets of the State. How many times have forcing the coal industry in Queensland into we heard similar remarks from members that position. I would not have dealt with of the A.L.P.? coal but for the fact that the hon. member Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2965

for Logan mentioned it. The Bill has nothing very appreciative of what this Government to do with either the mining or export of has done in creating job opportunities for coal. This Bill is entirely a mineral Bill. them in various parts of the State. Mr. BALDWIN: I rise to a point of order. I was surprised to hear from the hon. I did not mention coal at all; I was speaking member that the Barrier Reef extends as far in general. south as Stradbroke Island. I know there is dead coral in that area, but he is the first Mr. CAMM: I will accept his explanation person I have heard claim that it is the that he was speaking in general. extremity of the Great Barrier Reef. I The hon. member for Wynnum was very remind him that the granting of leases, or pleased . to see such a large area of Queens­ titles to dredge, in Moreton Bay has nothing land bemg explored for minerals. I remind whatever to do with this Bill or the Mines him that the authorities to prospect are only Department. These titles to mine dead coral exploration titles. They do cover a large in Moreton Bay are granted by the Depart­ area but the area that will be actually taken ment of Harbours and Marine. Does he to lease, and the area of Queensland that is advocate that we should cancel these leases actually. being. mined at the present time, in and not allow the mining of coral in More­ companson w1th the whole area of the State ton Bay? Does he wish to kill the cement is really only a small acreage. Sometime; industry in Southern Queensland? I think it puzzles me why people get so vociferous he is adopting a very negative attitude in view in their criticism of the mining industry of the relatively small amount of pollution because of the land it disturbs, and the dis­ that results from the dredging of dead coral. ruption it causes to the environment. I He spoke about dredging of coral on would hazard a guess that all of the mining reefs right along the Queensland coast. This operations in Queensland do not disturb as is the only area in Queensland that I know much of the surface of the soil as the con­ of where dredging of dead coral is taking struction of the State's road system, yet place. Some time ago, an area was applied no-one is critical when we push a road for on Ellison Reef in North Queensland, through a part of the State where it is but a lease was refused. Some people still going to benefit some people. Why can we claim it would have been the basis of a new not look at the mining industry in much the industry in North Queensland, but many same light? The actual area to be dis­ people in the area did not desire the dead turbed by mining is so very small. coral to be mined and no lease was granted. Mr. Baldwin: There is a concentration in I thought the contribution of the hon. one place, though. member for Cairns was quite good. He did Mr. CAMM: It is not concentrated in one say that the mining industry in the State spot to any great extent. Can the hon. was in a state of flux. It might be in a member point to any location where the state of flux because it is expanding so surface of a great area has been destroyed? rapidly, but that is about the only inter­ I will admit that in time to come some of pretation one could put on his statement the open-cut coal mines will be disturbino that it is in a state of flux. a far greater area than some of us would I was very interested to hear him say that desire, but are we to say, "We don't mine mining leases were surveyed-! wrote this that coal. Leave it there", or are we to down carefully-that an application was mine it in the most economical way? made to the warden, that leases were granted, The hon. member for Wynnum also and that six months later the applicants were referred to the shortage of technical staff in informed that an authority to prospect the mining industry. It disturbs me, the covered the area. I will have that investi­ Government and officers of the Mines gated; if it is true, someone has slipped up Department that there is a shortage of skilled somewhere. I know this could occur when men coming into the mining industry but leases are not surveyed, when it would be our university is doing a wonderful' job. very difficult for a warden to plot them on a Under Professor Whitmore, the university map simply from the description. It might is turning out very good mining engineers state that a lease commences at a certain for Queensland. Of course, they do not spot and then goes north-easterly, whereas, always stay in this State after they have in actual fact, it goes north-westerly. In graduated, but they are there for the benefit those circumstances it is very difficult for of the mining industry. In fact, the minino a warden to plot the location on a map, companies themselves are helping, to a larg~ but to say that a lease has been properly degree, to increase the number of technical surveyed and granted and that the person men by granting scholarships for such has been notified six months later that training. there is an authority to prospect over the The hon. member for Wynnum mentioned area indicates that something has gone that the workers of Queensland are not wrong and I will have that investigated. deriving profits from the mining industry. As I indicated earlier, when an authority I travel quite a bit in the mining areas, to prospect is granted, the area is gazetted in and I can assure him that some of the the Government Gazette. Every authority to workers now engaged in our mining enter­ prospect area in Queensland is gazetted. A prises are doing very well indeed and are copy is forwarded to the warden and he 2966 Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill knows the exact location of authorities to Mr. CAMM: Yes. The hon. member spoke prospect in his particular area. As I indicated of the desirability of providing a motor earlier, it is sometimes difficult for him to plot vehicle for union officials in the Cairns the area on a map from a lease application, district. It is even difficult to decide which but there should not be any difficulty if leases employees associated with the ·Public Service are properly surveyed. should be supplied with motor vehicles. Of course, we pay the representative the usual Mr. R. Jones: You said you wrote it down. Public Service mileage rate for the distance Do you have the lease numbers there? that he covers in his own vehicle. It would Mr. CAMM: Yes. I will have the matter be a wonderful thing if we could supply all investigated. workers with cars, particularly four-wheel­ drive vehicles, but we cannot do that, so The hon. member asked if any authorities we supply as many vehicles as we can with­ to prospect were terminated. Every week out putting too great a strain on the State's some are terminated. Certain people take finances. out authorities to prospect and meet all their financial expenditure conditions, but Mr. R. Jones: You gave the same con­ then, on not finding any mineral at all, ditions to mining inspectors. surrender them. All exploration information is on file in the Mines Department. Pros­ Mr. CAMM: A man must, firstly, possess pectors are required by the provisions a first-class mine manager's ticket to become of the authority to prospect to furnish a mines inspector, and, after all, he is in that information, and that information is the top echelon of the Public Service and put on file in the Mines Department, holds great responsibilities. Our mines so that anyone at all can investigate the inspectors are supplied with cars. mineral potential in any relinquished Mr. R. Jones: It is a very big area that authority to prospect in Queensland. he has to cover. The hon. member suggested that records Mr. CAMM: Yes, I know. should be made available so that informa­ tion as to relinquished areas can be obtained. The hon. member referred also to It is available, but not while a prospector the danger of quarrying. The great holds an authority to prospect. As soon majority of quarries in Queensland are as he relinquishes his authority to prospect controlled by local authorities. The Mines the information is made available. J?epartment controls the safety precau­ tiOns that are incorporated in local Mr. R. Jones: This information is not authorities' ordinances, which, in turn, con­ public knowledge. trol quarries. All matters, such as explo­ sions and even dust, are controlled, and Mr. CAMM: Yes, it is. Anyone can the safety precautions are checked. ascertain from the core bank at Redbank where minerals have been found in Queens­ I do not wish to go right through the land. Geologists from many companies speech made by the hon. member for South examine the cores held in that bank, and Brisbane. by looking at the number on a particular Mr. Herbert: He isn't here, so he wouldn't core they can ascertain where it came from hear you, anyway. and whether it was obtained in drilling for oil or some other mineral. Mr. CAMM: He is here sometimes, for a couple of days, or a couple of hours, The hon. member for Cairns also spoke a week. However, he said that B.H.P. about surveying leases. Many leases are had spent $1,500,000 at Constance Range. held under application for lease for many That is true; in fact, I think the company years, and not all leases are surveyed. might have spent a greater sum of money. Mr. R. Jones: I realise that. He wants to know what we are doing about it. I point out that the Constance Mr. CAMM: When a lease is relinquished, Range iron-ore deposits are situated a great if application is made we refund the survey distance from the coast and that the mining fee that is deposited when the applicant is an underground operation. I remind the lodges his initial application. hon. member that B.:H.•P. is also associated The hon. member indicated that leases with the very large open-cut iron-ore deposits cost approximately $2 an acre. Surely the in Western Australia. We cannot say to cost must be influenced by the area of the a company, "You must go up there and lease. Some might cost $2 an acre, whereas mine." The economics of this proposal were others might cost more, depending on survey. such, I suppose, that RH.P. did not go ahead with mining iron-ore in that area. Mr. R. Jones: It is an average. The hon. member claimed to have reliable Mr. CAMM: It could be an average, but information that mining companies from in the near future we are going to increase Western Australia want to exchange iron­ the rental on leases, and that alone will be ore for Queensland coking coal. If we take rather expensive. that statement at its face value, it shows how poorly informed the hon. member is-or else Mr. R. Jones: Are you going to double he is indulging in his usual practice of it again? stretching the facts a little to emphasise his Mining Act [16 MARCH] Amendment Bill 2967

p~i~t. It is true that Western Australian decried conservationists as a body, although mmmg companies are negotiating for the I might criticise some of their more emotional utilisation of some of our coal for the treat­ claims. ment of iron-ore in that State. We hope that The hon. member was a little astray on my we can enter into a reciprocal arrangement power in respect of national parks when he whereby iron-ore can be brought to Queens­ said that the Minister for Mines could veto land. Anyone with any nous at all--even an application for a national park. I have no "blind Freddie"-can see that it would be such power. If a proposal is put forward to two-way traffic. It is not simply an exchange set aside, as a national park, an area which of iron for coal. It is a bigger proposal than my officers and geologists tell me is highly that. mineralised but I consider it could prove The hon. member devoted much of his valuable to the people of Queensland in speech to discussing coal. Anyone in his years to come, I have a responsibility to profession should know that this Bill has oppose the proposal in Cabinet. However, I nothing at all to do with coal mining. It have frequently supported such a proposal. relates purely to the Mining Act. He then But the Minister for Mines does not have the asked about the development of Port power of veto in this respect. Minerals can Curtis and referred to a $9,300,000 scheme, be mined only where they exist. for which he gave credit to the hon. mem­ It is not possible to draw lines on a map ber for Port Curtis. He should know that of Queensland and say, "This area will be that is not a matter for the Minister for reserved for mining, this one for national Mines; it concerns the Minister for Marine parks, and this one for forestation." How­ Affairs and the Treasurer. If, over the ever, certain features sometimes indicate to years, he had attended Parliament for about geologists that certain areas are worth 10 per cent. of its sitting time he would investigating for mineral development, even know more about the duties and responsi­ though people might not be interested in bilities of the various Ministers. mining them at present. The hon. member referred also to the The hon. member became rapt in conser­ rights of landholders. Invariably we inform vation and dealt with many subjects not holders of authorities to prospect or mining covered by the Bill. He suggested for leases that they must inform a land­ instance that we restrict the duties of mining holder when they enter his area for explora­ wardens. I am not clear whether he tion or developmental work. If it is freehold advocates that some other body should property, a permit must be granted by the decide whether leases should be granted or mining warden before an operator can enter. not. However, a mining warden is a highly We should always remember that, in Queens­ trained person, generally a magistrate, . ~ho land, minerals belong to the State. If can assess evidence submitted by a mmmg Opposition members want mineral rights to company and by objectors, and can give a revert to landholders, that is their affair. recommendation based on that assessment. Some Australian States are considering such Magistrates and judges quite often decide a policy, which exists in some countries of matters with which they are not personally the world. But while minerals belong to the conversant simply because they are trained State, as they do in Queensland, provision to assess evidence placed before them and must be made in the Mining Act to permit to give well-founded judgments based on it. mining companies to enter land and explore Many members of the Opposition have for minerals, and friction between mining had the opportunity to enter the witness companies and the landholders will continue. box and give evidence before a mining Mr. Lickiss: It would be universal warden in support of conservation. However, throughout Australia that the State owns the I do not recall any of them ever having minerals. done so. Did any Opposition members give evidence before the mining warden in the Mr. CAMM: I believe that there is talk Cooloola case? Will any of them give in some States of passing the mineral rights evidence in the Fraser Island case? I do back to the landholders. I do not know how not think the hon. member for Salisbury far it will go. It is not reliable talk, but should criticise the capability of mining there is a move in that direction. wardens, who have been trained to do a particular job. When speaking on the Mining Act, the Members of the Opposition claim now that hon. member for Salisbury always presents a they will listen to the findings of an expert discourse on conservation. I do not know committee set up to consider these issues. whether he has an obsession about mining or I wonder what expert committee advised the is so rapt in conservation that he "cannot Trades and Labour Council to impose a see the mineral for trees". black ban on mining at Cooloola before any Mr. Bromley: You aren't being fair to him. evidence of consequence had been submitted to the mining warden. Or was it simply Mr. CAMM: I am always fair to him. The deliberate opposition to the development of hon. member for Norman has never heard another mining enterprise in this State? If me being unfair in this Chamber to any I said to Opposition members, "We are conservationist. If he reads all my speeches prepared to set aside 100,000 acres on Fraser he will see that I have never in any way Island", would they be satisfied, knowing 2968 Mining Act [16 MARCH) Amendment Bill

that mmmg would take place on the rest are searching for minerals in this State. of the island, or do they simply want to Many are companies formed by people living stop mining from taking place? in Queensland who, although they wish to The hon. member for Salisbury criticised make a profit, also have an interest in the me on my attitude towards conservation. As development of the State. I said a moment ago, I have never criticised The hon. member queried our reserving a a conservation movement or anybody asso­ large area round the town of Charters ciated with one in his capacity as a con­ Towers. It is true that for many years since servationist. However, I have criticised the decline of mining in the Charters Towers some of the unreasonable claims made by the area many small operators have been work­ members of some movements. A particular ing there. However, interest was lagging, article that I read in the Press yesterday and it was decided to reserve a large area. made me think of the claim by Opposition and drill it to see if information could be members that we must preserve the "biggest obtained that would lead to further develop­ sand dune in the world," as it was described ment of the Charters Towers mineral field. by the hon. member for Isis. The combina­ That is why this area was reserved for depart­ tion of Fraser, Bribie, Moreton and Strad­ mental exploration. If minerals are dis­ broke Islands constitutes a tremendous area covered, it will be for the benefit of the area. of sand, yet a great cry went up not very It was considered that deep drilling opera­ long ago when the Government wanted to tions had more chance of finding minerals grant, through the Forestry Department, an than did the operations of small gaugers, application for a lease to allow moulding with only one or two men employed. If sand to be removed from Bribie Island. The departmental investigations discover nothing, article that I read yesterday was very the area can revert to its former state and interesting. It stated that there was great the operators can take up their leases again. elation in New Zealand because a contract has been signed in that country for the sale The hon. member also wants a new, to Japan of 11,000,000 tons of moulding modern battery at Charters Towers. When sand. In the small area of Queensland to I was in Charters Towers recently I met the which I have referred there would be more Charters Towers Ore Prospecting Associa· sand than there is in the whole of New tion, which I think they call themselves, and Zealand, yet there was opposition from they put to me the proposal for a new members on the other side of the Chamber battery. Officers of the Mines Department when the Forestry Department wanted to are now carrying out an investigation to see grant a lease for the removal of moulding if sufficient ore is being mined in the area sand to be used in this State. to warrant the upgrading of the Venus battery. Mr. Bromley: The Speaker was opposed to it, too. The hon. member for Isis admitted that there are many fields in which he is not an Mr. CAMM: No, he was not. I hope the expert. I think all hon. members would time never comes when Queensland has to agree that none of us is expert in all the import from Japan moulding sand that fields that he mentioned. However, I made originally came from New Zealand. a mental note of many of the categories and The hon. member for Townsville North I am sure that, scattered throughout the outlined some difficulty over applications for various Government departments in Queens­ leases in areas held under authorities to land, we have men possessing the academic prospect. I explained that position to the qualifications associated with them. hon. member for Cairns. Reference was Mr. Blake: You aren't employing these also made to "pin money" spent under men. authorities to prospect; an amount of $2,000 or $3,000 was mentioned. Authorities to Mr. CAMM: They are employed in prospect that pass through my department Government departments. The Government generally show annual expenditures of can also call in advisers from the university, $20,000, $30,000, and up to $200,000. and the advisers of mining companies can Companies have to spend large sums of pool their knowledge with that of depart· money before they are granted big areas of mental officers when particular projects are land to explore. Small operators are fre­ under consideration. I think it is necessary quently allowed by the holder of an authority to employ such men to assess the desirable to prospect to take up small leased areas, as utilisation of our natural environment, and it is realised by large companies that there they are constantly advising the administra­ are small outcrops of minerals that can be tive officers of various Government depart­ mined as small enterprises by a gouger ments. employing one or two men. In many cases The hen. member spoke also of leases that in Queensland, holders of authorities to pros­ were granted some years ago. I do not think pect have agreed to the granting of small he advocates the cancellation or repudiation leases. of leases granted by former Labour Govern­ The hon. member introduced a discordant ments or in the past 10 or 12 years by note with his obsession with big operators, Country-Liberal Governments. Some of the and southern operators, who come to leases that were granted on Fraser Island Queensland. I might say that it is not only could soon come into production. Surely the big operators and southern operators who hon. member does not advocate that they Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2969

should be cancelled or repudiated. Applica­ and the present composition of the Building tions are coming before .the mining warden's Construction Industry Safety Council is as court for mining leases on Fraser Island, and follows:- I shall be very interested in the outcome. Mr. C. R. Tranberg-Consulting Civil Motion (Mr. Camm) agreed to. Engineer (Chairman). Mr. J. A. Pidgeon-President, Queens­ Resolution reported. land Master Builders' Association. Mr. W. L. Upton-Treasurer, Queens­ FIRST READING land Master Builders' Association. Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. Mr. T. W. Chard--State Secretary, Camm, read a first time. Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, and Secretary, Building Trades Group of Unions. CONSTRUCTION SAFETY BILL Mr. C. J. Bushell-Secretary, Operative Bricklayers' Society of Employees Union, INITIATION IN COMMITTEE and President, Building Trades Group of (Mr. Ramsden, Merthyr, in the chair) Unions. Mr. J. G. Day-Representing the Institu­ Hon. J. D. HERBERT (Sherwood-Minis­ tion of Engineers. ter for Labour and Tourism) (4.49 p.m.): I move- Mr. B. M. Wilson-Representing the Royal Australian Institute of Architects; "That a Bill be introduced to provide with respect to the safety and welfare of President, Royal Australian Institute of persons engaged in construction work and Architects. other work associated therewith and of The departmental adviser is the Chief Inspec­ members of the public in respect of tor of Machinery, Scaffolding, and Weights danger from such work and for other and Measures and Chief Safety Engineer, purposes." Mr. A. J. Hilless. Early in the life of this Government attempts Mr. T. Simmons of the Office of the Chief were made to form a tripartite body to ensure Inspector of Machinery and Scaffolding is the that the safest possible working methods secretary to the council. would apply in the building construction Others who have given excellent service industry. Unfortunately, in spite of general to this council include Mr. D. C. Watkins support for the proposition, practical diffi­ during his term as president of the Queens­ culties prevented its successful operation. land Master Builders' Association and Mr. H. J. Parkinson while president of the Royal However, with the tragic fatalities in con­ Institute of Architects (Queensland Division), nection with the construction of the State together with Mr. J. Northover of the Master Government Insurance Office building and Builders and Mr. Hughie Hamilton, president subsequent to the successful Occupational of the Building Workers' Union, who acted Safety Convention which was held in Rock­ as deputies on the council from time to hampton in June, 1968, it occurred to me time. that if it were possible to establish a tri­ Following submissions made to me by the partite body on the lines of the Health Chief Inspector of Machinery, Scaffolding, Welfare and Safety Board under the Factories and Weights and Measures and Chief Safety and Shops Act, which was established as Engineer (Mr. A. J. Hilless) in 1969, regard­ a result of a report made by the present ing difficulties being experienced with the Under Secretary, Mr. Muhl, when overseas existing Inspection of Scaffolding Acts, I in 1958, an enormous amount of good could wrote to 14 companies and organisations, be achieved. Consequently, I approached including the master builders, architects, Insti­ the various sections concerned with the build­ tute of Engineers, consulting engineers. Trades ing construction industry and all agreed that and Labour Council, Australian Workers' it was tragic that the original concept had Union, scaffolding manufacturers and dis­ not been fully implemented. They were tributors and others associated with the build­ convinced that nothing but good could result ing industry, seeking their opinions on what from the formation of such a tripartite body, operations of the existing Act were outdated and I am happy to announce that as a result and what action they considered desirable to of these approaches a tripartite Building bring the provisions for building construction Construction Industry Safety Council, without safety to a state where they could cover any equal in any other State of Australia, present and foreseeable building methods. has been established in this State with a Very comprehensive recommendations were charter of its own. received from the organisations concerned. I know, as do all members of the council, The proposals were summarised by the Chief that the achievement it has been able to Inspector and placed before the Building effect industrially and otherwise fully con­ Construction Industry Safety Council for firms the formation of such a body. consideration. The Inspection of Scaffolding Act has been This tripartite body has been operating in operation since 1915 but has been the effectively since its revival in January, 1969, subject of various amendments throughout 2970 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill the course of the years, and its provisions It is necessary to meet the existing advances and the regulations thereunder were exhaust­ in technology especially in the field of ively examined by this tripartite body. high-rise buildings and construction works in general. These are increasing in numbers This council was unanimous in its opinion in Queensland and from observations made that this Act was archaic in many respects in overseas countries the incidence of high­ and that inadequate provisions exist at present rise buildings is very much on the increase. for the safety and welfare of persons engaged It is impossible to encompass them by any in construction and other works incidental small amendments to the existing Act. The thereto. only possible avenue of handling these build­ ings is by a completely new Act and to The council recommended that whilst over­ extend the provisions to construction works seas on a Standards Association matter, the in general. Chief Inspector of Machinery, Scaffolding, and Weights and Measures and Chief Safety It has become increasingly impossible to Engineer might carry out extensive investi­ fix responsibility on any party because of gations in many overseas countries of the the present definitions of "owner" and statutory requirements controlling safety in "scaffolding" on which the Act is based. the construction of modem buildings, and This is borne out by the decision in the Cabinet approved of this. High Court of Australia in 1969 in the case of Kostrzewa v. The Southern Electric On his return Mr. Hilless submitted a Authority. detailed, voluminous report and recommended In his judgment Mr. Justice Owen of that the present Inspection of Scaffolding Acts the High Court said that the definitions of be repealed and a completely new Con­ "owner" and "scaffolding" are bound to give struction Safety Act be enacted to eliminate rise to considerable confusion in the applica­ any archaic provisions or inadequacies in tion of the regulations and that they would these Acts. seem to be overdue for revision. This Provisions to be included in any such Bill opinion has been borne out from the inves­ were unanimously recommended by this tigations made overseas by Mr. A. J. Hilless, council and are contained in the Bill now Chief Safety Engineer and Chief Inspector being introduced. of Machinery and Scaffolding. The principal object of this Bill is to The principal provisions in the Bill are repeal the existing Inspection of Scaffolding summarised as follows:- Acts, 1915 to 1966 and replace the same with !. The Act will bind the Crown as is a new Act to be called the Construction the case in all other States and in New Safety Act. The purpose of this is to Zealand. The present Inspection of Scaf­ bring up to date the provisions governing the folding Acts do not, but all or most safety of persons, material and property construction departments observe its pro­ concerned with construction works in general. visions. The existing Inspection of Scaffolding Acts 2. The responsibility for the safety of date from 1908 when an Inspection of persons employed on construction works Machinery and Scaffolding Act was intro­ and persons in the vicinity of construction duced. In 1915 the Inspection of Scaffolding works will be placed on the shoulders of Act was introduced as a separate Act. the constructor, the subcontractor and the The basic provisions for scaffolding in the employer who are defined in the Bill. existing Act are similar to those which were The constructor and the subcontractor are included in 1908 and 1915. employers in their own right and the general principle adopted in all overseas The advances in technology over the years countries visited was that the responsi­ have rendered these obsolete and make bility for the safety of any person rested it almost impossible to administer the safety on the shoulders of the employer. The provisions on construction works throughout definitions and duties of these parties are the State. The original Act was based on included. scaffolding alone and scaffolding originally 3. This Bill will apply to any project was defined as "any structure over eight and any construction work, which include feet from a horizontal base built up for any building or structure, any excavation the purpose of erecting, demolishing, alter­ work, compressed-air work or any trench­ ing, repairing, cleaning or painting buildings ing work, each of which is defined. Scaf­ and structures". folding is incidental to any project or ·From this original beginning of scaffold­ building or structure. ing, the definition has been extended in an 4. The Bill also applies to any site attempt to include various aspects of .con­ (which is defined) on which any project struction work. The result over the years is being carried out. The present Inspec­ has been complete confusion as to what tion of Scaffolding Act applies simply scaffolding represents, and as the penal pro­ to the structure itself, so that there is vision of the existing Inspection of Scaffold­ no authority to require adequate house­ ing Acts relates to the breaches by the keeping and prevention of injuries to per­ "owner of scaffolding" it is impossible to sons on the site of any building or administer these provisions for safety. structure. This deficiency must be rectified. Construction Safety Bill (16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2971

5. The appointment of inspectors of con­ in other States, and, to meet the require­ struction work is more adequately covered ments for uniformity between States, the in this than in the previous Act, together introducl!ion of a rigger's certificate is pro­ with their functions. Conditions of posed under this Bill. appointment and the functions of inspectors 11. The requirement for notification l:ty are covered. a constructor, subcontractor and employer 6. Pro-vision is made for the introduction before commencing any work to which this of "notifiable work". Under the present Act applies is included in the body of the Act it is necessary fur all work of any Bill. Under the existing Act, this require­ nature to be notified to an inspector 24 ment is relegated to a regulation and •H has hours before commencement. This 1ncludes been extremely difficult to enforce. every very small item of repair work, such as the painting of a wall from a trestle. 12. The reporting and investigation of This has resulted in an enormous amount accidents has been more adequately of administrative work without any really covered in this Bill than within the existing efficient coverage of construction work in Act. The definition of "serious bodily general. Notifiable work will be prescribed ~njury" has been amended to make it more in the regulations. This should increa~e ·in keeping with present-day practice and the efficiency of the department withou:t administration problems. Details of pro­ any real detriment to revenue. It is pro• cedures to be adorpted for investigations posed to delete from "notifiable work", are also set out. alteratiOtll, repair, maintenance, cleaning 13. A major important introduction in and painting of domestic dwellings in this Bill is the requirement for the appohlt­ particular. ment of a project safety officer on the 7. The powers of an inspeotor tn enter site of a pmject under circumstances upon any site, whether the work in pro­ defined in the Bill. This is a most impor­ gress is notifiable or not, and to make tant requi11ement; it is in keeping with examinations during his entry thereon, and requirements in overseas countries and is the requirements for the constructor, sub­ included in the existing Constru.ction contractor and employer to give assistance Safety Acts of South Australia, New to an inspector are covered, and the power Zealand and Great Britain, besides being of an inspector to give directions with implied in countries such as Derunark and respect to work to which this Act applies Sweden, and in some Canadian States. has also been more adequately coverred and clarified than is possible under the Provision is also made for permitting existing Act. The general poweTs of an ·empLoyees to appoint a safety representa­ inspector are set out, and the inspector's tive and for the Chief Inspector to require powers covering the prevention of acci­ the appointment of safety committees dents to secure compliance. with the Act, where it appears to him that the working the pwper use of scaffolding, precautions conditions on a project involve particular to be taken, power to vequire cessation orf danger to safety and welfare and no work and other matters incidental •to voluntary committee exists. safety are also set out. 14. Recognition is given in the Bill to 8. The duties of a constructor, sub­ the Building Construction Industry Safety contractor, employer and workman are Council, and it is provided that the con­ defined in the Act to ensure the safety stitution and existence of this council be of persons and, with respect to the work­ as determined from time to time by the man, for his own safety and the safety of Minist•er. The council has the role of any other person engaged on the work. considering all matters that concern safety in the building construction industry. It 9. The requirements with respect to is competent for the Minister to refer such scaffolding, gem, formwork a.nd falsework matters to the council, which muS't report are covered in more detail in this Bill, to the Minister on its deliberations and and the extension of the operation of the make such recommendations to the Bill to formwork and falsework is a most Minister as it thinks necessary to secure important extension of its coverage. There safety. have been many accidents with inadequate formwork and falsework. Major fatalities 15. To ensure speedy compliance with have occurred in overseas countries as a an inspector's direction, provision will result of inadequate falsework. Formwork exist for the Chief Inspector to obtain and falsework are included in the de,finition from the Industrial Conciliation and of construction equipment, and continual Arbitration Commission a mandatory or reference is made throughout the Bill to a restrictive injunction. This power of duties with respect to construction equip­ the Commission may be exercised by a menlt. The,re •is no avenue' for coverage of single Commissioner in chambers and, in this within the existing Act. the event of contravention of the order 10. Certificates of competency have of the Commission, the matter can be pro­ been extended to cover the introduction secuted in the Industrial Court, with a and qualifications of a rigger. This has maximum penalty of $5,000 and a penalt:, been a request from contractors and of $50 for each day during which the unions for some time. Riggers are covered contravention continues. 2972 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH} Construction Safety Bill

15A. The general penalty for a breach work, have been promulgated under the of the Act is a maximum of $500. How­ existing Scaffolding Act because of their ever, where a breach of duty on the part urgency. of a constructor, subcontractor or I express my appreciation, and that of the' employer is established and it is proved Government, of the excellent service and that as a consequence of such breach loss enthusiasm which all members of the of life of any person or serious bodily Building Construction Industry Safety injury to any person has occurred, a Council have displayed in applying them­ maximum penalty of $5,000 is provided. selves so assiduously to this huge task. I am 16. As distinct from the existing Act, sure it will be of great satisfaction to all which requires prosecutions for breaches hon. members to know that the provisions before a stipendiary magistrate, the Bill, contained in the Bill now being introduced, because of its industrial nature, will require with the exception of the penal provisions, that proceedings for breaches of the Act which were not discussed, have been unani­ (other than proceedings for the recovery of mously accepted by all sections of the build­ fees) should be heard and determined by ing industry as represented on that council. an industrial magistrate. This should I commend the measure to the considera­ facilitate the hearing of charges and speed tion of the Committee. up the decision to be given. 17. The regulation-making powers have Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) (5.9 p.m.): It been more clearly defined in order to is not often that the Minister accepts advice. cover all aspects of building construction; In fact, he is well known throughout the extending its operation to dams, bridges, State for his ability to resist it. Obviously, trenching work, excavation work, com­ on this occasion, he has accepted it. pressed-air work, and, if necessary, diving Mr. R. Jones: Under pressure. work, that is, all work dealing with any aspect of construction. The coverage of Mr. BROMLEY: Under pressure, perhaps, the Bill is indicated by the definitions of as the hon. member says. "building or structure", "construction Over the years, many members of the work", "compressed-air work", "excava­ Opposition have expressed views similar to tion work", "project" and "trench". These those outlined by the Minister today. The provisions will make it much simpler to other day I was intrigued by the Minister's cover any advances in building techniques laying on the table of the Hou~e regulati'?ns as they may be introduced. under the Inspection of Scaffoldmg Act wh1ch 18. The principles included in this Bill, ran to about 11 pages. I wondered at the other than the penal clauses, have gained time what would follow the tabling of them. the unanimous approval of the Building I now wonder why they could not have been Construction Industry Safety Council. incorporated in this Bill, seeing that the Minister referred to the urgency for pro­ The provisions of this Bill are the result of mulgating them. considerable investigation and research by Mr. Hilless in various overseas countries, After listening to the Minister, I think I and, in respect of the legislation operation, in can say that all hon. members, all members other States and New Zealand, and of of industrial unions, and all members of exhaustive examination, discussion and con­ building organisations will welcome the intro­ sideration by the tripartite Building Construc­ duction of this Bill. The Australian Labour tion Industry Safety Council. Party gives credit where it is due when legis­ lation is introduced to protect the safety of It is considered that when this legislation people, and it is particularly necessary in is enacted, which will be from a date to be the construction industry. proclaimed to enable the necessary regula­ I was happy to hear the Minister say that tions to be prepared, it will be at least the Mr. T. W. Chard and Mr. H. Hamilton, who equal of any similar legislation in existence are secretary and president respectively of not only in Australia but anywhere in the the Building Workers' Industrial Union, and world. It is confidently expected that it will Mr. C. J. Bushell were associated with the be able to cope with all safety problems in preparation of this legislation. The Minister the building construction industry, which are said that he wrote to 14 bodies, including the increasing as a result of modem-day con­ Trades and Labour Council and the Building struction techniques and technological change, and also with the changes which will Workers' Industrial Union, and that all of undoubtedly occur in the future. these organisations agreed that the introduc­ tion of a new Act was overdue and would The department is already taking action be welcomed. The Minister referred to the to redraft and modernise the regulations in overseas visit of Mr. Hilless and gave him line with departmental experience, the some of the credit for the introduction of recommendations of those bodies which sub­ this Bill. But we must not forget that the mitted comments in 1969, and overseas prac­ industrial organisations and the Labour tices. Several recommendations have been movement have been agitating for the intro­ considered and approved by the Building duction of this legislation. This Bill will Construction Industry Safety Council. Two, engage the interest of many hon. members one covering barricades, hoardings and and I anticipate a good deal of debate on gantries, and the other covering demolition it. Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2973

It is true, as the Minister said, that there suggest that the law should provide that the has been complete confusion about the main contractor, not a subcontractor, should Inspection of Scaffolding Act and regulations. bear complete responsibility for all breaches It was pleasing to hear the Minister say of safety regulations, irrespective of whether that the Crown will be bound by the pro­ they result in injuries to people working on visions of the new Act, and it is about time the job or walking past the site. it was. Even under Labour, the Govern­ ment was not bound by the Act. I do not want to recall any of the tragedies associated with the constrnction of the I now want to refer to what has hap­ S.G.I.O. building, because I, and others, pened in the past and what we do not want have spoken of them previously in this to happen in the future. I do not know Chamber. However, we must all shudder at whether the $500 and $5,000 fines provided the thought of the deaths and accidents that by the Bill will be adequate. I wonder how have occurred during the construction of many times an industrial magistrate-and it some of the high-rise buildings in Brisbane will be an industrial magistrate who will and elsewhere throughout the State. In the hear these cases-has imposed the maximum constmction of the S.G.I.O. building, which penalty. Never, I venture to say. And the is of 28 storeys, it will be recalled th.at some Minister did not say that $500 would be the pedestrians were injured whils! :walkmg past minimum fine. the site simply because the Mmister and the We welcome the introduction of this Bill Govern~ent had not insisted that safety because, for many years, this Government precautions be taken on that job. When I has had dirty hands relative to industrial say "safety", I mean complete s~fety for safety. Builders and contractors know this. everyone connected with constructiOn work It is common knowledge in the building trade -the workers on the job, people who_ may that over the years builders, and the Govern­ be walking past, or people who may be In the ment, have breached safety regulations. I vicinity. asked some questions in the House not long As I said tragedies occurred during the ago about the number of prosecutions each construction 'of the S.G.I.O. building. If year for breaches of safety regulations, and only this morning, anticipating the introduc­ the shafts had been covered on every second tion of this Bill later in the week, I asked floor from the ground floor to the top, I other questions on the same subject. In the venture to say that no deaths would have last three years, there have been, to the best occurred. Some unfortunate workers fell as of my knowledge, only 16 prosecutions for far as 14 floors on the S.G.I.O. building. breaches of the Inspection of Scaffolding Act. Others would have been alive today and far If the position was not so tragic, it would be fewer accidents would have happened if the laughable. Sixteen prosecutions! Everybody shafts had been covered. knows that thousands and thousands of breaches take place year after year. It is true as the Minister said, that many multi-unit ~nd high-rise buildings are being Although the Minister did not say so, I erected in Brisbane. That shows that th_e say quite categorically that there is a dire city is progresing, and. I_ am very happy It need for the appointment of many more is. I agree with the Mn~Iste~, too, that there scaffolding inspectors. I also say that those is a great need for legislatiOn of the type inspectors should be armed with authority to now proposed and for mor_e safety precau­ prosecute, on the spot, builders who breach tions and greater co-operation between the regulations, or in any way prejudice the employer and the employee and Government safety of workers. How often do we see not inspectors. From what I have been told, a tittle of evidence produced when a serious and from what I have noticed myself in accident has happened? I believe that if some the past, there has not b~e1_1 sufficient of these measures could be introduced, they co-operation between the bmldmg worker would help to prevent some of the tragedies and the employer and Government inspectors. that now take place on building jobs In my opinion, the need for greater I agree that on large jobs there should be co-operation cannot be stressed too strongly. full-time safety officers. There might now be Perhaps a sub-department or sub-Ministry of safety officers on one or two jobs, but not on industrial safety could be set up to deal all jobs. There should be safety officers and with all aspects of safety on the job in the safety committees even on small jobs. It is various spheres of building a_ctivity, both on no use saying, "We should have done this buildings in the metropolitan are~ and or that" after an accident has occurred. I construction work such as dan1s outside the believe that immediate arrangements should metropolitan area. It could cover the metal be made for the election of safety committees trades and other construction industries, and on all jobs. Whether the Bill will bring that it would develop and eventually enforce about, I do not know. safety codes for all industries. I say There is no doubt that there have been "enforce" advisedly, because safety laws some tragic accidents on building jobs, and relative to traffic, motor vehicles and other sometimes it becomes a question of whether matters are already being enforced in this the contractor or a subcontractor is to blame. State and throughout the Commonwealt!J. Subcontracting, which has become more pre­ If it is possible to enforce such codes m valent over the years, often leads to the other spheres of activity, it is possible tc> creation of greater hazards to safety. I enforce them in building construction 96 2974 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill

It is not satisfactory to have the Minister New South Wales, it is good to see that saying, as he did earlier-! made a note of it State receiving credit for it. I am not com­ -that the·re has been complete confusion plaining. over the years relative to scaffolding. He has known this for years, but has failed until Tbe TEMPORARY CHAI&VlAN (Mr, now to take any action. He said that the Ramsden): Order! proposed Bill will eliminate that confusion, A Government Member interjected. and I certainly hope it does. The law must be enforced, and I think it is possible to The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! enforce it. As I said, safety regulations are compulsory and binding upon the users Mr. BROMLEY: I will tell the hon. mem- of motor vehicles and roads, so it should ber who interjected-- be possible to bind people in the building The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! industry. A legal obligation must be cast The hon. member has exhausted the time upon them. allowed under the Standing Orders. I ask Whether we are members of Parliament, hon. members to observe the call to order. ?rdjnary citizens, employers, or employees, It 1s our duty to do our best to prevent Mr. W. D. HEWITT (Chatsworth) (5.28 accidents from happening. I have here the p.m.): It is probably true to say that this is latest figures relative to industrial accidents. as important a piece of legislation as has Because of the limited time available to me come before Parliament for many years. It I cannot -\\o into them in detail, but they is concerned with the safety of workers are fantastic figures and are very frightening. and people who come in proximity to con­ In the March quarter last year there were struction jobs. I do not think there would 17 4, 7 62 days of lost time because of be one hon. member who would decry it or temporary disability. Those figures covering would not say that it is a welcome piece of only one quarter of last year do not take legislation. It updates a piece of law that, into account many self-employed builders, with the passage of time and the introduction carpenters, etc., who are not obliged to insure of new processes, has become out of date. with the State Government Insurance Office As a consequence, it is necessary to rewrite or any private company. No doubt the the legislation. complete figures would be much higher. The Minister referred to the Occupational Safety Convention held in Rockhampton In the short time I have left to me, I some three years ago. It gives me some wish to suggest a training programme which pleasure to recall that convention, because would be in line with the provisions of the I was one who attended it, together with Bill. From the inquiries I have made such you, Mr. Ramsden, the hon. member for a training programme would receiv~ the Ithaca, and the hon. member for Norman, approbation of the various industrial unions who represented his parliamentary party as and employers. I suggest that courses be well as the Miscellaneous Workers' Union. conducted at the technical colleges to train It was very pleasing on that occasion to qualified training officers for employment as notice the unanimity of all sections. Repre­ full-time safety officers in industry. I sug­ sented at the convention were the Govern­ gest the attendance of foremen. I have here ment, as well as employers and employees. a copy of "The Foreman's Safety Hand­ They were not concerned about who was book", which was put out by the department. right or who was wrong, but about the fact It is a very good book, although a lot of that there was a high incidence of industrial the material was "pinched" from New South accidents in Queensland, and how this could Wales. More copies of this book should be be reduced. I believe that the papers made available. If you care to have a look delivered at that convention were very use­ at it later on, Mr. Ramsden, I am sure you ful. If the Minister says that this Bill was will find it of great interest. conceived there, those of us who attended Mr. Herbert: Is there anything wrong with that convention can feel very happy about it. taking it from New South Wales or any­ Mr. Bromley: The paper by Mr. Murphy, where else? the Rockhampton building inspector, was very good. Mr. BROMLEY: There is no need for the Minister to get on his high horse. I did not Mr. W. D. HEWITT: I thought that Mr. say there was. H. K. Lambie, the American expert, rather outshone everybody else. That is his full­ Mr. Herbert: You said that we were time job. "pinching" it. It is interesting to note, seeing that the Mr. BROMLEY: Would the Minister like hon. member for Norman has raised this me to quote from the book? It says that matter, that Mr. Lambie is retained by the it is taken from New South Wales. The Kaiser Corporation. All the year round he Minister did not prepare these books. He does nothing but apply himself to the prob­ was not even the Minister when they were lems of industrial accidents and industrial first brought out. Alec Dewar was the safety. He tours the world for many months person who was responsible for them. The of the year inspecting the Kaiser Corpora­ Minister should not come at any smart tion's many complexes, critically appraising tricks here. As material was taken from the many aspects of safety and constantly Construction Safety Bill (16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2975

trying to uprate them. He is not only penalised for non-observance of safety regu­ employed in his own right, but in fact is the lations, the unions would adopt a realistic head of a department at Kaisers which costs attitude. If the employer and the contractor that company hundreds of thousands of are heavily penalised, then the workman like­ dollars a year. This emphasis is right and very wise must know his position in the deal and proper, and because of his specialised know­ if he is reprimanded, or even has his services ledge, I do not think anyone would seriously dispensed with because he is not observing dispute that he was the outstanding per­ safety precautions, I hope that the unions former at that convention. As well, his will be realistic in the matter. Responsibility anecdotes in the "off" hours were very must be sheeted home at all levels, and if as entertaining. a consequence of the Bill this is clearly With the high-rise buildings now being understood, I should hope that the incidence erected in this city, and indeed throughout of industrial accidents will be very heavily the State, it is more important than ever that cut. our laws should be adequate to cover the I have been told that, on occasions, men protection of the workers employed in build­ have been known to return to the job after ing them. If a man is working 16, 18 or having partaken of alcohol during a lunch 20 storeys up and misses his footing or makes break. To me, this is the absolute height a miscalculation, he seldom gets a second of folly. One cannot imagine that it would chance. Therefore, there must be proper be possible. regulations providing for every aspect of his Mr. Dean: It is criminal. industrial safety. Safety is everybody's business-it is the Mr. W. D. HEWIIT: My friend the hon. Government's, the employer's and the member for Sandgate says it is criminal. I employee's-and it is right and proper that do not argue with him on that point. Any­ very significant penalties have been laid down one who works on a high-rise building in this Bill. A maximum penalty of $5,000 should be made to understand quite clearly is provided where a fatality or serious injury that throughout his working day alcohol is is a consequence of proven neglect. The out, and that if it is established that he emphasis seems to be that the employer and has partaken of alcohol or drugs at any time the contractor will be heavily penalised and during working hours his job is in jeopardy. they will be reminded of their obligations He should be made to understand that he is at all times. I do not decry this for one endangering not only his own life but also moment; I am the first to applaud it. How­ the lives of his workmates. As I say, this ever, I go further and say that if safety responsibility must be accepted at all levels. equipment is not provided on any high-rise When an employee is engaged on a high­ job, the worker has every right to immedi­ rise building he is aware of the risks ately withhold his labour. involved, and if he is a careful fellow he This is one circumstance where I believe watches his footwork and does his job the strike weapon is useful and that it must according to the regulations as laid down. be employed forthwith. On occasions such In complying with the safety rules he is as as this, if a mal'1's safety is not provided for safe as can be; however, I am concerned it is no use saying, "We will give you a about certain factors that are beyond the hearing in six days' time, old boy", because control of the worker and, very often, the he may not be around then. Therefore I builder as well. I refer particularly to readily go on record as saying that if defi~ed design, and, in doing so, recall the tragic safety equipment is not available, it is the collapse of the West Gate Bridge in Victoria worker's rightful recourse to withhold his last year. I would suggest that not one work­ labour forthwith. man on that job had any hint at all of the impending disaster; yet the West Gate Bridge But if the worker has rights in these collapsed suddenly, without giving the work­ matters he also has certain obligations, and men any chance, and approximately 40 of I should hope that these could be understood them plunged to their doom. A tragedy of also, because there is a heavy onus upon that nature must concern all of us, and I him. If a man becomes sloppy and slovenly remind hon. members that bridges are not in his approach to his work when he is on a the only structures that collapse. On a high-rise building, he might get away with number of occasions high-rise buildings have it because he has been doing such work for suddenly fallen apart and tumbled to the many years. Even though he is quite con­ ground like a pack of cards, and in that event temptuous of the risk he might get away it would not matter if the man on the top with it for ever, but he creates a bad pre­ storey was the most careful man employed; cedent for other workers on the job. They he would not have an ice-cream's chance in may become equally contemptuous, and the Hell. evil day of reckoning must eventually be In saying this, I am leading up to a ques­ forthcoming. tion to the Minister: are there any uniform I believe that if safety procedures are construction codes in existence in Queens­ defined, the worker has a heavy responsibility land, or are there any under contemplation? to recognise them and to comply and conform This is an avenue in which the Government with them. Therefore, there must be some must be interested. It is one thing to say type of penalty against him if he disregards that we must concern ourselves with the them. I should hope that if a worker was safety of the worker on the job, but it is 2976 Construction Safety Bill (16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill another thing to show that concern. When and America. It seems to us that Queens­ the basis on which a job is done is question­ land always lags behind in new procedures. able, we must concern ourselves with it. We should be leading the way in legisla­ tion relative to new techniques that will In the broad measure, I am very pleased at certainly be used in the building industry the introduction of the Bill. I look forward and other industries. to studying its provisions in great detail, and On this occasion I should like to bring I am sure that the great majority of workers to the attention of the Committee some in the construction industry will welcome it matters that may not be covered strictly as a progressive step. by this measure. Many transport drivers engaged by commercial firms have told me Mr. DAVIS (Brisbane) (5.38 p.m.): In what happens when their vehicles are defec­ rising to support our shadow Minister I tive. As the Act is framed they must go indicate that the Opposition does not object through the procedure of firstly getting a to the introduction of the Bill. In fact, we police officer and then a machinery inspector believe that it should have been introduced to carry out a roadside inspection. The long ago. The truest words spoken by the driver suffers a big disadvantage because of Minister in his introduction were, "The Act the long delay, and has then to bear the is archaic." It is tragic that in the past a derision of his employer, who does not great number of men have lost their lives in believe that a safety factor was involved. the construction of high-rise buildings. They have been martyrs in the cause, so to speak, In the last two or three years I have as there have been other marty,rs throughout been told of many problems relative to history. motor vehicle inspections in commercial In all forms of construction, industrial yards. safety is only now coming to the fore. Both The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. the hon. member for Chatsworth and the Ramsden): Order! I think the hon. member hon. member for Norman referred to a has made his point. The Bill relates to safety convention that was held at Rock­ construction safety, not to mechanical safety. hampton. Three years prior to that a safety convention was held in Brisbane, at which 1 Mr. DAVIS: Does this not come under represented my organisation. the Bill? I thought it did. With due deference to you, Mr. Ramsden, construction Mr. Bromley: It was held at the Festival features are associated with transport firms Hall. because, in many cases, vehicles go to con­ Mr. DAVIS: It was, and it was a very good struction jobs. I intended to say that some show, too. In the past I have worked on of these vehicles-- construction jobs in Brisbane and in other The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! parts of Queensland, and I have been struck Will the hon. member accept my ruling by the marked difference between the and deal with the Construction Safety Bill. attitudes of American and Australian employers. I give full credit to American Mr. DAVIS: Mr. Ramsden, I believe that employers, who, in the great majority of what I was referring to has something to do instances, are not afraid to spend a few with it, but if that is your ruling and I am dollars in showing the way to safety and not allowed to speak about it, I will resume implementing safety features. Hard hats, my seat. safety goggles and safety officers are well and truly to the fore on construction jobs Mr. BOUSEN (Toowoomba West) (5.44 carried out in Australia by American p.m.): I welcome the introduction of this employers, whereas Australian employers Bill and support the remarks of the hon. are only now beginning to wake up to the members for Norman and Brisbane. Over need to implement safety in industry. a number of years those of us who have been closely associated with the trade union The Ampol oil refinery in Brisbane was movement have sought to introduce more built by Bechtel of America. At one time safety in industry, particularly the building over I ,000 employees were engaged in the industry. The wives and families of many construction work, which lasted for more building construction employees become than 18 months, and I do not think there anxious every morning about their safe was one fatality on that project. There return in the evening. I am sure that was very little loss of time, because the this Bill will allay their fears somewhat, management employed safety officers and particularly in this modern age when the did not spare any expense on safety features capital city (with its high-rise buildings such and materials. Management took the union­ as the S.G.I.O.) and other provincial cities ists on the job into its confidence and are following the overseas pattern of high­ safety committees met. It was a classic rise, sky-scraper buildings. This is one of the example of what can be achieved by unions reasons for the anxiety of workers (par­ and employers. ticularly those in the building industry) their It is all very well to say that high-rise wives and families. projects are new to Brisbane, but skyscrapers I welcome the inclusion in the Bill of the and high-rise projects have been the order qualifications of a rigger and the provision of the day for a long time in England that he will have to pass some form of test Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2977

before being issued with a certificate to rig wife of that man, and his children? That scaffolding for any big building. Over the is why I am so pleased to see some pro­ years accidents have been caused by faulty vision made for safety in the building scaffolding. The rigger might have been industry. responsible. But the contractor could have The hon. member for Chatsworth referred been to blame, by employing unskilled labour to the West Gate Bridge disaster in Victoria. on the scaffolding. This provision will fur­ I believe that that tragedy, too, could have ther allay the fears of the workers, their been prevented. If industrial inspectors had wives and their families. been diligent on the job, they would have I am pleased that the Bill provides for seen the fault in the bridge before it trade union representation on the Building collapsed. Construction Industry Safety Council. The I shall also make specific reference to Too­ trade union movement has been advocating woomba, the city in which I live. Toowoomba this for some time. I do not want to discuss is a city of 60,000 people, and it has only one the pros and cons of the fatalities that industrial inspector. It is quite impossible occurred during the construction of the State for one person to keep an eye on all the Government Insurance Office building, but a building work that is taking place in and long, drawn-out stoppage resulted because around the city. I am wondering if the the trade unions were not permitted to Minister would give consideration to increas­ appoint a person of their choice as the safety ing the number of scaffolding inspectors, officer on that job. machinery inspectors and industrial inspectors It is also pleasing that provision is made so that these officers will be able to do to cover injury to any citizen walking in or effectively the job for which they are around a building under construction. A appointed. Unless their numbers are woman was injured when the fence around increased, there will still be anomalies, and the S.G.I.O. building collapsed last year. I probably some accidents, in the building hope that the Bill contains sufficient remedy industry. I appeal to the Minister to give for such accidents. consideration to this matter. One of the failings of the present Act is I now wish to refer to a tragedy that that the Crown is not subject to its own occurred on the Main Roads Department iaw. Through you, Mr. Ramsden, I ask the building in Toowoomba. A young married Minister if he will allow inspectors to enter man, the father of two children, fell from railway premises and initiate a prosecution the third floor whilst using a grinding if the scaffolding is unsatisfactory. machine on a parapet about 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 In. wide, with no protective scaffolding what­ Mr. Herhert: The Crown is liable under ever. It was some time before even a the Bill. Obviously, there is no need for claim for workers' compensation was estab­ the Crown to prosecute the Crown. lished. That has now been settled, and it Mr. BOUSEN: This has always been the has now been found necessary for the union bugbear. As a railway union official, I was to proceed against the contractor for damages unable to take any inspector-building, scaf­ for the deceased's wife and family. Had folding, machinery, health and so on-onto this Bill been brought down earlier, that a job to point out some anomaly that the man's life would have been saved; lte would department would not remedy, and we were not have fallen if the necessary scaffolding unable to launch a prosecution along the had been provided. I could also refer to a lines I have suggested. member of my union, a painter, who, because the scaffolding was inadequate, fell Mr. R. E. Moore: Health inspectors do and lost his life whilst working on the go onto railway jobs looking for fellows Indooroopilly Bridge. using lead paint and things like that. Such accidents provide ample proof that Mr. BOUSEN: I did not hear what the these provisions should cover Crown hon. member said. The Crown should be employees, whose lives, and whose wives and subject to these laws and should be prose­ families, are just as important as are those cuted whenever there is an anomaly. in other sections of industry. Unless the I have heard employers and contractors Minister gives an assurance that Crown say that if an employee is injured and is employees will receive the protection afforded unable to continue working, he receives to other members of the community, the Bill workers' compensation. I have no doubt that will not be worth the paper on which it is all hon. members will agree that the amount written. I am prepared to accept the of compensation paid to an injured worker is Minister's word that protection will be insufficient. His family is not sufficiently afforded railway employees. provided for monetarily, because the com­ I should also like to make some reference pensation paid to him is much less than his to the comment of the hon. member for weekly wage, despite the pain and suffering Brisbane that the Bill does not go far enough. he experiences. In the event of a fatality in It is a Bill exclusively for the building the building industry, the widow receives industry. From time to time P.M.G. lines­ $10,000. What is $10,000 to a man working men have lost their lives because poles that in the building industry? It is about three they have climbed have swayed with their years' salary, at most. What is the con­ weight and broken. Men working at the tractor's concern about the livelihood of the top of poles have also been killed as 2978 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill a result of touching live wires that should Mr. B. WOOD (Cook) (5.58 p.m.): It not have been live whilst work was being seems strange that it should have taken the done on them. Some provision must be made Parliament so long to catch up with changes in all branches of industry to ensure that and modern methods in the building indus­ such fatalities do not occur. try. Hon. members have been told that the proposed Bill will replace Acts going back Until we see the Bill and have the oppor­ to the beginning of the century, although new tunity to study it clause by clause, I am methods of building have been introduced prepared to accept it. I support my col­ to this State long since then. leagues on this side of the Chamber in the manner in which they have discussed the The Minister indicated in his introductory Bill. We look forward to receiving and speech that the proposed Bill will have fairly examining it. wide scope. It seems that it will tie up relative sections of other Acts and undoubt­ Mr. DEAN (Sandgate) (5.55 p.m.): I wish edly will effect a great improvement in the to speak only briefly on the introduction of present position. However, I am interested this very important Bill, which is being intro­ in some wider aspects that it may not cover. duced to provide "with respect to the safety and welfare of persons engaged in construc­ One hen. member opposite raised the tion work and other work associated there­ implications from the crash of the West with and of members of the public"-that Gate Bridge. Of course, it is not easy is the section of the motion that interests to see how the design of a bridge or other me particularly-"in respect of danger from construction can be examined constantly for such work and for other purposes". safety purposes. Very competent engineers had grave doubts about the construction of In common with other hon. members, from the West Gate Bridge, but it seems that time to time I receive complaints and expres­ they were only getting to the stage of very sions of fear from members of the general serious concern when the bridge collapsed. public regarding some of the construction It could be very difficult for Government work in this city. In my opinion, the screens engineers or Government inspectors to go erected where work is being carried out do onto such sites and determine how safe the not give sufficient protection to the public. construction is. At present a bridge is being In many cases one sees only flimsy pieces constructed across the Brisbane River. How of wood or other material between the con­ many people employed in the Minister's struction work and people walking along department could examine that bridge and the footpath. I know from my own experi­ assert that it is quite safe? ence fairly recently, when a certain building Mr. Herbert: We are keeping a very close was under construction in the city-it has eye on it. since been completed-and demolition work was being carried out to make way for a !VIr. B. WOOD: I suppose a valuable new section of the building, that the pro­ lesson has been learnt from what occurred tection given to the public is very meagre. in the South. I was hit by some of the dust and fine [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] pieces of brickwork that were thrown over the barricades erected to protect the public. Mr. B. WOOD: The Minister indicated My main purpose in taking part in the debate by interjection that someone was closely is to stress the importance of protecting watching the construction of the Gardens members of the general public when buildings Point bridge. I wonder if he meant his are being constructed in the city or else­ department or-- where. Mr. Herbert: The department, yes. Other safety measures referred to by the chairman of the Opposition committee (the Mr. B. WOOD: That would be a watching hen. member for Norman) and other mem­ beyond the normal service of t.he industrial bers of that committee do not need any fur­ inspectors? ther amplification, but I wish to refer par­ Mr. Herbel!t: No, but they are taking a ticularly to the provision of means of escape special interest in it because of the West for employees working on building sites. I Gate Bridge problem. have not, of course, climbed round buildings myself, but I have been told by people whom M:r. B. WOOD: That wonld generally be I know to be competent to express them­ beyond the scope, I should expect, of the selves on the subject that there is always a normal scaffolding and machinery inspector. great risk of fire when building construction I know that these inspectors do a very fine reaches a certain stage. I have been told job, certainly those with whom I have come also that no quick means of escape is pro­ in contact. If their job is to be extended, vided in case of fire. Although I have as it seems likely it will be with the imple­ not checked on it, I am prepared to accept mentation of this legislation, there will that more fire precautions should be built perhaps be a need for more training for in as the construction of buildings proceeds. them. I again stress the need for additional pre­ I wonder if, with the wider scope of this cautions to protect the general public when Bill, consideration has been given to further buildings are under construction, both in assistance to the numerous safety committees the city and in other places. that function throughout the State. By now, Construction Safety Bill (16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2979

very many of the large industrial enterprises In recent years the demand that employers in Queensland have competent and very protect their employees has been consta~tly useful safety committees functioning. I growing. These days, employers are bemg know from experience in my own area what required more and more to provide safe­ a good job they are doing. Very often their guards, and are becoming liable for damages work is made easier because they function suffered by their employees and even by in an establishment with a stable work-force. people outside of their employ who may I know that the work-force on many of be damage-d or injured through the employer's the large buildings, particularly in Brisbane, fault or omission. This is very necessary. changes from time to time. On an established It actually goes back 100 years or more, but industrial plant the work-force is more stable, a much wider scope of liability is now being which enables the management to carry out applied and this Bill, I am sure, is one much more lecturing and training in an effort manifestation of that. to make employees safety conscious. How­ Mr. R. E. MOORE (Windsor) (7.22 p.m.): ever there is nothing to prevent the proposed First of all, I should like to congratulate the safety officer on large building-construction Minister on introducing this Construction jobs from giving lectures. Because of Safety Bill. I also congratulate the staff of movement within the work-force his task his department on the work th~y h!lve done may be more difficult, but I am sure it is on it. The Bill is highly techmcal m nature one of the functions that the Minister and few people in this Chamber would envisages he would carry out. Perhaps really be competent to deal with the subject because I was once a teacher I am very as thoroughly as the officers of the depart­ aware of the fact that one cannot always rely ment have done in this all-embracing Bill. on people doing what sometimes seems to be the obvious thing. There is every need Mr. R. Jones: Does that include the for workers to be trained to be safety Minister? conscious; they can easily overlook minor Mr. R. E. MOORE: Yes, it would prob­ things that one would think they would do ably include the MinisteL One would have automatically. 'Vorkers need to make a to possess the wisdom of Solomon to be conscious effort to avoid accidents, and they au fait with every section of every depart­ often have to be trained or taught to make that conscious effort. ment and the Minister, if he takes notice of his advisers and chooses his lieutenants well, My colleague from Toowoomba West c:xn do no more than that. One cannot expect mentioned the case of a worker on a ledge. the Minister to be on top of every subject, That man's employer should never have but that does not mean rthat he has not demanded that he go onto the ledge and, studied this B

Scaffolding is erected in many ways. To that are encountered in construction. I erect scaffolding round one of the giant wonder, when I see the area of glass in some storage tanks at a refinery, a man with an buildings, whether there should be some electric welder would weld angle iron to the form of locking device which can >take up surface to take the weight in shear, or in the expansion and contraction that must stress, and he would build the scaffolding occur in large sheets of glass. progressively. The angle iron would be welded on the top surface so that, to remove The hon. member for Sandgate mentioned it easily, all that would be necessary would fire precautions in buildings. I agree with be a tap with a hammer away from where him that there are insufficient fire precau­ the weight is applied. I can see no other tions, for instance, in buildings where lifts simple system for erecting such scaffolding. are not installed, and where pitch and tar As a single-run weld may not always be up &re used as sealing agents. to scratch, something would have to be When one sees a ship being built of steel, done about that. one wonders how it could possibly burn. Lightweight aluminium alloys and different Similarly, when one sees a building being grades of aluminium are now being used in constructed of brick, concrete and masonry, scaffolding in place of heavy steel. All one wonders how it could burn. Neverthe­ metals al'e subject to fatigue, and the higher less, ships and buildings do burn. Welders the quality of steel, the more subject it is work with voltages of about 60 or 70 DC, to fatigue. A mild steel bolt does not suffer which is safe enough. But a welder working fatigue as quickliy as high-tensile, high­ in a bath of perspiration could receive a carbon or high-alloy steel bolts. As the shock if a large area of skin touched his quality of the steel is improved, its tensile work, and the shock would cause him to fall. strength is increased. With a safety factor In such situations it would be desirable of 2 to 1 or 3 to I, a contractor would use to wear a body belt, but who could work a much lighter bolt than one of mild steel. under those conditions whilst wearing a body Therefore, instead of gaining something by belt? having a better article, the contractor does I appreciate what has been done by the not multiply the safety factor by three or staff of the department. I know that they four. He brings it back to where it was and have studied documents from all over the reduces the weight of the bolt, which is sup­ world, particularly from English-speaking posed to be safe enough. There was a time countries, and I commend them on their when bridges had to be constructed to carry efforts. I do not doubt that in the imple­ five times the weight they were expected to mentation of this measure the need for carry. The West Gate Bridge is being con­ amendment will become apparent, and that structed to carry 1t times or twice the the Act will in time be again amended. weight it is expected to carry, and there has been a miscalculation there. Mr. HANLON (Baroona) (7.42 p.m.): I In erecting scaffolding, a scaffolder will use join with the shadow Minister for Labour a normal box spanner and, if he is rather and Tourism, and other hon. members who heavy-handed, he could put a bolt under have spoken in this debate, in welcoming extreme stress. Therefore, it might not be the new code outlined by the Minister, which a bad idea to require scaffolders who are has been designed in the interests of the erecting scaffolding to use a tension wrench safety and welfare of persons engaged in like those used to tighten aircraft wing bolts, construction work and other work associated etc., so that each nut is tightened to a speci­ therewith, and also of members of the public fied foot-poundage. The erection of scaffold­ who may come into some danger arising ing is only one facet of safety. from such work. Mr. Kaus: Is aluminium scaffolding as I take the Minister back to a question strong as steel scaffolding? that I directed to him last September or October concerning a worker who suffered Mr. R. E. MOORE: The tensile strength serious bodily injury whilst engaged on a of some aluminium alloys is as g,reat as mild construction site in this city. From memory, steel or slightly greater. Aluminium has been I think it was the Bank of New South improved, and is ideal for this work. To Wales building site. I should have checked indicate how good aluminium is, I ooint out on it, but I think that is correct. I noticed that the Army uses it for Bailey bridges and that in his remarks this afternoon the Minister the like. stressed that the reporting and investigation Brickwork is very strong in compression, of industrial accidents will be strengthened but is only as strong as its weakest course. under the terms of the Bill. I realise that A brick fence will fall over when bumped the Minister was speaking in the context by a motor-car. Construction can be right, of the construction of buildings, and the but, somewhere along the way, it may receive question that I directed to him related to a shock and the contractor would not neces­ a building-construction site. I do not know sarily know that that had happened. When what the application of the Bill is on this I was in Victoria, I was passing the I.C.I. point. building, which had been erected for about Some accidents on construction jobs will eight months, when a 6' x 4' sheet of t" probably involve machinery. There was plate glass crashed onto the footpath near such ~n. accident some years ago, before me. That indicates some of the problems the Mm1ster accepted responsibility for this 2982 Construction Safety Bill (16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill department, when a crane collapsed over Mr. Herbert: They do not, but you can Adelaide Street during the construction of rest assured that the claim is completely the M.L.C. building. It was indeed fortunate without foundation. that there were no major injuries to members of the public. The actual investigation of Mr. HANLON: I would be happy to pro­ such an accident on a construction job seems vide the Minister with the examples that I to me to be a matter for the Machinery was given because, naturally, I regarded the Department. claim as serious. I thought that it could The accident about which I questioned be interpreted in one of three ways: either the Minister last year happened to an that there was some substance to the claim (it employee as a result of the failure of a came from people who had had a great deal winch on a crane, and again this was a of association with work of this type); alter­ matter for inspection by the Machinery natively, that the trouble arose from the Department rather than by the Scaffolding fact that the department's staff was not Department. It occurred on a construction sufficiently large to handle the number of site, but it arose from the machinery on investigations and complaints received and the site and not from scaffolding or any­ that, for that reason, they were obliged to thing associated with the actual construction hurry and scurry in their investigations and of the building. When representatives of the did not have a chance to follow them through injured worker sought the usual report that to the extent that is necessary in the interests is available from the inspector, the initial of safety; or, alternatively, that the inspec­ advice was that the department had no torate of the Minister's department is gener­ knowledge of the accident. After I pro­ ally slovenly and careless, which I do not vided the Minister with further information, accept as the departmental inspectors have he was able to advise me soon after, when a tradition of service and integrity and cer­ he had investigated the matter further, that tainly have nothing to gain from taking sides the reason for the initial advice was that in a matter outside their responsibility. the inspector had received only a verbal notification of the accident. He had gone As I mentioned earlier, I asked for some to the scene and taken notes, but he had examples, and the persons concerned provided not filed them with the department. In the me with several examples of investigations meantime, he had been transferred. which they suggested bore out their claim. I will not go into all the examples in detail, but The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. I will give the Committee one that in my Ramsden): Order! There is too much audible opinion demonstrates an attitude in the conversation in the Chamber. reports that I find disturbing, that is, a haste to blame the operator or worker, to conclude Mr. HANLON: The inspector had been that the machinery is safe and that the transferred to a country area and had not employer has provided safe equipment, and filed his notes with the department, and that to ignore other conclusions that might be was why there was no record of the accident. drawn from a particular incident. The Minister assured me that such a thing would not occur again, and I passed the I refer to one that occurred in North information back to the point from which Queensland on 10 August, 1970, and the the complaint originated and said, "This is inspector's report on it. I will not name a case of error. We are all human, and the employer, the firm, or the inspector, the inspector inadvertently neglected to file because I do not think that is material to the report. That is the reason for it." But the matter. Incidentally, I should mention I posed the question to the people concerned, that each of the examples concerns a different "Is this an isolated case, or do you have inspector, so it is not as if the complaint any cause for general complaint?", and I was aimed at only one inspector. I was was somewhat staggered by the reply I given several examples, each of which had received, which was couched in these terms- some significance relative to the claim that "We have recently reached the conclu­ was made to me, and each, as I say, was sion that the departmental inspectors have from a different inspector. Not only one been directed to file reports either excul­ inspector is at fault; the complaint stretches pating the employer or minimising any across all the reports. fault as far as possible. In the first report the inspector referred "Our conclusion may be incorrect, but to the blade making its cut and returning I believe it has been reached slowly over to the "stop" position and to the operator a period because of numerous incidents." leaving the controls in the locked position You will note, Mr. Ramsden, they say that and placing his hand under the blade to their conclusion may be incorrect, and I am pull the veneer through for the next cut, sure that the Minister will say it is. How­ when the clutch re-engaged and the blade ever, several reports by inspectors were then descended and severed his fingers. The made available to me, and they related to inspector pointed out-so far I agree with incidents that derived from machinery, as dis­ the inspector; this is a normal investiga­ tinct from scaffolding. That is why I am tion-that the clutch assembly was removed treading water to some extent to ascertain and sent for overhaul. He said- whether they would come within the ambit "A pin which disengages the clutch of the Bill. was found to be worn sufficiently to allow Construction Safety Bill (16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2983

vibration to restart the machine. Spares equipment it is difficult to ascertain at a later are now being made and a regular check date just what the situation was at the t~me will be maintained." of an accident. In my opinion, that is an efficient investiga­ If an inspector has several other investiga­ tion by the inspector, but it is the conclud­ tions to make on the same day, he is likely ing remarks in his report to which I draw to accept the evidence that is readily avail­ particular attention. In all the examples that able. In one case I could cite, the injured have been given to me, I find the same worker was never interviewed by the thing when it comes down to saying, "How inspector. The report was made out com­ are we to prevent this? Is it entirely the pletely on the basis of the evidence given worker's fault, or was there some fault in by a worker who was on the site of the the person who provided the equipment?" accident but considerably removed from where it occurred. The report concluded- After all, the injured employee was the "Even though this clutch was faulty, subject of the investigation. N a'tural!y, he this accident, like most others on guillo­ had left the premises because he suffe.red tines, would never have happened if the severe injuries. He lost his fingers and was operator had kept his hands at all times off work on workers' compensation, and he free of the blade. The machine is safe did not resume his former employment. The if operated with care." reason given for not interviewing him was I think that report is disturbing to the that he was no longer on the job. That does extent that it contains a suggestion that not satisfy me. If there is an accident on a the operator was to blame and ignores the construction project in which somebody inescapable conclusion that the employer suffers serious bodily injury wi-thin the mean­ must have provided the operator with either ing of the Act, it is obvious that the injured a faulty machine or one that was not person would be taken to hospital. It is properly maintained or serviced. unlikely that the inspector could arrive the next day, or even the next month, and expect There are other similar examples in to find the man back on the job. different areas wrth different inspectors. How­ ever, I will not pursue them, Mr. Ramsden. The inspector must chase up the injured I think you have been very tolerant with me worker and get his evidence. In the case in allowing me to quote the one example I mentioned, there was a long delay between that I did. I wanted to use the example only the reporting of the accident and the investi­ as it affects the acceptance of responsibility gation. I do no~ know whether any action by the department to investigate complaints was taken against the employer for not fully. If inspectors have a number of com­ notifying the department, or the reason for pia·ints to investigate simultaneously, they the delay in the investigation. However, will have to delay their investigation of some there was no investigation for a lengthy of them. This means that they are in a period despite the fact that the worker disadvantageous position in trying to dis­ suffered an injury and was off work. cover the cause of those accidents. The \11/hen the inspector eventually carried out sooner an inspector can get to the scene of the investigation, he reported that he did a complaint, the better. If he is overloaded not interview the injured man because he with work so tha.t he has to hurry his was no longer on the job and because of invest•igations, there is the human tendency the lapse of time since the acc•ident occurred. to accept the evidence most readily available. What I am suggesting is that the Minister should make an examination of the amount In one instance that I could cite there was of work that has to be done by inspectors. a delay between the time of the accident and The remarks that were made in this context the time of the investigation, and there was can be interpreted as a policy instruction no reference in the report to the reason why from the Government. The Minister has the accident was not reported. That brings strongly denied that by interjecvion-I me back to the r•emarks of the hon. member expected that he would-but if there are for Norman about prosecutions for the non­ examples which seem to bear out that sort repocrting of accidents on construction jobs, of thing I can only put it down to the fact or on any job for that matter. This •is that inspectoTs have too much on their plate something that has to receive attention by to deal with in the time available to them. the department if it is to ensure that a lesson I know that the Minister will say that he, is learned from accidents. Many of them with every other Minister, is endeavouring me not necessarily within the control of to obtain additional finance for his depart­ either the 'employer or the employee. ment to appoint additional staff, but if we are to be serious about safety on construc­ An inspector should be on the job as tion work or anywhere else, unfortunately, quickly as possible, but he can be there only we must be prepared to line up the priorities if he has beoo notified of the accident. There between one department and another and i~ a tendency for employers not to not•ify the provide the necessary finance to enable department of an accident ~o that by ~he adequate inspection to be carried out. time the inspector gets there, after hearing about it through some inquiry made by Getting away from that aspect onto the a representative of the employee. a lot of safety of the public in these matters, I have the "dust can be laid". With scaffolding and already mentioned the incident in Adelaide 2984 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill

Street some years ago when a crane col­ Hill when a wall collapsed onto a street and lapsed. It was very fortuitous that it did again members of the public had narrow not fall onto a tram or some other vehicle escapes. We were afterwards told that the at the Adelaide Street-Edward Street corner. demolisher expected the wall to fall inwards In more recent times, having to pass the and not outwards, which was why he had corner of Queen and George Streets every not taken more precautions. That would not day, I becan1e quite concerned at the pro­ be much consolation to the people on the gress of construction on a building being street had they been in the path of the wall erected there. In the early stages of con­ when it came down. struction I frequently passed the spot either on foot or in a car, when I watched pedes­ I do not know how the Minister proposes trians walking past the site. Eventually an to deal with demolition work, which is going order was issued for the cessation of con­ on extensively throughout Brisbane and other struction on the building until certain depart­ parts of the State at the present time as part mental requirements were carried out. and parcel of reconstruction on the sites of old buildings. It seems to me that some Many people at that time commented that requirements will have to be laid down for it was a wonder construction was allowed people engaged in this work. It would be to continue as long as it did. This brings rather silly if the Minister and I, for example, me back to the question of the supervision were able to set ourselves up as demolition and surveillance of these projects. Have we contractors, and somebody "copped" the enough staff to pay attention to them indi­ result of our i.nefficiency in knocking down vidually, and to ensure that if any safety a major building simply because we hap­ hazard arises either for the employees or pened to outbid a qualified wrecker. the public, the situation is immediately corrected? Mr. Miller: Do you think it should be necessary for a wrecker to be licensed? On the evening of last Friday week I was in the Valley, at the corner of Brunswick !Vll". HANLON: I think a wrecker should and Ann Streets. I was attending a meeting have to obtain some form of licence. I on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition suppose it all comes back to the building and was just about to enter a building when industry. A man who intends setting himself there was the most almighty explosion l up as a wrecker should be tested to ascertain have heard since the gas explosion in Queen that he knows what he is doing before he and George Streets. People ran in all starts knocking buildings down near people directions. I had just entered a rather dark who are walking along a street. I do not entrance to a building and was trying to find know whether the Bill incorporates such a my way upstairs to where the meeting was provision, but I hope the Minister will deal to be held. There are several hotels in that with that situation. vicinity, so I must assert that it was not a hotel I was trying to enter. Just as I put Mr. HUGHES (Kurilpa) (8 p.m.): I should my hand on the door of the building, in this like to pursue the point raised by my rather dark entrance, as I say, there was a colleague the hon. member for Windsor and terrific explosion. For a moment I thought the hon. member for Baroona. Apart from the whole building was blowing up around the danger inherent in the construction of me. I went back onto the street and people high-rise buildings, another danger in the were running everywhere and saying, "What building industry is that created by the was that? Was it another gas explosion?" demolition of old buildings in both the inner and outer areas of the city. The hon. I was in Elizabeth Street, only a block member for Baroona referred to the away from the explosion in George Street, ambulance building in Boundary Street. I and I can assure hon. members that this point out that although the ambulance explosion was much louder than that one. committee, of which the hon. members for However, a policeman came along and Sandgate and Redcliffe and I are members, explained that it had something to do with is not directly concerned with the knocking­ excavation work at G. J. Coles premises in down of that building, having let it under Brunswick Street directly opposite T. C. contract to other people-- Beirne. I do not know whether the charge required was over-estimated or whether it Mr. Bromley: You have been "knocking" touched something off, but a woman com­ the ambulance service ever since you have plained that a lot of debris had blown out been here. as she was passing the site. Everybody seemed to be quite upset. Mr. HUGHES: I have not. The hon. member has been looking in a mirror. Whilst This brings me to the point raised by the the ambulance committee has no obligation hon. member for Windsor. In this case, it in the matter of the demolition of the build­ was a construction job, but in the examples ing, those who enter into contracts to he mentioned it seems to me that anybody demolish buildings have certain obligations. can apply for these jobs as long as they feel they can meet the requirement of As the City of Brisbane continues to grow, demolishing a building. I should imagine the demolition of old buildings must that the department would keep an eye on accelerate. No longer is Brisbane the these jobs, but there have been too many "Siberia" for southern company managers; examples such as the recent one at Spring with the advent of mining and other forms Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2985 of industrialisation it is becoming a :head­ the outer shell constitutes the greatest office city. The result will be that a greater problem. This work will have to be number of office buildings will need to be inspected at various stages to determine when constructed in place of the older and smaller a shell is left, with only the cross-beams, buildings, which, owing to high rates and the cross-ties, the floor joists, and so on to other charges, will not be economic to keep the outer walls in place. maintain. This is a trend, but I do not know I hope that the Minister can tell us to what that the legislation is wide enough to cover extent measures will be invoked to intro­ demolition works. duce a form of licensing or control relative In addition to the Boundary Street occur­ to safety factors in the demolition of large rence, in which a brick wall fell out onto city buildings. I know certain buildings that the street instead of into the building, a still have to be demolished and, undoubtedly, dangerous situation was created during the there will be more. The need is urgent. We demolition of the Strand Building on the have been extremely fortunate in not having corner of Queen and Albert Streets. The a fatality or serious injury so far, but let us surrounding area had to be barricaded off, not push our luck too far. It is the Govern­ with the result that transport was brought ment's responsibility to write in the necessary almost to a standstill and the public and safeguards and protection not only for the business houses suffered great inconvenience. employee, but more particularly for membern The Minister and his department must of the public going about their business, in look closely at the problems created by the many cases unaware of any danger. We must demolition of buildings. In Brisbane we ensure that all necessary safeguards are pro­ have been very fortunate that no death vided, and I hope that the Minister may or injury has resulted from the laissez-faire give us information about them. type of demolition. Bridges have been Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (8.9 demolished, and buildings on both the p.m.): I, like many of my colleagues on this southside and northside have been demolished side of the Chamber who come from the and the manner in which that work has bee~ industrial movement, applaud the intro­ done leaves a lot to be desired. In a duction of this measure that purports to pro­ number of instances the contracts for the vide safe working conditions in industry, and demolition were let to people from outside safety for the public during building opera­ the city employing workers who had no tions. While I believe that it is very belated experience in demolition work. it is nonetheless welcome. It is belated Mr. W. D. Hewitt: You know that a because its inception can be traced to 1964 fatality occurred on the wrecking of the when, because of the number of electrocu­ Victoria Bridge. tions in the electrical industry. I mounted an attack on the then Minister. It was only Mr. HUGHES: That is so. In speaking after this attack on the Minister that an specifically about buildings, I emphasise that industry conference was called and an elec­ we have been more than fortunate in that trical safety committee was set up. It has there have not been many injuries and operated now for many years. The same fatalities. principle should apply in the building The demolition of the Strand Building industry because of the large number of necessitated the closing of our main streets. accidents in that industry since 1964. Could the Minister indicate to us to what I have always been conscious of the need extent the department, in the future, will for industrial safety. During my lifetime, police the operations of those who demolish I have served on several job safety com­ buildings? Could he also outline the safety mittees. The Bill represents a major break­ programme and safeguards that will be through in the cause of job safety. Most required during demolition work? Will per­ workers have come to realise the value of mits be issued, with the co-operation of the industrial safety, and employers are begin­ police, the council and any other relevant ning to recognise the desirability of having authorities for demolition work, that will employees working in safe conditions. Every spell out safeguards that must be taken, and worker has the right to work in complete the times at which demolition work may be safety. undertaken? Where practical, demolition I join issue with the stand taken by the hon. work on some buildings should be carried member for Chatsworth. He can go home out in the evening hours or at week-ends. In tonight and retire happy in the knowledge some instances a ban may have to be that by adopting a militant attitude he imposed on the demolition of certain sections advocated the right to strike to achieve of buildings during business hours and peak industrial safety. Quite frankly, it is some­ periods. what amazing-even astounding-to find this Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Only when they get latent militancy in the make-up of the hon. down to the shell of the building. member for Chatsworth. Mr. HUGHES: That would be so. Mr. W. D. Hewitt: You have not got to know me well enough; that is your problem. I am not suggesting that the ban should apply to all stages of demolition. The Mr. SHERRINGTON: That is what John internal demolition could be done safely at Gorton was saying in the final moments of any time. The demolition of the roof and his Prime Ministership. 2986 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill

Mr. Murray: We believe in the right to I might at this stage, although I did not strike. There is no question about that. intend to do so, tie in some of the remarks made by the hon. member for Windsor Mr. SHERRINGTON: Well, you could who implied that it was all right to have have fooled me. Of course, I pardon the safety on big jobs if an employer could hon. member for Clayfield because during afford it, but that, if the employer could the period of his short-lived career in not afford it, the employees could do without Canberra this Government did not support the it. right of the Mt. Isa miners to strike. It introduced the dog-collar Act which directed Mr. R. E. MOORE: I rise to a point of people where to go. This Government has order. I made no such assertion, and I never proved to me that it believes in the ask that it be withdrawn. right to strike. Mr. SHERRINGTON: If the hon. member Mr. Murray: There are responsibilities checks his "Hansard" proof in the morning, which go with it. he will find that that was the inference to be drawn from his remarks. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not intend to be distracted. The hon. member for Chats­ Mr. Wright: That was the inference. worth proudly advocated strike action to obtain industrial safety. Mr. SHERRINGTON: It was more than an inference; it was a statement. I have strong personal views on safety. Anybody who works in a precarious posi­ Mr. R. E. MOORE: I rise to a point of tion has his life to lose if anything goes order. I ask the hon. member to withdraw wrong. As a member of a job safety com­ that remark. mittee, I was very critical of an employee who, having safeguards provided for him, The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! failed to use them. But it is a pretty poor I ask the hon. member for Salisbury to state of affairs if the employees in the State accept the denial of the hon. member for have to resort to strike action to ensure safe Windsor. working conditions. I might say that I Mr. SHERRINGTON: I will accept it; would feel ashamed to have to get up in I do not want to waste time on this matter. this Chamber and advocate that employees Many years ago there was another Moore go on strike to get safe working conditions. in this Chamber. He stank, and I do not Mr. Murray: We would be ashamed to be think that this member is any better. associated with someone who irresponsibly Mr. R. E. MOORE: I rise to a point of went on strike. order. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I have never been ashamed, and I have led strikes on safety The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! issues. After all, it was my life at stake. I am sorry the hon. member for Salisbury If it had been the life of the hon. member said what he said. I ask him to withdraw for Clayfield, I would not have minded. that remark. Mr. SHERRINGTON: Yes, Mr. Ramsden. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. This debate is too important for this sort Ramsden): Order! I hope the hon. member of talk. I will withdraw it. I do not want for Salisbury will not allow himself to be to waste any more time in this way. I am diverted from the Bill. in an amiable mood tonight, and I think Mr. SHERRINGTON: I agree, Mr. this matter is more important than the hon. Ramsden. Let me just say this: I believe member for Windsor. that members of the Liberal Party are I had some years of experience with job becoming very safety conscious at the safety committees before I entered Parlia­ moment because there is so much back­ ment, and I found that most employers stabbing going on in their party. They have thought safety was a good thing till it cost to look to safety measures in the Liberal them money; the moment it started costing Party right throughout Australia. If John money, they promptly lost interest in it. Gorton had taken a few precautions, he Happily, I believe that over the years that might still be ·Prime Minister. attitude has been overcome. I believe that employers are now conscious that safe work­ The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! ing conditions lead to greater efficiency Again I ask the hon. member to confine among employees. his remarks to building construction. What I am going to say in regard to Mr. SHERRINGTON: I take issue with what I construed the hon. member for you on that point, Mr. Ramsden. The Bill Windsor to say (he can take that how deals not only with building construction he likes) is that I remember a famous indus­ but with safety in industry. I do not want trial jurist at one time making the statement to promote an argument with you, of course. that any company that could not afford As I said, it is a pretty poor show when to pay adequate wages should not be employees who have everything to lose, operating. I apply the same attitude to including their lives, have to resort to strike safe conditions in industry and say that any action over safety issues. On that note employer who cannot provide safe working Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill 2987 conditions for his employees should not be of industrial medicine could lead to the dis­ in business. Employers derive many benefits missal of employees if they are not medically from maintaining safe working conditions. fit. Probably this is a very wrong conception of the purpose of industrial medicine. The I have always believed strongly that it main purpose in industrial medicine is to is necessary not only to minimise accidents, ensure that the employee is healthy enough in the hope that eventually they will not to perform the duties allotted to him. occur in industry, but also to apply the Because a person happens to be medically findings on the causes of accidents that do unfit to carry out a particular position, it occur. Therefore, I have always praised the does not necessarily mean that he will be set-up existing within the State Electricity dismissed; it simply means that he will be Commission under which major accidents transferred to another avenue of employ­ immediately draw the attention of a squad ment without loss of wages. I am sure that of experts who make an on-the-spot investi­ industrial medicine will extend right through­ gation. Some good usually comes from their out industry in the next decade or so. findings and working conditions are made safer. I believe also that there is great I mention the antagonism to industrial merit in the accident appreciation squad medicine because I believe it is analogous to that investigates incidents involving motor that shown some years ago to the intro­ vehicles. duction of industrial safety measures. A long programme of education, particularly by I hope that, under the proposed Bill, an trade union delegates, shop stewards and so accident appreciation squad-hon. members on, was necessary before employees could may call it what they wish-will be set up be encouraged to adopt the required safety to examine the causes and effects of accidents methods. Fortunately, those difficulties have that occur on various projects. Its findings been overcome. Happily, today, most may lead to the promotion of safer working people who work in the building industry conditions, improved safety features, or the have become very aware of some of the out­ use of new types of implements or appliances of-date methods still in use. For example, we that will prevent accidents, and I think that have not moved with the times when con­ would go a long way towards improving structing high-rise buildings. We still persist safety not only for members of the public with the old indoor scaffolding which, in but also for those employed in industry. high-rise buildings, is dangerous. Over the I was not present this morning when the years workers in the building industry have Minister introduced the proposed Bill­ come to appreciate more than anybody, with unfortunately, my commitments as secretary the possible exception of those in the elec­ of the party took me out of the Chamber trical industry, the great value of safe work­ at the time-but I heard some of his speech ing conditions. over the public address system. I hope that I shall conclude by referring to what has the legislation will eventually provide for been ·raised tonight about the licensing of the setting up of an accident evaluation demolition contractors. It is not enough to committee. The efforts throughout the State ensure that the demolition expert has a of the Chief Safety Engineer and of Dr. thorough knowledge of his job. For a major Rathaus, a doctor of medicine associated project-! am not talking about the demo­ with industrial accidents, have always had lition of a small humpy-the demolition my applause. Again the time has come to expert should be able to demonstrate that he increase the staff under the control of these has adequate equipment to do the job. It is two gentlemen, both of whom are, I am patently obvious that many accidents on sure, very much overworked. They would demolition jobs could have been avoided by not be human if they were able to cope using the correct equipment. with all the problems that occur in the field of building safety and other associated (Time expired.) spheres. Hon. J. D. HERBERT (Sherwood­ I point out to the Committee that for Minister for Labour and Tourism) (8.28 many years the State Electricity Commission p.m.), in reply: It was very pleasing to in New South Wales had the services of a receive general acceptance of the Bill. competent doctor whose duty it was to Possibly it is a lesson to us all that some­ carry out research into various aspects of thing like safety, which carries dividends for electrocution, techniques that might be everyone, can bring labour, management and devised for resuscitation, and so on. In my government together in discussions that result opinion, there is a growing awareness of in mutual benefit. It is a little reflection upon what is known as industrial medicine, and us, perhaps, that we cannot extend this I believe that over the next few years many mutual co-operation into other fields in the employers and employees will gradually labour division. come to appreciate its value. I have a doctor friend who gave up his private prac­ Mr. Murray: When you speak of "labour", tice to devote his time to industrial medicine you do not mean the A.L.P.? in one of the big factories in Brisbane. Mr. HERBERT: I do not regarci hon. At the moment there is some concern­ members opposite as a "labour" party; they probably major concern-among trade should be honest and refer to themselves as unionists that the introduction of the principle a Socialist party. 2988 Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] Construction Safety Bill

I feel that the comments that were made The hon. member went on to advocate during the debate-poor as some of them occupational safety courses. These courses were-should be answered. are conducted at the technical college every The hon. member for Norman commenced year, and the department also conducts with some quite remarkable statements. I courses for supervisors and special courses think the most remarkable one--I can for safety officers. At the moment we are imagine what the Trades Hall is going to do drafting courses for union officials. These to him tomorrow-was when he suggested courses are far in advance of anything on-the-spot fines. That means, of course, operating in New South Wales. that he would want employees who breach The hon. member for Chatsworth, as usual, the safety regulations to be fined on the spot made a very careful contribution to the by an inspector. debate. He has attended the occupational safety conventions we have held over the Mr. BROMLEY: I rise to a point of years and has made valuable contributions order. The Minister is deliberately mis­ to them. It is worthy of note that at all representing me. He says that I indicated the occupational safety conventions we have that the Trades Hall would want to intro­ held in this State, Government members have duce on-the-spot fines of employees. He always outnumbered Opposition members by knows quite well what I meant. three to one. Mr. HERBERT: I cannot see the validity The hon. member also spoke about the of the point of order. However, when we problem of drinking on the job. This is a read "Hansard" tomorrow we will see who very real problem. Obviously, out of respect is espousing the cause of on-the-spot fines, for the families concerned I do not intend which the A.L.P. has opposed time and to mention any names, but we have had time again in this Chamber. Now he is ask­ cases of death on the job that resulted from ing us to fine employees on the site. drinking during the lunch hour. In some cases, blood samples from the victim have Mr. BROMLEY: I rise to a point of shown a figure that, had he been in charge order. The Minister is deliberately telling of a motor vehicle, would have caused him lies. I said "employers", not "employees". to lose his licence or go to gaol. I ask that the Minister withdraw his state­ ment. If a man goes onto the job under the influence of alcohol to such an extent, his The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. own mates should stop him from ascending Ramsden): Order! Before I ask the Minister to, say, the 14th or 15th floor, where he to withdraw, will the hon. member please will create a hazard not only for himself withdraw the unparliamentary term he used? but for everyone who works with him. It Mr. Bromley: I withdraw it. is unfortunate that lunch-hour drinking on some building sites in the city area has been The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: I now a problem. ask the Minister to withdraw. Mr. Bromley: You are always "knocking" Mr. HERBERT: I certainly do. In other the workers, aren't you? words, the hon. member wants the employer fined on the spot and the employees allowed Mr. HERBERT: This is not a matter of to go scot-free. Any right-thinking person "knocking" the workers; I am "knocking" would regard that as completely ridiculous. a habit that can put the safety of the worker It is in keeping with the attitude of the pre­ in jeopardy. vious Labour Government, which made no The hon. member for Chatsworth also move at all to ensure the safety of workers referred to the problem of building design. on the job. Now that this Bill has been It is not the function of the Bill to cover introduced, it will serve the purposes of that aspect; it is a matter for building safety admirably. approval regulations, which generally are A number of comments were made relative administered by local authorities. However, to the S.G.I.O. Building and the inadequacies the Bill will affect erection methods, includ­ of the present Act and regulations. Of ing falsework design, and when the findings course, the safety provisions on that job were of the West Gate Bridge Royal Commission in compliance with legislative regulations are made known, my department will have enacted by the previous Government. We a very close look at them to see whether admit now, as we admitted at the time, that or not any of them have application here. the Act should be amended. That is why The hon. member for Brisbane wandered we gave the unions an undertaking that it round the subject without really telling us would be changed. what he was talking about, although I under­ The hon. member for Norman then sought stand it had something to do with motor the establishment of a division of safety vehicles. within the department. The Division of The hon. member for Toowoomba West Occupational Safety has been in existence referred to the site as well as the building for I 0 years. It is doing a great job, and itself. I point out to him that the site it is a wonder to me that the man who is covered by the Bill, so that the public led the debate for the Opposition has never will be protected. ,Previously we could heard of it. control only the building itself, whereas under Construction Safety Bill [16 MARCH] River Improvement &c., Bill 2989 the Bill we can control the site as well. The hon. member for Baroona recounted The regulations will provide for the powers his unfortunate experience with the Machin­ of inspectors. ery Department. He knew full well that it did not come under this legislation, but he The hon. member should have heard me seized the opportunity to introduce it. The say in introducing the Bill that union repre­ Chief Inspector assures me that he has sentation on the Building Construction Indus­ knowledge of only one such case. Those try Safety Council is "top brass". Mr. Chard who know Mr. Hilless realise that he would and Mr. Bushell have been on the council not try to cover up if he felt that there was for a long time, and both of those gentle­ more than one case. I give the hon. member men support the Bill. I could not imagine his categorical denial, and mine, that there either of them supporting anything that could was any instruction of the type suggested. lead to the result suggested by the hon. I ask the hon. member to let me have the member for Toowoomba West. particulars of the cases he mentioned so that they may be investigated, although, as The hon. member for Sandgate spoke I said, they are not connected with this about the protection of the public. This is Bill. Such charges should be substantiated covered by new regulation 16A, which refers and investigated. If any of the suggestions to barricades and gantries. Of course, the are true, appropriate action will be taken. provision is in the present Act and it will The hon. member also referred to the be transferred to the new Act. protection of the public near construction or The hon. member for Cook referred to demolition work. That is adequately pro­ inspectors. In reply to him I point out vided for under this legislation. that they do inspect bridges, but obviously The hon. member for Kurilpa and a not all inspectors are capable of doing all number of other members referred to types of investigations. However, specialists demolition work. If they read the demolition are appointed to do specialised jobs. The regulations that were tabled here last week J ames Cook Bridge is one that comes under they would see that they were promulgated the notice of the inspectors. as a matter of urgency and were introduced as a result of episodes mentioned by hon. The hon. member also mentioned the members, with the full accord of the Build­ interest of large undertakings in safety. This ing Construction Industry Safety Council. is acknowledged and appreciated, because they can afford to employ special safety In view of the remark of the hon. member staffs. However, the majority of undertak­ for Salisbury about the hon. member for ings in Queensland are small. Very often Windsor, I do not intend to answer his the manager of a firm is also its accountant, comments. secretary, supervisor and safety officer, and I commend the Bill to the Committee. therefore he cannot spend as much time Motion (Mr. Herbert) agreed to. as he should on the job. That is where the Division of Occupational Safety will be Resolution reported. of great help. Our industrial safety inspectors FIRST READING advise the little man who does not possess specialised knowledge on what he should Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. or should not do. Of course, that service Herbert, read a first time. is provided free of charge. The hon. member for Cook also made a comment about employees. Over the years RIVER IMPROVEMENT TRUST ACT there has been a greater demand by AMENDMENT BILL employees for protection to be provided INITIATION IN COMMITTEE by the employers, and the workers now recognise that they share the responsibility (Mr. Ramsden, Merthyr, in the chair) of providing safe working conditions on the Hon. N. T. E. HEWfiT (Mackenzie­ job. We have received co-operation from the Minister for Conservation, Marine and trade unions in this matter. Aboriginal Affairs) (8.44 p.m.): I move­ The hon. member for Windsor gave us "That a Bill be introduced to amend the his usual experienced dissertation based on River Improvement Trust Act 1940-1968 personal knowledge within industry. He made in certain particulars." a very valuable contribution to the com­ Three amendments are proposed in the Bill, mittee that drafted the Bill, and I greatly of which two are minor, the first being a appreciate his assistance. During his speech correction of a typographical error and the an argument arose about the position second the correction of a grammatical error. occupied by a rigger. I point out for the benefit of those members of the Opposition The main purpose of the Bill is to give who obviously do not know, that a rigger force to a proposal which was suggested is responsible for the slinging and placing some years ago by the late Mr. Charles in position of structural steel work, and the Beames, then chairman of the Burdekin erection of cranes and things of that nature. River Improvement Trust, and more recently He does not erect scaffolding; that is the by Mr. J. D. Francis, solicitor, acting for job of a scaffolder. the Burdekin River Improvement Trust. 2990 River Improvement Trust [16 MARCH] Act Amendment Bill

Briefly, the proposal was "That the trust There are penalties for non-compliance. is concerned to ensure as far as possible There is provision for payment of compen­ that any improvement notice given under sation in certain cases, for example, damage section 11 of the Act will in fact come to to a crop. There is also provision for an the attention of any person or corporation appeal to the court, if necessary, on com­ which may have an interest in the land". pensation. It was considered that the proposal merited If the person notified fails to comply with further consideration and it was submitted to the terms of a notice, the trust can take all river improvement trusts, and to the such action as it deems necessary, both to Departments of Lands and Mines and the do the thing required and to recover the Titles Office, which would be directly con­ cost thereof from the person or persons con­ cerned in the administration and implemen­ cerned, including costs of any court action tation of these suggestions. pursuant thereto. For the information of hon. members, There is, however, no provision in the improvement notices are issued under the present section 11 which provides a means provisions of section 11 of the River of bringing to the attention of any intending Improvement Trust Act, in forms A and B as purchaser or person or corporation who or set out in schedule 3 of that Act. which may have an interest in the land that an "improvement notice" has been issued The whole of section 11 is rather long to by a river improvement trust. Hence the repeat but subsection (1) reads- need for new section 11A as provided in "A trust may by notice in writing (in clause 4 of this Bill. this section called an 'improvement notice') This section provides that as soon as prohibit an owner of land within the river practicable after a trust has given an improvement area for which it is consti­ improvement notice pursuant to section 11 tuted or, if the owner is not the occupier, of the Act, the trust shall furnish notifica­ the occupier of that land from- tion of the giving of the notice, in the case (a) doing and executing or continuing of freehold land, to the Registrar of Titles to do and execute; at Brisbane, Rockhampton or Townsville, (b) suffering or permitting the doing and in the case of land other than freehold and executing or suffering or permitting land, to the Registrar of Dealings, Depart­ the continuance of the doing and ment of Lands, or to any other person executing of, any act, matter, or thing charged with the duty of recording in a whatsoever which in the opinion of the public register dealings affecting the land. trust; The registrar or other person shall endorse a memorial or a noting of the notification (c) was the cause of or contributed to on the copy of the instrument of title or any damage already done by flood or in the Register of Dealings kept in his cyclone to any bank of any river within office. The new section also provides that the river improvement area; or as soon as practicable after an improvement (d) is likely to cause or contribute to notice has ceased to subsist or to operate in any such damage in the future. respect of any land, the trust concerned sh:;ll "In this section 'prohibit' includes con­ furnish notification of that fact to the regis­ trol and regulation. An improvement trar or other persons to whom notification notice may be addressed to any number of the improvement notice was give.n of persons and may be given to one of originally, who shall then endorse h1s such persons on behalf of all of such records accordingly. persons and in such event shall be deemed to have been given to all the persons to To summarise, the amending Biil consists whom it is addressed." of four clauses- Clause 1 indicates the title of the Act. The type of action which is usually dealt with in an improvement notice, for example, Clause 2 amends paragraph (a), subsec­ prohibits the cutting of timber that is pro­ tion 1 of section 2 of the principal Act tecting the banks, or prohibits the cultivation by omitting from the definition "works" of a crop within less than a specified dis­ the words "from the water of" and insert­ tance of the bank. ing in their stead "from the water or". Clause 3 amends section 11 subsection Notices can be of two types, namely­ (1) of the principal Act by omitting the (a) "For ever" notices which obviously word "regulation" and inserting in its apply or subsist at all times, and are those place "regulate". which are the subject of this amendment. Clause 4 amends the principal Act by (b) "Once only" notices, which if com­ inserting new section 11A whose purpose I plied with, do not need any further or have already dealt with. recurring action. I commend the Bill to the Committee. An improvement notice may direct the owner or occupier of land either to do some The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. particular things, or not to do something. Ramsden): Order! Before putting the motion, The notice shall specify the time within I might say that I have been fairly tolerant which the directions shall be complied with. till now, but I do not intend to allow the River Improvement Trust (16 MARCH) Act Amendment Bill 2991 proceedings to become chaotic. I give my Mr. SHERRINGTON: Yes, but I believe due warning now. The hon. member for that it has been simplified. I have no fight Cairns might take note of it. at all with the Minister on this matter. Jt is probably the hon. member for Clayfield Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (8.52 with whom the Minister has to fight. p.m.): Let me say, Mr. Ramsden, that I appreciate your admonition of the rowdy Mr. Murray: Col would tell us what the Government back-benchers who have been term is. plaguing the Committee since the dinner Mr. SHERRINGTON: I do not have to recess this evening. I can assure you that be briefed. I will give you my utmost co-operation in ensuring, from the Opposition side, that the The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. proceedings do not degenerate in any man­ Ramsden): Order! My warning applies ner at all. equally to Government members. It is, of course, my task to reply on behalf Mr. SHERRINGTON: Hear, hear! That of the Opposition to the speech by the is what I said at the beginning of my Minister introducing the amendments to the speech. River Improvement Trust Act. I must con­ fess that, because of bad acoustics and rowdy The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! back-bench Liberals, I am not completely I do not need the hon. member to back au fait with what the Minister said. me up. Mr. Bennett: He is not, either. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I thought that, as The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! you are a little fellow, I would not mind helping you out. Mr. SHERRINGTON: It is quite obvious that the Minister has introduced what might The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! be described as purely machinery amend­ Mr. SHERRINGTON: I applaud the ments to provide a very important principle. principle that it is proposed to .embody in I refer to notification of the Registrar of the Bill. It will certainly provide a very Titles of any improvement notices placed easy method by which a purchaser of pro­ on properties that are in the process of perty may be fully informed . as to w.hether sale or are about to be sold. I think that or not an improvement notice relative to that is a very important principle, because the property has been served. any person who involves himself or. herself in the purchase of property should nghtfully In introducing the Bill, the Minister for expect that the property is free from encum­ Conservation, Marine and Aboriginal Affairs brance. As a matter of fact, if I may briefly referred to certain damage that may occur and the fact that notices could be served digress, with your tolerance, Mr. Ramsden, either to restrict a person from carrying out some time ago I advocated the application certain operations relative to the banks of of this principle to the sale of building allot­ streams or, conversely, to require him to ments in local authority areas when there carry out certain works relative to the banks was no indication that the properties were of streams. I am conscious of the fact in areas with drainage problems. The intend­ that there may be some overlapping betw~en ing purchaser of such an allotment had no the Department of Harbours and Manne way of determining that in fact the land was and the Department of Lands, and I sh~uld encumbered by being in an area with a drain­ like to see some tidying up of the sectiOn. age problem. As all hon. members know, in a permit Mr. Murray: Isn't it normal for a search to destroy trees issued by the Department to be made? of Lands certain specifications can be laid down relative to leaving standing timber Mr. SHERRINGTON: No. A search does within a certain distance of the bank of not have to be made. The whole procedure a stream a dividing fence, and so on. can be simplified, which is what the Minister I questio~ whether the provisions of the is doing tonight. Although I do not hand proposed Bill might lead to n;ore over­ out compliments lightly, I believe in giving lapping of what may be required under credit where credit is due. I think that a permit issued by the Department of. Lands this will mean a great simplification in the covering the maintenance of vegetatwn on transfer by sale of property. When a person the banks of a stream and what may be about to enter into the purchase of a prop­ deemed necessary by the Department of erty is able to go to the Titles Office and Harbours and Marine for the care of the be informed whether a notice of improve­ banks, particularly as in some instances clear­ ment has been served on the property, the ing of timber may be necessary to enable matter is greatly simplified. It certainly certain work to be carried out. makes it much easier, and helps to ensure that a person does not enter into the pur­ A need has arisen, particularly in the chase of land only to find out later that Brisbane metropolitan area over the past he has problems to face. 10 years or so, for closer liaison between the local authority and the Department of Mr. Murray: But this is in fact really Harbours and Marine relative to the streams part of the search. that flow through various parts of the city. 2992 River Improvement Trust (16 MARCH] Act Amendment Bill

I think it was Professor McKay who drew for one side or the other to argue about who attention to what has occurred as a result is responsible for the required improvement. of the development of a large residential It is quite obvious that the flooding of and urban area where formerly water ran Brisbane we have witnessed in recent times off naturally. Drainage schemes, channelling, is not a problem of a temporary nature. and so on, have diverted much of the It is going to accelerate as residential rain-water that would have spread over a development increases in the city, because we large area of land and confined it in several are progressively diverting normal run-off streams flowing through the city. into these streams and adding to the Kedron Brook and Schulz Canal are two problems of erosion, flooding and so on. streams that over the years have become I think there are 16 river improvement very prone to flooding during wet weather trusts operating in Queensland-! could be merely because drainage has been channelled wrong in that figure-and, especially in the into them. The flooding has led to bad metropolitan area, I think we should st~rt erosion in some sections, particularly along to co-ordinate the efforts of the local authonty Kedron Brook. Only recently I investigated and the Government in stream improvement. the complaint of a friend who had lost 20 feet of his allotment by erosion through From the observations I have been able to the run-off in Kedron Brook. I am not make in this regard, I am certain that the trying to pose as an expert on the main­ problem of flooding is not one of a temporary tenance of streams but it was obvious to nature but one that will accelerate as the me, as a layman, that one of the causes of city grows. I believe that, rather than define the erosion was lack of sufficient maintenance the responsibilities of the Department of along that section of Kedron Brook. In Harbours and Marine, which I think mainly normal times Kedron Brook is a pleasant, extend to keeping waterways clear of debris, meandering brook although, unfortunately, timber and some other things, it would be it is very polluted. Usually it is a mere better to co-ordinate our efforts. trickle of water and certainly by no means Frankly, in a case such as I have men­ a stream. tioned the average citizen would not have The bed of Kedron Brook had become the ~herewithal to cope with an erosion heavily overgrown with castor-oil tree and problem causing the loss of 20 feet of an a rank-growing grass that loves water. I allotment. It will be a very costly process cannot think of the name of the grass, but for the person concerned to put that 20 feet that does not matter. All the elements were back onto the property. It will mean the there for a build-up of silt as soon as there construction of a retaining wall and the was a flow of water in the st·ream. In a dumping of large quantities of fill. Inci­ section that normally should have been able dentally I should mention that although to cope easily with the excessive run-off he has 'lost this large slice of his property during recent weeks, if the channel had been he is still paying full rates on it. maintained in reasonable condition, erosion occurred. The original course in that part Mr. Kaus: He could be charged with of the stream was fairly straight, but with the polluting the stream, too. build-up of grass, weeds and silt it changed its course. The heavy run-off during the wet Mr. §HERRINGTON: Anything could weather caused a distinct scouring of the happen under a Liberal Government. banks on one side of the stream, leading to If a person has a property which abuts the erosion that robbed this person of 20 feet onto a stream and it becomes eroded, gen­ of his allotment. erally speaking he has not the wherewithal Over the years there has always been some to rectify the situation. It is doubtful also line of demarcation between the responsi­ if the local authority, even the Brisbane City bilities of the Brisbane City Council and the Council, would have sufficient funds avail­ Department of Harbours and Marine. able to adequately carry out the job. I sug­ Frankly, in the matter of stream improve­ gest that the time has come, particularly in ment in the metropolitan area, it is not the metropolitan area, when, instead of hav­ always clear to me where the jurisdiction of ing two separate spheres of influence in the one authority ends and that of the other maintenance of streams, it would be pre­ begins. ferable to form a co-ordinating body to work Everyone is beginning to realise the neces­ towards maintaining streams and eliminating sity for co-ordination of transport in Brisbane. the causes of erosion along their banks. By As a matter of fact, the Government is doing this we would make flooding far less starting to "pinch" that from the Australian costly and alleviate the problems of those Labour Party policy. In a city the size of who lose some of their property through Brisbane, covering some 360 square miles, flooding, merely because the local authority where there are many streams of major and the Government have not the funds to importance-we heard the hon. member for spend on mitigating the effects of floods that Brisbane talk about Breakfast Creek-it is occur from time to time. no longer valid to have divided respon­ sibilities in stream improvement. In this Mr. BIRD (Burdekin) (9.9 p.m.): I feel matter I am not pushing the barrow of the that I would be failing in my duty if I Government or the Brisbane City Council. did not rise to speak to the amendment to When such problems arise it is too easy section 11 of the Act because, as the Minister River Improvement Trust [16 MARCH] Act Amendment Bill 2993 pointed out, the proposal under this recom­ The Bill will give river improvement trusts mendation was made by the late Mr. Charlie power to give notice in writing prohibiting Beames, solicitor, of Home Hill, then chair­ an owner of land within the river improve­ man of the Burdekin River Improvement ment area for which it is constituted or, if Trust, and more recently by Mr. John the owner is not the occupier, the occupier Francis, solicitor, of Ayr. of that land from- We on the Burdekin would probably doing and executing or continuing to do know more about the need for stronger and execute; acti?n by river trusts than would any other suffering or permitting the doing and section of people in Queensland. I know that executing or suffering or pennitting the the late Charlie Beames was often considered continuance of the doing and executing of, by those who had done the wrong thing to be any act, matter, or thing whatsoever which a very hard man. He was dedicated to the in the opinion of the trust-was the cause protection of the banks of the Burdekin of or contributed to any damage done by River, and he did so to the best of his ability flood or cyclone to any bank of any river although he realised that there was not suf­ within the river improvement area; or ficient provision in the Act to give the river is likely to cause or contribute to any such trusts the powers they required to protect damage in the future. nver-banks. It is well and truly time that trusts were As I have said, we on the Burdekin given power to do those things. Too often would know more about river-bank damage in the past irresponsible farmers cultivated than would anybody else in Queensland. land adjacent to river banks and caused Phovographs of the Burdekin River taken 30 damage, and then said, "It is your responsi­ or 4~ y~ars ago show that the banks were bility to fix it. You go ahead and fix it." heavily timber~d, and in those days its banks I am sure that, in the light of these amend­ suffered very little damage in times of flood. ments, they will think twice before doing f!owever, with the increase in sugar produc­ anything that may damage a river bank or tion and, probably, a lack of foresight on the any area in close proximity to it. part of the people who in those days granted Mr. O'Doonell: Did you get the passage cane ~ss1gnments and others who were you have just quoted from the unprinted responsible for the protection of the river­ Bill? ban~s, the ~ane-growers were permitted to cultivate their land right down to the river­ Mr. BIRD: No. It came from a copy of banks. the Minister's introductory speech. I referred to it because I think it is important and Anybody. who knows anything at all about is worth repeating. the. Burdekin River will realise that during maJOr floods tremendous damage is done to I know that other hon. members on this the b~nks of the river in its lower reaches. side of the Chamber are equally concerned The nver trust has done a wonderful job in about the provisions of the Bill, and it is trying to repair the damage that has not my desire to prolong the debate. I occurred, and it is implementing preventive congratulate the Minister on his introduction measures t? ensure that further damage does of the Bill and I am sure that if the late not occur m future. But in spite of the work Charlie Beames were still alive to know performed by the river trust, as recently as a that his wish had been granted, he would ~ol!ple of year.s ago, a number of people be very pleased indeed. ms1sted on cultivating their land right down to the river-bank and, as a result, suffered Mr. WHARTON (Burnett) (9.17 p.m.): I tremendous damage to their farms in times am sure that hon. members will agree that of flood. It is essential for the river trusts the proposed amendments are sound and will to be granted this additional power, and I am add to what is already good legislation. I very pleased to see the suggestion put for­ commend the Minister upon them. It is ward by the late Charlie Beames now being most appropriate that this legislation should implemented. be introduced because the worth of river trusts is only beginning to be realised I remind the Minister that damage can throughout the State. After so many years occur to river-banks in areas outside those of drought, there is no doubt that extreme covered by trusts. The Burdekin River Trust growths of timber and so on are to be found is responsible for the protection of the river­ in various rivers and streams. In the recent banks only in the Lower Burdekin area. flooding timber in the streams diverted the Upstream, between Clare and Millaroo, in water flow against the banks, causing con­ the sweep of the river just above Deep siderable damage. In the Kolan River this Creek, the main Millaroo-Dalbeg-Clare road has been a pressing problem for many years. will disappear unless remedial action is taken In the dry years timber and other vegetation in the very near future to preserve the river­ grew in the river and the flood waters eroded bank. In recent years the erosion has been a large area of land, causing the loss of very ,rapid. and unless somebody accepts large areas of cane land. On both sides of responsibility for that area and takes appro­ the Burnett River below Bundaberg--on the priate action, the road will disappear either Fairymead side and the Millaquin side­ in the next major flood or in the one there has been bad erosion. In the Woon­ following it. garra Shire there has been considerable 2994 River Improvement Trust [(16 MARCH] Act Amendment Bill erosion, with roads destroyed and consider­ especially those in Brisbane. Tne erosion able areas of land lost. This has created that is taking place in our rivers is tragic. tremendous problems for the council, which You, Mr. Houghton, have knowledge, as I has had to apply to the Treasurer for have, of the extent of the erosion that has $40,000 to meet the cost of road-repair taken place along the banks of the Pine works. Problems are created for those in River. I realise that section of it comes local government as well as those in the within the ambit of the local authority. I river improvement trust areas. do not think it should. River improvement trust areas are becom­ The time is long overdue when the Govern­ ing more important each day. As the hon. ment should consider placing all rivers in member for Salisbury said, we may not have the State under the control of a trust such many of them but with the passage of time as we are considering tonight. It is distress­ there will be more because there is a great ing to those who are trying to do something need for them. about beautification and the provision of important amenities such as that represented This Bill is important because it brings to by the Deepwater Bend section of the Pine the notice of a prospective purchaser of River. For as long as I can remember, land an obligation which he might not realise there has been on that section of the Pine he has. People in a river trust area have River a very important village that has been obligations, and it is obvious that they must known for many years for its fishing meet those obligations to make the scheme potential. Of course, the area can be visited effective. If a purchaser is to be given only when weather permits the use of road­ notice of what is expected of him in regard ways leading to it. Since the recent rains, to the piece of land he is buying, the legis­ much erosion has taken place there, and lation is sound. this has become a source of worry, and a I congratulate the Minister on the intro­ loss of finance, to Mr. Stillman and his duction of this worth-while legislation. mother, who are the owners of the kiosk there. They do a wonderful job. Mr. AHERN (Landsborough) (9.21 p.m.): I think the time is overdue for removing I welcome this Bill, which relates to the doubt about where the control of waterways procedural matters in respect of improvement lies. It was pointed out by, I think, either notices served on landholders within an area the hon. member for Burdekin or the hon. controlled by a river improvement trust. The member for Salisbury that at times some basic proposals are that notification will be doubt exists about where the real authority given by the trust to all parties interested lies in the control of the river bank in in a lease; that notification will be given to the registered landholder and all parties question. interested in the respective freehold land, and Reference was made to Schulz Canal, that a memorial or noting will be recorded which has become a very important drainage on the instrument of lease or on the freehold area. It was once a very important waterway; title. This is a very realistic approach and now it is a major drain for certain suburbs is very important to the present landholders, and urban areas of Greater Brisbane. those who are interested in the particular Another classic example of this type of piece of land, for instance, under a mortgage, deterioration is found in the Breakfast Creek and certainly future landholders. area. In my early childhood, Breakfast Creek was an important waterway. One An exactly parallel situation exists in legis­ could swim in it, and it was so clean that lation which was before the House some one could almost drink from it. Today it weeks ago, and I raised this matter with the is a dangerously polluted stream. Minister on that occasion. Under the Beach Protection Act, development plans are I know that pollution is covered by another advertised, and in the same way as improve­ Act, Mr. Houghton, but it is a problem ment notices are served on landholders under closely tied up with the legislation now this Bill, those plans should be served on before us. Breakfast Creek is one of the landholders who hold land within beach main waterways that run into the Brisbane erosion control districts and are similarly River. Even in the Brisbane River, restricted in the activities which they might considerable erosion is taking place along undertake on their leases or freehold titles. the banks. I think this has been brought I again su.ggest to the Minister that he give about by a certain amount of neglect consideration to incorporating such a pro­ resulting from confusion among the various vision in the Beach Protection Act. authorities as to where responsibility lies. I believe that this basic proposal is very I rose to make these few comments in sound, and I agree with it. the thought that sooner or later the Govern­ ment will see that something is done to Mr. D~AN ~Sa~dgate) (9.23 p.m.): No restore many of the waterways that played doubt thrs !egrslatton will strengthen the an important part in the community years powers of nver trusts, and I join whole­ ago. My colleagues from the Ipswich area heartedly in the thoughts expressed by the could no doubt enlarge on problems caused hon. member for Salisbury. I deplore, and in their electorates by erosion and blockage have done for years, the conflict that exists of main waterways. In my opinion, there between the Department of Harbours and is conflict between the various authorities Marine, the various local authorities and the over who is in control. I hope these amend­ various trusts relative to our waterways, ments will be the forerunner of many more River Improvement, &c., Bill (16 MARCH] Public Accountants, &c., Bill 2995 that will tnally produce a piece of legislation but I think there is a greater need for some that will operate for the preservation of sort of a co-ordinating authority on this rivers and waterways in this State by placing matter. them under the control of trustees. Mr. N. T. E. HEWITI: Perhaps the Hon. N. T. E. HEWITI (Mackenzie­ hon. member has a point. However, to Minister for Conservation, Marine and show my sincerity, I made an inspection Aboriginal Affairs) (9.29 p.m.), in reply: The of Breakfast Creek and only a week or hon. member for Salisbury raised the question so ago expenditure totalling $12,500 was of overlapping between the Lands Department approved for the cleaning out of a ,certain and the Department of Harbours and Marine. section of that creek. When financial dif­ The Bill relates to notices issued by river ficulties are as great as they are in this improvement trusts and their noting in the State at present, I can at least take credit appropriate registers of land dealings. The for doing that. As I said earlier, the registrar would have no interest in what the Government is endeavouring to find out trusts require landholders to do, or not to where the responsibility actually lies. Natur­ do. Above the tidal limits, timber on the ally, it will try to play its part in any bed and banks of a stream is controlled by action that is necessary. the Irrigation and Water Supply Commission Mr. Sherrington: The problem of flooding and the river trust. As the hon. member in Brisbane will accelerate, if only because of probably knows, the Department of Harbours development. and Marine is interested in the control of rivers only up to tidal limits. Mr. N. T. E. HEWITT: I agree that it will accelerate. At the same time, the The hon. member for Burdekin paid local authority has a responsibility relative tribute to the late Mr. Beames for the to the designing of areas in which people work he did to bring about the introduction are allowed to build. My inspections have of the proposed amending Bill. As one shown that in many instances buildings have who has had an interest in river improve­ been erected where they should not have ment trusts over the years, I say a very been allowed, and people have suffered hearty "thank you" for his efforts. The because of that lack of planning. department is always appreciative when some­ one puts forward a proposal that is as I am conscious of the problem and I worth while as I believe this to be. will endeavour to do what I can to over­ come it. Although it is a little bit away The hon. member for Burnett made a from the provisions of the Bill, I think I worth-while contribution to the debate, and should tell the Committee that. the hon. member for Landsborough referred to the need to be consistent in legislation. Motion (Mr. Hewitt) agreed to. He can be assured that I will at all times Resolution reported. try to ensure that consistency is achieved, whether in dealing with beach protection, FIRST READING river improvement trusts, or the beds and Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. banks of rivers. Hewitt, read a first time. The hon. member for Sandgate referred to erosion in various streams in Brisbane PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS REGISTRA­ and mentioned specifically the ,Pine River. TION ACT AMENDMENT BILL I say to him that the Brisbane City Council may ask for the constitution of a river INITIATION IN COMMITTEE improvement trust if it wishes. Since becom­ (Mr. Houghton, Redcliffe, in the chair) ing Minister for Marine Affairs, I have taken a very keen interest in all aspects of Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah flooding in Brisbane and have made inspec­ -Premier) (9.37 p.m.): I move-- tions of virtually all the streams in the "That a Bill be introduced to amend the Brisbane area. I know full well the acute Public Accountants Registration Acts problems associated with flooding in Break­ 1946 to 1968 in certain particulars." fast Creek. This is a fairly short Bill and its purpose is However, at present no-one is absolutely to implement certain amendments to the sure where the responsibility lies. In an principal Act requested by the Public endeavour to have the question cleared up, Accountants Registration Board. The amend­ I took the matter to Cabinet. It was ments arise out of the experience of the decided that it should be sent on to the board over recent years. There are some Solicitor-General's office, and that is where matters of principle and some more of a it remains. Clarification is needed because machinery nature. in some sections the responsibility lies with The provisions of the Bill can be sum­ the Department of Harbours and Marine, marised in this way: it provides for- in others it lies with the Irrigation and (1) The recognition of the appropriate Water Supply Commission, and, naturally, degrees and diplomas of new educational the Brisbane City Council cannot shirk its bodies; responsibility. They are all partners. (2) Some amendments to the machinery Mr. Sberrington: It might be very desir­ for the payment and recovery of annual able to tidy up the areas of responsibility, registration fees; 2996 Public Accountants Registration [16 MARCH] Act Amendment Bill

(3) With appropriate safeguards, a dis­ trammg in accountancy as applicable to the cretion vested in the board as to whether rural sphere, and to the fact that many it will restore to the register the name accountants' associations throughout Aus­ of a public accountant previously removed tralia have not seen fit to incorporate in their for non-payment of the annual registration courses recognition of the great importance fee; of farm accountancy. (4) With appropriate safeguards, quicker Accountancy covers many fields of endea­ action to remove from the register the vour-the field of cost accounting, estate and name of any undischarged bankrupt; tax accounting, the field of system designing (5) A redrafting of the machinery for and installation, special investigations, credit disciplinary action by the board with some management and many other fields where amendments to that machinery; and finance has become part and parcel of affairs (6) A review of the level of penalties in which the accountant plays a very import­ in the existing law. ant part. I believe that farming is a business I commend the Bill to the Committee. and that those persons engaged in it should be able to use the same sophisticated tech­ Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (9.38 niques that are available to city manag~rs. p.m.): This is certainly a short Bill, and the While quite a few institutions and educat10_n Premier has not taken very much time in establishments have seen the need for th1s giving us an outline of what it contains. very important role, I believe that the Nevertheless, from what I have heard we accounting profession generally has been very will not raise any opposition to the Bill at remiss-I hope this is brought. to the att~n­ this stage. tion of the registration board-m not p~ovJd­ Most public accountants are very respon­ ing the ordinary basic training that 1s so sible people. As the Premier has mentioned, necessary for students in the field of rural there is a need for the recognition of new property management. conditions of, and new ideas in, education. I I wish to introduce into the debate the know that in the last few years the James vitally important matter of funds statements. Cook University in Townsville has made In many other countries, in order to cover some departures in the teaching of accoun­ up any discrepancies or deficiencies, account­ tancy, which I think is all to the good. I ants are required to furnish profit and loss can well understand that there is a need to accounts balance sheets and funds state­ recognise advances in education during the ments. 'The statements are supplied as sup­ last few years. plementary information, and they .give a In regard to the recovery of registration clearer understanding of the operatwns of fees and the reporting for non-payment of companies. The presentation of a funds certain of these fees, I think the Premier statement in conjunction with a balance mentioned disciplinary action to be taken sheet greatly assists shareholders to appreciate against those who do not comply, and the the meaning and significance of the reported removal of some people as it may be financial results and the deployment of a deemed necessary. Another point the Premier company's resources in the period under raised referred to accountants who are undis­ review. The matters that the ordinary person charged bankrupts. finds complex, such as trading operations, I can see no point at this stage in arguing investment in fixed assets, the payment of against what has been outlined by the dividends and the repayment of loans, should Premier. We will certainly have a more be included in the statements. As well, the detailed look at the Bill when it is printed, source and origin of funds should be clearly but at this stage we have no objection to it. stated so that people can obtain a better appreciation of the companies in which they Mr. HANSON (Port Curtis) (9.41 p.m.): have their investments. It is absolutely I do not want to unduly delay the Committee, necessary, too, that funds statements should but I should like to raise a couple of points. include comparisons between past and pre­ I agree with the remarks made by the sent trading results so that the continued Deputy Leader of the Opposition. The success, or failure, of a company can be Public Accountants Registration Board has clearly noted. obviously requested some of the amend­ This matter has been raised by several ments mentioned in the Premier's introduc­ accounting associations in country areas. tion. I think he said that by the measure Recently the Institute of Chartered Account­ recognition was to be given to the diplomas ants in Australia put this suggestion forward. of certain education establishments. In and I commend it as being one worthy of recent years institutes of technology have consideration by the Premier and his depart­ operated certain business courses and, as my ment. If the Government desires recognition colleague mentioned, the James Cook Uni­ to be given to modern education establish­ versity of North Queensland has commenced ments it should tailor them according to certain courses which could allow people to what occurs in the modern accounting world. graduate as accountants. but I feel I should draw the attention of the Committee to Mr. AHERN (Landsborough) (9.48 p.m.): statements that were made some time ago by I wish to take this opportunity of l?.riefly a lecturer at the New England University, supporting the Bill and of pursuing the line deploring the lack of facilities throughout the adopted by the hon. member for Port Curtis, length and breadth of this country for basic particularly his reference to rural accounting. Public Accountants, &c., Bill [16 MARCH] Legislative Assembly &c., Bill 2997

I had intended to deal with this matter I bring this matter to the notice of mem­ in the light of comments made at the Uni­ bers of the accounting profession, and I versity of New England about the procedures strongly suggest that they have neglected it adopted generally by rural accountants in in the past. They should pay great heed Australia today. It was said that the to it in the future as their responsibility in accountants serving Australian rural indus­ the rural reconstruction scheme, which is try are not properly aware of the unique vital to Australia's rural producers. new opportunities that exist for assisting landholders to meet the current problems Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to. that face them. The problem of rural recon­ struction has been widely canvassed in this Resolution reported. Chamber. FIRST READING Certainly, rural accountants have a key role to play, but it is true to say they are Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. not playing it as well as they should. New Bjelke-Petersen, read a first time. techniques have become available both in Australia and overseas. It would be true to say that the rural accountant of today LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ACT is too taxation-oriented. Instead of directing AMENDMENT BILL his mind towards assisting the farmer in other ways, he is too often interested only in SECOND READING tax minimisation. The benefits to be gained from taking a wider view are very great Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah indeed and should be canvassed to a greater -Premier) (9.55 p.m.): I move- extent than they have been in the past. I "That the Bill be now read a second suggest to the members of the Queensland time." accounting profession that they should view this as a matter of great importance because I was pleased to learn that the Opposition it is true to say that the profession is not did not oppose this Bill, which is of a assisting those in rural industry to the best minor nature, although important in its advantage. removal of what has been a discriminatory provision in our constitutional legislation. The new procedures that I refer to have been developed primarily at the New May I say personally that I look for­ England University, the University of ward to the day when this Assembly will Western Australia at Nedlands and in certain number a clergyman or clergymen among ov~rs~as countries for profit maximisation by its members, for I think it is the experience ass1stmg the farmer to understand that his farm is a bus_iness, .which it certainly is today, of most people that ministers of religion are and by gettmg hun to recognise the new recognised for their sincerity, their com­ values through the use of computers in today's passion and their understanding of the prob­ farm-business planning. lems which beset the minds of men. The computer is widely recognised and I commend the motion to hon. members. used in Western Australia to assist farmers in decision-making. A recent survey in that Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (9.56 State revealed that when farmers relied on p.m.): As the !Premier said, this is a minor the computer print-out system to aid them amendment. The Opposition regards the in their over-all business decisions over a matter in the same way as the Government three-year period, it resulted in a doubling did when this problem was brought to its of net farm incomes. It is widely recognised attention. The question of clergymen not as essential in today's situation for farmers being able to sit as members of this 'Parlia­ to view their properties as businesses. Is it ment has been bandied around for a number not true, as a corollary, to say that the of years. This was one of the examples accountant has a unique opportunity to make used to show the need to go through our a positive contribution in assisting the farmer laws and to appoint a Law Reform Com­ rather than in merely completing his taxation mission which could recommend the removal form and minimising the income tax he pays? of archiac legislation or what could be The accountant should assist him in under­ regarded as dead wood. The Opposition standing the new techniques, which have sees no reason why clergymen should be been shown positively to be of much more precluded from being members of this Parlia­ benefit to him than some of the other ment. It considers that this is very necessary methods of assistance. legislation and acclaims it as such. It is certainly not very dear assistance. Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to. Some of the print-out systems of the New England University, which would be of great CoMMITTEE benefit to rural producers in Queensland, are (Mr. Houghton, Redcliffe, in the chair) available for the small cost of $15 a year. If accountants were to assist farmers in Clauses 1 to 4, both inclusive, as read, understanding the information supplied by the agreed to. computer print-outs, I believe the $15 would be well spent. Bill reported, without amendment. 2998 Badge, Arms and Floral Emblem of [16 MARCH] Queensland Act Amendment Bill

BADGE, ARMS AND FLORAL EMBLEM emblems that may in future be used for OF QUEENSLAND ACT AMEND­ other purposes. I think it was mentioned MENT BILL at the introductory stage that at some future date we might decide on an appropriate SECOND READING emblem to designate Queensland as a Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah mineral-producing State. The principle with -Premier) (9.59 p.m.): I move- which I find myself in complete disagreement "That the Bill be now read a second (in which attitude I think I am joined by time." my colleagues on this side of the Chamber) is that the Minister for the time being charged The provisions of the Bill, which is quite with the responsibility of this matter shall a short one, are very simple. As I indicated have the right to make a decision which will in my introductory speech, it is intended be binding on Parliament in regard to the that the koala shall be the fauna! emblem form and type of a future emblem. of the State and that other State emblems may be notified from time to time without One could reasonably expect that once a recourse to special legislation. decision such as that had been made, it would be obligatory under the regulations I appreciated the views expressed by hon. for the Minister to table an Order in Council members and I commend the motion to the House. in this Chamber, when the Opposition would have the right, within 14 days or whatever Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (10 was the appropriate time, to at least lodge p.m.): I think this matter was well can­ an objection to the decision. vassed at the introductory stage, and the The recent local opinion poll generated Premier will know that it met with the some interest, although possibly not as approval of the Opposition. Personally, I much as might have been desired, in estab­ think the koala will make a fine emblem lishing a fauna! emblem, so I should not like for the State. The Opposition has no argu­ to see what I might describe as a back-room ment with the proposal, and commends the decision made on a question that the Parlia­ Bill. ment will not have the right to debate. I think it was my colleague the hon. member Mr. MURRAY (Clayfield) (10.1 p.m.): for Rockhampton South who suggested The hon. member for Townsville North said during the debate at the introductory stage that a number of matters were canvassed on that it might be desirable, instead of having the introduction of the Bill. All I want to a local opinion poll and then introducing ask the Premier briefly is that, if the koala legislation based on the findings of that poll, is to become this State's emblem, all pos­ to introduce some form of model legislation sible steps be taken to bring this lovable and allow it to lie on the table of the House little animal before the public. At present so that the public would have the right to there are few places in Queensland where make suggestions as to whether or not they tourists and the citizens of Queensland can agreed with the procedure. find koalas. There are two places in Bris­ bane where they can be seen, but very few I feel very strongly that future emblems others throughout the State. will be decided by what will virtually amount to back-room decisions and that the Legis­ I ask that encouragement be given, lative Assembly will be presented with a fait through either the Premier's Department or accompli. All hon. members know the fate the Department of Primary Industries, to of Orders in Council. One may have good the provision of many places, not just a arguments against them, but it is not possible few, for the breeding, protection, care and to change them unless one has the numbers. general recognition of the koala so that it Very often Orders in Council are ~ssued becomes not just something to be seen on during the parliamentary rece~s, and m an stamps or at Lone Pine but an animal found election year Parliament sometimes does not throughout the State, and one that has some meet for almost 12 months after an Order in meaning for us. I ask the Premier to please Council is issued. Procedure of that type is give consideration to my request. not desirable, and I rise in my place to Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (10.3 indicate on behalf of the Opposition that we p.m.): I think I could agree that the Bill is on this side of the Chamber do not think a relatively simple measure in that its main that the principle contained in the Bill is purpose is to provide for the recognition of desirable. the koala as the fauna! emblem of the State. Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah I do not want to recanvass the arguments -Premier) (10.7 p.m.), in reply: I appreciate advanced by various Opposition members on the ·remarks of the hon. member for Clay­ what they thought might have been more field relative to the provision of more oppor­ appropriate emblems. I believe that the tunities for the public to see native bears. Of Opposition welcomes the fact that at least course, that is largely a matter for private the State now has a fauna! emblem. enterprise, but the Minister is responsible !or However, the Bill contains a principle giving permission for people to establish that we believe to be very detrimental to some sort of sanctuary or park in which the operations of Parliament. I refer, of native bears may be kept. I agree with the course, to the provision that gives to the hon. member that the more w;:; have of Minister the right to make a decision on them, the better. It is good to know that Badge, Arms and Floral Emblem of [16 MARCH] Queensland Act Amendment Bill 2999 native beacrs are becoming evident in many cheque. It is no more and no less than parts of the State. In the South Burnett there blank-cheque legislation. The 78 members are at least three different areas in which of Parliament have been elected to voice they can be seen. the opinions of the people. Therefore, it The point raised by the hon. member for is wrong to allow one member-a Cabinet Salisbury is that the Government would have Minister-to decide what will be the emblem to face criticism in this House and J'rom the of the State. public if it did not ascertain public opinion by poll or in some other way. Any Govern­ The provision may not seem important ment would be very careful and take every now, but in time to come it could be vitally precaution to ensure that its decision relative important. Because of the pressure of to any aspect of living was in conformity work at the time, the Minister might not with public opinion generally. make the decision and it could be left to some departmental officer. The growth of I commend the Bill to the House. bureaucracy in this State should be watched Motion (Mr. Bjelke-Petersen) agreed to. very carefully; if possible, it should be cur­ tailed. Members of Parliament have been CoMMITTEE elected to carry out these functions, and (Mr. Houghton, Redcliffe, in the chair) they should make the. decisions. Clauses 1 to 3, both inclusive, as read, The clause further provides- agreed to. "(b) may by a further notification Clause 4-New s. 2B.; Notification of in the Gazette revoke or vary a prior other emblems- such notification." Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (10.10 In other words, any Government member, p.m.): I do not want to repeat what I said once he becomes a Minister, may decide to at the second-reading stage about the feel­ alter the State emblem. That is a very poor ings of the Opposition on the notification of provision and one that we should not have future emblems under clause 4, which pro­ in the Bill. I therefore oppose clause 4. vides- "The Principal Act is amended by insert­ Question-That clause 4, as read, stand ing after section 2A as inserted by this part of the Bill-put; and the Committee Act the following section:- divided- '2B. Notification of other emblems. AY.ES, 31 The Premier and Minister for State Ahern Lickiss Development- Armstrong Low Bird Miller (a) may from time to time notify Bjelke-Petersen Moore, R. E. in the Gazette any other thing, ani­ Camm M tiller mate or inanimate, to be the emblem Chinchen Murray Cory Newbery of the State of Queensland.' " Delamothe Rae In answering my submission that it was not Heatley Ramsden Herbert Row desirable to deprive Parliament of the right Hewitt, N. T. E. Tomkins to debate the matter and to deprive the public Hewitt, W. D. Wharton Hinze of the opportunity of giving voice to its Hughes opinion, the Premier tried to justify this Hungerford Tellers: clause by saying that the Government would Jones, V. E. Kaus Lee McKechnie have to face up to criticism. NOES, 22 I have no doubt that if the Committee Aiken Moore, F. P. approves of the clause we will witness a time Baldwin Newton in the future when a decision is made to Bousen O'Donnell Bromley Sherrington declare a certain thing to be the emblem Davies Thackeray of the State of Queensland by the means Hanlon Tucker provided and there will be criticism. It is Hanson Wa!lis-Smith Harris Wood,P. all very well for the Government to fly in Jones, R. the face of criticism, but that does not resolve Jordan Tellers: Marginson Blake the fact that it is not satisfactory to people Wright in the community who take an active interest Melloy in such matters. The mere fact that the PAIRS Government would have to face up to criti­ F!etcher Houston cism is no justification for the insertion of Camp bell Bennett Su!livan Casey the clause which, as I said previously, will Chalk Davis lead to what might be termed "back-room Tooth Dean decisions". Hooper Inch Resolved in the affirmative. Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton South) (10.13 p.m.): I rise to support the hon. mem­ Clauses 5 to 7, both inclusive, as read, ber for Salisbury in his opposition to clause agreed to. 4. It is completely against the rights of Bill reported, without amendment. members of Parliament, and it gives the Minister what one might refer to as a blank The House adjourned at 10.22 p.m.