Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1969

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

1218 Question:; [ASSEMBLY) Questions

'IUESDAY 28 OCTOBER, 1969 capacity; Tennyson, 240 MW; Bulimba, 9 180 MW; Callide, 120 MW; Collinsville, 60 MW present capacity, 120 MW projected capacity; Kareeya (Hydro-Electric), 72 Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, MW." Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair (2) "The Swanbank, Tennyson and at 11 a.m. Bulimba power statiGns form part of the Southern Electric Authority's inter­ ASSENT TO BILLS connected system which, as well as serving the Authority's distributing undertaking, Assent to the following Bills reported by supplies electricity in bulk to the Brisbane Mr. Speaker:- City Council, Dalby Town Council and Coal and Oil Shale Mine Workers the Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Electricity (Pensions) Act Amendment BilL Board. The bulk supply prices payable by Swine Compensation Fund Act Amendment the Brisbane City Council, Dalby Town Bill. Council and the Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Electricity Board are derived from two­ Foot and Mouth Disease Expenses and part tariffs formulated on different bases. Compensation Fund Act Amendment Allowing for this difference, the tariffs are Bill. comparable. The largest bulk supply is to the Brisbane City Council and the two-part AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT tariff for 1969-70 is: Demand @ $2.72 per kW per month; Energy @ ·4164c per PUBLIC ACCOUNTS unit (kWh). The overall per unit price Mr. SPEAKER announced the receipt will depend on the Council's actual demand from the Auditor-General of his report on and consumption in the: year concerned. The Callide station forms part of the the public accounts of the State for the year Canricornia Regional Electricity Board's 1968-69. interconnected system which supplies only Ordered to be printed. the Board's own consumers. The Collins­ ville and Kareeya stations form part of QUESTIONS the interconnected system of the Northern Electric Authority of Queensland which supplies electricity in bulk to the Cairns, IssuE OF RENEWAL NoTICEs BY Aus­ Townsville and Mackay Regional Elec­ TRALIAN TRADE AND BUSINESS tricity Boards. The lowest present bulk DIRECTORY supply price is · 908c per unit to the Mr. H&uston, pursuant to notke asked The Cairns Regional Electricity Board." Minister for Works,- ' Has the Police Fraud Squad received any complaints regarding alleged "renewal CONSTRUCTION AND RECONDlTJONING OF now due" accounts issued by Australian PRISONS Tra~e and :S~siness pirectory being Mr. A;:rn..,;trong, pursuant to notice, asked recetved, unsolrctted, by firms and organi­ The Min;ster for Justice,- sations and set out in such a form as to allege a contract? If so, with what result? (!) How many (a) new pr.isons have been constructed and (b) pnsons have Answer:- been reconditioned since 1957? " Yes. Investigations of complaints are (2) Where were they built or recon­ presently proceeding." ditioned? ( 3) What was the total cost?

CAPACITY OF Er.r:cTRIC PowER STAT10NS Answers:- AND BULK SUPPLY PRICES (1 and 2) "Construction of three prisvns Mr. Houston, pursuant to n0dce, asked The has been commenced since 1957. One, a Minister for Local Government,- medium security prison at Wacol is com­ ( 1) What is the capacity of each of the pleted except for sick bay and chapel. six largest electricity supply power stations Another, at Rockhampton-dual purpose in Queensland? prison-is under construction. The third, a medium security prison at Townsville is (2) What is tb~ lowest bulk price per being co!lstructed in stages. Brisbane unit charged to a bulk consumer supplied Prison is being re-built in stages over from each of these power stations? several years. Townsville Prison has been added to by increased prisoner accommo­ Answers:- dation, office accommodation, workshops including laundry, and re-moc1e11i~" ,,·· (!) "The capaciti.::s of each of the six largest electricity supply power stations in kitchen." Queensland are: Swanbank A and B, 396 (3) "The total cost to September 30 MW present capacity, 876 MW projected last is $2,669,663." Questions [28 OCTOBER] Questions 1219

ASSISTANCE FOR DESERTED FATHERS AND (2) Is the advice contained in this WIDOWERS WITH FAMILIES publication valid? If not, will he issue Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The a warning to the public against following Minister for Health,- these directions without taking legal advice, if necessary, from the Legal Aid Com­ As it has been announced as Liberal mittee? policy, has any consideration been given to providing assistance to deserted or Answers:­ widowed fathers with young families by way of the cost of a housekeeper? If so, (1) "Yes." with what result? ( 2) "The matter has been investigated by the police and no offence is disclosed. Answer:- There is no information of any value in "The Department of Children's Services the publication. It gives no information assists widowed or deserted fathers by answering the description of the title. It is admitting children to care, and arranging published by J. A. & Associates of 58-62 for their placement in supervised foster Grey Street, South Brisbane, and is a care, family group homes, or in children's gimmick to attract enquiries so as to institutions. In cases where fathers are market books on sex. If a person desires unable to work and in receipt of Com­ to obtain legal advice about probate he monwealth Social Service Benefits but cap­ should consult his solicitor, not only about able of caring for the children, the Director his will but to avoid the pitfalls of publi­ will consider their eligibility for the pay­ cations which speak with no authority. A ment of family assistance. The Govern­ person who acts as his own lawyer has ment is very conscious of this problem. a fool for a client. The public is warned It must be realised however that while the against this type of publication which is a provision of housekeepers involves econ­ catch to get other business of a doubtful omic factors, it also involves emotional nature." and personal factors which may be of equal, if not of greater importance for the physical and mental well-being of the KARUMBA WATER SUPPLY children. The Commonwealth Minister for Social Services, Mr. Wentworth, in a recent Mr. Wallis-Smith, pursuant to notice, asked Press interview, stated that widowers with The Minister for Conservation,- families were one section of the population ( 1 ) Has any firm decision been reached which he hoped to be able to assist as on a suitable water supply for Karumba? soon as possible." If so what are the details of the scheme? (2) Will all residences at Karumba, including those at the mouth of the MAINTENANCE STAFF, PRINCESS Norman River, be served by the scheme? ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL Mr. Newton, pursu:mt to notice, asked (3) Will all prawn-processing works be The Minister for Health,- supplied? In view of the dismissal of two carpen­ ( 4) When is it expected that the scheme ters, two builders' labourers and one will be completed? electrician from the maintenance staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, will he Answer:- immediately review the position of loan "In regard to Items ( 1) to ( 4) of the money for maintenance work to avoid Question, on September 4 in Answer to a further dismissals from this staff? similar Question, the Honourable Member was informed that 'investigations have Answer:- shown that the only practicable arrange­ "I am advised that, apart from one ment for supply of potable water for plumber who is at present employed in a Karumba is a scheme to pipe supply from temporary capacity only and who will be the Norman River upstream of Normanton continued in employment until early in to Karumba. Such a scheme is estimated 1970, it is not anticipated there will be any to cost some $1,400,000. In view of the other reduction in the maintenance staff difficulty of providing such a scheme from at the Princess Alexandra Hospital." State funds, the Government has requested Commonwealth financial assistance for pro­ vision of this supply. No reply has yet been PUBLICATION, "HOW TO AVOID PROBATE" received from the Commonwealth Govern­ ment on this request. The proposed scheme Mr. Carey, pursuant to notice, asked The would be adequate to cope with existing Minister for Justice,- and new works at Karumba'. It is assumed ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to a that this request is still under consideration publication entitled How to Avoid by the Commonwealth Government. The Probate, attributed to Norman F. Dacey Honourable Member is further informed and published by the National Estate that reticulation of available supply from Planning Council? the Artesian Bore suitable for laundry and 1220 Questions [ASSEMBLY) Questions

ablution purposes is approaching comple­ CONTROL OF "0PUNTIA INERMIS" PRlCKLY tion. This reticulation includes service to PEAR BY CACTOBLASTIS residences near the mouth of the Norman River. In addition a detailed survey has Mr. Wrigbt, pursuant to notice, ·asked The been made of the proposed pipeline from Minister for Lands,- upstream of Normanton to Karumba." ( 1) Is he aware of the concern being expressed by many landholders that the density of Opuntia prickly pear is on the ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS OF PRINCIPAL increase in Queensland and that there has QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, been a decline in the effectiveness of CAPRICORNIA ' Cactoblasiis in controlling this noxious ~· Wright, pursuant to notice, asked The plant? Mmtster for Education,- (2) (a) Is prickly pear increasing in With regard to the qualifications of the this State and (b) has there been a decline principal of the Queensland Institute of in the effectiveness of Cactoblastis? If so, Technology, Capricornia as listed in the institute's handbook, n~ely, "A. Inst.P., what action is being taken by his Depart­ A.A.I.P., M.A.T.M., M.B.S.A., F.T.I."- ment to combat this problem? ( 1 ) What is the meaning of these Answers:- abbreviations? (1) "I am aware of and also have been (2) Are they recognised academic concerned by reports that the common qualifications in Queensland and other pest pear Opuniia inermis is on the increase States? and that Cactoblastis has not been present Answers:- in sufficient numbers to control the new grm.vth." (1) "A. Inst.P.-Associate of the Institute of Physics (England); A.A.I.P.­ (2) "(a) Prickly pear grows quite well Asso~iate of the Australian Institute of during dry weather and in the absence of Physics; M.A.T.M.-Member of the Asso­ grass and other vegetation the seedlings ciation of Teachers of Management· develop without competition and are more M.B.S.A.-Member of the British· Socio: noticeable than if normal ground cover is logical Association; F.T.l.-Fellow of the present. (b) There has been no decline Textile Institute (England)." in the effectiveness of Cactoblastis in con­ . (2) "Membership of the Institute of trolling the common pest pear, but officers Physics and/ or the Australian Institute of of my Department have long been aware Physics is recognised as an educational that the insect does not do well under qualifi~ation throughout Australia. All are drought conditions when the larvae are recogmsed as teaching and/ or industrial open to attack by numerous predators. qualifications in Great Britain. Because Almost all of the reports of the absence some of these professional bodies have of this insect in various localities have been a small membership in Queensland investigated and it has been found that they would not be well known, but they the position is better than was at first are .neyertheless recognised professional believed. Cactoblastis eggs are being associatiOns." collected by the Biological Section of my Department and to date about 200,000 have been distributed to landholders who have reported the presence of pear and the LICENSED INSURERS AND BROKERS absence of the insect. This work will pro­ ~· Wright, pursuant to notice, asked The ceed until it is known that Cactoblastis is Mmtster for Labour and Tourism,- again working in all areas where pear has (1) How many licensed (a) insurers re-appeared." and (b) brokers are operating in Queens­ land? (2) How many of these firms are SOLICITOR J(ANE'S LETTERS TO CoM­ owned .(a) wholly Queensland, (b) wholly MISSIONER FOR RAILWAYS ABOUT Australian, (c) partly Australian and (d) FIREMEN WILLADSEN AND PoWELL wholly foreign? Mr. Bousen, pursuant to notice, asked The Answers:- Minister for Transport,- ( 1) Did the Commissioner for Railways (1) "(a) In addition to the State Government Insurance Office (Queens­ receive two letters from Mr. Myles Kane, land), there are 159 insurers licensed under solicitor, concerning two firemen named "The Insurance Acts, 1960 to 1968" to Willadsen and Powell, who were dealt with by the Commissioner? If so, were the carry on marine and/ or general insurance 1 in Queensland. (b) There are 34 brokers letters dated February 2 and April "· - licensed to operate in Queensland." (2) Will he arrange with the Com­ (2) "(a to d) This information is not missioner to supply Mr. Kane with an known." answer to these letters? Questions [28 OCTOBER] Questions 1221

Answer:- (2) Is he aware of the amount of (! and 2) "A letter dated February 2, wolfram that has been mined to date and, 1968, was received by the Railway Depart­ if so, what is the quantity? ment and acknowledged. There was a (3) What companies have made any follow-up letter dated April 5, 1968. No approach to his Department regarding further communication has been received mining the deposits? from the solicitor in the interim. The secretary of the Department will write to ( 4) What was the purpose of the proc­ him." lamation gazetted over Banks and Mulgrave Islands, reserving them under section 23A of the Mining Act? WEEK-END SALE OF SECOND-HAND (5) Have approaches been made by the MoToR VEHICLES Island Mining Co-operative and Mr. J. L. Mr. Be!mett, pursuant to notice, asked The Jones regarding mining? Minister for Labour and Tourism,- (6) Why have requests by this com­ ( 1) Is any legislation in force that pany for access to Banks Island been prohibits the sale of second-hand motor refused? vehicles 'during week-ends? If so, what is the maximum penalty in relation to such Answers:- sales? (! and 2) "Wolfram deposits occur on (2) If there is a law forbidding these Moa (Banks) Island, which occurrences sales, is it policed and, if so, by whom? have been documented in the Queensland (3) How many prosecutions were Mining Journals of August 1944; Septem­ launched for this offence in the twelve ber 1951; and December, 1953. There has months ended September 30, 1969? been no drilling or exploratory shaft work and consequently no assessment of the Answers:- extent of the deposits. The deposits have been worked on a 'gouger' basis by Torres (1) "Yes. 111e penalties are.-First Strait Islanders resident on the Moa Island offence-minimum $10, maximum $100; Torres Strait Reserve and from other second and subsequent offences-minimum Reserves. Permissive access has been given $20, maximum $200." from time to time to some residents of the (2) "Yes, by Industrial Inspectors." Reserve for Pacific Islanders who are not (3) "Nine, and five other prosecutions assisted Torres Strait Islanders and who have been set down for hearing." have no legal right of access to or resi­ dence on the Reserve. These small mining efforts have been spread over a period of SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS some 30 years and no accurate records Mr. Bennett, pursuant to notice, asked The are available of the quantity of Wolfram Minister for Education,- won." (!) Has he been following the present (3) "In recent times-Up to April 23, controversy on sex education in schools? 1969-(i) Peter Eric Gauld; (ii) Con­ solidated Mining Industries Limited; (iii) (2) In view of the general body of Antelope Queensland Pty. Ltd.; (iv) Ro~and psychiatric opinion that sex education in Cantley, Civic Hotel, Canberra; (v) Silver schools is harmful and causes teenage Valley Uranium N.L.; (vi) Geophoto delinquency, what is the present attitude of Resources, Consultants. Subsequent to his Department? April 23, 1969-(i) Torres Strait Min!!?g (3} Is it proposed to make any changes? Co-op.; (ii) Island Mining Company; (m) Mr. Norman Hunter; (iv) United Uranium Answers:- N.L. In addition there have been some telephone inquirers, each of whom has ( 1) "I am aware of recent published been invited to submit written application." statements on sex education in schools." (2) "My Department does not favour ( 4) "A Proclamation was issued on the introduction of a specific course on sex April 3, 1969, published in Gazette N~; 48 education." of April 5, pages 1140-41, under The Mining Acts, 1898 to 1967", thus reserving (3) "No changes are proposed at present the areas from general application of the in order to make provision for this type Mining Acts, in addition to reservations of instruction." already provided in terms of "The Abori· gines and Torres Strait Islanders' Affairs WoLFRAM DEPOsiTs ON MoA (BANKs) Acts, 1965 to 1967"." ISLAND (5 and 6) "As indicated earlier, an :Mr. B. Wood, pursuant ,to notice, asked approach was made on behalf of TC?m;s The Minister for Conservation,- Strait Mining Co-op. by telegram, Indi­ cating four Directors formerly residents of ( 1) Is he aware of the extent of the Reserve for Pacific Islanders and one wolfram deposits on Banks Island? If so, former resident of Badu Island. seeking what information is available? permission to send Mining Consultant to 1222 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

Banks Island, which was not approved by the Wolfram deposits on Banks (Moa) Director. When the approach for access Island are within the area reserved for the to Banks Island Reserve was not approved, benefit of assisted Torres Strait Islanders, a Mr. J. L. Jones and a Mr. P. Bethel the deposits were discovered by the Torres entered the Reserve and subsequently were Strait Islanders, they have been inter­ charged with entering a Reserve without mittently worked by the Torres Strait authority. Bethel pleaded 'Guilty' and Islanders for many years, and I have no Jones pleaded 'Not Guilty', but both were intention of allowing the deposits to be convicted by the Court of Petty Sessions exploited to the disadvantage of the at Thursday Island. I feel it prudent to Islanders." inform the Honourable Member that a meeting of some people was held at the Federal Hotel, Thursday Island, when some COURSES IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION decision was reached to form a syndicate to mine minerals on Banks Island, ignoring Mr. Hanson, pursuant to notice, asked The of course, the fact that Banks Island is a Minister for Education,- Reserve for Torres Strait Islanders. A ( 1) Apart from the faculty of com­ document was completed under date July merce and the opportunity to obtain an 12, 1969, between a group styling them­ economics degree and allied diploma selves 'Torres Strait Mining Co-operative courses at the University and institutions Limited' and 'Island Mining Company', of tertiary education, what facilities are whereby the 'Island Mining Company' available to young people to participate undertakes to manage and administer in a comprehensive specialist course in mining operations on Banks Island for business administration? Torres Strait Islanders. Up to October 27 (2) Have any approaches been made to there is no record in the Registrar of the Government by industry leaders to Companies office, Brisbane, of this Co­ have a school of business administration operative having made application for instituted in this State and has there been registration. Relevant clauses are-Island any discussion between him and industry Mining Company will arrange sales of leaders towards this end? minerals, supply technical officers and finance to set up the initial operation, but Answers:- after surveys are complete determination would proceed to the extent both parties ( 1) "The Queensland Institutes of Tech­ would be required to provide finance. A nology in Brisbane, . Capricor~ia and significant clause is that the 'Co-operative' Darling Downs, offer either full-time. (two and 'Island Mining Company' would each years) or part-time (four years) certificate receive 50 per cent. of profits after expen­ courses in Bu~iness Studies followed by a ses deducted. This agreement was signed two-year part-time course to complete an by J. L. Jones as Director, Island Mining advanced Commercial Certificate. Techni­ Company and five persons as Directors of cal Colleges and the Technical Correspon­ dence School offer a range of courses for Torres Strait Mining Co-operative Limited, a lower standard of management training." none of whom have any rights whatsoever over minerals on Banks Island. Inquiries (2) "No. The Technical Educat~on. indicate that John Lee Jones is also the Advisory Council on the recommendatiOn sole owner of 'Island Mining Company', of its Business Studies Committee was which is registered at Cairns under "The responsible in 1965,, for advisin~ the Business Names Acts, 1962 to 1965." A Minister for Educatwn to establish a Torres Strait Islander who is Chairman of School of Business Studies in each of the Kubin is also a signatory as 'Director of the Queensland Institutes of Techn?logy. This Torres Strait Mining Co-operative'; how­ Committee has representatives from ever, I have seen a statement written by industry and commerce. The Queensland this man which includes the following-'1'11 Institute of Technology, Brisbane, offers­ give them a cup of tea. They stay (a) A full-time and a p~rt-time As.s~ciate with me 15 minutes and then they Diploma Course in Busmess Admims~ra­ sail away to Thursday Island so Mr. tion; (b) A full-time and a. part-tu~e J ones J ones tells me to sign my name Associate Diploma Course m. PubJic as a Director of Co-operative for Administration· and (c) A part-ttme Dip­ Mining. I did sign as a Director so no loma Course 'in Business Administration permission was granted by me to landed for persons holding a tert~ary quali~cat,~on Banks Island. I sign because I was told in a field other than Busmess Studies. to do so by Mr. Jones Jones'. Mr. J. L. Jones, who also describes himself as Manager of Coral Reef Sea Foods Limited, LUNCH RooM, CAIRNS CENTRAL STATE again a registered business name-sole PRIMARY SCHOOL owner John Lee Jones, has endeavoured to negotiate the use of Torres Strait Islander­ Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked owned vessels to produce beche-de-mer, The Minister for Works,- but has avoided declaring to the Depart­ ( 1) Are lunch rooms and/ or tuck-shops ment a banker's reference and other provided in new schoels accepted as a business references. I must point out that total State responsibility? Queslions [28 OCTOBER] Papers 1223

(2) If so, why is the parents and citi­ Union as an Industrial Union of employees. zens' association at the Cairns Central Since the initial application by the United State Primary School required to meet Firefighters Union for Federal registration, costs, under the subsidy scheme, of ceiling the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board has and painting the tuck-shop? outlayed an amount of $5,991.01 over a period of six years as its share of the costs Answers:- associated with the opposition by the Fire ( 1 ) "The fabric of a lunch room is pro­ Authorities to registration of this organisa­ vided, as a total State responsibility, at new tion in the Federal sphere. This outlay State primary schools where the enrolment represents 11 ·54 per cent. of this cost." is expected to exceed 300 pupils. How­ ever, in these cases, the provision of the ( 3) "At present, the decision of the necessary equipment, fittings and utensils is Commonwealth Industrial Conciliation and the full responsibility of the parents and Arbitration Commission w register the citizens' association and no subsidy assist­ United Firefighters' Union is subject to an ance is available on the cost thereof." appeal to the High Court of Australia. No separate amount has been budgeted for (2) "The parents and citizens' associa­ by the Board in the current year as these tion of the Cairns Central State Primary costs cannot be predetermined. However, School is required to undertake additions in the light of previous years' expenditure, and improvements to the lunch room under a provision considered to be sufficient has the School Improvement Subsidy Scheme been made to cover all legai expenses because subsidy assistance has previously necessary for the operations of the Board." been granted for the lunch room facilities and equipment already at the school." APPOINTMEN1'S BY STATE FIRE SERVICES CouNCIL METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADES BOARD'S Mr. Dean, pursuant tc notice, asked The OPPOSITION TO REGISTRATION OF UNITED Minister for Labour and Tourism,-- FIREFIGHTERS UNION Dm·ing the past twelve months, has the Mr. Dc:an, pursuant to notice, asked The State Fire Servict.Os Council made any Minister for Labour and Tourism,- appointments to officer rank from outside If how ( i) Is the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Queensland's Fire Services? so, manY and why were the~e preferred to Board (a) a member of the Common­ wealth Fire Boards Association and (b) Queensland-trained men? a member of the Queensland Country Fire Boards Employers Union? Answer:- "Approval has been given to the appoint­ (2) Has the Board been associated with ment of one Fire Services Inspector :::nd any Court actions against Commonwealth two country brigade officers as their fire-fighters amalgamating in their own qualifications and experience were co~­ Union? If so, how much has the Board sidered more suitable than those of apph­ contributed to the cost of such Court cants from within the Queensland Fire actions and what percentage is this amount Service. The country officer a-ppoin~ments of the total Commonwealth outlay in this were approved on the recommendatiOn of regard? the respective Boards. In its annual report (3) Is any further Court action contem­ recently presented to Parliament, t~e State plated and, if so, what amount has been Fire Services Council expressed 1ts con­ budgeted by the Board for this purpose? cern at the lack of suitable Queensland applicants for the position of Insx:;-ecior of Answers:- Fire Services." (1) "(a) There is no such organisation as the Commonwealth Fire Boards Assccia­ tion. There is an Association of State Fire PAPERS Authorities entitled the 'Australian Assem­ The following papers were laid on the bly of Fire Authorities'. The Metropolitan table, and ordered tD be printed:- Fire Brigades Beard is a member of this Assembly. (b) The Metropolitan Fire Reports- Brigades Board is an Associate Member of Public Service Board, for the year a registered State Union of Employers 1968-69. entitled 'The Queensland Country Fir~ Puolic Service Superannuation Board, Brigade Board's Union of Employers'." for the year 1968-69. Commissioner of Main Roads, for the (2) '"Together with ali other major Aus­ year 1968-69. tralian Fire Authorities, The Australian Workers' Union and other sundry com­ Comptroller-General of Prisons, for tho:: mercial organisations, the Metropolitan Fire year 1968-69. Brigades Board has opposed the Federal Commissioner for Railways, for the year registration of the United Firefighters 1968-69. 1224 Form of Questions [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The following papers were laid on the Mr. 1ENSEN having completed notice of table:- the question- Orders in Council under- Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The question con­ The Harbours Acts, 1955 to 1968. tains other unnecessary comments. I shall Water Act 1926-1968. have a Jook at it. The City of Brisbane Acts, 1924 to Mr. HANSON (Port Curtis) proceeding to 1967. give notice of a question- Regulation under the Health Act 1937-1968. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! Is the hon. mem­ ber asking a question or making a statement? FORM OF QUESTIONS Mr. HANSON: It is a very pertinent question. Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) pro­ ceeding 1to give notice of a question- Mr. SPEAKER: Order! It contains far more information than is necessary I shall Mr. SPEAKER: Order! That question has have a look at it. already been answered. Mr. Bromley: We are entitled 10 get the CHIROPODISTS BILL information in the House, not from the Press. THIRD READING Mr. TUCKER having completed notice Bill, on motion of Mr. Tooth, read a of the question- third time. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I have previously SUPPLY ruled that an hon. member cannot demand an answer to a question; neither can he RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-EsTIMATES­ dictate the answer he shall get. A question FIRST AND SECOND ALLOTTED DAYS regarding a recess has already been answered (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hooper, by the Premier. Greenslopes, in the chair) Mr. TUCKER: Where is the answer? ESTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1968-69

Mr. SPEAKER: A question on similar lines DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH was posed previously. CHIEF OFFICE Mr. TUCKER: Where was it asked? Hon. S. D. TOOTH (Ashgrove-Minister Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member for Health) (11.44 a.m.): I move- asked a previous question relative to the "That $4,748,321 be granted for 'Depart- adjournment of the House. ment of Health--Chief Office'." Mr. TUCKER: And I was told I would This appropriation is the amount requ~red be informed at the appropriate time. for the administrative and medical sections of my department. It is $715,185 in excess Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member of the approved allocation for 1968-69 .and was given an answer to his question. He $807 288 greater than the aotual expenditure is now asking a supplementary question. I for t'hat year the latter amount being made repeat that an hon. member cannot dictate up of $384,560 for salaries and $422,728 for what type of answer he shall get to a question. contingencies. Mr. TUCKER: I think his action is The increase of $384,560 for salaries is completely discourteous to this House. due mainly to- Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I will have a look Increased commitments resulting from at ·the question. award increases; The payment of a full year's salary to Mr. Davies: If the House is going to adjourn new appointees who received less than a full for a week, the .people should be told. year's salary in 1968-69; and Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I will look at the Provision for a net increase of 27 in the hon. member's question. In its present form staff of the various sections covered by it contains far too much verbiage to be the Chief Office vote, the main component acceptable. being an increase of 24 in the various medical sections of the department. Mr. JENSEN (Bundaberg) proceeding to give notice of a question- TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION BRANCH Mr. SPEAKER: Order! That part of the (ENGINEERING) question is not in order. This year we have .provided [;· . .an Mr. JENSEN: I will leave that part out. increase of two officers m oux engmeenng section, giving an effective strength of five. Mr. SPEAKER: It will certainly be left out. It is becoming increasingly evident ·that more Supply [28 OCTOBER) Supply 1225 regular and periodic inspections by our tech­ be attending a conference next month in nical engineering staff ought to be made at Sydney, comprising officers of the Common­ our hospitals and institutions. Hospitals, in wealth and State Governments, to formally keeping with current developments, are constitute the committee and establish how replacing items of equipment with modem­ it is to function. We support wholeheartedly day apparatus-oil-fired automatic burners the principle that there should be a free in lieu of solid-fuel types, automatic refrig­ and complete exchange of information erated X-ray developing units in lieu of between the States and the Commonwealth still-water types, high-pressure sterilisers in in this field of hospital computerisation, lieu of boiling-water units, liquid petroleum leading in time no doubt to the sophisticated gas ranges in lieu of slow-combustion coke use of computers for patient monitoring. We fuel units, and so on. In addition, all new intend to play our part in this development. hospital buildings and nurses' quarters, where considered necessary, are being air conditioned or air cooled with evaporative COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME-CARE OF THE cooling plants. Steam plants and reticulated AGED hot water systems are constantly being up­ Included for the first time in our Health dated. All Jhis spells out large capital out­ and Medical Section is provision for a staff of lay. We propose periodical inspections to 12 to launch the new comprehensive pro­ protect this capital. Let me say that gramme for the care of the aged. The staff departmental staff activity will in no way comprises two doctors, two social workers, supplant the maintenance contracts into two organisers and six supervisors for the which boards may have entered with local home care service. The new programme contractors for maintenance service. will provide for the development of services to aged citizens in their homes in co-opera­ AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING--HOSPITALS tion with the services already being provided by the community. Provision has been made also for a team of five full-time officers to constitute a plan­ Initially, community home care services ning group to study and to report on the will be set up in the metropolitan area, one introduction of automatic data processing at Fortitude. Valley and one at South Bris­ equipment into our public hospitals. A policy bane, as a pilot scheme. Each centre will committee, comprising senior officers of 'the be staffed by a medical officer, a social Department of Health, the Public Service worker three supervisors, an organiser of Board, the South Brisbane, North Brisbane home belps and a staff of part-time home and Chermside Hospitals Boards, the Mater helps. Elderly people who require some Hospital authorities, the Treasury computer form of assistance · in their homes will be installation and the Main Roads Commission seen by the staff of the Communit;: Home computer installation, has been functioning Care Service on referral from their local for over 18 months. doctor or from a hospital doctor, and an The full-time planning group of five, with assessment will be made. of what is required its leader, Mr. O'Conne!l, who is an experi­ to help them live better in their own homes. enced systems officer, has been operating The State Health Department will be pro­ since the beginning of this financial year. viding, for the first time, a ·home help service Not only has the · policy committee given if such assistance is indicated. It is hoped consideration to what may be described as to be able to provide better care for the "bread and butter" lines of compu!erisa­ the elderly living at home and to co-~rdi~ate tion, such as payrolls and group taxation, the efforts of the voluntary orgamsaaons but its activities have extended to the more already assisting aged people at the present complex areas of the hospital. time. The service to be provided, which will be under the control of the Division of The Physicists Department of the Queens­ Geriatrics, will supplement already established land Radium Institute will install equip­ services and is considered to be a major ment which will calculate radiation doses advance in the provision of care for the aged. through the Queensland University computer It is expected that further centres will be installation by means of an on-line terminal developed until a comprehensive home care facility. The newly created Department of programme is available on a State-wide basis. Nuclear Medicine-a diagnostic department Plans for the introduction of this service are -will be equipped with a data-processing well advanced, and a start is expected to be unit (electronic calculator). The mammoth made next month. Initially, the cost of the manufacturing dispensary at the Royal Bris­ scheme will be met by the Commonwealth bane Hospital-a business with a turnover and the State on a $1-for-$1 basis. Special in excess of $3,000,000 per annum-will be allocation of $46,000 is provided for the installing an electronic accounting machine establishment of the first two home care with paper tape output for use with the centres during 1969-70. Treasury computer installation. It is also proposed to finance the estab­ The policy committee has supported a lishment of senior citizens' centres as part of recommendation submitted to the Health the development of the co-ordinated home Ministers' conference in Adelaide that a care programme for the elderly and disabled, national medical services computer com­ Capital construction costs of approved pro. mittee be established. State officers will jects will be subsidised up to a maximum of 1226 skpply [ASSEMBLY] Supp~y

one-third of the cost from State Government role that will be played by this new appointee loan funds and a similar amount from the will be to visit all hospital X-ray installations Commonwealth Government. The rem~ining and to report to their condition, their effi­ third is a matter fnr community or local ciency and their safety. We intend to update government effort. The estimated expenditure existing equipment and to remove any obso­ on this development during 1969-70 is lescent units. $40,000. This officer will also play an important role Mr. P. Wood: What services will be pro­ in advising operators in our smaller hospitals vided at those centres? in the techniques of operating the X-ray units Mr. TOOTH: I have discussed two divi­ and in the processing of films. Hon. members sions. Is the 'hon. member referring to the are aware that in our smaller hospitals it places for the elderly? is not possible to employ qualified radio·· graphers, and, indeed, the work volume would Mr. P'o Wood: Yes. not justify, on an economical basis, their employment. And so it is that we have Mr. TOOTH: The services will be entirely matrons, sisters and other members of the up to the people who run those centres. All staff, under the supervision of the medical we do is provide a third of the cost, the superintendent, operating X-ray machines in Commonwealth provides a third, and local simple procedures. It is our hope that, once effort provides the remaining third. The local this officer organises his programme on a per­ committee controlling each centre will decide manent basis, not only will our equipment be the extent of the services to be provided at assured of regular efficien~ maintenaece but in that centre. The Commonwealth will under­ addiiion the quality of our fi!ms should be write the cost of the social workers at those enhanced considerably. homes.

CONT!NGC:NCIES-cHIEF OFFICE DIVISION OF GERIATRICS Turning to contingencies, it will be noted i should like to m~ke special mention of that there is an increase this year of $422,728. the work being done by my department in This has been necessary principally for the this very important field of the care of the aged in the community. It is the particular following major items:- concern of the Division of Geriatrics, under (a) An anticipated increase in the number its director, Dr. M. Cheong, who has estab­ of supern'Jmerary medical officer postings lished his headquarters at the geriatric unit required for newly graduated doctors; at the Princess Alexandra Hos;:Jital. This (b) A special allocation of $46,000 for unit comprises an in-patient section of 128 the establishment and maintenance of home assessment and rehabilitation beds and a day care centres for the aged; hospitr.l caring for approximately 50 patients per day. In addition, the unit has direct (c) The cost of new equipment for access to 72 long-stay beds within the hos­ the Laboratory of Microbiology and pital complex. The unit is fully staffed and Pathology, the Government Chem~cal equipped to provide an efficient paramedical Laboratory, the Institute of Medical servir.e, which includes physiotherapy, occu­ Research and the Division of Air Pollution pational therapy, speech therapy, and the Control; services of medical social workers. (d) The granting of additional social service scholarships in medicine, dentistry The medical staff of the Division of Geria­ and speech therapy. trics provides an acivisory consultative service to patients at "Eventide", Sandgate and ti-,e long-stay wards of the Chermside Hospital. GOVERNMENT CHEMICAL LABORATORY The public health nurses of this division I want to draw particularly to the notice are continuing to provide consultative nursing of hon. members the appropriation made advice to patients in their homes, and the under medical contingencies for the Govern­ social workers continue to maintain :an ment Chemical Laboratory, which provides advisory and case-work service to the elderly a chemical analytical and advisory service living in the community in the metropolitan to other Government departments in Queens­ are~ of Brisbane. land and to some Commonwealth depart­ ments. These services will continue to be TECHNICAL ADVISER (RADlATION)­ provided in the current financial year. DIVISION OF iNDUSTRIAL MEDICINE In additior., the facilities of the laboratory Under the subdepartment of the Division are being extended by the establishment of of Industrial Medicine there has been created an up-to-date spectrographical laboratory a new position entitled Technical Adviser which will be provided with equipment (Radiation). The capital value of X-ray designed primarily to enable it to provide equipment throughout Queensland in our comprehensive analyses for the Depar~ment State public hospitals would be worth many of Mines in its assessment of the mmeral hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each year wealth of Qm:ensland. An amount of the cost of providing films, chemicals and $155 000 will be required during 1969-70 allied equipment would also aggregate a very for ~dditional equipment, and special pro­ considerable amount of money. The maj

I should like to apprise hon. members of A systematic survey of air pollution is the recent acquisition by the Government being carried out and there are now some Chemical Laboratory of a piece of equipment 30 air pollution monitoring stations estab­ which places it in the forefront of research lished in Brisbane and Ipswich. A survey of into the incidence of silicosis hazards in industry is also in progress whereby the mines. This is a Talbot diffraction size performance of each firm · can be assessed analyser, newly developed in South Africa and air pollution control measures discussed for dust sampling in mines and for related if these are necessary. investigations into industrial hygiene situa­ Members of the Senate Select Committee tions. The unit imported from South Africa on Air Pollution who visited Queensland for our laboratory was the first sold outside recently were much impressed with our pro­ the country of origin. gress in dealing with air pollution problems. They were also very impressed by the sim­ In <;>rder to ensu_re trouble-free assembly, plicity of our administrative arrangements operatiOn and servicing of the analyser a whereby the Act is implemented by an Air senior chemist of this department was ;ent Pollution Council responsible to the Minister, to South Africa by air for a period of three the director being responsible only to the weeks to study in the company's laboratories, council and to the Minister. and also to undertake a practical appreciation Mi:. Bennett: How many are employed of mines dust, mines ventilation and other in the Division of Air Pollution Control? industrial hygiene problems of interest to Queensland. The cost of the analyser was Mr. TOOTH: The hon. member can find $17,810. that by looking at the relevant column in the Estimates. M~i.or e.quipment for which special financial provision IS allowed by the Treasurer includes Co-operation between industry and the an emit spectrograph and ancillary equip­ division has been a most helpful feature of ment which is to cost $72,000, and an XRF our clean air programme. All the heavier spectrograph costing $60 000. I am sure industries in Brisbane and Ipswich have been that it will give hon. mdmbers considerable licensed in accordance with the Clean Air satisfaction to know that the Government Regulations of 1968. While the adoption by Chemical Laboratory is keeping abreast of industry of the measures laid down in the ~evelopments in a matter of such great Clean Air Regulations of 1968 in respect Importance to the State as the safe exploita­ of stationary sources of pollution is under tion of our mineral resources. way, attention is being increas·ingly devoted to ihe problem presented by motor vehicles, both petrol-driven and diesel-driven. Draft DIVISION OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL legislation in respect of motor-cars is under consideration by the Air Pollution Council Honourable members will notice that the nf Queensland. costs of the Division of Air Pollution Control are shown separately for the first time this The Division of Air Pollution Control is year in the printed Estimates. In fact the still undergoing a great deal of "tooling up" Clean Air Act provides for the establish~ent to provide the advisory services which indus­ of an Air Pollution Trust Fund by the try throughout Queensland has come to expect Treasury. Licence fees prescribed by the in endeavouring to meet and adhere to ·the regulations under the Act were first levied requirements of the Clean Air Act and in 1968-69 and the fund was established on regulations. As a result, additional equipment I July 1969 by transfer of the total fees is sought for the laboratories during the collected to that date from Consolidated 1969-70 financial year. Revenue to the Trust Fund. A grant of The difficulties experienced in recruiting $61,660 is being made to bridge the gap suitable engineering staff have impeded the between estimated expenditure and estimated development of advisory services to indus­ receipts. Total expenditure of $84,526 is try. However, it is anticipated that the three shown on page 97 of the Estimates. vacancies (for two air pollution control The function of the Division of Air engineers and one inspector) will be filled Pollution Control is to carry out the pro­ during the course of the year. One engineer visions of the Clean Air Act of 1963 and has been appointed, although he has yet to the Clean Air Regulations of 1968, to suggest take up duty, and the appointment of an further legislation where necessary, and to inspector has been recommended. provide an advisory service to industry on air pollution matters. The Director of Air LABORATORY OF MICROBIOLOGY AND Pollution Control took up his appointment PATHOLOGY in August 1965, since when further staff Increasing demands are being made for appointments have been made. The new the diagnostic services provided by the headquarters building of the division in Laboratory of Microbiology and Pathology, Adelaide Street was officially opened on 29 employing a staff of 69 personnel. The March 1968. This air pollution centre is virology laboratory is the only diagnostic self-contained, comprising both offices and laboratory for virus diseases in the State. laboratories, and certainly ranks with the A number of research projects are being best in Australia. undertaken and 12 scientific papers have been 1228 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply published during the year. Coronia! autopsies The section of environmental sanitation is are carried out for the whole of the metro­ responsible for collating, for the information politan area by medical officers attached to of the Director-General, statistical data on the laboratory sta..'f and during the past health services carried out by local year 990 autopsies were performed. A authorities throughout the State, and evalu­ special allocation of $11,000 has been pro­ ating the. data so that the Director-General's vided by the Treasury this year for new attention might be drawn to any deteriora­ equipment, including an auto-analyser module tion in standards of environmental sanitation and kits to convert the existing unit in the which warrant remedial action being taken. biochemistry section to a double-channel This information is drawn from compulsory machine. This will cost $3,500. Also to reports submitted by the local-authority be purchased are an electronic calculator, administration, the health inspector and the a haemoglobinometer to measure haemo­ medical officer of health, complemented by globin to levels directly from a sample of sanitation surveys carried out by inspectors blood, a coulter counter costing $3,500 which of the State Health Department in all local­ automatically counts red or white cells authority areas of the State at least once in a sample of blood, and a microtome each year. cryostat which is required for investigation of liver pathology of traffic accident victims Mr. Bromley: When are you going to in correlation with blood alcohol levels. tell us something about the overcrowding and waiting at casualty departments? INSPECTORIAL DIVISION-HEALTH AND The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Chamber MEDICAL will not be overcrowded if the hon. member A very active division of the depart­ continues to interject. ment's health services is the inspectorial divi­ sion, particularly the section of food inspec­ Mr. TOOTH: In addition, the section tion and the section of environmental controls the enforcement of the require­ sanitation. Fifty-eight inspectors are employed ments of section 124 of the Health Act over all. The food inspection section is relating to lead toys, and section 127 relating concerned with administering the State's food to lead paint and hookworm control &tandards and generally with matters per­ activities in Northern Queensland. taining to the hygienic manufacture and It also advises local authorities and their distribution of food for sale. In addition staff on sanitation problems, investigates to the relative provisions of the Health Act complaints from the public, and supervises and the Food and Drug Regulations, the the work of health inspectors employed on section administers the Health (Food Supply) Aboriginal settlements and mission stations Regulations and the Milksellers Regulations, throughout the State. and acts in an advisory and superv,isory capacity in the implementation of the Cafe The scope of activity outlined has been Regulations and HeaHh (Food Hygiene) Regu­ actively carried out to the full during the lations by the various local authorities past year, except where staffing difficulties in throughout the State. certain provincial cities have led to some curtailment in the number of supervisory These duties include the sampling of food visits made to local authorities. The position and inspections at all stages of food manu­ facture, storage, distribution and sale. Test­ will be relieved if three cadets who sit ing of liquor and policing of the "clean for their qualifying examination early in glass rule" also receive attention. December, 1969, are successful and remain in the service of the department. The Chief Inspector of Foods is the State representative on the Foods Standards Com­ HOSPITALS mittee of the National Health and Medical Research Coundl, and through representa­ The proposed contribution to the Hospital tion on this committee assists in the nromul­ Administration Trust Fund from Con­ gation of uniform food standards. 'During solidated Revenue for 1969-70 is $30,311,651, the past 15 months he has attended five an increase of $710,663 over the actual con­ interstate meetings of the Food Standards tribution from the previous financial year. Committee of the National Health and The total actual expenditure of 58 hospitals Medical Research Council. Several draft boards controlling 134 hospitals and 24 out­ food standards at various stages of comple­ patient centres was $49,698,359, and the tion are under consideration. expenditure on 30 other hospitals and Headquarters (Brisbane) staff has a normal institutions was $2,572,845, making a grand complement of three chief inspectors, three total of $52,271,204 during 1968-69. This senior inspectors, 17 inspectors and 11 cadets was $1,863,993 over the estimate for the plus two inspectors at the Metropolitan Fish year, the amount being made up of- Markets. Excess contribution from $ In the country, the section shares with Consolidated Revenue . . 1,878,419 the sections of environmental sanitation and Less savings from other drugs and poisons the services of the district hospitals 14,426 health inspectors stationed at Toowoomba, Mackay, Bundaberg, Rockhampton Towns- $1,863,993 ville and Cairns. ' Supp~y [28 OCTOBER} Supply 1229

Mr. Beooett: Tell us why you are setting paid into the fund is met from Consolidated out to destroy the free hospitalisation Revenue, and the Treasury collections this scheme. year into the fund are expected to be- $ Mr. TOOTH: I might have something to (a) From the Common- say about that later, and the positively wealth by way of hos­ scandalous propaganda engaged in recently. pital and nursing home benefits, pharmaceutical The sources of income for the maintenance benefits and tuberculosis of State public hospitals during 1968-69, recovery 10,635,379 excluding the operations of the manufacturing dispensary, were as follows:- (b) Collections from hos­ $ pitals-patients payments Commonwealth Govern- for hospital fees 5,105,000 ment 9,542,574 (c) Collections into the Hospitals boards, through Manufacturing Dispen- the private and inter­ sary-Sale of Drugs . . 3,388,900 mediate ward charges (d) Hospital, Motherhood and ancillary services 5,004,806 and Child Welfare State Government 32,189,479 Ale (Golden Casket) 2,950,000 It is a source of some satisfaction to hon. Total maintenance, includ- members, I am sure, that the first renal ing interest and transplant operation in Queensland has redemption $46,736,859 recently been performed at Princess Alex­ andra Hospital. This is a logical develop­ The estimated expenditure for 1969-70 by ment following the establishment of a hospitals boards is $53,175,580, which is renal dialysis unit at the hospital to treat $3,477,221 in excess of actual expenditure last by means of the artificial kidney machine year, an increase of 7 per cent. As against this, patients suffering from terminal kidney income from sources other than Consolidated failure, as it offers patients the chance of Revenue is expected to rise by $1,999,908 to escape from intermittent haemodialysis $22,863,929, leaving $30,311,651 to be found and a possible return to normal life. It has from revenue, an increase of 2.4 p.er cent. been estimated that the number of kidney over the previous year's contribution. transplants likely to be performed at Prin­ cess Alexandra Hospital is 20 a year, whilst A major item in the increased cost of the unit is equipped to cater for a maximum running our hospitals is the escalation in of 30 to 35 transplants a year. the wages bill from $28,714,708 expended in 1968-69 to $30,571,188 estimated for The surgical team at the cardiac unit at Chermside Hospital is continuing to per­ 1969-70, an increase of $1,856,480, or 6.46 form the cardiac surgical techniques. per cent. The increase is due mainly to the including heart valve replacements and following factors:- hole-in-the-heart operations. Straight Award variations approved in 1968-69; hole-in-the-heart bypass operations are Allowance for a full year's pay for performed as routine work by the cardiac new staff who received less than a full team. year's pay in 1968-69, the year in which they were appointed; Operations for heart valve replacement by the use of animal heart valves are con­ Staff for new projects-Block 8, Royal tinuing. Apart from medical advantages, Brisbane Hospital, Mt. Isa, and Gatton; the use of this technique means that expen­ Additional staff to allow nurses' lec­ sive artificial valves will rarely be needed. tures to be given in employer's time; and This State is fortunate in that Dr. Mark Allowance for employment of fuller O'Brien, the leader of the cardiac surgical staff complement in 1969-70. team, is a recognised world authority on the Other major items of hospital expenditure use of animal heart valves as replacements provided for are an increase of for diseased hum'an heart valves. $300,000 on the 1968-69 appropriation The National Heart Foundation of Aus­ for drugs to allow for an anticipated tralia has continued a grant-in-lid to Dr. further increase in the usage of O'Brien to enable him to carry out cardiac the more expensive drugs; an allocation of research on animals at the Chermside $32,000 for completion of the renal trans­ Hospital. This grant-in-aid of $3,500 was plant unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital first made to Dr. O'Brien in 1968 and has and a special allocation of $100,000 for now been repeated. purchase · of major items of medical and other equipment and furniture. As I said A National Heart Foundation of Aus­ earlier, the total estimated expenditure on tralia Overseas travel grant has also been State contmlled public hospitals for 1969-70 awarded to Dr. O'Brien. This grant will is $53,175,580. The Hospital Admin­ enable him to observe modern trends and istration Trust Fund operates on the prin­ techniques in other cardiac centres around ciple that the difference between expenditure the world. A similar travel grant was from the fund and receipts and collections awarded to Dr. Graham Nielson, full-time 1230 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

cardiologist at Chermside Hospital, and receive the best hospital accommodation Dr. Nielson was overseas for 10 weeks from possible within the financial resources of the 2 November, 1968. State. Mr. Roland Bishop, electronics technician, Significant major projects completed during was awarded a Churchill fellowship by the the past two financial years approach a total Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and was of $5,000,000 in capital expenditure and absent from Chermside Hospital for 14 include- weeks on an overseas study of the latest Construction of a new hospital at apparatus and equipment available for Caloundra which provides 21 beds for cardiac services and surgery. public and private general and maternity J?uring the financial year 1968-69, 122 patients, out-patients' and X-ray depart­ patients had open or bypass cardiac surgery ments, operating theatre, nursing staff at Chermside Hospital and 80 patients had quarters and essential services at a cost closed cardiac surgery. Of the 122 open of $546,356. surgery ,cases, 61 had animal valve replace­ A new female ward block providing 14 m~nts and this brought the total number of beds for public and private pa,tients and a ammal valve replacement cases, as at the end six-bed children's ward and ancillary of June. 1969, to 116. services, an out-patients' administration block incorporating an operating theatre, X-ray department and dispensary at NUCLEAR MEDICINE Collinsville Hospital at a cost of $413,000. The establishment of a nuclear medicine Construction of a new block at Mt. department at Royal Brisbane Hospital to Morgan Hospital providing 19 beds for be regarded in the first instance as part of public and private male patients, nine beds the Queensland Radium Institute is a recent development. for children, operating theatre, out-patients' and X-ray departments, administration This department will use radioactive section and ancillary services and remodel­ substances in the diagnosis and management ling and renovation of the maternity block of diseases in man. As a diagnostic tool to provide 18 beds for public and private nuc!ear medicine can supply new data not general female patients and 12 beds for available by other methods, or data which maternity patients at a cost of $542,000. can only be obtained by more complicated or more dangerous methods. Mr. Hanson: On whose representations? In September, 1968, Dr. I. H. Buttfield Mr. TOOTH: We look after the hon. was appointed as physician to head this member in many ways. To continue- department. Previously Dr. Buttfield was A new ward block and nurses' quarters, engaged in specialist work at the Queen extensions to kitchen, laundry and boiler Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide where he was house, at Southport Hospital. The new senior medical registrar. He has taken up ward provides 21 beds for public and duty as the head of the nuclear medicine private patients and a 12-bed children's department. ward and the nurses' quarters provides 21 Action has been taken since the appoint­ single bedrooms for nurses and a matron's ment of Dr. Buttfield to obtain the highly suite. The total cost of the project was complex equipment required and it is $566,000. expected that the department, which has A new out-patients' block at the Towns­ been functioning in a limited capacity up to ville Hospital which provides out-patients' the present time, will be engaged in a far and casualty departm"nts, speciali~ts' con­ wider field of medical investigation after new sulting sections, X-ray, blood bank, occu­ equipment is installed in the near future. pational therapy and physiotherapy depart­ ments and clerical offices at a ,total esti­ The equipment to be used includes a mated cost of $1,264,268. $40,000 rectilinear scintillation scanner which will trace radioactive substances within the This is a really magnificent complex. body. A tender has also been accepted for An additional nurses' quarters, which the supply of a gamma camera costing almost provides accommodation for 41 nurses and $59,000. It is a faster scanner which can a matron at Toowoomba Hospital at a cost be used in the diagnosis of conditions in of $407,214. patients unable to lie still for any length of A new nurses' quarters, which provides time. Tht: supply of an automatic X-ray accommodation for 40 nurses and a matron, developer has been approved and the supply at the Dalby Hospital at a cost of $300,000. of other less costly items of equipment is The construction of a new operating also under consideration. theatre and X-ray block at the Biloela In. accor:da?ce with Government policy, Hospital, which is Stage 1 of an extensive hospital bmldmgs where necessary are being long-range rebuilding programme at the replaced, remodelled, extended or improved hospital, at a cost of $103,500. and consequently a very large building pro­ Provision of additional accommodation gramme is presently being undertaken to blocks 1, 2 and 3, "C'~ floor, Royal ensure that the residents of Queensland Brisbane Hospital, at a cost of $218,000. Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1231

A new ward block at the Mt. Isa department, solarium, out-patients' depart· Hospital, which provides accommodation ment, dental clinic, kitchen and laundry, for 36 patients, at a cost of $446,300. at Eidsvold Hospital at an estimated cost of $403,500. Major projects at preseat under con&truction at an estimated total cost in excess of Alterations and additions to the male $8,000,000 include the following:- and female wards at the Warwick Hospital, which provide for- ~ new ward block at Cairns Hospital, estimated to cost $2,770,000, which will The demolition of a wooden veranda be of five floor:> and provide patient on the western aspect of tihe existing accommodation for 37 maternity patients ward block ar,d construction in lieu and 135 surgical patients, an operating thereof of male and female Wll!rds to theatre suite of four theatres and associated accommodate 14 beds in ~eh ward. rooms,. central sterilising facilities, an X-ray Provision of five beds fer male and department clinic and various service female intermediate accommodation for rooms. overflow of private pl!-tients from the Horwitz Ward. Mr. R. Jones: By the time that one is finished we will probRbly need another one. Remodelling of existing toilet and ablution facilities and the provision of nurses' toilet, sterilising and work room Mr. TOOTH: That is possible. The Cairns Hospital presents very difficult problems, and area, linen room and box room. one of the greatest of them results from the The estimated over-a.ll cost of the project is failure in the early days to secure a sufficiently $256,640. large site for the hospital. I particularly Alterations and additions to the general appreciate the co-operation that the Govern­ hospital at Nanango, whi;:h include the ment has received from the Cairns City provision of a new operating theatre Council in making an additional area of land block, X-ray section, casualty and waiting available by re-arranging its streets adjacent room, etc., remodelling of the domestic to the hospital. quarters to nurses' accommoda,tion, Other major projects are~ ren0vations to matron's quarters and new A new nurses' quarters at Mt. ha male and femll.le ward toilet blocks. Ho~pital, which will provide accommo­ A new maternity hcspital is also under datiOn for 29 nurses and a matron's suite. construction at Nanango, which will It is estimated that the cost of this project provide accommodation for public and will be $320,000. private patients, labour ward, nursery, pan Stage 3, block 8, Roval Brisbane room, bathroom and toilets, etc. Hospital, which is an upward extension of The over-all cost of the two projects wili be five floors, allocated as follows:- in the vicinity of $183,000. Floor "D"-Accommodation and The provision of two additional operating ancillary rooms for 54 non-radium theatres on "G" floor of the Clinical patients for the Queensland Radium Sciences Building at the Royal Brisbane InstHute. Hospital. That is the building in which Floors "E", "F" and "G"-A new the various professorial units from the pathology department including a morgue university carry on the greater part of and autopsy theatre on floor "E". their work. Floor "H"--Staff lounge room, work­ The anticipated cost of this project is shop, plant rooms, storerooms and $278,300. animal rooms for the pathology In addition, further major projects estimated department. to cost $17,000,000 ll.re in the planning stages The cost involved in the construction of or have reached the stage of planning where this project is estimated as $3,335,220. tenders are being called. These include a A new ward block at the Babinda new ward block at the TownsviHe Hospital, Hospital, estimated to cost $240,000, which estimated to cost $2,670,000, which will pro­ vide accommodation for 8! psychiatric will provide a~commodation for 18 public patients, 54 geriatric patients and 62 paedi­ and private beds, a children's ward of atric patients, several change rooms, bulk five beds, and associated rooms. storerooms and a workshop. Tenders are A new general and maternity block at now being called. the Cloncurry Ho~pital, at an estimated The follcwing major projects are in cost of $385,156. Accommodation for six maternity beds and 30 general beds advanced stages of planning:- including six children's beds, together with A new maternity block at the Winton the necegsary ancillary rooms will be Hospital estimated to cost $110,000; provided. ' A new surgical block at the Rockhamp­ A new twelve-bed general hospital, ton Hospital. estimated to cost $2,278,000; including a maternity section, delivery A new 16-bed ho~oital at Julia Creek room, nursery, operating theatres, X-ray estimated to cost $327)00. 1232 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The following m:;jjor projects are among The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask hon. those in the preliminary stages of planning:­ members on my left to cease their persistent A new operating theatre/ out-patients' interjections. The Minister is being courteous etc. block, Warwick Hospital, estimated enough to answer one of them. I think to cost $225 ,00(, other hon. members sh:mld remain silent A new multi-storey block (Block 7) at while that is happening. the Royal Br.isbane Hospital estimated to Mr. Bousen: We want a 1 ~w medical cost in the vicinity of $11,000,000; block at Toowoomba. A new out-patients'/administration block, The CHAIRMAN: Order! If the hon. Gladstone Hospital, estimated to cost member for Toowoomba West continues in $357,000; this way I have no hesitation in telling A new out-patients' department, Thurs­ him I will have to warn him. day Island Hospital, estimated to cost $85,000. Mr. TOOTH: It is interesting to inform In addition to the foregoing, further pro­ the House that the average daily bed occu­ jects, for which estimates of cost are not pancy for 1968-69 throughout Queensland's yet available, include a new geneml hos­ State-controlled hospital system was 7,761 pital block at St. George; new hospital as compared with 7,782 for the previous year, buildings at Mackay; the provision of addi­ representing an over-all State drop in bed tional ward accommodation at the Glad­ occupancy of 21. In the metropolitan area stone Hospital; remodelling of the female daily averages showed a decrease in respect wards at Atherton Hospital; extensions to of the year 1968-69 compared with the the multi-storey ward block at Mt. Isa preceding year as follows: in Royal Brisbane Hospital; a new ward block at Southport Hospital, from 853 to 840; in Princess Alex­ Hospital; and new hospital huildings at andra Hospital, from 992 to 989; .in Royal Nambour. Women's Hospital, from 209 to 208; and in Royal Children's Hospital, from 165 to Mr. P. Wood: Did you mention 161. Toowoomba. At Chermside a small increase, from 845 Mr. TOOffi: I think I mentioned Too- to 849, was noted. In the metropolitan woomba in passing. At any rate, it is hospitals, nevertheless, staff was increased by under consideration. seven full-time medical officers and three Mr. P. Wood: It seems to be rather low part-time visiting specialists, whilst sessions in priority. to ¥isi ting specialists already on the staff increased by 28. Trained nurse establishment Mr. TOO~: It has been low in priority was increased by 85 and an additional 66 for a long t1me. One of our problems in student nurses were approved. In the country Toowoomba is that so much had to be an additional 160 staff were approved during done when this Government .assumed office the year 1968-69. in 1957. The problem in Toowoomba is that nothing had been done for decades. I make special mention at this stage of the We have already spent-- approval given for the introduction at the Royal Brisbane Hospital of a registrar train­ Mr. P. Wood: You are wrong, you know. ing programme for general practitioners, to start in 1970. The General Medical Super­ Mr. TOOm: The only thing that was intendent, in submitting his proposal to the done, namely, the construction of the tuber­ board for its consideration, stated that he culosis building, was done by the Common­ feels that the Royal Brisbane Hospital as wealth. a teaching hospital should be doing some· Mr. Bousen: What about the maternity thing towards the training of doctors for building? the specially of general practice in the same Mr. Bromley: I would suggest that you way as it trains registrars for medicine, do not get too nasty now, because you surgery, psychiatry and other specialties. have many speakers to follow you. The Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners has a set of requirements which Mr. TOOm: I am not being nasty. determines eligibility for membership of the The CHAIRMAN: Order! college. These include five years' post­ graduate experience, including two years in Mr. Bromley: If you are a gentleman a general hospital and three years in a you may be treated like one. general practice or other approved training Mr. Bousen: You have been in office for programme. It appears likely that an 12 years and you have been promising us approved training programme for general a medical block ever since. practice conducted in a teaching hospital would meet these criteria. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. mem­ The General Medical Superintendent is ber for Toowoomba West will have an opportunity to speak to these Estimates· he of the opinion that the College of General Practitioners would support a training scheme i~ not permitted to make a speech at 'this t1me. for registrars in general practice and believes that this is an essential role of a teaching Mr. Davies: He was seeking information. hospital. He draws a comparison between Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1233 the casualty department of a teaching hospital DIVISION OF PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES and a very large general practice, and states, The Division of Psychiatric Services is in effect, that the casualty department is responsible for the administration of the essentially a very large general practice, mental hospital system and is vitally con­ except that no home visits are made from it. cerned in the community services of preven­ The Government bas indicated previously tion and rehabilitation. that its role in the health services of the State is to provide a balanced health system The mental hospital system has undergone in which there is the vital part to be played enormous changes over the last 10 years, and these changes have increased in tempo by the general practitioner. Hon. members over the past two or three years. This has would be aware that a considerable number been directly attributable to an easing in of patents admitted to the public wards of the chronic shortage of professional staff. our State hospitals, particularly in the metro­ Professional staff was difficult to obtain politan area, are admitted on the written owing to the fact that clinical facilities in request of general practitioners or through our hospital service were not sufficient to referral by specialists. Recent figures indicate attract the few qualified and experienced that in one of our metropolitan hospitals people available on a national level. As admissions to public wards from these sources a result of better professional training at are as high as 55 per cent. of total university and an increased community aware­ admissions. Both the North Brisbane Hospi­ ness of mental health as a field for treatment, tals Board and the South Brisbane Hospitals prevention and research, more professional Board have considered over many mo-nths workers have been available, and expanded the merits of obtaining a senior officer in financial provision has been made to engage casualty on a full-time basis, to be designated such staff. It will be noted that the number of psychiatrists employed by this division as either casualty supervisor or admissions has increased from five in 1966 to 16 in officer, who would be in a position to provide 1969. to casualty the added experience of his many years of medical practice and to super­ During the last 12 months a new career V!se the admission of patents to hospital, structure has been provided for clinical either through private doctor referral or psychologists, and already five well­ through the normal admission channels by experienced and well-qualified psychologists have been attracted to this State and have the full-time resident staff. It is understood strengthened the effective psychological service that the Royal Brisbane Hospital intends to to the division. Nurse-patient ratios have been appoint an experienced general practitioner increased, with a more effective out-reach to fill this role and this development is to those patients requiring stimulation through seen as being part of the over-all plan for re-socialisation programmes. general practitioner training within the hospital. This innovation will, I am sure, In regard to ward accommodation, the vast majority of bed establishments through the be watched with great interest. division have been reduced, allowing very much better provision for a considerable pro­ portion of the inmates of the mental hospital SUPERNUMERARY MEDICAL OFFICERS- system. Completely changed attitudes in the FIRST YEAR encouragement of patients to engage in the activities of normal living, and to provide Hon. members will be aware that students and care for their own personal belongings, graduating in medicine from the University of have transformed many wards. Queensland are given a provisional registra­ tion pending completion of 12 months' service As a result of vigorous representations at in an approved hospital. All of our hospitals the State Health Ministers' conferences of have what we call an approved staff estab­ 1967 and 1968, the Commonwealth Govern­ lishment of doctors, sisters, nurses, wardsmen, ment has progressively relaxed its restrictions clerks, etc., and these establishments are on the payment of social service benefits to varied from time to time following repre­ inmates of mental hospitals to the extent that sentations from the board. In the 1969 pensions are now payable to those inmates university examinations in medicine, it could who are classified as moderately intellectually be expected that the number of doctors handicapped, and to mentally ill patients who graduating and requiring posting to a hospital are assessed as being rehabilitable, subject for the compulsory year will be in excess of in each case to segregation from other sections the vacant positions on the staffs of the of the institutions. approved hospitals. This was also the position This changed attitude on the part of after the 1968 examinations. The Department the Commonwealth Government has provided of Health in these instances has always been more than 800 patients with financial inde· prepared to place these extra doctors in our pendence from the institutions, and has been hospitals over and above the approved estab­ a powerful force in the first real step towards lishment and to bear the cost of their salaries their return to normal society. It has from within the Department of Health Vote. also resulted in substantial increases in the We have provided $60,550 for this purpose State's revenue by reason of the retention in this year's Estimates. by the institution of that part of the pension 1234 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

prescribed in the Commonwealth Social Ser­ DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES vices Act as being payable to the person con­ lrolling a benevolent home for the mainten­ Every phase of the work of the Depart­ ance of the pensioner in such home. These ment of Children's Services continues to increases are shown in the following table:- increase, and to a great extent this must be related to our more permissive standards I Actual Receipts of living and the increased responsibilities I Estimated which are devolving upon patients. -- Receipts 196:-7G Queensland parents are genemlly very 1967-68 1968-69 cognisant of their responsibilities, and there $ $ is by no means any reason to doubt that s pecial hospitals 27,882 250,782 1 262,000 T raining centres f~~ the majority of our young people, when intellectually h&ndi- they grow to addthood, will be worthy capped .. .. 52,506 91,278 212,000 of the responsibilities which they will have $80,388 $342,060 to face. Nevertheless, there are in our $474,000 society some parents and young people who cannot meet the demands of modern living, There has been a very considerable increase and it is in this area that family breakdown in the financial assistance received from the is occurring and that there is increased Commonwealth Gcvernment in respect of incidence of juvenile deliquency. some patients in special hospitals. It is unfortunate that for the financial year Construction work involved in the provision ended 30 June, 1969, the number of children of segregated accommodation for pensionable appearing before Children's Courts was the classes of inmates in Wolston Park Hospital highest of any year; but when these figures is proceeding, and a new ward for female are analysed, the increase is attributed not patients is planned. to actual offences but to children who have Specific provision has been made for the been brought into care and control because training and care of the intellectually of their anti-social behaviour patterns. The handicapped. The opening of the practice of bringing children into care and training centre for moderately handi­ control because they are uncontrollable or capped male adults at Wacol, and the building their attitudes ace likely to l.ead them into of a modern and efficient school for the a life of crime is sound because it contains children at the Basil Stafford Training Centre a very large element of prevention. were milestones in the transformation of The services of the department, such as both residential accommodation and facilities. the Wilson Youth Hcspital, the denomina­ The whole of the Ipswich Special Hospital tional training homes, and the department's has been reconstituted as the Challinor Centre own homes, have been tax.ed to capacity, for t~e Training and Care of the Intellectually and it has needed careful vigilance on the Handicapped, and substantial increases of part of the department to utilise these ser­ paramedical staff have allowed the implemen­ vices so that the maximum benefit could be tation of basic training programmes for even given to the children coming into care. the mo.st seve~ely handicapped people. Much Extended s~rvices will be necessary and, professiOnal tim~ has been spent in engen­ in addition to the rebuilding of the West­ de_rmg co-operative community attitudes, and brook Training Centre, work has commenced this has been well repaid by the formation on the building of a 40-bed remand and of the Challinor Community Service, a regis­ assessment unit for girls at the Wilson Youth tered charitable organisation dedicated to the Hospital. Other additions, such as a new care of the intellectually handicapped in the administrative building, a new dining room, Ipswich district. kitchen, and classroom block, will permit I draw the attention of hon. members to the existing accommodation for boys at Wil­ a!"~ article that appeared in the colour maga­ son to be raised from 40 to 60. zme of "The Sunday Mail" a few weeks ago. In the field of children in need of care I suggest that those who did not read it do and protection, it is of interest to note the so,. because it describes the splendid work emphasis that is being placed on foster bemg done at the Challinor Centre. care. Each year has seen an increase in Alcoholism. is now being recognised by the number of foster care placements, and, the commumty as a treatable illness and with due regard for the exce!lent work being not as a moral turpitude requiring punish­ done by children's institutions, foster care m~nt. As a result, the treatment services are can promote the best environment for car­ ?emg rr~ore fully utilised, placing an increas­ ing for these socially deprived children. It mg stram on present facilities. The services is, of course, not possible for all children have responded by an increase in professional to be fostered, anrl therefore the denomina­ st~~ng and by the provision of additional tional homes, including their family group clmics, both for the treatment of the patient homes, play an important part in the over­ and for the support of the relatives. Legis­ all programme. There was a slight reduc­ lative provisions have been expanded to allow tion in the number of children in denomina­ the informal-that is, voluntary-admission tional homes during the past 12 months. of patients requesting treatment on their The rate of payment for children in foster behalf, and the accommodation facilities arc care and in denominational homes was being used to the maximum. increased as from 3 November, 1968, from Supply (28 OCTOBER] Supply 1235

$6.50 a week to $7.50 a week. This rate of six months following desertion or increases to $9 a week when children attend imprisonment of the iather, and this is secondary school, including 50 cents for the because Commonwealth social service benefits child's use as pocket money. are not available to these families during The Government has continued to sub­ this period. However, once the period of sidise capital works and improvements in six months has expired and the father has denominational children's homes, and this ·not returned or is still imprisoned, the involved an expenditure during 1968-69 of Commonwealth then becomes responsible for $418,820. helping the families, but at the same time The relationship between the department the State supplements the Commonwealth and denominational bodies is most satisfac­ payments in eligible cases to the extent of tory, and this successful relationship has been $2.50 per child per week. one of the features of child welfare in this State, whereas in other States the trend Unmarried mothers are not eligible at any is away from denominational bodies. In stage for Commonwealth social service Queensland, the relationship has been con­ benefits, and these families continue to be solidated and, it is felt, is very much in assisted through the Department of Child­ the interests of the children. Indeed, this ren's Services. Supplementary assistance to is one of the marked differences between widows and other women with families in the way in which things are handled in a one-parent situation has been paid for Queensland ~nd the, way in which they are handled m other States, and the close many years, but with recent increases by the liaison with the churches is proving to be Commonwealth in its social service benefits of tremendous value. it has been necessary to adjust these supplementary payments. These reductions In the field of financial assistance to families, the expenditure of the department were always made but more families have continues to rise, and this increase has been been affected by virtue of the higher level due to .a marked degree to the agreement of social service payments. These adjust­ made With the Commonwealth whereby the ments are necessary to preserve a balance Common_wealth recoups the State 50 per between the level of social service payments cent. of Its expenditure in financial assistance and the earning capacity of the father of paid to deserted wives, wives of prisoners a normal family on the basic wage. and unmarried mothers. ' The number of children assisted is deter­ . The State, as from 30 June, 1968, increased Its rates of payment to these families to mined by relating the family income from the same level as the Commonwealth's "A" all sources to a scale based on the State male class widow's pension, and this policy has basic wage. However, when the Department been followed and rates increased whenever makes these adjustments, it ensures that any additional benefits have been granted by the reduction does not bring a family's income Com~onwealth. It is to be regretted that below or to the equivalent of the amount desertion by the father is a matter of the family was receiving immediately prior major concern in this field and one in which to the increase in Commonwealth social the incidence has been steadily increasing. service benefits. There has been a remarkable growth in Mr. Melloy: You simply knock off any the num?er of families who are benefitting under this scheme, and it is not seen that the Commonwealth increase. number is likely to diminish. The growth Mr. TOOTH: The hon. member heard the has. been remarkable following the change in reasons. This is one of the most difficult pohcy after 1 July last year. lt would seem to indicate that a substantial number of problems we face and the hon. member women who had been deserted or who were knows perfectly well that the policy of the living in a one-parent situation seized the Government is well based. In fact, although opportunity of relinquishing work which, of certain families do not gain the full Com­ course, had I?revented them from giving very monwealth increase, they nevertheless receive mu~h attentiOn to their children. They an increase in the total income to the family. decided, under the new and improved con­ ditions, to assume a far greater measure of responsibility for the care of their children SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME and this, of course, was all to the good. Financial provision of $183,650 is made Mrs. Jordan: They had to work before to extend our scholarship scheme during that. 1969-70-an increase of approximately Mr. TOOTH: They had indeed; but under $23,000 over last year's expenditure. the changed policy they have now in many We have decided this year to extend the cases been able to relinquish work and scholarship scheme to eligible female appli­ look after their children. As I say, this is cants in both medicine and dentistry. The very good. The State benefit, of course, with department has approved scholarships in respect to deserted wives and wives of a number of disciplines and at the present prisoners is paid during the initial period time, scholarships are being undertaken as 1236 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

follows at either the University of Queens­ department in which I welcome reductions in land or the Queensland Institute of staff. They simply reflect, of <'.Ourse, the Technology:- very successful and gratifying result of our 49 in medicine; 33 dn dentistry; 22 in continuous campaign against tuberculosis and social studies; two in science; three in allow the withdrawal of a country survey van psychology; three in occupational therapy; and a mobile re-take unit during 1969-70. three in industrial chemistry; and one in There has been a consequent reduction of nine medical laboratory technology. receptionist operators on our staff establish­ Throughout Queensland we are currently ment. employing in our hospitals and institutions people in the following categories who are MATERNAL AND CHILD WELFARE bonded to serve the State for varying periods The year 1968-69 saw an expansion of the of time in return for 3, 4, 5 or 6-year work of the Division of Maternal and Child scholarships awarded to them by the Welfare, with the number of centres and sub­ department:- centres increasing from 280 to 301, and the 71 doctors; 26 dentists; six medical number of attendances rising by approxi­ laboratory technicians; two scientists; one mately 10,700 to over 466,000 for the year. industrial chemist; 10 social workers; and two teachers of subnormal children. One interesting new service introduced during the year was the visits by clinic sisters We have calculated that, in dollars and cents to outback areas with the Flying Doctor alone, it costs the department $6,374 to Service based at Mt. Isa, Charlevi!le, and $7,882 to put through a scholarship dentist, Charters Towers. Aboriginal mothers and and $7,634 to $9,428 a scholarship doctor­ babies at centres in the Gulf and Cape York depending on whether he is Jiving at home Peninsula areas were among those attending or away from holl\e. It has become necessary these clinics. to vary from year to year the number of A second mobile clinic van in the metro­ scholarships offering, in an endeavour to politan area was put into operation in Novem­ ensure the number graduating each year is ber 1968. The mobile clinics serve mothers consistent, taking into account failures and and babies in the developing suburban areas. drop-outs. For 1970 we will be providing for- The infant mortality rate rose from 19.5 to Scholarships 20.3 deaths per thousand live births, but the increase may be more apparent than real, 16 in Medicine as, for the first time, stillbirths as well as 16 in Dentistry neonatal deaths have been reported on the 7 in Social studies perinatal death certificate used for babies over 20 weeks of gestation and over 400 3 in Psychology grams in weight. This new method of 3 in Occupational therapy reporting may have resulted in the higher 3 in Teachers, subnormal children f.igure. 1 in Speech therapy Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Aborigines are included in the figures, too, are they? 2 in Industrial chemistry Mr. TOOTH: Yes. 51 Mr. P. Wood: Is it true that Queensland's mortality rate is the highest in Australia? WELFARE AND GUIDANCE Mr. TOOTH: I cannot tell the hon. mem­ The Estimates of the Division of Welfare ber that. That information is contained in and Guidance will allow for the establish­ the Director-General's Annual Report. At ment of a child-guidance team at "Warilda" the moment I cannot recall precisely what State Home for Children, controlled by the the figures are, but there is no great variation Department of Children's Services. Depen­ among the States. dent in the past on the availability of staff, medical officers of the division previously Mr. Bromley interjected. visited periodically the various church homes that admitted children placed in care Mr. TOOTH: I cannot be expected to know and protection. The new team at "Warilda", everything. If the hon. member realised the comprising a child-guidance specialist, psycho­ ramifications of the department he would logist, a child-guidance therapist and a social know that that is impossible. worker, will be able to provide improved Mr. Bromley: I do. services in the future obviously with more satisfying results. Mr. TOOTH: Analysis of deaths in children aged one to five years reveals accidents as being the leading cause of death in this age DIVISION OF TUBERCULOSIS-REDUCTION IN group. Of 145 deaths in this group of child­ STAFF ren, 39 were from accidental causes. Deaths Hon. members will have observed a net due to drowning and motor vehicle accidents reduction of seven in the staff of the Division constituted a large proportion: Only two of Tuberculosis. This is one area of my deaths occurred from accidental poisoning. Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1237

The amount required for maternal and child WELFARE SECTION welfare in 1969-70 is $1,369,574, which is A service to the public that perhaps is $111,723 greater than the actual expenditure not widely known is the Welfare Section of in 1968-69, the increase being made up of the Department of Health. This is a service $33,187 for salaries and $78,536 for contin­ providing surgical and medical aids to gencies. eligible patients on the recommendation of medical practitioners, and includes such QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL items as special bandages, costing a few RESEARCH cents, to artificial limbs and prostheses cost­ The Queensland Institute of Medical ing in excess of $100. The provision of these Research was established by Act of Parlia­ items is subject to a means test. Invalid ment and commenced operations in 1947, wheel-chairs are made available on loan to under the control of a council which patients, again on the recommendation of includes representatives of the Department the medical practitioner. In these cases, the of Health, the university, the Australian Director of Geriatrics is asked to examine Medical Association, the teaching hospitals the application. Provision of $28,500 has and the Royal Colleges of Physicians and been made this year for these aids. Surgeons. It has a professional scientific staff of 17, including four graduates in Patients who require specialist medical or medicine. Its work is organised into five surgical attention not available at the hos­ major units, concerned with virus infections pital of admission may be brought to the (especially those spread by biting insects nearest base hospital providing such specialist and including workers on related aspects of attention, or to Brisbane. Transport is by entomology}, leukaemia and related both rail and air, depending on the degree !umours, .allergy (especially asthma), Abor­ of urgency or the condition of the patient. Igmal child health and medical genetics. Passes are issued by the Department of Each of these studies is of diseases of par­ Health where patients are found to be unable ticular importance to Queensland and of rese.arch problems for which the Queensland to meet the cost of transfer. A sum of environment offers peculiar opportunities $27,000 is provided this year for this Important recent advances include: dis­ purpose. covery of several previously unknown yirus~s i!l biting midges and sand-flies; IdentificatiOn of several native animals as "EVENTIDE" HOMES the natural hosts of a virus that causes Despite the fact that church and charit­ polyarthritis i_n man; new methods of study­ able organisations are playing a very active mg the EB virus, found in cells grown from patients with leukaemia; purification and role in the care of the aged by providing first-class accommodation for the well-aged chemi~al ana~ysis of members of a group of viruses Important as the causes of and the infirm, with the assistance of the encephalitis and other diseases throughout the Commonwealth Government in the matter world; detailed studies of various health of finance, there still remains the need for problems in Aboriginal children, providing the State to continue its interest in this m several .cases a basis for urgent public field and the demand for admission to this health actwn; and the description in a department's "Eventide" homes at Sandgate, Queensl::nd family of what may prove to Rockhampton and Charters Towers has con­ be an Important mode of transmission of tinued unabated. inherited disease. In the main, the persons admitted to the The institute.'s estimated expenditure for State "Eventide" homes for reasons other 1969-70 includes provision for these studies than age are those who for personal reasons to be continued. Some increase in mainten­ or physical or health handicaps cannot con­ ance expe.nses has been made necessary by tinue to reside in their own homes and find field studtes of Aboriginal children (which require expensive disposable equipment and difficulty in obtaining accommodation else­ prepared laboratory kits and reagents) and where. Suitable aged persons from the by the growing need to use radio isotopes in special hospitals are also admitted to laboratory studies. The Government decision "Eventide", Sandgate. At 30 June, 1969, to refund university fees to cadets and assist­ the number of residents at the State "Even­ ant scientists has also made necessary tide" homes and the number of hospital increased provision for the next year. patients were as follows:- Approximately $9,000 is provided for new scientific equipment. Rock- Charters Sandgate I hampton I Towers The institute has in recent years been able to recruit new scientific staff, and has Total population .. 977 238 287 broadened its interests into several fields Number in hospital important to Queensland. The appropriation wards 519 128 124 of $303,003 this year is an increase of I approximately $30,000 over last year's expenditure. [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] 1238 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. TOOTH: Before the luncheon recess, for Toowoomba East who raised the sub­ I referred to the "Eventide" homes and ject of the infant mortality rate. The figures gave certain particulars. Residents who are have been supplied to me, and are as patients in the hospital wards at those homes follows:- receive skilled medical attention and con­ stant nursing care and, where specialist State Deaths per 1,000 treatment is required, they are taken to the live births general public hospital for attention. Queensland 20.3 New South Wales 18.7 In addition to medical treatment, the Victoria 14.4 residents receive, without charge, dental and optometrical treatment, physiotherapy and South Australia 16.3 chiropody. Occupational therapy and Western Australia 20.3 entertainment are also provided free. Tele­ Tasmania . . 17.2 vision sets are installed and libraries are It is interesting, and indeed significa~t, that available. At Sandgate and Charters Towers, both Queensland and Western Australia have first-class bowling greens are available for the highest rate of 20.3. The explanation. those residents, both male and female, who I think, is clear to all hon. members. Those play bowls. Billiard tables are also provided two States have a large Aboriginal population. at Sandgate and Charters Towers. Visitin" I see that the hon. member for Tablelands concert parties provide entertaining pro~ was waiting for my explanation, and he grammes and films are screened regularly. obviously agrees with it. It will be recalled that quite recently the Institute of Medical Whilst no major construction work has Research identified this problem in a special been u!ldertaken, the work of progressively way and isolated it, and considerable activity reno.vatmg the wards at "Eventide", Sandgate, is being devoted to rectifying the problem. contmues. Many of the old-type wards have It is not possible to isolate the Aboriginal been completely upgraded and are now well mortality figures from those statistics. ventilated and of pleasant appearance. Bath­ rooms and toilet blocks have been modernised Mr. P. Wood: I do not agree with you. a!ld separate dining and lounge rooms pro­ VIded. Floors have been vinyl tiled and Mr. TOOTH: I know that the hon. member fluorescent lighting installed. The privacy does not agree with that, because he is of t.h7 J?atients has been considered by the convinced that he is not being given the partJtwmng of the wards and the installation facts. This goes back to questions that he of permanent bed screens. raised in the House 12 or 18 months ago. The plain fact of the matter, as I said in The kitchen at "Eventide" Charters answer to a question dealing with children's Towers, is to be renovated completely, and services asked a few days ago by the hon. the first stage of providing a new prefabri­ member for Nudgee, is that in statistical cated cold room and gas stoves has been records no attempt is made to segregate undertaken. The remaining work consists Aborigines. of provision of !l~w work-benches and equip­ ment and the hlmg of the floor and walls. Mr. P. Wood: That is a lot of nonsense. New hospital-type and institutional-type I have never heard a weaker argument in my beds and lockers have been supplied for life. some of the wards and it is planned to Mr. W. D. Hewitt: They talk about assimi­ replace all old-type beds and lockers on a lation, but what they want is isolation. progressive basis. Mr. TOOTH: My information is that statis­ Improvements have been made to increase tics concerning Aborigines are not kept separ­ the comfort of the residents at Rockhampton ately. That is my information, and it has and Charters Towers by the provision of been given by people who I am sure would lounge chairs and "lollabout" chairs, installa­ not attempt to mislead me. tion of ceiling and wall fans, provision of Mr. P. Wood: Would you agree that you bed screening, installation of vinyl floor could get the information if you sought tiles and the supply of television sets and it? radios. Mr. TOOTH: No, because throughout Accommodation charges for pensioner Queensland there are Aboriginal families liv­ inmates are made in accordance with rates ing in the community, and there is no reason determined by the Commonwealth from time why they should be regarded as being separate to time under the Social Services Acts. from the rest of the community. Every Non-pensioner inmates are similarly charged attempt is being made to prevent their if they are in a position to pay; if not being regarded as a differen! class of citizen. the charge is reduced according to th~ Mr. P. Wood: You could get a representa­ inmate's financial circumstances. tive sample. The hon. members for Toowoomba East Mr. TOOTH: Now the hon. member is and Toowoomba West raised certain talking about a representative sample. I am matters. I think it was the hon. member talking about statistics, and right up till now Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1239 that is what the hon. member has been $ talking about, too. Now he is shifting his Remodelling X-ray plant 8,062 ground very smartly. Conversion old kitchen block to Mr. P. Wood: I am not shifting my ground offices for medical superintend­ at all. ent, matron, general medical office and social worker, and Mr. TOOTH: Of course the hon member amenities room 45,796 is. Sterilising room and equipment 3,388 Mr. O'Donnell: Have you any statistics from Aboriginal settlements? Conversion old mothers' hospital to children's ward, blood bank Mr. TOOTH: I have no doubt statistics and physiotherapy sections, are available from Aboriginal settlements, but etc., equipment and furniture 56,264 they would not answer the question asked There were then a series cf miscellaneous by the hon. member for Toowoomba East. items amounting to $1,220,000, and finally Mr. Bousen: What steps have you taken new nurses' quarters, additions to Fountam to get the full particulars? House, equipment and furnishings, costing $400,000. The total cost of that was well Mr. TOOTH: I am sorry, I cannot hear over $2,000,000 and was incurred in 10 the hon. mer:1ber. years during the life of the present Gov­ ernment. I therefore think that the hon. Mr. Bouserr; You don't want to. members for Toowoomba East and Too­ woomba West do not have a great deal to Mr. TOOTH: It is !lOt that I do not complain about when the other demands want to hear the hon. member. Quite made far and wide on the resources of the frankly, I do not understand what he is saying. State are considered. Another point raised by the hon. member Mr. Bousen: Why is it that the medical for Toowoomba West was the matter of profession is complaining about it? building at the Toowoomba Hospital. I have Mr. TOOTH: Everybody complains about here the history of that hospital, and it is everything. Everybody wants ideal conditions, rather ;nteresting. In 1926 work commenced and that is good. I do not mind when people on new nurses' quarters, a mothers' hospital complain because things are _not !dea!. All for maternity cases, and so on. Those pro­ I say is that the Government IS domg Its best jects were completed in 1928. Nothing hap­ with the resources available to it. Toowoomba pended then till 1936, when a dental clinic has done fairly well, and it ill behoves the was opened. That is still functioning. The hon. gentleman from Toowoomba West to hon. member will be familiar with the dental raise a hullabc.loo at this stage. clinic that was opened 10 years later. Mr. Sullivan: What did Labour do? Nothing further happened till 1955-56, when the present mothers' hospital of 60 Mr. TOOTH: I am telling hon. members beds was opened. For 20 years, nothing opposite that. It did nothing for 30 years. except a fibro dental clinic was provided at Toowoomba. That is, of course, just SUBSIDIES TO CHURCH, ETC., ORGANISATIONS, what { said. AGED PERSONS' HOMES AND HOSPITALS In the decade since 1956 the following I think I should point out to hon. members works were completed, at the costs shown-- that the State's interest in the welfare of the aged people in the community extends. also $ to assisting non-profit religious and chan~a ?le Fount:lin House and furnishings 329,612 organisations in their work of provi_dm_g New boiler house and laundry, accommodation for aged persons. Thts 1s complete with two boilers and a field in which the Commonwealth and State all equipment and furniture 397,333 Governments combine, the Commonwealth New kitchen block, dining rooms, subsidising the capital cost of construdi~n. of with all equipment, etc. 243,15! homes for the aged and the State prov1dmg liberal subsidies towards the cost of furnishing New general store an cl fixtures 21,500 such homes. RemodeHing administration block The existing scheme came into operation to offices and quarters for resi­ with respect to all applications for financial dent medical officers, furniture and equipment assistance received after 30 September, 1963. 61,000 Prior to that date, the State Government, in New electrical sub-station :md addition to subsidising the cost of furnishings, overhead mains 10,000 would consider an additional subsidy towards Internal roadways, kerbing, chan­ capital costs if the organisat:on's fun.ds and nelling, waste-water mains and Commonwealth subsidy were not suffic1ent for stonP- retaining walls 21,200 this purpose. However, since the Common­ Child guidance clinic wealth's grant to an organisation can now 7,407 reach !'No-thirds of the capital cost or twice Re-roofing Cossart House nmses' the amount raised by the organisation towards quarters 7,716 the capital cost, whichever is the lesser, and 1240 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply excludes amounts received from a Govern­ Mr. 1'0011:1: I am sure that it is appre­ ment or Governmental authority, the State's ciated throughout the State. lt is a very assistance is, for obvious reasons, confined important development. An allocation of to furnishings. $160,000 has been set aside for this purpose in 1969-70. The present basis of State assistance is as Apart from providing subsidy towards follows:- furniture and furnishings in aged persons' For block-type projects providing accom­ homes and infirmaries, the State Government modation in single or double rooms and subsidises the capital cost of new hospitals communal kitchen, dining and lounge and extensions to existing hospitab for the facilities-subsidy up to a maximum of chronically sick aged conducted by religious $500 a person for single rooms and $400 and charitable organisations to the extent of a person for double rooms occupied by 50 per cent. of the cost, including buildings two persons; and equipment, up to a maximum subsidy of $2,000 per public bed. For cottage-type projects-subsidy up to a maximum of $500 a person a single­ Subsidy is considered on the understanding unit cottage and $400 a person a double­ that the hospital will accept, generally speak­ unit cottage occupied by two persons; ing, only those patients who are in need of constant medical and nursing attention. For infirmary sections--subsidy up to a maximum of $400 a person; Building works completed at 13 such hos­ For extensions to existing block-type pitals during the last five years have provided 590 beds for chronically ill patients. The homes-subsidy up to a maximum of $400 Government paid subsidies totalling a person; and $1,173,388 towards the capital cost of these For projects where the intending residents beds. are required to provide their own furniture The State also subsidises the capital cost -subsidy up to a maximum of $250 a of providing public beds in acute hospitals person. conducted by religious and charitable Organisations are required to obtain competi­ organisations to the extent of 50 per cent. tive quotations for all requirements, but, if of the cost but not exceeding $5,000 per so desired, the items may be obtained through bed for extensions to existing hospitals or $7,000 per bed for completely new acute State Stores. It is of particular interest to hospitals with all necessary facilities. These note the assistance granted towards infirmary rates of subsidy were introduced as from sections of homes for the aged. 22 March, 1965. Prior to that date the Homes providing conditions which might be maximum subsidy payable was $2,000 per considered as those of a hospital or institution bed. In the four financial years since that were not subsidised by the Commonwealth date subsidies totalling $162,133 have been prior to 17 August, 1966, when the scope of paid towards the cost of providing 50 public the Commonwealth Aged Persons Homes Act beds in six hospitals conducted by religious was extended to include infirmary sections or and charitable organisations. sick bays up to a maximum bed number of A major project is shortly to be com­ 50 per cent. of the residential accommodation menced by the Mater Hospital authorities in provided in the home. The Commonwealth's Brisbane which will provide a completely relaxation of the terms of this Act was a now 160-bed adult public hospital, together direct result of the 1966 Canberra Health with out-patients' and casualty departments, Ministers' conference, at which the Common­ operating theatres and other ancillary services. wealth Minister for Social Services was also The cost is estimated at $6,500,000. It has present, when a review of the Aged Persons been publicly referred to as $9,000,000 but Homes Act was sought by a resolution in this includes nurses' homes and other things view of the pressing need to accommodate separate from the hospital proper. Subsidy the frail aged. Up to that time, they fell up to a maximum of $1,120,000 has been as it were, between two stools. There wa~ approved towards the cost of the 160 public accommodation for the aged who were able beds and a further special subsidy of up to to move about-the ambulatory aged-and $1,333,333 towards the cost of the out­ accommodation for the sick aged, but patients' and other facilities block. there was nothing in the way of assistance for the frail aged. For that 1 have, for a period of about 1 t hours, very reason, that matter was raised very covered as fully as I could in that time the vigorously and, in consequence, there was a varied activities of the Department of Health. relaxation of the Commonwealth's attitude. I have endeavoured to illustrate the many­ faceted nature of the work of this depart­ State assistance totalling $133,694 was pro­ ment. I have not touched on all its activities. vided last financial year to new homes or For instance, I have not touched on our extensions to existing homes which have pro­ dental services, which are the most wide­ vided 298 additional beds for aged persons. spread in Australia. I have not touched on the fact that the department is also respon­ Mr. Hinze: We appreciated it very much on sible for the control of explosives. A mass the Gold Coast. of small but related-some perhaps unrelated Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1241

-activities are the responsibility of this typical of the Government's attitude to the department. The burden of administration Opposition. That attitude is exemplified by is a very heavy one. the fact that this morning we read in "The This leads me to my conclusion, in which Courier-Mail" that Parliament will rise next 1 wish to pay tribute to the work of Dr. week and that the Premier did not see fit David Johnson, who was Director-General to inform the Opposition accordingly. Sir of Health and who died in January of this Francis Nicklin would not have done that. year after only a short tenure of office. He When he was Premier he would have had been with the department for many apprised the Leader of the Opposition of years and was one of its most valued officers that fad at the right time. The Opposition whose personal and professional reputations does not receive that courtesy from the were of the highest order. I can add very present Premier. little to what the present Director-General The CHAIRMAN: Order! has said in his annual report to Parliament, but I wish to associate myself with it. Mr. TUCKER: I do not want to go any In addition, we have lost by retirement further on that matter, Mr. Hooper, but I a number of officers. I cannot name them protest that the Auditor-General's report was all but I would be remiss if I did not refer not in the Opposition's hands until this to the retirement of Dr. John Baillie morning. The only thing about the present Henderson, who for many years was in Premier that is not small is the number of charge of what we now call the "Baillie his oil shares. Henderson" Hospital, the special hospital in Mr. Sullivan: Why don't you get on with Toowoomba. He was a man beloved of all the Health Estimates? with whom he associated and his retirement was a loss to the service. However, his Mr. TUCKER: I'll get on with them. advice and assistance are still available to You keep your mouth shut and let me go. us when we need them and when we call The Minister might think that he will stand on him for them. over there, but he won't stand over me; I Mr. Kelleher, who was for many years tell him that quite definitely. in charge of "Eventide", Sandgate, also The CHAIRMAN: Order! retired after long and faithful service in many sections of the Department of Health. To Mr. TUCKER: The field of health is so him I extend our felicitations and good varied, wide and complex that it is wishes in his retirement. Also, to that very impossible for me to deal with the whole important but unassuming gentleman whom of the Director-General's report in the 25 very few people got to know, Mr. Coulson, minutes available to me. I therefore intend the registrar of the various professional to raise certain pertinent matters, and during boards, I wish a long and happy retirement. the remainder of the debate my colleagues wiJI refer to many other matters. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I inform the Committee that, on the Chief Office Vote, At the outset, might I say that I have I propose ·to allow a full discussion on the a very high regard for the public servants whole of the ramifications of a department employed in the Department of Health. (Consolidated Revenue, Trust and Special They work assiduously on behalf of the Funds, and Loan Fund Account) and then to people of Queensland and are very dedi­ confine the discussion to each particular cated. However, I believe that they are Vote. labouring under difficulties while working For the information of hon. members, I for this niggardly Government. They are point out that the administrative acts of frustrated at every turn, either by the State the department are open to debate, but the Government or by the Commonwealth necessity for legislation and matters involv­ Government, particularly the latter. ing legislation cannot be discussed in If there is something associated with the Committee of Supply. Department of Health that we think should be publicised, my colleagues and I will Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) (2.36 immediately bring it to the light of day. p.m.): I commence my comments on the Neither I nor my colleagues care how Minister's hour-and-a-half speech by pro­ high-ranking an officer may be if he is at testing about the fact that the Auditor­ fault. We will probe any defects, and we General's Annual Report upon the Public make no apology for doing so. Accounts was not in our hands until after 11 o'clock this morning. I find that to This year's Annual Report of the Depart­ comment on the Minister's speech it is neces­ ment of Health and Medical Services is sary to refer to that report, and many other reasonably comprehensive. After spending members of the Opposition feel the same as some days perusing it I regard it as quite I do. In this very vital debate I am exnected a good report. If I have any criticism to to comment on the Minister's statement with­ make, it is that it does not contain any out having a copy of that report even only comparisons with what has happened in one day before the debate commenced. On previous years. I know that to do so would behalf of the Opposition I protest against mean a bigger report, but those who compile this discourtesy to the Opposition, which is it have the necessary information at their 1242 Supply [ASSEMBLY} Supply finger-aps. If such comparisons were pre­ cost of establishing such a commision would sented to us we would be able to ascertain be high, but I believe that in the long run whether progress has been made, or if we would save more than it would cost. we are going backwards in some department. There is no course of hospital admin;stra­ It would not hurt i£ wch comparisons tion at the University of Queensland, and appeared in certain sections of this vital I should like to see one established there. report. At the moment, people desirous of under­ The report proves how complex the health taking such a course must go to the New services of Queensland have become. It South Wales university. amply proves this fact to each member of Mr. Tooth: We are sending people to the Parliament and to all other people who New South Wales university. care to read it. On my reading of it 1 believe there is a tremendous need in Mr. TUCKER: I am happy to hear that. Queensland for a full inquiry into all aspects However, I regret that they cannot be sent of health. I do not mean that we should to our own university. have a witch-hunt, but nothing but good could come from such an inquiry. It would Mr. Tooth: The demand would not war­ ascertain whether we are using available rant more than one chair of hospital adminis­ finances in the best possible manner and tration in Australia. There is not a great to the advantage of every man, woman and demand for hospital administrators. This child in Queensland. That would be excellent. matter has been considered carefully. It would also nscertain whether we have Mr. TUCKER: I should like the Minister correct priorities as we are about to enter to reply in more detail later on. A great 1970. It could also determine whether there deal of good could flow from such a course, are any areas of neglect. I believe there and I am glad that some of our officers are. No matter how hard we may try, are undertaking it. there will always be some areas of neglect. However, it is necessary to pin-point them Some weeks ago I called for the appoi_nt­ at times because the administration and ment of an administrator at the Townsv1lle the Minister are sometimes very much General Hospital. This hospital has grown involved and are unable to see what is so large that it should have an administrator. happening. I do not make that statement I will not be deterred by what has been in a derogatory way, but if we had a said about me or the headlines that appeared committee of inquiry conducted by competent in "The Townsville Daily Bulletin" relative people, nothing but good could flow from to what I said here. I stick to my belief it. that an administrator is needed at that hospital if it is to work efficiently. In any Speaking personally, I believe that the such appointment, it is not.. a m_atter. of Department of Health is being forced to whether someone in the admmlstratJOn hkes use the axe and the brush-hook when it it or not; ultimately it comes back to the should be using the latest mechanical equip­ people, because it is the peopl~ who su~er ment on the job. A committee of inquiry or benefit from such action. Bemg parochml would bring that fact to light. Perhaps for a moment, I say that the people ~ould this is caused by a continual restriction of benefit if an administrator was appomted finance from both the Federal and State at the Townsville General Hospital. I again Governments for this vital department. It ask the Minister, in all sincerity, t~ ~ive is possible-indeed, highly probable-that favourable consideration to that submiSSIOn. departmental officers know that if more finance was available they would be able to There has been a falling-off in the amount introduce different ideas and approaches, and allocated to the Department of Health, and new attitudes. I understand that they the department is being slowly st~angled cannot say anything about it; they must by it. The Minister, no doubt, w1ll ask accept what is given to them and work with me to prove my point. I intend to do so. it. That is an obligation on all public The total expenditure of the Government servants and I have no argument with it. of the State of Queensland from c~msolidat~d But independent people would be able to revenue will be $425,400,000 th1s year; m point out what should be done to improve 1959-60 it was $206,500,000. Therefore, health matters in Queensland. between 1959-60 and now, there has been an increase of 106 per cent. My personal view--this is not necessarily The amount expended on hospitals this the view of my party-is that the Depart­ year will be $33,300,1)00. In 1959-60, to use ment of Health would work better under the same years that I used a moment ago for a commiSSIOn. A readin<>, of the annual expenditure from Consolidated Revenue, the report makes this obrious. The commis­ expenditure on hospitals was $20,400,000. sion could -.:omprise representatives of the That represents an increase of only 6? per A.M.A., the A.T.N.A., and the unions, the <:ent., whereas the increase in over-all spendmg Director-Genera!, and some businessmen. It from Consolidated Revenue was 106 per could look objectively at the whole concept cent. Despite the fact that the cost of running of health, including submissions made to it, hospitals has risen faste.r than costs in the and report to the Minister. The initial economy generally, which is disclosed by the Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1243

Nimmo Report, it is therefore obvious that Mr. TUCKER: I do not think it should. I the expenditure on hospitals has not even think it is the Minister's place to do some­ kept pace with over-all Government spending. thing about it with those who are of his Mr. Sullivao: At that particular time there political colour. It is time that he got down was need for expenditure of a higher per­ and did something about it. I believe that centage on hospitals. the policy has been designed by the Gorton Government to try to undermine the free Mr. TUCKER: I think the Minister for hospital system in Queensland. Health can do quite well without the help Dealing with that matter, the Nimmo of the Minister for Lands. Report said- Expenditure on the Health Department in "At the present time a benefit of 80 1969-60 was $30,800,000 and this year it cents a day is paid by the O>m~onwealth will be $57,000,000, which represents an to hospitals on account of patlen~s who increase of 86 per cent. Again it will be are not pensioners and are not ~ns~red seen that expenditure on health has not kept with a hospital insurance orgamsatwn. pace with general expenditure in the State's Payment of this benefit is not really part economy, which, as I mentioned a moment of the health insurance scheme. It 1s a ago, has increased by 106 per cent. Those relic of the system which was followed figures clearly demonstrate my contention that in the late 1940's. Eligibility for pay­ expenditure on hospitals and health has not ment has been continued, but the rate kept pace with over-all State expenditure. has not been varied since 1948. At the present time payment at ~he r~te. of 80 I now move on to the next step, loss of cents a day is clearly of httl.e . sigmfican~e revenue to the Health Department. This to the patients who are . e!Igibl': for It, State loses approximately $2,000,000 a year bearing in mind that their hospital fec:s. because of the Commonwealth Government's even at the standard ward level, are m attitude to Queensland and its free hospitali­ the vicinity of $10 a day in most States." sation scheme. I remember the Minister's saying, in reply to an interjection about The concluding sentence in the next para- Gough Whitlam's health plan, that he would graph says- . . . have something to say about it. Apparently "While the policy contmues It IS our he did not get around to doing that. view that the Commonwealth should pay its full benefit (at present $2 a day) to Mr. Tooth: I speak again, you know. Queensland hospitals in respect of all pub· Mr. TUCKER: The fact is that Queensland, lic ward patients." because of its free hospitalisation system, is I ask the Minister this question: why did discriminated against and is being increasingly the Nimmo Report refer to Queensland pub­ made the victim of the Commonwealth Gov­ lic ward patients if that happens everywhere ernment. The present Gorton Government's else? Here is a copy of the Nimmo Report; approach to Queensland is costing this State that is what it says. about $2,000,000 a year. Mr. Tooth interjected. Only 47. per cent. of people in Queensland belong to medical benefits funds. I have Mr. TUCKER: Do not let us talk about no quarrel with that, because I appreciate Gough Whitlam's scheme. Let us look at that where there is a free hospital system John Grey Gorton's scheme and see how the great majority of people will want to take he is treating Queenslanders a.t present. The advantage of it. The national average for payment has been 80c a day since 1948; membership of mPdical benefits funds is about it has not changed. Although the average 85 per cent., so that Queensland membership, daily cost for each patient has risen fr?m at 47 per cent., is well below it. For those $2.94 to $12.54 over the 20-year penod who use the free hospitalisation scheme and to which I am referring, the Commonwealth are not members of a medical benefits fund, Government still crives Queensland 80c a Queensland receives only 80c a day for day, as it did in t'948. That pars_im<;>n_i?us hospital treatment. approach is one of the factors mhibitmg Mr. Tooth: That is not what you fellows the work of the Department of Health in were saying during the election campaign. Queensland. Mr. TUCKER: The Minister can speak in In 1957 Queensland was spending 97s. 2d. his own good time. I am merely showing a head on health; at that time the Au~­ how we in Queensland are diddled to the tralian average was 81s. 8d. a head. ThiS tune of $2,000,000 a year by the Common­ State was well ahead of every other Aus­ wealth Government. In the case of patients tralian State in 1957. The latest report from who belong to a medical benefits fund, the the Commonwealth Grants Commission shows hospitals receive $2 a day. If patients do not that Queensland is no longer aw.ay out in belong to a medical benefits fund, all that front but only third. It is spendmg $16.30 the hospital receives for them is 80c a day. a head whereas Western Australia is spend­ ing $22.32 and Tasmania $17.90 a head. Mr. Tooth: That applies in every other Those statistics are available to anybody State. who wishes to check them. 1244 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The latest figures that I obtained from time to time is valid, and whether it can the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and be accepted or should be properly rejected. Statistics show that Queensland has 1.04 doc­ Without doubt we have, in many respects, tors a thousand of population, New South a very good hospital system. I readily con­ \Yales 1.28, and th~ Australian Capital Ter­ cede that. I am not expert enough in this ntory 1.41. Agam this State has gone field to be able to pin-point an its virtues slowly backwards. or catalogue all its faults. But the hon. The Nimmo committee established that member for Wavell is fortunate enough, with between 1965 and 1967 Queensland was the expertise that his professional position o?liged to meet 73.2 per cent. of all hos­ and experience in hospitals give him, to pital costs, compared with Tasmania 61.2 be able to talk about this. I am not able per cent. and New South Wales 48.9 per to say whether he is right, or the degree cent., and that between those years the pro­ to which he may be wrong, in anything he portion of hospital costs met by State Gov­ said in this Chamber, but I claim that he ernments feU in every State other than has not only the right but the obligation Queensland. What happened in this State? to say here what his experience and his I~ rose by 1.4 per cent. No-one can con­ convictions prompt him to say. vmce me that everything is right in this In this regard I agree with comments made State. No-one can convince me that Queens- by the hon. members for Balonne, Merthyr 1~~ ~as not been discriminated against and and others in the Address-in-Reply debate. VIctimised because of its free hospitals. I think it is pertinent to say that the role Let me turn now to the school dental of a back-bencher is very essential to the sch~m~ and consider what has happened healthy functioning of a Parliamentary to It m the course of the last few years democracy. The degree to which this is As far back as 1952, Queensland had 2S limited is the degree to which Parliamentary school dentist.s. ~hey examined 18.5 per democracy tends to be lost. I think it is a ce?t. of all tne pnmary school children in great problem which applies not only here this State and managed to treat 14.5 per but in Parliaments all over the world when cent. of them. Last year the Director- the executive branch of government wants 9eneral of Health and Medical Services only a kind of cosy agreement or a bland Issue_d figures showing that the number of compliance from its private members. To dentists h~d. falle~ to 14, with only 9.5 me this is wrong and intolerable because pe~ cent. of _1he eqmvalent number of children Parliament justifies itself only when there is bem¥ _exammed and a meagre 3.2 per cent. honest debate both here and in party rooms, obtammg treatment. This year the position both Government and Opposition. So I seems to be even worse. repeat that whilst I may not be in any In 196z-68 the number of schools visited position to adjudicate on the merits of the was 363; m 1968-?9 the number fell to 351. comments made by the hon. member for The number of ch~ldren examined in 1967-68 Wavell, I most certainly fiercely defend his was 27,573; and m 1968-69 it was 27 418 right to say what he believes. The number treated in 1967-68 was 9'240: Perhaps it is pertinent also to relate what I in 1968-69 it fell to 8,916. The situ~tio~ have said about essential responsibilities of last year was _worse th~n that in the previous a private member to the recent State and year, and this year 1t has again become Federal elections results. We Liberals have worse. seen a big and oppressive change come over According to the annual report we now the scene in the last three years because we have been specifically and solidly chastis~d have 16 dentists, two more than last year by the electorate. I think one of the mam but we are still five below the establish~ reasons is that we have tended to abandon ~ent and nine below the number we had a basic tenet of our philosophy, particularly m 1952. Is that progress in Queensland? My answer is definitely "No". the role of the individual in our society. (Time expired.) There has been a growing tendency for those on top to want the power of decision Mr. _POR'!ER (Toowong) (3.1 p.m.): I left in the hands of a relative few. To me, speak ~n th1~ debate because the Premier the philosophy which my party stands for made 1t plam that he wouid take note means nothing once we abandon the right of the debate on t~e Esti.m_ates of the Depart· of individual members to dissent, object and ..._Jl1en~ of. He!ilth m dec1dmg for or against criticise. Otherwise we appear to be adopt­ an mqmry mto the hospital administrative ing Labour's very servile acceptance of system. I support t~e plea for an inquiry. decisions from the top-right or wrong, wise I do so, of course, w1thout any personal bias or unwise. If we are to successfully com­ ~hatever but merely because I believe it mence the long, hard road back we have IS I!ecessary for any Government to remain to return to a basic tenet of Liberal philo­ flexible and forward-looking. No person sophy, namely, the recognition of the fact or sy~tem oan be constantly 100 per that there is at least as much virtue, and cent. nght, let alone 101 per cent. right. sometimes more, in dissent as in assent. In passing, I say that I deeply regret the Over a period of time it is desirable that answers given in this Chamber to questions an systems should be looked at to see relative to young resident medical officers whether the criticism that is offered from who were dismissed by the Townsville Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1245

Hospitals Board and the gJVIng of details cost of education, the cost of establishment, of the applications made by the hon. member whether he is buying into a practice or for Wavell for various hospital posts before squatting in one, and the cost of running a he entered Parliament. I have said that in practice, which an inquiry held in New another place, and I say it here. I regret Wales only two years ago showed was about that the answers were given, and as a mem­ 50 per cent. of the gross earnings. ber on this side of the Chamber I dis­ sociate myself from them. We should look at the hours worked by a G.P. Tne New South Wales inquiry I believe that ample grounds have been showed that usually a G.P. works 104-l giv.en for an inquiry into the State's hospital hours a week. I wonder what the rate of system. The Council of the Australian pay for those hours would be in any com­ Medical Association, the nurses' bodies, parable industralised profession. In addition, including student nurses, the patients' asso­ we should consider the effect on the doctor's ciations, the professors of medicine and health and on his family life. And of pediatrics, and the Liberal Party at course he does not have the opportunity to its various conv.entions, particularly the one provide for sick leave, recreation leave, held in Toowoomba only a couple of months study leave or superannuation benefits, ago, all believe that there is scope for an which are available in so many other fields independent inquiry into our hospital system. of employment. The department does itself no service if it tries to suggest, "Everybody is out of step but I am not suggesting that the general practi­ me". So universal, so insistent and so weiJ tioners are impoverished, but to suggest that documented are the demands for an inquiry they have the "rorts" and benefits that have ·that the department should not do itself that been talked about in this Chamber is, of disservice by evading one. If nothing reveals course, absurd. We should remember also a necessity for improvement, then public that in Queensland a G.P. charges $2.85 confidence is restored. If there are some for a surgery call, $4 for a home call, changes to be made, then let us make them and $6 for a home call made after hours. for the betterment of all concerned. Again If we call in a television repairman we I say that the minimal requirements of good have to pay him $7 before he enters the stewardship suggest that one objective look house--before he does a thing-and we at the system should be made at least every must pay him in cash. 10 years. I have said that I believe an inquiry is Mr. P. Wood: What is your attitude to necessary, and it is only proper that l free hospitalisation? should now say precisely why I think so. If I have not the expertise of the hon. M:r. PORTER: I am sorry that I have not member for Wavell, I am not totally ignorant an opportunity to talk about attitudes, but because, oddly enough, I was associated with I shall talk about free hospitalisation in a the beginnings of the present hospital system. moment. There is so little time to say what My :first job was assistant to the then needs to be said. Assistant Under Secretary of the Home From some quarters an insistent cry has Secretary's Department, Mr. Chuter, in the been made that, together with an independent 1920's when the present Act was being inquiry into the hospital system, we should framed. I know the then prevailing attitude; look at the whole practice of medicine in the the great faith that there was in bigness, in State. I see no need for this, but if it is centralised power, which produced not only sought I would have no objection to it. To our hospital-board system, but also the Bris­ my mind the insensate attacks made by the bane City Council. Since then I have had hon. member for Townsville South when he many friends in the medical profession who spoke about "medical benefit rort boys" and have done their residencies in, and have $15,000 a year bonanzas for doctors are been interested in, our hospitals, and I most regrettable. It is a pity that he is not have a daughter who has graduated as a here this afternoon. If the nractice of medi­ nurse. If I am not expert in the professional cine is such a bonanza to spivs and lay­ sense, equally I am not totally ignorant in abouts, as he constantly suggests, why is the lay sense. To me, an inquiry could cover there a chronic and growing shortage of many obvious areas, such as the economics doctors in this State? In 1961 an inquiry of our system and its efficiency. What can showed that some 20 per cent. of our gradu­ we do about overcrowding? Should we make ates leave Queensland to practise elsewhere. charges for any services? Is it proper to I would not expect that :figure to be less. A use our hospitals for elderly patients? Would few minutes ago the hon. member for there be benefit in a special hospital for Townsville North indicated the number of accident cases? doctors per 1,000 of population in Queens­ land compared with the rest of Australia. On the matter of charges, I say that free hospitalisation has become something of If critics of the medical gener·al prac­ a sacred cow in Queensland. We are expect~d titioner want to attract public attention by to worship it without any regard for xts violent and almost psychopathic denuncia­ absurd contradictions. The plain fact is that tions, I think that both sides of the story nothing is given free by Governments; this should be told. We should pay attention to is merely a re-arrangement of income. We what is involved in becoming a G.P.-the have no free hospital system. In this regard, 1246 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply it is interesting to reflect that until 1946 inevitably have in-built systems of rationing. charges were made according to ability to These are usually disguised; long waiting pay for all who entered our public hospitals, times, long waiting lists, etc." and this was so until the time that Com­ Mr. Murray: Surely it would be true to say monwealth benefits appeared. that the greedy halve the available time of I make it quite plain, as I have done before, doctors for the needy. that I support free hospitalisation for those who cannot afford to pay for it, but I Mr. PORTER: It would be infinitely most certainly do not support it for those better if there were some rational method who can. of charging people who can afford to pay. Mr. Murray: You support it for the needy. It is only a matter of a few weeks ago but not for the greedy. that a resident medical officer society passed this motion at one of its meetings- Mr. PORTER: That is quite right. "The society is concerned at the lowered I think it is immoral and improper in standards of care resulting from over­ this day and age that most decent people, crowding of wards, out-patients' facilities on modest incomes-that includes most of and other medical services at the Princess us-should pay our hard-earned cash to pro­ Alexandra Hospital and requests that action vide services that we do not use but that be taken to correct the situation as soon others, who do not think in the same way as as possible." us, do use. I am sure that from his own I believe that there are two major areas of experience every one of us knows people inquiry, namely, charges (whether they should who can well afford to pay for hospital be made, and in what manner) and the staffing services but who go into public hospitals and position in teaching hospitals. do not pay a cent, not even for the food they eat, which they would certainly pay for if I think that the major area of inquiry they stayed at home. where changes of vast significance could be We should not delude ourselves on what made, and far-reaching effects could accrue­ the majority of Queenslanders really think it could be carried out with not $1 of about free hospitalisation. The hon. member additional cost-is in the matter of the for Townsville North said that 47 per cent. peculiar relationship that has been built up of the population insure for some form of over the years between the hospital adminis­ hospital cover, but I do not think he men­ trative machinery and the medical profession. tioned that 28 per cent. feel it necessary to As I understand it, there has grown, over fully insure for private hospitalisation. This the years a kind of extraordinary mystique is in a State where, theoretically, no cover at about thi~. The control of hospital admin­ all is necessary. If we think of this in istration must be totally in the hands of a terms of families-because mainly families, department and its paid officers. This iron and not individuals, are covered by medical control, which it has developed into, can benefits--quite obviously more than half our tend to be very inflexible. It can become people, despite free hospitalisation, feel that resistant to change and sterile-and I do not they must be covered to some extent, and mean that in the medical sense. many to a full extent, in order to enter private So, what I am advocating here as another hospitals. The private hospital cover, which is and a major area of inquiry by an indepen­ 28 per cent. in Queensland, is only 14.7 per dent body is the philosophy of our free hos· cent. in Western Australia, 9.2 per cent. in pital system. I think it is this type of New South Wales and .3 per cent. in South control which produces many abrasive prob­ Australia. I suggest that this is an area lems. The dismissal of six young residents for inquiry. Should charges be made and, by the Townsville Hospitals Board is sign!­ if so, what manner of charges? ficant of it. This notion that the system Is I do not think there is any doubt that the always 100 per cent. right, and that only completely free system-come one, come all doctors who will do as they are told are -which is paraded here as better than the wanted and that the rest can keep out, is systems in other States, because it does not not useful to the system, the doctors or the ration the intake, must inevitably develop its nurses, and in the long run does not help own inbuilt rationing methods. I cannot see the patients. It explains, at least in part, any way out of that. About two years ago why so many of our doctors go elsewhere Professor Gordon, who is Professor of Pre­ and why young residents are seeking ventive and Social Medicine at the university, improved conditions from hospital boards. in an article concerning our system, said- This absolute determination to keep out of "No-one really requiring a bed was ever the administrative structure all private prac­ turned away. In many ways this is an titioners and all university personnel if at admirable virtue and is to be preferred to all possible and to rely only on medical advice the opposite state of affairs. However, one from its own full-time officers has applied main difficulty is to assess real necessity, from the very beginning of our hospital and most people familiar with hospitals system and has now become part of the very would probably agree ... that the nature core of its being. Naturally, one asks why and quantity of human symptomatology is and one is led into thinking that the reason such that any free system of medicine must for this is that the department, if it accepts Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1247

advice only from its own full-time profess­ the Minister's burden. and providing a sys·tem ionals, can then reject that advice if it wants that would give a better service to the people to, because no-one would ever know and of Queensland. there would be no embarrassing moments of publicity or inquiry. This has led to a . I suggest that there should be an inquiry mto costs of hospitalisation (that is, the ~ituatio~ where too much centralised control economics of the system), into charges, 1s exercJsed by the department, and we reach whether charges should be made for some the stage . where many people feel that aspects of service, and what those charges ~lthough, m theory, boards run hospitals, should be. m actual fact the department runs them. We must also consider, of course, how I believe that this attitude of deep suspicion we can pump more money into the system. of ?actors, a kin.d of residual envy of pro­ I am not suggesting that I place on a low fesswnal academ1c people, stemming from priority the need for more money. l'he early Labcur Governments should be elimi­ last report of the Commonwealth Grants nate~. It, has continued, a~d, as always with Commission shows our situation. Whereas Parkmson s law, what was once seen sincerely Queeasland once quite consistently spent per even if wrongly, as a means to an end ha~ head of population more on hospital services now become an end in itself. Over the years than any other State, we now lie in third as I see it, the d~pa.rt~ent has tended to rely position; Queensland now spends $16.3 per more on those w1thm Its ranks for its advice head, against an expenditure of $22.32 in on hospital administration, and to exclude Western Australia and $17.9 in Tasmania. those who, by !heir experience outside, have In fact, Queensland is barely above the Aus­ the best capacity for treating sick people. tralian average of $15.38. I freely concede ~ kr:ow that ~JVer the years the medical pro­ that to carry out many other great reforms lessw~ has .t:1~d hard l<;J ~elp by offering con­ we do indeed require the money of which ~ truct~ve. cn!Jcism, but n Is becoming increas- the Minister constantly reminds us. 1 ngly Irntated by the refusal of the department But there are fields in which money is not to argue upon any factual basis and the the sole determinant. If we do consider tendency to dismiss any outside medical com­ that some kind of charges should be made, m~nt. a~ being inspired by base motives-that I think that that would go a long way this IS JUSt doctors' profes:;ional avarice; that towards reducing the problems of overcrowd­ they wan! to take more money. I think that ing and congestion in out-patients' depart­ the .hospital services in this State, and the ments and other sections. Certainly we should medical profession, are both suffering from look at the philosophy of the system-this what. seem~ to me to be a rather primitive rigidly centralised departmental control, with hospi.tal philosophy which, of course, is unique the exclusion of the private practitioner almost to this State. completely from the administrative system. I believe that this area is the one that .Another area for inquiry is the relation­ promises the greatest hope for the future. ship .between the nursing profession and the hospitals system. There is no need to I think, too, that the boards of teaching make much reference to it here. For many hospitals should have more powers of deci­ years there has been a kind of internecine sion, with university and medical staff having warfare between the Department of Health more voting representation on them. Certainly and the nurses. Much improvement has an inquiry should look at the role of the been made in the lot of s(udent nurses but nurse in a modern hospitai system. We th~y are still pressing for more. I ctd not have to check the warfare that has gone thmk t!Jere can be any doubt that the on here for so long, because it is not in econo~riics of ?ur hospitals system have the interests of those concerned. I think necess1ta~ed a different treatment for nurses that the problems of overcrowding and from that obtaining in other States. Senator inefficiency might well fall into place i£ we Dame Ivy Wedgwood, Chairman of the Sen­ were to look at the decisions on costs and ate Commission on Health Costs, said- charges, and if the department saw the medical profession as friendly, not hostile, "Nurses i~ Queensland :::re suffering dis­ Indians. advantages m excess of those in other States. There is room for improvement." Finally, there is perhap3 one other field of inquiry, namely, specialisation. Should I believe that an independent inquiry would geriatric patients occupy normal hospital help to find that room for improvement. beds? Should we perhaps try to squeeze our resources to find some other way of What I am suggesting are therefore not looking after them? Could a special accidents matters t~a~ c~n be ,solved only by a tre­ hospital ease the enormous and disparate men.dous m)eCtJOn. of funds. I am not sug­ burden cast on general hospitals which have gestmg that the 11ls that I have mentioned to cope with the victims of our accelerat­ can be cured only by finding "X" millions ing highway carnage? of dollars, because I know that it is very I conclude by sv.ying that I have offered difficult to Jh1d any millions of dollars let no personal criticism, and I expect what alone huge quantities of them. What i am I have said to be received in the vein suggesting are changes in attitude, and I think in which it is offered. I have tried to be that that in itself would do a great deal factual and useful, because I consider that towards improving the system, vastly easing we are in grave dange1 of developing in 1248 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply a monolithic hospital structure a kind of of the committee set up should be as broad premature hardening of the arteries, and as possible. It should not be merely a that would be a tragedy for a young and departmental committee of inquiry. growing State. I say again that an inquiry could do no harm; it might do much good. I turn now to several matters mentioned I think that political common sense and by the Minister. I was rather surprised that, community confidence both argue for an in introducing the Estimates, he spent a independent inquiry into the hospital system considerable time on matters of minor import­ in Queens1and. ance. For instance, he dealt in some detail with matters such as the amenities provided Mr. MELLOY (Nudgee) (3.26 p.m.): for the staff of the department. I think Before dealing- with the Minister's intro· that a Minister who is under such pressure ductory speech and the Estimates themselves, and criticism as he is could have devoted I wish }P comment on certain remarks made more time to defending the hospital system by the hon. member for Toowong, who and his staff than the Minister did on has just resumed his seat. this occasion. I have been suspicious for some time about Mr. Tooth: This is the presentation of the the real reason for the demand by members Estimates. of the Liberal Party for an inquiry into the State's hospital system. I think that Mr. MELLOY: That is so; but I have the hon. member for Toowong has let no doubt that, in his reply, the Minister will the cat out of the bag to a great extent, take advantage of the time available to reply because he suggested that a committee of to charges made against him. I think that inquiry should consider the question of the the Minister could have given some indica­ payment of fees in public wards. In my tion to the Committee in his introductory opinion, that is one of the objects under· speech of the manner in which the hospital lying the demand by back-bench members system is conducted and attempted to allay of the Liberal Party for an inquiry-not the fears and forestall the criticism of hon. members of that system. ~o much an investigation into the hospital system; more, perhaps, an investigation into I welcome the Minister's advice that two the free hospital system-because, if the new home care centres are to he established Committee is to believe the hon. member almost immediately, at a cost of approxi­ for Toowong, one of the things that must mately $46,000. I think this is a step in the be inquired into is the question of charges right direction. These centres will relieve, in public wards. to a great extent, the pressure on our hospital bed position. The hon. gentleman stated also that he did not want the inquiry to extend to the medical I am also pleased to note that the Minister profession as a whole. is giving consideration to the appointment of a doctor as an admissions officer in the Mr. Porter: Quite incorrect. I said I had casualty department. I think this is an no objection to that, and I stated why. essential need in that department. We have heard numerous instances of people pre­ Mr. MELLOY: The hon. member said senting themselves at the casualty depart­ that he did not think it was desirable. ment and, after very perfunctory examina­ Mr. Porter: I said that I did not think tions and diagnoses, being sent home again it was necessary but I had no objection to it. when really they should have been admitted 1mmediately to hospital. The presence of an Mr. MELLOY: The hon. member said that admissions officer, to make decisions on he did not think it was necessary. whether or not a patient should be admitted or sent home, will be a tremendous Mr. Porter: That is right. I stated why. advantage. Mr. MELLOY: He qualified that, evidently, In his ,introduction the Minister said that by saying that he did not object to it. the number of doctors graduating this year However, the inference is there that he does will be in excess of the vacancies existing not consider that an inquiry into the medical in our hospital system. I should be very profession as a whole is necessary. surprised if the Minister means that the vacancies will all be taken up by this excess Mr. Porter: I gave my reasons for saying of graduates. Because of the unsatisfactory that. conditions under which they would be required to work in our hospitals, many of Mr. MELLOY: That may be true, and those who graduate will not remain in perhaps it is a fact that it is not necessary Queensland, but will migrate to other States to inquire into the medical profession as a and overseas. whole. But the medical profession as a whole is undoubtedly bound up with the Mr. Tooth: They will come back. Most hospital system, and there must be some young doctors go overseas. relation between the two. Mr. MELLOY: That may be true, but the I believe that any inquiry into the hospital Minister is not going to obtain sufficient system must be very comprehensive. Both doctors to fill the vacancies that occur in the scope of the inquiry and the constitution our hospital system. He claims that the Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1249 number of graduates will exceed the number of dental fellowships awarded each year, as of vacancies, but the remark is pointless if I have suggested previously. 11hat number vacancies cannot be filled. could be increased by at least four a year I wish now to deal with these Estimates. to fill the vacancies that exist in the dental The Minister for Health is in a rather services. invidious position. On the one hand, he is advised by experts within his own department I refer now to the Wacol Rehabilitation whose advice he must accept, and on the Clinic. That clinic provides a wonderful other, he is subject to criticism and advice service, but I do not think that it goes far from outside the hospital system, particularly enough. Suggestions have been made that from members of the Opposition and mem­ inmates of that clinic, on their discharge, bers of his own party whose criticism and should be able to receive treatment at a advice he cannot afford to ignore. half-way house. Those suggestions are good ones, and the establishment of a h<.lf-way Mr. Hinze: "Dr. Porter". house is essential. Despite efforts made by staff welfare officers, a number of inmates Mr. MELLOY: The hon. member need of the clinic revert to their previous mode not quote Dr. Crawford. of living when they are discharged. Although Mr. Hinze: "Dr. Porter". they have "dried out", as it were, at Wacol, they do not come under the control of a Mr. MELLOY: It is against this back­ department and are not encouraged to become ground of conflicting and contrary advice completely rehabilitated. No employment to the Minister that we have to view the service is pmvided for inmates ·Of the clinic Estimates. It creates difficulties for us in who are discharged. I know that the Minister dissecting and criticising them. And the has said that assistance is given to inmates Minister, being in a state of conflict in to secure employment, but no recognised handling the portfolio must himself experi­ machinery is set up to find employment for ence extreme difficulty in assessing the them, even in Government departments. various demands of the departments under Having treated those inmates, the Govern~ his control. It must cause him considerable ment should be prepared to accept them in worry as to where and how the money avail­ employment. If the inmates could be able to him should be spent. We are not employed by the Government they could as well informed as he is, and do not have remain under the surveillance of welfare available to us the advice of officers of the officers. department, and that adds to our difficulties in dissecting the Estimates and making con­ I wish to refer now to the Division of Air structive criticisms and suggestions. Pollution Control, which performs important functions in our health services. It was As has been pointed out by the Deputy evident from the reply given recently by Leader of the Opposition, it was only at the Minister that the fall-out in the 11 o'clock this morning that we were able Pinkenba-Myrtletown area has doubled in to view the Annual Report of the Auditor­ the eight months since January of this year. General on Public Accounts. It may have That is a staggering increase. I do not assisted us in assessing the needs of various know if the Division of Air Pollution Con­ departments administered by the Minister trol is not doing the job it is supposed to do for Health. Possession of that report would because of a lack of staff or a lack of know­ have enabled us to make a more detailed ledge of the conditions, but after it has examination of the Estimates; however, we been in operation for two years air pollu­ did not have the advantage of it. tion in this city is increasing. It seems that I wish to deal wiVh ·several matters no active efforts are being made although certain industries have been declared under contained in the Estimates, ,the first being the Act. As the threat posed by fall-out the school health dental services. It is is increasing, the members of this authority quite apparent that those services are should pull their socks up and ensure that deteriorating from year to year. School­ this problem, which is most evidei_Jt in the children do not receive the attention and city, is brought under a measure of control. examinations that are desirable to preserve their dental health. I suggest that a school In referring to the Children's Services dental nurses service, similar to the ones Department, f congratulate Mr. Clark and that exist in New Zealand and Tasmania, his staff on the work that has been done. be set up in Queensland. The previous They are restricted only by the regulations Minister for Health, the late Dr. Noble, promulgated by the Government. I wish investigated that matter and viewed it very to emphasise a matter that I raised in a favourablv. The schemes in Tasmania and question this morning concerni~g peoJ?le New Zealand function very well indeed and who receive Commonwealth Socml Serv1ce provide an examination and treatment service benefits. As soon as an increase is granted to school-children. It is alarming to learn in Commonwealth Social Service payments that of the establishment of 21 in the State's a corresponding reduction is made in the school health dental services, there are only amount of aid received from the State. The 16 dentists. That fact illustrates the effects of this policy are felt particularly by tremendous shortage .of dentists in Queensland deserted wives and widows with children on and reflects the need to increase the number State aid, because one of the children may 41 1250 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

be taken off State aid. The State Govern­ some of the pressure in hospital wards. ment should stipulate its responsibilities in It has been said that the cost of maintaining this field and if by good fortune these people patients in a hospital is excessive, and that receive additional assistance from the it would be cheaper to accommodate them at Commonwealth their State aid should not be Lennons Hotel. affected. The State has its own system which provides that certain payments will be Another answer to the problem would be made. It should stick to them instead of the establishment of State nursing homes taking a child off State aid immediately a rather than hospitals. It costs a lot of deserted wife or widow is eligible for money to build a hospital. In addition, the increased Commonwealth payments. Not Minister indicated the tremendous amount only do these people suffer a monetary loss; of equipment that will be installed in our they also suffer a material loss in the pro­ hospitals in the next couple of years. It vision of school books and other educational appears to me that the provision of this facilities. sophisticated technical equipment could be made the subject of a special Commonwealth When discussing these Estimates it is grant. No doubt that equipment is essential, fitting that I should refer to various hospital but its provision takes a tremendous amount matters. There have been many and varied of the finance that is available and could criticisms, not only by members of the be used to provide more staff. It is things Opposition and the Government, but also by of this sort that are hamstringing our hospital interested bodies outside Parliament, of the service, not only in the construction of conduct of our hospitals. I believe they are hospitals but also in the provision of necessary justified. I support the Deputy Leader of equipment. the Opposition in calling for a committee of inquiry, the constitution of which should be I should now like to say a few words on very comprehensive. Little is to be gained the nursing service. At present nurses are by a departmental inquiry into our hospital shouldering tremendous burdens that are out system. A comprehensive inquiry is needed. of all proportion to their ability and know­ ledge. This has been brought about to a Over the years complaints have been made great extent by the shortage of medical by medical men, nurses and patients about staff. Duties that are far beyond the lack of treatment. I am sure that no-one capacity of nurses and are largely th~ respon­ has any criticism of the treatment actually sibility of medical officers are bemg dele­ received. The criticism is of the treatment gated to nurses. This must be reflected in that is not received. The nurses and doctors the treatment given to patients. enjoy the highest reputation and are greatly concerned with the patients under their (Time expired.) care. However, they are not able to provide Mr. W. D. HEWITT (Chatsworth) (3.51 all the care that is necessary for the welfare p.m.): It is accepted that the hon. member of hospital patients. for Nudgee is the shadow Minister ~or Many wards in our hospitals which were Health in the Opposition's ranks. That bemg built to accommodate 12 beds have 18 beds so, I expected from ~i~ a learned di~~er­ in them. This applies particularly at the tation outlining the policies of the OppositiOn Princess Alexandra Hospital. Patients who and giving its attitude to the various and occupy these passageway beds do not have important matters concerned with health the normal facilities, such as headphones, administration. We could reasonably have which are available to other patients. This expected him to make some passing refer­ overcrowding causes criticism of the Depart­ ence to Mr. Whitlam's policy on health or ment of Health. the very important Nimmo Report, which is still under active consideration. We would Apparently our hospital boards feel that have thought that he would have had specific they are above the regulations that apply things to say instead of generalities that to hospital accommodation, for instance, a established nothing. minimum of 90 square feet per patient. That regulation applies to private hospitals, but He identified his own shortcomings by evidently not to public hospitals. I do referring to the fact that the A_uditor-Gen­ not know whether hospital boards feel that eral's report was issued only this mormng, they are above the law in this regard, but and somehow or other that was represented it is a fact that they do not comply with as a line of defence. He said in effect, conditions that apply to private hospitals. "If this valuable document had been in my hands earlier, my argument would have been I suggest that one answer to the over­ so much more telling". It is important to crowding problem is the establishment of recognise the function of the Auditor­ perimeter hospitals and the use of the home­ General's report. It is a report that analyses nursing service. This would enable recoupera­ the financial administration of the State; ting patients to be transferred from the that establishes that funds have been spent overcrowded hospitals to perimeter hospitals in keeping with the authorisation to SJ?end or to their homes and placed under the care them; and that there ~as been no misap­ of the home-nursing service, which would be propriation. It is an Important document, provided by the hospital. For instance, the but it is not a policy document, and for a Meals on Wheels organisation could operate person to say that his case is w<;ak_ened from the hospital kitchen. This would relieve because he did not have access to Jt Is to Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1251

say that he has no background knowledge of administration in Queensland. That argu­ the subject. In a few minutes his case is ment was developed in the maiden speech dismissed, and he fails in his claim to be of the hon. member for Wavell, in which the shadow Minister for Health in the ranks he preached the doctrine of divine discontent. of the Opposition. He identified shortcomings as he saw them The Deputy Leader of the Opposition made and, in his professional capacity, spoke upon greater reference to the matters to which them, and I am one of those who believe I have referred, and we can at least pay that his contribution was a valuable one, him the compliment of acknowledging that one that should be listened to, analysed he has done some home work, although he, and, indeed, to some degree acted upon. too, made some reference to the Auditor­ Mr. Hinze: You can't have "two bob" General's report. But the hon. member came each way. Whom are you backing? a little unstuck when he fell back on the Annual Report of the Health and Medical Mr. W. D. HEWIIT: The hon. member Services of the State of Queensland. On the for South Coast should contain himself. If one hand he said that he had been studying he wants a declaration and is merely trying the document for the last several days and, to anticipate me, I am leading up to saying whilst in general terms he was complimentary that I support those who believe that an to its contents, he deplored the fact that inquiry would be useful, and I shall set comparisons were not made with past years. out to show why. I rather fear that the hon. member must However I preface my remarks by saying have lost his chewing-gum between the that in a~king for an inquiry, I do not pages whilst perusing this document, because refl;ct upon the integrity of the Minister. on page 6, Table V, there are comparisons The relationship between him and me has going back to 1935. Table VI and Table been good. It has been a long association, VII take us to 1963. Table VIII takes us and his advice to me since I came into to 1947, and Table IX takes us to 1960. this place has been valued by me. He The whole document is studded with useful commands my utmost good will. I do not comparisons with past years. The hon. reflect on the capacity of the professional member must have been studying rather late staff--certainly, I am not competent to do at night with the result that he did not so~and I do not reflect upon the competence take those comparisons very much into of the administrative staff because I have account. not any reason to do so. I do not neces­ To understand the ramifications of this sarily call for an inquiry because . I can department it is important to understand point to specific reasons, although, hke the its full scope. It embraces such important hon. member for Nudgee, I suspect I could issues as hospitalisation, psychiatric services, find plenty of generalised reasons. My the Radium Institute, maternal and child reasons are simply these: that there would welfare, air pollution, public health, child be no harm in an open inquiry and there services, alcoholism, medical research, and may be some good. a host of other associated fields of endeavour. It is an administration that in An administration as vast as the health portfolio can become depersonalised. It can the current financial year will claim be remote and the system can be inbuilt. $57,000,000 of expenditure, representing 13 People who live very close to problems may per cent. of the total expenditure. It is an administration that claims to have treated tend to lose some objectivity-! do. not say 243,835 people in the year 1967-68, with that in any harsh sense-and I belleve that an inquiry at any time does not represe~t a daily occupancy of beds exceeding 7,700. a retreat by a Government,. nor ~oes It It is a department whose services have reflect upon the Minister w_ho IS handlmg the extended greatly during this Government's portfolio for the time bemg. Indeed, the term of office and which can, in consequence, reverse may be the case, because a Govern­ claim credit for many things that have hap­ ment can lose face by not looking into pened. The fields of psychiatric services, things. That leads into a particular phi.li­ geriatrics and treatment for subnormals and sophy that I have long embraced: a behef alcoholics have been extended greatly and that all fields of Government activity should improved upon, and, indeed, some fields be looked at occasionally, because we are of endeavour have been explored for the first time. the custodians of public money and only the best is good enough. We must make sure These things stand out in stark contrast that moneys are spent in the best way pos­ to the many things that were not done under sible and ensure that they produce the best previous administrations. Therefore, I say result. Therefore, I support the call . for right at the outset that the Government's an investigation merely because I beheve record in the field of health administration that many things can, and should, be looked in this State is a creditable one and that at. On other occasions I have asked for there is very little indeed for it to be close scrutiny of other fields of endeavour; ashamed of; by comparison, there is much of I shall do so again. whioh it can be proud. Now because I have developed that atti­ These Estimates attract added interest this tude, ~ few weeks ago I was castigated year because a call has been made for an by the hon. member for Baroona because I inquiry into the whole ambit of health had sung the praises of efficiency experts. 1252 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

I did not envisage efficiency experts such To give a simple example of the degree as Crabgrass of Mr. Abemathy fame. Perish to which the word "Goodna" still conjures the thought! Any concept that leads to up the very worst in people's minds, a fe~ plaguing and pestering people in their every­ months ago I was contacted by a certam day role is quite abhorrent to me. Rather, person whose relative had been sent to I believe in the streamlining of systems, Wolston Park. Apparently, somewhere, the the avoiding of duplications, the lightening word "Goodna" had been mentioned to her. of the load, and the saving of public moneys. She contacted me in a state of great distress If an inquiry would do this and at the and pleaded with me to do everything possible same time achieve improvement in an already to prevent this person being sent to Goodna. good health administration, then nothing bad I investigated the background of the case and could come of it. Something good could was assured that Wolston Park was the only come of it. proper place to send this person; but so To develop this argument a little further, agitated was the person who approached me I have agitated for the last few years for the about him that I thought the only way to introduction of microfilm processes into the set her mind at rest was to take her to this Public Service and the Public Service report, institution. This I did. Her reaction was year by year, has waxed hot and cold on the immediately noticeable. Nothing was hidden issue. I await with great anticipation the from her. We were shown through the opportunity to read the Public Service Board entire establishment and were told something Report which was tabled today. of the treatment that the person would receive. We were also told what the ultimate outcome I remind the Committee that if other Gov­ should be. When we left that place she ernments had not instituted inquiries from was infinitely relieved and thankful beyond time to time many things would not have words. been unearthed. It is timely to refer to the fact that the public accounts committee in I believe a job has still to be done in Victoria recently pointed out to the Victorian breaking down this old concept and making Government that something like $1,000,000 sure that people realise that the mentally ill a year of useless expenditure was being are no different from those who suffer from incurred in the use of Government motor-cars. any other malady. We should let them know There are plenty of reasons for an inquiry also that an institution is not a dreadful place in this case and I support the call for one. of incarceration but in fact a place where people receive the best possible attention and A few weeks ago the Minister for Police, treatment that is their due. in simple terms, said that he looked for the While on the matter of misinterpretation, best Police Force in Australia. It was a I think it timely to refer to certain attitudes noble call and I think that it would not be to the treatment of subnormals and the a bad thing if we aspired to have the best intellectually handicapped. We know now health services in Australia and set about that those people are treated at Challinor getting them. Maybe advice from a com­ Centre. I do not intend to ventilate matters petent committee would be a very useful that could embarrass or hurt the people first step. concerned so I speak deliberately in general It is not possible to deal critically with terms only, but the Minister will recall sub­ all aspects of an administration as vast as missions and suggestions that I have made the Health Department. Indeed, one would to him. be fluttering like a butterfly from flower to I have evidence that, at times, doctors flower if one attempted to do so. There­ in their diagnosis of and treatment of those fore, I content myself with a few comments unfortunate people show scant knowledge of upon some matters of particular interest to the incidence of the peculiar illnesses that me. I make reference first of all to the are suffered by subnormals. I have evidence improvements that have been effected in this also that some medical practitioners speak in State in the treatment of the mentally ill. derogatory terms of those institutions, and We know that institutions in Queensland give advice that, in my opinion, is totally have had their fences pulled down and their wrong. I suggest that there is a need bars removed, and that the stigma has been for general practitioners to have some passing taken away from mental illness. A breath knowledge of those institutions and some of fresh air has blown through the place understanding of the work they are doing. and a completely new approach has been If they took the trouble to gain that know­ taken. Psychiatric services have been vastly ledge they would alleviate a good deal of expanded. Our treatment of the mentally ill mental strain suffered by the unfortunate in this State is to be applauded. parents of subnormal people. Unfortunately, some of the old concepts I have suggested to the Minister that some remain. Too many people still conjure up dialogue be established with the medical pro­ dreadful thoughts when one talks about insti­ fession so that general practitioners in parti­ tutions for the mentallv ill. I believe the cular can see those institutions and can Government acted wisely when it recently understand what is happening at them so chose to change the names of some of these that as a consequence they could possibly institutions. We can, to some degree, get give better advice and diagnose some of rid of the old concepts by changing the the cases a little better than they have names. done in the past. Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1253

The Minister referred to air pollution. a continuing, growing problem and, indeed, It is timely to remind him of the contents it will probably be the great social problem of the policy speech made by the Deputy of the 1970's and 1980's. Premier on 23 April, 1969, in which, under A wealth of overseas research material is the heading "Environmental Pollution Control available on which a committee could start Council", he said- work, and I hope that there will be little "Our industrial progress-plus modern delay in setting such a council in operation. packaging-is rapidly creating problems of I now make passing reference to the pollution previouly not experienced in this nursing profession, to express satisfaction State. We have pollution of rivers and with the establishment of a concept of streams by sullage, liquid trade wastes regional training and a system of in-servic_e and other substances. We have pollution training. We all know that there are mam­ of the environment by solid wastes, ranging fest problems in nursing administration, but from simple litter, through to the complex I hope that many other desirable reforms problem of disposal of common garbage will be implemented as finance and oppor­ and the more difficult residues from trade tunity permit. processes. I was pleased to hear the Minister r~fer to "The Government, therefore, regards as the reduced incidence of tuberculosis and of great importance that early steps should the obvious effectiveness of chest X-rays. be taken to study all aspects of environ­ I applaud the work of the Radium Institute, mental po!lution before our industrial pro­ and commend the continuing fine work of gress creates problems of complete the Division of Maternal and Child Welfare intractability. under the firm and sure authority of Dr. J. "It is therefore proposed to establish an F. McFarlane. Environmental Pollution Control Council I have by no means exhausted the num­ comprising representatives of the Depart­ ber of things that could be referred to. I ment of Local Government, Health, Irriga­ applaud the administration in so many other tion and Water Supply, Harbours and departments where good, dedicated . publ~c Marine Departments, together with repre­ servants are doing their very best m th1s sentatives of Local Authority, Chamber of vast field of health administrat!on. I . am Manufactures, Chambers of Commerce, sure that our health services will contmue Housewives organisations and other eo­ to expand because this SJovernment recog­ opted bodies to advise the Government on nises the many problems mvolved. ways and means to combat such problems, I conclude on the note on which I ~pen~d, and to ensure safeguard of public health, as namely, that I see no reason why an mqmry well as general cleanliness of our into health administration would n~t be to surrounds." our advantage and, indeed, I feel. tt co~!d By virtue of the fact that so many depart­ possibly provide the Governm.ent With a nch ments were mentioned in that policy speech field of information and advice. I am not quite sure into whose paddock the Mr. MARGINSON (Ipswich Eas9 (4.1_2 problem falls so I refer to the matter while p.m.): During my short term !n th1s discussing this Minister's Estimates. Assembly I have come to apprecmte the I hope that there is not undue procrastina­ contributions by the hon. member ~or Too­ tion in forming the proposed committee and wong in various debates. But. th1s after­ getting it going. With infinite respect to noon, I felt that, to some extent, he let. me the Minister, I say to him that it is later down when he suggested to the Committee than he thinks. The discharge of vast that we should at least partially. aboli~h our quantities of industrial and domestic wastes free hospital system. My expenence 1s t_hat into the State's rivers and streams creates am attempt to partially destroy a~wthmg a problem that is compounding year by leads ultimately to its total destructiOn. I year. The sooner we realise that and was very sorry to be told by the hon. mem­ impose some control upon pollution, the ber for Toowong that he, and no doubt some of his colleagues, . advocat~ the better. destruction of our free hospttal servtces. I shall give a simple example not of Mr. Carey: He is not the spokesman for obvious domestic waste but of a problem that has an effect upon environment. A few the Government, you know. weeks ago I read in a fisheries magazine Mr. MARGINSON: The hon. member's that the discharge by industrial complexes remarks are on record. of great volumes of boiling water into a river has an effect upon fish life in that We must take it that he has expressed the river. One would feel that clean hot water feeling of members on the Government discharged into a river would have little side of the Chamber, namely, that t~ey effect and need not be worried about unduly, believe we should start the destructton but it removes oxygen from the water, and of our free hospital system. I was very tests have shown that it has an adverse effect sorry to hear that. on fish life in our streams. Even such a seem­ I regret that there has not bee~ a sub­ ingly harmless discharge must be watched, stantial increase in the allocatiOn for and it is but a small example. This is Queensland hospital services. Undoubtedly 1254 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

there is an increase this year, but it has not forwarded to another department for its kept pace with rising costs. The percentage approval, a department over which the of expenditure on hospital and health ser­ Minister for Health, I admit, has no control. vices generally has decreased compared with This is where considerable delay occurs. that of the two previous years. It i& not Then, when that department has made good for our health services, or for the an examination of those sketch plans, they State, when the percentage of allocation is are sent back to the Department of Health reduced. for consideration by the building advisory I believe I have some knowledge of the committee. Eventually, they are sent back difficulties that arise in hospital administra­ to the hospital boards, in most cases, with tion. If Parliament feels that there should certain amendments. In some cases, many be an inquiry into our hospital service, let amendments are made. us have it by all means. Before tenders can be called, the plans I was interested in the Minister's contri­ have to be referred again to the building bution this morning. However, I felt that advisory committee of the department, so he was merely reiterating some of his speech they are referred yet again to the Depart­ in the Address-in-Reply debate last year. ment of Works which had to look at them This confuses people about the improvements in the first place. After receiving them that will be made to our hospital service. back from the Department of Works, with These matters are repeated time and time more consequent delays, the board may again. The Minister, in 1968, and again receive approval to call tenders for the work. today, referred to certain work in the out­ That is what I believe has happened in the patients' department ·and the casualty case of the work to be done at the Boonah department at the Townsville General hospital. At least the stage has been reached Hospital. This morning, he said that there of calling tenders, and in fact tenders may would be a multi-storey building in Cairns. have closed. It is quite likely that that work He referred to that in 1968. Today, he will be started early in the next calendar thanked the Cairns City Council for its year at the earliest. co-operation relative to some streets that were closed. That is ·exactly what he: said in I believe that at times deliberate attempts September 1968. are made to delay certain projects that hospitals boards require to be undertaken. Mr. R. Jones: That was a Labour council, I make the assumption from events that have too. taken place in connection with the planning at the Ipswich hospital. From memory, four Mr. MARGINSON: Quite correct. or five years ago the Ipswich Hospitals The Minister referred to new quarters for Board came to an agreement with the depart­ nurses at Dalby. T1he Minister said "new ment over the planning of certain buildings nurses' quarters" but I prefer to say "new as a project spread over some five or six quarters for nurses". Today, and in years. The board had to go through all September 1968, he referred to a new ward the ramifications that I have described. at Mt. Isa. He said the same about Some of the work has been completed and, Rockhampton. In 1968, he said that plans in my opinion, they are very good jobs. were being prepared for a new kitchen block There has, however, been a standstill in the and new quarters for nurses at the Boonah work at Ipswich, again as the result of Hospital. I am pointing these matters out administrative delay between the hospitals to show the delay. board and the department. Mr. Wright: And procrastination. The Ipswich hospital still needs a new kitchen block, which I know was asked for Mr. MARGINSON: Procrastination. That at least five years ago. I know that certain would be right. proposals and conditions are being made However, not one sod has been turned for its planning now. In the meantime, not one nail has been driven and not on~ the board has required so much more work, brick has been laid at Boonah. In 1968 such as a dental clinic, a new X-ray depart­ he said that this was to be Vhe forerunne; ment, and new equipment. The equipment of a major building programme at the in the X-ray department, for example, is Boonah Hospital. I do not know when •the many years old. The pathology laboratory other buildings will be erected. I have no has not kept pace with the expansion of the doubt that the hon. member for Fassifern hospital and needs enlarging. The delays is interested in this matter. with work of this type indicate to me the In my opinion, the relationship betwe·en need for a tightening up in the relationship hospital boards and the department is between the department and the various causing too much delay in obtaining approval hospitals boards throughout the State. to carry out certain work. In the Department Another matter to which I wish to refer of Health there are committees sudh as the is recognition of the Institute of Hospital building advisory committee. Boards have Administrators, and the degree that is avail­ to submit proposals t~ that committee, and able to hospital administrators from the I have no argument With that. My argument university in New South Wales. As rep­ is with the delay that occurs. The plans resentative of that institute in Queensland, I submitted to that committee have to be made approaches to Ministers who preceded Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1255

the present Minister for Health. I have had Mr. MARGINSON: Yes; but the waiting representatives up here from New South period for other dental treatment is. extra­ Wales and Victoria who met Ministers on ordinarily long. The people of Ipsw1ch are this very issue, and at all times recognition very hopeful that accommodation at the den­ of this institute has been refused. I believe tal clinic will be increased. that Queensland is the only State in which I turn now to a matter that has worried me the Institute of Hospital Administrators is for a number of years. In my capacity as not recognised. I was therefore delighted secretary of the Ipswich Hospitals Board, to hear the Minister tell the Deputy Leader I wrote a letter expressing alarm at a cur­ of the Opposition today that it is now pro­ rent practice. That was before the present posed to recognise this institute and to have Minister took office, but it still goes on. some men trained in hospital administration I refer to the optical service provided at in Queensland. Ipswich by the firm of Trevor Henderson. At the same time, I am one of those who By arrangement with the Government, that firm gets in touch with hospital patients­ believe that medical men do not have a they may be registered out-patients or indigent monopoly on hospital administration. persons such as pensioners-and says that I do not know whether the Minister or it has a scheme under which they can visit his officials are aware of it but a tendency its rooms and it will provide them with is creeping into the hospitals system today certain optical services. for a medical man to assume unofficially, These services include the supply of nickel­ if he possibly can, depending upon the framed spectacles. They do not provide bi­ strength or weakness of the secretary, the focal lenses. If a patient requires lenses responsibility for the administration of the for far seeing as well as for reading, he is hospital. I believe that the administration supplied with two pairs of spectacles. In should be left to people who are trained years gone by the Government paid this firm to the degree that I have mentioned. Is. 6d. a pair for these spectacles and special As I said in the Address-in-Reply debate, lenses were supplied at Government cost for my main complaints about the hospital ser­ people suffering from cataracts. Over ~he vice in this State re1ate to the long waiting years this system has been used for nothmg periods in out-patients' departments. I am more than enabling the firm to make contact the first to admit that on some days certain with the patient. After that, the next step is emergencies arise at general hospitals and not to sell him the service that the Govern­ that some medical officers have to be taken men has arranged-and which now, by the away from the out-patients' departments. way, is peppercorn or nothing; he makes no Mr. Carey: You agree that their attendance charge for it-but to see what else he can times should be staggered? sell the patient and at what price. Mr. Carey: You will admit that the late Mr. MARGINSON: Patients' attendances? Trevor Henderson was a very humane gentle­ Mr. Carey: Yes. man. Mr. MARGINSON: I agree with that; Mr. MARGINSON: I am speaking about but there are long waiting periods in out­ the firm of Trevor Henderson. patients' depavtments that I find it dif­ Since I entered this Parliament I have ficult to believe are the result of the circum­ encountered a number of instances which I stances I have mentioned. can cite. I had encountered them before, I am greatly concerned at the number of and I had my staff coached to inform the complaints in my electorate about delay in patient in writing what he was entitled to. performing operations. A staggering feature But the other day a pensioner came to mo is that a public patient has to wait two or who really thought that he was getting some­ three months for an operation. Recently a thing under the scheme for which he may patient at the Ipswich hospital was told have to pay a couple of dollars. He had that he would have to wait for six months. recently received a bill for $3.50 for lenses He was told also that if he elected to be only; he supplied his own frames. His wife put in a private ward in the same hospital also was talked into getting something better. the wait for the operation would be a The stock phrase seems to be, "These do not fortnight. In my opinion, that should be suit you". She got a bill for $25 whereas stopped. I would be delighted if a com­ she had thought she was getting some con­ mission of inquiry could look into matters cession from the arrangement with the hos­ of that nature. I will give the Minister pital board, through the department. This the name of the patient. is a racket that should be looked into. Another point that concerns me is the Mr. Carey: Did your constituent get two extraordinarily long delay in dental treatment Jots of lenses or only one? at the hospital. It is appreciated that urgent dental work, such as extractions, is done Mr. MARGINSON: One lot. within a day and that an appointment is I want to make reference to one other made for the patient. matter if I have time. The employees at the Mr. Tooth: That would apply to emergent Queensland Industrial Institution for the Blind surgery, too, would it not? wrote to the Minister for Health on 11 July 1256 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

last pointing out that during general like that unless it got something out of it; transport strikes they have difficulty nobody could convince me that it did it to in getting to the institution. They create good public relations or to perform asked the Minister for a sympathetic good deeds for people who cannot afford hearing to resolve their problems. We must to purchase glasses. The hon. member for remember that these people have no sight. Ipswich East indicated what has been going Unlike us, they cannot hitch a lift in a on for so long, and the matter couid be well public transport strike. and truly investigated. I am very grateful to They wrote to the Minister suggesting that him for bringing the matter up. he consider making arrangements to transport Mr. Bromley: If you read the speech I them to the institution on such days and made last week, you will see that I said they received this letter from him dat~d 21 the same thing. August- Mr. HOOPER: If the hon. member for "Dear Mr. O'Mahoney, Norman referred to this matter I must agree "I refer to your letter dated 11th July, with him, because it should be attended to . .1969, relating to the decision given regard­ Ing employees of the Queensland Indus­ It is not fair to the profession because trial Institution for the Blind reporting it is giving the profession a bad name. Many for work during strikes. opticians are concerned and worried, just as are laymen, public men, and the pensioners "In the case of Public Servants it has been ruled that when a transport strike who receive the spectacles. occurs it is the officer's obligation to Earlier in this debate a plea was made for present himself at his place of employ­ an investigation of our hospitals system. I ment." sincerely believe that if sufficient arguments have no quarrel with that. The letter are advanced by hon. members on both sides goes on- of the Chamber to warrant an investigation, the Government and the Minister have "If he cannot arrange this he is granted nothing to lose but everything to gain. leave either as a charge against recreation If sufficient evidence is placed before the leave or without pay. Committee in this debate, such an inquiry "The decision given in the case of will have my support. employees of the Queensland Industrial Institution for the Blind is in accordance I say clearly and definitely that, as a with this ruling and, under the circum­ Liberal member of Parliament, and an stances, I am unable to suggest any individual, I fully support our free hospital departure from it." system. They told me that, although on this trans­ Mr. Bennett: You should tell your Federal portation problem the Minister treats them colleagues that. as public servants-and, with due respect to him, might I say it is to suit his own Mr. HOOPER: I will deal with the hon. wishes-they are not so recognised when member's Federal colleagues shortly. public servants are granted increases in The Liberal Party's platform, in common salaries or allowances. They have made with that of the Labour Party, advocates free representations to be paid as public servants hospitals. While I am part of the Liberal but they have been refused. In fact their Party I will fight for their continuance. Thank only increases have been basic-wage inc~eases. God there has been no indication of any (Time expired.) deviation from this policy in the party. I now wish to place before the Committee Mr. HOOPER (Greenslopes) (4.32 p.m.): an anomaly that possibly has escaped the First of. all, I join with the Minister in pay­ mg a tnbute to the late Dr. David Johnson. Minister's attention. Although I brought In addition to knowing his capabilities in it to his notice, he may not be aware of its his department •. I knew him personally, so I true background. was pleased With the tributes paid to him Opposition Members interjected. by both the Minister and the Director­ General. Dr. Johnson was a very fine Mr. HOOPER: The Minister is as Queenslander indeed. approachable as one could wish. In my opinion he attends to his duties very capably. I should like to refer briefly to the remarks made by the hon. member who has just I am referring to pensioners, who, under resumed his seat. He dealt with optical the social service scheme, are entitled to prescriptions, and I endorse what he said. free medical care by a doctor of their own This matter has concerned me for a number choice. If they go to hospital they can of years. It has gone on for so long that again have the doctor of their own choice it has become very serious indeed. By inter­ attend them, provided they are in a private jection I asked the hon. member whether or intermediate ward. Normally, they are he was aware of the tender figure. It has required to insure with a recognised medical been public knowledge for many years. It benefits scheme for hospital benefits only. is a peppercorn. In fact, at one stage the I know of many cases-as do members of firm tendered for half a peppercorn and the medical profession-in which pensioners it admits that. A firm would not tender require X-rays, pathology tests, and other Supply [28 OCTOBER} Supply 1257 tests that cannot be carried out in a doctor's children? Can they be cured? Are they surgery. If the doctor writes a note to educable? This subject has been topical since one of the public hospitals, the tests or a news item that the autistic association had X-rays are carried out free of charge by lost its accommodation. I do not know the public hospital, and the results are whether that statement was correct or returned to the private doctor's surgery. whether we have facilities. That is all very well, but if a patient has been frugal enough to save a small amount The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. from his pension to insure under a hospital Ramsden): Order! There is far too much scheme, and becomes ill and is admitted audible conversation in the Chamber. to hospital, naturally he chooses to go to Mr. HOOPER: I hope that the Minister an intermediate ward. But the silly part about it is that if an X-ray or pathology will answer those questions at a later stage. test is required, because he is an in-patient I pay a tribute to the Queensland Institute in an intermediate ward, he has to pay for of Medical Research. I join in the concern the test. I can imagine nothing more expressed by other hon. members relative to ridiculous. If the patient gets out of bed its present accommodation. I understand that and gets fully dressed, gets a letter from the there is a move afoot to do something about doctor, goes down in the lift-even in a it. As a director of the Asthma Foundation wheel-chair-and gives the same letter to of Queensland, I pay a tribute to the officers the same person, the service is free. I of the institute. Their findings have been admit that I did not explain this point valuable. They do a tremendous job in to the Minister because it has only just assisting not only the Asthma Foundation come to my notice. but other charitable health organisations as Mr. Tucker: Still not discharged from the well. hospital? Nowadays we are all health conscious, and this has led to certain controversies. We Mr. HOOPER: Still not discharged from ail have our own hobby-horses, and mine the hospital. is the Asthma Foundation of Queensland These people are not asked whether they and of Australia. I am pleased that the are in-patients or out-patients. They simply Minister has from time to time met deputa­ carry a letter from a doctor. As the cost is tions from the medical and management infinitesimal, I suggest in all seriousness that panels of the foundation here, and has made this be included as a free service in our available to it the facilities at the Chermside health policy. I asked a private practitioner Chest Hospital. I am, however, rather how many patients he would refer in a year disappointed with the attitude of other and he told me two or three. I am pleased authorities to that institution. In view of that the Premier is in the Chamber because the decrease in the number of tuberculosis he is sympathetic and I am sure that he patients, the Asthma Foundation of Queens­ will do everything possible to have it included. land, in conjunction with the Asthma However, if by this time next year it is not, Foundation of Australia, put forward a I shall again be asking for it and pressing resolution in an endeavour to have for it. I am sure that the Minister will have the Federal Government pass legislation another look at this matter for the reasons under which chest hospitals could I have outlined today. treat asthma patients. Unfortunately the The organisations with which I am asso­ foundations in Queensland and Western ciated deeply appreciate the establishment of Australia were the only two who supported the steering committee to investigate all that suggestion. The only thing to be said aspects of the education, re-education and is that we are grateful to the State Govern­ employment of blind people. I pay a tribute ment for allowing asthma sufferers to make to the members of that committee. The use of the facilities available. two officers from the Department of Health. Speaking of the Asthma Foundation namely, Mr. Norman and Mr. Handran, reminds me that a few years ago the State brought a tremendous amount of ability and Government made a grant of $20,000-then knowledge to the committee. I regret that £10,000-to that foundation, to be spread the late Honourable J. C. A. Pizzey is not over five payments of $4,000 a year. We here to see the report of that committee. have received our yearly payment this year, Mr. Bromley: The Minister has lost his and we are indeed grateful for it. However, copy. the final payment will be made next year, and I make it known to the Government Mr. HOOPER: With respect to the hon. that the good work being done in Queensland member for Norman, the Minister has the by the foundation for asthma sufferers can report and is studying it. I am sure that when now be seen. I ask the Government to give he and the Minister for Education have serious consideration to making available finished studying it, a tremendous amount of further donations to support the foundation good will result from it. that is doing so much for the asthma Through you, Mr. Ramsden, I wish to pose sufferers of our country. certain questions to the Minister. What is The Asthma Foundation is quite concerned an autistic child? What facilities are avail­ over a new drug, known as Intal, that is able for the treatment and education of these now being distributed. Intal is known 1258 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

throughout the world as one of the greatest to them; still others are covered by medical breakthroughs ever in the treatment of fund insurance. If all these people were asthma. I believe that overseas it has excluded, overcrowding would be reduced completely cured some asthmatics. It is, greatly and the position would be alleviated. however, not yet available on the free list I believe that one of the answers that the under the national health scheme. I ask the Government is looking for is to be found in Minister to make pressing representation3 to persuading people to make use of other free the Federal Minister for Health, whoever he services that are available to them. If that may be, for this drug to be placed on the were done, there could well be a permanent free list. reduction in the number of people attend­ Mr. Sherrington: That is the trouble with ing out-patients' departments. the free list; there are not enough of the In years gone by the old A.L.P. erected a life-saving drugs on it. monument to the late Ned Hanlon for instituting free hospitalisation. Mr. ~OOPER: That is quite right; I agree w1th the hon. member. Mr. Sherrington: And they had reason to do it. Intal is one of the greatest breakthroughs ·ever in the treatment of asthma, and it has Mr. HOOPER: Yes, I agree that they had ~ured many asthma sufferers. reason to do it. What does one hear from I now wish to say something about the the new-look A.L.P.? In its recent policy free hospitalisation system. I think we speech, the A.L.P. said that Queensland's should analyse some of the reasons why free hospital scheme was in jeopardy, that there is overcrowding in out-patients' depart­ Queenslanders would have to meet a 10 per ments and some wards. The first is the cent. increase in income tax to get free financial incapacity of certain people to pay what they receive today. If one's wife was for medical attention, and that is a good forced to go to work, she too would be reason. The second, in my book, is sporting taxed an additional 10 per cent. to get what accidents. Although sporting clubs definitely she is getting free now. are doing a good job in the community, Mr. Bennett: Propaganda. sportsmen who play dangerous sports should be prepared to insure themselves and pay Mr. HOOPER: It is fact. The Liberal for treatment when accidents occur. In fact, Party supports free hospitalisation. I hope clubs with sufficient finance used to do that; that the Federal leader of the A.L.P. does. I think they should still do it. One has only to go to a casualty ward on a Saturday The reasons why all of us must continue night to see the number of sportsmen who to support free hospitals and auxiliary treat­ are there. ments become obvious if one goes overseas and has the opportunity of ascertaining what :\1r. Bennett: In this country, sportsmen people have to pay for treatment in countries get only about $4 a week. such as the United States of America. I remind the Committee of the service pro­ Mr. HOOPER: That is so, but an insur­ vided here by the Red Cross Blood Bank, ance scheme would alleviate their difficulties. which makes blood available free to people Another reason for the overcrowding of who have to receive transfusions. One has out-patients' departments is their conveni­ not to go very far from Australia to find ence. People go there simply because it is countries in which there is trading in blood. convenient for them to do so and because In Singapore, for example, blood is sold to their own doctor might not be on duty. A the highest bidder. foe~rth reason is the erroneous idea that a If that ever occurs in our country we patient who goes there will see better will be in real rmuble. Let us continue doctors, irrespective of his ability to pay our system of free hospitals. I know it for treatment. All hon. members have seen is the Opposition's policy; it is the Liberal people arrive at out-patients' departments Party's policy as well. But if sufficient at public hospitals in chauffeur-driven cars. The:· can afford to pay for treatment else­ evidence is brought before the Committee where, but the treatment there is free and to prove that ,an investigation is necessary, they accept it. I do not "knock" them for I know the Opposition wiii support it; I doing that, but they do add to the over­ sincerely do. If ,rhis d-tas to be held for cro\vding. the benefit of Queenslanders, for the benefit of the department, and for the benefit of \L1ny people who attend out-patients' medical research, then let us have it. departments have an insurance cover that Y c:uld enable them to be treated by a Mrs. JORDAN (Ipswich West) (5.1 p.m.): pnvate doctor. I have in mind particularly The range of the work of this department people covered by workers' compensation is very wide indeed, covering many fields of insurance. Pensioners could also go to a health. As the community becomes aware private doctor, as could repatriation cases. of the growing need in a paDticular sphere '!hey are not asked any questions about of health, it is increasingly demanding that msu_rance cover when they go to a casualty more should be done. With tihe' advent of section, but other facilities are available to new drugs, some illnesses or handicaps that them. Others have lodge benefits available previously were accepted as incurable are Supply [28 OcroBER] Supply 1259 now responding to treatment. In some be held into the Health Department. Over instances new fields of health services are the years it has become inbred, and know­ opened up. ledgeable, independent people who could We in Queensland ~re indeed fortun~te analyse problems and recommend priorities tha·t our free hospital scheme with its could do an excellent job to improve the out-patients' department has become an department. accepted and appreciated part of our way of life. I think we have had indications Too often in this Chamber members of of that today in submissions made by the Opposition in particular have been fobbed members from both sides of the Committee. off with evasive answers that have little Contrasted with the very high cost of illness to do with the questions asked. Many and hospitalisation in other States, it is answers are too long and give little informa­ something of which we can be justly proud. tion. Members of Parliament are the elected Set up by a Labour Government, it expanded representatives of the people; in fact I under successive Labour Governments, and believe that they are the vehicle of the con­ its benefits were such that with the change science of the people. of government to the political parties presently As a member I have asked a number holding office, free hospitalisation continued of questions on hospitals in Ipswich and, although some ancillary services have now in many instances, have received an unsatis­ to be p~id for. Indeed, I believe that any factory reply from the Minister. Recently Government that sought to eliminate free I asked a question about waiting time at the hospitals would court disaster. Ipswich Hospital for people who required In the campaign preceding the Federal operations, and I implied that the waiting election held last Saturday, a lot of rot was time for certain people ranged from five spoken about Labour's policy and its effect to seven months for non-urgent operations. on free !hospitalisation in Queensland. In reply the Minister took great pleasure in informing me that the waiting time was Mr. Chinchen: Explain it to us. only three months. Last year I asked similar Mrs. JORDAN: I repeat that a lot of rot questions because the same situation existed and propaganda was spoken in this sphere. at that time and I received replies of the same kind from the Minister. Surely he did The cost of hospitals accounts for a big not think that I made up the story or took proportion of the estimated expenditure, a haphazard guess at the length of the waiting namely, $33,250,000. Last year's Vote was time. The truth of the matter is that a overspent by almost $2,000,000; but I have number of people who experienced long no criticism to offer of that for I believe delays asked me to try to obtain earlier that the health of our people and the services appointments for them. I shall cite the case required in the field of health are of the of one patient who was given an appointment utmost importance. In addition, natmal for a spinal operation on 10 January, 1970. increases in cost whittled away the allocation That date was given to the patient when and this wil! apply again to the increased she was examined on 23 July, 1969, so Estimate for this current financial year. the delay was far greater than three months. My question and the Minister's reply were Very often people do not realise the reported in the local Ipswich paper, "The importance of good health until they lose Queensland Times", and the husband of the it. . Then, as ·they search for help, they lady concerned was so annoyed that he realise that good health is much more sought publicity on the suppression of. !he important than affluence. So we should not true facts. He even went on a televisiOn reduce the State's expenditure on health but pro<>ramme. Following representations-and rather continuously expand the whole field the" hon. member for Ipswich East was of health services. This does not necessarily brought into the matter because the l<:dY mean increasing aiready huge expenditures was one of his constituents-her appomt­ because I believe ·that much can be done ment was altered to 9 October, 1969. A to improve services by reorganisation and number of other people who were required good husbanding of our financial resources. to wait about seven months for appointments Over recent months a good deal of criti­ were indignant at the distortion of truth by cism has been levelled at the Health Depart­ the Minister in his reply reported in "The ment, and some of it justified. Indeed, Queensland Times". It may be that the there are so many sections in the department Minister was not correctly informed on the that it would be impossible to consider every situation. I would like to think that that detail or everything that we believe needs to is so and that his answer to me was not dis­ be done. The money that is spent is not torted deliberately. always well spent, and when deficiencies Mr. Tooth: Everybody agreed that those and poor services to the public are reported the Minister should indicate that he will operations were not emergency operations. look into them instead of pushing them under the carpet and pretending that they Mrs. JORDAN: They were not emergency do not exist. operations but were what are called "cold" operations. Like the Deputy Leader of the Opposition I believe that an independent inquiry should Mr. Tooth: They were public patients. 1260 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mrs. JORDAN: They were public patients. cleverly worded to convey either interpreta­ Such treatment does nothing to create con­ tion. That was quite smart, really, but not fidence in the department or, indeed, in the very nice, and certainly it served no useful Minister. It detracts from the excellent job purpose. Maybe at the time I was not that is being done, although I have some suspicious enough; perhaps I was much too criticism to offer on a number _of facets trusting; that does not always pay in this in the department. game. Such subterfuge in no way helps the In the last session of Parliament, when Government or the people. I asked questions about the Ipswich hos­ In many areas shortages of staff and pital, I was a constant source of embarrass­ money cause shortfalls in service. The scheme ment to the member for Ipswich East, who recently announced by the Minister to bring at that time was secretary of the Ips,wich into hospitals younger girls to work as nurs­ Hospital Board, and he and I were not ing aides until they are old enough to always on very friendly terms. I know commence formal training will prove to be that some suspicion fell on him because it worth while. It will attract more recruits was thought that he or other members of to the nursing field and will provide an the staff were giving me the information. avenue of employment for some of our school-leavers. Some of them might other­ Mr. Tooth: I did not suspect it, anyhow. wise have been lost as potential nurses because of the time gap between leaving Mrs. JORDAN: Indeed, I think one poor school and commencing training as a nurse. chemist got the "shunt" because it was thought that he was giving me the informa­ I wish to deal now with some aspects of tion. the Division of Psychiatric Services. With the Recently, when the member for Ipswich changes that have taken place in the care East and I were travelling together by car of psychiatric patients and the allied high to Parliament House, he said to me-and rate of recovery now taking place, the public I am sure he will not object to my quoting attitude to such people is changing. him-"I know now where you got your Chal!inor Centre is in my electorate, and, {acts last year because people are now com­ while I do not pretend to be an expert, I ing to me about similar things and putting am interested in the work and in all that their problems to me, asking me to do is now being done there. I have visited something about them." That is how it Challinor Centre and viewed the new treat­ was, and I know that most members, par­ ment that has resulted in a change from ticularly city members, have similar experi­ custodial care to rehabilitation. ence. So it is with other things; much of the information we get comes from people A community auxiliary operates in Ipswich who have been affected by anomalies or to help at Challinor Centre. It aims to by what has been done by Government establish a sheltered workshop and some departments. "John Citizen" lets us know industrial therapy. It was pleasing to see about most of what is going on; he lets mention of the work of the auxiliary in the us know pretty strongly what he objects report. There has been a substantial increase to. It is then up to us as members to in paramedical staff, and social workers are try to do something. Some of these matters now doing a fine job there. However, it may be unpleasant for us, as I found last seems to me that there are still not enough year, but it is useless to run away from doctors to cope with what is needed. One either asking the question or giving the doctor to 150 patients is not enough, ans'\ver. especially with the high incidence of sickness, notably amoebic dysentry. Towards the end of October last year I criticised the gross overcrowding at the I asked a question recently about that Ipswich Maternity Hospital. Very shortly disease. The Minister admitted that its after, in a speech, the Minister informed incidence was as high as 10 per cent., and us that the Ipswich Hospital Board had he said it went as high as 50 per cent. been ad>~ised to submit plans for necessary in certain situations in other countries. The extensions and facilities at the hospital. At nursing staff are disturbed and fearful of that time, I think the paper had barely being infected by the disease. They are hit the desk in the secretary's office telling concerned because, quite often, days elapse him to prepare the plans. The Minister without examination of infected patients by informed me of it by letter of 25 October, doctors, and they feel that more regular and Ipswich was happy with the announce­ examinations and inspections should be ment. Criticism died away as we awaited carried out. the 40 extra beds we thought we were getting in the Ipswich Maternity Hospital. Imagine I ask the Minister to look carefully into our surprise when, in July this year, we this matter. I am not talking simply for learnt that the extension provided only four the sake of having a "go" at him. Like extra beds. Even the hospital board was many people at Cha!linor Centre and upset. On 25 July I wrote to the Minister members of the general public, I am greatly in protest and I am still awaiting a reply. concerned. Many of the infected patients On re-reading the Minister's original letter have been transferred to the Ipswich General of 25 October, 1968, in the light of the sub­ Hospital. I have been told that there has sequent revelation I realised that it was been quite a high death rate. Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1261

.I. 'Yas pleased to see, in the report of the cannot afford to place him in a private DivlSlon of Welfare and Guidance, one sen­ nursing home, nor can he stay with her tence, under the heading "Wilson Youth because her parents' house is already over­ Hospital," reading- crowded. She has applied for a Housing "Recently more extensive services have Commission rental home, but so far has had been undertaken at Karrala House." no luck in obtaining one. Last year's report on Karrala House was There are many such patients at the Prin­ cess Alexandra Hospital, most of them young ~uch longer and more detailed. That institu­ tiOn, and the treatment of the unfortunate men, and their rehabilitation and housing and misguided girls who were sent there present quite a problem. In South Australia left much to be desired. I feel that my there is a Housing Trust welfare village at crusade on Karrala House was justified. Mitchell Park, at which housing in 26 fiats That one sentence speaks for itself and covers is provided. There are family units and a go?d deal. I hope that the improvement will single units specially designed with furnish­ contmue and that good results will flow ings and fittings to cater for paraplegics and from it. other handicapped people. Doorways are w!de enough for wheelchairs to pass through This leads me to say something on the With ease. As the number of such cases is need for more half-way houses for those who growing in Queensland, I commend to the have been rehabilitated from Wolston Park Minister the provision of similar accommo­ and Lowson House. I have discovered cases dation in an endeavour to help such unfor­ who have had difficulty becoming part of tunate people. th.e community once more, particularly those Without relatives or with relatives who do Finally, I wish to make some reference to not want them to stay with them. Many the Department of Children's Services and of them have had an institutional condition­ the tremendous job that is done by the ing, some for many years, in orphanages or director and his staff. I feel that what children's homes and then, because of other difficulties there are in this work cannot be laid at the door of the director and his staff, ina~equacies in coping with life, they end but are the result of the policies laid down up m Wolston Park. ~r Lowson House. Quite by the Government. Since the Federal Gov­ o~ten, th~se r~habihtated people experience ernment has provided some measure of finan­ difficl!lty m. bemg accept~~ in the community ~ial assistance, there has been an improvement an~ m findmg and retammg living quarters. This often becomes a nightmare for them and m the financial position of widows with they again lapse, sometimes into drug-taking. children and of deserted wives, although in Some of them were, initially, drug takers. some cases anomalies have arisen and They try to. remove the stigma that many families have received less than before. Some ur:sympathetrc people who lack understanding in Housing Commission homes have lost still attach to them. For some patients it rental rebates, and they, too, are worse off is a vicious circle from which they cannot than they were. As the hon. member for ,escape. Nudgee pointed out, in some cases the import­ ant concession of free textbooks has been Half-way houses, run as family homes with lost. a house mother in charge, could give such people a sense of security, and make the I feel, too, that the rule that ownership transition from institutional to general com­ of a motor-car prevents the granting of assis­ munity much easier. Such half-way houses tance should not be as hard and fast as it could also be havens for guidance and advice is now. I feel that there should be more when they are out on their own in the flexibility in this requirement, and that it community and again find themselves in diffi­ should be considered in the light of each culties. From what I have seen in this field person's transport needs and costs. I know I believ~ that, unless such half-way house~ that cars "eat" money, but time itself will are l?rovr?ed; m.any former patients will again prove to each person concerned whether the reqmre mstrtutwnal care. possession and running of a motor-car is economic and suitable to her circumstances, Recently, through an unfortunate accident and necessity will, in the great majority of that happened to a son of a friend of mine, cases, make her act accordingly. I consider I came to know something of the sad cases tJ:~t the requirements are at present much too an? heartbreaks in the paraplegic ward at the ngrd, and that, in particular, greater con­ Pnncess Alexandra Hospital. A boy only 23 sideration should be given to those who live years of age dived into a pool last summer some distance from the city or from public and . dam.aged his spine. He is now a para­ transport. Many of them have to use taxis plegic, w1th no hope of recovery. His mother which can be very expensive indeed. ' is in receipt of a widow's pension, and she has Therefore, I ask the Minister to give some two other young children. She has no home consideration to that point and to treat on of her own, but is living with her aged their individual merits cases involving the parents. She has been informed by the ownership and usage of motor-cars so that hospital authorities ~hat before long her son the family concerned is able to have trans­ !fiUSt leave the hospital. The authorities also port available without too much expense. mformed her that, because of the intensive care that he must have, she herself could not Mr. Tooth: That will be done if repre­ possibly manage to look after him. She sentations are made to the Director. 1262 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mrs. JORDAN: I thank the Minister have been paid directly on a day­ for that tip. by-day basis to hospitals that were Mr. Tooth: The whole situation is flexible. handling compensation cases. In Queens­ The same thing applies to taxis. land, on the other hand, it is put into an account known as the Compensation Bonus Mrs. JORDAN: I have made representa­ Distribution Account. tions on that subject and have not been Beside this $7,250,000 profit, other money successful. from workers' compensation operations goes Mr. Tooth: Of course, he has to make a back into Consohdated Revenue. For exam­ judgment. ple, in 1967-68, about $1,170,000 was paid into Consolidated Revenue by the State Mrs. JORDAN: I agree, but I think that Government Insurance Office of Queensland the situation should be much more flexible. in lieu of income tax to the Commonwealth. I know of two cases in which the use of a That money, at least, went back into circula­ motor-car for transport Is important to tion. The State Government Insurance Office, people. according to the report of the Auditor­ (Time expired.) General, has over-all assets of $161,500,000. Undoubtedly this is a very desirable state, Dr. CRAWFORD (Wavell) (5.26 p.m.): but when one considers that in the other I have enjoyed the debate this afternoon. I States the sums I mentioned are used for the have enjoyed listening to the various opin­ purpose of financing hospital improvements, ions expressed by hon. members on both particularly improving staff and staff numbers, sides of the Chamber, and I have enjoyed this is a matter which should be looked at very much the contribution of the hon. very carefully. member for Ipswich West, particularly her As I have previously pointed out before in references to paraplegics and to half-way this Chamber, medical insurance will help houses for people who have been in mental appreciably as the recommendations of the institutions. I made some remarks about Nimmo report are implemented. For every the latter during my speech in the Budget 10 per cent. of our population who are on debate, and one could say a great deal about the lower-income scales and who are given the need in the community for para­ a basic standard insurance the State will plegic units. However, that would entail a receive approximately $1,500,000 to very detailed submission and is best left $2,000,000 annually on a bed usage basis. at the moment. If the entire population of our State could be As the Committee is discussing the Health handed this type of insurance, we would have Department Estimates, I think that some in the vicinity of $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 remarks relative to finance would be pertin­ additional revenue each year. I know this ent at this moment. On the basis of the will not occur in toto because it will not be money expended on health services in other practicable. However, the lower echelons parts of Australia, I have said before that of our society will have this insurance cover I believe an additional $30,000,000 would provided. If the entire amount from these be needed to make the expenditure on sources could be used, we would have, with health in Queensland comparable with that State Government Insurance Office funds, pertaining in the southern States. About 73 very close to the $30,000,000 we need every per cent. of the additional money would be year. spent on staff, and it would reduce greatly the Expansion of intermediate services in our shortages in nursing, medical and paramedical hospitals is, of course, a necessity. For staff from which Queensland has suffered some reason which has always escaped me, recently. the Health Department is not very keen to Mr. Hinze: Where do you suggest we expand intermediate services. As one hon. should get it from? member mentioned today, many patients throughout the State are willing and anxious Dr. CRAWFORD: Some of the money is to avail themselves of intermediate services, available already. In other States of Aus­ with their own doctors in attendance. At the tralia the workers' compensation insurance Redcliffe Hospital intermedia.te services mean organization is geared to paying for the that the patient concerned has a serviette with hospital bed. Through workers' compensation his or her tray. In Cairns a major building insurance, the community is responsible for project is proceeding and before the actual supplying money for the individual hospital building commenced representations were beds. That is facilitated through the claims made to the department to incorporate extra section of the Workers' Compensation intermediate beds. It was estimated by Department. doctors in Cairns, who found that their In Queensland, the last figures available, patients desired intermediate beds, that an for 1967-68, show that the profit from the extra $100,000 would flow into the hospital's workers' compensation section of the State coffers if the extra intermediate beds were Government Insurance Office was about provided in that one centre. $7,250,000, and that was a remarkable At the Royal Brisbane Hospital the inter­ increase on the $5,500,000 profit in mediate services drastically need expansion. the preceding year. In New South In the general section there are only 60-odd Wales or Victoria that money would beds. The Princess Alexandra Hospital has Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1263

a more adequate number of intermediate Dr. CRAWFORD: I do not know; I am beds but the position there could be improved asking. still further. A very large sum would accrue to the hospitals each year if these suggestions The Commonwealth grant was for building were implemented. new mental institutions. In Victoria, which has just under twice Queensland's population, Turning for a moment to fund raising and philanthropy, I believe money could be the grant amounted to $11,530,000, which is obtained from citizens. They would be pre­ more than four times Queensland's grant over pared to act as philanthropists if they were that period. Why has this occurred? approached correctly. I have mentioned Turning to children's services and child befor-e that I worked for a man in England guidance, I point out that the institution of who was a wizard at this type of fund child guidance probably gives greater service raising. One of his very worthwhile than any other institution to our community. activities was to entertain people who had On 29 May, 1963, the then Minister for money and to interest them in leaving it Health, the late Dr. Winston Noble, to an institution rather than to the Govern­ announced while opening a clinic at ment. He raised millions of pounds sterling Toowoomba that a child guidance hospital by simply engaging in that type of activity. would' be established in that city. In the One of the major amounts that we have same year he suggested also that a similar secured in Queensland came from Sir Edwin hospital would be established at Townsville. Tooth, whose estate has now been respon­ 'llhe citizens of North Queensland already sible for large-scale philanthropy in this city. suppoPt handicapped children ve•rY enthusias­ It was solely due to the offices of a leading tically, as I am sure hon. members from physician in this city that the Government that part of the State will agree. In effect of the day was persuaded to accept money a series of institutions for the C•are of for the Tooth lecture theatre and laboratory handicapped children, crippled' children, blind which are at present located in the Royal children and ·subnormal ·children have been Brisbane Hospital. established, with a total value of $1,000,000 I do not know why, but the Health and running expenses amounting to $400,000 Department appears to regard fund-raising as per annum. Those institutions are ve[y well an insult to its integrity. This attitude must supported by citizens in North Queensland be radically revised because, as I have said who have been active since: 1963-64 in urging in public many times, we are going to need the department to provide: a child guidance money raised in this fashion. At the moment hospital in Townsville. Their representations a vast building progmmme is proceeding have not been heeded in spite of the fact throughout the State. In a recent communica­ that in 1963 Dr. Noble announced that it tion, which, nn doubt, every hon. member was desirable to construct such a hospital. has seen, the figure of $36,000,000 was men­ Social work in the home has been the tioned. Although that figure is a very high subject of some comment recently. I think one, I wonder who decides the priority of the the hon. member for Ipswich West referred facilities that are needed throughout the to the matoter. In Brisbane the Children's State, as for instance, whether a new Services Department employs 40 ohild welfare children's hospital will be constructed in officers, of whom a small proportion are Brisbane or a new ward block constructed in trained in social work. The child welfal'e Cairns. I will be interested to hear the officers aim to alleviate the problems of Minister explain how priorities are assessed families and, where necessary, aJrrange for and by whom. the admission and care of children. Most My next point relates to the money made of those• officers are based in George Street, available by the Commonwealth in another Brisbane, and a few are at institutes in fashion. Over the last few years the Com­ Toowoomba and Townsville. All the child monwealth Department of Health has made welfare officers have to work from their money available to the States for the con­ central offices, which means that they spend struction of mental health institutions. a great deal of time in the cennral office Several people whose statements I am pre­ instead of in the districts that they are pared to believe have told me that Queensland servicing. The usual end result is that has not accepted its full share of the available they cannot visit their clients as often as money. I read the Annual Report of the they wish. To visit a client at the Gold Director-General of >the Commonwealth Coast, an officer has to travel 100 miles Department of Health for the year 1968-69 at a cost of at least $10 to do four hours' and found that the Commonwealth grant to work. Queensland for the period from 1955 to 1969 was $2,260,000. I point out that It is common for a foster home to be Queensland possesses 14 per cent. of the visited not more than once in six months. Australian population. By comparison, South It would be better to have the child welfare Australia, with 9.4 pe•r cent. of the population, officers working from district offices, the received a Commonwealth grant of size of the district being determined by the $2,630,000 during the same years. population. In that type of system there would be greater autonomy for the child Mr. Bromley: What would be the reason welfare officer and his team, the work would for Queensland's not getting its fair share? become more stimulative and effective, and 1264 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply more time and effort would go into work Hospital, and child guidance beds. In the with families and less into bureaucratic child guidance department, at the moment, procedures. there is a nine-months' wait in Brisbane and Some centralisation would still be necessary a wait of from four to six months in Towns­ for records and research. The child welfare ville for routine appointments. officers themselves are distressed because no It may be pertinent to note that Dr. Wright, real research is being carried out by the who recently resigned from the Townsville department. They are also distressed by General Hospital because children's beds the fact that personal records of the Depart­ were not available, has been replaced. In my ment of Children's Services are very poor Budget speech, I commended the Department and leave very much to be desired indeed. of Health on replacing him quickly, but I Another point about children's services, now understand that the new appointment is in general, is that there is a tendency all only temporary. I will be much happier when over the world-and I am sure the Minister I know that we have a permanent appointee will agree-for children's homes to accom­ in Townsville. modate only small numbers of children, with My next recommendation is that a com­ a house mother and, if possible, a father. mission for country hospitals be established, as a family unit. We should do a great deal outside the auspices of the Health Depart­ more, although I admit this is a very difficult ment, to co-ordinate priorities in these field because, as the Minister said today, we institutions. have a very large number of children who As I said in my Budget speech, the Sydney have to be institutionalised. The St. Vincent's Hospital is rebuilding. It is interesting to Home at Nudgee has 247 children. This note that the committee that carried out matter requires very urgent attention and the planning of the Sydney hospital com­ some worthwhile answers must be worked prised three people, namely, the director out. of a management consultant firm, the In Queensland, far too much emphasis is president of the Sydney Hospital who is a placed on the institutionalisation of children. senior physician, and the Professor of Clinical We need an augmented and well-orientated Science at the National University in Can­ service, with a great increase in the berra, who was formerly the Director of number of welfare officers. We also need a Medical Research in Sydney at the Kanamatsu campaign to attract and hold qualified social Institute. As I understand, that planning workers in the Department of Children's department had the right to "eo-opt" other Services. The organisation of the field work experts if necessary. In Brisbane, the planning should be rationalised by creating a network department for the Mt. Gravatt hospital is of district officers, so that the needs of the the present Director-General of Health and a '"clients" will come before the needs of the previous Director-General of Health. bureaucracy. It is interesting to note that, in recent times, Mrs. Jordan: This would work out cheaper there have been some innovations occurring in than an institution. New Zealand on private hospital financing. The health department in New Zealand assists Dr. CRAWFORD: I am certain it would. private hospitals financially because they There have been various difficulties in the relieve the strain on public hospitals. New guidance department, and I have mentioned Zealand has been providing this service since the urgent need for children's beds so that 1952. For the 1968-69 financial year, loans they can be institutionalised as patients under to private hospitals for buildings amounted the guidance of a psychiatrist. A great to $200,000, and for the current financial difficulty arises in the treatment of some year they are expected to exceed $600,000. of the children because they are neglected We have not in Queensland any concept even children, and a very high percentage of akin to this. However, we need to take them, about half, come from homes that serious cognisance of this progressive out­ we would regard as undesirable. Many look to alleviate the overloaded bed situation. of them also have electroencephalographic I repeat what I have said many times disabilities, that is, they have had brain before about free hospitals. 'J1his system damage at some stage, and very many of should now be retained in its entirety. I dis­ them do not know their parents. agree with my colleague, the hon. member for The important point is that these children Toowong, in this respect. I believe, as I have can be rehabilitated and I am assured by said before, that in time a system paid for the experts in this field that the work is on a bed basis by the Commonwealth Govern­ most productive if adequate facilities are ment, will spread throughout the country. It provided, and I consider this to be one of will not be the system we employ at the the really urgent priorities for our considera­ moment in this State; it will be one based on tion. At this stage, when we are dealing the Commonwealth Government paying the with money matters, the general recommenda­ money permanently through some form of tions would be, in my view, a new children's insurance scheme. hospital complex (which I referred to in I wish to make a short statement on health the Budget debate), a burns unit (which is and coronary artery disease, associated with essential for treating children properly), acute the recent controversy which has been raging psychiatric beds at the Princess Alexandra in this area on the relative merits of dairy Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1265 products and margarine-type products as was rather disappointed that he finished speak­ exemplified in vegetable oils. My interest is ing about "Eventide" without saying that in health, not the other aspects of this it was intended to build a new and modem matter. A recent publication from Britain establishment in which the inmates could sets out in great detail what has been be given the treatment and consideration that happening in an experimental unit in Sweden. aged people in the community so richly We must reach the stage very soon when deserve. these suggestions, proved experimentally, Although the manager, the assistant man­ absolutely, completely and utterly, will be ager (Mr. Sullivan), and the staff provide implemented, and the dairy industry and the a high standard of service, they and the vegetable oil industry will have to marry. inmates would be much happier if they were There is, now, completely incontrovertible accommodated in modem and pleasant sur­ evidence that vegetable fat is superior to roundings. Only recently in this Chamber I animal fat, but the two can be used together. referred in a speech to the modern hos­ Mr. Ahem: How much margarine is manu­ pitals and homes being built by church factured entirely from vegetable oil? organisations and similar bodies, and I said then that the "Eventide" Home should follow Dr. CRAWFORD: I shall tell the hon. the pattern of the hospital at Redcliffe, and member that at another time. the Masonic Home at Sandgate, which last Saturday conducted its annual fete. The The dairy industry will continue to pro­ residents of "Eventide" are entitled to a duce milk and butter, but some of the fat similar high standard of accommodation, and will be removed from those products and I hope the time will come when considera­ vegetable oil will be added to them in lieu tion will be given to replacing "Eventide" of the fat removed. It will come about that with a modern brick structure. linoleic acid, as vegetable oil, will be added to dairy products in place of animal fat. Every The Minister mentioned that a modern kitchen is required at "Eventide". I can vegetable fat is not suitable. For instance, assure the Committee that it is certainly coconut oil is completely unsuitable. The time for a new kitchen. The cooks and oils from safflower seed and sunflower seed kitchen staff do a wonderful job, but they are suitable. A combination of the two will do it under difficulties. A close watch is give us a most satisfactory product and the kept on hygiene and it is as good as it best of both worlds and we will retain the can be under the circumstances, but while very valuable protein from the dairy products. the kitchen has an ordinary concrete floor We will reduce our coronary artery disease it is impossible for those who are the drastically, according to these experiments, guardians of the inmates' health to ~am­ if we feed our population this combination lain the very highest standards of hygiene. from an early age. Even if the department does not provide a Mr. DEAN (Sandgate) (5.50 p.m.): No new building, I hope that it will not be long Estimates afford more scope for debate than before a new kitchen is built and all the do those of the Department of Health. necessary new utensils provided. Unfortunately, of course, in the short period I frequently visit the Royal Brisbane Hos­ of 25 minutes it is impossible to deal with pital and the Princess Alexandra Hospit~l, and all the ramifications of this very important at times the Mater Misericordiae Hosp1tal, to department, and consequently one has to see patients who have requested my assis­ deal with those aspects of health and medi­ tance with their private affairs. No doubt cal services in which one has a special interest. other hon. members have received similar At the outset, I think I would be recreant requests. The staff at those hospitals do a in my duty if I did not express gratitude marvellous job. I do not intend to condemn to the hon. member for Wavell for the them, but I condemn the powers that be refreshing atmosphere that he has brought for not training the staff correctly. to the Chamber. His presence is refreshing I shall not name any hospital in particular, not only in the contributions that he makes, because I have noticed in all the hospitals but in his forthright statements that are I have attended a considerable slackening in received with intense interest. I appeal the standard of care of the patients. For to the Minister to take cognisance in due example, a great deal of noise is created in course of what the hon. member says, because the wards. Although the persons concerned he is not only a professonal man but one probably do not realise what they are doing, with much practical experience in the field a good deal of loud talking takes place when of medical science. I congratulate him on people get together in little groups. That is his forthrightness, and again say that we only natural, I suppose, but I believe that should heed his advice on many aspects such noise is unnecessary in wards in which 0f health generally. sick people are lying in bed. It is evidence In presenting his Estimates, the Minister of a lack of training and a failure on the mentioned that great and important institu­ part of the powers that be to instruct the tion in my electorate, the "Eventide" Home, staff. I do not mean that they should stand which houses between 800 and 900 people. over the staff or bully them. The sister in The Minister made several references to paint­ charge of the ward would be quite capable ing and renovations carried out there, and of issuing the necessary instructions and seeing the !!

I assure the Minister that I will not be shire for four years on the Gold Coast fashionable on this occasion; I certainly will Hospitals Board. I know that there is a not he asking for an inquiry into the Depart­ waiting list in the out-patients' departments ment of Health, because I cannot see any in most of our hospitals, largely through reason for a public inquiry. I wish to put the hypocondriac, the person who continu­ the Minister at ease at the outset and extend ally visits a doctor. my congratulations to him and his officers. Mr. O'Donnell: What about the million­ At this time the Minister's department is aires who receive free treatments? attracting a good deal of public attention and I suppose there is every reason why it Mr. HINZE: I am not opposed to that. I should. Every year there seems to be a do not believe in being sectional. If one demand for an inquiry into the activities of person is entitled to it, every person is a major department. Last year there was a entitled to it. demand for an inquiry into the Department The hon. member for Albert and I are of Education, and the year before a demand proud of the Gold Coast Hospital. At pre­ was made for an inquiry into the Department sent, there is a delay of approximately 12 of Lands. Before that, it was the Department months in the obtaining of dentures. It of Transport. was longer, but it is gradually being reduced. If people want a free dental ser­ Mr. Newton: They were badly needed. vice and are prepared to put their names Mr. HINZE: The hon. member says they on a waiting list, it is up to them. All were badly needed. If he thinks that there demands can be satisfied given enough is something wrong with the efficiency of money. One hon. member said this after­ every one of our departments, perhaps we noon that all we need is another $30,000,000 should employ a firm of consulting econo­ and he suggested a philanthropic way of mists or efficiency experts to inquire into raising that sum. He has a good deal to the various aspects of the administration learn if he thinks we can raise $30,000,000 of our departments every year and report a year as easily as that. to Parliament. However, I cannot see much Dr. Crawford: That is not what I said. purpose in suggesting an inquiry into the Department of Health. Mr. HINZE. It sounded like it to me, and I was listening. From the multiplicity of duties carried out by this department, some problems must I thank the Minister for making some arise from time to time. The Minister, the land available at Miami. Director-General, and the officers of the Mr. Tucker: Why did you threaten to resign department listen to the criticism voiced by from the board? Opposition members, and it is the duty of Opposition members to bring these matters Mr. HINZE: The Gold Coast Hospitals forward. I commend the Deputy Leader Board? of the Opposition for pointing out last week Mr. Tucker: Yes. some problems that had arisen at the Towns­ ville General Hospital. It was obvious that Mr. HINZE: I never did threaten to he had done his homework. Any hon. resign-never in my life. Somebody must be member who considers he has a problem pulling the hon. member's leg. should raise it in the Chamber and then, if I wish to convey my thanks to the Minister the Minister and his officers cannot answer and his department for advising me last week it, it might be necessary to have an investi­ that some $30,000 had been made available gation of some kind. With our present for land for a hospital at Miami. It is system of freedom to say what we like in an ideal site. The present hospital at South­ the Chamber, I cannot see that there is any port services an area extending approximately need for the inquiry that some hon. mem­ 20 miles from Coolangatta to Southport, bers seem to be concerned about. then another 16 miles farther north to about I could not agree more with the hon. Pimpama, and west to the hills. Quite member for Sandgate, who said he hoped a large area is serviced by the hospital. we never give away free hospitalisation in It has 113 general beds and 33 maternity Queensland. We are the envy of every beds, making a total of 146. The average other State in the Commonwealth. If there daily occupancy is 116, of which 87 are is one thing an affluent society should do, it general cases and 29 maternity cases. is assist people who need health services. On the Gold Coast also is the Glen This is what Queensland did many years Pacific Private Hospital at Narrowneck. ago. I am certain that we do not intend Unfortunately those who own it have put to do anything that will affect this system. it on the market for sale, and if it is sold We are proud of it and we believe that we its 40 beds will no longer be available. It are providing a wonderful service for those has an average occupancy of 20, so, if it in need. We must retain it. is sold, 20 people will have to seek accom­ There must be always some problems in modation at the Southport Hospital, which a system of free hospitalisation. Today an will mean that the hospital will be completely hon. member listed some of them. I repre­ full. Recently the hon. member for Albert sented the City of Gold Coast and the Albert and I have been told that approval has Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1269 been given for the addition of a new wing Working on the basis of four beds per to the Southport Hospital to accommodate 1,000 of population and a population at 35 pati~nts. But delay, of course, always present of 66,000, the number of beds now occurs; 1t takes two years from the granting required is 264. The existing bed accommo­ of approval to completion of the work. It dation at Southport hospital is 146, with a is easy therefore to imagine the position planned final extension of 35 beds, and rthis on the Gold Coast when the new wing is indicates a current shortage of 83 beds. It is agreed tihat the population in 20 years finally completed. will be 264,000 or, say, 266,000. At four Across the border, the Tweed Heads beds per 1,000, that indicates that 1,064 beds Hospitals Board has been in existence for will be required. The agreed estimate of 40 years. It has made representations to average population is 66,000, which means the New South Wales Government over that 800 beds will be required over the that long period, and only in the last few next 20 years. The final bed accommo­ months has the New South Wales Govern­ dation at the Southport hospital will be 181. ment decided to build a 46-bed hospital on Subtracting that Jirom the 1,064 beds ,tha't Greenbank Island. When that hospital is will be required shows that an additional built, I hope. the Queensland Department 883 beds should be provided. of Healt~ w11! not gain the im.Pression The recommendation of the consulting that there 1s no longer any need for additional a'rchitects is tihat one majol! hospital for 800 hospital accommodation on the Gold Coast. to 900 beds should be designed, to be built Hospital treatment is not free in New South in progressive stages at, say, four or five­ Wales, and if free hospitalisation is provided yearly interv,als, and located in the Burleigh for some people in Queensland it should Heads-Miami area. A programme under this be provided for all. I sincerely trust that heading might be as follows:- the construction of the hospital on Green­ :Beds bank Island will not make the Department of Health consider that there is no need Southport Hospital (when complete) 181 to proceed with the construction of the Ensuing 5 years, commence new hospital at Miami. Hospital-Stage I (including current shortage of 83 beds) . . 283 A report submitted to the Gold Coast Hospitals Board by the architects to the Next 5 years-New Hospital- board, Messrs. Conrad & Gargett takes Stage II 200 as a basis an estimated present population Next 5 years'-New Hospital- of 66,000 on the Gold Coast. On a figure Stage Ill . . 200 of four hospital beds to each thousand of Final 5 years-New Hospital- population, the present requirement is 264 Stage IV . . 200 beds, or 118 more than the 146 now provided at the. South port Hospital. With the proposed Total beds required over this extensiOn at the Southport Hospital, the period .. 1,064 nl!mber of beds available will be 181, which is st11l 83 fewer than the number required for I bring t'hese figures to the notice of the a population of 66,000. Everyone knows, Mini:.ter and officers to indicate ,the need of course, that although the permanent Ibis population is 66,000, there would never to give serious consideration to planning for be a day when the influx of tourists does the future in the Gold Coast area, which not lift the population to 100,000. There­ has the fastest growth in population in the State of Queensland. I accept all the fore, the Minister and his departmental offi­ arguments relative to ,the demands made on cers can see that an increased allocation of funds for hospitals on the Gold Coast is the Department of Health and the require­ urgent and necessary and that planning for ments that it has to meet; I accept that a second hospital should begin. there is a shovtage of funds. However, I suggest to the Minister, on behalf of my The engineers of the Gold Coast City electorate, that it is necessary to look ll!head. Council, in designing sewerage works, have In int'roducing his Estimates to the in mind a possible increase in popula

the rest of the world in the latest develop­ giving his services to the State of Queensland; ments in surgery. I congratulMe the doctors and I want to make sure he is honoured and the officers of the department concerned, for it. and I believe that every member of the On the administrative side, I pay tribute Government will join with me in commending also to our secretary, Jack Casey, for their efforts. the good job he has done for the Gold Coast. As I mentioned earlier, it is 20 miles He was the first secretary of the hospital and from Coolangatta t'O Southport. The point he has done a wonderful job in building I wish to make is that people, particularly it up. pensioners, living '"t the extreme southern end In 1960 the allocation of funds for total of the State who wish to go for out-patient expenditure by the Health Department was treatment now have to travel by bus-there $38,300,000. To indicate the Government's is, of course, no railway-and in some recognition of the importance of this instances it is che,aper to pay for private department, every year since then there has medical attention than to tmvel by bus to been an increase. It is not enough, of course, the hospital at Southport, spend a to satisfy everybody in the Committee, but considerable time there,. and then return to the following figures show an increase in CoolangaHa. This is another real argument every year. The amounts allocated were- in favcour of doing something concrete in the very near future about planning the Year $ major hospital complex that is required, 1961 42,200,000 particularly as the funds have been made 1962 42,900,000 available for the purchase of the land. 1963 46,600,000 With the Christmas season coming up we 1964 49,800,000 expect a population of about 150,000 on 1965 52,800,000 the Gold Coast and I think it is necessary 1966 56,400,000 that we secure the services of three additional 1967 61,400,000 junior resident medical officers to assist our local superintendent and his doctors and 1968 67,500,000 nurses at the Gold Coast hospital. We are 1969 73,100,000 proud of specialist services about to be made It must be agreed that the Government has available at this hospital, and we are at allocated increased funds year by year for present calling for the services of a gynae­ this very important department. Every hon. cologist and an orthopaedic surgeon. This member knows that there is only one cake will complete the seven specialist services to be divided between education, health, at the Gold Coast hospital. mines and main roads. Nursing sisters on the staff number 95. I wish to pay a tribute to the wonderful. I want to commend Matron Ward publicly. service that "Greenhaven" and "Keewarra" She comes from the area of my colleague Blue Nursing Services render to the Depart­ the hon. member for Roma. She had ment of Health. The former is in South­ a very good name before coming to the port and the latter in Coolangatta, and Gold Coast area and she has lived up to it people on the Gold Coast are extremely there. She is a wonderful person with the proud of those two institutions. The Minis­ interests of her patients, as well as her ter has referred to the subsidies paid to them nursing staff, at heart. I publicly acknowledge to carry out hospital care of aged persons. that we on the Gold Coast are being well If our society is an affluent one, as we served by this wonderful person. claim it is, aged persons should be properly cared for. Church organisations, with the I wish also to commend the superintendent, aid of the State and Commonwealth Gov­ Dr. Joe Taylor, a dedicated man if ever ernments, perform wonderful services to assist I saw one. He has a residence adjoining the the Health Department. hospital and lives for nothing but his work; I am concerned at how a thrifty hospitals apparently he does not think about anything board that saves funds is not given authority else. Some men who come into an area to spend those funds but is required to repay become involved with service and sporting them to Consolidated Revenue. That is not organisations but not Joe Taylor. I am sure a good practice. Hospitals Boards should be I have the backing of my colleague the hon. given more authority to spend funds. People member for Albert when I say that Super­ who constitute hospitals boards are concerned intendent Joe Taylor is possibly one of the with the betterment of health in their areas, best doctors in Queensland. and usually a board comprises two representa­ Mr. Carey: He could build a medical tives of local authorities and two or three empire for himself in private practice. people appointed by the Minister. Every service that they provide is on behalf of Mr. HINZE: The point my colleague makes the Health Department, and they are proud is a good one. It is quite true that in to be appointed to a hospitals board. private practice Joe Taylor could make Mr. Davies: Don't you think that the possibly twice as much money as he does Government v.as foolish to sack the Labour now; but he is a dedicated person; he is man from the board? Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1271

Mr. HINZE: I didn't know that it had (iii) Moneys transferred from the Hos­ sacked the Labour man. pital Motherhood and Child Welfare Trust Hon S. D. TOOTH (Ashgrove-Minister Fund. for Health) (7.53 p.m.): At this stage I (iv) Collections of the Manufacturing should like to reply to a few of the com­ Dispensary. ments that have been made. Unfortunately These also go into the Housing Administration it is impossible to deal with the wide Trust Fund in addition to the amount which variety of comments, so many of which are is transferred from Consolidated Revenue. of great interest. I do not want to trespass unduly on the time of hon. members so The amount of the difference between the I shall deal with only a few. expenditure of hospitals and the total of the The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the collections in (i) to (iv) that I have just hon. member for Townsville South said-- mentioned, is met from Consolidated Opposition Members: Townsville North. Revenue. Mr. TOOTH: Townsville North. After all, For 1969-70 the position of the Trust it was an accidental compliment, I suppose. Fund could be summarised as follows:- However, he referred to the expenditure of $ $33,265,251 on hospital services and com­ 53,175,580 plained that that amount was insufficent. ( i) Estimated expenditure [ shall not argue with him on the sufficiency ( ii) Estimated collections 22,863,929 or otherwise of that amount, for I have (iii) Transfer from Consoli- already gone on record as saying that the dated Revenue $30,311,651 Government could use an increased sum of money both on maintenance and on capital The expenditure of $53,175,580 is subdivided expenditure. in the Trust Fund into three main headings­ It is quite obvious that the hon. member $ is confused about these accounts. Four years (i) Hospitals Generally $44,355,027 ago, during the debate on the Estimates of (ii) Interest and redemption $5,537,702 this department, I spent some time in referring to the Hospital Administration Trust Fund (iii) Manufacturing Dispen- and in indicating to the Committee the way sary, etc. $3,282,851 in which this fund is organised and arranged. and is $3,477,221 higher than last year's That is to be found in the 1965 "Hansard" expenditure figure, or an increase of 7 per at page 1666 if the hon. gentleman cares to cent. refer to it. I feel it would be a good idea to write into the record once again the back­ Of the total allocation for hospitals gene­ ground of this fund. It is rather interesting, rally for 1969-70, 46.22 per cent. has been because it has direct reference also to some allotted to the Metropolitan and Redcliffe subsequent comments he made about a Hospitals Boards and the balance of 53.78 per decrease in the amount of money being made cent. to country hospitals boards. available for hospital purposes. I would now like to draw attention to the Until 1962 the total amount spent on hos­ appropriation and expenditure figures for hos­ pitals was shown in this summary. The pitals as printed in the Estimates of Probable Hospitals Administration Trust Fund was established at the Treasury on 1 July, 1962. Ways and Means. The establishment of the Fund enabled In the summary of the Estimates of the expenditure and receipts from all sources Department of Health, on page 31, it can relating to the maintenance of State-controlled be seen that the amount of $33,265,251 has hospitals to be shown in relation to one been provided for hospitals from the Con­ another. In effect, it revealed the net cost solidated Revenue Fund, as I have stated to the State of operating its free hospital previously. system, that is, the amount of money that must be paid each year from Consolidated I should point out that included in _that Revenue towards hospital costs. That is the figure is an amount of $2,953,600 provrded estimated amount of $33,265,251. for payments to hospitals and institutions not controlled by hospitals boards. That Into the Trust Fund are paid-- represents an increase of $380,755 on last (i) All moneys received by Hospitals year's expenditure. This expenditure is in Board by way of patients fees and other respect of subsidy paid on public beds in local receipts, Commonwealth Hospital church-controlled hospitals and subsidy paid benefits in respect of uninsured patients and to community hospitals. There are a num­ medical service pensioners, and payments ber of those in the country. I am not sure from hospital benefits organisations for of the exact number, but I think there are insured patients in public wards, and also seven. This means that the amount provided Commonwealth Nursing Home Benefits. for State-controlled hospitals from the Con­ (ii) Moneys received by the department solidated Revenue Fund is $30,311,651, an from the Commonwealth for pharma­ increase of $710,663 on last year's appropria­ ceutical benefits and reimbursements of tion. This position is set out clearly on tuberculosis expenditure. page 35 of the Estimates. 1272 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

I am going through this so that it will be He said that the Commonwealth Govern­ written into the record. I realise that it is ment pays Queensland only 80c a day for a little difficult to follow these figures in uninsured patients in hospitals. Of course, this way, and it might be helpful to hon. that is perfectly true. But in the last few members if they are included in "Hansard". weeks the A.L.P. has been consistently mis­ To arrive at the gross expenditure figure representing the situation. A.L.P. members approved for 1969-70 for State-controlled have been going around the countryside hospitals, we must add to the figure of saying that the Commonwealth pays Queens­ $30,311,651 the receipts paid into the Hos­ land only 80c a day for public beds, whilst pital Administration Trust Fund from all it pays the other States $2 a day. That sources. As previously indicated, these was reiterated and reiterated to the point receipts amount to $22,863,929, making a where it was being stated as a fact, and, gross expenditure figure for State-controlled I am sure, was being believed by very hospitals, as opposed to all hospitals gener­ decent fellows who were A.L.P. candidates. ally, of $53,175,580. That figure is shown They were misled by their own propaganda in the footnote on page 31 of the Estimates. machine. I shall read to hon. members the various Mr. Murray: The Opposition Leader was sources of revenue paid into this fund. They saying that. are- Mr. TOOTH: That is right. My only From the Commonwealth- assumption on this matter is that they were $ $ being misled, because I am sure that they Hospital benefits 6,622,820 would not deliberately mislead the com­ Pharmaceutical munity. benefits 2,693,096 This so moved me that in the end I took Tuberculosis pains to have the matter clarified in Thurs- reimbursement 1,319,463 day's issue of the "Telegraph". 10,635,379 Honourable Members interjected. From hospital boards by way of patient payments and The CHAIRMAN: Order! I inform hon. other local receipts 5,105,000 members on both sides of the Chamber From Manufacturing Dispen- that I do not intend to tolerate this cross­ sary and Central Dental firing. Bulk Store 3,388,900 Mr. TOOTH: On Wednesday of last week, From the Hospital Motherhood an A.L.P. candidate whom I know person­ and Child Welfare Trust ally, and for whom I have a very high Fund (Golden Casket) 2,950,000 regard, reiterated that statement. I am refer­ Balance brought forward from ring to Mr. Len Keogh. It w~s per~ectly preceding year 766,650 obvious to me that he was bemg m1sled. Hospital board credit balances I therefore made a statement to the "Tele­ returned at 30 June last 18,000 graph", and, through the a~sistance _and courtesy of that newspaper, 1t was g1ven That makes a total of $22,863,929. Details reasonable prominence under a three-column of expenditure from the Hospital Adminis­ heading. In the "Telegraph" of Thursday tration Trust Fund are set out on page 97 last, under the heading, "A.L.P. claims over of the Estimates. hospitals 'untrue'," this appeared- This brings me to the question of the "A.L.P. suggestions that the Federal drop in expenditure to which the hon. Government was discriminating against member referred. This would have occurred Queensland in hospital benefits for p~b~ic somewhere about 1962 at a time when, bed patients were untrue, the Health Mm1s· instead of the total amount spent on hos­ ter, Mr. Tooth, said today. pitals being recorded in the summary, only " 'These statements border on political the amount of transfer from the Consoli­ dishonesty,' he said." dated Revenue Fund was recorded. In this way, of course, the other amounts were not [ repeat that statement now. I am reported recorded. This led to the particular prob­ further as saying- lem to which the hon. member for Towns­ "The truth of the matter is that in all ville North referred. States the Commonwealth pays 80c a bed day for uninsured patients and $2 a bed The hon. member referred to some of the day for insured patients." arguments that were used in the recent Federal election campaign. I have the feel­ That is the way in which it is handled every­ ing that he was rather anxious to put the where. Australian Labour Party right in the eyes Mr. Houston: How many are uninsured of at least the members of this Assembly. in the other States? Mr. F. P. Moore: He did not do a bad job. Mr. TOOTH: What has that to do with it? Hon. members opposite were talking Mr. TOOTH: He made a good effort. He about discrimination. was at pains to say what he said. Mr. Tucker: Isn't that exactly what I said? [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1273

Mr. TOOTH: That is what you said. Mr. TOOTH: I had every reason to. Let Mr. Houston: That is what everyone has me tell the hon. member what was done. been saying. Somebody nailed on one of my posters in Ashgrove the A.L.P. sign saying "Labour Mr. TOOTH: No. it is not. as I shall show Ministers will not use their position for in a moment. personal gain". In my opinion, that was an absolute scandal. I have never owned a Mr. Houston: When did you attend a meet· share in my life. ing and listen to what Labour members said? Opposition Members interjected. The CHAIRMAN: Order! When the Corn· Mr. TOOTH: I have more to do than that. mittee comes to order, I will call on the The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Leader of Minister and I will not-I emphasise that­ the Opposition will have a chance to speak allow any further cross-firing. during the debate, and I suggest that he take Mr. TOOTH: The advertisement headed that opportunity. "Inside Politics" was by Jack Stanaway, and Mr. Houston: Mr. Hooper-- in the fifth paragraph it read- "Did you know also that the Common· The CHAIRMAN: Order! If the Leader wealth Government provides a miserable of the Opposition continues to interrupt, 80 cents per occupied hospital bed to I shall have to deal with him. Queensland compared with $2 for every other State?" Mr. TOOTH: I went on to say in the newspaper article- That is the statement that I say is a complete untruth. "Our problem arises from the fact that only about 47 per cent. of Queenslanders I pay the Deputy Leader of the Oppos!­ carry hospital insurance." tion this tribute. I think he went out of h1s way to make the point he did because he has I went further and said- a reasonably tender conscience and he wanted "lf there is any discrimination it is in to correct the situation. favour of Queensland as the original inten­ Opposition Members interjected. tion of the Commonwealth to pay $2 was to assist public patients to pay their hos­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! pital costs. Mr. TOOTH: I am giving him the benefit "But public patients in Queensland have of the doubt. Apparently hon. members no hospital costs." opposite do not think he has a reasonably I made that statement so that there would tender conscience. not be any misunderstanding and so that the Mr. Davies: Do you remember the speeches unfortunate people who were being misled you made as a back-bencher when you into making untrue statements wouLd be able referred to members of the A.L.P. as Com­ to avoid doing so in future. But what did munists? we see in the next day's issue of the The CHAIRMAN: Order! "Telegraph"? On page 4, in an advertisement headed "Inside Politics" by somebody named Mr. TOOTH: If the hon. member is Jack Stanaway-- referring to speeches I made in which I said Mr. Houston: Don't you know him? that the A.L.P. was strongly influenced by Communists, I certainly did make them ..I Mr. TOOTH: No, I do not know him. Is still believe it, and I am prepared to say 1t he somebody I should know? now. An Opposition Member: From the Ash­ Opposition Members interjected. grove campaign. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The CHAIRMAN: Order! Mr. TOOTH: So much for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr. TOOTH: That explains something. [ have been wondering about the positively The next speaker was the hon. member .scandalous personal attacks that were made for Toowong, and the burden of his speech upon me in Ashgrove during the last State largely was that there should be an inquiry election campaign. It was, without doubt, into the hospital system. I say here and now the foulest campaign that I have ever been that I do not propose to canvass that issue. engaged in, and the personal attacks on me The Premier has stated that there will be a were a public scandal. I see now where they decision on it after this series of debates came from. on the Estimates has been concluded. Beyond that, I am not prepared to become involved. Opposition Members interjected. But there were some comments made by the The CHAIRMAN: Order! hon. member for Toowong that I do want to follow up. Mr. Bromley: I have been told that you Mr. Bromley: One thing was to do away bunged on a turn on election night. with free hospitals. 1274 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

Mr. TOOTH: The hon. member knows occasionally overcrowded when extra beds where I stand on that. are brought in, but the simple answer is that private hospitals can reject patients. They Mr. Davies interjected. are paying patients and they expect the care due to those who are able and willing to The CHAIRMAN: Order! I have pay. Make no mistake, they pay very we_!! appealed to the hon. member for Mary­ indeed for the privileges. But in the pubhc borough to desist from persistent inter- hospital we must accept patients if it is at jections. I will not warn him again. all possible. We try to reach a situat!on in which none are turned away or reJected. Mr. TOOTH: I want to refer to certain things said by the hon. member for Too­ I hope that none ever will b_e. I hope we will never reach the stage m Queensland wong. The first was that it is the duty of that is frequently reached in southern back-benchers to criticise. I would be the last to deny that. I feel it is the duty 0f States. In the southern papers we read of back-benchers to offer advice and criticism, people in dire straits and great physical ne~d and there is no objection to this. He then being sent home because no beds are avail­ went on to say that members of the Execu­ able in hospital for them. tive should not resent criticism. This, I feel, Mr. Harris: If you say that that do_es is also correct, but, by the same token, not happen in Queensland now, I can c1te members of the Executive have every right the cases of a dozen patients who have -indeed, a duty-to correct errors and to been sent home in the last week in my analyse anything that is said, particularly own electorate, and they should not have any criticism of the departments for which been sent home. they are responsible and which carries either overt or covert criticism of departmental Mr. TOOTH: I hope that the hon. mem­ officers. This a Minister should be able to ber will give me details of those cases and do. their full names and addresses, so that they Let me say also that he not only has this can be investigated. right to reply but I think he has the right Mr. Harris: Without any trouble at all. to make a reply without being subjected to Mr. Bromley: Will you promise that in abuse or personal insult. future they will not be sent home before I now come to the hon. member for they are properly well? Nudgee, who referred to the fact that we have this year-and indeed, had last year Mr. TOOTH: I will make no promises -more graduates in medicine than places at all. for them in the establishment of the Queens­ The hon. member for Ipswich East referred land hospitals system. This is so. We to the Queensland Industrial Institution for have at the present time, in prospect at any the Blind. As I have said, I do not want rate-what the final numbers will be I to trespass unduly on the time of hon. do not know-somewhere between 20 and members, but I do want to write this into 25 over and above the places available for the record. I want members to understand first-year medical graduates. But the Depart· the situation at the Queensland Industrial ment of Health accepts a responsibility for Institution for the Blind, particularly relative these young doctors. That is why we have to wages and conditions of workers. provided an extra $60,000 in the Estimates The wage rates I am about to giye are over and above what is needed for the payable to adult blind workers (other than establishment-so that we will be able to apprentices), plus the Comrr,wnwealth pens1::m, employ them as supernumeraries in hospitals as shown. These are mimmum rates wh1ch throughout the State. all must receive irrespective of their capacity After referring to certain wards in our to earn, and in a number of cases the great metropolitan hospitals that were over­ workers are not able to make any worth­ crowded-he spoke as if they were continu­ while return for these wages. That is a ally overcrowded-the hon. member fair comment. referred to the fact that when this happens Mr. Bromley: No, it's not fair. I will the area of floor space available per bed is deal with this later. less than we demand from private hospitals, and he asked was there one law for the Mr. TOOTH: Obviously in some cases State hospital system and another for private they are unable to do it, but they all get hospitals. It is true that these wards are this minimum wage. The following table shows the wages and other payments received by workers at that institution:-

Minimum Commonwealth Total Employees Bonus I Weekly Wage i Pension Income $ $ c $ Married men with sighted spouse .. I 33.05 15.00 60 48.65 Married men with blind spouse 33.05 13.25 60 46.90 Single men .. 1 33.05 15.00 60 48.65 Females .. 24.25 15.00 40 39.65 Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1275

The male basic wage is $33.55 per week of $2 a week to married men and $1 a and the female basic wage is $27.25 per week to single men and women upon retire­ week, so that it will be observed that all ment. This is in addition to the Common­ workers are in receipt of a weekly income wealth blind pension. in excess of the State basic wage in the Their working conditions are briefly- following respects:- Sick leave at the rate of 10 working days (a) Married blind workers (with :;ighted on full pay is granted in respect of each spouse) receive a minimum weekly mcome year of service. Sick leave conditions are of at least $13.10 per week in excess of the same as those granted to public servants the basic wage. Where the spouse is blind the minimum weekly income is $24.60 under the Public Service Act and regu­ in excess of the basic wage. lations thereunder. (b) Female blind workers receive a Extended leave on full pay is granted as minimum weekly income of $12.40 in follows:-three months on full pay for each excess of the female basic wage. 13 years of service, or six months after 26 years of service. (c) Single male blind workers receive a minimum weekly income of $13.10 in Three weeks' recreation leave per annum excess of the male basic wage. plus Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day on full pay are granted, in Mr. Bromley: That's poor consolation for addition to the other statutory holidays and the loss of their sight. any other holidays appointed under the Holidays Act, on full pay. Mr. TOOTH: I hope that the hon. member for Norman does not begrudge these people The hours of work are from 8 a.m. to these wages. 4.45 p.m. with three-quarters of an hour for lunch and two smokos of 15 minutes Mr. Bromley: You are the one begrudging each, and no Saturday work. them. You are fighting about the wages they get. Their wages are only peanuts. I intended to write this into the record in You have sight, but you can't see. considerably more detail but I realise that hon. members wish to take part in the debate, Mr. TOOTH: Other concessions and con­ and I do not wish to trespass on their time. ditions granted are- Mr. Bromley: They want to get stuck into Free railway passes to all blind workers you. at the institution to come to and from work each day if rail transport is used; Mr. TOOTH: And I wish to give the hon. A free railway pass within a 25-mile member for Norman an opportunity to get radius of Brisbane any time required; stuck into me. An annual free railway pass for them­ Mr. P. WOOD (Toowoomba East) (8.27 selves and their families to any part of p.m.): The Premier stated that he intends to the State during their annual holidays; use this debate to determine whether or not and there shall be an inquiry into hospital admin­ Interstate rail concessions for a blind istration. person and guide on rail journeys to other Mr. Bromley: He has not been here all States. day. Free bus passes are granted by the Brisbane City Council to all blind people in the Mr. P. WOOD: That is so. I do not know metropolitan area for themselves and guides. how genuine the offer was because we have This includes guide dogs. been debating this issue since a quarter to 12 and the Premier has spent remarkably little The institution provides a free braille and talking-book library consisting of braille­ time in the Chamber during that time. embossed books, disc-type records, and tape There have been, I think, 12 speakers in cassettes for all blind workers and for other the debate and, if we take a count on this blind people throughout the State. issue, we find that 10 favour an inquiry, one Talking-book and tape-playback machines is against, and one is sitting on the fence. are supplied to blind employees at half the As the Minister said he would not canvass actual cost. the issue, I assume that he is sitting on the fence. That means that, so far, about 84 A Christmas bonus is paid to blind workers. per cent. of members who have spoken want The Commonwealth Government grants an inquiry, and 8 per cent. do not want free wireless and television licences to blind one. Knowing the way in which the Gov­ workers and former workers of the insti­ ernment juggles percentages of voting support tution, provided the latter are pensioners. relative to electoral boundaries, the Pre­ A Commonwealth telephone rental concession mier will no doubt decide that 8 per cent. is also available to blind workers with private against an inquiry is a sufficient vote to telephones. justify not holding one. The State Government has granted a con­ I support whatever moves have been made cession of 50 per cent. on registration fees of towards a complete review of hospital admin­ motor-cars owned wholly or in part by blind istration, and many valid reasons have been pensioners. The institution pays an amount advanced in this debate. 1276 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The Minister said that he wished to give this respect. I think it was also due in other hon. members an opportunity to debate some respects to prodding from this side of this issue, but I point out that he spoke the Chamber. for about two hours this morning and for an The Maternal and Child Welfare Service hour in the Budget debate. He has spoken is undertaking an expanding role in this area. previously on hospital administration, and he I think that every hon. member knows the took 45 minutes in his reply to hon. members fine work that has been done for many who have spoken in this debate. He answered years by that service. The director and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the entire staff are dedicated people who are referred to the remarks made by the member doing magnificent work in many remote for Ipswich East, the member for Toowong, areas of the State as well as in the more and a few of the remarks made by the member populated areas. for Nudgee. However, many other members made good and telling points, and posed many Mr. Murray: Are you referring to Dr. questions, the replies to which I was awaiting McFarlane? with interest, but they seem to have been conveniently overlooked. Mr. P. WOOD: That is so. She is a capable and dedicated person. The resources Mr. Tooth: Oh, no! available to that service are completely inade­ quate for the great task of improving Abo­ Mr. P. WOOD: I suggest that an inquiry riginal infant health. is reasonable. Rather than traverse the ground The emergency proposals outlined by the covered by other hon. members, I wish to Minister include a grant of $15,000, which advance my specific reasons for an inquiry I take it is to provide, among other things, into hospital administration, based on the for the appointment of a promotions officer Government's indifference to Aboriginal child and some publications by him, films and health, and Aboriginal health. I do not know other things. If the Minister considers that that the Minister has a more serious problem one promotions officer, qualifications unspeci­ in the health services at the moment. To my fied, can solve the problems of Aboriginal mind there is no other problem that is more health and Aboriginal infant mortality, he serious or grave than this one. is very optimistic indeed. Yet in almost two hours that the Minister He said in his reply also that the Minister spoke on hospital services this morning, controlling the Department of Aboriginal he made one fleeting reference to the Maternal and Island Affairs was considering the and Child Welfare Service for introducing a appointment of one medical officer to assist service with the assistance of the Royal Fly­ with the problem. I do not know whether ing Doctor Service. He would have made the Minister has given it favourable con­ no other reference to this problem had he sideration or otherwise. One medical officer not, after the luncheon recess, and after an will be valuable but I doubt whether he opportunity to obtain some information. can be very effective in overcoming such a replied to some interjections I made before great problem. the luncheon recess. The maternal and child welfare sisters, I want to know, and I believe that the with the co-operation of the Royal Flying Minister and all other hon. members should Doctor Service, are visiting certain Aboriginal know, the extent of the problem of Abo­ communities once a month for a period riginal child health and Aboriginal infant of 3-! to 4 hours. They consult with the mortality. In the brief reference the Minister nursing staff at those places. If the settle­ made to this issue he said that urgent public ments are fortunate, they may have nursing health action is required. He gave absolutely staff. I know that the Department of Abo­ no indication in his speech today of what riginal and Island Affairs will appoint n~rs­ he considered to be urgent public health ing sisters to places such as Edward River action. He outlined some limited emerg­ and Mitchell River, but it is very difficult to ency measures that were to be taken in a find staff willing to serve in remote areas. matter I raised in a question some weeks ago. There are constant staffing difficulties, and There is a very serious problem. I think for lengthy periods many Aboriginal com­ that the measures the Minister outlined pre­ munities are without qualified nursing help, viously-not today-are completely inade­ let alone medical help. quate. We must recognise that this is a The Minister said in reply to a question large-scale emergency problem and that I asked that no visits were made by maternal emergency action is needed on a large and child welfare sisters to Hopevale because scale, not on the limited scale suggested by the Minister. The position with Aboriginal of its proximity to Cooktown. It is only infant health and Aboriginal child mortality about 38 miles from Cooktown, and the road -and in this I include Torres Strait Islanders there is not too bad. Would it not be more -in this State is very disgraceful indeed. reasonable for one sister to travel 38 miles to Hopevale than to bring an unknown The new measures outlined by the Minister number of children from Hopevale to the in his answer the other day were prompted Cooktown hospital? I think it would be to some extent by the work of the Queens­ a wise move to bring under the control land Institute of Medical Research, which of the Department of Health all the hospitals has been doing extremely valuable work in and nursing staff presently on Aboriginal Supply [28 OcroBER] Supply 1277 reserves and under the control of the Depart­ Aboriginal children, even statistically, nor ment of Aboriginal and Island Affairs. I to discriminate in any other way between am sure that that would lead to better them and other children in its care." administration. Mr. Ahern: Fair enough! The position of Aborigines on reserves is Mr. P. WOOD: Does the hon. member bad; the Committee should know just how think so? I think it is absolute nonsense, bad it is. Often there is supervision by because such statistics are kept in other fields qualified nurses, and other supervision of of the Minister's department. On the one a kind by people with other qualifications, hand, he tells me very piously-! hope that yet the Aboriginal infant mortality rate is the Minister does not take offence at that­ very high indeed. that it is not right to discriminate even Mr. B. Wood: You may not know that statistically; on the other, such statistics are Government nurses in the islands of Torres kept in subsections of the department under Strait receive half a day's training. his control. Mr. P. WOOD: I did not know that, and Mr. Ahem: Which ones? I am disheartened to hear it. I do not know Mr. P. WOOD: The Department of what the Minister for Local Government Maternal and Child Welfare. and Electricity is laughing about. . I am disheartened to hear that, and I do not Mr. Chinchen: Do you think we should think that it is anything to laugh about. keep Asians separately? While the position in Aboriginal and Mr. P. WOOD: Let me answer first the Islander reserves is bad, in what are known hon. member for Landsborough. I say that as "fringe settlements" the position is there are departments under the Minister's disastrous. There is no nursing or medical control that keep statistics of the type that the superviSion. There is little, if any, advice Minister piously tells me should not be kept. available for Aborigines and Islanders, On page 31 of the Annual Report of _the principally Aborigines. The seriousness of the Director-General of Health and Medical situation is simply not recognised. If we can Services appears the report on the operati~ns make estimates based on similar areas in other of the Division of Maternal and Child States, the infant mortality rate is 200 per Welfare and I quote this sentence from it- thousand of population, which is exactly 10 times the general infant mortality rate "The infant mortality rate in Aboriginal throughout Queensland. I asked, by way of a children continues to be high as investiga.: question to the Minister, what was the general tion at the individual settlements reveals. infant mortality rate in Queensland, and the That is precisely the information ~ ?ave been answer was 20.3 per thousand of population. trying to obtain from the Mm1ster ever That is the highest in Australia, alongside since September 1967, when I first as~ed that of Western Australia. Of course, as the him questions about Aboriginal mortality. Minister acknowledges, it is caused by the Statistics of the sort that Parliament should excessively high Aboriginal infant mortality be interested in are available. rate. Mr. Tooth: They are not available, and Does anybody really know what these you refuse to accept the truth .. They are statistics mean? I think it is our business not available on a Queensland-w1de basis. to know. I think it is the business of the Minister for Health to know what the Mr. P. WOOD: I do not want them on problem is. I think it is the business of a Queensland-wide basis. I wan~ whatever Parliament, and the Department of Health, figures the Minister has. In the !!!Stance to to know, too. Despite the sanctimonious which I have referred figures obviOusly are humbug of the Minister, I believe that available to give hon. 'members an indi~ayon statistics can be obtained-- of what is happening on some Abongmal reserves. I think that we ought to know Mr. TOOTH: I rise to a point of order. what is happening other than on Aboriginal I have been accused of sanctimonious hum­ reserves, and the Minister can get that bug. I take exception to that remark, and information if he wishes. He can get all I ask that it be withdrawn. sorts of people to give him information, and Mr. P. WOOD: I will withdraw it. Let I think it is absolutely essential for the me read what the Minister said in answer to Department of Health, the Mi!lister and a question that I asked some time ago. I Parliament to have that mformatwn. asked a simple question about Aboriginal Let me eo on to one further point. The children in the care of the Department Minister told me that Aboriginals and of Children's Services. I considered it was Islanders should not be segregated, even reasonable that the figures were not available statistically; yet there are hospitals . und~r but the Minister went on and said- his direct control in which segregatiOn JS "These figures are not available as it practised. I will not 2:::cept from the Minis­ is not considered desirable by the Depart­ ter a rebuke that I '.hould not ask questions ment of Children's Services to segregate seeking statistical information that may be 1278 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply segregated-! would not use that word, but on fringe settlements or any place where the Minister did-when there is segregation Aboriginal children are, and examine them in hospital wards in this State. and advise the mothers on nutrition and A Government Member: Where are they? hygiene; I think those are the two main problems. Mr. P. WOOD: If the Minister wants to know where they are, I will tell him. I This is a departure from the normal will not answer the interjection because I activities of the maternal and child welfare believe that the Minister knows where they service, where, generally speaking, people are. come voluntarily. I am suggesting that the service should go to Aboriginal mothers and Mr. Tooth: I do not know. infants and exercise close supervision of the care the mothers give their children. I am Mr. P. WOOD: If the Minister wants to not saying that the mothers

and by the Minister; but we must remember Mr. KAUS: The Queensland Health Edu­ that Mr. Porter speaks for a significant cation Council was established to promote section of the Liberal Party. There is a and extend health education. The council real threat to free hospitalisation posed by has a proud record of achievement through­ his views, which are supported by a number out the State and has given the lead to the of colleagues inside and outside of the other States on many aspects of health edu­ Chamber. cation, just as Queemland has on free My final comment relates to the Too­ hospitalisation. Most of the other States are envious of Queensland. woomba Base Hospital. This morning the Minister for Health seemed to take excep­ Mr. Lee: All of them. tion to what he chose to call a hullabaloo raised by the hon. member for Toowoomba Mr. KAUS: As I am reminded, all of West and me about the deplorable conditions them. in the medical block at that hospital. I can The council comprises representatives from assure the Minister that both the hon. mem­ a large number of bodies interested in health ber for Toowoomba West and I, without education, and they come from the Uni­ apology, will continue to raise hullabaloo on versity of Queensland, the Queensland ~hat matter. If the Minister was a patient Cancer Trust, the Australian National m that block or a medical practitioner Council of Women, the Australian Red required to work in it, or if he was mem­ Cross Society, the Queensland Radium ber for either of the Toowoomba elector­ Institute, the Department of Education, ates, I am sure that he would be raising and, of course, the Department of Health. almost as much hullabaloo as the hon. The council, under the chairmanship of member for Toowoomba West and I have Mr. George Healy, is to be highly corn­ raised. We will continue to raise hulla­ mended on the work it is doing so effectively baloo until the Government takes some in many phases of health. Attention should action on the matter. be drawn to an important aspect of the council's policy, namely, the concentration . Mr. KAUS (Hawthorne) (8.51 p.m.): It on the education and training of children 1s a pleasure for me to be able to enter th" while they are still of school age. debate and to support the Minister's remarks. For quite a number of years the council has had a textbook in use by teachers in Mr. Davis: Do you support the call for primary schools titled "Subject: Health", an inquiry? which has been completely revised in recent years. The primary school syllabus provides Mr. KAUS: I do not. There is no for one lesson a week, from Grade 1 to necessity to have an inquiry. Of course, Grade 7, for the teaching of various aspects the hon. member for Toowong is entitled of health. to his opinion, as I am entitled to mine. I do not support any inquiry into the hospital Each year, a particular aspect of health is system; as a matter of fact I am in favour highlighted and special teaching notes and of free hospitalisation in Queensland. This publications are sent to schools. Some of Government has improved the system since the special projects have included "Safety ~t took office, and it will continue to improve at School"; "Body Care and Grooming"; Jt. "Dental Health" (which is very important to youngsters toda0 ); and "Coughs and I should like to reply to a few of the Sneezes". remarks of the hon. member for Too­ woomba East. I suggest that he make a Before the break-up of schools for the few more visits to the North to see the Christmas-New Year holidays, which is only conditions that prevail there. I have been a few weeks away, teaching notes are pro­ to the North on numerous occasions and vided for a lesson on the prevention of ~oun~ the local people, particularly the drowning accidents. This lesson is given mhab1tants of the Torres Strait islands to in the country as well as in the metropolitan be the healthiest that I have seen. I w~uld and coastal schools because there has been not mind living there myself. too high a record of child drownings in creeks and waterholes. I should like to deal now with the Queens­ land Health Education Council, and if hon. I know that the council is gratified by members opposite listen to my remarks they the response to this campaign, which has will learn a few things. meant a reduction in these unfortunate fatalities. This is the time at which kiddies lVIr. Tucker: We would be obliged if you should be taught, although today most schools would turn yourself up. have swimming pools, and children are swim­ ming at a very early age. However, when The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. they are away from their instructors, swim­ Ramsden): I would be obliged if the hon. ming in streams or in the surf, they become member would speak a little louder and if a little over-confident and, before they know other members would keep silent. it, they are in trouble. 1280 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

The Health Education Council also pro­ the community. I know that the Queensland vides primary schools with films on loan, Health Education Council is extremely and pamphlets and posters. In collabora­ gratified at the willing co-operation it tion with the Department of Education the receives from the publicity media. Without subject of health education has now been it, the council would be greatly hampered included in the new syllabus for secondary in its work. schools. This is presented by physical edu­ cation teachers as part of the periods allotted I understand that the council now has a to health and physical education. The coun­ film library of well over 1,100 16-mm films cil has provided a manual for the use of on health subjects. They are extremeiy teachers, and visual aids in the form of popular and are constantly out on loan to films, slides, pamphlets and posters are pro­ primary and secondary schools, women's vided to supplement the manual. organisations, voluntary youth organisations, hospitals and ambulance brigades for train­ I am sure that all hon. members will ing purposes, and many other agencies. agree with me that, in concentrating on the. young, the council is pursuing a wise During the past financial year nearly 6,000 policy the fruit of which will be seen in films were made available on loan and the the next few decades. council recorded a total viewing audience last year of approximately 298,691 people. Mr. O'Donneli: That book has been on issue for the last 20 years. Each year the council compiles an itiner­ ary for screening in country areas. I know Mr. KAUS: It is still doing a good that this service is warmly appreciated by job. I am not decrying it. local authorities and country residents. The most recent itinerary was of the South In addition, the council takes advantage Coast and Bm·nett areas, where 33 screen­ of all available media for the education ings were made to a total of 18,~53 peop.le. of people of all ages in matters of health. The council provides a film-lendmg service It has maintained a weekly issue of news articles to all newspapers in Queensland, for the country as well as the city, and it and it provides the Brisbane "Telegraph" is regularly availed of by local author!ties with articles for publication three times in the country. Full credit must be given weekly. Special articles are provided also to the local authorities for their interest in for metropolitan and country dailies. In health education, and particularly to health 1948 the council made an arrangement with inspectors who invariably offer their ready the commercial broadcasting stations for a co-operation to the council. five-minute recorded session once a week. This session, under the title of "Health in The council also assists the mothercraft the. Air" st.ill continues. In addition, many section of the Maternal and Child Welfare radio statiOns broadcast special written Service by conducting screenings for girls in "scatters". secondary schools in the main centres in Queensland. A similar happy relationship has been established with television stations in No doubt all hon. members have closely Queensland. Since 1959, when television examined the display at the Brisbane transmission commenced, the council has Exhibition each year under the title "The prepared a successful series of weekly Health Show". The location of this exhibit animated features, which have appeared on has been transferred to the Frank Nicklin the children's session on Channel 9 in almost Pavilion. The council has always mounted continuous procession. Filmed versions of a most attractive display covering a wide this series have been used by all country range of subjects such as diseases, pests, television stations. All films from the physical and mental health, personal cleanli­ council's I 6-mm. film library have been ness and home hygiene and safety. These sought and used by every television station. displays are important teaching adjuncts. Parents and citizens' associations can use Observant people will have _n<;>ticed .that t.he this material, and I think it would be a last display included an exhibit dealmg With good idea for them to use at their fetes hygiene in handling food, and that recent the council's Brisbane Exhibition display. exhibits featured displays on common gar­ den plants harmful to man, and poisonous Mr. Tooth: The council co-operates in all marine stingers including the box jellyfish. of these matters and is most happy to help. Health education displays at district shows Mr. I{AUS: Provided it is asked. are provided at Toowoomba, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Towns­ Press and radio and television stations are ville and Cairns. The council also pro­ to be congratulated on their public-spirited vides other displays at the request of local co-operation with the council in dissemina­ authorities each year, and these have been ting health education material free of cost. made available at Dalby, Warwick, Beau· No doubt they do this in the public interest desert and the Gold Coast. Similar dis· and with a feeling that in this way they are plays have been provided for use in the making a contribution to the well-being of foyers of commercial houses. Supply [28 OCTOBER] Supply 1281

In addition to providing displays and The Health Education Council now, of making films available, a considerable part course, collaborates closely with the Anti­ of the council's programme is the production Cancer Council of the Queensland Cancer of pamphlets, booklets and posters. These Fund, which in recent years has done so deal with virtually every aspect of health much good work on this important subject. and disease, and cover 133 different subjects. 1 was pleased to learn that it is not the Recent cancer campaigns have included an council's policy to broadcast them indiscrim­ additional drive through women's groups inately but to make them available only on to explain to them the need for examination request to interested persons or organisa­ from time to time for breast cancer and tions. They are made available at show uterine cancer and the prevention of skin displays through kindergartens, maternal and cancer in children. The council has given child welfare centres, doctors and dentists' much thought to the unreasoning fear of surgeries, and schools and voluntary organi­ this disease that has, on occasions, arisen sations. To give the Chamber an idea of in some minds. It has arranged with the the council's activities in this direction, the Director-General of Education for a special distribution of publications last year was lesson entitled "The Structure, Growth and as follows:- Abnormal Development of Cells", which is Pamphlets 2,409,268 given in the biology lesson of the first-year Posters 29,521 science course in high schools. To aid Booklets 54,668 teachers in this direction the council has Bookmarks 149,750 published and distributed a special booklet on the subject. A further important feature of the council's work is its education campaign to alert the The council has maintained a wide distribu­ public to the dangers to health in cigarette tion of sex education booklets. Some of these smoking. The council has been active on are made available to parents for their own this campaign since 1959, and has largely use and some are for them to pass on to directed its attention to school children from their children or discuss with them. A Grade 7 upwards. On this subject the special group of films on the subject is council has produced teaching notes, pamph­ maintained, and when these are screened lets and films for the use of school-teachers. it is at the request of a voluntary organisation The council has also produced a "smoking to supplement talks by qualified persons. machine". No doubt hon. members have The council assists all organisations working seen it at the Exhibition, and in many other in the field of sex education with films, film places. strips, and publications. Dr. Crawford: Have they investigated the Much more could be said about the incidence of smoking among school-children? council's work, particularly its campaign on specific subjects. However, mention should be Mr. KAUS: I cannot answer that one. made of the fluoridation of public water Whilst the smoking machine does not pro­ supplies. duce any strictly scientific conclusion, this ingenious device nevertheless does show in Mr. Bromley: Do you believe in that? a graphic way the amount of tar and other Mr. KAUS: Yes. It has been able to substances inhaled by the cigarette smoker. assist local authorities and the medical and Seven of these machines are now being con­ dental profession when the question of local tinuouslv demonstrated at all State and action has been under consideration. private "Secondary schools in Queensland. Mr. Bromley: Can you explain I have already referred to the special fluoridation? efforts that the council makes each year before school breaking-up time to warn Mr. KAUS: Yes, I can. Just look at my parents and children against drowning acci­ teeth-the result of fluoridation. Other cam­ dents. paigns have dealt with asthma, dental health, Health Week, resuscitation, venereal disease, I should also like to draw attention to immunisation, etc. the incidence of child accidents both in the home and elsewhere, which are too Before I close my remarks I should make common a feature of our modern way of some comment on the council's work in life. We read from time to time of young the education of young people, especially in children scalding themselves by pulling pot~ the dangers of drug addiction. Considerable from stoves. We read of children being prominence has been given to this matter poisoned by drinking kerosene or other sub­ in certain sections of the Press recently and stances which have been thoughtlessly placed the Government is fully aware of the possi­ in soft-drink bottles. The Health Education bilities that the habit of taking drugs of Council does all it possibly can to reduce addiction may grow here to the extent that this seemingly unnecessary waste of young it is growing overseas. A lesson entitled life, !lnd I know that it is repeatedly issuing "The use and abuse of drugs" is included warnmgs to parents and others through in the syllabus for Grade 10 in secondary maternal and child welfare clinics, kinder­ schools. For some years now the subject gartens, schools and other avenues. of drug taking has been included in the 42 1282 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

health education contained in the school Therefore, I question the concern this syllabus. Recently this has been brought Government professes for aged people and up to date in view of the latest overseas I query answers given by the Minister to trends. questions I asked about the increases in rates To help teachers advise students about drug put on pensioners since the increase in the abuse, the council has recently issued to all Commonwealth social service pension this teachers reprints of special reports on this year. subject. In addition, the council has printed The increase in 1968 was 70c out of the six publications for the education of both dollar increase in pension, and again in 1969, adolescents and parents. when the pension was increased by $1, the As well, 14 films on drug abuse have been rate was increased by 70c. I asked the procured, and to 30 June, 1969, these have Minister what departmental policy or formula been loaned on 166 occasions and screened was used in levying these increases. His to an audience of 7,090. The council has reply was- been active also in giving talks and lectures "The amount is determined from time to to groups. During the last financial year, talks were given to 52 groups comprising a time by the Commonwealth under the total audience of 5,180. Social Services Act." Mr. Tooth: That is right. While it seems that no serious drug pro­ blem exists in Queensland, it is comforting Mr. WRIGHT: Yet the Minister also pre­ to know that positive steps have been taken viously cited the tremendous cost per inmate to prevent what has already happened in other countries. I know, because I have been of $28.21 and led us to believe that this cost out with the drug squad having a look around was so great that these increases had to be Brisbane. It is quite an education. However, made. Yet, last year alone $69,522 less than the night I was out was very quiet. the original estimates was spent. Mr. Bennett: I should like to know where Turning now to other answers to questions they took you. given me by the Minister-and it seems that the hon. member for Toowoomba East and Mr. KAUS: The hon. member would be I have similar problems-on 20 August, 1969. surprised; we went into his area quite a I asked the Minister a question about the number of times looking at some of the boys number of inmates in "Eventide", Rockhamp­ there. ton. He told me 241. On 14 October, I believe that, if the public in general, and 1969, he advised me that the number was the young people in particular, are educated in 260. Maybe his mathematics are poor. the dangers of drug addiction and develop an This leads one to wonder if he is giving attitude of abhorrence towards it, such a misleading information and, if so, what is problem will be prevented in Queensland. his reason for doing so. The figures he gave In conclusion, I commend the Health me highlighted many of the anomalies in Education Council for its work and the Minis­ the Government's attitude and apathy towards ter for the lead he has given to the people "Eventide" homes. In the last 10 years the of Queensland in publicising from time to number of beds at "Eventide", Rockhampton, time the educational campaigns on specific increased by 34. However, in the answer to subjects mounted by the council. the question I asked on 14 October, the Minis­ ter pointed out that in the last five years Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton South) (9.15 only six more inmates could be cared for. p.m.): In rising to speak in this debate, I And he tells us that this is a very important should first like to refer to a statement made concern of his Government and his depart­ by the Minister this morning. He mentioned ment! the important part being played by churches and charitable organisations in caring for Let us remember that today one person in aged people. I agree that they are doing a every three can expect to reach the age of marvellous job. However, he went on to 75-and very shmily it will be one in two­ say that there still remains a need for the yet in five years "Eventide", Rockhampton, has State to play its part. That was the gist of" been expanded to take only six extra inmates. his remarks. So we have reason to question his statements. In addition it was found that there was a I question his sincerity and that of the waiting list at "Eventide", Rockhampton, as, Government in their attitude to "Eventide'» I have no doubt, there is at many others, of homes and I intend first to use the Estimates from three to six months for males and a to support my statements. minimum waiting period of six months for females. Again I question his "real concern" The appropriation for 1968-69 was for housing those people. $935,726. However, the cost of maintaining "Eventide" homes is said to have risen by I have talked to many pensioners in $45,327. The expenditure for this periocl Rockhampton and spent my time before was $866,204. It will be noticed that this the election discussing their problems with is $65,522 less than originally proposed. them. I found that a number of pensioners Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1283 in Rockhampton are paying up to $10 or $12 When I went to the estate one pensioner a week for rent. The inmates of "Eventide" welcomed me into her home, rather cagily, are required to pay their normal sum of and then she said, "I want you to go to money and then, in addition, to buy soap, So-and-so, but go over the back fence. We fruit and the other normal commodities that don't want the secretary of the estate to see they want. I found, too, that relatives of you." The second woman looked through the inmates went along to "Eventide" on every blinds as I was about to leave her house, to pension day to borrow a few "bob". So it is easy see if anybody was watching, and then said to to see that many pensioners are in a serious me, "Would you please go back over the plight, which we might call the pensioners' fence?" That was the first indication I had that plight, brought about by the attitude of this something was wrong, so I then found that Government in not providing homes for them. the secretary of the esta.te had told one pensioner to remove a refrigerator from her While I am on the matter of old people veranda because it was unsightly and that the senior citizens of the State, I should lik~ another pensioner, who had the courage to to comment on another home in Rock­ hampton for the aged, known as Talbot complain, had no maintenance work carried Estate. I am sure that members of the out on her cottage. She wanted the blinds Government are very proud of the previous fixed, but that could not be done. I then member for Rockhampton South, Mr. came across another woman who had allowed Pilbeam, who was always full of praise for a couple of people to stay with her one night Talbot Estate. I am sure that hon. members when they drove her back from the South, remember his speeches. If he was not talking and during the early hours of the very next about kerbing and channelling and bitumen morning, the secretary's wife was on her roads, he was talking about Talbot Estate. doorstep castigating her for allowing people However, I should like to point out a to stay in her cottage, which, by the way, number of the things I found out about the she had paid for. estate. Mr. Tooth: What do you want me to do Over the last six or seven months a number of residents on Talbot Estate, ministers of about it? religion and people in recognised organisa­ Mr. WRIGHT: I will tell the Minister tions have expressed their concern to me what I want him to do. about what is alleged to be going on in the estate, so I should like to acquaint hon. mem­ The implication here is that these people bers with a number of the problems that are so afraid that they will not say any· confront its residents. thing because they have no~h~re else t~ go. That is the implication, and 1t IS very senous. The President of the Pensioners' League pointed out to me that last Christmas the Mr. Tooth: What do you want me to do previous member for that electorate, Mr. about it? Pilbeam, set up a Christmas tree in one of the streets in Rockhampton and said that it Mr. WRIGHT: I will tell the Minister all was to raise funds for a pensioners' Christ­ about it in a moment; I want him to take mas. However, on investigation it was found action to provide better homes for these that it was not for the pensioners of Rock­ people. hampton but for Talbot Estate. The Pen­ sioners' League spoke out on the matter and, The CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask the hon. [ believe, moved a motion censuring Mr. member to address his remarks to the Chair. Pi! beam. Mr. WRIGHT: I will do so, Mr. Hooper. I should like to deal further with this estate about which Mr. Pilbeam was so I was told of another case in which one proud. of the residents of this estate went to hos­ pital. The secretary rang the hospital con­ Mr. Miller. Have you got proof of this? tinually to find out if she would be all right Mr. WRIGHT: I have got proof, yes. and would be able to care for herself when she came home. I was told of another Mr. Miller: I would like to see it. woman who had remarried, and her new Mr. WRIGHT: I am sure the hon. member husband was being pressured into paying for would like to see it. If he lets me finish he the cottage which, I point out, had already can do so. I am willing to table the been paid for by the wife. evidence and give the Minister the names I have proof, and I will name the organis­ of the organisations and the individuals con· ations if necessary, or if anyone wants me cerned. to. I shall point out how I came across this Government Members interjected. information originally, prior to my election to Parliament. A number of pensioners on Mr. WRIGHT: St. Vincent de Paul, Meals Talbot Estate rang me and asked me to go to on Wheels, and the Blue Nursing Service. the estate and obtain postal votes for them. Those are three to start with. 1284 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply

On investigation, I found that the pen­ all hon. members are well a\\ are, in the sioners were sneaking food to each other Church of England and the Catholic Church, because they did not want anyone to know only communicants can partake at the that they were sick. Lord's table. A Government Member: Rot! Mr. Ramsden: In other words he is an ecumenical? Mr. WRIGHT: That is true. They did so because the secretary told them that if they Mr. WRIGHT: I do not know what he is. could not care for themselves they would I think he is bigoted. have to get out. The point in all this is that there is an Mr. Lee: Who is the secretary? atmosphere of fear prevailing at Talbot Estate brought about and sustained, I believe, Mr. WRIGHT: A Mr. Stan Bedden. by the apathy of the Government to Mr. Lee: Not Col's brother? the needs of the aged. I asked the Minister many questions about the names of Mr. WRIGHT: No, but he may be some the people who controlled this estate. I relation to the Lee from Y eronga. asked who were the present members of the Mr. Bennett: He is more likely to be a local administrative committee and what relation of Pilbeam's. were the duties of the secretary, so that I might highlight this matter, but the Minister Mr. WRIGHT: Possibly he was selected told me that the information v. as not avail­ by Mr. Pilbeam. able. That may be fair enough, but I think it is time that this Government took some These people found as I did, namely. interest in these people. that there was an atmosphere of fear around this estate. Mr. Tooth: We mind our own busines,;: we have enough troubles. Mr. Tooth: This has nothing to do with the Health Estimates. Mr. WRIGHT: I realise that J!rom some of the Minister's Estimates. Mr. WRIGHT: It has a lot to do with them. If there were more "Eventide" homes, I now move on to school health services these people would know that they could and, in so doing, I commend the work done leave and go somewhere else. They would by the medical officers and school sisters, then have the courage to do something about but I question the coverage and breadth of it. But where can they go? In "Eventide", the work. The Annual Report of the Health Rockhampton, we have had an increase of and Medical Services of the State of six beds in five years. The Minister should Queensland for the year 1968-69 states that remember that Rockhampton alone has 111,993 children were examined. I decided about 2,000 pensioners who would like to to check on the 'total number of pupils in live in places like the "Eventide" homes. Queensland and J found that there were Mr. Tooth: You have a wonderful field 373,946. for developing aged people's homes up Mr. Hungerford: When was your count there; that is what you want to get into. up till? Mr. WRIGHT: We should iike to do that Mr. WRIGHT: August 1968. but we want some State assistance. We should like the Minister to accept his respon­ Of the 111,993 pupils examined, 4,662 sibility. were found to have visual defects, postural defects, lower limb defects, skin defects, Mr. Tooth: You will get some assistance: you will get $500 a bed. heart murmurs, etc. That makes me wonder how many of the 373,946 not examined have Mr. WRIGHT: We found that the Meals defects. o~ Wheels organisation was not allowed into this estate. We checked with the secretary I have had personal experience of some of the home and his wife, and found as his of those cases. A girl of seven in my school wife put it, that they did not encou~age it. had a serious visual and hearing defect. It These aged people, citizens of Queensland was not found until she was seven because because they live in this estate, do not hav~ that was when she was first examined. A the benefits that other citizens of Queensland boy of 10 had a lower limb defect which enjoy. was not found until he reached that age. I was told-and I am ashamed of this as A boy of 11 had a serious visual defect. a Baptist, since Mr. Stan Bedden is also The system lacks foiiow-up work. It a Baptist-that only certain church services lacks the means of examining those who are are encouraged on this estate. The Church of absent on a particular day. It has great EI_Igland and Catholic services are not per­ irregularity. mitted because Mr. Bedden has made it a prerequisite that he will allow church ser­ I spoke to the hon. member tor Logan vices in "his estate"-note "his estate"­ this morning. He informed me that the only if all people can take communion. As normal practice is for the children at each Supply [28 OcTOBER] Supply 1285 school to be examined once every two years. activities-! am speaking mainly of the Bris­ We looked at some statistics on the school bane Prison-are regarded as a privilege, dental services and we were amazed at what not a right. Approximately 30 of the 500 we found. Of almost 400,000 students, only prisoners at the Brisbane Prison are able 27,418, or 6.9 per cent., were examined by to take part in various activities that may school dentists. On the average, children help them. would be visited once every 15 years. I should like to point out to those who Mr. R. Jorres: Do you include State and might be wondering what this has to do denominational schools? with the Estimates of the Department of Health that this problem will be overcome Mr. WRIGHT: Yes, both. only if the services of psychiatrists, psycho­ logists, and social welfare workers are made It was also mentioned this morning that available in the prison. I have beard of the department has 16 officers and that five many cases-and I am sure the hon. mem­ vacancies exist. If the Government is really ber for South Brisbane could tell us of many, concerned about the health of school-children, too-of judges recommending psychiatric it will fill those vacancies. I should like to treatment for prisoners and of the recommen­ know how long the vacancies have existed. dation falling on deaf ears and no treatment T'he Rockhampton General Hospita} has being given as the necessary facilities are required an eye specialist for some time. not available. and needs a social worker. I und·erstand Mr. T(){)fu: You are talking nonsense. that •this is also the case in many other hospitals. Mr. Bennett: Mr. Kerr sometimes is not even informed of it when the papers go The hon. member for Hawthorne referred over there. to the tremendous amount of advertising undertaken by the council to educate childre:n l\1r. Tooth: You are talking utter non­ in health matters. One pamphlet he men­ sense. tioned emphasised the need for children to have a dental check every six months. Mr. WRIGHT: That is correct. Under the present system, a child is supposed Mr. Tooth: That is a lot of rnbbish. to be examined every two years, although, as I said, on the average, each child is Mr. WRIGHT: I believe that to be the examined every 10 years. Under this present position. The classification of a prisoner system of infrequent visits, it is no wonder at the Brisbane Prison takes up to 10 that the Minister can report that only 37 per minutes before a board consisting of a cenr. of children examined had sound mouths. psychiatrist, a psychologist, a welfare officer, This is an important part of education. and a member of the Prison Service. That The capabilities and output of children is the only part that those officers play in depend on their physical state of health. If the prison; they are never available when these children are to be cared for properly the prisoner needs them. If we are to they must have proper medical attention. I accept our responsibilities to prisoners, we ask the Minister to look seriously at the must orovide them with the necessary facili­ anomalies that exist in the dental health ties t~ overcome their social problems. service and the school health service. I noticed in today's "Telegraph" that Mr. Kerr, the Comptroller-General of Prisons, I had with me this morning the president of the Pensioners' League in Rockhampton, who states that a new prison for the strict treat­ asked me to comment on the fact that most ment of young offenders is a necessity. pensioners have to wait up to nine months to The CHAIRMAN: Order! I was hoping get a set of dentures at the Rockhampton hos­ pital. We suggested to one fellow in my area that the hon. member was going to deal that he go to Mt. Morgan because he might with Health Department matters. get faster treatment there. I believe that in Mr. WRIGHT: I am dealing with the some States a pensioner who cannot go to a role of the Department of Health in prisons. hospital goes to a private doctor-in this case it would be a dentist-and the bill is The CHAIRMAN: Order! Prisons do not sent to the Government. I ask the Minister come under the administration of the Depart­ to consider the introduction of such a ment of Health. scheme in this State. If the Health Depart­ ment could be billed by private dentists for Mr. WRIGHT: But psychiatric, psycho­ services rendered to pensioners, many hun­ logical and social welfare services do. dreds of pensioners would be saved the incon­ venience that they now have to suffer. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Chair will decide that. Finally, J wish to speak briefly on what I consider to be another major role of the Mr. WRIGHT: The Comptroller-General of Health Department. I refer to the rehabilita­ Prisons has referred to the need for a new, tion of prisoners. At present rehabilitation stricter prison. I am trying to point out 1286 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Supply that if psychiatric, psychological and social Mr. NEWTON: I will read to the Minister welfare services were available to prisoners, the report of some of the comments that such a prison would possibly not be needed. were made at the annual meeting of the Mater Misericordiae Public Hospitals. It Mr. Tooth: Let me tell you for your appeared in "The Courier-Mail" of 1 October, information that the Director of Psychiatric 1969, under the heading "Hospital's need Services sends members of his staff to the for more support", and it said- prison. "Administrators of the Mater Hospital Mr. WRIGHT: How many? last night expressed grave concern over the plight of the Mater Children's Hospital Mr. Tooth: I would not know that. unless greater public and government sup­ Mr. WRIGHT: I should like the Minister port were forthcoming." to tell me, because I do not believe that It continued- what he says is true. It is contrary to the "On an average more than 300 children evidence that we have. attend its casualty and out-patient depart­ In conclusion, the Comptroller-General of ments each day. Most of them medically, Prisons is reported as saying that many young or scientifically, are not very 'interesting' cases but they are really sick children." men are deeply indoctrinated in criminal tendencies. I believe that, with the help of Later it said- psychiatrists, psychologists and social welfare ". . . so pressing is the problem of the officers, criminals can be indoctrinated into Children's Hospital that it cannot wait the a proper attitude to society. The Health development of the adult hospital in three Department has an important role to play in years' time. prison work, especially in rehabilitation pro­ " 'Unless further financial assistance is grammes, and it is time this was acknow­ obtained from the Queensland Govern­ ledged. ment it can be forecast that the develop­ ment of an efficient pediatric service on the Mr. NEWTON (Belmont) (9.39 p.m.): I southside of the river will stagnate,' Dr. challenge the Government on the Minister's O'Callaghan said." statement ~arli~r tonight about hospital a_ccommodatwn m the metropolitan area, par­ Mr. Tooth: I thought you said they were ticularly the south side. It is quite evident going to close down? that the Government is not aware of the Mr. Cb.incben: It does not say that. true position. If it were, the Minister would have mentioned earlier in the debate the Mr. NEWTON: If the hon. member cannot very important subject of hospitals for sub­ read into this report-- urbs on the south side of the river. Hon. members know that the development taking Mr. Chln{!hen interjected. place there far exceeds that taking place on Mr. NEWTON: The hon. member for Mt. the north side of the river and that the north Gravatt is laughing. He should be more side is better provided with hospitals than concerned about the situation than any other the south side. I ask the Government to hon. member. Before the 1966 election the consider very seriously the discrepancy. Country-Liberal Government promised him a Comments made at the recent annual hospital. He is lucky that the people in his meeting of the Mater Misericordiae Public electorate have not protested and petitioned Hospitals indicate clearly how serious the him to find out why it has not been built. situation is at those hospitals, which play such Mr. Chlnchen interjected. an important part in the life of the people on the south side of the river. The news­ Mr. NEWTON: At least they are doing paper report made it quite clear that there something about it. All that the hon. member is every possibility that both the children's and is doing is interjecting, as he always does adults' sections of the Mater Public Hospitals in this Chamber, with no concern for his may have to be closed if more finance is not electors. He is trying to defend the Gov­ forthcoming from the general public and the ernment that promised these people a hospital Government. Some hon. members who have awav back in 1966. Another election has spoken earlier in the debate have said, "Thank been held since then, but still they have goodness Queensland has not reached the not got the hospital. situation that has been reached in southern States." However, it is knocking at the door The Government should wake up before and somebody should realise that and tak~ it is too late, and I am sounding a note of action before the situation in the metropolitan warning now on behalf of the people who run area deteriorates further. the Mater Public Hospitals. Mr. Tooth: Do you say that the Mater Mr Chlnchen interjected. Public Hospital is likely to close down? Mr. NEWTON: Give me a chance! I am Mr. NEWTON: Yes, I do. not taking any interjections from the hon. member. I want to get this on record and Mr. Tooth: On what grounds do you say give him the chance to answer it. After that? all, the hon. member on behalf of the Supply (28 OCTOBER] Supply 1287

Government claimed that there was no need know that similar conditions exist there. to worry about accommodation in the public It is entirely different from when Labour hospitals in this State. controlled the Princess Alexandra Hospital. This was a meeting of the Mater Miseri­ There were no beds up the centre of the cordiae Hospital and the Chairman of the wards then; they were not stacked one on Board, Mr. John Kelly, said- top of the other as they are at the present "Overworked staff and overworked time. Patients were not turned out before clinics create a situation from time to they were fit to go home, as they are under time almost beyond human endurance." this Government. Do hon. members opposite mean to say The hon. member for Sandgate and other that this is not a serious situation? What Opposition members have pointed out that is wrong with them? Let me read further- the Queensland Ambulance Transport " 'Faced with an expenditure of over Brigade provides a continual bus service in $6,000,000 from other than Government the metropolitan area to convey back to hos­ sources, in the adult hospital, what can pital for treatment people who should still the hospital administration hope in the be in hospital. What a shocking state of immediate future to do about relieving conditions in this hospital? One may also affairs! Yet members of the Government conjecture that a similar situation could have the hide to say that there is nothing also arise in the not too far distant future wrong with the State's hospital system. in relation to the Mothers' Hospital,' Mr. Mr. Chlnchen: Who said that? Kelly said." He has involved the public section of the Mr. NEWTON: We are condemning the children's hospital and the adults' hospital Government on behalf of the people of and he now queries what might happen to Queensland. For goodness sake try to take the mothers' hospital. a little bit of notice. I know that the hon. member is not dumb. On any matter con­ Mr. Lickiss: Do you know what that cerning Mt. Gravatt or the Belmont elect­ proves-that you can read a newspaper! orate he is always out on a lead if he thinks he can harm me, but I always come out in Mr. NEWTON: Well, isn't the hon. member clever? After all, that is all he has front. done here on many an occasion. He ought I shall revert to the Government's promise to take top marks. to construct a hospital at Mt. Gravatt. Mr. Tooth: That is all wrong, you know. Mr. Chalk: Don't get worked up. Mr. NEWTON: I am not getting worked Mr. NEWTON: Of course it is not all up at all. There is no happier person in wrong. The Minister comes in here and the Chamber than I am. It is no use my makes statements. He cried about somebody getting worked up; I would only get ulcers, putting something on his signs yet he did not and then there wouldn't be a bed in a hospital "go crook" when someone stuck the hammer for me. I will not get upset. and sickle on the House. Let me remind the Government of its Mr. Tooth: That's not right. election promise in 1966 to provide a hos­ pital at Mt. Gravatt. This is 1970, and Mr. NEWTON: Of course it is; it was a still it has not been provided. Look at the shocking indictment of Government members. assurance given to provide a hospital at The hon. member for Toowong was campaign Wynnum. director at the time and neither he nor any other member on that side complained about Government Members interjected. it. It shows what they will stoop to. The Mr. NEWTON: It was given by the then Minister tonight complained about what we Leader of the Liberal Party, Mr. Ken Morris. do or what Mr. Stanaway might do. They A Government Member: No. That's too should look to their own records. far back. Further in the report is this very important point- Mr. NEWTON: Yes it was. I will pro­ duce statements. " 'On the surgical floors the demand for beds frequently exceeds their supply and Mr. Sherrington: They have not even it is only by curtailing in-patient stays cleared the scrub from the site yet. that the work load can be handled. This curtailment is not in either the patients' Mr. NEWTON: That is true. If a member or the hospital's interests,' he said." of the Opposition asks a question about what is going on at the Wynnum site he That is very pertinent to Opposition criticism cannot find out what is going on. It is tonight of overcrowding in Government time that the Government looked at the hospitals. The problem is not confined to matter of providing community hospitals on the Mater hospital. Quite frequently hon. the south side of the Brisbane River. Of members on this side visit constituents in more. importance is the need for the Govern­ the Princess Alexandra Hospital and they ment to take steps to ensure that a children's 1288 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Questions

hospital is provided on the south side of the river. Irrespective of how Government members may joke about the matter, they have been warned that an extra hospital is needed on the south side to relieve the congestion at Brisbane's children's hospitals. I sound a serious note of warning about the position in our children's hospitals. It is about time the Government looked into the matter of acquiring land on the south side for a children's hospital to serve the fast-growing areas there. Mr. Chinchen: Whereabouts? Mr. NE\VTON: There are some very good sites close to the Mt. Gravatt hospital site and in the Belmont area. As the Govern­ ment has almost closed the Brisbane abattoir, I can get acres and acres of land that will make a beautiful hospital site. If the Gov­ ernment intends to build a children's hospital, the Belmont area should be con­ sidered, because so far almost everything has gone to the Mt. Gravatt electorate, and Belmont has got nothing. lVIr. Ch:a!k: It must be the representation. Mr. NEWTON: It is not the representation. Surely to goodness the Treasurer has heard me make my complaints time and time again about the deal I am getting from the Govern­ ment. It is through my complaints that I have got. over a period of time, those things that are necessary for the Belmont electorate. On this occasion I appeal to the Government to act on this important matter which affects people on the southern side of the Brisbane river. I should now like to deal with sackings of maintenance staff at the Princess Alexandra hospital. Any person who knows anything about any of the callings in the building industry would know, by looking around the hospital, that there is a need for a continuous maintenance programme at that hospital. Yet this Government, which has just been returned to office and which has just brought down another Budget, which it claims is better than last year's Budget, which was called the "Queensland's March to Progress" Budget-- Mr. Chalk: This is the "Away we Go" Budget. Mr. NEWTON: It seems the way we are going that before long there will be another dark and gloomy Christmas for the workers of Queensland because of the dismissals taking place at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. These men could be gainfully employed. They are carpenters, electricians and builders' labourers. They are all loyal men. At 9.55 p.m., under Standing Order No. 307 and Sessional Order agreed to by the House on 22 October, progress was reported. The House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.