lThursday. 9th November, 19781 454751

Perhaps the Opposition will be less co-operative on matters, if we cannot even gel decent replies to Thtirsday. the 9th November, 1978 questions we ask in Committee. For those reasons, although I am) still not opposed to the 'lhc PRESIDENT (the Hon. Clive Griffihbsi Bill. mny reservations are stronger than they were took the Chair at 2.30 p.m,, and read prayers. when the debate began.

RILES (6): ASSENT THE HON. G. C. MacKINNON (South-West- 12.49 p.m.I: I sait antI Message from the Governor received and read Leader of the House) a great deal of interest to a number notifying assent to the following Hills- listened with of matters discussed in the debate on ibis Hill 1. Pttblic Service Hill. because, as members will he aware. I had some 2, Acts- Amendment 4Puhlic Service) Hill. experience in the organisation of college con- 3. Shipping and Pitotage Act Amendment Bitt, mittees from the practical point of view. 4. Road Traffic Act Amendment Hill. There come,% at time when the only real answer 5. Consuimer Affairs Act Amendment Bill. to the question is the one which the Hon. David 6. iLaw Reform Commission Act Amendment Wordsworth gave in all good faith. His answer Bill. was that the way in which a particular policy is pursued by the party which wishes to pursue it QUESTIONS is by that party gaining a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly and thereby obtaining the Quest ions were taken ait this stage. reins of government. A number of options is CONTROL. OF V EN CLES (OF-B-OA?) always open to at person. One sifts through those AREAS) HILL.1 options and chooses one, almost invariably on re- commendation. The options are placed before the Receipt and First Readling Minister; the Minister selects the one which he Hill received from the Assembly; and, on motion or she prefers, and if nece.s-ary the Minister sends by the Hon. G. C, MacKinnon (L~eader of the it to Cabinet. That is the way things are done. House I. read a first timie. The attitude adopted by the Hon. Robert Hetherington wats, I thnugbt, pretty iconoclastic, COtA.ECES HtILL His attituide did not display at knowledge of even Third kRedinje the recent history of some of the college boards. THE HON. Q. C. MacKINNON (.South-West- The Hon. R. Hetherington: That certainly was not in tine with anything the Minister said. L~eader or the Houset 12.47 p.m.t: I move- That the Bill be now read a third timec. The Hon. G. C. MacKINNON: There are occa- sions when Ministers are reluictant to provide THE HON. R. HETHERINGTON (East Metropolitn 12.48 p.m.]: When I spoke in the information which is requested. There was some second reading debate on this Hill S said the bother the other day about exactly that sort of Opposition suipported it with reservations. This situiation when the Hon. Roy Claughton saw fit remains the case, bitt my reservations are now to read in this House a letter from a headmaster. stronger than they were when the debate began. The Hon. R. Hetherington: Do not try to What perturbed me abotut the debate was the wriggle out of that cine. cavalier way in which the Minister for tLands, The Hon. G. C. MacKINNON: I am not trying who wats speaking on behalf of the Minister for Ito wriggle out of that one. Since that time, my Education, rejected any suggestions pat forward office telephone has been jammed with calls from by the Opposition. He failed to answer any parents ringing to support the statement I made. questions I asked, and at one stage made the Most of' those telephone catlls have been anony- statement that I would learn that the Westminster motis. There has not been a single telephone call Model SLuggested that the people with the ntumber% in support of either Mr Claughton or Mr Nether- have their way. Certainty the way he treatedl ingt on. this Kill was at crude expression of the Use Of numbers, bcauise he offered me no argtument, The Hon, F. E. McKenzie: They have all gone: no explanation, or anything etse. to Mr Hetherington and Mr Claughton. If that is the best the Minister for tLands Can The Hon. 6. C. MacKINNC)N: If that is so. do then in future he can expect from me less they may have bud two or three calls. I ami stating respect than I have accorded him) in the past. the position so far as my office is concerned. 4752 4752COU NCt .1

The Hon. R. Hetherington: Your statement was Mr Hetherington interjected. disgraceful. The Hon. G. C. MaicKiNNON: I am not talking The Hon. G. C. MacKINNON: The most inept nonsense. This sort of thing is alien to the statement I think I have ever heard in this place member's cerebral processes. was the one which indicated that there would be The Hon. R. F. Clattghton: You are just talking no politics on the boards. I would like the Hon. rubbish. Grace Vaughan to speak about the politics- The IHon. G. C. MacKINNON: The Minister The Hon. R. Hetherington: That was not what was patience itself. He gave ample Opportunity I said: but of course you could not stick to the for discussion. A situation was reached where it truth. was pointless to allow the matter to go any further. The Hon. C. C. MacKINNON: I do not mean He gave a pragmatic and practical answer. party politics. I am talking about the sort of I commend the Bill to the House. politics within the framework of the actual col- Question put and passed. lege itself. Bill read a third time and passed. The Hon. R. Hetherington: I spoke about the college- APPROPRIATION BILL (CONSOLIDATED The I-on. G. C. MacKINNON: Mr Hetherintg- REVENUE FUND) ton is making sure that what he is -saying is Consideration of Tabled Paper recorded in Han-sard although nobody else can hear him. Debate resumed from the 2nd November. The Hon. R. Hetherington: I am saying that you THE HON. LYLA ELLIOTT (North-East misrepresented what I said. Metropolitan) [2.56 p.m.1: There is a number The PRESIDENT: Order! of matters I wish to deal with this afternoon. My first concern is in relation to housing. The Hon. G. C. MacKiNNON: I am not mis- No subject provides clearer evidence of the representing what the member said. I am just way in which a Government regards the impor- making a plain statement of fact. tance of the well-being of families than does its The Hon. R. Hetherington: You had better go actions and attitudes in relation to housing. The back and read the tirmiard report to find out- present Government should be strongly criticised The PRESIDENT: Order! on this issue. The relentless fall in the number of State Housing Commission homes being built is The Hon. 0. C. MacKINNON: I think the Mdin- absolutely scandalous. ister was patience personified- Let us look at the statistics. During the years The Hon. R. Hetherington: Nonsense! of the three Ton kin Government Budgets from The Hon. R. F. Claughton: All the Leader of 1971 to 1974 there were 2 254 housing units built the House is doing is giving a lot of misinforma- under the State Housing Act. If memnbers were to lion- make the calculation, they would arrive at an The Hon. R. Hetherington, Hie could not explain average of 75) units a year. In the four years of any of it, because he did not know what it was the Court Government, that Government has built about. only 1 161 units under this Act, and that figure averages out to 290 a year. It has dropped from The Hion. G. C. MttcKlNNON: I can recall a 751. This year, the Government will not build situation similar to this one. That occurred when any housing units at all under the State Housing the Hon. Gerald Wild was the Minister for Act. Labour. I-e was trying to amend the Arbitration During the three years of the Tonkin Govern- Act. There was a provision in the amending Bill ment, there were 3 543 units built under the Corn- with regard to voluntary unionism, nmonwealth and State Housing Agreement. In the Ihad a conference with unionists in Bunbury. fotir years of this Government, that figure dropped There was a man named Young at that meeting, to 2 689. In this year, the number built will be and he was totally opposed to that amendment. 313. He said, "This one will never get off the ground." Let us look at the statistics in relation to ap- I said, "it will, you know:' He said, "Our party plicants to see whether there is a continuing de- is not in favour of it." I said, "We are wasting mand, or whether the demand might have de- time talking about it." He agreed. It is a waste creased. Members may remember I asked a ques- of time talking about such things. tion recently in relation to housing. The Minister [Thursday, 91h November, 19781 454753 told us that at the moment there are 6 743 aip- The H-on. LYLA ELLIOTT: For Mr Oliver's plicants for the rental of homes, and 6471 ap- benefit I am pointing out that under both the plicants for the purchase of homes. There is Commonwealth and State Housing Agreement some degree of duplication in those figures. Some and the State Housing Act there has been a vast people apply both for the rental of homes and decrease in the number of State Housing Com- for the purchase of homes from the State Houis- mission units built; at the same time there has ing Commission. been a dramatic increase in the number of people I said on another occasion that the Federal on low incomes who require homes. Perhaps Mr allocation to the State for housing purposes this Oli.ver can understand that. year was disgraceful. That allocation dropped When I asked a question of the Minister a from $36.7 million in the last financial year to week or so ago us to the number of State Hous- $29.8 million for this year. ing Commission homes built last year, and the number it intends to build this year, I was abso- The difference in money terms is $6.9 million, lutely shocked at the figures supplied by the which is bad enough; but in real terms it repre- Minister. I shall not go through all of them. To sents a cutback of $10.8 million or 29.4 per cent. build 313 housing units in the present financial r would like to know, Mr President, what the year under the Commonwealth and State Housing State intends doing in this vital area of social Agreement when there are over 6 000 applicants welfare. How is it helping all those people on for rental homes, and to build none tinder the low incomes who need to be assisted with reason- State Housing Act, is really irresponsible on the able rents if they are to live in dignity with their part of the Government. families'? Why is not this Government building homes tinder the State Housing Act, as the Ton- When I saw those figures I thought perhaps that kin Government did? The annual report of the the Government may intend more People to State Housing Conission- acquire purchase homes, and that more funds would be made available through the home The Hon. 0. N. B. Oliver: in regard to 1972-73, purchase assistance account. So, I asked another there was an increase in the money available under question on notice as follows- the Commonwealth and State Housing Agreement. (1) How many homes were built uinder the The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I have just quoted Home Builders Account for the year the figures. 1977/1978? (2) How many homes is it estimated will The Hon. G. E. Masters: I cannot follow you. be built uinder the Home Builders Fund When I spoke last week yott said you could not during the current financial year? follow me. What do we find in the answer? Not only wilt The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I can follow the there not be an increase in the number, but honourable member. there will be another decrease from 492 last year to only 400 this year: this is a drop of almost To proceed, the State Housing Commi .ssion ZO per cent. annuat report for 1977 shows at page 29 that the percentage of tenants receiving rebates of rent I believe that the policies being followed by the has grown steadly from about 17 per cent in State and Federal Governments in respect of 1970 to 37 per cent last year. The report indicates housing are unbelievably Stupid. Surely, decent that last year the number of tenants in receipt housing is one of the most important factors in of a rebate of rent increased by 1 119 to 8752 the well-being of families. Lack of adequate hous- during the year. The number of unemployed ing can be a factor in family breakups, in ill- people and supporting mothers is not decreasing. health, in baby battering, in adversely affecting the education of children-just to name a few of The Hon. 0. N. B. Oliver: I thought you were the social ills. talking about the Commonwealth and State Hotus- ing Agreement. Probably the most seriously disadvantaged group in the community in respect of housing The H-on. LYLA ELLIOTT: I wish the hon- would be the Aboriginal population. Let uts look ourable member would listen to what I am saying. at some of the figures in this regard. They show that last year only 39 units were built under the The PRESIDENT: Order! I would like members Aboriginal housing scheme, when there were to refrain from engaging in audible conversation. some I 000 applicants on the books of the com- The H'ansard reporter is finding it difficult to hear mission. This financial year 45 units will be the member on her feet. built for I1092 applicants. In fact, it should be 4754 4754CN)INCII .1 noted that fuinds from the C ommonwealth permit house all Aboriginal people by 19X3. H-ad that the completion of only 30 anits this year. There been done, the situation totluy wotuld be a lot1 was a carry-over of 15 units from last year. better than it is.

The sit uation is reaching crisis point ;andi is The report sutms tip the groups which are tn getting worse, yet this Government fiddles around urgent need of shelter. '[hey inchld- building about 40) homes a year for these people Families awaiting SHC allocation, families when there are I 000 families on the waiting list. stiffering eviction and those in transit. These are only the ones appearing on the books Homeless women. It has% been estinmatet of the State Hoasing Conmnission; there are others that there are uip lu 200 homele"s women in who are no! shown in the books. They are peopte the EaHst Perth and West Perth ;areas ait con- living in the bush. tinder bridges, and with linti:. risk, from assault. reltative%-people who will not he accepted by the Stite Housing Commission for certain reasons. I he report goes on ito list other grou ps also in argent needi of shelter- T here is no shortage of hard, cold fact, to '[he sick and elderly. indicate to the Government the seriousness of the situation. In this regard one only has it, look at Yiting single mothers fromn 13 and] 14 years some of the amtthoritati ye reports that are avail oif ige- able. Fo~r example, if we look at the 1977 repo~rt The very mobile groups of girls ;andi boys ofl the Commissioner for Aboriginal Planning we aged It) to 18 years who leave honme to find he say- had this Ito escape home pres'tt~res or to seek excitement. Aboriginal housing remains an area' of very In add ition, it was siiggestet that there should great need-a recent survey indicating that he a hostel where thosec who are on parole coiikt the backltog now exceets t 1100. As the annual feel they are accepted; a hostel in the Medina demand is estimated to be some 225 homes homeless men with drinking and as the total funds available from all area for a group of problems: anit cheap rental acconmmodation in Sources do not anywhere near meet even this the Midland :area where there is acte over- need, the extreme serioasness oif the overall crowding 50 people were recently counted in sit tit in is evident. one dueplex. In addition ito those coimments by the ('omnis- sioner fi Aboriginat Planning (Mr (iare), the tn its summary andi recornendations. the lDe- joint survey that has been done by the Anglican part nent for Communaity Welfare special project and Uniting Charches, and the Strvey hy the team Said- Department for Community Welfare's special The work of the Special Project on Abori- project on Aboriginal homelessness. provide an ginal homelessness has shown that Aborigines abundance of evidence of the great needs and are serioasly disadvantaged in their accomnmo- biinan suffering involved. As Margaret Bradley dation needs in Perth. points ot11 in the publication entitled 'Making Room*'-- There are insuificientl numbers of govern- ment supplied conventional houses and hostels [he social systems that operate to Leer, ito meet the needs of families andi individtia Is the Aboriginal in a po)werless, posit ion aire seeking these forms of acconmnodsation. all interrelated and tisadvantage in one area causes disadvant age in another. e.g. a child Many subturhan houses arc grossly over- in a grossly overci'owdted hotisehold stitfrs, crowdted because of the shortage of acetin ill health which affects his schooling. which modat ion. affrects his chances of obtaining employment. Many fasmilies ani individualIs aire forced which in taurn will affect his chances of ohtain- to live without adequate shelter in parks. ing adeqtiiatc accommiodat ion later on. tinder bridges andi in fringe camps... I he report points tat that when the State Housing this aptly slums uip the sittition which is a (monnission took over I he homsing of Aborigine, disgrace to a so-called State of excitement. 't he I. om the lDeparinienl of Native Welfare in 1972 special project teanm suiggests major initialtives it guaranteed to donibte the I1It to 1201dwellings in the following areas a year allowed undlcr the Department of Native Wetlfare's progranmme for the Stat e- and, in fact. The development of a major government in the tirst 12 months climed to have housed programme in Perth to meet the shortfall 533 Aboriginal families -wilt, a commitment to in conventional ho~uses. (Thursday, 9th November, 1978] 475545

We will not get very far by building only 40 On the 10th August, in reply to a question by a year. The team also recommends- me to the Leader of the House, representing the Minister for Police and Traffic, I was told that Immediate action to provide temporary since 1973, 35 cyclists have been killed here. The emergency accommodation through- death of another seven-year-old a week or so (a) transient hostels for families; ago has taken that total to 36. The Leader of (b) serviced camping areas or "caravan the House also told me that, between 1973 and 1977, 1 113 cyclists were injured. The figures for parks" to replace fringe camps; 1978 were not available, (c) homeless persons centres for Abori- I asked another question as follows- gines and/or easier access to exist- (1) What action has the Government taken ing night shelters and lodging on the recommendations on pages 4 and houses which lend to discriminate 5 of the Cycleways Advisory Committee against homeless Aborigines. report dated August, 1975? Encouragement and financial support for The Minister replied- Aboriginal self help projects to provide hous- The Minister for Local Government has mea- ing and, as an immediate ameliorative appointed an advisory committee to sure, an information and advisory service to examine the whole question of bicycle be established in Perth for Aboriginal families use in the metropolitan area. and individuals with accommodation prob- I might add that this was three years after the lems. report was submitted. I would like to know In reply to a question I asked I have been told what the Government has been doing in the that the last recommendation concerning the meantime and why it did not appoint the commit- information and advisory service has been accepted tee much earlier, in principle. The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: How much has In part I of the report, on page 56 is the been spent in the State on cycleways? following- The INon. Rt. F. Claughton: Not very much. Aboriginal housing needs are desperate in Perth. The government housing programme The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: Nothing very much has simply not kept pace with the needs of by the Government, as far as I am aware, the growing population. The Hon. 0. C. MacKinnon: Bassendean built That is the situation. The tremendous amount of an expensive cycleway. work done by the special project team provided The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: Local authorities an abundance of evidence and a clear picture of have been spending money on cycleways. the problems and of worth-while solutions, The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: What is the total The Government is obliged to act on the recom- expenditure? mendations. Unless it does so it will reveal that I think it is about $250 000. the whole exercise was both a waste of taxpayers' The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I have not added money and a farce. up what the local authorities have spent. I amr The next subject with which I wish to deal is referring to Government expenditure. the need for cycleways in this State. On the The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: More has been 28th February this year, an item appeared in The spent per head of population in Western Australia West Australian indicating that Victoria was to than in Victoria. spend $1.6 million on bicycle planning. The The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: By the Govern- article reads- ment? The Victorian Government yesterday gave The Hon. 0. C. MacKinnon: Any Government the bicycle official recognition. The State -local government, State Government, or Com- Cabinet approved an allocation of $1.6 monwealth Government. million for a five year bicycle plan for Gee- long and set up a State bicycle fund which The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I am talking about will pay for a similar scheme in Melbourne, the State Government. Since that article appeared in the paper, several The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: You must talk reports have been published in Western Australia about what has been done, not by whom. concerning the number of cyclists killed or injured The Hon. Rt. F. Claughton: Some have been on the roads here. One of those was the son built with funds supplied under schemes initiated of a friend of mine. by the previous Whitlamn Government. 4756 4756KC)UNCII I

The 1-on. G. C. MacKinnon: I do not mind The use of a bicycle instead of a nsotorcar has, who provided the money. a number of advantages. For exampte, far less% would The ACTING PRESIDEN'I (the Hon. 1. G. have to he spent on freeways and car Pratt): Order! Will members pleae allow Miss parks. A total of 16 bicyctes can he parked in the space taken by one car. Travelling Eltiout to continue her speech? costs would be greazely reduced and fuet would be The Hon. LYLA EI.L-IOTU: Thank you. saved. rThe H-on, G, C. MacKinnon: The honouirable Only yesterday in my office I received a copy member was so wrong in the reasons concerning of a Press statement from the Federal Minister the other point that I thought I would correct her on that one too. [or National Development (Mr Newman). No doubt other members have received the same The Hon. l.YIA lil.l.IYl What did the Min- Press statement which reads- ister say'? New Statistics Emphasise Need for The Hon, R. I-, Claugbitsn: He was probably Petroleum Conservation wrong. The Minister for National Development. rThe Hon, t.VIA E.I.l.Ifrl: As usual the Min- Mr Kevin Newman, released in Canberra ister is mumbling so that only flansurd can hear. today his Department's publication "Pet ro- The H-on. R. F. Claughton: He was providing tetin Statistics" for the fiscal year 1977-78. more wrong information. He commented that the statistics, emphasised the need for a vigorous approach to petro- The Hon. [VIA EI.1IOTT: The second part icon conservation. particularly in relation to of the question was- the usage of motor spirit. (2) What fund,,. if any, have been allocated by the Government for [he esiablishmnil What better way to conserve motor spirit than to of cycleways in this Stale? have people who ride bicycles in safety'? The answer was- I will retttrn to somne of the advantages of The question of funding the estahlish- bike'riding. There is less noise Pollution and traffic ment of cycleways wilt be included in congestion, and it is good for our health so lng the recommendation% of the committee. as it can be done in safety. Doctors- tell us that I certainly hope it will not he another three years, Australians are becoming a fairly unhealhy before the Government takes- somec action to Obese race of people. and that we should get more ensure the establishment of cycleways in thle exercise. Ibis has been highlightled through the Stale. "Life. He in it" campaign. We are told to gct As I indicated when replying to an interjection more exercise, but it is not much use getting by Mr MacKinnon, I am aware that some local more exercise if one is killed in the process. authorities have done a little work in this area. Money is being spent by the State Governments hot it is not enough. A great deal more is Of Victoria, Queensland. Soitth Australia, and required. The project is proceeding far too New South Wakles on cycleway planning and con- slowly. To a large extent local aitthorities are struIction. Cycleways are well advanced in the dependent on Government co-operation and United States, Europe, and Britain. The reports assistance. with funding. They cannot provide I have read show that when cyctewatys, art' all the finance theiselves. established people take advantage of them. This has become an urgent matter and has. beer taken seriously throughotut other parts of In the United States there are six major sources the world. Suddenly it has been realised in the of Federal funds available for cycleways and affluent developing countries where the motorcLr related development. The FederalI Highway has been king for so long that the bicycle should Safety Act. 1966. provides funds for bicycle safety be given a chance, not only as% a form of trans- edttcation. The Federal Highway Act, 1958. pro- port. bttt also as an important factor in the health vides funds on a 901 per cent Federal and It) of the nat ion. I place expenditure on cycteways% per cent State baii for siomec projects, and on a in the samec category as many other preventive dollar-for-dollar basis for others. The L.and antt meastures, which would save the Government a Water Conservation Fund An,. 1955 and the Dle- great deal of money. Also it will reduIce the partment of Housing and Urban Development human suffering as a result of death and injury grant programmes also make provision for cycle- following accidents,, and wilt reduce the high cost wa.iys-. The Economic Opportunity Act. 1964, of hospiralisation and rehabilitation. provides jobs for young men between the ages of lThursday. 91h November. 19'714.471 4757

16 ;and 24 years in developing, managing, and The Hon. t.YIA EILLIOTT: I would [hint the protecting public recreation areas, including cycle cyclists in the honourable member's electorate I rails. would he mutch safer than the eyctists in mine. There are also State programmes. For example. The Hon. N. F. Moore: It takes a long time in Oregon, the 1971 legislation provides that not to cycle from L~eonora to Agnew. less than I per cent of funds received from the The Hon. H. W. Gayfer: I do not want to in- Slate Highway Fund by any city, county, or the terupt the honourable member, but we are finding Slate Highway Commission will be expended for it ;a little difficult to hear her. A little white ago the establishment of footpaths and hike traits. I thought she referred to "wise virgins" bitt ap- In Washington legislation athorises that ;a parentlly what she said was "wide verges'! portion of the Washington Highway Department's The Hon. I.YIA EILLIOTT: I am sorry bitt I funds is to be spent on cycle trails and cycle path have a sore throat. I am doing my best. development. In 1973 Florida introduced legisla- Another area which concerns me is the need tion ito provide that a portion of the State's petrol foir more Government support for sport in this tax would he used on the consdnhction and main- country. The Government should be aslittle more tenance of cycle trails and footpaths. Illinois. sporting towards Our sportsmen, who I believe ;also) in 1973. passed legislation that 1 per cent of have been very badly treated. petrol tax should be spent on the establishment. On the 101h October a statement appeared in designation, and maintenance iof cycteways and the sporting pages of Thea West Ausirotkwn. The faotpaths- Hawaii spends money fronm general statement was headed. "Sports face bankruptcy" revenue front the highway fund for bicycling -and it was ;a report of a letter from the President facilities. of the Confederation of Australian Sport to the I would like to refer to a report written by iDr Prime Minister expressing the disgust of that Peter Newman, a lecturer in enivironmental science Organisation at the miserable amount allocated by at Miurdoch University. He says- the Fraser Government to sport. It pointed out In the U.S. there are now over 130 mit- that somec associations will be bankrupted, others lion bicycliss; over half the population ride will be extr-emely frustrated, and still others wilt bikes. More bikes. than cars are now being not achieve their desired progre. sold each year-in 1974, 16 million were sold. In it. in addition to being told of the pooir What are they doing in link these cyctisis into position of sprting groups in Australia. it comi- the transportation system? From 1974-76 the pared the annual allocation for sport in this coun- Fedcral Governmentl provided $120 mitllion try of a paltry Wc per head Of popla~tion with that with an additional $40) milion fronm the States of Canada, $1.46 per head: and Britain. 47c per for building cycleways. Some 25 0t0l miles of head. separated cycleway have been bipitt. The Hon. H. W. Gayfer: Is that for the whole Later on in the same report he says, the bicycle of Canada? boom is on in Perth too with record sales by both The Hon. I.YIA F.I.IOTT: Yes. So there is naintfacturers and agents. It continues- no dotuht thai the rest of the world is leaving uts Pcrth is ideally suited for cycling, its ctinite way behind in the sporting area. One only has is perfect. Its terrain is perfect, we have wide to remember the humiliation Of our athletes%at roads and footpaths and wide verges, traffic the Montreal Olympkcs- density is never very great and we are a rich The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: I deny that. I city that sqtianders money in all directions do not think they were humiliated at all. I on massive roadway systems. All we need is thought they did a magnificent job for a country a new sense of priorities from those who with a population of 14 million. plan the futlure of Perth. The Hon. Grace Vaughan: I n relation to past I ask the Governmentl to develop that new sense achievemrents. of priorities and to ensure the early establishment 'rhe Hon. Q. C. MacKinnon: Bitt why rubbish of comprehensive facilities for cyclists in this them. I think they did very well: they certainty State. tried their best. The Hon. N. F. Moore:. I would sooner it The Hon, L-YLA E~tLLIOTT: I am realty talking spent the mioney on gravel roads in my electorate. about the ability of other sportsmen as a result The Hon. R. F. Clatighton: You think it is a of the support they received from their Govern- cawe of either/or, don you? ments. Surety the Minister is talking nonsense. 4758 4758COUNCIL]

The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: Nothing of the The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: Members opposite sort. should read some of the comments made by people The I-on. LYLA ELLIOTT: Surely the number directly involved in sport. For example, the of medals a country wins must be some indication Confederation of Australian Sport is not very of the standard that its sportsmen and women happy with the situation. They are the experts; have reached in comparison with those in other they are the ones who know what it is all about. countries. Australia has a very proud record in As I was going to say before I was so rudely international sport. I am very proud of our interrupted, one of the many line things done athletes and what they have achieved over the by the Whitlarn Government was to establish the years. Australian Sports Institute Study Group in 1974. The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: I anm glad I Its report, brought down in 1975, just prior to helped you put that into the record, because it that infamous event of the 11th November, 1975, didn't sound like that a moment ago. was hailed by the Press as being the "foundation stone for a healthier Australia, and The Hon, LYLA ELLIOTT:. The Leader of the a springboard for gold medals in the 1980s". House for his own purposes always twists what members of the Opposition say. He is not very This body, established by the Whitlam Govern- sporting. ment, brought out some comprehensive and worth- while recommendations about what the Govern- The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: I am only trying ment should be doing to support sport in Aus- to help you. tralia. However, like so many othef good pro- The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: God preserve mhe jects initiated by the Whitlam, Government it was from people trying to hinder me if the Leader soon relegated by the Fraser Government to a of the House is trying to be helpful to me! As position of little importance, and its allocation I was saying, our athletes have a very proud of funds was drastically reduced. record. I do not know whether members realise I would like to see the State Government this, but of all the countries that have participated strongly press the Fraser Government to provide in the 21 Olympic Games since the first modern sufficient funds to enable the recommendations Olympics was held in 1896 in Athens, only four of this study group to be implemented. If Aus- countries have been represented on every occasion, tralia is to regain its former status in the inter- and Australia is one of the four. The other three national sporting arena and is to assist young countries are the United States of America, Great people to develop into healthy citizens through Britain and Greece. It is very sad that Australia active participation in sport, the State and Federal has dropped so far from the position of being Governments must spend a great deal more money one of the leading sporting nations of the world on sport than they have in the past. to one which no longer is regarded as a threat I wish to comment now on another favourite in international sporting competitions. subject of mine; namely, funding for community The Hon. G. E. Masters: That is not true. It health services. Under the beading of "Health may be true in the field of athletics, but we still Services" the Treasurer referred in his Budget have a fairly good cricket team. The world speech to the reduction in Commonwealth fund- still holds us in high regard. ing of the recurrent costs of community health services from 75 per cent last year to 50 per cent The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT; That is not correct. this year. The Treasurer also complained about At the last Olympic Games, if my memory serves the drastic cuts in Commonwealth assistance to me correctly, Australia won only one silver medal meet the operational costs of school dental clinics, and about three bronze medals. Members should and slated that the reduction in fund ing "has look back at some of the fantastic records set posed a serious problem for the Government and by the sportsmen and sportswomen of this coun- it has been necessary to reappraise our Commit- try during the Olympic Games in Melbourne and ment to these servicce. elsewhere. Mr President, who was the person who con- The 1-on. G. C. MacKinnon: You are talking demned the Whitlam Government for its genero*- about only one sphere. Australia still has many ity in the areas of community health and welfare world champions. For example, we have the world spending? Who called it irresponsible extrava- female netball champions. gance, and whose constant smear campaign and The Hon. G. E. Masters: Surely YOU recognise carping about the Whitlamn Government's central- we have some world class teams in sports--not ism helped to bring that Government down? It necessarily in athletics, of course. was none other than the Treasurer (Sir Charles [Thursday, 9th November. 19781 475975

Court). He is now getting a taste of what so- weekly cost now Would be about $400; in fact, called federalism is like tinder the Fraser Govern- my calculation was verified by a person to whom ment. I spoke in the Mental Healh Services. If we Not. only the State Government has been em- multiply that weekly cost of $400 by 52 we barrassed by the Fraser Gnvernmcni's spending arrive at a figure of $20 800. In other words, it cuts in these areas: many State departments and costs $201900 to keep one patient in aI psychiatric community organisations involved in the com- hospital for one year. munity health and welfare field also have been If the 350 people GROW presently is helping pil in a difficult situaition, to keep out of hospital and in the commilt One Such organisation is GROW, which is at were to go to hospital for one year-the period voluntary group providing an extremely valuable for which GROW has been told it can have community service. I recently attended the annuail 530)000. with impossible st rings attached-the cost general meeting of GROW. 11 was formed '21 to the Government would be in the vicinity, years ago as a national body to provide stupport believe it or not, of S0 million. Just compare and rehahilitation for former mental health patients that figure with the miserable amouint of $300ont and to provide support for people who might he which has been offered ito GROW with strings sutfering from stress. Over the years. it has attached. helped thousands of people hack on their feet and Also to be taken into contsideration is the added into the community, and it has helped to prevent loss to the community of the social and economic: other people from "dropping out". contribution that wouild normally be matte hj CROW has 35 grotups operating in Western those who are hospitalised. Australia and about 350 people attend I am aware the State Government recently al- these groups week ly-alihougb they say 'some located $10 000 to GROW. and I applaud its, ac- 4 001) people throughout the Slate actually are tion. I was very pleased to see that conic about, involved in the association. bisi I would like the amount to be increased, be- When GROW first received financial assistance cause it wouild be estremely difficuilt for GROW from the Federal Government it was on the to raise the other- $2000t0. This orgainisition is basis of 90 per cent of its running costs. Then already talking about putting otT silf and having we saw the advent of Mr -raser, who soon cut to curb its. activities. Commonwealth spending on comnmunity health and welfare projects to 75 per- cent of their The 1977 Year BanAL reveal% the very dlisturbing ruonning costs; and, as member-, are aworc. this fact that in 1976 snicile Was the secondt largest year it has been callously prtinetd even furthes so killer of young people in Aus~trali between the only 50 per cent. ages of 20) and 24 yeairs. The greatest cause of death in this age group was roadt accidents. It is The Federal Government has told CROW this very sad and frightening to think that the pressuires year that it can have $30)000. bustonly if it can on yotung people today are so great that so mrnn raise $31)0000 of its own. This is prai~cally an of them feet uinable to cope, to the point wherc impossible task for Such an organisation. they take their own lives. The policy of progressively reduicing funding to Organisations like GROW are playing aI vei3 areas such as ibis not tonly is inhumane hut also important role in helping people suich as these. I is economically stutpid. I have stated in this believe this organisation should receive Al I he Chamber on more than one occasion that money help possible to enable it to continue its good1 work. spent tin preventive health measures and primary health care ultimately saves the Government far On the 201th September a statement appeared in greater expenditure. apart from the fact that ii the Dily' Newt's by the Minister in charge of ft is more desirable from the point of view of the 1501h year celebrations (the Hon. Q. C. Mac- human beings, involvetd, In other words, in the Kinnont that the Aboriginal hero. Yagan. s&.t, loing term the (movernment saves by supporting not important enouigh to wairrant aI commemorative these areas. sculpture. The Minister is reported to have said ii' that edition of the Dailr Neir- I want ito give an illustration of what I mecan. The last available report of the lDirector of Mentlal "TIhe government, acting on thc advice ot Health tells. us that in 1976-77 the average weekly local historians, had (decided Yagan a :is not cost to keep an in-patient in aI psychiatric hospital imiportant enouigh to warrant a commcmorau- was $333.20. 1 have not been able to obtain the live sculpnture. most tip-to-date figure. because the 1978 report is "There would always be argument about te not available. However. I have calculated this authenticity of Yagatn'-s doings." he said. 4760 4760(COUNCIL]

Just listen to what the Minister had to say fur- There is no specific project for the Aboriginal ther- race, or for the other races which have taken ",We are looking for something that will be part in the success of the settlement of a lasting thing, and Yagan is too controver- Western Australia. sial, We should bear in mind what the Leader of the "But the government is keen to have a statue House said on the 20th September. Apparently that is representative of the Aboriginal people he had forgotten that on the 20th September he for the celebrations." was reported in the Daily News as having said- On the 10th October I addressed a question to We are looking for something that will be the Leader of the House as follows- a lasting thing, and Yagan is too contro- ye rsial. In view of his statement that the Aboriginal But the Government is keen to leader Yagan was not important enough to have a statue that is representative of the Aboriginal warrant recognition in the 150th Anniversary people for the celebrations. Celebration, will he advise what plans the Government has to recognise the fact that As indicated the other day, once again the Leader Western Australia was inhabited by a race of of' the House changed his mind between the 20th proud independent Aboriginal people before September and the 10th October. the arrival of the Europeans? It was subsequently revealed in a Press release by Sir Pauli Hasluck in The Wesr A ustra liat of The reply was- the 19th October that he and his wife were the The Government has not forgotten that "local historians" on whom the Government was Western Australia was inhabited by the relying for advice. In his letter to the Premier Aboriginal race before European settlement he said- in 1829. In brief, we can see no historical ground I interpolate to point out that if one reads the for singling out Yagan as the one person who pamphlet "The Way West" one might get a very merits a statue in the sesqu icenten nary different idea. celebrations, The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon. I find it difficult Silting suespended fromn 3.46 leo 4.03 p.m. to follow you. Why do you not quote the best The Hon, LYLA ELLIOTT: Prior to the after- historians in Western Australia. Sir PalI and Lady noon tea suspension, I was referring to a letter HasI uck? by Sir Paul Hasluck which had been published in The Hon, R. F. Claughton: They are not in- The West Australian indicating he did not Support fallible. the idea of singling out Yagan as a person meriting a statue of him to be built for the The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon, In that area of celebrations next year. Since that letter was history of the State they are closer to the facts published there have been other letters by equally than anybody else. They are the best. distinguished people refuting his statements. The PRESIDENT: Order! Members are In the 12th October edition of The West Aux- reminded that there is a long-standing convention tralop, members will no doubt remember a letter in this House indicating that reading from news- which appeared, signed by Professor Geoffrey papers is out of order. I suggest that members, Bolton, Dame Mary Durack Miller, and Rica comply with that convention. Miss Elliott niay Erickson. proceed with her speech. 'The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: Are any of those The Hon. LYLA ELIOTT: Perhaps I should people in the same class as historians as Sir Paul repeat what I have said, in case the matter is Kasluck? taken out of context. In answer to my question the Leader of the House said- The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: They are very The Government has not forgotten that reputable people. Western Australia was inhabited by the The Hon. G_ C. MacKinnon: That is not the Aboriginal race before European settlement question I asked. in 1829. The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: They are reputable The Leader of the House then went on to say people who have a reputation for being very well in his answer- informed on Aboriginal matters. Next year is the 150th anniversary of that The Hon. C. C. MacKinnon: I do not think settlement and everyone is invited to partici- any of them would claim to be a historian in the pate, whatever race, colour or creed. same class as Sir Paul. IThursdlay, 9th November. 19781 464761

The Hon. [YLA ELLIOTT: I am prepared to the Swan River settlement no other Aboriginal accept they are in the same class, because they was as "important" in either the contemporary understand the situation a lot belier than does Sir or historical sense. Patti Hasluck. The authenticity of early records, including The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: Why do you detailed reports in "The Perth Gazette", the ruhbish people such as Sir Paul? journals of G. F. Moore and the accounts of other settlers have never been in question The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I am not rubbish- and they convey between them what is prob- ing him: I am rubbishing his attitude towards ably the fullest documentation of a single Yagan. It is a very narrow attitude. Aboriginal in Australian history. The Hon. 0. C. MacKinnon: He gave a factual account. This is the man* Sir Paul does not consider important enough to warrant recognition. To The Hon. R. Hetherington: No, he did not. conti'nue- The Hon. G. C. Macl(innon: When we Naturally, in endeavouring to convey the advertised for requests we had no reply from the Aboriginal point of view, and having carried Aborigines at all. out his understandable threat of exacting a The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I shall read the life for a life, he was a controversial figure letter to which I have referred, because it sums in his time. By the same token a number of bushrangers, now widely up the situation extremely well and should be celebrated as folk heroes, were also controversial in their day. recorded in Hansard. it reads as follows- Yagan. however, even when outlawed, was Yagan seen as real leader admired by many settlers as a man of Sir-We were surprised to hear from the integrity by any standards. When treacher- Minister in charge of our sesquicentenary ously shot by a boy he had trusted as a celebrations that the State Government has friend the act was denounced in the 'Gazette" rejected the plan to erect a statue to the as 'a rash and unadvised adventure of youth." memory of Aboriginal leader, Yagan. The following editorial comment appeared Mr MacKinnon is quoted as saying that, soon afterwards: according to the advice of local historians, "Contrary to expectation there is no relief Yagan was not important enough to merit felt at the passing of Yagan. Rather, among such a memorial, that there would always be the more thoughtful elements in the com- arguments about the authenticity of his doings munity, there is regret and apprehension, for and that, in any case, he was too contro- with his passing it is believed that we may versial a figure to risk commemorating in bid goodbye to any hopes we have entertained ibis way. of coming to reasonable terms with the local tribespeople ... The Government, we were told, was non- theless anxious to have a statue of some kind If responsible contemporary judgments representing the Aboriginal people, though awarded him such importance in the society whether of another Aboriginal or a puiely of his time, why can we not do so today? symbolic figure was not staled. There were certainly other Aborigines who Mr MacKinnon is a conscientious minister. befriended the newcomers and tried to bridge the and we feel it is unfortunate that he has gap between the two cultures. None. however, pursued as consistent and intelligent been badly advised. ai policy to ibis end or made a comparably The Hon. J. C. Tozer: They are not all that well-recorded impression. had. [I would be regrettable if, after 150 years The Hon. LYLA ELLIorF To continue- of settlement, we were not yet Mature enough As three historians of some experience in to commemorate this gifted representative of the field, we consider that there is a very the Aboriginal point of view. A statue to strong case for Yagan. his memory would be a recognition of the In reference to the firs, point, il is hard Aborigines as individuals whereas a purely to know how we should define "importance" anonymous effigy Would be a meaningless in this context. Since Yagan was looked upon and insincere compromise.- by both black and white as the main repre- G. C. BOLTON. MARY DURACK senitative of his people in the early years of MILLIER and RICA ERICKSON. Nedland't 4762 4762COUNCiII

The Hun. G. C. MacKinnon: If I had to make After establishing Yagan's importance aS an a. decision between that letter and Sir Paul's I Aboriginal leader,' she goes on to suggest how the would act on Sir Patil's, which is what I did. Aboriginal people generally, in addition to Yapin. The Hon. R. Hetherington: You could still be could be recognised. She points out something wrong. which a lot Of People would nut realise-I did not-and that is. that earlier settlers awed a great The PRESi DENT: Order! The honourable deal to the Aborigines for making the land Much member should continue with her speech and easier for whites Co setlde on. I quote as follows- ignore the interjectiorts. The Hon. LYIA ELLIOTT: That is a bit hard, We owe to the Aborigines the making of Trhat letter was not the only one to appear in the a land which it was possible for whites to Press. settle. The Kon. G. C. MacKinnon: There are many Ha~d they not worked to produce "at coun- other letters, at lot less well informed, too. cry free from underwood. and other obstruIc- lions . . . through nios parts of which one The Hon. LYLA ELI-l0T: On the 24th Octo- can ride freely" as Bunbury Said in the 1830ts. ber a letter appeared in The West Australian by "it would soon become impenetrably thick. Sylvia Hallam. a senior lecturer in pre-historic and . .. the labour and cost of clearing would archaeology at the University of WA. and I think be greutely increased, and it wotuld change such a person would be well informed. the very natuire of the Country, depriving it of The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: Not necessarily-. the gra/ing and pastoral a~dvantages, it no* The Hon. LXLA ELLIOTT: Now who is being possesses. insulting? Where Aborigines had not opened LLP the The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: Not necessarily in countryside the English settlers had to admit that area. themselves defeated by the forest, as they did ait Augusta. The Hon- LYI.A ElLIOTT: We all have our own ideas. The very existence of the Swan River Set- Several members- interjected. tle ment and of Perth in particular. is due to Aboriginal efforts in creating the parklike ter- The PRESIDENT: Order! Honourable members rain which attracted Stirling. should permnit the Hon. Lyla Elliott to make her speech. Parliament deliberates in a building just above the spring by which Yalangonga's camp The Hon. G. C_ MacKinnon: You have to take commanded the ridge stretching down St. one advice. George's Trerrace to the first crossing coming The Hon. LYLA Fi...OTT: It is at rather silly tip-river, between the rich fishing grunds of attitude to take just one advice when it conies Perth water and its fertile clay shores on the from the only person expressing a certain atitubde. one side. and the fresh waters with abundance Surely that is a pig-headed and silly attittude. 1 of wildfowl from Lake Monger to Claise sh all refer now to opinions contrary to those of Brook on the other. Sir Ptul and Lady HasltUck, and refer to the letter Where Perth is now, different comnitnities written by Sylvia Hallam. She. too, provides of Aborigines gathered from north and south evidence to show the importance of Yagan ait the of the river. time. I shall read two portions of her letter as follows- It was the Aborigines who first appreciated There is no doubt that the early settlers and LisedI this important position commanding regarded Yagan as8at dignified, important and spring, food and river crossing, and the net- indeed symbolic figtore. While there may have work of paths converging on this focal Point. been others equally worthy, none have caught rhe English soldiers and settlers took over the imagination of their own and later genera- from them. Perth, and Western Australia. tions, black and white, as Yagan did. owe their existence to the pattern estlablished by the Aborigines. Robert Menli Lyon. in the Perth Gazelle for March I 8R3, %aid that Yagan had "greatly Another person whom I aim suire the Minister distinguished himself as a patriot and a war- would not want to denigrate is Professor Ronald rior" and wits to be regarded as "the Wallace M. Berndt. Professor of Anthropology at the of the :uge'-which from ai Scot is high praise! University of Western Australia. I would class4 (Thursday, 91h November, 19781 464763 him as one of the greatest experts on Aboriginal The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: Let us look at people in this State. He also takes up the case other reasons that the Aborigines, and Yagan for Yagan and the Aborigines. in particular, should be given a special place in the celebrations next year. In 1979 we will cele- The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon; I point out Ito the brate 150 years of white, European settlement. member that this would be one of the hundreds What have those 150 years meant to the Aborigi- of items to which the Government has not con- nal people-the original landowners of this coun- tributed. If she wants to, she can get it sponsored try-and to their descendants? From a once and put up. There is nothing to stop her doing proud independent race in 1829, they were steadily that. Hundreds of organisations are doing it reduced to a broken defeated people, whose lives that way. were utter misery because they lost their land. The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: Am I making this their health, their self-respect, and their independ- speech, or is the Minister making it? ence. It could be said that many of them reached the nadir of human existence. The PRESIDENT: The lionqturable member has In recent years, more intelligent and compas- only to ignore the interjections and proceed with sionate Government policies have been seeking her speech. to redress some of the monstrous injustices of The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: I am doing my the past. With this assistance the Aboriginal best. people are doing their best to lift themselves out of their valley of darkness. The PRESIDENT: I would suggest that mem- To do this, they not only need a great deal of bers desist from making unruly interjections. Government help in the form of things normally The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: I hope the mem- required to assist any group of seriously disad- ber will take note of whatI have said. She vantaged people-black or white-such as hous- can start an appeal. ing and health services, education and training for and availability of jobs, etc. if the Aboriginal The PRESIDENT: Order! people are ever to be able to stand on their own The I-on. LYLA ELLIOTT: I will ignore that feet, and compete with the numerically and remark, because the Minister is trying to make economically superior white community, their excuses. I think I am presenting facts to show efforts to regain pride in their own history and that he is wrong. culture as a race must also be strongly supported by Governments. This support can take place The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: I am not making in a number of forms. Land rights is probably excuses. The celebrations board is knocking back the most vital in view of the supreme importance suggestions every day of each week. it has assumed always in Aboriginal religion, cul- The Hon. LYLA ELLIOTT: The point I want ture, and existence. to make is that an expert on Aboriginal affairs, Another way is for the non-Aboriginal conm- Professor Ronald M. Berndt, also takes up the munity to recognise the injustices of the past, and case for special recognition of Aborigines. In a to show genuine respect for Aboriginal history letter published in The West Auistralia,, of the and culture. It is absurd for the Minister to place 25th October, after reminding us that the Abori- the Aboriginal people in the same category as gines were the original landowners and land users European migrants. Their position is entirely of the country, he makes the very valid and cru- different. The Aborigines are descendants of the cial point that, to many contemporary Aborigines. only race which inhabited this country for a Yagan is a symbol. period longer than 150 years. As a matter of fact. Yagan is not only regarded as a hero, but he is they inhabited this country for many thousands also representative of the turning point in Abori- of years longer. ginal history-from traditional Aboriginal life When white settlement began, there were many and independence to another kind of life. Aboriginal tribes spread throughout the State. If these opinions will not convince the Minis- Some of these tribes lived in the south-west and, ter- more particularly, along the banks of the Swan River.. The Hon. Rt. Hetherington: Nothing will con- In 1829 the Aibbulnmn people welcomed the vince the Minister. new settlers, believing they were the spirits of The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: I do not have to their dead returning. They were a particularly be convinced; you have to convince the board. peaceful and friendly people who hospitably made 4764 4764 NCl.I~tCOU room for the newcomers, They moved away fromt dwelt rather than on positive things. Unfortun- the river to make roomn fur the white settlers. ately, Yagan wats finally murdered by a treach- That gives an idea of the friendly and peaceful erous young white friend for a reward of £30. type of people they were. It meant a drop in The special position that the Aboriginal people their food supply, but they expected that when hold in the State's history must be recognised in the settlers were established they would share their a significant way next year. A number of sugges- food with the Aborigines- I refer to sheep and tions have been put forward, in addition to that produce from the gardens. However, it soon of a monument to Yagan. Sonic have involved became obvious that it was a very one-sided Kings Park and Heirisson Island, -and some h-ave .arrangenment. Obviously, the Europeans thought concerned the ongoing funding of projects related they were entitled to everything the Aborigines to Aboriginal art and culture. owned-their sacred waters, their ancient hunt- Whatever form the recognition takes. I believe ing grounds, and all the wildlife that the sacred it is essential for the Government to consult not increase rites of the tribal elders had maintained Sir Paul and L~ady Hasluck, but( the Aboriginal through the ages. people themselves. They are the ones who should Trhe Aborigines received very little in return. s-ay what and where it should be. without being forced into the position of becoming Debate adjourned, on motion by the Kon. G.- beggars or servants-both of which roles were C. MacKinnon (Leader of the House). foreign to them. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOO)DS Soon the new colony saw Aborigines being shut ACT AMENDMENIST BILL by settlers for taking food or, in f-act, on pretty flimsy grounds. Receipt and First Reading Prom the beginning of settlement Yagan played Bill received from the Assembly: and, on a leading role in negotiating and communicating motion by the Hon. G. C, MacKinnon (ILeader with the whites, so when he saw his fellow country- Of the House). read a first time. men being mtirdered it was at matter of tribal Second Read/ing honour to avenge the deaths. Because of that. he was regarded ais an outlaw. THE RON. C. G. MacK INNON (South-West- Leader of the House) 14.26 p-m.l: I move~- From authoritative reports, he showed intel- That the Bill be now read a second limec. lig~ence, generosity, and integrity, but he also had This Bill seeks to extend the laws relating to pride a~nd a sense of responsibility to protect tribal explosives and dangerotis goods, to regulate the honour. manufacture, importation and uise of explosives. Although Yagan was involved in meting out and the classification, marking, storage. carriage, black man's, justice-an eye for an eye-and! as and sale of explosives. aresult wats hited and feared by some, he also At present, the principal Act provides for the had other qualities which earned himn the friend- control of explosives ;and also regulates the storage ship and respect of prominent people in the coi- of dangerous goods. munity. Members will no dotibt agree that, following it is reported that Yagan located lost children, the recent cyanide spillage near Wooroloo, there organised help to fight tires, and showed respect is ;a need for the regulatory powers of the Explo- towards, women. To many he became a legend- sives and Dangerous Goods Act ito) he extended to ary hero-a black Robin Hood. cover the transportation of dangerouis goods, pair- tictilarly by road vehicles. In this regard the His brother Domjum111 was shot by ;a Fremantle Bill provides for the prescribing of reguilions. storekeeper for taking a loaf of bread front an for the carriage of such goods and the licensing open window. His father, Midgegerno, wats shot of vehicles involved in this traffic. :after a trial during which he couild not under- stand at word of what wats said. One of his In addition, and following recent aniendnicnts ito the explosives regulations to give elfect to the countrymen was shot, and others, wounded, hy a visitor fromt Van lDiemn' Land for, -according to United Nations classification for explosives in Western Auistralia, one report, merely having the temerity to wave an amendment to the Act is considered highly desirable to the visitor in a friendly manner. to provide such classi- fication. It wits. recognised that not only explo- These are the kinds of things which turned sives, but also other dangerouss goods should be Yagan into an outlaw. It was on this aspect of classified in Western Auestralia in the manner Yagan being an otlaw that Sir Paul Hasitick recommended by the United Naitions. I Thursday, 91h November, 197$846 4765

Trhe need for uniform classification of dangerous Members wilt appreciate that, apart from these goods has been recognised by all other Australian tidying-uop provisions, the main measures con- States and each is preparing suitable legislation tained in this Bill can be described as enabling to give effect to this requirement: for example, legislation for the Governor to be able to pre- the New South Wales dangerous goods regulations. scribe regulations to contain the various codes gazetted on the 11th July, 397$. and roles regarding the transport of dangerous goods. The regulations witl be worked out in Already in this State we have had confusion dute course and laid on the Table of the House, due to the difference in labelling requirements for dangerous goods which Could lead to potentially I commend the Bill to the House. hazardous situations; fur example- Debate adjourned, on motion by the Hon, R, drums of highly flammable liquid -arriving Hetherington. into Western Australia from overseas bear OF the label "lass 3 Dangerous Goods"-the CONTROL VEHICLES (OFF-ROAD Class 3 dangerous goods of Western Australia AREAS) BILL are merely flammable oils of hazard similar Secoiid Reading to distillate fuel oil;, and also THE NON. G. C. &IaeKiNNON (South-West- the United Nations classification of liquetied Leader of the House? 14.30 p.m. I : I move- petroleum gas is Class 2 dangerous goods, whereas in Western Australia Class 2 dais- That the Bill be now read a second time. geroas goods refer to lanimable liquids This Bill seeks, to establish an Act for the follo%%- similar to kerosene. ing purposes- The possibility of a disastrous occtirrence through to prohibit the use of vehicles in certain misinterpretation and mishandling of these dan- places: gerous goods is self evident. Hence there is to make provision ats to the use of vehicles urgent need for amendment to the third schedule otherwise than on at road: to the Act in order that the United Nations to provide for areas where the List of otf- recommended classification of dangerous goods road vehicles shall be permitted; and may be followed in Western Australia. to provide for the regist ration of otT-road Certain other tidying uip amendments are also vehictes. required to- No doubt, mrembers atre welt aware of events correct a metrication omission and allow leading up to the introduction of this present Bill. for greater control, in the public interest, over The proposal to regtilate the use of off-road the type and quantity of explosives that may vehicles is at subject on which the Government be curried in road passenger vehicles plying hats sought and obtained the views of the public. for hire or reward; In fact, it hats aroused a great deal of public in- terest and this Bill acknowledges those views allow for the gazettal as dangerous goods of which are representative of a large cross section any substances considered to be a direct of the community. danger to the public: Of the submissions received, none was totally allow for the prescribing of safety require- opposed to the principal objective of the Bill: ments required for hazardous substances that is, the prevention of the indiscriminate use without imposing on the public all other of vehicles otY the road. It is believed that public provisions of the Act; opinion is strongly in support of the need for allow for packaging and labelling of danger- certain restrictions on the use of off-road vehicles. Ouis goods; Noise nuisance, damage to the environment. allow for consultation between the chief and the potential risk to life and limb, both of inspector and his inspectors before any the user and the ordinary citizen, from the indis- remedial action or the cessation of a danger- criminate use of off-road vehicles, are areas of otis prtct ice is imposed; concern to the public. On the other hand, off-road vehicle users argue increase the maximum penalty for breaches that the responsible majority of their nu'mher is of the Act;, being unfairly compared with the irresponsible allow for the provision of information on few. They say that ofT-roading is at sport to many dangerous goods involved in any accident; and a recreattion or pastime to a great many provide for the prescribing of forms. more. 4766 4766(COUNCIL]

It was with all of these views in mind that the Here, the Bill clearly recognises the legitimate Bill has been prepared. needs of a very wide spectrum of off-roaders. The Bill proposes a compromise between the Amateur fishermen, four-w heel-d rive users, and requirements for restrictions on noise and irre- the family picnic group, will not generally be sponsible use and the need to recognise the sport- restricted in their use of our countryside. The ing and recreational aspects of off-road vehicle sporting pursuits of trail bikes, dune buggies, and use. other recreational vehicles will be catered for within designated permitted areas. It clearly distinguishes between off-road vehicles Before any permitted area or prohibited area -that is, vehicles not licensed under the Road can be established, the Bill requires that public Traffic Act-and vehicles that are licensed under notice first be given of the proposal. The local the Road Traffic Act. municipal council, Department of Conservation Under the Bill, off-road vehicles will be per- and Environment, adjoining landowners and others mitted only in special areas set aside for their having an especial interest will all be advised use and on private land but only where the owner of the proposal and given an opportunity to com- or occupier has first given his consent. ment. This general restriction will not apply to The Bill provides for the establishment of an vehicles licensed under the Road Traffic Act. advisory committee to consider proposals for per- Although generally these vehicles will not falt mitted and prohibited areas, invite comments and within the restrictions of the Bill, there is power submissions and make recommendations to the for the Governor, in very special circumstances, Minister. The advisory committee is to comprise to prohibit their use in particular locations. five permanent members, being a chairman, two representatives from local government, and two These "prohibited areas"' will be very special persons with experience in the operation of off- locations where because of environmental reasons road vehicles. Expert advice from Government or the proximity of the land to residential areas, departments will be, available to the committee it is necessary to impose a total prohibition on and there is provision for the Minister to co-opt vehicles entering these locations. other persons as copsidered necessary. The Bill further recognises that whilst any The enforcement of the provisions of the Bill particular area of land should be closed to ail will rest in the hands of authorised officers. vehicles, there may be parts of that area which Authorised officers will include all members of it is appropriate to leave open to vehicles, either the Police Force, a range of Government officials generally or of particular types, for purposes such appointed by the Minister, and local government as providing access to other locations. officers appointed by municipal councils. An example of how these provisions would There is provision also for the Minister to per- operate is an environmentally fragile location mit councils to appoint elected members as along the beach front. To protect a section of authorised officers, in situations where distances coastal dunes it may be necessary to declare or lack of personnel require members to take that area of the beach front to be a prohibited over this responsibility. area. Through the prohibited area there may be Authorised officers will be empowered to stop tracks and vehicular access routes used by beach vehicles that are contravening the provisions of fishermen and the like as a means of getting to the legislation, require certain information from the beach front. These tracks and a limited sec- the owner or driver, issue infringement notices tion of the ocean foreshore may be excluded -on-the-spot fines-or prosecute for off'ences. from the prohibited area restriction to enable In special circumstances an authorised officer fishermen and others to gain access to the beach. also will be empowered to impound vehicles. An Another situation envisaged in relation to pro- auithorised officer will be entitled to impound any hibited -areas is the undeveloped land immediately vehicle, where he is unable satisfactorily to estab- adjacent to residential areas. Here it may be lish the identity of the owner or driver and the necessary to impose a prohibited area restriction vehicle is neither licensed under the Road Traffic in relation to certain classes of vehicles-for ex- Act nor registered as an off-road vehicle. ample, motorcycles that are licensed under the Because it requires a degree of' technical ex- Road Traffic Act-because their use of the land pertise. only a police officer will be empowered causes as great a nuisance to the adjoining resi- to impound a vehicle that is considered likely to dents as off-road trail bikes and the like. be dangerous. I Thursday, 9th November, 1978 4764767

I now wish briefly to bring to the attention of Trhe absence from the Bill of any provisions members some of the other major provisions of for third party insuirance is one aspect. which re- the Bill. quires u brief explanation. When embarking oin the preparation of the earlier legislation, the Gov- Not all of our vast State experiences problems ernment proposed that the feasibilty of a with off-road vehicles. Therefore, provision is Comipulsory third party insurance provision be made for any portion of the State to be exempted examined. A detailed -study was undertaken both from any of the control measures contained in in relation to the experience in Victoria With third the legislation. party insurance for off-road vehicles and the The effective implementation of this legislation possible Situation in this State. will depend to a great extent on the degree of The study indic~ated that to provide a compul- involvement of the local municipal council. sory third party insurance scheme would require Obviously, where a council is of the opinion that either extraordinarily high premiums from off-road no restriction on oaff-road vehicles is necessary vehicle owners or a substantial commitment in the in its district, that district could be exempted form of a subsidy from the Government. The from the provisions of the tegislation, relatively small number of vehicles involved ;and the very high risk factor meant that a Suitable Registrinion of off-road vehicles is to be cam- third party scheme could not be implemented. pulsory. The only vehicles exempted from t he party instirance may be available to registration requirements are vehicles already Whilst third vehicle owners from their own insur- licensed tinder the Road Traffic Act and vehicles some off-road ancen was felt that ats no comprehen- that are used exclusively on private land. The companies, it all, the legislationl registration requirements have been included sive scheme was available to instirance. primarily for identification purposes and to estab- could not insist on third party lish the responsibilities ;and liabilities of the owner Ut is believed this Bill provides both sensible of an off-road vehicle. Farmn vehicles, heavy .and adequate measures to control the use of construction and mining equipment and competi- vehicles in off-road areas, and ait the same timne tion vehicles used sotely and exclusively on club recognises the sporting and recreational require- grounds-that is, private land-will not have to ments of off-roaders in a way that is acceptable to be registered. the community. I commend the Bill to the Huise. However, the owner of any Such vehicle who proposes to use or allow his vehicle to be operated Debate adjourned, on motion by the Hon. R. F. in the ordinary off-road situation will be required Claiugh ton. to register that vehicle. ADJOURNMENTI OF 'I'l HOUSE The fee for the registration of an off-road TH-E HON. G. C. NMacKINNON (Sooth-West vehicle is to be prescribed in regulations. It is -Leader of the House) 14.41 p.m.l: I move- proposed that this fee be kept to a minimum and That the House do now adjourn. that the -amount be sufficient only to meet the "Hansard':Alvailability costs of the registration system. TrHE HON. R. HET14ERINCTON (East Met- The minimum age for the driver or rider of an ropolitan) [4.42 p.m.I: I wonder whether the off-road vehicle is eight years. This does not apply Leader of the House could do anything to ensure where the vehicle is tused on private land with ilatird is available by Tuesday each week. Since the owner's consent, which would include Such I have been in this House, last year and this year. Situations as youngsters operating vehicles on their it has been perpettually late. parents' properties and the junior memnbe.s of We are now reaching the stage, particularly mini-hike clubs competing on club land. with the rush of legislation at the end of the Any person registering an off-road vehicle will session, where Hiarrsnrd is necessary to enable have to have attained the age of IS years. members to do their job properly. We are putting Although this provision differs from the Road extra pressure on the l1insun Staff by asking for Traffic Act, this Bill places a liability on the copies of reports of debates from last week which registered owner of ank off-road vehicle for offences we would not otherwise neced to get. ;and other consequences%of the use of an off-road I think the miater has become reasonabi) vehicle by an uinder-aged driver. Trhus the Hill targent. I know the Minister has done his best requires thant an adtilt, either parent or gtuardian in the past but I ant wondering whether there is or some other person, be the registered owner anything further we can do to get our copies of and accept responsibility for an off-road vehicle. 11fisfnird on lime. 4768 4768COUNCJJIL]

THE HON. G. C. MacKINNON (South-West- f.o.b. value of the yeilowcake is Leader of the H-ouse) 14.43 p.m.): We have a expected to be ap pros imately Printing Committee to which *his matter should $3 714 million; be directed. (h) if not, what is the estimatedC( total The Hon. H. W. Gayfer: 1 did not hear what value? the honourable member said. The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon (for the Hon. The Hon. G, C. Mack INNON:. That is a 1. G. MEDCALFl replied: continuing problem we have with regard to this (a0 and (hI The Minister for Industrial member. He referred to the return of Hansard Development did give an estimate from the Government Printing Office. of about $6 million a year in I understand the Hansard staff are extremely royalties. This I understand was distressed about the situation and they are doing based on forecast production ton- everything that is possible at this point in order nages of yellowcake and indicative to have Hansard delivered on time. It could 1978 f.o.b, values. The report in the well be that the Government Printer (Mr Brown) Press and the total f.o.b. VatLie is doing the same at the Government Printing stated in this question Eire somewhat Office; I ari not certain. hypothetical calcuilat ions arrived a.t It appears to be a matter which should be re- by extending the Minister's esti- ferred to the Printing Committee, of which you, mates over a projected tife of the Mr President, are the presiding officer. The other project. member fron this House is Mr Gayfer. The Hon. H. W. Gayfer: Mr Claughton is also a member and I would have thought Mr 1-ether- ED)UCATION inptort would raise the matter with binm. Schtool Buses The Hon. G. C. MacKINNON: The best thing 427. The H~on. 1. C. TOZE.R, to the Ministcr to do uinder the circumstances is to ask Mr for TLancts representing the Minister for Claughton to inform us of the current situiation Ehi eat ion: with regard to the printing requirements of Par- (1) On average what is Ihe capital cost of a liamntri FHouse. school bus designed to sealt, say. 40 adtult The PRESIDENT: Order! The Leader of the passengers? House has closed the debate. (2) What mileage rate is paid to a school Question put and passed. bis conitractor utsing such a bus travel- ling, say, 200 kilometres a. day? House adjourned at 4.44 pu, - (3) In wha t manner is mileage rate related to the capital cost of the bus being Lisedt? QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 14t Does the number of studtents carried on apartieLilar journey intlutence the INDUSTRIAL 1DEVELOPME1NT earnings of a school bus contractor? Yellnwceake. Vaulue 5) What other factors arc tatem into 426. The I-on. LYLA ELLIOTT, to the Attorney accotint in determining contract raics? General representing the Minister for Indmms- (6) Are competitive tenders called before :a trial Development: school bus contract is a&warded? With reference to the report in The West (7? D~oes a contract run for a stipulated tcrmi Auistralian of the 3rd November. 1978. and, if .so. what term? beaded -Yeelirrie to yield Government $130 million"- Trhe Hon. Gi. C. MacKinnon (for the Hon. (a ias this was based on an estimate 1). i. WORDSWORTH) replied: given by the Minister for InLlii- ( 1) $37 1 I.- trial Development. Mr Mensaros. 42, Fixed expenses hbased oin new bi) that the Government woutd receive $25.25. abouti $6 mill ion a year in Riinning costs-$74.6). royalties, working on a rate of 3.5 per cent of the value of yeltowcake Driving allowance-$31.20. product ion, does this mean the Tot a $13t0.t05 per day. [Thursday, 91h November, 1978] 476976

(3) Included as fixed expense component of MINING: URANIUM daily mileage rate consisting of- Veelirrie: Rail Transport of Mareriats 10 per cent Of aIverage purchase price of 429. The H-on. F. Fi. McKtiNZlIF, to the bus-$3 713 per annum. Minister for Lands representing the Minister Third party insurance and licence fee- for Transport:- $24(t per annum. (1) With regard to the Yeclirrie uraniumn Comprehensive insurance-$500 per mining project, has Westrail transported annusm. any of the goods or material to the Garaging and administ ration-$597 per necarest rail head required (in site for annnan. the project? lDivided by 2t)0 school days $25.25 (2) If so- per day-$5 050 per annum. (a) how many tonnes: and (4) The size of bus determines the rate paid (hb what percentage would this be of to the contractor. The number of stu- the total aMOuint of cargo which dents transported determines the size of has been transported to the site? bus%required. Once a rate has been fixed The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon (for the Hon. for a certain size of buis variations in D. J. WORDSWORTH) replied: the number of students, transported will t1) Other than two small parcels, totalling not affct the contractors' daily rate. about 20 kg., Westrail does not have (5) Nuimber of children carriedt. any record of goods being directly con- Road conditions. signed to this project. Distance of route. (2) (a) Nil. (6) Yes. (b) This is not known. (7j Usually for a five-year term. Under special circumnstances contracts may be IMMIGRATION let for shorter periods ranging from one Good Neighour Ceoncil ito five years. 430. The Hon. J. C. T07.ER, to the Leader of the Houise representing the Minister for L.ANI) Immigration: .Smith Hed/and (I) is the Minister aware that the Good 429. The lion. J1. C'. TOZER, to the Attorney Neighbour Couincil in Western Aus- General representing the Minister for tralia is closing down? Housing: (2) Has there been any consutfation on this move between the Commonwealth and (13 Has land been released in South ]led- State Governments? land town centre for the purpose of (3i erecting motet accommodation units? Does the Slate Government have an opinion on this closure, and if so, in (21 If so-- brief, what is it'? (a) when; (4) As the Good Neighbour Council's office (h) to whom; and in Port Hedland, manned by community (c) uinder what conditions? development officer George Formby, is to shut its doors on the 1st December, The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon 'for the H-on. 1979, have plans been Made to continueC 1. G. MEDCALF) replied: the excellent work with all segments of (1) Yes. the migrant half of the commuinity, and 42) (a) 9th November, 1977. particularly those from Christmas and (h) South 1-edland Tavern Illy, Lid. (;ocos Islands? (c) The conditions of sale require the (5) Will the State Government recognise the company to commence construction void being left by Mr Formby's depart- of not less than 12 units of motel tire and- accommodation by the 1st Febru- (a) encoLirage the Commonwealth to ary, 1979, and complete the con- maintain the Port Hedland office in struction by the 1st November, its presentl or comparable form: 1979. and1( (150) 4770 4770COUtNCI LI

(b) if this is not going to happen, (2) Will he ensure these ornaments relating locate at Slate officer in Port I-ed- to the celebrations are made in Western land to continue the work of Mr Australia? Formby? The Hon. G. C. MacKINNON replied: The Hun. G. C. MacKiNNON replied: (iD Yes,. (1) arnd (2) rI am aware that a number of, items are being made other than in (2) Yes. Western Australia. On a number of oc- (3) Trhe Commonwealth Government itc- casions it has been necessary to point cepted Ihe general findings and recom- out the WAY 79 symbol-the symbolic mendations of the Report of the Review swan which mast members wear on their of Post-arrival Programs and Services lapels, and which is displayed on my to Mfigrants (the Galbally report). tie-is available for sale in Parliament Therefore, because immigration and House. 1 hope ties such as that I am ethnic affairs fall principally within the wearing will be available in Parliament jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Gov- Mouse soon. The emblem is not indica- erment the State Government has tive that the article is made in Western accepted that decision. Australia, and was never meant to be (4) and (5) The Galbally report provides indicative of that. It is the symbol of for the establishment in each State of the 150th celebrations. migrant settlement councils and for The symbol which indicates an article regional settlement committees to is made in Western Australia is, as all develop a specific local settlement pro- members are aware, a small stylised map gramme in accordance with the council's of Western Australia. overall plans. What any person decides to do in the QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE way of souvenirs is that person's con- cern. If he wants to have something SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS made in Hong Kong and sell it here. Calendars that is well and good. Indeed, it is ncecs- I. The Hon. A. A. LEWIS, to the Leader of the sary on occasions even for Govern- House: ment instrumentalities to have things Was the cartoon in this morning's issue manufactured out of the State because of The West Australian the start of the they are not manufactured here. I think advertising campaign to sell calendars there is a WAY 79 key ring that is so for the 150th celebrations; if so, could manufactured. I cannot interfere with he have managed an emblem to be the manufacture of items like that. shown? The articles being made ror the 150th The Hon. 0. C. MacKINNON replied: Celebrations Board as far as possible- The answer, as succinct as I can make and at some additional expense on some it, is "No." occasions-are manufactured in Western Austratia. The honourable member can SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS rest assured that everything that is humanly possible is being done to in- Souvbenirs crease employment opportunities in this 2. The M-on. R. F. Claughton (for the Hon. D. State, and that a number of private K. DANS), to the Leader of the House: enterprise people at the request of the (M Is the Minister aware that WAY 79 150th Celebrations Board have at times ornaments such ats key rings and pins gone to a great deal of extra trouble to are being made in Hong Kong, Taiwan, do this. I am indeed grateful for that and elsewhere? sort of co-operation.