Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1970 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 1442 Questions Upon Notice [29 OCTOBER] Questions Upon Notice THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 1970 for some weeks been examining the systems in operation in the Court con­ cerning the entering, listing and hearing of Mr. ACTING SPEAKER (Mr. Hooper, cases. This examination is expected to Greenslopes) read prayers and took the indicate whether additional judges or acting chair at 11 a.m. judges are required." PAPERS VACANCIES, LICENSING COMMISSION The following paper was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:- Mr. Davies for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Justice,- Report of the Commissioner of Police for the year 1969-70. ( 1) When will he appoint a chairman to the vacancy in the Licensing Com­ The following papers were laid on the table:- mission? Proclamation under the Mining Acts, 1898 (2) When will he fill the vacancy in the to 1967. Licensing Commission? Orders in Council under- (3) Who are the prospective appointees? The State Development and Public Works Organisation Acts, 1938 to 1964. Answer:- The Mining Acts, 1898 to 1967. (1 to 3) "The matter is under con­ Balance Sheet of the Coal Mine Workers' sideration." Pensions Fund for the year 1969-70. STATEMENTS BY VICE-CHANCELLOR, QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Mr. Davies for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to APPOINTMENT OF ACTING JUDGES notice, asked The Minister for Education,- Mr. Davies for Mr. Bennett, pursuant to ( 1) Is he aware that the University Vice­ notice, asked The Minister for Justice,- Chancellor, Professor Zelman Cowen, when ( 1) Is he aware of a circular notice addressing a meeting of Brisbane business­ dated August 24 sent by ten members of men, informed them that they should have the Queensland Bar Association claiming, a sense of proportion in an age when there by way of notice of a special meeting of the was a fashion for violence? Bar Association-(i) that the view of the Association is that when a judge of the (2) Will he ascertain whether the Supreme Court or District Court is, because Vice-Chancellor is now condoning, excus­ of appointment as Administrator, absence ing or encouraging violence on the on leave, sittings in special tribunals, or University campus? for any other reason whatsoever, likely to be unable to participate in the ordinary (3) Is he aware that the Vice-Chancellor sittings of the Court of which he is a compared incidents by hoons and larrikins member for a period of four weeks or on the campus, when engaging in violence, more, an acting judge should be appointed to the tolerance shown to people on strike? to that Court for that period, (ii) that the ( 4) Will he find out what connection view of the Association is that there is no there is between a lawful and legitimate obligation of any kind whatsoever on the strike and the disregard of law in demon­ Government to appoint as a judge of the strations of violence on the campus for no Supreme or District Court any person who real reason at all? has been an acting judge of the Court in question, and (iii) that the Committee ( 5) Will he tell the Vice-Chancellor to should take all necessary steps to bring the keep out of industrial affairs as he appears view of the Association expressed in (i) to have more problems than he can handle and (ii) above to the attention of the on the University campus itself? Attorney-General as soon as possible? ( 6) How can the Vice-Chancellor say (2) In view of this feeling expressed that not one single hour of study time has by several members of the Bar Association, been lost at the University when these what does he propose to do in regard to idle demonstrations and manoeuvring of the appointment of acting judges? tent towns go on for hours? Answers:- (7) As the Vice-Chancellor said at the (1) "Yes." same time that this University is the most (2) "A Sub-Committee conststmg of poorly-financed University per student in the Honourable the Acting Chief Justice Australia, what does he intend to do to and representatives of the Bar Associa­ correct this rather startling and unsatis­ tion and the Queensland Law Society has factory situation? Questions Upon Notice (29 OCTOBER] Questions Upon Notice 1443 Answers:- in the Brisbane area as a flood-prevention (1) "The Vice-Chancellor, in addressing measure and, if so, will he take similar the Australian Institute of Management, action with respect to tidal creeks in the said that there appeared to be a fashion Townsville area and advise the Townsville for violence in many parts of the world. City Council of terms and conditions on He deplored it." a comparable basis with those for Brisbane? (2) "The Vice-Chancellor is totally opposed to violence on the University Answer:- campus." "! am aware of the Press article to (3 to 5) "The Vice-Chancellor reports which the Honourable Member refers. that he did not do as suggested. He Consideration is being given by the pointed out that while vast numbers of Department of Harbours and Marine in hours were lost in industrial troubles in its capacity as the Brisbane Harbour the community, not one class had been Authority to ways and means of having cancelled in the work of the University." rubbish and litter cleared from the bed and tidal banks of Breakfast Creek. This ( 6) "In respect of this Question the Vice-Chancellor has reiterated that not action is under consideration by the one class period had been cancelled and Department in the interests of harbour no student had been denied the oppor­ cleanliness and navigational safety in Bris­ tunity of continuing his work." bane Harbour and is not expected to have any more than a very minor effect upon (7) "In Queensland and in all other flooding of the Breakfast Creek area. The States, the financial situation in the Brisbane Harbour Authority has no juris­ Universities and in education generally is diction or powers to take similar action under constant review. As the Honour­ within the limits of the Townsville able Member well knows financial pro­ Harbour." vision for education receives a high priority in public spending in Queensland." PENALITIES FOR SERIOUS TRAFFIC OFFENCES BRISBANE CRICKET GROUND AND ToWNSVILLE SPORTS RESERVE Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Transport,- Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Treasurer,- Will the resolution that penalties for serious traffic offences be increased, which Has his attention been drawn to an was overwhelmingly carried at the recent article in The Courier-Mail of October 28 seminar on road safety at which he was wherein he is reported as stating that present, be conveyed to the judiciary and, abundant funds will be made available if so, by whom and in what manner? through the S.G.I.O. for the reconstruction and modernisation of the Brisbane Cricket Answer:- Ground, Woolloongabba and, if so, will ''No." funds be made available on the same terms and conditions for the reconstruction and modernisation of the sports reserve and the SUSPENSION OF FIREMAN GERMAINE Murray Sporting Complex, Townsville? Mr. Bousen, pursuant to notice, asked The Answer:- Minister for Transport,- "The Honourable Member's Question is Further to his Answer to my Question of a hypothetical nature. I am unable to on September 17 regarding the suspension provide an Answer to it without a com­ of fireman Germaine following a train parable proposition being submitted to the collision at Narangba on June 8- State Government Insurance Office. If a (1) Has the suspension been lifted? proposition can be submitted with com­ parable feasibility of financial return to (2) On what date did he commence the State Government Insurance Office, it duty? would receive consideration." (3) Will he be paid for the time he was off duty under suspension? CLEARING OF TIDAL CREEKS, BRISBANE Answers:­ AND TOWNSVILLE (1) "Yes." Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Conservation,- (2) "Monday, October 26." Has his attention been drawn to an (3) "This is a matter for determination article in The Courier-Mail of October 27 by the General Manager, S.E.D., and wherein he is reported as saying that the Chief of Operations, Brisbane, in the exer­ Government will spend a considerable cise of the powers conferred on him by sum of money in cleaning out tidal creeks the Railways Acts." 1444 Questions Upon Notice (29 OCTOBER) Questions Upon Notice RIVER IMPROVEMENT TRUSTS Answer:- Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked The " A site has not yet been selected and it Minister for Conservation,- will not be selected until detailed investigations have been completed. ( 1) How many River Trusts have been However I can assure the Honourable set up in Queensland under the River Member that these investigations will Improvement Trust Act on (a) coastal include all sites and sources of fuel offering rivers and (b) inland rivers? favourable conditions for the production (2) What was the total finance made and transmtsswn of electricity to the available to these Trusts during the last principal load centres of the State." ten years by way of (a) subsidies and (b) loans? (3) How much of this was required for BLUE NURSING SERVICE emergency repairs to work already com­ pleted and damaged by catastrophies such Dr. Crawford, pursuant to notice, asked as cyclone Ada and provided by (a) the The Minister for Health,- Commonwealth, (b) the Staie and (c) Following his statement on October 27 the Trust itself by way of loans obtained? that the extension of the Blue Nursing Service subsidy is not in accordance with ( 4) Has any other direct Common­ wealth financial assistance been made to Government policy- River Trusts in Queensland? ( 1) When and by whom was this decision made? Answers:- (2) When was this Government policy (!) "(a) six; (b) six." discussed by the joint-party caucus? (2) "(a) July 1, 1960 to June 30, 1970, $457,516.96; (b) July 1, 1960 to June 30, Answers:- 1970, Treasury Loans, $86,988.02.