180 Questions without Notice [ASSEMBLY] Questions without Notice rorgtsluttur Asnrmhly SYDNEY GUARANTEE CORPORATION Mr EINFELD: My question without Wednesday, 14 August, 1968 notice is directed to the Attorney-General. Were two former directors of Sydney Questions without Notice-Aborigines Welfare Board Guarantee Corporation, James Huntley -Bushfire Committee-New South Wales Fisheries Knox of Lane Cove and Warren Wallace -Dairy Industry-Notice of Motion-Governor's Speech: Address in Reply (Third Day's Debate). Alderton of Orange, committed for trial in October, 1965, almost three years ago, for allegedly concurring in the issuance of a Mr SPEAKER (THE HoN. KEVIN ELLIS) false prospectus to the public? Was it took the chair at 2.30 p.m. claimed at the time that the public had lost $5,000,000 in the collapse of this com­ Mr SPEAKER offered the Prayer. pany? Will the Attorney-General inform the House why these men have not yet QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE stood trial? CLEARWAY: KING'S CROSS TO Mr McCAW: The answer to the first EDGE CLIFF part of the question is, yes. The affairs of Mr DOYLE: In view of the outstanding Sydney Guarantee Corporation and, I think, success of the clearways introduced by the some ten other substantial companies which Minister for Transport in other parts of the had fallen into the same sort of condition metropolitan area, will he consider the idea as this company, were a legacy that I took of establishing a clearway on Bayswater over as Attorney-General from the former Road and New South Head Road from administration. That is not to say that the King's Cross to Edgecliff? former administration is responsible for what occurred, but the fact is that the new Mr MORRIS: The third clearway comes companies legislation which came into into operation, I think, next week-certainly effect throughout Australia from 1st July, within the next few days-on the Prince's 1962, contained the provisions which Highway. I understand from reports and enabled these investigations to take place, letters which I have received that these and to that extent I am sure the public clearways are acclaimed by the people who and all ·honourable members would agree that the legislation was commendable. Some are using the highways. In fact, the only of the legacy of at least eleven company objection I have heard was that voiced by failures has already been the subject of the honourable member for Kogarah when prosecution and each prosecution that has he was speaking in the House, and ap­ been heard has been successful. parently he is quite out of step with most The number of law officers handling of his colleagues on this subject. I have these matters has not been increased since received from members on both sides of the I have been Attorney-General. This type House only commendations about the op­ of work requires the consideration of ex­ eration of the clearways, and I know what perts, and it is difficult to supplement our experts by engaging private practitioners a benefit they are to the people who have with experience of it. Officers of the Crown to come in and go out of the city of Sydney law office as well as counsel have been during peak hours. The suggestion by the assiduously and strenuously engaged upon honourable member for Vaucluse that clear­ the preparation of the Crown case in this way conditions be applied in his district and other prosecutions. In the matter re­ from King's Cross to Edgecliff will be re­ ferred to by the Deputy Leader of the Op­ ferred to the Traffic Advisory Committee. position submissions were made for the finding of a no bill. This application de­ I shall communicate with him as soon as layed the preparation of the Crown case. it has received full consideration, and I Speaking from memory, I think the hearing shall keep the House informed. of this trial has been fixed for ·a date not Questions without Notice [14 Auo., 1968] Questions without Notice 1~1 far ahead. I assure the Deputy Leader of closest attention. Further discussions will the Opposition again, in relation to this take place with the Milk Board and in matter, as I did recently when he raised the due course with industry representatives, Palmer prosecutions, that these cases are with a view to solving the problem the receiving the Crown's full and best efforts. honourable member has put forward in this The Government realizes it is unfair to question. defendants that they should be kept wait­ ing. A trial should ,be brought on for hear­ ing as quickly as possible, in fairness to PRICE CONTROL all. Many counsel are involved in some Mr COADY: I ask the Minister for trials now pending. Dates suitable to Crown Labour and Industry, who is in charge of counsel and defence counsel have to be price control, whether the federal budget arranged, and as far as possible the avail­ announced last night provides for an in­ ability of witnesses must be considered. crease in sales tax which in due course will be passed on to the public and will in MILK QUOTAS itself absorb much of the increases granted to pensioners and generally hit the purse Mr COWAN: I ask the Minister for of the public. In .the light of past experi­ Agriculture whether it is a fact tnat more ence, will the Minister issue to industry and than 4,000 dairy farmers are registered with suppliers generally a severe warning that the New South Wales Milk Board. Is the the officers of the Prices Branch will watch Minister aware that the milk zone is carefully for instances in which an increase divided into percentage districts? Is he greater than the actual increase in sales aware that the northern zone area, com­ tax is passed on to the public? Will he prising the Gloucester, Wauchope, and also threaten ·to reimpose appropriate price Taree districts, is in a 70 per cent part of control where abuses take place? the zone where it is necessary for farmers to produce 42 per cent ·above their base Mr WILLIS: I, like the honourable so that they may qualify for an elctra member for Drummoyne, read in this morn­ quota? Does the Minister consider that this ing's press of the increase in sales tax pay­ policy is injust and is adversely affecting able on certain commodities and I assumed the economy of farmers in the districts con­ that the increase in sales tax will result, as cerned? Will the Minister confer with the he has apparently assumed, in an increase Milk Board with a view to revising .these in price to the buyer of those commodities. percentage districts so that increased sales I do not know of any precedents, to which will be shared equally by all farmers in the he refers, in respect of the issuing of warn­ milk zone? ings to retailers of these commodities that they should not increase their prices to an Mr CRAWFORD: It is true that there extent greater than the increase in the sales is a differential in the quotas within the tax will justify, but I am willing to do as milk zone and in my opinion this does he has requested and to pass on this sugges­ adversely affect producers in the lower tion to the prices commissioner for ap­ quota areas. I have already discussed this propriate action by him. As regards the matter in a preliminary way with the Milk reintroduction of price control, which was Board. Further discussions are to take mentioned in the tail of the honourable place with that board, and I hope with member's question I propose, as I have said industry representatives, with a view to get­ on a number of occasions, to pursue the ting equality for milk producers. An policy that was followed by the Labor Gov­ orderly marketing scheme should be fair and equal to aU producers within the in­ ernment that preceded the present Govern­ dustry. The present system which involves ment-that is, to keep a watchful eye on different quotas for different areas is not things but not to impose any more restric­ fair to producers. I assure the honourable tions than are necessary in regard to matters member for Oxley and other members of which are best controlled by the free-enter­ this House that this matter is receiving my prise, competitive market-place itself. 182 Questions without Notice [ASSEMBLY] Questions without Notice

LOCAL-GOVERNMENT GRANTS the broad principle of which the honour­ COMMISSION able member is speaking, from 1st January Mr MAUGER: I ask the Minister for next year local government will be able to Local Government and Minister for High­ make applications to the local-government ways whether the Premier, in his policy grants commission. speech, promised that $4,000,000 would be set aside each year to assist local-govern­ STEAM LOCOMOTIVES ment instrumentalities. Will the Minister Mr WADE: I ask the Minister for inform me and the House, first, if any plan Transport whether he is aware that between has been forwarded to Cabinet in relation Saturday night last and Sunday morning a to the allocation of this money ; second, government rai.lways locomotive emitted whether any financial assistance is to be prime which did extensive damage to the made available to councils this financial paint work of many homes in a number year ;. and, third, when councils may apply of streets in the vicinity of the coal line and m. what form the application should involved. Is the Minister aware also of the be made? permanent damage that can be caused when incidents like this occur, and that this has Mr MORTON: It is a fact that the Gov­ always been a problem for people living close ernment promised, on the occasion of the last elections, that a local-government to railway tracks? Will the Minister make arrangements for his officers to visit the grants commission would be established and ·homes affected in George Street, Ferndale that a fund of $4,000,000 per annum would Street, and Mcisaac Street, Tighe's Hill to be made available to the grants commission see what assistance can be rendered to' re­ for distribution to local government gener­ store the properties that have been dam­ ally by that body. The Government is aged in this way? Will the M1nister give an proceeding in all haste with the preparation assurance that steam locomotives will be of .le?islation to give effect to this promise. withdrawn at a later date fmm the New­ Wrthm a very short space of time-cer­ tainly during this session-legislation will castle electorate, as previously promised 'by him? be brought into this House which will have for its purpose the creation of a local-gov­ Mr MORRIS: The honourable member ernment grants commission on which local for Newcastle, as a result of a previous government will •be adequately repre­ incident, has raised this matter with me by sented. As soon as the legislation is passed, correspondence. I regret to hear the allega­ the members of the commission will be ti?ns that have been made about Saturday appointed. mght. I know the Tighe's Hill area very I hope the commission will be ready weU, and I know that the Port Waratah to operate from 1st January, 1969, . coal line runs through this area, taking and. that the .Government will be making heavy loads of coal into the steelworks or available, subject to the approval of this through to Bullock Island for export. The House, a sum of $4,000,000 for distribu­ last steam engines to be phased out of the tion by that commission during the next service of the Department of Railways will year. In relation to the period up to this be probably the locomotives that are haul­ year, the procedures in operation will be ing coal trucks in and around the New­ the same as have operated in past years. castle district. However, I promise the I have a fund, which honourable members honourable member for Newcastle that k?-ow is called a local-government grants in if he supplies me with the addresses of th~ aid fund, and over a period of time small people who claim that ·their homes have sums of money have been made available been affected by the emission ·of smoke and to local government on a $-for-$ basis. soot from the locomotives, an inspector will They are not large sums of money, but I call at each of the homes tomorrow, will hope I shall have available a pro rata sum make an assessment, and have a discussion subject to the approval of the Treasurer' with the people to see what ought to be until the end of this year. In relation t~ done. Questions without Notice [14 Auo., 1968] Questions without Notice 183 SCIENTOLOGY that the only relief that pensioners can ex­ Mr HEALEY: I ask the Minister for pect is by obtaining a cheap-rent home unit? Health whether his attention has been in­ In the Newcastle area, especially in the elec­ vited to recent press reports about the cult ·torate of Hamilton, are suitable areas avail­ of scientology. Is the Minister aware that able for a continuation of the construction a British Government spokesman said that of units for aged persons? If these are scientology is socially harmful and that facts, can the Minister assist these people, foreign scientology students would be barred who are in necessitous circumstances, by from entering Great Britain? In view of the giving serious consideration to the .construc­ existing ban in Victoria and the general tion of more units in Newcastle, thus en­ uneasiness felt in Great Britain about this abling them to have more money available cult, will the Minister say whether it has to purchase food? been fully investigated in this State and Mr STEPHENS: It is possible that the whether the Government proposes any waiting list for aged persons' homes in the action to protect the people of New South Newcastle area exceeds one thousand, and Wales? the position is indeed a sorry one. I join with the honourable member for Hamilton Mr JAGO: This subject has been under in saying that it is time something was done close examination ·by the Department of to help these people overcome the problem Health for some years. Courses have been facing therp. I believe it is high time that undertaken by certain officers to ascertain the Commonwealth Government extended what goes on; publications have been ob­ the Commonweal-th ·Aged Persons Homes tained, and a great deal of information is Act to cover those who cannot at present available. We are aware of the matters take advantage of its provisions, and thereby mentioned by the honourable member for attacked what is an ever increasing prob­ Wakehurst and the recent statements in lem. It is true that under the Common­ England by the Minister for Health, the wealth Aged Persons Homes Act those who Rt Hon. Kenneth Robinson, and the action have means can go to a charitable or reli­ taken in Victoria. I believe, also, that gious institution and through them acquire action is proposed or ·has already been a house in which to live. But this applies taken in Western Australia. generally only to those who have more The responsibility for this subject falls means than the pension on which they are somewhat on the Attorney-General and is living. It is essential, .therefore, that some­ not borne solely by the health administra­ thing be done for those who cannot get tion. It may well be that the subject has houses under the existing Jegislation. been discussed at some of the conferences Might I point out that in 1966 at Perth, of Attorneys-General. However, I assure in 1967 at Adelaide and in 1968 at Brisbane the honourable member that, if sufficient all State Housing Ministers pleaded with the evidence can be brought to our notice that Commonwealth Government to amend its damage similar to that in other States and Act so that State instrumentalities might overseas is ·occurring in New. South Wales, share in the benefits of the Commonwealth prompt action will be taken to do something legislation. That' is the only way in which about it. this problem can be attacked ·effectively. It is interesting to note that in New South Wales so far more than five thousand pen­ HOUSING OF AGED PERSONS sioner units have been constructed. Under Mr McCARTNEY: I ask the Minister the existing scheme four thousand units have for Housing and Minister for Co-operative been occupied by pensioners, who were Societies whether about 1,000 eligible age delighted to get them. It is true also that in pensioners are on the waiting .list for aged the last financial year the Government built persons' homes in Newcastle. Having in mind the meagre amount of the increase 714 of these units in many parts of the granted yesterday to pensioners by the State. In all, since the inception of the Commonwealth Government, is it a fact scheme the New South Wales Government 184 Questions without Notice [ASSEMBLY] Questions without Notice has spent $16,000,000 on this work, and have been advised by the Minister for Local every cent of it has come from State funds. Government and Minister for Highways­ The Commonwealth authorities have made ! think the honourable member for The no contribution. I agree with the honour­ Hills and the honourable member for Parra­ able member that it would be wonderful if matta have been advised, too-that the road­ we could step up 'this construction and give way at this site is to be widened expedi­ more elderly people an

reforms are desperately overdue at this level the matter is that most stipendiary magis­ of the administration of justice, I propose trates have few, if any, of the qualifications to bring to the attention of members those and advantages which I have mentioned. aspects of the matter which seem to me to On the contrary, in the recruitment, educa­ be significant, and to suggest for the con­ tion and status of the magisterial bench and sideration of the House some reforms which in the facilities provided to assist magistrates seem to me to be urgently needed. 'to discharge their functions the existing system is open to the most serious objection. The basic facts are simple enough. Of all criminal cases dealt with in this State, Honourable members are perhaps aware about 96 per cent are dealt with in courts that the magisterial bench is recruited not of petty sessions presided over by a stipen­ from the legal profession but from the diary magistrate. Of all ordinary civil litiga­ public service. A career which culminates tion, that is to say, litigation of the type in appointment as a stipendiary magistrate dealt with in the district courts or in the usually begins in a clerical branch of the common law jurisdiction of the Supreme Department of the Attorney-General and of Court, about 70 per cent is dealt with in the Justice as a junior clerk in some metropoli­ civil jurisdictions presided over by a sti­ tan, suburban or country petty se:;sions' pendiary magistrate. In addition to this office. The junior clerk progresses to the volume of work, stipendiary magistrates are level of depositions clerk, which means that called upon to deal with a wide range of he sits in court typing out the depositions specialized litigation. For example, they sit in ,each case as it proceeds. The depositions in coroners' courts and preside over mining clerk generally advances to an appointment wardens' courts. They have a most impor­ as a clerk of petty sessions, usually in the tant jurisdiction in industrial matters and country, with subsequent promotion to the in the administration of liquor laws. One city. He then is usually regarded as ripe for of their most socially significant tasks is to appointment to ,the bench, again generally preside over children's courts where they in the country, with subsequent promotion are called upon to deal with questions of to the city. There are variations in indi­ maintenance and custody and a host of vidual cases, but the pattern I have des­ delicate problems of juvenile delinquency. cribed is fairly representative of the average There are other examples, and in recent case. years there has been a noticeable tendency Each stage in this civil service career is for Parliament to expand still further the accompanied by the requirement that the range and complexity of the matters en­ individual concerned pass various depart­ trusted to the decision of a stipendiary mental examinations, but at no stage is he magistrate. required to embark upon a proper course of tertiary education in law. It is true that he I imagine that honourable members will not be appointed to the bench unless he would readily agree that a man called upon has first qualified himself for admission as to exercise the types of powers of which I a solicitor or for call to the bar, but the only have just spoken ought to be a person with way in which he is able so to qualify is by a background of sophisticated tertiary edu­ studying with the solicitors' admission board cation and broad practical experience, and or barristers' admission board, in neither of that every reasonable physical aid should be which cases is he afforded ,the advantage of available to assist him to perform his duties a full university level course of study. I with dignity and efficiency as well as with am informed that the department, in fact, justice. I imagine that honourable members will not permit its recruits to take a uni­ would readily agree that a stipendiary magis­ versity course in law, presumably because trate is a judicial officer fully as much as a of the demands which would thereby be district court or a supreme court judge, made on the time of the student. When, and that he should enjoy the same constitu­ having run this public service gauntlet of tional protection as a judge of one of the grades and seniorities, a man is finally superior courts. And yet the plain fact of appointed a stipendiary magistrate, what is 192 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply his status? Is it that of a judge in one of no justification for the continued existence the superior courts-who is regarded as in a mid-twentieth century society of a having so vital a place in our society that be system that is a wholly inadequate survival is paid out of consolidated revenue specifi­ from a bygone age. I earnestly hope that cally to safeguard his independence from the Government will bring its prudent con­ any pressure? Not at all! The stipen­ cern for law reform to bear on this most diary magistrate is a public servant fully undesirable state of affairs. In any event, as much as any other public servant, sub­ it seems to me that, even as at present ject to the Public Service Act and Regula­ constituted, changes should be made both tions. He has not the status of a member of in the nomenclature of the courts over the judiciary with all that that status im­ which magistrates preside and in some of plies in terms of a fearless and jealously the functions performed by them. guarded independence from pressure of any Magistrates are highly-paid professional sort. He has only the status of a senior officers ; notwithstanding this, a consider­ care.er official in a department of State and able part of their work is administrative in theory in any event, is subject to the or relates purely to procedural matters. It discipline and control of the permanent head would be advantageous to move towards of that department. widening their jurisdiction, to make more It may be that magistrates are not com­ and better use of their skills and experi­ monly subjected to any degree of actual ence, by relieving them of the part of .their control by departmental officers in the per­ work that calls for no degree of judicial formance of their judicial duties. It is none­ capacity. This would involve increasing theless possible to imagine situations where the quality of their work and reducing the indirect administrative or executive pres­ quantity. I have in mind that the magis­ sures may be brought to bear on them. trates could be relieved of cases dealing Whether this is so or not, it is not right that with minor traffic offences, uncontested such a situation should appear to be pos­ small debts, hire purchase, unlicensed radio sible. Their situation demands that they and television sets and fare evasion-to should have some degree of autonomy mention just a few. There can be no ad­ under the administration of their chairman, vantage in using ·the judicial process on as the Justices Act provides. The statistics absent offenders. The bulk of these matters demonstrate that of all the people who come involves delay and expense to parties, their into contact with courts of law, 90 per cent counsel and solicitors. get this experience in the magistrat.es' courts, Surely such terms as petty and stipen­ and it follows that they should be so con­ diary, when used in relation to magistrates, stituted that litigants should be able to re­ affect the status of the magistrates, and pose all possible confidence in them. It therefore should be altered. Magistrates should not be possible for people 'to be should properly be referred to as summary under the impression that they are being judges, for that is what they really are dealt with merely by some branch of a gov­ when they are presiding over courts of ernment department. In these days respect summary jurisdiction. for the law is a most important bastion of the social fabric and nothing should be The second matter about which I seek to allowed .to continue which might in any way be heard is that of local-government law detract from this. and practice. I welcome the indications that the Government has given some It would be fair to say that most of the thought to this matter in its present legisla­ present members of the magisterial bench genuinely try to do justice in the matters tive programme. I hope that further and that come before them, and that generally more basic reforms will soon be effected in they enjoy the respect and confidence of this area of public administration, directed the members of the legal profession who towards improving its efficiency and its practise before them. But this is a personal social relevance to present-day needs. The tribute to the magistrates ; it is certainly role of local government is to anticipate, Mr McGinty] Governor's Speech: [14 AuG., 1968) ·Address in Reply 193 guide, and plan for the needs of the com­ hundred sections and ten schedules. There munity, and to provide services and main­ are, in addition, over a hundred ordinances tain them adequately. A continual revision made pursuant to various powers conferred of planning is necessary to ensure that local by the Act. Both the Act and the ordi­ government remains democratic and effi­ nances are a legislative patch-work of cient and develops along orderly and eco­ numerous amendments over a period of nomic lines. It will no doubt surprise nearly fifty years. Much of the drafting honourable members to learn that local gov­ is vague in conception and worse in expres­ ernment in New South Wales directs an sion. There is a most urgent need for a annual expenditure of approximately logical and ·Coherent statute, expressed in $500,000,000, which is equal to about three­ clear and simple language, which can be quarters of the total expenditure of the State readily understood and administered. Government. Attention ought to be given, in my The challenges to those engaged in local opinion, to the question of attracting more government are similar to those confronting ·of the right people into service on their all other types of management, although local councils. I say "more" because I wish many of the problems for solution differ to stress that it is my experience over a widely. The main task is to organize for goodly period of years that in the main the greater effectiveness in the present, to face majority of the two thousand odd aldermen the challenge of change, and to plan for and councillors in this State are serving the future. The tremendous task faced by their State well and are motivated by the local government in New South Wales and true local-government concept of service the financial burden upon it can quickly be above self. But their efforts are all too appreciated when one studies the statistics often frustrated by the avowed disruptors of population growth and home building, and lethargic long-termers they find in their and the demand these have made for the midst. The lack of interest by communities concomitant local-government services. The generally in their local government weakens dramatic increase in motor vehicles has also its stature, tJhe progressiveness of its policies created an insatiable demand for a high and its attraction to those who might serve quality road system and off-street parking it better in the interests of the community. adjacent to commercial centres where pro­ I ·believe that two specific reforms could perty acquisition costs to be borne by the materially assist in attracting good candi­ ratepayers are extremely high. The com­ dates into local government. munity requires a continual increase in the It will be recalled that the previous Labor types of amenities and services. A changing administration made provision for the pay public appreciation is causing a decline in ment of fees to aldermen on the basis, as specialized institutional arrangements for I understand it, that this would encourage the treatment of all kinds of social prob­ suitable persons of limited means to offer lems and a growing acceptance of this re­ their services. I doubt whether this effect sponsibility by the community. Social wel­ has been achieved, but in any event the fare has hitherto been left to the federal principle of paying fees to aldermen after Government, which levies social services their election seems to me to overlook the taxation ; however the growing public ac­ ceptance of this responsibility is causing real problem, whioh is this-that the cost it to emerge as one of the most important of holding office as an a:1derman is small functions for the consideration of councils. whereas the cost of securing election to the office is very considerable. At present, Local government is undoubtedly the only a candidate must either gamble his own effective and economic instrument for pro­ money on the uncertain chance of the elec­ viding community services in a country the tion, or put himself in the debt of some size of Australia. pressure group, or, worse, of a political I suggest that the first need of local party, in order to meet the cost. I am government is for a thoroughly revised and convinced that the initial cost of election is redrafted Local Government Act and an obstacle whioh costs local government ordinances. The present Act has over seven the 1services of many good and worthy 13 194 Governor's Speech: {ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply citizens. I therefore suggest that some Sutheriand council. case, have all the in­ reasonable scheme of assisting genuine in­ gredients of a Royal commission and are dependent candidates to finance the cost of completely out of character with what an election campaign would yield a much should be the true purpose of a court of better overall dividend for the amount now review. spent by councils on paying fees of up to The most widely recognized problem in $500 a year to each of their members. loca.l government is undoubtedly that of Also, I believe that some way should be finance for its needs. As I mentioned found of avoiding the present situation earlier, the days are gone when local gov­ where some aldermen hang on to office ernment was a servicing organization for term after term, often because of public real estate. There is now a seemingly un­ apathy, or for other insufficient cause. I limited increase in all types of amenities wonder whether the system might not bene­ and services required by all sections of the fit from a provision that no alderman community. I must say, therefore, that I serve more •than, say, two consecutive terms cannot at all agree with the idea, supported of office wi~hout an election. This would by the recent report of the Royal Com­ at least ensure a better flow of new faces mission on Local Government Finance and new ideas, both of which, it seems that a rate on property is the best method to me, are necessary if local government of financing the activities of local govern­ is to be more efficient. I realize that this ment. The traditional rate is a discrimina­ is a novel idea which many people will tory tax on real estate, which in reality leads think unnecessari.ly arbitrary, but to take to a minority of the community financing only one illustration I recall that the Presi­ a wide and growing array of social and dent of the United States of America, community services provided for all mem­ who I suppose has the most powerful and bers of the community. J.t seems to me important political office in the world •to• that the only justifiable principle in con­ day, is subject to exactly this sort of self­ temporary society is that all earning adults denying ordinance. Alternatively, the ob­ should contribute to the cost of servicing ject I have in mind might be achieved their local community, as they do .to the by some upper age limit on candi­ cost of servicing their State and national dates for local-government office. This communities. is regarded as an acceptable prin­ ciple with respect to the highest jud­ As I see it there are two possible ways of giving effect to this principle. One is to icial officers and many senior public give councils a power to levy a poi! ·tax. servants in the State. Speaking personally, I find this suggestion If it is ·important to recruit the best alder­ unpalatable and I imagine that a majority men, it is equally important to recruit the of people would think it unacceptable. The best possible career staff for local councils. alternative, which I would think preferable, At the present time there is a marked de­ would be to have the central taxing cline in the number of s·chool-leavers choos­ authority levy a local-government tax ing a career in local government and one and reimburse the local councils. I hopes that the responsible authorities will can imagine some of the things that take prompt steps to reverse this trend. It will be said aJbout that suggestion is also important that the procedures for -that it would destroy the sovereignty terminating employment of councils' ser- of local government and so forth . . vants should be brought into line with those The blunt fact, of course, is that for other branches of the public service. local government can lose its sovereignty The procedure under section 99 by which at any time at the will of this Parliament, a public inquiry can be held to review a as recent events in Sydney have amply council's decision rather than granting a demonstrated. That being so, I for one right of appeal to an appeals court is time­ favour action through the central taxing consuming, expensive and unreal. These authority as a practical answer to a practical public inquiries, as witnessed by the recent problem. Mr McGinty] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 195 One final problem of local government all pattern of growth so that it becomes must be mentioned, and in some ways it is growth in the interest of and to the advant­ the most important of them all. It is the age of the people of the area. matter of long-term town planning. It I conclude by expressing my firm com­ must be conceded that much useful research mitment ·to the ideals of parliamentar)l bas been done recently, more or less on a democracy of which this House is the guard­ day-to-day basis, by the State Planning ian and the guarantor. Whether my service Authority and in the universities. The in the House be brief or lengthy, please Municipality of Willoughby, in my own God, I will always hold fast to them. electorate, has been active in seeking to answer the complex social challenges which Mr HILLS (Phillip), Leader of the are bound up in the concept of planned Opposition [3.59]: I have known the hon­ community living. The municipa.I council ourable member for Willoughby for some last year sponsored a special inquiry into considerable .time, particularly in his cap­ the long-term town planning needs of the acity as Mayor of Willoughby, a munici­ municipality and appointed for .the purpose pality in which he and his wife did great a special .committee. The members of this work. I congratulate him on the delivery committee, which was chaired by an alder­ of his speech and the fact that he has now man of council, Alderman Sully, were become a member of this august body. I highly qualified persons from outside the congratulate, too, the honourable member municipality who were experts in a number for Fuller and the honourable member for of relevant disciplines. The report of the Burrendong on the excellent manner in Sully committee has been printed and a which they moved and seconded the Ad­ copy has been sent to the Department of dress in Reply, and also the other honour­ Local Government for its information. I able members who have made their maiden hope that it will stimulate action as well as speeches so far in this debate. I refer to interest within the department, because. the honourable members for Campbelltown, while all such research is greatly to be Bligh, Maroubra, Corrimal, Balmain and desired and encouraged, the fact remains Kembla. that if the relevant questions about present I am sure that the standard already set planning for a better future community are by these new members which this Parlia­ not being asked in Parliament, then they ment has been fortunate enough to acquire are not being asked where it counts. after the recent elections, will be main­ It seems to me that there is an urgent tained by the new members who are yet to need for Parliament to become much more make their maiden speeches. We all know deeply and imaginatively concerned with the trepidation with which honourable these matters of planned urban growth. I members approach their maiden speech in hope to be of service to the House in that Parliament irrespective of their experience regard, the more so since my own electorate prior to coming to this Chamber. I might provides, I believe, a particularly dramatic say in passing that !!he honourable member example of the need for more informed for Fuller and the honourable member for government concern with, and participa­ Burrendong are probably fortunate in being tion in, the solution of the problems of members of this Assembly. The redistribu­ urban growth. When one considers the tion helped them considerably and I sup­ recent phenomenal growth of the Chats­ pose it is appropriate that the Government should have given them the honour to move wood district centre, and the complex prob­ and second the motion for the adoption of lems of transport associated with that the Address in Reply. growth, so seriously exacerbated by the ex­ isting and proposed future Warringah Ex­ His Excellency's Speech, I suppose, con­ tained the least information of .any delivered pressway development, it becomes more than· in recent times and it points up the attitude ever apparent that the Government must permeating the thinking ·Of the Government become the principal source of positive -a complete disregard for the rights and leadership in the control of this over- needs of the people of our State. It was 196 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply an insult to His Excellency. We know of nificant difference between hard cash re­ course that His Excellency does not pre­ quired for revenue accounts and permission pare the speech ; it is prepared for him by to place the State deeper and deeper into his Ministers. It was an insult to the people debt by securing greater loan allocations, of the State of New South Wales. It was the Premier only aggravated the position. such a poor speech that His Excellency would have found some difficulty in deliver­ More fundamental than discussions and ing it to members in the other Chamber. agreements governing the financial relation­ ships between the Commonwealth and the Except that we have become accustomed States, -are the constitutional bases and areas to this disdainful attitude of the Govern­ of responsibility, t·hrough which our Aus­ ment it would be incredible to think that tralian political system must function. By not one word was included in His Excel­ referenda at the turn of the century the lency's Speech on the paramount subject peoples of the six Australian States freely of federalism. Before moving on to a num­ chose to add to the political structure a ber of other matters about which I shall federation with a federal legislature and make brief but fundamental comments, I administration. They constructed out of a shall deal with the most fundamental of all geogmphic label-Australia-the legislative matters facing Australia as a whole and entity, the Commonwealth of Australia. the States in particular-federalism or They did this to facilitate the administration Commonwealth-State relationships. On the of a limited number of responsibilities com­ aspect of financial relationships between the mon to all the States, namely, defence, cus­ Commonwealth and the States I shall have toms, immigration and the like. They cer­ much to say in the budget debate. The tainly had no thought of abandoning the Premier made some comment this morning State legislative and administrative mach­ in connection with financial matters when ines, or of allowing this newly-created commenting on the budget speech delivered federal structure to overwhelm and stifle by the Commonwealth Treasurer. I was the States. By a now accelerating adminis­ concerned, as all honourable members were trative process, the federal Liberal-Country concerned, at what the Premier said. He Party Government is squeezing the States virtually forecast that in the budget speech out of existence. That is what the Premier which he will deliver soon, it is likely that said this morning. added taxes will be imposed upon the people of this State. I hope I have misunderstood It is urgently necessary for the peoples the Premier's remarks. of the States, through their elected State legislatures, again to take stock of the posi­ I was most interested and pleased to hear tion. The centralists have made, and un­ the remarks made by the member for less checked, will continue to make enorm­ Fuller during his Address-in-Reply speech. ous inroads into what were the exclusive He expressed some sound principles, but areas of State administration. At the same his remark about the effectiveness of this time it must be acknowledged that in to­ Government's actions upon a solution of day's world of advanced technology it could the problem could not have been more be of advantage to ,the Australian people astray. The Government. and especially the Premier, have done more than anyone as a whole to have the federal machine else to aid and abet the federal Liberal­ take over some areas of responsibility addi­ Country Party Government in its attacks tional to those now set out in section 51 upon our federal system. By his .tame-cat of the Commonwealth Constitution Act. But acceptance of the terms for renewal of the this should ·and must be discussed and Tax Reimbursement Agreement, dictated mutually recommended by the States and to the 1965 Premiers' Conference by Sir the Commonwealth and voted . into the Robert Menzies, the Premier of New South Wales drove nails into the coffin prepared Commonwealth constitution by the people. for the States by his Liberal-Country Party It cannot -be dictated, imposed or contrived colleagues. Because of his obvious lack by centralist Liberal-Country Party federal of knowledge and appreciation of the sig- politicians. Mr Hills] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 197

Perhaps the best medium for the discus­ agreed with those sentiments. Quite frankly, sion and recommending of such constitu­ I cannot accept this. I think the Premier tional changes would be a new series of should send a letter of apology to the Presi­ federation conventions, similar to ·those dent of the United States of America. Cer­ from which the Commonwealth of Aus­ tainly he should apologize for compromis­ tralia emerged. The Australian Labor Party ing him. In the course of the general has taken the initial step on these lines. outcry and public condemnation which The leaders of the federal and State Par­ followed this repeat performance, not one liamentary Labor parties have held two such member of the coalition Government convention meetings-the first in Adelaide voiced his disapproval. There can be only last November and the second a month one conclusion-that members on the ago here in Sydney. At these meetings we Government side agree with him to a man. have begun a review of the areas of respon­ The Opposition to a man dissociates itself sibility for the States and the Common­ from this expression of irresponsible pro­ wealth. We have dealt with some phases vocation which was uttered and repeated of education and with roads and other by the Premier while acting as Premier, major public works, but much ground which is the highest office in this State. remains to be covered. Then there is the Premier's repeated We have made a start. The Liberal­ failure to inform the House of matters of Country Party State leaders have made some vital public importance. It is indeed a rare lap-dog protests against the financial squeez­ occasion when he bothers to answer a ques­ ing of the States by their federal colleagues ; tion without notice directed to him by a but that is all they have done. The Premier member of this Parliament-unless it is jumped on the band-waggon and made a a "Dorothy". For example, last Thursday Jot of sound about caiiing a meeting of ail the honourable member for Auburn asked Premiers. Nothing has come of that. The him for information about the outrageous Labor Party will continue to work on this affair of the stolen paintings. The Premier problem and in the near future, when Labor did not touch upon the gravamen of this governments are returned in State and matter ; he gave the impression that he federal legislatures, we shall take appro­ was not sufficiently acquainted with the priate action to see that our federation facts to be able to give a satisfactory works as it was intended to work. answer. In point of fact, I know that he knows a lot more about it than he led the Yet another deplorable attitude is the House to believe the other day. If members disregard of responsibility by Ministers in on· the Government side are doubtful about this Government. This is most marked in it, let them go and ask the Premier. If the actions of the Premier himself. What I told them about it, it would be suggested more despicable and irresponsible action that I was attacking the police: I shall not could any member of any government com­ let the Premier trap me into that. He must mit than that recently flaunted before the come into the House as Premier and tell public by the Premier? His now historic the people of the true position. If he does statement-"Ride over the b's"-epitomises not do so within a short time, I might have all that he and his Government stands for. to teii the people the facts. This is the way · One could, perhaps, overlook such an utter­ the Premier attempts to answer important ance in the heat of an impassioned out­ questions. burst, but for him-the Premier and leader of a major political party in this State-to Any Minister, if he is responsible and recaii it coldly, deliberately and with obvious does his work well, anticipates the sort of relish during a luncheon speech almost two questions he might be asked in this House. years after he first uttered it, is a vastly I am sure the Minister for Health does different matter. not come into the Chamber without antici­ pating the sort of questions that might be The Premier even compromised the Pre­ asked of him, not only by members of his sident of the United States of America by own party but by members of the Op­ giving the impression that the President position as well. What happened when the 198 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply Premier was asked the important question required by the Premier and his Ministers in about the large sum of missing money? respect of this problem. Incidentally, the He looked very serious about it all and said, question of prostitution was stated to be the in effect, that he would come back later subject of legislation by the Government. on and let the House know about it. I Is any announcement to this effect con­ raise the matter here, and I ask the Premier tained in His Excellency's Speech? Perhaps to bring the information before this Parlia­ it is covered by the short sentence, "Other ment. This is an important matter. Might measures will be submitted to you". It is I say that members on this side of the certainly not mentioned anywhere else in House are seriously concerned about the His Excellency's Speech. problems of organized crime. Mr MAUGER: Did the problem of pros­ Mr HouGH: It is about time. titution begin only three years ago? Mr HILLS: I know the honourable mem­ Mr HILLS: All I can say in reply is ber for Wollongong has made allegations that I do not know as much about King's about S.P. betting in Wollongong, but I do Cross as the honourable member for not know whether he has been able to Monaro, even though I have represented solve the problem or whether this much that area for a long time. vaunted legislation will be introduced. Mr MAUGER: That is why I asked the Although I looked with great interest Leader of the Opposition. He represents through His Excellency's Speech, I did not the area. He should know all about that. see any reference to it. I do not know whether they are pulling the honourable Mr SPEAKER: Order! member's leg, or who is doing what. I am sure that honourable members are con­ Mr HILLS: I am glad the Minister for cerned about the growth of violence in our Health is in the House to hear my com­ community. We should not claim to be ments on the Government's attitude on a responsible people and we should not be number of health matters. Already we have members of this Parliament if we were not witnessed the political murder of the concerned about it. What of the murder city council perpetrated by Morton the of a gentleman named Reilly, in respect of Mortician, the holder of a portfolio in this whom the police, or somebody, started pro­ Government. This same gloomy under­ ceedings in the Coroner's Court? We know taker is being brought on to a Cabinet sub­ that subsequently the Attorney-General de­ committee to officiate at the Government's cided not to file a bill against the persons last rites ceremonial for Sydney Hospital. who had been charged with the offence, on I understand that the statement I am about the ground that there was not sufficient to read was issued by the Premier. My evidence. Frankly I do not think the right reply to members who might say that it is people were arrested. not correct is that it is as I have it. The statement is as follows: \fembers have been concerned also about The Premier, Mr. Askin, said today, "There another recent murder. I shall not mention was a premature release of the Government's the names of the people involved, because proposals about Sydney Hospital and Parra­ charges have been laid against them. On matta Hospital which did not cover details or · reasons for such proposals". an adjournment motion I have raised the question of an increase in prostitution in Of course the Minister for Health has been this city. I do not care to raise matters making statements like this ever since the like this but I have done so because of the Cabinet leak occurred. seriousness of the situation. Out of these On the recommendations of the Minister vile operations, not only in our city but in for Health, Mr Jago, Cabinet has approved of the Minister putting full details of the other great cities of the world, people like proposals to the Sydney Hospital Board and AI Capone have come to light. I am afraid the Senate of the University of Sydney. Cabinet that this sort of process is happening in our will defer its final decision until these bodies have had a reasonable opportunity to express great city of Sydney. Urgent action is their views. Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 199 The message got out. We read it in the Mr HILLS: The Opposition contends that Sydney Morning Herald. For some time the sick must come before the comfort of whispers of it had been heard but, quite members of Parliament. A modern, all­ frankly, when I first read the news I could purpose, general Sydney Hospital, incor­ not believe it. I just could not credit that porating an eye hospital and an accident the Minister for Health would transfer ,the clinic equal to any in the world, must be Sydney Hospital to Parramatta, and still built on or around the present Sydney Hos­ call it Sydney Hospital. However, it has pital site. So let the Government forget never been denied. The final details have about transferring Sydney Hospital. Let it not been made known to ,the public, but it forget about keeping the board of the hos­ is sufficient to say that it was the Govern­ pital in a state of suspense. Let it make the ment's intention, and that intention has not situation perfectly clear 'to the people of been changed ; the Minister himself is re­ New South Wales. ported to have said that Cabinet unani­ mously adopted this recommendation. The Mr JAGO: Why should it be there? Government says, "We propose to close Sydney Hospital in 1976 and we shall build Mr HILLS: If the Minister for Health a new hospital at Parramatta." wants to justify his killing of Sydney Hos­ pital, he will have an opportunity during the The Opposition contends that Parramatta debate to explain his attitude. He will have is undeniably in need of a new, modern the opportunity to explain it to the members hospital, and the Government should pro­ of the Sydney Hospital board, to the people ceed immediately to construct it. I do not of Parramatta and to the University of think there is any disagreement between the Sydney. Government and the Opposition on this. I say to you, Mr Speaker, as the custodian of Mr EINFELD: And to the half a million our rights and privileges in this House, that people who come to Sydney Hospital each the Government must forget its plans for year. memorializing itself by building on the Mr HILLS: That is right. When the time present Sydney Hospital site and the land on comes to rebuild Parliament House, if it will which Parliament House now stands a new, interfere with Sydney Hospital, Parliament multi-storey Parliament House. It ought to House should be built elsewhere. The Oppo­ forget about that. sition's attitude is that the sick come first. Mr CUTLER: Where did you get that one? Mr TAYLOR: You can put it in Orange. Mr HILLS: You have already got plans on the drawing board. If you do not know Mr HILLS: The Government is putting about it, have a yarn to Mr Speaker ; he all sorts of things in Orange, including an will let you know. agricultural college, and the Minister for Agriculture is running into trouble all over Mr SPEAKER: Since you involve me, I the State because of that. I read the other tell you at once that I know nothing of it. day that the honourable member for Tenter­ field said, at a meeting at Inverell, that he Mr HILLS: You know nothing of the proposes to protest violently about the estab­ plans in the back? lishment of an agricultural college at Orange. It is significant that the members Mr SPEAKER: No. There has been no of the subcommittee of Cabinet which has appmval by the Government-- been investigating Sydney Hospital were the member for Orange, who is a member of Mr HILLS: No approval by the Govern­ the Country Party ; the member for Armi­ ment, but the plans are on the drawing dale, who is a member of the Country board. Party-- Mr SPEAKER: --and no communication Mr CUTLER: What about the Minister for from the Government about it. Education? 200 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

Mr HILLS: Yes, and the Minister for Crown the hospital board invited me to Education, who is also a member of the reJOIO, so they probably did think some­ Country Party, and, of course, our friend thing of me. the Minister for Health. Now the Minister Mr JAGO: It was a very nice tribute. for Local Government is brought into it. Quite frankly, I do not know whether any­ Mr HILLS: In my association with that body can tell us, after the decision today, board ·the only man who disagreed with my whether the subcommittee is still functioning ideas was Sir Herbert Schlink. The former or whether the matter has been handed medicai superintendent of the Royal Prince back to Cabinet. It may well be that our Alfred Hospital, Dr Selle, would suggest friend the Minister for Health will be able that the hospital was as big as it ought to be, to tell us about the matter later. So much in number of beds. He did not want his for Sydney Hospital. I have made the hospital to grow bigger because it would Opposition's attitude quite clear. For the be a physical impossibility for a medical information of ·the House, the Opposition's superintendent and his staff to administer attitude that Sydney Hospital should remain a larger hospital. If it is intended to asso­ in the city was adopted unanimously at a ciate the Sydney eye hospital with the meeting of our party yesterday. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital I warn the Government that you could not increase Mr JAGo: You have reversed the policy the size of that hospital. the Labor Party followed for thirty-five years. The Royai Prince Alfred Hospital itself is in need of restoration and modification. Mr HILLS: That is not true. The •last The hospital board has invited the Min­ decision on this subject made by a Labor ister to inspe.ct the condition of operating government was to rebuild Sydney Hospital theatres and other hospital appointments. on a site in Brisbane Street. Our policy The eye hospital cannot be divorced from was to retain this hospita.l in the city area. the Sydney Hospital. The people who I suggest that the Minister inspect a site have supported the scheme for building a bordered by Riley, Oxford, and Pelican new Sydney eye hospital have done an streets. He would find a nice vacant piece excellent job. They appealed to the public of land where a building was recently and a total sum of $400,000 was given in destroyed by fi·re. The Government has response to this appeal. The last cost esti­ the power to acquire this land and it mate I heard for the building of a new would be an excellent site for a new Sydney eye hospital was of the order of $2,000,000, eye hospital. The Government has sug­ so the money raised by the appea·l repre­ gested a new eye hospital should be built sents almost 25 per cent of the total inside the grounds of the Sydney University. amount required. I do not know what the Does this mean that the new eye hospital Minister proposes to do with the money is to be associated with the Royal Prince a:ready raised. Perhaps he will use this Alfred Hospital? I am a member of the money to build the new hospital at Sydney Royal Prince AHred Hospital Board. University, but he will have to legislate to do so. Sydney Hospital should be retained Mr JAGO: Not a very good member. in the city. If the site on which Parlia­ ment now stands is required for exten­ Mr HILLS: Whether good or bad, when sions to Sydney Hospital then the I was a Minister of the Crown I voluntarily Parliament buildings should be demolished. This ramshackle old building should be resigned from the board because of my pulled down to make way for the require­ ministerial responsibilities. I had been ments of Sydney Hospital and rebuilt appointed to the board of the Royal Prince somewhere else. Alfred Hospital on the nomination of the I turn now to the administration of my former Minister for Health, the honourable friend, the Deputy Premier and Minister member for Burrinjuck. When I relin­ for Education-and Minister for Science, to quished my duties as a Minister of the give him his full

Mr CuTLER: I like to be given my full the beginning of the year and 31st May title. last but tried to play down the fact by adding that resignations had increased by Mr HILLS: I have never seen Ministers only 0.3 per cent on last year's figures for so touchy. I never worried whether a per­ the corresponding period. He did not say son called me by my Christian name or that last year the figures were staggeringly by my surname, or whether he dropped high and that the drain had been going on off a couple of titles that I might have for the past three years. had. In fact, I was asked at one time whether I wanted to make application to This is by no means the end of the story. the Premier to retain the title honourable, If the Minister for Education is concerned as I was no longer a Minister. I said that now, how will he react if, through economic I did not want it, until I won back the circumstances, large numbers of pupils can­ title as a member of a government elected· not be accommodated by the private school by the people of New South Wales. If the system? Labor foresaw this position and Minister is going to be touchy when some­ made plans to cope with it. The Hon. J. B. one forgets one of his titles, all I say is Renshaw, in his policy speech for the that he ought to grow up. general elections in February last, said that if returned to office, Labor would discuss Mr R. J. KELLY: You would not want to immediately with the appropriate authori­ call them Wally and Beryl. ties a subsidy scheme to be implemented Mr HILLS: When I think about the in February, 1969, for payment of salaries Mellish muddle, oh boy! The Minister's of qualified lay teachers in non-State "don't care'' attitude is one of the root schools. Both the Hon. R. W. Askin and causes of the terrifying educati-on crisis. I the Hon. C. B. Cutler held out the bait of propose to say something more about this promises of higher per capita pupil subsidy during the budget debate, but today I must allowances to non-State schools. draw attention to the fact that, despite Though it has been strongly rumoured all the trumpeting about an education com­ for months past that the federal Govern­ mission, which was a high-note of the Pre­ ment would come out with a subsidy pay­ mier's 1965 policy speech, not one word ment for lay teachers, we know that the of reference to this vital matter appears federal Government did not do this from the in His Excellency's Speech. I know that speech delivered by the federal Treasurer the Government has referred it to an­ last evening. Now the non-State school other committee. It has had more com­ authorities are faced with the imminent mittees operating than I have ever seen prospect of having to pay award wages in any other government. Referring a to lay teachers in their schools, with no matter to a committee is a nice way to prospect of government relief. This, as bury it. Not only was there no mention they admit, will result in many children of an education commission, but also no now attending non-State schools and reference appeared in the Goyernor's Ad­ thousands about to start school who would dress to the fact that we are in the midst normally have attended these schools, hav­ of an education crisis, though the Minister ing to enrol at State schools. Even the keeps denying it. Now he is starting to Ron. R. W. Askin and the Hon. C. B. admit it. Cutler must be able to understand what Here, again, is an example of ministerial this would mean to already overcrowded inadequacy. On 21st May last the Minister State school classes. was reported as having said the day before that there had been no increase in the The Ron. C. B. Cutler has made no percentage of teachers resigning. On 26th provision to meet this contingency, and he June he was reported as saying that he has spent the first two years of the Govern­ was ,concerned at the number of resigna­ ment's administration sabotaging the pre­ tions of teachers and the lack of relief vious Labor administration's plans to cope staff. It struck him strongly a month later. with the estimated normal demands on the He admitted to 1,850 resignations between State school system. He thought he was 202 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] :Address in Reply being politically smart, but now he has got Mr HILLS: Yes. This school, with just the tiger by the tail. One of the worst on 530 pupils, is to be closed down by consequences of this teacher leakage is the the Minister. I know that he has all sorts overcrowding of classes. Desperate mea­ of excuses-that the class loads are too low sures are needed to cope with the situation, and that he can use the teachers elsewhere which has been deteriorating alarm· -though I have not heard that excuse from ingly since 1966 so that today teach­ him personally. My information is that the ers are holding protest meetings. I Government wants .to use the site for an­ attended one such meeting and I other purpose and that this is the reason was disturbed to hear teachers pro­ for the closing of the school. Is this the posing to withhold their service from their main reason why the school is being closed schools. That proposal received overwhelm­ down? I know that the same proposition ing support, and I was worried as I sat was put up to the former Minister for Edu­ there listening to what was going on at cation in 1959. that meeting. Mr CuTLER: This is one of your inven­ The Teachers' Federation recently re­ tions. leased figures which showed that overcrowd­ ing in classes in secondary schools has in­ Mr HILLS: We shall see whether the creased considerably since 1966. It estim­ prediction comes true. When I made some ated that two years ago 29 per cent of first statements in this House about the redistri­ form pupils were in classes of more than bution of State electoral boundaries some­ 37. The proportion has now increased to one said that it was an invention, but 55 per cent. In second form the proportion strangely enough, every line, every street, of pupils in classes of more than 37 in­ was correct. That was no invention, and creased from 26 per cent in 1966 to 47 neither is this one. per cent in 1968. In third form the pro­ portion rose from 23 per cent to 37 per Mr CUTLER: Where did you get the in­ cent. The federation says that the maxi­ formation? mum number of pupils in each of the three forms should be 24. Today the proportion Mr HILLS: People respect me. They of pupils over this limit is 89 per cent in know that I will not let them down. They fourth form, compared with 71 per cent know that if they give me private informa­ in 1966; 28 per cent in fifth form, com­ tion, I will not disclose where it comes from if I raise it on appropriate matters pared with 22 per cent in 1966; and 22 in this Parliament. per cent in sixth form. There was no sixth form in 1966. These figures should Mr CuTLER: Do you think a spy in the cause the utmost concern to pupils, parents department is deserving of respect? and teachers and, most of all, to the Minis­ Mr HILLS: All I am concerned about ter for Education. By his persistent and are the children attending the school in stubborn refusal even to acknowledge that North Sydney that is to be closed. I am such a situation exists, he runs true to the sure that every person in New South Wales general form of this Government. Another would expect his own Minister for Edu­ example is his decision to close down the cation to take the same attitude. Complete disregard for consumer protection and com­ North Sydney Technical High School. I plementary supervision of prices provide should have thought that a member repre­ another instance of this Government's dis­ senting an area such as Kirribilli, and assist­ dainful attitude towards the people. Dur­ ing the Minister, would not have agreed ing the last election campaign the former to this idea. I am sure that Ray Maher Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. J. B. would never have put up with i!-- Renshaw, announced that it was the policy of Australian La·bor Parties to establish a Mr EINFELD: The honourable member consumers' protection tribunal and to in­ for Kirribilli is the patron of the school. voke wherever necessary the existing price Mr Hills] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 203

control legislation. The Government pan­ not been set correctly. Many fruitless calls icked and the Premier announced that his were then made to M. H. Bruce to come Government, if re-elected, would establish .and fix the machine. Weeks later, after a consumers' affairs bureau-a glorified in­ pressure had been put on the firm, a mech­ formation centre. But the election is more anic went out and the job was done by two than five months behind us and nothing turns of a screw. has been heard of even this wishy-washy There is no authority in New South Wales bureau. Not a word was said about it in to ensure that the public gets a fair deal His Excellency's Speech, though the people from such firms. The Electricity Authority of this State are being subjected daily to a and electricity county councils are con­ wide variety of forms of exploitation, and cerned with safety. No doubt the Electricity the costs of a wide range of consumer Authority will look at a recent ·tragedy in­ goods continue to rise beyond vhe economic volving a reputable firm, when a mechanic reach of the average family. This is but at a block of units ·left exposed live parts one of a staggering number of forms of of a washing machine, merely taking the exploitation being c·arried out in this State precaution of tying a knot in the plug-in every day of the week. Surely one of the lead on the assumption that it would be too worst condemnations of the present state of short to reach the power point. A tenant affairs is the fact that two metropolitan untied the knot, plugged in the cord and daily newspapers make a feature of investi­ left the machine with the power on. Shortly gating such acts and endeavouring to seek afterwards, a small child came down with redress for the victims. One of these news­ her mother and was electrocuted. If this papers engages a large staff full-time to can happen with a qualified mechanic on cope with an estimated 37,000 complaints the job, what is likely to happen with the a year. fly-by-night fumblers and bumblers doing Because some of these rackets may be the work? The T.V. and Electronic Services just within the law, people often have little Association, which is pressing for legisla­ or no redress. For instance, the racket in tion, says that any man with a screwdriver repairs of washing machines and television can set himself up in business and make a sets has had a lot of publicity and attempts lot of money. He might also need an old are being made by the reputable section bomb of a motor car for transport, and a of the trade to clean up the bad pockets. tool bag •to make it appear that he knows Legislation is needed to ensure that the what he is doing. That is what is hap­ public is not fleeced. Many complaints have pening. been received by the newspapers about a The rackets flourishing in wall-cladding, firm named M. H. Bruce, of Majors Bay spray-on face lifts for homes and the freezer Road, Concord. They follow the pattern of food industries are too well known now to a person paying for repairs, the machine need elaborating. I simply emphasize that again breaking down, and many fruitless enough has come out to justify setting up calls being made to M. H. Bruce to fix some Government authority to protect the it. This firm overcharges grossly for parts public. Following the sudden collapse of and labour, but the worst feature is that the wall-cladding and texture spray rackets it just cannot or will not do a satisfactory earlier this year due to the finance com­ job. One example occurred last February. panies' withdrawing their support, many of A woman living in Punchbowl Road, Bel­ the super-salesmen moved straight into the field, got a quote of $16 from M. H. Bruce freezer-food business. The main problem to replace a thermostat in a refrigerator. here is that the freezers are far overpriced. For a start, the quote was high, but the job A $200 unit is offered for sale, on terms, was done and the machine still gave trouble. for as much as $800. There is no guaran­ M. H. Bruce's represent.ative called again tee of continuity of food supplies, as some and diagnosed a gas leak, which would cost another $39 to repair. A check with Met­ of the companies have no control over the ters, the manufacturers, disclosed that all suppliers. Moreover, the quality of food that was wrong was that the thermostat had is often far below standard. Following the 204 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply collapse of four. freezer firms this year, the not like the property and he and his wife newspapers received hundreds of complaints decided not to buy it. They returned to the from people left with a freezer but no food firm on the following Monday and said supplies. "We do not want to proceed with the pur­ Some bad pockets of home finance also chase. As we no longer need finance, please need examination. Dean Wentworth and give us back our money". Payton, formerly Philadelphie Finance and Of course, those snide operators refused Investment Company, of 45 Macquarie to give the money back, claiming that the Street, Sydney, is a bad case. Philadelphie $70 which had been paid was part of .their Finance and Investment Company was under fee. In answer to the charge that they the direction of a Paul Grolimund. When had done nothing, they replied that they Dean Wentworth and Payton was formed, had conferred with the financiers. The man Elias Pantechis, a Greek, was a front man, ostensibly rang somebody in the presence of but the active operator was Grolimund, my constituent, but he may have been who changed his name by deed poll to Dean merely pretending to talk to some person. Wentworth. The business is in the name of The woman became upset, went out into his wife, Lynn Wentworth. This firm takes the street and brought back a policeman. a substantial fee from home-seekers to She demanded her money back. The obtain finance to build but its efforts to operators bluffed the policeman, giving him obtain finance for clients invariably result the impression that they were entitled to in frustration for ,the client and a large pro­ the money. Subsequently my constituent curement fee, which cuts out whatever has received a letter from them saying that as been paid. A solicitor working in close they had to bring police to the premises association with these people has been re­ to restrain her-though she herself had ported to the Law Society several times, but gone for the police-they would take legal with no result, presumably because he is proceedings against her if she complained keeping just within ·the law. The technique any more. is to pad the account so that the client pays for arranging finance, which is not forth­ These persons are living off the com­ coming. In one case, when the client, who munity, battening on the little people who had paid $145, found that he was getting have small sums to put down as a deposit nowhere, he told the firm that he did not on a home. People who get in the grip wish to deal further with it. He queried the of these leeches find themselves in the sort firm's statement of costs, so it obliged with of situation that I have described. Surely a detailed statement, which included the it is necessary for the Government to in­ item: "To telephone attendance on you vestigate all these important matters and to when you requested a further statement ... set up a protection tribunal of the type To preparation of additional statement as described by the former Leader of the Op­ requested by you". The total came to $153. position in the Labor Party's policy speech. Dean Wentworth and Payton, in forwarding We must ensure that the people are pro­ this account wrote: "You will note that our tected from these everyday rackets. Some costs have exceeded the sum already lodged racketeers have moved into the field of by you. However, in the circumstances, we trade directories ; they select names from do not propose requesting the balance due the telephone directory and send out what to us". they call pro forma accounts. They offer a cut rate for prompt settlement. Many One of my constituents came to see me people pay them ; even some well­ to complain about the same firm. His wife established firms fail to check whether they had called to see the firm on the previous had authorized the proposed entry. When Friday and was asked to pay $70, which challenged, the compilers of the directory she did. Over the weekend she explained to her husband what she had done and how explain that it is only a pro forma account. Dean Wentworth and Payton would arrange It is a case of a good thing if payment is the finance for the purchase of a small made, and merely an opportunity missed if house at Camperdown. The husband did it is not. A variation of this technique is Mr Hills] Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] Address in Reply 205 used by a. firm that sends out an amazing instance, cars without a clear title variety of items ranging from pills td re­ occasionally are repossessed even though cords. the current purchaser has fulfilled all One free sample of vitality pills is sent his obligations. The finance company out and the recipients are invited to indi­ has a lien on the car because of an earlier cate whether they want further supplies. hire-purchase transaction, the car 'having This puts the onus on the recipient to can­ passed through a dealer without this being cel out, but few people do this. Often disdosed or adjusted. When the innocent they throw the pills and the literature into party loses his car he has no redress. ·The the dustbin. Then a letter comes from the finance company's dealings are with the debt collector. Many people pay, but the original hirer. If the repossessed vehicle firm admits that it has never taken such when sold to satisfy the debt realizes more demands to the point of prosecution. It than the debt, any adjustment legally is depends on these bluff tactics. The five­ due to the original hirer, who has acted days cooling-off period on contracts signed illegally in the first place by selling a car on unsolicited calls is being got around which was not his to sell. So the innocent by a neat little device by a firm operating party loses everything-the car and all that as Fine Arts of America. It offers small he has paid. gifts and gets people to sign a card which The answer to this problem may be legis­ turns out to be an invitation to call and to lation similar to that in Victoria providing demonstrate its wares. Thus the call is not for a clear title endorsement with registra­ unsolicited and the cooling-off period does tions, though the finance companies appear not apply. to be generally against .this idea. They seem Though there is machinery for curbing to be happy so long as their interests are pro­ the racket in bond money on home leases tected and their money is secured by simply -auctioneers and business agents will look grabbing the car. All this ra-cketeering is at complaints-far too many people are going unchecked in this State. Because of being caught by unscrupulous landlords. the Government's unreasoned, fanatical ad­ The technique is to hang on to substantial herence to the outdated laissez-faire atti­ bonds, debiting normal maintenance to tude, thousands of people are being fleeced damage, which is quite illegal but some­ by unscrupulous exploiters and even times hard to prove. A sharp landlord criminal racketeers. It is one thing to main­ with many fiats can establish a revolving ·tain freedom of choice ; it ois a vastly dif­ fund of · many thousands of dollars that is ferent and indefensible thing to allow un­ growing all the time. The racket in com­ bridled exploitation. This is what this mercial good-time, social and sporting clubs Government has been doing for the needs close examination. The indications past three years. It gives every indication are that it is controlled by one group of of continuing to do s·o, while it remains in shrewd operators associated with health office. studios. Young people are induced by this There can be no stronger condemnation group to sign up for training as tennis of the Government's attitude than its treat­ coaches. The diploma is worthless. This is ment of the young people of this State. In only one side of their activities. Groups are its bid for office in 1965, the Liberal Party invited to attend talks with a view to train­ made one of its strongest appeals to young ing as instructors. They sign up to undergo home-seekers. It held out the promise of training, without examining the fine print, cheap land by declaring ·that if elected it and later find that they have contracted to would make large numbers of Crown land take expensive health-building courses with building blocks available by ballot in both no guarantee of employment whatsoever. metropolitan and country areas. But, having These contracts have been enforced to the secured office, it has done little or nothing point of verdicts in court. to bring about a lowering of the price of The legislation covering finance com­ land. It has continued to auction c·hoice, panies and hire-purchase of cars needs selected blocks at -top market values and it to be examined. At present, for has conveniently forgotten about the release 206 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply of its mythical thousands of blocks for Lismore to believe that both cities would ballot. I am sure that you, Mr Speaker, be the first to have a new teachers' college. know of blocks at South Coogee which re­ Now we find that a decision was made in cently sold for top market values of up to favour of Goulburn, and subsequently a $8,000. Having secured their votes, the promise was made to Lismore. Government has thumbed its nose at the young, land-starved sector of the electorate. Mr DuRicK: Only because they were forced into it. In contrast to the Government's attitude, the Labor Party is ever-mindful of the needs Mr HILLS: That is so, and what are the and rights of young people. At the recent people of Lismore saying about the fact meeting of federal and State parliamentary that no progress is being made with the Labor leaders it was decided to press for teachers' college in their city? The Com­ and, when in power, to implement a re­ monwealth has allocated, I think, $8,000,000 duction of the voting age to 18 years. for the building of portions of teachers' col­ The Leader of the Opposition in the federal leges in the State, and to my knowledge Parliament, the Hon. Gough Whitlam, has none of that money has yet been expended. already given notice of a biU that he in­ tends to bring before the federal Parlia­ Mr DuRicK: It will not be spent for ment for ~this purpose. It remains to be another three years. seen whether it wiH be successful. The former Premier of South Australia, Mr Mr HILLS: My colleague suggests that Duns,tan, has proceeded along the same lines it might be three years before it is spent, in the Parliament of that State. This Gov­ despite the fact that the money is now ernment referred the matter of a reduction available to the Government. An extra­ in the voting age to the Law Reform Com­ ordinary decision was made to establish an mission, which promptly sent it back to the agricultural college at Orange. Mr Serisier, Government on the ground that it was a a member of the Labor Party in Orange, political matter which the Government itself applauds this decision, and I say to Mr must determine. The Labor Party has Serisier and other members of the Labor made its decision on this important matter. Party and the people of Orange, good luck It is now time for the Liberal-Country Party to them. However, the Minister for Agri­ Government to make up its mind about it. culture said at the time when this matter As though even it were ashamed of its was being discussed that more than sixty actions, the Government made no reference centres had submitted detailed plans for an in His Excellency's Speech to its intention agricultural college, but all of us know that of reintroducing the local-government Orange was the pre-determined locality. At amending biU to do away with compulsory least that is what the Mayor of Inverell, voting in local-government elections. Alderman D. Miles, conveyed when on 7th July last he said: "It would appear that the Yesterday the Opposition was able to site was cut and dried and the energy of extract from the Minister for Local Gov­ busy men of local government and business ernment and Minister for Highways the that was used in making detailed surveys information that he intends to proceed with was largely wasted effort." a bill which, according to him, will come before Parliament as early as possible. This Apparently the member for Tenterfield Government has not only adopted an atti­ does not think much of the deal either. He tude of disdain and disregard towards the was reported in the Daily Telegraph of 8th general interests of the people in the coun­ July as having appealed to the citizens of try areas ; on more than one occasion it Glen Innes to make a united effort to im­ has deliberately misled them. The out­ press on the Government their dissatisfac­ standing example was the Goulburn tion with the treatment of northern claims Teachers' College. During the 1965 elec­ for an agricultural college. It was reported tion campaign the P~remier, the Minister for that, as a result of Mr Bruxner's attitude, a Labour and Industry and others led the petition of protest against the selection of people of Goulburn and the people of Orange will be prepared and circulated by Mr Hills] Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] Address in Reply 207 the Glen Innes and District Chamber of the States and used by the Commonwealth, Commerce. These are but two specific where it had responsibility for road con­ examples of this Government's general dis­ struction and maintenance, on this very regard for the real interests of the people work. This Government allowed the mat­ in the country. ter to slip through its fingers and the pro­ cess has cost this State $63,000,000 that A Jot of criticism has been voiced in this could be spent not only on non-classified Chamber and elsewhere by country mem­ country roads but also on classified roads, bers of the Government against the possi­ which are controlled by councils. bility of a reduction in the 40 per cent rur~I roads provision in the Commonwealth A1d This Government has also shown its atti­ Roads Agreement, due for renewal next tude of disdain. for the country people by year. While these members are sounding the vast difference between its promises and off about the 40-60 break-up, they are los­ its performance in the matters of decen­ ing sight of the vastly more important tralization and development. Today we aspect of the Commonwealth Government's have only five water conservation projects. retention of a large percentage of the fuel One is a reduction from at least 250,000 tax receipts. When the current C.A.R. acre-feet, as planned by the Labor Govern­ agreement was drawn up in March, 1964, ment, to one of only 30,000 acre-feet. Three the Commonwealth was returning to the others have been classified by the Common­ States and expending on its own road works wealth authorities as stock and domestic almost 100 per cent of the revenue from the storages. Only one major storage remains fuel taxes, but in the August, 1965, Budget on the drawing board, and there is a com­ -shortly after the Askin Government came plete absence of planning in relation to any to office in this State-the federal Liberal of these storages which would provide for Government imposed a further 3d. a gallon the water to be utilized in an intensive way. excise on fuels. As a result, from 1965-66 The lessons of Labor planning in the Mur­ to 1967-68, it has collected a total fuel rumbidgee and Coleambally have been tax revenue of about $705,063,000 of ignored. Indeed, the nation's largest land which it has returned to the States only settlement and irrigation scheme has been $460,689,000 or 65.7 per cent. Over that attacked by the present administration. Its period, New South Wales has received about first act was to sack half the work force $125,431,000 instead of about $18'8,957,000 and cut the financial allocation by more which it would have received, had the whole than 40 per cent. The much heralded fed­ of the fuel tax been disbursed by the eral help for conservation has not mater­ federal Government. In the past three years ialized. A mere $50,000,000 has come from the present Government has made little or federal sources, to be spread over six States no protest to the federal Government on and five years. New South Wales will be its retention of this vital source of finance lucky to qualify for a weir over a creek. for road construction in both country and metropolitan areas of the State. Closer settlement has been almost totally abandoned. The Minister for Agriculture, Instead of misleading the people of the addressing the Milk Zone Dairymen's Con­ country about the 40-60 break-up of the ference recently, said, "My heart bleeds for Commonwealth Aid Roads moneys which the young man who wants to go on to the come to the State, this Government should land". In effect he said, "No more closer get off its tail and see that all of the money settlement." Labor will measure the extent which is collected in fuel tax is distributed of land hunger in our State, measure the to the road building authorities of the State, human and physical resources available and so that essential work can be done in coun­ pursue a programme of development to give try and city. This is where the money Australians a stake in their own country­ comes from. It should be spent for this side. purpose. The Labor Party when in office, in the drawing up of the agreement, ensured The whole story is one of the present that 100 per cent of the money that was Government's disgraceful attitude of dis­ being collected in fuel tax was returned to dain and indifference to the rights, the needs 208 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply and the welfare of the people of this State. it at Towra Point. All this was to be adja­ I repeat that not only was the lack of in­ cent to the national shrine, Captain Cook's formation supplied by the Government for landing place. Such sacrilege is inconceiv­ inclusion in His Excellency's Speech an able. This proposal, with the commercial insult to him, but also it was a further dis­ airport and the air traffic circus, would have play of this Government's arrogant con­ made some of the best residential area in tempt for the people. Sydney completely uninhabitable.

Mr WALKER (Sutherland) [5.10]: First Let us consider further the absolute folly I should like to express my thanks to the of that proposal. On economic grounds people of Sutherland who have placed their alone, because the Towra airport depends trust in me to represent them in the Forty­ on the dredging of material from Quibray second Parliament of New South Wales. At Bay, which was to be dredged to a depth of all times I shall endeavour to serve them 75 feet, the construction is not feasible. and their interests in the manner to which Thanks to the common sense of the they are entitled. I should like also to thank present Government it now seems that a you, Mr Speaker, and all the parliamentary port is destined for the Botany Bay north­ staff for the courtesies that have been shown ern foreshore at Banksmeadow. Towra to me and the help that has been given to me, Point is nothing but mangrove swamps and to make me feel at home in this new en­ mud flats and its surface area is totally in­ vironment. I should like to congratulate sufficient for a project of the magnitude the honourable member for Fuller, who of an airport with its runways and terminal moved the motion for the adoption of the complexes. To gain the surface area alone Address in Reply, and the honourable mem­ would require an earth fill equal to dredging ber for Burrendong, who seconded it. Both Botany Bay to a depth of 15 feet and the members are a credit to the electorates levelling of the extensive Kurnell sandhills, they represent and I am quite sure that which are already rapidly diminishing. The much will be heard of them in this House. enormous cost involved would make such a proposal quite uneconomic. I am very proud that the electorate that I have been chosen to represent embraces Considering the proposal on safety part of the Sutherland Shire, which has the grounds, even the man in the street can see honour and the responsibility to cradle and that the take-off and landing paths ·and the cherish, on the shore of Kurnell Peninsula, flight paths proposed would overlap those the very birthplace of the Australian nation, of the Kingsford-Smith airport, with the and to include areas of unrivalled natural obvious high risk of mid-air collision over beauty, which are recognized and preserved Botany Bay. The only effect of the pro­ by the residents. This beauty is appropriate posal would be to provide full-time employ­ to, and must be preserved together with, ment for the Department of Civil Aviation's the historic importance of the area. It is crash boat, which is now moored in Cook's unfortunate that for a decade this area was River. We are all aware of the disasters represented in this House by a member that occur from time .to time overseas, whose interests, although he tried hard, were where aircraft have crashed on landing or not always those of the shire or its residents. take-off at airports surrounded by high He allowed and even encouraged the de­ density building. velopment of heavy industry in the area, de­ Other honourable members have been velopment which, if it had continued, would quick to recognize the gross stupidity of the have turned this delightful residential area proposal. The lone voice of the honourable into a smoke-begrimed industrial jungle. As member for Cronulla, my esteemed friend, if this were not bad enough, when the party who has so vigorously opposed plans for a now in opposition was in government it en­ seaport and an airport, has now been joined couraged the incredible suggestion that a not only by my own but also by those of deep sea port be buiLt in Quibray Bay, and the honourable member for Hurstville and a commercial airport established alongside the honourable member for Georges River. Governor's Speech: [14 .Auo., 1968] : Address in Reply 209

In Canberra one can hear the voices of the must come to mind is that of the Honour­ federal member for Hughes, the member for able Thomas Holt, the first colonial trea­ Barton and the member for St George raised surer in this historic New South Wales in righteous indignation at the thought that Parliament, the first parliament in Australia. the Department of Civil Aviation should Holt, a man of great foresight, whose even consider this absurd plan. I am con­ actions were to have far-reaching effects on vinced that the federal member for Hughes, the shire's development, purchased 13,000 the honoura:ble member for Bulli, the acres, the greater part of which is now the honourable member for Kogarah and best residential area of the district. Holt the honourable member for Rockdale raised sheep on this land and was the first share this general condemnation of such a man to import buffalo grass into Australia. plan. Though airports and civil aviation are· He used his shire lands as the buffalo grass entirely a matter for the federal Govern­ nursery. His sheep venture failed, as did ment, I shall use all means open to me to his attempts at cattle-raising. This turned stop even what is now only a departmental him to oyster-culture. He was the fore­ suggestion. runner in the world-famous Georges River oyster farming industry which is now a It must always be remembered that the multimillion dollar industry. In 1870 Holt Sutherland shire is the natural playground erected the tall stone obelisk that stands on of hundreds of thousands of citizens. It was· the point of Kurnell peninsula to commemo­ named Sutherland to commemorate Forby rate Captain Cook's landing. Sutherland, a member of the Endeavour crew, who died and was buried at Kurnell There were other great 1 pioneers, like peninsula during Cook's visit here. The James Murphy, who came to drill coal in shire is bounded on the northern side by 1880, but stayed to found, to live and to die Botany Bay and Georges River. This in, the suburb of Como ; and the artist, natural boundary has helped to preserve the Neville Cayley, who was the founder of shire from encroachment of heavy industry Cronulla Surf Lifesaving Club in 1906. In and high density, low economy housing resi­ more modern times, the shire has owed dential development, with the result that much to men of the calibre of the late E. today the character of the area is largely Seymour Shaw, O.B.E. Of these magnificent formed by attractive homes, well kept lawns pioneers, one name rings clear above all the and decorative gardens. There are recrea­ rest, a man of vision, a man who justly tion areas, quiet parks, and natural bushland earned the title of Father of the Shire-a reserves, where residents and visitors relax man whose dreams, if I am spared, I hope and find enjoyment, but as the resident and to carry on. He was a member of this visiting population expands, more provision Assembly. I refer to the late C. 0. J. for them will be needed. Year by year more Monro. It was said of Joe Monro that he and more people are visiting Kurnell to see was born twenty years before his time. Not Cook's landing place, to _enjoy a picnic in that there was any doubt that Joe Monro park grounds, and to visit the new museum was a man of extraordinary vision, but and information centre there, to swim or there might be relative argument whether sunbake on the wonderful surf beaches of he was born twenty, thirty or even forty Bate Bay, and to see the natural wonderland years before his time. Through Joe Monro's of the Australian bush in the Royal National vision, energy, courage, faith and hard Park or the Heathcote State Park. work, projects were accomplished which pushed the development of Sutherland shire I pay tribute here to the pioneers of the ahead by decades. Mr Monro has been Sutherland district, who did so much in pre­ hailed as a visionary, as one of the shire's paring the shire for the rapid progress it is few real statesmen, a legend in his time and making today. They were responsible for a fine Australian. These tributes are none lifting the shire from a sleepy backwater the less true for the telling. For it was holiday resort to its present status of one of Mr Monro's vision splendid that provided the fastest growing residential areas in the the blueprint for the shire's development metropolis of Sydney. The first name that from unsettled bushland to a robust, driving 14 210 Governor's Speech: (ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply metropolis. Almost single-handed, he had domestic sewerage. I am pleased to be established the Tom Ugly's Bridge, giving able to inform the people of Sutherland the shire its first direct road link with the that tenders have been called for, and the city. He fought for and in 1939 obtained Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drain­ the Cronulla branch railway, probably the age Board will spend $3,000,000 on sewer­ greatest Monro achievement. This was re­ age work in the Sutherland s:hire this ferred to often as Monro's white elephant financial year, most of it in the electorate and the land-jobber's railway. Cronulla was of Sutherland, to advance the sewerage to­ supposedly an outpost of civilization and the wards Como and Sutherland. This does railway unwarranted, but his detractors had not take into consideration the supplemen­ 'their answer soon enough, for in a few short tary programme of $679,000 granted for years the sneered-at railway was one of the work earlier this year. The bulk of the most profitable lines in the State. It still is, money is to be spent in the Sutherland elec­ as I am sure the Minister for Transport torate and will provide for an extension of realizes. sewerage in Miranda, Yowie Bay, Gymea Bay, Gymea and Sylvania. This programme Mr Monro had a distinguished career in is the largest so far undertaken by the water both local and State government, being first board in the Sutherland shire, and it is elected to Sutherland Shire Council in expected that the bulk of population will 1914, on which he served for a total of have domestic sewerage within fifteen or twenty-seven years. He was also the twenty years. member for Georges River in this House for two terms-from 1932 to 1941 and The population of the area is rapidly 1949 to 1953. He fought for the Tom growing both by natural increase and new Ugly's Bridge for many years before he residential development. Aware of our finally got his way. Another Monro achieve­ needs, I am pleased to report that the pre­ ment was the installation of the shire's sent Government has heeded my pleas for first sewerage scheme, about which I shall the education requirements of an electorate say more later. He was largely responsible so long neglected and isolated politically. for getting water from the Woronora River I have recently been informed that tenders and later from the metropolitan system. He are to be called within six months for the brought power to the area by arranging a construction at Endeavour High School of bulk supply when the electric railway twelve classrooms, two science laboratories reached Sutherland. Mr Monro died two and two needlework rooms, plus office and years ago with the final segment of his staff accommodation. In the same period vision in sight, for he considered that the tenders are to be called for Jannali High failure to build a dual-track railway bridge School for six classrooms, a senior study at Como was one of the shire's greatest centre, double arts room, two music rooms, tragedies. It has taken a Liberal govern­ two laboratories, a shelter and food service ment to make this dual-track bridge a unit block, associated administration offices reality. Perhaps the secret of Mr Monro's and other amenities. I should like to point achievements was that he always spoke of, out here that the Jannali Boys' High School and believed in, the future of this great is now on the border of Georges River area. I shall endeavour to maintain that electorate and the Sutherland electorate, but philosophy about the future of one of the I did give certain undertakings during my finest residential areas in Australia, an area recent campaign because a large percentage that must be preserved in its present setting of the students of this school reside in the as befitting the birthplace of what I con­ Sutherland electorate. It is expected that sider to be a nation with the greatest future. in the same period tenders will be called As I mentioned earlier, the late Joe also for the construction, on the site of the Monro was one of the early agitators for Jannali Girls' High School, of five class­ sewerage in the shire. I pledge myself to rooms, a general utility suite, senior study continue this agitation until every home in centre, two music rooms, art and pottery my electorate enjoys the civilized right of rooms, three laboratories, and a kitchen, Mr Walker] Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] Address in Reply 211 plus office and storage space. The total promised completion during the life of this cost of these projects is $1,260,000 ap­ Parliament of the proposed road bridge proximately. It is expected further that in across the Georges River at Mickey's Point. 1969 tenders will be called for extensions Suggestions have been made that the old at Port Hacking High School for twelve railway bridge at Como ought to be con­ classrooms and other amenities, also for a verted for road traffic use. It has been new high school at Sylvania, the first stage offered free of cost to local government. of which will be twenty-three classrooms. I realize that the major limitation on any I thank the Deputy Premier, Minister for government is finance, but I strongly sup­ Education and Minister for Science for his port these suggestions, and if finance pre­ tolerance in listening patiently to my many sents a problem the conversion could be representations. financed by making the bridge subject to a It is desirable, indeed essential, that the reasonable toll for a limited period. growth and development of the Sutherland In conclusion, I demand the recognition shire now and for the future be of a recrea­ by administrators and legislators at local, tional and residential nature rather than State and federal levels of their responsi­ heavy industrial. By this means, the historic bility to preserve this historical Sutherland­ associations of the Kurnell peninsula and Cronulla area as a residential and recrea­ the area in the near vicinity will be pre­ tional area, a fitting setting to be passed on served in a setting of which Australia will to future generations as their heritage, so be proud. In this event the existing demand that our children and our children's child­ for improved transport will be greatly in­ ren may ·have their rightful birthright by creased. At present, railway transport on enjoying the beaches, the •bushland, and the the Sutherland-Cronulla line is hopelessly historical associations. May it be that they inadequate. This, I feel sure, is a legacy will give thanks for .the foresight and com­ from the previous Government which :had monsense of the Government in preserving twenty years to anticipate the problems and Joe Munro's vision splendid. It is true that to find the solutions. By design I ·have a city, town or hamlet which has no regard recently been travelling by train between for its past can have little hope for its Sutherland shire and the city to experience future. at first hand the problems of local com­ muters during peak hours. As a result, Mr WADE (Newcastle) [5.35]: I thank I share their frustration. Many residents ·the House for the opportunity of taking have asked me to seek an assurance from part in the debate on the motion for the the Government that some relief will be adoption of the Address in Reply, and in provided from the distressing and hazar­ doing so I feel that certain criticism should dous overcrowding that occurs on trains in be levelled not at the Governor but at the peak hours. Government for the information contained in His Excellency's Speech. The speech it­ Looking at the road traffic situation, I self lacks initiative. I can only deduce from find that the greatest single problem is the it that this Government has taken up the volume of vehicular traffic which must rely role of a caretaker government. It is quite on the Georges River bridge between Tom commonly known that this Government, Ugly's Point and Sylvania. It may surprise since its election, has merely completed members to learn that the Captain Cook works that were started by the former Labor bridge at Taren Point, constructed by a Labor government despite opposition from government. However, it claims full credit local Labor members, still does not meet for all the works. the needs of the shire, which houses more There has been a lot of controversy about than 1 per cent of the population of Aus­ the proposed Sydney-Newcastle expressway tralia. This bridge, in the three years since its completion, has proved only a temporary and the possibility that work on it will be relief to the bridge at Tom Ugly's Point, discontinued despite statements to the con­ which is again approaching saturation point ·trary by the Minister for Local Government at an alarming rate. The Government has and Minister for Highways. People in my 212 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply area are concerned that work on the pro­ of this State. I recall that when the Pre­ ject might cease. The northern railway has mier was Leader of the Opposition he was been electrified as far as Gosford, but al­ most critical of this State, sabotaging the though the people of Newcastle were pro­ Labor Government's efforts on its behalf mised the electrification as far as that city, and criticizing it as a second-rate State. He they are still denied this benefit. The New­ made out that Victoria under the Bolte Gov­ castle area is responsible for handling the ernment was the leading State. The Labor highest tonnage of goods carried by the rail­ Party gave the lie to that, and it has been ways. Even heavier tonnages will be proven that, not only under Labor but handled with the completion this year of even under this Government, New South the standard gauge, which is expected to Wales has remained the premier State of impose much greater strain on the local Australia. It will continue to be the pre­ railway system. mier State because of its industry and One ·thing that comes sharply to my mind potential. is that the Governor made little reference Areas of Broadmeadow which were not to the proposed new changes to the Local formerly in the Newcastle electorate and Government Act. Apparently it is common the complete areas of Merewether Heights knowledge that the Act will be amended in and Merewether were added to the elec­ several important ways. First, the Act will torate by the boundary changes prior to the be amended to change certain procedures last general elections, thus considerably in­ for local government elections taking place creasing its size and the number of its at the end of the year. Throughout the electors. I thank the people of Newcastle, State disapproval has been evident of the especially the campaign committee of the proposal to deny the right of the people to Australian Labor Party and my campaign elect their own mayors and shire presidents. director, Mr Vince Sinclair, for the unstint­ No one will argue that this is not a demo­ ing efforts that they put into the campaign cratic method. The Government proposes which resulted in my election to this House. to do away with compulsory voting at local I thank also the electors of Newcastle for government elections and to change from their confidence in me, and I sincerely hope the proportional representation method of that it has not been misplaced. I thank voting to the preferential voting method, the returning officer of the Newcastle elec­ eliminating the grouping of candidates on torate for the diligent way in which he ballot papers and the system of drawing performed his duties during the campaign out of the hat for positions on the ballot and for his assistance not only to me but paper. Though it is common knowledge that also to the other candidates who contested the Government will press for these altera­ the seat. My opponents on this occasion tions, it did not refer to them in His Ex­ were the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Alder­ cellency's Speech. Such important matters man D. G. McDougall, and a Liberal can­ should have been included. Certainly, the didate, Mr Malcolm Barnes. I offer my Governor said towards the end of his Speech sincere thanks to both of them for the clean that other matters would be discussed by campaign that they waged against each the House. Was this some ambiguous move other and against me. by the Government to cov~r up its inten­ My predecessor, Mr Harold Hawkins, tions under the guise of other business? who succeeded Mr Peter Connolly in this Why has it not given clear and adequate House as the member for Newcastle in notice of its intentions in this matter? May, 1935, served conscientiously in this It is plain that this Government has Parliament for thirty-three years. For accepted the role of a caretaker govern­ fifteen of those years he held positions in ment, deciding not to adopt a progressive the Ministry. For two years he was assist­ outlook. Former Labor governments in ant to the Premier, and for four years he their twenty-four years of administration in was Minister for Lands. As Minister for this State were responsible for bringing Lands he had the foresight in 1954 to down enlightened social and industrial legis­ allocate an area of 293 acres for the estab­ lation. They did a mighty job for the people lishment of the University of Newcastle on Mr Wade] Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] :Address in Reply 213 a site at Shortland. The original intention only has to contrast the conditions in which of the Labor Government to give autonomy federal members work in their electorates, to the University of Newcastle was later with their own office and secretaries, to realized. It was proposed that a teachers' realize that State members are poorly done training college be established on the same by. I hope that the Government will heed site. The area was dedicated for this pur­ this plea. I speak especially for my own pose on 29th October, i955. The results electorate, which is the sixth largest city are quite pronounced. Newcastle now has in the Commonwealth and handles the larg­ the nucleus of a university, with all the est export shipping tonnage in Australia. responsibilities that go with it. The importance of my electorate and of the electorates of every other honourable Mr Harold Hawkins was the first Minis­ member demands that the Government act ter to hold the joint portfolio of Minister on my suggestion. for Child Welfare and Minister for Social Welfare which was made a joint office The State Dockyard at Newcastle has under the Labor Government. He intro­ about 2,000 employees. Previously the duced legislation that greatly assisted the Minister for Public Works said that he under-privileged children of this State in would guarantee the full employment of the charitable and denominational schools and staff of the dockyard. Recently in answer homes, and in homes for retarded children. to a question by me he said that he would He established a home for boys at Kurri investigate a superannuation scheme for Kurri. He was one of the persons instru­ the employees there. I sincerely hope that mental in bringing pressure to bear upon in the life of this Parliament he will en­ the Labor Government for the re-establish­ deavour to bring that to fruition. In the ment of the State Dockyard at Carrington last session of Parliament it was said that in Newcastle and this was achieved in consideration would be given to the estab­ 1942. Since his retirement Mr Hawkins lishment of a new floating dock at New­ has been president of the Newcastle Inter­ castle. When the Minister for Public national Sports Centre, to which this Gov­ Works and the members of the new board ernment and the previous Government have of directors of the State Dockyard recently given monetary assistance. I hope that the investigated this proposal, they inspected the Government will continue to assist this pro­ present floating dock but they did not go ject. Work has commenced on it and the inside it to look at the holes and the rust, grandstand is just about completed. It so they did not see its perilous condition. will be a credit to both governments and Having observed it from the top, they said to Harold Hawkins in particular. He con­ that it would last for several years yet. scientiously attended to the needs of the This floating dock was granted to the State people of Newcastle and of this State, and Dockyard by the federal Government, and his achievements will always be a monu­ appropriate contributions by both the State ment to his energy, efforts and sincerity of and the federal governments should be purpose. made so that Newcastle can have a new floating dock to serve the needs of that city, Let me make a suggestion that is im­ of New South Wales and, indeed, of Aus­ portant not only to my electorate but also tralia, taking its part in defence as the pre­ to every other electorate in New South sent floating dock did during World War Wales. I firmly believe that the Govern­ II from 1942 to 1945. The contribution ment should establish in every State elec­ torate an office for the local member of made towards the defence of Australia by this House. Each member should also the floating dock and the dockyard in have a secretary in the office in his elec­ general was phenomenal. A floating dock torate. It is of paramount importance that should be established at Newcastle capable the affairs of electors are dealt with of handling ships of from 50,000 to promptly by members and for this to be 70,000 tons. Four new ships that have done the service rendered by members must been built by Broken Hill Proprietary Com­ be streamlined as much as possible. One pany Limited are too big to be handled by 214 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply the dockyard at Newcastle and they will and railway tracks because work on the job have to go to Whyalla or even to Japan for was suspended. I concur with ·the view ex­ repairs. pressed by the honourable member for Burrendong, who highlighted the importance The people look forward with interest to of the Sandy Hollow-Maryvale railway for the activities of the newly-appointed direc­ defence and in the interests of the rural ·tors of the State Dockyard. We hope that community. I know that over the past six they will accept their responsibility and see months there has been extensive agitation that the dockyard is administered in the in­ on the subject and that the Newcastle terests not only of Newcastle but also of the chamber of commerce, which today cele­ whole State. This aim can be achieved if brates its eighty-second year of activity in everyone pulls his weight, and I know that Newcastle, has been most outspoken in its this will be done. The present depth of the support for the completion of this line. This Newcastle harbour bar is 36 feet, which is chamber is not wihat one might think it to not deep enough to take .the sort of ships be. Most people would think that it comists that we require. I hope that in future of anti-Labor members, but they look at the months the Government will undertake the interests of their district, irrespective of deepening of the harbour and the channels political affiliations, and I applaud them for to accommodate ships of the size that we it. I know that their interest in this scheme want. The ships that are taking coal from stems from their wish to benefit Newcastle, Newcastle are bigger than was ever antici­ the country areas and the State in general. pated and they have to leave the port not completely loaded. When fully loaded they Lake Macquarie shire, the population of cannot cross the harbour bar. which is rising rapidly, is represented on the Shortland county council by two dele­ Recently tenders were called and accepted gates. The shire council made representa­ for the construction of a bridge from Koora­ tions to the Shortland county council to gang Island, formerly Walsh Island, across support it in its endeavours to increase the to Stockton. This bridge will bring great number of its representatives on the Short­ development. Planned by a former Labor land county council from two to three. The government, this work is being brought to Shortland county council decided to support fruition by this Government. The federal the shire council, as did the Newcastle city member for Newcastle, Mr C. K. Jones, and council. It must be agreed that the popu­ others, have expressed doubt about the lation of Lake Macquarie has grown to such height of the proposed bridge ; they say that an extent that it is the fastest developing it will not be high enough to pass ships area in the whole Commonwealth. To our above 12,000 tons. Captain Hopper of the amazement, the Minister decided that he Maritime Services Board in Newcastle sug­ would agree to the increase in the repre­ gests that, to overcome the problem, in sentation of the Lake Macquarie shire on future ships will be made beamier, so that the Shortland county council but at the they can get over the harbour bar, but the expense of the representation of the New­ pylons supporting the bridge would not be castle ,city counci.J, which •has six representa­ far enough apart to allow shipping of the tives on the Shortland county council. width envisaged to pass between them. The Shortland council, which was made Therefore, the farthermost part of the a county council ten years ago, is now in its island will be useless for future develop­ seventy-sixth year of operation. Newcastle ment. has much equity in this project. It is re­ Another important feature affecting not sponsible for the efficient manner in which only Newcastle but also the surrounding the county district was established. The countryside is the Sandy Hollow-Maryvale Shortland county council is one of the few councils in the whole of the State which, railway project, which has been a dead issue within its area of 3,850 square miles, reticu­ with governments, both Labor and Liberal, lates power to users in the outlying districts over many years. A great deal of money at the same rate as to the people in the city has been wasted on building tunnels, bridges area. This is decentralization, which is Mr Wade] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 215 something that all governments have advo­ Mr WADE: The prevalence of un­ cated. Country consumers are enjoying the employment among female labour is same electricity tariff as is paid in the causing consternation in the electorate city. It is cheaper to supply the city than of Newcastle. This problem may affect it is to supply the country, but despite this other electorates, but unfortunately the fact, the city areas are carrying the burden, position is acute in New,castle for un­ without objection or protest, for country employed junior females, and does not ap­ users of power. The Shortland county coun­ pear to be improving. With the approach cil, the Newcastle city council and the Lake of school holidays and the completion of Macquarie shire council have asked the the education of fourth year students, the Minister to reconsider his decision to cut difficulty will be greatly magnified. Only down Newcastle city council's representa­ recently two c~othing firms have intimated tion from six to five, and have asked him that they will have to put off 300 girls in instead to increase the membership of the the Newcastle district within the next council from thirteen to fourteen. Everyone couple of weeks. This has caused great concerned has written to the Minister asking alarm to the people of the district. him to reconsider his decision but he has Another cause of agitation in Newcastle arrogantly replied telling the councils to and the surrounding districts is the lack desist from their endeavours to have him of a cobalt ray unit for the treatment of meet a deputation, that he has made up his cancer patients at the Royal Newcastle Hos­ mind and that he will not receive a deputa­ pital. These patients have to travel to tion from us. Sydney for treatment. A request has been Honourable members will recall the Min­ made to the Government, and to the Min­ ister's attitude last session when he put ister for Health in particular, that con­ through a measure extending the life of sideration be given to the instaUation of councils until September, 1969. Next morn­ one of these units at Newcastle. The units ing, when the House was not in session, he can now be supplied to hospitals at a not announced that he would not proceed with excessive cost of $150,000. I hope the this proposal, that he would take it out of Minister will give further consideration to the hands of the Parliament, and that the this appeal on behalf of the people of election date would revert to December this Newcastle to meet the needs of the whole year. The Minister should give further con­ of the Hunter Valley. sideration to increasing the membership of There has been agitation for many years the Shortland county council. Newcastle to have the Royal Newcastle Hospital used city council was the originator of this as a medical school in conjunction with scheme and all local-government members Newcastle University. The Roya.I New­ will agree that over the years the Shortland castle Hospital is recognized as one of the county council, as now constituted, has been most progressive in Australia. It would administering its affairs in the interests of be appropriate if a medical school could the State. Maitland council, which has be established there. I believe that the one representative on the Shortland county tea.ching of medicine and law are necessary council, has 554 electricity consumers. By for the continued success of Newcastle contrast, Newcastle ci.ty council had about Universi.ty and I hope that iii its wisdom 58,000 consumers in December last. Pro­ the Government will consider the establish­ portional representation is all out of gear. ment of these two faculties. It is not that we want to take representation away from any council, but that the compo­ The Premier recently indicated to the sition of the council is lopsided. I sincerely Newcastle city council that af.ter quite a hope that the Minister will heed the unan­ imous pleas by people in the Shortland and .lot of representations to the Government adjoining areas to give further consideration and decisions reached by the previous gov­ to this matter. ernment, it would establish in the Newcastle city area a State government office block. [Mr Speaker left the chair at 6. p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.] The Premier said only yesterday that it is 216 Governor's Spe11ch: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply the Government's intention .to construct castle. Submissions were made that the this building on the site of the Newcastle pollution of a:ir, which the committee police station and the Public Wmks De­ was investigating, was prolific through­ partment, at the corner "Of Hunter and Watt out the area. About eighteen months ago streets and in due course to transfer the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited police station to a s1te ne~t to the court house, established a basic oxygen steel manufac­ to the corner of Watt and Church streets. If turing plant. One would have assumed that this is the intention, as it is proposed to as the plant was a new one, every precau­ build a second State office block in Sydney tion would have been taken to restrict the in the near future, the people of Newcastle emission of soot and dust and other and the Newcastle dty council earnestly nuisance substances, but the opposite has request an intimation from the Premier happened. Broken Hill Proprietary Com­ whether ear.ly ·action will be taken to im­ pany Limited has erected precipitators plement the Government's policy of estab­ but the smoke is still affecting Mayfield, lishing a State "Office block in their city. Tighe's Hill, Carrington, and Stockton, If so, they ask that he have plans prepared enveloping them with smoke. I hope that for the project and that it commence in the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited near future. can overcome this problem. High-density housing development in the Of course, I prefer to see smoke and Newcastle area by the Housing Commission employment to no smoke and unemploy­ has been retarded since the advent of this ment, but I believe that industry must take Government. The Government has been into consideration the intensification of pol­ backward in establishing Housing Commis­ lution in our area, and try to eliminate it. sion units and houses in the area. Provi­ I know that the Minister for Transport has sion has! been made on the Dixon Park many problems with smoke, soot, and prime beach site, which is an admirable area, for pollution by the railways, and a lot of these the construction of flats. The land was sold matters will eventually be solved. The by the city council to the Housing Com­ advent of the Stockton bridge will mean the mission about two years ago, but no action elimination of~he vehicle ferry, and diesel has yet been taken t"O provide urgently locomotives will replace steam engines. needed ·homes. The delay is affecting ad­ Shipping aggravates the situation, but noth­ versely the Newcastle business community. ing can be done about it. The Maritime The trend today is to industrialize certain Services Board, which operates the port of sections of my electorate, and as a conse­ Newcastle, is one of the worst "Offenders quence people are compelled to move to the with smoke pollution of the harbour and lake areas. This reduces the buying com­ its shores. As the board is a statutory body, munity and affects business interests. I sin­ the city council can do nothing to interfere cerely hope that .in due course the Minister with its activities. A newly established for Housing will visit Newcastle and take fertilizer complex is located on the island further action to bring about more housing reclamation area, operated by Greenleaf Fer­ development by the commission. tilisers at Kooragang. I realize that it would be uneconomic for them to eliminate Another matter that occupies the atten­ acid fumes and other fertilizer fumes which tion of the people of my electorate is the pour out on the residential area of Stockton, air and water pollution in the city and its but as this also is a new plant it is surpris­ environs. I listened with interest the other ing that some consideration was not given afternoon to the speech of the honourable to the matter. A coal loader was recently member for Maroubra, who dealt with this established by the Maritime Services Board. subject. The problem is being experienced This gigantic installation was instigated by not only in Newcastle, ·but also in all a Labor government and completed by the other areas where industrial expansion present Government. is taking place. I gave evidence recently The coal loader plant, right in the heart to the Senate Select Committee on Air of my own suburb within a couple of hun­ Pollution when it was sitting in New- dred yards of my house, emits great volumes MrWade} Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] ,Address in Reply 217

of dust all over the place. As this is a new units, and bring in hit-and-run sand blasters. undertaking, one would have thought that They come in, sand blast and spray paint, the Government might make some attempt and before the council can act, they have to eliminate pollution from it. Tighe's gone somewhere else to annoy people until Hill is also troubled by the emission of the prefabricated jobs are again ready for cement dust from the local concrete works. sand bLasting: in the Carrington district. This dust kills off all vegetation in Tighe's The Senate select committee did not deal Hill. There is only a fence separating the with water pollution, which is experienced light industrial section from heavy industry not only in Newcastle but indeed in all and no attempt has been made to grapple· parts of the State. On Four Corners the with the problem of pollution. The city other night it was made clear that water council has an air pollution committee pollution is common in all rivers and tribu­ which has been operating for twenty-one taries in New South Wales. A classic ex­ years, but it has not been successful in ample of water pollution may be found at getting industry to toe the line. We the Broken Hill Proprietary Company hoped that the Clean Air Bill would Limited works. On the council's plan, prove successful in preventing much B.H.P. has about seventeen outlets for of the pollution, making it possible to the emission of acid, tar, naphthalene and launch successful prosecutions and to curb other residue, which go straight into the existing nuisances. Unfortunately, as the Hunter River and pollute the harbour, kil­ honourable member for Maroubra said the ling fish and creating quite a nuisance. Noth­ other night, there has been only one such ing has been done to stop this, although successful prosecution in the State of New eighteen months ago a pollution committee South Wales. Once the council has done was formed with representatives of the all it can to eliminate air pollution, all the Maritime Services Board, the Fisheries De­ powers of the Clean Air Act should be in­ partment, the city council, the Department voked by the board, of which there is a of Public Works and other departments. branch in Newcastle. However, it has so On inspection of the area it was found far taken no action. The Minister for that B.H.P. has more than twenty outlets Health must instigate proceedings against instead of seventeen. Unfortunately, the an offender. committee has achieved nothing. The In my own suburb of Carrington a sand­ Hunter District Water Board is emitting blasting undertaking established on Crown sewage on the beaches at Merewether in land is causing a lot of nuisance. The my electorate and causing a lot of concern council has no power to determine what to swimmers. It is wrong to expose them shall be done on Crown land. It is unfortu­ to this contamination, but nothing has been nate that ,the Government should lease pro­ done to eliminate it. perty to undertakings for the establishment Quite a few schoois in my electorate are of industries that will have a detrimental in need of improvement. The Newcastle effect on people and adjoining property. East primary school is one of them. An­ Some of these people have been in occupa­ other is the Newcastle Junior Boys' High tion of their properties for up to fifty School, one of the first schools to be built years, and they live within 100 feet of the in Newcastle. It ,certainly bears that ap­ point of emission of fumes. They cannot pearance today. Let me refer to the second escape the nuisance of sand blasting and stage of the Merewether school. The hon­ spray painting. Though fumes are emitted ourable member for Hamilton urged over their properties, the firm does nothing the department to build stage one, to curb its activity. The council is at its which has been completed. The second wits' end trying to get people to do the stage is now ready to be proceeded right thing. Many of these residents lived with and we hope the Minister wiU soon in the locality before industry came there. give his approval for a start to be made. The department has leased Crown land, and The Merewether Heights estate is a highly now these factories operate in the open. developed area of considerable size and They set up their machinery, complete their value. At present we are having difficulty 218 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply in getting sixty small children to the Mere­ elected. He mouthed platitudes about what wether school from this estate. The cause the Labor Party would do. His memory is is lack of transport. I have made many very short. His party had twenty-four representations to the Minister for Trans­ years in government here to do something. port on tJhis matter since I came here Mr SLoss: Tell us ,the old, old story. but I have received only negative re­ plies from him. Nothing has been done. Mr WADDY: The electors of New South I hope I can prevail upon the Minister to Wales will well remember it, though we look into the matter more graciously and do not need to talk about it too much. Let to give it some attention. I received a me now speak about some remarks by the letter today from the Deputy Premier, Leader of the Opposition concerning a Minister for Education and Minister for school in my electorate and about me in Science concerning problems associated with particular as the member for the area. As free school transport for some children. the member for the area, I naturally regret Trouble has arisen from the fact that dis­ the closing of any school. However, having tances are measured as the crow flies. presented all the arguments from the par­ I conclude by offering my sincere thanks ents and citizens' association and from to you, Mr Speaker, and to members for other interested people, and having partici­ the patient hearing a.ccorded to my maiden pated in various deputations to the Minis­ speech. I hope my future contributions ter, and then having carefully scrutinized to the debate will be constructive, not com­ all the facts pertaining to this matter, I pletely critical, and that my colleagues and think as a responsible member of this Par­ I will get results from our constructive liament-which a lot of members of the criticism. I trust I shall be here a number Opposition would not understand, as they of years to serve the electors of Newcastle do not comprehend responsibility-that the to the best of my ability, and I undertake decision to close the North Sydney Tech­ to carry out my duties without fear or nical High School is in the interests of favour. education generally and for the better edu­ cation of young people. We on this side Mr WADDY (Kirribilli) [7.48]: I am of the House do not play politics with delighted to take part in this Address-in­ education. Everyone knows quite well that Reply debate. First, may I congratulate the Labor Party played politics with educa­ my colleagues the honourable member for tion, and this Government is trying to un­ Fuller and the honourable member for ravel the mess, though I admit that it is Burrendong on the fine way in whi.ch they taking a long time to do it. The parents moved and seconded the motion for the and citizens' association has been informed adoption of the Address in Reply and of the reason for the decision. presented their maiden speeches. Let me Mr EINFELD: And it is not satisfied. now make a few references to the speech of the Leader of the Opposition. I must Mr WADDY: You do not know what congratulate him upon his eJection as you are talking about. It is satisfied. They Leader of the Opposition. We on this side came into the Minister's office and said, hope he will have many years in that posi­ "We accept this decision, although we re­ tion, but we are not too sure whether he gret it." So the Deputy Leader of the will be permitted to hold the office that Opposition does not know what he is talk­ long. As he is backed by only a little ing about. more than half his party, he will be look­ ing over his shoulder as time goes on. In [Interruption] spite of his recent election, I think it will Mr SPEAKER: Order! If the honourable be generally agreed that his speech lacked member for Kembla wishes to speak I will any inspiration for those of his supporters put his name on the list. who followed him. Indeed, his political Mr WADDY: It might interest honour­ opponents who opposed his election as able members to know that, though the Jeader must have wondered how he was buildings of this school are very old, it has Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 219 been a high school since 1942 only. In man, three jobs, or four jobs with them. 1934 the school was closed for two years, Though the member for Maroubra spent until 1936. In that period no school was his time attacking the Ministers of this Gov­ conducted in those buildings. It was re­ ernment, he has this outside job of mayor opened by combining Chatswood Interme­ and does not hesitate to use the mayoral diate High School with the North Sydney car and driver to bring him to this House Prima:ry School and calling it the Chats­ and take him home again afterwards. wood-North Sydney Intermediate High School. In 1943 it was elevated to a second­ [Interruption] class high school and in 1944 it was eleva­ Mr SPEAKER: Order! ted to a first-class high school. 'fherefore, the history of the high school is not very Mr WADDY: In fact, when he went out long. of the House the other night his car and Mr JACKSON: Did you make the deci­ driver were not there, and he put on quite sion? an act in the v~cinity and was overheard by other members of the House who have Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honour­ been quite free in reporting him. This is able member for Bulli to order. the kind of dishonesty that is evident when Mr WADDY: The maiden speech by Labor members do not stick to their prin­ the honourable member for Kembla was ciples, when they say one thing and mean quite an interesting one for this House. It another. The speech of the member for is the first time in my period as a member Maroubra ·consisted of attacks on Ministers, here that I have heard a speech that and he even went further than I have pre­ sounded completely like unadulterated com­ ~iously heard in this House, by making munism. It was completely communism. mnuendoes and snide references about the I have never heard any member get up in Speaker of t·his House. Then he went on this House and talk in such terms. One to say how good the Randwick council is, could well image that the references by and what a wonderful council his the member for Kembla had been taken council is. Of course, he is mayor of the straight out of the books of Marx and Randwick council. He omitted to tell the Lenin. He made many references to the House that a very responsible body of citi­ nationalizing of all business, and he made zens in Randwick, the Randwic;k Rate­ great attacks on capitalism. It must have payers' Association, had petitioned the Min­ sounded strange, though, to some of his ister for Local Government to remove the colleagues who have businesses or are in­ council and appoint an ·administrator. Ap­ terested in businesses outside their parlia­ parently he forgot to tell the House that mentary duties. I do not blame members fact about this wonderful council of which for having interests outside their parlia­ he is the mayor. It would do him good mentary duties or for running businesses. to reflect on his election results. He won The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has by 1,300 votes, and his predecessor won an interest in a travel agency. The member by over 10,000 votes. So much for the prin­ for Wyong has an agency for shoes and ciples of the Labor Party. Opposi·tion other things. When it is said of him, "Why members should stick to them a little, and don't you spend more time in your elec­ do not let us forget that there are others torate?" it is a bit hard when he has busi­ in the Labor Party who are hanging on to ness interests. the petticoats of capitalism, though they are trying to camouflage it. Let us be quite Let me come to the member for Marou­ clear-- bra, who spent much time during his maiden speech attacking Ministers person­ Mr DuRICK: It is very difficult. ally. The member for Maroubra is the mayor of Randwick, and he is still a mem­ Mr WADDY: For one of your limited ber of the Sydney County Council. So intelligence, I can understand that. much for the eternal cry of the Labor Party -one man, one job. In practice it is one Mr EINFELD: I do not understand it. 220 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] , Address in Reply

Mr WADDY: You understand the im­ be used as they were previously, thus doing port, though, and that is important. I am away with many traffic bottlenecks which not criticizing the Deputy Leader of the we became accustomed to under Labor's Opposition or other members for having administration. In the past three years this their own businesses and their outside in­ Government has eliminated them to a great terests. We have them, too. I do not have extent. any ; I gave mine up, but there are others who do. However, when one of the Oppo­ Mr MORRIS: Three hundred thousand sition members says that all businesses dollars have been spent on wharves. should be nationalized and capitalism Mr KEARNS: What about the Balmain should be abolished, one wonders that there service? can be such a division in a party. Mr WADDY: The people from Balmain I want to say a few words about my would not use the ferry. Why provide a electorate of Kirribilli. First I congratulate service when people will not use it? Let the Minister for Transport on the building me say a few words about the Warringah of the new ferry. This is the first new ferry Expressway and the speeding up of ·traffic that has been built for Sydney for many a that has resulted from the opening of this long year. I exclude that thing which looks great work. the same at both ends-! had better not use the word that I have in mind to describe Mr KEARNS: Who started it? it-which, when it was put on the harbour, Mr WADDY: I concede that it was had to be pulled out ·again because it nearly started by the Labor Government. sank, nose first. They reversed it, and it still did the same thing. People would Mr KEARNS: You did not concede that not ride in it. No regard was had for the at first. wishes of the people who use this form of transport. The new ferry is the first that Mr WADDY: I did not have a chance, has been built for Sydney Harbour for but I thank the honourable member for over forty years. helping me. I appreciate his assistance. The Warringah Expressway was finished ahead Mr MoRRIS: Fifty-three years. of schedule and it has made a vast difference in convenience for people travel- Mr WADDY: I thank the Minister. This ling to and from the city. · is indicative of the genuine attempt of the The expressway has virtually eliminated Government to revitalize the Sydney Har­ the peak hour hold-ups, especially on the bour ferries and to induce people to use way out of the city at night, and has also this wonderful harbour of ours and so re­ reduced by up to twenty-five minutes the duce traffic on the Sydney Harbour bridge. travelling time of the buses coming across I also ·compliment the Government on the the harbour bridge. This is an achievement way in which it is modernizing Sydney's of which the Department of Main Roads , ferry wharves. can be very proud. The department is also to be complimented on the way in which Mr KEARNS: What about the pontoon it has completed the project with minimum that sank? inconvenience to users of the roads in the Mr WADDY: That is typical. Of course area and for the finishing touches that it the pontoons sank ; they were left for is making to beautify the expressway with twenty-four years without being touched. gardens, if it is possible to make concrete This Government ·had them pulled out, re­ beautiful. built and modernized. Sydney now has I should like to deal now with the clear­ modern ferry wharves, and as a result there will be an upsurge in ferry traffic. The ways on the North Shore, particularly in the Government hopes to expand the ferry ser­ Crows Nest area. There are problems at­ vices so that as years go by they will be taching to the parking of vehicles in some revitalized and once again the ferries will streets, but now that the expressway is Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] Address in Reply 221 open I ask the Minister to look at the clear­ wise a dull Governor's Speech. I was ways, especially in Willoughby Road and in amazed that His Excellency's references to the section of the Pacific Highway past the Department of Public Health were con­ Crows Nest. The diversion has reduced the fined to about only one inch, and he said flow of traffic on these two roads to such nothing about the main problem with which an extent that it might be possible to shorten I want to deal tonight-that is, Sydney Hos­ the time of operation of the clearway. pital. The Government of this State finds on its hands at the moment a problem which I should be remiss in my duty as a mem­ should never have occurred. ber if I were not to say something about the road safety programme and the effect First, I want to make a few preliminary of the introduction of stiffer driving tests remarks about Commonwealth-State rela­ and of the greater efforts that are being tionships which, in my opinion, have got made by the police to reduce the awful toll into such a position ·that it can be said that of the road. The police are doing a magni­ the federal system has broken down com­ ficent job, though there is much more to pletely and the federal Government has be done. We have carried out another elec­ made a mockery of it. It has reduced every tion promise by introducing three-year State in Australia to the menial positions licences and by forming the accident investi­ they now hold, under the thumb of the gation committee, which should be able to Frankenstein monster with which they al­ find the reasons for accidents of a sort that ways wanted to co-operate for the benefit of were formerly inexplicable. our nation. Let us look at what happened This Government is to be congratulated at the last Premiers' Conference and at the on the programme outlined in His Excel­ meeting of the Loan Council. Everyone lency's Speech, foreshadowing great devel­ knows that ·the States consented to federa­ opment in this State and responsible Gov­ tion only for the reason that the Common­ ernment, something to which the people wealth should have jurisdiction over matters have become accustomed during our three in which the States had a common interest, years of office. The people of this State will such as defence, customs, navigation, excise, not readily forget this despite the plati­ and so on. The federal Government was tudes expressed by the new Leader of the given, by the consent of the States, the right Opposition about what went on in past to ·collect taxation on the clear understand­ years. His Excellency's Speech indicates ing that reimbursements on a fair, reason­ our responsible attitude to Government and able and equitable basis would be made to I have great pleasure in supporting the , the various States. The Loan Council was motion. I conclude by saying that so long set up under the Constitution for the pur­ as ,we have in opposition a party that is so pose of co-ordinating loan raisings. The openly divided on questions of principle, a federal Government was given three votes­ party whose members cannot find what one ·two votes and a casting vote-and each believes in and what the other believes in, State was given one. I doubt whether any­ and which cause to espouse, this Govern­ one can remember when ·the last vote was ment will be permitted to continue its .taken on a majority decision of the Loan effective government for many years. Council. Mr SHEAHAN (Burrinjuck) [8.3]: I The working of the Loan Council has seem to be getting a warm welcome tonight been reduced to a farce. The Prime Minis-· and I am led to believe that honourable ter and the federal Treasurer go into the members must be expecting something. Per­ Loan Council meetings, having already haps they will not be disappointed. I con­ made up their minds what they are going gratulate the mover and the seconder of to give, with a little elasticity, so they can the motion for the adoption of the Address play one State off against another. This is in Reply and I congratulate also other hon­ inimical to the true working of a federal ourable members who have made their constitution and, in my opinion, is to be maiden speeches. These speeches have deplored. All the State Premiers and Trea­ awakened some interest in what was other- surers went down to Canberra on the last 222 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply occasion breathing fire and brimstone, but need a first-class detective to ascertain that after the meeting they folded their tents like I was something of a reluctant dragon. At the Arabs and silently stole back to their any rate, I was faced with the problems States disappointed, disillusioned and dis­ that were then existing in that department. gruntled. Why? Because ·they were told: There is a problem today that I tried to shut your eyes, open your mouth and take deal with then, which this Government now a dose of Gortonia. This is the same medi­ has on its hands. One can easily point to cine as was administered by Dr Menzies, the guilty men and ascertain why the Gov­ accompanied by more seductive tones than ernment has this problem here today. The are used by the present prolix Prime Minis­ guilty men are in the House of carnage. ter, whose sentences I fail to comprehend, They not merely emasculated the bill I on many occasions when he addresses the sent up to solve this problem ; they public on such important matters as inter­ slaughtered it. They murdered it and then national affairs. I do not know whether he repeated -their action even after the pro­ is causing any disappointment in the ranks, posal received the approval of the con­ but I did hear a story, which runs like this. stituents. Although I am not a member One day after the Prime Minister was of this Government I urge it not to fly the elected, a man sat musing. He was sad and white flag of surrender to these pressure he was lonely, and had not a friend in the groups or to what might occur in the world. A voice came to him from out of upper House. I will present some pretty the gloom say.ing, "Cheer up, things could stiff criticism about their attitude in this be worse." Well, he waited for five or six matter. They did not act in the best in­ months of the Gorton Government, and terests of the public, either as a House of things did get worse, so he cheered up. review or any other kind of House. The man mainly responsible was a former Now I proceed to deal with the matter Minister for Health, the Hon. H. P. Fitz­ in which I am personally interested and in Simons, who was the Minister for Health which every person in this House has a years ago when this problem first arose on stake in seeing that the sovereignty of gov­ Government benches. He was aided and ernments, no matter of what complexion, abetted by six traitorous members of the are maintained against the insidious inroads Labor Party-six members calling them­ made by pressure groups, from wherever selves some sort of rebel group, who were they may come, that want to assume the delighted apparently to join the choir of power of government. I might even refer Judas Iscariot, mournfully chanting the to ·the press and say that certain sections dirge of condemnation of the Government's of it, at any rate, have assumed the right to action at that time. If that legislation had govern New South Wales and .to tell those been placed on the statute book when who have ministerial responsibility what Sir William McKell, the Hon. J. J. McGirr they ought to do. Indeed, this right has also or the Hon. J. J. Cahill was Premier, they been assumed by the hospital board. It would have supported it with the alacrity wants to assume the reins of government of a little child responding to a stick of and the rights of Cabinet Ministers. This toffee. But what happened? They forgot applies also to certain sections of ·the medi­ all the principles of public interest that cal profession. I do not want to say arty­ were embodied in that bill. This applied thing unkind about members of the medical to every one of them. By rejecting it they profession as individuals ; I have nothing helped to prove ·themselves as men with but the greatest admiration for them and feet of clay and heads of concrete. I hope have had at their hands, many ·times, much that when tthe bill comes befo·re the House professional assistance ·in my short life, again-if it ever reaches that stage-we which I hope will continue for many years. shall not again see this rejection of the Let me mention this: having been trans­ public interest. ferred from the Department of the Attorney­ I want to give some information about General, I went down to the Department of this matter. I became the Minister for Public Health and I suppose it would not Health on 5th May, 1956, and I received MrSheahan] Governor's Speech; [14 Auo., 1968] : Address in Reply 223 a deputation from the Sydney Hospital on Because Mr Wurth told me that Dr 5th October, 1956. The deputation that was Ritchie was going to help to establish the sent by the Sydney Hospital to meet me Sydney Hospital as a teaching hospital for in the room upstairs was headed by the the University of New South Wales, follow­ Hon. Dan Clyne, who was then a member ing upon .the recommendation of the of this House and an ex-Speaker ; he was Murray Commission that a second medical a·lso a member of the hospital board. The school be established, I appointed him as a deputation, which included Mr L. J. government member of that board. It is Hooker, asked me to do something about here in the records. I went to America in Sydney Hospital. I said that I would, and 1960 and when I returned I was informed I had recourse to the remommendation that that Sir Kenneth Coles also had been ap­ had been made to the Hon. H. P. Fitz­ pointed to the board and had assumed the Simons when he was Minister, and the duties of chairman to help in this matter. Government of the day. The recommenda­ I believe that Sir Kenneth Coles did every­ tion came from a committee presided over thing he could to bring about a reasonable by Sir John Butters. It consisted of two engineers, seven architects, and one lay­ compromise in this particular matter. man, Mr Roy Hendy. The committee For the benefit of people who say that recommended that the Sydney Hospital be there was never any suggestion about this transferred from its existing site, leaving removal of Sydney Hospital, I quote from an emergency hospital there. All of this was embodied in ·the Government's pro­ ·the Sydney Hospital board's annual report posal at a later time. I then saw that of 1960, which stated: £100,000 was in the Budget Papers from On taking over the presidency of the Sydney year to year, in the Hospital Fund, but Hospital Sir Kenneth became involved immedi­ ately in the planning of the new Sydney Hos­ had never been used. I undertook to ask pital and its probable association with the new the Premier, the Hon. J. J. Cahill, whether Medical School recently established at the I could use that £100,000 for ·the purpose University of New South Wales. The year of commencing architectural planning for 1961 will be a very full one for him in as much as momentous decisions will have to be the new Sydney Hospital, to be transferred made in which he will have the full support to the site at Randwick. of the Board. During the year the Board was advised by I shaH now reveal a few important things. the Hospitals Commission-- Wrapped up with the transfer of the hos­ and this would be the Government deci­ pital, the Murray Commission had made sion- a recommendation for a second medical that a new Sydney Hospital would be built school. Therefore, we had the problem on the site at present occupied by the Prince of not only the transfer of the new hospital of Wales Division of Sydney Hospital at Rand­ _and a second medical school, but also tea.ch­ 'wick. ing facilities for the second medical school. What nonsense people talk when they say The late Mr Wallace Wurth, who was the that they did not know anything about this. Chancellor of the University of New South The report proceeded: Wales, saw me and mentioned Dr Ritchie­ the Dr Ritchie who is now so vocal on this It is expected that the Government architect will be planning the new hospital. Plans are subject, is using all the tricks that any already on the drawing board for the boiler­ politician would not stoop to use, and is house and laundry. endeavouring to stop this progressive move. The Board's representatives are busily en­ On 23rd October, 1957, he was appointed gaged in conferring with various authorities­ by me as a government representative on the Hospital Commission, the University of New South Wales and Prince Henry Hospital­ the board of the Sydney Hospital. The ap­ on matters associated with Sydney Hospital pointment was made on the recommendation being the teaching hospital contiguous to the of Mr Wurth at a time when I was .con­ new medical school at the University of New sidering that the doctors in active practice South Wales. It is expected that early and mutually satis­ in the hospital ought not to be members factory decisions will be arrived at as the of the board. result of these conferences. 224 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply I might interpolate there that Mr Wurth this medical school an outstanding success visited me and informed me that he had should have the wholehearted support of every member of this Parliament. been instructed to tell me that I was to take charge of the proceedings for the Despite obstruction by the Sydney Hospital establishment of the second medical school. board, aided and abetted by the upper I immediately said to him, "I am not in House, we succeeded in establishing a charge of universities ; that is under the second medical school. This year the first Minister for Education." Mr Wurth replied, graduates have come from that school, and "It is the desire of the chief that you the top student is the son of Dr Kenneth should do so." He had come with this Starr, one of the most successful and highly message from the Hon. J. J. Cahill. Little respected medical practitioners in this State. did I think that I was buying into the con­ Dr Starr thought that the new university troversy that would subsequently ensue, was good enough for his son to attend. with the press and the British Medical Association attacking me. As a matter of The correspondence will show that I did fact, when the first bill was brought into not sit in on any of the numerous confer­ this House, it was attacked here. However, ences that were held on the matter unless when the second bill was brought in, after requested by the university authorities on the elections, the press had a different idea, both sides. Some persons prattle glibly and members were unanimous in this about the views of Sydney University at House-and they are the elected represen­ the time, but the newspapers then reported tatives of the people. This is what the that Professor Roberts of the Sydney Uni­ honourable member for Byron, who is now versity said that he was quite happy about the Minister for Housing, said on that Mr Sheahan's arrangements. There are not occasion: enough hospitals to go around. They had I join with the honourable member for to compromise in Victoria. The general Burwood in saying, on behalf of the Country hospital in Melbourne was transferred out Party, that the passage of this bill will be of of the city and, as far as I know, there was tremendous benefit to the whole of the State. no recommendation for that from an expert I do not wish to traverse what happened here previously; I merely wish to say that it was body like the Butters committee. A former decided some time ago not only that a second Minister for Health, the Hon. H. P. Fitz­ medical school was required, but also that it Simons, held up the proposal because he put was needed urgently. the plans, not in a file, but in a deep freeze, And so it was that the House of carnage­ where they were left and forgotten until another place-delayed it, and even up to Sir William McKell became Premier. this day we have not got this legislation. Sir William McKell decided that the hos­ We as members of Parliament will not sit pital should be transferred to the area where here and meekly accept the dictates of those the second medical school now is. As a who are not responsible to the electors, and matter of fact, for that reason he refused we will not act at the behest of a small, sel­ point-blank to renew the lease of the Ken­ fish group who apparently want to impose sington racecourse. After he became their will on the people of N.ew South Wales. Governor-General, the Kensington race­ Mr Doig, a former member for Burwood, course was taken over and used for the although he opposed the scheme in the first University of Technology. But what did the instance, eventually came to agree with it. Sydney Hospital board do? They knew what Mr Davis Hughes, the honourable member the Government's intentions were, but they for Armidale said: asked for thirteen acres of the Sydney Do­ I recollect the original debate on the estab­ main for expansion. Everybody knows that lishment of the second medical school, upon the present hospital building in its present which the House made a decision. That deci­ sion has been accepted by members of the circumstances is not worthy of being called Party to which I belong. The House decided a hospital, but the board could have had that ,the second medical school should be established at the University of New South a new hospital in operation by now, costing Wales. Therefore, any action that will make two-thirds of what it would cost today. MrSheahan] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 225 Suggestions were made that I was trying statement was published in the newspapers. to inte-rfere with the curriculum and with More than that, the Prince of Wales Hos­ standards. I think that that was a carry-over pital was under the complete jurisdiction of from the fact that I brought in a bill to the Sydney Hospital Board. This hospital allow the registration of doctors with quali­ took the long-standing orthopaedic patients fications obtained overseas, provided that who were dealt with initially at Sydney they met certain standards. When the nego­ Hospital. I think the board had control of tiations ceased, the Sydney Hospital board it for three or four years before the Gov­ passed a resolution withdrawing from any ernment took it back. A certain number association with the University of New of beds were to be made available for St South Wales. However, on 6th June, a Vincent's Hospital, but they were never minute was written by Dr Selle to the Min­ used. The board at Sydney Hospital thought ister for Health regarding the transfer of that the Prince of Wales Hospital was Sydney Hospital from Macquarie Street to wholly within their jurisdiction. They did a site at Rand wick. It said: not know that the title of it belonged to the Following the receipt of this report the New South Wales Government. matter was discussed in detail with the Govern­ ment Architect, and he at the present time has When the Sydney Hospital board refused a member of his architectural staff engaged full to move and negotiations broke down for time on the planning of Sydney Hospital on Sydney Hospital to become the teaching the Randwick site. This plan has been de­ veloped on the basis that the whole of the hospital for the first medical school of the area at present occupied by the present Prince University of New South Wales, the board of Wales division of Sydney Hospital, and the wanted to retain the Prince of Wales Hos­ Randwick Chest Hospital, is available for hos­ pital, I think it was until 1st January of pital purposes, whilst an out-patients' depart­ ment and emergency hospital of approximately the following year. The Hospitals Commis­ 100 beds are to be retained for Sydney Hospital sion recommended that they be given this in Macquarie Street. time. However, I said that as they had That was the proposal-to have on the refused to co-operate with us in establishing southern side of Sydney Hospital an emer­ teaching facilities for a second university gency hospital of approximately 100 beds, medical school as recommended by the a casualty section, and an outpatients de­ federal Government's Murray commis­ partment, and the Kanematsu Institute was sion, we would take possession straight to be left where it is. away. I appointed a joint board to control the Prince of Wales Hospital and The cases that have been raised by cer­ Prince Henry Hospital at Long Bay, which tain sections of the press are phoney. They are functioning today as a teaching hospital claim that as a man got sick here in for the University of New South Wales, Parliament and needed to be taken to hos­ though Sydney Hospital could have been pital, that was a reason for leaving the the number one teaching hospital for that hospital where it is. I was sick myself university. It is not generally known that last night and I did not go to hospital, but in fact the board of Sydney Hospital passed I say that the cases mentioned are phoney a resolution that it should become the first because a man in the city who has a heart teaching hospital of the University of New attack would be dealt with in the emer­ South Wales, but they violated their own gency hospital if the upper House had not request for some reason that I have never slaughtered the bill that would have estab­ been able to fathom. lished it. I am not going to support a measure twice in this House to give effect The Government now has the problem in to these proposals and then change my mind its hands, and is faced with the same situa­ and support any other procedure than that tion that faced the Opposition when it oc­ recommended by an expert body. cupied the Treasury benches. I have some I heard the Hon. J. J. Cahill when he sympathy for the Minister for Health. I was opening a new court house make the am not in favour of the Sydney Hospital public statement that Sydney Hospital being transferred to Parramatta, as was would be transferred to Randwick. That implied by the Sydney Morning Herald. I 15 226 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply think it would be better for the Govern­ tion, but I said to the members of the ment now to give effect to the recom­ committee, "If you cannot make up your mendation that was made to its counter­ mind on what is to happen, the Govern­ part when it was in office in the 1930's, ment will have to make it up for you". and accepted at that time without opposi­ It did, and the result was that I telephoned tion of the trenchant nature that subse­ the chairman of the board of the Royal quently arose. This new-found affection Hospital for Women which became the of the Sydney Hospital board for the Uni­ No. 1 maternity teaching hospital for the versity of Sydney, this belief that Sydney University of New South Wales, something Hospital traditionally should remain with of which the hospital is quite proud. the University of Sydney, smacks of The same thing would have happened hypocrisy when one knows the history and with the University of Sydney if we had remembers that at one time .the Sydney not been dealing with an intransigent, in­ Hospital board endeavoured to get the right tractable, unreasonable pack of gentlemen to establish its own medical school free of fired by something, whether jealousy or control by the University of Sydney. So political fear I cannot fathom at this did Prince Alfred Hospital on one occasion moment. when under Sir Herbert Schlink. Of course, When I read a statement in the press the the University of Sydney objected .to both other day that Sydney Hospital treats its proposals. patients for nothing, it made my blood boil If honourable members will cast their a little. All hospitals treat some of their minds back to the controversy that arose patients free of charge provided that those when the Sydney University decided to ap­ people come within the category in respect point two full-time professors to its staff, of whom a charge is not made. This ser­ they will remember the hullaballoo that the vice, still provided by the present Govern­ British Medical Association created at that ment, was instituted first by a Labor gov­ time, supported by the press. I say to the ernment. Until certain things went awry Government: keep your vertebrae strong, in 1952, all public ward patients, including stand up to this inroad upon responsible pensioners, were treated for nothing. government and accept your responsibilities The gentlemen of the Sydney Hospital in this matter. As I said the other day, Board were never treated harshly in their government members should not allow interviews with me. I recall Sir Norman themselves to be pushed about like jelly­ Paul coming to see me, stating that the hos­ fish in the political aquarium. We are the pital could not pay some of its accounts. people's elect and we members of Parlia­ I arranged for the money to be made avail­ ment have a right to expect that Parlia­ able for the settlement of the bill. Mr ment's decisions should be obeyed irrespec­ Davis, who was and still is, I think, a senior tive of what some people may think of member of the ·hospital board, informed them. me on another occasion that the hospital I recall giving Mr, now Sir John, Good­ owed $80,000 to W. A. Grubb, the sell, who is the Chairman of the Public butchers. Whether the board had permitted Service Board of New South Wales, the the account to build up to cause the Goy, task of maintaining liaison between the rep­ ernment embarrassment, I do not know. In resentatives of the universities and the any event, I made arrangements for the Sydney Hospital Board. I saw the mem­ account to be paid. bers of the committee that had been estab­ Then things went awry in respect of ortho­ lished only when they wanted to see me. paedic patients, who were to go to the On one occasion they informed me that Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment. one of the parties could not reach agree­ The Government was not actuated by pre­ ment on certain teaching arrangements. I judice in deciding to send these patients to shall not mention that person's name ; I have a high regard for the professor con­ that hospital. Apparently there was some cerned from the University of Sydney. He abhorrence of the chancellor of the uni­ wanted me to make the necessary nomina- versity. He wrote several letters to me on Mr Sheahan] Governor's Speech: (14 AUG., 1968) Address in Reply 227 this point. He is a man of infinite capacity overcome the problem. I know it from my -a capacity that is recognized not merely own knowledge and from what I have been by the Sydney Hospital &ard but also by told. Incidentally, a rescission motion had this Government and the Commonwealth been moved by one member of the board. Government. The University of New The letter I wrote was as follows: South Wales had to endure what was al­ I desire to acknowledge receipt of your most tantamount to abuse because of the letter of 8th June, 1961, and I have noted the decision to make Sydney Hospita~ a teach­ decision of the Sydney Hospital Board. ing hospital for that university. While I regret the impasse that has been reached referring to the subject of treating hospital but I must reiterate that it is the responsibility and the authority of the Government to set up patients free of charge I might well refer a second medical school and, of course, any to some figures that I have here. I kept recommendations made by me will be based photostat copies of some documents that upon the public interest. could not properly be considered to be I wish to make it clear that in the discus­ mine. sions that have taken place between the two Universities and the Hospitals Commission, I Mr LEWIS: I wonder why. have up to the present not interfered in any way but have sat in on deputations at the Mr SHEAHAN: I never failed to pro­ request of either or both parties I think only duce a file whenever it was asked for in this on three occasions. House and I think that in the public Suggestions that have been made that I am endeavouring to interfere with the curriculum interest no Minister should fail to do of Universities or medical schools are quite so. The copy of the document I false and any conferences that have been held have here shows that in 1960 fees .have not been at my instigation but rather at accounted for 20.8 per cent of the income one of the parties involved in the consideration of matters affecting the setting up of the second of Sydney Hospital, that the State Govern­ medical school. ment paid the hospital a subsidy of 70.1 However, the position has arisen now where per cent and that the remaining 9.1 per cent definite action will have to be taken on the of funds was contributed by the Common­ lines that will best give effect to the needs of wealth Government. Yet the hospital board the community. wanted to dominate and domineer the State I thank you for your own understanding of the position during any discussions I have been Government as well as apparently the two present at and your desire to reach amicable universities. So that sufficient patients agreements between the parties concerned. would be available for the University of Speaking for myself I can say that I have Sydney when Sydney Hospital would be violated no agreements or arrangements entered into on a tripartite basis during the past few lost as a teaching college for that university, years. I rang the president of the St George Hos­ pital Board to ask whether that hospital This matter had gone on for too long. The would become a teaching hospital for the hospital board was trying to outwait us. University of Sydney. He readily agreed to The reason it sought a deferment until 1st the proposal and i.t became such a teaching January of the following year was that it hospital. was an election year and perhaps it thought that our Government would be removed Mr CRABTREE: One of the best teaching from office. Instead, we were returned. As hospitals. I have said previously in .this House, one Mr SHEAHAN: My word. When on must recognize ·the views of the people. 30th June of that year I received word that They are sovereign. I remember the debate the Sydney Hospital had withdrawn from on the Public Hospitals (Amendment) Bill wanting to be associated-that word "asso­ and the ameliorating speech of the honour­ ciated" contains a nasty ·implication-with able member for Barwon, who led for the the University of New South Wales, appar­ Country Party. He was followed by the ently because the people responsible for honourable member for Burwood, then Mr controlling Sydney Hospital considered that Ben Doig. The present Minister for Public university to be inferior, I wrote to Sir Ken­ Works continued .the debate after him. I neth Coles, who I know actively tried to am not making any apology for accepting 228 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply the principles that were enunciated in the did not face up to the problems. It did not bill. I say now that had Sir William McKell know the conditions that were then apper­ not been appointed Governor General and taining. I know a report had been made had he remained a member of the Govern­ by the chairman of the medical board to ment, I am sure that Sydney Hospital would one of my predecessors, the Hon. Gus Kelly have been transferred from where it is and -not my immediate predecessor-that there would now be operating on a similar basis would be a surplus of 900 doctors by 1957. to Melbourne Hospital. As a matter of fact, he was supported in By the way, the Sydney Morning Herald that statement by Professor Dew of the had something to say about tradition. Tra­ University of Sydney, who, according to dition did not count for much with that reports in the Sydney Sun of 13th Feb­ organization in respect of the building ruary, 1951, under the heading "Glut of which is still situated on the corner of doctors by 1956", made the amazing state­ Hunter Street, Pitt Street and O'Connell ment that the population could not absorb Street where for so many years Sydney's students who graduate. When I went to oldest newspaper was printed. The the Health Department in 1956 there was Sydney Morning Herald found it neces­ a shortage of twenty-six doctors on applica­ sary to go to new pastures. The funda­ tions from country hospitals alone, and mental principles of honesty and integrity there was a shortage in all our mental in teaching and in writing can often be hospitals. Yet this body, this particular slanted to give a point of view that is not House to which we refer more politically in the interests of the public. as another place, did not take into account any of the problems against which we were Mr McCARTNEY: Government by news­ battling, without getting any assistance papers. from the federal Government for .teaching hospitals, though these hospitals were Mr SHEAHAN: Yes. I object to govern­ teaching doctors not only for the army and ment by newspapers just as much as I the navy but also for extra-territorial object to government by doctors or other areas control.led by the Commonwealth Gov­ groups. As a matter of fact, if that has ernment, for Commonwealth departments occurred in this instance, let .the Govern­ and so forth. ment put a stop to it, as the former Gov­ ernment endeavoured to do. Those gentle­ Now the problem is one for this men to whom I have referred in another Government. I hope it will be able place might become a little humanized by to surmount it and to win out in the the time the new bill is sent there and interests of New South Wales. Dr Ritchie, they might think that the best interests of who was appointed by me as the Govern­ the people might be served in this way. ment representative, is now enlisting the ser­ After aU, they had principles at some time vices of the new vice-chancellor of the or another-- University of Sydney, who could not pos­ sibly have acquainted himself while in Eng­ Mr SLoss: Who are the developers? land with all the facts that I have en­ deavoured to detail as succinct.ly and clearly Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the ·honour- as I can tonight. I know that some emo­ able member for King to order. tionalism can be stirred up in these matters. Mr SLoss: Who are they? I have no axe to grind. If I remember correctly, I am the first person who en­ Mr SPEAKER: Order! deavoured to give effect to that report. Mr SHEAHAN: I am not speaking in However, the years which my predecessors anger or rancour on this matter, but more had to deal with it were the war years and in sorrow than anything else that this has the post-war years. I have the authority not been accomplished. I have a good deal of Sir William McKell to say that he would of sympathy for those who are now charged have gone on with it. He is disappointed with trying ·to clean up the mess which that the money allocated for this purpose has been the responsibility of a board that was taken for other purposes. Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 229

The sum that was allocated by the Cahill to the advice of its President, affirming its Government for this purpose when I was unwillingness to be a teaching hospital of the new Medical School. Minister for Health was for a much superior site. The theory that a teaching hospital Honourable members have heard me say must be on the campus of a university is that Sir Kenneth Coles used all the influence false. While I was away in the United he could to .try to reverse the decision that States in 1960 apparently there was a change had been reached. Sir Phillip Baxter's letter of heart after the unfortunate death of Mr continues: Wallace Wurth. It may be said that I am I do not need to remind you that the hos­ quoting a dead man in support of my pital has indulged in an amount of public arguments, but I am not. The documents criticism of the University which at times has come very close to abuse, and that this was are here. Here is the report of the Sydney probably designed to make a successful con­ Hospital for 1960. It furnishes ample cor­ clusion of the negotiations impossible. The roboration of any doubting Thomas in the University on its part has made no attacks community. I hope the new member for upon the hospital, though it could very readily have done so, and has sought at all times to Bligh will not become a doubting Thomas. urge a compromise solution. Here it is recorded-not my record, but in the official record. It is easy to jump I am not entirely without some human on the bandwaggon if one thinks one has qualities of sympathy for negotiation. Com­ the power of the press behind, but some­ promises may have to be effected in this times members of Parliament must accept place. We could get no compromise what­ not merely their duties as members of ever. We were up against a brick wall of Parliament and Ministers of the Crown but obstruction which should have been confined also their responsibilities of office. These to the parties themselves instead of bringing responsibilities now rest with the members the matter into the political arena of the of the Government. May they discharge upper House. It used a device that in my them as we discharged them in the best opinion has become a means of defeating interests of the community. the elected government of the day in its aims of giving effect to the will of the Motion (by Mr Healey) agreed to: people. That device was to submit the bill That the honourable member for Burrinjuck, to a select committee. What effrontery! Mr Sheahan, be allowed to continue his speech The proposal was moved by Major the Hon. for a further period of fifteen minutes. H. P. FitzSimons who was chairman of Mr SHEAHAN: I thank the House for the first select committee when the bill went its indulgence. I was about to wind up up in one parliament. In the next parlia­ my remarks. I should remind members ment, on 24th August, 1961, this is what that I received a personal letter from the Major the Hon. H. P. FitzSimons included vice-chancellor of the University of New in his motion-honourable members might listen to this for sheer effrontery of the South Wales, Sir Phillip Baxter, on first water: 20th July, 1961, ,after negotiations had ( 1) That a Select Committee be appointed broken down. I think I owe it to him to to investigate and report on the administra­ quote from it for there has .been some mis­ tion, control, staffing, financing-- understanding about the matter. Sir Phillip Mark that word-- wrote: construction, and location of Teaching Hos­ pitals in New South Wales, with particular More recently, a Consultative Committee, regard to the development and use of Sydney consisting of the Chairman of the Hospitals Hospital and its location. Commission, Mr. Goodsell, Sir Kenneth Coles and myself, had reached a point at which we (2) That the Committee have leave to sit were very close to agreement on the manner during any adjournment of the House and of use of the existing Sydney Hospital before power to take evidence and send for persons its transfer to Randwick. To make this agree­ and papers; to inspect Hospitals in New South men~ possible the University had made very Wales and to take evidence thereat. considerable concessions from its original point (3) That all papers and documents re· of view. It was as these negotiations were ferred to, minutes of the proceedings of and approaching their final point that the Board of the evidence taken before, the Select Com­ the Hospital carried this resolution, contrary mittee of the Legislative Council on the Public 230 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply Hospitals (Amendment) Bill appointed on the on the Sydney Hospital board. Of course, 7th March, 1961, be referred to this Com­ some doctors on the board are not in favour mittee. of what has happened. Some resigned and Have honourable members ever seen such went to the Prince Henry Hospital board ; effrontery? Here was a select committee they are doing most satisfactorily and giving to inquire, not merely into the matter much satisfaction. that was the subject of the bill-the Traffic problems in the thickly con­ Sydney Hospital board-but indeed into all gested cities are such that hospitals hospitals. In the bill the same procedure in London are being moved out ·of was being adopted as Major the Ron. H. P. the city. The same thing is being done in FitzSimons had adopted in dealing with the United States of America. If the Sydney the Royal North Shore Hospital in 1937 Hospital had been constructed on the site when it was placed under the Public Hos­ proposed, and under the guidance and con­ pitals Act. That was when he had the same trol of Dr Storey, who was seconded from problem there. Objection was taken to the the St George Hospital by the kind per­ proposal that the select committee should mission of the board there to supervise the direct the Government how it should finance drawings so that everything would be pro­ State hospitals. At that time there was no vided for, including a nurses' home, this dispute as to who was leader of the Liberal trouble would not have arisen. Sydney and Country parties in the Upper House Hospital has no nurses' home and never did and Colonel the Ron. Sir Hector Clayton, have one. Buses take the girls to and from after objection was taken on this wrangling apartments that are being pulled down, about the right of the Government to con­ higgledy piggledy, all over the place. We trol the financing of hospitals, told Major would have had uniformity and people the Ron. H. P. FitzSimons to withdraw could come from the country areas to those words in his motion. He did so. The Randwick without encountering traffic prob­ select committee tendered only an interim lems. It is easy to get to Randwick from report before the elections on the previous the South Coast. It is simple to get to measure, and this new motion, after Labor Randwick from the southwest areas-where had been successful at the polls, was de­ I come from. It is easier to get to Rand­ signed to delay things by covering all hos­ wick from the west and even from the pitals-not just one. Such hypocrisy was north if the ambulance travels through the never used before or since. Parramatta-Ryde area. I am happy to say that I think today the I had something in mind to say about Government should adopt the principles Parramatta Hospital. It is a fact that as embodied in ·the original Sir John Butters' Minister I did not do much about the hos­ proposal. If we are to have replanning pital. At the time I was engaged as far as of this area the Sydney Hospital must go. possible in 'building hospitals where the ex­ An emergency hospital could provide the plosion of population made new hospitals facilities for essential treatment. Traffic the greatest necessity. We opened three baby problems would be eliminated. With its health centres at Blacktown-two in the one day. Even two baby health centres were new frontage at Randwick, Sydney Hospital insufficient in the Blacktown area and we would have fewer traffic problems than if had to build a third. The Blacktown Hos­ it were established at any point in the city­ pital was built ; the Fairfield Hospital, with over the railway lines near Mark Foys which the honourable member for Merry­ Limited, on the present site of the fruit and lands was so concerned, was opened ; Liver­ vegetable markets, on the Queen Victoria pool Hospital was provided with a new building site or at The Rocks. It is cer­ building and the Auburn Hospital was opened. All these were within the Parra­ tainly on the rocks at the moment. The matta district which was served by the Par­ people who have put the Sydney Hospital ramatta Hospital. All these new hospitals on the rocks are those in another reduced the !demand on the Parramatta place as well as a segment of the doctors Hospital. MrSheahan] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 231

Parramatta Hospital is on a confined site. give the historical facts associated with this It is bounded on one side by a street con­ hospital which has been a problem child taining the police station and court build­ for many years. Sydney Hospital must ings. It is impossible to expand through of necessity recognize that with the march there. On the other side is a street with of progress and the march of time it must business and commercial houses. Yet an­ bow to the will of the people's elected rep­ other street separates the hospital from the resentatives. The final determining authority park. The Government could not take in this matter must be the Ministers of the any more of Parramatta Park without rais­ Crown who, if they have the support of ing the ire of the people. Behind the hos­ the majority of the House, are entitled to pital were the river and The Kings School have that will, that determination and that which, as everyone knows, is not suitable decision implemented. for a hospital. I agree that it is suitable for the purpose to which it has been ap­ Mr CAMERON (Northcott) [9.1]: Dur­ plied by the Government. ing his courageous and instructive speech the honourable member for Burrinjuck re­ I knew negotiations were going on for a ferred on more than one occasion to tradi­ third university. Ontario, with a popula­ tion, and I want to begin this speech by tion of a few hundred thousand more than referring also to tradition. To me as a new New South Wales, at .that time had four member it was rewarding and uplifting to universities with four medical schools ; here see the distinguished and uniformed figure we had only the one operating. I had in of His Excellency in his Vice-regal function mind that the Parramatta Hospital would in one of the Chambers of this Parliament, have to go from its present site out along delivering the Speech which this debate in the Pennant Hills Road. I did not last turn comments upon. I confess, Mr Speaker, long enough in office for that to be accom­ that I am a traditionalist, though I hope plished. That to me is the best way in a reasonably flexible traditionalist, and that which a new hospital would serve not only I am one of .those who seek to preserve Parramatta but also the new Macquarie and nurture the links which our community University and the Ryde area. Traffic in has with its past. That being so, I hope Parramatta is rather hectic and this is a the House will grant me the small indul­ factor that must be taken into consideration. gence of permitting me at this stage to refer The authorities in Melbourne had the prob­ to a few passages, some sketchy notes as lem of separating the universities and there it were, from such limited studies of con­ the same problems of emotionalism and stitutional history as I ·have been able to tradition arose. The people concerned got undertake, which to me have great force together and satisfied themselves without and great emphasis. In fact, they suggest the Government having to take a strong to me that not only is it good, as it were, stand. that we have Her Majesty's personal rep­ I regret that I have had to speak at resentative coming into one of the Cham­ length on this matter but I have enjoyed bers of this Parliament, but also that in it. I enjoyed the bouts that I had with many respects that tradition has become the British Medical Association and I do diluted over the ages, and that it was a not think I suffered too many scars from richer and a stronger and a more meaning­ my conflicts with them. I doubt whether ful kind of situation when Her Majesty the Government will carry too many scars herself stood in the Houses of Parliament but I hope that it will continue the fight to speak for herself. of the people for what it thinks best in I wonder then whether the House will the interests of the people. I had intended permit me to read very briefly from some to speak on another matter but I do not of the journals of the Houses of the Im­ want to take up the time of the House on perial Parliament which contain so vividly this particular matter except to say that I the words of another Elizabeth, when she am glad that the opportunity has arisen for stood in her own person within the Houses me to speak on this subject so that I can of Parliament. I refer first to an occasion 232 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply on 2nd April in the year 1567 when Her exactly the same way, though here Her Majesty entered the Chamber and indicated Majesty is in a mood of extreme bene­ to both the Lords and the Commons there volence. The journals record as follows: assembled that she desired .to use her own At length the Queen came into the council words, for her own words would be better chamber where, sitting under the cloth of printed in the hearers' memory than those state at the upper end, the speaker with all the company came in and, after three low spoken by her command. In the first of reverences made he spake . . . and after three these short excerpts we see Her Majesty low reverences made, he with the rest kneeled down, and Her Majesty began .thus to answer in a somewhat vitriolic frame of mind herself ... when, with a directness which I imagine no After some introductory remarks there pro­ Governor has ever since equalled, she ceeds this passage, which I commend to the turned .to her Lords and to her Commons whole House as a piece of pure English and said: of which there can be few equals. She I have in this assembly found so much dis­ said: simulation, where I always professed plain­ . . . I do assure you that there is no prince ness, that I marvel thereat-yea, two faces that loveth his subjects better, or whose love under one hood (and the body rotten) ... can countervail our love. There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a prize, which I prefer Then Her Majesty proceeded to address before this jewel; I mean your love. For I do herself directly to those of the assembled more esteem it than any treasure or riches; for that we know how to. prize, but love and parliamentarians who, under the guise of thanks I count inestimable. And though God the succession or of parliamentary liberty, hath raised me high, yet this I count the glory of my crown, that I have reigned with your had been attacking her, and she said of loves. them: It is not only of meaning to me that these . . . they thought to work me that mischief which never foreign enemy could bring to pass, ancient traditions are preserved in this which is the hatred of my commons. But, House, but -this House itself has tremendous alas, they began to pierce the vessel before meaning for me, for I come here with per­ the wine was fined; and began a thing, not haps a closer association with it than most foreseeing the end, how by this means I have seen my well-willers from mine enemies. other maiden speakers have. As many hon­ ourable members know, I was on the staff Speaking of those who were at this stage of the Liberal Party from March, 1948, canvassing the issue of parliamentary until December, 1959, and during that time liberty, she said: I was very closely connected with this House. I served as a staff officer in this But do you think that . . . I went about to House from October, 1955, when the Min­ break your liberties? No, it was never in my meaning; but to stay you before you fell into ister for Local Government and Minister the ditch. For all things have their time. And for Highways became Leader of the Op­ although perhaps you may have after me one position, until December, 1959, during better learned or wiser; yet, I assure you, none more careful over you. And therefore hence­ the leadership of the present Pre­ forth, whether I live to see the like assembly mier. The House means a great deal or no, or whoever it be, yet beware however .to me and I intend with every atom of my you prove your prince's .patience, as you have being to be a credit to it so far as my now done mine. abilities permit. Then, with a very light, personal touch, I am tremendously indebted to four she said: people whom I should like to name per­ And now to conclude, all this notwithstand­ sonally in respect of these earlier years. I ing (not meaning to make a Lent of Christ­ begin by referring to a man whom I re­ mas), the most part of you may assure your­ selves that you depart in your prince's grace. gard as one of the outstanding political geniuses in this country, a man pre-eminent Let me read just one more short passage in that field so far as I am concerned, with from the journals many years afterwards, whom I have had a close association ever when the personality comes through in since March, 1948-the general secretary Mr Cameron] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 233 of the Liberal Party, Mr John Carrick. I by referring to the policy speech upon which had the privilege of being a junior the Government was elected in 1965. One officer on ·his staff and then serving at of the early passages in that policy speech various levels on that staff, and thus I have was in these terms: a close knowledge of the way in which he Not only does the State Government have attacks the vast problems that come before the responsibility for spending huge sums of him. I greatly honour the association that the taxpayers' money, but it has a big effect, for good or bad, through its administration of I have had in that quarter. Let me refer the law, justice, the police force and by the again personally to the Minister for Local example it sets.· Government and Minister for Highways In our view the Government has an obliga­ with whom I served closely in the years tion not only to uplift social standards but to immediately following October, 1955. As strive for the uplift of moral values as well. the years go on I value more and more deeply every day of my association with I regard that statement as a description of him, and I value and esteem his judgment, one of the central duties of government. I his intuition, and all' of his reactions in re­ am proud to be associated with the Pre­ gard to the complex matters that make up mier's words. The Government I represent his duties. has not only the broad spectrum of cons- . titutional responsibility left to it by the Con­ I make the same remarks with equal stitution, but it has also another kind of force in respect of the Premier, with whom function. We would not say "Defend that" to my association has been of shorter duration. a general who was charged with the defence Now I should like to refer to Dr Leslie Parr, of a city and then expect him to stand by another parliamentarian, who has long since idly and see that city destroyed by another passed out of this Chamber. I worked force. Equally we cannot call upon a gov­ closely with this gentleman, who was in ernment to govern a community and then many ways an inspiration to me because of stand by idly and see that entity, that com­ his tremendous willingness ·to undertake any munity and that society weakened or des­ task and the energy he injected into the troyed by corrosive processes of disintegra­ whole of his parliamentary life. He bad tion. I believe this to be a real danger tremendous mental and physical qualities facing our community. which to me made him an example of what Because of the affluent society in which a parliamentarian should be, an example we live, because of the new standards of that I hope to follow in some small way. morality and the complete triumph of rela­ Dr Parr was the member for Burwood from tive standards of morality over the old­ June, 1951, until December, 1956. fashioned standards, because of the extent At this stage I want to refer to the con­ to which the sexual revolution has gone, tent of the Governor's address. His Excel­ I believe that processes of social disintegra­ lency opened up a broad vista of progressive tion are taking place in our community to­ legislation on behalf of the Government day, and that it is the duty of the Govern­ with which I am proud to be associated. ment to address its mind to those processes This legislative programme deals with issues and provide some kind of leadership to which are the very meat of politics-the arrest them. The Government cannot legis­ construction of bridges, educational projects, late effectively about these matters. There health matters, local-government issues and is no process by which we can change others. These might all be called the bread human conduct, springing from the and butter issues of politics. These are the inner conscience of man. This cannot be matters we are here in Parliament to deal done by legislation. However, it can be with. I also wish to make reference to in­ done by leadership, by example and by tangible issues which go to the climate meaningful pronouncements. This is one of our society and the purpose of civili­ of the functions of government and it is zation, our reason for being here and something to which I am confident our matters of that kind. I regard this government will apply itself. In some re­ as being the essence of political life. I begin spects it may be thought that I am an 234 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply alarmist. I do not accept that view. I wish on irresistibly, almost imperceptibly. To­ to quote some other people who hold posi­ day we are standing in the path of that tions of influence and have expressed views continuing contraction. As the western consonant with mine. First of all I refer world withdraws, voids are created which to a book written by Professor James Burn­ are immediately or ultimately filled by the ham who was formerly Professor of Phil­ communists. osophy at the University of New York. He is a distinguished gentleman, and in his We see developing in the Vietnam con­ early life he wrote the famous book The text today a situation in which it becomes Managerial Revolution. In a later work by a realistic thought that the domino theory Professor Burnham, Suicide of the West, may work and work dramatically in the im­ the book is described by its own flap note: mediate future by reason of the collapse or the substantial collapse within America Western civilization has been shrinking rapidly since the first World War and will of the will to maintain the fight to contain disappear by the end of this century if the communism. If that were to happen it trend continues at its present rate. could only have the result that immediately The cause of this contraction is neither any the surrounding nations of Laos, Cambodia, external power nor any lack of material Thailand, Burma and Malaysia, down into strength, but simply failure-a collapse of the Indonesia itself, could be endangered. If will to survive, in short a suicidal tendency. that were to happen, surely it means that It may be thought that these are extreme those forces within our community today words such as would be expected to come which evince what I like to describe as from someone on the left flank of the feminine attitudes towards the survival of political spectrum. Of course, they do not this country, which are part and parcel of come from that direction at all ; they come the cult of softness will become softer still, from a man who although he began life become more feminine still. Surely the as a communist, became one of America's will to defend becomes weaker and the will front running conservatives. T'his is the to compromise and negotiate ourselves out message of a man who speaks in the lan­ of trouble becomes stronger as the danger guage ·of concern, a man who feels comes nearer. that within this civilization, which we all hope to preserve, the time has come for the Does it not mean then that this country creation of a climate of urgency, a climate stands in real peril? If this is so, does it which does not as yet exist but I see not mean that we as members of this Gov­ as being the function of the Government ernment, and as well our federal counter­ of this State as well as our Commonwealth parts, ought to be striving to create this counterpart. It has to be a climate of climate of urgency of which I speak. I am urgency addressed to the external military concerned not only about our will and situation and addressed to the processes ability to resist external military attack. I taking place at the civilian level within our am concerned about our fibre within. I own ranks. am concerned by all of the evidences of social disobedience. I am concerned about Professor Burnham is a man who ex­ the protests in the streets. I am concerned amines analytically what is taking place on by all these matters which speak so power­ the world scene. He would put it this way, fully, to me at least, of developing social that at the beginning of the first World distintegration. War in 1914 the sphere of western influence was virtually world-wide. Perhaps it had I want to speak simply, if I can, about penetrated only peripherally into China and basic causes. I believe that a basic cause perhaps there were other areas not really is this change in moral standards that is westernized or under the western influence, reflected by another leading political thinker to whom I should like like to refer, Lord but western domination was such that no Eccles, whq was for a long time the Con­ , hostile force could raise itself against them. servative Party's Minister for Education and However, ever since there has been the con­ at one time was President of the Board tinuing geographic contraction that comes of Trade in Great Britain, a man who was Mr Cameron] Governors Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 235

not only a front running conservative politi­ two eminent men. Arnold Toynbee, the cian but also a prominent religious thinker. first to whom Dr Peale refers, needs no He puts forward the proposition that no introduction to any member, I am sure. community can retain its social cohesion Dr Peale says: unless it does in fact accept some basic "Arnold Toynbee, one of the world's great moral code, from whatever source it springs, historians, writes: Of twenty-one notable civil­ be it Christian, Judaic, Hindu, Mohamme­ izations, nineteen perished, not from conquest dan, Humanist, or whatever you will. His from without, but from decay witnin." An­ other historian, Dr J. D. Unwin of Cam­ view is that by virtue of these changes in bridge University, made a study of eighty Great Britain that situation is ceasing to civilizations ranging over a period of four exist, for people are "turning their back .thousand years and concluded that a society on the established moral code and walking either chooses sexual promiscuity and decline, or sexual discipline and creative energy. Writes away from it", and that what is happen­ Dr Unwin: "Any human society is free to ing is this process of social disintegration. choose either to display great energy, or to enjoy sexual freedom; the evidence is that If I may refer briefly to that prominent they cannot do both for more than one English conservative, I would do so in these generation." words of his: The Christian ethic is now in disarray. The The issue which I invite this House to increase in man's knowledge and control of consider is the attitude of our community the physical world has shaken the confidence to the sexual function. Has the sexual in their judgment about right and wrong both of those who go to church and of those who focus within our society become so great do not but have been living on the capital of in terms of its dominance of the mass media, the Christian religion. It is astonishing how in terms of its dominance of plays, the suddenly the cracks have appeared in such theatre, and an these spheres, its dominance a tremendous edifice. of advertising, that it has reached the stage The English press in dealing with this book, where, according to Dr Unwin, it has used the more sensational terms, which become, .as it were, the linch-pin of our journalists are wont .to use, describing the thinking? If it has, it would mean that process in phrase and headlines as the only one generation ·of dynamic energy and "Crack-up of Middle-class Morality". I be­ creativity is left to our civilization. lieve that part of this process stems from As honourable members might have the abandonment of established moral codes gathered from the remarks I have made, a and established moral rules. I believe also large part of my motivation for being in that it is rooted very largely in community politics is directed towards the preserva­ attitudes to the vital physica,l function that tion of western civilization, the preserva­ we know as the sexual function. In this regard tion of its strengths, holding secure the I want to refer again briefly to another tremendous treasure house which we have man who has always spoken meaningfully taken from our predecessors, in terms of to me, Dr Norman Vincent Peale, who those basic concepts which Western civil­ in his book Sin, Sex and Self-control-more ization and Western civilization alone has attractively entitled by the Reader's Digest, made work. I am thinking, of course, of when it digested 1t, as Man, Morals and freedom ·of speech, freedom of the press, Maturity-says that from the beginning of freedom of religion and freedom of asso­ recorded history men have known that the ciation. I am thinking of basic concepts sex drive had to be controlled if civiliza­ like our ballot-box democracy, of legal tion was to replace anarchy. concepts like the onus of proof lying upon From the beginning peoples and prophets the prosecution, and of .the jury system. alike shared the belief that sooner or later I am thinking of all these matters which unchecked sexual licence brought down the are inbuilt in our civilization and con­ wrath of the gods in the form of decadence, stitute so vividly and forcefui.ly its strength. decay and the loss of .creativity. Modern research substantiates this belief. Dr Peale Things do worry me when I hear the re­ refers to two great historians, and I invite ports that flow into us from .communist the House to consider the findings of these China from people who come back as 236 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply visitors to that country and report honestly cept of mea culpa--of "Look how bad we and frankly what they see there. It is of the West are: look at me; see my bad clear that they see many things that are motivations ; see my selfishness ; see my tremendously commendable and many things overt ambitions." which we in honesty must look at closely. There has to be less feminism and They see in particular among young people more old-fashioned masculinity in our ap­ an enthusiasm, an excitement that life is proach to survival issues such as those with meaningful to them, and that it has purpose which I am dealing. There has to be more and direction. respect for the enduring positives of Wes­ Many of us will have found this feeling tern life to which I have referred. These of excitement in our yonger days in some matters go to the spirit, and I believe we in of the various youth activities in which we this country and in this State Government are involved-perhaps at a fellowship camp have to participate in them and must strive or something of that kind. It seems to per­ to strike in this country some unique Aus­ meate very much the young people of China tralian spark. If this process of geographic today, and it goes very closely to this issue contraction, of which Professor Burnham of purpose. If you go to a young com­ speaks, contipues-and he would argue, vir­ munist in Asia today and ask him, "What tually, that it must continue-we have to is the purpose of your society?" I have no see ourselves not simply as part of the old doubt that he can give you a fairly quick declining trunk of Western civilization as and coherent answer ; he can say to you, a whole, but as a vital, completely new shoot "My purpose is to take part in the emanci­ from it, which is entitled to its own inde­ pation of the non-communist world"-to pendent life expectancy, virtually beginning use their terms. He can say to you, "My from now. purpose is to attain for my people the We have to encourage all our people to material benefits which you now enjoy." be outgoing, and to be not insular in our Both these things have meaning and have relations with the countries that surround relevance. However, if one asks a young us. In many respects we have to capture the person in the affluent Western world, "What spirit of modern Israel ; we have to see our­ i~ the purpose of your civilization?" does selves, in some respects, as a Pacific Israel, he, or can he, give you a coherent answer? without inviting our neighbours to see them­ If he cannot, can you give him one? My selves in the role of Arabs. We need a view is that you cannot, because in many strong enduring will to survive. We need senses Western civilization has run out of organizations such as the one we in Aus­ purpose. It has, in many respects, fill­ tralia pioneered-the Australian Volunteers filled itself ; it has attained its affluent era Abroad, originally beginning under another and many would say that all that is left name, which antedated historically the today is to duplicate all over the Western American Peace Corps. We have to root segment of the globe the various affluent out apathy and cynicism-a dominating civilizations that already exist. That is strain within the Australian personality and hardly meaningful, and people who answer of the Australian environment, but a strain in terms of space exploration do not really which I regard as being incompatible with give a meaningful answer. the essence of this country, incompatible Unless we go back to the drawing board, with the blue purity of our summer skies, as it were-back to our studies where we the whiteness of the sands of our beaches, can retreat into a little privacy and do a and the sparkle of the sun on the green of little more thinking-we are not going to our oceans. solve this problem, and we shall not give I believe that, at the political level, we to our young people the kind of excitement have to strive as we have never striven be­ that is felt elsewhere. I seek only to offer a fore for what I call authenticity. My firm few guide posts. I believe that we have to view is that when you see young people cease being so psychologically introverted ; rioting in the streets and engaged in all the we have to be less preoccupied with this con- processes of civil disobedience, there is in Mr Cameron] Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 237 reality something deeper there that we have ourselves. When we hear a member saying, to answer for. I believe that subconsciously "Yes, I know we 'have got a good deal from they, in a completely unworked-out fashion, the redistribution commissioners, but from feel that the establishment-the social the public relations aspect let us go through order-is in many respects a sham and that the motions of crying, 'We have been it does not ring true; that it is like a hollow robbed!'", that sort of reaction shrieks of log which, if knocked, gives back a hollow sham to the world and invites the young sound. I believe that many of the processes idealistic members of our community to of thought that .take place in the political have the alarms and fears that they do have. arena suggest that response from young Much of our problem begins with the people. I believe, of course, that the politi­ mass media. In that regard I want to make cal system is genuine and that it is basically some remarks from which I disassociate solid. However, I have no doubt that its my party and my Government entirely. I image is a hollow image of sham, and that speak only for myself as an individual mem­ this gives rise to the reactions to which I ber of this Parliament. I believe that we have referred. I believe that the onus lies are dealing with a situation that makes it upon us in government to try to arrest these clear that the problem can never be solved trends. by legislation, and that we in Government Much of this arises from the mass media, ought to be extending some leadership, in­ and from the elimination from the political viting the mass media to participate in dis­ system, to a large extent, of the local mem­ cussions, or to use that hideous modern ber. In times gone by the people looked to term, dialogue, concerning the problem. As their local member; they attended his meet­ I understand it, the mass media proclaim ings, listened to what he said, and gathered themselves to be, as it were, the fourth around him in the streets when he spoke. estate of government, to have tremendous He has gone and in his place the whole responsibilities, to be something more than political message comes from two main mere commercial enterprise. Indeed, I be­ political .leaders, each projecting a single lieve them to be just that: I believe that stream of thought which, because it has to they are something more, and that they come through- mass media at great expense, should accept responsibilities that go far has to be reduced always to its lowest com­ beyond those of commercial enterprise. mon denominator, as it were, to get the Mass media must be invited to see them­ message through in simple form. selves ultimately as part of another profes­ sion, organizing themselves as do the basic People realize that this is not ·really a true professions of the community, imposing form of expression and that the message is self-discipline and exercising restraint. I so simplified as to be unreal. They realize, believe that they ought to establish, on their in some unworked-out way, tha:t politics has own initiative, a council on the pattern of degenerated into an exercise, like a debate the British Press Council, but spreading to or an argument in a court of law. They the whole of mass media. Ultimately the realize that in reality one side is putting a people who go into this profession to exer­ black case, and the other side is putting a cise functions of creative expression or completely white case, and that neither is administration ought really to go through really true. The modern political arena the mental discipline of a university degree compels this, but we go on pretending that course. I realize that this involves tremen­ it is all true and that we are presenting the dous problems, which can be solved only whole truth-that we are presenting a over a long period. However, if we are to genuine message. combat those processes in our community which are so largely detonated, magnified or We do not recognize that it has become accentuated by the mass media, something an exercise, and that it does to some extent of this sort has to be done. shriek of sham. This I believe gives rise to the problem. When we find ourselves I believe that there has to be an entirely engaging in these political reactions that new attitude to women in our community, have become so typical, we have to arrest and an attempt to restore their dignity and 238 Governor's Speech: {ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply to make the role of housewife an honoured Mr JACKSON (Bulli) [9.46]: It 1s my one. For example, I should like to see the first duty and desire to join with other hon­ Government set up and give its blessing to ourable members in congratulating the new an annual Housewife-of-the-Year com­ members who moved and seconded the petition in which the emphasis would be on resolution, and all ,the other new members the elevated function of that member of the who have spoken in this important debate. community who does not go into the career It was not my intention to speak this even­ field, but stays in the home and nurtures ing, but I was prompted to seek the permis­ the young. She ought to be an educated sion of my party to replace another mem­ woman, but she ought not to use her edu­ ber to reply to the very short speech made cation as a passport out of the home. She by the honourable member for Kirribilli, should use it as a means of strengthening or to give him his other title, par­ and succouring her husband in his involve­ liamentary secretary to the Minister ment in society, and bringing culture and for Education and Minister for Science. I music into the home for the benefit of the did so because I cannot remember when this children. I believe that the whole modern House heard a more scurrilous and unfair emphasis on the value of careerism for attack on new members than the one made women is wrong. We ought to be striving by the honourable member for Kirribilli to restore to woman, whether she wills it today. He should first take stock of himself. or not, the sort of esteem that she once He attacked the honourable member for had. Kembla and the honourable member for At the physical level I believe that we Maroubra. I shall deal first with the re­ ought to be strongly supporting and ad­ marks he made about the honourable mem­ vocating to a much greater extent than we ber for Kembla. He said that this was the are bodies like Outward Bound, scouting first time he had heard here a speech that and guiding, activities like athletics, the sounded completely like unadulterated com­ decathlon, getting young people iback into munism, that it was completely communism. the old-fashioned sports like swimming, What a shocking thing for a member to taking them out of the discotheques into the say! He was attacking a man who served open, supporting them in activities like the for four years in the last world war, a man walkathon that the boys of St Leo's Col­ who was active in the service of his country, lege, Wahroonga, are to engage in soon. helping it to resist the attacks of totali­ I have not spoken of local problems in tarianism. my electorate of Northcott, or mentioned my campaign director Don Evans, who is Mr GRIFFITH: What has that to do with present tonight, and the other members of it? my committee who worked so hard to get Mr JACKSON: You would not know; me into Parliament. We do have our press­ you go back to being a specimen in a comic ing local problems in Northcott: problems strip referred to previously. of sewerage, suburban railways and the rest. They will ail be attended to. To men­ Mr GRIFFITH: What were you doing at tion others in Northcott who have worked that time? hard, in addition to Councillor Evans, Mr JACKSON: More than you. I was I would refer to Clive Graham, Reg Ed- still at school. On 9th August, 1967, the wards, Kevin Byrne, Allan Keighran, Leader of the Opposition asked a question Maurice Reeves and my staff officer about the position of the honourable mem­ Maurice Kenny. As I understand it, they ber for Kirribilli as parliamentary secre­ have sent me forward to address my mind tary to the Minister for Education and to the broad and sweeping issues facing Science. You made it clear, Mr Speaker, this community today, issues that transcend that the honourable member's position, of the purely parochial ones and give meaning which he is so proud, entitled him to no and pmpose to the whole function of rights beyond those of an ordinary member parliamentary life. of this House. The honourable member for Mr Cameron] Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] Address in Reply 239 Kirribilli was upset at missing out on .suasion as the honourable member for Kir­ Cabinet rank, and as a booby prize was ribilli, to a senior position in the Common­ given this title. But no rights attach to it. wealth Department of Social Services. He attacked the honourable member for Indeed he was second in charge of the Maroubra because the is the Mayor of Wollongong district office of that depart­ Randwick municipality and a member of ment. For a member to come in here, the Sydney County Council, two jobs that after the ruling you gave, Mr Speaker, he is oarrying on with great credit to him­ enjoying the privileges that he has in con­ self and the party to which he is proud to trast with other members, and make these belong, and for using the mayoral car. statements, is a disgrace. If he were to receive any expenses for what he is doing, The honourable member for Kirribilli I suggest that his seat should be declared should look to his own position. He uses vacant. I want to know why other mem­ a government car when he represents the bers on this side and on the Government Minister for Education when opening side should not have access to motor schools and he has access to confidential vehicles from the Government pool like files. Although he has not taken a minis­ the honourable member for Kirribilli? Why terial oath of allegiance, he has access to should he be permitted to make a scurrilous private and confidential files that should attack on new members? He has not spoken only be used by Ministers. It is up to about the time he came into my electorate them to decide whether to make them pub­ prior to 1st May of 1965 and used an RSL lic property. In spite of your ruling, Mr function-- Speaker, he still retains this privilege. I have seen the honourable member for Mr WADDY: You are a deliberate liar. Kirribilli, who does not permit a govern­ ment car to come for him at the back of Mr SPEAKER: Order! this House, step down the stairs of this building in his peacock fashion and get into Mr JACKSON: He brought a candidate the front seat of a government car. He along with him. has the hide to come into this House and try to belittle members who are doing a Mr WADDY: You are a liar. voluntary job. We do not see the honour­ Mr SPEAKER: Order! able member for Kirribilli serving his con­ stituents in a voluntary capacity. Did he Mr JACKSON: He brought along a mention the honourable member for Upper person not a member of the R.S.L. If any­ Hunter who is still the Mayor of Gunne­ body else called me a liar I would take ex­ dah? Did he mention the new member ception to it, but in view of the standing of for Willoughby who is still serving in local the honourable member for Kirribilli I government? Of course not. accept the interjection as a compliment. For want of sound material and some­ thing constructive to say the honourable Mr WADDY: A deliberate liar, too. member comes into this House and at­ Mr SPEAKER: Order! tacks, in an unprecendented way, new mem­ bers of this House on their maiden Mr .JACKSON: Mr Speaker, this is a speeches. I have heard reference made by summary of your ruling on the position of honourable members to statements made in parliamentary secretaries: maiden speeches, but never before have I Parliamentary secretaries: They do not heard such a scurrilous attack on such state­ hold any office recognized by law, are not recognized by Parliament, and have no place ments as I heard tonight from the honour­ in the standing orders and forms and prac­ able member for Kirribilli. One of the tices of the House. They will not receive any members he attacked tonight is a returned special privileges in the Chamber or in the serviceman, a man who has served his records or the facilities of the House. They may not be asked a question without notice country in time of war, a man who before or on motion, except as provided by Standing his election to this Parliament was appointed Order 76. They may ask questions with­ by a government of the same political per- out notice or on motion. 240 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

The honourable member for Kirribilli re­ carried out a full investigation. The only ceived a booby prize, when he thought he people he said he had not investigated by should have been elevated to ministerial then were the private inquiry agents. I rank. Each and every member of this shall quote briefly from what the Minister House should have the same privileges as then said: he has. The incident last night was a scurrilous Mr MAUGER: The honourable member attack on the barristers and solicitors I have mentioned, and the responsibility for this falls for Bulli did not even reach the shadow fairly and squarely on the honourable mem­ cabinet. ber for Bulli. Mr JACKSON: I did not try for it. I I proudly accept responsibility for it be­ remind the honourable member that it took cause I believe that this Parliament is the him many years to become a member of place to bring forward serious matters like the Kosciusko State Park Trust. Your those disclosed in the various documents own Minister disgraced you in your elec­ that were handed to me, which included torate and you reported him to the Premier. signed statutory declarations. The people So the honourable member should not in­ who signed them knew they could be sub­ terject about my activities. ject to long gaol terms if it were shown that I want to refer now to a most serious their statements were false. These people matter that I raised in this House in the were big enough to sign these declarations. early hours of 6th December, 1967, at 2.45 One of them, a private inquiry agent, an a.m. to be precise. I then referred to what employee of the firm involved in the inves­ has commonly become known throughout tigations, revealed that the inquiries con­ this State as the Doctor Trenerry case. I ducted by this well-known firm were false. brought the matter to the attention of the Yet within twenty-four hours the Minister House after I had had presented to me a of Justice said that there had been a com­ number of statutory declarations which I prehensive investigation and he went on to handed to the Minister of Just.ice on that quote other things besides the points I have occasion. I had then referred to the long­ mentioned here. Surely the Government delayed hearing of divorce proceedings in­ and the Minister have a responsibility to volving one of our leading Sydney surgeons, all the people who are named on the front Dr Trenerry. I am dealing with the matter pages of the newspapers I am holding. This again because people in responsible posi­ headline states, "Divorce Plot Cost $34,000: tions, members of responsible organizations New Charge In Parliament". Mention is in our community, want to know what the made of an eye specialist being involved, Government is doing about the serious and it goes on to say "Victim of Vicious accusations that have been made. The Min­ Conspiracy". Surely .the responsible Min­ ister in his reply to me less than twenty­ ister is able to tell the House what investi­ four hours after I brought the matter before gations he has carried out and what he the House agreed that they were serious proposes to do about them. Surely he accusations. It would seem that this will has a responsibility to do so under the be the Minister's only reply. However, Private Inquiry Agents' Act. people are asking what the Government is I presented the Minister with a letter doing about the exorbitant charges to which from Francis White & Barnes, solicitors, this individual has been subjected and what which contained a trust deed that Dr it is doing about the private inquiry agents Trenerry was forced to sign if he wanted who proved their guilt by returning all the to get his money back. He had $6,062 fees they charged the doctor, amounting to returned to him, the money he had paid $6,062. for what was a false investigation. He got At 1.21 a.m. on 7th December, 1967, it back because he was willing to do some­ on an adjournment motion, the Minister thing about it. Yet from December last of Justice replied to my allegation of the year until now, apart from the outburst previous morning, stating that he had made by the Minister within twenty-four Mrlackson) Governor's Speech: [14 Auo., 1968] Address in Reply 241

hours of my tabling the statutory declara­ speech delivered by a Governor in this tions to which I have referred, not another Parliament for half a century. Of course, it word about the matter has come from the was prepared by the Government for de­ Minister. Of course the only thing to livery by His ExceUency. It must be em­ happen has been a taxation of costs.- In barrassing for every member on the Gov­ addition to all the money that I have been ernment side. It is certainly embarrassing talking about, Dr Trenerry had to meet his to discuss it in this Parliament. I hasten wife's costs. The fees of his wife's counsel to add that His Excellency did not prepare were reduced by $3,194, an enormous sum it ; it was prepared for him. of money. As the Minister has said, the people responsible for the taxing of those Mr JACKETT: It has quality, not quantity. costs, are people of great repute. Mr JACKSON: If I were trying to find quality in it, I would finish up with eye Mr CoADY: Those persons who over­ strain. I have been through it time and charged should be named. time again. It contains most of the promises that appeared in the other three Governor's Mr JACKSON: I ·have named them speeches for whi.ch this Government has in this House, and if necessary, I shall name been responsible since it attained office. them again. I believe that this case will There is little variat·ion. One thing about go down as one of the worst scandals in it is that it ·has not cost the taxpayers this State. Yet these people have the pro­ much. The bureaucrats who prepared the tection of this Government. The Minister speech just had to alter a word or two has had from early December of last year here and there. There is reference to cotton until now to do something about it. He did production. I recall a vicious attack by the make an attack within twenty-four hours Minister for Agriculture, then only the of my statement in this House, in which honourable member for Barwon, upon the he tried to blacken my character. Because former Government of which I was a sup­ of that, and the undoubted injustices to porter some years ago, when we set up a this person, I am raising the matter now. cotton industry in his electorate. The Min­ I challenge the Minister to do something ister for Agri.culture took another person's about it and to table in this House all the job. However, I had better not mention papers and evidence in relation to his inves­ that. Suffice it to say that he did it in tigations. If he does not do so, I believe most unsavoury circumstances. There is the Government is duty bound to set up great claim in the Governor's Speech-- immediately a Royal commision to investi­ gate all aspects of the case. Mr JACKETT: Tell us what has happened out at Royal National Park? Mr CoADY: And all the excessive legal costs that are being incurred. Mr JACKSON: Bureaucracy is control­ ling it in the form of sixty-three people. Mr JACKSON: That is another matter. Money that should be going to the park AU the statements I have made here are is going to pay Mr Weems $20,000-odd a substantiated by statutory declarations and year, and to some of the other importations undeniable evidence. I think the honour­ that have been brought out by the Minister able member for Kirribilli should hang his for Lands. Government supporters talk ·head in shame: he also must be concerned about decentralization, yet ·the Govern­ about the act•ions of the Government. We ment has completely abolished it in the are discussing the Address in Reply to His Royal National Park and has set up a Excellency's Speech at the opening of bureaucracy to control the park. I hope Parliament. the honourable member for Burwood wiU tell all the people of New South Wales Mr HuGHES: Is that !fight? that. Government supporters did not say anything about it in the election campaign. Mr JACKSON: This is the first •time you have been sighted here: you would Mr JACKETT: His a big improvement on not know. This has ·been the smallest the old control. 16 242 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

Mr JACKSON: I should not think so. Country Party coalition were elected to The Minister for Lands abolished the Royal office, then during the following three years National Park Trust, of which I was proud not a penny increase in government ser­ to be a member. We gave up our time, vices would be imposed. The Premier did one day a month, to serve the interests not stop there ; he said that there would of the area. That is more than the hon­ not be a penny increase in commodities ourable member and his colleagues have where the Government could exercise con­ ever done. The honourable member for trol. What do we find? The only election Burwood ought to stick to :his opposition promise made prior to May, 1965, which to State aid that won his selection for the Government has implemented has been him. That is his masterpiece. He toJd the the abolition of the tow-away system. What people out there that he was viciously op­ has appeared in its place? In some cases posed to State aid, but when challenged the fines applicable for parking offences in this House he votes with the Govern­ have increased by a thousand per cent. ment like the honoura~e member for Wollongong. In the Speech there is not This is the sorry record of the Govern­ too much said about transport. To be ment. It has had three increases in bus precise, there are two lines about rail fares and two increases in train fares ; it transport. They are: has had a 30 per cent increase in hospital charges. The people were told that· the The electrification of the Campbelltown line has been completed and expenditure on .the Government would establish a fish and wild­ Eastern Suburbs Railway will be further in­ life commission. I am pleased that the creased this financial year. honourable member for Burwood was able to remind me of this fact. Instead of a No amount is mentioned, of course. What fish and wildlife commission we saw the has happened to the Premier's promise? The most obnoxious legislation ever brought be­ Leader of the Liberal Party in this State fore this Parliament. The bill provided for in 1965 wrote to the Chamber of Com­ complete dictatorship in the control of our merce at Engadine promising that if the national parks, state parks and historic sites. Liberals were elected to government they The Government in its pre-election promises would immediately electrify the line from said that it would establish a fish and wild­ Sutherland to Port Kembla. What has hap­ life commission. We pleaded with the Gov­ pened in the three or four years foJlowing ernment. The Opposition reminded it of their election to office? Now we are told its promise to the people but the legislation that .the line may not be electrified for an­ contained no reference to a wildlife com­ other ten years. This is indicative of the mission. Liberal Party's repudiation of promises it made, not only before the election in May, The Government had a policy on the 1965, but also before the election on 24th landlord and tenant legislation and a policy February ·this year. No reference at all on education. The Liberal and Country was made in the Governor's Speech to the parties promised the people of .this State­ electrification of the Illawarra line. especially the teaching profession-that if I have not underlined anything in the coalition were elected to office it would His Excellency's Speech. It would be establish an education commission. The a waste of time to try to find in promise was that this would be the first it anything of any consequence. The latest complaint by the Premier that the federal thing that the new government would do. budget is a shocking one only foreshadows Everything was to be the first thing that that the State budget will 'contain further the new government would do. The Gov­ savage imposts of State taxation upon the ernment was in office for three years and people of New South Wales. No reference all it did was set up a committee to ascer­ is made to pre-election promises. The people tain whether it is feasible to set up an edu­ must be reminded that in March and April cation commission. Surely anyone inter­ of 1965 they were told that if the Liberal- ested in education or anyone in the teaching Governor's Speech: [14 AUG., 1968] Address in Reply 243 profession can no longer support a govern­ in that time. All that the Minister has done ment that has repudiated all the promises is open everything that the Labor Govern­ that it made before 1st May, 1965, and ment started. By its maladministration the 24th February, 1968. Government has imposed further penalties Government supporters made great play upon ratepayers and taxpayers of this State. about their achievements in the housing of Apparently the Liberal Party, having got the people through the Housing Commis­ into government, did not have enough sion. The Government parties claimed a tre­ money to have its last policy speech nicely mendous reduction in the number of applic­ printed; it was merely roneoed. Perhaps ants for housing. Of course there has been the new member for Northcott, having left a reduction. The Government has scrubbed the head office of the Liberal Party to fight off half of the applicants. It made everyone his election campaign, was not able to or­ fill in more forms: it delved into the peoples' ganize the necessary finance for a printed private affairs and completely wiped off a job. However, in the Liberal Party's last large number of applicants. That is the policy speech much was said about what the way the Government has solved the hous­ Government proposed to do in the field of ing problem. The number of homes built, public works. Soon after the election, how­ not only in my electorate but in the Wol­ ever, a shocking announcement was made longong area as well, has been seriously re­ which disclosed maladministration of the duced. The honourable member for Wol­ opera house. We are given to understand longong has said not a word. Week after that by the year 2000 we might see the week he has a retinue of Ministers in the opera house finished. Wollongong electorate trying to save the Much was said in the Government's last seat for him. He attacked the Government two policy speeches about drought relief. over the savage increases in the third-party The Government set up a drought com­ insurance premiums imposed by the Gov­ mittee and what a shocking committee it ernment but last night voted with the Gov­ was as far as the Government was con­ ernment to give effect to these shocking cerned. Because the chairman of the com­ increases. This is fast catching up with him. mittee was going overseas two members of The Liberal Party, in its pre-election the Liberal Party on the committee voted policy speech, made great play of relief for to wind it up before it had come to a local government. All that this Govern­ proper determination. Though it made ment has done for local government is to recommendations to this House, not one of abolish it. It will go down in history for them has been considered or implemented. generations to ,come for its abolition of the · I am sure that the former Minister for Agri­ Sydney City Council and its current attempt culture, who has been cast on to the indus­ to do everything possible to reorganize trial scrap heap, will come on our side now local-government elections completely, in an and really support the Opposition in its effort to capture control of the lord mayor­ attacks upon the Government in relation to alty of Sydney. I venture to say that des­ the drought committee. If ever a political pite anything that the Government does, the organization was set up, this was it. Every­ Labor Party will retain the lord mayoralty where we went on the committee, the chair­ of Sydney. The Labor Party in office all man organized the executive officers of his over Australia has proved that it can carry Country Party branches to be present. We out the duties of government to ,the satis­ saw him sneaking away saying, "I have faction of the people and to the benefit of to do a little job", and the next we saw of the whole community. him was on some local television pro­ Great play was made also in the Govern­ gramme. Obviously, the committee was set ment's policy speech of what it proposed to up for poHtical propaganda. It was a soft­ do in public works. Though the MiniS>ter ener to the member for Gloucester, though for Public Works has held that portfolio for not one of its recommendations has been three years and three months, I do not know considered or implemented by the Govern­ of any major bridges that have been built ment. So much for the drought committee. 244 Governor's Speech: [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

There are quite a few problems in my Minister for reminding me of this point. electorate that demand the attention of the Recently I asked what Government funds Government. I go to four different offices were held in special deposits by private in my electorate every week and conduct banks and I asked the Government to name interviews. I look after my electorate, and the banks concerned. The Acting Premier I am proud to say that since I have been a and Treasurer replied in a long letter that member of this House I have contested six although deposits had been made in certain elections and have increased my majority banks, the negotiations and arrangements on each occasion. Can the honourable were of a confidential nature. He said he member for Kirribilli say the same? When could not reveal the names of the banks in­ there was a swing towards his party he went volved, nor the rates of interest being paid. backwards and he has not done very well. It is obvious that some private banks, par­ Tonight he apologized for the action of the ticularly the Commercial Bank and the Minister for Education in his electorate. Bank of New South Wales, are holding large Government deposits at a low rate of Mr WADDY: Why not tell the truth for a interest, and that they are redirecting this change? money to their own hire-purchase com­ Mr JACKSON: The honourable member panies at a savage rate of interest. Gov­ for KirribiUi has a big say in the Liberal ernment members may laugh, ·but they Party and in the administration of educa­ know it is the truth. tion, yet the only thing he did in his speech tonight was to attack new members and to Mr GRIFFITH: Can you get them a better attack the Government which he suppor.ts deal with your company? for doing away with the school in his elec­ Mr JACKSON: No. I bank with the torate. He has a big say in education, in Rural Bank. I know the honourable mem­ fact he might be running the Depar.tment ber for Cronulla was supposed to be a big of Education as far as we know. banker before being elected to Parliament. Mr HUGHES: Which recommendations of I understand that his main job was to clean the drought committee have not been intro­ the office, but that on occasions they al­ duced? lowed him to look after the door. In his electorate he claims he was an actuary and Mr JACKSON: Practically every one of a banker before coming to Parliament, but them. You tell me one that has been intro­ I have spoken to people who worked with duced. The Minister is quite entitled to him and they told me that they were very speak in this debate. He should do so and pleased to get rid of him. Their gain is tell the House of any recommendations his our regret. A member of this Parliament Government has put into operation. should be given an honest reply when he Mr HuGHES: You tell us which recom­ requests information about Government mendations that you say the Government funds. He should not be told that the has not adopted. matter that he has inquired about is con­ Mr JACKSON: One matter that comes to fidential. The Government must answer mind is drought relief fodder; another is my query. It must disclose the rate of the conservation of fodder in country areas. interest paid on special deposits and it must Nothing has been done about either of these reveal the names of the banks holding these things, although recommendations were funds. This information should be made made about them. What about the private available to members of this Parliament and banks redirecting customers to the govern­ I intend to pursue this matter in the present ment agency department of the Rural Bank, session. where a low rate of interest applies for rural loans? Nothing has been done. The Gov­ Mr MoRTON: You did not ask your ernment is completely dominated by big Treasurer what rate of interest was being business and private banks. I thank the received when your party was in power. Address in Reply [14 AuG., 1968] Questions without Notice 245 Mr JACKSON: Oh yes, I did. I suggest Mr JACKSON: The honourable member the honourable member for Mosman should for Sutherland gave us a travel talk about stick to local-government matters. If he the late Joe Monro, whom I knew very goes on in the way that he is going at well. He made provocative remarks. Mem­ present there will be no councils left. They ber after member on the Government side will all be abolished. of the House has made provocative re­ marks. Members on that side of the House Mr MoRTON: I would abolish you very have been attacking members on this side. quickly. The only contribution that the honourable Mr JACKSON: You have been trying to member for Burwood made was when he do that for a long time. I hope you defeated Mr Doig, who did a very good job, keep on trying. The more you do and I am sorry that he is not back with us the more people in my electomte in this House. will exercise commonsense and return Debate adjourned, on motion by Mr people of my political persuasion to Mutton. this Parliament. Last time you visited my electorate it resulted in an increase in House adjourned, on motion by Mr my majority. The Minister would be better Hughes, at 10.24 p.m. advised to help his colleague, the honour­ able member for Kirribilli, who faces a tough time at the next elections. Mr GRIFFITH: You should learn to tell the truth. [Interruption] ~rgislatiu:c C!tnuuril Mr JACKSON: Before I was rudely in­ Thursday, 15 August, 1968 terrupted, I was saying that the Govern­ ment had something to hide in not reveal­ ing the information that I requested as a Questions without Notice-Governor's Speech: Address in Reply (Fourth Day's Debate)-Adjournment. member of Parliament. If this information cannot be made available to the Parliament, the Government stands condemned. I con­ The PRESIDENT took-the chair at 4.28 p.m. clude by saying that the matter that prompted me to speak on the motion for the The Prayer was read. adoption of the Address in Reply was the attack made by the honourable member for QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Kirribilli on two of my colleagues. I con­ clude by saying that this Government has LIQUOR ACT a lot of leeway to make up. The honourable The Hon. C. J. CAHILL: I ask the Vice­ member for Kirribilli said to me, "We are President of the Executive Council whether going to abolish you." I do not know it is a fact that the Minister in another whether he has any inside information on a place has convened or appointed a com­ redistribution. mittee to submit suggestions and recom­ mendations in connection with fore­ Mr WADDY: I did not say that at all. shadowed amendments to the Liquor Act. Mr JACKSON: I invite the honourable Is it a fact, also, that the Catering Trades member to address any organization in my Organiza!ion of New South Wales, an in­ electorate. When, for political purposes, he terested party, has no representation on this addressed an organization in my electorate committee? If these are facts will the I was able to increase my majority. We Minister in charge of this House request are very concerned and feel that new mem­ his colleague to enlarge the committee by bers should be heard in silence. the inclusion of a nominee of this vitally Mr JACKETT: They were provocative. interested organization?