Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1981

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

2886 22 Odober 1981 Fees paid by Crown to PubUc Rdations and Advertising Agencies

THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1981

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. S. J. MuUer, Fassifern) read prayers and took the chah at H a.m.

FEES PAID BY CROWN TO PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES Return to Order The following paper was laid on the table:— Return to an Order made by the House on 5 August last, on the motion of Dr Lockwood, showing aU payments made by the Government to public relations agencies or consultants and advertising agencies or consultants during the 1980-81 financial year, stating the names of the redpients and the amounts received separately. Questions Upon Notice 22 October 1981 2887

PAPERS The foUowing papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:— Reports— Department •of Mapping and Surveying for 1980-81 Air Pollution CouncU for 1980-81 Department of Harbours and Marine for the year ended 30 June 1981

PETITION The Clerk-Assistant announced the receipt of the following petition:—

Education Funding From Mr Powell (11 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wiU restore education funding to the 1975-76 level, that Is, 25.6 per cent of the State Budget. Pethion recdved.

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE Questions submitted on notice by members were answered as follows:—

1 & 2. Fire-damaged School Buildings; Sprinkler Systems and Insurance Mr Akers asked the Minister for Works and Housing— With reference to fires which severely damaged buildings at Strathpine State School and Pine Rivers and Nashville High Schools in 1980 and 1981— (1) What is the department's priority for replacing or repairing each building? (2) What is the estimated cost in regard to each incident including furniture and temporary accommodation? (3) What has been the total cost of replacing or repairing fire-damaged schools in each of the last three financial years? (4) What is the estimated extra cost of instaUing a simple sprinkler system in new current standard-design class-room blocks during constraction? (5) Why are such systems, which would have saved the relatively new Strathpine block, not installed in new buUdings as normal procedure? Answer:— (1) Demolition of fire-damaged sections to eliminate dangerous circumstances is the first priority. Provision of sufficient accommodation for the school's current needs is then considered, and if additional accommodation is required, supply of demountable buildings Is normally arranged as they can be relocated most quickly. Technical officers of the Works Department then evaluate the needs of the school and prepare a scheme which is submitted to the Education Department for its consideration. Where replacement accommodation is required, it is generally of such proportion that it would require inclusion on a loan program, and its inclusion would be dependent on the priority it was allocated by the Education Department. This would then be considered in the light of available funds. (2) Strathpine State School—DemoUtlon, $10,500, temporary accommodation, $24,447, fumiture, $11,400; Pine Rivers State High School—DemoUtion, $7,500; Nashville State High School—DemoUtion, $11,625, furniture, $1,417. (3) Repairs and/or replacement value of work carried out— $ 1978-79 .. 268,793 1979-80 .. ,. .- 128,240 1980-81 403,703 (4) The overaU cost estimate for the InstaUation of sprinkler systems in Stage 1 of a PS 78 primary school Is $55,000 and $64,000 for Stage 1 of a HS 78 high school. iSfl 22 October 1981 Questions Upon Notice

Maintenance costs and alarm system rental costs and call-out attendance costs would attract budget costs of $300 per annum per school site for Telecom line rental and fire brigade charges and $2,400 per annum for maintenance and service costs. (5) The provision of sprinkler systeiris to schools is not a mandatory requirement under the Building Act or Fire Act. Having regard to vandaUsm, it must be acknowledged that sprinkler systems vrith exposed glass bulbs or thermal elements represent a most vulnerable target and, as such, might be proven too ineffective and cause cost losses through water damage. Fire hydrants are installed in schoolgrounds so that adequate facilities are available to the fire brigade for fire-fighting purposes.

Mr Akers asked the Minister for Education— With reference to recent fires in State schools in Queensland and the long delay in repair or replacement of those buUdings, will he give consideration to instituting a self-insurance program to provide a fund for immediate replacement of fire damaged class-rooms, especially in growing schools such as Strathpine? Answer:— The matter of either insurance or replacement funding for school buildings destroyed by fire is a question of Government rather than departmental policy. Continuing consideration is given to this matter, but the Umitation of capital funds available for the many needs in the schools sector makes it difficult to set aside funds against possible fires rather than to commit them to needed school buildings. The Works Department has an enviable record in providing both temporary and permanent replacements for school buildings destroyed by fire. Delays can be caused by the desirability of upgrading rather than simply replacing a buUding destroyed by fire. In some cases, buildings destroyed may be surplus to the minimum needs of the school and their replacement may not have a top priority.

3. Heatley State School Dr Scott-Young asked the Minister for Works and Housing— What plans are in existence for new buildings for the Heatley primary school, with particular reference to the presently inadequate library? Answer:— Documentation is in hand for the upgrading of Ubrary and admmistration accommodation at the Heatley State School. When plans have been completed, consideration will be given to this project in the light of funds avaUable at that time.

4., Offer of Bribe to Police Officer During Interview Mr Hooper asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police— (1) During an interview between Detective Senior Constable First Class Fancourt, then of the Licensing Branch, now sergeant at Anakie, and Luciano Scognamglio, also known as Scoglamino, concerning a gaming offence, was a bribe offered to Fancourt? (2) Was Scognamglio's offer to Fancourt tape-recorded by Fancourt, and during this conservation did Scognamglio state that when two senior police officers "got to the top they would look after him"? (3) Was Scognamglio charged and what was the result? (4) Was there a tape-recording of the conversation between Fancourt and Scoglamino, and did the conversation outline the relationship between Scognamglio and these two senior police officers and, if so, what are their names? Answer:— (1) Yes. In December 1974, when K. W. Fancourt was attached to the Licensmg Branch as a plain clothes constable 1/C, he interviewed Scognamglio and was allegedly offered bribes. Fancourt resigned from the Queensland Police Force on 25 September 1976. Questions Upon Notice 22 October 1981 2889

(2) The interviews were tape-recorded. The statements prepared by Fancourt from the tapes do not contain this conversation. (3) Yes. A nolle prosequi was entered by the Crown when the matters came before the District Court on 25 March 1977. (4) See (2).

5. Prior Information of Raids by Licensing Branch Police Mr Hooper asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and PoUce— (1) Has Assistant Police Commissioner Robert Brian Hayes issued an instruction to the oificer-hi-charge of the Licensing Branch that when police are going to raid massage parlors, gambling dens, illegal casinos and SP bookmakers' premises, he is previously to be advised of (a) the name of the premises and (b) the approximate time the raid was to be made, so that his permission has to be given before the raid is carried out? (2) Apart from Assistant Commissioner Hayes, the officer-in-oharge of the Licensing Branch and the officers designated to carry out the raid, (a) what other members of the Queensland Police Force are given this information and (b) as it obvious that massage parlors, gambling dens, iUegal casinos and, according to the latest TAB report, SP bookies are still flourishing in Queensland, is he aware that many members of the Queensland Police Force, dedicated to stamping out these activities, are becoming most dissatisfied that they appear to be receiving patronage in high places? Answer:— (1) No such instruction has been issued by Assistant Commissioner Hayes, any assistant commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner or the Commissioner. The Licensing Branch has not come under Assistant Commissioner Hayes's portfolio for approximately dght months. (2) (a) Prior advice of raids is n'Ot required by or given to any assistant commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner or the Commissioner. Raids are the sole responsibility of the officer-in-charge of the Licensing Branch, Brisbane, and permission is not required from any more senior p>olice officer. The only other officers who are given this information are the members of the Licensing Branch who have a need to know. (b) No, and I completely rejed this part of the question.

6. Issuing of Summonses by Licensing Branch; Mrs E. M. Earwacker, JP Mr Hooper asked the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General— (1) How many summonses have been witnessed by Mrs Evelyn M. Earwacker, JP, of Jane Street, West End, for the year ended 30 June and ^so for the period 30 June to 30 September? (2) What percentage of summonses issued by the Licensing Branch are witnessed by Mrs Earwacker JP? (3) Can these summonses be issued at any time without having to be registered at the Magistrates Court and can these summonses be carried around for long periods of time before being served? (4) If the poUce officer is dishonest, cannot he, or she, use this method to obtain monetary reward from a prostitute as there is no record of the summonses having been issued? (5) Is Mrs Earwacker JP on a retainer from the Justice Department for issuing summonses and search warrants out of court hours? (6) To eliminate this undesirable pradice, will he give consideration to having a court officer, or a person appointed by him, to have summonses issued showing time and date of Issue? Answer:— (1 & 2) No statistical records are kept in the Magistrates Courts of the number of summonses issued by a particiUar justice of the peace. 10349—95 2890 22 Odober 1981 Questions Upon Notice

(3 & 4) It is possible for a summons to be issued without being lodged at the court but the court hearing cannot be proceeded with until after it is lodged with the court. Every summons must show the date upon which it is issued and the date that the defendant is required to appear before the court. If it is not served prior to the date on which the defendant is required to appear, the date may be extended only by the clerk of the court or other justice authorised by him. (5) No, {6) For many years an oflacer of the Magistrates Courts Office, Brisbane, has been paid an allowance for being avaUable at night-time and at week-ends for the issue of warrants.

7» Pre-school Advisers Mr Tenni asked the Minister for Education— (1) How many pre-school advisers does his department employ? (2) Is one or more stationed in the far-northern region, which includes some 19 kindergartens and pre-schools? (3) What is the location of each pre-school adviser? (4) What region does each one cover? (5) How often do they visit each kindergarten and pre-school? Answer:— (1) There are 31 pre-school advisory teachers appointed within the Division of Pre-school Education. (2) Five pre-school advisory teachers are based at centres in the northern region. (3) Cairns (1), Atherton (1) and Townsvilie (3). (4) The pre-school advisory teacher based at Cairns is responsible for visiting the foUowing pre-school centres and early education classes: Aurukun, Babinda, Cairns (15 units), Dimbulah, Kuranda, Mareeba, Mossman, Biboohra, Cooktown and Mount Molloy. The pre-school advisory teacher based at Atherton is responsible for visiting the following pre-school centres and eariy education classes: Atherton, Innisfail (3 units), Malanda, Ravenshoe, Silkwood, Flying Fish Point, Herberton, MUlaa MiUaa, Moresby, Mount Garnd, South Johnstone, Walkamin, Yungaburra and Mena Creek. Three pre-school advisory teachers based at TownsviUe visit the following pre­ school centres and early education classes: TownsvUle (24 units). Charters Towers (2 units), Greenvale, Ayr (3 unhs), Bowea (3 units), CoUinsvUle, Home HUl, Proserpine, Ingham (3 units), TuUy, Abergowrie, Bluewater, Millchester, Pentland, AirviUe, Brandon, Clare, MUlaroo, Osborne, Ripple Creek, CardweU, Fduga, Forrest Beach and Mission Beach. (5) Pre-school advisory teachers are required to visit pre-school centres and early education classes on a regular basis. Each centre receives at least one visit per month. Pre-school advisers employed by the Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queens­ land are responsible for visiting community-controUed kindergartens.

8, School Bus Service, Mt Carbine-Mt Molloy Mr Tenni asked the Minister for Education— Has approval been granted for a school bus from Mt Carbine to Mt Molloy to transport high school children to connect whh the Mt MoUoy-Mareeba bus for the Mareeba High School? Answer:— My department has recently received an application for the institution of a school bus service from Mount Carbine to Mount Molloy for the benefit of secondary school students attending the Mareeba State High School, Questions Upon Notice 22 October 1981 2891

Provided the required number of eUgible students is maintained, I expect this service to commence from the beginning of the 1982 school year.

9. Death Certificates, Cairns Area Mr Tenni asked the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General— (1) Is he aware that h takes one month for his department to supply a death certificate in the Cairns area and only seven days in the TownsvUle area? (2) WUl he ensure that the Cairns area receives the same prompt service as TownsvUle? Answer:— (1 & 2) I am aware that delay could occur in the issue of a death certificate in a particular case. As the honourable member would be aware, legislation provides for the lodgment of registration documents within 30 days of a death. A death certificate may then be issued only after errors or omissions in those documents have been rectified and the death has been registered. Accordingly, delay could occur from case to case but certainly not from town to town. However, if the honourable member has any information conceming particular delays, I wiU be only too pleased to have the information examined and advise him in due course. To overcome any hardship 'occasioned by a delay in registration, I recently jntroduced administrative procedures whereby a district register advises of the receipt of information that a particular person died on a certain date. Provision also exists for the urgent issue of a death certificate after all required information has been supplied accurately.

10. Timber Extraction, Booloumba Creek Catchment and Conondale Range Area Mr Warburton asked the Minister for Lands and Forestry— (1) What is the estimated volume of timber to be cut from Booloumba Creek catchment? (2) What royalties are expected from timber sales from the Booloumba Creek catchment? (3) What is the estimated cost of a proposed road through the Booloumba Creek catchment? (4) Is an environmental impact study to be prepared on the effects of logging this last significant area of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest on the Sunshine Coast? (5) What studies have been done to determine sustainable levels of timber extractions from State forests in the Conondale Range area? Answer:— I have already had representations from the member for Cooroora along these Unes and the answers are as follows:— (1) It is estimated that the hardwood timber cut in the Booloumba Creek can be sustained at about 3 500 cubic metres per annum, on a 30-year cutting cycle. (2) Current royalties for hardwoods are about $10 per cubic metre in the Booloumba Creek catchment. (3) The estimated cost of the proposed road through the Booloumba Creek catchment is $45,000. (4) I ipoint out that rain forest will not be logged except for strips no greater than 40 metres wide. It is not intended to prepare an environmental impad statement. Guides-lines have been developed in association with the logging industry to limit the environmental impact of logging in the Conondale area. 2892 22 October 1981 Questions Upon Notice

(5) Inventories were made of the forest in 1964 and again in 1975. Sustamed yields have been determined on the basis of these inventories.

11. Maintenance of Hornibrook Highway Mr Warburton asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police (1) Whh reference to the Hornibrook Highway and the Government's decision to close permanently the viaduct to vehicular traffic, what arrangements have been made to ensure that regular maintenance is carried out for safety and aesthetic reasons? (2) What is the anticipated annual expenditure necessary 'to finance these arrange­ ments? (3) WiU he give an assurance that the decision to close Hornibrook Highway, which is a breach of faith by the State Government to northern bayside commuters, wUl not result in the highway becoming an unsafe eyesore?

Answer:— (1) Maintenance of the Hornibrook Highway wiU be carried out as part of the routine maintenance operations of declared roads in the area. The structure wiU be maintained in safe condition commensurate with its usage. (2) It is anticipated that the cost of routine maintenance will not exceed $25,000 per annum. (3) The decision to implement a tidal flow traffic arrangement on the Houghton Highway wUl provide a traffic facility of no lesser standard, but at much lesser cost, than would a fully refurbished Hornibrook Highway. I refute the honourable member's comment that the decision not to fully refurbish the Hornibrook Highway is a breach of faith by the Government to northem bayside commuters. The matter was fully discussed with members of the local councU, and also my colleague the Minister for Welfare Services.

12. Development of Industrial Land, South Street, Cleveland Mr Goleby asked the Minister for Lands and Forestry— With reference to the current development of industrial land by his department at South Street, Cleveland— (1) How many blocks wUl be offered for sale? (2) Are the blocks for Ught or heavy industry? (3) What wUl be the area of each block? (4) What wiU be the terms of sale of the land? (5) When wUl the land be offered for sale? Answer:— (1) Thirteen blocks will be made available by auction. (2) Action is presently being taken by the Redland Shire CouncU to rezone the area to light industry. (3) There is one block of 1 000 square metres, one hlock of 1200 square metres, and 11 blocks of 1 300 square metres. (4) The terms are presently the subject of a submission to Cabinet and a decision is expected shortly. (5) Real property surveys are under way and the likely date of sale is January 1982. Questions Upon Notice 22 October 1981 2893

11, Ckvordmated Rail/Bus Service, Toowoomba-Ipswich Dr Lockwood asked the Minister for Transport— Whh reference to the Toowoomba-Ipswich co-ordinated bus/rail service— (1) WiU the Government raU concession for patients traveUing to Brisbane for specialist medical treatment apply to the Toowoomba-Ipswich bus run as part of the co-ordinated service bdween Toowoomba and Brisbane? (2) Does the change in the co-ordinated service eliminating the Unk-up with the raUmotor between Helidon and Brisbane give the Commissioner for Railways the perfed opportunity to withdraw from service obsolescent raU motors rather than have them replaced at full Government expense?

Answer:— (1) I would suggest that the honourable member direct this part of his question to the Honourable the Minister for Health, who is responsible for authorising con­ cessional travel for patients joumeying by raU for medical treatment. (2) No. There Is a general demand for railmotors, and those units which wiU not contmue to be utUised In the operation of services between Ipswich and HeUdon wlU be aUocated to other services which because of the unavailabUity of railmotors are at present being worked by engine and carriages. Dr Lockwood: I redirect question 13 (1) to the Minister for Health.

14, Employment of Additional Teachers by Education Department Mr Shaw asked the Minister for Education— With rderence to the provisions for education announced recently in the State Budget— (1) When wiU the 621 extra teachers be employed? (2) What restridions wiU be placed on appUcants for these new positions? (3) What conditions wiU be placed on thdr employment? (4) What wiU be the anticipated maximum class size when these new teachers have been engaged? (5) After 621 teachers have been employed, what wiU be the total number of teachers employed in this State by the Education Department?

Answer:— (1) The 621 additional teachers wlU be employed from or shortly after the commence­ ment of the 1982 school year. (2) I do not understand what the honourable member means by restridions to be placed on applicants. (3) There wiU be no change In requirement on any appUcants for vacancies In the teaching service. They wiU need to be qualified and Indicate their wiUlngness to serve m any location where the department may wish to place them. (4) There wUl be no change in departmental policy concerning class size. In general, schools are provided with staff such that Individual classes should not have more than 33 pupils. However, because of arrangements in some schools, this may sometimes be exceeded. The great majority of classes have considerably fewer than 33 pupUs in them. The additional teachers wiU cater for increased enrolments In schools, wiU aUow replacements for teachers enjoying long service leave, wiU reUeve awkward class group- mgs In some schools and wUl provide additional specialist and advisory teachers. (5) The total number of teachers, excluding teachers of technical and further education, who wlU be employed In State schools In 1982 wiU be 21 377. 2894 22 October 1981 Questions Upon Ndice

15. LocaUty Allowances for Teachers in Remote Areas Mr Shaw asked the Minister for Education— With reference to the strikes by Queensland State schoolteachers, who are incensed by the Government's refusal to release information conceming the criteria for establishing locality allowances for remote areas— (1) As there appears to be no good reason why the information required should not be made public, wiU he release this information? (2) If not, wiU he explain why he considers it essential to maintain secrecy in the matter? (3) If the detaUs required are not yet available, wlU he undertake to make them public as soon as possible? (4) When will they be avaUable?

Answer:— (1 to 4) The honourable member for Wynnum wiU be aware that quite recently Cabinet approved the estabUshment of a committee chaired by a member of the PubUc Service Board to conduct a review of the locality aUowances and rentals arrangements as they apply to pubUc servants and teachers. As the Department of PubUc Service Board comes within the area of responsibilities of the Honourable the Premier, I suggest to the honourable member for Wynnum that he direct his question to the Honourable the Premier. Mr Shaw: I do so accordingly.

16. Use of Fire-resistant Paint in State Schools Mr Shaw asked the Minister for Works and Housing— With reference to the serious fires in Queensland schools which have cost close to $500,000 durmg 1980-81— (1) What progress has been made by the investigation carried out by his depart­ ment into the use of fire-resistant paint in schools? (2) When wiU the details of this investigation be released? Answer:— (1 & 2) PreUminary investigation in 1979 indicated that the paint does not give a fire rating to the base material and the paint cannot give protection against fires started by electrical faults in ceUings, walls or other unpainted areas or protection against arsonist fires started under or outside buildings. Other problems include the lack of assurances that the paint can be used over previously treated surfaces, serviceabiUty of surface provided and a colour range that is not suitable for school use. The State Fire Services CouncU indicates that, while treatment would slow the rate of burning, it would not prevent burning and, as early detection of fires m schools is not common, the use of fire-retardant paints would not affect the end result. As a resuU of the preliminary report, no action was taken to seek approval for funds for full-scale testing by the experimental building station, as this action did not appear warranted.

17. Rail Link, North Coast Line-Narangba Industrial Estate Mr Frawley asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry— Have plans been approved for a raU link from the North Coast railway line to the Narangba Industrial Estate and, if so, when is it proposed to constmct the rail link? Questions Upon Notice 22 October 1981 2895

Answer:— In the overaU design adopted for the Narangba Industrial Estate, provision has been incorporated for a future rail link from the North Coast line. The construction of such a facUhy would be dependent upon the attraction and the estabUshment of a major rail-oriented industry on the estate,

18, Local Authority General Rate Charges Mr Frawley asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police— What are the names of the six local authorities in Queensland which charged the highest minimum general rate and what is the respective rate charged? Answer:—• For 1980-81, the local authorities and the minimum general rate levies were— $ Gold Coast City CouncU 162 Dalby Town Council 144 Caboolture Shire Council 125 Mareeba Shire Council (Division 3 only) 120 Pine Rivers Shire Council 120 Maroochy Shire Council 115 Ipswich City Council 115 Crows Nest Shire Coundl 110 The budgets for the current financial year have not yet been received from all local authorities and, consequently, it is not possible at this stage to give information in respect of this year. However, I will supply the honourable member with this information by letter as soon as possible.

19. Rail Electrification, Brisbane-Caboolture Mr Frawley asked the Minister for Transport— (1) After electrification of the Brisbane to Petrie line is completed, is it proposed to extend the electric train line to Caboolture? (2) If not, wiU he give consideration to this extension to Caboolture? Answer:— (1) The present suburban electrification program carrying through to 1984 does not provide for electrification between Petrie and Caboolture. (2) Whilst due consideration wUl be given to this and other extensions of electrification in the formulation of future programs, it appears unlikely that there wUl be sufficient potential demand to justify the high capital cost of electrification to Caboolture for some time. However, it is proposed to estabUsh a fast and efficient raUmotor service for residents at Caboolture to commute to Petrie, at which point they wUl join the new electric trains. Planning on this is well advanced and I will keep the honourable member advised of progress.

26. Entrance to Queensland Agricultural College, Warrego Highway Mr Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police— (1) Is his department planning alterations to the Warrego Highway at the entrance to the Queensland Agricultural CoUege? (2) If so, when is it anticipated that work wiU commence? Answer:— (1) Yes. Duplication of this section is planned after duplication of the section east of CoUegeview. (2) It is planned to commence this work within three years. 2896 22 October 1981 Questions Upon Ndice

11. Water Levels, Lockyer Valley Aquifer Mr Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Water Resources and Aboriginal and Island Affairs— With reference to the serious situation regarding the level of water in the aquifer in the Lockyer Valley and the need to maintam surveUlance of these levels for the benefit of farmers— (1) How often are the water levels in the test bores put down in the Lockyer VaUey by the Water Resources Commission read? (2) WUl the level of water continue to be recorded?

Answer:— (1) The Queensland Water Resources Commission endeavours to measure water levels in its 261 observation bores in the Lockyer Valley at intervals of approximately three months or four series of readings per year. On occasions, however, the period between readings is extended and only three sets are taken in a year. (2) The commission has no plans to discontinue or reduce the number of readings taken in Lockyer VaUey.

22, Servicing of Departmental Vehicles, Government Garage Mr Mackenroth asked the Minister for Environment, Valuation and Administrative Services— (1) What is the present Government practice regarding servicing of departmental cars at the Government Garage? (2) Is he aware of which Government departments In Brisbane do not use the Govemment Garage? (3) If so, which departments are they? (4) What action is he taking to have all departmental cars in Brisbane serviced at the Government Garage? Answer:— (1) It is Government policy that the services of the garage are avaUable to aU departments. At present, some 58 departments and instramentalities now use some or all of the garage's services. These services include pre-ddivery preparations, mechanical maintenance, petrol and lubricant sales, body repairs and the preparation of vehicles for disposal by auction. (2 & 3) The Departments of Forestry, Works, Railways, Queensland Water Resources Commission, Queensland Housing Commission, Police and Main Roads aU have their own servicing facUities and do not use the mechanical services avaUable at the garage. They do, however, use the body repair work facUities when required. (4) Disregarding econonuc considerations, the garage does not presently have the facilities or manpower avaUable to service all the Govemment's vehicle fleet m Brisbane. However, the garage has a poUcy of seeking further work from departments to maintain its full operational capacity. At the request of the permanent head, the internal operational audit service is currently carrying out a fuH investigation of all the garage's operations. This wUl result in the Improved operational efficiency of the garage and Its capacity to cope with all work requirements. A number of recommenda­ tions from this investigation have already been implemented. The final report on the garage is expected in mid-December.

23. Staffing, Brisbane Metropolitan Fire Brigade Mr Mackenroth asked the Minister for Environment, Valuation and Administrative Services— (1) What Is the present staffing level of the Brisbane Metropolitan Fire Brigade? (2) What is the classification breakdown of this staff? Questions Upon Notice 22 October 1981 2897

(3) In the last three financial years what is the total amount of overtime worked and at what cost for each year? (4) Has he any plans to increase the staffing level of the MetropoUtan Fire Brigade?

Answer:— (1) Currently the total strength of the MetropoUtan Fire Brigade Is 704. (2) The staff classifications are as follows:— 1 chief officer, 1 deputy chief officer, 4 superintendents, 1 superintendent (training and equipment), 1 senior fire safety officer, 10 district officers, 1 district ofiicer (safety equipment), 4 fire safety officers, 94 station officers, 62 substation officers, 5 fire prevention officers, 494 firemen (all grades), 4 watchroom officers, 12 watchroom firemen, 1 communication officer, 3 senior electronic equipment technicians, 3 electronic equipment technicians, 1 apprentice electronic equipment technician and 2 brigade transport drivers. (3) The total overtime is as follows— $ 1978-79 .. 111,599 1979-80 .. 125,990 1980-81 .. 322,648 (4) The Treasurer approved an j increase in staff for 1981-82 of four substation officers and eight firemen. I will continue to keep a close watch on the staffing levels of the brigade.

24, Use of Squash Court by Parliament House Staff Mr Mackenroth asked the Premier— With reference to his statement on the television program "State Affair" earlier this year that staff at ParUament House would be able to use the recreation facUities provided for members—as the squash court has now been completed, when will the staff at ParUament House be able to use the facilities provided on level seven?

Answer:— The question is one for consideration by the Honourable the Speaker.

25. Gravel Dredges, Brisbane River Mr Innes asked the Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services— What are the names of the barges or other vessels Ucensed to take gravel from the ' Brisbane River, - and in respect Of each vessel, wUl he give (a) the name of its operator, (b) the tonnage and/or capacity, (c) the first day of licensing, (d) the age : • of the vessel if known and (e) details of any restrictions on the licence?

Answer:— The details, in so far as they are available in the Department of Harbours and Marine, are bdng coUated and wiU be forwarded to the honourable member when prepared. The permits issued by the department contain detailed conditions relating to such matters as permitted dredging areas, which are those areas which have been assessed as capable of being worked without endangering the stability of adjacent banks, clearance limits from banks, batter ratios to be preserved in the bed of the rWer, • and operational hours. A copy of a typical permit wiU be forwarded to the honourable member with the above details. 2898 22 October 1981 Questions Upon Notice

26. Judges Superannuation Scheme Mr Innes asked the Premier— With reference to the media reports that he has made statements in the last few days concerning the judges superannuation scheme, and that he, rather than the responsible Minister, the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, has taken a proposal to Cabinet for its review— (1) Are the reports correct? (2) Without canvassing the merits of a review or questioning the right of the Executive or Parliament to review such matters from time to time, can he appreciate that the independence of the judiciary could be seen to be under grave and severe attack as he, as a person who is a Utigant in a case pending before the FuU Court, is reported to be the person prompting consideration of an issue that calls in question an important part of their conditions of tenure and future security? (3) Will he confirm that the present judges are not under threat in any way as to the maintenance of the conditions they presently enjoy and under which they were appointed?

Answer:— (1 to 3) The honourable member does himself no credit in suggesting, by inference, that the independence of the judiciary Is under threat. Surely the Executive has the right and. Indeed, the responsibiUty to review matters df this nature as and when it is considered necessary.

27. Raw Sewage SpiUage, Oxbar Lakes Mrs Nelson asked the Minister for Water Resources and Aborigmal and Island Affairs— (1) Is he aware of a spUlage of raw sewage from the pumping station in Beams Road, Carseldine, into an area known as the Oxbar Lakes? (2) Has the Brisbane City Council notified the Water QuaUty CouncU of this matter as required by law? (3) Has anyone else notified the Water Quality Council? (4) What assistance has been made avaUable to the Brisbane City Council? (5) What is the effect of such a discharge on the water In the Oxbar Lakes? (6) WiU he take action to ensure that any further incidents of such a nature are reported immediately by the Brisbane City Council to the Water Quality CouncU?

Answer:— (1) I am aware that such a spiUage has been reported to have taken place. (2) No. (3) The Water Quality CouncU was notified on Monday, 19 October 1981. (4 & 5) An inspector from the Water QuaUty CouncU has inspected the area and has reported that there was no visual evidence of pollution at the time. The lake water appeared to be in reasonably good condition and an outflow from the lake also was of similar quality. (6) The Brisbane City CouncU is weU aware of its responsibUity to report such incidents, and I shall bring to its notice that I view its failure to report such matters with great concem.

Z8. Road-works, North Queensland Mr Row asked the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and PoUce— With reference to certain road-works in North Queensland— (1) Is it intended to widen the presently dismantled bridges over Sunday and Fischer's Creeks on the Brace Highway between Ingham and CJardweU? Questions Upon Notice 22 Odober 1981 2899

(2) If not, what is the reason, in view of the hazardous nature of single-lane and narrow bridges generally? (3) When wUl the major cutting work be carried out on the CardweU Range Gap? (4) WiU the viaduct-bridge on the same road be replaced by a wider and safer structure?

Answer:— (1) The work being carried out on bridges over Sunday Creek and Fischer's Creek ds routme maintenance only. There is no program to widen these bridges. (2) The bridges will become redundant when the deviation is constructed to the west of the railway Une, probably within the next 10 years. (3) There are insufficient funds available from the meagre allocations by the Commonwealth Govemment for national highways to permh reconstmction of the CardweU Range section. The estimated cost in present-day terms would exceed $5m for a section of some 4 km. The alignment of the present road is such that it induces caution, and the incidence of accidents on the section is low. There are many sections of higher priority, and it has not been possible to include this section in the five-year planning program. (4) The same comments apply to the viaduct bridge. However, the honourable member may be aware that a side-track was recently constructed around the bridge so that future maintenance of the stracture may be carried out under the safest possible conditions.

29. Refrigerated Rail Transport, North and Central Queensland Mr Muntz asked the Minister for Transport— (1) Is he aware of the recent acute problems facing small-crop producers in Bowen in regard to refrigerated transport and the recent substantial losses that have occurred within that industry? (2) What action has been taken and is bdng considered for the supply of additional refrigerated rail transport from Bowen and North and Central Queensland generally.to southem markets, having regard to the substantial profit margin in these combined divisions compared with the enormous losses in the southern division of the railways?

Answer:— (1) As explained to the honourable member for Gympie in response to a question asked by Uim on the 13 October 1981, the demand for refrigerated transport of fresh fmit and vegetables from Queensland stations to interstate markets is now at its peak. Difficulty is presently being experienced in meeting this demand with the present fleet of refrigerated containers. (2) I can inform the honourable member that documents are now in the course of preparation for the calling of tenders for an extra 50 SRC-type refrigerated con­ tainers. This purchase wiU, I hope, go a long way to relieving the difficulties which we have just faced. As well, the question of making further subsequent purchases will be kept under constant review, but as will be appreciated action in this direction will be dependent upon the availabUity of finance.

30, Control of Offshore FaciUties, Abbot Point Mr Muntz asked the Minister for Northem Development and Maritime Services— (1) What provisions have been made for the control of Abbot Point offshore facUities? (2) Will he consider a submission that they be placed under the Bowen Harbour Board's competent local management? 2900 22 October 1981 Questions Whhout Notice

Answer:— (1 & 2) The policy of the Government has been to place single-user ports under the control of the Harbours Corporation and it is proposed that this course be adopted for Abbot Point whUst it is used solely for the ejqrort of coal. If other types of exports eventuate, consideration will be given to placing the port under the icontrol of the Bowen Harbour Board. The matter has been referred to me by the chairman of the Bowen Harbour Board and I wMl be replying to him in due course.

31. Yalboroo State School Mr Muntz asked the Minister for Works and Housing— What action has been taken to upgrade facUities and classroom accommodation at the Yalboroo State Primary School?

Answer:— My district supervisor of works at Mackay has been requested to mvlte quotations for the supply of a single-teaching-space modular class-room buUding to be erected by departmental day-labour. As soon as a satisfadory quotation is to hand, arrangements wUl be made for this work to be carried out. It is anticipated that the buUding wiU be available for occupation at the commencement of the 1982 schod year or shortly after. Approval has been given for the constraction of a new septic toilet block and covered Imk to the existing sch>ool building, and it Is expeded that quotations wiU be called in November for this work.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Brisbane Housing Shortage Mr CASEY: In directing a question to the Minister for Works and Housing I refer to the latest alarming statistics on the Brisbane housing situation, which reveal that the shortfaU between average repayments needed on a housing loan and the credit-providers limit (based on 25 per cent of average weekly earnings) Is now $65 a month; that over 60 per cent of workers receive less than the average weekly earnings; that the deposh gap now averages about $17,(X)0, and that rental vacancy rates In Brisbane are the lowest of any capital dty in Australia. I now ask: What action Is being taken by the Government in view of this serious situation to combat the crisis In the housmg sector?

Mr WHARTON: The Leader of the Opposition is the crisis man OTI that side of the House, but we accept that. The Government has a wonderful record on meeting housing needs. By increasing the loan Ihnh from $25,000 to $30,000, we have decreased the deposit gap. The value of homes eUgible for Housing Commission firiarice has been increased from $36,000 to $40,000. That has helped borrowers, ahhough there Is still a gap. When all is said and done, people who borrow money from the Housing Commission pay 8 per cent interest. Compared with other people they are being assisted considerably. Last financial year we helped 2 200 people to purchase houses. The figures speak for themselves. In recent years the number of pensioner units has been increased by 50 per cent. That is a considerable Improvement. It is impossible to keep up with the increasing number of people requiring accommodation. The State Is growmg quickly and many people who come here from other States require accommodation. Smgle parent families and others needing welfare housmg are on the increase, and are determined to get homes. The Government is trying to meet their needs. There is no way any Government can keep up with the demand for welfare housing. I assure the honourable gentleman that the Government Is doing aU that it can; It is doing more than it has done in the past, and It Is achieving much more than any other State Government. Questions Without Notice 22 October 1981 2901

Deregistration of Greyhound Trainers Convicted of Cmelty Mrs KYBURZ: I refer the Minister for Local Government, Mam Roads and PoUce to the assurance given by the Greyhound Racing Control Board that greyhound trainers convided of cruelty will definitely be deregistered. Is he aware that Constance Martin and her son, both prosecuted and fined for cruelty, are stUl training on their track at Springwood? As It is obvious that the board will not take action, will he use his authority in this matter and take action on Its behalf? Mr HINZE: I shall discuss the matter with the board again. The honourable member must appreciate that the board is the authority set up by the Government to control greyhound racing in this State. It is all very well to come into this House and make accusations under the cover and protection of Parliament. We have to give people who do not have the protection of this House the legal rights to which they are enthled. We have a Greyhound Radng Control Board and a Trotting Control Board. As the Minister in charge of racing in this State for the time being, it is my first responsibUity to discuss those allegations with the responsible bodies, and I shall do so. Mrs Kyburz: They are not allegations; they have been through the court.

Mr HINZE: I know. The honourable member has brought the matters to my notice again this moming, and I say to her quite clearly that I shall discuss them whh the board. She would not expect me to give an answer to her question off the top of my head. I shall discuss the matters with the board and give the honourable member an answer.

Parliamentary Press Secretaries Mrs KYBURZ: I ask the Premier: What sorts of items are listed under "Incidentals" in the return of ministerial expenses that was tabled in this ParUament last Tuesday? I refer particulariy to the stationing of a Press secretary in TownsvUle to help Mr Hooper. Are any criteria set for the job of Press secretary to both Ministers and the Opposhion?

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: A lot of items come under the category of "Contingencies", which I think was one of the matters mentioned in the honourable member's question. If she placed the question on notice, I could Ust some of the items. For instance, my insurance premium of $2,800 comes under "Contigencies". Private dinners that I give, in my capacity as Premier, come under "Contingencies". There is a whole list of such hems. If they are aU added up, one sees that the amount I spend as Premier is exceedingly modest, as are the amounts that most of the Ministers spend. Someone said to me the other day that what we spend does not total what one Minister In the Federal Cabinet spends. If the Labor Party were in power, judging by hs past record and history Opposition Members Interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order!

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: We can see from how they react that they have a guUty conscience about the whole matter. They do not want me to tell the Pariiament and the pubUc what would happen if they were in office. We can judge them by their past record. When the Labor Party was in power, there was inquiry after inquiry. Opposition members do not want me to go over that. That is part pf Labor's history of the way it operated, and Opposition members should not judge other people by it. I did not quhe catch what the honourable member said about Press secretaries.

Mrs KYBURZ: I asked whether criteria were set for the employment of Press secretaries for both Ministers and the Opposition.

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: Over the years, h has been tradhional for Ministers to arrange for Press secretaries. A Minister is entitied to a Press secretary and he suggests a person he wishes to employ. That is the way all Governments operate. Usually, a 2902 22 October 1981 Questions Whhout Notice

qualified journalist is appointed to the position. The Labor Party applies for assistants. I have given the Leader of the Opposition the person he asked for. When he has asked me to remove or transfer one of his officers—I think it was his secretary Mr Casey: I have not asked you to transfer one,

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: I transferred that officer to help the Leader of the Opposition, did I not? Mr Casey: I have not asked for the transfer of an officer.

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: If the Leader of the Opposition wants to start me on that Mr Casey interjected,

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order.

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: The Leader of the Opposition is on very dangerous ground. Mr Casey: What is the dangerous ground?

Mr BJELKE-PETERSEN: If the Leader of the Opposition wants me to tell the House what happened when he wanted a change made, I wiU. I think I have answered the question in relation to the criteria for the appointment of Press secretaries. There are no set criteria. If a quaUfied man is asked for by a Minister, the Minister is entitled to have the secretary he wants. Mr Hinze: They've got to be able to walk through the muck that gets thrown at Ministers.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wam the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and PoUce under Standing Order 123A,

Security Patients' Hospital, Wacol Mr FOURAS: I refer the Minister for Welfare Services to Press reports that 40 of the 68 patients at the Security Patients' Hospital, Wacol, appear to be rejects from the Wolston Park Hospital and are there with criminaHy insane people, wearing the same clothes and being treated in the same way. I ask the Minister: Does he believe that it is morally correct, simply because these people have been found to be somewhat difficuU, to put them in the Security Patients' Hospital with criminally insane people? How does the Minister justify that? Mr WHITE: This matter was drawn to my attention earlier this morning. My depart­ mental officers are currently investigating h. I wiU be happy to provide the honourable member opposite with a detailed answer in the near future.

Glue-sniffing Mr FOURAS: I refer the Minister for Welfare Services to previous questions from me about legislation relative to glue-sniffing and remind him that on the last occasion he said that although he had promised the legislation in April it was causing some difficulty. Press reports on three subsequent occasions have stated that the legislation is to come before the House. I ask him: Is the legislation now ready? Mr WHITE: It is quhe true that legislation is in train, as the member opposite would know. At the moment it is in the hands of the Parliamentary Counsel. I am as anxious as the honourable member for South Brisbane to see its introduction expedited. The department has already taken action on glue-sniflSng with the establishment of a task force involving the Departments of Education, Health and Police. I hope that. Questions Without Notice 22 October 1981 2903 through that task force, something more constructive and positive will be achieved, I also remind honourable members that legislation is not in itself an answer to today's complex sodal problems. Many people see legislation as a simpUstic answer, but that is only part of the whole picture and must form the framework. Within that we must have the provision of adequate diversionary programs such as educational activities and recreational facilities.

Native Plants Protection BUI; Effect on Alternative Life-styles Mr TURNER: I ask the Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts: Is he aware of aUegations by Mr O'Gorman on a recent AM program that the Queensland Govemment was introducing the Native Plants Protection BiU shnply to attack those people leading an alternative Ufe-style?

Mr ELLIOTT: It is laughable for anyone to suggest that the Govemment would introduce such a BUI for that purpose. In fact, the legislation has been in the makmg for some three years. Three different Ministers have been workmg on It. It has been In and out of comnuttees and has had various amendments made to it in that time. It should be known that, under current legislation, any person squatting on national parks can be prosecuted. For example, the provisions of the Forestry Act could be used. So much for the suggestions made by Mr O'Gorman! They are quite ridiculous. The whole object of the exerdse, as the BUI says, is to ensure the protection of native plants, some of which are quite rare. People have been plundering those plants from our national parks and from Crovm land and selUng them for profit at roadside stalls. We should clearly understand that. The two different aspects should be clearly estabUshed. There is a difference between the aim of the BiU and the Government's attitude to people leading altemative life-styles. We have no argument with people who buy their own land or use the land of friends to genuinely lead an alternative life-style, supporting themselves and causing no hassles to the surrounding community. That is totally different from the suggestion that we should put up with people squatting on and destroying national parks, which belong to the people. They are the people's lands; squatters have no right to use them for their own purposes. There­ fore, the Govemment wiU not support people leading that sort of Ufe-style. However, that is totaUy different from the point made by Mr O'Gorman.

Forthude Valley Centre of Culture; Valley Creative Arts Association Mr R. J. GIBBS: I ask the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General: (1) Have the Fortitude Valley Centre of Culture and the Valley Creative Arts Association ever been registered as charitable organisations with his department? (2) If not, has either organisation ever been registered under the above names as a company? (3) Who are principals of the above organisations?

Mr DOUMANY: Neither organisation has been registered as a charitable organisation or as a company, but there is, in fact, a registration for both of them as approved associations under the Art Unions and Amusements Act, which permits them to conduct minor fund-raising projects. The principals of those organisations are— VaUey Creative Arts Association—^Edgar Hawthorn, Terry Hawthorn and Adrian Stenson; Fortitude Valley Centre of Culture—K. Jarman, M. Sue and A, Stenson. At 12 noon. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 307, the House went into Committee of Supply. 2904 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

SUPPLY Resumption of Committee—^Estunates—^Thlrd and Fourth AUotted Days The Chairman of Committees (Mr MiUer, Ithaca) in the chair Esthnates-in-Chlef, 1981-82 Northem Development and Maritime Services Department of Harbours and Marine Hon. V. J. BIRD (Burdekin—^Minister for Northem Development and Maritime Services) (12.1 p.m.): I move— "That $18,016,251 be granted for 'Department of Harbours and Marine'." The appropriations for the Department of Harbours and Marine are iricluded withm the Consolidated Revenue Fund; the Beach Protection Authority Fund, the Harbours Corporation Fund and the Quarantine Incineration Fund, which are Trast and Special Funds; and the State Loan Fund. 'Dealing first with the Consolidated Revenue Fund—the appropriations from this fund for 1981-82 amount to $18,016,251. This allocation comprises special provisions for the Beach Protection Authority Fund and for smaU-craft facilities withm the liarbours Corporation Fund, provision for cash equivalent of long service leave payments on retire­ ments during the year, a provision of $377,0(X) for the publiciation costs of the book "Guide to Fishes", and operational provisions incliiding salaries, contingencies, and marine services development. These operational costs of my Department of Harbours and Marine are met to a significant degree, approximately 85 per cent, 'by the amount •of revenue which is expected to accme to the State as a direct result of the department's activities, and dn the case of the book "Guide to Fishes" the publication costs wiU be more than covered by the sales of this very fine publication. My department levies conservancy dues on all shipping using Queensland ports to finance the provision and maintenance of all navigation aids within those ports. These dues, together with pilotage charges (which are self-explanatory), are estimated to reach :$8.5m during the year, motor-boat registrations, licences, and survey fees a further $2m, engineering and administrative services $2.im, and sundry collections approximately $l.5m. This revenue will be produced from charges levied by the department for the financial year under consideration. These charges are increased from time to time to ensure that theh real value is maintained and that increases in the cost of providing the services are met by the users of the services. Trade through Queensland ports showed a slight decrease on the previous year to reach 58 592 555 tonnes of cargo, with the number of ships caUing at the ports increasing from 3 261 in 1979-80 to 3 547. Gladstone again handled thfe largest quantity of cargo, 17798 047 tonnes, with Hay Point handling 15 075 905 tonnes, Brisbane 9 520 000 tonnes, and Weipa 9 267 912 tonnes. While the ports of Brisbane, Lucinda, Rockhampton, Cape Flattery and Wei'pa experienced some fall-off m trade, the ports of Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Bowen, Hay Point, Mackay, Townsvilie, Mourilyan, Caims and Thursday Island all handled increased tonnages of cargo through their port faciUties. Development at Gladstone, Hay Point, and Abbot Point north of Bowen, wUl have a significant effect on the State's exports over the next few years, with Hay Point, or the Dalrymple Bay coal export terminal, having an initial annual export capachy of 15 million tonnes and, with the addition of a second wharf and some additional coal-handling equip­ ment, being capable of duplicating that tonnage as markets are gained. The Abbot Point facdlhy will inhially provide for an export capadty of 11 mUlion tonnes per annum and the Clinton terminal at Gladstone wiH also have an initial 11 million tonne capacity. Deepening of the port of Gladstone, at present under way at an estimated cost of $57m, wiU provide access for ships in the 120 0(X)-tonne class and increase the overaU annual capadty of the port. During the year the Port of Brisbane Authority development of the Fisherman Islands container terminal was officially opened, and after protracted negotiation of industrial Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2905 arrangements, has since commenced operations. The Port of Brisbane Authority is now pioceeding with the development of an interim coal facUity to handle up to 5 million tonnes of coal per annum. The existing facilities at Hay Point, which provide export capacity for coal from coalfields operated by the Central Queensland Coal Assodates, handled 15 075 905 tonnes of coal, and once again set a world record for a single lift of coal of 165 3(X) tonnes by the vessel "Shin Ogashhna Maru". Stage 1 of the second terminal at Hay Point, to be known as the Dalrymple Bay Coal Export Terminal, is under construction and is estimated to cost around $220m; with completion in mid-1983. Ships up to 200 000 tonnes will berth at the wharf and wiU be loaded at a rate of 6 000 tonnes per hour. Companies committed to export through the new port facUities have taken up almost the fuU export capacity of the new berth being provided as part of Stage 1 development. The development of the new port of Abbot Point, which will provide for the berthing of vessels up to 160 000-180 000 tonnes dead weight for the export of coal initially from the CoUinsville and Newlands mines, wiU cost to the order of $200m. As can be seen, the rapid development of the vast natural resources of this State require tremendous amounts of money to be invested in port development. Studies are proceeding in respect of an additional port site in the Central Queensland area for future coal developments, and needs are foreseen for additional port fadlities to handle grain, bauxite and alumina. The recent port development mentioned and those foreshadowed represent, and will represent for years to come, part of a significant increase in the economic activity of the State. This draniatic need for growth In port facUities is placing increasing demands upon the skUls and resources of the pilotage service and the navigation aids and facilities at the various ports. It is imperative that safety of life at sea should receive the high priority of consideration that h warrants both in development of technical skills and equipment and in providing the finance necessary for such developments to take place. Operationally and in development, the Marine Affairs Division of my Department of Harbours and Marine is financed through the Consolidated Revenue Fund and the State Loan Fund. The appropriation from the ConsoUdated Revenue Fund for the 1981-82 financial year is $9,778,372, comprising salaries $4,396,323 and contingencies $5,382,049, During the year just completed, pUots of the department performed 4 929 pilotages and 657 pilotage removals, which produced revenue of $4,288,221. Income from pUotage rates for the current year is estimated at $4,843,000. The pUot service has a complement of 50 marine officers as harbour masters and pilots at 13 ports to supply a 24-hour on-demand service 365 days of the year regardless of weather. In addition, radar and signal station crews at Caloundra and Lytton maintain a 24-hour watch for shipping in the port of Brisbane. The development of aU ports is a continuous process to cater for the needs of the larger vessels coming on to the coast, the increasing trade tonriage, and shipping volume of the future. A long-established policy of progressively replacing the old pilot launches with new, modern vessels is continuing, and provision has been made for the completion of three new pilot launches at present under cbhstructiori. The first of these, the "QG Embley" has recently gone irito service and the other two, the "QG Daintree" and the "QG Boyne" will be in service in the near future. The total cost of these three vessels is estimated to be $670,000. Provision has also been made for the commencement of construction of two further pilot launches. It is intended that these vessels will be ready for service in the latter part of 1982. These developments, together with half-life refits to four vessels of the existing fleet, will enable the pilot service to maintain its high standard of efficiency and service. The, department maintains the navigation aids system in all Queensland ports and there are now over 2 000 navigation aids throughout Queensland waters. This system includes beacons and buoys, over 1 000 of which support lights marking channels used by both ocean-going and small vessels. 2906 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

The dramatic increase of recent years in the number of small vessels using .the water­ ways of the State has resulted in a flood of requests for lights and beacons to mark what had been considered remote areas. These requests are considered on their merits and, if warranted, acceded to as funds for such developments become available. Revenue for the maintenance of navigation aids throughout Queensland is raised by conservancy dues levied on shipping. Conservancy dues income for the current year in estimated at $3 670 000 Income of $3,280,582 was received in 1980-81. ' ' ' All commercial vessels in Queensland, including hire dinghies, ferries, tourist launches, intrastate cargo vessels, seagoing fishing vessels, harbour and river ships, and tugs and lighters are required to be inspected annually by shipwright or engineer surveyors, or both, as the case may be. These surveyors are employed by the department and'are stationed at Brisbane, Bundaberg, Mackay, TownsviUe and Cairns. During the year, the field staff made 6 723 individual survey visits. Income from survey fees is estimated at $285,000. Survey of ships is a safety measure for the protection of life and property at sea and must be regarded as an essential community service. As at June 1981 there were over 74 000 private motor boats registered in Queensland and an estimated 10(X)0 sailing craft, which do not require registration, using the water­ ways. In the community interest a measure of control over the activities of private vessel operators is carried out by the Small Craft Control Branch of my Department of Harbours and Marine through the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol which also polices the requirements of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. During the last financial year action was taken or was pending on 1265 breaches of the Queensland Marine Act and the Fisheries Act. Penalties imposed by the court during 1980-81 were $21,501 for breaches of the Marine Act and $53,780 for breaches of the Fisheries Act. The taking of female and undersized crabs is stiU the most prevalent offence amongst amateur and professional fishermen. During the past year patrol officers seized 1066 mud crabs and 4 085 sand crabs being either female or undersized. Some 580 illegal nets, crab-pots, and dillies were also seized during the year and their users prosecuted. Following the decision to implement management controls of the Queensland barramundi fishery a closed season on barramundi was introduced, operative during January and February this year. Air and coastal surveUlance was undertaken by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol during those months and will continue in future closed seasons which will be during the months of November, December and January. The estimated cost other than salaries of full implementation of the program based on fuU staffing requirement is $255,000. An additional aUiocation to the department's budget for 1981-82 of $147,900 has been granted for this first full year of operations. Addhional staffing arrangements have yet to be determined. The netting of sharks off popular beaches was commenced in 1962 and continues to afford protection at 59 beaches. During the 1980-81 shark-fishing season, 1 055 sharks and 289 pups were taken by net and drumline. The total catch since commencement of the program is 23 823 sharks and 10 611 pups. While the shark-meshing operations are by no means an infallible methods of protection from individual shark attack, it Is significant that there have been no attacks in protected areas since the program commenced. A provision of $454,000 has been made for 1981-82 to continue that program. Other development works bdng undertaken within the Marine Affairs Division include repositioning and upgrading of the channel beacons in Gladstone Harbour owing to the deepening and widening of the channel for vessels using the CUnton terminal fadlities, construdion of new Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol complexes at Mooloolaba, Mackay and Ingham, synchronisation of Ughts in the outer bar cutting, Moreton Bay, and upgrading of beacons at Bundaberg, TownsviUe, Cooktown, Weipa, Thursday Island, and Brisbane. The next Vote for consideration within the ConsoUdated Revenue Fund is that of the Administration Division of the department. Services performed by this division for the branches of the department funded from Trust and Special Funds are recovered by raising internal charges on these funds for credit to consolidated revenue receipts. Included in the budget for this division this year is an allocation for the establishment and staffing of offices at Townsvilie and Cairns to enable active representation of my Northern Development portfolio. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2907

The fact that, together with my appointment as the first-ever Minister for Northern Development, I now have further bases of adivUy in two major North Queensland cities under the control of one executive officer indicates that the Government is sincere in its stated commitment to the North. As the Minister concerned, it is essential that I be in the position to advise Cabinet and the Government in depth on matters affecting North Queensland. I must be able to help organisations and individuals with their communications and dealings with the Gov­ ernment and ensure that they are given the opportunity to put before those in authority their views and voice their aspirations on furthering industrial development. State Government poUcy is to promote and faciUtate primary and secondary industry development throughout our vast State. My responsibiUty, as Minister, is to determine what can be achieved in these fields in North Queensland. I might say that I am very confident of the abUity of North Queenslanders, supported by the area's rich store of natural resources, to meet the challenge of industry expansion. In setting out to achieve the goals I have in mind, I see no benefit in setting up yet another Government department. Ideally, the Minister for Northern Development should visit aU areas of North Queensland frequently. Aheady, in company with members of my parliamentary committee, I have visited various centres and had meaningful discussions with interested organisations on developmental proposals. However, as honourable members would reaUse, Cabinet, parliamentary and dectorate commitments aU restrict the time available for such visits. In these circumstances, the estabUshment and staffing of offices at Townsvilie and Cairns provides a day-to-day Unk that must prove of enormous benefit in formulating developmental programs for the future. My executive officer, who is based in TownsviUe, will visit centres throughout the region on a regular basis. He wiU foUow up suggestions which have been made to me by deputations and investigate and report on proposals and problems relating to northern development. Today, Queensland is, in my opinion, the State of opportunity in the Commonwealth! We all have seen the dramatic progress 'brought about by the expansion of the mining, secondary and rural industries in our State over the last decade or so. Growth in the mining sector, in particular, has been spedacular and vast reserves of minerals still lie untouched, I firmly beUeve that that expansion has happened because the right environment— polhically, socially and economically—^has existed to encourage and foster private-enterprise projects. People from throughout Australia, and from overseas, are testifying to Queens­ land's successes by the manner in which they are coming to live here and invest in the opportunities which abound. The office of the Minister for Northern Development is being shaped to ensure that I wiU be able to help North Queenslanders who want to open up a new enterprise, or expand an existing one, I will be their Unk with the Government. As a North Queens­ lander, it is a responsibility that I accept with pride and enthusiasm.. The funds appropriated this year are modest. They are sufficient, however, to begin my new operations and estabUsh the basis for continued representation and presentation of North Queensland's developmental interests. The proposed expenditure of the next Vote to be considered, is that of the Works Division of the Department of Harbours and Marine. This division is a service unit supplying engineering services to the other divisions of the department, and to harbour boards and local authorities. Expenditure for 1981-82 is budgeted at $4,365,346 and includes special provisions for electronic distance measuring equipment for use by hydrographic surveyors to a cost of $100,000. Estimated income is $1.9m. Services which are avaUable include hydrauUc model faciUties at the Queensland Govemment Hydraulics Laboratory at Deagon, where $560,000 wiU be spent this year on completion of a 60 metre by 30 metre covered models hall which wiU provide aU-weather testing facUities at the laboratory, completion of construction of the Maroochy River flood plain model, and constraction of a Gladstone Harbour model requested by Gladstone Harbour Board for study of the inner harbour. Other models at present in progress include a wave penetration model for the proposed Hay Point tug harbour. 2908 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

Consultative services are also provided to the pubUc with respect to canal development, reclamations, constructions below high^water mark, and hydrographic surveys. The Vote for marine biology represents the estimated contmgencies costs for this section of the department, which includes the research for and production of the book "Guide to Fishes" for which an allocation of $377,000 for publication costs has been made. Sale of this book wiU retum income to consolidated revenue receipts of approximately $680,000 over the next two years. Also included in this section is responsibility for the development and operation of the Borumba Dam fish hatchery. The hatchery Is now working up to a stage where breedmg trials are expected to commence with silver perch and golden perch in the coming summer months. There are two further provisions from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, an amount to be credited to Beach Protection Fund and an amount to be credited to Harbours Corporation Fund. These two items provide for transfers to the Trast and Spedal Funds to meet operational commitments of those special funds. This expenditure wUl be further explamed later in this speech. To this point the main expenditure commitment has been in respect of matters deaUng with navigation and engineering activities of my department. The next appropriations to deal with cover matters relating to the harbours of this State for which no harbour board is constituted. The harbour authority for these harbours Is the Harbours Corporation of Queensland. The Harbours Corporation Is charged under the Harbours Act with management and control of the harbours of Hay Point, Weipa, Lucinda, Innisfall/Mourllyan, Thursday Island and Maryborough, and the boat harbours of Mooloolaba, Rosslyn Bay, Urangan and Snapper Creek. Control of expenditure for this part of the department's activities is provided through the Harbours Corporation Trast Fund. Income to the trust fund is generated from charges levied on the port users of each port by way of harbour dues, berthage charges, etc. Development within each port Is financed from surplus revenues, loan raisings, and in some cases port-user capital contributions. Income from aU sources for 1981-82 Is estimated at $184,069,200. Expenditure for 1981-82 is estimated at $187,577,546. The major part of this expenditure is for the con­ struction of the previously mentioned two new port faciUties for the export of coal. At the harbour of Hay Point, the Dalrymple Bay Coal Export Terminal wiU require a total of $119m to be spent in 1981-82 on both onshore and offshore works. The finance for these works comes from two sources. The onshore infrastructure costs wiU be met by contributions from the coal companies who have agreed to export through this terminal and the offshore works wiU be funded by the State, towards which an Initial $17m has been borrowed overseas. At the present time temporary Treasury loan accommodation has been made available to cover progressive costs to date pending further company contributions and the raising of the State's share of the funding. At Abbot Point, where construction of the new coal export facility is about to commence, the onshore infrastructure costs will again be met by contributions by the coal company and the offshore works wiU be funded by the State. The estimated expenditure In 1981-82 is $30m. Development in other harbours will continue in 1981-82, with an estimated $2m being spent on the first stage of a tug harbour at Hay Point, $1.2m on development dredging, slipway and sundry works at Weipa, $270,000 on road-works and a service jetty at Mourilyan, $40,000 at Mooloolaba Boat Harbour on heavy-lift wharf equipment and $40,000 at Rosslyn Bay Boat Harbour on construction of an office-workshop. In addition, dredging maintenance at Weipa Harbour is budgeted at $2,470,000 in anticipation of a requirement for removal of siltation in the channel. This may be dependent on W^eather conditions experienced in the Gulf in the 1982 cyclone season. The Harbours Corporation interest and redemption commitments for the servicing of loans raised over the years is estimated to be $2,674,320 for 1981-82. Of this, some $650,000 is in respect of loans raised for the provision of mooring facUities in boat harbours for use by boat owners. A levy is made on each boat harbour management authority to partly Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2909 defray the cost of servicing these loans. A further $995,820 of the interest and redemption is met by contributions from CSR and the Sugar Board in respect of loans raised for the constraction of bulk sugar handling facilities at Mourilyan and Lucinda. Included in the Harbours Corporation Trast Fund are grants from ConsoUdated Revenue Fund and State Loan Fund towards the cost of construction and maintenance of small-craft facilities throughout Queensland. These facilities include breakwaters, boat ramps, public jetties and access dredging to these facilities. The amount provided in 1981-82 for these activities Is $lm, bemg $500,000 from revenue and $500,000 from loan. Whilst not directly controlled through parliamentary provisions, the development of the harbour board ports remains a prime consideration of my portfolio. I would like therefore to mention some of the developments going on in these ports. The Port of Brisbane Authority with its first container terminal at Fisherman Islands becoming operational has also entered into heads of agreement for the operation of the second container terminal. Further, as previously mentioned, the authority has entered the coal export field with a wharf and coal-handling fadlity to be provided upstream of the Ampol crade wharf at Fisherman Islands. It is anticipated that by October 1982 the first stage to be completed would allow export of 1.5 miUion tonnes annuaUy, increasing to 3 miUion tonnes with completion of the second stage. As demand for export of coal mcreased the facUity would be made capable of handling up to 5 mUlion tonnes per annum with the further investment by the operating company in expanded facilities. At Gladstone the deepening and widening program for the harbour channels wiU enable access for up to 120 0(X) dead-weight tonnage vessels, with the outer harbour being deepened to 15.3 metres on low water datum and the inner harbour to 14.7 metres. These works are being carried out by Australian Dredging and General Works Pty Limited and Westham Dredging Company Pty Limited at a cost in excess of $57m. My Department of Harbours and Marine is engaged in providing the engineering supervision of the contracts on behalf of the Gladstone Harbour Board and in the repositioning and provision of navigation aids for the upgraded channel. Mackay Harbour Board has at present under construction a grain export terminal which will consist of four 2 700 tonne concrete silos, raU and road receival facilities, road-out loading facility and a grain drier. The estimated cost of this project Is $4.3m. Further north, the Caims Harbour Board is to become the management and control authority for the Cairns Airport, as provided in the recent Cairns Airport Act, under the Commonwealth Govemment's local ownership plan for airports. Upgraded facUities at the present airport wUl be provided partly by the Commonwealth Government and partly by the board to a total estimated cost of $23.7m. The proposed development will include upgrading and extension of the runway, construction of additional taxiways and aprons, access roads, car-parks and terminal facUities. This is a new involvement for a harbour board and developments wUl be viewed with interest by me and all concerned. Although not a harbour board in the traditional sense, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority, constituted by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Act 1979, has the powers and functions of a harbour board and has assumed management and control of the harbour functions in the water-ways from the Logan River to the New South Wales border, which previously were controUed by the Port of Brisbane Authority and the Harbours Corporation of Queensland. Plans for major development works in the area under the authority's control are In the formulation stage and In the meantime the authority's functions include supervision of the Southport Boat Harbour, and issue of approvals for the constmction of marine structures along the foreshores and for the taking of sand and other material by dredging. One further appropriation from Consolidated Revenue Fund, which I referred to eariier and on which I shall elaborate, is the provision of $1,430,559 to be credhed to the Beach Protection Authority Fund, a special fund under the Trast and Special Funds provisions. Briefly, the functions of the authority are to investigate and plan for preventative and remedial measures to control coastal erosion. To this end, the amount budgeted to provide technical services to the Beach Protection Authority of $1,459,307, which includes the revenue grant, the balance of the fund at July 1981, and some sundry income, will include $1,098,041 for investigation into coastal behaviour and 2910 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

provision of advice mainly to local authorities on planning and remedial measures for erosion, and $250,266 for research and management of coastal sand dunes and their conservation. The merit of the planning and remedial measures advised by the authority to other bodies is wholly dependent upon the extent of data available to the authority. The acquisition of data, on the behaviour of any particular section of coastline and the ocean forces acting upon it, which vary from season to season, necessitates the collection of data for periods of between three and six years. Surveys, therefore, form a major portion of the work of the authority, and $423,(X)0 has been included for this purpose. As the ocean makes great demands on both the men and the equipment involved in this form of data collection, the costs of investigation of coastal behaviour along our very long coastline are invariably high. In this respect, an amount of $80,000 has been set aside for replacement and additional storm surge and wave-recording equipment. Nevertheless, it is with some satisfaction that I can say that Queensland remains the leading State in beach protection research. The last fund on which I wish to comment is the Quarantine Incineration Fund. Quarantine incinerators are maintained at 13 Queensland ports, namely, Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsvilie, Cairns, Thursday Island, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen, Lucinda, MourUyan and Weipa, As from 26 August 1980, the Commonwealth Government assumed responsibUity for the imposition of charges and coUection of fees for the use of the incinerators. The operation, maintenance and administration costs incurred by harbour boards and the Harbours Corporation in the collection and disposal of ships' garbage are now being reimbursed by the Commonwealth Government. My department acts as a Uaison unh in advising the Commonwealth Department of Health of the estimated expenses of each operating authority and, on recdpt of advances from the Commonwealth, in forwarding the relative advances to the authorities. Operating costs for 1981^82 are estimated at $406,051. To summarise the provisions for expenditure by the Department of Harbours and Marine, I would advise the following total provisions by funds for the financial year 1981-82— $ Consolidated Revenue Fund 18,016,251 Beach Protection Authority Fund 1,459,307 Harbours Corporation Fund ., .. 187,577,546 Quarantine Incineration Fund 406,051 State Loan Fund 3,030,000

Total .. $210,489,155

The CHAIRMAN: Order! I inform honourable members that, on the Vote proposed, I will aUow full discussion on all of the Minister's departmental Estimates (Consolidated Revenue, Trust and Special Funds, and Loan Fund Account). For the information of honourable members, I point out that the administrative acts of the department are open to debate, but the necessity for legislation and matters involving legislation cannot be discussed in Committee of Supply. Mr CASEY (Mackay—Leader of the Opposhion) (12.37 p,m.): In the list of ministerial responsibilities of the Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services, there are just two words relating to the Northern Development part of his portfolio. There is nothing specific, nothing concrete—^just two vague words: Northern Development. Furthermore, in the list of Acts administered by the Minister, there is nothing whatever that relates to northem development. The Minister himself, in answer to a question that I put to him in this House yesterday and in introducing his Estimates today, virtually admitted that the northern development part of his responsibUity has no substance. The Minister admitted that the much-heralded office of the Department of Northern Development in Cairns has just one employee—a stenographer—^just one junior employee to administer the weighty affairs of this "phantom" department in that important northern city! Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2911

The Minister also revealed in his answer that he does not know exactly what that junior employee does in that office. Mr Bird: I have just taken over. Mr CASEY: Hang on a minute! Is this the way in which the Minister goes about ensuring—and I quote him—^"that assistance is avaUable to North Queenslanders for development of the vast resources of the area"? The Minister has no record of inquiries to that office in the past year. I specifically asked him a question on that matter. Here is a situation in which an office is maintained and staffed, yet the Minister cannot say exadly what that office does. Mr Bird: I wasn't responsible for It. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The Minister will have an opportunity to reply. Mr CASEY: The Minister has had more than nine months to find out what that office does. Over that period he could have found out quite easily what it was doing. The M'hiister also announced with great fanfare that a similar office of the Minister for Northern Development had opened in TownsvUle. That sounds very fine—until we learn that just one executive officer has been appointed. I presume that In the future he wiU have a stenographer to assist him. His task is to work from both TownsviUe and Cairns. This one man Is to pursue the formation of an overall policy for the promotion of northem development. I suggest to the Committee that the portfolio of Northern Development, as operated by this Government, is a gigantic hoax, a confidence trick being perpetrated on the people of North Queensland. The only function of these Northern Development offices is to act as public-relations bases for Ministers on their infrequent visits to the North. North Queensland has the potential to be one of the great economic centres of AustraUa, in both resources and tourism, yet it is hard to find one policy of this Government which directly fosters this potential or benefits the region. The office of the Minister for Northem Development in Cairns, and the one to be opened in Townsvilie will be toothless tigers. The Minister for Northern Development is the only northern representative in Cabinet. That is a very touchy point for the people of North Queensland who, under Labor Governments, were well served by northern Cabinet Ministers who could push for their needs around the Cabinet table. While the North is weU served by ALP members, the people of the North know that they and their potential are bdng ignored by the Government. The Govemment's thoughts about northern development can be judged by the fact that it does not rate a mention in the Treasurer's Financial Statement. This mysterious, elusive Govemment function does not even rate a separate mention in the Minister's Estimates. The only place where the words "Northem Development" appear are in the Minister's title and In the headings to the Estimates documents. The same can be said about the Queensland Govemment Liaison Office in TownsviUe, to which a National Party tout was appointed last year to fill the role of co-ordinating the National Party's election campaign for North Queensland. I understand from the Minister's comments in answering my question yesterday that that office is to be continued in North (Queensland. Because of the way in which it is being conducted, it Is Innocuous, ineffective and absolutely unnecessary. It certainly plays no role in developmg North Queensland or its potential. North Queensland is tired of supporting the National Party and is ready to swing back once again to hs traditional base, that Is, the Labor Party. Mr Bertoni: You have been saying that for the last six years. You have been saying it for ages. Mr CASEY: The member for Mt Isa will be the next to go. The swing was clearly reflected during the last State election, where, despite all of the internal problems of Labor, substantial gains, including the seats of Townsvilie West and Mourilyan, were made in North Queensland. There will be more to come at the next State election because the saga of neglect by the Liberal and National Parties is continuing. 2912 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

This will be clearly outlmed in many areas by my coUeagues from the North who are following me in this debate. The campaign to remmd northerners of this neglect wiU be co-ordinated by the Opposition shadow Minister f^or Northem Development and Marithne Services, (Mr Ray Jones, the member for Cairns) over the next two years. At the moment, Mr Jones is representing aM members of this Parliament at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Fiji. I know his deep feelings and understanding of the needs of the North. I know of no-one better to protect them. The development of North Queensland has foUowed a traditional pattem. The country was, in the main, opened up by mining with the old-time prospectors scouring every inch of the land in search of the great mineral resources that had made their way to the surface or into the rivers and streams. The pastoral interests followed as they opened up the land and, as has occurred in so many other parts of Australia and nations around the world, the plough followed. The past 130 years has seen this cycle of mining, pastoral pursuits and agriculture repeated many times. However, it has ground to a halt during the last decade mainly because we have a Govemment whose only interest is selUng off the mineral resources of this nation to the highest bidder, without proper thought to the long-term future of the land being opened up. The most valuable resources of North Queensland are not really its mmerals but its sunshine, water and the land Itself. The combination of these stUl makes large areas of land the greatest untouched resource area hi our nation. Add to this, the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the off-shore islands encompassed In the Grreat Barrier Reef region, the magnificent tropical rain forests, the hundreds of miles of golden beaches and the friendly people, and we find Australia's greatest tourist potential. Contrary to the opinion expressed by certain members of the National Party, all but a very few selfish northemers, irrespective of the life-style that they would like to lead, are happy to share these natural beauties with their fellow Queenslanders, fellow Australians and people frorii other lands. We, as northerners—I am a northerner myself, having always lived there and intending always to live there—ask visitors to leave behind only their foot­ prints and to take with them their memories. Today, I should like to tell the Committee what members of the Labor Party believe should be happening in the Department of Northem Development, and the way in which the future of the North should be planned. During every generation in Australia's history new areas have been opened up for agricultural development. Such has also been the case in Queensland. During the '40s and into the '50s, because Of the Labor Government's negotiation of the 25-year sugar contract with Great Britain, we saw the big expansion of Sugar-growing in this State, and the consolidation of that great industry. During the '60s and into the early '70s it was the brigalow land development scheme, again the brain-child of a Labor man, Dr Rex Patterson, who was the Director of Northern Development at the time. It turned many fairly low productive areas of Queensland into Intensive pastoral developments. However, because of the big decline in the beef industry during the mid-1970s, many sections of the brigalow areas turned more towards grain. The grain industry stUl remains as the world's major producer of protein in one form or another, whether for direct consumption or for feed grain for livestock. Again, in Queensland, the experiment whh the old British food co-operative of the mid-1940s, whilst at the time appearing to be a faUure, was the correct cbncept and the area has now become one of the major grain-producing sections of this State, and the area with the biggest potential. Whilst much of the future agriculture development of the North will depend on the harnessing of our water resources we cannot wait the 20 years that it is now going to take to develop the major Burdekin scheme to a productive stage before we proceed to open up new lands for the present generation. We have had a gap of some 10 years whilst this Government has procrastinated. Duing this time farm costs, including interest rates, have soared so high, with returns from farming relatively low compared to the mining and manufacturing industry, that it is extremely difficult to obtain the necessary capital to maintain the proper growth of food production in this State. Unfortunately the family farm has now become a major industry with high capital needs and heavy debt-servicing costs, and, consequently, a much higher return is necessary to maintain its survival. Governments provide the only real source to overcome this Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2913 problem. This was one of the major reasons, but certainly not the only one, why Labor's policy of lease-holding in Queensland was so important. It meant that, when the time comes for bigger holdings that are being used for pastoral purposes to be split up for agricultural purposes, it could be done at a relatively low cost, but to the State and to those who were ready and wUling to become the food producers. Right now there is a great need to assist those who have settled the No. 3 brigalow area in Queensland to change from pastoral to agricultural farming and that is something that could be undertaken immediately by the Queensland Government with a proper supportive program. Urgent action should also be taken to open up the Suttor River/Belyando area for grain production. Huge areas of some of the best agricultural area as yet untouched in Australia, of the Logan Downs/Avon Downs type, are situated in the north sector of the Central Highlands. They were investigated back in the early '60s by both the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the then Federal Department of National Development. They will enable us to extend the brigalow development scheme. Railway Unes have been provided and some of the infrastmcture has already been done by the mining industry. Therefore they could be used as an added bonus to the development of those areas. This should be the work of a separate Department of Northern Development but it can hardly be so whilst that department is contained within the office of Harbours and Marine and the chief of the department is the director of Queensland's ports. There is only one place for a Department of Northem Development and that is under the control of the Premier. That is where it wUl be under the Casey-led Labor Government in Queensland. Attached to that department will be the necessary economic, agricultural and planning experts to undertake a proper program of development in this State. This wiU also include a remote area planning division that can provide such assistance to those isolated and more remote areas of Queensland with their planning for everyday needs such as water supply and sewerage schemes for their local authorities and service industries for their population. I stress that the role of this section wUl not be to take over the function of local authorities in these remote areas of the State but rather to provide the necessary support which they themselves cannot finance. Another matter that I would like to touch on is the important development of port stmctures in this State. The Minister commented at some length on those. I was somewhat alarmed some two years ago at the reports that the Premier was negotiating with his close personal friend Lang Hancock, of genocide for Aborigines fame and, of course, patron of the National-Country Party in Westem AustraUa, regarding the establishment by that person—after his more-recent remarks, no-one in Queensland would call him a gentleman— of privately-ovraed port facUities on the coast of Queensland. Let me say quite positively and clearly that the Labor Party believes that the port facilities of this State and nation should be owned by the public, controlled by the public, and used for the public good, with no monopoly company situations allowed. All ports in this State should be muhi-user in concept but whh the exports and imports of our State controUed by the Governments of the land. At the moment, three major port developments are being undertaken in this State. The first is Stage 2 of Hay Point, which, as it is clearly visible from the windows of my home in Mackay, is something that I know a fair bit about. The second is the new port of Abbot Point, just north of Bowen, which taps the northern sector of the Bowen Basin coalfields, and the third is the Fisherman Islands complex at the port of Brisbane. All I wUl say of Hay Point and Abbot Point at this stage is that there is a very serious lack of proper co-ordinated planning by the State Government for the long-term future of both of these locations. I shaU clarify that for the Minister. I refer not to the port stmctures but to the locations. It is very important that, following this development, there be a move into manufacturing In Queensland. These are the developments that wiU bring jobs to North Queensland, and they should be incorporated in the planning structure now. 2914 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

Unquestionably, as has been the case with Gladstone, the port areas at these locations will become future major industrial complexes in this State and wlH attract heavy industries. The only planning undertaken by the State Government to date has been for the export of our minerals, and Gladstone is an example of that. Once more the Department of Northern Development should have the important role of planning the future major industries for these sites—the way in which they can be located, the need for service industries, the local authority involvement with water supplies and sewerage, the township infrastructure and all of those things that were not done in the case of Gladstone, with the consequential headaches that we have there today. I contrast that with the excellent work being undertaken by the Hunter Valley Authority in New South Wales under the Wran Labor Government. I was very pleased on Tuesday morning, in the company of my parliamentary colleagues the member for Bulimba (Mr Ron McLean) and the member for Lytton (Mr Tom Burns) to inspect the new Fisherman Islands facUity. River ports, such as the one which has serviced Queensland through the Brisbane River for 150 years or more, are doomed because of the change in trends in shipping sizes and the movement of cargoes in containers, which provide speed of unloading and quicker turn-round for the shipping, as well as a lower cost of operation. Brisbane is Queensland's major import port. We must keep that uppermost in our mind regarding the future development of Fisherman Islands. I am concerned at the recent announcement by the State Government that it plans to develop Fisherman Islands into a major coal export facility. The movement of millions of tonnes of coal right through the metropolitan area is going to provide tremendous headaches in the future, and also disruption to the life-styles of a large number of people. No proper environmental impact study has been undertaken relative to this proposal. This is a matter of urgency and should be proceeded with forthwith, as during this financial year the Port of Brisbane Authority plans to spend $3.5m on the development of the coal-loading facUhies. One of the main problems associated with the new port facilities at Fisherman Islands is the lack of a standard-gauge rail link to the island itself. Such a link would undoubtedly be a major boost to the port, not only for Queensland but for the whole of Australia, It would eliminate the need for costly cargo transfer at Acacia Ridge, aUowing cargo to come direct from its dispatch point to Fisherman Islands. In this way, the Port of Brisbane Authority would have access to the exports of northern and north-western New South Wales. It would also relieve the problem of avaUability of berths, which somdimes affects Sydney and Newcastle. Shippmg companies could use the port of Brisbane as a major Australian export/import port, loading and unloadmg cargo not only for and from Queensland but for New South Wales as weU. I understand that this raU link is the subject of inquiry by the Bureau of Transport Economics, and hs report is due to be brought down at the end of 1982. The Queensland Government has a responsibility to present a case in the strongest possi^ble terms for the rail Unk, either direct from Acada Ridge or from South Brisbane to Fisherman Islands. That should not be done without the benefit of a proper environ­ mental impact study on the effects that it wUl have on the communities through which h wUl traverse. The causeway to Fisherman Islands would enable the construction d a standard gauge raU link, which would boost the international standing of the port of Brisbane and benefit Australia as a major trading nation. I urge the Government to give the proposal its full support. I am somewhat concerned about various aspects of the coal-loading fadUties for the port of Brisbane. Although the Port of Brisbane Authority wiU spend something like $3.5m on developmental work such as dredging and pile-driving for berths, and on the reclamation of land, to this stage the Government has not announced the contribution to be made by the mining companies that will use the facilities. I ask the Minister to inform the Commhtee of the contribution. Many Queenslanders are concerned about it, particulariy if the coal-loading operation reaches 5 miUion tonnes a year, as has 'been suggested. A couple of months ago I read a newspaper article—'I think it was in "The Australian Financial Review"—^that mentioned a dispute between those who wanted control of the coal-loading facUities. The Port of Brisbane Authority has entered the arena but, as I understand it, negotiations are under way for an operating company to take over. The Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2915 names of the people involved in that operating company should be divulged, as well as their individual contributions to the cost of the facUities. I want to know the contributions to be made by the Darling Downs hopefuls, as they are caUed, the coal-mining operators of Miltaierran and the West Moreton fields such as Marathon Petroleum Australia Ltd and CHlmin NL. Because of shareholdings held by the Bjelke-Petersen famUy, OUmin NL is very significant. (Time expired.)

Mr BERTONI (Mt Isa) (12.57 p.m.): As a member who represents part of the northem area of this great State, I must say how delighted the people of the North and I are at the introduction of a portfoUo for Northern Development. Now the people of the North can deal dired with a Minister. I congratulate the Minister on bdng the first person to be diredly responsible for northern development. As he comes from a northern area, I am sure he appredates the importance of his position. Some people may ask why we should have a Minister responsible directly for northern development when we do not have Ministers responsible directly for the south-east corner or western areas of the State. Because of its various climatic conditions, its topography, its isolation and high living costs, the State Government has recognised that the northern area warrants special consideration from both the State and Federal Governments. It has recognised the necessity for special initiatives to ensure equality of opportunity and living standards with the rest of Queensland and AustraUa. Some of the initiatives are in the fields of taxation concessions, trade and commerce, welfare, transport and roads—^which I will later cover in depth—^tourism, arts and culture, energy, education, primary industry, health, sport and recreation, and justice. Because of the vast developmental problems that the North faces, it is pleasing that the Government has recognised the need for special consideration. If time permits, I will touch on most of those matters and elaborate on the most important of them. [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] Mr BERTONI: As I was saying before the luncheon recess, the Government must consider taking special Initiatives to assist people in northern areas and to encourage development of the northern parts of the State. One initiative already taken is the estabUshment of a Northern Development Office, which is certainly a step in the right direction. It is essential that the Minister be in a position to advise Cabinet on the depth of matters affecting North Queensland and to assist organisations and individuals in their dealings with the Government. The people of the North must have the opportunity to voice their views and aspirations and have them placed before those in authority. The staffing of offices in Townsvilie and Cairns provides a day-to-day link that must be of enormous benefit in the formulation and development of programs for the future. The executive officer, who is based in TownsviUe, is already on a tour of his area. As a matter of fact, at this moment he is in Mt Isa meeting people in positions of control, particularly those from the council, Mt Isa Mines, the development bureau and the tourist industry. In so doing, he will appreciate at first hand the problems experienced in country areas, I have no doubt that the information he obtains from the Mt Isa area and other areas in the North wUl be passed on to the Minister and, through him, to Cabinet. The establishment of a Northern Development Office is a great step forward and is very much appreciated. However, overseeing northern development is reaUy an enormous task particularly when one considers the functions involved and the problems to be controlled in northern areas; in fact, it intrudes on all ministerial portfolios. There wUl have to be a very close liaison between the Minister and other departments so that there can be an exchange of information and so that information obtained by the Minister flows on to other areas. One of the major problems in northern areas—and this becomes obvious from speaking to anyone in the north—is roads. It is a crucial matter, one about which there is much argument. The Minister has asked local authorities in northern areas to put before him their case in relation to problems associated with roads. I have with me a submission by the North Queensland Local Government Association seeking more funds for the restoration of 2916 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) rain-damaged roads. I believe that some of its contents should be recorded in "Hansard", because it is imperative that other people understand the problems associated with roads and why people in northern and other country areas of Queensland are continually worried about roads. The submission sets out the heavy costs of restoration of rain- damaged roads In North Queensland and suggests that the situation merits special fundmg assistance. It is imperative that this submission for additional funds receives the support of all members of Parliament and is successfully passed through the State Govemment to the Commonwealth Government. I will take from the submission the comments made in 1973 by John Stewart of the Geography Department of James Cook University In a study entitled RainfaU Trends hi North Queensland, He said— ". . . the North Queensland region experiences moisture deficiency problems arising from the separation of successive wet seasons by a dry season of seven to eight months. These problems are compounded by the higher variable rainfall totals registered annually; relative variability indices show positive anomaUes everyhere in relation to the mean world values determined by Conrad (1941)." Mr Shaw: It sounds like gobbledegook. Mr BERTONI: Yes, it sounds Uke double Dutch. The level of the underground water- table is raised to a point where the road pavement is virtuaUy submerged for many weeks. That is a common problem In the coastal areas of North Queensland, which receive heavy rainfaU. The water-table Is raised and that causes serious dderioratlon to the road system. This matter requires urgent attention, and additional money is needed so that better foundations and wider roads may be provided. If funds are obtained from the Commonwealth Govemment, it wiU be possible to carry out the work. Members from both sides of the Chamber have criticised the condition of the roads north of Rockhampton and said that there is an urgent need for upgrading to highway standard. The State Govemment has difficulty In obtaining funds from the Commonwealth. If the Minister makes a tour of the area, he wiU appreciate what I am saying. Some type of assistance is needed for the northern and westem sections of Queensland. Mr Jennings: Like a new beef roads scheme, or something like that? Mr BERTONI: Yes. if it is necessary. I wiU not refuse funding that is given to Mt Isa or the westem and northern areas. Roads are necessary for the development of industries in those areas. It is not always possible to leave the provision of roads to mining companies. In the development of Ben Lomond and other mining areas, it has been the practice to make the mining companies pay for the infrastmcture. That includes the provision of roads, because it Is necessary for companies to transport goods to and from their developments. The Government must endeavour to develop a road system of which we wiU aU be proud. There must be good roads for the transport of produce. I strongly objed to the recent attempt by TAA to downgrade Its air services to country areas. AU northem members of Parliament objected, and we were able to prevent TAA downgradmg those services. It wanted to replace Fokker Friendships with smaUer aircraft. The same problem keeps cropping up, and sooner or later it has to be solved. Every year or two, TAA says that it wants to withdraw from western routes. The Minister wUl understand that it is possible for a company to juggle its books to show a loss. That is exactly what TAA is doing. It is constantly trying to prove that its Fokker Friendship service to westem areas is operating at a great loss and has to be discontinued. It suggests that the losses cannot be home by Its southem services. I do not agree with that. A service must be provided to country areas, and the cost must be determined on an overall basis. One sedion cannot be isolated. One cannot say that because one section of the route is showing a loss the whole service must be discontinued. Has any honourable member ever been to Burketown In the rainy season? Opposition Members: Yes. Mr BERTONI: It is not possible to enter or leave Burketown for three or four months of the year. The roads are Impassable, and the people are isolated from the rest of the State. Supply (Estimates) 22 Odober 1981 2917

It is not possible to fly into the town because the airport is being upgraded. Everything comes to a standstill. Is that reaUy what we want for the North? Is that what development of the North really means? After a few inches of rain, everything comes to a stop. Mr R. J. Gibbs: Why don't you take the Premier there just before the wet starts— and leave him there for four months? Mr BERTONI: I thank the honourable member for his comment, but he is only being facetious. The Premier understands the problem. Finance is needed to solve it. That finance must be forthcoming from the Commonwealth Government, and it must be spent directly on northem areas. Country areas must be helped, otherwise the Govemment is not doing the right thing by them. A good deal is said about tourism. In fact, it is claimed that it wiU become the second- greatest Industry in the North. In respect of a lot of places in the North, that is so. It wUl certainly be the second-greatest industry in Mt Isa. It will also be the lifesaver of many smaU country towns that rely heavily for their UveUhood on the pastoral industry, which, as honourable members know, experiences ups and downs, A good deal of money is bdng spent on the development of tourism in the North, and that is commendable. But will somebody please tell me how tourists wiU get from point A to point B? Tourist attradions are being developed along the coastal belt. In fact, Tuesday's "Courier-Mail" referred to a $35m tourist complex that is to be constructed in TownsA^Ue. It wUl hiclude a reef walk under the water. It wiU certainly be a great tourist attraction for TownsviUe. When a tourist leaves TownsviUe, where does he go? He goes to Cairns. Where does he go from there? He could not go anywhere by road; the roads are in a bad state. In the wet season they are impassable. He would not be able to visit Burketown or Karumba. He could not even visit Cooktown; the road would be impassable. Unless tourism is developed in conjunction with a road-works program in northern areas, the State is takmg a backward step. •Good luck to TownsvUle and Caims. However, tourists are mterested in sedng other areas also. They are keen to see life in country areas that are new to them. The Minister for Tourism (Mr EUiott) has said that the number of interstate tourists viishing Queensland increased over the past year by 14.1 per cent. Last year, approximately 1.7 miUion tourists vished Queensland. Where did they go? Did they visit the North, or did they remain on the Gold Coast? The Minister whose Estimates we are debating has a wide-ranging portfolio. Among other things, the Northem Development •porti'On of his portfolio covers small businesses. I do not want to dweU on the problems presented by the 15 per cent increase in rail freights or the 2i per cent increase in sales tax, which •do nothing for the North. I want to spend some time, however, on the sales tax that is imposed on top of raU freights. The imposition of that tax means that northem buisnesses cannot compete effectively with their southem counterparts. This is a problem that wiU confront the Mmister. North Queensland has tremendous potential for the devdopment of industry. However, industries will nd be attracted to N'Orth Queensland if they know that they wiU have to pay sales tax on rail freights. Small business employs 40 per cent of the work-force and is the backbone of the nation. However, a dividing Ime seems to be drawn between small businesses and large enterprises. A nd uncommon complaint of small busmesses is that if they send an account to a large company, they have to wait for up to 10 weeks for payment of their account; on the other hand, if they receive an account from a large company, it wiU automatically inhiate legal action against them if they do not pay promptly. A crane driver in Mt Isa worked for a large company which took 12 to 14 weeks to even recognise his account-^ld alone pay it^but he was summonsed for non-payment of bills whhin four weeks. That is the treatment meted out by large companies that keep the Uttle man dangUng, waiting for payment. The Minister should look at these practices closely. If it is good enough for the smaU businessman to pay on time it is good enough for the large businesses to do the same. Mhough telephone services to country areas are a Federal matter, the Minister in charge of northem development should be aware that many country areas have very 2918 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) poor telephone services. Because Burketown, Karumba and a number of other places are serviced by only one telephone line, delays of two or three hours occur. Doomadgee, with 1 000 Aborigines, has no telephone service. A ship-to-shore service has been sought for Doomadgee because delays of two to three hours occur in pladng caUs when residents of Doomadgee travel to Burkdown. The Une is so congested that, after waiting all that time, calls are restricted to five minutes. That is not good enough in this day and age. When I wrote to Telecom about the matter I was advised that it would be looked into in due course. That was three or four years ago. How can anyone in country areas progress without proper telephone or radio com­ munication? The troubles I have outUned are common to many northem country areas that want quick communication with the outside world to conduct business. I am trying to bring to the Minister's attention some complaints that he may not think are widespread. (Time expired.)

Dr LOCKWOOD (Toowoomba North) (2.33 p.m.): In speaking to the Estimates of the Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services, I should say that a bone of contention raised by honourable members is that the Northern Development Department seems to be a CindereUa department. That feeUng will prevaU until the department moves its assets to the North and provides all services to the North. Most of the depart­ ment's services should be moved to Townsvi'lle so that it can best look after the interests of North Queensland, If that were done far more favourable local comment and thought would be engendered towards Government policy on the development of the North. The road system in the North is far from what is desirable. The conditions probably reflect the fact that Queensland has a vast network of highways that need to be developed and maintained. Incredibly little Federal money is forthcoming for that purpose. The roads in the far North do not encourage tourists to travel by road, particularly those who want to tow a caravan. I have seen cars towing caravans get into incredibly dangerous situations as similar combinations were passed. Short of banning caravans from the road between Townsvilie and Cairns, I do not know how the Government, in the short term, can make traveUing safer. I do not see it as the Minister's prime departmental responsibUity, but it has to be hammered and hammered home to the Federal Govemment that the road to the North must be upgraded by providing a far greater number of passing lanes, wider bridges and better visibility to ensure that it is a safe road. This Parliament has had foistered on it what might be yet another instance of what I call the Federal Government's Hansel and Gretel syndrome. When it has a brain-child, it lets it grow to a certain stage and then dumps it; it kicks it out into the open and expects somebody else to foster it and care for it. It has done this to Queensland with numerous projects, for example, school dental clinics. The instance that is causing alarm throughout Queensland is the Cairns aerodrome. The Federal Government gave Queensland a once- only lump-sum payment to take the responsibiUty for that aerodrome from the Federal Government. It is an extremely dangerous practice. We cannot see the end of that policy. It wUl probably flow on to every other aerodrome in the State except Brisbane Airport. That policy will have far-reaching effect on the people of Queensland. We need to be extremely careful of this Federal Government practice of dumping more than one brain-child onto this Government. It is a case of the Labor Party, the Liberal Party and the National Party working on the people they endorse for election to Federal Parliament so that we can be assured of representatives who are genuinely concerned about the actions of the Federal Govemment. We want them to act m the interests of Queensland and stop the present practice of initiating projects only to dump them onto the State when they are starting to develop. Like the Pacific nations that are critical of the type of aid that Governments give them, we need to be extremely critical of what the Federal Government does to us. We have to make the best of a bad bargain in assuming responsibUity for the Cairns Airport and passing its control over to the Cairns Harbour Board. I Imagine that many other bad bargains are coming our way. As I said, we need to look at the people selected as candidates. Supply (Estimates) 22 Odober 1981 2919

As far as it goes, the Beach Protection Authority is doing a marvellous job. It is pleasing to see hs efforts to stabilise dunes and protect beaches. This work must be continued. A great deal has been said about the impact of four-wheel-drive vehicles on our beaches and particularly on the access tracks to and from beaches. This Parliament should take upon itself the responsibiUty of implementing a sound policy of providing access ramps to beaches so that they can withstand not only the four-wheel-drive and other vehicles but also the tides and the prevailing south-east winds. Certainly the chained corduroy log tracks that have been provided are very welcome. However, they need to be provided in many other areas. They need to be provided at the many entry and exit points along the beaches on Fraser Island. Mr Akers: Hear, hear! Dr LOCKWOOD: I am pleased that the honourable member, in carrying out his parliamentary duties, has vished Fraser Island. An incredible number of vehicles are now used on Fraser Island. There are so many vehicles on the island now that I have lost interest in going there. With the number of vehicles on the island, it is like another Queen Street. Many hundreds of people in vehicles drive along the beaches every day, particularly when the tailor are mnning. If we are to cater for people who are interested in pursuhs on Fraser Island other than fishing, we will have to provide ramps to the beach, A lot of rock and concrete work will have to be done on some of the ramps. That would go a long way towards stabilising the beaches. When tracks are cut around the headlands, a thin layer of grass is left on top of the clayey soil. Once that clayey soil has lost its grass cover, it quickly erodes. Tracks around some headlands have been eroded 6 ft to 8 ft, and in those areas one sees not sand but soil, which is a very scare and rare commodity on sand islands. I know of no way in which that soil can be replaced because there is not much of it on the island. Ways and means have to be found to stabilise such areas in six or eight different locations on the island. A few bridges are needed in national parks, but they are not the responsibility of the Beach Protection Authority. I thank the Minister for his interest in these matters, I think that he will have a very busy time in this portfolio, Mr Hansen interjected. Dr LOCKWOOD: The honourable member would be surprised at how many people from Toowoomba enjoy the facUities that the Minister provides. Toowoomba has a large boating community. Admittedly they have trailer-boats. In Toowoomba, about four or five outlets sell boats. Quite a number of Toowoomba people join the Navy. Although we are an inland farming community, we are not averse to dipping our legs in the briny. A lot of criticism has been levelled at the way in which this State has developed, particularly the fact that we have allowed multinational corporations to develop Queensland's coal and other mineral deposits. Those minerals are dragged to the sea by raU and exported through the ports under the Minister's control. The Premier of Western AustraUa, Sir Charles Court, said that although he did not regret the way in which he had developed Western AustraUa, in that he had allowed multinational companies to operate the rail and port facilities, if he had his time over again he would develop Western Australia the way that we have developed Queensland, that is, he would retain control of ports and the railways. By doing that, we have been able to provide a great many jobs for Queenslanders, and we have ensured that job opportunities will be available for future generations of Queenslanders. People will benefit from the developments that are taking place in Queensland. This aspect of the Queensland Government's policy has to be encouraged, Mr WILSON (TownsviUe South) (2.44 p.m.): The first pohit I wish to make about northern development is that the North has to get a fair go from the Government, The rah freight concessions on prefabricated steel given to southern firms place northem firms that fabricate steel at a disadvantage. They have to pay high freight rates on raw steel. That gives southern firms an advantage when tendering for work, especially in the North. Everybody would agree that water is needed before any real development can take place. Water conservation is necessary, and the Burdekin FaUs Dam is most important for the •levelopment of North Queensland. Its constmction is long overdue, and it is time the Govemment stopped its procrastination and got on with the job. 2920 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

National Party members wiU agree that primary Industry Is most Important and that water is an essential ingredient for its success. When one looks at what the Burdekin River delta area is capable of producing when a reliable source of water becomes available, and as the National Party claims to represent primary producers, one can only wonder why the Govemment has procrastinated for so long on the building of the dam. The primary producers in the area must be asking themselves if the National Party reaUy represents them or cares about them at all. Everybody is aware of what the Burdekin area can produce. Sugar-cane crops in that area have the heaviest yields in Queensland, and the area produces the best long grain rice in the world. The area produces horticultural crops worth approximately $3m a year. Although that is a good result, it is far short of the area's capabUities if the Burdekin Falls Dam was buUt to provide adequate water for irrigation. With adequate water it Is estimated that the area could produce twice the amount of sugar, four times the amount of rice and big increases in the yields in horticultural crops such as navy beans, capsicums, cucumbers and mangoes. Further, there would be an increased production of tomatoes from the Gumlu and Guthalurga areas, along with sorghum and other crops. The area lends itself to cattle fattening, and the growing of tropical legumes would assist to improve meat exports and help to provide year-round employment to those engaged In the meat processing and export industries. The CSIRO does a good job in the cultivation of tropical legumes and other grasses for the cattle industry. The State Govemment could help by subsidising the cost of those to the farmers and graziers who are prepared to use part of their properties for field experiments. A property owner should not have to bear the total cost of what is a Government experiment, even though he may benefit considerably in the long term. Water and power are two essential commodities for secondary industry. If the Burdekin Falls Dam was buUt to its maximum capacity with a 500 MW hydroelectric power-station, both water and power would be provided. Neither industry nor the people of North Queensland should have to depend on electricity from powerhouses hundreds of miles away in the southern part of State. Given the opportunity, the North could generate aU the power it needs. It has coal for thermal i>ower-stations, and the Burdekin Falls Dam could provide hydroelectricity. With water and power available at reasonable cost there is no doubt that secondary industry would develop in the North. A proposal has been advanced to constmct a refinery next to Copper Refineries Pty Ltd at TownsviUe to proems zinc ore concentrates from Mt Isa. The proposal to build a steelworks at Bowen has been mooted for years. Keen com­ petition exists between TovrasvUle and Bowen to see which wiU be chosen as the she for an alumina refinery. Such a refinery should be built In North Queensland. It seems ludicrous that the base metals mined there shoiUd be shipped south for processing. We have the coal for power generation and fumaces and we should have the Burdekin Falls Dam to supply water. Other minerals found in the North are silver-lead, tin, woUram and cobalt. Gold-mining Is taking place at Kidston. As most of our sugar is grown in the North, northern people are at a loss to know why it is not refined in the North and why syrup and treacle are not manufactured there. We also wonder why wool is sold in a greasy state instead of being scoured. LanoUn from wool forms the basis of all cosmetics, and we know just how profitable the cosmetic industry is. Wool sales should be conducted in North Queensland and wool should be dumped there prior to export. A factory should be established for the canning of fruit and vegetables and the production of tomato and frait juices. Fmit and vegetables should be processed and snap frozen in the North. Our best fish are to be found in the North. The Govemment should protect the fishing industry by ensuring that stringent controls are placed on industrid chemical waste that pollutes rivers and streams and finds Its way into the sea. Controls should also be placed on the use of fertUisers that could raise the mercury levels in fish. Known spawning grounds should be protected from pollution and vandalism. Over­ fishing should be prohibited and endangered species should be protected. I understand that, although Japanese, Taiwanese and other foreign fishermen can harvest migrating lobsters in the Torres Strait, our own fishermen are obliged by law to retum to the sea those caught in their trawl-nets. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2921

The Govemment should give some incentive to fishermen to find new grounds. I am told that the Western Australian Government pays a reward to fishermen who find new fishing grounds.' Money should also be provided for scientific research and the establishment of hatcheries and farms to ensure that there is a continuous supply of both estuary and reef fish. Prawn hatcheries and spawning beds should be established in many areas of Queensland, particularly in the CJulf. Areas could be set aside for the farming of lobsters, crayfish, crabs and freshwater yabbies. Yabbies are being successfully farmed in Westem Australia. I believe that, with a proper sdentific approach, such hatcheries and farms would be economically feasible. What is needed is the will, the iricentive and Government support to bring it about.

It is said that throughout the world the tourist trade is the fastest-growing industry. The potential of tourism in North Queensland would have to be great. What are termed the wilderness areas would attract large numbers of totirists from aU over the world if they were made known in other countries. TTie (jreat Barrier Reef, all of which should be declared a national park by the Federal Government, is not as well known overseas as we like to think—except to the very rich, who are coricerned mainly with big-game fishing, particularly for black marlin. The Great Barrier Reef has more to offer than that. Magnificient unspoiled beaches extend right along the northern coast— the sort of thing sought by tourists wanting to escape the rat race in the cities. There is the Peninsula, the Gulf, the Tableland, the Barron Gorge, the Mossman Gorge and the TuUy Gorge. There are the various waterfaUs—the Barron, TuUy and Wallaman Falls, to name a few. There are the numerous islands that dot our coastline. I wUl not name them, but we all know that there are many of them. Other interesting spots for people wanting to get away from it aU are the gold-fields of Charters Towers and Ravenswood, with aU their history.

Mt Isa and the downs country of north-western Queensland would also be an attraction. Qantas should negotiate, if it has not done so already, to establish air routes to England via the United States of America, with stopovers at Los Angeles or San Francisco, or both, and Washington or New York, or both, or through Canada, with a stopover at Vancouver, the largest dty on the west coast. Package tours incorporating North Queensland, the southern capitals, Perth and Alice Springs should be developed. The continued growth of the tourist industry in the North is important to the amusement and catering industries. The construdion of more accommodation wiU mean increased employment opportunities, and the transport industry wiU also 'benefit.

While the tourist attradions in the North are many and varied, the Great Barrier Reef is not known to many people overseas. Other Queensland attractions are not known at aU. The Government has an obUgation to supply suffident money to advertise and promote North Queensland as a major tourist attraction. The cost may be high, but the rdurn would many times outweigh the cost.

Mr ROW (Hinchinbrook) (2.57 p.m.): I am pleased to enter the debate on the Estimates for Northern Development and Maritime Services, and I congratulate the Minister on his first presentation of these Estimates. He and I were born in the famous Herbert River area, so I hope that I will be forgiven if I become a Uttle parochial. I congratulate the staff in the departments under the 'Minister's control upon the role they have played. My electorate cari be regarded as a maritime electorate. I was interested to hear the comments of members from western areas. Conditions may vary considerably in adjacent electorates, and aUhough my electorate does not experience the problems of remoteness, low population and poor communications experienced by electorates represented by many of my colleagues, I welcome the settirig up of the Department of Northern Development. It certainly must be heartening to people in very remote areas to know that Northern Development offices have been set up'in Townsvilie and Cairns to assist them with their problems. I hope that the Minister's Cabinet colleagues wiU recognise the importance of the northern •^velopment portion of his portfolio. AU of the departments under the Minister's control operate in a very sensitive area. The world was never a smaller jplace; the poHtical awareness of people was never greater than It is now. What was previously a muhdarie functioh of govemment in the administration of 10349—96 2922 22,October 1981 Supply (Estimates) departmental affairs has become something of a public relations exercise. I am pleased that the Mmister's Department of Northem Development has appointed to the sensitive area of North Queensland staff who 'will be tuned to the requirements of the people. After aU, the man m the street is the important element in aU of our endeavours. He is the one whom we desire to serve. I want to refer to some of the Minister's comments in the order in which he made them. He referred first to the fact that from the Consolidated Revenue Fund appropriations are made to the Beach Protedion Authority 'and to small-craft facilities under the Harbours Corporation Fund. The Beach Protection Authority, too, operates in a rather senshive area. To a great extent it is involved with local government. It plays an important role in the preservation of our natural resources and in the protection of beaches from erosion and the thoughtless actions of human beings. However, in the early days of the Beach Protection Authorhy's operations certain conflicts arose. I am happy to say that those conflicts are diminishing and that the work of the Beach Protection Authority is being seen more and more as providing benefits to the people. In certain instances, as the result of advice given by the Beach Protection Authority, the Lands Department did not renew special leases. In one or two of the areas concerned, because of the lack of surveiUance that resulted from the withdrawal of the tenants, erosion has occurred. No-one is there to take measures to stop erosion. The Beach Protection Authority, being a body with the power to make recommendations, does not have the capacity to carry out works that it recommends should be carried out. Local authorities will now be charged with carrying out those works under the surveiUance of the Beach Protection Authority. I hope that the already good rdations between the Beach Protection Authority and local government continue to improve; I know that they will. I suggest to the Minister that this is one area to which a great deal of attention should be paid. A problem arises when persons who had settled In recreation areas and built beach huts suddenly find themselves displaced as the result of a conflict with the Government over the lack of protection of those areas. The Minister referred to the funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the book titled "Guide to Fishes". I commend this wonderful book, which is in about its fourth publication, to the people of Queensland. It wUl assist them to enjoy their recreational pursuits, and I am sure that it will also be very helpful to students of marine biology. An untold number of recreational fishermen have found great joy in using it to identify rare specimens taken from waters in the tropical Barrier Reef area. Levies and conservancy dues are used to provide navigation aids in ports. Most people who think of navigation aids think of large ports in which shipping is controlled by modern means. However, many comparatively small areas on the North Queensland coast are provided with navigation aids that are very helpful to the users of small craft. With the increase in the registration of small boats and smaller commercial tourist vessels, the need for navigation aids will increase. I point out that in June 1968, 20 600 private motor vessels were registered. By 1971, the total had increased to 32100, and this year almost 74 500 vessels are registered. That is a tremendous increase In the number of registered vessels in private use. Good public relations are essential in controlling the large number of vessels using our waterways. I commend the officers of the Fisheries and Boating Patrol for what they have done to explain the requirements of the law and public responsibility in the use of small boats. I am pleased that a report on the activities of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol comprised a large part of the report of the Department of Harbours and Marine, which was tabled this morning. In the waters of North Queensland with which I am famUiar, the activities of the patrol have been responsible for increasing greatly the safety and understanding of people who use the water. One paragraph of the report is headed "Enforcement and Prosecutions." I am sure that the number of people prosecuted would be small compared with the number of people who, except for the advice of the boating patrol, might have transgressed the law and become innocent victims. Surveillance Is very necessary. Supply (Estimates) 22 Odober 1981 2923

The AustraUan Volunteer Coast Guard in Queensland has been a major force in marine safety and the instruction given to boat owners. I am happy to say that Queensland is the only State that has recognised this voluntary service to the extent of making annual grants to it. In many cases large sums of money have been raised and large subsidies have been paid. This money has provided vessels, essential equipment such as radio, and trained staff, resulting In a sea rescue service that is equal to any in the world. I do not think that the coast guard gets enough recognition. The services of these men are usuaUy required when no small boat should be at sea; they are required only when somebody is in dire straits. Many rescues have been made off the coast of my area during cyclones. They have always been successful. The men In the coast guard should have better insurance cover than they have at present. State Emergency Service personnel are covered under the Workers' Compensation Act. The members of the Volunteer Coast Guard should have the same cover when they are doing work similar to that carried out by other rescue organisations. I was gratified to be with the Minister and other members of his committee on a tour of inspection of some of the major ports in Queensland. It is very gratifying to know that development is taking place to the extent that, during this decade, our faciUties will be equal to any in the world. It pleases me to be able to say that, in my electorate, we have the largest sugar bulk terminal and the longest maritime conveyor belt In the world. In his comments, the Minister referred to the port of Lucinda. I am concerned about the loss of working days because of industrial trouble and waterfront strikes. The Queensland Bureau of Statistics has informed me that, in the calendar year 1980, Queensland ports lost the equivalent of 3 500 working days in the stevedoring industry. That is a disgrace. Everybody engaged in the maritime Industry, from the top to the bottom, has a responsibUity in this matter. If the people in that industry do not accept some responsibiUty, Queensland wiU finish in the doldrums, particularly with its coal exports. I know that for a number of years coal export contracts have not been filled in this State. If the industrial trouble on the waterfront and in the associated industries is not stopped voluntarily by the people engaged in those Industries, members wiU not be able to get up in this ciiamber and make such favourable comments about Queensland as we are able to do today. Somebody wiU have to grasp the nettle. Those who enjoy the benefits of a democracy wiU have to shoulder the responsibiUties of living in a democracy. I am pleased that the Minister has undertaken to be an active Minister in northern development matters. Many areas under this portfolio require attention. Many areas in Queensland, particularly in North Queensland, that could be developed are virtuaUy untouched. It wiU be the responsibUity of the Government, through this Minister, and indeed aU of his coUeagues, to ensure that that development takes place. (Time expired.) Mr EATON (Mourilyan) (3.17 p.m.): As the Minister occupies a new portfoUo I wiU not criticise him. Because this important portfoUo is under the control of a North Queens­ lander, the people In the North have great expectations. Today, I hope to point out to the Minister the various pitfalls Into which the Govern­ ment has fallen in the past. I am concerned about the very strong move for a new State in North Queensland. People in the North wish to isolate themselves from the rest of Queensland, Because of the lack of attention that the Govemment has given to development in North Queensland, they are fighting for the establishment of a separate State. In the 20 minutes available to me, it would be siUy to try to cover aU the areas that come under the control of the Minister. However, I shaU refer to some of the deficiencies in the North that have arisen, not because of the amount of money that the Govemment has spent in the area but because of the amount of money that it has not spent there. Southem dignatories, including Ministers and members of Federal and State Govem­ ments, often visit North Queensland and refer to its development potential. I shall outline a few areas in which that development potential exists. The tourist Industry and the primary industries In the North are in their infancy. Very smaU amounts of money have been spent on them in the past. If the Minister has any puU In Cabinet, I hope that he will work hard to ensure that a lot more money Is aUocated to development In North Queensland, particularly In Far North Queendand. 2924: 22 October 1981' Supply (Estimates)

If one looks at the revenue received by the Government from both the rural and industrial sectors of North Queensland and at the inoney that it spesnds in return, one finds a big deficiency. Of courses, the size of the defidency depends upon one's interpretation of the statistics that are bandied about from time to time. Tourism in North Queensland has decUned over the last few years. Only 20 or 30 years ago Murray Valley coaches and Pioneer coaches—the latter have now become part of the Ansett group—^rah regular tourist services to the Atherton Tablelands and to the TuUy Falls. Since those days, many take-overs arid mergers have occurred, supposedly to make compariies stronger and enable them to serve the people better. But the reverse has occurred; the people get worse service now than they did years ago. Years ago a fanii'ly ran a kiosk at one of the lakes on the Atherton Tableland; now there is merely a caravan from which lollies, ice creams, hot pies, sausage rolls and other confectionery items are sold. That is not what tourists in those areas want. In days gone by, before the take-over by the Ansett group, Pioneer ran .two services daUy to the TuUy Falls. Two men, both of whom had their famiUes with 'them, were employed in the Tully Falls area to keep the tracks clean and maintain the other facilities so that tourists could appreciate the beauty, rest a while and enjoy a meal at the picnic spots. AU that remains is the skeldon of an old shed. No facilities are available for tourists; the nearest shop is 20 miles away. If the Government wants to open up northern areas, it should look at things of that type. The TuUy Falls are among the best in AustraUa and many years ago were the greatest tourist attradion in the North. There is a big saddle dam there, and it has one of the few hydroelectricity power-stations in Queensland. Now that the roads have been Improved, the Tully Gorge to the south, with mountains on both sides and the river below the road, has great tourist potential. Unless one looks skywards, all one can see is rain forest, cUffs and rocks. The area has never been developed. I hope that the Minister wUl take cognisance of what I am saying and tecognise the potential of the Innisfail region, which is the geographical centre of the tourist industry of North Queensland. Innisfail has two rivers, the North Johnstone and the South Johnstone, and the only tea plaritation in Australia. A private individual fought f^or the estabUshment of the tea industry. He received no Government assistance untU the industry was estabUshed. That has been the history of the National-Liberal Government since it came to power. The tea industry was not the only industry left high and dry to fight every inch of the way on its own. In the eafly days, the dairy co-operatives on the Tablelands, which have since merged, sought Government assistance because it was cheaper to fly cheese to southern markets than to consign it by raili All the concessions were given to estabUshed suppliers, and the Government would not help the northern suppliers to establish a southern market for their products. The problem was eventually overcome. Malanda Milk has the longest milk run in the world. It sends suppUes to the Northern Territory and to Papua New Guinea vrithout any Government aid. Companies such as that have spent money and time to establish markets, and that is rightfully the job oSf.the Govemment. Men working in the Department of Primary Industries have the expertise to carry out that job efficiently. The Government has the reserves needed to cut caphal costs and make an industry such as that viable in a short space of time. This is an area which I hope the Miriister wiU look at iri the future. There is great scope for industrial development in North Queensland by the creation of secondary industries based on primary industries. Potatoes and peanuts are grown there;, in'fact, the Atherton Tableland Peanut Board was taken over by the Kingaroy board. At one time local products could be brought in the North; they were also exported to the South. Southern takeovers are now a matter of great concern to all northerners., If industries act on their own initiative in private enterprise, as the Government advocates, immediately they become successful southern companies step in and take them over to the! detriment of northerners. If the trend Continues, it wiU act as a brake on northern., development. ','.•'• A great number of areas have been subdivided into 5-acre and lO-acre allotihents.' There is an obvious opening in North Queensland for" a frozen food factory. People with Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2925 small acreages could be encouraged to grow all the vegetables produced in other States —peas and beans, for example—and have them transported to Queensland chain stores in their frozen state. Fruit juices could also be processed. North Queensland has all the attributes needed for the establishment of successful commercial enterprises. I sincerely hope that the Minister wiU fight in Cabinet for more money to be made available for the areas that I have mentioned. However, one of the biggest obstacles he wUl have to overcome is the Government's general atthude to development. In our local newspaper, the "Innisfail Advocate", of Monday, 19 October, there appeared a column headed "Grave danger In prosperity met". It was wrhten by the Premier, and h reads— "Prosperity today Is the name of the economic and poUtical game! Aggressive development, population expansion and economic and political stability are all part of the game to create prosperity in Australia. Prosperity is sought after by individuals, corporations and governments each in their own way, but because of the complexity of the iriodern industrial state, prosperity is often misunderstood. Probably the most dangerous myth about the world today is that govemments can create prosperity. No government by Itself can create prosperity, but government can, through its policies, create widespread poverty and despair." That statement by the Premier is contradictory. In it he says that Governments cannot create prosperity. Why can Governments not initiate programs? I beUeve that that is what Government is all about. The Government is the custodian of the assets and the welfare of the people of this State. A Govemment, in conjunction with private enterprise, should initiate moves for devdopment in areas of need. I faU to see how anyone could have any confidence In a Govemment that is firm in its belief that Govemments cannot create prosperity. Honourable members are aware that that cannot be done overnight. However, the Government employs in its various departments many able persons whh knowledge and expertise. They must be encouraged to break through the bureaucratic barrier and get not only their Minister but also Cabinet to agree to aUocate sums of money for the various causes that they espouse. I hope that the Minister can see his way clear in the future to fight hard for the prosperity of this State. He can count on the support of the people of Queensland if he does that.;

Mr SIMPSON (Cooroora) (3.30 p.m.): I support the Minister in the presentation of his Estimates. I wish to highlight various aspects of the Minister's portfolio that require attention. The constant erosion of the beaches in southern Queensland Is a continuing problem. It is a natural phenomenon which is not always understood by the public. I sometimes think that titles to real estate should have stamped on them a statement to the effect that erosion of certain parts of the coastline is a natural phenomenon and that such land could be endangered by erosion. If that procedure was adopted, the owners of the land would be aware of possible erosion, and If it occurred they could not then turn to the Government or the public for assistance. It might seem a condradiction, but I now want to speak about the restoration of the beach at Noosa. Mr Davis: Are you stUl supporting that big developer up there, the big crook?

Mr SIMPSON: I do not know to whom the honourable member is referring. Is he callmg somebody in my electorate a big crook? Mr Davis: The biggest crook up there. Mr Bird: He Is a Labor supporter, isn't he?

Mr SIMPSON: He would have to be. I siipport good people in my electorate, and they support me. 2926 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

Mr Davis: You support that other big crook.

Mr SIMPSON: I take it that the honourable member is referring to the Pine Trees development at Noosa Heads? Mr Davis: That wiU do. I just forgot It for a moment.

Mr SIMPSON: Is that the one the honourable member is referring to? Mr Davis: That is the one. Thank you very much!

Mr SIMPSON: The member for Brisbane Central is using parliamentary privilege to make that statement, or he would find himself in an embarrassing position. It is quite obvious that the people concerned with that development are not crooks. Mr Davis: You admit that?

Mr SIMPSON: I admit that they are not crooks. In our free enterprise system the people concerned with that development are endeavouring to demonstrate what Is needed in the tourist industry. Their development plans should be commended. They must meet the town planning requirements of the local authority. I place on record that the member for Brisbane Central believes that all the people concerned with development at Noosa Heads are crooks. I do not agree with that. That is a remark that the honourable member must wear. The Govemment saw fit to recommend that the canal development at Noosa Heads be protected from possible cyclone damage by the rerouting of the river and the building of a primary dune. The carrying out of that work has afforded protection to properties in Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. I regard that as proper planning. Government and private property was involved. Realistic consideration was given to the situation to achieve a successful result. Sand has been pumped onto the beach adjacent to Hastings Street, which had been eroded to the rock foundations in front of the life-savers' clubhouse. The people of Noosa and I are keen to see the State Government undertake experiments to determine whether the beach can be stabiUsed. If stabUisation is not carried out, erosion wiU ultimately lead to a breakthrough at Noosa Woods and that, in tum, wUl endanger the Crown canal development. As weU, properties in Hastings Street and other locations wiU be endangered. So I commend the Minister for continuing to monitor the situation in the Laguna Bay/Hastings Street area with a view to having work carried out before it is too late. Of course, we must not forget that the sea has the final say; it is the final arbiter in any moves that we may make. Natural erosion is occurring at Mudjimba. It has occurred there previously. It, too, affects pubUc property. Before any beach protection works are carried out, model studies should be undertaken, I am pleased to leam that the Minister is having several major studies carried out. One such study wUl concentrate on the Noosa River plain. Unfortunately, although the Depart­ ment of Harbours and Marine determines that certain canal developments should not be carried out, they obtain Cabinet approval. Certain developers might be led to believe that they are encouraged to carry out developments that could affect the whole ecology of a river system and not be in the interests of the local people. A hydrauUcs model study should be carried out before any work is allowed to be under­ taken on the Gold Coast water-ways. A thorough investigation should be made into the possible effects on the whole system. An assessment should be made of the effects of developmental work on fish populations, for example. Obviously it wiU have an effect but it may not necessarily be a long-term one. Although the works undertaken on the Gold Coast wUl have a detrimental effect to a degree, they have certain compensating features in that I believe the whole scheme was put forward as a means of providing a suhable sewage outfaU. However, I suggest that sewage could have been pumped inland and used for irrigation purposes. The pilotage of vessels Into and out of ports is taken for granted. People tend to forget, however, that pilots board and disembark from those vessels at day and night In aU types of weather. They expose themselves to great risks—for which, no doubt, they receive some compensation. At times they board foreign vessels whose standard of equipment is totally unknown to them until they step on the pilot's ladder. Supply (Estimates) 22 Odober 1981 2927

AustraUa may not have a great deal of say on the international scene to ensure that the safety standards on foreign vessels are maintained at a high level. Nevertheless, AustraUa must ensure that the highest standard possible is maintained so that the safety of pUots who step on board is assured and so that fataUties such as one that occurred recently do not occur in the future. The pilotage of ships is essential to the operation of our ports and to the trade of this great State. The maritime history of Queensland as a colony makes interesting reading. It had a large number of ports and even its own navy. The annual report of the Department of Harbours and Marine refers to that interesting area in my electorate known as Borumba Dam or Lake Boramba. After reading the report and seeing the reference to marine biology I believe It could weU be called the port of Bommba. But the sea has not encroached on the Borumba Dam, which lies in the beautiful hinterland area of my electorate beyond Imbil. A very pleasant tourist attraction is developing at Boramba Dam where, after a delightful drive, people can view various fish in tanks. It is a very popular picnic area. That part of the Minister's portfolio deaUng with tourism is very important. The coast guard helps to educate people in the use of small craft and make them more aware of the need to be careful not to put themselves or other people at risk. I shall now deal with quarantine measures to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases. We cannot be too careful about introducing exotic diseases such as foot and mouth disease. The disposal of ships' garbage by incineration must be monhored carefully. The movement of overseas vishors by aircraft or ship must be watched closely. We must keep abreast of the many methods by which people can enter the State so that the entry of exotic diseases can be prevented. It would be a terrible disaster if some of them did gain entry. A very romantic, effective story about saving lives and making beaches safe could be woven about the shark protection program. QuUe often this work is taken for granted, but dealing with these very nasty fish is arduous work. Shark protection is an essential service in the tourist-oriented parts of Queensland, especially on the surfing beaches in the southern part of the State. I commend the Minister on the work carried out under the program. I appreciate the Minister's approach to the problems of North Queensland and the development of that part of the State. Whatever type of government is involved, h must check that aU steps are taken to develop an area, I am sure that that is why the Northern Devdopment portfolio was set up. I am sometimes amused by terminology, such as "North Queensland". Some people think North Queensland extends north from Brisbane because the Sunshine Coast is often referred to as the "North Coast". The Minister knows where the Sunshine Coast is. When people refer to the North Coast they are not referring to those parts of the State m North Queensland for which he has an added responsibility. Encouragement to industry and the development of the resources in North Queensland can only lead towards a proper and rightful democratic responsibility in the whole of the State. There is great pressure for the system of one vote one value. Mr Davis: Of course there should be one vote one value.

Mr SIMPSON: Of course there should be. I am glad that the honourable member agrees with me. I completely agree that one vote one value is the only system. That value is equal representation, not equal numbers. There must be equal representation, and to have equal representation there must be, as there Is in other countries, weighting of electorates so that the member and the people whom he represents can have some equality. There is no equaUty when it can take a fortnight to get a reply to a letter to a person's local member or when every phone caU to him or her is a trunk-line call. Mr Davis: You are not paying for it. What are you talking about?

Mr SIMPSON: The honourable member knows nothing of the problems in North Queensland. He could not care less what happens to the people in that part of the State. As I said, one vote one value should mean equal representation, not equal numbers. Older democracies than ours have weighted electorates to compensate in some way for the lack of representation In areas where it is difficult to communicate with the local member. It is because of inequality that the Minister has been given the responsibUhy of looking -2928 22Cetpber 1981 Supply (Estimates)

.after North, Queensland,- Some people criticise - the Govemnaent because the weightage is 2i to 1. But compare that with 7 to I m Westem Australia, 4i to I in the United States, 9 to i in Canada, and 3 to 1,^ Great Britain, where it was 4^/i tp 1. I commend the Minister for accepting his responsibility. I wish him weU in, covering ;the new ground that is necessary to develop the northem parts, of Queensland so that they can in some way be conipensated for their unequal ability to be represented and the natural problems associated with the Government not being located in the geographic centre of the State. That compounds the problem. The Government is giving due consideration to trying to compensate foj those problems. L commend the Minister for what he is doing in his portfolio.

Mr INNES (Sherwood) (3.49 p.m.): The first matter I should lUce to raise is of domestic concem in my electorate and In nearby electorates. I have raised it in the past and again this morning by way of question. It is gravel-dredging in the Brisbane River. I do not advocate—and I do not think that any sensible person does advocate— the cessation of the gravel industry in the Brisbane area or, indeed, any other area of development in the State or nation. The question that arises is where and under what terms wiU industries be allowed to operate or to continue. An accident of the tide brings this matter under the jurisdiction of the Minister. I must say at the outset that I have found the Minister responsive, sympathetic and dUigent in relation to the matters that I have raised with him, and I hope that that wUl continue, because I suspect that I will have to continue to raise these problems with him in the near future. There is an intrusion in the tidal reach of the river in my electorate. Because it is tidal, the jurisdiction of the Department of Harbours and Marine goes past the border of my electorate. Licences are granted by that department for certain dredges and other vessels to take gravel from the Brisbane River. The consequence of granting those licences is that buckets operate on the barges and associated vessels immediately adjacent to land that is zoned "residential A". That land is closely settled on my side of the river and in the electorates of Mt Coot-tha and Toowong. It is a long-estaWished residential area. Of course, I must point but that it is an expensive residential area. Many of the people who have bought into that area, and those problems I wish to redress, are elderly and retired. They have lived there for many years. Mr Davis: Who was first? The gravel barges or the people?

Mr INNES: That is the first question that I was going to pose. Fortunately, the member for Brisbane Central sees the logic of the argument and has raised the question that is asked whenever this matter is discussed: who was there first? The reality is that there has been residential development along the banks of the Brisbane River for as long as the barges have been operating there. The validity of that point is reduced when one considers the increase in the activity of the barges. It is one thing to live with one barge operating there every two or three months; it is another thing to live with three barges operating on the river within 400 yards of each other day after day, week after week, month after .month I am not speaking on behalf or at the behest of ultra-senshive people or of rabid people of any sort—"greenies" or environnlentalists; I am speaking for a cross-section of people, many of whom one might say are piUars of private enterprise. They appreciate and understand that to survive, and to continue to develop, it is necessary to produce materials like gravel, cement and sand. The sorts of problems that I wish to address relate to the intensity of the operation, the areas where the operation takes place, and the consequential effect of the operation on people's life-styles. We need to come up with constmctive proposals to reduce the Intmsion on people's lives and, at the same time, maintain a supply of gravel for industry. Following the 1974 flood, a prohibition was imposed on gravel-dredging in a significant length of the river adjacent to my electorate between the IndooroopiUy and Jindalee bridges. That prohibition was removed. At the time of the readjustment of the whole situation, licences were issued. The Minister is providing me with copies of the licences, and very shortly I wUl have the precise detaUs. As I understand the broad situation, 24-hour dredging was allowed in certain parts of the river. Many parts of the Brisbane Supply (^timates) 22 October 1981 2929

River are not lined with residential development; they are bounded by open fields. Dredging in those parts of the river would not be an Intrasion into anybody's life from the point of view of noise and aQtivlty. But rather than having dredging 24 hours a day in certain areas and complete prohibitions in other areas, including a part of my electorate with dosely settled residential development, a 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. system of operation was implemented. Within that system there are certain areas in which the operations are generally restricted to two days a week. Two of the depots for the gravel barges are in my electorate and, with the exception of Riverside which is further upstream, all of the others are downstream. Because of that the tum-round time avaUable to a laden gravel barge is reduced enormously because, firstly, in certain reaches the hours of operation have been reduced from 24 hours a day to between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and, secondly, if the variable of tide is included, the operating period is reduced even more. As a result, the gravel barges travel less far afield to achieve more turn-rounds within the time they can operate. Because of the time Umitation and tidal variations, they cannot travel too far upstream, and at low tide they cannot travel fully laden. The adjustment of times has further increased and concentrated the gravel dredging that takes place adjacent to parts of my electorate. In an area just south of the IndooroopiUy Bridge three barges, frequently working simultaneously, operate within a 400-yard stretch of the river from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on every working day. The argument that the gravel barges were there first can be discounted, firstly, because when dredging began there were not the number or size of barges that there are now and, secondly, there was not the Intensity of operation that we now see. As the city has grown and as industry has grown In ske, more gravel has been needed, so more barges or more tum-rounds are necessary. Three, four, and five years ago, at a time of smaller, older and less mechanically efficient barges, people in my electorate did not have to double-glaze their bedroom and living area windows or alter their life-style and live at the back of the house rather than at the front. Prior to three or four years ago I cannot recaU anybody in my electorate having to double glaze or take other action to reduce noise intrusion. I now know of engineers, business directors and retired persons who have had to do that. Retired people, particularly ladies, are at an age where they are more prone to being disturbed by noise. A wide cross-section of people have had to alter their Ufe-styles and modify their houses in order to overcome an increasingly intensive activity which mtrades into thdr chosen life-styles. If this activity was controlled by the Local Government Act, this extractive industry would not be allowed to operate within 20 or 30 yards of residential A land. In my view some recognition should be given to the rights of householders to maintain the value of an investment which, in total. Is far greater than the investment of the gravel companies. In present-day terms even three houses in that area of the river would be worth three-quarters of a miUion dollars. That is the sort of investment about which we are speaking, and It is not tax deductible as are the barges and their associated works. I say, and the people Involved certainly say, that their investment and thdr right to peaceable occupation of their houses, which they previously enjoyed, should be recognised. An adjustment must be made to allow these people to live in reasonable peace. Because of noise and a fear for the stabUity of the river-banks, some people want to abolish dredging completely. I know that the Minister would be likely to responds—^and I am sure that he would do so on the basis of information which he has received in good faith—^that monitoring is made of the profile of the river bed, that there is a certain batter and tolerance which is taken into account, that It Is safe and that no consequential damage occurs. However, the realhy is that I do know sensible, responsible people who have taken steps to measure and observe the bank of the river on their property, particularly in the area where dredging takes place day after day, week after week and month after month at precisely the same spot, and they have estimated up to a metre drop in their bank. Indeed, a relative of mine-r^he does not live in my electorate—found after two months that the foundations of a boat-shed that he owns had fallen away along half of hs length. 2930 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

The stock response over recent years has been, "If you see any bank movement, it is because of the drying out of the bank after the supersaturation in the 1974 floods. The banks were supersaturated by being immersed in water, and a quick drop in the floodwaters led to a weakening in the stability. The level of water kept up the bank; the level of water dropped away and destabilised the bank and the effects are stiU being suffered." I no longer accept that. Mr Tenni: Neither would I.

Mr INNES: It has gone on for far too long. For the first two or three years, perhaps; but after this time I do not accept it. Also in a very simplistic way—and it is a simplicity I accept—^people ask me, "If you go on taking out 5 000 tonnes of gravel every two days, or whatever it is, from the same hole in the river week after week and month after month, then like digging in sand you must be in fact creating instabiUty." The dredgers say that once they get the clay and the sand off the top it is easier to work at the gravel, which keeps trickling in all the time. If the gravel is trickling in, the sides are trickling down also, I personally am not reassured—and I know that the people in my electorate are not reassured when they see the same extractive activity going on month after month in the same place. Indeed, whereas two years ago the time interval between the bucket disappearing below the surface, a grab and a return was perhaps a factor of X, It is now 5X because it has to go down that much further to get a full grab of gravel. The other thing that people talk about is the turbulence. It is said that the gravel dredges have been there all the time. People who have lived there aU their lives teU me of the days when there was a beach under the IndooroopiUy Bridge. I have photographs from the Oxley Library showing that. There were the old-fashioned bathing huts under the IndooroopiUy Bridge in the 1930s. Hundreds of people swam there. People say that the dredging is churning the river up, keeping the mud in suspense, and creating an additional factor which is an intrusion into their lives. Some of these complaints, of course, have to be discounted and adjusted in a matter of competing public interest, but it is perfectly desirable and proper to say that we want a cleaner and more beautiful Brisbane River. We had a campaign last year which some departments of the Government supported—"Make the river beautiful", or whatever it was— to revitalise the river and make it a focal point and a thing of beauty for the city. I would like to see the Brisbane River improved, its pollution reduced and it made a cleaner and more attractive city feature. Noise, however, is something that can be controlled. We do not have to submh people in closely settled residential areas to intrusive noise at 6 o'clock in the morning. The operations can be started at 7 or 8 a.m. That is one simple modification. The operations can be conducted during the normal working day so that they coincide whh reasonable patterns of residential life. That also is a simple modification to make. It is possible to prevent an operator continuing this type of activity day after day, week after week, in the same spot. Why should a limhed number of people be subjected to such an intrusion into their lives and the threat to the stabUity of their river-bank? Even if there is no threat at all one should err on the side of being conservative and not run the risk of endangering people's property. I have taken the trouble to investigate the consequences of this situation because I know that we must have gravel. In the long term, only hard rock wUl remain, and companies such as Pioneer have made application to the Local Government Court for extractive industry i)ermits in areas of hard rock such as the one near Kholo Crossing, Massive deposits are required for Brisbane's development. Some form of transport must be used to utilise those deposits. One of the greatest sources of protest to the application made by Pioneer—and another company has a deposit nearby—^was the threat of heavy tracks carrying the aggregate through residential areas. That was a very contentious point. One of the proposals suggested to eliminate that problem was the construction of a conveyor belt from the rock site down to the Brisbane River, with barges being used to ship the aggregate to the depots downstream. To my mind, that would be a sensible thing to do. I understand that that procedure would be economically feasible for the company concemed. To achieve that end result, which is desirable in the long-term interests of the city and, as I understand It, would be entertained by the company concerned, the river would have to be deepened because there are shoals which cannot be navigated by barges at low tide. Adopting a logical approach, shoals of gravel Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2931 in the river will ultimately have to be removed to gain access to the hard rock, which will be the source of future gravel supplies. That concerns an area outside my electorate. The Government has a significant say about the avaUability of Cockatoo and Bedwell Islands for the purpose of extractive industries. Those islands are not in closely settled residential areas, I understand that they have very large deposits of gravel. Mr McKechnie: What about the conservation of those islands?

Mr INNES: As I understand it, no overwhelming conservation factors are Involved. There must be a balance in life. Those are areas of no great sensitivity. In the interests of the future development of the city and the future transport of gravel along the Brisbane River, those areas, which were originally avaUable until the hours of operation were restricted, should again be made available. The barges went upstream and extracted more gravel. Why should my electorate, as well as the electorates of Mt Coot-tha and Toowong, be hammered because of the faUure to make progressive adjustments? I am not hammering the gravel dredges. Their existence is recognised, but we can at the very least adjust their operations to minimise the consequences. (Time expired.) Mr TENNI (Barron River) (4,9 p,m.): I have pleasure in speaking in the debate on Estimates of the Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services. He is the only Mmister we have left who represents a North Queensland electorate. He is doing an extremely good job. Some criticism of the Estimates is necessary for the benefit of Far North Queensland, part of which I represent. I believe it is the best part of Queensland. I am sure the honourable member for Mourilyan wUl agree with me. Firstly, I want to talk about the Beach Protection Authority, for which the Minister is responsible, and the problems arising within the authority. Probably no problems would arise if the authority was wound down. In fact, we would be much better off if we got rid of it. Some of the most stupid decisions arrived at within the Government have been made by the Beach Protection Authority. A recent decision concerned the development of land at Port Douglas, in an area just north of Four MUe Beach. The Beach Protection Authority, in its stupidity, determined that there should be a 110-metre buffer zone between the beach and the development site. Anyone who knows Far North Queensland—apparently the members of the Beach Protection Authority do not know it—would know that since the first aircraft was flown to North Queensland by the late Tom Macdonald and landed on that very beach, it has not been susceptible to erosion. As far as old identities in the area can recaU, no erosion problems have arisen. Certainly there have not been any in my 48 years. However, the Beach Protection Authority suddenly decided that the beach wUl be subject to a tremendous erosion problem. I am sick and tired of listening to the know-alls in the Beach Protection Authority say, "But one day you might get a tidal surge. Then where will you all be?" If that attitude had been adopted a long time ago, there would be no city of Cairns. Instead of building the city, the people of the day would have left the whole area unsettled. There would have been no homes, no businesses and no cane farms. So the Beach Protection Authority's ridiculous remark is not worth commenting on. The Minister needs to pay close attention to the stupid decisions that are being made by the Beach Protection Authority in the Barron River electorate. Thanks to the Minister's sensible attitude, decisions have been arrived at contrary to those made by the authority. The decisions that ultimately were made were for the betterment of the people. The most recent decision allowed the youth of North Queensland to have facUities similar to those enjoyed by young people throughout the world. If the Beach Protection Authority had had its way, the young people of North Queensland would have been deprived of those facUities. Again I thank the Minister for providing facilities for the people whom I represent. I have attended Inspections by the Beach Protection Authority of beaches In North Queensland. Together with members of the Mulgrave Shire CouncU, I have walked up and down the beaches; I have looked at the sand, the trees and the sea. I have done all 2932 22 October 1981 ..Supply (Estimates) that, only to be told by the Beach Protection Authority, "We don't think we should do anything. We should leave the area. The waves will take the sand away today and will bring it back tomorrow. So there's not much good in doing anything." If the Beach Protection Authority adopts that attitude, why have the taxpayers' money wasted on its air fares, accommodation charges and cars? Contrary to the previous speaker's comments regarding the extraction of sand and gravel from rivers, I believe in it, particularly in relation to the Barron River. It is one of the main rivers in my electorate, but at the present time the river mouth is totally blocked by sand. If the mouth of the river was cleared, floodwaters would carry the silt and fine sand out to sea and the south-easterly winds would push it back onto the only three beaches In my electorate that suffer in any way from an erosion problem. I refer to Machans Beach, HoUoway Beach and Yorkeys Knob Beach. As I have said, I cannot see any need for retaining the Beach Protection Authority. Its operations should be scaled down and money that would otherwise be spent by the authority could be devoted to other departments under the Minister's control. It could be spent, for example, on the provision of more boating facUities. Whether the Minister agrees with my personal views, I do not know. Nevertheless, I am expressing the views, very strong views, of the people in my area. Money that is aUocated to the Beach Protection Authority could be diverted to the Boating and Fisheries Patrol. It is greatly understaffed. Furthermore, it needs more boats and more equipment if it is to control the fishing industry in Far North Queensland, I understand that between five and seven men control the area between Cairns and the Papua New Guinea border. That is nowhere near the number required. The Minister controls canal development, which is of no interest to me at present. In the not too distant future, a canal development may take place in the Barron River electorate. I am aware that one person Is interested in such a development, but to my knowledge no proposal has been submitted to the department. There Is a continuing shortage of Govemment wharves and jetties and I ask the Minister to do his best to overcome it. I point out that, having in mind the Northem Development section of his portfolio, development cannot take place without adequate facilities for the boats that wiU be carrying the materials that are needed. The only harbour In my electorate is at Port Douglas. In the past I have been pleased with the development there, but it now seems to have ceased. I am eagerly awaiting the constmction of a concrete T-jetty at Port Douglas so that boats can take on water and fuel. Perhaps the Minister will advise me when it wiU be provided. I congratulate the Minister and his departmental officers on the harbour improvements at Port Douglas in the past five or six years. Nets giving protection against sharks are used along much of the coastline of the Barron River electorate. In fact, there is one in the sea in the front of my home. Althou^ protection against sharks costs the State hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, it makes life much more enjoyable for people in Far North Queensland who enjoy swimming. To my knowledge, no shark attacks have taken place in my electorate since shark nets were introduced. Only three weeks ago one of the largest hammerhead sharks that I have seen was brought ashore from a net off Trinity Beach. It is Important that protection against sharks be maintained. If something could be done to remove the danger from marine stingers, the North would be a wonderful place for swimmers. Because the Minister came from the area origlnaUy, I do not think I can teU him much about small craft facilities in my area. He knows that additional faciUties are required urgently. PUe work and other work has been carried out at Port Douglas to provide small craft faciUties. However, much remains to be done, and I ask the Minister to try to ensure that adequate funds are provided. In my opinion, Northem Development Is the main part of the Minister's responsibility. Development of Far North Queensland has been knocked, but since taking over the portfolio the Minister has tried to encourage development. He should bring pressure to bear on the Commonwealth Government, and especiaUy the Federal members replresenting Far North Queensland, to overcome problems created by that Government and Its departments that are preventing developmerit in that part of Queensland. Supply CEstimates) 22 October 1981 2^33

I refer first to the sales tax imposed by the Commonwealth Budget. The ad hoc decision to impose sales tax was shocking and it seriously affects Far North Queensland. The further away a person lives, the more he wUl pay. Contrary to what Is asserted, sales tax is paid on freight. If the freight to Bundaberg is $2 and the frdght to North Queensland is $10, it Is obvious in which area the people wiU pay more sales tax. The Minister, as Minister for Northern Development, should come out strongly and oppose this decision by the Commonwealth Govemment. Every person in North Queensland should oppose it. The Minister should support the Senate which is doing a good job in keeping the matter in abeyance so that sales tax will not be payable on such Important things in life as building materials, clothing, books and papers. Another great problem in North Queensland concerns Telecom. Just outside Mareeba and Mossman there is a waiting period of approximately two years to have a telephone connected. I was advised by telephone today that it takes up to 12 months to have a business telephone connected in the main street of Mareeba. We cannot accept that position and expect the development of North Queensland. I ask the Minister to take the matter up with the Federal Minister in charge of Telecom and teU him that if the Federal Govern­ ment wants to develop this country it wiU have to overcome the problem of people having to wait up to two years and three months for a telephone to be connected. A matter of serious concern in the North is the continual spread of the disease or the octopus—call it what you Uke—of national parks in the Barron River electorate. It is plain stupidity. I do not know how it can be stopped. The department responsible is creating extreme problems and, at times, unemployment. Last night by telephone I was told of a case in the Cook eledorate. Yesterday, a mining company appUed in the Wardens Court for five claims in the Rossville area. The company was told by the court that the matter would have to be held in abeyance because the National Parks and Wildlife Service was looking at the area and could be interested in it. The manager of the mining company,^ which has been there for many years, said that if the National Parks and WUdlife Service goes ahead, 22 people in the Cook electorate could lose their jobs. If the Minister wants the development of North Queensland to continue, the National Parks and WUdlife Service wiU have to be told that it will no longer mess around and cause unemployment because of possibilities—something that might happen in the future. I am not prepared to sit back and let this happen. There should be closer Uaison bdween the Department of Industrial Development and the Department of Northern Development. Three very large parcels of industrial land are required urgently in the Cairns Industrial Estate, one for a cold-galvanising plant, one for a dress factory which would employ bdween 50 and 70 people and one for a curtain factory which would employ up to 30 people. There is a great shortage of land, and there is no money with which to constmct buildings that people could lease and so create employ­ ment opportunities in Far North Queensland. I believe that the Minister's department, together with the Department of Commercial and Industrial Development, should look closely at the question of providing sufficient land and funds to enable factories to be constructed immediately. It would help to develop Far North Queensland. It would be interesting to know the amount of land and development funds bdng made available in the south-east corner of Queensland. A man in the Port Douglas area, who is capable of manufacturing antique furniture, is looking for a factory in which he can work. There is a tremendous demand for that type of furniture in Brisbane and on the North Coast and the Gold Coast. I hope that the Minister can see what I am getting at. His department should urgentiy co-operate with the Department of Commerdal and Industrial Development and provide the necessary finance with which to develop Far North Queensland. It is developing at a,good pace,, but the development could be faster. I congratulate the Minister OIL what he is doing in Far North (Queensland. I also congratulate all the. authorities under his control for the work that they are carrying out in Far North Queensland.

Mr SMITH (TownsvUle West) (4.27 p.m.): It is Instructive to compare the assessment Of developmental projects put out by the State Public Relations Bureau with that of the North Queensland Regiorial CoUriCil of the Queensland Confederation of Industry. 2934 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

Earlier this year the bureau claimed there were some 400 projects In North Queensland worth $5,000m, either in progress or under consideration. In a report prepared by the North Queensland group it was shown with devastating economic logic that only three major development projects were in train In North Queensland worth collectively just over $255m. This included the Burdekin Dam and the highly problematical Ben Lomond uranium project. In contrast, it listed 24 projects in central and southern Queensland worth $6,500m. North Queensland incorporates three defined regions, covers approximately 40 per cent of Queensland's land area and incorporates 29 local govemment areas; yet it has only 19 per cent of the State's population. During 1979-80, while unemployment in Queens­ land was 7.4 per cent, it was 7.8 per cent In the North. In the northem region based on Townsvilie, containing 7.1 per cent of the State's population, the value of new work for the same period represented only 4.7 per cent of the value of new work Statewide. I do not doubt the sincereity of the Minister's interest in North Queensland, but I do doubt that the Government will take positive initiatives in that area, other than those which are virtually forced on it. The Minister has taken a position on the Confederation of Industry council in North Queensland, and I noticed in the Press where he said he would take an active part. I have certainly expressed my interest In the deUberations of the council, but no-one from the council has officially communicated with me since soon after its formation. I can only conclude that no actions worth informing me about, as one of the three pariiamentarians in the area, have occurred. I was concerned when I studied the Estimates for the various departments as set out in the Budget papers because it became abundantly clear that the Department of Northern Development has no teeth, as evidenced by its Budget allocation of only a few thousand dollars, which is barely enough to cover the salary and expenses of the officer based in Townsvilie and his secretary. The Minister has since informed me that money for northern development projects is contained in the allocation of his ministerial colleagues. I find this totally unsatisfactory. It reduces the Northern Development section of the Minister's portfoUo to one of a public relations function. He should have a look at what happened to Rex Patterson in 1972. He initially experienced a similar situation but fortunately was able to redify the position. I certainly can't find any mention of responsibilities pertaining to northem development in the Queensland Govemment Directory, nor any mention of staff. I am aware that Mr Keith MacCarthy has been appointed to the TownsviUe office of the Department of Northern Development. I am also aware that some time ago an office of the Premier's Department was opened in the Kern-Developed Northtown Shopping Centre in TownsvUle. I was under the impression that the Townsville-based officer in the Premier's Department, Mr Len Johnson, was the Government's liaison man. I would therefore be very interested to see a statement of Mr MacCarthy's duties. This is not in any way a criticism of either the Minister's or the Premier's staff in Townsvilie. In fact, I know Mr Len Johnson and he is certainly a great feUow. But if it is just another public relations exercise, let it be stated. If, on the other hand, the role of these two officers can be properly and clearly defined, with a clear statement of duties, this should be done so North Queensland people know the extent of the officers' authority and thdr precise areas of responsibUhy. When we speak of northem development, it is very important that we are reaUstic and talk about the things that can be achieved. The days are gone when we can seriously talk about the growth of a secondary manufacturing industry In North Queens­ land. Frankly, the economies of scale really mean that those sorts of opportunities, if they were ever there, have certainly been lost in a modern economy, particularly the economy of Queensland and, for that matter, unfortunately, Australia. I wiU be attendmg the North Australian Development Seminar in Katherine, Northem Territory, at the end of the month and I wiU be particularly alert to those proposals which are reaUstic rather than wishful thinking. When we look for the development in this part of the State, it must certainly be development based on our traditional wealth: agriculture, grazing, mining, mineral processing and, of course, the new glamour industry, tourism. Tourism is probably a good area for me to start. The first thing we have to do is to decide how we are going to get the people to North (Queensland. As I said only last Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2935

week, the completion of the TownsviUe international airport has certainly given the area a wonderful boost. It wiU bring visitors to North Queensland whom we may not have otherwise seen. It is nevertheless vital that we continue to attract people from within AustraUa. The significant aspect of that component of the tourist business is that most of those tourists will arrive by private car, in spite of the increase in fuel prices and aUowing for some drop off In private tourist motoring. There has been some change In the type of vehicle being used. We do not see as many large caravans as we did a few years ago, but the great majority of visitors from within Australia still travel to North Queensland by road. Regrettably, in many instances, to travel on those roads is a nightmare, particularly if one happens to be towing a boat or caravan. Every time North Queensland roads are criticised, some tourist operators, particularly caravan park owners, say that those who criticise are knocking Queensland and ought not to make those comments. But we must be honest and consider the safety of our visitors. In the long ran, that wiU be to our benefit. Unless those comments are made, I see little prospect of remedial action being taken by the Government. In TownsviUe, the Minister for Main Roads (Mr Hinze) promised to expedite the work on the Marlborough to Sarina section, and I hope he does not fprget that promise. A new road between those centres will certainly add immeasurably to the favourable attitude of road users. As one travels further north from that area the roads, particularly from Bowen through to Ayr, are some of the worst on the whole of the North Queensland coast. I am glad to see that the Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services is nodding his head in agreement. The surface is narrow and uneven and, more importantly, the roads stiU contain a great number of one-lane bridges. These bridges are a tremendous hazard, particularly as southern visitors are not used to dealing with that sort of road hazard. The habit of some irresponsible motorists, both local and tourist, of ignormg "Give way" signs on those bridges does not help road safety. It may weU be necessary to give priority to replacing those bridges, even if the upgrading of adjacent road surfaces cannot be undertaken simultaneously. Probably the most terrifying aspect fOr road users at the present time in North Queens­ land is the increased use of very large and fast-moving road transport vehicles, and I am pleased that lately there has been a great deal of public comment on it. I recently drove from Townsvilie to Bloomsbury, which is just south of Proserpine, and I found that trip frighteiung. Perhaps most tourists travel by day, when the problems are not so great, but I repeat that on my recent trip to Bloomsbury during the early part of the evening—^between 6 and 9 p.m.—I was frequently confronted with huge vehicles travelling at high speeds. I likened my poshion to someone in a single-engined Cessna trying to share a runway with a Boeing 747 coming in the opposite direction. The sensation of having huge vehicles boring down on my comparatively small vehicle, with their headlights blazing on high beam, would be unnerving, I think, to most drivers. Of course, there was also the effect of air movement as the huge vehicles raced past. Headlights are frequently so bright that it would not surprise me if they melted the bkumen half a mUe ahead. The other factor which is most noticeable is that these vehicles not only pass in the opposhe direction but also, while drivers are travelling at the legal road speed, it is quite the normal thing for units perhaps 50 or 60 ft long to overtake at a speed 20-40 km/h greater than that of the vehicle being passed. Quite frankly, if we are to attract tourists we have to give them a sense of security while they use our North Queensland roads. They ought not have to compete whh the numbers of semi-trailers which are presently using the roads and so blatantly disregarding the speed limits and other road safety requirements. We aU know that there are far too many semi-traUers on the roads at the present time, and we know why. Not only is h because of the Premier's action in leading the rush to remove road tax, but h also relates to the Ul-considered depreciation allowances brought in by the Fraser Govemment a few years ago. The resuU, of course, has been too much compethion. The Federal Government has put its house in order, and I think h is about time the Premier gave very serious consideration to re-lmposing road taxes to ensure that the people who use the roads pay their proper share towards the maintenance of our roadway systems.

Mr Fitzgerald: What about the fuel tax? Aren't they paying for it in the fuel tax? 2936 22 October 1981: Supply (Estimates)

,Mr SMITH: We are not getting that back. It is no use talking about the fuel tax. The Feds didn't hand it back this year and they are not going to hand it back next year or the year after. The members of the Townsvilie Harbour Board are a very progressive group. Led by hs Chairman, Mr Bert Field, the board has achieved magnificent development of the harbour and hs faciUties. Its faciUties include, for example, a magnificent mobile crane; I understand that only one other port in AustraUa is simUarly equipped. The harbour board and its officers have been in the forefront of many community Initiatives designed to benefit North Quensland. It wiU be clearly understood by members from both sides that h came as a set-back when, after huge outiays to handle the container trade in meat at the port, shippers brought about a situation where meat had to be railed to Brisbane to be shipped. I suppose one of the reasons was that the facilities at Fisherman Islands have to be justified. Recently the Department of CivU and Systems Engineermg of James Cook University, assisted by experts from North Queensland industry, completed and delivered a report to the TownsvUle Harbour Board on the comparative cOsts of shipping meat to various ports around the world. That report outiines in detaU how, with the co-operation of shippers and the support of the Government, TownsviUe could be an economic port of caU in the meat trade to the east coast of the USA. The report suggests the re-introduction of break bulk shipphig, or the scheduled stop m Townsvilie by contamer ships servlcmg the route, and states that there would be significant cost savings to the shipping lines mvolved. The amount of meat mentioned in the report for export from the port would be 45 000 tonnes annually— about 15 per cent of AustraUa's total. Centralisation or concentration of cargo works to the direct detriment of smaller general cargo ports throughout Australia, and denies to their hinterland an outlet for the natural products. Primary producers are thus faced with continuaUy increased costs due entirely to a reduction in cargo volumes. Decentralisation of export facilities would encourage a degree of competition between ports, resulting in greater effidency and greater use of avaUable facUities. This could significantly contribute to the economic operation of the small ports. The rescheduling of USA east coast container ships through Townsvilie would be a boon to the port. Local communities could expect to absorb about $25 for every tonne of freight through the port, according to the most recent figures of the chairman of the TownsvUle Harbour Board. A further complexity arises. Secret deals with the railways with consequential raU freight differentials for the same goods at different rates, together with different rates for north and south movements, has long caused economic uncertainty with respect to meat export from Townsvilie. Two factors are involved. Firstly, it Is cheaper to raU freight from TownsvUle tp Rockhampton than it is from Rockhampton to Townsvilie. That, together with the attitude of looking after the Brisbane terminal, means that TownsviUe does not get an opportunity to compete for the export of beef produced in Central Queensland. This is critical; as I will show later. The other factor is that meat is transported to Brisbane and further south by independent road hauliers, who, faced with the prospect of travelling south without a load, frequently carry meat for the cost of their fuel. That is unfair competition. Because there are no road taxes, the people of Queensland are subsidising the truck operators. The cost of road repairs is coming out of general revenue—let there be no mistake about that! The Government could assist-TownsviUe and North Queensland by reintroducing road taxes. The revcriue could be spent on road maintenance^ and road damage would be reduced because fewer heavy vehicles would be on the road. Secondly, the Government could adjust the rail freight rates between Central Queensland and Townsvilie so that the 15 per cent of Australian beef production from that area could be combined with the North Queensland production of a further 15 per cent. Once Townsvilie can offer shippers 30 per cent of the AustraUan meat trade, the port will not be bypassed. If 90000 tonnes of beef could be exported through TownsviUe, that could be worth over $4m a year to the local community. That would be a significant boost tO northern development. TownsviUe has never received its fair allocation of Housing Commission funds. The largest city outside the south-east corner with a population of over 100 000 has only 500 homes available for general rental. It Is correct that a further 1 700 homes are avaUable for the Army. The lack of housing is retarding development. Recently, the priricijpal of a Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2937

large city engineering firm made a public statement that he would have to pass up valuable contract work because h was impossible to find accommodation for the additional skilled tradesmen he had hoped to attract to Townsvilie. It has long been recognised that household living costs in North Queensland are signiJicantiy greater than those in South Queensland. North Queenslanders are still plagued whh the imposhion of sales tax on freight and other added costs, but the CPI takes no account Of the costs of Queensland people outside the Brisbane area. Those costs should be considered when CPI figures are determined. It surely should not surprise the Government that it is vulnerable in North Queensland. It should not be surprised that the new State movement lingers on in North Queensland when the rest of Australia shows no significant interest in this possibUity. What should be done for North Queensland is what was previously done for Darwin. TownsviUe should be declared a capital city for the purpose of calculating the landed cost of goods. I assume there is an expectation that most speakers will raise the matter of water and electricity for North Queensland and, in particular, the Burdekin Dam. It is my contention the Burdekin project is so remote that I prefer to deal with a more urgent problem. I refer to Government funding, both Commonwealth and State, for the completion of Stage II of the Ross River Dam project in TownsviUe, Townsvilie has received a raw deal from both Commonwealth and State Governments over funding for the completion of Stage II of the dam. The lack of funds for the project was a very serious matter likely to involve the TownsviUe City CouncU in mUlions of dollars of expenditure in costs of resumptions, re-routirig of the Flinders Highway and reconstruction of communication and electrical services to aUow the dam to be filled to its designed Stage II capacity. Additional money would have to be found to remedy the seepage problem which had become evident over the last couple of years. It will be interesting to see if the State Government' will accept the responsibility for the lack of detaUed testing which has directly contributed to the problems with the dam, I have written to the Treasurer and the Minister for Water Resources on this particular aspect. I hope that, the Minister for Northern Development wiU add his support to having something done about that project.

The best long-term solution would have been not to proceed with Stage II and to have piped water from the Burdekin. That proposal did not offer a practical solution at present because of the lack of action by both Commonwealth and State Governments in proceeding with the Burdekin construction. It is certainly years behind schedule. TownsviUe is preisently entering another buUding boom which will swell the population and hence the demand for water. Both Governments must be made aware of the urgency of bringing Stage II into service. . The TownsviUe City Council has provided cost estimates which showed that the cost to the council, after allowing for the normal State Government subsidy, would be almost Slim plus an estimated $1.2m for remedial seepage measures, if they could be undertaken at that price. In March the council applied to the Commissioner for Water Resources for an allocation of approximately $5.5m from the 1981-82 National Water Resources Program. In 1978-79, the State* in its application to the Commonwealth, requested $0.5m for the work and gave it priority No. 5—'behind Mt Isa's Lake Julius, the water resources assessment, the Proserpine Flood Mitigation Scheme and the Bundaberg Irrigation Project. When the Commonwealth funds became available, the Brisbane creeks flood-mitigation project, for which $0.5m had also been requested on priority No. 6, was given almost a million dollars and Townsvilie did not get anything. In the 1979-80 aUocation, the State Government showed it was "all heart'" and requested $1.2m for the project, but "thoughtfuUy" dropped it down to the unlikely priority of No, 15. As would be expected, none of the $4.5m of Commonwealth funds found its way to Towns­ vilie. For the 1980-81 program, TownsvUle was given No. 10 •priority. The problem with the No. 10 allocation was, however, that no funds were ultimately provided for projects lower than priority No. 6. 10349^97 2938 22 October 1981 Supply (Estunates)

The Minister for Water Resources (Mr Tomkins) has now said that as the Ross River project had its priority increased from 15th to 10th for 1981, it was unlikely that h would be elevated for 1981-82 except if the Proserpine flood-mitigation works were completed. That is unlikely. The Federal Government undertook to provide $200m for the years 1978-79 to 1982-83. So far, only $76.625m has been aUocated over three financial years, leaving a balance of $123.375m to be provided over 1981-82 and 1982-83 if the Federal Govemment is to honour its commitment to the States. To date Queensland has received only $14m of the funds allocated, or 18.3 per cent of the total. TownsvUle faces a grave shortage of water in two or three years time, even whhout the expected population explosion. If we do not get $5m or $6m of the $123m to be aUocated, we could be in a position where our drive to attract tourists wiU have to be haUed and industry turned away. It seems to me that a commitment by the Government towards northem devdopment starts right here. (Time expired.) Mr KATTER (Flinders) (4.48 p.m.): I have decided to provide some background informatiori on North Queensland. Often the people in the North are accused of being anti-estabUshment and anti-Government, no matter what the political view of a Government might be. Generally, we are told that we adopt a very antagonistic attitude towards the rest of Queensland and the rest of AustraUa, One of the major reasons for that is that North Queensland is populated largely by what I term wage slaves working for southern and foreign absentee landlords. It is regrettable that that is so. WhUe there may be very good reason for it, and although I personally accept the situation as it appUes to the mining industry, I cannot see the need for it in the beef industry. North Queensland does not possess one co-operatively owned meatworks, and the number of co-operatively owned sugar mills is steadily decreasing. Against that background. North Queensland is populated by an amalgam of ethnic minority groups. It was settled almost exclusively by Italians, who make up the most prominent minority group, and, more importantly, by Scottish and Irish immigrants. Gen­ erally speaking, the mining fields are populated by Welsh groups, who might not be regarded as having the typical white Anglo-saxon background. My own famUy are part of another minority group in North Queensland. Over recent years the situation in North Queensland has far from improved. Anyone who looks at places such as Cairns, TownsviUe and Mackay might say that the situation has improved dramatically. However, the inland areas and some of the remote comers of the Peninsula have gone backwards very fast. I reflect upon the fact—I do not say this by way of skiting—that I am a fourth-generation North Queenslander. Mr Davis: Fourth generation! Big deal! What a poseur!

Mr KATTER: I thought the interjector had something worth while to say; obviously he has not. In the years covered by those four generations. North Queensland has gone backwards. In one new industry. North Queenslanders are working virtually as servants for international or southern millionaires who holiday on the coast. Should that be regarded as development? We are locked into that vice while the remainder of the State goes ahead in leaps and bounds, capital expenditure being tremendously high in the south-east corner. Those capital improvements are not being reflected in North Queensland. The electrification of the Brisbane railway system, the building of the Cultural Centre at South Brisbane, the massive preparations for the Commonwealth Games, the Tarong Power Station and the Gladstone Power Station are all going ahead. A new power-station is also to be built at Stanmore. It may be said that large coal deposits are available for those power stations; but large coal deposits are available in North Queensland. The former State Electricity Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2939

Commissioner (Mr Murray, I think it was) said that the next major power-station should be in the Galilee Basin, between Emerald and Hughenden. That would have been a far-sighted, important move for North Queensland. Unfortunately, the part of the State from which I come is at the end of a long power Une from the central and southern parts of Queensland. That Is not a happy situation. I remember ringing the news services of North Queensland on one occasion and telling them that there would be insufficient power on the northern grid system if one of the Unes was cut during the wet season, and I said that I expected one of them to be cut. Neither of the news services used the item; but some three weeks later, about four hours after the lights had gone out in North Queensland, the ABC service rang me about it. Fortunately, few people knew about the power failure because it occurred in the early hours of the morning. When the ABC newsman rang me, he said, "Gee, you were right after all." Comments about North Queensland by North Queensland members are not believed by people who one would assume would beUeve them. They seem to think that we are so prejudiced against the southern parts of the State that we are blinded by our own northern parochialism. In the Govemor's Opening Speech last year and the year before, the only reference to Far North Queensland was to the Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal and the Burdekin Falls project, about which many North Queenslanders are sceptical. The Lucinda terminal was buih whh sugar-cane money and had nothing to do with the Queensland Govemment. It should not have been referred to. The 500000 people—that is, about one-third of the State's population—who live iri the northern part of the State are not benefiting from the major capital expenditure that is taking place in other parts of the State. It is certainly not affecting the economy of North Queensland. In the southern part of the State, one hears about massive land booms at Airlie Beach and Mission Beach. However, they are not typical of what is happening in the North. Land prices in Townsvilie, a major northern city with great potential, do not in any way reflect the tremendous increase in land values in Brisbane. Ahhough in one respect that is pleasing, it indicates that the economy of North Queensland is stagnating. Money, whether from banks or from taxation, is simply not being reinvested in North Queensland. When it is said that major power-stations cannot be built in North Queensland, I simply point out that the former State Electricity Commissioner suggested that the next major power-station should be built in North Queensland. His suggestion has been set aside and the Government has opted for an alternative. The CoUinsviUe Power Station has been off-line virtually for the past five years. The fact that North Queensland has no base-load station is nothing short of a disgrace. In the general power supply for Queensland, there should be a major base-load station in North Queensland. Without it, we are at the mercy of an overhead line going all the way to Bouldercombe, south of Rockhampton. That situation cannot and should not be allowed to continue. Opposhion Members interjected.

Mr KATTER: It is no use ALP members opening their mouths. All we ever hear from them is Aboriginal land rights and the need for more and more national parks. Unfortunately the concept is so much abroad that people accept, as conventional wisdom, that there should be more and more national parks in North Queensland. We disagree. We see those areas for farms and places on which people can live and follow their own pursuits. People in the southern areas see those places as playgrounds. They do not want them devdoped in any shape or form, except as playgrounds for their use. We do not agree whh that image for North Queensland. , An Opposhion Member interjected.

Mr KATTER: I am not talking about the rain forests. They represent a very tiny area. If we take out the national park areas and the Aboriginal lands m the North, which the ALP wants alienated by the Government for some other group, there is very 2940 22 October 1981 Supply. CEstimates) little land left in North Queensland to develop. Anybody who does not believe that should obtain a map and colour in the areas of national parks and Aboriginal lands and then take a good, hard look at the result. I shaU now deal with what I consider to be the two major economic problems iri North Queensland. They are the protein drought in the cattle industry and the drainage problems in the sugar-cane areas north of Ingham. I have seen very objective figures in mill reports, and profit and loss accounts in mill statements, which mdicate that some $30m is being lost each year of a big wet because of the drainage problems in North Queensland. The Govemment has not tackled those problems in any way and, in addhion, it has removed the subsidies that were available for such work. I am not talking about a large sum of money—^probably about $37m as the absolute maximum. A fair share of that expenditure would be borne by the people themselves. The second problem is the protein drought. The beef mdustry is much larger than the mining industry in North Queensland. Some 5 000 or 6 000 people are involved merely iri the processing of hieat in meatworks, without counting those involved in the produdion of cattle. Every year those 5 000 or 6000 jobs do not exist for up to four months because of the protein drought. Our weather is controlled by the monsoons. We get two months of rain and no more for the rest of the year, so the grass has to last for 10 months without rain. The cattle obtain no nourishment from it towards the end of the 12 months. Therefore, the meatworks have to close earlier than they normally would. The only answer to the problem is massive water schemes. One of the reasons why a person must refer constantly to the proposals put forward by Dr Bradfield is that both of the major economic problems in the North—the protein drought costing $15m to $20m a year and the drainage problem costing close to $30m in a bad year—can be solved in one hit by a fairly massive outlay of money, approximately half a billion dollars. A smaU by-product of the expenditure of that money would be some massive hydroelectric projects. Numerous major projects have been proposed for that inland and westem area. None of them has got off the ground. The major stumbling block has always been the shortage of water and, to a lesser extent, power. Two people have carried out major studies into the feasibUity of estabUshing meatworks in that western area. Because of the cost of power and water, neither project proceeded. The infrastmcture is simply not avaUable in that area. The major stumbUng block to the powerhouse proposal put forward by Mr Murray was again the provision of water. The creation of a powerhouse In that area would be a great thing for Queensland. That coal could be used In a powerhouse; it could not be mined for other purposes because it is situated too far from the coast. Transport costs would make the proposition not economically viable. However, electricity could be provided very cheaply. There is a third major proposal for North Queensland, and that is the constraction of an aluminium smelter. In my opinion, such a smelter could not be established in North Queensland with the present energy structure. Some 20 per cent of electricity energy is lost in transporting it from Bouldercombe near Rockhampton to North Queensland. That makes electricity very expensive in North Queensland. As an aluminium smelter would require 600 MW of electricity, it would have to be provided on a non-commercial basis. Another major project in inland North Queensland, which again wUl be impossible to develop without the provision of a water supply, is the Julia Creek shale-oil deposhs. Mr Vaughan interjected.

Mr KATTER: The honourable member for Nudgee says that that is ridiculous. How­ ever, he does not know that a French company intended to develop that area not for the shale-oU deposits but for the vanadium. He does not know that there is vanadium in the Julia Creek shale-oil deposits. One researcher has estimated that the world's require­ ment for vanadium could be met from the Julia Creek shale-oil deposits. However, it was pointed out that that would depress the world's price for vanadium. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2941

Mr Vaughan: I wUl bet you that that pj-oject wiU never get off the ground.

Mr KATTER: I wiU take that interjection from the Opposition spokesman ori Mines and Energy. He wants to bet me that that project wUl not get off the ground. If hfi bases his argument on the fact that that area will not get a water supply to enable the project to get off the ground, unfortunately, I must agree with him. But that is not; entirely the case whh energy. I think that the honourable member would have some idea of the world's shortage of oil. Although there is an over-supply of oil at the moment, I do not think anyone believes that the situation will prevail for more than a short period. EventuaUy, we wiU run short of fossil fuels, and when that happens we wiU have to look at developing some of the shale-oil deposits. One of the first projects to get off thfe ground wiU be the one at Julia Creek. The Julia Creek shale-oil project would need some 20000 i ML of water annually, and the cost of providing that water would be about $127m. That may not necessarily be a large outlay when we consider that the project would supply one-fifth of AustraUa's petroleum needs. I regret to say that there has been no enlightenment in this State as far as our resources are concerned. Maybe that is because of the shortage of money and the state of the economy over recent years; I do not know. But I do know that a rational attitude has not been adopted to the development of water supplies. The project to tum the waters of the Herbert River into the waters of the Burdekin River is probably 40 or 50 years overdue rather than 40 or 50 years before its time. That would not be the situation with the construction of a tunnel to take water from the Burdekin River to the FUnders River. That is a far bigger undertaking. The cost of the tunnel would be about $3(X)m and the cost of providing water for the Julia Creek project would be about $127m. However, once the Julia Creek shale-oil project becomes worth while, the other project becomes not just an immediate possibiUty but a probabiUty.

I shaU conclude on one other matter. It is profoundly tme that health and medical services in North Queensland have been sorely and sadly neglected. The comment of my colleague the member for Mt Isa (Mr Bertoni) that a new ward has not been buUt at the "Eventide" home at Charters Towers for 30 to 40 years is quite vaUd. Major develop­ ment works have taken place at every other "Eventide" in the State. At Sandgate there has been massive rebuilding. If any honourable member thinks for one moment that there is something wrong with Charters Towers, then I wiU dispel that thought by stating that the boarding-schools at Charters Towers, to which parents send their children by choice, have had massive increases in student intake and have gone from strength to strength. They have the greatest school growth rate in the State. So there is absolutely no reason why "Eventide" at Charters Towers should not be a success. As a result of decisions that are made far away in Brisbane, the internal structure of "Eventide", Charters Towers, is in a most unhappy state. Those remarks might equally apply to other "Eventide" homes in the State. I have great sympathy for the HEU people who work there.

Although I very rarely use such strong words in this Chamber about any Government instrumentaUty, Mosman HaU is an absolute disgrace. I have been driven to distraction by the fact that my representations over the last seven years have produced no results. Mosman Hall now has virtually no psychiatric nurses. On present trends, within 12 years there will not be a single qualified nurse in that institution. The psychiatric patients at that hosphal have virtually no programs provided for them. The nurses who have tried to initiate programs have received no support. As a result of morale sinking to abysmal depths, at the present moment the conduct of the establishment is appalling.

At Mosman Hall the problem is an acute shortage of psychiatric nurses. At Baillie Henderson Hospital, the problem is a lack of patients to justify staffing levels. One would think that the psychiatric nurses who are so desperately needed in the North could be transferred from BaiUie Henderson Hospital so that psychiatric treatment programs could be undertaken. But that is not the solution jumped upon by the Health Department. It has gone the other way and transferred the North Queensland patients 2 000 km from their homes, their relatives and from where they have Uved their entire lives down to an entirely artificial environment. A very important aspect of psychiatric care is that patients 2942 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) have contact with friends and relatives, but they have been placed in an artificial environment 2 000 km away. That is a very sad reflection on the conduct of psychiatric care in this State, and I hope it is brought to the attention of the Minister for Health. (Time expired.)

Mr RANDELL (Mirani) (5.8 p.m.): I have great pleasure in contributing to this debate on the Estimates for Northern Development and Maritime Services. Mr Davis: What generation Queenslander are you?

Mr RANDELL: I would not like to tell the honourable member, but my ancestry probably goes back further than his. I am sure everybody knows I am a genuine Queenslander. I congratulate the member for Flinders (Mr Katter) on his constructive speech. He realises the problems of the North and does everything possible, particularly in his contributions in this Chamber, to alleviate them. Too often we hear criticism of the Government's policies on the North. I do not mind constructive criticism but too often the criticism is iU-founded and baseless. The electorate of Mirani is witnessing a period of unparalleled development, the Uke of which will probably not be experienced again. That gives the lie to the Opposition's criticism. Such devdopment cannot occur without problems, and that is probably the reason for some of the criticism. By national standards the wide scope of development and the economic iriipact of the Mirani electorate is unusual. Such assets and development are the envy of Australia. Many State Governments would give their eye-teeth for Queensland's assets. The Queensland Government is playing a critical role in the planning, design, funding and construction of two very different major projects which are intended to handle vastly different production from the Mirani electorate that require the need for intelligent co-ordination. I am referring, of course, to the splendid job the Minister's department is doing in the Hay Point II program. I would congratulate the Minister for that. Mr Davis: Can I give you a tip? One thing a new member doesn't do is read the briefs given to him by the Minister.

Mr RANDELL: I can assure the member for Brisbane Central that I have not been given a brief. It is my own speech and I prepared it. The impact of Hay Point II is not generally understood. When the berth is ready for shipping coal in 1983-84, Hay Point wiU have a throughput capacity of between 28 million and 30 million tonnes of coking and steaming coal per annum, thus assuring it of the position as the largest coal port in Australia, The works currently being financed by the Queensland Government have cost about $120m, and they will ensure that the giant Queensland coal industry is not fettered by poor infrastructure arrangements, as is the case in some New South Wales areas and overseas, such as in the westem regions of North America. I could go on endlessly about the development that is taking place in our hinterland—the coal-mines coming on line, the townships being developed and so on. If the member for Brisbane Central would like to travel north, I wiU show him the development that is taking place. Stories of some of the failings in North America alarm me. It is said that the railway lines are faUing to pieces and the ports are in tatters. Mr Davis: Private enterprise—that's the trouble.

Mr RANDELL: We have private enterprise here and we are making a success of it. Major works of the order being undertaken by the Department of Harbours and Marine at Hay Point are not undertaken lightly; nor are they decided in a day. They are done with intelligent planning, and I must congratulate the Minister and his department for that. The present construction which is proceeding at fuH tempo marks the culmination of five years of dedicated effort on the part of the Departments of the Treasury, Harbours and Marine and the Co-ordinator-General, Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2943

There are some very valuable spin-offs, too, from the development at Hay Point. They include the obvious creation of thousands of job opportunities in the electorate of Mirani for the young, the creation of new towns such as Middlemount and Glenden, and improved living quality for old-time residents—the men on the land. Equally important are the new railway lines linking the hinterland to the new port of Hay Point and, through interconnection with the North Coast line, the port of Mackay. The port of Mackay and the man on the land will benefit fi:om the new railway constmction because of the excellent job the Minister for Primary Industries and his grain committee have done and the far-reaching recommendations that have recently been made. Mr Davis: Obviously, you are pushing him for deputy leadership. Mr RANDELL: I could probably do better at that than the member for Brisbane Central. It is tremendously encouraging to note that a brand new grain terminal, the con­ struction of which started in Mackay only two months ago, is to be brought up to standard quickly to allow the shipment of more than 300000 tonnes of grain and oil­ seed annually through the port of Mackay. With the present development of the hinter­ land, that quantity can only increase. The grain-growing area is in the shire of Broadsound in my electorate, and I fly over it quite often. The huge tracts of land that are being cleared bear whness to the amount of grain being grown. People from the South are coming up and buying land cheaply to grow grain. Mr Davis: How cheap is the land? Mr RANDELL: It is cheaper than they can get it in the South—they have told me that—^but I would not know the actual prices. It is getting dearer, however, and anyone looking for an opportunity should come up to that area and buy land now. In years to come people wiU be saying, "I wished I had got it." It will be too late then. Mr Eaton: A thousand dollars an acre? Mr RANDELL: No, it is not that much. Cane-land might be worth that much, but not land for grain. The grain terminal at Mackay would have been only a very small effort without the co-ordination of land-use planning by the Department of Primary Industries and the constmction of railway facilities to serve both coal and grain. This is very gratifying to me, as the member for Mirani. I know the capabUities of the area, and it is pleasing that other people and authorities recognise the potential of the area and the contribution we can make. We are witnessing a very well-integrated program of major public works that are not only important because of the job opportunities that they are providing to the constmction industry, but because of the long-term economic development and enhancement that they will bring to the whole region. Of course, we must be careful that, in the undertaking of major works such as those to which I have referred, our forward planning keeps abreast of associated developments, I am quite confident that the Government will do that with the help of the Minister. In 1976, official Government investigations foreshadowed that coal exports from Hay Point would increase to more than 50 000 000 tonnes by the year 2000, at which time Hay Point will be not only the largest coal port in Australia but also in the world. That bears tribute to the poteritial of the area. When the coal mines come on stream, the port will be the largest in the world. Mr Davis: Why don't you talk about the Bruce Highway? Mr RANDELL: I wUl get round to the Bruce Highway very shortly. If the honourable member inspects the Brace Highway he wiU find that work is going ahead. Members of this Government, including the Minister for Main Roads, have foreseen the development that will take place near Hay Point. 2944 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN. (Mr Akers): Order! There is far too much cross-fire hi the Chamber. If a member wishes to interject, he is quite entitled to do so; but I wiU not tolerate cross-firing in the Chamber.

Mr RANDELL: As I was saying. Hay Point wiU very shortly be the largest coal port in the worid. It is essential that we make every effort to ensure that forward planning occurs for the duplication of the Hay Point-Goonyella railway line. Of course, we look forward to the electrification of the rail system so that rail freights can be maintained at a competitive level by world standards. I am also very concerned to see that a high standard of environmental practices are observed in the design, construction and operation of the port at Hay Point. Even now some discomfort and hazards are being caused to residents in that area. Because of the sand blasting that is taking place in the area, complaints have been made. The roads have deteriorated as a result of the development that has taken place. I have made personal representations to the Minister to visit the area to inspect the problems. I have been informed that at the first opportunity the Minister 'w'iU inspect the area, and I am sure he will help the people living there. It is comforting to know that during the next three years the Minister has arranged for a continual monitoring of noise and air pollution at Hay Point. The solution to the coal dust problem will not be found in the usage of chemical additives, sprays or similar cosmetic-type applications, Rather, I am convinced that the solution will be found in correctly designing the stockpUes, in the first instance, and ensuring that conservative water-spray dust-suppression designs are implemented. To do that, we need water. I give an assurance that I will do everything in my power to assist the Sarina Shire CouncU and the Department pf Harbours and Marine to arrange for the provision of a major water supply to Hay Point in order to achieve a high environmental standard. The previous speaker referred to water resources. I am aware of his knowledge in that area. I am sure that he will assist me in getting some consideration for my area. That, in my view, represents the only adverse comment that I care to make in this debate on northern development problems. I refer to the very poor position concerning the availability of funding for major water resource projects. Certainly, the early constraction of major water storages, such as the Spencer Dam on Denison Creek, is required, I have been informed that it will riot be completed before 1984. That means that water will not be available from that source until 1987. r am concerned about the future developments that will take place on the coalfields. It is essential that they have a major water supply. Without such a supply, it is difficuh to see that the present rate of development on the coalfields in the Bowen Basin will continue. It is clear that we face difficult times with funding, and U is high time that the Federal Government addressed itself to the problem of lack of water resources and brought about a drastic improvement to the present level of funding provided by Canberra under the National Water Resources Program. From the painfully slow progress that is being made on projects such as the Eton Irrigation Project it is patently clear that insufficient funds are being made avaUable to that important project let alone the essential water-storage projects without which the development pf the coal industry wUl be impeded. To digress for a moment—I am concerned at the taking of female and undersized crabs in my area. The offence is a prevalent one, and 'it is commhted by both professional and amateur fishermen. During the past year. Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers seized 1 066 mud crabs and 4 085 sand crabs that were either female or undersized. During 1980-81 penalties totalling $21,501 were imposed for offences committed under the Marine Act and fines totalling $53,780 were imposed fOr breaches of the Fisheries Act. The penalties are nowhere near heavy enough, and I urge the Minister to increase them. People are coming into Queensland, catching bags of female crabs and taking them to New South Wales, where they are sold at a profit. Over the years I have had a good deal of experience in catching crabs. Years ago I had no trouble going down to my local creek and catching half a dozen from a dinghy in only a couple of hours. These days, I would be lucky to catch one crab over a period of several days. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2945

The crab population must be protected. Crab numbers should be kept up not only for the purpose of providing an income to the professional fisherman but also as a means of providing enjoyment for the amateur. For many Queenslanders, crabbing is a way of life. Crabbing is also important to the tourist industry. If people from Victoria come to Queensland and are able to catch crabs, they go back to their home State and say to their friends, "You should go to Queensland for a holiday. You can catch as many crabs as you like up there." We tend to forget the value of crabbing and fishing to the tourist industry. 1 could talk at great length about barramundi. That subject is a favourite of mine, I hope that more research is carried out to protect that valuable asset. Furthermore, Nile perch could be bred as a worthwhile replacement for barramundi. I am immensely proud of the contribution that North Queensland, and my electorate in particular, makes to the economy of this State and nation. North Queensland has tourism, mining, the sugar industry, the beef cattle industry, the dairying industry, grain industries and fishing. The list is endless. North Queensland is the backbone of the State. It is going from strength to strength under the good and wise policies of the, Queensland Government, Naturally, we in North Queensland encounter some problems. How can wc have such dramatic development without problems? I remember the days when a cane farmer watered his crops by fiUing a kerosene tin and spreading the water around. Nowadays large areas of cane lands are irrigated. However, the sugar industry is growing at such a fast rate that more water is needed. Finally, I am sure that if we all work together we wUl overcome the problems that face us. I am sure that the Department of Northern Development, under the control of the Minister, will ensure that all our desirable objectives will be achieved.

Mr McLEAN (Bulimba) (5.24 p.m.): I enter this debate to talk about the Cairncross Dock. I have touched on this subject before. It is an extremely important issue that this Government faces. The time has come for this Government, to accept its responsibilities in regard to the wants and needs of the ship-repair industry in Queensland, The present situation at Cairncross means uncertainty for the future. This dockyard is fast reaching the stage where it will be unable to compete with southern and overseas docks. The facilities at Cairncross will not permh the docking of many of the newer and larger ships that are now trading through Queensland, It seems inexcusable to me that the Government is sitting back and watching millions of dollars leaving our State—dollars that rightfully should be channelled through the pay packets of workers in the ship-repair industry and workers in the service and auxiliary industries and the companies that operate those industries. Sooner or later the Government must face the problems that exist at Cairncross Dock. If it does not do so immediately, the future of the ship-repair industry in Queensland is very bleak indeed. The Government must listen to the claims of the unions working at the dock and on the port authority. The dry dock must be modified to accommodate the type of shipping that is now commonplace on the Australian coast. Ships of 100 000 tonnes or more are now common, and they will become even more common vrith the expansion of mineral exports. Each month more and more contracts involving miUions of tonnes of minerals are given to overseas mining companies. Larger quantities of minerals will therefore be exported, and more giant bulk carriers will be needed. Bulk-loading ports have grown enormously over the last few years. The Government is building a new coal-loading facility at Hay Point because the present one is not capable of handUng the increased export tonnages from new mines. Bulk carriers anchor in line at Hay Point waiting their tum to load. Most of them are about 100000 tonnes, and they could npt be docked in Cairncross Dock. What happens in an emergency, when a major breakdovm occurs, or when one of those ships has to be dry-docked for regular service and maintenance work? At present, it has to go to a southern shipyard or to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong or Singapore, and work is lost to Queensland workers. That work Could, and quite rightly should, be done here. The Caimcross Dock is of vhal importance to Queenslarid for a number of reasons. The industry is very labour-intensive and is valuable to the work-force in this State. It 2946 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates) could easily employ, directly or indirectiy, wdl over 2 000 people, taking into account aU the services and anciUary work associated with it. Queensland cannot afford to lose so many jobs and the effects of the money that would be put back into the community from the pay packets of the workers concerned. In addhion, the State should be able to provide facilities for repairing and servicing the large number of ships trading to and from this country. As I said, a visit to the ports along the Queensland coast through which huge quantities of minerals are exported puts into true perspective the size and number of ships using the State's waters. The volume of ship repairs being lost because of the inadequacies of the Cairncross Dock is large enough now; certainly it will become larger year by year. In its 1979-80 report, the Port of Brisbane Authority covered the position in relation to Australian vessels, but they represent only the tip of the iceberg. The report made the point that the replacement of existing AustraUan vessels, particularly those in the 50 000-65 000 tonne range, by new vessels of a size in excess of the capacity of Caimcross Dock would have a serious effect on the dockyard in the near future. It pointed out also that "several of the major Australian shipping lines have bulk carriers either in the planning stages or under construction which will be too large for Australian commercial drydocks". It said that "the number of large crude oil tankers for the overseas trade wUl increase in the forthcoming years". That report did not cover ships used to carry the State's minerals overseas. They are virtually an untapped market that the Govemment should be considering. The Port of Brisbane Authority also stressed in its report the need for financial aid to enlarge the Cairncross Dock so that it will be able to accommodate vessels up to 150000 tonnes. That request was made following the consideration of future trends in the size of vessels under the Australian flag. The report stated that an increasing number of vessels, either commissioned or on order, are of a size in excess of the capacity of any Australian dry dock. An example of this trend is the replacement of the tanker "P. J. Adams", a vessel of more than 56 000 tonnes, by the "Ampol Sard", of 101 600 tonnes. The "Ampol Sard" is approximately 13.7 metres wider than the maximum size of a vessel that can be docked at Cairncross. Other similar large vessels that have been withdrawn from service are the "Darling River", of 50 000 tonnes, and the "Howard Smith", of 59 000 tonnes. All the blame cannot be put on overseas shipping companies for not having more of their maintenance and service work done in Queensland. With the necessary modifications to docks, we can offer a service to these companies to gain a section of this very large market. I feel that we can offer, and also rightfully ask for, our fair share of this work. The Cairncross dockyard is owned and operated by the Port of Brisbane Authority. It was built in 1944. Since then it has had modifications costing some $10m. The dock is 262.2 metres long, 33.5 metres wide and 15.5 metres deep, resulting in the maximum size of vessels that can be docked being about 256 metres long, 32,6 metres wide and between 7.6 metres and 9.1 metres in draft. That was quite reasonable a few years ago.

Mr R, J, Gibbs: And some very fine gentlemen worked there. I was one of them myself.

Mr McLEAN: Is that so? The docks have catered for vesels such as the "Curtis Capricorn" of 83 000 tons, which is probably the largest ship that could be put into Cairncross Dock. It has handled many ships of 65 000 tons, but the problem is that modern ships are of 100 000 tons and the market that has been virtually untapped is for larger ships that are being used in the bulk carriage of our minerals and produce. The need for the dock to be lengthened and widened is, as I said, becoming more apparent. I feel that, with the enormous number of very large ships that are carrymg the minerals and produce from Queensland, it is a waste of potential revenue to our State when we cannot provide adequate facilities for their service and repair. Only when we provide these adequate facilities can we ask these shipping companies for a fair share of their service work to be done here—an obligation that they must surely agree whh, and an obligation that even this Government must agree with. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2947

The loss to our State is enormous, not only to the Port of Brisbane Authority but also to all the service and auxiliary industries that are involved. Of course, the size of Cairncross Dock is not the only problem that exists in this industry. There is a problem in that this dockyard has to be compethive, which it does not seem to be at the present time, with the high cost of docking. Mrs Kyburz: Because of the cost of labour. Mr McLEAN: Yes, but there is more to it than that. I do not blame this on the port authority, but on the Government for placing such high repayments on their loans that make it nearly impossible for this yard to be competititve in prices. This position can only be eased by this Government reviewing these very high loan repayments and assisting in that area. I feel that this is an area in which this Govern­ ment could show concern. There must be concessions made and subsidies given to this industry to ease the burden of these loan repayments. There is no reason why this dockyard cannot be competitive in all aspects of the ship-repair industry with the assistance of this Government. In 1980-81, a surplus of $302,744 was shown at Cairncross. From what I have read in past reports, that was not a normal result, and the port has had one long struggle in keeping up with the repayments before getting off the ground. With financial aid and long-term planning the Cairncross Dock, with the necessary modifications, could capture a large slice of the enormous market that exists with the overseas shipping companies that are making fortunes carrying the State's minerals and produce. In reading the Auditor-General's report on Government loans, probably the first that comes to mind is the $100,000 loan to Flameless Incineration Pty Ltd at the rate of 1 per cent for the last 10 years of a 15-year loan. It surely must make all of us think when we see loans of that nature given and compare them with the loan repayments that the port authorhy must pay before starting to operate on a competitive basis with other docks. I would have thought that it would be essential to a national defence plan to have a dry-dock facility ready and operational in case of emergency in a State the size of Queensland, Surely our Federal Government would consider, in the national interest, that it is vhal to our defence and well-being to have this industry in a viable position. I would have thought that, having a National-Liberal Government in Queensland and a similar Tory Government in Canberra, our spokesmen would have had little trouble in convincing the appropriate Federal Minister of the need for assistance, but apparently this is not the case. I would have thought that the assistance could have gone further with the placing of a certain amount of naval craft in Cairncross for repair work. We are constantly told of a very real threat of invasion to our northern shores by the red hordes, yet we see no attempt by either the State Government or the Federal Government to ensure the preservation and protection of the only large dry dock complex in Queensland waters. There is a claim by the Government that the industrial problems that have occurred at Cairncross over a period have led to the present situation of uncertainty. I must agree that there has not been a happy industrial scene at Cairncross at all times, but I feel that this is quite easy to understand as workers must react to the treatment they receive with the uncertainty of employment. I feel that if the Government were to be seen to take a stand and act to protect' the jobs for these workers, the industrial situation would immediately improve. I ask honourable members to put themselves in the position of some of these ship-repair workers who. from week to week, do not know if they are going to be employed, or for hew long they are going to be employed, or whether they should look for another job or wait to see if the industry will pick up and provide a stable and permanent work-place. Mrs Kyburz: Talk about productivity!

Mr McLEAN: I am talking about the livelihood of the workers, which the honourable member apparently does not care about. Mrs Kyburz: I care about the costs.

Mr McLEAN: Of course the honourable member cares about the costs. 2948 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

How can any sane and sensible person expect harmonious industrial relations when they have to face that uricertainty in the industry that exists at the present time? I can assure this Government that workers do not go on Strike because they lUce it. They go on strike because they feel they have leghimate claims. No worker likes to face the prospect of prolonged stoppages, and of having no money to pay his bills or to feed and clothe his family. But he does need a fair go and the opportunity of reasonably secure employment, a situation that does not exist at the present time in the ship-repair industry in Queensland. I put it to this Government that that industrial trouble will continue in this industry and any other industry it would like to mention untU it is prepared to accept the fact that workers must be considered, and must be accepted as a very important cog in any industry; They must be included in the decision-making process on issues that affect theh livelihood and future. UntU this Government is prepared to accept that fact, it can only face one problem after another. Gone is the day when the employer can dictate in slave-like terms to his workers. Mr Scassola: Doesn't the community have any interest?

Mr McLEAN: It has plenty of interest. Surely that lesson has been learnt by hard and costly experience in most parts of the world. The Premier and the National-Liberal Party Government probably have the worst industrial relations record of any Government this country has had. We have seen this Government, because of incompetent and incapable Ministers, stumble from one industrial crisis to another. We have seen Ministers of this Government try, in complete and utter hopelessness, to manage the industrial scene. We have seen hopeless and helpless legislation •passed without any chance of its ever being implemented. Now we have probably seen the greatest joke of all times with the appointment of the member for Peak Downs (Mr Lester) as the industrial relations spokesman for the National Party. He has come out with the latest gem in the National Party's policy- one of negotiation, not confrontation.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Akers): Order! I warned before about too much cross-firing in the Chamber. Comments are being made by members but they are not being addressed to the speaker. I ask honourable members to observe the Standing Orders.

Mr McLBAN: I repeat: we have probably seen the greatest joke of all time with the , appointment of the honourable member for Peak Downs (Mr Lester) as the industrial relations spokesman for the National Party.

Mr LESTER: I rise to a point of order. I ask the honourable member to refrain from referring to me as a joke.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! There is no point of order.

Mr McLEAN: I did not say that the honourable member for Peak Downs was a joke.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable member for Bulimba will continue with his speech.

Mr McLEAN: How hypocritical can a party become? Surely every Queenslander remembers the Essential Services Act and, of course, the endless provocative statements of the Premier (Mr Joh Bjelke-Petersen). The latest Press statement from the National Party spokesman claims that the Govem­ ment now knows the secret; it has spoken tq the unions. I have inquired all over the,place and have been unable to find oUt which unions. Only now has the Government discovered Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2949 that the secret is to talk with the workers instead of taking action against them. How about that for quick learning! The Government is about 20 years behind the times. But the Opposhion does not knock the Government for trying. I chaUenge the Government to prove that its new industrial relations policy is not simply words; that it is prepared to carry it out. The Govemment has a wonderful opportunity to prove how honest it is by calling together all the shipbuilding industries to talk about the problems of the Caimcross Dock and asking for ideas and suggestions to try to assist in the retention and rebuilding of such a major labour-intensive industry. If long-range plans are not made immediately, we will most certainly see the industry slowly grind to a halt. If that is allowed to happen, the Govemment must be accused of complete Incompetence and disregard. for the wants and needs of Queenslanders. Mr LESTER (Peak Downs) (5,41 p.m.): The previous speaker made a couple of outrageous suggestions that industrial relations in Queensland are a sham. Has he ever tried to catch a train, to make a phone call or to get to an airport in New South Wales? The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! The honourable member for Bulimba related those remarks to the shipping industry, which comes under the Minister's portfoUo. I ask the honourable member for Peak Downs to relate his remarks to the Minister's portfoUo. Mr LESTER: He has received the message loud and clear. I ani very honoured that the Minister has asked me to participate in this very important Estimates debate. It covers the developnient of the North which, of course, includes the electorate of Peak Downs. Mr R. J. Gibbs: This was written for you by Sir Robert Sparkes. . Mr LESTER: The member for Wolston is not interested in hearing about the devedop- ment of the North and the development of Peak Downs. The ALP is clearly not interested in the electorate of Peak Downs. That Is why at the last election the ALP vote fell by 6 per cent. The ALP should not talk about members of Parliament not doing their job; it is dead wrong, Mr McKechnie: Your constituents thought you knew something about industrial relations. Mr LESTER: They most certainly did. I have received many letters of praise and support. The people have been very critical of the actions of the ALP. The Peak Downs electorate looks forward to a very bright future and I wUl now go into that in a Uttle more detail. A number of new coal-mines are about to be commissioned, such as Riverside, Daunia and Winchester South in the Moranbah area, Blair Athol and Wolfang in the Clermont area, Tieri near CapeUa and Curragh near Blackwater. That shows the diversification of development throughout the electorate and will mean the constraction of a raU Unk between Gladstone and Hay Point via every one of those coal-mines. That will service industry and provide a catalyst for the development of secondary industry. Coal is not the only asset of Peak Downs; it has seen one of the greatest increases in grain production in Australia. In the last three years production has doubled and in the next six years it wUl redouble. The gemfields of Queensland are second to none. The cotton industry, which came to Emerald a few years ago, has turned the area into the chief cottpn producer in Queensland. We have a great future ahead of us in tourism—tourism from the North and the South. Mr R. J. GIBBS: I rise to a point of order. I fail to see that the points raised by the honourable member for Peak Downs have anything to do with the Estimates being debated. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Akers): Order! I was having sonie difficulty myself. I would like the member to relate his speech to the Minister's portfoUo. Mr LESTER: I thank you, Mr Akers. It just shows that the ALP cannot cop it. Goodness me, they wiU pay for it next election. When I start to hit hard, they interject. That's what babies do—kids of three and four, Mr McKechnie: They are trying to stop you talking about your electorate. 2950 22 Ofctober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

Mr LESTER: That is definitely so. Any electorate that has part of hs population in the northern area is, in my book, an electorate that is part of northern Queensland. Indeed, to prove what I am talking about, Mr Akers, I point out that Bush Pilots Airways has direct connections between TownsvUle and Moranbah. We have direct bus services bdween Townsvilie and Moranbah. There is a very important road link between Clermont and Charters Towers. These points make it very clear that we have a link with the northern part of Australia. Quite frankly, the northern part of Australia would not exist if it were not for the very beneficial assistance given by the Central Queensland area. The rail Unk I was referring to will connect Gladstone through Blackwater, Emerald, Tieri and Moranbah to GoonyeUa and Hay Point. That wiU be a catalyst for many secondary industries. It will provide the impetus for the creation of many more jobs in Central Queensland and employment opportunities in northern parts of the State, It is important that I deal with grain-growing for a moment. The growing of wheat, sorghum, and sunflower—^to say nothing of cotton—shpw;s that there is an excellent diversifi­ cation of primary produdion in the central and northern areas of the Peak Downs electorate. I am very pleased that the Minister has indicated that he will be visiting Peak Downs to look at the matters I am referring to tod'ay. I turn now to the gemfields. It gives me a great deal of pleasure every time there is a hoUday period to meet people from northern Queensland who come down to fossick in the gemfields. Mr Borbidge: You were very weU respected in the gemfields when I was there. Mr LESTER: I thank the member for Surfers Paradise. There is reciprocal interest. Many people from the gemfields fossick in the tin-mining areas of North Queensland. There is definitely a spirit of co-operation between the two areas. Mr Davis: When do you go on display? Mr LESTER: 1 am very pleased that the member for Brisbane Central at least realises that the subject of my speech is one that should go on display. 1 shall display h right throughout the Peak Downs electorate and I will say that he, as a member of the ALP, suggested that I should do so. I am very pleased to hear that the Townsvilie Airport will be given international status. That will result in tourists coming direct to northern Australia from the United States, from New Zealand and from South-east Asian countries, which I understand is the next move. People from Britain and many other parts of the world will be landing at TownsvUle. Those people wUl link with commuter aircraft such as Bush Pilots, with bus services and with hire car organisations to visit that part of northern and central AustraUa contained within the Peak Downs electorate. The question might be asked: What is there for tourists to look at? To that I would reply that a coal-mine is a very important tourist attraction. I am quite sure that there would be many people listening to this speech tonight who would not realise that a drag-Une is some three storeys high. Mr Davis interjected. Mr LESTER: The member for Brisbane Central lives in the city. He is laughing at my statements. If he ever visits my electorate, I wiU show him the size of a drag-line. He will then be able to gauge the situation for himself. A visit to a coal-mine to inspect a drag-line is a very interesting exercise. Gems and other valuable stones may be found in my electorate at places such as Rubyvale, Sapphire and Emerald. Mr McKechnie: You are making a gem of a speech. Mr LESTER: I thank the member for Carnarvon for recognising a good speech. People visiting North Queensland receive a two-way deal. They are taken through the inland and return to the coast. There is no point in visitors' landing at TownsviUe and travelling down the coast to Brisbane and then returning. However, they wiU be able to visit the Fairbaim Dam, one of the best dams in Australia. It can be compared with the Tinaroo Dam in North Queensland. I think it contains three times the volume of Sydney Harbour, so it is a very big show. Everything in the electorate of Peak Downs is a big show. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2951

The Carnarvon Gorge is an exceUent tourist attraction. Some people have not been visiting that part of Australia in recent years because they are under the impression that insufficient accommodation is available. However, the situation is improving all the time. A very definite need exists in Northern and Central Queensland for more water storage. It is a great pity that we have to haggle so much whenever we need a dam built to service our areas. One only needs to think of the great need for more water for the coal-mining that is taking place and just what can be done if a dam is built to provide water storage for agricultural areas. A great number of new towns will be established in the Central Highlands and northern area. Without sufficient water, those towns will not be as good as we would like them to be. I would like to give an example of the importance of water storage. The Fairbairn Dam cost approximately $20m. Since the construction of that dam the population in Emerald and the Central Highlands area has more than quadrupled. Eighty irrigation farms have been developed as a result of the construction of the dam. Many secondary industries are required to support those farms. The dam is supporting the needs of many coal-mining companies. Some coal-mining companies are making net profits of the order of $l40m. The availabUity of water from the Fairbairn Dam has contributed to those profits. The Federal Government has recouped its expenditure over and over again. The dam has provided very much pleasure to a great number of people who use it for recreational activities. Mr McKechnie: It should be the capital of Queensland. Mr LESTER: We are working on that, but we have a little way to go. We are burying our heads in the sand in relation to water storage facUities. Invariably they provide benefits in the long ran. Every water storage facility that has been provided in Queensland has brought with it employment, farming and so on. I am sure that the cost of providing aU our water storage facilities has been recouped over and over again. Queensland needs to embark upon a poUcy of borrowing money for water resources. Provided we get it, it does not matter whether the money comes from overseas. An assessment should be made as to where dams wUl be needed in the future and construction should be commenced right now. A dam with a capacity simUar to that of the Fairbairn Dam would probably cost $100m. If construction was not commenced for another six or seven years, the cost would be $200m or even more. The construction now of all the dams that are considered necessary will ensure that sufficient water will be provided for the State as a whole and in the long term a huge amount of money will be saved. The cost of those dams wiU be recouped from the benefits flowing to the State from the establishment of industries that those dams will support. Mr Davis: And we will get tourists on the way through. Mr LESTER: Tourism is only one aspect. Certainly the Fairbairn Dam has attracted tourists, but clearly, the greatest benefits have flowed to the irrigated farms, the mines and other industries. Mr McKechnie interjected. Mr LESTER: I will have to reprimand the member for Carnarvon. He is not being quite as helpful as he should be.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Akers): I suggest that the honourable member Ignore him and continue with his speech. Mr LESTER: It is imperative that the Government keeps looking to the needs of Central Queensland. WhUst I admh that North Queensland is a very important part of the State, I consider that the time has come for the appointment of a Minister for Central Development. That suggestion is not as sUly as h sounds. We in Central Queensland are frequently told about what is occurring in North Queensland and what is happening in the south, and m some respects feel left out. The huge development that is taking place in Central Queensland and North Queensland imposes a heavy burden on the system. Such devdopment calls for the establishment of more schools and the provision of additional heaUh fadUties. As the chairman of the Mirani Shire CouncU, the member for Mirani and the chairman of the Broadsound Shire 2952 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

Council wiU agree, a tremendous infrastructure is needed to support such massive develop­ ment. Such a severe strain is put on the system that the rate of development of the infrastructure cannot take that strain. Without a Minister representing Central Queensland, it is harder for that part of the State to bear the strain. Central Queensland lacks the input into the decision-making of Cabinet.

Mr Davis: Are you interested in the job?

Mr LESTER: I am merely saying that the position should be created. Queensland has a Minister for Northern Development and it has several Ministers who represent electorates in the southern part of the State. No Minister represents Central Queensland, which for want of a better phrase, is the beUy of Queensland, Central Queensland produces enormous quantities of coal. By the year 2020, Australia will be producing 400 miUion tonnes of coal each year. That is a lot of coal. At the present time it is producing only 80 miUion to 90 million tonnes of coal a year. Great expansion Ues ahead, and most of the expansion will occur in Central Queensland, Furthermore, Central Queensland is rich in gems. It also has great industrial develop­ ment in the Gladstone area, which is second to none in the State, and power-stations at Callide and Gladstone. Another will be built at StanweU. That means that Central Queens­ land wiU be providing nearly aU the power that is required by the State. Central Queensland has a lot going for it, and it is high time that it was recognised. A lot of pepple are being attracted to Central and North Queensland.

An Opposition Member interjected. '

Mr LESTER: It is very clear that the Government's poUcies have attracted many people to Central and North Queensland. When the ALP was in power in the Federal sphere, not one new coal-mine was started in Australia. When the ALP was in power in Queensland very few coal-mines were operating here. We have encouraged coal-mining and provided employment in a way that was never thought possible. Followirig the abolition of death duties people in their droves came from all over Australia to Cairns and TownsvUle.

Mr Smith: They did that prior to 1957, when the Koombooloomba Dam and the Barron Falls and TuUy FaUs hydroelectric schemes were buUt. No hydro schemes have been constructed since then.

Mr LESTER: We do not need them now. We can use our natural coal resources in our powerhouses. (Time expired.) [Sitting suspended from 6.1 to 7.15 p.m.]

Mr JENNINGS (Southport) (7.15 p.m.): I compUment the Minister on the presentation of his Estimates. Because his portfolio is wide-ranging and touches every other ministry, it involves major responsibilities. Northem development, of course, relates to the whole of the North. Marine services, of course, cover the coastline. The Leader of the Opposition was unjust when he said that the Minister's portfolio was a toothless tiger. I am sure all honourable members realise the importance of the North and of the Department of Harbours and Marine. To describe the Minister's portfolio as a gigantic hoax is to be far from the truth. Indeed, the speech made by the Leader of the Opposition was not typical of those made by other Opposition members. No other Opposition member expressed the same sentiments. I am sure that they all realise the importance of the portfolio. The Leader of the Opposition said that development in North Queensland has come to a halt. We all know that that is not so. Many things are happening, and always wiU be happening, in the North. As I found in the 1960s, it is a land of great opportunity. The Leader of the Opposition spoke of Labor's leasehold policy being so important. I will have a few words to say about that later. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2953

The Leader of the Opposition displayed his lack of understanding of the problems and scope of the portfolio when he said that the Department of Northern Development should be controlled by the Premier. We all know the job that the Premier is doing and how busy he is. That statement by the Leader of the Opposition was ridiculous and far from reaUty. Indeed, no other Opposition member has referred to it. The member for Mourilyan, a Labor member, said that he had great expectations of the new portfolio. I agree with him. He said that the longest milk run in the world started at Malanda. That is a good example of private enterprise and what it can do. The Minister controls the Gold Coast Waterways Authority which, in turn, is responsible for the Gold Coast and many areas in my electorate. It is responsible for marinas, boats and clean water. The authority is going through a very interesting, important formative stage. It is preparing major plans for developing marinas, investigating whether The Broadwater should be dredged, whether fish wiU be affected, how the Southport bar should be stabiUsed, whether bigger boats should come into The Broadwater and many other matters. AU of these matters must be examined in detaU. I am pleased with the way the Gold Coast Waterways Authority is handling The Broadwater project. It prepared an excellent plan, placed it on exhibition and asked for comments. The comments are now being examined and an environmental impact study is being prepared. I have nothing but praise for the activities of the authority at this stage. It is acting in the interests of the community. I am sure aU honourable members reaUse that the number of boats on the Gold Coast is increasing dramatically. The Broadwater is a magnificent stretch of water. Last Sunday, when the Across the Broadwater swim was held, a few activists said that people should not swim in The Broadwater because of sewage problems and so on. 1 swam three times in The Broadwater in the last couple of weeks without suffering in any way. Mr Hooper: What has this to do with the portfolio of Noi-thern Development?

Mr JENNINGS: The honourable member for Archerfield does not realise that the Minister's portfolio covers Harbours and Marine. It is important to recognise that 74 000 private boats and 10 000 sailing craft are registered in Queensland. A high percentage of them are in my area. I compliment the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, the Air Sea Rescue and the life-saving organisations. Each of them is a perfect example of a typical Australian volunteer service staffed by those who are willing to help others on week-ends and holidays. They all do a fantastic job and have a world-wide reputation. We have magnificent beaches. Nothing anywhere else in the world can match them. The Beach Protection Authorhy is doing an excellent job in replenishment work. A person has only to go to the top floor of a high-rise building and he can see the planting that has been done, the grass that is growing and the other protective work that has been done. I have nothing but compliments in that regard. The authority is doing an excellent job. Beaches affect tourism. We have become famous for our beaches, particularly those on the Gold Coast, They bring a tremendous number of people to the area. I have noticed an interesting approach to finance in regard to Hay Point and some of the other major works. I iiotice that there are contributions from the coal companies in regard to Hay Point as well as offshore works funded by the State, and $17m has been borrowed overseas. The honourable member for Mt Isa inentioned a number of interesting facts about the North. He mentioned tax incentives and education. This year the Budget increases allowances for children who leave the North to attend school. He mentioned the importance of roads. When I was in the Gulf Country in the 1960s, the Australian Beef Road Scheme was a magnificent concept. Possibly we should be considering, regardless of the Commonwealth's attitude, whether we can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on such a scheme. In those days that scheme was regarded as important from the defence point of view as well as the development point of view. We had the Devdop the North Commhtee. 2954 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

A number of people in the south were saying that everyone should go and live in the North. Some of them were saying that everyone but themselves should go and live in the North and risk their money. I went up there. We should be considering a major scheme for northern development that will have a big impact on all of Queensland. We are as big as France and the potential is so enoromous because of our relatively smaU population. The south-east corner has a big population and, of course, it is Increasing. The honourable member for Flinders mentioned a couple of fascinating points about the beef industry. He mentioned the protein drought. This is so true. A lot of people do not appreciate that, although we have long dry periods in the North. When I left the building industry in the 1960s I went up into the North. Before going there. I investigated all types of industry to see which one I would go into. I looked at minerals and many others, and I came to the conclusion that the two industries with the greatest potential were beef and minerals. Beef was the best of the primary industries in those days because we could produce beef for nearly one-third of the cost of United States beef. That area is above 25m rainfall. There is no better beef country in AustraUa than the Gulf Country. I wiU argue that with the fellows round Rockhampton, which is good country. But when a person studies what happens to capital, and his capital is represented by so many buUs and so many cows and he has a certain branding percentage—and we got it up to over 75 per cent—he has an enormous capital growth because the properties are so big that they can hold large numbers of cattle. The turn-off figures are very good. With the use of protein licks in those days we could turn good dry country into terrific country. This is when we grew Townsvilie lucerne, as we used to call it. We used to burn the sandy ridge country and toss TownsviUe luceme seed out of a plane. When the rains came the sandy ridge country tumed into magnificent cattle country. The growth potential was quite fantastic. The member for Mt Isa mentioned tourism. People from other countries come here and see the Gold Coast and our magnificent Barrier Reef. But they are fascinated by the inland country. People used to say to me, "You must feel lonely up there," but there were lovely trees and brolgas dancing in the bush. I sometimes used to fly five to six hours a day. We started the aerial mustering technique in the 1960s. I used to fly over our stockmen, who had radios strapped to their chests. This is where I gained my respect for Aborigines, because I saw what they did on the ground while I was flying over them. One day a big eagle took off alongside me. He then flew very close to the plane and worried me. From then on, that eagle used to take off with me every day. It was fascinating. I have seen brolgas dancing and bulls fighting. People talk about the fighting abUity of various bulls but there is no doubt that a natural poll bull will beat a horned bull in a fight any day. The dingoes, brumbies and natural springs made it the most fascinating and magnificent country that one could see. One could always sell cattle to the coastal fattening areas at any time of the year and get a return. I used to sell cattle out of season and then buy more breeders. One's capital doubled in about three years, and then quadrupled in a few more years. It is incredible what one can do up there. I mention that because the opportunities are still there today. Mr Warner: They have beautiful water just below the surface. Mr JENNINGS: That is right. There is magnificent water up there. There are the magnificent Flinders Grasses and the blacksoU plains. Even the spear grass Is terrific stock feed when bumt. It is magnificent country that is underestimated by the cattlemen. As I say, the same opportunities are still there. At the time I purchased my 600 square mUe property, I remember looking at a Mt Mulgrave property, which comprised an area of 1 400 square mUes. I was a member of the Etheridge Shire Council at that time. One of the reasons why I became a member of the council was that the Government wanted to close down the railway line to Forsayth. We kicked up such a row that it did not close down the railway line. In fact, it even painted the railway station. That line is still open today. Apparently some "cookie" down here in Brisbane got his figures wrong. He said that the line was not paying from Mt Surprise to Mareeba, but it was paying from Mareeba to Cairns. However, he forgot that the reason it was payirtg from Mareeba to Cairns was that the cattle were coming in from the other end. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2955

We should remember what happened in those days. There was the People the North Committee and "Operation Elbow Room". Everybody in the South said ,"We must fill our empty North." Because the people in the South were saying that, it had an effect. The people in the South wanted people in the North to defend them. That is what h was all about. Then the beef roads scheme was introduced, and it is of tremendous benefit even today. That is the sort of thing we need up north. The Leader of the Opposition talked about a leasehold land policy. It is said that a leasehold land policy would benefit the whole community. But every business is normally financed by hs assets, and its major assets are its buildings and its freehold. In September 1964 I represented the Etheridge Shire Council at the Local Government Association conference in TownsviUe. On behalf of the Etheridge Shire Council, I moved the following resolution— "With a view to encouraging investment and development in Queensland that the Government be requested to set up a competent independent authority to investigate the full ramifications of the transfer of all leasehold land in Queensland to freehold and also to recommend the conditions for such transfer." The conference passed that motion without dissent. In those days there were 6(X)000 square miles of leasehold country in Queensland on which the owners could not raise a brass razoo. Today, that area has been reduced to 500 000 square miles, and I congratulate the Government on that achievement. The editorial in "The Courier-Mail" of 1 October 1964, under the heading "Land Policy for a Timeless Land", stated— "Only recently delegates to the annual conference of the Local Government Association of Queensland at TownsvUle declared that the freeholding of more land in North Queensland would be one of the fastest methods of achieving northern development. How right they were!" Mr Eaton: If you had a leasehold property—either a grazing lease or a perpetual lease— you would be able to borrow the same amount of money from a bank as you would if the property was freehold.

Mr JENNINGS: When the honourable member for Mourilyan was speaking during the Address-in-Reply debate, he said that leases should be extended from 30 to 50 years, and I agree with him. But the facts are that if a person has a title for land, he can go to a bank and say, "That is my title", and borrow money for development. One cannot go along to a bank with a leasehold property and borrow money on it. One cannot borrow on a leasehold property the same amount of money that one can on a freehold property. A freehold titie is a security and an asset. However, I endorse what the honourable member said about extending leases from 30 to 50 years. That would make a big difference, but by the same token freehold title will help the young fellow, the little fellow, who is trying to get started. It is important that he get bridging finance to carry him through. Leasehold conditions are the reason that so many big companies are in the industry; they need shareholders to support them. I notice that the tonnage of cargo that has passed through Queensland ports in the last 12 months has decreased slightly. That could be related to the large number of strikes that have occurred. Recently when I was in Newcastle I noticed that 32 bulk carriers were moored in the nearby area. I do not think anybody would approve of such a waste of money. In the end, everybody pays for that. The member for Bulimba said that the Government tried to dictate slave-like terms. That is not quite right. I have always said that incentives are the greatest benefit to anybody in any industry. The harder people work, the more they get; if they do not work as hard, they do not get as much. I know that bonuses cannot be paid in every industry, but bonuses are the greatest deterrent to strikes and militant unionism. When I was at Mt Surprise a bonus scheme operated. I used to employ labour aU year round; it was not seasonal employment. The employees knew that they could return in the third week of January and be immediately put on the pay-roll. We worked the whole year round. The scheme paid off handsomely. The longer an employee was there, the bigger was his bonus. We also had a superannuation scheme. Because some things were being done not quite in accordance with the award, the union organiser came out. 2956 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

but he soon;saw that we were doing a lot of things that Were much better than the award. After negotiations, the union representative agreed that our employees had the best conditions of any cattle property in the North in those days. The Mackay Harbour Board is constmcting an export terminal. I wiU be very interested to see how the Cairns Harbour Board operates the Cairns Airport. I was interested to hear that since the introduction of netting no shark attacks have occurred. That helps tourism because it gives visitors a great deal of confidence. The "Guide to Fishes" book is an excellent pubUcation. The Minister mentioned quarantine. I agree that we must be ever vigilant to prevent the entry of foot and mouth disease and other diseases that can do great harm to the nation. I congratulate the Department of Harbours and Marine on setting a world record for a single lift of coal of 165 000 tonnes. Everybody realises the importance of the work Pf pUots in bringing large ships into harbours and taking them out to the open sea. When one thinks of the terrible accident that occurred iri Tasmania when the "Lake Illawarra" collided with the bridge, one realises the importance of pilots. Some idea of the size of Queensland is gained when one realises that Queensland has over 2 000 navigation aids which have to be served regularly. That highlights the importance of the department. The annual inspection by shipwrights or engineering surveyors, or both as the case may be, of hire dinghies, tourist launches, etc., which is a little similar to the inspection for the issue of a certificate of airworthiness for an aircraft; is important because tourists can feel assured that an accident will not be caused by, say, the failure of equipment. The revenue of the department is interesting, especially the amount that comes from pilotage and sundry collections. I compliment the Minister, his departmental officers and also the Government, • The new department has major responsibilities as it covers many aspects of the State's development. Because he has to negotiate with other Ministers on many matters, this Minister probably has one of the most difficult portfolios. Mr Hooper: There would not be a brain among the whole lot of them. Mr JENNINGS: When he makes a statement like that, the member for Archerfield reflects upon himself. The new portfolio is a positive step forward and I congratulate the Minister, his officers and the Government. Mr HANSEN (Maryborough) (7.35 p.m.): I disagree with some speakers who do not place a great deal of importance on the two sections of the Minister's portfolio, the Estiniates of which we are today debating. I believe that northern development is important, but people could be forgiven for thinking that it is a myth and that the Government's interest in the development of the North hinges very much on whether an election is in the offing. Those of my age and older would well recall that over the last 34 years we have been inundated with cries of, "Develop the North". The People the North Commhtee was formed. Larry Foley, its publicity officer, was stationed in TownsviUe, and he did a tremendous amount of work. I only hope that the Minister's officers stationed in Townsvilie and Cairns will be able to do similar work to that performed by Larry Foley. He took up the theme, but unfortunately there was disappointment in the results, which were not coming as quickly as some would have Uked. In the early post-war years the Curtin Labor Government formed the Northem Australian Development Committee, which comprised the Prime Minister and the Premiers of Queens­ land and Western Australia. That committee met regularly to conceive ways to co-operate in projects for northern development. They looked at fisheries and the industries that then existed to see what could be done. There was an underlying theme to all of this. People saw that there was an unpopulated North. They saw what could have happened if the Brisbane Line plan had been adopted. It was felt that as there was a need to populate the North people should be encouraged to go there. The People the North concept was given a great deal of impetus because of that, Indonesia was growing in importance; there Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2957 was a feeUng.of its nationhood. People were prepared to swear on a stack of Bibles that the Indonesians would be marching into North Queensland at any time. One of the men to put the kibosh on that was Sir Raymond Huish. President of the Returned Servicemen's League, who said that we had nothing to fear from the Indonesians. At various times there has been taUc of a threat from the north, with people saying that the best thing to do was to put people in our North. The Northern Australian Development Committee discussed various schemes, such as the Burdekin scheme, which had its commencement in an understanding that there would be co-operation from the Federal Govemment. The beef roads scheme was put forward and a study was made of it, as was land settlement and the breaking-up of cattle properties in the Northem Territory. Although that related to the Northern Territory, the land affected adjoined Queensland. The meetings were held less regularly under the Menzies Government after 1949, although people were stiU thinking about populating the North, Just to confirm what I said about the Government's interest in developing the North— in the year 1961-62 the allocation to Western Australia and Queensland for various projects io the North went from £1.2m in the previous year to £6m. The Federal Government was interested; an election was coming. In 1963-64, another election year, the aUocation was £11.2m. In 1965 the Budget aUocation was reduced to £6m, but five months later, on the eve of the Dawson by-election, when the then Director of Northern Development (Dr Rex Patterson) resigned and contested the seat on behalf of the Australian Labor Party—and won h—a further £3m for beef roads was announced by the Minister for National Development. Consequently, I say that the only way to get Commonwealth Government interest in the development of the North is through the power of an election. One of the reasons why there has been a falling off of Commonwealth interest is that the Government draws support from the northern parts of Australia and does not beUeve that it has to "buy votes", if that is the term, by funding some of these very worthwhile projects, I have heard honourable members on both sides say that. In May 1973. when the Whitlam Government resumed power, the Northern Development CouncU was formed. The Premier was a representative on that councU. The Leader of the Opposition said that the Premier should have some responsibHity for northem develop­ ment because the Co-ordinator-General's. Department is part of his portfoUo and various departments are involved. The previous speaker mentioned that the Minister had to co-operate with and co-ordinate the efforts of a number of departments. Probably the Minister would carry more weight if he were Premier. I am not nominating him for that position; that may be the kiss of death. In November 1973, the inaugural meeting of the Northern Development Council was attended by the Northern Development and Northern. Territory Minister (Dr Patterson), who was chairman, the Queensland Premier (Mr Bjelke-Petersen) and the Western Australian Minister for the North West, Mr Bickerton. I have already mentioned that £6.6m had been aUocated for development of the North. The previous Country Party Premier (Mr NickUn) and Sir Charles Court were present at some of the meetings. If anyone knows anything about the devdopment of the North of Australia, it is Sir Charles Court. The troika has never met since the Fraser Government has been in office. I do not know whether that is part of the Fraser federalism theme. The Federal Government has not dis­ cussed the matter with the States and has left them with the decision as to how the money should be allocated. Money is now being made available for water resources, and I am sure that the Minister would agree with me that the allocaton of funds is far below what might be expected. Many people could be excused for believing that the development of the North is very much tied up with elections. I am not suggesting that the Minister should not try to do something. A number of surveys have been conducted, and freight costs in the North have been mentioned by a number of speakers. The surveys showed that freight costs Were a problem. The situation has not changed; indeed, freight costs have increased. When sales tax is added to freight costs, the burden becomes even a heavier burden. The zone allowance recognises that difficulties exist in that area, but it does not offer any relief. More concessions should be made to the States by the Federal Government. 1 am sure that the States would take advantage of any such concessions. 2958 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

The Minister's portfolio is becoming increasingly important. There is a need for improved rail and port facilities to handle the expected increase in grain production. Queensland's early settlement was centred mainly on the ports. However, many of those ports, such as Maryborough, have now become redundant because they do not cater for the present-day ships. Ships are getting bigger all the time. In 1978-79, Queensland ports handled 53 280 278 tonnes of cargo, carried by 3 788 vessels. Last year, approximately 58 000000 tonnes of cargo was handled by 241 fewer ships. In other words, fewer ships are carrying greater quantities of cargo. The majority of those ships would be engaged in overseas trades. Those figures clearly illustrate the increase in the size of ships, and this necessitates deeper and wider shipping channels. The Government should not just look at the possibility of having dredging carried out 6n a contract basis. It may save the Government a good deal of caphal investment in machinery. Nevertheless, there is a need for the Department of Harbours and Marine to maintain its own dredging plant. I am sure that the Minister will recall that following severe flooding in North Queensland the channels in one of the ports were sUted up, and a dredge had to be sent from Brisbane to clear them. If a dredge had had to be sent out from Europe to undertake the work, a long delay would have occurred and the port would have suffered from a good deal of lost time. The Port of Brisbane Authority has raised the matter of ship-repair faciUties in Brisbane. In fact, a submission was made to the Minister's predecessor by the unions and employers associated with the ship-repair industry in Brisbane. That submissiori asked that Cairncross Dock be lengthened and widened. It is not merely a matter of the workers' saying that they would be out of a job; the people of Brisbane realised that if the dock was not extended the port stood to lose an industry worth at least $5m a year. The work at Cairncross Dock is decreasing to such an extent that soon it wiU have very little, if any at aU. Ships that have to undergo survey or require repairs, for example, to a tail-shaft, require adequate docking facilities. Such facUities must be available in the port of Brisbane. I agree with the honourable member for Bulimba that this matter should be looked at also in terms of defence. That matter was raised in a previous debate. The Minister replied that high labour costs and industrial disputes created problems. I do not deny the existence of problems; but no problem is insurmountable. The honourable member for Southport advocated the introduction of incremental payments. I remember that when I was a member of a local authority it saw the value in incremental payments and made them. It was castigated for doing that. Incremental payments provide an incentive to workers who have given loyal service to remain with their employer. Any employer with common sense realises that. I am pleased that the honourable member for Southport realises it. I do not claim that the workers at Cairncross are not wrong. Neverthdess, the conditions under which they work require investigation. After a quick decision needs to be made, and I am sure that the men wUl accept that decision. As one honourable member has said, it is possible to buy goods cheaper somewhere else. We like to buy our manufactured goods in Singapore and be paid Australian wages, but if we want AustraUan wages, we must be prepared to buy goods at a price commensurate with those wages. I do not think that overseas workers work harder than Australians. Judging from what I have seen, in many instances Australians work much harder than thdr overseas counterparts. The Minister referred to the numbei- of inspections carried out to ensure that vessels are fitted out properly and carry the right equipment. According to the report of the Department of Harbours and Marine the registration of private motor boats increased by 2 371 in the past year, with 121 more registrations in the Maryborough district alone. I do not know if there is any significance in the fact that the number of registrations decreased in Toowoomba. Initial surveys were carried out on 443 new vessels, the largest category being motor boats and motor vessels, with the next highest category being 147 new fishing vessels. I do not know whether that pattern wUl be followed next year after the changes to the Fish Board. The Minister emphasises the importance of carrying out proper surveys. I could not agree with him more. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2959

The Minister shares with the Minister for Primary Industries the Queensland Fisheries and Boating Patrol. I do not know if that means the responsibility will be separated or shared. Mr Bird: We wiU share It. Mr HANSEN: That is good sense. The boating patrol people have been instrumental in getting people taking crabs illegally convicted. I am pleased that that is happening. I read this week that this delicacy is fast geting beyond the pockets of many people, but I was pleased to note that the Chief Fisheries Inspector said that the shortage of crabs is seasonal, I urge the Minister to ensure that this part of the work of the Fisheries and Boating Patrol be continued. Because I heard that the protection of female crabs might be discontinued, I was pleased to hear the Minister say that that was not on, I feel that the investigations at Deception Bay wiU prove we should maintain protection as long as possible, I join with my colleague from Bulimba in his appeal to extend the Cairncross Dock. I know that overhead costs are the problem, and that a submission was made to Sir William Knox, when he was Treasurer. I put to the Minister that in this instance we have to consider, just as we would when buying a new car, whether we should repair the old one, or get a new one. Some assistance must be given for expansion of the dock. I understand that the Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police said that when the new bridge is being planned widening of the dock will be allowed for. If something is not done quickly it will become a white elephant, much to the sorrow of those people who depend on ship-repairing in the port of Brisbane.

Mrs KYBURZ (Salisbury) (7.54 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to speak to the Minister's Estimates. I am particularly interested in the Beach Protection Authority, My concern about the northern development section of the Ministers portfolio relates to rates in Cairns and Port Douglas, I know that the rating system depends very much on the Local Govemment Act, but the Minister must be concerned about the many elderly people who are being rated out of North Queensland, The rates, particularly in Cairns and Port Douglas, which are Paradise Lost sorts of areas, are quite beyond the pensioners who are now living there. Queensland must move quickly towards a differential rating system because that is the only hope for residents of Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman and other beautiful areas where people are paying ridiculous prices and thus causing the rates to rise. The works programs for those local shires are obviously divided among the property holders. Because of the higher population the works programs are escalating. Consequently, a differential rating system would be far fairer all round. According to the annual report, the functions of the Department of Harbours and Marine are quite wide and interesting. Every member will find something of interest in that annual report. I congratulate the department. It has produced one of the better annual reports. Some tell absolutely nothing. This one is full of information, as are the reports of the various harbour boards. One of the departmental functions listed is the supervision of canal development under the Canals Act. Would the Minister inform us how often water quality tests are done in canals, particularly in South Queensland? Are water quality controls quite stringent? It has been of concern to some people living in canal areas that sometimes their water is polluted. One occasionally reads Press reports about that matter. I would like to be reassured that the water is tested regularly. I did not notice that one of the departmental functions is the marine testing of foreign vessels. Obviously that would be extremely difficult. But I noticed that marine surveys of intrastate vessels are done. Towards the back of the report there is some mention of foreign vessels. I will be referring to that later. I wonder what are the departmental functions conceming foreign vessels, with particular relationship to the Taiwanese junks. I wiU be asking the Minister a question about that later. The section on pollution of waters by oil is particularly interesting. The national plan for tackling oU pollution has been well thought out and set up. However, the main heavy equipment Is stationed in Sydney. Although the report stipulates that the heavy equipment could be flown to any area where there is a massive oil spill, how quickly could 2960 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) it be got to an area such as Hay Point or TownsvUle? It seems to me that; it would take some hours to locate a plane capable of carrying that equipment, load the equipment onto the plane and fly it to the area. Hours are important when we are dealing with areas so close to the Great Barrier Reef. It is an excellent national plan but this State CJovernment has not purchased its own oil pollution control equipment. If I am wrong, I can be corrected. Queensland, with such a long coastline and such a wonderful area of marine life, ought to have its own oil pollution control equipment. That is a very important function of the department. The department is ever-expanding, I notice under the section deaUng with the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, a paragraph headedi "Public Education". I would like to know in what why the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol educates boat owners. If a person is considering buying a boat, can he have the boat or its safety features tested? One matter that always concerns me is fire in boats. Can a person who is considering buying a boat go to officers of the Minister's department and get professional advice, particularly on safety features and fire protection? I do not think that many people who go boating realise the potential danger of fires in boats. The functions of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol are wide and varied and, considering the number of water-ways that it has to supervise in Queensland, it has to be well supported with both finance and manpower, I often wonder how many officers of the service are on duty on the major water-ways of Queensland over the week-end. Do those officers work at week-ends and have days off during the week? Or is the position what one hears from week-end boaters, who say, "We are aU right on Saturday and Sunday, They don't go out." I would like to think that the officers of the Boating and Fisheries Patrol are on duty at week-ends and during holiday periods, I have seen dangerous skiing on the North Coast water-ways near Caloundra. I am sure that, if officers of the Boating and Fisheries Patrol had been present, charges would have been laid. I now refer to the section of the department's report dealing with protection from sharks. I know that the shark-meshing program is extremely important. As the report states, the program is not intended to provide a distinct and safe barrier between sharks and people; it is intended to reduce the shark population. However, I would like to know what happens to dolphins and other sea creatures that are caught in the nets. The nets extend along a long stretch of the coastline. The report points out that there are 24 nets and 64 drum lines. I would like to know whether any attempt is made by the contractors to rescue the marine life, other than sharks, that is caught in the nets. The cost of the meshing program is not large, and I am sure that the program has more than paid for hself through the safety that it has provided for swimmers. In fact, $390,000 is not a great deal of money in the overall expenditure of the department. I think that the work is extremely important. However, I would like to know if the department has considered giving warnings about box jellyfish and ciguatera poisoning. I know that box jeUyfish are found in areas around Heron Island. I am not too sure about Green Island. I know that warnings about them are displayed on the back of hotel doors. I think that the vyarnings should be given in languages other than English—certainly in ItaUan, because there is a large Italian population in North Queensland. Warnings should be given in daily newspapers about the periods of the year when the box jellyfish are prevalent. I am convinced that some sort of public warning should be given about ciguatera poisoning because h is a dreadful disease and many people are fearful of contracting it. I note from the annual report of the Townsvilie Harbour Board that the tonnage of exports of meat and associated products was well down last financial year. Mr Hooper: What do you base those figures on?

Mrs KYBURZ: I will read them out to the honourable member. As he is nd a Govemment member he will be interested to know. In 1971 the figure was 27 000 tonnes and in 1979 it decreased to 16 605 tonnes. However, in 1980 it was down to 3 237 tonnes. That is a deplorable state of affairs and I wonder what the reason is. Could it be industrial action or was h for some other reason? I have read the report fully and it does not seem to be explained. On the recent trip to South Korea the parUamentary delegation was informed that it was extremely difficult to import meat shipped from TownsviUe Harbour. The waterside Supply (Estimates) 22 Odober 1981 2961 workers were blamed. We were informed that it was much cheaper to buy meat that was exported through Sydney Harbour, even whh the longer shipping distance, than to buy from TownsvUle. This is to be deplored, and I wonder what the reason is. A great deal has been said about shipyards, and 1 ask the Minister about the one that has been taken over and augmented by Mr Lloyd. I know that that is the shipyard that built the floating gin palace which went by the name of "MeUta". I want to know if any Gov­ ernment assistance was provided. I wiU be extremely angry if it was. After all, that is, and should be, a private enterprise venture. Mr Burns: It is a tax lurk. Mrs KYBURZ: Obviously it is a tax lurk. A photograph of an apprehended foreign vessel abandoned among the mangroves of Smith's Creek appears in the report of the Cairns Harbour Board. The activities of these vessels are reprehensible, and far more stringent action needs to be taken. I ask the Minister if his department carries out any form of check on these vessels or is the Navy left to do the lot? Is there any interrelationship between his department and the Navy? On one of my visUs to Cairns someone at the naval base was good enough to explain how much work is involved in the apprehension of foreign fishing vessels, I am sure the Minister will agree that everybody finds thdr activities totaUy reprehensible, I often wonder whether spot checks are ever done on the scaUops sold in fish shops. I am concerned at newspaper reports that some scaUops that are sold in Queen^and are in fact cut-up giant clam meat. , . Mr Bums: They are cut-up pieces of fish. Mrs KYBURZ: I don't think they would be fish; they taste like scaUops to me. What sort of checks are done on commercially available scaUops? I also ask if there is any commercial fishing of beche-de-mer in North Queensland, Many i)eople, particulariy Asians, have deyeloj>ed a great liking for it, I certainly find it quite succulent, and I imagine others do. The electricity supply in North Queensland has been critised in this debate by a North Queensland member. I looked at the annual report of the State Electricity Commission and I have compared the percentage of units of kUowatt hours generated and units purchased in North Queensland. In fact, the Far North Queensland Electricity 'Board generated a total of 8 365 000 units. No units were purchased from the QEGB, The units generated and purchased by the Far North Queensland Electridty Board expressed as a fraction of the total is one-dghth. That seems to me to be a far greater figure than was stipulated by that member from North Queensland in his criticism that'not enough electricity is generated in North Queensland. The basis of the honourable member's argument is questionable. Obviously the amount of eledricity produced by the Far North Queensland Electricity Board is riot sufficient to supply an aluminium smelter; but, of Course, aluminium production is extremely energy-intensive. In fact, I think it is exceUent that the FNQEB is not capable of supplying electricity to an aluminium smelter. I denounce the spread of aluminium smelters in Australia. They are wasteful of energy, and I wish that more people would consider that. One section of the report shows the population within the Far North Queerisland Electricity Gerieration Board's area in juxtaposhion with the kilowatt hours generated. It is obvious from those figures that there is an adequate supply of electricity for the population in the area. The total number of consumers, domestic and industrial, is 43 912. The report shows that, expressed as a percentage of the kilowatt hours generated, the board has at least one-tenth more production than the other electricity generating boards. That puts paid to the statement that there is not enough electricity in Far North Queensland. The distribution and consumption statistics show that adequate electricity is produced. I turn quickly 'to the Beach Protection Authority and congratulate aU those who are involved in this very important aspect of the Minister's portfolio. Those of us who do not live on the coast must be grateful, if only from a distance. The Beach Protection Authority prepared plans showing a recommended buffer zone. Had that plan not been prepared, there would have been a far greater degradation of our coast. 2962 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

I know that some local authorities decry the work of the Beach Protection Authority, which they believe to be an interioper. AU I can say is that the responsibUity for such a parochial attitude rests squarely, if poorly, on the shoulders of the people who are supposed to be the deded representatives. One of the worst offenders is the Gold Coast City Council, which is concerned because it is constantly being told what to do and what not to do. It has made mistakes in the past. The Beach Pi-otection Authority is concerned with the whole of Queensland and with ensuring that simUar mistakes are not made in the future. In my opinion, all local authorities should pay far more than lip-service to the Beach Protection Authority, which does wonderful work aU along the coast. The COPE program has drawn from the community responsible pedple who are interested in the work of the Beach Protection Authority. The authority has wide­ spread community support. I say to the Minister that when I see people wearing the T-shirt of the Beach Protection Authority, I know that there is a great deal of concern about the coast. The Beach Protection Authority's Report is excellent. One of the matters of interest in it is the Green Island management plan. I would like to know how much private enterprise finance has been involved in the construction of the sand groyne. What future has the Green Island management plan? Is the groyne still under constraction? The report states that Hayles Magnetic Island Pty Ltd has been monitoring the construction of the groyne. I would like to know whether the performance of the groyne has measured up to expectations. The Minister would agree that Green Island is an extremely important factor in the tourist potential of Cairns. Once again I say, "Bravo, Beach Protection Authorhy! I think you are doing a magnificent job." Mr McKECHNIE (Carnarvon) (8.14 p.m.): I congratulate the Minister on his presentation of the Estimates. In particular, I wish to address myself later to the aspect of northern development. For six years I lived in North Queensland and I do have some sympathy for the problems faced by northern members and, perhaps, some criticism of the stories they tell about North Queensland, because the position is not quite as bad as we in this Chamber are sometimes led to believe. For example, although I left the Charters Towers area in 1974, I stiU remember it and the city of TownsviUe very well. All one hears from northem members are complaints about the problems of the North, but I would like the massive development that has taken place in the North to take place in my electorate. I congratulate the northern members on the way in which they have put their case. The people are very lucky to be represented by mostly National Party members, who have a great deal of influence on the Government. Generally, they have done an excellent job. I would suggest to them that they do not overplay their hand. Some members with electorates in the South have visited the North and things are not as bad as they sometimes try to paint them. When I was a resident of North Queensland. I lived 72 miles north of Charters Towers. At that time there was about 1 km of bitumen road in the area. I left the North after six years and by then, not only was there a bitumen road past my place, but the road was bituminised past Greenvale. That is fairly true of the type of development that has taken place in the North under the present Govemment. Of course, the North is not the only area which has problems, and one must look at some of the other areas for which the Minister is responsibUe. I was impressed with the speech made by the member for Sherwood. He spoke about the problems faced by his constituents, particularly the gravel barges traveUing up and down the river. I do not often agree with the member for Sherwood; he is a Uttle bh too legalistic for me and I would sooner he was more practical, but I think he put forward an excellent resume of the problems of his electorate. I think h behoves each and every one of us in this Assembly to support him in his endeavours to try to help the people of his electorate. He made the point that Brisbane must have a certain type of material, and no doubt it does. However, we must undertake some long-term planning to find a solution to the problem that is encountered in his electorate. The speech of the member for SaUsbury was in contrast to the speech made by the member for Barron River on the Beach Protection Authority. We should aU take a Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2963 greater interest in the Beach Protection Authority. The construction of buildings on the beach-front of the Gold Coast is a form of development that should not have been allowed. That development began in the days when the Labor Party was in power. The land was purchased prior to the present Govemment coming into office. Massive compensation would have had to be paid by the taxpayers if the Government had not tried to redress the wrongs that were created by that rather unimaginative Government we had for 30 or 40 years prior to 1957. Our Government has grasped the nettle and established the Beach Protection Authority to control development and avoid the problems that have arisen on the Gold Coast and been repeated in other areas of the State. I have spoken to the member for Barron River outside this Chamber about the problems in his area. I think that the officers of the department and the Minister should take note of what he is saying. It should be realised that it is the member for the area who is the elected representative of the people, not the Minister or the departmental heads and officers under their control. The local member is the one who has to stand on the platform. If he beUeves that some Government department or semi-governmental authority is doing something that is detrimental to his area, his wiU, not the whims of the Govemment department or the authority, should prevail. The local member has to accept his responsibilities. He is deded to represent his constituents. I am annoyed that on occasions Ministers and departmental heads exercise excessive pow­ ers in dealing with local problems. Most Ministers and departmental heads are co-operative, and that is appreciated by the back-bench members. However, occasionaUy a member who wants to have something done in his electorate and who knows that it will not affect any other electorate is told by departmental officers that it could set a precedent and therefore cannot be done. That is merely passing the buck. If the local member wants something done and there is no legal reason why it cannot be done, his will should prevaU. The WSnister referred to his interest in certain aspects of fishing. This is where a balance must be struck between individual freedoms and the will of the vast majority of people. Getting back to North Queensland—I used to live on the Burdekin River about 150 miles from its mouth. For several months of the year the river in that area dried up into water-holes about 200 or 3(K) yards long and 20 or 30 yards vride. They were not very deep. Spear-fishermen used to go into those water-holes and take every fish of any reasonable size. That type of conduct should not be tolerated. The community should be educated on the need to conserve fish. Furthermore, massive penalties should be imposed on those who breach the Fisheries Act. The Minister has under his control some inland water-ways. He is responsible, of course, for the Ucensing of boats. Some years ago the Department of Harbours and Marine was associated with the constracton of a boat ramp on the Storm King Dam. Boating people who live along the coast are not the only ones who want boating facilities; the people in the inland areas, too, want them. Admittedly the population of the inland areas is not veiy high, but then the facilities that they want are only very modest. I should Uke the Minister to place greater emphasis on the provision of boating facilities in inland areas. Something that is dear to my heart is the Fisherman Islands complex. I can foresee great problems for the grain industry and the wheat industry in particular in having their produce shipped from this wonderful State of ours. I was amazed to hear members of the Opposhion criticise the honourable member for Peak Downs for his interest in industrial relations. It is Impossible for grain growers to export thdr produce through ports in New South Wales, which is a Labor State. That State's industrial-relations record is absolutely shocking. Grain growers in northem New South Wales would dearly love to have a rail link with Queensland, thereby enabling them to export their grain through a port that enjoys a reasonable industrial-relations cUmate. Industrial relations is the easy problem— if any problem could be described as easy; the difficult one is the construction of the necessary railway lines into and within Brisbane. Somehow goods-carrying Unes must be isolated from suburban passenger Unes. It is important to ensure that the grain terminal at Fisherman Islands is segregated from the coal-loading faciUties and is constmcted on the seaward side of those facUities. I have been assured by the Minister that his officers have listened carefully to submissions 2964 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) put forward by the grain industry and that a workable solution to this problem wiU be found. I remind departmental officers to always remember the damage and chaos caused by the substitution of other meats for beef. Mr Hooper: You are speaking at 4J words a minute. Increase the tempo.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Kaus): Order! If the honourable member for Archerfield wants to interject, he should do so from his correct seat. Mr McKECHNIE: If coal dust gets into our export grain it could have a simUar effect and lead to an international incident. Every effort must be made to keep coal weU watered down, and dust kept to a minimum. In the long term, coal should be kept a long way away from grain. Perhaps its proximity can be tolerated in the short term if the grain is on the seaward side of the coal-loading facility. The Minister has the unenviable task of putting forward North Queensland's case in Cabinet. I am sure that most of us would like to get into Cabinet one day. The Govemment made an absolutely foolish decision in not appointing more members from North Queens­ land as Ministers. As the member representing the most southern area of the State, I urge the Premier to ensure that the next appointee to Cabinet rank comes from North Queensland. We all know the talent possessed by the northern members. Many of them could adequately occupy a Cabinet portfolio. We could well do without one development in North Queensland. The honourable member for Barron River has spoken at length about the growing drug problems in North Queensland. I am sure that he has the Minister's support in trying to stamp out this problem. We know that the Minister is carrying the honourable member's views to Cabinet and I am sure that we can.expiect increased funding to help overcome this problem that is not confined to North (Jueensland. Drugs are grown in North Quenslarid and spread throughout Australia. The honourable member for Salisbury referred to boats coming illegally to our shoies, and asked the Minister to clarify whether his department played a policing role. I should say that it does, although I could be corrected. If it plays no such role the Minister could weU ask his officers to keep a close eye on what is happening and work in conjunction whh the authorities that deal with the problem. An interesting development in North Queensland is the move to introduce Nile perch on a trial basis. I thoroughly support the move. Unfortunately many of our native species are fished out by unfair means, I am told Nile perch is as good to eat as barramundi. It is also a good sport fish. I hope that h proves suitable in North Queensland and coastal streanis in South Queensland and that eventually it is found suitable for western streams. If it is not suitable for them I hope that something can be done to increase the breeding of Murray cod, yeUow-beUy and all the other native species. New South Wales Is doing a great deal to solve this problem. In my electorate we have the inland restocking club that has done much, through the buying of fingerlings, to alleviate some of the problems. Greater consideration should be given by Cabinet, the Minister and the department to the need for private enterprise ports. We read of the offer of Mr Hancock from Western Australia. Back-benchers are not privy to that document; we are not able to make a judgment on whether it is good or bad. I do not think that Governments should have a monopoly on everything. It is wise to be able to compare, say, the charges of a private enterprise port with those of a Government-controlled port. The Works Department is a good example. A certain amount of its work is done by private enterprise and a certain amount is done by Govemment employees. It is not very hard for any Minister who is on the ball to decide whether the taxpayer is getting better value from the Works Department staff or the private contractors. I do not think there is anything wrong at all with the Government calling tenders for the establishment of one private enterprise port. We have to look seriously at industrial relations and the problems they cause for harbour boards, because Australia is losing its name as a reliable exporter. That is a great tragedy. We live in a wonderful country. Mr Burns: You ought to pay decent wages and the workers would keep working. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2965

Mr McKECHNIE: A lot of people in my electorate would swap the wages of a waterside worker Mr Burns: Then why don't they get out of your electorate and get down where the work is instead of waiting up there for me to subsidise them out of my taxes? They get drought relief when it is dry and flood relief when it is wet. You want the lot. Mr McKECHNIE: It is very kind of the honourable member for Lytton to tdl us his attitude to the people living in my electorate. He thinks that they are subsidised by chy people. What about all the tariff protection given to city pepole? What does that add to the cost of living of the people in my electorate and other people aU over Queensland? , , Mr Burns: Why don't you put the farmers on the dole when there is a drought, just like you put the meat workers on the dole? Mr McKECHNIE: The former Leader of the Opposition has suggested that farmers should be put on the dole rather than be given drought relief. I wonder whether that is the official attitude of the ALP. Mr Burns: Don't worry about that. That's my attitude, and it is the attitude of a lot of people in the city about subsidising you and some of your mates.

Mr McKECHNIE: I hope that everything said by the honourable member for Lytton is recorded in "Hansard", because it is indicative of the sort of nonsense spoken by ALP members. It is the reason why the ALP will never win a country electorate. It does not like country people. That is a fact of life. The ALP could not care two hoots for country people. All it wants to do is concentrate on people in and around Brisbane. Opposhion members cannot stop yapping.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Kaus): Order! I ask the honourable member lo come back to the Estimates under discussion. ,

Mr McKECHNIE: Yes, Mr Kaus. I was provoked beyond all reasonable limits because of the unreasonable attitude adopted by the honourable member for Lytton about my country people of whom I am very proud. By "country people" I mean people who live in country towns as well as people who live on the land. The Minister is to be congratulated on the way in which he has administered his portfolio. (Time expired.) Mr PREST (Port Curtis) (8.35 p.m.): We have just heard a speech of doom from the honourable member for Carnarvon (Mr McKechnie). He said very plainly that he does not want coal and wheat handled through the Fisherman Islands terminal.

Mr McKECHNIE: I rise to a point of order. I ask the honourable member to withdraw that statement. I did not say that. I said that I did not want them to be loaded together. Quite obviously, one is going to be loaded on one side and one on the other. 1 did not say what the honourable member said I did, and I ask for a withdrawal.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Kaus): Order! The remark is offensive to the honourable member for Carnarvon, and he asks for a withdrawal.

Mr PREST: I withdraw it. However, I would point out that he is wrong. It is being done at Pinkenba at the present time. It is also being done in Gladstone, which is one of the greatest ports in the State. In the last financial year the port of Gladstone handled 8 440 773 tonnes of coal. The same facilities at the Auckland Point Wharf handled 373 654 tonnes of grain. There were no complaints, and the work was carried out efficiently. If the member for Carnarvon has any fears about this matter, if he brings the members of his commhtee to Gladstone I will arrange a guided tour to show them how grain and coal can be handled efficiently through a port that has the facUhies, As I say, if the honourable 2966 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) member does not want the exports of grain to be handled by the Fisherman Islands terminal if the facilities are built at Gladstone that port wUl be able to handle all the grain that is produced in Queensland. Tonight, I am pleased to be here as the representative for Port Curtis. In the last financial year the port of Gladstone handled 17 798 047 tonnes of cargoes, which was an increase over previous years. The exports comprised 8 440 773 tonnes of coal, 2 411640 tonnes of alumina, and 373 654 tonnes of grain. Imports comprised 5 389 675 tonnes of bauxhe, 770 997 tonnes of caustic soda and fuel oU for the alumina refinery, and 322 246 tonnes of petroleum products. With the QCL lime from the Mt Larcom area and GAL coming on line, Gladstone wiU be handling an even greater tonnage next year. Mr McKechnie: That is because of good government. Mr PREST: No, h is not good govemment. The development of Gladstone wiU have a signficant effect on the State's export and finances for the years ahead. At present, the Gladstone Harbour Board is spending $57m on dredging channels and other work to accommodate ships with a capacity of 120 000 tonnes. As I have said, our major exports are coal and grain. The development of the port of Gladstone is due to the foresight of previous ALP Governments, previous ALP leaders and, of course, a previous member for the area, the late Mr Martin Hanson. An outdated system was used to ship coal through the port of Gladstone in the late 1940s and early 1950s. When he was chairman of the Gladstone Harbour Board, the late Martin Hanson introduced the coal conveyor system. Mr Hooper: He did a very good job, too. Mr PREST: There is no doubt about that; he did an excellent jPb and he is remembered for it. He entered State Parliament in 1963, but thrPugh his foresight the port of Gladstone was far ahead of others when the demand for coal in other countries made it a major export commodity. Some of that coal Comes from the hinterland of Gladstone. As the Leader of the Opposition said earlier today, the introdudion of the brigalow scheme was the brain-child of Mr Rex Patterson. He must be given the credh for that, but I still believe that the greatest development of all was the QBFC, the grain growing scheme for the Central Highlands commenced during the time of the ALP Government led by the late Ned Hanlon. A Government Member: It was the greatest disaster ever. Mr PREST: It may have been a disaster but the scheme proved that grain could be grown on the Central Highlands. Prior to that scheme everybody thought that the region was too dry to grow grain. After that scheme the big holdings were cut up into small settlements. Dr Lockwood: The farmers had to be independent. Mr PREST: The member for Toowoomba North would have been only a boy in nappies. Dr Lockwood: I drove past it and saw the signs. Mr PREST: The member for Toowoomba North has been everywhere and he thinks he knows everything, but he knows nothing. That is why he is here now; he is a failure in his chosen profession. That QBFC scheme introduced by the late Ned Hanlon brought a great deal of prosperity to the Central Highlands. Let the member for Peak Downs (Mr Lester) say that it was not a success. The foresight of the late Ned Hanlon and the Australian Labor Party in 1948 has proved that grain can be grown very successfully in that area. In the last year over 322 000 tonnes of grain was shipped through the port of Gladstone. That figure will increase in the future. I am very pleased that the (Queensland Wheat Board is about to make a decision to build further storage capacity at Gladstone to handle the shipment of grain from the Central Highlands and other regions through the port. Mr McKechnie: It has a good chairman. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2967

Mr PREST: Of course it has a good chairman. The late Martin Hanson was the chairman in 1954 when the conveyor system was introduced. Through his foresight the Gladstone Harbour Board is now recognised as the most successful in the State. The chairmen who have been fortunate to follow the late Martin Hanson, such as Bill Golding, who retired at a very late age and now resides at Margate, would acknowledge his fore­ sight. BiU Golding continued in the same vein. Since his retirement, under the engineer/ manager (Reg Tanner) and the secretary (Brian Jordan) the board is continuing in the same successful way. The foresight of the Labor Party in those early years is now reaping benefits for the Government, which seeks to take the credit for them. A Government Member: What rot!

Mr PREST: It is not rot. In the early days we were shipping coal using antiquated methods. The conveyor system of coal-loading gave us a great start over everyone else. Mr McKechnie: You were sitting down on strike. Mr PREST: There is no doubt about the member for Carnarvon. It is said that there is a diU in every family; he must have found it hard to be the biggest dUl in his family. 1 recognise the work done by the Gladstone Harbour Board—in particular, the engineer/ manager and the secretary—for the work that they have done to assist the city. They have continued the progress commenced by the chairmen in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Through their continued program of development and reclamation they have turned useless salt-pans into acres of very valuable rateable land that is an asset to the city and an acquisition for light industry and other commercial enterprises. Not only is it an asset to business people and to the city councU, but it has also involved a great deal of work—continued work— and employment opportunities. The work done by the board is very greatly appreciated. Of course. Rex Patterson had a hand in it whh the brigalow scheme, because now cattle are being exported through the port to other countries. Government Members Interjected.

Mr PREST: Members on the other side are asking, "Who is Rex Patterson?" In the very near future I am sure that they would like to forget Doug Anthony and Malcolm Fraser. They would Uke to put them away and forget about them. However, we do not forget those who have made worthwhile contributions to the Australian Labor Party. Mr McKechnie: I associate Rex Patterson with Gough Whitlam. Do you acknowledge him? Mr Burns: He opened up the sugar market in Japan and enabled millions of tons to be exported to China.

Mr PREST: I quite agree with what was said by the member for Lytton. Government Members interjected.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Kaus): Order! There is too much cross-firing in the Chamber. Mr PREST: The work done in Gladstone has been done very effectively and for the benefit of the city. The harbour board is helping not only in reclamation but also in many other fields. For instance, from time to time the media pass adverse remarks about the city. The harbour board has alwiays been willing to correct misstatements. When Gladstone has been accused of being untidy or dirty, the harbour board has always said what it thought and what h was prepared to do. It was prepared to put its money where its mouth was— I JA^ •^""'^ pepple in this Chamber who condemn but do not want to do anything about it. In addhion, the harbour board has assisted many sporting groups. , J '"™ iiow to the development of North Queensland. My leader earlier today said that lie department is just a paper tiger and that very little is being done in the North. The setting up of the new department is an action taken by the Government to lead people into oeueving that this Government is interested in northern development. I agree with his 2968 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) critidsm. I have been round the State—and to North Queensland^—quite a lot. Certainly the coastal part of North Queensland has much to offer, especiaUy for tourists. However, to get there many tourists must travel by road—-and the roads are in a deplorable state. Mr Bums: There's a six-lane highway to Hinze's place on the Gold Coast. That's the National Party's policy for the North!

Mr PREST: That is right. Perhaps it should be named "Department of Southern Development". Mr Hinze is interested in the area from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. However, as for the North—it is forgotten. Motorists cannot be expected to travel to the North unless there is a first-class road. We all know that during the wet season that road becomes a giant bog. It is closed for weeks on end. How can we expect to entice tourists to travel by car or pull a caravan when our roads will not accommodate them? Once a driver leaves the Bruce Highway it is virtually impossible to travel across to Georgetown or Burketown. On Tuesday, during the debate on the Health Estimates, the member for Flinders spoke about places that were isolated for weeks and even months. What would happen if tourists were stranded in those places? What is the Department of Northern Development doing in relation to roads? Not a thing! Mr McKechnie: What about Charters Towers and Lynd?

Mr PREST: We have one decent road. One can travel from Townsvilie to Charters Towers. What happens from there? How can one travel from Charters Towers to Clermont? WiU the honourable member tell us about that road or does he want to forget about that and other inland roads? We are supposed to have a State Government, not a coastal Government. If the North Is going to be devdoped, it should all be developed, not just two cities. The return the Queensland motorist is receiving for the money he spends on running his motor car is a shame. Let me turn to the treatment received by local authorities in the North, There is no more tourist-minded local authority than the Burke Shire Council. The State Government recently reduced its allocation to the Burke Shire Council to $123,000. That amount is more than what the Burke Shire Counqil receives by way of rates. What a wonderful State we have! What tremendous assistance is given to the outback! The Government is trying to persuade people to remain in the country and not to come to the city. Mr McKechnie: What about the jobs you are trying to destroy at Greenvale nickel? Mr PREST: When we debate the Mines Estimates we will be able to talk about nickel. The honourable member should not talk about the bad things; he just made a speech of doom. The only time that the honourable member has seen water was when he was on a landing on the Condamine River. If his electorate receives too much ramfaU, he cries for flood relief; if it does not receive enough rainfaU, he cries for drought relief. He cannot be pleased. The State needs someone who cares for the development of the North. I do not believe that we should have a northern State. If Queensland had a Government that was concerned about everyone, no-one would be desirous pf seceding from the State of Queensland. The member for Carnarvon just criticised his own Govemment for not having a Minister representing the North. Does the Government care about the North? Not at all! A Labor Government would care for all Queenslanders. It would improve the roads in the North. It would look after local authorities and encourage people to remain in the isolated parts of the State. We would build wonderful highways and byways. No-one would have to put up with the inconveniences or problems mentioned by the member for Flinders. At present, if a person has an accident or takes Ul during the wet season, an aeroplane is not available to take him to hospital, yet Government members speak about our wonderful State. It is not only in the North where people cannot travel by road in the wet season, but right throughout Queensland. ChUdren wiU not be educated under acceptable conditions. People are being kUled on the roads in great numbers, (Time expired.) Supply (Estimates) 22 Odober 1981 2969

Mr MUNTZ (Whitsunday) (8,55 p,m.): I rise to congratulate the Minister on the presen-* tation of his Estimates, He is the first Minister for Northern Development. The scope of his portfolio is underestimated. It covers a very wide area indeed. Contrary to what other members might say. North Queensland is of paramount importance to the sound economy of Queensland. A lot has been done in the North; a good deal remains to be done. I am very proud to be a member of the Minister's parlianientary committee. He has worked as hard as anyone to promote northern devdopment. As a ineinber of his com­ mittee, I have visited a number of local authorities and development boards throughout the' State. I believe that his committee will be cMUng on other lopal authorities in the near future. I have issued an invitation to the Minister and other members pf his committer to visit the Whhsunijay area. Mr Tenni: I'm coming along.

Mr MUNTZ: I am sure that the honourable member for Barron River ^vUl be welcomed to my electorate. The stand that he has taken on behalf of North Queerisland is well known to the people in the Whitsunday area. I should like the Minister and his committee to visit the Proserpine Shire, the Pioneer Shire and the Whitsunday Coast. I should also like lys committee to inspect the industrial development that has Occurred around Bowen: The Minister referred to the development of Abbot Point. It is interesting to note that that development had been promoted for five or seven years. ; At last it has got under way, thanks to a considerable contribution from this Government. The Budgd provides for an allocation of $30m to the projed in 1981-82. That is no mean effort. The project will create employment and provide an incentive tp business. It is something that the people of Bowen have been looking fpr for a long time. , At present, Comalco is conducting a study into the feasibiUty of establishing an alumin­ ium smelter and refinery in the area. I compliment the cpmpany for the way in which it is conducting its study. 'It is paying close attention tp the pubUc relations aspect. It has kept the local authorities and the Government informed of what is going on. I am sure that, if the project is a goer, the company will receive the full co-operation of the Government and the local authorities. That project, too, wUl provide employment and business incentive, both of which are needed by the area. Comalco has gone to a great deal of trouble to look into the irifrastructure problems that might arise. It has come up with a proposal for the provision of a reasonable water supply for both its own project and the Bowen and 'Proserpine Shires. On many occasions companies have only thdr' own interests at heart. In this instance, Comalco also has the interests of the Bowen and Proserpine Shires in mind. Fpr some time 1 have been promoting the construction of the Proserpine dam to service the area. I am sure that if the project proceeds the company wUl look seriously at the prospect of constructing the Proserpine dam. . Thariks to the free enterprise polides of this Government, Comalco has decided to invest in this aluminium project. The benefits wiM flow to the community as a whole. If it constructs the Proserpine dam, it wiU provide water to both Bowen and Proserpine and also to the Whitsunday'Coast, which is developing at a phenomenal rate. It has been claimed 'that the Whitsunday Coast w-iU become a second Gold Coast. Certainly it excels the Gold Coast in its natural beauty and scenic attradions. Mr Tenni: It is way in front of the Grold Coast.

Mr MUNTZ: In certain rejects, it is; but the Gold Coast has a lot going for it. With the planned devdppment that has been prpposed, the Whitsunday Coast wUl become a major tourist area in Queensland. , , , .^ While I am speaking about the Whitsunday Coast, I should point out that it is hoped that a marina wiU be developed under the auspices of the Harbours and Marine Department. If the people in the area had to wait for the public purse to pay for such a development, they would have to wait a long time. However, they believe In encouraging private enter­ prise, and I believe that it wiU not be long before the Lands Department caUs applications 10350—98 2970 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) for the development of an area known as The Beak. When that is done, a development costing between $50m and $60m, and incorporating a marina and a huge tourist develop­ ment, wUl be provided. It wlU surpass any similar development In the State. Only this year the Govemment announced an interest-free grant of about $450,000 to the Proserpine Shire Coundl to enable it to develop new boating facUities at Shute Harbour. That is no mean sum in this day and age. The Government and the Minister's departments have done much to promote tourism by looking after northem development and harbours and marine activities. Many people do not realise that tourism provides great opportunities for unskilled employment in Queensland. Whenever I have spoken in this Chamber I have referred to the condition of roads in North Queensland. Although I speak of North Queensland, I point out that I beUeve in a united Queensland. I become tired of hearing about North Queensland, Central Queens­ land and Southern Queensland. Although I have lived in North Queensland for the past nine or 10 years and I am a third or fourth generation Queenslander, I am dedicated to a united Queensland and a united Govemment. In no way would I support a spUt State, with two factions going their own way. At aU costs we should try to work together to develop the State's resources. Roads in Queensland, and the Bruce Highway in particular, are In a shocking state. The Government relies very heavUy on the Commonwealth Govemment for road fundmg. It is interesting to note that In New South Wales, which received $75m more than Queens­ land, national highways are only one-third of the length of those In Queensland. In Victoria, which received about the same amount, national highways are only one-sixth of the length of Queensland's national highways. That is a gross misappropriation of funds. There seems to be no commitment to providing relativity in future years, although the Commonweahh Government has provided the various State Governments with an opportunity to argue their cases for altering the present sharing agreement. That argument should be pursued vigorously by all interested parties, and the Main Roads Department has an opportunity to do that. The Minister for Northem Development and Maritime Services has tackled road funding and road maintenance in North Queensland, but much more remains to be done. Instead of engaging in arguments throughout the State, members should concentrate on providing an all-weather, flood-free Brace Highway from Rockhampton to Caims. If I wished to be parochial, I would speak about the highway between Mackay and TownsvUle, but I am speaking about the whole of North Queensland and the whole of the Bruce Highway. The area at which the Government should be looking very closely Ues between Rock­ hampton and Cairns. The Northern Development section of the Minister's portfoUo is wide-ranging. I think of the additional school accommodation that wiU be necessary in my area whh the develop­ ment of projects such as Abbot Point and Comalco. Problems wiU be created for schools such as Merinda, Queens Beach and Bowen. I am pleased that the Minister for Education and the Minister for Works and Housing have seen fit to provide the additional accommodation so urgently required in those areas. They have also provided additional accommodation at Canonvale. One of the problems with school accommodation in my area is at the North Mackay State High School. Although that school is on the boundary of my electorate, the people in the whole of the southern part of my dectorate rely on the services and faciUties available there. Over the past 12 months a new technical drawing building and a new home science building have been provided, and I am hopeful that, in the coming year, an administration building will be constmcted. That will release further class-room accommodation that is so urgently needed. I should like to mention the protection of the fishing industry, the protection of the streams in coastal areas and the protection of the crabbing industry. I have always believed that a program should be implemented along the coast, particularly in North Queensland, of closing certain streams and prohibiting fishing for one or two seasons to allow breeding to take place. Strict procedures should be introduced to stop the poaching of crabs, particularly by people from southern States. Female and undersized male crabs must be protected. Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2971

The Minister said that, as at June 1981, over 74000 private motor boats will be registered in Queensland and an estimated 10 000 sailing craft, which do not require registration, will be using our water-ways. In the community interest, a measure of control over the activities of operators of private vessels Is carried out by the Small Craft Control Branch of the Department of Harbours and Marine. Over 100 charter boats and hundreds of other private vessels and sailing boats, possibly more than on any other section of the coastUne, are operating In the Whitsunday area. No faciUties are provided for the officers on the Whitsunday Coast, who operate from Bowen. That is a considerable distance to travel, and it causes considerable inconvenience to the public. Possibly modular accommodation could be supplied so that the officers could go to that section of the coast once a week or once a month and provide a service for the boating people in that area. It would not be difficult to provide accommodation or an office of that type. An interesting approach has been made to finance. Income from all sources in 1981-82 is estimated at $184,000 and expenditure for that year is estimated at $187,000. The major part of the expenditure will be on constraction of the two port facilities at Abbot Point and Hay Point for the export of coal. The finance for those works wUl come from two sources. The onshore infrastracture cost will be met by contributions from the coal companies which have agreed to export through those terminals. The offshore works wUlbe funded by the State, towards which an initial $17m has been borrowed overseas. At the present time, temporary Treasury loan accommodation has been made available to cover progressive costs to date, pending further company contributions and the raising of the State's share of the funding. I have mentioned a few of the developments. Another one I should Uke to mention is the Mackay grain export terminal. For some years the Central Highlands area has been looking for an export terminal for grain. It is pleasing to see that the Mackay Harbour Board has under construction a grain export terminal which wiU consist of four 2 7(X)-tonne grain silos as well as rail and road receival facilities. Enormous potential for that facility exists in Mackay, with the back-up of the Central Highlands. One other matter that I would like to mention tonight Is the controvesry that has been created from time to time by Opposition members promoting the policy of one vote, one value. I would like the people of North Queensland and Westem Queensland to know that if they are hoodwinked into accepting that policy of one vote, one value. North Queensland will miss out badly, and Westem Queensland wUl fare even worse. My party promotes equality of representation throughout the State. I make no apologies for going aU out for all Queenslanders by firmly adhering to the principle of an equitable spread of parUamentary representation, and I bdieve that the Government can claim notable success in applymg h to good effect for Queensland. By using this principle of equality of representation. North Queensland, with 15 per cent of the State's population, has 15 per cent of the members in State ParUament, or 12 members. Central Queensland, with 11 per cent of the population, has 11 per cent of the members In State ParUament, or nine members. South Queensland, excluding the Brisbane dty area, whh 42 per cent of the population, has 41 per cent of the members in State ParUament, or 34 members. The Brisbane city area, with 32 per cent of the population, has 33 per cent of the members in State Parliament, or 27 members. In terms of the various regional contributions to the economy through the value of production, related to the number of elected representatives in ParUament, the Brisbane city area and the south-east corner fare very well indeed. Whatever formula one adopts in assessing whether the various areas are under-represented or over-represented, the Brisbane city area and the south-east corner cannot be said to be disadvantaged, as some critics would have us believe. In today's circumstances, the figures quoted undoubtedly represent an equitable spread of representation for which the Govemment must receive credit. Given those fadors, any future moves to increase or change electoral representation should look closely at giving the decentralised growth areas, and prospedive growth areas, in the provincial and rural areas more, not fewer, elected representatives. 2972 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates)

In deciding our electoral boundaries' Iri future, we simply must be development orieritated and employment oriefttated for the sake of Queensland, our children and their children. Because we have adopted this approach over the jpast 24 years, I believe that we can hold our heads high, as a Government and as a State, for what we hsive achieved for Queensland and Queenslanders. t should like to think that'we could feel equally as proud as a Governinent, and as Queenslanders, 20 years from now. There would be few people who would not regard unemployment as a problem for Governments, and society, today. It will become very much more of a problem in the years ahead if we do not plot a sensible course to ensure effective representation for areas where future developments could help to create more jobs and mop up unemployment, which is unpalatable to many of us. Development, the creation of more jobs, and the encourage­ ment to decentralise, to Invest and to take part in job-creating projects in uncomfortable decentralised areas do not just happen. Those matters are promotedby a progressive, private enterprise Government. Only New South Wales, which has double our, pGpula,tion, can clainj to have more cities and towns with a population of 20 000 or more. The spriead of population and devdopment in Queensland is the most decentralised of all States., We have inore thai^ $30 billion worth of projects in the State's development pipeUne, or an estimated 40 per cent of aU developmental projects in the pipeUne nationally. Our State building approvals continue to break records, whUe other States continue to experience periods of major slumps in building and industry. Our tourist economy, too, is booming as never before, with an estimated value of $1 bUlion annually now in sight, on latest projections by the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation. Our primary industry economy, too, continues to strengthen, with value of production, on latest figures, estimated at a record $2,466m.

Mr BURNS (Lytton) (9.15 p.m.): The National Party members of the Parliament have laboured under great difficulty today to convince us that by gerrymandering the boundaries to give themselves an extra couple of seats in North Queensland that area will be better Off under a Natiprial Party Govemment. The Govemment has been in power since 1957—24 years. The last dectiort resulted in two National Party members frbm North Queensland losing their seats. A Minister of the Government, the member for Townsvilie West, was beaten by Geoff Smith, a brUliant young member who wUl be here for years to come. The honorary fisherman of the year, Mrs Kippin, received a trouncing from Bill Eaton in the electorate of InnisfaU. He, too, will be around for years. Two National Party members were wiped out. Under the briUiant representation of the National Party there is now a resurgence of the idea of a new State in North Queensland. ObvioUsly the representation is so poor that Mr Muntz, the South Coast import who went up there, wUl be out on his ear next year and Mr Tenni wiU be back playing with the hippies at Corio Bay and playing with the crocodiles, but he wiU not be here shooting off his mouth on behalf of the gun-runners of the North. I will now say a Uttie about the Minister's portfoUo. With some interest I listened to his statement in Parliament last week that he was introducing on-the-spot fines because of the problems faced by officers of the Boating and Fisheries Patrol who are always in court. Queensland has 74 000 registered boats but a total of only 486 prosecution actions were recorded last year, including 73 for insufficient safety equipment and 17 for exceeding the speed limit. In the Nerang River on the Gold Coast I wiU show the Minister 17 speedsters a day. Every Saturday or Sunday during the holidays I wUl show him 17 speed hogs a day at Noosa. More men are needed on the job. Why not use some of the unemployed people who are looking for work? Why not get them out there to stop the boons who are terrorising people on our water-ways? On-the-spot fines are not the answer; a littie bit of surveiUance on the water-ways Is. 868 convictions were recorded for breaches of the Fisheries Act 1976, 77 for the taking of undersized crabs, 94 for selling female crabs and approximately 29 for obstmcting or unlawfully assaulting a fishing inspector. Quite truthfully, 171 convictions in relation to crabs is a disgrace. We must do more to stop Ulegal fishing. Any day of the week down the bay, prawners can be seen using illegal nets. I am told that inspectors are supposed to enforce a 4-fathom net, but the prawners are using a 7-fathom net hung on a 4-fathom top line. Trawlers are regularly seen working supposedly closed areas off Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2973

Wynnum. The stage is being reached where surveiUance by the Boating and Fisheries Patrol is a cruel, heartless and expensive joke to those who obey the law. When we talk of Ulegal fishing I always remember a story about freshwater fishing in the West. We were gdng fishing near Dirranbandi and we spoke of cod, yeUow belly, poaching, illegal nettmg and the use of dynamite In the rivers around that area. One fellow told me that he was one of the best fishermen in the West. He said, "A few years ago me and my brother caught 720 yellow belly one night and we had only two nets. Of course, we don't always use nets, sometimes we use gelignite. That's a lot quicker! But when you use nets, you catch them alive. If you can't sell them you have to dump them out on the dump. That's a waste." If I had my way he wouldn't get a second opportunity to waste fish. That sort of thing occurs regularly in the West, but we only have a few Fisheries and Boating Patrol officers on duty around seaside resorts. There is very Uttle action out in the West against the fisherman who catches 720 fish a night with sticks of geUgnite and nets. Something needs to be done about freshwater poaching, but, more than anything else, something needs to be done about salt-water poaching. I am sure we wUl see the day when a chUd will go to his father and say, "Dad, what was a muddle?" It wiU be an extinct species to be seen only in museums. Dad wiU sit the chUd on his lap and say, "We used to have muddies; they were big brown things that lived in the mangroves." Most of the mangroves wiU have been destroyed, too. Dad will say "You don't know what mangroves are, but one day when I see some mangroves I wUl show you what they are. Muddles were those big things we used to catch in wire pots and used to cook. They had lovdy white flesh inside and they were bringing $8 and $10 each, but people were able to get $16 and $18 a kilo for the crab flesh which was taken from the Jennys and the undersized muddies. We didn't have many boating and fishing inspectors and we didn't try to do anything about it. We did little to stamp out the iUegal trade in mud crabs, and of course now it is extinct. But listen, darling, if you want to see it I will take you down to the museum tomorrow and you can see a model of one." That is the way it wUl go if we do not start to do something about it. I heard a Boating and Fisheries Patrol inspector on the ABC tonight say that the current shortage of muddies was because this is the breeding season. Everybody knows that the good times for the muddies are the months with the Rs in them. Any month with an R in it is the time when there will be reasonably full muddies. We do know that there is a problem during the winter months, when they are changing their sheU and going through a period of what is virtually a change of their life. We do know that they lose weight—they are green, thin and empty. However, we also know that there are thousands of people using memo-filament nets and upside-down dillies or witches' hats in our rivers and bays. Those nets are illegal in many cases because more than the required quota are used. If they are left behind they continue catching crabs for ever. Anything that gets caught in them cannot get out. It dies in the pot. The crab that comes to eat the rotten meat, or whatever is dead in there, gets caught. So the net can keep wiping out crabs for ever and a day. Most of the crabs caught in those mono-fUament or upside-down nets—dillies of that type—are caught in such a way that the amateur, as he tries to get the crabs out, rips off their claws and legs and destroys the crabs. Whether they are undersized or Jennys does not matter. They are broken up to get them out. As far as I am concemed, those dUUes should be outiawed. I understand that some of the southern States are starting to outlaw them. Closer checks should be made in areas such as Hervey Bay which are vvell known for illegal crabbing operators who have been sending Marys and undersized crabs over the border for years. We need tp act very quickly. In this day and age we talk a lot about the Queensland Fish Board and the operations of fishermen. I read today that the Japanese loiig-line agreement is to be signed for another year. To me it is a complete and utter disgrace that we are again entering into an agreement with the Japanese to continue long-lining off our coast. I believe that that could mean the end of the black marlin. People involved In amateur marlin fishing say that the size of black marlin caught is getting smaUer and the numbers are decreasing. One of the reasons they riiay be wiped out is that they are being taken by the Japanese on their long-Uning expeditions. Much of It goes back to be used as fertiliser, pet foods and cheaper forms of fish eaten in Japan. It is not just marlin; h is also tuna and the 2974 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) broad-billed swordfish. All of those fish are threatened by the long-line fishermen. But whhout any debate at all the agreement is signed by the Australian Government, with the Queensland Government cap-ln-hand going along. The black marlin is not our only fish threatened. What about our barramundi? Barramundi, as we know, start off life as male. For about the first four years they are male. After that they gradually turn into females. They have to be six or seven years old before they can breed. We are allowing nets to be used with meshes that are too small. If anyone should fly over the Gulf area—and it is an interesting experience for anyone who can get aboard one of those surveUlance aircraft—^he wiU see IUegal nets across the mouths of rivers and creeks right along the Gulf. In most cases the mesh is so smaU that just about every fish caught is not only Illegal because it is netted in an Ulegal net but also illegal because of its size. If it is an undersized barra, it Is probably at an age when it cannot breed, because it Is a male. As I say, it has to be over four years, anyway, and getting towards five or six years before it becomes a breeder. We need to set bag Umits. We need dosed seasons. I congratulate the Minister for Primary Industries for introducing the idea of closed seasons. Unfortunately, of course, he failed to table the regulations in the ParUament in April this year. Under the laws of this Parliament the last closed season from November through tUl March is now not legal. It does not have the force of law. I am surprised and disappointed that the Liberal members in this ParUament did not do something to validate that particular law. We have validating Acts for Govemment members who have got themselves into trouble with double jobs and offices of profit under the Crown. We have a situation where people who have been caught illegally fishing, wiping out one of our best known and most popular northern seafoods, are going to go free now. The Assembly was not so pure in relation to the members for Ashgrove or Warwick who had to have validating legislation passed. The Liberals are only pure when it comes to the illegal net fishermen in North Queensiland. That surprises me; it also disappoints me. The Department of Harbours and Marine has a responsibUity to do something about the Brisbane River. The job has been left to the Labor councU over the years. Across the river from Parliament House one will see the excellent work carried out under the administration of Clem Jones and the Labor Council. A lot of good work has been done there. Most of the revetment walls in the river were constructed during the Depression, The Department of Harbours and Marine has done little work since then, A tourist- orientated city such as Brisbane should have a beautiful river. When one talks about the rivers of the world one refers to the Seine, the Rhine and rivers that are used by the people. If a person comes to Brisbane, he sees a couple of Darra coral barges and a gravel barge travelling up and down the river. AH around the city area one finds old-fashioned barges, dirty rotten wharves, and a little bh of action down around the Bight. If anyone wants to see a dangerous wharf, I suggest he take a look at the wharf at the Water Police depot. It is owned and controlled by the Government. It is always telling us about its concern for the safety and welfare of policemen. It has done nothing about it itself. The river banks are a disgrace. The Harbours and Marine Department and those responsible for the care and maintenance of the river ought to puU their socks up and do something about the removal of those old wharves, the planting of trees, the provision of walkways, barbecue areas, etc., so that the river can be used more as an aquatic playground than it has been in the past. It should be used for tourist and family activhies. It Is about time we started to do something about the down-river ferry service—I mean right down-river—down to the recently opened port. We ought to be running trips to areas such as Bishop Island, and showing people historic sites such as Fort Lytton and Bishop Island, a man-made island. I heard a previous speaker talk about the facilities at Shute Harbour. The tourist fadUties at Shute Harbour are a disgrace. There is a miserable little landmg and one road around the hUls to an area that is raising millions of doUars in tourist revenue. That would not be accepted in any other tourist-orientated country in the world, but h is accepted in Queensland because somewhere along the line the Government cannot get coal out of h. If the Government could get coal out of Shute Harbour, there would be a massive road constmcted, and wharves and other facUities provided. During the Estimates debate a speaker is not afforded suffident tune to go into some matters m great depth. I tum now to beach erosion. The Gold Coast coundls are already saying that their funds for beach erosion programs are exhausted, that they have spent $12m since 1975, that the Government gave them a 20 per cent subsidy and that the rest Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2975

came from the ratepayers. The Gold Coast City CouncU should be told that It is time that high-rise development along the beachfront was stopped and that h should look at areas where it has allowed private ownership of beachfront land. Instead of spending money on building a rock waU m front of those blocks, h ought to start buying those blocks and designate an area where more dunes, grass and trees can be placed instead of the high-rise concrete jungle on many a frontal dune. Planning decisions In the past by people greedy to be living right on the beach and right on top of the dunes are the reason why the taxpayers of Queensland should not pay for beach restoration. It is time we said to the people of the Gold Coast that those along the beachfront who want to make money out of buying or selling beachfront property ought to pay for It. I do not believe that the Gold Coast ratepayers in the background ought to pay for it. It is time we said very clearly to the people living on the front that it is their responsibUity, and that it is their greed that has caused the trouble. We ought to impose some very strong restrictions on any future development on dune areas. The Beach Protection Authority has a lot to answer for. Anyone who visits Urangan wUl see that some feUow has ereded a marine exhibition right on the beach itself. There is no reason why a commercial operation of that type should be aUowed between high-water and low-water mark. The fact that the Beach Protection Authority has allowed that to happen, after all the experience people have had with simUar types of beach structures, absolutely stuns 'me. I am concerned at the authority's adion in the face of its alleged concern for the protedion of our beaches. I worry about the uncontrolled use of Moreton Island 'by beach buggies, four-wheel-drive vehicles, dune buggies, motor bikes and other vehicles. The time has come when the Government must take action to control their activities. Anyone who visited Moreton Island last Easter and went over to the far beach would have found it busier than Queen Stred on any Saturday morning—and more dangerous. Many of the vehicles that drive on to the beaches are unregistered. Many of them are rasty because they have been driven through salt water for quite some time. Many are unsafe. 'It is time that the authority, instead of being concerned mainly with rebuilding harbours and deepening river bars, did something to prevent those vehicles from damaging the beaches. EarUer tonight the honourable member for Salisbury spoke about the shark-netting program. I share her concern for the number of other creatures that are killed in the shark nets. I am told that since the program started it has resulted in the death of 20(X)0 sharks, 468 dugong, 2 654 turtles, 317 dolphin and 10 889 rays. It was suggested by Dr Robert Patterson in an issue of "Australian Fisheries" that baited drums would be a far better method of catching sharks and that shark nets might not need to be set in the cooler, winter months. Apparently at that time of year the shark does not seem to be as dangerous as in summer. I understand that Mr Leech, of the Department of Harbours and Marine, agrees with that proposal. A newspaper report that I have states that research has shown that there was little risk of shark attacks off southern Queensland beaches in winter. As honourable members know, surfers are getting sick and tired of the more heavily populated areas and are turning to the less-populated areas. They no longer see the major Gold Coast beaches as a great surfing area. It might be possible in the less-populated areas for smaller shark-nPtting programs to be an undertaking in summer and for the money spent on the netting programs in winter to be saved for this purpose. If it can be shown that steps can be taken to protect those other sea creatures, the Government should do just that. I suggest also that the Government should look at the mouth of the Brisbane River as the site for a marina complex. I am concerned, as I am sure my colleague the honourable member for Wynnum Is concerned, at the handing over of assets built up by people in the Manly Boat Harbour to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. I am also concerned at the lack of boat ramp fadlities on the south bank of the Brisbane River and at the lack of marina faciUties in Moreton Bay itself. If a boat is forced to mn for shelter in Mordon Bay and if it does not head for the Manly Boat Harbour, it has very few safe anchorages in which to seek refuge. A boat can head for the wrecks over at Tangalooma or alternatively it can shelter behind a number of the smaller islands in the bay. The bay is a very dangerous water-way. It is shallow 2976 22 Odober 1981 Supply (Estimates)

and the winds that spring up can create 8ft to 9ft waves within a few hours. Waves do hot always reach that height, but h is quite common tp see 5ft or eft waves wheri heavy wirids blow across the bay. Queensland has 77 000 registered boats. Every week-end more and more boats head out into the bay. Most of the boat owners have no idea of how to handle thdr boat in a heavy sea. Many of them have not been out of the river before. They suddenly find themselves in the middle of the bay with a storm blowing up, and with nowhere to go. The Govemment should look at the feasibility of constmcting smaU breakwaters and safdy areas at Peel Island, Greeri' Island, Mud Island and St Helena. Finally, I want to refer to the destruction of the Brisbane greasy prawn industry by the sand-pumping that is taking place in Moreton Bay. Sand that is bdng dredged from the Spitfire Banks for the new airport development is being dumj)ed near the Amoco refinery on Bulwer Island at the mouth of the river. That was the safest and most productive area for the greasy prawn trawlers that operate in Brisbane. Greasy prawns are good keepers and they have been sent aU over AustraUa. The industry is a fairly substantial pne^—not one involvirig small money. A lot of money was made in the industry and many trawler operators earned their living in it. There is no comparable safe area for trawling in the greasy prawn industry. The area adjacent to the Amoco oil refinery has been destroyed! I do not think it will ever come back. Before such dedsions are made in the future, consideration should be given to the prawnmg industry. (Time expired,) ,

Hon. V. J. BIRD (Burdekin—^Minister for Northern Development and Maritime Services) (9.36 p.m.): It wUl be agreed that the debate on my Estimates has been wide and varied, but I assure honourable members that I would not have wanted it any other way. It has given aU members an opportunity to participate and express their concerns about those things that worried them in their electorates and elsewhere throughout the State. It also enabled them to offer congratulations to the officers of my department. More than once members spoke on common Issues during the debate. I am sure the Committee appreciates that it is impossible in the time avaUable to me to address myself to every issue raised by every member. However, I wUl try to cover some of the more important matters that were raised. I deal firstly with the Leader of the Opposition who led the debate on my Estimates. In discussing the arrangements for northern development he overlooked the massive part played by aU Ministers and their departments in developing the North. A simple observation wiU show the effectiveness of their poUcies, My own Department of Harbours and Marine has its major activities in the northem part of the State, and there Is much more to come. The area around Bowen, for example, promises to be a major Industrial centre before the close of the century. The establishment of an elaborate departmental organisation in resped of northern development activity would be an unnecessary dupUcation of administra­ tion at the expense of the taxpayers. T gave serious consideration to that matter and, when I asked for staff, I asked only for an executive officer and staff at both the Tow;nsvilIe and Caims offices. I believe that to impose anything else on the taxpayers of the State would be a sheer waste of money. As to the co-ordination of industrial activity in northem areas—as In other parts of the State, that is already being capably handled by the Co-ordinator-General's Department. The Leader of the Opposition seemed to suggest that we should estabUsh a monster, separate department to deal with aU aspects of northem development—^to try to deal in one department with what it takes several departments to deal with in other parts of the State. That is just not feasible. It is something I do not propose to entertain. The Leader of the Opposhion questioned whether sufficient consideration was given to the location of major ports, taking into account existing development. The large bulk carriers which handle the export of Queensland's mineral wealth requite very deep water. When deciding the location of ports the draft of these ships when loaded must be considered. It wiU therefore be seen that when such needs are satisfied there Is Uttie opportunity to pick and choose and, at the same time, minimise effects on existing development?. When Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2977 an industry requiring major port faciUties is to be accommodated, the adjustments that are necessary to aUow It to operate alorigslde existing on-shore activhies are matters of secondary consideration to the selection 6f the port site. Brisbane may not be an Ideal she as a port for the export of coal, but if Brisbane is to be closed to the export of coal that would Inevitably mean the cessation of a valuable, developmg export uidustiy. The Leader of the Opposition was critical of the extent to which the environmental aspeds of the coal-exporting activity have been studied. I assure him that a great deal of study has been, and Is being, undertaken In respect of these factors. On the basis of studies already undertaken, the Port of Brisbane Authority is satisfied that with appropriate enclosure designs and the use of agglomeration compounds sprayed on the coal at several locations, any dust nuisance can be.overcome. , ., Water ran-off from the stockpile wiU be ponded in large settling pools and the effluent wfll meet environmental standards before discharge into the Brisbane River. Water quality win be contmually monitored. Obviously there wUl be additipnal noise from the raUway operations to the port and studies are continuing as to ways in which such noise can be minimised. Sufficient study has been carried out for the Govemment to be satisfied that coal shipments through the port of Brisbane wUl not give rise to environmental problems which would warrant the abandon­ ment of an export coal industry In the south-eastern portion of the State, but we wUl take every practical step to ensure that the operation has as little impact as possible on the lives of Brisbane residents. I was interested in the remarks of the honourable member for Mt Isa. It is true that the matter that is of foremost, concern to the residents of North Queensland and to the city and shhe counciUors in that area of the State is the condition of the roads, particularly the Bmce Highway. May I say that I am pleased to note that the honourable member has at least made himself aware of the conterits of the submission prepared by the northern local authorities relative to assistance for flood damage to the roads and other infrastructure. A co-ordinated approach, particularly to the Federal Government, is essential arid I regard h as one of my duties to assist the North Queensland Local Govemment Association in the preparation of a further submissiori outliriing the causes of pavement failure and the need to upgrade the highways and other roads. The honourable member for Toowoomba North made reference to the condition of roads in the north of our State. He obviously fully appreciates the terrific distances we have to travel in the State and the necessity to adopt decentralisation programs in order that facilities not only in respect to roads but all aspects of development are upgraded in a sensible and reasonable manner. He mentioned the subject of Caims Airport. Although I have the utmost confidence in the Cairns Harbour Board and its ability to administer the Cairns Airport, I share the honourable member's concern about the Federal Government's poUcy of pushing the ownership of airports onto local areas and their representatives. The honourable member for Toowoomba North mentioned the problems of beach protection. The honourable member for Lytton spoke about the need to keep sand-buggies and dune-buggies off the Moreton Island dunes. The honourable member for Toowoomba North also mentioned that. Let me say that the control of vehicle access both across the dunes and on the beaches is a matter that comes under the jurisdiction of local authorities, though certainly my Beach Protection Authority has taken a leading role in providing technical advice to local authorities as required. In this context I draw to the attention of both honourable members the excellent work carried out by the Caboolture Shire Council on Bribie Island in providing controlled beach access for vehicles. I appreciate the remarks of my colleague the honourable member for Hinchinbrook who is, I am proud to say, the chairman of my parliamentary committee. He mentioned the need for navigation aids for small private boats. The problems associated with the provision of navigation aids in areas used by only small vessels are numerous. Many small creeks and water-ways consist of shifting banks. It would not be the policy of my department to establish navigation aids in such places because they could quite easily 2978 22 October 1981 Supply (Estimates) finish up causing a casualty rather than preventing one. I will, however, assure the honourable member that, where possible, and as funds become available, every endeavour will be made to assist smaller vessels by providing aids to havigation. I endorse his remarks on the activities of the Australian Voluntary Coast Guard Association and commend its actions in preserving life at sea. These men, in association whh my boating patrol officers, do a most exceUent job, many times in the most appalling conditions. It is pleasing to note that my colleague has taken the opportunity to compUment them on their actions. I also share the honourable member's concern at the present level of industrial disputation on the waterfront iri this country. It is aburidantly apparent that such disputation is being used to promote the selfish interests of the few to the detriment of the people of this country and of our name as a reliable trading nation. On my recent vish to Japan to attend a ports and harbours conference, the Japanese people expressed their concern about the growing unreliability of Australia as a regular supplier of commodities— whether coal, sugar, or anything dse—to that country. They are indeed concerned, and if we cannot guarantee them supply on a regular basis, they will be looking elsewhere to purchase those commodities. I was pleased that the honourable member made reference also to that excellent publication "Guide to Fishes" published by my department. The basic research work was carried out by the author, Mr E. M. Grant, who has been encouraged to continuously upgrade the text, untU now the publication is recognised world-wide as the best authority on the fish of the Great Barrier Reef. I share the concern of the member for Townsvilie South about the necessary supply of fresh water to farming and sugar communities, and about the importance of the Burdekin Falls Dam. I can assure not only the member but also aU honourable members that I shall continue in my efforts to ensure the speedy completion of this major project to the benefit of the northern part of the State. His remarks about the Great Barrier Reef and its tourist potential are also pertinent. Tourism is, of course, primarily the responsibUity of my colleague the Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts. It has been a major initiative of the Government to establish the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation, which operates within his administration. I wUl not spend time in elaborating upon the major progress that the corporation has already made in the development of tourism in the North. However, such progress has been very substantial, and in my capacity as both Minister for Northern Development and Minister for Maritime Services I will be co-operating with the Tourism Minister and the corporation in ensuring that maximum development takes place in this field in the North. Many aspects of the administration of the Harbours and Marine Department directly affect the tourist industry—^beach protection, the safety of tourist vessels and marine facilities for tourist vessels and small boats. In each of these areas emphasis is being given to operations in the northern part of the State, which offers tremendous potential for tourist industry growth. The member for Cooroora made mention of pilots boarding ships and not knowing the condition of these vessels untU they got on board. Due to the operation of flags-of- convenience and Third World countries, which previously had no large vessels, this matter has become a very contentious issue, I am pleased to inform the honourable member that the Association of Australian Port and Marine Authorities and the Marine and Ports Council of Australia have been examining the problems assodated with substandard ships. A number of recommendations are being made in a serious effort to prevent vessels that are substandard in crew, machinery, safety requirements, etc., from making further voyages to Australia. The honourable member made mention of further desirable beach-protection works to be carried out at Noosa beach. My Beach Protection Authority has provided to the Noosa Shire Council a very comprehensive report, with recommendations as to the works to be implemented. The implementation of such works, however, is, of course, a matter for the Noosa Shire Council. The honourable member for Mourilyan raised the question of the movement for a separate State in the North. This, of course, is not a new subject; it has been raised over many years. I think that at about the time when the Labor Government went out Supply (Estimates) 22 October 1981 2979 of office in Queensland, there was a very strong movement for a new State in North Queensland. I remember people offering themselves as, candidates under the flag of the new State movement. So it Is certainly not a new thing. Rather than just say that we support this movement, I wonder if the time is appropriate to look at a rearrangement of aU the boundaries in Australia. After all, the State boundaries have not been altered since federation. With the large areas of Queensland, h is inevhable that some will always be a long way from the seat of government. That would StiU apply if a new State was established. The honourable member also suggested that there should be greater expenditure through my Northern Development portfolio. I have already made It clear that the Govemment does not see the portfoUo as an expenditure department, but rather that my responsibility as Minister for Northern Development is to ensure adequate expenditure by all Govemment departments in the northern part of the State and that projects proposed by private enterprise are given every encouragement and assistance at Government level. I was most interested In the remarks made by the honourable member for Sherwood regarding the operations of gravel barges and the noise emanating therefrom. As he is aware, my departmental officers endeavour to monitor the operations pf the barges to ensure they do not operate outside the bounds of the permits issued to them. They also attempt to investigate as quickly as possible all complaints received regarding noise emanating from barge operations. It is unfdrtunate that there wiU continue to be some discomfort experienced by the residents adjacent to the river until an alternative source of sand and gravel becomes available. However, river gravel is a dwindUng resource and I would support any action that the honourable member may be able to take to hasten the development of the hard rock quarries at Kholo and the carriage of quarry produd by river barge. I would like to refer to the honourable member for TownsviUe West's remarks with regard tp,,the export of meat from TownsviUe to the American east coast, and how such a trade could be most significant for northern development. I inform the honourable member that my predecessor in the portfolio of Minister for Maritime Services brought up the subject olf cargo decentralisation at the Marine and Ports Coundl of Australia Ministers' meeting, and that upon their recommendation the Federal Bureau of Transport Economics is to consider the possibUity of extending one of its studies on decentraUsation of cargoes to look at the effects on North Queensland and other more distant ports. I am well aware of the concern expressed by the honourable member for Barron River when he makes mention of the shortage of boating patrol officers. As the numbers of tourist vessels and commercial fishing vessels continue to grow and the average person becomes more boating conscious, the need for more officers will continue to grow. There is Uttle doubt in my mind that, with the massive influx of fishing and tourist vessels in the Calms area, the need for further officers to ensure that safety factors are observed must be looked at most seriously in the near future. Now that there has been some relaxation of staff ceUings, the matters can be pursued. I am also looking at ways and means by which the effective work of the existing patrol strength can be increased, the recent amendment to the Marine Act to introduce on-the-spot fines being one such improvement in operating efficiency. I was rather disappointed to hear the member for Lytton say again that he is opposed to on-the-spot fiines. I believe their introduction wUl relieve my officers from the onerous duty of spending hours at court-houses waiting to appear in actions against offenders. As a result of the introduction of on-the-spot fiines, those officers will be able to spend more time apprehending offenders. I am aware of the shortage of land available for industrial estates at Port Douglas. A solution whereby the Land Administration Commission would make land available to industry, either directly or to the local authority, so that certain of these lands could then be released for industrial development, is being look at. The honourable member remarked on the recommendations of the Beach Protection Authority to ensure that future development of the coastal zone north of Cairns is not detrimental to the beaches. 2980 22 October 1981 Printing and Newspapers BiU

At 9.55 p.m., , . The TEMiPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Row): Order! Under the provisions, of the Sessional Order agreed to by the House on 8 October, I shaU now put the questions for the Vote under consideration arid the balance remaining unvoted for Northern Development and Maritime Services. The questions for the following Votes were put, and agreed to— Northem Development and Maritime Services— $ Department of Harbours and Marine .. .. , ...... 18,016,251 Balance of Vote, Trast and Special Funds, and Loj^n Fund Account 192,472,904 Progress reported.

PREATING AND NEWSPAPERS BILL Second Reading—^Resumption of Debate Debate resumed from 15 September (see p. 2050) on Mr Doumany's motion— "That the BUI be now read a second time." Mr R. J. GIBBS (Wolston) (9.57 p.m.): A number of weeks ago when the Mmister Introduced this legislation Into the ParUament the Opposition was very critical of It. I made a number of statements to the media (which have since been refuted by the Minister) that the Opposition was of the opinion that this legislation was deUberately Introduced as a means of muzzling, to a degree, some of the groups that we felt may have been involved in various community activities and perhaps demonstrations, particularly with the Common­ wealth Games being held here in 1982. I am aware, of course, that the Minister in a ministerial statement to this ParUament gave an assurance that that is not the Intended purpose of this legislation. WhUst I accept the word of the Minister—I recognise that he does have an estimable reputation in undertakings to the House—^this type Pf legislation, nevertheless, remains alarming to the Opposition because, when erne takes Into consideration the stance on civU Uberties taken by this Govemment in the past and the way in which it has tormented various minority groups within the community, this Govemment has biult up a reputation as the worst in Australia for harassment and for sorting out people withm its own PuWic Service. Consequently, I and the rest of the Opposition are concemed that this typa of legislation could be used In that way. X -wfer to the Minister's second-reading speech, where he said— "It Is considered that any legislation with respect to printhlg and newspapers shoidd only be to provide means of identifying the persons responsible for the dissemination of newspapers and other printed matter, so that anybody defamed In a pubUcation would be able to bring legal proceedings In respect of that pubUcation." There would certainly be no objection from this side of the Chamber were that to be the case. I weU recall, as would honourable menabers on both sides of the Chamber, that during the last Federal election campaign in the seat of Riverina In New South Wales some of the most disgusting material was distributed against the candidate for the Labor Party at that time, Mr Al Grassby. There were radst statements and statements from groups within the community which in fact could not be traced because the publications were anonymous. I fail to see how this piece of legislation can effectively police the distribution of that type of material to the public. I am concerned; the Opposition is concerned. Clause 6 (a) of the Bill states— " ... at the time of, or within twenty-four hours after, printing the document print on at least one copy of the document in legible characters the name and address of the person for whom or on whose instructions the document was printed;". I challenge the Minister to advise honourable members how on earth he can assure a printer that a person who walks into that printer's estabUshment wiU be of good repute within the community and wiU give his or her correct name and address or the correct name and address of the organisation that he or she represents. Prmting and l^ewspapers BUI 22 October 1981 2981

Further, the legislation makes it an offence, wUh a penalty of $600, for the printer to prmt a publication contammg information that Is not fadual, as required by the legislation. Let us assume that a printer prints a publication authorised by a person who supposedly gives his corred name and address. I defy the Minister to teU me how h could be made totally foolproof that the person concerned would in fact give his correct name and address to the printer. The evidentiary provision- in clause 8 contributes to the Very disturbing pattern that has been estabUshed by the Government in legislation introduced in this Chamber, par­ ticularly over the past 12 months. The system of justice in Queensland and in other Australian States is the Brhish system, which Is based on the prindple that one Is Innocent until proven guilty. It is therefore rather disturbing to see in legislation the onus bemg placed on the person charged of proving his or her Innocence. The evidentiary provision states— "A document or newspaper on which is printed a name purporting to be the name of— (a) the printer of the document or newspaper; (b) the persons for whom or on whose instructions the document was printed; or (c) the publisher of the newspaper, shall be received by aU courts and tribunals in any proceedings (whether criminal or cIvU) as prima facie evidence that the person whose name is so printed is— (d) the printer of the document or newspaper; (e) the person for whom or on whose instructions the document was printed; or (f) the publisher of the newspaper, as the case may be." The farcical situation could arise in which a person, out of spite or malice to a par­ ticular person or group in the community, could walk into a printer's establishment, order the printing of a document and giye a false name and address to the printer. If the printer goes ahead with the job and prints it, he is liable to a fine of $600 for giving false information. If the poUce enter the printer's premises and confiscate the material and decide to proceed with a prosecution, a person who is completely innocent and who has never authorised the document to be printed in his name, could find himself before a court on a charge. The onus of proof would be placed on him to prove that it was not his Idea to have that particular publication printed. I find that extremely offensive, as do other members of the Opposition. Any person in Queensland who believes in dvil liberties would adopt a simUar attitude. Clause 6 (3) contains an amazing piece of drafting. It provides that it shall be a defence if a person charged with an offence under subclause (2) proves that the document concemed was not printed in this State. I believe that this legislation cannot work and wiU not be made to work. Regardless of its provisions, if someone sees fit to go over the border into New South Wales—or, for that matter, into any other State—^and to have defamatory material printed -in that State, there is nothing to stop him coming back into Queerisland and distributing It. Under the BiU, If he can prove that the document was printed In another State he can be exonerated from any charge relating to its pubUcation. This legislation is an affront to intelUgent people. I have discussed it with a number of people, and riot only those associated with Various civU liberties groups. I have spoken to respected persons in the legal profession, and they have expressed their grave concem about some of the provisions in the BIU. The Opposition finds the BiU offensive. We do not believe that it can be made to work. We wiU be opposing it. Mr MILLINER (Everton) (10.6 p.iH.): I share the concern expressed by my colleague the honourable member for Wolston, As honpurable members know, I am a former printer. I, too, have spoken to many people about the BiH. A number of printers to whom I have spoken share the concem expressed by my colleague about the position in which they wiU find themselves under the Bill. 2982 22 October 1981 Printing and Newspapers Bill

I wonder what the Bill is aU about. The Minister, in introducing the legislation said that when the first BiH was introduced in 1953 the Government at that time was concerned with scurrilous material allegedly being printed and distributed by the Communist Party. I ask the Minister how many eoriiplaints against printers of newspapers were lodged with his department under the existing Act and how many prosecutions were 'instituted as a result of those complaints. I am led to believe that there were not very many. Sp I question the need for this legislation in the light of the fact that the Act did not work. The Minister indicated that he had had discussions whh the Printing and Allied Trades Employers'Association concerting the' BiH arid that that associatiori indicated its support for it. I should like to know why the assodatiori would support the BiH. After all, its members will be placed in al very difficult position. The honourable member for Wolston referred to the election material that was printed in the Riverina. All of us knPw that at election-time we are boUrid by the Elections Act, under which aU material that is distributed must be authorised by a person and the name of the printer must appear on it. I do not see the necessity for introducmg a BiU to cover newspapers and printers in the other areas. Perhaps the Minister can explain why he feels there is a need for the BiH, I do not think it is necessary. I believe it is a case of bureaucracy gone made. As the honourable member for Wolston pointed out, if someone wants to distribute defamatory material, all he has to do is have |t printed interstate. It is as simple as that. The Bill provides that it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that the material was printed interstate. I do not beUeve that the legislation is working. As I said, it is simply a case of bureaucracy gone made.

Mr SCASSOLA (Mt Gravatt) (10.8 p.m.): I rise to make a couple of points con­ ceming the matters tha.t have been raised by the Opposition spokesmen. At the outset, I might say that they have amply demonstrated that a little knowledge is a very dangerous thing. The important provisions in the Bill are contained in clauses 4 and 6. It would serve the Opposition members weU to read the definition of "newspaper". That definition relates to a paper or pamphlet containing any public news or any comment upon public news or any political matter, printed for sale or distribution. It goes on to define in quite specific terms what it relates to. It specifically excludes matter that is wholly commercial in character. , , The other principal provision is clause 6. It provides that a person who pubUshes any document, that is, in effect, a newspaper, must show on it certain information which is, in effect, the name and address of the publisher and the printer. There is nothing new about this legislation. The BUI before us is certainly not unique. It is based very substantially on legislation that has been in force in New South Wales—a State frequently held up by the Opposition as one which we should follow—since 1973. I have not yet heard one Opposition member criticise that New South Wales legislation. The legislation simply requires the disclosure of the names and addresses of printers and publishers of newspapers which, in the broad sense, has been in force in Queensland for a generation. That is not new. The Elections Act requires that poUtical matter pubUshed at election-time must bear the names of the printers, authors, and those authorising the publication. That is not new. The Bill requires the provision of that information so that people aggrieved by the substance and contents of a document may have recourse at law and may be able to locate the people who they claim have injured them In some way. It is as simple as that. It is not unreasonable to require the provisipn of that very basic Information. If an honourable member opposite believed that he was defamed by the contents of a document it is not unreasonable to suggest that he ought to have readily available to him information that would lead him to the author and the printer of that document so that he could have redress at law for the injury sustained. Prmting and Newspapers BiU 22 October 1981 2983

The other matter referred to concerned the provisions of clause 8, It was suggested that that clause involved what is commonly called the reverse onus of proof. I suggest that honourable members opposite should read that clause very carefully because it does no such thing. All it says is that infonnation on a document wiU be taken as prima facie evidence of certain things. That is not a matter of reverse onus. It merely says that it is evidence before a court which may be rebutted by other evidence. It is not an uncommon provision; it Is not unique; it Is to be found in many pieces of legislation. The honourable' member for Wolston was very critical of another clause in the BiU which specificaUy provides a defence. That, too. Is not unique. It appears in many statutes in Queensland and in other places. It is in the New South Wales statute. The only substantial difference between this Bill and the BiH that has been in force in New South Wales since 1973 are the penalties contained in the clauses.

Mr INNES (Sherwood) (10.15 p.m.): A great,deal of nonsense has been talked about this BUI. Motives have been attributed to it that do not indicate any intelligent reading of both the Act and the BUI, and they are not in fact a reality. The prime motive for the Bill was stated by the Minister in his second-reading speech. It is to get rid of the onerous, unreasonable, in fad the savage obUgations of the Ad which was passed by a Labor Government for what it saw to be iniquities perpetrated in the early 1950s by the Communist Party. Under the present Act an inspector can enter any place where there is a printing press or he suspects there is one. He can insped and examine any printing press. He can interrogate any person! He can require any person to give his name and address and require evidence as to the correctness thereof. He can require production for inspection of any records; certificates or books. He can take possession of any printing press found in any place that is not registered. He can caU to his aid any member of the PoUce Force, They are, in outline and in brief, some of the major powers that inspectors have. Any place where there is a letterpress printing press, because offset printers do not fall within the definition, can be entered and the press, which can be very valuable, can be seized if it is not registered under the Act. At the moment the Act imposes an unreasonable obligation on anybody who has letterpress printers to register them, to furnish annual rdurns and to expose them to the powers of the inspectors. The cry from the Opposition and from people on this side of the House frequently is "Let people be governed by the general law." That is precisely what the BiH intends to achieve. Let people be responsible under the laws relating to defamation for what they produce, but there has to be some legislation to cover the particular problein of broadsheets, pamphlets or newspapers distributed through the letter-box. If we do not know who did it we cannot sue him; we cannot use our legal rights. All that this BiH intends to obtain is the obligation for the person, who is the author or printer of matters relating to comment on those types of things which can refer to other people—as opposed to purely commerdal pubUcations—to identify himself and expose himself to the normal recourses of the law. That is the simple and the real import of the proposed legislation. People should not be allowed to shelter under anonymity. Anonymity is cowardly and usuaHy is used only by people who v«sh to avoid the rights which others can exercise.

Mr R. J. Gibbs: What would happen to a public servant who put out a pubUcation against the views of this Government? I would wager that his job would not last too long if he put his name to that sort of publication.

Mr INNES: Whoever he is, he is governed by the law. If the law relating to his contract of service with the Crown forbids him from doing that, he is in breach and should be brought to account. If what he says is defamatory and that is substantiated, he should expose himself to defamation action by whoever is offended by it, be it the Crown or any other person in the Public Service. I see nothing wrong with that. There should be no particular provision to make public servants anonymous which does not apply to any other people in any other form of employment. 2984 22 October 1981 Printing and Newspapers Bill

The claim that this innocent legislation, which mitigates harsh legislation which put an unreasonable Imposition on anybody who has a printing press, has converted the law into some sinister Act contrary to civil liberties, is absolute nonsense and is more attributable to paranoia than to reaUty and a reading of the legislation. As the honourable member for Mt Griavatt said, ariid as the Minister, I have no doubt, wiU inform the HoUse, to suggest tmit there Is a reversal of the Onus of proof is incorrect. There is an evidentiary provisipn which leads to a prima facie case. That means that there is some evidence on which a court could act. It is not a deenung situation which says that a person has tp prove that he is not responsible for the publication. If a name is published on a document, saying that that person Is the prmter of author. Is It not reasonable that that person should be the primary source to whom one looks if one is aggrieved by what is stated in the document? If that person has not printed h he can show that he has not printed it, or he can meet the slight change in the onus of proof Involved in a prima facie case, and wUl go free. This BUI sets out to guard people's rights, not to take them away. It just sets out to identify a publication with a person. If It makes a comment about somebody else, and if he is defamed or wronged In law, he has some recourse. What the BiU does take away quite reasonably are the obUgations on printers to register and to leave themselves liable to onerous Inspections and to time-wasting and costly retums. This BUI provides riothing but benefit. It is a plus. It has proper regard for the problems of the printing trade and the rights of the individual members of the community. It is npt anti-civil liberties.

Hon. S. S. DOUMANY (Kurilpa—Minister for Justice and Attoraey-Cteneral) (10.21 p.m.), in reply: I thank honourable members for their contributions. I must say that I am rather surprised and appaUed at the attitude that the Opposition has adopted towards this BUI. On 17 September I made a ministerial statement rebutting points that had been made by the honourable member for Wolston. I thought I had made it very clear that there was no ulterior motivation behind this Bill; that in fact It was a reforming BUI, as the honourable member for Sherwood has just said; that it was a BiU that was renioving Draconian and other onerous provisions that were Introduced in 1953 for a totally different purpose, one that belonged to that era; and that it was introducing means of protection of the rights of citizens in Queensland. That Is all it Is about.

Dr Edwards interjected.

Mr DOUMANY: Yes, I think it is possible that some Labor lawyers may have provided a briefing. Mr R. J. Gibbs: It certainly Indicates that better minds than Dr Edwards's perused the document.

Mr DOUMANY: Just to set the honourable member's mind at rest, I have here a letter from the president of the Bar Association of Queensland, Mr C. W. Pincus, QC. I do not think that the honourable member wiU find too many better minds than his. Amongst a number of matters in the final part of his letter to me, under the heading "Repeal of Printing and Newspapers Act 1953-1972", he said— "We can see no objection to this, nor to the enactment of the altemative legislation mentioned In the statement of proposed changes." Since that time the Bar Association has had fuU access to this BIU—it has laid on the table for some weeks—and It has no objection to It. In fact, I have had some verbal praise from the association about what is being done. I have here an official endorsement of this BUI, of the action that has been taken in repealing the present Act, from the Bar Association of Queensland. The same response has been forthcoming from the Law Society. Frankly, if those two professional organisations do not see fit to object and are willing to accept what the Government is doing, then I am at a loss to understand the attitude of the Opposition here tonight. Printmg and Newspapers BiU 22 October 1981 2985

The points that were raised by the Opposition have been rebutted very ably by both the honourable member for Sherwood and the honourable member for Mt Gravatt. The question of onus of proof is certainly not relevant to clause 8, which provides— "A document or newspaper on which Is printed a name purporting to be the name of— (a) the print of the document or newspaper; (b) the person for whom or on whose Instmctions the document was printed; or (c) the publisher of the newspaper, shaU be received ... as prima facie evidence ..." The clause does not provide that that Information wUl be received as conclusive evidence. Therefore, in an appropriate case, it is open for a person to give evidence that he was not the printer or publisher of the document or newspaper in question. Frankly, there is no question of a reversal of the onus of proof contained in the clause. If a printer printed on a document an incorrect name and address of a person who instracted the printing of it, the printer woyld have a defence under the Criminal Code if he honestly and reasonably beUeved that the name and address that he printed was correct. That is another avaUable protection. Both the honourable member for Wolston and the honpurable member for Everton raised the question of interstate shipment of defamatory material. There is no way that the BiU can be expected to seal up our borders; It Is not intended to do that. It is intended to give some framework of protection, but no-one can pretend—I certainly would not—that we can absolutely preclude the publication of defamatory material. That is not possible. AU honourable members know that if people want to do those sorts of things, and are determined to do them, then they will do so. But the point remains that the BiH does its very best, within the borders of the jurisdiction for which the Government is responsible, to safeguard against those circumstances and to force as far as possible the pubUcation of the names and addresses of those people who are responsible for those actions.

Mr Innes: Do you think the honourable members for Archerfield and Wolston have some interest In the distribution of scurrilous and anonymous literature? Mr DOUMANY: I think we should allow the honourable member for Archerfield to answer that question. His past performance speaks for itself, but he should answer that very important question. There is no doubt that the Bill Is a positive measure that complements protection existent under the present law of the State. In relation to material coming from interstate, if defamatory material was printed at Tweed Heads and was distributed in Queenslarid, any person involved in that distribution would be subject to a civil action in the normal fashion. That recourse has been m existence, anyway. I am convinced that this BiH and the repeal of the old Act are both desirable. If h is good enough for New South Wales, under a Labor administration since 1976, to keep on its statute books a piece of legislation that was enacted eight years ago, and not amended, then I am very surprised at the attitude of the Opposition this evening. I commend the Bill to the House. Motion (Mr Doumany) agreed to.

(I!!ommittee Mr Akers (Pine Rivers) In the chair Clauses 1 to 16, as read, agreed to. BiU reported, without amendment.

Third Reading Bill, on motion of Mr Doumany, by leave, read a third time. 2986 22 October 1981 Sandalwood Ad Repeal Bill

SANDALWOOD ACT REPEAL BILL Second Reading—Resumption of Debate Debate resumed from 13 October (see p. 2550) on Mr Glasson's motion— "That the BiH be now read a second time."

Mr KRUGER (Murrumba) (10.31 p.m.): The Opposition does not oppose the BiU, but we do wish to make some points that I believe are relevant to the legislation. Some important matters we intend to raise show the BUI to be not as simple as the Minister indicated in his second-reading speech. The Bill is simply a repeal Bill, but it is not so simple in the overall context of the legislation. I would like to explain a little about sandalwood, its original value and export significance, and the early legislation. Let us have a look at what sandalwood really is. Sandalwood is the name properly applied to species of the genus, but also given, less justifiably, to several other trees having scented timber, such as sugarwood, bastard sandalwood and the native sandalwood of Tasmania. The scrub sandalwood, which has hard, dark, fragrant timber, extends round the Coast from northern New South Wales and Queensland to the Kimberleys, and red sandalwood is a leguminous tree with hard, heavy, dark wood, extending from northern Queensland to India. Santalum is a genus of 24 species of trees and shrubs in the family santalaceae. The seven AustraUan species appear to be endemic. Seven others are endemic in Hawau and the remaining 10 are scattered on islands from Java to Juan Femandez (including New Guinea, Bonin, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahhi). The flowers, which have four to six lobes, are insignificant, but the globular fruits are relatively large and bear a thin succulent coat. Aborigines used to eat the smaU, agreeable purplish fruits of santalum lanceolatum and the larger red drupes of the sweet quandongj which was also used as a conserve by white pioneerSj and they roasted the nutritious roots of bitter quandong. The importance of the genus centres in its usually pale and highly fragrant timber (Sandalwood) which for centuries has been in demand by people of the CJrient—particularly Chinese and Indians—for making idols, sacred ornaments, carved boxes and joss sticks, and as fuel for funeral pyres. Mrs Kyburz: This is very relevant to Queensland! We are becoming Moslems now, are we, using sandalwood for funeral pyres?

Mr KRUGER: I am not concemed with what the member for Salisbury Is worried about. I am just raising what I want to talk about. The member for Salisbury can do what she wants to do tomorrow. The distilled wood oil has been used in medicines, perfumes, cosmetics and sacred unguents. White sandalwood, which occurs naturally on Indonesian islands from Timor to Eastern Java, was the species first commercialised, and as accessible supplies diminished a very high value was placed upon the timber. Exploitation of the Hawaiian species began in 1790 and reached a peak during the 1820s when some hundreds of thousands of dollars worth a year were shipped to China. Sandalwood became the chief article of commerce in Hawaii, and trees were destroyed so recklessly that the species was threatened with extinction. Australia's first interest in the sandalwood trade dates from September 1804, when James Aickin, master of the schooner "Marcia" at Sydney, sailed for Fiji after a glowing account of the sandalwood supplies there had been given by an American castaway, Oliver Slater. Aickin brought back to Sydney 15 tonnes of the timber of santalum yasi purchased from the unsuspecting Fijians for a few scraps of old iron. Vessels from America, the PhiUppines and India then joined the rash for Fijian sandal­ wood for sale to China, and 693 tonnes were landed in Sydney during 1813. In the following year, Slater, who had shipped to Fiji as interpreter, was murdered by islanders. By 1815, Sandalwood Ad Repeal BIU 22 October 1981 2987

Fijian supplies were practically exhausted and the sandalwood traders turned their attention to the Marquesas, the New Hebrides and the Loyalty Islands. The early sandal-tree trade in the Pacific was marked by violence and atrocities, and with some justification it has been Unked with whaUng as the most adventurous caUing of those times. Sandalwood seems to have been first exported from the AustraUan mainland in 1846, when 4 tonnes were sent from Western Australia. Fragrant or Swan River sandalwood and nothern sandalwood have yielded the most revenue for Australia. Between 1908 and 1930 the average annual amount exported was about 8 000 tonnes, the largest annual amount being 15136 tonnes m 1919-20. Those export figures have not been equalled since. Annual production of sandalwood has fluctuated In recent years. In 1963-64 it feU to 429 tornies, but by the mid-1970s it was in the vicmity of 1100 tonnes. Most sandalwood is exported. Sandalwood ofl distilled from santalum spicatum has considerable value for medicinal and perfumery purposes. The major portion of the oil is exported overseas. Westem AustraUa markets it in the eastem States and overseas, with Britain being the principal importer in most years. No sandalwood oil was produced in AustraUa between 1967-68 and 1971-72. Some sandalwood oil is imported Into AUstraUa, with the annual quantities varying greatiy.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I would appreciate it, and I think the members would do likewise, if the honourable member's remarks had some relevance to the BiU. Mr KRUGER: I consider that they do. At the commencement of my speech I indicated that I wanted to point out the origin of the sandalwood species and make some comments on the early trade. I would like to take that matter a Uttle further before I raise other aspects. As I am talking about the origin of the timber, it Is relevant to the BiU. I am dealing with the repeal of the Sandalwood Act. In 1974 the Westem Australian Forests Department estabUshed an experimental S. spicatum plantation near Kalgoorlie in an attempt to determine whether commerdal plantations were economicaUy feasible and to safe­ guard the spedes from extinction. The Westem Australian Government is trying to preserve the species. Mr INNES: I rise to a point of order. Isn't the custom of this House that speeches are not to be read? Members would prefer to hear a spontaneous contribution by the member.

Mr SPEAKER: I appredate the comments made by the member for Sherwood. It Is fair to say that the member for Murrumba is speaking on a subject on which it would appear he is not terribly conversant. Under the circumstances, I will permit him to read his speech. I would ask him at some time in the not too distant future to confine his remarks to the contents of the BUI.

Mr KRUGER: Because the Act was passed in 1934 and we are now repealing it, for obvious reasons with which I shaU be deaUng, I decided to read my prepared material. During the Minister's second-reading speech he said that not too many people within this Chamber would know anything about the BiU. He went on to explain quite clearly what the BiU was aU about and gave its history. I am trying to make some comments on the origm of the species so that members wiU be aware of the significance of certain comments made during the Minister's speech.

Mr SPEAKER: May I remind the honourable meriiber that he has 81 minutes to go?

Mr KRUGER: With due respect, Mr Speaker, I think I wiU cover the material completely in that time. The Sandalwood Act of 1934—I )vill not quote the portions that wUl worry other members Mrs Kyburz: You're boring us, not worrying us. , 2988 22 October 1981 Sandalwood Ad Repeal Bill

Mr KRUGER: If Government members would listen for a littie while, I would be pleased to explain to them what the BiU is all about. ;; I quote from a summary of the objects of the 1934 Act, as follows:— "The object of this Act is to protect the Sandalwood industry of this State to preserve its sandalwood, and for that purpose to supplement the provisions of the existing law relating to timber. The BiH makes h an offence for any unlicensed person (excepting persons exempted) to cut sandalwood on Crown land or private land. Licenses are issuable by the Commissioner. Licenses over private lands must have consent of owner thereof. ' n Licensees cutting on Crown lands may be required to seU the Sandalwood to the Forestry Board. Certain restrictions obtain as to the quantity to be cut on private lands. The measure contams the usual machmery, and regulation provisions. The Act also ratifies an agreement made on 16th August, 1934 between the Mmister and the Australian Sandalwood Company Limiteid of Westem Australia, relating to Sandalwood." The Minister said in his speech that by 1940 the greater pprtion of Queensland's resources of trae sandalwood had been harvested or otherwise destroyed to provide sheep fodder in times of drought. He went on to say that, as the species takes about 70 years to reach commercial maturity, we cannot look forward to any quick revival of the true sandalwood industry in this State. If that is so, that is all the more reason why we ought to look after the sandalwood species. This morning I gave notice of a question concerning the Cow Bay area of North Queensland, where the Govemment proposes to destroy natural timber and plants. That question wiU be answered next Tuesday. Just as the timber should be protected there, so, too, should Pur sandalwood species be protected. In 1934 the Labor Govemment of the day believed it was necessary to have legislation to control sandalwood. It had a high export value. It is interesting now. In 1981, to look back at what happened in those days with a view to ensuring that the sandalwood species does not become extinct. If h is possible to recapture that past value of sandal­ wood—a point that I was trying to make when I was ruddy interrapted—Queensland should ensure that it obtains at least part of the trade in sandalwood. As to past values—^between 1790 and 1820 hundred of thousand^ of dollars worth of timber was exported. In those years, hundreds of thousands of dollars was a significant sum of money. That gives some idea of the value and the quantity of timber that was exported. As I have pointed out, in years gone by certain species of timber were destroyed and used for sheep fodder. That was a very short-term outlook. Some advantages were gained because it provided fodder at the time. However, no con&ideratioh was given to the detrimental effects of knocking it aU down. Perhaps strip-harvesting should have been considered so that the remaining timber could minimise wind and rain erosion. I have spoken previously about the need to preserve timber. If sandalwood grows m desert areas, as is indicated by the documents I have seen, It should be presei:ved and harvested in the way most beneficial to Queensland. No timber should be cut unnecessarily when there is a possibUity of erosion occurting. Some documents presented to this House are relevant to the erosion problems I am mentioning. Timber regrowth in our harsh areas should be encouraged. With the passage of time people may remember my speech tonight advocating the preservation of some of this timber. Timber should not be felled willy-nUly, with the possibUity of extending deserts. Insufficient thought has been devoted to the proper harvesting of timber in Australia. Honourable members may recall questions I asked recently about coastal rain forests. They, too, are significant. Sandalwood is a different species from our coastal timbers. If h grows well in desert areas its preservation is worthy of consideration. Since 1934 Queenslanders have been able to produce sandalwood and export h only through the Western Australian market to Hong Kong. Possibly Queensland has been Sandalwood Ad Repeal BiU 22 October 1981 2989 denrived of an industry because df the Ad's provisions, although I am quhe prepared to accept that the Ad was introduced by a Labor Government. Since its introdudion we have learnt that U Queensland can benefit from an industry we should take advantage of it. f the export market grows to the stage where h Is equivalent to the export market between 1790 and 1820 (when hundreds of thousands of doUarS worth of timber was exported) we should be able to export sandalwood. I have received inquiries about sandalwood exports, and documents have been given lo me by people who have made contact vrith agents in China who want to buy sandalwood, but the Sandalwood Act prohlbhs exports. The repeal of this Act will mean that any Queenslander who wants to export sandalwood to China or other places will be able to do so. As I said, sandalwood oU is used in the making of perfumes.

Mr Hooper: It Is an aphrodisiac as weU.

Mr KRUGER: I do not know about that but I wlU accept the honourable member's word on it. Rosewood, or fake sandalwood, was exported. In 1947 It became sandalwood for the purposes of the Act. The Minister said that rosewood occurs extensively throughout Inland Queensland and is used mainly for fencing timber. If it is required for fencing, that is fair and reasonable, but if there Is a demand for its export, we should be able to export it. The Minister said that the timber is stiU available In such quantities that it can be exported to meet the needs of the aromatic wood trade. Dr Edwards: Mr Hooper said you don't seem to know what ypu are talking about.

Mr KRUGER: He agrees with me. I have discussed this matter with him in my committee and he is fully aware of my knowledge of the situation. The main point I want to make is that, if the Act is repealed, there wUl be some advantages because Queenslanders wUl be able to set up their own export Industry. I also make it clear that any exporting of this timber should be controlled. As I said in regard to our rain forests, we do not want to denude the westem parts of Queensland to the extent that they become desert. We should make sure that there is timber cover. I have raised what I believe are some very relevant points. We do not oppose the BUI but there are certain things that should be looked at. I hope that the Minister wiU agree that certain restrictions should be set on the harvesting of sandalwood. I hope that the Government ensures that all of Queensland is not denuded to the extent that it is stripped of timber and the desert encroaches further towards the coastUne. As conservationists at heart we should extend the timber belt so that we push the desert back instead of allowing it to encroach towards the coastline.

Mr EATON (MourUyan) (10.52 p.m.): I should like to raise a few relevant points. I have with me copies of letters from the Premier regarding this matter and also from the Office of the Minister (Commercial) Australian Embassy, Tokyo. This BUI. like the Australian Waste Lands Act. the Inclosed Lands Act and many others, have been lying dormant in the archives and should have been updated or repealed years ago. The sandalwood industry could have brought money into Queensland but, because of this Act, the sale of sandalwood and the manufacture of oil from sandalwood in Queensland were tied to the franchise of the Western AustraUan Sandalwood Company. According to the letter from the Australian Embassy In Tokyo, an amount of 136 million yen, or $513,207, was lost to Queensland. That Is based on the 1979 figures. It goes back a lot further than that. The latest figures that can be produced by the Forestry Department and the Lands Department are for 1928. That shows the neglect of the Govemment over the years. The majority of the areas that produce sandalwood are north of the Tropic of Capricorn. In future, it could be a very viable industry. As the Minister and the Lands Department 2990 22 October 1981 V.I.P. Insurances Limited, &c.. Act Amendment Bill

have said, it wUl be a matter of setting royalty rates for the timber that wiU come off Crown land. Over the years, people in Queensland have been trying to obtam a permh to operate in this field and the Government has not granted one. My major criticism tonight is the length of time that the Government has taken to repeal this Act.

Hon. C. A. WHARTON (Burnett—Leader of the House) (1054 p.m.), m reply: I would like to reply to the two members who have spoken. I thank them for their contributions. I thank the honourable member for Murrumba for his historical comments on sandalwood. I assure him that this BiU has nothing to do with wooden sandals, I take it the point is that we should preserve our timber. As a Government we want to protect our timber species. Sandalwood is a forest product within the terms of the Forestry Act and it is protected by that Act, It grows on Crown land and is therefore the property of the Crown. It is protected, so there should be no worries in that regard. The original Ad was designed to protect thp orderly marketing of the product Uiat was exported to China and other countries. As no sandalwood has been harvested in Queensland since about 1940, there is no need for the Act; it is superfluous. Sandalwood is presently grown in Western Australia, and the repeal oJF this Act will not affect the position there. Sandalwood in Queensland is a protected species, and it will regenerate. As I said, the part of the Act that refers to orderly marketing is no longer necessary, and I think that it can be repealed without any trouble. It wiU not affect people in Western Australia who want to export sandalwood. Motion (Mr Glasson) agreed to.

Committee Mr Akers (Pine Rivers) in the chair Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. Bill reported, without amendment.

Third Reading BUI, on motion of Mr Wharton, by leave, read a third time.

V.I.P. INSURANCES LIMITED (MOTOR VEHICLES E^SURANCE) ACT AMENDMENT BILL Hon, L, R. EDWARDS (Ipswich—Deputy Premier and Treasurer), by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill to amend the V.I.P. Insurances Limited (Motor Vehicles Insurance) Act 1978-1979 in a certain particular." Motion agreed to.

First Reading BiU presented and, on motion of Dr Edwards, read a first time.

Second Reading Hon. L. R. EDWARDS (Ipswich—Deputy Premier and Treasurer) (10.58 p.m.): I move— "That the Bill be now read a second time." The V.I.P. Insurances Limited (Motor Vehicles Insurance) Act provides for a rescue operation under which the nominal defendant assumes liabiUty for certain of the compulsory third party motor vehicle insurance claims Of VIP Insurances Limited, which went into liquidation on 19 AprU 1978. Queensland Cultural Centre Tmst Act Amendment BiU 22 October 1981 2991

The Act currently Umits the aggregate liabiUty of the nominal defendant to a maximum sum of $1,250,000 plus any recoveries it may obtain from the reinsurers of VIP Insurances Limitai and from policy holders who had breached their poUcy conditions. The eventual outlay will be the subject of a proof of debt against the VIP liquidator. A review of claims by the Corporation of the Nominal Defendant shows that notifications of clahns have mcreased from 138 to 142 and estimates of claims have increased having regard to inflation and the effect of a recent decision in the High Court removing or dim­ inishing a discount on future economic loss. These factors wUl inevitably increase judgments and compromise settlements. It has previously been accepted that it is not in the pubUc interest that the Nominal Defendant shaU only compensate those irijured persons whose claims are finaUsed before an aggregate outlay of $1,250,(X)0 is reached and therefore leave all other claimants unsatisfied. An increase of the limit to $2,000,000 is considered necessary. The Nominal Defendant's funds are adequate to cover such an increase without requiring any increase in the annual Nominal Defendant fee levied on motorists. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr D'Arcy, adjourned.

QUEENSLAND CULTURAL CENTRE TRUST ACT AMENDMENT BILL Hon. L. R. EDWARDS (Ipswich—Deputy Premier and Treasurer), by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a BUI to amend the Queensland Cultural Centre Trust Act 1976 in certain particulars." * Motion agreed to.

First Reading Bill presented and, on motion of Dr Edwards, read a first time.

Second Reading Hon. L. R, EDWARDS (Ipswich—Deputy Premier and Treasurer) (11.3 p.m.): I move— "That the Bill be now read a second time." Honourable members wUl recall that in 1976 legislative action was taken by the House to provide for the establishment and incorporation of the Queensland Ciiltural Centre Trust and for other matters incidental thereto. The principal functions and powers of the trust were outUned in broad terms in sections 21 and 22 of the Act, which was entitled the Queensland Cultural Centre Trust Ad of 1976. These covered a wide spectrum of responsibiUty. There can be no doubt that the trustees of the Cultural Centre have applied themselves assiduously to the task entrusted to them. Indeed, it would be true to say that, in con­ junction with the buUding authority and the various spedaUst consultants, they have con­ tributed greatly to the overall development of the centre. The trust is certainly to be congratulated on the role it has played in helping to bring to fruition this truly exdting and imaginative concept. Building constraction is, of course, now well under way. Stage I, which includes the art gallery, auditorium, car-park, and restaurant, is to all intents and purposes finished— other than for final fit-out in the case of the art gallery. Stage II. which includes the concert hall. Lyric Theatre, studio theatre, a bistro and an arcade of shops, is visibibly taking shape, whilst tenders for the museum wiU shortly be called. I am sure that, even at this relatively early stage in the total program, honourable members must be impressed by not only the immensity but also the diversity of the overall project. When finished, the Queensland Cultural Centre wiU be unique in that h wiU bring together on the one site a whole range of educational, scientific and cultural pursuits. It will cater for both the visual and performing arts on a scale unprecendented in this State. Indeed, I suggest that it will surpass anything else of its kind in Australia. 2992 22 October 1981 Queensland Cultural Centre Trust Act Amendment Bill

With the experience of the past four years 'behind them, and having regard to legal advice they have received, the trustees of the cditre are of the considered opinion that the provisions of the present Act could with advantage be strengthened by amending a number of sections in minor particulars and by widening certain others to enable the trust to more effectively discharge its obUgations under the'Act. In the opinion of the Government the recommendations put forward by thie trust are reasonable and worthy of implementation. Accordingly, I submit them for the consideration of the House, I shall briefly explain the proposed amendments. It is considered desirable to define more precisely the term "Queensland Cultural Centre". Under the amending BUl, "Queensland Cultiiral Centre" wlU mean the land reserved and set apart for the purposes of constlfuthig a cultural centre at Brisbane together with the buUdings and other improvements thereon. The amending BUl provides that the Govemor in Coundl may, under section 334 of the Land Act 1962-1981, reserve and set apart any Crown land which. In the opinion of the Governor in CouncU, is or may be required for the purpose of constituting the centre. It further provides that any land so reserved and set apart shall be placed under the control of the trust as trustee. To enable this to be accomplished. It Is necessary to declare that the purposes of the trust shall be deemed to be pubUc purposes within the meaning of the Land Act 1962-1981. With the benefit of these provisions, the trust wili more effectively be able to discharge its responsibUities under the Act, including in particular the letting or leasing of land and/or buildings comprised in the centre. In order further to facilitate the operation of the centre and to avoid unnecessary referrals to the Minister for Lands and Forestry, it is proposed to exempt the trast from certain provisions of the Land Act which are not really appropriate in this situation. The same exemption wUl apply to any statutory corporation, person or body to whom a lease is granted by the trust. As the Act is presently framed, the emphasis, as of course it should be, is on those activities which are of an artistic, scientific, cultural or performing arts nature. The trust very properly is anxious to maximise the use of the centre's facilities, particularly those which are revenue-producing such as the concert haU, the Lyric Theatre and the auditorium. If the experience of other centres of a like nature is to be taken as a guide, these will become popular venues for conventions, receptions and banquets as well as for other purposes. As the Act is presently drafted, there is doubt as to whether the trust could legitimately lease its facUities for any purpose which is not strictly artistic, scientific, cultural or performing arts in concept. The amending BUl widens the trast's powers in this respect. Under the existing Act the trust is required, in respect of each financial year, to adopt and present to the Minister a budget showing its estimates of revenue and expenditure for the succeeding financial year. The budget has no fprce or effect until it is approved by the Minister. The trust is required to confine its disbursements throughout a financial year within the items and amounts as approved by the Minister. If an extraordinary circumstance arises which requires the trust to make a disbursement in that financial year for which no provision has been made in the budget, or which exceeds the amount approved, the trust is required to obtain the approval of the Minister for an amendment to the budget. It has been found this requirement is unnecessarily restrictive and it is now proposed that the trust, by resolution, may approve the disbursement or excess disbursement provided that the budget as approved by the Minister is not exceeded in total by such disbursement or excess disbursement. This is normal procedure. In accordance with clause 42 of the present Act, the trust has proceeded to draw up a set of by-laws. This has become particularly important in respect of the opening of the auditorium, the restaurant and the car-park. In the case of the latter, it is clearly desirable to establish where liability lies in relation to offences involving motor vehicles at the centre and to provide for recovery of penalties where offences have been committed. Likewise it is necessary to declare the land comprised in the centre to be a public place for the purposes of any Act conferring or imposing on members of the Police Force powers or duties with respect to public places or providing for the punishment of offences committed in a public place. The powers given to the trust to make by-laws have been widened in the amending Bill to cover these essential requirements. Financial Administration and Audit Act Amendment BiU 22 October 1981 2993

The amending Bill also provides for the disposal of unclaimed and perishable property if there are reasonable grounds to suspect the property or thing in question has been abandoned. There are two other matters covered by the amending Bill, Firstly, the present Act provides for the appointment of assistant directPrS. It Is considered more appropriate that these officials be designated managers in keeping with accepted nomenclature elsewhere. Finally, the amending Bill empowers the Governor in Council to approve the payment of remuneration in certain drcumstances to the chairman and/or the deputy chairman of the tmst and also such aUowances as may be determined from time to time in the case of the individual trustees. As honourable members wUl observe, the proposed ameridments are not of a controversial nature. They are designed to give more effective control to the trast in the day-to-day management and operation of the centre. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr D'Arcy, adjourned.

FINANCIAL ADMINSTRATION AND AUDIT ACT AMENDMENT BILL Hon. L. R. EDWARDS (Ipswich—Deputy Premier arid Treasurer), by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a BUl to amend the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977-1978 in certain particulars." Motion agreed to. First Reading , BUl presented and, on motion of Dr Edwards, read a first time.

Second Reading Hon. L. R, EDWARDS (Ipswich--Deputy Premier and Treasurer) (11.10 a.m.): T move— "That the BUl be now read a second time." The prmcipal Financial Administration and Audit Act was passed by the House in 1977 and amended in certain particulars in 1978. The Government again seeks amendment of the Act to ensure that its objects and purposes are properly achieved. In particular the proposed amendments are required— to broaden or clarify the range of investments avaUable to the Treasurer for the investment of public moneys; to give statutory backing to financial administration procedures relative to the Queensland Government Representative Office, Tokyo; to provide flexibiUty in procedures relative to the cash credit expenditure accounts of the Department of Main Roads and the Workers Compensation Board; to clarify the responsibUity of accountable officers with respect to departmental fees and charges; to provide for cyclical audits by the Auditor-General; and to provide also for certain other matters of a i>rocedural or technical nature. The proposed amendments relative both to the audit provisions of the Ad that are administered by the Honourable the Premier and to the financial administration provisions that are administered by the Treasurer. For the sake of convenience such amendments have been incorporated in the one BiH. The Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977-1978 which it is proposed to amend m certam particulars is a consolidated body of law relating to financial administration; the management, control, collection and expenditure of public moneys and other moneys; the investment of public moneys; the accounting for public moneys, other moneys, public property and other property; the audit of the public accouiits, departmental accounts and certain other accounts; and for purposes incidental thereto. The Act has been widely acknowledged as a very progressive piece of legislation and Its implementation has provided a challenge to those engaged in public administration in Queensland. 2994 22 October 1981 Financial Administration and Audit Act Amendment Bill

For the purpose of refreshing the memories of honourable members, may I recaU the three well-recognised and accepted principles of parliamentary control, and account­ abUity of the Executive and administration to parliament, that are embodied in the Act, namely:— (1) The executive and the administrative arms of government are accountable to Parliament for the use of public funds as moneys from taxes and other sources are only received by them in trust for Parliament. They have a responsibUity to see that moneys are properly coUected; that assets are protected from loss; that expenditure Is made only for purposes approved by Parliament; and that, in making such expenditure, care is taken to ensure that value for money is obtained. (2) In accepting that trust, the Executive and the administration also accept the responsibility for reporting to Parliament as to how it has been fulfilled. (3) There must be an independent person, namely the Auditor-General, who can assure Parliament that the information supplied by the Executive and the administration is true and fair and represents adequate and balanced reporting. The amendments which the Government proposes should be made to the Act are mainly of a procedural and technical nature and do not introduce any new principles nor disturb any of the principles on which the Act is based. Perhaps the proposal which wiU be of most interest to honourable members is that the range of investments available to the Treasurer for the investment of public moneys be broadened or clarified. Under existing legislation the Treasurer is empowered to invest in securities of spedfied categories. The proposed amendment sets forth and clarifies those categories. However, other avenues of investment may become available or necessary. The Government therefore seeks legislation which provides for such eventualities, aUows flexibiUty, and removes restrictions that may be imposed by existing legislation. The BUl accordmgly provides for the Treasurer to be empowered, subject to the approval of the Govemor in Council, to invest in "such other investments or financial arrangements" as he thinks fit. Honourable members should note that the Treasurer's exercise of the proposed additional power will be subject to the approval of the Govemor acting by and with the advice of Cabinet. The proposal does not in any way lessen the control now exerdsed by the ParUament with respect to the investment procedures. On the contrary, the BUl provides for a substantial improvement in the control and accounting procedures and the correlated accountability in this regard to the Parliament. Provision is made in the BiU for the establishment and maintenance of an Investment Suspense Bank Account within the Queensland Government account at the Reserve Bank and the recording through that account of all the transactions relating to the investments in question. Under existing arrangements, the relative transactions are recorded through the Trust and Special Funds Bank Account which makes the control, accounting and reporting to Parliament quite complex and difficult. Further, the Bill proposes that a new duty be imposed upon the Treasurer to prepare a report annuaUy on the investment operation and to include that report in the Treasurer's Annual Statement which is tabled in this House. AccountabUity is thus being improved. Parliament will be assured of the correctness of such annual report on investment operations by virtue of the Audhor-General's certificate thereto. From 1957 to 1977, cash balances held from time to time in the public and departmental accounts were invested under authority of the Treasury Funds Investment Act as amended. That Act was repealed In 1977 on the passing of the Finandal Administration and Audit Act which incorporated the provisions of the repealed Act. The pradice of Investing the cash balances available to the Treasurer has resulted in very significant Income which has been paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. May I draw honourable members attention to the Treasurer's Annual Statement for the year ended 30 June 1981, which indicates that the earnings for that year from investment of the Treasurer's general cash balance was $116,769,228. I commend the Bill to honourable members. Queensland FUm Industry Development Act Amendment Bill 22 October 1981 2995

Mr D'Arcy: Can the Minister give me an assurance that this BiU wiU not be debated withm a period of seven days? Dr EDWARDS: I am quhe happy to give that assurance to the honourable member. Debate, on motion of Mr D'Arcy, adjoumed.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOLIDAY BILL Hon, Sir WILLIAM KNOX (Nundah—Minister for Employment and Labour Relations), by leave, whhout notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill to make provision for a public holiday for the opening of the Xllth Commonwealth Games." Motion agreed to. First Reading Bill presented and, on motion of Sir WUUam Knox, read a first time.

Second Reading Hon. Sir WILLIAM KNOX (Nundah—'Minister for Employment and Labour Relations) (11.17 p.m.): I move— "That the BUl be now read a second time." In introducing this Bill, I need hardly remind the House that the most significant national and international event ever staged in Queensland—the Xllth Commonwealth Games — will take place in Brisbane in 1982 from Thursday, 30 September to 9 October. The most popular event and that requiring the most planning will be the opening ceremony on Thursday, 30 September 1982. This event is traditionally opened by a member of the Royal Family. Each day of the Games involves the transportation of many thousands of people. The opening day presents many difficulties which will not be evident on other days of the Games. On the opening day an estimated 70 000 spectators, competitors and officials wUl all be concentrated at one venue, to which few normal public transport services operate. All people wHl wish to leave the venue immediately after the opening ceremony and this wiU coincide with peak-hour work trips and late-night-shopping trips to nearby centres. There wUl be many interstate and overseas visitors attending the Games and it is highly desirable that spectators be cleared quickly as possible at the end of the opening ceremony. This will only be achieved with optimum circumstances. Severe transport delays are unaccept­ able, as Brisbane will be on show to the world. Detailed planning indicates that a public hoUday is essential to ensure provision of satisfactory transport services. WhUst the greatest need exists in Brisbane, other needs could arise in the dormitory areas of the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba. The opening ceremony of the Games is a spectacular one and there are many Queens­ landers who would like to buy tickets. Knowing that there wUl be a holiday for the occasion wUl enable them to make suitable arrangements. The BiU before the House provides for Thursday, 30 September 1982, the day of the opening ceremony of the Xllth Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, to be a public holiday throughout the State. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Hansen, adjourned.

QUEENSLAND FILM INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT AMENDMENT BILL Hon. J. A. ELLIOTT (Cunningham—^Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts) by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill to amend the Queensland Film Industry Development Act 1977^1979 in certain particulars." Motion agreed to. 2996 22 October 1981 Queensland Film Industry Development Act Amendment BiB

First Reading . , Bill presented and, on motion of Mr EUiott, read a first time.

Second Reading , Hon. J. A. ELLIOTT (Cunningham—Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts) (11.22 p.m.): I move— , "That the BiH be now read a second time," The Queensland Film Corporation was established In 1977 with the twin aims of estabUshing a film industry in Queensland and promoting Queensland as a location for film and television projects. The corporation comprises a chairman and nine members drawn from various sectors of the industry. The original chairman was the Co-ordinator General, Mr Syd Schubert. In 1979 the FUm Corporation was transferred to the new Department of The Arts, National Parks and Sport. The deputy co-ordinator of that department, Mr CaUaghan, became chairman ex officio but does not receive any additional salary or aUowances. The nine members are the Director of Industrial Development, Mr J. V. Bensted as Deputy Chairman; the Under Treasurer, Mr L. A. Hielscher; Mr M, G. WUliams; Mr T. W. Smith; Mr R. G. Archer; Mr J. H. Warner, MLA representing the Legislative Assembly; Mr F. T. Moore; Mr R. S. Parkes and Mr H. S. WiUiams. Since its inception the corporation has invested just over $lm in film and television projects. To date four feature films haye been made with financial or logistical assistance from the corporation. A mini-series "SUent Reach" has been completed and sold to the National 9 Network for the Australian record sum of $135,000 for each of the five episodes, This series to be screened next year stars Robert Vaughn, Helen Morse, Graham Kennedy and Leonard Teale. Another four feature films, a children's television series, a television special and a number of documentaries are in various stages of pre-production. All these projects have featured Queensland locations, Queensland actors and Queensland crews. This is a condition of investment by the corporation. The corporation at present is having discussions with a company on the establishment of a film studio. The original Act has worked weU but experience has shown the need for two amendments. At present aU investments no matter how small have to be approved by Order in Council. This has meant unnecessary costs. It is proposed that the Minister be able to approve film and television Investments up to the amount he may authorise. This, at present, is $50,000. All investments above this figure would stifi have to be by Order in Council. Investments approved by the Minister wUl be listed in the annual report the corporation makes to Parliament. The other amendment covers the employment of staff. The corporation has only three staff, two of whom are consultants, and the third Is the receptionist-stenographer. The receptionist-stenographer has to be employed presently under the Public Service Act. The corporation has a set life of 10 years from 1977, and for this reason does riot wish to employ permanent staff. The amendment brings the corporation into line with the Cultural Centre Trust in that it may employ staff on any terms and conditions it sees fit subject to the relevant awards and agreements. Because of an omission, the words, "subject to the approval of the Minister" have not been added after the words, "The corporation may" in the first line of new section 25 in clause 5. I give notice that I wiU move an amendment to insert those words. The corporation does not intend to expand its staff of three. The opportunity has also been taken to amend the name of the department, where it occurs, to the Department of The Arts, National Parks and Sport and to amend the portfoUo to Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts. I commend the BiU to the House. This is not a BiH of an urgent nature and it is not proposed to resume the second- reading debate before seven days have expired. Debate, on motion of Mr Warburton, adjoumed. The House adjoumed at 11.26 p.m.