Queensland
Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]
Legislative Assembly
TUESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1971
Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy
Questions Upon Notice (30 NOVEMBER 1971] Questions Upon Notice 2299
TUESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1971 November 27, 1971, to discuss the revalua tion with them. The ratepayers' repre sentatives decided at this meeting to pre Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, pare a written case for postponement of Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair the effective date of the valuation for a at 11 a.m. period of two years and this will be presented to me by the Honourable Mem PAPERS ber for Carnarvon. I understand that one of the points of the ratepayers' case The following papers were laid on the will be a decline in sale prices since the table, and ordered to be printed: date of valuation of the Town and the Reports- paucity of sales. The matter of a post Operations provided for by Part III ponement of the effective date of the Aid to Development-of The Financial valuation will be given further considera Arrangements and Development Aid tion upon the presentation of the docu Acts, 1942 to 1947, for the year mented case by the Honourable Member 1970-71. for Carnarvon." Net Profits, State Government Insurance Office (Queensland), for the year 1970-71. Beach Protection Authority, for the year DIVORCE HEARINGS, NORTHERN 1970-71. SUPREME COURT The following papers were laid on the Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked table: The Minister for Justice, Orders in Council under- With regard to his Answer to my City of Brisbane Act 1924-1969. Question on the subject, how many of the The Irrigation Acts, 1922 to 1965. 153 undefended divorce petitions heard and River Improvement Trust Act 1940 determined in the Northern Supreme Court 1971. in the current legal year were financed The Harbours Acts, 1955 to 1968. wholly or in part from the legal aid funds, what was the estimated overall cost of each Regulations under case and how much of this went in fees Gas Act 1965-1971. to barristers, who must be briefed, which Public Service Act 1922-1968. would have been saved if solicitors had Accounts of the State Government Insur the statutory right to appear in a Supreme ance Office (Queensland) for the year Court? 1970-71. Answer: QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE "If an order for costs is made in an undefended matrimonial matter the costs INCREASED LAND VALUATIONS, are on a party and party basis. In the GooNDIWINDI matters referred to by the Honourable Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked Member it is unlikely that the costs have The Minister for Local Government, been taxed in all cases and the information As it would not affect the finances of the sought is therefore not obtainable." local authority but would stop an alteration in relative values of property to property and would also allow the reconstruction SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS scheme to become effective and afford Goondiwindi residents the opportunity to Mr. Hinze, pursuant to notice, asked The bring stability back into the area, will he Minister for Education, have deferred for at least three years the Has the Teachers' Union submitted to application of land valuation increases him a proposal concerning the introduction recently set for Goondiwindi? of sex education in both primary and Answer: secondary schools? If so, has he considered the proposal and is he in a position to "The revaluation of the Town of advise as to the extent and nature of the Goondiwindi has previously been raised proposed course and the qualifications of in this House in the form of a Question to the teachers? me on November 10, 1971, by the Honour able Member for Carnarvon, within Answer: whose electorate the town is situated. The Honourable Member for Carnarvon is con "Yes. The proposals have been con cerned at the effect of the revaluation and sidered. No decision has been made, at the invitation of the Mayor of Goondi however, that sex education courses will windi he met a representative group of be introduced in primary and secondary ratepayers in the town on Saturday last schools." 2300 Questions Upon Notice (30 NOVEMBER 1971] Questions Upon Notice
CENTRALISED TRAFFIC-CONTROL SYSTEM, Answer: MOURA RAILWAY LINE (1 to 5) "As explained to the Honour (a) Mr. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked able Member in my Answer of October 13, The Minister for Transport, 1971, the work comprising the contract Further to his Answer to my Question had not been accepted by the Department. on October 13 concerning the servicing of There was certain work not completed in the centralised traffic-control system on the accordance with the contract documents, and Moura railway line this was required to be rectified and addi tional protection devices installed to meet ( 1) Did key personnel receive only six departmental requirements. The system days' tuition in the use of equipment that became fully operational on November 25, has taken the contractors three years to 1971. I am informed that at no time install and which is not yet fully opera during the operation of the equipment has tional? it constituted a threat to safe working." (2) Are such personnel mainly overseers who will not be required to perform work on this equipment? MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, LONGREACH BASE HOSPITAL (3) As "Westronic" equipment employs logic circuitry, a specialised field which has Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked not been encountered at Postmaster The Minister for Health, General's Department schools, who will be (1) Was a full-time medical superin responsible for maintaining the system tendent recently appointed to the Long when the work is accepted by the Railway reach Base Hospital against the wishes and Department? advice of the hospitals board? Answer: (2) On what grounds did the board disapprove and was any consideration given (1 to 3) "The system provides for spare to its wishes? replacement logic circuitry equipment to be available at all times for use as required. Answer: Any logic circuitry equipment found (1 and 2) "The action take.r; in defective will be forwarded to the Signal appointing a full-time medical supennten and Telegraph Engineer, Brisbane, for dent to Longreach Hospital was designed attention under engineering supervision, to meet an emergent situation and is not and routine maintenance therefore does not necessarily irrevocable. It does, however, arise. The key personnel who attended the provide for an immediate medical coverage training in electronic equipment comprised of both the Longreach and Muttaburra three engineers, one foreman, one sub hospitals and in no way negates the foreman and one leading hand electrical board's rights to advertise the vacant tradesman. The period of installation bears position of medical superintendent at no relation to the period of tuition." Muttaburra. It should, however, be obvious to the Honourable Member that in the peculiarly difficult economic situation (b) Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked of the Far West area, methods that were The Minister for Transport, satisfactory in better times no longer meet Further to his Answers to my Questions the current position. It is, of course,
Answers: House that he does not intend to sell the "I presume that the Honourable Member Queensland Government Tourist Bureau, a !s requesting information regarding socialistic enterprise which he administers, or Instances where teachers are alleged to any of Queensland's other profitable State have_ i!Jfrinl'ed the regulations regarding the owned enterprises? admmistratwn of corporal punishment, Mr. HERBERT: This is obviously a (!) " (a) Departmental investigations facetious question-at least I hope it is. The were carried out regarding 11 allegations honourable member for Cook must surely in primary schools and three allegations realise that the Queensland Government in secondary schools during 1970-71. Tourist Bureau is a branch of the State Public (b) (i) In primary schools, two allega Service. It is certainly not a socialistic enter tions were the subject of court action. In prise, as he alleges. one case the charge was dismissed and in the second the magistrate found in favour of the teacher, with costs against the com COMMONWEALTH AID FOR RELIEF OF RURAL plainant; (ii) In secondary schools one UNEMPLOYMENT allegation was the subject of court action. Mr. BLAKE: I ask the Premier: In view The matter was settled out of court. of today's Press reports that the Federal Another allegation of assault was investi Cabinet yesterday considered short-term gated by my Department." financial assistance through local authorities (2) "(a) No allegation concerning an to reduce unemployment, 40 per cent of assault by a teacher is presently under which exists in rural areas, will he support investigation by my Department. (b) No other State Premiers in an effort to expedite cases are before the courts at the present the convening of a Premiers' Conference, or time." make urgent representations to the Common wealth Government in respect of Queens land's local authorities and the reduction of EMPLOYMENT OF MARRIED FEMALES rural unemployment in this State? IN HOSPITALs; ACCOUCHEMENT LEAVE FOR MARRIED NURSES Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The Treasurer and I initiated these talks with the Common Mr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Health, wealth Government. We raised the matter at a Premiers' Conference in Canberra, and (1) What are the regulations under The the greater part of one night was spent in Hospitals Acts 1936 to 1967 relating to debating the issue of local government permanent employment for female finance. I can assure the honourable mem employees upon marriage? ber that Queensland has been very much to (2) Are married nurses entitled to the fore in the whole question of finance maternity leave with pay? to local government, distinct altogether from the part we ourselves have played as a Answers: State Government. I am glad to hear that our past efforts now appear to be bearing (1) "The Regulations (Part II-Hospi fruit. tals Board Service Administration) under The Hospitals Acts, 1936 to 1967, make SUPPLY provision for the permanent employment of married women and for the continuation RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-EsTIMATES in permanent employment of female officers FoURTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH ALLOTTED after marriage, subject to conditions which DAYS are detailed in those Regulations." (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hooper, Greenslopes, in the chair) (2) "The same Regulations include pro vision for the granting of accouchement EsTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1971-72 leave to female officers continued in per manent employment after marriage. The DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND MAIN ROADS Regulations provide that accouchement leave shall be without salary. The officer CHIEF OFFICE may however, on application, be granted Debate resumed from 26 November (see accrued recreation leave or long service p. 2298) on Mr. Camm's motion leave to which she may be entitled during "That $1,212,648 be granted for 'Depa!t such period." ment of Mines and Main Roads-Chief Office'." QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Mr. CHINCHEN (Mt. Gravatt) (11.28 GOVERNMENT POLICY ON SALE OF TOURIST a.m.): In my opinion, the purp~se of ~he BUREAU Estimates debate is to allow public scrutmy of the financial affairs of the various depart Mr. B. WOOD: I ask the Minister for ments. Very few people take the opportunity Labour and Tourism: In view of Press state to do this. As there is no Public Accounts ments concerning former State-owned indus Committee in this State, and only one House tries attributed to him, will he assure the of Parliament, it is necessary to look closely 74 2302 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) at the expenditure of all Government depart When one meets these people a couple of ments. Although the figures as disclosed do years later, however, they usually say,_ "We not allow us to ascertain in detail what is have been virtually reborn. We are m an happening, it is at least interesting to com entirely new area. We have new friends pare the expenditure of one year with that and new interests." of another. Mr. Bennett: "We've got rid of our local The department under discussion is one for member." which I have great regard. It has, in my Mr. CIDNCHEN: No. The people of opinion, proved itself to be one of the most whom I am speaking are still in my elector effective in the State, and I feel sure that it ate. They have made sure that they did is spending its money to the best advantage. not leave the Mt. Gravatt electorate. I However, the Estimates show an increase of assure the Committee that these people, 24 in the number of persons employed by the having made the change, appear to be very Department of Mines and Main Roads during happy. the current financial year. Although I can well imagine that there are good reasons for Many other people will be faced with such an increase, we are not, of course, similar problems in the future, and I say aware of them. to them, "Although the problem may seem serious at first once you make the move The increase in the staff of the Chief into a new are'a and form new associations Office is 15. Such staff increases mean, of course, an increase in expenditure, and, if no more miles of road and no more Mr. Hughes: They will be out of the smog bridges are to be built, it is difficult to and into clean air. justify an increase in staff numbers. All hon Mr. CHINCHEN: That is another aspect ourable members know that expenses and of the matter. They will be in an entirely costs are increasing; but that does not, of different environment. itself, mean that there must be an increase The Estimates for the Department of in staff. Mines and Main Roads, under the heading As I have said, I have great respect for "Continaencies" show that in 1970-71 the judgment of the officers of the Main $405,120 was p~ovided for posta!ie, travelling Roads Department, and I congratulate, in expenses and incidentals, of whtch $362,604 particular, Mr. Harry Lowe, the Commis was expended. The requirement for 1971-72 sioner for Main Roads, a most approachable is $561,517. No doubt there is an explanation and knowledgeable man, whose stewardship for this but the increase does seem rather of the department cannot be faulted. I do high. ' I know that postage rates h~ve not have personal dealings with very many increased but I believe that an explanation officers of the Main Roads Department, but should b~ given when there is an increase I have found that Mr. Bell, for instance, of about $200,000 on the expenditure of who has many dealings with the public, is $362,604 in 1970-71. It is our du_ty, as par ideally suited to his job. As the South-east liamentarians, to study the Estimates on Freeway traverses my electorate, many of behalf of the people whom we represent my constituents have had to get in touch and ask questions about anything that appears with Mr. Bell. He has shown them every to us to be unusual. Such a large increase courtesy and given them all the information appears unusual to me, and I should be available to him. pleased if the Minister would let me know I should mention also Mr. Colin Guy, the reason for it. the property officer, who has the unenviable In my opinion, the long-range ~Ianning task of trying to satisfy claims for properties of the Main Roads Department IS very that are resumed or in respect of which important. I think it was instituted by the negotiations are entered into. Again, he former Commissioner for Main Roads, Mr. is an officer who goes out of his way to Charles Barton, who is now Co-ordinator give the people concerned every possible General and undoubtedly it has been con assistance. I might say that in some instances tinued by the present Commissioner. There I have been shocked by the value placed fore honourable members know a great on these properties initially. However, when deal' about what is happening, and is to negotiation takes place, reason appears to happen, in the departmer:t. It_ is wonderful prevail and in the long run the people con to see this type of plannmg, dtffi<;:ult th~ug_h cerned seemed to be satisfied. it may be. When money is avmlable, It IS known what it will be used for and where The officers of the Main Roads Department it will be used. I realise the difficulties dealing with resumptions and subsequent associated with obtaining money from the negotiations face a very difficult task when Commonwealth, and planning the State's people are disturbed and upset, but it is annual expenditure must give rise to enor remarkable how well the people who are affected seem to adjust to the situation mous problems. eventually. Time and again people have As I say, I greatly appreciate the plan said to me, "This is the only place I know. ning, research, investigations and public I have all my friends around me here, and relations of this department. As one who moving will be a traumatic experience. I represents an electorate wherein resumptions do not think I can go through with it." and various associated negotiations are Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2303 required, I appreciate the department's won Department of Transport. He said, "The derful organisation. Although the South-east freeway system is a flop, and it will continue Freeway is a major undertaking, very few of to be a flop. It will never be successful." the problems associated with it remain Those are fairly close to his actual words, unsolved. I know there is always an endeav and they really amazed me. If we did reach our by some people to stir up problems and the situation where traffic bogged down and troubles in such a project, but because of could not move, I am quite sure he would the outgoing attitude of the various depart be the first to rise in the Chamber and say, mental officers, they are always resolved "Why haven't we got freeways as every satisfactorily. other country has?" He would point to I should like to ask the Minister one Great Britain and the Continent, and particu question about the proposed Stage II of the larly to some of the relatively backward South-east Freeway. I think the whole of countries that have built freeways. that stage is located in my electorate, and it As I say, I am amazed that such a state will affect many people. They want to know ment should have been made by a respon the timing of the project. How long have sible man in public affairs. Had he taken they still got? How long can they remain the trouble to attend the meeting at which there? Many people are worried about the members of Parliament and aldermen were proposed construction. That is only natural addressed by the proposer of the plan, Mr. when people know that their homes are to Wilbur Smith, he would recall his saying, be disturbed. It would help considerably if "What I have suggested in regard to free they knew the timing so that they could plan ways is the minimum requirement for your for the future. I know there are problems, free-wheel vehicles to move". He used words but I should like to know what is the closest very similar to those, and used the American estimate in this respect. The only reference term, "free-wheel" vehicles, for motor to the South-east Freeway that I can find in vehicles. So that what is proposed is the the annual report of the Commissioner of minimum to allow motor-vehicle drivers to Main Roads is on page 10, and it states go about their business. Without the proposed '"Detailed design from Juliette Street to freeways there would be stagnation; we would Logan Road is proceeding satisfactorily, be in an awful mess. and should be completed in the next Referring to the year 1981, Mr. Wilbur financial year." Smith said, "If the formulas and figures we have laid down are kept up to date, That is a matter of planning, and I do not it will be necessary to make additions to the doubt that the planning is going ahead, system within this time." Of course, we because, as I said, the department plans are behind with the programme laid down very well. However, I should like to know for the freeway system, so it is entirely when the people who are affected will know wrong to refer to it as a "flop". In fact, when they have to move. it is a necessity. Australians enjoy a very While speaking about the South-east Free high vehicle-ownership ratio, and this will way, I take the opportunity to mention the be maintained. When people pay big money pollution and dust nuisance that was created for vehicles, as we do in this country, they by the cartage of filling from the quarry for expect to use them; nobody can say to them, the first stage of construction. The Minister "You will not use your motor vehicle". is well aware of the enormous problems that I must agree that a rapid transport system were created for many people; he has in the south-eastern portion of the State is received a considerable amount of corres desirable. Everybody knows this, but even if pondence on the subject from me. If similar we had the best rapid-transport system in material is to be used in completing Stage II, the world, people would still want to use I suggest that it be stipulated in all contracts their motor vehicles. Therefore, we will that the material must be carried in a state still need freeways and, expensive as they that will not create a dust problem, and that are, in order to save the cluttering-up of all loads must be covered. our roads, with consequent accidents and deaths, we must have a free flow of vehicles. Day after day, week after week, and I agree with Wilbur Smith that this is the month after month during the construction minimum we must have. I think we are of Stage I, the dust nuisance created serious fortunate that we have entered into this problems. Houses were covered in dust, as programme as early as we have. Other were the rooms inside them, and washing countries have been disadvantaged because was soiled. All this was totally unnecessary. they delayed for too long in instituting such In the interests of the community, we have a scheme. a responsibility to ensure that this does not happen again. I should like to think that One matter I should like to mention rela tive to main roads is the question of the right from the start of the second stage traffic islands that are currently being used. everything possible will be done to ensure I think these are excellent from a traffic that problems created by the cartage of point of view, but it is essential that they material to the project do not arise. be well illuminated at night. I have not I was rather surprised to hear a statement had much night-time experience of islands by the honourable member for Norman constructed by the Main Roads Department, during the debate on the Estimates of the but the Brisbane City Council is building 2304 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) quite a number of them. They certainly "But now there is a four-lane highway improve the traffic flow during the day-time, coming, and it will be more dangerous to but in travelling to the city at night-time cross than it is now. So, before some I see at least one accident a week caused children get run over, please put lights at by them. Most of them involve vehicles our crossing. turning right. They are driven across the ''Your friend, island and they collide with the traffic "Carolyn." standard. The main reason for this is either lack of illumination or inadequate illumina This young girl has realised the serious nature tion. of the problem, and has gone to the trouble of writing to her member. Mr. Bennett: Do you think some of the drivers might need a breathalyser test? Shortly after I received Carolyn's letter, I received another from a girl named Patricia Mr. CHINCHEN: This has nothing at all Quinlan, also of Bleasby Road. She enclosed to do with it. a petition signed by various children who When in Victoria recently, I was very live in that road. This crossing is also used interested to see that wherever a traffic island by children who reside in many other streets, had been constructed, there was an enormous and I am greatly disturbed by the fact that circle of light around it. The illumination it is just over the brow of a hill and is was as good as, or even better than, daylight. marked only by two white lines. lt is This is very necessary. It must be realised used twice a day by the school-chiidren. that the "Keep Left" sign is so positioned An Opposition Member: What have you as to be seen by the motorist travelling done about it? straight along the road, and only the edge of it is visible to the motorist turning right. Mr. CHINCHEN: I have been writing If triangular signs of some depth could be letters about this crossing for two years, but erected, this would help considerably, par in spite of that the so-called experts say ticularly if they were illuminated. Motorists that it is quite adequate. I will guarantee who are unfamiliar with an area and who that if their children used it they would not turn right see only a thin piece of metal consider it to be adequate. and a post. This is not good enough, and As an alternative to using this unsafe I think that lighting is absolutely essential crossing, the children could walk up to and should be part and parcel of the traffic Miles Platting Road before crossing the high island system. way. However, quite a long distance is The Minister knows that I have been in involved, and, as well, no traffic lights are communication with him over many months installed at the intersection of Miles Platting in regard to the traffic-island system at the Road and the highway. An additional hazard junction of the Pacific Highway and Been is created at that intersection by traffic leigh Road, which leads to Kuraby. I have coming onto the highway from Ipswich and been trying for many months to have an Toowoomba. I should point out that the overhead light installed there, even a tem speed limit on that section of the South porary one. This has been promised, but, Coast highway is 45 miles an hour. The as the Brisbane City Council has not yet crossing near Bleasby Road is very dangerous, supplied the power, the intersection is still particularly for small children, who cannot without a light. This is an extremely dang be seen easily by motorists. erous spot, and power should be supplied to I realise that it is impossible to provide these places before traffic islands are built. It is all right for the local resident-he can protection to all children who are forced to cross busy roads on their way to and from get by~but for the visiting motorist it is very dangerous, and an enormous number school. However, I urge the Minister to of accidents have been caused by the failure give consideration to the crossing that I to illuminate these islands. have referred to, because the building of a four-lane highway will only aggravate the I propose to read a letter that I received problem. from a young girl named Carolyn Lee Keary, Many of the children who use this crossing who resides at 163 Bleasby Road, Eight Mile are very young. The ages of the 15 children Plains. whose names appear on the petition range Carolyn says this from five years to 12 years, so I certainly "My name is Carolyn Lee Keary. I hope that the department can see its way am 10 years of age. I live at 163 Bleasby clear to ensure that they are allowed to Road, Eight Mile Plains. I go to Upper cross the busy highway in safety. Mt. Gravatt State School and catch the I tum now to regional planning. The school bus at the top of our street. Main Roads Department is being confronted "This letter is on behalf of all the by a problem that is not of its making. The children of Bleasby Road who catch the Brisbane City Council decided that the same bus. Garden City shopping complex should be "There is a crossing at our bus stop on erected on a site that originally had been the Pacific Highway, which we must use reserved for a hie:h school. The people who and which is very dangerous, as it is not owned the land -turned their backs on the clearly marked. latter proposal and sold it to entrepreneurs Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2305
for development as a shopping complex. As a rock in the middle of the road and was all honourable members know, the complex damaged. A lady was driving the other was built, and, as a result, an enormous one up the range road and it was actually traflic problem has been created. hit by falling rock, which smashed a wheel. (Time expired.) She had to buy a new wheel. Rock falls are one of the worst traffic hazards on this Mr. BOUSEN (Toowoomba West) (10.49 road. ~.m.): I realise that any money at all that I sincerely thank the Minister and his Is spent on roads is to the benefit of the officers for taking action that will very State as a whole. However, at the same shortly eliminate the dangerous conditions time I believe that too much of the total at Gatton Creek Bridge, Rocky Creek Bridge, expenditure is devoted to the construction and Six Mile Creek Bridge just below the of freeways, expressways and bridges in the Toll Bar. I understand that, within a week metropolitan area. Naturally, this reacts to or two, the stretch of road between Helidon the detriment of country areas. It is in and Withcott, which will eliminate this traffic this context that I refer to the road crossing hazard, will be open. Nearly all honourable the Minden Range. I have no doubt that members would be aware of the number of most honourable members are aware of its serious, sometimes fatal, accidents which location between Brisbane and Toowoomba. occur on those three bridges. They are a It. consists of several miles of winding road, source of worry to motorists who use the Warrego Highway. Wit~ sharp curves and steep descents, which, all m all, create traffic hazards for motorists. During the debate on the Estimates for the I understand that the range has been surveyed Department of Industrial Development, I by the Department of Main Roads. I should mentioned the section of the Landsborough like the Minister to outline the extent of Highway in the Kynuna area and the effect the survey. If a double road is constructed that the poor state of this road had on the on the Minden Range similar to that on the trade and commerce of businessmen on the Marburg Range, motorists who use the high Darling Downs in trying to get goods way frequently will benefit greatly, because through to the North West and the Darwin the present road constitutes a traffic hazard. area. During and after wet weather this road is so rough that it is not trafficable, and A little closer to Toowoomba, the Toll Bar Road-particularly during wet weather these business firms are unable to guarantee is another road with a very high accident the delivery of goods to the North West or rate. After even a few points of rain it the Darwin area. Serious and urgent con becomes so slippery that it is very hard to sideration must be given to providing a cross negotiate. On oil spills from heavy trans ing from Southern and Central Queensland port vehicles, a vehicle is prone to skid into the Northern Territory. immediately the brakes are applied, often In this regard I quote the following pas resultmg m the overturn of the vehicle sage from a report prepared by the or involvement in a nasty accident. ' Toowoomba Development Board The CHAIRMAN: Order! There is far "The Darwin community is the fastest too much audible conversation on my left. growing consumer market in Australia with a growth rate exceeding even that of _Mr. _BOUSEN: !-1any heavy transports use Canberra. this highway, which 1s one of the busiest "By the nature of its isolated location, in the State. Even after a heavy dew, as Australia's most northern city, and transport dr; vers experience great difficulty certain climatic factors, etc., Darwin is not because, when they apply their brakes the self-sufficient in a great number of manu trailers often jack-knife. Quite frequ~ntly factured and processed articles, and in the down highway has been blocked com temperate zone fruits, vegetables, dairy pletely. I am somewhat intrigued because produce, etc. the surface of certain sections of the highway IS a rough texture while that of others "Nevertheless, Darwin is a very affluent is fine and smooth. The smooth portions community, and indeed a perusal of prices become very slippery after oil spills or a commonly paid for consumer items few points of rain. More attention ·should demonstrates that residents pay substan be paid to certain sections of this range road tially higher prices than other Australians and, for that matter, all range roads, to for many of their requirements. ensure that the road surface is non-slippery "There is no easy supply line to Darwin, so that vehicles do not skid whenever the but our aim in this Submission is to prove brakes are applied. the desirability and indeed the necessity of Rock falls on the Toll Bar Road present urgent upgrading of the Landsborough another hazard. A number of accidents Highway; and/or sections of the Beef involving damage to vehicles have been Road system, as Eastern Australia's logical caused by rock falls, especially during wet trade access to Darwin and the Northern weather. On one day towards the end of Territory. last year, two cars were damaged by falling "If Queensland Suppliers and Manufac rock. One of them, which was only six turers are to gain their fair share of this weeks' o~d, was bejng driven past a very market they must have an efficient and slow-movmg, heavy transport and ran into regular transport system to the Northern 2306 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates)
Territory. Road transport must be an I trust that the Minister will give serious integral part of any such transport system. consideration to having the sections of the At present due to the condition of the road that I have mentioned this morning Landsborough Highway road transport improved. The report continues systems cannot promise a regular service "(b) The Commonwealth itself is the as the roads are untrafficable in wet major employer in the Northern Terri weather and moreover cannot successfully tory, and the main victim of the prese~t transport certain products and cannot inefficient transport system. A competi eliminate damage in transit." tive market place would very definitely I shall now refer to certain sections of that be to the Commonwealth's advantage m highway for which the Government is all ways, ranging from the ~apital costs responsible. I hope that the Government will of major works, down to individual costs try to eliminate these problems. The report of living. Many Queensland ~rms contains the following comment decline to tender for Northern Terntory "Longreach to Winton-Distance 112 contracts due to their inability to miles-First 25 miles is bitumen, the next guarantee deliveries. 57 miles is a black soil road subject to (c) Now, more than ever, J?arwin and extreme corrugations. A very small the Territory need better freight access. amount of rain stops traffic in many sec The Western Australian Government tions. After wet weather this section is Shipping Service (Perth to _Darwin) will deeply rutted and is then a very difficult close on 31-12-71, effectively closmg road. The last 30 miles into Winton is one more supplier to the market. bitumen. Additionally, 1971 has brought the "Winton to Kynuna-Distance 108 powerful consumer-buying bo<;>st of miles-First 20 miles is bitumen. The next commercial television to Darwm and 88 miles is through the Channel Country. environs, stimulating interest by the This section is rough-pot-holed and customer." corrugated, and is extremely dusty with numerous steep-sided channels crossing it. I ask the Minister to see what can be done It It is not all-weather and is subject to about the Landsborough Highway. is a serious wash-outs. vital defence link. Whilst it may involve a major change in Commonwealth policy, I ··An alternative route can be taken believe that some of the nation's defence along the Boulia Beef Road of bitumen vote could well be channelled into projects and hence by a minor road of 28 miles such as this, which would have inestimable of unformed surface to join the highway defence value and as well, would produce again at Dicks Creek. Once again this an immediate 'and c~ntinuing economic return route can only be used in dry weather; to the nation. but it does give 40 miles travel on bitumen from Winton." Mr. HINZE (South Coast) (12.4 p.m.): I For that reason, passenger buses and certain rise to make my contribution to the Estimates other vehicles take that alternative route via of the Department of Mines. ~nd Main Boulia and Dajarra to Mt. Isa. It is mainly Roads which is so ably admmrstered by over beef roads of bitumen surface, but it the Minister and his officers, particularly. the adds approximately 130 miles to the journey. Under Secretary of the Department of Mmes, Approximately 58 miles are unsealed. Mr. Healy, and the Commissioner of Main It is felt that a strong case exists for Rc~ds, Mr. Lowe. an early and authoritative approach by the This, to me, is possibly the most fascinat State Government to the Commonwealth for incr of all Government departments. The a special financial grant to enable the Lands of Mines raises considerable borough Highway to be upgraded. D~partment revenue for the State, and allows a continua The report continues tion of full employment, year in and year "Such an approach is fully justified for out. Obviously, development will continue the following reasons: as rapidly as it has proceeded since this (a) Very substantial amounts of Government came to office. The Government Federal money are being expended, is proud of new industries such as the one and are being planned for expenditure, recently opened at Goonyella. Year in and on the South Australian-Alice Springs year out, the Premier and the Minister for railv, ay, and on the Alice Springs to Darwin Highway. Agreement has also Mines and Main Roads have the pleasure been reached on the Adelaide-Port of inviting various people from overseas to Augusta standard gauge line. Addition open wonderful mining projects in Queens ,,ily, an announcement has been made land. of firm planning for a standard gauge In the mining section of the Minister's line from Alice Springs to Darwin. All department, we see a continuing contr'?ve:sy of these factors are discriminatory over sand-mining. As you know, Mr. Lickiss, against Queensland, by using Common the sand-mining industry in this State was wealth resources to give Southern born in my electorate, in about 1945. It States a definite trade advantage over has now become the major industry on the Queensland." Gold Coast. Associated Minerals Consoli Supply [30 NovEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2307
I dated Ltd. has a substantial investment in Great credit is due to Mr. Healy and other the Southport area and employs, I think, officers of the Department of Mines for the about 500 people. work they have done to improve the economy I make that point because it is obvious, of the State. as the Minister said in his introductory I turn now to the Main Roads Department, remarks, that the sand-miners and the con and I wish first to commend the Minister and servationists have to learn to live together. every officer of the department, especially I suppose it is true to say that all honourable Harry Lowe (Commissioner), Walter Drake members recognise the arguments put forward (Divisional Engineer), Bill Cock (Assistant by conservationists, but I stress how necessary Commissioner) and Bob Miles (District it is for all sections of the community to Engineer). All these men have been known recognise each other's point of view and to me over a long period, and I think I learn to live together for the benefit of the have built up a fairly good relationship and economy of the State. Over the last couple friendship with them. We have a ..chop" of years the growth in the number of con at one another from time to time, but that servationists has become evident and the is only by the way. I commend them for views of people who are interest~d in con the work they are doing on the Gold Coast servation are continually put forward. In Highway, possibly the greatest highway in fact, some people in the ranks of the con the State, which now has four lanes from servationists appear to be becoming Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Of course, specialists-virtually professional agitators internal work in the Gold Coast area has and they are the ones of whom I am a bit not yet been completed, but the 800,000 wary, because once they have a job they people who live in Brisbane now have the want to retain it. opportunity of travelling on a four-lane Mr. Davis: Why don't you name some highway to what they regard as their seaside of them? area. I have risen in this Chamber on a Mr. HINZE: I could. One of them wrote number of occasions and commended the to me last week and tried to "tear a strip" Government for spending money to make off me. He said that, as far as he was the trip to the Gold Coast enjoyable for concerned, I had not done sufficient. I motorists, and I believe that the people of reminded him that I am as good a con Brisbane should also express their thanks. servationist as he is. I could name them With daylight saving, if they so desire, if the honourable member would like me to: people can drive down to the Gold Coast Mr. Davis: I would like you to. every afternoon and have a surf. If they would like to go to the night trots or one Mr. HINZE: I am sure the Minister of our many restaurants, we would certainly and the officers of the Mines Department like to see them. The Main Roads Depart intend to develop the State to the maximum ment has made this possible, because it is extent possible and obtain the greatest benefits now a pleasant drive to the Gold Coast. from the minerais that are available in Queensland. On the other hand, I am equally The Minister recently opened the new sure that they will give full consideration Coomera Bridge, which eliminated the last to the submissions made to them by people bottle-neck on the trip to the coast. It is now who are concerned about restoring sand possible to go right through to the Gold dunes, and so on, after the minerals have Coast on a four-lane highway, and it is a been taken from them. very pleasant drive. The road work has The mining industry is now worth about been completed by experts in a very work $350,000,000 a year to the State, and directly manlike manner and, in addition, the land employs about 14,000 people. As the scaping is something to be proud of. Of Minister said, 'last year 1,171,616 barrels of course, I would like to see a few more golden oil, valued at $2,194,000, were produced. Of wattles planted, because they are synono course, the Treasurer is always very pleased mous with the Gold Coast. I commend the to pay into Consolidated Revenue the con department, through the Commissioner, for siderable sums of money received in mineral the expert workmanship in the completion royalties. In addition, in the 12 months of the four-lane highway, and greatly appre to 30 June this year, 7,800,000 cubic feet ciate the landscaping that is being undertaken. of natural gas were produced, valued at $3,100,000. I could go on and on indicating It will be remembered that, 18 months or the benefits of the present mining boom in two years ago, computerised control of traffic Queensland. lights was introduced in the Surfers Paradise As all honourable members know, only areas as a trial. It has proved very successful. a few years ago Queensland was entirely We had a big problem in the Surfers Para dependent on primary industries, and the dise area with the switch over from two-way State was almost "broke" if rain did not to one-way traffic. The up traffic had to fa:!!. Because of the diversification of travel via Ferny Avenue and enormous industry and the development, under Country problems were created at the time. To some Liberal Governments, of the mining indus extent those problems have been overcome try, the tourist industry and secondary indus by the computerised system, which provides tries, it is now po,ssible to have drought year a free flow of traffic through the thickly in and year out and still brulance the budget populated Surfers Paradise area. I do not and keep people in profitable employment. say that it is the answer to every traffic 2308 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) problem in the area. The real answer would for tourists by relaxing the Traffic Code be the expenditure of further money on the somewhat to allow for the erection of addi Nerang-Mudgeeraba section in the Albert tional road signs. Shire. I know that the Minister agrees with Mr. Dean: That is ridiculous. There are me on this point; the Commissioner certainly too many signs now. agrees that this work should be carried out as soon as funds are available. Mr. HINZE: I do not want to embarrass the honourable member for Sandgate. I do The Albert Shire Council has requested not know whether he has ever been to a that this project be given the highest priority place like the Gold Coast. He would not It is only a five-mile section, and it would need additional signs at Sandgate-one could be fairly easy construction. When completed, walk around that place in five minutes it will take a considerable amount of traffic but in an area like the Gold Coast signs off the Southport-Coolangatta section, where indicating the way to, say, Currumbin a speed limit of 35 miles an hour applies. Beach Tugun Beach and the various scenic In that section, motorists have to travel spots 'that people travel thousands of miles through numerous sets of lights and be very to see are very necessary. careful at the numerous pedestrian crossings. People have to cross the Pacific Highway At this stage I want to express my growing if they can-and here I am suggesting that pride in the city of Brisbane. Day after d.ay consideration be given to providing a few as I drive into this city and see the magmfi more pedestrian crossings, particularly zebra cent buildings being erected and the arterial crossings. People walking across to the beach road system that is quickly taking shape, from the canals area, or from any area west I cannot help feeling pride in the fact that of the highway, must be able to get across this Government has accepted a responsibility the highway safely. Particular consideration that the Brisbane City Council could not must be extended to elderly people from assume. convalescent homes and children on their Mr. Jensen: Clem Jones should get the way to school. credit. We are still very worried about the heavy interstate vehicles that travel to Brisbane via Mr. HINZE: Instead of building roads, the Gold Coast. Quite recently we have been the council is buying pubs. If the monev talking about the Gold Coast freeway and available to it had been put into road making, perhaps it could have been given the problems associated with getting past some credit. But the Government had to David Fleay's nature reserve. When that come in and get it out of trouble. One only road is built it will overcome much of the has to walk out onto the verandah of this problem, but I can understand that it will be building and look towards the river to see some years before it is completed. evidence of what I am saying. Within the I am very pleased to be able to say that I next couple of years we will see the com received a message this morning from the pletion of the Wilbur Smith plan. land developers on the Gold Coast indicating Mr. Davis: Why didn't the Gold Coast that the last problem in finalising all the City Council build the four-lane highway to arrangements for the Tallebudgera complex the coast? has been ironed out, and everybody is now satisfied. Hooker Rex, the council, David Mr. HINZE: The honourable member Fleay and, I understand, the Littoral Society, must have laryngitis. I cannot hear him, have all agreed on the proposals we have even when I am standing next to him. been discussing during the last couple of I reiterate that I am very proud of the months. I understand that it will now be work that is being done on the Captain Cook possible for the department to offer an Bridge, the work that is nearly complet_ed alternative route to the one that would have at Kemp Place and the Kangaroo Pomt taken a small portion of Mr. David Fleay's intersection. It is now a pleasure to drive property. Nobody wanted to see that happen, through these areas, and I commend the least of all the Main Roads Department_ I Commissioner and the Main Roads Depart am very pleased that everyone concerned has ment for the very able and capable manner got together and come to a sensible arrange in which they have carried out the Wilbur ment to overcome the very vexed problem Smith recommendations on the construction that could have arisen. of expressways into and around the city of I suggest that on the Gold Coast, and in Brisbane. numerous other tourist areas throughout the I recall that at the time I was chairman State, it is necessary to vary the interstate of the Albert Shire, when a motorist reached road code governing highway signs. Admit the outskirts of the city of Brisbane he was tedly, we do not want a multiplicity of signs really in a bottle-neck and a jam. However, on any freeway; they can be confusing. we are quickly overcoming this situation. However, there should be suitable sign posts I want to refer now to a problem I have to indicate how various areas can be reached. encountered in connection with road construc Dealing generally with Queensland, which tion. It relates particularly to the Public has a tourist industry worth $135,000,000 Works Land Resumption Act. I do not annually, I think we could provide a service know what the position is around Brisbane Supply [30 NoVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2309 but in my area, although the road in question years ago the Commissioner of Main Roads has been completed, property-owners have and I set out one morning to walk through not been satisfied with the compensation they the Coomera Gorge with the object of find have been paid for their land. I am not ing a track suited to the construction of a blaming anybody for this; I am merely saying road. My wife makes beautiful scones, and 1 that perhaps we should look at the Act to do not know whether Harry Lowe remembers make sure that people are satisfactorily com that he and I camped by a creek and had pensated before road-construction work morning tea. actually begins. One person said to me yesterday, "Four years ago I was told that Mr. Hanson: They say Harry Lowe carried land would be resumed from my property. you. Two years ago an officer called on me about the actual resumption, and about a month Mr. HINZE: He and I had a quiet walk or six weeks ago a further officer called. through the Coomera Gorge and found a However, I still haven't been paid. The suitable track. We walked slo',' ly, but I negotiations started four years ago, but I could not see the honourable member for still haven't received any money." Port Curtis walking at all. He would need to ride in a golf buggy, or, alternatively, on I know that under the Public Works a pack horse-and a draught horse at that! Land Resumption Act everything should follow a normal course, but the point I am Harry Lowe and I found a track, and making is that there are too many of these subsequently it became the route of the instances. It is easy for a departmental Coomera Gorge Road. Although, with the o:ncer to read the Act as it is framed and assistance of the Main Roads Department, say, ''These are the different processes of the local authority constructed the road, it is law through which we have to go. Tell u_; not sealed. Tourists simply will not drive what you think your land is worth. \Ve over unsealed roads, so I urge the Minister will then get a Valuer-General's report and to allocate funds to the Albert Shire, which cffer you what we think the land is worth, has the sealing of this road high on its list ar::~l \ ;.; can go to court over the difference.'' of priorities, so that it can do the job. The Hov,ever, I do not think that is the proper road passes very close to the Canungra cour,e. If the Government of this State, jungle tr.!lining camp and is frequently used through the J\lain Roads Department, intends by the Army. As well, it could be trans to bllild a road through someone's property, formed into an arterial road for use by I think it should observe the old adage about industry. I know that the South Coast Dairy the Englishman's house being his castle. If ing Co. intends to draw heavily on the anybody comes onto my property to carry Canungra area for its primary produce. out work, I want to receive compensation Cfime expired.) before that work is started. But apparently the citizen does not enjoy that right. It Mr. MARG.INSON (Ipswich East) (12.24 appears that a road can be constructed p.m.): I am happy to be able to take part in through his property and fenced, and that he the debate on these Estimates and to be able has to wait two or three years for settlement to express my appreciation to the Commis of his claim for compensation. sioner of Main Roads and his officers for the I suppose that instead of raising this excellent job they have done in constructing matter in this debate I should have put it the half-mile section of the Brisbane-Ipswich forward when we were debating the amend highway that passes through my electorate ments to the Land Acquisition Act. How and in installing traffic lights at the very ever, I raise it now on behalf of those people dangerous Fiveways intersection. Although whose property has been taken from them I appreciate the work that has been done, and fenced prior to the payment of any com today I ask for further consideration to be pensation. Of course, similar situations arise given to the people of Ipswich. frequently in Brisbane. In fact, last week end, "Sunday Sun" reported the predicament The half-mile section has proved of of an old couple whose property, valued at tremendous benefit because it has given us a $200,000, has been taken from them by the four-lane highway, with two lanes running Brisbane City Council. They were told that to the west and to the east. It is a great improvement. Prior to its construction, the they are not permitted to do anything with traffic. even on a two-lane highway, was the property. Further than that, they cannot confined mainly to the one lane. But it get the pension because the value of their has resulted in some inconvenience to business assets exceeds the allowable limit. They have people who, for some years, have conducted been placed in an intolerable position. their enterprises at the Fiveways. Recently, I am trying to have that type of anomaly I brought this matter to the Minister's notice corrected. If the Government is going to by way of correspondence. I must again resume land, whether for local authority or thank his officers for at least tidying up Main Roads or other Crown purposes, it some of the points of my complaint. I should be obliged to pay compensation before appreciate that, for smooth working of it carries out any work on it. traffic signals, there must be a fairly lengthy "No Standing" area in front of these I turn now to a matter that I have raised premises, but I am hoping for even more continually in this Chamber. I recall that improvement in this matter. 2310 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates)
Ever since I have been in this Chamber lighting. The entire stretch from Brisbane I have urged that the southern bypass from to Ipswich is a built-up area, and I ask that Dinmore to Churchill be commenced. Some consideration be given to better lighting of years ago I had a conversation with the the highway, particularly for the adequate then Commissioner of Main Roads, who is protection of pedestrians. When I was an now the Co-ordinator-General, about the alderman of the Ipswich City Council, I southern bypass, which is very important was informed that a departmental officer to Ipswich, and essential to the would give consideration to a plan for the localit;. A.t present, heavy interstate lighting of the Cunningham Highway, which traffic, with which I am concerned we are anxious to have. I gained the impres particularly, is using the suburban streets sion that the department may meet some of of Ipswich, which are maintained not by the cost involved. I have no authority to the Government, but by Ipswich ratepayers. say that that statement is correct; however, The maintenance of these streets should be a Government responsibility in view of their r :m1 asking that some consideration be given use by heavy transports. Apart from that, to the lighting of this highway, particularly residents, particularly those in the Eastern the built-up area in the local authority district Heights area, are caused great inconvenience of the Ipswich City Council. by the continual stream of interstate traffic. Another problem I have raised with the On 5 August 'last I asked the Minister a Minister and, through him, with the depart question about the southern bypass. If it is possible, I should like higher priority to be ment is the provision of footways on bridges given to it so that it may be commenced on this highway. Not long ago a young earlier than indicated at that time. girl was killed on the Six Mile Bridge. The One intersection in my electorate is very pedestrian crossing on this bridge is separated worthy of consideration for traffic signal from the road pavement by a kerb about nine lights. Many traffic-light intersections in inches high. The traffic on that particular the City of Brisbane do not carry a greater section of the road is permitted to travel at volume of traffic at certain periods of the up to 50 miles an hour. A considerahle day than the Station Road, Booval, inter number of semi-trailers and heavy vehicies section with the highway. I again make use this road. The complaint I have received a plea that traffic signals be erected very from the residents, particularly of Riverview, shortly at this intersection. I know I will be told that I am hard to satisfy and that whose children attend the Redbank State the department has erected traffic signals at School, is that it is dangerous for pedestrians the Fiveways, East Ipswich, but I repecet to use this bridge. I referred this matter to my plea for traffic signals at this intersection. the Minister and he informed me that the It is on record that a number of fatalities provision of footways and footpaths on high have occurred there. If the Minister were ways is the responsibility of the local to view it at peak periods, from 7 a.m. to authority. I thank the Minister for his state 9 a.m., and from 3.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., h: would note the tremendous volume of traffic ment that he considered these footways were at the intersection. warranted. I have since discovered that nothing has been done to erect a safety rail In cour:,~ of conversation with certain to prevent heavy traffic and ordinary vehicles authorities, I have been told that the Minister from jumping the kerb and causing a fatality is not anxious to impede the flow of traffic on the highway. But it is time that we or injury to pedestrians. discarJed that viewpoint and became anxious I leave those thoughts with the Minister about the lives of people who traverse the and the department. I thank them both for intersection. There is not even a zebra crossing at this point to assist pedestrians what they have done in my electorate over in crossing the road. In fact, I think there the past few months. is only one pedestrian crossing on the main I shall now refer to the Mines Department. highway between the Fiveways, East Ipswich, I express to Mr. Healy and his officers my and Goodna. thanks for the assistance they have given to have asked for the installation of me during my term in Parliament. Early in pedestrian-controlled traffic lights on the my term of office, quite a lot of discussions highway outside the Bundamba State School. and negotiations were had between the It is the only outlet for vehicles and close department and the Miners' Union on miners' on 700 students. Possibly I will be told that pensions. Originally, we asked for $9 a a bus service runs to the school. This is week. We were granted $8 and we are still correct. However, many children walk to looking for the extra $1. I hope it will not school and have to cross this highway. This be too long before it is granted. matter has again been brought to my notice recently by the parents and citizens' associa My next point has to do with the exporting tion, and I am again asking that consideration of coal from this State. I propose to read to be given to this request. the Committee a short extract from an article that appeared in "The Queensland Times", Highway lighting is a problem. The Main the local Ipswich newspaper, on 11 June Roads Department, and, to some extent, 1971, referring to the meeting of the Aus :local authorities are responsible for highway tralian Miners' Federation Central Council Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2311 held in Ipswich at that time, to indicate what Those figures and the present state of the the miners think about the export of coal. American and Japanese economies provide It reads the real reason for any reduction in overseas "It was decided to send a delegation to demand for Queensland coal. I put this the Mipisters for Mines in Queensland and question to the Minister: When has an order New South Wales calling on them to 'put by Japan not been filled by the coal miners a "stopper" on the wholesale export of of Queensland? coking coal'. About 18 months or two years ago the "As there was only 15 years' supply of Treasurer returned from 1apan and told the coking coal in the known reserves in Aus people of Queensland that Japan was in a tralia, the council has decided to ask the very bad way because this SLte was nCJt Government to stop exports until it could meeting Japanese orders for cor.!. The very be determined whether there were further next day the chairman of the Gladston;; reserves. Harbour Board complained th t Japanese "After the 15 years, Australia would interests were not taking the coal aw:.y from have to import coking coal, the council Gladstone. He saic;l th The Minister had until Wednesday or Thurs that quite clearly in its Commonwealth aid day to recant, but he did not do so. I had programme-its five-year plan-which was to make him. initiated some little time ago. (Time expired.) Certainly the emphasis here has been towards upgrading urban arterial roads. Mr. AHERN (Landsborough) (12.44 p.m.): State and Federal Governments have realised In speaking to the Estimates for the Depart that it is now in the national interest that ment of Mines and Main Roads, I first con these expensive problems be tackled at this gratulate the Mimster and his officers on the point of time in Australia's history, and we work they have done and thank them for the in Queensland are playing our part in tackling various courtesies and services they have very complex urban transport problems. We extended to me during the year in my repre have seen a tremendous amount of expen sentations on behalf of the Landsborough diture within I00 yards of Parliament House electorate. as part of very expensive and necessary free way development in the capital city. Free As l said in my speech on the Transport ways are required to meet the needs of Estimates, an efficient transport system is a modern, large cities, and the Government basic national need today, and that statement is facing squarely up to its responsibility, even is equally applicable to these Estimates. It ·though the freev. ays will be 'extremely certainly is appropriate in a nation such as expensive in terms of over-all road develop Australia, where the distances between the ment. I support the Government's policy various communities are so great, and it is a in proceeding with this expensive develop relevant factor in considering both the ment. Freeways are receiving the right present export component in our economy priority. and the further export potential of the State and the nation. I again refer to the priority that I men tioned in respect of arterial roads. Accent Over recent years it has been a character has been placed on the development of istic of road-improvement policies of Govern arterial roads out of the capital city of ments of our political colour, in both Brisbane to the Gold Coast and Ipswich. Federal and State spheres, to place the Certainly these roads out of Brisbane have emphasis on road improvement in areas been developed to a very high standard. away from the capital cities. It was thought The four-lane highway to the Gold Coast, that it was right in the national interest which was absolutely essential and a very to give emphas1s to roads in remote rural worthwhile development, has been completed. communities. I wholeheartedly support Vehicular access from Brisbane to Ipswich that principle. 1 think it is one of the has been eased tremendously, and that road proudest achievements of Governments in now carries a huge volume of traffic. It is the State and Federal Parliaments that great a worth-while de;elopment. emphasis has been placed on the improvement of this very necessary amenity to people in I now ask, however, that urgent priority remote areas. The Federal Government was be given to that part of Highway No. 1 in prepared to take the first step by initiatmg Queensland, which is the access road to that the beef roads agreement with the State part of Queensland north of the metropolitan Governments. area, namely, the Bruce Highway. I under stand that the Minister has recently Anyone who has travelled on the beef announced that the problem section extend roads would know that they have been a ing from Bald Hills to Burpengary is tremendous benefit to the people concerned expected to cost some $11,000,000, so it and t!Je nation as a whole. Our nation is will be no small project for the State. But now developing a beef-cattle export industry which. according to those who are in a I believe that it should be tackled on the position to know, knows no bounds. At basis of urgent priority, and I hope the an expenditure to date of $24,600,000, the Minister is in a position to tell me just construction of beef roads in remote areas how much of it will be tackled in the very of the State and the Commonwealth has near future. I think it is significant enough been of great benefit of the beef-export indus to warrant my stressing that since 1957 the try. These roads will play an important Bruce Highway has been totally reconstructed part in the future development of that indus and realigned, on new engineering standards, try. We can take creJit for what has been from Burpengary to Nambour. done, but, of course, much more remains There are some four-lane sections in this to be done. over-all developmental programme, so it I read with interest in the annual report is no mean achievement in its affect on of the Commissioner of Main Roads about the Sunshine Coast. But the road between all the work that is being undertaken on Bald Hills and Burpengary poses a problem the beef roads programme, which is very and, from the point of view of the tourist commendable and worthwhile. However, industry, this section must be given No. 1 it is appropriate at this time that State and priority. The tourist industry in the area Federal Governments have suggested, and depends heavily on a good access road deliberated as a policy, that the main from the capital city of Brisbane so that emphasis should be placed on the problems tourists may reach it within a reasonable ,of urban road-users. Certainly the Common time so I ask the Minister to give con wealth Government has seen fit to indicate side;ation to stepping up the priority of Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2313 this section of road now that the four-lane Statement. Mount Isa Mines Limited has highway to the Gold Coast has been com made a tremendous contribution to this pleted. Admittedly, from an engineering State's revenue, and, partly as a result of point of view the road presents a difficult that, the State has been able to resist the task which must be tackled as a whole. increases in personal taxation that other State I also thank the Minister for releasing Governments have been forced to impose. the planning report of the four-lane-highway Purely and simply as a result of Queens development on the Sunshine Coast. This, land's mining development at Mt. Isa, Moura, as I -say, is only a planning report and the Blackwater and, more recently, Goonyella. project is a long-term one, but it is pleasing Queensland has been able to afford to meet to know that the department has had fore the dramatic increase in the cost of providing sight enough to say to the local authorities, all essential services. "We will provide you with a planning report The honourable member for Ipswich East so that the over-all planning of the future claimed that this State's reserves of coking development of this area will be done in the coal would last for only 15 years. What light of future road needs." I think this is utter nonsense! Those officers of the Mines very good and I suggest that, as this area is Department who are qualified to undertake growing at a dramatic pace, the local auth such research have assured us that our orities and the Main Roads Department coking-coal reserves in Central Queensland should get together and allow sections of will last for hundreds of years. this work to proceed as early as possible and that some priority be allocated that will Mineral development has proved to be allow at least portion of this work to proceed of inestimable value to the State, and to it on a two-Jane basis. should be added the benefits that flow from Before winding up my remarks on the the development of our oil and natural-gas Main Roads Department Estimates, I want reserves, the huge bauxite depDsits at Weipa to record the truly creditable and magnificent with the resultant boost to the prosperity of achievements of the Main Roads Department Gladstone, and the proposed development of during the year 1970-71. Some 450 miles the Greenvale nickel project. It is obvious of declared roads were constructed and that Queensland depends to a great extent on bitumen surfaced; 54 new bridges were com the mining industry for its wealth. pleted; 134 bridges underwent major repairs; Finally, I suggest that because of its rutile 12 major intersections were provided with reserves Australia is in a unique position. traffic signals; three railway level crossings I fully recognise the value of sand-mining were eliminated, and, in co-operation with the to this State, and I sincerely hope that the Railway Department, 10 level crossings were confrontation that will undoubtedly arise provided with improved safety devices between the interests of tourism and of sand nine with flashing lights and one with boom mining will be minimised by the new planning gates. This is no mean performance, and operations that have recently been outlined I congratulate the Minister and his depart in this Chamber. In view of the growing mental officers on what has been achieved. world demand for rutile and Australia's The mining industry has made a wonder possession of that rare commodity, I believe ful contribution to the economy of Queens that this country is entitled to ask for higher land. lts general contribution has been in royalties and greater Australian equity in the provision of jobs and in increasing the this industry than at present. As well, Aus standard of living of those directly involved tralia is entitled to a greater share in the in the industry and also those indirectly processing of mineral sands before they are involved; and a magnificent contribution has exported to other parts of the world. I do certainly been made to the cause of decen not suggest for one moment that this country tralisation in this State. should hold the rest of the world to ransom; As a result of the remarkable mining nevertheless, with its huge rutile reserves it development that has occurred over the past is entitled to ask for more than it is now few years, Queensland presently has a healthy getting. economy and can look to the future with I join with other Government members optimism. In addition to receiving a direct in congratulating the Minister on his diligence benefit by way of royalties, the State is in developing the mining industry in this also reaping enormous profits from the State. Without it, over the past few years transport of minerals. In his Financial State Queensland would have found it difficult to ment the Treasurer said that in the past survive. However, it is now able to broaden year the transport of minerals was worth the base of its general economy to encompass $30,000,000, or 28.2 per cent of the total financial assistance to the community as a revenue received by the Railway Department. whole. As well, as I have said, it has been Mr. Hanson interjected. able to resist increases in taxation in a very wide area. All this is due to the magnificent Mr. AHERN: The honourable member for development of our mining industry. Port Curtis, who is very loud in his guffaws, [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] does not acknowledge the return derived by the State from the transport of minerals. I Mr. BROMLEY CNorman) (2.15 p.m.): have no reason to doubt the position as Over the years I have received enthusiastic outlined by the Treasurer in his Financial co-operation from the Minister's officers 2314 Supply [30 NovEMBER 1971] (Estimates) whom I have approached in my electoral they could start afresh in another locality. duties, and officers who have had dealings They had the strength, the time, and perhaps with my constituents. Naturally, I am very the income to pay off another home. appreciative of it. When it is appropriate to do so, I believe that all honourable mem Incidentally, the majority of . th~ older bers should express such feelings. people required assistance. and ady1ce. m com pleting and lodging the1r apphcatwns for The annual report of the Main Roads compensation, and I am happy . to say that Department contains excellent detail. As I was of some assistance in th1s regard. I far as it goes, the review of future freeway knew most of these people personally. They and expressway planning and design is of were a wonderful bunch. I miss them and, assistance to honourable members. How judging by the telephone calls and letters I ever, only such information as is known receive, they miss me. and finalised is embodied in the report. During the construction period, many However, because of my association with many people displaced by the construction people have been inconyenienc~d, and I shall of the South-east Freeway resumptions, and deal with some of their wornes. I suggest those who still reside in the vicinity and that all future contracts for freeway con are subject to the worry and problems caused struction be made to provide more considera by this project, I shall deal firstly with this tion and thought for residents living in the matter. I do not know if the Minister, the vicinity. It is obvious that very few people Government or the contractors have had really give two hoots for the comfort much cause for real concern in the years of the public. An important mandatory pro of initial planning and construction of the vision should be the erection of small brick freeway which extends to Juliette Street, walls on fence boundaries so that mud, slush, Annerley, and incidentally, terminates on etc., cannot wash under houses and into the boundary of this part of my electorate, yards adjoining the constructio~ sit~. We but I shall remind honourable members, as have experienced some heavy ram th1s year I have over the years--especially those mem and this has washed slime and mud into bers rep;·esenting electorates which freeways yards and under houses, in some cases four and expressways may eventually traverse, inches deep. Frankly, the people concerned with cor,sequential disturbance of residents and I are completely fed up with the of what has transpired in my area, and how situation. people have been adversely affected. At one time I received a courteous letter The member for Merthyr is not in the from the Queensland branch manager of Chamber, but obviously he and other honour John Holland (Constructions) Pty. Ltd., the able members are concerned about how their contractors for this job. Included with the electorates will be affected, and the reaction of letter was a document listing the complaints their ccnstituents to resumptions and so on. received from residents and setting out the [ trust Lhat what I have to say will assist steps the firm allegedly took to redu~e the all h~n I can assure the Committee that we were at places where roads enter and leave the not too happy, because we were on our way freeway, or at terminals, to prevent the to a function and we were left with a dirty, chaos that can now be envisaged. cement-like substance all over our clothes. The Minister spoke of Freeways FS and [t also went all over the windscreen of the F4, which are mentioned in the Commis car and nearly caused an accident, as I sioner's report. It is obvious that these very nearly collided with one of the posts two freeways will be joined by a bridge supporting the bridge. I still have not been across the river from New Farm to Norman able to get all the muck out of the car, and Park. The honourable member for Merthyr the clothes that I and my passengers were referred to that in his speech on the transport wearing are still not completely clean. I Estimates, and I also tried to indicate my thoughts on the matter in that debate. I mention that as an example of the things know that the building of the bridge is that are happening during the construction bound up with the removal of the ship of this freeway. yards, and it is expected that they will I have had complaints from people living be moved within the next five or six years. in the vicinity of the freeway that weeds up However, after studying the areas involved, to 6 feet high are growing alongside their including the sites in the river and other residences. I am also told that another health places where test boring is taking place, it hazard in these areas is the number of rats is obvious to me that the Eastern Freeway now to be found there. Footpaths have (F4) will connect with a cross-river bridge broken up and become dangerous. In fact, from the eastern side of Norman Creek to it is impossible to walk on some of them. a point close to the power-house at New Farm. If this is considered to be progress, let us If that is so, very few residences will be give more thought to monorails and other disturbed and, consequently, the resumptions types of fast modern public transport. There will not be costly. I sincerely trust that are such systems in operation in other my assumption is correct, because I do not countries. I refer, of course, to a monorail want another five or six years similar to system within the metropolitan area. those that I have had as a result of the Expressways and highways with four and construction of the South-east Freeway. Prob six lanes are necessary outside the metro ably the freeway will continue along the politan area, and I think officers of the creek bank, perhaps on the eastern side of Department of Main Roads have done a the Coorparoo football ground, before link wonderful job in highway construction. I ing up with the Bennetts Road area and am the first to give them credit for what eventually with the South-east Freeway (F3). they have done. But, as a means of bringing Although I am not an engineer, it seems people into the city from the suburbs, or as to me that that would be the best location a means of permitting drivers to proceed for the bridge and the freeway. Not only from point "A" to point "B," freeways will would there be less disturbance to people in my opinion, prove a failure, as has bee~ and fewer costly resumptions; it would also the case in America and other places over give the greatest ease of freeway access to seas. In fact, there is a trend away from the Bennetts Road area. freeway construction in some of the more I indicated earlier that I intended to deal progressive countries such as Japan and briefly with a report that the Queensland America. They are all right for ringing a branch manager of John Holland (Construc city. The Minister said that $40,000,000 tions) Pty. Ltd. sent to me. Although I am was to be spent on freeways to allow very grateful for it, I do not agree with motorists to travel conveniently from point its contents. It says that many of the "A" to point "B." Even if it does, I really complaints outlined in the report have been cannot see that we will be getting full value the subject of criticism by members of the for an expenditure of $40,000,000. Freeways public and the Press. If one looks at the are just not the complete answer in the city report, oqe sees in it a page hcade j "Dust areas. Problem Claims". The honourable member I think immediate action must be taken for Greenslopes, who is at present in the to plant grass and trees on the banks of the chair, is completely au fait with the dust freeway, and at the foot of the banks, to problems in his electorate becatEe of the make them look less unattractive and also construction of the South-east Freeway and to stop the erosion that is now constantly knows that they also exist in my electorate. taking place on these walls. The company admits there were dust prob lems, but says they were not as bad as I now want to refer briefly to area traffic people made out. I see that the Chairman control, which is mentioned on page eight has a smile on his face, and I agree with of the very good annual report of the Com him that that is a joke. The dust problem missioner of Main Roads. I do not know was shockingly bad. In fact, I asked the whether what I am about to suggest is Minister for Health questions on oollution dealt with in the report. However, there is fall-out. On the south side of the river no doubt, it seems to me, that closed-circuit it increased tremendously after the construc television traffic-control systems will have to tion of the freeway was commenced. be installed along the entire route, especially (Time expired.) 2316 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) Mr. NEWBERY (Mirani) (2.35 p.m.): inland highway between Marlborough and Probably no portfolio is more Important to Sarina. I think it would be agreed that this my electorate than the one whose Estimates was the right thing to do, but when this is we are discussing today. Over the last 10 finished, I would hope, as member for the to 14 years we have witnessed a great deal area, that funds will then be allocated to of development as a result of the activities the Sarina-St. Lawrence-Marlborough stretch of the Department of Main Roads and the of the Bruce Highway. I feel that the policy Mines Department. At the outset I should adopted by the Maia Roads Department up like to express my thanks, and the thanks to date for that section-that is, earthworks, of my constituents, to the Minister for the drainage and formation, and construction of great job he is doing throughout the State, the bridge over Carmila Creek-has been particularly in my area. Since 1957 a the right one, but I know that the people tremendous amount of work has been done in the area feel that any further develop in that region by way of road improvements. ment down the coast should be by way of Although we have no mining in my elector bridging the creeks in the area. ate, there are nearby mining activities. I From Kalarka where the new construction also offer my thanks to the Commissioner ends, the road to St. Lawrence has a of Main Roads, Mr. Lowe, and Mr. Healy, reasonably good surface, but in that area Under Secretary of the Mines Department, there are quite a few very bad creeks. I think for the valuable work they are doing in the right policy in this area for the next their respective departments. They, too, must few years would be to bridge all these feel satisfied with the development that is creeks which hold people up in wet weather. taking place in and around the Mackay The principal three would be Cattle Creek, area. which is crossed by a slightly bent causeway I must not forget to mention the late six to eight feet high, Middle Creek, with Doug. Wild, the engineer in Mackay, who, its very steep clay banks, and Cbirview before his untimely death, was doing an Creek, a very deep tidal creek crossed by excellent job for a man so young. Mr. a causeway. The bridging of these creeks Don Pickard, who is acting in his place, should be the next development in that has applied himself very well to the job area. in the short time that he has been there. Of course, there are others in the area. Main roads in the Mackay-Whitsunday Freshwater Creek has an old bridge, Wrans Mirani region have been developed tre Creek is crossed by an old causeway, and mendously over the last 10 to 15 years. St. Lawrence Creek, just north of St. Law Prior to 1950 not very many people were rence, is dammed with a causeway. When prepared to tackle the difficult journey out the Sarina-Marlborough section has been of Mackay by car, and most people travelled completed within the next few months, I by rail or air. But it is a different story urge the Minister to seriously consider treat today. Excellent roads cater for motorists ing the construction of bridges over Cattle whether they want to go north, south or Creek, Middle Creek and Clairview Creek west. Of course, the road down the coast as urgent. is nowhere near complete, but I and the I turn now to the road running west from people in the region believe in the saying, Mackay through Sarina to Clermont. This "First things first". At the present time a road has been developed tremendously over tremendous amount of work is being carried the past 10 years. I can clearly remember out on the Sarina-Marlborough section of when it used to take the Martin brothers, the old Bruce Highway. The Main Roads who ran the Clermont Transport Service, a Department is now working on the widening fortnight to reach that town. Today, the jour cf the last section between Croydon and ney to Clermont can be completed in 21 Clarke Creek. The section just north of hours. The road surface is not all bitumen, Croydon to Lotus Creek is almost finished. of course, but I understand that the Main I understand that it is hoped to complete the Roads Department expects completion of the section to Clarke Creek by the end of March bitumen surfacing by 1974. When that has next year. It is further understood that the been done, some narrow bitumen sections section from Marlboruough to Rockhampton that at the moment are being pounded to will be comt1 uctcd by the end of next fin pieces by very heavy traffic will need ancial year. With the completion of these widening. sections, we will have a very good highway right through from Mackay to Brisbane. The section from the Sarina-Malborough road to Oxford Downs is narrow, and its The Bruce Highway comes down the coast shoulders are now being repaired. I might from Sarina, through St. Lawrence to Marl say that this is a very necessary job, because borough. Although a fair amount of develop this road, which has a few hills in it, was ment of that section has taken place over becoming very dangerous. At the moment the last I 0 ) ~:m, it is understandable that it is a main road and has been used exten we had to move for gazettal of that coastal sively for the development of the mining section as a highway, because the lo::al areJs west of Nebo. The Nebo Shire authorities involved could never afford to Council is presently required to contribute build it to highway standards. It was 20 per cent towards its maintenance, and decided to slow down work on that section I urge the Minister to have a look at this in order to complete the widening of the maintenance charge because I understand Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2317 that, on traffic counts, only two per cent cannot handle the road, what chance will of the traffic along this road is local. Foreign road tankers have, when they start taking bulk traffic represents 98 per cent. milk from this area some time in 1974? I urge the Minister to reduce the Nebo I have written to the Minister asking him Shire Council's contribution from 20 per to devote a few moments of his time to cent to 5 per cent. Such a reduction would meeting members of the Mirani Shire be of tremendous help to the Nebo Shire, Council and representatives of the dairymen which contains only approximately 600 on Eungella Range and discussing what can people. Because the finances of the council be done to assist the Mirani Shire and the are limited, the people of Nebo appreciate dairymen. The Mirani Shire is faced with the assistance already given to them by the added difficulty because of high rainfall and Main Roads Department in constructing the many creeks in the area. As the Minister bitumen roads throughout the shire. knows, it has to service more than 80 miles I also wish to mention the construction of of secondary roads. I might mention that, the road from Prospect Creek to the Range during the big floods in March, 1958, the Hotel, which is commonly called the Blue Mirani Shire Council lost 38 bridges in one Mountain job. Unfortunately, it was taken night. It is therefore obvious that this is a out of the road works programme for this very difficult area in which to construct and year. Although the late Mr. Wild told me maintain roads. that it v. as to be included in the programme I should like to bring to the Minister's for 1972-73, I understand that it is not attention the road from Brightley to Mia included in that programme as yet. I point Mia, particularly the section from Brightley out to the Minister that if the works pro to the Mirani turn-off, which is in very bad gramme is restricted, the Nebo Shire Council condition. While the council acknowledges experiences difficulty in finding employment that a certain amount of money has been for its workers. If the Blue Mountain job is allocated to this section, it would like extra deleted from next year's works programme, funds to overcome the problems presented by the council will face an enormous problem. the black-soil and wet areas that have to One road that has been improved a great ce traversed. deal over the past few years is the 60-mile On behalf of the council I should like to stretch from Mackay to Nebo via Eton. Prior bring to the Minister's attention the condition to 1957, when this Government attaineJ of the Gorge Road. There are many water office, that part of the road from Eton to falls in Finch Hatton Gorge. Cattle Creek Nebo was nothing more than a rough dirt has its headwaters there. This area is a track. However, since that year it has wonderful tourist attraction. However, as been transformed into a very good road, many roads in the area need capital expendi and in a few months' time it will be ture and cane-farmers have been carting cane completely bituminised. I assure the Minister over dirt roads for 50 or 60 years, the council that the people of Nebo are delighted cannot see its way clear to spend money on with the work that has been done on that a tourist road. A grant for the construction road. On the road between Nebo and Oxford of the Gorge Road under section 19 would Downs, which is part of the Peak Downs greatly benefit not only the Mirani Shire, but Highway, a section of seven miles is still also the tourist industry in Mackay. I am gravel. The Nebo Shire experiences great sure that everyone realises that Mackay has difficulty in maintaining the road in good a great tourist industry, based mainly on the condition to carry the heavy traffic that nearby islands, Eungella Range and other services the mining areas, and I urge early scenic beauty spots. However, the Gorge construction of this section. area could be developed for the benefit of A main road that is nearing completion is tourism. The only way in which that can that from Mackay to Eungella. A wide be done is by way of a grant under section bitumen strip now connects the city of 19. Mackay with Eungella. It is expected that The St. Lawrence-Croydon Road, which by 1974 the dairy farmers in the Eungella leaves the Sarina-Marlborough Road, is area, which is in the Mirani shire, will change becoming more important every day. It may over to the bulk cartage of milk. At the be asked why that is so. It is becoming more top of the Eungella Range there is only important because of the development half a mile of bitumen in roads that extend further west in Brigalow Area III, where for 83 miles. It is expected that unless that about 133 brigalow blocks kve been road is improved, especially at the Dalrymple opened up or about to be opened up, and Circle ends, the milk trucks will find the majority being in the l::!octdsound great difficulty in wet weather in negotiating Shire. When I was talking to councillors it. The Minister will remember the deputa from that area a few days ago, they tions he has received from people in the area expressed their appreciation of the treatment expressing concern about the difficulties that the shire is receiving from the Government will arise \1ith the introduction of bulk milk. in the development of roads in the brigalow The Circ1e road is so bad that as recently as area. Tremendous work has been done on a fortnight ago a milk truck became bogged the Dingo-Mount Flora Road, on another and could not be freed without the assistance road connecting the Sarina-Marlborough of three tractors. If a small milk truck Road to the Dingo-Mount Flora Road, and 2318 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) on the other service roads to the brigalow those who, although they have been allowed blocks. Broadsound Shire councillors are to remain, have suffered the disabiliti~s and tremendously pleased with the help they are annoyances that follow the constructiOn of receiving in this area. On the St. Lawrence freeways. Croydon Road there is a very rough section Last year, in the debate on these Estimates, which includes the range. I urge the Minister 1 asked the Minister if it was possible for to expedite the construction of the range him to give any indication of what future section. I understand that a move is afoot progress there would be. He replied to at the moment. me in these words (Time expired.) "The design for the works on the north side is well advanced, but it has not reached Mr. HANLON (Baroona) (2.55 p.m.): The the stage where property requirements are frequency with which the Estimates of the fully known. As soon as the design is Department of Mines and Main Roads come finalised it is proposed to issue brochures, before Parliament must be some indication, in the same way as we issued them for the within the Government if nowhere else, of Juliette Street work and further extensions the standing of this department. This is the on the south side, with the object of giving second consecutive year that this Minister the affected property-owners as much has introduced his Estimates. Therefore, notice as possible. It is expected that the whatever deficiencies exist in his department, first of these brochures will be issued in and whatever claims are made against its the latter part of next year. That will give administration, at least the Minister has the property-owners adequate notice to make satisfaction of knowing that it must be in arrangements for the disposal of their better shape than some of the other depart properties or their resumption by the Main ments, which are kept under lock and key Roads Department." during this debate. According to the annual report of the Com Last year, together with the honourable missioner of Main Roads, design work is member for Brisbane, who represents the proceeding on the Western Freeway, . the electorate adjoining mine, I spent a con North-western Freeway and further extenswns siderable part of the time allotted to me on the south side. The honourable member in the debate on these Estimates in referring for Mt. Gravatt has pointed out that, while to the necessity for traffic signalisation, this design work is proceeding, there is no particularly at Kelvin Grove where my indication in advance of the time-table for electorate joins the electorate of Brisbane. this work. Last year the Minister indicated I was pleased that, in the early part of this that, by the end of this year, the brochures financial year, the Minister, firstly at a depu would be sent out. Probably the plan of tation led by Mrs. Hotchin, secretary of the things has been upset by the financial Kelvin Grove State School Parents and restrictions imposed during the last financial Citizens' Association, and secondly in answer year, and the expectation that furt?er restric to a question asked of him by the honourable tions will be imposed this financ1al year. member for Brisbane, announced a definite I would appreciate it if the Minist~; coul.d time schedule for this project. It was bring us up to date on that matter at th1s received with appreciation by people who, for point of time", if I may use the famous: some years, have suffered the frustration of or infamous--expression used by the Prem1er waiting for the implementation of this very necessary project. on another occasion. I draw the Minister's attention to a In my speech on the Estimates last year passage that appeared in "Crisis Line" in I also referred to some aspects of the next "Sunday Sun" of 21 November. A reader stage of the Wilbur Smith proposal, which from Red Hill sent in this question has not yet been formally approved. I "My neighbours and I have heard the suggested to the Minister that people in my Main Roads Department is going to build area were in a state of trepidation following an expressway through our properties. I the experience of people on the south side would like to know if this is so. I just of Brisbane during the construction of the bought this place and I don't want to spend South-east Freeway. This matter has been too much on it if the Main Roads Depart referred to previously and was again raised ment is going to buy me out and knock today by the honourable member for Norman it down." and certain other honourable members. Honourable members on the north side of That is a fairly common type of inquiry, as Brisbane, who are not looking forward to this the Minister knows. The answer was type of construction, are appreciative of the "A Main Roads Department spokesman way these matters are being aired in Parlia said that your area was under investigation ment by those honourable members who have as a possible corridor for an expressway. seen the difficulties experienced on the south However much more investigation and side by people whose properties have been planning'had to go into the project before resumed and who have been uprooted and the exact route would be known." dispossessed of their homes. As the honour So far, that is in accord with what one able member for Norman said, this has been would expect. The answer continues on a traumatic experience for a number of them. "It was even possible the expressway Difficulties have also been occasioned for might not go ahead, anyway." Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2319 That, of course, is a little different. Whilst it has been in the past. As has been pointed it is appreciated that the formal "go ahead" out, because of the construction of huge has not been given for the construction of earthworks, people who regard themselves this freeway, and that when it is it will be as part and parcel of the one community made known by the Minister, the answer very often find themselves with a little I have just quoted contains the suggestion, "Berlin Wall" separating them. allegedly emanating from a Main Roads Primarily, of course, the department must Department spokesman, that the expressway have regard to the engineering and cost project might not proceed. Of course, I aspects of a project-let us be realistic about suppose it can be said that anything may or that-but it should also take into account may not happen. However, I noticed that community groupings; it should not just passage in "Sunday Sun", and I get haphazardly build large earthworks through approaches on this matter from various people the middle of a community and create two as time goes on. The quoting of a spokesman separate States, so to speak. I sense that from the Main Roads Department seems to there is some antagonism developing to suggest that there is officially some doubt projects of that type. It has recently become about whether this project will go ahead. obvious, more particularly from questions I cannot honestly say that the people directed to the Premier or to the Minister in my area would be distressed if this for Mines and Main Roads in the last couple expressway did not proceed. Whilst I am of weeks, that the Government of Victoria a realist and appreciate the necessity for such is having second thoughts about its priority freeways, their great value is not to those for freeway construction and is beginning to who live in the area traversed by them; bend more towards the provision of public it is to those who wish to travel through transport and rapid transit systems. To the area. The benefit to local people is be fair to the Main Roads Department in fairly marginal. Whilst many people on the this State, I do not think it would be south side will reap the benefit of the South unaware of that. I am sure that depart east Freeway, its benefit to those in the mental officers are taking into account chang Juliette Street area will be fairly marginal. ing trends such as that, together with their The real benefit is to the community as a own experience. whole, as the people of Greater Brisbane However, I ask that both the Minister enjoy improved traffic flow and the elimina and the department take as much account tion of delays, the cost of which finds its as possible of the complaints that have been way into the general cost structure. From forthcoming from honourable members who the very narrow point of view of the person have taken part in the debate on these Esti living along the route of the freeway, who mates, not only this year but in previous suffers by dispossession or inconvenience, years as well, about the resentment generated the benefit of the project is very marginal. among people on the south side by freeway Instead of some immediate advantage, all construction. Although the community that he gains is 1/800,800th of the benefit opposition on the north side may not be brought to the city of Brisbane. very significant at present, it is building up This afternoon the honourable member for and, as the time for the start of construction Norman spoke about the sludge of mud that comes closer, there may be more extensive is coming from the South-east Freeway opposition on a group basis such as has embankments. Unless something much better been evident overseas, where citizens in a is done when freeway construction comes particular locality have got together and, to my side of the city, I do not think the for some reason or other, have said, "They people will be very unhappy if the sugges can go so far but no farther. Vve won't tion in "Sunday Sun" that the freeway may 'cop' this. It isn't fair to us." not be constructed turns out to be correct. I think I have made my position clear Whilst the Minister may not be able to previously. I accept that there is a need say definitely that the freeway will go ahead, for work to be carried out; but, at the I think there is an onus on him, in the same time, I believe that, in matters such light of what appeared in the Press, to do as these, the feelings of the people must his best to enlighten the Committee, just be taken into account. They have to be as he did last year. I am not criticising satisfied by people whom they regard as him because what he said last year has not alien to them-the engineers and the adminis come to fruition, as quite a number of factors trative arms of Government-who are look-· have come into play. But to suggest that ing at matters from their own point of view. a project is not going to proceed is a horse An endeavour must be made to take into of a different colour, and it warrants some account the human factors, and the engineers comment by the Minister. I hope he will and administrators must endeavour to act have time to deal with this matter. as peacemakers by ensuring not only that The Minister and his officers may well the roads are constructed but also that the find that, as the freeways extend, the com rightful interests of people are not just munity will become more militant about ridden over roughshod. some of the matters referred to by the hon I think everyone in the Main Roads ourable member for Norman and the honour Department who is involved in property able member for Mt. Gravatt-the dust acquisitions or planning would agree that menace, the mud hazards, and so on-than looking at proposals from an over-all point 2320 Supply [30 NovEMBER 1971] (Estimates) of view, as we do as a Parliament, is con from Trust and Special Funds is about siderably different from looking at them $103,000,000, including about $84,000,000 from the point of view of someone who from the Main Roads Fund. may be vitally affected personally. They would probably agree that they would give Proposed expenditure from the Beef Cattle more consideration to them if they were Roads Construction Fund, the Roads Main residents than they would otherwise, even tenance Account, and the Commonwealth if the) gave the utmost consideration to Aid, Local Authority Roads, Fund, amounts them th:•t they felt they could on a realistic to a further $20,000,000, approximately. That basis as departmental officers. is major expenditure in anybody's language, and is certainly much greater than the depart I ha\ e em ered broad aspects of matters ment's Consolidated Revenue expenditure. that have been dealt with in detail by Only the Education Department and the various honourable members to indicate Railway Department incur expenditure any that l do not really look forv, ard to the where near that order. advent of freeways in my part of the city and that I do not think that, generally I was interested to read a statement in the speaking, the people of my area do, either, southern Press by a Mr. B. Fletcher, execu although they recognise the need for them. tive director of the Earthmovers and Con It is to be hoped that as much use as tractors' Association. Probably he would be possible is made of experience gained in a half-brother of the honourable member other parts of the city, and that this will for Y eronga. He was speaking against the enable a much more reasonable acceptance background of savagely increased motor by the people 1 should like to touch on many other should be receiving consideration as dis &ubjects, including the Brisbane City Council. tributor roads. Kingsford Smith Dri:'e should Suffice it to say that, because we are the not be the only road to receive consrderation. second most car-conscious nation in the It cannot be expected to carry the bulk of world-we have one car for every 2.5 persons the traffic. -the department handles $43,000,000 which Again this comes back to the Government, is received from registration and other because the council is unwilling or unable charges. I could deal with the requirement or a little of both-to do the job for which of the council to pay registration fees it was elected. It should do this work instead which l do not think it should-to run buses of embarkino- on grandiose schemes like on its own roads. Of course, the buses do purchasing h~tels and other city buildings, not run entirely on council roads today and building city squares for the aggran because, over the past few years, the Govern disement of the Lord Mayor, who has ment has relieved the council of £100,000,000 ··given the game away". He has walked c;ut in expenditure on roads and 50 per cent of and left a hell of a financial mess. The City the cost of the cross-river bridges. The cost is teetering on the verge of bankrup!cy, and of the new Victoria Bridge was borne by the the Government is keeping the councrl afto~t. Government. Yet the Lord Mayor, in his With the ratepayers it is doing more than Its propaganda on television, says, "Look at our share for the metropolis. This view is bridge." Anybody would be excused for diametrically opposed to that expressed by thinking that the council provided the money. Mr. Dewar when he was a member of In the greatest "howler" of all time, the Parliament. If he now studied the report of honourable member for South Brisbane, when the Commissioner of Main Roads, he would he "as an alderman, had the bridge falling compliment the Minister and the Ga:vernm~nt down. He called on the C.M.O. council to and its advisers on the work done m gettmg do something about it, but he did not ask Brisbane out of the financial mire it was in. the then Labor Government to do anything about it. The C.M.O. council, because of (Time expired.) lack of funds, could not do anything about Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton South) it, and it took this Government to do some (3.35 p.m.): Recently members had the thing about it. opportunity to debate the Goverl!-ment's Mr. BENNETT: I rise to a point of order. regional planning legislation, and 1~ was during that debate that I made a pomt of Mr. HUGHES: The honourable member stressing the need for equity in Gove:nment should not waste my time with stupid, inane expenditure. Honourable members wrll also interjections. remember that I emphasised the importance of good roads as a prerequisite to regional Mr. BENNETT: What the honourable development. I stated then that I would member for Kurilpa says is a lot of rubbish. develop this theme during the debate on the The person who reported adversely on the Estimates of the Department of Mines and bridge was a university engineer, and he did Main Roads. Accordingly, I do so now. so two years before the war. The Government has repeatedly stated that Mr. HUGHES: That is not a point of Queensland is the most decentralised State. order. One has only to look at the map of Queens The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. land to verify that statement. Throughout Houghton): Order! the length and breadth of the State, major towns may be seen. If one looks along ~he Mr. HUGHES: This Government has been coastal region, approximately every 250 mrles a fairy godmother to the Brisbane City one finds a city of 25,000 or more people. Council. It has taken over more of the In the inland regions are towns such as council's responsibilities than it should have, Mt. Isa, Longreach, Emerald, Roma and so and I am not speaking about subsidies paid on. All this, of course, supports the conten from the Treasury Department. In today's tion that Queensland is the most decentral Press, the Lord Mayor is reported as saying ised State. that the council has not curtailed any works However, as much as Government mem to purchase hotels and other buildings. It bers may try, they can take little credit for is not doing the work it is required to do. this situation. If anyone should get the credit The roads in Brisbane are the worst in Aus for it, it should be previous Labor Govern tralia, and among the worst in the world. ments for their use of the State railways to Even Delhi has better roads than Brisbane. open up the North and the inland. In recent I compliment the Main Roads Department years, however, there has been a considerable on what it has done. It has been a fairy change in emphasis from the use of the godmother to the city of Brisbane. Mr. Lowe railways as a means of decentralisation to and his officers-and this applies also to the use of roads. This is because of the Mr. Barton-have done a tremendous amount Government's negative railway policy, and of work. In addition, they have many because of the increase in the use of motor problems with the transportation studies. transport and motor-cars generally. The use The airport is to remain at its present loca of the railway system as a decentraliser has tion, and Nudgee Road and other roads declined, and the emphasis now is on roads. 2324 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) One ~auld therefore expect, as the Minister Yet this Government has the audacity to has smd, that there would be greater expendi talk about equity of expenditure and regional ture on roads now than was the case 15 years development, and the Minister bas the ago. effrontery to say that the road needs of the [ point out that figures and statistics are State are being met! It is all very well to very much like the mini skirt-they can boast of the tremendous wealth that the re_veal some. very interesting details whilst Central Queensland mining ventures are still. co~ce~lmg the most important aspects. pouring into the State's coffers and the Whilst It Is easy for the Minister to show pockets of overseas investors, but it is ~hat :;t lot of money is being spent on roads obvious that very little thought is given to m this State, the real crux of the matter is not how much is being spent but whether or providing everyday amenities for those who not the money that is spent is meeting the make this wealth possible. It is apparent ~eeds of the State. The answer to that ques that little regard is given, for instance, to tiOn, even from the most biased Government the people of Blackwater. I take this town member, must surely be, "No". as a case in point. The people of Blackwater One has only to study the Central Queens depend on the Capricorn Highway to the east land regiOn to see the truth of my contention. to Rockhampton for many of their essential On 1 July 1963, the road between Emerald services, and to the west to Emerald for such and Ba:caldine, which is part of the Capri everyday facilities as secondary schools and corn Highway, was declared a highway. Yet hospitals. 8t ye.ars l~ter, it is a highway in name only. At this pomt, I should like to compliment the The coastal region also provides holiday honourable member for Barcoo, who has resorts and the majority of the needs of Cen repeatedly raised this matter and who has tral and Western Queensland, from the indus been a fighter-and a lone fighter at that trial and domestic aspects. I think it is for the Capricorn Highway. Until 1969, as obvious, too, that, with the increasing use of one considers the various electorates that road transport for the cartage of cattle and encompass the Capricorn Highway, he was fodder, the importance of good roads in the only Labor member in this reo-ion· the Central Queensland is paramount. After all, rest were either Country Party or"' Liberal we virtually live on the back of the cattle, and I believe that roads will become even members, as was the previous member for more important as more road transports are Rockhampton South. used and as the cattle and meat processing It is no good blaming the present A.LP. industries in the area expand. members for the state of the road. It is bad, as will be known by all members who Rockhampton has often been called the have travelled over it. One must therefore capital of Central Queensland and, regard look at the previous members, and the present less of the growth of other cities in the Government. The electorate at the eastern region, it must be clear even to Rock end of the Capricorn Highway was held by hampton's most violent critics-and there the Liberal Party. The road then passes are quite a fev, on the benches opposite through Callide, which was a Country Party that the Government is not prepared to give seat. At its western end it reaches the Rockhampton its chance in the normal course electorate of Gregory, which again is a of development. It is not giving Rockhamp Country Party area. Mackenzie, too, is a ton a chance to provide its hinterland with Country Party area. It is interesting to note the essentials, although it already provides that two of the members through whose areas the Central West with educational, recrea the Capricorn Highway passes are Ministers, tional and commercial facilities and pro and one was a Government Whip. But virtu fessional and medical services. In fact, it ally nothing has been done on this road. It meets virtually all the needs of the Central is no wonder that the people of the Central West. West look on Mr. Hughie O'Donnell as the I think that the Capricorn Highway could voice of the Central West, and it is easy to be likened to a major blood vessel, or artery, see why they give him such solid support. for the health of the Central West, which certainly is dependent upon the road. But, I point out that one does not have h:i> travel judging by the number of deaths and acci to Barcaldine to see the state of this road· dents occurring on the road, it is fast one has only to drive a few miles out of becoming a danger to everyone. The unfair Rockhampton. The single carriageway com thing about it is that the thousands of mences near Kabra. Here the road is very, motorists in Central Queensland pay their very narrow. The shoulders are danaerous taxes, just as everyone else does. Their and the bitumen is substandard. Exc~t fo; registration is no cheaper; they probably the section from Sebastapol Creek, the road use more petrol per capita than any of to the Dawson River is just as bad. From the people of Brisbzme; yet the roads they the Dawson River to Blackwater, except me expected to drive on are second rate, again for a few miles, the road could only be dangerous and, in some sections, no better described as tortuous, dangerous and unsafe. than a bush track. In fact, of the whole distance of 170-odd miles from Rockhampton to Emerald almost Mr. Kaus: How many accidents have 100 miles could be classed as substa~dard. occurred on the road? Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2325 Mr. WRIGHT: The honourable member The honourable member for Hawthorne should look at the statistics. If he does, mentioned accident rates. It is not simply he will be simply amazed at the number of a matter of dismissing the accident rate on accidents that have occurred. the Capricorn Highway. No doubt speed During a recent deputation about the and alcohol play a major part in these highway, the Minister said, just as former accidents. But reports from police and the Ministers have said over the past decade, Rockhampton Regional Development Bureau that the money is not available. This is show that many of the accidents have been always the cry when the expenditure is for caused by the sharp bitumen edges and the Central Queensland, but there never seems shoulders of the road and the narrowness to be any shortage of money to build four of the bitumen surface. I went out with lane highways to the north and south of a committee of Opposition members. We the capital city. were told of complaints by parents whose children have to use buses to go to Emerald The Government is always ready to back from Blackwater. On occasions buses have up its reasons with alleged statistics. If been forced off the road because of the statistical evidence is wanted, I assure the narrowness of the way. We were told of Minister that there is plenty in favoar of some very close shaves because of the con spending more on the Capricorn Highway. dition of the road, and that in fact vehicles He has been presented with a case for its have to go right onto the shoulders to completion prepared by the Rockhampton let others pass. We were also told that Regional Development Bureau. It states accidents have occurred with commercial that, in 1968-69 alone, registrations in the vehicles. They have overturned because Central-western and Rockhampton divisions their loads shift when they have to pull increased by over 2,000, while the number off the bitumen. I start to wonder what of cars using the road has doubled, and price the Government really puts on road in some cases trebled, over the last few years. safety and human lives. If we look at the situation from a popula From the aspect of regional development, tion point of view in the statistical divisions the Capricorn Highway is of the greatest served by the three major interior high importance to the city of Rockhampton and ways-the Flinders, Warrego and Capricorn the towns in the hinterland. The industries highways-we find that the Capricorn High of both depend largely on the ability to way serves 34 per cent of the people and commute and convey products from one point carries 3 7 per cent of the registered vehicles. to another. Much of this these days is On the other hand, statistics taken from the done on the road. From a sheer economic annual reports of the Commissioner for Main Roads for the three vears to 1970 show viewpoint it seems ridiculous that millions that only 18 per cent of the total expenditure of dollars have been injected into this area on roads in these three divisions was spent and invested in mines, dams, townships, facili on the Capricorn Highway and the situation ties and amenities by both Government and has not changed very much during the last private enterprises, when the highway which financial year. I emphasise again that 34 links this development is either completely per cent of the people live in the region, disregarded or regarded as being unimportant. yet only 18 per cent of the total expenditure There would be few industries and persons was spent on the Capricorn Highway. in Central Queensland that are not dependent upon the highway in some way. Even the I do not begrudge money being spent tourist industry which is developing in the on the other roads in the State, but I believe region depends upon it, for this is the road that the Capricorn Highway should at least which leads the people of the Central West receive its due, especially because of the to the beautiful- beaches of Yeppoon and important economic and social role that Emu Park, and island resorts such as Great it plays in the area that it serves, which Keppel Island. They are the holiday venues contains over 30 per cent of the State's for the Central West. cattle and almost 60 per cent of its sheep. With the construction of the Fairbairn Dam, Talking about the tourist industry, I notice it is easy to see how important the Capricorn that only one rest centre is shown on the Highway will be to agricultural projects in map along the 170 miles from Rockhampton the area. to Emerald. I stress, however, that my main interest Rockhampton and Yeppoon also provide is centred on the Rockhampton-Emerald much of the higher secondary-education facili section, and especially on those sections ties for many of the families in the West. closest to Rockhampton. The population Because those families live long distances growth in the region is known to all honour from secondary-school facilities, their child able members, and with the completion of ren have to board in the many boarding the Fairbairn Dam scheme and the expansion schools in those areas. Rockhampton is taking place in the mining centres, it is also the regional centre for commercial enter obvious that the density of traffic will increase prise, providing the many essential require very rapidly. It is imperative, therefore, ments of residents of the Central West. that the Emerald-Rockhampton section be Statistically, the evidence supports the need given the highest priority and, moreover, that for the upgrading of the highway. Economic immediate action be taken to upgrade this ally, this region produces more than its section to a double-carriageway standard. share to balance the books of the State. 2326 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) In fact, there are no sound reasons why this one at a time. As I said, this section is highway should not be given the highest a disgrace to the State's highways and needs priority. reconstruction immediately. Unfortunately it is not the only road in It was my intention to speak at length Central Queensland which needs immediate about the substandard condition of the road upgrading. The road from Rockhampton from Rockhampton to Moura, especially to Y eppoon must be classed as one of the section between Wowan and Banana, but the most dangerous in the State. J udgin,g time will not allow me to do so. It was my from the accident statistics, that certainly displeasure to travel on this road only a seems to be the case. The proof of it week ago, and its condition is deplorable. is demonstrated by the fact that for most In the interests of regional development this of its length advisory speed signs have been road also needs upgrading, so again I bring provided. Yet even with those, because it to the notice of the Minister. of the condition of the road and the nature In the few minutes left to me I wish to o~ its construction, rarely a week goes by raise the issue of mining at Mt. Etna. I Without some person being seriously injured know that many arguments have been or killed on it. advanced for and against mining in this area and I think the spelaeologists and conserva I have heard honourable members whose tionistSliave a good case. electorates centre on the tourist resorts to the north and south of Brisbane repeatedly But as members of Parliament entrusted support the massive expenditure on the high with the walfare of this State, we must also ways to those places on the basis that it support industry. Therefore, we must con is in the interests of the tourist industry. sider the fact that this industry is important No doubt that is a valid contention but to the economy of Rockhampton and I point out that what is good enough for employs dozens of men directly and many the goose is good enough for the gander. others indirectly. However, it is apparent If .assistance to the tourist industry is a that no-one is quite sure just what is going vahd reason for expenditure in these areas on. The honourable member for Salisbury, then the same must go for Y eppoon. It i~ who is also known in this State as "Mr. one of the major tourists resorts in Central Conservation", has repeatedly asked ques Queensland. During the tourist season its tions in this Chamber on the matter. Mem population increases to 25,000. Honourable bers of the Country Party have raised it as members who have visited the area will aaree I have also, but we have been told nothing. that the Capricorn coast and Keppel c';ast Destruction of rock and cave formations resorts would be equal to most in the State. has been claimed by spelaeologists, who However, instead of a four-lane highway have searched the caves at night. Apparently as we see in the south, that road is narrow they have to creep in illegally to do this. It winding and in grave need of upgrading: is obvious that something is wrong or there Because of its construction, it has become would not be this uproar. So I believe that a serious safety hazard. For that reason a special investigation should be carried out and because of the importance of the tourist immediately, not by departmental officers industry in that region, I ask that that road alone, but by a group which is representative be given the attention it deserves. of all interested parties, such as the con The southern and northern approaches to servationists, the spelaeologists and the the city of Rockhampton are probably just industrialists. as bad-in fact, the southern road to Midaee If the caves are being destroyed, I believe is worse. Again, that section is very imp~r this firm should be compensated to move to tant to the city because it is used by the some of the known limestone deposits in residents in the outlying southern area. It other areas. I think we have an obligation is a_ls'! par! of the main Bruce Highway, not only to assist the industrial development but It IS a disgrace to the State. The immedi of the State but also to preserve the natural ~te approach to the city was very bad, but heritage of our people. I think the onus is It was fixed up recently-no doubt because upon us to do this and I ask the Minister to of the attacks _made on the Government by give special consideration to such an the A.L.P. dunng the local government elec investigation. tion campaign. Little or nothing has been done to upgrade the section a few miles Mr. LEE (Yeronga) (3.52 p.m.): I am south. The road there is narrow and the very privileged to take part in the debate on shoulders and bitumen edges are dangerous. the Mines and Main Roads Department There still remains an old, wooden, single Estimates, and I should first like to con lane bridge. It is marked on maps as gratulate the Minister on what I and many Roope's Bridge over Gavial Creek. It should members on this side believe to be the fine be preserved as an example of prehistoric work he has done in his portfolio. Honour bridge architecture-it certainly looks like able members opposite may not agree, it-and no doubt it will be, judging by because they have a habit of "knocking" the the way this Government acts. Because of efforts of this Government. Mines and Main its condition, it is necessary to slow down Roads activities are a very important port to about 15 miles an hour to negotiate it folio and have a tremendous effect on the and I point out that vehicles must do thi~ State. As a result of mining activities, the Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2327 State's export earnings are greatly augmented highest speed recorded on a police radar unit and large amounts of overseas capital come stationed on the fly-over was 101 miles an into the country. In addition, the industry hour. Nothing but an excellent road surface is a large employer of labour. It is, of could enable a speed such as that to be course, faced with the constant problem of attained. conservation. I am not saying that con Mr. Bromley: How much were you fined? servationists have no rights but, with many of my colleagues, I believe that there is Mr. LEE: I understand the driver of that room for both miners and conservationists. car was of the honourable member's size At the same time, I do not believe that and had big ears, so it could have been he. conservationists should take over the State and kill the mining industry. Undoubtedly, I ask the Minister when the Nyanda they have a right to voice their opinions, railway crossing will be started. I have but they have no right to organise groups, written repeatedly to him about this matter as they have in the past, to exert pressure and, in addition, I have had lengthy dis disproportionate to what could be exerted cussions with Main Roads Department in the normal way by deputations to the officers, from whom I have received wonder Minister and his officers. ful co-operation. In answer to my most recent question to the Minister, he told me that While speaking of the officers, I should the crossing would be started this financial like to congratulate Mr. Healy and his year. I understand that between $60,000 and officers on the co-operation they have at all $70 000 is being allocated for the provision times given me. Whenever I have wanted of 'a temporary crossing before the main some information from the Mines Depart overpass, to cost approximately $1,300,000, ment, they have never hesitated to give it is commenced. I hope that in his reply the to me if it was at all possible to do so, and Minister will give me some indication of they have done so most willingly and with the commencement date of the project. I the greatest co-operation. am aware, of course, that hold-ups frequently Mr. Bennett: Is this in connection with occur in the resumption of land necessary for your share dealings? such a project, and that the department's programmes cannot always be comme_nced Mr. LEE: Unlike the honourable member when desired. However, as I have smd, I for South Brisbane, I have not the capital would certainly like some indication from to purchase shares because I have not two the Minister as to whether the initial stages jobs. I do not attend Parliament only on of the project will be commenced this days when I am not attending court. I financial year and when the main section of attend Parliament regularly. Unlike the the overpass will be started. This job is honourable member, I do not hold down important, because, like the Rocklea over two jobs. I have never at any time gone to pass, it will save industry many thousands the Mines Department on the matter of of man-hours. shares. I should like to give a big bouquet to The Main Roads Department, too, plays a the Main Roads Department on the policy very important role in the development of adopted for the last tender called _on the this State. A good road system saves Bald Hills section of the Bruce Highway. industry many man-hours. Whereas the work Previously, tenderers had no contact wi~h done in factories is evidenced, in many the Main Roads Department before submit instances, by smoke rising from the chimneys, ting a tender, other than by way of private a lot of the work undertaken by the Main telephone calls or discussions. The depart Roads Department cannot be seen. Never ment has now adopted a system whereby a theless, it makes a great contribution to this notice is sent to the registered tenderers that State. the district engineer will meet them one week I thank the Minister and his department before the closing of tenders to discuss at for the work that has been done on the length any problems that may have arisen. Rocklea fly-over, which is now nearing com Mr. Low: That is a splendid idea. pletion. On 22 September it was officially opened by the Minister-capably assisted, Mr. LEE: It is one of the greatest advances of course, by the Commissioner of Main made by the department. Roads and me. As recently as a couple of I have been asked by those in the industry days ago I contacted Thiess Bros. and was to thank the department for its change of informed that the job will be completed on policy. Previously, when a pro_blei? arose, time. Because of the storms that have the department was reluctant to giVe mforma occurred over the past few days, the concrete tion to one tenderer because it might not be lining of Rocky Water Holes Creek will passed on to others. Meetings are now being possibly not be completed on schedule. When held between tenderers and the department, the whole project is finished it will be of and minutes are being taken. When a great benefit not only to my electorate but question is asked, and the engineer ~nswers also to the city of Brisbane and the State it, the proceedings are recorde~ m the as a whole. minutes. In turn, copies of the mmutes are To give an idea of the quality of the sent to every tenderer for the job. Tha~ks surface on the fly-over, I point out that the to this system there will be a reductiOn 2328 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) in the cost of construction, because many without it, unqualified contractors tender for of the pitfalls or problems that a tenderer jobs that they have not the capacity to cannot quite fathom are deared up. A undertake. They have neither the skilled record is made so that there wiH be no personnel nor the machinery to do large ifs or buts at a later date. In this way jobs. I should like the Minister to consider not only the Main Roads Department, but my request. He took a step forward in the also the successful tenderer is committed. system of tendering by having a meeting of If the department continues this practice, tenderers before tenders close. He should it will get cheaper work. I congratulate go a step further and save the Government it on this wise innovation, which will result and the department from a lot of embarrass in happier civil engineering and cheaper jobs. ment by instituting the system I suggest. If I am sure that the Minister and many of he does this, the result will be cheaper and his Main Roads officers will agree that it better work, and many creditors will be is essential to have a system of pre-qualifying saved a lot of money because contractors of tenderers. Under the present system, there will always be a contractor who thinks he will not go broke. can do a job. Possibly he has undertaken The honourable member for Rockhampton jobs worth $25,000, but suddenly he gets South was very critical of the Government's a job worth $750,000 or $1,000,000, and efforts regarding the Capricorn Highway. he has not the necessary plant, know-how He made nothing but a political speech in or skilled personnel. His tender may be preparation for his election campaign. It thousands of dollars under the estimate. was merely something he thought up to Because the pre-qualifying tender system is bash the Government's head. As I have not in vogue, as it is in other States, par said before, when the Labor Government was ticularly Victoria, the lowest tender, basically. in power, bitumen extended only as far must be accepted. Quite often departmental north as Nambour, whereas, under this Gov officers reject such a tender, but perhaps ernment, bitumen now extends to Cooktown. through political pressure-maybe a local In addition, the road has been widened and member approaches the Minister and says, is safe for travel in both directions. All "This man can do the job," or pleads with roads constructed by the Labor Government the department-a decision is made against were 12 feet wide and were unsafe. This better judgment that he will get the job. Government has adopted a completely new In those circumstances problems arise as attitude to road construction and has con soon as the contractor starts the job. Those structed not only roads but also bridges. contractors cannot do the job. If the Mr. Newton interjected. Government does not let contracts to them, they will be saved from going broke. Mr. LEE: This Government is not driving :Mr. Newton interjected. anybody out of business. Under Labor, it was not possible to earn a crust. Mr. LEE: The honourable member knows It is quite easy to be critical of the con as well as I do that it would cost more dition of one road and conveniently forget money to do these jobs by day labour. He the thousands of miles of not only single cannot deny that. Facts will verify my lane roads but also two-lane and four-lane statement. highways that have been built by this Gov Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was ernment. They are completely necessary if saying that the pre-qualifying of tenderers we are to have proper communications. It is very essential. As the honourable member is easy to forget that one can now travel for Belmont said, it is a shame that the to Darwin on a road that is, with the contract for the construction of the new exception of two minor sections, completely section at Pimpana was let to the contractor bituminised. In the days of Labor adminis concerned. This applies also to the con tration, one could travel on bitumen road struction of the road at Caboolture and one to Toowoomba, but beyond that city one other road in the North for which the encountered a black quagmire for miles. One contractor is $30,000 below the estimate. can now travel almost to Camooweal on He cannot possibly complete that contract, a beautiful bitumen road. For that situation, and, if he is given it, he will certainly go one can thank the late Ernie Evans, who broke, and the Government will have one had the foresight to insist that the Com more problem on its hands. As I said, monwealth Government allow the State Gov it is essential that the Minister insist on ernment to bituminise beef roads. the pre-qualifying of tenderers. Mr. Bennett: It's a pity we haven't still This will not mean that only big con got Ernie Evans. tractors will be successful. If a smaller contractor proves that he can successfully Mr. LEE: I believe that the present handle a contract involving up to $50,000, Minister for Mines and Main Roads has he can move into a higher bracket. This been a very worthy successor to Mr. Evans. would not stop the small man from becoming I do not think one could say anything else a big man. I would be opposed to any such without being completely untruthful. The principle. The small man of today is often Minister has done an excellent job, and, for the big man of tomorrow. It is important to that reason, I am pleased to have been able have this pre-qualifying of tenderers because, to join in the debate on his Estimates. Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2329 Mr. BENNETT (South Brisbane) (4.11 $US14.96. The c.i.f. value of Australian p.m.): I do not propose to engage in the coals for 1969 at $US13.42 a ton was the same sickening hypocrisy as the honourable lowest among major suppliers, according to member for Y eronga. Instead, I shall get the report of the Joint Coal Board in New down to practical suggestions for the advance South Wales. It can be seen, therefore, that ment of the State. our history in the field of negotiation has In dealing with mining and minerals, the not been good. honourable member said that it was because of the attitude of the A.L.P. and its pressure It is also worth noting that the f.o.b.t. groups that things are not so good. The price-again, for the information for the only portion of that statement that is true Minister for Industrial Development, who is that the mining industry in Queensland is looking perplexed on hearing that expres is at present in a rather dangerous situation. sion and obviously does not know what it Anyone with any perspicacity would have means, "f.o.b.t." means "free on board trim strong feelings of anxiety about its future. med", that is, the price at which the coal The management of Mount Isa Mines is very is loaded into the ship and levelled ready unhappy, and there is at that centre a stock for sailing-for Goonyella coal this year, piling of minerals that cannot be sold as compared with up to $US20 for United a result of the actions of the Government States coal of only slightly better quality, over a number of years. There is a state of suggests that the Japanese have had an stagnation in the mining industry. easy run with prices of Australian coal, because we are receiving only $US13.20. ~here has been much talk over a long Therefore, we cannot feel very proud of penod of Queensland's coal reserves. Because the Government and the Ministers who have of lack of savoir faire and understanding of negotiated contracts for the sale of Queens international commercial dealings, again this land coal to Japan. State ha.s been plunged into desperation be~ause It has not been able to negotiate Far be it from me to blame the men who satisfactory coal contracts with Japan and have to hew and pick the coal and bring it other countries. The Japanese treat the to the surface. I do not castigate and Government and its Ministers as "mugs". query them as the honourable member for Queensland coal is sold by the Government Yeronga did. From time to time the at the lowest price in the world, and the Government has opposed any increase in Japanese are laughing up their sleeves at the wages for miners, and their working con way they can manipulate and manoeuvre ditions are always subject to scrutiny when our Ministers. They wine and dine them in they want an advancement and improvement. Tokyo, and, when they come here, they The Government has opposed everything that take them to certain leading places on the the worker has wanted, and sometimes he Gold Coast in the process of negotiating the could get it only by taking rather strong best contracts that they are able to obtain mdmtrial action. Is he to be castigated anywhere in the world. and criticised for that when the Government, because of its own failures, neglect, and I am not the only one who says that inefficiency, has not attracted to the industry Queensland sells its coal too cheaply. That the amount of money it should have, thereby has been officially recorded elsewhere in preventing better payments being made to other ways. Steel-makers want coal .that will those employed in it? It ill behoves members make good coke. Our coking coal is the such as the honourable member for Y eronga best in the world, and we are selling it to to criticise the men who are earning the Japa_n a~ the lowest price in the world. Only money. Let us, instead, criticise the Gov a mmonty of the world's coal will make the ernment, which is losing the money inter coke that steel-makers want, and we should nationally in competition with other be in a strong bargaining position to get the contractors. top price, instead of the lowest world price. Good coking coal is in short supply through I wish to deal also with some matters out the world, and can command a high pertaining to men on the land. do not price. And, when America deals with Japan think it can be doubted for one moment it does command a high price. When w~ that I have advocated the rights of the salt deal with Japan, however, we obtain the of the earth-the Australian working man. lowest price in the world. The art has there But we must also see that the man on fore developed in Japan of negotiatina hard the land gets a ''fair go", and in this bargains for Queensland coal. The J a~anese Parliament the only body that can do that say, in their own publication, "Japan Com successfully is the A.L.P. Opposition, because merce Daily", that Australia received the the Country Party-dominated coalition Gov lowest price of 11 countries that supplied ernment does nothing for the man on the coking coal to their country during the 1970 land. calendar year. The weighted annual average During my "clinic" sessions from 4.30 price for the year was $U20.16 per dry p.m. to 6 p.m. each day, I have had several metric ton, c.i.f. For the uninitiated who are visits from disappointed and disgruntled listening to me, "c.i.f." in mining parlance graziers who have had a gutful of the means "cost, insurance, freight". Of the Government. They have reminded me that, weighted average price of $US20.16, Australia as recently as the last election, the Premier received the paltry, miserable, miserly sum of and the member representing the area, the 2330 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) Honourable Neville Hewitt, stood on a cer Mr. Annstvong: Do you say he is climbing tain highway in Central Queensland and on your back? promised great things for the future. They said the highway would be sealed with Mr. BENNETT: Of course he is. Instead bitumen and made into an all-weather road of talking about roads in Brisbane and way, and made the promises that only the leaving that matter in the capable hands <;>f Government could make. the Brisbane City Council-the roads m Brisbane are fairly good-why does not he The electors, believing the misrepresenta do something about the man on the land? tions that were engaged in by the Premier He is supposed to be a memb.er of ~he and the honourable member for Mackenzie, coalition Government but he said nothmg decided that if that was to be their reward about the roads thro~ghout the State, which for voting for the local member, they would real! y require attention. give him their votes. They are now satisfied, The Theodore-Baralaba road is considered however, that what the Premier and his to be very important to the people who li~e colleague and cohort did during the pre there in carrying out the necessary economic election period amounted to a sheer confid businesses on their properties. ence trick and deception. I refer to the Moura-Theodore road, more commonly Mr. Armstrong: Who gave you this brief? known as "Hewitt's Highway". It is gravel Mr. BENNETT: I have already said who in parts, but, in others, it is just a bog in wet weather, when its muddy surface is gave me the brief. About 20 people have completely untrafficable. seen me in connection with this matter. If the honourable member cares to look, he will The people who live in that area are com see about 30 or 40 people outside my pletely dissatisfied. They are landowners who chambers this afternoon. These people come want to get their produce to market; they from all over Queensland, and I have accu are people \\hose roadways are used by mulated my information on this matter by. the mining interests; they are people who want force of numbers of people who are contmu to have their children transported safely to ally pressing me to do something. I have school. Certainly they do not want to go here submissions from various people, through the nervous anxiety and mental including even a near neighbour of the trauma of having to anticipate yet another honourable member for Mackenzie. A Mr. fatal accident with a school bus, which they C. R. Freeman wants certain roadworks done. have to do. They have approached the I assure the honourable member for Minister on several occasions in different Mackenzie that Mr. Freeman is not happy ways, but without success, because in the last with the road at the present time. 2! years there has been no election pending. Further, a man with whom I was at They will not be deceived by any pre-election college in my university days is very unhappy speeches this time. They assure me that they about this section of road. I suppose have done their level best to have the Premier some honourable members opposite would and their member honour the promises given call him distinguished. I say he is well during the last pre-election period. known and distinguished in that he attended The Minister for Main Roads promised to the same college as I did. Since then, of allocate a sum of money for the maintenance course, his politics have gone a bit astray, of the Theodore-Baralaba road so as to but he, too, is very dissatisfied with this return the Theodore-Moura section to an road. I refer to Bob Katter, the Federal all-weather gravel condition. That is all they member. Get in touch with him and see how are asking. They do not want a first-class unhappy he is. I met him at Longreach highway. They would like one, of course, during the last election campaign. He was hut knowing this lethargic, comatose, dull and using a plane-I do not know who was paying weary Government, they do not expect to for it-to help Wally Rae in his campaign. get it. But they certainly hope to have at The area to which I refer has two sale least a highway on which they can travel. yards, at Nipan and Lonesome Creek All they are asking for is an all-weather respectively, and there are also saleyards gravel road, but they cannot even get that. at Theodore and Moura. At its Nipan yards, The honourable member for Kurilpa took in 1969-70 Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort me to task today, but of course, he did not Ltd. sold 10,910 cattle and, in 1970-71, tell the full story about my interest in roads 8 978 Honourable members will notice that and highways. He did not indicate that half there. was a drop in the number of cattle of his electorate was represented by me as sold. Government members like to clamour an alderman for 12 years, and that all the and claim that it was because of the drought, roadworks, drainage, sewerage, electric light but in this instance one of the reasons is that and gas reticulation, and everything else, was those who wanted to sell cattle took them done when he entered Parliament. There elsewhere because of the condition of the was nothing for him to do when he was road. There was a drop of 2,000 head in elected as the State representative for the one year. They came from the brigalow area. It was my efforts initially as an lands area, and from Banana and Theodore. alderman and vice-mayor that were respon There was also the mining traffic, as well as sib'e for the consideration of the new cross the local people who usually travel over river bridge. most of this section of the road. The Nipan Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2331 railway siding is also a rece1vmg yard for to such a condition as this road is in at cattle brought in from the north-west of the present after three falls of rain of 50 State. points each." Mr. N. T. E. Hewitt: That is not the As a matter of fact, some of the parents correct pronunciation of "Nipan". have become so disquieted that they have bought life-jackets for their children in case Mr. BENNETT: It is all very well for it rains while they are at school and they the Minister to get technical, but if he refers have to swim for it to get home. Instead of to the Oxford Dictionary on world matters, playing hide-and-seek with Pastor Brady, the he will find that pronunciations vary. As a matter of fact, there was a division of opinion member for that area should get some work amongst the many who called on me. Some done in his electorate. of them called it "Nypan"; some "Nipan", A Mrs. Martin, who lives at Nott Street, and other "Nippon". I do not care what it Moura, is the proprietress of the school bus is called. I wish I could get a bit of a "nip that does the Moura-Kianga-Nipan run. on" the Government. The pronunciation of Mr. Aikens: You can't even pronounce the word is meaningless; it is what is going the name. to be done there relative to road works that is important. Mr. BENNETT: I pronounce it "Nippon", because if I am able to get something done The Australian Estates Co. saleyards at for the people of the area I will be able to Lonesome Creek sold 8,293 cattle in 1970-71, tell them that I was able to successfully and most of that stock uses this road. The "nip on" to the Minister's purse-strings. Australian Estates saleyards at Moura also uses this road for outgoing cattle, and buyers On 24 October 1971, Mrs. Martin wrote from the Taroom and Wandoan districts use to the Minister for Main Roads in these it because they are not prepared to pay terms higher mileage fees to travel via Banana. "After an interview with you last year Mactaggarts Co-operative Association sale I was highly elated to think something yards at Goolara receive stock by the use would be done with this road, ..." of this road. There are also many private That is an indication of the bull-dust that is sales of store and fat cattle to the sprinkled over the roadway during interviews Biloela area and meatworks. with the Minister. As a result of all this, the people of the area are very dissatisfied. This road is also She goes on a school-bus route to Theodore and Moura, ". . . but since then it has been half and in showery weather bus proprietors graded twice, and one small truckload of refuse to drive on the far-end sections gravel tipped in was washed out where because of the risk of accidents. Therefore, wheat trucks were bogging." parents must use their own cars as a As a matter of fact, I believe the road is so shuttle service; they regard their children's rough that the honourable member for Roma education as important to the welfare of the would not even let his prize bulls walk along district. They have to run the risks that it. the bus proprietors will not take. The bus (Time expired.) proprietors cannot be blamed, but the parents, instead of attending to their usual Mrs. JORDAN (Ipswich West) (4.32 p.m.): pursuits, have to spend time driving their In speaking to these very important Esti children to school because this Country Party mates, I wish, firstly, to express my apprecia Government will not lift a finger to help tion of the work done by the officers and the man on the land. staff of both the departments under the Mr. Aikens: What part of the South Minister's control. The Department of Mines Brisbane electorate is this road in? and the Department of Main Roads are involved in carrying out work that is becom Mr. BENNETT: I am not parochial. I do ing more and more complicated and technical not come to Brisbane and "dig in" at Marr's by nature, so the State is very fortunate to Boarding House, and thus remain ignorant have at the head of the two departments about the rest of the State. I travel far, experienced and dedicated men. Of course, wide and extensively, and even the honour I also pay tribute to the capable staff under able member for Townsville South, if he is their control. in difficulty, can line up outside my chambers. Mr. Aikens: If you keep on going like that If he has a satisfactory problem, I will help you will chase Mr. Bennett out of the him. Chamber. The opening of the Kianga coal mine has increased the flow of traffic from the Moura Mrs. JORDAN: I always give credit where township, and transports carting sections of credit is due. dragline equipment to the site from Sydney In dealing with the Main Roads Depart have not improved the condition of the ment, I emphasise the importance to the vast road. The people say-and I quote them majority of provincial local authorities of "It is certainly calamitous for any road the letting of Main Roads contracts to local that is not listed for construction in the councils rather than private contractors. The foreseeable future to be allowed to revert letting of contracts to local authorities goes 2332 Supply [30 NoVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) a long way towards allowing them to retain Labor we will have these problems to con their work-force in employment and provide tend ~ith and will have to plan for wider work for other local residents. The work and better roads. apportioned to the Ipswich City Council by We will have to plan more freeways and the Main Roads Department was a great bypasses. I know that they are very expen boon to the council and enabled it to provide sive, taking into account the cost of resump· continuous employment for many ratepayers. tions and so on, but they are urgently needed. I know, from my local government days, Mr. Aikens: It helped the council accumu how expensive it is to undertake road work late a lot of road-making equipment, too. and how people expect a road to be com· pleted overnight, as if it drops from the sky Mrs. JORDAN: I concede that point. The ready-made. They do not like to suffer the letting of contracts to local authorities is of inconvenience caused by road-makmg. I great benefit to the larger cities and shires. remember that, in the area I represented as However, there needs to be much more an alderman, I got particular hell because co-ordination than at present between the of the mess caused by the building of a Main Roads Department and local author road. I am afraid I did not give the people ities. While the department is pressing on much sympathy. I told them straight that with the construction of a large number of if they wanted a road, they had to put highways and freeways, at the same time in up with the inconvenience. When it was many areas a great deal remains to be done. completed everyone was very pleased, and I believe that the real problems lie in the said how wonderful it was to have it. Incon congested city areas. Much more money is venience is experienced while a road is being required to overcome them. built, but if we want good roads we must ln my own area of Ipswich the northern put up with it. bypass to Toowoomba ha'i been a wonderful Complaints are made abo~t the :Vidth ~f boon. It has relieved the centre of the suburban and arterial roads m Ipsw1ch. Th1s city of the heavy through traffic. Prior would no doubt apply to all cities. The to the completion of the bypass, that traffic width of a road is governed by the density created a very bad hazard in the turning and type of traffic it c~rries. It would_ be section of Brisbane and Nicholas Streets, impossible to have sufficient money to w1den on a rise in the centre of the city. The all those roads to allow for parking on bypass has not been detrimental to the city; both sides. Money is the crux of this indeed, it has become an asset. I doubt problem, and insufficient money, particul_arly that Ipswich lost any business through its Commonweaith Aid money, is being provided construction. But the heavy traffic on by the Commonwealth. Queensland needs the southern side, although it does not go greater road grants. through the business centre, still passes through several Ipswich suburbs and creates I am concerned at the increase in loss quite a hazard. Ipswich is awaiting the day of life and the maiming of so many people -1 hope it is not far distant-when the on our roads. The road toll is ever increasing southern bypass is constructed. and even the experts do not seem to be able to find a satisfactory solution. Various The people of Ipswich now realise that ideas are tried from time to time, but bypass roads are an advantage because none has proved to be very successful. The they relieve the congestion that through road toll continues to increase even though traffic causes, and do not have any detri· more double highways and freeways are mental effect on the city and its business being constructed. H seems that, no mat_ter houses. Loss of business was greatly feared what is done in improving roads and makmg when the northern bypass was first mooted rules some drivers still give little considera and constructed, but experience taught us tion 'to other road-users and, indeed, seem that that is not the case. We therefore to have little thought for their own safety. look forward, in the near future, to hearing of the implementation of the suggested These drivers create most of the problems southern bypass. for themselves and other road-users. As the number of motor-cars increases on The Main Roads Department and the local our roads-and it will continue to increase, authorities erect road signs to indicate speeds, because this is the era of the motor-car etc., but they are completely useless unless our problems become much greater. We they are easily seen and obeyed. I have all realise that young people today barely said before in this Chamber, and I repeat attain the age of 17 years before they get it that in areas of heavy traffic, there are their first motor-car. f~r too many signs for a motorist to have Mr. Camm: That is because of the affluent even the slightest chance of reading them. society in which they live at the present time. I cannot, anyway. I refer not to the bigger "Stop" and "Give Way" signs whi~~ are Mrs. JORDAN: That is so. I know many usually clearly visible and well. posJtJ~ned, young lads who have saved up for a car but to the smaller signs and mstructJOns, and are just waiting for the day when they including those indicating speeds_, wh!ch are can get a licence. To them, it is the thing often difficult to see. If a dnver IS con to do. However, I know that they add to tending with heavy traffic, even Ol! a not-so the road problems. Irrespective of the Gov busy connecting road, he could m1ss a speed ernment in power, be it Country-Liberal or sign. Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2333 As a result of my experience in local Australia. I realise that the rule of the government over the years, I advocated the right, and the marking of major and minor painting of advisory speeds on the roadway. roads, are not matters for Queensland only, This could be done on all main roads. A but for all relevant departments throughout driver certainly watches the road ahead of Australia. There should be uniformity on him, but cannot watch for signs on the side this matter. I feel that it is extremely of the road. Speed signs have been painted dangerous, and very foolish, for a motorist on the roads leading into and out of Ipswich. to leave a small bush road where he could They are clearly visible and have proved to perhaps not be seen, because of density be satisfactory. I do not know whether this of growth, by motorists on a main roaj, and was done as a result of my representations. enter the major road simply because he had I hope so, because I pushed this idea when right of way. Many motorists who claim r was an alderman on the Ipswich City right of way in such circumstances are Council. The effectiveness of taking this looking for trouble. I am one who would action has been proved, and it could have not claim it in such circumstances, as I more widespread application. value my life too much to deliberately place There has been a good deal of concern myself in danger. I would rather wait a and publicity over the right-of-way rule short time till the road was clear. recently. I am concerned at the effectiveness I believe that there should be more "Give of that rule. In my opinion it causes many Way" signs. I favour them at some inter accidents. I have seen many drivers ignore sections, because they at Jeast leave no doubt the rule completely. Last year, my father in the minds of motorists about what they was involved in a right-of-way accident. are required to do. I well remember the Fortunately it was not very serious, and highway intersection with Station Road, no-one was badly hurt. A woman drove at Booval in the area of the honourable mem speed from a small bush road onto a busier ber fo; Ipswich East, where bad accidents road without stopping, and my father just did constantly occurred. There were "Stop" not have a chance to avoid an accident. signs on one road, but none on the other. Mr. Bromley: Women are supposed to be After many accidents, anj much discussion the better drivers. of the problem, "Stop" signs were placed on the four corners. They proved to be Mrs. JORDAN: The reverse was the case the solution to the problem. All motorists on this occasion. This women had received had to stop, and the one who had the right bad news, and was hurrying to get to some of way moved on. The erection of four relatives. Apparently all she could think of signs, which to some motorists might have was getting to her relatives, and she was seemed very foolish, solved the problem. I not watching the road. My father happened think that this could well be done in other to be coming along the other road. He badly congested areas. Accidents do not was taken to court as a result of the always occur on roads where visibility is accident, and eventually he won the case. poor. Very often they occur d~spite go?d I have witnessed many drivers completely visibility. I hope that the M1mster will ignoring the right-of-way rule. Many drivers !!ive consideration to providing more "Give take right of way, whether they have it or not. Way" signs and also to the suggest:on that Both the honourable member for Ipswich certain roads would have priority. If those East and I have seen such incidents as we procedures were adopted, I think they would travel between Ipswich and Brisbane on our make some contribution towards reducing way to and from Parliament House. Vie the toll of the road. are often horrified at the risks that some I wish now to say a few words about drivers take. Some could not care less heavy vehicles and the loads that they carry. about the rule of the right. I have seen A section of the Main Roads Department so many near misses caused by this rule, deals with the overloading of vehicles and with some obeying it and some disobeying enforcement of rules covering overloading. it, that it is not funny any more. On the road between Brisbane and Ipswich, To my mind, the whole business of roads, one finds the Gailes weighbridge. Since its traffic problems, and the patrolling and polic inception, it has been a deterrent to business ing of roads, should come under one depart· between Brisbane and Ipswich and to the ment. There is now too much division of setting up of businesses in Ipswich. Certainly authority and responsibility. Co-ordination the provision of a new platform and an and even decision-making-is difficult. Often additional lane is a great improvement and one department blames another for lack of has considerably reduced the long period decision-making or lack of co-ordination, and that vehicles have to wait at the weighbridge in the long run no-one wins-certainly not before proceeding on their journey. Waiting the motorist. time, of course, means additional costs. Mr. Bromley: Do you agree that there However, in common with the honourable should be a system of major and minor member for Brisbane, who spoke in this roads? debate last Friday, I am very concerned Mrs. JORDAN: I think the solution to about drivers of overloaded vehicles and the the problem is to have roads declared as action that should be taken in cases of major and minor roads, and marked with overloading. symbols that would be recognised throughout (Time expired.) 75 2334 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971} (Estimates) Hon. N. T. E. HEWITT (Mackenzie Hewitt won by some 200 in the Mama Minister for Conservation, Marine and Banana area, and he also had a majority Aboriginal Affairs) (4.52 p.m.): I did not in the township of Blackwater. At least I intend to enter this debate, but, having heard have good reason to believe that the people the honourable member for South Brisbane were reasonably satisfied with my represen speak about matters associated with my tations. electorate, I thought it only fitting that I We hear all this talk about roads. In the should say something in reply. old days there was no hospital at Theodore. Having been in Parliament for a reason Under the Labor Government, residents of able number of years and having seen some the Theodore area had to contend with bad thing of the road development in Central roads and get out the best way they could Queensland, I believe that I speak with a to obtain medical treatment. Now we have reasonable amount of authority about what a hospital at Theodore, and we are to get has taken place. Up to the time when the a hospital at Moura, even though there are late Ernest Evans became Minister for Main now bitumen roads giving easy access to the Roads in this State, the people of Central hospitals-at Biloela and Rockhampton. Queensland received a very raw deal indeed. Another thing that irked me when the There has been a tremendous improvement honourable member for South Brisbane in the roads in that area since then. spoke so irresponsibly was his reference to Opposition Members interjected. the saleyards at Theodore and Moura. Let me go on record as saying that, when I Mr. N. T. E. HEWITT: Honourable mem entered Parliament, I was manager of Aus bers opposite may say what they like. They tralian Estates at Eidsvold, and if the honour able member likes to check with the Queens are all like the honourable member for South land management of that company he will Brisbane, who pronounced "Nipan" as if it learn that it would never have established were spelt "N-i-p-p-a-n" and did not know in Theodore or Moura but for my represen where it is. tations and the fight I put up for the estab Before a Country-Liberal Government lishment of those facilities there. I could came to office, not one road in the Banana quickly answer many of the allegations that Shire within the Mackenzie electorate-not have been made. But that does not apply even the main streets in the towns-were only to my own area; it applies to the whole bitumen sealed. That indicates how shocking of Central Queensland. the roads were. Today there is a bitumen Mr. Wright: Do you disagree that the road from Theodore to Rockhampton via road to Emerald needs upgrading? Biloela, a distance of between 140 and 150 miles; there is a sealed road from the Moura Mr. N. T. E. HEWITT: I do not disagree. to_wnship to Biloela; the Leichhardt l have represented Blackwater, and I am Highway has been completed within the a\\are of the bad condition of some of the Banana Shire, with the exception of about road shoulders. However, it is a matter of 12 to 15 miles; and all but about 50 miles priorities and of when the various works of the highway from Rockhampton via can be carried out. That is as honest as l Emerald through Springsure and Rolleston can be about it. Before the honourable and back through Moura and Biloela to member for South Brisbane made his soeech, Rockhampton has been completed. I remind I had successfully prevailed upon the Minister the Committee that when we became the for Main Roads to make a further allocation Government of the State only about 80 for the Nipan to Moura section. miles of that 500 miles or road was I have given that area good representation. bitumen sealed. It is obvious, therefore, I do not care who goes there at election that there has been a tremendous improve time or what candidate stands against me. ment in the highways in the area. What is I won on the last occasion, and I feel that more, no-one has worked harder than I to [ have not let the people down in the have work carried out on the main roads intervening period. and secondary roads in my electorate. Mr. Wright interjected. The honourable member for South Bris bane was not honest in saying that nothing Mr. N. T. E. HEWITT: I will make up had been spent on the Theodore-Nipan my own mind what electorate I will stand section about which he made such a great for, all in good time. I have been pleased song and dance. In fact, $14,000 worth of to represent the people in Mackenzie. I maintenance work has just been completed won it from Labor when it was a true-blue on that road. I travelled over that section a Labor seat, and at a time when there was few weeks ago. I do not remain in Brisbane no split in the Labor Party. At least I can and speak with someone else's brief; I speak say that I entered Parliament after really after having travelled over it. Difficult as it winning a seat. is to find time to do so, I get around my Opposition Members interjected. electorate. At the last election the Aus tralian Labor Party thought it would win in Mr. N. T. E. HEWITT: The then Labor the mining areas of Moura and Blackwater member received 57 per cent. of the votes but who finished up with the majority? Nev: at the 1953 election. Many honourable Supply [30 NoVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 233S members opposite did not receive 57 per facilities at the tram terminus. Had the cent of the votes in their electorates. That Main Roads Department, in conjunction with was the percentage when I won the seat. the Brisbane City Council, had to face up to that responsibility, it would have undoubtedly I wanted to make it clear to the Committee stopped the progress that was being made what work has been done in Central Queens on the four-lane highway from the Belmont land, not only in my electorate but in many tram terminus to Capalaba. others, too. The next move by the Government was to Mr. NEWTON (Belmont) (4.59 p.m.): It provide a four-lane highway thro_ugh . the was very interesting to hear the Minister for shopping centre at Capalaba, extendmg from Conservation, Marine and Aboriginal Affairs Tingalpa Cree"- to Coolwynpin Creek. A enter the debate to defend himself against four-lane highway, with dividing islands, charges made by the honourable member WJS built and it was then extended to the for South Brisbane. We are convinced that intersecti~n of Finucane and Birkdale Roads, the Minister has done very well under this which gave people travelling througf.! the Government, and no doubt has received Redland Shire if they so desired, a chmce of preferential treatment that is unknown to us two roads t~ Raby Bay, Victoria Point, on this side. Redland Bay, around through Carbrook and My main reason for entering the debate is then on to Beenleigh and the Gold Coast. to endeavour to learn something further Mr. Hinze: You have seen a bit of develop about subarterial roads as they now exist ment since you have been member for the in the metropolitan area and areas bordering district. upon it. The annual report of the Commis sioner of Main Roads contains some mention Mr. NEWTON: The development has taken of arterial roads, but much is left unsaid place only because of continued represent:'l about them and what the future holds for tions. I am sure the honourable member _will them. It is because my electorate is affected agree with me that when assurances are given by arterial roads that I rise to speak. by the Government that certai~ .t~ings will Speaking about what has happened since be carried out, it is the responsibility of the this Government took office, let us go back member representing the area to follow the to the closure of the railway line from Lota matter up and see that the promises are to Cleveland and the assurances given, not honoured. only to me but also to the honourable mem The sore point with me is that the section bers for Wynnum and Logan, about what of the road that has not been done lies in would be done as a result of the closure my electorate. Certain Government mem of this line. I have followed what has bers are prone to shed crocodile tears about happened in other areas, particularly the the treatment they receive from the G~:l\:e.rn Gold Coast, and, by comparison, we have ment and we have just seen an exhtbttwn received a very raw deal from this Govern from' the Minister for Conservation, Marine ment since that line was closed. Certain and Aboriginal Affairs. who cried about t~e assurances were given by the previous treatment he received while he was m Minister for Mines and Main Roads, Opposition. I do not inten? to ~mulate him; although I admit that whatever assurances instead, I intend to be qmte fmr. he gave he endeavoured to carry out. For The section of Old Cleveland Road some reason, that has now changed and the between Creek Road and Capalaba needs position is becoming rather alarming. I urgent attention. It is true that, as a re_sult refer particularly to the state of a certain of my raising this matter frequently smce bridge and the condition of an arterial road 1960 both by way of questions and in which runs through a large part of my speeches on the Estimates of the Mai? Roads electorate. It is the Cleveland subarterial Department, during the last financtal ye~r road, if I may call it that. It is the road some attempt was made to carry out certam that feeds the whole of the Redland Shire. work. The Minister and the Main Roads Certain road works were carried out under Department deserve some credit for. having the previous Minister, and others have been done the work that has been earned out. carried out under the present Minister. One The work that impressed me most was the of the biggest problems, of course, was over resurfacing of the .32-mile stretch between coming the bottle-neck at the Belmont tram Scrub Road and Belmont Road, near the terminus, where some very costly work Belmont shopping centre. That section of became necessary because of the differing the road was done with what is known as grades of that section of road. A four-lane an A.C. dragcoat, and it is a first-class job. highway was built from the Belmont tram Previously, that section would have been terminus to Adelaide Street, Carina. Unfor one of the worst on the subarterial road tunately, at that time there was a change of between Creek Road and Capalaba. Unfor members for the Chatsworth electorate, and tunately, the 5.2-mile section between it happened to be the time when this project Phillips Creek and Tingalpa Creek does not was being completed. It is quite evident come up to the standard of the section done that, in conjunction with the alderman for by the A.C. dragcoat. All that was done on the area, certain further demands were made this section was resealing with bitumen and on the Main Roads Department for parking the laying of screenings. To the ordinary 2336 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) motorist and anyone who is inexperienced in attended certain Country Party branch meet road-building, such a finish appears to be ings where the matter of a four-lane high rather flash; but to me, with my experience way between the Redlands area and Brisbane in this field and having worked on main was raised, he gave the same assurances as roads, it is only a shoddy job. have been given to me in the past. I hope Mr. Camm: You would know more about that, in the near future, those assurances this than the engineer? will be fulfilled. I am seriously concerned about the bridge Mr. NEWTON: I am not saying that, and over Bulimba Creek. The Main Roads I am not trying to be smart. I am only Department has carried out work on it in continuing my fight in this matter, and, an attempt to provide a four-lane highway before I am finished, because of certain from the old Belmont tram terminus to statements made by the Minister on his Capalaba and the main townships in the visits to the Redland Shire, which I intend Redland Shire. The bridge over Coolwynpin to raise later, he will be involved more Creek was widened and strengthened to carry deeply than he thinks. the heavy volume of traffic, which has con Mr. Hughes: Do you think this work tinued to grow since the closure of the would have been necessary if the construc railway line. A similar position arose with tion of the road in the first place had been the bridge over Tingalpa Creek. it was such as to stand up to repeated use? widened and strengthened, and in this instance a better job was done because a Mr. NEWTON: I respect the view of the foot-bridge was provided for children who honourable member for Kurilpa, who was have to cross the creek to go to the Capalaba previously an alderman on the Brisbane City shopping centre or the Capalaba State School. Council. However, in this instance, I dis I have raised this matter of the bridge over agree with him. In the days to which he Bulimba Creek at Belmont on previous refers the Main Roads Department did not occasions, and, in reply to a question I asked have a great deal of finance and was forced about two years ago, I was told that eight to do temporary jobs. I have seen tem years was the life expectancy of the porary finishes applied to roads, particularly present bridge. It is a very important bridge; in the North Coast area, including the indeed, it is the lifeline for part of the Cooroora electorate. Back in 1939, unde; Belmont electorate and the whole of the Joe Peachester, that type of work was done. Redland Shire. It is used by the Mt. Cotton [ know what I am talking about. I could people and those who use the bypass road not get a job on a farm at that time and I through Mt. Cotton to reach Beenleigh and had to take work elsewhere. In those the Gold Coast. days we laid the heavy gravel and the other r have paid close attention to this bridge material that was necessary to bring the over the past two years, and I know it has road up to the required standard for sealing. required a good deal of repair work. It We then tarred the surface to lay the dust has been redecked frequently. On the last and undertook several other sealing pro occasion, almost two-thirds of it was redecked cesses to bring it to the required standard. and resealed. However, it deteriorates during Mr. Hinze: You told me you used to milk wet weather. Whenever heavy traffic crosses cows for 10 "bob" a week. it, its foundations shake. A smaller bridge across Phillips Creek, which is nearer Creek Mr. NEWTON: I did that, too-and I Road. caved in, and people had to make am not ashamed of it. I am proud to be a detour of about three miles to get to able to say that I did. the bottom end of the Belmont electorate Mr. Hinze interjected. and various places in the Redland Shire. Let me sound a note of warning. The Mr. NEWTON: The honourable member Government should make sure th-at the will have the Chairman pulling me into standard of this bridge is such that it will line for departing from the Estimates we not deteriorate badly during the coming wet are discussing and talking about dairying. ~eason. If plans and specifications for a My point is that when only a coat of new bridge have not already been prepared, bitumen is laid, with screenings on top of they should be prepared immediately. If it, the dents are not even taken out of the this bridge caved in, as the other one did, road. Whether we describe roads as free a great deal of inconvenience would be ways, expressways, main roads, arterial roads suffered by people in my electorate, the or subarterial roads, they must play an Wynnum electorate and the Logan electorate. important role. In every plan that I have It is to be hoped that this matter has not seen, they are described as "feeder" roads, been overlooked by the Main Roads Depart and we cannot allow them to deteriorate to ment, even if we have to wait some time such an extent that it will cost the Govern for a four-lane highway from Creek Road ment, irrespective of which party is in to Capalaba. power. a tremendous sum to restore them. Mr. LOW (Cooroora) (5.18 p.m.): I am I am particularly concerned about this extremely pleased to have the opportunity matter in the light of certain statements of taking part in this debate on the Estimates by the Minister as reported in the "Wynnum of the Department of Mines and Main Redlands Herald". When the Minister Roads, which were introduced so ably by Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2337 the Minister. His remarks were informative prepares and announces a platform before and enlightened even Government members each election. Immediately the election is on the tremendous amount of work done by over the platform is dismantled, the reason the Main Roads Department and the Mines being that Labor platforms are made to run Department in this State. I congratulate on, not to stand on. the Minister on his administration of those Let us look at some of the highlights of departments. I thank the Under Secretary the operations of the Department of Main of the Department of Mines (Mr. Healy), Roads in 1970-71. A distance of 450 miles the Commissioner of Main Roads (Mr. Lowe). of declared road was constructed and and their able officers on the work they have bitumen-surfaced. Some 54 new bridges done. were completed, and 134 bridges had major Queensland was the Cinderella State in repairs effected to them. Traffic signals were mining during the Labor Government's term provided at 12 major intersections. Three of office. Mining was the junior or breakim~ railway level crossings were eliminated. In in portfolio under the Labor Governmen-t. co-operation with the Railway Department. and the Minister controlling the Mines 10 railway level crossings were provided Department could almost have been described with improved safety devices, nine being as a Minister without portfolio. Today. equipped with flashing lights and one with mining is one of Queensland's greatest indus boom gates. What a wonderful record m tries. It is assisting in the development of a period of only 12 months! What great the State and is providing a tremendous progress is being made! amount of employment. Mr. Lee: More than they did in their Queensland has passed into a new era whole 40 years. of road construction in the provision of Mr. LOW: Quite true. As the honourable expressways and freeways in the metropolitan member for Yeronga has already said, in area. There is a network of good roads and Labor's day there was a winding, poorly highways throughout the whole State. It constructed road between Brisbane and is interesting to note that expressways and Nambour, and there the bitumen ended. The freeways are now financed from the per road was full of potholes, and was certainly manent works vote, not from the urban no credit to the Sunshine Coast. The Gov roads vote. ernment is now pushing ahead with a four I should like to say, too, that the Govern lane highway right up the coast, and tre ment can take great credit in looking back mendous progress is being made. over its record of building beef roads, and It is also interesting to note the great in that way assisting to open up the back assistance that the Government has given country and bring cattle to killing centres. to local authorities. That is the tremendous value to the economy Mr. Davis: Can you tell us about the of both Queensland and Australia as a whole. road toll 40 years ago? Mr. Ahern: A total of $25.000,000 spent Mr. LOW: I have not those figures at already. my disposal. All that I can say is that there are thousands and thousands more Mr. LOW: That is quite true-a very motorists on the road now than there were commendable feat. in those days. Whereas there used to be Whilst Mr. Healy and Mr. Lowe are in bullock drays and buggies on the roads, the lobby this afternoon, I should like to there are now motor-cars and limousines. recommend that a suitable project be found The extent of the financial contribution in Queensland to commemorate the name of of local authorities has been reduced pro Ronald Camm for outstanding services to uressively over the years, with the result this State. I feel very justified in makino that they are now required to meet, on this suggestirm. There have been tw~ average, Jess than 5 per cent of the expendi very good Ministers in this portfolio since ture on construction, and about 10 per cent the Government took over in 1957, namely, of maintenance expenditure. State highway the late Honourable Ernest Evans and now maintenance is now carried out entirely free the Honourable Ronald Camm. No-one of cosf to councils. That has been a very could point a finger of scorn at either. In wise step indeed, and I tell the Committee discharging their responsibilities both have today how much local authorities appreciate gone beyond the call of duty. I feel that the wonderful reductions that have been made they are entitled to some recognition, par in their contributions to the upkeep of roads ticularly the Minister who is with us this throughout the State. a.fternoon, and I hope that it will be pos On page 46 of the report of the Com Slble to find some important project in missioner of Main Roads, local authority Queensland by means of which his services repayments on account of maintenance of can be commemorated for all time. roads are shown. They are- Many speeches have been made from the Year $ Opposition benches this afternoon, and on 1966-67 1,191,764 Friday last. One can see, of course, that 1967-68 1,400,269 they are using the debate as a pre-election 1968-69 1,471,328 stunt. Labor is at present trying to develop 1969-70 1,515,270 a platform. The Australian Labor Party 1970-71 1,116,393 2338 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) In these days of rising costs, local authority State responsibility, and, as many local repayments are falling fast. Therefore, the authorities have insufficient funds to carry Government is giving local authorities out necessary road maintenance, we as a wonderful financial assistance in the road responsible Government cannot allow the building programme throughout the State. lives of school-children to be endangered by I also thank the Minister very much for dangerous roads and bridges throughout the his co-operation with local authorities on State. This serious problem must be tackled, the Sunshine Coast in the preparation of a and tackled vigorously. report by the Rural Planning Section on Mr. Marginson interjected. the Caloundra-Noosa four-lane freeway. This freeway will have limited access. However, Mr. LOW: Not at the present time. At because of the tremendous amount of traffic the present time there is great advocacy on going to the Sunshine Coast, it is definitely the part of many local authorities for the a step in the right direction. Main Roads Department to take over many It has been estimated that the cost will of those roads. I fully agree with that, but be about $3,000,000. From my experience, I know that the funds of the Main Roads I should think it is more likely to cost Department are limited. Nevertheless, we about $10,000,000 to build a four-lane high have to find the necessary funds because way along the section outlined in the report, education is linked with the State's system because surveys, resumptions, fencing, of main roads. That must be our objective, clearing, filling, earthworks and drainage, even though it may take some time to bitumen-surfacing, etc., will have to be achieve. carried out, plus bridgeworks on Curru I was very pleased to notice in the annual mundi Creek and the Mooloolah River, and report of the Commissioner of Main Roads a big bridge will have to be built across the that a lease agreement was negotiated with Maroochy River at the Cod Hole. Such a the State Government Insurance Office for highway will open up the Sunshine Coast office space on the ground and first floors considerably and assist it to take advantage of its new office building in Mary Street, of the tremendous pool of people in Bris Gympie. As a further step in the Govern bane who wish to visit the seaside and ment's policy to decentralise control of mountain resorts in that area. departmental activities, the district office Road and bridge works from Noosa north operated from its new headquarters in to the Cooloola coloured sands are also Gympie as from 1 July 1971. No-one can being pushed ahead, and this will necessitate say that the Minister and his department are the bridging of the Noosa River. The release not decentralising administration. of a scheme is about to be considered under I turn now to another matter that is of the Crown Land Development Act. I am great interest to the motoring public. As very actively interested in it because access part of a policy of progressive upgrading of must be provided if the coloured sands and roadside amenities, new structures are planned the Cooloola National Park are to be put for several of the State's 130 existing rest to the best possible use. areas, and additional sites are currently under I am working hard towards a life-long consideration. That is indicated at page 12 objective of seeing a scenic coastal highway of the annual report. from Bribie Island to Hervey Bay, in the I should like to draw the attention of the Maryborough district. Such a highway would Minister and the Commissioner to the fact be an outstanding tourist attraction, and I that from Cooroy south on the Bruce High hope to see the day when it is in use. I am way all the rest areas are on the western side pleased to say that State and local authorities of the road. I do not know the reason for are co-operating very well, and the Federal it, but there are no rest areas on the eastern authorities are assisting because they have side. I hope that in future planning suitable a defence establishment in the Tin Can Bay sites can be found on the eastern side, to area. meet the needs of the southbound traffic. I believe also that a special allocation of Commonwealth Aid Road Funds should be I strongly urge the department to install made available to each State for the con traffic lights on the Bruce Highway opposite struction and maintenance of roads over the primary and secondary schools in which school bus services operate, and that Nambour. A four-lane highway job is in action should be taken to amend the Com progress at the present time, and the Minister monwealth Aid Roads Act accordingly. This has been good enough to provide the neces is a matter that is very near and dear to the sary facilities for the future installation of hearts of all representatives of country con traffic lights, but without a doubt they should stituencies. All roads over which school buses be installed at this stage because a dangerous operate should be gazetted under the Main traffic hazard exists in front of those two Roads Act. We see positive evidence that schools where more than 2,000 students roads when gazetted under the Main Roads attend daily. Act ure kept in much better condition than I refer now to the urgent need for the would be possible if local authorities, with widening and bitumen surfacing of the Obi their strained financial resources, had to Obi range road, which is gazetted as a undertake the maintenance. Education is a secondary road. It is indeed a dangerous Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2339 road. The matter has been before the during 1970, and, in the same year, the sand Minister, and this is what he had to say mining industry paid the Queensland Govern about it- ment $107,000 in royalties. "The range section of the Obi Obi Road (Time expired.) is very narrow and winding because of the extremely mountainous nature of the Mr. BALDWIN (Logan) (5.38 p.m.): The country. The road falls over 1,000 feet Estimates of the Department of Mines and over a distance of 3 miles. Main Roads are of extreme importance to all honourable members and to all the people of "Cost of realignment and reconstruction Queensland. Of course, it seems to me that to a modern standard would be very large, there is far too much going back into history possibly approaching one million dollars." -just as far back as certain h~:mourable know that it is a tall order to ask the members wish to go-without lookmg at the Minister and his department to find that whole of the historical path by which Queensland's road system and economy have amount of money, but in other parts of grown. It is all very well for Government Queensland range roads have received special members to claim that, during the last 10 care and attention. I appeal to the Minister years or so, so many more millions of dollars and the Commission to reconsider this matter. have been spent on mining in this State and The Commissioner knows the road, but I so many more millions of dollars have been should like the Minister to have a good look got out of it. at it. It serves the very rich Obi Obi Kidaman Creek farming district, and I Mr. Lee: It is a fact. strongly support the request that has been Mr. BALDWIN: I am not denying it. The made for the upgrading of that road. honourable member for Yeronga should stay I should now like to say a few words on his grazing property instead of coming in about mining operations in Queensland. The here and interrupting. two principal minerals obtained from sand When the early mining operations were mining operations are rutile and zircon, under way in this State, the State itself and which are mined in the south-eastern beach the location of the various mineral lodes areas of the State. Most of the rutile and were mainly responsible for the groundwork zircon concentrates are exported for refining of decentralisation that was then laid, just and use in pigments and welding rods as well as were the fertile areas of the valleys and as in other metal processes. The new wonder the rich grazing lands of the West, over metal titanium is used in the construction of which the Country Party crew seems to have interplanetary rockets and supersonic aircraft, lost control. That decentralisation factor is and has also been used very effectively by now missing. Honourable members opposite the medical profession in heart-valve have lost it, but, by the grace of nature operations. rather than by anything they themselves have done, they have gained something. Like The industry's contribution to Queens Fontaine's fable, "La Cloche et Ia Mouche", land's export trade is evident from the total they think that just because the fly stings the value of mineral sands produced last year, horse, they get the coach up the hill. which was more than $12,000,000, the highest figure in the history of this State. The mineral lodes were put there by Rutile production in Queensland in 1970 geomorphic forces, about which the Govern reached 103,326 tons, valued at $9,854,17 L ment cares and knows nothing. It is the and zircon production was 58,959 tons, location of our minerals, not anything the valued at $2,018,378. In the North Coast Government has done, that has led to area rutile production amounted to 1,077 decentralisation of industry in this State. The tons, valued at $129,214, with zircon produc original network of railways laid down and tion of 762 tons valued at $22,872. The maintained by Labor Governments has led Bureau of Mineral Resources estimates that more to decentralisation than anything this within the next decade the mineral sands Government has done. The only thing this industry will increase the value of its exports Government can claim credit for is the from $50,000,000 to $88,000,000. demolition of the wage structure of this State and the destruction of the protective There are other interesting facts on sand barriers against foreign ownership of our mining operations. In Queensland, sand· natural resources. mining pays direct wages of $3,200,000; con The stage has been reached where a former tractors are paid $1,300,000; capital invested enemy and now again a potential enemy, is is $18,000,000; and the total work-force is able t; own vast tracts of our land. Mitsu nearly 800. In 1970 sand-mining companies bishi, of Nippon Yusen Kaisha, is able to tell paid $2,100,000 in power bills. The area us where to mine, how to mine, what our under sand-mining in Queensland is 1.1 industrial conditions will be, and, now, even square miles while the area under rehabilita that it should advise the Government on how tion is two square miles. The expenditure on best to run our economic system. It is on rehabilitation is $351,000. Sand-mining com this basis alone that the Government can panies paid $1,500,000 to Queensland rail claim it has brought foreign capital into ways and road hauliers in transport charges Queensland, and it has been at great cost. 2340 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) The working hours of the ordinary people In the case of minerals derived from have been doubled, and in return all they the ground, the profits ar~ represented by have to look forward to is the prospect of what is left after deductmg the cost of working even longer hours and paying higher materials, labour, transport and so on. The taxes and costs than at present. figure I have just mentioned compar~s favourably with the $57,00~,00~ profit m The road construction, about which the 1969-70. The interesting pomt IS that the Government boasts, has been carried out 1969-70 figure reveals a profit of 13 p~r only because motorists are paying high cent, or $9,000,000, against an estimated registration fees and are going into debt to profit of $6,700,000 the previous yea~. That pay off their motor vehicles, at exorbitant means that there has been a profit mcrease interest rates. Figures released by the of 3 per cent. It is not merely a 3 per cent Government reveal that millions of dollars profit, but 3 per cent more profit than that are poured into road construction are was made last year. obtained from workers who buy cars and petrol. Of course, there is no need for me I mention these figures because the work to remind the Committee that, a!thouo;, ers of this State and we as their representa motorists are forced to pay tax on petrol, tives, are contin~ally accused of pricing our (Jecause many overseas companies are incor minerals and rail-transport system off the porated in Norfolk Island or some other place market. Despite the Government's cry about they are not required to pay any tax in crippling wage rises, the figures taken from Australia. the Queensland Year Book and the annual Tho: Government has constructed roads report show a continuing percentage increase at the expense of the working people, to in profits. transport greater quantities of minerals on The lumping of the Estimates of the Main their backs-an:! so the tornado of chaos Roads Department and the ~fines Depar.t goes on. I am looking at this from the ment makes it difficult to Isolate certam point of view of the working man, witho11! factors that could be very significant. To whose brain and brawn the minerals of this undertake the task would be very time con State would remain in the ground. My main suming and, in the 20 minutes available to complaint is that the Government has not me, I would not be able to outline every taken sufficient advantage of the whole thing involved. How often have honourable natural process of mineral formation to members heard me ask questions to which upgrade, update and "upequip" the means [ have received the reply that it would be of gaining greater equity in our natural too time consuming and would not be worth resources. The Government is allowing the trouble to get the information required? them to slip away. The situation is so [n other words, we do not .\Set the services chaotic that Japan is able to export steel or the information we reqmre. We have to th~ Australian market while at the sam~ no way of getting it except from depart time B.H.P. is reducing its steel output and mental reports and the Queensland Year laying off employees. Book, which is a very brief reference work. Why is that so? It is simply because the I admit with due admiration, that the Government has cast aside the financ'al annual rep'orts of the Depa~tments ?f Mines safeguards that Labor provided in the and Maiv Roads are qmte detailed and interests of the people. This Government interesting, but they do not show me what is letting the Japanese in to such an extent I want to know as a member of a party rep that they will cut the guts out of our own resenting a certain class of people, that is, the industries. To try to overcome the problem. 80 per cent of wage and salary-.earners in t.his the Government will dig up larger State. I am sometimes inclmed to thmk quantities of minerals, build ships and con that the Government's policy is deliberate. struct roads. I am not decrying the construc The Minister might say, with some val.i~ity, tion of roads; what I am saying is that that if I were an actuarial mathematician, if the development of this State had been an accountant, a book-keeper, and so on, carried out in a better-balanced fashion the [ would be able to go through all the figures Government would have obtained amn 1 ~ and compile what I wanted. . He would be revenue to construct roads and replace deem quite right. As I said some time ago, ~hen pit wooden bridges. such as those in my we enter this Assembly we should be qualified el~ctorate, which daily are overloaded bv accountants actuarial mathematicians, and 40-ton vehicles. so on, to ~nravel the information we want. As to mining throughout Queensland as a At page 253 of the 1967-68 Queensland whole. in 1970-71 expenditure increased by Year Book, the value of minerals produced 13 per cent whereas the average wage in Queensland is given as almost increaseJ by approximately 8.3 per cent. The $149,000,000. I presume that is their value wages and sal aries bill of all operations straight from the mine, unprocessed. Page accounts for approximately 43 per cent of 387 discloses that the total number of people the total cost. Wages account for aoproxi directly employed in the industry was almost matelv $47,000,000, and approximately 11,000. The aggregate annual wages and $62,000,000 is the profit after the cost of salaries totalled about $33,000,000. That materials is deducted. means that almost four times the amount Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2341 of the wages and salaries bill is left to be boom; it is a Nippon, Kaiser, Mitsubishi, Rio distributed in other ways, some of which Tinto, Utah mining boom. We will continue [ have outlined. to have increases in working hours until the The coal-production picture is very interest working week is 60, 70 or 80 hours, and our ing. According to the 20th report of the mining and transport workers will still have Coal Board for the year 1971, which I to live in hot dog-boxes, push their kids into was privileged to have sent to me by the crowded schools, suffer practically non Coal Board (no doubt, through the Minister), existent medical services and pay fantastic the value of coal production rose by almost rentals in the mining-boom towns, which 15 per cent, to about $55,000,000. A total Opposition members bring to the Minister's of 2,600 workers were employed. On the uttention from time to time. We have every basis of an annual average wage or salary right to be concerned with this aspect of of $3,800, and allowing for an increase of it. As I said before, no brain, no brawn, 11 per cent for the ensuing year-we have no minerals-that is, unless the Government no figures on that point-we see that about considers letting the "Nips" come in and six times more than the cost of wages and L.:,e over and letting our people go out salaries is available for distribution else ~n.d eat grass. I would not put that pa~:t where. the Government, either. It may be said that I have chosen a The problems of conservation and mmmg, specific mineral because it suits my purpose. as well as of pollution and mining, are closely However, I have no doubt that if I were connected. Sometimes I wonder whether to study the figures for oil, nickel and so we are in a rut in saying that our Ministers on, I would find a similar sum representing shall look after this section or that section. We four or five times the value of wages is going should have Ministers changing responsibilities elsewhere from the production and sale of as our industries change. It is high time that minerals. It is certainly the case with mineral ministerial responsibilities were regrouped. I sands. In fact, in that instance it is nearer should like to see Mines and Conservation in seven times. the one portfolio. I realise that, in saying Mr. Lee: You are wrong. that, the Minister would like to slice my throat. I should also like to see Transport Mr. BALDWIN: If the honourable member and Main Roads, and even Railways, in .the does not believe me, he should check the one portfolio, and, similarly, Migration and figures. Housing. Allowing for exploration costs, transport The honourable member for Kurilpa said costs, and the cost of mining equipment on that conservationists were like prohibitionists. a five-year write-off basis, which is a fair That indicates what the Government is up basis because mining operations are notori to. It has mounted a powerful campaign ously heavy on mining equipment, the against conservationists. However, I do not industry rejuvenates itself every five years. think it has ever fronted up to a meeting with It has a five-year cycle. In the past five-year them. Some Government members have cycle, the profit was $200,000,000. That is never gone out into the field. I do not say actual, clear net profit and represents an that of the Minister, because I know that average annual profit of $40,000,000. That he has. In fact, he even became stuck on is not bad, considering the total wages bill a sandbank while crossing to Stradbroke for nearly 3,000 workers in five years was Island. I know he has been there to form not much more. a branch of the Country Party. I know that Mr. Lee: That is before tax. he is interested in conservation from one point of view. I am interested in it, too, but Mr. BALDWIN: I have only been in from all points of view. I know it is a case Parliament for three years, but I have been of "no mining, no work", and there are 387 on this earth a lot longer than that. I know miners on North Stradbroke Island, all of all the tax-dodging lurks. whom vote for me. I am very interested in Mr. Lee: You are much older than I am. mining and conservation. I have had con sultations with mining managers. I have been Mr. BALDWIN: Much older from th•o out with Mr. Andy Wells, and he has listened shoulders up. to my suggestions, such as they were. I have listened to him, and I have obsened ?he figures I have quoted do not include what his company is doing. the value of the finished product or of any of the end-products of the process. As the Mr. Lane: What were your suggestions? honourable member for South Coast said this morning-and I did not hear anyone Mr. BALDWIN: I can say quite open contradict him-this could amount to several mindedly that much more is now being done hundred million dollars. Looking at the than previously in the interests of conserva whole gamut of the figures, this certainly tion on North Stradbroke Island. My only seems to be so. criticism, which I have made direct to the companie? concerned, is that they have left No-one can deny that there is a mining conservatiOn work very late, and they now boom in this State. What I am proposing, have a backwash of unfavourable publicity to and what I have always proposed, is that overcome. In all fairness, I will say that this is not a wage and salary-earners' mining they are now making strong efforts in the 2342 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971) (Estimates) interests of conservation. They are spending At this stage, I congratulate the Minister more on it than ever before, and they are for Mines and Main Roads on the efforts searching for new ways of mining. Tradi that he has made to develop the mining tional methods of mineral-sand mining industry along fairly sound lines. The legis defoliate vegetation, and naturally drive lation brought down by the Government fauna away. Flora can be replaced, but proves that it has tried to strike a balance fauna cannot be restored so easily. All that between the interests of mining companies will be produced is exotic deserts if exotic and those of the conservationists. flora is introduced. I intend to speak principally about the Mineral companies are looking at this activities of the Main Roads Department, situation very closely, and they are taking with which I am in touch quite frequently. notice of the conservationists. My only The work of the department has developed regret is that I do not get more time to go on a sound basis over the years, and one has to North Stradbroke Island. Transport to only to look at the developmental projects in the island is very poor. An old landing Brisbane to see how its activities contribute barge is used, and, after the Toondah harbour to better conditions in the metropolitan area. shemozzle, in which over $100,000 was wasted, there is still no decent transport sys The department has also done a fantas tem. I do not know how the mineral com tically good job in country areas. Being the panies put up with the situation. They have chairman of a shire council, I know only too my deepest sympathy. well how the Main Roads Department co operates with shire councils. When we are Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Will you concede that all concerned about depression in the rural their high-dune restoration has been reason industries and the inability of some people to ably successful? pay shire council rates, which, of course, is reflected in council finances, there is no doubt Mr. BALDWIN: It is becoming more that the work carried out by councils for the successful now that the companies have Main Roads Department has been a significant instituted actual physical replacement of factor in enabling them to continue operating. natural indigenous flora, instead of trying to I see that the Minister for Local Government introduce other types of vegetation. and Electricity is in the Chamber. I remind (Time expired.) the Committee that the shire councils in the honourable gentleman's electorate would be out [Sitting suspended from 5.59 to 7.15 p.m.] of business today but for the fact that they carry out work for the Main Roads Depart Mr. TOMKINS (Roma) (7.15 p.m.): I was ment. The number of jobs that they are doing very interested in the remarks of the honour for the department has contributed greatly to able member for Logan immediately before their financial stability. I must be fair and the recess for dinner, when he said that, in say that, even in my own shire, work per his opinion, reclamation work on SL-~'lbroke formed for the Main Roads Department has Island was proceeding quite well. He said been a significant factor in keeping the shire also that it was providing quite a lot of council afloat, and I hope that the co-opera employment on the island, and I think he tion between shire councils and the depart said that all the people there voted for him. ment will continue. 1 comment on his statement because he is the first member of the Opposition who has said There are people who say that all main a kind word about mining companies. roads work should be open to public tender, and that it should be done only by private Mr. O'Donnell: That is not true. contractors. I do not support that view. I believe there is room for both. I kr:ow Mr. TOMKINS: Well, it is the first time I that in the Brisbane area a great deal of have heard a member of the Opposition say work is done by private contract, but a a kind word about them. different position applies in country areas. Very little mining is carried out in my Shire council employees Jive in the various electorate, but I have been concerned about local authority areas, and are an integral part attacks on the mining industry by the Opposi of those communities. In some instances they tion, supported by other organisations in the accept responsible positions in community community. In my opinion, these attacks have organisations. done a great deal of harm even in my elec They are available for main roads work, torate, in which in the past there has been a but can get it only if it is given to local considerable amount of drilling for oil and authorities. It is quite outside the finances for natural gas. I believe that I am correct of local authorities to provide employment in saying that the activity in this field is for them unless it is on main roads work. slowly dampening down-in other words, If all work in country districts was done there is not the activity now that there has by private contractors, workers would come been in past years-and that is not good for into an area and leave on its completion. the Roma district. I should like to see more That would not contribute to the decentralisa activity in the field of mining, and any tion that everybody on this side believes in. expansion of Government activities in this Without a realistic Government policy on sphere could do nothing but good for the such matters, small country towns must industry as a whole. slowly dry up and die. I know that under Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2343 this Government's policy the practice of one was built in Toowoomba a few years giving contracts to local authorities and ago, and new ones are being erected right private enterprise will continue. up the coast. When I speak of main roads my mind goes On Sunday I was very pleased to be back to the change of Government in 1957. present at a function in Roma when the I well remember what the Condamine High Minister for Health opened a new Health way was like prior to that time. Anyone and Welfare Building, built at a cost of who travelled west of Condamine in wet $75,000. It is a first-class structure that weather got bogged. It was just hopeless will fill a big need in the town. I believe trying to travel through that black soil this demonstrates the view of the Health area. Shortly after the change of Govern Department that this type of set-up is needed ment that section of the road was completed. to develop towns such as Roma, and I should Because of the change in Government policy, like to think that the Main Roads Department th~ road ~as rerouted between Dalby, Chin is of the same opinion. chilla, Miles and Roma onto Char!eville. I have checked a few figures in the It is to the credit of the Main Roads report of the Commissioner and I found Department that today a person can travel on that in the shires in the Roma electorate a bitumen road from Brisbane, through Too namely, Roma Town Council, the Bendemere ~oomba, Dalby, Roma, Mitchell, Charle Shire, the Bungil Shire, the Murilla Shire v:lle, Augathel!a, Tambo, Blackall, Barcal and the Taroom Shire-a total of no less dme, to Longreach, and work is now pro than $1,267,095 was spent in the year ended ceeding apace west of Longreach. It will 30 June 1971. When one considers that not be very long before a bitumen road the Roma headquarters services shires such extends to Winton. as Booringa, Merweh, Paroo and some of the far western ones, it is conceivable that Mr. Bromley: How much money did you it could handle an expenditure of up to make out of the Labor Government? $4,000,000 or $5,000,000. I am not quite Mr. TOMKINS: I am sure that the hon sure how far its area extends, because the ourable member for Norman will agree that St. George area is in the Warwick section. However, I just want to make the point that a very substantial programme has been car this office handles a tremendous expenditure ried out. It involves a distance of over and, frankly, I think it is overcrowded. 800 miles. One way and another it shows I ask the Minister and the Commissioner to that the Government is interested in the have a look at this matter. people of the West. Apart from the health building I men . Mr. Bromley: You won't answer my ques tioned, the State Government has demon tiOn as to how much money you made under strated its awareness of the importance of the Labor Government. western areas by building new offices for the Department of Lands and the Depart Mr. '!OMKINS: I am quite happy to ment of Primary Industry and the new State answer 1t. I agree that many people pro Government Insurance Office building, which gressed under Labor administration, but it houses the Valuer-General's Department, the was a very hard administration to progress Agricultural Bank and the Regional Director under. Anybody who worked under the of Education and his staff. One way or Labor Party policy of leasehold land found another, most of the other Government It .very hard to VI ork out where he was departments have fairly substantial buildings gomg. If a person is going to work for in this town, and I think that the Main something in this life, he needs to own it. Roads Department could give some thought Land needs to be held on a freehold basis. to my views on its Roma accommodation. Mr. Bromley: Do you know that all the Another matter I should like to touch big pastoral companies in Queensland say on concerns the development of the beef that our land policy was far better than this cattle industry and the way the road system Government's? has been developed in the area which I represent. I have always been a great Mr. TOMKINS: The honourable member believer in the development of north-south must talk to different pastoral companies roads. I do not think there is any doubt from those I talk to. I know the thoughts that in the initial stages, wherever a person of many of them, and they agree with the may live, he wants to head either towards present Government's policy, because at least the capital city or the coast, and unfor they know where they are going under it. tunately most of these roads, although not completely finished in all areas, have been I. have noted that, in keeping with its developed substantially towards the coast. pol:cy of road development in the West, the In more recent years there has been some Mam Roads Department has established a north-south development. permanent headquarters for my district in I believe that two main roads in particular the town of Roma. With a staff of over should be developed north-south. The Main 40 employees, it seems to me that the Roads Department is working on them. I ~umbers. haye completely outgrown the build refer to the road from Rolleston to Injune, mg. It IS ~~:ne that consideration was given Roma, Sural, St. George and Mungindi to the provisiOn of a new building. A beautiful the Carnarvon Highway. I believe that 2344 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (&timates) this road rates very highly in the beef-roads In conclusion, I congratulate the Minister, field, as does the Leichhardt Development the Commissioner of Main Roads and h1s Highway from Theodore to Taroom, Wan staff on their efforts to accelerate the develop dean, Miles, Condamine, Moonie and Goondi ment of this State. Over the years they windi. In good seasons, large numbers of have done a fantastic job. I suggest that cattle are sent to the South on these high in country areas the Main Roads Depart ways, and I suggest that in times of drought ment provides more employment than any the traffic could quite conceivably be the other department, and the work performed reverse way. by it is leading to great development m I think that the day has arrived in the the inland areas of the State. The develop cattle industry when we must use every ment of main roads and the provision of effort to save our breeding stock. I can rural electricity supplies have made the see the day coming when producers in position of people on the land almost com Queensland would go to places like Dubbo parable with that of city dwellers. As all or Gunnedah in New South Wales, and of us know the wool industry has suffered perhaps even to the Riverina, to buy breeders, a major c~llapse, but I suggest that if because, in dry periods down there when that had not occurred the provision of the breeders have large numbers of stock on amenities to which I have referred would small areas, producers in Queensland could have placed the man on the land in as probably buy them cheaper there than they good a position as that of a resident in could in the north. the city. It is also interesting to note how registra Mr. INCH (Burke) (7.34 p.m.): It was tions of motor vehicles have increased in interesting to hear the Minister's admission this State. For example, as at 30 June that the majority of mineral areas in this 1970, under all headings, there were 695,827 State are now held under either A.T.P's. motor vehicles and for the period ended 30 or mineral leases. I venture to suggest June 1971 the number had increased to that possibly the great majority of A.T.P's. 734,361, which means that something like and lea~es, if not all of them, would be held 40,000 addition vehicles were registered in by the large mining companies. There mav that period. This indicates the development be a few small syndicates of prospectors who in the use of motor vehicles which, in turn, have leases, an::! possibly some get-rich-quick suggests a need for better roads to carry companies would hold leases but do every the increased traffic. I believe that the thing possible to avoid workin_g the:n and Main Roads Department has definitely kept continue applying for exemptwns m the pace. hope that at some time in the future they I have never been very happy with the may be able to off-load them onto some right-of-way rule. Being required to give unsuspecting syndicate for a large sum of way to a vehicle on the right, pc1rticularly money. where a very minor road intersects "':'h a I have spoken on previous occasions about main highway, can be very dangenv. '· In the urantinu of A.T.P's. and mineral 1leases other States the right-of-way rule is being to and I have indicated reviewed, so I hope that the Minister and J~rge c~mpanies, that the staae is fast being reached when his coi!earue the Minister for Transport will the small has little if examine it with the object of reviewing it p~ospector chan~e. any, of finding an area of land on a _mme_ral and of providing "Stop" signs at all inter field that he can peg out and rece1ve t1tle sections where unimportant roads enter high to. Quite often prospectors go into desolate ways. Nobody should be allowed to drive areas seeking minerals. In doing so. they from a minor road onto the highway without suffer hardship and deprivation. Eventually. stopping. Under the present rule the person by their prospecting ability and persistent on the right always has the right of way, effort they may discover a lode of va!ue and I suggest that the rule is one of the which would last for a few years and g1ve biggest killers on the road. them a reasonable return for their labour. The Main Roads Department is slowly However, after going through all the trouble catching up with urgent jobs in country of continuous searching, living on hard areas. I think the day will come when tucker and working under rigorous climatic in country areas the department's current conditions, upon pegging their claim and rate of expenditure might taper off. With applying to the warden for ~ lease they ~ay the development of the main arterial roads at a later date be faced w1th an ob]ectwn nearing completion in many districts. the from a Iaroe mining concern which has an emphasis is on developmental roads, other A.T.P. ove~ the area. The application for main roads and, in many instances, secondary the lease has then to be rejected by the roads. Slowly but surely the rate of work warden. is tapering off, and, of course, this is very good. It is all very well to say that the pros pector could approach the company and ask One of the reasons why the department it to investigate the lode with the object of has been able to keep pace is the close rela tionship that exists between it an:! the >hire determining if it is big enough for the councils as well as the private contractors. company's requirements and then, if it is Without that co-operation, the present satis not, ask whether he can be allowed to take factory stage would not have been reached. a lease of that portion of the A.T.P. where Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2345 the lode is situated. Most of the big com According to my information, United panies are not at the beck and call of States Steel Corporation has an A.T.P. prospectors. They will not down tools at adjoining A.T.P. 51 0M area 3, . and has any moment and accede to such a request. never worked on it at all. If that IS correct, An indefinite period could elapse before an a heavy slice of country is tied up by these investigation was made, if one was made companies. This should be forfeited to the at all. It is quite possible that it would Crown, and prospectors, or small syndicates never be carried out by the company. In of prospectors, should be given an oppor such circumstances, the prospector loses his tunity to prospect in those areas and take lode, and all his hard work and the hard up a lease before they are again tied up ships he has endured go for nought. by further A.T.P's being granted to big companies. When an application for a lease is lodged. a certain fee has to be paid. Unfortunately, Another matter I wish to raise relates to an article which appeared in "The North if the application is rejected the fee is West Star" on Tuesday, 23 November. retained by the department for an indefinite It reads period. Hundreds of dollars, if not thousands "Out of 40 blocks of residential of dollars, are held by the department in this land in Mt. Isa to be auctioned on way. As a result, applicants Jose the interest December 3, 21 blocks will be reserved they would otherwise get on their money, for people who own no other residential which they can ill afford to do and the depart land in the city." ment retains their money, which they can I appreciate that this is a step in the right also ill afford to be without. They direction in devising some way for young must pay their way. They have to buy couples to obtain land on which to build a petrol, supplies and other equipment that home without being forced into open com is necessary in their occupation as pros· petition at land auctions with companies and pectors. These fees should be returned as individuals whose activities at those sales soon as possible after applications are raise the price of land to a prohibitive rejected. I trust that the Minister will heed level. my comments on this score and take immed· I am of the opinion that in every instance iate action on my suggestion. where it is proposed to auction departmental land, a number of blocks should be set While speaking about A.T.P's., I point out aside to encourage and assist young people that very strong doubts exist in the minds to obtain land on which to construct a of many people about whether some of home. Instead of having to compete at the large companies are fulfilling all the auction which I take it will be the opera obligations and conditions imposed by tional ~ystem by which a block of land is authorities to prospect. During a recent visit to be obtained, a more equitable opportunity to Burketown I was informed of the laxity for them to obtain a block would be to and failure on the part of certain companies use the ballot system, under which every to carry out their obligations. I am not in applicant who has the necessary finance to a position to say that my information is cover developmental costs, which I understand absolutely correct, but I have no reason to will range up to almost $2,000, and to pay disbelieve its source. If further investiga the upset price placed on the blocks by the tion substantiates my comments, I expect Mines Department, would have an oppor the Minister to take the necessary action to tunity to participate in the ballot for the terminate the A.T.P's. granted to these com areas reserved. panies. I advocated this ballot system some time I am given to understand that Queensland ago after attending a sale of allotments Mines has held A.T.P. No. 444M over an at the Mt. Isa Court House. As a matter area of land in the Gulf Country for the past of fact, that was the day the Premier visited three vears. There is some doubt on whether Mt. Isa after officially opening the new any portion of this area has been relinquished ward block at the Cloncurry Hospital. At to the Crown, which is usually one of the that auction, bidding rose to as h!gh as conditions applying to an A.T.P. Possibly $10 000 a block. To my mind, this was the Minister could enlighten me as to whether utt~rly ridiculous, and was a clear in~i~a or not any portion of it has been forfeited. tion that, if such a method of obtammg land was continued without change, young I am informed that Westmoreland, or people with limited finance would be frozen Newmont Minerals-! am not sure whether out by industrialists, companies and specu there has been an amalgamation of those lators. I intimated to several aldermen two companies or whether one has taken present at the civic reception to the Premier over from the other-has several A.T.P's. that evening that the only way for young around the Queensland Mines area. They people to get a fair crack of the whip would are A.T.P's. 510M area 1, 510M area 2, be by the introduction of a ballot. and 510M area 3. I understand that the only area being worked by this company In many instances young people would be is situated over the border-in the Northern able to arrange finance for the construction Territory-and that it has not operated the of a home, provided they had their own Queensland A.T.P's. for three years. land. However, it is quite possible that, in 2346 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) their eagerness to obtain this land, especially the year's operations. It is noted that in the if it was through the auction system, they year 1970-71 the Department of Main Roads would extend themselves to the limit of, or was responsible for the following works: even beyond, their financial capacity, and, 450 miles of declared road were con eventually, paying off the finance involved in structed and bitumen surfaced; 54 new the purchase of the land and home, together bridges were completed; 134 bridges had with local authority rates and lease rentals, major repairs effected to them; 12 major would be as a millstone hanging around intersections were provided with traffic their necks for years to come. signals; 3 railway level crossings were In passing, I might mention that, as a eliminated; and 10 railway level crossings, in co-operation with the Railway Depart result of the Government's policy of com ment, were provided with improved safety petitive bidding for allotments in Mt. Isa, valuations have increased lease rentals by up devices (nine with flashing lights and one to five times their original figure. This is in \\ ith boom gates). strange contrast to the Government's fixed I have no hesitation in saying that no hon rate policy on mining royalties. Meeting ourable member would condemn the Main increases such as these is getting beyond the Roads Department for those achievements capacity of many workers on low incomes, during the past year. and they also contribute in some measure to In speaking of the work of the dep.art the high rentals being paid by people who ment, I mention particularly the Bruce High live in flats and rental homes. I suggest to way, which runs from Brisbane to Cairns. the Minister that he have a good look at this Although I know that many roads in the question of rentals and their effect upon these south-western part of the State have been people, with the object of relieving the ever similarly improved, I stress that the Bruce increasing burden being placed upon them. Highway carries the bulk of the traffic in Queensland. Those of us who have travelled One final matter that I raise is the need over the highway in years gone by and again for a far greater allocation of finance to in more recent years appreciate exactly how hasten the construction of the Mt. !sa much work the Main Roads Department has Townsville highway. On present indications, done to bring it to its present good con according to the Minister's remarks on the dition. progress of construction, it will be about 1974 or 1975 before this highway is com One sometimes hears criticism that the pleted. Having in mind the lengthy periods Bruce Highway is not an all-weather road. when both road and rail services have been It must be kept in mind, of course, that disrupted in recent times by weather condi very few roads in any country in the world tions, it is imperative that the rate of progress can be classed as all-weather roads. Many be speeded up, as a large area of the North people who have been overseas have told west, together with its industries, is seriously me that the autobahns in Europe and famous inconvenienced by these hold-ups. The high\\ ays in other countries, although very people of the area are called upon to suffer beautiful, are not all-weather roads. It needs hardships and restrictions, and ultimately only a flash flood or a heavy fall of snow to there is the loss also to the State's finances. close roads overseas as completely as the Bruce Highway is closed in times of major This road should be pushed ahead to ,)ood. and I think all honourable members completion at a much earlier date than that a;•preciate that only parts of the highway now envisaged by the Minister, even if it has are now closed to traffic when major flooding to be done at the expense of some other occurs. proposal such as the construction of four-lane As an example of the work that has been or six-lane highways to serve some coastal done by the Main Roads Department, I draw area or tourist resort. After all, in a number attention particularly to the Ayr-Townsville of instances, these places already have four section of the Bruce Highway. When I lane highways, whilst we are still battling to moved to the Burdekin area about 11 years get a two-lane sealed highway completed. I ago, the only road worth travelling over from urge the Minister to give every consideration Ayr to Townsville was the one via Wood to this proposal for the allocation of further stock, which was only a second-class gravel finance to enable this project to be completed road. In fairly recent years that road has as quickly as possible. been upgraded. It is now completely bituminised, with high-level bridges over Mr. BIRD (Burdekin) (7.49 p.m.): This is most of the creeks that it crosses. In addition, not the first occasion on which I have risen of course the new coastal road has been in this Chamber to speak on the progress opened, r~ducing the distance between Giru made in road construction, and the upgrading and Townsville by about 19 miles. of roads, in this State since the Government came to office. It is again my pleasure to I draw the Minister's attention to the need join in the debate on the Estimates of the for the widening of some sections of pave Department of Mines and Main Roads. ment on the Bruce Highway, particularly between Home Hill and Bowen. Although At the outset, I should like to point out, that section could only be classed as a horror from the Fiftieth Annual Report of the Com stretch just over a decade ago and has been missioner of Main Roads, the highlights of vastly improved in the interim, some of the Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2347 pavement is too narrow for the amount and their wisdom, the Minister and the officers of type of traffic that now uses it. It is 69 his department will ensure that this is done miles in length, and it is now carrying at the earliest possible time. almost half as much traffic again as it did Another improvement I should like to see only four years ago. Many sections of the effected within my electorate as soon as road were constructed in the 1950's and the possible is the provision of a road from bitumen paving is only 16 feet wide, which Clare to Giru. This would shorten the is certainly not wide enough to carry the distance between the Clare-Millaroo-Dalbeg heavy transports and the volume of traffic farming communities and the small township using it today. Many of the bridges along of Giru. The Ayr Shire Council has indi this section are of timber construction, hav cated that it would be more than willing to ing been built in the early post-war period. meet its share of the cost of this road if the I am pleased to know that, two weeks ago, Main Roads Department could find its share a contract was let for the construction of a of the finance to have it constructed. new bridge over the Don River, at an esti I again draw the Minister's attention to the mated cost of $500,000. The existing low need to have the pavement of the Clare level bridge, built in 1928, has been a source Millaroo-Dalbeg road widened. The Minister of annoyance to travellers for very many is aware that not very long ago an accident years. To avoid the possibility of serious occurred as a result of this narrow pavement accidents, it has "Stop" signs at each end to and the dust caused by heavy transports ensure that no vehicle proceeds onto the using the road. Although no serious injury bridge until the driver has a clear view of resulted, it could well have ended in tragedy. any vehicle that may be approaching from the The Ayr Shire Council, in its wisdom, trans opposite direction. The condition of the deck ferred $5,000, I think, from its bridge ing is such that only those with strong maintenance programme in an effort to over stom::chs do not feel inclined to be seasick. come the problem by spending money on the Everybody who uses the Bruce Highway, road shoulders in this area to eliminate the particularly the people of North Queensland, dangerous conditions that previously existed. will be happy to know that a contract has I trust that the Minister will accede to that been let for the construction across the Don council's request, supported by me in a letter River of a new bridge which, I believe, will to him, that it be reimbursed for this $5,000 be 780 feet long, 28 feet from kerb to kerb which, as I said, was transferred from the and, most important of all, above flood level. bridge-maintenance fund and which should For some time it has been one of the few go back to that fund. remaining bottle-necks on the Bruce Highway I still hope to see major works carried out in flood-time. The new bridge will eliminate on the Mingela-Ravenswood road. I have one more trouble spot. It is very pleasing to frequently raised this matter here, and have note that under the terms of the contract it said-1 repeat it tonight-that Ravenswood is expected that the bridge will be completed is rapidly becoming a popular tourist attrac before the 1972-73 wet season, which means tion. Tourists from far and wide are arriving that we North Queenslanders will have to to have a look at this old gold-mining centre. put up with the possible inconvenience of I believe that they deserve some considera being stranded at the Don River during only tion and that this road should be upgraded one more wet season. at the earliest possible time. I was disap I thank the Minister and the Main Roads pointed to find in the annual report that only Department for the almost completed new $3,945 was spent on this road during the last bridge over Iyah Creek, just south of Home financial year. Such a sum would have done Hill. It replaces yet another narrow, old no more than allow the Dalrymple Shire timber bridge which has been a source of Council to run the grader over the full annoyance for many years. In addition to the length of the road once, or at the most twice, widening of the pavement on the section in 12 months. between Horne Hill and Bowen, I ask the I also notice in the 50th Annual Report of Minister to pursue a programme of replacing the Commissioner that Main Roads expendi the other narrow bridges along its entire ture in the AyrShire during 1970-71 resulted length. That section of the highway is of in permanent work being allocated $102,552, partic:.~lar interest to me, because the people ordinary maintenance $82,623, and special of the Burdekin frequently travel to Bowen, maintenance $29,785, giving a total of which is in fact our seaside resort. Unfor $214,960 for the year. I know that this does tunately, the Lower Burdekin is not blessed not sound very much when one looks with very good beaches, consequently many through the report and sees the amount people in that area travel to Bowen's very expended in the same period in other shires, beautiful beaches to spend their leisure time. but it must be appreciated that we in the Ayr I again draw the Minister's attention to shire have been blessed for some time with the traffic hazard at the Rossiter's Hill inter what one could consider to be very good section on the southern side of Ayr, between roads. We appreciate that any greater Ayr and Home Hill. It has been suggested expenditure than that is not warranted to to me that a roundabout or some other the same extent as it is in other shires. improvement could be provided to overcome In addition, within my electorate a further this serious traffic hazard. I am sure that, in $74,473 was spent in the Thuringowa 2348 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971} (Estimates) Shire. Of that sum, $15,734 was spent Mr. B. WOOD: It is still a long way off. on the Bruce Highway, $49,910 on the Perhaps any bridge over the Jardine River is Flinders Highway and $8,829 on the Wood rather low in priority. stock-Giru road, which, as I have said before, I will confine myself to speaking about was formerly only a dirt road although it three roads closer to Cairns, in the southern was considered to be the main road between part of my electorate. I have certain com Townsville and Giru. ments to make about the Captain Cook I concur with the Leader of the Opposition Highway from Cairns to Mossman, the and the honourable member for Toowoomba Kennedy Highway from Cairns to Mareeba, West, who pressed for the spending of a and the road that completes the triangle great proportion of the Commonwealth aid from Mossman to Mareeba, over the Rex road grant on country roads. I sincerely Range. In the past I have spoken about the believe that too much money is being spent condition of these roads. I have also asked on roads in Brisbane and in some of the questions and made approaches to the depart provincial cities at the expense of country ment about them in the hope of having the roads. I hope that at the next Com surface conditions improved. The Kennedy monwealth Main Roads Conference the Highway is quite narrow, the road from Minister will press for a greater allocation Mossman to Mareeba contains gravel sections of Commonwealth money to rural roads over the Rex Range, which should not exist, than to urban roads. and other sections still require renovation. Mr. Hughes: We have "country" roads I do not wish to comment further on the in Brisbane, and we are trying to bring them actual condition of the roads, because I up to standard. We are helping the council believe the department is well aware of the out. work that needs to be done. I know that it has a fairly high priority. Mr. BffiD: I am afraid I cannot show very much interest in roads provided by the I wish to refer particularly to the import ance of these roads to the tourist industry Brisbane City Council. I do not want to in Far North Queensland. Previously in see any Main Roads funds being diverted this Chamber I have described the Captain to roads that are the council's responsibility. Cook Highway as the most beautiful drive I should also like to see the Main Roads in Queensland, if not in Australia. The road Department place the complete upgrading over the Rex Range affords very pleasant and bitumen-sealing of the Flinders and scenic views although the road conditions are Landsborough Highways higher on the list poor. On driving up the range from Cairns of priorities. I agree with the honourable to Kuranda and over to Mareeba, beautiful member for Burke that the Flinders Highway views are to be seen. should be completed at the earliest possible opportunity. Following a recent tour that Mr. P. Wood: You have to watch the road I made of North-west Queensland with the when you are going to Mareeba. You cannot Minister, I appreciate the urgency of the look at the scenery. complete sealing of roads in that part of Mr. B. WOOD: That is true. A driver the State. As little as one inch of rain or. has to be careful on that road because it in some localities, even less is all that is twists and turns. required to render the roads in that part of the State absolutely impassable. I hon.: I have a few suggestions to make about that the wishes of the honourable member the beautification of these roads. Recently for Burke and all the people in western the Department of Main Roads undertook Queensland will be granted as soon as pos a fairly extensive programme of tree planting. sible and that the Minister and the Com The Minister, in his reply, might indicate missioner will ~ee that every dollar that can what was done in the Far North. Offhand, he diverted to those roads will be so S!)ent. I do not recall seeing anything done in my electorate, but I may not have driven in the Fimlly, I congratulate the Minister and areas at the right time. the Commissioner (Mr. Lowe), as well as his engineers and staff, on their efforts in Mr. Camm: They like the indigenous effecting tremendous improvements to our species in your area. They do not like intro rlnd svstem. I cJn only say, "Keep up the duced varieties growing at the side of the good v:ork." road. M;r. E. WOOD (Cook) (8.9 p.m.l: If any Mr. B. WOOD: I do not know about that. member has cause for complaint about the I will have something more to say about it Jack of roads in his electorate. it is the later. member for Cook. However, I am bein". On the Captain Cook Highway trees have realistic. becau'e I reco?nise that Cape York been planted in a few places. I do not know Peninsula is a vast area and must wait for who planted them, but they were planted !'Orne time before it can be traversecJ hv some years ago. Perhaps there were homes in a comnlete network of roads. I could talk about the unfinished Melbourne-to some of the areas. They may have been Bamaga road, which it still some years aw;ov planted by public-spirited people or the Main Ro-,ds Department. ·whoever planted the Mr. Sullivan: It is closer than it was 1 5 trees, they have cons;der:,bly improved the years ago. b~ ·uty of the areas, which is already very Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2349 pleasing to the eye. The results are there to I cannot understand why people do this. be seen. I should like the Minister to give Presumably they stop to admire the view serious consideration to an intensive pro and then do their little bit to spoil it. gramme of tree-planting in suitable areas along the Captain Cook Highway and on the An Opposition Member: Philistines. road between Mareeba and Mossman. I believe that, in the future, such a scheme Mr. B. WOOD: That is right, but the fact would help materially in improving the is that it happens. scenic attractions of this part of the State. The department must accept some respon On certain sections of the Captain Cook sibility in this regard. In his answer, the Highway, which run between the ocean and Minister might indicate precisely what the hillsides, the timber beside the road has responsibility the department accepts for the been somewhat thinned out by fires. removal of litter from Main Roads Depart I did not quite catch the Minister's remark, ment property, particularly roads and the but I gather that he said something about sides of roads. In many places I have seen natural timber growing well enough. I do derelict cars that have been damaged or have not entirely agree with that. Natural timber finally run out of steam. They have been needs to be replanted to help it along. In quickly stripped by people who travel along the main, timber that grows naturally in an that road, but they seem to remain there for area is the timber that should be planted. long periods. If they are on Main Roads But it needs help, particularly after fires Department property, is it the department's have ravaged an area. A couple of weeks responsibility to remove them? I realise that ago, I was at Buchan Point north of Cairns this should not happen, but the fact is that where there had been a fire. A lot of timber it does, and some action must be taken to has been damaged and something special will prevent it. have to be done. I do not know what natural Mr. W. D. Hewitt: It should not be hard regeneration will occur. The department to sheet the responsibility home to the owner. should accept greater responsibility in this regard. Mr. B. WOOD: Of the car? There is only one rest area, near Mount Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Yes. Molloy, on the 120 miles of the three roads I have mentioned. This is surprising in an Mr. B. WOOD: There is nothing much left area which is popular with tourists, particu on some of the cars I have seen-including larly as recent reports have shown that it is number plates. popular with motoring tourists. It is true that we have beatiful beaches and that perhaps Mr. R. E. Moore: It would have an engine the need for rest areas is not as great there number or chassis number. as it is at other places on the Bruce Highway Mr. B. WOOD: By the time the depart where it runs through some arid and uninter ment checked on this and then took legal esting country. However, the need is still action against the owner, it would be easier there. At least two more rest areas should to simply remove the vehicle. be provided soon on the Captain Cook Highway and two more on the Kennedy Recently I approached the Minister for Highway. I see no reason why this should Labour and Tourism to provide an officer in not be done. I do not view a rest area only this Grea to clean up litter along these roads as an area with facilities for a motorist to and on the adjacent beaches. He has since boil a billy and have a meal. As I said a passed the "buck" to the Department of moment ago, rest areas should be developed Local Government. as part of a general beautification scheme on Mr. Campbell: Doesn't the community our roads. I should like to see extensive planting of trees and shrubs in these rest have a responsibility? areas. Mr. B. WOOD: Of course it has, and in Mr. R. E. Moore: Do you think they many places the community accepts that should have water and toilet facilities? responsibility. But I believe that the Govern ment also has a responsibility, and I hope Mr. B. WOOD: That goes without saying. the Minister thinks so, too. I should like Those facilities are provided in many places. to hear the Minister state, in his reply, the department's responsibility in this matter. Mr. Thackeray: They are provided in New Perhaps he might also indicate whether the South Wales. appointment of a full-time officer to carry Mr. B. WOOD: I have not motored exten out some cleaning up would be justified. sively in New South Wales. In fact, the Minister might say that there is so much trash being throv'n on the road The Main Roads Department could give that he has two or three oillcers who seem assistance to the tourist industry in the to do nothing else in that area but clean disposal of litter. Comments have appeared U;J. I am not quite sure what the score is. recently in the Cairns press about the litter which can be seen from the Rex Lookout on Mr. Campbell: That is a condemnation the Captain Cook Highway. A good deal of of the community spirit of people in litter has been thrown over the cliff there. your area. 2350 Supply [30 NovEMBER 1971] (Estimates) Mr. B. WOOD: The Minister talks a lot his life when he suddenly encountered this of rot. gap in the road. There were a few of One other thing that I wish to mention these gaps, and in some places it . w~s is the need to preserve the beauty that necessary to drive around them. This IS already exists along these roads. I refer particularly dangerous on a road used by particularly to the Kennedy Highway up the tourists who are not familiar with it. I range to Kuranda. A short time ago the realise that it is quite a major job to Department of Main Roads widened it in re-form the road. My plea at the moment one or two places. That was necessary, is that urgent attention be given to repairs because frequently on that road, as on to the road after the wet season, to at other range roads, fast-moving cars have least make it safe, and that very prompt to remain behind trucks for a long time attention be given to new works on the before being able to overtake. In any future road, so that similar problems will not arise work on this range, I hope that the depart again in the future. ment is very careful to protect the timber I shall conclude by mentioning another beside the road. I believe that this was matter relating to Cooktown. Last Thursday done in the case of the work carried out an application for a sand-mining lease at recently, and, if anything, I think the general Cooktown was set down for hearing in the appearance from the road has been enhanced. Mining Warden's Court at Cooktown. I But I am not always too sure whether suppose that the old problem of conserva engineers worry about timber. I believe tionists against miners will arise again, and most do, but I have no assurance about it. probably the views of both sides will be mis I make particular mention of the natural represented. I do not believe that conserva arch that is encountered as one drives from tionists are necessarily people who want to Kuranda to Cairns and enters the rain-forest prevent all mining. In fact, I do not know country a mile or so beyond the Barron anybody calling himself a conservationist who Bridge. I think this is quite a unique sight, adopts that point of view. and something that must be preserved at As I said, the matter was set down for any time when the road is being widened. hearing in the Mining Warden's Court, and I Quite honestly, I could not say that it believe that it will come to the Minister for will be easy to preserve, because, if the final comment. It could happen, as it has road is widened, it will be necessary to before, that the Minister rejects the decision remove timber growing not far from the made by the mining warden. Honourable side of the road. However, taking all things members have heard criticism recently of the into account, I think that this natural arch restrictive view that the mining warden has is worth keeping, and I should hope that to take of a case. He considers only the engineers will pay very careful attention to mining aspects. The Minister is in a more it at some stage in the future. As one drives fortunate position, because he may consider through the rain forests, one passes under all aspects relating to a particular case. He a natural canopy of greenery. It really is may decide to go against the decision of the very pleasant, and in all future work I mining warden, and I hope that in the case think that all steps must be taken, as they to which I have referred he will give very have been taken to date, to preserve this serious consideration to the file that eventu natural arch. ally is placed on his table. I now wish to mention the road to The proposal is to mine silica from the Cooktown. I refer to the road from Lake estuary of the Endeavour River at a site land to Cooktown, off the Peninsula directly opposite the wharf and the shopping development road to the Cooktown develop area at Cooktown. It is right on the spot ment road. It was in a very dangerous that would be the most scenic outlet. I am state at the end of the last wet season. If not competent to speak about the ecology and there is another very heavy wet season this whether or not the mining will affect fish year, it will be in very bad condition in life. However, I do know that about 200 or April, May and June of next year. It is 300 yards across the estuary, directly opposite difficult to carry out repair work on the the main part of a little town that depends road, because there is really not very much primarily on tourism for its livelihood, will road there. It seems to me that in most be an unsightly mining venture. I cannot places it is a road that has simply developed. say that many people go across the estuary; It has no foundations, and consequently it only those who wish to fish from that bank washes out very quickly. of the river do so. In making his decision, It presented very grave hazards to one of the major facts that the Minister motorists in the earlier part of this year should take into consideration is that the after the wet season. On one occasion economy of Cooktown is based on tourism. when I was returning to Cooktown, I saw He should not make his decision simply on a couple of trees that someone had planted whether there is a need for mining. I believe in the middle of the road to give warning that he should, and will, consider all aspects. of a cut-out half way across the road. I Mr. Camm: You won't come out and say saw skid marks leading up to it, and I what you want. thought that someone driving there at night must have received the biggest fright of Mr. B. WOOD: I want all facts considered. Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2351 Mr. Camm: You will sit on the fence and The honourable member for Belmont raised go with the group afterwards. You represent the question of subarterial roads. I was the area. Do you want it, or don't you? sufficiently interested in this matter to take out some figures because, during the Address Mr. B. WOOD: On the facts as I know in-Reply debate, the Leader of the Opposition them at the moment, I do not want to see referred to the amount spent on roadworks mining there because I do not believe it will by the Brisbane City Council with very little bring any particular benefit to Cooktown. In help from the State Government. I should fact, I think that it will bring more damage like to correct his statement, and I point out than benefit. That is my attitude at the to the honourable member for Belmont moment. that as a Government, we are doing quite (Time expired.) a l~t to help the Brisbane City Council with road-construction work in this city. If he Mr. MILLER (Ithaca) (8.29 p.m.): I realise, looks at the amount spent by the Main Roads as the honourable member for Baroona said Department on arterial roads in 1970-71, earlier in the debate, that we cannot stop he will find that $2,254,000 was spent on progress. However, I am as concerned as he permanent works, $502,000 on maintenance, is about the building of freeways through our and $11,501,000 on expressways and free electorates and the length of time it takes to ways. In addition, we allocated to the Bris notify the people affected of the exact location bane City Council $700,000 from the Com of the freeways. monwealth Aid, Local Authority Roads, Whether freeways or high-speed commuter Fund, $466,000 for roads and $188,000 for services run through our electorates, the inner traffic engineering. The total expenditure for suburbs have become corridors for the newer, 1970-71 was $15,611,000. outlying suburbs. That is something that In 1971-72, for permanent works we have cannot be prevented, but it is unfortunate allocated $2,420,000, for maintenance that the inner suburbs are losing their $412,000, for expressways and highways character because freeways are being built $12,900,000, and the Brisbane City Council through them. b3s been allocated $800,000 from the Com The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: (Mr. monwealth Aid, Local Authority Roads, Lickiss): Order! There is far too much Fund, $461,000 for roads and $195,000 for audible conversation on my left. traffic engineering. That makes a total appropriation for the year of $17,180,000. An Opjl{lsition Member: That's a change. Let us now look at what the Brisbane City The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! Council 'vill be spending for the year 1971-72. The honourable member who interjected will have a change in a minute-a change in Mr. Davis: Not enough. scenery. Mr. MILLER: I agree with the honourable Mr. MILLER: I feel more strongly for member for Brisbane that not enough is the people who are left behind rather than ;,eing spent by the Brisbane City Council. those whose properties are resumed. After including the amount paid by the State all, once a person's property is resumed he Government to the Brisbane City Council by has the opportunity to move out into a new \',ay of Commonwealth aid, only $9,047,062 area, whereas those who are left behind Fill be spent by the council on roads in have to suffer the noise and the ungainly look 1971-72. of a freeway for the rest of their lives. How I realise that it is the job of the Opposition ever, I pay a compliment to the Minister for to have a "crack" at the Government on Mines and Main Roads for the way his every occasion it possibly can and, if it can department has handled the resumption of make points out of anything it has to say, the land set aside for the senior citizens' good luck to it. However, it would be indeed centre at Milton. Over $17,000 has been pleasing if members of the Opposition paid in compensation for the land that has ascertained all the facts before making rash been resumed in case it is required for the statements. It is obvious that the State freeway that is to go through that area. Government is spending nearly $2 for every Through the generosity of the Main Roads $1 spent by the city council on roads in Department in giving us that amount, we Brisbane. have been able to buy a comparable piece of land in Puddington where the senior Mr. Wright: Don't you think the State citizens will still be able to build their Government has a responsibility to assist centre close to where they want it. in this respect? From time to time we hear complaints Mr. MILLER: All right; we have a about compensation payments. The honour responsibility. But we are already spending able member for Norman has complained a $2 for every $1 spent by the city council. great deal in the last two years about com In the same period, we have also had pensation paid by the Main Roads Depart demands by the city council that the State ment. I can only speak of that department Government take over its buses. If we as I find it, and in my area it has done an are to spend all the money on roads and outstanding job. My congratulations go to it. take over the transport responsibilities of 2352 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) the council, we may as well take over the The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! city council as well; there certainly will not The Chair does not require the assistance be very much left to do. of the honourable member for Rockhampton I recently read a report written by Hugh South. Hamilton and Pete Thomas called 'They Mr. MILLER: This booklet refers to Dig Queensland", and I should like to spend digging for minerals in Queens-land and the a little time referring to it. I agree that export of minerals through our ports. I am such a publication should normally be referring to Gladstone and the criticism that ignored, as any public statement on it would has been levelled at it by these two writers. only tend to make more people aware of Mr. Hughes: They want to load coal by its existence. However, because of its wide pick and shovel at Hay Point-is that what distribution and the Press coverage that they are saying? has been given to it, I believe that this point of view can no longer be maintained. Mr. MILLER: I think the Communist Party would like to see that occur until Mr. Lane: It is a scurrilous booklet. such time as this Government is thrown out of office so that it could come along Mr. MILLER: It is. It can only be and-- labelled for what it really is-a Communist Party publication directed against private Mr. Hughes: It would dictate the terms. enterprise. Mr. MILLER: That is so. The A.L.P. These two writers are totally opposed to has frequently gone out of its way to tell private enterprise, even though socialism us that the trade unions are not militant. has been found wanting in the development of any Western country. Over the years Mr. Bennett: We don't deny it. our primary industries have been unabl~ Mr. MILLER: We are seeing a different to maintain their work-force because of att.tude since the publication of this booklet. severe overseas competition, and mining is playing a most important role in maintaining Mr. Bennett: Unlike you blokes, we are a low unemployment figure in this State. not tame-cat pussyfoots. These two writers condemn industrial Mr. MILLER: I am very pleased to hear growth only because it results from the that remark. efforts of private enterprise. They will not On page 18 of the booklet, this appears be happy until all industry in Queensland is State-owned, and I believe that this is "It is because of this militancy that, for also the policy of the present A.L.P., under a 48-hour week on the project (four days its Left-wing control. This publication has of ten hours each, one of eight hours), a one-sided point of view-the point of many workers get $135, plus $30.25 living view of all Communists and Left-wingers, away from home allowance." who despise private enterprise and believe Mr. BENNETT: I rise to a point of order. only in socialism. I would like to know how this is related I should like to deal with one or two to the Estimates under discussion. points raised in the booklet, because I believe they should be answered. People who read The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! it could believe, for instance, that these There is no point of order. The honourable allegations are correct, and if they are not gentleman has already explained that he is challenged many who read it will accept reading from a booklet dealing with mining. what it says as factual. Mr. MILLER: For the benefit of the hon Mr. Wright: Can you refute any of the ourable member who has interjected, I am statements in it? ta1king about the Gladstone alumina refinery. which, I believe, comes under these Estimates. Mr. MILLER: I shall endeavour to refute r am talking about mining. some of those that I regard as incorrect. For instance, on page 12 the authors criti The booklet continues cise mechanisation on the waterfront. In "The lowest paid worker (a locally all honesty, I believe that these two writers engaged tradesman's assistant) gets $104.60, know only too well that, if we are to com plus now (as a sequel to 1971 strike action) pete with overseas countries, we must have a $5.05 allowance for those who do not progress and mechanisation. Yet they go get the $30.25 away from home allowance. out of their way to criticise mechanisation These rates won by the workers on project on the waterfront. contrast significantly with what are paid in a shop in the town doing work for The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. Kaisers; there the pay in August was only Lickiss): Order! I hope that the honourable $71.20 for boilermakers and $57.40 for gentleman will relate his remarks to the ironworkers." Estimates under discussion. Often members of the A.L.P. assert that Mr. Wright: We are finding it very hard there is no militancy in the mining industry to do so. or among the trade unions. This article Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2353 that I have read refutes their claim. The The quotation continues booklet is a very good one, because it deals "In August 1971 the Biloela Trades and with many points. Labor Council, which covers the Moura area called on the Queensland T.&LC. Mr. Bennett: Keep this up, and I will move to the Moura housing situation. that you table it. i~vestigate It said that there were 721 employees and Mr. MILLER: If the honourable member only 187 houses, including 25 under con wants a copy he can go to the Red and struction." Black Bookshop or the Trades Hall, where it I point out that at Moura the company has will be supplied to him at very low cost. provided 168 company-owned homes, which are either leased or rented. It has also sup We have often heard accusations that the plied 50 that are newly completed. The mining inJustries have raped Queensland of Queensland Housing Commission has supplied its resources. The figures supplied by these 50 houses that are newly completed and 25 two dedicated Communists show quite clearly that are nearing completion. The company that whereas Queensland supplies 5,600,000 has also provided accommodation for 32 in tons of coal to Japan, New South Wales caravans and 136 in barracks, making in supplies 10,750,000 tons, or nearly double all, accommodation for 411 people. That is the Queensland quantity. Yet the A.L.P. a very different story from the one pictured sa:; s that, through the mining companies, by Mr. Hugh Hamilton and Mr. Pete Thomas this Government is raping Queensland of its in their report, "They Dig Queensland". natural resources. Mr. .Jensen: You are a "Red-baiter". We often hear the old story that New South Wales is getting four times as much Mr. MILLER: The honourable member in royalty as Queensland is. As a matter of can say what he likes, but if he thinks that fact, it is getting only twice as much in I will sit silently on this side of the Chamber royalty-it is getting lOc compared with our when two Communists say that this Govern 5c. ment and the company at Moura are not supplying houses for the miners, he has Mr. Wright: Double the amount of another think coming. I am not prepared royalties. to sit quietly by and take that. Mr. MILLER: I point out to the honour Mr. .Jensen interjected. able member that the furthest distance of a New South Wales coal mine from a port The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! is 46 miles, while the shortest distance from Persistent interjections will not be tolerated a coalfield in Queensland to a port is over by the Chair. I direct my remarks to the 120 miles. In those circumstances we have honourable member for Bundaberg. to compete with New South Wales prices, Mr. MILLER: I now wish to deal with an yet we hear that Queensland is being raped article on page 31 of the booklet dealing by the mining companies. with the profits of mining companies. It In this report, criticism is levelled at the reads housing situation. I shall quote from page "What it means is that, of every $1 27 of the booklet, because I believe that the profit made from Australian coal at criticism contained therein is without founda Blackwater, Utah of U.S.A. will get 90c tion. and some Australians will get lOc." Mr. Wright: Is this Works and Housing I point out that at Goonyella and Peak now? Downs, on every $1 profit made, disburse ment, compared with investment, is as Mr. MILLER: This relates to housing for follows: Australian company tax takes 47t miners. per cent; that is, out of every $1, 47 c is taken in tax. Utah Development Co. takes Opposition Members interjected. .4016 of a dollar, and Mitsubishi takes .0783 Mr. MILLER: I realise that honourable of a dollar. I also point out that U.D.C. has members opposite do not wish to hear about invested $160,000,000, for a return of .4016 this, but they will. They can interrupt as of $1. much as they like, but they will hear about it. (Time expired.) From page 27, I read, "But there still Mr. O'DONNELL (Barcoo) (8.49 p.m.): aren't enough homes." An esteemed colleague of mine tonight requested me, on behalf of a Queensland Mr. Wright interjected. branch of the A.L.P., to put forward briefly The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. a case concerning an area not in my Lickiss): Order! I hope the honourable mem electorate, but in that of the honourable ber for Rockhampton South will cease his member for Cooroora. constant interjections. Government Members interjected. Mr. MILLER: I know this is hurting them, Mr. O'DONNELL: I regret that the Mr. Lickiss. honourable member is not present tonight. 2354 Supply [30 NovEMBER 1971] (Estimates) We know that, as time goes on, certain Department of Transport an application to areas, and particularly their road systems, conduct a bus service between Barcaldine deteriorate to a certain extent. A road and Rockhampton. This will be a decided system changes and, as a result, people living asset for the people in rural areas. In the and farming in that area find that the most first place, it will provide a method of travel direct route to their market town is neglected that is acceptable to the people. In the and journeys become hazardous. In this second place, the cost of bus travel is, in instance, there is an alternative route, but it general, slightly less than 50 per cent of the is a round-about journey of 40 miles com air fare. pared with the direct route of 15 miles. I I know very well that the Capricorn High am referring to the farming community at way cannot be built in a day or a year. Obi Obi. All that is really necessary is for I have heard members, including those on the a two-mile section to be widened. With other side of the Chamber, mention to-night present-day equipment, this would be neither the Flinders Highway and other roads. If a costly nor a lengthy job. bus services are to be made available to the As their nearest medical, dental, legal and people, I ask the Minister to see if there .is shopping services are at Nambour, surely any way by which the Department of Ma~n these people should be given the benefit of Roads and shire councils can co-operate m using the shortest route to that town. There upgrading roads. I ask the Minister if some are approximately 30 farms in this small thing more can be done to assist the lo~al area. They depend on Nambour for their authority in the maintenance of a road wh1ch services. Will the Minister have his engineers has been described by Ashton's Circus as the examine this road and ascertain what is worst it has travelled over in its last 10,000 needed to provide these people with much miles. I make that submission in all serious easier access to Nambour? This road could ness because it is important. We have also be used by a school bus which at present thra~hed out before all aspects of this work, is not allowed to use it. I make that request and the cost of the various sections. on behalf of those people. I like to see co-operation between the In dealing with departmental Estimates, we Department of Main Roads and local author usually express our appreciation of the ities and I like the department to hand over services rendered by public servants to the to local authorities as much work as it community and to members of Parliament. possibly can. I think that that is very Every department in the Public Service has important indeed. The value of local auth treated me with the greatest kindness and orities in rural areas has to be appreciated, courtesy and has given me a good deal of because they are, after all, the real core of help. This applies to the officers of the Main decentralisation. They have set up the indus Roads Department and the Mines Depart try of road construction, and its associated ment. I have come to know certain public factors, throughout the length and breadth servants pretty well and my association with of Queensland, and anything that can be the officers of both of these departments has done to assist local authorites is in the best been very close and has been of benefit to interests of decentralisation. There has been me. I hope that they continue to prosper in considerable discussion on this matter over their careers and that I will have several the last few weeks. Let us maintain a close more years of happy association with them. relationship between the department and local However, I wish to raise a matter involv authorities, and Jet more work be given to ing the Main Roads Department. I suppose them. the Minister is thinking that this is the As an illustration of the point that I am Capricorn Highway again. It is, but I am making, I mention a conversation I had only raising a different angle. yesterday with the Barcaldine Shire Clerk. Mr. Campbell: You did not listen to the A screening plant has been set up at Barcal honourable member for Rockhampton South. dine, and over the years the Barcaldine Shire Council has supplied screenings to the Mr. O'DONNELL: In answer to the inter Department of Main Roads. A very satis jection from the Minister for Industrial factory relationship has existed between the Development, let me say that Ashton's Circus two bodies. At present there is serious unem travelled between Alpha and Emerald and ployment in the West, and councils are said that it is the worst stretch of road it worried about having to dismiss even one struck in 10,000 miles of travel in eastern man. The Barcaldine Shire Council is what Australia. I might describe as a militant body in this However, I want to continue with this case. regard, and it always fights to retain what The West is a depressed area. Recently it it has. lost its air service. This is very important to The Shire Clerk told me yesterday that an Barcaldine and Alpha and makes the road advertisement appeared in "The Longreach service much more important. Although Leader" calling tenders for some 5,850 yards T.A.A. is considering a service to Barcaldine, of screenings. The Barcaldine Shire Council it has given no indication that it is interested felt that, because of its past associations, it in going to Alpha. Interest has, however, should have a priority in the supply of the been shown by bus operators, and I under screenings. The council felt that at least the stand that one has already lodged with the Department of Main Roads and the council Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2355 should enter into negotiations with a view to up the matter of rateability of Gem arriving at a price satisfactory to both Mining tenures with you. No doubt he parties. I think that that was a very good would have provided you with background idea. As soon as I receive an official letter information, but the following additional dealing with this matter, I shall pass it on to advice may be helpful. the Minister in the hope that he will consider "The problem lies generally within the the case in the light in which I have boundaries marked in red on the sketch presented it. attached-the Gemfields attract all types The council had been a consistent supplier of people in substantial numbers. The of screenings and then there was a break, permanent fossickerI camper population with the calling of tenders. I know that on could number up to 400, but this increases one occasion the successful tenderer could during holidays and the cooler months not complete the contract and the Main when tourists move in. Roads Department had to call upon the "A handful of professional miners, Barcaldine Shire Council to carry out the using manpower and heavy equipment, and work. winning phenomenal returns in gems, and To emphasise the importance of keeping down the scale there are graduations of the screening plant of the Barcaldine Shire smaller producers." Council in work, I point out to the Com mittee that it employs five men full-time Then this rather significant paragraph and two men part-time. At a time when appears there is concern if one family leaves a "At the bottom of the list there is town, the importance of employment is a core of hard cases who camp in the obvious. There is a desire in every country scrub under rough conditions, no sanitary centre to build up the population and show conveniences, water, or decent shelter, at least some growth and progress. There just broken down shanties for themselves fore, honourable members can understand and their families. They find a stone why I make this request tonight. occasionally and this keeps them alive, but their living conditions spell disaster The gem fields have come back into the news again, Mr. Lickiss. No doubt you if ever an outbreak of disease occurs." have read in the Press of a publication I am pleased to see that there is some move known as "Sapphire Seekers News". to remedy the situation. Mr. Healy will Mr. Camm: You don't read that, do you? confirm that the council got in touch with me recently about the provision of a water Mr. O'DONNELL: I am not here to supply on the gem fields. I was entreated answer questions. I wish to say something to do something about it. Naturally I on behalf of the gem fields. It is not a contacted Mr. Healy, but Mr. Healy regrets question of \\hether or not I believe what that he has to advise the people of the appears in this publication. It is a fact that gem fields that this is a problem for the the people who are involved in the produc Emerald Shire Council. I knew that would tion of the booklet are also involved in be his answer when I made the request. the activities on the gem fields, and there Nevertheless, it \\as his prerogative to give are statements in it indicating quite clearly the answer. Apart from the supply of water, that there is still much militant thought there is also the question of hygiene. With about the state of affairs on the gem fields. the introduction of rating in that area, the When one reads the articles in the booklet, Emerald Shire Council would receive some one gains the impression that the people revenue. It receives almost nothing now. who publish it are perhaps more tourist That should allow construction of toilet minded than any section of the community blocks for visitors to the area, providing at that supports visits to gem-field areas any least the decencies they expect. where in the State. The Sapphire Seekers' Association is very However, that was not the principal keen on development of the field as a tourist question that I intended to raise. I wished area. Those who visit it in search of gems to refer particularly to the fact that the are really following their hobby. Perhaps stage has now been reached on the gem they are seeking to re-enact the lives of fields when the Minister can play a very miners of old. They need to be able to do important part. The question of hygiene on this without risk to their health. That is why the gem fields has been raised again over I ask the Minister and his departmental the last few months (I would not like to officers to do as much as possible to assist say how many times it has been raised the Emerald Shire Council in arriving at a before), and I shall quote from a letter proper basis for rating in that area. The from the Emerald Shire Council to the Minister has probably already received a Honourable W. A. R. Rae to illustrate to request from the Emerald Shire Council, and honourable members that the minds of some no doubt certain suggestions have been made. people who have never been to the gem It is a mining area, and the impDsition of fields might be very rudely shocked by the rates is a new problem. The Emerald Shire conditions there. The letter says Council will be very thankful for any assist "The Honourable R. E. Camm, M.L.A. ance the Mines Department can give in the has recently advised that he has taken light of its previous experience. 2356 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) In conclusion I express my thanks to the The honourable member for Mt. Gravatt officers of the Mines Department and the was a little bit concerned about the valuation Main Roads Department for all the help they of resumed land. Might I say that the have given me. Main Roads Department is governed by the value which the Valuer-General puts on Hon. R. E. CAMM (Whitsunday-Minister land that we intend to resume. That is the for Mines and Main Roads) (9.7 p.m.): Mr. deciding factor when it comes to valuing the Lickiss-- actual land and buildings that are to be Mr. Jensen interjected. acquired by the Main Roads Department. After consultation with the people concerned, The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. we do take into consideration other things Lickiss): Order! I have called the Minister. such as disturbance and any hardship that might be caused. People might be without Mr. Jensen: Come off it; fair go! a home for a certain period and, if our assessment is accepted by the Valuer-General, The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! we can, at times, pay a little more than The Chair is in control of the Committee, the value he puts on the land and buildings. and the Minister received the call from the But I think all honourable members realise Chair. that Main Roads funds, like the funds of every other Government department, are sub Mr. CAMM: Approximately 30 honourable ject to the scrutiny of the Auditor-General members spoke in this debate. I think it can and we must conform as closely as possible be truthfully said that the problems of the to the value which the Valuer-General puts Mines Department and the Main Roads on property we resume. Department, as they affect various honourable members, have been fairly well ventilated. The honourable member asked about Stage II of the South-east Freeway, which is the Mr. Jensen interjected. portion from Juliette Street to Mt. Gravatt. The design will be completed this financial Mr. CAMM: I expect that the honourable year and a considerable number of properties member for Bundaberg was rising to his feet affected by this road have already been to congratulate the officers of the Main purchased at the request of owners. When Roads Department and the Mines Depart we send a brochure out, as we did in this ment. area, home-owners can see that they will Mr. Jensen interjected. be affected, and if they approach the Main Roads Department we offer to purchase their The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! homes at a valuation again decided by the ask the honourable member for Bundaberg Valuer-General's Department. However, in to remain silent. many instances the valuation virtually coin cides with the value placed on a property M:r. CAMM: I was very pleased to hear by the owner. If money is available, we the words of commendation of officers of hope the construction of this road will com the Main Roads Department and the Mines mence after 1975. It may be as late as Department that have come from honour 1978 or 1979, depending on the amount of able members on both sides of the Chamber. monev available in the next period of Com I am sure that they appreciate the work that monwealth aid. the various officers perform in carrying out The honourable member dealt with prob their duties in many parts of Queensland. lems arising from the carting of filling material through built-up areas. This Is one Quite a number of speakers expressed that came to light during the construction concern about the disturbance caused by the of the other portion of this freev. ay from building of freev.ays through the city of the river to Juliette Street. I can assure Brisbane. On several occasions I have said the honourable member that in future con that this causes concern to me and to officers tracts we will have a provision for stricter of the Main Roads Department. But if control over these operations when it is freeways, or urban arterial roads as they are necessary to cart large quantities of filling called, or subarterial roads, are to be con material. structed, and we are to build facilities in Brisbane for a rapid transport system, we He also mentioned several traffic lights. must expect some measure of disturb~nze This matter is also causing us concern. It w the people living in the areas affected. has not been possible to install all the traffic Jiahts that we-feel are desirable, so naturally While the lay-out of streets in Brisbane w~ have had to proceed on a priority basis. was quite satisfactory for a great number As funds become available, these lights will of years, -Fith the modern transport methods be installed. of today it is inadequate. We try as much The honourable member for Toowoomba as possible to alleviate the problems and West criticised the Minden Range Road. distress of residents whose houses have to When funds become available" this also will be removed. They have recei'.·ed an assurance be taken into consideration. The honourable that, if possible, we will give at least five member then got away from Toowoomba years' notice before we go into an area and started to talk about the road between and effect resumptions. Longreach and Winton-the Landsborough Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2357 Highway. He said-I was amazed by his faith at all in the railway system or railway claim-that too much money was being spent employees. I have the feeling that whichever in his city. Under the Commonwealth Aid way he goes he will be in trouble. Roads Act we are obliged to spend a Within the next two years we will endeav certain percentage of the money obtained our to do work on the Minden Range on what are classed as urban arterial roads similar to that done on the Marburg Range, and subarterial roads. They exist in the which I am sure the honourable member cities of Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich, will a'gree, was a very big job. We will try Gold Coast, Townsville and Rockhampton. to do the work on the Minden Range >O The honourable member is very keen to that people in Toowoomba can have a first spend money on the Landsborough Highway class highway to Ipswich and Brisbane. I -I heard several members representing Bris think his constituents would rather have bane electorates also advocate this-so I inform him that I have already written to money spent on the Minden Range than on the Federal Minister in charge of this money, the Landsborough Highway. and he has told me that if I can obtain The honourable member for South Coast the agreement of the local authorities con indicated the advantage that his area gained cerned he will permit the transfer of these from sand-mining. It is the largest secondary funds from urban arterial roads to the Lands industry on the Gold Coast and emplo) s borough Highway, which is the specific high approximately 500 people. His sta~ement way I mentioned to him in making my is, to me, a wonderful one, because It was request. made by a member w~o repre~ents one <;Jf the most rapidly growmg tounst areas m I will have much pleasure in inqmnng Queensland. When it is remeJ?lbered that from the Toowoomba City Council whether sand-mining has been proceedmg on . th.e it agrees with the honourable member for South Coast for a little over 20 years, 1t Js Toowoomba West that too much money is difficult to imagine how certain people can being spent on city streets and arterial roads claim that tourism and sand-mining are and that 'Some of the money should be incompatible. Some very attractive built-up transferred to the Landsborough Highway. areas on the Gold Coast have been minerl Nothing would give me greater pleasure not once but twice and, for the whole of than making that highway more trafficable the time the minin~ was being carried on, for people who desire to travel between the Gold Coast was becoming more and more Longreach and Mt. Isa. attractive as a tourist area. ;vir. EOUSEN: I rise to a point of order. He said that the problem associated with This morning I said that too much money Mr. Fleay's reserve looks like being solved. was being spent on freeways in the Brisbane I hope that it is. The Main Roads Depa~t area at the expense of country roads. ment has given an undertaking that we will decide where the road is to be built when The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (l\Ir. Mr. Fleay, the developers on -Tallebudgera Lickiss): Order! There is no point of order. Creek, the Gold Coast City Council, and the Littoral Society come to an agreemen~. Mr. CAMM: I am pleased to hear the We will then position the road so that It honourable member say now that he wants will not interfere in any way with people the money transferred from Brisbane to the in the area. outlying areas. I might say that when the Act came before the FeJeral Parliament the Mr. Bennett: Where is he? Leader of the Opposition was the one who Mr. CAMM: I do not know where he is; advocated that more money should be spent nor do I know where the honourable mem in the urban areas of the Commonwealth. ber for South Brisbane went after he The honourable member for Toowoomba delivered his speech. West is at variance not only with hi' col leagues who represent metropolitan elector Mr. Bennett: I was doing research in ates but also with his Federal Leader. He the library. is advocating the transfer of money from urban arterial roads in Brisbane to the Mr. CAMM: The honourable member may Landsborough Highway. have been doing research. Mr. Bousen: I said "freeways". Mr. W. D. Hewitt: The honourable mem ber for Mackenzie gave him a nudge that Mr. CAMM: The sealing of the Lands he deserved. borough Highway would be a tremendous Mr. CAMM: He criticises us strongly, fillip to trade between Brisbane and Darwin. "shoots" through, and comes back later. However, it must not be forgotten that to a great extent transport firms operate from The honourable member for South Coast Mt. Isa to Darwin, and anyone in the advocated the building of various roads in Brisbane area who desires to trade with his area. I will reply to him later and let Darwin can send his goods by rail to Mt. him know the time-table for their construc Isa for forwarding to Darwin. But I sup tion. pose the honourable member for Toowoomba In regard to the honourable member for West wi'll say that that would be unsatis Ipswich East I will use the words of the factory. I do not suppose he has any honourable ~ember for South Brisbane, 2358 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) "Where is he?" He was very critical in of that tonnage can be extracted from the his contribution on the Estimates, but now gro;.md, it will be seen, on the 1970-71 that I . have an opportunity to reply he is export figure of 7,000,000 tons, or on the convemently absent. present maximum contractual figure of 17,000,000 tons a year, that reserves are Mr. TUCKER: I rise to a point of order. adequate for rather more than 15 years. Mr. CAMM: The Opposition started this Even if the figure is advanced to argument; I did not. 20,000,000 tons, which is envisaged when Peak Downs comes into operation, there is Mr. TUCKER: The Minister has asked still a good deal more than 15 years of where our secretary is. He is performing reserves left in this State alone. That refers secretarial duties at the moment. only to the Bowen Basin, a small amount of The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. coking coal in the Ipswich field and a very Lickiss): Order! There is no point of order. small amount in the Burrum field. It does not take into consideration the amount of Mr. TUCKER: I speak on behalf of the steaming coal available, nor does it take into Opposition. account the amount of coal in the Walloon seam, which extends from Oakey up towards The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! Rolleston, or the coal in the Galilee basin There is still no point of order. which has yet to be proved. So I do not Mr. CAMM: The honourable member for think there need be any fear in the mind Ipswich East further claimed that assistance of the honourable member for Ipswich East should be given to the Ipswich City Council that we will be short of coal in the very near to cope with the wear and tear on Ipswich future. roads. I point out that last year the Ipswich The Press has reported that the planned City Council received over $85,000 under production of steel in Japan has been revised the Roads (Contribution to Maintenance) downwards. But it is significant that no Act out of payments we received from heavy announcement has been made of cuts in transports operating in that city area. Japanese contracts for Queensland coking He submitted that footways should be coal. I have indicated on many occasions provided on bridges. I have indicated that it is to the credit of the Queensland repeatedly that it is not the department's miners and the companies concerned that responsibility to provide foot bridges. It they have been able to hold their contracts. has the. responsibility of building bridges The decrease in Japanese imports will be in for veh1cles, not footways for pedestrians. coal it is buying on a spot basis, not coal When a four-lane highway is built solely governed by any long-term contracts, and for vehicular traffic, footways should be coal it has been buying to supplement its provided by the local authority concerned. own quality coal. As long as we can indi cate to the Japanese steel mills that Queens The honourable member for Ipswich East land is a stable source of supply for coking took the Mines Department to task and coal, I am confident that our coal-mining criticised my handling of it. He referred industry will not only survive but will also to a meeting of the Miners Federation Coun prosper and expand. It is up to all people in cil in Ipswich and said that the meetina the industry to get together and see that this opposed the export of coal. He also claimed takes place. that there was only 15 years' supply of coking coal in known reserves in Aust I was sorry to hear the honourable mem ralia. What a ridiculous statement for a ber, at the end of his speech, refer to an responsible man to make! He also made article which appeared in an Ipswich news the scurrilous statement that Broken Hill paper misquoting a broadcast by me. It Pty. Ltd. had sent representatives to South indicated I had said that mine workers Africa to solicit coal when Australia's received a certain wage without overtime reserves were exhausted. whereas in truth I stated in my broadcast the tape and my transcript are still avail Mr. Tucker: You are unfair He quoted able-that it was with overtime. I do not that from a newspaper article: know why he introduced this matter in his Mr. CAMM: He quoted what was said speech. It was replied to very fully by me. at a meeting. It ill behoves him to make this type of accusation knowing that it was a mistake. I point out to him that I have on many He claimed that, as a result of his asking me occasions given figures for the coal reserves questions, this matter was ventilated in the of this State. For his information I inform House and that I was caused to correct the the Chamber that the coal reserves of the matter in "The Queensland Times." He was State 3:re under progressive review by the quite proud of that fact. If he is proud Geolog1cal Survey Office as drilling and of that as one of his accomplishments in assessment proceed. The latest estimate for Parliament, his representation of his area Queensland, which is to be published in the must be puerile. He in no way forced me Queensland Government Mining Journal, to make the correction in "The Queensland g1ves a total of measured, plus indicated Times". re~e:ves, of coking coal amounting to 4,017 m!lhon tons. Assuming that 50 per cent Mr. Tucker interjected. Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2359 Mr. CAMM: I would not expect the That is the letter that prompted me to make honourable member to recognise it, either. my broadcast so that the people of Queens The point is that as soon as it was drawn land would know that there are in the mining to my attention I replied most fully to this industry young men who are prepared to do accusation. a fair week's work, and who recognise that Mr. Tucker: It took you about a week. the wages that they are at present receiving are placing them, as the writer of the letter Mr. CAMM: It took me two days. As says, in a position of relative affluence. Coal the honourable member for Townsville North miners are today enjoying conditions that wants to support the honourable member have never before been enjoyed in their for Ipswich East, I shall read the letter which industry, and I am sure that if union bosses prompted me to make a broadcast, so that it had their \\ ay and restricted the activities of can be recorded in "Hansard". The next miners, they would return to the conditions time he attends a Communist-dominated that applied before the huge coal-exporting miners' union conference he will be able to companies came to Queensland and provided pick up "Hansard" and read out this letter such good working conditions. I have nothing from a union member. It was published in but praise for the workers in the coal-mining the Mackay "Daily Mercury" and reads industry who are doing such a good job to "l am one of those who must surely keep up the export of coking coal. I have in by now be regarded as very foolish and my hand a photostat copy of the letter that easily led members of the Queensland appeared in the Mackay "Daily Mercury", Colliery Employees' Union. On June 21 and anyone is at liberty to read it. last the Coal Industry Tribunal (Mr. Justice Gallagher) awarded me, with I deplore the fact that there are in this thousands of my fellow members in Chamber members who will get on side with Queensland and New South Wales, a wage the Communists who are dominating this increase of $6 a week. Because our union union and attempting to make the conditions officials had sought $20 a week (a figure of the workers less favourable than they are simply plucked out of the air, I am sure, now. How many Opposition members know for we have never been told what the the conditions under which coal miners figure was based on) we have taken strike worked for many years? I was at Baralaba action to obtain 'wage justice'. Additional when mining first started there. I was at upon the two strikes each of one week's Ogmore when the miners lived in bag huts. duration, which we have already taken, our The State Government owned that mine, yet union officials have decided that we will no decent housing was provided. be allowed to work only 35 hours a week on and from August 25 next and that very Consider the housing conditions at Collins soon after that date we will have to take ville when it was a State-owned mine. our third week-long strike. Honourable members opposite should now go "The next time a meeting of my union to Blackwater and see the conditions enjoyed branch is held to consider our 'wage jus by the men there. Let them go to Moranbah, tice' strike and the 35 hours restriction, I where a number of them were recently. Surely would dearly like to tell my officials that honourable members opposite are proud of I was doing quite all right until their inter the fact that the Government has attracted ference came (my average take home pay to Queensland companies that are prepared was $110 a week) and that I would like to provide good working conditions for their them to withdraw their interference and employees, and good rates of pay. All that let me live in peace with my family and they ask from their employees is a fair day's in my relative affluence. I would also work, and no undue disruption of the supply dearly like to tell them- of coal for which they have contracts, and That we can expect nothing better which means so much to Queensland. Work than a continuance of strikes and dis ing conditions in the coal-mining industry ruption with our State Executives of three being all members of the Com have, as honourable members know, improved munist Party, and: That if a secret ballot year after year. on future strike action and the 35 hours Coal-miners today enjoy working condi restriction was tz,ken a great majority of tions unheard of many years ago. Recently Q.C.E. union members, like myself, I introduced a Bill amending the pensions would vote to call this whole crazy state scheme, which I think is now one of the of disruption off. most attractive schemes that there could be "However, I suppose that I must, with for any workers in Queensland. The the great majority of members who think Government subsidy has been greater than like me, remain silent for fear of being the amount contributed by the miners. The placed in the pages of the little black book Government contributes $150,000 a year, which contains the names of all those and for the year 1969-70 the miners con unionists who dare to speak up against the tributed $140,000. For 1970-71, with the dictatorship of union officials. Or are there increase in the number of miners, their con others who would join with me in telling tribution was $169,000. That will be supple our officials to get off our backs and leave mented to the extent of 450 per cent by the us alone?" owners of the coal mines, which ensures 2360 Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) that when a miner retires he will receive a next five years a four-lane highway leadinJ,i pension that will enable him to live in reason to the north of Brisbane will have been able comfort. completed. I remind the Committee that miners also The honourable member for Norman receive four weeks' annual leave, whereas was concerned about the inconvenience most other employees have only three weeks. caused by construction work associated with They were also entitled to two weeks' sick the South-east Freeway-the dust nuisance, leave a year on full pay. These are only mud and so on. I might say that he has some of the conditions that have come been quite reasonable in the many approaches about because owners of coal mines and he has made to me about hardships that companies operating coal mines in Queens have been caused as a result of the con land can now afford to pay these wages struction work in his electorate. As I and grant these conditions to their employees. indicated earlier, provision will be made in Miners receive 13 weeks' long service leave any future contracts to ensure that less after eight years' service; many other inconvenience will be caused to landholders employees have to wait 15 years before in the area concerned. All complaints made becoming entitled to such leave. In addition, during the construction of the freeway have miners work a 35-hour week, and some been investigated, and I give credit to the bonus payments are involved. I say, "Good company concerned for taking action luck to them." immediately to rectify any inconvenience caused by dust and what the honourable As long as the men can enjoy these member referred to as a "mud menace". conditions because industry is prospering and can afford to make them available, it The honourable member also spoke about is their good luck. After all, in the final traffic control on the freeways. Only this analysis the miners are responsible for week I discussed tenders received by the getting the coal out of the ground so that Main Roads Department for the rather com it can be transported to the ports. They plicated control equipment required to regu are the ones who are bringing tremendous late traffic on the South-east Freeway and benefits to the State of Queensland, and the streets leading off it. In addition, an it ill behoves the honourable member for offer has been made to the Brisbane City Ipswich East to support a Communist Council to have the central-city traffic lights dominated union and criticise in this integrated with the freeway control system. Chamber what the Government is doing to When the freeway is completed, I think it foster conditions and development of that will be found that the lights on the freeway type. and on the roads leading to it wtll be integrated and synchronised, as it were. The honourable member for Landsborough asked that more processing of minerals The honourable member also mentioned the proposed New Farm bridge. I replied should be undertaken in Queensland, and to the honourable member for Merthyr on he mentioned particularly the mineral-sands this subject in my summary last Friday after industry. At present, Queensland appears noon. As I indicated then, two major factors to have rutile deposits that constitute a sub will affect the choice of the site, namely, stantial percentage of all those in the free the operation of the Kangaroo Point ship world and the Government is endeavouring yards an1 the neeu to cause the least possible to encourage the processing of minerals here. upset to people living in the area. It is If honourable members go to Southport, our intention to give those whose properties where one company is operating, they will may be affected as much notice as possible find that it has a small research laboratory when we make the final decision. and is experimenting to see what other uses can be made of the mineral sands In this connection, the Wilbur Smith in this State. recommendations indicated that the critical period could be some time before 1980. The honourable member mentioned also After a site has been finally selected, it the road work in his electorate. I have takes quite a deal of time to prepare the indicated to him that I will advise him plans, call tenders and process them. Every officially of all the work that is proposed thing possible will be done to have the in the area. The Main Roads Department bridge and roadwork completed before the is working in the Bald Hills-Burpengary critical period of 1980. area, in which he is interested. Tenders The honourable member for Mirani spoke were called for the Roghan Road-Strathpine about the highway that has been declared Road section, which will be of four lanes, along the coast from Sarina south. It is and they were opened today. These tenders our intention to do some work along that will be considered by the department and highway as soon as we have completed the construction of the road should begin early widening of the Sarina-Marlborough road, in 1972. The Pine River Bridge, of two which previously was the highway leading lanes, will also be constructed during the to the North. The other road he mentioned next financial year. Then, of course, there the Mackay-Eton-Nebo road-is still being are the sections from the Pine River to financed from beef-roads funds, and we expect Redcliffe Road and from Redcliffe Road to that further funds will be made available Boundary Road. It is expected that these for the final section between Nebo and will be under construction soon, and in the Oxford Downs. Supply [30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) 2361 The honourable member sought some relief possible to comply with the conditions that for the maintenance of the Sar.na-Oxford we impose in their leases. I know there Downs road, which has suffered s~. erely are some who still criticise. I think the from the traffic necessitated by the develop honourable member for Logan criticised what ment at Goonye!la. We will extend sym is being done in the South Stradbroke Island pathetic consideration to the Nebo Shire area. Council when it has to do that work. I I recently called for a copy of the con am sure the honourable member will be ditions imposed by the Labor Government making representations on its behalf, and on many of the leases granted when it was we will do the same for him as we have in power, and I found that ~~st of them on previous occasions. were issued without any conditiOns at all. I remind the honourable member for We have altered that procedure. The con Baroona that no Government department's ditions associated with some of our mining activities are kept under lock and key. It is leases cover many pages of foolscap. Of the endeavour of the Government to introduce course they depended on inspections by the the Estimates of half the Government depart variou~ mining inspectors, and it is true ments one year and the other half the that some companies previously did not do next year, and it can happen that one depart a good job of rehabilitation, or regeneration ment will have its Estimates debated two -call it what you like. years in succession. The Estimates of the However, I was pleased to hear the hon Department of Health will be debated next. ourable member say that the present company If the honourable member makes a check, on Stradbroke Island is doing a relatively he will find that the Estimates of all Govern good job, even on the high dunes. This is ment departments have been discussed in the a difficult task, but from what I can see last two years. I do not know what the and from what my inspectors report to me previous procedure was, but I have been it is doing a fairly good job in that ar~a. informed that under a previous Government I know that when I was last there, qmte there were many occasions when the Estim a deal of grass and vegetation was visible. ates of only two or three departments were As a matter of fact, there were even discussed. There did not appear to be any kangaroos living off the grass that had been time limit set for the debate on any planted. department's Estimates. The honourable member for Rockhampton Mr. Bennett interjected. South spoke at length about the Capricorn Highway. This has been a bone of con Mr. CAMM: I took the opportunity to tention with Central Queensland members refer to "Hansard" and ascertain how long for many years. The honourable member the debate on the Estimates of a particular for Rockhampton South, the honourable department actually lasted. There is no member for Barcoo and even the honourable need for the honourable member to tell me member for Mackenzie have advocated that anything. He may live in a world where more money be spent on this road. We everyone tells him something, but I find endeavour to spend the available money on out these things for mysdf. If the honour roads where we think it will do the most able member wants to read the record of good, and I think everybody will concede previous Governments, let him refer to that the productive part of Central Queens "Hansard". land as it affects Rockhampton concerns The honourable member for Baroona was not only the Capricorn Highway but the concerned about communities being separated Dawson Valley and the Biloela area as by freeways. That problem occurs even in well. We have built good bitumen roads country areas where farms-the very liveli throughout this. area during the period that hood of the farmers-are cut in two because we have been m Government. of the necessity to construct or improve I remind the honourable member for Rock roads. hampton South that I lived in the area in The honourable member also wanted to question 20 or 3 0 years ago, an~ traveiled know who checks on Government expendi over enouah roads to know JUSt what ture. I think we have enough auditors and improveme;ts have been effected by this economists in the various departments to Government. If the honourable member inspect estimates and prices submitted by knows the road from Rockhampton to Bar contractors. He should realise that there are caldine, which is now classed as the Capri men in the Main Roads Department who corn Highway, he will be aware that we are capable of doing this, and also in the now have bitumen from Barcaldine to Long Auditor-General's Department-if that reach, and, with the new job now under became necessary. construction, it will be bitumen back as far The honourable member for Kurilpa spoke as Jericho. very well on the Estimates, and indicated Mr. Wright: What I was advocating was that the Mines Department is encouraging improvement of the Rockhampton-Emerald the various companies to confer with experts road. in the field of conservation. This we are doing at present. I think people in the Mr. CAMM: I know that. We are now conservation movement now recognise that faced with the problem of whether to c<:m the mining companies are doing everything tinue over the Drummond Range, which 2362 Supply (30 NOVEMBER 1971] (Estimates) the honourable member for Barcoo would Mr. CAMM: Not a bit! I am concerned like us to do, or spend more money in to ensure that we do everything possible to widening the road from Rockhampton to encourage the mining industry to keep going Emerald. With the development taking place and to keep expanding. In many instances in Blackwater and the further possible devel an allegation that an industry is going to opment from the Fairbairn Dam, I can see the pieces is the very thing that leads ultimately necessity for widening this road before we to its collapse. will be able to do very much on the other section, which is virtually unconstructed. I The honourable member claimed that our stress that we have spent over $8,000,000 coking coal was the best in the world. It on this road since we have been the Gov is not. ernment, and that is a considerable sum of Mr. Bennett: I say it is; I disagree with money. you. An accelerated programme has been plan ned for the next five years, and included Mr. CAMM: It is not. in it is the upgrading and widening of the Mr. Bennett: I am proud of Queensland. section between Rockhampton and Emerald. I think that within the next five years the Mr. CAMM: So am I; but it does not major portion of this upgrading and widening matter how proud I am, I do not allow my will be completed, and over the same period pride to cloud my judgment in dealing with we will be constructing west from the Drum overseas business people. It is readily mond Range. After that, we will be able accepted throughout the world that the best to concentrate on the Drummond Range coking coal is Pocahontas coal, which is itself. The expenditure that is programmed obtained in America. That is the coal that at present is $225,000 for the section between the high prices are paid for. It is blended Rockhampton and Emerald, and $619,000 with low-grade coal. Certain types of Queens for the one from Emerald to Barcaldine. In the light of those figures, no-one can land coal can go into the Japanese furnaces truthfully claim that we are neglecting this with very little blending, but it must not highway. be forgotten that Japan also has a coal industry and must buy high-grade coal from The honourable member for Yeronga various countries for blending with its own advocated the registration-or, as he called it, coal as well as with some coal that is the qualification-of contractors. We are imported from Queensland. registering contractors on some jobs. We realise that certain small contractors over I do not know why the honourable extend themselves and, without any mis member for South Brisbane had to encroach management, lack of knowledge or fault on the electorate of the honourable member of their own, find themselves in financial for Mackenzie. After all, the Minister for difficulties. They simply do not have an Conservation is one of the most ardent appreciation of what is involved in major members in the Chamber in his advocacy for structural work. We do not like seeing them roadworks in his electorate. Anyone who get into difficulties, so we are persuading travels through the Banana Shire or other them to take on smaller jobs. From small parts of his electorate will readily appreciate beginnings many have built themselves up how successful the honourable member for into major contractors and can now be regis Mackenzie has been in obtaining approval tered for any job offering in this State. for roadworks in his electorate, which is developing very rapidly, and both the depart The honourable member also raised the ment and I realise that it needs more bitumen matter of the Nyanda railway crossing. roads. Only this week I promised the hon During this financial year work will be ourable member additional money for the started on an interim scheme to provide a very road that the honourable member for separate right-hand-tum movement into South Brisbane mentioned. I suppose he has Fairlie Terrace, which will greatly improve friends in the Mackenzie electorate who asked the traffic flow at the crossing. In the mean him to raise this matter. He, and they, time, final plans for the overpass are being can rest assured that in the Minister for prepared, and negotiations for the resumption Conservation they have the most ardent of property required to accommodate the advocate possible. approach roadworks are in progress with Evans Deakin and Co. Pty. Ltd. When those I wonder why it is that the honourable negotiations are completed, an assesment will member for South Brisbane goes out of his be made as to when funds for the work can electorate. I have here a list of Opposition be allocated. members who, it is claimed, will not be The honourable member for South Bris receiving the endorsement of the Q.C.E. for bane-! am pleased to see him in the the next election. I wonder whether the Chamber-set himself up as a "knocker" of honourable member for South Brisbane is the mining industry. He sounded like a trying to make his alley good in the country prophet of doom and claimed that the area in the knowledge that his seat in South mining industry has "had it" and that we Brisbane will be in jeopardy. I assure him are in the doldrums. that the honourable member for Mackenzie Mr. Bennett: You must be very worried_ has the job ironed out. He is one member Commonwealth Places [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Administration, &c., Bill 2363 who is not afraid to allocate priorities on In the light of this decision, the Standing how he thinks money should be spent in his Committee of Attorneys-General agreed that own electorate. every effort should be made to restore the The honourable member for Ipswich West position to what it was thought to be before spoke at length about roadworks in her area the High Court's decision. as did also the honourable member fo; As a result, the Commonwealth Places Belmont, who advanced suggestions for the (Administration of Laws) Act 1970 was improvement of a particular bridge in his passed as mirror legislation of the Common area and a road that he claimed is becoming wealth Act, namely, the Commonwealth a subarterial road. I will look into the Places (Applicaton of Laws) Act. These matter and advise him what we can do to Acts enable State authorities and officers, alleviate his problems. by arrangement between the Governor I also thank the honourable member for General and the Governor of Queensland, Cooroora for his contribution to the debate. to exercise their powers, duties and functions At 9.55 p.m., under State law in relation to State laws applied as Commonwealth laws to Com The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. monwealth places, that is, to places acquired Lickiss): Order! Under the provisions of by the Commonwealth. Other provisions the Sessional Order agreed to by the House were contained in the Act to better enable on 19 October, I shall now put the questions State Jaws to apply to Commonwealth places for the Vote under consideration and the and to render less likely the hiatus which balance remaining unvoted for the Depart arose through the decision of the High ment of Mines and Main Roads. Court. The questions for the following Votes were The Act was to remain in force until 31 put, and agreed to- December 1971 and no longer, as it was hoped that by then further decisions of the Department of Mines and Main Roads High Court might clarify the constitutional $ position and that steps might be taken to Chief Office 1,212,648 alter the provisions of the Constitution which Balance of Department, gave rise to the problem. These hopes have not been realised, and, although the Consolidated Revenue, States consider that an amendment of the Trust and Special Funds Constitution must be undertaken and that and Loan Fund Account 108,010,307 the State legislation is a very temporary Progress reported. and partial answer, it now appears that the Commonwealth's attitude is that time COMMONWEALTH PLACES (ADMINI is needed to ascertain the extent of the STRATION OF LAWS) ACT AMEND problems with a view to continuing legisla MENT BILL tion piece by piece to solve the problems, hoping eventually to solve them all without INITIATION IN COMMITTEE recourse to amendment of the Constitution. (Mr. Lickiss, Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) It has now become clear that the position is unlikely to be altered to any great extent Hon. W. E. KNOX (Nundah-Actina by 31 December 1971, when the State Minister for Justice) (9.59 p.m.): I move~ Act expires. It is therefore necessary to "That a Bill be introduced to amend the extend the Act for a further period to Commonwealth Places (Administration of maintain the status quo, and the Bill pro Laws) Act 1970 in certain particulars." vides for the Act to continue in force until It has been accepted since the inception of 31 December 1972. the Commonwealth that the general laws of The other States which have similar Acts the States applied in respect of places within expiring on 31 December 1971 also pro those States acquired by the Commonwealth pose to extend their respective Acts. for public purposes, subject always to the For constitutional reasons, one minor overriding powers of the Commonwealth in amendment of our State Act is necessary. relation to certain specific matters. When the Act was passed, section 4 (1) Section 52 of the Commonwealth Con referred to "the exercise or performance of stitution provides that the Commonwealth a power, duty or function by an authority Parliament should subject to the Constitu of the State (not being a Court)". In accord tion, have exclusi~e powers to make laws ance with the terminology of the Common for peace and order and good government of wealth Judicature Act, the Commonwealth the Commonwealth with respect to, amongst Act, when finally passed, used the description other places, all places acquired by the "(not being a power, duty or function involv Commonwealth for public purposes. ing the exercise of judicial power)", which, legally, is more accurate and correct. To In July 1970, the High Court of Australia bring our legislation into proper conformity handed down a decision the effect of which with the Commonwealth Act, the Bill deletes was to throw in doubt the extent of the the phrase "(not being a Court)" wherever operation of the laws of the States in, and in it appears in that subsection. There does relation to, places acquired by the Common not appear to be any necessity to spell the wealth for public purposes. matter out further, since our Governor can 2364 Commonwealth Places (30 NOVEMBER 1971] Administration, &c., Bill make only the agreement which the Com Mr. R. E. Moore: The Gallup Poll would monwealth Act empowers the Governor have disappointed you. General to make. This short Bill therefore contains only Mr. BENNETT: The honourable member two provisions, one of which is inserted for Windsor probably does not understand to achieve uniformity and the other to the Gallup Poll. I get around and conduct extend the existing legislation. my own polls, and I know what Queens landers are thinking. I certainly understand I commend the Bill to the Committee. why Billy McMahon does not want an election within the next 12 months. Mr. BENNETT (South Brisbane) (10.4 p.m.): This Bill clearly indicates the uncer I endeavoured to persuade the Minister for tainty of thinking in the minds of both Justice, at the time and since then, that the the Commonwealth Government and this words "(not being a Court)" in section 4 Government. Certainly this field of law should have been removed. But, of course, is uncertain and insecure, and the High Government members cannot be told any Court-in fact, many Supreme Courts in thing till difficulties are encountered in the the various other States-has sought legisla practical application of the law. At long last, tive guidance and certainty on some legisla a further amendment is being made. Will the tions, both Commonwealth and State, in Acting Minister for Justice clearly indicate order that the uncertainty in the law can to the Committee for how long the present be ironed out and removed. But we find Act will remain in force? Is the new section that the Federal Government, in the first 15 to read, "This Act shall remain in force place, is more concerned with re-establishing until the 31st day of December 1972, and no the prestige of Billy McMahon, following longer."? his great overseas debacle and, because it is getting late in the year and close to Mr. Tucker: He has his "junior counsel" both State and Federal elections, this Gov there now. ernment is introducing this haphazard, make Mr. BENNETT: Yes, his "junior counsel'' shift, piecemeal legislation. This is costing is reading with him now, and, by the look Australian taxpayers a lot of money. of it, he has rather a mixed-up brief. It looks We well remember the Minister for Justice, rather higgledy-piggledy. who is now sojourning in England, intro What is going to happen to this legislation, ducing on 2 December 1970 what was in and what does the Law Reform Commission fact, if my memory serves me correctly, one think about it? This is an involved, compli of the last Bills introduced last year. It cated field of law. I understand that Mr. was No. 45 of 1970. What he said on Bruce McPherson, a great jurist and acade that occasion was almost the same as the mician, and a person who has done consid.er Acting Minister has said tonight. Incident able work in law reform, intends to resign ally, we are becoming confused over who from the Law Reform Commission because will be the Acting Deputy fill-in Minister he is disgusted with the lethargy of the Gov for Justice and Attorney-General. On ernment. I have no doubt that Mr. Jack behalf of the judiciary, all the lawyers of Rowell, who was a competitor with Charles Queensland and the Law Reform Commis Porter for the Toowong seat at the last sion, I express resentment at the way this election will also resign from the Law important portfolio is being treated so lightly Reform' Commission because he, too, is and with such levity, and without due con disgusted with the inaction of the Govern sideration, by the Government in throwing into this portfolio any old "odd or sod" who ment. To use an expression that illustrates has nothing else to do. one's real thoughts, they have had a "gutful" of the Government and its attitude to law We hear this evening that it is intended to reform. extend the operation of this law. Section 15 The Law Reform Commission has failed, of the previous Act provided that "This Act not because it did not do its work and not shall remain in force until the 31st day of because it has not made submissions that December 1971, and no longer." We were are of practical importance, but because its assured by the Minister for Justice-the submissions have been made to a Minister official one, who is in absentia-at this time for Justice who has been more concerned last year that this Act was to remain in force with getting himself off to a secure sinecure until 31 December 1971, and no longer. in London than with accepting recommenda There has also been confused thinking on tions made by the Law Reform Commission, the part of the Federal Attorney-General. at tremendous expense, over a period of three Incidentally, there have been a few of them, years. too. The last one has now resigned in disgust Another disgusted person is Mr. Raymund and left the Liberal Party to return to the Smith, the friend of the honourable n:ember security of his practice because he is so for Windsor. So disgusted is he with the dissatisfied with the present Cabinet, which efforts of the Law Reform Commission that is the worst ever in the Federal sphere. he is coming back, he thinks, to replace and There have been various Attorneys-General supplant the Attorney-General on the Gov in both the Federal and State spheres. No ernment benches-that is, of course, if the wonder there is confusion in the law! Government is returned to office. I have said Commonwealth Places [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Administration, &c., Bill 2365 to him, "Nevertheless, we will replace you charge. In May 1970 an application for leave on the Law Reform Commission when we to appeal against the conviction on these are returned next year." charges out of time was granted, and as it Mr. W. D. Hewitt: The word is that you appeared that the building referred to are going to do a "Tom Hughes" yourself. belonged to Her Majesty in right of the Com monwealth, the conviction was quashed. Mr. BENNETT: In reply to that inter jection, I say to the honourable member for That is another involved question of law Chatsworth that I have never funked a fight whether certain places belong to Her Majesty in my life. and the right of a State, which is a Crown It was hitherto thought that State criminal instrumentality, and the right of the Com law applied to Commonwealth places, and I monwealth. It was decided in Spall's case think the Minister has pointed out that that the place belonged to Her Majesty, and, "Commonwealth places" referred to in the in the light of the decisions in R. v. Graham legislation under review are those dealt with (1969), and Graham v. The Queen, which in section 52 of the Commonwealth Con was decided by the High Court on 16 April stitution, which says 1970 but, unfortunately, so far as I know, has never been reported (perhaps the Minister "The Parliament shall, subject to this can tell me whether it has since been Constitution, have exclusive power to make reported), Spall spent 12 months in gaol laws for the peace, order, and good govern before a decision was discovered by some ment of the Commonwealth with respect "eager beaver" of a counsel. The case was to argued in the Full Court of New South Wales (i) The seat of government of the and the judgment was delivered by Jacobs Commonwealth, and all places acquired J. A., who followed the decision of the High by the Commonwealth for public pur Court in R. v. Graham, which was a majority poses:". decision, and Spall had to be allowed out of Although that provision was in the Constitu gaol after being there for 12 months. tion, it was considered by the States and many jurists that, nevertheless, State laws, both civil This is not an easy field of law, but one and criminal, would apply. It was only after would think that the several Parliaments, some criminal cases came up for considera both Federal and State, after having con tion-there are now three famous ones-and sidered the matter for a pedod of 12 months, the application of section 52 of the Con would have been able to evolve a scheme, stitution to State legislation, both civil and intricate though it might be, to safeguard criminal-but, in the main, criminal-was future litigants against the possibility of considered that it was decided by very narrow confusion. majorities in the High Court that State laws did not apply to Commonwealth places as I have dealt with Phillips's case. As I say, defined in the Commonwealth Constitution. that was a Western Australian case. There was also what was known as Worthing's In what was known as Phillips's case case, in New South Wales. It dealt with incidentally, it was decided by a majority of an R.A.A.F. base, just as Phillips's case did. four to three-- Sir Garfield Barwick must be acknowledged Mr. Hughes: Was that the workers' com as an outstanding jurist and lawyer, and pensation case relating to the Richmond air he is Chief Justice of ~he High Court. port? Incidentally, the report indicates that Bar wick C. J. and Menzies J. willingly came Mr. BENNETT: It was not a workers' to their decision, but McTiernan J. and compensation case. Don't be such an Owen J. reluctantly answered "Yes". So ignoramus! It was a criminal case, and, as a that four of them were on the "Yes" side, matter of fact, it dealt with the law at Pearce two willingly and two reluctantly, and the Aerodrome in Western Australia. It was other three members of the High Court decided in that case that the term "Common were on the "No" side. Obviously it was wealth places" was not fully defined and that an involved and complicated problem, because State Parliaments can do nothing to overcome seven High Court judges sat on the case. the problem. That is not normally done unless the law Then there was the case of Regina v. is involved. I appeared before the High Spall, reported in 1970 91 Weekly Notes, New Court sittings in Queensland this year in what I believe was the only case on which South Wales, at page 327. Spall was charged with breaking, entering and stealing from a seven judges sat. building belonging to Her Majesty, contrary The report reads to section 112 of the Crimes Act, 1900, as "Barwick C. J. baldly asserted: 'by virtue amended-that, of course, is the New South of the exclusiveness of the power given Wales Crimes Act-and with a breach of to the Commonwealth (in s. 52 (i)), the recognisance. In May 1969 he was convicted States, in my opinion, lose all legislative of these charges, and in September 1969 he power, not merely the power to make a was sentenced to 3! years' hard labour, to new law but the legislative power which date from 6 March 1969, on the first charge could support the continued operation of and to one year concurrent on the second an existing law in the place acquired.'" 76 2366 Commonwealth Places [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Administration, &c., Bill Sir Garfield Barwick, in typical form, was What is the result of this trilogy of cases quite confident and assured in his opinion. -the Worthing case in June 1970, the When one realises that the division of judges Phillips case in November and the final in the High Court was four to three, and case on this point, known as the Stocks and noticing particularly that our own outstand Holdings case heard in December last year? ing jurist from Queensland who sat on that We had all that material available to us when this legislation was presented to this court-Mr. Justice Gibbs-went against the Chamber last year, and we have been mark Chief Justice on that occasion, one can ing time for the 12 months. We know that understand the complicated thoughts that the law now says that, having regard to must present themselves to the top lawyers the decisions that are binding on us, the in the land. Yet, after a period of 12 pre-Federation law as at 31 December 1900 months, doubtless because there was not is saved by section 108 of the Commonwealth much political mileage in the problem, Gov Constitution. Time does not permit me ernments have been too lazy and too uninter to read that section, but it is in the Con ested to produce a system of law that is stitution. This law enforced in the Colony, clear-cut and well-defined. to use a criterion in section 108, includes laws enacted by the Colony itself, and there The Worthing case showed a rather pre is another New South Wales case which posterous result, which began to show itself is the authority for that observation. It throughout the length and breadth of Aus is R. v. Bamford. tralia. Drug charges against a National Serviceman at the Canungra Jungle Training The second result of the trilogy of cases Centre were dismissed in Queensland. Unfor is that section 108 proceeds to continue the erstwhile Colony's powers of alteration tuna~ely, that case is not reported in the or repeal of the pre-Federation law just official annals of court reports but it was given, at least-and I emphasise these words referred to in "The Sunday Mail" of 16 because I am trying to galvanise somebody August 1970. There was a time, of course into action, if we could only get a permanent when the old "Brisbane Courier" report~ Attorney-General-until provision is made were officially recognised. Some of the in that behalf by Federal Parliament. editions of that newspaper that were pub li~hed in the early part of the century are (Time expired.) still regarded as authentic records in the Mr. HUGHES (Kurilpa) (10.24 p.m.): law courts of this and other States, but have a few words to say because, after contemporary Press reports are not so hearing the waffling of the honourable mem regarded. ber for South Brisbane, many people in Although the report I refer to appears the community could be excused for being in 'The Sunday Mail" of 16 August 1970 confused and, in fact, for having a feeling we have no official report of that case i~ of frustration. It is quite evident that the which a Na~i~nal Serviceman at the Canu~gra honourable member used his opportunity to Jungle Trammg Centre was charged with speak more for political purposes and stirring a drug offence, and, pursuant to the earlier than to make a common-sense approach to High Court decision, the courts had to decide a community problem. If only he understood t~at. they had no jurisdiction to try him. that there would be a tremendous and grave Similar charges against National Servicemen community problem if this Bill-- at the Puckapunyal Military Camp were Mr. Bennett: If I wanted to stir, I could ?ismissed in Victoria. In other proceedings tell them about your "crook" cheques. 1t was urged that alleged offences of man slaughter, forgery, theft, indecent language Mr. HUGHES: I thought the honourable and a whole catalogue of cases should not member and I came to an understanding be dealt with. that I would not tell the truth about him Criminal law, as well as civil law applies if he did not tell lies about me. He would in this field of controversy. The Common be happy to accept my cheque at any time. wealth has enacted what is officially known The honourable member should understand as the Commonwealth Places (Application that it is necessary for all States to bring in of Laws) Act of 1970. It is referred to such a Bill, otherwise people would have colloquially in the profession as the no protection in crimes and other happen "assimilative" Act, and it gives lawyers a ings on Commonwealth property. In his rather disappointed and frustrated feeling speech the honourable member seemed to to know that although the High Court put forward a view that sacrificed safety through its various judges, most of who~ and good order for a very dubious political have delivered their own personal judg gain. ments on the matter following earlier High The Bill will give State police the right to Court decisions, has given Parliaments and act on Commonwealth property and the right their legal advisers, over a period of at to prosecute in State courts charges arising least three years, all the material on which from crimes committed on or involving Com efficient legislation can be prepared, it is monwealth property. All States are imple now going to be jettisoned, or postponed or menting these provisions, and I remember pigeon-holed, for yet another 12 months that they were introduced originally because because this Parliament will not meet again of the number of cases referred to by the until about this time next year. honourable member for South Brisbane. I am C'wealth Places, &c., Bill [30 NovEMBER 1971] Queensland Law, &c., Bill 2367 surprised that he left the first of such cases Mr. Bennett interjected. the Worthing case at Richmond-till last, and that was why I interjected earlier. I thought Mr. HUGHES: I have never committed a he was getting his order of precedence mixed crime. By the same token, this House needs up-but then, of course, he is often a very members of common sense and understand mixed-up member of Parliament. I believe ing. Instead of misconstruing the provisions that by all States acting in unison the people of the Bill and misleading other honourable will be afforded the necessary protection. members and people outside Parliament, the legal M.L.A. from South Brisbane should When the Acts were passed by this and the have remained silent. We must pass this other States, a time limit of 12 months was legislation because we believe that people imposed, for one obvious reason, namely, to come before politics. While we do so we galvanise the Commonwealth into taking will implement legislation to provide the some action. Surely the honourable member necessary protection for them. That is why for South Brisbane must know-if he did, we are here, regardless of the political kudos he deliberately concealed it-that to enable that the honourable member for South the Commonwealth to have proper authority Brisbane may believe he gains by speaking the Commonwealth Constitution will need to as he did. be amended-and that cannot be done in five minutes. Hon. W. E. Kl'IOX (Nundah-Acting Mr. Bennett: It can be done in five years. Minister for Justice) (10.31 p.m.), in reply: I thank honourable members for their con Mr. HUGHES: The honourable member tributions, although I was somewhat dis is hopeless. Only one year has elapsed since appointed by the personal references made by the Act was proclaimed, and by this Bill we the honourable member for South Brisbane are extending the period by another year. The at the beginning of his speech. His contribu honourable member is aware that a federal tion on the cases he referred to was of election will be held next year, and that academic interest. I am sure that honourable will be an appropriate time to amend the members followed it with as much interest Constitution. This Bill allows the State to as I did. apply the laws that prevail in the State to The honourable member for Kurilpa Commonwealth property. Previously, tech alluded to the social problems that could nically, one person could murder another in arise if the gap is not adequately covered the lane at the General Post Office with by suitable legislation. One of the very impunity. But for this Bill what authority interesting points relative to this legislation would the State police have to act in such is the relationship that exists between the a crime? Without this Bill how could anyone State and the Commonwealth not only at the who committed a crime at the airport or in constitutional level but under an agreement a telephone booth be charged with an between the Governor-General and the offence? People need protection. Governor, to which reference is made in it. If the honourable member is going to use That shows that, even though constitutional his position in Parliament for personal gain problems arise from time to time which rather than providing protection to people, could be to the detriment of the public the public should be told. What authority through failure to attend to them, machinery would our State police have to charge a is available to look after the interests of the person who, say, bashed or robbed another public. The Act and this amending legisla at the airport? Without this Act they wonld tion refer to some of the machinery that is not have any authority. Yet the honourable available by way of agreement between the member is prepared to say that, because it is Governor of the State and the Governor a Commonwealth matter, this Bill should not General of the Commonwealth. be passed. Maybe the Commonwealth has Motion (Mr. Knox) agreed to. not put its house in order, but it cannot do so in five minutes. Let us use some common Resolution reported. sense and, at all times, let us provide the necessary protection to the people. It is FIRST READING absolutely essential that we pass this Bill. Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. I would much prefer arguments based on common sense to those of a legal ignoramus Knox, read a first time. or brain-drained barrister. The honourable member for South Brisbane pretended to QUEENSLAND LAW SOCIETY ACT know something about this matter, but AMENDMENT BILL showed his ignorance and ineptitude. Perhaps he has shown his complete unwillingness to lNITIAT10N IN COMMITTEE provide people with the protection they (Mr. Houghton, Redcliffe, in the chair) deserve. Unfortunately, the people would think Hon. W. E. KNOX (Nundah-Acting they enjoyed that protection. A crime can Minister for Justice) (10.33 p.m.): I move be committed on any Commonwealth pro "That a Bill be introduced to amend the perty, so it is necessary to provide the people Queensland Law Society Acts 1952 to with protection. 1967 in a certain particular." 2368 Queensland Law Society [30 NovEMBER 1971] Act Amendment Bill The Queensland Law Society Acts, 1952 to As the whole purpose of the Legai Pr:Jc 1957, provide for the government of the titioners' Fidelity Guarantee Fund is to solicitors' branch of the legal profession in ensure that members of the public are com Queensland. This control is achieved mainly pletely protected in these circumstances, it by providing for the incorporation of the is considered that instead of raising the Queensland Law Society and the issuing of statutory limit as requested by the council annual practising certificates. to $100,000, a more appropriate method of dealing with situations such as these would A further provision of the Act concerns be to permit the council in any particular the establishment and administration of a case, after taking into account all liabilities fund called the Legal Practitioner's Fidelity ascertained or contingent and whether the Guarantee Fund. The fund is vested in the assets of the fund so permit, to make pay society and held in trust for the purpose of ment of such sum, in excess of the total payment of all claims, including costs amount limited, as it thinks fit. This then allowed or established against the fund. Th~ is the sole purpose of the Bill. fund consists of annual contributions or levies I commend the Bill to the Committee. paid by practising practitioners, interest accrued from the investment of the fund Mr. BENNETT (South Brisbane) (10.38 all sums given or advanced by the society: p.m.): It must be conceded that there is all moneys recovered by or on behalf of the nothing objectionable in the Bill. I hope ~ociety and any other moneys lawfully paid those few frank words will not be mis mto the fund. construed and misconceived by the aspiring Minister for Justice the honourable member Included in these last-mentioned moneys for Kurilpa, who is' trying to ingratiate him is that portion of interest payable to the self so much these days. fund by virtue of the provisions of the By and large, the Queensland Law Society Legal Assistance Act 1965-1971. This interest is derived from moneys required to be does a very good job. In spite of what i~ deposited by solicitors with the society and said about it from time to time, I have found, as a Parliamentarian, that it thor invested by the society. It can be seen, oughly and conscientiously investigates any therefore, that the fund is, either directly complaints made to it by individuals, Parlia or indirectly, financed almost totally by the mentarians, or any other person who has legal profession. The Act also provides that an interest in seeking its assistance. Quite the fund be maintained at not less than $600,000. frankly, I admit that, in years gone by. I also shared the popular belief that the The principal purpose of the fund is for society did not conscientiously and enthusi the reimbursing of persons who may suffer astically inquire into or investigate com pecuniary loss through stealing or fraudulent plaints. I am now satisfied that it does. misappropriation by a practising practitioner Mr. Hughes: What is its attitude to the or by his clerk or servant, of any mone; Lamb case? or other property entrusted to him or to his clerk or servant Mr. BENNETT: I might say, with due respect to the member who interjected, that (1) In the course of his practice; or the Lamb case concerned an erstwhile mem (2) On account of any trust of which ber of the firm of Morris Fletcher & Cross. J he is the sole or a joint trustee; or bear them no ill-will, although, for obvious reasons, they have never briefed me. (3) On account of any trust of which he is the sole or a joint trustee and in Mr. W. D. Hewitt: They have impeccable respe~~ of which he acts as a practising taste. practitiOner. Mr. BENNETT: They share the politics 1t is provided that the total amount which of the honourable member who interjects. may be applied in the reimbursement of all In the Lamb case, an application to perst?ns who suffer pecuniary loss through practise as a barrister in this State was heard steahng or fraudulent misappropriation by by the Full Court of Queensland, after His the same practising practitioner or firm of Honour Mr. Justice Lucas retired from the practitioners or his or their clerk or servant Bench. The unanimous decision of the two shall_ not exceed, in respect of any such remaining judges was that Mr. Lamb should stealmg or fraudulent misappropriation, the be admitted to practise as a barrister. Further sum of $60,000. The council of the society appeals were lodged in the High Court of ~as_ made representations that the present Australia. They were heard last week, and hm1t of $60,000 be increased to $100,000. the High Court of Australia decided not to Should a practising practitioner or his clerk grant special leave to appeal against the or_ servant steal or fraudulently misappro decision of the Full Court of Queensland. pnate a sum of money or other property As a Parliamentarian and a responsible ~f _a total value g_rea.ter than the statutory member of the community, I am prepared to limit of $60,000, It Is patent that, as the: accept the unanimous decision of the Full law now stands, some or all of the members Court of this State and the High Court of of the public affected by this defalcation Australia. Although Chris Lamb was a would not be completely protected. member of a firm of solicitors who have never Queensland Law Society [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Act Amendment Bill 2369 briefed me, I do not propose to "savage" the clients should not have to suffer when him or comment adversely upon the decision it does. I am pleased to see that the over of the High Court. all amount is being increased. We have just heard the honourable member When the honourable member for Kurilpa for Kurilpa say that we should be doing interrupted me, I was saying that this all we can to safeguard respect for, and the should not happen in the legal profession, prestige of, our democratic instrumentalities, but it does. However, it happens only in rather than encouraging those who would very isolated instances. If statistics were destroy them. All I am saying about the kept, I think it would be found that the Queensland Law Society is that it has, in dishonest solicitor is a rare exception. But regard to certain matters of investigation, there are dishonest solicitors, just as there limited resources. The secretary of the are dishonest people in other walks of life, society, Beryl Tonkin, is certainly experi and I do not suppose it is for us to judge enced. She is competent and conscientious, them when they succumb to temptation, and her integrity cannot be questioned in because other people in a similar situation any way. She does a lot for the society, and, could also succumb. One could well say, in most administrative and material matters, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." she virtually is the Queensland Law Society When it does happen, the person concerned between their meetings. To be fair, I must is suitably dealt with. Although the good admit that there is a certain amount of reputation of the legal profession is tarnished, cronyism in the Queensland Law Society, just it is not fair to blacken the name of all as Mr. Jim Killen says there is cronyism in legal men because in isolated instances the present Federal Cabinet. However, that someone is caught up in defalcations and does not necessarily make for dishonesty or dealt with. inefficiency. Incidentally, for the benefit of those who have a misunderstanding in these In one of the volumes of the Queens matters-the honourable member for Towns land Law Reports to which reference can ville South is one of them-the Queensland be made, there is reported the case of Law Society has nothing to do with practising a person whose reputation I do not wish barristers; they come under another to spare. Because I think it is very battered disciplinary board. by now in the eyes of those who know him, I feel at liberty to refer to the report The Queensland Law Society will investi appearing at page 407, 1961 Queensland gate, or have investigated, any complaints State Reports, which indicates the authority against solicitors of malpractice, inefficiency that the Statutory Committee of the Queens or negligence. I understand the Minister to land Law Society has and what it can do say that the main purpose of the Bill is, if there is misappropriation. in effect, to increase the indemnity and fidelity fund from $60,000 to $100,000. Time does not permit me this evening Naturally, that is desirable, because we are to deal with the unfortunate case in which now living in an age of bigger business, in a solicitor is negligent in the civil sense of which solicitors' trust accounts contain more the term. Of course, we can all be guilty money than they previously held. This, too, of negligence at times, either in our driving is a period of inflation, in which money or in our method of work. For instance, does not have the value that it once had. a person does not cut his finger if ~c Solicitors' fidelity guarantee funds need to is not negligent. He does not try to cut It. be increased to cover possible losses through A legal practitioner does not mess up a misappropriation and embezzlement. One client's case deliberately, in the normal would expect, and hope, that such things sense of the term, but he can be negligent would never happen. They should not, of through some oversight, or perhaps beca~se course, happen with professional men who he is fatigued or worried, or is suffermg have in their trust accounts moneys belong from some type of physical or mental ill ing not to them but to their clients. How health. There are still instances in which ever, hard, cold reality forces us to the negligence occurs and the practitioner is understanding and conviction that it does so busy that the insurance funds that he happen, is happening, and will continue to uses to indemnify himself have been happen. exhausted before the claims of all clients for moneys to which they are entitled are Mr. Hughes: Not always by the legal satisfied. man himself, but sometimes by his staff. However, I do not wish to burden the Mr. BENNETI: That is so. One big Minister with the field of negligence in firm of solicitors in this city-incidentally, which claims made by clients against solicitors are not satisfied, because that it does a lot of Government, semi really requires a special submission. I men government and hospital work, and so on, tion it only because I have knowledge of and no doubt is composed of skilled and one or two solicitors who, although they efficient legal men-employed for some time are decent fellows, got themselves into a female clerk who was able to divest it of difficulties through over work, inefficiency, quite a large amount of money through and a little bit of ill health, not through its trust account. So it does happen, and any act of dishonesty, and whose client~ 2370 Queensland Law Society [30 NovEMBER 1971] Act Amendment Bill were left lamenting because their insurance the order of the Statutory Committee that indemnities did not cover the claims that the solicitor be struck off the roll of they were called upon to meet. solicitors and that he pay costs fixed at The case of deiiberate defalcation to £925 5s. 5d. Counsel for the solicitor which I wish to refer is Re Hally, a asked that the order be that costs be Solicitor, which is reported in 1961 Queens taxed but the Statutory Committee declined State Reports at page 407. I mention his to make that order." name because the case was well publicised at the time. The report indicates, as I said Incidentally, counsel for the solicitor was earlier, what the Statutory Committee of the Mr. Gilmour, now deceased, a very able and Queensland Law Society can do, and what competent barrister. it did in this particular case. The report It was further reported refers to section 6 (1) (a) of the Queens "Held, by the Full Court that to say land Law Society Acts, 1927 to 1952. It says that the Statutory Committee was able to arrive at an apparently almost immediate "... the Statutory Committee of the Society is empowered to hear charges of conclusion that each and every item men malpractice professional misconduct or tioned by counsel was fair and reasonable, unprofessional conduct or practice against appears to be a feat of mental agility practitoners. By r. 68B of the Rules made beyond what should be credited to them, pursuant to the same Act it is provided and that their order should be varied to that a practitioner shall after being called provide that costs be taxed. on by the Council so to do give to the "Quaere whether the Council can, under Council a sufficient and satisfactory the guise of prescribing the duties of a explanation touching any matter relating secretary, delegate to the secretary, or to his conduct or practice in his profession. authorise a Committee to delegate to the By r. 109 any person contravening any provision of the Rules shall be guilty of secretary, authority to determine the con an offence which, save and except where tents of a letter which cal!s upon a the Statutory Committee is empowered to practitioner for an explanation of his con deal therewith, shall be prosecuted sum duct in reference to one of his clients." marily at petty sessions under the pro Rule 76 was then referred to, but I do not visions of the Justices Acts." propose to read it again. That provision, whereby the Statutory Com The then Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Dixon, mittee was entitled to prosecute summarily under the Justices Acts, sometimes raised Mr. Justice Menzies and Mr. Justice the eyebrows of citizens who asked, "If a Windeyer sat on the High Court, which solicitor has committed such a serious held- defalcation, why should he be merely prose that r. 76 should be read subject cuted in a summary way under the Justices to and not as ansmg superior to the Acts?" power of the Statutory Committee to strike That matter eventually went to the High off the rolls as contained in effect in sub Court of Australia. It was held by the sec. (3) of sec. 6, and thus as not entitling Full Court of Queensland the Statutory Committee to exercise its "... that r. 109 does not purport to power of striking off the roll or suspending, take away jurisdiction from the Statutory or making some other order which the Committee. Irrespective of the provisions Court would have had power to make, of r. 109, if the Statutory Committee is unless in the end it is of opinion that to have jurisdiction to deal with a breach within the meaning of subsec. (3) of sec. 6, of r. 68B, the breach must amount to mal there has been what the profession calls practice, professional misconduct, or malpractice or professional misconduct or unprofessional conduct or practice. A unprofessional conduct or practice. So breach of r. 68B is covered by the pro visions of s. 6 (1) (a). construed r. 76 is valid and should be upheld as within s. 5 (9)." "By r. 38 of the same Rules the Statutory Committee may in its discretion Those are the powers of the Statutory Com award costs and may either fix the amount mittee, and the members of the High Court or direct taxation of such costs." held that rule 76 is valid and should be That is typical of what the Statutory Com upheld. They then referred to what rule 3 mittee does, and I am quoting this case of the Rules of Court provided and it was because it is set out so succinctly. further held by the High Court that rule 3 does not require the Statutory Committee, The report continues before fixing a date for the actual hearing, to "At the conclusion of a hearing before hold a preliminary hearing at which the the Statutory Committee against a solicitor, solicitor is heard. Again, as in the Chris the Chairman asked counsel for the Society Lamb case, having given its decision on those if he had any information as to costs. points of law, the High Court refused leave Counsel read out a list of costs amounting to appeal against the striking-off of Hally as to £925 5s. 5d. The chairman announced a solicitor. Queensland Law, &c., Bill [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Plague Grasshoppers, &c., Bill 2371 That case proved that the rules made under replenished. By this means an inhibition that the Queensland Law Society Act are valid, may have been facing the council in any and that they give to the Statutory Com specific case where the amount exceeded mittee of the Queensland Law Society com $60,000 is removed. plete jurisdiction to discipline a defaulting Mr. Hughes: How is this financed? solicitor and strike him off the roll. In addition, if the charge can be proved, as it Mr. KNOX: I set that out in my original normally can be when a solicitor dabbles with ;;peech. There are several sources of funds. l his trust account-auditors from the Auditor think the honourable member may recall that General's Department and the Justice Depart when we introduced an amending Bill some ment examine his books-not only is he time ago there was quite a controversy about struck off the roll as a practising solicitor but the interest on solicitors' trust account he is also subject to the same charge under the moneys in the banks. We felt that the money Criminal Code as any other citizen would should have gone to some other place. It is all be-and rightly so. No doubt, he is also financed by the solicitors themselves, and the given a fair trial. Incidentally, he can be principal source of revenue is the interest on struck off the roll by the Queensland Law the balances in the accounts. Society and, when charged on indictment in the Criminal Court, might well be acquitted Motion (Mr. Knox) agreed to. by the jury. But that will not upset the Resolution reported. decision by the Queensland Law Society if it bas backed up its decision with proper evi FIRST READING dence and the solicitor has failed in his appeal Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. Knox, to the High Court. read a first time. Mr. Hughes interjected. PLAGUE GRASSHOPPERS EXTERMINA Mr. BENNETT: That is what I tried to hammer into the honourable member's head. TION ACT AMENDMENT BILL I appreciate that it is a logical and fair INITIATION IN COMMITTEE question and I am not deriding it, but it is due to misunderstanding of the law-as the (Mr. Houghton, Redcliffe, in the chair) honourable member for Townsville South Hon. J. A. ROW (Hinchinbrook misunderstands it. When a man in the Minister for Primary Industries) (11.3 p.m.): Criminal Court is found not guilty it does not I move mean that he is found to be innocent; the "That a Bill be introduced to amend the standard of proof in the Criminal Court is Plague Grasshoppers Extermination Act of proof beyond reasonable doubt. It is a 1937 in certain particulars." wonderful principle of British justice that an accused in the dock is deemed to be innocent This is only a very short Bill; nonetheless it and must be tried by his peers, and the is a very important one. Crown, because it has all the resources at its I think all honourable members will be disposal, must prove him guilty beyond aware of the massive build-up of both plague reasonable doubt. If he is found guilty he is locusts and spur-throated locusts in various guilty beyond reasonable doubt, but if he is areas of Queensland this year. This build-up found not guilty it merely means that the presented a real threat, because th~e insects charge is not proven. It is not a finding of can cause untold damage to crops m a very innocence, and one reason why I have often short time. Any programme of control or argued in the interests of accused people eradication must therefore be capable of that they should not be entitled to costs is rapid implementation when a build-up that juries might then be inclined to find occurs. them guilty. But when a solicitor is found guilty under this section, his penalty is much The Plaaue Grasshoppers Extermination greater than that of the ordinary citizen. Act of 193l provides the necessary legislative backing for control and eradication meas (Time expired.) ures. However the Act is deficient in a couple of important areas. This Bill is Hon. W. E. KNOX (Nundah-Acting designed to correct those deficiencies. Minister for Justice) (10.59 p.m.), in reply: I am indebted to the honourable member The present Act confers power on a local for South Brisbane for his dissertation on the authority in a declared district to. form a history of this Bill. I am sure it has been district plague grasshopper destruct10~ co~ of interest to honourable members. I should mittee. The function of such a committee IS like to correct one misapprehension he seems to co-ordinate action against the locusts over to have about the amount that will be paid the whole district. This involves the supply from the fund. I stated that the request was of very substantial quantities of materials, for $100,000, but we felt that it could be any and naturally calls for substantial finance. amount so long as the fund was able to meet Under the Act as it presently stands, a local the commitment. Of course, there is an authority can give limited financial assistance obligation to keep the fund at a minimum of to a district plague grasshopper destruction $600,000, so the council would have the committee, but problems arise if a plague responsibility of seeing that the fund was occurs after the local authority has brought 2372 Plague Grasshoppers [30 NoVEMBER 1971] Extermination Act, &c., Bill down its budget. The present Bill is designed the 1937 debate on the original Bill. In to overcome this problem. It will enable a quoting from "Life", dated 26 July 1937, local authority to provide finance for the the attention of members was directed to purpos~ of locust control at any time. Any the fact that, in the United States, to expenditure for this purpose will then be prevent grasshopper-plague damage exceed recoverable in the normal way by the local ing $80,000,000, the Federal Government, authority. the States, counties and individual farmers One important aspect of locust control is were spending $3,000,000 on a hopper war. that it must be co-ordinated if it is to be I assure the Minister that the Opposition is effective. Methods of control are available well aware of the necessity to upgrade even ~hough they are costly. However, it i~ legislation in order to ensure more effective essential that uniform action be taken on all control in the light of new knowledge and properties in an infested area if the spread new extermination techniques. In this IS to be checked. The Bill will facilitate this field, at a certain point of infestation, timing co-ordinated action by ensuring that finance of action is the essence of success. is made available. l have seen where the spur-throated locust . The only other matter covered by the Bill has not caused great damage, because of ts the conversion of penalties to decimal its habit of nesting or resting in trees, and currency. That is merely a tidying-up. its breeding habits. Entomologists have I commend the motion. studied the incubation period, and will be able to deal with any major threat from Mr. BLAKE (Isis) (11.5 p.m.): In rising the spur-throated locust. This is indeed a ~o spe~k to this Bill, I mention the way commendable attitude at the present time. m which business has been conducted in the Ch.amber this .evening. Perhaps I I have had personal experience, in an R.rea called Oombabeer, which is out from ~ould hken our . actrons in dealing with Items on the Busmess Paper to those of a Moura, of the devastation that grasshopper grasshopper, in that we jumped first to item plagues can cause. The Opposition's rural committee inspected grain crops that had No.. 8, and then back to item 7, and then on been attacked by grasshoppers and evaluated to 1tem 9. I understand that later we will the results of extermination programmes by deal with item No. 3. However, I must aerial spraying. I remember taking a count confess that I approach the measure in a more serious vein. of poisoned grasshoppers per square yard and being amazed at the consumption of In presenting the original Bill in 1937 grain by a calculated 7,000,000 grasshoppers, the Honourable F. W. Bulcock referred t~ irrespective of their political beliefs. I was a plague that was expected to assail the staggered at the thought of what ~ 00,000,000 State from a 12,000-square-mile belt of Chinese would eat, irrespective of their pol country carrying what he termed "seed" beds itical beliefs, and the market that they must which I imagine we refer to as "egg" beds: surely represent. The graziers and/or grain He referred to an invasion in 1934 from New growers in the area were concerned about South Wales which took over an area both the piecemeal efforts at control at around Gc:<:ndiwindi, and spoke of experi that time in that area and the cost of piece mental ba1tmg control that resulted in a meal individual purchases of the chemicals 90 per cent kill. According to him, baiting necessary to combat the plague. I was able control was not compulsory. Some land to explain the workings of cane pest and hold~rs refused to participate and the disease boards and similar boards or com unba~ted nucleus of grasshoppers bred pro mittees, and the advantages of making an ~ressJVely and reached plague proportions organised approach as a recognised body in m . 1937. That inspired the original Act, this regard. which enforced organised action by land The Opposition approves of the extension holders or occupiers in certain declared of declared districts under this legislation areas. to include the local authority areas of Peak Mr. McKechnie: I can assure you that Downs, Emerald, Bauhinia, Duar.inga, they bred very well. Banana and Belyando. We are not aware of any objection to at least the main Mr. BLAKE: They must have done so principles of the Bill by any affectej persons in that period of three or four years. The in those areas. Co-ordination over the effect of poison baits used in the control of whole district is the objective of the Bill. grasshoppers on bird rlife and related fauna was a matter of great concern to honourable The Bill wm also allow a local authority members even during the original debate at to raise control finance not budgeted for that time. The effects on the ecology of previously in the original budget. I take it modern insecticides used against grass this will be by some form of levy. hopper plagues limit the choice of weapons Mr. Row: It could be a levy or a loan. in the fight. The enormity of the threat posed by these plagues is recorded back Mr. BLAKE: A levy, a loan, or some to Biblical times. The cost of controlling such thing and local authorities will recoup swarms that are allowed to breed unchecked their imm~diate needs later, after financing can be gauged by a "Hansard" extract from these attacks. Plague Grasshoppers [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Extermination Act, &c., Bill 2373 I am bothered about respons,ibility for protected because grasshoppers do not like Crown land and land controlled by Gov timbered country. They like open, sweeping ernment instrumentalities. Ample cause for country that they can pass across without worry exists in the control of noxious weeds, obstruction. Today, that situation has such as groundsel, on Crown land and altered. Except for a few shade lanes, the Government property. If I said no attempt brigalow scrubs of southern inland Queens was made to control noxious weeds, I would land have virtually disappeared. If grass be very close to the truth. Government hoppers developed in northern New South departments, in correspondence, have pointed Wales today as they did in the middle out to me the almost utter impracticability 30's, they would sweep into Queensland at of controlling noxious weeds in areas over a much greater rate than they did before, a certain size. I see a problem here, too. and they would be a greater menace to What is the difference between the egg-bed pastures and crops. or breeding-ground potential of Crown land I recall very clearly, as a passenger on or the land of a Crown instrumentaJ,itv and a train from Moree to Boggabilla on the that of the land of a defaulter who is subject way to Goondiwindi, having to get out at to the penal provisions of the present Act? every ridge and help to push the train over There are vast areas of Crown land. Those the gentle slopes. The grasshoppers were held under lease are the responsibility of in a moving mass on the rails, and, as the the occupier. However, grasshoppers could train squashed them, it lost traction. breed in State forests and such nlaces. I am seriously concerned about this- aspect, and Mr. Thackeray: There is only one thing we m1ght have to go into it more deeply worse than grasshoppers for that, and that at a later stage. is molasses. I have already referred to the magnitude of Mr. McKECHNIE: I can assure the hon the task of combating a major grasshopper ourable member that there was no molasses plague. Reference was made in this Chamber there. The sand-boxes on the trains soon in 1937 to the $3,000,000 attack by Govern ran out of sand, and there was no sand ments at all levels in the United States. across the black-soil plains from which to Should a threat of similar magnitude arise replenish them. So, ridge after ridge, we in Queensland, the question of Government pushed the train up one side to ride down responsibility must surely be considered. The the other side. cost of meeting such a threat would be On the humorous side, to bring home to beyond the capacity of individual landholders, members how thick the grasshoppers were, and even shires collectively. During the I clearly recall that one young chap, who debate on the original Bill in 1937, the today would be described as an entrepreneur, Opposition, which was of the same political in the Moree district contacted the Taronga persuasion as the present Government, argued Park Zoo and asked what they would very strongly that combating grasshopper pay per wheat-bag for grasshoppers. They plagues was a Crown responsibility. The wired back that they would pay £2 per Victorian Government recently passed legis~ 3-bushel wheat-bag of grasshoppers. This lation to permit attacks being made on young fellow put a scoop, like those used grasshopper swarms whilst they were still today for the harvesting of buffel grass, in in New South Wales, before they entered front of a utility, and drove through the Victoria and did any damage there. swarm of grasshoppers. That afternoon The Opposition is aware of the responsi in Moree he loaded two railway trucks bility accepted by other sections of primary with bagged grasshoppers, and his 400 bags industry in coping with pests and diseases, of grasshoppers completely glutted the market and we reserve the right to consider this for Taronga Park Zoo. The following aspect further in the later stages of the Bill. morning he received a very urgent telegram to say that all further contracts were can Mr. McKECHNIE (Carnarvon) (11.17 celled. The fact that a man with a scoop p.~.): I want to make only one or two on his vehicle could collect 400 bags of pomts on the seriousness of grasshopper grasshoppers in one afternoon indicates how plagues. In the middle 1930's, one had to many of them there were. see the damage done by grasshoppers Consequently, if we were faced with a throughout the countryside to believe it. I similar situation today, I believe that the became a landholder in the Goondiwindi grasshoppers would sweep into Queensland district, by ballot, in January 1935, and at from New South Wales and cause much that stage the grasshopper plague was at greater concern than they did in 1935. In its worst, particularly in New South Wales. those days they came in and followed the We in Queensland were suffering from the seed beds or "egg" beds, as the honourable cleared lines-the roads and the telephone member for Isis has referred to them, that lines-and did not penetrate into the ring were developing in northern New South barked country. Today that ring-barked Wales and entering Queensland. country consists of wheat paddocks, lucerne paddocks and improved pasture, and it is In those days, the open plains of New completely open. The grasshoppers would South Wa1es were very susceptible to the not only devastate the border regions; they grasshopper plague, but we in the brigalow would lay there and form the nucleus for scrub areas in the Goondiwindi district were a second swarm that would cause consider 2374 Plague Grasshoppers [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Extermination Act, &c., Bill able concern. I wish to impress on the The Minister was silent on one point that Minister the cost that could be involved if was expressed very forcibly by Mr. Maher, swarms developed today as they did in the Mr. Godfrey Morgan, Mr. Edwards, and middle 1930's. others: that it was a national matter, and The only two points that I wish to make that the nation should be paying for the are that the results could be serious and eradication of grasshoppers. There was not that the cost to local authorities in the one word on that score by their Country affected areas could be very heavy and Party successors tonight. It just shows what require Government assistance. can happen when history reverses the position. Mr. O'DONNELL (Barcoo) (11.22 p.m.): The current grasshopper plague has This is rather an interesting Bill. It takes created a serious situation, and it is of me back to 1937, when I had my first extreme concern to primary producers. In opportunity in public life. I was a delegate those earlier years a subscription list was from the Plainby-Douglas area, near Crow's circulated, and people contributed to the Nest, to the Oakey committee meetings. I fight against grasshoppers. It was not a do not know whether anyone else in the problem that was experienced only by the Chamber ever attended Oakey committee man on the land. Every motorist had to meetings, but the meeting I attended, which equip his motor vehicle to cope w!th the I recall so well, discussed grasshoppers and plague, which beset a large area, particularly their habits from 8 p.m. till midnight, and the Darling Downs. all sorts of fantastic solutions to the problem were put forward. One man even suggested One constant factor is that the danger that we cut down big trees and, in effect, zones for the breeding of grasshoppers were, make big rollers out of them and pull them and still are, on the large properties. Perhaps across the paddocks and crush the 'hoppers there are not so many of them today. The on the ground. honourable member for Carnarvon referred to the clearing of the brigalow areas and the Only one motion was moved at the meeting subdivision of country. That in itself could that night, and I moved it. It was that the committee should move in on Jondaryan be some protection. The biggest menace on Estates, clean up the grasshoppers, and bill the eastern Downs in those days was the them for it. That was reported in the famous property known as "Jondaryan Toowoomba "Chronicle" at the time. I had Estates". The people who controlled that no idea, of course, that I would be the property did not care two hoots how many member for Barcoo and, somewhere along grasshoppers they bred. It was immaterial the line, would succeed Frank Bulcock, who to them, but it created problems for all the was then Secretary for Agriculture and small farmers in that area. Stock. That is rather an interesting point, I remind the Committee that those were indicating as it does that one never knows the years of depression when returns to what the future holds for one. primary producers were very low and ~he I am rather surprised that this debate man on the land had a hard battle to ex1st. appears as if, to some extent, it will collapse. Some of the older members of the Commit If one goes back to 1937 and looks at what tee will remember the prices paid per pound happened then, one finds virtually a "who's of butterfat and the tragedy of unemploy who" of politics. On the Government side, ment. That problem was slowly resolving Mr. Frank Bulcock, who is sti·ll hale and itself in about 1937, although times were still hearty, and the late Forgan Smith took part hard and any set-back to the primary indus in the debate. As a matter of fact, Forgan tries was very serious. Smith made the statement that legislation We have an entirely different type of was not for the 90 per cent of decent person working on the land today. In those people in the community but for the 10 per days, men on the land seemed to be dedicat~d cent who would not do the right thing and to their job. They had an occasional day m act decently. He made that remark in 1937 on the introduction of the Bill that later town, perhaps one day a week on what was became the Act that it is now proposed to known as "pig day", when they made the amend. occasional visit to Toowoomba. There were some illustrous names on the Mr. Sullivan: It was only once a month Opposition benches in those days, too. in Toowoomba. Firstly, there was ex-Senator Maher, who Mr. O'DONNELL: Every Tuesday was I am very glad to say is still alive. Then there was the late Godfrey Morgan. Who, "pig day" in Craw's Nest. There was no because of his racing interests, could ever such day as Tuesday on the Crow's Nest forget him? I suppose we remember him calendar; it was "pig day". through Clive Morgan, who is in the racing Mr. Sullivan: In the suburbs of Jan game today. Then there was the late Alf dowae-- Muller, who was very active in Country Party politics, and the late Mr. Edwards Mr. O'DONNELL: Never mind about the and the late Mr. Deacon were also involved. suburbs of Jandowae; I am talking about the As I said, it was quite an interesting debate. Crow's Nest district. Plague Grasshoppers [30 NoVEMBER 1971] Externuitation Act, &c., Bill 2375 I do not think that the attitude of the Mr. O'DONNELL: I know it backwards. people on the land is the same today as it was then. There has been a considerable Mr. Row: I have it here. change over the years, and I think it has Mr. O'DONNELL: When one reads the been for the better. conditions, they are pretty harsh. Mr. McKechnie: The grasshoppers' attitude is the same. Mr. Row: My wore! they are! Mr. O'DONNELL: The grasshoppers' Mr. O'DONNELL: It was said by the attitude is entirely the same. In those days Premier of the day that they were designed there were 112 varieties, although there were for the 10 per cent who were not prepared only five varieties of plague grasshoppers. to carry their weight. Quite frankly, I say One group of plague grasshoppers was that if similar legislation was introduced enough. today it would be criticised on both sides I have sa;d that there are vast differences of the Chamber, because we now have some between 1937 and today. I am concerned ideas about civil liberties and so on that about the financing of the programme. I join were not in vogue in 1937. with the honourable member for Isis in say We will consider these matters. We feel ing that we should have a good look at what that they are important and that the burden is going to happen. I know very well in my should not be too great. In fairness, I do own heart the intention behind the Bill. not think any man on the Iand-I am Councils will have the right to levy a special talking about the 90 per cent, not the 10 rate on rural landholders. That purpose per cent-objects to paying his way when bears examination, and I want to go back he is capable of doing so, and I think in into history to see exactly what the Labor the fight against grasshoppers, which so far Government did. At that time there was has been mainly in areas that have returned some talk of a £1-for-£1 contribution by the to some degree of prosperity-in fact, some Government of the day. I know very well of the cattle areas are very prosperous that in those days the primary producer was these people would be quite prepared to asking to be repaid for the cost of ba;ts. The protect themselves with their own cash. But old arsenic-pentoxide bran bait was the most I know very well that the Government effective, but only if the grasshoppers were cannot expect local authorities to plan a caught in the hopping stage. Once they got budget and then find themselves cursed with on the wing it was not worth a tinker's curse. a debt to fight these natural enemies. And it was costly. It cost something like Local authorities are entitled to some power, 55c an acre. That does not sound much these and I think there is validity in the legislation days, but in those days it was a lot of money. in that they will be given authority to obtain I must find out exactly what happened in money to carry out these activities. 1937, because I feel that some people will raise this question. That is why I say I should like the Government to have a there is such a contrast between tonight's good look at its contribution and decide contribution by present members of the whether it is commensurate and fair. I Country Party and the attitude of Country know the reaction in my area. I am not Party supporters in 1937. On that occas:on introducing politics into the matter, but Mr. they were all out for the Government Crawford, who is the grain-growers repre paying the bill. It is quite obvious, up to sentative in Central Queensland, is very keen this stage, that all that the Government on instant action from the Government. He intends to do on this occasion is to pay wants this action now, so that preparation the experts from the Department of Primary may be made in case of an upsurge or out Industries for their activities in the field. break of this pest. I might also say that I think some people are getting quite a shock at how cheap I must say that the oper::.cors in the field it is to buy poison when local authorities from the Department of Primary Industries are buying it for the primary producers, have been very helpful. In response to compared with the price that some people requests from me, they have taken quick have to pay various firms and agents. I action and have given a certain amount of think this has caused some people to do a reassurance to the many peop'e who were lot of serious thinking, and I am afraid considerably worried. We thank the officers that much criticism ,;v;H come from this for having taken action so quickly. direction as well. Hon. J. A. ROW (Hinchinbro I was pleased to hear the compliments comprises a chairman who is nominated by paid by one honourable member to my the Minister and five other members, one officers. It is largely as a result of co of whom is nominated by the Commissioner operation between them and the landholders for Electricity Supply, one by electric that we have been able to assume fairly authorities in the State, one by the Fire and effective control. I pay a tribute to those Accident Underwriters' Association, one by officers who, under Dr. Brimblecombe, the electrical contractors, and one by the Electri Director of the Entomology Branch, have cal Trades Union. been testing all the new insecticides. The certification of electrical workers in But do not think for one moment that this State has been under the jurisdiction of we are complacent about this problem. Each an Electrical Workers Board since 1923. week I call for reports, and the one that I Prior to that, they were subject to a board received last week shows that good control of examiners appointed under the Electric has been achieved against the migratory Light and Power Acts. locust, which species is now thinly dispersed as remnants of the pre¥ious population. Do The relevant legislation has been amended not forget that we have to watch this on several occasions since the first Act of locust once it starts to lay eggs again. 1923. The last major review of the Acts The adults of the spur-throated locust are was in 1962 when the new principle of being thinned out by the activity of a licensing electrical contractors was intro dipterous parasite, which is a two-winged duced. Minor amendments were subsequently fly. Of course, I had to ask to find out introduced in 1964 and 1968. However, it is what it was. Effect,ive insecticides will be of great importance that legislation should be available for this species should they be reviewed from time to time in the light of required against the next generation of grass experience, and it was as a result of this that hoppers. the Electrical Workers and Contractors We are continually working with new Board recommended some time ago that the insecticides and taking certain numbers of Act be further amended in certain respects. grasshoppers and seeing what death-rate These, together with additional amendments occurs over 24 hours and 48 hours as proposed by the State Electricity Com a result of the use of the four or five mission, and agreed to by the board, have insecticides. I assure all honourable mem been considered by the Government. As a bers that my officers have the matter well result, it is now proposed that the Committee under control and are working in close should consider this amending Bill. None of co-operation with the landholders. To date, the main principles of the legislation will be the cost has not been very high. changed if this Bill becomes law. Rather, the law will be brought up to date_ Motion (Mr. Row) agreed to. ResoluNon reported. Generally, the proposed amendments seek FIRST READING (a) to facilitate the entry of persons Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. Row, with appropriate qualifications into employ read a first time. ment in the electrical industry; (b) to give additional protection to ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CON electricity consumers against defective TRACTORS ACT AMENDMENT work; and BILL (c) to assist the Electrical Workers and INITIATION IN COMMITTEE Contractors' Board in its administration of the Acts by clarifying a number of points (Mr. Lickiss, Mt. Coot-tha, in the chair) on which legal doubts have been raised. Hon. W. A. R. RAE (Gregory-Minister One of the most important of the proposed for LDcal Government and Electricity) (11 -40 amendments provide for the issue of "permits" p.m.): I move to undertake electrical work. The principal "That a Bill be introduced to amend the reason for the issue of permits is to over Electrical Workers and Contractors Acts come difficulties in administration and to 1962 to 1968 in certain particulars." enable the prompt acceptance of persons The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that entitled to work in the electrical trade electrical workers have the necessary stan pending the issue of certificates of com dards of skill and training to carry out petency. electrical work in a safe and competent I assure honourable members that it is not manner. In short, it is designed to protect the intention of the Government (nor of the public. the board which suggested making provision Let me say here and now that it is to the for permits), that there be any relaxation of credit of the Act and the Electrical Workers the standard required as a prerequisite to the and Contractors Board that electrical acci issue of any certificate of competency. What dents resulting from defective work by is needed is some provision to allow persons electrical workers are rare. As honourable who are fully or substantially qualified to members will be well aware, the board is work at their trade, under supervision if appointed by the Governor in Council and necessary, until such time as they satisfy the Electrical Workers and [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Contractors Act, &c., Bill 2377 board that they are entitled to be granted the appointed by the Minister to act as chair appropriate certificate of competency or man of the board in the absence of the restricted certificate. chairman (while he is so acting) or any two At present there is provision for the issue other members of the board to issue a of interim certificates of competency. These permit for a period not exceeding one are full certificates issued by the board month. This type of permit is renewable pending proof of qualification. The pro only by the board. It is hardly necessary to explain here that although the board posed provision for the issue of permits will meets regularly, usually weekly, there is make the issue of interim certificates unneces a real need for this special provision as sary. However, the provisions for the issue an electrical worker is debarred from working of permits will go further than this. Permits in his trade unless he has the necessary could be issued to migrants having suitable "ticket". training in the electrical trade overseas, and to .e::c-servicemen who received the required There is provision for the issue of permits trammg as members of the services. As I in other States, particularly Victoria where previously intimated, there will be power the provisions are quite similar to those for the board to require these persons to proposed here. Therefore, the introduction work under specified supervision for a period of this provision is a step towards interstate if the board considers this necessary before uniformity in the certification of electrical granting a certificate of competency. workers which is at present receiving the attention of the statutory authorities in all An important group which can be catered States. for by the issue of permits are those persons A further amendment deals with electrical who have completed an electrical apprentice installation work and other electrical work ship in Queensland but have yet to qualify associated with private generating plants. It fully as tradesmen. Almost invariably these is proposed to exempt these installations from former apprentices are competent, practical the provisions of the Acts if they are used tradesmen, but have still to obtain their by agriculturalists or pastoralists on and qualifications in trade theory by passing the solely for their properties provided the board's theory examinations. This would be prime-mover does not exceed 100 horse necessary because they did not pass their power. This provision, which is similar to technical college apprenticeship examinations. a provision in the Queensland Machinery The issue of a permit to these former Acts exempting oil tractors owned and used apprentices will enable them to continue in by agriculturalists and pastoralists from the the trade, subject to conditions imposed by measures for securing the safe operation the board, for a reasonable time, perhaps of machinery, principally the licensing of another year or so, until they qualify at the operators, will apply primarily to plants on board's examinations. Permits could also be station properties in the sparsely settled areas issued to persons from other States or terri of the State where the services of a qualified tories of the Commonwealth who are in a electrical worker are not readily available. similar position to these former apprentices. Generally speaking, these installations are not subject to the provisions of the com I emphasise two important facets of this parable legislation in other States. The provision relating to former apprentices. exemption will not apply to any standby Firstly, permits will not be renewed indefin plant which serves an installation directly itely; the board will allow a reasonable connected to the public electricity supply time for these people to qualify for a system or to any other private plant; for certificate of competency. If advantage is example, those used for industrial purposes not taken of this extension of time to or on construction work. In these cases the qualify, then further renewals of the permit safety of the public is clearly involved and will not be approved. Secondly, there is it will still be necessary for the owner nothing in this Act which will restrict the of the plant to have all his electrical work ri~?ht of ~e Group Apprenticeship Com carried out by qualified electrical workers. mittee to Issue under the Apprenticeship Acts an improver's licence directing that Although the records of electrical accidents an electrical worker, subject to those Acts maintained by the commission show that serve, on a special wage, a period of train~ there are no grounds for concern about the ing with an employer for the purpose of exemption proposed, there is a further safe becoming a qualified electrical worker. guard if any owner of an exempted plant does not keep his installation in a Permits will be issued only for a limited safe condition at all times. I refer to the period, not exceeding six months at any provision of the Electric Light and Power one time, but will be renewable at the Acts which enables the Governor in Council discretion of the board. Permits may be by Order in Council to declare that the restricted to any of the callings for which provisions of those Acts shall apply to such certificates of competency are issued or to plant. any facet of any of these callings. A further amendment is designed to deal To enable applications from suitably with cases which have come under notice qualified and/or experienced persons to be where an electrical mechanic has performed dealt with expeditiously, provision is pro work as an electrical contractor but has posed for the chairman and/or the person subsequently surrendered his contractor's 2378 Electrical Workers and [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Contractors Act, &c., Bill licence or allowed it to expire. Under the the safety of the public. I have some know present law, the consumer has to arrange ledge of the electrical industry and I know for another licensed electrical contractor to what happens if one comes in contact with remedy defects for which the original con an electrical circuit. Far too often there tractor was responsible. This can involve is no second chance; death is the immediate considerable inconvenience and additional expense to the consumer. result. The Opposition wrll therefore not readily agree to any breaking-down of stan It should remain the original contractor's dards to be met by those who install and responsibility to correct such defective work, operate electrica'l equipment, or who may but as the Act now stands he would be come in contact with it. legally debarred from doing so if he no longer held a contractor's licence. The I should like to make some comment amendment is designed to overcome this and on the Minister's statement that the Electrical to give the board power to require and Workers' Board consisted of men from permit the rectification of defects by the various sections of the community. I think person who undertook the work even though he mentioned insurance companies, electric he no longer holds a contractor's licence. authorities, employers in both the contracting There is also provision in the Bill for any and electrical-engineering fields, and the trade electrical mechanic, with the prior written unions. This is a wonderful example of approval of the electric authority concen,ed, to carry out temporary and/or minor elec what can take place when representatives of trical work for charitable organisations that employers and employees get together, par render services for the benefit of the com ticularly when the employee representatives munity without having to be licensed as are experts in their field. an electrical contractor. I am sure that all Quite often, when I hear the Minister honourable members know and appreciate the for Labour and Tourism speaking in deroga work of such bodies, and will support this tory terms of unions and union 'leaders, provision. it makes me quite annoyed to think that Another amendment relates to work on all he is breaking down what could be a possible extra-low-voltage installations. The present solution to many industrial problems. I Act was designed to excmde work on all feel that the Eiectrical Workers' Board is such installations from the provisions of the a typical example of how co-ordination and Act. However, the wording of the Act refers co-operation between employers and only to installations where the operating employees can result in gooj leg,slation. We voltage does not exceed 32 volts. The Bill may not always agree that the final legisla as now drafted proviJes for the exclusion tion is what is desired by aH members of of work where the operating voltage does the board, but we must agree that it is not exceed 32 volts alternatng current, or accepted by all members as being the majority 115 volts direct current. This is identical view, and the view that the Government with the terminology used in the Electric finally puts into effect. I thought this Light and Power Acts and the Standards would be an appropriate time to suggest Association of Australia Wiring Rules. Work to the Government that it should extend at these voltages is quite safe-so safe, in union-employer co-operation wherever fact, that the wiring rules provide that bare poss;ble. wire may be used at these voltages in exposed locations. Abolition of the entrance certificate has teen advocated for a long time. I believe The other proposed amendments are that the operation of the provision was rather mainly to overcome minor administrative cumbersome, because it was very difficult difficulties that have been experience 1 in the to define what an entrance certificate actually application of the Act, and most of these was or what it meant. It did not signify very have been proposed by the Solicitor-General. much other than that one could have worked I commend the Bill for the consideration in the trade for an interim period. of honourable members. I think it may do some good if permits apply for a short period, as the Minister Mr. HOUSTON (Bulimba-Leader of the suggests. The Opposition will have to consider Opposition) (11.52 p.m.): The Opposition will further the provision relative to one month, be supporting the introduction of this legisla bearing in mind that a certificate will be tion but that does not necessarily mean that we 'agree with everything the Minister has issued by someone who is considered to have the necessary qualifications. A few said. This is a Bill that we will have to corn years ago, when I was examining migrants in pare with the existing legislation before we particular, and ex-servicemen to a lesser are able to say definitely whether we support extent, I found that a minority of migrants all of its provisions. who had difficulty with the language-it is Naturally, we support the registration of the minority about whom I am worried-had electrical contractors and workers, and we the unhappy knack of indicating with their are also in agreement with ensuring that hands that they had a greater knowledge of those who handle and work with electrical the electrical industry than they really had. equipment and installations are fully trained In this way, a great deal of damage could anj qualified, for their own safety as well as be done in one month. Electrical Workers and [30 NOVEMBER 1971] Contractors Act, &c., Bill 2379 The Minister said that the board usually The machine that is on the market is a 90 meets weekly, and in a case such as this a horse-power Ford 6 cylinder-a brushless permit could be for only a limited period. alternator-but it is a 415/240 volt job. I ask the Minister to consider whether the period of one month could be reduced. Once Mr. Rae: 100 horse-power, actually. a person has a certificate for a month, he Mr. HOUSTON: No; it is 415/240 three can tie up a great deal of work. That is phase. particularly important, because the Minister suggested later in his introductory remarks Mr. Rae: That could be so, but I think I that a person who ceases to hold a certificate may have read it incorrectly. I think you can still be compelled to carry out repairs. will find that it is 100 volts. The mere fact that the work of a contractor does not pass inspection indicates that his Mr. HOUSTON: If you put out a 100-volt background and training might not be all machine you would need to start manufac that is desired. I know it is very easy turing special light bulbs-- for little things to go wrong or for a con Mr. Rae: I think that 110 volts is actually tractor to miss something and be required what it is. to return and put it right. But that is quite different from other cases in which bad work Mr. HOUSTON: I do not think so. I think manship or carelessness are the reasons for that what the Minister said was right. their having to return to the job. Mr. Rae: 100 horse-power? In addition, a contractor could lose his certificate on the report of bad workman Mr. HOUSTON: A little bird has whis ship by the inspector of the supply authority pered to me that the Minister was probably who makes the inspection. I wonder whether right in what he said. I hope he will have there is any provision in the Bill covering a another look at it. It is all very well for case in Which a certificate has been taken him to say that he wants to help the graziers away from a contractor. What is the situa and the pastoralists, but do not let us lose tion then? I should hate to think that a sight of the fact that the lives of the grazier contractor who lost his certificate through and his family are important. Visitors and board action should then be told to go back employees will all be handling the equipment. and finish a job or make good some defects. Let me say at this stage that I am not I think that the question of ex-servicemen happy about the provision of such a large is gradually being solved. I am not really unit. If the Minister were prescribing a familiar with the present situation, but I certain horse-power and restricting the voltage shall be checking to see whether or not there to 32, I would go along with it because I has been co-operation between the armed believe it would be quite safe. At this stage, services and the Electrical Workers' Board I certainly could not go along with the idea in regard to the training of ex-servicemen. of 415/240 volts and 100 horse-power. I know that years ago servicemen were not trained sufficiently in high-voltage and high We talk about being out in the country. tension work. They were trained in the The Minister has been out there and he lower-voltage field. As the Minister knows, knows that I have, too. When it is neces one has to be trained in high-voltage work sary to install or repair electrical equipment, in order to obtain an electrical mechanic's with today's modern transport it is not dif certificate. However, under the theoretical ficult to get a qualified man out into the courses provided by the armed services today, country to do the job. I suggest that the ex-servicemen might be right up to the Minister have another look at the position. required standard. If that is the case, naturally we will have no fight with it. [Wednesday, 1 December, 1971] The one issue that I want to draw to the Minister's attention, even at this early stage, Hon. W. A. R. RAE (Gregory-Minister relates to the private generating plants that for Local Government and Electricity) (12.3 the Minister said were being used by pastor a.m.), in reply: The Leader of the Opposition alists. He mentioned machines of 100 horse has raised one or two points that, with all due respect, I would like to check out power. On a quick calculation, a 100 for myself. The best move now might be horse-power machine would equal a 74 kVA to leave further discussion until the second machine, which is not small. It could almost reading of the Bill. By doing that, I can light up a whole township. The Minister is supply the answers that the Leader of the talking about dangerous electrical equipment. Opposition has sought. Mr. R. E. Moore interjected. Motion (Mr. Rae) agreed to. Mr. HOUSTON: What I am saying is Resolution reported. right, isn't it? FmsT READING Mr. R. E. Moore: Yes. Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. Rae, Mr. HOUSTON: I taught the honourable read a first time. member that, so I hope he has not forgotten The House adjourned at 12.6 a.m. it. (Wednesday).