Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 1978

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

464 Ministerial Statement [20 APRIL 1978} Police Act Amendment Bill

because they are my friends, are not being prosecuted for late trading. Naturally, I reject the allegation with all the contempt at my command. Not only have I had scant connection with the people to whom I presume Mr. Kennedy refers but, on hearing the scurrilous charge, I checked with the Chief Industrial Inspec­ tor, who informed me that the premises concerned had been visited by an officer some time ago following complaints and that, in addition, inspectors had visited the pre­ mises last week-end, when evidence of a trading-hours breach was obtained. This action will continue as the need arises. I am amazed that a prominent business­ man like Mr. Kennedy-a member of the board of the Commonwealth Banking Cor­ poration and a former chairman of the Australian Postal Commission-should not only demonstrate a complete lack of respect for the law, but should see fit to bolster his argument with a malicious slander. I might add that apparently Mr. Kennedy intends to deprive the commissioners of any reasoned arguments he may have. His was not among the 16 firms which entered appearances at the preliminary hearing of the inquiry and, as at midday yesterday, it had not made a written submission, even though 30 other responsible citizens and firms throughout Queensland have already done so. THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 1978 I should like to make the position of the Government very clear. Hours of trading are divorced from politics. They are set by the Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, Industrial Commission after full and proper Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair consideration of all factors. at 11 a.m. Any businesses open outside those hours PAPER are liable to penalty. The House may rest assured that premises opening illegally The following paper was laid on the table:­ tonight will be visited by industrial inspectors. Order in Council under the Land Act That applies to Mr. Kennedy, who has been 1962-1975. observed as being a prominent A.L.P. sup­ porter. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The only responsible manner in which the voices of all sections of the community can LATE TRADING HouRs; ALLEGATION BY be heard on shopping hours is through MR. J. KENNEDY intensive public examination. This is also the Hon. F. A. CAMPBELL (Aspley-Minis­ only way in which considered judgment can ter for Labour Relations) (11.3 a.m.): be reached. It cannot be reached by Honourable members are aware of a mount­ deliberate flouting of the law. ing campaign by certain businessmen to usurp the function of the Industrial Commis­ sion and set their own trading hours. They POLICE ACT AMENDMENT BILL are also aware that a tribunal of inquiry INITIATION is currently investigating all aspects of this very issue. Hon. T. G. NEWBERY (Mirani-Leader My main purpose in making this statement of the House) for Hon. R. E. CAMM is to assure the House that the Government (Whitsunday-Minister for Mines, Energy is not impressed by obvious attempts to put and Police): I move- pressure on the tribunal and is quite deter­ "That the House will, at its present mined to apply the law to those who would sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of put themselves above it. the Whole to consider introducing a Bill to amend the Police Act 1937-1977 in My second purpose is to comment on the certain particulars and for other purposes." scandalously slanderous statement reportedly made by Mr. Jim Kennedy that some people, Motion agreed to. Questions Upon Notice [20 APRIL 1978) Questions Upon Notice 465

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE (4) Did the committee, as reported in "The Courier-Mail" in February, meet and 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STATE GOVERN- examine the S.E.C. report on the new MENT INSURANCE OFFICE powerhouse? If so, on how many occa­ Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice, asked the sions, for what duration, and who were Deputy Premier and Treasurer- at each meeting? If not, which officers (!) Was the former chairman of the of the Public Service examined the S.E.C. board of directors of the State Govern­ report and reported their findings to him? ment Insurance Office (Queensland), Mr. (5) Did these officers consider the E. Riding, promised the first available special Treasury Department report position on the board upon his retirement? instigated by Mr. Knox on 2 February (2) Has one member of the board been 1978? retained on the board even though he (6) Have all three reports been con­ has now passed the retiring age and, if sidered by Cabinet? so, what is his name and the reason for (7) How long did (a) the S.E.C. report; the decision? (b) the Special Committee of Review (3) Has Mr. Riding now been advised report instigated by him; and (c) the that, as he is no longer a member of Treasury report take to complete? the board, his right to represent the State Government Insurance Office (Queensland) Answer:- on various boards, such as Gows and (! to 7) If the honourable member chose any company in the woodchip industry, to recollect, he would be aware that on will no longer prevail? Tuesday last, in this House, I made a (4) What is the reason for the changes? lengthy ministerial statement setting out the facts relating to the siting of the next Answers:- powerhouse at Tarong. (!) Yes. However, in view of the pro­ I cannot see any useful purpose what­ posed changes in the administration of soever in prolonging the controversy, which workers' compensation and the consequent is what the honourable member wants me curtailment of S.G.I.O. investment activi­ to do by recapitulating all that was said ties, Mr. Riding has agreed that his on that occasion. I refer the honourable reappointment to the board is no longer member back to the answer I gave him justifiable. I add, however, that I have last week, if he is capable of understanding exhorted Mr. Riding to continue as chair­ it. I think that is the best way of answering man of the S.G.I.O. Building Society, and his question. he has agreed to do so. (2) Yes. His name is Mr. J. H. Lalor, the representative from the legal profession 3. PICKETING OF A.L.P. HEADQUARTERS on the board. He has been retained on ON 24 APRIL the board temporarily because of changes to the legislation which will affect the Mr. Frawley, pursuant to notice, asked the board of the S.G.I.O. Minister for Mines, Energy and Police--- (1) Has any application been made by (3) Mr. Riding did not represent the Mr. Gerry Jones for police to break up S.G.I.O. on the boards of R. M. Gow pickets outside Labor headquarters on or Woodland Pty. Ltd. He was appointed 24 April? to these boards as an individual by the respective shareholders and, of course, it (2) Is he aware that the reform group would be contrary to law for any member of the Labor Party intends to picket the to represent other than all shareholders. meeting of the Queensland Central Execu­ To my knowledge Mr. Riding retains tive of the Labor Party and that trouble membership of these boards. is expected? (4) See anwsers to (1) and (3) above. Answer:- (1 & 2) No. 2. PRIORITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice, asked the Premier- 4. ENDOWMENT INSURANCE POLICY (1) When was the Priorities Review PAY.OUTS Committee established and what officers were appointed to it? Mr. Frawley, pursuant to notice, asked the Deputy Premier and Treasurer- (2) How many times has the committee What recourse is available to the public met and on what days? to force insurance companies to pay out (3) Was the Under Secretary, Premier's endowment policies when the policy-holder Department, an original member of the has lost the policy but has signed a committee and, if not, has he been statutory declaration to that effect and appointed to the committee and, if so, has proof of payment in the form of a when? receipt book? 466 Questions Upon Notice [20 APRIL 1978] Questions Upon Notice

Answer:- (2) How many women were recruited Section 119 of the Commonwealth Life in the last three years prior to 30 June, Insurance Act of 1945 has application in 1977? a situation of 1this kind. The section in (3) What duties are carried out by effect states that, if the rightful insured policewomen? makes application for a replacement of a lost policy and the insurer does not provide a special replacement policy within six Answers:- months of such application, then the (!) Provision still exists. insured can approach a court to have the (2) 198. matter ,remedied. Once the insured is in possession of the policy. his right to pay­ (3) Female police officers are expected ment is undoubted and payment must be to carry out the same duties as their male made. counterparts.

7. OFFICE ACCOMMODATION FOR MINISTER 5. ABORIGINAL AND ISLAND AFFAIRS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MAIN ROADS TENANCY AGREEMENT Mr. Prest, pursuant to notice, asked the Mr. Prest, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Local Government and Main Minister for Aboriginal and Island Affairs- Roads- (1) Under the terms of the Aboriginal (1) Will his office be moved to Watkins and Island Affairs Tenancy Agreement, is Place when the new State Government it true that at the expiration of seven building on the corner of George and days following a tenant's vacation of the Margaret Streets is completed? premises all goods and chattels remaining (2) Is the date of completion anticipated on the premises are forfeited to the to be June 1979? department and can be disposed of by the department? (3) Are steps in train to construct an executive living area to his existing minis­ (2) If so, when the goods and chattels terial office in the old Treasury Building? are disposed of, are they sold by public auction or by what other method? (4) Does the luxury home-unit standard facilities include plush wall-to-wall carpet, (3) Are the proceeds from the sale of expensive furnishings and cupboards, such goods and chattels then applied ceramic tiled toilet area, refrigerator, dish­ towards any arrears of rental or is the washer and colour television? money retained in trust for the ex-tenant until such time as a subsequent application (5) Is the enormous sewerage cost due is made for return of the goods and to (a) relocating drainage, (b) cutting chattels? If not, what happens to this drainage lines across the concrete court­ money? yard, which has been in existence for years, (c) vents having to be taken up three floors of the Treasury Building, (d) Answers:- work not being able to be carried out on ( I) Yes. I should point out, however, normal Monday to Friday working days that the legal right is not exercised other and (e) work having to be carried out than in extreme circumstances. Only two only at weekends in the Commonwealth cases have occurred to date and in each Bank premises on the ground floor? only after more than three months had (6) Are the aesthetics of the ground­ elapsed. floor corridor being completely spoilt by (2) By public auction or other suitable a copper vent pipe being installed where methods such as donation to public it is clearly visible? charity or, in the case of unusable items, (7) Did the construction of this execu­ dumping with appropriate departmental tive suite start late last year and is it certification. yet to be completed? (3) Proceeds are applied against out­ (8) Are costs involved at least $50,000 standing arrears. The department's policy to date, and what is the estimate of the would be to refund to the ex-tenant any total cost upon completion? surplus, if such occurred. (9) Was the Deputy Director of Local Government removed from his own official office to make way for the executive luxury 6. PoLICEWOMEN home-unit-standard facilities for the Minister and, if so, has the deputy director Mr. Prest, pursuant to notice, asked the still close proximity to the Minister? Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- (1 0) Are the male staff toilets in the Cl) Is there no longer provision for Department of Local Government in a an intake of women into the Police Force? disgraceful condition, how often are the If so, will this apply for an indefinite toilets cleaned and how many times have period or is it only a temporary measure? they been cleaned during this year? Questions Upon Notice [20 APRIL 1978] Questions Upon Notice 467

(11) In view of this extravagant expendi­ involving myself, the Director of Local ture by the Minister, is this expendit~re Government, other senior staff and mem­ a true indication of the financial restramt bers of the Press. which his Government believes all sections The honourable member for Port Curtis of the community should practise in knows that, when he led a deputation to troubled economic times? see me in my room down here, people were sitting on the bed, under the bed Mr. HINZE: I do not know why the and anywhere else where they could park honourable member asked this question. I themselves. There was hardly enough guess it is because he has some cock-ey~d room for me to get into my own room. idea that he might occupy these palatial chambers of mine at some stage. Would that Such a facility of acceptable standard be the reason? I now read the prepared has not been available up to now. If the answer. honourable member seeks to reflect on the efficiency or otherwise of the workers Answer:- involved in carrying out the necessary work to provide this facility, then that is up to (1 to 11) I thank the honourable mem­ him but I do not propose to join him. This ber for his interest in my welfare-and is another matter he could perhaps take that of the very dedicated members of my up with my colleague. Local Government Department staff-in regard to changes to office accommodation Suffice it to say that the accommodation and facilities in the Treasury Building. is equipped for the role that it will play. However, after hearing the honourable This includes carpet on the floor, chairs to member's question-and rushing back to sit on a table, a refrigerator-and even a the office, in keen anticipation, to look in mode;n innovation called a flush toilet. If vain for the "executive luxury home-unit­ the honourable member wants to know standard living area" he spoke of (and what that is, it is one of those things on after cleaning the toilets while I was there, which you pull the chain, and jump in. of course), I'm still not sure whether the Should the honourable member ever attend honourable member is trying to be serious, a deputation or other gatherings with me supercilious or just plain stupid. in this conference room, he will be very welcome to use all these so-called "luxury Mr. Bums: Oh, come on. facilities"-even the toilet. Mr. HINZE: The Leader of the Opposi­ 8. SUBSIDY, POPULAR THEATRE TROUPE tion should take a look at him and he will be able to form his own opinion. Mr. Tenni, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Culture, National Parks and Answer (contd.) :- Recreation- I'm content to let anyone who might With reference to statements in "The care to read "Hansard" draw his own Courier-Mail" of 19 April, what are the conclusions on that score. facts regarding the State Government's withdrawal of a $2,000 subsidy to the As a member of the Opposition's Popular Theatre Troupe? "shadowy ministry", the honourable mem­ ber, I should have thought, would have Answer:- known that the allocation of departmental The Government has not withdrawn a and staff accommodation and facilities is subsidy to the Popular Theatre Troupe, a matter for my colleague the Honourable which did receive grants in 1974-75 and the Minister for Works and Housing. If 1976-77 in terms of the Government's the honourable member is at all serious scheme for financial assistance to cuLtural with his question, which I'm sure most organisations. The scheme imposes no members of this House would doubt, then mandatory requirements on the Govern­ I suggest he take up those particular ment. On the contrary, there is, naturally, matters with my colleague. a discretionary power as to the disburse­ As to the luxury motel-style suite to ment of grants, which can take into which the honourable member refers, I account such matters as the availability of can only suggest that he should not pay funds and all other factors deemed his informant on this occasion, as he has relevant to the situation. This discretionary been sold a "pup". The information is power was exercised on the occasion in on all fours with a lot of the other drivel question. that gets passed through to members of the A.L.P. 9. RUBBISH DISPOSAL AREA, YORKEY'S The area to which the honourable mem­ KNOB ber refers is in fact to be used as a confer­ ence room. I might even invite the Leader Mr. Tenni, pursuant to notice, asked the of the Opposition there, and he might even Minister for Maritime Services and Tour­ get a drink, which is more than he gives ism- me when I go to see him. It will be used (1) Has approval been granted at the for ministerial conferences, deputations, request of the Mulgrave Shire Council for Press conferences and similar gatherings an area of land in the Y orkey's Knob 468 Questions Upon Notice (20 APRIL 1978] Questions Upon Notice

area adjacent to council reserve R.1415 Governments of the Commonwealth, Vic­ to be used for local government rubbish toria, New South Wales and Queensland disposal purposes? on the one hand and Western Germany (2) As this area is now urgently required on the other. No site in Queensland has by the Mulgrave Shire Council, if yet been selected. Queensland has not this approval has not yet been granted, been excluded from the feasibility study, when will approval be given so that urgent and any Press report to the contrary is disposal of rubbish can continue? false.

Answer:- 12. BURNETT RIVER TRAFFIC BRIDGE, (1 & 2) The council's application will BUNDABERG receive further consideration after a joint Mr. Blake, pursuant to notice, asked the inspection by officers of the council and Minister for Local Government and Main the Queensland Fisheries Service, which is Roads-- being arranged at the earliest mutually convenient time. (1) Is he aware of a recent report to the Bundaberg City Council by the coun­ cil's engineer of serious defects in the Burnet.t River traffic bridge at Bundaberg, 10. SMITHFIELD AND AVONDALE CREEK limiting its safe useful life to a few ScHEMES years? Mr. Tenni, pursuant to notice, asked the (2) Has a site for a new traffic bridge Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water been decided upon, and what progre.ss has Resources- been made with departmental plannmg? With reference to the proposed drainage scheme in the Smithfield area and the Answers:- amended Avondale Creek scheme, what (1) I am informed that the city engineer progress has been made on the amended has not made such a report to the council, scheme, particularly in relation to the though it appears that some sections of the boundaries? Press may have mistakenly attrib~ted a Main Roads Department report to him. Answer:- As the Main Roads Department has in Modifications to the Smithfield drainage the last two years spent over $100,0000 on scheme as suggested at the public meeting maintenance of the bridge, it is obvious at the end of January are still being that it considers its useful life greater than examined. Until such .time as the investi­ a few years. The condition of ~he bridge gations are completed, I am unable to is being kept under careful surveillance. comment on the matter of possible boundary changes. (2) No, a site has not yet been deci~ed, but foundation investigations of possible alternatives are nearing completion. This 11. LIQUID FUEL AND SOLVENT REFINED information should facilitate the final deci­ COAL STUDIES sion on the site. When the decision is made, the detailed design of the bridge will Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked be undertaken immediately. the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- I suggest that the honourable member (1) With reference to liquid fuel and for Bundaberg speak to his colleagues the solvent refined coal, has the Mines Depart­ honourable member for Rockhampton and ment, in conjunction with the Common­ the honourable member for Rockhampton wealth Government and a German North because at present a bridge valued consortium, selected in Queensland a in exdess of about $5,500,000 is being built primary site to undergo detailed analysis at Rockhampton, and also to his colleague of coal properties, coal reserves, over­ the member for Mackay, because a bridge, burden, water supply and environmental with approaches, costing about $~,00.0,000 impact, and a secondary site for a lesser is being built in Mackay. That mdicates general study and, if so, where are the what a benevolent Minister I am. The sites located? only point I make about the bridge at (2) Was the exclusion of Queensland Rocleigh in Mackay is that it is to be from a recent Press report on this survey called the Ron Camm Bridge, after my and the inclusion of only Victoria and colleague. New South Wales accidental, or has Queensland been excluded from this survey? 13. }WASAKI TOURIST PROJECT LAND DEALS Mr. Blake, pursuant to notice, asked the Answer:- Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water (1 & 2) Details of the proposed Resources- Imhausen feasibility study for the con­ With reference to the ministerial state­ version of coal to synthetic liquid fuels ment by the Minister for Transport on have yet to be finalised between the 5 April that the land titles to be held Questions Without Notice (20 APRIL 1978] Questions Without Notice 469

by Iwasaki will be restricted by law in passed on to me and others, and that con­ terms of land-use and subdivision and the firmed the attitude, decision and figures we statement in "The Courier-Mail" of 23 had spoken of previously. This, indeed, con­ March by the Minister for Local Govern­ firmed the true picture. We got further ment and Main Roads that the franchise information that had not been revealed to agreement probably will have an escape me or any other Minister by the commissioner clause, whereby Mr. Iwasaki could change previously, as to his general thinking and the the use of the land under the agreement, basis on which he had made some of his in view of these totally different state­ calculations. ments by the former Minister for Lands and the present Local Government Minis­ Mr. Burns: Are you saying that the A.B.C. ter, will he enunciate the existing course news was wrong this morning? of action of the State Government? Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I have made it quite clear to the honourable gentleman. Answer:- If he has not been helped up to this point ! do not think this is the time to attempt of time by all the information that I have to deal with isolated and probably out-of­ given him, and the basis of it, I am afraid context aspects of the proposed agreement I cannot help him at all. It is as simple between the State and the Iwasaki Sangyo as that. Co. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. As the honourable member and the Mr. BURNS: I will see if the Premier Leader of the Opposition are fully aware, might give us a little more information. I the proposed franchise agreement will be again draw his attention to today's A.B.C. presented to the Parliament shortly, at news broadcast about the 10 p.m. panic which time specific matters can be debated meeting at the Executive Building on the within the context of the whole agreement. powerhouse issue on Monday. I ask the Premier: Is it a fact that, apart from the Co-ordinator-General, the Electricity Com­ missioner and other officials, this meeting QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE was attended also by certain officers of C.R.A., the company which has been offered SELECTION OF TARONG AS Srrn FOR NEW the Tarong contract? Is it a fact that those POWERHOUSE officials flew up specially from Melbourne Mr. BURNS: I have three questions to for the meeting to assist him to produce a ask of the Premier without notice. In asking set of figures designed to advantage Tarong the first one, I refer him to today's A.B.C. at the expense of Millmerran in his mini­ news broadcast about the secret meeting at sterial statement? the Executive Building at 10 p.m. on Monday at which the Co-ordinator-General asked the Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: It is about time Electricity Commissioner two questions the poor old Leader of the Opposition woke which the Premier said were the basis for up. It is time he got his facts and figures the recalculation of the figures on the power­ straight. I have had a lot of people in to house issue. According to the Premier's own assist to confirm the attitude I adopted statements in this Parliament the Co-ordina­ previously. As to the people I have in my tor-General, at his request, had already fully room-that is my business. I would not be investigated the powerhouse issue, and pre­ interested in asking the Leader of the Opposi­ sented a report which was accepted by tion who he gets into his room. I would Cabinet on 13 February. I ask the Premier: not like to be seen with many of them. Why was it necessary for the Co-ordinator­ General to summon the Electricity Commis­ Mr. BURNS: I ask the Premier a further sioner to this late-night emergency meeting question on the same matter. Is he aware on Monday to draw up a new set of figures that the Treasurer is reported in a statement to justify that decision of two months ago­ today as saying that the figures in the S.E.C. a decision, I might add, that he himself said powerhouse report were checked by the on Sunday was final and complete? Treasury before the 13 February Cabinet decision and found to be as accurate as Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: For the honour­ possible? How does he reconcile this assess­ able gentleman's edification and general ment of the Treasury with his ministerial knowledge I point out that it was I who statement on Tuesday that the report was summoned the State Electricity Commissioner in fact financially astray by almost to the Executive Building about 10 o'clock $500,000,000? Does he assert, as in the the other night. It was I who asked, through case of the Electricity Commissioner, that Mr. Schubert-- the Treasury also was guilty of trying to Mr. Burns: Why did he give you new hoodwink Cabinet? In view of the mounting figures? confusion and obvious economic conflict, will he now have all the financial assess­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The State Elec­ ments associated with the powerhouse issue, tricity Commissioner had not supplied certain including the Treasury one and the new figures that we were aware of. The informa­ C.R.A. one, exposed to a thorough independ­ tion he gave to the Co-ordinator-General was ent audit? 470 Questions Without Notice [20 APRIL 1978] Questions Without Notice

Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: While I was These people who sent the telegram, and listening to that long tirade the Treasurer who speak on behalf of a very large section said to me, "Baloney!" That is about all of the Aurukun people, will be in Brisbane it is. As I indicated to the honourable on Monday to see the Premier and me, to gentleman a few moments ago, there was express their fears and to see that justice other information that the commissioner is indeed done in this matter for all con­ supplied. That formed the basis on which we cerned. made the accurate assessment I gave the House the other day. The honourable gentle­ man can keep on as long as he likes. The VISITS BY MR. GROGAN TO ABORIGINAL cold hard facts are as I outlined them the COMMUNITIES other day, after having Mr. Murray in the other night and asking him certain questions Mr. TENNI: I ask the Minister for Abori­ in regard to information he had not supplied ginal and Island Affairs: Is he aware that a previously. On that basis we got the picture well-known Communist named Grogan is that I outlined to the House. It does not running around the Aboriginal communities matter how Mr. Murray tries to twist the using a chartered plane and stating that he words or the situation; he then supplied is authorised by the Commonwealth to information that he had not supplied pre­ organise petitions demanding full land rights? viously. We were then able to get the If so, will the Minister indicate what can exact figures of what the advantages were be done about this situation? for Tarong-some $200,000,000 in favour of Tarong. Mr. PORTER: I am aware that this Mr. Grogan is moving around in a chartered plane claiming that he is authorised by the Commonwealth Government to secure signa­ ALLEGED SUPPRESSION OF EXPRESSION OF tures to petitions demanding that the OPINIONS AT AURUKUN Commonwealth control all the Aboriginal Mr. TENNI: I ask the Minister for Abori­ and Island communities in Queensland and ginal and Island Affairs: Is he aware that that they acquire land and set up land-right a large section of the residents of Aurukun enclaves here, as in the Northern Territory. are violently opposed to what has been Mr. Grogan claims in the communities that alleged in their name over recent weeks, what he is doing has the approval of Mr. and that they claim there has been a virtual Viner, the Commonwealth Minister for reign of terror to stop a proper expression of Aboriginal Affairs. But earlier this week in the community's true views? What can the Brisbane Mr. Viner denied categorically to Minister do to allow the real attitudes of me that he has any knowledge of what Mr. these people at Aurukun to be known? Grogan is doing, that most certainly he has not authorised it in any way at all. What Mr. PORTER: I have been aware for quite Mr. Grogan is doing is entirely without a number of weeks now of what purports authority from any Government, irrespective to be a sort of widespread Aurukun hymn of what he may claim. Since this gentleman, of hate against the State Government. It has who is so well known to the radical, activist been orchestrated very carefully by a rela­ Left, is using a specially chartered aircraft­ tively small group of people and it never did which is a very expensive operation, to say present the valid consensus of the com­ the least-it would be interesting to know munity's opinion, if I may put it that way. who is making available to him the necessary I am not sure that there has been the cam­ tens of thousands of dollars. I have one paign of terror which the honourable mem­ source of information that suggests these ber referred to, but extreme pressure has funds come, in part, at least, from the World been exerted by a relatively small group to Council of Churches. Unfortunately, I am obtain this appearance of pro-Commonwealth, unable to check thoroughly on that. Certainly pro-Uniting-Church and anti-State-Govern­ it is a real mystery where these huge sums ment feeling. That is for sure. As a matter of money come from to enable unauthorised of fact a telegram was received only a people to go into the communities to try couple of days ago by my department-and to stir up trouble on a totally fictitious basis. by an odd coincidence I have it here-from Aurukun people who are deeply disturbed at the situation. They say- WATER SUPPLIES TO DIRRANBANDI, REBEL, ANGLEDOOL AND GOODOOGA "Many Aurukun people and their families have left their homes and gone Mr. NEAL: I ask the Minister for Lands, to other places because they do not agree Forestry and Water Resources: As there is with what is being done at our community. at present a small flow in the Culgoa River, Will you please help some of us to go with a further flow coming down the Con­ to Bnsbane to see Mr. Porter and explain damine-Balonne river system and as most to him that plenty of Aurukun people do of the water with a flow less than 65 cusecs not want Federal Government but never goes down the Culgoa, will consideration be have any chance to say anything about given to putting the drop boards into the this. Please help us to see Mr. Porter regulator at the junction of the Culgoa and before it is too late. We do not want to Balonne minor rivers as a matter of urgency talk to Viner." to ensure sufficient water for the towns of Questions Without Notice [20 APRIL 1978] Questions Without Notice 471

Dirranbandi and Hebel, as well as towns with these Left-wing Communists and acti­ "Such as Angledool and Goodooga in New vists who were put there in the Whitlam days South Wales, all of which are situated on and, I am unhappy to see, still remain. It is the Balonne minor river? Will the Minister a great misfortune for all of us. give consideration to allowing the district engineer to make such a decision in future? WELFARE OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT OF Mr. N. T. E. HEWITT: I will arrange for CHILDREN'S SERVICES the commissioner to make immediate arrange­ Mr. FOURAS: In asking a question of ments for an inspection of the Culgoa and the Minister for Welfare, I draw the Minis­ Balonne minor rivers to see if readjustment ter's attention to comments made in this of the regulators should be made. Chamber on 13 April last by the honourable member for Merthyr, who said that youths I go along with the honourable member's who are hardened criminals and require request about the district engineer, if it institutionalisation are let loose because- is at all practicable. ". . . the Director of Children's Ser­ vices in this State has seen fit to delegate the control of these young people to young NORTH QUEENSLAND LAND COUNCIL child care officers, who make a snap judg­ ment in the foyer of the court and let Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG: I ask the Minister them loose upon society again." for Aboriginal and Island Affairs- I ask the Minister if the comments made (!) Has he heard of an organisation by the honourable member for Merthyr are titled "North Queensland Land Council" in fact true? and is he aware that its executive com­ prises part-Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Mr. HERBERT: The honourable member people now passing as Aborigines who are for Merthyr is a man who has spent a either ticketed members of the Communist tremendous amount of time in this field. Party or close associates of known Com­ A problem does exist in the community unists? today, and it is a problem which faces the (2) Is he further aware that full-blood decision-makers in the Department of Aborigines at Kowanyama, Edward River Children's Services in deciding just what to and Weipa deny that these people are do with many of our young people who go Aborigines at all? astray. No matter what they do, 50 per (3) Is he aware that the N.Q.L.C. oper­ cent of the public think they are wrong atives are visiting communities in Cape because they are too tough and the other York Peninsula in specially chartered air­ 50 per cent think they are wrong because craft and during wet canteen sessions, when they are too soft. It is also a fact that community council elders say that these not only within the Department of Children's people do not fully understand the nature Services but in any area in which social of what they are signing, endeavouring workers are involved, because social work to persuade people to sign spurious petitions is a comparatively new university discipline, for a Federal take-over of State com­ the only social workers who are available munities? are very young people. We do not have the hard core of middle-aged people to be found in most other professions. Mr. PORTER: It would be difficult not to be aware of these things. The latter part Young people react in a totally different of the honourable gentleman's question, of way from older people in decision-making course, refers to the area that I dealt with in this area, so very often there is a clash before. These petitions being put around between them over the decisions that are are indeed spurious. The despicable tech­ made. It is a very difficult matter for the nique is for these Communists to wait for director because the department last year the wet canteen sessions to go amongst the handled 20,000 young people--a tremendous people and try to get their signatures with­ number of youngsters-who came under the out ever reading to them what the petition notice of the department in a variety of is about-occasions when the elders say that ways. Very often the director has to rely the people are not in the best situation on advice from young people. to evaluate what they are doing. I have received complaints from police officers and magistrates to the effect that I am well aware of the North Queensland very often young offenders are let loose, and Land Council and the fact that it purports to because of these complaints I have received be an Aboriginal operation, which it is not. from responsible people, and from the hon­ Those full-blood Aborigines in the Penin­ ourable member for Merthyr and other sula areas and on the communities bitterly members, I have asked the director to give resent what is being done by these people, me a full report on the way in which pretending that it is being done on behalf these decisions are made so that, if in fact of Aborigines in the name of Aborigines. we are releasing youngsters into the com­ It is a great shame that the Commonwealth munity who should not be so released, we apparatus in so many areas is still riddled can take appropriate action. 472 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

RESTRICTED SALE OF COMPOUND ANALGESICS candidate who opposed me tried to create following my election to this Chamber. The Mr. DOUMANY: I ask the Minister for fact that the electoral rolls were in such dis­ Health: Is he aware of legislation currently array was the fault of the Liberal members under consideration in Tasmania seeking to for allowing an electoral redistribution to confine the sale of compound analgesics to take place so close to an election, and also· registered pharmacies? In view of reported the fault of the Minister in charge of the claims by the Tasmanian Government that Electoral Office for not implementing proper it has decided not to wait for agreement roll-canvassing between elections. On the among the States on this issue and has elected two Saturday mornings prior to the closure to lead the way, will he inform the House of the rolls for the last State election, I as to the prevailing status of compound set up tables in four shopping centres to analgesics in Queensland, with particular enable people to check whether they were reference to precautionary measures? on the roll. This resulted in over 100 new enrolments for my electorate. The disgrace­ Dr. EDWARDS: I have seen the report ful part of this exercise was that we had made by the Minister for Health in Tas­ to operate outside the law as the police would mania in which he stated what the hon­ not issue permits to allow us to set up ourable member has indicated. I would like information tables in shopping centres. I to place on record in this House the fact feel the number of enrolments we received that the Queensland Government has been on those two Saturday mornings showed the first to introduce regulations covering the urgent need for a complete roll canvass the sale of compound analgesics. Queens­ of the State. This canvass should take place land was the first State to follow the National immediately to put the rolls in order for Health and Medical Research Council on this the local authority election due in March next matter. I was absolutely amazed at the year. statement made by the Tasmanian people because at the Health Ministers' Conference The second point I raise regarding last only a few weeks ago no State other than year's State election is the attempted bribing Queensland gave an indication that it would of electors by members of the Government move in this direction. The Tasmanian parties. It was said many times in my Government was well aware of Queensland's electorate that the only way money would be position and what we had undertaken to spent in Chatsworth would be by returning introduce in this State. In fact at that stage a Liberal member. I draw honourable mem­ we had already brought down appropriate bers' attention to the point raised by the regulations which are to come into effect honourable member for Cairns on 18 March from 1 June. There is no truth whatsoever 1975, that is, the oath taken by Ministers, in the statement that Tasmania is the first. which is: Again in a matter of health Queensland has "I do swear that I will, according to the led Australia. best of my ability, skill, and knowledge, well and faithfully execute the office and At 12 noon, trust of" (his portfolio) "of the State of In accordance with the provisions of Stand­ Queensland and its dependencies in the ing Order No. 17, the House proceeded with Commonwealth of Australia, and that I Government business. will in all things honestly, zealously, and impartially discharge and exercise the duties, powers, and authorities appertaining to me in the said office. So help me God." ADDRESS IN REPLY After they have sworn that oath, they sub­ RESUMPTION OF DEBATE-FIFTH AND SIXTH scribe the roll before a witness. I raise ALLOTTED DAYS this matter because of the statements made Debate resumed from 18 April (see p. 405) in my electorate and trust that when Mini­ on Mr. White's motion for the adoption of sters are allocating funds they will remember the Address in Reply. this oath. The point that all honourable members should remember is that we are Mr. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth) (12.1 all Queenslanders, and we should all be p.m.): At the outset I express my appreciation treated equally. to the people of Chatsworth for the con­ fidence they placed in me by electing me Mr. Deputy Speaker, I congratulate you, to this Parliament as their representative. as the former member for Chatsworth, on I assure every one of them that I will be being reappointed as Chairman of Com­ available at all times to help them with any mittees. I am sure that all the people of problem or injustice they may encounter. Chatsworth feel it is very fitting that you I also place on record my thanks to my should be presiding during my first Address­ campaign director, John Berndt, and the in-Reply speech. many other dedicated people who worked such long hours on my campaign. I turn to my electorate of Chatsworth. The Chatsworth I represent is vastly different At this early stage of my speech I shall from Chatsworth as it was known in the last refer to the controversy about people left Parliament. The old Chatsworth covered off the electoral roll which the Liberal 3.2 square miles whereas the new Chatsworth Address in Reply [20 APRJL 1978] Address in Reply 473 covers approximately 11 square miles. It One tenant produced to me pay slips which takes in all of Carina, Carina Heights and showed his declining position under the pres­ parts of Camp Hill, Belmont, Holland Park ent Government. In July 1976, when his rent and Mt. Gravatt East. It has a number of was increased from $19.50 to $23.60, his gross .new housing developments, the largest being pay was $132. In February 1978, after his Carindale, which has over 2,200 home sites rent had been increased to $33.60, his gross as well as a large residential B development. pay was $142. The Queensland Government had taken his whole pay increase for that In September last year Chatsworth had period. 16,057 electors; now, only six months later, the enrolment is already around 17,000. By Mr. Frawley: Shame! the time the next election is due in 1980, ·Chatsworth will be well over the quota for Mr. MACKENROTH: I agree with the "City electorates. This is a classic example honourable member for Caboolture that it -of a gerrymander where the electoral com­ is a shame. missioners have not taken into account pop­ ulation growth. When the increase of approximately 15 per cent in the Consumer Price Index over My electorate has two full Housing Com­ that 18-month period is taken into consider­ mission estates, one at Carina Heights and ation, the tenant is $19.80 worse off in real one at Holland Park, as well as half of the money terms than he was in July 1976. Mt. Gravatt East Estate. All of the houses in these estates were built by a Labor Mr. Bourke: Have you checked those fig­ Government in the 1950s. While the Housing ures? Commission has recently given many of these houses a very rough coat of paint, Mr. MACKENROTH: Yes, I checked them most of them are still in urgent need of myself. repair. As most honourable members would After this tenant-and most tenants are be aware, the Housing Commission has in the same situation-has paid his rent, sacked nearly all of its day-labour workers taxes and Medibank levy, he is left with less and now lets most of its maintenance on than $100 per week to feed and raise Housing Commission homes through the his family. I challenge any honourable mem­ private sector. One only needs to inspect ber in this Chamber to exist on that amount the work of these private contractors to of money per week. see that this is totally unsatisfactory. Instances have been reported to me where painters On 13 February 1978, I wrote to the Hon­ have spilt paint on tenants' floor coverings ourable the Minister for Works and Housing and furniture and, because of the contract asking him to receive a delegation of per­ method they are working under, they don't sons elected at a public meeting of over 100 even bother to clean it up. Housing Commission tenants, to discuss cer­ tain problems they face as tenants of the I have witnessed a job where four different Queensland Housing Commission. His reply fencing contractors met on one corner. was- Instead of placing one corner post and " I am usually prepared to meet a depu­ joining four fences to it, as would be the tation if a useful purpose will be served proper tradesman's way of doing the job, or new ground broken. In this case I each contractor put in his own post a can see no purpose in a deputation and couple of inches away from the other, with regret that I am unable to agree to meet the resultant unsightly mess of four posts for one." one corner. I ask honourable members to consider that The tenants of most of these houses are statement, especially the phrase "if a use­ also being denied reasonably cheap rent. The ful purpose will be served". The Honourable most recent savage rent increase bv the the Minister did not know the case we were Queensland Housing Commission brought the to put before him, but he decided in advance rent of these houses up to $33.60 per week. that it was wrong and would not serve a The Honourable the Minister claims that useful purpose. I would point out to him that, this is 75 per cent of the estimated market as the Minister for Works and Housing, he rent. I raise this point because I consider it is responsible for some 20,000 Housing Com­ is the Queensland Housing Commission's mission tenants and thus it is his responsibility responsibility to set the market, not to chase to at least listen to what they have to say, it. and give them a fair hearing. As the Hon­ ourable the Minister is not prepared to meet The Queensland Government should face a delegation, I feel it is my duty to give up to its responsibility in the housing sector the facts and try to get some justice from and build the homes needed to accommodate this Parliament. an estimated 10,000 people on the Housing Commission waiting list. Besides the trem­ The Honourable the Minister has implied endous boost it would give to Queensland's in Press statements, and on two occasions in ailing housing industry, it would force slum letters I have received from him, that the landlords to reduce rents to levels at which Queensland Government is moving in line people would be able to afford to live in a with the South Australian Government. How­ reasonable manner. ever, since July 1976, rents in Queensland 474 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply have increased by up to $14.10, while in of one person for each room deemed South Australia the maximum increase has by the Commission to be a bedroom been only $7. Even these figures do not or enclosed sleepout, and fully show the differences betw~en the two (b) should the Commission offer me, States. In South Australia the current rent at the rebated rent, alternative accom­ for a three-bedroom double unit is $22 modation which it considers to be suited per week, while in Queensland a bed-sitter, to the number of occupants, which is nothing more than one room with a curtain drawn across the middle, is $28.60 Then, in the event that I do not accept per week. such offer, I shall be liable to pay full economic rent as assessed by the Com­ The second point I wish to raise with the mission for the premises tenanted by me Honourable the Minister is the inequalities and I shall have no entitlement to any that exist in the rental rebate system. In rebate thereof and the Commission may South Australia, with an income of $50, at its discretion take appropriate action the rent is $8 while in Queensland it is in terms of my Tenancy Agreement to $8.35. obtain vacant possession of the premises." Here are some more examples: At first sight that declaration may seem to many people to be a fair request, but I South think we need to look deeper. Consider Income Australian Queensland a 70-year-old pensioner who has been living Rent Rent in a Housing Commission home at Carina --- for 25 years. In order to qualify for a $ $ $ rebated rent, he must sign this declaration. 60 9.50 10.85 Then, at the Queensland Housing Com­ 70 11.50 13.35 mission's discretion, he could be offered a 80 13.00 15.85 flat at Inala, which is some 15 miles away 90 15.00 18.00 from his present Carina home and the area lOO 17.00 22.25 where all his friends live. If he did not 110 19.00 25.60 accept this offer, the Queensland Housing 120 21.50 28.90 Commission could take legal action to put 130 24.50 32.25 him out in the street. I know of cases at the present time-and As well as the differences charged under you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, know of cases as the rebate system, I also wish to discuss well-where pensioners are paying $33.60 out with the Honourable the Minister the dif­ of a pension of $49.30 per week rather than ferent ways in which the two States assess sign this declaration. I trust that the Hon­ income for the rent rebate system. ourable the Minister will read this speech and give urgent consideration to changing In Queensland all household income, the system in Queensland to one that puts excluding child endowment, is taken into people before profit. consideration. In South Australia, the rebated rent is calculated on the tenant's Mr. R. J. Gibbs: He isn't in the House. income, with $3 added to the rent for dependent income earners up to 21 years Mr. MACKENROTH: I know he is not of age, or $5 if the dependent income earner in the House. is over 21 years of age. This is the first opportunity I have had An example of this would be a widow with to put forward some of my views on how a 20-year-old son. In Queensland, if her I feel a Government can help the community market rent was $32.20 and her son earned in which we live. any more than $80 per week, she would not One important way a Government could qualify for a rebate. However, under South help our community would be by proper Australian conditions, her rent would be protection of school p. and c. organisations. only $11 per week, a difference of $21.20. At the present time schools are forced The third point I would raise with the to raise money for many necessary items Minister is the moving of elderly people of education such as special textbooks, tele­ from their homes by the Queensland Housing vision sets, musical equipment and play­ Commission. Pensioners and, in particular, ground equipment. The list is endless. Whilst widowers, in order to qualify for a rebate, the Government grants subsidies to schools, are forced to sign a declaration which it does not give proper supervision and states- protection to the goods that are bought. "With reference to my application for One instance I would like to mention is a rebate of rent on State Rental accom­ the adventure playground at the Carina modation tenanted by me, I specifically State School. Plans were drawn up for agree that: this project by G. Shaw and Associates. (a) should the persons in continuous They were approved by the Works Depart­ occupancy of the premises now be, ment and the playground was built by or be reduced to, less than an average Metropolitan Property Services. A couple Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 475

()f months after the project was completed, Isn't it a lovely state of affairs that Labor a swinging bridge, which was a part of politicians have to suggest something along the playground and in itself cost an estimated these lines in an attempt to protect the small $800, literally fell to pieces. Now the school businessmen in this State because none of p. and c. association is faced with what the honourable members opposite will do I could only call a ridiculous situation. anything for them. The builder will not accept responsibility A second function of this department .as he built the bridge according to the would be to investigate and report to the plans. The firm that drew the plans will Government the ways in which the present accept no responsibility as they were approved laws financially frustrate the small business­ by the Works Department. The Works men of today. Many smaller operators are Department will not accept any responsibility being sent out of business by two-dollar .as it only approved the plans in principle companies which get credit and then go into so that the p. and c. would qualify for a liquidation owing many thousands of dollars subsidy. The eventual losers will be the to small business. parents who slogged their guts out running As the owners of corner stores are often bingo games and fetes, and the mothers who forced to buy their stock at prices above gave their time to the running of the tuck­ retail prices in large chain stores, a depart­ shop. In this instance, I consider the Govern­ ment such as I have outlined could investigate ment must come to their aid and get the marketing procedure in the domestic sector. Works Department to rebuild the bridge When one considers that the present properly at no further cost to the parents National-Liberal Government supposedly ()f the school. stands for free enterprise, one wonders why it has deserted the many thousands of small If we analyse the situation properly, "-:e businessmen in Queensland today. will find it is the Government's responsibility to repair the bridge, because, as soon as the Could it be that these businessmen cannot adventure playground was built in the school afford the large campaign donations that the ground, it became the property of the Depart­ Liberal and National Parties receive from ment of Education, which is the trustee the mining companies and multinationals, or of the grounds. Therefore, all structures is it because the present Government is thereon are its property, and hence the res­ working towards a complete take-over of ponsibility of the Government. I am not Queensland by multinational corporations saying the Government should direct where and Japanese businessmen, such as the p. and c.s spend the funds they raise; only Iwasaki scandal at Yeppoon? All I can say that it should give proper protection so that is that I am glad we had a Labor Premier hard-earned money is not wasted. in Queensland when Bob Menzies tried to give us to the Japanese, because, if the pre­ Another problem which faces many of sent Government had been in power in 1942, my constitut,ents is the stench from the we would all be eating rice and drinking Brisbane abattoir. I am informed that it is saki today. caused by the burning of blood and bones, which is always done at night or on week­ I trust the Government will consider my ends. This nauseating smell travels well into proposal to set up a Small Business Depart­ the suburbs of Camp Hill and Carina, which ment. The small businesses of Queensland are at least four miles from the abattoir. are run by Queenslanders and employ many The Government has passed legislation in this thousands of Queenslanders and deserve a Chamber which, if implemented properly, far better deal than they are getting from would eliminate this pollution problem. I the Government at the present time. If a think the time has come when more pollution department such as the one I have proposed inspectors must be employed to get out in the was set up in Queensland, I believe it would field and enforce the law by bringing to indirectly help to create employment. Busi­ court those firms which at the present time nessmen would regain the confidence they are flaunting the law. need to start expanding if they knew the Government was prepared to stand behind Before being elected as a member of Par­ them. With unemployment in this State at liament, I owned and operated a small its highest level for over 40 years, the engineering business from 1970 to 1975. Government needs to take urgent steps to Through the experience I gained in this create as much business confidence as it business, I can understand the many can. problems that face the small businessman trying to operate at a profit in today's market­ I can truthfully say the largest single place. I believe one of the most important problem I have encountered since being initiatives for small businessmen that the elected to Parliament is the plight of the Government could undertake would be a unemployed. In some parts of my electorate, Small Business Department. This department up to 11 percent of the work-force is with­ would assist small businesses by bringing out a job. Under the policies of the Fraser together the many different rules and regula­ Government and the Queensland Govern­ tions that they must comply with, and ment, I cannot see the problem getting any advising businessmen what are the require­ better. It is time the Queensland Government ments of the Government. faced up to its responsibilities to the people 476 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply of Queensland by creating jobs to allow the Mr. MACKENROTH: During the period unemployed to work, so that they can once 1970 to 1975, the most frequent question again provide for themselves and their asked of me, as a businessman, was why families. did I support the Australian Labor Party. If the Queensland Government is serious Mr. Tenni: You went broke. about reducing unemployment, the key lies with the large mining companies. Mr. MACKENROTH: I did not go broke. Mr. Frawley: Give us a few ideas. I would like to place on record my reasons for supporting the Labor Party, and Mr. MACKENROTH: If the honourable why I feel it is the party best suited to member had been listening to my speech, serve the people of Australia. The main he would have heard some of my ideas. reason is that the Australian Labor Party Firstly, the Government could create jobs cares about people. It puts people before for Queensland seamen by saying to Utah, companies and before profit. "Employ our men or face the consequences." I always draw people's attention to the Mr. Frawley: What about your Russian shabby deal elderly people in Australia are mates? getting from Tory Governments, and point out that these people are the ones who Mr. MACKENROTH: Since entering this made Australia the free country we have House I have come to one decision, and that today. I have always found that one can is that there is one way that the Australian pick members of the Liberal or National Labor Party can win Caboolture at the next Parties by their attitudes to the less fortunate election. people in our society. How often have we heard the phrase: "I made it by myself; Mr. Frawley: How's that? so can anyone else." Whilst that phrase, in itself, could be true, to say it is to Mr. MACKENROTH: Invite all the hon­ show selfishness of the highest degree. If ourable member's constitutents into the public everybody in Australia had the same opport­ gallery and have them listen to him, and unities and initiative, they would all be see what a fool he makes of himself. bosses. Then who would be the workers? Mr. Frawley: You put up two candidates To me the Australian Labor Party stands last time, and I did them both. Why don't for unselfishness. It would- you give up? * redistribute through Governments equal opportunities for all people; Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. Hewitt): Order! * provide equal education opportunities based on students' ability and not on Mr. MACKENROTH: Let's face it, a parents' ability to pay; company that spends over one million dol­ * provide medical and hospital care to all; lars in advertising simply to tell us they * provide jobs for all Australians; are good people, surely can afford to employ Queensland seamen on their ships. * provide money through the public sector, to enable people to buy their own homes Secondly, the Government should increase at a price and interest rate they can the royalties they receive from mining com­ afford; panies. The Whitlam Labor Government charged $6 a ton as an export levy on all * change the discriminatory laws we have coal taken from Australia, yet Fraser has which allow white-collar crooks to fleece millions of dollars from ordinary Queens­ all bu~ ~bolished it.. This levy did not stop the mmmg compames from exporting coal landers; and but it certainly gave Australia a far bette; * improve generally the quality of life for r~turn than it is getting at the present all Australians. t~me. . If the Government increased royal­ ties, It would have many millions of dol­ The only opportunity many Queenslanders lars available to spend, and this would create have had to see a Labor Government was employment. Once the mining companies the Whitlam Labor Government from 1972 have taken all of our resources, it will be to 1975. Unfortunately, the achievements of too late to say we should have received that Government were clouded over by the more; Queensland will have been left like never-ending and unfounded criticisms and a deserted quarry. verbal barrage from both the Queensland Government and the media. Mr. Frawley interjected. One only needs to look around to see the achievements of that Labor Government­ Mr. MACKENROTH: I listened in silence projects that were able to be completed to the maiden speech of the honourable mem­ only because of the generosity of a Labor ber for Caboolture. Could he do the same Government. In my electorate, there are for me, please? four pre-schools which were subsidised by Mr. Frawley: It wasn't my maiden speech. the Whitlam Labor Government; the Camp Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 477

Hill High School received a $60,000 grant Almost all primary producers are made by to help build an assembly hall; we have a this Government to compete on equal footing; magnificient playground at Carina, and many yet the Government is to say to trade footpaths in my electorate were concreted unionists-and only because the trade union through direct grants from that Labor movement supports the Labor Party-';No Government. more will there be trade union shops. We will change the law and completely erode These projects I have mentioned, and many the conditions that you and your fathers more, would never have received >.he same have fought so hard for so many years to priority from a Liberal-National Government. achieve." As I stated earlier, its philosophies are based on selfishness and greed and are not con­ This brief outline explains my reasons for cerned with raising the quality of life within supporting the Australian Labor Party, and the whole community. I trust that, following the next election, we will be implementing the policies of our Another question often asked of me was- party as the Government of Queensland. "How can you, as a business owner, In the time I have left in this debate, I support the Australian Labor Party ween would briefly like to place on record my the Labor Party is affiliated with trade first impressions as a member of Parliament unions?" and also raise one of the most important issues facing Queenslanders today. I would like to place on record my support for the trade union movement in Australia. Two words would describe my first impres­ I am now, and have been for many years, a sions, and they are "frustration" and "dis­ member of the Amalgamated Metal ·workers gust"-frustration at spending the first five and Shipwrights' Union. I have always months of my first term waiting for Par­ requested people working for me to join liament to begin sitting; and disgust at the the union, explaining to them that the con­ way in which the Government runs proceed­ ditions and pay they received were a direct ings in this House. It took eight sitting days consequence of the actions taken by the for every member of the Opposition to get trade unions. Without trade unions, they the opportunity to receive an answer to a would undoubtedly be exploited by com­ question, and in the Matters of Public Inter­ panies making them work twice as long, est debate, which is held every Wednesday for half the pay. between 12 noon and 1 p.m., Opposition members are allowed the opportunity to Since this session has started, on many speak only twice, whereas Government mem­ occasions I have heard Government members bers have four opportunities to speak. This attacking union officials personally for the means that during the first session of this job they are doing. I would suggest that, Parliament the Opposition will be able to· before Government members make another raise only eight issues of public importance. attack, they go to the Trades Hall and see the Fifteen members of the Opposition will have cramped and ancient conditions under which no opportunity to raise an issue. these officials work. They would soon realise that only people dedicated to helping their This Parliament must consider ways of fellow man would persevere under these con­ changing this unfair system of debate. The ditions. Opposition must be allowed equal time in Matters of Public Interest debates. Soon we are to see the good work that is done by trade unions destroyed by this Par­ In addition, a complete new system of liament through the proposed right to work asking questions must be considered. So legislation. This legislation is wrongly named, far this session Ministers have used up most and should be titled either the "right to of question-time with ministerial statements. scab" or the "right to destroy workers liv­ Ministerial statements should come after ing conditions" legislation. question-time, thereby leaving a full hour every day for questions. One needs only to compare living condi­ I mentioned earlier the frustration of wait­ tions in the States of America to see that ing five months for this Parliament to be workers are far worse off in the States that recalled. I know that all 23 members of the have such legislation. We will have in Queens­ Opposition were waiting eagerly for Parlia­ land the ridiculous situation that workers ment to resume so that they could debate the under Federal awards will be far better off major issues affecting Queensland during that than workers under State awards. time. I think that we must look very closely at Mr. Bourke: When are you going to start? the way this supposedly free-enterprise Gov­ ernment works. An egg producer in Queens­ Mr. MACKENROTH: The Government land has to sell his eggs through the Egg does not give us the opportunity. Yesterday Marketing Board; a dairy farmer, his produce the Opposition had a motion on the Business­ through a milk or butter board; a farmer, Paper to debate Tarong and also to debate his produce through the Brisbane Markets; the right to work legislation. If the hon­ a fisherman, his catch through the Queens­ ourable member supports the Opposition in land Fish Board; and so the list goes on. bringing that motion before the House, we 478 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply will have a debate. He should not ask stupid That represents an extra $130 for every questions. Yesterday, too, a division took man, woman and child in this State. Surely place in this Chamber on the tabling of no Cabinet Minister can justify imposing documents relating to Tarong, and every this charge simply to site a new powerhouse Government member voted against the at Tarong and not Millmerran. motion. Last night on the Willesee pro­ gramme the president of the Liberal Party Mr. TENNI (Barron River) (12.33 p.m.): said that members of that party don't agree I, too, have very great pleasure in speaking with Mr. Bjelke-Petersen; they just vote with to the motion for the adoption of the Address­ him. That is the situation in Queensland in-Reply. I congratulate the mover and today. seconder of the motion. They did an excellent I know that all 23 members of the Opposi­ job and were successful in getting the tion were waiting eagerly for Parliament to message across in reply to the Governor's resume so that they could debate the major Opening Speech. issues affecting Queensland during that time. I pledge my own loyalty and that of the But one by one the months went past, and electors of Barron River to Her Majesty, we saw the elite band of 18 making decisions Queen Elizabeth II. that should have been made in this Parlia­ ment. We saw the banning of SEMP, sight I congratulate Mr. Speaker, the Premier unseen by most members of Cabinet; and all Ministers for the excellent manner Aurukun; the Iwasaki scandal; the siting of in which they have performed their duties the new powerhouse at Tarong and many over many years and continue to do so. I other issues. similarly congratulate you, Mr. Deputy 'Speaker, in your role as Chairman of I have heard the remarks made by Gov­ Committees. ernment back-benchers in their Address-in­ Reply speeches. Most of them have implied Mr. Scott: This is your last term. alarm at the stranglehold Cabinet is getting on decisions in Queensland. Mr. TENNI: That was said between 1974 Government members delight in telling and 1977, but I am still here and a few us they have a free vote in Parliament, so A.L.P. members have gone. I challenge them to stand up and be counted. I thank the electors of the Barron River Let them join the Opposition in demanding electorate. It is a very hard electorate to that these important issues be debated in this work. It is a large electorate. I have Parliament. worked very hard during my time in this One of the decisions made by Cabinet Parliament, which, of course, was shown up in the parliamentary recess was the siting by the figures in the 1977 election. Areas of the new powerhouse at Tarong. This like the Douglas Shire which in the past have certainly is the main issue that should be been Labor strongholds were won this time debated in this Parliament. by the National Party. Of course I put that down to a certain shadow Minister for Primary Industries. I would like to Mr. K. J. Hooper: It's a public scandal. thank him for his assistance by coming into that part of my electorate. His support of Mr. MACKENROTH: It certainly is. my opponent helped me to win the election. The electors could see the type of talent­ There was no necessity for that decision if it could be called that-that the Opposi­ to have been made by Cabinet, as Queensland tion spokesman for Primary Industries had, has been waiting since 1972 for a decision. and that made my job much simpler. They Waiting another two months to allow a full knew that the ability of the present member debate in Parliament would not have made was far ahead of that of the Opposition any difference to the construction time­ spokesman on primary industries and the table. We must look at what this decision­ Labor candidate for the seat. The honourable which was made by 18 men and, as reported member for Mackay did such a marvellous in the Press, supported only by 10 of them­ job for me that I will welcome him back is going to cost Queensland. The proposal to my area at any time. I will even help put forward for Tarong will cost Queens­ to cover his costs. landers $259,000,000 more than the tender by Millmerran. I shall now refer to a few of the achieve­ ments in my electorate in the past 3t Mr. Austin: You've been listening to Tom years. Before I represented the area I had Burns. not seen such a run-down electorate. I have often heard Opposition members say how well Labor representatives look after their Mr. MACKENROTH: I was listening to electorates, but their remarks do not apply the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police to Barron River. To prove my point I cite in Parliament the other day when he told the old Barron River Bridge that had been us that the cost was an extra $259,000,000. there since doomsday. Until I became a As he has read the report, I will trust what member of this House no decent representa­ he said. tion had been made to replace that bridge. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 479

Mr. Scott: Bill Wood got that for us. Fisheries Department and the Douglas Shire Council. The Mossman sugar mill and cer­ Mr. TENNI: Bill Wood did not do that at tain farmers are donating trucks with drivers all. Bunny Adair was pushing for it for years, to cart soil for this project in conjunction and although he was a darned good member with the Main Roads Department. If it he did not get it. Bill Wood pushed for it, saves one life we will have achieved some­ but he did not get it. When I got into thing worth while. Never in the days of Parliament I soon got the ball rolling and Labor's representation did it think of one an excellent bridge is now constructed across life in the Douglas Shire area. But I have the Barron River at Stratford. been successful in that, and we will see a strip formed there in the near future. Mr. Scott interjected. Mr. Casey: Did you raise these matters at Mr. TENNI: I am the one who should be your branch when you were a member of congratulated for that-I and the people who the Labor Party? supported me in making sure that the bridge was built. I do not doubt that the Mr. TENNI: When I was a member of former members may have tried to get it, the Labor Party, I did not represent the but they were weak and did not have the Douglas Shire area. I represented Mareeba ability to make submissions in the proper in those days. That was when it wasn't full way. of the Reds, as it is these days. They were starting to go pink, and that's when I got Drilling for the new Kamerunga Bridge out. It's full of Reds now-Communists­ has been completed and the plans are under and those blokes in the Opposition won't way. I have been assured by the Minister dissociate themselves from the Communists. for Local Government and Main Roads that They will never dissociate themselves from tenders will be called in August. While that the Communists. Through you, Mr. Deputy bridge is being constructed another will be Speaker, I challenge the shadow Minister for built over A vondale Creek. The people of Primary Industries to admit it now. He the Tableland, Mossman-Daintree and the should stand up in this House and dissociate fast-growing northern beach areas will then himself from the Communists-instead of his have an opportunity to go to Cairns in all party taking money off them for campaigns. weather. They will have a Q.SO bridge and That is when I will respect its policies. road which will allow them to go about their normal business in a sensible manner. Mr. CASEY: I rise to a point of order. The upgrading of the Rex Range road The member for Barron River has challenged between Mossman and Mt. Molloy over the me. I certainly dissociate myself from the Tableland is another great achievement. Liberal Party in this House. Many tourist coach operators want to use that beautiful scenic drive but in the past Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. the representation has not been strong Hewitt): Order! That is a facetious point of enough to get something done about sealing order. the road. The first leg has been completed and the second leg will be commenced in Mr. TENNI: I can understand that, but mid-June. But we are not simply building a what about the Communist side? bitumen road over the Rex Range. We are being sensible about it and, with the co­ I will never understand how a sensible operation of the Douglas Shire Council, the person like the honourable member for Main Roads Department, the farmers and Mackay ever thought of going back to the other people of the Douglas Shire, we intend Labor Party. It kicked him out once. It got to use 26 000 cubic metres of gravel taken rid of him. He sat up on the back seats from the range for road-widening purposes and bowed and scraped to Labor for years. to construct the long-awaited airport to be Mr. Moore: Crawled on his stomach. built between Port Douglas and Mossman. Mr. Scott interjected. Mr. TENNI: Yes, crawled on his belly. Eventually he went back in. Why, I'll never know. He thinks he is going to take Tom Mr. TENNI: The former Labor members Burns's place. I think he might. Tom Burns's did not even think about an airport. They ability is not highly thought of in this State, did not think of giving the people of the so perhaps the opportunity is there for the Douglas Shire an airport for emergency member for Mackay. Good luck to him if purposes or other activities. For three years he makes the grade. We will slaughter him, I walked over land in the area, including too, just as we are doing to Tom Burns. swampland, trying to find a suitable flat area Probably when he becomes Leader of the that met the requirements of the Department Opposition he wiii resign again. of Civil Aviation and other authorities. During Labor's representation of that area Another road that we have developed in an airport was not even thought of. That my area is that from Mt. Carbine to Mt. was typical of past Labor representation. Molloy, which was a shocking piece of road. We now have a suitable piece of land and Again, the previous representative did noth­ approval of the Lands Department, the ing about it. It is now a full bitumen road 480 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978) Address in Reply right through to the new complex called Reid Creek-Daintree road was in a shocking R.B. Mining, which will be officially opened state for many, many years. It is now a hive by the Premier on 5 May. It is a very big of activity. We will soon see a very wide complex employing a lot of men. I am proud bitumen road, with new culverts. There will to stand up in this House and say that I be crossings over Reid Creek and many other helped create employment for those people small creeks in the area. through my efforts to achieve the develop­ ment of the road and certain other things. I now refer to the overpasses on the Cairns-Mossman road, which is another I am very proud to be associated with the achievement in improving conditions for Main Roads Department, and particularly large sugar trucks travelling from Mossman our district engineer, because of a section of Mill to Cairns. I hope that in the coming road on the Kuranda Range. That is a very financial year the Minister will see his way narrow road, and very dangerous. clear to provide bitumen surfacing on the Mr. Scott: The last part that was done was overpasses because they have been such a not worth doing, because you still can't pass huge success for trucks and caravans. a car on it. Mr. Scott: When are you going to build a tunnel on the Kuranda Range? Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I sug­ gest that the honourable gentleman proceed Mr. TENNI: I am glad that the honour­ with his speech. able member raised that matter. As he knows, the Main Roads Department has Mr. TENNI: The member for Cook would conducted an investigation and surveys of not know much about being able to pass it. However, there are certain problems cars. After all, he has only just got his associated with it. I am happy to hear the licence back. It so happens that there is an honourable member for Cook raise some­ overpass on the section of the Kuranda thing sensible for the first time in his life. Range which has just been widened. If he The problem is that it is not solid rock hasn't seen that, his licence should be taken construction and tunnelling in the rocky off him again-though perhaps not for the outcrops would create a problem. The cost same reason-as he is not capable of driving. of concreting the tunnels would be very Mr. Scott: Did Frawley tell you to say great. Naturally, there are more important that, Martin? sections of roads in the Barron River elect­ orate on which work needs to be done. But the honourable member will see it happen Mr. TENNI: Frawley doesn't tell me to for sure. He is stating deliberately that the say anything. I've got the ability to leave engineer at Cairns and the Main Roads you for dead. Department overall have no ability. I do not agree with him. They have a ton of Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I sug­ ability. The Main Roads Department had gest honourable members lift the level of this idea a long time before I raised it. this debate a little. The widening of the Mt. Molloy-Julatten Mr. TENNI: The Atherton road is another road has been completed. The new member that is being developed at the moment, for Cook will enjoy the privilege of using although my opponent in the last election that road when he is travelling through my made the statement that nothing was going electorate to get to his. to be done about it. However, the work had already started when he made that statement. Mr. Jones: That's kind of you. That is the type of ability we see on the Labor side. Mr. TENNI: I do not mind doing that to help him out. Mr. Scott: He'll get you next time. The next big job that will be undertaken Mr. TENNI: He might, too. He has even in 1979-80 is the drilling and testing for the cut his beard off. He is no longer a New Kamerunga Bridge and the upgrading of the Guinea man. He has been down here 18 Delta Road. When this is completed, the months. The people might accept him, but whole Delta Road system will be very good. he'll have to be good. It will be wide and suitable for fast travel. It will please all of the people in the Barron Mr. Moore: When will he get shoes? River electorate and the areas to the north­ the Bloomfield River area and the Tableland. Mr. TENNI: He'll have to learn to wear The school buildings throughout my elect­ shoes, yes. orate are reasonably good now. They were The widening of the road from Miallo to pretty lousy when I became a member. A Rocky Point is another achievement. It has tremendous amount of work has been done made it much more simple for the trucks on them. The construction of the domestic carting sugar from the Miallo and Rocky science block at Mossman is near completion Point areas into the mill at Mossman. It and a manual arts block has been con­ has made it much more comfortable with structed there. Work has been done on the .easier passing and fewer dust problems. The house and school at Daintree. The schools Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 481 at Rocky Point, Miallo, Caravonica, Fresh­ responsible for the dismissal of the ex-mem­ water, Machan's Beach, Cairns and Edge ber for Barron River, Mr. Bill Wood. Hon­ Hill are reasonably well cared for now. Most ourable members may not realise that Bill of the extensions required to make those Wood is a personal friend of mine. I regard schools suitable and a pleasure for the him as a very decent and sensible fellow. children and teachers have been carried out. But there is no way in the world that I I thank the Minister for Education as well will accept responsibility for his dismissal. as the previous and present Ministers for I wasn't even here at the time; I was in Works and Housing for their co-operation. Western Australia. I am shocked that the honourable member for Cook, a North At the moment I am working with my Queensland man, should make a statement colleague the honourable member for Cairns like that. It is just unreal. to improve two or three schools in his elect­ orate because children and teachers from my The honourable member for Cook, in electorate use them. I believe that he and I his maiden speech, claimed that I was have a joint duty to endeavour to make responsible for Mr. Wood's dismissal from those schools as comfortable as possible. Government employment. I think I should Next Friday week he, the Minister for Works clear the air and inform honourable members and Housing, the p. and c. associations, the of the history of this matter. First of all, principals and I will be inspecting those the ex-member for Barron River, Bill Wood, schools. I am sure that following the ques­ resigned from his Government employment tions we will ask, as I asked about my when he was elected a member of this Parlia­ schools, we will see some success in the ment. He was the member for Barron near future. I thank the honourable member River until I defeated him in the 1974 for Cairns for extending to me the invitation election. He then applied for a job and to join with him in making this possible. was given one, but he did not like the position and so he resigned. He was then Attention has been given to the police given another job. He then contested for stations at Mossman, Mareeba and Kuranda. the first time the seat of Leichhardt, which Kuranda urgently requires a home for the meant that he again had to resign his constable. Accommodation is very hard to employment so that he could contest the obtain in the Kuranda area. I hope that the election. He was defeated in that election Minister will make provision in his Estimates and was again re-employed. He again for a home at Kuranda. contested the seat of Leichhardt and had to resign from his employment. That was In my time as the member for the area I the fourth occasion on which he resigned. have seen the development of the Port He is entitled to a job, as anyone else is, Douglas Harbour. This was not the result of but he is not entitled to a job 'before so the work of the previous member. The many other teachers who had their names harbour is well on the way to being down long before he did. developed fully. Within the next few months it will be one of the best and prettiest har­ Mr. Wood knows that if I am able to bours in Queensland with deep water at low help him I will be only too pleased to do tide. I am very pleased about this and should so. I have got this message through to like to thank the Government and the Minis­ him. However, I will not be accused of ter concerned for their efforts in making the things that the honourable member for Port Douglas Harbour a beautiful place Cook accused me of in his maiden speech. with facilities for fishing boats, prawn The honourable member for Cook also trawlers and private craft. claimed in his maiden speech that public servants who supported A.L.P. candidates After the 1977 floods, large sums of money in the 1977 election were moved sideways had to be spent to repair the damage caused after the results were known. I will now by erosion to the river banks and beaches endeavour to prove to this House how and to guard against future erosion. I incorrect and false that statement is. I can would like to thank the various Ministers name a few public servants in my electorate for their help and co-operation during this who assisted the Labor candidate-Mr. Bob crisis, particularly the Minister for Lands, West, a railway employee; Mr. Vince Walker, Forestry and Water Resources. I would also a sergeant of police and president of the thank the Minister for Local Government and Mareeba Branch of the Australian Labor Main Roads, who made the necessary arrange­ Party; Mr. W. Fossit, who is with the ments for rock to be made available for Irrigation and Water Supply Commission in use in restoration work and I am very pleased Mareeba; Mr. Bill Eales, a schoolteacher; that I can tell my constituents that more and Mr. Jim Wallace, who is also with rock will soon be available from the widen­ the Irrigation and Water Supply Commission. ing of the road up the Kuranda Range. Those gentlemen helped the Labor candidate This rock will be used to protect the river­ but they have not been moved sideways; banks and the beaches from further erosion. they still remain in their jobs. There are many more like them. I will now deal with a few points that the honourable member for Cook put for­ This is an example of the untrue state­ ward. He made a statement-and I had to ments that the honourable member for Cook take a point of order on it-that I was made. There is the proof of the pudding. 61214-16 482 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

No-one wants to see them moved sideways. The honourable member for Cook also They have the right and privilege to support said that the Government had cut 15 per the political party of their choice. Whether cent off tobacco growers' quotas in the past they are right or wrong in their choice is two years-- their own business and not the business of honourable members in this House. To my Mr. Scott: Which is true. knowledge, not one public servant who supported the A.L.P. has been moved aside Mr. TENNI: The honourable member for in my electorate, and I have named a few Cook does not know what he is talking of those supporters who are known by me. about. This Government did not cut quotas by 15 per cent over the past two years. The member for Cook mentioned bad If the honourable member has the time and roads, schools and many other things in sits down with me for half an hour, I will his electorate. He mentioned particularly the teach him a little about the tobacco industry. Lakeland Downs area and the bad roads I have lived with it for the past 18 years north of Laura. I do not think the hon­ and I know a little more about it than ourable member for Cook realises that I he does. He knows as well as I do that know his electorate better than he does. I the Queensland Government has nothing have travelled over it many times during whatever to do with the tobacco industry. the last six years. He makes a statement Short-sell-that is what the growers call it. like that; but then he immediately says that the electorate was well represented by Mr. Scott: You haven't done anything for Labor members prior to 1974. He has to them. make up his mind-either the area was well represented by Labor Party members prior Mr. TENNI: That shows how much the to 1974 or it was not. He makes the state­ honourable knows. The fact is that the ment that everything is in one heck of a stabilisation scheme was approved by the mess and at the same time he says that the Australian Agricultural Council, and the area was well represented by Labor Party tobacco industry representatives on that members. He is just being foolish. He council come from all tobacco-growing States. has to sort himself out and make up his All I can say to the honourable member mind which way he is going. The Labor for Cook is that if he is so interested in members either did a good job or they the problems of tobacco growers, and I did not. One minute he congratulates them agree with him that they do have problems, and the next minute he says that everything he should talk to Mr. Wran and Mr. Dunstan. is in a mess. The heavy State tax that each has imposed He then claimed that the tin-treatment on cigarettes and tobacco has been a crip­ works at Irvinebank were run down. Yet pling blow to the industry in this country. this Government spent a considerable sum Tasmania and Queensland are the only of money in overhauling that plant in States that have not imposed a State tax 1976-77. This was done on the recommenda­ on tobacco products. If the honourable tion of the former member (Mr. Deeral), member wants to overcome the problems of not the former A.L.P. members, who appar­ the tobacco industry, he should fight for ently did not even know it existed. The the removal of this tax. present member has only just found out where it is, anyway. The honourable member The honourable member for Cook also said that only 3 per cent of the net profits also claimed that there was a shortage of from bauxite-mining at Aurukun would go police in the electorate. Yet he had been to the Aborigines. I think he said that a member only a few short weeks when 3 per cent of nothing is nothing. How he found out that the Queensland Police stupid can a person be? If I have minerals Force is certainly on the ball. In fact, police are always on the ball. on my land and someone finds them, I get nothing, so why should anyone have anything It is also very interesting to note that better than the average Australian? After the honourable member for Cook does not all, we are all Australians. live in his electorate. If a member is sincere and fair dinkum, he should always live in He also referred to the arid, red areas his electorate. That has always been my at Weipa. I have been to Weipa four times claim. in the past three years, and I think the reforestation being carried out there is some­ Mr. Jones: Neither did the former member think of which the company and we as for Cook. Australians should be very proud. The hon­ ourable member is deliberately knocking Mr. TENNI: Does that excuse the present mmmg activities at Weipa, which will member for Cook? I do not believe it does. indirectly create unemployment in his own I believe that, if a member is sincere and electorate. I think the company is doing a wants to represent his electorate properly, marvellous job, and with the reforestation he should live in the electorate. I live in programme is actually creating employment; the centre of my electorate-at the hub of and the honourable member should be proud the wheel, so to speak-and I move out of it. He should rise in this place and say from there. I do not care who the member so, but I will forgive him because he is a is; that is the way it should be done. new member. Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 483

Opposition Members interjected. conduct and many other charges. Aborigines also constitute a large proportion of the Mr. TENNI: Opposition members tore me criminal offenders. apart after I made my maiden speech because I had made mistakes but, by jove, Mr. Scott: Are you saying that they are I learned the hard way, as the honourable worse than the white people? member for Cook is doing. It is just so silly for any member to make such Mr. TENNI: No. statements. The honourable member for Cook has been Mr. Scott: You're not much of a teacher, up there, and he admitted this morning that Martin. he is going to have me assassinated if I go to Aurukun. It certainly would not be with !VIr. TENNI: I will teach the honourable a rifle; probably it would be with a boomer­ member a lot. ang or a spear. Then again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the honourable member probably I would now like to speak about a problem has never seen a boomerang or a spear. which exists in my electorate and, I should imagine, in the electorates of many other It seems that, by and large, arrest pro­ members, and that is the problem associated cedures for both black and white people are with Aboriginal communities. similar. However, after arrest blacks have a decided advantage through the Aboriginal Mr. Scott: Now you are going to give them Legal Service. There is no means test on legal another bucket, aren't you? aid, and even if an Aboriginal offender is employed, he is not required to contribute Mr. TENNI: As far as I am concerned, to legal costs. On the other hand, if a white our black and white-- person who is in employment is arrested, he Mr. Scott: I suggest you don't go to has to pay his own legal costs of lower court hearings and must face a means test to obtain Aurukun. poor-prisoner's defence for higher court hear­ ings. The Australian Legal Aid Office is only Mr. TENNI: The honourable member for persons being cared for by the Common­ claims that I should not go to Aurukun. wealth-for example, pensioners, those on After I asked a question about it this unemployment and sickness benefits, and so morning, he said that if I went to Aurukun on. I would be shot. I do not doubt that. He has probably just been up there and arranged Recently instances have been occurring in it. That is the type of thing such people which Aborigines who are suspects are being do. He has just come back from Aurukun. told by the Aboriginal Legal Service that they must not answer police questions if To return to what I was saying-the fact interviewed by police. This is a basic right of is that we are all Australians and we should both black and white people, but a white all be treated equally. person does not have the advantage of any [Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] legal service if he is in employment, so he is greatly disadvantaged in comparison with Mr. TENNI: Before the recess for lunch, his black counterpart. As I said earlier, I I was dealing with the Aboriginal question. believe that we are all Australians and that I believe that all people, no matter what we are all entitled to similar treatment. their colour or their religion, are equal. We are all Australians, and it is about time we Mr. R . .J. Gibbs: Well, why don't you pay accepted that. them as Australians, instead of paying them $60 a week? People in my electorate-in Mareeba, Moss­ man and part of Cairns-are not prepared to Mr. TENNI: The honourable member who put up with the present situation associated has interjected-! do not know where he is with certain sections of the coloured com­ from-is a bit of a stranger in the House. munity. I say very clearly that I am not Where is he from? Wolston. Well, that elect­ denigrating the Aboriginal people. There orate will go down, for sure. After listening are some good clean-living Australians to his maiden speech, I suggest that it can­ amongst the Aboriginal people in that area. not help going down. Unfortunately, a very large majority of Aborigines are creating problems for the rest Courts in the Mareeba and Cairns areas of the community, including coloured people. do not seem to differentiate between black and white when they are setting punishment, Mr. Scott: Do you mean most of the and that is as it should be. As I said earlier, Aboriginal people? there should not be any differentiation between black and white; all Australians Mr. TENNI: The honourable member for should be treated equally. However, we all Cook does not know what he is talking about. have to behave as Australians-in our Before he stood for election to Parliament appearance, our dress, in hotels, towns and he had not seen an Aborigine. schools. For example, at Mareeba most of the In some areas blacks seem to receive better public-order offenders are Aborigines-that is, treatment than whites, and that has been drunkenness, obscene language, disorderly mentioned to me by people in the Normanton 484 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply area. In fact, I believe that a number of The honourable member for Cook would Normanton residents have approached politi­ know that canteen nights on the missions cians-! imagine that the honourable mem­ regularly produce violence of varying ber for Cook would have been approached by degrees. That places a terrific stress and members of the white population in Nor­ strain on the members of the medical pro­ manton, but, because he might lose a vote, fession on the mission. Doctors have to stitch he would not be prepared to do anything cut heads and attend to broken arms because about it; he would be prepared to discrim­ of the violence caused by alcohol. inate-to investigate what they claim is very lenient treatment being given to blacks by Quite a number of Aborigines charged the courts in that area. Persons found drunk with stealing are charged because they have and unconscious would break down into about stolen food after they have spent their 90 per cent black and 10 per cent white. money on grog. They give the excuse of being hungry. I feel sorry for some of the Aboriginal courts on missions, conducted Aboriginal children who suffer through that by councils, vary too greatly in punishments type of thing. A considerable amount of to make a comparison. It would depend police time is taken up by the Aboriginal on the attitude of the particular council. community in Queensland-and not just in It would depend on which tribe was rep­ North Queensland. One. of the members on resented on the council and the tribe of the socialist side of the House said just the persons who come before it. There a while ago that we should abolish the would be a high penalty for someone from Department of Aboriginal and Islanders the opposition tribe and a low penalty for Advancement. Possibly this is a type of someone from its own tribe. In most apartheid. Unfortunately those people need instances when blacks appear in court the assistance, and we must help them out. When magistrate refuses to deal with the matter they can help themselves, we should get rid until an Aboriginal Legal Service representa­ of that department as quickly as possible. tive is present. That is not done with whites. They are all Australians and are entitled to use the same departments as the white Mr. Frawley: I am a blood-brother of the community. If they have a matter that Arunta tribe. What would happen to me? comes under the Department of Works and Housing, they should be able to go to the Mr. TENNI: I don't know. The honour­ Department of Works and Housing; if it able member had better check with the is a health matter, they should be able to honourable member for Cook; he could be go to the Department of Health. There a blood-brother of that tribe. should be nothing to deliberately create discrimination against one or the other. On social service day-on most days, in fact-Aborigines are plentiful at the hotels Mr. Scott: You are adopting the Labor but a rare sight in butcher shops and super­ Party's policy on that matter. markets. They are charged ridiculously low rentals. We saw what happened to the Mr. TENNI: I believe in looking after beautiful homes that were supplied in all Australians. If the Australian Labor Mareeba. The occupiers of three or four of Party has an apartheid policy, that is a those homes are to be congratulated because matter for that party. I do not agree with they have looked after them. They have it. I believe in treating all Australians the cultivated flower and vegetable gardens and same. At the same time I believe that all planted fruit trees. They are good, solid Australians should treat all other Australians Australians. I do not refer to them as the same. We should not have to put up coloured people because they should not with inconvenience caused by any race, be referred to that way. The remainder whether it be white or black. All races of those houses are completely wrecked. should be treated on an equal footing. An arrogant attitude is becoming apparent Before concluding I should like to make in the younger Aborigines. They congregate some comments about the present Federal on footpaths in business centres, so that Government and the home-consumption price other pedestrians have to walk on the road of sugar, which I believe is going to be or in the gutter to get around them. They something like $18 a tonne. The sugar are not above giving whites a bit of a shove. industry in my area is in trouble, along On one occasion in Mareeba an Aboriginal with the tobacco industry and the grazing woman pushed a white woman into the industry. The mob on my right backed the gutter saying, "That's where you belong, Whitlam socialist regime all the way. They you white bitch." I don't believe that that backed that Government, which broke hun­ is the correct thing to do, but that is the dreds of thousands of small businesses. type of thing that is happening. Women Indeed, 176,000 small companies went broke have complained to me about being grabbed throughout Australia when it was in power. on the rump when they were walking The Leader of the Opposition and all his along the main street. Obscene suggestions cronies backed it completely. We cannot have been made to white women in the allow similar happenings. The Fraser Govern­ main street. All that is uncalled for. ment must realise that the sugar industry is Admittedly, that sort of thing happens in the in trouble. We all know of the problems white community, but not as much as it we had recently with the Japanese. They are is happening in the dark community. not fools; they know the price Australian Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 485

people are paying for their sugar. That is delivered to Parliament by His Excellency why they put on an act about paying what the Governor. Once again I pledge my they said was a very high price. I thought loyalty and that of the electors of Kurilpa the sugar industry's submissions would bring to Her Majesty the Queen. sense and light to the Federal Government. I congratulate the Governor on his excel­ And I was pleased to read in yesterday's lent Opening Speech and on the very fine way "Cairns Post" that the Federal member for in which he is discharging his duties. I Leichhardt criticised his own Government­ am sure that every honourable member has opposed it bitterly-because he believes in the utmost confidence in his ability to dis­ the rights of the sugar industry. Somehow charge his important role. or other we must get the message to the Federal boys that a home-consumption price At the same time, I congratulate Mr. of $20 a tonne is insufficient. The big Speaker on his re-election to office and farmers have troubles, but the small farmers you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, on your reappoint­ on 2 000 tonnes or less are history. ment as Chairman of Committees. I am I have not heard one Labor member speak sure that we all appreciate having the House about helping the sugar industry. They are in such competent hands. all quiet and docile. They can talk only This afternoon I shall speak firstly of the about a powerhouse decision that is over role of Parliament. Having spent a term and done with. Why can't they be con­ here, I can look back with enough experience structive and demonstrate their so-called to be able to make worthwhile comments. power in this House? They complain about In the Queensland Parliament we follow having only two speakers in the debate the Westminster system. One of its most on Matters of Public Interest on Wednes­ important aspects is that the sovereignty day. How many more do they want? There of Parliament is absolutely paramount. What are three parties in this House-the National we need is greater expression of that sov­ Party, the Liberal Party, and the Labor Party; ereignty through the private members. each party is entitled to two speakers. That Regrettably there is a tendency on the is what Labor is getting and that is what part of Governments (and I am talking here is fair and square. about Cabinet-the Executive) to diminish Mr. Frawley: Do you know what they the importance of private members, regard­ called the Whitlam Government? less of whatever goodwill or good intention there may be. It is natural for human beings Mr. TENNI: No. I'll bite. to want to make life a bit easier, and work at the point of least resistance. However, Mr. Frawley: Whitlam chickens-all Left it is also a fact that we want private mem­ Wings and bums. bers to contribute the maximum possible to the government of the State, and we want Mr. TENNI: I see. That is probably true, them to contribute it through this Parliament. too. I hope that in the next couple of days During the last Parliament we saw with the Federal Government will realise its ter­ the introduction of the Subordinate Legisla­ rible blunder in crucifying the cane farmers tion Committee a very big step in that direc­ of Queensland. tion. I believe that the Government has a constructive attitude, despite all the criticism Mr. Scott: It is your Government. in the Press-in editorials-and that which flows from political opponents of the Govern­ Mr. TENNI: I don't care whether it is ment. Undoubtedly a constructive cfiort is or not. I am not afraid of speaking here; I being made to improve the performance of am not chicken or lily-livered like Opposition the Parliament. The select committee recently members. I say what I mean. I represent appointed to inquire into education is the people in my electorate, not the Federal another constructive step. My only hope is Government. When I am on my feet I say that we will see more select committees what I want to say. I do not have to listen appointed by the Parliament so that more to comment from the socialists on the left. private members can take a real place in deliberations on important issues, make their I only hope that the Federal Government contribution and in fact help to form policy. realises it has to do something very quickly to save the sugar industry of North Queens­ I would like to see, too, the introduction land. The men in the industry know what of a public works committee and a public has to be done. The submissions they made accounts committee, because undoubtedly we had sufficient bite and strength, but the want greater surveillance of the bureaucracy. Federal Government overruled the proof given In no way am I denigrating the bureaucracy. to it by industry leaders who are very Some extremely competent people head capable in their field. Government departments and instrumentali­ ties in this State. Some very strong people Mr. DOUMANY (Kurilpa) (2.28 p.m.): I are responsible for operating our affairs. rise to support the motion moved by the Nonetheless, no-one is beyond reproach­ honourable member for Southport and and no-one should be beyond reproach. This seconded by the honourable member for Parliament has the task of representing the Warwick in reply to the Opening Speech interests of all individual Queenslanders. It 486 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply needs committees of this sort. I would say t's. Whatever obstruction there might be to that a public accounts committee is par­ it, it is one of the best checks and balances ticularly important, because it constitutes a possible. If anybody is concerned about the constant watch-dog on the expenditure of our power of the Executive-the absolute power funds and resources. Nothing is better than of Ministers, Premiers and Prime Ministers­ a watch-dog appointed by this Parliament­ he should reflect on the counterbalancing one that stems from this Parliament. effect an Upper House would have on those people. In the absence of an Upper House The reason for the existence of such com­ in this State we are extremely vulnerable to mittees-for strengthening them and having the exercise of power. more of them-is even greater because we do not have an Upper House. One of the A good deal of criticism has been voiced damaging blows to the democratic system in about the length of sittings in this House. Queensland was made by an A.L.P. Govern­ Certainly, owing to an election slightly ment in the 1920s when, despite the results earlier than usual last year, the total number of referenda, by subterfuge and cunning of days we sat was low. Even if the election those members in the place across the had been held on the normal date, there corridor voted themselves out of existence. would have had to be an early cut-off of the sittings. Over our history, our present total Mr. Moore: Even though the referendum number of sitting days compares quite favoured retention. favourably with what it has been. Mr. DOUMANY: Yes. Even though the What I take issue with is the disposition referendum favoured retention of the Legisla­ and spread of the time that we do sit. Most tive Council, they abolished it. honourable members detest, and should de­ test, being required to sit into the early hours Mr. Scott: A progressive step. of the morning doing something like two or three normal days' work compressed into Mr. R. J. Glbbs: They had principles. one day. We have a dilution of debate because as members get tired they are less Mr. DOUMANY: It is remarkable to hear and less prepared to pick at legislation and comments of that sort coming from the other side of the House. They should stop to think criticise it. They are less and less prepared that in all other States of the Commonwealth to take the trouble even to read it. As I the Legislative Councils were retained-and said, by sitting abnormally long hours, we do in one day the equivalent of the work retained in fact by a succession of Labor of three average working days. In this way Governments. we have one period of questions instead of Mr. Scott: What good does it do? two or three. In effect Ministers are required to confront the Parliament and expose their Mr. DOUMANY: A comment of that sort affairs to questioning and scrutiny for only is remarkable, coming from an intelligent one-third of the time that they should be. man like the honourable member from the North. We all know that, in order to repre­ Mr. K. J. Hooper interjected. sent our electorates satisfactorily, we must have individual contact with our constituents. Mr. DOUMANY: If the honourable mem­ Many of us have 20,000 constituents, which ber will let me finish, I will let him make means a population of upwards of 40,000 his point. people-men, women and children. In my In addition, the length of time available electorate I have the gaol as well, so another for the debate on Matters of Public Interest couple of thousand can be added. We have is reduced. By sitting long hours, we reduce to maintain effective contact with those the number of \Vednesdays that we sit. people. I am sure that most honourable Therefore we have fewer grievance debates. members are trying to do their jobs dili­ I should like to see a longer spread of gently. At the same time we have a river sitting days. I should like to see the Parlia­ of paper flowing across our desks from ment sit reasonable hours. We should have Government departments as well as the very reasonably short days so that we can work critical river of paper flowing through this effectively while, at the same time, having place in the form of legislation. good and regular access to our electorates Mr. Wright: You get four letters a week; to serve our constituents better. come on, admit it. Mr. K. J. Hooper: Whilst I agree with everything you say, will you agree with me Mr. DOUMANY: There is no question that Ministers are taking up a lot of question­ that at times we do not pick up detail. The time with ministerial statements? honourable member for Rockhampton would be one of the first to admit that. I Mr. DOUMANY: Ministers have to say have heard him say that sometimes we fail their piece. At times I disagree with the to pick up errors in detail because legislation length of their statements. If there is one is pushed through. thing about parliamentarians, including We need a Legislative Council that has Ministers, it is that they talk too much. no job but to review legislation. It could be There is no questioning that many things a nit picker. It could pick the eyes out of could be said in this place in one-fifth of every clause and dot the i's and cross the the time actually taken. Some of the public Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 487

servants who work for Ministers are a short-term gain for Government revenue extremely clever. The honourable member in the coming year. I believe it has very, for South Brisbane is smiling. Of course, it very dangerous implications. is only months since he was in the role of writing answers to questions for Ministers, While I am on the subject of Parliament, and he knows all the tricks of the trade. I think I should talk about our federal Regrettably, the trick of the trade is to spin system. Unfortunately, during the period it out. If one Minister can spin it out, he when Mr. Whitlam was Prime Minister we contributes to the interests of the other witnessed an assault on the concept of Ministers. The length of statements concerns the Westminster system and the Upper House me, as does the length of answers to ques­ and an enormous assault on the concept of tions. I am appalled at the length of some federalism. There is no question that Mr. of the questions, too, especially some Whitlam would have dearly loved to see coming from new members. the end of State Governments, because as a centralist he believed in one total unit Mr. Tenni: What about Mr. Prest? of government, centralised in one area. Yesterday he gave notice of one that was Totally centralised government is an anathema two miles long. to me, and I believe that it is important for parliamentarians, whether they be Federal Mr. DOUMANY: As I say, I am appalled or State parliamentarians, to recognise their at the length of some of the questions; they equality in our federal system. A parlia­ are far too long. I believe that we should mentarian in this House is just as important introduce a rule to cut down the length as a parliamentarian in the House of Repre­ of questions. sentatives or in the Senate. It is regrettable that there are some federal members and Mr. Wright: You'd be one of the greatest senators who tend from time to time to offenders when it comes to lengthy questions. demonstrate a sense of superiority, and they do so overtly, I might add. Mr. DOUMANY: I deny that. I have not heard such detailed questions as those Mr. K. J. Hooper: Yes, and it's confined from the honourable member for Rock­ to the Liberals. hampton. He is just a jot-and-tittle man from the New Testament, or from the Old Mr. DOUMANY: It is not confined to Testament, if you like. He talks about Liberals; it is fairly rife amongst the Federal (a), (b) and (c), and subsection this and members. that. For goodness' sake, let's be objective Mr. Wright: I'd agree; there are some about this. National Party ones among them, too. There is another thing that worries me about our parliamentary system, although Mr. DOUMANY: Certainly there would be this happens more in the Commonwealth some National Party ones among them; the sphere than it does here, and that is the disease is catching. However, as I have said, restrospectivity of legislation. If there is there is absolute equality between members one way to beat the rules, it is to change of this Parliament and members of other them after the game has started. Parliaments, including Canberra, South Aust­ ralia, New South Wales and so on. Mr. Fouras: That is what the Premier has done a few times recently. Mr. Moore: The Federal Parliament is the child of these Parliaments.

Mr. DOUMANY: It is a sin of Govern­ Mr. DOUMANY: Indeed it is. It is a ments of all colours, but in Canberra at the product of all the Parliaments of the States, moment it is an enormous sin, because what­ which agreed on an overall, integrated ever a person thinks about the elimination system. If people cannot look at it in of current tax schemes and the need to that way, then they cannot understand the reform taxation, a lot of genuine businesses politics of Australia. It is extremely impor­ and firms will be in absolute chaos, especially tant that we have this equality, recognise when three years ago they thought they it and try to live by it. It is also important were planning with certainty a certain line to recognise that it provides checks and of action and a certain programme of balances, just as a Legislative Council or expenditure, and now they find that they an Upper House does. will be up for liabilities that they did not anticipate. It will wreck a lot of businesses. I would now like to talk very briefly It will send them to the wall. I am amazed about the economy, because much of what that the bureaucrats in Canberra have man­ we see in the newspapers today, and much aged to twist the ear of the new Treasurer of the comment that is flowing to and fro effectively enough to force retrospectivity in the community, is a result of economic in these measures. Some people might think factors that are imposing on us as individuals. that these measures are very desirable. In There is no question that since 1972 we fact, I think it is important that we get have gone through a most difficult period, taxation revenue from those who can pay and there is no doubt that in December it and who should pay it, but I believe 1975 the Fraser Government inherited an that retrospectivity is not the way to get extremely complicated and difficult situation. 488 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Mr. Fomas: They haven't improved it Amongst the unemployed there are many much, either. potentially productive people. I would not say that everyone is productive, because, Mr. DOUMANY: The honourable member regrettably, a minority of unemployed do for South Brisbane should not interject from not want to get a job at present. I stress other than his own seat, but since he has the word "minority"; but there is a minority, interjected-- and I know of some cases of employers who are trying to get, for instance, labourers and cannot get them. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Row): Order! I will take up that point and remind One of the biggest problems at the moment honourable members that they should not is unemployment amongst very young interject from other than their proper seats. people, and it is very high. The social effects and the effect on the future lives and attitudes of these young people, especially Mr. DOUMANY: I would remind the school-leavers who have not obtained a job, honourable member for South Brisbane that, is something that needs special consideration. whatever arguments one might have about other concomitant factors, the rate of infla­ I think it is vitally important for the tion is far lower than it was three years ago, Government to put a little bit of grease on despite the artificiality of the C.P.I. figures; the wheels of the economy. A big step in because, as the honourable member would that direction was taken in February this well know, the C.P.I. is a very arbitrary year, when taxation scales were effectively piece of machinery. adjusted downwards. Mr. Fouras: At what price, though- Mr. Moore: A bit of sand is needed on 200,000 more people out of work despite the rails so that the wheels can get a better a decrease in inflation! grip. Mr. DOUMANY: The honourable mem­ Mr. DOUMANY: I am not minimising ber for Windsor might have a point. In the problem of unemployment, and I am effect, we are saying the same thing. certainly not minimising the enormous prob­ There is no question that the economy lems confronting small business. I am not is looking for a lead and, unfortunately, minimising all those areas of hardship­ that lead must come from government. We ! know they exist-but I would also point cannot expect businessmen and employers to out that the rate of inflation has to be make all the running in the first place. brought down to a level where business confidence can re-emerge, where people can I should like to think that the time has be taken on to the work-forces of companies, come to look at things such as the develop­ where little businesses can spring up again, ment of infrastructure. We must not allow where building and construction can resume the present infrastructure to run down, and and where people, particularly those on fixed I have a horrible feeling that in the present incomes-the superannuitants, the pen­ careful and tight programmes for the sioners and all those people who cannot go economic management of the nation, infrast­ to an Arbitration Court or the Prices Jus­ ructure is beginning to lag behind the needs tification Tribunal-can survive. The strain of the nation. I have in mind all the on those people is enormous. infrastructure-that which serves rural industry, the ports and their facilities and Only the other day I was talking to the roads, as well as that which serves urban Leader of the Opposition outside this House communities. It is all lagging behind because about the massive impact of inflation on we are all tightening our belts. Both business superannuitants. For instance, widows of and the Government are tightening their members who were here in the 1950s are belts. now on pensions that are absolutely unreal­ istic. They are receiving only $20 or $30 a Dr. Lockw1>od: I think we have to get week, and suffering greatly from the effect inflation down so that local government can of inflation. It just bites into the livelihood again function properly. of little people. There is no question that Mr. DOUMANY: I would agree with that. the Fraser Government has tackled that Local government is one channel through problem, but I am very concerned about its which some pump-priming can be done. reluctance now to take a few steps along the road to priming the pump. There is Dr. Lockwood: I would hate to see us perhaps excessive power in the Treasury dependent on central hand-outs for local bureaucracy operating at the present time, government. which wants to have a very safe game in which to play. It is very tempting for the Mr. DOUMANY: I should certainly like official economists to say to a Minister, to think that the needs of such a programme "Leave it as it is because everything will are identified by the Commonwealth in work out fine at the end." Somewhere along co-operation with State Governments, because the line the circuit has to be broken, and State Governments know a great deal more I believe that this is the time to start about what is going on down on the ground breaking it. than does the Federal Government. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 489

I should like to see a bit more imagination price-sensitive. It is about time the mass displayed in the taxation system. There is no market was recognised as the most critical question that we are a very heavily taxed segment of the car industry. nation. There are many other products in the Mr. K. .J. Hooper: Especially under this economy on which sales tax is being levelled rotten Tory Government. b!in , on a blanket basis so that the same perce:1tage imposition applies to high-priced Mr. DOUMANY: I point out to the luxurious items and low-priced utilitarian honourable member for Archerfield that the items. The Treasury has to show more greatest acceleration in the growth of tax imagination. The Treasury has to wake up to revenue in this country took place under his the fact that revenue comes out of people, illustrious colleague Mr. Whitlam between not out of things. The people need special 1972 and 1975, when the tax take jumped consideration. If we could get that sort of by a factor of 2 or 2.5. He should be very imagination, we would see the car market careful in making statements such as that. jump significantly. If we could get the price Let me get back to the core of the matter. of a Holden Kingswood, as a basic car, \Ve must look to businessmen to employ down to $4,000 or $5,000 on the road, many of the people who are now unemployed. everybody would buy that make and model. They must be employed in the private sector, It costs about $7,000 at the moment. and business can only grow and expand its work-force when it has a market for its Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Row): goods and services. It would be suicide for Order! Would the Chamber please come to it to do so otherwise. order. There is too much audible conversa­ tion. Mr. K . .J. Hooper: I am beginning to realise that you are ministerial material. You Mr. DOUMANY: In the present energy should be on the front bench. conservation situation other measures could be combined with the sales tax measure I Mr. DOUMANY: I am speaking about the have mentioned. \Ve have to start penalising economy, and I turn now to the car-manu­ the owners of vehicles that are heavy con­ facturing industry. That industry is under a sumers of precious hydrocarbon fuel. Such lot of strain at present. One has only to read vehicles must be given a disability so that in this morning's Press about Chrysler, which people will move towards vehicles of lower is supposed to be virtually on the point of fuel consumption. The State Government going out of business. That would be a can make its contribution here, too, by tragedy. In the car-manufacturing industry selectively changing registration fees to make there is low demand and over-supply, and it far more expensive to register a heavy car manufacturers are running to the Prices vehicle. Justification Tribunal, getting price increases, increasing their prices, and expecting the Mr. Moore: Determine it on cubic centi­ market to expand. metres rather than cylinders. Mr. Moore: And then the trade union movement goes for a bigger bite. Mr. DOUMANY: That is right. It is the capacity, not the number of cylinders, that Mr. DOUMANY: And the trade union counts. movement goes for a bigger bite, which lifts While on the subject of energy, I suggest the price a bit further. Many people would the removal of sales tax on items like solar be happly to buy a simpler vehicle, with heaters. Such innovations require encourage­ fewer options, if the price was at a reason­ ment, yet they are taxed. Until recently able level. sales tax was being charged on creams for Mr. Moore: How much would I get for the prevention of sun cancer. After enor­ my 1961 Austin Freeway now? mous protests something was done about that. Such is the insensitivity of tax col­ Mr. DOUMANY: The honourable mem­ lectors. When we read the Bible we realise ber might get $100, which would cover the that they were not very well regarded in registration, the battery and the tyres. If those days, either. Regrettably there is still the honourable member wanted to get a a tendency for tax collectors to behave in reliable vehicle as a replacement, it would the same way today. They have to realise cost him several thousand dollars. It is time that they must tailor their efforts to the that sales tax on cars was differentiated so needs of the people. that utilitarian vehicles of reasonable price I turn now to some of the bread-and­ were given a definite advantage. The sales butter issues concerning us in Brisbane at the tax on a simple, safe Holden, Ford, Chrysler present time. I am very concerned about the or whatever that was optioned to the mini­ situation of housing and accommodation. mum and selling at a reasonable price should be brought down to something less than Mr. K . .J. Hooper: That is a scandal, you one-third of the current level. To the fellow know. who wants to buy a Jaguar, the top States­ man, Caprice or whatever, the price does Mr. DOUMANY: I would not like to see not really matter very much. He is not Labor's methods put into operation. 490 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978) Address in Reply

In today's issue of "The Australian other frills provided for the community are Financial Review" the Federal Construction but nought. People must have a decent Minister, Mr. McLeay, who was in Adelaide roof over their heads, with the certainty speaking to a conference of surveyors, is of having it tomorrow, the week after that reported as saying that a tightening supply/ and the year after that. demand situation is facing Australia in At present, housing should be the Govern­ rental accommodation because fewer and ment's top priority. It is most appropriate fewer investors are prepared to put money that the Minister in charge of housing is into flats. At present, it is a difficult pro­ with us this afternoon. I am sure he realises position to get a reasonable return. I do housing's priority and will be fighting for not say that flats are worth what is being funds for home-ownership. charged for them-in many instances they are not-but an enormous lag has occurred In the past 12 to 18 months, enormous in the construction of new units because of strides have been taken in transport, partic­ disincentives facing investors. ularly rail transport, with the cross-river link and electrification. Railways are the absolute Mr. Fouras: The Housing Commission has basis of a good urban transport system. I built only 7± per cent of all private house hope that the Minister for Transport looks accommodation in Queensland. closely at initiating the electrification of lines going through South Brisbane. The southern Mr. DOUMANY: The Queensland Hous­ suburbs of the city deserve an electric train ing Commission has done a fine job con­ service. In the light of the enormous expan­ sidering the rough treatment it got from the sion on the south side of Brisbane, electri­ Federal Government. fication of the lines must be given top priority. Mr. Fouras: At the same time the Gov­ I would hope that, as soon as that cross­ ernment of South Australia built 25 per river rail link is completed and traffic begins cent. to cross the river, plans will be launched for the construction of electrification facilities Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Row): on the South Brisbane line. I would also Order! There will be no cross-firing in the like to see the link-up of that line across Chamber. to the bayside areas. I believe there is an opportunity for Brisbane to have a railway Mr. DOUMANY: Ownership of houses is system second to none if we can move vital for Australians and their families. now and move with confidence. I would hope, too, that we see an improve­ Mr. K. J. Hooper: It is fast disappearing. ment in rolling-stock on the south side of Brisbane as soon as the bridge is finished Mr. DOUMANY: It is not. and as soon as electrification of the Darra­ We want good rental accommodation at a Ferny Grove line is finished. When the new, reasonable price for all the young families sav­ electrified rolling-stock is put into service, ing money for a deposit and waiting for the I would like to see the better-class diesel economy to turn upwards. It is becoming rolling-stock pushed into the south side of harder and harder for them. In South Brisbane, because we have not seen much Australia, the A.L.P. Premier (the notorious of it up till now. The south side needs Don Dunstan) imposed rigid controls on a fair deal in railway transport. rentals and aggravated the situation down I would like to finish on an area of there. The article in today's issue of "The grave concern-the treatment of the ageing Australian Financial Review" pointed out and the disabled in our community. In the drastic effects on the people of South recent times-in October 1976-a report Australia. We do not want that here. We entitled "Health Problems of the Ageing in want incentives to be given to investors so Australia" was published by the National that increased rental accommodation will be Health and Medical Research Council. I available to put the market more in balance. commend that to all honourable members, We must meet the growing demand. because it talks about the demographic More funds must be injected into home­ patterns in Australia and the inevitable ownership. In the 18 months prior to the ageing in our population, with a consequent end of last year, the Queensland Govern­ inevitable demand for all Governments to ment injected $35,000,000 of special funds face up to the problems of the aged and at 7± per cent interest into housing. Loans an ageing population and determine what of up to $18,000 were subject to a moderate is best for such a population. One thing means test which, I think, was a combined that is emerging is that we should care for income of a man and his wife of $260 a people in their homes and not in institutions. week. That was an enormously important I wish to quote from the recommendations contribution to Queensland's economy and on page 52 of that report. Recommendation to home-ownership. I hope that the 6 reads- Treasurer in his forthcoming Budget ·can "Hospital, community and social welfare find more of this money because housing services should be integrated to meet the is a critical area. If people are not well individual requirements of the elderly per­ housed and happy, all the social welfare, all son. It is the responsibility of each com­ the fancy, carpeted classrooms and all the munity to ensure that its own efforts are Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 491

co-ordinated to achieve the best results throughout the next 50 years. By the time for the aim of keeping the elderly in their of the 1954 census, 336 people resided in the own homes." area. The first housing lots were sold in I believe that that is critical. the late 1950s. Initially there was no reticulated water or sewerage; the roads were While we are at it, let us not forget unsealed and there was only a concrete cause­ the quadriplegics and paraplegics. As people way across Kedron Brook, which separated are killed and maimed on the road each Brisbane from the Pine Rivers Shire. week, we are creating another problem and we have to face up to it. As yet we have However, the district grew rapidly. Young not faced up to it properly. I know that couples in particular were attracted to it the Minister for Health has started to do by relatively cheap land in an attractive so and is determined to tackle these problems. setting not too far from the city of Bris­ bane. Mr. MILLINER (Everton) (3.7 p.m.): By 1966 the population of the area had Firstly, I congratulate His Excellency the grown to 2,000. Water had been connected Governor on his presentation of the Govern­ and a bridge had been built across Kedron ment's legislative programme. I also con­ Brook. As the area grew, the first shops gratulate Mr. Speaker on his election. His and schools were established and the roads election unopposed is an indication of the were progressively sealed. respect that the members of this Opposition By the 1971 census, 8,200 resided in the have for him. I also congratulate my area and by the 1976 census the population colleagues on this side of the House on their had grown to 14,154. The growth of these election. suburbs in the last 15 years has been rapid. I take this opportunity to thank the many Today the electorate contains many attrac­ people both within and outside Everton who tive residential areas-it also contains some assisted me during the election campaign. less desirable features in the form of about I would like to make special reference to a dozen industrial buildings-but it has devel­ my campaign director, Mr. Ray O'Hara. oped primarily as a residential area and Although relatively inexperienced, he under­ nearly all the homes in it have been con­ took the job with a great deal of determina­ structed in the past 15 years. These homes tion. What he lacked in experience, he have been built using a wide range of made up for in enthusiasm. I also thank materials, visually very pleasant. The most Everton Young Labor, the Arana Hills and attractive parts of suburbs are those where Mitchelton branches of the A.L.P. and the residents have planted trees. The appearance waterside workers for their untiring efforts of the suburbs would be greatly enhanced if which made my election to this place possible. more trees were planted in yards, along I am and shall always remain their humble streets and alongside the industrial buildings. servant. The forest character which attracted many It would be remiss of me if I did not pay people to the area initially is slowly but surely tribute to previous members who have being destroyed. This would not be so if represented this electorate with a great deal special efforts were made to retain the trees as of dignity. First, Mr. Eric Lloyd was the areas are developed and if those which are member for Kedron from 1951 to 1972. Mr. removed were replaced when houses are Gerry Jones was the original representative built. for Everton from 1972 till 1974. In the Brisbane City Council the electors of Everton Figures from the 1971 census indicate that have been represented by Labor aldermen of a total labour force of 2,896 residing for a long time, first by Mr. Roy Harvey in the area only 82 or 3 per cent work in and then by Alderman Brian Mellifont, both it. A further 66 people travel into the of whom have represented the area well. area to work. When the total local employ­ ment of 148 is compared with the residential Following the redistribution, the complex­ work-force of 2,896, the role of the area ion of the Everton electorate changed rather as a place of employment is relatively dramatically. From an electorate based minor. The lack of reasonably significant within the boundaries of the Brisbane City recreation, cultural or scenic resources pre­ Council, the new Everton includes areas of cludes the area from becoming a major the Pine Rivers Shire. While it lost parts drawcard for visitors. Predominantly res­ of the suburbs of Stafford, Everton Park idential in character, what local employment and Grovely, four additional suburbs were exists is important to those who are employed. added from the Pine Rivers shire-Ferny It is misleading to read too much into Hills, Arana Hills, Everton Hills and Bunya­ these figures. Suffice it to say that the area ville. Those suburbs are situated immediately is largely populated by people from the to the north and west of the old Everton middle socio-economic classes. Most travel electorate. outside the area to work-97 per cent. Over By 1870 there were 30 people living in half of these travel into the inner city area the Pine Rivers Shire in Everton. The of Brisbane. main activities were dairying and timber­ An analysis of the population by age getting. The population remained fairly and sex indicates a very high proportion static until 1900 and then grew steadily of households consisting of young couples 492 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

with very young families. It is expected that authority had to go out and borrow privately new families moving into the area will be to complete the sewerage works. Consequently, of much the same composition. However, in many local authority areas, ratepayers as those families already there move into the were faced with an increase in their rates higher age groups, the distribution of the to pay interest and redemption charges on area as a whole will become more evenly these loans. spread and approach that of other more established areas. Rate charges are an ever-increasing prob­ lem in our community. The electorate of The breakdown of the work-force figures Everton has some areas controlled by the indicates that, in 1971, 36 per cent of the Brisbane City Council and others by the Pine women between the ages of 20 and 39 were Rivers Shire Council. In Mcllwraith Street, employed. Only one-tenth of these were which is the boundary between the two local employed in the area. This proportion authorities, the residents under the control may or may not have changed much since of the Pine Rivers Shire Council pay approx­ 1971 but it is not likely to have altered imately $150 a year more than their aeigh­ significantly. Financial pressures and chang­ bours, living across the street, under the ing social attitudes towards working women control of the Brisbane City Council. This will tend to have increased this proportion difference in rates between the Brisbane City while higher unemployment in the work-force Council and the Pine Rivers Shire Council as a whole may have discouraged women who has caused many problems in Division 1 of might have sought employment. the Pine Rivers Shire. Many residents firmly believe that these dormitory suburbs of Bris­ At the 1976 census there were in the area bane would be better off if they were more than 2,700 children of pre-school age. brought under the control of the Brisbane If only 20 per cent of their mothers work, City Council and enabled to enjoy the added compared with more than 36 per cent of services provided by the Brisbane City Coun­ women between the ages of 20 and 39, then cil such as transport and full-time repre­ approximately 500 children are potentially in sentation from their elected representatives. need of day care. A proportion of these will be absorbed into kindergartens and pre­ From the debate on the subject, it is quite schools but a significant number will require obvious that the only way to resolve the a care facility of some other type. In dispute is to conduct a poll in these suburbs addition we have over 2,400 primary-school so that in a democratic way the residents children. If 25 per cent of their mothers themselves can determine which local author­ work, then a further 600 children are ity they prefer to belong to. potentially in need of after-school supervision. The revaluation of the Pine Rivers Shire I take this opportunity to mention one of in December of this year will further aggra­ the leading identities of Arana Hills, Mrs. vate the situation because it would seem that Melva Welsh. Mrs. Welsh was one of the people do not understand the method that pioneers of Arana Hills. She has been local authorities use for determining the actively engaged in community work for the amount of revenue that they require to com­ past 20-odd years and has been respons­ plete their programmes. I agree with the ible for the editing, production and distribu­ Minister for Survey and Valuation that the tion of "The Adviser" newspaper. Her system of assessing land valuation and land welcoming of new residents has helped them tax should be overhauled. settle into their new surroundings with a minimum of fuss. I personally congratulate The valuation equalisation method oper­ her on her efforts. ating in New Zealand, and recently adopted Local government is the closest level of in South Australia, should be considered in government to the community and there­ this State. It has been proven and is simple fore plays a very important role in the to operate and could be easily adapted to the development of Queensland. It is local needs of this State. It is based on the State government that supplies most of the basic being divided into five areas and annual requirements-road-works, sewerage, clean­ valuations being applied to all these areas. ing, maintaining parks and gardens and many In every five-year cycle the Valuer-General other jobs that make our way of life as undertakes a normal valuation of the areas. comfortable as it is today. Reliance is placed on the experience of the valuer responsible for an area to advise on It is becoming extremely difficult for local the adjustment to be made to the total e.xist­ government to function effectively without ing valuation of the area, to bring it up to more assistance from the Federal and State the level of the latest area valuation carried Governments. The backlog sewerage scheme out in the special-purpose area. He is fur­ introduced by the Labor Government was a nished with all the latest information on tremendous boost to local government as it sales that have occurred in the area and the gave direct access to Federal Government difference between the existing valuation and finance. The scaling down of the backlog those sales, and from his experience, he must sewerage scheme in 1976 has caused many decide whether that ratio is reasonable or problems for local authorities. Sewerage should be varied. His decision will depend work which was started under the funding largely on whether many sales have t~ken agreement had to be curtailed or the local place in the area or whether there Is a Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 493 dearth of sales information, to which prop­ 1972 that it was resumed. I urge the Govern­ erties the sales are related-residential, com­ ment not to stop at the electrification of the mercial or other use-and the circumstances railways. I believe a co-ordinated system of surrounding each sale. After determining transport is needed so that commuters will approximate ratios, the valuer then adjusts the not be required to drive their motor vehicles total valuation of the area to the latest gen­ to railway stations. The Government should eral valuation level, and this becomes the introduce a system of feeder buses for the equalised valuation. No adjustments are suburbs of Ferny Hills, Arana Hills, Everton effected to individual property values. Hills and Everton Park. Under valuation equalisation ratepayers With the increase in vandalism and crime have no right of objection or appeal except in urban electorates, increased police pro­ every fifth year, because no change is tection should be high on the Government's effected to the existing property values other list of priorities. The area serviced by the than the natural causes until the fifth year Mitchelton Police Station is far too great for of revaluation for each area is made, nor the personnel and cars with which it is can there be any right of objection for appeal now eq-uipped. It should be upgraded to a against the total adjusted value which the 24-hour police station with additional staff Valuer-General annually determines for each and equipment so that a 24-hour patrol can area. be maintained. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Row): With the increase in the young popula­ Order! Once again I ask honourable mem­ tion in the Everton electorate it is pleasing bers to moderate the level of conversation in to see local residents concerned enough to the Chamber. If this does not occur, the attend a meeting held to establish a youth debate will be held up until it does. The club. I hope their efforts prove fruitful, and honourable member for Everton. that in a couple of years a viable youth club will be operating in the electorate. Sport and Mr. MILLINER: As no other person in recreation can make a tremendous con­ the State possesses the information required tribution to the quality of life. Adequate to decide by how much the existing total avenues should be made available to assessed value should be adjusted either up or encourage participation in every type of down to equalise it with the level of the recreation and assist in its development for latest five-yearly general valuation completed, the enjoyment and physical well-being of the the equalised valuation is a carefully deter­ community. mined judgment and should not be the sub­ There should be established in Queensland ject of questioning by any person, even the a State administration headquarters for sport Ombudsman. For a valuation equalisation to and recreation containing trained personnel be successful, it is imperative that the deci­ supported by adequate office facilities. Sport, sion of the Valuer-General be final and not directly and indirectly, probably interests subject to appeal; that is the case in New more people in the community than any Zealand. other activity. Education of children's minds The valuation equalisation system has all and bodies should go hand in hand. One the advantages of an annual valuation with­ without the other leads to failure to reach out the disabilities of appeals and objections. full potential. Sport also creates the ideal It permits the Valuer-General to carry out social climate for bringing all people together revaluations to a five-year-cycle pattern. The on a common level, as well as gaining for rate is levied on the valuation in force, our nation recognition and prominence which is accurate and actual. throughout the world. Many people from overseas countries would be unaware of The amount payable annually in rates will Australia's existence but for the achieve­ reflect market values of property and will, ments of many of our sportsmen and sports­ in turn, be sensitive to wage and cost-of­ women. living variations. Increases in rates will occur annually, and will be spread over the whole In the Housing Commission area in five-year period instead of occurring in the Everton it is becoming obvious that the year of the revaluation. The system is Government must look at the housing of the simple to operate and should be understood aged. Some of the very first Housing Com­ by most ratepayers. All properties of equal mission developments were undertaken in market value should pay the same amount this electorate. Consequently, the children of for rates annually regardless of whether they the families who moved into these areas are located in metropolitan or country have now left and quite a number of three­ bedroom homes are occupied by aged areas. couples or a single person. I urge the The Government takes great pride in the Government to look at a kind of develop­ electrification of the railway line between ment like the Endeavour Project at Waterloo Ferny Grove and Darra. I find it rather in Sydney where multi-storey units have disappointing that this project has been defer­ been constructed for the housing of retired red for some 20-odd years. It was the people. Such projects should be constructed Labor Government of the 1950s which in the area or as close as possible to the started the electrification of the railway area where these people have lived so that system in this State, and it was not until the they may remain near to the environment Federal Labor Government was elected in that they know. 494 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

It is becoming obvious that housing in viewer; yet major research evidence indicates this State has reached crisis point because, that the viewing of television violence first of all, the cost of buying a block of increases aggressiveness in children, leads to land and then building a house on it is now the acceptance of violence as a way of life out of the reach of many young couples. and, consequently, changes the nature of our The Government should take the initiative social structure. through the Housing Commission and pro­ vide more money so that every young There is a wide variety of possible reasons couple can realise their dream of owning for the continued acceptance of violence on their own home. More than ever before, our screens. It might well be that the many people will never own their own home, average viewer uses himself as evidence of but again the Government must take the the fact that one can view television violence initiative through the Housing Commission and not become aggressive, although in by supporting an extensive building pro­ reality he may well be more aggresive after gramme to provide low-rental accommoda­ viewing television violence than before, or tion. This, I believe, would have a two­ that what he sees is only a story and hence pronged effect. Firstly, it would stimulate the does not have any impact on the attitude building industry and create many job and behaviour of the viewer. opportunities not only in the building industry but in industries associated with it A more serious problem lies in the fact and, secondly, and probably more impor­ that so many of our teachers, parents and tantly, it would provide good, cheap accom­ administrators are not even aware of the modation for those in the community who nature and content of television programmes really need it. viewed by children in particular. A simple check of the opinions of teachers and prin­ The Government should consider resiting cipals concerning, for example, their impres­ the new high school at Ferny Grove. With sion of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. television some 1,450 children attending high school, programmes indicates not only a dearth of and 2,800 attending primary school in the knowledge of the programmes themselves but suburbs of Ferny Hills, Arana Hills and also an attitude of indifference towards view­ Everton Hills, the need for a high school in ing television at such an hour. This may this area is paramount. The number of well be a worthy attitude in terms of time, children that a high school at Ferny Grove programme content and other demands of would service would be limited, but with the the day. However, it is reasonable to expect electrification of the railway line, a number that those responsible for children's education of children would be able to attend high should have at least some idea of the type schools closer to the city. and content of programmes that approx­ imately one in four of their children view As the Education Department already has before arriving at school. four primary schools in the Everton elector­ ate and has acquired land for a further three If teachers and parents are not aware of primary schools there, I sincerely believe programme content, there is little likelihood it should start immediately to plan a high of their accepting a constructive role in school in the electorate. the development of programmes in the media. Education is a life-long and on-going pro­ Consequently, by default, they have handed cess. Although recognising the basic import­ over the control and planning of television, ance of the three Rs concept in education, particularly of programmes for children, to a small group of television producers and I believe that, in this day and age of tremendous technological change, education station managers, who may or may not put needs to go further than the three Rs. the interests of children ahead of those of Children must be taught to cope with life; advertisers and shareholders. Even if they they must be taught to choose intelligently; have children's welfare as their foremost they must be taught a capacity of self-dis­ aim, producers are rarely trained in an under­ cipline; they must be taught a sense of standing of the growth, development and social responsibility; and they must also be needs of those to whom they broadcast. It taught the ability to form meaningful human would be unthinkable to allow a programme on health and associated medical problems relationships. to be produced without the assistance of As I said, education is a life-long and on­ medical specialists. On the other hand, we going process. It is not realistic to believe are prepared to accept daily television pro­ that education is strictly confined to the grammes that are produced for children and class-rooms. Television, for good or for produced without the assistance of profes­ bad, plays a large part in the education of sional skilled educational personnel. our children. It is from this area, I believe, that many of our social problems stem. There probably has been more research into the effects of television violence than After 20 years of television in Australia, any other aspect of television. With very what is our choice? Or, more accurately, few exceptions, the results could almost be what has been chosen for us, and why? expected from a purely commonsense What are the effects of television violence approach to the subject, namely, that violence on the community? This is an aspect which in television tends to increase aggressive has been almost disregarded by the average behaviour in children. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 495

It is not suggested that television violence personality or a film hero who reinforces the is the cause of all or even most of the very behaviour pattern that he is trying aggressive behaviour in children. The esti­ to eliminate. mated contribution of television violence to A further distracting statement by the aggressive behaviour in the community has television industry is that opponents of been suggested by a variety of sources as television violence wish to eliminate all viol­ possibly in the order of 10 per cent. Is ence on television. The industry maintains this a small proportion? Hardly! Few that this would lead to an unrealistic view would suggest that an unemployment level of life. Possibly some organisations would of 7 per cent is small. If it could be estab­ like to see all violence removed from the lished that 8 per cent of serious injuries suf­ television screens, or at least removed during fered in motor vehicle accidents could be children's viewing periods. Others would eliminated by wearing seat belts, this would seek a reduction in unnecessary violence. be significant. If televised violence increases What is unnecessary? Can a police drama aggressive behaviour by 10 per cent, any be effective without violence, or must it carry steps taken to reduce this percentage would a heavy load of violence? benefit not only the individuals concerned but the community as a whole. The suggestion is often advanced that tele­ vision should present a realistic view of life Those wishing to defend the televising of and so prepare children for everyday living. violence usually refer to the relatively small If there is merit in this approach it is reason­ percentage of persons affected. It all depends able to expect that television should expose on what value we place on human life. an average child to no more than the amount We do not know whether the televising of and type of violence which he would encou~­ violence sows small seeds that may grow ter in his normal life. Ideally, however, It and bear fruit in unfavourable circumstances would be preferable to present less violence, much later. because our society should be moving towards Another argument advanced by the tele­ pro-social values and encouraging children to vision industry in support of violence on reduce existing aggression, not to maintain the screen is that both children and adults it at its present level. tend to watch such programmes. They argue, People are often accused, to use ~he "This is what the viewer wants. This is what television industry's words, "of endeavourmg he should be given. Let the viewer's prefer­ to make children's television an extension ence be the deciding factor in selecting pro­ of the class-room." It is unthinkable that grammes." It is not necessary to point television, with its vast potential, should not out that in most societies the activities extend the child's learning beyond the limits which children, and even adults, may enjoy of the class-room. However, it would be but which society feels may not be of advan­ of considerable benefit if television could tage to either the individual or the community heed the positive values advanced in educa­ are frequently denied or restricted. It is tion. These could and should be incorpor­ difficult to understand why the same princ­ ated into programmes broadcast during child­ iple should not apply to television. ren's viewing time. What of the argument that television The job of our educators is a difficult only follows trends in society and that the one. I would have hoped that the role media are followers, not leaders? It would of Government would be a creative, not be unthinkable for any executive to advise an oppressive, one. Our education syst.em potential advertisers, "Television advertising must change continually to prepare our child­ does not create a demand for your new ren for life. product. You establish a demand and our advertising will reinforce it." On the con­ Our children are brought up with the trary, television advertising both creates a expectation that society will provide them demand and reinforces that demand. Like­ with all they desire. This may have been wise, television programmes can and do create true only a few short years ago; but how ideas, attitudes and behaviour patterns, and things have changed over those few ye~rs! reinforce them. Can our kids become doctors, dentists, teachers, train drivers and firemen? A few Television's ability to influence the behav­ years ago any child who was prepared to work iour of its viewers can hardly be denied. could usually gain entry to the profession or Advertising firms spend millions of dollars job of his or her choosing. Unfortunately a year on that assumption. The executives that is not the case today. When I talk about of television stations enthusiastically agree, teaching to cope with life, I believe that to yet they act with surprise when anyone sug­ be one of the most important functions of gests that their programmes of violence influ­ education. The kids must be taught to ence young children. cope with reality, the reality that they may not be able to obtain employment in the Even if television only reinforces behav­ job or profession that they choose. iour, its role would be critical. A teacher or parent can spend weeks attempting to Undoubtedly the major problem facing our modify a child's behaviour or even a child's nation and State is unemployment. In language, only to find his efforts frustrated view of the technological change that has by a television programme, a television taken place in the past few years, I do not 496 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply believe there is any easy solution to the The job of a union official, whether he be unemployment problem. In the industry in a full-time official or a shop steward, is a which I served my apprenticeship, that is, difficult one. The need for the Govern­ the printing industry, the advances in tech­ ment to undertake trade union training has nology have been quite staggering. To arrived. Subjects to be considered could be quote one example-a computer was installed industrial law, safety, public speaking, man­ in a Sydney daily newspaper employing agement, organisational strategy and so on. about 1,300 people. The management gave By undertaking such training, trade union an undertaking that there would be no officials could put their cases in the Arbitra­ retrenchment. Unfortunately that was not tion Commission in the best possible manner the case and employees were retrenched. and gain results that would benefit their That caused an industrial dispute resulting members and society as a whole. in a decision of the employees to withdraw their labour. Although 1,000 employees I believe that, because of the increase in withdrew their labour, the company, with leisure time now enjoyed by the community, the aid of the computer, was able to publish tourism has become one of the leading the paper with no reduction in size. Event­ industries in this State. But tourism has ually the disput_e was settled, but it high­ been virtually overlooked. Development of lighted the fact that technology could do the tourist industry should be undertaken the job that was being performed by about through planning, research and promotion 1,000 workers. and, where necessary, the operation of a State tourist enterprise. I would like to see I am informed that a Brisbane dailv news­ established a tourist-development loan fund paper is about to install the same equipment. to provide loans at reasonable interest rates. Fortunately the industrial record of this Many of our local authorities have proYided establishment is particularly good and I tourist facilities, and they are to be con­ do not expect in Brisbane trouble similar gratulated on their activities. However, to that which occurred in Sydney. However, I do not believe that local authority rate­ the company is looking closely at its staff pavers should have to foot the bill. Govern­ numbers and has reduced drastically its ments should make more monev available apprenticeship intake. That, again, highlights to local authorities so that they can extend the problem I spoke of earlier concerning their tourist facilities. the inability of school-leavers to gain employment. In conclusion, I thank the silent majority in Everton for their support. I hope that We must live with technology in indu,try. the decisions of this the 42nd Parliament It is here, whether we like it or not. I am will make Queensland a better place in which a great believer in consultation before con­ to live. frontation. I suggest that employers, employees and the Government examine the Mr. ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (3.40 p.m.): Queensland Industrial Conciliation and Firstly, I take this opportunity to pledge my Arbitration Act with a view to updating it loyalty and that of the Cunningham electo­ to the 1980s so that society as a whole, rate to Her Majesty the Queen. At the same not just the select few, gain from the tech­ time I congratulate our new Governor on nological changes in industry. the job that he is doing. All fair-minded In view of the difficulty of getting people in Queensland would be very please? apprenticeships for school-leavers, I would to see the attitude that the Governor IS like to see the whole structure of apprentice­ taking to his job. It is very important that ship-training overhauled. I would like to we have people of his calibre in positions see all apprentices indentured to the State and as important as that of Governor. He is a pool of apprentices established. Employers very much a hail-fellow-well-met type, and could draw apprentices from such a pool. I believe that he will be well accepted right Certain safeguards would have to be built throughout the State. I congratulate him on into this scheme to ensure that apprentices his attitude. were not exploited by unscrupulous employers As a new member in the last Parliament, who are out to get cheap labour. This I felt that this was a very strange and noisy scheme would also give the apprentices greater place. After having been here for three opportunities to work in different surround­ years, I believe that if we are to lift the ings and gain wider experience than would public's opinion of our profession as par­ normally be gained under the one employer. liamentarians and of the institution of The trade union movement plays an import­ I';;:-!i;;;;;;;;::!, ~l is up to each and every one ant role in our society. It was the bitter of us to take a far greater interest in struggles by the shearers, the waterside Parliament and be far more responsible workers, the seamen and many other sections in the activities carried out in the House. of the organised labour force that helped Too often the Chamber is used to throw us attain the high standard of living that most mud and to personally denigrate people who of us enjoy. If this standard of living is are not in a position to refute the claims. to be maintained, the trade union movement, Mr. Turner: Don't you believe that dirt too, must be maintained. The Government thrown is ground lost? must realise this fact. As society becomes more sophisticated, so must our trade union Mr. ELLIOTT: The honourable member movement follow suit. for Warrego is very much to the point. Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 497

We would all do well to h:we a look at of the A.L.P. to bring forward information the behaviour in this place, particularly on this particular controversy. A.L.P. mem­ during the election of the Speaker. It is bers have had no problems whatsoever. They probably one of the traditions of this place; have devoted a good deal of time to it. but, as has already been suggested, we could well look at changing that procedure. Mr. Casey: We can't get it brought forward. As the Tarong/Millmerran power-station controversy is topical at the moment, I feel I should address myself to it. Let there be Mr. ELLIOTT: It has been brought for­ no shadow of doubt where I stood on this ward in all sorts of ways. I do not intend to issue. I believe that, as a member for an waste time arguing with the honourable area, all one can do is sum up the situation member for Mackay. He can express his as one sees it, decide what is in the best views whenever he feels like it. interests of the greatest number in the Let us look at where we stand in relation electorate and then follow a course of action to overall water supply. We have a problem accordingly. That is exactly what I did in with bringing water from Glenlyon Dam. I Cunningham. I possibly received a good understood that there was sufficient water deal of criticism on the northern side of the for irrigation in both New South Wales and electorate, since some of those people may Queensland and the harvesting technique of have felt that they would have benefited pumping water into the Coolmunda Dam for more by Tarong's being selected as the site. later use sounded like a pretty good idea, However, in my opinion, as the member for but it would appear to me now that we did Cunningham, there was no shadow of doubt not fully have the backing and support of where the power-station should be sited and the irrigators in that area. Possibly we will would do the most good for the entire region. have a considerable number of problems I would like to thank all of those people with that suggestion. in the area who supported us in the pre­ sentation of our case. For once, we worked It is absolutely crucial that we get the on a case for an entire region rather than Millmerran project going. We run a risk selectively and selfishly for small areas. That of not getting the S.R.C. plant off the is very important, and we should see more ground by not combining the power-station of it. However, in saying that, I would like with it. This has always worried me. At the to make a few pertinent points on the over­ moment, I am doubtful if there is sufficient all dispute. At the time when I was arguing impetus to get the project going without the case reasonably strongly, I was not fully some other side industry run in conjunction aware of some of the implications that have with it. ~ow come to light. We must seriously ques­ To get the water for this project we will tiOn the overall water supply. If there is a probably have to look to the Mole Creek stumbling block with Millmerran, that is it. Dam and Northern Rivers water. For It was my belief that we had an agreement example, the Clarence River area has the with the New South Wales Government potential of another Snowy River scheme. under which we had sufficient water for I understand one parliamentarian in New irrigation and also for the power-station. South Wales has spent his lifetime advocating this project. I know that the former member One suggestion that has been raised on a for Warwick (Mr. David Cory) raised this number of occasions, particularly in the subject on numerous occasions. Press, is that Toowoomba sewerage effluent be piped to Millmerran for use in the S.R.C. I should like to refer to the Condamine plant. Let me say here and now that the River. It is very pertinent in the overall water from the Toowoomba sewerage plant context of this matter. Let there be no is already committed for irrigation purposes doubt in the minds of Opposition members along Gowrie and Oakey Creeks. There is that the Condamine River is already over­ no way in the world that that water can be committed. We have an over-commitment to taken from those farmers. Many landholders water from the underground aquifers in the in that area are queueing up trying to get Upper Condamine Basin and we have an licences to use that water. Anybody who over-allocation of water from Leslie Dam. thinks he can take water from people to Despite the fact that Stage II of the Leslie whom it is allocated and use it for another Dam has been No. 1 priority by the Gov­ project will get into a tremendous amount of ernment, it staggers me that in Budget after strife. Let there be no doubt about that. Budget we have not seen any provision of funds to get this project started. I suggest Mr. Casey: Do you favour a full debate that the Government should look very ser­ in the House on Tarong? iously at it because it is one of the very few projects on which a feasibility study has been Mr. ELLIOTT: The honourable member done, with a Bureau of Agricultural Econ­ has every opportunity. He can get on to his omics report to back it up. When one looks feet any time he likes. A very free range of at the percentage return on capital or the debate is allowed at the introductory stage benefits likely to result from the building of of Bills, when he can raise any matter he this dam, one realises that it is one of the likes. During the past week or two I have best irrigation projects ever envisaged, not not noticed any great reluctance on the part only in Queensland but also in Australia. 498 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Mr. Moore: From figures published it of the dairy farmer. I go on record as say­ appears that it could be a magnificent project. ing that I do not believe that we have dealt quickly enough with the problem of getting Mr. ELLIOTT: The honourable member milk supplied to pre-school children, some­ for Windsor is correct. thing that was promised in the election cam­ paign. We should raise the priority of this So many of these projects do not stand up scheme so that we can get it started. It is to an economic survey, but Stage II of the a scheme that will help the dairy industry as Leslie Dam stood up to a survey and showed well as benefit the children, particularly those a return of 13.2 per cent on capital. This is children who are underprivileged and are one of the most significant returns that any not getting the quantity of milk that they irrigation project in the nation has ever been should be getting daily. able to project. When projected on the very worst of terms one could possibly imagine, it Mr. Casey: The Government has had six still returned 7.5 per cent. months now to put it into effect.

We cannot afford to let this great resource Mr. ELLIOTT: Who took it away in the area of the Darling Downs languish for the first place? want of a very small amount of money com­ pared with the overall benefits that would Mr. Casey: I am asking you what happened result from it. I feel that we should look to the promise that was made six months at it in the overall context of the New South ago? Wales Northern Rivers scheme, and with the increase in water that could be obtained Mr. ELLIOTT: This is the sort of thing from such a scheme there would no longer we expect from the honourable member for be any doubt at all about the success of this Mackay. Opposition members bleat about the Millmerran project. shortcomings of the State Government, but they very conveniently forget what happened As a nation we are faced, as the honour­ when the Labor Party first got into power able member for Toowoomba North indi­ in Canberra. cated, with a shortage of oil and are Jiving in a fool's paradise. We are using oil as Mr. Doumany: They've got a short though it was going out of fashion. We memory. will be faced with insurmountable problems when this inevitable fuel crisis occurs, so we as legislators must take meaningful steps in Mr. ELLIOTT: That is right, they have facing up to this problem. This ties in with very short memories. what we are talking about in relation to I shall now look at another problem transport. That is another reason why we facing the dairy industry. I refer to the pro­ should look at it. posed entitlements committee. I would like to see the legislation authorising this com­ There are many other things I want to mittee placed on the statute-book very discuss, so I will not take up the whole of shortly. We country members are being sub­ my time on the Millmerran project. I turn jected to quite a deal of questioning by now to the problems of the rural industry various people in the industry who are in the Cunningham area. When all is said saying, "What is going on with regard to and done, the Cunningham electorate is very this?" I hope that in the next few weeks much dependent on its rural industries. The we will see the legislation being brought economy of Toowoomba, too, depends on forward, because it was an undertaking reasonably affluent times in the rural sector made by this Government and I believe we of its hinterland. must honour our obligations.

Let me first deal with the dairy industry. I now turn to the beef industry because, Fortunately, in the last three years we have goodness knows, it is facing enormous seen some useful legislation that has helped problems at the moment. One has only to the dairy industry. When I made my maiden look around the countryside to see what is speech in this House, I pointed out prob­ happening in areas that rely on the pros­ lems that faced the dairy farmers with perity of the beef industry. I know that the quotas. Some of these problems have been honourable member for Flinders has been overcome to a slight degree, but a lot jumping up and down trying to get things more needs to be done to improve the lot done for the beef industry. I believe he has Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 499 done a tremendous job on the marketing is in real strife because overseas credit authority legislation. He and some of the sales are being made by other countries, other members of the Minister's meat com­ particularly the United States and Canada. mittee have to take quite a deal of credit Because they have lower inflation rates, they for this legislation. While Federal Govern­ are able to give extended credit terms to ment assistance in the form of a subsidy overseas countries wishing to buy wheat. for dipping and speying was of tremendous In Australia, the higher inflation rate, with assistance, particularly to small producers, the consequent higher interest rates, takes let us not fool ourselves for one moment a very large slice out of the overall cake that it was anything more than a stopgap in returns on wheat, and that situation can measure. Of more significance in the brigalow only be aggravated if countries overseas areas was the moratorium on loan repay­ continue to reduce their inflation rate. We ments introduced recently. That is the sort will be facing a very real problem unless of assistance needed right throughout the we are able to reduce the inflation rate cattle industry. We are getting into so much to a greater extent than we have been up to trouble that nothing short of that type of date. assistance will really do much for beef pro­ ducers. Everybody will be affected-not only the farmers, but also machinery agents and the We must look at these problems on a financial houses of the nation. The situation long-term basis. In principle I am totally will be similar to that which arose in the opposed to the idea of hand-outs. I do not days of quotas, when in many places machin­ believe for one moment that they are the ery was sold at reduced prices and the answer. While they help in the short term, finance companies were landed with equip­ we must look more to the long term. We ment that they could not sell. Because must ensure that any public money provided that would do immense harm to the whole for any industry-! am not referring specifi­ economy, we cannot afford to allow it to cally to the beef industry-must be used in happen. a sensible and practical fashion to ensure that those who are efficient benefit from it, Mr. Casey: Surely you need some sort not just those who are inefficient or who are of control on production? in dire circumstances. We must ensure that we maintain a viable beef industry, because as a nation of exporters we cannot afford Mr. ELLIOTT: I agree. We do not want to allow these great export industries to a situation in which there is willy-nilly, fail and come tumbling down around our stupid production that has no real relation­ ears. Believe me, if this happens the con­ ship to the overall world market. sequent social problems will be immense. But this will occur if we do not reverse Believe me, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in the the dreadful situation that exists throughout long term the wheat industry has a very rural Australia. great future. The only problem now facing it is the one about which I am speaking, I now turn to the wheat industry. Perhaps that is, marketing in relation to credit sales being made by overseas countries, and this I should refer not to the wheat industry, is cutting down the return to Australian but to the grain industry, because it is wheat-growers. probably the most predominant industry in the Cunningham electorate. It is probably In cases in which, because of weathering one of the most diversified grain-growing or adverse harvesting conditions, wheat has areas in Australia. The farmers there have to be sold as feed wheat, some people the ability to grow practically anything-- are receiving as little as $55 or $56 a tonne. Mr. Casey: Except sugar-cane. Taking into account the State average, in many areas it is not possible to grow wheat on that sort of return. Mr. ELLIOTT: Yes, with the exception of sugar-cane, as the honourable member Mr. Casey: The I.A.C. marketing recom­ for Mackay points out. mendations are not the answer, either. I believe that very serious consideration must be given to Australia's overall market­ Mr. ELLIOTT: Possibly so, but, as I ing policies and where this country is going have many other matters to cover, I will in the grain industry. The wheat industry not go into that. 500 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Let me turn now to one of the most this way a soil conservation project can be pressing problems facing the central area speeded up. At the present time it costs of the Darling Downs in my electorate, $1,000 a square mile to do this mapping. particularly the Aubigny and Linthorpe How much would it cost to do the same catchments. I refer to the problem of work by foot-slogging? I am sure that in soil erosion. many cases it would cost more than $1,000 a It is not only my problem or the problem square mile. We should get with the tech­ of the landholder; it is a collective problem, nology of the age, and use this technique. We all have a responsibility to the nation, It would speed up more than just that part Mr. Deputy Speaker, to conserve this very of the operation. At the present time depart­ valuable resource. It is terribly easy to mental officers are sitting in offices preparing whip up some emotion and get people to maps from information supplied by people talk about conservation and jump up and who have walked all over the valleys. They down about it. What could be more import­ are endeavouring to get out project plans ant than the conservation of this very precious so that some physical soil conservation work resource, our soil? Once it has gone, it can be done. The whole project could be has gone for ever, and we get only one put forward five or six years by using the opportunity to retain it. technology available to us. I urge all honour­ able members from country areas to look If some of the upland slopes of the Darl­ very seriously at the problem and ask them ing Downs become eroded, it is very difficult to support me in this practical suggestion. to get the land back into production. In some instances land has been eroded down I refer now to a subject that should be to the basalt, and once it gets below a near and dear to the heart of all members certain level it is very difficult to get any real representing country areas or near-metro­ production from that country again. politan areas where this may apply. I refer to free and low-rental housing, and to what Although I am very grateful for the so far has only been kite-flying by the increase in Government subsidy from $1,000 Federal Government or the Taxation Depart­ to $1,500, I believe that Federal and State ment. I am not too sure who has been doing Governments should give much more assist­ the kite-flying. Let there be no doubt about ance to overcome the problem, and one of it: if the Taxation Department says, "You the very practical things that could be done must put a value on that housing of $40 a would be to use the technology that is now week"-$30, $20, or whatever it might be­ available. then I will be against it. Every thinking For a start, let us look at orthophoto person in this House who knows about the mapping. For the benefit of those who difficulty of getting employees into country do not know what I am talking about, areas would realise that this cuts across what people are trying to do to get employees into I point out that it is the use of remote areas of the State. That applies not aerial photography. With this technique the difference can be picked between a only to persons working on the land, but to 4 in. and a 6 in. gutter. A projection can departmental officers, railway fettlers and all be taken right across a valley catchment sorts of employees. Opposition members when mapping for a soil-erosion project. should join with me and make certain that, if this happens, we kick up a hell of a row A whole area can be mapped instantly so about it. We must ensure that it never comes that contour read-outs are available. Imagine to pass. If it does, it will be even more how many hours persons would take in difficult to get people into remote areas. How traversing that country on foot to map it. I am sure that the honourable member for can we expect to get persons to go into Southport, having been in the Army and remote areas when we consider the sort of money that can be earned in the city? Let probably having foot-slogged over difficult us make certain that we hit this one hard. terrain--

Mr. White: Thousands of miles. I now turn to a subject that is particularly important to my area. It concerns the Mr. ELLIOTT: Yes, thousands of miles. Heritage Commission. We must ensure that I am sure he would realise just how much we preserve what little history we have would be involved in doing that sort of work left-what we have not knocked down. I on the ground. A camera can instantly plot refer in particular to the Jondaryan Wool all the contours to the required definition. In Shed, which is one of the few great wool Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 501 sheds left virtually intact in our nation, and we continue to build the sort of Australia which can be built up into a really worth­ that Australians will be proud to live in. while tourist complex. I hope to receive It is essential to consider the principles that support from all areas of the political spec­ we should be involved in, the principles that trum so that the Government will realise we as a Government and an Opposition should the significance of the project. It is a mag­ support jointly. I shall put to the House nificent building that should be preserved a number of the principles that I feel are of for posterity. It has great potential. A very crucial importance in this the last part of keen committee has spent an enormous the 20th Century. amount of its own money, time and effort in trying to get this tourist project off the The first principle is that the Govern­ ground. To be fair, I must point out that ment and the Parliament must accept respon­ the committee received an initial Govern­ sibility for the consequences of their actions. ment grant of $10,000 but, unfortunately, In the case of the Government, this means nothing more has been forthcoming. I hope that it must be answerable to the Legislature that, before long, it becomes eligible for at all times, because the Legislature, com­ another grant. prising as it does the elected representatives of the people, surely must be paramount I shall now deal briefly with a subject that in any system of democratic government. I referred to when we were considering Instead, unfortunately we often find gov­ straw-company legislation. It was also ernment by bureaucracy-an undemocratic referred to by the honourable member for bureaucracy; an arrogant bureaucracy; a Brisbane Central. It is essential to look at bureaucracy completely without supervision, the overall context of the legislation and without accountability and, most importantly, relate it to the shortage of fuel in Australia. without competition. This in my opinion is These matters are very much interrelated. what leads to its arrogance. We cannot continue to strike registration fees that have no relationship to ensuring that We must as a Parliament be determined people do not use fuel wantonly. Whenever that the bureaucracy will be answerable to practicable, registration fees and other charges this House. There are several fairly simple should relate to fuel usage. A suggestion mechanical ways in which we can do it­ was made that a heavy tax be placed on and it astounds me that we did not take fuel and a nominal charge made for registra­ those mechanical steps many, many years tion. In many far-flung areas of the State ago. There has been a decline in Par­ where the roads receive no real attention, liament since the turn of this century-a it would be unfair to make people pay the decline that has just about set in to become same levy as those who drive on the freeway a rot. I fear that, unless that rot is to the Gold Coast or on good bitumen stopped very soon, we will see the Parlia­ roads. As I said, we are living in a fool's ment as an outmoded institution with very paradise in the oil situation. If we do not little relevance to where the power really do something about it, we will run out of lies in this country and in this State. oil. When we do not have enough fuel to grow the bare necessities of life, it will The first thing that we can do to make be too late. By then, it will be a little too the bureaucracy answerable is to set up late to start thinking about it. committees of this House--two committees would be a simple start: a committee of Mr. GYGAR (Stafford) (4.13 p.m.): It public accounts and a committee of public gives me great pleasure to rise in this works-in order that all of these bureau­ debate and affirm my loyalty and that of cratic and executive decisions that cause the electors of Stafford to Her Majesty so much controversy and raise so may ques­ Queen Elizabeth II. It also gives me pleasure tions are truly accountable before the Bar to express my wish that, for many years to of Parliament. I for one know that no come, we will continue to look to Her Executive wants that sort of thing. This Majesty, her heirs, successors and representa­ is why it lies on our heads here in Par­ tives to guard the rights and privileges of liament to ensure that committees are set free man that we currently enjoy under her up. I am delighted to see that we are leadership. making some small measure of progress in It behoves us all in Parliament to con­ this field by the institution of the Com­ sider what direction the Government should mittee on Subordinate Legislation; but it take now and in the future to ensure that is a very small step along the very long 502 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply row that we have to hoe if Parliament is Here I would like to do a rare thing truly to be supreme and not to be thrown for me and that is to say a few kind out with the dust of history. words about Mr. Whitlam, because he must be recognised as one of the states­ The second measure to ensure bureaucratic men of the century. He realised this fact responsibility is, I suggest, sunset legislation­ probably better than any other Australian a fairly new concept but one that is gain­ politician over the past few years, with ing strength overseas; a method that has the possible exception of John Grey Gorton. many strong points, and it behoves us to What Whitlam did, and what Whitlam examine it here in Queensland. For those was game to do, was to seize the reins who have never heard of it-sunset legis­ of power that he was given. He did lation involves embodying in any legislation not stand back and let the country run that sets up a statutory or similar body that along with its own in-built momentum of has authority over governmental powers a bureaucratic power and privilege. He seized provision that that body shall be automatic­ it with both hands, shook it and moulded ally deemed to lapse and go out of existence it the way he wanted to. I for one would after a period of years (be it two, four, six or completely and totally disagree with the way more) unless by resolution Parliament deter­ he moulded it. My opinion of Whitlam mines that it should continue. Legislatures is rather similar to my opinion of a dead that have tried this measure-mostly in the fish lying on the beach in moonlight-it American States-have found that there is shines and it stinks-but he shone brightly a sudden and dramatic change in the attitudes and we should recognise that fact. of these bodies when they know they have to justify their existence. Mr. Whitlam did what we should do­ assert that, as the people's representatives, we have the power and we are determined This is what is lacking currently in so to use it. Perhaps what we need is greater many of our statutory bodies. They know flexibility in the top echelons of our Public they do not have to justify their existence; Service. Again, Whitlam used this with that they can sit in their little bolt holes great effect. Though the movements of creating their empires and never be called people in and out of the top echelons of his into account. However, with sunset legis­ Public Service departments created a con­ lation they will be called into account often siderable furore at the time, I personally do to justify their existence, to justify their not think that it was a bad idea. The man purpose and to justify the taxpayers' funds had been elected to govern and when he being used to keep them going. This found that bureaucrats would not let him, measure alone would blow through the cor­ he sacked them and put in people who ridors of our bureaucracy like a fresh wind would. Surely no parliamentarian could take that has not been felt there for centuries. exception to that. For this reason, obviously, it will be strongly opposed and that in itself is ample justi­ The next matter I want to deal with in fication for this Parliament to insist that such some detail is statutory bodies. How this measures become accepted in the coming anathema to democracy ever got loose in years. our system I do not know. The sooner we put an end to statutory bodies the better. I must admit to a great admiration for Their abolition is essential if Executive the United States Senate-a true House of Government is to be directly answerable and Parliament; a Parliament which is supreme, accountable for the way that this State is which asserts its supremacy and which will governed. brook no interference from the Executive or I consider it a dereliction of duty for any the bureauacy in the exercise of its powers. Parliament to pass off the powers it has been It has a stiff backbone that we could very given by the people in good faith to non­ well study and learn a lot from. The elected, virtually anonymous outside bodies bureaucracy must be told who runs this which are not answerable to the people. The country-and it is us-the Parliament, the strength of our system is that. The people people's elected representatives. If we are truly can remove us if they do not like what we to call ourselves a democracy, it can surely are doing. be no other way. The longer the people sit silently and allow the present system to It is said that great privilege flows from continue, the greater the risk we take of being a member of this House. We should Parliament passing into oblivion. also recognise that great responsibility goes Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 503 with it. The responsibility is to use the power In upholding the rule of law we must also that we have been given, not to stand aside ensure that there is adequate access to legal and duck our heads when difficulties arise, aid for all citizens. I do not believe that or to shove decisions off sideways into some any individual right should be subject to little bureaucratic bolt-hole by appointing a arbitrary removal. Everybody is entitled statutory committee. We must face those not only to his day in court, but also to problems and solve them because that is advice as to how he should conduct his what we have been elected to do. case in that court, because a complex legal proceeding becomes a pointless sham if I do not attack the concept of having the person does not know what is occuring expert outside advisers. Indeed, they are and does not know how to protect his essential. No politican, no matter what his rights that are at risk in that hearing. talent, can expect to know all things about all subjects. But the final decision and the It does not mean that I support willy­ final responsibility must rest here in Parlia­ nilly legal aid for every ratbag who wants ment with the people's representatives. I to come and litigate against any Government suggest that those who are not prepared to or body. I don't believe legal aid should accept the responsibilities of membership of be available for what are known as class this House and the membership of a Govern­ actions or civil litigation, because in civil ment should give great consideration to litigation the courts merely act as umpires. whether they are in the right field. They arbitrate between the disputes of citizens. If citizens want to carry on disputes The next principle I should like to discuss among themselves, surely they should expect is the confirmation of the rule of law. This to have to pay for them. But where Govern­ involves a number of things, too, and it is ment action will trample on the rights of essential for any healthy, democratic system. any citizen, then full access to the practi­ We should recognise the essential nature of tioner of their choice is absolutely essential. adequate court powers because, as we are all aware, the legislative and governing process I do not believe that we should create really embodies three separate groups. They a new race of second-class citizens who have are: the Legislature, which enacts; the to run cap in hand to a Government-paid Executive, which implements; and the and appointed counsel; I don't think we Judiciary, which reviews. I am against any should have paid legal officers; I don't think measure whatsoever which restricts the right we should have lines of mendicant would-be of any citizen to access to the courts-and I suitors standing outside these offices pleading mean courts in their normally accepted for a few crumbs of legal aid. These people sense-because I am completely opposed to should have the right of every other citizen any new sorts of bodies, review boards and to go to the practitioner of their choice Star Chamber hearings where the courts do and have that practitioner act on their 'behalf. not get a look in. This is the aspect that I fear the most about the new legal aid Bills that are being intro­ Anybody who has studied legal history duced around Australia at this time. will be well aware of the problems that Another principle is fair and equal enforce­ government in England arrived at many ment of the law. I am prepared, indeed centuries ago with the proliferation of these eager, to proclaim what a fine body of little groups. It got so bad that the king had dedicated men we have in the Queensland to institute a new court-a court of equity­ Police Force, and because of that I am to try to cut through the Gordian knot and determined to see that they are not subjected establish some sort of justice over the top of to unjust criticism either through ill-founded them. What I fear is that the way we are laws or misstatement by those who oppose going we will soon have to do the whole them. Like everyone else our policemen exercise over again-repeat the chopping up must be like Caesar's wife; they must be of these smaller bodies in order to get some seen at all times to be without sin. There justice for the individual citizen. is only one way we will achieve that, and It cannot be denied that the judicature is that is by setting up an independent body being downgraded. We must at all costs to scrutinise the actions of police when legitimate complaints are lodged. preserve the integrity of this vital third arm of government, for on that arm rests justice, It has been said from time to time that and without justice any Government is only the police have to go outside the law to a temporary thing. obtain convictions. That is an indictment 504 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

of this House, because if that indeed is the obscene words to the vilest exploitatiYe porno­ case, then we must be prepared to change graphy and the most disgustingly graphic the laws. The police must have our support. violence. It has got to the stage where, For justice to be not only done but seen if one sees an advertisement for an R film, to be done an independent tribunal of a one does not know whether the film is one judicial nature is essential to hear any com­ in which a few swear words are used or plaints against the Police Force. I believe one that will disgust and appal the audience that the integrity and standing of our police that is subjected to what is flashed on the in this community are too important to risk screen. That is not good enough. as being held suspect by decent and honest citizens. I suggest we need a new rating, an X rating, for these totally outrageous films, The third major point I would like to cover so that anyone who goes to them knows in looking towards the future is the principle exactly what he is in for and has no excuse that Parliament should always allow people for complaint. We could well benefit from to make their own choice on how they will a further indication as to whether these live their own lives. So long as the action films have been so classified because of the of any individual does not trample on the language used, the pornographic nature of rights of others we in Parliament have no them or the violence in them. This goes right whatsoever to restrict him or to limit along with the principle that people know him in any way. The first aspect of this what they are getting and should not com­ that I would like to cover is the subject of plain when they get what they ask for. No censorship, a very interesting and thorny field. person who goes to an X-rated film that is I believe that every decent citizen has the indicated as being pornographic should com­ right to expect that he will not have offensive plain when pornography comes up on the and disgusting material thrust upon him screen. I say this because extensive research without his consent. I believe that parents overseas has failed to prove to my satis­ should be able to send their young children faction that any detriment flows to the to a newsagency secure in the knowledge community from the showing of what are that they will not be confronted with acres of now called pornographic films or from the heaving flesh openly displayed on the covers displaying of pornographic books. What I of magazines on the shelves. I do not feel about these books has absolutely nothing think, however, that publications of this to do with it; my personal judgment is type should be totally banned. The one thing irrelevant as is the personal judgment of that should be totally banned is this disgusting every other person. Each of us should be child pornography that has been emerging free, of our own selves, to make our own in the news lately. The reason I think it decision, to choose either to see or to reject. should be banned is that it leads inexorably No Big Brother Government has the right to to the corruption of innocent children. For decide this for us. that reason alone it should be prohibited. The second type of freedom of choice What we really need is a very strong I would like to discuss concerns education, system of classification of materials, so that a subject much in the news. Indeed, I objectionable material can be separated apart would like to quote what someone had to say and seen for what it is. But I do not about educational controversies. He said- believe that anyone has the right to thrust his views on morality down the throats " As things are, mankind are by no means of the whole community. What appears to agreed about the things to be taught, some people to be offensive might be innoc­ whether we look to virtue or the best sort uous to others. It is the basic right of the of life. Neither is it clear whether educa­ citizen to make that decision for himself. tion is more concerned with intellecutal or For some two years I have been raising moral virtue. The existing practice is in this Parliament the issue of the present perplexing-no-one knowing on what princ­ ludicrous ban in this State on "Playboy" iple we should proceed-should the use­ magazine. I will continue to raise it until ful in life, or should virtue, or should the such time as that magazine and others like higher knowledge be the aim of our train­ it are allowed to be sold freely to the ing; all three opinions, have been enter­ responsible citizens of Queensland. tained. Again, about the means there is no agreement, for different people, starting Films are another interesting aspect. The with different ideas about the nature of R certificate is now a joke. It covers virtue, naturally disagree about the practice everything from a film which contains a few of it." Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978) Address in Reply 505

That just about sums up the education debate far as I have been able to ascertain, voucher in Queensland at the moment. The significant education has been in the news for about point is that those words were written by 25 years. It is a well-accepted academic Aristotle over 2,000 years ago. So nothing is proposition; in fact, it has been tried over­ very new in education. seas. Before the honourable gentleman con­ tinues to display his ignorance, perhaps he \Ve find parents, teachers and employers should go away and do some research. in conflict over what direction our education system should take at the present time. The Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Gunn): unfortunate part about it is that each of Order! Perhaps the honourable member them is attempting to impose his will upon should notice that I am in the chair and the others. There is no choice; it seems to speak through me. be a battle of the giants. To the victor goes the spoils; whoever wins has his wish Mr. GYGAR: Certainly, Mr. Deputy completely and totally put into effect. To Speaker; I am delighted to. say there should be a true freedom of speech in education would undoubtedly upset a lot What I do not want to see is any of of people; nevertheless that is what I suggest. these conflicting groups seize total control of Parents, educators, employers-the whole lot Queensland's system of education. In par­ -should be able to choose a system of ticular, I do not wish to see some of the education that they will support, one they will hare-brained academics who are currently commit their children to, one they will work circulating in this State having very much under and one whose products they will to say about education. We have only to look employ. at this morning's newspapers to see the There is only one way to achieve that, outrageous tripe that they put up as academic and that is to introduce education vouchers. learning. I should like to quote from "The They will give a true freedom of choice. Courier-Mail" this morning a statement by When each child is issued by the State with a Dr. Edgar of La Trobe University, who a voucher to the value of whatever State is senior lecturer at the centre for the study education would have cost in any event, of educational communication and media at that child or that child's guardians can then La Trobe-a high-level academic! dispose of that voucher at the school which The report says- they think best suits their purposes. Let them choose freely between the progressive "She told the Senate committee that schools, which turn out revolutionary little the 'glossy' portrayal of life in such shows cretins who cannot even string three words as 'The Brady Bunch' were more damag­ together, and the traditional schools, which ing than violence to 'low esteem' children are said to be brutal but certainly turn out because the children believed it was true what used to be called "educated" people. and felt alienated." They should choose of their own volition After that lot I have seen and heard it all! what sort of system they will go into. On the one hand, we have some of these Mrs. Kyburz: That means cutting out characters saying, "Oh, we cannot have these Government grants? violent shows because they encourage the chil6ren tb follow them, they encourage the Mr. GYGAR: No, I do not think it means children to be violent." On the other hand, cutting out Government grants-not across we now have this person saying that we the board, anyway-because, effectively, cannot have decent shows on television every school will be eligible for the amount because they make children feel inadequate. of grants that it can generate by the issued That is the sort of garbage that these people vouchers being returned by children. are coming out with, and that is the reason why I do not want to see them have any­ Mrs. Kyburz interjected. thing to do with the education of my Mr. GYGAR: That is right. children. Mr. Davis: When did you think this one Let us have a little bit of freedom. Let up? us have a system in which everybody can get what he wants out of education. There Mr. GYGAR: I didn't. The honourable is only one way in which that can occur-­ member for Brisbane Central is merely dis­ by building a system that is flexible enough playing his ignorance, because in fact, as to take into account all the wants and needs 506 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply as they are perceived throughout our com­ Mr. GYGAR: This system is not socialist munity. And the best way of doing that, in any way, shape or form. I suggest that if I suggest, is through a voucher system of we even considered introducing it at the education. Let each family be able to choose higher levels in this State the loudest screams the school and the system of its choice. Let would come from members on the other side. those whose ambitions run to high academia The Queensland Teacher's Union and other and to the professions choose a school that is vested interests would bounce up and down, headed in that direction. Let those who feel because their security of tenure would be that peace, love, happiness and flowers in shot to pieces. The simple fact is that if they the hair are the most important things in did not perform they would be out on their life choose a school that is so oriented. ear. If there is one thing that socialists hate I do not dispute their right to do it; the it is the idea that they have to deliver the only thing I dispute is their right to jam goods. The only reason they hate that is it down the throats of my children. that they have not yet been able to do so. Mr. Fouras: How could a person on an These are just a few of the things I would ordinary wage choose to send his son to like to look to in the coming years. Looking Brisbane Grammar? around at my colleagues in the House, I am sure that there is ample talent, determina­ Mr. GYGAR: He cannot at the moment, tion and dedication here to lead the State but he could under a voucher system, because persons who could not afford more to further prosperity, happiness and freedom in the coming years. Frankly, I hope I will than their voucher could get together and have a part to play in the task that lies form a school which encompassed the educa­ ahead of us. I want to play that part and tional principles that they held dearest to maintain Queensland in its place as the them. We all know that schools have reputa­ tions. A member has only to walk through premier State in Australia and a place where his electorate to hear that this school is a future generations will raise their children in peace and security, continuing under the good one and that school is a bad one. The same thing will happen. mantle of Her Majesty the Queen.

Mr. Moore: It should be so much per head Mr. SHAW (Wynnum) (4.42 p.m.): First, to any school. No matter which school a I join with previous speakers in offering child went to, the taxpayer should be footing congratulations to the Governor for the very the same bill. fine job he is doing not only for the State but for the office he represents. He has a Mr. GYGAR: That is exactly what I am fairly difficult job. I do not agree with the suggesting. remarks of one speaker who said that all Mr. Jones: That is socialism. incumbents of this office have done a first­ class job and none ever warranted any Mr. GYGAR: No, it is not socialism by criticism. It is a fact of life that some people any means. Socialism is when the same dead carry out their functions more successfully hand is on everybody, when the same grey than others. Unfortunately, in recent history paint goes on everybody. I suggest to the some persons have occupied the office of honourable member through you, Mr. Governor who have not carried out the duties Deputy Speaker, that socialism is opposed of their office as well as others who preceded to any sort of variety and freedom of choice, and succeeded them. because socialism enshrines the crazy notion It is a pity that the Governor's Opening that all wisdom rests in one head. Socialists Speech is prepared by the Government of the have never been able to find it yet; every time one bounces up they chop it off. I day. I fully realise that this is the normal refer to Stalin, Khrushchev and the other practice throughout all Parliaments under great socialists who were the fonts of all the Westminster system, but it does tend to knowledge! align Governors with political parties. The function which Governors fulfil-and most Mr. Jones interjected. of them fulfil it very well-is carried out better if the individual is free of any align­ Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Gunn): ment whatsoever with any political party. Order! The honourable member for Cairns is interjecting from other than his usual An Opposition Member: Why don't we place. just abolish it? Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978) Address in Reply 507

Mr. SHAW: There are people who do Mr. SHAW: Obviously he was not, because believe that Governors are a very necessary he has been proved wrong. The time has come part of our democratic system. I am not and gone and it has not happened. going to argue whether that is so. I do con­ cede that they carry out their work in a I have great faith in the Minister for very fine way. This is exemplified by the Health. The timetable set out by him was fairly practical. Following the statements he royal family. Whether or not a person is a has made since then, I believe that the monarchist and believes that we need the fears expressed about this promise-which, royal family, I do not think he would argue incidentally, has been made in the past five that the royal family does not carry out its elections in my area-namely, that it was duties in a very fine way. Very few persons, purely an election gimmick, are unfounded. particularly those who have been involved in As I said, I have faith in the Minister's public life, even at the level of parlia­ statement that this proposal will be put into mentarians, would envy members of the effect. However, I ask that it be ~tarted royal family. Those who are involved in urgently. public life would fully appreciate the tremen­ dous strain under which members of the The Government's proposal must be fur­ royal family operate and how wonderful it ther explained because there were discrep­ is that they carry out that job so well. ancies between the proposals put forward by the National Party and by the Liberal Party The Governor in his Opening Speech during the election campaign. As a result referred to improvements in Queensland's there was a certain amount of confusion in hospital system. Unfortunately, he did not the electorate about what was intended. I refer to the hospitals which the Government, should like some early decisions by the Gov­ in its policy speech at the last election, ernment on what sort of hospital, and what promised to provide in four Brisbane sub­ basic services will be provided. urbs. This is of some concern to me as a hospital was promised for the Wynnum Mr. Moore: Perhaps they will put a tent electorate. A promise was made that tenders there. would be called in February or March this year. That time has passed without tenders Mr. SHAW: That is quite possible, because being called. We were also told that con­ it was described as a modular-type construc­ struction of the hospital would begin either this month or next month. tion that would allow later additions. When modular constructions are spoken Mr. Moore: Haven't you heard of the of, some people immediately think of the fiscal difficulties the Government is going demountable classrooms used in our schools. through? I hope it will be a little better than that, because we are looking for a permanent Mr. SHA\Y: When fiscal difficulties are structure. invoh-ed, the Government has a responsibility We have been promised a 40-bed hospital. in the first place to qualify promises by A decision will have to be made fairly soon saying, "If conditions allow, it will be started on how the beds will be allocated. Quite by a certain date." When I pointed out that obviously some will be for private patients I was very grateful for the promise made by while others will be for public patients. It the Government but that the timetable set would be a great pity if too many were out was a practical impossibility, the repre­ allocated for one use or the other, and people sentative of the Government in my electorate had to wait because beds in a certain category at that time said that I did not know what I were unavailable. The Government will have was talking about-that it was not something to adopt a flexible approach in applying the Government would be trying to do; that itself to this problem. it was a fact. I am concerned that the type of facility suggested may place excessive demands on Mr. Miller: Who said that? the ambulance service. We have been told that this is to be a holding hospital to cater Mr. SHAW: The representative of the Gov­ for post-operative cases and people who no ernment in my area said that. longer require intensive care but are not well enough to go home. Such people sometimes Mr. Gygar: He would not be of sound suffer a relapse and doctors often err in judgment. judgment, so patients have to be readmitted 508 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply to hospital. A great demand could be placed any reference to the associated problems. I on the ambulance service in transporting believe that the port development is to patients to and from the major city hospitals cost in the vicinity of $35,500,000. If any and the outlying hospitals. firm or company approached a local auth­ I hope that, when a decision is finally made ority with a proposal to commence a dev­ elopment as large as the port at the mouth on how these hospitals are to be staffed and how they are to operate, every oppor­ of the Brisbane River, no decision would tunity is taken to incorporate the services be taken until questions were answered already offered by local G.P.s and to involve on the effect it would have on the environ­ ment. I use the term environment not G.P.s as much as possible in the operation only in the ecological sense but also as it of those facilities. Promises were made in my own area that the hospital would operate applies to increased traffic flow and demands with an emergency service day and night. I on facilities. hope that will be true, but I find it very hard to believe because already the Princess Unfortunately, that did not occur in this Alexandra and Royal Brisbane Hospitals are development. The decision was made to overtaxed in trying to provide a full service set up the board and construct the new of that type. port. We are told that the new port wiii commence operating next year; yet no deci­ I look forward to seeing the commencement sion has at this stage been made about how of work in the near future on the provision access will be gained to the new port and of that facility in my area. As I said, it is what effect traffic will have on the residential something that has been trotted out like areas through which it will pass. We have a hardy annual every election-time-every been told that incorporated in the port pro­ time people were looking for votes. Unfor­ posal is a coal-loading facility. Naturally, tunately the people in my area have come there is quite a deal of concern in my area to regard it very cynically indeed. They about that. will believe it when they see it. While I would welcome the type of proposal that A seminar was organised for the purpose was set out by the National Party, my own of answering many questions raised by local attitude is that that would be a little too residents about the problems they envisaged. much to expect. However, I feel that I The seminar was honoured by the presence can look forward with some confidence to of the Premier, who said that he realised having the promises held out by Dr. Edwards how concerned people were over this dev­ honoured. elopment. He said at that time-and it The promise was made that this would be was reported in the Press immediately follow­ the first of the four hospitals. I feel sorry ing the seminar- for my colleagues who are also looking "It is the road access that would con­ forward to that facility; but the promise was cern you most-the fear of huge trucks made that this would be the first of such pounding through Wynnum on their way to hospitals provided in Brisbane. the port." I could not have phrased it any better. He Mr. K. J. Hooper: Wynnum has a much continued- higher priority than Surfers Paradise. "The Government wants to hear the views and wishes of the people of the area. Mr. SHAW: I think that Wynnum has a higher priority than any other section of "We have set up the Port of Brisbane the State. Authority and we will be planning the port to ensure that road and rail access is Mr. Wright: Except Rockhampton. kept away from residential areas as much as possible. The new access road will be Mr. SHAW: Including Rockhampton. designed to keep down noise, glare and In his Opening Speech the Governor fumes. referred to the development of the port at the mouth of the Brisbane River. The "There will be positive benefits for residents of my area and that of the Leader Wynnum and the Bayside residents in the of the Opposition-the Lytton electorate form of improved roads, better rail con­ adjoins mine-view this development with nections and improved job opportunities. some trepidation. The decision to place the The amenities to your area \Yill be port in the proposed site was taken without preserved." Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 509

The new port begins operations next year. the prevailing winds did not blow that way We still have not received answers to those and therefore the dust probably would not questions, which the Premier assured us blow over the houses. I have lived in that would be given long before the port began area for a long time. The prevailing winds operations. and certainly the strongest winds come from the north-east. A north-easterly wind will The Premier said that the road would be blow a cloud of dust into the areas of designed so as to keep it away from the Wynnum North, Lindum and Wynnum. It is residential areas and to keep down noise, not good enough in this day and age to say glare and fumes. Vehicles are already travel­ in regard to pollution control that the pre­ ling to and from the port and, to date, no vailing winds do not blow that way. People design has been commenced. No decisions are entitled to expect a little better than that. have been made on where the funding will come from. I am concerned at the suggestion con­ That brings me to the next matter the tinually offered by Ministers in regard to this Premier raised when he said- and all other problems that the answer lies "There will be positive benefits for in town planning. The citizens of this area Wynnum and the Bayside residents in the have absolutely no protection under the City form of improved roads." of Brisbane Town Plan. Many honourable members have had experience in local To my mind he implied that funds would be government and would know the problems made available for roads to the port. Yet that arise generally with town planning and at the same time statements were being how difficult it is to correct those caused by made by the Minister for Local Government people who defy town planning requirements. that this was the responsibility of the Bris­ Town planning is not the ans\ver to pollution bane City Council. The Brisbane City Council problems. It does not offer any protection can raise funds from two sources. The main from developments of this type, particularly source is the ratepayers of the city and the when the development is being carried out by other is grants made by other levels of the State Government or by semi-govern­ government. ment instrumentalities.

An Honourable Member: There are not Most of the area immediately surrounding too many of them. the new port has been defined under the Brisbane Town Plan as a harbour industry zone. One of the main require­ Mr. SHAW: I agree with that interjection. ments is a certificate from the Department At present there have certainly been no of Commercial and Industrial Development offers of any money whatsoever. that the particular industry requires a Mr. Moore interjected. harbourside location. There is considerable cause for concern at the way in which those certificates are issued, but I will not go into Mr. SHAW: It was a firm promise by the that at this time. honourable member's Premier that this would be done. The Premier also said­ Courts have held that, if an industry has "The amenities to your area will be obtained a certificate from the Department preserved." of Industrial Development, it has the right to commence operations in that particular Yet a firm decision has been made that coal location. It is completely outside the control will be stockpiled at the port for export. This of other regulations. For instance, it is not will be a small mountain of coal. A question required to conform to the to\vn plan was asked at the seminar about the pre­ pollution regulations, and it certainly does cautions that would be taken to ensure that not have to meet the requirements which the residents in the area would not be would normally be asked of a developer affected by coal dust blown from this moun­ who is seeking consent under the tmvn plan tain of coal. The answer was that it would to develop a particular area. be wet down and that when it was wet, dust could not blow from it. A further It is normal procedure for an industry to question was asked about how it was possible at least provide the needs which are created to wet down a pile of coal about 400 or in its area of operation. I think that is fair. 500 ft. high. The answer was that there Sometimes an industry is asked to provide would not be any problem anyway because other things which it should not have to 510 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply provide, but I think it is fair enough to ask suggested that traffic lights be placed on the an industry seeking to commence operations pedestrian crossing in front of the school, on a particular site to meet the cost of the but present at that meeting were several things that are needed purely as a result drivers of heavy transport vehicles who of the development of this industry. Yet we pointed out that the zebra crossing iri front find here a loophole whereby people may of the school is only a couple of hundred commence operations where otherwise they yards away from the crest of a hill and would not have been permitted to do so. I that heavy vehicles travelling at the speed think this is a loophole which urgently needs limit cannot stop by the time they reach to be corrected. the crossing.

The cost of the provision of facilities for Dr. Lockwood: Shift the crossing. this new port should not be a further burden on the ratepayers of this city. I think the ratepayers of Brisbane, together with the Mr. SHAW: This is a matter of great concern. ratepayers of all other local authorities in this State, are being asked to meet commit­ Dr. Lockwood: Who put it there? ments which are already heavy enough, par­ ticularly when it is considered that the con­ tribution that a ratepayer is required to Mr. SHAW: I think someone said, "Shift make is not in any way based on his ability the crossing." to pay; it is based on the valuation of the particular piece of land that he occupies. Dr. Lockwood: You're not going to answer This raises quite a number of problems as that one. to the fields which local authorities should enter and the cost which they should be Mr. SHAW: Perhaps the honourable mem­ asked to bear. I think it is quite unfair to ber would like to suggest where the crossing ask pensioners and people on fixed incomes, should be placed in order to overcome who derive no benefit whatsoever from the this problem. The council traffic people development of a facility such as a port, are presently investigating the problem. There to carry a disproportionate share of the cost is no physical problem at all in shifting of providing facilities for vehicles to get to the crossing a little further away from the and from the port. crest of the hill, but if this is done it will not then be situated in front of the school Unfortunately, it has not occurred yet to and the children will have to walk 100 yards people in authority that the Wynnum resi­ down the road to get to it. Honourable dents are very concerned about the increased members might think that that would not traffic flow through Wynnum on the road cause any problem, but anybody who knows link to be built from the port to the Gold anything about schoolchildren will know that Coast and northern New South Wales. Any many children will not then walk down to the vehicle leaving the port area will naturally crossing. Others might suggest that traffic take the shortest route to the Pacific High­ lights be installed, but that will not solve way, and thence to the Gold Coast and the problem either. I think the problem northern New South Wales. really lies in the fact that vehicles of that Mr. Bishop: You need another freeway to type cannot stop in less than a couple of the Gold Coast. hundred yards, and cost is probably the only reason why something is not done about that. Mr. SHAW: I agree. We need a decent road right from the border to the new port. With the development of the new port, I think this will cause concern not only problems have also arisen in the provision to people in my electorate, but to those of an access road to the residential sections in the neighbouring electorate of Redlands of Wynnum and Manly. I do not think and right through to the Gold Coast. time will allow me to go into that problem Recently I attended a p. and c. meeting in this speech, but I hope that this matter in my electorate called by parents who were will be considered very seriously by the auth­ greatly concerned about the provision of orities concerned. We have already had road-safety facilities in front of their school. people coming up with quick answers, as This is a problem which is exercising the was shown by an interjection a few moments minds of many members, and about which ago. The problem arises becau ;e no access I would like to say more later on. It was road has been provided for traffic travelling Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 511

to the new port. The solution sounds simple, My experience has been that in many of but the problem will have to be gone into the matters investigated by the Parliamentary more deeply than it has been at present. Commissioner his finding has been that If the present arrangement is not altered, public servants have acted quite correctly. people will then make dangerous manoeuvres That also has been my experience when I in the heavy port traffic. have investigated matters at other levels in government. Usually the problem is not I know that it is dangerous for new mem­ that public servants are acting unlawfully; bers to make suggestions about the procedures it is that one wants them to bend the of this House and to pass judgment on regulations a little and perhaps use a little what occurs, because it is very easy to get bit of common sense. Sometimes there is into trouble when making such remarks. no reason why that cannot be done if At the same time there is sometimes advant­ matters are investigated properly and talked age in taking a fresh look at things, and over reasonably. perhaps after I have been in this House for some time I might come to accept things. The misuse of question-time is a matter So at the risk of suggesting something that has concerned not only new members which has already been suggested before of Parliament but also old members. I or which honourable members may feel is noticed that the honourable member for ridiculous, I shall take the opportunity to Landsborough pointed with great pride to comment on the procedures of the House. the fact that the right to ask questions with­ Having come from the field of local govern­ out notice has only recently been extended ment, I find that there is one right which to members of this Assembly. Although I parliamentarians do not enjoy and which I am quite sure that honourable members are feel they should. I was aware of this before grateful that that right has been extended entering this House. Parliamentarians do to them, much more needs to be done if not have the right, on behalf of their people-and it is the rights of people that constituents, to check on what the bureau­ we are talking about-are to have access cracy is doing. In the field of local gov­ to information from Ministers. ernment, councillors can discuss in much greater detail with members of the staff why certain decisions have been made, and are I recognise that sometimes questions with­ able to find out, on behalf of their con­ out notice are asked with the intention of stituents, whether or not they are being too embarrassing Ministers. However, under no harshly dealt with. circumstances can that be said of questions placed on notice, and honourable members In an endeavour to overcome this prob­ who place questions on notice have a right lem, some time ago Parliament appointed a to expect the Minister concerned to make Parliamentary Commissioner for Administra­ a genuine attempt to answer questions fully. tive Investigations, who had the function of That certainly has not been my experience investigating problems that people submitted in the short time that I have been in the to him. I think it is obvious from his House. reports that most of the problems are fairly parochial ones that do not involve matters I asked a question of the Premier about of Government policy, and that this func­ the Government's intentions on the very tion could probably be carried out much important issue of Moreton Island. It has more effectively by members of Parliament been very widely rumoured that the Gov­ if, with the blessing of the Minister con­ ernment intends to override not only the cerned, they were able to view the records opinion of the Brisbane City Council, in relating to a particular complaint and dis­ whom it vested the very important function cuss the matter with the members of the of caring for the people who have invested bureaucracy who dealt with it. I am aware their funds in Moreton Island, but also the that this is sometimes done now, but there opinion and wishes of the thousands of is a difference between being able to do it people who have registered objections to cer­ as a matter of right and being able to tain provisions of the town plan. I asked insist on certain things being done on the the Premier whether the Government would one hand and placing one's self at the table in the Parliament its plans for More­ mercy of public servants on the other. ton Island. I was quite prepared for him 512 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

to say, "No." At least that would have require, 1t Js fair enough to expect that they been an answer to the question. However, be given due consideration. Probably that is he said- not a fair comment to make in all cases. "A committee of Government officers is Certainly many Ministers make every effort examining the boundaries of granted min­ to see that all relevant information is made ing leases and is making use of the infor­ available and that all the actions of their mation contained in the reports which have department are explained as fully as possible. been carried out." I mentioned briefly the problems con­ That answer bears no relationship to the cerning the town plan. One of the things question I asked. The question was on the that must concern all people, particularly Notices of Question sheet, so there was in Brisbane, is the way in which the Govern­ plenty of time available for departmental ment is apparently setting out to override officers to carefully consider the answer. objections to the Brisbane Town Plan. In years gone by many members of this House I also asked whether the Government was criticised the Brisbane City Council on the prepared to wipe aside the recommendations basis that not enough was being done to of the committees of inquiry and the recom­ ensure that the people of Brisbane knew mendations of the Brisbane City Council. I what was proposed under the provisions of also asked whether there was any truth in the town plan. In some instances it was the rumours that a large non-committed probably fair criticism. However, there zone would be permitted on the island. The could be no criticism of that type of the Premier could have answered those questions last proposal concerning the town plan. several ways, yet he said, "The Brisbane Every effort was made to ensure that the Town Plan has not yet been gazetted." That town plan was debated as fully as possible. is quite obvious; but again the answer bears Again and again time was extended to make no relationship to the questions asked. sure that Opposition members of the council When questions are placed on notice we were not in any way restricted in what they are entitled to expect that at least they will had to say. Every effort was made to see be given some consideration. that meetings were held and that people in the area understood fully what was going A similar situation applies in relation to on. a question I asked about the problem of air pollution in suburbs on the south side of There is cause for grave concern when, the river. In the last day or so another in spite of meetings and taking care to member of the House put similar questions ensure that people understood what was on notice. It is obvious that he is also proposed, changes are now being made behind experiencing the same problem. From my closed doors and details are being leaked own experience I know that the Leader of gradually about what is proposed. Some the Opposition, whose electorate adjoins people with vested interests apparently know mine, has quite forcefully raised the problem what is going on, whereas others are being of air pollution and the way it affects those misled entirely because proposals that they suburbs. In a previous Parliament the res­ investigated while the town plan was on ponsible Minister announced that action was display are no longer proceeded with. The being taken to look at this problem. My Government now has a responsibility to question was not a political one, but one ensure that the people who will be affected aimed merely at eliciting information on by these changes know what they are and behalf of people who are greatly concerned are given the right to object to them. about the problem. I asked what was the progress of this proposed investigation, to Mr. Moore: The council always ignores which the Minister replied, "I am not aware the objections. of any form of air pollution that generally affects suburbs from Manly to Sunnybank." I suppose he is splitting straws and saying Mr. SHAW: Nobody's objection was that, while he was aware of a pollution ignored. I take that interjection because it problem in a number of suburbs on the south is completely untrue and displays ignorance side, he was not aware of one that spread of what happens. It is incredible that people to Sunnybank. here who made the rules under which the town plan had to be prepared are completely When questions are of a non-political ignorant of what had to be done. nature and are aimed purely at getting information which people in the electorate (Time expired.) Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 513

Mr. D'ARCY (Woodridge) (5.22 p.m.): It will mention later in my speech, Gail White, gives me great pleasure to pledge the loyalty Linda and Bob Cakebread, Les and Dale of the electors of Woodridge to Her Majesty O'Brien, Bans and Erica Althoff and Gordon the Queen. As Woodridge is a new electorate, and Shanti Longworth. There were also the its people have not been represented jointly donors in my campaign, and my secretary, by one member in this Parliament. Being Ms Kathy Hutchins. the type of electorate that it is, it will become The redistribution carried out by the Gov­ a major seat in this Assembly. ernment in Queensland is probably one of I congratulate the Governor on the fine the most important issues in this State today. job that he is doing. He is proving him­ This Government has discarded virtually self to be one of the best Governors we have all of its principles in the rules of Govern­ had, and, of course, we are well aware that ment. I am afraid some Government mem­ he is related to a former Labor Tasmanian bers cannot even spell the word. As has been Premier. pointed out before, based on the number The new electorate of Woodridge was of people who went to the polls in Novem­ considered to be a reasonably safe Liberal ber 1977, if the seats in Queensland each cov­ seat. Indeed, one Liberal member vacated ered an equal number of people, there would his seat to contest it. But the Woodridge be only 60 members in this Chamber, not 82. electorate includes not only Woodridge but It is relevant that the Australian Labor also Kingston, Springwood, Daisy Hill and Party in this Parliament has representatives Rochedale and adjoins the electorate of in just about every provincial city in Queens­ Mansfield. H then runs back to the Redland land-certainly the coastal cities-as well Bay turn-off. I was pleased to note that one as a large representation in the Brisbane met­ of the supposedly conservative areas of the ropolitan area. Prior to 1972 we also rep­ electorate, which was formerly part of the resented about five-eighths of the land mass electorate of Albert, which I represented in Queensland in the Parliament. Of course, from 1972 to 1974, polled 51 per cent in my that will come to pass again. favour. The result was vastly different from The Government must eventually face up that in 1974. I refer to the Loganholme to what the people want, and they want and Slacks Creek areas. representation according to people, not trees The Government attempted a gerrymander and cows. This has even been said by a lot of in the Woodridge area to maintain its influ­ National Party people, many of whom of ence in the seats in the area, but it suffered course want to rid themselves of their use­ severe set-backs. It was unfortunate that less members. Governments of all political the ALP. did not win the seat of Salisbury. persuasions in the past have realised that it We missed out by a very narrow margin. is a necessity to give people fair representa­ We will definitely win that seat at the next tion. After all, isn't that what this Parliament election. Kingston, which was in the old is supposed to be about? Isn't that why the electorate of Albert, was transferred to We:;tminster system was introduced? Queens­ Fassifern. The people of that area showed land has the worst gerrymander in Australia, their displeasure at the Government and and our redistribution is one of the reasons the honourable member for Fassifern who why we have become the laughing-stock of is in the House, by voting almost 2 to 1 the country. against him. This is a growing area. In The performance of this Government has the future the A.L.P. will go from strength certainly left a lot to be desired. I must to strength and we will be looking towards qualify that by saying its financial perfor­ winning the seats of Fassifern and Albert mance. The Bjelke-Petersen Government con­ and, with respect, Mr. Deputy Speaker, even tinually tells us that it is a good financial your seat of Mansfield. manager-generally because it manages to The election campaign in my area was a balance its Budget. What it does not tell us, very hard-fought one. I had a tremendous of course, is that its performance in com­ amount of help from the very strong Labor parison with the other State's is very, very Party branches. Some of the members' wives poor indeed. Let us look at the active, vital hardly saw them during the campaign. I Dunstan Government in South Australia, would like to mention particularly my cam­ which has done more in the fields of health, paign director and his wife, Dave and Pat hospitals, education and roads than any other BeddaiL State in recent times. It is a State that has a lower taxation than Queensland, despite what Mr. Wright: Fine people. the Premier says at election-time. Mr. D'ARCY: Indeed. I would also like to Mr. Powell: Prove it. Give us the figures. mention Councillor Jack Davis of the Albert Shire Council, Peter Lynch, Peter Arnold, George Lang, Ray Parker, Wayne Curtis, Mr. D'ARCY: It is easy to prove. If the George Bennett, John Hewerdine, Frank member for Isis wanted to, he could. If he Brinkman, Michael Eborn, Fred Huntress, were good at division-and obviously he is Frank and Donna Moore, Alan Ashman, not-he could divide the total income by Pauline and Brian Milner and all the other the number of people in the State. It is very people who worked so hard in my cam­ easy to prove. The figures can be obtained paign. There were also Diane and Graeme from the Commonwealth Statistician. Those Smith, Louie and Margaret Laenen, whom I figures rarely lie. 612.15-17 514 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

This applies also to the new Lowe Labor essential to avoid road deaths. Eventually Government in Tasmania. Of course, except the freeway will join the Pacific Highway at for a very short period, Labor has been in Springwood and work on the roads will be office for a long time in Tasmania and, even done. I have been pressing the Minister and though Tasmania is a very small State, it has he has been co-operative to some extent in done a great deal in the fields of industrial improving the service roads which join the relations, housing and hospitals. Pacific Highway. Many are now serviceable and by the end of this year quite a few The Wran Labor Government in New more will be. At the moment they are no South Wales is proving to be a very vital more than dirt tracks. They have stayed in and popular Government. It won office in that condition under the representation that times of adversity. When it goes to the polls that area has had for the past few years. late this year or early next year it will go from strength to strength. An Honourable Member: Who was the By comparison, the Queensland Govern­ representative? ment is inefficient. It has not performed well in the field of service to the people. It is Mr. D'ARCY: The honourable member not performing on an economic basis. It is for Redlands was the representative for slow and tardy compared with the vital most of that area. Governments of the States that I have mentioned. Its conservatism is making the Many of these roads are being improved, people of Queensland quite ill. but they still create major problems. The I have mentioned many of the problems Minister for Local Government and Main confronting the people of Queensland. Many Roads, who is the heir apparent to the of those problems are accentuated in Wood­ Premier, is introducing a Bill-- ridge. The roads in my electorate are a disgrace. While the electorate was being An Honourable Member interjected. represented by the conservatives, there was no progress in road construction, although Mr. D'ARCY: No, he has not announced this was promised between 1972 and 1974. it, but he has told everybody that he intends to create a new shire of Logan, which will Kingston Road, the main arterial road be part of the area I represent. He will from the Pacific Highway, and Compton do this, in the first instance, in order to Road, which runs from Acacia Ridge to protect himself. The National Party man­ Woodridge, are a disgrace. In the past few aged to hold the seats of Fassifern and months some work has been done on King­ ston Road. This work should accelerate Albert at the last election, but they will following my good representation of the not do so at the next election. The point electorate. The Minister is now becoming is that the electorates held by the National more aware of the problems. Believe it or Party have retreated into the shires of not, he even found his way to a fete down Beaudesert and N erang. The creation of a there the other day. new Logan shire will mean that the residents will have to pay excessive rates in order Compton Road has created one of the to overcome the problems created by most serious problems we have faced in the developers. The Beaudesert and Logan coun­ area because it has a railway bridge which cils were allowed to rape the northern end this Government has not done anything of what will be the new Logan shire. I about and does not want to know about. believe that the Government has a lot to Recently I have been making representa­ answer for in the representation of divisions tions about the bridge, although it is in the 1 and 2 in the Albert shire. In division electorate of Salisbury. I have been told by I, for example, two councillors were elected the Railway Department that it received no by 13,000 electors, but in one of the divi­ representations in this regard from the sions held by the National Party fewer honourable member for Salisbury during the than 2,000 electors-! think 1,500 to be term of the last Parliament. It is a disgrace exact-also elected two councillors. That that work has not been done on Compton means over eight times more electors in Road. The Brisbane City Council and the one division than the other voted to elect Albert Shire Council, both of which are the same number of councillors. That is involved in the work on the bridge, are the type of representation and distribution prepared to negotiate but the Railway Department has not been forthcoming with that this Government allows. an answer to the problem. I appeal to the Minister for Local Gov­ The Pacific Highway splits my electorate ernment to make sure that the people of in two in the Springwood area. This fact has the new shire of Logan get a reasonable caused major problems and many deaths deal financially and that they get reason­ because residents have to cross that road able representation within the area. I during the major shopping periods, par­ believe that the Minister intends to take ticularly on Saturday morning. They were the inane and insane step of introducing promised overpasses ages ago. The Minister preferential voting in local government told me this morning that the planning for elections in these areas. We have enough an overpass in Park Road is well under way. problems as it is without the Minister buy­ He has said that before. That overpass is ing into areas like this. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 515

The electorate of Woodridge contains a of population. It is overcrowded and it large area of Housing Commission homes, is virtually impossible to park a car any­ both on the Daisy Hill side of the highway where near it. and on the other side. Some of these areas Huge sums have been injected into this have been developed in the last decade and hospital, as they have been into many of some even before. Many problems have the central city hospitals, but the necessary been created by this development. For facilities are still not available. In reasonable instance, in the Woodridge area itself, as States such as New South Wales and South well as in Daisy Hill, where there have been Australia, new hospitals are being built in houses for many years, there is no sewer­ aesthetic surroundings with huge grounds and age. This is a major problem which pre­ plenty of parking facilities. The new Flinders vious councils failed to face up to. They Medical Centre situated in an Adelaide allowed large companies to set up businesses suburb has 700 beds and 2,000 car-parking there and in one case permitted the erec­ spaces within the grounds. In is among the tion of a large shopping complex. They best-equipped hospitals in Australia as, put the needs of large companies before indeed, are all the hospitals in South Aus­ the needs of the people. That is an attitude tralia. For example, all four major hospitals typical of this Government. in the city are air-conditioned. They all In this day and age it is shocking that have proper bed facilities and are equipp.ed earth-closet outhouses should still be stand­ with $1,000 Namco beds. The matermty ing. We do not find them in South sections have bidets as well as toilets. In Australia, Tasmania or New South Wales. Queensland Government members cannot The honourable member for Caboolture even spell the word "bidet". They have smiles, but he is not capable of understand­ never seen one. ing the embarrassment that these outhouses This is the problem-that Queensland is cause the people who live in this area. They way behind the times. Throughout the do not like inviting friends over to visit summer the spinal units in the central city them. At the moment the council will hospitals experience problems caused by heat not even allow the installation of septic and overcrowding. Planning to avoid this tanks. should have taken place a decade ago. The An Honourable Member: Why not? new wing at the Royal Brisbane Hospital has been described by staff, doctors, patients, Mr. D'ARCY: Because the septic effluent and even many in the Health Department, seeps up out of the ground and creates as a disaster-a tragedy for Queensland­ a stinking mess. It is worse than having brought about by poor planning, and we the old thunder-boxes. urgently need change. In line with present world trends, I am urgently pressing for the There is also the problem that the ground establishment of hospitals in the populous cannot absorb the sullage that comes from areas of Woodridge and Springwood. -;inks, washing machines and so forth. The Housing Commission and the council have As I have already stated, there are many the audacity to advise the householder to Housing Commission homes in the Spring­ use a hose and spread the sullage around the wood area and older-established ones in yard. What a ridiculous suggestion to make Rochedale, Daisy Hill, Woodridge and in this day and age. It could only hap­ Kingston. As other members have pointed pen in Queensland because this Government out, the occupants of many of these homes is so far behind the times. I make an have been hit with very steep rent increases, appeal to the Government on behalf of the despite the fact that they were erected 10 or electors in the Woodridge area to make sure 15 years ago and still have no sewerage. that the installation of sewerage becomes a Many of them were developed in contraven­ major consideration for this area. I realise, tion of local authority by-laws. As we know, of course, that when the new shire council this Government has a record of introducing is elected it will be a Labor council and laws enabling it to override local authority it will become the top priority of the council, ordinances, which is a disgrace. On behalf but the funds will have to come from this of the residents of the older-established Government. Housing Commission areas I appeal to the Another problem facing people in this Government to spend some extra money to area, and one that many Queensland cities upgrade the dirt tracks and other roads that face, is the provision of hospital facilities. were originally built in these areas. Since this Government took office it has The type of house constructed by the made some dreadful mistakes in not provid­ Housing Commission in Queensland is also ing hospital services where they are most way behind the times. No doubt all honour­ needed. Even the Minister for Health recog­ able members have been down to the Hous­ nises in private the huge problems created ing Commission and seen the beautiful new by this Government's failure to keep up brochures showing the new homes that the with world trends, which is to build a hos­ Housing Commission is now able to build. pital where it is most needed. The nearest To date I have not seen one in Queensland, hospital to the Woodrdige/Springwood area but if members go to South Australia, Tas­ is the Princess Alexandra Hospital, which is mania or New South Wales they will see many, many miles away from this centre far more modern homes, built at lower cost 516 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978) Address in Reply by tender, than they will see here. At the Of course, the only reason we have dental present time in Queensland the prospective clinics in Queensland is that the Whitlarn buyer of a Housing Commission house-the Labor Government held office in Canberra, working man-is faced with a deposit gap and recently there has been a rush to have of $8,000 to $10,000 which he just cannot clinics established with Commonwealth funds. meet. In other States this problem has been The Queensland Government is now bucking solved by sympathetic Labor Governments. because these funds have been cut back. I now want to discuss the schools in my I turn now to a very tragic case that electorate. It is probably serviced by more occurred in my electorate earlier this year. and bigger schools than any other electorate In my opinion, we should be seriously con­ in Queensland. We have, for example, two cerned about the way the Queensland Police primary schools in one street, one with a Force is carrying out its duties. Recently we student population of 1,200 and the other saw the Police Force commanded by the 800. These schools-the North Woodridge Premier of this State to assemble 700-strong State School and the Harris Fields State to arrest a few demonstrators and to watch School in Smith Road-are only half a mile demonstrations and street marches. Yet the apart. We will also need another primary Laenen murder case, which occurred in my school not far north of those two schools in electorate, has not yet been solved. the northern Slacks Creek area. Other schools Let me outline some of the things that servicing the electorate include Springwood occurred in that case. The mother and Central, Springwood North, Slacks Creek, father of the girl who was murdered, Mary Woodridge North, Kingston, Mabel Park, Laenen, were both members of the Woodridge W oodridge State High, Eight Mile Plains and Branch of the Australian Labor Party and the new Kingston State High. worked hard in my election campaign. Mary One of the problems in schooling that Laenen was an exceptional girl. She worked have arisen in this area is the tremendous for the Australian Taxation Department. cut-back in public works funds, not only However, when the Press got hold of the for maintenance but also for the carrying out early facts in the case they virtually of contracts. Some of the contractors now besmirched that girl's name. Much of the fulfilling contracts for the Works Depart­ information on which that publicity was ment have not even had to tender for the based came from the Police Force, but work. Of course, it is usual for the Govern­ the information was not correct. They ment of Queensland not to call tenders but had no right to make any statement early to hand out work on a platter. Time and in that case. time again I have seen instances in which The facts were that Louis Laenen, the the maintenance men employed by the father of the girl, knowing the sort of Works Department have had to clean up girl Mary Laenen was, expected her to return the mess left by contractors in schools, police home on the Saturday night, as she always stations and other public buildings in my had done in the past. When she did not electorate, and I take it 'that that is happening return, he became anxious and worried throughout Queensland. It is a disgrace. and he went to the police station quite It is equally a disgrace that in many early on the Sunday morning. In the first instances the Works Department is asked instance he was virtually turned away and to supply a supervisor or a quantity surveyor told to come back and put in a report. It for the contractor. Because the contractor was claimed by the police at the time that will not spend the money to have a foreman his English was not exactly 100 per cent, on the job, that man, paid by the State but I have always been able to understand Government, usually ends up acting not everything Louis has said, and I am sure that only as supervisor but also as the contractor's all members in the A.L.P. branches in my foreman. I am sure that the honourable electorate have been able to understand him. member for Townsville South would agree He has managed to type out a letter docu­ that that is happening throughout the State. menting some of the things that occurred. Another problem in Queensland schools What actually happened in this instance is that we are well behind in the provision was that Louis Laenen was virtually forced of school dental clinics. Queensland was to go and find his daughter himself. He the last State to begin providing school went to the police station on the Sunday dental clinics. morning and put in a missing-person report. In the mid-afternoon the car was located Mrs. Kyburz: We have more than any at Acacia Ridge after he had his relatives other State. and friends looking for Mary and her car. The W oodridge police were telephoned Mr. D'ARCY: That is not correct. Every immediately the car was found. It was several school in South Australia and Tasmania with hours before any police came anywhere more than 500 pupils has a school dental near that vehicle. When they did turn clinic. Those clinics were established and up they asked a couple of people in the training people well in advance of other street whether they had seen the girl. States. Tasmania has been training people Although the keys were in the vehicle and in this field for 20 years. Actually, A.C.T. the handbag was on the front seat, the and Northern Territory dental therapists are police locked the vehicle up, left it there still trained in Tasmania. and went back to the Acacia Ridge Police Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 517

Station. Surely it must be standard police if Mary had telephoned? When my wife procedure to search the car when a missing told me that she had n't heard anything, person's vehicle is found. They couldn't even we thought at first that we had n't heard manage to do that. The father had a spare the telephone, we where at that time set of keys, and he was driven down by a quite certain that She would be home neighbour. It was left to him to find the before eight a.m. or otherwise let us body of his daughter. It was a tragic situa­ know her where abouts, as this was her tion. I bring these facts out in the Parlia­ normal way of doing. ment. Normally I would not do this, but "When at eight a.m. She had n't turn up and after I rang the Minister for Police I we had n't heard anything, we panic and received a three-page letter back. I showed started to telephone everybody we thought it to Mr. Laenen, who wrote a documented She may have stayed overnight, but nobody report, which he signed. It was also signed could help us. by the people involved, including his neigh­ bours, as containing true facts. He com­ "I intended to telephone the Woodridge menced his letter- Police, but my neighbour Mr. J. Ruthen­ "It was with great sadness, to read such berg who had come to join us, (at that a distortion of the facts and truth given time, we where already very upset) sug­ to you as answer to your personal rep­ gested to go to the police station resentation, concerning what really hap­ immediately. pened to us, and the way the Police "At a few minutes before ten a.m. we (my (specialy at the Woodridge station) handled wife, Mr J. Ruthenberg and I,) entered this case." the Woodridge police station) We are It documents in many pages some of the certain about the time as at that time things I have said. I seek leave of the there was a Woman complaining about House to have the letter incorporated in some naughty kids and a group of young "Hansard". (Leave granted.) people reporting a car accident. "Dear Mr. D'arcy, "We spoke to a police man who's name "It was with very great sadness, to read we do n't know, but we remember he has such a distortion of the facts and truth some tattoo marks on his arms. We told given to you as answer to your personal him our great concern about our daughter representation, concerning what really and her habit to let us know if She for happend to us, and the way the Police some reason would stay out overnight, we (specialy at the Woodridge station) handled try to convinced him that something was this case. Do n't misunderstand me, I terribly wrong, but we got the impression do n't want to start a big row, nor do that he was not very convinced about the I want any body's head to roll. But I can­ importance of our concern. not accept that people in responsible "At no time did he tell me that he could position as the police, are capable to such not understand me and if necessary Mr. a distortion and You can do me a great J. Ruthenberg (who is born australian) favour to bring this letter to the attention could have helped in the conversation. of the Minister for police, as we hope "For nearly twenty years we are living in such things will never happen again, as this country, and for fifteen years I worked we are certain, if the Woodridge Police had in the Hotel business and never did I meet given more attention to our case, the somebody who told me 'that he could not C.I.B. (for whom we have the highest understand me' regard) could have started their investiga­ "Despite the fact that he was not very tion at least three hours earlier. convinced, he let me fill a missing Person "These are the facts as happened between form and accepted a photo of our Mary, Saturday 28th, of January and Sunday 29th he than told us the police would start an 1978, investigation. "Our child, Mary Yvonne Laenen (twenty "At no time could we possible have been two years old) did not leave her home at the Woodridge Police station after at noon, but between three and three fifteen minutes pass ten a.m. thirty p.m. on Saturday. I do n't think this is important, but I do not understand, "How it is possible that Constable I/ c Riley why the Woodridge Police mentioned that saw us thereat II,30 a.m. we do n't know, She left at noon? Our child was in the as at that time we had return home for habit, never to stay out after midnight, more than one hour. without letting us know, her place of "And if what we told the Woodridge Police staying and the time She would come is not a conclusive reason for our sus­ home. (this was a habit of all our children picion, than I do n't know what till they got married). is????????? "Our daughter Mary was known by all "We had a terrible feeling that the police her friends for this habit. Unfortunaly, was not going to do very much if anything on Saturday 28th, January my wife and at all. I went to bed at about ten thirty p.m. "This was the reason that we decided to "As I woke up on Sunday morning at start our own investigation Our daughters, seven a.m. I was very suprized to find Jose Matijasevic, and Elisabeth Rietveld Mary's room unoccupied. I asked my wife, started looking at Compton Road, 518 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Beenleigh Road and surroundings, but they who was standing next to me, took a step came back at about noon without any backwards. I told the police what I thought success. I was still trying to get people about him, he than replied that it was on the phone who could possible know very difficult for the Woodridge Police, to something. go to Acacia Ridge and as a matter of "At about I p.m. I got in contact with fact, they where not allowed to do so, as Mary's old boyfriend, Terry Gallacher, he Acacia Ridge was not in their district I told me, that Mary on Saturday evening asked him, why for heavens sake he had had given somebody a lift home to Coley not contacted the C. I. B.?? He than told Street Acacia Ridge. My son in law, Mr. me that he would do everything possible. Robert Rietveld, his wife Elisabeth and "My neighbour Mr. M Whitby, than tele­ my wife, decided to go to Acacia Ridge, phoned the C.I.B. himself who told him where my daughter Elisabeth spoke with they would be there in about half an hour. t~e mother of the boy, Mary had given a lift and She told her that Mary had driven "By that time Mrs. M. Smith and my wife on after letting her son off. had returned and Mrs. M. Smith made "Driving _through Acacia Ridge my Wife, a suggestion that we should have a look my Son m law and my daughter Elisabeth, in the boot of Mary's car for some found Mary's car in Limerick Street possible clues. opposite house No 7. At about I,45 p.m. "Mrs. E. Whitby than asked if we had a I received a phone call from my daughter spare key from Mary's car? When we Elisabeth Rietveld, She told me, that they told her,we did,She suggested to go back had found Mary's car but no sign of and have a look. I and Mrs. E. Whitby Mary. I told her to stay with the car but went to Acacia Ridge, and by arriving in not to touch anything an wait for the Limerick Street, we saw Mary's car but police. nobody there, as at that time police from "I than telephoned the Woodridge Police Acacia Ridge station has taken my son in for the ~rst time at about 2 p.m. I spok~ law and his wife Mr. and Mrs. Rietveld to a police man who told me, he was not to the station to make some statement. the same person to whom we had reported "It was about 4.30 p,m when I opened the Mary as a missing person. I then informed boot of Mary's car and got the most hor­ him that Mary's car had been located in rible shock of my life and which I can Limerick Street Acacia Ridge. He asked never forget my dear child dead and naked if I could spell Limerick Street? I told body. Something in my head broke down him I did n't know, but there was only and I started screaming, 'that b. told me one bl. Limerick Street. in Acacia Ridge. to take that car home' I was running up He promised me that he would start an and down Limerick Street, screaming the investigation. same words over and over when police "At about 3.40 p.m. Mrs M. Smith (a neigh­ started to arrive, a plain clothes police bour of my daughter Elisabeth Rietveld), man ordered two Constables to put me in cam_e at . the scene and as my wife was a police car, for the first time in my life gettmg sick from worry it was decided I started feeling like being arrested. After that Mrs. M. Smith should take her home a while I got a hold of my self and they left Limerick Street at about 3,50 p.m: leaving the police car I told some police In the mean time my daughter Elisabeth man who approach me, not to try to telephoned me again and asked· 'what is touch me again, he left me alone and happening Dad, the police has 'not been somebody give me a glass of water, after here yet?' a while an other plain clothes police man asked me, to go with him to Acacia Ridge "I i~mediately telephoned the Woodridge police station to make a statement. Police (now for the second time). In the presen~e of Mr. M. Whitby, (an other of "My statement was quiet in accordance with my neighbours) the following conversation this letter, but when the detective asked took place. me to sign it, I found out that he had forgotten to write down, the part I have "I, to the W oodridge Police; Why for signed A:till B: heavens sake has nobody gone to Limerick Street, to investigate my daughter Mary's "I than refused to sign that statement and where abouts? Some body at the Wood­ he made a new one in wich he included ridge Police station. that particular part. "Mr. Laenen, we have done some investiga­ "This is what really happend on the 28th tion ourself, and we have found out, that and 29th of Januari 1978. and to give your daughter Mary was having a good you an assurance that it is the truth, time last night at the Sunnybank Motel I every body who is mentioned in this letter advise you, to go and take her car ho~e and who where with us the whole day She will turn up later, at this moment (Sunday 29th of Januari) will sign this She is somewhere having a good time. letter. "Yours sincerely. "I thought that I got a heart attack, I started screaming in the telephone, so Louis Laenen. loud that my neighbour Mr. M. Whitby, (Signed) Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 519

"We the undersigned, testify that the con­ three days at the Mossman school after the tents of this letter, written by Mr. Laenen. Federal election. He was the best man about what happend in the case of his available for the job, and both the Director­ daughter Mary's disappearance is the truth. General and the Director of Primary Educa­ "Woodridge 20th of March 1978. tion have said so. "J. Matyasevic It is important to realise that the Depart­ "Mayrien. Whitbhy. (Sgd.) ment of Education is more aware of the law "Elaine. Whitbhy. than the Premier is. In this context I refer to the Crown Employees Act of "Jh. Ruthenberg. 1958, which was introduced by the Nicklin "M.H. Ruthenberg. (Sgd.) Government. The Premier of the day believed it to be so important that he introduced it "E. Rietveld. himself. It was designed to cover exigencies "R. Rietveld. (Sgd.) similar to those affecting Bill Wood. I will now read some of the things that "M. L. Smith. (Sgd.)" Mr. Nicklin, the Premier, said on introducing the Bill. The Bill was obviously designed It is a tragic case and a worry to all of to cover State employees who were standing us who have been associated with it. We for Federal elections. Because of the Con­ had trouble getting the body released. We stitution this was a fairly ticklish subject. Mr. had trouble getting the car back; it has only Nicklin said- been back a couple of days. Of course, the murderer of this girl has not yet been "I refer to the provisions of the Officials found. The police are virtually saying that in Parliament Acts that permit public ser­ there is very little hope of solving the murder. vants and other Government employees of this State to take up to two months' Education in general has been talked leave of absence for the purpose of con­ about in this debate. The decisions of the testing elections for this Assembly. Government in recent times, particularly those of the Premier, have stunned the "I believe every citizen of Queensland is Queensland public to such an extent that entitled to aspire to becoming a member many Queenslanders have wondered about of either the Federal or State Parliament. his sanity. Even his own party is telling him to take a holiday. "We have already given that right in The SEMP issue has been discussed. We relation to our own Parliament with a have seen some of the SEMP film material. proper safeguard in the reservation I have The Minister for Education in this Chamber mentioned. I am now asking leave to has completely and utterly bent the facts. give the same right for the Commonwealth The letters published in the newspapers from Parliament." the Director-General of Education have vir­ He introduced the Bill that conferred that tually proved that. The Curricula Branch right. the the Education Department was respon­ In summing up after the debate, Mr. sible for the preparation of some of the Nicklin referred to what all members had SEMP material, and it is tragic that this said, and at that time there were three should now be banned in this State. In parties in the Chamber. In doing so, he his decisions on Tarong, Aurukun, SEMP, said- MACOS, street marches and many other "I thank hon. members for the way issues the Premier is virtually out to des­ in which they have received the Bill. troy, not the Labor Party in this instance but I did not expect that it would have any the Liberal Party. other reception, because I was confident The other night the Minister for Educa­ that all hon. members would be happy tion, and today the honourable member for to join the Government in removing an Barron River, mentioned what has become anomaly that has prevented a very large known in Queensland as the Bill Wood case. section of the community from enjoying It is one case that must show the Queensland the undoubted privileges of any citizen­ public that this Government does not have the right to nominate for a State or any principles; it does not even live up Federal election. to the principles of its predecessors. This Government has sunk to the lowest level "It has been introduced to remove an that any Government could in its redis­ anomaly, one that should never have tribution and in its treatment of public existed. The Bill will give full citizenship servants. I intend to prove to Government rights to all members of the State Public members that this National Party Govern­ Service and they are entitled to them. ment has sunk to that level. Judging by their remarks, that opinion We all know that Bill Wood was a State is held by all hon. members." schoolteacher who was sacked by the Gov­ That was said by the Premier of Queensland, ernment after being re-appointed. I will the leader of a Country-Liberal Government repeat that because the Minister did not that obviously had many more scruples and really challenge it the other night. Bill principles than the present Government has. Wood was re-employed by the State for Mr. !ones: This is a few years later. 520 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Mr. D'ARCY: That is so. If a remedy could be found through amend­ Mr. Nicklin, a Country Party Premier ment to the Act, I would appreciate it. of Queensland, introduced that legislation The Minister for Justice did not seem to to give Queensland public servants the right realise it, but there are three sections of to stand for Federal politics and not be the Act that could be easily and quickly penalised. amended. In the last few months there have been many instances of this in South-east l\lfr. Scott: They have changed their name. Queensland. I believe that the Government It is the National Party now. should help bereaved parents in these cases. Mr. D'ARCY: That is right. Once again, I pledge the loyalty of the electors of Woodridge to Her Majesty the The action taken against Bill Wood was Queen. sheer, utter victimisation. It has taken the Government, led by Mr. Bjelke-Petersen, to Mr. TURNER (Warrego) (7.17 p.m.): In its lowest depths. It is a tragic situation. rising to speak to this debate on the Address In recent times several paper-boys have in Reply to the Governor's Opening Speech been killed on roads in Queensland. Not to the First Session of the Forty-second long ago spokesmen for the newspapers and Parliament of Queensland, I wish to convey police virtually announced that they had my own personal loyalty and that of the decided to allocate special places for the constituents of the Warrego electorate to boys to sell papers from. Evidently the Our Most Gracious Sovereign, Queen scheme folded and fell by the wayside. I Elizabeth II, and to her representatives, the condemn the practice of allowing boys in Governor-General (Sir Zelman Cowen) and the early morning and in the afternoon to our own Governor (Sir James Ramsay). run up and down among cars on the highways In August last year it was my privilege endangering their lives. Two of the boys to move the motion for the adoption of who were killed came from my electorate. the Address in Reply in the Fourth Session Unless one knows the victims in such cases of the Forty-first Parliament, and I said it is almost impossible to get information from then that in my opinion the Governor would the police. uphold the highest traditions of his office. While on this subject I shall make some Since then the Governor has travelled comments about road deaths. An anomaly extensively throughout the length and breadth in the Coroner's Act allows people who of Queensland and has carried out his have been killed to lie by the wayside for duties in a most exemplary fashion. Without many hours, often actually on the road. fear of contradiction I say that both the [Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.15 p.m.] Governor and his gracious wife have earned the admiration and respect of the citizens Mr. D'ARCY: I was referring to the of Queensland. tragedy of the bodies of people killed in I take this opportunity to thank the road accidents being allowed to lie on the electors of Warrego for returning me to roads. As I said before, evidently under the the State Parliament. I take the opportunity Coroner's Act police are in charge once an also to thank my campaign director and all of accident Yictim is presumed to be dead. They the other people who worked so hard to return are responsible for the certification of death me. I point out that the Warrego electorate and the formalities attendant !hereon. The was held by the Labor Party from Federation practicalities are that this entails the time until I won it from the former Labor mem­ which can elapse until the police arrive at ber, Mr. Jack Aiken, in 1974. The Labor the accident scene, the difficulty of getting Party required a swing of some 3 per cent a doctor to examine and pronounce upon at the last State election to win back the the state of the body and the eventual seat of Warrego. I believe that it expended transport to the morgue, which could often a considerable amount of money and effort tie up an ambulance for quite some time. on trying to win it back. I realise that the police and ambulance An Opposition Member: What about the personnel in these cases endeavour to be as gerrymander? helpful and considerate to the bereaved at all times as the pressure of work allows. Mr. TURNER: The honourable member However, in recent instances in my own speaks about gerrymanders. If he waits a electorate in South-east Queensland it has while, I will get on to that subject. He become quite tragic for families whose should not be impatient. children have died in road accidents and been allowed to remain on the road for a I take this opportunity to reaffirm the long period. In the last few months I have pledge I made in my maiden speech in this had two instances of parents being present Parliament to continue to work in the when their children have been dead on the interests of the electorate of Warrego--for road in front of them. One instance last all people, irrespective of race, creed, colour week-end was particularly tragic because of and political affiliations. the way in which the body was mutilated. I offer my congratulations to the mover Those minutes during which the body of a and seconder of the motion, the honourable young child remains at the scene are par­ member for Southport (Mr. White) and the ticularly hurtful and harmful to the parents. honourable member for Warwick (Mr. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 521

Booth). I congratulate them on the capable The composition of this Parliament differs and competent manner in which they per­ greatly from that of the last Parliament. In formed that very honourable task. They will many ways it is sad that some of the old be good acquisitions to their parties and to faces have gone. The former member for this Government. I look forward to cignifi­ Townsville South, Mr. Tom Aikens, was in cant contributions from them over the years many ways a legend in his parliamentary to come. I specially mention the honourable career. He had a quick wit and a very cutting member for Warwick. I believe that he tongue. Not many members were prepar;;d is a good replacement for David Cory. He to take him on in debate. has a good grasp of rural problems, par­ ticularly marketing and milk. I am very I do not intend to go through all past pleased to see him take David Cory's place members, but I would like to mention the in State Parliament. former member for Cook, Mr. Eric Deeral, who was the first Aboriginal member of I take this opportunity to congratulate all State Parliament. It is sad that he has honourable members, old and new, who have departed from the scene. He had a contribu­ been elected to this Parliament. Special con­ tion to make on behalf of his race and his gratulations go to the new members. As I people. did some three years ago, they will find this to be a strange place in many ways. A During the last Parliament we were unfor­ tremendous amount of work, involvement and tunate enough to hear of the death of four dedication will be required of them. The of our members. Because so many other family life of members, particularly those members spoke to the motions of condolence, who represent the far-western and outlying I did not join in. I now extend my deepest electorates, does suffer. sympathy to the families of the former mem­ ber for Clayfield (Mr. Brown), the former I have endeavoured to listen to every member for Port Curtis (Mr. Hanson), the maiden speech delivered since the opening former member for Wolston (Mr. Margin­ of this Parliament. I commend all of those son), and the former 11inister for Transport speakers--members of the Australian Labor (Mr. K. W. Hooper). They will be sadly Party as well as members of the Liberal missed by their families, their friends and Party and the National Party-for their contributions. their political parties. This is a new Parliament and one that has Mr. K. J. Hooper interjected. a lot of new blood in it. The increased num­ bers in the A.L.P. and the talents of its Mr. TURNER: That is the inane sort of members will, of themselves, help to make interjection we have come to expect from for better government, because there will be the honourable member for Archerfield. I a stronger Opposition. was passing a comment about deceased mem­ Mr. K. .J. Hooper interjected. bers of this Parliament and was met with an interjection of such low standing. It cer­ Mr. TURNER: Now that the honourable tainly does little to raise the standard of member for Archerfield is back in his usual Parliament. seat, I ask him to repeat his interjection. As this is a new Parliament, I think it Mr. K. .J. Hooper: You are a very erudite would be pertinent to make some comments member; but your ears need cleaning out. on what I consider to be the achievements of the previous Parliament over the past Mr. TURNER: The honourable member three years. Firstly, we have seen the abol­ speaks about ears. I am quite sure that his ition of probate duty, which was one of head is there only to keep his ears apart. the most iniquitous taxes ever devised. We I take the opportunity also to congratulate have seen the abolition of gift duties. The Mr. Speaker on his re-election unopposed. abolition of road permit fees has consider­ The fact that he was unopposed is a tribute ably helped transport operators, particu­ to him and shows the high regard in which larly those in the western area. The electric­ he is held by members of all political ity equalisation legislation, which was passed parties in this Chamber. He has brought during the term of the last Parliament, is dignity to this high and important office. now having its effect. It has been of tre­ He has brought decorum and a degree of mendous benefit to people in outlying areas. fairness into this Chamber. I congratulate him While on this matter of electricity equalis­ on his election. ation, I should mention the tremendous I join with honourable members who have capital costs involved in connecting power to called for amendments to the Standing Orders outlying properties in the far-western regions in regard to the election of Speaker. I of the State. They are far beyond the believe it is farcical that no-one controls the capacity of individual property owners to Chamber during the election of Speaker. The pay. I hope that the new electricity board Clerk of the Parliament has no control over and the State Government will give consider­ members. They can speak on any matter they ation to substantially increasing the capital like for as long as they like. This is a contribution the Government makes towards ridiculous situation. So I join with the other property owners to have power connected to honourable members who have suggested their properties. At the moment the contri­ amendments to the Standing Orders in rela­ bution stands at $3,000. I think that $3,000 tion to the election of Speaker. could be paid direct to some of the more 522 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply isolated property owners as a subsidy or schools. I welcome public interest in grant towards the installation of their own education and do not like seeing 'experts' electricity plants so that they too can enjoy and 'professionals' having too free a hand the benefits that most Queenslanders enjoy in deciding far reaching Government mat­ from having electricity connected to their ters be it in Education, Agriculture, Pris­ homes. ons or any other field. During the three-year period following the "This is particularly so in certain areas Barry report we have seen the reduction of of education where the 'experts' have had land cattle rentals. Drought concessions very limited actual experience in the school have continued to apply to those farmers in or the class-room. I feel many professions drought-affected areas. Local councils have become inward looking and 'common sense' continued to receive State and Federal often becomes a rare commodity. I hope assistance by way of grants. Road-works have as our elected leaders you and your col­ continued throughout most areas. I make leagues can provide the necessary balance special mention of two roads of major and perspective in this matter. concern in my area, the Cunnamulla-Charle­ "Having said that I would hope any ville road and the Charleville-Quilpie road. enquiry held would be seen to be fair and Recently $150,000 was released for works open to public debate and scrutiny. Advice on the Charleville-Quilpie road and $240,000 and comment should be drawn from as for works on the Wyandra section of the wide a cross section of the community as Cunnamulla-Charleville road. possible. The Government should not Mr. K • .J. Hooper: It's only a goat track. appear to be linked with reactionary groups or religious extremists such as Mrs. Joyner." Mr. TURNER: The last time the hon­ ourable member travelled over that road I could have left that last piece out, but he was so drunk I thought he would not I quoted that letter just to show that there remember being on it. are schoolteachers in the western districts who do support the Government's proposal. Spending on education has also been increased. I will elaborate on this subject Mr. K. .J. Hooper: He's telling fibs. later on. I am proud of the Government's record on education. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): Order! I have mentioned before and I will say again that, because we as the State Govern­ Mr. K . .J. Hooper: Table the letter. ment and also the Federal coalition Govern­ ment had what could be termed whopping Mr. TURNER: I have quoted from the majorities in the State and Federal elections, letter and I do not have to table it. I will we should take that not as an endorsement show it to anyone, but I am not tabling of all our policies but rather as a rejection it so that the Labor Party can divulge the of the policy of the Australian Labor Party name of the principal. After the debate, and its particular philosophies. I will show it to anybody who wishes to see it. I repeat that I made those comments Mr. K. J. Hooper: How many votes did and read that letter to show that there you win Warrego by? are some schoolteachers who do support Mr. TURNER: Enough to beat the Aust­ the setting up of a committee of inquiry into ralian Labor Party man. education. I would like to devote some of my time Mr. Fouras interjected. to discussing education in Queensland, partic­ Mr. TURNER: I thought I made that ularly in western areas. I want to touch clear when I read out the letter. Anyway, briefly on the banning of SEMP and the the honourable member has had his oppor­ appointment of the Select Committee on tunity to speak in this debate, and I will Education. continue. I have received numerous roneoed letters I believe that many children in isolated from school teachers throughout my area areas of Queensland would not be receiving complaining about the State Government's a decent education-in fact, virtually no banning of SEMP. I have also received education at all-if it were not for the letters in support of the ban that has been various allowances paid by the Government placed on SEMP. Furthermore, I have such as the I.C.P.A. allowance, the remote received letters about the setting up of the area allowance, and the $1,000 remote area committee of inquiry into education, and senior scholarship allowance. In addition, I would like to quote from a letter that school buses run into and out of country I received from a principal. towns taking children to school. Parents He says he supports an inquiry by politic­ receive a conveyance allowance, which is ians into the Queensland education system, paid in areas where buses do not operate, and and continues- this makes some contribution to their daily "! believe this is quite justified after running expenses. All these things have many years of rapid change and heavy assisted education tremendously in western expenditure of public money and at a areas. The cost of these concessions is time of widespread concern about the over and above the amount spent on schools, direction taken and standards attained in teacher accommodation and other education Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 523 buildings right throughout the country and, Each year sports are held at Charleville, indeed, city areas. The subject I would and parents whose children participate in now like to speak about is the Priority the Schools of the Air scheme travel any­ Country Area Programme. This programme thing up to three or four days to get their is well under way, and I congratulate the children to and from those sports. I think committee, the director and all of those that people in remote areas of the State make involved with this wonderful venture. A a significant contribution to the education car has been purchased for the School of of their children, and I compliment the the Air so that the teachers can travel Schools of the Air on the wonderful job around remote regions to help their pupils. they do. Itinerant teachers travel with them. They The Royal Flying Doctor Service pro­ help parents with problems associated with vides the radio network for Schools of the education in these remote areas. Air, and I think it would be opportune for There has been some concern that not me to mention the wonderful job done by enough itinerant teachers were allocated to that service in Queensland. This year is the the Priority Country Area Programme, but 50th year of operation of the Royal Flying five positions have recently been advertised, Doctor Service, which was begun in 1928 by and this will mean there will be six teachers the Reverend Sir John Flynn. It is non­ in the area, two to be stationed at St. George, denominational and no charge is made for its two at Charleville and two at Cunnamulla. services. It operates throughout the inland Buses have been purchased and they have areas of Queensland 24 hours a day and been put to great use in western areas. There seven days a week. has been tremendous response and children from the more isolated regions like Thar­ Mr. K. .J. Hooper interjected. gomindah and Eulo have used these buses to go to other schools or to places such as Mr. TURNER: The honourable member the Yowah opal fields. They have received would find it beneficial to learn a little bit tremendous value from the buses. of history. A travelling manual arts scheme is due It does not provide services only in the to open in Tambo shortly, and this scheme remote outback areas of the State, either. will travel the length and breadth of the There is quite a good medical centre in priority area and give children the oppor­ Charleville, where two very serious accidents tunity of learning manual arts, whereas, occurred recently. The lady doctor, Dr. because of the small numbers in some of Herbert, suffered critical injuries in a glider these schools, this would not normally be accident and the Royal Flying Doctor Ser­ possible. Music is also looked after. A vice brought her to Brisbane direct and was, music teacher is based in Roma and he travels I am sure, responsible for saving her life. throughout the area. A man named Cyril McConnell was seriously Another scheme that has recently been burnt at Charleville and within half an hour introduced under the Priority Country Area the Royal Flying Doctor Service had left Programme is called Roctapus, which stands to bring him to the Burns Unit at the Prin­ for "Really outstanding colour television cess Alexandra Hospital. I make those points about practically unlimited subjects". These to show what a wonderful job the Royal films are completely different from the Flying Doctor Service does in Western schizophrenic SEMP films we witnessed here Queensland. the other night. They are good films which It was my privilege recently to open the are sent out to various schools which have Royal Flying Doctor Sports at Tooloombilla, purchased video machines on which to play near Mitchell, and I carried out some the cassettes. I think it is a wonderful research in the Parliamentary Library to scheme. A few weeks ago some members ascertain what contribution was made by the went down to the Minister's office and viewed State and Federal Governments to the ser­ some of these fiims. 1 compliment the vice. In 1967-68 the State and Federal con­ Education Department on the introduction of tribution was $117,000; in 1977-nine years this scheme. later-it had increased to $643,607. That was almost a sixfold increase in nine years. Mr. K. J. Hooper: What is your definition Although the Government makes a significant of the word "schizophrenic"? contribution to this wonderful service, it is necessary to raise additional funds by appeals, Mr. TURNER: You are one. donations and sports days, and I compliment the people who work for this worthy cause. I should like to mention the School of the Air programme. Last year 629 children I intend now to speak on matters affecting received education because they were hooked my electorate. Many problems have been up to School of the Air programme. The affecting rural industries for some time, but honourable member for Salisbury (Mrs. I believe that escalating costs and oversupply Kyburz) was in my electorate recently, and of produce are two of the major problems. I think she would agree that it is a wonderful The wool industry was in the doldrums 10 programme. She spoke to children over the years ago. I point out that in 1968 there length and breadth of inland Queensland. were 20,000,000 sheep depastured in Queens­ The teachers do a fantastically good job, land alone. Now, 10 years later, prices for and their task is a very difficult one. wool and sheep have improved, and I believe 524 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

that is because only 13,000,000 sheep are depressing declines this century. Many pro­ now run in Queensland-a decrease of posals have been put forward to cure the ills 7,000,000 in 10 years. of the beef industry-minimum price . H?wever, the wool industry faces the con­ schemes, stabilisation and classification. Many people are not aware that such schemes tm~rl!-g problem of rising costs, and the recent decrswn by the Industrial Commission to must be implemented on a national basis. force graziers to upgrade shearers' quarters Other States must come into it. If a mini­ will drive many producers to the wall. It mum price scheme were operating in Queens­ w1ll also place greater emphasis on chemical land only, under section 92 of the Common­ sheari~g, and I believe that further unemploy­ wealth Constitution meatworks' buyers could ment m western areas will result if it is ever purchase interstate on a cheaper market and perfected. bringing the live animals back to Queensland. If that happened, we would be even more 'Yhile speaking on the wool industry, I d.isadvantaged than we are at the present b~heve that I should mention the A.M.I.E.U. time. dispute in South Australia relating to the export of live sheep to the Arab market. The Federal Government has done some­ The Arab .ma.rket takes some 5,000,000 sheep thing constructive in one area by providing a year, prmc1pally old wethers which would the $2,000 grant to beef producers. This has not bring very much at all on the normal helped a tremendous number of people. The market, but on the Arab market they bring moratorium on loans in respect of the fantastic prices. I cannot understand the brigalow development area has also helped. meat union's objections to the export of I join with the honourable member for Cunningham in saying that this scheme must live she~p to the Arab market. If the sheep were gomg over there to be killed by cheap be extended to all beef producers in or non-union labour, and the meat were to Queensland if they are to have any chance be processed and returned to the Australian of survival. It is most important that long­ market, thus cutting meat union members term low-interest loans be made available to out of employment, I could understand the cure the ills of the industry. It is not much union's concern. But that is not the case. use giving someone a Bex powder to cure Its _n;em?ers are n?t losing any work oppor­ his broken leg. The actual complaint has to be treated. I hope that long-term low­ ~U:C:Jtles m. ;\-ustralra. All the union is doing interest loans will be made available. It was 1s Je;:>pardlSing th~ opportunity the producer has m depressed times to increase his return. interesting to read in today's newspaper that Mr. Hayden is concerned about the heavily The union executive members must have subsidised motor vehicle industry. One rocks in their head if they cannot under­ would have thought that he might have stand that the more money the producer mentioned something about the rural makes, the more employment is created in industry. country towns for other trade unionists. The flow-on carries through to everyone in those Mr. Casey: You told us that last year areas. This dispute with the meat union over when Mr. Sullivan introduced the new meat the export of live sheep is one that it cannot Bill. be allowed to win. I hope it doesn't. The export of live sheep helps other trade Mr. TURNER: I think it was mentioned unionists as well as the overall economy of explicitly at the time that the Bill could not the nation. cure the ills unless all of the other States introduced similar legislation. The honour­ Mr. Y ewdale: That was said about pig able member will remember that quite well. iron that was being sent to Japan. Let him read "Hansard". Mr. TURNER: Was it? Rural industry constantly lives with Mr. Yewdale: They eventually fired it back drought. Over the years, whenever a shire at us. has been declared drought-stricken, rural producers have been eligible for assistance Mr. TURNER: The Arabs might fire meat for the cartage of fodder, the transport of pies back at us. cattle to market and so on. They have also been eligible to apply for Agricultural Bank That dispute is reminiscent of the recent l~ans at low interest rates, which, of course, sto.remen and packers' dispute over the drd not mean that they would be successful we1ght of wool bales. In many ways it is if they did not meet all the criteria. Unfor­ tragic to see that at times unions cease to tunately, properties in a shire like Murweh function according to the purpose for which which was not declared drought-stricke~ they were created, namely, the betterment because good rain had fallen in the northern of wages and working conditions and in­ section, although it adjoins the drought­ ~tead, in some instances, become ~ political declared shire of Paroo, did not qualify for mstrument. I make those points because the Agricultural Bank drought loans. I am meat union in its attitude towards the pleased to note that the Minister has made export of live sheep is jeopardising the future it possible for an individual drought­ of a lot of people on the land and a lot of declared property to be eligible for the other trade unionists. Agricultural Bank drought loans. Much has been said about the cattle industry. It is experiencing one of the most Mr. Casey interjected. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 525

Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): The problems arose when Senator Murphy Order' Persistent interjections will not be banned the export of kangaroo skins and tolerated. products to America. Conservationists in America put kangaroos on the endangered Mr. K. J. Hooper: What about that species list. I firmly believe that they are drought--stricken property named "Hillview" not endangered but they have been listed at Morven? with, I think, sabre tooth tigers and Tas­ manian devils, which would possibly be the Mr. TURNER: By the look of him, the first animals in the world in recent times honourable member for Archerfield has not to become extinct. vvitnessed any droughts. We have a conservation programme for The brucellosis eradication scheme in kangaroos and we are in the Commonwealth Queensland has been extended. While I scheme. I do not advocate an increase in would be among the first to admit the the killing of kangaroos, but I believe we need for the eradication of this disease and should work in with the Commonwealth in the extension of the scheme, I believe I an attempt to get the American ban lifted, would be neglecting my duty if I did not as well as the 30c levy on tags for all mention that the scheme will affect adversely shooters in Queensland. The levy is an beef producers in most of my area. I refer iniquitous burden on those in the industry. not only to the restrictions placed on the I raised this matter on numerous occasions entry of stock to the protected area, which with the former Minister for Lands, Forestry, in itself will be a financial hardship, but National Parks and Wildlife Service (Mr. also to the requirement that all producers Tomkins), and I have taken it up more outside the protected area test their herds at recently with the present Minister for Cul­ their own expense to get clean status, ture, National Parks and Recreation (Mr. although that will not apply to herds tested Newbery). He has undertaken to take sub­ in the proposed clean area. In real terms missions to the next meeting of the States that means producers in western areas and the Commonwealth in an attempt to already burdened with the greatest expense get uniform agreement. I certainly am hope­ in transport and other costs will now have ful that, for the benefit of those interested to meet the cost of brucellosis eradication in the kangaroo industry in western Queens­ or testing in their areas, as with the recent land, particularly in the smaller country T.B. eradication programme, while those in towns, he will be successful in removing the closer-settled areas will have the testing at least the 30c levy, and I would hope carried out without cost. I have taken this that the American market could be reopened. matter up with the Minister for Primary While I am talking about wildlife, I would Industries. He has agreed to look into like to bring to the attention of the Min­ it. I hope something can be done to relieve ister for Culture, Natural Parks and Recrea­ the problem. tion a proposal that has been put to me by While discussing rural industries, I shall Mr. Lane Peckett of Tambo about snakes. speak briefly on the future of the dingo­ Mr. Peckett has taken a very active and keen barrier fence. Because of the cost involved interest in snakes and currently, with the per­ in retaining and repairing the fence, it mission of the National Parks and Wildlife has become a fairly contentious issue. In Service, has an extensive specimen collection recent years the poison "1080" has been of snakes, which he has used in lectures to used extensively to control dingoes. After various schools, service clubs and groups of the Federal Government's ban on mining doctors as well as in talks on radio. I under­ on Fraser Island, however, I, like a lot of stand that he will be coming to Brisbane people in my area, am conscious of the tomorrow in connection with a programme possibility that conservationists may have on Channel 2 dealing with the identification "1080" banned. If that happened, we would of snakes. He also speaks about the methods be in a terrible position, particularly if of treatment and the types of anti-venene to the barrier fence was allowed to go to ruin. be used in cases of snake bite. It would cost much more to eradicate dingoes Many people, including doctors and others from sheep areas in the State than it would in the medical profession, incorrectly identify to maintain the fence. snakes. As a result, an incorrect anti­ Western areas have very few industries venene could be administered, with a conse­ other than those related to wool and beef quent loss of life. Mr. Peckett has put it to production, but one small, important industry me that a real need exists for all hospitals, operates in most country towns. I refer particularly those in western areas, to have a to the kangaroo industry. Those in the supply of snake specimens that could be used industry are experiencing many problems, for the positive identification in snake-bite most of which were brought about by-- cases. Dr. Lockwood: There are some very good Mr. K. J. Hooper: The industry or the books on snakes that could help. kangaroos themselves? Mr. TURNER: Yes, but I am amazed at _Mr. TURNER: I thought that the galahs the number of people who cannot identify might have been experiencing some problems. snakes. Mr. Peckett has spoken to doctors 526 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

who have incorrectly identified snakes. I subsidy and free milk for schools, cut back think there is a need for hospitals to carry money on air services and inland roads and at least the types of snakes that could be remove other concessions. found in their vicinity so that, when a snake is brought in, it can be positively identified Opposition Members interjected. and the correct antivenene administered. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): In the time remaining I would like to Order! I will not allow two Opposition correct one error that I saw in a recent members to interject at the same time. newspaper report. It was in relation to the new member for Sandgate. I do not know Mr. TURNER: I would take one of those whether it was correctly attributed to the hon­ interjections if I could hear it. ourable member or not. The article related to Mr. Casey: Why hasn't Fraser reintro­ the honourable member's holding down the duced them? position of alderman while a member of this Parliament. The report said that many Nat­ Mr. TURNER: In reply to the honourable ional Party members held positions as council­ member for Mackay-the Fraser Govern­ lors and chairmen in various shires and con­ ment pledged to reintroduce fuel equalisa­ tinued to hold those positions after becom­ tion. It has proceeded with legislation and, ing members of Parliament. I was a member unfortunately for the likes of Mr. Whitlam of local government, in the Murweh Shire, or any future Labor Prime Minister, the although never its chairman, and I resigned legislation is framed in such a way that at the first meeting after I was elected to a two-man Labor ministry will not be able to State Parliament. remove it again. Mr. Warburton: I didn't mention that. Mr. Casey: Who introduced the floor price plan for wool? Mr. TURNER: I did not say that the honourable member did. All I am saying Mr. TURNER: Who introduced the floor is that it was in the paper, and I just cor­ price plan for wool? Who did more to ruin rect that. rural industries than the Whitlam Labor Government when it was in power? Mr. Warburton: I mentioned about 20 of your mates, though. Mr. Casey interjected. Mr. TURNER: My name was in it, too. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Mackay has had the The honourable member for Woodridge, opportunity of making his Address-in-Reply who spoke before me, raised the matters of speech. gerrymandering, one vote one value, and how the Australian Labor Party held so much of Mr. TURNER: It is nice to hear some Queensland in the country and in the towns of the newer Opposition members expressing up till 1972. I could possibly have obtained concern about the state of the rural areas. the figures from the Parliamentary Library­ I suggest that the honourable member for they have been quoted in many speeches and Murrumba look through "Hansard" and I used them on another occasion. However, read some of the remarks of Mr. Jensen, for his information, I repeat that the Labor Mr. Melloy and some of the other older Premier of this State in 1949, Mr. Hanlon, Labor members about wool barons and the introduced the weighting system giving rural beef barons in western Queensland driving seats fewer electors than urban areas. At that their Mercedes cars. time I think the Australian Labor Party held every seat in inland Queensland. Members The Labor Party members say that we were elected to this Chamber from areas such should cross the floor and oppose the as Charters Towers with only 3,000 electors, Government on certain issues. No Labor while at the same time it was taking 20,000 member has ever crossed the floor and for the election of a Liberal member in voted against his party or the Q.C.E. Brisbane. He spoke about gerrymanders and except Mr. Jensen from Bundaberg. He said that Queensland provides the worst refused to pay the levy imposed on him example. The fact of the matter is that there by the Q.C.E. He was immediately pushed is a greater discrepancy between the numbers into the Independent benches, was not re­ of rural and urban voters in South Aus­ endorsed and, as a result, lost his seat tralia-a Labor State. He should verify his in State Parliament. facts and figures before he makes such state­ (Time expired). ments. I point out to him that since 1972 the Labor Party has lost ground not as a Mr. AKERS (Pine Rivers) (7.58 p.m.): result of any so-called gerrymander but as I rise to support the motion moved by the a consequence, particularly in western areas, honourable member for Southport (Mr. of its anti-rural policies. While conceding that White) for the adoption of the Address in Mr. Whitlam had a tremendous amount of Reply, which expresses the loyalty of this ability-! suppose no politician in more Parliament to the Queen and to the Gover­ recent times had much more ability-he went nor. I express my personal loyality and that bad. He absolutely hated and detested rural of the residents of the Pine Rivers electorate industries. One of the first things he did to Her Majesty and to her representative in after gaining power was to remove the fuel Queensland, the Governor. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 527

I join with the many other members who tremendous support. My thanks also go to the have congratulated the Governor on the job rest of my campaign committee, who were that he is doing in Queensland. Late last of great help to me. vear he visited the Pine Rivers Shire and showed himself to be a person who could In my maiden speech three years ago I get on with everybody he met. He showed called for a redistribution, because at that a tremendous interest in the area and a stage the Pine Rivers electorate was the tremendous knowledge of the area. He had largest in Queensland, with approximately a knowledge of the matters we talked about 21,000 voters. During the life of the previous even though they were not matters of which Parliament the number of voters increased he had specific knowledge. to about 27,000. After the redistribution it was reduced from the largest electorate in I join in the congratulations offered to the Queensland to about the 44th largest, or, Speaker, the Chairman of Committees and to put it another way, about the 38th the Panel of Temporary Chairmen, includ­ smallest. ing you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for the job they have done in the past and their election In the redistribution at that time I lost for this Parliament. Ferny Hills, Arana Hills and Everton Hills to the Everton electorate; I lost Kallangur, I congratulate the mover and seconder of Petrie and most of Lawnton to the Mm­ this motion on their contributions and the rumba electorate; and I lost Boondall, thought that they put into their speeches. Taigum and Fitzgibbon to Sandgate. Those Both of them have impressed me greatly three electorates are now represented by over the few months that I have known them A.L.P. members. One of those members is and certainly since the opening of this Parlia­ a council colleague of mine, Councillor ment. The honourable member for South­ Kruger, who represents Murrumba. Having port has certainly made his presence felt listened to the maiden speeches of those already on the street march issue. He has three new members, I despair for my old been one of the leaders of the opposition constituents. to this iniquitous legislation. Before the election I did not have much The honourable member for Warwick, to do with the honourable member for Sand­ whom I have known only while he has been gate, Mr. Warburton, but whenever I did sitting alongside me for the past few weeks, contact him on important matters he always has impressed me greatly as a capable and appeared to try to be on a different side honest man. I look forward to sitting along­ from me. It did not matter whether what side him for the next three years and learn­ I said was for the good of the people or not, ing from him many of the things I do not his politics covered the whole matter we know about rural areas. would discuss. He is going to have to strive very hard in this place to follow Mr. Harry I congratulate the new members on their Dean. The honourable member for Sandgate election and other members on their said that his short experience in local govern­ re-election. I say to the new members that ment _shoul~ help him to work in this place the next three years are going to be the and give him some understanding in dealing shortest three years in their life. It is a little with people's problems. over three years ago that I made my maiden speech in this Parliament, but it does not The letter on SEMP that the honourable seem that long ago at all. member mentioned in his maiden speech was exactly the same letter as was received by As is well known now, in December last every member in this Assembly. One quickly year I was returned to this Parliament by learns to differentiate between this circular­ the electors of Pine Rivers. I certainly thank type le~ter and genuine letters circulated by the voters in the Pine Rivers electorate for responsible groups and organisations that are their continued confidence in me. I thank prepared to put their signature to the letters them for the confidence that they have shown to show that they are sincere. in my holding two positions, one as deputy chairman of the Pine Rivers Shire Council, My council colleague, the honourable the other as the member of Parliament for member fo~ Mu~rumba, made a long speech the electorate of Pine Rivers. I think my of self-praise, With a small compliment for dual position is in sharp contrast to the dual myself. His only criticism of my representa­ positions held by the city council aldermen ti

Murrumba, to oust the really sane element Several lines are shown on one map that within the council at the time. They passed I saw. Other people have been shown a this agreement, much against my ideas and map with one line on it, which they have those of many people in the area. Now been told is the final design. The shire the residents of the Pine Rivers Shire are council has received a map with two lines going to pay for it-and they will pay on it and has been asked to approve both. dearly, for a long, long time. There is too much vagueness, too much indecision-and too much concern for the A further concern over the Samford area residents to live with. I urge that the is the involvement of the Moscow Narodny Minister clarify the matter as soon as Bank in the project. It has been denied he can or else drop the scheme completely. by the developers that the Moscow Narodny Let us not have people worrying about some­ Bank is involved. However, publicly avail­ thing that may not happen. able documents irrefutably tie this bank very closely with the Samford Valley project. One other problem in the Petrie/Strathpine It is the doubtful feasibility of the project area is a vile smell. that worries the protesters in the area, as Honourable Members interjected .. the bank has first mortgages over much of the land involved. The chances of the Mr. AKERS: It is not coming from the scheme succeeding are virtually nil. It is A.L.P., either. I have been around and intended to bring a water main all the way sniffed a few of the members. from Petrie. If that is a physical possibility, it will be very expensive. Honourable Members interjected. In the last few months of last year the Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. board of D. G. Ogle Pty. Ltd., the developer Hewitt): Order! The honourable member is in the scheme, was reconstituted. There are dealing with a very pungent subject. four decision-making shareholders in it­ Mr. Ronald Parker, Mr. Richard William Mr. AKERS: The source is not officially Cameron, Mr. Donald Gordon Ogle and known, but it is my strong suspicion and that Mr. Dennis Lee of Shenton Way, Singapore. of many, many other people that it is com­ Mr. Lee, I am informed, is the representative ing from the waste of Australian Paper of the Moscow Narodny Bank; so there is Manufacturers at Petrie and not from the no doubt at all that the bank is very much sewage. involved. In exercising its first mortgage Mr. Kruger: I'll back you on that one. rights after the almost inevitable collapse of the project, that Russian bank will own Mr. AKERS: Then why didn't the member land within 11 miles of the Brisbane G.P.O., raise it in his own speech? with all the resultant economic realities that This is creating tremendous problems. flow from that. I ask the Minister for Local People cannot live in their houses. They Government to look very closely at this cannot go to bed at night because they application-not just at the legal aspects, but are just about vomiting from the smelL The at the overall economic aspects-when it Air Pollution Council does not appear to comes before him for approval. have any control over a problem of this The other problem that is facing the resi­ type. Therefore, power must be given to dents of the Samford Valley is the bypass that body to exercise control over it. road that is proposed for some time in the Recently, one of the other States intro­ future by the Main Roads Department. I duced a scheme to get police back on the refer members to the answer I received beat. We have had this scheme in Brisbane from the Minister for Main Roads to the for some time but it is not succeeding in third question of the questions on notice the suburbs and the outer areas and, as the this morning. honourable member for Surfers Paradise says, it is not happening at the Gold Coast. Mr. K. J. Hooper: What did he tell The scheme introduced in the other State you? is that police using cars as the basic part of control get out and walk through the Mr. AKERS: He did not tell me very smaller suburban areas. When in their cars, much, unfortunately. He gave me a lot of the police are totally isolated from the information, but not the final result that public. When they get out and walk around, I need. The people there must know what they see things. is going to happen. It is causing great con­ Members of this Parliament who have cern. One of the various maps being circu­ door-knocked in their own areas would agree lated shows a scheme with the road running that we get a totally different idea of our directly through at least one house. There areas once we get out of our cars and walk used to be a song about a train coming through the streets. That is what the police through the middle of a house, but that was a joke. This proposal is frightening. I should be doing. believe also that the residents in the area In any case, my electorate has far too are being stirred up for purely political little police coverage. The areas of Bracken reasons, causing them even greater concern Ridge, Bald Hills, Albany Creek, Strathpine, over this matter. Lawnton and the Samford Valley are very 532 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

poorly covered by the police. Certainly they mind-and in fact in the minds of the people are not well covered at night. I have twice of lpswich-that they prefer the policies and called the police and they have arrived platform of the Australian Labor Party and fairly quickly. But I have mentioned that the defeat of the National-Liberal Govern­ I was the State member. Other people have ment. repeatedly complained of long delays before the police arrive after they have reported In the tradition of this Parliament, I pledge incidents such as an intruder in the yard. my loyalty and that of the citizens of the Ipswich West electorate to Her Majesty the I have two more smaller but extremely Queen. I· take this opportunity to con­ important points. I urge the Minister for gratulate the Governor, Sir James Ramsay, Main Roads to get work done as soon as on the excellent job that he is doing as possible on the Cash's Crossing Bridge at Governor of Queensland. He most certainly Albany Creek. A large area at Batons Hill has won the respect of the people of Queens­ and Brendale Hill is being developed for land for the work he is doing as our residential purposes. The nearest school is Governor. at Albany Creek. To get there the children have to cross the Cash's Crossing Bridge. I also take the opportunity to congratulate There is no other way to get there. It is Mr. Speaker on his election and assure him a narrow bridge. It is frightening to drive of my support in the orderly and dignified a car across that bridge and see another car conduct of this Parliament. or a truck approaching from the other direction. It must be devastating for children May I express my thanks to him, and also to try to walk across it. People who live my thanks to those people who have wel­ only half or three-quarters of a mile away comed me here both inside and outside the have to drive their children to school because Parliament. I am very grateful for the assis­ of the danger of crossing the bridge. I am tance that has been given to me by my not sure that they are much safer in a parliamentary colleagues on this side of the car. The bridge is far too narrow and far House, and I thank all of them for their too dangerous. It has no centre line and welcome. no special warning signs about how narrow In addition, I thank the staff of Parlia­ it is. An unsuspecting driver would be ment House for the help and guidance that likely to collect someone coming the other they have at all times made available to way. me. Let me assure them that I do appreciate The last item I mention is the proposed their assistance. hospital that was announced for the Sandgate area. I urge the Minister for Health not On behalf of myself and the Australian to provide it in Sandgate but in an area Labor Party I wish to thank the electors of that needs it much more urgently. The Ipswich West who gave the Labor movement areas of Bald Hills, Bracken Ridge, Strath­ there such a resounding victory in defeating pine and Albany Creek are growing very the combined forces of the National-Liberal coalition by a margin of 2,734 votes over rapidly. They contain a tremendous number our nearest rival. of young people and a tremendous number of people on low incomes, who are a long The seat was redistributed in a vain way from hospital. Sandgate is within a attempt to hold it for the Government, but short distance of the Redcliffe Hospital the people crushed the Liberals and uncere­ whereas the areas I have mentioned are many moniously threw the Nationals out. We miles away from a hospital. There is a achieved some of our best swings of 14 and much greater need for a holding hospital in 16 per cent in areas which are traditionally the areas I have mentioned than in Sandgate. National-Liberal voting areas. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. W. D. The Premier was so disliked in Ipswich Hewitt): Order! I call the honourable mem­ West that the National candidate, in a last­ ber for Ipswich West. This is the honourable ditch effort to win votes, pasted his picture member's maiden speech and I ask the House over all the posters depicting the Premier to afford him the usual courtesies. outside all the polling booths, but the people of Ipswich West were awake to the Govern­ Mr. UNDERWOOD (Ipswich West) (8.34 ment, as is the rest of Queensland. The p.m.): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. people are now beginning to realise the true It is a proud moment for me on the facts. occasion of this my maiden speech in Parlia­ I wish to record my thanks to my cam­ ment. The significance of the occasion is paign director, Reg Bond and his wife Carol even greater for me, for the A.L.P. is on for their dedicated service to the Labor the ascendancy while the National-Liberal movement during the campaign. There are Government is on the decline and is heading many others inside and outside the party who for defeat at the next State election. worked in many and varied ways for days My congratulations go to my colleague and weeks to achieve victory for Labor. At the honourable member for Wolston, Mr. the next State election these people will be Bob Gibbs, who had a sweeping victory part of an even greater victory-the first after a short campaign in his electorate. Australian Labor Party Government in There is no doubt in my mind and in his Queensland since 1956. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 533

Queenshmders want honest, down-to­ from 0 to 5 years of age. This is a wonderful earth democratic government. They don't service to mothers and fathers who are away want to be treated like mushrooms, kept in from home for all or part of the day, who the dark and fed on the proverbial by an need a break from the kids or just need overpowering Government which puts itself someone in whom they can place full trust above the law and above the wishes of to look after their children when they go Queenslanders. shopping. The children are cared for in a secure, motherly and stimulating environment We are proud and fortunate to have as under the care of highly skilled people such our member in the Australian Parliament Bill as fully qualified nurses. These centres are Hayden, the former Treasurer, and Minister certainly a far cry from some of the backyard for Social Security, and now Leader of the centres which allowed young children and Opposition-and I believe the next Prime babies to vegetate, lying and sitting around Minister of Australia. It was through Bill all day with nothing to do, and given no Hayden and the Labor Government that so attention. When these children, who have many badly needed facilities and services been brought up in a colourless and unstimu­ were provided in Ipswich for the people of lating environment, go to school they have the Ipswich and West Moreton districts. Bill often been so badly deprived during their Hayden and the Labor Government were formative years that they have difficulty responsible for initiating and funding pro­ with grade 1 studies. This bad start some­ jects such as the magnificent civic centre, times affects them for the rest of their the massive hospital expansion programme, schooling. So honourable members can see the humanities building, dental health clinics, what a boon these centres have been to extra pre-schools, child care centres, lib­ Ipswich. I urge all citizens to support and raries, disadvantaged school programmes, use these centres so that they may continue national sewerage backlog scheme, increased to give service and prosper. road-works, kerbing and channelling, elect­ rification of the railway and the new tech­ Another great selfless community service nical college-just to name a few of the carried out in Ipswich West is the work done benefits. by the parents and citizens' associations and The magnificent civic centre, incorpora­ parents and friends' associations of the ting an auditorium which can seat 800, the following schools: Amberley, Blair, Brassall, Cunningham Room, which can seat 330 and Churchill, Glamorgan Vale, Ipswich Gram­ the Lockyer Room, which can seat 96, is mar, Leichhardt, Mt. Crosby, North Ipswich, expertly run by its manager, Bob Peet, and St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, Ipswich State High, his most co-operative staff for the people Ipswich West, St. Edmunds and Leichhardt under the umbrella of the Ioswich Citv Catholic Schools, and the Seventh Day Council. - - Adventists School. I am also associated with Fernvale and Walloon State Schools and The civic centre is in constant use as the Ipswich Opportunity Schools. All of the focal point for social and cultural activities people who attend to the affairs of these of the community of Ipswich and sur­ bodies do a marvellous job for our schools, rounding districts. A wide range of functions children and teachers. They handle tens of such as wedding receptions, international thousands of dollars annually which they revues, bingo, balls, ballet, musicals, theatre, raise and distribute to provide essential com­ art exhibitions, naturalisation ceremonies and modities, articles and projects so necessary conferences are held there. to provide the best possible education My wife and I had the pleasure recently facilities. of being present at the grand final night of The Australian Government Schools Com­ the Country Music Capital Association held mission helped ease the burden upon organi­ in the auditorium. It was a spectacular night sations such as p. and c.s and p. and f.s where more than 500 people wined and dined giving the parents more time to concentrate while they witnessed the fabulous display of on the other important aspects of community local South-east Queensland talent, utilising involvement in our schools. However, since the dazzling and magnificent stage lighting, the defeat of the Australian Labor Govern­ who battled for the title of the champion ment the Schools Commission has been country music entertainer in Ipswich, the slowly but surely dismantled and the funds country music capital of Queensland. quickly dried up following cut-backs by short­ In the Ipswich West electorate four child sighted government, both Queensland and care centres have been established by the Australian and the pressure to spend all Australian Government through the Ipswich its time worrying about money has been City Council. This was a pilot project based reapplied to these parents and citizens' on the concept of community involvement bodies. and control. Like all innovations we had our I can boast without fear of contradiction teething problems, but these centres have that Ipswich has the greatest array and depth developed into wonderful assets for our com­ of sports available in any community in the munity. The centres are located at 84 Hill State. Ipswich is a great sporting community Street, North Ipswich; 4 Clem Street, Brass­ having produced many representative sports­ all; 8 Berry Street, Churchill; and 28 Cribb men and women at both State and National Street, Sadliers Crossing. These centres pro­ levels. One can participate in sports such as vide high-quality care for pre-school children football, canoeing, horse-riding, archery, 534 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply gliding, T-ball, table tennis, hockey and dirt­ A Government-sponsored industrial estate biking. The list is almost endless. Not only has been established at Wacol, which is on that these sports are available to the widest the Brisbane side of the weighbridge, and, possible age groups. All these sports are consequently, industry in that estate can ably supported by the community, for the transport goods to and from the port of Ipswich community has a great love of par­ Brisbane or anywhere else within the metro­ ticipatory sports and pride in its prowess in politan area without having to comply with them. The children of our area have this the requirements of the weighbridge whilst wonderful depth of activity provided and industry situated immediately to the west of maintained by themselves, their parents and the weighbridge and the area of the city their supporters. This is just one of the of Ipswich must meet these requirements. reasons why Ipswich and district is a great One industrial estate that is suffering greatly place to live. from this situation is the Wulkuraka Indus­ Ipswich with its streets lined with flower­ trial Estate in my electorate. Surprisingly ing trees and its parklands has the best of enough, because of the progressive policy both city and country living. Ipswich has the of the Ipswich City Council, it has managed facilities of a modern progressive city coupled to obtain a number of industries. However, with open spaces, nearby paddocks, forested there is room for plenty more, and the weigh­ mountain ranges and the beautiful upper bridge is stopping them from going there. reaches of the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers. When I remind honourable members that, Our country areas provide welcome refresh­ with the exception of vehicles carrying coal ment. The Ipswich West electorate takes in and sugar, road transports from Ipswich are some of the most scenic and pleasant views free of road tax, surely they must admit that in South-east Queensland including the a gross anomaly exists if ,these transports D'Aguilar Ranges, the Brisbane and Bremer have to pass through the weighbridge on Rivers and, in the distance, the Great Div­ every trip that they make. Ipswich transport iding and Liverpool Ranges. operators are forced to wait up to 50 minutes for each truck to pass through the weighing However, in the lower reaches of these area, and on many occasions that period rivers we suffer from the pollution problem of time is longer than the actual running time that is common to too many of our beautiful involved in the journey that the trucks have watercourses. This occurs because of the to make. This delay means extra costs in refusal by the State Government to do any­ transport, and these extra costs are passed on thing constructive to clean up our valuable to the Ipswich-based industries. It is con­ rivers and water resources. tended that this weighbridge is proving to be the biggest single drawback to the establish­ We have many fishermen who ply their ment of further industries in Ipswich because skill on the south and north coasts, prospective industrialists closely examine Moreton Bay and Fraser Island, and to the transportation costs when considering sites west on the great western rivers such as the at which to establish their industries. Condamine and Dumaresq. Ipswich is a Owing to the absurd axle-load regulations beautiful place which is ideally situated, and and interpretations, goods that are carried I would encourage anyone who is looking for from Ipswich to the Brisbane wharves or value for money to buy or build in the Ips­ other places in the metropolitan area often wich district. We will welcome them to our have to be carried on two vehicles, whereas great city and surrounding countryside. similar loads from the Wacol Industrial Estate can be carried on only one vehicle because The centralis! policies and thoughts of the that vehicle does not have to pass through the State Government, which drags all power snugly around itself in Brisbane, is affecting weighbridge. The situation has been aggrava­ the decentralisation of industries and services ted further with the advent of containerisa­ throughout the State. This is detrimental to tion, because the transport driver has no the further enormous development and expan­ control whatever over the distribution of sion which is possible in the Ipswich and his load weight. If a transport driver takes West Moreton regions. Our city and region delivery of a container he cannot specify is an area of wealth and great potential. where the actual weight distribution within the container will be, and he could run Let me now mention one such inhibiting foul of the regulations that apply to axle centralising policy of importance to my loads even if the overall weight is below electorate and to the city of Ipswich gen­ the maximum allowed. I call upon the erally. At Gailes, which is on the boundary Government to correct that situation so between the city of Ipswich and the city that decentralisation can occur in cities such of Brisbane, a weighbridge has been estab­ as Ipswich. lished and road transports using the highway When one thinks of Ipswich, one thinks must be checked at this weighbridge when automatically of railways. The principal entering or leaving the Brisbane area. Indus­ mechanical workshops of the Queensland try in the Ipswich area is being strangled Railways have always been located at North by the operations of the weighbridge and Ipswich. The original building was con­ the ridiculous restrictions that are imposed structed in 1865 not far from the first railway on the carriage of goods between Ipswich bridge. Assembly of the first engines, wagons and Brisbane. and carriages from England in 1864 was Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 535 carried out in the open air on the north train travellers dearly. 1978 was the year bank of the Bremer River. What was that the first electric train was to service intended to be a replacement building built Ipswich and Brisbane areas. But because in 1880 really proved to be an extension of that refusal and the inactivity of the State of the first, such was the large volume of Government over four years it will not be work being handled. Both were south of until the late 1980s that electric trains will the present workshops, which were erected run to Ipswich. To try to cover for this from 1903, about three quarters of a mile shocking waste of public money and resources from the original workshops. Ministers have made several conflicting state­ Nowadays the railway industry in Ipswich ments about the electrification project and is an industry under stress caused by the various associated contracts. However, they State Governm~nt policy of neglect and have not hidden their deceit from the people, penny-pinching. The Queensland Railways and they will not be able to hide it. The have never really recovered from the sterling only way out for them is to boost the scheme service, and the consequent wear and tear, so that the completion date can come back that the railwaymen and their machines gave to somewhere near what was initially proposed to Australia during the second world war. and funded for. Public transport is part of the solution to In the south-west sector of the Ipswich the world energy and resources crisis. Train West electorate is situated one of Australia's travel and transport is an integral part of major military installations at which approxi­ any public transport scheme, but in Queens­ mately 2,600 men and women are employed. land it is a major part. The railways are This is the Royal Australian Air Force Base, suffering from too many short-term cures Amberley, home of the Fill, Chinook, Can­ imposed on them. Since it took office this berra and Iroquois Squadrons. Economically State Government has tried annually, with this is the biggest industry in Ipswich. The fancy bookwork, to make a profit without men stationed at the base have a proud any regard to long-term planning. history of preparedness and efficiency. Recently I had the honour to be present at Ever since this Government came to power the presentation of the Gloucester Cup by the the standing of the Ipswich Railway Work­ Governor-General, Sir Zelman Cowen. The shops has been gradually lowered. In 1960, cup was won by No. 12 Squadron, which 3,004 persons were employed; by 1978 the flies the Boeing Vertol Ch-47C Chinooks­ number of employees has dropped to 1,883. the largest helicopters in Australia-for being In the same period the number of tradesmen the most proficient flying squadron of the has dropped from 1,431 to 842. R.A.A.F. The primary role of that unit The Government has little regard for the since the introduction of the Chinook has people of Ipswich. The only reason the been that of Army support. With a lift capac­ Minister gave the other day for this dramatic ity of 9 072 kg the Chinook has proved drop in the importance of the Ipswich Rail­ invaluable for the short-range transport of way Workshops was the establishment of equipment and personnel. Equipment, includ­ the workshop at Redbank. That is only part ing guns and vehicles, can be carried inter­ of the real answer. The remainder includes nally or slung externally from a hook. The the letting of contracts overseas and inter­ squadron has also figured prominently in the state and the winding-down of the work­ civil aid role and, to a lesser extent, flood­ shops and the railways it supports. I call on relief work. the State Government to reverse its shame­ As awareness of its unique capabilities ful railways policy and to provide an expan­ increases, the Chinook is being recognised as sive update operation of the railways in one of the more versatile aircraft in the Queensland so that this State will have a Air Force, and extensions to the limits transport system second to none. of its operational role are continually being This would provide in turn apprenticeships considered. The winning of the cup by No. and jobs for some of the 3,600 people out of 12 Squadron was an honour not only for that work in Ipswich and district. Through sens­ squadron and the Amberley Air Base but ible public investment in the railways we can also for Ipswich to be associated with and part provide these jobs and apprenticeships. How­ of the squadron's victory. The city of ever, at the moment the policy is to cut back Ipswich salutes No. 12 Squadron. the intake of apprentices at the Ipswich Rail­ I now refer to education accommodation way Workshops. The facts speak for them­ and provision of facilities for the children selves. They were given the other day in in the Ipswich West electorate. There is this House by the Minister. At the present a desperate need for the construction of time indentured at Ipswich Railway Work­ a new high school to serve the suburbs shops there are only 24 first-year apprentices, of Leichhardt, One Mile and Churchill. This 72 second-year apprentices, 81 third-year school would also service Amber!ey and apprentices and 80 fourth-year apprentices. rural areas south-west of Ipswich. At the Yet 1,248 candidates sat for the apprentice­ moment approximately 340 high school ship examination throughout the South­ students travel by bus across the city from eastern Division of the Queensland Railways. the Leichhardt, One Mile and Churchill side The refusal of the State Government to to the Ipswich State High School at Bras­ work with the Labor Australian Government sal!, which will have an enrolment of has cost the Queensland Railways and Ipswich approximately 1,600 students by the end 536 Address in Reply (20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply of this year. This results in a less than State Government's lack of planning and optional educational-and-discipline situation care for the Ispwich and West Moreton coal for all concerned. industry and those employed in it is the source of the distress of the residents, who As in so many other fields, the State are objecting to the granting of coal-mining Government has been found lacking in not lease applications Nos. 750, 751, 752, 753, having previously set aside suitable land in 754, 755. the Leichhardt, One Mile and Churchill areas. However, there is sufficient land in a reason­ The State Government's approach to its ably suitable position at Churchill. I call affairs is haphazard to say the least. The upon the Government to commence work hotchpotch of decisions, counter-decisions immediately on the provision of a new and lack of decisions which make up its high school in this area. This will bring management of the coal industry is a body immediate benefits to the families with blow to hundreds of people in my electorate children in the Ipswich West electorate. who have invested their life savings, bor­ Simultaneously, this will create a lower rowed, mortgaged, and worked their guts student population at the Ipswich State out to buy a patch of land and build a High School. Educationists recommended home. In fact some hundreds of homes a secondary school population of 800 as will be affected by their close proximity to being the best to provide all students with the proposed open-cut mines. the best and fullest education. The Ipswich I have here a submission from the affected State High School has a population of nearly residents that contains matters which should twice that figure. But the dedication and concern honourable members-indeed, all professionalism of the schoolteachers, stud­ people who believe in government of the ents, staff and parents are providing high people by the people for the people. I seek standards at this great school. leave of the House to incorporate the sub­ The school has been successful in win­ mission in "Hansard". (Leave granted.) ning a $400,000 grade 8 centre to assist "An Order in Council published in the students in the important transition period Queensland Government Gazette on 14th from primary to secondary school. We need April, 1970 proclaimed 6,250 acres to the to give our children the best education north of the city of Ipswich to be not so that they may have the best chance available for mining. Part of the area had in life in a world which is becoming more already been mined extensively and pub­ and more difficult for young people. lication No. 279 of Department of Mines Geological Survey of Queensland reported I must bring to the attention of the that the remaining coal was of poor House a serious problem that is facing hund­ quality low yield and the area should be reds of people in my electorate where the reserved for future residential develop­ suburbs of North Ipswich, Tivoli, Brassall, ment. It recommended that further mining Chuwar and Karalee meet. These residents, development take place in areas, south, in their own words, are faced with loss south west and south east of Ipswich. of life, possible damage to property and "Acting on this Order in Council and intolerable destruction of suburban life report the Ipswich City Council and the styles by the establishment of an open-cut West Moreton Shire Council encouraged coal-mine in a well-populated area. These residential development to extend into this people have organised themselves into two area. The Roma to Brisbane Natural Gas organisations to fight their cause, namely, Pipeline was built through it as was the the North Ipswich Residents to Defend Warrego Highway by-pass around Ipswich. Homes and the Chuwar Progress Association. But, just as the residential development in They have raised moneys, sent petitions and the N. Ipswich/Tivoli Heights areas began letters to M.L.A.s, made representations and a rapid increase, a second Order in Council sent delegations to the Minister, and hired published in Government Gazette 81 page top solicitors and barristers to represent them 1518 on 26th July, 1975 the entire 6,250 in the Mining Warden's Court. acres was made available for mining by the rescinding of the original order­ One of the life-blood industries of Ipswich although Dept. of Mines Geological is coal-mining and we should do everything survey publication No. 94 published in possible to halt the decline of this industry 1975 specifically confirmed and added to and so save the jobs of the hundreds of the conclusions of the earlier report. workers involved both directly and indirectly Developers, home buyers and the two in it. The State Government has a number local authorities, unaware of this, con­ of options open to it to preserve this vital tinued with the rapid development of the industry now, which it has refused to imple­ N. Ipswich/Tivoli Heights/Tivoli/Whis­ ment. Instead, it has placed on it a pering Gums suburbs. Some of the finest death lock in its recently imposed quota homes in south east Queensland took system for the next 15 years on local sup­ shape in Cranes Road, Tivoli Heights plies of coal to Swanbank Power Station. Estate mushroomed quickly and developers Unless the mines can get other contracts, advertised Whispering Gums in a similar they will be forced to dismiss men, let way to Karana Downs and Little Aspley. expensive machinery lie idle, and reach levels The largest old persons home in Ipswich which will be nearly uneconomic. The was built on the edge of the area. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 537

"But now a Mining Company has applied \'.orking shift work. Many investigated the for 5 leases on private land, not owned by area thoroughly first and planned their it, in the midst of this residential area for homes in fact on the strength of the 'not open cut mines enclosed on 3 sides by available for mining' classification prior to modern new homes. The Gas pipeline cuts 27th July, 1975. Their life style will again through two of these lease areas and runs be disrupted and their sleep and enjoyment along the border of a third. They propose of their homes destroyed. to mine up to and under the pipeline. "6. Loss of value of residential property. "We the residents of the area accor­ dingly wish to draw your attention to the "Already the knowledge of mere applica­ following points. tion for mining leases has prevented some people, who have been transferred in their "1. Proposed mine likely to be sub jobs, from selling their homes to move to economic. take up their new jobs. And the depressing "Because the best of the coal has of real estate values from the proximity already been mined by 3 separate mining of mining operations will prevent people operations up to 1948, and because of the such as pensioners from being able to low extractions and washing rate and move because of health or other reasons relatively low quality reported in publica­ and buy elsewhere. Their age, their low tions 279 (1955) and 94 (1975) residents income, invalid conditions and the erosion believe that the mine could be sub econ­ of their existing property values will make omic and may be abandoned leaving the any more impossible. area besmirched and polluted due to its unprofitability. On pages 9 and 10 of "7. Danger to Roma/Brisbane Natural Gas publications No. 94 this low economic Pipeline worth is stated as fact. "Several years ago a gas leak into mine workings at Box Flat caused a huge "2. Old people's home. explosion which killed 21 miners. Vibration "Many of the 78 residents of Bundaleer and for blasting shock from the proposed Lodge Old People's Home already have open cut and underground mining opera­ respiratory and nervous disorders. Dust tions in the vicinity of the 870 pounds and loud noises from mining will almost per square inch, 10 inch diameter high certainly adversely affect them physically, pressure gas pipeline could result in a much psychiatrically and psychologically and worse disaster and completely cut off the upset their whole physical and mental supply of natural gas to Brisbane. The balance. Life is hard enough for our old alleged Environmental Impact Study people without this. admits this possibility but nothing con­ "3. Type of population in the area structive is advanced to prevent it especially in view of the evidence that a 20 foot "Large numbers of residents live in the earth subsidence from old workings has area because the rural setting has an already occurred in the pipeline lease area. attraction to people with health problems The pipe may from this alone already be such as asthma, emphysemia, sinusitis, stressed close to its limits. The alleged cystic fibrosis, and bronchial problems and Environmental Impact Study admits that consequently a disproportionate number, any leak will almost certainly result in an especially in the under 15 years age explosion and a fire. bracket have these very afflictions. Many invalid pensioners are included in this "8. Increased public risk of serious traffic category. All such will suffer for more than accidents the ordinary but the young child in par­ "The proposed haul route for coal from ticular will have even their growth and the proposed mine presents a greatly development adversely affected by in­ increased traffic hazard with entry and exit creased dust from mining. from Warrego Highway with right hand turns across a high volume of traffic, past "4. Pollution of drinking water the Dinmore School on a steep incline, "Right alongside these proposed open across the 4 lane Brisbane/Ipswich High­ cut mines are a number of homes which way against already high numbers of heavy rely solely on rain water for drinking. The trucks turning into it. The entry point high bituminous content of the coal in this to Warrego Highway has poor visibility area as reported by Dept. of Mines pub­ and is close to 2 already high accident lication No. 94 and admitted by the rate intersections. Mining Co. in their alleged Environmental Impact Study mean that dust reaching "9. Large Numbers of residents affected their water supplies will contain coal tars "Within the boundaries of severe noise which are known carcinogens together with and dust nuisance drawn by the Mining numerous other pollutants which will Company's consultants in their alleged grossly endanger the residents health. Environmental Impact Study are 244 houses occupied by 744 people. However these "5. Destruction of life and living environ­ boundaries are believed to be drawn too ment close to the proposed mine and that an "Numerous residents moved to the area even greater number will be adversely specifically to escape high noise problems affected. In particular the effects of blast­ which prevented them from sleeping after ing in and near the huge plates of faulted 538 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

sandstone on which the thousands of "This document does not follow those homes in N. Ipswich now stand is unknown guidelines and was stated in sworn testi­ and potentially dangerous. Already at mony by Mr. T. Hundloe of the School least one resident had his home badly of Environmental Studies at the Griffith damaged by blasting in the development University to be not a true Environmental of the Tivoli Heights Estate approxi­ Impact Study at all. mately 0.8 klms. from his home and a shock was recorded 23 miles away at Mt. "13. Residents who were unaware of 750 Nebo seismic recorded coinciding with the would have objected had they known blast. If mining is allowed in this area of it. what safeguard does any resident living "After discovering too late that the in N. Ipswich have against damage, even closing date for lodgement of objections to personal injury. No. 750 had passed 350 residents lodged objections to 754 and 755 and signed a "10. Precedent for future intrusion of petition to the Minister for Mines, Mr. mines into residential areas Camm. An affidavit from a number of "If this operation is allowed a danger­ these objectors stating that had they known ous precedent will be set for further about 750 in time they would have intrusion of mining operations into other objected, was tendered to the Mining residential areas at the expense of the Warden but not accepted by him. We welfare of residents so that no one's therefore, representing the residents of home will be safe, be they resident of Northern Ipswich, knowing and agreeing Ipswich, Toowoomba, Brisbane or Gold that Ipswich is a mining town, and support­ Coast. ing the mining of coal in the Ipswich coal­ field as a national and local necessity, how­ "11. Stated purposes of proposed mine self ever believe that if coal mining is allowed contradictory to take place in an area in the midst of "In the opening paragraph of their and surrounded by the homes of so many alleged Environmental Impact Study the people, where such mining has been mining company states that the proposed reported by Geological experts in recent operations will provide a source of coal official government publications to be to develop other markets as their quotes uneconomical because of low yields and for supply to Swanbank are reduced yet poor quality, whilst vast reserves are in the same paragraph it also states it is available of better coal in undeveloped to provide additional supplies to meet new areas to the south. All residents of Queens­ contractual arrangements entered into for land must tremble at the implications of supply to Swanbank. the precedent thus set for the future. "The main argument advanced is that "We believe further that a government it will maintain employment for 30 people, consisting of responsible men such as your­ 10 on open cut and 20 more underground selves will not allow any mining company yet it is admitted that these will be from to profit in the short term at the expense their existing staff, that open cut mining in the long term of so many individuals is expected to continue for 2 years, and and that you will see that the proposed that under-ground mining will be from mine occupies only 140 acres of the full the bottom of the largest of the 8 pits­ 6,250 reopened for mining by that rescind­ number 4. In addition it was admitted ing order of 27th July, 1975, and that there that the open cut work would be carried is a need for a searching investigation to out by contractors. This would seem to re-evaluate the position to see just how be very tenuous grounds on which to much of that 6,250 acres should be closed base a claim of maintaining employment permanently to all mining operations. of 30 persons. "If this is not done the cost to the "12. No true Environmental Impact Study community, and to mining companies of carried out. litigation, the overloading of our courts, "The Queensland Government has and the waste of parliamentary represent­ published a booklet with a forward by the atives time on such controversial issues Premier, Mr. J. Bjelke-Petersen giving could be avoided if the granting of these guidelines for Environmental Impact Stud­ leases is withheld pending such an investi­ ies. Not much study has to date been gation, and, on its being carried out carried out. The majority of residents promptly and properly, appropriate action were unaware of the lease applications at taken to allow mining operations to con­ the date on which objections closed on the tinue to benefit the whole community first-number 750, lpswich-and only 12 whilst also protecting the community from persons lodged objections in time. To unnecessary hardship, loss, nuisance and answer to these objections the mining detriment." company engaged Gutteridge, Haskins and These residents-my constituents-have Davey and a document titled by them put their case well and I, as the member for Environmental Impact Study, admitting Ipswich West, call upon the Minister for within itself that it was restricted to answer­ Mines and the Government to study very ing these objections was lodged with the carefully coal-mining lease applications 750, court. 751, 752, 753, 754 and 755 before making Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 539 a decision, taking into account the long­ do, there will be great difficulty in handling term and short-term effects on the people of the coal. The State Government has extrava­ Ipswich and the long-term and short-term gant, grandiose plans and sketches-but they investments in those lease areas. I am sure are only sketches-for a coal-loading facility; that, if this is done, the Minister will make but all that the Ipswich and West Moreton the right decision-a decision that will benefit mines are seeking is assistance to construct a the greatest number of people over the longest simple facility which can speedily handle period. their small quickie orders. I now turn to the Ipswich and West At the moment the State Government is Moreton coalfields. There are at least doing everything to assist multinational com­ 400 000 000 tonnes of coal reserves in the panies establish $1,000 million operations at West Moreton field. In today's world-wide the Tarong, Millmerran and Central Queens­ economic crisis it would be shameful, in my land coalfields. But Ipswich and West More­ opinion, if this coal-mining industry, which ton are fobbed off. The decision to site the is so close to the essential infrastructure, were new powerhouse at Tarong means that the allowed to decline and men were retrenched. Tarong mine will be developed quicker than Considering that Swanbank Power House has Millmerran; thus coal imported to Swanbank an economic life of 20 years, only 37 000 000 could come from Tarong. That coal from tonnes in the West Moreton field will be Tarong exhibits pollution characteristics used. Surely an alternative must be available. necessitating stringent anti-pollution measures The coal-mines of Ipswich need guaranteed that would cost $17,000,000 more for Tarong orders for the future, in addition to the 15- than for Millmerran. year quota system. No company will spend millions of dollars without some reasonable The pollution problems thus experienced likelihood of a return. by Ipswich residents will be excessive if Tar­ ong coal is supplied to Swanbank power­ The feeble attempt by the State Govern­ house, as has been suggested by the S.E.C. ment to put up a scheme ·Of such guaranteed The State Government's approach to its orders earlier this year was pathetic. The affairs is haphazard, to say the least. I call main aim of this, I suggest, was to eliminate on the State Government to realise its respon­ Ipswich and \Vest Moreton from the power­ sibility to the people of Ipswich and West house race, and to gag any criticism which Moreton to immediately implement manage­ would emanate from the Ipswich and West ment procedures which will halt the decline Moreton fields over the siting of the new in coal production from the wealthy and powerhouse. viable and highly infrastructured Ipswich The coal-mines will know what their future and West Moreton coalfields. is for the next 15 years under the scheme­ I now turn to dairying. Ipswich is the but it is a yearly reducing percentage scheme. the site of the proud Q.F.C.A. dairy factory, This means that every year output is which produces the famous Jacaranda dairy guaranteed to drop, men are guaranteed dis­ products. They are top quality products of missal and the Ipswich economy is guaran­ superb taste and value. After the cessation teed a great loss of income. This state of of the school milk scheme, which was fraught affairs is a scandal when it has been reported with waste, disruption and hostility, Jaca­ that the State Electricity Commission has randa was the trail-blazer in having flavoured said that peak coal requirements of Swan­ bank and Brisbane power-stations from 1982 milks sold in school tuckshops. Jacaranda to 1987 will have to be met by maintaining approached schools with a highly successful a high level of supply from West Moreton marketing scheme, which it has now devel­ coalfields from 1979, with stockpiling to meet oped to include its other products, to sell the higher consumption period. The State flavoured milk in place of the free pas­ Electricity Commission also said that, if teurised plain milk scheme. The plain milk there was a significant increase in energy scheme was turning more people off milk demand, the short-term capability of the West than onto it. Moreton fields could be exceeded and the The State Government made a shoddy import of coal from other areas could be election promise to reintroduce the free milk necessary. This situation is intolerable when scheme into pre-schools. The dairy industry one considers the lack of assistance to the saw this cheap gimmick for the empty ves­ Ipswich and West Moreton mines to improve sel it was. That proposal will not increase their coal-producing capability. returns to the producer to any degree and The Government has provided no export will only burden the industry with a costly coal-handling facilities. We heard a lot of hot distribution system. air and half-hearted promises prior to the What the Government should do is intro­ elections, when the previous National Party duce a flavoured milk scheme free to all member for Wynnum said that there would primary and pre-school children. This would be no coal-loading facilities and the former be a fair-dinkum move to assist the health National Party member for Ipswich West said and dietary habits of our children and give there would be. A number of mines are look­ a great boost to the milk producers of ing to the small quickie-order export market this State. The Jacaranda shareholders as the saviour for the maintenance of markets recognised the importance of, and future in, for their coal; but, with no coal-loading facil­ supplying milk for home consumption and ities, these orders will not eventuate. If they manufactured products. 540 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Jacaranda produces products that other use the words of its constituents, can count factories have tried in vain to copy in taste itself to be the greatest failure and Indian­ and quality. They are flavoured milks, giver in the history of rural policies. creamed rice, custard, baker's powder, bot­ tled and cartoned milk, butter and cream. I shall now turn to what I call the propose-d Owing to the Federal Government's decision, "right to scab" legislation. The Bjdke­ the Jacaranda factory has lost its export Petersen propositions have dismayed signifi­ market in America. It was selling skim cant sections of employers, who see the milk powder to the Butter Marketing Board dangers in the crudity and heavy-handedness for the production of JUNEX, which was of the proposals. The "right to work" notions so!d to America. In fact, Jacaranda sup­ have also created differences within the State plies 35 per cent of Australia's baker's Government parties-the National (formerly powder. Country) Party, which Mr. Bjelke-Petersen heads, and the Liberal Party, with one Libernl This demonstrates the postive approach, back-bench member having gone so far as energy and sheer hard work by the share­ to describe the proposed legislation as holders in promoting and diversifying the "madness". manufacture and sale of their basic pro­ duct-milk. This professional approach to But Mr. Bjelke-Petersen appeau deaf-so their industry by the producers of the far at least-to all that. The man who has Ipswich and West Moreton District many made his Government notorious by its gerry­ years ago has resulted in millions of dol­ manders, its anti-democratic bans, its misuse lars being invested in the factory plant to of police, its disregard of elementary stan­ produce the many products. This has stabi­ dards of civil rights, and his own furious lised and strengthened our local dairy indus­ intolerance of any who differ from his try in comparison with other dairy co-oper­ opinion is now determined to impose a atives in other parts of Queensland. style of industrial relations which, as the Queensland Trades and Labor Council has Excessive, unrealistic and bureaucratic laws told workers, would "remove not only your and restrictions by both the State and Federal right to strike but also your right to disagree Governments are in the process of par­ industrially with him or the boss." tially destroying the high standards, invest­ ment, stability and progress of the Ipswich Mr. Bjelke-Petersen, by his own words, and West Moreton dairy industry. The new has shown himself to have designs on going legislation on the redistribution of milk even further than weakening trade unions. quotas is the most destructive weapon ever He wants to be rid of them altogether. That ~sed by any Government against any rural is the meaning of his statement in "The mdustry. What is occuring and will occur Courier-Mail" of 2 February 1978, when he is the mass exodus of current dairymen and said, "Unions J!lay have been necessary in their families from the industry as a result 1880, but it's a lot different now." What rot! of the proposed redistribution of dairy quotas. Unions are more necessary now than they Strong dairy factories such as Jacaranda ever were. and Caboolture will suffer through the loss The Premier's right to work proposition is of suppliers owing to quota distribution. They one of the means by which he hopes to are currently making a go of it, but for move towards eventual elimination of trade several reasons will leave and are leaving unions. The time to intervene against his the dairy industry. The State Government design and to stop it is now, before it i~ is presiding over the destruction of the allowed to gain any momentum. It is an already hard-pressed dairy industry. issue of immediate and direct concern to the nation's 2,500,000 trade-unionists and to This local destruction will bring with it their families. More than that, it is a matter the. laying off of dozens of employees, the for all the Australian community. laymg waste .of expensive factory plant, further escalatiOn of production costs and To sum up, I say that the right to work further decreases in returns to surviving legislation means- producers. Mark my words: this is nothing but thuggery by the State Government as (1) the right to work long hours for low pay; it drives home one body blow after another (2) the right to employers to employ women upon this section of the rural industry to do the same work as men for less pay; which has traditionally supported the Gov: (3) the right to refuse to hire or promote ernment economically and politically. workers because of the colour of their The family farm is an asset we must seek skin or their religion; t~ protect. ~he dairy industry policy is a (4) the right to employ children on dangerous disaster, for m Queensland between 1970 work without effective legislation; and 1974 the number of dairy farmers fell (5) the right to pay substandard unemploy­ by 39 per cent. I predict that the number ment insurance; will rise with the introduction of the new quota distribution scheme of the State Gov­ (6) the right to pay inadequate compensation ernment. The rural policy is characterised to workers who are injured on the job; by measures to assist farmers to adjust to and economic change. This Government, to (7) the right to much lower wages" Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 541

In fact, in America, which already has right I also whole-heartedly support !he mover to work legislation, wages are up to 80 per (the honourable member for Southport) cent lower. and the seconder (the honourable mem­ ber for Warwick) of the motion before the If this proposal really did mean a right to House. I am certain that these two members work, if it really did mean more jobs for the will be an asset to this Government and scores of thousands of unemployed Queens­ indeed to this Parliament. I have known landers, then the trade union movement and the honourable member for Warwick for all progressives would applaud and support many years, as I did his predecessor, and it, even if they would first have to overcome I feel sure that he will carry out his duties their astonishment that such a proposition as well as, if not better than, his predecessor, should come from the Premier, who seems who worked very hard for his constituents. so smugly unperturbed that Queensland chronically has the highest rate of unemploy­ I would also like to congratulate all the ment of all States. In fact, during the State new members who have entered this House. I election campaign the Premier said, "There am sure they recognise their responsibilities is no need to worry about this unemployment and I hope that they will approach the prob­ problem; nearly 95 per cent of the work-force lems of this State in a manner becoming to is in employment." The fact is that in members of this Legislative Assembly. When Queensland there are 70,000-odd unemployed I see the way that we, as representatives of people who are desperately looking for work the people, conduct ourselves, sometimes but cannot get it. I feel that it is not much of an honour to belong to an institution such as this. If we But the fact is that Mr. Bjelke-Petersen's want the image of this Parliament to be right to work does not mean that at all. It elevated to the height where it belongs we means anything but that. His right to work should examine ourselves critically and try would still allow an employer to say to any to set some sort of an example to the people applicant, "There is no job for you." The who send us here and who expect much employer could still say to any or all of his better things from us. I do hope that employees, "You're sacked." The victims our new young members will not emulate would find no comfort or help under the some of our older members in that regard. Bjelke-Petersen right to work proposal. This professed right to work is an empty slogan I also congratulate Mr. Speaker on designed to camouflage the reality of a pro­ his re-election and you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, posed piece of legislation that will not give on your reappointment as Chairman of workers any right to new jobs but will be Committees. During your period of office aimed to make them even worse off than you and Mr. Speaker have done your duty they are now. very ably and well. You have in many ways been helpful in making the lot of members In the time l have left I will devote my of this House better than it was before you attention to the uranium industry. Uranium achieved your respective offices. is guilty until proven innocent. I abide the Even though I hear many rurnblings Federal policy of honouring all present con­ around the corridors about some of the tracts, including the Mary Kathleen contract, conditions we still have to put up with, and but after that I believe that no more uranium I share that concern to some degree, when should be exported until it is proven innocent. I look back over the years I recall the We should consider what will happen with marked changes that have occurred since our coal exports if we supply Japan with I first came to this place. But I should sufficient uranium to allow Japan to stock­ not like to be taken as suggesting that we pile uranium. The possibility would be that should now rest on our laurels. Japan would not then require as much of our coal as it does today. I should like also to pay my respects to my old friend the honourable member for (Time expired.) Windsor, who has played his part in this Parliament very ably and well and without Mr. ARMSTRONG (Mulgrave) (9.14 fear or favour. It has been a better place p.m.): The honourable member for Ipswich for his entry, and I am sure that he will West is a young, enthusiastic and virile chap. keep on working in the manner in which He has given us a very interesting address, he has done in the past. which I will try to cover later. I would remind the honourable member for Ipswich West, who seemed to be very Firstly, let me pledge the loyalty of my elated about the great gains that his party electorate along with mine to Her Gracious has made, that if there was to be a change Majesty, the Queen, and also to her repre­ surely it had to be upwards and not down­ sentative in this fair State. As honourable wards. After all, the Opposition had only members know, our Governor has not served a cricket team; so I suppose one could under­ this State for very long, but in the short time stand his joy at now having some reserves. he has been here he has made a very I hope that they, too, will play their part favourable impression. He has used the time as an Opposition should, because under our available to the best advantage in travelling parliamentary system we really need a strong around the State and making himself familiar Opposition. The stronger it is, the better with the many problems which face us today. Government we will get. In facl, at times 542 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply during the last Parliament I felt sorry for that was in office in the Federal sphere the A.L.P. with its 11 members and the load before Labor came to power. There was then they were trying to carry. I thanked God absolute stability and over-full employment that I was not one of them. I would not and things were going along quite rosily. like to find myself in that position. A But then in came the A.L.P., with its airy­ member of the Opposition served on a com­ fairy socialistic ideas. It was going to give mittee with which I was associated. We wage justice and all sorts of other things to did all we could to assist him, and we were the people. Those things might be all right very grateful for the contribution he made for those who have a job, but they are not in the very difficult circumstances under much good to the people who are now which he was labouring. unemployed. I would have thought that The honourable member for Ipswich West honourable members opposite would hang made mention of the white hope of the their heads in shame and not mention what A.L.P. in the Federal sphere, Mr. Hayden, happened under the Federal Labor Govern­ who, I understand, comes from the same ment. It is something that I wish we could fair city as the honourable member. Mr. somehow obliterate from our history. How­ Hayden will leave lasting memories in the ever, we have been left with this heritage, minds of the people of Australia, and and I do not know how we are going to get Queenslanders in particular, for introducing out of our difficulties. the hospital system with which this State is There certainly are problems in primary now burdened. industries, and I was heartened to hear the honourable member who preceded me in the A Government Member: We are paying debate shedding tears on behalf of the dairy for it, too. farmers in his area. Mr. ARMSTRONG: We will continue to Mr. Y ewdale: They haven't done too well pay for it. I would have thought that, if under your Government. Mr. Hayden wanted to do something to improve hospitals in Australia, he, being a Mr. ARMSTRONG: Of course they have Queenslander, would have had a good look not done very well-we are well aware of at the system operating in Queensland at the that-but it is not the fault of this Govern­ time and endeavoured to introduce something ment. The honourable member should look on that pattern throughout Australia, per­ at the policies followed by his Federal col­ haps upgrading it a little because the Com­ leagues from 1972 onwards and compare monwealth Government had more access to the situation of dairy farmers then with finance than did the Queensland Govern­ their situation today. It is no good trying to ment. But what has happened? All the blame the present Government. The Federal rackets that one could conceive are being Labor Government cost the dairying industry worked, and I think that even Blind Freddy every market that it looked like having. could have seen when the scheme was intro­ duced that that would happen. When I was Mr. Yewdale: The coalition had 23 years supplied with a Medibank card, I thought to in office down there. myself, "You would expect a man who was Mr. ARMSTRONG: It is a pity it had not Treasurer of this nation and who had had a been 43 years. This country was going along certain amount of experience to at least do very nicely. At least one could buy a home something better to preserve and protect the for a reasonable price and a motor car for finances of this nation." a reasonable price. The price of a home was Mr. Yewdale: You are talking about Mr. not $40,000 or $50,000, as it is today. When Lynch, are you? one goes to buy a successor to the car that one of the good leaders of the A.L.P. intro­ Mr. ARMSTRONG: No, I am not talking duced into this country as the worker's car, about Mr. Lynch; I am talking about the one gets no change out of $10,000. If that A.L.P.'s white hope, the chap who honour­ is the type of government to which the able members opposite are foolish enough to honourable member subscribes, I think that think might one day lead this nation. God the longer the A.L.P. sits on the Opposition forbid that ever he should! I do not know benches in both State and Federal Parlia­ where he will lead us and I do not know ment the better it will be for this country, who will finance his schemes. and for the young people in particular. Mr. Y ewdale: Don't talk about Treasurers. Mr. Doumany: Permanently. Mr. ARMSTRONG: If the honourable Mr. ARMSTRONG: If they were there member wants to persist, I will say that I for ever, that would hardly be long enough. would have hated to be the Treasurer who Our Federal colleagues have inherited an took over from Mr. Hayden and his pre­ awful problem, and it is going to take many decessor. I remember the taxation and the years to overcome it. many other imposts they inflicted on this country. Honourable members opposite Mr. Moore: And a lot of will, too. speak about unemployment and many other matters. If they want to be truthful and Mr. ARMSTRONG: I was just going to say fair dinkum, they have only to take their that. They will have to show a little better minds back to the coalition Government form than they have shown up till now. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 543

I find some of the policies they are pursuing I must remind the nation that primary pro­ very hard to understand. I often wonder ducers still play a very substantial part in if they are not following to some degree the the financing of Australia-about 50 per policy they inherited from Mr. Whitlam and cent. We have to tell our city friends in his gang. Parliaments, particularly in the Federal Par­ liament, that if they rub these industries Mr. Moore: Either that or they are faint­ out they are going to find themselves in dire hearted. trouble. That point in time is not far away. I heard a member opposite talking about Mr. ARMSTRONG: I would rather think what is happening in Ipswich. Let him get that they were very badly advised. I am not out and look at some of the remote areas going to excuse them for that. As somebody of this State that are being quickly denuded said earlier tonight, at least when Whitlam of population. It will not be easy to get was there he knew what he wanted and people once they enjoy some of the privileges he knew how he was going about getting it. enjoyed by others employed by industry in If someone stood in his way-even if he was the cities, to go back into those areas. Just a Cabinet Minister-he quickly pushed him compare the conditions they work under with out of the way. It is a pity that Mr. Fraser the lot of those who are battling today in and some of his men did not inherit a little the meat and almost every other primary of that. industry. In the past few years the gap between the price they receive and the cost One thing that comes readily to my mind, to the consumer has grown so much that and something which is pretty close to me even the wisest of us could not have foreseen and a lot of my colleagues on both sides it. I do not castigate our Government in any of the Chamber, is the d~;al being handed out way, as I know that every man sitting on to the sugar industry at the present time. The the Cabinet benches knows the problems full sugar industry is probably the model industry well and loses no opportunity to impress of the world. I know of no industry that is them on his counterpart in Canberra. I only better conducted, better controlled or more hope and pray that before long the message efficient. In all the years I have been associ­ gets through to Canberra and they start to ated with the sugar industry I cannot remem­ give this industry justice. ber any Commonwealth Government dis­ regarding the advice of this State Govern­ As I said, the sugar industry has spent ment. What has happened is not to the credit millions of dollars in bringing its equipment of the present Federal Government. It doubts up to the best standard in the world. Bulk the honesty and integrity not only of the terminals have been provided at great sugar industry but also of the Queensland expense, but instead of the industry gaining Government. Surely to goodness anyone with the benefit the consumers are doing so. a brain in his head would not expect the The industry is not without blame. It pussy­ Queensland Government to ask for some­ footed along without asking for its just thing airy-fairy for the sugar industry. It has never done it in the past and I feel sure dues, until it became obvious that it had it will never do it in the future. to ask for about $80 a tonne, which repre­ sents a substantial rise. The position should Perhaps the Commonwealth Government have been watched more closely and an has been somewhat confused by cases put effort made to keep the price in line with forward by some of the great unions that spiralling inflation. were mentioned a while ago. If they want an extra $5 a week they ask for $50 a week. The industrial set-up in the Federal sphere The Commonwealth Government might be concerns me. We seem to have embarked looking at it from that angle. It is a terrible on an airy-fairy system whereby wages and thing to inflict on an industry that has done salaries are tied to the cost of living. If so much for Queensland and provided the we sit down and think about it, it becomes people of Australia with cheap sugar for obvious that even people in an asylum would many years. It is well known that our over­ not adopt a system in which, as prices go seas markets have been subsidising home up, wages go up in a never-ending spiral. consumption for a number of years. It does As all honourable members know, the sad not please me that some people, particularly part it of it is that every time wages increase in the southern part of the nation, think that employment decreases. We are all very the sugar industry is subsidised. Instead of concerned about it. It is doing untold that, the sugar industry is subsidising other harm to the small towns and provincial industries, and has done so for many years cities. After an increase of $2 or $3 a to enable them to compete on world markets. week in wages any employer will say, "There The cost structure in the cane industry goes another two jobs." Is that what we over the last few years has been astronomical, want in Australia? It is not much good yet we are trying to grow sugar and sell to screaming about unemployment and doing the Australian consumer at a price which nothing about it. The plain, hard facts are is less than what we were getting in 1967. that we have simply priced ourselves out I would have liked to hear the attitude of of the field. At one stage I used to honourable members opposite if this were employ people, but I say in no uncertain happening to some of the people they terms that, in the light of conditions inflicted represent. upon employers and the low price of the 544 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply product, just cannot now afford to pay things. I have never seen any worker gain a man. That is common to every other anything in that manner. He knows that as primary producer. well as I do. Mr. K. J. Hooper: Your father used the Mr. K. J. Hooper: That's not true. same argument 40 years ago. Mr. ARMSTRONG: It is perfectly true. I Mr. ARMSTRONG: He did not. I have just wish the honourable member would have said previously, and I repeat, that I do not a bit of damned sense before it's too late. want honourable members to think that I am I hope that some of those things I have a union knocker or a low-wage man. I believe told my friends on the other side sink in. that the man who works for a wage should It is time that the Federal Government get a just wage, because the worker is the best started to back out of the State Govern­ market in the country. What is the good of ment's activities into which it has intruded costing him out of the field? He cannot and leave them to the people who know a buy anything when he is on the dole. little bit more about them than it does. We Things have reached an absurd stage so ought to remind it more often that there far as the interests of young people and were State Governments before we had a the nation are concerned. Surely to good­ Federal Government. ness it is not too late for people who lead Those members who care to read through unions in Australia as well as those leading history will note that the Federal Govern­ other groups to sit down and straighten ment was set up for a specific purpose, but things out. We have an airy-fairy system in Canberra the politicians seem to have of arbitration that unionists abide by when forgotten that. They now seem to think it suits them, but they have reached the that they are Big Brother and that we have stage where they tell the commissioner, before to be subservient to them. We should talk he starts hearing the case, that if he does to the people who represent us in the not give them what they want they will go Senate, whichever side of the House they on strike. I heard someone say that they are on. must have the right to strike. That is fair enough, but if employees should have Mr. Moore: It's a States' House. that right, surely to goodness the boss should Mr. ARMSTRONG: Of course it is. I do have the same right. If he wants to do not care which side of the House they are a bit of bargaining he should be able to on, but I do expect our senators to stand sack one or two people. To my horror, up for the rights of this State. I find that the employer today has lost total control of the show. If he sacks someone for From some of the speeches made by a misdemeanour or other act that does members opposite it might be thought that not conform to his policy, the matter is this fair State of ours is making no con­ taken straight to the Arbitration Commis­ tribution whatsoever. However, if Queens­ sion and the commissioner says, "Put that land were suddenly to disappear from the man back on." face of the earth tomorrow, our friends in Sydney and Melbourne would not be living Mr. K. Ji. Hooper: You don't know what in quite as luxurious circumstances as they you're talking about. are at the moment. Mr. ARMSTRONG: I know what I am While I am on that theme, I remind my talking about. I have lived in this countrv friends on the other side of the House­ a little bit longer than the honourable mem­ and a lot of people they associate with­ ber has, and under harder conditions than that if they would pull off the streets the he has experienced. people who are protesting against the mining of uranium, the mining of bauxite and the An Opposition Member: It's a pity you mining of many other things, we would haven't lived. have a lot more prosperity and a lot more people in work. I would like honourable Mr. ARMSTRONG: I will reserve that for members opposite at some time when they another day; but the honourable member have the opportunity to go up and look at shouldn't start talking that rot to me. I have Weipa-this Government has made it pos­ lived too long. sible for them to do it-and then, when they come home, look through the records and Mr. K •.t Hooper: You don't know what you're talking about. see what some of their leaders had to say about that operation when it was first Mr. ARMSTRONG: I know what I'm mooted. We were told that it would be a talking about, all right. It's a pity that the hole in the ground. This is on record in honourable member, as an active man in "Hansard". the unions, did not know what he was talking All I can say is that it is a great pity we about and did not advise some of his people do not have a few more Weipas. If some ~1ccordingly, so that he could have kept them of these people who espouse all sorts of m the work-force and thereby kept this grandiose ideas exhibited a bit more modera­ nation on its prosperous footing of a few tion-they want to conserve everything years ago. He is one of these fellows who except the human being-we would be a lot want bans and strikes and all sorts of other further along the road to prosperity, \Ve Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 545

would have a lot more of these projects off Mr. ARMSTRONG: I will have the hon­ the ground and we would have a lot more of ourable member understand quite clearly that our people gainfully employed. I hate to Tories, if he likes to use that name, built think what sort of a nation we will have this country. when young people coming out of school start off on hand-outs, getting money for Mr. K. J. Hooper: They didn't. nothing. Surely to goodness we have lived Mr. ARMSTRONG: They did indeed. The long enough to realise what is the destiny of worker is wrecking this country and the a nation that embarks on that type of honourable member damned well knows it. system. If we look back through history this He should not for one minute think that will be brought home forcefully to us. this Government is a low-wage Government. I heard my colleague the honourable mem­ If he will give me a little time I will tell ber for Ipswich West talking about com­ him what his Government did when it was panies that would not come here if certain in office. I heard the honourable member for things did not happen. I was heartened to Cook speaking on this matter the other day. hear that, because so often, if the word He said that we were bossy and that if "profit" happens to be mentioned, we hear anybody did not go along with our political the reverse. I must remind the honourable philosophy we would side-track him and member for Archerfield of this, because he would do something to him. I thought to is one of those non-profit advocates. He myself that if we had followed Labor's should tell some of his colleagues that, if policy that is precisely what we would have there are no profits, there are no jobs and no done. prosperity. His colleagues have driven indus­ I have many friends in the Public Service try into the situation where it is spending and in the teaching profession. They are not countless millions of dollars on automation game to utter one word. The union numbered and putting people out of work. That is not the ballot-papers. This cannot be denied. doing the nation or anybody in it any good. Then union leaders could find out how the Mr. Moore: Chrysler is going broke. voting went and say, "I thought Fred Jones was voting for me and he is not." The next thing, he would find himself out in Mr. ARMSTRONG: I thank the honour­ Burketown. The honourable member knows able member for that interjection. Not many this to be a statement of fact. years ago we witnessed the advent of that famous man Whitlam, who, together with one Mr. K. J. Hooper: You people gerryman­ of his colleagues, governed this country for dered the boundaries. about six weeks. I think he would have liked to keep doing that. Prior to his advent Aus­ Mr. ARMSTRONG: The honourable mem­ tralia was exporting motor cars. Our motor ber should have a look at the last redistribu­ industry, which is a very big employer of tion done by the Labor Government. If labour, was very prosperous. What have we ever he sees a gerrymander, he will see one today? As my friend reminded me a moment there. Some electorates had 3,000 people ago, it looks as though Chrysler is folding and others had about 22,000. The Labor up. We are importing more cars than we Party was not very interested in one vote one are manufacturing. We cannot compete with value in those days. He should not start the imported cars even with the terrific talking to me about gerrymanders. I have tariff protection the industry is given. Where lived too long to swallow that sort of stuff. does the future of this nation lie? All I wish is that our fellows had taken a few lessons from Labor Party members. ·I remind Opposition members, particularly Then the Labor Party would never govern. those connected with unions, that if an indus­ If we had carried out a redistribution along try enjoys tariff protection or subsidy and the the lines of Labor's last one, the Labor unions go for higher wages and better Party would not have got even 11 members conditions- in the House. The honourable member should Mr. K. J. Hooper: Why shouldn't we? not talk redistribution to me. I should like to mention the terrible Mr. ARMSTRONG: What happened to shemozzle with our coloured folk at this the shipbuilding industry? We were subsidis­ moment. ing each man to the tune of $20,000. What Mr. Moore: Are they black or coloured? country can stand that? With strikes, bans and everything else the unions folded up Mr. ARMSTRONG: They are coloured. the shipping industry. Again it was a labour­ I wish the Federal Government would get intensive industry. We should have been back to doing the job it was elected to do building ships and other things and exporting instead of playing around with these people. them. But the unions have exported the It is an unfortunate set of circumstances. capital and the jobs to countries in Asia, It is pitiful to see what has happened since such as Japan. The people in those countries the Federal Government entered this field are prepared to work. That is different from of activities. I happen to know a little about the advice given to unionists. these coloured people. I have served on Mr. K. J. Hooper: You are living proof committees. of the old adage that Tories never learn. Mr. K. J. Hooper interjected. 61215-18 546 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Mr. ARMSTRONG: They were not hun­ to some extent. However, we have taught gry. At least they all got good food them to become a useless race. We care for and everything else. Today, all they get them; we feed them, and we look after is grog and the honourable member knows them. that. The part that annoys me is the I often read in the papers, much to my fact that I am helping to pay for it. horror, where Aborigines are reported as My colleague the honourable member for saying that they want to get back their Pine Rivers expounded some of the facts tribal lands, and all this sort of tripe. I on this. He was with me when we decided have lived a long time and I have yet to that we would go and see what the Federal see any tribal lands. I have yet to see an boys were doing in the Territory, seeing Aborigine grow anything. He has always lived they wanted to do so much for our Abori­ off the land. But surely we do not want gines in this State. If we look at their to get back to that stage. track record there, we can see why they should all retire in shame. At least nearly Mr. K. J. Hooper: You're a dreadful every Aborigine in this State was reason­ racist. ably well cared for, with the exception of a few fringe dwellers in various towns who Mr. ARMSTRONG: I am not a racist were obviously victims of the nasty habits at all. I will have the honourable mem­ that the white people have taught them. ber know that I have lived, eaten and worked with the Aborigines. There is no racism I have been going around these settle­ in me. In fact, I would regard some of ments for a long time and I have seen what them as being a much better friend of has been done for the Aborigines. In fact, mine than the honourable member is, and I am sure the honourable member for Wind­ I would trust them a lot more than I sor and some of the good members would trust him. He need not start telling opposite-although I don't think there are me that I am racist. Fancy honourable many good honourable members left over members talking about racists! I think it is there now-will remember the occasions a tragedy. I hope that our new Minister when we used to go around and look at for Aboriginal and Island Affairs can knock the situation ourselves. We saw evidence some sense into his counterparts in Can­ of these people beginning to help them­ berra so that he can get on with the job selves. There was evidence that a few of of caring for these people. them were willing to do a bit of work. I admired the courage of the previous Somehow or other we fell for a referendum member for Cook, who told us in his maiden in 1967. It is a pity that we were not a speech, and very truthfully, that his people bit smarter then and did not take the word were sick and tired of being investigated "Aborigine" out of our Constitution. That like animals. is all we had to do to really get these people to the same level in all respects with us. Mr. Scott: What have they done? I am sure that would have overcome the problem. Somehow or other these people Mr. ARMSTRONG: The honourable think they have a God-given right to spend member knows what they have done. If our money any way they like. Half of he wants me to tell him what they have the money that they have been given can­ done, I will tell him. not be accounted for. Many honourable Mr. Scott: Why didn't they vote for him? members who have been around the settle­ ments have seen evidence of this. If they Mr. ARMSTRONG: I will tell the hon­ were achieving anything, that would not be ourable member why they didn't vote for so bad, but what have they done? I think him-because fellows of the interjector's they have put the clock back at least 25 calibre, including his predecessors, got in years. among these people and did not tell them What is seen in many of the towns today the truth. I have had some of them come is that when these people get their hand­ to me and say, "Look, boss, we have been outs they are immediately on their way very kind to you. We give you the three to the hotel. We have had young Aboriginal votes; we give the other fellow the one." children coming along asking us if that That is what honourable members opposite benefit could be taken from their mother did. I have seen them operate-them and and father because it is ruining their home. their henchmen. Admittedly, there are not many who do Mr. Jones: What about Yarrabah? this, but there are some. Mr. ARMSTRONG: I did a little bit for Mr. K. J. Hooper: Did you give them a Y arrabah and I was once proud of Yar­ stick of sugar-cane? rabah. The last time I was over there I nearly cried. I think the honourable Mr. ARMSTRONG: Honourable mem­ member is neglecting his duty. I had a bers opposite made a very substantial con­ fair regard for his ability, but perhaps he tribution to this problem and I think they needs advice. If I can help him-- should be ashamed of their efforts in that field. These people are still human beings. Mr. Scott: What a dishonest statement Surely they can work their own destiny out that wa~. Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply 547

Mr. ARMSTRONG: What was that one? places like Bloomfield River and elsewhere? I did not hear it. What are we going to get them to do, chop up firewood or something? Mr. Scott: Clarrie Grogan was called a Communist today. Mr. Scott: It's your policy. Mr. ARMSTRONG: Doesn't the honour­ Mr. ARMSTRONG: It is not our policy able member think he is? I know Clarrie at all. Members opposite are very good at Grogan and I knew his father and mother blaming the Government when it suits them. before him. I can assure this House that Honourable members will recall that there if his mother and father were alive today was a cyclone at Mornington Island 12 they would not be very proud of him and months or so ago which blew down many, what he is doing at the present time. many buildings. I heard many Opposition members castigate the Government for doing Mr. Scott interjected. nothing, but all of a sudden we find that it is the Uniting Church's responsibility to do Mr. ARMSTRONG: Don't tell me that. something in that area. But when there That fellow was brought up the same way is any adversity it is the Government's fault. I was. Mr. K. J. Hooper: Don't you attack the Mr. Scott: Do you think he's a Communist? Christian church. Mr. ARMSTRONG: Of course I do. Mr. ARMSTRONG: I would like the honourable member to give me a few les­ Mr. Scott: You do? sons on Christianity when he has a bit of spare time because I think his views on Mr. ARMSTRONG: Well, he would do Christianity and mine just do not parallel. me for one the way he acts. I know him well. It ill behoves him to talk about Christianity. Mr. Scott: You've been listening to Mr. Porter too much. I would like to discuss another subject that is getting totally out of hand at the present Mr. ARMSTRONG: No, I did not get this time. We have heard much about street information from the Minister for Aboriginal marches during the past few weeks. Any­ and Island Affairs, strangely enough. I have body would think it is not possible to march known the Grogans, as I said, for a long in this fair city the way the law has been time, and if he is not a Communist he might publicised. as well be, because he acts precisely the Mr. Jones: I am frightened to even walk same as one. up George Street. Mr. Jones interjected. Mr. ARMSTRONG: The honourable mem­ ber knows what the law is as well as I do. Mr. ARMSTRONG: If you are going to If he is prepared to behave himself he can sing out like a crow, a magpie or a cockatoo march. I heard one of my colleagues defend­ you cannot blame someone for shooting you ing this protest a while ago, and I must take for one. issue with him. Mr. Jones interjected. Mr. Yewdale: He was criticising the Government and its attitude. Mr. ARMSTRONG: The people I am slandering are people who need slandering. Mr. ARMSTRONG: Of course he was. As I say, I wish they would leave the affairs Mr. Yewdale: Are you? of these people to those who understand them. It is not going to be an easy task Mr. ARMSTRONG: No, I am not. I will getting back to the way we were a few years never support protest marches, because if ago. As I was saying a while ago, the last somebody has the right to march and protest time I went round a settlement I was horri­ I have the right to get around and attack fied-- him, and once we get to that situation-- Mr. Scott: They're townships. Mr. Jones: Rubbish! It's not that simple. Mr. ARMSTRONG: The honourable mem­ Mr. ARMSTRONG: Of course it is as ber might call them townships, but if he simple as that. Is the honourable member can tell me the sense, reason or anything going to let people clog up the streets as we else in spending countless thousands in some have seen them do with some of the morator­ of these places where there is no work oppor­ ium marches? If that is the sort of order tunity whatsoever-- he wants, I do not subscribe to it. (Time expired.) Mr. Scott: You don't give them opportun­ ities. Mr. DAVIS (Brisbane Central) (9.55 p.m.): I recall that I made my maiden speech in Mr. ARMSTRONG: Well, how can we this Assembly in 1969. Unfortunately for the give them opportunities? Surely to goodness Assembly I have been absent for 36 the honourable member has grown up, hasn't months-- he? I thought he had a bit of damn sense. Mr. Frawley: Your speech was made then How can we give them opportunities in by the Trades Hall. 548 Address in Reply [20 APRIL 1978] Address in Reply

Mr. DAVIS: Shut up! slipping back on preferences. In a safe blue-ribbon seat, it showed the popularity Mr. SPEAKER: Order! of the honourable member for Toowong. His extreme Right-wing attitudes and views Mr. DAVIS: I am sorry, Mr. Speaker; have always been the same. I thought I it has been 36 months since I have had to might mention this, Mr. Speaker. I think listen to the member for Frawley. I mentioned it when I was here previously and I was called to order. The honourable A Government Member interjected. member for Toowong, who so crudely men­ tions Communists, was a member of the Mr. DAVIS: No, the member for Frawley. British Communist Party-not the Aus­ Mr. SPEAKER: If the honourable member tralian Communist Party, but the British does not behave himself, he will not be Communist Party. here listening to him at all. I ask him to Mr. Porter: Who? get on with his speech. Mr. DAVIS: You. You have been a Mr. DAVIS: I was going to congratulate member of the British Communist Party. you; that was the next item on my agenda. Now, deny it. Mr. SPEAKER: That will not win the Mr. Porter: If I was in it when I was honourable member much approbation, five, I must have been the youngest member either. on record. Mr. DAVIS: I was going to offer my congratulations to you, Mr. Speaker. As Mr. DAVIS: The honourable member has a matter of fact, I was one of those who not taken a point of order, so I say that we supported you last time I was here. Unfor­ have surely got him this time, Mr. Speaker. tunately, I had to vote for that other chap. Actually, ~ was sold a bit of a pup, because, Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I draw the hon­ as you will recall, I did fall foul of that ourable member's attention to the fact that former Speaker and I did not get a chance to the rules of the House have not altered debate some of his rulings. However, I since he was here last, either. congratulate you on your election, and also Mr. Hewitt, the Chairman of Committees Mr. Lane: Particularly Standing Order on his election. In the short time that i 123A. have been back here, I have observed that his rulings have been much fairer than those Mr. DAVIS: Is that rule still in being? of other officials that we have had in this Assembly. You can rest assured, Mr. Speaker Mr. Lane: That's right. that I will do my best to uphold the decoru~ of the House. I have noticed since I came Mr. DAVIS: During my absence from back that there has been a fair bit of the House, I took the opportunity of going loutish behaviour in the Chamber. The into business for myself. I often heard the behaviour of the honourable member for hue and cry about small businesses going to Merthyr has not improved, and I thought the wall, but I found that if a business is that it might have improved in my absence. well run and you have the right accountants and the right business acumen, there are no Mr. Moore: Do you want us to play problems in running it successfully. How­ "Hearts and flowers"? ever, I found a change between 1974, when the Whitlam Government went out of office, Mr. DAVIS: Of course, the honourable and 1975. That was when the problems of member for Windsor has not improved small business really arose. either. As I said, you can rest assured that I will do my best to uphold the dignity of I introduced cheap petrol to Brisbane, the House. which gave the greatest benefit to the work­ ing class in this State in the last two ar three I have noticed also that the crying, whinge­ years. In fact, if cheap petrol had not been ing and screaming of the National Party introduced to this State by the A.C.T.U. has not lessened. The speech of the honour­ group, the cost of living would be 4 or 5 able member for Mulgrave tonight was per cent higher. typical of what I was accustomed to when l was here before. "Don't worry about the Mr. Frawley: You used to mix the stan­ city dweller. Blame everything onto the dard with the super. trade unions.", has always been the attitude of members of the National Party and their Mr. DAVIS: Mr. Speaker, did you hear colleagues in the Liberal Party. that ridiculous statement by the vintage veteran from Caboolture? Mr. Porter interjected. At 10 p.m., Mr. DAVIS: I found it quite amusing after the last election to watch each edition In accordance with the Sessional Order of "The Courier-Mail" and see how much agreed to by the House on 19 April, the the honourable member for Toowong was debate stood adjourned. Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 549

CLEAN AIR ACT AMENDMENT BILL plan or by-law governing the use or develop­ ment of land. A literal interpretation of the INITIATION IN COMMITTEE present Jaw means that before furnishing a (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. W. D. certificate to the applicant a local authority Hewitt, Greenslopes, in the chair) would not only be obliged to examine records on the relevant zone and consent use under Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast-Minister the town planning scheme, but would also for Local Government and Main Roads) have to determine the applicability of all its (10.1 p.m.): I move- by-laws. The checking of a large number of by-laws is a time-consuming task, adding to "That a Bill be introduced to amend the the fee chargeable by the local authority for Clean Air Act 1963-1976 in certain particulars." researching the town-planning materials. The proposed amendment is for the infor­ This Bill is a quite straightforward measure mation tendered by the applicant to be aimed at updating provisions of the Clean limited to evidence that the particular use of Air Act in respect of membership of the the premises would not contravene the rele­ Air Pollution Council of Queensland, and vant town plan or town planning by-law (or streamlining certain procedures. Honour­ interim development by-law where a town able members would be aware that I fore­ plan is in the course of preparation). This is shadowed these provisions late last year in considered to be sufficient information for reply to questions from the Leader of the the purpose of the Clean Air Act. Less work Opposition and other members. would be entailed by a local authority in The Bill is essentially divided into two supplying this information, and this should parts. The first part (section 3) involves lead to lower fees. alterations in the constitution of the Air A proposed further amendment would pro­ Pollution Council of Queensland, as fore­ shadowed. The second part (sections 4 and vide that an applicant, when applying to the 5) deals with streamlining procedure and Air Pollution Council to carry out work or to reducing applicants' costs in preparing certain construct a building which would cause the applications for submission to the Air premises to become scheduled, also would be Pollution Council. limited to supplying evidence that the work involved would not contravene the town plan, Promulgation of the latter amendments the town planning by-law or an interim will necessitate complementary and con­ development by-law. This amendment is current changes to the Clean Air Regula­ complementary to the one already referred tions, and it is intended that these two to. For the purpose of the Clean Air Act amendments should take effect simul­ the submission of town planning information taneously from a date to be proclaimed. with applications for prior approval to estab­ The timing of amendments to both the Act lish scheduled premises is considered to be and regulations will thus be co-ordinated. sufficient. Such information would not be necessary for other types of applications for The Act presently provides that the prior approval-for example, approval to Director of the Environmental Control Sec­ erect a chimney, or to alter the type of con­ tion within .the Co-ordinator-General's trol equipment. Department is, ex officio, a member of the Air Pollution Council. However, following The present Act, which was passed in changes in the organisation of the Co-ordina­ 1963, referred to the provision o_f evidence tor-General's Department, that office no that any necessary approval reqmred under longer exists and consequently the depart­ the Local Government Act or the City of ment no longer has a representative on the Brisbane Act has been obtained. Honourable council. The amendment in section 3 is members will appreciate that the City of designed to ensure that the Co-ordinator Brisbane Town Planning Act, which now General's Department continues to have governs town planning in the Brisbane area, representation on the Air Pollution Council. did not exist at that time. The amendment The representative will be nominated by the now provides for recognition of the existence Honourable the Premier, as Minister adminis­ of the Brisbane Town Plan in respect of tering the department. Representatives of applications in the city of Brisbane. the Departments of Commercial and Indus­ Clauses 5 (b) and (c) of the Bill are trial Development, Health, and Local Gov­ machinery clauses, renumbering the existing ernment already are nominated in the same provisions of the Act. manner. I commend the Bill to the Committee. Sections 4 and 5 of the Bill propose amend­ ments to the Clean Air Act dealing with Mr. PREST (Port Curtis) (10.6 p.m.): The applications for licences, and for the prior amendments outlined by the Minister are of approval of the Air Pollution Council to a machinery nature. The first relates to the carry out certain work. Under the law as it appointment of a representative from the now stands, applicants for a licence to Co-ordinator..{}eneral's Department because operate scheduled premises have to satisfy the title of Director of Environmental Con­ the Air Pollution Council that the use of the trol has been changed. As the legislation particular scheduled premises would not con­ stands, he is an ex officio member of the travene the relevant local authority town council. The other amendment is also an 550 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill improvement. A licence application can be The largest power-station in the State is lodged for a minimum charge by a local being built at Gladstone. It is still a source authority. All that will be needed is the of annoyance to those people who live close signing of the application form saying that to the stacks. Some of the farmers at the proposed use is in accordance with the Yarwun have said that the smoke from the town plan. stacks is causing them a lot of concern. Th_e fall-out is also having an effect on the frmt In September 1963, when Dr. Noble intro­ in the area. I agree that in the early stages duced the Bill, he said that the purpose of of such a project teething problems are to the Bill was to control the amount of be expected; but those problems must no~ be impurities emitted into the air by fuel-burning allowed to continue. Even though that IS a equipment and industrial plants. At that Government project, the Air Pollution stage, he regarded it as one of the most Council must do everything in its power to important measures to come before the ensure that it does not become a source of Parliament. That was 15 years ago. To massive air pollution. date, only one firm or person has been pro­ These problems must be corrected as soon ceeded against, namely, Mount Isa Mines, as possible. Until the fall-out is stopped, which was fined $50, plus $2.50 in costs. In there will be discontented people. I am answer to a question concerning the cost told that the fall-out from the power-station involved, it was stated that air fares cost adversely affects the fruit, especially papaws. $156.20, and on top of that there was staff The papaw flower is not pollinated by insects. time, for which no estimate of cost was Pollination results from the action of the made. wind. If the air is not clean, the pollination In 1975-76, 598 complaints were received of the papaw flower is affected. by the department, but I cannot see where In the near future we may have a clinker anyone was proceeded against. There was plant in the Yarwun-Targinnie area. If that one conviction in 15 years. plant is allowed to emit dust into the air, the Yarwun farmers will be faced with a I read in the Press that the Minister very serious problem. Heaven knows, the intends to fine motorists at least $10 for people on the land today have e!lough littering our highways. One report stated problems without having pollution addmg to that the fine would be $500, yet the people their problems and making worse the serious polluting the air are getting off virtually scat­ plight they are already in. free. Either everyone is playing ball or the legislation is not being implemented fully. We are very concerned about this. We want effective administration of the controls In March 1976, amendments to the Act of air pollution. That is why the Leader of increased licence fees and penalties. In the Opposition asked three questions about 1963, Marty Hanson spoke on the Bill at the Air Pollution Council in the latter part the introductory stage. I am always pleased of 1977. to read remarks made by Marty on any \Ve agree with the amendments. I am Bill. His contributions were always of quite certain that they will take care of some value. At that time he spoke about Glad­ of the problems and make life more pleasant stone and its pollution problems. Since then in the State of Queensland. After the Bill the town has become a city. It will in the is printed and we have studied it, I am sure future become a big industrial city. In fact, we will have much more to say at the I heard on the news tonight that it seems second-reading stage. certain Comalco will be going ahead with its smelter. From what I have seen of the Mr. M. D. HOOPER (Townsville West) smelter in New Zealand, I am certain we (10.14 p.m.): I support the Minister's intro­ will not experience pollution problems from duction of the Bill. I agree with his remarks a Comalco smelter in Queensland. When that the amendments are minor and should Marty spoke at that time, he was referring not cause much excitement. Generally, the to the steam-driven trains using coal that intention is only to streamline the application were billowing out smoke. Today we use by industries for approval under the Clean diesel trains-which contribute to air pol­ Air Act to operate. Applicants now merely lution-to bring much heavier tonnages of have to satisfy the local authority that their coal to the port. operations will not conflict with the town The coal dust still creates a very big plan in the area in which the application pollution problem in the city of Gladstone. is made. It is a problem not only in the city but also Terms like "environment" and "quality of in the towns along the route. The coal dust life" seem to be hand-me-downs from the causes problems to some businesses in those Whitlam era, which gave lots of ratbag small towns. Only the other day I had a pressure groups and political activists the complaint about it from a businessman in opportunity to prey upon the ser:timents il:nd the small town of Mt. Larcom. I appreciate feelings of people, under the gmse of bemg that it is a very difficult problem to over­ conservationists. They were concerned mainly come. Even though the Railway Department with organising themselves against Govern­ is a Government venture, if something could ments and local authorities and the establish­ be done about the pollution resulting from ment in new areas of industry that would coal trains, it would be a wonderful thing. create employment. We found that the Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 551 people who were always behind these pressure Another industry that had a hard time groups were generally associated with the trying to establish itself in Townsville was A.L.P. Whereas they should have been con­ the aluminium smelter at Yabulu. About cerned with the jobs of the people, they three or four years ago it was having a lot certainly were not. They were more con­ of industrial troubles when it was trying cerned with closing industry down than to get started. I was then mayor. I received with trying to get it started. a deputation from "Red" Fred Thompson, I have always found the operations of the the honourable member for Townsville South Environmental Control Council to be some­ as we know him now, and Jack Hutton, what unwieldy and slow. It is very hard another prominent Communist in Townsville, for a member to get information if he is not about a minor city council matter. I said, established in Brisbane. For example, three "Why don't you blokes go out to Yabulu or four years ago, a large new export com­ and get the men working again and get pany-Queensland Phosphate Ltd.-was being the plant started, because the jobs of 1,000 set up in Townsville. It was created to men are at stake?" The only comment from export rock phosphate through the port of the Communist union delegates was, "That Townsville. It established a dumping area plant will never open. We will make sure and loading facility and learned, after they it is closed down from the day the contractors were established, that most of the nations finish." They were determined that the prepared to accept the rock phosphate had plant would never open. That plant had discovered that our rock phosphate had a been properly investigated by the Govern­ water content of approximately 8 per cent. ment. The design of their factories for the manu­ facture of fertiliser required a moisture con­ The CHAIRMAN: Order! I should be tent as low as 3 per cent. pleased if the honourable member would relate his comments to the Clean Air Act. The company asked the Townsville City Council if it could establish a drying plant in the Townsville wharf area. The Towns­ Mr. M. D. HOOPER: I intend to talk ville Harbour Board and the Townsville City about the Clean Air Act. Council requested that an environmental The matter had been investigated and the impact study be carried out by experts in text of the complaint was that the emission the southern parts of Australia on the type from the chimney stack would not be accept­ of plant that should be used, what fuels able under the Clean Air Act. They had should be used and how fall-out from the special Government permission to discharge chimney stack could be minimised. A very not more than H per cent of sulphur from costly environmental impact study was under­ the chimney. The World Health Organisa­ taken and produced to the council and the tion standard is 3 per cent, and the company harbour board. was allo\\ ed only half of 1 per cent more Suddenly the A.L.P. became very con­ than the World Health Organisation stand­ cerned. We had the Communist groups ard. The unions tried to keep that plant (such as the Trades and Labor Council in closed rather than have it open and give Townsville) led by the present honourable employment to 600 men. member for Townsville South-he knows what I am talking about-protesting strongly Our major industries are amo~g our to the Townsville City Council of the day greatest conservationists. In. ~ownsville the against the establishment of the drying plant North Australian Cement L1m1ted has spent in Townsville. hundreds of thousands of dollars in installing electrostatic precipitators. Foxwood Tiii_lbers We know very well how the honourable in Townsville have installed large machmery member went to water when the A.L.P. so as not to inflict hardship on the r~sidents council took over in 1976. As Townsville nearby. Honourable members opposite a~e then had a Labor council, the honourable wasting their time in saying_ that m~~stry IS member for Townsville South, the Trades not trying to make the workmg conditions of and Labor Council and the other Com­ employees far better and not trying_ to help munist unions thought they could stand over the people who live near the factones. the A.L.P. mayor of Townsville. Much to their surprise, they were shown the door. I would like to see the control of clean air I was told by Ben Bloom, who was then go back to local authorities. I think al~ the chairman of the development committee, Government should do in this respect 1s to "You should have seen them run. They set a schedule of standards with which indus­ came and saw Perc Tucker. He said, 'I tries would have to comply in a particular put up with you bludgers for 16 years while local authority. Members of local government I was in Parliament. You are not going are closer to the residents, and if they were to stand over me now. Get to hell out of given a schedule of standards they would here and let me give this town a go. That know what standards they could insist on. plant will go there because it has been And if those standards were met, they would proved that it is a viable industry and it is have no hesitation in issuing a permit to a going to establish in Townsville.' " He particular industry if it complied with the threw out all of the Trades and Labor town plan. Council delegates, as the honourable member knows. I fully support the Bill. 552 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill

Mr. BURNS (Lytton-Leader of the office. The Government built the Metro­ Opposition) (10.21 p.m.): On 14 September politan Abattoir Board's premises at a cost last year I asked the Premier a question in of $19,500,000, although originally it was sup­ this House in relation to the particular sub­ posed to cost $7,000,000. ject-matter of this Bill. My question was- Some $600,000 has been spent on pollution "Can he advise if the position of control, but on a summer's night the odour Director of Environmental Control within is so foul and rotten that local people never the Co-ordinator General's Department has go out into their yards. been abolished, and, if so, is he aware that it is clearly set out in the Clean Air Act Mr. Moore interjected. that the Director of Environmental Con­ Mr. BURNS: Smoke, too, creates problems. trol, Co-ordinator General's Department and the Director of Air Pollution Control I see that the honourable member for shall be members of the Air Pollution Merthyr is going to speak next. He would Council? Under these circumstances, does agree that complaints are received consis­ he consider that urgent legislation is now tently about the ·powerhouse at New Farm required to amend the Clean Air Act, and, when it is started up at 4 o'clock during the if so, when will this be introduced?" winter months. I get the same complaints Like the previous speaker, the Premier about Bulimba B Power House. It happens showed the lack of regard that the Govern­ regularly in these areas. The answer is simple: ment has for air pollution control and the if it annoys people and if cinders and ash protection of the environment by talking from it rain down on people's homes, we about Fraser Island, so I asked him, "You should try to do something about it. That have done away with the job?" He then is what the Clean Air Act is all about. replied- Mr. Lane: We need a big fan to blow it "No. The honourable member is think- down to Lytton. ing of a slightly different area." Seven days later I directed the same ques­ Mr. BURNS: The honourable member's tion to the Minister for Local Government version of clean air relates to only one area. and Main Roads, and his answer was- I think it is protection of the whole environ­ ment. We say that people and their families "I would confirm that the office of the are entitled to the enjoyment of their own Director of Environmental Control in the homes without being disturbed by industry. Co-ordinator General's Department has As the honourable member for Port Curtis been abolished, and that the Clean Air said, the Government is talking about a $25 Act states that the holder of such office is fine for throwing a Se lolly packet on the ex officio a member of the Air Pollution road, but these industries spew five tons of Council." filth into the air every night and the Govern­ He further told me that "An appropriate ment imposes no fine at all. amendment to the Clean Air Act is at The second pollution prosecution is coming present under consideration." Then he forgot up in the near future. The second prosecu­ all about it until about March or April 1978. tion, and this Act was introduced in 1963! That is a measure of the interest that this In fourteen years the Government has Government and the Minister's department picked up two offenders. Government mem­ show in air pollution control in this State. bers should not talk about pollution control. I think the previous speaker made it very They have not been fair dinkum, as I can clear where the Government stands on this show by their inaction in respect of the matter. He said it was shameful for anyone premises of the Metropolitan Abattoir Board. to ask that the Government should control On 9 December 1976, I asked the Minister pollution, that anyone should be stopped a question about pollution control at Cannon from spewing dirt and dust and foul odours Hill. On 1 March 1977, about three months over local housing areas, and that industry later, the Minister for Primary Industries should be required to spend a little money wrote to me saying that I had asked some in protecting the people who live in the area questions of the Minister for Local Govern­ nearby and the homes of the workers in the ment and he now had some answers for me. industry. The letter read- "Question: What is the reason for the I want to mention the Metropolitan Abat­ continuing problems with the pollution­ toir that was built by this Government in the control equipment at the Metropolitan electorate of Lytton at Cannon Hill. Abat­ Abattoir premises at Cannon Hill? toirs have been in the area for years, and people who live nearby and work at the fish "Answer: Periodical mechanical and markets, the tannery, the chicken works of electrical failures in some of the com­ Provincial Traders, the bacon factory and the ponents of the plant." margarine factory have learnt to live with the I am suspicious of that answer. The trouble smells that are associated with the cooking always happens after 6 o'clock at night or of food, but the people today are saying to on the week-end when there is no inspector me that never before in their life have they around to check up and people have nowhere had to put up with the present level of pollu­ to ring and therefore nothing is ever done. tion. This problem has become worse during The equipment never seems to break down the period that this Government has been in at 11 o'clock in the morning when people Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 553 can ring the inspectors of the Air Pollution grips with the problem, as quickly as Control Council. It always seems to happen possible. To this end, it was seeking further after hours. recommendations from the Air Pollution The same thing happens with water quality and Water Quality Councils, and some in creeks for which the Water Quality Con­ research had been carried out also, in trol Council has responsibility. I have made recent weeks, by officers of the C.S.I.R.O." requests of the Minister day in and day out That was twelve months ago! The two for a 24-hour 7-day week reporting and Ministers went on to say that the board checking service so that someone can go out did not want to be a bad industrial neigh­ and pinpoint these polluting industries. Some bour and the fact that there were recent of the mechanical breakdowns are just too odour nuisances affecting people in suburbs convenient to be accepted without question near the abattoir was not denied. They as they continually happen at 6 o'clock on a accepted it! So here we have a Press release Friday night when people cannot get an of 5 April 1977 saying that something was inspector to have a look at the pollution. going to be done about it. We waited and waited. Mr. Moore: You're right. In the past week I have written letters of Mr. BURNS: I am glad the honourable complaint on behalf of the local parish priest, member for Windsor agrees with me. I am who has lived in the area for 30 years, and right; it happens too regularly. I asked the rneatworkers, people who started work in Minister- the Cannon Hill saleyards at 14 when the "What was the cost of this plant?" yards began operating and have lived through all the pollution associated with the old He said that the pollution plant cost rneatworks there, and they all say it has $567,764. never been worse. And yet we have had a I asked- Clean Air Act for 14 years. They were "Is it of sufficient size to handle the better off before we had the Act. Last year effluent discharged to it?" I waited till Christmas and again wrote to Mr. Hinze. He wrote back and said- The answer was- "With further reference to your letter "The designed capacity of the plant is of the 27th October relative to the alleged believed to be adequate to handle the pollution"- inflow." alleged pollution!- The authority spent $560,000, but it is only believed that it is adequate to handle the "problerns at the Metropolitan Pubic inflow. I do not think it is. I asked further- Abattoir Board . . ." "Has it operated without breakdown He had already told me that all the corn­ since its installation and, if not, on what plaints were there. He had already issued dates and times was it out of order?" a Press statement saying, "We know the odours are there, and we must accept our I knew the Minister could not answer that. responsibilities. We are going to set up a He would have used six or eight pages in committee to look into it. We are going to listing the breakdowns. He said- get the C.S.I.R.O. to assist." But six months "Components of the system have been later he talks about the alleged poJlution out of order at various times and opera­ problem from the rendering-down plant and tional problems, as a result, have been the waste-water-treatment plant. He goes on encountered on those occasions. None, and on for two pages, and it is not worth however, have meant a complete stoppage my while reading it into "Hansard" because of the process." it is the same waffle that we have had day I also asked when the equipment would in and day out. be capable of handling the polluted waste The problem is still there. Nothing has and water. I will not read the whole answer. changed since the Press release of April, The Minister referred to the earliest possible since the statement before that in December date. That letter was dated 1 March 1977. On 1976. There have been continuing promises. 5 April 1977, the Minister for Local Govern­ We have been told that they have had ment and Main Roads and the Minister for some trouble; that, in conjunction with the Primary Industries issued a joint Press state­ design for the new abattoir, the board ment. This followed inspections at the works. retained consulting engineers to prepare The statement read- documents for the required waste-treatment " ... it was apparent that a full-time in plant. The contract for the treatment plant depth study by a top authority in this was in effect a performance-guaranteed con­ field was needed, immediately." tract, and we were told that the board was having some trouble because of legal diffi­ That was on 5 April 1977, 12 months ago. culties. We were then told not to worry, The statement continued- that new equipment was on its way. "Mr. Sullivan said the Abattoir Board There was a water-treatment plant at the accepted that it had a problem and that works. All the muck that comes out of the it had a responsibility to overcome it as rneatworks goes into the aerators and is quickly and efficiently as possible. The stirred up. Eventually the filth forms hard Abattoir Board was attempting to come to lumps. It is dried and taken away and dumped 554 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill

in the paddocks. The water is eventually sup­ That is a problem of town planning. So posed to clear and go into the river. Probably what we are saying in the proposed Bill is, the river has improved as a result of the pol­ "Look, we are going to make it easier. You lution control equipment that has gone into just get the council to say that you comply the abattoir, but the people in the area with the town plan. You get a certificate have ended up much worse off. from them and then send it in to the Air One of the problems that we have here Pollution Council." I believe it is about is the passing of the buck from one depart­ time that people in the air pollution section ment to the other. I am pleased to see that had a look at town planning themselves. It air pollution and water pollution are now is about time we talked of buffer zones. It is under the one Minister, but there is still a about time we said to industries, "Before bit of buck-passing going on. you get an opportunity to open an industry you have to show us that it is going to be In the same abattoir board area, the tails, properly controlled and that the equipment hoofs and pieces of skin and hair are still \\ill be there before you begin." dumped in the paddock out in the open. If you write to the Minister for Health, he I must say that although A. J. Bush still says, "I am in charge of the flies. I can create a lot of problems, they are much do something about the flies for you. The better than they were. But A. J. Bush came smell is air pollution. If you put the effluent there after the town plan was implemented in the water, that is water pollution." Every­ and after we began to enforce the regula­ one has a little bit of responsibility, and tions under this Act in the early 1970s. the people still have to put up with the The town plan provides for an industry on problem. The foul and rotten odours are one side of the road there. That is harbour there, and they are there because the Gov­ industry, and all of that area down to the ernment is not doing anything about them. port is built that way. On the other side The problem goes on and on. of the road there is a long-standing housing area. When the hides are taken off the bullocks, they are hung on the fence along the main I will give the Minister this: he is one road at Murarrie and the maggots and the of the few Ministers who has shown any flies are all over them. It is said, "That is not interest in this particular problem. He did a scheduled industry. We do not do anything come and talk to the people. He assisted about that. It is not manufacturing." But it us with the town plan. I have not seen the creates the problem and the people have to final decision on it yet but I hope he stuck live with it. It is time the Act was amended to his guns and said that there was to be to do something about that. Instead of an open space zone around that area of making these little tiddly-winking amend­ Murarrie. It does jut out into an industrial ments to the Air Pollution Control Act area. year after year, isn't it time we began doing The problem is going to get worse. It something about the real problem? Isn't it cannot get any better for the people in time we did something about appointing that area. The Government and the city inspectors and people on the job to check on council authorities have made the decision these industries? Isn't it time we said to that from Cairncross Dock to the river them, "We are going to prosecute if you mouth, bounded by the railway line and don't do something about it"? The police Lytton Road, that area is going to be harbour do not pull a fellow up on the side of the industry. If an industry gets a certificate road, use a breathalyser and say, "Oh, you from the Department of Industrial Develop­ are only a little bit over, old fellow. We ment to say that it fits in with that sort will give you 12 months to get over it." of zoning, and the required certificate from That is what we are saying to people who the Brisbane City Council, it will be allowed are polluting the air-"We will give you to establish itself there. We will get more another 12 months to fix your problem." and more of them. People in my area are A. J. Bush, the tannery, Ampol Refinery, not complaining about the industries. We Petersville, the woodchip factory at Geebung, want them, but we want them clean. We Darra Cement-I could name them all­ want good neighbours. We want industries have been polluting the air all over this city in the area that we can live and work with. for years and we let them off. No-one in the area is saying, "Get rid of the meatworks. Close them down." The ordinary worker is not let off. He lives with the pollution. Down in my electorate What I am saying is that when they spent the value of his home goes down. Three $19,500,000 on those works, it should have or four miles out of the city, Murarrie is been possible to spend enough money to make one of the nicest suburbs you could live in. sure it was clean at that time. It is not If you go to the top of the hill tonight and like talking about the old meatworks that look out over the city, you will see it is a have been there 30 or 40 years. I have been beautiful area. But the price of a block of in this Parliament six years. I went out land there is about half the price of a there with the Minister for Primary Indus­ similar block of land in any other suburb in tries when he turned the first sod. He drove Brisbane. What is the reason? Because a bulldozer to clean up the area. It is you will bring your stomach up if you have not something that has been there for years; to sit there some nights after the rendering­ it is something new. It is something that down plant gets under way. has been established there since the houses Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 555 were built. Some of the letters I receive control people will move on the city council say, "But the people should not have built to prevent the emissions from council buses. there." The people built there after World I should like a testing machine-- War II. The new Metropolitan Abattoir An Opposition Member interjected. Board building was built there in the '70s. It is causing most of the trouble. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I suggest that the honourable member does not respond The Bill does not go anywhere near solving to that interjection. the problem I am talking about. It does nothing to make certain that there can be Mr. LANE: Thank you for your guidance, control over the hanging of hides on fences, Mr. Hewitt. the dumping of waste and the controlling of industries that do not come under the heading When eight or 10 large buses are pulled of "Manufacturers". The Bill does not up in Queen Street it is virtually impossible indicate to me that the Government is going to breathe. To withstand the barrage one to get fair dinkum about inspectors. It does has to retreat into one of the air-conditioned not indicate that people are going to be stores for a breath of fresh air. Testing of able to ring up and get some action from council bus emissions in Queen Street in the Government. peak hours should be undertaken as soon as possible. Exhaust emissions from these large I welcome any action that the Minister vehicles affect business. can take to combat pollution in the Lytton This problem arose only after the trams area or anywhere else. The people pay. were removed from Brisbane some years ago I know that industry pays when it has to by an unthinking Lord Mayor. In these install pollution control plant, but the people days of a fuel crisis we all know of the in my area pay day and night, day in and benefits of conserving petroleum. Emphasis day out. They pay not only in the reduction should be put on the use of electricity that in the value of their homes but also by we have in abundance thanks to our excellent the embarrassment of having to explain to coalfields. If the trams were still running in their friends when they have a barbecue in Brisbane we would not be faced with this their backyard on a summer night. They pollution. It was a short-sighted move to pay through the rotten, foul smells that their remove trams from our streets at that time kids have to inhale in their class-rooms and replace them with buses that cause bad by day and in their homes by night. They pollution problems. They pour smoke and pay because the Government has shown no other pollutants into the city shops. The interest in them, and it is about time it did. cost of cleaning shop windows and the inside of shops and keeping goods free from dust Mr. LANE (Merthyr) (10.39 p.m.): The and black soot is incalculable. greatest contribution the temporary Leader The city council car-park has its own of the Opposition could make to the cleaning pollution problems. I should like a testing up of air in this city would be to close the machine to be taken to the bottom floor of orifice in the front of his face and thus that car-park so that a reading may be taken stop emitting hot and unclean air. to determine how bad it is. On a few occasions I have had the misfortune to park My contribution will be a very brief one. in that monstrosity. When on the bottom floor I merely rise to seek an assurance from the of the car-park one hopes that the escalator Minister that the Bill will bind the Brisbane is working so that one can get out quickly City Council in its many and various to take a breath of fresh air. People almost activities. I speak particularly of the emis­ collapse from the fumes. I should like one sion of diesel fumes and petrocarbons from of the first tasks of the Air Pollution Council the large council buses which travel around to be the testing of the air in the basement the city. I invite honourable members to of the Brisbane City Council car-park. I visit the centre of the city during peak hours should like the Minister in his reply to give when buses are taking workers and shoppers an assurance that the Bill binds the Brisbane home. I suggest that they taste some of the City Council and that he will not be daunted polluted air that hangs in Queen Street at in taking any necessary action against the 5 o'clock any afternoon. It is emission from council. the exhausts of Brisbane City Council buses. Apparently the Brisbane City Council spends Mr. MOORE (Windsor) (10.44 p.m.): To no money or time on, and has no considera­ some extent my comments will be contrary tion for, the keeping of reasonably clean air to those of the honourable member for in the city. There are great rows of these Merthyr inasmuch as the devices fitted to large vehicles right down Queen Street in motor vehicles in many areas where they the afternoon. They all emit smoke from are unnecessary increase fuel consumption. their exhausts onto passengers waiting on The air-to-fuel ratio is critical in motor cars the footpath and others walking by. What and diesel buses. When their engines are is emitted is enough to choke a duck. Green tuned correctly most of the problems are growth is ignored by the Brisbane City overcome. As has been claimed, exhaust Council but if there were any it would be emissions from diesel buses are not nearly short-lived under the barrage from the buses. as harmful to humans as those from petrol I would like to know that the air pollution motors, but they are far more offensive to 556 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill

the nostrils than the exhaust gases of motor That is the only way they are getting rid of cars. Most of the problems with a diesel the solids. There is no need for that. All engine are overcome by having the engine that is necessary is an aerobic system. In properly adjusted. If the injectors are clean effect, all that is necessary is the pumping of and are tuned correctly, the exhaust will not the water into the air. As it comes down it be thick black smoke. becomes aerated and then it is pumped up In everything we do these days, we seem again. Oxidation gives the same result as is to be going too far. We have placed con­ being achieved by turning the solids into trols on air pollution up at Weipa. In that marsh gas. town, far away from anywhere else, there is To save a lousy $20,000 we are allowing a brick chimney a couple of hundred feet Gibson's tannery, with all its excuses, to pol­ high. The owners apologise for a puff of lute the area. Anyone who drives along white smoke rising from it. Although there Stafford Road on a night such as this knows is not a soul within hundreds of miles of that the air is so thick that it can be cut Weipa, electrostatic precipitators are installed into blocks and put into the construction of in the chimney-stack. We forced that on a house. It's that bad. industry up there. There is not a need in the world for them. It would not matter how Write to the Minister; plead; do as you much smoke was created up there, and it like-nothing happens! Gutless! He's going doesn't matter which way the wind is blow­ to play merry hell when someone throws a ing. What type of stupidity is that? lolly paper out of a motor car; he's going to pinch motorists who do not keep in line one The Leader of the Opposition made some behind the other-but where we have a reasonably sensible remarks about the smells situation in which if the Government gives in his area. When I worked in the Railways Gibsons $20,000-- and went past Doboy Station, the air was so bad that if anyone left the window down Mr. Burns: They have been doing it for the air would blister his face. It used to 10 years. blister the paint on the houses. They just will not keep their paint. While the remark Mr. MOORE: They should do it in about blistering faces might have been a Lytton, too! joke, that about the paint on the houses is certainly no joke. The smell is so bad that If the Government gave Gibsons $20,000 if a person were to expectorate out the the problem could be overcome. train window-spit out the window-he would If a little puff of smoke goes into the air vomit. That is how bad it is. because someone is burning a few leaves in I have a similar situation in my area with the backyard, all the airy-fairy people around Gibson's tannery at Stafford. I have written say, "Look at that smoke there." They can to this Minister; I wrote to the previous see it in the distance, but it has no effect Minister and to the one before that. Until on them. Complaints like that should not now, that tannery has not been in my ter­ be allowed. ritory. It has always been in someone else's, I told the Gibson's tannery people, "Don't so I haven't been able to give it a kick in you worry. You've got a different member the guts. However, since I have been the now." They said, "We got along with member for the area containing the tannery Harvey and we got along with Gygar." I I have been down to see the management and said, "Well you are not getting along with asked, "What's your problem?" They said, me!" "We're short of funds. We can't put in the water control required. If we do, we will I am not saying this lightly, and I ask have to put people off. We won't be able to the Minister to go out to Gibsons. It is employ as many." I asked, "How much quite simple; give them the money. It's money do you need?" They said, "$60,000 only $20,000. Arrange a loan at no interest will about do it." to get the job done. I made approaches around the place and Nobody should have to put up with the attempted to get them a loan of a reason­ stink that local residents have to contend able amount of money. I do not care how with. Some people buy a new house in the the Government subsidises it-whether the area at a time when, because there is no firm gets a loan at 6 per cent or is not disturbance of the water, there is no smell. charged any interest at all-as long as the There have been no storms. But when visitors job is done. What happened? When come along on Sunday, the people open the I got to the final stages and I had made door, and in comes the stink! They are certain arrangements so that they might get ashamed of themselves, and then they get on $60,000, I found that they only need $20,000 to me. After three, six or 12 months they -$20,000 to get rid of a stink that spreads are not noticing the smell as badly. for three miles around! At present they are using an anaerobic system, whereby the pond Mr. Lane: It affects the olfactory nerve. gets a great film of muck over it. The solids convert themselves into a marsh gas Mr. MOORE: Yes, it is the old factory. and dissipate into the air. What we are doing in this stupid business is allowing the solids Mr. Warburton: Do you think that they to turn into a gas to pollute the atmosphere. should be given a certain time to close down? Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 557

Mr. MOORE: No. I am not closing them new industries. In 1967 the former Liberal down; Opposition members are closing them Federal member for Bowman (Dr. Gibbs) down. I want those fellows to have a job. said that he had been investigating this prob­ If the problem were insurmountable, I would lem and had been making representations. say they should close down. But it is not. He realised how serious it was, but he was It is only $20,000. I could write the cheque pleased to say that it wo~ld soon be myself. diminished. Since then, nothmg has hap­ Opposition Members interjected. pened. In 1965 the existing industries were given Mr. MOORE: I am good for that sort seven years to comply with the Act. T?~ay of overdraft. They know that I am going to I think the Government has stopped giVIng be here for a long time. I've got a certain them an extension of time within which to take at the end of my time, anyway. There comply with the Act; it has just given . up. is no problem about that. These days we do not hear about extensiOns I am joking a little about it, but the of time. The problem just seems to go . on situation is absolutely serious. It must be and on, and nothing more is done about It. viewed seriously. I trust that the Minister Some of the speakers on the Go~ernme~t will take seriously what I am saying and side implied that the A.L.P. attitude Is do something about it. I know the stink is irresponsible and that it wishes to put not visible, but it's damned offensive to the demands on industry regardless of the nose. economics involved. I say that that certainly Mr. SHAW (Wynnum) (10.52 p.m.): In is not true. The Leader of the Opposition, my earlier speech today I said that I w~s a whose electorate adjoins mine, and I have little disappointed at the answer I received supported the developme.nt of noxio_us. indus­ to a question I asked of the Minister on the tries, or industries which are withm the problems of pollution. After listening to the ambit of noxious industries, where adequate Leader of the Opposition put the case con­ safeguards have been carried out. What we cerning pollution in his area, I can under­ are saying is that we want action taken stand why the Minister has been a little more against irresponsible industries. preoccupied with the problem in Lytton than I believe that the Government has to those with that in Wynnum. Unfortunately there industries that do the right thing a responsi­ is almost as much air pollution in Wynnum bility to ensure that it is not possible for as there is in Lytton. irresponsible industries to carry out their Mr. Lane: What has the city council done activities on the cheap and to undercut those about that? people who do the right thing. Mr. SHAW: Some members continually One of the first things I did after I was kick the Communist can. When they have elected to this House was approach one of nothing to say they scream, "Communist!" the worst offenders in my area, the Ampol One thing I would say for the honourable refinery. When that refinery began operat­ member for Merthyr is that he does not do ing it approached the people in the area that; he kicks the Brisbane City Council can. and said, "If you can put up with the pollution for a little while things will be all Mr. Lane interjected. right, because it is only going to be a temporary thing. It will cost us money to The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. waste material by burning off in the flue and Gunn): Order! depositing it all over the district, so within a few years we will be rectifying these faults Mr. SHAW: The honourable member said and you will have nothing further to worry something should be done by the Brisbane about." This was one of the first industries City Council to overcome the pollution that I contacted. I did not want to make situation. That was all that he mentioned. a public stand, nor did I want to score He could be right. I think he would have off the company. I wanted to talk to been fairer had he pointed out that it is a it to see if it could do something about the well-known and accepted fact that pollution problem. I contacted the management on from diesel buses is nowhere near as serious those grounds. as pollution from motor cars. What he is advocating when he says that Mr. Lane: In which capacity? the Brisbane City Council should do some­ thing is that the people should do something. Mr. SHAW: It does not matter in which The council is not a foreign body. Its money capacity, because I got the same result. I has to be found by the people. If some­ might add that I contacted them previously. thin& has to be done, the people have to pay for it on that basis. I am happy to I also contacted the Air Pollution Control accept his submission; but I think he should Council in my capacity as alderman and be honest about it. I got pretty much the same result. I said to the manager, "I think the best thing to The problem of air pollution in Wynnum do is get together and talk about it." He and Lytton is certainly not new. The Leader said, "Yes." As the honourable member for of the Opposition pointed out that it has Merthyr keeps trying to insist, I have a busy been accentuated by the establishment of schedule, and it is difficult for me to make 558 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill time for appointments, but this matter was problem was approached from the right so important that I decided to make time for direction. I believe that that is the way to this appointment. Unfortunately, the people overcome most of our pollution problems. from the refinery could not keep the appoint­ In 1974-75 the Air Pollution Control ment, so the meeting was postponed. We Council put forward the view that in the made arrangements for another meeting, but town plan there should be adequate buffers again it was postponed. Eventually I gave around industries. One of the reasons why up. It is quite obvious that industries like I believe buffer zones are not the answer is this one will not do anything until such time that some of the industries mentioned by as the Government adopts a get-tough the Leader of the Opposition as being in his attitude and says to them, "Something has electorate are causing problems in my elec­ to be done, and something has to be done torate. The effects have been sufficiently quickly." severe to wake me up and to cause bad We have a problem that occurs only attacks of hay fever and asthma in my family intermittently. I can appreciate the diffi­ and in other families in the vicinity. And culties that confront some industries, and this is from five miles away! If we are Ampol is possibly one of them. When they going to say that the answer to this problem get into troubles which occur only inter­ lies in the introduction of buffer zones, this mittently they do not want to spend a lot means that they will have to extend for a of money rectifying those troubles. radius of at least five miles. If we apply this to all the polluting industries in Brisbane I have another problem, with Edgell, a it becomes pretty obvious that that is not the division of Petersville Ltd. The honourable answer. Buffer zones provide an answer to member for Lytton mentioned this. This aesthetic problems and in certain instances industry is in a similar situation to that where the pollution problem is not severe, mentioned by the honourable member for but they are certainly not the answer to all Windsor. At one time it had a very wide pollution. buffer zone around it, but as time has gone on the residential area has closed in around Mr. Hinze: Your leader said they were. it. Unfortunately, in its activities it has peaks when the anti-pollution devices are Mr. SHAW: I know. I said I am off-side not able to cope. The people in that area with him. are suffering as a result. Here again it is Mr. Burns: I said they had to be inves­ necessary for the Government to adopt a very tigated. I must admit they are not the whole positive attitude by insisting that that com­ answer. pany do something about it. We repeatedly hear this solution of buffer zones proposed. Mr. Hinze: Who is right? Here is one instance where I am not of quite the same opinion as my leader. I do not Mr. SHAW: It appears we have now have much faith in the provision of buffer reached agreement on this subject, after all. zones to overcome this problem. I do What will happen here, if I understand have a lot of faith, though, in technology the Minister correctly, is that when the and in the attitudes of firms which set out local authority-in this case, the Brisbane by improved technology to overcome the City Council-is asked for a report before problems of the pollution of the environment. an industry is allowed to establish itself, the only answer it will be able to give is whether I know of one industrial firm that could, or not the industry complies with the town under certain circumstances, cause serious plan. That will not help one iota; if we are pollution, yet it is one that I have been quite going to set aside in the town plan areas happy to welcome to my area. I have where noxious industries can be established visited its plants in other States, and it was -I believe we have to do this-it follows very interesting to hear the history of what that we must have controls on those indus­ happened. It had a very primitive plant in tries which go into those areas. So if we one State and the Government said that it have a noxious industry area and an industry had to do something about it. It was at a comes along with· an application to enter it, loss to know just what devices it could install the only thing the Brisbane City Council can to treat the waste it was discharging. All of say about it is, "Yes, it complies with the a sudden the firm came to the conclusion, town plan." The opportunity to require which now seems to be quite obvious, that particular things to be done to control the the answer lay not in treating the waste problem, and perhaps overcome it, is lost. but in fact in not developing it. It decided to use the waste, and found that by so It is necessary that we have a look at this, doing its profits increased. because the problems which occur with some industries do not occur in other cases. I do The managers continued introducing not believe it is possible to set out in a town economies, and when they built a second plan a list of requirements that will solve all plant in another State, one that did not of the problems. It is not purely a town have the same pollution controls, they intro­ planning problem, and when statements are duced even more stringent controls than they made such as the one made recently by the had in the first plant and they have now honourable member for Merthyr, I am quite gone even further. They have found that certain that it will not be solved under the they could effect economies if the pollution present town plan. The honourable member Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] :clean Air Act Amendment Bill 559 said that suggestions such as those put for­ the cost of emission controls, as is the cost ward by the honourable member for Windsor of pollution control in industry, is to be for removing industries and compensating found in the cost of repairing houses and them adequately when they find themselves in in the cost to the health of the community. an area that no longer is suitable had been Reports already published show that in many overruled. There might be very good reasons places the health of the community is being why they have been overruled; but I think damaged by pollution, and unfortunately the that when they are overruled an alternative area that I represent and the area adjoining suggestion to overcome the problem should it are two of the areas in which this is be put forward. If that is not done, it is occurring. People are making complaints not good enough to complain about the about problems that never occurred in the problem later, as members are now doing. past. The honourable member who inter­ Many honourable members agree that a jected earlier will agree with me when I say problem exists and condemn the Brisbane that in days gone by the worst problem City Council for not being able to do any­ that arose in the Wynnum area was the smell thing about it. However, when suggestions of rotting seaweed. Although the smell was for overcoming the problem are put forward, a little unpleasant, it did not damage any­ they oppose them and say that they would one's health. But today people complain give the local authority too much power. because their homes are being coated with If a suggestion would give the local authority black goo. too much power, let us see power vested in There is a very interesting tale attached an authority under the control of the to that. When complaints were made to the Minister. Let us see it vested in the Air Air Pollution Council about ,that, a Pollution Council or some other section of fellow came down and took samples. his department. Analyses were made of the black goo that mysteriously appeared on houses, vehicles There certainly needs to be authority to and trees all over the district. Subsequently enable someone to overcome the problem. he wrote saying, "This goo seems to con­ Weakening the provisions of the town plan tain petroleum products. It is consistent will not overcome it. In talking about the with the fall-out from an oil refinery, and cost to industry of overcoming the problem, Ampol refinery has been advised accord­ I agree whole-heartedly with the statement ingly." A week later a rushed trip was made made by the Leader of the Opposition. Some­ down to the complainants with a hand­ one has to meet the costs, and I think it delivered communication which stated, is reasonable that industry should bear them, "Unfortunately our regular fellow is away on because it will pass them on to the people holidays. A terrible mistake has been made. who use its products. It is not consistent with the fall-out from a If a particular industry is turning out a refinery, and we have advised Ampol refinery cheap product by polluting the atmosphere accordingly." It is rather strange that this and the community is suffering, someone particular goo appeared about the same time must bear the cost, and it is unfair for the as Ampol refinery started operations. As community to have to bear the cost. It is the Leader of the Opposition said, it is reasonable that the people using the product passing strange that these things always seem should meet the cost of its production, and to occur in the middle of the night, and seem that cost could reasonably include the cost to cause bad attacks of asthma. Unfortunately of producing it without damaging the in the area there have been fatalities from environment. asthma attacks. Certainly an investigation is warranted to determine whether or not Brief mention was made of the problem there is any connection between the two. of emission controls on motor vehicles. The Certainly the attacks of hay fever that honourable member who raised it should are suffered by some people I know always perhaps take the matter up with his colleagues coincide with the strange smells that invade in the Federal House. He pointed out that the district at night. the present requirements impose an unneces­ The Air Pollution Council needs to be sary burden on the motorist and that a strengthened, not weakened. People have great number of problems have arisen a right to expect clean air. because of them. I draw the attention of the Committee to an anomaly that appears (Time expired.) to exist. All sorts of problems seem to be associated Mr. POWELL (Isis) (11.13 p.m.): Most with emission controls on vehicles con­ people would agree that it is desirable that structed in Australia. Imported vehicles do we breathe air that is as clean as it is not seem to have similar problems. Now, possible to get. What we have to evaluate either our technology is deficient or there is the cost of that clean air. I have lived is a definite underhand move to inflame most of my life in an area away from big public opinion against emission controls. I industry. Therefore probably I can be con­ sidered to be extremely lucky. Many people, do not think there is any need to do that. however are unfortunate in that they have The cost will have to be borne by some­ to live 'in areas where heavy industry is body, and the community bears the cost in established. I have sympathy for them, and many different ways. It is true to say that on their behalf I will support any legislation 560 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Ame11dment Bill

which will force industry, within the bounds Surely no-one in the Chamber wants industry of reason, to emit only clean air from its closed up simply because it is emitting a smoke stacks. smell or smoke. Previous speakers have spoken about the Mr. Gygar: It depends on how bad the cost to industry. It is a real cost and one smell is. that we should consider carefully before we impose all sorts of conditions on industry. Mr. POWELL: In reply to that-the hon­ In many cases, of course, the industry was ourable member for Windsor told us a little there first and the houses came along later. earlier about Gibson's tannery. In my stud­ The honourable members for Lytton and ent days I used to live in the Stafford area. Wynnum have indicated some areas where I certainly remember how badly it smelt in that is the case. It is very difficult indeed those days. Periodically I drive along for a Government to legislate to force Webster Road and I know how bad it is established industry to change its mode of today. It certainly has not improved or operation and incur extra costs to make sure changed. I support what was said by the that the air it emits is clean. That is not so honourable member about this matter. Some­ with new industries. thing must certainly be done about it and I believe that the ball should be placed similar situations, but we should not forget fairly and squarely in the court of local the cost. authorities. Local authorities have town In the Bundaberg/Isis area the sugar mills plans. I would hope that all of them have are to be commended on their attitude to some sort of town planning. It should be the Clean Air Act. It has cost them mil­ the local authority's job to advise an industry lions of dollars to upgrade facilities so that whether it should establish itself in an area the emissions from their smoke-stacks are or not. The local authority is on the spot. less harmful than they used to be. The I cannot accept the idea that this Govern­ Bundaberg Sugar Company employs a p~rson ment should have a massive number of whose job is related purely to the environ­ inspectors to snoop around in the night to ment. His job is to see that the air coming see that different industries are obeying some from the mill's smoke-stack is as clean as law about clean air. I don't like the idea possible. I repeat that the industry is to be of any Government being a sort of police commended on its attitude. body over another form of government. If Conservationists are referred to quite often we look carefully at the proposition put for­ in this Chamber. But for conservationists, ward by the Leader of the Opposition, it is we might not have this legislation before obvious that he had such a proposition in us. Some people believe that it would be mind. If local government-and a big "if" is a good idea not to have conservationists, involved-obeyed its own laws, many of our but we do not hear so much from the true air pollution problems would not exist. conservationists. They adopt a sensible I agree with the honourable member for attitude and make sensible suggestions. We Wynnum, who said that buffer areas are have a few whom I do not regard as sensible. not the answer. I remember living in Bris­ Anyone who has lived in a cane area knows bane in my student days when air pollution that from about MayjJune to December cane was very much to the fore. I remember fires are to be seen almost every night of complaints from the people of Brisbane every the week. They create great clouds of winter about the tremendous smoke haze­ black smoke. Women become a little upset it is now called smog-that hung over the when the black "snow" settles on their wash­ city especially in the winter months, when ing. At the beginning of just about every air temperature inversion took place. It was crushing season there is a spate of letters to explained that most of the industries in the the editors of the local papers. People jump geographic area of Brisbane run in a south­ up and down claiming that cane should not west/north-easterly line, which is the direc­ be burnt. Let us be sensible about this. tion of the prevailing wind or air movement If the people knew the economics of the during the winter months. That is the cause industry, they would know that it is very of the pollution. The town plan could avoid difficult indeed to harvest green cane and, the problem quite easily by ensuring that in this country, totally unnecessary. I con­ new noxious industries were sited in areas demn people who want green cane to be away from that south-west/north-easterly harvested in this State when the burning line. of cane causes very little discomfort and no permanent damage at all to the purity of The incidence of industries emitting pol­ the air. lutants into the air is lessening. In spite of Opposition comments the Government Mr. Doumany: It is a very pleasant smell can take the credit for that. We have tried -and nostalgic. to clean up industry in a workmanlike fashion. The Government should be corn­ Mr. POWELL: It may be nostalgic; but, mended because it has not tried to bully when the black soot lands on the washing, anyone. We do not have a great number some of the ladies get a little upset. of inspectors going around closing up indus­ If the sugar industry of Queensland were tries. I am surprised that some members compelled to change from burnt-cane har­ should consider that as a viable alternative. vesting to green-stalk harvesting it would Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 561 cause irreparable damage-especially when Mr. POWELL: This State has undertaken the Federal Government will not give the to provide electric trains. They will benefit industry its due reward for its product. the city of Brisbane, but it is important to remember that the emission from diesel When I was in the United States six years engines is not nearly as dangerous as the ago, the conservation movement was quite emission from internal combustion engines. strong in the State of Arizona. A new power­ house was being built there. It rather Mr. Vaughan: That's rubbish. interested me how they went about selecting a site for it, but that is another story. It Mr. POWELL: I suggest the honourable is now the Navajo Power Station in Page, member does some research into the subject. right in the north of Arizona, near the banks of Lake Powell, as it happens. The proce­ It is important to realise that the emission dures they had to go through to cater for from a diesel engine is less injurious to air pollution controls cost them $80,000,000. people than the emission from an internal Anyone who knows anything about the combustion engine. I condemn Australian geography of Arizona will appreciate that manufacturers for their attitude to exhaust the area about which I speak is completely emission control. It is obvious that, as a desert. The only industry established right vehicle with exhaust emission controls does out in the middle of the desert is this five miles to the gallon less, it is not opera­ giant powerhouse, with great big smoke ting as efficiently as the vehicle without the stacks; yet it costs the power authorities controls. The exhaust gas may be cleaner $80,000,000 to comply with the Clean Air but where does the extra petrol go? Act of the United States. As the honourable member for Too­ woomba North said, Brisbane is the place Some time after that I was at a place called where emission control is necessary. It is Flagstaff, which is a little south of Page. It needed in the large cities with the confined is a forestry area, with a large sawmill owned areas, because engines idle a lot using an by South West Forest Industries. I happened extra-rich mixture. Emission control is not to be staying with the manager of the mill. needed in country areas. Such is the vast­ His phone rang. He got quite agitated ness of this nation that that sort of rule because some black smoke was coming out borders on the ridiculous. of the smoke stack of the mill and someone had rung up complaining bitterly about the I hark back to what I said before. We tremendous pollution coming over the town should enforce legislation sensibly. I believe of Flagstaff-a town with a population of that the legislation covering exhaust emis­ about 10,000 and a university. As it happened sion control in this country is not sensible the complaint came from the university. and is not being enforced sensibly. It adds to transport costs in the country and pro­ The point I make is that people can go vides no benefit at all. Whom does it benefit? overboard. We should be careful not only It benefits the gimmick makers and acces­ in framing legislation but also in enforcing sory makers without relieving the real prob­ it that we make sure the problem is looked lem one little bit. at fairly and squarely; that it is looked at from the point of view of the cost to the We must continue to enforce the Clean industry concerned as well as the resultant Air Act. As previous members have said, benefit to the community. Opposition spokes­ there are industries that blatantly pollute the men do go overboard. They have a paranoia air without concern for the community. about businessmen. They hate the idea of They must be stopped. They cannot be industry making a profit. Of course, what allowed to continue to injure the health of they do not realise is that, if business does our community. Of course, there are those not make a profit, nobody gets employed. people who injure their own health by con­ It is as simple as that. tinually smoking-they inhale fumes of their own volition-but we might have some sym­ We must be very careful in deciding what pathy for them when they complain about industry has to do and where it has to do a smoky industry in their area. We must it. I come down fairly and squarely on the make sure that industries do all that they side of requiring industry to put its house in can to lessen the effects of air pollution on order to emit clean air, or air that is as clean the community. as possible. I hope that this Bill, which we will see Mention was made earlier about emission shortly, will give local government the power controls on motor vehicles, and it was a that it should have, that is, the power to relevant point to be made. The member for enact its town plan, the power to make Merthyr spoke about the abolition of trams industry behave itself. It should do it in and the introduction of buses. Of course, he such a fashion that it does not frighten could not be closer to the truth. Had the industry off. We need industry in this State. Brisbane City Council retained trams, I am We need decentralised industry in this State. quite certain that the incidence of air With the conglomeration of a number of pollution in this city would not be nearly as noxious industries there is perhaps a case for great as it is. the State Government to step in and suggest they should shift themselves out of the major Mr. Vaughan: What about electric trains? areas of population into the areas of less 562 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill

population so that their pollution will have because I know of the experience of an less effect and employment will be decen­ electrician in Kallangur who, one night some tralised. time ago, put down some uncovered copper I support the Minister on the introduction earth wire and when he returned the next of this Bill. I look forward to reading it morning that copper wire was black. It no and perhaps discussing it further at the longer had its shiny appearance. second-reading stage. A Government Member: Was it sulphur? l\Ir. KRUGER (Murrumba) (11.29 p.m.): Mr. KRUGER: It was a chemical of that I am not sure whether the need is for a nature. I know it smelt like rotten eggs, change to the Act or for better administra­ so I would say that it had a large sulphur tion of the Act. Possibly there is a need for content. I couldn't be sure what it was, both. but that copper wire certainly suffered a Over the years, nothing has been done to reaction from a chemical. implement the Act. Quite a few people have We also had a problem with the Delta spoken along these lines. It is not much quarry in Dayboro Road. The Minister good having an Act or a power, whether in would know all about this quarry because the field of local authority or Government­ he received many complaints from people both have been tossed around fairly well living in that area. There, of course, we tonight-if its operation is not properly had an air control by-law in operation. The administered or policed. council tried to put heavy controls on this I would like to mention the situation that industry. For instance, we tried to get the we have in the Pine Rivers Shire, particularly company concerned to dampen the materials in the electorate of Murrumba, with Aus­ so that dust would not be flying all over the tralian Paper Manufacturers Ltd., which area and causing people to complain. How­ is a massive organisation. This organisation ever, the Local Government Department has over the years, to give it full credit, overruled the Pine Rivers Shire Council and tried reasonably hard to control the pollution did not force the company to follow the it causes and the smell that exists there. Only regulations laid down by the council, so for a fortnight ago I pointed out to a meeting the first three years that the company oper­ that I did not think that the smell was ated the people suffered misery that they as bad as it used to be. The council did should not have had to put up with. I attempt to monitor what was causing the could see the dust rising in great clouds smell and the direction from which it was at various times. coming, but it came up with very little, I believe that the action by the Local possibly because of the size of the company Government Department in not allowing the and the fact that the pollution control laws Pine Rivers Shire Council to enforce the had not been enforced. regulations that they wanted to put on this When we looked at this particular com­ company was a great blunder. It backs up pany we found that it is pumping its waste my argument that if there are air control water into a low flat area at the back of regulations and they are not put into use Petrie. The smell from this waste is drift­ or policed, there is very little use in having ing with the prevailing winds over the Pine them. It seems it is very easy to control Rivers area. In the last week or so the them if they concern a man operating a stench has become unbearable. I spoke small business. As has been pointed out, to the manager of the mill this morning and if a person throws a piece of paper out he said, "Yes, I agree." Some of his men of a car he is going to cop a nasty rap, are coming up from Melbourne next week but it seems to me that if companies are to have a look at it. I believe that after big enough and can pay enough money to so many years of operation this problem fight harder, then it is not quite so easy for should have been overcome by now. If our the Government or local authorities to take pollution control laws had been strong them on and insist on the type of controls enough or had been enforced, this would not that people living around them desire. I be happening now. trust that the Minister has something in this Bill which will alter the present situa­ I bring to honourable members' notice tion so that we can hope for better controls also that the smell is not the only problem than we have had in the past. I think we connected with this manufacturing company. need to look at better administration of the There are houses in the northern part of regulations, and so I will be very interested Petrie and towards the western side of to see the Bill when it is printed. Kallangur, and when a house is painted, it is only a matter of weeks before it is dirty Mr. GYGAR (Stafford) (11.36 p.m.): In and dingy again. I am not sure whether rising to speak on air pollution I would like this is caused by a chemical reaction or to cover the subject that was dealt with so whether it is caused by smoke from the well by the honourable member for Windsor, chimney stack. However, whatever the cause and mentioned also by the honourable mem­ might be, the situation is not satisfactory ber for Isis, and that is Gibson's tannery, when people are forced to paint their homes the local polluter in my area. It now seems so regularly in order to keep them looking to have become notorious from one end of bright and neat. I think there is a chance the State to the other. I can assure everyone that this is caused by a chemical reaction in this House that having lived downwind Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Clean Air Act Amendment Bill 563 from Gibson's tannery since my youth I can Dr. LOCKWOOD (Toowoomba North) appreciate what problems air pollution can (11.39 p.m.): I believe this Bill will make it bring to citizens, and no words short of a great deal harder for potential polluters "absolutely disgusting" would cover in any to receive a licence to operate scheduled way the sort of pollution that comes from premises within the meaning of this Act. I Gibson's tannery. think the chief problem with the Act is that obviously it was introduced 30 or 40 years As the honourable member for Windsor too late. In order, then, that the public who mentioned, Gibsons may well have said at are having problems with industry receive some time in the past that they got along the maximum satisfaction from this Act O.K. with Gygar. That is about to come to restrospective provisions will have to be an end, because when I was first elected to introduced which force industry to act. represent that area I did not rush in and Members have said that in regard to various start kicking down doors, throwing furniture pollutants, particularly odours, gases such as around and telling them they either had to sulphide, soots, petrochemical fall-out, fumes stop the stink or close down. I realised that and other accumulated fuel fall-out over in all of these things we had to try to Brisbane, there is no such thing as a buffer achieve a balance between conflicting area because these pollutants cover the whole interests. If one had told them to stop the Brisbane city area. smell or close down they would have closed However, there is a case for having a down, and that would have resulted in a lot buffer zones for quarries. Indeed, I think of good men losing their jobs. The com­ that all quarries should have a buffer zone. munity must put up with some small incon­ There are two quarries in Toowoomba but, venience if, in times of high unemployment, as far as I am aware, the trouble is confined this is the only way to preserve the jobs of mainly to the Harlaxton quarry. As other a lot of good men who have worked there honourable members have said, we have been for many years and brought up their families stalled off with repeated assurances. Twelve in the area. However, they got along with months ago an assurance was given by the me only because of repeated assurances that quarry managers to the Railway Department, I have been given of how they were pro­ from whom they leased the quarry, that in ceeding with remedial works and how one six to eight weeks the dust nuisance would unfortunate and unpredictable delay after be ended. It cannot be said that that dust another led to the situation in which we is a health hazard-it does not cause pul­ currently find ourselves, that is, that nothing monary disease such as miners get-but, the is being done. dust is a perpetual nuisance, day in and day For three years I, and the honourable out, six or seven days a week, through member for Windsor, who I understand also the operation of the quarry machinery, its lives downwind-though fortunately for him, crusher battery, and the trucks moving in and a little further away-have been waiting in out of the quarry, not only transporting the vain for something_ to happen because we quarry product but also moving over unsealed believed when we spoke to Gibson's that roads. they were acting in good faith. However, The Toowoomba City Council has played they have shown that they have not been its part by sealing the roads. For a time it speaking the truth. I have heard stories from was held that watering the roads twice in them that they would have to spend more the morning and twice in the evening would than $100,000, and it was all horribly tech­ prevent the dust nuisance but it has per­ nical. Now it comes out in the wash that sisted. The company operating the quarry only $20,000 is required. If the directors of gave the Minister of the day, the late Keith this company, who also happen to be the Hooper, undertakings that it would attend shareholders, have so little public conscience to the sealing of internal roads, and so on, that they would not voluntarily give some as soon as it was in a better financial position sort of personal guarantee to obtain this to do so. However, those things have not small amount of money, and it is small in been done and the dust nuisance remains. commercial terms-and when we consider In my opm10n, the department must that they are sitting on almost a million implement measures that enable it to act dollars' worth of land there alone-to retrospectively on existing menaces. The alleviate the great distress that they cause_ to Local Government Department, which also the local citizens, then they will definitely comes under the Minister's control, must not be getting along with Gygar in future. ensure that all quarries, open-cuts, under­ ground mines, etc., are well and truly I would like to see these irresponsible separated from residential development. I characters stopped. I would like to ask, understand that problems in this regard firstly, for an indication from the Minister are developing in Ipswich. The honourable whether this Bill will do it. If the Minister member for Ipswich West has circularised all is unable to give that assurance, then I would honourable members on some of the prob­ like to let the people of Stafford know that lems that he is having. other, more direct methods will have to be used against Gibson's to make them face up Certainly the position is invidious in Too­ to their responsibilities, because I guarantee woomba. Housing goes right to the edge of that one way or another that smell is going the quarry, and I am afraid that the patience to be stopped, and soon. of the house owners has worn thin. If the 564 Clean Air Act Amendment Bill [20 APRIL 1978] Special Adjournment

industry is to continue, it will be faced with The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr. tremendous expense in dust-proofing. Prob­ Gunn): Order! The honourable member is lems also arise from the nature size and trying my sense of humour now. timing of the explosions and the s~und waves from them, and I will be taking these up Mr. BERTONI: We continually see the with the Minister. A great many representa­ A.L.P. wanting big companies or industries tions have already been made to Govern­ to spend money on frivilous matters. That ment departments on this subject. The prob­ amazing stack in Mt. Isa had to be con­ lems are a festering sore and a way must be structed because the Air Pollution Council found to solve them to the satisfaction of insisted upon it. Certain tests had been all concerned. made and it was suggested that there may have been pollution across the city. No-one Mr. BERTONI (Mt. Isa) (11.43 p.m.): in the city had complained-! am very sin­ In supporting the Minister's proposal I cere about that-yet there was this inter­ briefly express my concern about some' of ference from outside, which resulted in a the comments made by honourable members suggestion that this amazing stack should be in this debate. It seems to me that various built at a cost of $7,000,000 or $8,000,000. problems have arisen, particularly in southern With the passing of this Bill, I sincerely areas of the State, and I am concerned that hope that the Air Pollution Council will in formulating provisions that will meet the recognise that people in country areas have requirements of people in the south-east a different problem from that of people living corner of Queensland, and perhaps in areas in Brisbane and surrounding districts. I hope along the coast, difficulties may be created the Minister will ensure that some personal for industries developing in western areas. little impressions of members of the Air In Mt. Isa we have a company that has Pollution Council are not being acted on in played its part in air pollution control. It forcing industries to install safeguards that has installed a massive $1,000,000 sensor are not warranted. system, and sensors throughout the city are monitored 24 hours a day. If there is any Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast-Minister chance of air pollution occurring in the for Local Government and Main Roads) city area, the sensors indicate that to the (11.48 p.m.), in reply: I thank all honour­ operators, who immediately shut down the able members for their contribution. It is mines and prevent them from operating while getting late, so I propose to answer them the wind is blowing in the direction of the in detail at the second reading. I must say city. what a wonderful job the Air Pollution Council has done since its inception. I will I wonder how far we can go in formulat­ take steps to refute with all the ability at ing measures for air pollution control. I my command the comments made by the agree with the honourable member for Isis Leader of the Opposition and others who that we can go too far in the prevention suggested that the council is not doing its of air pollution. Sometimes the guide-lines job. given to the Air Pollution Council can be forcibly enacted in areas where the geo­ I think the honourable member for Mt. graphy and topography indicate that such Isa has said most of what I want to say. He requirements are not necessary. Anybody referred specifically to Mount Isa Mines who has visited Mt. Isa recently would have Ltd., which undertook tremendous develop­ seen a massive stack there. It has cost mental expenditure for one company. That Mount Isa Mines Ltd. $7,000,000 or sort of thing applies right throughout the $8,000,000. It is not only the tallest struc­ State. I will add up just what contribution ture in Australia but is the tallest stack in industry has actually made in order to the Southern Hemisphere. It was completed comply with the recommendations of the Air early this month. It was constructed by the Pollution Council to meet the needs of the slip-form method. It has taken about four State. I have nothing further to say for the months to complete. With the mayor of time being. Mt. Isa I recently made a tour of that stack. Motion (Mr. Hinze) agreed to. We went right up the centre of it. Resolution reported. Mr. Casey: It is the rudest looking build­ ing in Australia. FIRST READING Mr. BERTONI: It is obvious that the Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. honourable member for Mackay knows noth­ Hinze, read a first time. ing about the country. It is people of his type who insist that we should have a stack SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT in our area. Hon. T. G. NEWBERY (Mirani-Leader Mr. Casey: I thought you had a sense of of the House): I move- humour. "That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until Wednesday next." Mr. BERTONI: I have. Motion agreed to. Mr. Casey interjected. The House adjourned at 11.52 p.m.