Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

WEDNESDAY, 28 MARCH 1979

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Petitions (28 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice 3685

WEDNESDAY, 28 MARCH 1979 WATER ACT AMENDMENT BILL INITIATION Hon. N. T. E. HEWITT (Auburn-Min­ Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, ister for Lands, Forestry and Water Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair Resources): I move- at 11 a.m. "That the House will, at its present sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider introducing a Bill QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY to amend the Water Act 1926-1976 in HANDBOOK certain particulars and for other purposes." 1\ir. SI'EAKER: Honourable members, I Motion agreed to. wish to draw your attention to the fact that tomorrow is the last day to have photographs taken for the 1979 edition of the Queens­ land Parliamentary Handbook. Photographs ABORIGINES AND ISLANDERS ACTS will be taken in the interview room from AMENDMENT BILL 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. I understand that some honourable members have not yet had their THIRD READING photograph taken. Tomorrow is D-day. Bill, on motion of Mr. Porter, read a third time. PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS COMMITTEE QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE RESIGNATION OF MR. R. G. AKERS 1. INQUIRY INTO POLICE FORCE BY SCOTLAND l'vlr. SPEAKER: I have to inform the YARD INVESTIGATORS House that a vacancy exists on the Parlia­ mentary Buildings Committee consequent Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked the upon the resignation of Mr. Robert George Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- Akers, member for the electoral district of Pine Rivers, from that committee. (1) In view of continued allegations concerning the fabrication of police evidence and the present controversy in APPOINTMENT OF MR. C. J. MILLER relation to S.P. betting operations, par­ Hon. T. G. NEWBERY (Mirani-Leader ticularly on the Gold Coast, did the inquiry of the House): I move- into the Queensland Police Force by the two Scotland Yard investigators, which "That Mr. Colin John Miller, member was abbreviated by Cabinet, arise from for .the electoral district of Ithaca, be the circumstances of the Southport S.P. appomted a member of the Parliamentary Buildings Committee to fill the vacancy betting case, which involved allegations caused by the resignation of Mr. Akers." by the magistrate of tarnished police evidence? Motion agreed to. (2) Because of the relevance of this inquiry into current events regarding the PAPER taking of police evidence and Gold Coast S.P. operations, will he now reverse pre­ The following paper was laid on the table, vious Cabinet decisions by removing the and ordered to be printed- secrecy from this report and tabling it in Report of the Department of Forestry for full in this Parliament? 1977-78. (3) What was the cost of this inquiry, including the fares of the investigators, PETITIONS witnesses' expenses and other items such as the renovation of an office and a waiting BREAD DELIVERIES IN PROVINCIAL AREAS room at police headquarters? Mr. LESTER (Peak Downs) presented a (4) How many (a) police and (b) petition from 12 electors of Queensland pray­ civilian witnesses were interviewed in the ing that the Parliament of Queensland will investigation and, of these, how many were take immediate steps to introduce legisla­ (i) known or (ii) self-admitted S.P. tion to prevent bread being delivered from operators? bakeries in the greater metropolitan area of Queensland into provincial areas. (5) How many pages of evidence were compiled before Cabinet abruptly termin­ Petition read and received. ated this inquiry, which it had initiated, at [A similar petition was presented by Mr. a stage when the senior investigator stated Bourke (nine signatories), and that petition that the inquiries were barely at the half­ was read and received]. way mark? 3686 Questions Upon Notice [28 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice

Answer:- 3. CoSTS AND SERVICEABILITY OF CRAFT USED IN TORRES STRAIT (1 to 5) The matter of the inquiry referred to has previously been fully can­ Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked vassed in this House. I do not intend to the Minister for Aboriginal and Island elaborate further on the question asked by Affairs- the honourable member. ( I) What are the static costs and the operational costs per nautical mile or per kilometre for (a) open fishing boats built by Torres Strait Islanders, (b) fast twin­ 2. PHOTOGRAPHING OF CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS engined outboard craft used as ambulances, Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked (c) larger inter-island vessels and (d) the the Minister for Education- Australian Government Department of Aboriginal Affairs hovercraft? Cl) Is he aware of the growing number of parents who wish to obtain individual (2) Will he also comment on the ser­ photographs of their schoolchildren at viceability and reliability of each of these the same time as class photographs are types of craft in the Torres Strait? taken in State schools? Answers:- (2) Does his department prevent this (!) Detailed costs sought are not readily practice or allow it only at some State available and, at this stage, the time and schools? cost of assessment does not appear justified. (3) Is he aware that not only parents Further, fishing boats are privately owned but also many grandparents proudly display and their costs are not available through original or duplicate photographs of the department. Costs of the hovercraft, individual schoolchildren photographed in sponsored by the Commonwealth Depart­ uniform at school? ment of Aboriginal Affairs, are not avail­ able to me and the project has apparently ( 4) In the interests of uniform practice been abandoned. throughout the State, will he allow indi­ vidual photographs of schoolchildren to (2) Fishing vessels owned by Torres be taken _at school, with parental consent, Strait Islanders have been developed over by travellmg school photographers or local many years to meet particular purposes and photographers? have been successfully operated. The out­ board-powered ambulance craft were found to be unsuitable owing to the high degree Answers:- of maintenance and servicing unreliability (1) The number of parents who have and have been or are being replaced by approached my department on this matter inboard diesel-powered units, which are during the last 12 months is minimal. I slower but demonstrably more reliable. The could not accept that significant popular larger cargo vessels are operating success­ pressure for a change in policy exists. fully. (2) The prohibition against the taking of 4. MEDICAL PRACTICE AND TRAINING individual pupils' photographs is stated in regulation 6 (4) of the Education Regula­ INQUIRY tions of 1971 and applies equally to all Dr. Lockwood, pursuant to notice, asked schools. the Minister for Health- (3) No. I am aware as a result of As it was announced some weeks ago complaints received from time to time that that an inquiry into the future needs and individual photographs are taken on occa­ training for medical practice had been sions at schools in contravention of the established, has this inquiry produced any regulation. The attention of principals is results as yet? drawn periodically to the requirement of Answer:- the regulation, most recently by notice in the June 1978 issue of the Education Office This inquiry by an expert group is a Gazette. I would expect the number of most thorough invesligation and nssessment parents or grandparents having such of many aspects of medical practice and photographs to be small. medical education in Queensland and, whilst it is being actively undertaken at (4) The taking of individual photographs the present time, it is still far too early is time-consuming and disruptive to school to attempt to produce definitive findings. routine and I do not consider that any hardship is imposed by requiring such 5. EFFECT OF TARIFF PROTECTION ON portraits to be taken out of school time. QUEENSLAND EXPORTS However, where there is no local photo­ grapher, I would be prepared to give con­ Mr. McKechnie, pursuant to notice, asked sideration to allowing individual photo­ the Minister for Primary Industries- graphs to be ta~en on the school premises, While the need for tariff protection in out of school trme, upon a request being certain industdes is recognised, why has made in advance by the school's parents tariff protection an adverse effect on and citizens' association. Queensland's export industries? Questions Upon Notice [28 MARCH 1979) Questions Upon Notice 3687

Answer:- driving a vehicle and produce it on the The question the honourable member request of a police officer. The Traffic has raised is one that cannot be looked Advisory Committee constituted under the at in isolation from other forms of assist­ Traffic Act is examining the present ance within the whole spectrum of inter­ position with respect to the interstate national commodity trading. One of the driver with a view to achieving greater most commonly stated reasons for tariffs uniformity with the law in New South is, of course, the insulation of domestic Wales. industries against unfair competition from lower-priced imports. 7. WATER POLICE; WHARF SAFETY AND Much of our tariff is directed towards HEADQUARTERS TRANSFER assistance for the manufacturing sector of the Australian economy. This has Mr. Bums, pursuant to notice, asked the the corollary effect of increasing the cost Minister for Mines, Energy and Police- of inputs used by rural and related indus­ (1) With reference to my previous tries, for example, vehicles, farm machinery question and letters in relation to Water and other goods used in farming. The Police Headquarters and my suggestion net result of these higher input costs is that they be transferred to the area now higher production costs which, in turn, occupied by the Lytton Quarantine make our goods less competitive on world Station, did Works engineer, R. P. Bell, markets. in December 1978 report on the condition In consideration of tariff protection, we of the Water Police Headquarters wharves? must also not overlook the damage done (2) Did this report in its summary to our rural exporting industries by high state that it was considered that the wharf tariff barriers and other impediments to structure as a whole is presently function­ entry imposed by other countries on our ing with a low margin of safety over a exports of rural origin. Such barriers not state of collapse? only impede our efficient farming industries from competing on world markets, but (3) Did the report also indicate that also, in the case of the E.E.C., for example, the margin of safety against collapse is they result in heavily subsidised products considered well outside any dependable which are often dumped on world markets. factor of safety? (4) Did an underwater inspection by police divers on 25 March 1977 indicate 6. UNIFORMITY IN LAW CONCERNING that, of the 33 edge support piles inspected, CARRIAGE OF DRIVERS' LICENCES 25 were half-eaten through or worse, for Mr. McKechnie, pursuant to notice, asked example, missing altogether? the Minister for Transport- (5) As this inspection was performed (1) In New South Wales, are motor two years ago and at that stage only vehicle drivers prosecuted if they do not eight out of 33 piles could supply support, carry their driving licence? will he order an urgent inspection of these (2) If this is correct and as it is different piles? from the Queensland law, what steps can (6) Is it true that in March 1977, of he take to bring about uniformity between the 33 fender piles inspected, 23 were half­ Queensland and New South Wales in this eaten or worse, hence only a total of regard? 10 fender piles were functionable? Answers:- (7) Is he aware that in the last few months the wharf has lost three piles, (1) I am advised that a driver of a that is to say, one floated away, one rotted vehicle on a road in New South Wales off and disappeared, and one of the main under the law of that State is required fender piles for launch "Vedette" had to be to carry his licence and produce it for lifted by the Water Police and is now lying inspection when required to do so by any on top of the deck? member of the Police Force. This applies to the New South Wales licensed drivers (8) Is he also aware that if any further as well as to interstate visitors. fender piles collapse there will be insufficient moorings for the vessels? (2) The same law applies in Queensland except that so far as a Queensland driver (9) Did the report also point out that is concerned, under section 39 of the the area in front of the Water Police Traffic Act, if he fails to produce his office and storage shed is estimated to licence on the request of a police officer, have 30 to 40 per cent of its planking he is given 48 hours after such request is in a loose and/or decayed and/or removed made to produce it to the officer in charge state? of the police station specified by the (10) Did it also indicate that some requesting police officer. girders supporting decking are absolutely In the case of an interstate driver, as unsafe, there being a very small margin in New South Wales, he is required to of safety left before failure under self­ carry the licence on him at all times while weight? 3688 Questions Upon Notice (28 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice

(11) As the report suggests that demoli­ The land in question was first offered tion of the wharf section will cost just to the commission in September 1977 for under $60,000, that the installation of new $95,000, or $9,500 an acre. The commis­ fender piles and their connection to the sion was seeking land in the area to meet existing wharf structure will cost a further its construction programmes. This price $17,000 and that a further $5,000 will be was considered too high. The vendor would needed for the replacement of timber not reduce his price below $90,000, so planking, will he (a) urgently check the negotiations ceased. Commission feasibility safety of Water Police using this wharf, studies showed that fully developed sites (b) take action to make their working con­ should be between $6,500 and $6,700. This ditions safe, and (c) speed up the neces­ required a land content of between sarv transfer of the Water Police Head­ $66,250 and $74,200 for 53 sites shown on quarters to the Quarantine Station grounds the proposed subdivisional plan. at Lytton? On 3 January 1978 another agent, Answers:- Bartlett Realty Pty. Ltd., real estate agents, offered the land subdivided and (! to 4) Yes. fully developed at $6,500 a block firm (5) As the condition of the wharf is price, or $344,500 in all. The basis was a known, there is no point in having another purchase, design and development con­ inspection made at this stage. tract. At $6,500 a block, the price was (6 to 10) Yes. $33 a block less than the commission's estimate if it bought at its lowest valuation (11) (a, b & c) The safety aspects are of $66,250 and developed itself. Develop­ already known through the report of the ment costs used in the commission's study Works Department engineer and this were by consultants Cardno and Davies. report is being considered by the Depart­ With Executive Council approval, the ment of Works and the Land Administra­ commission entered a contract with North tion Commission, which controls the Queensland Industries Pty. Ltd., the name Crow:1 land involved. Representations on nominated by the vendor's agents, on the an urgent basis have already been made to the appropriate Commonwealth following terms- authorities in regard to the possible avail­ (!) $53,000 in exchange for certificate ability of the Quarantine Station and a of title and transfer of the whole of reply in this regard is awaited. the land (paid 14-2-1978). (2) $77,000 on completition of 33 per cent of development, a further $77,000 8. NORTH QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIES LAND at 66 per cent and $77,000 on 100 per SALE TO HOUSING COMMISSION cent completion. These progress pay­ Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice, asked the ments were made on 17-4-1978, 2-5-1978 Minister for Works and Housing- and 26-6-1978 on proper certificates. (1) Did the Queensland Housing Com­ (3) $60,500 on receipt of 53 individual mission purchase 10 acres 1 rood of titles (paid 25-7 -1978). land in Mattock Road, Burleigh Heads, The purchase and development agree­ on 31 March 1978 for $344,500? ment was a regularly used contract pre­ (2) Did the vendors, North Queensland pared by the commission's solicitor, the Industries Ply. Ltd., purchase the land on Public Trustee. 8 February 1978 from Frascott Park Co. Ltd. for $85,000, which was five weeks Title search prior to offer and accept­ before the Commission bought the land? ance showed the registered owners as Frascott Park Pty. Ltd., with some (3) Did North Queensland Industries encumbrances. It is not uncommon for a Pty. Ltd. make a profit of $259,500 in proprietor to have negotiated an option five weeks? to sell with another party. The commission (4) What works were carried out in was fully protected at all times, as it was those five weeks that would add $250,000 contracted in the first instance to pay to the value of the block? $53,000 on receipt of certificate of title. (5) What are the names and addresses of Progress payments depended on perform­ the directors and shareholders of North ance, and the member will observe there Queensland Industries Pty. Ltd.? was stringent retention to ensure full performance. The commission was not Answers:- aware of details of dealings between Fras­ (! to 4) This question gives me the cott Park Ply Ltd. and North Queens­ opportunity to demonstrate that good land Industries Pty. Ltd., nor are they trading practice and proper management particularly relevant. of public funds are standard procedure. I If the vendor /developer had not met his accept that the member may be merely obligation on the development part of the taking an intelligent interest in affairs, contract, the commission had title to the because if he is seeking to suggest some land for $53,000. It got 53 fully developed malpractice I must disappoint him. To sites for $6,500 each, a good price for the prove my point I propose to give him a Gold Coast. Its own estimate on $66,250 detailed history. value for the land was $6,533 a block, Questions Upon Notice [28 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice 3689

which included $4,678 per block develop­ Answer:- ment costs. This is a tight price, as any (! & 2) The question asked by the developer will confirm. honourable member is one of legal inter­ There was obviously some profit margin pretation and the view of my Department on the land and on the development of Harbours and Marine is that the section contract. How the vendor/developer of the Harbours Act referred to does not elected to apportion these between land apply. and engineering, the commission does not know. The figures themselves will show he worked on a tight margin. The sugges­ 10. MILK PRICE INCREASE IN COUNTRY tion of $259,500 is ludicrous. AREAS The fact is that the commission got 53 Mr. Turner, pursuant to notice, asked the good sites fully developed, with roads, Minister for Primary Industries- drainage, water, sewerage at $6,500 each. (!) Is he aware that, following the recent That is a good price. The file and figures increase of le per bottle for milk in are subject to scrutiny by the Auditor­ Queensland, many country milk con­ General. I would hope that the honourable sumers are being charged an increase of member, now in receipt of the full facts, 2c per bottle? will be graceful enough to commend prudent management of public funds in (2) As there has been no increase in this case, rather than imply anything freight, what steps will be taken to prevent ulterior. this apparent rip-off of the people in certain western towns? (5) The directors are- John Colin Bartlett, Answers:­ 20 Southern Cross Drive, (!) No. Cronin Island, Surfers Paradise. (2) The maximum price at which milk Rene Maude Bartlett, may be sold is within the jurisdiction of as above. the Queensland Milk Board under the terms of the Milk Supply Act 1977-78. David John Bartlett, Unit 20, Midwater, At present milk prices orders apply to 3500 Main Beach Parade, the localities of Brisbane, Redcliffe, Gold Main Beach. Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Warwick, Leo Alley Johnson, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gladstone and 2 Leneberg Street, Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Emu Park, Southport. Kilcoy, Cairns, Townsville, Ingham, Innisfail, Tolga, Atherton, Mareeba, Moss­ The shareholder is­ man and Mackay. John Colin Bartlett, Bartlett Investments of 212 Stuart St., Milk prices in other localities through­ Townsville. out the State are generally higher to cater for costs of storage and transport associ­ ated with delivering liquid milk long dis­ tances from the centre of production. They 9. APPLICATION OF HARBOURS ACT TO are usually determined in consultation with RussELL IsLAND LAND SALES the dairy company concerned. In cases of Mr. Burns, pursuant to notice, asked the excessive overcharging, the matter should Minister for Maritime Services and be referred to the Milk Board for investi­ Tourism- gation. Currently the board is investigat­ ing complaints from Sural and Stanthorpe. ( I) Do the provisions of the Harbours Act which apply to the disposal of fore­ shores, etc., and specifically state that, 11. IMPLEMENTATION OF BEEF except with the prior permission of the Governor in Council or unless permitted CLASSIFICATION by some Act, no land being land other Mr. Turner, pursuant to notice, asked the than Crown land lying below high water Minister for Primary Industries- mark shall be granted, sold, or otherwise As a Federal Government grant of transferred by any harbour board, local $50,000 is being made available for further authority or person whomsoever; and every manual beef carcass classification trials in contract or arrangement for the granting, Queensland, when will the much-needed sale or transferring otherwise of any such classification of beef be implemented in land shall, unless such grant, sale or other Queensland? transfer has been so permitted, so far as it relates to such grants, sale or other Answer:- transfer, be void and no effect shall be given thereto apply to sale of land at The Australian Agricultural Council at Russell Island? its recent meeting in New Zealand recom­ mended that a Federal Government grant (2) If not, why is this section not of $50,000 be made available to Queens­ applicable? land for further manual beef carcass 3690 Questions Upon Notice [28 MARCH 1979] Questions Without Notice

classification trials in this State. To date I Research Station is undertaking full-time have received no advice that the Federal research in Brazil. I will soon be seeking Government has approved such a grant approval for another experienced scientist but I expect to hear shortly. I anticipate attached to my Sir Alan Fletcher Research that it will take at least two years to Station to undertake investigation study complete these trials and to assess the and research into different aspects of costs and benefits. Carcass classification parthenium in North and South America. will therefore not proceed officially for at I am also arranging for another such least two years and probably longer. scientist to attend a forthcoming con­ vention in Canberra. In addition to this, my Sir Alan Fletcher Research Station is 12. UPGRADING OF CuNNAMULLA-\VYANDRA continually undertaking research work and RoAD study into parthenium. Mr. Turner, pursuant to notice, asked the I fully realise the problems associated Minister for Local Government and Main with parthenium in Queensland, particu­ Roads- larly ,in the Belyando Shire, and the hon­ (1) How much money is currently being ourable member can rest assured that all spent on the Cunnamulla-Wyandra road? aspects of containment and control of par­ (2) Will consideration be given to thenium and research into parthenium and increasing expenditure on this most import­ its containment and control are being ant highway? fully investigated. Activities within the confines of available resources and know­ Answer:- ledge are being carried out. (1 & 2) Up to 20 March this year expenditure in the current financial year 14. COUNTRY VISITS BY HEART DISEASE on three projects under way between Cun­ LECTURERS namulla and Wyandra on the Mitchell Mr. Lester, pursuant to notice, asked the Highway amounted to approximately Minister for Health- $800,000. The total value of the three As this week is devoted to advising the projects is in excess of $2,200,000, and community about heart disease, etc., will expenditure programmed for the full fin­ he arrange for lecture teams to visit ancial year is of the order of $1,100,000. It country areas, as most of these residents is clear that expenditure to date is pretty do not have ready access to specialists in well on target. this field? The needs of this highway are fully recognised and certainly consideration will Answer:- be given to increasing the rate of expendi­ ! am pleased to advise that quite detailed ture on the highway if additional funds programmes on various preventive aspects which I am seeking for the Main Roads of cardiac diseases are being actively Department for 1979-80 are forthcoming. undertaken by both the Division of Health Education and Information of my depart­ 13. PARTHENIUM WEED ERADICATION ment and the National Heart Foundation (Queensland Division). These programmes Mr. Lester, pursuant to notice, asked the are co-ordinated by these two specialist Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water educational groups so that all Queens­ Resources- landers, especially those in rural areas, As parthenium weed has again spread have ready access to information on pre­ alarmingly in the Belyando Shire, reducing ventive aspects of cardiac diseases and the carrying capacity of some properties such other relevant items as heart-lung from 1,000 head of cattle to 600 head of resuscitation procedures. cattle, will he give special consideration to further help for the shire and its people to fight this ever-spreading curse? QUES11IONS WITHOUT NOTICE Answer:- UNDERMINING OF LABOR HousE FouNDATIONS Within the confines of available Mr. AHERN: I ask the Premier: Has he resources, I, my Sir Alan Fletcher Research seen reports that the foundations of Labor Station and my Stock Routes and Rural House at Breakfast Creek have been under­ Lands Protection Board are doing all in mined, resulting in some parts of the building our powers to contain or control par­ falling into the drink? Are La:bor founda­ thenium and the spread of parthenium. tions in Queensland eroding and crumbling? The approaches adopted include not only the application of herbicides by spray Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: There is no treatment of infested areas and the prom­ doubt about that. They are indeed being ulgation of property management tech­ eroded, and they have 'been eroded for a niques but also scientific research and long time. The foundations of Labor House, studies into biological control and other just like Labor's policy, are on shaky grounds. means of control. An experienced scien­ Mr. R. J. Gibbs: You are the best eroded tist attached to the Sir Alan Fletcher relic in this House. Questions Without Notice [28 MARCH 1979] Committee of Privileges 3691

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! If the honourable system and to parents and citizens' associa­ member for Wolston interjects again, I will tions. I shall continue to do that as long name him under Standing Order 123A. as I am Minister for Education in the State of Queensland. I have no doubt that the policy of this Government wiii be to con­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Labor's policies tinue to support the independent school are unreliable and unstable, like the founda­ system, which we regard highly. tions of Labor House and, of course, the people of Queensland are aware of that. That My only advice to the parents and citizens' was demonstrated in the last election. The associations that are in receipt of this cir­ people do not trust the foundations on which cular is that they give very, very careful members opposite come before them as a consideration to it before they send off party and as an organisation. They are any of their valuable funds to assist that completely unreliable and completely unten­ organisation. able for the people of this State; that is quite clear. PROPOSED TOURIST INDUSTRY AUTHORITY Mr. JONES: In directing a question to FUNDING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS the Minister for Maritime Services and Mr. NEAL: I ask the Minister for Educa­ Tourism, I remind him that in answer to a tion: Is he aware of a circular letter for­ question by me on 13 September last he warded by the Council for Defence of listed the members of the ministerial advisory Government Schools, known as D.O.G.S., to committee. It is noted that no representative parents and citizens' associations throughout for the area north of Prosperpine was Queensland soliciting funds to assist it in appointed to that committee, nor did it its legal action against the Victorian State include any employees' representative or Government regarding the funding by that member of the Queensland Government State of independent schools? Will he indi­ Tourist Bureau. I now ask: With the setting cate to this House his attitude and the up of the new tourist industry authority or attitude of this Government to financial the tourist travel and promotions bureau, assistantce to independent schools in this whatever the body's title will be, will those State, and what recommendations can he anomalies be rectified? make to those p. and c. associations that received this circular letter? Mr. HODGES: This whole matter is pres­ ently before the Government, and when it has Mr. BIRD: I am aware of the circular that been cleared I will advise the honourable has gone out to parents and citizens' associa­ member. tions throughout the State from the Council for Defence of Government Schools, an organisation that is more commonly known as D.O.G.S. The circular was brought to my COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES attention first of all by some very irate parents Mr. K. J. HOOPER (Archerfield) having and citizens' associations that wrote to me, given notice of a question- and more recently by correspondence from parents and citizens' associations that has come to me by way of the local members of Mr. HINZE: I rise to a point of order. Parliament on this side of the House. Whilst This House is being used obviously in a I understand, to some extent, the concern manner that is most unbecoming in that a of this organisation, I believe that it is man's name is being slandered here. I refer perhaps ill-informed and not fully aware of to a candidate for election to the Gold Coast the important part that independent schools City C<;mncil. I put to you, Mr. Speaker, play in the education system right throughout that this could be detrimental to this man's the length and breadth of Australia. chances next Saturday. He has no chance to reply and I would ask you now if you This Government has always supported the would place that question in the hands of independent school system. As Minister for Education I say now that I will have no the Privileges Committee. hesitation at all in continuing to give that support to the independent school system in Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I have warned this State. I most certainly appreciate the members repeatedly, both publicly and other­ value of the independent school system in wise, about the degeneration of decorum in Queensland. Parents and citizens' associa­ the House and the need for authenticity of tions may rest assured that when I am information used. I have said repeatedly determining the amount of finance required that it is about time the Privileges Committee for education, not only in our own State looked into this matter. I firmly believe in, system in schools but also in the independent schools throughout Queensland, I will give and support, the report that was tabled full consideration to the needs of both yesterday. I am satisfied that many members systems. I ensure that as much money as of Parliament hide behind the mask or roof can be made available and is required for of Parliament and would not have the courage the State education system is given to the to say things outside that they say here. 3692 Committee of Privileges (28 MARCH 1979] Committee of Privileges

Honourable members must realise that, even Mr. K. J. HOOPER: Mr. Speaker, I think though some of the mud does not stick, it you owe me an apDlogy. certainly leaves a stain on a man's character. It behoves every member of this Parliament Mr. SPEAKER: Order! That will be the to make sure that allegations or accusations day when I apologise in this House-par­ are true, and that Parliament is not used ticularly to people of the character of the as a tool of trade to besmirch any individual. member for Archerfield in relation to some I point out to the Minister that it is entirely of these things. I make no bones about up to Parliament itself to handle the matter this. I said I was not sure. Somebody of referring the question to the Pr,ivileges tabled a document here the other day, and Committee. I agree entirely with the I said I did not know whether it was the Minister. We must realise that character honourable member. assassination can take place under privilege, without redress. It is about time that we A Government Member: It was Kruger looked at ourselves closely. who did it. Mr. SPEAKER: Who was it? Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I rise to a point of order. You accepted my question, Mr. A Government Member: Kruger. Speaker. All I am seeking is [nformation. Mr. SPEAKER: Yes. I will withdraw that. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The honourable The member for Murrumba was the gentle­ member will get the information in due man. course, if the Minister is prepared to give him an answer. Many honourable members Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I will accept your look up to the Press gallery to see whether apology. Thanks very much. they are getting the media on side with them. That is where the damage is done. I blame the media, too, for not carrying out their Mr. HINZE: I rise to a point of order. respDnsibilities in some matters. In some What actually occurred was that the honour­ ways it is like Romeo and Juliet! Honourable able member for Archerfield made some members can be seen looking up repeatedly damaging remarks about a company called as if to say, "Are we getting the message Cedar Lake and he attached my name to over?" That is the whole thing. The Press it. I tabled documents that proved con­ publish it, admittedly, simply because they clusively that :there was no relationship are looking for the smart operators, the whatsoever between me and that project; allegations and everything else to sell their so you were entirely correct in your state­ papers. But the damage is done, even ment, Mr. Speaker, and you should not though the reply is made tomorrow morning have to apologise. in relation to this matter. Mr. WRIGHT: I rise to a point of order. Somebody tabled a document here the In Standing Orders 68, 69 and 70 it is other day-and I think it was the member clearly stated that there shall be no debate for Archerfield who was responsible-that on questions asked in this House; yet we have was nothing but a tissue of lies. I think the Minister raising a debate on matters from memory it was the member for Archer­ raised in a question. field; I might be wrong. Anyway, somebody asked the question and the question was Mr. SPEAKER: Order! answered, I think by the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads, who tabled Mr. Bird: What are you seeking? Do you documents in this House that constituted an want to get away with anything? absolute refutation and denial of the claim in the question. This is what is going on. As I said before, members have only them­ Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I am in control of the House. There will be no debate on selves to blame. Many are not game to express these opinions outside as well as it. under this roof, where they are protected like the koala bear. REFERRAL OF QUESTIONS ASKED BY MEMBER FOR ARCHERFIELD Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I rise to a pDint of order again. What document did 'I table Mr. WARNER (Toowoomba South), by that was a tis~ue of lies? leave, without notice: I move- "That the matters referred to in the Mr. SPEAKER: I said that I did not notices of questions by the honourable know whether it was the honourable member member for Archerfield in relation to for Archerfield, but somebody tabled the Mr. Robert Walder be referred to the document. Select Committee of Privileges." Matters of Public Interest (28 MARCH 1979] Matters ofPublic Interest 3693

Question put; and the House divided­ revealed that preliminary investigations by his department into the official accounts showed AYES, 53 that in a two-year period the A.L.P. had Ahern Knox made nearly $14,000 out of this fraud while Akers Lane the Pensioners League received only $3,358. Arm strong Lester Austin Lickiss Since the Minister made his statement, more Bertoni Lockwood facts have come to my notice and I am Bird McKechnie now in a position to tell this House and the Bishop Miller Bjelke-Petersen Moore people of Queensland the full story behind Booth Muller this $100,000 fraud. Bourke Neal Cam m Newbery In 1970, the Australian Pensioners League, Dourn any Porter Edwards Powell in seeking funds for its excellent work among Elliott Row senior citizens, entered into an agreement Fraw!ey Scott-Young Gibbs, I. J. Simpson with the A.L.P. Under the terms of the Glasson Sullivan agreement, A.L.P. branches were to conduct Greenwood Tenni Gunn Tomkins lucky number booths at various locations in Gygar Turner Brisbane and the provincial cities. These Hartwig Warner Hewitt, N. T. E. Wharton stalls carried banners identifying them as Hinze White being in support of the Australian Pensioners Hodges Hooper, M. D. League, and no doubt most of the people who Innes Tellers: contributed to these lucky numbers thought Kaus Katter Kippin Scassola that the net proceeds would go to the Pensioners League. This was not the case, NoEs, 22 because the agreement was that 50 per cent Burns Scott of the gross taking would be spent on prizes, Casey Shaw D'Arcy Underwood 25 per cent would go to the A.L.P. branches Davis Vaughan conducting the stalls and 25 per cent would Fouras Warburton go to the Pensioners League. Mr. Gordon Gibbs, R. J. Wilson Hansen Yewdale O'Sullivan, the Finance Director of the Hooper, K. J. A.L.P., was placed in charge of the operation. Houston Jones Tellers: For five years, the A.L.P. conducted these Mackenroth Milliner Kruger stalls and pocketed the profits, in direct Prest Wright contravention of section 32 of the Art Unions and Amusements Act, sections 429 PAm: and 430 of the Criminal Code, and the Campbell Blake Trade Practices Act. ResoJved in the affirmative. A little over two years ago, people within Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted the A.L.P. became worried about the legality for questions has now expired. of the operation and it was decided that a buffer organisation should be set up to "launder" the money and thereby make the whole business a little less blatantly illegal­ MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST or at least cover up some of the growing TRANSFER OF AUSTRALIAN PENSIONERS LEAGUE smell. This organisation was called Queens­ FUNDS TO AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY land Volunteer Fund Raisers. It was a completely unregistered group, and the Attor­ Mr. GYGAR (Stafford) 12.5 p.m.): The ney-General's statement to the House has people of Queensland have a right to know already revealed that most of the cheques that Federal intervention in the affairs of drawn by this organisation were signed by the Queensland Branch of the Australia Gordon O'Sullivan (The Finance Director of Labor Party is imminent, not because of the A.L.P.) and Gerry Jones (The State political differences, not because of brawls Secretary of the A.L.P.). To put it bluntly, between Left and Right, but because in the this was a Labor Party front organisation next few days the police should complete run by some of the top A.L.P. officials in their investigation into a massive financial this State. Queensland Volunteer Fund scandal which reaches to the very top of the Raisers was not supposed to make a profit. A.L.P. in Queensland and which will almost The account was to be the clearing house for certainly result in criminal charges being the A.L.P. skim out of the Pensioners League laid against the Queensland President and operation. A.L.P. branches were supposed State Secretary of the Australian Labor to forward the gross proceeds of the stalls Party. to the Pensioners League which bought all prizes, paid all expenses, and then sent Parliament will remember that in Novem­ 25 per cent of the gross to Queensland ber last year, I gave details of the mechanism Volunteer Fund Raisers, which redistributed by which branches of the A.L.P. had fraudu­ lently operated lucky number stalls all over this money to the A.L.P. branches that Queensland under the banner of the Aus­ conducted the stalls. tralian Pensioners League. In a ministerial The system broke down in three ways. statement, the Attorney-General later Firstly, opportunists within the A.L.P. began 3694 Matters of Public Interest [28 MARCH 1979] Leave to Move Motion, &c. running phantom stalls, where the operators The situation became explosive at a Pen­ pocketed the entire proceeds and sent nothing sioners League executive meeting in June to the Pensioners League. 1978 when a former high league official threatened to report the whole matter to Opposition Members interjected. the Fraud Squad. He insisted that the min­ utes of that meeting record his objections Mr. GYGAR: Members opposite should to the way the A.L.P. was robbing the Pen­ wait for it; they will get the lot. sioners League. That is on record at the Pensioners League. Despite assurances Even more disgracefully, these phantom received from paid officials of the A.L.P., stalls-the most notorious of which, incident­ the Pensioners League had had enough and ally, operated in George Street, City-:-con­ in-- tinued to get their prizes from the Penswners League, which had to foot the Bill. LEAVE TO MOVE MOTION WITHOUT Secondly, Queensland Volunteer Fund NOTICE Raisers began to make a profit-the laundry service began to skim from the A.L.P. Mr. CASEY (Mackay-Leader of the branches. The Attorney-General's statement Opposition) (12.12 p.m.): I rise on a point demonstrated this when it showed that a of privi,lege. I draw attention to Standing considerable amount had been diverted from Order No. 46. In view of Mr. Speaker's this account to pay the bills at hotels and earlier ruling on this matter, and the resolu­ seafood merchants, and for other purposes. ,tion of the House earlier regarding the refer­ The Queensland Volunteer Fund Raisers ence of material to the Privileges Committee, account apparently became a slush fund for I believe that the matters now being raised the top officials of the A.L.P. in this State. by the honourable member for Stafford fit And remember that all of this money had in exactly with the suggestion that was made been donated by the people of Queensland, earlier. An implication is being made about thinking they were assisting the pensioners. and a slur is being cast on the character of Mr. R. J. Gibbs: What a disgusting thing a considerable number of people outside this House. I think the comments of the honour­ to say. able member for Stafford should be referred to the Privileges Committee, and I seek leave Mr. GYGAR: If the honourable gentleman of the House to move a motion without objects, he should read the Attorney-General's notice. statement again. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): Thirdly, Queensland Volunteer Fund Order! Standing Order No. 46 states- Raisers insisted that the Pensioners League "An urgent Motion, directly concern­ use its share of the profits to pay for the ing the privileges of the House, shall take prizes and every other expense associated precedence of other Motions as well as with the stalls. The end result was that in of Orders of the Day." the last two years the Pensioners League made only a little over $3,000-only 6.95 I am sorry but I cannot take the honour­ per cent of the gross, and again the Attorney­ able member's point of order under Standing General's statement demonstrates this-and Order No. 46. I have been given information that leads me to the conclusion that in the last year Mr. CASEY: Further on that point of the Pensioners League actually lost money privilege, Mr. Deputy Speaker-I did state because of the preva1ence of phantom stall quite clearly that I was taking this in accord­ activities. ance with earlier rulings made by Mr. Speaker In March 1978, the officials of the Pen­ in this House in relation to another matter sioners League were demanding a better deal that was raised earlier today, and also the from the A.L.P. The secretary, Jeff Goulett, resolution of the House. who is incidentally a prominent Communist, had complained to Gerry Jones on a number Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The of occasions and got absolutely no satisfac­ honourable member specifically referred to tion. He began telling Pensioners League Standing Order No. 46. I have just brought branches that the front organisation was to his attention the fact that Standing Order deliberately breaching the profit-splitting No. 46 does not cover the situation he is arrangement, and that the Pensioners League referring to. If he wishes to refer to what was being milked by the A.L.P. Negotiations Mr. Speaker has ruled, fair enough, but he with Gerry Jones and Gordon O'Sullivan should not cite Standing Order No. 46. proved fruitkss, and Jack Gerran, a defeated A.L.P. candidate in the last election and Mr. CASEY: Then I would direct vour presently the endorsed candidate for Wavell, attention to Standing Order No. 115, which became involved at a high level. I have states- been unable to discover what Gerran's "A Member may rise to speak to Order, involvement was, but if he was supposed or upon a matter of Privilege suddtmly to act as a peacemaker, he failed miserably. arising." Leave to Move Motion, &c. [28 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest 3695

This matter has now suddenly arisen, and NoEs, 51 it does correspond with other matters raised Ahern Lee and discussed in this House earlier. In accord­ Akers Lester Arm strong Lickiss ance with the Standing Rules and Orders Bertoni Lockwood of this Parliament, I therefore seek leave Bird McKechnie to move a motion without notice. Bishop Moo re Bjelke-Petersen Muller Booth Ne a! Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Standing Order Bourke Newbery No. 115 states- Cam m Porter Doumany Powell "A Member may rise to speak to Edwards Row Elliott Scassola Order, or upon a matter of Privilege sud­ Frawley Scott-Young denly arising." Gibbs, I. J. Shnpsa,:~ Glasson Sullivan I can see no matter of privilege arising. Greenwood Tenni Gunn Tomkins This matter has been brought before this Gygar Turner House on two occasions in the past that I Hartwig Warner can recall. A question about it was asked Hinze Wharton Hedges White of the Minister for Justice and Attorney­ Hooper, M. D. General, and the matter is being investigated. Kaus Tellers: I cannot see how it is a matter of privilege. Kippin Knox Austin Lane Katter Mr. CASEY: Again I would draw atten­ tion to the fact that the honourable mem­ PAIR: ber for Stafford has in exactly the same B!ake Campbell way named several people in the currency of his speech in this House. He has cast Resolved in the negative. certain slurs, made certain innuendoes, and stated gross untruths. I therefore feel that the matter should be referred to the Privi­ MATIERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST leges Committee. All I am doing is seeking leave of the House to move a motion without RESUMPTION OF DEBATE notice that this matter be referred to the Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): Privileges Committee. Order! It is my intention to allow the honourable member for Stafford an extra Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! If the seven minutes, the time taken for the ringing Leader of the Opposition had stated that in of the bells. I believe he is entitled to the first place instead of quoting Standing seven minutes, and I so order. Orders-in which he was completely wrong­ I could have put the question to the House. Mr. GYGAR: I thank you for your indulg­ He quoted Standing Order 46. ence. I will not be using the full seven minutes. Mr. CASEY: That relates to the matter of privilege that I am discussing. I therefore Mr. WRIGHT: I tise to a point of order. again seek the leave of the House to move a On the t~me guide that we use in this House, motion without notice. at the time of the division being called the honourable member had three minutes left. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will put the I would ask you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to question to the House. reconsider this matter. How can he 'be allowed 14 minutes in a debate consisting Mr. GYGAR: I rise to a point of order. of 10-minute speeches? Surely the Leader of the Opposition has to Mr. GYGAR: I will not require more seek leave to move the motion. than three minutes, and in order to clear this matter up, 'I would be quite happy to Mr. CASEY: That is what I have done, accept a ruling along that line. Mr. Deputy Speaker. I seek the leave of the House to move a motion without notice. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! It has Question-That leave be granted to move been pointed out to me that ii made a a motion without notice-put; and the House mistake in the time. H that is the under­ divided- standing of the House, I accept the point that has been made and I rule accordingly. AYES, 22 The honourable member will have three Burns Shaw minutes. Casey Underwood Davis Vaughan Mr. GYGAR: I thank you very much for Fouras Warburton your indulgence, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Gibbs, R. J. Wilson Hansen Wright Despite assurances received from the paid Houston Yewdale Jones officers of the A.L.P., the Pensioners League Kruger had had enough, and .in October 1978 Goulett Mackenrotb Tellers: terminated the agreement and insisted that Milliner Prest Hooper, K. J. the Labor Party stop running stalls under Scott D'Arcy the league's name. It was this that led to 3696 Matters of Public Interest [28 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest

Gordon O'Sullivan writing the letter that to say that the review would be completed I tabled in this House on 23 November before 1 July and that whether the cheaper last year. In that letter, O'Sullivan admitted electricity generated by Gladstone Power that the A.L.P. was running these stalls Station would be enough to offset other cost and making a profit, which was distributed increases remained to be seen. to Labor branches. To refresh the memory I believe the Government is softening up of honourable members, I again table that electricity consumers in this State, par­ letter. ticularly domestic consumers in South-east Whereupon the honourable member laid Queensland, for another huge increase in the letter on the table. their electricity bills. I repeat that I do not Following the unmasking of this fraud believe there is any justification for increases in the Parliament, panic ran through the in electricity charges this year. upper echelons of the A.L.P. They knew In support of my contentions, I want to that the amount involved could be as refer to some events in recent years. In high as $100,000 and that criminal charges November 1976, we saw the introduction of could result. It is alleged in a document the Electricity Act, which the Minister at currently circulating in the A.L.P. that the time described as a dividend v,hich would the State president, Tom Burton, and State repay Brisbane people handsomely and secretary, Gerry Jones, had Mr. Terry under which the Government took over the Mellifont, a well-known solicitor, member efficient Brisbane City Council Department of the A.L.P. State administrative com­ of Electricity and amalgamated it with the mittee, and candidate in next Saturday's Southern Electric Authority to form the B.C.C. election draft a document that sought South East Queensland Electricity Board. I to absolve them from any criminal liability revert to the Minister's statement that it for what had occurred. The document was would be "a dividend which would repay designed to be signed by Gordon O'Sullivan Brisbane people handsomely." Their dividend and effectively would have had O'Sullivan last year was an 18 per cent hike in electri­ admitting full liability and accepting all the city tariffs. blame for everything that happened. It is That take-over of the Brisbane City well known within the A.L.P. that O'Sullivan Council Department of Electricity gave the refused to sign. The Mellifont plan was a Government access to 38 per cent of the failure and Burton, Jones and others are State's electricity consumers who, under the still on the hook. Brisbane City Council, were paying much Federal intervention in the State A.L.P. less for their electricity than people in is inevitable. The Breakfast Creek gang, the areas of the State supplied by the less­ present clique at the top, have not only efficient regional electricity boards. robbed defenceless old pensioners; they have also robbed their own branches to set up an Whilst one of the stated aims of the executive slush fund and the president, reorganisation of the electrical industry was State secretary and others face the prospect the equalisation of tariffs, the main aim was of criminal charges because of their dis­ to achieve a higher level of total industry honest, disgusting and criminal activities. self-financing because loan funds for pro­ jected capital expansion would most probably The Attorney-General must act as quickly not be available. That statement appeared in as possible to lay charges against the the rationalisation committee's second report individuals responsible for this scandal so that to the Government several years ago. they may be brought to justice with minimal delay. By taking over the Brisbane City Council Department of Electricity, and because the electric authorities' revenue is almost totally ELECTRICITY TA RIFFS obtained from retail tariffs, the Government Mr. VAUGHAN (Nudgee) (12.32 p.m.): was then able to proceed to increase the Today I wish to speak about the fore­ tariffs for Brisbane's domestic consumers shadowed increases in electricity charges. I under the guise of equalisation of tariffs wish to say right at the outset that I throughout the State, and thus add millions sincerely believe there should not be any of dollars to Government revenue to pay for increases in electricity tariffs this year, par­ electricity development. ticularly for the domestic consumer. In my It is interesting to note that in the second­ view, if domestic electricity tariffs are reading debate on the Electricity Bill the increased it will be nothing more than Minister indicated that equalisation of another sectional State tax on householders. electricity tariffs would mean increases in In the Press on Sunday, 28 January this electricity charges of no more than 1 per year, electricity tariffs were tipped to rise cent a year over a period of more than 10 by 10 per cent from 1 July. This announce­ years. (See "Hansard" Vol. 272, p. 1586). ment was followed by a statement by the The fact of the matter is that that informa­ Minister for Mines, Energy and Police on tion was given in reply to a question asked Tuesday, 20 February, that a review of by you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this House electricity charges was made every year. The on that day. Minister qualified his remarks by adding that Despite a recommendation from the State this did not mean that every year there Electricity Commission that electricity tarrifs would be automatic increases. He went on be increased by 10 per cent for Brisbane Matters of Public Interest [28 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest 3697

consumers and 7 per cent for those in the as recommended. I do not believe that rest of the State, on Tuesday, 5 July 1977, domestic consumers should have to bear State Cabinet decided there would be no this burden. rises in electricity charges in Queensland in It is gross hypocrisy for the Government 1977. However, on Tuesday, 28 February to claim, and in fact boast, that the people 1978, three months after the State elections, of Queensland pay the lowest tax per head the State Electricity Commissioner, Mr. of population in Australia when there are Murray, announced new electricity tariff so many hidden taxes such as this. By structures that were to mean increases of imposing a tax on domestic electricity con­ 18 per cent and more for Brisbane's domestic sumers, the Government is hitting low­ electricity consumers whose hot water tariffs mcome earners, including pensioners and were in fact increased by 20 per cent. This others on fixed incomes. huge increase more than made up for any "loss" the Government sustained by not The honourable member for Stafford was increasing tariffs in July 1977, as recom­ very concerned about pensioners being ripped mended by the State Electricity Commission. off. I say that if the Government increases A check of newspaper reports at the time electricity tariffs this year the pensioners of reveals that the S.E.Q.E.B. figures showed this State will in this way be ripped off by that the average bill for a Brisbane con­ this Government. We in this Chamber are sumer with a controlled hot water system, well aware that the Government will not was $41.79. Without a controlled hot water grant to pensioners any rebate on electricity system, the consumer's bill was $49.44, while accounts. The Brisbane City Council gives in the S.E.A.Q. area the average bill was rate rebates and cut-rate bus fares to pen­ $50.61. sioners, in addition to rebates on water and sewerage charges. Telecom, which is a While it was announced that the increases Federal Government department, gives pen­ were to apply from 1 April in the S.E.Q.E.B. sioners cheap phone rentals. All this Govern­ area and 1 July in the rest of the State, in ment does is slug pensioners, along with other fact the new tariffs were applied to elec­ low-income earners. tricity accounts sent out on and from those I hark back to a question asked of the dates. As a result, thousands of consumers Minister for Mines, Energy and Police by actually paid the higher charges from mid­ the honourable member for Chatsworth and December 1977. As ,I read the Queensland the answer he received. They read- Government Gazette dated 4 March 1978, Queensland Electricity Generating Board "As many pensioners can no longer bulk supply charges-that is, the charges to afford to pay their electricity accounts, the distribution boards-did not increase will he investigate the introduction of a until after 1 July 1978. So we had the system of rebates for pensioners? people in South-east Queensland supplied by Answer:- the S.E.Q.E.B. paying higher electricity This matter has been considered by the tariffs from as far back as December 1977. State Electricity Commission of Queensland If the Government increases electricity on a number of occasions. However, the tariffs at all this year, let alone by 10 per position in Queensland is that the relevant cent as foreshadowed, it will be nothing legislation does not allow discrimination more than another rip off of Queensland's in electricity charges to consumers whose electricity consumers in general and domestic usage falls into the same tariff classifica­ consumers in particular, even more par­ tion. Whilst I am most sympathetic to ticularly those in the Brisbane metropolitan the difficulties experienced by pensioners area. Jn its .first year of operation since and will always do what I can to improve the rationalisation of the industry from 1 their conditions, I suggest that the granting July 1977, the S.E.Q.E.B., which supplies of concessions in electricity charges, which 58 per cent of the people of Queensland, involves electricity authorities in discrimina­ had an operating profit of $21,400,000 after tion between consumers according to their paying the Q.E.G.B. $115,100,000 for bulk means, does not appear to offer a prac­ electricity. It must also be remembered ticable way of achieving this." that the 18 per cent increase in tariffs only There is discrimination already. As I applied in the latter six months of the year. understand the position, the big combines According to the S.E.Q.E.B. annual report, get their electricity at a price that is less half the income from increased tariffs last than the cost of production. year was required to fund capital works. Another reason why there should be no What the Government is doing is virtually increases in electricity tariffs is that the taxing domestic electricity consumers to Gladstone Power Station, which can produce finance electricity development in this State. power at less than half the cost of the I note that last year Mr. Murray, the State's older coal-fired power stations, is State Electricity Commissioner, hinted that now able to supply 60 per cent of the State's there might be further increases after this electric power needs. The older power stations financial year to finance the Tarong Power at Swanbank, Tennyson and Bulimba will now Station which, according to the State Elec­ virtually be back-up stations for the next tricity Commission, will cost the people of few years until demand increases again prior Queensland $259,000,000 more than if the to Tarong Power Station coming on line in power-station had been built at Millmerran the mid-1980s. 3698 Matters of Public Interest [28 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest

If the Government must raise funds for did not result in a victory for either side. capital works in the electricity industry, it I would not be prepared to make a stronger should revise the generous concessions it statement than that. That was the only has given in the area of industrial tariffs, statement that the member for Nudgee particularly where large quantities of elec­ made in his entire speech about increases in tricity are involved, instead of taxing the the price of electricity in Queensland. How­ ordinary householder and fleecing the pen­ ever, I suspect that he was questioning the sioner. Besides being required to fund capi­ equalisation of tariffs throughout the State tal works, domestic consumers are also of Queensland. subsidising the large consumers. We have witnessed the hypocrisy of the In conclusion, I repeat that I sincerely leader of the A.L.P., who comes from North believe that there should not be any increases Queensland. He is supposedly a great advo­ in electricity tariffs this year. The 18 per cate for North Queensland. However, in this cent increase last year added over $8 to the House in the last five or six months he average Brisbane consumer's quarterly voted against a proposal that dramatically account. A further increase this year-one affects North Queensland, where electricity has been predicted-will add another $5 to tariffs are so much higher than they are in $6. the rest of Queensland. Of course, our I would point out that in July 1977 I power in North Queensland is, in the main, predicted that, because the Government supplied by the hydroelectric scheme, which needed funds for electricity development, costs us virtually nothing. Brisbane consumers would be paying 60 per Mr. Vaughan: Rubbish! cent more for their electricity within the next five years. If tariffs are increased by Mr. KATTER: That is not rubbish. The a further 10 per cent this year, my predic­ hydroelectric stations in North Queensland tion is well on the way to becoming a reality. produce nearly 200 MW, and the other As I understand the position, the Govern­ 200 MW come from the Collinsville Power ment proposes to take over the Brisbane City Station. Council's water supply operation. If the Mr. Scott: You wouldn't know. Government takes over the water supply operation, Brisbane consumers can expect to Mr. KATTER: It so happens that I have pay much higher rates for their water. expert knowledge in this particular area. (Time expired.) The supposed Leader of the Opposition­ the temporary Leader of the Opposition­ voted in this House not once but again, again ELECTRICITY SUPPLY; RECYCLING OF CANS and again to defeat the proposal by this Gov­ AND BOTTLES ernment, which was the most significant advance ever in decentralisation in Queens­ Mr. I(ATTER (Flinders) (12.42 p.m.): I land. The interjections, it will be noted, are could not begin my speech without making coming from the hypocritical white engineer some reference to the remarks of the mem­ from Cairns, who represents the electorate of ber for Nudgee. I am amazed at just how Cook, and it must be a standing shame weak the Opposition in this House is. It to all the people of North Queensland-- is very embarrassing for a number of Govern­ ment members to be constantly attacking Mr. SCOTT: I rise to a point of order. I their own Government. The job that the strongly object to that racist remark by the Opposition does in any Parliament anywhere honourable member, in calling me a "white else in the world is simply not being done engineer". I ask that it be withdrawn and by this Opposition. Therefore, it has to be that the honourable member apologise. done by Government members, which is a most unfortunate and peculiar set of cir­ Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): cumstances. Order! I ask the honourable member to with­ draw the words and apologise. The member for Nudgee did not make one single point in his whole speech. I agree Mr. KATTER: I can understand why with what the Minister for Survey and Valua­ the member feels so sensitive on this issue. tion said about the Opposition's attack the other day concerning land sales in the State Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The of Queensland. I intended to note the points honourable member will withdraw the words made by Opposition members in that debate, without equivocation. but at the end of the debate I had a Mr. KATTER: I withdraw them. I can blank sheet of paper in front of me. With understand his strong sentiments along these the exception of one small statement made lines. by the member for Rockhampton, the case put forward by Opposition members did not Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The honourable require an answer. In his speech today the member for Cook has asked for a withdrawal member for Nudgee made one significant and an apology. statement concerning the Tarong-Millmerran debate. Arguments were put by both sides Mr. KATTER: I withdraw and apologise. in that debate. After reading the arguments I apologise because I can understand his of both sides, persons like me would have sensitivity on this particular issue, and how to say that the debate was evenly divided; it embarrassed he is by the subject being raised. Matters of Public Interest [28 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest 3699

On four occasions in this House I have had I again turn to ,the subject of recycling to raise matters affecting the Gulf and of cans. I will have to ignore the inter­ Peninsula areas which not once had been jections. I have something positive to say, raised by that fellow. He does not seem and I want to say it. to understand that there are beef cattle and Mr. Fouras: You could have fooled us. white people in his electorate. Mr. KATTER: I'll have to take another Mr. Vaughan interjected. one. The other day 300 people attended a function in the honourable member's area, Mr. KATTER: I don't know what the most of them with the honourable member's honourable member for Nudgee is saying. background. I don't think he is going very The pathetic weakness of ,the A.L.P. Opposi­ well in his electorate. I have never seen tion in Queensland is now a matter of record. such a huge gathering in an A.L.P. elector­ I wish to turn now to what I originally ate. I don't like his chances at the next elec­ wanted to speak about today, namely, the tion. When he learns the name of the candi­ recycling of cans and bottles in Queensland. date we wTil be running against him, he will Mr. Scott: What about the recycling of like his chances a lot less. He had better be very nice to the Minister for Primary Indus­ camel drivers? tries because he will be going back to him and Mr. KATTER: There is a very interest­ asking for a job very soon. ing statement. He shouted out something When a person buys a can of soft drink about camel drivers. That is some sort of for between 20 and 30c he is paying 8c for reflection upon my ethnic background. It the aluminium can itself. It is very difficult indicates what a racist that particular person to get the figure, but it is estimated that a is. steel can costs between 8 and llc. The Federal inquiry on this matter put a figure Mr. Scott interjected. of llc on an empty steel can. As the can is simply thrown away, that means a straight Mr. KATTER: There it is for the record. cost escalation or inflationary factor built He just said, "Go back to your camels." into the soft-drink industry in Queensland. That is a reference to the Middle East and I don't want to get on to the subject of beer, my ethnic background. The black people in which is another issue altogether. In the his area know of his deep-down sentiments. soft-drink industry, an inflationary factor There it was revealed for all of Queensland of almost 30 per cent is built into nearly to hear. every single unit sold. That is a most unsatis­ Mr. Scott interjected. factory state of affairs. If a Government can act to cut down on the cost of an item Mr. I\:ATTER: The honourable member by 30 per cent, it should so act. makes constant remarks about Aborigines. The introduction of a simple deposit He talks about them constantly in the House. system on soft-drink bottles and cans, or a In my area, I don't have to talk about them; tax on them-whichever expression is pre­ they know I look after them and do the right ferred-would almost certainly result in a thing by them. The honourable member complete recycling system in the soft-drink does it because deep down inside he does industry in Queensland. I would suggest not think that way, and he has to mention that 50 per cent of the cans sold and nearly them continually to placate his conscience. 90 per cent of the bottles sold would be I will move on to the subject of recycling recycled. The immediate result would be of cans in Queensland. threefold. First, there would be a saving of 30 per cent on every single item sold­ Mr. Wilson interjected. surely a wonderful thing in itself. Second, the State would be a cleaner place in which Mr. KATTER: We know the honourable to live and parents who take their children member's reputation. He came from Charters to picnic spots would no longer be forced to Towers. The people in Charters Towers pick them up and carry them over ground constantly ask me, "Is that really the fellow littered with rip-off tops, rusty cans and who was here?" They will not believe me; broken bottles. That situai'ion would no I cannot convince them. They say, "How longer exist here, as it no longer exists in could a fellow with such a total lack of American States such as Oregon. intelligence ever get into the State House?" I would like the people of Charters Towers Mr. Davis: It does. to know as a matter of record that he is the Mr. KATTER: It does not. I refer the same man. Believe it or not, he managed honourable member to the findings of the to get an A.L.P. endorsement for a seat. United Nations committee of inquiry into Mr. Wilson: I will deal with you in this matter. The third result would be that, Flinders next election. although people would still throw away bottles and cans-nearly 6,000 bottles and Mr. KATTER: I strongly recommend that cans were picked up by the younger set of he come up and support the A.L.P. candidate the Q.C.W.A. along one mi,le of highway in the city of Charters Towers. As long outside Charters Towers-the number dis­ as the electors know he is supporting him, carded would be greatly reduced. I will be a lot safer than I was last time. (Time expired.) 3700 Matters of Public Interest [28 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest

CHIROPRACTORS led to the process of immunisation and the disappearance from this earth, except Dr. SCOTT-YOUNG (Townsville) (12.52 in the most backward countries, of dreaded p.m.): Ever since man appeared on earth, he diseases such as poliomyelitis, typhoid fever, has participated in a never-ending search for scarlet fever, smallpox and diphtheria. the logical basis of health and the causation of disease and death. These factors have been The men associated with these remarkable shrouded over the centuries by ignorance and changes and advances were Salk, Schick and lack of scientifically applied investigation and Louis Pasteur, to name just a few. They research. This period extended from before were men of deep scientific training, the golden age of Indian medicine of 800 dedicated to relieving man's suffering rather B.C. to 1000 A.D., during which era lived than making a quick dollar, such as the gre.1t thinkers such as the physician Karaka chiropractor is now d

What a Jot of absolute rubbish! He also even manipulate for haemorrhoids!), 50 said- manipulations; high blood pressure, 32 man­ "The other 5 per cent is caused by ipulations; jaundice (which can be caused by displaced bones other than those of the numerous diseases, none of which is assoc­ vertebral column, more especially those iated with the spine), 84 manipulations; men­ of the tarsus (the foot), metatarsus (the strual disorders (it would be very interesting hand), phalanges (the fingers), which by to some girls today to know that they can their displacement, are the cause of be manipulated to be cured of their men­ bunions and corns." strual disorders), 33 manipulations; palsy (a paralysis, which ranges from paraplegia to He jumped from diseases to bunions and cerebral haemorrhage), 63 manipulations; corns. Parkinson's disease, 57 manipulations; acute I consider, and everyone else considers, that and chronic polio, 34 and 51 manipulations this is absolute rubbish. It has been proved respectively; and prostate trouble for old by scientists to be rubbish. Palmer was men, which it is claimed can be cured with a completely uneducated man without any 42.9 manipulations. scientific background or training. He would Cancer do~<; not appear in this list but, in not even know tissue if he saw it. Palmer the survey in 1963 made for the American was a man who possessed a certain ability Chiropractic Association, seven per cent of for salesmanship, and he had a crude know­ chiropractors said they had treated cancer ledge of hypnosis that he used to his financial and eight per cent said that they had treated advantage. His son, B. J. Palmer, was leukaemia. They are nothing but licensed also an uneducated man, but he was also murderers, because not one of those diseases a typical American businessman who eventu­ can be cured by manipulation. Arthritis ally assumed control of the Palmer school may be improved, but not one of them can of chiropractic. B. J. Palmer, the son, be cured. Yet a Bill for chiropractors' reg­ once said- istration is to be proposed to ,this House-a "Our school is on a business basis, not Bill on which members will be asked to vote. a professional basis. The world is your cow, you do the milking. To enter the (Time expired.) school, there is no need for qualifications." [S1ltting suspended from 1.2 to 2.15 p.m.] In 1952, when asked about the principal functions of the spine, he replied- "!. To support the head; SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 2. To support the ribs; and 3. To support the chiropractor." LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS BILL He was a very good businessman. Hon. R. .J. HINZE (South Coast-Min­ ister for Local Government and Main Roads), B. J. Palmer died of cancer of the colon. by leave, without notice: I move- However, it is most interesting to note that "That so much of the Standing Orders during all his illnesses he always went to be suspended as would otherwise prevent a registered medical practitioner. He died the immediate initiation in Committee of a multi-millionaire at the age of 79. The the Whole House of a Bill intituled a Bill school was taken over by his son, Daniel to provide with respect to the validity of David Palmer. Under David's control, the the triennial elections of local authorities school was changed to a college. It pros­ appointed to be held on Saturday, 31 pered, and chiropractic spread throughout the March 1979; and the passing of such Bill United States. It soon owned T.V. stations through all its stages in one day." and radio networks. In 1965, its assets were estimated at $US25,000,000. By its pressure, Motion agreed to. advertising and graft, it soon had the legisla­ tion of the American States tied up, despite the objections of the American Medical LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS BILL Association and other scientific bodies and their demonstrations of its unscientific INITIATION IN COMMITTEE approach to medicine and the treatment of (The Acting Chairman of Committees, disease. At the present time, Louisiana and Mr. Miller, Ithaca, in the chair) Mississippi are the only States that refuse to issue licences and that have not fallen Hon. R. .J, HINZE (South Coast~Min­ for the repeated attacks through the courts ister for Local Government and Main Roads) and legislatures by the chiropractic lobby. (2.16 p.m.): I move- "That ,a Bill be introduced to provide Although chiropractors say that they treat with respect to the validity of the trien­ only the spine, this is the list of diseases laid nial elections of local authorities appointed down in the chiropractic manual. They treat to be held on Saturday, 31 March 1979." acne, which requires 28.2 manipulations; angina pectoris, which is a deadly disease, 32; This is a short measure, the sole purpose of appendicitis, acute or chronic, 22 manipula­ which is to validate certain matters in tions; ~rthrit_is, 49 manipulations; diabetes, relation to the triennial elections to be held 51 mampulatwns; epilepsy, 76 manipulations; throughout the State next Saturday, 31 goitre, 43 manipulations; haemorrhoids (they March 1979. 3702 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

As members will no doubt be aware in the future, State general rolls will close on the case of elections held in the city of 31 December in each year and, where that Brisbane and in other local authorities day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public throughout the State, both the Local Gov­ holiday, any enrolment that was not regis­ ernment Act and the City of Brisbane Act tered prior to 31 December will not be provide for voting at those elections by per­ included on the general roll compiled to that sons who are enrolled on voters' rolls corn, date. piled from the relevant State electoral rolls It will be obvious to all honourable mem­ in force as at 31 December in the year bers that the Bill introduces no new policy immediately preceding the year in which the with regard to the conduct of elections. It election is to be held. is designed merely to provide, in what I Where 31 December in any year falls on consider to be a reasonable way, for the a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the correction of a legal technicality which has State Electoral Office has for many years, arisen at this late hour in relation to the acting on legal advice, included on the annual 1979 elections. ,I can assure all honourable rolls persons who were enrolled on the next members that there are no tricks and I now working day. In 1978, 31 December fell commend the Bill to the Committee. on a Sunday and, in accordance with this practice, the State Electoral Office, in pre­ Mr. PREST (Port Curtis) (2.21 p.m.): It paring annual rolls for use at the 1979 local is unbelieveable that this type of validating authority elections, included !hereon the legislation should have to be introduced into names of persons whose applications for this Chamber 2! days prior to the election enrolment had been received up to 2 January that it will affect. We on this side of the 1979-that is, the first working day after Chamber do not wish to be difficult in 31 December 1978. Recent legal advice is relation to this matter or hard on the to the effect, however, that this procedure is Minister. We believe that he is in his final incorrect and that only those persons who days as Minister for Local Government and were in fact on the roll on 31 December 1978 it could be that in his final moments-- are entitled to vote for the area for which they are so enrolled. Mr. HINZE: I rise to a point of order. The honourable member appears to be taking There are some 1,280 electors who are advantage of the Committee to come out affected in that they were enrolled on with some cock-and-bull story that has been 2 January 1979 and appeared on the annual circulating for some unknown reason. I can roll for the area concerned compiled at 31 assure the honourable member that I intend December 1978. Unless the situation is to stay-- corrected, the names of these persons will have to be removed from the roll on which The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! Does they were enrolled at 2 January and included the Minister find the words offensive? on the roll for which they were previously registered. The elections are now less than Mr. HINZE: I do. They are certainly one week away and there is insufficient time offensive and I ask that they be withdrawn for the necessary alterations to be made. and that the honourable member apologise. A considerable number of local authority elections in country areas are conducted Mr. PREST: I withdraw the remarks and entirely by postal ballot and, in these cases, I apologise; nevertheless, one must realise-- 'it could be that electors involved may have The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Without already voted. It could also be that a person equivocation, please. enrolled on 2 January 1979 could have been nominated as a candidate for election for Mr. PREST: I withdraw, Mr. Miller. the area in respect of which he was so enrolled. The ACTING CHAIRMAN: And apologise. The intention is, therefore, to provide that any of the 1979 triennial elections to be Mr. PREST: Yes. held throughout the State on 31 March 1979 will not be capable of challenge on the The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Without grounds that the voter's roll used at that equivocation. election was compiled up to 2 January 1979 instead of 31 December 1978, as required Mr. PREST: Without equivocation. by Jaw. Similarly, no challenge will lie We have been told that by July there will in respect of a nomination received from a be changes in the Cabinet. It has been said candidate enrolled on a voters' roll on 2 that some of the older Ministers are the January 1979, or in respect of a vote cast ones who are having the skids put under by a person enrolled on a voters' roll on them. In his younger days, the Minister was that date. a very good member of his local authority, The BiU also provides that no challenge but he has not shown the same capacity in wiil be available generally with regard to the the portfolio of Local Government under his conduct of elections on account of any of control. these matters. The Bill will only have I have been a member of Parliament for application in respect of the local authority under three vears and this is the fourth elections to be held on 31 March 1979. In occasion in that period on which the Minister Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3703

for Local Government has introduced We in the Opposition are concerned about validating legislation to protect someone on the change in legal opinion. What has been that side of the Chamber or to correct faults wrong with the Crown Law Office in prev­ that have occurred from time to time in his ious years in that this situation has not been department. I will mention those occasions. drawn to the attention of the department One concerned the former member for Cook and the Minister. If it has been good enough (Mr. Deeral). Another related to the Miriam over past years for perhaps dozens of elec­ Vale Shire. Another dealt with the Albert tions, why is it not good enough this time? Shire and now we have this validating Bill. We are concerned about this legislation because we have been given information Mr. Tenni: That is only three. suggesting that it is being introduced only to protect some supporter of the National Mr. PREST: This is the fourth. The or Liberal Parties. We do not deny that honourable member would not know. He everyone is entitled to a vote. should have been here yesterady to protect It was only during the last session that his Aborigines and give them some form of certain sections of the Local Government protection from the Minister for Aboriginal Act were amended to give some form of and Island Affairs. protection to members of the National Party We would like to know why, at this late wishing to stand in this forthcoming trien­ stage, there are 1,277 electors who applied nial election. We have no uniformity in {he for enrolment throughout the State whose voting system in spite of the many different applications were not dealt with prior to types of elections that are held. On some 31 December. They were held over and occasions the Minister has said that he will dealt with on 2 January 1979, just two days allow the people to vote and elect their too late. It may be that there has been a own mayor, yet on other occasions he says genuine mistake that needs to be corrected, that the mayor must be elected on a vote but why were there so many late applica­ of only those aldermen or councillors who tions? I am certain that what we are doing have been elected by the people. As I said, today is giving some form of protection for we have no uniformity and I am quite cer­ some member on the Government side or tain that this validating legislation is being some supporter of the Government side, introduced to protect someone who supports and that cannot be denied. On our informa­ those on the Government side. tion, this validating legislation has been The time of this Chamber has been wasted brought before us for that reason. The State during this session of Parliament, and it was electoral rolls are in a deplorable condition, wasted during the previous session of Parlia­ just as they were when the last State elec­ ment. The cause for this wasted time must tions were held. Yesterday I was given sit fairly and squarely on the shoulders of figures showing that at 31 December 1978 the members of Cabinet and of members on the number of electors on the State roll was the other side of the Chamber. As I have 1,221,386 while the number on the Federal stated previously, if the Premier and the roll was 1,271,761, a difference of some Deputy Premier had put into Cabinet men 50,375. Why is this situation allowed to who were cleanskins, the time of this continue? Chamber would not have been wasted in our asking questions of Ministers about their Mr. Akers: Federal elections are bigger. actions inside this Chamber and, in parti­ cular, outside it. We should be more con­ Mr. PREST: That is the honourable cerned about using the time available to us member's stupid opinion, and he can just to introduce legislation to clear up Acts stick with it. The Federal Government and to get on with the business of the Par­ might pull the wool over his eyes, but it is liament. Instead, just 2-! days before an not going to do it to us. We believe this election, validating legislation is being intro­ great difference in the State and Federal duced for a cover-up. figures needs an explanation. Someone from the State Electoral Office must see that We on this side of the Chamber have to these figures are brought more into line. put up with some of the criticism and Here we see that there are 50,000 people ridicule that is levelled at the Government on the Federal roll who are not on the State because of the way in which it conducts roll and yet today we are worried about 1,277. this Parliament. We will be criticised again We on this side believe that it is the dem­ on this occasion when we go out and tell the ocratic right of the people to be allowed to public of this validating legislation at this vote, but today we are questioning why this late stage, just 2! days before an election. legislation has to be introduced at such a Because of the attitude that the Minister late stage-as I said, just two and a half adopts towards his portfolio, we find that he days prior to the election. We understand, has not the time to do what he is doing and I am quite certain that the Minister both inside and outside this Parliament. He should, too, that 31 December has on more is interested more in his activities outside than one occasion fallen on a Sunday. This the Parliament than in his portfolio or in situation has been allowed to continue for the administration of the department under years, and yet on this occasion validating his control. legislation is being introduced for some reason that has not been explained. Mr. Burns interjected. 3704 Local Authorities (28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

Mr. PREST: That is very true, too. charges amounting to many thousands of Many other areas within the Electoral dollars. Why wouldn't the council want him Act should be looked at. It was only last to be returning officer? It took no action week that I read in the Press an article against him. It didn't have the intestinal written by a professor, in which he expressed fortitude to take any action against him. It the concern that he felt about appointing let him run along. That town clerk would town clerks as returning officers. I agree want that council returned. with what the professor said. What would happen to, say, a railwayman One matter that concerns me is that a or a person in private enterprise when that town clerk, who has been responsible for sort of thing occurred? He would be reduced running a city council, was mentioned in in office or sacked. A railwayman would the Auditor-General's report on that council probably be fined very heavily. because he was not doing his job effectively Mr. Wright: Not if you were in this. or efficiently. I read from page 15 of the Cabinet though. Auditor-General's report for the period 1 July 1976 to 10 February 1978- Mr. PREST: No. That is the way the "It is the function of the town clerk as National Party operates. As long as a person the chief executive officer of the council is incompetent, he has a job for life. to be responsible for the accurate assess­ I will tell the Minister the full story about ment and levy of revenue, the safekeeping the appointment of the town clerk. When and accounting for moneys received, he, Mr. Swenson, was mayor he brought in expended or on hand, the correctness and P.A. Management Consultants, and they propriety of payments made and generally recommended that the town clerk be got rid to conduct the affairs of the office with of. He did that. When applications were efficiency and economy. called for the position of town clerk, who was "It is my considered opinion that these the first candidate for the job? The mayor. responsibilities have not been carried out." P.A. Management Consultants recommended That was the opinion of the Auditor-General, the appointment of Mr. Swenson. They knew not mine, of the town clerk. Yet we find of the problems in the city council and all that that town clerk will conduct the local the other garbage that went on. P.A. government election in that city. Management Consultants considered that Mr. Swenson knew what was required to A Government Member: What town clerk straighten out the affairs of the council, and was that? they recommended his appointment as town clerk. He was appointed in September 1975. Mr. PREST: The town clerk of the city September 1975 was the first time that theft of Gladstone. took place in the council. A man has been A Government Member interjected. charged to the tune of $46,000. To save the inside staff, the town clerk at that time Mr. PREST: No, it is not a Labor council. allowed the acting town clerk to take the six top people off the computer pay-sheet Mr. Hinze: But you were the mayor. and to pay them manually. Didn't he have a feast! It suited him well. Mr. PREST: With due deference to the Minister, the Auditor-General's report Mr. Bourke: How did he run the 1976 covered the period from 1 July 1976. I election? resigned from the council on 30 June-- Mr. Hinzc: You were responsible for the Mr. PREST: Poor old Mr. Lockyer, appointment of the clerk. wouldn't know what is going on. I am answering the Minister's question. In 1978 Mr. PREST: Does the Minister want me the Minister said that he was going to look to tell him the full story about this? into the affairs of the city and put in an administrator. But when he found out that Mr. Hinze: Yes. National Party supporters were tangled up in the affairs, he didn't have the intestinal Mr. PREST: Right. This is very good. fortitude to go on with it. He covered up. I have told the Minister about this gentleman Here today we have validating legislation before. But before I do that, let me finish just two days before the local authority dealing with this opinion of the Auditor­ elections. Again the Minister is covering up General. The Auditor-General's opinion of for some National Party supporter-- the returning officer was that he was solely responsible, and yet the National Party Mr. Tenni: Name him. council in that city took no action whatso­ ever to reprimand the town clerk for his Mr. PREST: We didn't name the honour­ inefficiency in carrying out his responsibili­ able member for drugs in the North. Never­ ties. He allowed the fraudulent use of money theless, he is still known for it. under his control and the theft of $12,000 from a safe, money that we understand Mr. TENNI: I rise to a point of order. was used for a political purpose. That has I find those remarks very offensive. Thev never been denied. He was responsible for are untrue. I ask that he withdraw them the incorrect levying of water and other and immediately apologise. Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3705

The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! The Mr. MOORE: I rise to a point of order. :honourable member for Barron River finds I do not know what has happened, but cer­ the words used by the honourable member tainly no copy of the Bill has been sent to for Port Curtis offensive and asks that he my office. withdraw them and apologise. The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! Mr. PREST: I withdraw them and apolo­ Mr. Porter: It's amazing, isn't it? The Eise. He is very seldom in the Chamber, so good old Opposition! it is nice to see him here today. He was absent yesterday. Mr. Fouras: Are you implying that I am lying? Mr. TENNI: I rise to a point of order. The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! I I am in this Chamber more often than the will not call order again. If the honourable honourable member for Port Curtis. I find member for South Brisbane speaks again that remark of his offensive also and ask while I am on my feet, I will name him that it be withdrawn. under Standing Order 123A. The matter that has been brought to my attention is a The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! The very serious one. I checked my desk at honourable member for Barron River now lunch-time and I can state that I have not finds that remark offensive and asks that it been given a copy of the Bill. I do not be withdrawn. believe that all members have been given a copy of it. However, I am going to refer Mr. PREST: I withdraw it, Mr. Miller. the matter to Mr. Speaker for investigation. The debate will proceed. To get back to this validating legislation~ it is in keeping with the way in which this Mr. WRIGHT: I shall table this copy of Government acts. It is more concerned with the Bill, Mr. Miller, so the time at which I its pri;-ate business enterprises outside than received it can be recorded. it is with conducting the affairs of the State. It is not in tune with the wishes of the The ACTING CHAIRMAN: By all means. people and it does not know what is going Whereupon the honourable member laid on. If the Minister had taken action pre­ the copy of the Bill on the table. viously we would not be here this afternoon debating this motion just two days before Dr. LOCKWOOD: I rise to a point of the election. order. Could the envelopes, too, be tabled? They would seem to be part of the docu­ Mr. WRIGHT: I rise to a point of order. ments? I seek your interpretation, Mr. Miller, in relation to information that has just been Mr. Fouras: I will go and get the envelope given to me, namely, that copies of the Bill so that it can be tabled. that we are now debating have been circu­ The ACTING CHAIRMAN: I thank the lated to all members and, in fact, have been honourable member. sent out to the various offices. I ask you to rule whether or not this is legal. We Mr. WRIGHT: I mention, too, Mr. Miller, have not passed any motion that the Bill be that I have asked other Opposition mem­ printed, yet we now have copies of the bers to get the documents that are on their Bill. I would like an explanation as to how tables so that the whole lot can be brought this occurred, because it seems to be against into the Chamber. the rules of this Parliament. The ACTING CHAIRMAN: I thank the The ACTING CHAIRMAN: As a member honourable member. of this Parliament and as Acting Chairman of Committees, I have not been given a Mr. BISHOP (Surfers Paradise) (2.44 p.m.): <:opy of the Bill. To my knowledge it has It is perfectly obvious that matters circulate without people's approval not only in this not be~n given to all members. Parliament but also in the City of Gold Coast. I want to speak about a letter that Mr. FOURAS: Mr. Miller, I brought that is being circulated in the City of Gold Coast, copy of the Bill into the Chamber. A few seeking to influence improperly the electors minutes ago I opened my mail at my desk who will vote at the council election on and found that it had been officially posted. Saturday. This letter is being circulated under I suggest that if other members were to the signature of Sir Bruce Small who, as check among the items on their desks, they, honourable members would know, is a former too, would find copies there. mayor of City of Gold Coast. It is headed~ l\Ir. HANSEN: I can confirm that I have "Calling all Electors. just opened an envelope on my desk and it 'Why the Council was sacked.' " contained a copy of the Bill. In this piece of rubbish and propaganda Sir Bruce Small seeks to justify why he was Mr. WRIGHT: This is a serious matter, dismissed from the council and, at the same Mr. Miller. The motion is still under debate, time, denigrates all the other aldermen who yet copies of the Bill have been circulated. were there at the time. He also seeks to 3706 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill lie and distort a whole series of events that but when such nonsense as this is printed occurred in the life of the council. The I think I have a responsibility to point out letter starts in this form- to the Parliament and the public of the "Why was the Gold Coast City Council Gold Coast what type of men were in the sacked? previous council. A matter of public importance. This rubbish goes on- "I, Andrew Bruce Small, believe that the "The last straw was drawn when I was question should be answered in the public forced to report to the Premier that an interest. I do not seek re-election to all time low had been reached and the the Council. I have no direct interest elected representatives of the people had in the forthcoming elections but I have so betrayed their trust that extraordinary dedicated many years of my life working action was necessary." in the interests of the Gold Coast com­ There has never at any time been any munity and I must speak out now or sit suggestion whatsoever-and I am sure the back and allow the City to vote in ignor­ Minister for Local Government and Main ance of the facts set out below. To do Roads will bear me out in this-that in that would deny my own integrity and any sense the aldermen of the past city public duty." council betrayed their trust. By distributing this garbage, this former mem­ Let us look at some of those aldermen. ber of the Gold Coast City Council shows Let us judge the type of person who was quite clearly that he has no integrity, that a member of that council. he is a man who is full of hate, that he is a man who is sour. He is a man who has The ACfiNG CHAIRl\iAN: Order! I been thrown out of a council because of his remind the honourable member that we are complete inability to work with other people. talking about the date of the local govern­ The letter goes on to say that the record ment elections. I ask the honourable member must be put straight. I intend to put a to return to that point. I have extended little bit of it straight this afternoon. Sir fair tolerance to him. Bruce Small said- "The Council was sacked as a direct Mr. BISHOP: I move the following result of the allegations against its activi­ amendment- ties made by myself as Mayor." "Add the words- That, of course, is a complete and utter 'and for other purposes.' " falsehood. The Gold Coast City Council One of the former members I would like was sacked because Small himself was so to talk about is a very prominent member incompetent as a chairman, was so incapable, of the National Party (a well-respected per­ was such a liar, and was a person who son in the Southport community and a great had so little ability to chair a meeting that the friend of mine--and, I know, a great friend Council degenerated through his lack of of many people in this Chamber who realise leadership. There was no way that the Gov­ his capacity), Mr. Allan Hollindale, O.B.E. ernment could get rid of Sir Bruce Small He is a member of the Grants Commission, without getting rid of the council. It is appointed by this Government. unfortunate that that had to occur, but in retrospect the Government did the Gold Mr. BERTONI: I rise to a point of order. Coast City a great service in disposing of Mr. Miller, I ask for your ruling on whether Sir Bruce Small. He listed the names of the honourable member moved an amend­ those aldermen in the last council as John ment. Hoepner, Norman Rix, Keith Hunt, Carl Robertson, Allan Hollindale, David Lambert, The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! "And Bruce Bishop, John Laws, Michael Carey and for other purposes" is an amendment. It Betty Diamond, with himself as "popularly will be put after the member has finished elected Mayor." speaking. It is an interesting fact that, with the Mr. BISHOP: Mr. Hollindale is chairman exception of myself and Sir Bruce Small, all of the Gold Coast Turf Club, a rector's the other people whose names I have men­ warden of the Church of England, South­ tioned are placing themselves before the port, which he has been for two decades, electors again this week-end, to let the and manager of the South Coast Dairy, electors judge whether they have the capac­ a position he has held for over 20 years. ity, the ability and the respect to be voted He is an extremely capable and prominent back into that council. I wonder why Sir man and was a member of the council's Bruce Small is not standing so that he could finance committee. place himself before the electors and face Then there is David Lambert, O.B.E. He their judgement. But of course, he is not has been associated with and has held office a person who can work within the judgement in the Queensland Cancer Fund and has been of other people. He also said in this involved with it intimately since its inception. letter- For many, many years, he has been treasurer "Politics can be a rough game." of that fund. He has been Stale Manager While I have been a member of Parliament, for Waltons, one of the largest departmental I have had no desire to enter into debate store operations in Queensland He is today associated with the Gold Coast City Council, still a director of Waltons Australia. Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3707

Next is Carl Robertson, recently owner of to be deciding is whether or not the Bill will

The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! I So he is not only trying to shelve the stand corrected. The honourable member for aldermen in this regard; he is also trying to Bulimba has pointed out that it is accord­ shelve his ex-colleague and friend the ing to Standing Orders that we have a debate Minister for Local Government and Main at the introductory stage without the Bill Roads, Russell Hinze. But the facts of the having been placed on ,the table, as happens matter are, for the information of the in all other States in Australia. I again public, that the dairy co-operative approached point out to the Chamber that this is a the Gold Coast City Council in 1968 and privilege because no member in any other asked to have their factory waste discharged State of Australia has the privilege of speak­ into the sewerage treatment plant. The ing to a Bill as widely as we do in Queens­ council decided that they could not accept land. So I say that it is a privilege. Although the dairy's sewerage waste because, as cor­ it is a privilege under our Standing Orders, rectly mentioned in this mishmash of half­ it is still a privilege that is extended to the truths, it would have meant that 10,000 members of this Parliament to bring before it people would not have been able to be con­ matters appertaining to the question before nected to the se\verage system. the Chamber. I again call the honourable member for Surfers Paradise to continue with The City of Gold Coast is still only 50 per his speech. cent sewered, so it would have been a stupid decision on the part of the council Mr. BISHOP: I refer again to the to retard development in this area. Quite circulated document which sets out that properly, they allowed the waste to be dis­ aldermen obtained free petrol at the council posed of in the normal fashion. Indeed, they pump, no signatures required. That is a told the dairy co-operative that any change complete and utter falsehood. Never at any in the present system should wait until the time did aldermen on the Gold Coast City Coombabah treatment plant is finished in the Council receive free petrol. not too distant future. That was a shocking It is also said in the document that thing to say about a company which at all aldermen voted themselves substantial sums times, in my experience as an alderman and of money for refreshments in the aldermen's in the experience of the council officers, has lounge. Again, that is another falsehood. always acted \vith complete and utter pro­ The council records and financial statements priety. will show that, although there was in the I say again that the problems of the Gold council budget an amount of $1,500 available Coast Citv Council were brought about by for this purpose, it was never expended, and the inabifitv of the mayor to work with at all times the aldermen paid for their other people. In fact, in 1968, 12 months own refreshments in the aldermens' lounge. after being elected mayor, this "fraud" first In fact, when the council was dismissed there called on the Government to appoint an was a surplus in cash and in stock in the administrator for the Gold Coast City Council. aldermen's refreshment account of $567.73 In the ensuing 12 years during which Sir of their own money. So there are two com­ Bruce Small was on the council, some 40 plete falsehoods in this document. aldermen were elected to that council. He There are three or four matters referred was incapable of getting on with any of to which revolve solely around Sir Bruce them, and he continually lost support. Small's own developments. In this regard, during the life of the council he adopted a An Honourable Member: He can get on very interesting attitude towards his own with Jack Egerton. developments. He always maintained that he had no interest in these multifarious property Mr. BISHOP: There has been an inter­ developments on the Gold Coast, yet the jection made that he gets on with Jack day after he was dismissed as an alderman Egerton. He certainly does get on with Jack he walked into his office and resumed com­ Egerton. For as long as I have heard Sir plete and utter control over those affairs Bruce Small utter words in public, he has with which he claimed he had had nothing advocated a ban on casinos on the Gold to do over the past 12 years. He certainly did Coast. But suddenly on television recently not act that way when something pertaining he said, "If Jack Egerton thinks that casinos to his interests came to the attention of the are a good idea for the Gold Coast, then I council. think that they are a good idea, too, and I would now like to refer to this state­ the people should elect Jack Egerton to the ment in the document- council." "The Dairy Co-operative Ltd. for 12-15 Today the member for Archerfield asked years past has under licence from the a series of questions in this Chamber. In view Government poured effluent into the of the fact that the matters raised in those Broadwater equivalent (on the evidence available to me) to the polluting effect of questions affect the candidate who is stand­ sewerage waste of 10,000 people. Permits ing in the particular political contest against are granted by the department controlling Jack Egerton, there is no doubt that they pollution under the control of Russell were fed to Jack Egerton by Sir Bruce Small Hinze as Minister of the Crown, to Alder­ and, through those questions, to this Par­ man Hollindale as Managing Director of liament. That is the depth to which this man the Co-operative." will sink in order to control the situation. Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3709

I am very sad in many respects that I Association and chairman of the Q.R.A., have had the responsibility of speaking on through the town clerk, Mr. Thorley, as behalf of a number of very good people who follows- have all had the courage to stand again for "May I refer to recent discussions the Gold Coast City Council in order to between your association and officials of defend their honour against this garbage the Commonwealth Games Foundation and Brisbane City Council regarding the and innuendo. possibility of the foundation or the council Another matter that should not be left supplying some funds towards the upgrad­ unsaid is the development that was men­ ing of facilities at the Belmont Rifle Range. tioned concerning Mr. Hoepner. As a "I have to advise that the full amount member of that particular council, I can of $28 million, consisting of allocations by state that there is no way in which the the council, the State Government and the council did not operate and function pro­ Federal Government for the construction perly according to the legal advice that it of sports facilities for the 1982 Common­ received. The town clerk, the chief health wealth Games, is fully committed and no inspector and, I believe, the Minister are funds are available for additional all on record as saying that. In fact, the facilities." Minister has said in this Chamber that, Honourable members will appreciate that whilst the former mayor of the Gold Coast this is in complete contradiction to the terms may have had undoubted abilities in pro­ of funding the $28,000,000 that all sports moting the Gold Coast, his biggest fault was must share. The ridiculous aspect is that that he was a hopeless, abysmal mayor of Brisbane city, as host for the games, has that city. That was the real reason whv the been saved the expense of creating ranges Gold Coast City Council was dismissed. and amenities for a sport that will attract 141 competitors (the third highest, behind Mr. KAUS (Mansfield) (3.10 p.m.): I am athletics and swimming) from 25 countries entering the debate on the proposed amend­ (the second highest). ment. I could say quite a few words about The Brisbane Citv Council has said, in the Bill before the Committee, but I will effect, "Thank you: members of the small forgo that opportunity because I have other bore, large bore, gun and pistol shooting reasons for speaking about a local authority. clubs for the $1,500,000 worth of amenities I speak today to draw the attention of and improvements you have worked to the Assembly and the people of Queensland create, but don't expect any help from us." to the shocking discrimination being shown The clubs have done a wonderful job over by the Brisbane City Council against a major the years, particularly the Queensland Rifle Commonwealth Games sport-rifle shooting. Association, which has contributed $800,000, I accuse the Brisbane City Council of and I should like to pay a sincere tribute to deliberately withholding funds urgently all concerned. So, while other sports will get needed to upgrade facilities at the Belmont their complexes provided for them, rifle­ range. I charge the council with being con­ shooting, which has helped itself, is to get cerned only with Commonwealth Games nothing-not one razoo; not one cent. sports arenas that it will be able to lease Mr. \Varburton: Have you approached the subsequent to the games. State Government to see what money it is I speak with first-hand knowledge because, prepared to give? as all in the Chamber know, I am the Mr. KAUS: It is already prepared to give president of the Queensland Rifle Associa­ $10,000,000. tion, and I have correspondence and reports Let me quote from part of Mr. Bubb's which prove conclusively that a request for annual report, which sets out the position a minimum of $100,000 to upgrade shooting very clearly. It states- facilities has been completely ignored-and "The shooting events of the Games will this despite the fact that it has been clearly be held at Belmont in early October laid down that the $28,000,000 provided by 1982 and embrace shot gun, pistol, small the Commonwealth and State Governments bore, full bore, air rifle and air pistol. and Brisbane City Council is to be spread "It is unbelievable that in the prepara­ over all sports associated with the games. tory work on budgets for the Brisbane Games that no funds were set aside for the Mr. Wright: They will wipe you out on capital expenditure improvements at the Saturday. Belmont shooting site, nor were the shoot­ ling sports consulted in the matter. Mr. KAUS: Let the honourable member "As chairman of the Brisbane committee listen to the story. representing the four shooting affiliates on the Technical Sports Committee of the This, of course, is of no concern to the Brisbane Games Foundation I have had Brisbane City Council. It is fully aware the to continue a 'running battle' with the Belmont range is on Commonwealth land foundation's board on this funds issue. and that it cannot extract revenue from it. "No satisfactory explanation has been So on 21 February, I wrote to Mr. E. W. given for this 'oversight' except a stock Bubb, chairman of the Australian Shooting phrase that 'we understood that all 3710 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

facilities at Belmont were international The breakdown in expenditure in some standard and no capital funds would be other venues is as follows­ required.'" Athletics $8,100,000 Swimming and diving $9,700,000 Mr. Austin: Isn't that the only facility for which the Brisbane City Council doesn't own Badminton $2,750,000 the ground? Weight lifting $1,800,000 Cycling $2,050,000 Mr. KAUS: That is true. As a matter I ask the honourable member to note that of fact, it is the best such facility in expenditure particularly. All that money is Australia. being spent on those sports without any per­ sonal effort being required of those involved, Mr. Austin: They don't own the ground, whilst not one cent is being provided for the do they? truly international sport of rifle shooting. As I said, the Brisbane City Council will do very Mr. KAUS: No, and that is where the well out of leasing the new facilities and problem lies. The report continues- could not care less about the shooters who "This may have been true of the sport, maintain the whole complex at Belmont right full bore, but the other affiliates require throughout the year. substantial funds for updating their facili­ The Brisbane City Council should keep in ties to U.I.T. standards. mind that the range at Belmont is a public "The shooting budgets which were sub­ range, and that anyone can shoot with clubs mitted in Julv 1978 were returned to us and use the amenities. The Brisbane City in November ·1978 for re-assessment to a Council should also keep in mind that the lower figure. These budgets, which include park is used by juniors, and that there are a mixture of capital expenditure and equip­ many different complexes there that run their ment costs, were re-lodged on 14th Decem­ own particular shooting sport. They are ber 1978 on the following basis:-full bore, being discriminated against because of their $23,800, plus roadworks; small bore, efficiency. $156, lOO, shot gun-Basic, $86,300, pistol The rifle range is important in the tourism and air pistol, $167,840, air rifle, $500, sense. The Queensland Rifle Association first aid clinic, press centre, T.V. $350. hopes to apply for Belmont to be the site This to~al of $439,890 was subsequently for the world shoot in 1986. If it gains that pruned to $100,000." event, it will be a tremendous boost to com­ merce and tourism in Brisbane and, indeed, That was tantamount to saying, "We don't the whole of Queensland. However, because want shooting; we might put this money of intense competition for the venue, it is into gymnastics." The council was prepared essential that the range be brought up to to spend $400,000 on a complex for gymnas­ world standard at an early date. Apparently tics bec:mse it was thinking about letting it that does not concern the council. and subleasing it after the games. Another important matter is that the Commonwealth has released a strip of Bel­ Mr. Lane: They are anti-sport. mont land to the Main Roads Department for a road to be built to link with the swim­ J\Ir. KAUS: The council is anti-sport all ming, cycling and badminton sites at Chand­ right. ler, which is next door to the rifle range. The report states- Opposition Members interjected. "Tbese requirements are modest in rela­ tion to the capital expenditure of other Mr. KAUS: I do not intend to take any venues as the shooting sports have devel­ interjections. oped their own sites from their own The main road will benefit Brisbane and resources at an estimated cost of $1.5 cost the council nothing. The Main Roads million." Department has compensated the Queensland May I add that the $1,500,000 that this sport Rifle Association for the cost of repositioning the 1,000-yard range, which the association has invested in its complex is more than will maintain, but $30,000 will have to be that invested by the whole 35 sports embraced spent on each of three ranges to reach the by the Commonwealth Games. Shooting Games standard. should say to the council, "Go and find your own complex for shooting and see what I have outlined the sorry and disgraceful happens." Shooting cannot be excluded from story relative to Belmont. The Brisbane City Council stands condemned. It is not inter­ the Commonwealth Games without a notice ested in what Belmont contributes to the city of motion being put four years before the in terms of sport and tourism. It cares only time when the decision is made. for those sports that will make money for it after the Games. Mr. R. J. Gibbs interjected. Mr. Lane: Like the glamorous ones in Mr. KAUS: The honourable member may connection with which the Lord Mayor can ask his questions later. get his pictures in the Press. Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3711

Mr. KAUS: I know that. The council is The relevant part there, of course, is that spending money on its own complexes that the names of all electors should be enrolled it can use to get a rake-off after the Games. at the "immediately preceding thirty-first day of December". Reading that provision, I Mr. Lane: It is for political purposes. submit that there is no doubt about \vhat the true position is. Mr. KAUS: I agree. I had to speak today I turn now to the City of Brisbane Act to emphasise that point. I have letters from Amendment Act of 1972. I understand from the Brisbane City Council. I know the full what the Minister has said that we are also background to this story, which will be a concerned with that Act for local authority running story from now on until the Games elections in the city of Brisbane. Clause 17 or until we get the finance that we need. (c) (ii) says- Because of the efficiency of the Q.R.A. and "(b) The electoral roll for an electoral of all those other gun clubs, we need only ward- a minimal amount. Why should we be (i) shall consist of the names of all penalised in the distribution of money that electors registered under the Elections comes from the ratepayers and the taxpayers, Act as living in an electora1 district or when the Commonwealth said that not one districts or parts thereof comprised sport should be discriminated against? within the electoral ward in question on the thirtv-first dav of December in the Mr. WARBURTON (Sandgate) (3.26 calendar~ year ·next preceding the p.m.): Mr. Miller, you will be pleased to calendar year in which the triennia,J elec­ hear that despite the privilege given to tion in question is to be held with all members in terms of the Standing Orders, corrections of and erasures therefrom I intend to apply myself to the matter that made under and pursuant to the Elec­ I regard as most important and, of course, tions Act". the most serious. Aaain the position is very, very clear indeed. Today the Minister introduced a Bill to It o mentions 31 December and is clear in its validate what he referred to as a "practice" intent. It goes on to say- adopted by the State Electoral Office. It is "(ii) shall be in the form prescribed a practice that arose as the resuit-a.nd therefor by the Elections Act subiect to these were his words-of some legal adv1ce all necessary adaptations and shall be pre­ that he or some Minister before him had pared by the Principal Electoral Officer earlier received. Now we are informed that at the cost and expense of the Council but on the new advice of the Solicitor-General ,in lieu of an electoral roll in that form, the procedure that has been adopted based wherever practicable in the opinion of the on the previous legal advice-as I said, from Principal Electoral Officer, use may be an as yet unknown source-is incorrect and made of the electoral roll or rolls (as com­ only those persons who are on the roll on piled up to the thirty-first day of the 31 December immediately preceding local December ...)". government elections in this State have an I repeat, "(as compiled up to the thirty­ entitlement to vote. first day of December . . .)" The previous legal advice that led to There is some reference to the Elections illegal practice is interesting indeed, particu­ Act in the provisions that I have just quoted. larly when one refers to the relevant sections Section 22 of the Elections Acts, 1915 to of the Act. I would like to quote what is 1976, reads- said in respect of this mactter in the Local "Registration of claims. If. the c_laim _is Government Act, 1936-1975, Part IV­ in order and the electoral registrar 1s satis­ Qualification and election of chairman and fied that the claimant is entitled to be members. Under the heading "Voters' roll", enrolled he shall forward the claim to it says- the Principal Electoral Officer who shall, "For the purpose of every triennial elec­ pursuant to the claim, if he is satisfied tion it shall be the duty of the returning that the claimant is entitled to be enrol­ officer to compile a voters' roll for the led- Area or each division, as the case may (a) enter the claimant's name and the require, and in doing so he shall observe particulars relating to him on the proper the folowing rules:- roll; and (a) The voters' roll shall consist of the (b) notify the claimant and the el~c­ names of all electors up to the immedi­ toral registrar with respect to the cla1m ately preceding thirty-first day of Decem­ in the manner prescribed." ber on the electoral roll or rolls of the electoral district or districts or parts Section 23 reads­ thereof comprised within the Area or "Right to transfer. division as the case may be; (1) Any elector whose name is on. the (b) The voters' roll shall be in the form roll for any district and who has hved prescribed for the said electoral rolls, in any other district for a continuous and shall be a correct alphabetical roll period of three months shall make showing the names, numbered in regular application in the prescribed form to arithmetical order, beginning with the transfer his name to the roll for the figure '1' of all electors". district in which he lives. 3712 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

(3) The electoral registrar shall note Mr. Ahern: You are drawing the long on such application the date of its receipt bow now. by him, and shall, if it appears that the applicant is entitled to the transfer for­ Mr. WARBURTON: And three months ward it to the Principal Electoral Officer later it was the Minister for Survey and who shall, pursuant to the application Valuation as the honourable member for if he is satisfied that the applicant i~ Landsborough will readily recall, who became entitled to the transfer- the centrepiece of validating legislation con­ (a) enter the elector's name and the cerning his acting for the Crown in a particulars relating to him on the private capacity whilst a member of State proper roll; Parliament. Of course, in early 1978 further (b) remove the elector's name and validating legislation became necessary to the particulars relating to him from the enable the honourable member for Warwick rdl on which his name then is." and the present Treasurer to get off the hook -I suppose that is the best way one could Ther.: surely can be no doubt whatsoever describe it-and one wonders who is getting about the clarity of those provisions that I off the hook on this occasion. have quoted as they relate to the legal cut­ Because of the short notice given about off point for eligibility to be on any particu­ this matter, I have not had the opportunity lar roll for election purposes. to check local government election results The previous legal advice, which the Min­ over past years. It should be remembered ister referred to, must surelv have been that we are not talking about legislation to requested by the Minister of -the day and validate something that is happening now if it was given it surely would have come because of an election which will be held from the very source that the new legal advice next Saturday. My understanding of what the Minister said is that we are validating co~es from. I think that is a very relevant pomt. I have grave doubts personally whether past actions, and heaven knows how long there was in fact any previous legal advice this position has obtained. I will be pleased and one could be excused for making such to know where the Minister or former an ibsumption, which, of course, is a reflec­ Ministers in fact obtained the legal advice tion on the Minister's statement to this Com­ to which he has referred. Was it in fact mitte.;. based simply on expediency because 31 December fell on a weekend, with disregard The provisions of the Acts are clear in their for the letter of the law? This is something intent and they are very clear in law. Whilst I have witnessed too much from the I am not suggesting that the Electoral Office Government. ~as been dishonest or devious in any way, The Minister informed us that 1,277 It appears that the Government has once electors are to be affected on this occasion, again aliov' ed expediency to enter into Gov­ and that is a large number. The question ernment operations rather than ensure that that must exercise our minds is: how many the lav.. > of the State are observed. have been affected on past occasions? I will The history of Bills of validation introduced be interested to find out. How many electors by . t~is_ Government is certainly nothing of and how many prospective aldermen and whrcn It can be proud. The Government has councillors have in fact been affected? How made serious mistakes and it has made a many prospective aldermen and councillors serious mistake again in this case. It has are affected on this occasion? If the Minis­ shown itself to be inefficient. In most cases ter wants to assure us that this is just a that I can readily recall, which were referred simple piece of legislation, he should be to briefly by the honourable member for prepared to provide that information. If no Port Curtis, it was only too willing to use alderman or councillors are involved, then leg1slatwn to protect its own kind. let him say so. The reasons being put for­ ward today by the Minister about why we Mr. Davis: Has this occurred before? need to validate past actions may be regarded as being reasonable when we consider that Mr. WARBURTON: As the honourable all Queensland local government elections ~ember has asked me that question, I think will be conducted next Saturday, but surely It Is relevant to have a look at similar valid­ the Minister is not going to suggest that ating Bills that have been introduced. In the problem has just been brought to his 1964 members may recall that this Govern­ attention. That is another matter about ment introduced a Bill to validate the activ­ which I believe we should be advised. I ities of the then honourable member for would certainly like to know why this advice Windsor, Percy Raymund Smith who is of has only just been received. How did the course, contesting th~ Brisbane City Cou'ncil Solicitor-General come to give the opinion? electwns. At that time he was conducting Who sought the opinion, and why was it a ~e¥;:1 practice, which conflicted with his given, anyway? actiVIties as a member of this Parliament. Those are the questions that have to be That was the first of the validating legisla­ answered only three days before an election. tion that I can recall. In August 1976 we I know that the Minister attempted to have sa\\' further similar legislation designed to this matter brought before the Parliament validate the position of the then member yesterday, but I ask: why, only a few days for Cook, Mr. Deeral. before an election, has somebody suddenly Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3713 discovered that there is a problem? I believe I did say that I would not depart from that that question needs to be answered if, the subject-matter but, in view of some in fact, this Government is going to be shown comments made, I feel inclined to do so. not to be acting deviously; if it is going It appears that Government members will to be shown to be dean in this matter; and depart from the subject-matter and deal if it is going to be shown that it is not with matters that are not contained in the endeavouring to get somebody off the hook. Bill. I would like to suggest-and this is a prediction-that this is not the only As I have said previously, when validating validating legislation that the Minister for Bills are introduced into this Parliament, Local Government and Main Roads will usually it means that the Government has bring before this Parliament in this session. made a further mistake. I have pointed out Because of further mistakes made by this that over the last few years we have wit­ Government, he will introduce a Bill or a nessed the Government's unfortunate habit number of Bills on other matters. I make of introducing validating legislation. I that prediction. repeat that validating legislation is legislation I go a little further. Having looked at designed to cover the mistakes and the Brisbane's new town plan that this Govern­ inefficiencies of this Government. ment kept in cobwebs for two years, I am Mr. Akers: In this case it will save going to suggest that, unless there is amend­ hundreds of thousands of dollars. ing legislation, development and employment in this city are going to suffer. I will go no further than that at this stage. The Mr. WARBURTON: 'I have said previously Minister will know full well what I am talk­ that the introduction of validating legislation ing about. I predict that he will introduce at this stage could be regarded as 'being further amending legislation designed to expedient or proper. I have asked why cover mistakes. it is being introduced three days before an election. I have also asked why this question (Time expired.) of expediency was used by this Government on past occasions when it introduced validat­ Mr. KRUGER (Murrumba) (3.46 p.m.): ing legislation. I was about to say that this is an unusual situation, but under the present Government J would like to know-and I have asked what is occurring now is becoming a practice. this question of the Minister-how long this The Minister has suddenly found that, legal advice has been in somebody's posses­ because the last day of last year was a sion. I would also like to know whether Sunday, something has gone wrong with the the Minister is prepared to table it. I am organisation. I go so far as saying that the interested in ascertaining who gave that legal Minister has been too busy jaunting around advice. I am only a layman, but I can the countryside to devote enough time to his understand the provisions that I quoted from portfolio. He ought to be paying more both the Local Government Act and the attention to his job. It seems to me that City of Brisbane Amendment Act. There he has become quite lax in some areas of is no doubt what they say. They refer local government. Local government is a to 3,1 December. They do not refer to 1 very serious matter, and it is high time the January or 2 January. So the Government Minister got down to the tin-tacks of govern­ has 'been carrying out an illegal operation ment and made sure that this type of thing for heaven knows how long. did not happen. How on earth could any lawyer, barrister Mr. Davis: Shape up or ship out. or anybody else in the Crown Law Office­ even the Solicitor-General, who was men­ Mr. KRUGER: Shape up or ship out, one tioned on previous occasions--come up with or the other. a legal opinion that said, "Yes, you can To my knowledge this type of thing has put people on the roll after 31 December"? happened about four times. The Minister is That is what I would like to know. I now running for cover and altering an Act would like to see the legal advice to which just prior to local authority elections. It the Minister referred tabled here so that must be being done for some particular >ve can see where it came from. It could reason. The reason would be much deeper have come from even the Minister for Sur­ than the one that has been mentioned vey and Valuation. He gives good legal today. Having had experience with some of advice on occasions. I refuse to accept the the operations of this Government, I realise proposition put forward that something has that there is usually some motive for what simply just happened and that we have to it does. One gets suspicious of these types do something quickly because, as the member of goings-on. for Pine Rivers said, it will save us hundreds of thousands of dollars. Something else is Mr. Frawley: Why don't you be charitable involved, and the Minister should come clean. and see no evil? What we see here today is further evid­ Mr. KRUGER: Perhaps the honourable ence of what I regard as this Government's member for Caboolture and I should get rather slipshod approach to matters that together. We might be able to come up with are important to the people of this State. a solution to the problem. 73178-124 3714 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

Any reasonable Minister would not have chairman of the shire, who was an indepen­ allowed this situation to arise. He would dent councillor, two independents, and myself have had his departmental heads operating as an A.L.P. councillor, so it cannot be in such a way that there would be no need claimed that the committee was an A.L.P. for this legislation. committee. However, that is typical of the Of course, the Minister has another prob­ way in which the Liberal Party tries to lem. He is kept busy with unauthorised confuse issues. visits by councillors from different areas. I Mr. Goleby: You must have dominated know for a fact that some persons who that committee, then. are not authorised by the local authority concerned come to see the Minister from Mr. KRUGER: If I had been given more time to time. Obviously, that takes up a say on it, things would have been better. lot of his time, leaving him less time to The Liberal Party's pamphlet states that look after matters that he should be attend­ Mrs. Chapman is a lifetime Kallangur resi­ ing to. On a number of occasions certain dent. That is misleading. She was born and things have happened in the Pine Rivers bred at Petrie and did not go to Kallangur Shire, and some councillors have come to see until after she was married. the Minister. I think that it is quite reason­ able for councillors to see the Minister to Mr. Akers: That's only a mile away. How ?iscuss their problems, but only if that disgusting! IS for the benefit of the shire and their visits are not for personal reasons. Some Mr. KRUGER: It is disgusting that that councillors have been visiting him for per­ information was put on the pamphlet. sonal reasons. Another example of what the supporters Mr. Frawley: That is a reflection on the of the coalition parties do in local govern­ Minister. ment can be found in the fact that in the Pine Rivers Shire a National Party man is Mr. KRUGER.: Possibly it is a reflection standing on the Liberal Party ticket and a on the Minister; in fact, I have been making member of the National Party who stood a few other reflections on the Minister, too. against me in Murrumba at the last election Let us look at some of the other prob­ is standing as an independent. They are lems. Recently the Pine Rivers Shire Council running a ticket saying, "Vote for the decided, by a majority vote to introduce the Independent Team". In the independent team ward system. The Minister saw fit to reject are four persons whose names are on the what the council wanted. Liberal ticket. Mr. Akers: You voted against it yourself. Mr. Akers: Your name was on the independent ticket last time. lVIr. KRUGER: I am talking not about how I voted but about the council's majority Mr. KRUGER: Yes, it was. I am not decision. The Minister did the reverse of saying that is wrong; I am simply saying that what the council intended. That has happened it is not an independent team. The honour­ in other local authority areas, too. It able member for Surfers Paradise spoke about seems to be the type of game he wants to Sir Bruce Small's case, so I thought I should play. He does things differently. He does throw that in. If it is good enough for the not seem to be able to understand that the member for Surfers Paradise to talk about local authorities know what they want to do. the problems in his area, it is good enough If he spent less time on that type of thing for me to talk about those in mine. and spent more time on matters such as The further we go, the more I am con­ the one under discussion, perhaps the present vinced that the Minister is trying to cover up situation would not have arisen. As I men­ for somebody. After the election I will be tioned a week or so ago, he wanted to have interested to see who is involved. I am sure discussions concerning the Ogle development. it will be shown that some candidate is Mr. Prest: Is the Ogle development tangled actually in that two-day enrolment. Perhaps up with a Russian bank? I am wrong. As the member for Sandgate has said, the Minister has not done anything lVI!:. l(RUGER: I am not sure about that, to convince us to the contrary. but I have heard it said. Mr. Prest: I heard that it was the mayor I am sure that if the development had of Redcliffe. gone ahead and if the council had said, "Yes, you form a committee," we would Mr. KRUGER.: I do not know about that. have a similar Bill brought forward in a Recently I heard on good authority that few months' time to overcome a certain the Minister was talking about putting an problem. The situation that confronts us administrator into the Pine Rivers Shire. today is typical of that which arises often Perhaps he will have to look at that aspect under this Government. again after the election-unless, of course, In the Pine Rivers Shire the Liberal team my team is successful, as I believe it will is circulating propaganda in which a former be. In that event, the Minister will not have A.L.P. committee is blamed for causing the to look further. However, if the present residents tremendous inconvenience. The infighting is allowed to continue after 31 fact is that that committee comprised the March, he will have to look at the situation. Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3715

I bring these matters to the Minister's Council. The council is concerned with pro­ attention. It is his duty to do something viding first-class facilities for those sports about them. Although he has been a little which otherwise we would have been unable wayward in the past, I hope that he will to hold. come back to the fold. If he does not, he I wish it were true to say that the sporting will lose his portfolio. venues will return a profit to the Brisbane This afternoon we heard a lecture from the City Council after the games. If any fair Annie Oakley of Belmont Range, who spoke criticism could be levelled, it would be that about the shooting gallery in his area. He we should make sure that they will be at gave us a lot of gossip about big bores and least self-supporting after the games. There little bores, but he did not say anything that can certainly be no suggestion that tre­ convinced me. mendous profits will be. reaped by the local authority. An Opposition Member: Are you calling A short time ago I was given what I him a little bore or a big bore? considered then to be the unfortunate job of making a bid on behalf of Brisbane for per­ Mr. KRUGER: I do not know what size mission to hold the Commonwealth Games in bore he is, but possibly he could do with a the city. My brief at that time, which I cer­ rebore. tainly believed was supported by those associ­ We could debate this situation at great ated with shooting in Brisbane, was on the length, but we would enter into much less lines that there was one sport that we did not debate if the Minister would come clean have to worry about; that there was one sport and give us an assurance (which, apparently, being included to keep down the overall he does not wish to do), that there will be costs. That was rifle shooting, which was no runners involved in it in the field on very popular with the sporting nations of Saturday. My belief that someone is involved the Commonwealth. My brief from the clubs is based on some of the other operations of concerned was that they were in a position the Government that we have had to put up to stage this section of the Commonwealth with. Games tomorro\v, because they already had first-class facilities. Those were the very Mr. SHAW (Wynnum) (3.56 p.m.); I do words I used when making submissions to the not wish to speak at length about the Bill, assembly of Commonwealth nations in but I will say that it is just another instance Montreal. I view my remarks with some of the Government's blundering on. concern when I now find that according to the honourable member I made them without I am moved to answer some of the the support of some of the clubs. I wonder criticism levelled by the honourable member how that could be true, because I remember for Mansfield. He spoke very critically about that an inspection was carried out by officials the Brisbane City Council's approach to the of the Commonwealth Games, who had holding of the Commonwealth Games. nothing but the highest praise for the facili­ Although in this Chamber I do not see ties They said there was nothing further to be myself as a representative of the city council done in that area. I wonder how it is that but of the people of Wynnum, I believe I we now find a need for greater expenses to should try to set the record straight on some be incurred. of the points he raised. I believe that he Some of the members opposite have been brought these matters forward genuinely saying that the Lord Mayor has been using believing that the problem was as he stated. this as a vote-catching exercise; that it was I was concerned to hear some of the "Hear, only gone into to win votes at council hears" and interjections from Government elections. It was only a very short time members which indicated that they certainly ago that the council was under attack for lack understanding of what is happening in having the courage to make a bid to hold relation to the holding of the Commonwealth the Commonwealth Games. I remember Games in Brisbane. the interview that I had with Press reporters The honourable member for Mansfield at the airport after returning from overseas. referred to what he called the council's They wanted to know how much the Games neglect of rifle shooting. I hasten to point were going to cost. I remember the answer out that the rifle range to which he that I gave at that time, which was, "We referred is situated in my electorate, and that don't know. We have to decide what facilities I would be the first to give any support I have to be provided and what they are going could to having improvements effected to to cost. We will then make submissions to the rifle range, as with the other facilities the other levels of government-the State to be used for the Games. The honourable Government and the Federal Government­ member said that the Brisbane City Council to see what we can afford to pay. The was spending money only on those sports facilities that we provide will be adjusted that would return a profit to the council. in accordance with what we can afford to That is the greatest heap of rubbish I have pay." ever heard. The sports he referred to were The member for Mansfield seems to have archery, athletics, weight-lifting and cycling. forgotten all those arguments today and is Not one of the sports represented in the talking about increasing those costs. I think Commonwealth Games will return a profit his own Government and the Federal Gov­ to anyone, let alone the Brisbane City ernment would be the first to say, "We 3716 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

won't have a part of that. The submissions certainly the Commonwealth Games Found­ were made on a fixed basis, and that is all ation, would be only too happy to ensure that we are prepared to contribute to it." I some payment is made to the club for the think he should remember that it was agreed use of those facilities. that the basis on which those facilities are It is a pity that questions of this sort are to be funded was that one-third was to be being raised at a time when I thought that met by the Brisbane City Council, one-third politics had been taken out of the holding by the State Goverment and one-third by the of the Commonwealth Games in this city. Federal Government. That should be the case, and every indica­ tion is that there will be a great deal of I remember the discussions we had at that co-operation between State Government time about whether or not the cost of accom­ departments, the Federal Government, the modation should be included in the sub­ Brisbane City Council and private enterprise mission made to establish the total cost to see that this event is a great success and of the Games. I was one who believed that that the people of Brisbane derive a great the cost of accommodation should have been deal of benefit and pleasure from it. I cer­ spelt out at that time. The then Lord Mayor tainly hope that we do not see these things said, "No. It is quite clearly understood put back into the political arena and raised that that is a separate arrangement. We as political issues, for instance, in a council expect that that will be funded by the election. I also hope that there is a greater Federal Government and will be a completely appreciation of just what is involved in the separate area for negotiation. All we are holding of this great event in our city. negotiating at this time is the cost of the facilities." Subsequently we found that Hon. W. D. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha-Min­ that was not so and that the cost of ister for Justice and Attorney-General) (4.8 the accommodation had to be deducted from p.m.): I did not intend to enter the debate the amount of money that was available for but I was concerned about some of the the facilities. utterances of the honourable member for Sandgate (Mr. Warburton) and the honour­ I am not going to criticise the basis on able member for Murrumba (Mr. Kruger). which that decision was made, except to say It seems to me that if Opposition members that as a result the money available for cannot foiJow the reasoning behind a Bill, facilities such as ,those mentioned by the the first thing they do is to think up some honourable member for Mansfield has had sinister motive, apply all the improper reasons to be reduced. The facilities which are to it and then come to a conclusion, which now to be provided for archery and other invariably is false but which, of course, sells sports will not be as good as had originally well to the media. been hoped. That is something that we have I should like to put the record straight to live with. If the member for Mansfield concerning this Bill. First, I should like to feels as strongly as he appears to feel that say that the Minister for Local Government his particular sport is being hardly done by, was not !involved in any way. It was the he should perhaps make a further submission Principal Electoral Officer who approached to the council. I would think that the me on ,a matter of concern. I shall explain Lord Mayor would give the provision of how it came about. In 1961 the opinion of facilities for rifle shooting very sympathetic the Solicitor-General was sought. This is consideration, as long as it was treated the one that, according to the honourable on exactly the same basis as the provision member for Sandgate, does not exist. He of facilities in the other areas. The arrange­ said that he did not believe that there was ment was that one-third would be met by the a Crown Law opinion in 1961. Federal Government, one-third by the State Government and one-third by the council. The question that was raised concerned It is completely wrong to suggest now that the circumstance when the date of making this one area should be met by the Brisbane up a roll occurred on a public holiday. On City Council and that it is acting against, 13 January 1961 it was felt that section 31 of or in some way is discriminating against, the Acts Interpretation Act covered the situ­ rifle shooting by not including it in the ation, that is, that it would be extended to upgrading of facilities. the next working day. The elections of 1961 and 1974 were conducted in that way. The I suggest to the honourable member that rolls show the cut-off point was a couple of if officials of his sport believe, as he states, days after the due date because the day that nothing is to be gained and that officials mentioned in the Act fell on a public hoLi­ of the Commonwealth Games have said, day. So there is no mysterious motive. This "Thanks very much for providing these was the reasoning that was held right up facilities but, as far as we are concerned, to the present moment and there was a you will get nothing out of it", they negot­ Crown Law opinion to justify it. iate, if they have not already done so, with Last week a town clerk in Queensland, the Commonwealth Games Foundation on apparently looking through the rolls, saw admission charges for the large numbers of this and checked up. He disagreed with the people who will go to view the sports and Crown Law opinion at that time. He reported on the profits that will be made from the this to the Principal Electoral Officer because use of the facilities that their club provides. the making of the rolls is a matter for the I am sure that any fair-minded person, and Principal Electoral Officer. This was then Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3717

referred to my office, and again the Solicitor­ given; the one that the honourable member General looked independently at this ques­ for Sandgate said did not exist. We come tion. now to last week when a certain town clerk questioned the making up of the roll to 2 Mr. Casey: Did this relate to a postal January and not 31 December. This was vote application? referred to the Crown Law Office by the Mr. LICKISS: No. The honourable mem­ Principal Electoral Officer, and correctly so, ber [s not with it even now. and the Acting Solicitor-General, Mr. Galligan, looked at it again and was of the Mr. Casey: I am listening to you, but opinion that for the sake of clarity there how is it that a town clerk brought it to ought to be an amendment. The Govern­ your notice? ment, acting on the advice of the officer who advises it on legal matters, decided in the Mr. LICKISS: Because, for the honourable public interest that the matter should be member's information, the town clerk is the clarified. Because an election is a very returning officer in all shires. important thing, the Government decided Mr. Casey: Obviously he is not just sitting that the amendments should be drafted, and there all day reading the roll. so amendments to the Local Government Act and the City of Brisbane Act were duly Mr. LICKISS: If the honourable member dmfted. Quite frankly, how anyone can wants to put that stupid construction on it, decide that the Minister for Local Govern­ he is quite entitled to. ment has any sinister motive in introducing these amendments when in fact he had Mr. Casey: All I am asking you is: did nothing to do with them is beyond me. In he look at it-- fact, I advised him by telephone that this Mr. LICKISS: The honourable member is was the situation. All stops were pulled as confused as ever, and ,I will prove out to have an amendment drafted, and here tomorrow just how confused he really is. it is today. I just rose to point out quite The honourable member has put himself on clearly to the public of Queensland that the the sticky paper and I am not going to A.L.P. Opposition is not very bright, and extract him. The position is that shire because it Js not very bright it reverts to clerks are the returning officers for the pur­ its own Ievel-- poses of the local authority elections. If Mr. Warburton: We know what 31 the honourable member does not know that December means.

Mr. Casey: Tell us something we don't Mr. LICKISS: Did the honourable member know. Who are you covering up for? also know it was a Sunday? Mr. Warburton: It doesn't make any dif­ Mr. LICKISS: The interesting question ference. It is what the Act says, isn't it? again, "Who are you covering up for?" We are down in the depths again with Mr. LICKISS: Having gone through it in another smear campaign by the A.L.P. But language as simple as possible, without spell­ let me correct the record and show the ing it out word for word, I am absolutely Committee that the Minister for Local Gov­ amazed that the honourable member does ernment did not play any role in the affair not understand it even now. I pointed out at all. The only reason he is playing a role what the situation was in 1961, which was now is that the Local Government Act backed by Crown Law opinion, and I have and the City of Brisbane Act come under pointed out what occurred last week. his administration. In fact, at one stage it looked as if I would have to introduce Mr. K. J. Hooper: You can't hang on; the Bill until, on the advice of the Solicitor­ you're gone. General, it was found out under whose con­ trol the amendments would have to come. Mr. LICKISS: The honoumble member has had it. I pointed out how this situation Mr. Warburton: Who gave the previous occurred and how it was raised by a town legal advice? Can you tell us that? clerk. It was referred to the Crown Law Mr. LICKISS: Mr. Parslow. Office by the Principal Electoral Officer, it was checked by the Solicitor-General and Mr. Warburton: The previous one I he then made a recommendation for the referred to? amendment of the Act for the sake of clarity. The Government felt that in the Mr. LICKISS: In 1961 it was also Mr. public interest this should be put beyond all Parslow. If the honourable member had doubt. An election is an important matter, been in the Chamber, he would have heard even though Opposition members do not that. think it is. What I have said completely An Opposition Member: You never men­ vindicates the Minister for Local Govern­ tioned his name. ment. He had no role to play in the matter and I hope honourable members opposite, Mr. LICKISS: I did not have to mention having cast all these aspersions, will at least his name. I have already dealt with 1961 show a modicum of decency and acknow­ when the first Crown Law opinion was ledge this. 3718 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Electioi!S Bill

Mr. WRIGHT (Rockhampton) (4.15 p.m.): minds of other members-and the member The Minister for Justice has gone to some for Port Curtis put it very succinctly-that pains to try to remove any blame or responsi­ that is the reason for the introduction of this bility from the Minister for Local Govern­ legislation. ment for the legislation that we are Let the Government come clean about it. discussing at the moment. Most members Do not let happen again what happened in would agree that it is immaterial ·who really a previous debate when the wool was pulled brought this about. It is the motive behind over our eyes and we were certainly misled it that concerns us. as to the reason for the legislation. Let it I am surprised to see that the Minister be made clear why this legislation is being for Justice and Attorney-General is the one brought forward. Who is the Government who comes rushing to the defence of the protecting now? Who is the candidate? Is it Minister for Local Government, saying that a Liberal or a National Party candidate who we are wrong in suspecting anything. I ask would be disenfranchised or would not be members to cast their minds back to the allowed to contest the election if this legisla­ time when another measure was brought tion was not brought forward? before this Assembly by the Minister for The member for Sandgate raised the point Justice and Attorney-General. He sought that on every instance when validating legis­ the support of this Chamber to allow him to lation has been introduced it has been done deal with the measure at all stages very to protect somebody personally. It has been quickly one evening. He indicated to the done to bring about some political advantage Chamber that the measure was a simple one, or to remove some political disadvantage. So that there were no ulterior motives behind I add my voice to the voices of Opposition the move, and that there was no reason for members who have previously spoken in this introducing it other than to clarify a point debate. We cast great doubt on the motives of law. We found out later that the whole behind the measure that is before the reason behind the introduction of that legis­ Chamber. lation, Mr. Miller-and you, yourself, would recall it very clearly-was removal of the Mr. AKERS (Pine Rivers) (4.19 p.m.): We legal and statutory requirements on the have just heard the legal position from the Premier to appear before the court, because Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, he was involved in a conspiracy allegation. and I think that it answers everything that the Opposition has raised on this particular At that time the Liberal member for Bill. The Bill of which I speak is the one Brisbane Central, Mr. Lowes, got up and to provide with respect to the validity of challenged the Minister on the ground that triennial elections of local authorities, the amendments being put forward did not appointed to be held on Saturday, 31 March overcome the problem that he was talking 1979. about. I myself, as the Opposition spokes­ man on that matter, raised serious doubts, Mr. WRIGHT: I rise to a point of order. but we accepted the Minister's word that I would ask the honourable member to tell there was no ulterior motive behind the move, the Committee what document he is reading that the legislation was being introduced for from. It seemed to me to be a Bill. no reason other than to clarify and clear up a legal doubt that had arisen. We found out Mr. AKERS: I will quite happily do it. a day later that the reason why the legisla­ The ACTING CHAIRMAN: There is no tion was introduced was to protect the Premier. I felt stupid, I must admit-and I point of order. admitted it here-that I had been done, that Mr. AKERS: I referred to it just to bring I had taken a man's word that the measure that sort of response, and to show how was not important politically or legally. Is it childish members opposite are. They made a any wonder that, when the Minister for great ruckus before and tabled a great pile Local Government brings this measure before of papers. Anbody who had been in this the Chamber a few days before a very Chamber for the introduction of one Bill important local government election, we have knows that the Bills are printed before the some doubts as to the real motives behind initiation motion is passed. such a move. Mr. Wright: You are admitting you have If there is nothing wrong, then why won't it. the Minister for Local Government clarify the inference that he drew-and it was by Mr. AKERS: Of course I am admitting way of an inference--when he first mentioned I have it. It is just childish to worry 1,277 electors. He said, "It could be that about that. It is particularly childish on the the electors involved may have already voted part of the Opposition to worry about some­ and, if that is so, let us validate their vote." thing like that. On other occasions members I would agree with that. But he went on opposite scream and rant and rave that to say, "It could also be that a person Government members have had an oppor­ enrolled on 2 January 1979 could have tunity to see what is in the Bill and that they nominated as a candidate for election for the do not know what is in it until it is intro­ area in respect of which he was enrolled." duced. Probably because of somebody's tech­ I think that that is the kernel of the whole nical mistake, honourable members opposite debate. It is obvious in my mind and in the have a copy of the Bill, so they are crying Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3719

again. They make a great political prank of Mr. Wright: Do you know who the candi­ it. Probably they have raced upstairs and dates are who are involved? given out Press releases about it. It is all very childish. Mr. AKERS: In the Pine Rivers Shire I know them quite well. Mr. Wright: It raises the whole validity of what we are doing here now, doesn't Mr. Wright interjected. it? Mr. AKERS: The honourable member has Mr. AKERS: No, it doesn't. already been told very clearly that no candi­ dates are involved. Honourable members Mr. Wright: Are we going to validate opposite cannot criticise anything fairly. They tomorrow by legislation what we are cannot engage in a fair fight. The com­ validating today? ments of the honourable member for Mur­ rumba were another example of their lack Mr. AKERS: Honourable members of fairness in any sort of fight. I will deal opposite are so childish for worrying about with them in a minute to show his hypocrisy it. They do not even know what the forms today. and rules of the Assembly are. Anybody who has been in the Chamber for five If the Government had allowed the elec­ minutes would know that the attendants have tions to go ahead without amending the piles of Bills outside. Quite often while legislation, thousands and thousands of dol­ Mr. Speaker is putting the motion at the lars would have gone down the drain, and introductory stage the attendants are handing there would have been disruption of the out copies of the Bill. functions of local authorities throughout the whole of the State. Local authorities are Mr. Jones: Under seal. not geared to put on elections at very short notice. After the Liberals win next Saturday !VIr. AKERS: What's the difference? What in division 2 in the Pine Rivers Shire, the honourable members opposite have said was honourable member for Murrumba and his totally unwarranted and totally a waste of cronies would have appealed against the result time. It was a prank. They had nothing to on the grounds that there were some people say about the Bill that meant anything, so on the roll whose enrolment did not comply they had to try to use some childish prank. strictly with the Act. Had that happened, The Bill is the result of a technical and probably $30,000 or $40,000 belonging to legal mistake on the part of the public the ratepayers of the Pine Rivers Shire servants in the past-people who tried to would have gone down the drain to hold a be reasonable in carrying out their jobs. new election. That was the alternative. All that is asked of anybody is that he be I believe that the right thing is being Jone. reasonable in carrying out his job. The Minister That money has been saved. The shire can for Justice and Attorney-General has already go on functioning as from next Monday. It told the Committee that a high-ranking legal can continue functioning instead of being officer gave an opinion, and the Government totally disrupted for three, four, five or six has acted on that basis for a long time. weeks. Mr. Porter: It is better to play it safe The honourable member for Port Curtis for everybody's sake. talked about a list of validating Bills. Those he listed were all Bills introduced as a Mr. AKERS: Everybody knows that a per­ result of problems that arose in local author­ son can go to two different lawyers and get ities. They had nothing to do with the three different opinions. Government's actioP..s; they involved! the actions of local authorities. Some of those Only two courses were open for the raised by the honourable member for Sand­ Government. It could have allowed the gate might warrant some criticism. The ones elections to go ahead as the legislation stood, raised by the honourable member for Port or it could take the action it is taking today. Curtis were based on matters totally irrele­ No other options were open. If the elections vant to this Government. They related to had gone ahead as the legislation stood, local authorities throughout the State. And on Saturday hundreds of thousands of dol­ the honourable member professes to be the lars, possibly millions of dollars, would have Opposition's spokesman on local government! been wasted on elections throughout the State. I think the Minister said that about This afternoon we saw the member ·for 1,200 people were affected. I know of eight Murrumba engage in the greatest hypocrisy or 10. Since I heard the Bill was going to possible. He criticised the Minister for Local be introduced, I have checked to see how it Government for his decision on the boun­ affects my area. At least eight or 10 on the daries in the Pme Rivers Shire. Everyone division 2 roll for the Pine Rivers Shire knows what my opinion is and certainly the would be affected. Their names are shown Minister knows what it is. I think he made a for 2 January. I really do not know what the totally wrong decision when he knocked names are. I did not look at the names but back the council request. glanced down the dates on the right-hand One of the reasons why he knocked it side. back was that there was a close vote, and Mr. Wright: Any candidates? one of the reasons why there was a close vote was that the member for Murrumba Mr. AKERS: No candidates at all. voted against the change. If he had voted 3720 Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill

in accordance with the way he spoke this deficiency of $72,207. Worse still, a total afternoon, it would have been 7 to 4 and of $64,274 in revenue was not collected. In there would have been a strong feeling for addition, ratepayers of Gladstone have had it. He was the only A.L.P. representative to foot a $37,000 bill for P.A. Management on the Pine Rivers Shire and he repeatedly Consultants. Furthermore, the cost of the voted to maintain the gerrymander that exists Auditor-General's report was $25,000. In all, in the shire now. But today he stands up the people of Gladstone will be paying more and votces what his candidates are saying in than $200,000. Despite this, once again the the shire, that is, "We are in favour of Minister is reluctant to take action, action wards in the Pine Rivers Shire." He did not that he promised he would take. come up with one alternative suggestion to An examination of the summary of the the council. The A.L.P.'s policy must be Auditor-General's report discloses the seen as one to maintain the gerrymander following- that exrsts. However, it publishes advertise­ ments and goes round the streets saying, " It is the function of the Town Clerk, "We think wards are a good idea and will as the chief executive officer of the give you good representation. We will intro­ Council, to be responsible for the accurate duce them." assessment and levy of revenue, the safe keeping and accounting for moneys The member for Murrumba had a chance received, expended or on hand, the correct­ to vote for them and to put up an alterna­ ness and propriety of payments made and tive. But this A.L.P. candidate ruled them generally to conduct the affairs of the office out, thereby giving the Minister an oppor­ with efficiency and economy. It is my tumty to act in the way he did. For the considered opinion that these responsibiHties member to stand up in this Chamber and say have not been carried out." that the Minister was wrong in making that decision is sheer hypocrisy. Every time the In the local council elections this week­ member for Murrumba opens his mouth, he end, this town clerk will be the returning embarrasses the other members of the officer under the Act. I submit to honourable Opposition and the other members of his members that he has a vested interest in team in the Pine Rivers Shire. They are seeing the same team returned-the team beginning to disown him. They are trying that was there while the ratepayers of to keep him at home and away from public Gladstone were fleeced out of $200,000. meetings. He knows very well that Opposition coun­ cillors standing for this election have said The whole debate from the Opposition that if elected they will do all in their power side has been one of hypocrisy and political to rectify the situation. On Saturday he will bandwagoning. The Bill is necessary, how­ be a returning officer who, quite obviously, ever unfortunate it is that it has to be intro­ could have a vested interest in the result duced so close to an election. It is necessary of the election. That goes far and beyond to save the ratepayers of the State hundreds the impartiality we desire. of thousands of dollars and to allow people, such as land developers and persons who My main point this afternoon concerns want to have homes built, to get their the state of our electoral rolls. The Bill is answers from councils quickly. If the before us because some people were put on Opposition had its way, there would be the roll on 2 January. A number of my lengthy delays in getting results from councils. constituents who checked to see if they were on the roll have given me their word that Mr. FOURAS (South Brisbane) (4.28 p.m.): although they applied in early December Today we see another example of the intro­ to be placed on the roll, their names do not duction by this Government of validating appear. I have checked with the Electoral legislation. Instead of being able to do more Office, which told me, "The date of applica­ worthwhile things, we are sitting in this tions was 7, 11 or some other date in Ohamber trying to clean up a mess that has December, but we did not receive them until been made by the Government. after 31 December." It is very easy for The Minister for Local Government has somebody who is inefficient (or who decides shown a fair degree of inefficiency in handling to do it for some reason) to stamp an his portfolio. Some trme ago, in answer to application with a date after 1 January to a question from the Opposition spokesman make it invalid. That is merely one example. concerning the shocking state of affairs in In the last State election thousands of the Gladstone City Council, the Minister people who had lived in areas for a long stated that he would look at it. Since then time, and who turned up to vote, had to an audited report has been submitted on the claim section 35A votes because their names Gladstone City Council. That report is an were not on the roll. In my area dozens of indictment of the council and, furthermore, people who had left the area years before it is an indictment of the Minister and his were still on the roll. lack of action. We have a ridiculous situation in Queens­ Page 2 of the report sets out the cash land because we have two electoral rolls. deficiencies. Under "(a) Amounts stolen from People become confused about whether they the Council", we see items such as, "Theft have enrolled when they have changed their from strong-room-$11,990" and "Cash addresses. It is time that the Government Deficiencies----$41,912". Those two items and abandoned its vested interest in having the other cash deficiencies make up a total electoral rolls in a bad state. It is time it Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3721

adopted a commonsense approach of having What he does not tell the people of the one electoral roll, which, in the words of area is that that property is under the control the honourable member for Pine Rivers, of the State Government. Both I and the would save money for everyone concerned. local aldermen have made numerous Other honourable members have raised approaches to have that matter rectified. In issues about the Brisbane City Council a similar vein, he tries to show that the election to be held on 31 March. Being a council is not doing its job. He has taken little parochial, 1 sound one note of warning photographs of two other pieces of Crown for the people of Brisbane who will vote on land, which it is the responsibility of the Saturday. I simply say to them that they State Government to mow, saying that they should not trust a Liberal council in are further examples of council neglect in Adelaide Street any more than they can trust W oolloongabba. the Liberals down here in George Street to I am just pointing this out as a timely look after their interests. It is very easy warning to the electors of this very good for the Liberals here to tell the people, "We city of ours--a city that has progressed will look after your interests.", but in matters marvellously under Labor administrations; a concerning the Brisbane City Council the city that has grown from a little bush town Liberals have not had the numbers in in 1961 to a city that we can all be proud Cabinet, the welfare of the city at heart, of; a city that must not risk or stand the or the gumption to stand up for the rights false promises of people like Alderman of Brisbane ratepayers. McDonald. They must not put in an admin­ I could cite numerous examples. For istration that does not have the fortitude instance, of the $23,400,000 that the Aus­ to stand up for their rights. They must not tralian Grants Commission gave to be put in an administration that would not allow passed to the council to subsidise city trans­ the Brisbane City Council to provide the port over three years, not one cent was services they want. passed on. Let us have a look at what happened when electricity-a very, very I conclude on the very simple point that profitable concern-was taken from the I would be a lot happier if this afternoon, Brisbane City Council, which was possibly instead of taking time in debating this the cheapest distributor of electricity in the measure, I was back in my electorate doing Southern Hemisphere. All of the Liberals some very good work. The Government is said, "We will stand up for you. We will inefficient. Its inefficiencies are being shown fight for this." However, at the end they did in the electorate, which ought to be con­ not have the numbers in Cabinet. They were cerned that the Government is botching up very strong when talking about it in the its job at all times. On each occasion that electorate; but in the end, when it came we have had validating legislation, it has to the joint parties' room and the Parlia­ been for the purpose of protecting the inter­ ment, they were very weak-kneed. I say to ests of a Government member or to gain the electors of Brisbane that, when it comes some political advantage. I join other to the take-over of water reticulation, if the members of the Opposition in asking: who is Liberals are elected to the city hall, they it this time that the Minister is trying to will have no more guts than the Liberals protect? down in George Street in standing up for the interests of the people of Brisbane. Mr. FRAWLEY (Caboolture) (4.39 p.m.): I will be very brief. I did not intend to speak We have a National Party Government this afternoon; but, after listening to some that is trying to destroy the Brisbane City of the tripe that has been dished out by Council. It is trying to pull the innards Opposition members, I felt compelled to rise out of it. It is trying to pull it apart bit to my feet to say a few words. We have by bit. I feel that I have to tell my con­ had an example of that tripe from the mem­ stituents and all other electors of Brisbane ber who has just resumed his seat. I say that they ought to be aware that it is no that the Primary Industries Department was good having Liberals at the city hall; they pretty lucky that the member for South will have no more gumption and no more Brisbane was elected to State Parliament. fortitude than the Liberals down here in It got him out of that department, and the George Street. It is about time that this Public Service should have been very pleased was said, and said very clearly. to get rid of him. The same could be said In my area, a campaign is being run of the member for Rockhampton. His elec­ for the Liberal candidate in the ward of tion to Parliament got him out of the teach­ Woolloongabba by a campaign director who ing service. is a former Liberal member of Parliament. This afternoon Opposition members have He has put out a beautiful pamphlet in complained about this Bill that is being which he talks about neglect in the ward. introduced by the Minister for Local Govern­ However, he has been guilty of a shyster ment and Main Roads. I believe that he acted trick. He has had a photograph taken commendably in introducing it. I will go of a disused building in Ipswich Road, so far as to say that he is a Minister who Buranda, which he says is a haven for keeps his word. vermin and a fire hazard that would fall across the footpath and hurt pedestrians. An Opposition Member: Is he one of your I agree with that totally and completely. relations? 3722 Local Authorities (28 MARCH 1979} Elections Bill

Mr. FRAWLEY: No, not at all. However, those councils who have the welfare of he is a Minister who will 1isten to any back­ their constituents at heart, exactly as I have bencher, Opposition or Government. I am and exactly as the honourable member for getting sick of the continual attacks that are Pine Rivers and others on this side of the made on him. I warn the Opposition members House have. We are unlike some of the that if they keep on to the Minister for Local Opposition members who have done nothing Government and Main Roads I will tip some but object to this Bill. buckets over them that they will never get out from under. It is about time that some Many thousands of dollars could have been back-benchers got up and supported the Min­ wasted had not the Minister introduced this ister and I intend to be one. He is attacked Bill. It is only right that the Minister should time and time again. do this. Opposition members should be ashamed of themselves for some of the doubts The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask that they have cast on the Minister. They the honourable member to return to the have made out that he is incompetent, subject-matter of the Bill. whereas he is in fact one of the most com­ petent Ministers in this or any other Par­ Mr. FRAWLEY: I certainly will. I did not liament. In 1951, I was a maintenance elec­ even realise I had strayed from the Bill. trician in Parliament House and I saw many The Minister made the correct decision in Labor Ministers-the A.L.P. was in power leaving the Pine Rivers Shire boundaries as then-selling half of the funiture in the din­ they were. Had they been changed, the ,ing room and half of the chairs to the people of Dayboro would have been ser­ Bellevue Hotel as it was then. iously disadvantaged. Dayboro is part of my electorate, and I have the honour of rep­ The ACTING CHAIRMAN: Order! resenting those people. I made representa­ tions to the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads to consider very carefully Mr. FRAWLEY: I am sorry, Mr. Miller. before making any decision to alter the I am simply trying to point out the difference boundaries of the Pine Rivers Shire. between this Minister and some of the Ministers of that day. This Minister is The member for Murrumba backed out. a credit to the Government. I have no He voted against the ward system. He said hesitation in supporting the Bill. that he wanted to get on the Pine Rivers Shire Council. He had his opportunity and he backed out. He tried to run with the Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast-Minister hares and hunt with the hounds. He made for Local Government and Main Roads) (4.43 a complete botch of it. It was only my p.m.), in reply: I think I should move that decision to contest the seat of Caboolture the honourable member for Caboolture be that allowed him to become a member of given an extension of time. Parliament. If I had remained in Murrumba I would still be the member for that elector­ In reply to the speech of the honourable ate. He is damned lucky to be here, and he member for Port Curtis-I tried to indicate can thank me for that. yesterday and again this morning that we were trying to overcome the problem of I do not have any trouble with the coun­ cils in my electorate. I have heard complaints some 1,200 Queenslanders finding themselves today about various councils. The Caboolture in a position that they should not be in. Shire Council is chaired by a member of We wanted to ensure that they would not the A.L.P. and we work in well together. I suffer any embarrassment. have no complaints about that council. A doubt has been raised by almost every A Government Member: Didn't you beat Opposition speaker about whether this con­ him? cerns a National Party candidate or a Liberal Party candidate. I do not know of any Mr. FRAWLEY: I did but, of course, I candidate who could be in that category. am magnanimous towards my opponents. I I say that very clearly. If anybody wishes give them credit when I defeat them. They to take me up on it, I am a gambling man. stood the deputy chairman against me last That is entirely up to honourable members time and I did him and his mate like a opposite. I -do not know of anyone who dinner-by 2,592 votes, if my memory serves may have nominated for any position on any me correctly. Modesty prevents my speak­ council, and I hope that Opposition members ing too much about the mayor of Redcliffe, will accept that. I repeat that some 1,200 because he happens to be a relative of mine. people find themselves in this position and There are no problems in Redcliffe. we are trying to overcome the problem for Mr. Gunn: He's a brother of yours. them. The honourable member for Port Curtis Mr. FRAWLEY: I did not want to say referred briefly to the Gladstone City Coun­ that but the honourable member forces me cil. We all know that it did have a problem to admit it. and that the Auditor-General and the police I refer also to the Landsborough Shire were called in and that a person has been Council. We do not have any problems in charged. Under the circumstances, what those places. There are always people on more can one do? Do not members opposite Local Authorities [28 MARCH 1979] Elections Bill 3723 admit that that is the logical thing to do? SECOND READING All these steps have been taken. Frankly, I do not know that there is anything else Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast-Minister that I, as the Minister for Local Govern­ for Local Government and Main Roads) ment, should do, because I would then be (4.50 p.m.): I move- intruding into the lawful rights of individuals. "That the Bill be now read a second Only time will tell whether or not the person time.,' charged is guilty. As I mentioned in my introductory speech, The honourable member also said that this the Bill is designed to correct a legal techni­ is the fourth occasion on which I have intro­ cality that has arisen in relation to the duced validating legislation. That is the preparation of rolls for use at the local duty of a Minister. If something appears authority elections on 31 March. I explained to be wrong, one has to raise it _on the floor of the Parliament, have it debated its provisions at the introductory stage, and and overcome the problem. I make no the Bill was favourably received by honour­ excuses for saying that. If a position again able members. arises where validating legislation is neces­ sary-! think the honourable member for Mr. PREST (Port Curtis) (4.51 p.m.): Sandgate said that I will be .introducing Briefly, the Opposition is pleased to see that such legislation again-again there will 'be the validating legislation will remove an no apologies. anomaly that has existed for many years. All other honourable members referred I shall speak briefly about some of the to matters relating to the forthcoming elec­ comments that were made earlier, particularly tions. I did not want to become involved, those by the member for Pine Rivers, who because I have tried to remain aloof from the elections. I claim to have had a very said that this move would save the rate­ close relationship with the Lord Mayor of payers hundreds of thousands of dollars. the City of Brisbane, Mr. Sleeman-inci­ If the Local Authorities Act had been dentally, he sat on the executive of the Local correct in the first instance, there would Government Association with me for a have been no need for this validating legisla­ number of years-long before I became a tion, and the question of cost would not have member of Parliament and long before he arisen. Therefore, I think that the Govern­ became the Lord Mayor of the city of ment must take full responsibility for the Brisbane. I also had close relations ·with present Act. In particular, the Minister Clem Jones and Walsh prior to that, and should take full responsibility for allowing the that is in the record book. As Minister Act to stand for so many years without for Local Government, I do not think it amending it in this respect. is my duty to be continually in the news­ papers at arm's length from the Lord Mayor The Minister for Justice and Attorney­ of the major city in the State, and I have General said that a town clerk first drew tried to act accordingly. I hope that that his attention to the fact that 1,280 electors also sinks in. were affected and that he then had to draw The Minister for Justice answered all the matter to the attention of the Minister questions relating to the legal opinion given for Local Government and Main Roads. That by the former Solicitor-General. The latest is a shame. Honourable members on this opinion reached me only on Friday, 21 side of the House would like to know who March, following a query from a local auth­ that town clerk was and what area he came ority returning officer. That is why ,J am from. Why was he so interested in this in the position that I am in today-with a matter? Surely it should not be left to a certain amount of trepidation, I might say town clerk, or to a shire clerk in the -introducing a local government Bill in this country, to advise the Minister for Local Chamber two or three days before a local authority election. Frankly, the debate Government and Main Roads and the Min­ could have been opened up and any member ister for Justice and Attorney-General that could have l'isen and referred to local gov­ a situation that has existed for many years ernment matters. I think you have been is wrong. That is a bad state of affairs. kind, gentlemen, and under those circum­ I am certain the Opposition's suspicions about stances ·I am prepared to leave the matter a cover-up are well founded. If only we at that. knew where that town clerk comes from, we might be able to get down to the nitty­ Amendment (Mr. Bishop) negatived. gritty. Perhaps the Minister for Local Gov­ Motion (Mr. Hinze) agreed to. ernment and Main Roads could table a list showing the l,Tl7 or 1,280 electors who are Resolution reported. affected and let us look at that. Mr. Wright. Do you think the Minister FIRST READING will categorically deny that he is not protect­ Bill, on motion of Mr. Hinze, read a first ing any National or Liberal Party candi­ time. date? 3724 Local Authorities, &c., Bill [29 MARCH 1979] Allegations Against Mr. Speaker

Mr. PREST: I take the Minister's word that he is not, and that is all I can do. The Minister for Justice and Attorney­ General has said that the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads did not know anything about the matter, that he had to draw his attention to it. That is a sad situation, and it proves that the Govern­ ment is a day-to-day Government; it just staggers along. When it finds out at the very last moment, just hours before an actual happening, that something has to be rectified, it brings in validating legislation to rectify it. That is a terrible situation. Nevertheless, as the Opposition believes in the democratic svstem and believes that every elector in th~ State is entitled io a vote, it goes along with the legislation. We do not want to put the people concerned to any trouble, and we do not want to put the local authorities to any additional cost because the triennial elections are made invalid. Therefore, we have no opposition to the Bill.

Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast-Minister for Local Government and Main Roads) (4.54 p.m.), in reply: I thank the member for Port Curtis for his comments. The person involved was the town clerk of the Gold Coast City Council, Arthur Angove. There is no problem attached to supplying that information. I do not mind being reminded by people of ability, who have served a lifetime in local government, that there may be something wrong. The member for Port Curtis said that the Government is staggering along. He should not have to be reminded of the state of the House. There are 35 members of the National Party, 23 members of the Liberal Party and 24 members of the Labor Party. So we will be staggering along for a long time yet-unfortunately for the Opposition. I know that the honourable member and his colleagues will be sitting over there for many years. Motion (Mr. Hinze) agreed to.

CoMMITTEE (The Acting Chairman of Committees, Mr. Miller, Ithaca, in the chair) Clauses 1 to 3, both inclusive, as read, agreed to. Bill reported, without amendment.

THIRD READING Bill, on motion of Mr. Hinze, read a third time. The House adjourned at 4.58 p.m.