Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1963 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 654 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER, 1963 Answer:- "Australia relies for its existence in the Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, world free sugar market on being economi­ Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair cally efficient. To this end, major economies in cost are derived by using at 11 a.m. megasse as fuel. Whilst present export prices are high, very recent history shows QUESTIONS a different position, and it would be unrealistic to assume the present high level NEW T.A.B. AGENCIES.-Mr. Dean, of prices will last indefinitely. I would pursuant to notice, asked The Treasurer,- add that every care is taken to reduce to ( 1) Did he see the newspaper statement an absolute minimum any nuisance arising made by the chairman of the Totalisator from the use of megasse as fuel during the Administration Board in The Courier-Mail crushing season." of October 7, that new Totalisator Administration Board Shops would always SEPTIC SYSTEMS AT MURARRIE AND be opening in Queensland? MAYFIELD STATE SCHOOLS.-Mr. Houston, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for (2) If so, will he give serious con­ Works,- sideration to curtailing this fast-developing monster which is causing hardship in many When will septic systems be installed homes and also having a detrimental effect at the Murarrie and Mayfield State on many local business concerns, because Schools? money so spent in these shops is directed into an unproductive channel? Answer:- "No indication can be given as to when Answer:- septic systems will be installed at the (1 and 2.) "I know of no such news­ Murarrie and Mayfield State Schools. paper statement by the chairman. What Funds are not available at present for appeared was a summary of the chair­ these installations. The Murarrie and man's 'Meet the Press' interview on the Mayfield State Schools will receive con­ previous evening. In that interview he sideration with other schools when further made it clear that Brisbane was almost funds for the installation of septic systems completely covered and he foresaw the become available." need for about two more metropolitan agencies in the near future. He went on to make it clear that expansion of TOWNSVILLE ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE.­ the State's population and the need to Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The combat remaining areas of illegal opera­ Minister for Education,- tion would then be the main factors in (!) Has an appointment yet been made initiating consideration of new agencies. to the positiOn of Assistant District There is no evidence that the spreading of Organiser of Adult Education in Towns­ the T.A.B. is causing an increase in the ville? gambling habits of the State. On the con­ trary, there is considerable support for (2) Has the possibility of appointing a third organiser to the Townsville centre the view that the volume is now much been examined and, if not, is he prepared less than in the bad old days of wide­ to give it serious consideration? spread illegal operation. The insistence by the T.A.B. on no credit facility, and Answers:- its practice of withholding the payment of winnings until a following day have (1) "No. Action is being taken to proved a salutory correction of the bad advertise the position and an appointment old practices of betting until heavily in will be made in due course." debt and of dissipating earlier winnings (2) "The possibility of appointing an in subsequent plunges on the same day." additional District Organiser to the Towns­ ville Adult Education Centre and to one UsE OF MEGASSE AS FUEL.-Mr. Duggan, or more other Adult Education Centres, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for has been given full consideration. This Primary Industries,- year priority has been given to the establishment of a new centre at Mackay In view of the acute world sugar shortage and a District Organiser has recently been which has been accentuated by the hur­ appointed to this centre. Apart from this ricane disaster which wiped out a quarter appointment, no provision has been made of Cuba's crop, does he consider that the in the estimates for the appointment of time is opportune, while markets and additional officers. In view of the heavy prices are reasonably assured, to take steps commitments of my Department and the to minimise or eliminate the nuisance funds available, it is not proposed to make caused in all sugar mill areas by the any new appointments during this financial burning of megasse in furnaces? period." Questions [15 OCTOBER] Questions 655 DISTRIBUTION FROM BOOKMAKERS' TURN­ SALE OF FLUORIDE TABLETS WITHOUT OVER TAX SPECIAL FUND.-Mr. O'Donnell, PRESCRIPTION.-Mr. Hanlon, pursuant to pursuant to notice, asked The Treasurer,- notice, asked The Minister for Health,- With reference to the Bookmakers' (Off (1) Is he aware that it is possible to buy Course) Turnover Tax Special Fund,- without prescription over the counter in (1) When, if at any time, was a dis­ Brisbane fluoride tablets in a container on tribution made to clubs? which appears the caution, "Supply of this preparation except on prescription is illegal (2) If a distribution was made, how in Queensland"? much was received by the Rockhampton Jockey Club, the Emerald Club and the (2) Will he give an explanation of this Springsure Club? situation in view of the fact that his (3) How much tax was paid into the introductory remarks on the Fluorine Bill Special Fund by each of these centres? suggest it is in the interests of children's dental health for parents to give them such ( 4) If Rockhampton district, inclusive tablets in the suggested dosage, where of Yeppoon and Mount Morgan, paid in fluorine is not added to the water supply? nothing, why did the Rockhampton Jockey Club benefit? (3) If there is any danger in the use without prescription of these tablets, will Answers:- he ensure that the attention of chemists is drawn to the provisions of the law in (1) "A distribution was made of funds this State? available as at February 28, 1963." (2) "As a principal club, the Rock­ (4) Why is it necessary to secure these hampton Jockey Club received £118 8s. 4d. tablets only by prescription? as its entitlement under paragraph (a) of subsection ( 4) of Section 95c of the Acts. Answer:- I have no record of the distribution of ( 1 to 4) "It has been the policy of my the balance of available funds made by Department to place drugs on Schedule · 4 the distribution committee under para­ of the Poisons Regulations until they are graph (b) of the subsection." classified by the National Health and (3) "The information is not available." Medical Research Council. This restricts ( 4) "I refer the Honourable Member their supply to pharmaceutical chemists to subsection ( 4) of Section 95c of the by prescription only. At the meeting of Acts. But I remind the Honourable Gentle­ the National Health and Medical Research man that Rockhampton is one of the few Council held in May of this year it was places in Central Queensland which races recommended that fluoride tablets be placed every Saturday. If some Club were not in Schedule 2. Drugs in this Schedule prepared to do so, there would be no racing are of low toxicity and may be sold by a event on which off-course operators could pharmaceutical chemist or by the holder accept wagers." of a general poisons license obtainable by a person more than ten miles distant from the nearest chemist without restric­ HOUSING COMMISSION SHOPPING CENTRE, tion. No record of sale need be kept. WuLGURU.-Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, It would be necessary to swallow at least asked The Minister for Works,- twenty-one fluoride tablets before any toxic symptoms would even appear and when (1) Has the Housing Commission an it is realised that these tablets are one­ area reserved for a shopping centre at quarter of an inch in diameter, it will be Wulguru? If so, how many business appreciated that such a happening is premises have been erected on this area unlikely to occur. Amendments to the to date? various Poison Schedules are in the course (2) If any premises have been erected, of preparation and should be gazetted under what terms and conditions were the within the next month. As I have men­ occupants and/ or owners allowed to erect tioned previously, no other method of them? preventing dental decay has been shown (3) What terms and conditions will apply to be as effective or convenient as fluorida­ to anyone else who desires to erect tion of water. Reliable safeguards have business premises on the area? been devised against adding too much fluoride at the waterworks. Its presence Answers:- naturally in some water supplies in far ( 1 and 2) "Yes. An area of eight sites. larger amounts than the recommended No business premises have been erected." concentration, without harm to health, (3) "The sites are available on perpetual shows there is a wide margin of safety. lease tenure to firms, organisations, com­ Despite the closest watch there is no panies or persons for business purposes. evidence to support the view that fluorida­ Buildings are to be of brick or concrete tion carries any hazard to general health construction to plans approved by the in the concentration of one part per Commission and the Local Authority." million." 656 Inspection of Machinery, &c., Bill [ASSEMBLY] Supply PAPERS DAYS ALLOTTED TO SUPPLY The following papers were laid on the Hon. G.