Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 1972 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 236 Education Act (31 AUGUST 1972] Questions Upon Notice THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 1972 Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. W. H. Lonergan, Flinders) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. PETITION PROPOSED AMENDMENT, CITY OF BRISBANE AcT Mr. BALDWIN (Redlands) presented a petition from 18,085 electors praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take necessary steps in the current session of Parliament to set up a referendum of electors to decide whether or not any alteration is desired in the election of the Brisbane City Council and the Lord Mayor. Petition read and received. QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE REALIGNMENT OF MALENY-LANDSBOROUGH RoAD SECTION Mr. Ahern, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Mines,- In view of the concern being expressed by the Maleny Co-operative Dairy Associa­ tion at the condition of the range section of the Maleny-Landsborough road and the danger to daily milk deliveries during flood times, when will construction commence on the realignment of this road? Answer:- "Funds have been provided to enable a start to be made on this work during the present financial year." HIRE-DRIVERS' LICENCES Mr. Newton, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Transport,- For the years 1969-70, 1970-71 and 1971-72 in ( i) the metropolitan area, ( ii) provincial cities and ( iii) the rest of the State- Cl) What was the number of hire­ drivers' licences (non-owner) (a) applied for and (b) approved? (2) What was the number of hire­ drivers' licences (owner-driver) (a) applied for and (b) approved? (3) How many part-time licences were issued? Questions Upon Notice (31 AUGUST 1972) Questions Upon Notice 237 Answers:- (2) At what centres throughout the State are they operating? (1) "(a) and (b) (3) What specialist qualifications are Applied set down for members of this squad? for Approved Answers:- Metropolitan area 1969-70 .. 1,285 822 ( 1 ) "5 senior sergeants; 11 sergeants 1970-71 1,451 1,074 1/C; 3 sergeants 2/C and 1 constable. 1971-72 .. 1,842 1,235 The position of Officer in Charge (Inspec­ Provincial cities 1969-70 .. 207 169 tor of Police) is vacant at present." 1970-71 .. 297 222 1971-72 .. 204 161 (2) "Brisbane, Inala, Wynnum (metro­ polita:-~ area); Nambour; and Redcliffe." Rest of the State 1969-70 .. 95 90 1970-71 .. 101 97 ( 3) "Competent to conduct all types of 1971-72 .. 143 130" prosecutions which police prosecutors are required to handle, including criminal, quasi-criminal, simple offences, traffic, (2) "(a) and (b) A licence issued to liquor, betting, gaming and general prose­ the owner of a cab authorises him to drive that vehicle, consequently, there is cutions and when required to assist the no category of hire-driver's licence for Coroner at inquests into the causes of owner drivers. The number of cab licences deaths or fires." which may be issued in the metropolitan area is limited by Regulation to 1,245. LOSSES OF MONEY HANDLED BY POLICE No additional cab licences have been FoRcE issued in the metropolitan area since 50 licences were submitted for sale in 1964 Mr. Newton, pursuant to notice, asked The .and subsequently allotted. Whilst no Minister for Works,- formal applications have been received for ( 1) What amounts of money which cab licences in provincial cities several have been handled by members of the enquiries were received as to the prospect Queensland Police Force have disappeared of licences being issued in some of these over the past three years and at what cities. The enquirers were advised of the centres? provision of the State Tran~port Act requir­ (2) Of these amounts, how much has ing such applications to be invited by been recovered and what amounts are still public advertisement. No additional cab outstanding? licences were issued in any of the pro­ vincial cities during the relevant years. Answer:- The number of new licences applied for ( 1 and 2) "Centralized records of a and approved in the rest of the State statistical nature are not maintained by were- the Police Department on this subject. To obtain the information sought would 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 require an examination of records kept throughout the State. I do not propose Applied for 11 6 10 to take this action." Approved 5 4 6" SEALING OF PLATFORM AND FOOTPATH, (3) "Hire-drivers' licences may be issued AYR RAILWAY STATION to authorise the driving of cabs for weekends or during vacations of tertiary Mr. Bird, pursuant to notice, asked The educational institutions. The number of Minister for Transport,- these licences issued in the metropolitan Will he give urgent and favourable area and provincial cities is as under. consideration to having the platform None were issued in the rest of the resealed and the footpath levelled and State. sealed at the Ayr Railway Station? Answer:- -- 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 "The matter will be fully investigated Metropolitan area 157 194 278 and carefully considered." Provincial cities .. 20 49 28" APPLICATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL LAND, BURDEKIN IRRIGATION AREA PROSECUTION SQUAD, POLICE FORCE Mr. Bird, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Conservation,- Mr. Newton, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Works,- When is it anticipated that some finality will be reached with respect to the ( 1) How many police officers are at applications for additional land which present attached to the Prosecution Squad were lodged by land-owners in the and what are their ranks in each category? Burdekin irrigation area? 238 Questions Upon Notice (31 AUGUST 1972] Questions Upon Notice Answer:- seeks to upgrade by $481 its annual "Because of other urgent commitments, revenue from sewerage and general rates it will still be some time before completion on this land solely because of this social of investigation of proposals for possible service proposal to house aged persons in additional areas for some farms in the separate accommodation with individual Burdekin irrigation area, and possible W.C. pedestals. I considered this to be supply to other farms in the Mona Park inequitable and personally approached the area. It is not possible to give a firm council without success. I will again take estimate of when proposals will be avail­ up with the council in an effort to obtain able for submission to the Government, a reasonable agreement so that the com­ but they can now be given more attention." mission may expedite construction of these units." PAINTING, HOME HILL POLICE STATION S.G.I.O. CLAIMS, CYCLONE "ALTHEA" Mr. Bird, pursuant to notice, asked The Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Works,- Treasurer,- Are plans in hand for the internal and What was the total amount claimed external painting of the Home Hill Police from the S.G.I.O. as a result of storm Station? If not, will he give favourable and tempest damage done by cyclone consideration to having the work carried "Althea" and how much has been paid out at the earliest possible date? to the latest date for which figures are readily available? Answer:- "A contract has been let for the internal Answer:- painting and work will commence on "The total amount claimed is not September 11. The police station was recorded as such. However, the estimated painted externally in 1968. Under normal total payout is $4,847,360. Claims paid circumstances, repaintings are carried out as at August 25, 1972, amounted to in five-yearly intervals unless the condi­ $3,576,730." tion of the building requires otherwise. An inspection has been arranged." EXPENDITURE ON GREYHOUND RACING FACILITIES, W OOLLOONGABBA HousiNG CoMMISSION PENSIONER Mr. Kaus, pursuant to notice, asked The UNITS, TOWNSVILLE Treasurer,- Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The ( 1) How much money has been spent Minister for Works,- to date on the development of the How many (a) single and (b) double Gabba Greyhound Racing Club? units for pensioners are proposed to be ( 2) How much assistance has the erected in Townsville and when is it Government given by way of loan money? anticipated that any will be ready for occupancy? Answer:- ( I and 2) "The State Government Answer:- Insurance Office, as a commercial invest­ "On January 12 last the Queensland ment, has loaned funds to the Brisbane Housing Commission advised the Towns­ Cricket Ground Trust for greyhound ville City Council that it would be pre­ racing facilities, up to a maximum of pared to erect 23 aged persons units ( 14 $800,000. These facilities are leased by single age pensioners and nine age pen­ the trust to the Gabba Greyhound Racing sioner couples) on land which had been Club. Apart from this, no Government occupied by substandard wartime accom­ assistance has been given by way of loan modation damaged in cyclone 'Althea'. money for greyhound racing facilities at The commission had been previously pay­ Woolloongabba." ing $219 per annum for sewerage charges on six family flats on these sites. As the proposed 23 units would accommodate 32 SUBSIDY FOR VoLUNTARY AIR-SEA aged persons the commission offered to RESCUE ORGANISATIONS increase its sewerage payment to $292 per annum which would be equivalent to the Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The sewerage charges on the same 32 persons Treasurer,- accommodated in eight family houses. In view of the outstanding and humane Although this is a most reasonable offer work carried out by the Townsville Flotilla the council would not agree and requires of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard payment of $841 per annum for sewerage Association and his statement during the but would agree to 40 per cent remission election campaign that a scheme would be from general rates.