Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1965 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 1744 Supply [ASSEMBLY] Questions TUESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER, 1965 Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m. QUESTIONS GERIATRICS WARD, TOWNSVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL Mr. Aikem, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Health,- With reference to his Answer to my Question on September 29, will all the facilities and methods of treatment pro­ vided in the geriatrics ward, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, be installed in and/or made available in the proposed new geriatrics ward, Townsville General Hospital, and, if not, why not? Answer:- "The Townsville Hospitals Board pro­ poses that one floor of the new multi­ storied ward block to be built as the second stage of its expansion scheme for Towns­ ville Hospital be used as a geriatrics ward. It has not yet submitted detailed plans showing the facilities and services it desires included in this ward. The Towns­ ville Hospital has a social worker and departmen'iS of occupational therapy and physiotherapy and they will be available to patients in the geriatrics ward. The provision of any additional services and facilities which may be necessary for the treatment of these patients will be given consideration when the Board submits its detailed plans in due course." Questions [23 NOVEMBER] Questions 1745 EXTENSION OF HOURS, SANDGATE MEDICAL investigation of land development in the CLINIC Belyando-Suttor region by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics; (d) Detailed land !VIr. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The classification of the Upper Burdekin area Minister for Health,- based on vegetation; (e) The investigation As doctors' fees are to be increased for of soil conditions and water resources by medical attention in the home and as this the Department of Primary Industries and will cause a higher attendance of people the Irrigation and Water Supply Commis­ seeking free medical services at the Sand­ sion; (f) Research into land use with its gate clinic, will he consider extending the particular application to tropical pastures. present hours at the clinic to meet the The Honourable Member can rest assured increased demand? that my Government will continue this active co-operation with the Common­ Answer:- wealth Government in vigorously pursuing these investigations which are such a basic "1 have been informed by the chairman preliminary ingredient for the sou~d of the Hospitals Board that the question economic development of the Burdekm of extending the hours at the Sandgate area." Clinic will be considered by the Board if and when the necessity arises." CONSIDERATION BY BRISBANE CITY CoUNCIL OF TOWN PLAN AND WILBUR SMITH RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION OF BURDEKIN REPORT RIVER SYSTEM l\1r. Hugb~s, pursuant to notice, asked The l\1r. Coburo, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- Premier,- ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to a ( 1) Has he seen the report published in report in the metropolitan press that Bris­ the Townsville Daily Bulletin of November bane City Council will not meet to consider 13, 1965, of the meeting of representatives the Town Plan or the Wilbur Smith Report of five North Queensland Local Authorities until February, 1966? held at Ayr on November 12, 1965, where (2) Has any progress been made by it was decided to ask the State Government Brisbane City Council in making the initial to combine with the Commonwealth decisions relating to the Wilbur Smith Government in a complete economic and Report? geographical survey to ascertain the potential of the Burdekin River system? (3) Should Brisbane City Council con­ tinue the delay, will he consider ways to (2) If so, will he inform the House, in encourage Brisbane City Council to take as great detail as possible, of the results urgent action to solve any immediate of the extensive investigations by a special problem preventing progressive action being committee appointed by the Government taken to overcome the threat of traffic since the rejection by the Commonwealth chaos in the city? Government of the Burdekin Dam Project as recommended in the Kemp Report of Answers:­ 1951? (!) "Yes." Answers:­ (2) "The Honourable Member should direct this Question to the Brisbane City (1) "Yes." Council." (2) "The proposal in the article referred (3) "Yes." to that the State and Commonwealth combine in a complete economic and geographical survey of the Burdekin River GOVERNMENT AID TO NON-STATE system indicates a lack of awareness of EDUCATION the co-operation and co-ordination of activities as between State and Common­ l\1r. Hughes, pursuant to notice, asked The wealth that are already in existence. This Minister for Education,- application of joint resources is active in a ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to variety of directions, and whilst the steady statements by leading Liberal Members of flow of information being obtained might the Federal Government upholding aid to not of itself make spectacular headlines, non-State schools? I can give every assurance that it is a (2) Will he give details of the form, basic necessity to bring about the con­ manner and extent of aid granted to non­ version of a potential to a sound reality. I would make particular mention of the State schools in Queensland by this following investigations being under­ Government? taken:-(a) Preparation of resources maps (3) Will he consider a request to the through the assistance of the Department Federal Government for additional grants of National Development; (b) Broad scale to Queensland for the purpose of further land system mapping through the agency assisting education in Queensland State of the C.S.I.R.O.; (c) An economic and non-State schools? 1746 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Papers Answer:- School requisites for non-state schools may now be ordered under State Stores ( 1 to 3) "Government aid to non-State contracts direct from firms to individual education in the main takes the form schools. Non-State schools may borrow of assistance to parents of students films from the Departmental film library. attending those schools. This is set out Costs of transport of films and film-strips in detail below. Allowances towards tuition to non-State schools are borne by the fees: (a) On behalf of scholars attending Department of Education. Non-State approved non-state schools, allowances schools may receive advice and guidance towards tuition fees at the rate of £18 a from Departmental Inspectors and Guid­ year are paid by the Department of Educa­ ance Staff. Their teachers are frequently tion to the Principal of the school, subject invited to attend special lectures and to the following conditions:-(i) Students refresher courses. Their students may avail are in grades 8, 9 or 10; (ii) They under­ themselves of the special facilities provided take an approved secondary school course; for educational and vocational guidance at (iii) Their conduct, progress and attend­ the Department's Research and Guidance ance are satisfactory; (iv) The parents Branch. To help meet the running costs of are domiciled within the State. (b) On Grammar Schools throughout the State behalf of scholars attending approved non­ the Government makes an annual grant State schools who at one and the same at present amounting to £82,200. In addi­ Junior Examination have passed in at least tion, Grammar Schools have been per­ five subjects, allowances towards tuition mitted to borrow from Treasury Loan fees at the rate of £20 a year are paid by Funds for capital works and improvements. the Department of Education to the These borrowings attract a Government Principal of the school, subject to the subsidy of 40 per cent. Under the following conditions: (i) Students under­ Grammar Schools Acts Amendment Act take an approved Post-Junior course; (ii) of 1962, Grammar Schools are now Their conduct, progress and attendance are empowered to borrow money by way of satisfactory; (iii) The parents are domiciled debentures or guaranteed loan as well as within the State. The total cost to the from the Treasury. In the Statement of Government of these allowances towards Needs compiled by the Australian Educa­ tuition fees in 1964-65 was £479,716. tion Council, which comprises the Ministers Living Allowances: Living allowances as for Education of all States, the Federal slated below are granted to students at Government has already been requested both State and approved non-State to make additional money available to the secondary schools if the income of their States for education purposes. The special parents does not exceed the basic wage grants made by the Commonwealth plus £50 for each child entirely dependent, Government for the expansion of technical or an amount equal to one-fifth of the and technological education have helped basic wage per member of family entirely tremendously in providing much improved dependent on such income, whichever is facilities in these fields. The current special the greater. To qualify for this allowance Commonwealth Government grants to State in grades 11 and 12 a student must also and non-State schools for the provision of have passed in at least five subjects at one special science laboratories and science sitting of the Junior Examination. (a) equipment will greatly improve the facilities Students who must live away from home to for the teaching of Science in all Queens­ attend a secondary school are granted an land schools. Obviously any further allowance as under-Grades 8, 9 and 10- assistance which would improve and extend £65 a year; Grade 11-£82 a year; Grade educational opportunities for Queensland students would be most welcome." 12-£104 a year. (b) Students who can Jive at home and attend a secondary school are granted an allowance as under­ PAPERS Grades 8, 9 and 10-£16 a year; Grades 11 The following papers were laid on the and 12-£20 a year; The total cost of table:- living allowances paid to students in non­ Orders in Council under- State schools in 1964-65 was £50,664.