Ila 118(ASSEMBLY.] We are not alone In this predicament and a short time ago Sir Charles Court met with his fellow Premiers in Melbourne to consider a further approach to the Wednesday, the 31st July, 1974 Prime Minister seeking reconsideration of his earlier decision. The SPEAKER (Mr Hutchinson) took It is hoped that a meeting can be ar- the Chair at 4.30 p.m., and read prayers. ranged for early next month so that the Commonwealth can be informed of action already taken by the States to raise addi- QUESTIONS (35): ON NOTICE tional revenue and of the revenue gap still 1. STATE INFORMATION SERVICE confronting us in the light of recent wage increases. Centralisation an~d Cost At the same time, we propose to discuss Mr 3. T. TONKIN, to the Premier: the serious inflation problem which has (1) What was the cost of the special now assumed the character of a national report to the State Government emergency and will offer to co-operate with commissioned and compiled by the Commonwealth on agreed steps to W. W. Mitchell and Associates check the spiral. relating to a proposal for the establishment of a State Informa- I am hopeful that the meeting will be tion service reported to involve an able to reach agreement on measures that expenditure exceeding $1 million? can be taken by all Governments in a con- (2) Does the plan recommended which certed attack on an evil that is endanger- provides for the centralisation of ig the whole fabric of the nation's econ- the information service in the omy. Unless inflation is brought under Premier's Department niot conflict control, no-one will be able to plan ahead with his election undertaking to with any confidence and Budgets become decentralise administration and mere expressions of hope as to what the decision making into the main re- final outcome for the year will reveal. gional centres "so that peo~ile can Returning now to the year lust ended, it talk to Government on the spot, is to be noted that although revenue and get answers, and get action"? expenditure both exceeded the Estimates (3) is it still Intended to set up a sub- by very substantial sums, the deficit was stantial Government centre in the held within the Budget Estimate. main regional centres, "headed by an officer with aLhigh status in The final deficit for 1973-74 was the public service", and "staffed $5 732 000 which was $1 210 000 lower than by public servants selected for the amount allowed for In the Budget. their dedication to the regional concept of administration and de- Expenditure for the Year exceeded the cision making"? Estimate by $20 041 000 due mainly to out- (4) Will he explain how he can poss- lays on account of wage increases far ex- ibly adopt any of the proposals ceeding the sum provided in the Estimates. referred to in the above questions Revenue collections were $21 256 000 and at the same time achieve the "severe cut In the growth of the higher than the Budget Estimate. State Public Service this financial Commonwealth payments under the Fin- year", which he has been reported ancial Assistance Grant arrangements were to have ordered? $10 500 000 more than had been forecast (5) Is the proposal for the establish- mainly because the increase in average ment of a State Information ser- wages taken into account In the formula vice at more than a million dol- was higher than anticipated when the Bud- lars a first step in his "campaign get was framed. of getting costs down"? Higher wage rates than were expected in (6) If not, when is it expected the 1973-74, were also reflected in pay-roll tax first step will be taken? collections which exceeded the Budget Esti- Sir CHARLES COURT replied:. mate by $4 579 000. (1) $600. Other State taxes which exceeded the (2) No. On the contrary, the pro- Estimate were Probate duty by $2 580 000, posals submitted to the Govern- stamp duties $1 641 000 and land tax ment for Improved State in- $1 035 000. formation services provide for Debate adjourned, on motion by the the distribution of information Hon. R. Thompson (Leader of the Opposi- to State Government offices tion). established in regions of Western Australia, and for feed-back of House a~djourned at 8.32 pi.7a information from the regional offices to a Potential State infor- mation service headquarters in Perth. [Wednesday. 31 July, 1974) 119" (3) Yes, it Is the Government's In- (2) What examination has been tention to progressively proceed undertaken and by whom? with the establishment of main (3) What has been the result? regional centres. As previously announced, it is planned to have Sir CHARLES COURT replied: at least one of these centres (1) I would not know whether the established within a year. purported statement is verbally (4) By the examination of work correct, although it could well be. loads at present carried by Public If it is, it relates to the fact that Service officers and establishment we did promise the mining of organisation and methods to fraternity we would support their ensure greater productivity, thus aims with the Commionwealth for requiring the employment of less continuing tax concessions and staff than might otherwise be the for their request for a grant or case. loan for renewing plant and housing. (5) and (0) The report compiled by W. W. Mitchell & Associates for At the same time, we mentioned the establishment of improved we could asist with housing State information services Is through the State Housing Com- still under consideration by the mission and also through the Government. A firm cost figure Industrial and Commercial Em- has not yet been established for ployees Housing Act. the suggested service. In any Inideed, the State Housing Comn- case, there is no certainty the mission has been helping a com- recommendations will be adopted, pany with housing for its as the Government is considering Kalgoorlie operations. This help alternatives to improve the pres- has been acknowledged in an ent Position and without serious appreciative letter. increases in cost. (2) Reports and requests from the Chamber of Mines, the Amalga- 2. GOVERNMENT GARAGE mated Prospectors' and Lease- holders' Association, and other Industrial Agreement interested people, have been col- Mr J. T. TONKIN, to the Premier: lated, and the Minister for Mines (1) Has an agreement covering re- visited the area and interviewed muneration and conditions for many of them. employees at the Government (3) See answer to (1). garage been completed? (2) If "No", when is it expected negotiations will be finalised? 4. TRAFFIC CONTROL ORGANISATION (3) Is it intended that when the agreement is finalised any part of Nature and Cost it will have retrospective appli- Mr J. T. TONKIN, to the Premier: cation? (1) Has the Government decided the Sir CHARLES COURT replied: precise nature of the traffic con- trol organisation it is proposed to (1) No. establish? (2) Details of a claim to vary the (2) If "Yes". what is the estimated existing industrial agreement cost of establishment plus run- were not received until yesterday, ning costs for one year? Tuesday, 30th July, 1974, and it is too early to say when negotia- Sir CHARLES COURT replied: tions will be finalised. (1) and (2) The precise nature of (3) The question of retrospectivity the traffic authority has not has not been raised in the claim. been determined, although the broad basis on which the auth- 3. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ority Is to function has been established. Security and Planned Expansion An estimate of cost could be Mr J. T. TONKIN, to the Premier: given. But in view of the mis- (1) Does he recall saying on 4th April, understandings and misinterpre- with reference to the goldfields- tations which occur when efforts We will examine the whole posi- are made to give information tion as soon as we take office before finality has been reached, and see if we can, from within the Government intends to get the State's meagre finance re- its Proposals to final form before sources, do something tangible making detailed public explana- to help the industry to achieve tions of the overall scheme and security and plan expansion? the release of financial figures. 120 120ASSEMLY. I The cost estimates must also be (2) (a) Was there any public an- Included in Budget considera- nouncement regarding these tions. Increases: (b) If so, when, and if not, why 5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT not? Road Works: Expenditure Mr O'CONNOR replied: Mr JAMIESON, to the Minister for (1) (a) and (b) General increases in Local Government: interstate and intrastate passen- (1) What percentage of local autho- ger fares were implemented as rity income was used in road from 1st July, 1974. works in this State in- Ancillary charges such as morn- (a) rural; ing tea. rates on interstate trains (b) metropolitan, were not itemised but form part local authorities during the last of an average increase of 13.5% three fiscal years? arbitrary fares. (2) Is he aware of the similar per- in intersystem centage used in each of the other Interstate rail fares (excluding States in each of the last three metropolitan) were increased by fiscal years? 17.5%. However, it was necessary to increase meal fees on The Mr RUSHTON replied: Prospvector by 50c for adults and 36c for children to off-set rising (1) 1971-72: cost for meals on this service. .. 38.9 Rural (2) (a) Yes. metropolitan (Perth statistical divi- (b) Published in The West Aus- sion) .......