Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 1949 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy WayB and Means. [16 AUGUST.] QueBtions. 97 TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST, 1949. The ACTING SPEAKER (The CHAIR­ MAN OF COMMITTEES, Mr. Mann, Bris­ bane) took the chair at 11 a.m. CIRCULATION AND COST OF ''HANSARD.'' The Acting Speaker laid on the table the report of the Chief Reporter, State Reporting Bureau, on the circulation and cost of '' Hansard' ' for the session of 1947-1948. QUESTIONS. HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES. ~Ir. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the Opposition), for Mr. MAHER (West Moreton), asked the Secretary for Mines and Immigration- ' ' l. Has any construction work yet been commenced in connection with the Tully Falls scheme¥ '' 2. What hydro-electric schemes have reached the constructional stage, indicating the locality, the estimated-total cost, the expenditure to date, and the main objects of each scheme respectively~'' Hon. W. ~I. MOORE (Merthyr) replied- '' 1. No. Extensive surveys, including diamond drilling, have been necessary to select and prove the most satisfactory site for the clam and other works. The surveys have been pressed on with as rapidly as possible as the provision of new generating facilities to serve the growing electricity 98 Questions. [ASSEMBLY.] Questions. demands in the Cairns Region is an urgent know the date upon which the maps will be matter. It is anticipated that final reports published. I am satisfied that the Com­ on the technical and financial practic­ missioners are proceeding with the duties ability of the Scheme will be available to imposed upon them under the Act, and that the Government in the near future.'' maps showing their proposals will be made '' 2. Apart from the fact that hydro­ public at an early date.'' electric resources in this State are limited they are almost entirely confined to the INCREASED PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS. Atherton Tableland area. The report pre­ sented to this House in 1945 by a Com­ l\'Ir. EV ANS (Mirani), for l\'Ir. :iUADSEN mittee appointed by The Co-ordinator­ (Warwick), asked the Premier- General of Public Works indicated that the " In reference to Section 6 (b) of the Tully Falls Scheme was the best of a num­ Public Service Superannuation Acts Amend­ ber of possible sources of generation, and ment Act of 1948, will the Government recommended that full investigations be give consideration to individual claims for made with a view to exploitation. The the increased pension rates made possible by remainder of the State must be served the increase in the Government subsidy in almost entirely by fuel-burning generating cases where officers retired prior to reach­ stations, the principal fuel being coal. ing the age of 65 years but had served Three new coal-burning stations are under and were contributors to the fund for a construction at Howard, Rockhampton, and long period of years and are able to present Townsville, for the respective Regional a reasonable case for special considera­ Electricity Boards operating in those areas, tion W'' and both the Brisbane City Council and the City Electric Light Co. Ltd. have com­ HoD. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ menced works for new power stations of a Acting Premier). for lion. E. l\'1. HANLON similar type. Also a number of new power (Ithaca), replied- stations using crude oil and/or suction gas '' Officers under the Public Service Acts as fuel are under construction in other parts are retired on account of either-(i.) of the State. Full details of progress on reaching the retiring age; or ( ii.) perma­ these works are contained in the Annual nent incapacity for employment. Officers Reports of the State Electricity Commis­ who are retired for health reasons are paid sion.'' the incapacity allowance prescribed under the Public Service Superannuation Acts PAYMENT OF ANTI-PICKETING FINES. and upon reaching the age of 65 years are paid the annuity for which they have con­ lUr. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the tributed, together with Government subsidy Opposition) asked the Premier- on the compulsory units of annuity up to '' Have investigations yet been completed a maximum of two units of £50 per annum regarding the source of the payment last each. Officers who are retired on account year of the fines imposed upon Messrs. of age are paid the annuity for which they Healy, Englart, and Julius under the law have contributed together with additional known as the Anti-Picketing Act~ If so, annuity prescribed in the amending Act will he table the report for the informa­ in respect of the compulsory units of tion of Honourable Members or state the annuity. Additional annuity benefits pay­ result of such investigations~" able by the Government are not made to persons who left the Public Service of their Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ own accord to enter private employment or Acting Premier), for lion. E. M. liANLON business on their own account and who were (Ithaca), replied- permitted to continue as contributors under '' Police investigations have failed to the provisions of the Public Service Super­ reveal the actual source of payment of the annuation Acts.'' fines referred to by the hon. member. The only information the police have been able STATE HOUSING COMMISSION CAMPS. to obtain is that at a public meeting, con­ vened by the Australian Communist Party, .Mr. H. B. TAYLOR (Hamilton) asked held at Rockhampton on 23 February, 1949, the Secretary for Public Works, Housing Mr. Max Julius stated, in reply to a ques­ and Local Government- tion, that the Trades and Labour Council '' 1. How many families are living in paid the fine required for his release from flats at various Housing Commission camp prison.'' areas in and surrounding BrisbaneW '' 2. Are any such flats vacant~ MAPS OF NEW ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. "3. Is there a waiting list of applicants f '' 4. Is there any qualification required of Mr. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the Opposition) asked the Attorney-General- applicants such as the number of children in the family~ ' ' '' Will he kindly advise the House as to when the maps of the proposed new elec­ Hon. W. POWER (Baroona) replied­ toral districts are likely to be published~'' " 1. 1,757 families. lion. G. ll. DEVRIES (Gregory) "2. No. replied- ''3. Yes. '' The matter is in the hands of the Elec­ '' 4. Yes. Temporary accommodation toral Commissioners duly appointed under offered to applicants according to their (The Electoral Districts Act.' I do not points rating.'' Questions. [16 AUGUST.) Questions. 99 A.W.U. AND OPEN-CUT COAL MINES. Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Acting Premier), for Hon. E. M. HANLON Mr. PIE (Windsor): As the Premier is ( Ithaca), replied- absent from Brisbane and as Questions 6 and '' 1. Before agreement was finalised with 7 are addressed to him personally, I should the Electric Supply Corporation (Overseas) like the permission of the House to withdraw Ltd., the possibilities for development of them until his return. the Blair Athol coal deposits were investi­ Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ gated by a Committee of Enquiry appointed Acting Premier) : There is no necessity to1 by the Queensland Government in 1945 and withdraw the questions. The replies were later by a technical committee on which drafted before the Premier's departure from the Commonwealth Government was repre­ Queensland. sented. This latter committee, which worked under the direction of the Co-ordinator­ ~Ir. PIE (Windsor) asked the following General of Public Works, visited the field question:- as a body. Its findings were presented to " In view of the reported statement made me with the Co-ordinator-General's report by the Federal Secretary of the A.W.U. of .June, 1947, which was published as a in 'Courier-Mail,' 3 August, that the state­ Parliamentary Paper, and gives in detail the ment made by Mr. Menzies that the A.W.U. whole of the information to that date president and secretary had stated that regarding the field. Representatives of the their union was prepared to work black companies at present operating the field coal open -cuts was incorrect, will he advise had the opportunity of putting proposals this House-( a) If he has negotiated with for development before the Committee of Mr. Fallon, State Secretary of the A.W.U., Enquiry. Before entering into the agree­ and the union's executive to work Queens­ ment with the Electric Supply Corporation land black open-cut mines; (b) did he (Overseas) Ltd., the Queensland Govern­ give an assurance to Mr. Fallon and the ment had encouraged development of open­ executive that if the A.W.U. did work cut mining at Blair Athol by giving special Queensland black open-cut mines he, and/or orders to the companies through the Rail­ the Queensland Government would stick to way Department for the supply of a total them~'' of 75,000 tons of coal a year for two years, in addition to their normal supplies to the Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Department. These special orders were not Acting Premier), for Hon. E. M. HANLON fully met within the two-year period. In (Ithaca), replied- addition, financial assistance was also " No negotiations have taken place rendered by a bank overdraft of £33,000 between the State Secretary of the Aus­ being guaranteed. tralian Workers' Union or the union executive and myself in regard to the '' 2. The representative of the Electric working of open-cut mines in this State, Supply Corporation (Overseas) Ltd. had and it has therefore not been necessary for preliminary discussions with both com­ me to give any assurance along the lines panies at present operating the field, before suggested by the hon.