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Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 1979

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

3562 State Housing Act, &c., Bill [21 MARCH 1979] Criticism of Journalists, &c.

WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 1979

Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m.

CRITICISM OF JOURNALISTS BY MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AND MAIN ROADS

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I wish to advise the House that I have received the following letter from the Queensland Parliamentary Press Gallery dated 13 March 1979:-

"The Hon. J. E. H. Houghton, "The Speaker,

"Parliament of Queensland. "Mr. Speaker,

"The Parliamentary Press Gallery's attention has been drawn to remarks made in the House yesterday about two journalists. The remarks were made by the Local Government and Main Roads Minister, the Hon. R. J. Hinze.

Ministerial Statement [21 MARCH 1979] Personal Explanation 3563

"At a special meeting yesterday the Press Gallery committee carried a resolution condemning Mr. Hinze for the malicious and personal nature of his attack.

"The gallery has informed the House on a previous occasion that we accept in good spirit any criticism made of gallery members over their professional conduct. However in this case the committee considers Mr. Hinze has gone beyond the bounds of reasonable criticism to denigrate and attempt to damage the reputation of a gallery member.

"The committee has noted Mr. Hinze's later statement in which he withdrew 'a remark', and apologised to the House for his unparliamentary language. The committee noted that Mr. Hinze did not refer specifically in this later statement to his remarks concerning the two journalists.

"As the livelihood and personal reputations of these two journalists could be seriously impugned while these remarks stay on the record we ask you to call on the Honourable Minister to withdraw and apologise for his specific remarks about these two journalists.

"We also ask for this matter to be drawn to the attention of the House.

"Yours faithfully, ",Peter Morley, President."

I expressed my opinion yesterday. I believe that this is a matter that is entirely between the Honourable the Minister and the people concerned in the Press gallery.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY; MINISTER FOR

LABOUR RELATIONS

Hon. J. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah -Premier) (11.3 a.m.): I desire to inform the House that His Excellency the Governor, by virtue of the provisions of the Officials in Parliament Act 1896-1975, authorised and empowered the Honourable Llewellyn Roy Edwards, M.B., B.S., M.L.A., Deputy Premier and Treasurer, to perform and exercise all or any of the duties, powers and authorities imposed or conferred upon the Honourable the Minister for Labour Relations by any Act, rule, practice or ordinance on and from 21 March 1979, and until the return to duty of the Honourable Frederick Alexander Campbell, M.L.A.

I lay upon the table of the House a copy of the Queensland Government Gazette Extraordinary of 20 March 1979, notifying this arrangement.

Whereupon the honourable gentleman laid the Queensland Government Gazette Extraordinary on the table.

PAPERS The following papers were laid on the

table:-Orders in Council under-

Grammar Schools Act 1975 and the Local Bodies' Loans Guarantee Act 1923-1975.

Griffith University Act 1971-1977 and the Lpcal Bodies' Loans Guarantee Act 1923-1975.

Regulations under the Explosives Act 1952-1978.

Statutes under Griffith University Act 1971-1977.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Mr. K. J. HOOPER (Archerfield) (11.6 a.m.), by leave: Yesterday in this House under privilege two journalists (Denis Reinhardt and Ric Alien) and I were attacked in a demented, defamatory outburst by the Minister for Local Government. Similar attacks on me and sections of the media were made in radio and television interviews and, I learn now, in a 2ft. long telex release sent to newspaper offices (no doubt despatched departmentally at the expense of the taxpayers whom the Minister calls upon to finance so many of his extravagant adventures).

Later yesterday afternoon the Local Government Minister apologised to Parliament for his foul language but, to my knowledge, has not yet retracted the cowardly libels he directed against Reinhardt, Allen and me.

Mr. Speaker, I am mindful of your appeal yesterday for decorum and have no wish to pursue a quarrel but, at the same time, this chamber cannot be misused by a Cabinet Minister with tactics of intimidation and McCarthyism against those practising legitimate freedom of expression in both the media and the Parliament.

Yesterday the Local Government Minister abused the privilege of this House not just by way of misrepresentation but to threaten and attempt to terrorise those who dare to criticise his unethical, unconventional ministerial standards. In such circumstances, I am left no alternative outside of this personal explanation to make the true facts known to both Parliament and the Queensland people. I think that is my duty as a properly elected member of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I draw the honourable member's attention to the fact that he has been given leave to make a personal explanation. I do not want him to make a speech; I want him to keep to the cold, hard facts that are relevant to the incident.

Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I certainly do not want to impinge on your tolerance, Mr. Speaker.

3564 Questions Upon Notice [21 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice

Mr. SPEAKER: Nobody will, in the mood I am in today.

Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I am completely in your hands, Mr. Speaker.

It was the Local Government Minister, who is on a salary of $850-a-week plus perks, (not Reinhardt, Alien or me) who left Brisbane quietly last Thursday without any explanation or announcement, to attend the Inter-Dominion trots in Christchurch, New Zealand, while this Parliament was sitting.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I rule that continuation of that speech is out of order. I have allowed the honourable member the privilege of making a personal explanation, and there it will cease.

Mr. K. J. HOOPER: I thank you for your tolerance, Mr. Speaker. That will suffice, thank you.

ST Ai\!P ACT AMENDMENT BILL

INITIATION

Hon. L. R. EDWARDS (Ipswich-Deputy Premier and Treasurer): I move-

"That the House will, at its present sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of the \Vhole to consider introducing a Bill to amend the Stamp Act 1894-1976 in certain particulars." Motion agreed to.

LOCAL BODIES' LOANS GUARANTEE ACT AMENDMENT BILL

INITIATION

Hon. L. R. EDWARDS (Ipswich-Deputy Premier and Treasurer): I move-

"That the House will, at its present sitting, resolve itself into a Committee of the vVhole to consider introducing a Bill to amend the Local Bodies' Loans Guarantee Act 1923-1975 in certain particulars and for another purpose." Motion agreed to.

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE

& 2. MT. GRAVATT HOSPITAL PROJECT

Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Works and Housing-

(!) When were Messrs. Edwards Bissett & Partners engaged to provide the architectural and other specialist professional services for the planning and design of all stages of the Mt. Gravatt Hospital and when were their services terminated?

(2) What amount of commission and payment for services rendered has been paid to date to Messrs. Edwards Bissett & Partners and any other secondary consultants engaged by them for work carried out in the planning and design of (a)

Stage I, (b) Stage II, and (c) Stage III of the Mt. Gravatt Hospital and are there any outstanding accounts for fees still to be met, and, if so, for whom and for what amountry

(3) Were all of these payments met from the appropriation of the Works Department and, if so, in which years and for what amount of money in each year and, if not, which other departments were involved and what amount of money was contributed in each year from each of those departments?

Answers:-

(!) Initial commissioning-IS October 1973; Commission cancelled-8 September 1977.

(2) (a), (b) and (c). The total amount paid was $1,924,469.99. However, the ·split-up into stages is not available.

No amounts for fees are outstanding. (3) Payments made were recouped from

the Department of Health as follows:-$

1973-74 financial year 97,841.62 1974-75 financial year 91,234.20 1975-76 financial year 350,000.00 1976-77 financial year 579,690.00 1977-78 financial year 805,704.17

Included in these costs was payment for the consultant's research information which was available to Civil and Civic in the preparation of the final brief.

Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Health-

(1) As client department for the construction of the Mt. Gravatt Hospital-has a board been established for this hospital or has his department assumed direct control of this project?

(2) When was the planning committee set up to prepare the planning brief for the design of the hospital, what was the membership of that committee, which departments or other bodies did they represent, and how often did they meet during the preparation of the planning brief?

(3) Was the decisiOn to commission Messrs. Edwards Bissett & Partners as consultants for the project taken by the Works Department, the planning committee, the Health Department or some other body, and, if so, who was it?

(4) Have any consultants been engaged to monitor the work being canied out by Civil and Civic on the current proposal for the Mt. Gravatt Hospital because of the strict need for pnblic accountability on such a project and, if so, what fee will they be paid for their services?

Answers:-

(!) A hospitals board district for the Mount Gravatt area has been established and, in accordance with the provisions of

Questions Upon Notice (21 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice 3565

the Hospitals Act, an administrator has been appointed. Hospital board members will be appointed at the appropriate time.

(2) The planning committee to prepare the brief was set up on 6 September 1973 with representation from the following-

Department of Health Department of Works Medical and nursing staff, Royal

Women's Hospital University of Queensland Architectural consultants (Messrs.

Edwards Bissett and Partners). The committee met regularly, generally at weekly to two-weekly intervals.

(3) The Works Department, in conjunction with the Health Department.

(4) In accordance with the terms of the contract, Civil and Civic are not performing any of the work. They have been engaged as project managers, with all phases of the work being carried out by subcontract under a public tendering system in accordance with the Standard Code of Tendering. This department employs a full-time clerk of works on site and a consultant quantity surveyor to monitor all progress claims. The Superintendent of Works, Deparment of Works, has been appointed as the certifying officer for all progress claims. In addition, each of the professional consultants employed by Civil and Civic, with the approval of the Health Department, furnishes regular monthly quality control reports direct to the department.

3. BASIL STAFFORD VILLA CoMPLEX PROJECT, WACOL

Mr. Casey, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Health-

With regard to the construction of the Basil Stafford Villa Complex for the Intellectually Handicapped at Wacol-

( 1) Were architectural consultants engaged by the Works Department to prepare contract documents for this project on the basis of a planning brief from his department and, if so, who were they, when did they complete their documentation and what was their estimate of costs including consultants' fees?

(2) Did his department also approach Civil and Civic Pty. Ltd. to design and construct this project and upon the discovery that the Works Department was ready to call public tenders did he grant a contract for construction only to Civil and Civic Pty. Ltd. and finalise the negotiation at a price after construction had been under way for six weeks?

(3) What was the final cost of this project including the fees paid to the consulting architect?

Answer:-(1 to 3) These are matters which should

be referred to my colleague the Honourable the Minister for Works and Housing.

Mr. Casey: I do so accordingly.

4. GOVERNMENT FUEL CONSERVATION MEASURES

Mr. Ahern for Mr. Elliott, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Transport-

(!) Is he aware that by 1985 it is estimated that the Australian petroleum import bill will be approximately $2.5 billion?

(2) If so, what steps is the Government taking to formulate a plan not only to ensure that the Government is aware of the urgency of this situation, but also that we are taking action to implement a major and sustained educational programme that will embrace all levels of government, associations, corporations, schools and the man and woman in the street?

(3) Is the Government giving consideration to the purchase of more economical four-cylinder cars when replacement vehicles are to be purchased?

( 4) Will he give consideration to e"perimenting with a diesel or petrol-electric vehicle with a view to obtaining first-hand data relating to the fuel savings and cost analysis?

Answers:-(1) On the best estimates presently

available, at the current rate of consumption there is no doubt that the Australian petroleum import bill could approximate $2.5 billion by 1985, as stated by the honourable member. This figure, however, is subject to future discoveries of oil in Australia and an increase in production £rom existing oil-wells, apart from other measures that might be taken by the Commonwealth Government to reduce consumption.

(2) In order to get the best information availa!ble, the Australian Transport Advisory Council commissioned a study in July 1977 into the relationship between transport demand and the availability and price of various forms of energy. The study came to certain conclusions, which have been widely reported in the Press, that the world has entered an era of higher priced energy and, in particular, higher priced oil. It pointed out that the world's oil supply outlook is also uncertain and that there could be a supply shortfall between the mid-1980s and the end of the century, at a time when Australia is expected to become increasingly dependent on the import of crude oil.

Currently, 70 per cent of our oil requirements are supplied from domestic sources. but this is expected to fall to between 40 pN cent and 45 per cent by 1985.


The study also drew attention to the fact that a growing dependence on oil imports will place an increasing burden on Australia's balance of payments, but this may be mitigated by growing export earnings, including those from energy products, although dependence on oil imports will increase our vulnerability to disruption of supplies from the OPEC oil-producing countries.

There is no doubt that the transport sector, as the largest consumer of oil energy, will provide a central focus for oil conservation measures, including fuel efficiency improvements in new cars, fiscal measures to encourage the purchase of more fuel-efficient cars, traffic management and regulatory measures to improve the efficiency of vehicle use and operations, and the promotion of greater public awaoreness at all levels of the need for conservation of fuel, to which the honourable member has referred.

The Australian Transport Advisory Council agreed that a co-ordinated approach to transport energy investigations should be adopted to avoid duplication of effort and that its officials should continue to liaise with the National Energy Advisory Committee, the National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Council, State energy committees, and other responsible bodies in the energy field for this purpose. At the present time, the council officirus are developing a programme to make the public aware of the need for energy conservation, particularly in the transport sector.

Apart from the transport sector, of course, my colleague the Honourable the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police is also involved at a State and Commonwealth level with this energy problem.

(3) The question of Government use of four-cylinder cars as replacement vehicles for the present fleet will be one for consideration by my colleague the Honourable the Minister for Industry and Administrative Services.

(4) As I have indicated, investigation into the operational efficiency of motor vehicles is being undertaken at a national level to avoid a duplication of research and unnecessary cost in this area, and encouragement of the greater use of alternatives to petroleum fuel, including fuel substitutes now available, such as L.P.G. and alcohols as additives to petrol, will be further explored.

In this regard, in a Press statement released on 29 November last year the Commonwealth Minister for National Development announced a programme of policy measures in relation to liquefied petroleum gas and the conversion of some 100 vehicles of the Commonwealfh Government's Victorian fleet to L.P.G. as an important demonstration programme of a measure designed to save petroleum. The results of all these measures will be

available to State Governments in considering action which they might take in co-operation with the Commonwealth Government to reduce the consumption of petroleum-based fuel.

The honourable member might also have seen Press reports of a demonstration electric vehicle project undertaken as a joint Commonwealth/State project in South Australia which will provide valuable information for the operation of electric passenger vehicles, while vehicle manufacturers have already gone a long way towards the production of a dieseldriven motor car and this type of vehicle is already available on the market and is being advertised extensively.

5. REGULAR GRADE PETROL SHORTAGES, DARLING DOWNS

Mr. Elliott, pursuant to notice, asked the Premier-

(!) Is he aware of the shortages of regular grade petrol on the Darling Downs and, if so, is he aware of the serious problems these shortages are causing to the sorghum harvest?

(2) What action can be taken to alleviate this situation?

Answer:-(1 & 2) I am aware that there have

been some recent problems associated with petrol supplies. However, both Brisbane refineries are now operating and the difficulties are being overcome. That is the information that has been supplied to me by the oil companies. Whilst all petrol distributors may not be in a position to supply regular grade petrol, I am informed that such supplies are improving.

I have been concerned for some time on this question of petrol shortages and feel strongly that the Commonwealth Government should give more encouragement to oil exploration. Because of the high risk involved, this encouragement could be promoted particularly by way of taxation concessions and subsidies to those who are prepared to provide the funds in the search for this source of energy.

6. EFFECT ON PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OF A.L.P. POLICY

Mr. Lane, pursuant to notice, asked the Premier-

(1) Is he aware that recently the Leader of the Opposition has on more than one occasion been declaring himself in favour of private enterprise when addressing groups of businessmen and rotary clubs in various parts of Queensland?

(2) Is he also aware that the State Labor Conference held at Rockhampton just over a month ago adopted a motion that an A.L.P. Government in Queensland will take all steps necessary to protect and

Questions Upon Notice [21 MARCH 1979) Questions Upon Notice 3567

expand the public sector in this State, recognising that a thriving public sector, including State-owned enterprise, is a practical and responsible method of ensuring that the resources of Queensland are enjoyed equally by all Queenslanders, and that under the rules of the Australian Labor Party in this State all decisions of such conferences are binding on the parliamentary members of the A.L.P., including its parliamentary leader?

(3) What effect would the implementation of such a policy have on private enterprise in Queensland?

Answer:-(1 to 3) All Queenslanders and Austral

ians know full well the result of implementation of A.L.P. policies because, unfortunately, this country is still recovering from the last experiment in the Federal sphere when Mr. Whitlam and his socialist colleagues, of whom the Leader of the Opposition is an associate, were Jet loose to manage the affairs of the nation.

\Ye are recovering from the Labor disaster but we still have unacceptable inflation rates and unemployment that it created initially, and it is the concern of this Government and every other responsible Government in the nation to overcome the problem.

Let me remind honourable members that the Rockhampton conference was the end of the honeymoon period for the new Leader of the Opposition. He has had to face the facts that Labor is prepared to change leaders but it is not prepared to change its policies.

The Leader of the Opposition may be well skilled in double talk, he may be able to tell a story, but he and the people of Queensland know the real Labor story. It can be told briefly and simply-economic disaster. He is bound by the A.L.P. policies which seek to destroy individual incentive, development and productive enterprise.

This State and nation have been built on a history of progressive development, hard work, pride in achievement-in short, the pioneering spirit. The Queensland Government makes no apology for its support of the free-enterprise system, and the clear results of that support are shown in record development figures for the State, and record export levels which show all signs of further expansion. This Government dissociates itself from the socialistic, tired, failed and backward policies that have been regenerated for the A.L.P. and its Queensland spokesman, the Leader of the Opposition, at Rockhampton.

Mr. R. J. Gibbs: Why don't you get a record made of that?

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The next member who interjects will be warned under Standing Order 123A. If he interjects again, he will not be allowed to remain in the Chamber.

Answer (contd.) :-It is readily understandable why the

Leader of the Opposition wishes to change from a free-enterprise system to one involving the socialistic philosophy. It is clear that his failure in business, where he left others to carry huge debts, has displayed his inability to cope with the competition of the commercial world.

Of course, one of the reasons why Labor believes in worker participation is that it was not implemented in the case of the Leader of the Opposition and the workers were not there to help him overcome his financial problems. I have here a list of all the debts that the Leader of the Opposition owes round the State-hundreds of thousands of dollars.

7. EFFECT oF A.L.P. WoRKER-PARTICIPATION POLICY

Mr. Lane, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Labour Relations-

(!) Is he aware that recently the Leader of the Opposition has on more than one occasion declared, outside the hearing of the Trades Hall officials who control his party, that he is in favour of private enterprise and private ownership?

(2) Is he also aware that at the State Labor Conference held at Rockhampton on 20 February a policy, which is binding on the parliamentary wing of the Labor Party, was adopted that Labor will also investigate the provision of representation of employees on the boards of public companies registered in Queensland?

(3) Having in mind the disastrous effect that this concept of worker participation has had on industry in South Australia, I ask him to advise the House of its possib1e effect on the Queensland economy and employment?

(4) How can the Leader of the Opposition's doubtful assurances to businessmen be reconciled with this most recent A.L.P. policy?

Answer:-(! to 4) I completely agree that the

Leader of the Opposition is well known as a statement-maker for all seasons. I question, however, whether the radicals of the Trades Hall applauded his endorsement of private enterprise or branded him a heretic to be disposed of at some suitable future date. I question, too, whether the board rooms of private enterprise actually rocked with joy that this unexpected convert to capitalism had not only seen the light but had ventured to put his innermost thoughts into words.

Private enterprise, like all of us here, knows full well that the decisions of State and Federal A.L.P. conferences are binding on all Labor members. And I do not seem to be able to recall any motion


since the infamous 1921 decision to socialise industry, production and exchange which would lend credence to the aura of reform or realism the Leader of the Opposition appears anxious to impart to his listeners.

In January this year, the Leader of the Opposition told trade unions to keep their noses out of politics. He told an A.W.U. conference, "I believe there is a small band of union officials who should understand that industrial muscle on political issues is not, and cannot be, a substitute for Parliamentary action." Brave words-and I endorse them. But why silence when Senator Georges, backed by the militants, said last week that he would take to the streets again? Why silence when Mr. Hayden said in February that Australia needs a radical party of change to challenge the conservative parties and that unions have every right to be involved in politics? Why silence when strike after strike hits the public and harms our economy?

It seems I was wrong. The Leader of the Opposition is only a statement-maker for some seasons.

8. CHAIR OF DERMATOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

Mr. Lane, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Health-

(1) Is he aware of the recent public calls for the establishment of a Chair of Dermatology at the University of Queensland?

(2) Has he also noticed that such a proposal has the support of the Queensland Faculty of the Australian College of Dermatologists?

(3) In view of the high instance of skin cancer in residents of the Sunshine State and the significant loss of man-hours due to occupational skin disease, would some eventual benefits be forthcoming to the health of Queenslanders if such a Chair of Dermatology were established?

Answers:-(! & 2) Yes. (3) I would support any moves that the

University of Queensland might make concerning the establishment of a Chair of Dermatology.

9. SUNCOAST DEVELOPMENT LTD. SUNSHINE COAST LAND LEASE

Mr. Fouras, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water Resources-

(!) I refer to development lease No. 3 under the Crown Land Development Act of 1959 in the name of Suncoast Development Ltd., covering an area of 1,665 acres on the Sunshine Coast, for a period of 20 years from September 1960 at a yearly rent of £416, and ask: Did the developers comply ~vith all of the provisions in the schedules and appendages to the lease?

(2) 1f the developers failed to comply on time or if any provision of the lease was varied, will he detail the items concerned?

(3) What is the total amount received by the Government as payment by the developer of 10 per cent of the gross selling price of subdivisions sold?

( 4) What is the current annual rental? (5) What portion of the lease has not

been converted to freehold and sold?

Answers:-

(!) The conditions of lease (which include those set out in the schedules and appendages thereto) provided for substantial initial works of development and progressive works of development during the currency of the lease. Having regard to all circumstances, those conditions have been and are being performed in a satisfactory manner.

(2) Having regard to all circumstances, including the fluctuations in the economy in the real estate field during the expired term of the lease, it is considered that the lessee has reasonably satisfied the time requirements of the lease.

Provisions of the lease were varied by two Orders in Council dated 25 January 1979 and published in the Government Gazette of 27 January 1979 at page 237.

(3) $80,216.17. (4) $741.03. (5) From 1 January 1977, the area of

the lease was 600.127 hectares. From 1 April 1977 (following Order in Council including some vacant Crown land and surrendering other), the area was about 621 hectares.

The area of the lease was amended following an exchange of areas subsequent to the lessee's surrendering valuable frontage land for inclusion in Beach Erosion Control District No. 17, which was established subsequent to the grant of the original lease.

All deductions from the area would not have been on account of freeholding, but would include dedicated streets and roads.

Although adjustments are made on a yearly basis, this information is usually collated every two or three years by the Department of Mapping and Surveying on the request of my Lands Department.

10. FUNDING OF WOMEN'S REFUGES

Mr. Fouras, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Welfare-

( 1) As funding arrangements for women's refuges in Queensland are on the basis of a Commonwealth subsidy of 50 per cent and a State subsidy of 25 per cent for capital costs, and a Commonwealth subsidy of 75 per cent and a State subsidy of 12! per cent for operating costs, with the balance in both instances from

Questions Upon Notice [21 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice 3569

sources other than Government funds, is he aware that in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia the State Governments make up the total difference between costs and the Commonwealth subsidies?

(2) Is he aware that women's refuges have extreme difficulty in meeting their commitments, such as counselling, organising, housekeeping, etc., and are finding it most difficult to raise funds, particularly the 12t per cent of the cost of operating expenses?

(3) Will he make representations to the Deputy Premier and Treasurer for extra funds for women's refuges so that the full costs are met, as in the States mentioned?

Answers:-( I) Yes, I am aware of the level of

funding in the four States mentioned. (2 & 3) Representations have been made

to me on behalf of some refuges regarding the adequacy of funding, and this matter is being carefully examined with a view to determining the course of action which needs to be taken.

11. DANGEROUS GOVERNMENT BUILDING, BURANDA

Mr. Fouras, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Works and Housing-

(1) Is he aware that the Liberal Party candidate for the ward of Woolloongabba has distributed a pamphlet in which he describes a property at I:pswich Road, Buranda, which belongs to the State Government, as a derelict building, a danger to pedestrians, a fire hazard, and a haven for vermin, and places the blame for this neglect on the council?

(2) Is he aware that the council advised the State Government of this matter some time ago?

(3) When will he take action to remedy this, and will he take urgent action to demolish the wall of this building, which is a potentially serious danger to pedestrians?

Answers:(!) No. (2) No. (3) This property does not come within

the jurisdicition of my portfolio.

12. POSTAL CONCESSIONS, INDUSTRIES AssiSTANCE CoMMISSION

RECOMMENDATION

Mr. Warner, pursuant to notice, asked the Premier-

( 1) Is he aware that the Industries Assistance Commission intends recommending action that will open the way for elimination of current postal concessions?

(2) As widespread concern is being expressed in non-met·ro:politan Press circles and in the rural industries that a decision of this kind will mean an increase of over 200 per cent in the annual postage account, which must impose restrictions of a severe nature on the rural sector as it has no alternative method of receiving its specialist papers, will he (a) agree that this move by the I.A.C. should be opposed at all levels and (b) initiate opposition through the Prime Minister?

Answers:-( I) Yes, I am aware of the fact that in

its draft report on the publishing industry the Commonwealth Industries Assistance Commission did make reference to the question of postal concessions with particular reference to those relating to isolated areas. I understand that the matter is still under consideration and that the final report has not as yet been released.

(2) I agree with the honourable member that citizens living in isolated areas should not have to accept additional disabilities and I will certainly make appropriate representations to the Right Honourable the Prime Minister.

13. HOME lMPROVERS

Mr. Warner, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Works and Housing-

(!) Is he aware that certain distributors claiming to be "home improvers" are advertising in various newspapers for work and are believed to be unregistered?

(2) Will he advise if registration is necessary for home improvers and what action can be taken to have these distributors conform to the law?

Answers:--

(1) No.

(2) Registration is necessary to carry out building construction regarded as home improvements, where the value of the labour and materials is in excess of $1,000.

The House-Builders' Registration Board is constantly investigating instances where it is suspected that an unregistered person has carried out or offered to carry out building construction. The law is quite clear in this regard and many successful prosecutions have been brought by the board since its inception. The additional information now conveyed to me in the honourable member's letter will be forwarded to the House-Builders' Registration Board for a detailed and urgent investigation. I will advise the honourable member by letter of the result of this investigation as soon as it is completed.


14. TowNSVILLE CITY CouNCIL RATE INCREASES

Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads-

Will he inform the House as to the increase in rates in dollars and cents, not in percentages, that have taken place in the Townsville City Council area since the A.L.P. council assumed control three years ago?

Answer:-Rates and charges made and levied by

the Townsville City Council since the date of the 1976 triennial elections are as follows:-

1976-77-General rate, 7.28c in $; Rural rate, 5.264c in $; Water charge, $61.48; Sewerage charge, $92.64.

1977-78-General rate, 8.30c in $; Rural rate, 6.00c in $; Water charge, $66.40; Sewerage charge, $105.60.

1978-79-General rate, 3.88c in $ (the reduction was caused by a revaluation); Rural rate, 2.81c in $ (the reduction was caused by a revaluation); Water charge, $66.40; Sewerage charge, $105.60.

\Vater and sewerage charges quoted are those applicable to an average dwelling-house. A revaluation of the city of Townsville

came into force on 30 June 1978, and this led to the reduction in the amounts of the general and rural rate in 1978-79.

Statistics extracted by the Department of Local Government show that rates and charges payable on the most common residential value of land in the city of Townsville in the three years mentioned were as follows:-

1976-77-Most common rateable value of land $2600, total rates and charges $326.23.

1977-78-Most common rateable value of land $2600, total rates and charges $368.41.

1978-79----.;Most common rateable value of land $6600, total rates and charges $406.68.

15. FUNDING OF WOMEN'S REFUGES

Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Welfare-

Cl) Will he inform the House what amounts were funded by (a) the Queensland Government and (b) the Federal Government for women shelters in this State?

(2) Will he inform the House as to (a) the amount funded to each shelter and (b) the system of accounting demanded by the Government for the taxpayers' money?

(3) Are some of these shelters registered as limited companies and, if so, for what reason?

Answers:-( I) Amounts funded under grants to the

women's refuge programme administered through my department to approved women's refuges have been-

(a) From the Queensland Government, $94,161.

(b) From the Commonwealth Government, $280,356. (2) (a) The amounts funded to each

shelter are as follows:-Bowen and District

·women's Refuge Centre Bundaberg and District

\Vomen's Crisis Centre Save the Children Fund

(Redcliffe Branch) "Ringsfield", Lifeline Legion of Mary Hostel Women's Shelter Cairns "Kalparrin" Family Wel-

$12,519.00

$14,370.00

$2,464.00 $8,543.73

$23,327.00 $99,795.67

fare Centre Women's Refuge $36,974.75 "Garema" Save the Child-

ren Fund Evening Group $16,225.51 Ipswich Women's Shelter $40,386.67 Women's Shelter Com-

mittee (Central Queensland) $60,589.67 Salvation Army Mount Isa $8,790.53 Townsville Women's Shel

ter (Limited) Society of St. Vincent de

Paul "Majella House" Society of St. Vincent de

$28,550.30

$9,777.18

Paul "Madonna House" $12,202.99 (b) The conditions of funding under

the grants to the women's refuge programme require that books and accounts of funded organisations must be audited at least annually and that the audited statement of accounts with an appropriate audit certificate be made available to my department.

In addition, a responsible person in the funded organisation must certify that the purposes and conditions of the Government grant have been complied with. Funded organisations must also participate in any evaluation studies or reviews of the effectiveness of the programme which are conducted.

(3) Only one women's refuge funded under the programme is known to be a limited company. The reasons for such action are not known.

16. CHIROPRACTIC INQUIRY CoMMITTEE

Dr. Scott-Young, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Health-

(1) What are the names and the qualifications of the members of the committee that inquired into and made recommendations to this Government on the benefits and/or dangers to the public of the unscientific cult of chiropractic?


(2) Was there any qualified and registered orthopaedic neurosurgeon or neurophysician on the committee?

(3) Was the Anatomy School of the Faculty of Medicine of Queensland asked to submit a report on the feasibility of spinal subluxation causing disease by stretching of spinal nerves?

Answers:-(!) In 1973 Cabinet established a com

mittee to recommend to the Government ways and means whereby the registration of chiropractors might be implemented. This committee in its report to Cabinet advised that it had not investigated the benefits and/or dangers of chiropractic. The members of the committee on that occasion were-

Dr. P. G. Livingstone, (Chairman and Convenor), Dr. J. G. Byth, Dr. L. R. Edwards, M.L.A., Mr. M. C. Rutledge (Chiropractor), Mr. P. F. Roberts (Chiropractor). (2) No. (3) No.

17. ADMINISTRATION OF ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS IN QUEENSLAND

Mr. R. J. Gibbs, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Aboriginal and Island Affairs-

(!) With reference to a report by Wallace Brown in "The Courier-Mail" of 9 November 1978, in which the Community and Relations Commissioner, Mr. Grassby, said that he received persistent and widespread complaints of unlawful racial discrimination by the Queensland Government, has he had an opportunity to read the 10 points that Mr. Grassby said have been made to him?

(2) If he believes the 10 points are untrue, will he advise his departmental officers to assist an investigation by the Community and Relations Commissioner into the ongoing allegations about Aboriginal administration in Queensland?

(3) Will such a move be made, once and for all, to either confirm or deny the real situation of Aboriginal administration in Queensland?

Answer:-(1 to 3) I have seen "The Courier-Mail"

report and, of course, the commissioner's annual report to Parliament. It is, as expected, a continuation of Mr. Grassby's persistent political denigration of Queensland, as though he cannot accept the fact that he is a public servant and not a discarded socialist politician.

He appears to believe his role is to aggravate, not ease, race relations and, because of his track record, I don't believe many people take him very ·seriously; so, rather than waste time reacting to the

provocative nonsense in the report, I commend to the honourable member a study of Queensland's extensive and successful record of achievement in promoting the Aboriginal cause, which has led Australia in initiatives, integration and encouragement of Aboriginal people to participate in the social and economic growth of the State. And all of this increasingly stems from the initiatives of the indigenous people themselves.

There is nothing in the Queensland story of its care, concern and help of Aboriginal people of which we cannot be very proud and the bias of an AI Grassby will not alter one iota of that fact.

18. LOCAL AUTHORITY LoAN RAISINGS

Mr. Ahem, pursuant to notice, asked the Deputy Premier and Treasurer-

(!) Are some local authorities in Queensland having problems in raising their loan allocations?

(2) Why is this problem so serious this year in comparison with other years, and what special arrangements are being made by the Queensland Government to assist local authorities in this regard?

Answers:-(1) Yes, some local authorities on the

private loan market are experiencing difficulty in raising their programmes. Similar difficulties are, however, not being experienced by borrowers on the public loan market. However, it is not a problem which is confined to Queensland. Other States, including Western Australia in particular, are having similar trouble.

(2) It is difficult to know the precise reason why the situation is more serious this year than in previous years. However, it is considered that it is an interaction of the following factors:-

* There has been a slowing down in the rate of growth of life assurance funds.

* The percentage of saving banks assets which must be held in prescribed securities, which include semigovernmental and local authority securities, has been reduced in an effort to encourage more investment in housing.

* In 1977-78 many of the major life offices anticipated that interest rates would fall and so purchased more semi-governmental securities than they needed, at the higher rates. As a result, their need for such securities this year is lower than it would otherwise have been.

* The margin of private loan rates over public loan rates is insufficient to offset the marketability and other advantages public borrowers have.

In an attempt to assist local authorities that are having trouble in raising their


programmes, I have assisted local authorities from funds under my control to the extent of $43,000,000 this year to date. Furthermore, the Queensland Government has put certain propositions to the Loan Council. However, because dealings of the Loan Council are secret, I am unable to elaborate further on these.

19. YOUTH AsSISTANCE SCHEME

l\l:r. Innes, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Welfare-

What is the extent of the eXJpenditure on the assistance to youth organisation programme since its inception and how many youth organisations have benefited under this programme?

Answer:-The Youth Assistance Scheme adminis

tered by my department has brought great benefit to youth and community organisations in providing facilities for youth and community recreation purposes.

From its inception in 1973-74 to 30 June last year, an amount of $1,552,660 has been paid to youth and community organisations by way of subsidy. The amount expended this financial year to 20 March 1979 is $356,180.20. Subsidy is at the rate of 3J! per cent and youth and community organisations have been loud in their praise about the benefits that have accrued to their particular organisations.

To date, 415 organisations have received approval for the payment of subsidy on projects submitted. I have now invited applications for the 1979-80 financial year and these applications close with my department on 30 April 1979.

20. METHOD OF DETERMINING WHETHER LAND IS USED FOR PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Mr. Milliner, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Survey and Valuation-

Will he explain the method that a valuer uses when determining whether a parcel of land is used for primary production?

Answer:-Taken literally, the honourable mem

ber's question could be answered by saying, "A valuer's skill and experience would enable him to recognise by visual observation whether land was used for primary production or not."

However, I am presuming that the honourable member's question is directed at the provisions Df section 11 (1) (vii) Df the Vabation of Land Act 1944--1977 whereby "the valuation of the unimproved value of land exclusively used ... for purposes of the business of primary production, any enhancement in that value for that the land has iy;en subdivided by survey or has a

potential use for industrial, subdivisional or any other purposes shall be disregarded irrespective of whether or not in the case of potential use as afmesaid, that potential use is lawful when the valuation is made.". The section of the Act quoted goes on to define "the business of primary production" and this definition includes all the facets of the industry.

In interpreting the concession, the first thing the valuer must consider is whether the exclusive use for the business of primary productiDn prevails. This should not need any additional explanation. The only thing I would add is that it is recognised that a persDn working the land exclusively for the business of primary production could also reside on the land and still be deemed to be using the land exclusively for the business of primary production. Of course, most primary producers do reside on their land.

Assuming that the "exclusivity condition" prevails, primary production could be regarded as being a business although it might be small and possibly providing a less income than some other activity of the owner but nevertheless a reasonable attempt to provide measurable financial benefits from a particular rural industry practised. However, there must be some degree of substantiality or viability although not necessarily always profitable.

I believe the principles to be followed have been explained by the decision of the President of the Land Court in the case of Groom versus The Valuer-General, wherein the President stated-" ... There must, in my opinion, be continuity, diligence and repetition of actions constituting the activities and, moreover, the operations must have some significant commercial purpose or character-a degree of substantiality or viability although not necessarily always profitable. Alternatively, the actions or operations in train at the relevant date of valuation must be such that given favourable seasons and conditions they are of such magnitude that they will, in the fullness of time, by maturity or further activity reasonably be expected to develop into a viable venture. In short, I cannot accept that the scale of the operations or activities are not a significant factor in determining whether or not they are to be classed as a business . . . ".

Furthermore, in the case of Walker versus The Valuer-General, the Land Appeal Court quoted that judgment of the President and stated that the decis·ion sets out clearly the tests to be applied in considering whether the protection of section 11 (1) (vii) is gained by any landholder.

Both decisions quoted are fairly lengthy but for reference purposes and for the information of the honourable member and the House, I table both.

Whereupon the honourable gentleman laid the documents on the table.


21. WORKS DEPARTMENT ELECTRICIANS

Mr. Milliner, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Works and Housing-

(1) How many electricians commenced duty with his department on 12 March 1979, ac1d what are their names?

(2) What classification were the electricians employed under, and what is the present classification of each of the electricians employed on that date?

(3) On what projects are these electricians now working?

Answers:-(!) Two. Messrs. P. Gold and G.

Wharton. (2 & 3) Electrical employees are

employed under the Electrical Engineering Award (State) on work allocated by the officer-in-charge and appropriate to the experience level of each employee.

It has been the practice of the Department of Works in recent years to continue in employment as many electrical or mechanical apprentices who have satisfactorily completed their apprenticeship as the work-load demands and available finance permit. Arrangements have recently been made for 10 such apprentices to be so employed.

The abovementioned opportunity is also extended to satisfactory applicants who recently completed their apprenticeship with other employers, in support of the Government's policy of creating employment, particularly for the young people of the State.

Members of the Opposition would be assisting the residents of this State if they supported the Government in its policy of creating employment, particularly for the young people, instead of discouraging youths from accepting employment.

Following the completion of his apprenticeship as an electrician, with honours, with the Department of Harbours and Marine, my son is continuing his employment with the Crown, as an electrician in the Department of Works.

Mr. HID:ze: Tell them I got Kev. Hooper's son a job at the Main Roads after he crawled to me. He'> still working there.

Mr. SPL\KER: Order!

Mr. K J. Hoope•: That's not right, Russell.

Mr. H1nzc: Cf course it is.

Mr. K. l. Hooper: It's not right.

Mr. HW:re.: Yes. You called round one day and '.cid, ''How about getting my son a job?"

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The House will come ·tO order. As I have said before there will be no :'1t'Crjections while a Minister is on his fc:et.

Answers (contd.) :-

At this point in time--

Mr. K . .J. Hooper: You must have been kicked by one of those New Zealand trotters.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I order the honoumble member under Standing Order 123A to leave the Chamber.

Mr. K . .J. Hooper: Mr. Speaker, you warn me?

Mr. SPEAKER: I warned the honourable member earlier. He will leave the Chamber under Standing Order 123A.

Mr. CASEY: I rise to a point of order.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! member for Arche:rtield Chamber.

The honourable will .leave the

Whereupon the honourable member for Archerfield withdrew from the Chamber.

Mr. CASEY: I rise to a point of order, Mr. Speaker. If the warning that you gave previously was a blanket order to all members, I would draw your attention to the fact that the incident was started by the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads. Is he to be dealt with in the same way?

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I have the conduct of the House.

Mr. CASEY: Is he to be dealt with in the same way?

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. I will conduct the affairs of the House.

Mr. CASEY: I am asking you on a point of order--

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I gave the order and I made the ruling.

Mr. CASEY: One rule for the Nationals, one for Labor.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition is reflecting on the Chair.

Mr. CASEY: I asked for a ruling.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I ask for a withdrawal of the reflection on the Chair.

Mr. CASEY: I withdraw any reflection you may have felt I made, Mr. Speaker. I sought a mling from you in relation to the interjection that was made by the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads. I ask whether he was to be treated in exactlv the same way as the honourable member fo-r Archerfield. I again ask for your ruling on that.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I gave a ruling. The honourable member for Archerfield and the Minister both interjected at the same time and the honourable member continued to interject. That was the reason for my


order to him to withdraw from the Chamber. If the Leader of the Opposition continues to interject, I will deal with him under Standing Order 123A. The Minister will now continue with his answers.

Answers (contd.) :-At this point in time, because I have

too high a regard for our young people who will be called upon in the future to maintain the high standard expected of my department's work-force, I do not intend to name those Opposition members who have approached me for assistance in having their sons and daughters appointed to positions of Crown employment.

22. SHEARING ScHOOLs

Mr. Glasson, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Primary Industries-

As he is aware of the critical shortage of shearers in western Queensland, is there any move by his department to organise or lend financial support to shearing schools in selected areas of the State, in co-operation with interested organisations, in an attempt to attract more shearers into this most important industry?

Answer:-A shearers' training course was held

last year under the aegis of the Queensland Wool Producers Industry Training Committee. The committee is organising a further training course for this year on a date and at a venue to be decided. The committee is convened by the United Graziers' Association and has representatives from a number of organisations associated with the wool industry and education. An officer from the Sheep and Wool Branch represents my department.

23. SuiTABILITY oF BP A METRO PROP-JET AIRCRAFT ON INLAND RoUTES

Mr. Glasson, pursuant to notice, asked the Premier-

(!) Is he aware that Bush Pilots Airways Ltd. has introduced the Metro prop-jet to the Saturday return flight from Rockhampton to Longreach, which is a considerable upgrading of this service, where previously the service was operated by a Cessna 402?

(2) Will he give an assurance to the people of western Queensland that this service's acceptance cannot be used as an argument that the Metro prop-jet will be a suitable alternative for the ageing F27 fleet now being operated by TransAustralia Airlines on the Brisbane to Mt. Isa and Townsville to Mt. Isa routes and all stops between?

Answers:-(!) I am advised that the Commonwealth

Regional Director of Transport, Brisbane, has approved the use of a Metroliner on

the Rockhampton to Longreach service on each Saturday from 17 March to 9 June 1979, inclusive, on a demonstration trial basis.

(2) So far as I am concerned-and I have discussed this matter with the management of T.A.A.-that airline will continue to operate its Fokker services between Brisbane and Mt. Isa and Townsville and Mt. Isa as in the past.

24. D. G. OGLE SAMFORD DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Kruger, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads-

In view of his letter of 26 February to the Pine Rivers Shire Council regarding representation to him by D. G. Ogle and seeking to form a committee with his technical officers, Pine Rivers Shire Council officers and staff of the company of D. G. Ogle-

(1) Has the Pine Rivers Shire Council been delaying approvals of the D. G. Ogle Samford development as stated in the letter?

(2) Which aspects are being delayed? (3) Does he intend to take any action

to overcome further delay? (4) Is this the normal course of action

taken by him in matters concerning subdivisions, or does he have some other connection in the business either through the Moscow Bank or otherwise?

Answer:-(! to 4) Representations were made to

me by Mr. Ogle that there had been certain delays in securing approvals from the Pine Rivers Shire Council to enable the Samford Valley development project to proceed in accordance with the rezoning approved by the Governor in Council on 12 October 1978.

Following these representations and suggestions discussed with certain members of the council, I wrote to the council stating that I was aware that the implementation of a project of this magnitude was a task of very considerable proportions, and it seemed to me that it could be advantageous for a committee of officers to be set up to look into the matter and to report to the council, the developer, and my department on steps that needed to be taken to secure the necessary approvals.

This by no means implied-as has been suggested elsewhere-taking any power, authority or decision-making whatsoever out of the hands of the Pine Rivers Shire Council. My offer was simply one to make senior officers of my department, and their considerable expertise, available as part of a joint committee to act in an advisory capacity in an attempt to resolve an impasse which had apparently developed between the council and the developer. I


subsequently received advice from the council that it did not agree with the proposal put forward in my letter, and accordingly I do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

The council's decision in this instance is somewhat surprising, however, when it is considered that {his approach was in fact first suggested to me by a council member who subsequently strongly rejected my written approach. I can only surmise that with the triennial local authority elections in the offing this particular council member, and others, have their own reasons for rejecting my approach.

I might add that I am always willing, as Minister, to assist in resolving problems between local authorities and developers where the parties agree to this course of action. Indeed, there have been numerous occasions involving other councils and other projects-and even the Pine Rivers Shire Council-on which a similar approach has been adopted, and has been successful in resolving disputes. This particular case was no exception to the normal course of action.

The real intent of the question is, of course, in the final part, and I must say it's typical of the sort of "shady" questions emanating from that particular corner of the House. I have no personal interest, whatsoever, in this particular subdivision, either through the Moscow bank to which the member refers, or any other interest.

25. SURVEY COMPANY INTERESTS OF ALDERMAN ANDREWS

Mr. Kruger, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Survey and Valuation-

(1) Has his attention been drawn to an article in "The Courier-Mail" of 15 March wherein Alderman John Andrews, Liberal alderman for The Gap, is quoted as saying that he divested himself of all interests in survey companies on his election to the Brisbane City Council?

(2) Was Alderman Andrews elected to the Brisbane City Council in March 1976?

(3) Has a letter been received by the Surveyor-General from John Andrews Davies, stating that Mr. John Andrews retired as a partner of the firm on 1 July 1978?

Answer:-

(1 to 3) The short answers are yes, yes, yes, but Alderman Andrews is obtaining a letter from his accountants, which sets out the steps that were taken with respect to the withdrawal from his practice and its disposal. As soon as that letter comes to hand, I will table it for the information of honourable members.

26. REAL ESTATE AGENT ON PINE RIVERS SHIRE CouNCIL

Mr. Kruger, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads--

(!) With reference to my question on 7 December 1978 regarding possible personal gain to a Pine Rivers Shire councillor who is conducting a real estate business in the shire and is also a member of the town planning committee of the shire, as I have had further complaints from real estate agents in the district on this matter, will he undertake a full-scale investigation into the dealings of the mentioned real estate agent if he is re-elected to council?

(2) In view of certain sales of land of some magnitude to major shopping centre investors in the shire, will he immediately investigate the real estate agent on the Pine Rivers Shire Council to ascertain if that member used his position on the town planning committee of the shire to execute these sales for personal gain, and used his position to gain an advantage over other real estate agents in the area?

Answer:-

(1 & 2) On 7 December 1978, in a question to me in this Parliament, the honourable member for Murrumba insinuated that a member of the Pine Rivers Shire Council was using his position for personal gain. In answer to that question, I said that I would investigate the situation and take action if evidence warranting such action was presented to me. Neither the member for Murrumba nor any other person has submitted one iota of evidence to me. Now, today the honourable member for Murrumba has again tried to smear that member of council with innuendo-again without one shred of evidence.

On checking, I find that the only member of Pine Rivers Shire Council who is a real estate agent is Cr. P. M. L. Campbell. He has submitted to me a statutory declaration concerning his business, together with a list of pecuniary interests declared by him as detailed in a letter signed by the shire clerk. I request permission for the incorporation of the statutory declaration in "Hansard" and I table a copy of the shire clerk's letter.

The statutory declaration points out clearly and unequivocal'y the misleading nature of the question from the member for Murrumba, who ought to be ashamed of himself, and totally refutes any allegation of impropriety. I am advised that Councillor Campbell's agency has not sold any shopping centre sites since 1970---six years before he was elected to council. The only evidence submitted to me has all been entirely in support of Councillor


Campbell's proper conduct. There has been no evidence of use of his position for personal gain.

As the position of a member of a local authority is one requiring fair and balanced conduct as well as complete honesty in all aspects, and in view of the evidence submitted to me, I believe the member for Murrumba should publicly apologise to Councillor Campbell. I suppose I should say under my breath "if he has the guts".

Whereupon the honourable gentleman tabled the letter referred to and the following statutory declaration-

"Oaths Act 1867-1974 Statutory Declaration

(Queensland to wit) I, Peter Matthew Langley Campbell

of 14 Earl Street, Albany Creek in the State of Queensland, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I have not been involved in the sale of any Shopping Centre site in the Pine Rivers Shire since 1970 and the only business property sold via my Agency was a warehouse at 167 Gympie Road, Strathpine.

I further declare that my business is based on residential land and house sales and not on land development and speculation.

In accordance with the provisions of The Local Government Act 1936-1978, at all times during my three year term on Council, a pecuniary interest has been stated, no matter how technical such interest may be in the application.

Being mindful of the responsibility of the role as a Local Authority member, I have regularly declared to a full and open Council Meeting my real estate holdings and the only property owned in freehold is my residential property at subdivision 32, Earl Street, Albany Creek.

I declare that the attached is the list of pecuniary interest statements entered in the relevant book at the Pine Rivers Shire Council and endorsed by the Shire Clerk.

And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of the Oaths Act 1867-1974.

Taken and declared before me, at Strathpine this twentieth day of March 1979.

Graham Cave, J.P. P. Campbell".

27. QUEENSLAND STATUTORY AUTIIORITIES

Mr. Gygar, pursuant to notice, asked the Premier-

(1) In view of the recent report of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Government Operations, which revealed the existence of 220 federal statutory authorities, many of which are not

required to report to the Parliament, how many statutory authorities have been established under the laws of Queensland?

(2) What is the name or title of each of the authorities?

(3) Which of these authorities are exempt from the requirement to report annually to Parliament?

Answer:-(! to 3) I assume the honourable mem

ber, in referring to statutory authorities, has in mind those bodies other than Government departments that have been created by statute and have corporate identity. Available records reveal that such organisations fall broadly into 85 categories. I table a list of these organisations for inclusion in "Hansard". It will be seen that in practically all instances the degree of accountability of the authorities is high.

As the honourable member will appreciate, there are a number of other bodies recognised by statute which do not have corporate identity but which are directly responsible and accountable to the appropriate Minister. The activities of such bodies are as a consequence subject to the closest ministerial supervision.

The list of organisations is as follows:-

STATUTORY AUTHORITIES

Authorities created by Statute and having Corporate identity-excluding Crown Corporations-

ABoRIGINAL AND IsLANDERS ADVANCEMENT

Island Industries Board, (a) (b) (c).

AUDITOR-GENERAL

Public Accountants Registration Board, (a) (b) (c).

CO-ORDINATOR-GENERAL

Gladstone Area Water Board, (a) (b) (c); Burdekin River Authority, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Film Corporation, (a) (b) (c).

CULTURE, NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION

Twelfth Night Theatre Building Trust, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Theatre Company, (a) (b); Library Board of Queensland, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Museum Board of Trustees, (a) (b) (c); Trustees of Queensland Art Gallery, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Performing Arts Trust, (a) (b) (c); Newstead House Board of Trustees, (b).

EDUCATION

Board of Advanced Education, (a) (b) (c); Board of Trustees of Grammar Schools (8), (a) (b); Councils of Colleges of Advanced Education (10), (a) (b)· Board of Trustees of Rural Training Sch~ols (4), (a) (b); Senates of Universities (3), (a) (b) (c); Student Unions (4).


ELECTRICITY CoMMISSION

State Electricity Commission, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Electricity Generating Board, (a) (b); Electricity Boards (7), (a) (b); Queensland Electricity Supply Industry Superannuation Board, (a) (b).

FORESTRY

Timber Research and Development Advisory Councils (2), (a) (b) (c).

HARBOURS AND MARINE

Port of Brisbane Authority, (a) (b) (c); Harbour Boards (7) , (a) (b) ; The Marine Board of Queensland, (a) (b) (c); The Beach Protection Authority, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Commercial Fishermen's State Council, (b); Queensland Fish Board, (a) (b) (c).

HEALTH

Medical and other Boards (8), (a) (b); Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Radium Institute, (a) (b); Hospital Boards (57), (a) (b); Hospital District Administrators (2) (a) (b); State Council of tht: Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, (a) (b); Ambulance Brigades (99), (b).

JUSTICE

Auctioneers and Agents Committee, (b); Legal Assistance Committee of Queensland, (a) (b) (c); Supreme Court Library Committee, (a); Board of Trustees of Sickness, Medical or Funeral Trust Fund, (a) (b) (c).

LABOUR RELATIONS

Anzac Day Trust, (a) (b) (c); Workers' Compensation Board of Queensland, (a) (b) (c).

LANDS

Brisbane Forest Park Administration Authority, (a) (b) (c).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local Authorities (134), (a) (b); Joint Local Authorities Boards (20), (a) (b); Local Government Association of Queensland; Local Government Superannuation Board, (a) (b); National Trust of Queensland, (a) (b) (c).

MAPPING AND SURVEYING

Surveyors Board of Queensland, (a) (b).

MINES

Miners' Pensions Tribunal, (a) (b) (c); Mines Rescue Brigades (3), (a) (b).

POLICE

Police Superannuation Board, (a) (b) (c); State Fire Services Council, (a) (b) (c); Fire Brigade Boards (81), (a) (b).

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Soil Conservation Authority, (b); Brisbane Market Trust, (a) (b) (c); Cannery Board, (b); Committee of Direction of

Fruit Marketing, (b); State Wheat Board, (b); Queensland Milk Board, (a) (b); Council of Agriculture, (b); Sugar Board, (b); Queensland Cane Growers Council, (b); Sugar Experiment Stations Board, (a) (b) (c); Queensland Dairymen's State

Council, (b); Queensland Commercial Pig Producers State Council, (b); Abattoir Boards (6), (b); Queensland Meat Industry Organisation and Marketing Authority, (a) (b) (c); Wheat Research Foundation, (b); Commodity Marketing Boards (14), (a) (b).

TRANSPORT

Metropolitan Transit Authority, (a) (b) (c).

TREASURY

Brisbane Cricket Ground Trust, (a); Queensland Cultural Centre Trust, (a) (b) (c); Totalisator Board, (a) (c); Queensland Trotting Board, (a); Greyhound Racing Control Board, (a).

VALUER-GENERAL

Valuers Registration Board, (a) (b).

WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION

River Improvement Trusts (19), (a) (b); Water Boards (20), (b); Bore Water Supply Boards (59), (b); Drainage Boards (6), (b).

WORKS

Builders Registration Board, (a) (b) (c); House-Builders' Registration Board, (a) (b) (c); Board of Architects, (b); Board of Professional Engineers, (b).

(a) Furnish annual reports and/or audited accounts to Minister or Department.

(b) Accounts audited by Auditor- General.

(c) Reports to Parliament either separately or through Permanent Head.

28. BOATING AND FISHERIES PATROL, KARUMBA

Mr. Bertoni, pursuant to notice, asked the Minister for Maritime Services and Tourism-

(!) How many officers of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol are stationed at Karumba?

(2) What is the extent of the Karumba patrol area?

(3) How does this area compare in size with a patrol area such as Tewantin, that is, in length of coastline, area and major river systems?

(4) How many patrol officers are stationed at Tewantin?

(5) What is the annual export earnings of the Karumba patrol district, and how does this compare to much smaller patrol areas with more staff, for example Bowen?

3578 Questions Upon Notice [21 MARCH 1979] Questions Without Notice

(6) How many commercial fishermen fish the Karumba patrol area?

(7) What is the ratio of patrol officers, that is field officers, to the boating and fishing public and professional fishermen?

(8) What is the projected strength of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol in Karumba for this financial year?

(9) What is the extra annual cost in stationing a third man at Karumba?

Answers:-(!) Two officers, namely, one district

patrol officer and one patrol officer. (2) Karumba patrol area has a coastline

of approximately 400 miles and commences at the Edward River on the Cape York Peninsula and follows westward around the Gulf to the Northern Territory border. It includes the shires of Burke, Carpentaria, Croydon, McKinlay, Richmond, Cloncurry and Mt. Isa. Karumba district has a population of approximately 41,057.

(3) The Karumba area includes 17 major river systems, whilst the Tewantin area has six major river systems and a coastline of 60 nautical miles to be covered. Tewantin area has a resident population of 64,873. This is greatly increased by tourist traffic throughout the year within this area.

(4) Three officers, namely, one district patrol officer and two patrol officers. One field officer at Tewantin is used as a relieving officer at Caloundra and Roma, and for special duties in the southern area of the State.

(5) In relation to export seafood values, information is not readily available to separate Karumba from other fishing centres. However, an estimate would place the average annual ea,rnings somewhere between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. The value of export earnings derived from the Bowen area is not available. However, the annual value of product taken through that centre is estimated at between $250,000 and $300,000 for an average year.

(6) Approximately 500, and a further 500 itinerant fishermen.

(7) Assuming that this part of the question relates to Queensland as a whole, the ratios are-

Patrol officers to boating and fishing public 1: 1252;

Patrol officers to commercial fishermen 1:96. (8) Two officers. (9) $35,000 for salaries and contingen

cies, plus the cost of housing. General-I would remind the honour

able member that the needs of particular localities for boating and fisheries patrol services cannot be reasonably judged by the value of catch taken or the number of fishermen operative in the particular area. The patrol is concerned with boating as well as fishing and, in relation to fishing,

account needs to be taken of the nature of infringements which require to be guarded against in each location.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

MT. GRAVATT HosPITAL PROJECT

Mr. CASEY: I preface a question to the Minister for Works and Housing by pointing out that in his answer to me yesterday on the Mt. Gravatt hospital issue, he said, "Civil and Civic are precluded from tendering for any of the works". I now ask him whether, as a matter of ministerial interpretation, this also precludes wholly owned subsidiaries of Civil and Civic from tendering and being awarded subcontracts in relation to the hospital project. Will he provide this Parliament, on its next sitting day, with a list of all subcontracts that have been let in relation to the Mt. Gravatt Hospital, the firms or individuals to which each was let, the cost of contract in each case, and the amount involved in each case?

Mr. WHARTON: I think it was clearly spelt out that Civil and Civic as such do not tender. Does the honourable member want it repeated? I have repeated it now, and I can repeat it tomorrow. If it makes him happy, I will be glad to repeat it for him tomorrow.

PUBLIC CONCERN FOR THE STATuS OF PARLIAMENT

Dr. LOCKWOOD: I ask the Deputy Premier and Treasurer: Is he aware of the sentiments expressed in the editorial in today's "Telegraph", which concludes with the statement, "It should also be remembered that if M.P.s treat their own institution with contempt they should not be too surprised when other people do, too."? Does he share this concern for the status of Parliament, as expressed by the editor of the "Telegraph" in his column?

Dr. EDWARDS: I certainly share with most members of this Parliament, the grave concern that has been expressed over the attitude displayed by some members. You, Mr. Speaker, and the Premier have expressed such concern over a long period, especially over the last few months. I want to place on record my personal objection to the degradation that has occurred in the House. I know you support any move to raise the integrity and standard of debate, the integrity and standard of attitudes and the integrity and standing of members. Any effort that you make to ensure that that occurs will have our total support. I deplore the attitude that has crept into the House over the past few months and I assure you that you will have total support from our side of the House to try to eliminate such an attitude.

Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted for questions has now expired.

Matters of Public Interest [21 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest 3579

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

BRISBANE CrrY CoUNCIL LAND DEALINGS

Mr. LANE (Merthyr) (12.1 p.m.): This House has heard much in recent days from the Labor Party about so-called land frauds. In t)lpical fashion these charges remain totally unsubstantiated. Today ,I shall talk about a land fraud that can be substantiated; it is there in black and white for all to see.

The honourable member for Lytton has been so busy chasing sand-flies on Russell Island that he has missed a scandal of national proportions right under his nose in Brisbane. Perhaps he has not missed it; he may even have been part of it, because it involves the Labor Party and the Brisbane City Council. For years stories have been around about the Labor Pa!'ty's land deals in Brisbane, but no-one has ever been able to work out the cover-up. Today I propose to table documents showing clearly how the Labor city council's land fraud has been worked. The documents demonstrate the corruption of the Labor city council and the total disregard for the people of Brisbane exercised by the La:bor Party in this area of local government.

It is a fact that the Labor city council presently owns somewhere in the vicinity of $20,000,000 worth of subdivided land in the city of Brisbane. The Labor council does not know for sure how much land it owns. In fact it even refuses to reveal the cost or location of land it buys or sells. The town clerk is on record as saying, "It is not considered in the interests of the city to collate such information." Certain documents clearly show why the town clerk has said it is not in the interests of the city to provide information about the council's land dealings. I have in front of me a memorandum of transfer from E. J. Halt Investments Pty. Ltd. to George Albert Bland, and a memorandum of transfer from a George Albert Bland to the Brisbane City Council relative ,(o a parcel of land in Leichhardt Street, Brisbane. It could ,be said that there is nothing wrong with a person's buying land from someone and reselling it at a profit, but when that land is bought at 2.41 p.m. and sold at 2.42 p.m. on the same day-yes, indeed, one minute later-what I am getting at becomes plain. When it is noted that at 2.41 p.m. in January 1975 George A}bert Bland paid $340,000 for the land, and one minute later the Brisbane City Council paid $460,000 for the land, the picture becomes clearer. What does the Leader of the Opposition have to say about that?

In other words, a Mr. George Albert Bland sold land to the Brisbane City Council and made a profit of $120,000 dn one minute. One ,point of interest is that it would appear from the documents that a firm of solicitors well known to the Labor Party, namely, Breen, Breen & Walker, acted in the first transaction for Bland, and

in the second transaction for the Brisbane City Council. One might ask who George Bland is. No doubt he eXJists or existed. Indeed, there is evidence that he appeared in other land deals of a similar nature involving the Brisbane City Council. That is for an inquiry to determine. Of much more importance and serious consideration is how the Labor Brisbane City Council and the Labor Party, which profess to be so righteous about the land dealings of others who do not belong to that party, can buy land under such extraordinary and suspicious circumstances.

The Labor council clearly has a number of serious charges to answer concerning the way in which it buys and sells land. For instance, how could the council have negotiated with Bland when he clearly did not own the land he was trying to sell? Why did not the council have a search undertaken to determine who owned the land or, in other words, who had title to the land? If it had done so it would have discovered that E. J. Holt Investments Pty. Ltd. really owned the land. If the searches had been carried out, the council would have heen able to save $120,000 of ratepayers' money. Why didn't the council insist on proper valuations of the land? How could the council agree to pay $460,000 for a block of land that it could have bought one minute earlier for $340,000? I would like to hear the honourable member for Archemeld or the honourable member for Lytton comment on this. Are they as dncensed about this proposition, which falls ,within their own camp, as they are about the other matters on which they make wild allegations in this place? Let us hear from them today. The leader of the State Labor Party has not even stayed in the Chamber to hear what is being said. He is not concerned about this propostion. He 'is outside getting some fresh instructions from the Trades Hall, to which he sold out recently.

Mr. Davi.s: Very good!

Mr. LANE: We hear a deep-throated giggle from the honourable member for Brisbane Central. Giggles; that's all we get from the Opposition in this plaoe.

There are still two council aldermen on the other side of the House, Alderman Shaw from Wynnum and Alderman Warburton from Sandgate. Let us hear what they have to say on this proposition. They are still collecting their salaries from City Hall. Let us see where they stand on this.

Mr. WARBURTON: I rise to a point of order. The comments made by the honourable member for Merthyr are completely untrue. They are offensive to me and I ask that they be withdrawn.

Mr. LANE: I shall withdraw the allegation that the honourable member is still receiving his salary. He is benefiting from the superannuation of the Brisbane City Council.

Of grave concern is the question: did the council really need the land?

3580 Matters of Public Interest [21 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest

Mr. SHA W: I rise to a point of order. The honourable member's reference to me is similarly offensive. I ask that those comments also be withdrawn.

Mr. LANE: I will withdraw, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and I am sure that in due course these two gentlemen will produce the evidence in this House that they are giving their salary away or that they are no longer pocketing it, because that is what we all want to hearand so does every other ratepayer in Brisbane. We want to know whether they are getting two salaries, and we want the proof of it on the table in this House.

I repeat my question: did the council really need the land? It has been a vacant lot ever since Labor bought it. It was a deal just to line Labor aldermen's pockets at the expense of the public. I ask: how many similar deals have been perpetrated before and since by the Labor counoil? Clearly what I have just disclosed in this House is a scandal of major proportions. Evidence I have obtained to date indicates that this and other similar fraudulent practices have been commonplace in the Labor council in recent years.

As I said a moment ago, only an inquiry will show how many miiiions of dolJars of ratepayers' funds have been siphoned off into Labor members' pockets. This Brisbane land scandal will make the Victorian revelat.jon pale into insignHicance. Clearly an inquiry must be urgently undertaken. There must be an inquiry into all the council's land deals of at least the past 10 years, involving all the aldermen of the council and all retiring aldermen of the council, to determine the identity of all the George Albert Blands of this world and the profits that are made through the Labor Brisbane City Council by the George AlbeDt Blands.

Those in the council who have aided and abetted in Labor's land frauds must be brought to justice-----.those who ought to have ensured that proper valuations were obtained, that titles to properties were searched, and those who ultimately made the decisions to pay public moneys to buy lands at artificially inflated prices. An inquiry may well implicate the two honourable members opposite. Clearly the Labor city council could not and would not do anything about it because the aldermen are making too much out of it. The State Government must have an inquiry to get at the facts and put behind bars those who have defrauded the people of Brisbane of their money-money that ought to have been spent on improving the city and keeping rates down to acceptable levels.

This is not the only corruption that has gone on in the council. Recently we heard of the corruption involving the use of free bus passes by some retired aldermen and the wild explanations that have been made in the Press since that time.

It may enlighten honourable members to know that two of the members sitting on the committee that made the recommendations and the decisions to purchase this land-a

purchase that resulted in a profit of $120,000 for some mysterious person-are standing for the council again. The man who aspires to be the next Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Alderman Bryan Walsh, is standing out in the Carina ward. He is one.

I want to hear an explanation from the two honourable members opposite who are aldermen just where they stand in relation to this shoddy land deal. They were certainly aldermen and were certainly receiving their salaries when this particular deal was approved by the Labor city council and when someone lined his pockets with $120,000 of ratepayers' money in order to pass on this large profit to this mysterious gentleman named George Albert Bland and the many other George Albert Blands who have done business with the Brisbane City Council in back rooms over the past few years.

The greatest thing that Syd. McDonald can do for this city is to kick the graft and cmruption out of City Hall on 31 March when he will be elected as Lord Mavor of Brisbane. ·

Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the documents referred to.

TRANSPORT OF CATTLE TO CANNON HILL SALEYARDS

Mr. DA VIS (Brisbane Central) (12.10 p.m.): My matter of public interest deals with dead animals on trains.

For the past 10 minutes we have been listening to Grimm's Fairy Tales. I thought that the honourable member for Merthyr would have improved during the two or three years that I was absent from the Chamber, but he is a regular guttersnipe. He has come out with a whole Jot of garbage about land scandals. Before the honourable member for Merthyr rose to speak I said to my friend Alderman Warburton, "If he doesn't speak about some alleged fraud in the council, my name isn't Davis." And sure enough he did. He did not mention the number of Liberal aldermen in the city council who said they advocated one man one job. I happen to have with me some information--

Mr. Neal: What's this got to do with dead animals?

Mr. DA VIS: I wiii get back to the dead bullocks after I finish with the dead Liberals.

I will now mention some of the things that have arisen in the Brisbane City Council, and I wiii deal first with one man one job. An alderman receives $20,000 a year. Look at Ray Smith, the alderman for Chermside! He is a barrister and part-time alderman. Then there is part-time Alderman Coneybeer who is an industrial advocate, and part-time Alderman Andrews who is a land developer, valuer, surveyor-you name it, the whole Jot. He aspires to be Lord Mayor.

Mrs. Kyburz: What about Clem Jones's land in Sunnybank?


Mr. DA VIS: I did not know that Clem Jones is an alderman.

Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Miller): Order! The House will come to order. I am endeavouring to hear the honourable member for Brisbane Central, and I intend to hear him.

Mr. DA VIS: I thought that we had good acoustics in this Chamber, and I did not think that I had to listen to a lot of bellowing from these sorts of animals on the other side.

Mrs. KYBURZ: I rise to a point of order. I find that remark totally objectionable, and I ask the member-not the honourable member-to withdraw it straight away.

Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I ask the honourable member to withdraw the remark.

Mr. DAVIS: Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker; fair enough.

Mrs. Kyburz: Withdraw it; not fair enough.

Mr. DA VIS: I will withdraw it.

Government Members interjected.

Mr. DA VIS: It is all right for them to laugh about some of the problems in the rail transportation of cattle into Cannon Hill saleyards that have been receiving a lot of publicity. Unfortunately that has been going on at least since November. What sort of answers do we receive from the Minister for Transport? Last November he was asked a question concerning the transportation of stock into Cannon Hill, but it was completely ignored and dismissed. Again in the past few months, trainload after trainload of cattle has been coming into Cannon Hill containing a large number of dead beasts. It is not good enough to try to dismiss this matter. The Royal Queensland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty has written to various Ministers about this problem, including the Minister for Police who is responsible for administering the Animals Protection Act. The society has also written to the Minister for Transport outlining cases of cruelty to cattle. Why are these cattle being mistreated? Is it because the graziers or their agents are too lousy to pay for drovers to travel on trains with the cattle? It should be mandatory that on all trains on which cattle are transported--

Mr. Bishop: You should travel with them.

Mr. DAVIS: It is all very well for the honourable member to make a joke of it--

Mr. Bishop: No, I think you would look after them very well.

Mr. DA VIS: What is the honourable member talking about?

Mr. Bishop: The cattle.

Mr. DA VIS: I hope I did noi hear correctly and that members opposite are treating this subject in a frivolous manner. I am sure that everybody in Queensland is concerned about the transportation of cattle.

Mr. Akers: You made it frivolous when you started your speech and then went off onto other subjects.

Mr. DAVIS: Here we have members such as the members for Pine Rivers and Surfers Paradise who could not care less about cruelty in the transportation of animals.

Mrs. Kyburz: Most of us are concerned.

Mr. DA VIS: Some Government members may be concerned, but the Minister for Transport cannot be too concerned-

Mr. Bishop: You weren't here the other day when he answered a question about it.

Mr. DA VIS: He might be concerned. It is all right being concerned but what about putting something into the Railway Department's by-laws to make it mandatory? Let's face it, the graziers are not doing too badly with their beef prices at the present time.

Mr. Elliott: The last three months.

Mr. DA VIS: I don't care if it is three months.

Mr. Gygar: You are anti-country.

Mr. DA VIS: I am not anti-country. I have said on a number of occasions that I come from country stock, and I appreciate the problems of country people. But I also appreciate the fact that in 1979 we cannot have the situation where we see dead and maimed stock coming into the various saleyards throughout Queensland, particularly when it is a situation that could so easily be remedied by the Minister for Transport.

Mr. Elliott: And it will be.

Mr. DAVIS: When? This has been going on for years. It was raised last November.

Mr. Katter: It was only going on since last November; now it has been going on for years.

Mr. DA VIS: It has been going on for years, but it has been highlighted only since November. But there has still been nothing done about it by this Government. I have here an article from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty which states that on one occasion when its officers inspected cattle which arrived at Cannon Hill after travelling from Quilpie they found 22 cattle dead and 10 badly injured. They also stated that they were forced to put down at least another half-dozen cattle.

Mr. Frawley: They should have made it seven and got rid of you.

Mr. DA VIS: That is the sort of frivolous remark I am talking about. Most of the time I do not mind a joke, but I am as


concerned as anybody else about this problem, and yet the Government is not doing anything about it. It is a problem which is very easy to overcome. All the Government has to do is amend the Railway Department's by-laws and insist that a drover accompany all cattle transported by rail. There could even be two drovers when large numbers were being transported. This should occur whether beef prices are good or bad. I am sure that any genuine member would agree that the general public are repulsed by the sight of dead and maimed cattle arriving at saleyards throughout the State, and if the issue is not settled very shortly the Government will feel the results of the indignation of the general public.

DECENTRALISATION OF BREAD INDUSTRY

Mr. LESTER (Peak Downs) (12.20 p.m.): Each one of us is concerned about unemployment, and all parties are concerned about decentralisation. Each and every one of us has at some stage or other been criticised for not doing enough a:bout both. I call upon this Government to curb the activities of the Brisbane-based bread manufacturers who are gaining a stranglehold on the industry at the eJCpense of country bakers. I call on this Government to act in the interests of decentralisation by making, as has been done in Victoria, the baking industry a decentralisation industry. The large companies are squeezing the very life-blood out of employment in the country by dumping bread in towns in order to destroy the local bakers. This is the first nail in the coffin of country towns. This is done by the large bakers using their economies of scale. They are supplying 68 per cent of the population in the southeast corner of Queensland. This is to the detriment of the labour-intensive small bakers, and it is destroying them.

To give an example-a large manufacturer in Brisbane producing 250,000 units a week needs only 12 men in his production line. A baker at, say, Gympie producing 10,000 units on smaller equipment, etc., still needs 12 men in his production line. Employment must be maintained, and we must act to help the smaller bakers.

These large baking combines are using unrealistic transport methods and prices to destroy local bakers. I shall give an example of what has happened. In the town of Beaudesert bread was selling at one time at prices as low as 39c a loaf. When the local bakeries closed, the price of bread reverted to its previous figur~if not to a higher figure. I rang Beaudesert this morning and I was told that were I to buy a loaf of bread in that town I would have to pay up to 57c for it. That just shows how these large baking combines increase the price of bread once they have strangled the local bakers.

The large combines are saturating the supermarket shelves 'because they have an

enormous production and they are not concerned about ,wastage. The little baker cannot compete against them.

The large corporate companies in Queensland depend only to a small extent on their baking operations. Bread is only a part of their overall corporate activities. On the other hand, the small baker is concerned about making his bakery business a profitable one so that he can employ people.

Already 28 bakeries, extending north to Bundaberg, west to Chinchilla, and south to the Gold Coast, have closed, resulting in the loss of more than 100 jobs. Many more bakeries are on the brink of total disaster. I refer to Dalby, which has a population of 9,000. It had four bakeries, but now only one is left, and the proprietor is asking this Government to help him. His grandfather, his father and he have spent their whole lives in the baking industry. What a way for this man to go out of the industryout the back door!

This does not include the people in the hot-bread shops and the bread vendors who daily are losing their jobs. It also does not include the people in the service Jndustriesthe plumbers and carpenters who help to keep bakers going. Then there are the firms which supply the bakeries. What about our own Queensland bakery machinery manufacturers headed by Mr. Willett? They are relying now on what is happening in Victoria because of the legislation that was wisely introduced by that Government. I have a telegram from Mr. Wil!ett asking this Government to act in the interests of small business in this State.

If this Government takes no action, quite clearly the findings of our unemployment committee will not be worth two bob. It will mean that we are paying lip-service to small business and to employment. At present 120 apprentices are employed in country bakeries in Queensland. Only 20 apprentices are employed in the city bakeries. I have it on very good authority that most likely there will be no indentures for apprentice bakers next year because every baker is concerned greatly as to whether his bakery will be able to continue. This is a very sad state of affairs.

We must act at this point in time when one small business is closing each hour. These are the sorts of problems that ,we have to face. This sort of thing might be all right in the short-term interest of the consumer, but it is not ,jn his long-term interest. As I have explained, when these large combines come into a small country town, the price of bread increases, the deliveries become less frequent, and the supply of hot cross buns and other bakery lines ceases. I quote from a letter that Mr. Jack Sheeran, the president of the Bread Manufacturers' Association for the past 22 years, wrote to me. He said-

"Vince, the little people of our State who helped make it what it is today by going out into the country and setting


up in business now need some protection from the giants who say, 'I want to be friends with you, but I want your trade and I do not want to pay anything for it.' "

I have some recommendations to make, and I make them after very careful deliberation and after talking with people in all sections of the industry. The first one is that protection of country bakeries be looked at with a view to prohibiting the delivery of bread baked in the south-east corner the State bordered by a line to include the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Caboolture, and that if provincial-city bakers take unfair advantage of their nearby country friends, they be zoned within the limits of that city. That would not prevent competition amongst country bakers in any way. It would encourage free enterprise; more importantly, it would encourage private enterprise.

The Country Bakers' Association of Victoria has told me that zoning is working very well and in the interests of decentralisation in that State. If a large baker wishes to go to Victoria and set up in business in a country town, he is allowed to do so; but he must build his bakery in that town, provide employment in that town, and sell bread baked in that town. That is all I am asking for in Queensland, and I do not think it is too much to ask.

The second recommendation is that bread returns in Queensland should be banned. There is a wastage of 18 per cent now, which is a terrible waste.

It is not recommended that minimum pricing be introduced, because it is not in the interests of the consumer. However, I would like to see a fixed discount of 16} per cent by the wholesaler and no fixed price that the retailer may charge. That would enable the public to buy bread at the best possible price. It would give the public a great deal of scope, but at the same time assist to stabilise the industry and also assist the small businessman to some extent.

The next recommendation is that a tribunal comprising a chairman, a large baker and a small baker should be set up to look after the day-to-day running of this great and decentralised industry in Queensland.

The industry is in dire straits and there is an urgent need for action. As I am speaking in the Chamber today, bakers are going to the wall. I am sure that honourable members do not want that to happen. I am speaking for all the little people in Queensland who have come to see me and asked that all honourable members, as reasonable people, do what they can on the floor of Parliament to act in the interest of small business. If that is not done, all Governments-Labor, Liberal, or National Party-will go out the door and Queensland will become a Communist State. We must all support small businessmen.

With your permission, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I table the documents that I have produced in support of what I have said.

Whereupon the honourable member laid the documents on the table.

Opposition Members interjected.

Mr. LESTER: I think I have proved clearly that the Labor Party in Queensland! did not want to bring honourable members opposite into it, but they have asked for it-does not wish to support small industry in this State. Honourable members opposite are interested only in the big combines; they are not concerned about the long-term interests of the consumers. They are not very wise; they think that a couple of cents saved here and now is what consumers want. I ask: What will happen to consumers in a few years' time if we continue as we are now? There will be only about five bakeries left in Queensland country areas and some people in this State will be getting only one or two bread deliveries a week.


Mr. LESTER: Honourable members opposite know as well as I do that they are not interested in the small country people and not interested in employment. Their attitude in the Chamber today has shown that very clearly.

STAFF SHORTAGES IN QUEENSLAND HOSPITALS; HERBICIDES AND PESTICIDES

Mr. D'ARCY (Woodridge) (12.30 p.m.): Today a crisis exists in Queensland hospitals. As I have pointed out on previous occasions, they are understaffed in all departments. They are short of all staff from doctors to cleaners. Because of this staff shortage, the working conditions in the hospitals are deteriorating to such an extent that hospital workers have been forced to take industrial action to highlight their grievances about their conditions and those of the patients.

Yesterday the Minister showed that he does not share my concern over the staffing and working conditions in Queensland hospitals. He merely waves the big stick and threatens to gaol hospital workers who go on strike. As anyone who visits the hospitals is aware, most workers in the hospitals are dedicated people. Whether they be doctors or cleaners, they see a great deal of suffering and among them there is tremendous dedication. It is only extreme situations that lead them to take industrial action.

Mr. Porter: They want more money.

Mr. D'ARCY: The situation has reached crisis point. The Government and, in particular, the Minister for Health are playing politics with the lives of patients in our hospitals. The Minister for Aboriginal and Island Affairs claims that the workers want more money. That is certainly not the case across the board.

Yesterday the Minister for Health gave the number of full-time positions that are

3584 l.J:atters of Public Interest (21 MARCH 1979] Matters of Public Interest

unfilled in Queensland hospitals. One of those positions, that of Director of Pathology at the Prince Charles Hospital, has been vacant since 12 November 1977. Vacancies for nine full-time positions at that hospital cannot be filled. No-one wants to accept the atrocious conditions under which doctors are forced to work. We are aware of the long hours that doctors are forced to work.

I am gravely concerned about the situation that is developing in most of our hospitals. Of particular concern is the fact that at the Prince Charles Hospital there are so few anaesthetists that the surgical programme is being hindered. The anaesthetists are working long hours, and this is not satisfactory in a hospital that specialises in heart and lung surgery. In fact, the Prince Charles Hospital is one of the few hospitals in Queensland that carry out open-heart surgery.

The medical superintendent at the Prince Charles Hospital has claimed that because of the 10 unfilled vacancies it is impossible to maintain the standard and reputation of that hospital. The Minister for Health yesterday referred to nine unfilled vacancies. I understand that another resignation will occur on 31 July, which will bring the number to 10. The medical superintendent told the hospital board that the loss of 10 members of the full-time specialist staff is equivalent to a loss of 46 per cent of the total specialist staff time-time that cannot be replaced. In other words, the Prince Charles Hospital is working at approximately 50 per cent of its capacity, and that matter should cause us as members of Parliament grave concern.

Over the past few months we have heard a great deal from the unions representing the theatre assistants and nurses. Because the doctors are public servants, they find it very difficult to put their case. They claim that with their counterparts in other Queensland hospitals they share the worst conditions of service anywhere in Australia for specialist medical staff. And that is their opinion, not mine.

The situation is now critical. I ask the Government to stop playing politics and to improve the conditions at the hospitals, attract more staff and put Queensland hospitals on the highest possible plane.

Another subject I want to broach today is the Government's irresponsible attitude towards herbicides, pesticides and other noxious chemicals. Today I want to put forward a proposition that the Opposition believes would be acceptable to the people of Queenslarhl and should be acceptable to the Government. The Health Department should stop passing the buck and the Minister for Health should stop adopting a flippant attitude towards this issue.

The former Minister for Health (Dr. Edwards), when confronted in North Queensland with the controversy over 2,4,5-T, claimed that venereal disease in pregnant women caused deformities and that as there was a great deal of venereal disease in

North Queensland it was probably the cause of the increase in the number of abnormalities at birth. His implication, of course, is that V.D. is responsible for more deformities in North Queensland than 2,4,5-T. The present Minister for Health was even more flippant about the matter with interviewer Earle Bailey, in a recent Haydn Sargent T.V. programme. He suggested to the interviewer that, because he was not under one month pregnant, he had no need to worry about 2,4,5-T. That demonstrates the irresponsible attitude adopted by Ministers.

Mrs. Kyburz: Who said that?

Mr. D'ARCY: The Minister for Health (Sir William Knox). The honourable member can check my statements in the Parliamentary Library.

Mr. McKechnie: Would you ban 2,4,5-T?

Mr. D'ARCY: If the honourable member had been listening, he would know my view. I outlined that the A.L.P. would immediately place a temporary ban on it until it was fully tested in Queensland, under Queensland conditions.

Mr. Frawley: What is 2,4,5-T?

Mr. D'ARCY: It is a herbicide. I know that doctors in this Parliament are

concerned about the use of some pesticides and herbicides. The Opposition believes that a State safety council should be set up to monitor the safety of various products, including noxious he!'bicides and pesticides and industrial materials. The council would have the active participation of the medical profession, universities, trade unions and interested public groups. The Minister should publish and enforce the findings of such a council. The areas to be investigated by the council should be wide and far-reaching. In relation to agriculture, it could investigate pesticides, herbicides, hormones and fertilisers. In the building industry, it could research the effects of asbestos, which we certainly do not know enough about at present. The council should also be concerned about food preservatives, artificial dyes, the smoking of meat and fish and pickling. It is essential that these investigations be undertaken in Queensland.

I have here a research document giving an in-depth account of the dangers of herbicides and pesticides such as Parathion, Thimet, Paraquat, TEPP and 2,4,5-T, which certainly give cause for concern. They can be summarised as birth defects in the long term, mutations and cancer. Persistence of pesticides in soil may lead to effects being passed on. Animals grazing in pastures sprayed with these chemicals may pass on the effect to humans through milk and meat from cows and cattle. Direct effects from contact may be fatal, while others include skin irritations, weakness, poisoning and vomiting. Like many other honourable members, I have seen nursery workers and


farmers who have been affected. Damage can also be caused to the environment, and fish and birds can be killed.

The case is strong enough for the Government to take action on its own behalf rather than accept advice from other people. There are substitutes for 2,4,5-T, some of which are too strong, and others too costly. Some, like the Paraquats, are not as strong. The regulations controlling the use of 2,4,5-T are too weak. The public can buy 2,4,5-T in bulk from many councils, some of which are largely urban. Aerial spraying of 2,4,5-T is carried out in close proximity to urban areas and water supplies. The chemical 2,4,5-T is sold under different product names by various supermarkets and nurseries.

(Time expired.)

ATTACK BY MEMBER FOR MURRUMBA ON PINE RIVERs SHIRE CouNCILLOR

Mr. AKERS (Pine Rivers) (12.40 p.m.): Today we have heard a totally unwarranted and scurrilous attack by the member for Murrumba on an innocent member of the Pine Rivers Shire Council, obviously for cheap political gain. It is the second time that this member has made serious and totally false accusations against that person under the privilege of this House.

Government Members: Shame!

Mr. AKERS: It is a shame. It is disgusting. This morning, the Minister for Local

Government and Main Roads gave a detailed answer to misleading statements contained in that member's question. Incorporated in his answer was a statutory declaration from the councillor concerned. That statutory declaration clearly shows that the member for Murrumba was either deliberately misleading the House or stupidly repeating false accusations made to him without bothering to check their veracity. In either case, he stands totally condemned for his incompetence and his unsuitability to be in this House.

The only member of the Pine Rivers Shire Council who is a real estate agent is Councillor Peter Campbell. Councillor Campbell has very deservedly earned a reputation as an extremely hard-working member of both the community and that council.

Mr. Frawley: He is like his uncle.

Mr. AKERS: Very much like his uncle. He has been scrupulously honest in his business life and in his work for the council.

The statutory declaration that the Minister submitted this morning shows that, contrary to the comments made by the member for Murrumba, Councillor Campbell has carefully notified even his slightest technical pecuniary interest in any matter that has come before council-much more than many other members of local authorities do-and his actions have certainly been in contrast with those of the member himself.

73177-128

Some of the matters that Councillor Campbell has notified to the council are very, very minor; very technical pecuniary interests. They are matters that, if he did take part in the discussions or the vote, would have no effect whatever on his own pocket. However, to maintain honest representation for the people of Pine Rivers, Councillor Campbell has notified them and he has withdrawn from any discussion that has taken place on those items. The Minister also tabled this morning a list of the pecuniary interests that have been noiified by Councillor Campbell. That list has been prepared by the shire clerk and signed by him. It sets out clearly even the most minor details that have come up.

This exemplary action on the part of Councillor Campbell is in very marked contrast to that of the member sitting opposite who made these accusations. He has repeatedly attempted to use his position on the Pine Rivers Shire Council to look after his and his family's affairs. The most glaring example of this was a motion moved by Councillor Kruger-seconded, incidentally, by another Labor councillor at that stagethat would have greatly benefited Councillor Kruger and his family. I have a copy of the page of the council minutes relating to the motion moved by Councillor Kruger. The relevant words are-

"And Council immediately takes steps to have the area rezoned residential except for areas adjacent to the on/off ramps of the new highway".

The critical part of this is that he wants the council to have a certain area of land rezoned.

Dr. Lockwood: Who owns it?

Mr. AKERS: That is a very good question. In the land that has been referred to there was about 100 acres that belonged to Councillor Kruger and his family.

Government Members: And he moved the motion?

Mr. AKERS: He moved the motion! There was no declaration whatsoever of pecuniary interests. He is rubbishing others now, whereas he should have been tossed off the council then and he should resign from this place for being so dishonest at that time.

That area, as I say, was of nearly 100 acres of land owned by Councillor Kruger and his family. I believe there was more, but I am not sure of the rest of his landholdings in the area. However, he wanted the council to rezone the land to residential without any application being made, without any application fees being paid-without any of the normal procedures that a council would go through, without any provision for water and without any provision for sewerage or roads. The motion, if passed, would have at least doubled the value of that land. It would probably have trebled it. In other words, this paragon of honesty, who stands


up here and accuses an innocent man of dishonesty, wanted the ratepayers in the Pine Rivers Shire --

Mr. KRUGER: I rise to a point of order. I did not make any statements. ·I asked a question about the councillor. I ask that those words be withdrawn.

Mr. AKERS: This is ·what he said in the question.


Mr. AI<:ERS: I have the question here. I should like to read all of this rubbish, but I will read only the relevant part. He said-

" ... if that member used his position on the town planning committee of the shire to execute these sales for personal gain ... "

What can be more of an accusation than that? He is asking the Local Government Minister to investigate it, without bothering to check and find out whether it is true or not. He levelled that accusation here and has totally denigrated a very honest member of a council.

Mr. Jones: He is seeking accurate .information.

Mr. AKERS: He should have sought it from the people he says complained to him. He did not bother to check on it. As a member of the council, he could have checked the minutes of the council. He v,ould have found everything that has been said today. But, in his usual v,ay, he did not bother.

The motion moved by this member of Parliament, when he was a member of that council, would have put between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 ,into the pockets of his family and himself if the land had been rezoned, and it was only the honesty of the other members of the council that stopped this disgusting effort. The records of the council will show for all time the dishonesty of this member who now tries to denigrate the most honest and dedicated member of any local authority in Australia. He has compounded his felony by using another of the Labor Party's dirty tricks.

Mr. Kruger: You are trying to pull a dirty trick because you are not doing so well.

Mr. AKERS: The honourable member should read the council minutes. If he looks back, he will find that Councillor Carruthers seconded his motion.

After the honourable member put the question on notice yesterday, he went up to the Press gallery and handed out copies of it, hoping that the Press would smear this councillor before any fair answer could be given.

A Government Member: For council election purposes.

Mr. AKERS: Purely for council election purposes. Luckily the Press had the sense not to use this grubby little Press release.

Mr. KRUGER: I rise to a point of order. I find those words objectionable. That is not the release that ·I gave the Press yesterday. I ask the member to withdraw those words.

Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Row): I ask the member to withdraw the words.

Mr. AKERS: I withdraw, Mr. Deputy Speaker, at your request.

The honourable member's reasons are clear. A council election will be held on Saturday week. He ·intended to use these untruths and misleading statements to try to have his own A.L.P. stooges elected to council. It is typical of the A.L.P.'s tactics in this election campaign-in fact, in ail election campaigns. When it does not have any positive policies to put forward other than higher taxation and higher rates, it resorts to personal attacks on the integrity of its opposition.

In this case, there was not one fault in Councillor Campbell's pcrforman~e in his council duties on which the A.L.P. could attack him. Therefore it has to resort to fabrication and misleading stories. Councillor Campbell has been a stalwart •in the Albany Creek community all his life. Since his election to council, he has played a major part in the growth of the whole of the Pine Rivers Shire. The A.L.P. knows that it cannot defeat him in a fair fight, so it tries to destroy his political reputation as well as his business standing.

The honourable member for Murrumba has not brought forward one shred of evidence since his previous accusations. He says he is now following up anonymous complaints from business rivals of Councillor Campbell. This morning the l\1•inister for Local Government said that the only evidence submitted to him clearly vindicated Councillor Campbell, and he called for Mr. Kruger to publicly apologise. I join in that call. I demand an apology for the lies that this member put to this House this morning.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT, TOWNSV1LLE CITY CouNciL

Mr. M. D. HOOPER (Townsville West) (12.49 p.m.): I wish to draw the attention of honourable members to some of the malpractices that are being perpetrated by the mayor and the A.L.P. aldermen in the Townsville City Council. I believe the circumstances surrounding one particular issue are a public scandal and that urgent action should be taken by the Minister for Local Government to investigate the actions of Alderman Tucker and particularly Alderman Lindsay.

If it were not for the fact that council elections are only a short time away, I would


be calling for the appointment of an administrator until an inquiry could determine the reasons for the deplorable lack of morale that now exists in the Health Department of the Townsville City Council. I say this because of the malicious character assassination of two responsible health surveyors by A.L.P. aldermen. The scurrilous behaviour of the A.L.P. aldermen hinges around the recent appointment of a Mr. Coe to the position of deputy chief health surveyor (after 18 months serYice) over the heads of two very competent and experienced health surveyors with 15 and 18 years' service with the city council.

The underhand tactics of the A.L.P. aldermen started about 12 months ago when the late Mr. El!iott, at that time the chief health surveyor, \vent on sick leave with a terminal illness. The then deputy chief health sur\·eyor was made acting chief health surveyor. The senior surveyor, Mr. Wheeler, was appointed acting deputy chief surveyor and there were temporary promotions of health surveyors all along the line.

On 11 1vfay 1978, at the direction of the Health Committee chaired by Alderman Lindsav, the town clerk advised Mr. Wheeler by letter that his services were not satisfactory and that he would not be appointed as acting deputy health surveyor. Does it not seem strange to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that a man with 18 years' experience, having commenced work with the council as a cadet on 21 April 1961, and a completely unblemished record should all of a sudden be told that his services are unsatisfactory? Mr. Lee received similar advice. Upon demanding reasons for the accusations of unsatisfactory service, Mr. Wheeler had to wait nearly five weeks-in fact, until 12 June 1978-before he was given a typewritten list of reasons whv his services were considered unsatisfactory. I have here a copy of that list. Mavor Tucker and Alderman Lindsay did not ·have the guts to sign the accusations; they were handed to Mr. Wheeler by the industrial officer. These are the reawn; given-

" 1. Insufficient effort. "2. Lack of communication with Acting

Chief Health Surveyor. "3. Poor attitude. "4. Lack of loyalty."

Lova!tv to whom? The A.L.P. council or the cit[zens of Townsville? After 18 years' service all of a sudden this man is found to be unsatisfactory. The list continues-

"5. Poor telephone discipline. "6. Lack of written reports. "7. Failure in carrying out specific

instructions." Here are two beauts-

"8. Avoiding responsibility. "9. Making decisions on occasion without

reference to Acting Chief Health Surveyor before or after."

How can a person be avoiding responsibility if he is making decisions?

The two discredited health surveyors sought private legal advice to answer these libellous charges, and to the present I suppose they are up for about $1,000 each in their attempts to defend themselves. They also soughtthrough the Municipal Officers' Association, the proper channels-to have these issues brought before a board of reference. A board of reference consists of three persons, one from the M.O.A., one from the Local Government Association and the Deputy Industrial Registrar of Queensland.

Some staff members were so concerned at these actions of the council that they organised a petition to the State Secretary of the M.O.A., in which they said-

"We strongly feel that where allegations relating to conduct of officers are made, the specific grounds should be made available and that as an individual's basic right the officers concerned should be given the opportunity to defend themselves."

Of course, the staff of the Health Department were immediately instructed not to sign the petition as it could cost them their jobs. But I have here a copy of the petition, which indicates that 11 people in the department were prepared to sign it. The State secretary of the M.O.A., Mr. Byrne, flew from Brisbane to Townsville to see the mayor and discuss the matter in a rational way, but after waiting outside the mayor's office for several hours he was refused admission and had to come back to Brisbane. I think that is a very contemptible action on the part of the mayor, who should know that such an action would alienate the staff.

At recent council meetings a couple of independent aldermen have tried unsuccessfully to have the promotions of health surveyors deferred pending a full inquiry into the administration of the Townsville City Council Health Department. The mayor, as chairman of the Finance Committee, has told aldermen he will spend $15,000 to engage Price Waterhouse & Co., who are private management consultants, to investigate the efficiency of the Health Department and he has conveniently asked for the report to be presented after the council elections. Are the A.L.P. aldermen not capable of running the Health Department? I believe the $15,000 they are spending would be much better spent in having an investigation into their own questionable actions.

Let us look at a few examples of these standover tactics. The council will appear only before a board of reference-conditionally, on the two health surveyors signing an agreement to forgo any future action in :'! civil court. At the same time, the council claims in its minutes, of which I have a copy, that the board has no j~risdiction in this matter. In other words, If the board finds in favour of the council, it will accept the decision. If the board supports the employees, the council will reject the dec_isic.m because it says that the board has no JUriSdiction, and the employees will not be able

3588 Matters of Public Interest [22 MARCH 1979] Questions Upon Notice

to take any future action in a civil court. Those are serious standover tactics by an A.L.P. council!

Last month a member of the Health Committee, Alderman Delma Benson, a woman with legal qualifications, said during a debate on this matter-and I have a copy of the council's proceedings-

"Under no circumstances would I permit myself or anyone else to provide information which can be used in a law suit against me and as long as that promise or threat is hanging over the Health Committee I feel that its nothing but cheek to suggest that we are in any way responsible for the failure of a Board of Reference to go ahead."

Several important questions remain to be answered, and I think that the A.L.P. council should be brought to book by the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads. I ask, firstly, why has the T.C.C. ducked for cover on this issue and attempted to dodge appearing before a board of reference to defend the libellous charges against health surveyors Wheeler and Lee, and at the same time demanded that the health surveyors forgo any right to sue under common law? Secondly, why have outside consultants, Price Waterhouse & Co., been engaged, at a fee of $15,000, to investigate the administration of the Health Department and to defer presentation of the report until some time in April? Thirdly, why is it that, although State Health Department officers, as long as two years ago, went through Townsville, made an extensive survey of food premises in that city and listed 17 premises needing urgent major structural alterations to overcome hygiene deficiencies, some of those premises have yet to be inspected by the council, and a few have been inspected and no notices given? In the one case where a notice was given, no action was taken. The inspection of these premises was the responsibility of only one inspector, and neither Wheeler nor Lee was the relevant officer. Do these owners get protection from the A.L.P. for special favours?

I intend to place these documents before the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads to seek answers to the questions that I have asked today.

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST QUEENSLANDERS BY NATIONAL ATHLETIC SELECTORS

Mr. FRA WLEY (Caboolture) (12.57 p.m.): I would like to draw the attention of the House to another instance of Queensland's being robbed by some of the southern States. Yesterday, the Amateur Athletics Union of Australia appointed a selection committee for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and, once again, not one Queensland selector is included on the committee. For years and years, Queensland athletes have been robbed by the selectors from southern States. I had to get up in this House in 1976 and point out how

Barbara Wilson, the fifth fastest 100 m female sprinter in Australia, had been left out of the team for the Montreal Games. The southern selectors had put in a girl who was ranked No. 18 in Australia. Finally, Barbara Wilson was added to the team.

It is shocking to think that once again Queensland has been robbed by the southern States. In 1962, Eric Bigby was robbed. He ran fourth in the men's 100 m trials in Victoria, but what happened? The Victorian judges placed him fifth, and only four male sprinters were selected for the 1962 Commonwealth Games team. Bigby was left out. Then Lenore Lipscombe, a long jumper, was robbed. Over the years, many athletes have been robbed by the southerners with their domination of Australian selection panels.

Mr. Moore: We wuz robbed!

Mr. FRAWLEY: We have been robbed for years in Queensland. We can never get a selector on the Australian panel. Consequently, Queensland athletes will not be given an opportunity to get out and show what they can do for the 1980 Olympic Games. I think that it is a disgusting state of affairs and that the Minister in charge of sport should do something about it.

The House adjourned at 12.59 p.m.

legislative assembly wednesday march · reinhardt and ric alien) and i were ... gant adventures)....

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