House of Representatives
20 February 1979

31st Parliament · 1st Session

  1. House of Representatives
  2. 31st Parliament
  3. 1979

Mr SPEAKER (Rt Hon. Sir Billy Snedden) took the chair at 2. 1 5 p.m., and read prayers.

page 1

DEATHS OF MR A. G. E. LAWRIE AND SIR ALAN TURNER, C.B.E

Mr SPEAKER:

– I inform the House of the deaths of Mr Alexander Greig Ellis Lawrie, a former senator, and Sir Alan Turner, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives. Mr Lawrie, who died on 13 December 1978, represented the State of Queensland from 1965 to 1975. Sir Alan Turner, well remembered by this House, died on 26 November 1978. He was Clerk of the House of Representatives from 1959 to 1971. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased gentlemen, I invite all honourable members to rise in their places.

Honourable members having stood in their places-

Mr SPEAKER:

– I thank the House.

page 1

PETITIONS

The Clerk:

– Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows and copies will be referred to the appropriate Ministers:

Pornographic Publications

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That we the undersigned, having great concern at the way in which children are now being used in the production of pornography call upon the Government to introduce immediate legislation:

  1. To prevent the sexual exploitation of children by way of photography for commercial purposes;
  2. To penalise parents/guardians who knowingly allow their children to be used in the production of such pornographic or obscene material depicting children;
  3. To make specifically illegal the importation, publication, distribution and sale of such pornographic child-abuse material in any form whatsoever such as magazines, novels, papers or films;
  4. To take immediate police action to confiscate and destroy all child pornography in Australia and urgent appropriate legal action against all those involved or profiting from this sordid exploitation of children.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honourable House will protect all children and immediately prohibit pornographic child-abuse materials, publications or films.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Anthony, Mr Adermann, Mr Braithwaite, Mr Bungey, Mr Kevin Cairns, Mr Carlton, Dr Edwards, Mr Fife, Mr Garland, Mr Keating, Mr Lusher, Mr Martyr, Mr MacKellar, Mr Neil, Mr O’Keefe and Mr Porter.

Petitions received.

Medical Benefits: Abortions

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the provision of payments for abortion through items of the Medical Benefits Schedule is an unacceptable endorsement of abortion which has now reached the levels of a national tragedy, with at least 60,000 unborn babies being killed in 1977.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Honourable Members should:

Amend the Medical Benefits Schedule so as to preclude the payment of any benefit for abortion.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Anthony, Mr Baume, Mr Hunt, Mr James and Mr Staley.

Petitions received.

Retail Oil Industry

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled, the Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

We citizens of the Commonwealth, employed in the small business sector of the oil industry, earnestly request our government to implement, as quickly as possible, the package of measures as announced by the government on 31st October, 1978, designed to ensure that many thousands of Australia’s small businessmen and their employees be retained in the retail oil industry.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Cadman, Mr Ellicott, Mr Keating, Mr MacKellar and Mr Uren.

Petitions received.

Medical Benefits : Abortions

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That item 6469 of the standard Medical Benefits Table is the means by which payment is made for the slaughter of thousands of unborn babies every year.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Government should ensure that Item 6469 is removed from the standard Medical Benefits Table.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Fife, Mr O’Keefe, Mr Neil and Mr Staley.

Petitions received.

Rural Automatic Telephone Exchanges

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That citizens in rural areas are strongly opposed to the automation of manually operated telephone exchanges which is resulting in loss of employment for telephone operators in difficult economic times and the unnecessary loss of an efficient, personalised telephone service which has proven to be eminently suited to the needs of rural telephone subscribers.

We the undersigned believe that Telecom Australia should be instructed to seek the views of country telephone subscribers before proceeding further with the automation program which is causing unemployment, confusion, discontent and unnecessary expense to country subscribers.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honourable House will call on the Government to halt the program pending a full and open Parliamentary inquiry into the needs and desires of affected subscribers and the full economic and social effects of the automation program on country towns, rural telephone subscribers and Telecom Australia employees.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Hunt, Mr Lusher, Mr MacKenzie and

Mr O’Keefe.

Petitions received.

Royal Commission on Human Relationships

To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That because the Report of the Royal Commission on Human Relationships and especially its Recommendations-

  1. Have been widely condemned for its support of unAustralian, anti-family, anti-child behaviour and morals such as incest, promiscuity, abortion, pornography, homosexuality, prostitution and brothels, etc. (Note: Refer quotations reverse side)
  2. Have been strongly criticised by the medical profession for the absence of any medical practitioner on the Commission or on its staff of 31 persons, and for the Commissioners action in rejecting or ignoring relevant medical evidence.
  3. Have been discredited as irresponsible in adopting a new definition of the family,i.e., “a varying range of people living together in relationships of commitment, which has effectively confused the real meaning and intentions of the Report where it refers to the family’ “.

Therefore the Parliament has a responsibility to the families of Australia not to adopt this controversial Report and its Recommendations.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray:

That the Australian Parliament will:

  1. Simply receive the Report and not adopt its Recommendations,
  2. Set up a Select Parliamentary Committee along the lines of the New Zealand Select Committee to conduct a public inquiry into the ways and means of supporting and strengthening family life and providing adequate protection for children from physical and sexual abuse before as well as after birth in accordance with the U.N.O. Declaration of the Rights of the Child as part of Australia’s support for the Year of the Child.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honourable House will take no measures concerning the Royal Commission on Human Relationships Report that will further undermine and weaken marriage,child-care or the family which is the basic unit of our society.

And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Mr Gillard, Mr Howard and Mr MacKenzie.

Petitions received.

Australian Broadcasting Commission

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully say we are concerned about the deteriorating standards of A.C.B. radio and Television programmes.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that Parliament take immediate steps to appoint an independent inquiry into the A.B.C. which:

  1. Investigates the practical experience and qualification of the commissioners to perform their duties.
  2. Determines the effects of staff ceilings and reduction of funds, in real terms, on standards.
  3. Thoroughly reviews the organisation to determine its present effectiveness.
  4. Ascertains if any external or internal censorship exists.
  5. Makes recommendation to reduce censorship and improve the efficiency and standards.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Sir William McMahon and Mr Graham.

Petitions received.

The Budget

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of we the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That because this budget will further increase the number of persons unemployed, because it reduces the average worker’s spending power by $ 10 per week, because it will reduce the income of pensioners, because it is unfair in placing a greater burden on the poor rather than the rich, and because it is driving this country into a depression.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that,

The Federal Government withdraws this budget and provides Australia, within this session of Parliament, with a revised budget that increases the level of economic activity in Australia, lowers unemployment, removes the burdens placed on the disadvantaged, and revives business and consumer confidence in the future of this potentially great country.

And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Mr Les Johnson and Mr West.

Petitions received.

Broadcasting and Television: Programs

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That because television and radio:

  1. a ) affect our social and moral environment,
  2. are family media watched and heard by many children at all times,
  3. present too much explicit violence and sex, and
  4. present too much wrong use of God’s Holy Name, they therefore need stronger control than other media and the existing standards need stricter enforcement in both national A.B.C., and commercial sectors.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray:

That the Australian Government will amend the Broadcasting and Television Act, in relation to both national and commercial broadcasters, to legislate

  1. for adequate and comprehensive programs in the best interest of the general public,
  2. for a ‘Dual System of Regulation’ enforced by the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal by internal regulation and external control,
  3. for an independent consumer body to represent the best interests of the general public, and
  4. for immediate and effective penalties to be imposed for breaches of program and advertising standards.

And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Mr Lusher and Mr O’Keefe.

Petitions received.

Medibank

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That we believe the Federal Government’s decision to abolish Medibank Standard is unjustified, reducing medical benefits for the Australian people to an all time low.

The planned abolition of Medibank Standard will place an unnecessary burden on the poor and the disadvantaged in our community. The decision to reduce the rebate paid to 40 per cent of the scheduled fee is an attack on real wages.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Government should reverse its decision on these matters and develop proper consultation with the trade unions and the community to restore Medibank to the Health Scheme originally intended.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Dr Klugman and Mr West.

Petitions received.

Royal Commission on Human Relationships

To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That because the Report of the Royal Commission on Human Relationships and its Recommendations:

  1. contain matters of substance which ought to be pursued.
  2. result from a wide range of submissions made by Australians from all walks of life.
  3. identify many problem areas requiring attention.
  4. have been given media coverage which grossly distorts the contents.
  5. have thus far been ignored in Parliament.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray:

That the Australian Parliament will:

  1. debate the Report and its Recommendations.
  2. make provision for rational public debate on the Report and its Recommendations.
  3. encourage its Members to support such public debate in their electorates.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honourable House will implement such measures to maintain the Commissioners’ ‘belief in the right and integrity of the individual to make free choices in the context of human relationships, and to have access to the knowledge and skills which give such a free choice meaning’.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr McLean and Mr Macphee.

Petitions received.

South Australian Country Rail Services

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth;

  1. That any downgrading or closures of Country Rail Services in South Australia would have grave consequences for the Railway Industry, Primary Industry, Individual Country Communities and the State as a whole and calls on the Parliament to ensure that the Federal Minister for Transport takes the necessary action to maintain all existing services.
  2. That continued and increased Public Subsidy is fully justified in the long term National Interest.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Porter and Mr Wallis.

Petitions received.

Pensions

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled the Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the decision of the Australian Government to depart from its 1 975 election promise, a promise re-affirmed during the 1977 election campaign, that pensions would be increased twice-yearly in line with increases in the C.P.I., will seriously add to the economic burdens now borne by those citizens who are wholly or mainly dependent on their pensions.

Your petitioners are impelled by this fact to call upon the Australian Government as a matter of urgency to review the abovementioned decision, and to determine-

That pensions will be increased twice yearly in line with rises in the C.P.I. as promised by the Prime Minister in 1975 policy speech.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Adermann.

Petition received.

Taxation

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of E. D. Quitt respectfully showeth:

That current requirements of the Commissioner of Taxation for the lodgement of Income Tax Returns by Registered Tax Agents restricts the trading of such agents to a period of 8 months in any fiscal year. The demands by the Commissioner for lodgement of Income Tax Returns before the 28th February following the tax year is an imposition and a restriction, limiting the trading from twelve to eight months.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the law should be amended to permit any registered tax agent to trade for a full year and lodge Income Tax returns to the close of the respective tax year.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Aldred.

Petition received.

Broadcasting: Radio Station 3CR Melbourne

To the Right Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned respectfully showeth:

That radio 3CR Melbourne, be made to adhere to the required standards of broadcasting, as laid down for all other radio stations.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Government will enforce the required standard of broadcasting as laid down for all other stations, on community radio 3CR call on Federal Government to legislate against incitement to racial hatred and violence.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Aldred.

Petition received.

Pensions

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That whereas the Fraser Government was elected in December 1975 after promising that pensions would be adjusted instantly and automatically in relation to quarterly Consumer Price Index figures; and whereas that Government subsequently announced that pension adjustments should properly be made half yearly each May and November; it is the current intention of the same Government to legislate for pensions to be adjusted only once a year, and this constitutes a serious breach of generally accepted ethics of democratic government and also deprives many needy pensioners of increases that are essential to their subsistence.

The foregoing facts impel the undersigned Petitioners to request the Australian Government to uphold the principle that the trustworthiness of governments should at all times be above question, and to appeal to the Parliament to prevent the imposition of further economic hardship upon Australian pensioners by rejecting any Bill which has for its aim the introduction of annual adjustments of pension rates.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Baume.

Petition received.

Medibank

To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the Medibank payments not be increased this year.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Bryant.

Petition received.

Australian Workforce: Retirement Conditions

To the honourable the Speaker and honourable Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned citizens of North Queensland, support this protest at the unjust treatment by the Federal Government of people depending on the old age pension, which is considered to be below the poverty level.

That we protest at the Federal Government’s failure to provide all sections of the Australian community with conditions of retirement more comparable to that section who now retire in comfort under superannuation and long service leave schemes.

That immediate action be taken to provide that all sections of the Australian work force be allowed to retire under a more comparable level than that which exists at present.

That we protest at the re-introduction of the means test for people over seventy years of age, especially those people who have already been assessed by the Social Security Department before being placed on a full age pension.

That we protest at the Government’s failure to honour their promise to have pensions adjusted in line with the C.P.I. cost of living adjustments, which is applied to all other sections of the community.

That the amounts allowed for earnings by single and married pensioners should be increased to a more comparable level to the high cost of living, before it affects the pensions.

That the amount allowable before a pensioner pays income tax which covers all forms of income, including the annual pension, should be increased, as the high cost of living warrants this consideration.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Dr Everingham.

Petition received.

Nuclear Reactor

To the Right Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of the Sutherland Shire respectfully showeth:

That they oppose the construction of any additional reactor at the Australian Atomic Energy Establishment at Lucas Heights in N.S.W.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Les Johnson.

Petition received.

Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of we the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth: That we oppose any expansion of the facilities of Kingsford-Smith Airport which entails the building of a new runway as it would have the following detrimental effects. ( 1 ) The loss of one mile of waterfront including Lady Robinson’s Beach and a huge part of Botany Bay (2) The loss of up to 1,230 houses and a drop in value of remaining neighbouring properties (3) The creation of more noise pollution in the area (4) The creation of more traffic congestion on streets leading to and from the airport (5) The forced diversion of Cook’s River and further damage to the ecology of the area.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Federal Government will not consider satisfying the airport needs of Sydney by extending Kingsford-Smith Airport and that any decisions related thereto are not taken before there is an opportunity for adequate consultation with any community particularly affected.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Les Johnson.

Petition received.

Taxation

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of we the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth that: The proposed introduction of a Retail Turnover Tax will:

  1. Impose an intolerable burden on retailers- seriously inconvenience shoppers and prove difficult and expensive to administer.
  2. Increase the cost to consumers of clothing, food and other goods essential to maintenance of an adequate standard of living.
  3. Place a disproportionate tax burden on Australians least able to pay.

Your petitioners humbly pray that the Members in the House assembled will not introduce indirect tax measures such as a Retail Turnover Tax or the administratively more difficult Value Added Tax as to do so would exacerbate the inequalities in our taxing system.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Les Johnson.

Petition received.

National Natural Disaster Scheme

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled: The petition of we, the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the Government’s decision not to proceed with a National disaster insurance scheme will cause financial and personal hardship to people living in the country and city who are victims of natural hazards such as floods, land slip and tropical cyclones. That it is impossible to obtain adequate insurance cover for natural disasters from existing private insurance companies.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that-

The Federal Government reconsider its decision and honour its promise made in March 1976 to establish a National Natural Disaster Insurance Scheme.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Les Johnson.

Petition received.

Military Service Benefits

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That there is discrimination between servicemen who actually fought in a war zone. This particularly applies to those who were not posted in the Northern Territory north of parallel 14.5° south latitude (which passes through the town of Katherine N.T.) on or after the 19th February 1942 and before the 13th November 1943 for a period of not less than three consecutive months.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that all those who volunteered for active service be eligible for all service benefits.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Roger Johnston.

Petition received.

Pensions

To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate and the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled the petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That restoration of provisions of the Social Security Act that applied prior to the 1 978-79 Budget is of vital concern to offset the rising cost of goods and services.

The reason advanced by the Government for yearly payments ‘that the lower level of inflation made twice-yearly payments inappropriate ‘ is not valid.

Great injury will be caused to 920,000 aged, invalid, widows and supporting parents, who rely solely on the pension or whose income, other than the pension, is $6 or less per week. Once-a-year payments strike a cruel blow to their expectation and make a mockery of a solemn election pledge.

Accordingly, your petitioners call upon their legislators to:

  1. Restore twice-yearly pension payments in the Autumn session.
  2. Raise pensions and unemployed benefits above the poverty level to 30 per cent of A.W.E.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. byMrKerin.

Petition received.

Material Research Laboratories

To the Honourable, the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

Employees of the Materials Research Laboratories are extremely concerned at the effect that reductions in the staffing of DSTO are having on the effectiveness of this organisation and hence the defence preparedness of the nation. We urge the Government to reconsider current and proposed reductions in staff numbers.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. byMrKillen.

Petition received.

Lithuanian Dissidents

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That Lithuania, a nation of over 3 million people, is deprived of human freedom and those national and individual rights which are deemed sacred in Australia today.

In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the U.S.S.R. in coalition with Hitler Nazi Germany. Lithuania, with a history of seven centuries as anidentifiable, State and also twentythree years as a modern republic, now represents a compelling case study of the violation of human rights by the Soviet Occupation Regime. The Lithuanian nation accepted Christianity in 1251. By 1386 most of the Lithuanian State had accepted Christianity and Western European culture.

Those who have the courage to speak out in defence of national and human rights in Lithuania are dealt with by the Moscow government in a manner which is abhorrent to every freedom-minded person in Australia.

In recent times the following Lithuanian dissidents have been imprisoned in concentration camps: Viktoras Petkus, Balys Gajauskas, Nijole Sadunaite, Algirdas Zypre, Petras Plumpas, Sarunas Zukauskas, Vytautas Kavoliunas, Povilas

Petronis, Ona Pranckunaite, Petras Paulaitis, J. Matulionis and many others.

We ask you to condemn the following methods which the Soviet Regime makes use of to silence dissidents- prison camps, psychiatric institutions, drug therapy and exile in Siberia.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Federal Government intercede on behalf of the above mentioned Lithuanian dissidents in order to free them from their imprisonment.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Mr McLean.

Petition received.

Mining in Queensland

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of twelve electors of the Division of Darling Downs respectfully showeth:

That the establishment of uranium mines in Queensland is not in the interests of the majority of Australian citizens.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the Australian Government refrains from approving any further mining ventures which involve the mining of uranium in Queensland.

And yourpetitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Mr McVeigh.

Petition received.

Public Libraries

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth that the people of Australia need and deserve a public library service of a high and uniform standard. The Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Public Libraries clearly documents the inadequacies and inequalities of the present provision. Many Australians have no access to free public library service at all.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the government will announce at the earliest opportunity its support in principle of the recommendations of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Public Libraries, and in particular those recommendations relating to the Federal Government’s funding role in public library provision.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. by Mr Martyr.

Petition received.

Australian Broadcasting Commission

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Armidale, NSW, begs the Federal Government to allocate sufficient funds to permit the return of ABC staffing to a level which enables the ABC to continue to provide the services expected of it by the community at a standard of which the people of Australia can again be proud. We further submit that the management of the ABC can be more satisfactorily achieved by the Commission if the staff have some voice in that management, and ask the Federal Government to promote that participation.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Staley.

Petition received.

Taxation

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectively showeth that we not only oppose the proposal to introduce a Retail Turnover Tax, as being a cost that small businesses simply cannot afford, but suggest that the whole Sales Tax structure be updated and streamlined.

And yourpetitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Simon.

Petition received.

Australian Workforce: Retirement Age

To the Right Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the rate of unemployment is causing concern with a growing number of people in the community and that the community at large and the Government should take urgent steps to lessen the incidence of unemployment particularly unemployed young people.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray:

That the Government will introduce Legislation providing for a retirement throughout the workforce in the Commonwealth of Australia for all employees at age sixty years and Commonwealth Government Social Security be available as and from that date.

An your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. by Mr Simon.

Petition received.

Nursing Home Accommodation, Port Lincoln

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled: re Mathew Flinders Nursing Home.

PRAYER- Your petitioners pray that your Honourable House will urge the Government through the Minister of Social Security to immediately allocate funds for the provision of Nursing Home accommodation on Lower Eyre Peninsula, namely the Mathew Flinders Nursing Home, Port Lincoln, South Australia.

And your humble petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. byMrWallis.

Petition received.

page 7

MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
Prime Minister · Wannon · LP

- Mr Speaker, I inform the House that, following recommendations I made to His Excellency the Governor-General, certain changes in ministerial arrangements were made on5 December 1978.I ask leave of the House to incorporate in Hansard the full details of the current Ministry.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows-

page 8

APPOINTMENT OF ROYAL COMMISSION

Notice of Motion

Mr YATES:
Holt

-I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That this House invites the Federal Government in cooperation with the Premiers and the parliaments of the States to appoint a royal commission to examine the employer organisations, the trade unions and the wages and award systems in Australia and make recommendations in the national interest.

page 8

STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

Notice of Motion

Mr NEIL:
St George

– I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move:

The House notes the deteriorating international situation and resolves:

That the government expedite the preparation of a new strategic assessment and that as much as possible of the assessment be published.

That a list of Australia’s defence interests be drawn up in light of the strategic assessment.

That directions be issued for the preparation of plans for the protection of those interests.

That the Department of Defence be further streamlined to ensure it is capable of supporting military activity of any level directed by the government.

That the government forthwith bring forward long delayed legislation for the speedy and efficient callout of the Army Reserve and other Reserve Forces.

That recent restrictions on Defence Force training and activities be reversed and that exercises, promotion and specialist courses, and joint forces training be increased.

That decisions be expedited on future equipment procurement including Tactical Fighter Force, seaborne air power, air transport, precision guided weapons, artillery and communications.

That a research and development program be instituted with appropriate allies into laser and charged particle beam defensive systems.

That a national industrial support plan be prepared, preceded by the convening of a conference of government, industrialists and trade unionists, to assess the capabilities of Australian industry, establish lines of communication and maximise the level of cooperation of all relevant sectors.

That the government announce the expenditure of a minimum of 3.5 per cent of the gross domestic product on defence and a willingness to expend further if necessary to maintain Australia’s primary interest of survival as a democratic nation.

page 8

QUESTION

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

page 8

QUESTION

INTEREST RATES

Mr HAYDEN:
OXLEY, QUEENSLAND

– I ask the Prime Minister a question concerning his recent denial that he promised a reduction in interest rates of 2 per cent over a 12-month period during the 1977 election campaign. Does he recall his firm commitment at Chadstone, Melbourne, on 2 December 1977 that interest rates would come down 2 per cent in the following 12 months and his further statement ‘It is a target that can be and will be achieved ‘?

In view of these facts will he now acknowledge that claims by himself and the Treasurer that he did not promise to reduce interest rates by 2 per cent in a year were false? Finally, since he has failed to live up to that promise can he now give an unqualified assurance that home loan and overdraft rates will not increase in line with recent increases in bond rates at the official and market level?

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

-The definitive statement I made about this matter indicated that some important interest rates could come down by as much as 2 per cent. That statement was accurate when it was made. As a statement it remains accurate. The words were precise. There is a great capacity in the Australian Labor Party to use different words, attribute a different meaning to a statement and then claim that something has altered. In the course of last year interst rates came down substantially- in the longer term bond rates by 1.4 per cent. In the housing area interest rates have come down by 1 per cent. To all home borrowers in Australia that indicates a saving of between $130m and $150m a year in terms of their repayments. Against the total circumstances with which the Government was faced that was a very considerable achievement.

In the course of 1978 and in the early part of 1979 interest rates in the United Kingdom and the United States have increased by as much as 4 per cent or 6 per cent. Interest rates in the United States and the United Kingdom have increased very substantially since November. It is idle to suggest that interest rates in Australia can be set without total awareness of or concern for what is happening in other parts of the world. Over a year ago there was an expectation that inflation would continue to fall in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has not. The monetary policies that those countries pursue clearly have some implications for us.

What has happened in Australia is remarkable. Over a period in which interest rates in the United States and the United Kingdom have been rising substantially by and large there have been substantial and significant falls in interest rates in Australia, underlying the strength of this Government’s economic policies. I think the Leader of the Opposition should note that whereas up to September of last year he was seeking to undermine the strength of the Australian dollar, only a few days ago he made it quite plain that the Australian dollar is much stronger than it has been for a long time. He indicated that, if anything, it is undervalued. That in itself is a tribute to our policies, and I thank the honourable gentleman for it.

page 9

QUESTION

VISITS TO ASEAN COUNTRIES

Mr ROGER JOHNSTON:
HOTHAM, VICTORIA

-My question is addressed to the Minister for Special Trade Representations. Has the Minister seen reports referring to the need for more visits by Ministers to Asia, particularly to the countries comprising the Association of South East Asian Nations? Will the Minister be visiting these countries?

Mr GARLAND:
Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Resources · CURTIN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA · LP

– I did see in this morning’s newspapers reports of a speech yesterday by the Leader of the Opposition at the conference to promote Australian exports. One would have thought that this would be a bipartisan occasion, but the Leader of the Opposition did revert to his criticism of the Government’s efforts in trade and in increasing exports. He said in the course of his remarks that I had made only one brief visit to an

ASEAN country when the fact is that I visited four of the capitals for two or three days each. He must know that the Government has had, from the Prime Minister down, a number of ministers visiting countries in the region and in the Middle East. The Deputy Prime Minister was there recently.

Dr Klugman:

– There have been plenty of trips.

Mr GARLAND:

– I am glad to have the honourable member’s confirmation of that because from reading the speeches of the Leader of the Opposition one would never guess that that was the case. Those visits are on record. Future visits will be made as necessary. The Government has made a big effort to discuss bilateral trade matters and to expand trade. It has sent overseas senior trade officials. The Trade Commissioner Service has been active, as have many companies and firms.

As to visits to Europe, it surely cannot have escaped the honourable gentleman’s notice that the multilateral trade negotiations, which I hope are approaching a conclusion after having been going on since 1973, are being conducted very largely in Europe. Surely we have to attend those discussions; the Leader of the Opposition would hardly suggest that we stay away.

Finally, it is clear from our negotiations with the European Economic Community that our twin objectives of, firstly, access for Australian products, to which we are entitled, and, secondly and importantly, pressure for a decrease in the EEC subsidised exports of commodities and products are most important to us. If we want to build up our trade in the region, which seems to have the Opposition’s support, clearly the practice of the EEC in undercutting our commercial arrangements, whether they be present or future arrangements, is a very important aspect of building up trade in the region and elsewhere. So I must say that yesterday the Leader of the Opposition, in his anxiety to criticise everything we do in relation to trade, displayed a negative Labor policy and one which is certainly against Australia ‘s interest.

page 9

QUESTION

INTEREST RATES

Mr HAYDEN:
OXLEY, QUEENSLAND · ALP

– My question, which is directed to the Prime Minister, follows the question I asked him a few moments ago. He will recall saying in his reply to that question that when he gave a firm undertaking to reduce interest rates by two per cent he was referring to only some undefined important interest rates. Does he recall saying at Chadstone on 2 December- I quote him exactly- that he was talking about rates that directly affected people, such as bank lending and home lending rates. Why did he fail to honour the promise to reduce those interest rates by two per cent before the 12-month period which he had stipulated had expired? More importantly, I ask him whether he will now give an unqualified assurance that home loan and overdraft rates will not increase in line with the recent increases in bond rates at the official and market level.

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

-The honourable gentleman asks the same question again. The definitive statement I made on this matter indicated that some important interest rates could fall by as much as two per cent during the year. Quite plainly, what happens within Australia as well as what happens overseas affects interest rates in this country and the honourable gentleman well knows that. The honourable gentleman also well knows that the kind of policies he has been advocating over the last few weeks would lead to a great and significant increase in interest rates. He has said that there should be additional Government expenditure of $800m. That is the policy he had at the time of the last Budget. Presumably he means for the rest of this financial year. Therefore additional expenditure would be at the rate of $2,000m a year. He has also said that all firms taking on additional labour should be subsidised to the extent of the unemployment benefit. That would cost untold millions of dollars, and quite plainly the inflationary finance needed to cover that would involve a substantial increase in interest rates.

Against the background of inflation in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America rising significantly in the course of last year and interest rates in those two countries rising by as much as four to six per cent, the reduction in interest rates in Australia was a very substantial achievement. The objective of the Government will be to pursue policies that will enable its interest rates to resume their downward movement at some time in the future; but that depends on a number of factors. This Government will pursue its path of reestablishing the basic relativities in Australia, getting inflation down and getting profitability back into Australian enterprise.

Mr Armitage:

– I take a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Prime Minister was asked a specific question by the Leader of the Opposition as to whether home loan interest rates and overdraft rates would be increased. I ask that the Prime Minister be required to answer the question specifically instead of indulging in his usual evasiveness.

Mr SPEAKER:

-The honourable member has made his point. The Prime Minister must remain relevant to the question, but I cannot require him to answer it in any particular manner at all, let alone in the way required by the honourable member for Chifley.

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:

– I think it ought to be understood that before there was a Labor Party Government between 1972 and 1975 there were low interest rates in this country. Because of the incompetence of the Treasurers in the Labor Administration, one of whom is the present Leader of the Opposition, interest rates rose to very high levels and inflation became imbedded within Australian society. Not having learned any lesson through that time, the Leader of the Opposition has continued to advocate policies which would push inflation higher and which would prevent inflation from coming down and thus interest rates moving down as they have over the course of the last year.

Mr Armitage:

– Answer the question.

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:

-If the honourable gentleman would only wait and listen! But I think members of the Opposition have no interest in the answer. What concerns them more than anything else at the moment is that the signs of emerging economic recovery in this country are becoming evidence for all to see, and the increasing confident in manufacturing industry and in rural industry is something which obviously leaves the Australian Labor Party disjointed and uncomfortable.

One of the factors that affect interest rates is the question of wage restraint. This is another area of policy where the Leader of the Opposition seems now to be deserting the Australian Labor Party and joining the ranks of the Government, because for the first time in three years he has spoken in favour of wage restraint. We welcome his advocacy in that cause, even if it is a responsibility that I had not expected of him. If there is adequate wage restraint and if policies overseas do not cause rates to move too far, I can see no reason why the recent changes that have been made should affect the interest rates applying to individuals with housing loans or overdrafts, but inevitably one cannot predict what will happen in the future. The decisions of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission are obviously relevant to this matter. One of the factors that led to a need for some rise in interest rates was the four per cent wage decision of the Arbitration Commission.

page 11

QUESTION

REDCLIFF PETROCHEMICAL PROJECT

Mr PORTER:
BARKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

-I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the importance of the Redcliff petrochemical project to the future of South Australia, particularly as there have been allegations by South Australian State Ministers that the Federal Government was responsible for delays in the Loan Council approval of funds for the Redcliff project? Are those allegations correct?

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

– After the announcement by ICI Australia Ltd of major petrochemical developments in New South Wales and Victoria I was somewhat surprised by statements from South Australia- from the former South Australian Premier also- indicating that the Commonwealth Government was responsible for the Redcliff project not going ahead. I was surprised because the Commonwealth Government had given maximum co-operation to South Australia. Indeed, it was the Western Australian Premier, Sir Charles Court, who first advocated the infrastructure finance proposal which would enable basic infrastructure to be provided by the States on their responsibility. In the Loan Council the Commonwealth gave full support to Sir Charles in getting that matter expedited through examination by Commonwealth and State officials. As soon as the work could be done through the Commonwealth and State officials the matter, as a question of policy, was put to the Loan Council. Very soon after the policy had been determined Commonwealth and State officials again examined the projects to be put forward, one of which was Redcliff. There was certainly no loss of time on the part of the Commonwealth in relation to these matters. Indeed, it was a policy that we pressed urgently and vigorously. I can remember that on one significant occasion I suggested to Mr Hudson from South Australia that he should seek to get an answer as early as possible from Dow Chemical (Australia) Ltd in relation to Redcliff because on my understanding ICI Australia Ltd was well advanced with the examination and development of its own proposal. He knew the implications in relation to that. He also understood that if the Redcliff project did not proceed because of lack of expedition in getting that answer from Dow Chemical the other major development which might well ensure South Australia’s industrial future would be a uranium enrichment plant. I believe that is well understood by the South Australian Government. That no doubt explains some of the apparent changes of attitude over recent weeks. I only wish the South Australian

Government could act in the interests of South Australia, not imbued by ideology in this matter.

page 11

QUESTION

INFLATION

Mr WILLIS:
GELLIBRAND, VICTORIA

– My question concerns the Prime Minister’s repeated assurances to the Australian people that inflation would continue to fall. Is it a fact that for the past year the annual rate of inflation has been around the 8 per cent level and that in the December quarter the increase of 2.3 per cent was the highest quarterly rise for a year? Is the Prime Minister aware that the price index of materials used in manufacturing industry increased by 22 per cent in the year to November last and that for non-imported materials the increase was 32 per cent? In view of these figures and the certainty of inflationary pressures continuing, will he advise the House whether the Government stands by its Budget estimates of inflation? If not, what are the Government ‘s current inflation estimates?

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

– In 1978 inflation was between 7 per cent and 8 per cent and in 1977 it was between 9 per cent and 10 per cent. That indicates that there was a very substantial fall over the year before, especially since the Government had taken one courageous decision which was very necessary in the longer term interests of this country. That decision accounts for the inflation figure that the honourable gentleman mentioned in relation to materials used. I refer of course to the decision to move Australian fuel prices to world parity. This has had enormous success in encouraging oil search in Australia and in encouraging the development of Australia’s oil reserves. As a direct result of oil pricing decisions and our own policies to encourage and to provide an incentive to oil search and development Esso-BHP has committed itself to a $ 1,000m research and development program, and that is very much in the national interest. It means that by the middle 1980’s a significant part of the oil available to Australia will be coming from reserves proved and developed as a result of those policies. This would not have occurred under the pricing policies of the Australian Labor Party. Again, this is a classic example. We know quite well that the policies of Labor killed development investment. Oil search stopped. It has been necessary to have policies that will get this going again and at the same time to encourage a rational use of resources around Australia. The world would be a better place if all countries had the same kind of rational energy policies as have been adopted by this Government. But plainly there was a penalty to pay for that in terms of the impact of higher fuel prices in the consumer price index. Beef is another area in which we would have wanted prices to rise. This also has had an impact on the consumer price index. On the information available to me, over a 20 year period the consumer price index has increased at a greater rate than the prices paid to farmers. The result of better beef prices will be in many parts of Australia and in many rural towns a revival of a kind that is sorely needed. It will give new hope and confidence to many people throughout Australia as they seek to rebuild their farms and to undertake repairs that have been put aside for many years. Those two factors had a significant effect on the consumer price index during 1978. The fact that, despite those two factors, we were able to reduce inflation significantly in 1978 compared to 1977 is a very remarkable achievement of this Government.

page 12

QUESTION

CRUDE OIL PRICING POLICY

Mr O’KEEFE:
PATERSON, NEW SOUTH WALES

– I direct a question to the Minister for Trade and Resources. Is he aware of serious concern amongst farmers about their competitive position on overseas markets as a result of higher fuel prices resulting from the Government’s crude oil pricing policy? Can the Minister give the House any information about the prices paid for fuel by farmers in Australia and in other countries?

Mr ANTHONY:
Deputy Prime Minister · RICHMOND, NEW SOUTH WALES · NCP/NP

– I am concerned, and I think everybody is concerned, that farmers are being inflicted with increases in costs, particularly when they have to compete with other countries. I think that everybody who thinks about the situation recognises that Australia has to have a proper national energy policy- that is, pricing oil at import parity prices. This has been a policy which I have advocated for a long period. I have been subjected to a great deal of criticism for supporting that realistic policy.

A great deal of concern has been expressed by the farming community from which I have had very many representations- I am sure many other people also have received representations- that its prices for fuel as compared with its competitors in other countries are higher. I have asked my Department to examine the price structure in other countries so that I can make a comparison. I have been notified that the Trade Development Council, an independent body which advises the Government on export promotion and trade promotion affairs, is examining this question as a result of requests that it has received and that it will be making a report. When that report is completed the Council will present it to me.

page 12

QUESTION

INDEXATION OF PENSIONS

Mr ARMITAGE:

– Does the Prime Minister recall his undertaking given in his 1975 election policy speech- I nearly said ‘screech’- that ‘The real value of pensions will be preserved’? Does he not realise that his Government’s decision to abolish the six-monthly indexation of pensions and to replace it with 12-monthly indexation means that the real value of pensions has not been preserved? Will he therefore give an undertaking to reintroduce six-monthly indexation of pensions?

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

-The real value of pensions will be preserved through indexation. One needs to have in mind that, during the time when the Labor Government was in office, inflation reached a peak of 19 per cent in one sixmonthly period. Inflation was 16 per cent or 17 per cent at the end of the Labor Government’s time in office. Having regard to that, quite plainly there was very rapid erosion of the value of pensions. The policy of full indexation once a year will preserve the value of pensions. It ought to be noted that there are some who say that pension adjustments should be put on the same basis as adjustments for wage earners. Quite plainly, on many occasions the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission does not apply full 100 per cent indexation for wages and salaries. If pensioners were placed on the same basis as wage earners who receive an adjustment every six months but who only receive that proportion of the change in the cost of living given by the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, quite plainly pensioners would be much worse off than under a 100 per cent adjustment which is the policy of the Government.

page 12

QUESTION

DEFENCE FORCE RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Mr NEIL:

– Has the Minister for Defence seen reports of alleged changes to the conditions or tax rates for the commutation of defence force retirement benefits and reports that such changes might lead to early resignations? Will the Minister advise the House whether there is any substance in these reports?

Mr KILLEN:
Minister for Defence · MORETON, QUEENSLAND · LP

– I have not seen the reports, but I have heard reports. I regret very much that they have been given circulation. I would say to the honourable gentleman and to the House that there is no proposal whatsoever currently before the Government to disturb in any shape or form the provisions of the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act. I took the opportunity this morning to consult my colleagues the Treasurer and the Minister for Finance; they confirmed what I have just said to the House. I would be most grateful if each honourable member would use his very best endeavours to put these rumours to rest for once and for all.

page 13

QUESTION

UNEMPLOYMENT

Dr BLEWETT:
BONYTHON, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

-Does the Prime Minister recall his 1975 election promise to provide jobs for all who want to work and his 1977 election forecast that unemployment would fall after February 1 978 and keep on falling? In view of the fact that the number of registered unemployed has increased by 230,000 since his Government has been in office and is now 6 1 ,000 above February last year, will he now admit that in both respects he completely misled the Australian people? Can he advise the House how much longer he will continue to apply the economic policies that have had such tragic effects on the labour market?

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

-The honourable gentleman has a short memory. In 1974-75 the Labor Government increased expenditure by 46 per cent. In that one year alone unemployment rose by 200,000. It was the policies of Labor that embedded unemployment within this country. Policies of this Government and of its predecessors have enabled a long period of high employment to be maintained. It was under Labor that wage rates rose by about 50 per cent in one two-year period and, that being so, Australian industries were priced out of the domestic market; they lost their export markets and people became unemployed in great numbers. Quite plainly, it takes a significant time to reassess and re-establish the appropriate balance within an economy so that Australian industries can get a larger share of the domestic market and move effectively out into export markets.

One of the odd things about members of the Australian Labor Party, or perhaps not so odd because one would expect them not to learn, is that the policies which have been advocated over the last three years would have resulted in higher and ever higher deficits and in higher and ever higher inflation and interest rates. Indeed, in Labor’s time, the long term bond rate rose from 6 per cent to 10 per cent as a result of its policies- the kind of policies being advocated now.

Mr Young:

– I raise a point of order. The question asked by the honourable member for Bonython was this: Did the Prime Minister say in 1975 that only under the Liberals will there be jobs for all those who want them? There are 200,000 people more unemployed now than there were then. That is all we are asking for.

You have been in government longer than the Labor Party was in government.

Mr SPEAKER:

-The honourable member for Port Adelaide will resume his seat.

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:

– It is a question of what kind of policies are going to lead again to the job opportunities for all Australians who want to work. This Government is going to pursue policies that are working and will continue to work, and we will not divert our attention from that.

Opposition members interjecting-

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:

-Mr Speaker, the noise does not matter because people can judge them. It is the only thing that they can do.

Mr SPEAKER:

-I ask honourable members on my left to remain silent. The question has been asked. The right honourable gentleman has a right to answer the question.

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:

-The policies that this Government has pursued are re-establishing the competitive basis of Australian industry. Industries are again moving out into export markets in a way which has not been possible for them for a long time. It is only by being able to sell more that Australian industries will be able to employ more people. I fail to understand why the Australian Labor Party, up to the time of the recent statement by the Leader of the Opposition, continued to encourage policies that would price labour out of the market. At least the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions has now started to direct his attention to the problems of those people not in work. He is saying that we must look at the problems of those people not in work and not merely at providing additional benefits for those people now in work. Maybe he has told the Leader of the Opposition that he should embrace part of that philosophy, but it is not what they have done for the last three years. With greater co-operation from the Australian Labor Party, in the national interest it may well have been possible to achieve a greater rate of wage restraint, a greater return to competitiveness by Australian industry and greater employment opportunities for Australians. But at long last, after difficult times, there are encouraging signs on the employment front. For several months, the level of overtime worked has been rising in a number of industries. It has risen in a way in which it has not done for a number of years. In addition, in the last month or two of last year the level of manufacturing employment and civilian employment started to rise again. There are indications of a turn around in the level of notification of unfilled vacancies.

Even the Leader of the Opposition has indicated that the economy is in the early stages of recovery. If it is in the early stages of recovery through our policies, it would seem odd to say that this is the very moment to change those policies as the Leader of the Opposition has been suggesting.

page 14

QUESTION

DOMESTIC AIRLINE INDUSTRY: COST RECOVERY

Mr BURR:
WILMOT, TASMANIA

-Can the Minister for Transport inform the House what rate of cost recovery the Government imposes on the domestic airline industry for air navigation charges, airport terminal rentals and the aviation fuel levy? What contribution does the Government seek from domestic airline operators for airport capital development? What effect does the Government’s policy on cost recovery have on domestic air fares? What effect does the Government’s policy of cost recovery have on matters relating to air safety?

Mr NIXON:
Minister for Transport · GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA · LP

-I will take the last part of the question first. There is no relevance or tie between cost recovery and air safety. The fact is that in respect of air safety the Government has acted on the advice of the safety experts in the Department of Transport. They have put forward a submission regarding changes that might be made to facilities affecting air safety. There is absolutely no tie between the program of cost recovery and the level of investment in air safety. In reality, only 4 per cent of the direct operating costs of the airlines are taken up by air navigation charges. There is currently a suggestion in the community that air navigation charges are one of the reasons for high domestic air fares. I think that the 4 per cent contribution puts that suggestion very much to rest.

Let me deal with the level of capital development that might be charged against the airlines. This is relevant only through the cost recovery program that I have just mentioned. There is no direct correlation between levels of money invested in a particular year and the costs imposed on the airlines. The costs are recouped over a period of years through the air navigation charges. I ought to make this point very clearly to the House: Whilst domestic air fares are said to be high in this country, figures are available to demonstrate that on a cents per kilometre basis the air fares compare more than favourably with those in many other countries. The fact is that air navigation charges are not a significant aspect in the increase in air fares. Following the Government’s changes in fuel policy and the increase in the fuel tax that was passed on to the airlines, I think the cost of fuel used by airlines has increased from about 11 per cent to 15 per cent of direct operating costs. But the main operating cost, of course, is the high price of labour in this country.

page 14

QUESTION

SANKEY LITIGATION

Mr LIONEL BOWEN:
KINGSFORD-SMITH, NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question is directed to the Prime Minister and refers to the litigation, known as the ‘Sankey case’, against three former Ministers of the Labor Government and the fact that legal costs in that case will amount to well over a quarter of a million dollars. In view of the fact that the Government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money in that case, I ask the Prime Minister why the prosecution was not taken over by the Government and terminated. I further ask what inquiries the Government has made, and what evidence is available, to rebut the very serious inference that Mr Sankey’s costs were financed, either directly or indirectly, by persons closely associated with the Government.

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
LP

-I have no knowledge whatsoever of Mr Sankey, his motivation or his finances. At the early stages of this matter, of course, as the honourable gentleman would know, the Government made it plain to the defendants that it would meet their legal costs. That was made plain very early in the proceedings. As to the rest, I think I should get a full and complete answer for the honourable gentleman from the Attorney-General. I undertake to do that as soon as possible.

page 14

QUESTION

RELOCATION OF ARMY SCHOOLS

Mr Ewen Cameron:
INDI, VICTORIA · LP

– I ask the Minister for Defence whether he has seen newspaper reports indicating that there is to be a reduction in scale of the proposed relocation to Bonegilla of the Army Apprentices’ School, the School of Military Survey and the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps Training School. Can the Minister inform the House as to the present plans of the Government for this important project?

Mr KILLEN:
LP

– My attention has been drawn to the reports to which the honourable gentleman refers. There is no proposal to diminish the scale of works which remain in contemplation. The works were planned last year. I am informed that they are currently under consideration by the Public Works Committee. The Government has not yet decided when the project will proceed, but as things stand now I can assure the honourable gentleman that the scale of the works involved will not be diminished.

page 15

QUESTION

DEFENCE FORCE RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Mr KILLEN:
LP

– While I am on my feet I seek your indulgence, Mr Speaker, to add to my answer to the question that was asked by the honourable member for St George. It has been brought to my attention that his question was directed specifically to commutation and taxation. My remarks were so directed. It may well be that at some time in the near future a technical alteration could be made to, say, the invalidity provisions, but there is, I repeat, no proposal before the Government to alter the commutation or taxation provisions of the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act.

page 15

QUESTION

COAL EXPORTS TO JAPAN

Mr KEATING:
BLAXLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES

– I ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether some New South Wales coal producers have reached pricing agreements with the Japanese steel mills at levels below the parameters fixed by the Government’s negotiating guidelines. Have the companies concerned notified the Government of these price agreements and sought approval of them? Will the Government grant export approval for these new contracts? If so, does this mean that the guideline policy of the Deputy Prime Minister has failed and that Mr Tanabe has routed him at their first confrontation?

Mr ANTHONY:
NCP/NP

-Negotiations have been proceeding in the course of the last two months. I am not up to date with what has happened and have asked my Department to prepare a report on them. The Department has had discussions, I believe, with all of the companies involved, and I hope within the next few days to have a report on those discussions.

page 15

QUESTION

EXPORTS: CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Mr CORBETT:
MARANOA, QUEENSLAND

– I ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Resources whether yesterday, in addressing the National Export Conference, he said that the Middle East was a better short-term market than China. If so, was this statement, as has been suggested in Press reports today, a contradiction of recent Government and industry statements indicating that China is the most exciting export market for Australia?

Mr ANTHONY:
NCP/NP

-Yesterday, at the conference which launched Export Now, I did speak of market opportunities around the world. I spoke of the enormous potential of China. China obviously, because of the dimensions of its market, offers one of the most exciting prospects on earth now that it has embarked upon a course of modernisation which will in time lift its living standards. Having just been to the Middle East with a group of Australian businessmen and officials, I have seen the massive public works programs, greatly increased living standards and changing dietary habits that have resulted from the newlyacquired wealth of the oil producing countries. Enormous opportunities exist immediately for Australian industry. Infrastructure work on ports, railroads and water facilities among others, is under way now. The next stage will be the development of secondary industry.

I believe that Australian industry representatives should be in the Middle East looking at the opportunities available. The task will not be easy. Customs are different; the area has a harsh climate. But I am sure that, if Australian industry persists, it will find that enormous opportunities are available. I mention trade in foodstuffs. The market for sheep meats, live sheep, chilled lamb and frozen mutton is opening up rapidly. Prospects exist for the export of live cattle. We are consolidating our position with wheat exports. There are also great opportunities for dairy products and processing and for fruit, particularly Australian apples, and possibilities for citrus fruit. These are some of the prospects.

There are prospects for joint ventures. While in the Middle East, I signed a memorandum of agreement for a meteorological system in Saudi Arabia. It will upgrade the present system and eventually establish a new one. The cost will be about $160m. I hope that the benefits to Australia by way of the supply of equipment and technical assistance will be $20m or $30m. The Secretary of the Automobile Association of Australia accompanied me. His organisation has put up a proposal for accident trucks throughout Saudi Arabia. The first stage of this proposal looks like being worth about $300m but could be very much greater.

I have proposals before me for an aerial medical service in Saudi Arabia. The proposals are being thoroughly examined. I hope that Australia will be the successful tenderer. The proposal involves a flying doctor ambulance service and other health care services. If the tender is accepted we will provide radio equipment, aircraft such as Nomads, and medical supplies. These are some of the exciting opportunities available because of the living standards of these people who can pay for the services. With China, developments will be slower and longer term. China is an immense market now for our wheat and raw materials. The prospects will be immense. I hope that, if there is an immediate opportunity, people will not go past the Middle East.

page 16

QUESTION

MOTOR VEHICLES: LOCAL CONTENT PLANS

Mr HURFORD:
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– I address my question to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. When does the Government intend to announce the decision concerning General Motors-Holden ‘s Ltd’s request for an early introduction of a complementation scheme into the present motor vehicle local content plans? How does the Minister try to explain away his November statement that the plans would not be altered? If the Government is determined to pursue complementation and thus the granting of export credits, will the Minister allay the understandable fears of thousands working in the motor vehicle parts industry by announcing now, among other things, that there will be a limit of five per cent on the allowance of export credits, that a reversion committee, so recently disbanded by the Government, will be reborn to supervise any changes in independent parts production, and that export credits will be granted only in return for a guarantee of continuing performance so that disruption to parts manufacturers in particular is minimised?

Mr LYNCH:
Minister for Industry and Commerce · FLINDERS, VICTORIA · LP

– I thank the honourable gentleman for the question that he has posed. Let me say at the outset that the Government is not being stampeded by General Motors-Holden ‘s Ltd or indeed by anyone else in taking what will be a very significant decision not simply for the automotive industry but for Australian industry at large. General Motors has stated publicly that it requires by the end of February- a date which I understand as late as this morning cannot be exceeded so far as the company is concerned- a positive decision by the Government on the introduction of export facilitation programs into the current motor plan.

I want to assure the House, and the honourable gentleman in particular, that the issues which lie behind this concept have been the subject of very significant and detailed consideration by officers of my Department and by me for a very long period, in fact going back to the early months of 1 978. The proposal first came to me in confidence in the early days of January and since that time has been subject to the most thorough examination of any industrial proposal that I can recall, certainly of those coming across my table since I have been the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

Given the significance of the proposal and the particular areas to which the honourable gentleman has referred, the Government has, of course, a national obligation to consider all the issues. In doing so, it would not be unmindful of any statements which I may or may not have made in the past concerning the Government’s motor vehicle plan. I mention the fact now that the decision has not been taken by Cabinet. But the honourable gentleman, in raising the question of the 5 per cent local content plan, may not have been aware of the statement which I issued last night and which was designed to provide, for purposes of an informed public discussion, the minimum elements of a package which would permit the company to proceed with its program.

I think I should mention those elements to the House. Firstly, provision is to be made in the motor vehicle manufacturing plan for export credits to be available to offset plan imports on a dollar for dollar basis, thereby generating additional by-law entitlements. Secondly, an effective scheme is to be in operation not later than 1 January 1982. Thirdly, additional plan by-law entitlements arising from export credits are to be available on a dollar for dollar basis, initially to the extent of five local content percentage points, in 1982- this was one of the points queried by the honourable gentleman- with subsequent increases to be determined after inquiry by the Industries Assistance Commission. Fourthly, provision in the Government’s passenger motor vehicle assistance arrangements applying after 1984 will provide for no less favourable assistance to facilitate exports than provided by export credit provisions which may be introduced into the current motor vehicle manufacturing plan.

I have indicated that the matter has had exhaustive discussion, going back as far as the early months of 1978. 1 reiterate that point and I indicate again that the matter has been before me since the early days of this year. All the constituent parties in the industry covering the vehicle builders, the component manufactures and the trade unions have been involved in a general dialogue about export complementation during the second half of last year. The honourable gentleman would be aware of the visit I undertook overseas in, I think, November. I had detailed discussions then with all the principals of the five manufacturing companies. Quite frankly, what General Motors is seeking to do in this country, in attempting to initiate a program soon, is to integrate a significant part of its Australian manufacturing capacity into the concept of the world car, which would be well known to the honourable gentleman. I assure the House that all the aspects that have been drawn to my attention by the honourable gentleman will be thoroughly canvassed. The Government will have regard to what it has said in the past, but more particularly, it will have regard to what it believes to be the right decision for the industry and for the country.

page 17

DISSOLUTION OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
Prime Minister · Wannon · LP

- Mr Speaker, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Lionel Bowen) has asked me on earlier occasions to table documents relating to double dissolutions. For the information of honourable members I present documents relating to the dissolution of the House of Representatives on 10 November 1977.

Motion (by Mr Sinclair) proposed:

That the House take note of the paper.

Debate (on motion by Mr Young) adjourned.

page 17

SIMULTANEOUS DISSOLUTION OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
Prime Minister · Wannon · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present documents relating to the simultaneous dissolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives on 11 November 1975.

Motion (by Mr Sinclair) proposed:

That the House take note of the paper.

Debate (on motion by Mr Young) adjourned.

page 17

WHALES AND WHALING

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
Prime Minister · Wannon · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present volume 1- the Report of the Independent Inquiry into Whales and Whaling and volume 2- Papers commissioned by the Inquiry.

Volume 1 was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment. Volume 2 will be distributed today.

page 17

ATOMIC ENERGY ACT

Mr ANTHONY:
Minister for Trade and Resources · Richmond · NCP/NP

– For the information of honourable members I present an authority made pursuant to section 41 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 and issued to the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd and the Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Ltd.

page 17

RANGER URANIUM PROJECT GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT

Mr ANTHONY:
Minister for Trade and Resources · Richmond · NCP/NP

– For the information of honourable members I present a document entitled ‘Ranger Uranium Project Government Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia, Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd, Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Ltd and Australian Atomic Energy Commission’.

page 17

RANGER URANIUM PROJECT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Mr ANTHONY:
Minister for Trade and Resources · Richmond · NCP/NP

– For the information of honourable members I present a document entitled ‘Ranger Uranium Project Management Agreement between Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd, Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Ltd, Australian Atomic Energy Commission and Ranger Uranium Mines Pty Ltd.

page 17

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

Mr LYNCH:
Minister for Industry and Commerce · Flinders · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present the annual report of the activities of the Department of Industry and Commerce for the year ended 30 June 1978. The report also includes some subsequent developments. This report was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 17

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING COUNCIL

Mr LYNCH:
Minister for Industry and Commerce · Flinders · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present the annual report of the Australian Manufacturing Council for the year ended 30 June 1978. This report was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 17

AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL

Mr SINCLAIR:
Minister for Primary Industry · New England · NCP/NP

– For the information of honourable members I present the resolutions of the 105 th meeting of the Australian Agricultural Council held in Sydney during August 1978. This report was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 17

AUSTRALIAN HONEY BOARD

Mr SINCLAIR:
Minister for Primary Industry · New England · NCP/NP

– Pursuant to section 30 of the

Honey Industry Act 1 962 1 present the annual report of the Australian Honey Board for the year ended 30 June 1978.

page 18

CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION COMMISSION

Mr STREET:
Minister for Industrial Relations · Corangamite · LP

– Pursuant to section 70 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904 I present the annual report of the President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission for the year ended 1 3 August 1 978.

page 18

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

Mr NIXON:
Minister for Transport · Gippsland · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present a report on the working and administration of the Department of Transport, including those matters on which I am required to report pursuant to section 29 of the Air Navigation Act 1 920 for the year ended 30 June 1978.

page 18

QUESTION

DOMESTIC AIRLINE INDUSTRY: COST RECOVERY

Mr NIXON:
Minister for Transport · Gippsland · LP

– I seek the indulgence of the Chair to correct an answer I gave to the honourable member for Wilmot (Mr Burr) during Question Time.

Mr SPEAKER:

-The honourable gentleman may proceed.

Mr NIXON:

– During the answer I gave to the honourable member for Wilmot I referred to direct operating charges. I was, of course, referring to percentages of airline revenue. This was 4 per cent for air navigation charges. I think I also said that the figure for fuel tax was up to 15 per cent. It is, in fact, 6 per cent.

page 18

ABORIGINAL LAND FUND COMMISSION

Mr VINER:
Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs · Stirling · LP

– Pursuant to section 29 of the Aboriginal Land Fund Act 1974 I present the annual report of the Aboriginal Land Fund Commission for the year ended 30 June 1978. This report was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 18

APPLIED ECOLOGY PTY LTD

Mr VINER:
Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs · Stirling · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present the annual report of Applied Ecology Pty Ltd for the year ended 30 June 1978. This report also was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 18

ABORIGINAL LOANS COMMISSION

Mr VINER:
Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs · Stirling · LP

– Pursuant to section 36 of the Aboriginal Loans Commission Act 1976 I present the report of the Aboriginal Loans Commission for the year ended 30 June 1978. This report was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 18

REPRESENTATION ACT

Mr McLeay:
Minister for Administrative Services · BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– As required by section 7 of the Representation Act I present a copy of the certificate of the Chief Australian Electoral Officer setting forth the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth and of the several States in accordance with the latest statistics of the Commonwealth. For the information of honourable members I also present a copy of the notification made by the Chief Australian Electoral Officer under section 1 1 of the Representation Act setting forth the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the several States. As determined, there has been no change in the representation entitlement of any State except Western Australia. It has been determined that Western Australia, which is represented by 10 members of the House of Representatives, is now entitled to the representation of 1 1 members. Section 25 (2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act provides therefore that a redistribution in Western Australia is mandatory.

page 18

INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

Mr FIFE:
Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs · Farrer · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present reports of the Industries Assistance Commission on commercial ship repair; fisheries and the fish processing industry; jewellery and other precious metalware, et cetera; timber and timber products and plywood and veneer; umbrellas, sunshades, et cetera and parts therefor; certain paper and paper board; injection or puncture needles; inks and an interim report on certain engines not exceeding 7.46 kilowatts, rotary cultivators and tractors having a power of less than 15 kilowatts. The last four reports were distributed to honourable members during the adjournment. The remaining reports will be distributed today.

page 18

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY POLICE

Mr ELLICOTT:
Minister for the Capital Territory · Wentworth · LP

– For the information of honourable members I present the annual report of the Australian Capital Territory Police Force for the year ended 30 June 1 978. This report was distributed to honourable members during the adjournment.

page 19

PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS

Mr KEATING:
Blaxland

-In the last sitting day last year in the course of a censure debate there was an exchange between me and the honourable member for Phillip (Mr Birney). The honourable member subsequently took exception to some of the remarks I passed about him. I regret any offence to the honourable member. I formally notify the House that I requested the Principal Parliamentary Reporter to withdraw both my remarks and those of the honourable member from Hansard.

Mr HAYDEN:
Leader of the Opposition · Oxley

I claim to have been misrepresented.

Mr SPEAKER:

-Does the honourable gentleman wish to make a personal explanation?

Mr HAYDEN:

– Yes.

Mr SPEAKER:

-He may proceed.

Mr HAYDEN:

– In an interview with the Foreign Affairs Minister (Mr Peacock) which is reported in this morning’s Melbourne Sun the person responsible for the article claimed that I had alleged that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is or was a warmonger because of some prediction, reported in the article, that he had made about possible conflict between China and Vietnam. I have never used the term about anyone, least of all the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr HASLEM:
Canberra

-I claim to have been misrepresented.

Mr SPEAKER:

-Does the honourable gentleman wish to make a personal explanation?

Mr HASLEM:

– Yes.

Mr SPEAKER:

-He may proceed.

Mr HASLEM:

-On 22 January the Canberra Times printed a front page article headed ‘Allegations upset Pine Lodge staff’. The article commenced:

Female staff at Pine Lodge in Barton were extremely upset by allegations that the premises were a brothel, the owner of Pine Lodge, Mr Stan Biggs, told a public protest meeting today.

The meeting was called by local residents to protest about noise and other problems they associate with Pine Lodge and to discuss redevelopment in Barton. It was attended by about 80 people, including the Member for Canberra, Mr Haslem.

I do not take issue with the text of the article, which is accurate and well written. However, I take exception to a photograph appearing with the article. The photo carries the wording: ‘The Member for Canberra, Mr Haslem, left, and the owner of Pine Lodge, Mr Stan Biggs, at yesterday’s meeting. ‘ The appearance conveyed by the photo is that Mr Biggs is standing beside me and whispering into my ear in a most conspiratorial manner. On visiting the Canberra Times photographic section I looked at all the photos taken at the protest meeting. It is quite obvious from such photos that I was not standing next to Mr Biggs or that he was whispering in my ear. He was, in fact, standing several feet behind me at the time, but the use of a telephoto lens and the particular way the photo was cropped leads to a misleading distortion.

I am particularly upset at the wrong impression given to the people of Canberra by this photo. Mr Bigg’s is facing very serious charges in relation to attempting to bribe a police officer and there is no doubt that prostitution and illegal gambling is taking place at Pine Lodge on a well organised basis. Rumours are rife in Canberra concerning the involvement of Sydney gangsters, stand-over tactics and graft.

Mr Scholes:

– I take a point of order. The honourable member is making allegations which can hardly be acquainted to a personal explanation that his relative distance from another person in a photograph was two feet rather than 2 inches. The allegations are substantive. They should not be made in a personal explanation.

Mr SPEAKER:

-I am permitting them to be made in order that the honourable gentleman can establish why he is so outraged at appearing in a photograph as though he were in intimate conversation with a gentleman.

Mr HASLEM:

– There is also a regrettable rumour being circulated in Canberra -

Mr SPEAKER:

-The honourable member has gone far enough. I will not permit advertising.

Mr HASLEM:

– May I table the article and the photographs concerned?

Mr SPEAKER:

-Is leave granted?

Mr West:

– Have you sold your liquor store yet?

Mr HASLEM:

- Mr Speaker, that interjection reflects upon me. There is a rumour going around in Canberra that I have financial interests in Pine Lodge and I am trying to quash that rumour.

Mr SPEAKER:

-Leave has been granted to table the photographs. I think the honourable gentleman, apart from wishing to quash the rumour, ought to indicate that he denies the accuracy of it.

Mr HASLEM:

-Thank you, Mr Speaker. I deny the accuracy.

page 20

NAMIBIA PEACEKEEPING FORCE

Ministerial Statement

Mr MALCOLM FRASER:
Prime Minister · Wannon · LP

– by leave- The problem of Namibia is one of long standing. It dates from South Africa’s refusal, at the end of World War II, to enter into a trusteeship agreement over the old mandated territory of South West Africa and its claim to sovereignty over that territory. South Africa has continued to administer Namibia despite the United Nations’ decision in 1966, that South Africa’s mandate should be withdrawn. Concerted United Nations efforts towards achieving self-determination and independence for Namibia began in 1972. These efforts were unsuccessful and, in 1974, the United Nations adopted measures seeking immediate and unconditional South African withdrawal.

In 1975, South Africa officially recognised the international status of the territory and decided to initiate its own discussions in Namibia towards a constitutional settlement. The five Western members of the Security Council (United Kingdom, United States of America, France, West Germany, Canada) in 1977 advised South Africa that its constitutional proposals arising out of these consultations would not gain international approval. Following this advice discussions were initiated between the Five’ and South Africa on how to achieve early and peaceful independence for Namibia through an internationally acceptable settlement. Discussions were also held with SWAPO- the South West African People’s Organisation. These talks led, early in 1978, to the formulation of the present plan now agreed to by both the South African Government and SWAPO. The plan envisaged, in essence, free elections for Namibia, under United Nations supervision and control for the purpose of electing a constituent assembly to draw up and adopt a constitution for an independent Namibia. The plan, and proposals by the United Nations Secretary-General for its implementation, were later accepted by the United Nations Security Council as a basis for an internationally acceptable settlement that would give Namibia independence. The establishment of UNTAG-the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group- is part of the plan. Elections are scheduled to be held some seven months after UNTAG ‘s deployment, and independence following about five months later.

Since 1977, Australia has received a number of informal soundings about a contribution to a peacekeeping force in Namibia. Representations were made to us at different times by the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and by representatives of the British and American Governments. In July last year, the United Nations Secretariat made an approach inquiring whether Australia could provide elements ibr the UNTAG logistics force. In the light of recent indications that the United Nations would be seeking to establish UNTAG very shortly, the Government has been actively considering a contribution that would be consistent with Australia’s international obligations, its support for an early settlement of the Namibia problem and support for the Western and United Nations proposals for achieving it.

Southern Africa is a region of considerable strategic importance to Australia and, indeed, to the entire free world. In the Government’s view we ought to do what we reasonably can to promote conditions there which will bring about stability and so contribute to security in the widest sense. The Western initiative on Namibia offers the opportunity for this and it is thus vital that it should be successful. There has been in the past great turmoil in Africa. Many African problems have been seen to be intractable. Now we have an opportunity to settle one of those problems peacefully and in a manner which will deal justly with all conflicting interests. We must not let this opportunity slip by.

It has been no easy task for the United Nations to put together a peacekeeping force for Namibia acceptable to all concerned. Not all of its components have yet been settled. But it has been made entirely clear to us that an Australian contribution would be widely welcomed and, in particular, would be acceptable both to the South African Government and to SWAPO. It has also been put to us that an Australian component would contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the force.

The Government has considered this question on a number of occasions in the past. It has weighed carefully all the issues which are relevant to it. In coming to the judgment that Australia should offer to make a contribution to United Nations peacekeeping in Namibia we have regarded as paramount the importance of having this Western initiative succeed, the political significance of the area in which the force will operate and the firm belief that a successful outcome in Namibia will bring new hope for stability and progress in what has been a sorely troubled continent. A successful conclusion to the problem of Namibia should give renewed hope that other African problems can be resolved by reasonable means.

The Government has carefully weighed the international circumstances in which Australia finds! itself at this time. It has especially taken into account present conflicts in South East Asia. It has, concluded above all that now is a time for Australia fully to assume its international responsibilities. It is not a time for us to stand back and refuse to be involved because the problem to be settled lies in a distant continent and may appear to be of no immediate concern to us. We are fully aware that the conflict in Indochina involves grave risks to the region and to the world as a whole. We have made this clear by our recent actions. Some would argue that at a time of danger and difficulty in Asia we should not participate in this international initiative in Africa. The Government argues to the contrary- we are part of the wider world.

We have a real capacity to contribute to the success of this United Nations and Western initiative. We believe that this is above all a time when our sense of responsibility in international affairs ana our commitment to the settlement of disputes oy peaceful means needs to be firmly underlined. This is a time not for withdrawal but for participation, for the acceptance of a commitment which is within our capacity.

If we are not prepared to participate in an initiative sponsored, amongst others, by the United States and Great Britain, adopted by the United Nations and accepted by the conflicting parties, how can we expect others to fulfil their obligations to act responsibly and co-operatively in efforts to settle disputes and restore stability in areas of disturbance and conflict?

The composition of the United Nations force in Nambia has not yet, as I said before, been finally determined. The United Kingdom has already announced its proposed participation in UNTAG and it is expected that contributors will include a number of other western countries; there will also be African, Asian, Latin American and possibly east European contributions.

The element which we will offer to the United Nations for inclusion in the force is an engineer contingent of 250 officers and men, together with a national headquarters and support element of 50. If accepted, this unit will have the responsibility of providing a variety of engineering services in support of the operational battalions. This role will be vital to the success of the force. It is planned that the United Nations operation in Namibia will be for a period of twelve months.

It is intended that the deployment of the Australian contingent will be for that length of time. Our defence forces have been given instructions to pay the fullest regard to the safety of Australian personnel who may be deployed to Namibia. We cannot say they will not face any dangers. There are risks involved in any peacekeeping operation. But all aspects of the situation in which the force will operate have been given the most careful consideration and the risks our men will face are assessed by the National Assessments Board as low.

Australia has played a part in a number of United Nations peacekeeping operations in the past. It is at present contributing to them in the Middle East, in Cyprus and in Kashmir. We cannot be expected, nor will we be asked, to contribute to all future United Nations operations. But we believe our decision to offer a contribution to the Namibia force is fully consistent with the policy adopted in the past by this and earlier governments. It is a contribution well within our capacity. It is the right decision. It has been taken in a conscious awareness of our international responsibilities at a time when such awareness, by ourselves and by others, is needed more than ever.

I present the following paper:

Namibia Peacekeeping Force- Ministerial Statement, 20 February 1979

Motion (by Mr Sinclair) proposed:

That the House take note of the paper.

Mr HAYDEN:
Leader of the Opposition · Oxley

– Australia should not shirk its responsibility to the international order of nations and most of all it should make its fair contribution to international agencies such as the United Nations where the role of such an agency is designed to protect the independence and sovereignty of a nation or to establish that independence and sovereignty where it properly belongs. We are of course concerned internationally that we have a responsibility to the rights and aspirations of people in the world. Accordingly, the Australian Labor Party supports the general principles behind the United Nations’ intentions in Namibia. But let me quote from the Labor Party’s policy so there is absolutely no doubt or ambiguity about the Labor Party’s commitment. In the foreign affairs sections it says that the Labor Party would: give firm and unwavering support to the United Nations and its agencies and to the United Nations Charter, and make every effort to secure the United Nations as an effective instrument for justice and peace and political, social and economic advancement;

On that basis we are clearly committed to the general principle implicit in the objectives of the United Nations in Namibia, but I have to express some reservation about the detail in practice. The Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) acknowledged in the concluding parts of his statement that there are risks involved in any peacekeeping operation. That would be obviously acknowledged by any thinking person. I want to be assured about one thing in the light of certain newspaper speculation based, it seems, on informed information available from the Department of Defence. It seems that perhaps the security of Australian troops going to Namibia may not be as effective as it ought to be. Of course there are risks and risks have to be taken when this sort of operation is embarked upon, but the risks ought to be minimised as much as is practicable. I mention that because I feel it is a shame in a matter such as this where there is so obviously so much room for accord between both sides of the House that the Prime Minister could not have taken the opportunity to have the Opposition briefed on this particular point.

There is no doubt, of course, that the United Nations needs to intervene in Namibia. It needs to intervene to ensure that there is a smooth transition to independence. It needs to intervene to ensure beyond any doubt that free elections will take place in Namibia. The administration of South Africa in that country has been illegal and was declared as such in 1966 by the United Nations. Until the United Nations intervened, it was the venue, as was the Union of South Africa more generally, of the most odious, racist and repressive security laws- apartheid- of anywhere in the world.

More recently in an effort to head off the United Nations’ initiative in this regard the South African Government organised an election in Namibia- a bogus election. So that it could control the outcome of the election it established a purely bogus political party, the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance. It then sought successfully to purchase the English and German language newspapers in Namibia at a cost of some $2m using secret government political funds. Obviously what happened then was that the newspapers were used to disseminate heavily prejudiced propaganda in support of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, which of course, I ought to mention, although it is unnecessary, was exclusively pro-South African Government in its outlook- a political party which was fabricated around conservative white and conservative black interests. Having purchased the papers and embarked upon this campaign of political conditioning in the community, the Government of South Africa also undertook a fairly generous spending campaign in support of the DTA spending, according to some accounts, at least a half a million dollars a month, again from secret government sources. It is not surprising that the DTA would have won the election in the event the South West Africa People’s Organisation did not participate and in the circumstances quite sensibly.

Why there is a need for a United Nations presence is fairly obvious when the enormous wealth which is generated in Namibia is recognised. Exports of minerals and diamonds last year exceeded $800m in value. Because Namibia or, as it has been known, South West Africa has been completely incorporated within the economy of the Union of South Africa, it is the South African Government which has been draining off the benefits of that income that has been generated. I am advised by the Library research section in this Parliament that the total benefit which is directed from the South African Government’s budget as a subsidy for public purposes in Namibia is only $60m a year, a mere bagatelle according to the enormous wealth already being generated in Namibia. Furthermore the wealth that is currently being generated there in an area the size of New South Wales with a population of about 850,000 people is much less than it is expected will be generated in the next few years. So the ploy the South African Government is quite clear. Having failed in its effort to have imposed on Namibia a bogus election result it is seeking to bring about, if it possibly can, a situation in which it will heavily influence through its control and influence on the DTA, so that in the final upshot it will still be able to drain off a great deal of wealth which is generated from that very wealthy area of Africa.

In the circumstances we, of course, wholeheartedly support the United Nations’ objectives as a general principle. We need reassurance on a couple of points. We need reassurance on the security of Australian military personnel who will be sent to that country as part of the United Nations’ undertaking there. We would like some reassurances about the firmness with which the Australian Government is to demand certain constitutional safeguards to protect the people of Namibia and its constitution from any erosion or any attempt to subvert it for commercial purposes by the country of South Africa.

Debate (on motion by Mr Ruddock) adjourned.

page 23

BILLS RETURNED FROM THE SENATE

The following Bills were returned from the Senate without amendment:

Trade Practices Amendment Bill 1978.

Trade Practices Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Bill 1978.

Bounty (Commercial Motor Vehicles) Bill 1978.

Trade Union Training Authority Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Broadcasting and Television Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Industrial Research and Development Incentives Amendment Bill 1978.

page 23

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the following Bills reported:

Science and Industry Research Amendment 1 978.

Sales Tax Amendment Bills (Nos 1 to 9) 1978.

States Grants (Capital Assistance) Bill 1 978.

Bounty (Metal-working Machine Tools) Bill 1 978.

Bounty (Drilling Machines) Amendment Bill 1978.

Metal Working Machine Tools Bounty Amendment Bill 1978.

Tasmania Grant (The Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company Limited) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1 978.

Weights and Measures (National Standards) Amendment Bill 1978.

States Grants (Roads) Amendment Bill 1978.

Loans (Taxation Exemption) Bill 1978.

Airline Equipment (Loan Guarantee) Bill (No. 2) 1 978.

Export Expansion Grants Bill 1978.

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Bill 1978.

Asian Development Fund Bill 1 978.

Wheat Industry Stabilization Amendment Bill 1978.

Remuneration and Allowances Amendment Bill 1978.

Primary Industry Bank Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1 978.

Maternity Leave (Australian Government Employees) Amendment Bill 1978.

Superannuation Amendment Bill 1978.

Public Service Amendment Bill 1978.

Income Tax Assessment Amendment Bill (No. 3) 1 978.

Income Tax Assessment Amendment Bill (No. 4) 1978.

Income Tax (Non-Resident Companies) Bill 1 978.

Income Tax (Companies and Superannuation Funds) Amendment Bill 1978.

Income Tax (Rates) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Air Navigation (Charges) Amendment Bill 1978.

Life Insurance Amendment Bill 1978.

Remuneration Tribunals Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1 978.

Live-stock Slaughter Levy Amendment Bill 1978.

Live-stock Export Charge Amendment Bill 1978.

Livestock Diseases Bill 1 978.

Atomic Energy Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Customs Amendment Bill 1978.

Excise Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 4) 1978.

Qantas Airways Limited (Loan Guarantee) Amendment Bill 1978.

States Grants (Schools Assistance) Bill 1 978.

States Grants (Tertiary Education Assistance) Bill 1 978.

National Health Amendment(No. 3) Bill 1978.

New South Wales Grant (Chrysotile Corporation) Bill 1978.

Queensland Grant (Special Assistance) Bill 1978.

Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 1978.

Australian Dried Fruits Corporation Bill 1978.

Dried Vine Fruits Equalization Levy Bill 1 978.

Dried Vine Fruits Equalization Bill 1978.

Dried Fruits Export Charges Amendment Bill 1978.

Sales Tax Assessment (Nos 1 to 9) Amendment Bills 1978.

Trade Practices Amendment 1978.

Trade Practices Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Bounty (Commercial Motor Vehicles) Bill 1978.

Trade Union Training Authority Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Broadcasting and Television Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

Industrial Research and Development Incentives Amendment Bill 1978.

page 23

UNEMPLOYMENT

Discussion of Matter of Public Importance

Mr SPEAKER:

– I have received a letter from the honourable member for Port Adelaide (Mr Young) proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely:

The Government’s creation of record levels of unemployment.

I call upon those members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places.

More than the number of members required by the Standing Orders having risen in their places-

Mr YOUNG:
Port Adelaide

-That this Government is the greatest bunch of incompetent economic managers that this country has ever seen is no better exemplified than by the way the Government has deliberately allowed unemployment to build to the record level of last week, when 493,000 people in this country were registered as being out of work. That represents the highest number of people without jobs that has ever been recorded in the history of Australia. At the height of the Depression there were 480,000 people out of work. In 1978 under Malcolm Fraser 493,000 Australians were registered as unemployed. This has been done deliberately, as can be easily proven. As you know, Mr Deputy Speaker, certain terms are not allowed to be used in this Parliament to describe people who say things outside Parliament and then do not carry them through. What do people outside think about a Prime Minister who in his first election campaign as the Prime Minister of this country in 1975 made the following promise:

Only under the Liberalswill there be jobs for everybody who wants to work.

In 1977 at another election period he had the following to say:

Our consistent economic strategy is getting Australia back to work and from February there will be a sustained and long-term reduction in unemployment in Australia.

What do people say about a man who will make statements such as those at elections and then do absolutely nothing about them in administering the economy of this country? Just look at the brief record of this Government which now has been in office longer than the Labor Government of which it is so critical. This Government is now in its fourth year of office. In January 1977, 354,000 people were out of work; in January 1978, 445,000 people were out of work; and, in 1979, 493,000 people are out of work in this country. This level of unemployment is an utter disgrace for any government. And the Prime Minister says ‘our economic strategy is working’. In an interview which appeared last week in the international magazine Business Week, the Prime Minister pointed out that one example of evidence that the economy was picking up and that there would be more jobs was that Australia was exporting ladies underwear to Japan. A close check of our exports of that commodity to Japan shows that we are exporting exactly $2,000 worth of pantyhose. That is the evidence given by the Prime Minister of this country of more jobs being available. Last year he pretended that the export of chairs to Sweden was going to get us out of trouble. A quick check of the number of chairs that we were sending to Sweden shows that we were sending 278 chairs at a total cost of $7,000. This was another example that the Prime Minister gave to show that Australia is getting out of trouble.

Half a million Australians are now unemployed. A further 250,000 have given up all hope of finding work. They are all victims of the Prime Minister’s crank economic policies. Last September, the previous Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Mr Street, acknowledged that the Government was deliberately creating a permanent pool of unemployed. So, he was sacked by the Prime Minister and replaced with perhaps the greatest cosmetic politician this country has ever seen and had the misfortune to tolerate. His record of arrogance and cold hear.tedness over the past few months is astonishing. It would be laughable if its effect were not so grave. In December the present Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Mr Viner, offered these comments on our unemployed youth. He said:

Get off your tails and start hunting for jobs because the Government is not going to hand them to you. The Government is philosophically opposed to creating jobs for people.

I think we should put his little Press statement where it belongs- in the trash can. He further stated:

If you can mobilise a positive attitude among adults as well as the young that is when you start to bring some pressure on young people who are more content to live off the dole than get off their tails and find work.

The Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, the latest addition to this role appointed by the Prime Minister, thinks that 197,200 unemployed young people are dole bludgers. That is the attitude of the Minister. For every vacancy registered with the Commonwealth Employment Service, there are presently 28 unemployed people under 21 years of age unable to find work. In Charlestown on the North Coast of New South Wales last week, 1,400 people queued up for 121 vacant positions at a new K-Mart being built in that area. Honourable members on this side of the House- as I am sure honourable members on the other side of the House- can relate dozens of similar instances. In Tea Tree Gully in the north-east suburbs of Adelaide the week before last there was a similar incident when 1,000 people lined up for 100 jobs. The way the people are lining up for jobs is more reminiscent of the cattle yards of Chicago. But that is the position here in Australia in 1979. Not only does the Minister blame the unemployed for this predicament; he is also promoting division within the community by attempting to get employed against unemployed, father against son. and mother against daughter as though parents and their children have responsibility for creating jobs in the community.

Apparently the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs is not the only member of Cabinet to espouse this selfish philosophy. The Minister for Education, Senator Carrick- an enlightened fellow, perhaps best known for his attempts to reintroduce sectarianism into education funding- said on 4 February that our young people lack motivation and have no goals in life. Not to be outdone a week later the millionaire Minister from the Gold Coast, the Minister for Finance, Mr Eric Robinson, weighed in with his comment. He said:

There are a number of young people in this country who do not want to work. Down on the beach they are fit and tanned and look well. They are getting unemployment benefits and life is quite easy.

Such is the audacity of a person such as the Minister for Finance who lives in luxury. I do not begrudge him that. He lives on the Isle of Capri and it upsets him and disturbs his life style when he sees people on the beaches who perhaps are unemployed as he drives from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta to get the aeroplane to go wherever he has to travel. What about the people who do not have work because of this Government’s life style? This situation reflects the mad mentality of the Prime Minister. We have to blame the people who are out of work and not in any circumstance allow the argument to be turned against the Government.

This Government is engaged in a despicable campaign against the unemployed to help to disguise its complete neglect of unemployment. Therefore, it was not surprising that, when the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs released the November unemployment figures showing that 400,000 people could not find work, he described the situation as ‘reasonably satisfactory’. The Minister thinks that 400,000 people out of work is reasonably satisfactory. I suppose that he thinks that the January figure of half a million unemployed was an excellent result as far as the Government’s economic policies are concerned. He must have taken great pride in the result because since November he has announced a great number of so-called job initiatives which will not create one extra job, but more importantly will cause further division within our community.

The Voluntary Youth Community Service scheme was announced by the Minister. What an original concept! One would have to be Einstein to come up with that one! The Government wants unemployed young people to work for nothing. The great ideas flowing from this Government will overcome unemployment if the 192,000 young people will work for nothing. Of course the Minister cannot claim all the credit. The Government back bench youth affairs committee wants participants to work for no payment for an unlimited time before the CES will give them consideration for job vacancies which do not exist. That is the first of the great ideas to flow from this Government. I am sure the youth of Australia will remember that in 1 980.

Already the National Youth Council has rejected the proposal as being of no value to unemployed youth. Even if the unemployed reject this scheme no doubt they will be comforted to know that the Government will establish a national youth advisory group and hold a national youth conference. The quarter of a million unemployed young must be tremendously excited to know that the Government later this year will call a national youth conference! The announcement by the Minister of the addition of 1,000 young people to the Commonwealth payroll for 17 weeks heralded another terrific idea! Do honourable members know what is in store for those young people after 1 7 weeks? The sack! That is what is going to happen to those 1,000 young people. As I said, with all these crazy ideas there is not one job. The Government will just allow unemployment to grow and grow.

The Government has announced recruitment of an extra 230 apprentices. With typical flare and generosity, the Government has also decided to increase the Commonwealth Rebate for Apprentice Full-time Training subsidy by $1 a week. That will be a terrific encouragement to employers to take more apprentices on! Last year, 5.6 per cent fewer apprentices were taken on than in the year before. Perhaps someone should tell the Minister that there is a crisis in our apprenticeship system. Instead of importing migrant tradesmen, it might be worth while spending some money on training Australians for skilled jobs. Since August 1974, the employment of tradesmen, semi-skilled workers and process workers has dropped by 94,000 people in Australia. Honourable members may not be aware that the Government has also initiated another brilliant victory on this scene. The Government has spent its money with Kerry Packer on The Job Show. Already a great deal of money has been spent with very little result. Perhaps the Minister in his reply would like to give us the results of that new scheme. The Prime Minister and many of his Cabinet members have nothing but contempt for the unemployed. Rather than accept the challenge of creating jobs for a generation of young Australians they are prepared to stand by and blame the unemployed, the education system, the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission but never their own economic policies and selfish political philosophies.

The consequences of this deliberate creation of the dole bludger have been enormous. Public discussion on unemployment has frequently degenerated into harangues of so-called bludgers, in place of rational consideration of the causes, nature and effect of the employment crisis. All too often it is insinuated that the unemployment problem stems less from economic factors than from the individual characteristics of the jobless. Thus, the powerless victims of the crisis have somehow come to stand accused of having created their own unemployment- a twist of logic which represents a classic example of blaming the victim. The time has come to stop this anti-social and anti-human strategy. The cost of unemployment is measureless. The loss of a job is, to say the least, highly upsetting for many. Long periods of unemployment lead to chronic and depressed resignation in people and eventually to a lack of conscious awareness of their own capacity.

Average duration of unemployment is now at levels unprecedented since the Great Depression. In August 1978, 30.6 per cent of all unemployed people under 2 1 years of age had been without work for six months or more while 53 per cent of those aged 45 years and over had been without work for similar periods. High and prolonged levels of unemployment are systematically de-skilling our industrial work force. The community also suffers incalculable economic, social and political costs. The payout of $1 billion in unemployment benefits in 1978-79 is one such cost. The irony of it all is that a government that refuses to pay $1 to create a job will spend $1 billion this year on unemployment benefits. The growing alienation of the young from the community, increases in vandalism, the increasing incidence of unemployment, related health problems and the associated pressures on health and welfare services must also be taken into account.

Other countries have responded to high unemployment by establishing, amongst other things, programs of job creation. In both the United States and Canada, job creation programs have been set in motion as the trend in joblessness has risen. These programs direct energy and resources not only into the goods producing private sector but also into the services sector, public administration and the community as a whole. Unemployment in the United States fell from 7.8 per cent in December 1976 to 5.9 per cent in December 1978 as a direct result of government job creation programs, despite an increase of 5.9 million in in the number of people entering the job market over that period. In effect, in a period in which our unemployment has almost doubled, the United States has created six million new jobs. As a result, employment opportunities for women and minority groups has increased dramatically. Adult female employment increased by 3.5 million or 10.5 per cent. Black employment increased by 1.2 million or 12 per cent. Inflation during that period averaged about 7.6 per cent which is lower than Australia ‘s rate.

This Government refuses to engage in job creation because it panders to the ideological whims of the Prime Minister. It prefers the soft option of income support through pathetic levels of unemployment benefit. It is inflicting a social scar which other Western nations would never tolerate. It pretends that the unemployed live the idyllic existence of a millionaire Minister. It is prepared to accept the immense loss to national output which results from people being unemployed. Its economic policies are a recipe for social and economic disaster.

Mr VINER:
Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs · Stirling · LP

– It is disappointing to have started this parliamentary session with the kind of speech that we have heard from the honourable member for Port Adelaide (Mr

Young). There was nothing constructive at all in what he said. He made disparaging comments about individuals and did not offer any concrete suggestions as to how the Government of Australia should cope with the legacy left to it by the Whitlam Government. He said nothing constructive to reinforce the improvement in the employment outlook which has just started to emerge. Even the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Hayden) is prepared to acknowledge that improvement. Instead of offering constructive help honourable members had to listen to hypocritical comments from a member of a team which will just not face up to reality. It has not faced up to reality in Opposition and it did not face up to reality when it was in government. Its refusal to face the realities is understandable. The realities are that the actions of members opposite, when in government, produced a legacy of employment decline and consequential increases in unemployment the like of which this country had not seen previously in the post- War period.

Let me just quote a few figures for the honourable member for Port Adelaide. He may not have been in the Parliament at the time but he was helping to bring the Labor Government into being. In June 1974, registered unemployment stood at less than 80,000. Twelve months later, registered unemployment had reached a quarter of a million. Let me narrow this period to levels of registered unemployed. In August 1974, the level of registered unemployed was 107,000; in September it was 121,000; in October it was 150,000; in November it was 191,000; in December it was 267,000; and in January 1975 it was 312,000. There was a rise of 200,000 in the number of unemployed between June 1974 and January 1975. Let me remind the honourable member for Port Adelaide what was being said within the councils of the Labor Government at the time. I draw my remarks from the transcript of proceedings in the Sankey case.

Mr Young:

– You would.

Mr VINER:

– These remarks were given in public evidence. A witness revealed in court that the then Attorney-General justified the Khemlani loan by saying:

My solution goes to the reality and truth of what we are doing, basically the problem is that we are facing a crisis.

The witness giving evidence said:

  1. . unemployment he thought was likely to be 400,000 to half a million within a few months.

He then said that in his view a temporary purpose was to avert the crisis and the disaster that the Labor Attorney-General of the day thought on indications at that time would have arrived by

April-May 1975. What did the then Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, say? According to the evidence, his first reaction was that the then AttorneyGeneral’s concern about unemployment was a little high flown. The then Prime Minister thought that the unemployment figure might reach something like 350,000, but not half a million. Did we in Australia either in this House or outside it ever hear the Prime Minister of the day or the Labor Treasurer of the day tell the people about the disaster that was to befall Australia under a Labor government and that the Attorney-General believed that half a million Australians would be unemployed? Another 200,000 people became unemployed between June 1974 and January 1975. Who created unemployment in this country? The answer to that question must be sheeted home to the Labor Government of the day.

Mr West:

– What are you doing about it?

Mr Cohen:

– You are talking absolute drivel.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr MillarOrder! I ask honourable members on my left to refrain from interjecting. The honourable member for Port Adelaide was heard in silence and the Minister has an equal entitlement.

Mr VINER:

-Let me just take the matter a little further, Mr Deputy Speaker, because this matter of public importance refers to the creation of unemployment. I think the statistics to which I have referred and the evidence given in the Sankey case adequately demonstrate that unemployment was created by the Whitlam Government. The reasons for this rapid deterioration in unemployment are well known. They are the excesses of the Whitlam Government’s economic policy, excessive government expenditure by the Labor Government which in one year increased by 46 per cent and pace setting in the wages area. These factors contributed substantially to costpush inflation and acted as a direct disincentive to employment. We know that as a result of the Labor Government policies of the day that employers shed labour like peas out of a pod. This Government which has been in office since the end of 1975 believes that the only way to correct the severe disruptions to the Australian economy which occurred as a result of those events in 1973-74 is by way of a prudent, non-inflationary managed recovery. A too rapid increase in demand would only lead to short term employment gains since the resulting inflation would soon touch off a new recession and lead to increased rather than decreased unemployment.

The honourable gentleman referred to the United States of America. Let me point out to him the current lesson from what America has done in the employment and inflation field because it is interesting to note that the United States present Administration initially started on a strategy which saw the growth of employment as a linchpin to recovery. Certainly the Administration obtained record employment growth but it found that it could not sustain that strategy without risking renewed inflation. Renewed inflation has come about in the United States and it is what the Administration is battling with at present. We are still suffering the hangover of the events of 1973-74 when tariffs were indiscriminately cut across the board by 25 per cent. Government expenditure got out of control. You will remember that the then Treasurer, Dr Cairns, got the printing presses to work. Profits were squeezed by the introduction of the Prices Justification Tribunal. Wages exploded and Australia suffered the repercussions of deteriorating world trade and international inflation as a result of the huge oil price increase. The result for the labour market has been negative employment growth rates, a mammoth loss of jobs in manufacturing and, to a lesser extent, in building and construction. Between November 1974 and November 1978 there were declines in employment in manufacturing of 134,000, a decrease of 1 1 per cent. In construction there was a decline of 5 1 ,000, a decrease of 1 3 per cent.

The honourable member for Port Adelaide will remember what happened in the textile and clothing industries of the day. The Government’s economic strategy is directed to correcting the 1973-74 disruptions and to restoring sustained economic and employment growth. If there is one thing the Government recognises that the Opposition always fails to recognise it is that you must get employment growth in the private sector. It is what the Government is aiming to do and is achieving under its policies. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts to employment recovery, as the United States has recently discovered. The shortcuts which are advocated today by the Opposition are shortcuts back to the chaos of 1973-74. There are no realistic alternatives to pursuing steadily and determinedly the reestablishment of the fundamental pre-conditions of economic growth. If we are to restore healthy employment growth we must beat back inflation. I do not think even the honourable member for Gellibrand (Mr Willis) would deny that. We must restore profitability of new investments, and I do not think even the honourable member would deny that. We must keep Government expenditure and the money supply under firm control. Again, I do not believe even he would deny that. We must increase business and consumer confidence, improve our balance of trade and maintain firm and predictable management of the economy. In that way and that way alone will we improve capacity utilisation, increase investment and see firm and strong growth in employment opportunities. The Government’s economic strategy is showing ever increasing signs that it is correcting the past mistakes that I have mentioned. There has been a cost in terms of the loss of more rapid employment recovery. There has been a human cost in terms of the people who are presently unemployed, but I lay that cost very clearly and very deliberately at the feet of the Whitiam Labor years- a cost for the past errors in economic management.

We all know that to heal a wound without some hurt and some loss of blood is impossible. There is the tempting path of increasing activity levels through increased Government spending, but on closer examination that can be seen to be an irresponsible way which no Government concerned for the medium and the long term welfare of the community would follow. There would be short term gains but these would be only short term. There would be a worsening of our situation in the labour market in the medium term. It is true that unemployment has increased since 1975. The figures show it. Nobody can deny it. Clearly this situation has its origins in the mismanagement of 1974. It is the extent of this mismanagement and the extreme inflationary pressures which were established by the previous Labor Government which have taken time to rectify. The most difficult part of the task is behind us. In the last three years the decline in the economy was first arrested and then the conditions for recovery established. There are now a number of firm indications that the recovery is under way.

I do not think the honourable gentleman who proposed this matter of public importance would disagree with his leader that the economy is recovering. Would you? I do not think you would. Farm income is well up flowing from excellent seasonal conditions throughout Australia and generally favourable overseas markets; it could be 80 per cent higher this financial year than it was last financial year. The benefits will have a positive impact on the economy during the months ahead and the Bureau of Agricultural Economics has estimated that farm income could contribute nearly two per cent to gross national product in 1978-79. The ANZ Bank’s index of factory production has also grown in the last quarter to November. Manufacturing industry employment in November has grown by 4,700 persons, the largest increase since December 1973. Civilian employment has risen in seasonally adjusted terms in each of the five months to November 1978. It is also heartening to see that a major part of the growth came from private employment, 14,900 jobs in the three months to the end of November compared with 9,200 jobs in the public sector. Again, if there is one thing which the Opposition needs to learnwhich we in Government acknowledge- it is that employment growth must come from the private sector. We have this clear sign that civilian employment is rising, and in such a significant area as manufacturing industry for the first time since December 1973.

I could also mention other encouraging indicators such as a seasonally adjusted increase in retail sales of 4.4 per cent in December. New dwelling construction has also been buoyant over the last few months with approvals growing by 10.8 per cent during the December quarter compared with the September quarter. I am also encouraged by the considerably more optimistic view being taken by businessmen of economic prospects for 1979. From my conversations with businessmen I find a much more optimistic note throughout the business sector. Indeed, the Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of investment intentions suggests that investments by business could be almost a third larger in the December quarter 1978 when compared with the previous year. There are also signs within the Commonwealth Employment Service vacancy figures that there has been a change in trend. The January figures indicate a more favourable trend on the vacancy side. The increase in January 1 979 is the largest increase in January of recent years; the stock of unfilled vacancies was marginally higher than in January 1978 whereas in the three preceding years there had been substantial falls each January. Similarly, the trend for new vacancies notified to the CES shows a more heartening picture. In January 1979 the total was significantly above the level of January 1978 and was the highest for any January since 1974.

These are all signs of economic growth and of growth of production. They are all signs of an improvement in the labour market. In other words, that constantly depressing trend that we saw throughout the Labor years, continuing after this Government came to office, has all the appearance of having been arrested and turning in the direction to which the Government’s economic strategy was aiming. This does not mean that unemployment will be dealt with overnight. It means that our long hard haul will continue through 1979. It means that this year is a critical year and it means also that unions must act with the kind of restraint and responsibility which the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Hayden) has asked for. Employers must take the opportunity which 1979 will give them.

Mr HOWE:
Batman

– I remind the House that the change that took place in relation to the employment portfolio stemmed from the honesty of the previous Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, the present Minister for Industrial Relations (Mr Street). I think everyone will agree that he is a reasonable man. He started to talk to the officers in his Department and to listen to the kind of arguments that they developed. Those arguments convinced that Minister it was time to go into the Cabinet room and into this Parliament and speak the truth. Honourable members opposite can cite a few statistics. But they are always the favourable statistics, always the statistics that the Government can interpret in some way to try to tell the Australian people that a very serious problem, the most serious problem during the last 50 years of Australia’s history, is beginning to turn the corner. They do this rather than grapple seriously with the problem. The reason the present Minister for Industrial Relations is not replying to the debate from the table today is that he was beginning to grapple seriously with this problem.

People who are listening to the parliamentary broadcast today ought to know that there are only two honourable members sitting on the Government side of the House to discuss the issue of the 500,000 people who are unemployed, the worst unemployment in the post-war history of this Government. Yet Government members cannot even come into the House to discuss this matter with members of the Opposition. That is absolutely outrageous and totally reprehensible. It strikes at the basis of parliament as a democratic institution. If, when there are half a million people unemployed and perhaps 250,000 additional people who are unable to find their place within Australian society- we know how important employment is in terms of identity- the matter cannot be discussed by more than a single member on the Government front bench and with no more than two members on the Government side in the House, what the hell are we doing here? There is no point in our coming into the Parliament to chatter about the most serious matter in recent Australian history if Government members simply desert the House because the Government is not prepared to face up to the realities of the statistics.

The Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs (Mr Viner) can clutch at a figure here and a figure there. But, as the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) used to say, the runs are on the board. There are 490,000 people who cannot get jobs in Australia and who are becoming increasingly angry about it. I will not say to the people who are unemployed in my electorate, You ought not to be angry.’ I will not say to them, ‘Why do you not join a voluntary community service scheme and receive your unemployment benefits while working for some organisation that you have no time for but with which perhaps the Minister would like to ingratiate himself? I will not say to people that they ought to be working under the Community Youth Support scheme when I know that that scheme can offer nothing but tea and bickies This is a government which is introducing policies based on absolute trivia. One becomes very amused when Government members talk about Labor’s record, when they talk about what may have happened and about what may have been the basic and root causes of unemployment. This is a government which is not interested in serious analysis. For three years the Prime Minister and his Ministers have thought that all they need to do is repeat the unemployment figures of 1974 and 1975. We are well aware of those figures. At the time we took them seriously. One hopes that the implication of the Minister’s remarks today is that he sees the graveness and the critical nature of the unemployment situation in Australia.

But I might say that when one looks at the programs that he is talking about, at the kind of analysis that he is undertaking and at the absence of research being done into the problems of employment in this country, one wonders very much whether this Minister is here to do anything more than apply a cosmetic touch. He sold the Aboriginal people at Oenpelli down the drain. I believe he has been appointed Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs to do a con job on a problem that ought to be discussed seriously in this Parliament and tackled in a serious way by this Government. After all, at the moment the best part of $ 1,200m of the taxpayers’ money is simply going out of the Government treasury to support people at a very basic subsistence level. Not a cent is being spent by this Government on job creation programs. As the honourable member for Port Adelaide (Mr Young) said, this Government does not want to talk about job creation programs. This Government does not want to know if the American Government has had success in creating jobs. It says that that is a different situation.

All the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have sought, in one way or another, to stimulate job creation programs. However, the Australian Government has sought to avoid that situation within the Australian economy.

The Minister made an implicit attack on the wage and salary earners of this country. He said that one man’s wage increase costs another man his job and that the people who received thenpay increases at Christmas time ought to be ashamed. He said that they should be ashamed of the 4 per cent pay increase they were receiving because they were taking jobs away from people who were unemployed. What arrant nonsense; what rubbish! What sort of economics is it to suggest that unemployment is simply caused by the level of wages. Does the Government think that members of the Opposition will come into the Parliament and listen to that kind of trash all through this year in the way we have heard it for the last three years? We will not. We will ask the Government and its spokesmen at least to make some serious analysis of the position and to look at the relationship, not simply between wages and employment, but between all the other factors. When Mr Jackson looked at manufacturing industry and saw the crisis that occurred in it, he did not single out wages as being the basis of the whole crisis. He looked at a whole range of problems that were afflicting employment in that industry. When one looks at the kind of management that has been associated with recent company crashes in this country and the identification of that management with the Liberal Party of Australia, one wonders very much how that party can bring people in to talk about running the nation’s economy. They cannot even run finance companies.

Mr Holding:

– Or Computicket.

Mr HOWE:

-Or Computicket. Quite right. It seems to me that the Government has a responsibility and that this Parliament has a right to hear about serious analysis. The Minister spoke about the failure of the Opposition to come up with alternative policies and its failure to be constructive. I remember the Prime Minister, who was Leader of the Opposition at the time, being interviewed, I think on the television program Monday Conference. He was asked what policies he would pursue and what he would suggest the then Government ought to be doing. The present Prime Minister refused to do that. He said that it was not the Opposition’s business to suggest alternatives. But that is not the way this Opposition has been approaching the economy and unemployment. When the last Budget was brought down we produced an alternative budget. We suggested a series of measures that could have been taken to reduce the incredible levels of unemployment during the current year. We put forward those proposals and the Prime Minister had a great deal of fun playing with the figures we had produced, even though at the time he was Leader of the Opposition he would not do this. He said, ‘When I get control of the Treasury and the Reserve Bank I will tell you what I am going to do’. But this Opposition has not done that. We have tried to say what ought to be done.

I will refer to some of the things we have suggested. We have certainly talked about the need for a mild economic stimulus. We have not simply talked about the need to expand the public sector ad infinitum, although the Minister was not really able to suggest what exactly was wrong with expanding the public sector or to say anything about whether such a move might be appropriate or inappropriate. A whole series of other measures clearly needs to be implemented. As far as this Government is concerned, manpower planning is simply non-existent. Members of the Opposition have been saying that we need manpower planning in this country. We need research. We need to understand something about the reasons, not simply for unemployment in general, but also why unemployment in particular groups of people is higher than in other groups of people. We need to know much more about unemployment of women. We need to know much more about employment in regional areas. We need to know much more about how unemployment is affecting particular occupational groups. But one sees no sign of that kind of discussion occurring within the Government, or of background research being done that might illuminate those problems. All one sees in terms of the Government’s policy on unemployment is a hope, a wish, that somehow, some day, things will be better and until then honourable members opposite can always blame the Labor Government. For the next 10, 15 or 25 years they will refer to the situation that prevailed in 1974. 1 believe that working people and people who are unemployed will remember this Government for more than 25 years for its attitude to the unemployed.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Millar)Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

-I am delighted to be participating in the debate on this the first matter of public importance to be considered in the 1 979 parliamentary year.

Mr West:

– There are not many of your colleagues listening to you.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

-Can I say to the people on the other side of the chamber, who have spoken the greatest load of rubbish -

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I rise on a point of order.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr MillarOrder! The honourable member for Brisbane will resume his seat.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– This is a matter for urgent consideration but there are only four Government members in the House. I draw your attention to the state of the House.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

-That is just the most stupid thing I have heard for some time. (Quorum formed). It disappoints me greatly that on a matter of public importance, the first to be discussed by the House in 1979, we have a situation, the true facts of which are just not realised by the members of the Labor Party themselves. I suggest that they read an item in today’s Age headed, ‘ALP chief disagrees with view on jobless’, from which I would like to quote briefly, as follows:

The Federal president of the ALP, Mr Neil Batt - who is still, I hope, the president of that organisation:

. provided a refreshingly optimistic approach to the problem of unemployment in an Australia Computer Society debate last week in what was otherwise an evening of gloom-mongering.

Mr Batt attacked the motion that computers had caused widespread unemployment.

He said he didn’t believe the present situation was more difficult for young people than the problems their grandparents had faced.

He stressed that unemployment was not unusual in the world saying that people should not take pleasure in seeing it as insoluble.

He said Australia had the capacity to overcome the unemployment problem as it had overcome other problems.

That was a very positive statement by the president of that organisation, in contrast to the critical, negative and narrow approach that has been demonstrated by the two speakers from the Opposition side, who have shown a complete lack of concern for the unemployed of this country. The only proposal that Opposition members have been able to suggest, during the few short months of the recess, has been a series of measures which would in fact increase unemployment as Labor was successful in doing when it was in government between 1972 and 1975. 1 am really and truly amazed. The facts and figures that they refuse to accept are clearly available, in black and white.

In 1974, 80,000 people were unemployed, but within a very short period thereafter more than 200,000 people were unemployed. That came about, as a result of the actions of a person who had purported at one stage while in Opposition to be a spokesman for manufacturing industry, by the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff cut, which destroyed a number of working men’s jobs. During the same period Government expenditure increased out of all proportion. This, allied with the wages explosion, which industry could not afford, resulted in profits being cut. As a result, between November 1974 and November 1975 some 134,000 fewer jobs representing a decrease of 1 1 per cent were available in manufacturing. In the construction industry, there were 51,000 fewer jobs, a decrease of 13 per cent. This was the mess, the disaster, created by the ineptitude of a government which purported to have the support of the people of Australia. I am pleased to have been elected to this Parliament in 1975, and subsequently reelected, by genuine people who were sick and tired of a group of socialists who did not know what they were talking about.

In contrast, what has this Government done? It has spent $200m of taxpayers’ money on, not one scheme, such as the Regional Employment Development scheme which failed and which Labor threw out, but on eight major programs, which has assisted in finding employment for more than 400,000 people. I refer to the Special Youth Employment Training Program, the National Employment and Training scheme and a whole series of other programs which have worked magnificently and, quite frankly, beyond the expectations of a number of people, including Ministers, on this side of the chamber. The Government has continued to provide that support. It has not withdrawn it simply because the programs have become a bit expensive. We are genuinely concerned about the welfare of the people and will continue to be.

Honourable members opposite fail to realise just what is happening in Australia. Recently I read a report on the stock exchanges of Australia which indicated that 1978 was the most successful year that they had had for some 20 years.

Mr Young:

– Tell us about Harry Miller, Sir Cecil Looker and Sir Henry Bolte. Tell us about them.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– That has meant that in the manufacturing industry employment has risen by 4,700, the largest increase since 1973.

Mr Young:

– Reg Ansett has brains; he dipped out.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr MillarOrder! The honourable member for Port Adelaide will remain silent.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

-Mr Speaker, that sort of verbige does not worry me one little bit. Employment in the construction industry is up by more than 10.8 per cent. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that full-time employment is up by more than 16,000. That is a start. The only thing you blokes opposite did in 1972 was increase unemployment, inflation and the cost of purchasing a home. This Government has reduced interest rates. Whether Opposition members like it or not, that is a fact of life; it is true. We have more people on overtime than ever before. Overtime has risen in each of the last five months. According to Commonwealth Employment Service figures, unfilled vacancies total 24,929, an increase of more than 7,000. The Government has adopted a very positive approach, which is now being reflected, I am pleased to say, in the remarks of some people who purport to be strong supporters of the Australian Labor Party.

I am delighted to note that the New South Wales Government has currently approved the training of SOO people and that an additional 1,000 will be given jobs when they have completed their training. Unfortunately, at present a Labor Government is in control in that State. South Australia also has increased the number of trainees. It too is unfortunately a Labor State, one which has many formidable problems to overcome also. I feel that this House should consider very seriously matters of public importance that come before it. I have heard a tirade of criticism directed at the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) and the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs (Mr Viner) who is at the table. The Prime Minister’s positive approach of giving a degree of responsibility to that Minister is something that I support totally and that I know others on this side will support also.

The Australian Labor Party should realise that it left this Government a mess which, quite frankly, it has taken a lot of hard work by many individuals on this side to remedy. We are achieving that almost impossible task. We are reducing the number of people who are in difficulties in this country. We are giving business people an opportunity to make a profit. I am pleased to remind honourable members opposite that for the December quarter retail sales were up by 4.4 per cent. I understand that the trend has continued into 1979 and I believe that it will continue as it has been in the last few months. This is the sort of thing that members of the Australian Labor Party do not understand. They do not understand that unless one has a profit it cannot be taxed. Unless we give people confidence to invest further in their manufacturing plants and thus employ more people, unemployment will not be reduced. We are not a government which operates on effect, but rather on the cause of a problem. The Labor Party is very good at coming up with schemes for solving effectproblems. However, when one looks at the cost one sees that they are unrealistic. When one looks at the situation which obtained in this country in 1975 and compares it with the situation early in 1 979, one sees a broad area of confidence emerging, one that is reflected in the financial pages of this country, as well as in increased profits.

I am pleased to be one who has spoken on the Government side in this debate, if only to ensure that with our type of approach and politics we will continue to achieve that degree of confidence within the manufacturing industries, a confidence whose effects will flow right through the economy.

I was delighted also to see that, for the December quarter, net farm income was up by a further 17V4 per cent. I believe that trend will continue throughout 1979. All these are positive things- things which are happening. I am a member of a government that is deeply concerned about unemployed people and I want to help promote any scheme brought forward to assist them, even any worthwhile scheme that comes from the Opposition. Unfortunately, in three years in this Parliament I have yet to hear anything worth while or even remotely constructive come from the Opposition benches. In future honourable members opposite should think twice before they stand up and bring to the attention of the Australian people their complete ineptitude and failure to understand what is going on in Australia today.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr MillarOrder! The honourable member’s time has expired. The discussion has concluded.

page 32

TARIFF PROPOSALS

Mr FIFE:
Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs · Farrer · LP

– I move:

Customs Tariffproposals Nos 1 to 12 ( 1979)

The Customs Tariff Proposals I have just tabled relate to proposed alterations to the Customs Tariff Act 1966. Proposals Nos 1-9 formally place before Parliament, as required by law, tariff changes introduced by Gazette notices during the last recess. The changes contained in Proposals Nos 1 and 2 are of an administrative nature and designed to clarify the tariff position in respect of dental suction apparatus and sublimation transfer printing paper. Proposals Nos 3 to 5 and 7 to 8 implement the Government’s decision on the following reports by the Industries Assistance Commission:

Fisheries and Fish Processing IndustryProposals No. 3

Jewellery and Other Precious Metal Ware et cetera- Proposals No. 4

Timber and Timber Products and Plywood and Veneer- Proposals No. 5

Inks- Proposals No. 7

Injection or Puncture Needles- Proposals No. 8

The changes contained in Proposals No. 6 arose from the cessation of import restrictions on certain files and rasps on and from 1 January 1979. The Proposals also contain an administrative change to correct an anomaly in the rates of duty applying to certain net fabrics. The changes contained in Proposals No. 9 arose from implementation on 18 February 1977 of the Government’s decision on the report by the Industries Assistance Commission on Copper Foil; and Primary Shapes Produced by Rolling, Drawing, Extruding of Non-Ferrous Metals. The decision provided that rates of duty applying to certain metal products would be reduced after two years. The changes in these Proposals give effect to that decision.

Proposals No. 10 contain changes arising from the Government’s decision on orange juice and cognac brandies. The current rate of duty applying to imports of orange juice- 65 per cent- is to continue, pending final consideration by the Government of the report by the Industries Assistance Commission on the Citrus Industry. In respect of cognac brandies the Government has decided to exempt brandies, certified by the proper authority to be cognac brandies, from the short term assistance measures presently applying to other grape brandies. The new duties are to operate on and from 22 February 1979. The change contained in Proposals No. 1 1 results from the Government’s decision on the report by the Industries Assistance Commission on Certain Paper and Paperboard. The effect of the change is to apply a duty rate of 20 per cent to certain uncoated paper and paperboard. This change operates from tomorrow.

Proposals No. 12, which also operate from tomorrow, implement the Government’s decision on the report by the Industries Assistance Commission on Umbrellas, Sunshades, et cetera and Parts Therefor. The effect of the decision is that umbrellas, sunshades and certain parts will be dutiable at 30 per cent. Textile covers, cases and trimmings will continue to be dutiable at 30 per cent general and 19 per cent preferential. Proposals No. 12 also contain a new note to chapter 61 of the Customs Tariff Act to more clearly define waist encircling undergarments considered to be the like of corsets. A comprehensive summary setting out the nature of the change to duty rates contained in Proposals Nos 3 to 9, 1 1 and 12 has been prepared and is being circulated to honourable members. I commend the Proposals to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Morris) adjourned.

page 33

TARIFF PROPOSALS

Discharge of items

Mr FIFE (Farrer- Minister for Business and

Consumer Affairs)- I ask for leave of the House to move a motion to discharge certain tariff proposals which were moved last year and which constitute Order of the Day No. 29. These proposals were incorporated in the Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 4) 1978 and the Excise Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978 which have now been assented to.

Leave granted.

Motion (by Mr Fife) agreed to:

That the following tariff proposals, constituting Order of the Day No. 29, Government Business, be discharged:

Customs TariffProsposals Nos. 13 to 29 ( 1 978).

Excise TariffProposals Nos. 2 and 3 ( 1 978).

page 33

STATES GRANTS (URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT) AMENDMENT BILL 1978

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 9 November, on motion by Mr Nixon:

That the Bill be now read a second time.

Mr MORRIS:
Shortland

-This Bill amends the principal Act, the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1978, and defers the allocation of $20m in 1978-79 and $5m in 1979-80 which would otherwise have been available under existing section 8. The $25m thus deferred will be included in the amended schedule to the Act for the final three years from 1980-81 to 1982-83. Honourable members will recall that the original legislation included provision of $200m at the rate of $40m per annum over the period 1978-79 to 1982-83. Allocations were to be made between the States as set out in the Schedule to the Act. Provision was made under section 8 of $100m at the rate of $20m per annum for allocation between the States on the basis of needs. The present Bill reduces the proportion to be allocated on a needs basis and increases the eventual allocation under the Schedule to the Act to a total of $225m. This amount will be distributed to the States in the same proportion as envisaged in the original Act.

The Opposition does not oppose the Bill, but I foreshadow moving at a later stage an amendment outlining our disagreement with the Governments ‘s proposal. The substance of the amendment is that the proposed reduction in funds to the States will seriously disrupt the provision of improved public transport facilities and that this action is inconsistent with the development of urban public transport as an essential part of a national energy policy for Australia. The second reading speech of the Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) contained two errors which, in the interest of the accuracy of the Hansard record, should be drawn to the attention of the House. Firstly, the Minister said that under section 8 $800m would be provided at the rate of $200m per annum. I am sure that that amount of $200m per annum should have been $20m per annum. I took the liberty of interpreting it that way a few moments ago. Furthermore, the Minister remarked that of the $75m still to be distributed according to needs, $15m would be available in 1978-79. As the point of this Bill is to defer any allocation on a needs basis this financial year, I assume that the Minister meant that these funds were to be handed over in 1979-80. The errors no doubt reflect the deep-seated malaise and low morale that exists in the Department of Transport under this conservative Government.

The Minister stated in his second reading speech that ‘wider Budget considerations’ were responsible for the cutbacks since 1978-79 and 1979-80. Although the States have been promised the deferred funds later on, what guarantee do we have that this promise will be kept? Will it also be broken like so many others have been broken by this present Government? We recall the promise to retain Medibank, the promise to provide legal aid to those in need and the promise to creat jobs for all those who genuinely sought employment. During the 1977 general election campaign the Minister for Transport promised to provide $70m over five years for main line railway upgrading. This year the States are to receive a mere pittance of $3m for this project. This is far from being an encouraging start and it is certainly one that will not inspire the States to plan future transport improvements with confidence. It certainly will not give them any confidence at all that this Government is likely to honour its election commitments. There is no guarantee whatsoever that ‘wider Budget considerations’, as mentioned by the Minister, will not again force the Minister to amend this legislation next year, further reducing the funds originally promised.

In a recent article entitled “The Budget and the Economy 1978-79’, the Australian Economic Review remarked that the already gloomy expectations regarding the likelihood of economic recovery in the near future had to be revised in light of the current Budget. The article concluded:

Thus we expect that on present policies, the economy will develop significant contractionary impetus during 1979.

Again this is not an encouraging prospect for the States which are asked to accept lower funds in the light of these so-called ‘wider Budget considerations’. Later in the Minister’s second reading speech he stated:

The 1978 Act therefore reflects this Government’s support for urban public transport improvements.

Let me remind the House that the Act introduced in April last year was a down-graded version of the Whitlam Labor Government’s pioneer legislation of 1974. To date, every major project funded by the Commonwealth Government owes its origin to Labor’s initiatives in urban public transport. This is no better illustrated than by reference to the Minister’s own Press releases on urban public transport. On 3 September last, the Minister released a statement which read in part:

Mr Nixon said that the bulk of the funds going to New South Wales in 1978-79 would be used to continue the substantial assistance provided by the Commonwealth towards new rolling stock for the Sydney suburban railway system.

The statement went on to say that signalling improvements at Sydney station and construction of the Meadowbank Bridge were ‘substantially completed under the five year Urban Public Transport Agreement’. Similarly statements issued on 21 September of last year referring to Victoria and Queensland contain the implicit admission that no new projects had been approved. Funds to Victoria were for the acquisition of rail and tram rolling stock and for the completion of duplication of the Macleod-Greensborough railway Une, whilst those for Queensland primarily went towards completion of the cross 7 river link and suburban electrification- but only of the

Ferny Grove to Dana line. All the projects approved by the Minister for Transport in 1 978-79, a statement admits, were commenced with Commonwealth assistance under the previous Labor Government’s urban public transport assistance program.

Obviously there are numerous projects in addition to those which would benefit from an injection of Commonwealth funds. The Macleod to Greensborough line is not the only route in Melbourne where duplication could enable faster and more frequent services. Many lines would benefit from the provision of a third track. Nor is the Ferny Grove to Darra line in Brisbane the only route capable of electrification. But not only has the Government not approved any projects other than those commenced under a Labor Government administration, but also it has presided over a progressive whittling away of funding for existing projects. Before the Australian Labor Party came to power in 1972 it committed itself to the support of urban public transport projects that would have cost, in round terms, some $500m. Under the 1974 Urban Public Transport Act, around $130m was appropriated by the then Federal Labor Government for the States’ in 1973 and 1974 programs. The fact that the States spent only $79m on urban public transport to the end of 1975 was not a reflection on the then Federal Government, but rather a reflection on the non-co-operation of conservative State governments and the long lead in times involved for major urban public transport projects. Thus the comparison in the Minister’s speech of the $300m provided for in the present Bill, the principal Act and the amending legislation before us, and that actually spent under the Whitlam Government’s legislation is not a fair one. By mid- 1976 only about half of the New South Wales allocation had been spent- and this on a public transport system that had been chronically starved of funds. The present proposal looks poorly indeed when placed beside the $500m offered by the then Labor Government, and not much better when compared with the $334m hurriedly promised by the McMahon Government way back in 1 972.

The $40m proposed in this Bill for 1978-79 represents a fall of $9m in cash terms over the 1977-78 level of expenditure. In real terms, this means a decline of 24 per cent on the allocation for 1977-78 and a massive decline of 46.2 per cent on that allocated for 1976-77. Under these circumstances, that any real progress is made by the States in upgrading their public transport systems is due to the extent that they have been forced to rely on their own resources rather than on any general recognition or generosity on the part of this Government. For 1978-79 the Commonwealth is making available to New South Wales the equivalent of only 6.76 per cent- less than 7 per cent- of what will be the total urban public transport spending by that State in this year. That does not take into account the large outlay that that State will incur in funding its public transport deficit. This Government usually attempts to justify the imposition of such a burden on the States by reference to its coercive Federalism’ policies. When I spoke in the debate on the principal Urban Public Transport Bill in April of last year I criticised the retention by the Minister for Transport of control over the $20m per annum to be distributed according to need. Mr Deputy Speaker, you may remember that at the time I made the point that it would put the Minister in a position of patronage, giving special treatment to ‘favoured sons’ among the States. But apart from the opportunity it afforded for patronage of favoured State governments by the Minister, it limited the States’ ability to control the allocation of Commonwealth grantsand this Bill is evidence of the Fraser Government’s abandonment of its undertaking for 1978-79 funding on a needs basis.

The States, in consultation with the Commonwealth have made it clear that they want approvals for programs rather than projects and block grants with minimal Commonwealth involvement in the detailed administration of the schemes. Unfortunately also any provision for escalation of funds in line with inflation is still lacking. The Government has introduced a form of indexation of road grants allocations, but it has not seen fit to extend this provision to urban public transport funding. The Minister indicated to the States, in response to requests for provision for cost escalation, that the States could make estimates for cost escalation of projects and include these in their original estimates. I recall that during the debate on the principal Act in April of last year I asked that that matter be drawn to the attention of the Auditor-General because I believe that, under any system of proper and responsible administration, for the Minister to encourage the recipient States to inflate or to pad their urban transport proposals in expectation of some future rate of inflation and to present those padded estimates as being costs of the projects was not the way in which to handle public funds. I hope that the Auditor-General and the Department of the Treasury have had an opportunity to look at that matter.

But returning to the funding provided under this amending legislation of the principal Act, it is evident that by the dme the States get thenfunding on a needs basis for 1979-80 to 1982-83, real purchasing power will be considerably less than it is today. Whilst inflation may have fallen somewhat, at a huge cost in human terms through unemployment and the effects of cuts in this and other areas of Federal responsibility, it is highly unlikely that anything better than a rate of inflation of 9 per cent to 10 per cent can be expected during the life of this legislation. The costs of this short-sighted miserliness especially in an area such as public transport where long lead-in times are typical are enormous. The Minister concluded his second reading speech with the words:

This Bill maintains the Government’s longer term support for urban public transport, while meeting the current need for financial restraint.

That is utter nonsense. The Minister should be aware that, in transport investment, short term cuts have long term repercussions. History illustrates this well enough. In Victoria due to the perceived need for financial restraint during the years of the Great Depression virtually no money was spent on maintenance and capital replacement for the State railways. No new electric trains were contracted after the mid- 1920s. Following a further period of financial stringency imposed by the Second World War, systematic rolling stock construction was only recommenced in 1956. The result was degradation of the services provided and unnecessarily higher costs in implementing improvements when eventually those improvements and upgradings had to be carried out. Then, as now, if such a budgetary policy were likely to result in the nation’s recovery from recession financial stringency would perhaps be easy to accept and certainly easy to understand. But just as the fiscal policies of the 1930s served only to heighten the misery of the unemployed and prolong the depression so they will today.

It seems that conservative governments are extremely slow to learn. Their financial policies are based on old fashioned ideology rather than on a recognition of the medium to long term needs of our nation. Much of that ideology centres on myths on the level of public expenditure in Australia- myths that have been exposed as inaccurate by a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development entitled ‘Report on Public Expenditure Trends’. That report shows that the proportion of public expenditure to gross domestic product over the three years 1974 to 1976 averaged 32.8 per cent in Australia compared with an OECD average of 41.4 per cent. The report shows that total public expenditure was less only in Japan and Spain than it was in Australia. Those were the only two nations in which public expenditure was less than in Australia. Japan spent 25. 1 per cent and Spain spent 25.3 per cent.

Mr Sainsbury:

– Which year was this?

Mr MORRIS:

-It was the three years from 1974 to 1976. In all countries with which Australia is comparable a higher proportion of gross domestic product was used for public expenditure. For example, Canada spent 39.4 per cent; West Germany spent 44 per cent; the Netherlands spent 53.9 per cent; Sweden spent 5 1.7 per cent; the United Kingdom spent 44.5 per cent; and the United States spent 35.1 per cent. Government spending increased in all OECD countries during the last 15 years. Let us compare what has happened in Australia with what has happened in those nations. As a proportion of gross domestic product, public expenditure in Australia in 1962 was 24 per cent. It rose to 32 per cent in 1975. In the United States, the figure rose from 29.5 per cent to 34 per cent. In Germany it rose from 33.6 per cent to 42 per cent. In the United Kingdom it rose from 34.2 per cent to 44.4 per cent. In more recent years, 1974-75 the share of gross domestic product going to urban public transport expenditure in this country, including transport planning and research, was 0.08 per cent. That figure has declined to 0.07 per cent in 1977-78- a substantial decline. We can safely assume that in the current year, 1978-79, because of the financial stringency and slashing of public expenditure there will be a further reduction still in the share of gross domestic product going to urban public transport.

The years of neglect of urban public transport, a disease that the Whitlam Government sought to correct in 1974, provide commuters, those people who have to use the services in their existing condition, with a daily reminder of the effects of Government penny pinching. Mr Alan Reiher, the Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales Public Transport Commission, in his 1978 James N. Kirby Award address disclosed the effects of years of financial neglect on Sydney’s public transport system. Of the 1,190 metropolitan passenger rail cars then in service, 520 were 35 years old. About 480 were over 50 years old. Train delays due to equipment failure were about 1,500 per month, rising to 2,000 per month in periods of wet weather. The rate of failure in metropolitan rail cars had risen to 20 times the rate existing 10 years previously. Similarly, of the 1,700 buses in the PTC’S fleet it had not been unusual to have 300 to 350 out of service daily.

That meant that sometimes almost 20 per cent of the bus fleet was out of action. Massive funding is obviously required even to maintain the quality of service, let alone to make any advance towards a really competitive public transport system.

The need for a forward looking approach to urban public transport funding is all the more urgent today than it was during the 1930s in the light of the need to adopt more energy efficient means of moving people in our cities. We simply cannot afford to allow a supposed need for financial restraint to deflect us from the provision of practical alternatives to the motor car in urban areas. That such petty budgetary measures are the cause of human misery today makes the present Government’s policies all the more absurd. Furthermore, the Government cannot use the excuse that the funds are not available.

As a result of its import parity pricing policy on liquid fuels, a policy which is supposed to promote conservation of liquid energy supplies, the Treasury will collect an extra $680m from motorists this year. The motorist is always a good gain to this Government. At the same time the Gippsland and Barrow Island oil producing groups may expect to receive a combined windfall gain of around $340m. Together the total windfall gains are just in excess of $ 1,000m. This money is being stripped from the motorist, from the low income earners who have to use motor cars because they do not have any choice and from all those people who will not have any alternative under the policies of this Government. Next year those two oil producers may expect to receive $460m. In 1981 they may expect to receive $580m. As this windfall is ostensibly to encourage the search for oil it is encumbent upon the Federal Government to ensure that the windfall is used for exploration and not remitted overseas. Nor is it too much to ask that the Government’s share of the excise increase be devoted to road and public transport improvements as conservation measures.

The honourable member for Herbert (Mr Dean) speaking to the States Grants (Roads) Amendment Bill last year reminded us that fuel excise or the fuel tax component in the price of petrol has traditionally been regarded as a general revenue measure and that therefore it is not enough to say that because we are taking more money through tax we should spend more money directly in favour of the motorist. Such taxes, he concluded, have to be seen in the context of the Budget as a whole. I am sure that motorists will understand that when the Government takes $ 1,020m extra from them this year. Is it not a most pressing budgetary requirement to conserve fuel and reduce our dependence on Australia’s finite oil reserves? Mr C. W. Freeland of the Department of Transport told the International Road Federation Australasian Road Conference last year that 61 per cent of our primary oil requirements went to transport in 1975. This figure was higher than for any other OECD country. It was higher than the United States of America where the figure was 53.3 per cent. Furthermore, in 1976 transport used 37 per cent of energy consumed in Australia. In 1975 transportation was 99 per cent dependent on petroleum fuels, the remaining one per cent being accounted for mainly by electric trains and trams.

By 1985 it is expected that 50 per cent of our oil supplies will be imported and that this will result in an import bill, based on current prices, of more than $2, 000m compared with $800m in 1975-76. In Mr Freeland ‘s words, it appears that transport technology will need to be developed to use other energy forms but this will require a commitment by both government and private sectors to support research and development of new transport fuels and new vehicle technology, such as electric cars, as well as encouragement of traffic management, para-transit and public transport programs.

There is absolutely no sense in hitting the Australian motorist with higher petrol prices while none of these alternative strategies are pursued in anything but a casual style by the Commonwealth Government. Unless a positive approach is adopted to transportation research, development and planning, the latest fuel price increases will turn out to be nothing more than another attack by the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) and Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Anthony) on the more defenceless members of our community. What practical alternative to the motor car as a means of transport have the inhabitants of low income, outer suburbs such as Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, Dandenong, Frankston, Sunshine or Broadmeadows in Melbourne, or Cabramatta, Liverpool and Fairfield in Sydney? Honourable members need only stand by the gate of any factory in those suburbs during a change of shifts to witness how vital the car is to the people who live and work there.

On the other hand, people on higher incomes in suburbs where public transport is poor have no alternative either, but at least they are better equipped to pay the price. Both the husband and wife may have cars and maybe they can afford to run them as frequently as they wish, but it is grossly unfair to hit the only means of conveyance available to lower income earners whilst providing no alternative transport services. Another group which has no alternative to private transport comprises those who live in rural areas. Access to cars, trucks and tractors is nowhere more vital than in the country. It is here that alternatives seem to be hardest to find. Surely then we should be urgently researching alternative fuels for use in rural areas which, despite the vast structural changes in our economy since the War, still provide a substantial part of our national wealth. We should also be ensuring that as many commuters as possible are won to public transport in order to conserve liquid fuels for those who most urgently require them. As was put to the Environmental Studies Centre at Adelaide University last year, conservation measures, including price increases, efficient vehicle production, intermodal transfers and electric propulsion, can make a substantial contribution by 1990 provided a concerted effort is made now.

It seems that the Government is gambling on paying for future energy imports by the sale overseas of our energy resources, especially coal and uranium. This is a gamble indeed, for if such sales are not up to expectations, within five or six years Australia may face a double crisis- an energy shortage for transport and a severe balance of payments problem. That public transport is more energy efficient than the private motor car is well known. Figures relating to energy intensiveness of various modes of Australian passenger transport were presented to a UNESCO Symposium on Energy and How We Live in 1973 and they showed that per passenger kilometre walking consumes 145 kiloiules, cycling consumes 85 to 105 kilojoules, while trams account for 1,250 kilojoules, buses 1,340 kilojoules and trains 1,050 kilojoules, the lowest figure other than that for walking and cycling. Cars, on the other hand require 3,770 kilojoules per passenger kilometre while aeroplanes consume 5,230 kilojoules. Cars, therefore, require roughly three times the amount of energy as either trains, buses or trams, their nearest competitors at present. Furthermore, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation tells us that the average car spends only about three per cent of its life in motion and uses more energy in moving its own bulk than in moving its occupants.

That there is public support for the improvement of urban public transport services is evidenced by the results in the last two New South Wales elections in which major improvements to public transport was an important issue. Added to that are the results of a poll of 1000 Melbournians published by the Melbourne Age on 9 September 1978. It showed that 77 per cent of those polled believed that improving public transport would be a better solution to transport problems than building a freeway network. Only 20 per cent thought a freeway network would be the better solution of the two. The majority view was well justified although it is true that freeways result in reduced accidents, less pollution and lower fuel consumption per vehicle mile. However, such benefits are negated by the proven tendency for road construction to encourage more traffic and as far back as 1937 there were statistics available to show that that observation is correct.

In the longer term the bridge between private and public transport policy and energy policy has to be the development of appropriate land use strategies. This will require that planning take account of the relationship between transport and urban and regional development to effect optimal land use patterns for the transport systems. In his paper Mr Freeland suggested re-concentration within our cities, increased densities in the central business districts, a revival in radial, high density urban public transport, coupled with short term policies to minimise dependence on and the use of oil, as a preparation for transition in the longer term.

The reduction in funds for urban public transport by this Government exposes the dishonesty of its claim that it is interested in public transport. The related areas of transportation and urban and regional planning are of such critical importance that it is foolhardy to ignore the urgent necessity for adequate funding of current urban public transport projects and planning for the future. Accordingly, I move:

That all words after ‘That’ be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: whilst not opposing the Bill, the House is of the opinion, that-

the Government should be severely criticised for reducing the amounts made available to the States for upgrading of urban public transport in 1978-79 by $20m and in 1979-80 by $5m,

this reduction in funds to the States will seriously disrupt the provision of improved transport faculties, and

this action of the Government is inconsistent with the development of urban public transport as an essential part of a responsible national energy policy for Australia’.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Jenkins:
SCULLIN, VICTORIA

-Is the amendment seconded?

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

– I second the amendment and reserve my right to speak at a later stage.

Mr SAINSBURY:
Monaro · Eden

– This Bill seeks to amend the amount of money to be paid to the States for urban public transport capital works in that it re-adjusts the time when that money will be paid to the States. It appears to be a simple enough amendment. I propose to speak about a number of corollaries of this general thrust in urban public transport, but first I need to answer one or two matters raised by the previous speaker, the honourable member for Shortland (Mr Morris). I was interested to hear what I thought was a sincere speech. Obviously he would like to see, as I would, lots of money made available for all sorts of things so that many of the things that we would like to see happen in this country can happen more quickly. However, I take it he would have enough intelligence to realise that money just does not grow on trees despite the fact that he did say that it is not a matter of the money not being available.

Having made that statement he went on to talk about the proportion of gross domestic product being spent in the public sector. He mentioned, for instance, the level of public expenditure in various countries in the three years 1974 to 1976. I draw his attention to the fact that in Australia when the single decision to introduce the family allowance was made- most of this expenditure did not represent an increase in money going into the community although there was some increase- it obviously immediately increased public expenditure, without any, or with very little, increase in the amount of effective governmental support overall. We believed then, as we do now, that that was a good move in the improvement of equity within the economy, but it was a case of increased public expenditure with, basically, a book entry, given the average effect across the economy. In member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development the movement has been in this direction. The increase in public expenditure has not necessarily been caused by an increase in taxation on new programs such as capital works on urban public transport. It has more often been for use as a transfer of payment.

I was also confused about the view of the honourable member for Shortland on the increases in petrol costs to the Australian motorist this year. He spent quite some time not talking about public transport but talking about private transport and I was very confused about whether he wanted us to raise the alleged extra $680m from motorists through excise. If he did agree with that, did he want us to spend it on urban public transport or did he want us to reduce payments to pensioners?

Mr Morris:

– You have already done that.

Mr SAINSBURY:

– We have not done that at all. But it is a matter of priorities, and it is a matter of making ends meet in the Budget. It is possible as a third alternative that he wanted the money not raised at all, in which case there would not have been so much money for urban public transport or for pensioners. The Australian people have come to recognise that the Government has to get the money from somewhere and this Bill results from a budgetary decision in line with another obvious need in the country to look in a more sensible way at the overall pricing of fossil fuels, which are becoming scarce, which we need more people to look for and which need a certain degree of conservation brought about by a more realistic pricing.

A whole host of other things in the honourable member’s speech were interesting to me, though many of the statistics he gave were, in my view, quite meaningless. In fact, he should have used them in the context of monetary amounts. When someone talks about percentages, sometimes it is very difficult to know what he means. When the honourable member says that about only 6 per cent of the New South Wales funding for public transport came from the Commonwealth by way of tied grants such as those provided for by this legislation I really do not know what that means and I do not think the general public does. I believe that if we are to have a meaningful debate we probably need fewer percentages and fewer statistics and a reasonable explanation of what they mean.

Certainly, however, when the honourable member criticised the problem of inflation eating away the effect of the money that has been allocated, namely $300m over 5 years, he was not, in all sincerity, honest enough to acknowledge that the original legislation of this nature introduced in 1973-74 by the previous Government did not do that either. Of course, at that time inflation was running at a much higher rate than it is at present. I think the average over the years of the Labor Government would indicate that in the first five years of a program inflation would have been running at 1 1 or 12 per cent, which is higher than even the inflated prediction that the honourable member made for the five years of the present program of, I think, 8 or 9 percent.

As I said, there are a whole host of other things which the honourable member said with which I would disagree, but I take up only one final point. He alleged malaise and low morale in the Department of Transport. I would just remind him of my view and the view of most Australian people that money does not necessarily increase morale unless it is accompanied by an ability to pay. If he spoke to the people he alleges to represent so well, namely the more disadvantaged people, he would be reminded of the problems that many people have through being induced into hire purchase contracts.

Mr Morris:

– Are you reflecting on my constituents, the disadvantaged.

Mr SAINSBURY:

– I am reflecting not on the honourable member’s constituents but perhaps on the way he represents them in the sense that he keeps saying in all his speeches that he represents especially disadvantaged people, when disadvantaged people at this stage of Australia’s history clearly need a government that can manage the country and provide the goods that disadvantaged people need.

There is no doubt that this Bill provides for a small drop in real terms in the amount going to urban public transport. There is no debate about the fact that if money is provided at a time later than originally intended then the purchasing effect is normally lessened by inflation. It is quite unclear what sort of drop we are talking about but it was made quite clear in the last Budget that because of budgetary problems there would be a deferment of part of the payments to the States for urban public transport. Certainly, however, there is a move in the time of the present Government towards more and more flexibility going to the States. Less money is being made available in the form of tied grants and more is going into general purpose grants. This is evident in many areas such as health and some road programs. It is a professed priority of this Government to ask the State governments to decide on their own priorities. Sometimes, especially as a representative of country areas, I wonder whether that turns out to be the right course. In most States, governments, especially governments of a Labor colour, seem to have priorities in larger urban areas where, of course, many of the seats represented by Government members are to be found. I will talk about that a little later.

Despite what the honourable member for Shortland mentioned, the 1978 Bill has enabled some new projects to proceed. For instance, he would know that a large proportion of the $14m available to New South Wales this year is going to a new program of upgrading urban rolling stock for passengers. That is a new program; it was not envisaged at this level in 1973-74. But it does concern me that in New South Wales in particular, and my electorate is in New South Wales, the 1 978 Act is not functioning in the way that I believe it was meant to function.

One of the interesting things about the 1978 Act was a change away from what I think is a basic obsession of Labor Party legislation with cities. The States are now at least given some scope to expand the definition of the word urban’. The 1978 Act, and the amendment to it which we are debating now does not change this, defines ‘urban area’ as a number of statistical divisions, including the capital cities, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong and Hobart, but also including ‘an area that is, by virtue of a declaration in force under section 4, an urban area for the purposes of this Act ‘.

In the second reading speech on the 1978 Bill the Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) made it very clear that the guidelines on which he hoped the States would act in this area would be that an urban area could be considered normally as a city or town of 40,000 people or more. I regret that there are no proposals yet coming from the New South Wales Government that look as if they will be able to assist in those areas. I know that there are not very many places with between 40,000 and 100,000 people in New South Wales. In fact, if one goes outside the specifically defined urban areas of Wollongong, Newcastle and Sydney in New South Wales, one cannot find an area with over 40,000 people. But I would like the State Minister to decide that he will give within his priorities a much better deal to the sorts of areas that constitute the big centres in the country areas. Of course, country areas tend to suffer marginally from New South Wales Government decisions and will probably suffer more in future after the proposed redistribution. I hope the State Minister does not forget those areas as he appears to have forgotten them in the past. The Queanbeyan Age of 16 June last year reported the New South Wales Minister for Transport, Mr Cox, as saying in relation to a discussion on the proposed Canberra-Sydney high speed rail link:

We need and expect assistance from the Federal Government in this matter.

Of course this implied- this is always good for headlines- that the Federal Government gave no assistance. The Federal Government is giving assistance under the legislation that we are debating at present. It is up to Mr Cox to decide that some of the money should be spent on the Sydney-Canberra rail link. I believe that at least some of the money should find its way outside Sydney. It does not appear to be doing that at the moment. I would like very soon to hear a statement from Mr Cox that he proposes to help people in other areas.

The Canberra-Sydney rail link goes through much of my electorate including a city called Queanbeyan, which is adjacent to Canberra. I should like to raise a specific question on the spending by the New South Wales Government of the money provided under this Act: Why cannot Queanbeyan be recognised as part of the Canberra metropolitan area? It is in New South Wales so the Commonwealth Government cannot supply money to Queanbeyan as a direct grant. Why cannot Queanbeyan be considered as part of the Canberra metropolitan area so that perhaps some of this money can find its way into Queanbeyan? I ask this not just because of parochialism but because of the special problems involved. Queanbeyan has really difficult public transport problems. There is a local operator who obviously has to work within the bounds of profitability or he cannot stay on forever. It is difficult for him to offer to the public the services that are required at many times.

It is all right to talk about people in Canberra. They have a public transport system. I am not sure whether it is efficient or not, but at least it is a public transport system. It is partly subsidised by Canberra’s state government, as it were, namely the Australian Capital Territory. Surely a cut of the State’s subsidy dollar for the deficit on public transport could be directed to a place such as Queanbeyan that suffered terrifically, especially at the hands of the most irresponsible decisions within Canberra in the past six or seven years. Queanbeyan has suffered in comparison with most other country cities of New South Wales. I believe that as a matter of urgency New South Wales should see Queanbeyan as an urban centre which can easily qualify under the guidelines of the Act for part of this Commonwealth tied assistance for urban public transport.

I believe that it is appropriate for a representative of a country area, as I am, to speak on the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Amendment Bill. I am always mindful of the special funding disadvantages of country areas. Perhaps at times we need to be a bit more open about some of these disadvantages. Perhaps one of the faults in the Australian communication system is that city people do not fully realise the number of subsidies that they get in all sorts of ways. Thankfully the present Government is bent on reducing this imbalance as much as possible. For instance, it is continuing a very good program on national highways that the previous Government introduced. That is helping country people a great deal. It has introduced a substantial reduction in the differential in fuel prices between country and city areas. Of course this flows through to the cost of public transport and private transport in the country.

Hopefully, in the near future according to the Minister, there will be some action. I am not sure how this will occur, but there will be some action on some of the more discriminatory petrol discounting methods of the petrol companies which very much assist places such as Sydney and Melbourne and certainly do not help country areas. The discounting process means that out of the money collected in country areas the discounting in the cities is subsidised. I think that is pretty obvious. As I said, there is a lack of communication between, and a lack of knowledge of the differences between, country and city. I commend to honourable members a program to commence next month known as operation farm link which hopefully will inform many city people of the disadvantages that we have in the country in regards to the use of taxation money.

I summarise that I hope that the disadvantage that country people have in having to pay taxes to subsidise urban public transport deficits in the cities can be ameliorated. I hope that State governments- in particular New South Waleswill wake up that this Bill which we are debating this afternoon allows for assistance for urban public transport in cities of around 40,000 people and perhaps fewer. I hope that in the not too distant future the New South Wales Government will move ahead to spend some money in those areas as it has not done in the past. The people in those areas deserve a cut of the taxation dollar just the same as everybody else in Australia.

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

-Whilst I am always glad to see the Minister for Administrative Services (Mr McLeay) at the table I must say that I take it amiss that the Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) is not with us. It is not just insulting to the Opposition but insulting to the Parliament as a whole that he is not here personally. I am happy to second the amendment moved by the honourable member for Shortland (Mr Morris). The States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Amendment Bill demonstrates the failure of this Government to give public transport sufficiently high priority and its incapacity to grasp that transport is the nexus which links together all the elements of modern lifeeducation, manufacturing, retailing, entertainment and leisure activities. The Government has failed to articulate a coherent transport policy linked around effective systems of public transport. In fact, with the exception of New

South Wales, public transport usage is declining, everywhere in Australia and the tendency shows no signs of reversing. Similarly, the Government has failed to evolve a compelling national energy policy and as a result per capita energy consumption is increasing in private transport at a dme when every consideration of national security ought to compel a reduction.

Of course we are partly victims of our own history and of our own peculiar urban tradition. As Arthur Koestler once wrote:

Australia is a suburban continent; its cities spread shapelessly like ink on blotting paper because there is such a vast amount of empty space available.

The urban sprawl makes it very difficult to provide effective public transport systems. Let me illustrate by referring to the city that I know best- Melbourne. The situation can be replicated in all our major cities. We have never had a debate as a nation about the relative merits of the compact city compared to the expanded city. I have often said that Melbourne’s transport story should be entitled a Tale of Two Cities but I understand that the title has already been copyrighted by an English novelist. There is ‘Old Melbourne’, which is the pre- World War II city which grew up around public transport links, and ‘New Melbourne’, one of the world’s worst examples of uncontrolled urban sprawl which is essentially car based. The tragedy is that the two Melbournes do not make a single satisfactory transport unit. For example, ‘Old Melbourne’ would be destroyed by more radial freeways, but equally ‘New Melbourne’ lacks satisfactory transport alternatives to the car. The transport interests of Old and New Melbourne are inimical to each other.

Melbourne’s suburbs grew around a radial public transport system which served the city well until the 1950s. Our present suburban train and tram system in Melbourne has barely changed since 1926. In that year most Melbourne people lived close to train lines, tram lines and bus services. Access to transport determined the choice of homes, schools, work and, in many cases, of a husband or wife. Most fixed rail services terminated in the central business district which was then Melbourne’s geographic and population centre. In 1945, Melbourne’s 1.3 million people took a total of 543 million journeys in trains, trams and buses- an average of 418 journeys per head per annum. After World War II, with the increasing domination of Melbourne by the private car, the city expanded, particularly to the north-east, east and southeast. I am sure that the story is much the same in Sydney.

By 1975 Melbourne’s population was 2.6 million, but the passenger journeys on public transport had fallen to 243 million- exactly 300 million less- on average of only 80 journeys per head per annum. The Melbourne transportation district had expanded to an area of 6,133 square kilometres, making it one of the world’s biggest cities, with a very low population density of about 424 persons per square kilometre. It is generally estimated that a population density of between 1,200 and 1,500 persons per square kilometre is needed to make public transport financially viable.

After 1945 the radial system of trains and trams became increasingly irrelevant to many families. The central business district was no longer Melbourne’s geographic or population centre. The population moved towards the south-east. A large proportion of the population moved into the interstices between the radial lines of Melbourne’s public transport system. The goal of the Labor Party in Victoria is to ensure that Melbourne’s citizens receive the greatest benefit from the radial system by integrating the circumferential links so as to create a grid system. Melbourne is divided into transport rich’ and ‘transport poor’ areas. My own electorate of Lalor is nothing less than a transport slum. It is true that there are radial links from areas like St Albans, Werribee and Deer Park into the central business district, but that is not where the work force is now employed. Curiously public transport in many ways has become the preserve of the middle class. A large proportion of public transport commuters to the central business district are professionals whereas working class people are not provided with public transport links to where they are going to work. Of 50 State electorates in the Melbourne transportation district, there are 1 13 million outward rail passenger journeys each year but more than half of them come from only 14 electorates.

The Victorian Ministry of Transport estimated in 1976 that 81.6 per cent of passenger vehicular journeys in Melbourne are by car, 4. 1 per cent by private bus, 1.4 per cent by tramway or railway bus, 6.5 per cent by train and 6.4 per cent by tram. By 1975, 65 per cent of all commuters, including school and tertiary students, travelled by car to work. The central business district was the only area where a majority of commuters, perhaps 70 per cent, travelled by public transport. I must say that the Melbourne underground railway loop gives a salutary warning of a State enterprise entered into without having been properly thought out. I think advice from the

Commonwealth could have been of great assistance in this matter. It is a $300m tragicomedy- a memorial to an edifice complex based on a complete transport misconception. It is designed to provide more rapid movement around the central business district for passengers who are already in the suburban railway system but without in any way increasing the catchment area which would bring people into the system. It is a magnificent piece of civil engineering worthy to rank, I think, with the pyramids of Egypt and the catacombs of Rome, but it is hard to see how it will place one more bottom on one more seat in the Melbourne suburban system.

I once asked the Victorian Minister of Transport whether he could give the names and addresses of people who currently are not rail users but who would become rail users when the loop opened. The Minister declined to give an answer. It seems to me as silly as spending a lot of time fixing up the two front legs of a horse and then saying: ‘We will not bother about the two back legs; they will get dragged along with the front legs’. We have a system which will be magnificent at one end but which does not provide for more people being able to use the system. Nevertheless, I do believe that the loop has enormous potential tourist appeal and it may have great defence significance.

Mr Scholes:

– It is ‘nt deep enough.

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

-It is under Parliament House. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the amount of traffic on Australian roads has increased by 133 per cent since 1963. What we have to ask is this: Are we prepared to accept the inevitability of a 10 per cent annual increase in road traffic use in perpetuity- a doubling every decade? Since 1971 traffic growth has outstripped population growth by a ratio of five to one. It is curious that a greater distance is travelled by Victorian vehicles than by vehicles in any other State. I take it that that is largely made up by people who live and work around the metropolitan area but who are travelling longer and longer distances. It seems extraordinary that the smallest of mainland States should have the longest average distance travelled by a vehiclelonger than Western Australia and longer than Queensland. But that is what the statistics show. Traffic surveys indicate that an increasing number of commuters travel on cross-city or even inter-city journeys. In Victoria many commuters live in Geelong, Gisborne or Warrigul and travel to work to Melbourne each day. The average distance travelled each day has increased sharply in the last 30 years.

Melbourne has about 100 kilometres of freeway- only 1.25 per cent of the total sealed road surface. Universal experience is that freeways are essentially traffic generators which encourage more road use. The main impact of increased demand for motoring space generated by freeways ultimately is felt on conventional roads. That is the situation in Los Angeles. The cure becomes worse than the disease. Radial or commuter freeways originally were planned on the assumptions of unlimited access to cheap motor fuel by all motorists and universal car ownership in the community. Radial freeways direct cars from an enormous catchment area with low density and cheap car parking towards a small central area with very high density and very expensive car parking. As car dependence increases, the need for more car parking space in the central business district reduces the areas available for shops, theatres, restaurants, hotels and services other than parking, or it makes their cost prohibitively high. Dependence on private car usage and city diversity of use will become increasingly incompatible. Inner city areas are too valuable for human interaction to be used as storage areas for cars every day. The Melbourne central business district and the area immediately surrounding it has 31,000 car parking places. Sydney has only 1 9,000.

In an enclosed transport system such as Melbourne’s road network or the network of any city- even Hobart which once had two systems but now that the Derwent bridge is repaired it tends to be more integrated- total energy input and mobility tend to be in inverse proportion. If 90 per cent of Melbourne’s 1 million motor vehicles were competing simultaneously for 8,000 kilometres of sealed road, mobility would fall towards zero. If only 50 per cent were in use, freedom of movement would increase. If only 10 per cent of our vehicles were in use, mobility would tend to move towards 100 per cent. Public transport policy should recognise the technique of energy analysis based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

The Melbourne metropolitan transport district has 11,418 kilometres of road. That is nearly 8,000 kilometres of sealed road and nearly 3,500 kilometres of unsealed road to accommodate an estimated 1 million motor vehicles- an average sealed road space of less than 8 metres for each vehicle or 16 metres for each vehicle on a dual carriageway. The present Melbourne metropolitan road system appears to be adequate for about 20 hours each day, but fails during peak hours when the private commuter system is competing for scarce resources of time, space and energy against the public transport commuter system. The Hamer freeway program is based on treating that distortion factor of daily peak demand as if it were characteristic of the entire 24-hour cycle.

A standard sized sedan such as a Holden or Falcon covers a standing area of 8.92 square metres. By adding a small safety margin at the front, back and both sides, an area of at least IS square metres per vehicle must be allowed for on roads. The Victorian Railways and the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board allow an average of .82 square metres for a seated passenger and an average of .28 square metres per person in what they elegantly describe as a ‘crush load’. The motorist driving alone has a space requirement of between 1 8 and S3 times the size of the area needed for the train or tram traveller. It is hard to justify giving private motorists somewhere about 30 times the space they need, at public expense, to commute at peak hours in competition with public transport when it is available. It must be admitted that at present public transport is often not appropriate. We have to spend far more money in trying to convert existing public transport networks to make them much more flexible.

The private car has obvious advantages over public transport. It provides door to door convenience in comfort and relative security. To many people a car is an external support to their own sense of identity- an extension of personality or home, preserving a sense of independence, of privacy, while others see the car as a hobby and driving as a form of recreation rather than a transport mode. But we are generally victims of auto-eroticism in Australia. We must reverse that condition. As a nation we cannot afford to go on increasing by 10 per cent each year the amount of road space and fuel that we need.

The private motor car represents poor value for money when it is used for commuting when adequate public transport is available. Total travelling time becomes much higher at peak hours with heavy wastage of fuel and nervous energy. Driving causes strain and anxiety for drivers and pedestrians alike. The Commonwealth Government ought to be pushing the State governments towards converting existing radial systems into grid systems. Traditionally fixed ran radial systems were very good but are now no longer adequate for the cities. Grid systems give greater flexibility and increase route choices without necessarily increasing the number of train or tram services on each line. The total distances travelled after modal interchange may be longer but the elapsed time in reaching one’s destination will be shorter.

The great advantage of a grid system is the use of interchanges to permit rapid transfer from one radial line to another. The suburban rail systems of London, Paris, Moscow, New York, Tokyoand should be to give examples of cities of Melbourne’s size and population- Montreal and Toronto, are based on the grid. There ought to be a common ticketing system so that a single fare will permit interchanges. It is a curious fact that the Melbourne suburban railway network has 16 lines- the same number as the Paris Metro. Melbourne actually has more length of track than Paris, having 489.5 kilometres of track and 266 stations but only five major interchanges. All of them- Flinders Street, Spencer Street, Princes Bridge, North Melbourne and Richmond- are close to the central business district. Paris has only 172 kilometres of track with 341 stations, but 124 of them are interchanges, widely spaced throughout the city. Paris has a 70 per cent usage of rail transport and Melbourne has 6.5 per cent.

I was talking about the need to apply the technique of energy analysis. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but is in a constant state of change. The second law states that energy can appear in two forms; the first is work energy and the second is free energy, also called ‘entropy’. As work energy decreases entropy increases. We tend to be energy gluttons, using energy grossly in excess of what we need. Many commuters drive alone in eight or six cylinder cars with seating for five or six people and using enough energy for a small bus. In a traffic jam the entire energy value of the fuel appears as entropy, not work energy, because the car cannot move. Entropy is expressed as heat, vibration, noise and many other factors, not as movement. Thermodynamically the car is a heat engine. It is very efficient in producing heat, pollution, vibration and noise, but relatively inefficient in producing movement by friction.

An efficient metropolitan transport system should be based in the short term on the philosophy: ‘move people . . . not vehicles’. In the longer term we should adopt the philosophy: move information, goods and services according to need . . . and people according to desire’. If we are serious about a national energy policy, this Government and this Parliament ought to be saying loud and clear to the State governments in Australia, ‘We want you to promote public transport; we want to try if we can to contain this figure of 10 per cent increase in fuel use and road use every year’. The economy cannot support it and, more than that, the whole national security of this country cannot afford it.

Mr HODGMAN:
Denison

– I enter this debate with some enthusiasm. May I compliment the previous speaker, the honourable member for Lalor (Mr Barry Jones) on a most thoughtful and studied contribution. I say that quite genuinely because the honourable member repeatedly comes into this House extremely well prepared and with a great amount of detail to back up his propositions. I support the Bill because, firstly, the legislation is in pursuance of and effectively honouring our 1977 Federal election policy speech commitment to provide $300m over a five-year period to assist the States with the upgrading of their urban public transport systems. Secondly, there is an added bonus for Tasmania in the amendment which is before the chamber today.

The previous Urban Public Transport Agreement between the Commonwealth and the States, which was the agreement made by the Whitlam Government with the six States, provided for the expenditure of $ 190m of Commonwealth funds over a five-year period for urban public transport improvements up to 30 June 1978. Our 1977 Federal election policy speech commitment represented an increase in Commonwealth funding of more than 50 per cent over the amount of Commonwealth funding in the previous five-year period. That 50 per cent increase was a substantial commitment and one which I believe was applauded at that time by people on both sides of politics in the various States, those connected with urban public transport and those connected with local government. It is a substantial and a generous increase, particularly so when one recalls that fact- and one should recall it- that urban public transport is not constitutionally a Commonwealth responsibility. I make that point because I believe there is a tendency for people on both sides of the fence to overlook what is and what is not in the Constitution. It may well be that urban public transport should be a Commonwealth responsibility. I do not put that point of view. I simply say that constitutionally it is not a Commonwealth responsibility and therefore the commitment both by the previous Government to provide $190m from 1973 to 1978, and by the present Government to increase that commitment by over 50 per cent to $300m for the five-year period, is a very significant indication by the Commonwealth Government and Commonwealth governments of both political colours, of the importance of ensuring that Australia has a proper urban public transport system as we move out of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century with all the problems which we know are around the corner, not the least of which is the energy crisis. I, and I suppose everybody else, would have liked to see an amount higher than $300m provided. But the fact of the matter is that Commonwealth Government expenditure can be increased effectively only by increasing taxes. I believe it to be the unanimous view- certainly of honourable members on this side of the House and I would hope of many honourable members on the other side of the House- that at present Australians are overtaxed We are taxed up to the eyebrows. I would not for one moment support any increase in taxation. Indeed, like the Treasurer (Mr Howard), I was extremely disappointed at the 1.5 per cent tax surcharge which was imposed in the last Budget.

I am gratified that only four days ago at a public dinner in Hobart which the Treasurer addressed, he reminded a questioner who asked him whether the tax surcharge would be continued, that it was a Bill for one year and that it expires on 30 June 1979. So it would be very trite to say that the amount provided in this Bill should have been doubled or trebled. The sum of $300m is substantial. The expenditure could not be increased without cutting across the basic economic policies that the Government has laid down in the Budget of 1978-79 or using the alternative, horrific as it is, of increasing taxation. I would not have a bar of that because I am totally and absolutely opposed to higher taxes. I believe that this nation is crying out for lower taxes.

Having made those preliminary comments, I point out with some pride that as a result of this amending Bill, Tasmania will receive more in total in the five-year period than would have been the situation under the existing Act. The schedule to the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1978 shows that for the year commencing 1 July 1978 the appropriation for Tasmania is Sim, for 1979 it is $lm and it is the same for 1980, 1981 and 1982. Under the new arrangements which will be carried with the passage of this Bill the position improves. For the year commencing 1 July 1978, Tasmania’s allocation amounts to $ lm; for the year commencing 1 July 1979 it is Sim and on 1 July 1980 the figure rises to $1.25m. On 1 July 1981 the allocation will increase to $ 1.25m and on 1 July 1982 it will be $ 1.25m.

Mr Howe:

– It catches up with inflation.

Mr HODGMAN:

-My colleague, the honourable member for Batman, laughs. Let me tell him that little fish are sweet. Under this amending legislation, Tasmania will be receiving $5,625,000 instead of the $5m which was proposed in the original legislation. My colleague, the honourable member for Franklin (Mr Goodluck), would support me when I say that the $625,000 will be wisely spent in Tasmania and we welcome the additional funds.

This may be an appropriate time for me to pause in my remarks. I wish to turn to two urgent matters I will be able to deal with after the suspension of the sitting, namely two travesties which have occurred in Tasmania in recent years. I refer to the demise of Tasmania’s urban public transport rail system and the demise, unfortunately at the behest and with the connivance of the State Government, of a ferry service which should have been the salvation of the electorates of Denison and Franklin and which should have put Hobart back on the map from the point of view of urban public transport. I leave those two matters until resumption of the sitting.

Sitting suspended from 5.59 to 8 p.m.

Mr HODGMAN:

-As I was saying before the suspension of the sitting for dinner, there is good news for Tasmania in this Bill. As a result of the re-arrangement, Tasmania is to receive an increase in the funds allocated under the 5-year program. The previous Act provided funding of $5m spread over a 5-year period, but the Bill increases that figure by nearly 15 per cent. I was delighted that officers of the Department of Transport, when in Hobart barely two weeks ago, were gratified to note the appreciation of the State Government and its officials at this increased allocation to our State.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) is now in the chamber, I intended to make at this stage of my address some remarks about him. Frankly, I am becoming a bit sick and tired of people who repeatedly seem to attack the Minister. I refer to a number of State Ministers, particularly Ministers whose only game is whinging and carping. I want to put on record my appreciation of the Minister for bringing in a 5-year program which represents a 50 per cent increase on the Whitlam 5-year program- that is 10 out of 10 for the Ministerand for an amendment which will mean more money for Tasmania. As I said earlier, little fish are sweet, but an increase of $650,000 to our State under this arrangement, bringing the total to $5,625m, is appreciated. In my judgment, the

Minister is firm but fair, practical and pragmatic, and when people want to get stuck into him about overseas air fares and one thing and another I just look at his record as far as Tasmania is concerned. Overall, it is a good record. We have very much for which to be grateful. The Minister is always welcome in Tasmania. Unlike some other Ministers, we see him quite frequently in our State.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– You never stop grovelling for a vote.

Mr HODGMAN:

– I notice that we are drawing a few crabs from the other side, but honourable members opposite should check their facts. The people of Hobart are delighted with the additional money. I am sure that honourable members who come from other States will be pleased to know that the people of Hobart and Tasmania generally are grateful for the increased allocation.

Two transport matters must be discussed in the context of this Bill because to ignore them would be to ignore a problem which has been bedevilling Australia’s finest capital city. I refer, of course, to Hobart. The fact is that our city is strangling itself with its road transport problems. Unless something is done within 10 years metropolitan Hobart will have a transport crisis. What has brought about this situation? Firstly, there was the disgraceful decision of the State Labor Government, in breach of a clear electoral pledge, to close down the Hobart suburban passenger rail service. That decision was taken in direct breach of a pledge given before the 1972 State election that the Hobart passenger suburban rail service would be maintained. Within 18 months of that election the Labor Government of Tasmania closed down the service. In my judgment it was a monumental blunder, a decision which will have to be reversed. I refuse to believe that by the year 2000, when Hobart will have a population in excess of 200,000, it will be the only city of its size in the world which could organise its public transport without either a suburban rail service or, as I would point out to the honourable member for Lalor (Mr Barry Jones), a tram service. We made the blunder of getting rid of our trams. We had an excellent tram service. I challenge any member of this Parliament to tell me of any other city in the world with 200,000 people which does not have either a suburban rail service or tram service. The fact is that Hobart is strangling itself with its road traffic problems. If we do not look for the answers now we will have a problem, as we move into the twenty-first century, that will, frankly, ruin our city.

The Commonwealth Government, in conjunction with the State Government, as a result of the strong representations that have been made by the honourable member for Franklin (Mr Goodluck), is proceeding to the construction of a second bridge across the Derwent River. Frankly, if it is not called the Goodluck Bridge there will be something wrong somewhere. That bridge will go from Dowsings Point to Old Beach. It is in the planning stages at the moment, but I would make the plea that the bridge when constructed have provision for a railway track linking the eastern shore with the western shore. I make that point because on the eastern shore there will be within the next decade an available travelling public numbering in excess of 60,000.

I wish now, with the consent of the honourable member for Shortland (Mr Morris), to refer to and have incorporated in Hansard the figures from the last census in relation to the Hobart statistical division. Perhaps I could refer to them briefly first. The Tasmanian Year Book for 1978 sets out the population of the Hobart statistical division. A comparison of the figures from the census of 1 966, the census of 1 97 1 and the census of 30 June 1976 will show that Hobart is growing. As at June 1976 the population of the Hobart statistical division was 162,660. 1 repeat, its population will reach 200,000 by the year 2000, and on the eastern shore there will be at least 60,000 to 80,000 potential travellers. So it is not much to ask at this point of time that when the bridge is being planned, the engineers ensure that it will be possible for a railway track to be incorporated therein. The bridge will be built as a result of the efforts of the honourable member for Franklin and the co-operation between the Federal and State governments.

I wish to refer now to evidence given by Professor Carey to the royal commission into urban transport conducted by His Honour, Mr Justice Neasey, one of the finest judges not just in Tasmania but in Australia. The professor pointed out that by a comparatively short line, speaking in railway terms, one could virtually provide instant pollution-free- it would be electrifiedtransportation from the eastern shore into Hobart.

Mr Goodluck:

– What about the ferries?

Mr HODGMAN:

– I will refer to the ferries in a moment. I want to make the point that Hobart will strangle itself unless we plan for the future. It is absolutely imperative that a railway track be incorporated in the bridge and that a proper Hobart suburban passenger rail service be reintroduced. I cannot spare from criticism the

National Railways Commission- I exclude the Minister because it was none of his doing- for selling off our railways. Honourable members can imagine the embarrassment that I as a Tasmanian felt when I picked up today’s Hobart Mercury and saw an article which read:

Selling, used train. Pssstt . . . want to buy a nice train. How about the Tasman Limited, four original carriages only, last used on July 28 when Tasmania’s passenger train service became history?

It goes on to talk about the crucifixion of Tasmania’s railway system. I want to put it on the record here and now for the benefit of those who want to try and blame this Government and the Commonwealth Minister for Transport that the death warrant of Tasmanian railways was signed by the State Labor Government of Tasmania when it killed the Hobart suburban passenger rail service, when it sold the railways to the Whitlam Government. That is a contract that we could debate at very great length. Now we do not have a single government-run railway passenger service in Tasmania. That is a crying shame, a monumental stupidity and damned be those who were responsible for the decision. If we do not think about the future, if we are not prepared to consider the situation -

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

– What about the Canberra bus service?

Mr HODGMAN:

– More money is wasted on the Canberra bus service than ever was lost on the Hobart suburban passenger rail service. The ratio is about six to one, if the honourable member wants the figures. The Hobart suburban passenger rail service was running at a loss of $750,000 and it got the nulla nulla from your Labor colleagues in Tasmania. I would be surprised if the Canberra buses did not run at a loss m excess of $6m. The figures I have given show the comparisons.

Tasmania is the only State without a passenger suburban rail service or a passenger rail service of any sort. Some matters are highly embarrassing. The Department of Social Security issues to pensioners in Tasmania cards which entitle them to free government rail transport. That is absolutely wonderful! No service is available in Tasmania for the pensioners to travel on. Consequently, they are a little upset, and I am upset. Let me make the record quite clear. The responsibility for this monstrous dereliction of duty, this disgraceful blunder, rests with the State Labor Government.

I now turn to ferries. After the collapse of the Tasman bridge in Hobart following the collision of the Lake Illawarra Hobart was split into two cities. It was that tragedy which brought into the limelight, first in local government and now in Federal Government, my colleague the honourable member for Franklin, Mr Bruce Goodluck, MHR. During the time that the bridge was down the people on the eastern shore had to reorganise their transport arrangements. The magnificent and glorious Derwent River provided splendid access. Ferry companies such as Sullivans Cove Ferry Co. Pty Ltd and Roche Bros, in conjunction with the Transport Commission which acquired in very strange circumstances ferries from several places, one or two of which were not exactly a success, provided a ferry service across the Derwent at that dme of crisis. It was a monumental achievement and one which will be remembered for many years. What happened? As the honourable member for Lalor pointed out before the suspension of the sitting for dinner, the moment the bridge was restored people got back into their wretched motor cars and the city of Hobart, which was a quiet, tranquil and placid sort of place while the bridge was down, was absolutely invaded almost overnight by that monster the motor car.

People in Hobart, the smallest and most beautiful capital city in Australia, have trouble parking. It now takes 10 to 15 minutes to travel two or three blocks. Pollution now exists in the area; it was not present before. This madness must be brought to a halt. Whilst I cannot put it in such an articulate manner as the honourable member for Lalor, let me say that we have somehow somewhere got to orient people towards public transport. For my own part I unashamedly say that when and where possible I will use public transport in preference to the use of my own motor vehicle.

Mr Wilson:

– You will.

Mr HODGMAN:

– Indeed, I do, and I do a fanbit of walking which is the cheapest form of public transport and which is not bad for one’s health either.

I have only one minute left. The money made available will be spent with no strings attached from Canberra because this Government does not stand over State governments. I remember being told by Victorian members of parliament that they had to get leave from Mr Charles Jones, the then Minister for Transport, to move a toilet on a railway station 50 yards. Before the toilet could be moved a letter of approval had to be obtained. When the money is spent -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Millar)Order! Before the honourable member’s time expires I remind him that he foreshadowed his intention to seek leave for the incorporation of a document. If he intends to proceed I suggest he do so before his time expires.

Mr HODGMAN:

-I will do so straight away. I seek leave, with the consent of the Opposition, to render a statistical record of the population of the city of Hobart. The incorporation has been consented to by the honourable member for Shortland (Mr Morris).

Leave granted.

The document read as follows-

Mr HODGMAN:

-Perhaps the honourable member will be prepared also to consent to the incorporation of this extraordinary article concerning the selling of the trains.

Mr Morris:

– You did not show it to me; you are being devious.

Mr HODGMAN:

-The honourable member is not prepared to do so. I cannot expect two favours from him in the one day. I make a final plea: I hope the money is spent wisely. I hope that the Government in Tasmania does not repeat the blunders it made in killing the railway service, in dismantling the ferry terminals and selling off the ferry pontoons. I hope that the people of Tasmania and in particular the people of Hobart get value for every single dollar which the Commonwealth Government, through its enlightened policies, will make available to them over the next five years.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr DAWKINS:
Fremantle

– I find myself in an extraordinary position of having to put forward some of the same arguments as the previous speaker, the honourable member for Denison (Mr Hodgman), put forward. He finds himself in a position where a Labor State government has closed down a suburban rail system, much to his consternation, and I find myself in a position where a State Liberal government in Western Australia is proceeding to do much the same thing. I agree with him that anybody who supports the idea of closing down suburban rail systems at this time is indeed short-sighted. However, one of the major deficiencies of this legislation is that it limits very much the degree to which a federal government can intervene in those sort of decision-making processes.

This legislation is designed simply to react to proposals put forward by the States rather than to encourage the formulation and the development of sensible urban public transport systems which are consistent with overall national objectives. It is possible, and in the case of Western Australia quite likely, that the States can pursue transport policies which are inimical to the national interest. For instance the 1978 annual report of the Western Australia DirectorGeneral of Transport notes that public transport will continue to decline in metropolitan Perth and that private transportation, that is, the use of the private motor vehicle, will continue to increase. The report goes on to suggest that public transport planning in Perth should be based on those predictions. This in part follows from the fact that Perth, like many other Australian capitals, is a very low density city. It has only 12 persons to the hectare. This compares with London which has six times that many and Helsinki which has about three and a half times that many. Even Los Angeles has twice the density of Perth. Sydney and Melbourne have about one and a half times the density. Any low density city is much less likely to be able to sustain an economic transport system simply because of the low utilisation of the public transport facilities. It goes without saying that it is much harder to get the residents in any low density city close to the public transport facilities. Low density cities have a very scattered population and a very diffuse public transport system which of course is unable to provide an adequate service.

Once having decided to pursue a policy of low density urban development it follows, in the interests of mobility and flexibility, that it is almost certain that private transportation will be the preferred method used by most people. If we compare private motor vehicle ownership in Australia with that in other countries we find that Australia is second only to the United States of America. In Australia there are 350 cars per thousand of population. In the United States of America the figure is about 400 whereas in Western Europe it is only 250 per thousand of population. This high rate of vehicle ownership and indeed the high rate of private vehicle use have a major effect on our consumption of motor spirit. Again, Australia is second only to the United States in terms of consumption of motor spirit. Whereas the United States consumes about 1,300 kilograms per head Australia uses about half of that- about 650- and Western Europe about half of that again- about 300 kilograms per person. It is here that we see the coincidence of public transport issues and national issues. We cannot separate public transport issues from, for instance, the need for a national energy policy. This Government, indeed any government with any sense at all, should be attempting to pursue some sort of national energy policy at this time. Yet any attempt to reduce the consumption of oil in this or any other country will be frustrated by higher private vehicle ownership and higher private vehicle use.

Another aspect relates to the funding of roads which is, of course, a well established Commonwealth function. Currently the funding of roads is dealt with as if it had nothing to do with public transport issues, but of course we all know that it does. There is a direct relationship between the number of cars owned in the community and the demand for bigger and better roads. As soon as that sort of situation starts to develop, decisions have to be made as regards private vehicle ownership as opposed to the provision of public transportation. In addition, any expenditure on roads represents a separate subsidy for buses which does not appear in normal public transport allocations, thus allowing the buses to receive a subsidy separate from that which is received for trains. Therefore it follows that any provision of funds to the States for roads bears very closely on questions of public transportation and, of course, energy use. So, I would disagree with the honourable member for Denison who earlier said in his speech that it was inappropriate for the Commonwealth to get involved in urban public transportation issues. In my view, it is impossible to separate the questions of public transportation from national energy policies as indeed it is impossible to separate urban public transportation programs from many other federal programs.

I think the energy question is no more important in any State than it is in Western Australia. Of all the States, Western Australia relies most heavily on the importation of crude oil and even when the gas from the North West Shelf comes to Perth it will have a minimal application as transport fuel. At the moment Western Australia has no electrified public transport system. Consequently, we rely solely on liquid fuels which before long will be almost entirely imported. So it is against this background that the decision of the Western Australian Government to scrap the Perth to Fremantle passenger rail service is so absurd.

The Western Australian Government has announced that, after September this year, the passenger rail service will cease and that extra buses will serve the routes between Perth and Fremantle. We are told that two years from now the railway itself will be dismantled and a freeway will be constructed on the railway reserve. We are given little if any justification for the decision except that the patronage of the railways is on the decline and that the subsidy per passenger is less in the case of buses than in the case of trains. However, no explanation is given for the fact that patronage of the suburban railways increased by over 10 per cent last year while at the same time patronage of the bus services continued to decline.

We are not told whether the subsidy calculation includes a component of the interest on fixed capital. If it does, this would be a great distortion of the situation given the fact that buses rely on roads which are separately and, I might add, heavily subsidised while trains require separate capital equipment in the form of rails. We are not told about the extra contribution that buses will make to the already congested roadways between Perth and Fremantle. We are not told about the costs of the proposed freeway which it is intended will be built on the railway reserve. Indeed, the decision bears all the hallmarks of a knee-jerk reaction to the immediate deficit which has been chalked up by the railways.

It was only in August 1975 that the Premier of Western Australia said that the adverse economies of rail operations compared with bus operations over the next 20 years were understood, but that the Government believed that the long term considerations could not be overlooked. He went on to say that the Government wanted to maintain the passenger rail service at a maximum level. That is what was said by the Premier a little over three years ago but now we have had a complete change of heart, based we are not sure on what, resulting in a decision to scrap one of the passenger rail services serving metropolitan Perth.

Let us compare that particular about-face with a statement by a former Liberal Minister for Transport in the Western Australian Government. In 1968 that Minister ridiculed the proposal to build a freeway between Perth and Fremantle on the railway reserve. At that timeabout 10 years ago- he costed such a project at $50m and said that that was an astronomic expense which could not be justified. As well we have the opinion of Professor Gordon Stephenson, a man who has had more influence on the planning of Perth than probably any other individual. Earlier this month, Professor Stephenson said in reply to a letter from the Minister for Transport in the Western Australian Government:

Despite the length of his letter I was unable to understand the planning strategy behind the change in function of the reserve.

What is desperately needed in metropolitan Perth is not only an explanation how the Government arrived at this absurd decision, but also some justification for it and some indication of what are the long-term prospects for those people who reside in metropolitan Perth. It is not enough to discount a public transport system simply on the basis of economics. It is probably true that no public transport system will pay in a city like Perth because of it low population density. But Perth has a low population density by deliberate choice, a choice made on grounds other than economics. The decision to pursue a policy of low density planning for Perth was the result of the high priority given to such factors as the desirability of single residential accommodation, the proximity of recreational facilities and open space, the desirability of maintaining a clean environment and reduced sanitation problems. So clearly, because the planning decisions in Perth are based on grounds other than economic grounds, it is quite unfair to evaluate public transport issues on purely economic grounds. It has been stated that, of all the mainland capitals, Perth has the worst public transport facilities. Of course what we need is to see those public transport facilities improved in accordance with some well laid out plan that, in the Premier’s own words of a few years ago, takes into consideration the long-term implications of those decisions.

I do not think that one can over-emphasise the importance of the energy considerations in this equation. As I have said, Western Australia already relies disproportionately on imported liquid fuels and, as the price of those imported liquid fuels continues to escalate, there will be serious repercussions for the transportation system in metropolitan Perth. The only indigenous fuels which Western Australia has consist of the gas from the North West Shelf, that is, not counting the gas at Dongara, which of course will soon be depleted, and the coal at Collie. We will be relying on that for the generation of electricity. It seems to me that what we should be doing at the very least is trying to make ourselves as independent as possible of the vagaries of the international oil market. We should be moving towards a public transportation system which relies substantially on electricity.

For this reason it seems to me that the Government is making a serious mistake in opting purely for buses in the development of a public transportation system in Perth. I think that this decision has been made quite deliberately. For instance, if we look at the requests of the Western Australian State Government to the Federal Government for support under this program and the preceding program, we find that the State Government has asked ibr almost nothing to upgrade the State’s suburban rail system. Indeed, under the program set out in the legislation that we are debating tonight, the Western Australian State Government did not ask for a cent in relation to the suburban rail system for the current year. The only requests that were made were in relation to upgrading and expanding the State’s bus service. There can be no lame excuses that it is all the fault of the Commonwealth Government that the State Government has had to scrap a suburban railway line. The State Government has made no attempt at all to invest the sort of capital which would be required to continue the rail systems.

A study made by the Bureau of Transport Economics some years ago indicated that whether the Government chose the bus option or the train option between Perth and Fremantle it would be involved in a vast capital expense. Yet nothing has been done by the Western Australian Government to approach the Federal Government with a view to providing that capital infusion. Instead the railways have been allowed to decline steadily. The newest rolling stock on the suburban rail system is already 11 years old. Most of the rolling stock is well beyond its economic life. There have been very few attempts to have the bus and train services complement each other. Only in the Midland area is there a serious attempt to use the buses to feed the railway system between the Midland Station and Perth. I note with some interest that there will be an attempt to use a bus feeder system between Perth and Armadale to serve the railway line. I simply ask why that is not a possibility on the line between Perth and Fremantle. Instead there is direct competition between buses and trains to serve almost identical routes between Perth and Fremantle.

Not only has this been a deliberate attempt to downgrade the railways in favour of the buses, it also overlooks the studies which have been done in relation to Perth’s future public transport needs. Both the Neilsen report and the Wilbur Smith report made in the early 1970s indicated that by 1993, which was the end of the period under consideration, it would probably be necessary to consider other options besides the bus option which was preferred by both those studies. We are already one-third of the way through the period with which those reports were concerned. I imagine that the circumstances which are clearer now than then will indicate the good sense of that observation by those studies. By 1993 it is almost certain that we will want to consider options other than a bus service fuelled by imported liquid fuels. We are seeing the beginning of another very expensive mistake by a State Liberal government. I do not have to remind honourable members about the occasion when an earlier State Liberal government converted a perfectly good coal burning power station south of Perth to an oil burning power station only to have to convert it back to coal only in the last couple of years at the cost of about $9m.

In this issue the Federal Government has to take a strong stand. In the first instance, before the State Government is allowed to share in the funds available under this program, the Federal Government must insist that a proper evaluation is made of the electrification of the existing suburban rail system in Perth. Secondly it must indicate its total opposition to a super freeway between Perth and Fremantle and indicate that it will not support that freeway with federal funds at least until such time as an evaluation of the electrified rail system option is undertaken.

Mr CHAPMAN:
Kingston

-The States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Amendment Bill which we are debating this evening introduces minor changes to the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1978. The original Bill was passed through the Parliament in April last year. It gave effect to the promise of the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) in his 1977 election policy speech for a new assistance program for urban public transport through nonrepayable grants to the States amounting to $300m over 5 years. This represents an increase of 58 per cent over the previous 5-year program initiated by the Whitlam Government. Of course that program was boosted by 40 per cent in its final 2 years of operation when the Fraser Government came to office. Thus, in a time of general expenditure restraint the Fraser Government has demonstrated its commitment to significantly improved public transport for Australia’s major urban centres through greatly increased funding.

The principal Act provided $200m to be split amongst the various States over 5 years on the basis of a fixed schedule. The remaining $100m was allocated over 5 years amongst the States on an annual basis according to the assessed need for additional assistance over and above the fixed schedule. In this way the full $300m was allocated over 5 years. This Bill increases the allocation under the fixed schedule to $225m over 5 years. It reduces the variable needs assessed funding to $75m. It leaves the total allocation of funds unchanged at $300m but increases the guaranteed minimum allocation for each State. Thus, South Australia has its guaranteed minimum allocation increased from $20m to $22,500,000 over 5 years.

South Australia, of course, also has access to the remaining $75m on a needs basis. When speaking in the debate on the original Bill last year I asked the Federal Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) to scrutinise carefully any proposals from South Australia under the new legislation and to use his influence to ensure that the South Australian Government gives the outer suburban southern areas of my electorate of Kingston a higher priority in the provision of public transport facilities than it has in the past. I referred in support of my plea to several bad decisions by the State Government and its total neglect of the southern areas. I specifically referred to the possible implementation of the recommendations of the North East Area Public Transport Review. Events in South Australia since last April further emphasise the need for close scrutiny by the Federal Minister of the purpose of any request for funds by South Australia.

The South Australian Labor Government has decided to proceed with the NEAPTR recommendation for a light rail transport system between Adelaide and the north-eastern suburbs. It has taken this decision despite a range of serious objections to the proposal. There are real doubts as to its validity. There is significant evidence to suggest that the need in the north-eastern suburbs is not for transport to the central business district but rather for transport within the local area and to the industrial locations in the north and north-western suburbs. These needs are not fulfilled by the NEAPTR proposals. There are also serious environmental objections about the impact of the NEAPTR proposals on the Torrens River valley and also the inner suburbs adjacent to that valley through which the light rail transport system would pass. Therefore, it will be an important issue in the forthcoming Norwood by-election. The people of the inner suburbs will have the opportunity then to give judgment on the State Governments decision in this regard.

A major objection to the proposals is their cost. The original estimate of about $60m to provide the light rail transport system has now been revised to an estimated cost of $100m. That is clearly beyond the State’s resources particularly with the South Australian regional economy in a parlous state as a result of the Labor Government’s policies. Last week the State Minister of Transport, Mr Virgo, said that South Australia would seek federal funding for this project to go ahead. I assume that the funds will be sought under the legislation which we are now debating. Through this legislation in recent years the Federal Government has provided two-thirds of the total funds applied to improve public transport facilities. For example, two-thirds of the total funds of $ 11.59m for the building of the Brighton to Christie Downs railway was provided under the previous Act. Under the present Act $4m has been provided in the financial year 1978-79. Another $4m is proposed for the financial year 1979-80 for the purchase of more buses and railway rolling stock for South Australia. This leaves the allocation for South Australia in the final three years of the five-year program at $ 14.5m plus, possibly, some $7m which may be available on a needs basis. This, of course, is a drop in the bucket against the total cost of the NEAPTR project, even if the cost were scattered over the seven years as suggested.

It is quite unrealistic for the State Government to expect sufficient Commonwealth funds to be made available for this project. On past performance there is no doubt that the State Labor Government will blame the Commonwealth

Government if a shortage of funds prevent the project from proceeding but this would be one instance when I would be quite happy for the Commonwealth Government to accept the blame. In fact, I believe that the Commonwealth Government would deserve praise if it prevented the NEAPTR proposals being implemented. Even if the funds were available from combined Commonwealth and State sources I would urge the Federal Minister for Transport to reject the proposal because there certainly would not be any funds for any alternative projects in metropolitan Adelaide if such a massive investment went into NEAPTR. The State Government would be closing off its options for alternative solutions to metropolitan Adelaide’s total transport needs.

Evidence suggests that a greater net benefit could be derived from the expenditure of $ 100m on public transport if the money were invested in facilities right across Adelaide rather than in one narrowly directed transport corridor. Even more important, proceeding with NEAPTR will result in the continuation of the State Government’s neglect of the outer suburban southern areas which make up the well-known Noarlunga region. That neglect would be forced to continue if this $100m were directed to the NEAPTR project because there would not be funds available for alternative projects.

Research now available indicates that some 47 per cent of metropolitan Adelaide’s future traffic growth will be generated in this southern region. By comparison the north and north-eastern suburbs combined will generate only some 37 per cent of future growth. Yet the State Labor Government intends to splurge $100m on the north-eastern area alone. The inevitable result will be total neglect of the southern areas and residents of the southern areas should be aware of the State Government’s intention to continue neglecting their transport needs unless public pressure is brought to bear against that decision.

Honourable members wil be aware that on a number of occasions I have highlighted the need of the southern areas of the Kingston electorate for greater assistance within the public transport realm. More recent research has once again highlighted and confirmed those needs. It indicates that the overall level of travel demand expected in the southern areas cannot be met by the existing transport networks and substantial improvements to both the highway and public transport networks will be necessary. Serious capacity problems will be experienced on both the highway and public transport networks as early as 1980, and these problems will become more acute as growth continues. This evidence is already generating considerable public concern and this concern has been expressed in the local area. Already there is increasing congestion and environmental decline in the inner areas such as Brighton and Marion to the north of O ‘Halloran Hill, and a lack of access to public transport and increasing congestion on South Road. This will occur also on Lonsdale Road which will be completed shortly with the assistance of Federal funds. With a estimated population growth of 100,000 between 1976 and 1996 there will be a lack of capacity in rail services and bus services on main routes.

Despite the fact that this recent evidence is available to the State Government, it has made no commitment to fulfill the needs of the southern areas and, of course, it cannot as long as it remains committed to funding the NEAPTR light rail transport system at a cost of $ 100m. Research affirms the view which has been expressed by local government bodies and the community in general in the Noarlunga region, that unless major investments are committed to the transport system- both the road system and public transport system- the situation will be chaotic by the mid-1980s and totally disastrous by the early 1990s. A lack of action by the State Government cannot be justified on economic, social or environmental considerations. The south deserves an equal, if not greater, commitment than the north-eastern areas of Adelaide. There is no doubt that currently the southern region is considerably disadvantaged with regard to transport facilities. It is also evident that the transport system will impose severe costs on industry which is either located or proposed to be located in the southern area.

On the basis of locational theory, it is obvious that any increase in congestion and travel times will increase the costs of production for existing industry and, of course, act as a further disincentive to new industrial development in that region. If no action occurs the cost to individual families will be immense. There could be an increase in journey time of some 50 per cent, an increase in petrol consumption of 25 per cent, and an estimated additional cost to families in the area of $ 16m per year by the 1980s. Without action with regard to public transport and new rail alternatives, there will be a rapid escalation of traffic at the major exchange points of Darlington, Sturt Road and Brighton Road where the volume of traffic is expected to rise by up to 100 per cent. The current and committed future rail and bus capacity will be hopelessly inadequate. There is an expected growth of some 300 per cent in public transport usage over the next few years leading into the 1980s and beyond.

One of the main complaints about the public transport in the region is that a large part of the region is not serviced or, at least, is inadequately serviced. Hence there are a number of things which need to be done to cope with this developing problem. From the eastern side of the southern region there need to be express and route services to town. There need to be feeder services to the Christie Downs rail link. There needs to be a local transport system to transport people within the region itself and there also needs to be an adequate transport service to outlying areas. Of course, one of the main developments in the area in recent years was the completion of the Brighton to Christie Downs rail link with Federal funding, and it is worth noting that this facility cost $1 1.59m compared with the projected $100m for a similar sort of service to the north-eastern suburbs. The rail service has become highly regarded over the last couple of years and this indicates that people will use public transport if it is able to meet the needs of consumers.

However, several problems for the rail system are evident and will develop in the future. Public transport usage will grow from 2,600 persons in a peak two-hour period in 1976 to 4,900 persons in 1986 and 8,200 persons in 1996. The current orders for rolling stock will just not be able to cope with this projected growth. So, to cope with the expected demand, new stock will need to be ordered and once again this brings us back to the fact that the State Government cannot afford to invest $100m in the NEAPTR project if it is going to provide the necessary facilities for the southern region.

With regard to road traffic we find that South Road is already the busiest road in the State. Notwithstanding the development with Federal funding of the Lonsdale link, traffic volumes are expected to rise dramatically. Peak hour vehicle trips will double from 7,100 to 14,000 by 1996. As a result, journey times at peak hours could be increased by over 100 per cent if remedial action is not taken in the public transport sector. Within the Noarlunga region there are a number of areas where there are indications of poor service. Most significant is the coastal strip running from Seaford through Moana to Maslin Beach and Sellicks Beach. Additional to these poorly serviced areas are the outlying rural townships of Willunga, McLaren Vale, Noarlunga and Clarendon. Further north, part of Hallett Cove has inadequate services. Flagstaff Hill, Aberfoyle Park and Happy Valley also are suffering from poor services, as are parts of Noarlunga and Morphett Vale. So a largely increased degree of attention is required to be devoted to those particular areas within the Noarlunga region to overcome the problem which is already evident, and, of course, as time proceeds through the 1980s to the 1990s, as indicated by statistics I gave earlier, that problem will multiply immensely.

One of the other factors that needs to be considered in the context of urban public transport for the southern region is the mismatch of employment opportunities in relation to population growth in the area. Of course, one of the main factors preventing the growth of employment opportunities in that area is the additional cost of inadequate transport to industry located there. Therefore any strategy that seeks to promote the economic development of the south will clearly be restrained by the availability of adequate public and private transport services. Hence, it is required that there be a development of a series of new road services to maintain reasonable transport access, not only to the metropolitan area but, of course, to the very important eastern States markets, which are crucial to South Australia’s economic growth.

Unless action is taken, the situation for road transport will worsen. Of course, the implications are that the cost of production will the southern region will increase by comparison with other parts of the metropolitan area of Adelaide that have better access and possibly, more importantly, the lack of transport access will be an additional disincentive for the location of new enterprises within the southern areas. So there are a number of factors which indicate not only the inadequacy in the present but more importantly the developing inadequacy in the future of the transport situation in the Noarlunga region.

Therefore, it is on that basis I again urge the Federal Minister for Transport to assess carefully any request for funds from the South Australian State Government to ensure that that Government does give the Noarlunga region a fair deal in the allocation of funds. It is certainly not doing that by allocating $100m to the light rail transport system recommended by the NEAPTR research team. Of course the Bill before the House will provide the opportunity for the Noarlunga region to benefit from Commonwealth funds if the State Government can be persuaded to behave with equity towards that area. On that basis I wholeheartedly support the Bill and oppose the amendment which has been moved by the Opposition.

Mr HOWE:
Batman

-I support the amendment and support the expression of regret that funding in the earlier stages of the five-year program to assist the States with urban public transport improvements should be cut back. Because part of the original allocation for the first two years will not be spent until later, the real value of the funds that have been allocated under this program will be reduced. Whilst supporting the amendment, one recognises that through this legislation the Government has acknowledged the need to continue to provide for the States increased Federal assistance to support urban public transport programs.

There are a number of issues of a general nature that I would like to comment on. The first question which arose last year when this legislation was being introduced in its original form and which I come back to at this stage when we have an amendment in relation to funding is the question of what scale of funding is justified on a national basis at this stage in our history for urban public transport and how we should determine the basis of funding in an area such as this. Several speakers on the Government side acknowledged the need for the Australian Government and indeed for this nation to be expanding expenditure in this area, but they suggested it was simply a matter of Budget priorities and that in terms of the formulation of this year’s Budget it was not possible to meet the expenditure which had been originally foreshadowed. Indeed, they suggested that over the period one could not see how the Government could give greater priority to national urban public transport.

I think one of the difficulties one has in terms of assessing that sort of proposition is the little information that is provided to the Parliament on the basis of which one can make a judgment as to what level of expenditure ought to be justified. I think it is regrettable that a great deal more information is not provided on legislation such as this and that members of parliament do not have more access to the process of decision-making which results in a figure of $300m. Certainly, in terms of the reading I did on the background papers produced by the Bureau of Transport Economics, I was unable to see very much relationship between its discussion of the capital needs of urban public transport and the particular proposals which have been adopted by the Government. Certainly, one does not see this program in any sense as part of a national transport plan. If transport is as important as I am sure members of this House believe it is, particularly in relation to the rising costs of energy, then one ought to be thinking at this stage of the Government developing some kind of national and comprehensive approach to transport planning which tries to sort out relative spending between the various modes and tries to see how national priorities might relate to what is happening in the various States around Australia. If the energy crisis is to develop the way that many people believe it is likely to develop through into the 1980s, then certainly we will need national energy policies, which we do not have at the moment, we will need a national energy plan and I believe we will need a national transport plan.

That is really the first point I make. In a sense, the discussion about how much money we ought to be spending on urban public transport seems to lack any kind of context in terms of detailed Federal or national policy on transport priorities. So the figure for Government assistance looks a bit like a figure that has been plucked out of the air rather than a figure that might relate to, say, a five-year program for upgrading certain kinds of systems within the various cities of Australia. Surely at the national level we at least need to be thinking in terms of what the most appropriate forms of public transport will be in the dispersed cities that other speakers have been describing. Whilst ultimately the decisions may have to be made within a State context, nevertheless I believe, there ought to be much more discussion nationally about the framework within which those decisions are made.

Secondly, I draw attention to the scale of funds that are involved, particularly for the Victorian railway network and the metropolitan provincial parts of that network, to indicate what I believe will be one of the major problems that we will face in Australia if people are right when they say that if we are to have any kind of equity within our cities we will have to develop effective modern public transport systems. I noticed that towards the end of last year the Leader of the Victorian Opposition asked the Victorian Minister of Transport to provide him with information on the funding for the Victorian railways. The annual debt repayments on the accumulated deficit of the Victorian railways is of the order of $150m. I understand that that figure is servicing a total deficit of the order of $2.7 billion dollars. We are talking about one railway system in one State of Australia. If one looks at that system, the extent to which it is run down, the extent to which it is not effectively functioning to meet the needs of people in the metropolitan area and provincial cities, and the scale of investment that will be required to restore that system to something which functions effectively, then really one finds that the scale of investment involved is quite mind-boggling. The metropolitan transport plan which was developed in 1969 is hardly an urban public transport plan; it is essentially a freeway plan on which a limited amount of money- I think something like one-fifth of the -

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

– Ten per cent.

Mr HOWE:

-Ten per cent of the total expenditure was to be directed towards public transport. Of that amount of money -

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

-$300m out of $3,000m.

Mr HOWE:

-The former State member for Melbourne assures me that the amount was $300m out of $3 ,000m. As I remember it the initial estimate of the cost of the Melbourne underground loop was of the order of $80m. When the controlling authority was established it investigated the project and came up with a figure of $1 17m. But as I understand it, the latest estimate of the cost of the Melbourne underground loop, towards which I think the Commonwealth has contributed nothing, will be of the order of $400m. That is for one project. It is one project in which it is clear that almost all the gains will be for the central business district and the retail interests and the property developers and the finance companies who anticipated that development. To some extent, in collusion with the Victorian Government, they have encouraged that development to take priority over all sorts of capital expenditures that might have been developed to improve the workings of that system so that peoples’ access to schools, hospitals and community facilities might have been improved. In that kind of situation in which a State government fixes a priority on that kind of basis one despairs about national priorities for transport planning in Australia. One finds it difficult to believe that we will reach a situation in which effective transport planning can occur.

That takes me on to the third point I wanted to make which is to pick up something that the honourable member for Lalor (Mr Barry Jones) touched on very well. I believe he made a significant contribution to this debate. He emphasised the close interrelationship between land use planning and transport planning. In Victoria- indeed, one might argue, in almost all Australian cities with the possible exception of Canberra- we do not really have land use planning or transport planning. We certainly do not have land use planning. So we have a situation in which governments take on the job of attempting to rationalise decisions that are made by powerful financial interests and land companies after those companies have determined the direction of investment. The history of Australian cities is clearly a history of booms and busts. From the very beginning of the city of Melbourne- indeed the same is true of most other Australian cities- we have seen development of a city fostered not by the use value of land but essentially in terms of its value for speculation and capital gains. The history of Victorian cities- certainly the history of Melbourne- is very much the product of that kind of process.

Only recently in Victoria we saw that the State Government itself has been closely related with that processs just as it was in the 1880s when so much of the suburban development of the early city of Melbourne occurred around the speculation of companies that were associated with the various railway lines that established that radial system which the honourable member for Lalor was describing. The result of a process of land development which is essentially based on speculation and private decision making, which takes little if any account of the public good and the need for overall planning, is a disaster in terms of transport. It means that governments are asked to socialise the losses after the profits have been made by these companies during the periods of boom. We are asked as governments to provide the services no matter how irrational the pattern of urban development may have been. That of course means that development is extraordinarily expensive. Whether one is talking about sewerage, water supply or educational services- whatever the services are- they are incredibly expensive and it is those service costs which are being borne by the Government. We need to take this into account when we talk about the financing of the public sector and the financing of transport planning.

I take issue with the honourable member for Denison (Mr Hodgman). He talked about this question in terms of the Government investing large amounts of money in Tasmania to restore a railway system that has been dismantled. Certainly the Government ought to be responsible for providing public services but one cannot expect governments in Australia to continue to provide those services based, as the honourable member for Denison recognises, on increasing levels of taxation within a context which makes those services prohibitively expensive. Therefore this inevitably produces a situation in which people are paying more tax than they ought to be paying to provide services which are essentially designed to rescue the investments of people who ought to have invested with some sense of social planning and social objectives but who in fact were much more interested in the profits that could be made. The result of that situation ultimately is that people are disadvantaged. Essentially that is what politics is about; it is about people. Essentially that is what economics is about. These decisions that are made have an impact on people.

In the provincial city of Geelong, for example, the Young Women’s Christian Association late last year conducted a good survey of about a thousand women in the Geelong area. The survey showed that the most significant problem to which the women drew attention was the lack of public transport services. Above all the other problems that they might conceivably have mentioned it was transport that was the key. Clearly transport is important not simply for women but for all people in terms of relating them to a whole range of activities. Indeed people’s social well being and their real income is very much affected by how they relate to or are not related to any kind of transport system. The Victorian Government has talked for years about developing a transport plan for Geelong and doing something about this problem. But so far it has not done anything about it and the people who lose from that lack of planning of Geelong ‘s development particularly are women such as those surveyed by the YWCA.

I guess that one of the difficulties that one has in relation to Federal-State relations is the degree of control that the national Government ought to have in relation to the expenditure priorities of particular governments. I guess that as the Federal Government did not contribute to the Melbourne underground loop in a sense that expenditure could go ahead and the Federal Government ought not to have any say. But one is rather dismayed from time to time when one comes across the activities of particular governments and what is involved with them. Late last year I read in the newspapers of a $8m purchase by the Victorian Government from Clyde Industries Ltd of 10 C-class locomotives which apparently were bought without the recognition by the Government that they would be able to operate on only about two lines in the State. An amount of $8m was spent. Indeed, associated with that purchase was the fact that Mr Vernon Wilcox, who had been Minister of Transport in Victoria, I think in the late 1960s, was on the board of the company which sold these trains to the Victorian Government. It may just be coincidence and there may not be much in it. Certainly Mr Hamer, who tends to be somewhat naive about his former Ministers, tended to think -

Mr N A Brown:
DIAMOND VALLEY, VICTORIA · LP

– I raise a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. You may not be aware that a Supreme Court writ has been issued with respect to allegations relating to that matter. The matter, therefore, is sub judice.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jarman:
DEAKIN, VICTORIA

-If that is so, I suggest to the honourable member for Batman that he does not refer to that particular matter.

Mr N A Brown:
DIAMOND VALLEY, VICTORIA · LP

– He should refer to something relevant for a change.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! I admit that I have allowed the debate to be fairly wideranging. Therefore, I have not restricted the honourable member. But I think that if there is any doubt about the judicial side of the matter it would be better if he refers only to the legislation before the House.

Mr HOWE:

– I commented earlier on the fact that we do not have anything like a national transport plan. Presumably the Federal Government which negotiates with the States in relation to the particular projects that are eligible to receive funds under this particular program is aware of the extent or the lack of the extent of planning in the transport area. Given the problems to which I have been referring that affect the Victorian Government in relation to transport planning it is quite extraordinary that nothing currently exists that might be described as a transport plan. We had an earlier plan which was essentially a freeway plan. It is not a planning framework within which urban public transport might be developed in Victoria. One wonders about the usefulness of making allocations to State governments such as the Victorian Government that do not have transport plans. The Victorian Government has had plenty of opportunity to develop a transport plan and has talked about it a great deal but it has not managed to establish a planning framework.

One recalls that in 1976 the Victorian Government promised that it would create a metropolitan transit authority. Here we are in 1979 and nothing like a metropolitan transit authority has been established by the Victorian Government. It has not managed to develop a plan and it has not managed to develop an appropriate authority. In terms of its history of involvement in transport planning, it represents a planning disaster. If one correlates that with its history in relation to land use planning and its involvement both directly and indirectly in the speculative land industry, one sees a position which is extremely disturbing considering that Commonwealth money is flowing into that particular State. One can only believe that in the heat of the election campaign the Victorian Government will finally commit itself to some kind of transport plan and it will finally establish a transit authority and develop some rationality in transport planning.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr McVEIGH:
Darling Downs

-The National Country Party supports the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Amendment Bill 1978 and is opposed to the amendment moved by the Opposition. We are opposed to the Opposition’s amendment because of its implied criticism of a worthwhile initiative of the present Government and for its rather simplistic approach to a solution of a problem which unfortunately is a growing problem. At the outset I state briefly the reasons for the National Country Party’s support of this Bill.

The National Country Party has established a reputation second to none for being a responsible Party, a just Party and a Party which pays great tribute to being accurate in its statements. No serious proposition has been advanced by our most fervent and vitriolic opponents that we do not fulfil those very high expectations which are held by the community at large. We are responsible because we support this Bill. We support it because of very difficult economic circumstances. It would be wrong for a government, as was stated by speakers on this side of the House previously, to increase taxation for the purpose of paying out unlimited amounts of money under various State grants legislation. It is a difficult time indeed and it behoves each and every one of us in every section of the Australian community to bear a fair share of the nation’s economic restraints.

Secondly, we are a just Party. Whilst road conditions in many parts of rural Australia are not good, it is interesting to note that since 1977 there has been a tremendous improvement in the quality of Australian roads. We are aware of the difficulties that face city dwellers. We are not isolated and we are not ruggedly individual in our approach. We seek also to upgrade the transport opportunities of people who live in metropolitan areas. We are aware of the bottlenecks and the time that is wasted by workers travelling to work. We are, of course, well renowned for being strong in our points of view and for being absolutely accurate in any expressions that we make. It is on this last point that I seek to correct a few erroneous opinions. Perhaps they have been honestly held opinions but they have been inaccurate. For the record, they should be set straight.

The entry of the Federal Government into this area occurred as a result of a promise by the then Government and the then Opposition prior to the 1972 election campaign. Unfortunately for Australia, the free enterprise parties were defeated and we saw the Labor Government- true to its election promise- initiate the necessary legislation. It was a promise made by both parties; it was not a unilateral decision. The States grants legislation introduced by the Labor Government was good legislation. We compliment the Labor Party on that legislation. But from experience it became quite obvious that there were certain shortfalls. This Bill seeks to overcome some of those problems and to improve the legislation so that we can have longrange planning rather than planning on an ad hoc basis in a yearly budgetary context as was the case under the Labor Administration. I am not criticising the Labor Government for introducing the legislation; I am just saying that experience has proven that it can be improved. One instance in my own State of planning on an ad hoc basis was the electrification of the railway system in the city of Brisbane. Notwithstanding that a great need existed for continuity of employment, planning and for forward commitment, no money was made available by the then Whitiam Administration for the year 1975-76. This had enormous consequences in the development of the electrification system.

The present Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) has sought, quite rightly, to overcome those shortfalls and to give a long range planning commitment to the States in all these areas. Previous legislation applied to the metropolitan areas and to the areas of Geelong, Wollongong and Newcastle. When the present Minister took over this portfolio, he indicated that he believed that other people also had problems. He cast the net wider. We saw a new development and definition of urban cities- cities with greater than 40,000 people. I hope that we will have a continuation of this policy, that we can decrease the numbers and that we can have a new category. We have the corridor development between Geelong and Melbourne and so forth. It could well be that in five years’ time we would have urban transport also being applicable, say, to a corridor development between the excellent city of Dalby and Toowoomba. This is the type of approach the Government has adopted to correct the shortfalls in previous legislation.

The legislation was introduced as a result of a firm commitment given by the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) in 1977. The Prime Minister wrote to all the State Premiers on 6 February 1978- soon after the election campaignindicating the format of the next State Grants (Urban Public Transport) Bill. It must be remembered that any criticism of this legislation that we get from the Opposition or from the States is based on the assumption that the Commonwealth provides two-thirds of the money in non-repayable grants and the States provide one-third. For statistical purposes and accuracy of the records, the amount of money made available is $300m, which amounts to $450m in all with the States’ contribution- some 50 per cent more than the amount of money made available under the previous Government’s 5-year plan.

Whilst the States are free to criticise, they have the right to use their own funds and to make contributions if they believe a particular area deserves a greater input. I believe it is morally wrong for States to adopt an attitude of passing the buck and criticising the central tax gatherer for not giving them enough money to spend on their pet projects. It is all very well to be popular, to buy votes, but in the final analysis the buck passing stops at the table of the Commonwealth Treasurer; he cannot please everyone.

The total amount of money available over the 5-year program in this legislation has not been decreased, it is still $300m, but what has happened is that there has been a change in the blend or mix of the split up of money. Actually $225m will be available, as compared with $200m, under a strict formula; and $75m will be available, compared with $100m, on a needs basis. The $225m has been split up in a most equitable way according to a formula based on three propositions, namely, population in urban areas, anticipated final allocations under the 1973-78 agreement and tax reimbursement shares. Under this formula New South Wales will receive 35 per cent of the $225m, or $78.75m. Victoria will receive 30 per cent, or $67.5m. Queensland will receive 17.5 per cent, or $39.37m. South Australia will receive 10 per cent, or $22.5m. Western Australia will receive 5 per cent, or $1 1.25m. Tasmania will receive 2.5 percent, or $5.625m.

I have had a good look at the various submissions forwarded by the different State governments. I must express some concern at and some criticism of the fact that although the Minister for Transport has nominated certain provincial cities as being eligible for participation in the scheme, most State governments confined the applications in their submissions to the metropolitan areas. I must express a little concern and disappointment at that fact. We all know that States consist of more than metropolitan areas. In my own State of Queensland all the moneys will be allocated to the city of Brisbane. I had hoped that the cities of Townsville, Rockhampton, Gold Coast, Cairns and Toowoomba would have attracted sufficient interest from the State Government to have had their names included in the submission for approval by the Federal Minister. The Federal Minister cannot very well allocate moneys to provincial cities if they are not on the list supplied by the various State governments.

The other criticism that I have to make of the State governments is that it is almost unbelievable that no State government submitted a proposition suggesting that under the legislation private bus operators be assisted. One appreciates the fact that local governments and statutory authorities have a prime responsibility to provide public services, but in a free enterprise economy I would have thought it was an eminently feasible proposition to advance that, if private bus operators saw fit to provide a service and to give people the opportunity of making a choice, those private operators could have had their proposition submitted for consideration by the Minister. In certain provincial cities public transport does not run at weekends. I know that in my own city of Toowoomba the private bus operators do not run services at weekends. It is a matter for criticism and concern that elderly people, people who do not drive, cannot go to hospitals or old people’s homes to visit friends or sick relatives because operators do not run services at weekends. I believe that a government could have advanced money to these private bus operators in a capital sense, because the legislation is applicable only to capital costs, to allow them to look at their operations over the broad spectrum so that they could have provided a service at a loss but by virtue of the fact that their capital costs were somewhat less they could operate at a slightly greater recurrent cost overhead. It is important that all people, whether they be in provincial cities or metropolitan areas, have the right to use public transport not only during the week but also at weekends for purposes of leisure and humanitarian concepts. I hope that the State governments will take up this challenge and in their submissions will forward a request that capital help be given to private bus operators.

It is disappointing that the Brisbane City Council is totally incapable of running a bus service at a profit. Last year the Brisbane City Council ‘s bus service had a loss of $9.4m.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– It is increasing under Labor.

Mr McVEIGH:

-I am reminded of that by the member for Brisbane. I am most grateful for his contribution that this is increasing and the cost of providing the public bus service in Brisbane is being borne by the rate payers who in many instances do not use the buses.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– The bus services around the world are running at a loss.

Mr Sainsbury:

– They should double the fares. They should charge $2 a section.

Mr McVEIGH:

– The Brisbane City Council seems to have some sort of inbuilt mechanism by which it believes it can buy votes cheaply by losing $9.4m a year- on the last available figures- on providing a public bus service. That is disappointing.

In Australia we can place an order for a train, engines and carriages and these will probably take up to 3 years to deliver. However, when it comes to buses we have to import them from overseas. May I offer another suggestion for the Minister’s consideration. Whilst no money can be made available under this legislation for experimental purposes, possibly under the associated legislation of education, planning and research into transport matters, money could be made available to develop a bus prototype so that we do not have to import engines, the chassis and the drives in such numbers because of the inability of the Australian market to produce the same. One realises it would be a rather limited market, but I believe it is appropriate to bring to the attention of the House the success story of Leader Trucks Australia, a private family company which operates in the city of Toowoomba and which makes trucks which are much in demand in work which is of a tough nature- in the heavy, commerical, industrial enterprises. These Leader Trucks have established a reputation for reliability and durability second to none.

I suggest that money should be made available to Leader Trucks Australia to develop a bus prototype, just as it has developed a heavy truck for particular Australian conditions. Why should we have to import buses made by Volvo, Leyland and M.A.N. when they could be made in Australia? It would provide employment opportunities in our provincial cities. The people I am talking abour are top class craftsmen who take pride in their work. In effect, an individual order can be placed. What better training ground for apprentices than an environment in which they are learning from the old masters rather than in a big system. It must be remembered that the transport, planning and research legislation which will operate in association with this legislation, provides on a yearly basis under a 50 = 50 arrangement with the States an amount of $6.42m. I believe it is desirable that some of that money be used to provide the facilities for the production of a suitable bus for use in Australian conditions rather than to import buses.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has produced some interesting figures in regard to the travel patterns of the Australian public. Some members of the Opposition touched on this matter. In 1970, 59 per cent of workers used their vehicles to travel to work. That increased to 66 per cent in 1974. Of the cars surveyed 80 per cent carried only one person. The present Australian rate is 1.27 people per car in peak hours. One can envisage the disasters, the bottlenecks and the problems that occur. In 1964 there were 1.49 persons in each car surveyed. We can see that there has not been a significant increase. The Monash University research department has compiled some outstanding figures. They show that by using public transport in a journey to work energy consumption could be reduced by 15 per cent, travel time could be reduced by 35 per cent and air pollution by 50 per cent. Also, the construction of new road facilities could be deferred for about three years.

I want to make a final point in regard to the specific allocation of funds. The Minister for Transport has promised that not all of the $75m to be made available over the five-year period on a needs basis will go to the one State. The money will be spread among all the States. I make a particular appeal on behalf of Queensland. In 1982 the eyes of the people of the British Commonwealth, particularly Australia, will be focused on the sporting facilities of Brisbane, eminently situated in the Federal electorate of Fadden which is worthily represented in this Parliament. Unless a special grant is made available to improve the access to the various sporting stadiums and an electrification project is completed there could be problems for the members of the travelling pubhe in reaching the facilities to witness Australia in action against the other Commonwealth countries. I hope that the Minister- a man of great personal sympathy for a just proposition- Wil be able to ensure that some of that $75m is made available as a special grant to Queensland to provide funds for the completion of transport facilities to the Commonwealth Games.

Much criticism has been made of this legislation. A great deal of it has been undeserved. At all times the Minister has been cognisant of his responsibility as a member of Cabinet. As far back as 21 July 1978 in Darwin he had the courage to say to the State Transport Ministers, ‘We are in economically difficult times. I will give you time to re-work your programs and to submit new propositions’. Therefore, the State governments have had plenty of time to present different propositions in line with the Government’s total Budget strategy, remembering at all times that not one less dollar will be made available to them. The total amount to be provided under the program is still $300m. I was disappointed when an honourable member said, ‘Ah, but the money will not go as far’. I hope that the Opposition will co-operate with the Government -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage)Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– Honourable members are obviously confused about the intention of the contribution made by the honourable member for Darling Downs (Mr McVeigh).

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– You normally are confused. There is nothing unusual about that. You would be the greatest clown we have ever had in this House as the Whip for the Opposition.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-I think that the less the honourable member says the better. The only contribution made by the honourable member for Brisbane (Mr Peter Johnson) to the debate so far has been to propose that we treble the fares for the Brisbane bus service.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– That shows how little you listened to me. I happened to be supporting a colleague from Queensland who knows more about it than you will ever know.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage)Order! The honourable member for Brisbane will remain silent. The honourable member for Hughes will address his remarks to the Chair.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– He would not have -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

– Order! The honourable member for Brisbane will remain silent. I call the honourable member for Hughes.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-If the honourable member for Brisbane’s verbosity was legislation, we would be making a great deal of progress at present.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– Get your facts straight.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-Instead of that -

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– Get your facts straight. I did not make that statement.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-Mr Deputy Speaker, is this man able to control himself at all?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member for Hughes will resume his seat. I wish to point out to the honourable member for Brisbane that even though I am a member of the Opposition, as Deputy Chairman of Committees I intend to uphold the dignity of this Parliament. If the honourable member does not obey instructions of the Chair to remain silent I will have to take appropriate action.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

- Mr Deputy Speaker -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Is the honourable member rising on a point of order?

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– I am. With great respect to you, sir, during the time that I have been a member of this House I have not disagreed with a ruling from the Chair and I will continue not to do so. However, what was being said by the Opposition Whip was completely untrue. I did not make that interjection; a colleague of mine did and he made mention of that fact only a few minutes ago. The Opposition Whip as usual -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member can make a personal explanation when the honourable member for Hughes finishes speaking. In the meantime, that is not a point of order. I call the honourable member for Hughes.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-I think I should remind the House that we are debating the States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Amendment Bill. It is a Bill of some complexity. I can understand that the honourable gentleman lost track of it a long time ago. I just say that the legislation is not of world shattering consequence. It will certainly not alleviate the many difficulties being experienced around Australia in the area of urban public transport. I do not think anybody has been contending that we are going to get a great rash of express lanes for buses in the great capital cities as we have in Canberra, where we have express buses to boot. No radical changes of that kind are contemplated or mooted. I do not think anyone is starting to envisage a new system of monorails or rapid rail, the kind of development we see in the less developed parts of the world- in Europe and in other places. I do not think we are going to see many projects that will provide large scale parking at railway stations for the urban commuters who walk sometimes half a mile or more to get to a train service. No government supporter has even talked hopefully about this kind of development. There is not going to be much upgrading of our second class railway stations, which are a disgrace no matter in what part of Australia they operate. It is just incredible that decades ago we were able to build them. These days in most States of Australia we are even having trouble giving them a coat of paint. Of course, there is no talk of our extending railways lines. Why, our forebears built the railway lines in this country. It is just amazing that despite the urban development that took place in 1978 we find very little in the way of extensions of railway systems. There are even inadequate provisions for road transport systems- bus systems and the like.

This Government is guilty of having abandoned the sensible approach to urban development and all the related provisions that should go with it. Obviously, it should be thinking in terms of growth centres and the concentrations of population on main routes having regard to reticulation of water, sewerage and all the other essential public facilities. But that kind of program was thrown right out of the window with the change of government that took place on 11 November 1975. I do not think that in most States we are likely to see any upgrading of the ramshackle rolling stock, the kind of inadequate railway systems that caused the Granville disaster. Regrettably, that is the kind of situation that could occur in many places because of the years of neglect that have passed. I have regard for the railway system in Wollongong which is one of our great provincial cities, one of our great money-earning cities, the steel city of Australia. It is a city of coal producers, a city of some 300,000-odd people which is making a very great contribution to the well-being of this nation. There we have one of the most antiquated railway systems that we would see in any part of the world. It is virtually a rolling museum. You find people travelling for hours to get from Sydney to Wollongong.

The State Wran Government is now attempting to do something about it, to offset all those years of indifference and neglect. We had hoped to get some lead from the Fraser Government, through the Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon), as to how we might bring Australia’s public transport provisions into the twentieth century. Regrettably, he has been found wanting. The fact that emerges is that public transport does not enjoy a high priority with the Fraser Government.

This Bill, which amends the State Grants (Urban Public Transport) Act 1978, actually reduces in real terms, the sums allocated to the States to upgrade public transport. It is a Bill of deferment of obligation, one which diminishes the real value of commitment. In the short time that I have to speak tonight I will explain that statement further. The deferment of Commonwealth payments to the States totalling $25m, means that the States will not, over 1978-79 and 1979-80, be able to obtain funds on a needs basis for recognised projects. The purchase of muchneeded equipment will have to be deferred. When such purchase ultimately becomes possible less will be obtainable for the same amount of money. As we all understand the situation, because of the problems that are emerging in the energy area, there will be an increasing dependence on public transport and obviously the Government should be orienting its expenditure towards that objective. It should not be forgotten that the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser), by deferring payments to the States for public transport, is breaking a specific 1977 election promise to provide $60m annually over five years for urban public transport in all States. In his policy statement of 21 November 1977 the Prime Minister said that in 1978-79 his Government would expand existing programs by providing for a grant of $60m annually for the next five years.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

- Mr Deputy Speaker-

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage)Order! I call the honourable member for Brisbane.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– I would like to draw attention to the state of the House. This is a matter which the Labor Party considers very important, and there are -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage)Order! Is the honourable member taking a point of order?

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– I am.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage)What is the point of order? I trust the honourable member is not wasting time.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

-He is wasting time.

Mr Peter Johnson:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND · LP

– I am drawing attention to the state of the House and asking for a quorum.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage:
CHIFLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES

-A quorum is required. Ring the bells. (Quorum formed)

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-I call the honourable member for Hughes.

Mr Bourchier:

– I rise on a point of order. I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member’s speech but I heard you, Mr Deputy Speaker, make a comment. When the honourable member for Brisbane (Mr Peter Johnson) took a point of order, you said: ‘You are wasting the time of the House’. Sir, I do not think that it is your prerogative, as Deputy Speaker, to so address a member who is taking a point of order unless you have first heard the point of order.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

– When the honourable member for Brisbane rose he started speaking straight away and the first thing I wanted to know was whether he was taking a point of order. I intervened because earlier he rose to make a personal explanation when it was not the appropriate time to do so. At that point of time I had to rule that there was no point of order. Accordingly, I wanted to ensure that the course of action being taken was the appropriate one.

Mr Bourchier:

– You still made that statement.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-I think that was the right thing to do.

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I suppose that what we just observed is a part of parliamentary history; the Government, unable to sustain a quorum itself, drew attention to that fact. That just shows the lack of interest in public transport on the part of the Government, and that is the very point I am making. It is a disturbing state of affairs that this Government does not seem to care less that public transport is in a shambles around Australia. I have pointed out already that this legislation involves the breaking of yet another promise by the Prime Minister of this country. It is no wonder Government supporters are embarrassed. It is no wonder they are reluctant to keep this debate going. It is no wonder there are no more members from the Government side listed to speak in this debate. That is the situation.

In the time remaining to me in this debate I just want to make a few points. The reduction in funds for public transport shows the Government’s lack of commitment to co-operative federalism. The Fraser Government gives firm assurances to the States one day and withdraws them the next. It is no wonder that all the States are in financial trouble under this new federalism. It is no wonder that they are all seeking to sell off their resources- selling a bit of the farm, as a former Country Party Leader used to say. It is no wonder they are threatening to retrench public servants around Australia. It is no wonder they are warning against increased State taxes. It is because we have these broken promises, as I have mentioned, including the firm election commitment of the Prime Minister to additional funds for public transport. We have established that that promise was broken. Many promises under the heading of federalism are being broken.

The failure of the Government to include in this amending legislation the escalation provision which was incorporated in the original 1973-78 assistance scheme introduced by the Labor Government means that Commonwealth contributions to approved programs remain constant, which, of course, simply means that the States have to pick up the tab. The State governments will have to find the extra money to complete the programs, the costs of which have increased because of inflation. Inflation is eroding the purchasing power of 1978 dollars at around 8 per cent and indications are that inflation will continue at a rate of 7 per cent to 9 per cent for the remaining five years of the program. Consequently the value of the limited Commonwealth transport grants is whittled away, firstly, by the deferment of the payment of $25m from the first and second years of the five-year program to the last two years and, secondly, the failure to include an escalation provision for approved programs. This, of course, plays absolute havoc with planning and all the States will suffer as a result.

For example, under the 1978 Act New South Wales was to have received $14m per annum plus a share of $20m a year to be determined on a needs basis. The New South Wales Government reasonably expected to obtain $6m per annum from the $20m allocated for special needs. Under this Bill New South Wales will get only $ 1 4m. There has been a 30 per cent cut back in Commonwealth allocations to New South Wales. This year $6m worth of planned projects will be delayed. It is unreasonable to expect the State Government to make up the Commonwealth Government’s deficit. Already the New South Wales Government is providing $207m this year in its $ 1,000m public transport capital investment program. This does not take into consideration the $442m provided in the New South Wales Budget to meet the deficits of the various State public transport enterprises for which the Commonwealth Government makes no direct contribution.

It is equally unreasonable to expect the State Government to make up for the increase in the cost of approved programs due to inflation. In case it may be thought that the 1978 Act provides a more generous offer than the Labor

Government’s five year program it needs to be recalled that the original offer of the Federal Labor Government in 1973 was quite generous. It provided $500m at 1973 values over five years with compensatory escalation provisions to maintain the purchasing power of the grants. Between 1974 and 1978, Commonwealth urban public transport grants to New South Wales amounted to $56m, a sum which would have been greatly expanded if full advantage of the generous offer had been taken by the LiberalCountry Party coalition prior to 1976. 1 refer to the governments of Askin, Lewis and Willis.

Under the new scheme, New South Wales will get $78.75m and a proportion of the need allocations for the years 1980 to 1983, the purchasing power of which is reduced by inflation. Using constant 1978-79 prices and an annual inflation rate of seven per cent for 1979-82, the value of the allocations to New South Wales under the current proposals is $68.5m which is only marginally more in purchasing power than was received under the 1973-78 program when, as indicated, the then New South Wales coalition Government failed to take advantage of the program that was offered to it.

In total terms, the purchasing power of the allocations under the 1978 Act have been reduced by $4.6m- using again an assumed annual rate of” inflation of seven per cent- by this amendment Bill. Some $4.6m has been lost to the starved public transport systems throughout Australia because of the Government’s decision to defer the payment of $25m to the States. We see retrograde steps being taken over the whole transport area, whether relating to urban public transport or the provision of much needed facilities in the country. It is an unhappy situation. As I see the legislation it is not much more than a thimble and pea trick. One thing is decidedly certain, and beyond any controversy: There will not be any apparent improvement in public transport as a result of this legislation. In fact there is everything to indicate that we will see a retrograde situation develop in the five years covered by this legislation.

Mr Donald Cameron:
FADDEN, QUEENSLAND · LP

– As this is the first day of the Parliamentary sittings for the New Year I convey to you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and to Mr Speaker my best wishes for a most happy 1979. The previous speaker, the honourable member for Hughes (Mr Les Johnson), early in his speech referred to the difficulty confronting some of his constituents in that they had to walk half a mile to catch a train. In my electorate many people can walk up to 100 miles and still not find a passenger train to board. It never ceases to amaze me how representatives of purely city electorates have such little understanding of the difficulties confronting non-urban dwellers. Many of my constituents would dearly love to be able to walk half a mile secure in the knowledge that some form of public transport would be available. They just do not clamour for the repainting of a waiting shed. They live in hope for, and look forward to the day when a train service will be provided.

To try to correct the situation which currently exists in my electorate, I want to bring to the attention of the Minister for Transport (Mr Nixon) a most exciting and innovative suggestion. It is a suggestion which will not cost a lot of money. Frequently the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) has stated that he is interested in the ideas of people who can make suggestions which are not costly to implement. On behalf of the electors of Fadden, which embraces the outskirts of southern Brisbane and south-eastern Queensland, I put forward an idea for the Federal Minister for Transport to take to the New South Wales Minister for Transport and the Queensland Minister for Transport. I am pleased to note that the Minister for Transport is listening very closely to what I am saying.

An interstate railway line runs from Sydney to Brisbane. Between the New South WalesQueensland border, which is the commencement of my electorate, and the outskirts of Brisbane this railway line passes very close to many residents of my electorate. (Quorum formed). I thank the honourable member for Hunter (Mr James) for increasing the size of the audience in the chamber. As I was saying, the railway line from Sydney to Brisbane runs through my electorate, which starts at the New South WalesQueensland border. That railway line passes very close to a large number of residents of the Federal electorate of Fadden. Brisbane, like many other cities, has reached its peak in many ways. People are now moving out of the great cities and establishing living districts in areas which perviously were never considered to be areas for close habitation.

That railway Une is used but twice a day by passenger trains running from Sydney to Brisbane and from Brisbane to Sydney. Of course, a number of goods trains run on the line. I suggest to the House that it would be excellent if the New South Wales Government could be encouraged to lend the Queensland Government a rail motor- we all know that Queensland and New South Wales have different railway line gauges- to run on this line so that once or twice a day a train could travel from the outskirts of Brisbane places like Browns Plains, Greenbank, Calamvale, Pallara and Algester- and thereby enable the people in these areas, who are presently without any real forms of transport, to have their own train service. The Minister is smiling. That gives me hope because it indicates his pleasure at the suggestion.

The co-operation of the Queensland Government will be needed if this concept is to be embraced. I have had many dealings with the National Party M.L.A. for the seat of Fassifern, Mr Selwyn Muller. Mr Muller has said to me: Don, we will do this together’. I have agreed because we see the possibility of the people in this remote part of Queensland having a form of transport that so many city members often take for granted. As they stand at crossings with trains racing by, they simply curse at the fact that they have been held up. But in the rural parts of Australia, people frequently never see a train.

I am suggesting that this is a cheap way of providing transport for several thousands of people who reside in those areas that I have already mentioned. With a rail motor, all that would be required would be short platforms of say 70 yards to 100 yards to be constructed on an experimental basis. If the experiment proves that it has potential for future development, surely in this great country of ours, as we draw to the end of the twentieth century, we have reached the stage where New South Wales and Queensland could join together as one and New South Wales could say to Queensland: ‘You can borrow our rail motor. We will service the needs of the people of Browns, Plains, Greenbank, Calamvale, Pallara and Algester. We will work together to provide transport for those people ‘.

I know that the Minister for Transport has listened to every word that I have said; in fact he is nodding his head in agreement. I say to the Minister: ‘I am throwing the ball to you. Pick it up and run with it because you will become a real hero in those areas that I mentioned just previously’. I ask through the Chair whether the Minister thinks that the idea has merit. I notice that the Minister is nodding his head in agreement and I am sure that my constituents too will be happy to know that.

Amendment negatived.

Original question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.

Third Reading

Leave granted for third reading to be moved forthwith.

Motion (by Mr Nixon) proposed:

That the Bill be now read a third dme.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a third time.

page 65

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS AMENDMENT BILL 1978

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 26 October, on motion of Mr Ellicott:

That the Bill be now read a second dme.

Mr ELLICOTT:
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for the Capital Territory · Wentworth · LP

- Mr Deputy Speaker, may I have the indulgence of the House to raise a point of procedure on this legislation. Before the debate is resumed on this Bill, I would like to suggest that it may suit the convenience of the House to have a general debate covering this Bill and the Postal Services Amendment Bill as they are associated measures. Separate questions will of course be put on each of the Bills at the conclusion of the debate. I suggest, therefore, Mr Deputy Speaker, that you permit the subject matter of both Bills to be discussed in this debate.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Armitage:

-Is it the wish of the House to have a general debate covering both measures? There being no objection, I will allow that course to be followed.

Mr INNES:
Melbourne

-The Opposition does not oppose either of these Bills. I shall just make a few comments that are relevant to both Bills and I am sure that I can crave the indulgence of the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Ellicott) just to drift in one or two small areas and I might remind him that I shall seek some guidance from him on his attitude about a couple of other matters. I hope and trust that in the near future he will advise me about his decision.

The Postal Services Amendment Bill 1978 is part of the Government’s program, which program is laid out in the Bill itself, for the wellbeing of the inhabitants of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The Bill will allow the Cocos (Keeling)

Islands to establish their own postal and philatelic services similar to those conducted by Norfolk Island and Christmas Island. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands will obtain revenue from these operations, primarily from philatelic sales, and the revenue so derived will be retained on the islands for the welfare of the inhabitants. The Bill also states that it is proposed that the Act shall take effect on a date to be fixed by proclamation which may be the date when the ordinance establishing the postal service takes effect. The decision has been taken to establish philatelic services on Christmas Island and Norfolk Island and on Christmas Island in particular the operation has proved to be very successful. The revenue increased strongly in the period under review in the 1977-78 report on Christmas Island. Total postage and philatelic revenue in 1977-78 amounted to $570,667 compared with a total of $202,482 in 1976-77. The 1977 special Christmas commemorative issue, Twelve Days of Christmas was awarded seventh place in the 1977 stamp of the year competition conducted by the Italia Filatelica. One hundred and six countries participated in the competition. I was proud to receive a copy of the set and I am sure that it does the individuals proud. I think that the Administrator participated to a large degree in the development of the service on the island. The service is a credit to the people directly concerned in negotiating with a company in London, I understand, and it shows that at least there is one area on the island which can be concentrated on; and it has certainly developed a large clientele.

On Norfolk Island the same thing has occurred. There are just a couple of areas with regard to the Norfolk Island situation about which we must be warned. People on that island are prone to take advantage of their unique position- I will put it as high as that- in many other areas. They ensure that they take complete advantage of all the benefits associated with the island to the extent of not being prepared to pay taxes, but certainly they are prepared to take whatever comes and goes apart from that. I was interested to hear that Mr Foot, who was engaged in a number of other activities on the island, was interested in some involvement in the philatelic service on Norfolk Island. I sincerely hope and trust that that does not occur. There are a number of areas where this sort of thing can fail. If individuals move in and in the short run develop drops of the stamps concerned or overproduce stamps on the island, it seems to me that they will be heading to a position of certainly making a lolling in the first instance, but killing the whole business in the final analysis. That is just one of the issues with which we are concerned. I think that Qatar, Ras al Khaimah and Tonga are notable examples of the procedures that I have just outlined.

There is also one other issue that I wish to put to the Minister. I think that on 5 February the Administrator of Norfolk Island asked Radio Australia to regard Norfolk Island stamp news as part of Radio Australia’s broadcasts, so that the philatelic service of Norfolk Island could have a program containing news about the service available there. I sincerely hope and trust that the same steps are taken in respect of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This Bill is probably not of great moment to many people here, but the revenue gain to the Islands from that sort of activity ought to be supported. I think the step the Government has taken is a step in the right direction.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands Amendment Bill, is straightforward. Its purpose is to introduce new citizenship provisions into the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1 955 to extend Australian citizenship to any person not already an Australian citizen who was ordinarily resident on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands immediately before their transfer to Australia. Once again, this is a step in the right direction. However, I remind the Minister that there is another island adjacent to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. I understand that steps have been taken in relation to that island. I have not seen the report nor do I have any information directly from the Minister as to what has happened with regard to the qualification for citizenship on that island.

Mr Ellicott:

– Which island?

Mr INNES:

-Christmas Island. I understand that the qualification for citizenship is a period of residence of about five years. I do not know that officially. I would like the Minister to tell me. The fast answer would be that it has nothing to do with the Bill. However, I am sure that the Minister will not take that attitude but will either answer me now or give me some information later to satisfy me. The matter is relevant in that the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island are adjoining islands. There are three islands which might well be in the same situation. We will be debating the issue of selfgovernment for Norfolk Island in the near future. It seems to me that we run into difficulties in our external territories particularly when we exploit individuals who spend some time in the service of Australian industry. For example, the rural industry has had cheap phosphates from

Christmas Island. I will not take the matter further as the Minister is likely to object at any tick of the clock.

Mr Ellicott:

– Tell the House what we have done on Cocos. We have not done a bad job on Cocos.

Mr INNES:

– I am talking about Christmas Island at the moment. The Government has not done a bad job on Cocos. The former Labor Government started it. All the present Government has done has been to pick up where that Government left off.

Mr Ellicott:
Mr INNES:

– I do not want to argue the point. I do not think that there is any great difference between the Minister and me on the issue. We have let the situation in regard to Christmas Island continue for a considerable time. A problem concerning the police force has now arisen, that I will take up on another occasion. Rates of pay have been almost agreed upon, but certain difficulties have arisen because those rates are not recognised within the structure of the Australian arbitration system. I sincerly hope and trust that they will be recognised one of these days.

Citizenship is a big issue. Clearly, the Minister ought to be congratulated on the step he is taking. It at least confirms the principle that we would adopt. However, the Government has other areas of responsibility. In particular, I should like to know precisely what has happened to date with the problem on Christmas Island. A declaration was to be made. In short, the Opposition does not oppose the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Amendment Bill. What I have said is constructive criticism. It is some assistance and comment about what procedures might be taken. As the counterpart to the Minister, I am interested in one of the other island Territories. I should like some information now or a verbal or written reply at his convenience.

Mr ELLICOTT:
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for the Capital Territory · Wentworth · LP

– in reply- I suppose this is not the appropriate time to answer my friend, the honourable member for Melbourne (Mr Innes), in relation to Christmas Island and Norfolk Island, but I will give him some information in answer to the questions that he raised. He mentioned the fact that the Government’s policy includes the provision of revenue to the community on Cocos Island from philatelic sales and that it is hoped that this service will be taken over, in effect, for the benefit of the community later this year. I hope that will occur no later than August of this year. It will mean in due course, assuming that the amount of revenue received is similar to that received in Norfolk Island and Christmas Island, that at least $100,000 to $200,000 will be added to the revenue of Cocos Island. That money will be for the benefit of the Cocos-Malay community. It not only will be revenue for their benefit but also will provide employment for some of the Cocos-Malay community. So, in terms of both employment and revenue, the measure which is being debated in this House tonight is of significant benefit to Cocos Island.

May I say, for the purpose of informing other honourable members as well as my friend the honourable member for Melbourne, that I visited Cocos Island two or three weeks ago. The purpose of my visit was to execute a lease to the co-operative that has been established on the island for the purpose of managing the copra plantation. That lease was executed for a period of 10 years, with rights of renewal up to 20 years, at what might be called, perhaps, a coconut rental rather than a peppercorn rental- a rental of $1 a year. The purpose of that is to enable the community to take over, in effect, the management of its own economy. It will in future run the copra plantation that previously was run by the Clunies Ross Estate. It now has its own manager, Mr Hughes. He was chosen after a number of the Interim Advisory Council members interviewed several applicants in Australia last year. Mr Hughes is now living there and he has set about the task of managing the co-operative under, of course, its control. There are approximately 130 members of the co-operative, and that makes up in effect the working community on Home Island where the Cocos-Malay people live.

While I was there I also left with them a draft ordinance to establish a council. That council will have transferred to it, for the benefit of the community, most of Home Island; that is to say, all of Home Island except that which is remaining for the Clunies Ross family and that which is being leased to the co-operative, namely, that which consists of the area on which the co-operative coconut factory is located. There will be transferred to the community for its own benefit, through its local council, all those areas in which its members live, the areas where they have their playing fields, and the areas where their cemeteries are located- in other words, what they regard as their home. Those areas will be transferred, of course, without cost, and will be held upon trust for the community.

The council will be established under this ordinance. It will be a council consisting of seven members and, broadly speaking, it will have responsibility for running what is called the kampong area or the community area. It will also have the responsibility of advising the Minister from dme to time on matters relating to Cocos Island. It will be an advisory council but it will have executive and legislative responsibilities. For instance, it will be able to pass by-laws. After the ordinance has been translated into Malay and the Malay people have considered it and looked at it, it will come back to me. I hope that it will go through the Executive Council within at least six weeks, if not earlier. That will then mean that a council will be established. It will pick up the existing members of the Interim Advisory Council, and there will be a provision that there has to be an election, I think, within a period of six to twelve weeks. So there will be fresh elections and a fresh council of seven which then will have the task of governing the community.

Mr Innes:

– Will it necessitate further legislation here?

Mr ELLICOTT:

– It will not necessitate legislation here. It will involve an ordinance under the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act but, when it is put into law it will represent something that has been negotiated with the council itself. There is a person over there who speaks Malay and can translate the measure into the Malay language. We have recently employed a person to go there and be available to the Administrator and to the council. This person has a clear capacity for interpretation.

Mr Innes:

– One is needed on Norfolk Island.

Mr ELLICOTT:

-Well, I might take the honourable member for Melbourne over there and he may be able to help me. In addition, I am sure that honourable members will be interested to know that under the arrangements both health and education will remain with the Australian Government. However, needless to say, on both these matters there will be close consultation with the council when it is elected. Recently a Malay-speaking nurse was employed by the Government and she is to be basically located on Home Island where she will be available to serve the community. The doctor, of course, will be located, as he always has been, on West Island but he is available to go by launch across the lagoon, a distance of about five miles, and he is available for emergencies and the like. Needless to say, there is the other emergency which involves taking people out. Honourable members may have read that the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Anthony) took a seriously ill young child out of Cocos last weekend. I believe that the CocosMalay nurse must have been with that child when she was taken out.

The other thing that has happened recently is that we have sent to Australia nine young people- very fine young Cocos-Malay studentswho have been working in the school on Home Island. They have been working with the teacher, who comes out of the Western Australian education system, and seem to be young people who could either be developed to be of greater use as teachers or could become involved in what we might call the Public Service of Cocos in the future or could do clerical work for the cooperative. These young people will receive about six months training at Mount Lawler College in Western Australia. It is a composite course to improve their capacity to speak English and thencapacities in various other respects, such as in teaching. I am also hoping that some of them will be able to learn such skills as typing so that they will be able to take up clerical duties. This is a significant step because it means that we are, as it were, providing a base for the future Public Service, the future clerical administration of the Cocos community, the local government council and the co-operative.

In addition, the Government has appointed another teacher to the Home Island school. That teacher does have a smattering of the Malay language and hopefully will pick up more while she is there and be able to improve her capacity to communicate. There now will be two full time teachers instead of only one on Home Island and we are anxious that there be some sort of interchange between the two schools. I had considered the integration of the two schools, that is, the West Island school attended by the children of the Australian administration staff and the Home Island school where the Cocos children go. However, it seemed to me not desirable for a number of reasons, one of which of course was the distance and the difficulties associated with travel on a daily basis across the lagoon. Nevertheless, efforts will be made to have joint activity, to get some sort of intercommunication not only at a school level but also at a community level between those who are living on Home Island and the Australians living on West Island. Members will know that a quarantine station has been scheduled for West Island, in the Cocos group. Construction of that quarantine station is about to commence, if it has not already commenced. It is scheduled to be completed in 1 98 1 .

If I may explain this to honourable members in the short time I have left, the co-operative, first of all, is conducting the plantation. That plantation involves a lot of manual labour, as one can imagine. A copra plantation means a copra economy, which of course will not permit wages at the levels that are paid in Australia. The local people are running it themselves and are providing then own labour. The profits go into the cooperative’s account from which it pays wages. Then there is a dividend system for paying any profits, which are distributed amongst members of the co-operative. If there are any further amounts they would be paid to the local government council to assist in any community development. That is one aspect of their work.

In another sense, an important part of the cooperative’s activity is to enter into contracts with the Australian Government to undertake works of maintenance, building work and the like in the Cocos group. Those contracts are worked out at Australian labour rates. They calculate what it would cost at Australian labour rates and therefore they get the benefit into the co-operative of the contract price at that rate. They might be building houses or assisting with the construction of the quarantine station, or they might be doing work to maintain the airport. However, those levels of wage rates result in them getting proportionately a much larger amount than they would receive per man or per woman from the co-operative. They are thereby able to pay themselves a much higher rate of wages than they would pay if all they had was their copra plantation.

I thought I would take the opportunity to give some report to honourable members about what is happening on Cocos Island as the opportunity is not often available to me to have a Bill before the House on such a matter. I commend the Bill to the House.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

Leave granted for third reading to be moved forthwith.

Bill (on motion of Mr Ellicott) read a third time.

page 69

POSTAL SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL 1978

Second Reading

Consideration resumed from 15 November, on motion by Mr Staley:

That the Bill be now read a second time.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

Leave granted for third reading to be moved forthwith.

Bill (on motion of Mr Ellicott) read a third time.

page 69

BILLS RETURNED FROM THE SENATE

The following Bills were returned from the Senate without amendment:

Quarantine Amendment Bill 1978.

Commonwealth Authorities (Northern Territory Pay-roll Tax) Bill 1978.

Sales Tax (Exempdons and Classifications) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1978.

page 69

ADJOURNMENT

Unemployment- Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Millar)Order! It being 10.30 p.m. I propose the question:

That the House do now adjourn.

Mr WEST:
Cunningham

-Mr Deputy Speaker, the performance by the new Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs (Mr Viner) and the Government in today’s debate on the gravity of the employment situation was pathetic. They still blame the so-called sins and omissions of the previous Federal Labor Government for the current horrifying figures. The honourable members for Port Adelaide (Mr Young) and Batman (Mr Howe) were blamed for allegedly putting no constructive propositions forward but the responsible Minister offered nothing himself.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member for Cunningham should be aware that it is not consistent with Standing Orders to allude to an earlier debate of the session.

Mr WEST:

-Mr Deputy Speaker, I accept your ruling. I agree that these policies, such as the Commonwealth Rebate for Apprenticeship Full-time Training, the Special Youth Employment Training Program, the Education Program for Unemployed Youth and the so-called preapprenticeship training schemes that do exist, are poorly administered and that their forms need to be altered immediately.

Let me refer briefly to the pre-apprenticeship scheme which is supposed to give young people one year’s training at technical colleges prior to undertaking apprenticeships. These young people receive a flat payment of $20 per week. A person under 18 years of age receives a reduction of $16 per week and a person over 18 years of age a reduction of $3 1.45 per week as they move from receipt of the unemployment benefit to receipt of the pre-apprenticeship payment. Last year the Government paid these people a tool and equipment allowance- for example, $220 per year for those pre-apprenticeship carpenters and plumbers who took the course. But on 26 January this year, in an administrative control instruction to the Commonwealth Employment Service management in all of its agencies, in a secret manoeuvre and without a Press statement, the Minister abolished the allowance. The Government is not satisfied with saving $1,635 per year as a result of cutting the employment benefit back to $20; it wants to further penalise young people who show initiative and wish to train themselves rather than accept the unemployment benefit by wiping their equipment allowance. That is the way the Government treats people who show initiative in this unemployment situation. All this occurred while the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs was bragging about his Volunteer Youth Employment scheme and his Job Search 79.

I am also staggered by the activity of the Department of Immigration in soliciting independent applicants from Europe and the United Kingdom to fill vacancies in the computer industry for programmers and engineers. The computer industry, both in manufacturing, maintenance and operation, is about the only growth industry in the country. Yet, as workers such as typists are replaced by word processing machines in major insurance offices and banks, instead of a manpower and retraining policy to enable the unemployed to be trained to fill the vacant spots, we see workers being imported from overseas.

Look at the operation of the Special Youth Employment Training Program. One might term it the special youth employment replacement program. There is something ludicrous in seeing second-hand car dealers sacking women workers, waiting several months, employing replacements to wash cars and then receiving $45 a week on behalf of each of them under the Government’s manpower scheme. Schoolleavers are also being disadvantaged since they are not eligible for the SYETP subsidy for four months. The scheme ought to be altered immediately to provide for the payment of the subsidy to employers for net increases to their labour force regardless of the length of time the person under 25 years of age has been unemployed. This would be similar to paying unemployment benefits as a subsidy to employers for all net increases to their labour forces, except that it would cost much less. But no, the Minister still persists, Mr Deputy Speaker, with the wearying nonsense that the Special Youth Employment Training Program is a success, and that unemployment is caused by the five-year-old sins of Mr Whitlam and the wage increases paid to the workers of our society. Is this the best way to provide jobs for the 55 per cent of the unemployed who are under 25 years of age? Are these the best ways to provide jobs for the 240,000 schoolleavers who have just joined the labour market?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr JULL:
Bowman

-The greatest killer on the loose in Australia is without doubt the motor car and its driver. Each year thousands of Australians lose their lives on our roads and thousands of others are maimed or carry the scars, physical as well as mental, of bad road accidents. In 1977, 3578 people were killed from a total of 67,549 accidents; 386 young Australians were killed in motor bike accidents; and, overall, 91,616 people were injured in car accidents. Yet, despite this carnage on our roads, we seem to do little to curb it except impose speed limits, fix a few potholes and have the police set radar traps.

I wish to direct my attention tonight more towards the safety aspect of motor cars produced in Australia. For too long this topic seems to have been regarded as the sacred cow of the automotive world, and I believe that time is long overdue when we ought to examine seriously how safe, and what safety features are available, or planned, for Australian made cars.

For too long the assumption has been that so many car accidents are the result of driver negligence. Whilst this may be correct to some great extent, research in the United States of America has revealed that a substantial number of motor accidents are caused by defective vehicle engineering and poor vehicle design. Indeed, is it not reasonable to expect that better engineering can correct to a degree human error. Much could be done to make cars safer, whereas drivers will always be prone to error.

When I was researching this matter, I phoned one of Australia’s leading car dealers to inquire about the safety features of their basic family sedan. At first I was told by a large retailer in Brisbane that there were no special features except for padded dashboards, seat belts and a collapsible steering column. The dealer suggested that I telephone the interstate head office to get further information. I did so and spoke to the Chief Engineering Design Officer who firstly proceeded to tell me about the myths of the safety features, in a well known European car, and then proceeded to say that his company’s cars had nothing extra special, but that they complied with standards set down by the Commonwealth Government. The attitude of that company precisely reflects the general attitude of all Australian manufacturers towards the need to promote and develop better safety features in passenger vehicles. It is all very well for some companies to promote how well their cars weave around witches hats but where are the ads that show us what happens to their cars when they have a head-on accident at 30 miles an hour; where are the ads that show us how effective their bumper bars are; and where are the ads that show us what happens to their vehicles in a roll-over situation? These are the important aspects of car safety that seem to be neglected by and large by the Australian car industry. I believe that we have become blase about the safety standards and features of many of the motor cars despite our mounting road toll.

It is my opinion that vehicle safety standards in Australia are poor and that not enough imagination or initiative is being taken by vehicle manufacturers in this country to improve the safety features of cars. Indeed, they seem content to lag behind overseas developments until either their parent company or the Government legislates to improve those standards. I believe there is ample evidence to demand that tyre manufacturers either grade their tyres so the public knows exactly what it is buying or that the Government review its standards so as not to allow tyres that are not of a high standard to be sold to the public. I was interested to read the Industries Assistance Commission report on tyres issued on 1 8 January 1977 in which concern was expressed by the Australian Automobile Association on the standards of imported tyres. May I suggest that, if the AAA is concerned about tyres, certainly the Government should also be.

A substantial percentage of accidents between vehicles is the result of rear-end collisions. The majority of these occur at night and indeed the Australian Bureau of Statistics publication on road traffic accidents involving casualties points to the fact that in 1977 nearly 12,000 accidents occurred between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in peak hour traffic whereas a little over 5,000 occurred in the morning traffic. Clearly the problems facing the driver when he comes upon slower moving vehicles or stationary vehicles are enhanced at night time when the only means of visual perception are the brake lights at the rear of the car ahead. Yet we have seen very little imaginative innovation in car brake lights. We seem to be content to let the driver draw his own conclusions as to braking situations. Indeed, in some cases drivers are forced to jab their brakes a number of times to serve as a warning to the cars behind. Surely car manufacturers in Australia could use some imagination and improve the driver situation. For example, could not manufacturers look at some system of brake lights whereby if the brake pedal was pushed hard to the floor in an emergency braking situation an additional set of brake lights could indicate to following drivers the need to prepare for emergency braking?

There are situations where drivers could benefit from additional information which could be conveyed in the brake lighting system to the following vehicles. For almost two decades now, very little research has been undertaken on different brake lighting systems.

Another area for improvement in Australianmade vehicles is that of bumper bars. Today bumper bars on most cars are little more than decoration. Indeed one might cynically observe that they are characteristic of the built-in obsolescence to which most manufacturers seem to adhere. Most bumper bars on cars provide less resistence than the main structure of the car. Nevertheless, with front end collisions accounting for the majority of road deaths and since the current soft impact properties of bumper bars have distinct disadvantages, it would seem desirable to increase the crushing stroke and make bumper bars more effective as shock absorbers. Indeed in an article in the New Scientist of 1 June -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Millar)Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr Les McMahon:
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I wish to speak tonight about unemployment and employment opportunities in the Sydney electorate. Three years ago when I became the member for the electorate of Sydney young people in particular were coming to see whether I could help them to become employed- As a former union official I was able at that stage to telephone local councils, my State parliamentary colleagues and other contacts in the building trades industry about jobs. I was able to achieve a measure of success and I was able to place some of these young people in good jobs. However this has now changed. Over the last 18 months young people have not been coming to me for jobs or assistance to obtain employment. Instead, they have been coming to me for assistance about receiving their social security cheques. They have been contacting my office immediately if the postman has not delivered their cheques on the due date. I have been told by people receiving unemployment benefit that field officers visit their homes and that at times they have been hounded because they have not been home and have been asked to explain where they were when the officers called and why they do not have jobs. The young are accepting unemployment as a normal occupation. They are solely dependent on their cheques to survive. There is no doubt that the young generation is a lost and disillusioned generation. This Government must be blamed for this injustice.

I conduct interviews in my electorate every Monday. A cross-section of the community comes to see me. Some of them are factory workers, shop assistants, storemen, tradesmen and academics who are not satisfied with their current employment. I have no choice at this stage but to tell them to stay where they are and not to change jobs even though they would like more satisfying work. There has been an alarming increase in the number of young people who have left school at the third and fourth year levels and who are unable to find employment. These school leavers are between 15 and 17 years of age. The other school leavers are those in the fifth and sixth form levels. They are between 17 and 19 years of age. Those school leavers are taking the jobs that normally would go to the school leavers in the third and fourth year levels. To add to the dilemma, there are the school leavers who, having finished their education, have attempted to find employment during the summer holidays and, not having been successful, have returned to school and swelled the numbers of sixth formers. As a result the next year there will be an abnormally high number of school leavers, which in turn will increase the number of youth unemployed.

A typical example is that of two boys in the area who have both concluded their sixth form and achieved good passes. Both have tried individually to find employment and have attended a number of interviews for jobs. Both have been unsuccessful. They have been job hunting for over three months. As a result, the boys are inseparable and refuse to go anywhere unless they are together, whether to job hunt or anything else. As a further result they have lost their confidence and motivation and are finding themselves at odds with their parents in the home. Their parents are disgruntled that their sons do not have jobs. In addition the boys are now applying for unemployment benefit and do not expect to work for a few years to come. The migrant children in my area find it hard to overcome some of the language barriers and they cannot compete with other school leavers for the jobs that are available. These children, just as much as other children, need to be trained and educated to cope with the technological changes occurring.

I turn now to the position of the middle aged males and females in the work force. People in this group, through no fault of their own, are suddenly finding themselves in the dole queue in increasing numbers, which I find alarming. These people generally have been on good wages and have had the opportunity to work overtime to supplement their weekly wages. However, their jobs have been removed by the installation of new machinery and the lack of manpower planning by our industries during the last 20 years. A typical example that is applicable to migrants and middle aged workers is what has happened in the Balmain-Newtown area and in other areas of my electorate. Industries are closing down there and moving out to areas such as Blacktown or interstate. Whilst these people may not have been retrenched, they are unable to travel to these outer areas. They have established homes in the area and cannot afford either to move or to travel to work in those outer areas. Both the middle aged person and the migrant are severely affected. As a result they are forced to go onto unemployment benefit and face a future lifetime of being unemployed. It is too late to reeducate or retrain these people to cope with either the new technology or the new work environment.

I refer to a typical example, that of a 20-year- old boy who has completed two years of a carpentry apprenticeship course as a full-time student. He was to enter third year on a third year wage. However, his employment was terminated because, as his employer put it, of rising costs. As a result he was unable to gain the practical experience and was unable to complete the apprenticeship and become a qualified tradesman. After six months of various types of work he is now working as a clerk.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Millar)Order! The honourable member’s time has expired.

Mr YATES:
Holt

-I do not dispute the situation in which the honourable member for Sydney (Mr Les McMahon) finds his young people. It is certainly a very serious situation.

Those of us who have seats in industrial areas are quite aware of the problems involved. We are deeply concerned about the young third and fourth formers who have not suceeded either at school or afterwards and who have not found apprenticeships or jobs. We feel theirs is a quite serious situation. That is why the Government set up the Community Youth Support Scheme. I do not know whether the honourable member has any projects under that scheme in his area. I should have thought that he would have mentioned them. I should have thought that the honourable member would have applauded all those in his area who assisted. I should have thought that the honourable member would have said that all the people in his own area who helped with the youth schemes are to be commended. But no; he fell into the trap of trying to make this tragedy a political gain.

Mr West:
Mr YATES:

– Yes. May I add that a member of the Labor Party in my area said to me -

Mr West:

– Of course it is politics.

Mr YATES:
Mr West:

– What are you going to do about it?

Mr YATES:

– Are you sitting in your seat or are you just lying back lolling and yelling at me? Are you in your seat or not?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:
Mr YATES:

– Is the honourable member in his seat? Can he yell at me?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member for Cunningham is strictly out of order by interjecting from a place other than that allocated to him. I call the honourable member for Holt.

Mr YATES:

– I must say that the member of the Labor Party who talked to me said that he was deeply concerned with this problem and thought that there was absolutely no political advantage to be gained by the sorts of speeches that we heard this afternoon from the Opposition front bench, and regrettably, not by the honourable member for Sydney but by the honourable member for Cunningham.

Mr West:

– You still have not told us what you are going to do about unemployment.

Mr YATES:

– I should have thought that the honourable member would have realised by now that for the last year I have been working slowly and patiently to achieve a national youth community scheme. I should have thought that after having talked to Mr Nolan and other members of the Trade’s Hall Council in the city of Melbourne the honourable member might have heard down the grapevine that there are people on this side of the House who are also concerned with the problem. I am sure that the honourable member is concerned and I am certain that he will have listened to the speech of the president of his own party who pointed out that it was of no use blaming the technological revolution. Apparently, he has not heard the speech of a former President of the Labor Party, Mr Hawke, who also said that he could not at this moment in time suggest a major scheme to resolve the whole unemployment situation. The honourable member would do far better to listen to the people in his own party, the scholars and the leaders, before coming into this House and making ridiculous assertions.

Mr West:

– Where are the training schemes? What good are they?

Mr YATES:

-The only way the honourable member can argue is by yelling at me. If he would just listen he would know a huie bit more. At this moment the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs (Mr Viner) is going to consult the youth organisations in this country to see whether it is possible -

Mr West:

– Why did they knock off the tool allowance?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-I ask the honourable member for Cunningham to refrain from interjecting.

Mr YATES:

-Obviously he wants to take up my time, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am very glad to say that the Minister is now working on a national youth community service scheme for Australia. He has the help of very many people from the Opposition. He understands the situation. I think that the nation would do well to say to itself: ‘Those who play politics with the unfortunate young people condemn themselves’. I support the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs in his genuine efforts to assist young people to establish a national youth community service scheme for all Australians both at home and abroad. The Minister should be helped to solved this problem.

Mr HOLDING:
Melbourne Ports

– When the question of unemployment and the plight of thousands of Australian citizens who are seeking jobs were raised in this House by Opposition spokesmen and when the Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs was given an opportunity in this Parliament to answer allegations which ascribe to him statements which indicate that he clearly believes that the first group of people to be blamed for the unemployment situation is the unemployed themselves it is unfortunate that the Minister chose not to answer those allegations. It is equally unfortunate that some of his well-meaning colleagues simply resort to the tactic of saying: Well, of course, if you raise this matter from the Opposition side of the House you are playing games which are political games ‘.

I shall inform the honourable member for Holt (Mr Yates) and other honourable members of events which involved me recently on the issue of the unemployed. This seriously raises the question of who is playing games and what are the motives of those people who play the games? On 5 February I was informed by what I regard as highly reliable sources that officers of the Commonwealth Employment Service could not send telegrams to unemployed people to notify them of job vacancies. As honourable members will be aware formerly those telegrams were the major way of quickly notifying job seekers of vacancies. Because they can no longer be sent as there is little or no money left to send them the result is discrimination against -those people who do not have telephones. Equally, it creates problems for those who are short of funds and who have to travel to CES offices to obtain work. As honourable members who represent country areas will be aware, the problem there is even more serious.

Because I was concerned about this matter I issued a Press statement in which I pointed out the injustice of this situation and the fact that it would clearly operate in a discriminatory way against certain categories of unemployed people. Equally, I received complaints from employers who said that this lack of funding and the change in policy by the Government meant that they were not getting the right sort of job applicants. Acting on that information, I issued a Press release in which I made public a fact which- 1 believe to be true. More positively, I sought a change in Government priorities and the way in which it allocates funds. Having issued a Press statement about that matter on 6 February, a public servant who shall remain nameless because ultimately the Minister has to accept responsiblity issued a Press statement saying that my allegations were totally incorrect. I ask honourable members to note the dates. My statements were made on 6 February when I issued a Press release. What obviously occurred was that the journalist concerned queried the matter with responsible CES officers and was told that the matter was completely incorrect. I refer the House to an article which appeared in the

Melbourne Age of 19 February 1979 in which a CES spokesman stated:

The Commonwealth Employment Service has cut the number of telegrams it sends to clients ‘due to financial constraints’.

The CES spokesman went on to state:

  1. . the CES had begun to phase in the policy before Christmas ‘ due to financial constraints ‘.

It is an extraordinarily situation when a statement based on facts made by a member of Parliament in the public media can simply be answered by a spokesman on behalf of the Minister with what is a direct and calculated he. I ask the House this question: Who is playing games? If in fact it is necessary to lie about an issue as simple as that, and if one is capable of telling a small lie on a smaller matter of administration, I believe that this Minister and this Government are capable of telling much greater lies in order to evade their responsibility on the question of unemployment.

Mr HOWE:
Batman

-Some members of the back bench on the Government side of the House have recently been referring to the situation of pensions in the last Commonwealth Budget and the non-indexation of pensions. It always strikes me that such people are extremely selective when they look at Government policy. I want to draw attention to some of the problems associated with recipients of unemployment benefit. The half million unemployed in Australia will long remember the last Budget, which in a cruel and cynical way hit at the unemployed. In that Budget unemployed persons without dependants lost automatic cost of living adjustments and will receive no increase from this year’s Budget. Unemployed young people under 1 8 years received no increase to their $36 a week benefit, which has remained unchanged since 1974. Under present levels of benefits most of the unemployed in receipt of benefits will be well below the poverty line. For example, an unemployed couple with two children will be at least $20 below the poverty line by the end of this year. The result is that people who have often lost their self-respect with their jobs are faced with a style of life which means the restoration of dignity is difficult, if not impossible. People cannot dress in an appropriate manner to present themselves for employment. They are isolated from social functions, and from participating in normal community activities. They are being driven by this Government into social isolation.

Alongside the inadequancy of the present levels of benefits are all the aspects of discrimination that were based in the 19th century on the distinction between the deserving and undeserving poor. The unemployed are not eligible for rent allowances. They or their spouses may not earn more than $6 a week. They receive no fringe benefits, for example, pharmaceutical benefits or travel concessions. They are subject to loss of benefit at a moment’s notice, perhaps because an officer cannot find their address or they are not at home when he calls. Even though more than 80 per cent of appeals against the cessation of benefits are upheld, people have to do without benefits during the period in which their appeals are being heard. Furthermore, they receive the benefit only if they come within very strict guidelines set by this Government. Benefits are not given to claimants failing the work test on appearance grounds. Single persons are obliged to move away from home if work is available elsewhere.

I draw the attention of the House to the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 29. On forced labour it states that the work and service will not entail the removal of the workers from their habitual place of residence. Under the ILO convention, people ought not be required to move from their place of residence to take work which represents a form of compulsion and which obviously has significant effects in terms of family life. Skilled persons are forced to accept unskilled work. Since the Myers report of November 1977, payments have been made in arrears. However the Government has not picked up the recommendation in the report that called for the need for a more generous and flexible approach to the payment of the unemployment benefit, which is designed to provide interim assistance to people who find themselves temporarily unemployed, long term assistance to those who are unemployed because of events which are outside their control and minimal assistance to those who are poorly motivated to work.

In the provision of unemployment benefit, it has not been recognised that the average length of time that people are unemployed is now more than 27 weeks. People who are currently unemployed now tend to be unemployed at least half the year. They are no longer simply requiring payments to tide them over a few weeks, they are now placed in a situation where their only income is that benefit and they are being made to feel, being made to live as if they are paupers -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Millar:
WIDE BAY, QUEENSLAND

-Order!

Mr HOWE:

– Dependent on the charity of this Government which knows about justice -

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER:

-Order! The honourable member for Batman must realise that when the Speaker or Deputy Speaker rises to his feet all members in the House must remain silent and resume their seats. It being 1 1 p.m. the debate is interrupted. The House stands adjourned till 2. 1 5 p.m. tomorrow.

page 75

NOTICE

The following notice was given:

Mr Sinclair to move motions to amend the resolutions of appointment of the following Committees-

The Joint Committee on the Australian Capital Territory.

The Joint Committee on the Family Law Act.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The Joint Standing Committee on the New and Permanent Parliament House.

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.

The Standing Committee on Expenditure.

The Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation.

The Standing Committee on Road Safety.

House adjourned at 11 p.m.

page 76

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE

The following answers to questions upon notice were circulated:

Handling of and Access to Personal Records (Question No. 1622)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 15 August 1978:

Are officers whose duties involve the keeping or handling of personal records obliged, upon request of the person concerned, to inform that person (a) what records are held on him or her, (b) the purposes for which such records are kept and (c) of any rights of access and amendment.

Mr Viner:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Generally speaking, there is no law that entitles a person to be informed what records are held by a department on him or her or the purpose for which such records are kept, or which entitles a person to any right of access to or amendment of those records.

The question of access to personal records, including the question whether and by what means a person should be entitled to have information in those records corrected or brought up to date, is under study by the Australian Law Reform Commission as part of its examination of the question of privacy. Aspects of access to information are, of course, covered by the Freedom of Information legislation now before Parliament.

In regard to personnel records within the Australian Public Service, the Joint Council is currently examining the conditions under which access should be given.

Public Service Act Amendments (Question No. 1624)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 15 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is it a fact that the Commonwealth Industrial Court frequently invalidated union rules which were deemed to be vague and uncertain.
  2. Will he consider removing the vagueness and uncertainty of paragraph 55 (1) (e) of the Public Service Act so that each public servant will have a precise knowledge of what actions or kind of public comment would not be embraced by such subjective terms as disgraceful and improper conduct.
Mr Viner:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Commonwealth Industrial Court has held, in a number of cases, that rules of organizations which permit penalties to be imposed on members in relation to certain acts or omissions must describe the acts or omissions in precise terms; and that offences which are described in the rules in vague and uncertain terms contravene section 140 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act.
  2. It is recognised that there are difficulties inherent in the fact that the term ‘improper conduct’ is not clearly defined. Some action has already been taken to clarify this situation.

For example, the Draft Guidelines for Commonwealth Public Servants on Official Conduct, circulated by the Public

Service Board in March 1978, provide guidelines on appropriate conduct by officials in specified situations. The Guidelines raise, inter alia, the issue of public comment by public servants and refer to General Order 14/M which provides considerable guidance on this matter.

In addition, the Public Service Amendment Bill 1978, recently passed by the Parliament, aims to tighten the disciplinary provisions of the Public Service Act. The new provisions specify misconduct which can lead to disciplinary action under the Act and, in particular, restrict the definition of ‘improper conduct otherwise than as an officer’ to conduct that ‘affects adversely the performance of his duties or brings the Service into disrepute’.

Nevertheless, it would be impossible to delineate precisely all conduct which would warrant action under the disciplinary provisions of the Public Service Act. For this reason, the retention of a general provision relating to ‘improper conduct ‘ is considered j justified

Radioactive Waste Storage (Question No. 1727)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has the Government carried out any tests to determine whether any area in Australia is sufficiently stable geologically for the storing of radioactive waste. If so, what areas have been under study.
  2. What other areas have been the subject of study for the storage of waste on an interim basis.
Mr Newman:
Minister for National Development · BASS, TASMANIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. Lucas Heights in respect of high level radioactive wastes.

Radioactive Waste Storage (Question No. 1731)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 August 1978:

How much radioactive waste is in temporary storage in Australia.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

This information is available only in respect of the AAEC. Using the criteria of the IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 101 on Standardisation of Radioactive Waste Categories, the AAEC has in temporary storage at the present time the following radioactive waste:

1 ) 1 ,5 1 1 (0.2 m1) steel drums of category I compacted solid waste.

10 m1 category 1 solid waste in decay storage cells or awaiting compaction into steel drums.

0.927 m1 of category 2 liquid waste in glass lined carboys awaiting treatment

2,066 kg of uranium metal swarf and 187 kg of thorium metal swarf under kerosene in steel drums, category 4 solid waste.

2.024 m1 of category 4 liquid waste in special tanks.

Trade Unions (Question No. 2741)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 9 November 1 978:

  1. Did he endorse the principle set out in a statement issued under his name entitled ‘Industrial Relations- a Policy for People’.
  2. Did that statement commit the Government to the introduction of democratic procedures in trade unions indicating that in his view it was imperative that the leadership should accurately reflect the views of their members.
  3. Did that statement boast that since August 1976 all elections for management positions in Federally registered organisations were required to be filled by secret postal ballot.
  4. Does that legislation still remain on the Statute Book.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The Government’s policy is designed to provide for the democratic control of industrial organisations by their members, including giving every member of an organisation a full and equal opportunity to influence policy within his organisation, so that union management will reflect the real needs and aspirations of the rank and file membership. In accordance with that policy commitment, the Government introduced a number of amendments to the Conciliation and Arbitration Act during 1 976.
  2. and (4) As the honourable member would be aware, prior to the amendments made by the Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act No. 64 of 1976, the Act required the rules of an organisation to provide that elections for offices in an organisation be by direct vote of the rank and file membership, with a limited exception in relation to these offices of a part-time nature on the committee of management of the organisation where the rules provided for a one-tier collegiate system of election for those offices.

By Act No. 64 of 1976, the relevant sections of which were proclaimed on 9 August 1976, the Government introduced an amendment to require all elections by a direct voting system for offices with policy or management functions to be by secret postal ballot. This is still the case. Provision was made for the Industrial Registrar to exempt an organisation from that requirement upon being satisfied that the rules as they stood at the time of the amendment provided for the conduct of an election by a secret ballot other than a secret postal ballot, and the conduct of the election in accordance with those rules would be likely to result in a fuller participation by members of the organisation than would result from a postal ballot and that it would afford to members an adequate opportunity of voting without intimidation.

In November 1976, following discussions with the peak union and employer councils and numerous representations, the Government introduced further amendments to the Act to give organisations the choice of providing for elections for offices by direct vote of the appropriate sections of the rank and file or by a defined form of collegiate voting. In relation to offices the duties of which are full time in nature, the only collegiate system allowable is a one-tier collegiate electoral system, i.e. a system whereby a conference or council is elected by direct vote of the appropriate section of the membership and the full time officers are elected by and from the members of the conference or council. The Act allows current holders of office, from dme to time, to be members of the college which elects persons to those offices for the following term, provided those office bearers do not constitute more than IS per cent of the members of the college and were originally elected to office under a one-tier collegiate electoral system or by direct vote of the appropriate section of the membership. Also they must have held office continuously (not necessarily the same office) since being first elected to office.

Radioactive Materials (Question No. 1749)

Mr Uren:
REID, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 August 1978:

  1. Has the Australian Atomic Energy Commission assessed the possible consequences of accidental releases of radioactive gases or materials into the atmosphere or water at the Lucas Heights research establishment, NSW.
  2. Which suburbs of Sydney and surrounding areas would be affected by such an accidental release.
  3. What is the estimated cost of lives lost, injury and property damage of the worst possible accident at Lucas Heights.
  4. Has the Commission or any other body prepared any reports on the possible consequences of accidents at the Lucas Heights research establishment. If so, will these reports be made public.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Australian Atomic Energy Commission has assessed the effects of postulated major accidents at the Research Establishment at Lucas Heights.
  2. The assessment referred to in ( 1) took into account wind direction, wind speed, and the degree of turbulence of the atmosphere to determine the effects of accidents. Because of this the effects on individual suburbs were not identified but rather the overall public health impact up to a radius of 24 kilometres of the Research Establishment for all conceivable weather conditions.
  3. The worst postulated accident considered by the AAEC assessment showed that ten cases of thyroid cancer may appear in the total population over a period of twenty years, not more than one case of which was likely to be fatal. No estimates were made of property damage.
  4. Yes; these were not prepared for general publication.

Deer Park Weapons Research Establishment (Question No. 1767)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Productivity, upon notice, on 1 7 August 1 978:

  1. With reference to the answer of the Minister for Administrative Services to question No. 644 (Hansard, 15 August 1978, page 30S), how many persons are employed on the 262.188 hectare site of the Deer Park Weapons Research Establishment.
  2. What is the range of weapons tested, and how often does this occur.
Mr Macphee:
Minister for Productivity · BALACLAVA, VICTORIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

By way of introduction the site concerned at Robinson’s Road, Deer Park is known as Ravenhall Siding. The Minister for Administrative Services advised (Hansard, 9 November 1978, page 2682) that the total area of the site is 217.278 hectares. The area is no longer used as a railway siding.

None.

A pan of the area is used occasionally as a site for rocket motor static firings by staff from the Explosives Factory Maribyrnong.

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1775)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and /or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. ) What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented, specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and /or technology.
Mr Lynch:
LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by the Minister for Productivity to Question No. 1794 in Hansard of 23 November 1978 at pages 3351 and 3352.

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1777)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and /or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. What were those contracts.
  3. What is the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr Street:
LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by the Minister for Productivity to his Question on Notice No. 1794. (See Hansard, 23 November 1978, pages 3351 and 3352).

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1779)

Mr Holding:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under those clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and /or technology.
Mr Howard:
Treasurer · BENNELONG, NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by the Minister for Productivity to Question No. 1794 (Hansard, 23 November 1978, pages 335 1-2).

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1789)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. 2 ) What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr MacKellar:
Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs · WARRINGAH, NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to question 1794 (House of Representatives Hansard, 23 November 1 978, page 3351).

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1786)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 22 August 1 978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment, contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. 2 ) What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr Newman:
LP

– I refer the honourable member to the reply provided by the Minister for Productivity to Question No. 1794 (House of Representatives Hansard, 23 November 1978, page 3351).

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1792)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment, contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by the Minister for Productivity to Question No. 1794 in the House of Representatives Hansard on 23 November 1978, page 3351.

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1793)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 22 August 1978.

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under the Attorney-General’s control for the purchase of equipment, contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of such implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and /or technology.
Mr Viner:
LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by the Minister for Productivity to Question No. 1794 (Hansard, 23 November 1978, page 335 1).

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1796)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Special Trade Representations, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. How may contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment, contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

– I refer the honourable member to the reply given by the Minister for Productivity in answer to Question No. 1794 (Hansard, page 335 1 of 23 November 1978).

Australian Goods and Technology (Question No. 1798)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for the Capital Territory, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by Departments and Statutory Corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment, contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and /or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. 2 ) What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of each clause have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation.
  5. What sum is currently available under such clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by the Minister for Productivity to Question No. 1794 (House of Representatives Hansard, 23 November 1978, page 335 1 ).

Radio and Television Licences (Question No. 1879)

Dr Klugman:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 23 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is he able to say which countries are known to impose (a) radio and (b) television receivers licence charges.
  2. 2 ) If so, what are the charges in each case.
Mr Staley:
Minister for Post and Telecommunications · CHISHOLM, VICTORIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) Details of radio and television receivers licence fees imposed by various countries are shown on the following tables.

Child Allowance (Question No. 1889)

Mr Humphreys:
GRIFFITH, QUEENSLAND

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 23 August 1978:

  1. What factors were taken into consideration when he decided to reduce by 25 cents in every dollar the child allowance paid to a parent whose children earn in excess of $3 12 per year.
  2. How does he propose to distinguish between a child in a poor family selling newspapers to earn this amount and a child of a wealthy family receiving a dividend of this amount from a family trust.
Mr Howard:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The decision by the Government to subject family allowances to an income test based on the child’s net income has been rescinded, as the honourable member is aware. That being so, the issues raised in his question no longer arise.

Iwasaki Resort Project (Question No. 1891)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science and the Environment, upon notice, on 23 August 1978:

In the case of the Iwasaki resort proposal at Farnborough, near Yeppoon, Queensland, and in the terms of section 1 of the administrative procedures under the Environment protection (Impact of Proposals) Act- (a) what was the proposed action and (b) what was held to constitute the execution of the proposed action.

Mr Groom:
Minister for Housing and Construction · BRADDON, TASMANIA · LP

– The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. The proposed action was the making of a decision by the Reserve Bank on whether to approve exchange control transactions in relation to the proposal by Iwasaki Sangyo Co (Australia) Pty Ltd to establish and operate a resort and tourist area at Farnborough, Queensland.
  2. The execution of the proposed action is the granting or declining of exchange control approval to such applications.

Mr and Mrs A. Greig (Question No. 1914)

Mr Charles Jones:
NEWCASTLE, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 12 September 1978:

Have a Mr and Mrs A. Greig been granted permanent residence in Australia. If so, in which employment category.

Mr Mackellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Mr and Mrs Greig, as visitors to Australia, applied for resident status before the change in policy on 7 June 1978. The policy in effect at the time of their application required simply that they be able to meet normal migration criteria. While Mr Greig did not fall within one of the ‘main stream’ occupational categories in demand in Australia at that time, he held a substantial contract of employment for which, as an international cricketer of outstanding repute, he was especially well qualified. Account was also taken of the major contribution to sport in Australia made by Mr Greig as both a player and a coach.

Proposed Telecommunications CentreMelbourne (Question No. 1916)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 12 September 1978:

  1. With respect to the proposed telecommunications centre in Melbourne.

    1. a) What is the cost of the proposed centre.
    2. what is its location.
    3. What is the area of the site.
    4. What is the total capacity of the centre.
    5. e ) How many persons will be employed there.
    6. What was the total capacity of the facilities which will be replaced by the centre.
    7. How many persons were employed in the facilities which will be replaced.

  2. Will the centre make use of micro-electronic devices such as micro-processors; if so, why is it necessary to increase the space requirements for Telecom.

Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (a) The estimated cost of the proposed Exhibition Telephone Exchange building is $23.3m.

    1. South East corner of Exhibition and Latrobe Streets, Melbourne.
    2. 8,880 square metres.
    3. d ) Gross floor area will be 6 1 , 000 square metres.
    4. 976 by the year 1992.
    5. A gross floor area of 7,039 square metres comprisingManual Assistance equipment presently housed in Lonsdale Exchange; Telephone switching equipment for 4,000 subscribers lines presently located in the Chief Telegraph Office; phonogram and public telegram facilities presently located in the C.T.O.; Melbourne telex exchange of 10,000 lines. (g)685.

  2. The centre will make use of Stored Program Control equipment. Telephone Exchanges currently serving the north-eastern and eastern sections of the Melbourne Central Business District will have reached equipment space capacity by the time the Exhibition Exchange budding is completed and will be unable to cope with subscriber development. In addition provision is being made for expansion of trunk terminating and switching facilities, and growth in telegraph, telex and data services.

Special Broadcasting Service (Question No. 1922)

Mr Stewart:
GRAYNDLER, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 12 September 1978:

  1. Are all programs for the Special Broadcasting Service produced and presented by voluntary workers.
  2. ) Do broadcasters have any legal status or contract.
  3. Does the special broadcasting station acquire the copyright of all material broadcast.
  4. Can broadcasters be dismissed by decision of the station management; if so, is there any right of appeal and with whom can the appeal be lodged.
  5. Does the station management have legislative, executive and judicial powers over broadcasters.
  6. Will the Government introduce immediate amendments to the Special Broadcasting Service provisions of the Broadcasting and Television Act to (a) grant the right of appeal to an independent authority by the broadcaster/person dismissed, (b) ensure that a broadcaster/person can only be dismissed for misconduct and (c) ensure that minor complaints against broadcast co-ordinators or other persons, be heard in the (presence of at least 2 other parties.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s] question is as follows:

  1. The Special Broadcasting Service currently contracts broadcasting groups to provide programs in languages other than English. These groups are comprised of volunteer broadcasters. Groups are paid at the rate of $55 per hour, with the money being distributed within the group according to the contribution of each individual. In addition, members of the staff of the SBS broadcast on some language programs as well as in English language segments.
  2. Yes- but the contract is with a group, not with individuals.
  3. Yes.
  4. Yes- No formal procedure but appeals can be made to the Chairman and Members of the Special Broadcasting Service as distinct from station management.
  5. No.
  6. The officers of the SBS are aware of the unusual status of the volunteer broadcasters who work on 2EA and 3EA and the Service is currently considering a revision of policy, in conjunction with its advisory body, the National Ethnic Broadcasting Advisory Council. When a new policy is formulated it will be designed to regularise the relationship between the SBS and its broadcasters and should contain adequate provision for appeals against administrative decisions.

Industrial Research (Question No. 1932)

Mr Jacobi:
HAWKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister for Productivity, upon notice, on 1 3 September 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Is it a fact that the Government’s allocation to Industrial Research has been reduced by 25 per cent over the last 2 years and that if inflation is taken into account the cutback in real terms is in excess of 25 per cent.
  2. If so, does this reduction in research and development funding conflict with the recommendation of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that Australia should be increasing its research efforts.
  3. Did the Jackson Report on Manufacturing Industry in Australia emphasise the need for more industrial research to be undertaken.
  4. Is it also a fact that Australia ranks 17th on a list of countries in respect of indigenous companies taking out patents.
Mr Macphee:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. On the assumption that the honourable member’s question relates to funds allocated to the Australian Industrial Research and Development Incentives Scheme this is within my area of responsibility.

The current position is that despite a difficult budgetary situation the Government has decided to allocate $24m for IR& D grants in 1978-79, which represents an increase of71 per cent over the 1977-78 allocation of $ 14m.

  1. I am not aware of the precise recommendation to which the honourable member refers, but I am aware that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has in the past recommended that Australia should place increased emphasis on increasing its research effort. The Government has done this in the IR & D and other fields of research.
  2. Yes.
  3. Yes.

Commonwealth Medical Benefits (Question No. 1953)

Dr Everingham:
CAPRICORNIA, QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 14 September 1978:

  1. Did he state on 15 August 1978 that Commonwealth medical benefits, including the 40 per cent Government contribution towards scheduled fees for insured and uninsured persons, bulk billing and payments in respect of hospitals and health programs, will be made by his Department and not as formerly by the Health Insurance Commission.
  2. If so, will this require processing by both registered insurance funds and by his Department in cases where a fund benefit is also payable and in cases where a fund acts as agent for payments in respect of uninsured patients.
  3. What is the estimated yearly (a) number of claims and (b) cost for processing by (i) his Department,’ii) Medibank Private and (iii) other funds, of claims which involve Commonwealth benefits.
  4. What were the comparable costs in real terms of processing the same numbers of comparable claims in each case listed in part (3) under Medibank arrangements for the periods (a) 30 September 1975 to 1 October 1976 and (b) 1 October 1 976 to 30 September 1 977.
Mr Hunt:
Minister for Health · GWYDIR, NEW SOUTH WALES · NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) No. What I said was that my Department will reimburse the private registered medical benefits organisations for the Commonwealth medical benefits that the organisations will pay to patients, and that my Department will take over from the Health Insurance Commission payments direct to doctors who bulk bill.
  2. No. Except where doctors bulk bill my Department, the assessment of individual patients ‘ claims will be made by the registered medical benefits organisations who will then submit regular consolidated claims on the Department for reimbursement of Commonwealth benefits paid. Where doctors bulk bill, my Department will assess claims.
  3. On the basis of past experience, there will be approximately 35 million claims made by patients in a full year under the new arrangements. Processing costs are not available at this stage, pending the emergence of figures to show the relative proportion of claims within each of the three categories. Costs will also vary from organisation to organisation, depending on such factors as the size of the membership, the nature of the membership and the degree of mechanisation employed by the organisation.
  4. The Health Insurance Commission has advised that it is not feasible at this time to provide this information.

Torrens Island Quarantine Station (Question No. 1959)

Mr Lloyd:
MURRAY, VICTORIA

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 14 September 1 978:

  1. Will the Torrens Island quarantine station accept cattle imported from New Zealand which were born in countries other than the United Kingdom and Ireland. If so, from which countries of binh will they be permitted.
  2. What guarantees are there that diseases will not be introduced.
  3. If cattle born in countries other than the United Kingdom and Ireland will not be allowed, why bother to accept United Kingdom and Irish cattle via New Zealand, when the station will accept them direct from these countries.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Yes. New Zealand has imported cattle from continental Europe and such cattle will be accepted into Australia through Torrens Island Quarantine Station.
  2. Livestock imported through Torrens Island will be subject to the usual rigorous pre-export testing under quarantine conditions and, on arrival in Australia, will be subject to such treatments and tests as are considered necessary after consultation with State and Commonwealth veterinary experts.
  3. A number of Australian-owned animals of United Kingdom origin are now in New Zealand. The owners of many of these animals wish to bring them to Australia. Cattle from the United Kingdom will also be accepted direct. There is no suggestion that the United Kingdom cattle will be made to go via New Zealand.

Parliamentary Question No. 1680 (Question No. 2074)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 14 September 1978:

When may I expect an answer to Question No. 1680.

Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The answer to Question No. 1680 appeared in Hansard, 9 November 1978, page 2709.

Service Pension (Question No. 2079)

Mr Scholes:

asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, upon notice, on 1 9 September 1 978:

  1. Has he indicated that a United Kingdom citizen who was accepted for service pension in April 1976, and, on review, was declared ineligible in 1977, is being asked to refund the pension paid to him for 18 months.
  2. Has his attention been drawn to the fact that on being granted a service pension the recipient did not pursue other forms of benefit to which he was entitled.
  3. If so, will this result in this person being effectively deprived of .18 months’ benefit because of an assessment error in his Depanment.
Mr Adermann:
Minister Assisting the Minister for Primary Industry · FISHER, QUEENSLAND · NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. Yes.
  3. No. Although it is not accepted that there was necessarily any error on the part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, arrangements have been made with the Department of Social Security to see if it is possible to back-date his eligibility for invalid pension benefits to the same period for which he was paid service pension, and to apply the arrears of invalid pension to the overpayment of service pension. I understand that a decision will be made soon.

Unemployment Relief Program (Question No. 2083)

Mr Hodges:
PETRIE, QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 19 September 1978:

  1. Has his attention been drawn to an article which appeared in the Courier Mail of 18 July 1978 in which Mr Russ Hinze, Queensland Minister for Local Government and Main Roads, was reported to have stated that the Federal Government should reintroduce a national local government unemployment relief program.
  2. If so, has Mr Hinze approached the Commonwealth Government with a detailed proposal on this program or has there been any correspondence from the Queensland Government concerning this matter.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. I am not aware of any specific approach from Mr Hinze or of any correspondence being received from the Queensland Government concerning this matter.

Prime Minister’s Lodge: Auction of Furniture (Question No. 2149)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 20 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to an article in the Sydney Sun-Herald of 18 June 1978 concerning the auctioning of furniture from the Prime Minister’s Lodge.
  2. If so, (a) was furniture from the Lodge auctioned off, (b) what items were placed on auction, (c) which items were sold, (d) what is the whereabouts of items not sold, (e) what was the reserve price asked for each item, (f) what was the selling price for each item, (g) who decided which items should be placed on auction, (h) what criteria were used for deciding which items were to be auctioned and (i) what arrangements have been made to replace items of furniture at the Lodge which were sold.
  3. Were any items withdrawn just prior to the auction. If so (a) what items were withdrawn, (b) what are their whereabouts, (c) who decided which items should be withdrawn from the auction, (d) what criteria were used for deciding which items were to be withdrawn and (e) what was the reserve price asked for each item withdrawn.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. to (3) The Prime Minister has already provided detailed information on the 20 June 1978 auction sale of furniture held in store and which earlier had been used in the Prime Minister’s Lodge- see answer to Senate Question No. 591 (Hansard, 26 September 1978, pages 954-5).

In addition, I can inform the honourable member that the following items were withdrawn from the auction:

Pair brass candle holders

Pair brass table lamps, pair wall mounted brass light fittings 2 crystal chandeliers 1 Shepherds wooden ice cream churn 3 bedside tables, 1 chest of drawers, 1 table, 1 cheval mirror, 2 lamp stands extendable card table 2 antique wooden statues

Grandfather clock 4 period dining chairs

The withdrawal of these items followed consultation between the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Administrative Services and the Department of Home Affairs. The two statuettes and the grandfather clock are now held in store by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet pendingfurther investigation into their history. The other articles have been transferred to the Department of Home Affairs which is responsible for fostering the collection of items of national and historical importance. I am informed that some of these will be displayed at Lanyon Homestead under the auspices of theDepartment of the Capital Territory. The remainder will be added to the national collection being developed.

Federal Judges (Question No. 2161)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 20 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) What are the names of Federal Judges who upon retirement received a lump sum payment from the Australian Government.
  2. How much did each Judge receive.
  3. 3 ) Which of the payments were specifically authorised by Cabinet.
  4. When was the first payment made.
Mr Viner:
LP

– The Attorney-General has provided the following answers to the honourable member’s question: (1)and(2)-

  1. By convention, Cabinet decisions of previous Governments are not available to their successors. However, some public statements on these payments have been made to Parliamentary Committees.

Cabinet, in 1967, authorised payment in lieu of long leave to Commonwealth Judges and the terms of that approval were tabled at a hearing of Senate Estimates Committee F on 3 May 1977. (Hansard, Senate Estimates Committee 26 April-3 May 1977, page 248.)

The arrangements then approved by Cabinet, in so far as they relate to payment in lieu of untaken leave, have with the approval of the Justices of the High Court been applied in practice in relation to retiring Justices of the High Court or

Justices who died in office. See statement supplied to Senate Estimates Committee F on 3 May 1 977 (ibid. page 247). The lump sum payment to Sir Edward McTiernan included an amount of $2,500 for unremunerated periods as Acting Chief Justice. The question of authority for that payment was examined by Senate Estimates Committee F on 28 April and 3 May 1977 (ibid. pages 198-201, page 247 and pages 256-62). The Committee was informed by an officer of my Department that the payment was approved by the Attorney-General after consultation with the Treasurer (ibid. page 200).

With regard to the payment to Sir Richard Kirby in respect of 24 months of long leave not taken, the then Attorney-General stated that the Government decided that his case ‘should be treated as a special case and it authorised payment to him on retirement of a sum equivalent to two years’ salary’. (Hansard, Senate Estimates Committees, 9 October-20 November 1973, page 302).

Australian Broadcasting Commission: Concert Manager (Question No. 2163)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 20 September 1978:

  1. Who is the newly appointed Concert Manager for the Australian Broadcasting Commission in NSW and what was the date of his appointment.
  2. How many persons applied for the position and how many were more senior than the appointee.
  3. Is the appointee a close relative of a senior official of the ABC ‘s administration in NSW.
Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. MrI. W.Peter-28 July 1978.
  2. Two of the six applicants for the position of Concert Manager for the Australian Broadcasting Commission in NSW were more senior to Mr Peter. His provisional promotion to the position was the subject of an appeal to the Promotion Appeals Board by one of the unsuccessful applicants.
  3. Yes. It should be noted that the decision as to who should be promoted was the decision of the selection panel and was not in any way the result of relationships which might have existed between an applicant and ABC Officers.

Post Offices in South Australian Towns (Question No. 2178)

Mr Wallis:
GREY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 21 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many towns in South Australia with an estimated population of over 1,000 are served by unofficial post offices.
  2. What are the towns, and what is the estimated population of each.
Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. According to the 1976 Census of Population and Housing, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are 47 urban centres in South Australia outside the Adelaide Metropolitan area with an estimated population of over 1,000. Of these 47 urban areas, only two are served solely by non-official post offices.
  2. The towns are:

Coober Pedy which has an estimated population of 1,903.

Stirling North which has an estimated population of 1,028.

Investment Allowance (Question No. 2189)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 26 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) What was the cost to revenue of the investment allowance (a) for individuals, (b) for companies and (c) in total in (i) 1976-77 and (ii) 1977-78.
  2. What is the estimated cost for 1978-79.
  3. What was the (a) average and (b) total amount of the investment allowance claimed by grade of net income together with the number and proportion of taxpayers in each grade, for (i) individuals and (ii) companies in (A) 1976-77 and (B) 1977-78.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The actual cost to income tax revenue of the investment allowance is not recorded, but the estimated costs in 1976-77 and 1977-78, based on deductions allowed in assessments in respect of the 1975-76 and 1976-77 income years, are as follows:
  1. The estimated cost for 1978-79 is $445m.
  2. The most complete statistics available for individuals and companies relate to the 1975-76 income year and are shown below. The numbers of taxpayers with deductions for investment allowance are not available.

In addition investment allowance deductions amounting to $165m were allowed in assessments of partnerships and trusts and $42 m was claimed in non-taxable assessments of companies.

Preliminary statistics available for individuals in respect of the 1976-77 income year are as follows:

Comparable statistics in relation to companies for 1976-77 income year are not available, but investment allowance amounting to $372m was allowed in assessments of partnerships and trusts.

Tariff Protection (Question No. 2202)

Mr Braithwaite:
DAWSON, QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, upon notice, on 26 September 1978:

What was the value of tariff protection, including restrictions through quotas, to Australian manufacturing and secondary industries during 1977-78.

Mr Fife:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Calculation of the value of tariff protection to manufacturing industry generally is a difficult and complex task, involving considerable cost. Such calculations are of their nature subject to judgement. They necessitate fundamental assumptions being made about the nature of responses by importers, consumers and local producers to tariff protection.

The Industries Assistance Commission is the body best placed to make such calculations.

The most recent calculations made by the Industries Assistance Commission are reported in its Annual Report for 1977-78, The Commission says that it has not been possible to place a dollar value on assistance to the manufacturing sector as a whole but it has calculated estimates of the value of protection to individual industries. The table below sets out net subsidy equivalents, the amount of money that would have to be paid in order to provide assistance equivalent to tariff protection, for selected industries in 1971-72 and in the latest available year 1974-75.

It should be noted that these subsidy equivalents reflect the size of the industries as well as the rate of protection. For example, the food, beverages and tobacco industry has the highest net subsidy equivalent of all manufacturing industries despite its low effective rate of protection because it is by far the largest industry according to the definitions used in the above table.

It is the IAC’s general practice in reporting on assistance for particular industries to include in its report calculations of the value of tariff protection for the industries under reference. Government decisions on assistance to particular industries are taken in the full knowledge of both the costs and benefits of protection.

Postbox: Werribee (Question No. 2203)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 26 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) Will he take action to establish a postbox in Chirnside Avenue, Werribee, Victoria near the Walwa Place corner, to serve the area south of College Road and west of Duncan’s Road.
  2. If so, when will he do so.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1) In view of the development occurring in the area east and west of Duncans Road, an additional posting box was considered justified and was installed recently at the corner of Duncans Road and Yalonga Avenue. This site is some 600 metres from the suggested location for a posting box at the corner of Walwa Place and Chirnside Avenue but was considered by Australia Post to be more suitable because of its accessibility to residents living in the areas on either side of Duncans Road.
  2. Clearances of mail from the new posting box commenced on 20 October 1978.

Computers (Question No. 2211)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. How many computers are (a) owned, (b) operated, (c) in the process of being purchased or (d) rented by his Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control.
  2. What is the cost of purchase or rental of each computer.
  3. 3 ) For what purposes is each computer used.
  4. What is the nature of the data stored by each computer.
  5. What interconnections exist or will exist between any of these computers.
  6. Who has access to each computer.
  7. What savings in staff numbers have been achieved or are anticipated as a result of the installation or operation of each computer.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Department of the Treasury: (a) 1; (b) 1; (c) Nil; (d) Nil.

Australian Bureau of Statistics: (a) 29; (b) 31; (c) The Department of Administrative Services has been asked to issue tender specifications for the re-equipment of the ABS computer installations. The specification is designed to provide sufficient computing capacity to enable 19 of the existing computers to be replaced, over a period of time. It is not yet possible to say how many separate computers will be procured as a result of this specification; (d) 2.

Australian Industrial Development Corporation: (a) Nil; (b)Nil;(c)Nil;(d)Nil.

Australian Taxation Office: (a) 24; (b) 24; (c) Nil; (d) Nil.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation: (a) 8; (b) 12; (c) 2;(d)4.

Reserve Bank of Australia: (a) 3; (b) 3; (c) Nil; (d) Nil.

  1. –

Australian Industrial Development Corporation: Not applicable.

Australian Taxation Office:

In addition under an agreement with the Tasmanian State Government drawn up in 1968, under which the ABS provides computing equipment and staff and the State Government provides accommodation, an agreed charge is payable by the State Government for computer time used in the processing of State Government work.

Australian Industrial Development Corporation: Not applicable.

Australian Taxation Office: 1 Control Data Cyber 73, and 1 Control Data Cyber 173- These computers comprise the central computing installation in Canberra. Applications executed on these computers, maintain and control the organisation’s information processing systems in respect of all taxes administered by the Commissioner as well as the Commissioner’s responsibility to collect tax instalments deducted by employers from employees ‘ salaries and wages. 1 Computer Manufacturer and Design CB-202 Minicomputer is being used to develop a pilot system in the Parramatta Office which will supply up-to-date information concerning the location of tax returns within the office. Data concerning the movement of returns within the office is collected via on-line terminals. ‘ 21 Honeywell 316 Mini-computers are located in branch offices. They are used for on-line collection, editing, correction and pooling of data for subsequent processing on Cyber computers. Output data from the Cyber computers is printed on these systems. Batch transmission of data to and from the Cyber computers is also controlled by these mini-computers.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation: The Commonwealth Banking Corporation computer installations are used to carry out all major accounting functions within the Corporation. Specific applications processed cover the following:

Savings and Trading Account processing, including processing of transactions on-line; reconciliation and accounting for cheques drawn on branches; Interest Bearing Deposits; Savings Investment Accounts; General Ledgers.

Housing Loans, Personal Loans, Lease Financing.

International accounting ie those transactions involving purchase and sale of foreign currency and travellers’ cheques.

Stock and Share Registry and Safe Custody Bonds and Stock.

Payroll and related processing; maintenance of staff records.

Management Information Systems.

Automated business services are also provided to Corporation clients; these services include credit union accounting, cheque sorting and reconciliation and the Bank Settlement Plan for the IATA airlines.

  1. 3 ) Department of the Treasury: IBM 1 800- data processing associated with the Life Assurance Act, Actuarial calculations for the Australian Government Actuary.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS): All computing equipment operated by ABS is used for the various phases of statistical data processing.

Computing facilities are also provided for the following non-ABS organisations for their own departmental purposes:

Department of Finance

Department of the Treasury

Australian Government Retirement Benefits Office

Public Service Board

Reserve Bank of Australia:

I IBM 360/30F system located in Sydney is used for bank accounting, inscribed stock registry accounting, personnel records and payroll statistical compilation. 1 IBM 360/30E system located in Melbourne is used for bank accounting, inscribed stock registry accounting and personnel records. In addition, it is used for payroll and financial and stores accounting for the Note Printing Division. 1 IBM 360/30F system located in Brisbane is used for bank accounting.

  1. Department of the Treasury: Business data (Insurance Companies) statistical and financial data.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS): The use of computers is central to the operation of the ABS and most aspects of ABS activity are dependent to some extent on the use of these facilities. Data which is processed to produce aggregate statistics and hence is stored on a computer readable media reflects the wide range of statistics produced by ABS. These include many aspects of economic, financial, trade, demographic and social information.

Data stored on behalf of non-ABS organisations is of the following nature:

Department of Finance- financial records, payroll records, cheque payment data

Department of the Treasury- macro-economic data

Australian Government Retirement Benefits OfficeSuperannuation and DFRBD records

Public Service Board- staff and establishments data, clerical selection tests

Tasmanian State Government- State Government administrative data

Australian Industrial Development Corporation: Not applicable.

Australian Taxation Office: Details of returns lodged, assessments issued and outstanding tax for each taxpayer. Details of tax instalments remitted by employers and group certificates issued, used and returned. Edited data for subsequent processing on the Cyber computers and print data output by the Cyber computers. Permanent data files are not maintained on these systems.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation: The data stored relates to the functions performed by the Corporation’s computers and as such consists of normal accounting information. The majority of data originates from basic financial transactions such as deposits and withdrawals, loan repayments, foreign currency purchases/sales. Non-financial data is also stored in respect of staff records eg names, service profiles, leave records etc.

Reserve Bank of Australia: Bank accounting data, inscribed stock registry accounts data, statistical data, personnel data, inventory and stock control data.

  1. Department of the Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia: None.

Australian Bureau of Statistics: There are no interconnections between the existing computers. Replacement equipment, when installed, will be interconnected in a network using direct links and telecommunications links.

Australian Industrial Development Corporation: Not applicable.

Australian Taxation Office: Terminals and Honeywell 316 computers in branch offices are connected to the Cyber computers in Canberra for on-line enquiries and for the transmission of data to and from Canberra. Cash receipting terminals are connected to mini-computers in branch offices for the in-house transmission of data. Cash receipting terminals in regional offices are linked by dial-up facilities to branch offices for the transmission of data.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation: No interconnections exist between computers at present. Current planning is moving toward interconnection of the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane installations.

  1. Access to computers under the control of the Department, authorities and undertakings is restricted to authorised personnel only.
  2. Department of the Treasury: Unknown-the computer became operational in August 1967 and its installation permitted all actuarial work to be carried out with very little clerical staff being needed for manual calculations.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS): Computing has become an integral part of the operation of all the major ABS statistical projects in the 14 years since computers were first used. Altogether about 170 diverse projects depend upon computer systems. Many major statistical projects were in existence before the acquisition of computers in 1964 but the range of statistical output from them was limited by the capacity of mechanical and hand tabulation systems. There has since been a rapid increase in the demand for detailed and timely information in all areas of economic and social activity. This has necessitated major innovations in the statistical service provided by the ABS, including: analysis and compilation of data in all fields in far greater detail than previously an increase in the number and frequency of surveys of economic activity and in the speed with which the results of such surveys are required to be made available development of major new types of data analysis such as seasonal adjustment of time series, input-output tables, econometric analysis institution of a large number of complex socio-economic surveys (eg household surveys of income, expenditure and labour force experience)

Without computers these developments would not have been practicable and the growth in demand for statistics could not have been met. No specific staff savings outside the computing area can be identified as being attributable to the installation of particular computers.

Within the computing area, the introduction of computerbased data entry systems has been a major factor in a reduction of about150 in in the number of data transcription operators employed over the period 1972-1978. However, there were considerable changes in the nature of the workload during this period and it is not possible to identify with precision the staff savings due to the separate factors.

The major re-equipment program is expected to provide savings of up to 100 staff in the computer operations area as the heavily labour-intensive existing computers are phased out of service. This reduction will take place over a number of years.

Australian Industrial Development Corporation: Not applicable.

Australian Taxation Office:

Achieved StaffSavings-

It is not possible to determine the net staff savings attributable to the introduction and extension of computer processing in the Taxation Office.

Since computers were introduced into the Australian Taxation Office in 1965, significant changes have taken place in many of the work areas in the Office. Some have resulted from restructuring of the organisation to enhance its efficiency. Others, however, reflecting the increasing complexity and evolution of Australian business and industrial affairs and the legislative amendments that have altered the scope of the taxation laws, have made it necessary to provide additional staff resources.

Prior to the introduction of computer processing, the number of staff employed in the Taxation Office was increasing at an average annual rate of 3.6 per cent. Since 1970 with the full impact of computer processing on a national basis, the number of staff employed has increased by an average annual rate of 1.3 per cent. This reduction has been achieved against a background of a workload which increases at an annual rate in excess of 4 per cent.

Having regard to the difficulties indicated in arriving at a net staff saving directly attributable to the introduction and extension of computer processing, the best estimate which could be made would indicate that an additional 1,200 staff could have been required had computers not been introduced into the Taxation Office.

Where specific positions have become redundant, the Taxation Office has been able to allocate the displaced staff to more productive and generally more satisfying tasks related to enforcement activities which otherwise’ could not be undertaken.

Anticipated StaffSavings

Cash Receipting Terminals-

During 1977-78 the Australian Taxation Office purchased seventy-one data capture receipting terminals to replace, basically on a one-to-one basis, existing mechanical cash registers of a unique design which had become obsolete. The capacity of the new equipment to produce a variety of detailed accounting reports and, more importantly, its inherent data capture facility is expected to ultimately result in a saving of up to 45 positions which will then be available for allocation to related workload growth areas.

Tax Return Location System-

A pilot system which will supply up to date information concerning the location of tax returns is being developed in the Parramatta Office. When this system is installed in all branch offices it is anticipated a saving of 80 positions will occur. Staff currently occupying these positions will then be allocated to other tasks.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation: Since installing its first computer in 1966, the Corporation has progressively transferred many of its high volume operations, at branches and capital offices, to electronic data processing. Over the years the changeover to computer processing has resulted in immediate staff ‘savings’ totalling 1,350 in branches and capital offices. There have been no instances of early termination of employment of any staff member due to the introduction of computer processing.

Partly offsetting the foregoing recorded figure for staff savings’ are the 695 new positions established within the EDP area.

With the introduction of many new services since 1966 and the continuously increasing transactional activity throughout the Corporation, its clerical staff numbers increased from 17,258 as at 30 June 1966 to 25,766 as at 30 June 1978.

Reserve Bank of Australia: It is not possible to answer this question with any precision. Computers began to come into use for the main functions in the mid- 1 960 ‘s. It is not possible to say how many more staff would have been employed if reliance had been placed on development of mechanised systems previously in use.

Computers (Question No. 2223)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. How many computers are (a) owned, (b) operated, (c) in the process of being purchased or (d) rented by his Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control.
  2. What is the cost of purchase or rental of each computer.
  3. 3 ) For what purposes is each computer used.
  4. What is the nature of the data stored by each computer.
  5. What interconnections exist or will exist between any of these computers.
  6. Who has access to each computer.
  7. What savings in staff numbers have been achieved or are anticipated as a result of the installation or operation of each computer.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (a)25.

    1. 26 (23 from (a), one from (d)).
    2. l.

  2. , (3), (4) and (5)

  1. Authorised personnel of the Department/Authority for official purposes.
  2. No staff reductions have occurred or are anticipated, but the installation and operation of computers has enabled staff growth to be curtailed: It is not possible to indicate the details for each computer, but, in most cases, alternative methods of data management would require significant numbers of additional staff. In some instances, the achievement of the data would not have been possible without computers.

Computers (Question No. 2229)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many computers are (a) owned, (b) operated, (c) in the process of being purchased, or (d) rented by bis Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control.
  2. What is the cost of purchase or rental of each computer.
  3. For what purpose is each computer used.
  4. What is the nature of the data stored by each computer.
  5. What interconnections exist or will exist between any of these computers.
  6. Who has access to each computer.
  7. What savings in staff numbers have been achieved or are anticipated as a result of the installation or operation of each computer.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am informed by my Department as follows:

CENTRAL OFFICE

(a),(b),(c),(d)-Nil.

page 94

NON-STATUTORY AUTHORITIES

page 94

STATUTORY AUTHORITIES

*Although operating under the Authority of Statute, the Australian War Memorial is administered as a division of the Department of Home Affairs.

Computers (Question No. 2240)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1) In respect of each computer owned or operated by his Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control, whatinformation stored therein can be sold, hired, lent or given to any person or organisation other than properly authorised employees of his Department, authority or business.
  2. Under what circumstances can thisinformation be (a) sold, (b) hired, (c) lent or (d) given.
  3. On what occasions, and to whom, has any information been sold, hired, lent or given in the past.
Mr Howard:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

(1)-

Department of the Treasury

Australian Industrial Development Corporation

Reserve Bank of Australia

Australian Taxation Office

No stored information is sold, hired, lent or given to any person or organisation other than the properly authorised personnel of the Department/Authority concerned.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation

The type of information stored in the Corporation’s computers which could be sold, hired, lent or given to persons or organisations other than Corporation employees is limited to statistical and audit information, data relative to the provision of business services provided to Corporation clients and to customers’ account particulars.

Australian Bureau of Statistics

One of the functions of the Australian Bureau of Statistics is to supply statistical information to Federal, State and Local Governments, to industry, to education and research organisations, individuals and to a variety of other users. Almost all statistical processing in the Australian Bureau of Statistics is dependent to some extent on the use of computing facilities and the majority of data is stored in a computer readable form. Aggregated statistical information, which is not confidential, is available to users of Australian Bureau of Statistics output as printed publications, on microfiche and in computer readable form, the appropriate medium being selected depending on volume, demand and suitability. The computer-based records of individual statistical returns, which may relate to businesses, persons or transactions and which are tabulated into aggregate statistical data, are subject to section 24 of the Census and Statistics Act 1905 and are, therefore, available only to properly authorised Australian Bureau of Statistics officers.

Data stored in connection with processing carried out for other bodies (Departments of Finance and the Treasury, Australian Government Retirement Benefits Office, Public Service Board, Tasmanian State Government) is made available only to duly authorised officers of those organisations.

(2)-

Department of the Treasury

Australian Industrial Development Corporation

Reserve Bank of Australia

None.

Australian Taxation Office

The income tax law contains specific provisions which preclude the Commissioner of Taxation and his officers from divulging or communicating information about the affairs of a taxpayer to another person except in a very limited range of circumstances. These circumstances are set down in section 16 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and it is not within the discretion of the Commissioner to vary them. Provisions similar to those contained in section 16 are included in other taxation Acts administered by the Commissioner of Taxation.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation

Information is made available as required by the law. With discretion, statistical information could be supplied at the request of a Commonwealth Government department. Customers are eligible to receive information only in respect of their own accounts.

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Non-confidential aggregate statistical data is available as outlined in the answer to part ( 1 ) of the question. In general, the information is available at no charge to Government bodies and at a charge to other bodies aimed at recovering the cost of production of the publication.

(3)-

Department of the Treasury

Australian Industrial Development Corporation.

Reserve Bank of Australia

None.

Australian Taxation Office

When information is supplied under the provisions of the various Acts it is normally taken from return forms. The only data which is taken from computer records and supplied to any person or organisation outside the Australian Taxation Office is statistical data. This data is supplied on magnetic tapes to the Australian Statistician and cannot be used in any way to identify information about any taxpayer.

Commonwealth Banking Corporation

Statistical and audit information is supplied on a regular basis to Commonwealth Government departments/authorities as required.

Information to customers concerning their own accounts is made available in accordance with normal banking practice.

Austraiian Bureau of Statistics

Statistical information supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is used by Governments, educational institutions, industrial enterprises and individual citizens. The Australian Bureau of Statistics releases in excess of 1 ,800 statistical publications annually, each of which is available to a wide spectrum of users including Public Libraries. It is not possible to identify all such users.

Computers (Question No. 2248)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) In respect of each computer owned or operated by his Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control, what information stored therein can be sold, hired, lent or given to any person or organisation other than properly authorised employees of his Department, authority or business.
  2. Under what circumstances can this information be (a) sold, (b) hired, (c) lent or (d) given.
  3. On what occasions, and to whom, has any information been sold, hired, lent or given in the past.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Information from the Departmental computers is given to approved non Departmental recipients as specified below. No information is sold, hired or lent.

    1. Pharmaceutical Benefit Claim Statements: A computer printed statement is produced for each chemist who lodges a claim under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The statement details the amount payable by drug code and category of person for prescription items covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule.
    2. Pharmaceutical Benefits Cheque Data: Details of cheque payments are recorded on magnetic tape and forwarded to the Department of Finance for the printing and despatch of pharmaceutical benefit reimbursement cheques.
    3. c) Drugs of Dependence Information: Computer output which gives details about the importation, manufacture and distribution of drugs of dependence are routinely provided to the Department of Business and Consumer Affairs, State and Territorial health authorities.
    4. Australian School Dental Survey Information: Computer output which illustrates the effectiveness of the School Dental Scheme is supplied to State and Territorial health authorities.
    5. Adverse Drug Reaction Reports: Information about adverse drug reactions (not identified as to potency) is routinely distributed to members of the medical and other allied professions and to drug manufacturers. This information is also recorded on magnetic tape and sent to the World Health Organization. Patient identity is not available.
    6. Doctors’ Prescribing Profiles: Information about the prescribing patterns of doctors is produced for assessment by inspection pharmacists. These reports are made available to the individual doctors should counselling be necessary. The doctor’s name is printed on the report to ensure that it is given to the correct person.
    7. The Pharmacy Earnings Survey: This survey is conducted in cooperation with the Pharmacy Guild which receives output from the survey that is used in the determination of the level of Commonwealth Government reimbursement to Pharmacists for dispensing items under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Details relating to individual pharmacies cannot be identified.
    8. Committee of Inquiry Reports: Computer reports giving details of prescribing patterns by doctors are produced on request for use in the investigation of prescribing practices and for counselling doctors. Reports may be referred to Medical Services Committees of Inquiry and to the individual doctors to whom they refer. The doctor’s identity is protected by a code number.
    9. Bibliographic Material: Information in the form of citations and abstracts relating to medical literature and journals is provided to users of the MEDLARS medical literature retrieval service which is provided by the Department in conjunction with the National Library of Australia.
    10. Classification of Medical Literature: A computerised information retrieval system which provides cataloguing information for classifying medical literature is available to Departmental and other medical libraries.
    11. Virus Reports: Reports summarising the incidence of human virus infections are produced using the computers and distributed to 330 organisations. (Commonwealth, State and Territorial hospitals and laboratories).

  2. Medical Service Providers: Information which identifies authorised medical service providers is provided on microfiche or magnetic tape to private health funds, the Health Insurance Commission and pathology service organisations.

    1. m ) Schedule of Medical Fees: The computers are used to produce magnetic tape files which contain the schedule of medical fees and benefits for approved medical services. This information is provided to private health funds and the Health Insurance Commission.
    2. Miscellaneous Survey Reports: The computers are used by the Central Statistical Unit of the Department to process information collected from various Departmental surveys (eg the Nursing Manpower Survey). Summarised information in the form of statistical tabulations is published for distribution and for inclusion in the annual and other Departmental reports.
    3. Computer Output Produced for Non Departmental

Users: The Department’s computers are used by the Department of Social Security, the Health Insurance Commission and other authorised Departments and organisations. These users establish and maintain their own computer files and systems, and control the dissemination of output produced by their respective data processing systems.

  1. The computers are used to provide a more cost effective and timely alternative to clerical procedures in support of various Departmental functions and by authorised external users of theDepartmental facilities. The dissemination of information produced using the computers is governed by the same legislative and procedural constraints that apply to information produced by conventional clerical methods.
  2. See(1).

The answer to the honourable member’s question as far as the Capital Territory Health Commission is concerned is as follows:

  1. ) In general, none. However in exceptional cases clinical data of an anonymous nature may be given for research purposes to properly constituted organisations.
  2. ) The policy is that information would only be released with appropriate authorisation and with suppression of all personal identification.
  3. None.

In connection with the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Commission the answer to parts (1 ), (2) and (3) of the question is ‘none’.

Computers (Question No. 2253)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1) In respect of each computer owned or operated by his Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control, what information stored therein can be sold, hired, lent or given to any person or organisation other than properly authorised employees of his Department, authority or business.
  2. Under what circumstances can this information be (a) sold, (b) hired, (c) lent or (d) given.
  3. On what occasions, and to whom, has any information been sold, hired, lent or given in the past.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1) All information which is unclassified may be available on request.
  2. (a), (b), (c) and (d). The conditions of release are determined according to the nature of the request.
  3. On numerous occasions to academic institutions, private companies, Commonwealth and State Departments and Authorities, International Organisations and scientific journals.

Computers (Question No. 2256)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Productivity, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) In respect of each computer owned or operated by his Department and statutory authorities and business undertakings under his control, what information stored therein can be sold, hired, lent or given to any person or organisation other than properly authorised employees of his Department, authority or business.
  2. Under what circumstances can this information be (a) sold, (b) hired, (c) lent or (d) given.
  3. On what occasions, and to whom, has any information been sold, hired, lent or given in the past.
Mr Macphee:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: ( 1 ), (2) and (3) The ICL System 4/50, operated on behalf of my Department by the Regional Office (Victoria) performs the function of a service bureau and as such holds information belonging to the following organisations:

Department of Administrative Services,

Department of Defence,

Public Service Board, and

Trade Practices Commission.

Information belonging to those organisations is provided to properly authorised employees of the respective organisations only.

In respect of all other installations in the Department of Productivity, no information is sold, hired, lent or given to any person or organisation other than properly authorised employees of the Department.

Coal Export Levy (Question No. 2263)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Trade and Resources, upon notice, on 10 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) What have been the rates of the coalexport levy since its introduction.
  2. To what level of exports has each rate of the levy applied during each 6 months period since its introduction.
  3. What has been the sum of revenue received from the coal export levy during each 6 months period since its introduction.
  4. What is the projected level of exports to which each rate of the levy will apply during (a) the first 6 months and (b) the 12 months following the 1978-79 Budget.
  5. What is the projected revenue from the levy in (a) the first 6 months and (b) the 12 months following the 1978-79 Budget.
Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) From 20 August 1975 to 17 August 1976 inclusive on high quality coking coal, $6.00 per tonne; on other coals, $2.00 per tonne.

From 18 August 1976 to 16 August 1977 inclusive on high quality coking coal, $4.50 per tonne; on other coking coal, $1.50 per tonne.

From 17 August 1977 to 30 June 1979 inclusive on high quality coking coal, $3.50 per tonne; on other coking coal, $1.00 per tonne.

  1. and (3) Statistics are not maintained in form sought by the honourable member. Duty collections since the introduction of the coal export duty have been:

1975- 76- $1 11,843,076

1 976- 77- $ 12 1 , 33 1 , 526

1977-78-$ 100,237,880

1978-79 to 3 1 October-$25,575,143.

  1. and (5) Estimates have not been prepared on the basis sought by the honourable member. The estimate of revenue of $93 m in 1978-79 contained in the Budget Papers is based on estimated exports of 24.7 million tonnes of high quality coking coal and 6.4 million tonnes of other coking coal during the year.

Crude Oil Production Costs (Question No. 2275)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) Have oil producers provided the Government with information on the costs of production of crude oil in Australia.
  2. If so, what information has been provided.
  3. Have any independent estimates of crude oil production costs been made by or on behalf of the Government.
  4. If so, what estimates have been made.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. Information on the costs of crude oil production is provided to the Government on a confidential basis in connection with the operation of its crude oil pricing policy and offshore petroleum royalty collections. In addition, information is provided to the Bureau of Mineral Resources on annual expenditures on petroleum exploration, development and production and is regularly published by the Bureau, for example, in ‘the Petroleum Newsletter’.
  3. and (4) No.

Energy Research (Question No. 2278)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science, upon notice, on 28 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) In which areas of energy research recommended as being high priority areas by the CSIRO Energy Review Committee is the Organisation currently conducting research.
  2. When did the Organisation actively begin research in each of these areas.
  3. What has been the annual expenditure by the Organisation in each of these areas during each year since their inception.
  4. How many staff, and in what categories, were employed on each of these projects during (a) 1975-76, (b) 1976-77 and (c) 1977-78.
  5. What is the estimated expenditure in each of these areas during 1978-79.
  6. How many staff, and in what categories, are expected to be employed on each of these programs during 1 978-79.
  7. In which of these areas is the Organisation not conducting research at the present time.
Mr Adermann:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for Science has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. 1 ) and (2) Of the nineteen areas of energy research identified as high priority by the CSIRO Energy Review Committee, CSIRO is currently conducting substantial research in twelve areas as follows, with their year of commencement indicated in brackets:

    1. Oil and gas exploration (1965)
    2. Synthesis of liquid fuels from coal ( 1973)
    3. Coal mining (1974)
    4. Coal resource assessment (1955)
    5. Coal beneficiation( 1969)
    6. Coal utilisation technology (1965)
    7. Conservation of liquid fuels (1975)
    8. Solar energy at low and medium temperatures (1955)
    9. Synthetic fuels from plants (1975)
      1. Uranium mining and primary beneficiation (1973)
    11. Coal transport by pipeline (1974)
      1. Long term environmental impact ( 1 960 ).

  2. to (5) Expenditures in each area have been estimated in thousands of dollars ($’000). These figures must be regarded as indicative only because of the need to make subjective evaluations in the apportionment of overhead and support research costs to each of the research programs. Further, because of changes to accounting and project identification procedures, early details are approximate only.

    1. Oil and gas exploration:

1965-66-22; 1966-67-11; 1967-68-17; 1968-69-18; 1969-70-26; 1970-71-56; 1971-72-75; 1972-73-96; 1973- 74-72; 1974-75-100; 1975-76- 1 38; 1976-77-284; 1977-78-89; 1978-79-155.

  1. Synthesis of liquid fuels from coal:

1973- 74-149; 1974-75-380; 1975-76-860; 1976- 77-1,480; 1977-78-2,144; 1978-79-2,116.

  1. Coalmining:

1974- 75-100; 1975-76-491; 1976-77-671; 1977- 78-675; 1978-79-1,012.

  1. Coal resources assessment:

1965-66-176; 1966-67-180; 1967-68-184; 1968- 69-216; 1969-70-212; 1970-71-1 12; 197 1-72-135; 1972-73-160; 1973-74-180; 1974- 75-180; 1975-76-183; 1976-77-51 1; 1977-78-416; 1978-79-634.

(Figures prior to 1965-66 are not provided.)

  1. Coal beneficiation:

1969-70-30; 1970-71-32; 1971-72-35; 1972-73-38; 1973-74-60; 1974-75-65; 1975-76-204; 1976-77-602; 1977- 78-326; 1978-79-334.

  1. Coal utilisation technology:

1965-66-64; 1966-67-72; 1967-68-76; 1968-69-96; 1969- 70-102; 1970-71-105; 1971-72-99; 1972- 73-1 14; 1973-74-120; 1974-75-126; 1975- 76-139; 1976-77-174; 1977-78-182; 1978- 79-169.

  1. Conservation of liquid fuels:

1976-77-249; 1977-78-343; 1978-79-434.

  1. Solar energy at low and medium temperatures:

1960-61-31; 1961-62-53; 1962-63-71; 1963-64-83; 1964-65-88; 1965-66-108; 1966-67-1 18; 1967-68-142; 1968-69-170; 1969-70-170; 1970- 71-220; 1971-72-213; 1972-73-263; 1973- 74-340; 1974-75-536; 1975-76-522; 1976- 77-597; 1977-78-810; 1978-79-862.

(Figures prior to 1960-61 are not provided.)

  1. Synthetic fuels from plants:

1975-76-37; 1976-77-596; 1977-78-781; 1978-79-765.

  1. Uranium mining and primary beneficiation:

1973- 74-40; 1974-75-46; 1975-76-57; 1976-77-81; 1977- 78-145; 1978-79-228.

  1. Coal transport by pipeline:

1974- 75-30; 1975-76-34; 1976-77-13; 1977-78-9; 1978- 79-158.

  1. Long term environmental impact:

1960-61-51; 1961-62-52; 1962-63-53; 1963-64-54; 1964-65-55; 1965-66-56; 1966-67-59; 1967-68-61;

1968-69-63; 1969-70-65; 1970-71-68; 1971-72-72; 1972-73-182; 1973-74-197; 1974-75-285; 1975-76-344; 1976-77-453; 1977-78-759; 1978-79-861.

  1. to (6) Staff figures in man-years are given in the table below under two categories, R for researchers (including Research Scientists and Experimental Officers) and T for Technicians. As with estimates of expenditure, estimates of manyears of effort on each program must be regarded as indicative only. Staff are not necessarily engaged in one program only and it is often necessary to apportion staff time between a number of programs.
  1. The Committee’s descriptions of its high priority areas were necessarily broad, and a proportion of the research already categorised under ( 1 ) above could also be regarded as relevant to the seven remaining areas. For example, research under Oil and Gas Exploration and Coal Resource Assessment has implications for Coal Prospecting; research under Coal Resource Assessment and Conservation of Liquid Fuels is also relevant to Conservation of Premium Energy Minerals; and Energy System Studies form an integral part of many existing energy research programs. In addition, the research of the CSIRO Divisions of Chemical Physics and Materials Science is relevant to the area defined as Background Research. Preliminary laboratory studies have indicated the feasibility of beginning a project in Enhanced Oil Recovery early in 1 979-80.

CSIRO is not carrying out research into Nuclear Energy or Electric Power Transmission as these areas are the responsibility of the AAEC and the State power utilities respectively.

Lucas Heights Effluent (Question No. 2286)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. What has been the cost of (a) treatment of effluent which is discharged into the Woronora River from the AAEC establishment at Lucas Heights, NSW, and (b) monitoring the Moronora River to check that the effluent meets proper safety standards during each of the last 5 years.
  2. What is the estimated cost of connecting the AAEC establishment to the sewerage system.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (a) 1973-74-$129,000

1974- 75-$172,000

1975- 76-$189,000

1976- 77-$207,000

1977-78-$22 1,000

  1. 1 973-74-$24,000

1974- 75-$27,300

1975- 76-$28,000

1976- 77-$24,700

1977- 78-$25,300.

  1. The estimated cost of capital works to connect the AAEC Research Establishment to the sewerage system is $140,000. In addition the AAEC would be subject to annual water and sewerage rates of an amount to be determined. There would be no reduction of costs given in ( 1 ) (a) above for treatment procedures.Monitoring costs would be expected to increase depending upon whether either or both the Woronora River and the sewer outfall needed to be monitored.

Employment Levels (Question No. 2359)

Dr Klugman:

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 28 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is it a fact that civilian employment in Australia stood at 4,806,500 on 30 June 1974 and at 4,714,500 on 30 June 1 978, a decrease of 92,000.
  2. Is he able to say whether civilian employment in the United States of America stood at 82,261,000 on 30 June 1974 and at 95,852,000 on 30 June 1978, an increase of 13,591,000.
  3. 3 ) If so, what is his explanation for this.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes. ‘
  2. ) and ( 3 ) Figures derived from the usual data sources on the level of civilian employment in the United States of

America, namely the ‘Monthly Labour Review’ and ‘Employment and Earnings’ (both published by the US Department of Labor) showed that the number of civilian employment stood at 86,088,000 in June 1974 and 94,819,000 in June 1978-an increase of 8,73 1,000.

Lead: Effect on Humans (Question No. 2373)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 28 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has any research related to the effects of lead on human health been conducted in Australia since 1973.
  2. Has any research into connections between (a) lead emissions from motor vehicles and human illnesses and (b) atmospheric lead levels and body burdens of lead been conducted in Australia since 1973.
  3. If studies referred to in parts (1) and (2) have been conducted, have their results been referred to or studied by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
  4. If so, has the Council reviewed its 1973 recommendation on lead emissions from motor vehicles.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1), (2) and (3) Yes.

  1. I refer the honourable member to the answer I provided to his Question 1S27 of 8 June 1978 (Hansard, 15 August 1978, page 339).

Lead: Effect on Human Health (Question No. 2374)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 28 September 1978:

  1. 1) Is he able to say whether any research (a) related to the effects of lead on human health, (b) into connections between lead emissions from motor vehicles and human illnesses and (c) into connections between atmospheric lead levels and body burdens of lead has been conducted overseas since 1973.
  2. If studies have been conducted, have their results been referred to or studied by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
  3. If so, has the Council reviewed its 1973 recommendation on lead emissions from motor vehicles.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) Yes.
  2. I refer the honourable member to the answer I provided to his Question 1527 of 8 June 1978 (Hansard, 15 August 1978, page 339).

Community Youth Support Scheme (Question No. 2404)

Dr Blewett:

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 10 October 1978:

  1. How many persons are employed under the Community Youth Support Scheme in each State.
  2. What training programs are offered to CYSS project officers.
  3. What support of a day-to-day nature is given to CYSS project officers by his Department.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member ‘s question is as follows:

  1. As at 30 June 1978, the number of project officers employed on Community Youth Support Scheme projects was as follows:
  1. The need for suitable training arrangements for project officers is recognised and attention is being given to this matter particularly as regards the identification of training requirements. Some training sessions have already been conducted within various States and the progressive appointment of CYSS field officers will increase the scope for group and individual training activity.
  2. My Department provides administrative support to State CYSS Committees which are responsible for the overall control and management of projects in the State concerned. As part of this function, the Department provides advice and assistance to project officers as the need arises. This supportive role is being strengthened by the progressive appointment of CYSS field officers who visit projects on a regular basis.

Community Youth Support Scheme (Question No. 2405)

Dr Blewett:

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 10 October 1978:

  1. Are the Community Youth Support Scheme policy and guidelines for local committees absolutely binding.
  2. Can State committees waive clauses to allow for special conditions in a particular CYSS project.
  3. In the drawing up of the CYSS policy and guidelines for local committees, were project officers consulted; if so, is it possible to identify their particular input into the guidelines.
  4. If they were not consulted, what were the reasons.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1) and (2) The Community Youth Support Scheme policy and guidelines for local committees set down the policy and operational criteria for State CYSS Committees’ consideration of project applications. Accordingly, the approval of an application is dependent upon it coming within the guidelines and the continuation of funding is dependent upon the approved project operating within the guidelines.
  2. and (4) The review of CYSS which led to the issue of the revised guidelines earlier this year included a national survey of CYSS projects. As part of that survey some 92 project officers were interviewed to obtain their views on the operation of the Scheme. Their views were taken into account in the review process, but it is not possible to identify their particular inputs into the guidelines.

Salt Content in Drinking Water (Question No. 2415)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 10 October 1978:

  1. What measures are taken by (a) the Commonwealth and (b) each State to monitor and collect data regarding the salt content of drinking water supplies in Australian cities and rural centres.
  2. What are the mean levels of (a) total dissolved solids and (b) sodium in the drinking water supplies of (i) Sydney, (ii) Melbourne, (iii) Brisbane, (iv) Adelaide, (v) Perth, (vi) Hobart, (vii) Darwin and (viii) Canberra.
  3. What standards for (a) total dissolved salts and (b) sodium in drinking water supplies are accepted by (i) the Commonwealth and (ii) each State.
  4. What criteria are used to determine the standards.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answers to the honourable member’s questions are as follows:

  1. 1) (a) Full monitoring of the quality of the water supply for Canberra is carried out by the Department of Housing and Construction acting as agent for the Department of the Capital Territory.

    1. In each State and the Northern Territory the authority responsible for the provision of water supplies monitors and collects data on the general quality of drinking water for the areas for which it is responsible.

  2. The following information has been provided by the appropriate water supply authorities:

  1. (a) The standards for total dissolved salts in drinking water supplies used as guidelines by the Commonwealth are based on the World Health Organisation 1971 standards. That organisation has not, as yet, provided criteria for sodium levels in drinking water nor is there yet a Commonwealth recommended level for sodium in such waters.

    1. Advice received indicates that the World Health Organisation standards are used as guidelines by each State and the Northern Territory.

  2. The specific criteria on which the World Health Organisation based its standards were drawn up in collaboration with member Governments and with the assistance of experts.

Environmental Survey Reports (Question No, 2453)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 11 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) Further to his undertaking to distribute Environmental Survey Reports compiled by the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (Hansard, 22 August 1978, page 593), will the Government consider employing more staff to ensure that no delay occurs in the compilation of the records in the future.
  2. Ifnot, why not
  3. When will the delayed reports be available to the public.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and ( 2 ) Compilation of the Environmental Survey Reports is the responsibility of the AAEC Safety Department. Some vacant positions in this Department have recently been filled and staffing for other positions is under consideration. The need for any further staff would be considered on the basis of priorities at the AAEC and would be drawn from existing AAEC staff except in cases requiring specially qualified staff available only from outside the AAEC.
  2. The reports are in the final stages of preparation. They are scheduled for issue in January 1979.

Private Mail Contractors (Question No. 2471)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 1 1 October 1978:

  1. Is it a fact that many private mail contractors have been denied any increase in rates for the last 2 years.
  2. If so, what is the reason for this discrimination against a certain sector of the mail delivery service.
  3. If not, what increase has been granted to each of the contractor categories.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No private mail contractor, who is entitled by the terms of his or her contract to a substantiated cost increase, has been deprived of that increase.

Mail contracts fall into two main categories, that is, fixed term and indefinite term contracts. Generally, tenderers can elect to tender under the type of contract conditions which best suit their circumstances.

There is provision for fixed term contracts to include a price variation clause. Moreover, Australia Post will cancel any fixed term contract if it can be established that the contract terms are causing the contractor undue financial hardship. In such cases, new tenders are called and the previous contractor can re-tender at a new price.

Although indefinite term contracts have no price variation provisions, a contractor has the option of terminating such a contract on notice (usually of three months), if any aspect, including the rate of payment, becomes unsatisfactory. There is provision also for a competent contractor, with at least three years service, to convert a current indefinite term contract to fixed term conditions, and to include a price variation clause. If mutually suitable conversion arrangements cannot be agreed upon, the contractor still has the option of terminating the contract and re-tendering at a new price.

  1. There has been no discrimination against any sector of the mail delivery service.
  2. At 30 June 1978, there were 2,203 fixed term contracts and 2,405 indefinite term contracts in operation. During the two years to 30 June 1978, the rate of” payment on 1,404 fixed term contracts was increased by a sum totalling $1,128,331. During the same period, 20 indefinite term contracts were converted to fixed term with price variation provisions, at a cost of $ 1 3,497.

Health Insurance (Question No. 2492)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 12 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) What factors did he take into account in the decision to transfer all bulk billing processes from Medibank to his Department.
  2. How has he determined to absorb Medibank staff made redundant by Budget changes to the Government’s health program when the total staff ceiling for his Department is approximately 6,320 and when the Public Service staff levels are generally being contained.
  3. What is the estimate of the number of persons (a) who will take out private health insurance during 1978-79 and (b) who are opting out of any health insurance arrangement.
  4. What is the average rate above the scheduled fee which doctors charge for (a) a consultation, (b) an appendectomy, (c) a specialist consultation and (d) a tonsilectomy
  5. For each of the services referred to in pan (4), what sum will be paid by patients who are not insured and who are required by their doctors to pay the average fee over the scheduled rate.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. With the implementation of the new arrangements from 1 November 1978 including the payment of a 40 per cent/$20 level of Commonwealth benefit for all items contained in the Medical Benefits Schedule together with the abolition of the Medibank levy, the necessity to retain the existing Medibank structure was removed.

A decision to allow private funds to pay the 40 per cent Commonwealth benefit on behalf of the Government was taken after considering detailed advisings on the options available. It was regarded as being administratively inefficient and wasteful financially for the Commonwealth to operate its own system for paying Commonwealth benefits when the private health insurance organisations already had such a structure and would in most cases be paying their own benefits.

In these circumstances it would also have been inappropriate to maintain a Medibank Standard structure merely to process bulk billing claims. It was decided, therefore, to transfer the function from Medibank to my Depanment together with appropriate officers who were employed by the Health Insurance Commission to carry out these functions.

  1. As a result of a transfer of certain functions including bulk bill processing from the Health Insurance Commission to the Department of Health a significant number of Commission staff engaged on these functions will be offered employment in the Depanment of Health. Other newly created positions relating to new departmental functions have been advertised and Medibank staff will be eligible to apply. It is expected that an appropriate adjustment will be made to the Department’s staff ceiling to enable it to absorb the extra staff needed to perform additional functions decided by the Government in the Budget context.
  2. (a) and (b) No such estimates are available.
  3. and (3) Information representative of medical benefits payable for services before the benefits levels were reduced for services performed on or after 1 July 1978, from 83 per cent to 73 per cent of the Schedule fee (and the maximum patient gap increased from $5 to $10), except for eligible pensioners and their dependants, will be available within the next few months and will be provided to the honourable member when it becomes available.

Iwasaki Resort Project (Question No. 2499)

Mr Hodges:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 12 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) Did the Government require documented evidence of the promotional efforts made by the Iwasaki Sangyo Company to attract Australian equity in the tourist resort project at Yeppoon, Queensland. If so, what was the nature and approximate cost of the promotion.
  2. What is the total amount the company intends to invest in the project.
  3. Has the Iwasaki Project been exempted from Australian guidelines; if so, to what extent.
  4. What is the amount of Australian equity required for uranium mining and how does the Government ensure that the stated desired level of Australian equity is obtained.
  5. What Australian enterprises has the Australian Industry Development Corporation helped finance since it was first founded, and what has been its record in promoting Australian equity.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1) It is the Government’s normal practice not to disclose information relating to individual foreign investment proposals.
  2. The Queensland Government has publicly indicated that the proposed expenditure on the project would be $100m.
  3. The Government’s foreign investment policy does not specify Australian equity guidelines for projects of the kind proposed by Iwasaki Sangyo (Australia) Pty Ltd.
  4. The Government’s foreign investment policy provides that a new uranium project involving investment by foreign interests, not already in production, will only be allowed to proceed provided it has a minimum of 75 per cent Australian equity and is Australian controlled. Any proposal by foreign interests to participate in a new uranium project would require examination by the Foreign Investment Review Board in terms of the policy and approval by the Government.
  5. I am informed that up to 30 June 1978 the Australian Industry Development Corporation had committed funds totalling $454 million to the financing of Australian industry. Virtually all of this has assisted directly or indirectly in supporting or strengthening Australian ownership in industry. In its financing activities, the Corporation necessarily conforms to the normal standards of commercial confidentiality and particulars of individual customer accounts cannot be made public. However, the Corporation has been largely instrumental in achieving predominant Australian ownership or preserving the Australian ownership of several major new development projects in such important areas as woodchip production and export, steel, fabrication, the nickel industry, rationalised distribution facilities, energy resources, the offshore oil-drilling industry, and the export of Australian processed foods.

Public Service: Abuse of Conditions (Question No. 2503)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 12 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to the fact that at least 1 doctor in the ACT has tried to induce a female employee of the Public Service intending to resign, to elect to be invalided out of the Public Service in order to thus qualify for a superannuation pension for life.
  2. Will he order an independent inquiry into allegations of gross abuse of flextime, sick leave, compassionate leave, and early retirement on alleged medical grounds.
Mr Viner:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. I am advised that no information is available that might confirm the assertion made in the honourable member’s question. A medical practitioner’s advice to his or her patients is, of course, a matter of confidence between them.

It is reasonable that a public servant whose medical condition may be such as to make him eligible for retirement on invalidity grounds should be aware of that possibility.

  1. The Public Service Board has advised me that it is at present engaged in an appraisal of flextime schemes in operation throughout the service.

The Board has also advised that the pattern of usage of sick leave in the service was examined and reported upon as part of a Joint Council review of sick leave in 1972; the evidence gathered by the Council did not support the view that there was widespread abuse of the system. Usage of sick leave in the public sector appeared to be slightly lower than in the private sector at comparable periods. There is no evidence available to the Board to suggest that the situation has changed significantly since the survey was undertaken.

I am informed that the only paid leave available to public servants specifically for compassionate purposes is bereavement leave of up to 3 days which may be granted on the death of a specified family member. Before leave is granted, evidence of relationship to the officer and of the relative’s death are required. A Chief Officer may, upon sufficient cause being shown, grant an officer special leave with pay not exceeding 3 days in any 12 months. From time to time circumstances may arise where grant of leave under this provision is appropriate for compassionate purposes. There is no evidence available to the Board to suggest that there is any abuse of leave available for compassionate purposes.

The retirement of an officer on invalidity grounds is a matter for decision by the Public Service Board or its delegate. Each case is considered on its merits having regard to the recommendation of the Commonwealth Medical Officer, the report of the Chief Officer and any other information pertaining to the officer’s fitness for employment. As noted by the Board in its Annual Report for 1978 (pages 6/7), invalidity retirements have increased both in total numbers and as a proportion of all retirements. A recent study conducted by the Board suggests that the increase is related to a number of factors. The Board is presently considering the implications of the findings of this study in conjunction with other relevant bodies.

In these circumstances, I do not see a need to take the action suggested by the honourable member.

Overseas Borrowings (Question No. 2510)

Mr Willis:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 17 October 1978:

What is the additional (a) net interest liability and (b) debt repayment cost in Australian dollars for Australia’s total official overseas borrowing caused by exchange rate changes since 30 June 1977.

Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to the table on page 7 of Budget Paper No. 6, Government Securities on Issue at 30 June 1978, which shows the differences in the Australian currency equivalents of both interest liability and overseas debt outstanding as at 30 June 1978 which results from applying 30 June 1977 rates of exchange in lieu of 30 June 1978 rates.

Namibia Peacekeeping Force: Australian Contribution (Question No. 2519)

Mr Kevin Cairns:
LILLEY, QUEENSLAND

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 17 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) What reasons were given to the Australian Government to attract its support for the proposition that the United Nations should station 7,500 troops in Namibia.
  2. What special circumstances were proposed to support such a high concentration of forces.
  3. Was the view ever canvassed that such a large number of forces must almost inevitably invite the opposition of the South African Government.
  4. Have compromises been sought between the UN and South Africa.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) to (4) There has been no decision by the Government to make any contribution of Australian forces for UN peacekeeping in Namibia. The United Nations Security Council decided on 29 September to establish the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG) to assist in the implementation of the plan adopted by the Security Council for the early independence of Namibia, through free and fair elections. The plan was on the basis of proposals put forward by the five Western members of the Security Council (United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada and the FRG). The Australian Government has supported the Western proposals, and was approached informally by the UN Secretariat to make a contribution to the military component of UNTAG.

The United Nations Security Council, in establishing UNTAG in accordance with the United Nations SecretaryGeneral’s recommendations, endorsed an upper limit of 7,500 for the force.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative had visited Namibia in August to assess how the Western proposals might best be implemented. During his visit to Namibia the Special Representative had discussions with the South African Administrator-General and the South African military authorities. In his report to the Secretary-General, he took into account the size of the territory, the variety of the terrain, the highly dispersed and fragmented population, and the lack of adequate communications.

Following the South African Government’s opposition to certain aspects of the United Nations Plan, including the size and composition of UNTAG, and South Africa’s decision to go ahead with its own elections, talks were held from 15-18 October between representatives of the five Western Governments and the South African Government. It was agreed in these discussions that there should be further talks between South Africa and the United Nations on the composition and size of UNTAG.

It is hoped that, in the event that South Africa’s remaining reservations about, among other matters, the size and composition of the force are met in the course of these talks, the

South African Government will agree to the implementation of the Security Council plan.

Lucas Heights Employees: Health Reports (Question No. 2579)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 19 October 1978:

In relation to the survey reports on the health of present and past employees in the Research Establishment of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission at Lucas Heights (a) how many persons have been employed to carry out the studies for the second and subsequent reports and (b) when will the second report be completed and made available to the Parliament.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (b) The information sought is not available to me. The Survey of Health of Employees in the Research Establishment of the AAEC, Lucas Heights, is an independent study being undertaken by the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, University of Sydney. It is this School which has the responsibility for arranging for the preparation of the report.

Local Government Rates (Question No. 2609)

Mr Hurford:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 24 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) How much, and what proportion, of total local government receipts were derived from rates on property in the most recent year for which data is available.
  2. What is the cost to the Commonwealth of the rebate on personal income tax for local government rates.
  3. If this cost cannot be identified under present taxation arrangements, what was the cost in the most recent year in which identification is possible, and what proportion of total Commonwealth receipts was the total cost of this rebate.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Local government rates totalling $883m were collected in the six States during 197S-76 (accounting year ended December 197S in NSW, accounting year ended September 1976 in Victoria, financial year ended June 1976 for the other four States). This represented S8.S per cent of total local government receipts for that year. A preliminary estimate for rates collected in 1976-77 is $l,035m but an estimate of total receipts for that year is not yet available. The figures for rates collected exclude water and sewerage rates which are defined as pan of public enterprise income. Total local government receipts are defined as rates and penalties, revenue from licenses, fees and fines, income from public enterprises, property income, and grants from State and Commonwealth Government. Financing items, the most significant of which is net borrowing, are not included.
  2. and (3) The estimated cost to income tax revenue of the rebate allowed in respect of the 1976-77 income year for local government rates and taxes, measured in terms of the additional revenue which would have resulted from excluding such payments from the total expenditure in excess of $ 1 ,525 that qualified for rebate at 40 per cent in that year, is about $30m. Total Commonwealth receipts in 1976-77 were $2 1,383m; the cost of the rebate was therefore about 0.14 per cent of that total.

Insurance (Question No. 2621)

Mr Jacobi:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 25 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) Have the recommendations in pan 7.8 of the Purvis Report on the Australian Motorists and General Insurance Co. Pty Ltd been given effect. If not, why not.
  2. Does the Government intend to introduce amendments in accordance with these recommendations. If so, when.
  3. Has the Insurance Commissioner determined any general principles to be observed by insurance auditors.
  4. Has the Insurance Commissioner specified any classes of statements or documents under paragraph 44 (3) (a) of the Insurance Acts. If so, what are they.
  5. 5 ) Has the Insurance Commissioner issued any guidelines as to when he will be satisfied with an auditor’s qualifications under sub-section 46 ( 2 ) of the Acts.
  6. What are the considerations which the Commissioner takes into account when approving an auditor under the provisions referred to in pan (5).
  7. What staff is available to the Insurance Commissioner.
  8. Has he sufficient staff to conduct a proper audit of all companies on a regular basis. If not, will he ensure adequate staff is immediately provided.
  9. 9 ) Has the Insurance Commissioner issued any guidelines or information as to the assets that he is likely to approve under sub-sections 30 ( 1 ) and (2 ) of the Acts; if so, what are those guidelines.
  10. Have any regulations been proposed or made for the purpose of Pan IV of the Acts.
  11. What action has the Insurance Commissioner taken to ensure that returns and statements required to be lodged with him under the Acts are of a satisfactory standard.
  12. Has the Insurance Commissioner made any progress, as a result of his contacts with the National Conference of Insurance Commissioners in the USA, with his proposals for the general supervision of the insurance industry in Australia.
  13. Does he endorse the introduction of specific classes of investment which are permissible for insurance companies, as is the case under legislation of many states in the US and which is already the case under the laws dealing with trustees in all pans of Australia.
  14. In view of the concern expressed by the Purvis Report, the Corporation of Insurance Brokers, and particularly by the Insurance Commissioner’s latest Annual Report concerning the inadequacies of the Insurance Acts 1973 to effectively supervise the insurance industry, and in view of the pending detailed and technical report by the Australian Law Reform Commission dealing with the law relating to insurance contracts and related matters and its probable endorsement of the need for brokers’ legislation, if insurance law is to be effective to obviate fraudulent practices, will he take steps to set up a Joint Select Committee of the Parliament, to inquire into and report upon the most effective forms of insurance law to supervise, regulate and control the insurance industry in this country.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The recommendations referred to by the honourable member have not been implemented. However, as pan of the continuing review of the operations of the Insurance Act 1973, they are currently under close examination, along with other suggested amendments. The Insurance Commissioner is being closely consulted on this matter.
  2. The general principles which apply are those given legislative force by paragraphs (a) and (b) of sub-section 46 ( 1 ) and sub-sections 46 (2) and 46 (3) of the Act. Some specific responsibilities of auditors are set out in sub-section 47(3).
  3. No.
  4. No.
  5. The considerations taken into account are those arising from the general principles set out in sub-sections 46 ( 1 ), 46 (2) and 46 (3) of the Act.
  7. It was never intended that the Act should impose on the Commissioner the responsibility of undertaking a complete audit of all insurance companies subject to hrs supervision. This would be a duplication of the audit function provided for under sections 46-47 of the Act. To conduct such an audit on a regular basis would involve very large numbers of professionally qualified people. It is considered that the high cost involved could not be justified by the benefits likely to be obtained.
  8. Sub-section 30 ( 1 ) of the Act excludes certain specified assets from being taken into account for the purposes of the Act. Sub-section 30 (2) gives the Commissioner discretion to allow certain related body corporate investments as assets which are otherwise excluded by sub-section 30 ( 1 ).

The Commissioner has not issued any formal guidelines as to assets he is prepared to approve under sub-section 30 (2) except in general terms through statements made in his annual reports (see particularly pages 7-8 of the Second Report and pages 1 5- 1 8 of the Third Report) .

In his annual reports the Commissioner has made particular mention of his disquiet concerning loans to related companies, other than those made to related bodies effectively controlled by the insurance company. He has also outlined his general approach regarding shares in subsidiary companies.

The discretion given the Commissioner in terms of subsection 30 (2) requires the Commissioner to examine each case on its merits and for a large range of matters to be taken into account depending upon the circumstances involved. Accordingly the Commissioner has not considered it practicable to issue more specific guidelines than those indicated in his annual reports mentioned above.

  1. Regulations have already been made under Pan IV (see Regulations 9-25). A number of aspects are currently being considered which may give rise to proposals to amend the Regulations. It is also relevant that if amendments are made to the Act (see answer to (2) above) consequential amendments to the Regulations may be necessary.
  2. All returns and statements required to be lodged under the Act and Regulations are monitored to ensure their formal compliance with the standards required by the Act and Regulations, and requisitions are made on companies for correction and resubmission of returns and statements which do not meet such statutory requirements.
  3. 12) As the result of his contacts with the National Conference of Insurance Commissioners in USA, the Commissioner is introducing new procedural arrangements which will provide an Early Warning System somewhat similar to that used in North America but substantially adjusted to suit Australian requirements. It is expected that this system will be in operation by the end of 1 978.
  4. The question whether any amendments should be made to the Insurance Act to specify requirements as to the nature of the investments which an insurance company may or may not hold is under consideration as part of the current examination mentioned in (a) above. Pending the outcome of that examination, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on whether the relevant requirements in Australian trustee legislation and in certain US legislation would be appropriate for incorporation into the system of supervision of Australian insurance companies.
  5. 14) As part of the process of reviewing the effectiveness of the arrangements for supervision of the insurance industry there are established procedures for examining any proposals that are put forward for new or amending legislation, including proposals from sources such as those referred to by the honourable member. At this time and given the circumstances outlined above I am not persuaded that the setting up of a Joint Select Committee along the lines referred to is necessary or appropriate.

Coal (Question No. 2624)

Mr Jacobi:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice on 25 October 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Further to his answer to question No. 1387 (Hansard, 10 October 1978, page 1664) what are the in situ reserves of the mines in each of the following areas owned or controlled by the companies indicated: (a) Oatlands, NSW- Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, (b) Taroom, Qld- (i) Syncline Pty Ltd, (ii) Mines Administration Pty Ltd, (iti) Wiltull Ltd and (iv) Brigalow Mines Pty Ltd, (c) Millmerran, QldMillmerran Coal Pty Ltd and (d) Upper Hunter Valley, NSW-(i) Barix Pty Ltd, (ii) Bayswater Colliery Pty Ltd, (iti) Bloomfield Collieries Pty Ltd, (iv) Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd, (v) Buchanan Borehole Collieries Pty Ltd, (vi) Carpentaria Exploration Co. Pty Ltd, (vii) Consolidated Goldfields Australia Ltd, (viti) Constain Australia Ltd, (ix) Clutha Development Pty Ltd, (x) NSW Department of Mines, (xi) Electricity Commission of NSW, (xii) Eric Newham (Wallerawang) Pty Ltd, (xiii) Gollin Wallsend Coal Co. Ltd, (xiv) H. C. Sleigh Ltd, (xv) Hebden Collieries Pty Ltd, (xvi) J. and A. Brown and Abermain Seaham Collieries Ltd, (xvii) Maitland Main Collieries Pty Ltd, (xviii) Misubishi Development Pty Ltd, (xix) Mount Sugarloaf Collieries Pty Ltd, (xx) Muswellbrook Coal Co. Ltd, (xxi) R. W. Miller and Co. Pry Ltd, (xxii) T and G Mutual Life Society Ltd, (xxiii) the Newcastle Wallsend Coal Co. Pty Ltd, (xxiv) Thiess Brothers Pty Ltd and (xxv) the Wambo Mining Corporation Pty Ltd.
  2. What is the type of coal from each of these reserves.
  3. What is the percentage of foreign equity in each of the mines referred to in pan (I) and what are the foreign companies concerned in each case.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Further to my answer to question No. 1387:

1 ) The in situ reserves of the mines identified are a matter of confidence between the companies and the State Departments ‘ of Mines.

The coals are medium to high volatile bituminous.

Apart from the mines operated by Clutha Development Pty Ltd, J. and A. Brown and Abermain Seaham Collieries Ltd and the Wambo Mining Corporation Pty Ltd, foreign equity in mines in the areas referred to in ( I ) is negligible. Foreign equity in Clutha Development Pty Ltd in 100 per cent, held equally by the British Petroleum group and Universal Tankships Incorporated; the British Petroleum group is negotiating to acquire 100 per cent interest. In Wambo Mining Corporation Pty Ltd foreign equity is about 32 per cent, the principal shareholders being Societe Miniere et Metallurgique de Penarroya and Charbonnages de Frace Shell have a minor interest in Wambo through Austen & Butta. Foreign equity in J. and A. Brown and Abermain Seaham Collieries Ltd is approximately 10 per cent, through Conzinc Riotinto of Australia.

Radiation Doses: Lucas Heights (Question No. 2634)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 25 October 1978:

What is the Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s estimate of the annual radiation dose which a member of the local population receives from (a) the general environment and (b) from the atmosphere only, as a result of the discharge of radio-active material from the Research Establishment at Lucas Heights, NSW.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The AAEC estimates that members of the local population receive the following radiation doses as a result of the discharge of radioactive material from the Research Establishment at Lucas Heights:

from the general environment: dose to the whole body is less than 2 millirem per year; dose to the thyroid gland is less than 1 0 millirem per year;

from the atmosphere only: as for (a) above.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommended limits for members of the public are SOO millirem per year to the whole body, and 1,500 millirem per year to the thyroid. The doses resulting from AAEC activities are less than 1 per cent of these limits.

Radiation Doses: Lucas Heights (Questions No. 2635)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 25 October 1978:

Have the standards of the International Commission on Radiological Protection been exceeded in any respect by those of the National Health and Research Council at the Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s Research Establishment at Lucas Heights NSW in the setting of (a) radiation exposure limits for workers and members of the local population and (b) levels for radioactive discharges to the environment.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The system of dose limitation recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is the basis for most, if not all, national procedures for controlling exposure to ionising radiation. Australia is no exception. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) which advises Commonwealth and State Governments on matters of public health legislation and administration has drawn up radiation protection standards for individuals exposed to ionising radiation; these follow the ICRP recommendations of 1965 and are available in the publication ‘Revised radiation protection standards for individuals exposed to ionising radiation’, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1977. The AAEC complies with these standards.

In 1977, ICRP adopted new recommendations for radiation protection. However, the NHMRC has not yet issued new standards. The AAEC continues to use current NHMRC standards which conform with the 1965 ICRP recommendations. In practice the differences between the two recommendations are relatively minor and the effects of the AAEC’s operations on the general public are consistent with the 1977 ICRP recommendations.

Radioactive Discharge: Lucas Heights (Question No. 2636)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 25 October 1978:

What are the estimated exposure pathways for radioactive emissions released to the general environment from the Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s Research Establishment at Lucas Heights, NSW.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The pathways for exposure of members of the general public to radiation from discharges from the Research Establishment at Lucas Heights are assumed to be:

1 ) For gaseous discharges: external irradiation by airborne material, inhalation airborne material, and uptake in locally produced food, particularly milk.

For liquid effluent discharges: contact with or ingestion of seafoods, contact with Woronora River sands, and swimming in the Woronora River.

Exposure routes are monitored regularly as part of the AAEC’s local environmental survey and doses to members of the public from these routes have been estimated to be less than 1 per cent of the limits for members of the public recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Doctors: Projected Oversupply (Question No. 2654)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 26 October 1978:

  1. 1) Is it a matter of concern that Australia could have an oversupply of doctors.
  2. If so, (a) what is he doing to investigate the situation and (b) what information is there available supporting the contention.
  3. What is the likely effect on national health costs if there is an oversupply of donors.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) to (3) I am well aware of the emerging debate about the implications of the projected oversupply of doctors. I am also well aware of the many conflicting views about the implications which can be drawn and the actions which should be taken on the matter. These were two of the factors which prompted me to initiate the establishment of a committee of officials, under the chairmanship of Dr S. Sax, Chairman of the Social Welfare Policy Secretariat, from the Departments of Education, Health, Employment and Youth Affairs and Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and the Tertiary Education Commission. The committee has been requested to provide advice on the implications of the current levels of supply and to develop options for action on the matter. The Government will decide, after considering the Committee’s report, its policy on the matter. At the same time, my Department is investigating the possible over-supply situation, and collecting available information regarding both the issue of possible oversupply of doctors and the implications to national health costs.

Nuclear Power Plants (Question No. 2678)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 26 October 1978:

Is he able to say what is (a) the number or nuclear power plants and (b) the nuclear electricity generating capacity of plants (i) in operation, (ii) under construction, (iii) planned or on order and (iv) planned or on order and subsequently cancelled or deferred during the last5 years in (A) the Soviet Union, (B) Eastern Europe, (C) Cuba and (D) the People’s Republic of China.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am advised on the basis of information available to the Australian Atomic Energy Commission that:

Nuclear Power Plants (Question No. 2679)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 26 October 1978:

Is he able to say what is (a) the number of nuclear power plants and (b) the nuclear electricity generating capacity of plants (i) in operation, (ii) under construction, (iii) planned or on order and (iv) planned or on order and subsequently cancelled or deferred during the last 5 years in (A) Europe, (B) the United States of America and (C) other western countries.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Nuclear Power Plants (Question No. 2680)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 26 October 1978:

Is he able to say what is (a) the number of nuclear power plants and (b) the nuclear electricity generating capacity in plants (i) in operation, (ii) under construction, (iii) planned or on order and (iv) planned or on order and subsequently cancelled or deferred during the last5 years in third world countries.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am advised, on the basis of information collected by the Australian Atomic Energy Commission as at 1 October 1 978, that the position in the third world countries during the past five years was as follows:

Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing (Question No. 2681)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 26 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is he able to say which nuclear installations in Europe, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Japan are presently reprocessing spent oxide nuclear fuel derived from light water reactors on a commercial scale.
  2. Is he also able to say what volume of (a) fuel which was reprocessed and (b) reprocessed fuel was vitrified, at each of these plants during (i) 1977, (ii) 1976 and (iii) 1975.
  3. Is he able to say whether there are any proposals to vitrify spent oxide nuclear fuel derived from light water reactors on (a) a commercial or (b) a pilot scale without reprocessing in Europe, the United States of America, Japan or the United Kingdom.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am advised that:

The plant at La Hague, France, iscurrently the only installation reprocessing spent oxide nuclear fuel from light water reactors on a commercial scale.

(a) The volume of oxide fuel reprocessed by the La Hague plant is reported to have been:

1977 (period January 1977 to March 1978)- 55 tonnes.

1976-15 tonnes.

1975-none.

None.

There are no proposals for the vitrification of unreprocessed spent oxide fuels.

Nuclear Waste (Question No. 2682)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 26 October 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is he able to say what is the mass of (a) spent oxide nuclear fuel derived from electricity producing light water reactors and (b) spent natural uranium metal fuel derived from electricity producing gas graphite reactors, which was or is expected to be (i) reprocessed and (ii) vitrified during (A) 1976, (B) 1977, (C) 1978 and (D) 1979 at the Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing plant at (AA) Marcoule, France and (BB) La Hague, France.
  2. What is the mass of (a) spent oxide nuclear fuel derived from electricity producing light water reactors and (b) spent natural uranium metal fuel derived from electricity producing gas graphite reactors which was or is expected to be produced in France during (i) 1976, (ii) 1977, (iii) 1978 and(iv) 1979.
  3. What measures have been taken or are proposed for the permanent disposal of any vitrified nuclear waste which has been produced in France.
  4. What is the average activity of radioactive decay of (a) spent oxide nuclear fuel derived from electricity producing light water reactors and (b) spent natural uranium metal fuel derived from electricity producing gas graphite reactors.
  5. How many natural uranium gas graphite nuclear power stations are under construction, planned or on order in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Japan.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (i) Detailed production schedules for the French reprocessing plants at Marcoule and La Hague are not available.

Records held by the AAEC indicate that the amount of spent fuel from light water reactors and gas graphite reactors which has been reprocessed or is expected to be reprocessed at Marcoule and La Hague is:

  1. The only information available to me is that wastes from about 540 tonnes of gas graphite fuel were vitrified at Marcoule between 27 June and 24 July 1 978.

None of the wastes at the La Hague plant has been vitrified.

  1. (a) According to French authorities the mass of spent oxide fuel from LWR’s was expected to increase progressively from about 10 tonnes per year in 1976 to about 160 tonnes per year in 1980.

    1. No details are available. The AAEC has calculated the mass of spent fuel for the period as approximately 500 tonnes per year.
  2. Preliminary investigations into the suitability of salt and granite formations in France for ultimate disposal of solidified high level waste have commenced.
  3. The radioactivity contained in spent fuel depends on the burnup of the uramum and the time elapsed after its discharge from the reactor. An annual discharge of about 30 tonnes of spent fuel of burnup 33,000 megawatt days per tonne (MWd t- ‘) from a large lightwater reactor would typically contain about 7 x 106 tera becquerels (TBq) at 90 days after discharge. This would reduce by a factor of 3 after one year, a factor of 20 after 10 years, and a factor of 175 after 100 years out of the reactor.

The same quantities of radioactivity would be contained in the spent fuel discharged annually from a gas-graphite reactor of similar size. As the gas-graphite reactors operate at a lower burnup than light water reactors, this radioactivity would be contained in a large quantity of spent fuel.

  1. None.

Honours (Question No. 2688)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 7 November 1978:

Further to the answer to question No. 1509 (Hansard, 25 October 1978, page 2324), of the 403 knighthoods and dameships awarded since 1 January 1950 on the recommendation of the Commonwealth Government, how many in each category of knighthood or dameship were awarded to persons who had been (a) Liberal Party Members of Parliament, (b) National or National Country Party Members of Parliament and (c) Australian Labor Party Members of Parliament in the Commonwealth and State Parliaments.

Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Knighthoods and dameships when awarded receive wide publicity. The recipients’ names and the citations for such awards are reported in the media at the time.

Furthermore, a person who has served in Parliament may be awarded an honour for reasons not associated with his Parliamentary activities.

In these circumstances, I see little point in the compilation of statistics on the basis requested.

Office of Child Care (Question No. 2689)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Social Security, upon notice, on 7 November 1978:

What are the details of the sum and disposition of funds from the Office of Child Care,Department of Social Security, for Children’s Services Development Officers during

1978-79 to date,

1977-78,

1976-77, and

1975-76.

Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for Social Security has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

Three categories of field staff have assisted in the development of child care services:

i) Ethnic Child Care Workers are Development Officers employed specifically to assist migrant communities in child care matters. Level of grants approved in this area total $ 1 74,620 in 1 978-79. A grant of $2,530 was made in 1975-76. To date $3,142 has been spent in 1978-79.

Children’s Services Development Officers (Catalysts) were approved for funding as a pilot program in 1975-76 only. Their major function was to extend community knowledge and utilisation of the resources available and to assist the community make submissions for funding to the Interim Committee for the Children ‘s Commission.

The pilot program operated only in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, and involved funding of $100,585, $107,610 and $39,537 respectively in these States.

Children’s Services Development Officers assist in the development and co-ordination of services for children and their families. Expenditure under this program is as follows:

State Government Receipts and Expenditures (Question No. 2695)

Mr Baume:
MACARTHUR, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 7 November 1978:

  1. Will he make available on a State basis, the information outlining State government receipts and expenditures contained in total form in table 1 of the publication Public Authority Funding: Public Authority Estimates issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, catalogue number 5501.0.
  2. If this information is not available because of stated confidentiality will he indicate which States are not prepared to release publicly these details of their income and expenditure in the understandable form of table1 as against the unintelligible and non-comparable form of individual State budgets.
Mr Howard:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2) The Australian Statistician has advised that individual State details of forward estimates and the latest year’s preliminary actual figures for receipts and outlays, contained in the totals for the six States in table 1 of the bulletin ‘Public Authority Finance: Public Authority Estimates’ (ABS Catalogue No. 5501.0), are not available for publication. When the Australian Bureau of Statistics assumed responsibility for compilation of these statistics, undertakings were given to the States that this information, which is supplied especially for the purpose of compiling the Australian aggregates, would be treated as confidential.

The figures of actual receipts and outlays for earlier years contained in table 1 could be provided for each State separately if required. These figures are derived from a separate collection and analysis of the accounts of all government funds and authorities. Statistics of the receipts and outlays of State authorities (ie budget and non-budget sectors combined) are already published on an individual State basis in Public Authority Finance: State and Local Authorities’ (ABS Catalogue No. 5504.0).

Health Insurance (Question No. 2697)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 8 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) With regard to his admission that on 24 October he approved the rates and tables of the Hospital Contributions Fund, without seeing or approving the accompanying rules, will he accept some responsibility if the effect of the rules taken in conjunction with the rates which he approved, operate discriminately against the chronically ill.
  2. With regard to his expressed concern about the inadequacy of the cover to protect the chronically ill, what action does he propose to take to deal with this situation.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Government has allowed flexibility and innovation between the funds on all but the basic tables of benefits. While funds have rules that limit cover in certain circumstances for people who wished to insure in higher benefit tables, I am not aware of any cases where these rules have been previously applied in such a harsh and discriminatory manner. I do not accept responsibility for the recent action by HCF to attempt to off-load its bad risk members on another fund.
  2. As a result of recent events the Government took action by introducing legislation which would empower the Minister to ensure that improper discrimination against contributors to medical funds does not occur on grounds of chronicity, age and other reasons.

Public Service: Recruitment of School Leavers (Question No. 2707)

Mr Young:

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. How many school leavers were recruited by (a) Commonwealth departments and (b) Commonwealth statutory authorities during each year since 1 970.
  2. What proportion of the previous year’s total school leavers did each figure represent.
  3. 3 ) What proportion of these school leavers were recruited to (a) the fourth division and (b) the third division during each of the same years.
Mr Viner:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The Public Service Board has advised me that the following information includes statutory authorities staffed under the Public Service Act but excludes the former PostmasterGeneral’s Department.

The statistical records held by the Public Service Board show the ages of recruits but not the numbers who attended school immediately before joining the Service. Table One provides numbers of people 18 years and under appointed to the Australian Public Service in each year for the period 1970-77.

  1. Table 2 provides details of the estimated number of school leavers (August to August) in the years indicated and the number of appointees to the Australian Public Service 1 8 years of age and under in each subsequent year together with the respective proportions:
  1. Table 3 shows all permanent appointments to the Third and Fourth Divisions in the 18 years and under age groups from 1970-77.

Information in relation to staff employed by statutory authorities other than under the Public Service Act is being sought and will be provided to the honourable member.

Union Membership Exemptions (Question No. 2709)

Mr Young:

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many certificates have been granted pursuant to section 144a of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act which concerns conscientious objection to union membership.
  2. How many certificates have been granted on grounds not of a religious character and where the beliefs are not part of the doctrine of any religion.
  3. 3 ) What guidelines are used by the Industrial Registrar in deciding the eligibility of a particular individual to a certificate.
  4. In how many individual business establishments have certificates been granted to more than 3 objectors.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. As at 20 October 1978, 170 certificates of exemption had been issued pursuant to section 144a of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904.
  2. Of the 170 certificates issued, 132 were issued following applications based on religious grounds and 38 were issued following applications based on other grounds.
  3. Under section 144a of the Act, before a certificate of exemption is issued, the Registrar must be satisfied that the applicant’s conscientious beliefs do not allow the applicant to be a member of any association of a kind described in subsection 132 ( 1) of the Act.

The term ‘conscientious belief has been judicially described as denoting an individual’s inward conviction of what is morally right or morally wrong, being genuinely reached and held after some process of thinking about the subject.

The question of whether an applicant holds such a belief is not one which can be answered by the application of guidelines.

  1. It is not possible to answer this pan of the honourable member’s question on the information available to me.

Prawns: Arsenic Levels (Question No. 2716)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. Is it a fact that arsenic levels found in samples of prawns purchased in the National Health and Medical Research Council 1976 market basket survey exceeded the recommended maximum residue limits.
  2. What arsenic levels were found in prawns purchased in each city in each season of purchase during the 1976 market basket survey.
  3. In which specific cases were arsenic levels found in 1 976 in excess of those found in previous surveys.
  4. What is the Council’s recommended maximum residue limit for arsenic in prawns.
  5. What action has been taken or is planned to ensure that arsenic levels in prawns do not rise in future, and that the excessive contamination of prawns by arsenic is prevented.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes. Levels of arsenic in all 19 samples of prawns examined in the 1976 Market Basket Survey were in excess of the maximum level recommended for arsenic in foods in the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH & MRC) Standard for Metals in Foods. There is no specific entry for prawns in the Standard.
  2. The arsenic levels in milligrams per kilogram found in prawns in summer, autumn, winter and spring respectively were as follows for the capital cities indicated:
  1. No comparison is possible as prawns were not examined in any previous NH & MRC Market Basket Survey.
  2. and (5) The Council has not recommended a specific maximum level for arsenic in prawns. However, the NH & MRC Standard for Metals in Foods includes a general maximum level of 1.15 milligrams of arsenic per kilogram of food.

This level of 1. 1 5 mg/kg, which was set to restrict the level of residues of arsenic from pesticides and accidental contamination in foods, is not appropriate to those organicallybound forms of arsenic present in certain fish, particularly crustacea. These, which occur naturally throughout the world, are unlikely to be affected through man’s efforts to control arsenic in the environment. In any event the organically-bound forms of arsenic in crustacea are not considered to be a hazard to health because these forms of arsenic are rapidly eliminated by the human body. Other forms of arsenic are retained in greater quantities and for longer periods in the tissues before excretion. In the United Kingdom, for example, ‘The Arsenic in Food Regulations, 1959’ recognises this situation and exempts fish, including crustacea and molluscs from the general maximum limits for arsenic in foods.

Radioactive Waste (Question No. 2728)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to comments made on 23 October by Or G. L. Miles, Deputy Director, Operations, Australian Atomic Energy Commission research establishments, that the Commonwealth has a radioactive waste disposal problem.
  2. If so, what is the exact nature of this waste disposal problem.
  3. What action is being taken to solve this problem.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. See reply to Question No. 1731. The accumulation of waste material at Lucas Heights is occupying space which in due course might be used for other purposes.
  3. Disposal of radioactive wastes from all sources in Australia is under review. Radioactive wastes from Lucas Heights will be included in any arrangements implemented for the management of such wastes.

Nuclear Power Use: Forecasts (Question No. 2729)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. Is the Australian Atomic Energy Commission acting on the assumption that nuclear power will be in use in one or more States by the mid-1990s. If so, which States does the Commission assume will be using nuclear power by this date.
  2. Do these assumptions take into account forecasts of future electricity demand growth. If so, what detailed forecasts which are available are used by the Commission.
  3. Who is responsible for making these forecasts and what is the basis of these forecasts.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) No. It is a matter for the relevant Governments to determine whether nuclear power is a viable option for electricity generation. The Commission provides technical advice to Governments when requested to permit consideration of the nuclear option.
  2. and(3)See(1).

Nuclear Materials: Purchases (Question No. 2730)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What special nuclear materials are expected to be purchased by the Australian Atomic Energy Commission during 1978-79.
  2. What is the (a) composition, (b) quantity, (c) form and ( d ) cost of each of these expected purchases.
  3. From which sources will these materials be purchased.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Uranium hexafluoride standards; enriched uranium in HIFAR fuel elements.

  2. Uranium hexafluoride standards:

    1. Uranium as uranium hexafluoride of specified enrichments between 0.1995 per cent and 4.47166 per cent U235. (Uranium hexafluoride comes within the international definition of special nuclear material only above .73 per cent enrichment),
    2. 160g total uranium (2.75g U235). (This figure includes some uranium hexafluoride below .73 per cent enrichment and not technically defined as special nuclear material),
    3. sealed capsules,
    4. $7,000 approximately (being negotiated). (As with (b) above this figure includes some uranium hexafluoride below .73 per cent enrichment and not technically defined as special nuclear material).

HIFAR Fuel Elements:

  1. uranium 80 per cent enriched in the isotope U235,
  2. 10.5 kg total uranium (8.4 kg U235),
  3. uranium aluminium alloy, clad in aluminium and incorporated within complete fuel elements,

  4. provision was made in 1978-79 estimates for $642,000.

    1. Uranium hexafluoride standards are being purchased from the United States Depanment of Energy and HIFAR fuel elements are being purchased from British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.

Radioactive Waste Disposal (Question No. 2733)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. Has the Australian Atomic Energy Commission proposed that a national radioactive waste repository be established.
  2. If so, did the Commission suggest any possible sites for such a repository and which sites were suggested.
  3. What stage has been reached in the consideration of this proposal.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. and(3)See(1).

Model Food Act (Question No. 2766)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 14 November 1978:

What is being done to overcome the lack of uniformity in health requirements and standards for the production of cheese in Australia.

Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

At the direction of the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference a Joint Commonwealth/State/Territory Working Party is currently developing a model Food Act and Associated Regulations intended for uniform application throughout Australia.

The drafting of the Model Food Act is finalised and work on the Model Regulations is well advanced. The Model Regulations include health requirements and standards for the production of cheese.

It is expected that the completed Model Food Act and Regulations will be presented to the 1979 Health Ministers’ Conference.

Physical Quality of Life (Question No. 2771)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 14 November 1978:

  1. Has his attention been drawn to an article by Mr Michael Richardson on page 1 1 of the Financial Review of Wednesday, 8 November 1978, in which the author writes that a new gauge, known as the physical quality of life index, which has been accepted by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD for measuring progress in the attainment of minimum human needs on the basis of 3 indicators- infant mortality life expectancy at age 1 and literacy- shows that Australia lags behind Japan and is not as far ahead of some of its Asian neighbours as is generally believed.
  2. If so, will he provide statistics for the 3 relevant indicators.
  3. Will he (a) ascertain by what formula the index is composited, (b) undertake regular compilation and publication of the Government’s own index and (c) give consideration for the inclusion of such an index in the G.N.P., inflation and unemployment figures, thereby providing a more comprehensive quality of life indicator.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. The Australian Statistician advises that in 1977 the infant death rate (deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births) was 13.98 for males and 10.86 for females, and in 1976 life expectancy at age 1 was 69.36 years for males and 76.2 1 years for females. These are the latest years for which data are available. There is no generally accepted measure of literacy in Australia for which data are available.
  3. (a) (b) (c) I am unable to answer this question until details of the compilation of the index are obtained from the OECD. Steps have been taken to seek the relevant information.

Physical Quality of Life (Question No. 2772)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 14 November 1978:

Is it a fact that Australia’s rating on the physical quality of life index is 93 with per capita GNP SUS6,100, while Japan’s is 96 with per capita GNP $US4,910, Taiwan’s is 88 with per capita GNP $US 1,070, Hong Kong’s is 87 with per capita GNP $US2,110, Singapore’s is 83 with per capita GNP SUS2.700, Sri Lanka’s is 81 with per capita GNP SUS2S0, and South Korea’s is 80 with per capita GNP SUS670; if so, is he able to say if Australia ‘s status in relation to any of these countries is in any way impaired or retarded in the eyes of any of these countries, particularly Sri Lanka which has a per capita GNP of only $US250 and a physical quality of life index rating of 81, just over 12 points fewer than Australia.

Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am unable to verify Australia’s rating on the physical quality of life index until details regarding its composition and compilation have been received from the OECD. Steps have been taken to seek the relevant information.

Budget Revisions (Question No. 2780)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 14 November 1978.

How much has the Government lost in forgone revenue as a result of deletions from, or changes to, the 1978-79 Budget.

Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Two revisions to the 1978-79 Budget have resulted in an estimated $4m reduction in revenue in 1 978-79.

The revisions are:

In addition, a delay of one month in the date of introduction of the departure tax on overseas travel has reduced estimated revenue from this tax in 1 978-79 by $ 1 m.

Tax Rebates: Overseas Dependants (Question No. 2790)

Dr Everingham:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 15 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) How many Australian taxpayers claimed rebates on overseas dependants during each of the last five years.
  2. How many of these claims were approved in each of those years.
  3. Was misuse the reason given for the abolition of the rebate; if so, how many cases of misuse were found in each of the last five years.
  4. as many recent immigrants have a moral obligation to support dependants, mainly parents, left behind for various reasons including Australia’s immigration laws, will he reconsider the decision to abolish the rebate.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2 ) Statistics of rebates claimed and allowed in respect of overseas dependants are not compiled separately.
  2. Abuse of the allowances for dependants overseas has been given as one of the reasons for their abolition. Difficulties in making independent checks of the correctness of claims for those allowances were recognised in the Report of the review of post-arrival programs and services to migrants- the Galbally Report. Because of these difficulties it has been necessary to require taxpayers to furnish comprehensive information in support of their claims and this has led to disallowance of claims in a large percentage of cases. Figures are not available for the actual number of cases of misuse for each income year. However, a sampling conducted by the Taxation Office of claims made in the 1975-76 year for parents residing overseas revealed that approximately 60 per cent of the claims were either completely unjustified or were significantly in excess of the amount properly allowable. A later survey revealed a further increase in unsubstantiated claims in the 1976-77 year.
  3. It is recognised that many migrants feel a strong moral obligation to help financially family members left behind in their home country. However, as the Galbally Report on Migrant Services and Programs states, ‘the present provisions enabling migrants to send money out of Australia are generous by international standards and are generally adequate to meet any family obligations a migrant in Australia may feel. We believe it is an unreasonable burden on the Australian taxpayer to allow tax rebates for some of these overseas payments. Many Australians, including migrants, believe these people should be the responsibility of the Government of the country in which they live and not of the Australian Government and the Review group concurs in this opinion*. Considering these factors, and the administrative costs and difficulties in checking claims and the abuses that have occurred, the Government decided on the course it has taken.

Technology and Employment (Question No. 2791)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 15 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to the report L’informatisation de la societe commissioned by President Giscard d “Estaing of France, prepared by M. M. Simon Nora and Alain Mine, and published in 1978.
  2. If so, is the Nora Report being examined by Government Departments to consider the relevance of its conclusions about the implications of job displacement to Australia, and which departments are making the examination.
  3. If no examination is being made, what is the reason.
  4. Will he take steps to provide access to an English translation of the Nora Report and its 7 volumes of appendices for those Members who are not fluent in French.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1), (2) and (3) The report to which the honourable member refers is not yet available in Australia but copies have been ordered.

  1. I am advised that no English version is available at this stage. When the full French text is available consideration will be given as to whether the cost of translating it in part or whole could be justified. Meanwhile I have arranged for a copy of a short English summary of the document published by La Documentation Francaise to be placed in the Parliamentary Library.

Medical Benefits Fund (Question No. 2805)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to a speech I made on the adjournment debate on 14 November 1978 calling on the Government to re-instate the hospital subsidy of IS cents (single) which was dropped on 1 November 1978, and which, as a result, has meant that health funds have been obliged’ to raise contribution rates for intermediate ward cover.
  2. If so, will he give consideration to this request.
  3. Is it a fact that many of those affected by the abolition of the subsidy are pensioners.
  4. Is it also a fact that since 1 November 1978, the Medical Benefits Fund of Australia requires that pensioners must contribute to 2 tables if they want extra cover, that is for optometric and dental cover, for a cost of $ 1 4.73 at the monthly married rate, whereas previously they had paid only $9. 10 for the same cover.
  5. Is the sum by which the Medical Benefits Fund of Australia has raised its contribution rates for intermediate ward cover, equivalent to the hospital subsidy which the Government abolished on 1 November 1978.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 have noted the terms of the honourable member’s speech on 14 November 1978.
  2. The subsidy provided to persons covered by Standard Medibank who wished to be treated in hospital by their private doctor was introduced by virtue of the compulsory nature of health insurance which operated from 31 October 1976. In Queensland, the subsidy amounted to IS cents per week for single persons and in other States up to 75 cents per week.

The Government considered there to be no longer sufficient justification to continue the subsidy with the abolition of compulsory health insurance, and the health insurance levy, with effect from 3 1 October 1978. In particular, withdrawal of such a small amount was not seen as a deterrent to persons continuing to maintain basic hospital insurance cover if that is their desire.

The honourable member will, of course, be aware that the Government continues to provide a standard level of hospital (and medical) cover to uninsured persons, including pensioners, without direct cost to them.

  1. I am not aware of the number of persons involved, but it could be expected that some would be pensioners.
  2. It is not correct to say that the Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Limited (Queensland) requires pensioners to contribute to two tables to obtain ‘extra’ benefits cover on and from 1 November 1978. The position is that prior to 1 November 1978 M.B.F. operated a table of benefits designated ‘R’ (Extra-cover), which was available to all persons at a monthly family contribution rate of $9.10, offering benefits covering the 25 per cent ‘gap’ between basic table benefits (75 per cent of the Schedule doctors’ fees) and the Schedule fees, as well as benefits for a wide range of ancillary services. At that time this meant in effect that pensioners contributing for such cover were paying for a higher ‘gap’ than was necessary Le. they were eligible for Commonwealth benefits of 85 per cent of the Schedule fees leaving a ‘gap’ of only 15 per cent (maximum payment for service $5).

Table ‘PZ’ introduced on 1 November 1978 is specifically tailored for pensioners in that it offers benefits covering the 15 per cent ‘gap’ (maximum $5) between pensioners’ Commonwealth medical benefits entitlements (85 per cent) and the Schedule fees, as well as the same benefits cover for ancillary services as previously available under Extracover, for a monthly family contribution rate of $ 1 4.73.

The above change indicates, prima facie, that there should have been a reduction in contributions rather than an increase as occurred. However, the increase in contribution rates was necessary to correct the adverse operating experience recorded on the previous contribution/benefit structure.

  1. Yes.

Nuclear Reactors: Lucas Heights (Question No. 2809)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What standards apply to the exposure of members of the public to radiation in the environment from the operation of the nuclear reactors at the Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s research establishment at Lucas Heights, NSW.
  2. Has the Government adopted or does it intend to adopt the United States Environment Protection Agency standards promulgated in 1977 in relation to nuclear reactors operating at Lucas Heights; if not why not.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) The standards applied to the exposure of members of the public to radiation in the environment from the operation of the nuclear reactors at the AAEC’s research establishment at Lucas Heights are those recommended by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. These standards are set out in the publication ‘Revised radiation protection standards for individuals exposed to ionising radiation’, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1977.
  2. See answer to Question 2633 in Hansard of 9 November 1978.

Australian Science and Technology Council: Overview Report (Question No. 2811)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

Who were the consultants or co-ordinators responsible for preparing the first drafts of each of the position papers on Australian science and technology, commissioned by the Australian Science and Technology Council for its overview report.

Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Volume 2 of the ASTEC overview report on the present state of science and technology in Australia has not yet been completed. I anticipate that it will be tabled in the Parliament in 1979. 1 am advised that the information sought by the honourable member will be contained in that Volume.

Bureau of Mineral Resources: Staff (Question No. 2833)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is it anticipated that staff in the Bureau of Mineral Resources will be cut from 569 to 549 during 1978-79; if so, why.
  2. If these cuts will occur by a process of natural wastage, what means will be used to ensure that they occur in areas appropriate to the Government’s policy priorities.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. In common with many other areas of activity, the Budget provided for a reduction in the staff of the Bureau of Mineral Resources. In the Estimates of Receipts and Summary of Estimated Expenditure for the year ending 30 June 1979, presented by the Minister for Finance, it was estimated that average employment in the Bureau would be 549 in 1978-79 compared with 569 in 1977-78.
  2. See answer to Question No. 2836.

Review of Bureau of Mineral Resources (Question No. 2834)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. Has a departmental review of the activities of the Bureau of Mineral Resources been conducted within the last two years.
  2. If so, (a) what were the terms of reference of the review and (b) who conducted it.
  3. Has any report been made public; if not, (a) why has it been withheld and (b) when will it be released.
  4. From whom were submissions sought in the review.
  5. Who made submissions to the review.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. 2 ) to ( 5 ) The information is contained in the report of the Review Committee which was tabled in the House on 22 November 1978.

Bureau of Mineral Resources: Exploration Data (Question No, 2835)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Does the Bureau of Mineral Resources make available to private companies raw data resulting from its minerals and petroleum exploration activities.
  2. Which companies have benefited in this way from the activities of the Bureau since 1 969.
  3. Is the Bureau obliged to provide this information; if so, under what circumstances and (b) with what conditions attached.
  4. Do private companies make available to the Bureau raw data resulting from their minerals and petroleum exploration activities.
  5. If so, which companies have co-operated with the Bureau in this way since 1969.
  6. Are companies obliged to provide this information. If so, (a) under what circumstances and (b) with what conditions attached.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) Data from BMR field activities are made available to the public through the Copy Service, Government Printer (Production)
  2. Yes; BMR’s primary function is ‘to obtain, study, publish and provide basic geological and geophysical information necessary for the exploration and development of the nation’s mineral resources.
  3. , (5) and (6) Offshore exploration data must be supplied to the Designated Authority of a State and, in accordance with the Commonwealth/State agreement, a copy of the data must be supplied to the Commonwealth.

Companies have an obligation to provide data from onshore exploration to State Government authorities as a condition of holding tides; there is no obligation to provide this data to Commonwealth authorities. However, such title holders sometimes provide data to BMR to assist with interpretation where BMR is carrying out work in their title areas.

Bureau of Mineral Resources: Staff Ceiling (Question No. 2836)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Which projects and studies will be affected by the imposition of staff ceilings and staff cuts in the Bureau of Mineral Resources.
  2. Which projects and studies will be (a) terminated, (b) delayed in completion and (c) postponed.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Most projects and studies in varying degrees.
  2. The effect is to delay completion rather than termination or postponement.

Energy Conservation Publicity Campaign (Question No. 2838)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for. National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What are the terms of reference of the preliminary study for the national energy conservation publicity campaign.
  2. What fuel savings target will be set for this campaign.
  3. Will a deadline be set for the report of the preliminary study; if so, what will it be.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) The terms of reference for the preliminary study for the national energy conservation publicity campaign are:

In September 1977, the National Energy Advisory Committee (NEAC) recommended that the Commonwealth and State Governments should institute a national energy conservation program with emphasis on liquid petroleum fuels. NEAC also recommended that the Commonwealth and State Governments should jointly promote a national publicity campaign to inform the public of the need to conserve energy, particularly oil. These recommendations have been considered by the Australian Minerals and Energy Council which comprises Commonwealth and State Ministers responsible for energy matters. The Council believes that an effective and well integrated national energy conservation program is essential. A vigorous and sustained national publicity campaign to create better public awareness of the nations dependence on liquid fuels would be a key element of such a program.

The general objectives for a national publicity campaign are as follows:

  1. an enhanced level of public understanding of energy matters, and awareness of the Australian energy situation, particularly the likelihood of increasing dependence on imported oil and the possibility of future supply disruptions;
  2. public appreciation of the importance of energy- its role in maintaining our present lifestyle; how it can be used more efficiently; and the personal monetary savings to be gained; and
  3. for the longer term, individual and community acceptance of energy conservation as an integral part of the Australian life style.

The Task The consultant shall:

  1. Make a baseline measure of the public’s present knowledge, attitudes and behaviour with respect to energy in general and liquid petroleum fuels m particular, including the degree of understanding or misconception of the position in regard to Australian energy resources, consumption, and conservation;
  2. b ) identify communication targets;
  3. recommend various communication channels appropriate to the identified audiences and messages to be transmitted;
  4. develop pilot advertising themes and recommend the most suitable of these;
  5. outline a framework and strategy for the publicity campaign and a timetable for reservation of media time;
  6. f) make campaign expenditure estimates;
  7. estimate resultant energy savings;
  8. formulate campaign monitoring criteria and procedures; and
  9. refer to any other matter considered relevant.

In making his recommendations the consultant shall have regard to the following:

  1. the major energy conservation goal in all States is the conservation of petroleum-based fuels, particularly those used for transport; the publicity campaign should be directed primarily towards this aspect and should not place emphasis on other peripheral energy issues;
  2. that because of differing circumstances in regard to energy supply and demand in the individual States, some States may wish to place greater emphasis than others on particular conservation and substitution goals;

  3. that a public acceptance needs to be developed that Government actions in regard to pricing, taxation of regulation may be necessary to ensure conservation and substitution.

    1. The question of setting a fuel savings target for the proposed campaign will be considered on the basis of the findings of the preliminary study.
    2. The consultant will be required to submit the final report of the preliminary study by 28 February 1979.

Bureau of Mineral Resources: Staff Ceiling (Question No. 2840)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What is the staff ceiling for the Bureau of Mineral Resources.
  2. What staff ceilings have been set for each branch of the Bureau.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The staff ceiling for the Department is 1230. Allocations within that ceiling are made to the various elements of the Department, including the Bureau. These allocations can be and are varied according to altered circumstances. The current allocation to the Bureau is 504.

page 116

CSIRO

(Question No. 2847)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. Which CSIRO Research programs contribute to the scientific and technical needs of third world countries.
  2. When was each of these programs commenced.
  3. What has been (a) the professional staffing and (b) the funding provided by the Organization during each year of operation of each of these programs.
Mr Adermann:
NCP/NP

-The Minister for Science has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. Much of CSIRO ‘s research could be regarded as relevant to the scientific and technical needs of developing countries. A significant number of research programs, particularly in the agricultural area, contribute directly to the needs of these countries. For example:

The Division of Forest Research Seed Section acts as a centre for the supply of seeds of Australian trees to developing nations and for the dissemination of information about these trees.

The Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures is recognized internationally as a world genetic resource centre for forage species and some crop plants, and distributes seed samples, on an exchange basis, to a large number of developing countries.

CSIRO provides training and information services to developing countries.

It is not possible to quantify the contribution made by CSIRO to developing nations through these activities. Specific aid projects, in which the Organization is involved, are detailed below.

  1. and (3) The table shows the information requested by the honourable member in respect of specific aid projects in which CSIRO is involved.

Commonwealth Ombudsman (Question No. 2849)

Mr Morris:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. Has the West Australian Consumer Affairs Bureau complained to the Commonwealth Ombudsman about the Department of Transport’s refusal to allow a man to travel on a cheap air fare from Australia to Amsterdam, as reported in the Australian of 1 8 October 1 978.
  2. If so, (a) what is the nature of the complaint, (b) is the Ombudsman investigating the complaint and (c) what stage has the investigation reached.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The Ombudsman Act requires the Ombudsman to carry out his investigations in private. The Ombudsman therefore does not consider he is empowered to reveal information about the details of investigations except for purposes connected with the performance of his functions under the Act.

I believe the current legislative provisions, so far as they require the Ombudsman to make various reports and make available the results of his investigations to the parties directly involved, balance appropriately the interests and responsibilities of the Ombudsman, complainants, the Parliament, Ministers, departments and authorities.

Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy (Question No. 2861)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Did his Department make a submission to the Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy.
  2. If so, (a) what was the substance of the submission and ( b) will he release it for the benefit of the Parliament.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1)No.

  1. See answer to ( 1 ).

Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy (Question No. 2871)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Did his Department make a submission to the Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy.

  2. If so,

    1. a ) what was the substance of the submission, and
    2. will he release it for the benefit of the Parliament.
Mr Mackellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. See answer to (1).

Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy (Question No. 2877)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Productivity, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Did his Department make a submission to the Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy.
  2. If so, (a) what was the substance of the submission and ( b ) will he release it for the benefit of the Parliament.
Mr Macphee:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. See answer to(l).

Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy (Question No. 2879)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Special Trade Representations, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. Did his Department make a submission to the Review of Australia’s International Civil Aviation Policy.
  2. If so, (a) what was the substance of the submission and (b) will he release it for the benefit of the Parliament.
Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. Not applicable.

Taxation (Question No. 2885)

Mr Jacobi:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) With reference to the decision of the Taxation Board of Review No. 2 in Case K44 78 Australian Tax Cases 419, it is a fact that, as a result of the decision, where a woman has been divorced and has remarried and is receiving maintenance in respect of the children of the former marriage her new husband may have his entitlement to a tax rebate for his dependent wife reduced or eliminated because maintenance payments for the children are regarded as income of the woman.
  2. As a result of the decision, will a woman receiving maintenance in respect of children be liable to taxation on these receipts.
  3. 3 ) Does the Government propose any action to overcome the effects of the decision.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The question decided by Taxation Board of Review No. 2 in Case K44 78 Australian Tax Cases 419 concerned the deduction to be allowed to a taxpayer for housing loan interest. The decision is not regarded as changing the operation of the law in relation to the concessional rebate allowable for the maintenance of a spouse. Where a woman has been divorced and remarried, her husband would be entitled to claim a concessional rebate in respect of her maintenance. Any separate net income derived by her or contributions to her maintenance made by someone other than her husband (such as maintenance or alimony payments received by her in her own right) would be taken into account in calculating the amount of concessional rebate to which her husband would be entitled. Payments received in respect of the maintenance of the children of a former marriage would not be taken into account for this purpose.
  2. No.
  3. 3 ) No such action is necessary.

Ethylene Glycol: Effects on Health (Question No. 2893)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 17 November 1978:

  1. What are the health effects of (a) acute and (b) chronic exposure to ethylene glycol.
  2. What are the standards for occupational exposure to ethylene glycol in an aerosol form.
  3. Does the addition of boiling water to ethylene glycol compounds for the purposes of application in an aerosol form increase the risk of their inhalation; if so, what-are the recommended practices with regard to its application in this form.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) (a) Ethylene glycol depresses the central nervous system and has a severe toxic action on the kidneys.

Initial symptoms of acute poisoning resulting from ingestion of a massive dose (in excess of 100 ml in a single dose) are those of alcoholic intoxication. These symptoms soon progress to vomiting, cyanosis, headache, abnormal respiration, pulmonary aedema, stupor, anuria and unconsciousness with convulsions. Death may occur within a few hours from respiratory failure. Patients who have prolonged coma or convulsions may incur irreversible brain damage.

  1. Although inhalation of ethylene glycol is not generally hazardous because of its low vapour pressure, chronic poisoning resulting from continued exposure to the vapours has been reported to induce unconsciousness, nystagmus and lymphocytosis.

    1. In relation to occupational exposure there appears to be no hygiene standard in which the term ‘aerosol form’ is employed. However, in relation to the vapour, the National Health and Medical Research Council recommends threshhold limit levels (hygienic standards) for ethylene glycol vapour of 100 parts per million or 260 milligrams per cubic metre. These hygiene standards are intended as guides only in the control of health hazards and not as dividing lines between safe and dangerous concentrations. In setting these hygiene standards, exposures are assumed to take place over an eight hour work shift in the absence of severe physical stress and to be followed by an exposure-free period of sixteen hours or more during which detoxification occurs. Adjustments in hygiene standards may be necessary when exposure is accompanied by excessive heat, humidity or hyperbaric work. Exhaust facilities and adequate ventilation would seem most appropriate to ensure these hygiene standards are maintained.
    2. The addition of boiling water to ethylene glycol would be likely to increase the vapour concentration. Cases have been reported overseas where workers dealing with ethylene glycol heated to 105°C exhibited symptoms associated with chronic poisoning, but most recovered on being transferred to another work location. Again there appears to be no recommended practice to ensure minimal occupational exposure specifically related to ethylene glycol when heated, but exhaust facilities and adequate ventilation would again be appropriate.

Research Grant (Question No. 2897)

Mr Burns:
ISAACS, VICTORIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science the following question, upon notice, on 17 November 1978:

Does the recent $75,000 award by the Australian Research Grants Committee to Professor Aitkin of Macquarie University for a study of Australian Political Behaviour comply with the Government’s strategy of budgetary restraint. If so would he give a detailed explanation.

Mr Adermann:
NCP/NP

-The Minister for Science has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

The Budget allocations for the ARGC for 1 978-79 and the previous year are as follows:

The level of expenditure on the scheme is, of course, subject to examination by the Parliament and reports of the Committee’s work have been tabled in the Parliament.

The ARGC was established in 1965 to provide support for first quality research in all disciplines except medical and dental science. Excellence of the project and the investigator are the sole criteria for gaining support. It is generally accepted that the strength of a country’s research capability depends on the allocation of some resources to non-directed, non-mission-oriented research and that the direction of that research is best determined by experts in the fields concerned.

The amount of a grant is based on the applicant’s request and the Committee’s assessment of the minimum that will enable the project to progress at a reasonable rate. The Committee evaluates proposals on the basis of assessments by appropriate experts in Australia and overseas. Other funds available to the applicant are taken into consideration.

Grants are made for studies in the social sciences including demographic studies such as Professor Aitkin’s. The relatively high cost of his study arises from the need for an extensive survey.

Concorde Travel (Question No. 2904)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Trade and Resources, upon notice, on 2 1 November 1 978:

  1. Under what circumstances are his (a) Departmental staff and (b) Ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of bis Depanment (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1 976-77, (ii) 1977-78, (iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his Depanment or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (a) Approval to travel on Concorde aircraft may be authorised by the Public Service Board in exceptional circumstances.

    1. Overseas travel by Ministerial staff requires the concurrence of the Prime Minister.
  2. Approximately $ 1 30.
  3. (a-c) (i) Nil. (ii) One officer travelled with the Prime Minister in June 1 978. (iii) Nil.
  4. Nil.

Concorde Travel (Question No. 2906)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice, on 2 1 November 1 978:

  1. Under what circumstances are his (a) Departmental staff and (b) Ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of his Depanment (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1976-77, (ti) 1977-78 and (iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his Depanment or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Sinclair:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s questions is as follows:

  1. The Public Service Board, which is the approving authority for departmental travel on Concorde flights, has advised all departments that such approval will be given only in exceptional circumstances. Overseas travel by a Minister, including numbers of accompanying officials, is subject to the Prime Minister’s approval.
  2. The current fare for a Concorde flight from New York to London is $126.15 above the normal first class fare for a New York-London flight.
  3. No officers of my Depanment have travelled, have sought approval to travel, or have been refused approval to travel, on Concorde aircraft, at any time.
  4. None.

Concorde Travel (Question No. 2916)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Under what circumstances are the Attorney-General ‘s (a) Departmental staff and (b) personal staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of the Attorney-General’s Depanment (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1 976-77, (ii) 1 977-78 and (id) 1 978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from the Attorney-General’s Depanment or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Viner:
LP

-The Attorney-General has supplied the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. and (2) See the Prime Minister’s answer to question No. 2903, Hansard, page 3577 (24 November 1 978).
  2. None.
  3. None.

Concorde Travel (Question No. 2921)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 17 November 1978:

  1. Under what circumstances are his (a) Departmental staff and (b) Ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of his Department (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1976-77, (u) 1977-78 and (iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his Department or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The Department of National Development was created on 20 December 1977. The details for 1976-77 relate to the former Department of National Resources whose records are still held by my Department.

and (2) See the Prime Minister’s answer to question No. 2903 (House of Representatives Hansard, 24 November 1978, page 3577).

None.

None.

Concorde Travel (Question No. 2926)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Special Trade Representations, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. Under what circumstances are his (a) Departmental staff and (b) Ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of his Department (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1976-77, (ii) 1977-78 and (iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his Department or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (a) Approval to travel on Concorde aircraft may be authorised by the Public Service Board in exceptional circumstances.

    1. Overseas travel by Ministerial staff requires one concurrence of the Prime Minister.
  2. Approximately $130.
  3. and (4) Nil.

Taxation Inquiry (Question No. 2935)

Mr Jacobi:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. Is a special departmental committee, which includes senior Treasury and Taxation officers, examining various types of commodity taxes with a view to using the most suitable type as a taxing measure.
  2. Has the committee considered a consumption tax as a means of ultimately eliminating income tax.
  3. If so, has the committee also considered that such a tax would lead to a highly regressive taxation system in that under a scheme to tax consumption no account can be taken of a consumer’s ability to pay.
  4. Would such a change to the tax system result in the wealthy of this country paying proportionately less tax than the poor with the wage and salary earner bearing the heaviest burden of taxation.
  5. Is the present basis of income tax, theoretically at least, based on the ability to pay; if so, would a change from a personal income tax system to an indirect commodity tax basis result in a complete negation of this principle.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. As part of the government’s investigation of the indirect tax system the Australian Taxation Office is at present conducting an inquiry into the practicability of a broadbased indirect tax collected at the retail level. For that purpose it has been having discussions with business groups.
  2. to (5) As the Asprey Taxation Review Committee recognised, achieving the appropriate balance in the overall structure of the tax system involves choices regarding fairness, efficiency and simplicity. Insofar as the personal income tax is levied on the basis of capacity to pay, it constitutes a fair and equitable form of tax. The Asprey Committee has recommended that there should be greater emphasis placed on indirect taxes; but there is no intention of a movement towards ‘ultimately eliminating income tax ‘.

Australian Bureau of Statistics Staff Levels (Question No. 2939)

Mr Willis:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. What were the levels of (a) full-time staff, including staff on leave, (b) casual or part-time staff and (c) total staff employed in the Australian Bureau of Statistics as at (i) 30 June 1975, (ii) 30 June 1976, (iti) 30 June 1977 and (iv) 30 June 1978.
  2. What ceilings have been set for each of these staff categories for 30 June 1979.
  3. What was the average level of employment for the Bureau during (a) 1974-75, (b) 1975-76, (c) 1976-77 and (d) 1977-78.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Staff levels by category as at 30 June:
  1. Ceilings set for 30 June 1979.

A staff ceiling of 3,435 operative staff has been set for the ABS at 30 June 1979. Specific ceilings have not been applied for other categories of staff.

  1. ABS average level of employment.

    1. Approximately 40 man-years of additional parttime/casual staff for 1975-76 household income and expenditure survey.
    2. Includes staff for 1976 Population Census preliminary processing (140 man-years). (0 Includes 633 man-years for 1976 Population Census main processing.

Foreign Investment Review Board (Question No. 2940)

Mr Willis:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. Which members of the staff of the Foreign Investment Review Board have worked on exchange programs with private sector companies since the Board ‘s inception.
  2. With which companies have they worked and during what periods.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The staff of the Foreign Investment Division of the Department of Treasury provide the executive services to the Foreign Investment Review Board. Mr M. A. Cranswick who was formerly with the Foreign Investment Division is on a staff exchange with Cadbury-Schweppes (Australia) Ltd for a period of 12 months. He commenced with that company on 15 May 1978.
  2. See answer to pan ( 1 ).

Bankcard Interest Rate (Question No. 2941)

Mr Willis:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. Has the Commonwealth Banking Corporation any influence in the setting of Bankcard interest rates.
  1. Does the Government’s aim of reducing interest rates include Bankcard.
  2. 3 ) Will the Government use any capacity it has to encourage Bankcard to reduce interest rates.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) The Commonwealth Trading Bank (CTB), a constituent bank of the Commonwealth Banking Corporation is a member bank in the Bankcard arrangements together with the private trading banks and the State banks. The CTB’s influence on the interest rate charged by Bankcard is no more than that of others included in the arrangements.
  2. and (3) The Government’s aim is to see reductions in interest rates achieved generally as conditions permit and on a responsible and sustainable basis. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular area of interest rates. For general background information on Bankcard interest rates I refer you to the answer Senator Carrick gave on my behalf in response to a question from Senator Lewis (see Hansard of 24 August 1978, page 437).

Australian Technology: Defence and Civil Aviation Purchases (Question No. 2945)

Mr Willis:

asked the Minister for Productivity, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

What offsetting investments in Australian technology or expertise were made under the Australian Industries Participation Scheme for (a) major defence, and (b) civil aviation purchases during 1977-78.

Mr Macphee:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to the reply I gave to question number 1794 (House of Representatives, Hansard 23 November 1978, page 3351) for general information concerningthe Offset Program.

For a general outline on offset matters in relation to defence I refer the honourable member to my colleague, the Minister for Defence’s reply to question number 1773. If the honourable member wishes to obtain further information relating to defence I suggest he could make a direct approach to the Minister for Defence.

There were no civil aviation purchases requiring offsets in the financial year 1977-78 but as the Offset Program is a continuing undertaking, orders to the value of $8.3m were placed against earlier civil aircraft purchases.

In addition orders worth more than $6m were placed in this period by overseas aircraft companies without an offset commitment in anticipation of future purchases of civil or military aircraft.

No funds are available under the Offset Program for investment in Australian technology or expertise; any such investment is the responsibility of the Australian companies involved. However offset credits are awarded to overseas companies for their costs incurred in providing technical assistance, plant and tooling. In 1 977-78 this amounted to over $.5m.

Hospital Cost Sharing Arrangements (Question No. 2948)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 2 1 November 1978:

  1. What are the current Federal/State cost sharing arrangements with each of the States for hospital outpatients for medical, pharmaceutical and other services.
  2. What information does he have from the States or direct from hospitals on the actual cost per patient for outpatient medical consultations.
  3. Does the Government agree that the cost is approximately $19 per consultation; if not what is the basis for this disagreement.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The cost-sharing agreements with each of the States provide that services including medical and pharmaceutical services, when provided by a recognised hospital shall, to the extent appropriate to the care and treatment provided by the hospital, be provided as out-patient services. Victoria and South Australia raise outpatient charges for patients who have hospital insurance; New South Wales has also introduced a charging policy but is negotiating a collection arrangement through the health insurance organisations.
  2. and (3) Information on the outpatient costs of recognised hospitals is not available from all States. However, data from those States able to provide some information regarding outpatient costs indicate that for the current financial year, 1978-79, the overall average cost per outpatient occasion of service over those States will be approximately $19.

Asian Refugees (Question No. 2955)

Dr Cass:
MARIBYRNONG, VICTORIA

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 22 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) With reference to his answer to my question No. 2627 (Hansard, 16 November 1978, page 3003) how many of the (a) assisted and (b) unassisted (i) migrants and (ii) refugees from Asia came from South East Asia in each of the specified years.
  2. What were the countries of origin of the unassisted refugees from Asia in (a) 1975-76, (b) 1976-77 and (c) 1977-78.
Mr MacKellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) The number of settler arrivals from Eastern South Asia (a) were:
  1. Country of last residence of unassisted refugees from Asia (c):
  1. ‘Asia’ as defined in the UN Demographic Yearbook 1976 for the purchase of population and related statistics.
  2. Admitted under relaxed entry criteria as quasirefugees fleeing from a state of Civil war in their nome country.

Royal Commission on Human Relationships (Question No. 2982)

Mr Stewart:

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. What action has been taken to consider the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Human Relationships.
  2. What discussions have taken place to determine which recommendations should (a) be discarded, (b) be implemented or (c) remain under consideration.
  3. Which recommendations have already been (a) implemented and (b) discarded.
  4. When will an announcement be made on the Government ‘s attitude to the recommendations of the report.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. to (4) At the Commonwealth level, my Depanment chairs an Interdepartmental Working Group of Commonwealth departments to consider the report’s recommendations. This Group has met on two occasions. As responsibility for implementing many pans of the report rests with the State and Territory Governments, the Prime Minister has written to State Premiers and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory seeking their views.

For those recommendations which involve action by the Commonwealth, the Working Group has sought advice from Departments, as to which have been implemented and which are now under consideration or are likely to be considered in the near future. This information is still being compiled. A statement on the government’s consideration of the report will be made at an appropriate time.

Asbestos Products: Warning to Migrants (Question No. 2998)

Mr Kerin:
WERRIWA, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 23 November 1978.

  1. What action has his Depanment taken to alert immigrants of the dangers of using products containing asbestos?
  2. Are any steps taken to identify immigrants who may be affected by asbestos-caused diseases before and after entry into Australia?
Mr MacKellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Immigrants have not been alerted directly by my Depanment to the dangers of using products containing asbestos. However, the wide publicity given to these matters in ethnic newspapers and the media in general ensures that the majority of the Australian public is kept well informed.
  2. Medical examinations are carried out on all immigrants and chest x-rays taken of those sixteen years of age and over before entry into Australia. These measures identify any immigrants affected by asbestos as well as any other significant disease.

After entry into Australia immigrants can be required to have further chest x-rays mainly for identification of possible reactivation of tuberculosis but also for identification of other relevant conditions. Apart from these precautions, migrants in Australia are subject only to the same medical checks as apply generally in the community.

Asbestos Use in the Australian Capital Territory (Question No. 3005)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for the Capital Territory, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. 1) What action has been taken to meet community concern with respect to the use of asbestos as an insulating material in the Australian Capital Territory.
  2. Why was asbestos chosen as an insulant in the ACT.
  3. What steps are being taken to ensure that asbestos is not used again as an insulant in the ACT.
  4. What steps are being taken to inform the people of the ACT of the dangers of asbestos and to remove it where it is known to be present.
  5. How many public buildings in the ACT are known to contain asbestos in potentially dangerous or actually dangerous forms.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am informed by my Depanment that:

The Building Standards Committee, which is responsible for the preparation of the ACT building code, sought the advice of the Capital Territory Health Commission in 1976 on the use of sprayed asbestos in buildings. The Health Commission advised there was no evidence to suggest that the occupants of buildings were at risk from asbestos-caused disease. However, there was a distinct hazard to installers unless proper care was taken to ensure that they did not inhale excessive quantities of asbestos dust.

Accordingly, to protect workmen in the ACT, standards for the spraying, handling and use of asbestos material were adopted by the Depanment of the Capital Territory under the Scaffolding and Lifts Ordinance. Advice of this was published in the 1976-77 Annual Report of the Budding Standards Committee. An amendment to the Building Manual published in July 1978 included an advisory note to remind builders that there were requirements for the installation of asbestos type materials under the Scaffolding and Lifts Ordinance.

Press announcements by the Capital Territory Health Commission were made in November 1978 in response to questions concerning the use of asbestos insulating material in the Territory. Subsequently, over ISO samples of insulating materials were examined on request and of these 6 were found to contain asbestos. Arrangements are in hand to examine the situations from which the 6 samples containing asbestos have been taken.

Asbestos materials have been used throughout Australia as an insulating material and for fire protection.

and (4) See answer to ( 1 ).

Two public buddings are known to have asbestos sprayed onto the underside of the metal roof to control condensation and to reduce the drumming noise created by rain. In both cases there is a false ceding between the roof and the occupied zones of the buddings. Both buildings have been checked by the Capital Territory Health Commission and do not present a hazard to the occupants. The National Capital Development Commission has never used asbestos insulation in houses constructed by it and no longer uses sprayed asbestos in buddings. The situation with respect to buildings constructed privately is not known.

Asbestos Contamination (Question No. 3006)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What information can he provide on the environment dangers caused by asbestos contamination.
  2. Has his attention been drawn to a recent report by the World Health Organisation on the dangers of asbestos from an environmental point of view. If so, what were the main conclusions of the report.
  3. What steps is he taking to increase public awareness of the dangers to the environment posed by asbestos.
Mr Groom:
LP

-The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question

  1. Asbestos is a material which has many uses in the building, motor vehicle and other industries, but which can present a serious hazard to the health of industry workers if adequate safeguards are not taken.

Except in isolated circumstances, the level of free asbestos fibres in the ambient atmosphere is sufficiently small that it is considered to pose no problem.

In some cases, however, in localised areas, asbestos fibres may be present in the environment in sufficient concentrations to become an identifiable health hazard. This may occur in the vicinity of asbestos mines or mills, or near mine tailing dumps. The Government of Western Australia has recently announced its decision to move the town of Wittenoom, a former asbestos mining centre, because of blue asbestos fibres in the environment in the vicinity.

The Australian Environment Council’s National Advisory Committee on Chemicals has included asbestos in a list of substances to be assessed in regard to potential environmental hazards. These investigations are underway at present.

  1. I am aware of the World Health Organisation document referred to by the honourable member, which was published by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1977. While touching on environmental issues, the report is devoted principally to the human health effects of asbestos particularly in relation to occupational exposure. The main conclusions of the report are:

    1. All commercial forms of asbestos are carcinogenic in laboratory test animals.
    2. The size and shape of asbestos fibres are important in determining lung cancer risk. Glass fibres of similar dimensions to asbestos fibres have also been shown to cause lung tumors, in certain laboratory experiments.
    3. In humans, exposure to most forms of asbestos causes an increased incidence of tumors of the lung, larynx ang gastrointestinal tract.
    4. Occupational exposure to asbestos may occur during the mining of fibrous minerals, as well as minerals embodied in rocks, which may contain asbestos-like fibres as a contaminant.
    5. Cigarette smoking and occupational exposure to asbestos have a multiplicative effect in inducing lung cancer.
    6. The general population may also be exposed to asbestos fibres (at low levels) in air, beverages, drinking water, food, pharmaceutical and dental preparations, and by consumer use of asbestos-containing products.
    7. It is not at present possible to assess whether there is a level of exposure in humans below which an increased risk of cancer would not occur.

  2. The possible environmental risks from asbestos are under investigation by the National Advisory Committee on Chemicals, whose membership includes officials of each State and Territory, and the Commonwealth. I understand that a report to the Australian Environment Council on environmental dangers of asbestos is currently in preparation. The need for greater public awareness will no doubt be one of the factors considered.

My colleague, the Minister for Health, advises that the National Health and Medical Research Council has published a number of codes of practice for use and handling of asbestos and asbestos products.

Apprentices: Department of Health (Question No. 3010)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under his control normally employ apprentices.
  2. If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) his Department, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Capital Territory Health Commission employs apprentices.

  2. (a) and (b) None.

    1. The Capital Territory Health Commission offered apprenticeships over the last 6 years as follows:

Apprenticeships (Question No. 3013)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 23 November 1 978:

  1. Does his Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under his control normally employ apprentices.
  2. If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) his Department, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) The Department of National Development does not normally employ apprentices. Apprenticeships offered by the statutory authorities under my control have been: 1973-6; 1974-5; 1975-16; 1976-nil; 1977-nil; 1978-4.

Apprenticeships (Question No 3016)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Productivity, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under his control normally employ apprentices.
  2. ) If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) his Department, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Macphee:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes. The Department’s factories employ apprentices. They also train first year apprentices under the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations Group Scheme. No other apprentices are employed.
  2. (a) New apprentices engaged in each of the six years are:

1972-73-159; 1973-74-120; 1974-75-169 (25); 1975-76-180 (27); 1976-77-234 (56); 1977-78-257 (94).

Figures in brackets are group scheme apprentices included in totals.

  1. Nil.
  2. Nil.

Apprenticeships (Question No. 3017)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under his control normally employ apprentices.
  2. If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) his Department, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) I am informed that there are no apprentices employed by my Department or any bodies or statutory authorities within my portfolio responsibilities.
  2. Not applicable.

Apprenticeships (Question No. 3018)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for the Capital Territory, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under his control normally employ apprentices.
  2. If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) his Department, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am informed by my Department as follows:

The Department of the Capital Territory and the ACT Electricity Authority currently employ apprentices. The Commonwealth Brickworks has in previous years employed apprentices.

(a) The Department, including the ACT Police Section-

1978-20

1977-17

1976-15

1975-24

1974-27

1973-24.

Relevant bodies- Commonwealth Brickworks 1973-1.

Statutory authorities- ACT Electricity Authority-

1978-15

1977-12

1976-11

1975-10

1974-5

1973-8.

Apprenticeships (Question No. 3019)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 23 November 1 978:

  1. Does the Minister’s Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under the Minister’s control normally employ apprentices.

  2. If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by-

    1. the Department of Administrative Services
    2. the relevant bodies and
    3. statutory authorities.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. Apprenticeships have been offered within two Divisions of the Department of Administrative Services only. There are no readily available records of the number of persons who have been offered apprenticeships but the number of first year apprentices actually employed d uring each of the last 6 years is as follows:

Value-added Tax (Question No. 3023)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to an article in the Age of 26 June 1978 which states that since the introduction in Great Britain of a value-added tax, by a Conservative Government in 1 April 1973, the VAT has come to rank with the Black Death, the Boston Tea Party and Sir Donald Bradman in the British chronicle of disasters.
  2. Will he outline what alterations to the businesses of (a) local grocers, (b) department stores, (c) clothing stores and (d ) restaurants would be necessary in the event of the introduction of a value-added tax or a retail sales tax, such as that which the Government has directed the Commissioner of Taxation to investigate.
  3. Would the introduction of a broad-based consumption tax have an inflationary effect as a result both of the cost of the tax itself to the consumer, as well as the cost of administering the tax, which businesses might pass on to the consumer.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member ‘s question is as follows:

  1. Yes. .
  2. As part of the Government’s investigation of the indirect tax system, the Taxation office is at present conducting an enquiry into the practicability of a broad-based indirect tax collected at the retail level. If, after receiving the Taxation office report, the Government should decide to take the matter further, a discussion paper would be prepared and released to the public It is envisaged that the discussion paper would, inter alia, seek to explain how various categories of business could be affected. Only after study of the community response to the discussion paper would the Government take a final decision whether or not to introduce a broad-based indirect tax and in what form. In the meantime, it would be entirely premature to speculate about ‘ alterations to businesses’ that might be required.
  3. The effects of the introduction of a broad-based indirect tax on price levels would depend on the form of the tax and the amount of revenue to be raised. As to the cost to the private sector of administering a broad-based indirect tax, I merely note that there are already costs associated with the present sales tax.

Value Added Tax (Question No. 3024)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 23 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Is he able to say whether the antique trade associations are so concerned about the possible introduction of a valueadded tax that they organised the first ever national conference of trade representatives in Melbourne on Monday, 20 November 1978. . …
  2. Has his attention been drawn to the option expressed by a senior member of the New South Wales Antique Dealers Association and quoted in a report by Mr Ingram in the Financial Review of 17 November 1978, that, on the basis of the British experience with a value-added tax, two levels of dealing would begin to operate, with a lower cash price and a higher, invoiced price, therefore introducing the possibility of dealers evading the tax.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member ‘s question is as follows:

  1. I am aware that the various state organisations arranged a conference to discuss indirect taxation.
  2. Yes.

Value-added Tax (Question No. 3025)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Treasurer, upon, notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Will he give an assurance that the Government does not foresee, and has not planned for, the scenario described by Mr Eric Risstrom of the Australian Taxpayers’ Association wherein the Commonwealth Government would rely almost exclusively on excise and indirect taxes generally and leave the income tax field to the States.
  2. Has his attention been drawn to a research paper issued by the Taxation Institute of Australia Research and Education Trust which criticises a value-added tax because of the difficulties in introducing the system and educating those affected, the administrative and compliance costs which are excessive for efficient taxation collection, the accompanying inflation, the imposition of the onus of collection on a group not familiar with the requirements and the flow-on effect in terms of unemployment.
  3. Has his attention also been drawn to the point made by the Trust which suggests that only if a universally based value-added tax at a single low rate were introduced, would the advantages of such a tax be realised.
  4. Is he able to say if it is the experience of those western countries which have introduced a value-added tax that overtime exemptions and multiple rates for a value-added tax are inevitable.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1), (2) and (3) Yes.

  1. Exemptions and multiple rates (including zero rates) are a feature of most, but not all, value-added taxes now in existence.

Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Brisbane: Shower Facilities (Question No. 3029)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Is it a fact that showers are provided in the men’s toilets at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Brisbane, on the 12th floor of the Australian Government Centre, whereas the women’s toilets in that same complex do not have showers even though one member of Parliament whose offices are on the 13th floor is a woman and all the secretaries in the 1 2 Parliamentarians ‘ offices are women.
  2. Do secretaries often have the same working hours as their employers and therefore have as much need for similar facilities to those of their employers.
  3. 3 ) Will the Minister consider having a shower installed in the women’s toilet on the 12th floor of the Australian Government Centre, Brisbane.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Yes, no showers have been provided for women in the Commonwealth Parliament Offices, whereas one has been provided for men on the 12th floor.
  2. There are no specific hours of duty prescribed for electorate secretaries. However senators and members would expect their staff to work such hours to suit the senators’ and members’ convenience.
  3. Yes, when the proposed alterations to the Commonwealth Parliament Offices are carried out.

Good Neighbour Councils (Question No. 3036)

Dr Cass:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. How many staff were employed by the Good Neighbour Councils in each State as at 1 May 1978.
  2. How many staff are currently employed.
  3. When does the Government expect the Good Neighbour Councils to cease employing staff funded by the Commonwealth Government.
  4. For how many Good Neighbour Council staff does the Budget provide by June 1 979.
  5. How many Council staff have been found employment within the Commonwealth Public Service.
  6. Are these staff granted portability of their (a) recreation, (b) sick and (c) long-service leave.
  7. Are they treated as Government employees under the Public Service Act
  8. How many Council staff have been assisted by the Commonwealth to find employment.
  9. Are all Council staff entitled to this assistance and what does the assistance consist of.
Mr Mackellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1) Staff employed on 1 May 1978:
  1. At 4 December 1978 the position was:
  1. Commonwealth funding of the Good Neighbour Councils, including funds made available for staff salaries, is being phased out over a period of two years, i.e., by June 1980. I understand that some Councils are likely to cease operating before that date.
  2. No specific figure has been set. Councils are obliged to operate within their financial allocations.
  3. I am informed that, as at 4 December 1978, one Good Neighbour Council employee has obtained employment in the Commonwealth Public Service and that a number of persons still employed by the Good Neighbour Councils have indicated their intention to apply for positions in the settlement and ethnic affairs areas of my Department.
  4. (a), (b) and (c) No. Staff of Good Neighbour Councils are employed by individual Councils, which are independent autonomous bodies and, although salaries are paid from a Commonwealth grant, members of the staff are not Commonwealth public servants.
  5. No.
  6. and (9) A working party has been set up by the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs to assist with the administrative problems associated with cessation of the Good Neighbour Councils’ funding, including assistance with the placement of staff.

The Working Party has visited all Councils and has interviewed every staff member concerning alternative employment.

The Chairman of the Working Party has sought and obtained the support of the Commonwealth and State Public

Service Boards, the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations (now Employment and Youth Affairs) and local government authorities to assist the Good Neighbour Council staff find employment.

In each State and Territory local groups consisting of senior representatives of the Public Service Board, the Departments of Employment and Youth Affairs, and Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, have been formed to complement and follow-up on the national Working Party’s initiatives at the regional level.

Solar Energy Appliances: Sales Tax (Question No. 3037)

Mr Stewart:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. What are the various rates of sales tax imposed on solar energy appliances.
  2. Can he say whether the United States of America offer tax incentives to assist the proliferation of these appliances in that country.
  3. In view of the growing energy problem, will he consider and advise the House of the possibility of exempting these appliances from sales tax and of offering tax incentives to encourage their use in Australia.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Current interest in Australia in solar energy appliances appears to be directed to water heating and accordingly I note that the rates of sales tax applicable to solar waterheating panels are:

    1. Solar absorption panels of a kind installed as fixtures in houses- exempt;
    2. Other kinds of solar absorption panels, including those for industrial use or for heating domestic swimming pools- 1 5 per cent;
    3. c) Components for solar absorption panels- the rate applicable to the panels in question.
  2. I understand that legislation has been introduced in the United States which, inter alia, provides for a ‘residential energy credit’, enabling homeowners to be eligible for a tax credit for ‘renewable energy source expenditure’, which includes solar, wind and geothermal energy systems.
  3. The reference to a ‘growing energy problem’ is not clear. The sharp rise in the prices of some sources of energy in recent years has made governments and the community more conscious of the importance of energy to modern industrial economies. Views on whether there is a ‘growing energy problem’- in most contexts to be read as ‘shortage’very often depend on beliefs about the likely impact of future technological developments on the cost of exploiting energy resources and the likelihood of known reserves of energy being extended at present or future energy prices.

In so far as Australia is concerned, although there are differences in the availability, domestically, of various energy resources we are well endowed overall with known resources and appear to have sound prospects of further discoveries in some important areas.

That is not to suggest that the Government can be indifferent to the availability of future energy supplies and/or can responsibly countenance the inefficient use of energy. On the contrary, concern that our energy resources be used efficiently was an important factor in the Government’s decision to increase, in the 1978-79 Budget, the price of domestically produced crude oil to import parity.

Custody of Royal Commission on Espionage Documents (Question No. 3038)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What is the name of each person who established a need-to-know access during the period S December 1972 to 1 1 November 197S to the Petrov documents withheld from publication by the Petrov Royal Commission.
  2. To whom did these persons establish this needtoknow and when was the need established.
  3. Did these persons have personal custody of the documents for any period; if so, for what period and what guarantee is there that the documents were not copied during that period.
  4. If the documents were not allowed to pass into the personal custody of any person referred in part ( 1 ), were any of the documents copied by any other person for that person; if so, how many documents were copied.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. to (4) The matters referred to by the honourable member were dealt with by the previous Government, of which the honourable member was a Minister. I do not wish to add to my reply to question No. 1582 (Hansard, 22 November 1978, page 3254).

Answers to Parliamentary Questions Nos 1672 and 2448 (Question No. 3039)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

Will he look at the answers given to the Parliament by the Treasurer in answer to questions Nos 1672 and 2448 (Hansard, 10 October 1978, page 1667 and 22 November 1978, page 3267) and state whether he is satisfied with the respect accorded to the Parliament by the Treasurer in those replies.

Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to my answer to ‘question No. 1561 (Hansard, 12 September 1978, page 901).

Answer to Question No. 1610 (Question No. 3045)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

Does he know that the last paragraph of his reply to question No. 1610 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3153) is false.

Mr Viner:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The information given in my reply to question No. 1610 was provided by the Public Service Board. I therefore requested the Board’s comments on this further question also and the Board has advised me that the reply given was and is correct.

Trade Commissioners: Peking (Question No. 3049)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Trade and Resources, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

Are Trade Commissioners presently stationed in the People’s Republic of China; if so,

where are they, and

are there any plans to either establish or increase this service in that country.

Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member ‘s question is as follows:

  1. An Australian Government Trade Commissioner post was established in Peking in 1973 and is staffed by a Trade Commissioner and an Assistant Trade Commissioner.
  2. It is proposed, in the near future, to strenghten Australia’s trade representation in Peking through the addition of an Assistant Trade Commissioner.

Formulated Butter Quota (Question No. 3051)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

Further to his answer to question No. 2349 (Hansard, 8 November 1978, page 2575) and the consideration of specially formulated butter additional to the ordinary butter quota being included in the underwriting system, will he accede to the request of the Australian Dairy Corporation for 6,000 tonnes of this type of butter to be included in the quota.

Mr Sinclair:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The Government has considered the request by the Australian Dairy Corporation for the establishment of a quota of 6,000 tonnes for formulated butter under the Stage II marketing arrangements for the 1978-79 season, additional to the present underwriting ceiling for butter of 96,000 tonnes.

The Government has decided that no change should be made to its earlier decision in regard to the underwriting arrangements for formulated butter for the 1 978-79 season.

The Government’s earlier decision was announced by me in a press statement of 25 August 1978 and details were spelt out in ‘The Principles Governing the Determination of Quotas under the Dairy Industry Stabilization Act 1977’ which were tabled in both Houses of the Parliament on 19 September 1978.

Commercial Bureau (Australia) Pty Ltd (Question No. 3053)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice, on 24 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Who or what is the Commercial Bureau of Australia which was recently reported in the press as being one of the two companies which have successfully negotiated a sale of butter to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
  2. Who are the principals of the company and what is their previous expertise in marketing bulk commodities and selling them to centrally planned economies.
Mr Sinclair:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Commercial Bureau (Australia) Pty Ltd is a private Australian company which was established in 1 975. The company’s head office is located in Melbourne at 434 St Kilda Road, Melbourne and it also has offices in Moscow, Greece, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
  2. The principles of the company are Mr L. Matheson, Chairman, who was a former Australian Trade Commissioner in Moscow and Mr B. Fasham, General Manager and Director.

The company specialises in bilateral trade and cooperation projects between the USSR and Australia. It has received full accreditation from Soviet authorities to operate in the USSR

Heart Disease: Busselton Study (Question No. 3054)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

Has his attention been drawn to the recent rinding of the Busselton study which indicates that high cholesterol diets are not as significant, as presently promoted by health authorities, for the incidence of heart disease, and that other factors such as genes are more significant than previously recognised; if so, what is being done to evaluate and incorporate this new evidence in information on this disease.

Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Yes. The particular Busselton study which was published in Volume 52 ( 1977) of Archives of Disease in Childhood has been noted.

It is acknowledged that the cause of coronary heart disease is multifactorial and certain ‘risk factors’ have been identified by various medical researchers. One of these ‘risk factors’ is a high level of blood cholesterol. There have been many suggested causes for raised blood cholesterol levels one of which is the intake of foods rich in cholesterol.

There has been, and still is, considerable research devoted to heart disease, some of which has been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Officers of my Department are constantly monitoring the literature on this subject and are aware of current theories. A number of these are apparently conflicting.

Appreciating the significance of the factors that have been found to be associated with heart disease but bearing in mind the need for further research my Department does not place emphasis in its nutrition publications on undue restriction of substances such as saturated fats and/or cholesterol. Rather it advocates the consumption of a wide variety of foods, all in moderate amounts.

Prostheses: Availability (Question No. 3056)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What is the arrangement with each of the States under the hospitals agreements for the provision of prostheses for private patients in public hospitals.
  2. Are prostheses provided for similar patients in private hospitals; if not, why not.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Under the hospital cost-sharing agreements between the Commonwealth Government and each State Government, whereby the Commonwealth meets 50 per cent of the agreed net operating costs of recognised (that is, public) hospitals, the States provide to in-patients and registered out-patients of recognised hospitals, surgical aids and appliances free of charge when they are considered necessary for the discharge of the patient and in the ongoing treatment, care, rehabilitation, etc. of the patient by the hospital. The types of aids and appliances supplied differ to some extent between the States.
  2. Assistance is not generally available through private hospitals as they are autonomous bodies outside the public hospital system. Notwithstanding this, the Commonwealth makes a significant contribution towards the operating costs of private hospitals in the form of a direct payment of $ 1 6 for each in-patient bed day.

Private Vehicle Allowance (Question No. 3058)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. When will the Minister be able to announce an increase in the allowance for members of Parliament who are required to drive their own car to the nearest airport when travelling to Parliament.
  2. When was the allowance last increased, and by how much and what percentage has the cost of petrol and depreciation of a car, as determined by his Department, increased since then.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The private vehicle allowance payable to members who use their private vehicles to travel to or from Canberra on parliamentary business is authorised by Section 3 of Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 1978-79. Clause 3.2 of that Section provides that the allowance shall be paid at Austraiian Public Service rates then current. A review of the rates was considered by the Public Service Board and staff organisations meeting as the Joint Council (a consultative body established under the Public Service Act) on 6/7 December 1978 and the Board advised that action would be taken to implement new rates. As soon as they are promulgated they will of course be applied by my Department to claims by Senators and Members.
  2. The determination of the rates is not a matter for my Depanment but for the Joint Council and the Public Service Board. The Secretary of the Public Service Board has supplied the information that the last increase in rates, i.e. to the current levels, occurred in 1976. Using the 6 cylinder rate as an example (rates are specified for 4, 6 and 8 cylinder vehicles) the increase on that occasion was 1.10c per km, from 12.90c per km to 14c per km. Of the 14c, 2.76c was attributable to petrol costs and 2.59c to depreciation. The proposed new rate for 6 cylinder cars is 1 4.20c of which 3.04c relates to petrol costs and 4.97c to depreciation.

Oil and Gas Exploration: Amadeus Basin (Question No. 3061)

Mr Jacobi:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. Has he noted that whilst exploration programs for oil and gas are progressing in Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia, there is nothing being done in the Amadeus Basin, NT.
  2. Would new discoveries of oil and natural gas in this basin be of immense importance if they can be commercially developed.
  3. As private enterprise appears unable to drill, or does not have the financial resources or incentives to drill, will he take steps to ensure that Government exploration funds are spent.
  4. Will he also consult with South Australia and New South Wales regarding the markets that could be found for Amadeus Basin gas and oil to supplement their present supplies in the mid 1980s when both oil and gas reserves are likely to be depleted to the extent that imports must be increased if new discoveries are not made.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Yes. Active exploration programs are also being carried out onshore in Queensland.
  2. The importance of any new discoveries would depend on factors, such as size and recoverability.
  3. and (4) The situation is still as described in my answer of 7 June 1978 to Question No. 620.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3065)

Mr Morris:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Did he say in answer to question No. 2638 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3156) that an index to Hansard is circulated first in roneoed form mainly for urgent official use.
  2. If so, can he define the meaning of the phrase ‘for urgent official use’ and detail the individuals in this category who receive a copy of the index.
  3. Does his Department prepare a computerised index of Hansard; if so, how recent is it and to whom is it made available.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) In answering the honourable member’s previous question, I supplied him with information provided by the Principal Parliamentary Reporter.
  2. I am further advised by the Principal Parliamentary Reporter as follows. The phrase ‘for urgent official use’ has not been defined within the Department of the Principal Parliamentary Reporter. Its use was prompted by the circumstances under which the provision of roneoed copies of the Hansard index to certain persons first began. Hansard found that it was receiving representations from a few people who claimed that they had urgent need of copies of the index well before its normal date of publication. Consequently, it was decided to assist these people by supplying them with roneoed copies of the draft index marked ‘uncorrected proof while work was still proceeding on preparation of the final copy. The persons and bodies at present listed to receive copies of the roneoed index are as follows:

Officer in Charge, Commonwealth Parliament Offices in each State.

Parliamentary Library.

Prime Minister.

Prime Minister’s Department Library.

Senate Records.

House of Representatives Records.

Hon. C. R. Cameron, M.P.

Leader of the House, House of Representatives.

Leader of Opposition, House of Representatives.

Leader of Country Party, House of Representatives.

Leader of Government, Senate.

Leader of Opposition, Senate.

Parliamentary Librarian, Department Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Leader of Opposition, House of Representatives.

Librarian, Department of Administrative Services.

Librarian, Australian Reference Library.

House of Representatives Procedure Office.

  1. No.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3082)

Mr Morris:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Doeshis Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) to (4) I refer the honourable member to my answers to Question No. 2638 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3 1 56) and Question No. 3065.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3083)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Trade and Resources, upon notice, on 24 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Anthony:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. to (4) I refer the honourable member to the Prime Minister’s answers to Question No. 2638 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3156) and Questions Nos 3065 and 3082.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3084)

Mr Morris:

– Asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce, upon notice, on 24 November 1978, the following question:

  1. 1 ) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Lynch:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. , (3) and (4) Not applicable.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3095)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. Does the Attorney-General’s Department or any agency under the Attorney-General’s control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Viner:
LP

-The Attorney-General has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. No.
  2. to (4) I refer the honourable member to the answers provided by the Prime Minister to question No. 2638 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3156) and to question No. 3065.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3096)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. , (3) and (4) See (1).

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3097)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr MacKellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to the Prime Minister’s answer to question No. 2638 (House of Representatives Hansard, 2 1 November 1978, page 3 156).

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3100)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. to (4) Not applicable.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3105)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Special Trade Representations, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Garland:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. , (3) and (4) Not applicable.

Indexing of Hansard (Question No. 3109)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Does the Department of Administrative Services or any agency under the Minister’s control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) to (4) No indices to Hansard are prepared by my Department or agencies under my control. I refer the honourable member to the Prime Minister’s answers to Question No. 2638 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3156) and Question No. 3065 which detail the arrangements for the preparation and publication of the Hansard indices.

Mr Jonathon Gaul (Question No. 3110)

Dr Klugman:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What payments were made to Mr Jonathon Gaul and businesses operated by him during (a) 1975-76, (b) 1976-77 and (c) 1977-78.
  2. For what purposes were the payments made.
  3. Have payments been made or are payments to be made during 1978-79.
  4. What are the purposes of the payments.
  5. Are any debts outstanding in relation to sums paid during the period 1 July 1975 to date.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (a) 1975-76 nil; (b) 1976-77 $11,100; (c) 1977-78 $4,000.
  2. Mr Jonathon Gaul was engaged to provide consulting services, through Hoquara Pty Ltd, covering advice relating to preparation and dissemination of information material for the introduction of the revised Medibank Scheme in October 1976.

In May 1978 Mr Gaul was again engaged, through Hoquara Pty Ltd, as a consultant to assist with the public relations presentation of changes made to the Health Insurance system operative from 1 November 1978.

  1. Yes, $8,000.
  2. The payments relate to the engagement in May 1978 of Mr Gaul.
  3. No.

Small Businesses in Britain (Question No. 3112)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. Has his attention been drawn to statements published in the Melbourne Sun of 3 October 1978 by Mr John Vial, Executive Director of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, that small businesses in Britain have been severely hit by the value-added tax and that, if such a tax was introduced in Australia, small businesses would be ruined; if so, does he have any information on the position in Britain.
  2. Can he say whether the Government of the United Kingdom had to employ an extra 1 1,000 persons to administer and police the value-added tax when it was introduced in 1973.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 have seen the statements referred to. The experience of other countries with indirect taxes that can be levied on a broad base will be considered by the Government as part of its review of the Commonwealth indirect tax system.
  2. 1 have not seen any official statistics on the number of additional employees needed to administer the value-added tax when it was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1973 but unofficial reports put the number much lower than 11,000.

Indirect Taxation (Question No. 3113)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Treasurer upon notice, on 24 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) What discussions has he conducted with either consumer, business or manufacturing groups on the subject of an indirect tax collected at the retail level.
  2. What was the result of these discussions.
  3. Did he, during a meeting with retail sector lobby groups on 3 August 1978, give any undertaking regarding a commitment to the introduction of a broad-based consumption tax, collected at the retail level.
  4. Can he say whether the complicated and unpopular value-added tax in Britain has added to the bureaucracy and increased prices.
  5. What would be the effect on consumers of the introduction in Australia of a broad-based indirect tax similar to the value-added tax applying in Britain.
  6. Is it a fact that Mr John Martin, National Director of the Australian Retailers Association, has been invited by the Taxation Department to attend a meeting in Canberra to discuss how a broad-based consumption tax can be introduced.
  7. Can he say whether the introduction of a value-added tax is being strenuously opposed by many organisations, including the Small Business Council.
Mr Howard:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 have had discussions on indirect taxation and possible alternative arrangements with the Council of the Australian Retailers Association and have received submissions and comments from a broad cross-section of the Australian public.
  2. I pointed out to the Australian Retailers Association that the Government wished to have a sensible and open discussion on the appropriate balance between direct and indirect taxation and that some of the material issued by individual retailers and certain retailing associations misleadingly claimed that the Government had already taken a decision on this issue.
  3. I have made it clear to all concerned that the Government has taken no decision on whether or not a broad-based indirect tax should be introduced. If, after the Government has received the results of the Taxation Office inquiry into the practicability of a broad-based indirect tax collected at the retail level, it should be disposed to take the matter further, it will release a discussion paper on the whole issue. Only after public response and comment on that discussion paper has been received would any final decision be taken.
  4. As to the consequences for the growth of the bureaucracy, see my answer to Part (2) of Question No. 3 1 12. As to price effects, no doubt the introduction of the value-added tax would have led to some increase in prices at the time.
  5. The answer would presumably depend upon the total context within which any such tax were introduced. For example, if the additional revenue obtained from such a tax were to be wholly offset by reductions in personal income tax, some consumers would no doubt be better off and others no doubt worse off.
  6. Mr Martin was one of the three representatives of the Australian Retailers Association that attended, along with representatives of other industry organisations, the meeting on 3 August 1978 with officials of the Taxation Office. The Commissioner of Taxation, who opened the discussions at that meeting, emphasised that the Government had asked the Taxation Office only to examine and report on the practical aspects of an indirect tax collected at the retail level.
  7. There is opposition in some quarters to the introduction of a value-added tax or any other form of broad-based indirect tax. There is support in other quarters.

Imported Limousines (Question No. 3115)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has a D notice classification been placed on any information associated with the purchase of 3 high speed imported limousines by the Government; if so, why.
  2. If not, what information can he provide on the specifications of the vehicles.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. It is not the practice of this Government to give information which may have the effect of endangering security.

VIP Aircraft (Question No. 1401)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 3 1 May 1 978:

  1. What plans are in hand or have been initiated by his Department to provide servicing facilities for Boeing 727/ 100 aircraft.
  2. What is the expected cost of the facilities.
  3. Will he provide details of the servicing and maintenance procedures on Boeing 727/100 jet aircraft of the type proposed for purchase by the Government.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1), (2) and (3) As announced on 13 December 1978, the Government has decided to buy two Boeing 707 aircraft for special transport purposes. In the circumstances, the RAAF is not proceeding with plans to service Boeing 727/100 aircraft.

VIP Aircraft (Question No. 1463)

Mr Scholes:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 2 June 1978:

  1. What aircraft other than the Boeing 727/100 were considered for addition to the VIP Fleet.
  2. What is the estimated cost of converting a 727/100 aircraft to executive configuration.
  3. Will special communications equipment be fitted to these aircraft.
  4. Will modifications be made to provide additional range.
  5. Does the Boeing company market a version of its smaller 737/100, 200 and 300 series aircraft in an executive configuration.
  6. Do the aircraft referred to in part (S) have a greater range than the 727/100 and special engine failure safety factors for overwater travel.
  7. Has the 727/100 aircraft any military role.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Boeing 707 type aircraft were considered and were selected as announced on 13 December 1978. A proposal to add extra fuel tanks to the existing BAC1 1 ls was also considered. However, the extra range obtained would be at the expense of the present passenger capacity and only about five people could be carried.
  2. The cost of converting a B727 to executive configuration has been estimated as $A346,000. Expensive modifications will not be required for the B707 aircraft. Some changes in the avionics fitment will be required and contracts for the engineering and incorporation of such changes are currently being negotiated with Australian industry.
  3. The B707 aircraft will have similar communications equipment to that installed in the BAC 111.
  4. The B707 will not require modification to provide additional range.
  5. The Boeing Company markets 737 aircraft in an executive configuration on a ‘special order’ basis.
  6. The 737 series aircraft’s payload/range performance is less than that of the B727. The engine on the B737 is similar to that on the B727 and does not have any additional engine failure safety factors for overwater travel. The twoengined B737 would not offer the safety margin provided by the 727 ‘s three engines on long overwater flights. The B707 has four engines and its range is greater than either the B727 or the B737
  7. The B707 has a range of defence applications. The aircraft would be able to move freight and personnel within Australia and overseas in Defence Force operational circumstances and will be used for moving freight and personnel between Australia and Butterworth in Malaysia to replace charter arrangements costing the government over Sim a year.

Public Service Tendering Procedures (Question No. 1633)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 15 August 1978:

What are the departmental procedures and Treasury instructions used to reduce the risk of collusion between tenderers, and are all departmental procedures uniform.

Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

All suppliers of goods or services to the Commonwealth, as is the case with the business community generally, are required to comply with the provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Section 45 of this Act prohibits contracts, arrangements or understandings that have the purpose or effect of fixing, controlling or maintaining prices of goods or services. Section 45 also prohibits contracts, arrangements and understandings that substantially lessen competition in a market in Australia.

Commonwealth Government departments should, in considering tenders, be alert to the possibility of collusive arrangements and, upon suspecting collusion in breach of the Trade Practices Act, should refer the matter for investigation to the Trade Practices Commission.

Finance Regulation 53 requires notification of contracts arranged valued above $1,000 in the Commonwealth Gazelle, excluding those exceptions specified in the Regulation. The Regulations also provide for the disclosure of additional information to unsuccessful or potential tenderers and other genuinely interested parties at the discretion of the Chief Officer of the Department concerned or the Chairman of the relevant tender board. The availability of such information, which can include unit rates, provides a degree of protection against possible collusive practices by prospective suppliers to the Commonwealth.

Public Service Tendering Procedures (Question No. 1636)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on IS August 1978:

Why are prices of tenders set out in schedules blanked out when placed on notice board lists.

Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I am advised that it is not the general practice of Commonwealth departments to place schedules offenders with prices blanked out on nodes boards.

One department, the Department of Housing and Construction, has indicated it does list tenders received on notice boards shortly after tenders have closed. These show tenderers names only. When acceptance of a tender is approved, the tender reference number, description of the supplies, value of the contract and the name and address of the contractor are published in the Commonwealth Gazette (see answer to Question 1635 in the House of Representatives Hansard on 17 November 1978, page 3063).

Two types of schedules are placed on the notice board of some departments. These schedules list:

tenders currently being invited, including the schedule number and closing date;

details of contracts arranged. This list is a copy from the Commonwealth Gazette of the past week’s notification of contracts arranged.

Public Service Tendering Procedures (Question No. 1639)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on IS August 1978:

  1. Are all tender forms and accompanying letters numbered and initialled by each member of the opening committee.
  2. Are all schedules of technical data attached to tenders initialled.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The general practice of departments is to require all tender forms and accompanying letters to be numbered and initialled by each member of the opening committee.
  2. I am advised that it is the general practice of departments that all schedules of technical data attached to tenders be initialled, except in the case of the Department of Housing and Construction. The practice of that Department is to place the tender number on each schedule only.

Public Service Tendering Procedures (Question No. 1640)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 15 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) Are tenders received after the opening committee has completed its opening and scheduling procedures sometimes admitted.
  2. What are the criteria for the admission or rejection of late tenders.
  3. Is the Tender Board the only body with power to admit or reject late tenders.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. The Purchasing Division of my Department will not accept for consideration a tender received after the due closing time unless the postmark clearly indicates that the tender was mailed before the nominated closing time. All other tenders are regarded as late, are ruled informal, and returned unopened to the tenderer. Some Commonwealth purchasing bodies receive late tenders and admit them for consideration in some instances. The procedure normally followed is that the tender is registered, on receipt, as a ‘late tender’ and subsequently taken into consideration only if there is a clear advantage to the Commonwealth in doing so, such as a significantly lower price, and that the relevant tender board or delegate of the Minister is satisfied that there was no malpractice or impropriety associated with acceptance of the late tender for consideration.
  3. There is no general regulation in regard to acceptance or rejection of late tenders and the responsibility is in some cases vested in appropriate individual officers.

The Purchasing Division of my Department is continuing to follow the strict interpretation of ‘late tenders’ outlined in (2) above. My Department has, however, recognised the need for a common approach in this area and has been engaged in consultations with other Commonwealth departments with a view to introducing standardised procedures in regard to late tenders. It is expected that the Government will consider this matter in the near future.

Public Service Tendering Procedures (Question No. 1641)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 15 August 1978:

Are tenders for Government contracts received over the counter after the due closing time and are these taken into account when considering tenders received before the closing time.

Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Refer to answer to Question No. 1 640 in today ‘s Hansard.

Public Service Tendering Procedures (Question No. 1645)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 1 S August 1978:

In what circumstances can a public servant sign a contract with a tenderer without referring the matter to his Minister, and from what sections of what Act does he derive this power.

Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The Executive power of the Commonwealth under Section 61 of the Constitution and the Administrative Arrangements Orders made from time to time by the GovernorGeneralinCouncil enables Ministers to enter into contracts for items that are within the respective responsibilities of Ministers. A

Minister may delegate his power in regard to contracts to a specific public servant by instrument in writing.

Some departments and authorities have power to enter into contracts under Regulations made pursuant to their enabling legislation. For example, section 174 of the Regulations under the Repatriation Act provides that:

The Commission may enter into contracts for any purpose connected with or incidental to the administration of the Act or of these Regulations including contracts for the purchase or sale of any commodities.

Notwithstanding, the courts have accepted that a statutory power is not necessary for an appropriate officer to enter into a contract in the ordinary course of administering a recognised part of a government’s activities. Contracts made on behalf of the Crown by its officers in the established course of their authority and duty are Crown contracts and as such bind the Crown. The nature and extent of the officer’s authority may be defined by constitutional practice or express instructions, or may be inferred fromthe nature of the office or the duties entrusted to the officer. If any statute regulating a particular function of government expressly or impliedly governs an officer’s power of contracting, then all statutory conditions must be observed. A discussion of the principles involved appears in New South Wales v. Bardolph (1934) 52 CLR 455, especially at pages 496, 502 and 508.

Radiation Exposure (Question No. 1726)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice; on 16 August 1978:

Are atmospheric discharges from the Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s research establishment at Lucas Heights, New South Wales, included in estimating radiation exposure to workers and residents in the neighbourhood; if so, what are the exposure pathways for tritium and iodine-131 and other radioactive products vented to the environment.

Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

Yes; the exposure pathways are: tritium: inhalation and uptake through skin from the atmosphere; iodine-131: inhalation and uptake in locally produced milk; argon-41 and the radioactive isotopes of krypton and xenon: irradiation of body tissue by these isotopes in the atmosphere.

The Australian Atomic Energy Commission’s estimate of the probable maximum radiation doses to members of the general public arising from all discharges from the Research Establishment at Lucas Heights are set out in answer to House of Representatives Question No. 2634.

Telecom: Exchange Equipment (Question No. 1772)

Mr Shack:
TANGNEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 22 August 1978:

  1. 1 ) What surveys were conducted, and what were the results, before the decision was made by Telecom to install the new exchange equipment ARE II and AXE.
  2. What is the estimated cost to Telecom of the purchase and installation of this new equipment.
  3. What is the potential employment reduction within Telecom due to the use of this new equipment.
  4. What new or improved services will ARE II and AXE exchange equipment provide to Telecom subscribers.
  5. What are the expected charges for these new services.
Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. ARE II is a crossbar exchange with a limited form of computer control. The AXE system, on the other hand, is a fully computer-controlled switching system.

Various forms of computer-controlled switching systems have been in operation in the United States and Canada for many years. Also most European administrations are installing one form or another of stored program control equipment. In the Middle East many developing countries are letting contracts for similar equipment. Indeed all around the world, the trend is towards stored program controlled switching systems. In Australia, Telecom has had experience with stored program controlled trunk exchanges which are in operation in a number of major cities.

Telecom’s decision to move to stored program controlled exchanges was based on surveys of world-wide developments and overseas visits by technical experts to assess different systems. For the AXE system international tenders were called. There were seven tenderers from major equipment suppliers. After an exhaustive analysis it was decided that AXE offered the greatest advantages.

  1. At the 30 June 1978 there were 4.1m subscribers. The estimated figure for 1990 is 7.2m. A continuing program of exchange installation is necessary to meet this development. Also, Telecom is modifying large capital city and provincial exchanges by the addition of ARE II thus extending service life and improving and increasing facilities and reducing operating costs. Currently, much of the growth is being met by ARE II but will progressively be met by AXE as the ARE II program tapers off.

The purchase and installation of exchange switching equipment of the various types for development of the telecommunications network up to the late 1980s will require an expenditure of about $2,000m. It should be stressed that this figure is lower than the amount which would need to be spent if Telecom continued to install the existing crossbar equipment.

  1. 3 ) There is a reduced need in the exchange equipment installation and maintenance field as a result of the introduction of ARE II and AXE equipment. Detailed studies have been completed in respect of the former and it has been assessed that approximately 600 less technical staff will be required for maintenance work by 1985 as compared with the present staffing levels. However, no overall staff reductions will take place as staff will be redeployed into other work areas. AXE equipment will not be introduced in any quantity before 1983 and the assessment of the overall staffing effect is still under review. Staff associations covering technical staff have been advised that there will be no redundancy due to ARE II. In addition, they have been advised that there will be no redundancy for ten years as a result of the introduction of new technology such as AXE.
  2. Facilities available with the new equipment will include:

Automatic Message Accounting for International Subscriber Dialling and later as an optional service for Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) within Australia.

Centralised Interception of Services including: automatic redirection of calls; tracing of malicious calls.

Push Button telephones using tone signalling with greater speed of operation.

The capability to introduce new services for customers. For example:

Abbreviated dialling.

  1. Tariffs for new facilities potentially available with the new equipment have not yet been determined. In most cases, introduction of a new facility follows a market survey, and an appropriate tariff rate is set, based on cost of provision and likely customer demand.

There would be no charge applied for certain facilities such as tracing of malicious calls.

Government Contracts: Offset Arrangements (Question No. 1797)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 22 August 1 978:

  1. 1 ) How many contracts entered into by departments and statutory corporations under his control for the purchase of equipment contained clauses specifying an offset arrangement with the vendor for the purchase of Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology during the last 10 years.
  2. What were those contracts.
  3. What was the sum involved in each offset clause and what were the terms of its discharge.
  4. What is the extent to which the terms of these clauses have been implemented specifying in each case the monetary value of the implementation
  5. What sum is currently available under these clauses for the purchase of relevant Australian manufactured goods, components and/or technology.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to the information provided by the Minister for Productivity in answer to Question No. 1794, House of Representatives Hansard, 23 November 1978, page 3351.

Quarantine: Incinerators (Question No. 1912)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 12 September 1978:

  1. What is the current situation with the provision and maintenance of adequate incinerator facilities at Australian ports.
  2. How significant is the new proposal to macerate and sterilise waste as an alternative to incineration.
  3. How is the material treated by this method finally disposed of if it is not incinerated.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) By arrangement, State authorities operate and maintain quarantine waste disposal facilities at seaports.

Under a Commonwealth/States cost sharing arrangement initiated in 1966, the Commonwealth reimbursed States for the construction of a number of incinerators for the disposal of quarantine waste at seaports nominated by the States. At present the provision of additional quarantine waste disposal facilities at seaports is undertaken by State authorities in consultation with the Commonwealth. Arrangements are in hand for the provision of additional waste disposal facilities at Newcastle and Wallaroo seaports and Cairns airport at Commonwealth expense.

Under the 1966 arrangement operating and maintenance costs of these incinerators are borne by the States. In 1976 the Commonwealth approached the States with a view to negotiating a new arrangement which would provide an equitable basis for sharing these costs. Specific proposals were referred to the States for consideration in July 1977. Replies have been received from five States. Financial and administrative implications of alternative proposals put by these States are being examined. When this examination has been completed, the matter wil be referred to Government for consideration.

  1. The provision of additional quarantine waste disposal faculties by the Commonwealth at seaports and airports is being considered in the light of new, more efficient means of waste disposal developed in the Animal Quarantine Branch of my Department and now being implemented for the seaports of Newcastle and Wallaroo and Cairns airport. This new approach involves the maceration and sterilisation of waste as an alternative to incineration. The macerator/steriliser units proposed are significantly less costly than incinerators in most applications, avoid the pollution and other problems which are sometimes associated with incinerators and are far less costly to maintain and operate. Further, as the macerator/steriliser unit is planned as a closed in-line system, post-treatment contamination is avoided.
  2. As the material has been sterilised liquids may be run to sewer or septic and solids sent to sanitary land fill. Alternatively, all material may go to a wet land-fill area.

Public Broadcasting Services (Question No. 2140)

Mr MacKenzie:
CALARE, NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 20 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) When can an answer be expected to Question No. 863 which first appeared on the Notice Paper on 6 April 1978.
  2. What objective data such as survey results has been employed in assessing the demand for public broadcasting stations in Australia.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 refer the honourable member to the answer provided by me to Question on Notice No. 863 (House of Representatives Hansard, 22 November 1978, pages 3252-3).
  2. The planning and development of public broadcasting services is a vital, new aspect of the broadcasting system and is undertaken only after careful consideration by government, after consultation with representatives of existing broadcasters and potential public broadcasters, and after close scrutiny, through the public inquiry process, by the general public.

Planning proposals for new or improved broadcasting services in all three sectors- national, commercial and publiccommonly originate with representations to the Minister, local Members of Parliament, the Postal and Telecommunications Department, or associated statutory bodies such as the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal or the Special Broadcasting Service. Such representations usually maintain that one or other community need or interest is not being adequately met by existing broadcasting services.

If the representations present a prima facie case for an inquiry into the provision of new services, a draft planning proposal is prepared by the Postal and Telecommunications Department.

The Minister’s decision to approve a planning proposal is based upon the Department’s recommendations and industry comments arising from consultation processes required under section 1 1 lc of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942.

However, full ascertainment of the extent and nature of community needs at the level demanded by the public inquiry process is the responsibility of applicants for a licence. If their application is to succeed, they should satisfy the Tribunal that there is a need for a new service, that their programs are directed towards that need, and that they can present these programs more effectively than rival applicants.

Nuclear Waste (Question No. 21S0)

Mr Uren:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 20 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) Has his attention been drawn to a statement by the Premier of Western Australia, reported in the Canberra Times of 30 August 1 978, that he would be prepared to ha ve nuclear waste dumped in Western Australia.
  2. If so, has the Commonwealth Government received any proposals from the Government of Western Australia for the establishment of a nuclear waste repository in Western Australia.
  3. Have any discussions taken place between the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments concerning the possible establishment of a nuclear waste repository in Western Australia.
  4. What approval of the Commonwealth Government would be required for the establishment of a nuclear waste repository in a State.
  5. Is there any conflict between the reported statement of the Premier of Western Australia and Federal Government policy.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. My attention has been drawn to a report along the lines described in the Canberra Times of 30 July 1978.
  2. No.
  3. No.
  4. Depending upon the particular arrangements made at the time Commonwealth approvals might be necessary in relation to some aspects.
  5. The Commonwealth Government has no intention of Australia storing other countries ‘ radioactive wastes.

Telecom: Concessions to Rural Fire Services (Question No. 2179)

Mr Wallis:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 21 September 1978.

  1. 1 ) What discussions have taken place between himself and Telecom regarding concessions by Telecom to rural country fire services.
  2. What results have come from those discussions.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by me to his Question on Notice No. 1504 (House of Representatives Hansard, 22 November 1978, page 3254).

Australian Broadcasting Commission: Metric Terminology (Question No. 2281)

Mr MacKenzie:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

  1. 1 ) What is the policy concerning the use of metric terminology in both radio and television broadcasting by the ABC.
  2. Has the Commission issued guidelines to its staff concerning the use of metric terminology.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The ABC decided it would progressively adopt the metric system as each stage of the conversion was implemented. This practice accords with the system chosen by the General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960, Australia being a member nation of that international organisation. The Federal Government in turn set up the Metric Conversion Board, with which the ABC has cooperated from the outset.
  2. No specific guidelines concerning the use of metric terminology were issued by the Commission itself. However, the publications of the Metric Conversion Board dealing with conversion and reporting have been issued to ABC staff with the instruction that the guidelines contained therein should be observed by them.

Answer to Parliamentary Question No. 2075 (Question No. 2324)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 27 September 1978:

When will the Parliament receive an answer to Question No. 2075 appearing on the Notice Paper in my name in relation to a question which was first put on the Notice Paper on 15 August 1978.

Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by me to his Question on Notice No. 2075 (House of Representatives Hansard, 24 October 1978, page 2246).

Answer to Parliamentary Question No. 946 (Question No. 2395)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications upon notice, on 28 September 1978:

  1. When may I expect an answer to Question No. 946 which first appeared on this Notice Paper on 2 May 1978.
  2. ) What are the reasons for the 5 months delay in replying to the question.
Mr Staley:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2)I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by me to his Question on Notice No. 946 (House of Representatives Hansard, 9 November 1978, pages 2707-8).

Answer to Parliamentary Question No. 1296 (Question No. 2396)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 28 September 1978:

  1. When may I expect an answer to Question No. 1296 which first appeared on the Notice Paper on 26 May 1 978.
  2. What are the reasons for the 4 months delay in replying to the question.
Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2)I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by me to his Question on Notice No. 1296 (House of Representatives Hansard, 22 November 1978, page 3253).

Radio Australia (Question No. 2409)

Mr Keith Johnson:
BURKE, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 10 October 1978:

  1. Are printed precis of Radio Australia broadcasts to North America and Europe available at Australian Embassies in those areas.
  2. Did the precis issued in early September devote most of itsinformation towards reporting at length on every industrial dispute in Australia.
  3. If so, is this the general tenor of broadcasts from Radio Australia.
  4. Will he obtain from the news editor the reasons for industrial disputes being considered more important to persons overseas than many matters of national and international interest which do not receive equal prominence.
Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes. Transcripts of Radio Australia’s nightly news bulletins to North America and Europe are available at Australian Embassies. These bulletins comprise wholly Australian content as distinct from Radio Australia’s World News on the hour every hour.
  2. On Wednesday, 6 September the evening roundup of Australian news carried a situation report on a number of strikes … a Melbourne waterfront stoppage threatening to escalate to a national strike … a train strike settled in New South Wales but trams and buses halted in Melbourne . . . and a threatened national truck drivers strike following a breakdown in negotiations over demands for wage rises.
  3. There were seven other stories in the same bulletin ranging from the latest information on uranium mining to the doping of racehorses. The general tenor of Radio Australia ‘s news bulletins reflects accurately what is happening in Australia.
  4. Nation-wide strikes and other major industrial disputes cannot be ignored by Radio Australia but their importance in a news bulletin is assessed in the same news value terms as other news stories. It would not be lost on foreign audiences, particularly in Asia, that Australia’s overseas service is free to report the good and the bad.

Quarantine Leaflet (Question No. 2468)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 1 1 October 1978:

When will the long awaited pamphlet explaining the reasons for Australian quarantine procedure be available for distribution to all incoming travellers.

Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

A leaflet in 13 languages, being those most spoken by visitors to Australia, is expected to be available towards the middle of this year. It is intended for issue with all visas provided for travellers to Australia.

Overseas Telecommunications Centre, Doonside (Question No. 2494)

Mr Armitage:

asked the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice, on 12 October 1978:

  1. Will the Overseas Telecommunications Centre at Doonside, New South Wales, be phased out and replaced by satellite communication, if the latter proposal is finally adopted by the Government.
  2. If so, what are the Government’s plans for the property on which the Overseas Telecommunications Centre at Doonside is established.
Mr Staley:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Overseas Telecommunications Commission (Australia) has a continuing need for the high frequency radio transmitting facilities at its station at Doonside, New South Wales, and therefore, has no plans for the closure of the facility.
  2. Not applicable.

Hospital Benefits Insurance (Question No. 2647)

Mr Holding:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 25 October 1 978:

  1. Has his attention been drawn to allegations that new clauses in the HBA agreement operate selectively against the single elderly, who, if they seek to obtain top hospital cover of $80 per day, have to pay the full family rate.
  2. Is it a fact that hardship can ensue by the operation of the 70 day chronic illness clause in HBA agreements whereby citizens insured in the top 3 tables who stay in hospital for more than 70 days are covered only for the basic $40 per day.
  3. 3 ) If the position is as stated, what action does he propose to take to eliminate these hardships.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Yes, but the situation cannot be stated as simply as it has been by the honourable member. Hospital benefits of $80 per day would comprise two components: basic hospital benefits $40 per day for which all single contributors, irrespective of age pay the same contribution rate, half the family rate.

Supplementary cover $40 per day for which HBA apply the same rate for single as family contributors. The basis for the flat rate is the claims experience from both single and family contributors. The flat rate contribution has applied since 1 May 1978.

The present cost of the $80 per day hospital benefit is: single $5.96 per week family $7.48 per week.

Contributions for other supplementary tables ( up to $30 per day) for single persons are half the family rate.

  1. Some members could be disadvantaged by the annual limit of 70 days hospital benefits but such members are guaranteed basic benefits which provide them with full cover at shared ward level in recognised hospitals with doctor of choice without limitations which apply for supplementary tables. Funds which have limits on supplementary tables consider them necessary to maintain insurance rates at reasonable levels. ( 3 )Limiting rules are currently under investigation.

Doctors’ Fees (Question No. 2701)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What difficulties would the Federal Government have to overcome in order to make it obligatory for doctors who do not bulk bill to itemise on each account sent topatients the actual scheduled fee so thatpatients can better know how much over this fee they are being charged.
  2. Has any consideration been given to this matter by the Federal and State governments.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Special enabling legislation would be required. This would require an examination to be made of the constitutional validity of the proposal.
  2. No, as far as the Commonwealth is concerned. I have noinformation as to whether any of the States has given consideration to the matter.

Public Service: Recruitment of Graduates (Question No. 2708)

Mr Young:

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. How many students graduated from ternary institutions during each year since 1 970.
  2. How many of these graduates were recruited by (a) Commonwealth departments and (b) Commonwealth statutory authorities during the same years.
  3. What proportion of these graduate recruits were recruited to (a) the fourth division and (b) the third division during the same years.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Department of Education has provided the following figures:
  1. The Public Service Board has provided the following details in respect of new graduate permanent appointees in the period 1970 to 1977 to the Third Division of the Australian Public Service:
  1. Statistical records held by the Public Service Board for the period 1970 to 1977 includeinformation on the numbers of graduates recruited to the Third Division of the Australian Public Service but not the Fourth Division.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Question No. 2719)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science and the Environment, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. What provisions exist for academic staff of Australian institutions to work in CSIRO on secondment or on a similar temporary basis.
  2. How many academic staff have worked on such an arrangement with the Organisation during each of the last 10 years.
Mr Groom:
LP

-The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. Academic staff of Australian institutions can work temporarily in CSIRO under a variety of arrangements. In some cases the employment of the staff concerned remains fully or pardy financed by the ‘home’ institution while in other instances academic staff may be on leave-without-pay. CSIRO may pay an honorarium or meet certain costs associated with secondments.

The Executive of CSIRO is presently examining provisions for secondment of staff both to and from CSIRO, involving not only tertiary educational institutions but also private and government laboratories. As a result of this examination, it is possible that the present arrangements for secondment of academic staff to CSIRO will be expanded.

  1. The numbers of academic staff of Australian institutions recorded as having worked in CSIRO on secondment or similar temporary basis during the last 10 financial years are as follows:*

1968-69-10; 1969-70-5; 1970-71-1; 1971-72-9; 1972-73-13; 1973-74-13; 1974-75-8; 1975-76-17; 1976-77-18; 1977-78-14.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Question No. 2720)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science and the Environment, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is CSIRO conducting research into energy-conserving mineral processing techniques.
  2. If so, (a) which minerals processing industries are under investigation and (b) what fuel savings are anticipated as a result of the use of these techniques.
Mr Adermann:
NCP/NP

-The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. 1 ) Yes, methods for conserving energy in the Australian minerals industry are the subject of research at the CSIRO Minerals Research Laboratories and cover aspects of efficiency in mining operations, mineral beneficiation and process metallurgy.

  2. (a) The industries co-operating with CSIRO are the bauxite-aluminium industry, the iron-ore and steel industry and the producers and processors of sulphide ores (nickel, copper, lead and zinc). Increased efficiency of energy usage, together with economic, environmental and human factors, are all aspects of the Organisation’s research programs. The relevant activities include relatively short-term in-plant and laboratory studies wherein energy economies can be identified and implemented quickly, as well as long term research.

    1. A project aimed at conserving energy in the aluminium industry involves the further development of a chlorination process for the production of aluminium from bauxite which could lead to 20-30 per cent savings in electrical energy.

Flash smelting is being developed for use with nickel and copper sulphide flotation concentrates, and, in the case of copper, the energy required is only 40 per cent of that required by the conventional reverberatory furnace.

A low energy process is also being developed which will produce an up-graded nickel oxide from nickel matte, while laboratory scale tests on a new phase separation process for the refining of lead is showing up to 70 per cent reduction in the energy consumed in conventional processes. A pilot plant is presently being developed for the refining of lead by this process while similar laboratory work has commenced to study the refining of zinc.

In the iron-ore industry several projects are underway aimed at achieving improved efficiency of beneficiation, pelletising and metallising processes. Energy saving aspects of this work are directed towards reducing power consumption during grinding, and fuel consumption (possible 20 per cent savings are indicated) during the induration stage of pelletising.

In mineral dressing processes such as flotation separation, energy saving is one aspect of the studies being undertaken in collaboration with several firms aimed at achieving improved performance of the processes. No quantitative figure for the energy savings resulting from such work is available

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Question No. 2723)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science and the Environment, upon notice, on 8 November 1978:

  1. Which academic staff of Australian institutions worked on secondment, or on a similar temporary basis, in CSIRO during 1977-78.
  2. What period of secondment was involved, what was the discipline, and what CSIRO Division was involved in each case.
Mr Groom:
LP

-The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: (l)and(2)-

Commonwealth Property -Brisbane (Question No. 2740)

Mr Jull:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 9 November 1978:

  1. Which buildings in the Brisbane city area are owned by the Commonwealth Government.
  2. What is the total unoccupied office space presently existing in each of these buildings.
  3. What is the total area of office space leased by the Commonwealth in the Brisbane city area.
  4. Where is each leased area located.
  5. 5 ) What is the cost of leasing each of these areas.
  6. Which of these leased areas are unoccupied.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member ‘s question is as follows:

  1. Terrica House, Adelaide Street; Commonwealth Centre, Adelaide Street; Taxation Building, Adelaide Street; Commonwealth Centre, Ann Street; Statistics House, Ann Street; Survey Depot, Bowen Street; Naval Staff Office, Edward Street; Recruiting House, Mary Street; Customs House, Queen Street; Coronation House, Edward Street.

  2. (a) 172 square meters, Commonwealth Centre, Adelaide Street (to be occupied in February 1979).

    1. 901.90 square metres, Recruiting House (sale of this building is being negotiated ).
  3. 42,440.99 square metres.
  4. National Bank House, Adelaide and Creek Streets; Jackman House, 247 Adelaide Street; 294 Adelaide Street, 294 Adelaide Street; Phoenix House, 333 Adelaide Street; Professional Suites, 138 Albert Street; Comalco House, Ann and George Streets; MIM Building, 160 Ann Street; ANZ Centre, Creek and Queen Streets; AMMI Building, 97 Creek Street; Eagle House, 82 Eagle Street; Australia House, 145 Eagle Street; 167 Eagle Street, 167 Eagle Street; Watkins Place, 288 Edward Street; Commonwealth Bank Building, King George Square; ADA Building, 24 Lt Edward Street; T. & G. Building, Queen and Albert Streets; Prudential Building, 6 Queen Street; Hibernian Building, 246 Queen Street; Ansett Centre, 27-35 Turbott Street; London Assurance House, 13-17 Wharf Street; City Mutual Building, 307 Queen Street; Estates House, 127 Creek Street.
  5. The total rent cost of leased accommodation in Brisbane is $2,274,881 per annum. Lease terms for the individual leases are regarded as confidential between the lessor and the Commonwealth.
  6. 2,007.66 square metres in 294 Adelaide Street (to be occupied in January 1 979 when outfitting is completed ).

N.B. The above information refers only to buildings for civil and defence departments and does not include buildings owned or leased by statutory authorities.

Nursing Home Fees (Question No. 2744)

Mr Stewart:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 9 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Did he recently grant fee increases to nursing homes in the Sydney metropolitan area; if so, which homes received the increase, and what are the new fees in each case.
  2. Will any of these new fees exceed the sum of the age pension and the Government subsidy paid in respect of ordinary care patients; if so, by how much and how will this be met.
  3. What alternatives are available to patients who have no other source of income and no relatives or friends able to assist them meet these new charges.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Increases in nursing home fees may be approved by my Department on receipt of specific applications from individual proprietors who can demonstrate that they have necessarily incurred increased costs in providing nursing home care. General or across-the-board increases are not normally granted.

Of a total of 286 nursing homes located in the four regions designated as ‘metropolitan’ by the New South Wales Health Commission (which include several areas not normally considered as Sydney Metropolitan) fee increases were approved for 212 and a further 37 experienced reductions in their fees during the period 1 August 1978 to 9 November 1978.

The individual homes for which fee increases were approved and their actual approved fees current as at 9 November 1978 are as follows:

  1. Under the present nursing home benefit arrangements patients are required to pay a minimum contribution towards their nursing home care and accommodation. This requirement is in recognition of the fact that patients admitted to nursing homes are normally accommodated for long periods and that the nursing home fee includes an element of cost that would otherwise be incurred by the patient towards normal living costs.

The amount of this statutory minimum patient contribution has been set at STA per cent of the maximum single rate pension plus supplementary assistance. Application of this formula at the time of the last pension increase effective from 9 November 1978 resulted in the patient contribution being set at $7.25 a day ($50.75 a week). The basic nursing home benefit for ordinary care patients in New South Wales is currently $13.65 a day. .

Therefore, pensioner nursing home patients receiving the maximum single rate pension plus supplementary assistance (totalling $58.20 a week as from 9 November 1978) who are accommodated at a daily fee of $20.90 or less are able to retain $7.45 a week of their pension for personal spending.

Where a nursing home fee exceeds $20.90 a day the patient is responsible for meeting the excess from his own resources.

The specific nursing homes included in ( 1 ) above in respect of which the cheapest ward accommodation exceeds the minimum patient contribution plus the basic nursing home benefit are as follows:

  1. The only alternative for patients with no other source of income is to seek admission to a nursing home in which lower fees apply. Since 1 October 1977, nursing home benefits have been set at a level whereby the statutory patient contribution plus the appropriate benefit fully covers the whole of the fees charged to 70 per cent ofpatients accommodated in non-Government nursing homes in each State.

Commonwealth Property, Wagga Wagga (Question No. 2782)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 15 November 1978:

  1. What is the (a) location, (b) area, (c) annual rental, (d) occupying agency, (e) date of approval of occupancy and (f) number of Commonwealth employees occupying each building leased by the Commonwealth in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
  2. What is the (a) location, (b) area, (c) occupying agency and (d) number of Commonwealth employees occupying each building owned by the Commonwealth in the same city.
  3. For each building owned by the Commonwealth (a) what was the cost of (i) construction and (ii) furnishings, (b) when was construction authorised and (c) for whose occupancy was the building intended.
Mr McLeay:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. (i) (a) 143 Bayliss Street, Wagga Wagga; (b) 89 square metres; (c) *; (d) Department of Employment and Youth Affairs; (e) Original lease commenced 9 December 1974; (f)3.
  2. (a) Corner Bayliss and Morgan Streets; (b) 1,472.98 square metres; (c) *; (d) Australian Telecommunications Commission; (e) Lease is to commence on completion of new building i.e., about December 1979; (f) 120. This lease will permit consolidation of leases presently held at 176 Baylis Street and 48 Fitzmaurice Street.
  3. (a) 176 Baylis Street; (b) 260.13 square metres; (c) *; (d) Australian Telecommunications Commission; (e) Original lease commenced in 1953; (f) 16.
  4. (a) 48 Fitzmaurice Street- occupancy under two separate leases. Building is Strata titled.

Lease 1: (b)253.91 square metres; (c) *; (d) Australian Telecommunications Commission; (e) Original lease commenced in 1974; (f) See (v) (f).

Lease 2: (v) (a) see (iv) (a); (b) 130.99 square metres; (c) *; (d) Australian Telecommunications Commission; (e) Original lease commenced 9 March 1977; (0 Total number of employees within this building is S3.

  1. (a) 54-60 Baylis Street; (b) 70 square metres; (c) *; (d) Australian Broadcasting Commission; (e) Original lease commenced in 1958; (f)2.
  1. (i) (a) 205 Baylis Street and Thompson and O’Reilly Streets; (b) 6,564 square metres; (c) Department of Housing and Construction and Department of Administrative Services; (d) 23.
  2. (a) 69 Baylis Street; (b) 891.5 square metres; (c) Australian Telecommunications Commission; (d) 26.
  3. (a) 47 Fitzmaurice Street; (b) 360 square metres; (c) Australian Telecommunications Commission; (d) 5.
  4. (a) Station Place; (b) 720.8 square metres; (c) Department of Employment and Youth Affairs; (d) 1 5.
  5. (i) 205 Baylis Street purchased in several acquisitions, including improvements, between 1950-70 for use by the then Department of Works and future Commonwealth Offices. The construction of the Commonwealth Offices has been approved in the 1 978-79 Civil Works Program.
  6. 69 Baylis Street purchased in November 1957 including improvements for use by former Postmaster-General’s Department. No details are available in respect of furnishings.
  7. 47 Fitzmaurice Street purchased in September 1972 for extensions to the telephone exchange. It has however been used as a Telephone Sales Office. Purchase included two storey former banking chambers. No details are available of furnishings.
  8. Station Place purchased in June 1953 for construction of temporary offices for the former Department of Labour and National Service. Construction was sponsored by the user Department and no details of cost or authorisation of these offices and furnishings are available to my Department.

Note: The gross purchase price of all buildings owned by the Commonwealth in Wagga Wagga is $200,248. The purchase price for individual properties is regarded as confidential between the vendor and the Commonwealth.

Disarmament (Question No. 2783)

Mr Les Johnson:
HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 15 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What measures has the Government taken or does it propose to take to mobilise Australian and world public opinion on behalf of disarmament.
  2. What printed and audio visual material relating to the danger represented by the armaments race has been or is to be prepared by and/or funded by the Government or Government instrumentalities.
  3. In relation to part (2) what sums have been allocated or are proposed to be allocated.
  4. What publicity has the Government given or does it intend to give to the final document of the 10th Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Mr Malcolm Fraser:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) On 5 June 1978, I addressed the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Disarmament and set out the principal elements of Australia’s approach to arms control and disarmament questions. These issues have also formed an important part of the statements which the Minister for Foreign Affairs has made to the last three sessions of the United Nations General Assembly. Australia’s position on arms control and disarmament matters is accordingly well known domestically and internationally.

On 23 October, the Minister for Foreign Affairs tabled a comprehensive report of the Australian delegation to the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Disarmament. The report comprised an outline by the Minister of Australia ‘s approach to the Special Session; an account of the work of the Preparatory Committee for the Session; a discussion of the principal elements of the Session’s general debate and the negotiation of the Session’s lengthy Final Document; and an assessment of the meeting and the future course of international arms control and disarmament deliberations. In addition, the full text of the Final Document and a collection of Australian papers and statements, including my statement at the Session, were printed in annexes to the Report.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs stated upon tabling the report that he believed that it would be valuable in promoting public debate on, and study of, arms control and disarmament questions. The report is being distributed to a variety of community groups and educational institutions and to all diplomatic missions in Canberra. A limited number of copies is also on sale at Australian Government Publishing Service bookshops.

In addition, the July issue of the ‘Australian Foreign Affairs Record’, published by the Department of Foreign Affairs, contained a feature article on the Special Session together with the text of my statement to the Special Session.

Both before and after the Special Session on Disarmament, the Minister for Foreign Affairs made available officers of his Department to address interested community groups on disarmament and, in particular, on the Special Session.

  1. The Department of Foreign Affairs allocated the sum of $2,000 for the printing of some 1,300 copies of the Report of the Australian Delegation to the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Disarmament referred to in ( 1 ) and (2) above. It is not possible to specify precisely what other sums are involved in relation to the other activities referred to in ( 1 ) and (2). Publicity in respect of arms control and disarmament objectives is undertaken in the context of the annual publications and information (including public speaking) programs of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The aim of these programs is to foster public understanding and informed debate in Australia on international issues and to promote understanding abroad of Australia’s attitude to international issues.
  2. The Final Document of the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Disarmament was the subject of a news release by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 3 July. Copies of the Final Document were mailed immediately after the Session to all organisations which had expressed interest, in letters to the Government, in the Session. For information concerning the tabling in Parliament and distribution of the Report of the Australian Delegation to the Session on Disarmament, see the answer to questions (1) and (2) above.

Smallpox (Question No. 2794)

Mr Barry Jones:
LALOR, VICTORIA · ALP

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 15 November 1978:

  1. Has his attention been drawn to the text of the 1st Boyer Lecture broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Commission for 1 978 by Sir Gustav Nossal.
  2. If so, can he state whether (a) smallpox is no longer extant and (b) there have been no recorded cases for some years, apart from the recent deaths arising from experimentation in a Birmingham medical laboratory.
  3. Is smallpox vaccination non-compulsory for overseas travellers; if so, on what basis.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. Up to 31 January 1979, IS months have elapsed since a case of endemic smallpox was detected anywhere in the world. The last case had onset of rash on 26 October 1 977 in Somalia. Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are still regarded as possible endemic areas. Two cases in the United Kingdom with onsets of rash on 13 August and 8 September 1 978 were associated with a laboratory, located in a non-endemic area.

The Second World Health Organisation Expert Committee on Smallpox Eradication stated that eradication of smallpox is defined as the elimination of clinical illness caused by variola virus. Since smallpox is transmitted direct from person to person in a continuing chain of transmission and since there is no recognised animal reservoir of the disease, the absence of clinically apparent cases in humans may be assumed to signify the absence of naturally occurring smallpox.

In order to confirm the interruption of smallpox transmission, an effective surveillance is needed so that clinical infections can be detected. It is usually considered that at least two years should have elapsed after the last known endemic case before it is considered that smallpox transmission has been interrupted.

The World Health Organisation has established a Global Commission under which health experts are now monitoring surveillance activities with a view to determining whether and/or when smallpox eradication has been achieved.

  1. Australia requires valid international certificates of vaccination against smallpox only from travellers over the age of 12 months who within the preceding 14 days have been in a country any part of which is infected with smallpox. Currently this applies to Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya in Africa.

Some countries have a similar policy but again others still require all travellers to have smallpox vaccination certificates even though the travellers have not been within 14 days in a country any part of which is infected.

Technological Change (Question No. 2802)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Minister for Industrial Relations, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. Has his attention been drawn to an article in the National Times of 14 October 1978, in which the author, Mr Stuart Simson, wrote that he, the Minister, was to ask Cabinet for an inquiry into technological change at a Cabinet meeting the following week.
  2. If so, (a) has he made any recommendation to Cabinet during the last month regarding an inquiry into technological change and the impact of change on the workforce and ( b ) what was the result of the Cabinet deliberation.
  3. If no recommendation was made, will he make one.
Mr Street:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. and (3) On 1 September 1978 1 announced the establishment of an interdepartmental committee to consider the effects of the introduction of new technology on industry and employment. I subsequently presented two reports of that committee to the Government.

On 1 December 1978, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a Committee of Inquiry into Technological Change in Australia.

In particular the Committee is to:

  1. identify:

    1. technological change which is occurring or is likely to occur in Australia; and
    2. new technologies which have the potential for substantial impact in Australia;

  2. examine relevant overseas experience and studies of technological change, and to assess mechanisms used to introduce and evaluate new technology.

The Inquiry is to be chaired by Professor Rupert Myers with Mr W. Mansfield, Federal Secretary of the Australian Telecommunications Employees’ Association and Mr A. Coogan, General Manager of Nabalco as the other members.

The Prime Minister, at the same dme, announced the establishment by the National Labour Consultative Council of a Tripartite Committee which would, among other things, examine the labour relations aspects of technological change. The Committee is under the Chairmanship of Mr J. C. Trethowan, Chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

Plutonium (Question No. 2843)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister for National Development, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. What is (a) the chemical and physical form and (b) the isotopic composition of the plutonium under the control of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission.
  2. If complete, precise and accurate date is unavailable to answer part ( 1 ), why is it unavailable.
Mr Newman:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1) I am not prepared to identify the chemical and physical form or the isotopic composition of plutonium under the control of the Australia Atomic Energy Commission. See my reply to Question 1386 where the amount involved is identified. (Hansard, page 988, 13 September 1978).
  2. Disclosure of such information would be contrary to the public interest. I am advised that this information is not made available in other countries for this reason.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Question No. 2846)

Mr Hayden:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science and the Environment, upon notice, on 16 November 1978.

  1. Did the Prime Minister state on 11 May 1978 that CSIRO research will support such community interests as the better protection of our environment, flora and fauna and consumer interests.
  2. If so, which research programs have been introduced or are planned in support of consumer interests.
  3. Have any research programs been introduced or planned in fields of safety, pollution and performance standards as recommended by the Birch Inquiry.
Mr Adermann:
NCP/NP

-The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answers to the honourable member’s questions.

  1. Yes.
  2. The Prime Minister’s statement of 1 1 May 1978 concerned a number of Government decisions on the structure and operation of CSIRO. These decisions were based on the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into CSIRO whose report was tabled in the House on 6 October 1 977.

Reference to consumer interests in the Independent Inquiry Report was made in the context of consumer protection activities integrated into CSIRO research supportive of the manufacturing industry sector. In this sense CSIRO has a long history of research involvement. A considerable body of research is being continued in a number of Divisions on the provision of improved quality goods and services in the market place.

The CSIRO Divisions of Building Research and Food Research are prime examples. Their accumulated knowledge and experience arising from many research programs is made available to consumers and industry, and is further augmented by the results of continuing research. Relevant studies in the Division of Building Research relate to building materials, design and protection; and in the Division of Food Research to the microbiological safety of foods, food quality and improved handling and processing of foods. These Divisions receive between them as many as 50,000 enquiries annually from consumers and industry.

  1. 3 ) CSIRO has been involved almost continuously from its inception in the scientific aspects of safety, pollution and performance standards over a wide range of topics and it is the Organisation’s intention to be so involved in the future. CSIRO does not set standards, but assists the appropriate authorities by developing improved measuring techniques and providing scientific information related to standards. The following examples of its involvement are indicative, not exhaustive.

    1. Safety

The CSIRO National Measurement Laboratory (NML) is working on the development of equipment for assisting in the safe use of microwave ovens and other microwave heating devices. It recently collaborated with the NSW Department of Mines on a study on means of reducing coal mine fire hazards associated with miners’ cap lamps and other lights. NML has, for many years, been associated with NSW and Victorian road authorities in studying street and pedestrian crossing lighting and is involved in Standard Association Committees on such topics as road traffic signals, small craft distress flares, industrial eye protection and safety helmets.

The Division of Applied Geomechanics has research programs related to maintaining safety in both metalliferous and coal mines.

Work at the Division of Protein Chemistry led to the recently established standards for flammability of nightwear. That Division, the Division of Textile Physics and the Division of Building Research are all contributing to the development of Australian and international standards relating to the fire hazards of textiles.

  1. Pollution

NML and the Division of Process Technology are investigating the chemical reactions in photo-chemical smog. The Division of Cloud Physics is studying the effects of pollutants in the atmosphere and the Division of Fisheries and Oceanography is examining the detection of pollutants in the sea. The Division of Textile Industry is concerned with standards of noise in textile mills.

  1. Performance standards

NML has given continuing assistance to traffic authorities in the application of retroreflectors to vehicles, road signs and road lines and has assessed techniques for measuring vehicle speeds for some police forces.

Freedom of Information Legislation (Question No. 2886)

Mr Fry:

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

What preparatory work has been undertaken by departments and statutory authorities in anticipation of the implementation of the freedom of information legislation.

Mr Viner:
LP

-The Attorney-General has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

The Freedom of Information Bill 1978 is currently being examined by the Senate Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs. With regard to the undertaking by departments and statutory authorities of preparatory work pending decisions on the final form of the freedom of information legislation, I refer to the comments made by Senate Estimates Committee A in paragraph 4 of its report dated 7 November 1978 in relation to action taken in antici- pation of the passage by the Parliament of proposed legislation. It is not possible to predict the number and type of requests for documents which will be received when the legislation is enacted. The number and complexity of requests will vary from department to department as well as within particular departments and statutory authorities over a period of time.

Nevertheless, certain work has been undertaken in preparation for fulfilling the obligations that the proposed legislation places on departments and statutory authorities to publish details of their organisation and functions and to publish their manuals and other documents used by their officers in making decisions affecting members of the public. I understand that several departments are preparing their documents for publication as required by the legislation.

In addition, preparatory work of a general training kind has been undertaken. The Attorney-General’s Department in collaboration with the Public Service Board is arranging a number of training activities based on the Freedom of Information and Archives Bills as currently drafted. These activities include Second and Third Division Seminars, management conferences and the preparation of an information handbook. The Board has introduced an administrative law module in its Personnel Management Scheme. Officers of the Attorney- General’s Department have also taken part in training programs and seminars conducted by other departments for their own officers.

Translation Service (Question No. 2887)

Mr Fry:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 16 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is it the practice of the translation service of his department not to translate partisan political views for release to the ethnic press.
  2. If so, was this the reason for the refusal by the translation unit to translate a communique issued by the ACT Teachers’ Federation regarding staffing in ACT schools.
  3. Is it a fact that instructions have been given to the translation unit to translate as top priority the Prime Minister’s weekly electorate talk; if so, is this consistent with Departmental policy.
Mr MacKellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The main translation functions of the Translation Unit within my Department are:

    1. to provide a translation service from foreign languages into English and English into foreign languages of departmental correspondence, documents of migrants and official documents;
    2. to provide a translation service for other Commonwealth Departments and instrumentalities.

The Translation Unit has on various occasions translated statements by Ministers of the present and previous Governments.

  1. Translation of the material issued by the ACT Teachers’ Federation was not considered to be a function of the Translation Unit.
  2. In implementing the Galbally Report on Post-Arrival Services and Programs for Migrants, the Government is committed to improving information services to migrants to enable them to take their place in society, partake of its benefits, exercise their rights and discharge their duties.

In line with this, it was recently decided to translate into Italian and Greek four statements by the Prime Minister of community interest. There was no directive that the translations should be given top priority although, as with any topical matter prepared for the media, it was indicated that the translations were required as soon as possible.

The statements, available to the Australian Englishlanguage media, were for distribution to the ethnic press and ethnic radio. The first statement was a radio talk about taxation; the second and third were about Commonwealth/State financial relations and the results of the Loan Council. The fourth was about reduction in interest rates.

Use of Concorde Aircraft (Question No. 2912)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 2 1 November 1 978:

  1. Under what circumstances are his (a) departmental staff and (b) ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of his Department (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1976-77, (ii) 1977-78 and (iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his Depanment or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) See the Prime Minister’s answer to Question No. 2903, Hansard, page 3577.

  2. (a) Number of officers seeking approval to travel by Concorde in:

    1. 1976-77-none.
    2. 1977-78-none.
    3. 1978-79 (to date)-two; on the understanding that both would pay the difference between the normal and Concorde fare.

    1. Number of officers granted approval to travel by Concorde in:

    2. 1976-77-none.
    3. 1977-78-none.
    4. 1978-79 (to date)- two, subject to each officer paying the differences between the normal and Concorde fare before departing Australia.

    1. Number of officers refused approval to travel by Concorde in:

    2. 1976-77-none.
    3. 1977-78-none.
    4. 1978-79 (to date)-none.
  3. None.

Use of Concorde Aircraft (Question No. 2917)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 2 1 November 1978:

  1. Under what circumstances are his (a) departmental staff and (b) ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the United States and the United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of his Department (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1 976-77, (ii) 1977-78 and (iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his Department or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. and (2) See the Prime Minister’s answer to Question No. 2903, Weekly Hansard, 24 November 1 978, page 3577.

(3)-

  1. None. However, one Department of Health officer has travelled on a Concorde aircraft. At the request of the Pharmacy Guild, a senior Departmental officer accompanied two senior Guild members on a visit in April 1977 to the USA and Great Britain to ascertain the position in those countries on chemists’ remuneration for the supply of pharmaceutical benefits. The itinerary was planned by the Guild members and travel arrangements made for the Departmental officer were the same as those which the Guild members advised they had made. A detailed itinerary, which showed flight BA578 on 15 April 1977 from Washington to London, formed part of the submission to the Oversea Visits Committee, which approved the proposed visit in March 1977. It transpired that flight BA 578 was a Concorde flight.

Use of Concorde Aircraft . (Question No. 2918)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 21 November 1978:

  1. Under what’ circumstances are his (a) departmental staff and (b) ministerial staff authorised to travel on Concorde aircraft between the USA and United Kingdom.
  2. What is the additional cost per journey.
  3. How many officers of his department (a) sought approval, (b) were granted approval, and (c) were refused approval to travel on Concorde aircraft during (i) 1976-77, (ti) 1977-78,(iii) 1978-79 to date.
  4. How many officers from his department or personal staff have travelled on Concorde aircraft without seeking approval.
Mr MacKellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

In respect to Questions ( 1 ) and (2), I refer you to the reply given by the Prime Minister to Question No. 2903 (Hansard of 24 November 1978, page 3577).

(a) (i) One officer and wife- Surcharge paid by officer, (ii) Nil. (iii) Nil.

(b) (i) One officer as above, (ti) Nil. (iii) Nil. (c) (i) One. (ii) Nil. (iii) Nil.

Nil.

Disposal Stores: Sale of Army Clothing and Stores (Question No. 2946)

Mr Lloyd:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 2 1 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Are disposal stores able to obtain and sell new army clothing and stores; if so, should this be regarded as an indication of waste and inefficiency in defence forces purchases.
  2. If it is not an indication of inefficiency, why does it happen.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2 ) No. The Army disposes of surplus equipment and clothing through the Department of Administrative Services. Normally only part worn clothing, used or superseded stores are declared for disposal from time to time.

Telephone Interpreter Service (Question No. 2957)

Dr Cass:

asked the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice, on 22 November 1978:

  1. How many full-time staff were employed by the Telephone Interpreter Service in (a) Sydney, (b) Melbourne and (c) elsewhere as at (i) 30 June 1975, (ii) 30 June 1976, (iii) 30 June 1977 and (iv) 30 June 1978.
  2. How many ‘on-call’ interpreters were employed under contract by the TIS in (a) Sydney and (b) Melbourne on the same dates.
  3. How many cases were these ‘on-call’ interpreters required to attend in (a) 1975-76, (b) 1976-77 and (c) 1977-78.
  4. By what percentage has demand increased for the TIS in (a) Sydney and (b) Melbourne in (i) 1975-76, (ii) 1976-77 and (iii) 1977-78 based on the increase in the number of calls and cases which the TIS handles.
Mr Mackellar:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Full-time staff employed by Telephone Interpreter Service as at:
  1. ‘On-call’ interpreters under contract to US as at:
  1. Cases attended by ‘on-call ‘interpreters during:
  1. Percentage increase in demand for TIS based on (i) incoming calls and (ii) ‘on-call ‘ attendances during:

Aboriginal Health (Question No. 2980)

Dr Everingham:

asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Will the research project into middle ear infection at Bathurst and Melville Islands also survey the demographic and epidemiologic aspects of (a) vitamin intake and blood or urine levels during pregnancy and infancy and other nutritional influences, (b) nutritional and hygiene practices, attitudes and understanding, by engaging the assistance of interpreters and anthropologists and (c) the incidence and effects of associated infection, infestation, intoxication, exposure and hygiene hazards.
  2. Is he able to say whether it is recognised world wide that middle ear infection prevalence in fixed settlements is related to these environmental factors and that money spent on personal medical remedies and surveys is wasted in the long term in such communities and would be better spent on correcting the environmental factors.
  3. What anthropological advice was sought before the National Health and Medical Research Council recommended, and he approved, that the project was worthy of receiving scarce medical research funds.
  4. Will he table the relevant documents submitted to him for approval of the project.
Mr Hunt:
NCP/NP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) (a) and (b) The research project will take into account nutritional data which is already available. Aboriginal health workers will be used as interpreters.

    1. One of the specific aims of the project is correlation and analysis of epidemiological data relating to ear and respiratory infections. This will include definition of clinical stages of disease, family and social patterns, relation to socio-economic status, nutritional state, age, sex, personal habits, climate and geographical location, association with epidemic infections and assessment of probable causative and risk factors.
  2. The need for improving environmental factors has long been recognised by my Department and by the Northern Territory Health Department and has been drawn to the attention of the various agencies concerned. Under the present circumstances, however, it is necessary both to provide treatment and to improve environmental conditions. This study is largely designed to determine the specific factors contributing to the high prevalence of otitis media in the Islands. Since a new therapeutic approach to early treatment of the disease and its effects on recurrent infections has also been proposed, officers of my Depanment are presently evaluating this aspect of the proposal, as is normal practice.
  3. Not only has the community been consulted and supports the project but the Northern Territory Health Department will ensure that anthropological considerations are taken into account on a continuing basis. The community will continue to be consulted on all aspects of the project.
  4. No. Information relating to the assessment of applications for NH & MRC assistance is provided on a confidential basis and, as the honourable member will be aware, it is not the practice to table such documents. Details of the projects supported and grants awarded are published in the annual reports of the National Health and Medical Research Council which are tabled in Parliament.

Australian Army (Question No. 2989)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) What is the title of each rank in the Australian Army.
  2. What was the annual rate of pay for each rank during each of the last five years and what is it at the present time.
  3. What was the rate of average weekly earnings and the rate of average adult male weekly earnings during each of the last five years and what are they at the present time.
  4. How much was each rank of servicemen charged for service housing in the Army during the same period.
  5. What (a) conditions, (b) benefits and (c) concessions prevailed for Army personnel with respect to (i) accommodation, (ii) housing, (iii) uniform and equipment, (iv) medical treatment, (v) rostered duties, (vi) postage, (vii) the working of extra hours and ( viii) re-engagement during each of the last five years and what are they at the present dme.
  6. Is it a fact that Army personnel living in certain localities are now not permitted to visit Area Medical Offices outside normal work hours; if so, why.
  1. Has the Uniform Maintenance Allowance remained constant during a period when the price of many items of uniform and equipment have risen from 10 per cent to 70 per cent
  2. Is it a fact that most Army personnel, at any rank, are now substantially worse off financially in both monetary and real economic terms as a result of changes in pay and conditions since 1975.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2) Rank and annual salaries:
  2. The information sought is collected by the Australian Bureau of statistics. It is therefore suggested that the question be directed to the Treasurer.
  3. The Group Rent Scheme (GRS) was introduced in April 1976. Before that date servicemen paid the Assessed Economic Rent (AER) or 15 per cent of salary, whichever was the lower amount, in rent. The GRS has grouped dwellings in accordance with scales and standards, and ranks in accordance with housing entitlements. Thus rents are related to scales and standards and not to salary or age of the dwelling. The rents charged under GRS since its introduction are as follows:
  1. (i) Servicemen who live in Service accommodation are charged at a daily rate for rations and quarters. In the past these rates have been reviewed annually to reflect the movement in costs associated with providing radons and quarters but the charges are set at less than the actual costs in recognition of the compulsion for servicemen to ‘ live-in’. In future, reviews will be conducted every six months. The rates charged over the last five years are:
  2. The Services endeavour to provide members with married quarters at each location. If married quarters are not available in a particular location members are entitled to receive a Temporary Rental Allowance (TRA) to assist in obtaining suitable accommodation from the private market. These entitlements have not changed over the past five years. The levels of TRA vary from location to location and in proportion to rank group entitlements.
  3. Uniform Maintenance Allowance was adjusted in 1973 following recommendations by the Kerr/ Woodward Committee. The rates have been further adjusted once since that time. At the present dme surveys are being conducted by each of the Services in an endeavour to determine a basis for future reviews in the light of present day costs. Rates of UMA over the period concerned are:
  1. The Commonwealth is responsible for all costs for medical treatment of members. Members are required to undergo any treatment or regimen necessary to preserve the individual or collective health of the Army. Treatment is provided free of charge to the individual. Exceptions would lie in the area of purely elective procedures which have no bearing or influence on the medical fitness standard of the members, or which are undertaken contrary to agreed defence policies. No direct benefits, in the monetary sense, accrue for treatment provided. Army requires all treatment to be properly reported and recorded to ensure proper ongoing management, and to protect any entitlements for compensation or repatriation benefits arising from service. In another sense ‘free treatment’ could be described as a benefit.

Treatment is provided as required when there is any risk or detriment to the total health of the individual. Treatment will be provided as quickly as circumstances allow to maintain medical fitness standards and to minimise noneffectiveness for duty.

  1. Assuming that the term ‘rostered duties’ refers to those additional duties performed by a member outside of his normal duties and, consequently, usually performed outside of normal working hours in accordance with an approved roster, e.g. security guard duties, such duties have not changed significantly over the last few years. Married members are not required to pay a Rations and Quarter charge when rostered for duty and required to live in barracks for the duration of the duty. All single members are required to pay for rations when rostered for duty.

Under specified conditions a member may be compensated for working on a weekend or public holiday by approved leave of absence on a subsequent working day.

  1. Prior to 24 August 1978, servicemen serving in Malaysia, Ismailia, Singapore and on board RAN ships deployed in connection with the Five Power Defence Arrangements were allowed concessional rates of postage. These concessions now no longer apply. (vh) Service Allowance of $950 per annum is payable to all ranks, male and female, with the exception of star rank and institutionalised trainees.

The major purpose of Service Allowance is to provide financial recompense for the need to be on call at all times and to work long and irregular hours as required.

The allowance was introduced in 1973, at the rate of $750 p.a., as a result of recommendations made by the Kerr/ Woodward Committee Inquiry. The allowance was reviewed in 1974 and raised to the present level of $950 p.a. It is currently under review, along with all work-related allowances and system of review for those allowances, by the Committee of Reference for Defence Force Pay.

The Committee of Reference is an independent advisory body to the Minister for Defence on issues affecting Defence Force Pay and financial conditions of service. It is independent of the Defence/Service administration and is chaired by the Honourable Mr Justice P. A. Coldham, D.F.C. and Bar, a Deputy President of the Arbitration Commission. (viti) Re-engagement Bounty is an amount of $1,000 (tax free) payable to other rank members who complete six years’ full time service and re-engage for a further period of three years. The bounty was introduced in 1972.

On 10 July 1978, the Government decided to continue payment of the bounty for presently serving members but to abolish the bounty for members who enlisted on or after the date on which amending regulations were brought into force. That date was 26 September 1978.

  1. No Army member is prohibited from seeking treatment outside normal working hours from an Area Medical Officer.
  2. As for (5) (iii) above.
  3. No.

Vietnam: Use of Defoliants (Question No. 2990)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. How many servicemen and servicewomen were affected by the defoliant Agent Orange whilst serving in Vietnam.
  2. How many of these persons are receiving pensions or part pensions as a result of contact with Agent Orange.
  3. What is the long term effect of Agent Orange on an individual at various levels of contact.
  4. Are there any documented cases in Australia or the United States of America of persons who have been in contact with Agent Orange (a) being made sterile or (b) having Agent Orange induced skin cancers.
  5. What are the range of illnesses caused by Agent Orange.
  6. Will a special inquiry be established to investigate the effects of Agent Orange on Australian Service personnel.
  7. Will lump sum compensation or special pensions be paid to Australian Service personnel who have been affected.
  8. 8 ) Is he able to say what were the effects of Agent Orange where it was sprayed continually on civilian Vietnamese populations.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. The Australian Defence Health Services have no documented cases of personnel who have been in contact with Agent Orange.
  2. The Australian Defence Health Services have no record of any claim for a pension based on contact with Agent Orange. The receipt of pensions is a matter for the Minister of Veterans ‘ Affairs.
  3. The long term effects of Agent Orange are not fully known to the Australian Defence Health Services, but see the answer to Question (5).
  4. See the answer to Question ( 1 ).
  5. Ingestion of large undiluted quantitites of Agent Orange could cause gastrointestinal upset, mild central nervous depression and difficulty in swallowing. Occasionally skin contact can produce harmful effects on the peripheral nervous system causing pain, tingling, or paralysis of long duration.
  6. 6 ) and ( 7 ) See the answer to Question ( 1 ).
  7. The Australian Defence Force did not use Agent Orange in Vietnam, and in these circumstances no comment is offered on the Question.

Asbestos (Question No. 2991)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Is it a fact that since the 1 940s the Australian Navy has been aware that asbestos is a dangerous health hazard.
  2. If not, when did the Navy become aware of this fact.
  3. What action (a) was then or (b) has since been taken to protect Naval personnel and dockyard workers from asbestos fibres.
  4. Has any publicity been given at any time to the nature of asbestos and the associated dangers of asbestos caused diseases.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) and (2) The hazards involved in the mining or manufacture of asbestos and its products have been known for many years. There is no evidence to suggest that the Navy Health Services have not been aware of these hazards since the 1940s.
  2. ) and (4) Australian Navy Orders specifically related to asbestos hazards have been issued since 1968, and apply to all personnel, uniformed as well as civilian and to contractors’ employees, in Naval Dockyards and Establishments. They have prescribed detailed procedures to minimise the production of asbestos dust during handling, fitting and stripping of asbestos-containing materials. They have also provided for personnel employed on such work to wear approved respirators and to be medically examined, including chest x-rays, before starting such work and annually thereafter.

These orders supplement but do not replace the relevant instructions under Clause 41 of the New South Wales Factories Act of the Harmful Gases, Vapours, Fumes, Mists, Smokes and Dust Regulations 1945 (as amended) made under the Victorian Health Acts. Naval dockyards have always complied with the provisions of these Acts.

Defence Department: Apprentices (Question No. 3009)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

  1. Does his Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under his control normally employ apprentices.
  2. If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) bis Department, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. Yes.
  2. The numbers of persons offered apprenticeships, and who commenced an apprentice course, are as follows:

Apprentices (Question No. 3014)

Mr Kerin:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Science and the Environment, upon notice, on 23 November 1 978:

  1. Does the Minister’s Department or any bodies or statutory authorities under the Minister’s control normally employ apprentices.
  2. ) If so, how many persons have been offered apprenticeships in each of the last 6 years by (a) the Department of Science, (b) the relevant bodies and (c) statutory authorities.
Mr Groom:
LP

-The Minister for Science and the Environment has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Department of Science and the Environment does not normally employ apprentices. However, of the statutory authorities responsible to the Minister, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) does employ apprentices.
  2. (a) nil; (b) nil; (c) The numbers of people offered apprenticeships by CSIRO (excluding apprenticeships offered by the former Department of Employment and Industrial Relations under the Group (One Year) Scheme in each of the last six years are:

1973-14; 1974-18; 1975-16; 1976-11; 1977-8; 1978-8.

Consumption Tax (Question No. 3027)

Mr Humphreys:

asked the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, upon notice, on 23 November 1978:

Has he had any communication with persons or groups representing business or consumer interests on the subject of the proposition of a broad-based consumption tax, such as a retail sales tax or value added tax, which the Treasurer has directed the Commissioner of Taxation to review; if so, what was the substance of that communication.

Mr Fife:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

I refer the honourable member to the Treasurer’s statement of 24 January 1979 in which he announced that the Government has decided not to proceed further with consideration of the introduction of a broad based indirect tax.

Long Term Sick Leave in the Public Service (Question No. 3040)

Mr Clyde Cameron:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. Does the dramatic increase in the number of public servants who now claim long term paid sick leave compared with the number who did so only 8 years ago cause him any concern.
  2. What is the reason for this sudden and widespread breakdown in the health of public servants.
  3. Has his attention been drawn to the fact (a) that some private medical practitioners have expressed deep concern over the serious breach of medical ethics involved in the obvious collusion that exists between certain medical practitioners and public servants and (b) some medical officers employed by the Australian Public Service are encouraging public servants to abuse sick leave entitlements and are actually conspiring with claimants to improperly claim moneys from the Australian Government in violation of the Crimes Act.
Mr Viner:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. 1 ) Data on officers on long term sick leave is not available before 1975. However there has been an increase in the number of officers on long term sick leave in the last three years, from 769 in December 1975 to 1,264 in November 1978. A large proportion of officers on long term sick leave are awaiting invalidity retirement The Public Service Board has indicated that the increase in officers taking long term sick leave is related to the increase in invalidity retirements from the Service.
  2. There does not appear to have been a sudden and widespread breakdown in the health of public servants. In its 1978 Annual Report the Public Service Board said that the increase in invalidity retirements (and hence the use of long term sick leave prior to retirement) was related to a number of factors. These include the changing age structure of the Service, the number of ex-servicemen approaching retirement, changing community attitudes towards health and arrangements for age and invalidity retirement. There is also today greater community awareness of the importance of early diagnosis of disease. I am informed that this, together with increased sophistication of diagnostic techniques, has resulted in earlier recognition of potentially serious conditions such as psychiatric disorders, heart disease and hypertension. Such conditions can have fatal consequences if allowed to progress untreated. It is generally considered by medical experts that these types of illness may be aggravated by stress, particularly stress in the work situation. Modern treatment of these conditions requires not only therapeutic measures such as appropriate drugs but also reduction or elimination of stress. In some cases the latter can only be achieved by granting long term sick leave.

  3. (a) I am informed that the Department of Health has no evidence of any collusion between medical practitioners and public servants.

    1. Medical officers employed by the Australian Public Service do not encourage public servants to abuse sick leave entitlements.

Hansard Index (Question No. 3091)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 23 November 1 978:

  1. 1 ) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, Departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Killen:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. to (4) I refer the honourable member to the Prime Minister’s answer to Question No. 2638 (Hansard, 21 November 1978, page 3156) and Question Nos 3065 and 3082 (Hansard, 20 February 1979).

Hansard Index (Question No. 3094)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, Departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Viner:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1)No

Hansard Index (Question No. 3104)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, upon notice, on 24 November 1978:

  1. 1 ) Does his Department or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, Departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Fife:
LP

-The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. ) , (3 ) and (4) See ( 1 ) above.

Hansard Index (Question No. 3106)

Mr Morris:

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 24 November 1978.

  1. 1 ) Does his Depanment or any agency under his control prepare an index of Hansard.
  2. What is the form of each index.
  3. 3 ) How recent is each index.
  4. To what persons, Departments or agencies are the indices made available.
Mr Ellicott:
LP

– The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

  1. No.
  2. to (4) See answer to ( 1 ) above.

Cite as: Australia, House of Representatives, Debates, 20 February 1979, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/hofreps/1979/19790220_reps_31_hor113/>.

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