Senate
10 October 1972

27th Parliament · 2nd Session

  1. Senate
  2. 27th Parliament
  3. 1972

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hoo. Sir Magnus Cormack) took the chair at 11 a.m. and read prayers.

page 1369

QUESTION

PRESENTATION OF SWORD

The PRESIDENT:

– I report to the Senate that this morning, in the Senate club room, J accepted on behalf of the Senate a dress sword for the ceremonial use of the Usher of the Black Rod. The sword v/as presented by Mr G. S. Boag on behalf of the Wilkinson Sword Co. Ltd. The father of the Senate, Senator Justin O’Byrne, supported me in accepting this beautiful gift. The sword has been designed to match the ceremonial uniform of Black Rod, with which H will be worn. It is based on the pattern of the British diplomatic corps sword with solid silver fittings and a silver bullion knot. The shellguard is engraved with the Commonwealth coat of arms, with the words ‘Australian Senate’ below, and the blade is embossed with n -wattle pattern along both sides. I am sure honourable senators will join with me in expressing our appreciation of this gift.

Honourable senators - Hear, hear!

page 1369

NOTICE OF MOTION

Senator BYRNE:
Queensland

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

That contingent upon the Commonwealth Electoral Bil) 1972 being read a second time it be an instruction to the Committee of the Whole on the Bill to consider the amendments of the following sections of the principal Act: Sections 73, 76, 106 and 111.

page 1369

QUESTION

THE SENATE

The PRESIDENT:

– J am sure honourable senators will join with me in expressing pleasure at seeing the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Sir Kenneth Anderson, back with us after the period which he has spent marching up and down the Valley Road.

Honourable senators - Hear, hear!

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSON:
Minister for Health · New South Wales · LP

– I crave the indulgence of the Senate to respond to your gracious words, Mr President. I thank you for the get well messages that you conveyed to me during the period of my illness. 1 acknowledge the messages which I received from ministerial colleagues and members of the Government parties. 1 acknowledge the message which I received from the Leader of the Opposition (Senator Murphy) conveying get well wishes on his own behalf and on behalf of members of his Party. I convey my thanks to Senator Gair and members of his Party for their get well messages. I also convey my thanks to the independent senators who conveyed get well messages to me. It was very comforting to receive those messages.

I make one observation which has no political implications. I believe that all honourable senators recognise that during the life of this Parliament, the Senate, in its role and function, has taken on responsibilities which have broader horizons and wider perimeters than has been the case ever before in our history. We are all very proud of what we have taken on but it has put an added burden of responsibility on all honourable senators. It has put an added responsibility on you, Mr President, as Presiding Officer. It has put an added responsibility on leaders - myself, Senator Murphy and Senator Gair - and on Ministers. In my own case I have had to look at the burden of responsibility which I have carried as Leader of the Government in the Senate and its implications in regard to my health. It is a wonderful feeling and a very proud moment to sit again at this table as Leader of the Government in the Senate, and to sit with equality with all honourable senators at this time.

The PRESIDENT:

– I also draw the attention of honourable senators to the return of Senator Prowse who also has been ill.

page 1369

QUESTION

RADIOACTIVE IODINE

Senator WILLESEE:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– In addressing a question to the Minister for Health I add to your words, Mr President, and say to him: ‘Welcome back’. I trust that in the next 3 weeks he will be as happy z.s he is at the present moment. I ask: Is it a fact that a United Nations scientific committee’s report shows that there has been a significant increase in the level of radioactive iodine in milk in the southern hemisphere since the recent French nuclear tests? What programme does the Department of Health conduct to monitor the level of radio-iodine in Australian milk?

To what extent has the radio-iodine level in Australian milk risen since the French nuclear tests?

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSON:

–

It is true, as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has said, that recently there have been newspaper reports on the dangers of fall-out of radioactive iodine, iodine 131, following nuclear testing. The document on which these news items are based is the 1972 report to the United Nations General Assembly of the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, which has the rather extraordinary alphabetical name UNSCEAR. The report is a complex technical document and some of the published interpretations have not been entirely accurate. I am informed that iodine 131 does pose special problems as it becomes concentrated in the thyroid gland after ingestion by humans and, therefore, irradiates that gland especially. The intake is mostly through milk. The report notes the presence of radioactive iodine in milk in 14 countries and regions of the southern hemisphere, based on data supplied by these countries. Even the highest annual doses were well below that recorded in the northern hemisphere as far back as 1963. Australian figures for 1970 and 1971 are included in the Scientific Committee’s report. However, these figures have already been published in detail in Australia in the reports of the National Radiation Advisory Committee which are freely available. The Advisory Committee has assessed the figure as presenting no hazard to the Australian population. It is incorrect to say that the United Nations report made any reference to the French nuclear tests of 1972. When 1972 figures become available they will be evaluated as to their potential health effect in the usual careful way.

page 1370

QUESTION

TREE PULL GRANTS

Senator McMANUS:
VICTORIA

– I ask a question of the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry following representations by orchardists in the Goulburn Valley. Is the complaint correct that to obtain a tree pull grant under the present Government proposals, orchardists in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley must forfeit their cannery shares? Are such orchardists being told that the cannery shares are valueless, although within the last 12 months such shares were valued for probate at $3 a share and a widow concerned was forced to pay at that rate although in indigent circumstances? Are the conditions so rigid for a tree pull grant that only those in extreme poverty can benefit?

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
Minister for Air · WESTERN AUSTRALIA · CP

– There has been discussion between State Ministers of Agriculture and the Federal Minister for Primary Industry on the tree pull scheme and a Bill is to be presented io the Parliament very shortly. Although the Bill involves certain details of the scheme it does not refer to shares in a cannery. I have only just heard of this matter and would have to make an investigation through the Minister for Primary Industry before saying more about it. I shall do that. If the honourable senator would like to put his question on notice he may do so, but I will get the information for bini.

page 1370

QUESTION

COMMONWEALTH LITERARY FUND

Senator HANNAN:
VICTORIA

– I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts: Can the Minister advise the Senate of the general method of administration of the Commonwealth Literary Fund? Can the Minister state whether awards for the current year have yet been made? lt they have not been made, will he consider recommending that distinguished Australian author, Mr Arthur Calwell, for such an award?

Senator GREENWOOD:
Attorney-General · VICTORIA · LP

– I regret that I am unable to give detailed information on how the Literary Fund is administered or whether awards have been made this year. I feel that we have all read with great interest what the distinguished author, Mr Calwell, has written about aspects of political life over a very distinguished career. I will convey the honourable senator’s question to the Minister whom I represent in this chamber. I also suggest to the honourable senator that he may desire to pursue the matter further when the estimates for the Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts are before the appropriate Senate estimates committee in the near future.

page 1371

QUESTION

PRESENTATION OF SWORD

Senator McLAREN:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– My question is directed to you, Mr President, and it arises out of your statement at the commencement of the sitting of the Senate this morning. I want to say at the outset that I am one honourable senator who doss not concur with the decision to arm the Usher of the Black Rod with an offensive weapon. My question is: Why is it necessary for the Usher of the Black Rod to be armed with a symbol of war and death, namely, a sword? Was the arming of the Usher of the Black Rod a matter of discussion by the House Committee? If not, who was responsible for the decision to allow an officer of the Senate to be armed? Further, what are the reasons for this matter being decided without first seeking the concurrence of the Senate?

The PRESIDENT:

– 1 will give consideration to the honourable senator’s question and answer it at a later hour.

page 1371

QUESTION

EDUCATION

Senator BYRNE:

– 1 direct a question to the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Science and the Arts. Following the resolution of the Senate to refer to that Committee the matter of the education of children from isolated areas, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Davidson, in answer to a question I asked of him, indicated that the Committee would give a priority consideration to this matter. 1 have discussed this matter with Senator Davidson and indicated to him that I proposed to ask him this morning, so that he could have an opportunity to inform the Senate about it, what steps have already been taken by the Committee to advance this investigation. I understand that the Committee has already been very active. 1 direct such question to the Chairman of the Committee.

The PRESIDENT:

– If Senator Davidson will be answering the question on behalf of his Committee, I will call him; but if he will not be answering on behalf of his Committee, 1 will not allow him to express a personal opinion.

Senator DAVIDSON:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– Thank you, Mr President. Notice was given of this question. In accordance with your direction, Mr President, I would direct Senator

Byrne’s attention to the previous question which he asked of me and my assurance that the matter would be placed before the Committee at the earliest possible opportunity. That has in fact happened, Mr President, and the Committee has agreed to proceed with the reference as soon as parliamentary circumstances will allow. Indeed, to this end arrangements have been made for advertisements setting out the details of the reference to appear in all capital city morning newspapers and in some other newspapers which have a national distribution, as well as newspapers which have a distribution of a particularly local nature. The advertisements set out the terms of the reference and invite submissions from interested people to be lodged by 17th November.

There has already been a response to the advertisements. As of this morning, at least 2 submissions have been received from interested people. The Secretary of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Science and the Arts has been and will be in touch with interested organisations to ascertain their interest and to invite submissions from them. Indeed, today he will be preparing a statement for release to all country broadcasting stations throughout Australia. Finally, as the Chairman of the Committee, I hope to attend the conference and seminar of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association which is to be held at Bourke tomorrow and which the Minister for Education and Science will attend. I am sure the Senate will agree that that will give me the opportunity to ascertain a great deal more information, which I hope to place before the Committee.

page 1371

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION

Senator GIETZELT:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– I ask the Minister representing the Postmaster-General: Is it a fact that the Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Sir Robert Madgwick, is soon to leave Australia for overseas and that the Acting Chairman of the Commission will be Mr Arthur Lowndes? Is it a fact also that Mr Lowndes’ wife is a member of the campaign committee working for the return of the Prime Minister in the seat of Lowe? If this is so, would it not be wiser, in view of the current controversy concerning the

ABC programme ‘This Day Tonight’, for some other commissioner to act for Sir Robert in his absence?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– I am unable to say whether in fact Sir Robert Madgwick is going overseas and, if he is going overseas, when he is going overseas. The question as to who should be the Acting Chairman of the Commission in the absence of Sir Robert Madgwick is, I understand, a matter for the Commission itself to determine. I feel that the imputation behind the honourable senator’s question does not give due weight to the fact that the Commission is an independent body capable of acting, and in fact prepared to act, as it sees its obligations under the legislation.

page 1372

QUESTION

FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS

Senator JESSOP:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– In view of the apparent intention of the French Government to continue atmospheric H-bomb tests in the Pacific next year, will the Minister for Foreign Affairs say whether it is a fact that the Australian Government has attracted the support of 15 other Pacific countries in order to mount a further campaign against these tests? Will he say also whether this campaign will be mounted in the current session of the United Nations?

Senator WRIGHT:
Minister for Works · TASMANIA · LP

– 1 am able to say that the Government has very little knowledge of the French plans for further nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. But we do expect that the French Government will continue with its plans to develop thermo-nuclear warheads for its missile forces. The Australian Government, of course, strongly opposes any such programme. This year, the Government has continued actively to oppose atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific, particularly by mobilising international opinion against the French testing programme. At present, Australia is, with New Zealand and other Pacific countries, acting at the United Nations in New York to prove the extent of international opposition to nuclear weapons testing, especially in the Pacific area. That is the point, I think, that responds to the question asked by the honourable senator.

page 1372

QUESTION

FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS

Senator BISHOP:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– My question, which I direct to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, has been answered in part by

Senator Wright, I refer to reports from Paris of the possibility that France will resume nuclear testing in the Pacific. But I refer also in my question to the proposal that Australia might continue to show an interest in an Australian-French project for the replacement of the Royal Australian Air Force Mirage aircraft. Is it still Government policy to consider the AustralianFrench project for the RAAF Mirage replacement? Has the attention of the Leader of the Government been drawn to the strengthening opposition to nuclear tests not only by Pacific countries but also by people within Australia including members of the trade union movement and others? Will the Government consider giving a clear indication that the Australian Government not only is opposed to any future tests but also in the circumstances will reject any future Australian-French collaboration in the manufacture or supply of Australia’s defence requirements?

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSON:

–

In the first place, the honourable senator has linked his question to matters which are on the perimeter of the responsibilities of the Department of Supply. As he knows, and as we are all aware, the Mirage aircraft presently in service in the Royal Australian Air Force were built under licence by Australia in conjunction with the French. The Mirage has proved to be a magnificant aircraft. The honourable senator then connects discussions that apparently have been taking place with the French aircraft industry in relation to the future requirements of the RAAF with the question of an alleged increase in nuclear testing. Here the honourable senator enters an area of policy which, quite obviously, I am not competent to answer and which, in any event, it would be contrary to traditions and practice to answer. I do not suggest that the question should be put on notice, but I will refer it in the appropriate way to the responsible Minister.

page 1372

QUESTION

TABLING OF JETAIR DOCUMENTS

Senator WILLESEE:

– My question is directed to the Leader of the Government. I refer to the tabling of certain documents relating to the acquisition of DC3 aircraft from Jetair Australia Ltd. Will the Minister table all Department of Civil Aviation files relating in any way to the transaction with Jetair Australia Ltd, including all applications for exemptions, licences, operations and all material relating to the operations of the company and its relationship to the Government’s 2-airline policy? Further, will the Auditor-General’s files relating to the acquisition of DC3 aircraft for foreign aid purposes be tabled?

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSONMy understanding is that there has been a tabling of documents in relation to this matter and indeed that Senator Wright, as Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, made a statement in this place in relation to the tabling of those documents. As to the subsequent question asked by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, I will have to have that put on notice because, quite obviously, 1 cannot make any comment about it at this point.

page 1373

QUESTION

SUPPLY OF PIPE FOR NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

Senator WEBSTER:
VICTORIA

– My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade. I ask the Minister: Does he recall the Senate’s interest in the supply of material and the manufacture of the steel gas pipe to be used in the pipe line to Sydney from the gas fields in South Australia? Does the Minister recall that it has been stated by the principal to the contract for supply of pipe that overseas suppliers won the contract on fair competition? Can the Minister explain to the Senate why it is that an answer has not been forthcoming to the questions put to the Minister some weeks ago which asked for, firstly, the date on which Australian suppliers and manufacturers were given a final specification for the supply of steel, and, secondly, the date on which Australian manufacturers were asked to tender for 34- inch pipe? If no answer is available to the Department of Trade and Industry, is it reasonable to suggest that no fair competition existed between Australian and overseas suppliers in connection with this substantial pipe order?

Senator COTTON:
Minister for Civil Aviation · NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

– It will be clear to the honourable senator, and indeed to all honourable senators, that amongst other activities I represent the Minister for Trade and Industry. I am not that Minister. I cannot answer questions asking for such specific details. 1 can assure honourable senators, on the other hand, that I have been waiting for the answers from the responsible Minister and his Department and that I shall again prompt them.

page 1373

QUESTION

MONITORING OF CROATIAN NEWSPAPERS

Senator MULVIHILL:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– My question is directed to the Attorney-General. I ask the Minister, firstly: In the light of the Yugoslav Government’s complaints to the United States about that inflammatory editorials of some Croation newspapers in that country, does he, as the Minister controlling the Commonwealth Police Force, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and other agencies, know whether monitoring is being undertaken of the content of some Croatian newspapers in Australia? Secondly, has the Minister any further information from the Swedish authorities on earlier allegations of a link with Australia in the recent hi-jack episode?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– I have noticed what has been reported in the Press as a protest by the Yugoslav Government to the United States Government. Insofar as the description of it by Senator Mulvihill is a protest about inflammatory editorials in newspapers, I think we must recognise that in this country, providing the incitement involved in the newspapers does not offend against the law, there is an essential freedom of speech which we know does not exist in Yugoslavia. With regard to whether or not there is monitoring of Croatian and other Yugoslav newspapers in Australia I have ascertained from the Commonwealth Police Force that there is a periodic but occasional monitoring. There is in no way a regular monitoring. The basic problem in this regard is the proliferation of such newspapers and the inadequate translation facilities available to the Commonwealth Police. With respect to the matter relating to Sweden I recall that the honourable senator asked me a question about this some time ago. I have received some information subsequently. I am not sure of its details but I have taken notice of his question and will endeavour to supply him with an answer either tomorrow or on Thursday.

page 1374

QUESTION

WHEAT

Senator YOUNG:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– 1 direct my question to the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry. With drought conditions in many areas in Australia, resulting in greatly reduced wheat production this year and an anticipated small endofseason carry-over, has the Minister heard comments from some individuals that wheat quotas should be abolished? Will the Minister make a statement that quotas will remain to protect the smaller farmers from being squeezed out by the big corporations and syndicates and also to prevent another wheat explosion and huge surpluses? Will the Minister also announce wheat quotas for the 1972-73 season as soon as possible in order to assist farmers in making their necessary arrangements?

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
CP

– Because of prevailing seasonal conditions, it is very likely that many wheat farmers will not reach their quotas in the coming season. Although there has been an improvement in the wheat situation in terms of overseas sales, to my mind we should not return to a policy of unlimited production. I think it has been proved, and proved quite fully, over recent years that the wheat industry has a greater chance of survival if it continues to adopt a realistic approach to stocks and policy, that is, if we tailor our supplies to market opportunities. 1 ..e Minister for Primary Industry will be meeting the leaders of the wheat industry and the Australian Wheat Growers Federation very shortly. In addition, the Australian Agricultural Council, comprising the State Ministers for Agriculture and the Minister for Primary Industry, together with other representatives, will be meeting on 16th October and no doubt the question of wheat quotas will be discussed. It has been the usual practice for the wheat industry to make recommendations regarding quotas to the Commonwealth Government, and if the recommendations are accepted by the State governments it is the usual practice for the Commonwealth to adopt the recommendations. I feel quite sure that, following meetings with the Wheat Growers Federation and the Agricultural Council, the Minister will be in a position to make a statement, and no doubt he will make it without any delay.

page 1374

QUESTION

PETROL

Senator BONNER:
QUEENSLAND

– Is the Minister representing the Minister for Labour and National Service aware of the shortage of petrol supplies in Queensland? Is he also aware that it could be another 6 months before the situation is back to normal? Can the Minister inform the Senate whether the situation in Queensland is the direct result of the industrial dispute caused by the Trades Hall some months ago?

Senator WRIGHT:
LP

– It has come to my notice that there is a current shortage of petrol supplies in Queensland. It occurred in circumstances where undue pressure was put on the Ampol cracking plant to meet the calls for supplies during the oil dispute, and it was necessary to run the plant beyond the period after which ordinary maintenance is carried out. Just after the termination of the oil dispute a breakdown in the plant occurred and this caused a shortage of petrol supplies. My information is that full petrol supplies can be expected in a period much shorter than 6 months; they can be expected in some 2 to 3 weeks.

page 1374

QUESTION

TERRORIST OUTRAGES

Senator WHEELDON:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– My question, addressed to the Attorney-General, arises from reports that certain people in Australia have received letter bombs which apparently were posted in Malaysia. Has the Commonwealth Government made any approaches, or does it intend to make any approaches, to the Government of Malaysia for the purpose of some mutual action being taken to attempt to prevent a repetition of these incidents?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– I am not sure of the details of the sources from which the letter bombs have come. Some publicity has been given to this matter which essentially is one for police investigation and reaction to police advice on whether steps can be taken overseas which might reduce the risk of innocent people receiving these bombs in Australia. I will take up the matter with the Commissioner of the Commonwealth Police Force and, necessarily, will consult with the PostmasterGeneral to see whether what the honourable senator suggests is practicable.

page 1375

QUESTION

OIL

Senator GEORGES:
QUEENSLAND

– My question to the Minister representing the Minister for Shipping and Transport is supplementary to that asked by Senator Bonner. Is the Minister aware that petrol reserves in Australia generally, not only in Queensland, are at an all time low and will continue at this level for some time? Is it not a fact that South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, in that order, face a serious position if even a minor breakdown in refining occurs? What has the Department of Shipping and Transport done to support and encourage imports of refined spirit to supplement local supplies?

Senator COTTON:
LP

– I have some background information which really relates only to the Queensland situation. It confirms the information given by my colleague, the Minister for Works.

Senator Georges:

– What about New South Wales and South Australia?

Senator COTTON:

– I was about to add that the honourable senator has raised a general query about other States and I will have to seek the information. I can give him later a list of Australian tankers presently engaged on the coast and the state of their work capacity but I cannot go beyond that. As I have said, I will get the information for the honourable senator.

page 1375

QUESTION

FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIA

Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– Has the Attorney-General been involved in discussions this week with the Prime Minister regarding the possibility of the preparation of a Bil) related to the vetting and control of foreign takeovers within Australian commerce and industry? If so, what was the outcome of those discussions? What is the likelihood of legislation governing foreign takeovers being introduced into the Parliament before it is prorogued?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– I admire the honourable senator’s hope that I will tell him what took place in the course of a conversation between myself and the Prime Minister, but to do so would be to embark upon new ground, lt is not the practice for Ministers to respond to questions asking what was said by a Minister to the Prime Minister, and for very good reasons. These matters essentially are confidential. Insofar as there may or may not be interim legislation, that is a matter which is not within my ministerial portfolio. If there is to be any statement, 1 feel it should be made by the Prime Minister or the Treasurer.

page 1375

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

–

My question, addressed to the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, follows the question directed to him by my colleague Senator O’Byrne. It relates to the appointment to the membership of the Australian Broadcasting Commission of Mr Thompson, of Ridley Road, Aspley, Queensland. What is the criteria that the Government adopts in making appointments to the Australian Broadcasting Commission? In making its appointments has the Government taken into consideration the recommendation of the Senate select committee that inquired into the encouragement of Australian productions for television that such appointments should represent a wide and diverse cross-section of the cultural life of the Australian community?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– The Government is concerned to ensure that persons appointed to the Commission are persons of standing and ability capable of carrying out the functions of the Commission. Necessarily, it takes account of those matters to which the honourable senator has referred, lt is very difficult to give an answer to the honourable senator’s question as to what general criteria are taken into account by the Government. The Government appoints to the Commission - I think its record of appointments bears this out quite convincingly - responsible persons who are interested in and capable of carrying out the Commission’s functions. I feel that if the honourable senator wants any further information he should put the question on the notice paper and it will go to the PostmasterGeneral himself.

page 1375

QUESTION

DISPOSAL OF VEHICLES

Senator KEEFFE:
QUEENSLAND

– I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for Supply. Is it a fact that a Commonwealth auction sale was organised and held by the Department of Supply at Darwin on 21st June 1972? Is it also a fact that 7 motor vehicles were withdrawn from the sale? Can he now inform the Parliament whether the vehicles were sold subsequently by private treaty without tenders being called or whether they are still in the possession of the Department?

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
CP

– I would not have those details. I will ask the Minister for Supply to furnish them to the honourable senator.

page 1376

QUESTION

RETARDED CHILDREN

Senator TOWNLEY:
TASMANIA

– I direct a question to the Minister for Health, More rightly it might come within the province of the Minister for Social Services. I preface the question by saying that no doubt the Minister is aware that capital grants are made by the Federal Government towards the establishment of hostel training centres for retarded children. However, is the Minister aware that the running costs of these hospitals is becoming an increasing burden and that the gap between Government assistance, together with voluntary aid and the total running costs is becoming extremely difficult to cover? Will he say when some increase in Federal Government assistance can be expected in the way of a major increase in the Commonwealth bed rate subsidy?

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSON:

–

Of course, that question also concerns policy. As the honourable senator points out, there is an inter-change of administrative responsibility between the Department of Social Services and my own Department, the Department of Health. I would like to put this aspect of the honourable senator’s question to study and respond to it tomorrow. In relation to the generality of increased governmental aid, from whatever source it comes, that is a matter of policy and I would not be able to reflect upon it at this time. I will certainly put the detail of the question to study this afternoon, have it processed and no doubt respond to it tomorrow.

page 1376

QUESTION

APPEAL TRIBUNAL

The PRESIDENT:

– I call Senator Brown. The last time Senator Brown asked a question he went into a long and elabo rate explanation beforehand. I would be grateful if he would edit his question this time.

Senator BROWN:
VICTORIA

– My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services. Will the Minister give urgent consideration to an appropriate amendment to the Social Services Act which will enable an applicant who has been refused social service benefits, including unemployment benefits, to have ready access to an appeal tribunal before whom the applicant can contest unfavourable decisions made by any officer of the Department, including the DirectorGeneral?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– I shall convey the honourable senator’s question to the Minister for Social Services for his consideration.

page 1376

QUESTION

PETROL SHORTAGE

Senator GEORGES:

– Is the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry aware that the shortage of petrol in Queensland and New South Wales will handicap severely the harvesting of grain, especially wheat? What action has his Department taken to give some priority of supply to rural producers in these grain growing areas?

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
CP

– At this stage I know of no approach that has been made to the Minister for Primary Industry. However, I shall make inquiries of the Minister. Should he have any further information, I will convey it to the honourable senator.

page 1376

QUESTION

PROTEST NOTE FROM YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT

Senator WILLESEE:

– I direct a question to the Attorney-General. Has there been drafted a reply to the protest note from the Yugoslav Government concerning antiYugoslav terrorist activities in Australia? Has this reply now been sent? If so, what were its terms? If not, what are the reasons for delaying its dispatch?

Senator GREENWOOD:
LP

– I am surprised that a question which is wholly within the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs should be directed to me. In the period when Parliament was not sitting there was a Press report, completely without foundation, that I was supposed to have delayed the sending of a protest note. At the time that Press report appeared I had not even seen the protest note. I imagine that that is the reason why the question which is wholly within the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been directed to me, I suggest that if the honourable senator requires information he should direct his question to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

page 1377

QUESTION

WHEAT

Senator McMANUS:

– My question which refers to the recent sales of wheat to Mainland China is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry. Has the Minister noted the concern which has been expressed by Japan and at least one other country which has been a customer for Australian wheat that regular supplies of wheat to them as customers might be interrupted if Australia resumes the large scale sales of wheat to Communist China which occurred some years ago? Can we have an assurance that the Government will ask the Australian Wheat Board to bear in mind the importance of having diverse markets for Australian wheat rather than the old position which caused Australia such considerable trouble when the overwhelming amount of our wheat was sold to one customer?

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
CP

– I think the honourable senator would be one of the first to admit that over the years the Australian Wheat Board has done a tremendous job, particularly in the last few years, after cessation of continued sales to Communist China. I feci sure and I think honourable senators can be assured that the Wheat Board would not have made this present commitment if it were not certain that it could meet it. People look at the present harvest and the carryover and say that we cannot meet our commitment. But wheat is always coming in from following harvests which, in some cases in the northern area, begin as early as October next year. No doubt the Wheat Board will be looking at this early delivery of wheat to meet this commitment and the commitments for the following year.

page 1377

QUESTION

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Senator DAVIDSON:

– I ask the

Minister representing the Minister for Labour and National Service whether his attention has been drawn to a reported statement by a vice president of the Aus.ralian Union of Students advising its members to apply for unemployment benefit if they cannot obtain work during the Christmas vacation. Will the Minister say whether unemployment benefit is for people who, for one reason or another, do not obtain vacation employment? If so, will this react to the disadvantage of school leavers and graduates who are seeking permanent employment? Will the Department inquire into this situation and appoint officers to assist in obtaining vacation employment for students?

Senator WRIGHT:
LP

– The routine and ever continuing work of the Department of Labour and National Service is to assist in obtaining employment for school leavers, students and other people seeking employment. The conditions upon which unemployment benefit is available to students is a matter within the administration of my colleague, the Minister for Social Services, to whom I shall see the question is referred. It is most desirable that any definition of conditions of a case such as that to which the honourable senator referred should be precise and clear so that no misunderstanding could result from an impromptu answer given here without reference to the Minister.

page 1377

QUESTION

COMMONWEALTH AUCTION SALE

Senator KEEFFE:

– My question is again directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Supply. I respectfully request the Minister to obtain the information 1 seek as soon possible if it is not available now. Is it a fact that a Commonwealth auction sale was organised and held by the Department of Supply at Darwin on 21st June 1972? Is the Minister aware that at this sale 10 washing machines, 2 water coolers, one refrigerator and one fan were sold for a total of $291? Is he aware that this sum represents about SO per cent or less of the true value of the goods sold? Was a reserve price placed on the various articles? If so, what was the reserve price on each article?

The PRESIDENT:

– 1 do not think that question is one which can be properly addressed to a Minister representing another Minister. It contains a lot of technical information with which it is impossible to deal, I request the honourable senator to put the question on notice.

page 1378

FRUIT INDUSTRY

Senator DOUGLAS MCCLELLANDHas the attention of the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry been drawn to a Government paper headed Federal Government Plans for the Fruit Industry’ which was presented by a Mr E. Kronborg on behalf of the Minister for Primary Industry at an Australian Institute of Agricultural Science seminar on reconstruction in the fruit industry which was held at Leeton on 28th September this year? What right is given to the Government to appoint any person who is not a member of the Government parties to make a policy pronouncement on behalf of the Government at such a function? Is Mr Kronborg the Country Party candidate for Riverina at the forthcoming Federal election? Is the Liberal Party, the major partner in the coalition, also running a candidate to contest that electorate at the forthcoming Federal election? Under the circumstances why was Mr Kronborg chosen to make on behalf of the Government a statement on Government policy on such a vitally important rural matter?

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
CP

– I have not seen the paper to which the honourable senator referred. I would be glad if he would show it to me. lt is true that Mr Kronborg is the Country Party candidate for Riverina - 1 am very proud of that fact - and he is being supported by a very good Liberal Party candidate. I shall make certain inquiries because I have no information on this matter and I will give him a reply at a later date.

page 1378

QUESTION

PETROL SUPPLIES

Senator GEORGES:

– I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for Labour and National Service. I refer again to the critical situation with regard to petrol supplies in Australia. What is the Department of Labour and National Service doing to anticipate any further conflict between the unions and the oil companies, particularly in view of the low level of petrol supplies in this country? Is the Minister aware that further awards are about to be negotiated? Will the Department ensure that the fullest co-operation is given to both parties to prevent a further confrontation? Will the Minister investigate the report that overseas oil monopolies are witholding supplies of refined spirit in anticipation of such a confrontation so that when it occurs the nation will be crippled?

Senator WRIGHT:
LP

– The honourable senator must be a super optimist to think that I would respond to the mischief in his question. I ask him to put it on notice. When the illogicalities of it are examined on paper I hope that an appropriate answer will be supplied.

page 1378

QUESTION

NORTHERN TERRITORY: HEALTH

Senator GEORGES:

– I have u further question which this time I direct to the Minister for Health who I presume has been given some reading material during his convalescence. Is it a fact that the Northern Territory Legislative Council has just completed a report on the operations of the Minister’s Department in the Territory? Was this report extremely critical of the Department’s operations and did it describe the system as domineering, cumbersome and outmoded? Will the Minister explain why the Northern Territory Director of Health, Dr Langsford, was suddenly transferred back to Canberra when this report was presented? As the report shows a state of chaos in the Department of Health in the Northern Territory, what steps will be taken by the Minister to restructure and re-form the Department since the Aboriginal mortality rate continues unchecked and dedicated doctors continue to resign?

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSON:

–

There are, of course, a number of inaccuracies inherent in the question as posed. The inquiry mentioned by the honourable senator was not confined to the activities of the Department of Health but was related to health matters generally in the Territory. Obviously the honourable senator is unaware that these matters were not entirely within the responsibility of the Department of Health. I commend to the honourable senator a statement which I issued on 3rd October, and which was circulated at that time. The honourable senator should have received a copy of that. Obviously he has not read it so far, but I hope he will read it. In that statement which I made on 3rd October and which I commend to Senator Georges and other honourable senators I pointed out that as at July this year, in response to representations which I made to the Government, health services in the Territory were brought under the control of the Department of Health. 1 mentioned also that the Department of Health will now have far wider responsibility than it had before for health in the Territory. 1 think I have said in this place in relation to other health matters, and certainly 1 put this view in my representations on this issue, that one does not have to be a medical practitioner to be able to say simply and with complete confidence that prevention is better than cure. As a consequence of the decision of Government as at July this year the Department of Health will be taking over not only the administration of health in terms of hospitalisation and the like but also it will be taking over responsibility for health in people’s homes and particularly in the settlements.

The honourable senator mentioned that the Director of Health in the Northern Territory had been transferred back to the Canberra office. I remind the honourable senator that the report which has been mentioned comprises about 200 pages and contains about 150 recommendations of various kinds. In saying that I point out that I am speaking off the cuff on my first day back. Very properly the Department of Health and other departments will have to examine the recommendations contained in the report. In the same way as the honourable senator has a right to ask questions about the report, the Minister and officers of the Department must obtain reports on the recommendations which number closer to 150 than 100. Dr Langsford is in Canberra. I am sure that everybody will agree that at the head office of the Department of Health he and other senior officers are very properly examining the report which has been submitted. At a later date I hope to be able to make a supplementary response on this issue. Nevertheless I want it to be abundantly clear that I have already issued a statement. I pointed out in that statement what we are doing in terms of providing new hospitals in the Alice Springs and Darwin areas. I also pointed out that the Department of Health has been since July accepting far greater responsibility in relation to health in the Northern Territory. We are going through the administrative changeover at the present time but of course it will take a certain amount of time.

page 1379

QUESTION

EDUCATION

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

My question, which is directed to Senator Davidson in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Science and the Arts, relates to a question asked of him earlier by Senator Byrne. In view of his answer to Senator Byrne’s question, I ask: Does his Committee intend completing its present inquiry into all aspects of radio and television before it embarks upon an inquiry into the problems confronting isolated children and their parents? If not, does it intend conducting the 2 hearings simultaneously? If the Committee intends completing its inquiry into all aspects of radio and television in the first instance, can Senator Davidson give some indication of when the Committee is likely to commence taking evidence on the problems confronting isolated children and their parents?

The PRESIDENT:

– I call on Senator Davidson to answer the question on behalf of the Committee.

Senator DAVIDSON:

- Senator Douglas McClelland will recall that I indicated earlier today that the inquiry into the education of children in isolated areas would take place as soon as parliamentary circumstances allowed. I want to say the Committee does not propose to conclude its inquiry into all aspects of broadcasting and television before embarking on the reference relating to isolated children. Senator Douglas McClelland will be aware that the reference concerning all aspects of broadcasting and television is a very comprehensive one and that the Committee will take some time to conclude the inquiry. It is a reference of a very detailed and diverse nature. Because the nature of the reference concerning isolated children is, by contrast, one which, while having a wide range of interests and inferences, is capable of receiving attention much sooner than the prevous reference, it is therefore proposed that the 2 references proceed concurrently. I repeat my earlier statement that submissions have been invited and some have been received. As soon as circumstances will allow the Committee will undertake the first steps of its inquiry into the reference put to it by the Senate relating to isolated children.

page 1380

QUESTION

ELECTORAL

Senator MULVIHILL:

– I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for the Interior. Has the Minister any further information on my plea for finalint;on of the amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act to enable universal absentee voting in the forthcoming general election?

Senator COTTON:
LP

– No, I do not have any further information, but at the conclusion of question time or during the suspension of the sitting for lunch T will see whether some further information can be made available to the honourable senator this week.

page 1380

QUESTION

HEALTH

Senator O’BYRNE:
TASMANIA

– ls the Minister for Health aware that one of Australia’s most respected health administrators, Dr Sidney Sax. has just published a book in which he says that Australia’s health care systems, including the national health scheme, have reached a serious if not critical situation? Dr Sax has called for a total reexamination of the Government’s role in health care. Does the Minister intend to initiate such a procedure on the needs, organisation and efficiency of Australian health care systems?

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSON:

–

I have not yet read Dr Sax’s book, but I will certainly do so as soon as possible and I will arrange for it to be the subject of a study by my Department. Dr Sax is a senior officer of the New South Wales Department of Health. Therefore his statements, as reported in the Press, concerning desirable developments in the field of health care warrant our close attention. That is axiomatic. I will consult with Mr Jago, who is the Minister for

Health in New South Wales and to whom presumably Dr Sax presented his book, as Mr Jago virtually is Dr Sax’s ministerial head, concerning the attitude of his Government to the views expressed by Dr Sax.

page 1380

COMMONWEALTH-STATE OFFICIALS COMMITTEE ON DECENTRALISATION

Ministerial Statement

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
Minister for Air · Western Australia · CP

– For the information of honourable senators I present the report of the Commonwealth-Stale Officials Committee on Decentralisation. I seek leave to make a brief statement in connection with the report.

The PRESIDENT:

– Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:

– In making a statement upon this matter, where 1 use the first person personal pronoun it refers to the Prime Minister (Mr McMahon).

As 1 have indicated in answers to parliamentary questions, the Commonwealth and State Governments received the Report of the Commonwealth-State Officials’ Committee on Decentralisation in June of this year. I also indicated that the Commonwealth was agreeable to the publication of the report and that I was seeking the agreement of the States to this course. All the States have now indicated their agreement to its public release and the printing of the report has now been completed. In undertaking its task the Committee commissioned a number of studies - in some cases involving outside bodies - which are listed as attachment A of the report. The printing of the studies in a separate vo in me is proceeding, but because of their size and for technical reasons it will be some time before the printing process is completed, /n the meantime, arrangements have been made for copies of the individual studies to be made available in the Parliamentary Library.

I mention that the report is the work of officials of the Commonwealth and the States and it does not therefore necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth and State Governments. The Premier of New South Wales has asked me to point out that the views expressed by the New

South Wales’ Department of Decentralisation and Development in the supplementary statement to the report should not be taken as necessarily representing the views of the State Government. As far as the Commonwealth is concerned, I sa’d in my ministerial statement of 19th September 1972 on urban and regional development that the Government endorses the view of the Committee that the only type of decentralisation which offers significant prospects of success is selective decentralisation. I also said that we propose to establish a ministerial council, consisting of the Prime Minister and Premiers, as the principal body for consultation and coordination in the fields of urban and regional development. The Premiers have bee advised of the Commonwealth’s initiative in this area of urban and regional development. So far as Commonwealth machinery is concerned, we will be introducing interim legislation shortly to establish a statutory organisation to be known as the National Urban and Regional Development Authority’ - I move:

Debate (on motion by Senator O’Byrne) adjourned.

page 1381

AUSTRALIAN MEAT BOARD

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
Minister for Air · Western Australia · CP

– Pursuant to section 41 of the Meat Industry Act 1964-69, I present the Thirty-seventh annual report of the Australian Meat Board for the year ended 30th June 1972, together with financial statements and the report of the Auditor-General on those statements.

page 1381

COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS BOARD

Senator WRIGHT:
Minister for Works · Tasmania · LP

– For the information of honourable senators, I present the annual report of the Commonwealth Scholarships Board for 1971.

page 1381

COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION

Senator WRIGHT:
Minister for Works · Tasmania · LP

– Pursuant to section 30 of the Science and Industry Research Act 1949- 68, I present the twenty-fourth annual report of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation for the year ended 30th June 1972 together with financial statements and the AuditorGeneral’s report on these statements.

page 1381

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (LOANS GUARANTEE) ACT

Senator WRIGHT:
Minister for Works · Tasmania · LP

– Pursuant to section 8 of the Independent Schools (Loans Guarantee) Act 1969, I present statements containing particulars of the guarantees that have been given under this Act during the years ended 30th June 1971 and 30th June 1972 and payments made under any guarantee given under this Act.

page 1381

AIR NAVIGATION ACT

Senator COTTON:
New South WalesMinister for Civil Aviation · LP

– Pursuant to section 29 of the Air Navigation Act 1920- 71. I present the twelfth annual report on the administration and working of the Act and regulations and on other matters concerning civil air navigation.

page 1381

QUESTION

AUSTRALIA’S NATURAL RESOURCES

Senator COTTON:
New South WalesMinister for Civil Aviation · LP

– For the information of honourable senators ! lay upon the table a statement by the Minister for National Development concerning Australia’s natural resources - minerals, forests, water and energy - dated 28th September 1972.

page 1381

AUSTRALIAN POST OFFICE

Senator GREENWOOD:
VictoriaAttorneyGeneral · LP

– Pursuant to section 96l of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-71, I present the annual report of the Australian Post Office for the year ended 30th .(‘une 1972 together with financial statements and the report of the Auditor-General on those statements.

page 1381

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CONTROL BOARD

Ministerial Statement

Senator GREENWOOD:
VictoriaAttorneyGeneral · LP

– On behalf of the PostmasterGeneral, 1 table the report and recommendations of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board on frequency modulation broadcasting. I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the report.

The PRESIDENT:

– Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted.

Senator GREENWOOD:

– This report results from an inquiry which was conducted at the direction of the PostmasterGeneral (Sir Alan Hulme) by the Australian Broadcasting Control Board into the possibility of frequency modulation broadcasting in Australia. The inquiry attracted a great deal of interest, and the Board heard 70 witnesses and considered some 150 written submissions. In addition, the Board itself undertook, through its Technical Services Division, an exhaustive examination of the technical problems involved, which are unique to this country. The result is a comprehensive report which the Government accepts as a blueprint for the introduction of frequency modulation broadcasting in Australia.

Briefly, the Board recommends that frequency modulation broadcasting be introduced in this country in the UHF band, where there is sufficient space for the service to be utilised to its full potential. The Board notes that this decision means that a great deal of fundamental planning will have to be done to prepare adequate technical standards, and the Government has asked the Board to put this work, which is estimated to take 3 years, in hand immediately. The Government has accepted in principle the Board’s recommendation that frequency modulation broadcasting should provide a second regional service for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, planned as far as possible to cover the entire population. The introduction of this service will overcome a serious deprivation which has been suffered by country listeners, who have available to them a less comprehensive service from the national broadcasting organisation - the Australian Broadcasting Commission - than do city people. This lack has always been of concern to both the Government and the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and I am very pleased to announce that it will now be overcome.

Opportunity will also be taken to provide an FM station, devoted mainly to the broadcast of fine music, to be operated by the Australian Broadcasting Commission in the capital cities. The Board has also recommended, and the Government has agreed in principle, that provision should be made for commercial FM services throughout the country. The Board has put forward proposals designed both to ensure that these services will be economically viable, and also to encourage new managements and new ideas. These proposals will require careful consideration. The Board has also recommended the establishment of a new kind of broadcasting station - to be known, it is suggested, as public broadcasting stations. These stations, it is proposed, would be conducted on a non-profit basis, to cater for educational, professional, musical, religious, and other like interests. The Board has proposed that the transmitters for these stations should preferably be operated by the Government, with time apportioned between interested groups by a representative committee of management. The Board has not attempted to spell out the method of operating these stations in detail at this stage. The Government accepts the fact that there is a demand in the community for the services of such stations, and will look to the Board to put forward detailed proposals in due course.

As I said, the preliminary technical work to establish an FM service in the UHF band will take approximately 3 years, and this will start immediately. Contemporaneously with the technical investigations, the Board will develop, in association with the Postmaster-General’s Department and the Australian Broadcasting Commission, coverage plans for the national service, and will also prepare proposals for commercial stations and for the public broadcasting stations. As soon as the technical standards have been promulgated, it is hoped that the Government will be able to invite applications for licences for both commercial and public stations - and the first of the necessary public inquiries should be held in 1976. With regard to the national service, it is proposed that it should be developed as the work of converting the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s television stations to colour is completed.

Finally, I should emphasise that the introduction of FM will not be permitted to hinder such further development of the present medium frequency services as may be possible. As the Postmaster-General 1 have often stated, the possibilities in this band are very limited, but there is no doubt that the existing AM stations will be the principal source of radio service for many years, and they should be developed to the maximum extent possible. However frequency modulation broadcasting represents a significant advance in broadcasting techniques, and, when it is developed, as it will be, in the UHF band where sufficient space is available for many stations, it will offer a broadcasting service which the Government is confident will serve this country’s needs for entertainment, information and education for very many years.

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I move:

I seek leave to continue my remarks at a later stage.

Leave granted; debate adjourned,

page 1383

REPORTS OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Senator WEBSTER:
Victoria

– In accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969-1972, I present the reports relating to the following proposed works:

Telephone Exchange at Woolloongabba, Queensland.

Telephone Exchange at Sydney East, New South Wales.

page 1383

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the following Bills reported:

Aged Persons Hostels Bill 1972.

States Grants (Capital Assistance) Bill (No. 3) 1972

Homes Savings Grant Bill 1972.

Social Services Bill (No. 4) 1972

Repatriation (Special Overseas Service) Bill 1972

Repatriation (Far East Strategic Reserve) Bill 1972.

Repatriation Bill (No. 2) 1972.

Seamen’s War Pension’s and Allowances Bill (No. 2) 1972.

Aged Persons Homes Bill 1972.

Income Tax Assessment Bill (No. 5) 1972.

Income Tax Bill 1972.

Sales Tax (Exemptions and Classifications) Bill (No. 2) 1972.

Export Payments Insurance Corporation Bill 1972.

page 1383

QUESTION

COMMONWEALTH HANSARD: ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

The PRESIDENT:

– I have received the following document: ‘Commonwealth Hansard: Its Establishment and Development’. I lay on the table that publication. It covers the period from 1901 to 1972 and it is the second edition. The publication is edited by the Principal Parliamentary Reporter, Mr W. J. Bridgman. The question of printing it will be referred to the Publications Committee.

page 1383

SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEES

Motion (by Senator Drake-Brockman) agreed to:

That Estimates Committees B and D meet at 2.15 p.m. and that for such purposes the sitting of the Senate be suspended from the conclusion of this morning’s sitting until approximately 10.15 p.m.; further, that Estimates Committee B meet in room 17 and Estimates Committee D meet in the Senate chamber.

page 1383

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Motion (by Senator Drake-Brockman) - by leave - agreed to:

That Senator Lillico be granted leave of absence for one month on account of ill health.

page 1383

RESTRICTIVE TRADE PRACTICES AND MONOPOLIES

Ministerial Statement

Senator GREENWOOD:
VictoriaAttorneyGeneral · LP

– by leave - Mr President, on the 24th May last I announced to the Senate a number of proposals for strengthening the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, for establishing a monopolies commission and for the control of anti-competitive mergers that would be contrary to the public interest. I take this opportunity to inform the Senate of the Government’s intentions with respect to the Bills to give effect to those proposals. Two Bills will be introduced in the current sittings. One will provide for a number of amendments to the Restrictive Trade Practices Act. The other will provide for the establishment of the proposed monopolies commission and will empower the commission to consider whether particular monopoly conditions are operating contrary to the public interest. The drafting of the provisions for the control of anti-competitive mergers is a particularly large and complex task. Many matters of important detail have to be specifically provided for. It has now become clear that the drafting of these merger provisions will not be completed in time for them to be introduced in the present sitting. Accordingly these provisions will not be able to be included in the 2 Bills which I have indicated will be introduced in the present sitting. Apart from these provisions, the Bills to be introduced express in legislative form the pro- posals which I announced. To the enactment of the principles embodied in those proposals the Government is committed.

However, the Government regards it as important that there should be adequate opportunity for the detailed provisions to be properly studied and assessed. They are comprehensive and far-reaching in their impact. It does not consider that legislation of this character should be passed through the Parliament without there being a proper period for those affected by its provisions to give consideration to what is proposed and. if it is so desired, to make appropriate representations to the Government and to members of the Parliament.

Accordingly, the Government proposes that in the current sittings these 2 Bills will be introduced only. It will then be possible for the detailed provisions to be studied. It will be the Government’s intention to invite Parliament to pass the 2 Bills in the first sittings next year. The provisions enabling the monopolies commission to examine mergers and takeovers which may operate against the public interest will then be available and they will be incorporated in the second of the Bills. Certain amendments to the overseas cargo shipping provisions in Part XII of the RestrictiveT rade Practices Act have been the subject of a separate announcement by the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Anthony). The scope of these amendments is relatively limited and there is no reason why they should not be passed through all stages in the present sittings. The amending provisions will accordingly be included ina separate Bill, which Parliament will be asked to pass in the course of the next few weeks.

Sitting suspended from 12.36 to 10.20 p.m.

page 1384

QUESTION

ELECTORAL

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN (Western

Australia - Minister for Air) - I ask for leave to make a statement in relation to the Federal election.

The PRESIDENT:

– Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN:
CP

– This statement is made on behalf of the Prime Minister (Mr McMahon). The general election for the House of Representatives will be held on Saturday, 2nd December 1972. It is proposed to recommend to His Excellency the Governor-General that he dissolve the House of Representatives on 2nd November 1972. The date proposed for the issue of writs is 2nd November 1972 and for the close of nominations 10th November 1972. The Prime Minister confirmed that the policy speech would be made on 14th November.

Senator Murphy - I ask for leave to make a short statement in relation to the statement which has just been made by the Minister for Air (Senator Drake-Brockman).

The PRESIDENT:

– Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted.

Senator MURPHY:
New South WalesLeader of the Opposition

– I do not propose to say anything about the delay in making this statement. 1 think enough has been said inside this place and outside. I again raise the question of representation of Western Australia in the House of Representatives. This matter was adverted to when documents were tabled in this Senate which disclosed that Western Australia was entitled to one more representative than presently it has in the House of Representatives. I then asked that an opinion be obtained from the Solicitor-General as to the proper course and entitlement. I think the Senate is entitled to know what is, in the opinion of the legal advisers of the Commonwealth, the constitutional position in relation to the representation of Western Australia and whether, in fact, one more representative should be elected at large from that State or whether some other method needs to be adopted in order that the requirements of the Constitution can be met in relation to this election.

Senator Cotton:

– I ask for leave to reply briefly as an act of courtesy.

The PRESIDENT:

– Do you seek leave to make a statement?

Senator Cotton:

– Yes.

The PRESIDENT:

– Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted.

Senator COTTON:
New South WalesMinister for Civil Aviation · LP

– This cannot be construed as a statement. It is purely an act of courtesy to say to the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Murphy) that I shall again try to obtain from the responsible Minister, the Minister for the Interior (Mr Hunt), the answer which Senator Murphy has requested.

page 1385

NOTICES OF MOTION

Senator GREENWOOD:
VictoriaAttorneyGeneral · LP

– 1 ask for leave to give 4 notices of motion.

The PRESIDENT:

– Is leave granted. There being no objection, leave is granted.

Senator GREENWOOD:

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

That leave be given to introduce a Bill for an Act to approve accession by Australia to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, to give effect to that Convention and to provide for the punishment of the unlawful seizure of aircraft and acts of violence on board aircraft in certain circumstances in which that Convention does not apply.

Thai leave be grunted to introduce a Bill for an Act to amend the Extradition (Commonwealth Countries) Act 1966-1968.

That leave be given to introduce a Bill for an Act to amend the Extradition (Foreign States) Act I966-I96H.

That leave be given to introduce a Bill for an Act relating to Restrictive Trade Practices.

page 1385

ADJOURNMENT

Exploitation of Islanders

Motion (by Senator Drake-Brockman) proposed:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

Senator KEEFFE:
Queensland

– I want to raise a matter of importance in relation to a certain gentleman in north Queensland who has been exploiting islanders, in particular, over a lengthy period. I mentioned this matter to the Attorney-General (Senator Greenwood). I think he has probably received correspondence from me concerning Dr Nielsen.

Senator Greenwood:

– Yesterday the honourable senator sent me a telegram asking me to cancel this gentleman’s bank account.

Senator KEEFFE:

– I sent a telegram to the Attorney-General yesterday and I sent him a detailed letter very early this morning. It went straight to his mail box and undoubtedly straight to his office. If he has not had an opportunity to peruse it I trust that he has been able to take some action on the telegram at least. I point out that our friend Dr Nielsen - the gentleman to whom I have referred - claims to have some qualifications. We are not sure where he obtained his religious training but he leads a church known as the Universal World

Church. This church is based at the Australian Workers Union hall, Denham Street, Townsville. The founder-pastor is Dr Nielsen. I shall mention some of the things he claims he is able to do. He claims that we can experience the miraculous annointing of the holy spirit of resurrection power and see the most beautiful sight in any church, the regal splendour of the transubstantiation robes. The transubstantiation robes are made mostly of satin but some are of a much cheaper material. The learned gentleman claims that he is a prophet of God whose message on life and the science of the body is unquestionable, and that his power in God, even to the raising of the dead, is unquestionable.

He suggests that people attend the Universal World Church where every disease, affliction and pain disappears and where divine help and healing flow into the bodies of every believer as God’s body is incarnated within the whole entity of man. He claims that he has international experience in 40 countries, including Russia, and that this qualifies him for any type of ministry. Dr Nielsen says that he is an international director of the Universal World Church in Los Angeles and that he is patron of the UPF African Church. He says that he is the founder and President of the fastest growing church in Australia. 1 might say that this person has been operating in the northern parts of Australian for some years. In published documents he claims to have converted 750 persons during the last 18 months. Conversion is by immersion, lt is said that in the Townsville area he has 300 adherents. To my knowledge there are only 3 white persons associated with this church. At least one of these has died recently in mysterious circumstances, that is, in the last few months. In my view he is a very evil man. He has preyed and battened on the emotion of Torres Strait and other island people and on a limited number of Aborigines.

Dr Nielsen has allegedly collected large sums of money for the construction of a church which, to date, has not materialised. When he is questioned he claims that he has sent some of this money to America. We are not quite sure how he obtained his doctorate, probably in divinity. We understand that he corresponded with some overseas church and as a result of a short correspondence course he was granted the title of doctor. He claims to have offices in 3 or 4 countries. He has quite a number of addresses. He has an address at Post Office Box 1335, Townsville. He claims an address at 2249 West 24th Street, Los Angeles, California. He claims an address at 80 Balham Park Road, London, and he claims to be international director of the Universal World Church.

Senator O’Byrne:

– He claims to be everywhere.

Senator KEEFFE:

– Well, he says he is God. He claims to have an address at 9 Davis Street, Redcliffe, Queensland, and another at North Ward, Townsville. I mentioned a moment ago that he claims to be a prophet of God, a faith healer, with power to raise the dead. In my view Dr Nielsen is a charlatan preying on the emotions of decent people. Incidentally, he has 3 groups of people: Messengers, priests and other general offsiders. When any of these people dare to question his authority they are immediately demoted. Many people suspect that tens of thousands of dollars have been collected by this man. No receipt is ever issued. I claim that he has a very bad influence on the several hundred islanders with whom he associates.

Senator Poyser:

– Does he pay tax on his collection?

Senator KEEFFE:

– No, as far as we know no income tax is paid either. This is why I appeal to the Attorney-General, under Commonwealth company legislation - he is allegedly registered as a corporation - to prevent any money leaving Australia. At this moment there is a definite break in the church, if one can call it a church. When all else fails he casts an evil curse on people. This is not really a laughing matter so far as Islanders are concerned because they are very spiritual people. Many of them are closely associated with the Christian Church. A few of them are Hammond Islanders who are normally Catholics. Many of them are Murray and other Islanders who are normally followers of the Anglican Church. Some very prominent people in the Anglican Church approve completely what I am doing this evening because of the tremendous damage that has been done to these people.

He tells his followers to reject modern methods of medicine, and where antibiotics have been prescribed for very ill people they are told to throw the drugs away and to drink only the olive oil which is blessed by him in his church in the Australian Workers Union hall. The regrettable part of this is that 10 days ago a middle-aged Islander died. His family feels that he died because he was subjected to sorcery by this alleged leader of a religious organisation. This man and his quasi religious teachings have created a great social problem. He has divided families and caused bitter quarrels among relatives and friends. His insistence on the regular payment of moneys to the church at a rate beyond that which families can economically afford has led to many cases of physical hardship.

Let me cite the case of a Mr X and his family. I will not state the names of the Islanders involved but they are available if the Attorney-General wants to follow this matter through. I sincerely hope that he will. A respected Anglican priest or I will be able to give him the names of the families which have been affected grievously by this man’s activities. The breadwinner in this family, who is in regular employment, has produced no money for the keep of his family from the day that he joined the church. Not only does this man demand 10 per cent of their net income per week, but from time to time he places on the. family a special levy of up to §25 a week. As most of these people are not craftsmen - they are mostly labourers - their average weekly wage would not be much in excess of $40 a week.

I contend that the great number of people who follow this man and his church do so out of fear - fear of the unknown and fear of sorcery. In our community there is room for every church but there is no room for an organisation which leaves its adherents virtually penniless and in a state of subjection because they dread the spells that may be cast upon them if they do not comply. I will not go into great detail about all his other alleged qualities and the other things that he has done. There are many more that I could recite. A number of us have watched the activities of this man over a number of years. Recently, respected trade union leaders have told me that on jobs where there have been industrial problems he has had a tendency to get one of his messengers to go on to the jobs and provoke the people belonging to their race to continue working. He is not directly involved. A messenger in this church gets a nice little enamel badge and a type of uniform to wear. So far, the Islanders have been very strong in the face of this and they have not broken down. The obvious reason why this man is doing this is that he cannot afford not to get the $5 or $10 a week that the Islanders have to pay him out of their weekly wages.

I have attended a couple of his so-called religious ceremonies. To attend one of them is tremendously frightening. The Island people are a highly spiritual people. They believe in a God. Because colourful ceremonies are associated with this man’s fake church, they are inclined to be carried away. Partly because of this but largely because of the fear of what will happen if they do not do this, they comply. This man will tell the breadwinner of a family that if he cannot convert the rest of his family and make sure that they go to church, he must throw out his family. There have been instances in which families have been thrown out. I hope that the Attorney-General will be able to say that the many tens of thousands of dollars which have been received without receipts being issued and socked away in banks in Townsville and probably in other places too, can be frozen, until the whole background to this very strange character is investigated thoroughly. I hope the Commonwealth police will be able to do this. If they cannot, there must be ways in which the State police can be requested to do so by the Commonwealth police. I merely ask for action.

Senator WEBSTER:
Victoria

– The matter of fake churches raised by Senator Keeffe, is similar to one which has concerned members of the Government parties on many occasions. We would agree with Senator Keeffe that if the description which he gave is correct, the situation is of great concern. The Victorian Government carried out an investigation into that which was being practised in the name of Scientology. A report was brought down by very respected individuals, which indicated much the same type of thing as Senator Keeffe has stated applies in Queensland.

The matter that does concern me as a member of the Senate is that there should be division within the Australian Labor Party. I understand that Senator Murphy has declared that if the Labor Party is elected to office it will recognise Scientology. It is interesting to note that while Senator Keeffe, on the one hand, is talking of the type of thing that is taking place in Queensland, his leader in this place is accepting that which has been rejected by most learned gentleman in Victoria. I would hope that Senator Keeffe’s attitude in relation to this matter is endorsed by his Party and that there is not the division in the Labor Party which is apparent by the 2 different points of view that have been put today.

Senator GREENWOOD:
VictoriaAttorneyGeneral · LP

– If strange conduct were the criteria for the taking of drastic and unprecedented action, I am quite sure that many statements made by Senator Keeffe in this place would have precipitated a similar result. I do not know whether Senator Keeffe’s allegations are correct, but I suggest to him that he has used this forum in a way that, if his allegations are not sustained, may cause great hardship and suffering to people who are entitled to follow a religion if they wish to do so. On the other hand, if his allegations are able to be sustained, he has performed a notable public service. I am surprised that the matter has been raised in this way. 1 had not heard of Dr Neilsen and I certainly do not know him. I do not know whether Senator Keeffe’s statements are true.

Having read the letter which he sent to me, and having listened to what he has said tonight, I imagine that what he has passed on are allegations made by other people. That is a way in which people can be injured grievously. I say that advisedly. To my knowledge, on previous occasions in this chamber Senator Keeffe has made allegations which, when investigated, have not been substantiated. That is why I am cautious. I cannot see how the Commonwealth Attorney-General has any role to play in regard to conduct of the character alleged to be occurring in Queensland. In the first place, there is no Commonwealth companies legislation in respect of which an Attorney-General has. any functions to exercise. There is no other apparent basis upon which the Commonwealth AttorneyGeneral can act. There is no other apparent basis upon which any Commonwealth official could act. I do not know whether the allegations made by Senator Keeffe have any substance, but if he is saying - how he would have proof of it I do not know - that this man has not paid any income tax he ought to give some basis for his allegations so that investigations may be made by the taxation authorities. I do not know how it can be said that this person has not paid income tax.

Any allegation that this man has taken a lot of money and in fact misappropriated it is a matter which should be brought to the attention of the police authorities, with some substantiation, for them to investigate. That is the appropriate course to adopt where there is a belief or a fear that a person is acting contrary to the law. The police forces of this land, in particular the police force in Queensland, are the appropriate bodies to which these allegations should be taken so that the necessary investigations may be made. If, after those investigations, there is some cause for complaint, let the matter be aired on the basis of something solid, factual and substantial and not on the merest allegation, without a tittle of evidence provided to support it. I do not know whether what has been alleged has any basis in fact or truth. It may be that it has; it maybe that it has not. But I deplore the fact that it may not and that this chamber has been used in the way in which it has been used.

Senator MURPHY:
New South WalesLeader of the Opposition

– I rise simply because Senator Webster took the opportunity of injecting my name into the debate, apparently in order to introduce some kind of a red herring into it. Senator Webster spoke apparently about some incident which was aired about 6 weeks or 2 months ago on which there was a good deal of discussion and in relation to which finally I went on a national television programme and explained - I think to the entire satisfaction of all - that if the constitutional rights which are guaranteed to citizens were to be vindicated a certain course of action ought to be taken. I remind Senator Webster and the Senate generally that he was referring to the case of a body called the Church of the New Faith Incorporated, which was apparently lawfully incorporated under the laws of South Australia and certain other States and in respect of which there were certain proceedings before a magistrate exercising federal jurisdiction in the State of Western Australia in which a citizen, in proceedings against the Commonwealth Government as represented by the Minister for Labour and National Service, established to the satisfaction of that tribunal that that body was a church and a religion within the meaning of the National Service Act and that the person concerned was actually a minister of religion and so exempt under the relevant clauses of that Act. That being so, apparently the Commonwealth Government is precluded, certainly in respect of matters under the National Service Act, from contending other than that body is a religion, unless it seeks to recontest the issue in some way. One would think that while it is not an irresistible conclusion, it is a very strong conclusion that if that body was a religion for the purposes of one Act it probably would be a religion for the purposes of other Acts.

I will say no more than that. If Senator Webster wishes the subject matter of the constitutional rights of citizens and the freedom of religion to be debated properly in this chamber, I would suggest that he should raise it in a more substantial way than he has raised it this evening.

Senator KEEFFE (Queensland) - Mr President, I claim to have been misrepresented by the Attorney-General (Senator Greenwood) when he was replying to my remarks. One of the statements he made was that I had made an allegation in this chamber at some time in the past which was unsubstantiated. I have never done that. I never level a charge in this chamber against anybody or any organisation unless I have evidence to substantiate it. I would respectfully suggest, Mr President, that those words are offensive. I do not intend to ask for the Attorney-General to withdraw them, although they are offensive. But I do feel that the responsibility is on him to do something about this matter and not to burke the issue, as he is trying to do.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Senate adjourned at 10.45 p.m.

page 1389

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE

The following answers to questions upon notice were circulated:

page 1389

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION: OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES

(Question No. 2149)

Senator WILLESEE:

asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice:

  1. In which overseas cities does the Australian

Broadcasting Commission maintain full-time representatives.

  1. In which of the cities where the local language is not English is the full-time representative proficient in the local language.
  2. Is any special allowance paid to full-time overseas representatives who are proficient in a language other than English.

Senator GREENWOOD - The PostmasterGeneral has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. London. New York, Washington. Singapore. Kuala Lumpur. Djakarta, New Delhi, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok.
  2. None of the representatives is sufficiently proficient in the local language to qualify for payment ofa special allowance.
  3. No - see answer to (2) above. Provision is made in ABC Staff Regulations for an allowance to be paid where ABC officers meet the requirements similiar to those in the Commonwealth Public Service Board’s Directives relating to Overseas Service.

page 1389

ABORIGINAL SETTLEMENT: WEIPA

(Question No. 2158)

Senator KEEFFE:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment. Aborigines and the Arts, upon notice:

  1. Will the Minister take immediate steps to ascertain the reason why a group of puppeteers have been excluded from the Aboriginal Settlement at Weipa. Queensland.
  2. Is the Minister aware that the Aboriginal Council, which is comprised of two elected members and two appointed members, was deadlocked on the matter and that the local Departmental manager apparently took the final decision to exclude the entertainers.
  3. Will the Minister act at once to allow the group to return to the settlement.

Senator GREENWOOD- The Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable senators question:

  1. to (3) The Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Island Affairs has advised that there is no foundation in the suggestion that the Aboriginal Council was deadlocked on the matter; that the suggestion that the manager took the final decision excluding the instructors is not correct; and that the Council subsequently approved the return of the group to the settlement for a limited period.

page 1389

UNIVERSITY ENROLMENTS

(Question No. 2215)

Senator MULVIHILL:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Education and Science, upon notice:

  1. How many students were enrolled at Australian universities during 1971 in(a) each State, and (b) each individual university.
  2. Of those who were enrolled, how many were (a) paying full fees, (b) holding scholarships, (c) Commonwealth assisted Asian students, and (d) private Asian students.

Senator WRIGHT- The Minister for Education and Science has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. (a) and (b) The number of students enrolled at Australian universities during 1971 in each State and each individual university is as follows:
  1. The Commonwealth Statistician has provided the following information in reply to Parts 2 (a) and (b) of the honourable senator’s question:
  2. (a) and (b) In 1971 approximately 48,000 students enrolled in Australian universities were recorded as paying full fees. However, some of these students would have received assistance from relatives, friends or by private arrangement with employers, etc. There were approximately 75,000 students recorded as being in receipt of some form of assistance towards full or partial payment or reimbursement of university fees.

Students who were holding scholarships would have received assistance from the following sources:

Commonwealth Government scholarships, awards and cadetships;

Stale Government scholarships, teacher training awards and cadetships;

University free places, fee concessions and scholarships;

Local and overseas Government cadetships and awards;

Other assistance.

Grants specifically provided as living allowances or for text books or equipment, prizes, refunds of fees by employers or others after successful completion of a course, and dormant, suspended or interrupted scholarships, are not taken to constitute fees assistance.

  1. and (d) There were 1,051 Commonwealthassisted Asian students and 3,149 private Asian students enrolled in Australian universities in 1971.

page 1390

COMMONWEALTH LAND PURCHASES

(Question No. 2273)

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Interior, upon notice:

  1. Did the New South Wales Housing Commission purchase 420 acres of land at Stockton, New South Wales from the Department of the Interior in order to construct 1,600 homes. (2)How much was paid for the purchase of the land.
  2. Was part of the land purchased a wartime firing and proofing range.
  3. At the time of purchase, were any assurances given that the area was clear of ammunition.
  4. Has the Department of the Army declared that the area cannot be regarded as safe and did the New South Wales Housing Commission employ the services of an aerial survey firm to take infra-red and other detailed photographs of the area.
  5. What is the latest position concerning the sale of this land by the Commonwealth.

Senator COTTON- The Minister for the Interior has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The Commonwealth through the Department of the Interior sold about 4161/2 acres of land at Stockton, New South Wales, to the Housing Commission of New South Wales.
  2. The price was $200,000.
  3. Yes.
  4. A clause was included in the Contract for Sale as follows:

The Purchaser is aware that a proof range was erected on the property in or about the year 1941 and used for the proof of armour plate for Australian tank production which use was discontinued in or about the year 1943 and the range has thereafter been used on occasions for various armament proofs. The Purchaser accepts the property in its present condition and shall be deemed to purchase with full notice of the condition thereof in all respects’.

  1. A report by Army technical officers who inspected the area in question in March 1972 indicates that the major portion of the land purchased by the Housing Commission may well be developed for housing. The Department of the Army states that no assurances can be given until completion of a surface clearing operation for which a plan is being developed. I am not aware of details of investigations carried out by or on behalf of the Housing Commission.
  2. The sale of the land to the Housing Commission was completed on 21 June 1968.

page 1390

AUSTRALIAN WOOL BOARD

(Question No. 2274)

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice:

  1. Who are the members of the Australian Wool Board.
  2. How many members of the Board have gone abroad at Government expense in the last 2 years.
  3. What has been the cost tothe taxpayer in each case.
  4. What was the length of time that each member was absent.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN- The Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The present members of the Australian Wool Board are as follows:

Sir William Gunn, K.B.E., C.M.G.,- Chairman

Representing Australian Woolgrowers -

Mr G. M. Chance

Mr L. H. Heaslip, O.B.E.

Mr F. M. MacDiarmid

Mr J. A. McGregor

Mr C. D. Renshaw, O.B.E.

Mr D. D. von Bibra, O.B.E. Member with Special Qualifications -

Mr D . F. Jones

Mr S. S. Nevile, O.B.E.

Mr W. J. Vines, C.M.G.

Representing the Commonwealth Government -

Mr A. E. Wallace

  1. and (3) No members of the Australian Wool Board have gone abroad whose expenses were financed entirely by the Government.

The Australian Wool Board is financed by a levy paid by woolgrowers and by a contribution from the Commonwealth Government. Further, when members of the Wool Board attend meetings of the International Wool Secretariat their expenses are paid by the Secretariat, which is financed jointly by the Wool Boards of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

As will be seen, the funds used to meet the cost of visits by Wool Board members overseas are derived from a variety of sources. Accordingly, it is not possible to determine precisely what proportion of this cost would come from the Government contribution to the Wool Board.

  1. The length of time of members’ visits varied from 3 days to 21 days, depending on the country or countries visited and on the nature of the business undertaken on behalf of the Wool Board.

page 1391

AUSTRALIAN WOOL BOARD

(Question No. 2275)

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice:

  1. How many meetings of the Australian Wool Board have been held in the last three years.
  2. What have been the total attendances of each member.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN- The Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. There have been 35 meetings of the Australian Wool Board from 1 July 1969 to 30 June 1972.
  2. Due to deaths and retirements during the period, some of the members listed in the table of attendances below arc no longer members of the Board, whilst others have been appointed only fairly recently.

page 1391

AUSTRALIAN FILM PRODUCTIONS

(Question No. 2279)

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Minis ter for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts, upon notice:

  1. What cinema quotas exist for the exhibition of Australian film productions in each of the States and the Territories of the Commonwealth.
  2. Does the Minister agree that the establishment of an economically sound and viable film industry in Australia is highly desirable.
  3. Is the Minister aware that in Mexico the prints of imported black and white 16 mm films used for television in Mexico must be printed in local laboratories.
  4. Will the Minister consider seeking the cooperation of the States to introduce a minimum quota for the exhibition of Australian films on a national basis, and will he consider introducing provisions for prints of imported film to be printed in Australia.

Senator GREENWOOD- The Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The Australian Film Development Corporation has informed me that New South Wales is the only State with cinema quotas, and that the New South Wales quotas are 3 per cent of Australian content for distributors and 21/2 per cent of Australian content for exhibitors.

I am also informed that the Department of the Interior imposes no quotas on the exhibition of Australian film productions in the A.C.T. or N.T.

  1. Yes.
  2. I am informed that this is correct.
  3. The introduction of quota requirements for the exhibition of Australian films on a national basis is a question within the ambit of the Tariff Board Inquiry intofilm production, which commenced on 25th September. Interested parties have the opportunity to present their views in relation to cinema quotas at this Inquiry. As the Tariff Inquiry into film processing is to be conducted simultaneously with the Inquiry into production, it is to be expected that the desirability of having imported films printed in Australia will also be canvassed at length.

page 1391

VICTORIAN FISHING INDUSTRY

(Question No. 2299)

Senator PRIMMER:
VICTORIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice:

  1. Will the Commonwealth Government give some consideration to the provision of compensation to those Victorian fishermen whose income will now be cut to nil, because of the ban on the sale of flake due to mercury content.
  2. Will the Commonwealth, in conjunction with the State of Victoria, evolve some reconstruction programme for these people similar to that which applies to some other primary industries.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN- The Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. I am aware that the Victorian Government is considering the application of a ban on the marketing of school shark over a certain length because of the likelihood of mercury above the maximum permissible level being present in the flesh of large school sharks. To my knowledge the ban has not yet been applied. Rather than consider forms of compensation for the particular fishermen involved,I consider that it would be more appropriate to assist them to enter new fisheries.
  2. Officers of my Department have already held consultations with the fisheries authorities and fishermen in Victoria and Tasmania to prepare proposals for the development of alternative fisheries. This matter has also been raised with the South Australian Government. The Commonwealth will co-operate with the Slates in implementing any such proposals which are most likely to assist these fishermen.

page 1392

AUSTRALIAN ANIMATED FILM INDUSTRY

(Question No. 2276)

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts, upon notice:

  1. Did the Minister on 26th March 1972 state that the Commonwealth will look closely at the effects on the Australian animated film industry of the establishment of an overseas company in this field.
  2. What have been the results of this ‘close look’, and what action is being taken by the Commonwealth.

Senator GREENWOOD- The Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Yes.
  2. In December last year the Government requested the Treasury to undertake a comprehensive study of the effects of overseas investment in Australia. The results of this study were published in the form of a Treasury Economic Paper which was tabled in Parliament by the Treasurer on 16th May 1972. The paper analyses, from the Australian viewpoint, the principal economic issues raised by overseas investment in Australia. In so doing it provides a basis for discussion of the economic aspects of issues such as the one now raised.

The Government has in recent months been reviewing its policy in relation to overseas investment in Australia. The Prime Minister announced the Government’s decisions to date arising out of that review in a statement in the House on 26th September 1972. In the course of this statement he said:

Action in the field of foreign ownership and control generally raises complex problems. We have undertaken an initial study of these problems; but their resolution will require more detailed study and further time for careful consideration. That work is now in hand. Its results will be announced as soon as practicable.’

I have had discussions with the 2 local companies and representatives of the overseas company involved. In subsequent letters to the local companies 1 referred to the Australian Film Development Corporation’s statutory responsibility to encourage the making and distribution of Australian films. I understand that the Corporation is watching developments and will be reporting to me in due course.

page 1392

UNITED NATIONS

(Question No. 2301)

Senator MURPHY:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice:

  1. Has the Australian Government yet communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organisation its views and suggestions on any question relating to a world disarmament conference, as invited by the General Assembly of the United Nations’ Resolution of 18 January 1972, which expressed the conviction that it is most desirable that immediate steps be taken in order that careful consideration be given to the convening, following adequate preparation, of a world disarmament conference open to all States.
  2. Has the Government yet submitted, or does it intend to submit, before the date mentioned in the invitation, viz. 31 August 1972, its views and suggestions on the main objectives of the conference, a provisional agenda, a site favoured, date and contemplated duration, procedures to be adopted for carrying out the preparatory work, and the relationship of the conference to the United Nations Organisation.

Senator WRIGHT- The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following reply:

  1. and (2) The Government on 31 August communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations its views and suggestions relating to a world disarmament conference along the following lines:

    1. The Australian Government is convinced of the vital importance of disarmament for all countries of the world, which should have the opportunity to contribute their views on ways in which to approach arms control problems.
    2. For its part, Australia is willing to help in any way it can towards the achievement of balanced and verifiable measures which will contribute to the objective of disarmament.
    3. The Australian Government, therefore, supports the concept of a World Disarmament Conference.
    4. Such a conference should, of course, offer a reasonable prospect of contributing to, rather than delaying or detracting from, the negotiation, within existing disarmament machinery, such as the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, of balanced and verifiable agreements on arms control and disarmament.
    5. Such a conference would require adequate preparation, should have objectives and an agenda which commanded general acceptance, and should include the live nuclearweapons powers and other States of significant military and political importance. The conference should be held under the auspices of the United Nations.
    6. Before considering more definitive comments on the specific questions raised in operative paragraph 2 of General Assembly Resolution 2833 (XXVI), the Australian Government would wish to study the report which the Secretary-General has been requested to submit to the General Assembly containing the views and suggestions communicated to him.

page 1393

TAXATION INQUIRY

(Question No. 2307)

Senator WILLESEE:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice:

Does the Government intend to continue with the inquiry into income tax; if so, when does the Treasurer expect to be able to announce the names of the other members of the committee of inquiry to be chaired by Mr Justice Asprey.

Senator COTTON- The Acting Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

On 10th September 1972 the Treasurer announced the names of the members of the Committee of Inquiry into the taxation system. In addition to the Chairman, Mr Justice Asprey, the members of the Committee are:

Mr David Miles Bensuran Butt, M.A. (Cantab.), Professorial fellow in Economics in the Research School of Pacific Studies at the Australian National University.

Sir Peter Lloyd, M.A. (Oxon), formerly Chairman of Cadbury, Fry, Pascall Australia Ltd,and presently a member of the board of the Commonwealth Banking Corporation, and the A.M.P. Society,

Professor Ross Waite Parsons, B.A., LL.B. (Sydney) Professor of Law at Sydney University.

Mr Kenneth Wood, F.C.A., until recently a partner in the firm of Cooper Brothers, Chartered Accountants.

Now that the Committee has been appointed it is expected that it will begin its investigations without delay.

page 1393

EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN

(Question No. 2318)

Senator MURPHY:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice:

  1. How many women are employed at a senior executive level in the various bodies within the Minister’s area of responsibility.
  2. What endeavours, if any, has the Minister made to ensure that women are given equal opportunity, in higher levels of the ‘Department and the various bodies within the Minister’s area of responsibility.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN- The Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answers to the honourable senator’s questions:

  1. Two.
  2. All senior positions in the Commonwealth Service and in the Statutory Authorities within my area of responsibility, are open equally to males and females. Under the provisions of the Public Service Act the promotion of officers to departmental positions under the Permanent Head is the responsibility of the Permanent Head and the Public Service Board rather than the Minister. In the Statutory Authorities within my administration the appointment and promotion of staff is the responsibility of the respective Authority. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in staffing matters or to attempt to influence particular appointment or promotion decisions in these organisations.

page 1393

ASIAN AND AFRICAN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

(Question No. 2347)

Senator CAVANAGH:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Education and Science, upon notice:

  1. Why is $800 per annum more paid to an Asian or African undergraduate student under the Colombo Plan and the Special Commonwealth African assistance plan as a living allowance than is paid to an Australian Aboriginal undergraduate student.
  2. Why is $1,355 per annum more paid to an Asian or African postgraduate student under the Colombo Plan and the Special Commonwealth African Assistance plan as a living allowance than is paidto an Australian Aboriginal postgraduate student.
  3. Why is an establishment allowance of $124 upon arrival in Australia and $85 per annum paid to an Asian or African student and only $75 at commencement to a single Aboriginal student who finds it necessary to live away from home for study purposes.

Senator WRIGHT - The Minister for Education and Science has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The scales of allowances payable to Colombo Plan and African sponsored students from overseas are not comparable to those payable to Australian Aboriginal students. Whilst the overseas student receives a higher basic allowance (the difference will be $610 per annum at 1973 rates), students holding Commonwealth Aboriginal Study Grants qualify for additional benefits not received by overseas students. These benefits include dependants’ allowances of $8 per week for a dependent wife and $4.50 per week for each dependent child; a separate book and equipment allowance of $100 per annum; and supplementary allowances in the case of hardship. Additional amounts ranging up to $24 per week have been paid under the last mentioned provision.
  2. The statement is not correct. No Aboriginal student has applied for assistance to undertake a postgraduate course and the rate of benefits has not therefore been determined.
  3. The establishment allowance paid to overseas sponsored students is $85 on arrival in Australia.For students with Aboriginal Study Grants, the basic establishment allowance of $75 is increased by $25 for a dependent wife and $20 for each dependent child. The allowance of $124 mentionedin the Question is a clothing allowance paid to Colombo Plan and similar students who arrivein Australia during the winter months. Any special requirements of Aboriginal students in relation to clothing are considered under the provisions to pay supplementary allowances mentioned in (1).

page 1394

FOREIGN OWNERSHIP

(Question No. 2372)

Senator KEEFFE:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. Is it a fact that the following Australian industries are foreign controlled to the extent indicated: (a) agricultural and earth-moving equipment manufacturing, 91 per cent; (b) meat production, 92.5 per cent; (c) fruit and vegetable preserving, 95 per cent; and (d) flour and cereal production, 97 per cent.
  2. Will the Treasurer inform the Parliament of the amount of profits exported from Australia by each of the industries referred to in (1) for 1971- 72.

Senator Sir KENNETH ANDERSONThe Acting Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

I am informed:

Official estimates of overseas control in individual manufacturing industries have been published by the Commonwealth Statistician for 1962-63 and 1966-67. These estimates do not identify precisely the industries to which the honourable senator has referred. However, information is available on broader industrial groupings which approximate the industries concerned. This information is set out in the following table for the year 1966-67.

  1. The Statistician prepares estimates of undistributed and distributed direct investment income payable overseas on an industry basis. Estimates for 1971-72 are not yet available. However, estimates of direct investment income distributed overseas in 1970-71 are available for broad industry groupings which include the particular industries referred to by the honourable senator. The relevant figures are set out below.

Direct investment income(a) distributed overseas,

1970-71

Founding, engineering and metalworking(b) - $23m. Food, drink and tobacco(c) - $39m.

  1. Includes interest payments as well as profits and dividends.
  2. Includes agricultural machinery and earthmoving equipment.
  3. Includes meat slaughtering and carcase butchering.

page 1395

INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION: VACANCIES

(Question No. 2351)

Senator CAVANAGH:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Labour and National Service, upon notice:

  1. In view of the report in August 1970 by Mr Justice Kirby of vacancies in the numbers of Industrial Commissioners, were any advertisements to fill the vacancies inserted in any newspaper between 1970 and June 1972 referred to in an answer given to Senator Cavanagh on 14th August 1972.
  2. Were any applications for positions of Industrial Commissioner received during the period between August 1970 and June 1972.
  3. How many applications for positions of Industrial Commissioner were received as a result of advertisements placed in Australian newspapers in June 1972.

Senator WRIGHT - The Minister for Labour and National Service has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s questions:

  1. and (2) The advertisements placed in the newspapers during June 1972 represented the first occasion on which applications were invited for appointment to the positions of Commissioner of the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. It had not been the practice previously to advertise vacant positions and to invite applications.

page 1395

UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS

(Question No. 2393)

Senator WILLESEE:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. Does the most recent issue of the statistical bulletin on the The Labor Force, released by the Bureau of Census and Statistics, contain a breakdown of migrant unemployment by year of arrival in Australia; if not, was this information meant to be included.
  2. Does the over-printing of certain words on the front page of the most recent issue of the Labour Force relating to the breakdown of figures referred to in (1) indicate that any decision to omit these figures was a last minute decision; if so, what was the reason for any omission of the figures.

Senator COTTON - The Commonwealth Statistician has supplied the following information in reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. No. See answer to (2).
  2. The figures published in the Labour Force bulletin are estimates based on a sample collection and are therefore subject to sampling variability. When the total numbers in a particular category are small it is consequently difficult to provide a meaningful breakdown into smaller groups. It is the Statistician’s practice not to publish estimates from the labour force survey which are lessthan 4,000 because, as explained in the Labour Force bulletin, very small estimates are subject to such high relative standard errors as to detract seriously from their value for most reasonable uses.

For February 1972 an attempt was made to provide as much information as possible about a number of separate groups of migrants (males, married women, all females and persons) according to country of birth and period of arrival in Australia, but because of the relatively small numbers of unemployed migrants only 20 of the 52 principal estimates provided for in the published table formats could be shown, the remainder being below the 4,000 limit referred to above.

Between February and May there was a substantial fall in the level of unemployment. The May 1972 Labour Force bulletin contained separate particulars of the numbers of unemployed persons born in Australia and of those born outside Australia, which showed that the numbers of Australian-born had decreased by 18.5 per cent, and the numbers of overseas-born by 19.8 per cent.

With a decrease in the total number of unemployed migrants the possibility of a meaningful breakdown into smaller groups was further reduced, and in fact only 13 of the 52 estimates referred to above were publishable, and a number of those were close to the 4,000 level.

It was explained in the May bulletin that because of the introduction of a new sample the standard errors of changes from February to May 1972 would be greater than those usually associated with changes of corresponding magnitude and that care should be taken in placing significance on any changes in estimates between these 2 quarters.

Therefore, in view of the circumstances that firstly, three-quarters of the estimates were too small to be published, and secondly, the remainder were generally so small that any changes which had occurred between February and May would very likely have been accorded a significance that would, on statistical grounds, have been unjustified, the Statistician decided that particulars for separate countries of birth and periods of arrival in Australia should not be included in the May 1972 Labour Force bulletin.

In order to expedite the issue of the bulletin the textual matter had been prepared in advance, and when the foregoing decision was made the reference to the inclusion of estimates by year of arrival was crossed out on the printed copies in order not to delay the publication of the May statistics.

Senator O’BYRNE:

asked the Attorney-

General, upon notice:

  1. Did Lever and Kitchen Pty Ltd and ColgatePalmolive Pty Ltd announce on the same day similar increases in the price of soap powders.
  2. Are the companies referred to in (1) wholly foreign owned.
  3. Did R. Fowler Ltd, Doulton Australia Ltd and Armitage Ware Ltd. manufacturers of vitreous chinaware simultaneously increase the price of their products by a similar amount on 3 occasions since early 1971, by approximately 36 per cent.
  4. Will the Attorney-General take action to investigate the apparent simultaneous and collusive price rises referred to in (1) and (2) which, if they occurred did so despite the provisions of the restrictive trade practices law.

Senator GREENWOOD- The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows:

  1. I am not aware of the particular announcements the Honourable Senator has in mind. However, publications circulating in the grocery trade noted similar price increases in February and July of this year for some soap powders marketed by Lever and Kitchen Pty Ltd and Colgate-Palmolive Pty Ltd.
  2. All the shares in the 2 companies, except 100 shares in Lever and Kitchen Pty Ltd are foreign-owned.
  3. and (4) The investigation of agreements and practices that are examinable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1971 is a matter for the Commissioner of Trade Practices. The action that the Commissioner has been taking with respect to agreements relating to the prices of vitreouschina sanitory ware is indicated in paragraph 3.28 of the Commissioner’s Fifth Annual Report.

page 1396

RESTRICTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

(Question No. 2396)

page 1396

TASMANIA: APPLE AND PEAR INDUSTRY

(Question No. 2412)

Senator TOWNLEY:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice:

  1. Is the apple and pear industry in Tasmania in clanger of total collapse.
  2. Can Tasmania afford to lose an industry of such a magnitude.
  3. Will the Minister confer with the Minister for Shipping and Transport in an endeavour to obtain a shipping subsidy for the industry.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN- The Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The situation of an industry in a particular Slate is primarily a matter for the State Government concerned.

The Australian apple and pear industry faces very serious problems in the export field and since the Tasmanian sector of the industry is geared primarily for export, these problems have special significance for the industry in that State.

  1. An assessment of the position of the industry in relation to the economy of the State of Tasmania is a matter for the State Government.
  2. Overall responsibility for overseas shipping policy rests with the Minister for Trade and Industry, who advises that as a matter of policy the Government expects shipping services in its overseas trades to operate on a commercial basis. The Government’s aim is that shipping services should be adequate, economic and efficient and this is generally not assisted by subsidisation. Our principal Southern Hemisphere competitors in the European apple and pear market do not subsidise freight rates and any move by the Australian Government to introduce a subsidy could well result in retaliatory action which could place the Australian apple and pear industry in a less competitive position. The Commonwealth Government’s concern at the serious export problems of the Australian industry has been manifested by the provision of substantial financial assistance to the export sector, initially through devaluation compensation and since 1971 through a5-year Stabilisation Plan. An amount of $2.6m was provided to the export sector under the plan for the 1971 season, and a provision of$3. 15m has been made in the current Budget to support the 1972 season exports under the Plan. Additional assistance will also be available to the industry through the recently introduced Fruit-growing Reconstruction Scheme.

The special problems of the industry, including its freight difficulties, are under examination by a Sub-Committee of the Australian Agricultural Council. The Commonwealth is an active participant in the work of the Sub-Committee.

page 1396

IMMIGRATION: CHILE

(Question No. 2419)

Senator MULVIHILL:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration, upon notice:

How many persons from Chile permanently settled in Australia in the years 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and in the first 6 months of 1972.

Senator GREENWOOD- The Minister for Immigration has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

For the period to the end of 1971 the answer to the honourable Senator’s question is as stated in reply to Question No. 1443 of 30 September 1971, viz:

The Bureau of Census and Statistics does not record separately ‘Settler Arrivals’ of Latin American nationality but includes arrivals from those countries with ‘Other American Countries’ (i.e. all American countries excluding United States of America, Canada and Commonwealth countries)’.

Settler arrivals from ‘Other American Countries’ including those selected in Chile as assisted settlers under the Special Passage Assistance Programme (shown separately, below) were as follows:

page 1397

CALVERT DOWNS’: SALE

(Question No. 2422)

Senator MULVIHILL:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Interior, upon notice:

Was a cattle station in the Northern Territory, Calvert Downs’, sold to a Japanese syndicate; if so, was the sale in Australia’s interest.

Senator COTTON- The Minister for the Interior has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The 50 year pastoral lease known as ‘Calvert Hills’ was recently transferred to a joint venture company comprising 80 per cent Japanese interest and 20 per cent Australian interest. The former lessee holds the Australian interest in the new company.

After careful consideratuion of the circumstances regarding the proposal, the Administrator of the Northern Territory, with the Government’s approval consented to the transfer.

page 1397

CLONCURRY POST OFFICE: PROPOSED AIR-CONDITIONING

(Question No. 2424)

Senator KEEFFE:

asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice:

Why has the Postmaster-General’s Department decided not to install air-conditioning in the Post Office at Cloncurry, Queensland, although temperatures reach over 40 deg. Celsius.

Senator GREENWOOD- The PostmasterGeneral has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

My Department has made provision in its 1972- 73 Building Works Programme for Cloncurry Post Office to be air-conditioned. Documentation for the work is at present proceeding in the Department of Works and it is anticipated that air-conditioning for the Post Office will be available this coming summer.

page 1397

DAIRYING INDUSTRY

(Question No. 2433)

Senator LITTLE:
VICTORIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Primary Industry, upon notice:

  1. What was the result of the Dairying industry Equalisation Legislation Referendum held in 1970.
  2. Has the decision of the Referendum been carried out, or has the Government endeavoured to force a 2 price quota plan on the Dairying Industry.
  3. Are dairymen in Victoria being subjected to pressure to accept a restrictive production plan under threat of a reduction in subsidy, despite clear evidence that there will be an increase in overseas markets in the foreseeable future.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN- The

Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Al the referendum held in 19/0 more than 95 per cent of dairy farmers who voted were in favour of legislation providing statutory support for the existing voluntary dairy produce equalisation arrangements.
  2. It was made clear in the Second Reading Speech on the Dairying Industry Levy Bill tha’ a compulsory equalisation scheme for a particular product or products would not be implemented unless there was a specific need created such as by the withdrawal of an important manufacturer from the present voluntary equalisation scheme. To date the need to implement the legislation has not arisen. The legislation was designed to provide a firmer foundation for the industry’s organisation and to enable it to proceed with the necessary planning to meet the problems of the industry.

The proposals for a 2-price quota scheme for the dairying industry were submitted to the Government by the Australian Dairy Industry Council as part of its proposals for a new dairy industry stabilisation plan to operate for 5 years from 1st July 1972. There is no question of the Government endeavouring to force a 2-price quota plan on the industry.

  1. Dairy farmers in Victoria are being subjected to pressure to accept a production control scheme not by the threat of a reduction in subsidy but by the threat of a complete breakdown of the equalisation arrangements because of the erosion in producers unit returns in all States which their increased production has caused, particularly when overseas markets are depressed. The situation has been reached where some States are not prepared to continue contributing towards the losses from surplus disposalswhen world prices are depressed unless a greater proportion of the losses is borne by those States which are responsible for building up the surpluses.

The general opinion is that there is not likely to be any significant place in the United Kingdom market for Australian butter and cheese in the enlarged EEC. The main problem will be to find outlets for butter in the limited markets outside the United Kingdom. The supplies which will be available from Australia, New Zealand and other countries could place tremendous pressure on these markets and lead to depressed prices. The industry has accepted that it will be in its long term interests for future production to be kept at a level which can be sold at satisfactory prices.

page 1398

UNEMPLOYMENT

(Question No. 2435)

Senator KEEFFE:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Army, upon notice:

  1. Did the Minister for the Army recently make a public statement that half of the 130,000 unemployed persons in this country ‘would not work in an iron lung’.
  2. Have many unemployed people in the Federal Division of Kennedy complained about the Minister’s statement and contended that, in spite of continual searching, they are unable to find employment in this depressed area.
  3. If the Minister did make this statement, will be moderate his language in the future when referring to the unfortunate unemployed.

Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN - The Minister for the Army has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question: (1), (2) and (3) As the Senator well knows, the answer is No.

page 1398

POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT: ANNUAL REPORT

(Question No. 2443)

Senator WILKINSON:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice:

Does the Annual Report of the PostmasterGeneral’s Department indicate that the revenue of the Department is $ 1,000m and as the expenditure of this revenue is not included in the Estimates will the Postmaster-General inform the Senate in what way the expenditure can be examined, so as to ascertain the necessity for charges curently being imposed by the Department.

Senator GREENWOOD - The PostmasterGeneral has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Annual Report of the Post Office for the year ended 30th June 1972, was presented to Parliament on Thursday, 28th September 1972. The Report reviews in detail the activities of the Department for 1971-72 and its financial position. The financial results of Post Office activities are reported in business terms, showing the profit or loss of both the telecommunication and postal services, a balance sheet reflecting the state of affairs at 30th June and a funds statement indicating the source and application of Post Office finances. The earnings for 1971-72 as shown in the Report amount to $858.5m from trading activities and $270m borrowings, in all$1, 128.5m.

Departmental officers will attend the hearings of the Senate Estimates Committee and provide further information and explanation when the Post Office estimates for 1972-73 are considered by that Committee.

page 1398

TELEVISION TRANSMISSIONS

(Question No. 2448)

Senator KEEFFE:

asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice:

  1. Do television transmissions between Townsville and Mount Isa in Queensland encounter a number of shortcomings.
  2. Are television receivers in Nonda, Queensland, and in the area adjacent to that town, unable to receive transmissions.
  3. Will the Postmaster-General take action to ensure that the technical shortcomings referred to in (1) and (2) are eliminated, so that people living in these isolated areas of Queensland will be able to receive television programmes effectively.

Senator GREENWOOD- The PostmasterGeneral has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. No.
  2. Yes. The television reception in Nonda or any other town that is not within the planned service area of a television station will be either substandard or non-existent dependent on the distance of the town from the boundary of the service area.
  3. At present, with the techniques available, the cost per capita of providing a television service into sparsely populated areas such as Nonda would be prohibitive and therefore could not be justified. This does not, however, preclude the possibility that advances in technology may make the provision of a service in these areas economically viable at some later date.

page 1399

TELEPHONE CHARGES

(Question No. 2453)

Senator TOWNLEY:

asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice:

  1. What action is being taken by the PostmasterGeneral’s Department to provide telephone subscribers with an account which would indicate each telephone number called, together with details of the duration, cost and date of each call as is being done in certain other countries.
  2. Does the Postmaster-General agree that a telephone subscriber has a right to know accurately the reasons for charges made to his account.

Senator GREENWOOD- The PostmasterGeneral has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. There are no plans to provide lists of call details for local calls, within Australia or any other country in the world. Details of trunk calls made through the operator have always been and will continue to be provided on request at a nominal charge. With the multi-metering system we have in Australia, lists of STD call details cannot be provided.

The multi-metering system is similar to systems used in the great majority of countries in the world where subscribers are able to dial their own trunk calls directly. A notable exception is the U.S.A. and Canada where the system does provide for a printed record to be made of each directly dialled trunk call, but the charges for calls are precisely the same as for operator connected calls i.e. a minimum of 3 minutes. Therefore the cost savings to subscribers available from the multi-metering system, where charges are more closely related to the actual duration of the call, are lost to the subscribers in those countries.

There arc basic differences in the type of telephone exchange equipment in Australia which preclude, at present, adoption of the automatic ticketing system used in North America. If it were decided to introduce this system in Australia, it would take a good many, years to carry out the necessary modifications to the existing equipment.

  1. Yes and this is done to the extent practicable within the limits of our present system.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 10 October 1972, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1972/19721010_senate_27_s54/>.

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