Senate
17 August 1976

30th Parliament · 1st Session



The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Condor Laucke) took the chair at 2.30 p.m., and read prayers.

page 1

MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Senator WITHERS:
Minister for Administrative Services · Western AustraliaLeader of the Government in the Senate · LP

– by leave- Mr President, I inform the Senate that on 8 July His Excellency the Governor-General determined the appointment of Senator Ivor Greenwood, Q.C., as Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development and accepted the resignation of Mr Kevin Newman as Minister for Repatriation. On the same day His Excellency directed and appointed Mr Kevin Newman and Senator Peter Durack to hold the offices of Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development and Minister for Repatriation respectively. The Prime Minister has indicated that he recommended withdrawal of Senator Greenwood’s commission with deep regret and only after full consideration of medical advice. I am sure that all honourable senators look forward to the time when Senator Greenwood’s health will be sufficiently improved to enable him to lead an active life and that they join with me in expressing our best wishes.

As a result of these changes, the following representational arrangements will operate in the Senate: Senator Carrick will represent the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development and Senator Durack will represent the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, the Attorney-General and the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs.

On 23 June His Excellency the GovernorGeneral agreed to a change in the Administrative Arrangements Order which placed the responsibilities for child care matters under the Minister for Social Security, Senator Margaret Guilfoyle.

I also inform the Senate that the Prime Minister has appointed Mr A. A. Street to assist him in women ‘s affairs matters and Mr A. A. Staley to assist him in matters concerning the arts.

I further inform the Senate that the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr J. D. Anthony, left Australia on 6 August to visit Iran and Europe where he will be having talks on trade and economic matters. He is expected to return on 24 August. In his absence Senator Robert Cotton will act as Minister for Overseas Trade and Mr P. J. Nixon will act as Minister for National Resources.

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DEATH OF LORD CASEY

Senator WITHERS:
Western AustraliaLeader of the Government in the Senate · LP

- Mr President, it is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death during the recess of the Right Honourable Lord Casey, a former member of the House of Representatives and GovernorGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia. I seek leave to move a motion of condolence.

The PRESIDENT:

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

Senator WITHERS:

-I move:

That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of the Right Honourable Lord Casey, Baron of Berwick, Victoria and of the City of Westminster, England, K.G., P.C., G.C.M.G., C.H., D.S.O., M.C., K.St.J., a former GovernorGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia from 1963 to 1969, a member of the House of Representatives from 193 1 to 1940 and from 1949 to 1960, and Minister of the Crown from 1935 to 1940 and from 1949 to 1960, places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service and tenders its profound sympathy to his widow and family in their bereavement

In the history of our country few men have attracted, or earned, the respect due and paid to the late Lord Casey. Not only was his public contribution one of great distinction and lasting value, but also he was a man of integrity and enormous common sense. He was the kind of man who imparted stature to the institutions he served. The Australian people can count themselves immensely fortunate to have had him as a servant over such a long period.

It is generally recognised that one of Lord Casey’s most impressive characteristics was his immense capacity for work. His industry was remarkable and it was this extraordinary application that enabled him to undertake so many careers in the course of his lifetime. He was at one time or another a soldier, an administrator, a politician, a diplomat and a vice-regal personage. In all of these careers he served with conspicuous success.

In 1914 he volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force and served with distinction at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He was mentioned in dispatches and for his valour he won the Distinguished Service Order and a Military Cross. He was discharged in 1919. From 1924 to 1931 he served his country in the External Affairs Department as Australian Political Liaison Officer in London.

His political career commenced in 1931 when he became a member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Corio, a seat he held until his first resignation from the Parliament in 1 940. During the period of the Great Depression he served in several portfolios. He was Assistant Federal Treasurer from 1933 to 1935 and Federal Treasurer from 1935 to 1939. As Treasurer he took an active role in the development of a national insurance scheme which, for reasons beyond his control, was never implemented. He was also at this time Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, an association he continued after the War and throughout his retirement- an association of great and lasting benefit to that Organisation and to the nation.

Lord Casey was a liberal in the full sense- a man of progressive instincts, not fearful of change. He welcomed the challenge of a new circumstance, a new job. He was often ahead of his time and keen to play a part in defining a new role for his country. He represented Australia to the world in a critical period of our history.

In 1940, Lord Casey resigned from the Parliament to become the first Australian Minister to Washington. He expended great energy in ensuring that Australia ‘s position was well known to the American Administration and to the President of that time, Mr Roosevelt. In 1942, at the request of the then British Prime Minister, the late Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Casey assumed the position of Minister for State for the Middle East and had the rank of Cabinet Minister in the British War Cabinet.

Speaking in the early part of this decade about the controversy that surrounded his acceptance of such a post, he remarked that such an appointment in the Middle East was far more important than the post he had left in Washington. He appreciated the need for Australia to recognise that its security depended on events in a number of areas in the world. In 1943 he took up his first vice-regal position as Governor of Bengal. During his time there, from 1943 to 1946, he experienced at first hand contacts with leaders of the Indian nation which would stand him in good stead when he assumed responsibility for Australia’s foreign policy.

In 1949- in that vital election for Australia’s future- Casey returned to active politics as the representative for the seat of La Trobe. He held the seat until his retirement from politics in 1 960. In 2 tasks he undertook following the 1 949 election he showed again the importance he placed on looking to the future and his concern that Australia should develop into a strong outward looking and tolerant nation. Immediately after the election he became Minister for Works and Housing and he continued his involvement with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial

Research Organisation, being Minister in charge from 1950 to 1960. In 1951 he became Minister for External Affairs and he held the post until his retirement. Looking ahead, as always, he worked hard to establish a new set of relationships with countries of our region. His Permanent Head at the time has recently stated that Lord Casey’s statements during his visit to Japan in 1951 marked the first real movement from enmity to close co-operation between Australia and Japan’.

Lord Casey appreciated the great significance of Australia’s location close to the new states emerging in Asia and moved rapidly to expand our representation in the region. Earlier than most, he foresaw the importance of bringing China into the international community. He was always a realist about the world and never feared to see facts as they were. His advice was wise and his judgment sound. Lord Casey’s career showed that deep patriotism could be combined with an outward looking and humane international perspective.

In 1965, he assumed a post for which he was uniquely suited- the Governor-Generalship. He had much of value to say. He used the position to dignify Australia and to symbolise the standards of public and private behaviour that we should all strive to achieve. In his life he was assisted at all times by his wife, Lady Casey- a remarkable woman in her own right. She was to him in all of his careers a great comfort and point of courage. This was exemplified by her devoted action of daily attendance at his hospital bed after Lord Casey’s serious motor accident in 1 974.

Richard Gardiner Casey upheld the highest standards of public life and, in his private life, was unfailingly generous and kindly. What he achieved, he earned by his industry, his courage, his integrity and his humanity. He loved Australia and because of his life we have a better sense of ourselves and what we can become. Mr President, I am sure that all honourable senators will join me in extending on behalf of the Government our sympathy to Lady Casey and to her son and daughter at the loss of a husband and a father. Australia has lost a devoted servant.

Senator WRIEDT:
Leader of the Opposition · Tasmania

– The Opposition supports Senator Withers in his tribute to the late Lord Casey. Richard Gardiner Casey enjoyed a rich, full life as a scientist, soldier, diplomat, politician, writer and, it should not be forgotten, amateur aviator. The nation will best remember him as the highly able Governor of Bengal, a competent Cabinet

Minister and an influential and well liked Governor-General. While those 3 phases of his long career stand out, he filled many other posts with distinction. He was, for instance, Treasurer as Australia recovered from the Depression, and during the Second World War he was the man selected by Winston Churchill as Minister to the Middle East, with a seat in the British War Cabinet.

Politics was Lord Casey’s overriding interest, but he always saw political power as a means and not an end in itself. He was no demagogue and never appealed to the mass audience for support. He worked quietly and effectively within his Party and Cabinet and usually away from the spotlight. The criticism sometimes made that Lord Casey had limitations as a politician is belied by his achievements. If Lord Casey left his own political monument it certainly lies in his determination and success in bringing Australia much closer to Asia than many expected during the Menzies era. He had a vision of Australia as a bridge between Europe and Asia. It was said that he was perhaps too much of a gentleman to make a Prime Minister. Lord Casey may have lacked certain attributes deemed essential to be a Prime Minister- it is not for me to judge- but we can say that he was a great Australian and that he served his country with distinction in every role that he played. The Australian Labor Party is saddened by his death and expresses its sympathy to his family.

Senator WEBSTER:
Minister for Science · Victoria · NCP/NP

– My colleagues in the National Country Party of Australia and I support this motion of condolence. Richard Gardiner Casey was a greatly respected, long-standing friend of science in Australia. Lord Casey was appointed Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- the forerunner of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation- in 1937, some 6 years after he entered Parliament. His death in June of this year marked the loss of a most valued adviser to CSIRO and Australian science in general.

Lord Casey’s contribution to Australian science and technology, through his role in the development of CSIRO, is so significant that it is difficult to measure accurately. It is sufficient to say that his vigorous interests and endeavours are still bearing fruit today. As Minister responsible for CSIRO, Lord Casey was prominent in spelling out the value of science to Australia, generally in terms of increased productivity. He certainly put science before the Parliament and the people of Australia in a way that brought not only attention to but also support for the expansion of scientific research in this country. There is no doubt that without his understanding, sympathy and enthusiastic support both inside and outside the Parliament, CSIRO and Australian science generally would not be as well developed as they are today. Lord Casey relinquished his post as Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research shortly after the outbreak of war. On his re-election to Parliament in 1949 he was again to resume his role of advocate, critic and adviser on science as Minister in charge of the newly formed Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. He retained the responsibility until 1960, when he was elevated to the peerage. He then became a part time member of the CSIRO executive until 1965, when he became GovernorGeneral of Australia.

The death of Lord Casey brought to a close the life of a great Australian. Many will acknowledge that life as being the most significant in Australia’s history during this century. He left a record of achievement which will live and which will have a bearing on our society for decades yet to come. Mr President, the people of Australian science join the rest of the nation in mourning the passing of Lord Casey.

Senator SIR MAGNUS CORMACK (Victoria) From time to time over many years I have had the melancholy duty of sitting in this place when the Senate has been asked to mark the passing of distinguished men who have served this country and of notable companions who have sat in the Senate. But today I have an even stronger sense of melancholy in relation to the motion which has been moved by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Withers, and supported by the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Wriedt, and by Senator Webster. I ask the indulgence of the Senate that I may address myself in a few words to the death of a very notable Australian, the Right Honourable Lord Casey. I knew him better than perhaps any other honourable senator with the possible exception of Senator Wright who sits in front of me and who, no doubt, will address himself to the matter later on. I have been most interested, and saddened in a way, to hear of the great and distinguishing qualities which I remember most in the late right honourable gentleman and which have been so readily marked by Senator Withers and by the Leader of the Opposition.

In the past 70 years 3 men who have served this Parliament have been ennobled by their Sovereign. One was Lord Forrest of Western Australia of whom Senator Withers would know very well because of close associates, but certainly I knew Lord Bruce and Lord Casey. I knew Lord Bruce in a minor way but I knew the late Right Honourable Lord Casey in a more intimate way. The interesting thing is that there were 3 factors common to these 3 men, but particularly common to Lord Bruce and to Lord Casey. For example, both these men served in war with distinction. They served in war with great bravery which was acknowledged at the time, when it was recognised. They both entered Parliament to serve their countrymen in their respective philosophical interests. Lord Bruce became a Prime Minister. Lord Casey became the Treasurer and Foreign Minister. Both served their nation in the highest diplomatic posts. Both served the world in various areas which Senator Withers has already mentioned and which Senator Wriedt has acknowledged. Lord Bruce served in the United Nations while Lord Casey became Governor of Bengal and GovernorGeneral of Australia. These are a mere part of the record of the notable events in the lives of both these men.

In these 3 men whose names I have mentioned there is a singular purpose in common. Notwithstanding all the xenophobic characteristics and qualities which mark all of us from time to time, these 3 men loved their country and their people with a devotion for which it is hard to find an expression. I suggest that Lord Casey was a man of a noble cast of mind, which is important. At the same time he had, as others did too, an enormous sense of compassion for the broad mass of the people among whom he lived. This was not only because he was in a position of power, as Senator Wriedt has already mentioned, but also because of a personal sense in that he often served people from his own purse. I can remember meeting a soldier during the war in rather dark days for Australia. The late Lord Casey’s name came up. I asked the soldier whether he knew Lord Casey because he had mentioned his name. The soldier replied that he had seen Lord Casey one day. The soldier added: ‘He said to me “How are things going?” ‘ The soldier replied: ‘Not very well. I am having a tough battle ‘. The soldier was an ex-serviceman of the First World War and a soldier settler. Lord Casey said: ‘I am sorry to hear that’. About a week or two later the soldier was stupefied when he received a letter from the bursar of a well known Australian school indicating that Lord Casey had made arrangements for the soldier’s 2 children to be educated at Lord Casey’s expense. That is what I mean by saying that Lord Casey not only served the people of Australia where he could exert power on their behalf but also in a most notable and personal sense tried to serve the people amongst whom he lived.

I think Lord Casey, as I knew him, would have been the last man to claim exceptional intellectual brilliance; but, as was hinted by Senator Withers, I think he fulfilled Thomas Carlyle ‘s definition of genius, namely an infinite capacity for taking pains. Senator Wriedt remarked on this as well. Lord Casey was a titanic worker of an order and nature that I had never come across before. He was almost Herculean in his labours for the public weal. A younger generation of members who sit not only in this Senate chamber but also in another place will little understand the life of this notable man and will little know how much the men and women of this country owe to men of Lord Casey’s nature. The noble Lord- I hope honourable senators will not shrink when I use that phrase with which Lord Casey would be addressed in a House in which he sat in London- had the companionship of a great and notable woman, Lady Casey, who survives him. Lady Casey is an artist of quality, a writer of sense and style, an historian of competence and a woman of great style in her cast of mind. I think we all share in a most intimate way, if we may, her loss and here in this place acknowledge it.

In supporting this motion, I should like to conclude with words which are quite old-fashioned by saying without any sentiment: ‘Farewell. You were a good and faithful servant. You loved your native land, you loved its people and you tended it lovingly’.

Senator WRIGHT:
Tasmania

-May I be permitted to add a postscript to the very eloquent and understanding statements that have been made on this occasion. Nothing more in Lord Casey’s history than his participation in the campaign at Gallipoli would be needed to call me to my feet, having regard to my great privilege in later life in working with and knowing him. Be it remembered that he served with distinction not only in the First World War when, as has been mentioned, he won the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross and was mentioned in despatches, but he served also at the most eminent levels in the Second World War, first in Washington and then, as the choice of no less than Winston Churchill, in Cairo as a member of the British War Cabinet at a time when the crisis was at its peak. In between the wars he gave of his understanding and great capacity as a Minister in the governments of the 1920s and 1930s and again in the 1950s and 1960s. Everybody knows that he gave sterling service in each of the offices in which he was then employed.

May I refer to just 2 aspects of that service. When I was a Minister and had the privilege one day of accrediting the Ambassador for Turkey at Government House at Yarralumla when Lord Casey was the Governor-General I referred naturally to the conflict in which the Turks and the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps had been engaged and to the fact that Lord Casey had won a decoration in that conflict. Of course, in the aftermath of war it was a matter of infinite satisfaction to both of those great men, each from his respective nation, to recall the respect that war had earned and the good will that peace had allowed. Lord Casey went on to say that Lady Casey’s father had not fought against the Turks but had fought with them in 1888 against Bulgaria and had earned a decoration from the Turks. I should think that that little snippet of insight is unique in history, and I wanted to give expression to it.

The other aspect of Lord Casey’s service to which I make special reference is the fact that he was not the first but the foundational President of the Liberal Party of Australia. Having come back from his great duties in the Middle East and Bengal, he took up the administrative task of building the Liberal Party on its new foundations. He was the Australian President at a time when Senator Sir Magnus Cormack was Victorian President and I was Tasmanian President, and therefore I had an opportunity of working with him. His zeal, his energy and his wise understanding of all the problems of administration were responsible largely for the great success of that organisation and the sound basis upon which it was established. This is an occasion on which the Senate does honour to one of the greatest Australians that my time in public life has seen or will see. We pay a special tribute to the assistance and love that Lady Casey gave to Lord Casey in all that work.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honourable senators standing in their places.

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DEATHS OF FORMER SENATORS AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Senator WITHERS:
Western AustraliaMinister for Administrative Services and Leader of the Government · LP

– It is with regret that I inform the Senate of the deaths during the recess of former Senators T. L. Bull, W. E. Aylett and G. I. Whiteside, and Mr L. J. Failes, a former member of the House of Representatives. I seek leave to move a motion of condolence.

The PRESIDENT:

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

Senator WITHERS:

-I move:

That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the deaths of Mr Thomas Louis Bull, O.B.E., a former senator for the State of New South Wales, Mr William Edward Aylett, a former senator for the State of Tasmania, and Mr George Irvine Whiteside, a former senator for the State of Queensland, and Mr Laurence John Failes, a former member of the House of Representatives for the Division of Lawson, New South Wales, places on record its appreciation of their long and meritorious public service and tenders its profound sympathy to their families in their bereavement.

I am sure that all honourable senators were saddened to hear of the recent deaths of former Senators Bull, Aylett and Whiteside, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Failes. Senator Bull served the Senate from 1965 until 1971, representing the State of New South Wales as a member of the Country Party. He died on 1 1 August last. A man with a strong interest in rural affairs, he was President of the Australian Woolgrowers and Graziers Council from 1962 until he entered the Senate. Senator Bull was deeply involved in the Senate’s committee work, serving on the Select Committee on the Container Method of Handling of Cargoes and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. In addition, he chaired the Senate Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Industry and Trade. In 1969 his knowledge of the Parliament was respected by his election as Chairman of Committees and Deputy President of the Senate. I am sure that all honourable senators who were here during that period will remember the courtesy and fairness he showed when in the chair.

Former Senator Aylett, who died on 10 August, was born in Tasmania in 1900. He left school at 16 years of age to work in the Mount Vischoff tin mine on the west coast of Tasmania to help support his family. Later he worked in the coal mining and timber industries in Victoria, returning to Tasmania in 1925, where he became a farmer and began an active involvement in the Labor movement. Senator Aylett was elected to the Senate for Tasmania at the general election in 1937, taking his place here on 1 July 1938. He remained in the Senate until 1965. He was a member of the House Committee, the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works. He served for many years as a Temporary Chairman of Committees.

Former Senator Whiteside, who died on 27 July, was chosen by the Parliament of Queensland on 9 October 1962 to represent that State in the Senate. He remained in the Senate until 29 November 1963. Before entering the Senate, former Senator Whiteside had a long record of service to the trade union movement and to the Australian Labor Party. His Party’ posts included the presidency of the Queensland Central Australian Labor Party Executive. He was a Queensland delegate to the Federal ALP Executive and Chairman of the Labor Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd. In addition, he was Secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association.

Mr Failes died on 7 July. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1949 until his retirement in 1 969. During that time he held the seat of Lawson for the Australian Country Party. After serving with the Royal Australian Air Force, in which he reached the rank of squadron leader, Mr Failes returned to farming and then entered Federal Parliament. His parliamentary service included membership of the House Committee from 1954 and membership of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs from 1 956. He was a member of the Select Committee on House of Representatives Accommodation.

I am sure that all honourable senators will join with me, on behalf of the Government, in expressing our sympathy to the families of former Senator Bull, former Senator Whiteside, former Senator Aylett and Mr Failes.

Senator WRIEDT:
Leader of the Opposition · Tasmania

– The Opposition wishes to be associated with the expressions of regret by Senator Withers at the death of former senators Tom Bull, William Aylett, George Whiteside and Mr Laurence Failes, former member of the House of Representatives for Lawson. Senator Tom Bull was an extremely active member of the Senate. He will long be remembered for his intelligent participation as a member of several Senate committees and his impartiality as chairman of 2 committees and as Deputy President. Senators from all parties recall his friendliness and courtesy. Outside Parliament he was extremely active as a worker in the interests of the rural community, both as a former President of the Australian Woolgrowers and Graziers Council and as Chairman of the Narrandera Pastures Protection Board. The rural community had no finer advocate in this chamber than Tom Bull. On behalf of the Labor Opposition I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

Bill Aylett was born at Wynyard in Tasmania in 1900. His early life was not easy. He had to leave school at the age of 16 years and worked in tin mines to support his family. Later he worked as a coal miner, timber contractor and farmer before entering Parliament as a Tasmanian senator in 1938. During his term, which lasted until 1965, Bill Aylett held the position of Temporary Chairman of Committees in the Senate from 1943 to 1949 and was assistant to the Minister for Labour and National Service in 1942 and 1943. In 1954 Senator Aylett was a member of the Australian delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Kenya. His career within the Australian Labor Party included the positions of Vice-President of the Tasmanian State Executive and a member of the Federal ALP Executive. The Opposition expresses its regret at Senator Aylett ‘s death.

George Irvine Whiteside represented Queensland in this chamber in 1962 and 1963. He played a long and active role in the Queensland trade union movement and in the Australian Labor Party within that State. During his life he held the positions of Queensland Secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association and had been VicePresident and President of the Queensland branch of the Australian Labor Party. An active sportsman, Senator Whiteside had been a noted amateur boxer. The Australian Labor Party is appreciative of his work on behalf of his Party and his State and expresses its sympathy to his sister.

Laurence John Failes represented the electorate of Lawson in the House of Representatives between 1949 and 1969. Born in 1899 he was educated at Sydney Grammar School and later graduated from Hawkesbury Agricultural College. As a farmer and grazier, Mr Failes was very active in rural organisations and a worthy spokesman in Parliament for country people. His parliamentary career followed distinguished service in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II, during which he rose to the rank of squadron leader. On behalf of the Opposition, I extend my sympathy to his family.

Senator WEBSTER:
Minister for Science · Victoria · NCP/NP

– Honourable senators in the Australian National Country Party support the motion moved by the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Withers). Tom Bull was a practical, down-to-earth man. He used simple words to express a common sense approach to any subject under debate in the Senate, and made use of his vast experiences particularly in the day to day functioning and administration of rural industries, He held clear views on the responsibilities of government towards primary industries and would disagree with his colleagues, even publicly, where he saw this as necessary in the interests of those industries and the people dependent upon them. His common sense was manifest time and again in speeches touching on the Government’s economic management. I quote from one of his speeches made in 1968, which was, you may recall, Mr President, a time of high employment and low inflation. He said:

The national wage case is of enormous importance to every wage earner and to the national economy. Every wage earner and every salaried man seeks increased payments. I agree that this is natural and understandable. I agree that every person is entitled to a better standard of living . . People are entitled to their own cars and to amenities for their homes . . . Every person is entitled to a share in the benefits of increased productivity, and I support this concept. But if increases in wages are greater than the increase in productivity and do not bear close relationship to consumer price movements, the cost of living automatically rises, inflation occurs and wage earners soon lose their newgained increase. This is not helpful to anybody.

Today all community leaders reiterate that view. Adherence to that piece of home-spun economic logic was a constant plea from Tom Bull, as honourable senators who served with him in this place will clearly recollect. On his passing, the President of the Narrandera Shire Council, Councillor Bruce Charles, and the Shire Clerk, Mr R. L. Goss, took the unusual action of issuing a special statement paying tribute to the late former senator. The statement said in part that Tom Bull, in his public life, had set an example of deep responsibility, rectitude and unwavering loyalty to Christian principles.

Senator Bull served as a senator from 1965 until 1971. He was Deputy President and Chairman of Committees for 2 years, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Industry and Trade, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, a member of the Senate Select Committee on the Container Method of Handling Cargoes, President of the Australian Woolgrowers and Graziers Councilafter being Vice-President for some yearsManaging Director of the Yarramundi Pastoral Company Pty Ltd, President of the Graziers Association of the Riverina, member of the Pastures Protection Board of New South Wales, and Director and Chairman of the Narrandera Pastures Protection Board. In 1974 the then New South Wales Minister for Agriculture, Mr Crawford, appointed Tom Bull chairman of a special committee of inquiry into the whole structure of pastures protection in that State. He was President of the Narrandera Pastoral and Agricultural Association. He was a Rotarian. He was Chairman of the Narrandera Branch of the Australian Country Party. He was a quiet, gentlemanly, humble, firm and dedicated senator and he worked in a highly effective manner for his Party. Above all, he was respected by all parties in this place. The passing of Tom Bull is a loss to his family. We who knew him well, particularly the National Country Party senators, share the loss with his family and express our sympathy at his untimely death.

The passing of Laurence John Failes is regretted by me and by my National Country Party colleagues in this place. Laurence Failes was the only member for Lawson in New South Wales. The seat was created in 1949 and was abolished in 1969 and he held it for the whole of that period. Laurence Failes was a quiet man, admired for his efficiency in all his pursuits. He was basically a farmer and grazier who conducted later in life a business that was involved with agricultural machinery. Away from Parliament his greatest love was rifle shooting and he was a member of the National Rifle Association. As has been mentioned, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II, rising to the rank of squadron leader. During his term in Parliament he was a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, a member of the House Committee, a Temporary Chairman of Committees, a member of the Australian delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference in Warsaw and a member of the Select Committee on House of Representatives Accommodation. He was married with 2 sons and 2 daughters and was a member of the Coonabarabran Land Board and the Pastoral and Agricultural Association in that area. Laurence Failes was well known to me. He was a warm man who had a gift and an enriched experience throughout his life. It was an experience which came from being a man of the land elevated by his long term in parliamentary service. My party supports the motion and in respect of former Senators Aylett and Whiteside I express the same deep regret at their passing.

Senator MULVIHILL:
New South Wales

-I intervene to pay a personal tribute to Senator Tom Bull. My own leader referred to his impartiality as a chairman. At the time when .Tom Bull chaired proceedings in the Senate we had here another party that was masterly at provoking people. Those of us who have a robust debating style were often in situations which required a very fair chairman to determine who did the provoking. I say without doubt that on a number of occasions Senator Tom Bull acted in difficult situations and he always ruled correctly. I refer to one further quality of Tom Bull. I and my colleague, Senator Douglas McClelland, have often and still do put forward the views of unions with rural membership. I refer to the Meat Industry Employees Union and the Meat Inspectors Associaton

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– And the AWU.

Senator MULVIHILL:

– And the Australian Workers Union, as Senator Douglas McClelland mentioned. Among his many rural accomplishments, Tom Bull was an authority on the meat producing industry. Whenever Senator Douglas McClelland and I rose to put a point of view on, say, Meat Board representation, we knew that Tom Bull would not come into us with both feet and dismiss the trade union movement. He recognised its role in the community. That was another quality of his that we admired. In making this personal tribute I naturally identify myself with the sentiments expressed in respect of the other people who have passed on.

Senator SCOTT:
New South Wales

– While supporting this motion of condolence in respect of the 4 men concerned, I should like to take the opportunity of saying just a few words about the late Senator Bull. He and his family were friends of mine. It was a personal connection which led to Senator Bull being one of those who escorted me- I guess that is the word- into this chamber when I was first admitted in 1970. To me, as a freshman in this Parliament, Senator Bull was the essence of kindness and generosity. I am sure he offered that kindness and generosity to all people. That was a measure of the greatness of the man. There are a great number of measures of the greatness of Tom Bull. I do not propose to enter upon the total list because I know that the late Senator Bull certainly would not have wanted a series of long discussions and tributes to him. That was not of his character. But let me mention just two or three things that occur to me as being relevant to the measure of the greatness of Tom Bull.

In the first place, I believe, he was significant because he had a very real understanding and commitment to the family unit as the basic unit of our society. Anyone who knew Tom Bull knew the strength of his convictions and his concern for the welfare of his family and, indeed, of all families in our community. He was a leader in very many fields in his community, as exhibited by the statements today in this chamber. He was certainly a leader in the area of traditional primary production which he knew so well, a leader of all those people involved in primary production and its subsidiary areas.

Tom Bull revealed greatness as a parliamentarian. He achieved the positions of Chairman of Committees and Deputy President of the Senate. He exhibited, as a parliamentarian, great measures of tolerance, understanding, determination and sincerity. Finally, Mr President, I believe that perhaps the greatest measure of this man was that he was above all things a humble man. It is with that thought in mind that I add my tribute to the tributes paid here this afternoon.

Senator GEORGES:
Queensland

-Mr President, I rise primarily to support the motion of condolence on the death of former Senator Whiteside but before doing so I should like to add to the tributes paid to former Senator Tom Bull. It has been said that Senator Bull was tolerant and I must testify to that tolerance. During his chairmanship I was perhaps one of the turbulent members to whom Senator Mulvihill referred. I remember the day that Senator Tom Bull took me aside and suggested that aggressiveness was not what achieved most in this place, and I believe him to have been right. He had great gentleness and great tolerance. To his family I express my sympathy and condolences.

As a Queenslander I must remind the Senate of George Whiteside, a man who had no aspirations to greatness but who, in his time, achieved much for his fellows. He was for many years- I think some 20 to 24 years- secretary of one of the more important unions in Queensland, the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association. He fulfilled that responsibility very well indeed because it led to his appointment as President of the Labor Party in Queensland and to his delegation to the National Conference of the Labor Party and to the National Executive. The Australian Labor Party holds these positions in high regard and Senator Whiteside filled them very well. He also showed some courage in being an ardent follower and supporter of Australian Rules in the very Rugby State of Queensland and for that he must bie commended. He was a patron of the Queensland Australian Football League from 1 973 until the time of his death. Might I say that we were told of his death in a few words on the sporting pages of Queensland ‘s newspapers. I think that he was somewhat overlooked. Today we take the opportunity to make up for that lack of recognition and appreciation by the media in Queensland. The former Senator Whiteside had a great regard for young people. During his lifetime he endeavoured to initiate schemes for their welfare. For those reasons, we regret his passing and give sympathy to his relatives..

Senator YOUNG:
South Australia

– I rise to support this motion and wish to speak particularly of the late Senator Tom Bull. I speak as one who was closely associated with him not only in this Parliament but also for many, many years in primary industry where we worked very closely together. Tom Bull was a man who was full of energy and dedication. More than that, he demonstrated his deep understanding and integrity; throughout his life and in his associations, and he won respect from all with whom he worked. I was delighted today to hear in this chamber Senator Mulvihill and Senator Georges pay their respects to the late Senator Bull.

One aspect which stands out very clearly in the life of the late Senator Bull was the contribution that he made to all sections of the community. This applied to primary industry and especially the wool industry which, for many years, suffered from frictions that were not helping that industry. In fact, those frictions held back the progress of the industry. The wool industry owes a great deal to Tom Bull. It owes him gratitude and is in his debt for what he did in bringing about unity in that industry and in finally seeing the establishment of the Australian Wool Industry Conference. Very few people are aware of the hours of work put in by the late Senator Bull and of his dedication and, more than that, of the respect that he commanded. His work brought so many people in the wool industry together and resulted finally in unity becoming a reality.

After his active life in primary industry, when Tom Bull came to the Senate he continued to work with the same dedication and energy, serving on many committees, as has been mentioned today. Eventually, he became Chairman of Committees and Deputy President. I had the pleasant experience of serving with the late Tom Bull as Vice-Chairman of the old Senate Standing Committee on Industry and Trade of which he was Chairman. To me, that was a great experience and a continuation of our very close associations. For his efforts in his local district, his work in the industry with which he was closely associated and his work in this Parliament, many people owe a big ‘thank you ‘ to the late Tom Bull for the contribution that he has made to Australia as a whole. He will be long remembered for the service that he rendered. I join with my Leader, Senator Withers, the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Wriedt, and the Minister for Science, Senator Webster, in extending condolences to his wife and family in their sad bereavement. I extend my sympathy also to the families of the other former senators and of the member of the House of Representatives with whom this motion is concerned.

Senator MCAULIFFE:
Queensland

-I am prompted to rise to pay my personal tribute to the late George Whiteside. I knew George

Whitside for over 30 years. I met him first in 1942 when I returned from the Middle East and was on embarkation leave prior to leaving for New Guinea. The place was Rockhampton. George Whiteside was then in Rockhampton in his capacity as organiser of the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association. He was conducting an organised tour through Queensland. He offered me transport to Mackay. Honourable senators will know that at that time with the war-time restrictions that were operating and with transport in short supply his offer was greatly appreciated. I have always regarded it as being most significant that from the moment I met him I had a continuing friendship with George Whiteside and I have always regarded it as being significant that I have had a continuing and warm friendship with the people to whom he introduced me.

In order really to understand the full measure of the man and his worth in the community one would need to have knowledge of the very considerable contribution that he made to the industrial and political life of this country, which was so capably referred to earlier by my colleague Senator Georges. One of the wishes that lay nearest to George Whiteside’s heart was that Queensland would become a great Australian Rules State. He was as proud of the sport of Australian Rules at the time of his death as he was when he came to Queensland as a young man in the late 1920s. I must admit that, as the President of the Queensland Rugby League, I gave away a long time ago any thought of ever converting him to that game. Of course, that only exemplifies his character. He was a man who remained steadfast to the causes in which he believed.

I should mention that I had the pleasure of meeting the late former Senator Bill Aylett on only one occasion, even though he retired to the Gold Coast. That was when I delivered a message to him from the then Senator Lionel Murphy, who I understand was a very close friend of his. He retired from the Senate before I became a member of it, as did the late former Senator Bull and, I understand, the late former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Failes. So I did not know them in the Parliament. I regret the passing of each of them and also the passing of the former Governor-General of Australia, Lord Casey, and I hasten to extend to the relatives of all of them my deepest sympathy.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honourable senators standing in their places.

Senator WITHERS (Western AustraliaLeader of the Government in the Senate)- Mr President, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, I suggest that the sitting of the Senate be suspended until 8 p.m.

The PRESIDENT:

– Order! As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the sitting of the Senate is suspended until 8 p.m. this day.

Sitting suspended from 3.28 to 8 p.m.

page 10

QUESTION

BUDGET 1976-77

Suspension of Standing Orders

Motion (by Senator Withers)- by leaveagreed to:

That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Ministerfor Industry and Commerce, Senator Cotton, speaking without limitation of time when moving that the Senate take notice of the Budget papers 1976-77.

Senator COTTON:
Minister for Industry and Commerce · New South WalesMinister for Industry and Commerce · LP

– For the information of honourable senators I present the following papers:

Australia’s Official Development Assistance to Developing Countries 1976-77

Civil Works Program 1 976-77

Estimates of Receipts and Summary of Estimated Expenditure for the year ending 30 June 1 977

Particulars of Proposed Expenditure for the Service of the year ending 30 June 1 977

Particulars of Certain Proposed Expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 1977

Government Securities on Issue at 30 June 1976

Income Tax Statistics

National Accounting Estimates of Receipts and Outlays of Commonwealth Government Authorities

National Income Tax and Expenditure 1 975-76

Payments to or for the States and Local Government

Authorities 1976-77

I ask for leave to move a motion that the Senate take note of the papers.

The PRESIDENT:

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

Senator COTTON:
LP

-I move:

That the Senate take note of the papers.

Tonight the Treasurer (Mr Lynch) is delivering in another place his Budget Speech for 1976-77.

It is my privilege to outline to the Senate the Budget proposals of the Government.

When this Government was elected on 13 December last, Australia was in bad shape.

The Government immediately set about the enormous task of repairing the damage and restoring confidence.

Recovery is now getting under way.

The private sector is growing again and confidence is gradually returning.

This Budget will aid that recovery and rebuild confidence further.

It will do so in part by putting an end to permissiveness in government spending and turning back the recent trend towards bigger and bigger government.

At the same time it will build further on the social reforms of 20 May so as to assist the most needy in our community.

It is a Budget for confidence; it is also a Budget for reform.

page 11

FROM RECESSION TO RECOVERY

When this Government came to office, Australia was still locked in its most serious postwar recession: that quite unnecessary calamity was the product of three years of Labor Government.

The major distortions which that Government imparted to the economy in 1974 and 1975 had become deep-rooted obstacles to a return to full employment.

The economy had been shaken to its foundations.

At the end of 1975, the private sector was employing no more people than it had been three years earlier, although over that period the labour force had expanded by about 370 000.

Unemployment had risen to a level unheard of in this country since the Depression of the 1930’s.

Gross non-farm product in the December quarter, seasonally adjusted and at constant prices, was still almost 5 per cent blow its peak level recorded two years earlier.

The farm sector was in a state of collapse.

The share of company profits in national income- one of the flywheels of our whole economic system- remained depressed at around three-quarters of its long-run norm.

Real business fixed investment fell in the December quarter to its lowest level for almost three years.

The Consumer Price Index in the December quarter was 1 4.0 per cent above a year earlier.

Above all, inflation showed no real prospect of a sustained move down.

This was the economic legacy which we inherited.

The human reflection of these dry economic facts was to be seen in the devastation of the lives of ordinary people which those events had wrought.

Hundreds of thousands of people who had thought that savings accumulated by the thrift and industry of their working lives would help to protect their later years suddenly found the real value of those savings cut to ribbons by inflation.

I mention also the personal tragedies of school-leavers and other young people, and of disadvantaged groups in the community such as Aborigines, who have been denied jobs by the policies of those three years.

Given this economic legacy, restoring the economy was certain to be a protracted task.

Before the election we said it would take a full three-year term.

The Government quickly put in hand a coherent strategy involving all the main arms of economic policy.

Initial measures to control government expenditures were taken as early as December and followed up by further measures in February.

Meanwhile, in January, major monetary measures were undertaken to drain off some part of the excessive liquidity build-up of 1 975.

Since that time, especially during the seasonally tight June quarter, monetary policy has been operated flexibly- but always with a view to bearing down against current inflationary pressures while maintaining the capacity of the financial system to underwrite recovery in the private sector.

We had earlier made clear that, contrary to views in some quarters, we had no intention of depreciating the exchange rate for the Australian dollar.

In February the Commonwealth sought to bring home to the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission that full wage indexation, by locking the economy into double digit inflation and a disaster level of business profitability, ran completely counter to hopes of a sustained economic recovery and a return to full employment.

This fundamental truth was initially not widely understood.

Since then, however, it has increasingly gained understanding and acceptance in the community.

The full scale review of expenditures which, at the outset, we had put in hand culminated in the Treasurer’s statement on Fiscal Policy Decisions of 20 May. It was given to the Senate by me on the same evening.

In that statement the Treasurer announced a sharp reduction in the rate of growth of expenditures previously in prospect for 1976-77.

At the same time the introduction of full personal tax indexation and significant improvements in the manner of assisting families and to Medibank were announced.

As we have stressed from the outset, we have made our first priority the absolute necessity to combat inflation.

We have done so not merely because of the direct hardships that inflation obviously brings, but because unless we can brake inflation we shall not succeed in restoring full employment.

The economy is now showing signs of progress.

Typical of the early recovery stage in the economic cycle, the areas of strength are still scattered.

Much of the early impetus to recovery has come from a cessation of the stock rundown which had continued heavily throughout 1975, and from continued strengthening in exports.

More recently, however, private consumption expenditure has begun to grow.

In the business sector also there are early signs of confidence regenerating.

Some healthy gains in capital spending on plant and equipment have already occurred.

The key question hanging over the future course of the recovery is whether the main components of private demand- consumption and business investment- will firmly join stocks and exports in building a continuing recovery.

If they do not, that recovery will falter and expire.

Another key question concerns the extent to which the growth in demand will be met from imports and so not be translated into local production and local jobs.

The recovery will be threatened if rising demand is associated with a too strongly rising tendency to import.

The need to qualify answers to these questions indicates that the economy still lacks a fully assured foundation for recovery.

When one asks, why should that be, there is a very simple answer.

It is so because both the key questions I have mentioned depend for their outcome on the future of inflation in this country.

Consumers will step up their spending and cut back on their saving only if they judge inflation to be declining.

Businessmen will emerge further from their shell-holes and start buying plant, equipment and new buildings, re-stocking and taking on new workers only if the uncertainty wrought by runaway inflation can be removed from their calculations and profits again begin to represent a reasonable rate of return.

The prospective threat to the recovery from import competition will only be banished if Australia’s international competitiveness does not continue to be eroded for too much longer by cost escalation in excess of that of our trading partners.

Each of these provisos points unequivocally to the fundamental needs to reduce inflation and, as an integral part of that process, to rectify the wage-profit distortion which the wages explosion of 1974 produced.

These objectives are fundamental to recovery.

There have been some favourable developments on the inflation front in recent months.

The 5.6 per cent rise in the Consumer Price Index in the first half of 1976 represented some advance on the 6.4 per cent and the 7.2 per cent in the second and first halves, respectively, of 1975.

The Arbitration Commission’s decisions of May and August in respect of wage adjustments for the Consumer Price Index movements in the first two quarters of 1976 hold out hopes for some further moderation of inflation in the remainder of the year.

Meanwhile, the previously very depressed level- though not yet the share- of aggregate profits has begun to pick up.

In these two respects we are moving in the right direction.

But we need to go much further- and we need to do so faster.

Time is of the essence for two reasons.

First, the sooner wages and profits return to a more normal relativity, the sooner job prospects will improve.

On the more pessimistic assumption, the downward adjustment in the wage share that is now required would occur slowly via an unacceptably high level of unemployment persisting for a long period.

The same adjustment can take place much more quickly, and with much less cost in terms of idle resources and production forgone, if the determinations of wage fixing authorities continue to eschew the full indexation of wages for past price increases and wage moderation prevails.

This is the course the Government has been urging before the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission.

The second reason why we need to get inflation down more quickly is in order to stop export.ing jobs

In short, when we come to examine each of our current economic problems we find that all of them have their genesis in the inflationary experience of recent years.

There is no way in which those problems can be solved other than by dealing with inflation itself.

That is the key to it all.

page 13

ECONOMIC STRATEGY AND THE BUDGET

Consistent with that view, this Budget is therefore an essential element in our anti-inflation strategy.

First, the Budget takes its place in the on-going process of imposing more effective control on Commonwealth outlays generally.

Restraint on Budget outlays and on the size of the public sector is necessary to allow and to foster that expansion of the private sector to which we are committed.

Secondly, through the full indexation of personal income taxation which was announced on 20 May and the other tax changes to be detailed tonight, we are putting in place some of our proposed reforms.

What these will mean is that the revenue side of fiscal policy will also be working to reinforce wage restraint, to strengthen company profitability and to boost business confidence.

Thirdly, the substantial reduction in the magnitude of the deficit since we came to office, and of which this Budget constitutes a further step, will help to moderate the flow of liquidity into the economy.

That is basic to achieving the monetary environment that is necessary if inflation is to be reduced.

The monetary conditions which might be expected in 1976-77, given the Budget outcome and other relevant influences, will be indicated later.

Of course, the very need for public sector restraint and tight control of the Budget deficitthe basic thrust of the Government’s fiscal and monetary policies- has been disputed by some.

Yet all the evidence- in Australia and overseasis that, under the kind of inflationary conditions which we have been and are still experiencing, fiscal and monetary policies of what used to be known as the ‘pump-priming’ kind no longer prime the pump but serve only to turn off the flow of jobs even further.

The reason is to be found in what I have already said.

It is inflation that is at the heart of the problem.

This Government yields to none in its concern for the genuinely unemployed.

But, whether they know it or not, those who, in the name of reducing unemployment, call for higher government spending, or bigger deficits, or full wage indexation, or devaluation of the Australian dollar, are calling for higher- not lower- unemployment in this country.

The overwhelming weight of evidence is against such courses.

They have been tried both here and abroad; and they have failed.

Let me just mention here- for the case has been fully detailed elsewhere- that experience abroad strongly reinforces our conviction in these respects.

At this year’s Ministerial Council meeting of the OECD, the main industrialised nations of the non-Communist world agreed on an economic strategy which had as its basic premise the view that: . . the steady economic growth needed to restore full employment and satisfy rising economic and social aspirations will not prove sustainable unless all Member countries make further progress towards eradicating-

And I repeat, eradicating- inflation.

Consistent with that premise, OECD Ministers underlined the need for caution in the pursuit of expansionary policies and for firm use of fiscal and monetary policies to achieve the general economic climate required for non-inflationary growth.

As the Communique says: . . because of the virulence of recent inflationary experience, there is a danger that inflationary expectations could revive quite strongly if the pace of the recovery is too fast.

Within that general context it was further agreed that: . . because of inadequate investment in past years in some countries and in certain basic industries, there is a risk of supply bottlenecks at a comparatively early stage of the recovery … In most countries, policies should be directed more towards promoting investment rather than consumption. In many cases, this will require an appropriate recovery of profits from the depressed levels of recent years.

On that basis, action was seen as being required both to stimulate investment and to restrain the rise in public expenditure.

There could be no clearer demonstration of the appropriateness of the Government’s economic strategy.

I repeat- the speed with which we can restore full employment in Australia and ‘get Australia moving again’ on a sustainable basis will be directly related to the speed with which, in the words of the OECD Communique, we as a nation can ‘progress towards eradicating inflation ‘.

It follows that Australia would stand aloneand against the background of its internationally unfavourable inflation rate would be all the more noticeable for doing so- if we were once again to begin applying a clearly inappropriate pump-priming ‘ policy.

Whatever the virtues of such a policy may have been under conditions of stable prices, low unemployment and a smaller public sector, they have entirely evaporated under conditions of high inflation, high unemployment and a public sector already bloated beyond belief.

Having consistently rejected the ‘pumppriming’ expedient, however, the Government has not moved to the other extreme of trying to balance the Budget overnight.

Rather, this Budget applies the maximum degree of restraint judged to be consistent with promoting confidence and maintaining a steady path towards economic recovery.

By careful choice of the taxation measures to be announced tonight and those of 20 May, we have matched restraint in our own spending with confidence-strengthening measures to boost the private sector.

The way in which the various elements of the Budget slot into the anti-inflationary strategy highlights the importance of looking at all our policies- fiscal policy, monetary policy, wages policy and external policy- as a unified and coherent whole.

No single component of the strategy can fail without putting the basic objective under threat.

For example, a less firm fiscal stance would undermine the necessary degree of monetary control; or, alternatively, require a return to the kind of overly restrictive monetary policy which would inhibit recovery and the rebuilding of confidence.

A lax monetary environment would endanger wage and price deceleration.

A too stubborn adherence to the existing excessive level of real wages- for example, through full wage indexation- would continue to hold inflation high, depress consumer and business spending, hold back the creation of new jobs and prevent unemployment from falling.

Examples could be multiplied; but I simply say that our strategy is a coherent one.

All of its separate elements involve difficult decisions.

Bt the Government and all sections of the community must persist with the fundamental task.

In doing so, we can take comfort from two things.

First, we know that the alternatives have been tried and found wanting.

Secondly, although they are still limited, we are already beginning to see some positive results.

page 14

OUTLAYS

Budget outlays in 1976-77 are estimated to total $24,32 1 m, an increase of 1 1 .3 per cent over actual outlays in 1 975-76.

In 1975-76 the increase was almost 23 per cent and in the year before that is was almost 46 per cent.

This marked slowing in the prospective rate of growth of Budget outlays in 1976-77 accords with the key role of expenditure restraint in the Government’s overall economic strategy to which I have referred.

Many of the provisions included in the Budget estimates flow from decisions announced in the Treasurer’s comprehensive statement on 20 May.

The references to individual provisions which follow are confined mainly to major items.

Full details are set out in Statement No. 3 attached to the Treasurer’s Budget Speech.

Where appropriate, additional information will be announced by the Ministers concerned.

The decisions reflected in these expenditure provisions are in line with the Government’s broad priorities.

They reflect, for example, this Government’s philosophy that so far as possible responsibility for spending decisions should remain with private individuals and businesses, and not be assumed by governments.

More and more Australians are coming to understand that, one way or the another, they must pay for the things they want.

This Government believes that Australians should have more scope to decide what they want.

At the same time, these expenditure decisions reflect the Government’s main objectives to: promote confidence in the business sector; institute just social reforms in areas of need; and increase real levels of expenditure in those areas to which it gives priority.

page 15

EDUCATION

For example, although the proposed increases in spending on education are less than some would like, this is an area where, notwithstanding our overall budgetary constraints, we have provided for increases in real levels of expenditure and restored triennial programs on a rolling basis.

In short, education for this Government is a high priority area.

In all, Commonwealth expenditure on education in 1976-77 is estimated at $2,204m, an increase of 1 5.3 per cent compared with 1 975-76.

Grants to universities, colleges of advanced education, technical colleges and government and non-government schools by the respective education Commissions account for $1,75 lm, or nearly 80 per cent of the total allocation for 1976-77.

In each case the budgetary provision represents a significant increase in real terms.

The Government has given to the education Commissions, for planning guidance only, minimum expenditure levels for 1978 and 1979 which will involve further increases in real terms.

As previously announced, this planning guidance is: for universities, colleges and schools, 2 per cent growth in real terms per annum; and for technical and further education institutions, 5 per cent growth in real terms per annum.

The Budget also provides $2m for the Curriculum Development Centre and $ 1 . 1 m for research by the Education Research and Development Committee.

In addition the Commonwealth extends substantial assistance directly to students.

This Budget includes a total of $155m in 1976-77 for a range of student assistance schemes, including the Tertiary Education Assistance Scheme and programs of assistance for isolated children and Aboriginal children.

The Government is aware that many of these allowances have not been increased for some time; meanwhile, inflation has been proceeding.

Large numbers of students are involved.

It is not clear to us, however, that existing schemes are the most cost-effective, in terms of directing the substantial sums involved to the most needy and deserving students.

We have therefore initiated an urgent investigation into the adequacy of existing rates of benefit and the possible rationalisation of the schemes.

It will be recalled that full-time allowances under the National Employment and Training System were reviewed in February; payments in respect of in-plant and part-time training under that System are also now being similarly reviewed.

With respect to student assistance schemes, the Government’s decisions will be announced in October and implemented from the beginning of the 1977 academic year.

The investigation will also cover the question of the reintroduction of tertiary education fees for those classes of students mentioned in my statement of 20 May.

This does not of course involve reintroducing fees for Australian students undertaking their first degree.

page 15

SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE

Another in which this Budget provides for a large real increase in expenditures is Social Security and Welfare.

This is indeed the largest single component of Budget outlays.

In 1975-76 it amounted to over $5,000m or 23 per cent of total outlays.

The 1976-77 Budget provides for expenditure of $6, 1 87m, or about 25 per cent of total outlays.

The Government has already initiated major reforms in this area; some further reforms will be announced tonight.

Family Allowances

The new scheme of family allowances- one of this country’s most significant social reforms- is now in operation.

Under the new arrangements, rates of family allowances have been substantially increased and the tax rebates for dependent children abolished.

The new arrangements will benefit, in particular, large families with low incomes: those in most need will derive most benefit.

Some 300 000 low income families- with 800 000 children- with incomes such that they previously derived no benefit- or less than full benefit- from the dependent children’s rebates, will benefit most.

This accords with the Government’s sense of priorities.

Pensions

We are committed to protect pensions against inflation.

We will continue to honour that commitment.

In line with it we propose to introduce legislation to tie future pension and benefit adjustments automatically to movements in the Consumer Price Index.

The next two six-monthly increases, in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index, will come into effect in November 1976 and May 1977.

Effective from the first payday in November the standard or single rate of social service pensions and benefits will be increased by $2.25 to $43.50 a week.

This reflects the movement in the Consumer Price Index between the December 1975 quarter and the June 1 976 quarter.

The increase will apply in respect of age, invalid and repatriation service pensions, widows’ pensions and supporting mothers’ benefits.

The combined married rate will rise by $4.00 to $72.50 a week.

Similar increases will apply to unemployment, sickness and special benefits, sheltered employment allowances and tuberculosis allowances.

In line with the practice initiated by our predecessors, there will be no increase in single unemployment and sickness benefits payable to persons under the age of 1 8 years.

The increases are estimated to cost $190m in 1 976-77 and $508m in a full year.

I come now to another significant reform.

Following a recommendation by the Income Security Review Committee, the Government has decided, with effect on pension payments after 1 1 November 1 976, to abolish the separate property component in the means test for pensions. (Opposition senators interjecting)

Senator COTTON:
LP

-Mr President, from the interjections that are coming now from members of the Opposition, you can detect their total lack of concern for social welfare.

Those pensions that are now subject to a means test based on a combination of income and property will in future be subject to a test on income only, including income from property..

It will be both simpler and more equitable to take into account for pension purposes the actual income received by a pensioner.

Many people will gain from this overdue reform.

It has been clearly inequitable that pensioners should have been means-tested on the basis of a notional return on property, even though in many cases their actual income from such property fell well short of that notional return.

We believe therefore that this measure will be welcomed by all.

Transitional arrangements will ensure that no existing pensioner will suffer a reduction in pension as a result of the change; these arrangements are estimated to cost about $7m in 1976-77.

Repatriation Benefits

The main Repatriation pensions also will be increased in November 1976 and May 1977 in line with increases in the Consumer Price Index.

The increases are estimated to cost $ 15.8m in 1976-77 and $38.8m in a full year.

Along with the proposed changes to the Social Security legislation, we will be introducing legislation to increase automatically the main Repatriation pensions.

The Minister for Repatriation will be announcing further details.

Assistance to Handicapped People

The Government attaches high priority to the provision of adequate facilities and care for handicapped people.

Under the Handicapped Persons Assistance program funds are provided to help voluntary organisations establish and operate sheltered workshops, activity therapy centres and training centres, and to provide accommodation for handicapped children and adults.

We propose to increase expenditure on this program substantially over the next three years.

This Budget provides a total of $30m for these purposes, comprising $2 7m for continuing commitments and $3m for new projects.

In 1977-78 the total amount will be increased so as to provide not only for continuing commitments but also $ 10m for new projects.

In 1978-79 the planned provision for new projects will be doubled to $20m in addition to providing for continuing commitments.

In all, over these three years we shall be providing a total of $ 12 lm under this program.

Arrangements will also be made so that selected organisations will be able to commence the planning and construction of approved projects now, in the firm knowledge that government funds will be forthcoming at nominated dates over the next three years.

These arrangements parallel those already announced for aged persons homes and hostels under which up to $225m is to be made available over the next three years to provide urgently needed accommodation for about 15 000 aged people.

Handicapped Children

We have decided to increase substantially both the handicapped child ‘s allowance and the handicapped children’s benefit.

In recognition of the special financial problems that are involved in the care of handicapped children, the relative increase in benefits in this area outstrips that of any other area of the Budget.

We have demonstrated our concern for this real area of underprivilege by raising benefits sharply.

The handicapped child’s allowance will be increased from $10 to $15 a week and the handicapped children’s benefit, payable in respect of handicapped children in institutions, will be increased from $3.50 to $5.00 a day.

These increases, which will benefit about 2 1 000 children in these categories, will take effect from November and are estimated to cost an additional $3. 8m in 1976-77.

Senior Citizens ‘ Centres

We shall provide an amount of $4m for grants to approved senior citizens’ centres in 1976-77, and the same amount in each of the two succeeding financial years.

page 17

OVERSEAS AID

Notwithstanding the need to contain government spending, we are proposing to increase outlays from the Budget on overseas aid, excluding defence co-operation, to $400m in 1976-77; that is, by 14.6 per cent on 1975-76.

Of this total, $228. lm is allocated to Papua New Guinea, which continues to be the major recipient of Australian aid.

An estimated $2 6m will flow to Indonesia in 1976-77, being the first year of the new threeyear aid program of $86m to that country.

Full details of Australia’s overseas aid programs are set out in the accompanying Budget Paper, ‘Australia’s Official Development Assistance to Developing Countries 1 976-77 ‘.

page 17

DEFENCE

In these uncertain times, the highest priority of any responsible Government must be national security.

Total outlays on defence activities in 1976-77 are estimated at $2 1 78m, an increase of over 1 7 per cent compared with last year.

The present Government is determined to restore and maintain an adequate Australian defence capability.

This will require increases in defence expenditure over the years ahead, particularly for the more adequate equipment of the Defence Force.

A White Paper on Defence is to be issued during this Session and at that time the Minister for Defence will make a comprehensive statement on the Government’s defence policies.

page 17

HEALTH

The cost to the taxpayer of health care in Australia has rocketed in recent years.

Last year Commonwealth expenditure on health services amounted to about $2953m, including $ 1 637m on Medibank.

At $16 12m the Budget provision for Medibank in 1976-77 is slightly less than last year.

When allowance is made for the prepayment of $2 16m to the States at the end of June for hospital operating costs in the September quarter, the cost of Medibank this year is about $407m greater.

But for the modifications we have made, the increase in cost this year would have been much greater still.

Levy proceeds to be collected under the modified arrangements to come into effect on 1 October are estimated to offset the costs of Medibank by $250m in 1976-77.

As part of the reform of Medibank, the Government will provide $37.5m in 1976-77 towards the deficit incurred by registered hospital insurance organisations- including Medibank Private Insurance- from the payment of benefits to high risk and chronically ill members.

In addition, $12m has been provided for a subsidy to registered hospital insurance organisations to reduce the cost for those Medibank levy payers who choose to take out basic hospitalonly insurance cover.

The subsidy is intended to ensure that the cost of such insurance generally will not be more than $2.60 a week for family cover.

The Government has also decided to make an advance of $ 10m in 1976-77 to Medibank Private Insurance for establishment purposes.

In line with the undertaking given by the previous Government we have provided $108m for payments to the States in 1976-77 for the development of public hospitals and related health care facilities.

A further $70m- compared with $54.3m last year- has been provided for payment of grants to States, local government authorities and other eligible organisations under the Community Health Program.

We have also made a number if increases in other items of health expenditures.

Commonwealth expenditure on medical research, including the special grants to the Hall and Florey Institutes, is estimated at $ 10.1m in 1976-77; expenditure in 1975-76 was $6.2m.

New arrangements for financial assistance to the Red Cross Society’s Blood Transfusion Service will result in an increase of $330 000 in the Commonwealth’s subsidy to the Service in 1976-77.

The provision for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1976-77 is increased by a special grant of $800 000 to $2m.

page 18

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

The Government is mindful of its election undertakings and is committed to promoting the welfare and well-being of Aboriginals.

Unlike our predecessors, however, we do not see the achievement of that objective as being simply a matter of injecting ever-increasing amounts of money into an ever-increasing complexity of insufficiently considered programs.

An increasing body of evidence has demonstrated the need to re-assess the efficacy of some of the approaches of the past.

In this re-assessment the Government will have the benefit of the recent Hay Report on the programs involved.

Meanwhile, and pending its consideration of that Report, the Government is providing in this Budget no less than $153m for programs of direct assistance to Aboriginals.

Although this is $33m less than expenditure in 1975-76, spending on many programs is being maintained at about the same levels as last year.

In the case of some programs- such as grants to Aboriginal Housing Associations- the provisions in the Budget are to cover outstanding firm commitments, pending further reviews of the objectives, priorities and past administration of those programs.

In the light of those reviews additional funds will be provided.

page 18

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Welfare Housing

As announced previously, advances totalling $375m- $ 10.4m more than was provided in 1 975-76- will be available to the States for welfare housing in 1976-77.

The Government has decided in principle to undertake a housing allowance voucher experiment; $75,000 is provided in the Budget for the first phase of this initiative.

Should the experiment prove successful, implementation of such a program would give low income families the financial means to select their own rental accommodation on the open market.

It would provide a new mechanism to make welfare housing sensitive to the needs of the users rather than those of the planners.

It takes into account the view of the Commission of Inquiry into Poverty that the first principle in the provision of assistance to low income people is that assistance must be linked to the person and not to the house.

Growth Centres

The Government has under way a comprehensive review of all major urban and regional development programs, including growth centres and decentralisation, land commissions, sewerage and urban rehabilitation.

Pending review of the appropriate role for the Commonwealth in relation to growth centres, the Budget provides sufficient funds to preserve the Commonwealth’s options in regard to AlburyWodonga (for which $15m is provided), Bathurst-Orange ($2m) and Macarthur ($2m).

Other Programs

Other community development programs provided for in the Budget include: $50m for the National Sewerage Program; $ 1 5. 1 m for land commissions; $ 10.3m for the acquisition of property, planning and site development in the Woolloomooloo Basin in Sydney; and $9.4m to assist with the construction of water treatment plants in the Adelaide area.

page 19

CULTURE AND RECREATION

A total of $133m has been provided for the Australian Broadcasting Commission; this compares with $ 1 3 7m last year.

In his statement of 3 June the Prime Minister emphasised that the Government would seek to eliminate unnecessary expenditure on the arts in 1976-77, but maintain important and worthwhile programs.

The Australia Council has been allocated $23m this year, about the same amount as was provided in 1 975-76.

Expenditure on construction and running costs of the National Gallery, and on acquisitions, is estimated at $9.3m in 1976-77 compared with $4.6min 1975-76.

To meet existing commitments, about Slim has been provided by way of capital assistance for leisure facilities in the States, $5m more than was spent in 1975-76.

The Commonwealth’s role in youth, sport and recreation programs is one of the matters to be examined by the Task Force that has been set up to examine welfare services and communitybased programs in the health/welfare/community development area.

Pending the Government’s consideration of the Task Force report, the 1976-77 Budget provisions for youth, sport and recreation are being maintained at the amount- almost $ 1.2 m- that is required to meet existing commitments.

page 19

ECONOMIC SERVICES

Postal and Telecommunications Services

The Australian Telecommunications Commission will undertake a capital program in 1976-77 which will require funds of $4 15m additional to those available from its own internal resources.

As already announced, $2 15m of this will be provided from the Budget; the Commission will seek the balance of $200m by borrowing on the local capital market.

Last year an amount of $392m was advanced to the Commission from the Budget.

The Australian Postal Commission’s operations in 1975-76 yielded a surplus estimated at about $30m.

The Commission therefore expects to be able not only to finance its 1 976-77 capital program entirely from internal sources but also to repay $3m advanced to it by the Commonwealth in 1975-76.

With effect from 1 September 1 976, the fees payable by the licensees of commercial television stations are to be brought into line with the scale which, since 1973, has applied to commercial broadcasting stations.

The new fees are estimated to yield additional revenue of $624,000 in 1976-77 and make total revenue from fees sufficient to cover the annual operational and capital costs of the Australian Broadcasting Control Board.

Radiocommunication licences are also to be increased for some classes of users from their present level of $ 1 2 a year to $20 a year.

The Minister will announce the details; I mention, however, that there will be no increases in fees payable by voluntary bodies such as life saving organisations and rural fire brigades.

These new fees will operate from 1 October and are estimated to increase revenue by $ 1.2m in 1 976-77 and $ 1 .6m in a full year.

Air Transport

The Government is concerned at the continuing high cost to the general public of providing airport and airways facilities.

The gap between revenue and expenditure in this area was about $77m in 1975-76.

To help reduce this gap, and as already announced, air navigation charges are to be increased by 15 per cent with effect from 1 December 1976.

The increase is expected to yield an additional $4m in revenue in 1976-77 and $8m in a full year.

We are also implementing economies which, without adverse effects on safety standards, will result in expenditure on civil aviation facilities and services in 1976-77 being lower, in real terms, than in 1975-76.

Rail Transport

An amount of $60.8m is being provided to subsidise expected operating losses of the Australian National Railways Commission.

These losses, which greatly concern the Government, are being generated primarily by the Tasmanian and non-metropolitan South Australian railway systems transferred to the Commonwealth under the previous Government.

A further $36. lm is included to finance the capital program of the Australian National Railways Commission.

This amount includes provision to continue the construction of the standard gauge railway between Tarcoola and Alice Springs.

It also includes funds for essential capital works on the Tasmanian railway system pending completion of the inquiry into that system that was announced in my statement of 20 May.

The separate provision of $2m for the Adelaide to Crystal Brook standard gauge railway project will meet current commitments, pending the findings of the independent committee of inquiry that will be reporting on that project.

Sea Transport

The Australian Shipping Commission’s capital expenditure program for 1976-77 requires provision of $63.4m from the Budget.

This program relates essentially to the provision of terminals and the acquisition of vessels and seaborne equipment by the Australian National Line for use in coastal and overseas trades.

The subsidy for the operation of ‘Empress of Australia ‘ by the Australian National Line in its Bass Strait passenger service will be increased by $lm,to$2m, in 1976-77.

An amount of $ 16m is provided to meet the estimated cost in 1976-77 of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme that has been introduced following the report of the Royal Commission into Transport to and from Tasmania.

The Government is increasing its financial assistance to the Australian Shippers ‘ Council from $90 000 to $120 000 for 1976-77.

Light dues levied on shipping to recover the cost of providing coastal navigation aids are to be increased from 3 1 cents per net registered ton per quarter to 35 cents from 1 October 1 976.

This increase is expected to yield an additional $1.7min 1976-77.

A separate levy on shipping of 1 cent per net registered ton per quarter has been collected to cover the cost of the national plan to combat pollution of the sea by oil.

An adequate working reserve has been built up and the Government has therefore decided to reduce this levy to 0.8 cents from 1 October 1976.

Urban Public Transport

The Budget estimates include almost $65m in assistance to the States for urban public transport projects.

This amount includes $20m for payments which may be required in 1976-77 to meet the Commonwealth’s share of approved cost increases in respect of previously approved projects.

Roads

An amount of $433. 5m will be made available to the States for roads in 1 976-77.

This includes $35.8m which will be made available in addition to the amounts appropriated under existing legislation.

An amount of $8m is to be provided to the States in 1976-77 for expenditure on approved planning and research projects in relation to roads and urban public transport.

Beef

The Government has accepted the Industries Assistance Commission’s recommendation to continue for a further year the joint Commonwealth/State Government scheme for the provision of concessional carry-on finance to beef producers.

The Commonwealth will match State approvals in 1976-77 on a dollar-for-dollar basis, subject to a limit of $1 5m on the Commonwealth Government contribution.

Fertilizers

The Government has considered the report of the Industries Assistance Commission which recommended that the subsidy of $78.74 per tonne on the nitrogen content of nitrogenous fertilizers be phased out over three years.

The Government agrees in principle that this subsidy should be phased out and has decided that the rate should be reduced to $60 per tonne on 1 January 1977.

The subsidy is estimated to cost $12m in 1976-77.

Rural Reconstruction

The Rural Reconstruction Scheme, which expired on 30 June 1976, will be extended to 3 1 December 1976 pending finalisation of the Government’s consideration of the Industries Assistance Commission report.

Of the total of $27m provided for the Scheme in 1976-77, $10m relates to the proposed extension to 3 1 December 1976; the remainder relates to commitments under applications approved prior to 30 June 1976.

Dairy Industry

An amount of $13. 5m has been included to meet the Commonwealth’s estimated liability in respect of the Dairy Adjustment Program in 1976-77.

This is additional to other assistance the Government has offered to the dairy industry by way of underwriting of producers’ returns from skim milk powder, casein, butter and cheese, details of which have already been announced by the Minister for Primary Industry.

Wool

The Commonwealth has authorised the Australian Wool Corporation to increase the level of support provided under its minimum reserve price scheme to 234 cents per kilo clean on a whole clip average basis.

This is equivalent to 275 cents per kilo clean on the previous 2 1 micron basis.

Notwithstanding this increased level of support, it is expected that the Corporation will be able to repay in 1976-77 $245m of advances made by the Commonwealth to the Corporation in previous years.

Water Resources Assessment Program

The Government has decided to continue its support for the Commonwealth/State Water Resources Assessment Program for another three years; the provision for 1976-77 is $6.7m.

Productivity Improvement Programs

The Government is increasing, from $66 000 to $177 000, its support for programs designed to improve productivity at plant level.

page 21

LEGAL AID

An amount of $20m (including $3. 7m for legal aid for the Aboriginal community) is included in the Budget for legal aid, compared with expenditure of $ 16.3m in 1975-76.

The Attorney-General is negotiating with the States with the object of bringing all forms of legal aid under the control of statutory Legal Aid Commissions and thereby effecting savings in the administration of legal aid.

Pending completion of the negotiations, the Government is maintaining legal aid activities at their present level.

To help offset the sharp rise in costs of legal aid to the Commonwealth over recent years, new and increased fees will be levied in Federal Courts; these fees are estimated to yield $2. 5m this year and $3. 5m in a full year.

page 21

PAYMENTS TO THE STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES

One of the topics to which, since taking office, the Government has accorded a very high priority is that of the financial relations between the Commonwealth, State and local governments.

The tax sharing scheme- the central element in our program of reform- is to a large extent now settled with the States.

Under Stage 1 of the scheme, the States will be entitled to 33.6 per cent of the Commonwealth’s personal income tax collections, excluding any special surcharges or rebates.

On present estimates, which are necessarily subject to a considerable margin of uncertainty, this puts the States’ entitlement for 1976-77 at $3,716m.

This would represent an increase of $643m, or about 2 1 per cent, over the comparable grants in 1975- 76, and is presently estimated to be $89m more than the States would have received under the old formula.

The State Governments’ Loan Council programs for 1976-77 will total $ 1,356m, an increase of 5 per cent compared with 1975-76.

Local government also will have an annual entitlement to a share of personal income tax.

An amount of $140m is to be provided in 1976- 77- an increase of 75 per cent over last year.

In recent years specific purpose payments to States and local government authorities have grown very fast; in 1974-75 the increase was no less than 92 per cent and in 1975-76 it was a further 34 per cent.

After adjustment for the hospital prepayments to the States in late June, specific purpose payments are presently estimated to increase by about 9 per cent in 1 976-77

Lumped together, net payments to States and local government authorities in 1976-77 are estimated to total $9,077m- an increase of 13 per cent after adjustment for the hospital prepayments.

If allowance is made also for the non-recurring payments made for unemployment relief in 1975-76, the increase in 1976-77 becomes 15 per cent.

This represents a significant increase in real terms and is a slightly faster increase than is in prospect for all other Budget outlays.

The greater part of the funds we are providing to the States is untied and can be used by the States in ways of their own choosing.

The States have always said they want greater freedom to make their own decisions and determine their own priorities.

That is why we have increased our provision to them of untied funds relatively more than funds for specific purposes.

The States now have the capacity to spend these untied funds in ways of their own choosing- be it welfare housing, or sewerage programs, or whatever it is to which they choose to give priority.

The State Governments, along with the Commonwealth, must play their part in the battle against inflation.

At a time when there are complaints about the level of funding of State Government programs the Commonwealth finds it particularly strange to find some State Governments actually supporting the even higher increases in their cost levels which full indexation of wages would bring.

There is a need for restraint in the expenditures of State Governments as well as in the expenditures of this Government.

The figures I have just given clearly show that the States are not being asked to bear any undue share of the task.

page 22

NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF

The Budget includes an amount of $26m for relief payments in 1976-77 following natural disasters.

This amount comprises continuing payments following floods and cyclones during 1975-76 and recently announced drought relief assistance to Western Australia.

The Government has also undertaken to support, in accordance with the natural disaster assistance arrangements with the States, expenditures by the Victorian Government on certain drought relief measures.

page 22

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Civil Works

We have approved a total program of $293m . for new works to be committed to construction in 1976-77.

A total cash allocation of $4 10m has been set for expenditure during the year on new and already committed projects; this compares with actual expenditure of $425m in 1975-76.

For the Darwin Reconstruction Commission a new works program of $50m and an expenditure figure of $140m have been determined; actual expenditure in 1975-76 was $1 10m.

The approved new works program for the National Capital Development Commission is $153m, with a cash allocation of $195m compared with $ 1 88m in 1 975-76.

For the remainder of the works program the limit on new works is $90m, including $50m for the Northern Territory, and the cash allocation is $75m; actual expenditure last year amounted to $127m.

Canberra

The Minister for the Capital Territory has already announced details of increases in general municipal rates and in water and sewerage rates in the Australian Capital Territory.

Action is in hand to limit the subsidy to the Canberra bus service to $5.4m in 1976-77.

There will be increased revenue from bus fares and paid parking spaces in Canberra.

The Minister will be issuing details.

Staff Ceilings

Soon after taking office the present Government introduced new staff ceilings which were mainly responsible for reducing Commonwealth employment in the area covered by staff ceilings by 2.8 per cent in 1 975-76.

This compares with a growth in Commonwealth employment in the area concerned of about 4 per cent per annum in the three years to 1974-75.

On 14 June the Prime Minister announced a further overall reduction of 1.2 per cent in these staff ceilings to be achieved by 30 June 1977.

This comprised a 1.6 per cent reduction in the ceiling for Public Service Act employees and a 0.9 per cent reduction in the ceilings for certain Commonwealth Government authorities.

These lower ceilings have been reflected in the detailed Budget estimates.

The Prime Minister indicated at the time that the 1976-77 ceilings set in June were provisional, being subject to further review and possible adjustment in the light particularly of the Government’s Budget decisions.

Following further consideration in the Budget context, the Government has decided upon an objective of achieving a further reduction of 2 per cent in staff ceilings for Public Service Act employees during 1976-77, making the objective in this area a 3.7 per cent reduction in all.

This further reduction is estimated to produce a saving to the Budget of about $22m in 1 976-77.

Accompanying- though lesser- reductions in the staff ceilings for certain Commonwealth Government authorities will mean that, after allowance for the reduction previously announced, the total reduction in ceilings now being aimed at during the course of 1976-77 amounts to 2.5 per cent.

The Government reaffirms its intention to achieve these reductions without sacking anyone and without creating personal hardship.

Continuing Expenditure Control

Following the change of Government we were able to keep total Budget outlays for 1975-76 within the original Budget estimates for the first time since 1968-69.

We aim to repeat that performance again in 1976-77.

We will not let up in our efforts to achieve savings and eliminate waste and inefficiencies wherever they occur.

Because so much expenditure tends to be committed before the year starts, effective expenditure control must begin at the stage of commitment.

To this end, new administrative arrangements have been developed for the regulation of forward expenditure commitments by departments and authorities which depend on the Budget for the whole or part of their finance.

Limits within which departments and relevant authorities may make commitments during the current financial year- but which are to be financed from appropriations in future years- were determined as part of the Budget process.

These limits can be increased only by specific Government decisions.

We see the development of these new administrative arrangements as making a major contribution to the improvement of overall financial management in the area of Commonwealth administration.

page 23

RECEIPTS

I turn now to the receipts side of the Budget.

Government spending cannot be massively increased as in recent years without also significantly increasing the overall tax burden.

This remains true notwithstanding the enormous deficits which have been allowed to open up between the outlays and the receipts side of the Budget- and which in due course have to be closed.

With that latter important qualification, it is also obvious that, by prudently reining in the rate of growth of government spending, it becomes possible not only to avoid further increases in the tax burden but also to contemplate reducing it.

In 1976-77, for the first time since the last Liberal-National Country Party Budget of August 1972, there will be no increases in the major indirect taxes.

I contrast this with the 1975-76 Budget proposals for indirect tax increases which- even excluding the coal export duty- represented additional levies totalling $602m in 1975-76 and $688m in a full year

Over the three years 1973-74 to 1975-76 the total of all the increases in taxation in this area lifted the annual level of taxation by over $ 1000m.

In this Budget, I repeat, there are no proposals to increase excise on cigarettes, or on beer, or on spirits, or on petrol.

Moreover, because of our success to date in restraining expenditures, 1976-77 will see our first steps towards positively relieving the burden of taxation.

The decisions involved- those already announced and those I am about to announceaccord with our basic philosophy that individuals and businesses should have more say in spending decisions which concern them, and governments less.

At the same time they are intended to strengthen confidence among consumers and investors, and thereby advance the recovery of the economy.

page 24

PERSONAL INCOME TAX

The most important step in relieving the burden of taxation-the indexing of personal income tax- has already been taken and has been in operation for pay-as-you-earn purposes since 1 July.

It represents perhaps the most significant reform of the personal income tax system in our time, and certainly the most costly in terms of revenue forgone.

We have taken this step both in fulfilment of our objective of getting the Government’s hands out of taxpayers’ pockets, and for wage policy reasons.

Individuals, rightly in our view, attach considerable importance to their own command over their incomes and their ability so far as possible to spend those incomes as they see fit. The indexation arrangements which are now part of the income tax law will prevent the automatic increase in effective tax rates which used to come about as rising money incomes resulting purely from inflation took taxpayers further up the progressive rate scale.

The law now provides for annual adjustments to prevent that.

A change to the law will now be needed if a government seeks to increase effective real rates.

This brake upon financial profligacy is a major step towards ‘keeping governments honest’ with their taxpayers.

The new arrangements are described in Statement No. 4 attached to the Treasurer’s Budget Speech.

The cost of indexation and the changes associated with it is estimated to be $ 1050m in 1 976-77 and $ 1 2 1 Om in a full year.

page 24

VALUATION OF TRADING STOCK

The Government made it quite clear in its election policy statements that it was not prepared to see inflation continue to add to the tax burdens of individuals and businesses.

We allowed ourselves a period of three years to give full effect to the necessary remedial legislation.

So far as personal income tax is concerned, we have already fulfilled our undertaking by indexing the system as from 1 July 1976.

We have now considered relieving businesses also from the impact of inflation on their tax burdens.

In the kind of highly inflationary situation which Australia has recently been experiencing, firms have serious problems in financing the rapidly growing costs of an adequate and appropriate level of trading stocks.

They have problems, too, with financing the soaring costs of replacing plant and equipment when depreciation allowances for taxation purposes are based on historical costs.

Since coming to office the Government has given careful thought to the most effective ways of providing relief to firms beset with problems of these kinds arising from our recent high rates of inflation.

In doing so it has had the benefit of the views originally stated by the Mathews Committee and, more recently, by Professor Mathews personally.

It has also sought and received the views of leading representatives of the accountancy profession and of a wide sweep of industry interests.

The Government has now decided to take a substantial step in relation to a system of trading stock valuation adjustments applying to taxable incomes earned in the 1976-77 income year.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to examine the impact of inflation on depreciation allowances and other aspects of business financing and profitability, with a view to bringing in appropriate legislation within the Government’s current term of office and having regard to the availability, in the meantime, of the investment allowance.

The key features of the proposed system of trading stock valuation adjustments will be:

The adjustments will reduce taxable incomes in respect of income year 1976-77.

On practical grounds, the accent of the scheme will be, so far as possible, on simplicity.

With that in mind, we propose the use of a general index for calculating the trading stock valuation adjustment.

Specifically, the cost of a firm ‘s trading stock as at 1 July 1976 will be revalued for income tax purposes by reference to the percentage increase in the ‘goods’ component of the Consumer Price Index between the June quarter of 1 976 and the June quarter of 1 977.

It is not proposed to bring the adjustments back into assessable income in later years in the circumstances proposed by the Mathews Committee- the adjustments will reduce tax, not defer it; in terms of the jargon, there will be no ‘clawback’.

It will be necessary to lay down some safeguards against misuse of the system to avoid tax that ought to be paid; the precise nature of these is at present under consideration.

By way of illustration I mention that, had such a scheme been operating fully in the current year on the basis of 1975-76 incomes, it is estimated that the cost to revenue this year would have been of the order of $ 700m.

What the full cost of the final scheme would be in 1977-78 cannot of course be foreseen at this stage.

That would depend among other things upon the rate of increase in the index during the current year.

We have said that the scheme would be phased in.

At this point it is clearly not possible for us to say how far, by this time next year, we shall feel able to go.

We shall go as far as we can.

What we do now undertake is that 50 per cent of the full adjustment will be allowed next year as deductions from 1976-77 incomes.

There are other aspects of the system of adjustments which require further study and which we are therefore not in a position to announce at present; these include, for example, the safeguards I have referred to and the categories of trading stocks to be included in the scheme.

Legislation to be introduced in the next Autumn Sittings will provide full details.

In settling those details, the Government will have discussions with professional and industry groups where appropriate.

page 25

PRIVATE COMPANIES

The Government has undertaken to ease the distribution requirements for private companies under Division 7 of the Income Tax Assessment Act.

In this regard we have had the needs of small businesses particularly in mind.

We attach importance to the spirit of free enterprise which small business symbolises.

For distributions in respect of taxable incomes of the year 1975-76 and subsequent years the retention allowance for trading or business income will be increased from 50 per cent to 60 per cent.

This will increase by one-fifth the amount of after-tax income which a private company can retain without incurring Division 7 tax.

No change is being made to the 10 per cent retention allowance for property income or to the rule that there be no retention allowance for dividends that one private company receives from another.

At the same time, the law will be amended to terminate the ‘excess distribution’ provisions of Division 7, which permit a company which makes more than the minimum distribution in one year to make less than a minimum distribution in a later year without incurring Division 7 tax.

With the proposed increase in the retention allowances there will no longer be any practical need to retain these highly complex provisions, which have also been of some concern in connection with schemes of tax avoidance; they are accordingly to be withdrawn subject to appropriate transitional arrangements.

The increase in the retention allowance is estimated to cost about Sim in 1976-77 and $30m in a full year.

page 25

INCOME FROM MINING

The Government has had under consideration the report of the Industries Assistance Commission on the income tax arrangements applying to the mining and petroleum industries.

In the light of that report it has decided on certain amendments to the law, bearing in mind both the Government’s desire to see a healthy and efficient mining sector and the IAC ‘s observations on the desirable relationship between the levels of tax on income from mining and on income from other business sources.

The changes proposed are:

Petroleum exploration expenditure and allowable capital expenditure on the mining of petroleum will be deductible against income from any source.

Allowable capital expenditure of any mining company on the development of a mine or field will be deductible on a diminishing value basis, as at present, by reference to a maximum life of mine or field of 5 years, instead of 25 years as at present.

Allowable capital expenditure on facilities used for the transportation of minerals, including petroleum, will now be deductible on a straight line basis over either 20 years, as at present, or 10 years, at the taxpayer’s option to be exercised with the first claim for a deduction.

The categories of expenditure covered by the present provisions giving deductions for allowable capital expenditure on mineral transport facilities will be extended to cover expenditure, presently not deductible, on port development such as harbour surveys, initial dredging, navigational aids and breakwaters.

The amendments will apply first to capital expenditures incurred after today.

They have no cost in 1976-77 but the revenue to be foregone in the first full year is estimated at $60m.

page 26

CRUDE OIL LEVY

In the last Budget an excise of $2 per barrel was introduced on the production of crude oil, condensate and naturally occurring liquefied petroleum gas.

Under existing policy any company discovering oil would receive import parity less the production excise.

Many oil exploration companies have put to us that costs are so high today as to make commercial production from new oil discoveries of the size likely to be found in Australia unattractive at this level of return.

The Government accepts that the levy represents a substantial deterrent to companies considering exploration for new fields.

It has therefore decided that oil from discoveries after today will be free from the production excise.

The result will be that all production of crude oil from future discoveries will receive full import parity at the nearest refinery port.

The Government believes that this will significantly affect the level of activity within the oil exploration industry.

page 26

COAL EXPORT DUTY

The coal export duty introduced in the last Budget applies at two rates- $6 per tonne for , high quality coal and $2 per tonne for other coal, apart from certain lower grade coal which is exempt.

The Government has always regarded this as an entirely inappropriate form of tax,

The quality of deposits varies markedly, but within and between the two categories which are subject to duty the effects of the duty fall in a quite haphazard manner.

Marginal fields pay the same rate of duty as economically more profitable fields, or in some cases more.

The imposition of this levy has had undesirable effects both on existing producers and on potential developments.

It is the intention of the Government to remove this particular levy, but for budgetary reasons which will, I think, be obvious it is not possible to remove it at one stroke.

It will however be reduced immediately, in what the Government regards as a first step towards completely phasing out this particular tax within three years.

The Government is taking these steps towards phasing out this levy to encourage the healthy development of the industry.

If the States take advantage of this situation to increase their own royalties the Government will have to review its position.

So far as immediate steps are concerned, the Government will remove the duty from noncoking coal and will reduce the rates on coking coals by 25 per cent- from $6 to $4.50 per tonne in the case of the higher rate of duty and from $2 to $ 1 .50 per tonne in the case of the lower rate.

These changes, to apply immediately, will cost an estimated $33m in 1976-77 and $37m in a full year.

page 26

INVESTMENT ALLOWANCE

Legislation to introduce an investment allowance was passed in the Autumn Sittings of the Parliament.

During those Sittings and since, representations were received on a number of aspects of the allowance on which changes in the law were sought.

In the course of its deliberations on the Budget the Government has carefully considered all of these representations and having done so has decided that the present scope of the allowance should remain unchanged.

page 26

PAYROLL TAX

The present level of the exemption from payroll tax in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory is to be increased to the level recently adopted by the States.

The present exemption of $20,800 will become $41,600 per annum; above $41,600 the exemption will phase out by $2 for every $3 by which the annual payroll exceeds that amount.

The new exemption will apply from 1 January 1977.

The change does not have any significant effect on Budget revenue.

page 26

INCOME EQUALISATION DEPOSITS

The Government has now considered the IAC report on ‘Rural Income Fluctuations- Certain

Taxation Measures ‘, which dealt with two broad questions: the averaging arrangements for primary producers, and a proposal for a scheme of income equalisation deposits for primary producers.

The Government has decided to continue the averaging system in its present form, but will take up the proposal for a scheme of income equalisation deposits.

Commencing with income year 1975-76, deposits lodged with the Government under the latter scheme will be deducted from the assessable income of the year of income in respect of which they are lodged, and included in assessable income of the year in which they are withdrawn.

The scheme will enable primary producers to act themselves to even out the effects of fluctuating income on their tax liabilities over a period of years.

Details of the scheme will be available when the legislation is introduced; the scheme will, however, include the following features:

A minimum limit of $100 and a maximum limit of $100,000 is to be applied to the total value of a taxpayer’s holdings.

It will not be possible to withdraw deposits within the first 12 months after lodgment (other than in exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters, death, or financial stringency); however, there will be no maximum limit on the period for which an amount may be left on deposit.

The scheme will apply to primary producers, but in determining taxable income from which deposits may be purchased, no distinction will be drawn between income obtained by primary producers from farm or non-farm sources.

Interest is to be paid on the deposits at a rate, initially 5 per cent per annum, to be prescribed by regulation.

The present Drought Bonds Scheme is to be discontinued under appropriate transitional arrangements.

Present holders of Drought Bonds will be offered the option of transferring to the new scheme.

It is estimated that the revenue forgone in 1976-77 will be about $2m; the full-year cost of the scheme cannot be estimated at this stage.

page 27

ESTATE DUTY

We undertook to increase the exemption from estate duty where the whole or part of the estate of a deceased person passes to a surviving spouse.

This is an area of the law where personal tragedies abound.

Even in current tight budgetary circumstances we have seen the need to pay special regard to rectifying the present situation.

We shall therefore fulfil our undertaking in this Budget.

We shall introduce a special deduction to apply where an interest in an estate passes to a surviving spouse.

The deduction will be $50,000, or the entire net value of the spouse’s interest in the estate if that is less than $50,000.

The existing statutory exemptions, and the rebate of part of the duty in respect of a primary producer estate, will then apply as at present to the remainder of the estate.

With the introduction of this special deduction, the deduction introduced in 1974 for an interest in the matrimonial home passing to a surviving spouse will be terminated.

This was in any case an unsatisfactory provision, as it discriminated between different types of assets and was available in full only if the gross value of the interest in the home did not exceed $35,000.

The new deduction will apply regardless of the nature of the assets and will not be reduced where the value of the relevant interest exceeds $50,000.

In the case of an estate passing wholly to a surviving spouse, no duty will now be payable on an estate of up to $90,000 (or $98,000 for primary producer estates).

About 20 per cent of presently dutiable estates will cease to be dutiable, and the impact of duty on larger estates will be considerably reduced.

The new provisions will apply to estates of persons who die after today.

The cost of this measure is estimated to be $2m in 1 976-77 and $ 1 4m in a full year.

page 27

BUDGET OVERVIEW

In the aggregate, outlays in 1976-77 are estimated to increase by 11.3 per cent to $24,32 lm.

Receipts are estimated to increase by 18.8 per cent to $2 1,7 13m.

The overall deficit is therefore $2,608m. This is $977m less than the actual deficit of $3585min 1975-76.

This latter figure would of course have been much greater had it not been for the actions taken by this Government immediately it came to office.

When allowance is made for overseas transactions, the domestic deficit in 1976-77 is estimated at $1879m; this is over $1000m less than the domestic deficit of $2 905m last year.

For all the reasons I have stated earlier this hauling in of the deficit this year is appropriate.

But, over and beyond that, it can fairly be claimed that the deficit in prospect for 1976-77 differs in important respects from those of 1975-76 and 1974-75.

The ‘mix’ of the prospective deficit this year is vitally different from those of the last two years.

It is particularly striking, for example, that the lower deficit in prospect for 1976-77 is estimated to come about after forgoing revenue of no less than $ 1250m on account of personal tax indexation and the investment allowance.

Had we not chosen to make those desirable reductions in the burden of personal and corporate taxation the deficit would have been about $ 1360m and the domestic deficit would have been down to around $630m.

Not only is the reduction in the deficit appropriate to the evolving economic recovery but it is also being achieved after a major reduction in taxes which will play its own part in enhancing that recovery.

More generally, this Budget reflects the Government ‘s determination to press on with the major social, economic and administrative reforms that were outlined by the Prime Minister last November.

It continues the drive to restore to individuals the economic independence that was so markedly eroded by the policies of our predecessors. It puts people first.

It points towards the re-enhancement of the role of the private sector and away from the threat of big government.

It emphasises the importance of free enterprise.

For the first time in recent years, it gives real incentive for individuals and companies to venture and to succeed.

page 28

THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Against that background, I believe there will be general agreement that this Budget is above all a fiscally responsible one.

Among other things it represents another step towards a better ‘mix’ of fiscal and monetary policies than has existed in recent years.

The joint thrust of this Government’s fiscal and monetary policies to date has slowed the growth in the monetary aggregates in recent months from the grossly excessive rates of 1975.

This Budget stays firmly on that track.

The reduction we are effecting in the Budget deficit will reduce the Government’s call on financing from the community.

It thereby provides more scope for maintaining financial conditions appropriate to continuing recovery in the private sector while holding growth in the overall monetary aggregates at appropriate rates.

Thus, the technical estimates at the moment suggest that with the monetary regulators at settings appropriate to continuing recovery in the private sector, a Budget outcome of the kind foreshadowed here, along with other factors affecting the financial system, could be consistent with growth in the broadly defined volume of money (M3) in the 10-12 per cent range during 1976-77.

That range, which is subject to the usual hazards of forecasting, will no doubt change over time as circumstances unfold.

Depending upon those circumstances it could also be necessary and appropriate for policy to be adjusted in the light of events as they develop.

As of now, however, it gives a broad indication that growth in the monetary aggregates will be a notch or so slower than last year.

The Government believes that, notwithstanding all the qualifications which necessarily attach to it, this broad indication of the monetary outlook will provide the private sector with a greater degree of certainty regarding that aspect of policy in the year ahead than it has previously enjoyed- particularly in recent years.

It should help, for example, to allay fears of either excessive financial tightness or financial ease.

Consistent with the aims of government policy, an outcome along these lines would contribute to reducing inflation while ensuring adequate funds to underwrite recovery.

Within that broad monetary framework, the decisions of the wage-fixing authorities will be crucial to the speed of the wind-down in inflation that, one way or another, has to be achieved.

Provided there is significantly less than full flow-on of price increases to wages, an improvement of several percentage points in price performance, and a possibly somewhat greater deceleration in money wages, can be had in 1976-77 as as whole.

By the end of the period, we should be down to single digit rates.

With some productivity gains accruing in the upturn, a noticeable rise in the profit share would then be in prospect.

With such a gradual winding-down of inflation and inflationary expectations, recovery in demand and activity would be unlikely to proceed at more than a modest pace.

Under those circumstances, both private consumption expenditure and business investment should, during 1976-77, become established as sources of continuing growth in demand for domestic production.

Over the year as a whole they should, on that basis, record moderate increases in real terms.

Unhappily, seasonal conditions appear likely to permit little if any increase in farm production overall; however, developments along the lines I have mentioned could reasonably be expected to result in gross non-farm product growing by about 4 per cent for the year as a whole.

Given a more widespread recognition, on the part of all those principally concerned, of the central role which current rates of inflation are playing in holding back the recovery and keeping unemployment high, it is possible to envisage a more optimistic scenario.

But until the evidence of that more widespread recognition comes up on the board- for example, in the determinations of the wage-fixing tribunals and in the co-operation with those decisions of the trade union leadership as a whole- we cannot plan on that.

Even the more gradual recovery prospects, however, would be consistent, after allowance for labour force and productivity growth, with some gradual reduction in unemployment during the course of 1 976-77.

It would be rash to predict any early reduction in unemployment; movements in the remainder of calendar year 1976 are unlikely to be great.

But 1977, all going well, should see the start of a more concerted fall.

page 29

CONCLUSION

This Budget embodies and advances the Government’s overall economic and social strategy.

The economy is now set on the right path and the combination of expenditure and tax measures in this Budget will help it along that path.

For the first time in several years there are now good prospects of staying on a growth path we can sustain.

Inflation- and therefore unemployment- will not be wiped out overnight, but even on a not over-optimistic view of things they will be steadily reduced by the budgetary and other policies to which this Government is adhering.

After only eight months since, on coming to office, we confronted the full enormity of our inheritance, these policies are now beginning to produce results.

At the time the Budget also reflects the Government’s priorities both as between private and public spending, and within the public sector itself.

It is, as I said at the outset, both a Budget for confidence and a Budget for reform.

Debate (on motion by Senator Wriedt) adjourned.

page 29

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the following Bills reported:

Income Tax Assessment Amendment Bill 1 976

Superannuation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1 976

Income Tax (International Agreements) Amendment Bill 1976

Health Insurance Levy Assessment Bill 1976 Health Insurance Levy Bill 1 976

Income Tax (International Agreements) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1976

Income Tax Assessment Amendment Bill (No. 2 ) 1 976

Income Tax (Rates) Bill 1976

Income Tax (Individuals) Bill 1 976

Health Insurance Amendment Bill 1 976

National Health Amendment Bill 1976

Health Insurance Commission Amendment Bill 1976

Social Services Amendment Bill ( No 2 ) 1 976

Family Law Amendment Bill 1976

Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill 1976

Customs Tariff Validation Bill 1976

Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Bill 1976

Supply Bill (No 1 ) 1976-77 Supply BUI (No. 2) 1976-77

Papua New Guinea (Staffing Assistance) Termination Bill 1976

Public Accounts Committee Amendment Bill 1976 Wool Industry Amendment Bill 1976 Wool Tax Amendment Bill (No. 1) 1976 Wool Tax Amendment Bill (No. 2 ) 1 976

Wool Tax Amendment Bill (No. 3 ) 1 976 Wool Tax Amendment Bill (No. 4) 1976 Wool Tax Amendment Bill (No. 5) 1976 Dairy Adjustment Amendment Bill 1976 Dairying Industry Research and Promotion Levy Bill 1976

Dairying Industry Research and Promotion (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 1976

States Grants (Hospital Operating Costs) Bill 1976

Road Safety and Standards Authority (Repeal ) Bill 1 976

States Grants (Air Quality Monitoring) Bill 1 976

Remuneration and Allowances Amendment Bill 1976

Maritime College Bill 1 976

Industrial Research and Development Incentives Bill 1976

page 30

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE ARTS

The PRESIDENT:

– Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 2 June 1976 1 received from the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on

Education and the Arts, Senator Davidson, the report of that Committee on the education of isolated school children. In accordance with paragraph 1 of the resolution I gave directions for its printing and circulation. In compliance with the order of the Senate I now table that report.

Senator DAVIDSON:
South Australia

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

That the Senate take note of the report.

page 30

REPRESENTATION OF THE STATE OF TASMANIA

The PRESIDENT:

– I lay on the table a copy of the reasons for judgment of His Honour the Chief Justice of Australia refusing an application by Bruce Noel Hill relating to the election of senators from the State of Tasmania, held on 13 December 1975.

Senate adjourned at 9.36 p.m.

page 31

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The following answers to questions were circulated:

Primary Produce: Committees, Boards and Corporations (Question No. 65)

Senator Missen:
VICTORIA

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

  1. What Committees, Boards and Corporations established under the auspices of the Commonwealth Government, and concerned with the production, or marketing, of primary produce, were operating at 1 February 1976.
  2. What were the operating expenses incurred by each of these bodies over each of the past three years, and what contribution to costs was received from beneficiaries of these bodies’ services in each of those three years.
  3. What savings will be made by the Commonwealth Government in respect to these bodies in 1 976.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. and (3) It is assumed that the honourable senator’s question relates primarily to statutory bodies in the field of primary production and marketing.

The relevant bodies are therefore:

The Australian Apple and Pear Corporation

The Australian Canned Fruits Board

The Australian Dairy Corporation

The Australian Dried Fruits Control Board

The Australian Egg Board

The Australian Honey Board

The Australian Meat Board

Australian Tobacco Board

Australian Wheat Board

The Australian Wine Board

Australian Wool Corporation

Australian Wool Testing Authority

The Australian Canned Fruit Sales Promotion Committee

Pig Meat Promotion Advisory Committee

Australian Chicken Meat Research Committee

Australian Meat Research Committee

Australian Pig Industry Research Committee

Dairying Research Committee

Dried Fruits Research Committee

Fishing Industry Research Committee

Wheat Industry Research Council

The marketing bodies are self-financing, so that the question of Commonwealth savings does not arise.

Research programs approved for 1975-76 are fully committed and there will be no savings in Commonwealth contributions to these programs in this financial year.

It is expected however that some savings will be made in the area of promotional activities, and details of these savings are given below:

As a consequence of the reduction in the Commonwealth contribution to the joint overseas promotion campaigns of the Australian Apple and Pear Corporation, the Australian Dried Fruits Control Board and the Australian Wine Board, a saving of approximately $ 1 1 5,000 will be made in 1975-76.

Due to inflation, the originally agreed Government and grower contributed budgets are insufficient to maintain wool research and promotion activities in 1975-76 and 1976-77 at the level of recent years. Accordingly, programs in both fields have already been pruned, and any further reductions in budgets would seriously impair the effectiveness of the reduced programs.

From a marketing viewpoint, the Commonwealth contributes funds to the overseas promotional activities of the Australian Dairy Corporation, the Australian Egg Board and the Australian Honey Board. In the 1975-76 financial year, some savings will be made, as the Commonwealth contribution will be reduced from a matching dollar for dollar basis to 70 per cent of the amount spent by authorities. On current estimates, a saving of approximately$ 100,000 will be made in 1975-76.

  1. This information has been published in the annual reports of the organisations. Copies of these reports can be examined in the Parliamentary Library. In addition, a limited number of copies of reports for the years in question is available from the Department of Primary Industry.

Urban Development (Question No. 307)

Senator Colston:
QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Is the Minister aware of comments made on 6 March 1976 by the Secretary of his Department, Mr R. B. Lansdown, that major attention needs to be given now to planning for urban development for the next ten years.
  2. Does this mean that the urban development programs initiated by the Whitlam Labor Government will not suffer in the forthcoming Budget.
  3. Will the Minister guarantee that funding of urban and regional development programs will remain at least at the same level in this Budget as in the 1975-76 Budget.
Senator Carrick:
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister in Federal Affairs · NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Yes, although the comments to which the honourable Senator refers were made in a speech on 12 March 1976.
  2. and (3) Decisions relating to expenditure on some urban development programs were announced in the former Acting Minister, Mr MacKellar’s, press statement of 20 May. Expenditure on other urban development programs is still under review and levels of funding will be decided when those reviews are completed.

Aboriginal Legal Aid (Question No. 336)

Senator Wright:

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

  1. 1 ) What was the cost of Aboriginal legal aid

    1. for the year ending 30 June 1 975 and
    2. for the present financial year
    3. incurred and (ii ) estimated.
  2. ) What was the cost of other legal aid

    1. for the year ending 30 June 1975 and
    2. for the present financial year
    3. incurred and (ii) estimated.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. (a) the cost of Aboriginal legal aid for the year ending 30 June 1 975 was $2,734,000.

    1. (i) the cost incurred on Aboriginal legal aid for the year ending 30 June 1976 was $3,745,779.
    1. the estimate of the cost of Aboriginal legal aid for the year ending 30 June 1976 was $3,699,728.
  2. 2 ) I am informed by the Attorney-General that

    1. the cost of other legal aid for the year ending 30 June 1975 was $5,626,740;
    1. (i) the cost of other legal aid from 1 July 1975 to 30 April 1 976 was $8,04 1 , 306;
    2. it was estimated that total expenditure for 1975-76 would be $10,627,000.

Public Service: Subscriber Trunk Dialling Facilities (Question No. 438)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. Has the Government given consideration to limiting the use of subscriber trunk dialling facilities by Commonwealth Public Servants.
  2. What restrictions on the use of subscriber trunk dialling by Commonwealth Public Servants exist at the present time.
  3. Have any estimations been made of the savings that could result from severely restricting the use of subscriber trunk dialling by Commonwealth Public Servants.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) All Ministers have been asked to issue a directive to their Departments and to Statutory and Non-Statutory bodies within their responsibility requiring that, subject to technical practicalities, appropriate action be taken to control strictly the use of STD calls. They have also been asked to direct that a complete embargo be imposed on the use of International Subscriber Dialling (ISD).
  2. Restrictions that can be imposed depend largely on the telephone system employed at each Departmental location. It is, for example, much easier to impose close control over telephone usage in offices services by a manually operated switchboard than where a PABX system is installed. In my Department all STD calls other than those originating from Second Division Officers require prior approval of a senior officer and are recorded. I am not aware of the practices adopted in other Departments to control the use of STD. (3)I have no knowledge of any overall estimate of savings that might be achieved by various controls instituted in department and authorities.

Building Industry (Question No. 467)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Have the New South Wales and Western Australian Governments agreed to an extended credit scheme to assist the ailing building industry.
  2. Does this scheme involve the letting of construction contracts immediately, with payment to builders and architects promised for the next financial year.
  3. Will this scheme assist the building industry and maintain employment levels.
  4. Has the Australian Government given consideration to adopting a similar scheme for its own construction work.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question: (1)I understand that the New South Wales Government approved a limited number of school buildings to be started in 1975-76 on the basis of no payment for work until July 1976. I am advised that no contracts, incorporating such a scheme, were let by the Public Works Department in Western Australia.

  1. The New South Wales Public Works Department awarded contracts for the projects involved in the extended credit scheme after representations from companies tendering for the projects. The basis of the extended credit scheme was:

    1. no payment was to be made until July 1 976 for work done in 1975-76;
    2. no interest on outstanding moneys would be claimed by the successful tenderer.
  2. ) In that the scheme allows work to proceed on projects for which no funds are available in the current financial year, it has favourable repercussions on employment in the shortterm, but conversely by pre-empting next year’s funds it reduces the amount of work available for actual construction from a given level of funding in the ensuing financial year.
  3. While consideration has been given to the system of extended credit, no contracts have been let on this basis by the Department of Construction.

Aboriginal Legal Aid Offices (Question No. 485)

Senator Archer:
TASMANIA

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

  1. 1 ) How many Aboriginal Legal Aid officers are there in Tasmania.
  2. What items of office equipment have been provided for each of them.
  3. What is the total budgeted cost for the running and maintenance of each office in the present budgetary period.
  4. How many (a) professional staff, and (b) other staff, are employed in each office.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Three.
  2. Specific items used by Legal Aid Officers are not known as they were shared with other staff. For year ended 30 June 1975 office equipment held by Legal Aid Division of Aboriginal Information Service was: 8 Filing cabinets 11 Office chairs 3 Desks 6 Typewriters including 1 electric 5 Heaters 3 Duplicators 1 Dictaphone 1 Dictation machine 1 Photocopier 1 Calculator shelving carpet.
  3. Costs for the Hobart and Launceston offices cannot be separated; the total for the two offices is $85,000.
  4. (a) Nil.

    1. b) One Hobart, two Launceston.

Australia Post: Insignia (Question No. 506)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. Has the Australia Post been instructed to replace the Australia Post insignia on postal vans, public mail boxes and post offices with a new Royal insignia.
  2. Has Telecom received similar instructions.
  3. 3 ) What is the estimated cost of any such move.
  4. Is such expenditure considered necessary.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Following discussions initiated by the former Minister for Post and Telecommunications, it has been agreed with Australia Post that subject to Royal Approval, a Royal Cypher will be used on mail boxes, vans and post offices in conjunction with its new logo.
  2. The use of a Royal Cypher has not been raised with Telecom Australia.
  3. The cost to Australia Post of this use of a Royal Cypher is estimated at less than $ 1 0,000 per annum.
  4. The expenditure will be borne by Australia Post.

Northern Territory: Aboriginal Settlements (Question No. 548)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) Has the Department of Aboriginal Affairs investigated claims made by a Mr Martin Tuck in the newsletter Black News Service, Volume 2, Number 1, of 23 February 1976, of widespread corruption on Aboriginal settlements in the Northern Territory; if so, what is the name and address of the architectural construction and consulting firm referred to in the article.
  2. Has the firm received funds or fees from Aboriginal communities or from theDepartment of Aboriginal Affairs; if so, what is the total amount received by them to date.
  3. 3 ) Did the officer of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs referred to in the article act as an agent of the company to persuade Aboriginal communities to avail themselves of the company’s services; if so, who is the officer involved and did he receive a commission for this work.
  4. Has the officer recently been transferred to the Queensland Branch of theDepartment of Aboriginal Affairs; if so, what is his present position.
  5. Has another officer from the Northern Territory Branch of the Department, who had links with a Darwin architectural and consulting and construction firm as claimed in the article, been transferred to the Queensland Branch of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs; if so, what is his name and present position.
  6. Does the firm, or firms, named in the article have a branch in Queensland.
  7. What action does the Minister intend taking over this matter.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

TheDepartment of Aboriginal Affairs does not have significant information in relation to the allegations. It sought the advice of the Commonwealth Police in relation to the allegations made in the Newsletter referred to and was advised that the Newsletter article, being apparently based on hearsay and rumour, did not provide sufficient grounds upon which the Police could initiate an investigation. In these circumstances, I do not propose to take further action.

If the author of the article is prepared to substantiate in some way the allegations, I would be prepared to again refer the matter to the Commonwealth Police for consideration of investigation.

Home Savings Grants (Question No. 571)

Senator Cavanagh:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

Has the Minister been able to obtain a reply from the Attorney-General regarding Senator Cavanagh’s question without notice asked on 6 April 1976, viz: ‘What constitutional authority has the Government to make home savings grants to single persons as proposed in a statement submitted to the Senate ‘.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Attorney-General has advised that it would not be in accordance with practice to furnish legal opinion on the Commonwealth’s constitutional powers in answer to a question. I would, however, refer the Honourable Senator to the decision of the High Court in the Australian Assistance Plan Case (7 A.L.R. 277), which provides a reasonable constitutional basis for the making of the grants by the Commonwealth.

National Aboriginal Observance Day (Question No. 576)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. Is 11 July 1976 to be recognised as National Aboriginal Observance Day.
  2. What assistance has the Department of Aboriginal Affairs provided in past years to functions and activities held as pan of National Aboriginal Observance Day.
  3. What assistance does the Department plan to provide in 1976.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) National Aborigines Day has been observed on the second Friday in July for some years and was observed this year on Friday 9 July.
  2. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has made the following grants to the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee for distribution to organisations throughout Australia which arrange functions and activities in recognition of National Aborigines Day:
  1. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has provided $30,000 to the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee for 1976.

Pantijan Aboriginal Settlement: Nursing Post (Question No. 584)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) Has the Department of Aboriginal Affairs deferred the establishment of a nursing post at the Pantijan cattle project settlement in Western Australia; if so, why was the nursing post originally considered necessary by the Department.
  2. Have circumstances changed since the original decision to set up the post was made; if so, how have they changed.
  3. If the answer to (1) is in the affirmative, what is the total amount saved as a result of the deferral of the project.
  4. What health services are currently available to the Aboriginal community at the Pantijan cattle project.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. and (2) The original proposal for a nursing post at Pantijan was based on the likely needs of an anticipated community population of 20 workers and families. At present, only 15 itinerant workers, without families, are at Pantijan and funding of the proposed nursing post has been deferred.
  2. The $20,000 allocated has been re-allocated to the Aboriginal Medical Service.
  3. Health services currently available to the Aboriginal community at Pantijan are provided by the Royal Flying Doctor Service chaner for regular clinic flights and evacuation of serious patients. Radio contact exists with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Mowanjum. The Royal Flying Doctor Service have supplied three medical kits for on site treatment.

Australian Government: Economic Policies (Question No. 585)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Is the Treasurer aware that, according to The Australian of 28 April 1976, the Queensland Premier, Mr Bjelke Petersen, has claimed in a letter to a Queensland rural newspaper that the Australian Government’s economic policies are inflationary; if so, does the Treasury’s official analysis of economic trends in Australia concur with Mr BjelkePetersen ‘s judgment.
  2. Is the Treasury considering a freeze on automatic sales tax rises as suggested by the Queensland Premier.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. The Treasurer informs me that he is aware of the article referred to in the Queensland edition of The Australian of 78 April 1976.

The Government’s assessment of the state of the economy and its strategy for recovery have been spelt out in detail to the Parliament. In particular I refer the honourable senator to statements by the Treasurer to Parliament on 4 March, 25 March and 20 May which dealt at length with the Government’s economic policies.

In short, the Commonwealth Government’s economic policies are designed to reduce the rate of inflation; they are not in themselves inflationary.

  1. Presumably, the phrase ‘automatic sales tax rises’ looks to the fact that, at a constant rate of tax the amount of tax payable on a taxable item rises as the item ‘s wholesale price rises. That is precisely how a tax imposed on an ad valorem basis is intended to operate and the Government has no intention of disturbing the position.

Housing: Bamyili (Question No. 595)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) Are reports correct in the newsletter Black News Service of 23 February 1976, that the Manager of the Bamyili Housing Association has arranged for all the sub-contracts for the construction of new housing at Bamyili to be let to his own Katherine-based construction company.
  2. Has he also, as claimed in the article, placed names of deceased persons on the payroll of the Housing Association.
  3. Did the Manager ban a man from Bamyili because the man refused to drive the Manager home.
  4. Are bricks produced at Bamyili transported to Katherine for use.
  5. What is the present salary of the Manager of the Bamyili Housing Association.
  6. Will the Minister be taking action over allegations contained in any such report.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The following sub-contracts have been let:

    1. a ) R. T. Riley for bricklaying;
    2. B. & N. Construction, Katherine;
    3. Katherine Electrics.
  2. Audit checks by accountants have shown that all pays are signed for by Aboriginal employees. On pay day 11 February 1976 one employee was deceased and pay entitlement of $ 1 2 7. 86 was forwarded to the Public Trustee.
  3. and (4) My Department’s inquiries do not substantiate these allegations.
  4. The appointment of the Manager terminated on 2 May 1 976. The Manager’s salary was $ 10,740 per annum.
  5. My Department has commenced an investigation into the affairs of the Bamyili Housing Association.

Department of Aboriginal Affairs: Staff (Question No. 609)

Senator Keeffe:
QUEENSLAND

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

Will the Minister inform the Parliament if there are to be severe cut-backs in the number of staff employed by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs; if so, are most of those to be dismissed Aboriginals.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

As part of the further reductions in Public Service staff announced by the Prime Minister in June, the staff ceiling of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs has been reduced from 1275 to 1225. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the latter level of staff, which is to be reached by 30 June 1977, is to be attained through wastage and by restricting recruitment, not by dismissals. It seems likely that there will be such wastage amongst Aboriginal staff members, as among nonAboriginal staff,

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs: Report (Question No. 616)

Senator Cavanagh:

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

  1. 1 ) Has the Government considered the recommendations contained in the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs on Aboriginal Health in the south-west of Western Australia; if so, which of the 19 recommendations has the Government accepted in full, or in part, and what number has it rejected, or not acted upon.
  2. What was the cost of the investigation.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Report has been considered by the Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee of Western Australia and recommendation 7 (a) of the Report for an expansion of the Co-ordinating Committee ‘s membership, and recommendation 7 (b) for establishment of a Health Sub-Committee, have been implemented.

The functional departments have also examined the report with a view to determining the practicability of implementing the recommendations. A summary of action to date on each of the other recommendations follows:

  1. 1 ) The formal procedure for co-ordination and consultation provided under the terms of the Western Australian Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act is being implemented to the extent possible with the limited staff available. The Perth Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee meets monthly as do the five subsidiary area co-ordinating committees outside the metropolitan area. Consultation at the local community level takes place at Consultative Committee meetings held twice yearly in each of the seven areas into which the State is divided for administrative purposes.

The Aboriginal Medical Service field staff consult at a training level with major hospitals and liaise with Community Health Services field staff informally. Community Health Services has recently conducted seminars for field staff in Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland which should promote more effective consultation in the future. The Community Health Services Director is a member by standing invitation of the Medical Committee of the Aboriginal Medical Service.

Community Health Services, with an increased Aboriginal field staff, has local contact with communities throughout the State.

  1. This recommendation is being implemented progressively. Community Health Services is making a baseline health study of Aboriginal people.
  2. This recommendation has been implemented in part. Community Health Services conduct Health Education programs in schools and the Education Department is currently reviewing the effectiveness of the program.

The Aboriginal Medical Service provides health education at the AMS Centre. Subsidised lunch schemes are operating at Gnowangerup and Wiluna and other selfsupporting schemes are being organised in a number of other centres.

  1. The terms of this recommendation are now receiving priority attention from the Aboriginal Affairs Coordinating Committee Health Sub-Committee which includes representatives of the Alcohol and Drug Authority, Community Health Services and the Department for Community Welfare.
  2. The New Era Aboriginal Fellowship has established a ‘Half-way House’ (St Norbett ‘s Centre). An Aboriginal Medical Service alcoholic program works in conjunction with this Centre by referring patients through a social worker.
  3. The Alcohol and Drug Authority has completed a film on some aspects of alcoholism in Kalgoorlie as a preliminary step. Future developments will depend on available funds and staff resources.
  4. The Alcohol and Drug Authority in conjunction with Community Health Services, Department of Corrections, Aboriginal Medical Service and Aboriginal organisations is developing proposals for management and treatment of habitual drinkers.
  5. and ( 10) These issues are being considered by an Interdepartmental Committee comprising the Departments of Aboriginal Affairs, Social Security, and Employment and Industrial Relations.
  6. 1 1 ) A program of closing down reserves is dependent upon funding for town housing. Agreement has been reached between the State Housing Commission and the Department for Community Welfare to give priority in towns where reserve closure is planned and applicants appear to have potential. Houses for use as training centres have been offered to the Department for Community Welfare by the State Housing Commission.
  7. This recommendation has been implemented. The Department for Community Welfare has indicated its intention to appoint as many homemakers as are required subject only to the availability of suitable personnel.
  8. (a) This recommendation has been implemented in part. Views of Aboriginal people in local communities, as well as the Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee are being sought on housing solutions but progress must depend on the availability of funds.

    1. This recommendation has not been accepted by the State Housing Commission. The Commission does obtain views of other agencies, including the Department for Community Welfare, but does not accept that any other agency can determine standards for tenants.
  9. The Housing Commission is continuing to decentralise its operations as and when practicable.
  10. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs is kept informed through the Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee of any opposition by local government. The State Housing Commission has resolved difficulties with some local authorities, enabling an intended program for 1 976-77 to be formulated. The State Housing Commission is continuing to negotiate with authorities still raising objections.
  11. 16) (a) Effective consultation takes place between Adult Education, Technical Education of W.A., Education Depanment and Aboriginal communities. Health and hygiene courses are available.

    1. The Department of Education is now reviewing the health education program for schools and communities in conjunction with the Community Health Services with a view to upgrading the service as required. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs funds approved programs.
    2. Aboriginal Teacher Aides have been appointed where required throughout the State, as well as two Aboriginal Liaison Officers- one in Kalgoorlie and one in Port Hedland. The apppointment of additional officers is subject to the availability of funds.
  12. 17) Effective implementation of this recommendation has not been possible as funds available to both authorities have been limited.
  13. The Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee has authorised its Health Sub-committee to invite the Community Recreation Council to participate in its activities.
  14. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has a policy of promoting such Centres but funds for this purpose are extremely limited.
  15. There has been no cost to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The Clerk of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs may be able to provide some information on expenses associated with the Report.

Aboriginal Affairs (Question No. 623)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) How much has the Government spent on Aboriginal affairs in each year for the past four years, annually and quarterly.
  2. To what areas has this money been allocated.
  3. 3 ) What amounts exactly were allocated to each area.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question: (1), (2) and (3) The information sought by the honourable senator in respect of annual allocations of funds on the votes of the Depanment of Aboriginal Affairs is provided in Second Reading Speeches in respect of the States Grants (Aboriginal Advancement) and States Grants (Aboriginal Assistance) Bills in respect of the financial years 1972-73 to 1975-76 and in the annual reports of the Depanment of Aboriginal Affairs for the period ending 30 June 1974 and 1974-75. Information on other Government funds allocated to Aboriginal affairs on the votes of other Departments is available in the Appropriation Bills, Budget Speeches and associated documents for the appropriate years. It is not practicable to provide such information on a quarterly basis, as requested by the honourable senator.

Foreign Ownership and Control (Question No. 624)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What are the present levels of foreign ownership and control in the following Australian industries:

    1. chemical, (b) drug manufacturing, (c) coal mining, (d) petroleum exploration, (e) copper mining, (f) leadzincsilver mining, (g) car manufacturing, (h) food manufacturing, (i) steel manufacturing, (j) nickel mining, (k) ship building, (I) beef cattle, (m) sheep grazing, (n) wheat, (o) tin mining, (p) beach sand mining, (q) iron ore mining, (r) bauxite mining, (s) wood chip, and (t) tobacco.
  2. Have the levels of foreign ownership increased or decreased in each of these industries over the past 1 6 years; if so, by how much annually.
  3. What are the home countries of the main foreign shareholders, and what are the main foreign companies involved in each of the listed industries.
Senator Cotton:
LP

– The Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Official statistics on the levels of foreign ownership and control in certain Australian industries are contained in publications of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The relevant publications in respect of most of the industries listed by the honourable senator are:

Foreign Ownership and Control of the Mining Industry, 1972-73 (reference No. 10.42);’

Foreign Control in Manufacturing Industry- Study of large Enterprise Groups, 1972-73 (reference No. 12.35). The results of a more comprehensive study covering manufacturing industry as a whole will be published during the next few months.

No official statistics are available in respect of the beef, sheep and wheat industries.

  1. Although some earlier studies were undertaken on overseas participation in the Australian manufacturing and mining industries, it is not possible to calculate increases or decreases in the levels of foreign ownership over the past 16 years.
  2. The ABS publications referred to above provide figures on the extent of foreign participation, classified by country, in certain Australian industries. Information on investment by individual foreign companies is not published.

Great Barrier Reef (Question No. 626)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister for Science, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How much has the Commonwealth Government spent on the research, development and publicising of the Great Barrier Reef over the past ten years to 3 1 December 1 975.
  2. If moneys have been expended, how were they allocated,
  3. If the answer to (2) is in the affirmative, what percentage of these moneys has been allocated for research into the Great Barrier Reef, and what sorts of research have been funded.
  4. What is the annual level of this funding.
  5. What is the proposed size and site of the Great Barrier Reef Marine National Park and when will it be declared a National Park.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

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

  1. to (5) In so far as the honourable senator’s question relates to expenditure by the Department of Science- and its predecessor departments since 1971- and related statutory authorities considerable information has been published, and is contained in the reports listed below.

Should the honourable senator require further details in relation to the expenditure of other departments and authorities, I suggest that he direct his question also to the Ministers responsible.

  1. 1 ) Department of Science- Report for the period 20 December 1 972 to 30 June 1 973.
  2. ) Department of Science Annual Report 1973-74.
  3. Department of Science and Consumer Affairs- 1 974-75 Annual Report.
  4. Australian Institute of Marine Science- Report of the Council for the year 1974-75.
  5. Report of the Committee on the Problems of the Crown of Thorns Starfish- published March 1971.
  6. Crown of Thorns Starfish Seminar- published August 1972.
  7. Crown of Thorns Starfish Seminar Proceedingspublished September 1 974.
  8. Report on Research Sponsored by the Advisory Committee on Research into the Crown of Thorns Starfish-published October 1975.
  9. Two Surveys of the Crown of Thorns Starfish over a section of the Great Barrier Reef- published March 1 976.
  10. Limer Expedition- Lizard Island Metabolic Exchanges on Reef Expedition- 1975.

Investment Allowance for Tractors

Senator Cotton:
LP

-On 25 and 26 February 1976 Senator Walsh addressed two questions without notice to me as Minister representing the Treasurer in the Senate. The questions related to the new investment allowance as it might apply to imported tractors. I undertook to refer the questions to the Treasurer who has supplied the following answer

The Government has estimated that the cost to revenue of the new investment allowance, during its 40 per cent phase, would be some $500 million in a full year. It has not estimated what percentage of this might be attributable to the purchase of large imported tractors by taxpayers paying tax at high marginal rates.

The honourable senator appears to be under the impression that the investment allowance is solely directed towards stimulating Australian manufacturing through increasing demands for its products. That is not so. The allowance is directed also at increasing the productive capacity of the economy through the upgrading of the capital stock and in that sense does not discriminate between imported capital goods and those of domestic manufacture. Presumably the tractors in question will increase the productive capacity of those producers making use of them.

Second-hand Motor Vehicles

Senator Cotton:
LP

-On 18 May 1976 Senator McLaren asked me the following question, without notice:

I address my question to the Minister representing the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs. I refer to question No. 461 dealing with the importation of second-hand motor vehicles, a question which I had on the notice paper and in respect of which I received an answer prior to the recess. Whilst the Minister was able to provide me with information about the number of vehicles imported during the last 5 years and the amount of revenue collected, can he tell me why his Department cannot provide me with the names of the persons and companies who imported these cars?

The Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs has now provided me with the following information in answer to the honourable senator’s question:

As indicated in the earlier reply to question No. 461, over 24 000 second-hand motor vehicles were imported in the period. To provide the specific detail now required by the honourable senator would require a very substantial commitment of departmental staff resources and ensuing expense to extract such data.

In addition, the Commonwealth Statistician who is, inter alia, responsible for the collection, compilation, tabulation and publication of statistics, including statistics of imports and exports, is legally constrained by the Census and Statistics Act 1 905, 1 973 to not, except as allowed by that Act, divulge the contents of any form filled up or information supplied.

Under that constraint, the Statistician does not disclose the names of persons or companies involved in import or export transactions.

The Bureau of Customs, as a primary source of such import and export data to the Statistician, has followed a practice, which I believe to be appropriate, of also not making public information which the Statistician would not disclose.

Australian Citizenship Applications

Senator Withers:
LP

-On 26 May 1976 (Hansard, page 1925) Senator Mulvihill asked me, as Minister representing the Prime Minister, a question without notice concerning the reports of Mr Justice Hope’s Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security. The Prime Minister has now supplied the following information for answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The reports of the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security are under consideration by the Government as they come to hand and an announcement on the various matters dealt with by the Royal Commissioner will be made in due course.

Postal and Telecommunications Commissions

Senator Carrick:
LP

– On 1 April 1976 Senator Thomas asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications the following question, without notice:

In view of the fact that the Australian Postal Commission and the Australian Telecommunications Commission are now expected to be financially self-sufficient and to contribute to their own capital expansion, what safeguards can the Minister give that the interests of families living in remote areas which would be patently unprofitable to service are being protected?

The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Both the Postal Services Act and the Telecommunications Act provide that the Commissions, in performing their functions, shall have regard for the special needs of Australian people who reside or carry on business outside the cities.

Recent marketing initiatives by the Postal Commission include reductions in charges for boxholders not served by a postman or mailman and for users of the private mail bag services. Lower rates announced for local bulk postings of mail permit lower volumes of postings to attract the concessional rates in smaller communities than postings in metropolitan areas. When telephone tariffs were last raised there was no rental increase for subscribers connected to noncontinuous telephone exchanges and the construction charge beyond the 8 kilometre point has been retained despite cost rises since 1973 when the present charge was determined. The service targets for Telecom Australia in 1975-76 included provisions for continuous services to be provided for 10 per cent of the 14 600 subscribers who had noncontinuous service and for automatic service to be provided for 1 1 per cent of the 146 000 subscribers connected to manual exchanges.

These examples indicate that both Commissions are responsive in a practical way to the special difficulties of families in remote areas. Services available through both Commissions are under periodic review with the objective of providing the best national service possible at the least cost. Recent decisions to hold the basic letter tariff at its present level during 1976 and to retain existing charges for the telephone service into 1976-77 should be pleasing to all users in a time when costs have risen significantly.

Atomic Reactor

Senator Withers:
LP

– On 1 June 1976 Senator Keeffe asked the following question, without notice:

Does the Minister possess up to date information concerning a proposed reactor to replace HIFAR at the Lucas Heights establishment of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission? If so, can the Minister advise the Parliament of its proposed location, its accessibility to the scientific community of Australia and, in the light of the inadequacies of the present facilities, when it will be built?

The Minister for National Resources has now provided the following answer to the honourable Senator’s question:

As reported in its 1974-75 Annual Report, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission is making a detailed study of the Australian requirements for research reactor irradiation facilities to the end of this century. The study is taking account of the reactor needs within the community for both scientific research and radioisotope production. At the same time, the Commission is reviewing the capacity of its existing reactor HIFAR to meet these needs.

The study is expected to be completed in early 1977. Any new reactor recommended as a result of the study could not be operational before about 1 982 due to the lead time for design and construction involved. A new reactor would be equally as accessible to the scientific community as is HIFAR. Present indications are that Lucas Heights would be the most suitable location for such a reactor.

Water (Question No. 630)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for National Resources, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How much has been spent by the Federal Government on research and development of Australia’s water resources for each of the 10 years to 3 1 December 1 975, and in each of the first three months for the years 1 970- 1 976 inclusive.
  2. How have these moneys been allocated for (a ) annual expenditures for the 10 years and (b) quarterly expenditures for the past 7 years.
  3. What size are the proven reserves of Australia’s water resources in terms of (a) streams, rivers and (b) artesian water.
  4. Where are these reserves located in Australia.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for National Resources has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The amounts spent by the Commonwealth Goverment on development and research over the past ten years through the Department of National Resources and Departments which previously had similar responsibilities with regard to water resource matters are as follows:

Over the past ten years, the Commonwealth has also spent considerable sums on water research through CSIRO, the Bureau of Meterology and the Australian Research Grants Committee, and through the National Capital Development Commission and the Department of the Northern Territory (previously through the former Department of the Interior) on the development of water resources in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory respectively. These figures are not readily available and I suggest that the honourable Senator pursue his enquires through the appropriate authorities.

Details of expenditures on research and development for which my Department has administrative responsibility in respect of the first three months of each year from 1 970 to 1976 are not readily available and the preparation of that degree of detail would involve a very time-consuming process. In any event, payments during this period of each year could vary considerably from year to year depending on the timing of action by recipient organisations or individuals in lodging claims for which advances or reimbursements are payable.

  1. In respect of expenditure on water research, the Commonwealth established a Water Research Fund financed by triennial appropriations. This money is allocated to research projects on the advice of the Australian Water Resources Council in accordance with its research priorities. In addition, the Council also invites, periodically, applications for grants from research institutions throughout Australia. All projects assisted from the Water Research Fund are subject to Ministerial approval and the recipients are required to enter into an agreement with my Department in relation to specific terms and conditions.

In the case of water resource development projects, the allocation of funds has generally been made within specific programs of assistance by way of Section 96 grants authorised by special legislation. In the case of the allocation of funds for capital works on the River Murray system, expenditure is in accordance with the Commonwealth’s obligations under the River Murray Waters Act ( 1915-74).

  1. and (4) Detailed answers to these questions are being provided through a comprehensive assessment of Australia’s surface and groundwater resources, covering both quantity and quality, and will be included in the Review of Australia’s Water Resources 1975, to be published by the Australian Government Publishing Service within the next few months.

Aborigines: Discrimination (Question No. 639)

Senator Colston:

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

Is the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, in conjunction with the Attorney-General’s Department, currently preparing legislation to override discriminatory clauses of the Queensland Aborigines Act and the Queensland Torres Strait Islanders Act.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

No. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Discriminatory Laws) Act 1975 came into force on 19 June 1975.

The purpose of this Act is to supersede certain provisions of the laws of Queensland that have the effect of discriminating against Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders and denying their basic rights.

The Act deals specifically with the following areas:

Entering on Reserves

Conduct on Reserves

Payment of Award wages

Management of Property

Legal proceedings

Entry on premises on Reserves

Compulsory labour

In addition to this Act, the Racial Discrimination Act became effective in law from 31 October 1975. This Act has a more general application to discrimination based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, and makes it unlawful for a person to do an act involving racial discrimination which impairs the enjoyment, on an equal footing of fundamental rights and freedoms. This Act also contains provision which guarantees equality before the law in the enjoyment of rights without discrimination based on race, and which are designed to supersede State or Commonwealth laws that discriminate on ground of race in relation to the enjoyment or rights.

This Act also prescribes acts of racial discrimination in respect of access to places and facilities available to members of the public, the disposal of land, housing and other accommodation, the provision of goods and services to the public, employment, and the right to join trade unions.

Complaints of infringements in relation to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Discriminatory Laws) Act 1975 should be made by the person affected to his legal adviser. The Government fully funds the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Legal Service (Queensland) to provide legal advice and assistance to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Queensland. That service employs field officers and retains solicitors who can be consulted by any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who wishes to enquire about his rights or wishes to take legal action to enforce his rights under the Act.

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 provides that the Commissioner for Community Relations shall enquire into alleged infringements of the Act and endeavour to effect a settlement. Where the Commissioner certifies thatsettlement has been attempted but has not been achieved, legal proceedings may be brought for an injunction, damages or order directing specified acts to be performed or other remedies set out in the Act. Advice in relation to infringements of this Act can be obtained from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Legal Service (Queensland) who can provide representation of the person complaining where settlement has been attempted but not achieved.

Legal Aid (Question No. 660)

Senator Ryan:
ACT

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

  1. 1 ) What is the estimated cost to the Government of the current review of legal aid.
  2. How many people are involved and what are their salaries.
  3. What are the estimated administrative expenses.
  4. What are the total estimated travel costs and allowances.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Attorney-General has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. and (2) The Attorney-General is personally conducting the current review of legal aid with assistance from officers of his Department as required. No officers are engaged full-time upon the review.
  2. and (4) The total estimated travel costs, allowances and administrative expenses incurred by officers attending meetings is approximately $ 1 , 500.

Australian Broadcasting Commission: Musical Performing Groups (Question No. 668)

Senator Missen:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

With regard to musical performing groups employed by the Australian Broadcasting Commission:

  1. What was the total operating cost incurred by such groups over the last two financial years;
  2. b ) what was the total revenue from public performances given by such groups over the last two financial years;
  3. what proportion of total broadcasting time was filled by live and recorded performances of such groups over the last two financial years; and
  4. d ) what other functions are performed by such groups.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Average 1973-74: 7.41 per cent of total transmission time. Average 1974-75: 7.52 per cent of total transmission time.
  2. ABC Symphony Orchestras are also used to provide sound tracks for TV ballet and drama, opera, promotional and theme music for radio and TV, studio television video tape recordings, ‘live’ and recorded studio radio programs including permanent ABC processed discs and commercial disc releases. The Orchestras are available to organisations such as opera companies and for festival performances and educational conferences. In addition, Orchestras perform at approximately 200 education concerts a year for which no admission charges are made as well as participating in free concerts in conjunction with city councils, world conventions of national importance and tours overseas to contribute to Australia’s presence abroad.

Key players perform for outside organisations, where appropriate, and in overseas activities of the Musica Viva Society. Such players also provide tuition for young people at music camps and for the National Training Orchestra.

Australian Broadcasting Commission: Musical Performing Groups (Question No. 669)

Senator Missen:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What was the total number of musicians employed by musical performing groups maintained by the Australian Broadcasting Commission in the last two financial years.
  2. What proportion of these employees were recruited from, or trained in, foreign countries.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1973-74 411; 1974-75 411.
  2. The proportion of 411 musicians recruited from and trained overseas was 2.2 per cent. All ABC orchestras have some players trained overseas but recruited locally. There are also focal musicians who have furthered their training overseas after basic training in Australia.

Australian Broadcasting Commission: Overseas Sporting Events (Question No. 670)

Senator Missen:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

What was the total expenditure of the Australian Broadcasting Commission on direct coverage of overseas sporting events in each of the last two financial years.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Melville Bay: Fishing Industry (Question No. 672)

Senator Cavanagh:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

What has been the effect on fish life and the fishing industry in the Melville Bay area, due to the mining operations of Nabalco at Gove Peninsula.

Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

There was no fishing industry in the commercial sense at Melville Bay although there is subsistence fishing in these waters. There is no evidence to date of any deleterious effects to the fish resources of Melville Bay from the red mud disposal system used by Nabalco. There have been occasional fish kills due to accidental spillages of noxious materials from the cooling water outfall, but these have been infrequent and the fish kills have been considered insignificant.

Many people have attributed a virulent occurrence of the condition known as ‘ciguatera ‘ on the seaward side of Gove Peninsula to some part of the mining operations. However, ciguatera is known throughout the Indo Pacific region. It has been known since the very earliest European explorations and although its origins are obscure there is no evidence at present linking the mining operations with this condition.

Education (Question No. 677)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister for Education, upon notice:

  1. Was $400,000 of State finance for 1975-76 for specialised schools in Queensland set aside; if so, have handicapped schools received none of this money, although only two months of the financial year remain.
  2. If the answer to ( 1 ) is in the affirmative, what are the reasons for the lack of finance being made available to handicapped schools in Queensland.
Senator Carrick:
LP

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

  1. and (2) I understand that $400,000 was allocated by Queensland in its 1975-76 Budget for distribution to nongovernment special schools. Responsibility for the distribution of these grants rests with the Queensland Minister of Education.

During 1975-76 the Schools Commission advanced funds to Queensland totalling $1,266,996 for recurrent expenditure of government special schools for handicapped children. The claim for recurrent expenditure of non-government schools in Queensland has recently been received and I have approved payments amounting to $638,082.99 for the period 1 July 1 975 to 30 June 1 976 to these schools.

Northern Territory: Appointment of Administrator (Question No. 680)

Senator Robertson:
NORTHERN TERRITORY

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) When will an appointment be made to the position of Administrator of the Northern Territory.
  2. Will the Minister expedite an appointment since the position has been vacant since November 1975, and the present situation where the Acting Administrator is also Deputy-Secretary of the Depanment of the Northern Territory and Deputy-Chairman of the Darwin Reconstruction Commission is unfair to the officer concerned and not in the best interests of efficient administration.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Minister for the Northern Territory on 25 May 1 976 announced the appointment of Mr John England as Administrator of the Northern Territory for a term of three years commencing on 1 June 1 976.
  2. See above.

Aborigines: Kimberley Region (Question No. 687)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) Did the Minister and the Western Australian Minister for Community Welfare make a study visit to the Kimberley Region of Western Australia to investigate problems facing Aboriginal communities in that region during the period in which Senator the Honourable J. L. Cavanagh was the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; if so (a) when did the visit take place, what was the itinerary, and who accompanied the two Ministers, (b) did the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government subsequently agree to take any specific policy initiatives to benefit Aboriginal communities in the Kimberleys, including the placing of additional staff in the area; if so, what decisions were taken, and which of them have been put into effect to date.
  2. What additional staff have been placed in the region by (a) the Australian Government, and (b) the Western Australian Government specifically to assist Aboriginal communities, and have any of these positions been affected by restrictions recently announced on public service staffing.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question: (1)Yes

  1. The tour took place from 2 to 9 November 1974 and the party visited La Grange, Broome, Beagle Bay, Lombadina, Derby, One Arm Point, Looma, Fitzroy Crossing, Balgo, Hall’s Creek, Kununurra, Wyndham, Oombulgurri and Kalumburu. The Ministers were accompanied by Mr A. Ridge, Minister for the North-west, Perth; Mr B. Dexter, Secretary, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Canberra; Mr F. Gare, Director, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Perth; Mr K. Maine, Director, Department of Community Welfare, Perth; Dr L. Holman, Director, Community Health Services, Perth; Dr J. Rowe, Assistant Principal Medical Officer, Medical Department, Perth; Dr W. Langsford, First Assistant Director-General, Australian Department of Health, Canberra; Mr K. Jones, Secretary, Department of Education, Canberra; Mr J. Booth, Senior Social Work Supervisor, Kimberley Division, Department of Community Welfare, Perth; Mr M. Hepburn, Social Work Supervisor, Kimberley Division, Department of Community Welfare, Derby; Mr D. Cavanagh, Private Secretary to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; Mr Z. Kovacs, Journalist, ‘West Australian’, Perth.
  2. Following the tour, Senator Cavanagh initiated discussion and planning through the Aboriginal Affairs Co-ordinating Committee in Western Australia and a conference of Ministers was held on 31 January 1975 to discuss the development of co-ordinated ongoing programs for the Kimberleys. The Minister subsequently approved funding of a number of special programs for the Kimberley region.

(2)-

  1. The Commonwealth Department of Employment and Industrial Relations is placing an officer in the region.
  2. The West Australian Government placed 23 additional staff in the Kimberleys (Education- 1, Preschool Board- 8, Community Welfare- 14). No positions either State or Federal have been affected by restrictions on staffing.

National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (Question No. 688)

Senator Colston:

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

Has the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee formally made any specific recommendations to the Government relating to the Aboriginal Land (Northern Territory) Bill 1976 currently before the Parliament; if so (a) what recommendations have been made, and (b) has the Minister responded to the recommendations and if he has, what was his response.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

The National Aboriginal Consultative Committee has not formally made any specific recommendations to the Government relating to the Aboriginal Land (Northern Territory) Bill currently before Parliament.

Universities and Colleges: Quotas (Question No. 691)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister for Education, upon notice:

Is it a fact that no new students will be admitted to quota places at the University of Queensland in the second semester of 1976; if so (a) have any other Australian universities or colleges of advanced education placed similar restrictions on student intakes in 1976, (b) can the Minister estimate how many (i) full-time, (ii) part-time and (iii) external students will be affected by the restrictions imposed by the University of Queensland and other universities or colleges of advanced education and (c) have these restrictions resulted from any financial cut-backs imposed by the Australian Government.

Senator Carrick:
LP

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

I do not have precise information regarding the admission of new students to the University of Queensland in the second semester of 1976. The level of quotas set by universities and colleges of advanced education to achieve recommended student numbers and the method of application of those quotas are matters for determination by individual institutions themselves. Total enrolments in universities rose from 148 000 in 197S to 1S3 000 in 1976 and in the case of colleges from 125 000 in 1975 to 134 000 in 1976.

Recommended student numbers on which the funding of universities and colleges of advanced education was based in 1976 are set out in the reports of the two tertiary Commissions for that year. The reports were based on guidelines laid down by the previous Government and were endorsed by the present Government. I draw to the honourable Senator’s attention that the number of equivalent full-time undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Queensland in 1976 was 12 850 which was 550 above the level recommended by the Universities Commission.

Family Court of Australia: Brisbane Premises (Question No. 692)

Senator Colston:

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

Has the Attorney-General’s attention been drawn to comments made by Judge Demack of the Family Court of Australia in The Courier Mail, of 21 May 1976, that the present premises of the Court in Brisbane are inadequate: if so, (a) what efforts are being made to obtain adequate accommodation for the Court in Brisbane; (b) if alternative accommodaton is not envisaged at this stage, what is being done to ensure adequate privacy for court hearings and counselling sessions; (c) is it planned to appoint another Judge to the Court in Brisbane; if so, when; and (d) is it planned to appoint additional counsellors to the Court in Brisbane; if so, how many additional counsellors are to be appointed and when are the appointments to take place.

Senator Withers:
LP

– The Attorney-General has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

My attention has been drawn to comments made by Mr Justice Demack of the Family Court of Australia in The Courier Mail of 2 1 May 1 976 concerning the inadequacy of the temporary premises of the Court in Brisbane. I had already initiated action towards obtaining more suitable accommodation for the Court.

The answers to the specific points raised are:

Space has now been allocated for permanent accommodation for the Family Court of Australia in Brisbane, and architects from the Department of Construction have commenced the necessary detailed planning.

As it will be several months until the permanent premises will be ready for occupation, steps are currently being taken to improve the temporary accommodation to ensure a greater degree of privacy for court hearings and counselling sessions.

I announced recently that I will soon recommend the appointment of additional Judges to the Family Court of Australia. These should include the appointment of an additional Judge to the Court in Brisbane.

An additional counsellor will be appointed to the Court in Brisbane shortly.

Report on Aborigines in the Kimberley (Question No. 694)

Senator Colston:

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

Were funds from the Australian Government, or any assistance from Australian Government Departments, employed in the preparation of the report entitled ‘Assessment of the Needs and Opportunities for Aborigines in the Kimberley’ in 1971; if so, (a) what assistance was provided by the Australian Government; (b) has the report been made public and when was it made public, and if not, will the Minister table the report in the Austraiian Parliament; and (c) which recommendations of the report have been put into effect to date, and at what expense to (i) the Australian Government, and (ii) the Western Australian Government.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

Yes.

  1. An amount of $35,000 was provided in 1971 in the program of State Grants for Western Australia to meet the costs of preparing the report.
  2. The report has not been made public by the Western Australian Government. Only limited numbers of copies were produced. It is not appropriate to table the report, now five years out of date, in the Federal Parliament, but arrangements can be made through my Department for interested persons to consult the report.
  3. The report sets out six objectives, each supported with policy suggestions and detailed recommendations. The objectives are, first, to co-ordinate the activities of bodies involved with Aborigines in the Kimberleys; second, to improve the standard and type of Aboriginal accommodation; third, to improve the standard of health and hygiene of Aborigines; fourth, to improve the educational and vocational levels attained by Aborigines; fifth, to provide meaningful employment opportunities for Aborigines, and sixth, to ensure that traditional customs and values are preserved.

Action has been taken in relation to all these objectives but it would be impracticable to list all the action taken on each of numerous recommendations made in the report. A total of over $7m has been provided by the Commonwealth Government for Aboriginal affairs programs in the Kimberley region since the presentation of the report.

The Navy List (Question No. 695)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) How often is The Navy List published.
  2. What is the total cost of (a) publication, and (b) distribution of The Navy List.
  3. 3 ) Why is publication of The Navy List necessary.
  4. Is a similar publication produced for other sections of the Defence Force; if so, (a) what are the publications concerned, (b) how often are they published, and (c) what is the cost of publication and distribution.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Twice yearly.
  2. (a) Last issue cost $7,187. (b) The large majority are distributed through the Navy supply system together with other printed material, etc. It is not possible to allocate a cost of distribution to these publications.
  3. The Navy List contains an alphabetical list of all officers, shows lists of seniority and where officers are serving. As such, it is a tool of management and a directory, and is used in all ships and establishments. It is also a valuable historical record which assists management in providing information in response to requests from many private and governmental sources.
  4. Yes.

    1. (i) The Corps List of Officers of the Australian Regular Army and Regular Army Supplement, (ii) The Army List of Officers of the Australian Military Forces- The Active List (includes active reserves), (iri) The Air Force List.
    2. b) (i) Annually, (ii) Up until 1 970, was published every 3 years. It has not been published since 1970 because the capacity to compile it was needed for higher priority work, (iii) Annually.
    3. (i) 1975 Edition cost $4,800. (ii) 1970 Edition cost $ 1 8, 100. (iii) 1 976 Edition is estimated to cost $8,300. (i), (ii) and (iii) The large majority are distributed through the supply system of the Service concerned together with other printed material, etc. It is not possible to allocate a cost of distribution to these publications.

Drugs: Phenacetin (Question No. 696)

Senator Colston:

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

Has the Queensland Branch of the Australian Medical Association requested the National Health and Medical Research Council to ban phenacetin from compound analgesics; if so, what action has been taken on the submission to date.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Yes, through the Federal Council of the Australian Medical Association.

The submission accompanying the request is under consideration by the Medicine Advisory Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council.

In addition, analgesics are receiving the attention of the Public Health Advisory Committee of the NH and MRC.

Health Data Collection Conference (Question No. 698)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice:

Is the Commonwealth Statistician arranging a conference to discuss rationalisation and development of health data collection in Australia; if so, (a) what is the exact aim of the conference, (b) when is it to be held, and (c) what is the estimated cost of the conference.

Senator Cotton:
LP

– The Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Statistician did arrange such a Conference, at the request of the 1975 Australian Health Ministers’ Conference, on the advice of the Hospital and Allied Services Council.

The Conference was held, in Canberra, from 9-13 February 1976.

The terms of reference of the Conference were to report on:

the nature and scope of problems currently associated with health data collection, including consideration of deficiencies and areas of overlap;

b) definition of the areas of activity of organisations;

c) action that might be taken to rationalise and improve present and future health data collection and analysis activities.

The approximate direct cost to the Bureau was $3,000; all participants met their own travelling and accommodation expenses.

A formal Report of the Conference has been produced and is to be discussed at the 1976 Australian Health Ministers ‘ Conference. Copies of the Report, which contains full details of the terms of reference, agenda, participants, resolutions, recommendations, etc., are available and a copy can be supplied to the honourable senator upon request.

Australia Post (Question No. 700)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What is the ‘householder delivery service ‘ provided by Australia Post.
  2. What postage rates apply, and for how long has the service been provided.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Householder Delivery Service makes possible the mass distribution, by post, of articles which are not individually addressed to a particular person or to a specific address. Articles for delivery as Householder mail can bear a general form of address such as ‘The Householder’, “The Businessman’, ‘The Farmer’ or other similar non-specific address forms. Delivery is made to all delivery points within the category selected in the areas nominated by the sender. Australia Post maintains up-to-date figures of the number of delivery points in various delivery categories, representing both business organisations and private households, at all offices from which Householder deliveries can be made.

A similar service is provided by a number of private distributors with whom Australia Post must compete for this type of business.

Australian Hides: Imports by Italy (Question No. 701)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister represent ing the Minister for Overseas Trade, upon notice:

Has the Government of Italy invoked regulations requiring a health certificate on the import of Australian hides; if so

what are the regulations concerned,

b ) how long have they been in force,

do the regulations apply to any other country,

did the Government of Italy advise the Australian Government why the new regulations were being invoked, and, if so, what reason was given, and

has the Australian Government made any attempt to have the regulations revoked, and, if so, what action has been taken and what results have occurred.

Senator Cotton:
LP

– The Minister for Overseas Trade has provided the following information in answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Since February 1976, a number of Australian shipments of hides have been detained by Italian authorities because of the absence of accompanying health certificates required under Italian Government regulations. The answers to the specific points in your question are as follows:

The regulations concerned require that certain categories of imported hides be accompanied by certification that hides originate from animals free from infectious and contagious diseases.

It is understood the regulations were enacted in 1954 but were not previously enforced.

The regulations apply to imports from all sources.

As mentioned in (b) above, no new regulations are involved.

Since the problem arose, the Australian Government has made a number of representations to the Italian authorities and the problem has now been satisfactorily resolved. Approval has been obtained for the entry of detained shipments as well as shipments in transit. A new form of certificate acceptable to Italian authorities and the Australian Department of Primary Industry has been agreed upon to enable full resumption of Australian hide exports to Italy.

Army: Discharge of Personnel (Question No. 712)

Senator Walsh:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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

May a person who joined the Army when under eighteen years of age with parental consent be discharged from the Army if the parent withdraws consent, (a) before the person is eighteen years of age, or (b) after the person is eighteen years of age.

Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. An Army member under 18 years of age is not discharged automatically if parental consent is withdrawn.

It is Army practice to obtain parental consent to the enlistment of members under 18, but consent is not a legal requirement.

Australian Military Regulation 176 ( 1 ) (b) empowers the proper authority to discharge a member under 18 when a parent requests his discharge. However, the Regulation does not confer an entitlement on the soldier for discharge. Discharges under this provision are usually approved only on strong compassionate grounds.

  1. No.

Assistance to Child Care Centres (Question No. 714)

Senator Grimes:
NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister in Child Care Matters, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Will the Minister clarify the way in which Government assistance is to be provided in respect of child care, as a result of the possible change forecast in this area in the ‘minibudget.
  2. If the Government does alter the criteria applicable to the provision of financial assistance to child care centres, will it ensure that those parents who have entered into financial commitments and paid fees in good faith are not penalised or disadvantaged.
  3. In respect of students with pre-school children undertaking courses at technical colleges and tertiary institutions, will the Government ensure that courses of study will not be disrupted and that Government money already expended on their education will not be wasted as a result of a change in government policy midway through the academic year.
  4. Will the Government acknowledge that many of the parents involved deserve at least some support and encouragement because they are willing to improve their own and their families’ lives through hard work and initiative.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows: (1), (2), (3) and (4) On 20 May 1976, both the Prime Minister and the Treasurer announced that $73. 3m would be available for children’s services in 1976-77. This compares favourably with the $63.29m expected to be spent in the current financial year. The Prime Minister has announced that in the coming financial year priority will be given to funding child care projects in high need areas and that ways of meeting this priority within the level of funds provided will be examined during discussions with the States. I will ensure that the points the honourable senator has raised are taken into account as the program develops.

Aborigines: Mining (Question No. 726)

Senator Cavanagh:

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

Does the Minister’s statement to the Australian Mining Industry Council ‘s General Meeting held on 2 9 March 1 976, that ‘the fact that an agreement has been entered into by a foreign-owned consortium with a State Government does not tie the hands of the Federal Government in the pursuit of National policies of this kind ‘ have significance with regard to Aurukun; if so, is the agreement entered into between the Queensland Government and the Aurukun Mining Consortium worthless if it contravenes Federal Government policy on mining on Aboriginal lands.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

The Commonwealth Government has indicated that any arrangements for mining development in the Aurukun Reserve must conform to the Government’s policies in respect of foreign investment in Australia and of the rights of Aboriginal people.

Negotiations between Aurukun Associates and the Aboriginal community at Aurukun are continuing and the possibility that the terms of the agreement might need to be renegotiated has been referred to in the report of the Queensland Ombudsman on the matter.

Mineral Exploration: Expenditure (Question No. 737)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for National Resources, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What has been the level of expenditure in mineral, other than petroleum, exploration in Australia for each year for the past fifteen years.
  2. How much of this money has been spent by foreign companies having no Australian shareholding each year.
  3. How much money has been spent on exploration for the last three quarters of the 1975-76 financial year.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for National Resources has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question, based on information supplied by the Australian Statistician:

  1. The level of expenditure on mineral, other than petroleum, exploration in Australia since 1965 has been as follows:

No statistics were compiled for years prior to 1965.

  1. There are no statistics compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which would indicate the amount of exploration expenditure spent by foreign companies having no Australian shareholding.
  2. ) Quarterly statistics of total exploration expenditure are not compiled by the Bureau. However, expenditure by principal enterprises (in 1974-75 these accounted for 90 per cent of total expenditure) for the three latest available quarters, i.e. those ending in September 1975, December 1975 and March 1976 was (Sm): 27.9, 27.7,21.7.

Oil Drilling Rigs (Question No. 738)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for National Resources, upon notice:

  1. How many oil drilling rigs have been operating in Australia, and off-shore, for each of the past fifteen years, and specifically during the last four quarters.
  2. Where have these rigs been operating.
  3. How many of the wells drilled weje (a) dry, (b) produced significant shows of gas and (c) produced gas/oil.
  4. What has been the level of expenditure on oil exploration in Australia for each of the past fifteen years.
  5. Which are the main oil companies involved in exploration in Australia.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for National Resources has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) For details of drilling activity prior to June 1 962 I refer you to the Oil Search Newsletters published by the former News and Information Bureau. Details of drilling rig activity on a monthly and quarterly basis since June 1 962 are contained in The Petroleum Newsletters published by the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics on a 3- monthly basis. The latest Petroleum Newsletter is No. 64 for the quarter ended 3 1 December 1975. Figures for the March quarter 1976 will be published shortly in Newsletter No. 65.
  2. The locations of the wells drilled by these rigs, the name of the well, its co-ordinates, dates of drilling, operator, results and status are to be found in The Petroleum Newsletter referred to in ( 1 ) above.
  3. Details of the wells drilled and their results are available in The Petroleum Newsletters referred to in ( 1 ) above. In addition, since 1965, the Bureau of Mineral Resources has published an annual summary of all wells and metres or feet drilled in Australia for petroleum which includes the information requested. This summary is published as a BMR Record which is on Open File in all State capitals, Canberra, Darwin and Port Moresby. These BMR Open File Records are:
  1. I refer you to the Senate Hansard for 25 May 1976, page 1921, the answer to Question No. 419 of Senator Colston.
  2. The names of the operating companies, the work being undertaken and the area of operation are given in the Summary- Geological, Geophysical and Drilling Operations’ presented in each issue of The Petroleum Newsletter. The Main companies currently engaged in operations, and the area of operation, are:

On the Northwest Shelf (Offshore W.A. and NT.)

Woodside-Burmah Oil N.L.

Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd

B.P. Petroleum Development Australia Pty Ltd

California Asiatic Oil Company

West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd (2/7 Texaco Overseas Petroleum Company, 2/7 Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd, 2/7 California Asiatic Oil Company, 1 /7 Ampol Exploration Ltd)

Arco Australia Ltd

Australian Aquitane Petroleum Pty Ltd

Esso Exploration and Production Australia Inc.

In the Perth Basin ( W.A.)

West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd

Esso Exploration and Production Australia Inc. Inc.

Western Mining Corporation Ltd

In the Cooper Basin (S.A. and Qld)

Delhi International Oil Corp.

Santos Ltd

Vamgas N.L.

Bridge Oil NX.

Reef Oil N.L.

Basin Oil N.L.

PexaOilN.L.

Endeavour Oil Company N.L.

AbrolhosOilN.L.

Pursuit Oil N.L.

Western Mining Corp. Ltd

Total Exploration Australia Pty Ltd

Alliance Oil Development Australia NX.

In the Amadeus Basin (N.T.)

Magellan Petroleum Australia Ltd

Oilmin N.L.

United Canso Oil and Gas (NT) Pty Ltd

Transoil (N.T.) N.L.

Flinders Petroleum N.L.

Freeport of Australia Inc.

In the Gippsland Basin (Offshore Vic. and Tas.)

Hematite Petroleum Pty Ltd (BHP subsidiary)

Esso Exploration and Production Aust. Inc.

In the Bowen-Surat Basin (Roma/Moonie area, Qld)

International Oils Exploration N.L.

A.A.R. Ltd (formerly the Associated Group)

I.O.L. Petroleum Ltd (formerly Interstate Oil Ltd)

Bridge Oil N.L.

PexaOilN.L.

Offshore Oil N.L.

Hartogen Oil N.L.

Amalgamated Petroleum N.L.

Aboriginal Reserves (Question No. 742)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) What are the total number of Aboriginal Reserves in Australia.
  2. How many of them are owned and/or serviced by missions.
  3. What is the size of each of the reserves and where is each located.
  4. What is the indigenous population on each of these reserves.
  5. 5 ) Ho w many Aborigines live off the reserves, and where.
  6. What services and functions are supplied by Federal, State and Church authorities to people living on reserves.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The most recent information available to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs indicates that there are more than 300 Aboriginal reserves in Australia but in some States a number of small residential lots are legally reserves and some 77 Islands, Rocks and Cays in the Torres Strait are reserves.
  2. No reserves are owned by missions. Mission bodies manage or provide advisory and other services to Aboriginal communities in several reserves in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory:

Queensland

Aurukun

Bloomfield River

Doomadgee

Hope Vale

Mornington Island

Western Australia

Balgo

Beagle Bay

Cosmo Newbery

Cundeelee

Kalumburu

La Grange

Lombardina

Mt Margaret

Northern Territory

Angurugu

Bathurst Island

Galiwinku (Elcho Island)

Lake Evella

Milingimbi

Minjilang (Croker Island )

Numbulwar

Oenpelli

Port Keats

Ramangining

Yirrkala

Goulburn Island

Mission bodies manage children’s homes and other institutions on some other reserves.

  1. It is impracticable, given the great number and variety of reserves, to list and describe the location of each. The location of the major reserves is shown on a map in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs Annual Report for the period to 30 June 1974.
  2. Accurate information on the population of each of the numerous reserves is not available.
  3. Similarly, details of the numbers of Aborigines living outside reserves and of the place of residence of these people is not available. Census Bulletin 9 summarises information on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population available from the 1971 Census.
  4. A variety of services and functions are supplied by Federal, State and Church authorities to people living on reserves and it is not practicable to detail these for each reserve.

Local Government: Sewerage (Question No. 745)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

Did the Treasurer refer a letter from the Shire Clerk of the Pine Rivers Shire Council dated 18 February 1976, in connection with the Sewerage Backlog Programme, to the Minister for consideration; if so, (a) did the Minister discuss with officers of his Department the Council’s request that in future it be given more notice regarding the allocation of funds, (b) if the answer to (a) is in the affimative, what was the outcome of those discussions and (c) has approval been given for an extension of time in which the funds granted to the Council for 1975-76 may be expended.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Yes.

  1. The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development wrote to the Shire Clerk on 24 March 1 976. In his reply Senator Greenwood said:

My understanding of this program is that its administration at the Commonwealth and State level has emphasised forward planning to overcome a backlog within a specified time. Other considerations may not have contributed to achieving these objectives. For instance I am quite sure that the timing problems you have brought to the Treasurer’s notice were in large part a result of the 1 974 and 1 975 Parliamentary events and subsequent elections ‘.

  1. and (c) The Agreement under the Urban and Regional Development (Financial Assistance) Act between the Commonwealth and Queensland provides for funds to be appropriated for financial assistance in respect of expenditure by the State for sewerage works and specified that the financial assistance provided relates only to expenditure by the State during the financial year ending 30 June 1976.

It is the State’s responsibility to allocate the funds so that they are spent within the financial year.

These funds form part of the annual appropriations of the Parliament and the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has no legislative ability to grant an extension of time for funds allocated in 1975-76 to be expended in another financial year.

Department of Administrative Services (Question No. 746)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services the following question, upon notice:

  1. In which Australian Government buildings are staff restaurants or cafeterias positioned.
  2. Are these enterprises managed by theDepartment of Administrative Services or are they leased to private enterprise.
  3. Are the meals and refreshments subsidised in any way.
  4. Are the facilities provided solely for Australian Government employees, or are members of the public entitled to use them.
Senator Withers:
LP

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

  1. 1 ) The following Commonwealth owned buildings have cafeteria facilities. The cafeterias are managed by the departments listed.

New South Wales

O’Riordan Street, Alexandria- Administrative Services

Garden Island Dockyard, Sydney- Defence

High Street, North Sydney- Defence

Newington-Jamieson, Auburn- Defence

Bundock Street, Randwick- Defence

Australian Government Centre, Chifley Square, SydneyEmployment & Industrial Relations

Grace Building, 77 York Street, Sydney- Employment & Industrial Relations

Australian School of Pacific Administration, Middle Head, Mosman- Foreign Affairs

Small Arms ‘ Factory, Lithgow- Industry & Commerce

Forrester Road, St Mary ‘s- Industry & Commerce

Carrington House, 50 Carrington Street, SydneySocial Security

Carrington Road, Marrickville- Transport

Operations Building, Mascot Airport- Transport

Balls Head Road, Waverton- Transport

Victoria

Customs House, Melbourne- Business & Consumer Affairs 17 Yarra Street, Hawthorn- Construction

Salmon Street, Port Melbourne- Construction

Nelson Place, Williamstown- Defence

Spring Street, Melbourne- Australian Government

Centre- Employment& Industrial Relations Government Aircraft Factory, Avalon- Industry & Commerce

Ordinance Factory, Bendigo- Industry & Commerce 14 Gafney Street, Coburg (Clothing Factory)- Industry & Commerce

Lorimer Street, Fishermen’s Bend (Aircraft Factory)-

Industry & Commerce

Gordon Street, Footscray (Ammunition Factory)- Industry & Commerce

Cordite Avenue, Maribyrnong (Ordinance Factory)-

Industry & Commerce

Ammunition Factory, Mulwala- Industry & Commerce 339 Swanston Street, Melbourne- Industry & Commerce 169 Kings Way, South Melbourne- Repatriation Tullamarine Airport, Tullamarine- Transport 350 Collins Street, Melbourne- Taxation

Queensland

Customs House, Queen Street- Business & Consumer Affairs 295 Ann Street, Brisbane- Australian Government Centre- Employment & Industrial Relations

Taxation Building, Adelaide Street, BrisbaneEmployment & Industrial Relations

Eagle Farm Airport, Brisbane- Transport

South Australia

Woodville North (Transport & Storage)- Administrative Services

Salisbury (Weapons Research)- Defence

Western Australia 1 St Georges Terrace, Perth- Australian Government Centre- Employment & Industrial Relations 13 William Street, Perth-Repatriation Tasmania

Collins Street, Hobart- Australian Government Centre- Employment & Industrial Relations

Australian Capital Territory

Government Printing Office, Kingston- Administrative Services

A.C.T. Police, London Circuit- Capital Territory

Sirus Building, Phillip- Construction

Administrative Building, Parkes- Employment & Industrial Relations

Campbell Park, Campbell- Employment & Industrial Relations

Russell Offices, Russell- Employment & Industrial Relations

Woden Offices-Health

Anzac Park West- Industry & Commerce

Treasury Building, Parkes Place- Treasury

Royal Mint, Deakin- Treasury

Cameron Offices, Belconnen- Treasury

There may be cafeterias located in buildings controlled by various statutory authorities details of which are not held by myDepartment.

  1. ) See answer to ( 1 ) above.
  2. No, except that capital costs of establishing the service and accommodation costs are not recovered.
  3. Solely for Commonwealth employees.

Australian-American Broadcast Weekend (Question No. 747)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Will sixty Australian radio stations be linked directly to radio stations in the United States of America through the Overseas Telecommunications Commission for an Australian-American Broadcast Weekend’ from 23 July 1976 to 25 July 1976 as pan of the United States Bicentennial Celebrations; if so, is the Australian Government meeting any of the costs involved in this operation.
  2. If the answer to (1) is in the affirmative, what is the cost which will be borne by the Australian Government.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Australian-American Radio Weekend from 23-25 July will be achieved by use of landline- Cairns to Perth, satellite- Australia to U.S.A., and landline throughout the U.S.A. The RKO Radio Network and some Australian radio stations will participate in the transmission.

Any Australian radio station with access to the Cairns/Perth landline will be able to link into the radio program originated in America for broadcast in Australia at no cost. The financial contribution to the radio weekend by the Australian Government will be directed towards the rental of the Australian landline and the satellite link.

  1. Final costs for the landline and the satellite link rentals will depend on time on air and are not yet known.

Telecom Australia: Apprentice Intake (Question No. 748)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

Will only 48 new apprentice technicians be employed by Telecom in 1975-76; is so,

how many new apprentice technicians were appointed in each year since 1 970, and

what effect will the reduction in recruitment of apprentice technicians have on

telephone maintenance, and

telephone installation.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

In 1975-76, the total intake of apprentice telecommunication tradesmen was 325 of which 297 were recruited from outside Telecom Australia.

  1. the reduction in the recruitment of apprentices is not inconsistent with Telecom Australia’s long term growth plans and will not affect telephone installation and maintenance adversely.

Aboriginal Affairs: Reduction in Expenditure (Question No. 750)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) Has the reduction in Aboriginal Affairs expenditure announced by the Treasurer in his statement to the Parliament on 20 May 1976, been referred to the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee for comment and advice; if so, (a) when was the matter referred to the Committee; (b) what form did the referral take; and (c) what advice has the Committee offered on the reductions.
  2. If not, will the Minister be referring the matter to the Committee for advice and comment.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. and (2) The National Aboriginal Consultative Committee has not been invited to comment on 1 976-77 expenditure having regard to the nature of budget discussions and the inquiry into the NACC. Individual members of the Committee have had the opportunity to participate in my Department ‘s programing conferences and other budget discussions, at Regional level in common with many other Aboriginal organisations and individuals.

Department of Aboriginal Affairs (Question No. 751)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister represent ing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, upon notice:

Did officers of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs meet with Dr Duncan Chappell and Dr Paul Wilson on 12 January 1976; if so, (a) what was the purpose of the meeting; (b) who was in attendance; (c) what decisions were reached; and (d) are any follow-up meetings planned.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

Yes.

  1. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a report, Aboriginal and American Indian Relations with Police’, by Dr Chappell and Dr Wilson, and to allow those present, including Aboriginal people, to exchange views about the issues raised in the report and about ways and means of improving relations between Aboriginals and the police.
  2. The meeting was attended by Dr Chappell and Dr Wilson; officers of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs; and other people from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, the Australian Institute of Criminology, the Commonwealth Police, the Law Faculty of the Australian National University and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.
  3. The meeting was in the nature of a seminar and no administrative decisions were taken.
  4. Dr Chappell and Dr Wilson have had further discussions with officers of departments, and the whole matter of improving Aboriginal relations with the police is being followed up.

Medibank: Staff (Question No. 753)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister represent ing the Minister for Health, upon notice:

Has the Department of Health been able to estimate the number of employees of Medibank who are likely to become redundant as a result of the alterations to Medibank announced by the Treasurer on 20 May 1976; if so, what are the estimates for each State and the Northern Territory.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

It is not possible to estimate at this stage what Medibank ‘s future staffing requirements will be, but in the light of the further announcement that Medibank will be able to offer private health insurance in competition with private health funds it is not expected that the question of redundancies will arise.

Health: Arthritis and Rheumatism (Question No. 754)

Senator Colston:

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

What financial assistance has been provided by the Australian Government to organisations and individuals engaged in research on methods to combat arthritis and rheumatism.

Senator GUILFOYLE:
VICTORIA · LP

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

Financial support for medical research is provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council. The Council is currently funding the following projects at a cost of over $7 1 , 000 for 1 976:

In addition the Council has appointed Dr B. J. Clarris as N.H. and M.R.C. research fellow in Rheumatology at the department of clinical medicine, University of Melbourne. The total funds for his research program in 1 976 are $36, 1 1 8.

World Environment Day (Question No. 757)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

What financial assistance is the Australian Government providing to functions and activities organised as part of World Environment Day held on 5 June 1 976.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Financial assistance for the promotion of World Environment Day in Australia was provided from a fund administered by the Australian Environment Council which comprises State and Commonwealth Ministers responsible for environmental matters.

This fund was established in 1 973-74 when the Commonwealth and State governments contributed the first and only payment of $300,000 on a dollar per dollar matching basis. The Commonwealth contribution was $ 150,000.

An allocation of $60,000 for World Environment Day was provided by the Australian Environment Council from its fund of which $30,000 might be considered as the Commonwealth Government contribution.

Apprenticeships (Question No. 760)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Do figures released by the Apprenticeship Directorate of New South Wales on 22 May 1976, indicate that the number of apprentices entering trades has fallen dramatically in the first five months of 1976.
  2. Do the figures also indicate that the building industry has experienced a drop of almost 60 per cent in the apprentice intake so far this year when compared with figures for the same period in 1975.
  3. Has the New South Wales Government officially requested the Australian Government for urgent assistance for an apprenticeship program in that State.
  4. Have any other State governments made similar requests.
  5. If the answer to (3) or (4) is in the affirmative, what action has the Australian Government taken on the request or requests.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Yes.
  2. Figures provided to my Department show a reduction of the intake of building apprentices of 5 1 per cent when compared with the corresponding period last year ( 1 July 1974 to 30 April 1975).
  3. to (5) The Commonwealth Government’s direct assistance to apprenticeship is currently in excess of $40m a year, quite aside from its support in the area of technical and further education. Earlier this year I sought the views of all State Ministers for Labour on this assistance program. Its objectives and achievements are now being reviewed to see what changes, if any, may be necessary to ensure the community is obtaining maximum benefits from the assistance.

Australia House: Staff (Question No. 761)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, upon notice:

  1. How many persons are currently employed in the Migration Section at Australia House in London?
  2. How many persons are employed on migration matters by the Australian Government in other parts of the United Kingdom?
  3. 3 ) How many of the persons referred to in ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are Australian citizens?
  4. Are the staffing arrangements for migrant recruitment by the Australian Government in the United Kingdom to be varied in the next six months; if so, what changes are to take place?
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The number of persons currently employed in the Migration Section at Australia House in London is 166 (Australia based 27; locally engaged 139).
  2. There are 36 persons employed on migration matters by the Australian Government in other parts of the United Kingdom. (Manchester- Australia based 6, locally engaged 16; Edinburgh- Australia based 4, locally engaged 10).
  3. 88 of the persons referred to in ( I ) and (2) are Australian citizens.
  4. There will be no variations in staffing arrangements for migrant recruitment in the United Kingdom in the next six months.

Pollution: Rivers (Question No. 764)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

Has the Department of Environment, Housing and Community Development received reports of pollution in any Australian rivers caused by polychlorinated biphenyls; if so, (a) which rivers are involved; (b) what action is being taken to ascertain the exact level and causes of the pollution of the rivers concerned; and (c) what action is being taken to reduce the level of pollution in these rivers.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Department of Environment, Housing and Community Development and the former Department of Environment have taken an active role in the control of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are not manufactured in Australia and it has, therefore, been possible to effectively restrict the quantities and uses of PCBs under a Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation specially introduced in 1973. The Australian Environment Council has also taken an active interest in PCBs and commissioned a study to investigate present patterns of use of PCBs, their disposal and their presence in the environment.

As regards the occurrence of PCBs in Austraiian rivers, monitoring of PCBs has been undertaken by various State Departments and in one case only has evidence of PCB contamination been found. In this case, tests by the Queensland Water Quality Council some time ago found PCBs in three small tributaries to the Brisbane River. It is understood that the sources of contamination were determined and controls introduced to prevent further discharge of PCBs. Continuing sampling of the Brisbane River and its tributaries would indicate that release of PCBs into the waterways has ceased.

Navy: HMAS Flinders (Question No. 765)

Senator Colston:

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

Is the Royal Australian Navy survey vessel, HMAS Flinders currently undertaking a survey of the Dampier Strait; if so;

a ) what is the purpose of the survey

what areas are being surveyed; and

was the Government of Papua New Guinea informed in advance that the survey was to take place.

Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Royal Australian Navy Surveying Ship, HMAS Flinders is currently undertaking a hydrographic survey in Dampier Strait in Papua New Guinea. Flinders arrived in Papua New Guinea waters from Cairns in late April and returned to Cairns in early July having visited Port Moresby, Rabaul, Kavieng and Lae for fuel and stores during her deployment.

The purpose of the hydrographic survey is to obtain the necessary data to enable the publication of Nautical Chans of the Dampier Strait area which are suitable for the use of the shipping which operates in this area. At present only small craft with local knowledge can pass through Dampier Strait because the existing Nautical Charts do not have sufficient information shown on them for a ship to make a safe passage through the Strait. This survey is a continuation of the hydrographic surveying programme, commenced in the early 1960s, to survey all the poorly charted areas in Papua New Guinea.

The area being surveyed is Dampier Strait which lies between Umboi Island and the western end of New Britain and also includes the area from Dampier Strait along the south west coast of New Britain as far as Arawe Harbour. This area of some 1500 square miles, extends from the beach to the 300 metre depth contour and includes all known islands, reefs and underwater obstructions.

The survey programme being undertaken was drawn up in conjunction with PNG authorities under arrangements agreed between Australian and New Guinea authorities for hydrographic surveys of New Guinea waters. The Government of PNG was informed in advance of the survey programme and an invitation was extended to them to send observers or persons requiring hydrographic survey training to the ship for the duration of the survey.

India- Australia Officials’ Talks (Question No. 766)

Senator Colston:

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

Did officials of the Australian and Indian Governments have talks in Canberra on 24 May 1976; if so, (a) what matters were discussed, (b) who attended the meeting and (c) were any decisions reached as a result of the talks.

Senator Withers:
LP

– The Foreign Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Eighth India-Australia Officials’ Talks took place in Canberra on 24 and 25 May 1 976.

In relation to (a) the agenda for the talks included a general review of the international situation, regional developments, India-Australia bilateral relations and multilateral questions, (b) The Indian delegation was led by the Indian Foreign Secretary, Mr Jagat S. Mehta, and included the High Commissioner for India in Australia. The Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs led the Australian side which comprised senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, ADAA and the Department of Science, (c) The talks provided an opportunity for informative exchanges of views on a wide range of issues and were not intended to reach decisions on specific matters.

Department of the Northern Territory (Question No. 770)

Senator Kilgariff:
NORTHERN TERRITORY

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Will the Minister make any report of the consultants employed by the Department of the Northern Territory into the possible uses of the Commonage area in Alice Springs available to the public, including any recommendations.
  2. Will the Minister make officers of the Department of Town Planning available for public discussion on any such report.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) When the final report from the consultants employed by the Department of the Northern Territory has been accepted it will be made available to the public. As only a limited number of the reports will be printed, copies of the report will be placed in the Alice Springs Public Library and the department’s regional office for use by the public.
  2. The Urban Development and the Town Planning Branch of the Department of the Northern Territory has already circulated the consultant’s draft report to interested groups and associations in Alice Springs for comment. These comments will be considered and discussed before preparation of the final report.

Officers of the Department of the Northern Territory will be available to discuss any matters arising from the report with members of the public.

Forest Reserves (Question No. 776)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) What is the total area under State and National forest reserves in (a) Queensland, (b) the Northern Territory, and (c) Western Australia.
  2. How many State and/or National forests are there in each of these States and what is the size and locality of each.
  3. What are the main millable timber species in each of these forests and what proportion of the individual forests does this millable timber represent.
  4. How many of these forests are at present being worked for the extraction of millable timber and which forest reserves are these.
  5. ) How much of the total millable timber reserves of each forest has been removed, in terms of hectares and percentages.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. 1 ) The total areas under State or National Forests are:

    1. Queensland-3 292 290 hectares
    2. Western Australia- 1 832 123 hectares
    3. Northern Territory- 57 790 hectares
  2. In Queensland there are 466 State forests, ranging in size from 2.5 hectares to 276 160 hectares, with an average of 7 065 hectares. They are located from the New South Wales/Queensland border in the South to the Daintree River in the north, with approximately 80 per cent of their total area east of the Great Dividing Range. In Western Australia there are 69 State forests all located in the south west. They vary in size from 61.S hectares to 191 090 hectares. In the Northern Territory there are 7 Forest Reserves ranging from 1 90 hectares to 25 900 hectares.
  3. ) In excess of 200 species would be classed as millable in Queensland. The total cut on Queensland State forests is divided equally between native softwoods (largely cypress pine), plantation softwoods, native eucalypts and rainforest species. In Western Australia the main species of millable timbers are jarrah, karri and wandoo in the native forests and radiata and pinaster pine in plantations. In the Northern Territory the three millable species are cypress pine, stringy bark and paper bark. In the native forests millable and non.millable species are frequently intermingled and no attempt has been made to assess the proportion of the forest occupied by each. In the case of plantations virtually 100 percent of the area is occupied by millable species.
  4. In Queensland and Western Australia virtually all State Forests are managed, usually individually, but sometimes as a group to produce a sustained annual yield of millable timber. In the Northern Territory there are no harvesting operations on any of the reserves, except that a small salvage operation was carried out in the Howard Springs Reserve following Cyclone Tracy.
  5. On the State Forests trees felled are continually being replaced by younger trees reaching maturity and by generation or by replanting. On some forests over 100 per cent of the original volume of millable timber has already been harvested and the standing volume would still be at least equal to the original standing volume. The percentage by area which has been harvested has not been determined. Areas are left untouched because they are too stony, too steep, or to protect streams, or they have a scientific interest, or are of scenic value. It is thought that the area left untouched in Queensland and Western Australia would be of the order of one fifth of the total area.

International Women’s Year: Television Project (Question No. 782)

Senator Ryan:

asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Who was responsible for the decision to cancel a grant of $100,000 made to Dr Germaine Greer under the International Women’s Year program for the purpose of investing in a television series on human reproduction.
  2. 2 ) By what authority was this contract made by the Labor Government cancelled.
  3. To what extent, if at all, were members of the International Women’s Year Committee consulted regarding the cancellation of the grant.
  4. What has happened to the grant previously held in trust by the Australian Film Commission.
  5. If the grant is still being held in trust by the Commission, how will it be administered and for what purposes.
Senator Withers:
LP

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

  1. 1 ) to (5) In June 1 975 the Australian National Advisory Committee for International Women’s Year recommended, and the Government of the day endorsed, that a loan of $100,000 be made available through the Australian Film Commission for Dr Germaine Greer towards funding a series of television programs to be entitled ‘Human Reproduction’. It was intended that the loan be an investment, the proceeds from which would go to the Women’s

Film Fund, and that it be conditional both on the series ‘ conforming to the Commission’s investment guidelines and on other commercial support becoming available.

The Commission, on behalf of the Australian National Advisory Committee, sought further details from Dr Greer on a number of occasions, including whether she had been able to obtain commercial support for the project. Dr Greer was also advised that the offer would be withdrawn if details were not forthcoming. In the absence of any positive response from Dr Greer the offer was finally withdrawn on 4 May 1976, some eleven months after it was originally made, and over a month after the Australian National Advisory Committee had ceased its operation.

The $100,000 has now been absorbed into the Women’s Film Fund as was originally intended should happen with proceeds from the project. This Fund is administered by the Film Commission and used to encourage the production of worthwhile films about women or films scripted, directed, produced, etc. by women.

Foreign Aid: Solar Energy (Question No. 783)

Senator Keeffe:

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

Would foreign aid be far more beneficial if small solar energy stations or packs were built to enable small communities to conserve fuel and other natural resources; if so, will the Government initiate the research required for the development and production of such solar energy power units by immediately providing funds.

Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

There are a number of solar energy research projects currently being undertaken in Australia, both by recipients of grants from the Australian Research Grants Committee (ARGC) and by the CSIRO. For details of such projects and some preliminary results, I would refer the honourable senator to the reply to Question No. 611 on Solar Energy Research which appeared in the Senate Daily Ilansard of Wednesday, 2 June, 1976.

It is agreed that such research may have some valuable application to the energy needs of developing countries, and the transfer of relevant technology in this field to developing countries is fully supported in principle. Moreover, Australia provides financial and technical assistance to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), one priority of which is the development of appropriate energy sources in the region, and also the Department of Science is involved in work in this area in the forum of the Association for Science Co-operation in Asia. Unfortunately, as a result of current budgetary constraints no additional funds from aid sources can be made available for solar energy research activities at this time, in view of other programs given higher priority by recipient governments.

Tropical Marine Environments: Research (Question No. 784)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister for Science, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Is the 3 Bays Project undertaken by the Geology Department of the James Cook University of North Queensland just beginning to achieve worthwhile results into understanding the effects of possible pollution and fresh water inflows on tropical marine environments.
  2. Will the Minister undertake to obtain the required monies so that this important research project may continue at its previous level.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

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

  1. 1 ) The project, which is known as the Three Bays Multidisciplinary Environmental Project, has received support since 1974 under the Australian Research Grants Scheme. It was funded originally under a scheme of ‘earmarked’ grants intended to stimulate multidisciplinary studies. As is normal with such grants a report on progress is submitted each year and so far the Australian Research Grants Committee (ARGC) has been satisfied with the progress achieved and has recommended that the grants continue.
  2. The research workers involved have applied for a further grant for 1977 and their request is being examined and assessed by the ARGC in accordance with its usual procedures. The ARG Scheme was established to stimulate research of the highest quality and the criteria for a project to receive support are excellence of both the research worker and his project. Continued support depends on that standard being maintained and on satisfactory progress being achieved. I expect to receive the Committee’s recommendation in October so that grants for 1977 can be announced in November this year.

Local Government: Garbage Disposal (Question No. 786)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Will the Australian Government help local authorities to overcome the problem of garbage disposal.
  2. Will the Minister examine the possibility of researching and manufacturing pulverising plants and machinery for the recycling of waste products.
  3. Will the Government undertake to investigate all possibilities of waste disposal and fund such an investigation.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question: (1), (2) and (3). Future policies and programs are currently under review both within the Department and by this Government and until such time as these reviews are completed, the role and responsibility of the Government will remain as at present.

Aboriginal Relics (Question No. 787)

Senator Keeffe:

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

Will the Minister take appropriate action to persuade the Government to make sufficient funds available in the Budget for the next financial year to provide for improved methods of protection of Aboriginal relics.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

The protection of Aboriginal relics is primarily the responsibility of State and Territory authorities under existing legislation. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs provides funds for Aboriginal groups wishing to take special action, such as the erection of fences, to protect sites and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies funds programs of identifying sites for protection through State and Territory authorities.

Aboriginal Land Rights Legislation (Question No. 788)

Senator Keeffe:

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

Has the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs given an assurance to the Mining Industry Council that the Aboriginal land rights legislation ‘need not worry them too much ‘.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

page 53

No

Torres Strait: Research Program (Question No. 789)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister for Science, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Is the Minister aware of a recent research program carried out by the Queensland Department of Fisheries in the Torres Strait.
  2. Will the Minister inform the Parliament as to why the research program was abandoned and no publication of the accumulated data was forthcoming.
  3. Has the current Queensland-Papua New Guinea border dispute had anything to do with the disbanding of the program.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

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

  1. Yes.
  2. and (3) The survey of the fisheries resources of the Torres Strait was sought and undertaken by the Queensland Government. I am unaware of the reasons why the study has been terminated, as you claim, or why the results have not been published. Such questions must necessarily be directed to the Queensland Government.

Cairns Inlet: Mangrove Swamps (Question No. 792)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Have large tracts of mangrove swamps been destroyed in the Cairns Inlet area in northern Queensland by the building of a retaining wall to prevent entry of salt water; if so, was an environmental impact study carried out and the results made available to the public.
  2. Does the land belong to the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd.
  3. Will the Minister inform Parliament, (a) of the proposed uses of this land, (b) If the Company concerned intends to use or sell the land for industrial or harbour development; and (c) what conditions will the Company be obliged to meet.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

I have been informed that the reclamation has proceeded under Queensland law. No approval from the Commonwealth Government has been called for and therefore the provisions of the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974-73 do not apply. Accordingly, no environmental impact statement under that Act has been prepared. In view of the foregoing, I regret that I am not in a position to provide a reply to the other questions asked by the honourable senator.

Service Vessels: Free Freight (Question No. 795)

Senator Baume:
NEW SOUTH WALES

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

  1. Has the Department of Defence investigated possible savings in freight charges by using ‘free freight’ available on service vessels and aircraft; if so, what has been the outcome of such assessments.
  2. To what extent is ‘free freight’ being used in order to minimise unnecessary expenditure by the Department.
  3. What plans are in hand to increase the use of ‘free freight’ transport of stores and equipment by the Defence Forces using its own ships and planes on routine flights or patrols.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Department of Defence recognises the need to use military vehicles wherever possible for transporting military cargo both as a means of training for operational tasks and as an economic measure. Defence policy is that maximum use will be made of military vehicles for the transport of military cargo consistent with the operational nature and role of the road vehicle, ship or aircraft
  2. All available space on operating vehicles, ships or aircraft is examined for potential carriage of military cargo and full use is made of such space when military transport will meet the priority and operational needs of consignees.
  3. The Defence Forces have established transport coordination agencies to ensure that maximum use is made of available space on military ships and aircraft on routine flights or patrols.

South Sea Islanders: Report (Question No. 797)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister for Social Security, upon notice:

When will the report of the Inter-departmental Committee, inquiring into various matters relating to South Sea Islanders, be available.

Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

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

The Inter-departmental Committee on South Sea Islanders first met on 17.12.75. Departments represented on the Committee include the Department of Social Security, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations. The Royal Commission on Human Relationships is also represented on the Inter-Departmental Committee. Dr C. Price of the Department of Demography of the Australian National University also acts as a full member of the

Committee. The Committee is chaired by the representative of the Department of Social Security and will make its recommendations to me.

The terms of reference of the Inter-Departmental Committee are:

To estimate the numbers of South Sea Islanders in Australia and examine their demographic distribution;

To assess the economic and local characteristics of the islanders and to decide if they are in any way disadvantaged as a group, relative to other groups in the Australian community;

To evaluate their special needs, if any, and to recommend appropriate forms of government assistance to meet these needs.

The first task of the Committee was to find out, to the best of its ability, how many South Sea Islanders there are in Australia. There is very little statistical evidence and estimates vary greatly. A survey was therefore carried out in June and July to determine more accurately the number and condition of the Islanders.

The Committee has also consulted with representatives of the Islander Communities.

The Committee hopes to finish gathering evidence during August and to make its recommendations to me shortly afterwards.

Torres Strait: Fishing (Question No. 802)

Senator Georges:

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

  1. Is the Minister aware that the Queensland Government sponsored an extensive research survey qf the commercial fishing potential of the Torres Strait area in 1974 at a cost of more than $250,000.
  2. Did the Queensland Government have this report classified as confidential in a deliberate attempt to conceal important information on the Torres Strait area at a time when the border question was under consideration.
  3. Is the Fisheries Division of the Australian Department of Primary Industry now engaged on a similar study; if so, is this study being unreasonably hampered by the nonavailability of the Queensland results.
  4. Would the Minister be prepared, in the interests of economy, to suggest to his Queensland counterpart that the State survey results be made available to those with a legitimate research interest in the fisheries potential of the Torres Strait.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. 1 ) I am aware that a research survey of Torres Strait fisheries was undertaken by the Queensland Government but am unaware of its cost.
  2. I am unable to comment on the intentions of the Queensland Government but can inform the honorable senator that the findings of the survey have been made available to my department on a confidential basis.
  3. No.
  4. See my answer to (2) above.

Parliament House: Police Patrol (Question No. 804)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice:

Has any progress been made with plans for the construction of shelter boxes for the Commonwealth Police who are required to patrol the area around Parliament House, and if such plans have been approved, will the shelters be erected before the end of this winter.

Senator Withers:
LP

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

Guard boxes are available for the Commonwealth Police who are required to patrol the area around Parliament House. The question of approval to their installation is currently with the Presiding Officers.

Department of Social Security: Sports Contest (Question No. 807)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister for Social Security, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Is the Depanment of Social Security organising an inter-State sports contest for officers of the Depanment to be held later this month at the Gold Coast.
  2. Have four Departmental officers been seconded to work full-time on organising the contest, and are any public funds to be used to subsidise their motel accommodation and other expenses.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

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

  1. The various social clubs within the Depanment of Social Security combined to organise a sporting carnival at the Gold Coast from 7 to 1 1 June 1976.
  2. There were no officers seconded to work full time on preparations for the carnival. One officer in Brisbane spent a substantial portion of his time in preparing for the carnival. He was assisted by many volunteers who rendered their services during lunch time and after normal office hours.

No public funds were used to subsidise motel accommodation and other expenses.

Australian Newsmen (Question No. 808)

Senator Kilgariff:

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

When will the conclusive report on the fate of the five Australian journalists killed in East Timor be presented to the Parliament.

Senator Withers:
LP

– The Foreign Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The honourable senator will be aware that the report of the Australian Embassy team which visited East Timor at the end of April and the report of the Departmental official who interviewed Mr Jose Martins in Melbourne in May have been made available in the Parliamentary library, together with a summary of the various accounts on the deaths of the five newsmen.

In my statement in the House of Representatives on 2 June I stated that I had instructed my Department to complete its investigations as soon as possible. In the same statement I indicated that the account given by the KOTA personality, Mr Jose Martins, had opened up some possible new channels of inquiry. In particular, Mr Martins mentioned the names of certain Indonesian officers and an Indonesian official as having been in the Balibo area at the time of the deaths of the newsmen. The Government has accordingly asked the Indonesian Government whether these persons would be available and prepared to be interviewed. The Government is at present awaiting a response from the Indonesian authorities.

It is hoped to bring our investigations to a conclusion as soon as possible.

Petroleum: Reserves (Question No. 735)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for National Resources, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What is (a) the total known, and ( b) the total inferred, reserves of petroleum in Australia.
  2. What are the reserves for each State and Territory in Australia.
  3. What are the names, size, grade and locality of all deposits in excess of 30 000 000 barrels in Australia.
  4. What mining company, or group of companies, owns each of these deposits.
  5. How long are the leases granted for each deposit.
  6. How many deposits, if any, have reached the production and/or development stage; which deposits are these, and what is the annual production rate for each.
  7. How many, if any, deposits are still in the exploration stage; which deposits are these, and when is it likely that they will be brought into production.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for National Resources has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

I refer you to the Commonwealth petroleum legislation, Le. Petroleum Search Subsidy Acts (now expired), and the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967-1974 where petroleum is defined in each Act to mean:

any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or

any naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or

any naturally occurring mixture of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state, and one or more of the following, that is to say, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, helium and carbon dioxide.’

In this reply petroleum is understood to be the liquid form, i.e. crude oil and natural gas liquids, and the unit used is the American barrel.

(D-

As at 31 March 1976 the estimated total known petroleum reserves in Australia (in millions of barrels) were:

It is estimated that, at present, the following quantities are sub-economic (that is, those theoretically recoverable reserves which are either geologically proved but considered uneconomic under present conditions, or are awaiting further appraisal and therefore subject to major revisions). (In millions of barrels):

  1. b ) The total inferred petroleum (crude oil only) reserves in Australia were recently estimated at 3000 million barrels. (Reported to the 47th ANZAAS Congress, May 1976, in Hobart, by F. Jeffries of Esso Exploration and Production Australia lnc in a paper entitled Undiscovered Oil Resources of the Australian Continental Plate). No estimates of inferred reserves of condensate and LPG are available.

    1. As at 3 1 March 1976 the estimated petroleum reserves (in millions of barrels) were:
  1. As at 31 March 1976 the remaining recoverable reserves of crude oil estimated to be in excess of 30 million barrels were:

Bass Strait fields (Offshore from Victoria):

Oil in all these fields is of light gravity and contains little or no sulphur.

Carnarvon Basin fields (Western Australia ):

Oil is of light gravity and has no sulphur.

  1. and (5) The names of the companies holding the production titles over those crude oil deposits listed above, together with the expiry date of the production title concerned, are:
  1. Two of those listed above (Mackerel and Tuna) have not reached production stage. Three oil fields in Bass Strait, Victoria (Barracouta, Halibut and Kingfish), three in the Surat Basin, Queensland (Moonie, Alton and Bennett), one in the Carnarvon Basin, W.A. (Barrow Island) and one in the Perth Basin (Dongara) are producing crude oil. Mackerel is expected to come into production in 1 977 and Tuna in 1978. One field in the Amadeus Basin, N.T. (Mereenie), and an unknown (at present) number of fields in the Cooper Basin, South Australia, have reached development stage. The future of those fields will depend on decisions yet to be made to build a refinery in Alice Springs, N.T. so far as the Mereenie field is concerned, and a ‘liquids’ pipeline to Port Pirie, S.A. from the Cooper Basin wells.

The 1975 average annual production (in millions of barrels) of crude oil was:

  1. Exploration drilling and/or flow testing operations are currently taking place or about to take place in Western Australia on Barrow Island at Perentie No. 1, Biggada No. 1 and the Whitlock structure; and offshore on the Northwest Shelf at Pueblo No. 1 and Spar No. 1. In the Surat Basin, Queensland, exploration drilling and flow testing operations are being carried out or are planned at Kincora, Oberina No. 2, Springvale East No. 1, Yalebone South No. 1, Silver Springs and Boxleigh. In the Cooper Basin, Queensland, exploration drilling will be carried out at Karmona No. 1 and Barrolka No. 1.

The abovementioned operations are more likely to discover and, hopefully, prove natural gas accumulations with condensate content, than crude oil.

National Aboriginal Sports Foundation (Question No. 631)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) What is the present composition of the National Aboriginal Sports Foundation.
  2. What grants have been made by the National Aboriginal Sports Foundation since 1 1 November 1975.
  3. What is the estimated annual cost of providing administrative services to the Foundation.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The National Aboriginal Sports Foundation comprises of the following committee members:

Sir Douglas Nicholls, Chairman

Charles Perkins- Secretary

Brian Dixon- Executive Officer

Syd Jackson- Member

Lionel Rose- Member

Richard McCarthy- Member

George Bracken- Member

Eric Simms- Member

Michael Ah Matt- Member

Faith Thomas- Member

Walter McArthur- Member

  1. Since 11 November 1975 the following grants have been made:
  1. ) The cost of the two NASF meetings during the current financial year was $3,400. The executive officer providing administrative services to the Foundation is a Clerk Class 7 ($13,389-14,238).

Dairying: Atherton Tableland (Question No. 777)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) What fraction of the total Australian dairy industry does the Atherton Tableland dairy industry represent.
  2. What is the current number of dairy cattle in this area.
  3. What was the total number of dairy cattle on the Atherton Tableland for each of the past fifteen years.
  4. How many hectares are used for dairy cattle production at present.
  5. How many hectares were used for dairy cattle production for each of the past fifteen years.
  6. What was the total annual production of (a) milk, (b) cream, (c) cheese, and (d) butter, from the Atherton-Milla Milla area for each of the past fifteen years.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. On the basis of information supplied by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries there were some 325 milk suppliers in the Atherton Tableland area in 1973-74. This was 0.7 per cent of all milk supplies in Australia. In 1974-75 milk production in the area was 30.5 million litres or 0.5 per cent of Australian milk production.
  2. At the stock census in 1973-74 there were 37 588 dairy cattle in the Atherton Tableland area.
  3. and (6) Details provided by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries of dairy cattle numbers together with milk, butter and cheese production statistics for the Atherton Tableland area (including Milla-Milla) are as follows:
  4. and (5) This information is not available. However, the Queensland Department has advised that the average dairy farm on the Atherton Tableland is between 100 and 150 hectares.

Department of Aboriginal Affairs: Staff (Question No. 4 16)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) How many officers of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs received transfers within the Department or have been placed on the unattached list since 1 1 November 1975.
  2. What are their names, their respective designations, and the positions they formerly held.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has provided the following reply to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Total 33.

(2)-

Transfers to Unattached List

H. V. Clarke . . Director, Information and Public Relations Branch, Canberra

  1. J. O’Neill . . Clerk, Class 8, Policy Division, Canberra

A.H.Ross . . Clerk, Class 7, Community Development Branch, Sydney

V. Meakin . . Food Services Adviser, Grade 3, Services Branch, Darwin

  1. O. Friman . . Clerk, Class 4, Regional Director’s staff, Darwin
  2. J. Egan . . . Director, Class 10, Community Development Branch, Operations Division, Canberra

Sugar Cane (Question No. 779)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) What is the total area under sugar cane cultivation in Queensland.
  2. What area is under sugar cane cultivation in the following districts:

    1. Cairns, (b) Mossman, (c) Innisfail, (d) Tully, (e) Ingham, (f) Ayr-Home Hill, (g) Bundaberg, and (h) Maryborough.
  3. What area was under sugar cane in these districts for each of the past ten years.
  4. What was the average price of sugar per tonne for each of the past ten years.
  5. What was the total tonnage produced in each of these districts for each of the past ten years.
Senator Cotton:
LP

– The Minister for Primary Industry has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question: (1)337 200 ha.

Wine (Question No. 780)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) What is the total annual production, in gallons, of wine in Australia.
  2. What is the annual production of wine in each of the following States: (a) South Australia, (b) New South Wales, (c) Victoria, (d) Western Australia, and (e) Queensland.
  3. How much of this annual production, by State, is (a) still dry red wine, (b) still dry white wine, (c) sparkling red wine, (d) sparkling white wine, (e) sherry, (f) port, and (g) other liqueurs.
  4. What has been the total production of wine for each of the past fifteen years, for each of the States and for each type of wine.
  5. Who are the leading twenty wine producers, by volume, in Australia and in which States do these producers operate.
  6. What was the total annual production of wine in each State for each of the past fifteen years by the following producers: (a) Lindeman ‘s Wines Pty Ltd, (b) Penfolds Wines Pty Ltd, (c) Seppelt & Sons Pty Ltd, (d) Mcwilliams Wines Pty Ltd, (e) Yalumba Wines Pty Ltd, (f) Orlando Wines Pty Ltd, (g) T. S. Tolleys and Sons Wines Pty Ltd, (h) Kaiser Stuhl Wines Pty Ltd, (i) Berri Co-operative Winery and Distillery Pty Ltd, (j) Coonawarra Wines Pty Ltd, (k) Hardy and Sons Wines Pty Ltd, (1) Rothbury Estate Wines Pty Ltd, and (m) Hamiltons Wines Pty Ltd.
  7. What has been the annual market return for this industry for each of the past fifteen years.
  8. What has been the annual level of State and Federal taxation on the wine industry for each of the past fifteen years.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. to (4) The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not compile data on production of the seven types of wine that are required. However, statistics on beverage wine production are compiled on a fortified and an unfortified category basis.

The quantity and value of beverage wine production for the period 1960-61 to 1967-68 inclusive, is available in the following Australian Bureau of Statistics publications: 1960- 61; Secondary Industries Pan II- Materials Used and Articles Produced in Factories, Bulletin No. 55, Page 62. 1961- 62; Secondary Industries Part II- Materials Used and Articles Produced in Factories, Bulletin No. 56, Page 71. 1962- 63; Secondary Industries Pan II- Materials Used and Articles Produced in Factories, Bulletin No. 57, Page 33. 1963- 64 and 1964-65; Manufacturing Commodities, Bulletin No. 1, Pages 1 1 and 109 respectively. 1965- 66; Manufacturing Commodities, Bulletin No. 2, Page 11. 1966- 67 and 1967-68; Manufacturing Commodities, Bulletin No. 3, Pages 10 and 103 respectively.

The method of compilation of production statistics for beverage wine was changed for subsequent years. Instead of being recorded on the basis of the value of production it is now being recorded on the basis of the value of sales and transfers out of wine. This information from 1968-69 inclusive has not been published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a State basis. The following information has, however, been made available on request from the Bureau:

  1. This information is confidential to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
  2. This information is not available in Commonwealth Government publications. I would suggest that the honourable senator obtain relevant copies of the Annual Reports of the companies concerned. (7)I refer to the information provided in respect of ( 1 ) to (4) This is the only relevant data collected by the Bureau of Statistics.
  3. Information which separately records tax paid by the wine and brandy industry to the Commonwealth Government is not published. I am not aware of any separate information published by the States.

Conservation and Environment (Question No. 628)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How much has the Commonwealth Government spent on conservation and the environment for the 10 years to 3 1 December 1975.
  2. How have these moneys been allocated annually by States.
  3. How many new national parks and reserves have been declared over the 1 0 year period.
  4. ) Where are these parks and what are they called.
  5. How large are they and when were they declared national parks.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Environment, Housing and Community Development has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The amounts that the Commonwealth Government has spent on conservation and the environment from 1966-67 to 3 1 December 1975 are shown in the accompanying Table 1.
  2. Table 2 sets out a breakdown of the estimates by State and Territory for 1 973-74 to December 1 975. (A state breakdown for earlier years is not applicable since expenditure consisted mainly of grants to conservation organisations. ) In summary, this shows the following allocation of funds:

(3), (4) and (5) The answers to these questions are to be found on the following tables.

Natural Gas: Reserves (Question No. 736)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for National Resources, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What is (a) the total known and (b) the total inferred, reserves of natural gas in Australia.
  2. What are the reserves for each State and Territory in Australia.
  3. What are the names, size, grade and locality of all deposits in excess of 30 000 000 cubic metres in Australia.
  4. What mining company, or group of companies, owns each of these deposits.
  5. 5 ) How long are the leases granted for each deposit.
  6. How many deposits, if any, have reached the production and/ot development stage; which deposits are these, and what is the annual extraction rate for each.
  7. How many, if any, deposits are still in the exploration stage; which deposits are these, and when is it likely that they will be brought into production.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Minister for National Resources has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) As at 3 1 March 1976 the total known reserves of sales natural gas in Australia were estimated at 815 billion cubic metres. (The ‘sales’ natural gas is defined as that remaining after the removal from the ‘raw’ gas of most of natural gas liquids (NGL) and non-hydrocarbon gases). 490.5 billion cubic metres are considered to be sub-economic or are awaiting a market.

The total inferred raw gas reserves in Australia have recently been suggested by the Bureau of Mineral Resources to be between 1700 and 2500 billion cubic metres (reported in a paper entitled ‘Australia’s Natural Gas Reserves and Future Natural Gas Potential’ by L. E. Kurylowicz et al at the 47th ANZAAS Congress in Hobart, Tasmania, May, 1976.

  1. As at 31 March 1976 the estimated sales gas reserves (in billions of cubic metres) were:
  1. Fields with reserves of gas greater than 30 000 000 cubic metres include practically all natural gas fields in Australia.

It is not possible to itemise the reserves by fields without violating the confidentiality under which the information is received. With some exceptions, gas reserves in the individual fields have not been made public.

So far as grade is concerned, Australian gases are ‘sweet’, Le. they contain very little or no sulphur compounds, but some, like those in the Bowen Basin, Queensland and the Cooper Basin in South Australia and Queensland contain significant percentages (up to 25 per cent) of carbon dioxide. The West Tryal Rocks (W.A.) gas, in addition to 10 per cent carbon dioxide, also contains 12.5 per cent of nitrogen. Most gas accumulations, particularly those in Bass Strait and on the Northwest Shelf are ‘wet’ to very ‘wet’, Le. their hydrocarbon liquids (condensate and LPG (liquified petroleum gas) component) content is rather high. Few gas accumulations like those in the Palm Valley field (N.T.), some at least in the Bowen-Surat Basin in Queensland, and some in the Cooper Basin in South Australia, are relatively dry, i.e., have low to very low liquids content.

  1. and (5) The title holders, the life of the current Production title, if issued, and the expiry date of the current term of tenure for the titles covering the various gas fields included in the reply to (3 ) above are given below. In certain instances no Production title has been applied for and in those cases the reference is to the Exploration title within which the field occurs.
  1. All of the economic gas reserves are committed for production. These are the reserves in the following fieldsQueensland Pickanjinnie, Pine Ridge, Raslie, Pleasant Hills, Richmond, Wallumbilla South, Grafton Range, Pringle Downs, Duarran, Hope Creek, Yanalah, Timbuny Hills, Hospital Hill, Snake Creek, Tarrawonga and Bony Creek, Victoria- Barracouta and Marlin, South Australia- Gidgealpa, Moomba and Big Lake, Western Australia- Dongara, Mondarra, Gingin and Yardarino.

The 1975 annual gas production rate (in cubic metres) including gas sold and that used for field and plant operation was as follows:

The Moomba-Sydney gas pipeline is nearing completion, and soon thereafter some, if not most, of the gas fields in the Cooper Basin (other than the abovementioned three already producing for the S.A. market) will be connected for production for the Sydney market. These are Daralingie, Brolga, Brumby, Burke, Dullingari, Toolachee, Delia, Strzelecki, Merrimelia and Mudrangie.

In Queensland, Kincora, Boxleigh and Silver Springs fields are to be connected to the Roma-Brisbane pipeline once sufficient reserves of gas are established; this may happen in late 1976 or early 1977.

Discussions are taking place for the development of the LNG (export) project and the associated gas supply by pipeline from the North Rankin Field on the Northwest Shelf (and possible from Goodwyn and Angel fields) for the Pilbara region and Perth area. This is a complex and expensive project which, if successfully negotiated, will not be a reality until the next decade.

Still in Western Australia, we may look forward to the successful proving of significant gas reserves at Barrow Island, which, when added to those of West Tryal Rocks, would considerably add to the Northwest Shelf reserves and thus may to some extent modify current development plans under discussion and those mentioned above.

Inquiry into Australian Broadcasting Systems (Question No. 756)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) When is it expected that the Minister will receive the report of the inquiry into Australian broadcasting systems being conducted by officers of the Department of Post and Telecommunications.
  2. Does the Minister expect to receive regular progress reports from the inquiry.
  3. ) Did the Minister actively consider including an inquiry into Australian newspaper publication in conjunction with the inquiry into broadcasting; if so, for what reason was this alternative discounted.
Senator Carrick:
LP

-The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. The Minister expects to receive a report from his Department by late September of this year.
  2. It has not yet been decided whether the inquiry will present one report or a series of reports. The Secretary of the Department keeps the Minister informed on progress with the work of the inquiry.
  3. No. An inquiry into Australian newspaper publication was not considered because the Commonwealth Government does not have constitutional responsibility with respect to the printed media.

Public Service Staff Ceilings (Question No. 645)

Senator James McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Has the Prime Minister given directions to the Chairman of the Public Service Board that the staff ceilings are to be stretched to the extent of allowing the appointment of an additional 270 public servants to work on rural reconstruction in the dairy industry.
  2. Is the Prime Minister prepared to consider giving a direction that staff ceilings should be reviewed in the Aboriginal Employment Section of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, in view of the fact that the unemployment level among Aboriginals has reached 30 per cent, or roughly six times the national average.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. and (2) No.

Ceilings are set by the Government for each department as a whole, not for individual components of a department. Ministers are expected to ensure that the resulting resources available to their departments are deployed in such a way that essential services are not impaired.

In addition, staff ceilings for each department are kept under constant review, and account is, of course, taken of individual programs and priorities, as approved by the Government.

Darwin Community College (Question No. 681)

Senator Robertson:

asked the Minister for Education, upon notice:

Is it a fact that unless the present staff ceiling of 205 is lifted to at least 283 for the 1977 academic year, over 1600 students will be denied access to the Darwin Community College; if so, will the Minister indicate whether staff ceilings will apply next year and if so, whether those at the College will be lifted to meet the needs of the community for which the college was established.

Senator Carrick:
LP

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

  1. The Darwin Community College’s staff ceiling has been raised from 205 at 30 June 1 976 to 230 at 30 June 1977.
  2. ) It is not possible to determine the number of students who may be affected because of staff ceilings; however, the College will be encouraged to offer as many courses and places as possible within the current limits.

Northmeat Abattoirs (Question No. 682)

Senator Robertson:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

  1. Will the Minister indicate what progress has been made in the rationalisation of the operation of the Northmeat Abattoirs at Katherine and the Wyndham Meatworks.
  2. Can the Minister indicate whether or not the Northmeat Abattoirs will operate this season, and if they are to operate, what will be the opening date for their activities.
  3. If the Nonhmeat Abattoirs do not plan to operate this season, will the Minister advise what arrangements the Government will make to assist those cattlemen in the Northern Territory who would normally use this facility.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The Government has agreed to a request by Northern Meat Exporters Pty Ltd to vary the repayment schedule of the Government loan of $ 1.4m. This Government action has enabled the establishment of joint venture operations between the Wyndham and Katherine abattoirs, which offer significant commercial advantages with the prospects of servicing the loan obligations of Northern Meat Exporters Pty Ltd as well as protecting the interests of the company’s shareholders.

Since 1 June 1976 the Katherine Abattoir has been managed by Norwest Development Corporation Ltd, the management company for the Wyndham Abattoir.

  1. ) The Katherine Abattoir commenced killing operations on 21 July 1976.
  2. 3 ) See answers under ( 1 ) and (2 ).

Launceston Customs House (Question No. 710)

Senator Rae:
TASMANIA

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

  1. 1 ) Is the beautiful, historical, and architecturally important Customs House in Launceston being damaged as a result of foundation failure.
  2. Have proposals for the work necessary to repair the foundations been deferred.
  3. Will the Minister indicate when this increasingly urgent work will be undertaken.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for Construction has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. Yes.
  2. In compliance with the Government’s expenditure restraints the work necessary to repair the foundations was deferred in 1975-76.
  3. Tenders for the remedial work were invited on 7 August 1976.

Stamp Preview (Question No. 592)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Was a paid advertisement included with mailed copies of Australia Post’s second Stamp Preview for 1976; if so, (a) was the advertisement placed by Review Publications Pty Ltd, (b) what were the circumstances which led to a firm being allowed to have its advertisement mailed with copies of Stamp Preview, and (c) what revenue did Australia Post receive for this advertisement.
  2. Since the issue of the second Stamp Preview for 1976, has Australia Post been approached by firms to have their advertisements included with mailed copies of Stamp Preview; if so, what was Australia Post’s response.
  3. How many copies of the second Stamp Preview for 1 976 were mailed and what was the cost of postage.
  4. Is Australia Post considering any proposals to assist advertisers to be placed on its mailing lists in future, including the mailing list for Stamp Review.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Yes, a paid advertisement was included with the copies of Stamp Preview No 2, 1976 posted to Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

    1. Yes.
    2. The advertisement was permitted under the conditions first announced in Stamp Preview in 1971. The facility is restricted to advertisements relating to Australian and Australian Territory stamps no longer available from Australia Post centres. It was initiated as a service to collectors and to foster Australian philately.
    3. $1,040.
  2. No, but Review Publications has indicated that it wishes to make a similar mailing to New South Wales and Victoria.
  3. 248 647, including 51 500 copies of Stamp Preview with advertising leaflets. Postage of Stamp Preview is free; mail handling costs are recovered from the philatelic sales generated by the announcements appearing in Stamp Preview.
  4. Not all Australia Post mailing lists are suitable for carrying private advertising material, but the insertion of advertising leaflets will be permitted in Stamp Preview, providing the necessary conditions are met by the advertiser.

Department of Employment and Industrial Relations: Staffing (Question No. 643)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Have 105 positions in the Central Office of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations been withdrawn; if so, (a) which positions are involved, and (b) will the Minister provide specific details of the effect the withdrawal of these positions is expected to have on the functioning of the Department.
  2. If the answer to ( 1 ) is in the affirmative, does the Minister propose to reconstitute these positions at some time in the future, funds permitting, or is the withdrawal of the positions envisioned as permanent.
  3. Will any cutbacks in staffing in the three manpower divisions responsible for policy, development, and operations in industrial training adversely affect the Department’s role in industrial training.
  4. What cost savings will be made as a result of any such cutbacks.
Senator Carrick:
LP

-The Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. to (4) The review to which the honourable senator refers was in keeping with the Government’s policy that activities of Departments and the resources allocated to them should be re-examined with a view to improving efficiency. The re-introduction of staff ceilings, which were below establishment, only served to underline and reinforce the need for this examination.

The comprehensive review of the Department’s activities was aimed at identifying the relative priorities of different areas of work and the resources which should be available for them. As a result of that review, some 105 positions, 62 of which were substantively vacant, were withdrawn and, simultaneously, steps put in hand to fill 108 other positions which were substantively vacant. Further details of the classifications of positions withdrawn and numbers substantively vacant are provided in an attachment.

The redeployment of resources will make for a more efficient operation of essential activities. While the withdrawal of the positions is seen as permanent, should further changes be necessary these will be dealt with in the normal way. The changes affected all Divisions of the Department, including the three Manpower Divisions concerned with development and operations of manpower policies and programs, including industrial training. As already indicated, the objective is to ensure a more efficient and effective role of the Department in the total range of its work, including industrial training.

Telephone Devices for the Deaf (Question No. 768)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

Has Telecom placed an order in the United States of America for two devices which can be linked to telephones and used by deaf people; if so, (a) on what principle do these machines operate, (b) what is the cost of purchase and installation, (c) to what use will the 1 100 machines be put, (d) are additional machines to be purchased and (e) has there been any unnecessary or unavoidable delay in the provision of telephone facilities for deaf people in Australia.

Senator Carrick:
LP

-The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

No. Telecom Australia does not offer equipment of this nature in its range of standard telecommunications facilities. However, as part of an overall program to look at various telecommunications facilities designed to assist handicapped people, the Commission is examining a number of such devices to assess their suitability for connection to the public telephone network.

One such device to be examined is the equipment referred to by the honourable senator. The current positon with this equipment is that the Commission is obtaining on loan from each of two American firms a pair of units which are designed to enable people with severe hearing and /or speech problems to communicate over the telephone network.

The answer to the honourable senator’s specific questions are:

The units which are associated with an ordinary telephone service have a small keyboard similar to a typewriter and a display panel which holds about 30 characters at any one time. As each character is typed on the keyboard, it is displayed at both the send and receive end.

No pricing details have been supplied to date by the manufacturers.

As mentioned in the general comments above, only two pairs of units are being obtained on loan.

Purchase of this type of unit is not recommended until its suitability for operation on the network has been evaluated by the Commission.

No.

Airport Checks (Question No. 762)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

When does the Government intend commencing airport checks at Darwin, Katherine, Groote Eylandt, and Nhulunbuy, as part of the program aimed at combatting the outbreak of oriental fruit fly in the Northern Territory.

Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The program to combat oriental fruit fly in the Northern Territory will not involve full quarantine checks at any airport in the infested area in the immediate future. Some sample checks however will be made during times of maximum fruit production.

It is considered that if quarantine checks are to be introduced, the destination airports would be the most appropriate location in view of the widespread infestation of oriental fruit fly now known to cover an area of 300 000 square kilometres in the top end of the Territory. In this area there are cattle stations which regularly have direct movements to southern States by light aircraft as well as the main airports and a considerable amount of road traffic moving south.

Northern Territory Police Force: Uniforms (Question No. 773)

Senator Robertson:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) Do new uniforms at present being issued to the members of the Northern Territory Police Force have provision for the policeman’s number to be displayed; if not, is this due to an omission or a result of a policy decision.
  2. Should a citizen be able to identify a policeman by his number and should this be prominently displayed, as in other police forces.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Uniforms at present being issued to members of the Northern Territory Police Force do not have provision for a number to be displayed.

When the new uniform was designed the Northern Territory Police was to have been amalgamated into the proposed Australia Police and the question of whether numbers or name plates would be worn was still under consideration. It was expected that if a number were to be displayed it would have been incorporated in the Australia Police badge.

The matter of whether an identification tag should be worn by individual policemen (including its possible form and the costs involved ) is under review.

  1. If a citizen needs or requires to know the identity of a member of the Northern Territory Police Force he may request that information from the member.

Northern Territory Police Standing Order No. 58, Clause 7, provides that when acting in an official capacity a member shall at all times state his true name and rank to any person so enquiring.

Public Service Staff Ceilings (Question No. 785)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice:

  1. Have economy cuts in Public Service Departments resulted in an air of suspended animation; if so, is this due mainly to poor communication between the Government and the Public Service.
  2. Has the threat of retrenchment drastically reduced the incentive to Public Servants to efficiently perform their functions in certain Departments.
  3. If the whole system is placed in jeopardy through the reduction in public service staffing, is this a negation of the Government s econony drive.
Senator Withers:
LP

– The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. No.
  2. No. There has been no threat of retrenchment.
  3. The system has not been placed in jeopardy through the reduction in public service staffing. Ministers are expected to ensure that the resources available to their departments are deployed in such a way that essential services are not impaired, and they have been asked to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister any difficulties they have in achieving the ceilings set.

Publication of Report (Question No. 798)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister for Education, upon notice:

Why was the Fourth Annual Report for 1973-74 and the Fifth Annual Report for 1974-75, of the AACRDE, not published until 1976, and presented to the Senate until 3 June 1976.

Senator Carrick:
LP

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

A major component of each Annual Report of the AACRDE (now ERDC) is the Policy Statement on Principles and Procedures provided by the Committee chairman. During the period covered by the two reports in question, a changeover of chairmanship occurred. This combined with delays in publishing meant the Reports could not be tabled before the Autumn Session of Parliament.

Northern Territory: Transport Needs (Question No. 805)

Senator Robertson:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

Has a case been made in the Northern Territory for a Royal Commission into the transport needs of the Territory, following upon the Government’s decisions to withdraw all services on the Larrimah-Darwin rail link; if so, would a Royal Commission be justified in view of the fact that the Bureau of Transport Economics is already conducting such a survey.

Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Yes, such a call was made by the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a resolution dated 3 June 1 976; no, a Royal Commission would not be justified for the reason indicated in the question by the honourable senator.

Katherine Meatworks (Question No. 806)

Senator Robertson:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

Did the Government announce that the Katherine meatworks will open in July of this year for a short season; if so, will the Minister give the Senate some indication of the longer-term plans of the Government in this regard so that pastoralists may be able to plan their ongoing program with some confidence.

Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

In addition to my reply to the honourable senator’s question on Notice No. 682 it is advised that the Bureau of Agricultural Economics is undertaking a general study of the relationships between the requirements of cattle producers and the slaughtering facilities in the Top End and north west Australia.

Telephone Installations (Question No. 489)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, upon notice:

What is the current delay in the installation and repair of (a) private, and (b) business telephones in each State of Australia and the Northern Territory in (i) capital cities, (ii) provincial cities, and (iii) rural areas.

Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Telecom Australia does not classify its comparative summaries of installation and repair times under the headings mentioned by the honourable senator. However, the current position in regard to average installation times for telephone exchange services-measured in calendar days- is as follows:

So far as repair service is concerned, the aim is to clear 90 per cent of all faults by the close of business on the next working day following lodgment of the report. Not all faults render a service unworkable but on those which do, the aim is to provide a same day repair service.

Current achievement measured against the ‘all faults’ standard in respect of State capital city networks is as follows:

Performance is much higher on faults which render a service unworkable.

Staff of the Department of the Media

Senator Durack:
Minister for Repatriation · WESTERN AUSTRALIA · LP

– On 8 April 1976 (Hansard page 1 193) Senator Townley asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister a question without notice concerning the staff of the former Department of the Media.

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister in Public Service Matters has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Public Service Board has advised me that following the abolition of the Department of the Media, its major branches were distributed between the Depanment of Administrative Services and the Postal and Telecommunications Depanment as follows:

By 31 May 1976 the transfer of staff from the former Depanment of the Media was substantially complete.

Of the 1461 staff originally transferred to the Depanment of Administrative Services, 1378 were still with that Depanment at 3 1 May 1976. Of the remaining 83,

Of the 114 staff originally transferred to the Postal and Telecommunications Department, 54 were still with the Department at 3 1 May 1976. Of the remaining 60,

Since 31 May 1976 there has been one change in administrative arrangements related to the original Department of the Media, namely the transfer of the Audio- Visual Branch of the Postal and Telecommunications Department to the Australian Film Commission, effective from 1 July 1976. The seven staff involved in this transfer were staff originally with the Department of the Media.

Changes subsequent to 31 May 1976, with the exception of the Audio-Visual Branch mentioned above, are not specifically related to the former Department of the Media, but are in the nature of those that occur from time to time within and between Australian Government bodies in the normal way.

Primary Industry: Annual Production (Question No. 790)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) What was the annual production for each of the following primary industries in the Northern Territory for the past ten years: (a) beef cattle, (b) timber industry, (c) fishing industry, (d) market gardening, (e) sorghum, (f) other grain crops, (g) buffalo meat industry, (h) rice growing, (i) peanut growing, (j) cotton growing, (k) millen growing, (1) fodder crops, and (m) pig industry.
  2. What was the annual value per crop variety for each year.
  3. How much of these annual production figures for each industry for each of the past ten years has been used for (a) domestic consumption, and (b) export.
  4. What is the total area of arable land in the Northern Territory and where is it located.
  5. 5 ) How much of this arable land is under irrigation.
  6. What are the main methods of transport used for the shipping of each of these primary industries, for (a) transport from production point to distribution point, (b) inter-state transportation of products, and (c) intra-state transportation of products.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. ) and (2)-

All timber used locally. Production not valued as not yet a commercial venture.

General: 85 per cent of prawn production exported overseas by sea. 70 per cent of Barramundi exported for interstate consumption by road and air. Remainder local consumption.

All local consumption.

(f), (h) and (I) Crop varieties grown in each of the above categories have never reached a viable commercial stage. All production has been recycled for research domestically.

Ali domestic consumption.

(3)-

  1. The area of arable land in the N.T. is approximately 400 000 hectares, located mainly in the higher rainfall area of the ‘top end* and in other areas of the N.T. where irrigation is possible.
  2. It is estimated that approximately500 hectares has been under irrigation in the N.T. in the past, which includes the Humpty Doo rice project flood area on the Coastal Plains.
  3. Main Method of Transport:

Cattle and boneless beef-

  1. Road
  2. Road, rail, ship
  3. Road.

Timber industry-

  1. Sea, road
  2. Sea, road
  3. Road.

Fishing industry-

  1. Sea, road
  2. Sea, road, air
  3. Road, air.

Market gardening-

  1. Road
  2. Nil
  3. Road.

Sorghum-

  1. Road
  2. Nil
  3. Road.

Buffalo meat industry-

  1. Road
  2. Road- live buffs overseas- air; sea
  3. Road.

Pig industry-

  1. Road
  2. Nil
  3. Road.

Others- Insignificant production. Crops grown for further research activities.

Northern Territory Beef Industry (Question No. 629)

Senator Keeffe:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Northern Territory, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How much has been spent by the Federal Government on the Northern Territory’s beef industry for each of the 10 years to 3 1 December 1 975.
  2. ) How does this compare with expenditure on the States for the same period.
  3. What percentage of the total Australian beef industry does the Northern Territory industry represent.
  4. What have been the annual growth rates of the Northern Territory beef industry over the past 10 years.
  5. How have the moneys spent over the past 10 years been allocated.
Senator Webster:
NCP/NP

– The Minister for the Northern Territory has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) A variety of Government expenditures during the 10 year period 1966-67 to 1975-76 have benefited the Territory cattle industry. These expenditures included the $1.4m Government loan to Northern Meat Exporters Pty Ltd, the operator of Katherine Abattoir; loans granted to cattle producers under the provisions of the Encouragement of Primary Production Ordinance ($0.5m) and the Encouragement of Water Supplies Ordinance ($1.1 9m); and the construction of beef and development roads ($37m).

In addition, Commonwealth expenditure on agricultural extension and research also benefit beef producers.

Commonwealth expenditures which are comparable with Commonwealth expenditures to the beef industry in the States are tabulated below:

  1. (a) As at 31 March 1975 (the date of last published cattle census) the cattle population of the Northern Territory stood at 1 445 000-4.4 per cent of Australian total of 32.8 million.

    1. For the 12 months ended 30 June beef and veal production in the Northern Territory amounted to 13 162 tonnes- 0.85 per cent of Australian total of 1 533 752 tonnes.
    2. For the 12 months ended 30 June 1975, beef and veal exports from the Northern Territory amounted to 3500 tonnes (shipped wt)- 0.83 per cent of Australian total of 423 300 tonnes.
  2. The table below indicates the growth rates of the Northern Territory cattle industry over the past 1 0 years.

Rural Unemployment (Question No. 679)

Senator Colston:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, upon notice:

  1. 1 ) How many persons living in ‘rural areas’ were registered as unemployed in each State of Australia and the Northern Territory for each month from April 1975 to April 1976.
  2. How many (a) offices and (b) staff of the Commonwealth Employment Service were there in rural areas in each State and the Northern Territory as at 1 April 1975 andI April 1976.
  3. Does the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations currently have any specific programs aimed at alleviating rural unemployment; if so, will the Minister provide relevant details.
  4. Which recommendations of the Henderson Inquiry relating to rural unemployment have so far been adopted.
Senator Carrick:
LP

-The Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) and (2) The information is provided in the following tables:
  1. The Government’ s strategy towards economic recovery and the restoration of full employment is by now well known. The Government is concerned to overcome inflation as the necessary first step in this strategy, and to reduce government expenditure and allow room for the private sector to expand and again provide job opportunities for all Australians, including those in rural areas.
  2. The recommendations of the Henderson Inquiry (into Poverty in Australia) have in the main, been referred for consideration to the Income Security Review Group.

However, the recent announced eligibility of primary producers for unemployment benefit, pending consideration of a scheme of ‘household support’, should be seen as recognising the special income support needs of this group which were identified in the Henderson Report.

Broadcasting (Question No. 456)

Senator Douglas McClelland:
NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications the following question, upon notice:

  1. Which broadcasting and television stations were (a) approved of, and (b) went to air, between December 1972
  2. 1 ) to (4) (see attached tables): and November 1975, either under the Broadcasting and Television Act or the Wireless Telegraphy Act.
  3. What was the date of approval in each case, and what was the date of going to air.
  4. Which of the stations are national, commercial, community or public stations.
  5. What is the area that each of the stations serve.
Senator Carrick:
LP

-The Minister for Post and Telecommunications has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

Development of Transport: Staffing (Question No. 335)

Senator Messner:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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

  1. 1 ) What is the staff employed in the Air Transport Group of the Department of Transport.
  2. What was the total cost of wages and salaries paid to the employees, set out in the 12th Annual Report of the former Department of Civil Aviation: (a) in the break down of staff employed on page 77; and (b) in the Departmental Organisation- Chart on page 90.
Senator Carrick:
LP

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

  1. The Department no longer identifies staff by Air Transport or Surface Groups. Rather, the Department is comprised of the following functional areas:

    1. Policy and Planning,
    2. Surface (operational and technical),
    3. Air (operational and technical),
    4. Bureau of Transport Economics,
    5. e ) Management Services, (0 Finance and Commercial.

The number of staff directly associated with air activities (i.e. item (c above) is 8931.

  1. (a) $58,878,986.

    1. $482,533 (this amount excludes emoluments to the positions of Director of Aviation Medicine and Assistant Crown Solicitor which are met from the Departments of Health and Attorney General respectively).

Charter Flights (Question No. 508)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) Has Air Hibiscus made application to be permitted to provide connecting chaner flights from Australia to Fiji?
  2. Has Ansett Airlines of Australia made application to be allowed to expand to a regional role by offering charter services operating on routes from Australia to New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Norfolk Island?
  3. Has All Nations Air Services made application to be permitted to operate a multi-million dollar air charter service between Australia and London?
  4. Has a decision been made in each case? If so, what was that decision?
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Transport has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) Air Hibiscus has made no applications to the Australian Authorities for the operation of charter flights between Australia and Fiji.
  2. Ansett Airlines of Australia has made application to operate a programme of international chaner flights between Australia (Port Hedland) and Indonesia (Bali). The company has not made application to operate passenger international charter flights from Australia to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, nor from Australia to Norfolk Island which is a domestic route.
  3. All Nations Air Services has made no specific application for the operation of international chaner flights to and from Australia but the Minister for Transport has received general proposals from the company in relation to its desire to engage in international charter travel.
  4. The Ansett Airlines of Australia application and the proposals of All Nations Air Services are currently being considered.

Trans-Australia Airlines: Ticket Sales (Question No. 608)

Senator Rae:

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

  1. What percentage of all Trans-Australia Airlines tickets are sold directly by the airline.
  2. What approximate percentage of all the Airlines’ tickets are sold by its agents.
  3. On what accounting basis, in terms of alleged cost penalties, has the Airline declined to accept bankcards.
  4. Is the charge to the retailer for bankcards, 2 W per cent of the total cost of the goods or services? If not, what is the charge.
  5. Does the Airline pay travel agents approximately 10 per cent of the cost to the passenger of tickets when such agents sell tickets for the Airline? If not, what is the range of the percentages paid to travel agents.
  6. Do such agency costs to the Airline fare exceed the costs of penalties of over the counter bankcard sales of passenger tickets? If so, what is the approximate margin of difference.
  7. If the answer to 6 is in the affirmative, does this indicate that the Airline is failing to offer passengers a service that literally thousands of other businesses can easily and probably operate.
  8. Will the Minister now request the Airline to treat bankcards in the same way as personal cheques for the convenience of bankcards.
  9. Does the Commonwealth Bank offer bankcards to its customers.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Transport has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question: 1 and 2. For competitive reasons Trans-Australia Airlines would prefer not to disclose percentages of all airline tickets sold directly by the airline or its agents.

  1. The Airline has declined to accept bankcard on the basis that the service fee charged by bankcard to provide only a credit facility would add to the total cost structure and eventually lead to an increase in air fares in a period when the Airline is fighting to contain costs.
  2. Insofar as the Airline is concerned, preliminary discussions were held on the quantum of service fee to be imposed by bankcard but no definite figure was determined.
  3. Currently, travel agents are paid 5 per cent commission on point to point domestic tickets, 8 per cent on tickets sold in conjunction with international travel and 10 per cent on holiday travel packages.
  4. Agent’s commission cost cannot be realistically compared with bankcard service costs, even if the latter had been determined. Agents’ commissions cover a multitude of services to the airline whereas bankcard is only providing a credit service for the consumer.
  5. Not applicable.
  6. No.
  7. This question should be directed to the Treasurer if the honourable Senator wishes to pursue the matter.

Road Maintenance (Question No. 731)

Senator Keeffe:

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

  1. 1 ) How much money has been allocated by the Federal and State Governments for the construction and maintenance of roads in northern Australia, north of latitude 26°, for each of the past ten years.
  2. How much of this money has actually been spent.
  3. How many miles of new beef, rural, and national roads have been constructed for each of these years in ( a ) the Northern Territory; (b) Western Australia; and (c) Queensland.
  4. Where have these roads been constructed.
  5. How many miles of roads have been constructed by individuals and private companies, other than roads constructed by the Federal and State Governments.
  6. Where are these roads and when were they constructed.
  7. What was the cost of these roads.
Senator Carrick:
LP

– The Minister for Transport has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. to (7) Under the Commonwealth Aid Roads Acts, which preceded the Roads Legislation enacted when the previous Government was in office, there was no requirement on the part of States to report to the Commonwealth, in the manner which would enable the detailed information sought by the honourable senator, to be provided.

The allocation of Commonwealth moneys are regarded a matter for the States, whilst the allocation of State moneys was a matter for the States.

The information sought by the honourable senator is of such amount and of such a diverse nature that it would need to be assembled from a number of sources- principally from the records of the States of Queensland and Western Australia and from those of the Northern Territory.

Such a task would require a major commitment of staff resources from the States and within the Commonwealth Public Service. I do not feel that I would be justified in asking the Commonwealth Ministers or my counterparts in the States to have the information extracted.

Stock Train Service (Question No. 755)

Senator Colston:

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

Is the Department of Transport considering instituting a third stock train service each week from Alice Springs to Adelaide to assist cattlemen in Central Australia. If so, when is it likely that a decision will be made.

Senator Carrick:
LP

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

Arrangements have been made by Australian National Railways to provide an extra cattle train every other week to meet the additional demand. However the continued provision of this additional service is in doubt as a result of a shortage of enginemen caused by an industrial dispute concerning working hours.

Australian Air Pilots: Alcohol Restrictions (Question No. 767)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. Has the Australian Guild of Air Pilots requested the Government to introduce stricter rules on drinking for Australian air pilots. If so when was the request made and by whom.
  2. What restrictions have been requested.
  3. What restrictions are currently in force and when were the restrictions last amended.
  4. How many breaches against the rules have there been since 1970 and what was the result of any prosecutions launched.
  5. Has the Minister made a decision on the latest request from the Australian Guild of Air Pilots.
Senator Carrick:
LP

-The Minister for Transport has provided the following answers to the honourable senator’s questions:

  1. Yes- on 5 May 1976 by letter signed by the President of the Australian Guild of Air Pilots.
  2. To require that a pilot not consume any alcoholic liquor in the period of 12 hours before flight.
  3. A requirement that a pilot shall not consume any alcoholic liquor in the period of 8 hours before flight. Separately, a requirement that a pilot shall not act as a member of the operating crew of an aircraft if his capacity to so act is impaired by consumption of alcoholic liquor.
  4. In the period 1970 to date there were 15 cases brought to the notice of the Department in which breach of the requirements was either established or suspected. Only one case involved airline operations. Four cases involved light aircraft accidents in which the pilot was killed. Four cases resulted in convictions for drinking, three others involved convictions on related charges.
  5. It is not proposed to extend the mandatory period of abstinence.

North Australia Railway (Question No. 772)

Senator Robertson:

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

  1. What was the cost in 1974-75 and 1975-76 of the sleepering program for the North Australia Railway.
  2. What was the cost to the Railway of post Cyclone Tracy benefits paid to employees, including rest and recreation fares, rest and recreation paid leave, hard-living allowances and time lost whilst on Railway pay, but not engaged in productive work.
  3. What is the cost to date of post Cyclone Tracy repair work for the Railway.
  4. Are the items mentioned included in expenditure figures and costed against the Railway’s operational expenses?
Senator Carrick:
LP

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

  1. 1974-75-5435,000; 1 975-76-$ 1 90,000.
  2. $152,000.
  3. $449,000.
  4. Yes.

Meningitis (Question No. 703)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) How many deaths from meningitis occur each year in Australia.
  2. Is the Minister aware of a new meningitis vaccine which has been approved for use in the United States of America? If so, has the Department of Health investigated the vaccine for possible use in Australia.
Senator Guilfoyle:
LP

– The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

  1. 1 ) The number of deaths from meningitis, due to organisms other than the meningococcus, in the five most recent years for which statistics are available were:

The number of deaths from meningococcal infections during the same five years were:

In these latter statistics it is not practicable to distinguish meningococcal meningitis from other meningococcal infections. Information on the strains of meningococcus concerned is also not available.

  1. A vaccine has recently been developed in the United States against meningococcus strains A and C, but no vaccine is available against other strains of the organism.

This vaccine is directed against conditions which would have led to a proportion of the deaths due to meningococcal infections given in ( 1 ) above.

The Department of Health and the National Health and Medical Research Council have closely studied the development and availability of these vaccines overseas with a view to their potential use in this country should an epidemic develop which proves to be of a type in which immunisation is deemed to be the control method of choice.

Whaling (Question No. 758)

Senator Colston:

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

  1. 1 ) What is the composition of the Australian delegation to the next meeting of the Internationa! Whaling Commission to be held in London in June 1976.
  2. What instructions has the delegation received in relation to any discussion on the request from the United States for a moratorium on the killing of whales.
Senator Cotton:
LP

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

  1. The official Australian representatives at the 28th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) held injune were:

Mr A. G. Bollen, Leader First Assistant Secretary, Fisheries Division, Department of Primary Industry, Australian Commissioner and Chairman of the IWC.

Mr W A Ryan:
ACT

an- Alternate: Representative of Department of Primary Industry at Australian High Commission in London.

Dr K. Radway Allen, Scientific Adviser; Chief of Division of Fisheries and Oceanography, CSIRO.

Mr J. L. Bannister Scientific Adviser; Director of Western Australian Museum.

  1. The subject of a complete moratorium was not included in the agenda for the June 1976 meeting. The Australian delegation was instructed to follow the advice of the Scientific Committee in respect of the application of moratoria on catching of any species on a global basis or to individual stocks which are endangered.

Public Service- Flexible Working Hours

Senator Durack:
LP

– On 6 May 1976 (Hansard, page 1618) Senator Sheil asked the Minister representing the Minister assisting the Prime Minister in Public Service Matters a question without notice concerning flexible working hours in the Commonwealth Public Service. The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister in Public Service Matters has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

The Public Service Board has advised that trial schemes of flexible working hours were first introduced into the Public Service during the term of the previous Government, following reports on overseas developments, and interest displayed by staff, staff organisations and departments.

There is a trend in the Australian work force towards varied working arrangements, particularly for office workers. All State Public Services and a number of private employers have approved some form of experimentation with flexible working hours. The Board has instituted arrangements designed to monitor closely the effects of flexible hours trials in the Service to ensure that they are managed in a way that maximises efficiency and economy.

The Public Service Board is currently examining departmental evaluations of their trial flexible working hours schemes. Preliminary analysis indicates: in general, trials of flexible working hours have been successful, and the benefits to both staff and management outweigh the disadvantages departments do not consider that efficiency has been significantly affected by the introduction of flexible working hours schemes of flexible working hours offer scope for a better match of working time to workload, and can provide a capability to give service to the public over a longer span of hours staff morale and job satisfaction have increased as a result of working flexible hours.

There appear to be grounds for retaining flexible hours as a permanent feature of public service employment. It is recognised, however, that flexible working hours schemes require careful attention by management to operate effectively, and the Public Service Board will continue to oversight their operation and draw to the attention of departmental management any deficiencies that may become apparent.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 17 August 1976, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1976/19760817_senate_30_s69/>.